Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #200

Dec 01, 2024

Greetings dear friends of MJD
From one scare to another. After the COVID scare, over 80,000 Malaysians are expected to die of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the “superbug” infections by 2030, says the Health Minister. An estimated 620,000 jobs across 10 key sectors of the Malaysian economy are at risk of convergence or displacement if they do not reskill to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, and the green economy.

A total of 1,074 permanent forest reserve areas in the Peninsular, equivalent to over 53,700 football fields, were illegally cleared as of December 31 last year. Within 10 years, the peninsula’s oil and gas reserves will be depleted, said the economy minister. MACC chief asks: Why is there no trust in us?

On the Church’s World Day of the Poor with the theme The Prayer of the Poor Ascends to God, the Pope welcomed 1300 poor people. Bhutan, that introduced Gross National Happiness to the world, that boasts free health care, free education, a rising life expectancy and a growing economy has a problem: young people are leaving the country in record numbers. No end to scares. Is it a real one or a created one?

Choosing Times: “If someone hasn’t changed, why expect a different response and outcome? It’s like choosing to be repeatedly run over by the same train!” Stop seeking validation from people who keep hurting, disappointing and belittling you. Choose people who bring healing, hope and inspiration, not harm. We give thanks and call upon Your name.

We recount your wonderful deeds.

“When I reach the appointed time, then I will judge with justice.

Though the earth and all who dwell in it may rock, it is I who uphold its pillars. To the boastful I say: “Do not boast,”

To the wicked: “Do not flaunt your strength, do not flaunt your strength on high. Do not speak with insolent pride.”

For neither from the east nor from the west, nor from desert or mountains comes judgement, but God Himself is the judge. One He humbles, another He exalts.

A Thought For The Week: Butter vs Bread
There was a farmer who sold a pound of butter to the baker. One day the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting a pound and he found that he was not. This angered him and he took the farmer to court. The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure.

The farmer replied, “Your Honour, I am primitive. I don’t have a proper measure, but I do have a scale.” The judge asked, “Then how do you weigh the butter?” The farmer replied “Your Honour, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker.”

The lesson from the farmer: “We get back in life what we give to others”

Announcement for the Week:
1. The second collection on the Second Sunday Advent is for the KASIH INITIATIVE, a fund called for by the Malaysian Bishops to operate projects, pastoral work and staffing for Creation Justice, Migrant-Itinerants and Caritas Malaysia. Give generously.

QnQ? The Q asks: Is there a way to recognise inspiring people?
“I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionise the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.” Beth Clark Inspiring people make a difference.

See The Holy Spirit @ Work: Many saints cannot distinguish inspiration from emotion. Actually, these two can be defined readily. Emotion always enters from man’s outside, whereas inspiration originates with the Holy Spirit in man’s spirit. Watchman Nee

Something To Tickle You: “Focusing on difficulties intensifies and enlarges the problem. When we focus our attention on God, the problem is put into its proper perspective and it no longer overwhelms us.” Charles Stanley

Bishop Bernard Paul