Lenten Reflection: 3rd March 2013, Sunday

The Lord is merciful and kind... (Psalm 103:8a)

I'm writing from the desk of my friend in Liverpool, since I am currently outstation to do my sample collection for my masters project. It is indeed a blessing in my life to have met so many wonderful and hospitable Malaysian students here, and their kind assistance to my project is indeed very much appreciated. I just can't help thanking my friend, Neb, again and again for her help to lookup her friends in Liverpool. Indeed, the Lord is merciful and kind...

Today morning, as I woke up from the sleep and went through the whole routine of checking mails, and Facebook notifications, I saw more news on the intrusion of the state of Sabah, Malaysia, by the no-land Sulu "sultanate". This land has been my home for the past nine years, and all my spiritual family members residing in this peaceful land below the wind are currently at the very center of commotion. I am genuinely concerned about the current situation in Sabah when I read the news that five policemen were down during an ambush in Semporna. Since Malaysia was formed in 1963, we barely faced dangerous situations as such, at least since I was born until now. I had lived through peaceful, developing times of Malaysia. I am saddened by the fact of all the chaos which are happening back home while I am in Europe for my studies. There is nothing much which I could do, besides offering my worries to the Lord, and praying for this land and people whom I love back home, and also to relay information of my network to others who may need it in my network. But indeed, the Lord is still merciful and kind...

Many people may say that this is untrue, and rebuke that if the Lord is really merciful, such chaos would not happen. I saw something beautiful in the midst of chaos. More people are praying right now for to regain peace in Sabah. More people are united against foreign forces who are trying to invade the state. More people return to God because of difficult times. Yes, our faith is challenged by all these chaotic situations, and yes, it can be shaken. But this faith of the size of the mustard seed can move mountains if we believe that God will bring peace to His people even in the midst of stormy seas in life. Jesus calmed the sea more than two thousand years ago when the Apostles were afraid and called out to Him. He would be here with us to calm the storms in our lives, if we call out to Him too. And our God is the God of second chances, and He would be merciful and kind if we turn to Him once again.

So let us renew our faith by giving ourselves a chance to believe in God again, and pray for physical and spiritual renewals for ourselves, and for everyone else. And pray specially for peace in the Sabah, Malaysia, in times of trouble like this. Amen.

BONES

Have any of you ever seen "Bones" on TV? Sadly speaking, I've only watched the first season of Bones and I loved it so much that I'm re-watching it for the second time. Yeah, that's me, watching the dramas, animes, movies that I like for more than one time. One thing that struck me as I watched the episode was this thing called "social awkwardness" that this fictional Dr. Temperance Brennan has...

Then I stumbled upon a blog as I keyed in the phrase "social+awkwardness+define" in Google, and I find myself in awe of how many people in the world face this problem of social awkwardness. I have to admit that I am at many times "socially unacceptable" and face the problem of "social awkwardness" although I seem to be friendly, easy-going, all smiling and nice. Being socially awkward at times, I tend to react abnormally, comparing to other normal human beings. In fact, there's a word used to describe nerd... Geek. I probably am a geek at a level of humanity. LOL!

Today, I faced a situation which I became socially awkward and probably made a few new enemies. I was totally imprudent and rude and impolite and socially unacceptable. When I realized what I did was totally unacceptable to the norm of the society, it was way too late to salvage the situation, except a deepest regret and sincere apology. I was known to be a "faked person", a "hypocrite" to some people, no matter how true I was at that moment to the other person. So many times in life, I have a few friends, who care enough and remain patient despite abnormal outbursts of emotions. Thank God for that! Having said so, it didn't change the one fact - that I am still loved by God who created me to be me. Some of us might think I'm just deluding myself into believing that in a tiny part of the world, somebody still want to befriend me, but I truly believe and feel that God loves me enough to see pass this imprudent me and see the tiny little hope that I'm worth of His love for me.

I don't know what's going to happen to my life after this incident with my colleagues, but I know that God knows and He's my Comforter in the midst of loss and darkness. After all, the bible says that Jesus came not for the righteous but for the sinners (refer Matthew 8:13). This verse allows me this assurance that God still loves me though I've done such a thing so unacceptable socially.

Suddenly I thought of people who are socially unacceptable, who are shunned by many, sometimes including me, because what the person says or does cause people to feel annoyed, irritated and becomes irrational with thinking. I am one of them, but why am I doing things that people do unto me? It reminds me of Felix who serves with his wife in the young adults ministry I'm in... His humility is at this level that he receives and welcomes everybody in the ministry, even the "marginalized" because of their social awkwardness. Because of both him and his wife, I felt comforted when I was placed in a situation where I could no longer hang out or talk properly with the group of people I used to be with. Thanks a lot! Will I be able to emulate this humility which is being passed down to Christ? Will you?

"Can any of you by worrying add a single house to your span of life?"
~ Matthew 6:27 ~

Pray for Palestinians in Gaza Strip

I was watching news on NTV7 just now and the latest updates on the bombing in Gaza Strip was on. Please, my dear readers, please pray for ceasefire in Gaza Strip and peace of the world. People got too greedy with what we have until we fail to see the treasure of life given to us from God. Please, please, pray for the victims. Pray for a change of heart of the U.S. government so that they will use their veto power to stop the war instead of opposing peace in the world.

Thanks and God bless!!!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
~ John 14:27 (NIV) ~

World Day of Peace (1st January)

Just now, after cooking dinner, it was just nice for some news on NTV7. It had been a while since I watched any news because of the chaos of the world. It is so saddening to see people protesting over something far far away, burning dolls of some symbolic figures in the world, but they failed to see the economic downturn in own countries, neither these people are doing anything to contribute to their families or the country's economy. Well, except contributing to skyrocketing crime rate as well as additional pollutions to the location of demonstration.

When I saw the news on TV, my heart wrenched for the people who suffer because of war. My heart also wrenched for the families of the people who protested on the streets in different countries of the world. Let's not look too far away... In Malaysia, in some cities, certain groups of people are having protest to boycott U.S. goods, etc. because of the recent Gaza Strip carnage. However, many seemed to fail to see the worrying hearts of mothers of those who are involved in the protests, and many probably see through the eyes of TV broadcasters the chaotic condition of the cities in an already chaotic economic condition. Why isn't anybody doing anything that contributes to the word P-E-A-C-E?

I was browsing through The Star Online to check out what is happening to this country and the world, and noticed a tiny news on "119 lose their jobs in school". Would those who care so much for the war and chaotic conditions in Gaza care about the 119 who lose their jobs, mainly sole breadwinners for their families? Would those people donate the money used on printed banners, kerosene, faked dolls of significant figures, unpaid leave from job, etc. to these group of low-income people who are losing jobs? Maybe this is insignificant comparing to the hu-ha out there in Gaza... But are this group of gardeners and security guards so insignificant comparing to the Palestinians? Both are God's children, both are destined to be born into this world by God, but why are we treating them so differently? Even for the sake of sympathy?

In this weary world, who can save the world from perishing? Who can help us, confused people at the end of time? Who can guide us to the right path and show us some light in the darkness? There's only one person - and His name is - JESUS. Probably all we, commoners residing in this world at the end of ages, only need to say a little prayer, forgive everyone, humbly wash every single foot we see, reconcile truly, all for the sake of the wholeness of peace in the world, peace in our hearts.

I attended New Year's Day mass in Sacred Heart in the morning, and I was so happy to be able to hear the preaching of Archbishop John Lee. What truly struck me was the mention of Pope Benedict XVI's message for World Day of Peace. Bishop said that one of the title of Jesus is "Wonderful God, Prince of Peace" and the theme for this year (2009) is "Fighting Poverty to Build Peace". Jesus brings us hope when He was born of Mary in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago. This hope is the hope of eternal life, a hope of peace to His people on earth. Are we doubting that He can bring us peace in the world? Are we really doing what He's calling us to do?

What Mary did was so simple, yet so difficult for us to even try to copy her... She said "yes" when she didn't really know what was happening, she treasured and pondered over all the things those shepherds told them when they visited her and her new born Babe in the manger, she let go of her son, Jesus, when He was crucified on the cross for our sake... etc... Look! Is it so hard to do? Of course it is, to accept, not resist, and allow God to be God. But that is the beauty of the whole salvation mystery of Jesus born on Christmas, destined to die a humiliating death for us 33 years later, all because of God's love for us. And what did Jesus do? He said the simple "yes" and allowed God to take charge, trusting every single word that He said.

Let me ctrl-c the first two paragraphs of Pope Benedict's message here that I find it important to share:

1. Once again, as the new year begins, I want to extend good wishes for peace to people everywhere. With this Message I would like to propose a reflection on the theme: Fighting Poverty to Build Peace. Back in 1993, my venerable Predecessor Pope John Paul II, in his Message for the World Day of Peace that year, drew attention to the negative repercussions for peace when entire populations live in poverty. Poverty is often a contributory factor or a compounding element in conflicts, including armed ones. In turn, these conflicts fuel further tragic situations of poverty. “Our world”, he wrote, “shows increasing evidence of another grave threat to peace: many individuals and indeed whole peoples are living today in conditions of extreme poverty. The gap between rich and poor has become more marked, even in the most economically developed nations. This is a problem which the conscience of humanity cannot ignore, since the conditions in which a great number of people are living are an insult to their innate dignity and as a result are a threat to the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community” [1].

2. In this context, fighting poverty requires attentive consideration of the complex phenomenon of globalization. This is important from a methodological standpoint, because it suggests drawing upon the fruits of economic and sociological research into the many different aspects of poverty. Yet the reference to globalization should also alert us to the spiritual and moral implications of the question, urging us, in our dealings with the poor, to set out from the clear recognition that we all share in a single divine plan: we are called to form one family in which all – individuals, peoples and nations – model their behaviour according to the principles of fraternity and responsibility.

<Click here to read more - Message of the Holiness>

As much as I can write articles like this on my blog, I also have to admit that with my own strength, there is practically nothing I can do to contribute to world's peace, not even the courage to protest against the government. Yet, in my own tiny ways, I hope my call according to Him will be made an instrument to educate more people, so that in future, the world can be a more peaceful place to live in.

My apologies for the readers who felt offended with my entry or think this is a long entry (like what happened to the previous ones), but somehow I feel the need to write something more constructive tonight, just before my holidays end and I return to the rightful position of working young adult in an education organization.

I'd like to end this entry with a writing I took from a prayer booklet, "Heart Speaks to Heart", written by Cardinal Newman:

God has created me
to do Him some definite service;
He has committed some work to me
which He has not committed to another.
I have my mission --
I may never know it in this life,
but I shall be told it in the next.
Somehow I am necessary for His purpose --
if indeed I fail, He can raise another.
Yet I have a part in this great work:
I am a link in a chain,
a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught.
I shall do good, I shall do His work;
I shall be an angel of peace,
a preacher of truth in my own place,
while not intending it,
if I do but keep His commandments
and serve Him in my calling.
Therefore I will trust Him.

What happens on Christmas Eve after Mass?

Here's what happened... (Just pictorial with slight explanation...) Actually time to sleep... But just want to upload them... LOL! If Fred (choir master) or Koko Adrian knows I'm still online at this hour, kenak la me... so sssshhhHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

The Altos of Christmas Choir (Chris, me n Golo)

Tity, me and Cecilia... Oh yeah, and Oswald behind us... Hehehehe!!

My "anakku sayang" and me, with Deon as backdrop! (What the~~~ LOL!!)

My new-found anak, Vania is her name. Cute right? LOL!! Believe it or not??? LOL!

Golo n me... LOL!

Joanna n me... Miao? Ngaum? Hehehehe!!! Love you lots, gal~~

Alto and sopo... Golo, Melissa, Jo n me...

Me with Sopos... Cheryl n Conz... What's Jo doin behind us?? Hiphiphurray??~?~ Hehehe!

Me n Sopos... Jo, me, Con, Cheryl, Dot n Mig

Koko Adrian n me..

The Lifeliners/KBHKers

Nah... Don't believe she's my new-found anak??? Hehehe... Got two photos liao~~~ Hahahaa!

Ok la... Kasi balik lah anak orang... Charles is her uncle... Haha! I had fun playing with her though... Sweet gal~~~

The Christmas Choir (First row from left: Mae, Marianna, Mig, Adelina, Suzi, Con, Rachel, Cecilia, Jo, Cheryl; Second row from left: Melissa, Nic, Terrence, Adriance, Jason, Dominic Luk; Third row from left: Charles, Koko Adrian, Chris, Golo; Last row on the bench from left: Bian, Harold, Fred (choir master), Dot n me)

My uni friend, Vani, who brought her friends along for mass...

The altos, without robe that is... Hehe!!

Jo n me (Normal look)

Lifeliners (Left: Lionel, Ray, Mathilda, me, Von Teo, Jason n Chris)

VonT, me and Tity

Me n my new dress for Christmas... Sales in Soule, 1Borneo!! I bought it for RM39.90 only~~ Thanks to everybody who said it was a beautiful n sweet dress!!

VonT n me by the crib... Jesus is born this day!!!!! Yay!!!!

Another perspective of the same crib, the same humans...

But still, Jesus is born this day for us!!! "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among men!!!" Thank God and praise Him for giving us His Son, our Lord and Saviour, to be born into our hearts everyday of our lives, to save us from eternal damnation, all because GOD LOVES US SO VERY THE MUCH that He can't stop Himself from saving us, this wretched generation! He's just soooooooo kind and nice and I am speechless to describe how much He means to me at this moment!!~~~ Thank God for His Love!!! Amen!!!

Ok, time to end this entry and rest until morning comes... Another round of choir for Christmas Morning Mass~~~ Glo----ria, in excelsis deo~~~~

Blessed Christmas, my dearies~~ Adios, amigo~