A Different Kind of Olympics (6)

The Problem of Pain

Just like the Games of yesteryear, London 2012 has thrown up its own share of drama and upsets over the course of two weeks of competition.  Along with it, came the pain and the tears.

Sports hurts,  as the Daily Telegraph calls it.

Growing up in the 70’s, a time when we were probably still unsullied, these three guys below provided me and my brothers with a barrel load of laughs every time they came on. “Happy hurts” – is the word that comes to me now, where pinching, banging and gouging on one another like they did was  excruciatingly funny – until we started practicing on each other – which was not funny at all, especially when father found out what we’d been up to!

(Picture source: http://www.heritagesquare.org)

As time went on and innocence was lost, other kinds of hurts began to emerge. The personal, family, communal and global types; pains that hit too close to home; that are self inflicted, or done by others, to others and that gnaw at the back of my mind, thoughts and within my being.

Last month, a 60 something wife who had had her leg amputated below the knee in a hit and run accident poured out the pain she was going through seeing her husband suffer from a chronic illness;

I heard how another who at 75, was trying to make her life meaningful by reaching out in small ways to others, even though she herself was riddled by health problems;

Yesterday, thirty something Intan, who lives nearby, came round to thank us for some donations that had been collected for her. She’s suffering from cancer, has 4 children growing up, the youngest being just 1 year old. Yet, in spite of her obvious pain and seriousness of  the illness, she was putting on a brave front and trying to be cheerful.

Pain – all around me, within me, outside of me.  At the Olympics, in school, at homes, workplaces, churches, on the byways and highways, in the country, and in the world. Pain – anywhere and everywhere.

Yet – I am constantly being bombarded on how to avoid it. It’s as if by avoiding it, I can be happy, contented and secure.  How can I, possibly? Because everything I have come to know points in the opposite.

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” – C. S. Lewis.

In a macabre way maybe – I think we need pain – so as to remain human. Remove pain and we remove our capacity to love.  Remove our capacity to love, and what becomes of us??

In a sense, like the Olympians and the women in the story above, all of us are also running a race. The race of our lives. Many of us may be running like South Africa’s blade runner – Oscar Pistorius, below:

courtesy of fastcodesign.com

handicapped, hurt and seemingly unwanted and unneeded.

Yet, the athletes in London are ample proof  there is no gain if there is no pain.  By persevering and going through the pain barrier they proved worthy champions – hence, even when they lost, dropped the barbells and crept in last – they were winners, and deserving of the standing ovations the crowds at the stadiums accorded them.

The women who wept tears for another and continued reaching out from the pain that was tormenting their own selves are signposts too as to how to live our lives – by remaining true to the tasks at hand and responding as best as they could with what they had -with an abundance of love, as the ancient Greek writer Sophocles reminds us:

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.”  

The apostle, Paul seems to have been a fan of the Olympics too! In many of his writings, he alludes to life as to a race that had been run.  Reading his words and in between the lines, he paints a vivid picture of the urgency of the race that he urges his readers to run.

Unlike the Olympics though, this is a race where no medals will be handed out at the tape – rather only a deep fulfillment that we have indeed  “…fought the good fight, … finished the race… and kept the faith” – c.f. 2 Timothy 4:7 .

A Different Kind of Olympics (2)

The second installment of another kind of Olympics…far from the madding crowds: Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist at St Francis of Assisi Friary, Stratford, the closest Catholic parish to the Olympics village.

Source: EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network).

For the curious: “What is perpetual adoration?” FAQ here.

Synonym (noun): Adoration, latria; simply means “The worship given to God alone”.

 

St. Anne’s Feast & Novena Day 4

Day 4

Theme: Telling the story of Jesus to and by our children (Catechetics)

The celebrant, Fr. Mark, used a video clip by RSA.org based on a talk given by Sir Ken Robinson, to drive home the message of the understanding the true meaning of education, and linked it to how catechetics needs to be taught, or rather “caught” as one La Salle religious brother reminded me a long time ago.

The full video below:

I thought it was insightful.  We spend a lot of time and money on educating our children. How much time and effort are we devoting to their holistic personal growth?

The signs of the times point to a culture that is rapidly changing known and accepted values. Issues that would have been kept behind closed doors a decade or two ago are being openly bandied and promoted through the use of social media communication means. Our children have easy access to them.

As Fr. Mark pointed out, these changing paradigms are exactly why we, parents, teachers, religious and priests need to keep up with the changing times. We need to learn, unlearn, and relearn.

Which reminds me of another story by another priest in another homily:

A stranger walks up and knocks on your door. You, the parent, answer. He asks if he could spend some time alone with your 5 year old kid. He wants to “chat”. What would you say? Most definitely, you would be shocked at such a question and immediately tell him to leave.

The priest continued, “If you said NO to that man’s request, why then do you parents continuously allow total strangers into your homes 24 hours a day and give them complete access to your children?? You are wondering, when, where, how did you ever do that?

Your satellite TV channel. Those are the complete strangers, with all kinds of motives and reasons, wanting access to your kids. 24 hours a day. And you let them in!”

Think its too tough? Maybe, but the alternative is even worse!

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” – Reinhold Niebuhr

 

WYD 2011 Madrid

The World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid came and went – with little attention from the mainstream media. All I saw was a 30 second or so clip on CNN sandwiched in between the more “important” news of money woes at Washington, the continuing saga of the Arab Spring and the London riots.

Strangely though, satellite tv did highlight the protests of the Pope’s visit to Madrid! Go figure.

Media blackout or not, here are 7 Reasons for Good Cheer after Madrid         

As someone who was in Manila for the 1995 edition of the WYD celebrations, all I can say is if you’re old enough (16 and above) and who is “searching”, give yourselves a treat and attend one of these Days. It would be worth every cent of your money and time spent. You will be rewarded with much much more, believe me.

For a flashback on what happened at Madrid, go here for repeat webcasts.

The official WYD Madrid 2011 website has more.

p.s. The next WYD is in Rio de Janerio, Brazil in 2013.  Start planning now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assumption of Mary

For the benefit of those of us – like me –  who may not be able to get to a church today for the Feast of The Assumption of Our Lady, here’s a short homily for your reflection. It was written by a close priest-friend of mine and appears here with his permission.

Mary – A Magnifying Glass to Jesus

What image comes to your mind when we talk about Mary?

For me, the image is the magnifying glass.  In a sense, Mary is like a “magnifying glass”.

Today as we gather to celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary, we are celebrating the act of God to assume Mary, who is immaculately conceived, and Mother of God into heaven after her death.

The very word ‘Assumption’ is the exact opposite of ‘Ascension’ and denotes, ‘being taken’ and  is appears ‘passive’ – thus there is minimum contribution from the person involved. Therefore, it is totally an act of God on the behalf of the person.

Ascension on the other hand denotes, ‘going up’ and thus asserts an active contribution of the person to the whole event.

As such, the Church draws a clear distinction between Jesus and Mary.

Thus, Marian doctrine and devotion, properly understood and practiced, does not lead believers away from, but rather magnifies and grounds us more deeply into the mystery of Christ.

First Reading [Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a; 10ab]

It is God who is in control and who undertakes the whole work of reconciling the world. The woman is only a means. That is why she cannot face or engage the dragon. Here we see the mystery of God who engages in the act of Redemption.  This is the God who fights on the behalf of humanity.

 Second Reading [1 Corinthians 15:20-26]

The second reading speaks of the victory of Christ over death. With Mary’s Assumption, this promise becomes real and open and possible to all who believe in Christ.  So when we celebrate Assumption, we are actually celebrating the victory of Christ and our hope that we too like Mary will one day be united with Jesus. Mary’s glorification magnifies the victory of Christ over sin, suffering and death.  However, it is Jesus who takes the centre stage.

 Gospel [Luke 1:39-56]

In the Gospel Mary magnifies the mystery of Christ.

Elizabeth knew she was filed with Holy Spirit not because of Mary but because of the Child within her womb. Mary on the other hand sings her praises to God whom she knows is behind this entire work. Both glorify God.

And, rather tellingly, Mary magnifies our vocation as co-redeemers in Christ

We are challenged to become instruments of liberation. Mary announced and affirms four kinds of liberation which is essential in the ministry of Jesus:

1. religious liberation (v 50): to move from our tendency to be ‘exclusive’ to ‘inclusiveness’;

2. social liberation (v 51): to remain rooted in community and solidarity;

3. political liberation (v 52): to advocate right governance;

4. economical liberation (v 53): to be sparing or wise in the use of the resources made available to us.

 

At one point, Mary’s Magnificat became so dangerous until it was banned in Argentina for sometime because it provoked Catholic to be proactive, reformers and talk about changes.

Once again then, Marian doctrine and devotion, when properly understood and practiced, does not lead believers away from, but rather more deeply into, the mystery of Christ. We become clearer and convinced of our identity, vocation and mission as Christians. She is always assuring and ever ready to assist us in such undertakings, especially as our devotion moves from mere petitions or intercessions to meditation and finally to contemplation of the face of Jesus.

 

Our Fathers

They played this clip in church this morning:

There weren’t many dry eyes after that.  It got me thinking too.

I thought about my own father, who was in many ways my first hero and my other Father who art in heaven –  who, in spite of my doubts, fears and failures has stood by and at times has had to carry me through the storms of my life.  I remembered the many father figures who have walked through my life – among them cousins, godfathers and uncles who indulged me when I was a kid and took me to school on my first day,  showed me there was such a thing as the  BBC World Service on the short wave radio where I could listen to live broadcasts of the English 1st Division football matches.

Then there were those who introduced me to my first LP records and CCR, Bee Gees, Beatles, Dawn and so many more, from where there has been no return!  Later, came the teachers, formators and youth leaders, who taught me how to lead by word and deed.  When I moved away from home, in stepped neighbours and total strangers into my life at different times for different reasons, to keep me company so that for a little while at least, I would  be alone but not lonely.  Much later, as a young man searching for direction and meaning, I remembered the many seminarians, religious and priests, who let me into their world; who were patient with my questions and grumblings.  Among them,  a select few became close confidants and fellow travellers who encouraged and inspired me like I’ve never been inspired before.

It suddenly dawned on me how much I had a lot to be thankful for to all of these people.  And now that circle has come round – I am a father, and I too have a responsibility to my own son.  It’s to all these persons, past and present, far and near I have to look to. If I could just take a little bit from all the experiences from each of my “fathers” – and pass them on to my son – I think it would have been all worthwhile after all, which would make the following sobering thought from Charles Wadworth, a little more acceptable:

“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong!” 

Thank you all you fathers – who have come into my life, whether for just a little while or otherwise.  Some of you are no longer here. Others are far away. Some, I have lost touch with.  Wherever you may be now. God bless all of you today and everyday.  I’ve been blessed by knowing you.  Happy Father’s Day!

all about sunday mass

Catholics go to mass every Sunday and in many places now, Saturday evenings.  Growing up, I remember towing behind my parents to church in tandem with my siblings.  Mass was still in Latin back in the late 1960’s.  At adolescence, I went alone.  And later still, when I was working and transferred out, I experimented not going to mass on Sundays – just to see how it felt not do so. After all, as I analysed it, I had gone religiously almost every Sunday for 23 years!

I think I lasted about 3 months.  There was this growing emptiness within me.  When I couldn’t wrestle with my conscience any longer,  I returned to church – and promptly found out that the times for the masses had changed!  It was an odd moment, but it was sort of an Epiphany for me, for sure.

Sometimes I get asked this question: “Why is it so important to go to mass?” and there are some who tell me how this Sunday “obligation” seems like an albatross around their necks.

Taylor Marshall is a former Episcopalian priest who converted to Catholicism in 2006, and blogs at Canterbury Tales where he answers such questions and more.  Check out “Why is Sunday mass an obligation?”, here.

I’ve come to appreciate that it is more an “Opportunity” than an “Obligation”.  I picture it like this:  This God of the Universe, the Omnipotent and Almighty God, whom you believe and who “comes down” to earth to meet you personally in the Mass and show how much He loves you; wouldn’t you run to meet him, to be grabbed up in his arms and be touched by Him?

Opportunity,  not so much Obligation, I know.

“I Have Heard the Devil’s Confession”

This is from the ZENIT – “I Have Heard the Devil’s Confession”,

the winning story of the “Priestly Anecdotes” run by the  Spanish website of  Catholic Net where some 800 priests from more than 70 countries shared their experiences.

Read the winning entry by Fr. Manuel Zapata of Colombia.

His prize? A pilgrimage to the Holy land.

Read it here: ZENIT – “I Have Heard the Devil’s Confession”,

Oscar Romero Remembered

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador.

The BBC commemorates Romero’s legacy in its report on how the country is coping now, three decades after his assassination.

The wisdom of Romero includes such hard-hitting truths as the one below:

“A church that suffers no persecution but enjoys the privileges and support of the things of the earth – beware! – is not the true church of Jesus Christ. A preaching that does not point out sin is not the preaching of the gospel. A preaching that makes sinners feel good, so that they are secured in their sinful state, betrays the gospel’s call.” (1/22/78)

To download a free copy of the e-book The Violence of Love, (231 pages, 963 kb) go here.

And watch this Youtube on Romero for a brief intro to his life and death.

Advent (4): Christmas Is God’s Response to the Drama of Humankind

In a world where much has gone wrong over the years, and in and around Bethlehem in particular, which has seen so much violence…. a new message of its importance rings out from Pope Benedict in his message on the 4th Sunday of Advent.

Full report from EWTN below:

EWTN.com – Christmas Is God’s Response to the Drama of Humankind