Feast of the Visitation

Today is the Feast of the Visitation - that's when Mary goes to visit Elizabeth (if you still don't have a clue). I presided at the Mass but I decided to keep it simple as the students have an exam this morning and asked if we could don't sing the entire Mass. And anyway I've been having this terrible diarrhea for the past 3 days - probably wouldn't last an entire hour for Mass either. I think I might have caught a "cold stomach". That's because the heat is terrible here (32 degrees) and the nights are pretty sweltering during the early part of the night but gets quite cold by 3am. And I now have this toothache (probably a side effect of the Norvasc I'm taking for my BP).

Cleaned my room today, got to the library to search for some material, did some things on the computer and it's now 6.30pm .... time flies.

Just a note on the Visitation - it's not just about two women meeting each other but two babies encountering each other: the Messiah and his harbinger. It's all about encounters, and carrying on from yesterday's blog reflection, our challenge today is encountering God, encountering others amidst so much distraction and superficiality.

More on Gaza

Read the following: all you guys out there especially you graduates and students, thank God you have an education. There are those in Gaza who have no opportunity to study even when they want to.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7427983.stm

Reflections

Yesterday evening's talk by Fr Renzo was very good for reflection - remember we had a Day of Recollection yesterday. He read from the Story of the Wedding in Cana. Then he offered some points taken from the point of view of Mary, whom we can imitate. I've added some of my own thoughts in it.

1. She was attentive and responsive. She responded to people, she interacted, she got involved - she was at a wedding. She did not live in her own exclusive world but she lived in community, with others. Are we open to others? interacting with others? or are we closed up in our own self-interest and indifference? Do we share their joys and sorrows?

2. She spoke for the voiceless. No one made a request but Mary took it upon herself to speak on their behalf. Who are those around us who have no voice? voiceless out of fear? out of indifference? out of oppression? Are we ready to speak on their behalf?

3. She was acutely aware of what was missing. She sought to fulfill this shortcoming. Are we aware of what is direly missing in our relationships? in society? in our spiritual life? or are we just "feel good" Christians. It takes honesty and humility to see what is lacking in our lives, our imperfections.

4. She brought joy. She was concern with the smooth running of the wedding so people do not get embarrassed or flustered or eventually angered. Do we seek joy for others? or only for ourselves?

5. She brought people to Christ and Christ to the people. Note that when Christ said "My time has not yet come", Mary's words to the servants "Do whatever he tells you" does not necessarily mean that she ignored or overrode his words. Rather it should be understood this way - "Do whatever Jesus tells you in due time, in his time, when he is ready". The servants therefore had to be very attentive and wait on Jesus' words when he was ready for action. She brought the servants to be attentive to Jesus and Jesus to be aware of the servants readiness to act. Are we preparing ourselves daily for Jesus' instructions? or is He waiting for us? Are we connecting or disconnecting with God?

Spend some time reflecting on some of these points - maybe God is trying to say something to you today.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Yesterday we had Vespers with a difference - it was recited inside a classroom! Well actually we had a mini-conference on the prophet Jeremiah by Fr. Vincenzo Lopasso, a visiting professor. He sits opposite me during meals and it was he who first alerted me to high blood pressure when he heard of my symptoms. So anyway our superior decided we'd recite vespers in the classroom and then start the conference immediately. It was a very interesting talk on the problems regarding the text of the prophet - it exists in several different versions with many major changes in each.

I enjoyed the talk and vespers very much because that is how I see our academic community - always eager and humble to learn more. I saw last evening as a very good and authentic expression of our way of life here in this academic institute. And believe me, I am very grateful to be here .... it's an excellent place. I really felt pleased.

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We have a day of Retreat today, preached by a visiting priest Fr Renzo. This morning's sermon was simple and good - I could understand him! Anyway one overpowering thought today - that the Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on the Christians in Gaza. Please pray for this today, wouldn't you?

Tutu condemns world silence over Gaza

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was in Gaza yesterday and today and this is what he had to say.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7425082.stm

Bartimaeus

Yesterday I was busy doing nothing. Well I was in the library. Tried to check out some things for my paper but was called to do some other thing. Ended up doing so many things, yet feel like not having done anything. Strange isn't it?

I finally met the Visitator General - or rather he met me. Right now our school is having it's General Visitation. That means a friar from somewhere is chosen by our Minister General in Rome to represent him, to come and meet with the professors and students of our school, to hear everyone's opinions etc... and then it'll culminate in a big meeting where a new school administraiton is nominated. Anyway the Visitator General asked to see me because he was interested in the developement of Biblical studies in China. We had a 50 minute talk.

Yesterday Khalil our cook boiled a herbal brew to cure my asthma. It was made up of lemon leaves, bay leaves, rosemary and many other herbs. It tasted delicious. He gave me a big bottle to bring to my room. It relieved abit of the painful chest that comes with asthma but apparently I must take this brew for a month or so, in order to get an effect.

Today's Gospel reading is about the healing of blind Bartimaeus. I guess sometimes we all feel like him - helpless and left out while everyone is standing upfront and getting the best view. But there was one thing he could do - he could shout. And he shouted louder and louder till he was heard by Jesus himself. So we too sometimes are relegated to the back, become a wallpaper, left out by everyone, others blocking our way ..... but instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we should start helping ourselves get out of this situation. Shout - connect with Jesus: pray. Then the crowds will move aside and we become upfront as well.

Faith Tours group

Thanks to the Faith Tours group that offered Mass intentions: Eric Tee, Elaine Soh, Christine Fan, Annie Wong, Theresa Wong, Jennifer Foo, Joan & fmly, Simon Lim & fmly, Alphonsus Pang & fmly, Anthony Chang & fmly, Joseph Pang & fmly.

Remember that the Franciscan Custody depends on your generosity to upkeep the sanctuaries where Christ lived, died and was resurrected. Pope Paul VI and Pope Benedict XVI have stressed the responsibility of every Christian to support the Holyland through prayers and financial means.

But please do be reasonable: one Mass offering for 6 pages of 30 intentions! or figure this one out - $10 for 144 intentions.