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!

 

Via Dolorosa 5/14…Simon Of Cyrene Helps Jesus To Carry His Cross

The next few days in Lent, we continue to contemplate this journey with Jesus, Who “went out, carrying His cross, to the place called “the place of the skull”, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17). I humbly pray that the contemplation of these solemn steps of Christ’s journey will speak to your heart.

“Adoramus te, christe, et benedicimus tibi, quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

We adore Thee O Christ, and we praise Thee - Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.”

– The Testament of St. Francis of Assisi – 1182 - 1226

Scriptural Reading:

“They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.” (Matthew 27:30-32, NAB)

“And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40, NAB)

“Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NAB)

“They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.” (Mark 15: 21, NAB)

Simply Reflect:

Jesus dear, after seeing your mother, you continued to carry your own Cross; making the solemn journey of the Cross.  All eyes were on you as the crowd boasts of getting rid of yet another preacher, whose thinking was radically different from their's. 

People came from all across the land to witness this execution.  Nevertheless, most of those who followed you during your ministry, seem to be in hiding.

As you peep through the corner of your bloodied eyes, up the hill, Golgotha came into perspective – the Place of the Skull, they call it.  The soldiers continued to lash at you to the rhythm of the heartless mocking of the crowd. “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

The weight of the rough edged Cross continuously spike your wounded back.  O, the agony of redeeming mankind.  The price one needs to pay for love…  Blood dripping, your feet trembled, your hands shivering, your back in excruciating pain. 

The soldiers and everyone gathered along the path will never allow you take away their pleasure in seeing you die the ignominious death on the Cross.

Perhaps it was the will of the Father that amongst the crowd was a strong simple man, Simon of Cyrene, who only wanted to pass on by, minding his own business, with his two boys Alexander and Rufus.

He saw the commotion and heard the mocking – he knew the feelings of a father losing a son, he also knew he must shield his two boys from such a cruel act of mankind destroying life. 

Perhaps, he did not know how to explain to them…perhaps, he just does not want to be involved.

A Roman soldier arrogantly picked him out from amongst the crowd and forced him to help Jesus.  “But I was just passing by, sir, on my way home.  Spare me and my children.  I am only a poor farmer.”  Simon was afraid.

Somehow, he found courage and without further reluctance, grumbling or complaining, Simon, left his children, walked up to Jesus.  The look into Jesus’ piercing eyes searched him and stirred restlessness within his heart; he knew Jesus was innocent.

Simon did not understand why the God, the giver of life, who blessed his abundant harvest would allow such cruelty to prevail. 

Yet, he trusted God. Upon the sturdy shoulders from his slogging in the fields, Simon carried the Cross of Our Sins for Jesus uphill.  No words were spoken, simply silence. 

This yoke is surely heavy…

“Come on.  Let’s get on with it.  Crucify Him!”  Simon heard the yelling of the crowd and looked at the bleeding Jesus. Why, my Lord? Why?

Quiet Pondering:

O, Jesus, from amongst so many, you found one righteous man who was willing to embrace the weight of the cross beams with you.

Dear Jesus, like Simon, how often have we been on our own journey home, minding our own business and passed by many, many of such persecutions on the route to Golgotha; it is becoming such a common sight for us in this world! 

As with our daily lives, we just want to pass on by many of such crosses, minding our own business, hoping all would be alright.  How hardened our heart has become, Lord?

Little did we know that, like Simon, God constantly calls us to walk beside Jesus and share the burden of the Cross.  God wants us to see that it is a grace to be able to accompany Jesus on the way of the Cross and to help him.  God wants the silent mystery of the suffering Jesus to touch your heart this Lent.


 Resolve to respond to God’s calling today even when this seems to interfere with your own plans and desires.  Help me to help you carry the cross and walk with you, help me to help others although it might seem difficult for me, help me to realise that I may be the only one amongst the many in the crowd being call forth to experience this grace.

Jesus, melt my heart and teach me to forget myself and remember more of others.  Help me be a voice for those who cannot speak, an eye for those who cannot see, a ear for those who cannot hear; a light in darkness.  By your grace, let me be a heart for those who cannot find love and care in this world.

“One must not think that a person who is suffering is not praying.  He is offering up his sufferings to God, and many a time he is praying much more truly than one who goes away by himself and meditates his head off, and, if he has squeezed out a few tears, thinks that is prayer.”

St. Teresa of Avila



First Week In The Desert...

"In the desert you discover your true name, and God calls you by that name."

- Alessandro Pronzato

We now enter the first week of Lent as the weekend of Ash Wednesday comes to a close.  What is so meaningful about Lent this time when the world is still weeping over the loss of so many lives in the aftermath of the Japan earthquake and tsunami?  It has truly been a testing week! 

The desert truly tempts and seduce us to doubt God, to lose hope in God, to give up on God, to abandon God...

Nevertheless, we must allow God to shape our future destiny.  We must trust God to be our faithful companion throughout this journey...the way of the Cross...

To encounter God in our life, we must persevere in allocating time daily for scriptural reflection and personal prayer...listening to our loving God., allowing God to examine us. 

God alone is enough to face all the seductions and temptations of the world...

"Let nothing upset you,

let nothing startle you.

All things pass;

God does not change.

Patience wins

all it seeks.

Whoever has God

lacks nothing:

God alone is enough."

-St Teresa of Avila

Can You Spare An Hour?...

"Everything changes, always.  Only God is steady and changeless." - St. Teresa of Avila

Life is indeed a pilgrimage…when we recognize God’s presence – whether we zigzag across the continents visiting great shrines or sacred places or never even cross the state line.  Pilgrimage does not necessarily mean reaching a particular geographical location or destination.  Instead, it refers to us reaching a deeper interior place within our heart.

Every one of us, pilgrims, are all on a journey towards God, whether we know it or not.  We cannot simply rely on ourselves in this journey…we need God as our companion...only He knows the Way, only He shines the Light. 

We are free to decide whether this journey will be about simply surviving the daily challenges of life or becoming a pilgrim on the road to union with our Creator.


“…he went out into a mountain to pray, and he passed the whole night in the prayer of God.” (Luke 6:12, Douay-Rheims)


During His life on earth, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer before He selected the twelve who were to become His disciples.  We can be certain that Jesus spent much time praising and thanking His Father.  We must also take time to thank God for all His blessings upon us each day.


“And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place: and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35, Douay-Rheims)


Furthermore, Jesus needed His Father’s support before He began each new day.  As pilgrims, we too need the same guidance and support from God, on our pilgrimage through life.


“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.  Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will…” (Matthew 11:25-26, NAB)

Jesus constantly prays and He understands His Father’s unique ways of doing things.  The prophet Isaiah also assures us that God’s ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts.  In prayer, we too must be obedient to God's will, God's timing.

Similarly, Jesus also wanted the prayerful support of His friends when He suffered the agony in the garden of Gethsemani. 

His disappointment at their failure to respond at His hour of need is most evident.

“…What? Could you not watch one hour with me?” (Matthew 26:40, Douay-Rheims)


Do you hear that same plea deep within your own heart?  Could you not even stay awake with me for even one hour?

As we journey towards the commencement of Lent, we should make time for prayer and spiritual reflection.  Each day, choose to spend a simple hour in prayer and quietly reading and pondering the Word of God in the holy scriptures.

Abide in God's word (John 15:7), meditate on it (Psalm 1:2) and recite it day and night (Joshua 1:8).

This simple practice can then reach out into our busy lives to help us be a little more calm and mindful of God's presence in everything we do, not do, say, not say and in everyone we encounter…hence, preparing ourselves towards a more meaningful journey towards Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent.

Today, create some sacred space, take time to talk with God and listen for his voice.  God always hears us when we call.

Suffering O Suffering...Why?...

"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!" (Job 1:21, NAB)

"...We accept good things from God; and should we not accept evil?..." (Job 2:10, NAB)


"One of the great paradox of our faith is that God allows us to suffer because of His love for us, not in spite of it.  In biblical times, suffering was thought to be directly related to one’s actions.  ...(I)f someone suffered, it was a punishment for his evil deeds.  The story of Job tells us that this idea is not true.  Job was an upright man who suffered greatly, and according to the book of Job, he did not deserve to suffer.

Suffering is not a punishment that each person receives in direct proportion to his own sins; but rather, it is a result of original sin, something that affects all of humanity without exception.

In His merciful love, God allows this unpleasant part of life, inevitable after Man’s fall, to bring about a greater good.  He uses suffering as a tool to bring us closer to His love.

We often forget that there is great value in suffering.  It strengthens us and purifies us.

It makes us realize our place in the universe, and shows us our dependency on God, and how helpless we really are on our own.

It reminds us of God and draws us closer to Him.  The sad truth is that we often turn to God only when we are in need of something.  We ask Him for help in times of trial and pain, but forget about Him when life is good.

If there was no suffering in life to bring us back to God, we would drift farther and farther from His loving presence.

Suffering often seems to be distributed unevenly - some suffer greatly, almost unbearably, while others seem to lead lives almost entirely free of all suffering. 

But suffering is part of the universal human experience, something we all experience in some form.

We don’t know why God chooses to allow some people to suffer in certain ways, but we do know that He will never put us up against something we cannot handle.  God will give us the grace and strength to overcome whatever trials He sets before us, and if we rely on His love, we will succeed.


In the New Testament, we can see Christ transforming suffering.  It is through His suffering and death that we are saved from sin and death, and by His suffering, He sanctifies and transforms suffering into something holy.

Suffering becomes no longer something to be dreaded, but something to be embraced, something that can heal and purify us.

We can join our sufferings to Christ’s and help participate in His saving work.  Many of the saints understood this, and it helped them overcome indescribable obstacles and trials.

Towards the end of her life, St. Therese of Lisieux’s desire to suffer for Christ became so strong that she described it by saying, “I have come to the point where I cannot suffer, because all suffering has become sweet to me.”

...(W)e too should try to welcome the suffering in our own lives. This does not mean that we should be masochists, seeking pain for its own sake, but rather, that we should embrace the crosses that God gives us to carry, seeing suffering as a gift rather than a burden, an opportunity rather than an obligation. 

We should see suffering as a way to help us on the road to heaven and a chance to follow Christ, as we are reminded by St. Peter, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.” (1 Peter 2:21)   (Michelle Bauman, CNA)

Having reflected on all these in the very comfort of our own homes, our heart becomes restless...what must be our response to the real suffering of the world?...our fellow sisters and brothers?...

We must remember who we are...we are all of the same human race, created by God, in His image...all pilgrims...


By virtue of our human conditioning, suffering will remain a great mystery to mankind.  We will never admit that these are consequences of the selfish choices of our own freedom. 

Yet, many a times, what we continue to moan and complain of our own 'suffering'; in the truest sense of the word, nothing!...compared to what the poor, the outcasts, the marginalised, the refugees, the migrants have to experience every second of their lives...where is God for them?...what is life to them?...what would be their journey?...where do they find the face of Christ?...

Their humble saintly lives and cries are in itself the most genuine and sincere prayer to God...theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

"One must not think that a person who is suffering is not praying. He is offering up his sufferings to God, and many a time he is praying much more truly than one who goes away by himself and meditates his head off, and, if he has squeezed out a few tears, thinks that is prayer."

 - St. Teresa of Avila