Lady Liberty

A very good friend, Ms Jocelyn Cruz, see to it that I got to meet Ms Liberty when I drop by my second destination to US soil, New Jersey. Well, nice meeting Lady Liberty in ‘green’. I got to meet another friend from my hometown, Josie who is happily married to Steve, and a happy mom to Janice and Janelle. Thanks guys!

(Background Music is c/o XTC Band - Statue of Liberty)

Hafa Adai (Guam Visit 2011)

I was fortunate enough to visit Guam before going to US mainland. I am indebted to Sr Zenaida Ancheta, OP, the Dominican Missioneras of Ordot, Barrigada and Yigo, DCS teachers and staff, Lay Dominicans, my college classmate Mrs Schelle Mangino Caliboso, and to everyone I met (including the strict immigration officer) for the overwhelming experience. Si Yu'us ma'åse'   

Peace is a choice!

A person who is always divided will never be at peace. We cannot have both worlds: either we accept God or reject God. However, many of us are actually living in both worlds: We accept God and reject God at the same time. We confess that God is good but rejects the idea of being good. We believe that God is the Way but we walk the wrong path or take the short cut; He is Truth yet we deny His teachings and commands; He is Life but we strongly reject life.  If we thought this is peace, then we are being deceived. Jesus’ peace is meant to break that habit of living a double face kind of life. Either we are with Him or against Him. Otherwise, do not wonder why we have a chaotic life.

三心二意的人或意念不專, 主意不定的人絕對不會獲得平安。我們不能有兩個世界：我們要相信天主或否認祂, 接受祂或拒絕祂。但，實際上許多人活在這兩個世界：我們接受天主，同時拒絕祂。我們承認天主是好的，但我們的思,言,行為都是邪惡的。我們相信天主是真道，但我們走了錯誤的路徑或走捷徑; 祂是真理, 但我們否認他的教誨和命令; 祂是生命，但我們堅決反對生命的價值。如果我們認為這是和平，那麼我們被欺騙了。耶穌所帶著的和平，是為了打破這種陽奉陰違的生活習慣。換句而言, 我們就承認祂或反對祂。否則，不要覺得奇怪為什麼我們有一個混亂的生命。

15th Sunday in OT (Mt 13: 1-23)

One of the difficult but important challenges each time we read the Scriptures is finding fresh ideas from it. It is difficult because it takes time for fresh ideas to develop. It is important because such ideas will eventually bring out change on how we treat life. This reality brings out two certain truths:

1. We need wisdom which the Holy Spirit provides.
2. God’s words is life and alive.

Like in today’s Gospel reading, not only Jesus spoke in parable but he also explained the meaning of the parable when the disciples asked him about it. Why Jesus speaks in parable? We got the answer. What’s the meaning of the parable he just told. We had the explanation. So what other truth can we still deduce from it when Jesus’ explanation is very simple and clear?

However, when Jesus spoke the parable, he spoke it to them, about them and with them.  We have here the same speaker and the same message yet referring to three different kinds of situation, audience and meaning. Within these three is the challenge: what have I got to do with it? Is Jesus speaking to me, about me or with me?

If He is speaking to me, do I hear Him? If Jesus is speaking about me, do I realize it? If He is speaking with me, do I understand?

Having a bountiful or disastrous life depends on how we react to the teachings we were imparted. While direct confrontation brings denial, anger and insecurities, speaking in slightly different tone creates an impact to analytic mind and gives room for self realization. 

The message is simple and clear yet it needs a listening ear.

我們每次閱讀聖經的時候, 其中一個最困難而最重要的挑戰是我們如何找到一個新的想法和意義. 一方面很困難是因為發揮新的idea需要長的時間. 另一方面很重要是因為那找到了新的idea就會發出在我們如何對待生命新的想法與態度. 從這個角度來看我們可以肯定兩個真理:

1.    我們需要天主聖神的靈感

2.    天主聖言是生命與有活力的生命.

就像在今天的福音，不僅耶穌發言比喻，但當耶穌的門徒問祂時, 祂也解釋了比喻的含義，且又清楚又簡單。為什麼耶穌講比喻呢？我們得到了答案。耶穌講的比喻有什麼意義呢? 祂已經解釋給我們聽了。那麼，我們還可以推斷甚麼呢？

然而，當耶穌講撒種的比喻時，祂就對他們，談論有關他們並與他們講話。我們這裡有相同的傳播者和相同的消息，卻指出三種不同的情況，對象和意義。在這三個不同的情況，對象和意義中出來一個挑戰：耶穌剛講的比喻跟我有什麼關係呢？耶穌難道對我說話嗎? 還是祂跟我講話？如果祂對我說話，我能聽到祂嗎？若耶穌是談論我，我會否意識到這一點？如果祂跟我說話，我明白了嗎？

答案不只是在今天福音裡, 且在我們如何實行我們所聽到的, 如何在我們基督信仰生活中增長, 結出百倍果實的好地. 擁有一個豐富或不幸的生命就看我們對我們所傳授的教訓有如何反應, 如何在我們日常生活表現出來。

有耳聽的, 就聽罷!

Taiwanese went Gaga!

The visit of the US pop singing star in Taiwan few days ago created an enormous response to mostly young people of the island. Lady Gaga known not only for her music but most especially for her signature fashion style is indeed at the peak of her career. No one can deny the huge impact she’s creating right now as evident by people from most countries idolizing her, to the point of imitating her fashion statement. Her visit to Taiwan is a loud example. Men and women, old and young, queued for hours just to have a glimpse of the star. They even held a parade with people dressed and adorned in everything Lady G’s. Most of them even stayed overnight outside the concert arena in order not to miss the concert.

c/o nookdeejung.blogspot.com

Lady G not only shares the same massive success with talented groups and individuals like The Beatles and Michael Jackson but shares the ‘charisma’ which made them unique – conveying a powerful message.  The British group, the Beatles conveyed a message of patriotic boundaries. Michael Jackson on the other hand conveyed a message of skin-color recognition. Lady G conveyed the message of individuality – freedom from traditional rules and standards.

At first glance it would seem correct, timely and acceptable. This is what the world needs – unfaltering, daring and unyielding individuals fighting for a good cause. However if we will carefully analyze it, Lady G’s message is creating a wrong consciousness to people. It is a pity to see people personify ‘exactly’ or at times overly dressed like her who didn’t realize how ridiculous they look. These people didn’t understand that Lady G’s fashion style is what makes her stands out, original and unique. To copy her in the literal sense is an absolute idolatry. Furthermore, this instance also exposes a certain truth about these copycats mob –  that like Lady G, they found a way to express their insecurities, acrimony and loneliness brought about by strong familial, cultural and social prejudice. Like a bird free from the cage, they fly to their heart’s content, without realizing freedom entails responsibility.

I don’t have problem with asserting oneself and affirming one’s individuality but for goodness sake, express it in a universally acceptable decorum. Copying Lady G’s fashion statement will never be an expression of individual freedom, rather a ‘double imprisonment’ (pseudo-freedom). I would like to believe that Lady G’s message, as she battles her own devil, is for people to find their ‘own way’ to liberate themselves from scrupulous norms through self affirmation in a way they become better and mature individuals. Idolatry in whichever form misses the point.

Learn from Gaga, and not just went Gaga.

Three Yeses, you’re going to the next round!

In the realm of reality TV shows (like the popular “this country’s” got talent) one great aspect of its success is the discovery of an ordinary person with an extraordinary talent. Not only these reality shows become platforms for people to showcase what they’ve got and to tell the world who they are but also they become an avenue to change the popular culture of gender bias, racial discrimination and the concept and standards of beauty. It proves that there is more to a person than meets the eye.

c/o www.lasnark.com

But talent is just one side of the person. While the contestants are said to have innate or acquired skills honed and developed over the years which gave them a pass to be on the show, can their talent handle the enormous pressure from the magnanimous success that awaits them? Some people are driven to success in the wrong perception, some with the right attitude.

Showing the world and sharing to everyone one’s God-given talent is indeed a beautiful gesture. That single performance can change both the life of the performer and those who were touched by the performer’s story. Success can be a good thing if the person will become a better, caring and loving individual who later on shares to the world not only his talent but his/her whole self. This time, his/her talent does not only make him/her successful but his/her talent becomes a vessel to prove what a great human being he/she has become.

1, 2, 3

On my headboard are three units of cellular phone, of different brands. You might conclude it’s vanity. I say yes and no. Yes since I only need one in order to communicate. No since today’s communication is being challenged by modern technologies, thus a little complicated. Quantity helps limit the complexity. But still I share the same sentiments with you that having three is undoubtedly many. My first unit is being used to receive text from my family back home. Text messaging is way cheaper than an overseas call. I needed a unit for that purpose. The second unit is a handyman since it fits almost all of my basic necessities for communication. It has been two years since I settled with it and been practically satisfied. The third unit just came into the picture a month ago. It’s the latest if not the costliest among the parade of mobile phones. It got almost everything you need. To put it simply, it boils down to everything ‘i”. The concern now is not the advancement of technologies but the manner by which we adapt to it. The same rationale applies when you got three units instead of just one. It’s not about ‘addiction’, its more of making best use of what you have.   

Perfection

People tried very hard to find a place where they would and could feel belonged. They practice from dusk till dawn not to only get it right but to get it perfect. Perfection seems to be an inevitable requirement to get the job well done. Perfection seems to be the only necessary requirement to get approval and affirmation. Perfection is something money cannot buy although some people would be delighted to prove the claim wrong. And why money is not the word for perfection? Because perfection needs talent in all its facets of expression. Talent is something innate, not a second nature nor an accident. Talent is who and what the person is. It is a gift free of charge but a gift with corresponding commitment. Commitment is what brings out one’s talent into its perfection. It is an imperative element to bring it into its fulfillment and appropriate use. People tried real hard to make such a thing happen. And unless they've got it right and perfect, remoteness is always an option.  

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit of God

Come into my heart and fill me.

I open the window of my soul to let you in;

I surrender my whole life to you.

Come and posses me, fill me with light and truth.

I offer you the one thing I really posses,

My capacity for being filled by You.

Of myself I am an empty vessel.

Fill me so that I may live the life of the Spirit.

The life of truth and goodness

The life of wisdom and strength.

But above all, make Christ be formed in me.

That I may dethrone self in my heart

And make Him king.

So that He may be in me, and I in Him.

Today and forever more, Amen.

Counter Argument Rules! (Lk 11: 14-23)

c/o istockphoto.com

Slander is a false accusation against someone. And how slander destroyed a lot of people – dressed them out with career opportunities and success only proved that the devil is at work. But Jesus’ fulfilling His mission was never hindered by this. He didn't allow it by exposing their malicious intent through his counter arguments. From here, we can deduce certain truths:

1. Honest people need not panic when someone falsely accused him/her of something. Because in the end the false accusation will fall back on the accuser. However, this is not to treat it as complacency but calls for self-examination. After all, we’re all guilty.
2. Jesus’ mission shows that He is not only interested in the salvation of soul but of the "whole" salvation, the total human person: in the case of the sick returning to full health (body and spirit), sufferers finding comfort and strength.
3. Luke highlighted the words of Jesus, saying: “He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.” It leads us to one conclusion: there is no place for neutrality (or being lukewarm) in the Christian life. Either you’re in or out; with or against; on the way or in the way.