I never knew of this verse in the bible entitled ‘Farewell Discourse’ in John 13:33. It reads: 

‘My little children, I shall not be with you much longer.
You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.’

The more popular verse that follows this is:
‘I give you a new commandment: Love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples’.

Such simple words. But strong ones no less. If only life were so simple. LOVE ONE ANOTHER. No complications, no challenges, no questions asked. Is it so hard to love our neighbour who we know nothing of? Or that grumpy Ms Negative who sits beside you in the office?

Yes, we are selective in who we love. Why is that? Do we love only those who love us back, and give us something in return?

The Kindness Campaign is going on now. What it takes to be kind is actually love. Maybe they should’ve just called it the LOVE Campaign instead.

Yup, it’s Holy Week. For the Christians, you’d know that it’s the intense week of Jesus’ death and resurrection. A lead up from Palm Sunday when He enters Jerusalem to Easter Sunday where He rises from the dead.

Does one really get ‘holier’ or just more spiritually uplifted and enlightened?

As I ponder Jesus’ passion and death, I look upon Him as the Servant Leader the prophets spoke about. I can’t imagine living during His time. Would I have seen Him as the Messiah, God’s son? Or would I have been one of the many that rebuked Him and even uttered, ‘Crucify him!’

It is a lot easier to read about Him in the Bible and believe what His believers saw. He was no conquering hero, but rather a humble worker. He favoured the weak and the sinners. In spite of being humiliated and scourged by the Romans who nailed him to the cross, He prayed for their forgiveness. Instead of condemning the repentant thief, He promised him that he would be in Paradise. He never stopped giving, He never stopped loving.

How does one top that? In my anger with someone, I want to get even. Forgiveness is the last thing on my mind.

So this week, I’m gonna pray for a merciful heart and to be given the grace to show mercy and love to those around me. To become as much as I can hope to be like Jesus, the humble, gentle Servant of the Lord. One week in the whole year…guess it’s not THAT hard… ;D

Interesting perspective shared by actor Dan Lauria Faith Matters. Take a look. Spirituality vs Religion. ‘
I think I need my comfort zone…and a community helps too. That’s why I need my faith, my religion and the like minded people who share it with me.

…and often time I forget it.

Tis true that we tend to indulge in our own successes, happiness and what not that often time we fail to realise that we are being obnoxious. 

Even worse is that Facebook – yes, I non humbly blame FB for this!! ;(  - makes us write status all about ourselves…Jo IS… so of course it becomes all ABOUT ME!!! When I forget to be humble, God has a funny way of pulling me back to earth.

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell arrogance from confidence. My confidence level, can be seen some times as OVER confidence which can then be interpreted as PRIDE. And pride is one of the 7 Deadly Sins. I forget all of them, just as I can never remember all the 7 Dwarfs names…

No fear. I think Humility is one of the MOST important virtues in life. Jesus taught us that with the many stories he told and the life he led as a simple son of a carpentar.

After that comes INTEGRITY. Coz a person who lacks it and can’t keep to his word just loses all my respect. Even worse are those who sit on the fence only to be toyed by others and then fall into their very clutches coz they don’t stand firm on their own values and beliefs.

I’ve seen this happen way to many a time. One can be charismatic enough to charm the pants outta someone, but when one never stands firm on an issue/belief and is a ‘lalang’ that sways with what is the easiest or the ‘bestest’ way, then I say, ‘Hold on to your INTEGRITY coz it can mean you make it or break it!’

My secondborn went for his first confession 2 weeks ago. It was a timely reminder of how great and merciful God is. The Act of Contrition itself that goes, ‘Oh my God, I’m sorry that I have sinned against you, because Thou art so good, I shall try not to sin again.’ That was a reminder to me of how Jesus loved us so much that he took that big scary step to die on the cross so that our sins will be forgiven.

While it’s hard to teach that to my 8 year old, I try to instill in him to pray with 3 things in mind. To thank God for something he received or is happy about, to say sorry for something he’s done or said, and to pray for someone in need of our prayers.

Forgiveness is a powerful thing. It’s easy to forgive perhaps. But to forget that’s hard. I wish it could go hand in hand. Whenever someone hurts me, it helps to put myself in that person’s perspective. Sometimes I think it’s coz he/she is insensitive so that makes it easier. But when it’s intentional and done with malice, you can’t help but wonder why. 

I confessed my sins. And one of my biggest is that I can’t forgive a certain someone. The priest told me that by doing so, I only cause myself more damage as it eats into my being and lets the other person have power over me. Man, it’s so easy but a grudge is a grudge. Everyday I pray for release…I know I’m getting there as my heart gets lighter. 

Today’s sermon was about the slaves who did as their masters wanted but what was their reward? Were they happy being given their ‘rewards’ in spite of?

It reminded me of the work situation. We have our bosses. How many of us actually LIKE our bosses. Very few lucky people really. It seems to be innate for subordinates to NOT like their supervisors. Is it coz no human likes being a slave?

Our relationship with God is a special one. We need to love as He calls us His Children. Not friends, not brothers and sisters but as His children. The love between a parent and child is a really strong one. A parent would usually do anything out of the love for their offspring…soemtimes even to death.

So, let’s today evaluate our relationship with our wonderful Creator and all He has blessed us with. I know I’m blessed abundantly. Never a day goes by now that I don’t give thanks for all that I have. No point complaining, or comparing with others. I have what I have and I am HAPPY!

..to the same point. Wise words by a really wise man. Mahatma Gandhi. If ever there were any human beings that I look up to, Mr Gandhi is the male counterpart of Mother Theresa.

 

There is a forum issue on hospitals run by Christian groups converting their patients. I dunno. If you are not Christian, and if you have issues, then DON’T send your ailing relative there. Why? Not coz the hospital should only serve Christians for sure, they’re open to all races and religions. That is the very nature of being Christian-ly.

 

But coz when you go to a Christian church, you WILL KNOW it’s Christian coz there is likely to be a chapel, there are crosses, and you have nuns, brothers, pastors and whatever you may call them that serve that faith.

 

I delivered my firstborn in a Catholic hospital. No need to hide the fact. It was in Mount Alvernier. I delivered my second born at KK Hospital. Only to make use of my government subsidy. But I would go back to Mt Alvernier anytime. Why? Coz the staff there were so warm and hospitable. There was a nun who, without even my asking, offered to bless Dominic at the chapel. It was lovely. Being a Catholic myself, there is nothing more gratifying knowing that God’s creation is in my hands and that to give thanks to Him for such a miracle.

 

With KK, it was just clinical. Service was good though. Very professional. I just needed that extra reminder of God being around in that wonderful gift of life. It didn’t offer me that.

 

Some time back, there was the tragic death of the 5 dragon boaters who died in a freak accident in Cambodia. It seems a teacher started a blog dedicated to one of them, Chee Cheng Kin. In it, she said that he was no President of the Council, no prominent position, yet an ordinary guy who make the difference with his smile and his kindness. It reminded me of the recent death of one of the arts industry’s production practitioner, Andre Pierre Salim. He too died in a freak accident. In USA, Yale University where he was studying while carrying stage props that fell and flattened him..he too was remembered for his smile and genuine honest nature.

 

In life, everyone seems to want to rise to the occasion and climb the corporate ladder to prove their worth. Wow! Director are you!!!? You’re seen in GREAT light. I’m glad I matured early to realise that my status in life is NOT based on what high post I hold in my job. I’ve seen those Directors and General Managers, CEOs and lawyers and other professionals who are deemed oh so high and mighty. Some of them are just plain deceitful people, who lie(even to get their kid to a good school…poor kid to suffer the humiliation of it all 4 years later) and are heartless and non compassionate.

 

What really matters is your heart…for there is where the main essence of life is held. LOVE.  I hope you, my friend, will always be holding me in your heart whether as friend, colleague, daughter, mother, sis….I hold so many positions in life afterall.. …. 

I’ve been neglecting my spiritual life. 

I used to try to go to weekday mass at least once a week in the morning. It just gave me so much peace.

Now that I’m a SAHM, you’d think I’d have more time. But waking up on time is so hard to do!!! Excuses, excuses 

I was reading ‘The Word Among Us’ this morning. God is talking to me. I just need to listen.

In it, it read ‘Satan doesn’t want us to be happy but to be as miserable as he is. That’s why Satan and his demons are always trying to oppress us – whether through a spirit of laziness, lust, gluttony, pride or any other number of other ways. They also try to use the nonsinful elements of our emotions – such as fear and anxiety – to wear us down and keep us from experiencing everything Jesus came to give us.’

Geez, ain’t that the story of my life! I’ve been lazy, full of pride, feeling fearful and anxious…all the emotions eating within me that makes me lose my sense of worth. What can we do when we feel as such? We definitely can’t rely on our own strength. Turn to God! Ask God to drive away whatever spirit is bothering us and give up all our anxieties to Him. Once we surrender our fears to the Lord and leave Him to guide our path, things will naturally fall in place.

Mine did. Thank you, dear Lord!

Every marriage will go through it’s fair share of challenges. There WILL be ups, just as there will be downs. Complete satisfaction is impossible perhaps? I dunno, I guess how satisfied one is depends on how high one’s expectations are….?

Personally, I find it difficult to retain the romance of the courting days. You get to know too much of each other, the flaws, the irks, the bad side, the good side. But if you think about it, marriage is a commitment. A MAJOR one not to be taken lightly. So the critical part is always before the vows are taken..to evaluate if this is the person you can stay with for life. Once you’re decided he/she is, there’s no backing out, or turning back. The problem is…too many people quit too easily. Divorce is an easy way out to break free.

So here’s sharing 4 simple steps to guide and help(coz I’ve been at it for 13 years, I think I know SOMETHING about marriage )

1. Pray every day – for your spouse, yourself, your children and for the grace of God to keep the marriage and family strong

2. Eliminate Negativity, Accentuate Love – bit hard this one, but remember, negative words are as hurtful as negative actions. They drive wedges into any relationship.

3. Forgive – It takes a lot of pride to ask for forgiveness. Being merciful is a virtue. No one is sin-less, so forgiveness and reconciliation are necessary aspects of a Christian Marriage.

4. Appreciation and Affection - how simple little acts can be to someone. Being grateful with kind words, words of thanks, a smile, a hug, a peck on the cheek makes my day. It does for anyone…just try it when you smile at a complete stranger on the bus. Regular affection is key to strengthening the marriage, as is expression of gratitute to your lover who prepares that sandwich when you’re hungry.

How often do we get caught up in creating an image of goodness that we lose sight of God and the precious gifts He bestows on us?

I’m guilty of it. It is pretty darn hard to be like Jesus, the perfect role model of humility, kindness, love and compassion.

I do sometimes feel justified serving the community, even as my family life is filled with thoughtless inconsiderate remarks to the people I love the most. Does this make me get a place in heaven? No point being nice to strangers in the community but taking for granted your own family…

The truth is, outward observances and even diligent efforts to conform to God’s law cannot give us the assurance of God’s forgiveness. Faith is essential. It is faith in Jesus, and not the law of Moses, that God provides us our gifts.

I hope to remember this prayer taken from The Word Among Us, my daily dose of the bible:

Jesus, my faith is weak! I can get so caught up in creating an image of goodness that I lose sight of you and the precious gifts you want to give me. Increase my faith in your death and resurrection, Lord, so that I can know your life more fully.

Amen.