Action, Speech and Thought

The life of a Christian is characterised by three things - Action, Speech and Thought. The origin of every word is 'thought'. After a thought comes 'speech' which reveals in words the idea which has been conceived in the mind. Once the thought and speech take place in us then comes the third characteristic 'action', which realises the thought in deed. In the course of life we are made to think, to speak and to act. It is a good rule and it is good for us to keep a careful eye on these divine characteristics.
(St Gregory of Nyssa on Christian Perfection)

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord," (Col 3:17; Rom 14:7)

A True Light and Hope

“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home!” (MT 9:6)

Physical paralysis is an image of a man’s inability to return to God by his own efforts and man’s inability to create his own salvation (St Jerome).

At times we are stagnant with our daily routine and dislike having to adjust to God’s asking for more faith, trust, charity and new experiences in spiritual life. In reality. the problems of life are not really about problems but is all about holiness and about removing the principal obstacle to holiness – sin and an egoistic lifestyle.

The Word of God lifts us out of this problems of life just as a little hook lifts a fish out of the water. Once the fish is lifted out of the water, it dies. When we are lifted out of the water (sin and egoistic lifestyle), then we have been brought from death to life. We begin to see the true light and hope in the Lord.

Nevertheless, for some of us it is a slow journey because it takes time to arrive to Christian maturity. But we can be heartened to know that God will certainly send some miracles our way - miracles that will enable us to be changed through faith and trust.

Spiritual Formation for the Pilgrims of WYD RIO2013

The KL Archdiocese Single Adults Youth Office (ASAYO) organised the 2nd spiritual formation for the KL Archdiocese pilgrims of World Youth Day Rio 2013. The session was held at Assumption Hall, Petaling Jaya from 9 am to 12.30 pm. Fr Gregory Chan was presenting on "Authentic Evangelisation is Born of Prayer and Sustained by Prayer". Lincoln Lee who is the one of the pilgrims to Rio de Jenerio briefed about final preparation for traveling. We ended the session with the Eucharistic celebration celebrated by Fr Augustine Li.

To ALL Malaysian Pilgrims for the WYD Rio2013:
How are you going to make better use of this experience?

A seed that falls on good soil will surely bear fruits. If you are not spiritually prepared for the WYD, you can lose much of what you receive from God in this journey as soon as you back to the routine of the everyday life. I hope this does not happen to you. If you invest your time in prayers for a profound dialogue with God and Sacred scriptures, participating in the Mass, and spiritual formation then you will experience the grace of God that shines on you. I hope that when you return to Malaysia, you will become a part of the great mission of the Church and make a great difference!

“I have come to light a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!” (Luke12:49)

For your personal reflection?

1) What is my understanding of the WYD?
2) Why am I going for the WYD?
3) Who/What inspired me to go for the WYD?
4) What do I hope to gain from this experience?

A Perspective on 'hazy' Situation

As I was reflecting on the haze situation in KL City these past days it took me down memory lane to the year 1995. I was then in my initiation year at College General Seminary in Penang. One day I was feeling so down and was not sure of my life in the seminary. As my usual habit, I came out to my balcony to have a view of the Island. It happened that day it was surrounded by thick haze. I recalled when the atmosphere was clear without haze where I could see the panoramic view of the sea, KOMTAR and the main land of Penang as well from my balcony. I came to the realization that if ever I want to have a better view of surrounding areas surely I need to walk a little ahead to have a glimpse of them. It was the same when it came to my life as a seminarian. As I go through gradually day by day, year by year surely I would be able to have a better vision of my priestly life. It’s also the same in everyone’s life. Probably right now we are not sure of what is happening in our life. It is like our vision and future are enveloped with haze. We may not have a clear vision of our future at the moment. Once we take courage to move forward surely we may be able to have a better vision of life.

Cardinal Tagle and His Zeal for the Church in Asia

I had the opportunity to meet Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle during dinner at our clergy recollection on Tuesday, May 14. His Eminence is currently in Kuala Lumpur for the FABC Office of Theological Concerns in Asia conference together with 14 other members (Bishops and Priests). Cardinal Tagle was present at the last conclave (March, 2013) and was also on the list of potential Papal candidates.

Philippines Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, age 55, Asia’s most prominent Roman Catholic leader, is among those who observers say may be in the running to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. His deep mastery of theology, passionate faith, compassion for the poor and humble ways are winning hearts and minds in his homeland and have impressed Benedict XVI. When Benedict announced his resignation in February 2013 and the media listed Tagle as one of several potential successors. 

Tagle is the seventh cardinal from the Philippines, which embraced Christianity under the colonial influence of Spain in 1521. The younger of two children of a pious Catholic couple who worked in a bank and came from middle-class backgrounds, Tagle dreamed of becoming a doctor. He studied from grade school to Ateneo University, Manila and later at the Catholic University of America in Washington, where he took up doctoral studies on theology. Tagle consistently finished with top honours. After Washington, Tagle returned to the Philippines and was assigned to numerous church offices and roles. He was ordained a priest in 1982, then a bishop in 2001 at an old cathedral. Cardinal Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI, appointed Tagle as a member of the Vatican's International Theological Commission and was impressed with his research work and papers. In October 2011, Benedict declared Tagle the new archbishop of Manila, then just a year later, elevated him to cardinal. 

When he was teaching in the seminary for about two decades, staying in a room that had no television or air-conditioning unit but was filled with religious and philosophy books. Even as a bishop, Tagle did not own a car. He took the bus or “jeepney,” the popular working-class minibus, to church and elsewhere, allowing him to mingle with the masses. His eminence is known for his great communication skills - he's a superb storyteller, has a good singing voice, a strong sense of humour, and speaks Italian, Latin and French. Recently that the number of his Facebook followers had jumped from about 80,000 and late last year to more than 120,000, with a lot of postings from abroad, including Europe. It was a wonderful moment for me to meet Cardinal Tagle who is a very brilliant, intelligent, very humble, simple, full of zeal that could energise the Church in Asia.