NS and Seminary

I just came from finishing a movie with the rest of the Seminary community. We saw it during our dinner as it was the eve of Hari Raya holiday. This is our usual movie night during such occasions. The movie? Ah Boys To Men (pt 1).

One of the aspirants who attended our last weekend's vocation retreat had commented that life in the seminary to him is somewhat more difficult than life in the army today! If he had come in and join us in the seminary during my time as a seminarian his comments may not have been too far off the mark. However, today, much have changed and the environment has improved tremendously.

It's 10 Now!

It was 10 years ago when I said yes to my life as a priest after the heart of Christ.

Looking back at all that have transpired so far and the journey that led me to where I am now, I can only remain utterly grateful for this vocation that continues to allow me to unfold my potential as God's instrument to give his presence in the world today.

Certainly, there have been many hits and misses and I continue to learn from my mistakes and mishaps, where I continue onwards to carry out my mission as a minister of God, especially as pastor and mediator. Life as priest in the present times has been very challenging and theer will be no end to what I can already feel, which many times can be between a rock and a hard place. It can always come down to a situation that one can just give up and walk away from it all.

Being Healthy...

I was away for the weekend, out of Singapore. It was a short respite from the haze and a chance to enjoy a slightly new setting. It was nothing that great really, but to be out from the familiar and doing something a little different was a small welcome.

Now that I am back, I see that the haze has cleared somewhat and certainly a far cry from the worst we had last week going into Saturday. That certainly is a blessing! The change in wind direction and some rains over at some hotspots in Sumatra have helped greatly. However, it is duly noted that this clear condition may not last and teh haze can still return. The situation in Muar, Johor is the worst yet that can occur at a PSI of 700+. That would be the worst case scenarion which can hit this city state.

Enhancing Lives

The semester break have started two weeks back and right off the bat, I was busily maneuvering through several Masses, EE meetings, some Spiritual Direction sessions, that I couldn't find the time to sit down to pen any thoughts - till now.

Even so, there are som any things going on and round my mind that it is rather difficult to focus on a particular topic to write on. What seem to be mostly on the top of my mind, however, is strangely nothing spiritual, but have a lot of implications for our faith lives nonetheless.

This came surprisingly from a very secular quarter and one that has inserted itself into the lives of all persons, whether subtly or major way, that in the now is seen as something of the norm and perhaps for many, which cannot be done without.

Life - Death

The Devil's Sinkhole, Texas

I just read the latest post of my confrere Fr Luke on his response to the bone marrow transplant via stem cells which almost happened. It certainly was a blow that the donor Canada pulled out at the last minute  from donating her cells. Life can be frustrating indeed. He was that close to getting the needed treatment to curing his leukemia.

Doulos

Jesus Discourses with His Disciples (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The gospel passage for today's Mass reading is so stark about how we humans are so attuned to seeking, and predictable even, positions of power when given the chance. The apostles James and John are perfect examples of this type of attitude.

Assuming that they follow Jesus in that manner, they deserve special positions of honor and prestige. We too have many opportunities and occasions that can get us seeking positions of honor and prestige just because we 'work for God'.

Jesus had to teach the brothers and the rest of his disciples that to follow him is to be a servant (doulos, Greek), and obviously, servants don't go looking for rewards or recognition. Service, if it is to be true, is selfless. It is concerned with others' needs, not our own.

10 Year Plan

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Singapore. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Archdiocese has lots of work cut of for it. Well, at least for the next 10 years.

That was the revealed plan from the new Archbishop William Goh as he presented his vision of "Building a Vibrant, Missionary and Evangelical Church" as the pastoral plan he hopes to accomplish within the next 10 years.

The first on the list of his priorities to move this vison and plan off the ground is the renewal and healing of the Presbyterium that wants to foster unity between priests and religious, engaging them through inclusivity, empowerment, passion and compassion.

Memento Mori

Something for us to reflect upon this Sunday afternoon...

Furnace of Humiliation

As I am approaching the 10th year of my sacerdotal anniversary (29 June), I was 'nicely' reminded of the implication of my priesthood, as in, what had transpired thus far and what to look out for ahead. That was by way of the 1st reading of Tuesday of 7th Week in Ordinary times (yesterday).

By all accounts, the reading was engaging enough and can be a reminder to all the faithful believers on the proper understanding of what working for or serving the Lord is about.

"... if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal..." (Eccle 2: 1)

Saint of Anonymity

English: Saint Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot as apostle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After finishing the monumental task of rehauling to a new Blogger template, I am now ready to tackle a thought that has been on my mind since yesterday.

It is about St Matthias, whose feast we celebrated yesterday. He was the one that was chosen by lot, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be one of the 12 apostles replacing Judas (Iscariot) who defected.

What was inspiring about this saint was because he was, firstly, uninspiring!

Consider this...

He Is Risen!

Happy Easter!

How Are The Ashes After Wednesday?...

We are 3 days into the Lenten season and many more weeks to go before we get to celebrate that great solemnity of Easter.

In the meantime, what we to do with that great call that comes out during this period that urges us into prayer, fasting and almsgiving? What can we do for our spiritual preparation the midst of the Pope's sudden declaration of his resignation and of the coming episcopal ordination of the Archbishop-Coadjutor?

If we follow the series of readings that began the Lenten season, starting with Ash Wednesday and moving to today's, we can draw out several important themes which we can meditate on:

2013 Resolutions

Forget your usual attempts at thinking up resolutions for the New Year. Here are some better and practical manner to get more mileage on any resolutions you can ever make to have a more blessed and fruitful year for 2013:

O Lord and Ruler!

English: Icon of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Latin rendition of this day's antiphon is O Adonai. It is about the Lordship of Christ whom all knee shall bow and tongue confess.

On our day of Baptism and once again strengthened at our Confirmation, we have been bestowed the spiritual titles of priest, prophet and king, the same titles alloted to Christ, because we being his disciples, follow in his footsteps. This means we, the baptised are all potential leaders in our own spiritual capacity to make a difference in the world today in bringing other people into the kingdom of God - His kingdom of love and light.

Do we take our spiritual roles seriously enough to see within ourselves this great opportunity to participate in this Lordship of Christ?

O Wisdom!

O Sapientia (Photo credit: Lawrence OP)

What is wisdom, really, to you?

What comes to mind when one mentions the word 'wisdom'? Is it all about human wisdom, cleverness, being street-smart and all knowing kind of attitude?

Eternal Rest...

Zaduszki (Photo credit: Klearchos Kapoutsis)

Yesterday we celebrated All Saints’ and today we remember All Souls. There is something about the opening days of November that tends to bring these two celebration neatly together. Even the weather (cool and rainy) somehow have conspired towards bringing about this awareness of the mystical and haunting feeling associated with All Saints and today, All Souls.

To celebrate All Souls is not something we do lightly. Neither is it to be taken in a superstitious manner which would negate totally the understanding of our Christian faith. Instead, the celebration of All Souls’ is an affirmation of our capacity to a relationship with God – One whom we can know and love. It is also about our acknowledgement that in us we have something that links us to a power that transcends this world. That something is our soul.

June, June...

VatCupola59 (Photo credit: Annoysius)

This certainly is a fine situation here...

It has been almost a month since I have put up anything on this blog and the interval between one entry and the next has been erratic. I thought by my coming into the seminary and away from all the distractions that can be found in the parish, I could get some consistent writing done. But, so far that hasn't been the case. In fact, I have been compelled, more, to put aside this blog and procrastinate in doing up any entries here. Terrible...

I have let some important weeks past by, liturgical moments that carry significant impact in our lives, that it would be remiss of me not to just say a few short words that hopefully may capture their power and effect in our lives as Catholic Christians:

Pentecost

It is the Spirit! How sure are you that you are walking in and with the Spirit? Galatians 5 offer the template for all Christians to follow. When the Queen of England is in Buckingham Palace, the palace flies up their flags for all to see and know that she is around. What flags of the Spirit that we fly to show that we are in the Spirit if not that of love, peace, joy, ....

Trinity

The most difficult homily to do as the subject matter is just to transcendent for life that is more grounded on earth and reality. Yet, we already move into this mystery when we make the sign of the cross at every Mass, a sign that proclaims, God the Father loves the world so much that He sends His only Son all the way down to us, so that we may be gathered in the Holy Spirit.

Corpus Christi

Much ink have been poured to speak of this mystery of Christ that its profoundness cannot still be captured or appreciated well in a lifetime. A more profound passage that will help us reflect even deeper is from Jeremiah 31: 31ff. Every time we are at Mass and receive communion, we are fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy! Remember that passage well - Jer 31: 31.

Meanwhile, our Seminary's semester break is here! Since that means no classes and any other activities, I am looking forward to do the following:

a. an entry for my blog of at least once a week.
b. the use of one or both of my telescope to view the night sky more often, unless bad weather or clouds abound.
c. more occasions in the day to use the telescope to view the Sun with a solar filter.

Those above, of course, are on top of my other basic spiritual exercises/activities that has to go on regardless of weather or the GSS.

Related articles

• Benedict XVI's Sermon for Corpus Christi: Jesus in our midst is the "beating Heart" of the home, city, country, territory

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• A Big Month, The Solemnities of June

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From Death To Life!

Incensing2 (Photo credit: Annoysius)

Happy Easter to one and all!

Forget the Easter bunny! Christ is risen, alleluia!

Sometimes we allow ourselves to be distracted too much by the lesser trappings of the Easter celebrations that we forget the real reason of this celebration. Our 40 days of the Lenten period is over, and now we rejoice and are filled with a lightness that speaks of a deep and profound happiness which pervades our being in knowing that Jesus Christ has conquered death! This implies that we, too, follow in his steps to conquering our death in our journey to God, our Father.

What can be more joyful and exhilirating than that?...

Related articles

• The silent beauty of Easter joy (frlukefong.blogspot.com)
• Benedict XVI's Sermon for the Easter Vigil: of creation, light, communication, community, and bees (wdtprs.com)
• PASCHALCAzT 47: Easter Sunday - "the one in whose fist all things are enclosed" (wdtprs.com)

Any Change?...

'Tis less than a week away before we ramp up the activities a little, as we move into Holy Week and the great Easter celebrations.

At this juncture, I ask myself this well-worn and used question: have I changed for the better?

Having to look back, I have to see if the Lenten preparations and their great traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving able to transform me into a better child of God, a much more responsible Catholic, a better priest after the very heart of Christ?

It is a tough question to answer as the results vary and have many different shades of nuances that do not necessary border of preciseness and clarity. In general, I see some level of improvement but the main journey is still tough and usually demands a deeper honesty and sacrifice which I don't always abide by. Nonetheless, this Lenten period has been meaningful and have shown or offered me several important insights that were learning experiences which speaks of the power (dunamis) of God's love and light.

How was it for you?....

Be Kind!

I have let the weeks slip by without much of an entry from me!

It's the added work and responsibilities involved in dealing with the formation for an added member into the Seminary's community - Justin Yip (Star of the Sea) - our 1st. year student, that had occupied most of my activities, among other things (e.g. Priestly Life)

Still Lent carries on regardless and we are now almost reaching the into the 4th Week of Lent, where this coming Sunday's Lent celebration has been named as Laetare Sunday. Just for that Sunday, the vestments will be rose colored!

In our journey of this 40 days in preparation towards Easter, we also speak and be impressed upon by the following great and traditional works of mercy: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. That is fine and well. However, for most of the time we tend to just stay on the superficial level of doing them and doing them well, without much reflection as to what it really is taking us all into. We can also feel rather elated and proud to have achieve some level of accomplishment when we have completed them or, at least, attempted them to some satisfactory degree. It is all about giving up something - chocolates, TV, movies, etc. With the proliferation of smartphones and the ubiquity of the iPhone, giving up something doesn't seem at all fantastic any more, unless one also will consider these items - in that we let go having these items controlling our lives where we have to go to sleep with them on our beds!

Hence, the video above is the most down-to-earth advice on  how we can truly observe Lent and be able to  take this with us for the rest of our lives, for this is really the real fruit after all our prayer, fasting and almsgiving - be kind, people! Be kind!