Overcoming a Critical Spirit

Do you judge others? Is it easy for you to find fault with those around you? Then beware: Your spiritual life is in danger. A critical attitude can hinder your walk with God and distract you from God's purposes for your life.

Why Do We Judge

We judge because of our own selfish interests. For example, we sometimes become critical when comparing ourselves to those around us. We try to find fault in others to prove that we are smarter, better looking, happier or wealthier. But these are selfish reasons. We simply want to feel better about ourselves. We also get critical when others fail to do what we ask, or do not do what we think is right. Often, it is a family member, friend or co-worker who fails to meet our expectations. Our expectations lead to a judgmental attitude.

Even our own frustrations can lead to a critical attitude. If life is not turning out the way we desire, we hide our own frustrations by finding fault with others.

Judge Not ...

Finding fault and being critical are some of the easiest things to do. They seem to come naturally to us. But Jesus told us not to judge "lest you be judged" (Matt. 7:1). We should obey His command.

Jesus then explained why a judgmental attitude is so dangerous: "God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them" (v.2).

When we judge, we invite judgment upon ourselves. The Bible says that "judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy" (James 2:13).

By judging others, we hide our own hypocrisy. For example, when the religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in sexual sin, they wanted to kill her. But Jesus responded, "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her" (John 8:7). Nobody threw one. God alone reserves the right to judge each person (Romans 14:4). As St Paul said, "Dear friends, don't try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, `I am the one to take revenge and pay them back'" (Romans 12:19).

The Cure for Criticism

Judgment is very important. The Bible says that "God is a righteous judge" (Psalm 7:11). The cure for criticism is found in understanding the nature of God's judgment. The Bible says that every person is a sinner. This sin drives a wedge between God and man, and deserves judgment (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

Regardless of how "good" we think we are, "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment" (Isaiah 64:6). We cannot make up for all the bad things we have done. Left alone, we still deserve God's judgment: death and eternal torment in a place the Bible describes as a "lake of burning sulfur" (Rev. 19:20). Only God could satisfy the judgment against us for our sins. So God sent His Son into the world to pay the price for our sins.

Jesus Christ took our judgment on Himself and died in our place. In return, God offers to each person all His blessings -- including eternal life, forgiveness, peace, joy and hope – through His Son Jesus.

If we truly understood the judgment that we each deserve from God, we would be less inclined to judge others.

Giving Grace Instead

Have you learned to receive God's grace and mercy? This is the first step to overcoming a critical spirit. Jesus died on the cross for us. Took upon himself the penalty that we deserved. Extended to us His love and mercy even when we didn’t deserve it. Gave us a second chance at life.

Now it is our turn to offer that same grace and mercy to others. Jesus said, "Freely you received, freely give" (Mt. 10:8). Instead of judgment we are called to extend God's love to those around us, beginning with our family, our friends and our co-workers. Often those closest to us feel the harshest effects of our judgmental attitudes.

From now on when you feel the temptation to become critical, follow Jesus' clear instruction to take a close look at your own life first (Mt 7). Ask God to forgive you for your shortcomings. You may even discover why you are so critical of others.

Remember, it's easy to be critical. The faults of others are often very obvious to us. During these times we need to make sure we give grace instead. Thank God for those people and ask the Lord to bless them and reveal His will to them.

It's really quite simple: God has granted you mercy. He has paid the debt for your sins. Now, the only debt you owe is to offer His love and mercy to others, for "mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13).

Finally, be sure to spend time with God in prayer and study His word. As you read the Scriptures, ask God to help you to be patient with those around you. In time, you will change from a fault-finder to a grace-giver as you learn to live like Jesus lived.

As You Pray

If you are a fault-finder, turn to the Lord right now and ask Him to set you free. "Dear Lord Jesus, I'm so sorry for the times when I have allowed judgmental attitudes to rule me. Please forgive me. Help me to remember Your mercy toward me so that I can extend Your mercy to others. Thank You so much for loving me. In Jesus' name. Amen."

God's Word on Criticism

"Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living in peace" (Eph. 4:2,3).

Scriptures for reflection:

Stay blessed!

John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.‘ But wisdom is vindicated by her works." (Matthew 11:18-19)



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Friday of the Second Week of Advent
Lectionary: 185



Reading 1 (Is 48:17-19)

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6)

R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mt 11:16-19)

Jesus said to the crowds:
"To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
'He is possessed by a demon.'
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'
But wisdom is vindicated by her works."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



In the Gospel, Jesus mourns that the people in His time were behaving like spoiled brats playing games and changing the rules as they like, then demanding everyone to follow. They criticized John the Baptist (God's messenger) and Jesus (The Message) for both refused to follow their capricious, ever changing standards.

Today nothing has changed much. Many are critical of Jesus and His messenger Church because His Message calls for repentance, holiness and obedience to God - a message repulsive to those who want to make the rules. They instead demand that Jesus and His Church follow the latest revision of their rules on who can live, who can be killed, and who can get married to whom.

Let us not forget that what we are preparing to celebrate is the birth of the Word of God. The words, rules and commandments of Jesus are not there to make us His toy puppets on strings. They are there to establish a peaceful and just society (First Reading) where everyone is free to love as God loves.

PERFECT LOVE (MARY'S SONG)


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Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 194



Reading 1 (Jer 23:5-8)

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."

Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,
when they shall no longer say, "As the LORD lives,
who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt";
but rather, "As the LORD lives,
who brought the descendants of the house of Israel
up from the land of the north"–
and from all the lands to which I banished them;
they shall again live on their own land.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19)

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mt 1:18-25)

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant with a child that was not his, he had every right to seek justice and have her stoned to death under Jewish law. But God asked him to do the ridiculous and marry her instead!

Joseph loved God more than himself, so he gave his great YES to God (Gospel). Like Mary, Joseph too took responsibility for something that was not his doing. Just like Mary who took the responsibility of motherhood without the pleasure. And the child in their care would grow up to do the same.

Because Joseph gave up his right to justice, God's ancient promise to raise up a King of justice and righteousness (First Reading) became reality - Jesus Christ was born.

At the cross 33 years later, Jesus accepted the punishment WE deserve for our sins and satisfied the demands of "an eye for an eye". His death evened the scales of justice and restored our righteousness before our Father.

God also asks us to do ridiculous things like St. Joseph. He asks us to turn the other cheek and forgive 7x70 times - the way Jesus never struck back at His tormentors and killers but instead loved and forgave them.

Like Mother Mary and St. Joseph, when we give our Yes, Jesus is born in us, God is with us - and Christmas will truly be in our hearts.

CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS


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Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 195



Reading 1 (Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a)

There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites,
whose name was Manoah.
His wife was barren and had borne no children.
An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her,
"Though you are barren and have had no children,
yet you will conceive and bear a son.
Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink
and to eat nothing unclean.
As for the son you will conceive and bear,
no razor shall touch his head,
for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb.
It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel
from the power of the Philistines."

The woman went and told her husband,
"A man of God came to me;
he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed.
I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name.
But he said to me,
'You will be with child and will bear a son.
So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean.
For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb,
until the day of his death.'"

The woman bore a son and named him Samson.
The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him;
the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17)

R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Root of Jesse's stem,
sign of God's love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 1:5-25)

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest
in his division's turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service,
he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah
to turn the hearts of fathers toward children
and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Then Zechariah said to the angel,
"How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."
And the angel said to him in reply,
"I am Gabriel, who stand before God.
I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk
until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled at their proper time."
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah
and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.
But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,
and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.
He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,
and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,
"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit
to take away my disgrace before others."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



Do you believe you have a soul?
If you do, who do you think made it?
If it was God, do you think He made you because:

(1) He made a mistake?
(2) He was bored?
(3) He was forced?
(4) Or did He plan you?

God tells us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart." (Jeremiah 1:5)You, me and all human life are created by God for a purpose, for a special mission in His Kingdom on earth, and destined for eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven. No pregnancy is ever “unplanned.” We see this in the miraculous conception of the children Samson (First Reading) and John the Baptist (Gospel). Both were conceived by old and barren women, both were planned by God for very special purposes even BEFORE conception.

As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of the Holy Child with the greatest purpose in history, let us reflect on how we as parents, guardians and elders have impacted the lives of the children under our care.

As we, like John's father, are to teach children to avoid vice (Luke 1:15), we are also to show them that we ourselves, like Samson's mother, avoid all vice (Judges 13:7).

It's our duty to help children find their unique mission and the best way is to gift them and read with them the Bible early in life - with live example. Throughout their lives, consciously or subconsciously, Jesus the Word of God, will be a part of their decision-making - a lifetime Christmas gift.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY


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Christmas Mass Guide (2017)

Christmas day is just around the corner! You might notice the 4th Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve this year. So yes, we will have to go to mass twice in one weekend. Here are your options!



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Archdiocese of KL
Christmas Mass Times (2017)

Please click here for Christmas Mass schedules for all Churches around Klang Valley and extended area

God bless and have a joyous Christmas!

This post has been edited by khool: Dec 20 2017, 06:54 AM

Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 196



Reading 1 (Is 7:10-14)

The LORD spoke to Ahaz:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
"I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary men,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6)

R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 1:26-38)

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



The Angel Gabriel said, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Gospel)

What did God find so favorable with Mary that He offered to do for her a great miracle? Was she a powerful princess, or a successful businesswoman, or an influential congresswoman?

She was nothing but an innocent 15-year old girl - but when she trusted God and said Yes, He made her mother of the King of kings.

God also offered to do any miracle for King Ahaz (First Reading) to make him trust God to defeat his enemies. Ahaz said No, choosing to rely on his own intellect and resources. The Bible describes his reign as disastrous to the religious life of the Jews and speeded up the downward spiral of faithlessness that eventually ended in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple of God.

God does not choose us for our ability, only our availability. And when He sees our dependability, He will increase our capability. Ahaz was able, Mary was available.

Christmas is now very near, let us pray with our Mother to be always available for Jesus whenever He needs us to deliver His miracles to others.

HAIL MARY - GENTLE WOMAN


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Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 197



Reading 1 (Sg 2:8-14)

Hark! my lover–here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Here he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me,
"Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,
and come!
"For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!

"O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely."

OR (Zep 3:14-18a)

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21)

R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 1:39-45)

Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



A few days after receiving Jesus in her womb, Mary hurried to travel 100 kms of rugged hills to help her cousin Elizabeth, whom the Angel Gabriel said was also pregnant in her old age. The angel did not tell Mary to do it, nobody told he to do it; it is simply what happens when one has Jesus in her/him. Love and sacrificial good works simply flow out in joy.

In that first Advent, Mary prepared for the coming of Jesus by becoming the world's first missionary, bringing the first Christmas gift - Jesus - to Elizabeth, her son John, and to the whole world. And as it is bound to happen to anyone, Elizabeth and John shouted and jumped with joy upon receiving Jesus.

Even as Jesus was still a fetus in her womb, the Blessed Virgin already started living the fullness of life with her Creator. Through her, Jesus comes springing across mountains, hills, continents and centuries, like a gazelle toward us whom He loves, saying, "Arise my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth... the vines in bloom give forth fragrance. Arise my beloved, my beautiful one, and come!" (First Reading)

Because of our Mother's Yes, Jesus now invites each one of us to come and live a beautiful new life with Him. In deep gratitude to Mama Mary for bringing us Jesus, let us also visit the sick, the poor and the sad, and bring Jesus to them. Let us think of gifts that will inspire love for Jesus, the God who is madly in love with us

THIS DIVINE ROMANCE


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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christmas is the time for joy, peace, hope & love. The joy of giving should not be limited between friends & family but to those who truly need, please remember John 3:16 where mankind received the greatest gift from God in the form of one & only son Jesus Christ. Christ sacrificed himself so that all men will be free, this Christmas let us make a small sacrifice & bring some joy to those who need it.

Uncle David in the pictures below is selling soft toys, tissue, luggage tags for very affordable prices. While we are all are blessed enough to be spending time with loved ones, friends and family this Christmas season, is still working today in front of HSBC Uptown from 8.00am to 8.00pm, but will be off on Christmas day. No one should have to work on Christmas eve!

Help bring a little joy & purchase a soft toy for your own children or you can bless others children who may need the toys. If you could help support Uncle David out, do drop by HSBC Uptown and pay him a visit, he has lots of toys for sale. If you like, please feel free to share this post!







God bless, and have a joyous Christmas celebration! Venite adoremus!

Archbishop Julian Leow's Christmas Message 2017

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

During this season of joy, our hearts are stirred by the beauty, depth and constancy of God's love for each one of us. Truly, God so loved the world that He sent His Son as our Saviour (Jn 3:16).

Whether it be the words of the Christmas gospel, the sight of the lowly manger, the sounds of a cherished carol, or above all , our receiving in Holy Communion the same Saviour who was born in Bethlehem, we are deeply moved by the wonder, awe and reassurance that God has drawn close to us.

Christmas is a 'feast of hope' - the assurance that 'God is with us'. We need this constant assurance, this constant hope, because our world is marked by so many things - good and bad; unity and division; riches and poverty; violence and peace - and God Himself gives us this assurance by giving us His Son Jesus, who is called 'Emmanuel', which means "God is with us."

Pope Francis reminds us about the true meaning of Christmas. First, that God reveals Himself in Jesus, not as the exalted Lord of the Universe, but as One who humbles Himself. So, in order to be like Jesus, we must not put ourselves above others. We must humble ourselves and serve others. Second, Pope Francis has said that if Jesus has become one of us, then whatever we do for our brothers and sisters, we do for Him.

As we contemplate the baby in the crib this Christmas, let's try to become the person He became; humble, close to others (especially the poor) and attentive to their needs. Let us ask Mary, the mother of Jesus, to help us see the face of Jesus - the Son of God made man - in the faces of others.

May we be for this world that ray of light which shone forth from Bethlehem, bringing tidings of comfort and joy to the hearts of all we meet.

I take this occasion to wish you and your families all the blessings of Christ's Holy Nativity. May the joy that flooded the earth on the day of His birth overflow in our hearts, in our homes and in our communities during this holy season and every day of the year .

Wishing all of you a Blessed Christmas!

+ Most Reverend Julian Leow Beng Kim, D.D.
Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur

22nd December 2017

hello,

Do you wish to join a Youth ministry? Would to be alright to know your age, so that I can direct you to the more appropriate group, which will either be the St Ignatius Church Youth Ministry (SICYM) or the Single Adults Ministry (SAM).

however, please do note that at the moment all ministries and group are currently off for Christmas and New Year holidays. Activities should resume early January, I will keep you informed, if that is alright with you? thank you.

Yes, you would fall under single adults ministry.

As for activities, I cannot tell you as I am not involved in that ministry. The best is to contact the people who help out in SAM. do visit the SIC web page to get their contact numbers, or you can call the Church office to get further information:

website : https://www.stignatiuspj.org/
office number : +603 7803 3512

further details on activities can be found in the youth ministry page here ... https://www.stignatiuspj.org/youth-ministry.html

hope this is of assistance to you. god bless!