Veni Sancte Spiritus...Come Holy Spirit

   

“You are the light of the world.  A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.  So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, Douay Rheims)

Following the highly publicized, shameful events arising from the 709 Walk in Malaysia, it was reported in the international media that Malaysia now intends to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Holy See; Vatican; meeting Pope Benedict XVI on July 18.

Unfortunately, the local archbishop is somehow controversially made part of the entourage of the ruling Government...under whose leadership, the world has come to witnessed shocking scenes of water cannons, tear gas, arrests, lockdowns, brutality, denials and lies.

Very simply, it would be easy to discount this as a non issue and claim that these events are not related, these are separate unrelated issues and that as Catholic Christians, we should just keep on praying, and praying, and praying...hoping, and hoping...

For over two thousand years, the Church has put in tremendous efforts to relate the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, to human life...to bring the Word of God back to the people...to transform individual human hearts, liberating them from the evil seduction of the secular world.

In preservation of basic human dignity, the Church sees that all people are sacred...made in the image of God.  As pilgrims all over the world, we are all bound together in a common humanity.

Jesus himself identified with the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized...offering them the hope of the Kingdom of God...eternal life.  Conversely, Jesus demanded love of enemies and renunciation of violence.  Jesus stood for human freedom...the freedom of love and goodness...freedom from the slavery of sin...a freedom experienced by the people when God is sovereign...the relation to God’s will is right.

Jesus was not a revolutionary social reformer, nor fanatical about the political powers that be...the corrupted Romans!  Jesus never intended to spill the blood of his enemies...instead He simply allowed himself to be crucified by the Romans...spilling his own Holy and Precious Blood for the love of mankind.

Although the Church believes that religion belongs at the center of everything, Father Thomas Bokenkotter adds that, “...it is not enough just to mouth pretty words about justice and peace in the pulpit.  The message must be put into action.”

As pilgrims on the journey back home, we are called to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only...we are called to be genuine and authentic witnesses to Jesus Christ in all that we do along our short journey through life.

Father Thomas continues to add that, “The Church commits itself to the work of social change and the struggle against all forms of oppression.  ...What is at stake is nothing less than the redemption of the human race.”

Along these lines, we recall the famous words of Blessed John Paul II,“(a) world of justice and peace cannot be created by words alone and it cannot be imposed by outside forces: it must be desired and must come about through the contribution of all.  It is essential for every human being to have a sense of participating, of being a part of the decisions and endeavors that shape the destiny of the world.”

These extract from the beautiful document, Justicia in Mundo (Justice in the World), at the Synod of Bishops (1971), further echoes very clearly...

“Unless the Christian message of love and justice shows its effectiveness through action in the cause of justice in the world, it will only with difficulty gain credibility with the people of our times. (#35)

The Church, indeed, is not alone responsible for justice in the world; however, she has a proper and specific responsibility which is identified with her mission of giving witness before the world of the need for love and justice contained in the Gospel message, a witness to be carried out in Church institutions themselves and in the lives of Christians. (#36)

Our mission demands that we should courageously denounce injustice, with charity, prudence and firmness, in sincere dialogue with all parties concerned.  We know that our denunciations can secure assent to the extent that they are an expression of our lives and are manifested in continuous action. (#57)”

Looking at what is happening around the world today...injustices continue to disfigure our land and age...the people continue their constant silent struggle...towards a life that is founded on real spiritual and moral values, justice, integrity and freedom.  The Church simply cannot be seen as remaining silent and distant.

Pilgrims must be able to connect biblical teachings and most importantly, experience these teachings to their own journey; be it in their everyday lives or at work.  The moment this vision becomes blurred, our simple journey becomes much more challenging, distracting and complicated...not to mention, our faith being put to the test vis-à-vis basic human rights.

Blessed Pope John XXIII in his encyclical, Pacem in Terris, Peace on Earth (1963), calls these rights “inalienable” and “inviolable” rights.  The source of these rights – they are natural rights which flow from the very nature of humankind.  The ultimate foundation of human rights is God.

Furthermore, the mystery of human solidarity and interdependence is such that whenever one human being is made to suffer, the rest of humanity simply suffers too and is weakened and threatened at the same time.

The assassinated Most Reverend Oscar Anulfo Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, reminds us that...

“The Church would betray its own love for God and its fidelity to the Gospel if it stopped being…a defender of the rights of the poor…a humaniser of every legitimate struggle to achieve a more just society...that prepares the way for the true reign of God in history.”

Amidst the distracting noises and cries of the world, let us also quiet our hearts and not forget the sublime words of St Teresa of Avila...

“Christ has no body but yours.  No hands, no feet on earth but yours.  Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world.  Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.  Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.”

Are we listening to what the Holy Spirit is whispering to us today, as disciples of Jesus Christ?

As faithful pilgrims, we can only pray that the awesome power of the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of the leaders so that truth, faith, freedom and justice will courageously prevail on July 18 at Castel Gondolfo.  Veni Sancte Spiritus!

 

Easter...The Light Shines Forth...





Imagine this scenario…a person is diagnosed with terminal cancer and is given less than six months to live, another suffers from severe hypertension as a result of work stress…financial difficulties, a family greeted a newborn bundle of joy yet suffering from muscular dystrophy, an elderly parent suffers an acute heart attack, the despised, the marginalized, the outcast, the parent alone in the old folks home, the person who has just lost his or her job…what seems to be the commonality of these tragic and lonely circumstances in a joyful season such as Easter?

For these people, on Easter day, words fail them…hope has abandoned them…they feel Jesus might have forgotten about them.

This perception is compounded by the fact that the commercial and popular Easter message of today carries the familiar images of the Easter egg, the Easter bunny, festive meals, euphoric mumbo jumbo celebrations...  If one googles Easter, images of flowers, chocolates, pastel colors, eggs and bunnies fill the search results.

Churches preach that Easter means there is hope of a silver lining behind every dark cloud…  Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Light has come!  Easter brings meaning only with Jesus being the center of it.  It is only because of Jesus that we have Easter.  If is only because of Jesus that we have life.

For the earlier mentioned people, the empty tomb, the joyful Easter message and the ‘happy ending’ to Lent may not connect so clearly with them; especially given their real life experiences.  To them, they perhaps feel more of the darkness of the tomb, the chill, the cold and abandonment in the tomb, the loneliness and hopelessness.  What then is the true meaning of Easter for us today?

The empty tomb, even the disciples thought that the body has been stolen…the Easter message of the resurrection was not proclaimed in an ever so high profile manner.  Simply reserved and quiet seems to be the way the Easter message is carried.


“Easter brings no escape from suffering and death.  The last enemy is still with us and, in company with Jesus, each individual has to pass through this valley.  For the world there is no escape from injustice, war, grinding poverty, famine and disease.  No magic wand has been waved to banish these things, no divine recipe handed out for their instant solution.

The post-Easter world is still in the hands of frail, confused, sinful people like ourselves who have to use minds and energy to wrestle with its ills.  …The devil, it is said, has received a mortal blow but, dangerous as any wounded beast, still goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)…we may in the light of Easter be enjoying the firstfruits, a foretaste of the harvest, but the harvest itself is not yet come.” (Peter Cornwell, On the River’s Edge, p106)


Easter is hence, a timely reminder for us that death will visit each one of us…death will change life…but never will death end life…  Jesus, we know from Easter, gives us the hope to persevere as pilgrims.


At the end of the day, we should not be overly joyful and complacent, thinking that we are now saved, no matter what we do or say.  We are all still pilgrims travelling along the journey…but, as Christians, we live in hope…only in living out this message of hope that we are saved.  This world remains dark, cold, harsh and lonely, unless we reach out and share this light of Easter…

Just like the church on the eve of this great day, where light from a single Paschal candle makes its way through the darkness,….we must remember that the dark shadows still presses upon us…we must ensure that the flickering candlelight we carry remains burning strong and not become vulnerable to the darkness of the world.

Sharing the light of Christ does not mean simply boasting that we are saved at the expense of others.  We cannot carry the good news unless we empty ourselves of human pride…it means taking a humble stance and with simple and quiet confidence reach out and touch the sick, the elderly, the lonely, the abandoned, the victim, the poor, the differently-abled…and offer them hope in Jesus Christ.

Like the appearance of Jesus on Easter, our free, simple and quiet presence must also offer a sign of assurance and hope to others travelling a similar journey through life; relieving them of fear and despair.


Such hope can affect how others cope with the reality of death here and now.  Our light and presence can comfort them, reassure them, accompany them, love them and give them hope.  We are Easter people and we have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light…this Easter, let us choose to do the same as Jesus in everything we do or say...with everyone we meet.


Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia!  Let us remind ourselves that the resurrection remains a mystery for all of us…not a single Gospel tells us how this had happened.  What we know is that through Jesus, we can have victory over death.  We are vessels of the living presence of the Risen Christ, bringing hope to many others.  Let us also remind ourselves that Easter would not have been possible without a Good Friday...

From this Easter, we will continue our journey with hope for another 50 days towards Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit…

Meanwhile, let the proclaimation of the hymn of praise, the Exultet resounds...in your heart.

Remain Faithful Until Death...

Today, for my quiet reflection, just when I was feeling a little down, these short scriptural words gently spoke to me, embraced me and gave me hope – sustaining me. 

I simply pray that these Words of life will have the same power over you as Lent quietly approaches.


“I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich.  I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan.


Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer.  Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days.  Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” 
(Revelation 2:9-10)


Sometimes, along our journey through life, just when we have the feeling that no one seems to understand us…we are gently comforted by Him…who knows all our needs and every unspoken prayer deep within our heart.


The journey that once seems so hopeless and empty…does not seem so lonely after all.  We continue to be faithful and place all our hope in Jesus.

A New Year 2011...A New Heart...A New Hope...

“...Rise thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall enlighten thee.”
– Ephesians 5:14, Douay-Rheims Bible

"Waking up is unpleasant, you know. You are nice and comfortable in bed. It's irritating to be woken up. That's the reason the wise guru will not attempt to wake people up. I hope I'm going to be wise here and make no attempt whatsoever to wake you up if you are asleep. It is really none of my business, even though I say to you at times, "Wake up!" My business is to do my thing, to dance my dance. If you profit from it, fine; if you don't, too bad! As the Arabs say, "The nature of rain is the same, but it makes thorns grow in the marshes and flowers in the gardens."

- Anthony De Mello, SJ

As I take a closer step into the New Year 2011, I am reminded by a Jesuit priest that I must always stay awake of God’s presence in my journey through life. I will choose to constantly cultivate and nurture a heart that knows God and a heart that is alive with love. This realization, I pray, will lead to a more total inner transformation and more hope for the coming year. From the beautiful reflections by the Catholic priest and writer, Father Henri Nouwen, I humbly quote…

“We lived in a world where people don’t know much about hope. We know about wishes. The whole Christmas period is full of wishes. I wish this, or I want that. It’s very concrete: I want a toy or a car or a new job. These are all very specific requests.

But hope is precisely to say, “I don’t know how God is going to fulfil His promises, but I know that He will, and therefore I can live in the presence with the knowledge that He is with me.” I can then know and trust that the deepest desires of my being will be fulfilled. This way keeps the future very open.

Hope has nothing to do with optimism. Many people think that hope is optimism, looking at the positive side of life. But Jesus doesn’t speak like that at all. When Jesus talks about the future or the end of the world, He describes wars, people in anguish, nation rising against nation, and earthquakes.

There’s no place where Jesus says, “One day it will all be wonderful.” He talks about enormous agony, but He says, “You, you (my beloved ones) pray unceasingly that you will keep your heart focused on Me. Stand with your head erect in the presence of the Son of Man. Don’t get distracted by it all. Remain focused.” Don’t think that things will clean up, and finally there won’t be any more pain. Jesus is saying that the world is dark, and will remain dark.

If you live with hope, you can live very much in the present because you can nurture the footprints of God in your heart and life. You already have a sense of what is to come. And the whole of the spiritual life is saying that God is right with us, right now, so that we can wait for His coming, and this waiting is a waiting in hope. But because we wait with hope we know that what we are waiting for is already here. We have to nurture that.

Here and now matters because God is a God of the present. And God is God of the present because He is God of Eternity.

Hope is to open yourself up to let God do His work in you in ways that transcend your imagination. As Jesus said, “When you are young you put your own belt on and went where you wanted to go. But when you grow spiritually old, then you stretch out your hands and let others and God lead you where you rather wouldn’t go.” That’s hope, to let yourself be led to new places.”

“Hope means to keep living

amid desperation

and to keep humming

in the darkness

Hoping is knowing that there is love

it is trust in tomorrow

it is falling asleep

and waking again

when the sun rises.

In the midst of a gale at sea,

it is to discover land.

In the eyes of another

it is to see that you are understood.

As long as there is still hope

There will also be prayer

And God will be holding you

in God’s hands.”

With this assurance, I must wake up as God continues to prompt me in the quietness of my heart to simply place all my trust in Him.

To all fellow pilgrims, I bid you a Blessed New Year 2011 filled with New Consciousness, New Awareness…most of all a New Hope for a New Life.

Disturb Us, Lord...

Something worth reflecting as we journey through life...

Prayer of Francis Drake, 1577

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push back the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of our Captain,
Who is Jesus Christ.