Easter Reflections 2014

Today we see evil winning over good. The bad seem to be happy as they continue to have win after win. The good people are being suppressed into pain and suffering, they seem to get one failure after another and all hopes for a better future are vanishing by the day.

This is clearly seen in our country where the rich and powerful continue to get away with blatant abuse of power, corruption and racism. The righteous who are committed to peace are suppressed and punished for doing good. The very people entrusted to defend the people are abusing them.

In our families children who are irresponsible,disobedient and abusive seem to succeed in life whereas those who are caring fail. In our places of work those who 'angkat' the boss are rewarded but those work sincerely and loyally in silence are not appreciated and denied their dues. Even in our parishes such injustice is becoming rampant where ‘political cliques’ form and fight with one another ironically in the name of God. In fact those who want to do good are accused as promoting 'ajaran sesat' and are side-lined.

Today we are living in a world where there is no place anywhere to do good and those who do good are side-lined and at times even abused. For the good, life appears to be gloomy but for the bad it seems to be bright and  promising as they accumulate wealth and more wealth at the expense of the poor.

In the midst of all these frustrations and disappointments we celebrate Easter that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. His rising from dead signifies HOPE at its highest. How does that hope translate into our lives surrounded by an environment of hopelessness?

The mammoth crowds of ordinary citizens of all races who came out to pay their last respects to the late YB Karpal Singh, who is seen as an icon of justice, gives a little hope that good will finally triumph over bad.

As we celebrate this great feast of Easter, let us strengthen our hope in God to deliver us out of the sinful and evil in our lives. Let us strengthen our hope that by continuing to do the right against all the odds against us, He will bring us out into a better and happier future. We need hope and patience that one day good will overcome the bad.

Have a Joyous Easter

Good Friday - Crucifixion

The Cross  -  sacrifice and forgiveness

Good Friday is day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.To Christians all over the Cross, on which Jesus died has become the symbol of their faith. To them the cross is a reminder of suffering and pain which they must bear in this life for eternal life.What should the cross mean to us today?

Today the cross to us refers to the numerous trials and tribulation that we have to undergo in life from the time of birth till death; as a student, working adult, a husband or wife, a parent, a caring child to our parents, a retiree and finally as a neglected elderly parent during the last days of our lives.

It refers to the many troubles we face in standing up for truth and justice in this world where the meek and humble are bullied. It refers to the many challenges we face in bringing up our children through thick and thin. It refers to the pain we undergo when our children neglect us at the time when we need them most. It refers to the pain and suffering we undergo when a major illness or tragedy strikes us and our families. Finally it refers to the pain that we go through when someone close leaves us and when people who meant so much us betray us.

The cross should remind us for the need to have a heart to forgive even the cruelest and those who do all kinds of harm to us. It should also remind us not resort to anger, hate or violence even against those who hurt us. The words of Jesus as he hung dying on the cross, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”, is a clear reminder that we should love and forgive even those who persecute and harm us.

As we venerate the cross today let us remember the many people around us who may be suffering like Jesus on that fateful day of his crucifixion. Let us remember the many people who are longing for food, shelter and above all for our love and consoling words and physical presence.

Let us pray for those suppressed and despised in society and those seeking justice from the unjust. Let us pray for those seriously ill or dying. Let pray asking God to give us the courage and a loving heart to bring a little comfort to them.Let us pray for the conversion of sinners especially those in our own families;our rebellious and disobedient children,our vengeful siblings and friends.let us pray for our leaders that they will begin to walk in righteousness,giving out justice,peace and goodwill to the people. Let us finally pray that God give us the virtue forgiveness, to forgive even our worst enemies.

Good Friday is a time to seek forgiveness from those we hurt and repentance for all our sins against others – parents, children, friends and those we encounter. It is a time to get out of our sinful lives and return to the path of righteousness and good morals.

The cross is not a symbol of sorrow but one of love, sacrifice and forgiveness

Palm Sunday – Courage to do right

 

Today we celebrate  Palm Sunday which commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem just before his most cruel and agonizing torture and death of the cross. On Palm Sunday the people gave him a rousing welcome like a king, waving palms and shouting “Hosanna”, but just a few days later those very people who exalted him turned against him and turned him over to the Romans to be killed in the cruelest way one can imagine – crucifixion.

Why did those people suddenly change, from loving to hate Jesus? Why did Jesus allow himself to be treated like a king knowing well the same people will turn against him and demand for his death?

When I was young Palm Sunday was an enjoyable event, waking up early and rushing to get hold of the best palms, wave them and go I in procession. I was just like the crowd who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem 2000 years ago.

But today many years later, after going through the arduous journey in life, that historic journey of Jesus into Jerusalem means much more than waving palms and singing “Hossana”.  It is a solemn reminder that life is full of thorns not roses and we must be prepared to stand up against all the injustices and pains in life.

Jesus knew he will be persecuted and killed but yet he went through that journey willingly with great courage. Do we have that courage to face up to all the injustices, pains and persecutions in our life to uphold truth? In being righteous, our own children may go against us,siblings and closest friends may leave us but will we crumble under such pressure?

Yes, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is a symbol of courage to even facing a cruel and most unjust death. To each one us too who claim to follow him, it is all about courage to do the right even in the most unjust and painful situation. It is about courage to stand up for our principles against all forms of insult especially if it comes from the ones you loved and trusted most.

In our family, our places of work, our church and our country, we face injustice. We witness the good and righteous being ‘persecuted’ but the bad facilitated and enjoying the company of those in power. The temptations of greed, power,wealth and lust are real to which many succumb.

Do we have the courage to say ‘No’ to these evil and continue to remain steadfast to our principles of truth and righteousness? If not we would be been just like the crowd that welcomed Jesus only to abandon him when he needed them most.

Have a blessed Holy Week