by Fr Fabian Dicom
Acts 18:9-18
Psalm 46(47):2-7
John 16:20-23
As we gather on this first day of our Novena to the Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost, we are reminded that prayer is not only about speaking to God but prayer can also be a time of listening to God or to the Risen Lord, Jesus.
Now listening in prayer can be more difficult than speaking. We are in control of what we say to God but not in control of what God may want to say to us.
We have to dispose ourselves, open ourselves up to what the Lord may want to say to us. It is like the attitude of Samuel in the Old Testament who eventually came around to praying this way:
Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.
And that is the disposition we are called to have.
Now in today’s Readings, we are reminded of God’s reassuring presence in our lives. Just as He spoke, He spoke to Paul in Paul’s moment of fear and vulnerability, saying:
Do not be afraid to speak out nor allow yourself to be silenced. I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city and no one will even attempt to hurt you.
Paul heard that.
Now this assurance, this assurance echoes throughout scripture and resonates deeply with us, especially as we face the challenges of our world, and in particular, our own country.
Now I know while we are focusing on the upcoming parish (I believe you are upbeat about it and the focus is on the life of the parish) now it is essential to step back and consider, just today, because you have many days to focus on the parish and I am sure the preachers during the Triduum would focus on that. But it is essential for us today to step back and consider the broader context of our society.
Like Paul and Jesus’ Disciples in the Reading, just like them, I honestly tell you I am fearful. I feel vulnerable and it is about all that is going on in our society, in our country.
I don’t want to sound like the prophet of doom but seriously just look at it, in Malaysia. Our journey is marked by numerous challenges. Economic inequality persists leading to unequal access to opportunities. Not all of us have the same opportunities. Maybe not here. Even outside. Ethnic and religious diversity sometimes or very often fuels tension and discrimination. And our politicians see to that that this is regular.
Corruption remains a significant obstacles, hindering progress and eroding trust in our institutions. Not much has changed. Poverty and unemployment are prevalent issues while housing is a major concern in urban areas.
I recently read the struggle of Kuala Lumpur’s urban poor. To make ends meet appears to be affecting the children most of all. A UNICEF survey of a 755 low income households living in what they call PPR (People’s Housing Projects) (the survey was conducted last November) found that 52% were not able to provide their children three meals a day.
Now amidst these challenges, concerns about political stability and the need for social integration require concerted efforts to ensure a fair and inclusive future for all Malaysians.
The ‘in‘ word today is inclusivity, not only in the parish of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Even out there, our leaders are using. So I don’t know whether they really mean it or it is just plain rhetoric.
Now the situation that I have described to you, we need to understand all these in order to understand ourselves as a parish. While we detest and want to address those things in the country, we must address similar struggles in the church, in our parish. And you can draw parallels – discrimination, inequality, and the list goes on.
I give you an example of things that distract the country. Not long ago you had the socks saga. Do you remember that? So the whole country was held at ransom. There was so much disruption in society over a few pairs of socks.
Metaphorically, there are some of us who look for the metaphorical socks in the church. I call them the nitpickers of the church or nitpickers of the parish who make a mountain out of a mole hill. And this distracts the journey of the community and sometimes the parish. Sometimes these discussions become the menu for breakfast at some of our homes.
So, we don’t live in two different worlds, society and the parish. And therefore our journey, we talk about inclusivity, unity and caring, we have to see the whole picture. So our journey here in the parish is challenging as well.
In the Gospel today, on the eve of His death, Jesus assured His Disciples that although they would face sorrow, it would not have the last word. Sorrow would not have the last word. He promised them joy, a joy that no one could take away.
Now this same assurance is extended to us today. And I believe He is with us, just as we have witnessed it so many times in our lives. You can testify to that that He IS with us.
And as we pray for the Holy Spirit to transform us, to transform our community, to transform our parish, to transform our country, the call to assure each other with the same words of comfort that He comforts us:
I am with you. I am with you.
And when we assure someone with the words ‘I am with you‘ because we have been assured of the same words, we are offering them our support. We are offering them presence, our presence, our solidarity. It implies that we will stand by their side. ‘I am with you‘ means I will stand by your side, ready to offer help, ready to comfort you, ready to offer you encouragement. It also means:
I will stop all forms of discrimination;
I will stop all forms of slander;
I will not be part of any form of inequality;
I will not be corrupt;
I will stop my political manouvering.
‘I am with you‘ means I will work hard, very hard to create an environment that is just, that is empowering and joyful.
Saying ‘I am with you‘, let my brother, my sister, know that they have someone who cares and is willing to be there for them.
In God, All Are One. In God, All Are One.
As we journey together, supporting one another through our valley of darkness, let us hold on to the assurance that God IS with us.
May the Holy Spirit unite us, transforming our lives and our communities and our parish with His joy, with His love so that together we may shine as beacons of light in the world.
Amen.