Sathya Sai Baba group visits Assumption Church

Members from the Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Bandar Klang visited the Assumption Church on March 17 as part of their Education for Human Values programme for children between the ages of 4 to 17 years.

Hosted by the Assumption Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and joined by Assumption’s Youth Ministry and media team, participants, especially the lower primary school children, were brimming with smiles, excitement and curiosity as expected from precocious children.

The joy of sharing our Christian values of love, peace, kindness for all was observed when Father Gregory began by introducing the simple sing-a-long hymn “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world…”

Bringing the children, youth and their minders to the church’s pews, the Sacristy and the pulpit, Fr Chan informed them that this is the season of Lent. Drawing attention to the dried tree branch, the prelate explained about Jesus Christ suffering and dying on the Cross to save mankind, his passion to give life to others. “Jesus Christ is the life of the world. When He dies, the world has no life, when Jesus Christ rises from the dead at Easter, the world is alive again.”

A female Sai Baba Centre youth enthralled all those present with her rendition of “Alleluia.”

Later, during the Q&A session led by PMEIA chairman Hilary Narcis, assisted with Core Team member Vincent Quah, the minors, young as they are, posed intelligent questions, such as “In which year did Jesus die?” or “why did Jesus die on the Cross?”

The visit increased the students’ and hosts’ understanding of differences in religions whilst enhancing the common values of unity, respect of diversity, as Hilary Narcis succinctly conveyed “all religions teach good. No religions teach hate.” Thus, clearly, it is misinterpretation of religion which leads to conflict which all faiths would or should never aim for. There was also a suggestion for an exchange visit by Assumption parish to the Sathya Sai Baba Centre in Klang.

At a time when differences in opinion or judicial and authorities’ interpretations of federal or state legislations on religions or public policies which have at times interfered the boundaries of a faith professed by other adherents and divided society, such inte-religious visits foster goodwill and the much cherished aspiration of 1Malaysia.

We should also ponder as wisely posed by Fr Chan in his Facebook; “The visit of the Sathya Sai Baba to the Church of the Assumption was a milestone in many ways. The question is: do our youth (and adults) know what it means to dialogue with them?” It is hoped that through more dialogue and interactions, more goodwill, combined activities to benefit society will be reaped and misunderstandings be cast aside.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online