Youth called to live their prophetic vision of the Church

Aug 05, 2016

By Ivan Filmer
On June 26, Rt Rev Bishop Sebastian Francis presided over the Eucharistic Celebration at the Church of the Divine Mercy where he confirmed eight candidates. In his homily, Bishop explained that the three readings of the day (1 Kings 19: 16b, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62) showed people who wanted or were asked to follow Jesus. However, each of them had some ulterior motive or some excuse not to follow Him. However in the case of Elisha, he was brought to his senses by Elijah’s curt reply.

Bishop Sebastian further said that everyone of us has a vocation in life and the Lord will call whoever He wishes. We need to do away with stereotypes, as it does not mean that those who are baptised will always answer the call of Jesus to follow Him. We continue along with our lives and at some point the Lord will call and we have to make a serious decision. Bear in mind, He will not wait for you. When we answer the call we must leave the past behind and not know what the future will hold for us. It will be an adventure and a risk but if we respond to God’s call we will experience a freedom of spirit. He elaborated that we are all called first to be disciples of Christ and then we will choose our vocation, be it laity or religious.

His advice for the Youth was not to let anyone look down on them and to dream their dreams to discover their prophetic visions of the Church today. He emphasized that we do not want an outdated Church. He asked them to be aware of what God wants for them and the Church. They are to use their youthfulness and vibrancy to live the gospel in their lives. In doing so they will not only share but show their prophetic vision of the Church to others.

At the confirmation ceremony Bishop conducted the Anointing of Chrism in Bahasa Malaysia for one of the candidates from Sabah. He also handed out the Confirmation certificates and souvenirs to all the newly confirmed after Mass.

One of the confirmands, Stella Anne Teoh gave a thank you speech in which she said she was asked if she had ever experienced God in her life. She explained that she experienced God in everything that happened to her each day of her life. She invited the congregation to become more aware of this experience in their lives.

At the end of the celebration, parents, relatives and well wishers were invited to a reception in Faustina Hall where they were each given another souvenir by the parish priest, Fr Martin Arlando.