2010 Easter Triduum Experiences (Pictorial)

Because of my experiences and knowledge in Liturgy, I was asked to be the Master of Ceremonies (MC / Emcee) for the Easter Triduum celebrations at the churches in Jasin & Merlimau at Malacca.
As an MC i was involve from organizing, to meetings, to rehearsing, to practices, to instructing, to cleaning, to sweeping, to washing, to decorating and finally to celebrating the celebrations. It was indeed another experience to keep in mind and heart for further reflection. The parishioners were very co-operative and wanting to learn. They made the celebrations meaningful and spirit-filled.

Reposition of the Eucharist at the Grotto in Jasin

Assisting the priest during the Holy Thursday Mass - presentation of gifts. ( at Merlimau)

Reposition of the Eucharist at Merlimau

With the youths of Merlimau who were in-charge of the decorations

Alter Servers of Merlimau

Unveiling of the Cross at Merlimau

Easter Vigil Mass at Merlimau

Easter Vigil Mass at Jasin

With the Jasin youths who were in-charge of the decorations

With the Altar Servers of Jasin

With Fr. Cyril M

BLESSED EASTER EVERYONE!!

the CROSS and the PALM should be perpetual companions

I quote the phrase above from Fr. Edward Hays on this Palm Sunday and find it so true after reflecting on it with the celebration today. The palm branch is a symbol of triumph and of victory (Leviticus 23:40 & Revelation 7:9) and so with the cross of Calvary; the cross that Jesus died on.

It also makes much sense when we begin today's mass with the procession carrying palm branches into the church and later to hear the Gospel reading of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Christ entered in triumph into His own city, to complete His work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us remember with devotion this entry which began His saving work and follow Him with a lively faith . United with Him in His suffering on the cross, may we share His resurrection and new life".....Introduction to the celebration of Palm Sunday.

A beautiful reflection for Palm Sunday:-

Last day of Christmas???

Many people including Christians / Catholics think that Christmas lasts for 12days or until the Feast of Epiphany (The visit by the 3 wise men). But for Catholics in their Liturgical calender, Christmas lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Christmas is the feast of the Incarnation, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, true God and true man; the feast where Christ comes to share our humanity, our history. And it is indeed so appropriate to end the Christmas celebrations with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the feast in which we are reminded that we share His divinity. For we, who by water and the Holy Spirit are sons and daughters of God (children of God). Christ is baptized and the whole world is made holy.

I hope you guys still have your Christmas tree, decorations and the crib on display, and if u planning to keep it away, it's cool to do it this Sunday. Maybe you can have a family thingy packing all this decorations into the boxes after the Sunday services.


Update on 06/01/14 - For a beautiful explanation on the 'last day of Christmas;, click here. 

 

BLESSINGS of the New Year

Receiving blessings from Rev. Fr. Cyril M

It has always been a practice in my family to receive blessings from God through the intercession of priests, elders and God-fearing friends. We usually do it on our birthdays, Christmas and New Year. I remember very clearly in my childhood days, after the New Year morning mass, my family will go to my father's godmother's house to ask for blessings from the 'Grand Godma'. We will all kneel including my parents and the 'Grand Godma' will say a short prayer for my family and bless us with the signing of the cross on our forehead. The same is done during Christmas and each individual birthdays when we receive blessings from my parents.

Blessings from an elder

During the 1st day of the year last year (i.e. 1/1/09) I didn't go to the Grand Godma's house for blessings but I knelt in front of my mother and asked for her blessings. My mother said a short prayer then signed the cross on my forehead, raise me up, gave me a hug and whispered in my ear; "2009 will be a good year for you with God's blessings." There were tears in her eyes. She knew clearly what I had gone through the past 2 years (namely 2007-2008). If you want to find out what had happened, please read the pasts articles on my blog for that year.

My mother's words came through; 2009 was indeed a year of blessings for me. I have a job finally after searching for sometime, I have a good team at my work place, had many fun and enjoyable times with them. I had a good overseas holiday and was able to meet my thambi's family. Experience care and concern from genuine friends. Met some strangers who later became good buddies. The list can go on actually but I better don't bore you.

Again, for this year 2010, I pray for God's blessings too. But to fill-in more blessings, I have to empty-out 1st. And what I'm planning to empty out? It is my anger and hurts that I've encountered. Yeah, empty it all out, so I can fill-in God's blessings.

I've yet to receive blessings from my mum (i'll get it next week when I go back home..hehehe) but I know she has already given me. She is a woman of faith, a God-fearing mother who wants the best for her children. Hmmmm for a matter of fact, that's the greatest blessing a child would ever want. Thank you God for giving me Your blessings - my mum.

with my mother

To all my dear family, relatives and friends out there and especially those who detest me, I repeat my mother's blessings for you.."2010 will be a good year for you with God's blessings."

I pray this blessings for you...May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Num. 6:24-26)

Christmas 2009 Experience.

This Christmas I made a choice to stay back in Johore Bahru alone. My family lives in Seremban which is about 300km north from JB. The choice I have made is not as great as the choice God made i.e. to take himself our human nature. " Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. He emptied himself taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Phil 2). It was a great spiritual experience for me here in JB this Christmas and my heart and prayers goes all out to all those who are far away from 'HOME' during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

At mass on Christmas eve, I was reflecting on the 'strangers' at Bethlehem; the Holy Family - they were far away from their family members and relatives, they had no place in the inn and I believe they were not familiar of the place, the crowd at Bethlehem who came for the census, the shepherds - who had a low status in the society at that time and the 3 Wise Men (highly respected group of people). But what interest me was the commonality of the last two strangers I mentioned above. They came to worship the new born King. And that was the same theme for the people at the midnight mass. The community gathered at mass that night; i.e. the outcast, the respected group, sinners, saints, the immigrants being legal or illegal , parishioners, etc whom in this article i would like to call the 'strangers' have all come to worship the new born King - Jesus Christ and thus making us no strangers but one common people, that is, His people.

CHRISTMAS 2009

"This is the day our Saviour was born: what a joy for us, my beloved! This is no reason for sadness, this, the birthday of LIFE - the Life that annihilates the fear of death, and engenders joy, promising, as it does, immortality. Nobody is an outsider to this happiness. Let the saint rejoice, for he hastens to his crown; let the sinner be filled with joy, for pardon is offered him; let the Gentile be emboldened, for he is called to Life"...pope St. Leo the Great.

Wishing you all, a very Blessed CHRISTmas.

Are you dying to meet someone?

Another Sunday, And I'm so bored in my rented room. Thought of writing on what I have been reflecting lately.

Sometime in September, a friend of mine met his hmmmm what shall I say, his idol?? I think it's better I put it this way, met the person he was eagerly wanting to meet. I know him for about 3 years now, and through our many conversations, I can testify he is a hard-core fan of Gwen Stefani. He not only just met her but gave Gwen a kiss on her cheek. Wow..lucky fellow. And I think this is his second time meeting her face 2 face. The 1st was 12years ago. Happy for you bro, congrats!! Click here to read his post.

Anyway, what I was reflecting about since reading his experience with Gwen is; who I would like to meet? For weeks I've been thinking about this and...hmmm I have no one!!
Yeah I don't have anyone I'm wanting to meet so badly! Yes not even the Pope or the Dalai Lama. Hmmm maybe the Pope, to tell him that a certain Archbishop (whose name with a change in an alphabet can be a malay vulgar word...hehehe) is hypocrite, dirty and self-centered government rewards seeker.

Going back to the issue of not wanting to meet anyone; so am I a proud man cos I'm not eagerly wanting to meet anyone in particular? I kept on searching my heart's desire and its just none! I'm a fan of certain celebrities of course, but...or maybe I'm just being simple and contented with life. Hmmm I don't know!!!

So how about you, yeah you... Are you dying to meet someone? If given the opportunity who do you want to meet?

Now check-out my lucky friend:-