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"Simplicity of life requires that we be honest about who and what we are. We live a simple life when we do not pretend to be something we are not.
Simplicity is honesty, but it is also detachment. Honesty enables me to discover the hard truth that simplicity of life is not frugality of life. It is life unencumbered, life free of the things we own so that they do not own us.
Simplicity is openness to the beauty of the present, whatever its shape, whatever its lack. It enables us to be conscious of where we are and to stop mourning where we are not.
Simplicity and serenity, simplicity and honesty, simplicity and openness, simplicity and acceptance are synonyms too long kept secret."
What is a simple life in a world and a society where having enough is never quite enough? What is the value of simplicity?
This is what becoming fully human is all about...
Joan Chittister, Benedictine sister, author - 2005
Friday, December 3, 2010
Life's a Symphony
Here’s something I came across from Anthony De Mello, he shares:
“Happiness is enoughness.” The secret is to be content with what comes our way, rejecting nothing and hankering for nothing. The great virtue of contentedness. To take things as they are and to imitate the birds in the sky and the lilies on the field.”
I am reminded of a friend who is down with terminal cancer. A fellow pilgrim who has been blogging (http://upekah.blogspot.com) - sharing the journey with others and perhaps, to keep one’s own hope alive, find daily strength, purpose to go on. When one carries such a dis-ease, which does not discriminate, one must be brave to walk the lonely path, struggling with having to heal oneself and remaining strong for the loved ones. Yes, life can be harsh and unfair… the quiet can be deafening...
Tony goes on to share, “A classical symphony. The perfect experience. A symphony has no purpose, no meaning. There is also no clinging to it and no hastening it. One does not wait till the end to enjoy it, but takes in every note, every chord as it comes and lets it go to welcome the next in uninterrupted flow. Any attempt to stop the performance, any “attachment” to a single note, will ruin the symphony…. The less the attachment, the greater the love.”
Sometimes in life, we fool ourselves to think that we have found the perfect note or keep on pushing ourselves to find that perfect note; not realizing that life, in all its richness offers us a variety of notes, which, at the end of it all, becomes a great symphony. A symphony, only if we drop all attachments, possessions, presuppositions, clinging, unforgiveness. The less the attachments, the more we love, the more we live life to the fullest, the more we live in the present, the more we are healed; savoring just the chord of today - not worrying about tomorrow's note.
We all have to end this life one day but right now, my friend may be the luckier person, by the grace of God, to savor every chord that comes along and hopefully be the symphony that will inspire others to listen so as to be able to play out their own - a symphony that I pray, will last a little while longer, by the merciful grace of God.
Tony goes on to say, "Yield to the currents of life...unencumbered by baggage." We must learn to travel light as this pilgrimage journey can be long and the gate narrow.
"How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!"
- Gospel According to Saint Matthew, Douay-Rheims Bible
“Happiness is enoughness.” The secret is to be content with what comes our way, rejecting nothing and hankering for nothing. The great virtue of contentedness. To take things as they are and to imitate the birds in the sky and the lilies on the field.”
I am reminded of a friend who is down with terminal cancer. A fellow pilgrim who has been blogging (http://upekah.blogspot.com) - sharing the journey with others and perhaps, to keep one’s own hope alive, find daily strength, purpose to go on. When one carries such a dis-ease, which does not discriminate, one must be brave to walk the lonely path, struggling with having to heal oneself and remaining strong for the loved ones. Yes, life can be harsh and unfair… the quiet can be deafening...
Tony goes on to share, “A classical symphony. The perfect experience. A symphony has no purpose, no meaning. There is also no clinging to it and no hastening it. One does not wait till the end to enjoy it, but takes in every note, every chord as it comes and lets it go to welcome the next in uninterrupted flow. Any attempt to stop the performance, any “attachment” to a single note, will ruin the symphony…. The less the attachment, the greater the love.”
Sometimes in life, we fool ourselves to think that we have found the perfect note or keep on pushing ourselves to find that perfect note; not realizing that life, in all its richness offers us a variety of notes, which, at the end of it all, becomes a great symphony. A symphony, only if we drop all attachments, possessions, presuppositions, clinging, unforgiveness. The less the attachments, the more we love, the more we live life to the fullest, the more we live in the present, the more we are healed; savoring just the chord of today - not worrying about tomorrow's note.
We all have to end this life one day but right now, my friend may be the luckier person, by the grace of God, to savor every chord that comes along and hopefully be the symphony that will inspire others to listen so as to be able to play out their own - a symphony that I pray, will last a little while longer, by the merciful grace of God.
Tony goes on to say, "Yield to the currents of life...unencumbered by baggage." We must learn to travel light as this pilgrimage journey can be long and the gate narrow.
"How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!"
- Gospel According to Saint Matthew, Douay-Rheims Bible
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism
This easy-to-read, 300-pager book will help Catholics treasure what others are finding in our church; providing an accurate account, offering profound hope and satisfying the hunger for the truth. The first sparks of this book came to the author during the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, under the disguise of the very words entitling this book.
David J. Hartline is the editor of a popular online journal called Catholic Report (www.catholicreport.org). He believes that we “need to hear all the ‘under the radar’ good news and great events happening in the Catholic Church” throughout the world – events that, more often than not, go unnoticed. As such, he tells us the largely untold story of why the Catholic Church is gaining in strength and appeal. The fundamental thrust of this book is to inform and encourage the reader and to facilitate “the springtime of evangelization” for the church.
The book passionately begins with the last few years of Pope John Paul II’s papacy – highlighting aspects of his life, his leadership during the dark days of the church when scandals of abuse penetrated the church. As the pontiff lay dying…huge crowds outside, many of them young…”For years I came to you,” he said. “Now you come to me.” At the pope’s funeral, the world witnessed the signs, symbols and rituals of the Catholic Church; the world was mesmerized when they heard the chanting of the Litany of the Saints. The author begins his reflection that the tide did not start to turn until the death of John Paul II.
The book then goes on, shedding much light, with many, many thought provoking facts to show how the Holy Spirit is still active and very much alive today in the Catholic Church since the very first Pentecost - touching on the laity, youths, traditions, clergy, sacraments, Sunday worship, Mary, the Eucharist, the Bible, education, mega churches…every where the tide is turning. There is even a short chapter on the Crusades – what were the Crusaders up against and what does it mean for us today?
A chapter on the Catholic vote will help introduce and highlight how traditional Catholic values are working into the electoral process, voting on many social issues. The author goes on to provide interesting facts about Marian apparitions and the increased devotion to Mary. The rosary, the author quotes Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “…is the book of the blind, where souls…enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known…the power of the rosary is beyond description.”
In addition, the author also shares his view about influences that creep into the church – what are we to do about these – literature, music, amongst many others? He assures us that the foundation of the Catholic Church remains unchanged despite all these winds of change – “the foundation made of rock best stands the test of time.”
Storm of Glory...God's Calling...
I stumbled on this beautiful book entitled, "Storm of Glory" at a recent warehouse sale. This was John Beever’s first biography of St Therese of Lisieux, initially published in 1949. By the grace of God, I discovered a hardcover copy of the 1950 reprint with illustrations at a local used bookshop recently.
The names of Louis Martin and Zelie Marie Guerin would probably sound unfamiliar to most of us. Louis was turned away from the monastery of the Great St. Bernard, whereas Zelie was denied entrance to the Convent of the Sisters of St Vincent de Paul.
This family of a successful watchmaker and a lace maker stricken with breast cancer bore 9 children; 7 girls and 2 boys. However, within 3 years, the two boys, a five year old girl, and a six-and-a-half week old infant girl all died. The last child was weak and frail and the family already so used to death, was preparing for yet another death.
Today, people know this little girl as St. Therese, the "Little Flower" because her life is a testimony of her being like the simple wild flowers in the forests and fields, unnoticed by the greater population, yet growing and giving glory to God.
This 231-page book expresses beautifully how she, within her short life (died at the age of 24 years and 9 months of tuberculosis), understood herself before the Lord - simple and hidden, but blooming where God had planted her – keeping things simple in all ways, encountering God in the simple details of life. She never did like long prayers and even fell asleep during a community prayer session. “Heaven” was the very first word she could read.
For many of us today who feel that we do not have any talent for holiness, and tend to lose hope trying – contented to being just a mediocre attendee in church, you will truly be able to relate to Therese, being physically weak herself, stubborn and sometimes psychologically vulnerable. She humbles herself with the perception that great saints were giants and that she was merely an “obscure grain of sand”. This book provides inspiration of the fact that we all have many opportunities (some we perceive to be too small) of grace in our daily lives and that there is simply no excuse for “tidak apa”-ness” (indifference) in the practice of our Catholic faith in our daily lives.
This book echoes her belief that, “Our Lord does not call those who are worthy, but those whom He will.” She adds on, “I am a nobody. I did nothing great. Much of my life was spent in the laundry…looking after the linen…I was not learned. I read very few books…I was a little soul, an ordinary soul. But I loved God…”
As this captivating book is out-of-print, used copies can easily be found at these sites, amongst many others: Amazon.com, Thriftbooks.com, Abebooks.com or Alibris.com.
Many, many other great books on this lovely saint can similarly be found.
The names of Louis Martin and Zelie Marie Guerin would probably sound unfamiliar to most of us. Louis was turned away from the monastery of the Great St. Bernard, whereas Zelie was denied entrance to the Convent of the Sisters of St Vincent de Paul.
This family of a successful watchmaker and a lace maker stricken with breast cancer bore 9 children; 7 girls and 2 boys. However, within 3 years, the two boys, a five year old girl, and a six-and-a-half week old infant girl all died. The last child was weak and frail and the family already so used to death, was preparing for yet another death.
Today, people know this little girl as St. Therese, the "Little Flower" because her life is a testimony of her being like the simple wild flowers in the forests and fields, unnoticed by the greater population, yet growing and giving glory to God.
This 231-page book expresses beautifully how she, within her short life (died at the age of 24 years and 9 months of tuberculosis), understood herself before the Lord - simple and hidden, but blooming where God had planted her – keeping things simple in all ways, encountering God in the simple details of life. She never did like long prayers and even fell asleep during a community prayer session. “Heaven” was the very first word she could read.
For many of us today who feel that we do not have any talent for holiness, and tend to lose hope trying – contented to being just a mediocre attendee in church, you will truly be able to relate to Therese, being physically weak herself, stubborn and sometimes psychologically vulnerable. She humbles herself with the perception that great saints were giants and that she was merely an “obscure grain of sand”. This book provides inspiration of the fact that we all have many opportunities (some we perceive to be too small) of grace in our daily lives and that there is simply no excuse for “tidak apa”-ness” (indifference) in the practice of our Catholic faith in our daily lives.
This book echoes her belief that, “Our Lord does not call those who are worthy, but those whom He will.” She adds on, “I am a nobody. I did nothing great. Much of my life was spent in the laundry…looking after the linen…I was not learned. I read very few books…I was a little soul, an ordinary soul. But I loved God…”
As this captivating book is out-of-print, used copies can easily be found at these sites, amongst many others: Amazon.com, Thriftbooks.com, Abebooks.com or Alibris.com.
Many, many other great books on this lovely saint can similarly be found.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Meaning of Life...
Questions such as, “Why am I here?”, “What is the meaning of life?”, “Why is the world such a mess?” are not often considered in our journey along today’s crazy and sometimes mixed-up world. More often than not, these questions will only surface (hopefully) when we experience some significant setbacks, such as the diagnosis of some terminal illness or perhaps the death of a loved one.
Amidst the “busy-ness” of our personal lives, the pursuit of our careers, never-ending “doing” of so many other things and the seduction of endless worldly gadgets, it is challenging to find a little quiet time for spiritual reading; essential for the formation of our own faith and spiritual life.
In our pursuit of “success”, the depths of our human heart continues to echo what St. Augustine said centuries ago, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
This simple but effective book aims to satisfy the desire for your personal spiritual growth and faith enrichment; at your own convenience and pace. At the end of it all, you will surely improve the knowledge of your faith and in the process, radiate more joy from knowing, loving and serving God a little bit more intimately. There is a familiar saying that goes, “transformed people, transform lives”.
This book is very reader-friendly and takes one, regardless of your background, through God’s plan for our lives, reaffirming whether there is a God to be known and leading on to knowing God through the scripture, the sacraments and various moral teachings of the church. There are also straight-talk about issues like abortion, human freedom and social justice. Most impressive of all, the book takes you through, chapter-by-chapter, each of the Ten Commandments, more appropriately called, the laws of love because it originates from the loving heart of God.
The simplicity of this book lies with the clarity in which the author, Father Oscar Lukefahr, shares each topic; inter-twined with his entertaining style. The book also incorporates reflections for study and pondering, including a workbook to help understand and appreciate the main points of each chapter.
Through this book, the reader will understand that to know, love and serve God is never pointless. It leads to a promise of abundant life here and now. It is not enough to know about God. We must know God.
You may not be able to find this book in any of the local bookshop. Best of all, you can request for this good book, absolutely free-of-charge, online from Catholic Home Study Service at http://www.amm.org/chss.htm
Catholic Home Study Service, has been offering a whole series of free courses on the Catholic Faith worldwide for more than seventy years. A simple enrolment is required but that is only to facilitate the dispatch of the free reading materials to you and subsequent optional submission of the completed workbook, whereby you will be awarded with a certificate.
Now, anyone, young or not-so-young, can take the first step, to discover or re-discover the treasures of the catholic faith, scripture and teachings of the Church. In the words of Mother Teresa, “To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it”.
So, make that pit-stop and re-fuel now!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
God...Seem Distant...
In life, we experience so many demands and distractions. Many a time, it is difficult to find God; difficult to look for stillness where God is found.
There is always an urgency in everything - too "active", some people say, cramming more and more into our lives. Most of the electronic gadgets today help us to cram even more!
But then, what is the purpose of all these? Is our life more enriched?
The challenge is to remove the distractions. Find the stillness and the calm. Only then can we draw closer to the source of all life; draw closer to God.
The media tells us everyday that our civilization abounds in violence, sex crimes, pornography, corporate scandals, child abuse, abortion, self-interest and self-indulgence. There is a constant and gradual erosion of moral truths and values. Where is the love?
Amidst the hurly-burly of life, God seems infinitely distant and exceedingly remote. The secular main stream media and free internet blogs have, most of the time to gain popularity, pushed God completely out of our lives.
Is there then a christian way of life in the world?
At every moment of the day and night, somewhere in the world, in a monastery somewhere, there are contemplative communities constantly praying for God's mercy and forgiveness of sins of the rest of the world.
These contemplatives live their souls cradled in the hand of God - unceasingly contemplating, worshipping and praying - in silence and solitude.
Prayer is the root of christian life. We must live, above petty squabblings, with, in and for God in prayer, silence and solitude.
Two reflections from the ancient fathers for today:
"Sometimes perhaps on a still night, you will have gazed up at the inexpressible beauty of the stars and thought of the author of the universe. You will have wondered who it is sowed such flowers so prettily in the sky..."
St. Basil (329 - 379)
"God has given the universe a musical arrangement. He has placed the dissonent elements under the discipline of harmony that the whole world may be a symphony in his ears...He has orchestrated this pure concert of the universe."
St. Clement of Alexandria (150 - 215)
There is always an urgency in everything - too "active", some people say, cramming more and more into our lives. Most of the electronic gadgets today help us to cram even more!
But then, what is the purpose of all these? Is our life more enriched?
The challenge is to remove the distractions. Find the stillness and the calm. Only then can we draw closer to the source of all life; draw closer to God.
The media tells us everyday that our civilization abounds in violence, sex crimes, pornography, corporate scandals, child abuse, abortion, self-interest and self-indulgence. There is a constant and gradual erosion of moral truths and values. Where is the love?
Amidst the hurly-burly of life, God seems infinitely distant and exceedingly remote. The secular main stream media and free internet blogs have, most of the time to gain popularity, pushed God completely out of our lives.
Is there then a christian way of life in the world?
At every moment of the day and night, somewhere in the world, in a monastery somewhere, there are contemplative communities constantly praying for God's mercy and forgiveness of sins of the rest of the world.
These contemplatives live their souls cradled in the hand of God - unceasingly contemplating, worshipping and praying - in silence and solitude.
Prayer is the root of christian life. We must live, above petty squabblings, with, in and for God in prayer, silence and solitude.
Two reflections from the ancient fathers for today:
"Sometimes perhaps on a still night, you will have gazed up at the inexpressible beauty of the stars and thought of the author of the universe. You will have wondered who it is sowed such flowers so prettily in the sky..."
St. Basil (329 - 379)
"God has given the universe a musical arrangement. He has placed the dissonent elements under the discipline of harmony that the whole world may be a symphony in his ears...He has orchestrated this pure concert of the universe."
St. Clement of Alexandria (150 - 215)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Surrender...Get Rest...
"Many difficulties are really created by ourselves, we hurry and worry, and almost think it a virtue to be impatient. The best way to overcome a difficulty is certainly not to worry. The saints did not become perfect in a day, it took them a long time to overcome all their difficulties. But they were amazingly cheerful."
Father Daniel Considine, SJ
Today, choose to surrender all to the Lord...
The Lord said,"Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light."
Matthew 11:28-30, Douay-Rheims
Father Daniel Considine, SJ
Today, choose to surrender all to the Lord...
The Lord said,"Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light."
Matthew 11:28-30, Douay-Rheims
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