Till we meet again soon!

Steven Raj with Henry
After the thank you speech,
time to dig in and we
are all veg today!!

Till we meet again for Rosary in May  folks!

BEC Coordinator Steven Raj,  was full of thanks and appreciation to those who  came for the weekly Friday -Way of the Cross -session, and of course those who opened their houses to let Christ in, during this time of prayers and reflections!! Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Eric Pinto for your kind hospitality!!

Was it only last week that we
met? Wah! So much to share!

Hello! Mrs Eric Pinto, making
coffee?? So many
packet drinks!!No need lah!

Sweet , sweet smile of youth!

Filial Piety of the highest order!

Photo from the Internet

This picture came to me in an email and boy, was I moved to bits!!

This picture shows   62 year old Ting Tsu Chi  of Taiwan  carrying his frail mother into the Chi Mei Hospital  and it had gone viral. Who would not be moved and touched by such filial piety! . He gave up an opportunity for promotion and took early retirement so that he could look after his ageing parents.His father had passed on in 2006. Now, his mother had a stroke and had broken her leg and he reckons , a cloth sling carrier would give her less pain.

What tenderness and compassion in his expression! What could be more illustrative, than this picture   "'When I was small, you carry me; When you grow old, I carry you'' ( quoted by a Taiwanese newspaper) Just for the record, he refused to be interviewed, saying what he is doing is entirely his own business. He is right of course!

How many among us could do that in today's world?? 

Get a Divorce!!

Get a divorce folks! Get a divorce from HELL and all the big N of existence! Strange isn't it, that all we want, is to make it out of the maze and reach the other side safely and in good spirit and yet, we are courted and greeted by Mr. Negative, Mr. Do No Good  dressed in the clothes of "good for you packages", everywhere we turn. He sure does not want us to reach Heaven's doorway, that easily. He sure enjoys the weeping and wailing which prevails in his kingdom. He dangles mirages of sweets and carrots at every corner, to cast his noose over your necks and lead you as his slaves -deeper and deeper into  the dark, dark tunnel, where the heat and the fire of the furnace awaits and then the shroud is lifted from your sight but alas! it is too late! You have been doomed! At journey's end, there are only two doorways which welcomes you ......UP...the grace of heavenly joy OR DOWN the fires of damnation . You have been given the Will to decide your destination, you are given the right to Choose your final resting place. Folks the choice is entirely yours. Life does not require you to be too Goody, Goody, only live  with a Conscience and Act with Clarity , wisdom and Love of God and you will do fine!

The end begins with the journey and that journey will lead you to your  destination. Look towards the Positive and the Light Folks, and their glow shall lead you in the direction where God awaits!

Yours Truly, wishes each and every traveller the best of the very best!!!

Serving behind the scene

I always wonder
Why  the pews 
and the floor
of  the church building were
always so clean
No mud and no dust!
why everything looks so
spick and span
And despite the crowds
why the air smelt so fresh...
but we know now, don't we? 
The pictures shows it all-
God's workers are hard at work
behind the scene , and that's why!

Something New I learnt today

Solemn but graciously serene and befitting the purpose of the season! I do not know about you people but purple is such a deep and  enriching colour and there is meaning and a beautiful reason why we should veil the holy images, and I for one feel, what our eyes cannot see, adds to the fervour and strength of our faith in the  God Almighty, He, whom no living mortal has ever  seen. A wonderful time to focus on the omnipresence , of the Lord God, His divine aura without the influence of images and doesn't it add to the holiness of the altar and the occasion ??? Cool and inviting!! 

Way of the Cross- BEC Bandar Puteri Klang

The way of the Cross is not all prayers and reflections. It is also very much BEC togetherness. 

Elizabeth's home is lovely and so are her curry puffs!! 

CANDID SHOTS!!

 

BEWARE!!! 

MYSTERY BLOGGER ON THE PROWL!! 

 YOU MAY BE ON CANDID SHOTS!!

Pluck out the old and allow new body parts to grow

Yesterday, a friend sent me a sharing  about eagles, who are known to live long, long lives, but to do that they have to  get rid  of their ageing and worn out parts, which are  no more useful-talcons, claws, beak,  even  all their faded feathers have to be plucked out to allow them to grow back. It was no easy task,taking five (5)  long ,  determined and lonely months to complete the whole  process and there is  pain involved, lots of personal and physical pain.  With the old discarded, and the new  and strong  sprouted forth, they are then able to fly away,  a new creature,  renewed - flying high into the skies again with regained strength and survival resources which makes them king of the skies. That sharing teaches so much...never be afraid to discard your old self  for something better.  Never be afraid of the time needed to bring about that change and never spare the efforts to bring about change if the end result will give you renewed energy, confidence  and power to continue surviving in the best circumstance. 

I love that teaching and sharing and I relate it to myself, in autumn...I have travelled for so long along one particular stretch of road, that I could practically move around blind folded if I continue in that direction but that  road is leading to a dead end, because I have outlived my usefulness, in that direction, but other windows are opening, other opportunities abound, and I for one believe, talents never die and can only grow. So long as there is life, the feet must continue journeying to make fruitful and beautiful those beautiful gifts- that meaning continues to shine through our paths.  For a time, I resisted the change because those new pathways were so untested , that  fear and uncertainty gnaws and so  procrastination  sets in...but if in my mind,  I am 36, and forever will be, then I will definitely need to pluck out the worn out parts, grow new parts  in order to survive  the life span of my predestined years.

In autumn,  learn from the eagles that one could still fly high  if one is  not afraid,..... if one is determined enough  to discard the old and bring forth the young and new in us...rebuilt new strength. When it rains, though it is sometimes good to receive its showers for self realization and  growth, it would be better...., it would be  great if we , like the eagles could fly high above the clouds to avoid the rain.

Thank you friend for that five star sharing.

Worthiness-Reflections

Self  worth is crucial to journeying  , because that is faith and belief in your  own capabilities  and abilities. . If you constantly  stick your face in mud pie, you get mud pie. If you think, you are unworthy, then you are definitely not worthy and incapable of achieving the things you want for your daily needs,  let alone attaining greater things.. That is the greatest secret since the beginning of times; and that secret is contained in the pages of the Word of God, that  is one of the greatest wisdom laid open in the Holy Bible-to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear....and yet people have to wait for the rediscovery of the "WORTHY"word " by modern day gurus, educators, motivators and well being authors before their eyes could open to see how  important, self esteem and self worth is to life's living and then, only then, do they go about practising its wisdom.
.  

God loved us so much  that He sent His only Son to redeemed us...is there anyone else as worthy to pick up the crosses and sins of the world; is there anyone else caring enough to rebuild the bridge of reconciliation if not His only Begotten Son???. The unworthy do not even have the strength to pick up a small cross, let alone a massive heavy cross, bearing the sins the world.  In accepting His redeeming Body and Blood,  in many ways, we are also  receiving a part of  His strength and  virtues. Let us first be worthy of the Lord God and Self Worth shall automatically follow suit , for then whatever we do, we shall do it with  conscience , with clarity and for the love and good of others and self..  For then, whatever we do, we do it , because we know we are worthy of those acts of giving  and worthy of the expectations , expected of us. People! Are you worthy of the Love, God has given you?? Are you worthy of yourself, your every existence and this journey so moulded  you???

OLL SENIOR CITIZEN DIALOG (SCM)

FIRST DIALOGUE SESSION-15TH MARCH 2012
WHAT SENIORS WANT AND LOOK FORWARD TO

The response was encouraging
and  the President was all smiles

                     

At this beautiful time of their lives, Seniors  want friends, company, affordable trips, retreats, fellowships, health screening., visits to charity homes and the like, activities which gives them the opportunities to let down their hair a little and just enjoy time with  people their age group and lots more.... and this first seniors dialogue comes with fellowship and birthday wishes to those welcoming in  yet another number!

Cutting the birthday cake

Golden Parishioner Dato' Peter believes that  even a twenty minute visit and show of care and kindness to the  sick and lonely,would bring much happiness. The avenue to contact each other for transport and travel and come together for events and activities.....if someone needed comfort, someone had passed on...that already .is a resource to building up  close rapport and friendship and that means plenty to people in times of need,..... to people watching the sunset alone. 

Birthday gals and boys
 blessing their birthday cake??

  HUGE TASKS AHEAD!!! 

Senior Citizen Ministry, everywhere , world wide- face one common challenge and that is FUNDS  and  PEOPLE SUPPORT. 

Fund Raising on the pipe line

It is a huge task but  SCM, president and working team had taken it in their stride and are already hard at work planning, on the HOW TO  raise those funds. Char Yeow!! (top up the fuel, the power!!)

This Blogger says:  Seniors, must first help themselves, before others can help them. The call to you, members, lend active  support  to your  Seniors  community! Come forward! If everyone puts in an effort, who says, we cannot be active and vibrant?? Research has shown that those who keep themselves physically and mentally active, can slow down their ageing process and their  effects. Ask yourselves people, Why is it that some people are still so healthy, strong and vibrant at 80, while others display the full ravages of  ageing at 60, or even 50++??


This Blogger  says,   start building a new culture, a culture of  well being  for the ageing years, cultivate a community of friends, who are willing to be there for  each other and one another!!

Congrats! I am 18!!

Hello! World, here we come!!

Let's dance!

How time flies..... and the youngest is now 18! He is your gift from God,- that was my doctor's precise words to me 18 years ago .......and as I stood and watched the birthday boy  cut his cake to the roars of encouragement from his friends, those words came floating back...I recalled the first time, I saw his image , this  blur moving life form on the scanner in the doctor's room, the first time, I held him , when  he was placed in my arms...and now...yes, young man,  congratulations again, you are 18!!

Clarity in God

We are in a holy place, and we frequent the holy house of God, not because, we are holy, but because we are in need of God and need Him so much. We have come , not because we are good or religious, far from it,  we are there because  we acknowledge our unworthiness.  Fact is, nobody is truly religious and good  because we are people of sin, whatever we do, our every action almost always  borders on own interest and self.  Life is really one big bubble  and many, including Yours Truly are sometimes more than happy to float  around in pretence flaunting the artificial  and false side of us and thriving on their encores. But  bubbles never last for long, and when it  finally burst and we are forced downwards,  it can be devastating . Without God to hold us up, where would we be???

Yesterday, I was with a group of friends and we debated on  the gift of the gap and the power of the tongue the other definition -PR skills.. What happens when that skill is given the maxi push  and overshot its limit,and though the honey is there, the heart disappears to be replaced by  agenda and motive ?? The word hypocrite, hypocritical , insincere , false came up and yet, the conclusion was that without those skills, many category of people like those in the corporate and  arena of  Big  P , cannot survive . Those abilities, which we,  the ordinary despises and spat upon are actually the  attributes and strategic tools towards targets of worldly achievement and objectives. The art of persuasive communication , when one is able to convince the mind of others that black is white and white is really black and get them to accept it as fact,  is big business in today' s living- Of course if you are so worldly minded that you choose to ignore conscience and walk the broader road all the time,  then you could probably collect a basketful of worldly blink, blink! Sadly blink, blink has no value at the end of life's journey. 

This morning,  the word hypocrite was again mentioned , but in an entirely different platform. and scenario.  To those released from the mirages  of our bubbles and are now  stripped of the artificial and pompousness of self,  our eyes are opened to our blemishes and we acknowledge our own lacking. Funnily, this habitually only  happens  during the season of Lent.  We become remorseful  and start to wonder if  the word  hypocrite  applies to self. Guess,  if we are travellers,  still travelling towards holiness and goodness, then  we need not punish ourselves too much, (only try not to repeat our mistakes)   because, we still have the person of the Lord Jesus  to bring our conscience to the front and remind us to keep Centre , God in our lives and that will help to flush out the mirages that surrounds our journey;  that we see with clarity  real values and treasures that will ensure that our feet remain firm on the ground. .  No matter, how far we wonder into the land of  Mirages and the artificial  of life, be assured, we will hear the call  to awaken and  return to reality.

God, thank you for the blessings given us!!

A good friend forwarded me this very beautiful reminder and asked that I pass it on. .......

FORGIVE ME WHEN I WHINE !

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful

woman and wished I were as beautiful.

When suddenly she rose to leave,

I saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had one leg and wore a crutch.

But as she passed, she passed a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have two legs; the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.

The lad who sold it had such charm.

I talked with him, he seemed so glad.

If I were late, it'd do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me,

"I thank you, you've been so kind.

It's nice to talk with folks like you.

You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have two eyes; the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,

I saw a child I knew.

He stood and watched the others play,

but he did not know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said,

"Why don't you join them dear?"

He looked ahead without a word.

I forgot, he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have two ears; the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go.

With eyes to see the sunset's glow.

With ears to hear what I'd know.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

The Up and Down Affair

We are having an affair, a daily affair , practising the  rule of the "up and down" of SLP  (Standard living practices) . These are so blended into our lives that it had become routine- taken for granted-something  so  matter of fact, . that many of us go through their paces without acknowledging and understanding their  significance. Downwards- it is the descend of  God's grace upon us.... when it goes up, it is glorification, our glorification of our God in the Highest. I certainly took it so much for granted ....that I do not even pause to examine it even for a moment.  But then as always, parish priests have their way of awakening our finer senses.

Another common standard occurrence.... are complaints and blaming God for our misfortunes, or His lack of care .(.I,  had my fair share of  lamenting  and asking  God for a break) , and  yet we do not see that He is constantly giving us breaks, regularly shielding us and  in the process , taken the beating on our behalf. I remember, as a very young child, my older sister covered me with her body when I was beaten for being extremely naughty.....,in the end, she received the lashes, but bore it stoically while I escaped with a just  a tinie  wienie bit of the pain, and in a flood of tears. Things like that you remember with gratitude all your life..That also stirred up in my mind another beautiful story of this traveller who lamented  the non presence of the Lord  during his difficult moments. When  shown  two sets of footprints  on the sands of time, this traveller only saw the stages when there appeared to be only one set of footprints...and questioned the Lord......"then, why were there only one set of footprints, here, there and there???? Why?? " Why? Those were my footprints and not yours my good man.....those were the times, you lack the strength  to walk even with me by your side, so I had to hold you  up and carry you  over those really bad patches...."

Lent brings to mind the many things religion , church and God does for us...we are given a chance to redeem ourselves, confess of our sins, and resume living on a clean slate and we have the support of the whole community. The most wonderful thing is that our God, who has gone through the various stages of hell on our behalf, is compassionate and ever-listening. No religious observances is ever forced upon anyone, during  this season of  abstinence, self examination  and  renewal , whatever we do, it is for  love, whether it is out of love for our own soul, or for the love of others. To receive,  you have to give...and in giving, you receive. That is the law of balance, the equilibration by which the universe rotates and circulate. Whatever you do, do it with the conscience of your weight  on the Lord who carries you through all the rough terrains, potholes, and shield s you from the unpredictable  storms and tsunamis of life's journey.. Let this Lent patch up the many potholes we face and strengthen  the very foundation of the  paths  we walk upon....less of mud and more concrete. 

The Way of the Cross-Reflections

It was at the station when He was lead to be Crucified  ...that it  struck me, the significance of something  I had failed to comprehend, all along,..... I had always  taken that unselfish  self sacrifice  for granted...as part of bible text, as part of faith history but I never quite saw that implication. ....

The Lord was not just nailed to the cross to die, it was not only lost the loss of  blood and life. it came with intense shame, agonizing degradation,  utter  humiliation of being stripped to nakedness, exposed , to the whole world, and then have the  nails  driven in and  hung high, to die..with thieves! Horrific! The Lord Jesus, He not only died for us, He also took our shame....the entire burden of the world was cast on the shoulders of one man, as a sacrificial lamb. 

It was immensely humbling that God should so loved the world that He not only sent His only son to die for us , but allowed Him  to take on additional torment , endure such  horrible degradation, and sufferings that  the promise of reconciliation may be bridged.  It is enough that He died for us, but then taking on the sins of mankind is costly, a huge and costly affair. Without going down to the lowest of degradation,before yielding the Spirit  to the Father,  mankind cannot be  saved from eternal damnation, because the weight of sin was nightmarish heavy. Tell me beloved people of God, is there any thing that could be compared to this Unconditional Love, that God has for us???

P/s : Does it bring to mind the image of Adam and Eve driven out of the Garden of Eden in their naked state ; so too  in his act of reconciliation, the Redeemer too assume the same state to open the gate of heaven?? The act of descending into hell on our behalf and rising up again to open the bridge of reconciliation. What say you people?? Religion is really a fascinating subject, which opens up endless windows in the seeking mind to explore and bring about more answers to the mysteries of life..