New year's resolution

It has been a very long time since I last updated my blog in November because I had a lot of things to do during the whole of December and I did not have time to write articles. 

As new year's resolution, some people have the custom of making new year's resolutions, usual things for better health like giving up drinking alcohol or smoking. Others resolve to keep a tidy home, be better organized at work, and many things. How long do such intentions last? Perhaps our resolutions can turn to our inward beliefs and values.

As you know that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away recently, and someone wrote an article about Pope Emeritus' new year's resolution. It is a thoughtful article, and it brings us to that fundamental question of whether it is all about revolutionary politics or a transcendent Kingdom, what we Romantics would call the Blue Flower, but which is none other than God and a mode of existence that is beyond the material laws of this world.

We should not forget that Christians have often been in history the only ones to consider looking after the sick and the poor, and to campaign for their welfare with kings and other state authorities. The famous film Mission after the book by Robert Bolt also teaches us that thin dividing line between the Church’s service to the poor and oppressed – and bloody warfare against the oppressors. 

There is another line in the Scarlet and the Black, set in the darkest days of World War II in Rome. A priest expresses his desire to join the resistance and kill Nazis. Msgr O’Flaherty reminds him that they are there to help the victims of war, not to add to the killing. This is the essential difference between the teaching of the Gospel and revolutionary politics. It is too subtle for many, but I feel it profoundly.

According to the article, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger also said:

To have Christian hope means to know about evil and yet to go to meet the future with confidence. The core of faith rests upon accepting being loved by God, and therefore to believe is to say Yes, not only to him, but to creation, to creatures, above all, to men, to try to see the image of God in each person and thereby to become a lover.

It is this faith and hopes that confers a right reason on us, the capacity for love, kindness and tolerance. These are definitely my own values, which make me pass for a weak person, without the will to be competitive.

Keep out of politics. Carry the Blessed Sacrament and let the bastards shoot you. It is the death of a martyr. The atheists and materialists would ask “What’s the use? There is nothing after death. You cease to exist”. Even that would be preferable to such anti-humanism and bestiality. Christ said many times in the Gospel that self-sacrifice is preferable to politics and violence. Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.

I remain a Christian in spite of the temptations. Christianity, in spite of the sins and shortcomings of many of its clergy, remains a force for good. This is the purpose of my life, expressed in little things for which I will not become powerful or famous.

May you all go through your values and become aware of this inestimable gift to be called to be good, do good and encourage good in others. Happy New Year 2023!

The true meaning of the Confessional

The Confessional is truly a sacred space.

It is a doorway into the inner sanctuary of man and the heart’s entry point for Divine Light.

No human should be left to deal with their sins alone. The burden of our sinful choices and actions places an incredible weight on our hearts and lives.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is where the wounded come for healing. It is where the wounded acknowledge their wounds and receive healing and peace by the Forgiveness of the God of Infinite Love.

Jesus, being the only Son of God could exercise this Divine power to forgive sins during his walk on earth: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2: 5,10, Luke 7:48).

He then instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the evening of Easter when he showed himself to his Apostles and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any they are retained” (John 20:22-23)

The priest then who sits in the confessional is the one who is most humbled. When he himself capable of sin is asked by God to stand humbly in his place and forgive the sins of others in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Priest/Confessor is not the master of God’s forgiveness but its servant. (Catechism 1466)

The effects of the sacrament of Confession are Reconciliation with God – The forgiveness of every sin. Reconciliation with the Church – where God wants you to make your home.

Recovery of the state of Grace – which helps you realize the person you were created to be.

Peace, the serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation, and an increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of Christian living. A struggle that with regular visits to the confessional, becomes a beautiful struggle for holiness. 

Let us go to confession!

Why the Master of Ceremonies wears Purple Cassock?

Some of you might found out the Master of Ceremonies (MCs) are wearing Purple Cassocks as know as Paonazza when they are serving the Diocesan or Archdiocesan Ordinaries, that because the colour of the Bishop is Purple, as the MCs who are serving their local ordinaries, they can wear the purple cassocks as they are representing their local ordinaries, even the MCs are not the clerics.

But the difference between the purple cassocks of MCs and Bishops or Monsignors is the cassocks of the MCs did not have the pipping and the cassocks of Bishops or Monsignors have buttons.

That’s all from today, I’ll post the same topic in Chinese in the coming days!

What is a Catholic Priest and what is the nature of the Priesthood?

(Text from the decree “Presbyterorum ordinis”, on the ministry and life of priests, of the Second Vatican Council, issued by the Commission on the Discipline of the Clergy, being Blessed Alvaro del Portillo the secretary)

By the sacrament of Orders, priests are formed in the image of Christ the Priest, to be ministers of Christ the Head in constructing and building up his whole body, the Church, as fellow workers with the order of bishops. In the consecration of baptism, they have already received, in common with all Christians, the sign and gift of so great a vocation and grace that, even in their human weakness, they have the power, and the duty, to seek perfection, in accordance with our Lord’s words: Be perfect, then, as your Father in heaven is also perfect.

Priests are obligated in a special way to acquire this perfection. By receiving Holy Orders, they have been consecrated in a new way, and made living instruments of Christ the eternal Priest, so as to be able to continue through the years Christ’s wonderful work which, by divine power, has restored to wholeness the entire family of man.

Since each priest acts, as far as he may, in the person of Christ himself, he is given special grace to help him grow toward the perfection of the one whose role he plays, as he ministers to his flock and the whole people of God. He receives grace for the healing of human weakness from the holiness of Christ, who became for us a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, and separated from sinners.

Christ, whom the Father sanctified, that is, consecrated, and sent into the world, gave himself for us, to redeem us from all sin, and to purify for himself an acceptable people, zealous for good works. So, through his passion, he entered into his glory. In the same way, priests, consecrated as they are by the anointing of the Holy Spirit and sent by Christ, put an end in their lives to the sins of our selfish nature, and give themselves wholly to the service of mankind, and so are enabled to grow to perfect manhood in the holiness with which they are enriched in Christ.

As they exercise the ministry of the Spirit and of holiness, they are strengthened in the spiritual life, provided that they are docile to Christ’s Spirit, who gives them life and is their guide. By the sacred actions they perform daily, and by their entire ministry in communion with their bishop and fellow priests, they are set on the way that leads to perfection.

The holiness of priests is itself an important contribution to the fruitfulness of their ministry. It is true that God’s grace can affect the work of salvation even though unworthy ministers, but God ordinarily prefers to show his wonders by means of those who are more submissive to the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and, who through close union with Christ and holiness of life, are able to say with Saint Paul: I live, but no longer is it I who live, it is Christ who lives within me.

No idea...

Well, I haven't posted for a while, actually almost a month ago since my last posted blog post! 

I apologize for that because I had a lot of things to do recently, and also I did not have any ideas for writing blog articles.

I'll try my best to get some ideas for my articles in order to keep my blog updated.

I am a rock, I am an island

"I Am a Rock" by Paul Simon

A winter's day

In a deep and dark December;

I am alone,

Gazing from my window to the streets below

On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.

I am a rock,

I am an island.

I've built walls,

A fortress deep and mighty,

That none may penetrate.

I have no need for friendship; friendship causes pain.

It's laughter and it loves I disdain.

I am a rock,

I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain;

And an island never cries.

Jesus calls Peter a rock. It’s an ambiguous nickname. Yes, rock is solid, reliable, and has a strong foundation. But a rock is also hard, immovable and in danger of isolation. Would you call yourself a rock?

I like this story in the bible. It is interesting because it involves a mutual name-giving between two people, Jesus and Simon Peter. Simon Peter calls Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This name means the anointed one, like a king. Jesus in turn names Simon Rock, in Greek, ‘Petros’, from where we get his most familiar name, Peter.

Naming is important in most cultures and especially religions. Indeed, in some cultures, it has a mystical, even magical aspect. You do not share your name too readily, knowing a person’s name can give one power over the other, as is illustrated in some stories like the Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. This is also evident in the stories in the bible, for example when Jacob wrestles all night with an unknown stranger and towards the end of the fight asks for the stranger’s name.

Notice again the mutuality in the attempt to learn the other’s name. But in this case, the stranger (God) does not give his name. Presumably, that would be to give too much away.

What is the meaning of your name? Does it have a history or a story behind it? Why was it chosen for you or by you?

The name of Jesus has meaning, both historically and spiritually. In terms of the biblical narrative, it was chosen by Mary through the revelation of an angel. The name ‘Jesus’ is the Latin version of the Aramaic Yeshua, which is in English also the name ‘’Joshua’. The name means ‘God saves.’ Joshua was a hero of the Hebrew scriptures. He was a military leader who fought the Canaanites when the Hebrew people entered the promised land after their exodus from slavery in Egypt. Joshua was successful in battles and his most famous victory was at Jericho.

Jesus was not a military leader but he was a person of salvation. He brought healing to the sick, hope to the poor, and restored the outcast into society. Some Christians ascribe supernatural power to the name ‘Jesus’ which gives the power to cause miraculous healing.

I invite you to ponder two questions.

First, what name do you give to Jesus? Is there a word or metaphor that can describe your own personal connection to Jesus? Can you think of something beyond the traditional names that describe the unique role Jesus takes in your life?

Secondly, what is the name that Jesus gives to you? Is it a name that describes your true being, the essential you? Or is it a name that says who you are becoming or a purpose that God has for you?

I would imagine that these two names are related. The name you give to Jesus will say something about who you are. The name you imagine that Jesus gives to you will say something about the nature of Jesus.

A great song!

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you understand. Who determined its measurement - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? ‘Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you?

Can you send forth lightning, so that they may go and say to you, “Here we are”? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cling together? ‘Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens, or lie in wait in their covert? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young one's cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?

I love this passage from the book of Job. 

The book of Job is a made-up story to answer the question: Why do bad things happen to good people? This passage comes near the end of the narrative. It is meant to be God’s response to this question. But it’s not so much an answer but rather a shift in focus; away from the microscope of Job’s life to the wide angle of creation.

Are you familiar with Job’s story? Job is a fictional character. He is a good person. He has never sinned. One day Satan (it is not clear who this character is but it is a heavenly being) goes to God and says, “Look that guy Job is a great servant of yours, but how great is he really? I mean he only loves you 'coz he is well off and comfortable. But if he loses all that nice stuff then let’s see what he thinks of you then!” Or words to that effect! So God gives Satan permission to afflict Job. Then Job gets terrible sores, and he loses his home, his farm, and even his children. It is a terrible affliction. Job cries out to God, “Why me? This isn’t fair! I don’t deserve this! I’m a good man!” Then along comes Job’s 'Comforters', three men who try to give answers to Job’s cry. And their answer is simple – you are afflicted because you are sinful. That is why you are in this mess – and you must have been a really bad sinner to be in such a great mess!

But Job is not happy with this answer. He knows it is not the right answer to his afflicted condition. At this moment God steps in. God’s response is the passage above. I love the poetry of the passage.

‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? 

On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

Can you send forth lightning, so that they may go and say to you, “Here we are”? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clouds cling together?’

It is not our understanding of geology or the cosmos. We don’t think of the earth quite in this way. It is earth built on foundation stones – flat like a big building! Above it is a big sieve that lets light in from heaven and also rain – when the waterskins of the heavens are tilted! I love that image of heavenly beings tilting huge containers of water towards the earth to make it rain.

Does it matter that the geology and cosmology of the bible are so at variance with our own? I don’t think so! Personally, I see no contradiction between science and religion. I think of them as two parts of a great song! A great song needs good music and lyrics. I love the scientific narrative about the origins of the earth and life here. It is amazing and filled with wonder. To contemplate that everything on earth is the result of the death of a star billions of years ago, just makes me speechless. We are all-star staff! Likewise, when I try to get my head around the vastness of the known universe, I get tingles down my spine! And when I reflect on the sheer extreme odds of any of us being born again it makes me lost for words in wonder and appreciation for the preciousness of all life.

I love the religious narrative too. With tremendous power and poetry, it has also conveyed the wonder of life. But it addresses different questions to science which complement the scientific narrative. It says that we are all connected to one another. It says that there is a purpose and meaning to our lives. It tells us that the key to that purpose is a deep respect for one another and creation and a will to cooperate for everyone’s benefit. It tells us that there is always hope because love is at the core of our being and love can overcome even the hardest of hearts and the deepest of hurts. It tells us that with the right intervention we can transform both our external world and interior life.

Science and religion converge in conveying a sense of wonder. Together they are the words and the lyrics of a great song; a beautiful and majestic song about the wonder of the world, the cosmos and life.