Put others first, for the greater good

The 57 year-old Church of the Most Holy Redeemer celebrated its parish feast Triduum on October 22, 2017 with a procession in honour of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The theme was Witnessing Beyond Borders.

On the first day of the Triduum, Fr Stephen Liew, from the Church of St Michael, Ipoh, celebrated Mass and there was also anointing of the Sick. On the second day, Redemptorist priest, Fr Joseph Stephen from the Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Ipoh, preached on Family Life. A special blessing was given to all the families at Mass.

Parish priest, Fr Andrew Stephen was the main celebrant on the third day of the Triduum. Eighteen recent graduates made their way into the Church, in their graduation robes preceded by an entrance dance presentation by four youths in traditional attire. It was a time for the parish to thank and praise God for these mainly Sabahans and Sarawakians who had made this Church their parish whilst attending university here.

In his homily, Fr Andrew narrated a true story. His friend had breathing difficulties so he went to see the doctor and underwent an ECG test. The results showed that there was nothing wrong with his heart. The doctor recommended that he should stay for further tests which he refused, despite his wife’s persuasion. The next day, his friend suffered a heart attack and died.

“If he had loved his young children and wife, he should have stayed for further tests at hospital. What about you today? Is your family or yourself more important?” He asked the assembly to reflect on those questions and went on to say, “What would have happened if God was selfish and didn’t send His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us? But God thinks of all of us and not just of Himself. Today, we know God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as we celebrate the feastday of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Fr Andrew added, “Jesus is willing to sacrifice Himself as our Redeemer. If, today, we only think about ourselves, how can we save others? How many of us today introduce Jesus or bring a friend to the Church? Or show your Christianity and convince others to come to church? If we always only think of ourselves, how can we be agents to redeem others and bring them to Christ?”

After the multi-lingual Mass, Fr Andrew Stephen carried the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, with one lay leader holding up a large Cross, leading the assembly of few hundred people in a short procession along the public roads around the church, in honour of Our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Upon returning to the Church, Benediction was celebrated.

Just after Benedication, Fr Andrew congratulated the new graduates and said, “When you go back to your respective States, do serve in your parishes.” He also said a prayer for them and blessed them with holy water.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online