Anything....Whatever

Its finally here!!!! The long awaited drink that will bring peace!!!!
Yes....Now when we go out with friends there is finally 'something' to give them when they ask for 'anything' or 'whatever'.
I am sure many of you have the experienced this, when we go out for 'makan' with friends and when we ask them what they want? "....ah anything....whatever" will the reply be.

I remember in my first year in the seminary, we as a class were required to go for pastoral and mission together, it will always be a peaceful one, but the disputes will arise when we want to go makan!!! The driver will ask "k, what you guys want to eat, i'll drive you there??" By now you'll know what the answers will be!!!! hehehehe.

So now....beware...dont just say 'anything' or 'whatever' cos you'll sure get it!!!! hehehe.

Click here for the webpage. Checkout the ad (click at the media) if you have not seen it. Very funny!! Even the background music at the webpage is soooo 'anything'!!! duh....'whatever'

PENTECOST 2007

COME, HOLY SPIRIT

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.


V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.


Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Introduction to Lauds and Vespers (Easter Week 7: Thursday) "Trustfulness"

Today i am the prayer leader for the community. In preparation for Pentecost, we have been reflecting on the 'Fruits of the Holy Spirit' since Friday after Ascension. My theme for today is "Trustfulness" (Faithfulness).


Introduction to Lauds (Easter: Week 7: Thursday) - Psalm 98 (99).

Ps.99 not only shows us a God who is holy, but a trustworthy God; for he loves what is right and have established equity, justice and right. That is why Aaron, Moses and Samuel were able to invoked his name in confidence, for he answers.

Today we are called to reflect and pray for the fruits of trustfulness. For those who have been following my blog, you will notice that from the beginning this theme of trust has been close to me.

These past 2^1/2 weeks have been most trying for me, I was falsely accused. I didn’t care about the accusation because it was false, but was saddened and confused the way the matter came about and especially those people behind it.

This heart-breaking news caused me to fall into a deep state of unhappiness, depression and anger. I just couldn’t trust anyone. But God would not allow me to be in this state. He kept reminding me that I must seek strength from him especially through his Word and Sacraments. Yes, during these times, I had moments of ‘fight’ with the Lord, but the Lord has always given me answers through the gospel the past weeks (the last discourses of Jesus to his disciples before the passion). He finally gave me big 'hit' on my head last friday when he assured me through the days readings; "Be not afraid...I am with you. You are sad now...but your sorrow will turn to joy." Now i need not ask the Lord questions about the matter I am going through; for he has asked me to put complete trust in him.

Dear friends, we may loose trust and confidence in people, system or whatever that is temporary in the world. But never, never loose trust in God, for he is everlasting. He loves what is right.

Introduction to Vespers (Easter: Week 7: Thursday) - Psalm 131 (132).

“Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots…but we will trust in the name of our Lord” (Ps.20:8).

The song above is taken from Ps.20 (which we pray on Week 1:Tuesday evening) known as a psalm of David. It’s a prayer for the King in time of War. David places his trust in the Lord and he knows that the 'Name' is not a magic force but it aids those who trust in it alone.

Psalm 132 which we will praying today shows us the rewards of David for trusting and being faithful to the Lord. The Lord swore to David, that his own offspring will God set upon his throne. If they too continue to be faithful and put their trust in the Lord their sons too shall rule, for the Lord has chosen Zion as His resting place forever and promised to bless greatly her produce.

Today the Lord through his spirit is inviting us to place our trust in the Lord and he promises abundant life, joy and security for those who rely in God just as David. Hope through this short illustration below you may get a better picture of trusting the Lord.

People always think that the flyer from the group of the trapeze is the star in the circus act, but the real star is not the flyer but the catcher. The catcher must be there on time to catch the flyer out of the air as he (flyer) come to him (catcher) in the long jump. The secret is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher everything. The flyer has to just trust with outstretched arms that his catcher will be there for him to catch him and pull to safety.

Dear friends in life we are the flyer and are called to trust the Lord for HE IS OUR CATCHER. We don’t try to grab him, He will grab us.

So let us be like David and stretch out our arms and trust…trust…trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and lean not your own; your own understanding. In everything acknowledge him. And he will direct…he will direct your life. (Prov. 3:5-6)

you are not alone...I AM here with you.

Reflection on the Readings of the Sixth Week of Easter: Friday. (Acts. 18:9-18 / Ps. 46 (47) / John 16:20-23)

Beginning of this year, just before I came back to seminary; at Mass, my Parish Priest asked the parishioners to pray for me. He said that since now I am starting my 7th year and its towards the end of my priestly formation, i need more prayers because I will be facing a lot of challenges and struggles. He knew what he was saying...that time of struggles and difficulties for me has come!!

Just 2 weeks ago I was accused for something I did not do. There were 5 allegations on me and 4 of it are false and 3 of it was a personal attack on me!!! I am sad surely, not on the allegations, that one I do not care because it is false but am sad on how this matter came about and the person(s) behind all this. So what do I do?? Defend myself of course by responding to the allegations, and now its up to....(censored)....to decide and make conclusions. On top of all this, my loved ones too, are going through a lot of problems. What else to do?? Yes, I questioned God, had my normal 'fight' with him. Because He agreed to look after me and my loved ones when I said Yes to him 7 years ago!!


The Lord answered all my questions through todays readings especially the gospel. He says "..you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you." (Jn.16:22). Jesus said this in the gospel to assure the disciples because they will be separated from Jesus for sometime. Through my hardships, I too feel like I am separated from Jesus, but he assures me that..."I shall see you again". Through this text too, Jesus is assuring me that all this problems and struggles are just temporary and I will eventually overcome it and experience his promise of joy; and all I have to do is to just place my TRUST in him.


In the 1st reading we see St.Paul places his trust in the Lord, and the Lord assures him; "Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you... ." (Acts.18:9-10). This promise is for me too, "Adrian...Do not be afraid...I am with you" Actually in truth when I look back in hindsight I was never alone in my problems...Jesus has been with me all the while. Do you remember the story of the 'footprints';"My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

So dear friends, you are not alone,
Jesus is with you ...especially when you are going through problems and struggles. His promise to all of us who trust in him is; "...your sorrow will turn to joy." (Jn.16:20).

Ascension Thursday - Our MISSION

The hymn taken from the Divine Office for the Evening Prayer I for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord beautifully explains what the feast is all about. I have also posted a clip of the scene of the Ascension to remind ourselves of the Mission of Christ that we are called to continue. So are you on a MISSION?

The Lord goes up with shouts of joy,
While trumpets all his triumph tell;
With him humanity is raised
Above angelic worlds to dwell.

He sits with God, at his right hand,
Who is the Lord of everything;
The Father's glory is his own:
Christ Jesus, all creations' king.

And when he comes again in might,
To raise us on that splendid day,
We shall be gathered up to him,
And every tear be wiped away.

O God, our Father, hear our prayer:
With Christ, our Lord, your only Son,
Send forth the Spirit of your love
To live in us and make us one.
(Hymn for the Ascension; Evening Prayer I)

Introduction to Lauds (Easter: Week 5: Sunday)

"O God you are my God, for you I long, for you my soul is thirsting" Ps.63

Journeying with the RCIA enquirers (people who are interested about the faith) these past weeks I see they have something in common, that is; they are in search for truth and longs for unconditional , forgiving love.

Reflecting on this, I came to realise that these search and longing is a basic human desire, which not only the enquirers experience but all people. These basic human desires are ultimately fulfilled in God who is Truth and Love.

As human beings we are religious beings with a longing for the infinite. This desire for God is written on every human heart because God creates us for communion with him.

Through the benedictus antiphon this morning, we are invited to remain in Jesus for cut off from him , we can do nothing.

Let us then accept this invitation, by expressing our thirst for God and our desire to drink the water of life which is a free gift from God through Jesus.

"You have made us for yourselves Lord, and our heart is restless until it rest in you". St.Augustine.

Linkin Park - What i've done

I am looking forward for my favorite band; Linkin Park's new album 'minutes to midnight' which will be launched on May14. Have used some of their songs for sessions with the youths and waiting to use one song for a session with parents (wonder how they will react to it!!! hehehe).



Here is a clip of one of their lead single 'What i've done' from their new album; Minutes to Midnight. Its a cool song. Listen, enjoy and let the words speak to you.


Lyrics - What I've Done

In this farewell,
There’s no blood,
There’s no alibi.
‘Cause I’ve drawn regret,
From the truth,
Of a thousand lies.

So let MERCY come,
And wash away…

What I’ve Done.
I’ll face myself,
To cross out what I’ve become.
Erase myself,
And let go of what I’ve done.

Put to rest,
What you thought of me.
While I clean this slate,
With the hands,
Of uncertainty.

So let MERCY come,
And wash away…


What I’ve Done.
I’ll face myself,
To cross out what I’ve become.
Erase myself,
And let go of what I’ve done.

For What I’ve Done

I'll start again,
And whatever pain may come.
Today this ends,
I’m forgiving what I’ve done.

I’ll face myself,
To cross out what I’ve become.
Erase myself,
And let go of what I’ve done.
What I’ve done.

Forgiving What I’ve Done.

Jesus is Mercy...
"Come Lord Jesus!" (Rev.22:20)
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"(Lk.18:38)

a place called SUCCESS

The Road to success is not straight
There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion,
speed bumps called bad friends, red lights called enemies,
caution lights called family,
u will have flat tyre called jobs.

But...

If you have a spare wheel called determination,
an engine called perseverance,
insurance called faith, energy called prayer,
and
a driver called God.
U will make it to a place called success.

Every Hero has a choice - Spiderman 3

Watch Spider-Man 3 today.

Good movie with a strong message of friendship and forgiveness.

Here are some memorable quotes that we too can reflect on:-

" ...revenge is like a poison, it can take us over and before you know it, it can turn you into something ugly."

"We've all done terrible things to each other, but we have to forgive each other. Or everything we ever were will mean nothing."

"This suit, where'd this come from? The power, feels good... But you lose yourself to it"

"... Everybody needs help sometimes... Even Spider-Man. "

Month of May - The ROSARY

We are at the month of May and traditionally for the Catholic Church during this month and also at the month of October we have the Rosary Devotion. Do not restrict to saying the rosary only at these months but i highly encourage if it is possible to say the rosary daily. There are a lot of personal testimonies of the rosary. I too have encountered many, hope to share it in my blog one day. Through the rosary, Mary leads us to Jesus. The Rosary is just not Mariology but if reflected further and deeper you'll see its also Christology.

Here is a short reflection on the rosary (Miracle of the Rosary).