I am not much of an avid reader, but these days, I devour anything to do with God, reconciliation, rosaries, prayer books, etc.
Anyway, came across something, and for the life of me, can't remember where it came from, but here's some food for thought:
2 prisoners sat by the window of their cell and gazed out.
One saw mud. The other saw stars.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
SOWING THE SEEDS
What type of a sower are you? Where have your seeds fallen?
Food for thought....
Hungry.
Food for thought....
Hungry.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
DAVID and...sabbath
This week's readings have centred around Samuel finding a new king to replace Saul.
God chooses David to be the one to lead HIS people. David loves God very much, but was also a big sinner. The relationship challenges on fidelity with God.
For reflection... how sincerely faithful are we to God?
In the gospel of Mark, the question of the sabbath arises. Jesus tries to teach us that sabbath is for us, not us for the sabbath. In other words, we should not follow our church rituals blindly.
So another reflection...are we guilty of being to "black and white" with our rituals?
God chooses David to be the one to lead HIS people. David loves God very much, but was also a big sinner. The relationship challenges on fidelity with God.
For reflection... how sincerely faithful are we to God?
In the gospel of Mark, the question of the sabbath arises. Jesus tries to teach us that sabbath is for us, not us for the sabbath. In other words, we should not follow our church rituals blindly.
So another reflection...are we guilty of being to "black and white" with our rituals?
Friday, January 8, 2010
1st week of Jan...Whew!
Back to work, back to reality...Work almost back in full swing. Some clients still on holiday, lucky them. Next week, they get my torture. Lucky me! hehehe.
What did I learn this week? Well, my wife has been reading the daily reflections in the car as I drive her to work. Kinda like our prayer time together, which keeps me from swearing at the other drivers.
One reflection that I thought is worth this post is taken a few days ago. The gospel talked of Jesus calming the storm when it got too rough for the disciples. The reflection was not so much about questioning our faith level, but more of picturing Jesus riding the storm with us. Immediately, my thoughts were in sync with the reflection: Jesus does not take the storm away from us. He wants us to ride the storm with him because it is necessary for us to struggle, and overcome our storms in life. The good thing we have is Jesus as our companion, to whom we can turn to for strength, direction and focus.
This weekend, we celebrate Baptism of the Lord. The acclamation itself says: THIS IS MY SON, THE CHOSEN ONE, LISTEN TO HIM.
O Lord, help us to focus on YOU. Give us strength to ride the storm with you. Lord, no matter how tough it gets, help us to trust in YOU completely, for we know you are always with us. Give us direction and purpose, that the things we do will please YOUR FATHER, OUR FATHER. And when it is all over, we wait for the angels and saints to witness YOU, MARY our mother, and OUR HEAVENLY FATHER welcome us into the throes of heaven.
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy, keep us free from sin, and protect us from all fear and anxiety, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ...For the kingdom, the power and glory are YOURS, now and forever. AMEN.
What did I learn this week? Well, my wife has been reading the daily reflections in the car as I drive her to work. Kinda like our prayer time together, which keeps me from swearing at the other drivers.
One reflection that I thought is worth this post is taken a few days ago. The gospel talked of Jesus calming the storm when it got too rough for the disciples. The reflection was not so much about questioning our faith level, but more of picturing Jesus riding the storm with us. Immediately, my thoughts were in sync with the reflection: Jesus does not take the storm away from us. He wants us to ride the storm with him because it is necessary for us to struggle, and overcome our storms in life. The good thing we have is Jesus as our companion, to whom we can turn to for strength, direction and focus.
This weekend, we celebrate Baptism of the Lord. The acclamation itself says: THIS IS MY SON, THE CHOSEN ONE, LISTEN TO HIM.
O Lord, help us to focus on YOU. Give us strength to ride the storm with you. Lord, no matter how tough it gets, help us to trust in YOU completely, for we know you are always with us. Give us direction and purpose, that the things we do will please YOUR FATHER, OUR FATHER. And when it is all over, we wait for the angels and saints to witness YOU, MARY our mother, and OUR HEAVENLY FATHER welcome us into the throes of heaven.
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy, keep us free from sin, and protect us from all fear and anxiety, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ...For the kingdom, the power and glory are YOURS, now and forever. AMEN.
Monday, January 4, 2010
STARTING WORK
Today is the 1st working day for me. Kinda looking forward because my money is running low, after paying off road tax and car insurance, and the kids' allowances and maid's salary and what not. I realised that I relatively broke even, and have not saved much.
Funny enough, I am not worried. For some reason, I felt peaceful and calm after knowing how poor I was. This perhaps is due to being able to enjoy Christmas for 12 days or more, and bringing it to full closure at Epiphany with an evening Mass at St Ig's 6pm mass.
Started work on a wrong foot. I procrascinated and lazed, and then realised I was late for my lesson. Sent in an sms to my client with some lame excuse, only to find out they had forgotten about me. Just as well. I became early for my next lesson. Divine intervention? Fat hope. Pure arse luck, although I must say it hurt my day's takings.
Traffic was horrible. I cursed, gestured, swore and lost patience. So much for inviting people to pray 3 times a day to ask for God's graces. I only think the patience we ask for is nothing compared to the immense patience that God has for all of us.
Think about this. HE can tolerate our disobedience, our anger, evil thoughts, lusty desires, our curses at HIM either by word, or action, or both, our hypocrisy, our indifference, our abuses, etc. How in the world can we be God's witnesses and live in HIS light when we are looking for darkness?
The only conclusion I can think of is faith, conscious choice and resolve. Allow me to explain. When we fall into sin, we either think of some excuse to justify our actions; trying to turn black and white into grey, or kick ourselves so badly that we either get discouraged or weaker and weaker.
Some thought crept into me. I believe THIS is divine intervention.
NO SIN IS TOO SMALL TO OMIT FROM YOUR CONFESSION, and NO SIN IS TOO BIG THAT IT CANNOT BE CONFESSED.
I firmly believe our God is a god who loves us dearly. He hates the sin, but loves the sinner. I would think if the repentants feel HIS love through the sin they struggle with, then HE would gladly indulge us to sin, and yet be sorry each time we fall in order for us to know how much HE loves us. Contradicting right? But Jesus is very controversial. I have faith if I had to feel God this way, then it shall be through my struggles with sin.
The difference, however, would be our conscious choice to do good. We must stay vigilant, and avoid the occasions of sin. But if we do fall into our weaknesses, we must trust that God will forgive us each time we feel true contrition of our sins. And what better way to increase our faith through resolving never to sin again? Hence, this is our prayer at the confessional before we receive absolution.
Lent is coming. Let's resolve to make the coming 40 days a war between our good side, and our evil side. Which would you want to win?
O My God, I truly am sorry for the sins I have committed today, and in my past life. I resolve with YOUR help and grace to feel full contrition for my sins, and to resolve never to sin again. Walk with us Jesus every step of the way, and be near us when we fall so that we can continue our journey with YOU to our eternal home.
Amen.
Funny enough, I am not worried. For some reason, I felt peaceful and calm after knowing how poor I was. This perhaps is due to being able to enjoy Christmas for 12 days or more, and bringing it to full closure at Epiphany with an evening Mass at St Ig's 6pm mass.
Started work on a wrong foot. I procrascinated and lazed, and then realised I was late for my lesson. Sent in an sms to my client with some lame excuse, only to find out they had forgotten about me. Just as well. I became early for my next lesson. Divine intervention? Fat hope. Pure arse luck, although I must say it hurt my day's takings.
Traffic was horrible. I cursed, gestured, swore and lost patience. So much for inviting people to pray 3 times a day to ask for God's graces. I only think the patience we ask for is nothing compared to the immense patience that God has for all of us.
Think about this. HE can tolerate our disobedience, our anger, evil thoughts, lusty desires, our curses at HIM either by word, or action, or both, our hypocrisy, our indifference, our abuses, etc. How in the world can we be God's witnesses and live in HIS light when we are looking for darkness?
The only conclusion I can think of is faith, conscious choice and resolve. Allow me to explain. When we fall into sin, we either think of some excuse to justify our actions; trying to turn black and white into grey, or kick ourselves so badly that we either get discouraged or weaker and weaker.
Some thought crept into me. I believe THIS is divine intervention.
NO SIN IS TOO SMALL TO OMIT FROM YOUR CONFESSION, and NO SIN IS TOO BIG THAT IT CANNOT BE CONFESSED.
I firmly believe our God is a god who loves us dearly. He hates the sin, but loves the sinner. I would think if the repentants feel HIS love through the sin they struggle with, then HE would gladly indulge us to sin, and yet be sorry each time we fall in order for us to know how much HE loves us. Contradicting right? But Jesus is very controversial. I have faith if I had to feel God this way, then it shall be through my struggles with sin.
The difference, however, would be our conscious choice to do good. We must stay vigilant, and avoid the occasions of sin. But if we do fall into our weaknesses, we must trust that God will forgive us each time we feel true contrition of our sins. And what better way to increase our faith through resolving never to sin again? Hence, this is our prayer at the confessional before we receive absolution.
Lent is coming. Let's resolve to make the coming 40 days a war between our good side, and our evil side. Which would you want to win?
O My God, I truly am sorry for the sins I have committed today, and in my past life. I resolve with YOUR help and grace to feel full contrition for my sins, and to resolve never to sin again. Walk with us Jesus every step of the way, and be near us when we fall so that we can continue our journey with YOU to our eternal home.
Amen.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010- SCARY SIA!
Happy New Year my friends. Here's to another year of uncertainty and ambiguity.
Sounds cynical, doesn't it? But such is our Catholic faith. We always seem to know what we are supposed to do, and what is expected of us, but really...do we really know where we are heading?
Before you get an impression that I am a wet blanket, let's face it. We are all selfish people. No matter how much we try to be giving, charitable, and all that, deep down, don't we wish for this and that? Don't we bargain with God for something easier rather than embracing our cross lovingly?
But here's the other side...Too much trying to be good for God can be harmful. The devil is such that he can lure in the obvious direction of sin, and also disguise himself as someone good, and allow you to do good deeds, but to the point of obsession. Example would be trying to be diligent and working hard for the family, which is a darn good thing, until you neglect your family time, and the more important things like prayer and community. Or, we get more obsessed with trying to be good for God by not breaking his commandments, and we force it on others to be like you, failing to be sensitive to those who may not be on the same spiritual level as you.
SO what do we do? Frankly, I don't know. But I trust that if my intentions and thoughts are pure, and I accept my weaknesses, and plod along, I think God will indulge me. In the past, I used to get hung up on my mistakes. Now, I just use it to pick myself up and move on.
I like what one priest said to me during confession. There is a difference between perfection and holiness. If we get so obsessed with perfection, we will never see the light of day. That's because we are supposed to rely on God for His strength. Holiness is just being dedicated to prayer and being in touch with God almost unceasingly.
Whatever it is, keep pure in thought, word and deed, but also a charitable heart that does not judge.
For 2010, let's learn to embrace our crosses of injustice, irritations, imperfections, and self-centredness.
O God, in all things, help us trust in YOU. Amen.
Sounds cynical, doesn't it? But such is our Catholic faith. We always seem to know what we are supposed to do, and what is expected of us, but really...do we really know where we are heading?
Before you get an impression that I am a wet blanket, let's face it. We are all selfish people. No matter how much we try to be giving, charitable, and all that, deep down, don't we wish for this and that? Don't we bargain with God for something easier rather than embracing our cross lovingly?
But here's the other side...Too much trying to be good for God can be harmful. The devil is such that he can lure in the obvious direction of sin, and also disguise himself as someone good, and allow you to do good deeds, but to the point of obsession. Example would be trying to be diligent and working hard for the family, which is a darn good thing, until you neglect your family time, and the more important things like prayer and community. Or, we get more obsessed with trying to be good for God by not breaking his commandments, and we force it on others to be like you, failing to be sensitive to those who may not be on the same spiritual level as you.
SO what do we do? Frankly, I don't know. But I trust that if my intentions and thoughts are pure, and I accept my weaknesses, and plod along, I think God will indulge me. In the past, I used to get hung up on my mistakes. Now, I just use it to pick myself up and move on.
I like what one priest said to me during confession. There is a difference between perfection and holiness. If we get so obsessed with perfection, we will never see the light of day. That's because we are supposed to rely on God for His strength. Holiness is just being dedicated to prayer and being in touch with God almost unceasingly.
Whatever it is, keep pure in thought, word and deed, but also a charitable heart that does not judge.
For 2010, let's learn to embrace our crosses of injustice, irritations, imperfections, and self-centredness.
O God, in all things, help us trust in YOU. Amen.
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