A sower went out to sow....

A Presence that Disturbs 0 comments

Viktor E. Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist and a concentration camp survivor as well stated that unless he could attribute some meaning to his present predicament and to the suffering around him, even if he were to survive his life would be unbearable prolonged and ultimately meaning less. Life without meaning is no life at all. But in order to find the meaning of our life, we must choose, encounter, and suffer, because to live we must choose, to love we must encounter, and to grow we must suffer.

In the Gospel today, Jesus says that we will suffer. He also says that by our endurance we will gain our life. I think suffering is inevitable for the life of a disciple. Anthony Gittins, in his book A Prensence that Disturbs: A call to radical discipleship, said that God’s presence is a disturbing presence. We can see clearly in the life of Jesus. His presence is a presence that disturbs the power of evil, the status quo, and those who do injustice. By taking the side of the poor and the oppressed, the marginalized and the outcast, his presence became a presence that disturbs.

As Disciples of Christ, we are influenced by the encounter with Jesus. We felt the presence that disturbs and to be called to be a presence that disturbs. As we call ourselves Christian we cannot ignore the cries of the poor. As church we are the body of Christ. We are our brother’s and sister’s keepers. We cannot leave evangelization and justice to others.

Every true experience of God, every real encounter, makes people restless, more inspired and more engaged with the world and humanity. By an encounter with God people become disturbed and become disturbers of the status quo. As followers of Jesus we must go wherever there is need, encounter whoever is in need, and do whatever it takes to bring the Good News of redemption and liberation. So mission requires that the disciples are like the master: disturbing presence. But for all of that we will suffer. If we do not suffer enough, may be we do not disturb enough the status quo and the evil.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow 0 comments

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12: 4-7).

Early in 1905, Civilia Martin and her husband were visiting in Elmira, New York. There they made friends with a Mr. & Mrs. Doolittle. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for 20 years; her husband was a crippled man in a wheelchair. Despite all their obvious troubles, this couple was happy and full of hope. When asked their secret for this, Mrs. Doolittle's reply was: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me." This hymn was the outcome of that experience.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path he leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw close to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Travel Light 0 comments

"Go on your way.... Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way..." (Luke 10: 3-4).

When I worked as parish priest in the bushes of Papua, I used to travel for weeks to 1 month, in order to visit the communities. Some communities can be reached by motorcycles. Some other communities can only be reached by walking, through the jungle. Usually I walked for the whole day, from one community to another, then stayed there for several days, then traveled to another community.

At the beginning of my work, I used to bring many things, sleeping bag, mass kits, medicine, rice, salt, instant noodles, garlic, onions, etc. Everything is ready in my backpack. Once I reached the farthest community after walking several days. When the time for cooking came, without my consent, the people cooked all of my stock. Then they joined the meal happily. Imagine, it is very seldom for them to eat rice. Only at the next meal I realized that all of my stock was already consumed. After that, for two weeks I ate only boiled banana or patatas (sweet potato) or sago. That was quiet hard but I learned a lot from that incidence. Before the following travel, I informed them that I will not bring many things anymore. I told them, “I will eat what you eat. You eat sago, I will eat also sago. You eat patatas (sweet potato), I will eat also patatas. Just prepare what is necessary.”

I learned not only that I traveled lighter because I brought only what are necessary, but also became one of them. I am no more outsider, but part of them. That helps a lot my pastoral care. I live simpler, trust the Lord will provide through the people. Exactly I learned what the gospel saying is. Being Jesus follower, I must serve without guile, full of charity, and simplicity. I must give full attention to the proclamation of God’s kingdom and not be diverted by other lesser things. I must travel light -- only take what was essential and leave behind whatever would distract me -- in order to concentrate on the task of speaking the word of the God. I must do my work, not for what I can get out of it, but for what I can give freely to others, without expecting special privileges or reward. “Poverty of spirit” frees me from greed and preoccupation with possessions and makes ample room for God’s provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves.

Humility 0 comments

There is a prayer that is a difficult prayer to pray. It is called the Litany of Humility. The prayer says:

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, Jesus.

The second part of the prayer is even more difficult to pray:

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should...

This litany of humility was prayed by Merry Cardinal del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State to Pope Saint Pius X. I am sure you will agree that it is a difficult prayer to pray if we really mean it. I was reminded of this prayer by Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees in the Gospel (Luke 11: 43).

Jesus criticized the Pharisees for many reasons, and one of those reasons was wanting to be better than everybody else in public. There is a little bit of the Pharisees in each of us, perhaps more in some than others. So the Gospel is relevant for each of us.

In his letter to the Romans (2: 1-11), Paul reminds us all that we are sinners. Here is the foundation stone of humility. The first thing all Christian must do is to accept the truth that they are sinners and repent. Without this, we will be unable to take the first steps in growing our talents and gifts. We will be powerless for the Kingdom of God because we are unwilling to submit ourselves to the humbling process of repentance.

Humility is closely allied with the truth. The two go together and one does not develop without a commitment to the other. This is one of the reasons why we will always see that truly humble people are also people who are committed to the truth and are willing to undergo all sorts of humiliation in order to submit their lives to the truth that they believe.

Humility also demands that we committed to spending our lives in the service of others. The humble person will allow themselves to be served by others but he or she will also be actively seeking ways and means of serving as well. If you are in a room of humble people, it is the least important jobs that will always be done first. In his letter to the Romans Paul exhorts us to outdo one another in showing love. I think the same could be said for humility.

The Inside that Matters 0 comments

The Signs 0 comments

“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign…” (Luke 11: 29).

It seems that Jesus’ sad remark about his contemporaries can apply as well to us today. Indeed, we live in a time when we believe only when we have concrete proof of evidence.

A missionary and author Joseph Donders reflects on such a pitiable situation of Jesus and on ours as well. “Not only prophets (like Jesus), but even concerned scientists in our day often have the same difficulties as him. Economists tell us that the world will run out of resources if we continue to exploit the earth as we are currently doing. Biologists speak about the disastrous effects of our waste of energy, of the destruction of the rain forests, of the pollution of the atmosphere. Physicians warn us that we are eating too much fatty stuff, that many drink too much, that we should drive our cars less and use our feet and bodies more. Sociologists warn that families are falling apart, that children are not well educated, and that there are too many homeless people in our streets.” (With Hearts on Fire, Paulines).

The sad thing is that too few listen. Those do not listen often say that they want clearer signs, more proof, stronger evidence, while around us forests die, fish rot, air and water are polluted, and human beings suffer.

“No sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was a sign for the Ninivites, so will the Son of Man be a sign for the present age.” There is no need to ask for more signs. Jesus alone as the sign is more than enough. If we do not wake up from complacency and stubbornness, those who have gone before us will condemn us. And we ourselves ought to be a sign to the world through words and deeds; by the way we live our lives.

Gratitude 0 comments

For what or to whom are you thankful now? This is no light question in an age of massive ingratitude and taken-for-grantedness. Hardly a day goes by that we do not wonder what became “please” and “thank you.”

Perhaps you have some reasons now to give thanks. Maybe a loved one has experienced a healing or a blessed death. Maybe you have made a significant step in rebuilding a broken relationship. Maybe a problem that has been laying heavy on your heart has been eased, or a surprising sense of strength has been tapped.

Maybe you are glad for your spouse and your years of love and dedication together. Maybe you have “only just begun” and you are filled with a young love that will hopefully last for many years. Parents often feel pride at the accomplishment of their children, especially as they learn to become independent and grown up. It is easy to imagine giving thanks for a teacher or special friend who said or did right thing at the right time. Each of us has his or her own story of gratitude. Too often we simply forget how much we have received. We also forget how much we have given to others.

There are less dramatic things for which we are grateful: a cold drink on a hot day working hard; a cool rain breeze after a dusty dry season; a clear star-filled night; running our fingers through the grass and moist earth; the laugh of a child; the thrill of one’s team winning the game. We gave thanks for those everyday folks who share our burdens and help us to keep on keeping on. These are the “golden friends” around whom we are comfortable. They do not pressure us to perform, wear masks or be something we are not.

For things and people great and small, we should be thankful. But let us also give thanks for our crosses, burdens, defeats and sufferings. Yes it is crucial for us to learn to give thanks for our burdens so that they can become our bridges. For some of our greatest opportunities for growth only come at the cost of a great suffering or trial. There is a pain which accompanies every victory.

Think of the Samaritan leper who, along with the others, cries out to Jesus for pity. On their way to show themselves to the priest in accordance with the law, the lepers are cured. Only the Samaritan returns to give thanks. A deeper healing has taken place; the Samaritan has developed a living faith for true healing (salvation). Yet without his leprosy he might never have had a reason to cry out to Jesus. He might have continued to lead an average life. But his cross (leprosy) became an opportunity for true healing. He seized the moment when Jesus passed to ask his help, and returned to give thanks. This is just one example of God’s work of grace healing the broken places of human existence.

In the second Book of Kings (5: 14-17), Naaman, a foreigner, is cleansed of his leprosy and comes to believe in the living God. St. Paul writing to Timothy has suffered for the sake of the Gospel: “This is the gospel I preached; in preaching it I suffer as a criminal, even to the point of being thrown into chains – but there is no chaining the word of God!” Paul was brought low and blinded before he came to see the way to glory. Both Naaman and Paul are what they are because of God’s healing grace working through their brokenness. Paul learns to love the Lord more and more as he experiences greater hardships.

So it is with us. We began by asking: For what or to whom are you thankful this time? The list is incomplete if we do not give thanks for our crosses and burdens. Why? Because God’s grace is at work ready to heal us in ways we never imagined and empower us to become what he has meant us to be.

A final question: are we like the nine who are healed but do not give thanks? Or do we give thanks now for things and people great and small? Do we give thanks for our crosses and burdens? I so doing, we know we shall hear the word of Jesus, “Stand up and go your way; your faith has been your salvation.”

Enthusiasm 0 comments

While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." (Luke 11: 27-28)

This brief incident is the highest contrast to yesterday’s passage. It is the contrast between malice and enthusiasm. Malice is a kind of ‘evil spirit’ takes possession of a person. Enthusiasm, too, is a kind of possession: the word comes from “theos”, “god”, to be enthusiastic is to be possessed by some kind of god. An enthusiastic Christian is possessed by God – indeed, by the Holy Spirit. That inner area of the soul is not offered to any but the Holy Spirit. “Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it,” he said. Blessed are they in whom the word of God has become a permanent possession.

Beelzebul Story 0 comments

Mark 3:22 is translated as “He is in the power of Beelzebul.” But what Mark says is, “He has Belelzebul,” (Beelzeboul echei), or as other translations put it, “Beelzebul is in him,” (Jerusalem Bible) or “He is possessed by Beelzebul” (Revised Standard Version and New International Version). Luke and Matthew omit this verse, horrified (probably) at the very thought of Beelzebul being “in” Jesus. Mark says it was the scribes, Matthew says it was the Pharisees, but Luke says it was “some people”, who were making malicious statement about Jesus. But sheer malice does not have the doubts that other people have. It is easy to believe that they really claimed that Jesus was possessed. Malice, someone said, is the ordinary vice of those who have the manner of religion without its spirit. Religion without the spirit of religion brings out the worst in people; there is no quite so bitter as a bitter religious person, no war as evil as a religious war. It was they themselves, the detractors of Jesus (whoever they were) who were possessed

Does Prayer Change Anything? 0 comments

Once I found this list of questions and answers by Teressa Vowell:

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
Oh yes! It really does!
Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.
Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.
Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.
Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!
Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.
Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!
Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you - the problem isn't always in others.
Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!
So does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!

"I tell you, ask and you will receive;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you...." (Luke 11:9).

"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13).

Whenever we are in need, and we're tempted not to pray, let's seek, knock, ask for the Holy Spirit.

The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic 0 comments

It is awesome to hear the wonderful Lord's Prayer in the language of Jesus, set to such beautiful music.

FOCUS 0 comments

Once I chatted with one of our boys in our house. He was about to start his classes. He said, “Father, when I start my classes I will remember this word: FOCUS.” “That’s right,” I said, “If you want to be successful, you have to FOCUS on what you are doing. Otherwise, you will be distracted by many unnecessary things.” Apparently, the word FOCUS he said was more than what I thought. He said, “I will do my study for Family, Others, Universe, Self, and Christ should be in the center.” “Wow, that is beautiful!” I said. I think he is right. In everything we do, we might do it for family, others, universe, self, but we have to remember that we have to put Christ in the center of our life.

The Lord Jesus desires that we make a place for him, not only in our hearts, but in our homes and in the daily circumstances of our lives as well. We honor the Lord when we offer to him everything we have and everything we do. After all, everything we have is an outright gift from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). Paul the Apostle urges us to give God glory in everything: "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:17). When you sit, eat, sleep and when you entertain your friends and guests, remember that the Lord Jesus is also the guest of your home. Scripture tells us that when Abraham opened his home and welcomed three unknown travelers, he welcomed the Lord who blessed him favorably for his gracious hospitality (Genesis 18:1-10; Heb. 13:2). The Lord wants us to bring him glory in the way we treat others and use the gifts he has graciously given to us. God, in turn, blesses us with his gracious presence and fills us with joy. So, remember this word: FOCUS!

The Invisibles around Us 0 comments

26th Sunday Ordinary Time

We have a minah bird in our house. When we bought it from Bataan, it did not talk. It took at least three months to train it talking. My fellow priest covered the cage with cloth and played a tape recorder everyday near the cage after he recorded some words. Now the bird can talk many words. Whenever someone opens the door in the refectory the bird will greet him, “Good morning.” “How are you?” “I love you.” “Kumain ka na?” (Have you eaten?). It's very nice. As if the bird really concern of you.

Staying in a seminary, we live as a community. We meet each other every time. However, there are many times when we, unlike our talking bird, do not really concern for others. Sometimes when someone meets the other we just pass by, no exchange of a single word, no greetings, no “hello”, no “good morning”, no “komusta”, no “kumain ka na” as if the others are invisible. It is not because the others are spirits, but because of indifference.

Someone says a slogan, “Live and let live.” This sounds wonderfully mature, liberal and trusting others. We do not step on each other's business. You do your thing and I'll do mine. I respect your space and you respect mine. However, it can be a mask for indifference, for a desire not to get involved or committed. In a certain extent it may be just a state that we are accustomed among each other and feel that there is no need to greet each other. But in some extent it can lead to a social “indifferentism”. We see friends slowly destroying themselves, and wee keep hands off. We seem to be avoiding to meddle in private affairs of others. We see abuses of the rights and dignity of others and we say nothing for fear of what will happen to us. We see so many opportunities for doing good, and we let them pass by because we do not want to get involved.

Our story about the rich man and Lazarus is found only in the Gospel of Luke. The rich man engages in conspicuous consumption. He feast splendidly every day. He wears the finest clothes. Outside his home is a beggar named Lazarus. He is covered with sores. He would be satisfied with the scraps that fall from the rich man's table.

The poor man, Lazarus, is invisible. This is the problem in a single word. The poor are not seen, heard or considered when plans are made and reactions are considered. The poor exist but the do not count. What they think, feel, desire, hope and feel are of no account. We can ignore them. Each of us can take comfort in “doing our won thing.” We see only what we want to see. We value what serves our interests and distracts us from our depression.

St. Luke tells us that the “dogs even came and licked his sores.” Even the street animals are sensitive to the needs of this beggar. Lazarus is not invisible to the dogs. The dogs reach out to Lazarus more than the rich man who continues to feast. But as we hear in the Gospel, Lazarus is his only hope of salvation. It is only if Lazarus becomes visible to the rich man that he can hope to possess what is of lasting value. However, the rich man's wealth and greed have fixed his eyes on the visible and the immediate. At times, we too, continue to search and collect more and more for what we believe will give us enough security and peace.

The connection between riches and the invisibility of the poor is steeped in history. The prophet Amos is preaching to the Northern Kingdom of Israel where the rich are complacent. They take their ease and feast with no regard for the poor. All the while, they have spiritually died: “They are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!” Nothing concerns them but their own self desires. But the end of this is fast approaching. Exile awaits those who are full and satisfied.

We need people [religious and political leaders] who will fit the job description provided by St. Paul: “Man of God that you are, seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness and gentle spirit.” It is not simply the IQ that concerns us but the MQ – moral quotient – as well. If not, we end up with smart crooks and amoral but efficient people [leaders]. We need leaders who help us to see the needs of the poor. Such leaders open our eyes and let us see many Lazaruses around.They still sit waiting for scraps from our table. Our salvation depends on it!

Cross traveler 0 comments

Nice stations of the cross compiled in a video.

Allow yourself to dive in 0 comments

Since the beginning of Christianity up to now, quite number of men and women preferred unmarried life “for the Kingdom of God” and abstained from marriage, sexuality and family life. Their decision to do so is not exclusively based on Jesus’ word and example, but also co-influenced by ideas and beliefs which are contemporary and part of culture. One of the influential factors is the vision on man and world, that at a certain time prevails in society and either favors celibacy, or discriminates against it. During many centuries until recently, that vision on man and world was a dualistic character. Man lives in the world but does not belong to the world. He should not be a “worldly” person! He should not be contaminated by the things of the world, but rather seek the things that come from “high”.

The meaning Of Crisis

What is the real meaning of crisis? Crisis is a crucial time and a turning point. Context of crisis is individual’s internal reaction to external change. If change is obstructed by the ego—the part of the consciousness that direct the will—crisis will occur to make structural change possible. Without the structural change in the entity, no balance can be attained. Every crisis ultimately means such a readjustment, whether it appears in the form of pain, difficulties, upheaval, uncertainty or merely the insecurity. Crisis sakes loose ingrained, frozen habits so that new growth becomes possible. It tears down and breaks up, which are momentarily painful, but transformation is unthinkable without it. Crisis is necessary because human negativity is a stagnant mass that needs to be shaken up in order to be let go off. Change is integral characteristic of life; where there is life there is unending change.

There are two kinds of crises: developmental crisis and situational crisis. Developmental crisis means crisis which can be predicted because everyone normally goes through, for instance, crisis in pregnancy, parenthood or loosing of our beloved. We can learn and prepare these kinds of crises to reduce the anxiety. Situational crisis means crisis which can not be predicted, an upheaval resulting from unusual circumstances such as a disabling accident or disaster.

Old age crisis is a developmental crisis. Normally, people will face the crisis. The crisis come along with the superficial changing such as skin dryer, thinner, less elastic, blood vessel and pockets of fat much more visible. In other word, they are going to die. The process of death is such a crisis. Facing a crisis, they have two alternatives of taking refuge or driving trough. Taking refuge means they deny of getting older. They then feel weak and do not believe in their own capacities to actualize the infinitive power of the Universal Spirit. Actually, taking refuge does not do any good, on the contrary, it increases the critical tension. The momentary relief is illusion of the most serious nature. It is so because the crisis inevitably comes later on, but by then is no longer connected with it source and therefore it hurts more. In the Eriksonian context, they will feel despair. Despair expresses the feeling that time is short for attempting to start another life and to try out the alternate road to integrity.

Total commitment to driving through is necessarily. If they do not enter to life fully and committedly, they can not experience the marvel of the reality of the Universal Spirit within their-selves. Since they are not honest with life, they cannot really believe in the power of Universal Intelligence dwelling at human being at all times, which goes to work if they make room for it. They will let go of the old accustomed shore and float momentarily in what seems uncertainty. They will feel safer than ever before, when they were holding on to the old shore, to the false structure that must be torn down. They will sooner know that nothing to fear. They will find the wisdom of mature age.

Special Conditions Which Contribute to the Celibates’ Crisis

The feeling of superiority of state life
For a very long time, a negative judgment of sexuality played a role in the process of deciding for celibacy. Sexual intercourse was seen as being concentrated oneself, drawing people away from God and fellowmen, giving in to the passions of one’s lower self, and thus was more or less sinful.

The situation becomes specific when special privileges were bestowed by the state on the clergy. With this development of single spirituality of being a Christian –in whatever it was expressed—was replace by a dualistic spirituality drawn up according to one’s state of life. The Church began to preach two levels of Christians’ commitment, one for the laity and one for the religious.
“We must first all affirm –as the Church plainly teaches—that holy virginity by its own excellence ranks higher than marriage….. This doubtless derives mostly from the fact that it aims at a more excellent goal and also the most effective help for putting oneself entirely at the service of God. The souls of one who is involved in the chains and cares of marriage are more or less ‘divided.’”

Being trained by the teaching, somehow, celibates feel of having higher rank of state of life. Furthermore, the Catholics are very respectful to their priests and religious. In the old age, the teaching contributes some special crisis. They feel that the teaching does not ring with the truth, for in fact, they become jobless and very dependant. That is why, in some retired houses for elder celibates, I met some religious who become very depressed or full of anger because they feel living in “exile” place. They used to have many people who came and listened to him, so that they feel important. But now, only very view people come and they feel unimportant at all.

Loneliness
Another situation which is common for celibates in old age is loneliness. Celibates have congregation or society which functions like family. But the bonding of congregational relationship is not as tight as family. They have so many confreres, but they relate not as deep as a family. Even some of the members do not know each other. Friends and associates maybe would come to visit them, but it is not the same as having some one who will not leave. “It is not the same as having some one whom you know has an eye on you, is watching you the whole time”. They have God, of course they know, but some times they can not feel His presence. In 2001, I had a special experience in accompanying a priest who was dying for suffering from a terminal disease. I committed to give communion and to listen his sharing twice a week for almost six months. Many times he became very upset and refused to pray at all. Many times he admired children and grieved because he did not have any child. I knew he did not regret of being a celibate, rather he felt lonely.

Toward the God’s Peace

The crown of celibates in the mature age is experience of God’s peace. Talking about God’s peace, we should not understand “peace” in its negative sense as absence of enmity and violence. God’s peace is much more than the result of peace treaty. It is something inside man. It penetrates his whole life from within. It is living in harmony in a well-conscious relationship with God and, because of Him, with oneself, fellowmen and environment.

Detachments
To do so, celibates in mature age should make some detachments. The first detachment is to release the understanding that they have a higher state of life compared to the laity. The world has been given to man by his Creator as his task and challenge. Whether they are married or not they have received God’s mandate to develop the world, making it an ever better mirroring of His Love and Justice.
The second is to detach from painful experiences, disappointing experiences, guilty feelings and unfinished projects. Painful experiences, such as the death of the beloved, some times remain in the heart for a long time. Being detached means throwing yourself to these emotions, by allowing your self to dive in. Only by knowing what pain is, what love is, what afraid is, and experience them fully and completely, they can be detached from them.

Love
The second is to love and receive love. This story (K.J. Veeger, Majalah Hati Baru) will be very helpful to understand what love is and why we can earn love.
“Once there was a well known old priest who could not find the peace he longed for. He was asked, “How do you feel?” Did he live in peace with himself, with others and with God? The priest lived in a beautiful mansion, because his congregation was very rich. Behind was garden with flowers, tall pine-trees, and even a fountain spouting water high into the sky. The house was expensively furnished. Anything people in the world would like to have was around him: pieces of art against the walls, tapestries, carpets in the floor. He could afford to eat the food he wanted. Many visitors came to visit him. He enjoyed good health. Yet when he was asked “how do you feel?” he shake his head and said, “No! Not good!”
“What is wrong?” he was asked again; “you should have found peace after working hard your whole life.” Then the priest said, “I am all alone with myself, without any true relation. Inside me everything is empty. The beautiful flowers are over there! Not in my heart! The walls of my house are decorated with the finest paintings, but my soul is bare and ugly. The greed and graft by which I collected all these riches around me, still stick in my soul. But, now, in 85, I don’t care any longer. However, there is nothing else. I am a man without love! My soul is impotent of love, as much as my body is. What does remain of man without love? Nothing isn’t? Neither myself, nor this house, this garden, my formers pleasures. Nothing remains.
Then a good friend said, “I have often read ‘what does a man really gain, if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul in the process?’ Nothing indeed! At the end he will be empty like a shell on the shore. You should allow God to fill your life. He is always searching the hearts and minds of people, looking for the love He Himself has poured out in the world. If He finds it, He collects it. He is the big Collector.”

However, before allowing God to enter, you must try to obtain the only gain that really counts: Love! Love is told to be the most precious pearl from the bottom of the deepest ocean. Try to acquire it by making good use of your wealth and getting many friends among the poor and disadvantage. Then ask the Lord to have a look in your heart. Some time later the good Lord himself came to visit the old priest in search of what was His. The priest have had moved to a nursing home. Its walls were bare. There was only a crucifix. Now garden, no fountain. “How do you feel?”, God asked him. Then the answer came, “I feel great”. He lived in harmony with himself, with the many people around him and – not least of all – with God.”

A Pastoral Reflection

As a pastoral counselor, I feel that the most precious to accompany the celibates in mature age is to listen empathetically. Really it is not an easy skill due to the fact that elder people tend to tell tremendous story of their past. Sometimes, they hide something. Sometimes, telling a tremendous story is a way to deny or escape from his current problem. I should help him to get-touch with his wounded, pain, fear, anxiety and loneliness. By accepting the wounded feeling fully, they can detach from them. And then they have a space for God’s love to penetrate his heart, so that he can experience the unconditional love from God and others, live peacefully with himself, others and God. [oTTo MSC]

Cracked Pot - Test 0 comments

Cracked Pot

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots,
each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it
while the other pot was perfect and
always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house,the cracked
pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily,
with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure,the cracked
pot spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself,
because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your
side of the path,but not on the other pot's side?"
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back,
you water them."
"For two years I have been able to pick
these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are,
there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

It's the cracks and flaws we each have
that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. There is a reason for the uniqueness of each of us.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends,
have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the
path!

Anyway - Test 0 comments

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be
shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind.
Think big anyway.
What you spend years building maybe destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack if you help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have
and you might get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you've got anyway.