Happiness In Christ Alone

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal..." 

(Mt 6: 19).

The human heart was made for the happiness and joy that it brings. To what kind of treasure should we entrust our heart, our very self? Jesus Christ alerts us to the false treasures which pull hard at our hearts each day — earthly treasures of fine clothes, or possessions, or wealth or money. As the realistic Spanish proverb puts it: “There are no pockets in a shroud.”

Christ offers us the one treasure worthy of the human heart, the one and only treasure that can accompany us through the grave and across the threshold to eternal life. What is that treasure? It is the person of Jesus Christ himself and all of the good actions we do for His sake. Living for Christ alone, loving him above all else, giving up our lives, our very selves for him can fulfill our deepest aspirations and satisfy our human heart. Only this treasure will remain for all eternity. “For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.”

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.