Pray for Us

Today I opted to spend the night in contemplation, partly because there was no Catholic Students Society (CSS) meeting today; also, I felt that it has been awhile since I took time to sit and reflect on the marvels God has done.

I started with a short opening prayer following up with the Taize – a form of meditative prayer – ‘Bless the Lord My Soul’. While in His presence extolling His Name and mercy, I suddenly thought of the people of people in Japan, the recent disaster which struck them, and the turmoil the nation is going through. I also recalled a video post I saw a few days before, whereby the recording person greatly approved of the tsunami that engulfed the eastern part of the country which caused even the nuclear reactors to leak. The person went further and even hoped that God would orchestrate similar events elsewhere in the West.

As I thought of this, I shifted my conversation midway and asked the Lord, why did this happen? Some even believe it is a sign, Your wrath poured out towards the people of Japan. They seem delighted, praising Your Name joyfully because of the sadness it brought, and even hope that more such disasters would happen so that “people would know that You are God.”

Yet the God I know does not take pleasure in seeing the people He created perish. They – Your people – say You are Compassion and Love, patient and abounding in mercy. You do not treat us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our faults, and that it is You who forgives all our trespasses.

So, why? Did You allow the event to happen to show that You are God? Is it because of their sins, just as it was in Sodom? Is the Hour of Your return close at hand? In the Old Testament the people delighted in watching their enemies slain before them. Is this event a similar sign as then?

Would not even more people doubt your goodness, turning their backs to you rather than turning back to you? Where then, they will question, is Your Compassion? Where then is Your Love? Your Mercy? Your Forgiveness?

I admit that I myself was beginning to question God’s qualities slightly – how evil can the Japanese be? Surely not as bad as the radicals in the Middle East? They (the Japanese) may have weird precepts and culture, and may practice controversial actions that many would label as queer, but overall they are nice people. Majority of them had never heard of Your Name nor Your precepts – are they not then innocent? And even if that is not the case, would You, in Your mercy, not have spared the children?

As I continued praying, I felt the Lord answering me in the words of Luke 13:1-5:

1. Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3. I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4. What of those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were guiltier than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5. I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

It was as though Jesus was saying to me through this words, do you think the Japanese were worse sinners because of this tragedy? No. Unless they believe, and unless you believe, you will perish.

God treats everyone equally. Even the saints, both old and new were not spared from the afflictions of this world. History recorded on several occasions intense persecution, amounting to the mass murder of Christians around the world. And today, it has become the largest religious institution in the world.

Looking past the curtain, it could even hint towards a sliver of mercy. When the tsunami hit Aceh in 2004, the devastation it caused was staggering. The nation, underdeveloped as it is, was not prepared for such a disaster which sealed the lives of more than 100,000 in the country alone.

Japan however, is used to occasional rumblings of their geographic region. Earthquake drills are held as frequent as once a month. Added with their relatively strong economy and advanced development, they are one of the most prepared countries to face such a catastrophe. Had God planned for this event to take place, He would have known the country’s ability to cope with the disaster. And, as it is, the death toll is significantly lower compared to the one in Indonesia.

God loved His people, yet did not spare them from the portion of Christ’s suffering. Saint Paul conveyed the following to the believers: Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, provided we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17).

With these thoughts taken into consideration, I decided to end my prayer as thus:

Saint Michael, pray for us
Saint Timothy, pray for us
Saint Elizabeth, pray for us
Holy Mary, pray for us

Ora pro nobis, ora pro nobis

Juan Diego, pray for us
Catharine Drexel, pray for us
Saint Francis, pray for us
Saint Lucy, pray for us

Ora pro nobis, ora pro nobis

Saint Nicholas, pray for us
Saint Cecilia, pray for us
Saint Joseph, pray for us
Saint Gabriel, pray for us

Ora pro nobis, ora pro nobis
Ora pro nobis, ora pro nobis

- Matt Maher, Litany of the Saints.

PS: I decided to change my referencing format slightly following the APA method since it is the choice style for my Academic Writing subject XD.

RFG always.

Contemplation during Adoration

In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Praise to you O God, Almighty King. To be able to come into Your most holy presence, a great privilege is given to me, to dwell in the House of the Lord.

Praise be to thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, who created and ordered all to be, the infinite universe that continues to expand. You who form the vast universe and fill it with beauty and every minute detail, and ordered all things to be. My being is less than a drop in the great ocean, yet you took notice among the dust and showered Thy Fatherly care towards me.

Praise be to thee, the Son, our Redeemer and Brother. You left Thy Heavenly abode, condescending to be one of us, having gone through the same trials and burdens even more than all of us, who knows and emphathise with what we are going through. You, who stooped to be one of us, that through Your Teachings we will not be led astray, and through Your Suffering we may be called sons of the Most High.

Praise be to thee, Holy Spirit, Teacher and Guide. How much more can we ask; that You Yourself, O Lord, came to dwell in the hearts of men. You fill us with Thy Heavenly wisdom – a wisdom that comes straight from the heart of God. You, who reveal to us the divine mystery and Will of God, who gives us the wisdom and strength to walk each day, and walk it with and towards our God. Such a great gift you have given us O Lord: that we may forever dwell in the presence of the Lord.

Praise to Thee, O God, Father, Son and Spirit, whom all 3 make up the Trinity, the epitome of self-giving Love. Each unique in Person, perfectly complementing one another, distinct yet inseparable and one. In the Trinity each Person is complete, and in them we too will be complete. Indeed how great is this self-giving Love, poured out to one another, poured out to us!

O Lord, no words I know can appropriately express what You have done for me, what you are to me. Lord Jesus, You invite us to call You friend and brother, yet You are much more than that to me. You were with me since the dawn of time; You know all of me. You guide me, teach me, comfort me and love me more than I can imagine. You call me friend O Lord, but how could I respond in kind, when I cannot return the favour? What can I offer O Lord – as a friend – as You had done for me?

You know all of me Lord from the inside out, yet I do not know You even half as well in kind. Friendship is supposed to be mutual, two parties giving and taking, being there for one another, knowing one another. So how am I to call you friend O Lord, when I there is nothing I can do for You?

No words can describe what you are to me O Lord. The word ‘friend’ is too low a title. Is there any word in the tongue of man that I can use to call You by? None I know are fit to address You by O Lord. Calling You friend O Lord, it really feels as though to downplay who You really are to me O God. Is there a word in Latin, Greek, or even Hebrew that I can use to describe who You are to me?

Until the time comes where I can find a word fit to describe what You really are to me Lord Jesus, the word ‘friend’ would have to suffice, and I pray that I may call You so for the time being. That You are called by such a title pains me O Lord, yet You accept it O Lord, even welcome us to call You ‘friend’. You condescend and elevate this word, just as You condescended for us on the Cross, that we may be elevated to be called sons and daughters of the High. For that is all we can do O Lord: waiting in our total nothingness and unworthiness, You elevate us that we may be with You and dwell in Your House O God. That is indeed how You want it O Father: that we rely totally on You, to put all our faith and hope in You O God.

Thank You Father, for all of that You have done for me O Lord, for this privilege which You have bestowed upon me O Father, which no words can, and will be, able to express.

All this prayer I make O Father, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Last updated 1 April 2011. Reason: I found a previous record of this prayer which I jotted down but later missed out, and added that in.

Creation, Destruction, Restoration

…is how I would sum up the Bible. This has ever been a recurring theme in Scripture, beginning from the Old to the New Testament.

In Genesis, we see how God in six days created the Earth and all that is in it, and then rested on the seventh. We read how man came to be, when God took dust, shaped it in His image and likeness, and breathed in it the spirit of life. We hear how men were blessed and given authority over the Earth, to rule it in God’s stead. We find God once walked and talked with man, and man dwelled fully in the presence of God.

Thus, we are the creation of Love.

Moving deeper, we see how the serpent deceived man into eating the forbidden fruit from the tree in the middle of the Garden. How man broke the only restriction God placed on him the moment the fruit passed his lips. How from the fall of one man, all of humankind were left inevitably to stumble in darkness. How they chose to turn away from God towards their own passions. How their own passions incurred the wrath of God, and brought their own demise.

We read how in every generation, man fell short of the glory of God. How Noah drank himself drunk and laid naked in the middle of his tent. How Abram (before being renamed Abraham) went undercover and brought plagues to Egypt for not revealing the whole truth that Sarai (before being renamed Sarah) was his wife. How Moses in his frustration did not honour God before the Israelites when he struck the rock to bring forth water at Meribah. How David in his desire for Bathsheba, subtly killed her husband Uriah by having him die in battle. How Solomon, after gaining great wisdom and many wives, began to turn away from God.

Thus, our destruction by Sin.

Yet time and time again, we see the mercy of God at work to bring His broken people back to Him. We read how God reconciled His people in every age by means of a covenant. In the time of Noah, He gave the rainbow as a sign. In the time of Abraham, He constituted the circumcision. During the time of Moses, the 10 Commandments were drawn. Throughout history, prophets were sent to remind people to turn back to God and renew those covenants.

Finally, God gave the ultimate gift of His Son, that through Him the whole world may be redeemed. How His Son instituted the everlasting Covenant with His Body and Blood, that we may be in communion with Him and our sins may be forgiven. How through the two, our shortcomings are breached, and we may be in presence of the Lord. How through this act, we are given the privilege to be called sons and daughters of the Most High, Creator of all.

Thus, our restoration through Covenant.

This is my life description summed up, and I will forever stand by it:

I was created in love,

Destroyed by Sin,

And restored through the Covenant.

RFG always.

Updated: 30 April 2011. Slight correction about Abram and Sarai.

A Coincidence? Or All Part of His Design?

Today was quite an interesting and complementary day for me. Throughout the morning right up to the night, my theme seemed to be centred on this one thing called sacrifice.

I arrived at college in the morning later than usual today. I did not have any lessons, so I went straight to the library and…had a “rest” for an hour or so XD.

When I woke up around 10.00am later, I did not follow my usual routine of college studies/work; after prayer I went straight to tackle a question/passage from my Bible sharing material which I have yet to fully comprehend. Took me a total of…5 hours? over a span of 6 days before I could come up with a satisfactory explanation just for one single question with a passage (just to let you know, the question is related to 2 Corinthians 5:1-10).

When I went for Christian Fellowship (CF) during the afternoon, the pastor message was about standing up for what we believe. He referred to a young man from the Bible who could identify with us as a campus student. That person was Daniel and his 3 friends (you can find them in the book of Daniel).

When Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego first stood up for their beliefs, they were in a manner similar to us; they were in their youth, and were furthering their studies. Being away from their homeland, you could say that they were given a great measure of freedom from the laws and bindings of their nation Israel. Despite this, they resolved not to defile themselves by taking feasting on the king’s table food and wine; instead they opted for vegetables and water. As a result of foregoing even the king’s tastiest banquet, God rewarded them, and the four were healthier than the rest of their peers.

Later, when the king issued a decree that all must prostrate before the golden statue, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were the only ones courageous enough to go against this command, even if it means being thrown into a fiery furnace. And as for Daniel, when a decree was made stating that no one may worship God for 30 days(except the king), he continued to give praise to the Lord even though he knew he would be convicted and thrown into a lions’ den. For that, all these men prospered from the glory of God. They were young, yet stood up risking their lives for what is right and true, and through their actions, made a history throughout the empire.

After CF, I was supposed to meet my project group mates and begin manufacturing our final year project. I even brought my equipment so I can do some rough estimations. In the end, we received word from one of our group mates that we will not be able to use his dad’s place today as he (that group mate) is “out and had forgotten to bring with him the machining equipments”. Ah well, sacrifice.

When I finally arrived home, I only did 30 minutes of study as compared to my usual 2 hours (at least). Could not fully concentrate even then; I was quite sleepy to begin with. I decided to use my remaining time after that for ashort relaxation before I continued to preparing for tonight’s cell group (CG) as well as polishing up my problematic question/passage. Still, I must say I do not lament the limited time I had for my studies; the events of the day was already starting to feel appropriately linked to one another. Besides, I have faith that God will see me through as long as He is put first =).

Before CG, we had Stations of the Cross, a spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and a reminder of our Lord’s sacrifice for us on the road to Calvary. We then started off this week’s CG, which centered on this particular saint: Anna Wang.

Anna Wang (aged 14) was born in China and lived during time of the Boxer Rebellion, when Christians were heavily persecuted and hunted down. In 1900, she and her stepmother were arrested along with many other Catholics. The captors gave them a choice: if they publicly apostatised, the former believers were to enter the West Room were their lives would be spared; if not, if they chose to remain in the East Room, they were to be executed. Anna’s stepmother chose the former and tried to drag her away to the West Room, but Anna resisted, insisting to believe in God and crying out to Jesus.

The next day, the soldiers led the believers to the execution ground, where Anna witnessed the beheading of several people including children and an infant. When her turn came, the soldier gave her another opportunity to deny her faith and even offered to marry her to a rich family. Yet Anna rejected and endured a cut in her flesh, then her arm before finally beheaded, all the while asked if she would renounce her faith after each strike. The end result saw her family repented, turned to God and became faithful believers.

When it came to sharing (our CG gets everyone to share their thoughts and opinions on the questions/passage), our group had a deep, intellectual and thought-provoking discussion based the topic, which questioned our spirituality whether or not we are truly willing to give up everything – our lives, our family, our memories – as long as we have Christ. Not an easy answer to give, if you truly sit and think about it.

In the end, we only managed up to the second question. The third, in which I spent hours preparing and deciphering – even going as far as to meet up with my current youth minister (and current CG leader) Martin before CG – was skipped due to lack of time. Ah well, sacrifice. Besides, I must say I enjoyed the discussion with my fellow peers.

After ending with a prayer, our group had supper in our host’s house itself, since the aunty had brought back a large amount of food that would spoil if we do not finish it tonight. I ended with my sacrifice for that day: I had to sacrifice my sacrifice of fasting by finishing up 2 packets of nasi lemak, 2 slices of (sponge?) cake, as well as kuih XD.

"When the Other Bows, You Bow Back"

Recently my mum and I had an argument about my behaviour. You see, I had this habit of sitting on the rice pot when I am feeling a little tired (or just plain lazy), and allow the pot to support the weight my frame (weird habit of mine no.1). So one day, I was merely squatting down scooping rice in the barrel when my mum exclaimed, “Don’t sit on the rice pot! Brings bad luck!” and my reaction was, “I don’t believe in bad luck.” XP

Okay, jokes aside though, it was not exactly a hilarious event to begin with. We had not yet gone to the level of shouting, but raised voices were heard throughout the argument. My mum scolded that it was part of our culture, and that I should show respect to all things. She gave an analogy: would I eat from a potty?

My response was based on logical reasoning. First, my action does not place much stress on the pot, as I was lighter than most people my size (and I am quite small in build), and that the pot was of quality (relatively speaking) metal, so chances are unlikely that I went past its yield strength (for more information, you can refer to books on Mechanics of Materials).

Second, in response to my mum’s analogy, how could a person who has already taken his bath, dirty the rice pot and its contents which are around 15cm away from me? Are you saying the germs somehow flow through my pants, onto the wall and into the grains? Come on! In any case, a few seconds more and the rice would be washed thoroughly and then cooked, destroying most of the remaining bacteria in the process. We should worry more of granary weevils for that matter.

Another reason I gave was that culture closes your mind to possibilities. It places a limit and obstructs you from growing. Quite an irony, seeing as I fully support (with valid reasons) the traditions of the Catholic Church – but then again, no where in the Bible do I find that you cannot sit on the cooking pot, or that this in some way is in contrary to God’s teachings.

After that event however, I took some time to reflect upon what had taken place. Being alone quietly in my room, I had come to realise it all bores down to one thing – respect.

One of the 10 Commandments God had laid for us is “Honour thy father and mother, that thou may inherit long life in the land the Lord giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). Note, that while this is not the greatest of the Commandments which Jesus mentioned (Mark 12:29-31), this is the ONLY Commandment God mentioned which followed up with a blessing.

My mum is someone whom I dearly love. We have our rough times or disagree in certain matters occasionally, but that does not change the fact that she is my mother, and has provided me the best to her capability in many areas of my life. My mum supported whatever interest/field I chose endeavour in (although she did mention last time she does not want to visibly see my rides, else she will have a heart attack and ban me from future rides XD), and gave me a huge measure of freedom over my life. Most of the advice she gives is the advice of a mother: born of care, sound from experience, taught in patience and given with love. That said, I had no reason not to honour her orders.

When I look back, I knew what she said was true, and had a practical reasoning to it. To me, sitting on a rice pot may be a norm, but had others seen me like this, likely this would leave a negative impression and perception on them. To anyone whom is viewing this, isn’t that RIGHT? :). If you do, I cannot blame you – after all, sitting on a rice pot will look like I am shitting on the rice pot, aye?

My mum also taught me, both in words and actions, that appliances perform better if you treat them with respect and care. I myself will testify and say this: respect the sword and the sword will respect you. If you do not care for and maintain your instruments, how could you expect it to last a long time?

In comparison, I can clearly see the contrast between my dad’s and my mum’s car respectively. A Citroen BX, it was a powerful vehicle during its time, but my dad hardly (if ever) sends it for maintenance unless some part ceased functioning. My mum on the other hand, always sends her previous Nissan Sunny (now using an Iswara; the Nissan was stolen) for maintenance every 2-3 months, and was even commented she was overdoing it. The results? For my dad’s car, it occasionally suffers a breakdown, is hot and stuffy with the air con full blast, leaks frequently, uses lots of energy, jerky clutch…you get the picture. In my mum’s case, it performs better than we first bought the car. Yes, better. I kid you not.

Lastly, how can I rightly expect others to honour mine, if I do not uphold the same for others? As they say, what goes around comes around. Jesus Himself set an example in this. In Luke 2:41-51, even though He was the Son of God and told his parents, “I must be in My Father’s house”, yet he “went down with them, returning to Nazareth, was subject to them.” During His baptism in Matthew 3:13-17, He replied to an objecting John the Baptist, “Let it be like that for now that we may fulfil the right order.” (notice that only then after did the Father approved Him with signs from Heaven) And then later, Jesus mentioned during His sermon on the mount, “Do not think I have come to remove the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to remove but to fulfil them.” (Matthew 5:17) Through these (and more), Jesus proved He did not set aside traditions or protocol; in fact He shows that I am to offer my respect to all, especially my elders.

And so! After that event, I have decided cut that habit of mine concerning the rice pot. A bit of an inconvenience to me especially after a gruelling day, but the road to perfection is not made to be a breeze is it? Anyway, a good step towards building up my character in conjunction with the start of the Lenten season. God has such great timing for my resolution plans man; He knows and sets the best dates. Gotta surrender it all to Him to plan these (and all my other) events. Kudos to the Trinity!

RFG always.

Sometimes We Need a Physical Example to Push Us to Greater Spiritual Heights

Two Fridays back I was in a slight fix, whether I should go to an invited Cell Group meeting or practice my driving as my exam was 6 days or so away. So I asked God for a sign, in order to decide the path I should take. Nothing eventful happened, so at midday, I finally decided to ask my dad for his car to practice on in the evening (my mum borrowed his car to work as hers was stolen 7 days ago). He told me yes albeit (I sensed) a bit reluctantly, and I thought this was settled. Then came evening and…

It rained.

It is not that I never drove in the rain; rather my dad’s car has a lot of problems (if you can drive his car, you can drive any car – quote from bro XD), and my mum came home and informed that my dad’s car was leaking or something of that sort.

Thus, it ended up (obviously) I did not drove his car. The thing is, I had still time opt for my first option and join the CG for that day (it was around 5pm, the CG starts around 8.30pm?). However, I chose to stay at home.

So why did I not make the choice of going for CG? First, I had already SMSed them, informing that I was busy on that day. Call me stubborn or unbendable or whatever, but I usually do not like to change my decision once I made them.

Second, I told myself it was raining – and quite heavily at that. Lame I know, and the reason became all the more lamer when it slowed into a drizzle by, what? 6+ pm?

Third, I justified that this sign that I asked for, it came too late, after I had already messaged the CG member. After all I thought, the whole time before that and not a glimpse sign had God shown me.

That evening till night, things were not as smooth flowing for me as compared to other, uneventful nights. I was quite disturbed, as well as annoyed and slightly upset with my parents. Nevertheless I continued my daily routine: the internet. And God’s Spirit again guided me to another message of the day.

HIs timing is always, always James Bond's timing.

– http://ilivebyfaith.blogspot.com/2010/01/january.html

Honestly, I really thank God for arranging me to meet this person and pointing me to her blog. Statements like this I have come across and are stored at the back of my head, but some have never gotten personalised until now. Now when I think back of the incident, how foolish I had been. How could God have shown a dull and ignorant like me a tangible sign unless it all happened in the evening? If something happened in the morning it would likely have no relation to the events that were due later. If it had rained in the afternoon, I would simply brush it off as I can then drive at night. Then, how could God show me any other sign unless it was done in the evening? And even then, he gave me time to change my mind.

Somehow, I feel that God is preparing me for something more in the future – that in areas where difficult decisions are to be made, I should turn to Him and look out for the signs He would show me. Before this event happened I, diverted my usual Bible Study of the New Testament (currently in the Gospel of Matthew) to a (unnoticed before then) folded page in the book of Judges. There, I read the whole chapter 6 about the prophet Gideon, and how he was called by God. Somehow, I can relate myself to him, in that I need some form of reassurance before I carry out a task. And with all the visible signs God is showing me, I doubt all of these are a coincidence: God wants to build up my faith in Him, to learn to lean on Him with through all He is showing me. Though, I must build up on the follow up with the signs part.

RFG always.

THIS IS MY STAND

NO MATTER THE EVENTS,

NO MATTER THE TROUBLES,

NO MATTER THE CONSEQUENCES,

NO MATTER THE CONFLICTS,

I WILL PRAISE THEE IN THIS STORM.

AND THIS I WILL STAND,

I WILL NEVER TURN,

I WILL NEVER WALK AWAY,

FATHER, GIVE ME STRENGTH.