tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post1119976949170291658..comments2024-03-22T04:12:44.008+08:00Comments on Breaking the Word: Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post-87518658364593418082012-03-29T14:32:42.633+08:002012-03-29T14:32:42.633+08:00This Gospel message reminds me of a Scripture pass...This Gospel message reminds me of a Scripture passage - The Vine and the branches. This Lent will be a challenge for me as I am about to cross over the threshold of this Paschal Mystery. Although, the path ahead may be blotted out by the bright divine light that I can hardly see the path ahead, I have to keep telling myself do not be afraid but only have faith.."John 15:4 mentioned - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." If I am determined to lead a new lease of life through Christ's Resurrection, I will have to set a goal, remain steadfast, put in effort and work towards it. The most important element here is being patient and perseveres. At this stage, I can feel the power of the Holy Spirit working in me spiritually, the transformation and determination which I myself alone can never achieve it. Isn't this amazing..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post-10803896227524557312012-03-25T20:40:27.212+08:002012-03-25T20:40:27.212+08:00We are reminded in our Baptism, that our "old...We are reminded in our Baptism, that our "old nature" marred and enslaved by sin is buried with Christ and through the purification of the Holy Water and anointing of the chrism, we rise as a "new creation" in Christ.<br /><br />God has given us "grace" to say yes to His will and to reject what is contrary to his loving plan for us. So, in the midst of purifying our hearts by means of transformation and letting go of the past in order to receive God's love and Law, we must be able to resist the external temptations and not succumb to it through a firm determination and perseverance (Matthew 4:17 - From that time on Jesus began to proclaim his message, "Change your ways: the Kingdom of Heaven is near.) <br /><br />Thus, Lent is a good time for us to let-go and amend our past wrong-doings, to repent, do penance... We should do this with great sincerity for our love of God and Jesus, because we have seen his Ways of Sufferings through the scriptures, that moved us to do this little sacrifice for him. Though this may, somehow, cause unnecessary misunderstandings, but as long as we, ourselves know that we are doing this purely out of our genuine love is suffice. <br /><br />Fr. Chris had mentioned above, it is "Not meant to be that easy", which is true.. as since then, I have encountered various obstacles or people's uncontrolled language which is like what in the Letter of James mentioned (3:5 - So is the tongue only a tiny part of the body, but it can proudly claim that it does great things.) Each time when I am faced with this scene, I will tell myself, "Don't be afraid, as God is with me." In the Letter of James (3:8 - but nobody can tame the tongue, it is a pest that will not keep still..) So be it..<br /><br />In handling this difficult "task", we must have an open-heart, be firm in our faith and know that God is always beside us to lead us to where He is, come what may.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post-71459614603661894832012-03-25T05:24:56.909+08:002012-03-25T05:24:56.909+08:00Face to face communcation is not necessarily more ...Face to face communcation is not necessarily more authentic or more intimate. It all depends on the people involved and what they do, doesn't it? For example, when two people who have not met or corresponded for years finally sit down together to have a face to face meeting, if all that happened are accusations and rebuttals, can one really call this a conversation or a friendly exchange? And after that, if only one person keeps talking and refuses to hear what the other person has to say, is the first person really being friendly?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post-46789141816308639932012-03-24T22:36:46.863+08:002012-03-24T22:36:46.863+08:00Over 70 percent of Singaporeans (including parishi...Over 70 percent of Singaporeans (including parishioners from St Iggy) are already on Facebook, Fr Chris. And social media like this are meant to complement and not replace face to face communication.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com