Incarnation – God Is WITH and AMONG US, not in a distant.

I heard the song above ‘From a Distance” over the radio today, and I believe since it’s a Saturday (rest day for me) why not I write my thoughts on this song. It was written in 1985 by the American singer-songwriter Julie Gold. Julie Gold has stated that she believes in an immanent beneficent God, and also thinks that people have a right to interpret the song any way they want, as with all art. She has stated that the song is about the difference between how things appear to be and how they really are. ("Julie Gold and Her Songs", Here on Earth - Radio Without Borders, Wisconsin Public Radio, February 19, 2005).

I first heard this song sometime in 1990 when I was at a vocation camp. But today when I heard it again, I somehow felt the idea in that song that God is in a distant watching us is kinda absurd. As a Catholic, with conviction I believe that God is not in a distant, he is very much close to each and every one of us no matter what our religious beliefs are. Maybe we are ‘in a distant with’ God, but He is not; God is always with us and constantly reaching out to us. Immanuel = ‘God-is-with-us’ (Mt.1: 23) Jesus too assured us that we should not be afraid for He is with us always, yes, to the end of times (Mt.28:20).  

Now the very meaning of the incarnation of Jesus is itself an act of love from God to tell all of us that He is not in a distant. He sends His son to be with and among us. This is a revelation of God himself to all people. God becoming man. (Jn1:14). Incarnation = taking flesh (The noun incarnation derives from the ecclesiastical Latin verb incarno, itself derived from the prefix in- and “caro”, "flesh", meaning "to make into flesh" or "to be made flesh").  

 

Because of the incarnation, we can now be assured that God has knowledge of suffering. He is not distant from our pain. God died and rose again to save us all. We who are living in a distant with God due to our sinfulness, sufferings, doubts and unbelief are invited into His arms of love. Let us then go back to our faithful God who is constantly reaching out to us. I leave you now with one of my favorite song; 'You are mine' by David Hass. A beautiful song that reminds us that God Is With us.

The Inauguration Mass for the New Academic Year 2012/13.

I participated at the Inauguration Mass for the new academic year at the Loyola School of Theology (LST), Ateneo de Manila Campus. The Mass was dedicated to the Holy Spirit. I was very inspired with the homily given by the presider Fr. Genaro Diwa who is also my professor for the subject Christian Worship. The message I receive from his homily is that the Holy Spirit is the agent of change. Just yesterday I commented on my Facebook wall about the changes and sacrifices I have to make now due to the many readings I have in this semester. The many readings are just a small exaggeration but I do have to change and make sacrifices in order to take advantage of the education here and the second opportunity given to me in this journey towards the Priesthood. 

The homily based on the theme of the day where we reflected through the readings of the Pentecost, St. Paul's reflection on the different gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel was Mary's Annunciation, was a reminder to me on how much i need the Holy Spirit to guard and guide me in my formation here. 

This event too, saw the professors and the students make their 'Oath of Commitment'. I am indeed touched by the words in my oath as a student; "We, students, commit ourselves in our search for truth and in our studies, in order to serve with competence and courage as witnesses today in the Church and in the world". This oath clearly shows that LST is an Ecclesiastical Institution and we cannot do all the above without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  

I conclude here with the prayer of the Holy Sprit.

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

V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

...a happy reunion after 17years with my foster family of the WYD '95 @ Quezon City, Manila.

This afternoon I had a happy reunion after 17years with my foster family of the 10^th World Youth Day 1995 at Manila. At the beginning I was feeling a little apprehensive of this visit because I was assuming that the family might have shifted or have even forgotten me. But when Papa Jaime heard my name, he immediately asked me to come into the dinning where all the family were gathered for the Father’s Day lunch. He gave me a big hug and said to the rest of the family (including the children that I have not met during my stay there before); “my son is back”. I really felt so touched. It reminded me of the story of the ‘Prodigal Son’ in the scriptures. During the meal, we tried to catch up the lost 17years. At the end of the meal, Papa Jaime said a prayer for me.

Thank you God for making it possible for me to meet them again. I pray that you may bless each and everyone it the family and to give good health in mind and body to Papa Jaime and Mama Paz. Lord, bless my family too especially my parents back home in Malaysia. 

A new chapter in life begins in June 2012.

After working as a Youth Minister for the Diocese of Melaka-Johor, Malaysia for a year, now a new chapter in my life has just begun. I am currently studying for a  Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) at the Loyola School of Theology. I am aware that this journey is not going to be the same when I was in College General, Major Seminary, Malaysia and St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, Singapore. With an open heart and the assurance of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness and His guidance, I believe this journey is going to be a very meaningful one for me.

Many spiritual writers has encouraged and always recommends that we offer our struggles and sacrifices for an intention just like Jesus offered his sacrifice for the salvation and love for us all. I too have decided to offer my sacrifices and struggles for some intentions while I'm here in Manila. May God in his mercy answer all our prayers.

 

I thank my Bishop, Rt. Rev. Paul Tan for his confidence and trust he has on me and this opportunity to study here in the Philippines.

Lord, You are the Potter and I am Your Clay, have Your way in me. Your will be done…Amen.

The song below by Miley Cyrus - "The Climb" explains how I felt and what i am feeling now.

R.I.P Donna Summer & A tribute to all working mothers....

Frankly I did not know who Donna Summer was until her news of her death. I've heard of her songs but didn't know who the singer was until i decided to check-out Donna Summer's songs. Her hit song; 'She works hard for the money' is my favorite.

I did some reading about this song. Let me share it with you:- "As visualized in the music video; the song told the story of a single mother working three jobs as a janitor, waitress and a seamstress. The protagonist goes to work at the crack of dawn, is sexually harassed by a customer and between shopping, cooking and cleaning for her unruly children, she reminisces about a lost dream of being a dancer.
Clearly frustrated, but not defeated, it’s easy to understand how women easily embraced the narrative and found joy in singing the lyrics. "She Works Hard for the Money" reflected the real-life struggle of single mothers and working women everywhere."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/17/donna-summer-was-trailblazer-from-disco-queen-to-karaoke-mainstay/#ixzz1vFQkM3F2


I want to dedicate the song above to all working mothers especially my mother who started working as a clerk at the age of 18 for 36years with the same company and both my sisters, one who is a single mother herself.

Why i do not like Manchester United...

I am a Chelsea FC fan and i'm ok with the other clubs at the Premier League except Manchester United. I just don't like Man U, because some of their players and most fans are very arrogant. They 'shout' a lot before games, during goals and especially after winning. ('shout' as in a lot of bragging esp in Facebook) But they are total silent when their team draws and especially loose. I mean what type of fan is that? They do not stand by their favorite club when they have lost!! Yes, Man U has many fans but now we know that these fans are there just for the name and glory.

MankayU fans should learn from other club fans. We at Chelsea, we stick with our club no matter we win or loose. It is sad indeed to read of a report in the papers today that more than 100k Man City's fans lined up the streets to watch their heroes pass by, in contrast, just SEVEN (7) fans turned up to see grim-faced Manchester United's stars arrive for their end-of-season bash. These fans who claim to be true red devil fans are a disgrace!! Sore losers indeed, only in glory they stay by their team. They should learn from us, Chelsea fans and other club fans on how to be with the team in good times and in bad. That is a TRUE fan.Anyway i salute the at least seven Man U fans who were there.

Hope through this trophy-less year, MankayU fans would be more humble and stop bullying and bragging.

Careful what you throw...

I am the type that when something is of no use or need to be replaced I will throw that thing. But my father is one person who tries if possible not to throw things.  He even at time gather things which many will consider rubbish and useless and see if they can be used again, recycle or try to be innovative by seeing how he can modify those things. Many times I will tell him off to throw all those rubbish.

A couple of days ago, my wallet had a tear and I changed it with a new wallet. I transferred all my cash, coins and cards into the new wallet and I threw the old wallet into the dustbin. This afternoon, I noticed that my identity and bank cards were all missing and realized that during the transfers to the new wallet, I have forgotten all about these cards. I immediately when to the dustbin to look for the old wallet and found that the bin has been emptied. I started praying.... I then asked my dad when did he clean the dustbin? He answered by asking what I was looking for? I answered my wallet!! He said he cleared the bin two days ago but kept the wallet in his room. He ask why I was looking for it since I have thrown it? I answered that my identity and bank cards are all still in it. He then told me that he is keeping the wallet in his room but he has not checked the content. I said another prayer with the hope that all my cards are still in it. When my father gave me the wallet, I opened it and I praised the Lord. My cards were still in it. My father then just said; "You are careless, next time check first before you throw.


Hahaha.. I think after this I'm not gonna say anything about this habit of my father and I know he is gonna brag about this incident even if I continue to tell him to stop those habit of collecting and keeping 'rubbish'...