Children were among those present at the feast day celebration
By Bernard Anthony
Mar 7 2023
THE feast of the Holy Infant Jesus was celebrated from February 9 to 12.
Preachers for the four-day celebrations were Archbishop Julian Leow, parish administrator Fr James Gabriel, Fr Vincent Thomas, Fr Andrew Kooi, and Fr Bonaventure Rayappan.
As this chapel is also dedicated to children (Matthews 19:14), many parents brought their children and actively participated in Mass, serving as choir members, lectors, gift bearers, and altar servers.
On the final day, Feb 12, three Masses were celebrated, with Archbishop Julian presiding over the English Mass, while Fr Gabriel preached the Tamil Mass and Fr Andrew, the Mandarin one.
The prelate, in his homily said, blessed are they that follow the law of the Lord. “We have the Ten Commandments. The Jews in those days had more than 600 different laws. Jesus came and taught us to love God and one another. We are told to be like little children, for the Kingdom of God belongs to them. We must distinguish between being childish and being childlike.
“We need the Spirit of God to help us to discern. Jesus came, not to abolish the law but to fulfil it. The prelate quoted the sixth Commandment “Thou shalt not kill” and said that Jesus explains that it means more than just not killing someone physically. We can destroy or kill someone’s reputation or good name by slander, lies, and untruth.”
Jesus asked us to go beyond the letter of the law, and ask what is the spirit of the law telling us? That we shall not even allow anger to take control of us. This anger can become something we cannot control and if this anger is left unchecked, can even bring us to kill. Jesus is telling us to look at what causes these feelings. The prelate said “feelings alone are not wrong. Feelings do not result in moral judgment. I can feel angry. But sin comes when I do something harmful with that anger.”
The prelate said being a disciple of Jesus is demanding. To be a follower of Christ is difficult but a beautiful religion to die in. Because we are assured that if we are faithful to Him and follow His commands and please God, we will have eternal life with Him.
As it was also World Day for Married Life, the prelate said we are the domestic Church, we are the Church, the Body of Christ, and are called to live out our vocations as husbands, as wives, and as children.
Pope Francis has not changed any Church laws, added the prelate. The pontiff told us not to be terrorists of gossip but to be priests, pastors, to be fathers to our people who are struggling in their marriages, who are struggling in their faith lives and their moral lives. As pastors, we are called to listen, not to judge but to be a companion to those who are struggling.
Fr Gabriel, who is also the parish priest of the Church of St Paul the Hermit in Bestari Jaya, thanked his parishioners and sponsors for making this year’s feast a meaningful one. He also thanked the archbishop for his presence. He said this chapel, which was closed since the pandemic, has now ‘resurrected’ and will be open for all, including pilgrims. The chapel sported a new coat of paint and a new stainless steel main gate. He said that there would be more facilities soon and that they would publish Mass times upon confirmation.
Archbishop Julian thanked Fr Gabriel for his pastoral care as he has to take care of close to 10 chapels in the Kuala Selangor district. The prelate also extended feast day wishes to all.
Fellowship was part of the four-day celebrations. – Herald Malaysia
