Church of St Michael (1890)
24 Church Road, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
T: 05-2540176
F: 05-2415437
email: smcipoh@gmail.com
Parish Priest : Msgr Stephen Liew
Assistant Parish Priest: Rev Anthony Chong
Sat. Sunset Mass : 7.00 pm (English)
Sunday Masses :
8.00 am English
10.00 am Mandarin
5.30 pm English
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We need to make room for God |
| Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Jan 14 2011 |
16 Jan. 2011 issue of The Herald
IPOH: Christmas is an indication to make room for God in our hearts and lives, St Michael’s Church parish priest Msgr Stephen Liew said. “It’s a personal invitation to us, because God wants to be our friend or relative and not a guest. God needs only a little space, and with God in our lives, great things will happen,” he said during Christmas midnight Mass at SMC.
The Mass was celebrated by SMC assistant parish priest Fr Anthony Chong and concelebrated by Msgr Liew, who gave the sermon. “Today is a joyful night and the gospel of Luke relates the birth of Jesus. We are too familiar with the text and sometimes it does not have an impact on us anymore. It evokes a sense of sympathy, pity and compassion for Mary for giving birth to Jesus and laying him in a manger. We feel sad for Joseph and angry at the innkeeper,” he said.
He said the purpose of Luke in narrating the birth of Jesus in a stable, is distinct in three areas. Luke’s narrative, unlike Matthew, who put the birth of Jesus in a house, is to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah that the chosen people have forgotten who their master is. Luke also depicts Jesus’ birth in a stable as the manger is the container of food for animals, and thus unclean.
In winter the shepherds graze the animals in fields, and in the evening the animals head straight for the manger. It goes to show that now is the time of nourishment, for our life with God. “It is an invitation by God to come back to him and be nourished by him through the Sacraments, the Word, and life in the community.” At Christmas, he said, many people make the effort to come to church, even if it was only once a year. “We often crowd our lives with so many things, and fill our lives with anger, jealousy, envy and many other things.
“This is where the meaning of having no room at the inn comes into play. “In Jeremiah 30 we see God comes to visit his people and stay with them. “God comes to us not as a tourist, but as one of us, wanting to enjoy the warmth of our relationship with him,” he said. Thirdly, he said the name of Jesus (which in Hebrew is Yeshua or Joshua) means God is my salvation, my Saviour.
However, another obscure meaning of the name means “Make room for God.” After Mass, Msgr Liew and Fr Chong wished the people a Blessed and Happy Christmas. Msgr Liew also thanked all those who serve in Ministries of the parish, in serving the church.
Last changed: Jan 14 2011 at 10:21 AM
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