Renew Our Hearts to Care
May our care for creation and the poor move us to action.
Lent Reflection
Watch, read and reflect on these human stories.
Reflection on
The Suffering of The Poor
Sumathi lives in Batu Kawan with her family. The 36-year-old woman is struggling to lead her family as she is the only breadwinner the family. She must take care of her father, 2 brothers, her husband, and 3 kids. Her husband Mr. Natha lost his job due to an eye injury. Her eldest son is 12 years old, the 2nd one is 11 years old and the 3rd one is 6 years old. During school sports, her elder son injured his both legs and went for surgery due to bone dislocation.
The sad thing is, Sumathi is also facing some health issues (diabetes) which make her weak and feel sick while working. Due to diabetes, Sumathi’s eyesight has been affected and she was advised to check her eyes checked in the General Hospital (GH). she could not make it because she needs to bring her elder son for a check-up. The doctor has referred her to BM Hospital for her check-up. Besides this, her brother has been diagnosed with cancer 4th stage.
In addition, Sumathi’s house needs to be repaired. Her house roof is broken and leaks whenever it rains. They don’t even have a mattress to sleep on. The drain around their house is not maintained which leads the drain to close with mud and it gets flooded when it rains. She is struggling to support her family’s needs. They never received any help from any organizations. This is because Sumathi was unable to seek help as she needs to go to work to make ends meet but she was excepting for help. God answered her prayers through Ms. Theresa. Ms. Theresa saw her situation and offered to help. Sumathi was very happy to see the team helping her such as cleaning her house and solving her problems. She thanked everyone who helped her and thanked God for answering her prayers.
See
Observe the facts, know the reality.
Judge
Use social analysis and moral values to make judgement about the facts.
Act
Plan a realistic and effective strategy to action.
Step 1: See
Q&A with Sumathi
We sat with Sumathi and talk about her life and how the program has changed her and her family’s life. During this Q&A session, Sumathi opened up about the challenges and difficulties she had before she received the help and shared how she felt after receiving help from the team. We are truly humbled to share her incredible story with you. It is a testament to the impact your generosity can have on the lives of vulnerable people like Sumathi.
My name is Sumathi Subramaniam. I’m 36 years old. My Husband’s name is Nantha and I have 3 sons, Kishor, Saran, and Lavanian. My 2 brothers Muniswaran, and Vijaythiran, and my father Subramaniam is also living with us.
My elder son who is 12 years old injured his both legs in school during sports and had to undergo surgery due to bone dislocation. Currently, he is at home. The other 2 sons are still schooling the second one is 11 and the last one is 6 years old.
While working, I always feel weak and sick. When I went for a check-up, I came to know I was affected by diabetes which has affected my eyes. The doctor has advised me to get my eyes checked in the General Hospital. However, I could not make it because it clashed with my son’s appointment.
Besides that, my brother has been diagnosed with cancer 4th stage. My husband also lost his job due to an eye injury.
We never received any help from anybody. This is the first time, we got help from you all. No one has ever helped us like this. I am happy about this help.
People have told me to approach others for help but I did not because I am working and my husband was working before the eye injury. When I was expecting help, Theresa found me and offered to help. I was very happy to receive this help and I’m thankful to God.
I definitely hope for future help.
Step 2: Judge
How do biblical values help us to see this reality in a different way?
Reflection based on John 9:1-41
As long as day lasts we must carry out the work of the one who sent me; the night will soon be here when no one can work. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.‘ – John 9:4-5
The gospel tells us that Jesus was healing a blind man on a sabbath day. Jesus usually spent the sabbath day to serve people. When he was confronted with a group of Pharisees in synagogue, he asked them this: “Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil, to save life, or to kill?” – Mark 3:4
Imagine if Jesus was asking me the same question, what would be my answer? How do I usually spend my rest day? Do I remember the poor neighbour who lives near to me?
Most of us who live a comfortable life nowadays often easily forget our poor neighbours. When we are still able, no matter young or old, we must be reminded that even Jesus had to carry out the work of His father because he knew that he wouldn’t be around in this world for long. Soon the night will arrive, and he will be taken away from this world. The same thing applies to all of us, who are the disciples of Christ, and must also follow in his footsteps. For as long as we are in the world, we have to be the light of the world.
Good news for us is, God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:17
So it doesn’t matter if we didn’t care before, He is ready to forgive us anytime. Let us ask forgiveness from Jesus, acknowledge that we are blinded by our sins, and humbly ask him to open our eyes, because he said to his disciples: “he was born blind so that the works of God might be revealed in him.” – John 9:3
Lent is a time for repentance, the story of Sumathi helps us to reflect and the scripture that speaks to our hearts helps to correct our troubled conscience. If we did not care for our neighbours before, let us now change and begin to love our neighbours. As a disciple of Christ, we are called to radiate the light of Christ to the world because our Lord is the light of the world. The poor and the suffering need to witness this light of hope so that they too may change and believe in God.
“It is for judgement that I have come into this world, so that those without sight may see and those with sight may become blind.” – John 9:39
It takes a humble prayer to change our lives and the lives of others. If we love God and want to care for his creation, we can offer ourselves to his will and work together with him, and he will renew the face of the earth. We can end poverty, promote justice, and uphold dignity in our country.
Step 3: Act
What action are you going to take now?
Many people find time to help the poor and bring them food and hot beverages, but what brings more joy, is that these volunteers stop a bit and speak with the people, and sometimes pray with them.
- Are there similar families like Sumathi in my area? How can I assist?
- Can I bring a meal and eat with a family?
- Can I give transport to take a family to hospital?
- In what way can I radiate the light of Christ to people around me?
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