Love Squad performs skit at CDM

The launching of this year’s Lenten Campaign at the Church of Divine Mercy (CDM) fell to the parish’s Love Squad. They planned and performed a skit in line with this year’s theme, Heal Our World.

The skit showed the dialogue between a beggar and a former classmate who helped him in spite of criticism by others. It underlined the sub-themes of embracing the poor, upholding human dignity, promoting social justice, loving our families and saving the environment.

Towards the end of the skit, a video of environmental pollution was shown and the students unfurled four banners of the sub-themes. These banners are to be hung up in the church to remind the parishioners of the Lenten Campaign’s theme. Lenten Campaign bookmarks and pamphlets were also distributed to all those who attended the weekend Masses.

In his homily, parish priest Fr Martin Arlando asked those present to begin this time of Lent by recalling the promise of God’s forgiveness and that God’s loving goodness still endures and reaches out to us. The redeeming sign is Jesus, whowas tempted just like us. Often, in this busy world, we find it hard to recognise this sign. It is exactly where Jesus said it is. “The kingdom of God is close at hand.”

Fr Martin then explained that repentance can be looked at in the 5Ws and 1H. The “Who” is ourselves, you and me. We need to change for the better. The “What” is the behaviours or attitudes to be avoided or cultivated better. The “When” is the use of our time, turning away from the useless waste of time to the time of fulfillment. The “ Where” is the circumstances or occasions of sin which we can turn to occasions of grace or life. The “How” is something we alone know best to do along the path of repentance, not neglecting the sacrament of reconciliation. The “Why” is where St Peter gave the reason that Jesus suffered and died for our sins. This is so that we might be led to God.

If we are not led to God, then Christ suffered in vain. Jesus also explained that the Kingdom of God is at hand, which means to turn back to God through repentance. Lastly, to “Hope” for the Kingdom of God, which is well worth repenting for.

At the end of Mass, the CDM Lenten bookmarks for Week 2 were distributed to the parishioners, offering them suggestions of Works of Mercy that they may do in the course of the week and to offer them up the following Sunday.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online