Today's Catholic Vol. 33 No. 11 February 2022

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CATHOLIC today’s

A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak

Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

Vol 33 No 11 February 2022

Archbishop’s Chinese New Year Message “In the Lord’s name, I greet you with New Year’s blessing and joy!” 「因天主圣名, 恭祝各位 新年快乐!」 Brothers and Sisters, It was two years ago during Chinese New Year 2020 that we received news of the outbreak of a new coronavirus COVID-19. Since then, we have been under the shadow of COVID-19, with another new Omicron variant today. But as followers of Christ, let us always hold on to the Jesus who has guided us through the years. I would like to share my thoughts with you on this Chinese New Year 2022.

春 Spring to celebrate new life and fresh beginning It is good to remember that the Chinese Lunar New Year takes place in spring. Spring comes after a long winter when trees look dead with wiry branches. Springtime is thus a celebration of life with new shoots, and buds sprout on the trees; with birds and animals coming out in the �eld. During the CNY, we use the character 春 Spring to celebrate new life.

Year of Tiger - the 王 King of the animals This year’s Chinese New Year is the year of the Tiger. • It is said that there is a Chinese character 王(pronounced “wang” meaning King)that is traceable on the forehead of the tiger for he is the King of the animals. •A tiger is bold and given the greatest honour. •As Christians, we have Christ our King who gave his life for us on the Cross that we may live. Let us live our lives under the kingship of Christ, who willingly sacri�ced his life for us that we may live as children of God.

God is the Master主of Heaven and Earth To denote an authority higher than the King, a stroke (‘) is added to become 主, which means Master. • During the mission to China, Jesuit Priest Fr Matteo Ricci used the term 天主 to call on God our Heavenly Father. • That is why Catholics are 天主教. • The Lord’s Prayer, the “Our Father” is called 天主经.

True Meaning of "福" (fú) or True blessedness

福 = 礻(示) spirit [ shì ] + 一口田 The right half of "福" (fú) 一 口 田" (romanised as yīkǒutián), means literally, ‘one mouth and padi-�eld’. A person who has a padi-�eld to provide for himself and thus can be happy. The left half of "福" (fú), "礻" (shì), means 'God', as the foundation of true blessedness. This expresses a relationship with God, “Seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given Visit us at http://www.todayscatholic.com.my

to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33).

True Happiness in the Beatitudes 真福八段 Jesus offers us the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) as guidelines to help us to experience true blessedness with God and others: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” - Be satis�ed and always be thankful with our blessing. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” - Trust in God who is source of life eternal. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” - Be humble. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be �lled” - Act and do what is right before God. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” - Be kind in words, thoughts and deeds. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” - Seek God’s kingdom and its values. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” - Be people of peace and harmony. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” - Be faithful in the face of challenges and dif�culty.

CONCLUSION • Jesus Christ as the Son of God is also considered as Lord and King who had willingly given up his life on the Cross to bring forgiveness and mercy on humanity. He had performed this sacri�ce of love that we may live. • “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) • We are thus invited to imitate Jesus in making sacri�ces of love and acts of charity for the common good of all people. • Remember to give to charity and especially to assist families, widows and orphans and all those who have been badly impacted by this pandemic. With gratitude in our hearts, let us celebrate the Lunar New Year. We thank God for having guided us safely through these two years of pandemic as we look forward in hope for a better tomorrow. Let us pray and seek God’s blessing for the whole Year 2022. Together with Archbishops Emeriti John Ha and Peter Chung, my brother Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu and Bishop Richard Ng of Miri, all priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Kuching, I wish everyone and friends of good will a blessed new year, �lled with hope, health, peace and joy. Blessed New Year 2022.

✠ Archbishop Simon Poh

Contact us at 082-242634 / 011-10730729 (WhatsApp), todaycat@gmail.com (E-mail), P O Box 940, 93718 Kuching (Post)


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