REFLEKSI REKTOR (14HB APRIL 2024) (BM/EN)

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Yesus bangkit daripada kematian, dan luka-luka kudus-Nya membuktikan kebenaran-Nya.

Apabila Dia menampakkan diri kepada murid-murid-Nya, perkataan damai-Nya pada mulanya mengejutkan. Mereka berasa cemas dan takut kerana menyangka Dia sebagai hantu. Namun, Tuhan meyakinkan mereka, dengan berkata, “Aku lah ini. Tidak ada yang dapat membahayakan kamu. Perkataan-Ku akan menghangatkan dan menenangkan kamu. Lihatlah luka-luka kudus-Ku!”

Untuk menenangkan lagi perasaan mereka yang sedang gelisah, Tuhan memakan sepotong ikan goreng untuk membuka ingatan mereka. Kemudian Yesus berkata kepada mereka, “Inilah perkataan yang telah Kukatakan kepadamu ketika Aku masih bersama-sama dengan kamu, yakni bahawa harus digenapi semua yang ada tertulis tentang Aku dalam Taurat Musa, kitab nabi-nabi dan kitab Mazmur.” Lalu Yesus membuka fikiran mereka sehingga mereka mengerti Kitab Suci. Kata Yesus kepada mereka, “Ada tertulis demikian: Mesias harus menderita dan bangkit dari antara orang mati pada hari yang ketiga. Dan lagi: dalam nama-Nya berita tentang pertobatan dan pengampunan dosa harus disampaikan kepada segala bangsa, mulai dari Yerusalem. Kamu adalah saksi dari semuanya ini.”

Pada asasnya, mesej dari Tuhan ialah bahawa keselamatan kini tersedia bagi orang-orang yang mahu menerimanya secara peribadi dan mempunyai niat yang baik. Pertobatan adalah langkah pertama ke arah penerimaan; sebagaimana Tuhan sendiri berfirman, “Pertobatan untuk pengampunan dosa akan diberitakan kepada semua bangsa.” Ini bermakna bahawa Khabar Gembira tentang keselamatan perlu disebarluaskan ke seluruh dunia, dan jemputan untuk keselamatan jiwa-jiwa harus disampaikan kepada semua orang. Kisah Petrus menyembuhkan seorang lumpuh dan mendesak pertobatan adalah peringatan yang kuat tentang ketersediaan keselamatan. Penyembuhan Yesus menunjukkan realiti bahawa keselamatan boleh dicapai oleh mereka yang menerimanya. Mengakui dan bertobat dari dosa-dosa kita untuk menerima keselamatan dan memulakan perjalanan ke arah mencapai tujuan hidup.

Dalam bacaan kedua dari surat pertama Yohanes, penulis menekankan pentingnya menghindari dosa namun menyedari bahawa hal itu adalah sukar. Oleh itu, dia meyakinkan kita bahawa Tuhan yang bangkit adalah “pengantara kita kepada Bapa”, yang bererti Dia berdoa bersama Bapa-Nya untuk pengampunan dosa-dosa kita. Yohanes yakin dengan pembelaan Kristus karena penyerahan diri-Nya secara total. Arahan Yohanes adalah jelas – sesiapa yang mengaku mengenal Tuhan tetapi mengabaikan perintah-perintah-Nya adalah pendusta. Perintah Tuhan dipendekkan menjadi satu: “Kasihilah satu sama lain seperti Aku telah mengasihi kamu.” Pertobatan dan cinta kasih adalah kunci kepada kehidupan kekal.

Untuk tujuan ini, saudara dan saudari yang dikasihi dalam Tuhan yang telah bangkit, hari ini menandakan permulaan Bulan Misi Paroki kita, dan sangatlah penting untuk kita menguatkan semangat misionaris kita. Marilah kita mengingati sejarah kedatangan Msgr Don Carlos Cuarteron di Labuan pada hari ini, 14 April 1857, tepat 167 tahun yang lalu, untuk memberi kesaksian tentang kebangkitan Kristus. Kita mesti menggunakan kesempatan ini untuk berkomitmen kembali dalam membagikan pesan Paskah kepada semua orang. Saudara dan saudari yang dikasihi dalam Tuhan yang telah bangkit, dengan harapan kehidupan kekal, saya ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan terima kasih atas penyertaan aktif Anda dalam pembinaan bangunan baru gereja kita. Setakat 29 Februari 2024, jumlah dana yang perlu dikumpulkan untuk mencapai matlamat kita adalah RM2,123,953.68. Kita akan mengadakan Bazar Kedua Paroki pada 4 Agustus 2024, dalam meneruskan usaha kita untuk mengumpulkan dana. Sasaran kutipan kita kali ini adalah RM250,000. Kupon-kupon bazar telah didistribusikan melalui kelompok-kelompok ministeri dan apostolik selama Misa Kudus Hari Raya Kebesaran Tuhan pada 8 April 2024. Saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih atas dukungan Anda yang tak tergoyahkan dan pengorbanan yang berharga. Terima kasih banyak-banyak.

Dengan rasa syukur di dalam hati, kita akan melayani Tuhan.

Fr. Thomas Madanan

NABRE

Luke 24

35Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.36 While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43he took it and ate it in front of them.44He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.

Jesus rose from the dead, and His sacred wounds proved His authenticity. When He appeared to His disciples in a supernatural apparition, His words of peace were initially shocking. Mistakenly taking Him for a ghost, they were alarmed and frightened. However, the Lord reassured them, saying, ‘I’m here. Nothing can harm you. My words will warm and calm you. Just look at My sacred wounds!’ To further ease their troubled souls, the Lord ate grilled fish to sharpen their remembrance. Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.’ He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and He said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.’

Essentially, the message from the Lord is that salvation is now available to people who are willing to accept it personally and have good intentions. Repentance is the first step towards acceptance; as the Lord himself said, ‘Repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations.’ This means that the Good News of salvation needs to be spread worldwide, and an invitation for the salvation of souls should be extended to all.

Peter’s story of healing a paralytic and urging repentance is a powerful reminder of the availability of salvation. Jesus’ healing points to the reality that salvation is within reach for those who embrace it. Acknowledge and repent of our sins to embrace salvation and begin a journey towards a fulfilled life of purpose.

In the second reading from John’s first letter, the author emphasizes the importance of avoiding sin but recognizes that it is tough. And so he assures us the risen Lord is ‘our advocate with the Father’, meaning He intercedes with His Father for the forgiveness of our sins. John is sure of Christ’s advocacy because of His total self-giving.

John’s instruction is explicit – anyone who claims to know God but ignores His commandments is a liar. God’s commandments are condensed into one: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Repentance and love are the keys to eternal life.

To this end, dear brothers and sisters in the risen Lord, today marks the beginning of our Parish Mission Month, and it is crucial that we strengthen our missionary zeal. Let us remember the historical arrival of Msgr. Don Carlos Cuarteron in Labuan on this day, 14 April 1857, exactly 167 years ago, to bear witness to the resurrection of Christ. We must utilize this opportunity to recommit ourselves to sharing the message of Easter with all.

Dear brothers and sisters in the risen Lord, it is in the hope of eternal life that I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your active participation in the construction of our new church. As of February 29th, 2024, the funds to be raised are RM2,123,953.68. We will hold the Second Parish Bazaar on August 4th, 2024, to further our fundraising efforts. Our target for this event is to raise RM250,000. Bazaar coupons have been distributed through church ministries and apostolic during the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on April 8th, 2024. I want to thank you for your unwavering support and worthy sacrifices. Thank you very much.

With thanksgiving in our hearts, we will serve the Lord.

Fr. Thomas Madanan