The date September 11th, or 911, brings back images of horror and terror. Images of passenger planes crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and the subsequent collapse of the buildings. Images of the dead and the injured and the faces of shock.
That day, fifteen years ago, terrorism escalated to an international level with a subsequent war on terrorism, and the war still continues without any sight of an end.
The reign of terror has scourged the world since 911 and security in almost every country is put on high alert but terror has always reared its ugly head with heavy casualties and bloodshed.
In many ways, life has changed dramatically since that day 15 years ago and we seem to have forgotten what peace and security is.
And in a way, we may also have forgotten what happened a hundred and six years ago on September 11th, 1910.
On that day, the first Catholic church of the 20th century was built in Singapore, and it is none other than this church. Before that there were already six other churches.
So although it was not the first church to be built in Singapore, it was the first in the 20th century and it is a blessing for the Church in Singapore in its mission of proclaiming the Good News and being a sign of salvation.
It is a modest church, not as big as the ones built earlier or later, and it was said that after a novena to the Sacred Heart that Fr. Gazeau who built this church, secured the site for the building of this church.
And legend has it that because of the lack of funds and a mix-up in the drawings that the interior looks like the exterior, and the exterior looks like the interior.
Whatever it may be, whether it is a mix-up or a mistake, God made it a beauty and a mystery. So in the end the church still looks beautiful and is beautiful.
And that is the beautiful mystery of who God is. And we must not forget that. Because to forget that then we will forget how God is blessing us in every situation.
In the 1st reading, we heard about how the people of God forgot who God is and forgot how He had blessed them.
The Lord God said to Moses: Your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostasised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made for themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice.
So even though the people of God had witnessed for themselves the marvels and wonders that God worked for them in the land of Egypt and freed them from slavery, they were quick to forget all that and they don’t remember how much God had blessed them.
But at the pleading of Moses, God relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened.
In the gospel, it was the Pharisees and the scribes who have forgotten who God is when they complained: This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.
They forgot how their ancestors had sinned gravely against God and yet God forgave them.
On the other hand, it was the tax-collectors and sinners who seemed to remember the mercy of God as they seek the company of Jesus and to hear what He had to say.
Today we are gathered here in this church to hear what Jesus had to say.
Today, we remember that 106 years ago this day, the seventh church in Singapore was blessed and consecrated and the Church in Singapore rejoiced with the blessings of God.
Indeed, it was a day to remember and a day that needs to be remembered.
Because we must remember that Fr. Gazeau prayed and made a novena to the Sacred Heart and then he got the site to build the church.
We must remember that even though there may be a mix-up in the drawings and not enough money, the church in the end still looked beautiful and dignified.
So we can see God’s blessings and God is still giving us His blessings.
Remembering what Fr. Gazeau did, our devotion to the Sacred Heart must be renewed and strengthened whenever we have a need and seek God’s blessings.
And today would certainly be a good day to offer up a petition to the Sacred Heart and ask for God’s blessings.
But more than just praying for our own needs, we must pray for our country and for our world.
Since September 11, 2001, we live in the anxiety and fear of growing terrorism and a terrorist attack.
But we must also remember much earlier in September 11, 1910, God poured forth His blessings on this church.
As we gather to hear what Jesus had to say, we also remember how God has blessed us and we must continue to remember and ask for His blessings on us, on our church, on our country and on our world.
We pray that God will pour forth His mercy on those who commit evil so that they will turn from their evil ways and turn to God to receive His blessings of mercy and forgiveness.
We also must pray that we will not forget God’s blessings and continue to be a channel of God’s blessings for others.
So let us rejoice in God’s blessings and may the angels in heaven rejoice with us on this beautiful day.