“I want a mess, I want trouble in the diocese,” says Bishop Paul Tan SJ Published on: August 23, 2013 at 06:51 AM (Herald)

By Percy D’Cruz
“What is expected as a consequence of the Year of Faith which is about to end? What is to be expected of this St Theresa’s Youth Day which is also about to end? As Pope Francis at the closing of the World Youth Day in Brazil said, ‘I want a mess, I want trouble in the diocese’. Likewise, dear young friends, please make trouble in the Diocese of Melaka-Johor. Please ask the Holy Spirit for a radical and crazy faith that is not satisfied with comfort but desire to ‘set the world on fire with the love of God’. Go forth and make disciples of all nations,” were Bishop Paul Tan’s closing remarks in his homily.

The five hundred youths at St Paul’s Hill at the closing Eucharistic Celebration were all ears, but seemed puzzled over the ‘rebel rousing’ clarion call as prescribed by His Lordship whose homily was read out by Deacon Adrian Ng.

At the onset of the ‘preaching’ His Lordship remarked that the young Deacon would be a better presenter as he could relate to the young people present rather than from a 73 year old bishop.This remark drew laughter and cheering. 

eacon Ng explained what His Lordship meant. “Young friends, please make ‘spiritual trouble’ in the Melaka-Johore Diocese by asking the Holy Spirit for a ‘radical and crazy faith’ to set the world on fire with the love of God. In other words, “Go forth and make disciples of all nations”. Bishop Tan also commented, “As we stand on this holy ground here on top of St Paul’s Hill, we recall Francis Xavier. Some five hundred years ago, his family wanted him to become a bishop in Europe because he was very intelligent. At that time, this meant riches, servants at one’s beck and call, good food and comfortable living. However, young Francis Xavier had a conversion and turned his back on all these niceties to become the first missionary to bring the gospel to South East Asia. 

“He faced danger at sea, he faced hostile people who spoke foreign languages, he faced loneliness without friends and family. Yet, he came to this part of the world. Why? Simply because he believed that the people in Asia needed to know Jesus. 

“Likewise, Jesus brings forgiveness and relationship with God. Jesus brings the strength to overcome problems and to live a life of love pleasing to God. Jesus assures us that death is not the end because God is a Father who welcomes us into his heavenly home. St Francis came to set the world on fire with the love of God. 

“Young friends, youth is a time that is full of options. People will tell you that you have to aim for money, nice house, big and fast cars. These are the symbols of success. But friends, your life at most will be ninety years long, for some it may be shorter and then you will face eternity. You cannot take your money, house or cars with you when you die as the standards of heavenly living are quite different. Have you seen how big is your ‘house’ in heaven? Are you rich in what matters in heaven? Pope Benedict once said ‘The world offers you comfort but you were made for greatness’.” 

Fr. Peter Ng, commenting on his parish youth day celebration said, “Overall the energy generated by the organisers and the participants was not only of their joy and enthusiasm, but the aspect of attentiveness, which is the true spirit of openess. 

“I had also noticed their desire to hear, to listen and to share a catechesis and a deepening of their understanding of the faith. Their readiness to receive the challenges of faith was also prominent. My hope for the future is that the renewed commitment of young parishioners will increase in rediscovering the faith that was sometimes lost in the generation before them.

“I am confident that these young people will have a clear lead within the setting of their families to help them to rediscover the wonder of that faith again.”