Thursday 23 January 2014

Exchanging 5 c's for 2 c's

Living on this earth can be a struggle and a challenge. We face different obstacles along the way and sometimes, we feel as if we are being pulled in different directions. On the one hand, we need to make a living to survive. On the other hand, we also need to maintain a good spiritual relationship with God. What do we do? What are we looking for?

Some of us may be tempted in different degrees and at one point or another to pursue the 5c's: Cash, Card, Club, Condominium, Car. We see how others seem to be prospering and enjoying themselves and we may desire to be like these other people. However, in some cases, achieving such wealth and status may take a long time or may not be reachable to some. When faced with such obstacles, some of us may not be patient or content, and we may give in to less savoury methods to attain what we want. The question is this: is it really worth pursuing all these things in the long run? Will we be ever happy or content with what we have?

Jesus reminds us: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

While we need to survive in this world, let us also take time to ponder what we really want, what really matters, what really makes us happy and content. We are pilgrims in this world, and everything that we own, everything that we value, will one day be lost. We cannot cling on to what we have forever, and we certainly cannot bring these things with us when we die. We are constantly given opportunities by our loving God to be less dependent on the 5c's and embrace 2c's: Christ and the Cross. Embracing the 2c's may not be easy, as we may suffer or be ridiculed by others. People may say that we are crazy or silly, especially as the world seems to offer so much. However, let us not give up, let us persevere, for what we seek is not found in this temporal world. Are you willing to really take up your cross and follow Christ?


"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).

Thursday 16 January 2014

Advent or Lent Penitential Service: Some Observations

During each Advent or Lent Penitential Service, several matters keep cropping up and I feel it is necessary to take heart:

1. Come early. Some priests come from quite a distance and if that priest is the one you are comfortable going to, coming late means you might "miss" him. Moreover, coming early gives you more time to prepare yourself to make a good confession.

2. If you have young children with you, please get your spouse or someone you can trust to keep an eye on them and hold on to them if necessary so that you and others can make a good confession in peace. Some young children may be hyperactive and start running around, which may cause distraction to others who are praying or reflecting.

3. Be brief when confessing. The priest wants to hear your sins, not the elaborate historical background to what led you to sin.

4. Confess your sins, not other people's. Some folks come for confession and start complaining about their husband, wife, children, etc. The priest is not interested in listening to your gossip.

5. Reflect carefully before going for confession. In this way, you can discover what sins you committed, especially serious ones.

6. Stay calm and focused. Don't get distracted with other matters before, during and after confession.

7. Be courteous. This is especially important when parking your vehicle or waiting your turn for confession. Don't cause other people to sin due to your behaviour or attitude. For example, when you arrive, park your vehicle properly as there may be other people coming later. Some folks have double-parked or parked indiscriminately and caused others to fume in disgust.

8. Remember the procedure. If you cannot remember how to make a good confession, the priest will guide you. However, it is better to know what to do and what to say, so that the confession can go on smoothly, instead of holding up other people.

9. Try to control your emotions. We know that some of you may cry due to feelings of guilt, embarrassment, etc. But the confessional is not meant to be a counselling session. I have seen some people come, and while confessing start raining down buckets. If you are experiencing such strong emotions, it may be better and necessary that you seek counselling later.

10. After confession and spending some time in prayer, leave peacefully. Don't loiter around the church too long, especially where parking space is limited, so that others can park and go for confession.

There may be other issues not mentioned in this list, but we hope that all faithful would take note so that the Advent or Lent Penitential Service could proceed smoothly for the spiritual growth and betterment of all..

Friday 10 January 2014

The Ten Commandments: 9th & 10th Commandment: Don't Covet Other Person or Thing

9th Commandment: "You shall not covet your neighbour's wife"
10th Commandment: "You shall not covet your neighbour's goods"

What is coveting? Coveting is a desire or yearning to possess or have something or someone. If what we covet is obtained through legal, proper, justifiable means, then that is not an issue. The problem begins when we covet persons or things which belong to someone else, and that someone is unwilling or unable to part with the person or thing.

If we have:
  • Unchaste or impure thoughts towards another person
  • Desire of another person's wife or husband
  • Desire to take or keep wrongfully
  • Wilfully damage property that belongs to another
then we could be breaking this commandment.

Among the many passages from the bible concerning coveting, here are some for us to reflect on:
  • "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:14-15).
  • "Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the Lord: behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster. In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, “We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me! To an apostate he allots our fields.” Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the Lord..." (Micah 2:1-13).
  • "For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD" (Psalm 10:3).
Passion and desire, when used and nurtured properly can be used to accomplish great things and give glory to God. When we misuse passion for personal gratification and gain, we may end up committing far heinous sins. Let us take care not to covet unhealthily only to ruin our lives and our relationship with God.

For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Coveting#sthash.1yAkFiY2.dpuf

Wednesday 8 January 2014

The Ten Commandments: 8th Commandment: Don't Lie Lah

"You shall not bear false witness"

A lie is a lie, regardless whether it is white, black, yellow, orange or whatever. Some people lie to get out of an uncomfortable situation. Some lie because they do not want others to know their true self. Some lie because they want to gain prestige and importance. Some lie to save one's own skin from persecution or danger. Others lie for some other reason or another. There are even people who are habitual liars, making them undependable for court and for other important matters.

If we have:
  • Lied to oneself and to others, in one form or another
  • Injured the good name of others
  • Slandered others
  • Committed character assassination of others through our words for one's personal gain or for some other reason
  • Committed detraction (derogatory or damaging comment on a person's character or reputation) 
  • Told tales, made rash judgment, commited backbiting, uttered contemptuous speech
  • Not kept secrets
then we could be breaking this commandment.

Are we wise and discerning enough to hold our tongue and be truthful at all times, even if the truth may hurt? Are we able to say what is necessary and when necessary, instead of trying to please others and make them happy? Jesus reminded us: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Are we dependent on Jesus who has come to free us with the truth?

Quotes and Anecdotes Throughout Ministry (The Story of our Lives so far)

Having been a priest for several years, I have from time to time come up with interesting quotes from different sources. Some of these quote...