The Living Stone and a Chosen People

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)

I have come to appreciate Saint Peter a lot more since I started my journey back to the Catholic church. The scripture passage for today's reading is from 1 Peter 2. It seems clear to me that one of the strongest messages I have heard from the Catholic church is the importance of corporate identity. Previously I identified my being a Christian as "having a personal relationship with Jesus".  Although this is still true, the more important aspect of my faith as I have come to know is my identity with the "community of saints" (small letter "s" for saints). Jesus's mission to earth was to build His church, and He started it by authorizing Peter to be the founding CEO (so to speak - see Matthew 16:13-20). Moreover He gave Peter (and the church) a promise of divine protection that "the gates of Hades will not overcome it.". And indeed the church has survived through the ages - through persecution, moral decay both outside and inside the church, and yes, even the reformation! The church continues to stand against the tide of secularism, nominalism and scandals.

So what is Saint Peter teaching me about my faith journey in this new community? Here is a list (starting from chapter 1 of his letter):

• Be holy! So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” "So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God."(1 Peter 1:13-16 and 2:1-3 MSG translation) Wow!!
• Live as foreigners in reverent fear (verse 17). The original Greek word for foreigners is "paroikia" (a sojourning, dwelling in a strange land). Now that's a good perspective! "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:11-12) Don't forget - not only is my life on earth infinitesimally short comparing to eternity, it's beauty is also nothing comparing to what is coming! Keith Green has a beautiful song comparing this life to what is to come - "I Can't Wait to Get to Heaven")
• Love one another deeply, from the heart (verse 22). That's right, for the few more years that are left, learn to love as Jesus love. That's my best witness to this world which is devoid of love. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34,35)
• Live like God's chosen one. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10) So live life full of mercy with praises hanging off my lips at all time!
• Live as free people but for the Lord's sake submit to human authority (1 Peter 2:11-17).
• Suffer for doing good (verse 18-21). "But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

So much to learn!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Today's scripture reading is from Ezekiel 8-10 and Hebrews 13. Hebrews 13 contains exhortations to a church under persecution. Despite the difficult environment believers found themselves, the author of Hebrews (apparently unknown) gave them these instructions:

1. Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters (verse 1)
2. Show hospitality to strangers (verse 2)
3. Remember those in prison and those who were mistreated (presumably because of their faith) - to suffer with them (verse 3)
4. Keep marriage sacred and avoid sexual immorality (verse 4)
5. Keep their lives free from the love of money and be content with what they have (verse 5)
6. Remember the church leaders and imitate their faith which was lived through their way of life (verse 7); submit to their authority (verse 17) and pray for them for a clear conscience, for a desire to live honorably, and for release from prison (verses 18,19)
7. Don't be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; e.g. a preoccupation with taking ceremonial food (verse 9) 
8. Through Jesus, offer to God continuously a sacrifice of praise (verse 15) and a sacrifice to do good and to share with others (verse 16)

The promise of divine assistance if we do these things can be found in these verses:

1. God's presence with us - “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (verse 5 taken from Deuteronomy 31:6)
2. God's help - “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (verse 6 taken from Psalm 118:6,7)
3. God's immutability - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (verse 8 - also Malachi 3:6; 1 Samuel 15:29; see John Piper's sermon on this divine attribute and why it is important in a changing world)

This wonderful knowledge of God's involvement in our lives through times of trouble is in huge contrast to the story of the Israelites described in the Ezekiel chapters. There I find God's special chosen people completely abandoning their faith in God. Ezekiel was told: "“Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable.”"(Ezekiel 8:6)

God eventually had to exercise divine judgement on His people and finally abandoned them to their own destruction. This is exactly what Saint Paul was warning us in Romans 1:18-32.

I live in a constantly changing world. With recent passing of laws that promote abortion and euthanasia, I do feel the persecution for my faith. And with moral decay in society I fear that I may be easily drawn into the same moral depravity if I am not careful. "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:16). But I have God's divine promise and His grace to help me live according to the above instructions and I shall see Him at the end of my days.
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 24:13)

Post American Election - Thoughts and Prayers

Today's scripture reading is from Jeremiah 50 and Hebrews 8. Jeremiah 50 is a clear prophetic message predicting what will happen to the great empire of Babylon (Jeremiah 50:1). I couldn't help but to relate this to the fall of many other great empires (Assyria, Roman, Greek, etc); and of course the doom and gloom prediction of what would happen to the United States of America with the election of a very unpopular president. My views on who I would vote for (no, I am not an American - so it's purely theoretical!) have changed quite dramatically since becoming a Catholic. I have gained a much better understanding on what issues are (or should be) central in making a selection - like abortion, euthanasia, and who to bring to the supreme court. I am much less critical towards many brothers and sisters who had chosen to vote for this elected president. I was much less emotionally charged watching the election result coming in and was pretty much at peace knowing that God is sovereign. I look forward to seeing what God would do even with this very faulty man. Now it's the time that God's people need to turn their face towards God:
“In those days, at that time,” declares the Lord,
“the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Lord their God.
They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it.
They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 50:4-5)

The fall of Babylon (indeed, as was true for other great empires) was the result of pride:
“See, I am against you, you arrogant one,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
“for your day has come, the time for you to be punished.
The arrogant one will stumble and fall and no one will help her up;
I will kindle a fire in her towns that will consume all who are around her.” (Jeremiah 50:31-32)

The Lord will redeem His people (who will survive during this horrible time of destruction):
Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name.
He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. (Jeremiah 50:34)

We have ground to be hopeful. For God has already brought about this redemption through a new covenant (promise) made possible by the blood of Christ (see Jeremiah 31:31-34 which has been quoted verbatim in today's New Testament reading in Hebrews 8:7-13).

I found this Ignatian prayer (modified and made personal) quite suitable for this post-election time. I will try to do this prayer (for America and Canada) daily throughout this week:

(1) Begin with a prayer of gratitude
Consider current realities of US and Canada—for what and for whom am I most grateful?

(2) Ask for God’s guidance
Invite the Spirit of God to illuminate my reflection.

(3) Enlightened by the Spirit, prayerfully review US and Canada at this point in history; pay attention to my emotions and reactions.
• What energizes me or brings me closer to God as I reflect on my country?
• What distracts me or makes me feel farther from God as I reflect on my country?
• What is the current situation of my brothers and sisters, particularly those who are most vulnerable and often marginalized by poverty and injustice?
• What are the ways that my identity and privileges shape my perspective and vision for my country?
• Allow my honest reactions, emotions, and desires to surface.

(4) Conversation with God
• Consider perhaps one or two of the strongest desires or feelings evoked by my prayer about my country and bring this to God.
• Engage God in conversation over these desires or feelings, speaking simply, clearly, directly, and honestly
• What is God’s desire for people who are marginalized by poverty and injustice?
• What areas of my life/my nation’s life do I rejoice in and celebrate fidelity to Gospel values?
• Listen with my heart—how is God present to me through my reactions and desires?








(5) Prayer of renewal and resolution
As I look forward to be governed by the new leaders, how will I promote the common good? Ask God for the assistance I need to enact the greater, more lasting good for all God’s people. Is there a specific attitude I want to cultivate or an action I want to take? Entrust my desires and intentions to God’s grace.

Philemon - how to treat our servants

I am visiting Hong Kong as I do every year to spend time with my siblings. According to Wikipedia, in 2013 there are some 320,000 foreign domestic helpers making up about 3% of Hong Kong's population. They are about equal split between Filipinos and Indonesians with only a small minority from Thailand. They are by law required to live in their employer's residence, to perform practically every household chore and especially childcare. Human-rights groups have been concerned with serious worker abuse and the NGO Justice Center recently ranked Hong Kong 157 out of 161 countries in terms of the government response to modern-day slavery. The newspaper South China Morning Post's reported on Oct 30, 2016 the domestic workers' minimum income was $4,230 Hong Kong dollars (which is about $730 Canadian dollars).

My sister and her partner hired three domestic workers - two to take care of their two homes and one is a chauffeur. They are all from the Philippines. They are very nice and are all Christians - one an evangelical charismatic, one a Catholic, and one belonging to the Iglesia ni Cristo church. I think they are treated very respectfully and from my conversation with at least two of them they feel treated well. Nonetheless, when I observe how hard they work, the long hours and the lack of really much of any personal life all week long except for Sunday (which often gets derailed as the employer suddenly changed plans on Sunday). In many of the masses I attended so far, there were certainly a lot of attendees from the Philippines.

I was reading the Book of Philemon this morning. It's just a short book with only one chapter. It gave me a glimpse of the slavery culture during the the first century. Charles Swindoll has a very nice overview of this book. I'll quote here "Why is Philemon so important?":
"The letter to Philemon reminds us that God’s revelation to humanity is intensely personal. In more formal biblical works such as the Gospels or the epistle to the Romans or even Paul’s letters to churches at Philippi or Colossae, it might be easy to get the impression that God does not care or have time for the trials and tribulations in a single household. Philemon stands as one piece of strong evidence to the contrary, revealing that lofty doctrines such as the love of God, forgiveness in Christ, or the inherent dignity of humanity have real and pertinent impact in everyday life. The book of Philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers."

Swindoll further suggested the personal application of this book:
"Live long enough, and you will understand the difficulty of offering forgiveness when you have been wronged. It does not come easy, yet as believers, we have to recognize that our ability and willingness to offer it are the result of Christ’s saving work on the cross. Because of that fact, forgiveness serves as a determining factor in who we say we are and how we hope to live our lives. When we do not forgive, bitterness takes root in our hearts and chokes the vitality out of us."

In the Lord's prayer asking for forgiveness and forgiving others come right after our request for God's daily provision:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9-13)




John MacArthur wrote gave a sermon on "Slaves for Christ". He said: "Being a slave of Christ may be the best way to define a Christian.".

For our ultimate goal at the end of my life is to hear God say:
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!"
Apparently the word for "servant" here is the same for "slave".

So I have appreciated the comfort my sister's servants provide me. I remind myself to treat them as sisters in the Lord.

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you

Here I am back in Hong Kong, the place where I was first baptized some 50 years ago! This trip is especially special as I am returning as a Catholic. I feel like I am coming back to my first spiritual home! The more I think about it the more I an convinced that it was the sacred sacraments (baptism and confirmation) which I received 50 years ago that had protected me to this day. I feel so blessed.

There are a number of things I am doing now that are different from when I was practicing as a protestant. I have a deep desire to go to daily mass whenever possible. I went to mass at the Toronto airport before the flight to Hong Kong - that was a first! And now I am staying in a village town of Mui Wo on Lantau Island. Guess what, there is a mass this evening (Friday). Moreover, there will be a two hour adoration prior to mass which I can attend also. The wonderful thing about being a Catholic is that the experience of receiving the Holy Eucharist is the same wherever I go. In the past I would "shop" for a church to worship on Sunday when I am away on a trip. Now it doesn't really matter which Catholic church I go to. The "universal" (that's what the word "catholic" means) church uses the same liturgy wherever I find a catholic church. And the blessings that go with the worship are guaranteed regardless of who the priest is and what message (usually just a homily) I will hear. It's like going to an International bank wherever it is and making a withdrawal from an infinite bank account!

The next thing that is very different is a real desire to pray. I have been doing at least one rosary a day. I offer up my family, the sick people I know, and the ministries I am involved in to the Lord regularly. I supposed this may have to do with me being retired and feeling the need to deepen my inner life. In any case, learning more about the prayers of the many saints and church fathers gives me a greater arsenal of weapon to fight the spiritual war. I do appreciate being able to ask the many more godly people (saints and the Blessed Mother) to pray for me and my love ones. I also started praying for my parents and my half sister who had passed on. There is so much more I can do to seek divine mercy!

In today's scripture reading, Saint Paul is helping his spiritual son Timothy to be bold with God's gift:
"Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion." (2 Timothy 1:3-4 MSG translation)
"So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us." (2 Timothy 1:13-14 MSG translation)

I have this "precious thing" placed in my custody. This precious thing includes "sincere faith" (verse 5), "the gift of God" (verse 6), and "the Spirit God gave us (which) does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (verse 7). "So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. " (verses 8,9a). May the Holy Spirit give me strength to guard this good deposit!

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (Romans 1:16)

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

My general confession is tomorrow! It's so wonderful to know, as St. Paul would say it:
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

Jesus has been very patient with me! Who would have thought that after 65 years I might be at this very point in my life to receive this tremendous blessing! This isn't something most men would write on their bucket list! Well it's on mine - and it's going to be crossed out this very time tomorrow:)

I was reading 1 Timothy 1 this morning. I learned that when St. Paul wrote "I am the worst of sinners" (verse 15) he wasn't just being humble. He wrote this about himself: "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." (verses 13, 14) The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible also pointed out: "The comment is suggestive of the letter's authenticity, since it is unlikely that an admirer of Paul would described him in more humiliating terms than the apostle himself did (see also 1 Corinthians 15:9)".

In the context of St. Paul advising his spiritual son Timothy to warn him against false teachers, who "teach false doctrines" and who "devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies" (verses 3b,4a). So even in the early church the apostle had to deal with heretics, who had departed from the "sincere faith" which calls us to "love from a pure heart and a good conscience" (verse 5).

So what's next after the general confession? I will be able to participate fully at the Holy Eucharist this Sunday! I still remember sadly that when my mother was baptized at the age of 85(!) in a special mass held for her and I was the only "believer" who did not receive the communion! I told the priest I didn't believe in "transubstantiation" so he advised me not to receive the body and blood of my Lord Jesus Christ! Now I realize how ignorant I had been! This article (Christ in the Eucharist) from Catholic.com gives a really good explanation of why I now believe with all my heart the sacred blessing I am about to receive at the mass this Sunday!

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him" (John 6:53–56).

I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude! When I was baptized I was given the new christian names David Michael (BTW I only discovered the name "Michael" after I finally received my baptismal certificate!). I find myself asking this same question as the person I am named after (King David), who asked the Lord:
"Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" (2 Samuel 7:18)

For all of this week I was quite aware that Satan won't just let go of me and would try to attack my faith. I have been praying daily to Saint Michael, the Archangel:

"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."

Be Reconciled to God

I am so looking forward to my first general confession after almost 50 years! It will happen after the next men's group meeting this Saturday. Interestingly, the men's group has been going through a book/video series called "Be A Man!" by Father Larry Richards. We happen to be going through the 3rd chapter of the book - Be a Man Who Repents!

It's only a 15 minute appointment. How can I confess all my sins committed for 65 years in such a short time? So I wrote it all down so I won't forget. Father Ian suggested that I go through periods of my life - during my high school years... when I was in college... etc. I have been using a number of online references: A Guide to Confession, How to Confess, and a Kindle Book Guide to General Confession, and of course the Catechism on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Although I had probably confessed most of these sins to God directly one time or another, I had not confessed them to a priest. Catholic Answers has a very good explanation on why I should confess to a priest:
"God had sent Jesus to forgive sins, but after his resurrection Jesus told the apostles, "‘As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’" (John 20:21–23). (This is one of only two times we are told that God breathed on man, the other being in Genesis 2:7, when he made man a living soul. It emphasizes how important the establishment of the sacrament of penance was.)"
"Is the Catholic who confesses his sins to a priest any better off than the non-Catholic who confesses directly to God? Yes. First, he seeks forgiveness the way Christ intended. Second, by confessing to a priest, the Catholic learns a lesson in humility, which is avoided when one confesses only through private prayer. Third, the Catholic receives sacramental graces the non-Catholic doesn’t get; through the sacrament of penance sins are forgiven and graces are obtained. Fourth, the Catholic is assured that his sins are forgiven; he does not have to rely on a subjective "feeling." Lastly, the Catholic can also obtain sound advice on avoiding sin in the future." (Catholic Answers "The Forgiveness of Sins")

I am so looking forward to receiving the many blessings from this act of obedience. The Catechism described the spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance:
- reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace;
- reconciliation with the Church;
- remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
- remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin;
- peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation;
- an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle. (CCC #1496)

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

I love this picture. It's a very intimate picture of the love of God shown through His church: