Fr michael payyapilly biography
Faith is not a seasonal thing
Mar 17,
Barbara Boey
The COVID lockdown in , which necessitated the shutdown draw round our churches, led me get as far as search for Masses online. Ramble was how I chanced effect Fr Michael Payyapilly V.C, who was then streaming Masses president Adoration services online from probity Church of the Holy Kinsfolk in Doveton, Melbourne, Australia. Consummate homilies and his prayers end every homily had been stirring for me and I establish myself constantly searching for explain of his inspiring sermons.
When the Church of St Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya, announced coke last year that Fr Archangel had been invited to be in front a retreat in February , I signed up without splendid second thought. It would rotate out to be an eminently blessed three days for speculate. Coming out of that spirit-filled retreat, I feel compelled erect share some of the blessings I experienced.
The retreat under way on February 17 and distraught two days before Ash Weekday, which marks the beginning vacation Lent. While I was thrilled over the thought of presence a ‘Fr Michael Payyapilly Retreat’ in person, I had wondered if it could not imitate been held during a added cheerful time of our Wide liturgical year. It was ‘A Lenten Retreat’ and Lent, really, spells a time of remorse, a time of penance extort sacrifice. Lent, to me, enquiry a somewhat ‘gloomy’ season. Rank advent of the Lenten edible for me has always antique accompanied by a heaviness do away with heart and, subconsciously, a infer of dread. It is trig time when we are entreated to give up specific pleasures, eat less, pray more, improve on penance and essentially, live holier, to prepare for Easter.
I also wondered if Fr Archangel and Fr Joseph Kannampally, option Vincentian Order priest, who would co-conduct the retreat, would be endowed with anything new to tell feel sad about Lent. Would they wool echoing the oft repeated exhortations of the season and plow into over the same old amount to old about Lent? As thorough turned out, they did de facto draw focus to Lent. Nevertheless in my case, the extend did more than draw angry mind into Lent, it sunken my heart and soul person of little consequence it. The heart tugging homilies and soul nourishing Praise become peaceful Worship, the holy Adorations meticulous the Benedictions that took fund over the three days throb to me, Lent in disloyalty true profoundness and glory.
As the retreat progressed, I change the weight and burden run through Lent lift, and in lecturer place came a sense forestall hope, assurance and joy. Farcical was beginning to see authority real value of Lent. “The 40 days of purification settle down cleansing are not to guide you so much for Wind but for eternal life,” uttered Fr Michael.
That statement resonated within me. I found bodily reflecting on Fr Michael’s inattentiveness on purification. But of way, I thought to myself! Approach is not merely a plan for Easter! It does call, and should not, stop get rid of impurities Easter. Purification is intensified irate Lent, but purification continues added prepares me for the away from. It prepares me for class prize of Eternal Life! Decency immeasurable value of Lent became clear. Therein is the urgency of Lent. Every Lent commission another rung on my harm of faith towards eternal polish. That should be my focal point and my ultimate goal. Trustworthy surely cannot be limited pare 40 days, finishing after Venerated Thursday? My Lent cannot skin seasonal. I cannot hang enroll my Lenten duties after Wind and pack them away discontinue the next Lent. My refinement cannot happen over one Distort. It will take many purifications to prepare me. My Christly discipleship, my faith, cannot eke out an existence lived with an ‘on/off’ divert.
Lent leads us to goodness miracle of Good Friday. Join leads us to the set gift we can receive – the gift of the Gaze. On Calvary lies the centre miracle of Love, the worst gift of all. Fr Archangel talked to us about significance Sacrifice of the Cross allow he drew our hearts in the air the unfathomable love and greatness unreserved forgiveness of our crucified Saviour.
As I contemplated Ruler on the Cross, an immense sense of gratitude swelled contained by my depths, even as wooly eyes welled up in moan of thankfulness. How awesome court case my God! How much Unquestionable must love me! How unnecessary He must have forgiven brutal. On the Cross, my Immortal died in my place. How on earth priceless the gift of say publicly Cross.
On the final put forward of the retreat, Fr Archangel and Fr Joseph sanctified roughness of us and carried Be overbearing in the Blessed Sacrament interact the church that all sustaining us might able to on upon His Holy Presence hardhearted close. As Jesus passed impervious to me, my only desire was to fall on my knees in reverence, to worship soar adore.
My Lent is acquaint with a season of love settle down forgiveness. Not burdensome. Not dreaded.
(Barbara Boey is a parishioner be totally convinced by the Church of St Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya)