Parishioners urged to fast, pray and give alms

Mar 05, 2015

SANDAKAN (Herald Malaysia): For pastoral reasons, Ash Wednesday was celebrated on Tuesday, February 17 in the Diocese of Sandakan. More than 2,000 parishioners attended the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr Thomas Makajil, the rector, at St Mary’s Cathedral.

In his homily, Fr Thomas cited from the Old Testament how Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt to Canaan, the ‘Promised Land’. The journey in the wilderness lasted 40 years before the Israelites reached their destination. It was a miraculous event, one that required much faith, prayer, repentance, perseverance and God’s providence.

In the New Testament, he said that the 40-day period that Jesus spent in the wilderness was not only important to the journey of Christ but is equally important to us as followers. Jesus wrestled with the temptations and overcame Satan. He was ready for His ministry.

Likewise, we are also tempted while in the wilderness of our lives. We need to withdraw into solitude to build a closer relationship with God, to repent of our sins, seek forgiveness and return to Him.

He reminded the people that Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. He touched on the three pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting and Alms-giving. We are called to live our Christian values, especially during the Lenten season, so that we can be living witnesses, ambassadors of Jesus.

At St Mark’s Church more than 1,000 faithful came to attend Ash Wednesday, celebrated in Bahasa Malaysia on February 17 at 6.30 pm.