Editorial

Take Courage!

By Gerard Pereira (Editor, Inspiritu)

Dear Friends,

“I am doing something new”. This word from the Lord was the general agreement among the members of the Penang DST when they met recently. But to look for new signs of the Lord working as He did in the past is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

A few thoughts capture my mind and I think we can confidently say that God is doing and continues do something new for the CCR in Malaysia and around the world.

There are still miracles and conversion of hearts taking place at prayer meetings and especially so during the Life in the Spirit Seminars. In as much as God the Father reveals His faithfulness to His sons and daughters, He seems to be calling us to leave our complacency and comfort zones and to take up our mission.

Rt Rev. Bishop Anthony Selvanayagam at the PMST meeting reiterated, “the CCR is beyond Prayer groups”. You will find this sentiment expressed in the feature articles in this issue.

This does not mean that Bishop Selvanayagam is saying that there isn't a need for prayer groups but rather that the CCR is for the renewal of the whole Catholic Church, making the spirituality of Pentecost a reality.

“ I hope that the spirituality of Pentecost will spread in the Church as a renewed incentive to prayer, holiness, communion and proclamation” . (Pope John Paul 11 in June 2004). “When the risen Christ makes Himself present in people's lives and gives them His Spirit (cf. Jn 20:22), they completely change, where they remain, indeed become, fully themselves”. (Pope John Paul 11 May 1998)

In short, our mission should be:

1) Be on the front lines of Evangelisation .

Through witnessing of Christian lifestyle

"Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father." —Matthew 5:16

2) Make disciples for Jesus among our co-workers, friends, neighbours, relatives and, especially our children.

By bearing the fruits of the Spirit

“Each person, as a true disciple of Jesus, must apply himself constantly to following His teachings, making his own journey of spiritual renewal an on-going school of conversion and holiness ” (Pope John Paul 11)

3) Christianise secular society by permeating it with the Light of Christ.

By standing for the truth, justice and mercy

4). To live communitarian spirituality.

The ecclesial movements and new communities are a providential response, given by the Holy Spirit to today's demand for the new Evangelisation. There is so much need today for mature “Christian personalities” as well as for “living Christian communities”. (cf. homily at the prayer vigil on the eve of Pentecost, 5/30/98).(Pope John Paul 11)

What has been summarised is the call to the laity by the Vatican 11 Council.

I believe that God the Father is calling us to maturity. A maturity that will continue what Jesus commissioned His apostles to do and has been handed down to us. Let us “Take Courage” as we say, we are an Easter people and ALLeluia is our song

Let us once more come together in prayer with humility and repentance as we expectantly await a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the feast of Pentecost.

A special word of thanks to all local writers who have contributed articles for this issue .

“God is doing something new”.

Serving you,

Gerry Pereira

Let us therefore abandon ourselves to the liberating action of the Spirit.

(Pope John Paul 11)