Man of Steel

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”

 

- from the Gospel of Luke

 

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 7: 36 - 8: 3

 

Today's Gospel reading can be viewed in a number of ways, but I will like to highlight one point. The point is how often do we tend to easily judge others and place others in a situation? Many of us are easily drawn to listening to what others have to say, but we forget about what 'I' have to say. We forget about asking ourselves what is my honest personally view of he/she. We allow the perceptions, ideas, thoughts of other people to cloud our very own perceptions.

 

In the Gospel today, Jesus was kind enough to have accepted the invitation to eat with a group of Pharisees. But, in the midst of the laughter and eating, here came a woman- at the feet of Jesus, weeping and anointing the feet of Jesus. Instead of being sensitive to the need of that woman sinner, the Pharisees wished that Jesus knew "who and what sort of woman" she was.

 

Hah, the problem is this, we always FIX our understanding of others (WHO and WHAT SORT). The way we deal with people whom we don't really favourite is that we allow only one understanding of that person to remain in our thoughts; the unfavourable person who we hate has only one 'who' and 'what sort' in our mind. If we view that person we don't like as 'negative', that 'negative' idea of ours remain for a very very very long time, and we spread gossips about it.

 

I was watching Man of Steel with a friend yesterday, and it was a good movie with a whole lot of good teachings about life. One statement that remained with me was:

 



'People are afraid of what they don't understand.'

-Jonathan Kent (from the movie Man of Steel)

 

Many of us live in the midst of great uncertainty; we feel so insecure when our ideas are challenged (not opposed, there is a difference here), we feel so fearful when another work mate is doing better, we feel imbalanced when the economy should turn for the worst...

 

The way to be less afraid and more confident in the midst of things we do not understand is we must know our centre- in lay terms we call this, our bearings. We need to know who we are deep down, and stay firm in that conviction of who we are. Once we can grasp our true selves, then no work given to us will be too hard to do, no difficulty will be to great to be solved, no individual will ever make us fearful.

 

Let us pray for the Grace to know who we are, to love the gifts God has given us and never allow our fears to threaten others around us- especially those we think are different from us. 

Are You Amazed?!

This weekend the Roman Catholic Church observes the Feast of Corpus Christi; the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. In Queensland, Australia this feast is observed with a solemn procession in the grounds of a suburb- at Nudgee College. A few hundreds of people will gather on a Sunday afternoon to pray, celebrate and join in the solemn procession with the Eucharist.

Yes, we recognise the fact that the Body and Blood of Jesus Himself is truly present under the species of bread and wine. Yes, we celebrate a reality for us as Catholics that Jesus is really present where ever the Eucharist is kept (in the tabernacle or monstrance). Yes, we celebrate the fact that at the moment of consecration Jesus becomes present in the bread and wine. Yes, we acknowledge that it is best to receive the Eucharist in the state of Grace; without mortal sin.

But is that all to this great feast? Is this feast day just about Theology or is it about a reality? For me every Feast Day, Solemnity or festival...I recognise its relevance for me as an individual. Sadly, many do not! Many people rather just 'celebrate' the past, they don't find time to ponder on the relevance of it today.

Friends, are you AMAZED?! Are you amazed, excited, to believe in an unproven fact. Are you amazed to be celebrating the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, when we cannot physically prove by science His existence?

I am excited that Jesus is present in my life! Each time I adore the Eucharist during Mass, I acknowledge Jesus present in the bread and wine; "Jesus I believe that you are present in the bread/wine. I adore you!" This is the profession of my Faith, the statement of my belief. Just before I receive the Eucharist, I will recite the Theological Prayers of Faith, Hope and Charity.

But, what I am even more amazed by is the fact that when I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I become another Christ. In my silent adoration, as I consume the Eucharist, it is an adoration that Jesus is in me and Jesus is capable of using me to make a difference in the lives of others He wishes to touch.

As I walk up to the altar-table to receive Jesus in the Eucharist I remind myself of my own walk of Faith, the walk of life I take each day. Yes, like for many, it is not an easy walk especially for someone like me who works hard to walk in the path of Jesus Christ. But, receiving Jesus in the Eucharist reminds and reconfirms my duty to work for Jesus Christ; in serving God and serving others in the field of youth ministry and the poor. Receiving Jesus, comes with the grace to respond generously to His Call; only if we allow Jesus to use us.

Corpus Christi for me is a time to be AMAZED by the very fact that Jesus is present in the many ordinary circumstance of our daily life. We must never loss sight of the need to get excited and be amazed that Jesus can still work great miracles in our surroundings. How do you respond when someone comes up to you one day and say, "I want to commit myself to God", "I want you to pray for me", "I feel that something supernatural touched me today"...What is your response? Is your response to that person one of disbelief? Is your response one that says silently, "Oh, shut up! Go get a life!"

Maybe, we need to tell this to ourselves, what more this is a Year of Faith: "BELIEVE AND BE AMAZED BECAUSE TODAY JESUS IS PRESENT! SO, I MYSELF MUST GET A LIFE- A LIFE OF AMAZEMENT!"

COMM-UNION

Here am I trying this new café called Mugshot, at Chulia Street, Penang...Seeing the attendant at the counter reminded of the attendant that served me while I was at Chinahouse- enjoying the coffee and cakes there. This attendant is now the owner of Mugshot! Good on you local breed Malaysians!!! Opening a western concept café! He and another 2 of his friends are owners of this café.

Yesterday, together with the whole Catholic Church I observed Trinity Sunday with Mass and Vespers. Beautiful liturgy and beautiful antiphons to all the Psalms. But, don't we wish everyday normal life is as beautiful as what we proclaim in the liturgy and the prayers? Sadly, very often what we pray isn't what we see and experience in our daily living. Perhaps, the few who dare to live a sanctified life, he/she becomes prayer itself.

These day, local Malaysians are so privileged to be given free wifi at many restaurants and food outlets. I for one am starting to enjoy this privileged...So, as I absorb in the atmosphere at this café, I googled the word "COMMUNION". The first thing I noticed this word communion is a Christian word; a word used for Christian religious purposes referring to the 'relationship between Christian individuals or churches'.

How hard do we try to come into union with each other; the word communion I noticed, is a combination of two words= COMM + UNION- a community of persons in oneness. Is this a reality for everyone in our local Churches? Or is this something we need to start really working towards to?

Even at my local Parish Church, I myself have experienced hurts as well as other parishioners (some are my own friends). Maybe that is why many young people (20-40 years of age) are missing from active service in church? What can we do with this fact?

As I slowly eat my Malaysian made American bagel, I noticed how fresh and well the bagel was made. Crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. For someone to do this bagel to it's perfection must have involved years of patience, perseverance and dare to dream. Yap, perhaps we may say because there is money involved- this people who make the bagels are doing it for a business?

How many of us are investing in doing great things for our Churches? For our Communities? For our workplace? For our Schools? Even when it means we do not get paid for the 'extra efforts' we put in? I will gladly say, by God's Grace, I am doing what I believe in and yes, I don't get much pay. But, I do get back a lot of love, respect and appreciation from those that I serve each day.

I believe that as a Catholic Christian it is my upmost duty, as a baptised Catholic, to proclaim the Love of God revealed in the person of Jesus sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Is it an easy job for me to teach and love my students? Definitely NO! There are days I don't want to love my students- especially on days when I want to collect their books or homework; because there will be some with their stories and lies for not completing their work.

The point I am trying to convey here, is if we dare to say "amen" to our prayers, we need to also be as daring enough to do what we have said "amen" to! There are, as the Pope has said, many lukewarm Christians and coach potato Christians. We need to start living a life of togetherness with each other. How? Stop gossiping, stop being quick in judging others and above all add lots of LOVE.

Veni Veni Veni!

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry,

O heavenly gift of God Most High,

O fount of life and fire of love,

and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;

Thou, finger of God's hand we own;

Thou, promise of the Father, Thou

Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,

and make our hearts o'erflow with love;

with patience firm and virtue high

the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,

and grant us Thy peace instead;

so shall we not, with Thee for guide,

turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow

the Father and the Son to know;

and Thee, through endless times confessed,

of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,

with Thou, O Holy Comforter,

henceforth by all in earth and heaven.

Amen.

What do you seek?

"What do you ask of God's Church?"

The response is: 'Faith!'

(Catechism no. 1123)

When I was first received into the Catholic Church, the enthusiasm of my response to "what do you ask of God's Church" was done so joyfully and enthusiastically; I desire "F-A-I-T-H!!!" The catechism teachers also insisted that all the newly baptised to respond with 'umph', with power, when the priest ask us that question.

 

Over the last 2 days, I spent time with teachers for the Staff Development; the course was mainly about 'conflict management'. It dealt with issues about how to overcome conflict, the reasons why conflict happens and the stages of development. The thing that stood out most was about dealing with our inner selves.

 

A rather familiar, yet, beneficial retreat for me- but one thing so many of us need is on the lesson on HOW and WHY do we need to LOVE.

 

A video, during the staff development, showed a young boy asking "WHY" does war happen? Why do suffering take place in our world? Some years ago, I asked the very same question at friends and priests. Sadly, none can answer me- they remained silent. Only a priest, attempted to answer my questions, by saying that 'this is life, we get hurt'.

 

But, perhaps, we need to turn our attention on how to love? Why do we ought to act with love? So, often we hear about 'hurt' as the root cause of sadness and pain, but less often to we hear about using love to heal.

 

In life, yes, our enthusiasm in responding to 'what do you ask of God's Church?' Or, when someone ask of us, 'what do we desire from LIFE?' Can become less enthusiastic, less passionate, and in some cases totally lost, because of the sadness and disappointment.

 

Never the less, let us never forget to experience love and be loved. If only we can do this, if we are allowed to do this, life can be a little better for everyone.

The Root of Jealousy

When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.

1st Reading: Acts 13: 45-46

Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.

Gospel: John 10: 27

4th Sunday of Easter Gospel: John 10: 27-30

The issue of jealousy spoken in the Acts of the Apostle, in the first reading, is an issue that I myself have first hand experienced in the Church. I have seen religious Brothers attacking each others work; one Brother claiming another Brother's work is not necessary. Even I myself have been criticised for being a little 'traditional/controversial' Catholic.

The seed of jealousy, this seed may have been planted in a person's heart because of past experiences; especially when one's opinion or basic rights have not been respected. In all situations in life, especially harsh events, there is always the abuser (the so called strong-winner) and the abused (the 'victim'). This seed starts germinating when the abuser(/s) is constantly ignorant of the needs of the abused; very often we see in church an attitude that 'my work is better than yours' or we see adults who serve the church not for a holy purpose.

Recently, in the news, we have seen those abused by priest/religious/people in the past have started voicing out their anger. It needed to take that so many years to bring to justice those abusers.

The fact that abusers are priests or religious, is a very disappointing and shameful reality. Even in todays circumstances I continue to see priests who are proud and uncaring; they often take the side of those who can put up to their arrogant attitudes, those who can give them empty praises.

Jesus says, that His sheep knows His voice, listen and follow Him. The real challenge is to turn our gaze from criticising the good others are trying to do, and place out gaze on Jesus the Shepherd. Once we recognise that voice of Jesus, spend time to listen attentively and act upon the invitation of Jesus...Then we too can do the good others are doing.

Remember there is no point to get jealous with what others are doing, because those we try to hurt will just continue doing the good they are doing. And like Paul and Barnabas, those we are jealous with will only end up 'filled with Joy and the Holy Spirit' (Acts of the Apostle).

Getting Used To

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

 

John 21: 15

 

3rd Sunday of Easter: John 21: 1-19

 

Simon Peter, the favourite disciple of Jesus, got rather irritated when Jesus asked him 3 times, "Do you love me?" Peter may be thinking to himself, "is Jesus gay? He keeps asking me about if I love him?" This is the same Simon Peter who denied Jesus 3 times when Jesus was persecuted, and the same Jesus that Peter denied has come to Peter after rising from the dead; the resurrected Jesus, perhaps, haunting Peter.

 

Jesus in the Gospel Reading today is asking Peter, if Peter sincerely and deeply has Jesus' concerns. Jesus is asking Peter, and definitely to us too, "DO YOU HAVE MY INTEREST DEEP IN YOUR HEART?"

 

I am sure, like so many, we too tend to get overly comfortable once we are used to a particular person or task (work).

 

I think it was only proper of Jesus to demand and demand and demand again the same question from Peter, because when Jesus was absent, Peter had denied Jesus 3 times that "he does not know him (Jesus)". Jesus wanted to be sure that this man, Peter on which the Church will be built upon, is one that is both human (sinful) and holy (reliable).

 

And this was our first pope, St Peter the Rock, on which the Church was built on. I think it is wonderful, because if we should have a person who was so hard and rigid as a rock, then I don't think the church will have survived till today. We should be happy that we have a first pope, which our church was built on, who is both a man and a Saint; Peter who was fearful of the future possibilities and thus denied Jesus at his persecution, and a Peter who was also willing to strive to continue to LOVE Jesus.

 

More importantly the message this week, for us, is about:

• Is Jesus' concerns ours? "Do you love me?", Jesus ask each of us today.
• Is our attitude towards living our commitment to Jesus built only on our sinful conditions? Or is our conviction in Jesus Christ built both on our sinful human conditions as well as our possibility to be a great Saint?

Have a great week my friends!





As Simple as Being Present

...Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,
"Peace be with you."
John 20: 19

Gospel 2nd Sunday of Easter: John 20: 19- 31

For Catholics we have recently renewed our Baptismal Promises; we pledge a promise to remain faithful and constant in our Faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. Having renewed...What does it mean to be renewed?

For me, renewing my Baptismal Promises not only brings me back to the memories of my own conversion to Catholicism in 1997. But, at each Easter, I always look forward to give myself again to Jesus Christ and to renew my pledge as His follower. I recommit myself to continue my walk in the Faith that I have decided to embrace in 1997.

Friends, I am amazed by the many comments about my very presence. Each place I go people tend to sense a feel of awe; I am aware they sense that God is present. This I am glad, that to God be all glory given. Recently a senior teacher commented in person to me, "The students are not afraid of you, but they are in awe. They know they cannot fool around with you."

My only hope is that all the youths I am with, my presence will point them to the Face of God. What ever religion they may come from, my only hope is that they appreciate God in their particular religion.

I hope through me, each time I enter my class, my students will be aware that Jesus is in their midst. And Jesus says personally to each of them, "Peace Be With You!"