Monday 26 August 2013

God Told Me

Very few people go through a mystical experience. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who lives in seclusion, told one visitor that when he resigned on February 11, he did so because “God told me.”

 The news agency Zenit reported that “(t)he 86-year-old pope emeritus said he had not witnessed a vision of God but had undergone a months-long "mystical experience" during which God gave him the "absolute desire" to forge a deeper relationship with him. Benedict also said that the more he witnessed the "charisma" of his extremely popular successor, Pope Francis, the more he understood how his stepping aside was the ‘will of God.’”

St Paul had a mystical experience, but one which was “wholly exceptional and unique” – the Lord’s body which was in heaven returned to the earth so as to elect Paul as the special vessel of his grace.”

According to one author “true mysticism is not focused on "experiences" (which come and go) but with the lasting experience of God, leading to the transformation of the believer into union with God...Jesus proclaimed "I and the Father are one," (Jn. 10.30) showing the world what the union of God and man can be. Christian mysticism is about nothing else but this transforming union.”

Benedict XVI, who resides in a monastery inside the Vatican walls, no longer makes public appearances and rarely meets visitors.

In this internet age when people long for connectivity with the rest of the world, Benedict has instead opted for connectivity with God. So blessed is he, as God has given him that mystical link.


Pray for us Benedict; pray that this troubled world will find its way back to the Lord.

Monday 19 August 2013

Mickey and Prince

For two weeks, my family hosted two Chinese high school students who attended a short course in English language in Baradene College in Auckland. They adopted English names to make it easy for us, the lanky Mickey (Li Bingzheng) and the wimpy-ish Prince (Wang Yihan).

While Prince spent most of his time playing computer games after school, Mickey socialized with us, speaking as much English as he was able, helping out in some house chores and, even, cooking  home-made noodles.

I learned from Mickey that he did not believe in God and thought that people who went to temples were there only to seek favors.  While this could have been an opportunity to evangelize, I kept my desire on leash, afraid that we might alienate them.  But always before we took our meals together, I asked them if it was alright if we prayed, and they obliged.  At no instance did we argue with them about their non-belief; for it is not for us to judge. “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.  And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (John 12:46)

On Sunday, we told them that we were going to church to attend the mass. It came as a total surprise to us, as Mickey said that he’d like to join us.  He was observant of the Eucharistic celebration, and I asked him if he knew the name of the person on the cross in the altar. He said, “Jesus”. It was fortunate, too, that two pilgrims from the World Youth Day 2013 narrated their experiences.

But I guess one of the most amazing things we experienced during those two weeks was composing on August 13 an original song, “I Say Hello”, that I initially wrote English lyrics. I asked Mickey if he could write a Chinese translation, and he did so in about two hours. Inspired by his enthusiasm, I was able to create a melody in less than 30 minutes. We then made a rough recording of the English/Chinese song.

When they left in the early morning of August 17, Mickey handed to me a handwritten letter. One line read: “I feel I had fallen in love with your family and New Zealand.”


Those words were worth enough to warm our hearts.  As they left, I prayed that they had seen the light of Jesus through our praying, our caring and our friendship. Farewell and God bless you, Mickey and Prince.

Monday 12 August 2013

Youth Story

At the tail end of the mass I attended on August 13, 2013, the priest called on two delegates of the World Youth Day to share briefly their experiences in Brazil.

The first speaker narrated her story about wanting to have a closer glimpse of Pope Francis in any of his appearances. It was during the first mass celebrated by the Pontiff that she and a companion crossed through more than 300,000 people to reach the security fence that separated the congregation from the stage. By 11:30 am they made it to the fourth row from the fence. 

With the mass scheduled at 6:00 pm, she wondered if she could survive more than 6 hours in the ocean of people. By 11:45 am, she felt dizzy and was on the verge of fainting. She raised her hands, asking for help. Security personnel on the other side of the fence noticed her, pulled her out and brought her to the backstage. She noticed that all the people there had official badges, while she had none. She stayed put, saying that if nobody would call her attention to leave, then it was God’s will for her to be there.

Hours passed until the Pope arrived and said Mass. There she was just a few meters away from the Holy Father, listening to his message for the youth and experiencing the holiness that radiated from his person. As she narrated this to us her voice broke, as she held her tears from falling. So did many of us listeners.

I am certain that her story was just one among the many inspiring ones from youth pilgrims from all over the world who came to see the People’s Pope during WYD 2013.   This young woman had taken action on the call of Pope Francis, who said, "Sharing the experience of faith, bearing witness to the faith, proclaiming the Gospel: this is a command that the Lord entrusts to the whole church and that includes you." She had become a Missionary without Borders, a term which the Pontiff used when he asked, "Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: He sends us to everyone."

The young woman had heeded Pope Francis’ words: "As you return to your homes, do not be afraid to be generous with Christ, to bear witness to his Gospel. It can change the world.” That call is also meant for each one of us.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Running Last

"Sir, will you please run with me?", asked 9-year old Boden Fuchs as Lance Corporal Myles Kerr was about to pass him by during the Jeff Drenth Memorial 5K footrace in Charlevoix, Michigan on August 3, 2013.  The marine, in fatigue uniform and carrying a backpack, obliged and both competitors finished last in their respective divisions.

Winning the race is a natural instinct of man.  “The winner takes it all” is a slogan that teaches that runners up don’t count -- more so losers.   To sacrifice personal glory to help others is a difficult decision for many; and it fascinates us to see people like Lance Corporal Kerr do it.

Jesus shared the parable of the Good Samaritan to drive the point that opportunities happen before our very eyes that require us to be involved. The Samaritan could have simply done what the other passersby did, ignore and move on. But he treated and bandaged the helpless man, took him on his donkey, and had him cared for at his expense.

Such is the challenge we face every day as we race for work, for school, for errands, etc.  There may be people who may be hurt, in pain or helpless.  Often we are too focused on our goal of finishing first what we aim to do, that we fail to see the needy along the way.


If we thought that Corporal Kerr did something heart warming, here is what the Lord has to say to us, “Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” (Luke 10:37)