Embrace the future with hope
By Patricia Pereira
The religious are an important part of the Church and have a role to play in the mission of Christ. This was affirmed by the Malaysian bishops at the first Malaysia Religious Assembly (MRA) 2023 at MAJODI Centre, June 8-11.
One hundred and eighty-four delegates representing 28 congregations were present at this historic gathering.
Bishop Bernard Paul in his keynote address painted a scenario of current situations and urged the religious to embrace the future with hope.
Hope is a virtue, an inner strength that consecrated men and women bring to desperate situations because their eyes are fixed on Christ, even as they look lovingly upon this world. In spite of dwindling numbers, ageing congregations and a lack of vocations, consecrated persons are still relevant and continue to play an important role in the life of the Church and society at large.
The prelate, giving his speech on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei spoke about ‘dark clouds’ that had engulfed the world during the pandemic and the subsequent dark clouds that had descended through selfish political reasons and bad governance, which have negatively impacted the lives of many.
Bishop Bernard also touched on the dark clouds in our church communities that have forgotten their true mission and have instead become preoccupied with their smallness, weakness, powerlessness and fruitlessness.
“But the dark clouds do not have the last say. The dark clouds will give way when we see that consecrated life is not about survival, but a call to living encounter, a call to obedience to the God of surprises, and a call to prophetic vision that reveals what matters most,” said the bishop.
Bishop Bernard reiterated that the dark clouds will give way when we rise to counter and overcome concerns such as mediocrity, a devaluation of our spiritual life, the temptation to reduce God’s importance, an accommodation to a comfortable and worldly life, complaints and a mentality of resignation.
He urged the religious to open their eyes to the many realities surrounding them. In reference to the parable of the Good Samaritan, the bishop said we bring hope to the vulnerable, the neighbour and the victim when we stop, respond and accompany them with living affective love (social love), and we do this because we are made for love.
Speaking along the lines of synodality, the prelate said that when we see the vision of an open world, we are called to ‘extend the tent’, i.e. to go outside ourselves, to safeguard and respect solidarity and fraternity in the family and affirm the right to live with dignity.
“The dark clouds give way when we have a heart for the world. When we welcome, protect, support and integrate the migrants.”
The bishop further added that when we have charity at heart and not political inclinations, we will recognise common good and the importance of people. Our discussion and dialogue will be centred on protecting work, promoting solidarity, subsidiarity, human dignity and the eradication of poverty.
“The dark clouds give way when we have an attitude of kindness – of having dialogue, friendship and encounters with all, free from the modern day cruelty, anxiety and flurry,” said the bishop.
Making reference to Fratelli Tutti, Bishop Bernard said that the dark clouds are overcome with renewed encounter and he proceeded to touch on three key points. The first is a ‘re-look at Communion’, i.e. the image of ‘One Body, with Christ the Head and we, the many parts’. This transcends narrowness, bigotedness, selfishness, exclusiveness and a call to reach out, to go beyond congregations and to be Church.
The second point, highlighted by Bishop Bernard is a call to ‘re-embrace participation’ which is realising that we are an indispensable piece of a jigsaw puzzle, i.e. the picture is never complete without ‘me’ and ‘you’.
“True participation,” said the bishop, “takes place where there is inclusivity, encouraging one another’s gifts and giftedness, listening to the sensus fidei, the spirit in the community. We must be driven by a life-changing sense of community, ecclesia, creation, common good and common home.”
Speaking on the final key point ‘re-new mission’ Bishop Bernard explained that it is about undertaking to go forth, to go beyond ourselves, our church compounds, rituals and rites, our divisiveness and discriminatory attitudes, our arrogance and aggressiveness, our hate and violence.
“It is about building bridges rather than walls, healing not wounding, loving not hating. Mission is about journeying together for a common home in which justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, love, joy and peace are the rights of all. It is a ‘walking together’ with no exclusive rights of ownership or territory, recognising that the Holy Spirit is the only manager and we are His servants,” said the bishop.
Bishop Bernard ended his speech by reminding the religious that the only force that can keep the dark clouds and closed world at bay is discerned, united, love initiatives. “You sisters and brothers must see yourselves as the Body of Christ, not mere congregations and religious orders. The people have something to teach us, they do not see congregations and ministries, clergy and religious, they only see Church. That’s who we are – members of the One Body, the Body of Christ. The greatest challenge will always be ‘Being Brothers and Sisters to one another’.”
(The Malaysia Religious Assembly (MRA) 2023 is the journey of the consecrated community towards the Malaysia Pastoral Convention scheduled to take place in 2026. We will feature a comprehensive coverage of the MRA 2023 in an upcoming supplement.)
 2023 at MAJODI Centre, June 8-11.){kind=link}