[feeling | solemn]

How should I write this post. Today has been a very solemn day for me as I spent about two hours in the church for Good Friday service. The altar was stripped bare of its cloth while the cross was taken down and wrapped in purple cloth. The church looks gloomy and is filled with an atmosphere that you can taste its sorrow and sadness. The whole world mourn for the death of Jesus Christ today.

I am twenty-three this year, having attended every Good Friday since I was in my primary school, I had not shed a single tear except today. There’s nothing wrong for a guy to cry okay…  Though the love I have for Him can’t be compared with the love He have for me, it is still a bond established between us. Would you be so hard-hearted when the one you love most die?The liturgy today was simply touching when a short movie clip of the Passion of Christ was played. When the movie clip was played, I was so taken with the scene. I reflected on certain questions in life while watching the movie…

Very often we wanted to see miracles unfolding in front of our eyes before we actually believe in HIM. There are several occasions whereby I dare not live out my faith especially in a mixed community of different races and religions. Sometimes I am so reluctant to offer a hand to those who are carrying their cross (burden) because I always say to myself that I have my own burden to take care of. We human are always so keras kepala until we heard Him says “It is finished” (John 19:30). It is only through his sacrifice on the Cross that we learn to put down our pride and arrogance.

He LEFT us today! (Solemn and mourning for His death)

He will be ressurected from death on the third day! (Glorious and happy!)

Now she’s LEAVING us also!

But this is will be good for her. My second youngest sister, Edwina, is leaving for South Australia tomorrow evening. She is going to pursue her Diploma in Nursing at Hosanna International College (HIC). Well, the reason why I said it’s good for her is that I see it as an opportunity for her to develop her self-confidence, broaden her world view, as well as learning English, of course learning to be independent without family members by her side. There are a lot of things she needs to learn there.

Limpei parents have four children, me being the eldest followed by three daughters. At present, I am studying in Johor while my sister is in Sabah. Now my second youngest sister is heading to Australia, it simply means that only my youngest sister is staying with my parents. I guess my house will not be in its usual state whereby we always have laughters and arguments after tomorrow.

Well sis, I hope you try your best in whatever you do and never stop learning. This journey may be hard but you have to learn to move on and survive. My prayers will always be with you. Papa and mama, don’t worry. I will come home soon.

[feeling | nervous]

Two thousand years back, this was the scene of my dear Lord Jesus with the disciples on the table. Though it looked like a great gathering but the simplicity of the painting has a hidden message. It’s called the Last Supper. This was the day when Jesus established the Eucharistic celebration, hence the offering of bread and wine. This was the day religious brothers and priests were born. This was the day when Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas. This was the day when Jesus felt really afraid because He knew He would be crucified on the cross. This was the day Jesus truly accepted the will of his Heavenly Father to bring salvation to all human. This was the day two thousand years back.

Back to today’s world. I attended the Maundy Thursday liturgy at SCC tonight. Friar Joseph Goh, OFM (his directory) from Kuching presided the liturgy. Well, this is my first time seeing such a young priest. He’s a Kuching-lang also, what a small world. As usual, there were two readings from the Old Testament and one Gospel reading. Friar Joseph gave a good homily, it’s simple and straight to the point as well as relevant to today’s world. Due to the reason that Friar Joseph doesn’t have a good command in Mandarin, I read out the Mandarin translation of his homily. I got quite a mixed responses from the floor. Some said I talked like a priest (==”), some said I was somewhat nervous, some said I read well. I said “Thank God, it’s over.”

The washing of the feet ceremony starts right away after the gospel reading and homily. Clad with a pink towel on the waist, Father Joseph humbled himself to wash the feet of twelve persons which symbolizes Jesus washing the feet of his twelve beloved disciples. How loving and how humble Jesus was when he washed the feet of his disciples, this scene made my heart felt so sour. I almost cried but was managed to control my emotions.

Will you humble yourself to serve others?

Friar Joseph Goh, OFM washing the feet of one of the twelve representatives.

This Holy Week is a very meaningful week for me. I made my Confession on Tuesday, felt so good to have my sins forgiven. Felt good to have determination to try hard to stop repeating the same sin again. Thank God that the English, BM, Mandarin and Tamil communities work together to ensure a smooth Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil.

Peace be with you,
daniel liew

[Written on the day before Jesus was crucified. This post is dedicated to Him because I want to let him know that I stayed with Him when He needed comfort most.]