Sunday 26 May 2013

The Devil in Our Midst

The young man sat on a wheelchair, as Pope Francis made an appearance among those who celebrated Mass on Pentecost Sunday (May 19, 2013) in the Vatican.  The priest accompanying the man briefly talked to the Pontiff as the latter then placed his hands on the head of the wheelchair-bound individual.  According to one account, “the young man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, shook, then slumped in his wheelchair.”

One television station reported the incident as “exorcism” performed by Pope Francis, though the Vatican issued a statement saying that the Pope “didn’t intend to perform any exorcism. But as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone who was suffering who was presented to him.”

Papal observers have noted that Pope Francis believes in no uncertain terms in the existence of Satan, and that the devil is in our midst.  In the book, “Heaven and Earth”, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (now Pope Francis) wrote, “Perhaps its (the devil’s) greatest success in these times has been to make us think that it doesn’t exist, that everything can be traced to a purely human plan.”

Though he may not have intended to exorcise the young man of the demon that possessed him, Pope Francis has reminded us of the evil that Satan has brought upon that man; and in a more general term on humanity.

What has the devil done? The secular movement aims at denying God’s authority upon people and society; the validation of marriage between people of the same sex; and the legalization of prostitution and abortion.  Satan has contaminated media of ungodly thoughts and perverted actions.

Believers in God, at the risk of persecution, must not tolerate pseudo-demons who pursue Satan’s agenda on earth. We live in a world that has reverted back to the days of the early Christians when believers were punished, if not killed for their beliefs in good and in the goodness of the Lord. We need to be brave in deed. We need to be strong in faith. We need to be in constant dialogue with our God.

As Pope Francis said in his very first homily as head of the Catholic church on March 14, "he who doesn't pray to the Lord prays to the devil."


Tuesday 21 May 2013

Thank You for Life

“You could have died,” the tyre supplier told my wife, as she went back on 20 May 2013 to report about the flat tyre that we had in the South Motorway of Auckland.

On Pentecost Sunday (19 May), my wife, who was driving, and I (with two other passengers) were trying to catch up with the christening of my first granddaughter Emjey Sophiea, so we took the fast lane (100 kph) of the motorway. Little did we know that we were running with a deflated front tyre (Earlier we had the same tyre filled with air at a petrol station). My wife noticed the unusual movement of the car half-way towards our destination. Through speeding vehicles, we safely crossed towards a rare open space along the motorway. We were able to obtain timely aid to change the tire, just prior to a heavy downpour.

The tyre supplier continued, “The tyre is totally damaged; and this could have burst if you continued running at a high speed in the motorway. You should never do this again.”

After my wife related to me about her conversation with the tyre supplier, I told her that we should be thankful to God for guarding us against harm; for allowing us to live for another day; and for us making it to  the baptism of our granddaughter.

Psalm 32:7 says: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Truly, the Lord protected us from a fatal accident, as earlier on, we sung gleefully on the descent of the Holy Spirit during the mass at Our Lady of Lourdes-Glen Eden, and I did sing just in time a lullaby, a song of hope, called “Wonderful Baby” to little Miss Emjey.

Also on Pentecost Sunday, our growing music ministry, TawagAwit, marked its 6th anniversary. The Lord must be pleased with our ministry, by allowing us to live a little bit longer. Thank you, dear God, for life.

Monday 13 May 2013

Beautiful Girl

She was the most beautiful girl in the graduating class; add to that among the brightest. As part of tradition, students with honours were asked to bring their parents during graduation. When her name was called, she marched on stage to accept the diploma, but no parent came forward instead it was her best friend who pinned the medal.  After the ceremony, her friend asked why she didn’t have her parents around. She responded, “My father left us, while I’m ashamed of my mother, she is ugly.”

Arriving home, she was surprised that her mother had cooked special food to celebrate her achievements. Instead of thanking her mother, she simply showed her the diploma and the medal, and rushed to her room to check on her Facebook. As friends and neighbours partook of the meal, she remained in her room, until one of their elderly neighbours whom she admired, knocked and asked her to join.  As they were heading towards the dining table, the neighbour asked her why she didn’t invite her mother to the graduation adding that throughout the day her mother was in tears while cooking the food.  She responded, “I don’t want my schoolmates to see my mother with all the scars in her face. She’ll ruin my reputation.”

The neighbour asked her, “Do you know how she got all those scars?”

She responded, “No. And I never cared to ask.”

“Well I will tell you,” continued the neighbour, “When you were one year old, your house was burned, while your mother was washing dirty baby linen outside. As the raging fire ate up most of the house your mother barged through it bringing a wet blanket. She arrived at the room, and carefully wrapped her beautiful baby who was crying. Your mother carried you safely through the fire, but nearly died of the burns that ravaged her body and most of her face. She was as beautiful as you are; but didn’t mind losing that to save her baby – you.”

For a moment, the daughter fell silent, as tears flowed from her eyes. She rushed to her mother, knelt down and begged for forgiveness, before stunned guests.

The mother hugged her daughter and said, “I understand how you felt. But I didn’t mind it at all, for you are so precious to me, and always will be. I forgive you and if I have  to go through a burning house again to save you, I won’t hesitate. I love you.”

The priest in our parish narrated a much shorter version of this story on May 12, 2013 during Mother’s Day. I added more details and narratives to honour all the mothers in the world, who do so much for their children, yet the latter often fail to appreciate their sacrifices.

Say “I love you” to your mother, if you haven’t done that as yet. Let us always honour our mother, the most beautiful gift of God to the children of the world.

Monday 6 May 2013

True Calling

Norman Gayo, in justified anger, smashed the cell phone on the wall, when told by the doctor that his wife had difficulty in delivering their second child. What was supposed to be a happy welcome to a new member in their small family turned into a tragedy that resulted in the death of Leah, a licensed teacher in the Philippines who worked as a baker in New Zealand. For Norman, the dream of a better life turned bitter with the loss of a caring wife, a responsible mother, a generous daughter and a dedicated handmaid of the Lord.

While Leah would have wanted to raise her children to adulthood such was not in God’s plan. But if Leah had one wish for her family, she had said it very clearly to Norman, “You must remain here in your new home in New Zealand.” Truth to tell, she had made great sacrifices in order to reach the shores of Aotearoa.

In the case of Abram in the Old Testament, it is written, “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you’" (Genesis 12:1-3).

It must have been difficult for Abraham, but obedience to God was foremost in his mind, and so he went, and God duly rewarded him. “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

I came to know of Leah only when she died. It is the testimonies of others that reveal the true nature of a person. It takes faith to migrate to another country with uncertain prospect of employment.   Out of necessity, she settled to work as a baker; but it was off work that she shone brightly like a candle in the dark. According to Norman, his wife committed herself as a handmaid of the Lord attending prayer meetings and helping single women and wives with absentee husbands.  “Much as she took care of the family,” said Norman, “she always found time for these women.” Many of those women came to the wake attesting to her good deeds.

One writer said, “Abraham’s life also shows us the blessing of simple obedience. When asked to leave his family, Abraham left. When asked to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham “rose up early the next morning” to do so. From what we can discern from the biblical narrative, there was no hesitation in Abraham’s obedience. Abraham, like most of us, may have agonized over these decisions, but when it was time to act, he acted. When we discern a true call from God, or we read His instructions in His Word, we must act. Obedience is not optional when God commands something.”

I am certain Leah found her true calling; something most people fail to discover in their lives. She had done well in her assigned tasks, and God has sought her to leave her family for the eternal home. She can rest now, assured that God will take care of her family, through brethren and friends, through kind hearted individuals, through benevolent institutions and through the Advocate in the Holy Spirit.