Jesus a source of unity not division of mankind

Jesus a source of unity not division of mankind

We must share our most precious gift – Jesus in the Eucharist

I thank those who had taken the trouble to comment on my letter “Why is the Eucharist only for Catholics?” published in the Herald dated 18 March 2007. I also thank Herald for willing to publish the letter.

I may not be an expert but I understand reasonably well the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Being a strong believer in the Eucharist and never did I ever question the sanctity of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. What I raised was what I perceived as an unjust reason for withholding Holy Communion to our separated brethren.

I have been accused as having an evil motive for raising this issue. What evil motive can I possibly have? Trying to bring down the Catholic Church?We must stop behaving like a political party where opposing are considered treacherous.

I agree that one has to be in a state of grace to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. It is even more important for the one who performs the act of consecration of bread and wine to be in TOTAL state of grace. No human can be in a total state of grace going by the standards set by Jesus himself. Even the thought of a sinful act is enough to destroy the state of grace in us. Ignoring the poor beggar at the entrance as we enter the Church every Sunday is sufficient to erase the state of grace. During mass especially when the priest repeats his long homily in 2 or 3 languages, we let our mind wander around our materialistic world. Doesn’t this also negate the state of grace in us?

How many of us can be truthful enough to admit we are sinless and really in a state of grace? No human, however great he may be, will be able to determine who is in a state of grace. It is the condition in our hearts alone that determines that. Being in a state of grace therefore is a very personal and private affair between us and God. The priest or the communion minister is not in a position to do that and they would be playing God if they did that.

There was also a comment about paying homage to the Eucharist by humbling ourselves physically. Physical submission is not wrong but again like Jesus, humility in our hearts to serve others is far more important than kneeling, prostrating or crawling in front of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is God’s most precious gift to us and it would selfish of us not to share Him with others who yearn for Him. It would be unfair if one has to become a member of an exclusive club to experience the presence of Jesus.

Christian unity is what we all hope for one day. We go all out to pray that God will somehow unite us one day but not willing to compromise on our terms to achieve ecumenism. Unless we are willing to compromise and accept our separated brethren with love, achieving Christian unity would only remain a dream and will be remote as attaining peace in the Middle East.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Forget the bad,remember the good of others

To forgive may be divine but to forget is human

Life these days is so competitive that it has become so stressful that many of us have lost the peace and tranquility of the innocent and care free childhood days. Most of the time the unhappiness in our inner self is due to our own making – taking to heart the bad others do to us and forgetting the good they have done. If we can reverse this situation then our lives may be more peaceful, contended and happier. The following story illustrates this fact very nicely.

There were 2 good friends who set out on a journey across a desert to another town. As they were walking on the desert sands it was hot and they were getting tired and exhausted. There were some disagreements between them on a certain issue. In the spurt of anger one of them slapped the other for passing a sensitive remark.

The man who received the strike took it calmly but he wanted to record his displeasure at what his friend has done to him. As they were all alone in the middle of the desert, there was nobody for him to narrate his displeasure of what his friend had done to him. All he could do was squat down and write on the sand the words, “My best friend slapped me today”.

They continued their journey not talking much to each other until they reached an oasis. There was a stream and they decided to take a bath and freshen up before proceeding with their journey. While they were in the stream a swift current swept the man who was hit before into the depths of the river and as the man could not swim he shouted for help. There was no one else in the vicinity except his friend who had earlier slapped him. His friend quickly without hesitation dived in and saved him.

Soon when they had finished washing up they wanted to continue their journey. The man who almost drowned wanted to record the latest incident as well. He saw a large rock standing near by and he carved the following words on it, “My best friend saved my life today”.

They then continued their journey across the desert and reached their destination. After completing their business there they returned home along the same path a few days later. At the same oasis they noticed the words on the rock written earlier very clearly, “My best friend saved my life today”. On reaching the place where the man was slapped they could not see the words written on the sand, “My best friend slapped me today”. The winds had blown and erased those words away.

The friend who slapped asked the other for the reason for writing the way he did. To that his friend answered, “the bad you did to me I wrote on sand which was blown away but the good you did I wrote on rock and that it will remain forever. You are my friend, I will keep to heart the good you do to me not the bad”.

This is what we should do in our own lives - forget the bad others do to us but remember forever the good they do. If we can do that life will be more peaceful and happy.

Let's reflect on our lives to see whether we harbour any ill feelings against anyone.If so we must act to heal those wounds in our hearts.Jesus forgave those who even tortured and crucified him. We may not reach up that level of magnanimousness in our hearts but, at least for a start, we can forget the bad others do to us.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Finding the risen Christ in our midst

He rose from the dead to never die again.

I refer to the editorial “Why I believe in Jesus’ resurrection?” in the Herald dated April 8 2007.

The number of Catholics who “lose their faith” is on their rise. Like the lawyer friend referred to by the writer,many want proof for what they have believed all these years out of faith. Today man has so advanced in science and technology that he insists on evidence before he accepts anything as the truth, especially those that are supernatural in nature.

Gone are the days when he was willing to accept anything based just on faith and tradition? God’s gift to man – his inquisitive and intellectual mind had brought him great advancements to the whole human race but many a time it also worked to his detriment.

The Resurrection is Jesus Christ's return to life on the third day after his death. To my mind there are two aspects to this resurrection, physical and spiritual. The problem is that from an early age we have been taught to believe that resurrection is just the bodily rising of Jesus after death. The image of Jesus majestically rising bodily into the heavens had been vividly imprinted in our minds since we were children. Our ideas of resurrection should instead mature when we grow older in wisdom with Christ.

There is no way we can prove the physical resurrection of Jesus. We have to accept that from the teachings of the Church which is inherited from the apostles and to me that is the least important. In fact there are those bent on proving the resurrection wrong as postulated by new discoveries described in “The Lost Tomb of Jesus”.

On the other hand we can definitely beyond doubt testify the spiritual resurrection of Jesus. Yes, he died but yet we know he is alive and present in our midst and we witness his presence daily in our lives. He is there waiting for us in those we meet daily - our spouse, children, friends, subordinates, migrant workers, the poor, the destitute and even our enemies. He is there in all the problems we encounter – illness, financial and marital.

Very often we either do not recognize or we are too arrogant to ignore his presence in our midst. We expect Him to work miracles to help us overcome our difficulties and we become disappointed and disillusioned when he doesn’t. As a result we lose our faith in him. Little do we realize that we are his “miracle workers” among men.

As the writer says it is the experience of unselfish love for one another that resembles the mystery of the Resurrection of Christ that is something that is beyond reason, beyond replication, beyond scientific fact? It is in this love that the risen Christ dwells and if we cultivate this love for one another in our hearts then His resurrection is true which needs no human proof.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Forget the bad,remember the good of others

To forgive may be divine but to forget is human

Life these days is so competitive that it has become so stressful that many of us have lost the peace and tranquility of the innocent and carefree childhood days. Most of the time the unhappiness in our inner self is due to our own making – taking to heart the bad others do to us and forgetting the good they have done. If we can reverse this situation then our live may be more peaceful, contended and happier. The following story illustrates this fact very nicely.

There were 2 good friends who set out on a journey across a desert to another town. As they were walking on the desert sands it was hot and they were getting tired and exhausted. There were some disagreements between them on a certain issue. In the spurt of anger one of them slapped the other for passing a sensitive remark.

The man who received the strike took it calmly but he wanted to record his displeasure at what his friend has done to him. As they were all alone in the middle of the desert, there was nobody for him to narrate his displeasure of what his friend had done to him. All he could do was write down on the sand the words, “My best friend slapped me today”.

They continued their journey not talking much to each other until they reached an oasis. There was a stream and they decided to take a bath and freshen up before proceeding with their journey. While they were in the stream a swift current swept the man who was hit before into the depths of the river and as the man could not swim he shouted for help. There was no one else in the vicinity except his friend who had earlier slapped him. His friend quickly without hesitation dived in and saved him.

Soon when they had finished washing up they wanted to continue their journey. The man who almost drowned wanted to record the latest incident as well. He saw a large rock standing near by and he carved the following words on it, “My best friend saved my life today”.

They then continued their journey and reached their destination. After completing their business there they returned home along the same path a few days later. At the same oasis they noticed the words on the rock written earlier very clearly, “My best friend saved my life today”. On reaching the place where the man was slapped they could not see the words written on the sand, “My best friend slapped me today”. The winds had blown and erased those words away.

The friend who slapped asked the other for the reason for writing the way he did. To that his friend answered, “the bad you did to me I wrote on sand which was blown away but the good you did I wrote on rock and that it will remain forever.You are my friend,I will keep to heart the good you do to me not the bad”.

This is what we should do in life, forget the bad others do to us but remember forever the good they do. If we can do that life will be more peaceful and happy.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Federal Constitution supreme law of the land

Syariah laws should bind non-Muslims

In the landmark decision of the Appeals Court, the mother of R. Subashini, a Hindu was told by the Court of Appeal that she had to seek recourse through the Syariah Appeal Court to stop her estranged and Muslim-convert husband from dissolving their marriage in the syariah court, and converting their children to Islam without her permission.

This we feel is great injustice and an infringement of our basic human rights, to subject a non-Muslim to Muslim laws although we have legitimately constituted laws to govern us, the Federal Constitution.

Recently a number such cases were on the rise and the improper handling of each of them had given rise to great anxiety among the non-Muslim communities in the country. The decision in the Subashini case had increased our fears and dampened the hopes for a fair hearing of our inter-religious conflicts. If the civil courts that are instituted to protect the rights of the non-Muslims fails them where do we go next to obtain justice?

The ordinary citizen has nowhere to turn to for justice except the judiciary and if the institution, that is established to grant him justice fails, it would be a great tragedy not only to the person who seeks justice but also the institution itself. Judges must base their verdict on the laws as provided for in the Federal Constitution and not emotions and personal convictions.

The Federal Constitution is the highest law of the land and all other laws should are constituted based on its provisions and therefore should not supercede it for whatever reason. Everyone regardless of his race, creed or social status should respect and abide by the provisions of this supreme law of the land. If any group is allowed to go against these provisions there is real danger of the nation falling into a state of lawlessness that will only lead to chaos.

The judiciary must safeguard the trust placed in it to mete our justice for all citizens, without fear or favour.It should at all times be guided by the provisions of the Federal Constitution and not personal believes and convictions.

The proactive move of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity and Taoism (MCCBCHT) to encourage nationwide prayer and create awareness of our rights should be supported by all peace loving citizens, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We must put aside our differences to come together to resist the rule by fanaticism and emotion that are threatening to take over the reigns of power not only in the judiciary but in the nation as a whole.

As Christians it is time for us to wake up from our slumber and complacency. We must do our part to make known, in no uncertain terms, our firm opposition and displeasure to any party attempting downgrade the Federal Constitution to make it subservient to any other laws in the country. Let us make known our stand, by all available means, that we who would only be subjected to the Federal Constitution and none other.

At the same time let us pray, week after week, that God bestow us with the leaders and judges who have the wisdom and courage to uphold the rule of law and the Federal Constitution at all costs so that truth and justice would always prevail in our multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysia.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Is it honouring our parents if we sent them to old folks home?

In whatever we do,they must always be in our hearts

With increasing standard of living the life expectancy of the average Malaysian has prolonged. Today our parents are healthier and live longer than before. This has put greater strain on us to care for the special needs of those advanced in age. There is a greater strain on our financial and physical resources to take care of their physical and mental health.

Caring for our elderly parents has become a problem these days when both husband and wife have to work to make ends meet. In addition to that we have to provide for the needs of the children which are increasing tremendously over the years. Our preoccupation with these has left every member in the family to be lonely, husband, wife, the children, and grand parents.

There is no doubt that we have to give priority to our own spouse and children in this fast moving world. At the same time we also have a duty towards our aged parents. Some of them may be healthy while others may suffer from various illnesses or even be bed-ridden.

Very often it is impossible for us to be present physically to care for them especially those who are very old and infirm. We have no choice but to send them to an old folk’s home where their basic needs and nursing care are available. In our Asian culture sending our parents to old folks home is considered a despicable and ungrateful act. Is it really so?

There are 2 main needs of an elderly person, companionship and medical. No single individual can provide both. On the other hand a properly run old folk’s home, staffed with doctors and nurses, may be better poised to provide both these needs reasonably well. Unfortunately such a home is hard to come by and if it does it is often beyond the means of many.

Sending our aged parents to old folks home should not necessarily mean we are ungrateful and cruel. What is important is to provide them with the best we can and give them the reassurance that we are there for them when they need us. We must remember they are our responsibility and our alone and we must never even try to run away from that.

Honouring our parents is not just providing food and shelter but being a companion to rid them of the loneliness and fear that grips them in the twilight years of their lives.

There are many aged parents who are captives in their own homes. There may be many in the family but yet the elderly are left lonely and despised as no one has the time to spare for them. Even the young show disrespect to them as they see them as a burden.

Our treatment of our elderly parents, like our children, must always be guided by our love for them. Wherever they may be, in our homes or in an old folk’s home, they must always be in our hearts. If they, whom we can see, hear and touch are not in our hearts then we will be lying when we say God, whom we cannot see, hear or touch, is in our hearts.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Palm Sunday,courage to uphold the truth

True faith is tested in times of crisis

We just celebrated Palm Sunday to commemorate the joyful entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It also marks the beginning of the Holy Week when we will we relive the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

When we were children Palm Sunday was a day of joy and celebration as we witnessed the blessing of palm and the procession that followed. We were happy to wave the palms and many of us took them back to place in our homes and even cars. Is Palm Sunday all about blessing and waving of palms?

Today we are older and after going through the various experiences in life we tend to see Palm Sunday differently. Jesus entered Jerusalem to face his imminent torture and death on the cross which he was well aware of. He took it willingly and placed full trust in God. Jesus was willing to walk the path of truth knowing very well that it is going to cause him immense suffering and death on the cross.

Very few people have withstood bravely to defend their principles in life. The notable person in modern times who did that was Mahatma Gandhi. With full convictions in what he was doing was right and full in God, he refused to submit to the hegemony of the colonialist. He single handedly defeated the British Empire not by hate and violence but by his love and integrity. He practiced to the fullest every word he preached.

We too are very often asked to bear witness to truth in our daily lives. Are we willing to walk the path of righteousness in an environment of hostility and ridicule? Are we willing bold enough stand firm to our principles in facing up to the challenges in life? Many of us may think we would but only to succumb to the temptations of greed, lust and hatred.

The main reason we succumb to temptations is our lack of faith and trust in God. Real faith is tested not during good times but at times of great trouble and difficulty. It is easy to say we trust God when we have everything going our way but it is more important to hold on to that unwavering trust when we are encountered with failure after failure.

We are all well aware that even many hardcore Catholics, laity and clergy alike, have given up their faith in deep frustration as they feel God did not answer their prayers. They feel despite being steadfast in their faith, God did not come to their aid when they badly needed that. They fail to realize that God answers our prayers in ways we dot not recognize or comprehend. Whatever He gives what we deserve and is the best in the circumstances we are in.

Palm Sunday is not just about blessing and waving of palms and shouting “Hosanna, Hosanna” but it is a solemn lesson for us all. Like Jesus who walked bravely to face His death in the defense of truth, let us also try our best to emulate Him bravely, to uphold the truth, in our journey in this world particularly in times of hardship and pain.

Dr.Chris Anthony