Introduction to Vespers (Lent: Saturday, Week 3 -Evening Prayer I - Sun)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son.

This morning at Mass, we heard of the parable of the Prodigal Son. When the younger son in the parable demanded from his father the portion of his shares, his intention was not to insult his father, yet it was like telling him to drop dead. The father, though his heart shattered still gave him the money. The son left his father's house taking on the world alone, only to come crashing down with a painful knock.

Actually, our true happiness lies in belonging to our Father's house. Do we really belong to God our Father? Have we not all been unfaithful to Him at some times? Do we truly belong to the house of our Father, which is human society, by our loving care and concern for each other?

Perhaps some of us are like the elder brother of the parable, withdrawn, unapproachable, bitter and afraid to mix with others, finding our security in excessive devotions or activities!

All of us have gone astray in some sense and need to return to our Father's house. God will surely receive us, for He is not just good but very good. He will be good to us whether we are like the younger son: a prodigal, or like the elder son: a paranoid. When we return to Him, let us bring with us that lost part of ourselves.

Introduction to Lauds (Saturday: Lent) & Vespers (Lent: Saturday - Evening Prayer 1 - Sun)

I prepared this reflections in the year 2003 for the seminary community. At that time i did not have a blog, so since i still find the message revelant even today, i have decided to publish it here. The reflections is based from the 2003 Lenten Message of the Holy Father .

Lauds (Lent, Saturday)

CHARITY...a mark of Christian Life.

Lent, is the time for us to journey with Jesus on the Way of the Cross. As we recall the sufferings of Christ, we are also being invited to reach out to our suffering sisters and brothers around us. Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and concern for those in need.

Many times we have only focused on ourselves, and others only during the Lenten Collections, and at times that is just to justify ourselves that we are already doing alot.

The Holy Father's message speaks out clearly in today's scripture reading taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah; "Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow" (Is.1:16-17).

We do not have to go far to do all this. Open our eyes and we can see, around us in the community; 'the oppressed', 'the orphan', 'the widow', 'the needy'. It is not going to be easy, but let us take up the challenge and give ourselves as a free gift to others.

So as we pray, we reflect; what are the obstacles that are preventing us from giving ourselves to others, and we surrender them to God.

As a person wanting to be a witness to the Gospel of Charity, we pray...


Vespers (Lent, Saturday: Evening Prayer I - Sun)

"When believers respond to the inner impulse to give themselves to others without expecting anything in return, they experience a profound interior satisfaction. The efforts of Christians in giving themselves to others draw their strength from that sole and inexhaustible treasury of love which is the complete gift of Jesus to the Father...Believers are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who, in perfect obedience to the will of the Father, emptied himself (cf. Phil 2:6ff), and humbly gave himself to us in selfless and total love, even unto death on a cross."

We are reminded of this when we pray the canticle today; God giving us His only Son.

We can say we have given so many things, but true giving can mean much more. True giving is not only from our abundance, but sacrificing something more in order to give to the needy, it fosters that self-denial which is essential to authentic Christian living.

So we pray that we may imitate our Heavenly Father in his example of giving.

"The vocation to charity is the heart of all true evangelisation". As a people wanting to imitate the Heavenly Father, let us pray.

2008 CNY Holiday @ Batam

This year for the Chinese New Year holidays (Feb7-9) I was at Batam, an Island of Indonesia with Cyril, my seminary classmate. We were hosted by our friend Vincent Paulus and his family. It was a 1st class hospitality. One of the greatest i have experienced. Thank you Paulus and to your family and friends at the shop who looked after our meals and transport.

Here are some pictures:-

Cyril and I at a Fishing Village

There are 7 bridges connecting to the small islands around,
this is one of the biggest and grandest.
For those familiar with Malaysia, it looks just like the Penang Bridge.

With Paulus, his mum and sister.

At the grotto of the Parish of St. Peter

At the moment there are about 4-6 churches with some chapels around the Island.
This is the Church of St. Peter.
As you can see it is going through a major rebuilding.
It is huge, it looks like a Cathedral.
Paulus and his family are the parishioners.
Next to this church is St. Elizabeth's Hospital.

Paulus' mum preparing lunch for us...as usual the 'sibuk' cyril...!!

Paulus' family restaurant. Japanese cuisine.

This picture is taken from a resort (KTM Resort) at Batam.
On the horizon, you can see the tall buildings of Singapore.
It takes about an hour ferry ride from Singapore to Batam.

City of Singapore. This picture taken from the ferry on my way back from Batam.

Sentosa Island. The ferry has to pass this famous island of Singapore.

CPE- On-Call Experience (Day 3) - a death

Its 2.35am and I just came back after witnessing a death of an elderly lady. I was call at about 12.5oam by the nurse requested by the daughter of the patient. We prayed as she (the elderly lady) slowly passes this world to enjoy eternal life.

This is a first such experience for me. And yes, prayers consoles, heals, brings peace, etc.

As I was witnessing all this, I myself was brought to humble myself to see life in a fragile manner, to see life so vulnerable, to see life in its very end, to see life longing to go to the Creator. Yes Lord, My soul is restless until it rests in you - St. Augustine.

CPE- On-Call Experience (Day 1 & 2)

I am on call since yesterday (Sat) and will end on Tue morning. Met patients from all kinds of race, religion, nationality and backgrounds; and for some, their family members. Listened to their STORIES. I had a call yesterday, one patient from the hospice passed away. I prayed with one of his son. I am happy i could still practice my duties as a seminarian which one day i will have to do more as a priest. While doing all this, there have been many reflections going thro my head!

That's all for today, see if there is any exciting happenings tomorrow!! Till then take care.