Sep 11 2021
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5: 13
The celebration of freedom or Merdeka is a time to encourage and remind our younger generations to show their pride for Malaysia and to love and respect one another, regardless of race and religion.
Although we are trapped in our homes as the country continues its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, we must find ways to strengthen the bonds that hold us together despite the global pandemic, through these three approaches;
1) to love one another — the need to be more open towards social interaction with others, especially with the people around us.
2) to serve — to help the needy around us in any way we can.
3) to live — to spread cheer and positivity and to take time to reflect and appreciate all the greatness that we have today.
I believe the true value of freedom and humanity, often taken for granted, can be seen and felt while also providing us with hope and opportunity! I definitely miss the pre-pandemic National Day atmosphere but hey, guess what I’m counting my blessings, not my troubles! — Rosalind Michael, Church of the Good Shepherd, KL
Amidst this pandemic, we Malaysians have been trapped in our own homes for over a year and have not been able to celebrate and appreciate the spirit of Merdeka. Our ancestors have fought and made sacrifices for our nation’s independence. We as their descendants should celebrate our National Day with respect while keeping the battles and joy of our ancestors in our hearts and minds. We have a role not only to celebrate but to pass the torch of our Merdeka spirit to the next generation and keep it alive. It is our duty to instil the Malaysian spirit in them and teach them why our National Day is important and why we should celebrate it. — Edmund John, St Anne, Port Klang – Herald Malaysia
