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| Photo: Hobart Kho |
I was in Thailand for the Bishops’ Institute for Theological Animation IV from 24 to 26 April 2012. The theme was “Fundamentalism and Relativism – Their Impact on Young People”. Needless to say the input sessions were interesting and informative. They attempted to keep the participating Bishops abreast of contemporary issues. Clearly, concern for young people being influenced and drawn by unhealthy trends, including religious ones, in today’s world dominated the Institute. As commonly experienced in such institutes, problems were raised but solutions were far from sight.
I returned home affected in a mixed way – inspired yet feeling helpless, motivated to do something yet feeling somewhat lost as to how to go about it, imbued with a sense of solidarity with brother Bishops in Thailand yet returning alone to Kuching to shoulder the great pastoral responsibility of looking after the young in the Archdiocese. Hope was tempered with discouragement, a clear hearing of the pastoral call was hampered by an awareness of its magnitude, and a sense of urgency was hindered by a sense of incapacity on my part. Like Moses encountering the Lord in the burning bush (cf. Ex. 3), I heard the Lord’s call but was tempted to give a lot of excuses. Like the burning bush being not burnt up, the Lord’s call continued to burn in my heart without being burnt up.
I arrived in Kuching on Friday 27 April night – and the following day I went with two seminarians to Sri Aman where Fr. Patrick Heng had arranged for an Easter celebration with the parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace. The world brightened up for me as I saw so many young faces in Church for the Eucharist. After Mass there was an hour of games for families. Parents and young children participated in the games and they all enjoyed the fun. But there was more than fun. The community that gathered did so in their Christian faith and love. Yes, many were young people! They were there because of their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. They were there as part of the community of Christians – the parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace, with Fr. Patrick their regular shepherd.
On 30 April I went to Saberkas. Coming down the descending escalator, I saw a resident of the Cheshire Home at the foot of the escalator on the first floor. He was on a wheel chair selling tidbits and mineral water. I stopped by to chat with him. A few minutes later two young men approached him – and without saying a word, slipped a few ringgit between his hands and left.
That touched me: here was a physically challenged young man doing a little business to earn himself something in an honest way – not hampered by his difficult physical conditions, not angry, not shy and so forthcoming in his conversation. Then two young men healthy turned up with a generous heart – sharing with this physically challenged young men part of what they had and then walking away unobtrusively.
I encountered two different categories of young men – the able-bodied and the physically handicapped. The latter was in no way inhibited by his physical condition; the former were caring youngsters. This encounter called to mind the many wonderful young Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kuching who are truly committed to the Lord. I thought of the Triduum Spirituality I shared with them last year – and the pre-event retreat the 160 young servants “demanded” from me. I thought of the KAYA 20 and the many previous KAYAs. I thought of the Empowered Ministry who went to deliver aid to victims of the floods in the Philippines a few years ago.
Wow, it was Easter for me – my spirit rose from the pangs of the potential death which could have fallen on me had I given in to the negative thoughts that were pounding on me as I returned from Thailand. Yes, there are still young people around who are good, honest, caring, courageous, faith-filled, alive and committed to the Lord! They reflect the presence of the risen Lord in our midst.
Young Christians, thank you for your commitment to your faith. Keep the light of the risen Lord burning bright. God bless you.
Archbishop John Ha
