CATHOLIC today’s
A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak
Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)
Vol 30 No 3 June 2018
Inside... How to honour fathers with love
The Malaysian Bishops’ Conference PostGE 14 message
P 10
P 7, 26
“Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.” Mk 3:35
今日教友 第十六至二十二頁
Message from the Archbishop for Gawai 2018 Every year, during this time, we celebrate our Harvest Festival of Gawai in Sarawak and Kaamatan in our neighbouring Sabah. Gawai marks the end of the harvesting season with a communal thanksgiving celebration. As Christians, we celebrate Gawai by offering our thanksgiving to God in Church. I have always marvelled at the translation of “Mass” as “Gawai Misa” in Iban or Bidayuh. This is indeed appropriate as our Mass is really a Thanksgiving Celebration. The Dayak longhouses and villages have taught me about annual rice cultivation cycle – clearing, burning, planting, weeding, harvesting, separating the husk, thanksgiving and especially setting aside the grains for the next planting. There is a lot of hard labour before we get the cooked rice on our table. It is no wonder that our grandmothers are always asking us to eat the last grain of rice on our plate, especially when these are from a labour of love and sweat. I would like to share some of my reflections and lessons that we can learn from Gawai:
emphasises monetary benefits. Today we face a materialistic and individualistic world, where people are exploited for personal and material gain. On the other hand, Gawai celebrates the importance of community sharing – gotong-royong, working and harvesting together in the field. I greatly respect these villagers, who do not possess much materially, but are generous to share what they have. I have experienced Christian sharing and genuine hospitality in these villages.
Dayak dancers performing a welcoming dance before Gawai Thanksgiving Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, 18 May
Archbishop Simon Poh presiding over the Gawai Thanksgiving Mass on the evening of 18 May Gratitude to God Our land is created by God who provides the sun, earth, water and rain for our planting. At Gawai Mass, we give thanks to our Heavenly Father, trusting that he will give us our daily needs. As Catholics, our Gawai Celebration begins with prayer to thank God in all Churches. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thes 5:16-18). Family Connection Gawai is a time of family reunion. Airports, bus and boat terminals are crowded for homecoming journeys to respective villages. This is an invitation to return to one’s own cultural roots, with the opportunity to reconnect with family members and friends. I would like to appeal to parents to bring your children – especially those who have grown up in the city and towns – to return regularly to your home villages. Give your children the opportunity to learn, appreciate and reconnect with their cultural roots. I am sure they will experience the hospitality, welcome of the village community, learn from the simplicity of life and willingness to share. We teach our children sincere concern for one another and to be grateful to parents and grandparents who have sacrificed so much for us. Carry on this homecoming throughout the year. Community Living, Cooperation and Sharing The world today places great importance on individual achievement and Visit us at http://www.todayscatholic.com.my
Commitment, Sacrifice and Hard work The rice harvest has been attained through sacrifice, hard work and commitment after tending the farms for a year. We celebrate the dignity of work and respect for each worker, whether in the farm or in the city. St Joseph has worked hard as a carpenter and a father to provide for the Holy Family of Nazareth. He taught us the dignity of labour and respect for the human person. Let us then be ready to work with our hands - by serving our families and to work for the common good in our community, society and nation Malaysia. Putting Aside Savings for the Future After the harvest, the new padi grains are stored for the future. I have seen large granary – with diameter of 5 feet, made from circular tree bark, bound in place by rotan. I realized that should there be any calamity and famine arises, these villagers will survive while we, in the city, will starve for lack of food. The granary serves as a “bank,” with the grains being set aside as savings for the future. Another memorable experience during Gawai Thanksgiving Mass is to see families presenting offerings of padi-grains that are placed before the Altar. I would offer a prayer of blessing for these grains after which they would be given back to the families. These selected grains will be reserved as seeds for the next sowing and planting. In today’s difficult economic time, Gawai teaches us to set aside our harvest - our earning, and to do a careful budgeting and planning for our financial commitments throughout the year. It is a call to refrain from consumerism by purchasing the latest handphones, gadgets and curb unnecessary spending to keep up with the trends of modern living. Gawai invites us to a conversion of heart. We seek not to be overcome by materialistic lifestyle, the pleasures and enjoyment offered by the world. I implore all parents to be committed to providing a good family environment, seeking to be faithful to one another, to budget and put aside savings for the future education of our children. • Continued on p3
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