Introduction to Vespers - Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist.

(Scripture Reading: Col. 1:3a-6)

When we study the Gospel of Luke, we are aware that he is writing in the knowledge that Judaism has already rejected the person of Jesus and His message of salvation. The Messiah has come, and has not been acknowledged by His own people. And this marks an important turning point in the history of salvation: the Gospel is given to the Gentiles; the salvation which Jesus first offered to Judaism is now offered to all peoples.

In the scripture reading we see a contrast with Judaism. The Colossians welcomes the Good News and accepts the hope that it offers. And thus they receive the blessings it offers.

We pray that we too may accept God’s word and be another Theophilus, “beloved of God” who is concern for the Truth (Lk. 1:3 , Acts 1:1).

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it" (Lk. 11:28).

Introduction to Lauds - Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist.

The feast of St. Luke reminds us how blessed we are; that we are truly a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people set apart.

Why I am linking this to the feast of St. Luke, is because in his gospel, we see the simple, humble, lowly, upright, just, outcast and the anawim of Yahweh are exalted. People like Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds, the many women, Zachaeus and many more are looked upon by the Lord. The Lord has raised up the lowly.

Thus we are reminded of our own calling. We have come to realize that though we are unworthy but God in his infinite love have called us and is preparing us for a mission. Just like St. Luke, we are called to proclaim the marvel works of our Lord and to announce news of happiness, of God’s love and forgiveness.

This morning, as we praise the Lord for choosing us, we pray that He will bless us with strength and zeal for His mission.

Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila

As we celebrate the Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila (also known as Teresa of Jesus), I would like to touch on one of her writings taken from her book the 'Interior Castle'; "To think little but love much". She was referring this to those who are progressing towards the road to holiness.

It is very true that it is easier to love than to think a lot. In our faith there are so many things to think about and we can get so caught up and confuse about it. Things like, God, His mysterious plans, His ways, those stands that the church takes, and the dogmas and teachings. And Teresa's words think little but love much works here. For example, some people get so confuse about the role of Mary in the church but only if they start loving her they can really understand her and her role better. And by loving, we are actually pleasing God.

It is also just like our relationships, we don't go thinking and questioning about the other person, because if we do that, we get confuse and the relationship comes to ruin, but when we love much, we began to appreciate and understand the other better. It also applies to work, when we love what we are doing, we would peacefully be doing it.

So if we want to progress towards the road to holiness like Teresa, let us then take heed to her writings; 'The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; then, do whatever most arouses you to love. For love consists, not in the extent of our happiness, but in the firmness of our determination to try to please God in everything, and to endeavor, in all possible ways, not to offend Him'.

Oops....after my last post...there's been a fight!!!


Told them not to fight over me...what to do??? Haiz!!!! hehehehe.

FACES OF ADRIAN!!

RaMp WaLk MoDeL - Remo!!!
ok lah not Ramp Walk Model, more like 'facebook' model lah ah!! hehehe.

Ok, here it goes; the different faces of Adrian!

The Lord's Prayer

In today's Gospel (Luke 11:1-4) we see a disciple of Jesus eagerly asking the Lord to teach them to pray. In the beginning of the text we are told that Jesus was at a certain place praying. Jesus was setting an example for his disciples. Seeing Jesus praying, the disciples wanted to follow him, they wanted to pray too.

As disciples of Jesus, as Christians, do we pray? Are our life an example of prayer? Do people want to pray after seeing us praying in faith? Do our children, siblings, relatives and friends see us praying that they too have been inspired to want to pray?

Jesus has taught us the most simple prayer, just a few words BUT it has so much meaning. We can go on and on talking about this prayer.

Let us now join this 'Great' man of God - the late Pope John Paul II in praying the prayer Jesus taught us - the Lord's prayer. The Pope sings it in Latin - Pater Noster.

Fr. Ryan's Mass at Seminary

Yesterday evening we were happy to have Rev. Fr. Ryan Innas Muthu to celebrate his Thanksgiving Mass at the seminary. He was ordained on October 1st 2007. I journeyed with him since 2001 when i joined the seminary and he was in his 3rd year (2nd year philosophy). We were together again in Singapore when i joined in 2005 to start my theological studies. But i remember him way back in the year 1996 when we went for a vocation camp in College General, Major Seminary in Penang. (Ryan, do you still remember the Nasi Kandar we had at Komtar just before taking the bas back home!!) At that camp there were about 99 participants (short of one and i guess he went missing. Not to worry, Christ has gone looking for him! So are you that one?) and the camp has produced and still producing many fruits. His classmate now Fr. Stanley also from that camp was ordained on October 4th. Waiting for him to come back to the seminary to celebrate a mass with us.

Seeing him celebrating the mass, was really a good motivation for me. His homily was a call to all of us seminarians to persevere and trust in the Lord. I am sure the mass brought back memories to the formators of their own 1st mass and i could see their look of pride for nurturing and guiding Fr. Ryan in becoming a priest.

Dear friends, I ask of your continuous prayers for us seminarians and priest. God bless you.