Here is the summary of the Malaysian Bishops' message for the 50th Merdeka Anniversary. Be Catalysts of Nation Building KUALA LUMPUR : The Catholic Bishops of Malaysia call upon everyone to not to be dispirited by the recurring problems in Malaysia. Instead they urge all of us to be catalysts of nation-building especially by promoting interracial and inter-religious harmony. The bishops cite three areas of concern, namely religious and racial tensions, corruption and a rising crime rate. They urge the government and elected Representatives of Parliament and State Legislatures as custodians of the rights of all Malaysians to address these issues directly. They also ask the Government to be more proactive in the eradication of corruption and more transparent in its administration of public funds and projects as well as to reform the Royal Malaysia Police Force for effective implementation of a better policing system. - source: Herald. Among the many meaningful advertisement by Petronas for Merdeka, the one i posted below which was on Malaysian television a few years ago is the best.
I pray that the values encouraged through this advertisement will soon be achieved in the country. Malaysia is unique indeed for the many races, cultures and religions that exists side by side. So lets all unite, be Malaysian first.
Let the nations praise you, o God, let all the nations praise you! -Psalm 67 (66) vs:3.
Spotted this banner at the Orchard Road Presbyterian Church.
Yeah, its not 'Tom, Dick or Harry' but God who is the Potter!!
A reminder of my own theme, my daily prayer; "As clay in the hands of the potter, so are you in my hands" (Jeremiah 18:6).
...I'm captured by Your HOLY CALLING Set me apart, I know you're drawing me to yourself Lead me Lord I pray
Take me, and mold me, use me, fill me I give my life to the Potter's hand Call me, you guide me, lead me, walk beside me I give my life to the Potter's hand... -Darlene Zschech, The Potter's Hand.
Mary’s Queenship is one of love and service not
pomp and power, just as Christ’s Kingdom is: “My kingdom does not belong to
this world” (Jn.18:36); “the Son of Man has come not to be served by
others but to serve, to give his own life as a ransom for the many”
(Mt.20:20).
On earth Mary was
always humble, the servant of the Lord. She devoted herself totally to her Son
and His work. With Him and under Him she served the Mystery of the Redemption.
Assumed into heaven, she continues to manifest this love and service as a
minister of piety by interceding with God for us so that all her children may
attain salvation.
Our celebration today
pinpoints four reasons why Mary deserves to be Queen:
She is
a) the Mother of the Son of God and the Messianic King
Memorial of Our Lady, Queen and Mother - August 22To draw out the connection between Mary’s role as Queen of heaven and earth with the Assumption, Pope Pius XII instituted this Liturgical Feast of Our Lady, Queen and Mother 4 years after defining the Dogma of the Assumption of Our Lady. Notice too that today is the eight day after the Liturgical Celebration of the Assumption. We remember also that in the glorious mysteries of the rosary the coronation follows the Assumption.
The two go together and it is helpful to think of the Assumption as Exaltation, as the dazzling ‘reward’ so to say, of Mary who gave herself totally to her son and to his saving work. That is why I believe the Church in its wisdom has chosen the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah as the 1stReading for the Mass (Mass of the Memorial). Even the Benedictus antiphon suggests so: “Hail, O Queen of all the world, ever virgin Mary. You bore Christ the Lord, the Saviour of all creation.”
We pray, that we too like Mary, may share in Jesus’s saving work and when we reach our life’s end we can joyfully echo the canticle this morning ( Psalter: Week 4, Wednesday) which comes again as the scripture reading (Common of BVM): “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness…” (Is.61:10)
Reflection on the gospel of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I: Friday. Matthew 19:3-12
In today's gospel, we can find the theme of Marriage and Celibacy.
'Matthew's presentation of Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce in verses 4-9 first cites Genesis 1:27 (v.4) and Genesis 2:24 (v.5) to the effect that in God's original plan of creation marriage was indissoluble and no human agent could end such a union (v.6). In verse 19:11 Jesus clearly states that celibacy is a gift from God and is not for all.' - source: Collegeville Bible Commentary.
I have always wanted to post the clips below on my blog since finding it at Youtube. I think today is the right time to post it because of the theme of Marriage and Celibacy we find in the Gospel today. The clips can be long but it is worth listening. Though this is a homily for an ordination but the Bishop do give good messages for married couples (see esp. clip 2).
Ordination Homily of a Catholic Priest - Part 1
Ordination Homily of a Catholic Priest - Part 2 (5 promises)
Ordination Homily of a Catholic Priest - Part 3 (Be a Eucharistic Priest)
Ordination Rite of Catholic Priest, Sacrament & Ritual
Feast of St. Lawrence – 2Cor. 9:6-10 / Ps.111(112) : 1-2, 5-9 / Jn.12:24-26.
"If someone prays with patience, you think God gives them patience? or does He give them the opportunity to be patience?
If he prayed for courage does God gives them courage or does He gives them the opportunity to be courageous?
If someone prayed for the family to be closer, you think God is absent with warm fussy feelings or does He gives them the opportunities to love each other?"
This dialogue has touched many people. It is from the movie Evan Almighty. It is taken from the part where God - played by Morgan Freeman, speaks to Evan’s wife played by Lauren Graham. For some this might be a new phrase or thought. But for those familiar to Scriptures especially the writings of St. Paul will find this not new. St. Paul has written the same sentiments in many different ways in his letter to the churches. In today’s 1st reading taken from 2Corinthians 9:6-10 we find it written in verse 10 in this way; “The ONE who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.”
In this Chapter we find Paul urging the Corinthians to contribute to the needy. He says that since they have been blessed now it is their turn (an opportunity provided by God for them) to bless others. “And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – He will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works.”- vs.8.
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Lawrence. He too, took the opportunity to be a witness for Christ through a Martyr’s death. He was basically barbecued! St. Lawrence who was a deacon around the year 258AD had a heart for the poor. He served them cheerfully. He is the perfect example of today’s 1st reading.
When Emperor Valerian asked for the treasure of the church, Lawrence sold all the treasure for the benefit of the Christian poor and then presented the poor to the Emperor as the true treasures of MotherChurch. The Emperor then put him to death. The story about his death goes, that after the martyr had suffered the pain of being grilled on the fire for a long time, he made his famous cheerful remark, "It is well done. Turn it over and eat it!"
Like St. Lawrence, God has given us opportunities to love him and be his witness. Look around us, there are many people in need and these are all opportunities for us to express our love and commitment to be his ‘deacons’ (which means ‘one who serves’). The Gospel today reminds us of our roles as servants; “If a man serves me, he must follow me…” Jn.12:26. Didn’t Jesus serve and helped those that came in his way?
Dear friends, have you ever wondered why suddenly in front of you, you see a blind man trying to cross the road or an elderly or pregnant woman looking for a place to sit in the bus and train? Why at that time and place, where we are, that there is someone in need of help? These are moments of opportunities provided by God for us.
God has given us many opportunities to love him and to serve him through our fellow sisters and brothers. He has given us opportunities to forgive and be forgiven, opportunities to love and be loved. Opportunities…opportunities…opportunities.
We thank God for the many opportunities and we pray for the grace to see the opportunities and make use of it. We also pray that like the wheat grain, we may fall to the ground (humble) and die (martyr i.e. witness) and yield a rich harvest for God - Jn.12:24. And our generosity would me multiplied in its effects like the ‘life dwelling’ in the seed.
Watch this clip for the whole scene of the dialogue above - the meaning for the flood.
As Singaporeans celebrated the 42nd National Day with some parties and countdown on the eve, we the seminarians too had a party. Ours was very different; it was not any patriotic party with any political agenda but a fancy dress competition and dance party.
As the Recreational, Intellectual and Cultural Life Chairman appointed this year for the seminary, I think this is the best event I organized so far for the year other than the Easter Fiesta (where we had the Carmelite Sisters dancing with us) and the Treasure Hunt, with the help of my sports chairman (I think he is the best sports IC we ever had, a pleasure working with him).
This event saw the brothers and a resident priest – the Procurator creatively coming out in their costumes, and they were required to do a presentation based on their dress. We had Old Newspaperman, Chinese Para-Para Dancer, Magician, Hip Hop Dancer, Yogurt Seller, Liverpool Fan, An Actor from the Star Trek, Prodigal Son, his Father and the Brother, Pilot, and The Banana Tree (Mr. Bana). We also had brothers dressed as woman. Since I have a beard (keeping it long only for this year), I dressed as a ‘T_rr_rist’ (have to censor the word – cos some people get excited with it!!! Hehehe).
At the dance party, you must see how some brothers had their hair go loose!! It was nice to see the Chinese brothers and our only Vietnamese brother dancing to the beat of the BangRa and Tamil songs. For some of the Malaysian brothers including me, it brought back memories of College General. During the last song before the volleyball game, the Rector came from his meeting and joined in the dance.
Even before the volleyball game could start, we were already tired due to the dance; nevertheless we still had fun and only ended the game past midnight to the sound of the fireworks from a National day celebration nearby.
Introduction to Vespers ( Psalter : Week 2, Tuesday) - Psalm 48 (49) & Romans 3:23-25a (Scripture Reading). Psalm 49 is about the emptiness of riches and the shortness of life. This psalm teaches us to aspire for true riches which are found only in heaven.
Another day of our life is gone and, just like today which is no more, our life here on earth will someday come to an end. Why, then, should we fear evils that do not last? And why do we put our hope in ourselves, in things that do not last, in wealth...with it we cannot buy everlasting life nor avoid coming to the grave.
But there is SALVATION - a treasure that will never perish!!
It is true that 'no man can buy his own ransom, or pay a price to God for his life" [Ps.48 (49)]. But the scripture reading assures us of our Christian hope, that we having sinned and fallen short of the glory of God will be justified by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus ..a treasure, gift from heaven.
Tiring afternoon, went round looking forMr.Optimus Prime (Transformers) at the places i didn't go these past off-days i had. Today i covered Vivo City and back again to Orchard Road to make another search after the last visit last week. Mr. Optimus Prime - the cartoon version is all sold out. So now i declare...Optimus Prime is not in Singapore...i mean the cartoon version ah!! (If he is back pls let me know!! hehehe) Hey...if you call me Transformers freak, wait till i tell you about the woman at the queue in front of me when i just settled with Optimus Prime - the movie version!!
This lady in her early 60's bought 18 Transformers toys that came to total of $468/-. Hope the toys was not for herself!!! hehehe. Her selection of toys was the bigger size of the movie version compared to my small Optimus Prime!!!. I have notice many people my age buying this toy, i guess it brings back memories!!! Its a good collection. When i go back home for the holidays in december, I know my nephews are going to crowd around me "Here come Santa Claus...here come Santa Claus...." Hey, this is MY collection!! While looking for the toy, i receive a call from a friend. He was surprised that i was alone 'shopping'. When asked why alone...I answered; "I don't know!! I am just alone lah, I guess I chose it." And very true , I chose it! And there are no regrets. And i better get used to it!! hehehe. Somehow I was happy with my answer to him. In fact, when reflecting it, I felt so 'myself', relax, easy, and joyful, just go wherever i wanted. This feeling confirmed a decision i made recently; that is to be a brother to those close to me and they need not be a brother to me. (If you don't understand, its ok...those who have ears listen!!! hahaha - nah this is for me a reminder and I am sure those involve understand too!!!, Wah come to think about this, i have many younger brothers!!! hehehe. Lucky me!!).
Throughout this day, and especially during the 'hunting' for Transformers, i had another reflection. Like the Transformers, have i been transformed too (transformed for the better of course)???Today's 1st readinggave a clue for the reflection. The reading from Exodus states that "Moses face was radiant after speaking with the Lord". I too had an encounter with the Lord through my 30days's retreat (post dated July 25, 2007 - Chiang Mai Retreat Experience), so the question I have been asking is that "am I radiant - transformed??" "Am I changed for the better??"
Every encounter we have with the Lord, is a moment of transformation. So have we all changed?? Did a conversion took place within?? The many miracles we seen, has it changed us??I guess the greatest miracle is not moving a mountain or a multiplication but a conversion of heart. hahahaha. It is not impossible, we have seen many repentant people, now it is just our turn. So let us all be TRANSFORMERS.
