MJD News Update #69

Dec 11, 2021

Greetings and Peace of the Lord

Jesus Christ be with you, dear People of God.

On a piece of land given by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1883 was built the now oldest church in Johor. The original church was called Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The current church was renamed the Immaculate Conception, built in 1921. A blessed 138th parish feast and missionary presence to CIC JB.

I followed the series entitled Chosen, with the pilot, the Christmas special from the shepherds’ point of view. They were unwelcome and unwanted by the temple priest, but the heavens invited them, the holy family welcomed them, they wanted so much to tell the people of what had happened. Strangely the blemished, the rejects, the crippled and lowly shepherds saw the Promised One on that night of all nights.

Time of the Expendables. These days, the small, the powerless, the minorities and the ‘nobodies’ are bullied, victimised, or made scapegoats. They are easily made sacrificial lambs for the ambitions and agenda of the great and mighty.

Caiaphas said: “It is better for one man to die for the people, than to have the whole nation perish”. But what do we see in Jesus’ parable? The shepherd goes after the lost ones. This is the image and way of God. He sends out one to save one. A prophet, a voice in the wilderness or a shepherd, to save the one lost.

The majority use might, but the minority abandon themselves to God the consoler, to be fed, gathered, and led. The Lord favours the one because there is power in one; one makes a difference; one has value. For God, the one is not a write-off. An inclusive God gathers all, irrespective of colour, caste, or creed — the minority with the majority, blemished with unblemished, and the last with the first. Is the voice of the one or minority ever heard or considered? God sides with the expendables. Divine justice is never blind.

A Thought for the Week: Give Me A Penny
A man was talking to God one day, and he said, “God, I have always wanted to ask you this question.” He said, “God, from your perspective, how long is a million years?” God said, “From my perspective, a million years is a second.” “Wow, a second!” He then said, “God, from your perspective, how much is a million dollars?” God said, “From my perspective, a million dollars is a penny.” “Man, that is unbelievable!” Then he said, “God, could I borrow a penny?” And God said, “Sure, just a second.” Something to reflect on:

2 Pet.3:8: But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. Everything happens in His time.

Announcements for this Week:
1. According to the Kementerian Perpaduan Negara, the Christmas SOPs will be announced by December 17. Then we shall see what adjustments are to be made.

2. Next week, confessions and penitential services begin in Melaka and Johor parishes. Schedule is available on the MJD website and other social media platforms.

3. The Caritas-MJDOHD has initiated the Advent 2021 Project, a fundraising drive to help the Orang Asal children with their education. Contact your parish CaritasSSVP-POHD team. A little act of kindness may be a big gift to another.

4. The YMCA Johor invites you and your families to celebrate this season of love on zoom on December 17, 2021 at 8.00pm. The YMCA Johor Christmas Carol Night is entitled “A New Song In My Heart”. Scan the QR code to register.

This week’s Question and Query.

The Q asks: Is Christmas a Time of Miracles?
It is a season of small miracles. A time when someone cares. A time that needs our hands and feet, and flesh, that takes the form of random acts of kindness. They may be little acts, but they make miracles happen, enkindle the flame of hope, spark healing and transform humanity. Gandalf, in the Hobbit, commented: “I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay”.

When random acts of kindness are missing, humanity can grow dark, shrivel up and die. (Alchemy Resources Nov 30, 2021)

Thank you for reading. Walk the extra mile of kindness. Touch a tired soul. Restore hope. Inspire charity. Let us continue “Building His Kingdom” Together.

Bishop Bernard Paul
December 10, 2021

Click here to watch the video