Dawn of A New Spring...The Year of the Rabbit...

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, February 3, 2011 is the new Lunar Year of the Rabbit.  It is the Xin-Mao New Year. 

Xin (Metal) is the eighth of the ten celestial stems and Mao (Rabbit) is the fourth of the twelve terrestrial branches and marks the year of the Rabbit or Hare.  The New Year celebrations will last for 15 days.

As we countdown to the arrival of this new lunar spring, it is also an appropriate time for us to pause and reflect on our journey.  The rabbit is a symbol of peace - it is also tranquil, serene, humble, quiet and simple. 

What else can we learn from rabbits?  They are alert (as in conscious) and cautious (better known as timid); traits we can emulate as we journey through life with a deeper sense of awareness or sensitivity of God's presence and humble in responding to His radical callings.


According to Chinese beliefs, Rabbits are more often than not, uncomplicated (simple), attractive, talented and ambitious. 

They are comfortable with their characteristics and leaves the leadership to someone else (God, perhaps?). 

The Rabbit is also characterized as being happy and satisfied (contented).

The rabbit is similarly, a symbol of the great Christian feast of Easter, Jesus' resurrection.  Rabbits symbolises fertility - new life!


May this new year encourages all of us to be even calmer and more serene as we continue this pilgrimage through new life in the Spirit of the Risen Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Real Thing...The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever...

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NAB)



These were the very tender words entrusted to me by a Sister from the order of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), one afternoon, some 31 years ago.  A few weeks after that, she passed away in a sudden and tragic evening car accident, down a ravine. 


These words have lived on and remained with me, these words I have cherished and carried as a motto in my heart through the ups and downs of my life.  Although I have changed in many ways – physically, emotionally and spiritually – I know that Jesus does not change; He is the real thing.  

Always fix your eyes on Jesus.  According to Ephesians 2:19-20 Jesus is the chief corner stone of God's household!


“Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners; but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone”

However, be warned...
 "See to it that no one captivates you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, NAB)

"Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours."
(2 Thessalonians 2:15)


In her short journey, Sister Gabrielle Loo, FMM has simply entrusted me with this priceless gift, the gift of a very good friend …someone who is eternally faithful – a friend who will never ever abandon me.  This friend is Jesus Christ…the same yesterday, today and forever. 

True to her name, Sister Gabrielle, for me, will always be someone who draws her immense strength from God; she has proven in many ways to be a heroine for God.  She has touched my life and has been an important spiritual inspiration to me.  May her soul forever rest in peace and eternal light perpetually shine upon her.

Studium Meum Veritas...Strive for Truth

“Studium Meum Veritas”, a simple but meaningful Latin motto appearing under the banner of the traditionally (April 1950) well-acclaimed, St Thomas School, run by Catholic missionaries. 

It roughly translates to ‘Strive for Truth’ or ‘Pursuit for Truth’ – forming the foundation stone on which all knowledge is pursued.  At the end of the day, when truth prevails in life’s journey, our efforts are similarly worthwhile and crowned.

Today, what used to be a well-run mission school, by the Marist Brothers and Brothers of St Gabriel, has been sadly reduced by the selfish exploits of a politically motivated education 'system'.  Gone were the dedicated teachers, friendly, humorous, hardworking and with the highest of integrity and sportsmanship - our early companions on the journey.


In the first century AD, Pontius Pilate (John 18:38) asked “What is truth?” but no answer was forthcoming…or perhaps he did not wait long enough?  Perhaps, truth must be subdued as a sacrifice for worldly popularity.


Truth is one of the many central subjects in philosophy. Truth has been a topic of discussion in its own right for thousands of years. A huge variety of issues in philosophy relates to truth, either by relying on theses about truth, or implying theses about truth.


Truth is never easy to define, whilst to some, it is an absolute that gives one freedom, to the rest it might just be a matter of perception.  Not being known does not stop the truth from being true; the truth can never be false.  Nevertheless, in these days and age, truth is simply scarce.  Putting it another way, in this modern age, the supply of truth is in excess of demand.  As beautiful and justified truth is, lies can also be equally attractive but the latter, being the easier way, will lead us down.


A Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, once said that, “the words of truth are always paradoxical”.

Mohandas Gandhi further echoes that “all the religions of the world, while they may differ in other respects, unitedly proclaim that nothing lives in this world but Truth. …God is, even though the whole world denies him. Truth stands, even if there be no public support.  It is self-sustained.”



“Listen, little poor ones called by the Lord,
who have come together from many parts and provinces:
Live always in truth,
that you may die in obedience…”
- St Francis of Assisi


For me and many other old Thomasians, I am certain, "Studium Meum Veritas" will continue to echo in our being, coloring life's journey, redefining every step, making it more worthwhile, living more sincerely, giving strength to overcome any obstacles that threaten to compromise truth and most of all, becoming aware that, no matter rich or poor, life must always be lived in a truthful relationship with God because that seed of truth, was planted in our heart not so long ago.  The seed of Truth will overcome all forms of evil we encounter on this journey towards eternity.  Cheers for St Thomas!

“…the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it…you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you.”

(John 14:17, NAB)

"If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire.  Let the truth be your delight...proclaim it..."
- St Catherine of Siena

A Simple Reflection...

"A camel needs but a small amount of food.  It saves it until it comes to a stable, where it regurgitates it and chews it until it seeps into its flesh and bones.  A horse, on the other hand, needs a lot of food.  It eats constantly and immediately loses what it has eaten.  Therefore, let us not be like a horse, constantly reciting the Word of God yet without embodying it.  Let us follow the example of the camel, retaining every word of Holy Scripture we recite, until we have embodied it."

- Saint Anthony

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.  To one without faith, no explanation is possible."

- St. Thomas Aquinas

Death...The End?...or The Beginning?...

"A time to be born, and a time to die..." (Ecclesiastes 3:2, NAB)

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." (Psalm 116:15)

"Death viewed according to the senses terrifies and causes fear; but when viewed with the eyes of faith it consoles and becomes desirable. It appears terrible to sinners, but lovely and precious to the saints."
- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Recently, I have heard many conversations about death - natural death, death from old age, death due to terminal sickness, sudden death - whatever it is, the topic seems depressing and sad; not something to look forward to, when we actually have to confront it face to face...better still, have the opportunity to prepare for the departure.

Generally, to many of us, death is viewed as the opposite of life.  The thought of death brings about emotions of depression, hopelessness, loneliness and discouragement.  The thoughts that often run through our minds would be that everything that has been so dear to us here on earth, will all come to an abrupt end - our loved ones, our children, our grand children, our friends, our possessions, our accumulated wealth, our secular 'life', our worldly pursuits...the list seems endless!  We will miss them all, somehow.

"...for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." (Psalm 95:7, NIV)
 
Fellow Pilgrims, if death is truly the opposite of life, then there is every reason for us to despair.  Every facet of our understanding about what is good and bad, right and wrong, would have been a big joke and pointless, if death would truly be the opposite of life.  Our faith would have been in vain.

St. Bernard asks, "Tell me where are the lovers of the world?" and he replies, "Nothing remains of them save ashes and worms."

"Let the end of this life be thought upon, and there will be nothing in this world to be loved," observes St. Lawrence Justinian.

"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, then empty (too) is our preaching; empty, too, your faith."
(1 Corinthians 15: 13-14, NAB)

"But the just man, though he die early, shall be at rest." (Wisdom 4:7, NAB)


What folly would it not be for a traveller, a pilgrim, if when travelling, he were only to think of making himself great in that country (earth) through which he only has to pass, without minding the being reduced to live miserably in that country (heaven) where he will have to spend his whole life (eternity)? 

And is he not foolish, who seeks his happiness in this world, where he has to remain but a few days, and who by so doing, runs the risk of being unhappy in the world to come, where he will have to remain forever?


"For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?..."
(Matthew 16:26, Douay Rheims)


My dear pilgrims, death is NOT an ending but a passage to eternity.  The cross is a symbol of life.

 "It is a great mystery of divine love, that not even in Christ was exception made of the death of the body; and although He was the Lord of nature, He refused not the law of the flesh which He had taken upon Him. It is necessary for me to die; for Him it was not necessary." - St Ambrose



"Those who have been faithful to Christ will rise glorious, their bodies transformed on the model of the risen body of Christ, who could travel instantly at will, could ignore closed doors and come through anyway, but yet had real flesh.  St. Paul says the risen body is "spiritual" (15:44).  It is still flesh, but such that the flesh is completely dominated by the soul, so that it can no longer suffer or die. 

...The Second Epistle of Peter 1:4 says by grace we are "sharers in the divine nature."  The Blessed too will be united with others there, especially those close and dear to them in this life...they will have eternal fellowship with Our Lady and all the saints."  - Rev. William G. Most




Prayer for a Happy Death (Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman)

O my Lord and Savior, support me in my last hour in the strong arms of Thy Sacraments and by the fresh fragrance of Thy consolations.  Let the absolving words be said over me, and the holy oil sign and seal me; and let Thine own Body be my food, and Thy Blood my sprinkling; and let my sweet Mother, Mary, breathe on me, and my Angel whisper peace to me, and my glorious saints and my own dear patrons smile upon me, that, in them all and through them all, I may receive the gift of perseverence, and die as I desire to live, in Thy faith, in Thy Church, in Thy service, and in Thy love. Amen.

"...the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them." (Wisdom 3:1, NAB)

Contemplation...Quenching the Thirst...

"Contemplation is nothing else than a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love."

 - St. John of the Cross

We Journey with Companions...the Saints...

Journey on this earth can sometimes be harsh, confusing, bitter, painful, frustrating and lonely. Confronted with these, as travelers, pilgrims, striving to satisfy the hunger of their restlessness for the Almighty, are often seduced or distracted by “noises”.


“Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

We all share in the hope of the resurrection. Whether we are on earth or in heaven, we are all God’s people; in communion, in relationship with God through Jesus Christ – “one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5).

We are either “fighting or have fought the good fight of faith”. Those pilgrims who have travelled the path and gone ahead of us are already rejoicing in heaven, being united with God, the Father.


These saints in heaven remain in full communion with us who are still journeying the earthly paths.  Like them, St Paul also refers us as fellow “saints”.

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus…” (Ephesians 1:1, KJV)

We know that our journey here is only but a fleeting phase in comparison to our ultimate destination; the kingdom of heaven or eternal life.

Scripture gives us a glimpse of this from the many teachings of Jesus, who also insists that those of God’s people who have passed from this life are not dead. Jesus himself has defeated death!
 Jesus also demonstrated to his disciples Peter, James and John that the “saints” of the Old Covenant are alive when He spoke with Moses and Elijah on the mountain of transfiguration (Mark 9:4).

As pilgrims of Christ, we fear not, as we are not alone in our constant struggle against the distractions of the world, the seduction of the flesh and of course, the temptation of Satan.

We know that we are part of a greater and mighty army, spanning across space and time, led by Jesus, our commander.
 

For more than 2,000 years, Satan’s core strategy to defeat the pilgrims of the church has always been to divide and isolate us from one another; divide and conquer, it seems.

We, faithful pilgrims know that only Jesus Christ Conquers; in Greek, denoted by “IC XC NI KA”.


The Saints are witnesses that the simple life of faith and Christian perfection is possible. And because we are all members of one body, we support one another by praying for each other. Prayer is the normal way for us, saints on earth, to support each other.

Given this, we can also ask for prayers from the saints already united with the Lord. If the prayers of earthly living saints seem to have special power because of their great faith, how much more powerful and effective are the prayers of those Saints who are already fully united with God in heaven?

The book of Revelations often mentions about the 24 elders – representing all the saints of heaven, gathered round God’s throne in praise. In Revelations 5:8, St John tells us that these elders possessed, “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints”. This gives us a simple but beautiful image of “intercession”.



However, often, there is a worldly misconception that requesting for the intercession of the saints can sometimes lead to abuse – some fellow pilgrims think that such practices can lead to idolatry; worshipping the greatness of man instead of divine God.

The book of Acts 14:8-18, in the case of Paul and Barnabas, reaffirms that the saints themselves forbid anyone to offer them the worship they know is reserved only for God.  St Augustine further reinforces that, “…we venerate the martyrs with the same veneration of love and fellowship that we give to the holy men of God still with us…But the veneration strictly called “worship”…that is, the special homage belonging only to the divinity, is something we give and teach others to give to God alone.”

Though worship may be in the form of prayer, faithful pilgrims understand that not all prayer is worship.


It is respectful for us to honor the great Saints, but we do not worship them.  Just as we can ask our fellow sisters and brothers to pray for us, we can also humbly request the Saints in heaven to pray and intercede to God on our behalf; they do have more effective “connections”.  We remind ourselves that true worship is due to God alone as there is only “one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5)


The lives of the saints continue to inspire us on this journey - to be obedient, to pray quietly, constantly in our heart and most of all, to live simply.


This journey may be long but its fruits are beyond compare. Travelers and pilgrims have sought these spiritual fruits to bring rest to their hearts for more than 2,000 years. Wherever the pilgrim is, on his or her journey, they can take solace that Jesus, His apostles and their successors, including the heavenly saints will help lead the way …until we arrive at the heavenly kingdom.  Our hope and the ultimate destination of our journey is heaven, to be in union with God.  St Paul reminds us…


“For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.” (Romans 14:8)


Our human condition is weak, confused and perplexed by the constant enigmas of life.  That is why God, through Jesus, came to bring light, hope and love into the darkness and coldness of this journey back home.  God has inspired great Saints to achieve incredible feats of faithfulness, unselfishness, obedience and trust.  As such, together with the communion of saints, we take courage that we too are capable, to complete our journey towards the ultimate perfection...in God.

  "We are pilgrims, we live in a temporary inn, we are in transit, and this is not our homeland." 
- St Gaspar del Bufalo