We must be the bridge builders

Last Sunday, Father mentioned about Robert Moore, a young boy who was shot in the bridge of his nose by a soldier and survived. He lost his sight but despite this, still forgave the soldier. 


Father shared this story to bring across the message that we need to love our enemies. This story brought to mind the assasination attempt on our late Pope John Paul II, who forgave his attacker and even visited him in prison.


I admire both our late Pope and Robert Moore for having the courage to forgive their attacker. Suffice to say that such  an event would ever happen to us, the daily grinding of events can stir up similar emotions of hatred. In these situations, I find it too tough to dig deep within myself, the courage to forgive my so called enemies. However, we must be the one to take the first step towards reconcilliation, to be the bridge builders. It does not matter what response we get for the very act in itself is the extension of peace.


Today, an earthquake struck Christchurch in New Zealand and suddenly I realised that there is so much more to life than holding on to these feelings of hatred. I am sadden by this event and my prayers go out to all those who died, those injured and those who are still missing. May God be with them.


It will be a new day tomorrow and I pray that with it comes new hope for all of us and may the past be left behind as we begin to look ahead for what is in store for us, God's promise for us.

We are the Light and Salt of the earth

This was the theme of last weekend's Gospel. "We are the Light and Salt of the earth." It reminded me of the World Youth Day message of 2002, which I had the privilege of being a part of. I had many fond memories of the time spent there and I still remember that encounter with our late Pope, in his pope mobile zipping through the crowds...


Anyway, this message was re-iterated by Father at mass. We have been commissioned and have Christ's authority to spread His word to the ends of the earth. Father mentioned that salt was such a hardly sought after commodity that the Romans accepted them as a form of payment. The reason being it was the only way of preserving food, as such their importance.


I thought long and hard about how we can be the Light and Salt of the earth. Finally, it dawned upon me that most of us have responsibility over certain things. It may be people we manage at work, our children, our superiors, our aged parents, etc. 


The list is never ending... I realise that to a certain extent, we have some sort of authority to exercise and it is in the rightfull exercise of this authority and power, can we reflect the image of Chirst in this world. In doing so, we become the Light and Salt of the earth within our capacity.


As I struggle to handle this authority given to me, in terms of my responsibilities at work and at home, I pray that I may draw on the strength of God to guide me and walk me through every single step of the way.


May God be with you all in your struggles and also in the savouring of the precious and joyous moments in life's journey.  

Be a missionary through our gesture of love

Last Sunday was Mission Sunday. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived in Church. There was a huge turnout in Church, which was the exception rather than the norm. Soon, we realised that there was a baptism prior to mass and many guests came to celebrate with the newly baptised.

This would be a timely reminder of our baptism and our call to be missionaries for Christ in this world. Father started his homily by placing himself in our shoes, saying that we have so many concerns to deal with, our bills, our work, our family, out mortgages, etc. How do we find the time and energy to spread the message of Christ to others. However, unlike Father, we can be a missionary at our workplaces, at our homes, on our travels commuting from place to place. He mentioned that it is not such a difficult task, we only need to bring the love within to others we meet. This is precisely how the disciples were drawn to Jesus, through the love Christ showered upon them and those that He met. The challenge I say would be to act with love towards those who are difficult and unkind. I always remind myself that the sun rises and shines on everyone, irregardless of our differences. In the same way, God treats us all equally. Therefore we should treat everyone with love and nothing less.


As I sat there in Church, I pondered about the past month or so, and I realised that this is very challenging for me. I have reacted so easily to those who were unkind in their words and attitudes towards me. I pray that God will be my guide in future such instances and that I will be aware of His presence and help in such situations.

May God be our strength in dealing with the difficult people we encounter in our lives and may we change the world each act at a time.


United in prayer with you always and remembering you all in my prayers.

I am a Miracle Maker

It's Christmas time again... Merry Christmas my friends.

It has been awhile since I last wrote. It has been a really busy time at work, learning new stuff and clocking in the extra hours as issues arises in a major project, and with new projects pouring in like the River Nile. It has been a challenge juggling work and home but I'm thankful God has sustained me beyond my imagination.

In this season of advent, I managed to squeeze in some time during my drives to work after dropping Angie off at the train station, to prepare for Christmas. Through the meditation of the rosary, I was constantly reminded about the miracle of Christ's birth into the world we live in. A friend of mine stunned me once when he said,"I am a miralce maker." He might have meant it in a different way but I choose to believe that his words contained so much wisdom. It is even so during this time of Advent and Christmas. I believe that we are all called to be miracle makers in this world. God is calling us in our own special way to create miracles where He has placed us. He wants us to make possible what would be the impossible in the eyes of those of this world. I think doing the right thing, even if it might seem to be contrary to the ways of this world, makes real the miracle of Christ. As His birth was a miracle, and His deeds as well, we all have that natural tendency to create miracles.

I am challenged to do just that. Though it may be difficult in certain situations, and though I may fail at times, I pray for God's strength and grace to help me get there. As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us continue the work of Christ, and be our own unique miracle maker in this world.

God Bless you loads and have an awesome Merry Merry Christmas! :)

Today you will be with me in paradise

It has been quite a few weeks, wrapping things up in the Uni and getting settled into the new job. Tonight I managed to find some time to write this reflection. Jesus mutter this phrase:"Today you will be with me in paradise." to the repentent thief. This was part of the Gospel passage last week I think...

This phrase has been stuck in my head for awhile now. I have always been affected by the response of people, especially the bad and horrible ones. Just the other day, there was this young chap in church, who was perpectually with a black face, on the two occasions I turned in his direction. First at the start of mass when we were invited to greet those around us and during the sign of peace. I'm not sure about you but it always stirs up the anger within me when people do that. I found it very very difficult to initiate a smile, let alone extend the sign of peace, but I know it is really God's peace that we extend to people. I had to force a smile, and when I returned to face the altar, looking at Christ hanging on the cross, I remembered this phrase. This chap in church may represent the unrepentent thief, but he may also represent the repentent thief in the future. Nobody knows for sure but one thing is certain, is that God loves everyone, irregardless of whether we are good or bad. As long as we are repentent in the end, that is the most important. We will be in paradise with Christ. I pray for that chap but also for myself to acknowledge that I need to be Christlike even to those who may annoy me.


This week being the first week of advent, which coincidentally is also my first week at work, I pray that God prepare my heart as we welcome Chirst's birth. In the process, I pray that I will be more like Christ in my dealings and interactions with people.

May we all experience Chirst's birth in a very special way this Christmas and shine His Light in the world.

I am the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob

This was proclaimed to Moses and it was not until Father mentioned the implied meaning, that the light-bulb in my head went up. Apparently, this was told to the Sadducees, who at that time did not believe in the resurrected Lord. This story was related to them to convince them that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead.

I have been reflecting quite abit about what it means to believe in the resurrected Lord. Everyday as I lay awake in bed, refusing to give in to the reality of life beckoning at me to get up for work, I tell myself I could just sleep forever. It seems the routine of life has stung me and I feel so much of the absence of God. Amazingly though, as I force myself out of bed, the energy and drive to begin on a brand new day never fails to get me going. Most of the time at least... The anxieties and worries of the day soon cloud my mind and I find myself fighting these thoughts and hoping that the day pans out well. At the end of the day, I ask myself is my life one that proclaims the resurrected Lord? The only answer I can find is that in my daily struggles I draw strength in knowing that Christ is risen and He will lift me up.

Recently, a string of events brought about much hope for me. I got an interview, which followed the appointment I made to speak with my Professors with regards to my decision to leave. Somehow, my concrete decision to leave was affirmed by the prospect of a new job. Soon, the interview was over, with mixed feelings on how it went. I was then faced with the dauting task of informing my Professors the very next day. Though I was asked to reconsider, I felt it was best to leave. I did however convinced myself to continue if nothing came out of the interview. Finally when I was offered the job, I struggled to come to terms with the mightly low salary. Though I got some repreive from an arrangement to get an increment after the probation period, I had to bite my teeth and trust that God will pull us through this initial period. Now, as I break the news to my Professors, I'm thinking how I can wrap things up on their side. I must say that God really works in His own ways and though we try our hardest to live our lives the best we can, it is really God who glues all things together. He is always there though we cannot comprehen with our senses. Always believe that our God is risen and He lives among us. He will carry us through the struggles of our daily grind and reveal moments of joy and His Glory in the things of the earth.

God bless you all and perserve in life. God has your back.

Thank you Lord for your omi-presence.

To be little, not belittle yourself

 

It has been quite a week, busy catching up with family and friends. We managed to sneak in a novena session which turned out to be good spiritual input for the soul, as always.

 

Father spoke about humility, that we are all called to follow Christ's act of humility. "Thse who humbles themselves will be exalted and those who exalts themselves will be humbled." This phrase, if I remembered correctly, is from one of the letters of St Paul. I once had the perception that to be humble, one has to think lowly of one's self in relation to others. This is attuned to false modesty, which is the wrong way to look at humility. Rather, we have to bring ourselves to the level of others, so that we can be equal and understanding. 

 

Father said that we should be little and not belittle ourselves. This I thought helped to clarify the term humility. Christ became man, so that He was equal to us human beings. His very act was to be little, but at the same time, He was still God Almighty. Therefore, we should strive to be like Chirst, no matter how successful we become, to always remember to be little, rather than to belittle ourselves.

 

As I reflect upon the happenings in my life, I find that at times I have been displaying false modesty, such that negativity has become who I am. As I look ahead, I pray that God will help me be little, rather than to belittle myself. May He be the Light that continues to enlighten us in understanding His ways.

 

God bless and thank you all for being such a blessing in our lives.