Rushing through our responses to the priest and our praises to God, isn't the proper way of participating at Mass. It is irksome when the person is not just a mere congregational member. No matter how horrible or tired we may feel, God deserves our praise and focus at Mass.
Another thing that irritates me tremendously is when people do not realise the significance of having ashes put on the forehead. It is obvious that this person I noted sees no meaning in it because the person laughed while conversing with another person, after having received the ashes. This is taking into consideration the remark made of the wish for more masses. The cause is the deficient influences in religious education from young.
Enough said.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Father Bosco's Novena homily on 10/1/09
The Twelve Days of Christmas
(Legend holds that the beloved carol was actually a tool to help children learn Christian teachings. Here's what the gifts mean. When Oliver Cromwell came to power in England, Catholics were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Tradition holds that Catholic parents developed "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to teach children their beliefs.)
The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus (the partridge will sacrifice its life to save its young).
Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments
Three French hens: Faith, hope, and charity, or the three gifts of the Wise Men
Four calling birds: The four Evangelists--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Five golden rings: The first five books of the Old Testament
Six geese a-laying: The six days of creation described in Genesis
Seven swans a-swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord)
Eight maids a-milking: The eight Beatitudes
Nine ladies dancing: The nine choirs of angels (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and regular angels); or the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control).
Ten lords a-leaping: The Ten Commandments
Eleven pipers piping: The eleven faithful Apostles
Twelve drummers drumming: The twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed
(Legend holds that the beloved carol was actually a tool to help children learn Christian teachings. Here's what the gifts mean. When Oliver Cromwell came to power in England, Catholics were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Tradition holds that Catholic parents developed "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to teach children their beliefs.)
The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus (the partridge will sacrifice its life to save its young).
Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments
Three French hens: Faith, hope, and charity, or the three gifts of the Wise Men
Four calling birds: The four Evangelists--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Five golden rings: The first five books of the Old Testament
Six geese a-laying: The six days of creation described in Genesis
Seven swans a-swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord)
Eight maids a-milking: The eight Beatitudes
Nine ladies dancing: The nine choirs of angels (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and regular angels); or the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control).
Ten lords a-leaping: The Ten Commandments
Eleven pipers piping: The eleven faithful Apostles
Twelve drummers drumming: The twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed
Thursday, January 8, 2009
My quiet time's output
Life with me is not immunity from difficulties but peace in difficulties. My guidance is often by shut doors.
Joy is the result of faithful trusting acceptance of My will, when It seems not joyous.
Saint Paul, my servant, learnt this lesson when he said "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Expect rebuffs until this is learnt -- it is the only way.
Joy is the daughter of calm.
(taken from God Calling: January 8)
Psalm 147:13-14
'He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.'
My reflection: How lucky we in Singapore are! He has protected us from terrorism through our efficient law enforcers and government. Our last invasion was the Japanese Occupation in 1942 and we are provided for in terms of welfare through this recession. Any potential conflicts we had with other countries have not escalated to physical violence. Praise God!
Joy is the result of faithful trusting acceptance of My will, when It seems not joyous.
Saint Paul, my servant, learnt this lesson when he said "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Expect rebuffs until this is learnt -- it is the only way.
Joy is the daughter of calm.
(taken from God Calling: January 8)
Psalm 147:13-14
'He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.'
My reflection: How lucky we in Singapore are! He has protected us from terrorism through our efficient law enforcers and government. Our last invasion was the Japanese Occupation in 1942 and we are provided for in terms of welfare through this recession. Any potential conflicts we had with other countries have not escalated to physical violence. Praise God!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Father Ambrose Vas's Midnight Mass and Epiphany homilies
A particular point about the first homily struck me and is very poignant, especially with my mum's demise. He said this with regard to the theme of Joy that my parish has adopted for Christmas 2008:
Joy is the presence of God amidst sorrow and pain. :)
The second one spoke about the three wise men who saw the star which led them to the King of all kings. He mentioned that the star disappeared for a while and only reappeared when they decided to acknowledge and follow it. They had to choose to persevere in their search before the star would reappear. It was waiting for them to take that step to continue despite its absence.
Denis followed up from Father's homily and shared that others chose to ignore the star but not the wise men. God chooses when to give us special revelations of His presence if He feels we need them, like the road to Emmaus where the disciples had lost all hope after His death. For we who live in this modern-day period, He sends us stars in the form of guides, through the people in our lives, according to Father too.
Denis also shared that we must connect back with God and that His language is silence. Perhaps that is why I don't feel as passionate for Charismatic as I did last year? Then again, the praise songs do express my thanks and gratitude to God for what He has given me. There are also worship songs which express the soul's deeper feelings and the intercessory prayer session which gives me God's strength and peace when I am resting in His spirit. I think it is an essential balance of both Pentecostal and Catholic for my faith journey, despite how others may feel about Charismatic sessions.
Joy is the presence of God amidst sorrow and pain. :)
The second one spoke about the three wise men who saw the star which led them to the King of all kings. He mentioned that the star disappeared for a while and only reappeared when they decided to acknowledge and follow it. They had to choose to persevere in their search before the star would reappear. It was waiting for them to take that step to continue despite its absence.
Denis followed up from Father's homily and shared that others chose to ignore the star but not the wise men. God chooses when to give us special revelations of His presence if He feels we need them, like the road to Emmaus where the disciples had lost all hope after His death. For we who live in this modern-day period, He sends us stars in the form of guides, through the people in our lives, according to Father too.
Denis also shared that we must connect back with God and that His language is silence. Perhaps that is why I don't feel as passionate for Charismatic as I did last year? Then again, the praise songs do express my thanks and gratitude to God for what He has given me. There are also worship songs which express the soul's deeper feelings and the intercessory prayer session which gives me God's strength and peace when I am resting in His spirit. I think it is an essential balance of both Pentecostal and Catholic for my faith journey, despite how others may feel about Charismatic sessions.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What Jesus means to me at Christmas
We were supposed to share on this topic and several labels came to mind.
1) Strength: keeping me strong for my dad and to inspire others despite my arthritis and my mum's death.
2) Comforter: linked to strength.
3) Sustainer: sustaining my voice at Midnight Mass, after the Pageant. Could hold my notes and sound fine for O Holy Night.
4) Glory: linked to sustainer
5) Love: the love of the people around my dad and I ever since my mum's demise
6) Holiness: a surreal and yet real feeling when the shepherds and kings walked to the stable to worship the King during the Pageant.
7) Welcomer: especially for the disabled like me, when I was sitting at the side because I can't kneel. "He comes to call the sick and not the healthy."
1) Strength: keeping me strong for my dad and to inspire others despite my arthritis and my mum's death.
2) Comforter: linked to strength.
3) Sustainer: sustaining my voice at Midnight Mass, after the Pageant. Could hold my notes and sound fine for O Holy Night.
4) Glory: linked to sustainer
5) Love: the love of the people around my dad and I ever since my mum's demise
6) Holiness: a surreal and yet real feeling when the shepherds and kings walked to the stable to worship the King during the Pageant.
7) Welcomer: especially for the disabled like me, when I was sitting at the side because I can't kneel. "He comes to call the sick and not the healthy."
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Nativity's Church's ornate architecture
Believe it was the former tabernacle. Depicts two scenes: Nativity of Jesus and the Flight to Egypt.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A stronger awareness of God when overseas
I find that I am more reliant on God when I am abroad. I pray to him for every small but significant thing. I pray for perfect weather, smooth traffic, a smooth flight, a safe journey and physical protection. When I get these blessings, I know He has answered my prayers. Somehow being in a foreign country makes us vulnerable, since we have only ourselves and anything can happen to us, if not for His watchful eyes over us.
On my most recent trip to Turkey, I was also blessed with a knowledge of His life and His church, through the religious sites we visited. It was an especially meaningful trip, as we went to His Mother's house in Ephesus. We also went to an open-air museum in Cappadocia, which had paintings of events in His life for us to admire.
He also blessed me so abundantly with His guardian angels in the guise of the friends of my parents. They took care of me and showered me with all the goodness of God.
On my most recent trip to Turkey, I was also blessed with a knowledge of His life and His church, through the religious sites we visited. It was an especially meaningful trip, as we went to His Mother's house in Ephesus. We also went to an open-air museum in Cappadocia, which had paintings of events in His life for us to admire.
He also blessed me so abundantly with His guardian angels in the guise of the friends of my parents. They took care of me and showered me with all the goodness of God.
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