This morning, Fr. Lejeune celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us. Though starting from last September, the Sunday School had switched to Saturday and thus we expected less parents attending mass on Sunday, we still had a full house in the Church this morning. From my conductor stand, I could see many people standing at the back. All seats had been occupied. The Liturgical Assistants had done a good job in ushering people to vacant seats. The Holy Redeemer Church is a vibrant parish. The congregation participates actively. After mass, there was a lunch banquet to entertain the senior parishioners.
The first reading this morning was taken from the book of Job. This is a book of wisdom, expressing the author's views on evils and sufferings. It goes beyond the traditional view that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. The first two chapters and the last one probably come from Jewish folklore. The 39 chapters in-between consist of three rounds of debate between the evil-struck Job and his 3 friends who came to console him. It is actually a debate between the traditional views and the author's.
In his homily, Fr. Lejeune addressed the senior parishioners.
When I lie down I say, `When shall I arise?'
But the night is long, and I am full of tossing till the dawn (Job 7:4).
It is an apt description of the life of many old people and Fr. Lejeune is one. He is the most appropriate person to share with them. He simply told them that the hardship of daily life, the incapacity of their bodies were a different form of blessing from God. Let's embrace it till the end. God will reward.
According to the story, Job was as rich as Mr. Lee Ka Shing. Suddenly, both of them lost most of their riches. Job lost all his riches and family while the financial tsunami reduced Mr. Lee's riches to half. Job endured to the end without saying a word of blasphemy against God. In the end, his riches and family were doubled. So, don't worry, Mr. Lee.
Fr. Lejeune was more interested in sharing the gospel message. He turned to Mark.
Jesus' healed the mother-in-law of Simon Peter and many others who suffered from all kinds of illnesses and were possessed by demons.
As followers of Christ, we should extend our helping hand to whoever in need. That is why all Christian churches take an active part in providing medical and educational services wherever their missions happen to be. We may not be able to provide them medical or educational help. But working with the Holy Spirit, our charity and good actions will be able to attract people to seek instruction and be baptised.
After a busy day, Jesus rose early before dawn and went out to pray. Simon and the others sought him.
And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out."
And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons (Mark 1:38-39).
We shouldn't neglect our prayers. Our actions should proceed from prayers if we don't want our actions to be futile. Through prayers, we come close to God, our nourishment and our strength. So, don't be distracted by irrelevant excuses not to pray.
Dear Lord, draw us near and energize us in our work. May we know Your will and go forth to preach Your good news to souls thirsty for Your truth. Amen.
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