A day of Pilgrimage trip

I went for a Pilgrimage trip today to Miaoli (about 2 hours from Taipei) with my fellow Indonesian Catholic friends. There were about 30 of us. We visited a place called The Holy House of Loreto, a branch from Loreto, Italy.

Love this one so much. It looks like the one in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Only this is the smaller version of it ^^,

Admire this so much!

This statue of Mother Mary and Jesus was brought all the way from Loreto.
The story why it's black is because in the old days, the first statue of its kind which was originally not black, but turned to black as many people were praying with the candles and from those candles, the statue turned its color..
There's also a larger version of this in the other building [refer to the first picture]. And surrounding it is gold, that is why for some reason we're not allowed to take any pictures. And for your information, it's the only one of its kind in Taiwan!

There, we had a mass in English. The mass was planned to be held in Indonesian language, since all of us are Indonesians, but plan was changed as we had 2 foreign friends, one is a missionary from France [oui, elle est Française! =D] and another one is a Father from the Philippines. Well, it was more of a mixed-languages though, we had English, Indonesian, and Chinese, too! Awesome! ^^,

Some struck me during the Homily by Father Pras.. According to the Gospel Reading today, from John 14:7-14. Especially in Verse 14, where it says that for Everything that you ask in His name, it'll be done to you.. And Father also relates this to Matthew 7:7, where it says: "Ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you".

It suddenly reminded me of my Masters application in one of the Universities in Taiwan. I could say that I kinda give up to hoping that I'll get that acceptance letter from the University. Considering the Course that I am applying, which is really not my expertise at all. Well, I am just a beginner, just feel that this will not work for me.. BUT, after Father Pras said these verses.. I felt something told me that there's still Hope. As Father said, God will always fulfill the prayer of one who is trusting Him with all his/her heart.

This thought then suddenly came into my mind, that I should continue praying about it, not just letting it be.. If God really plans for me to continue my education here in Taiwan. I will be back. =D But if not, I believe that He has other better plans for me. Just like what He had done to me after I finished my studies in Malaysia. I have never planned to learn Chinese, especially in Taiwan! Neither I've ever thought of coming to Taiwan.

But things just happened and so here I am now. And I am glad for that. He gave me another opportunity to serve Him in the used-to-be odd place for me, yet, in the end turned to be the place where I now belong. But as time flies, my call to serve here has come to a certain point where I have to leave and continue the works somewhere else.. [I pray for His continuous guidance].

It is now two weeks left for me to living in Taiwan.
Wish me luck! :D
God bless!

Persekutuan Doa Bersama - Indonesian group

Pada hari Sabtu kemarin, sebagian dari kita mengadakan Persekutuan Doa bersama, bertempat di rumah Selvi. Lagu pujian dipimpin oleh saudara kita, Nia bersama dengan Ko Yohanes dan keyboardnya.

Acara dimulai sekitar pukul 17.30, diawali dengan menyanyikan lagu-lagu pujian dan diikuti dengan sharing bertemakan arti Paskah bagi kita semua oleh Romo Wawan.
Persekutuan Doa kali ini boleh dikatakan berbeda dengan yang sebelumnya, karena pada hari itu, 3 Romo dan 1 suster semua hadir ditengah-tengah kita. Dan total semua kita ada 14 orang berkumpul bersama.
Paskah bagi masing-masing dari kita tentu mempunyai arti yang spesial, tetapi tentunya ada satu arti utama dari Paskah itu bagi seluruh umat manusia, yaitu Paskah adalah awal dari dimulainya Kristianiti di dunia ini. Dimana umat manusia diteguhkan imannya oleh kebangkitan Yesus Kristus.
Semua yang tertulis dalam kitab suci terbukti sudah, di mana pada hari ke-3 Putra Tunggal Allah akan bangkit kembali dan kebangkitannya inilah yang menjadi awal dari iman kita, bahwa Allah itu benar adanya dan Yesus adalah Putra Tunggal Allah yang datang ke dunia untuk menyelamatkan seluruh umat manusia. Bacaan tentang sharing ini diambil dari 1 Korintus 15:1-23.

Walaupun ada beberapa perbedaan didalam kitab suci tentang siapakah yang pertama ditemui oleh Yesus dan bagaimanakah proses kebangkitannya, tetapi seperti yang Romo Wawan sampaikan, bahwa itu semua tidaklah penting. Yang penting bagi kita adalah Yesus benar telah bangkit kembali. Dan sejak itu, semua murid-muridnya dipenuhi oleh Roh Kudus untuk memberitakan tentang kerajaan Allah dan orang-orang yang percaya kepada-Nya dianugerahi rahmat yang sangat amat berlimpah.

Setelah sharing oleh Romo Wawan, beberapa dari kita juga turut ambil bagian dalam sharing bagaimana Tuhan telah bekerja didalam hidup kita dan tak terkecuali keajaiban-keajaiban yang telah Ia buat untuk kita.
[Hayo, rugi yang tidak datang pada PD kali ini! hehe..]

Sebelum kita menutup dengan menyanyikan lagu Pujian, kita juga berdoa Rosario bersama berkaitan dengan bulan Mei ini adalah Bulan Bunda Maria.

Tuhan memberkati.

Go and tell the world

"It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.."
(Acts 4:20)

Now Peter and John couldn’t even contain themselves. They just had to speak, as if they would burst if they didn’t. They had to share the message that had so transformed their lives. Not only had they walked with Jesus, the Holy Spirit had come to live in their hearts. And not only that, they knew this gift was meant not just for them but for everyone.

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature”
(Mark 16:15)

God is ready to fill us with his Spirit and give us the zeal to share his life with others. He wants to give us the boldness to tell people about our hope in Jesus. He wants to help us share the gift of his salvation with our families, co-workers, neighbors, and even complete strangers. Let’s remember that Jesus, alive in our hearts, is overflowing with love for each person we meet..

Source: www.wau.org

Romans 10:14

"...And how could they know if they have not heard.
And how could they hear unless someone told them."
(Romans 10:14)

The call to evangelization

Waw! Today's readings meditation just so exactly strikes me.
It talks about the three characters in the readings, that are Hot [Jesus' disciples,, trying to convince everyone, esp. the Israelites that Jesus had risen!], Cold [the Chief Priests who were 'working hard' to wipe out any hint that Jesus may have risen], and the Lukewarm [the guards at the tomb-everyday men with families who were just trying to survive and who didn’t seem to care one way or the other what happened to Jesus].

And it says that these days many tend to have the Lukewarm character, who may think highly of Jesus, but whose convictions about him are not strong enough to make them want to dedicate their lives to serving him and his church. Besides, it also talks about the healings, the miracles, and the conversions that would happen if everyone were to answer the call to evangelization. And not to forget that so many people are trying hard but just haven’t come to know Jesus for who he truly is. So many are waiting to hear the good news.

It really strikes me. Especially now, when few of us are trying to spread the Good news to our friends here..

This coming Thursday we're gonna have an Easter celebration, so-called, in order to get together with them and to share this moment of Joy to one another. I could say that this event is the Biggest we've ever planned so far. Invitation was sent out through email yesterday and today. And tomorrow we're gonna give out the invitation by hand, meaning paper invitation. Til now, we're expecting about 20 people. More would be great.
There are a few concerns about this event though, like about the cost (cos we're gonna provide the Lunchboxes), the programmes-how we're gonna do this, who's gonna do this and that. But Praise God, everything is going well til now. We're blessed with the people around us who are willingly offering themselves to help us [You know who you are ^^,]. Thank you!

Yesterday, I spent almost the whole day at Nia's place. Both of us were putting words for the email, choosing songs as well as practising them. Thanks Nia for playing da keyboard! =P Tomorrow we're gonna have another last practise with Brother John (Indonesian brother who's gonna do the guitar part. =P).

Ok, that's about this Thursday. I am afraid if I continue typing, one night wouldn't be enough! lol.=p

Another thing is that we're having another 'Project' that is a Drama/Skit. (fyi, the idea is taken from My Everything skit. Song by Lifehouse). Today we had another practise. A problem did rise up, but again, Praise Praise God, for He made everything alright. We found the solution and the practise went well. Oh Okay, it went very well. =) I am excited for this, too!
This is to be performed on this 28th. And the prize [money] that we'll get (loose/win still gets a prize) is going for Charity. ^^,

On another note, I am also joining the Choir with my "Tong xue men" and this is also a form of evangelization [as said by the Father (Dean Officer) himself =).

And so, I am requesting a prayer request from you all.
I hope what we're all doing here is according to what He wants us to do. For it is Your will be done, not us(ours).

Thank you. God bless!

Retreat [Lent]

Last weekend, Saturday til Sunday (28-29 March) I went for a Retreat [Indonesian]. I could say that it was a last minute decision, cos at first I didn't plan to go for it. But God somehow invited me to go, so I took this opportunity to get closer to him as I spent more time with Him there and with someone guiding me (us).
The retreat was held in Taishan - nearby my university and Fr. Wawan was the one guiding us.
They were [I think] 27 of us in total, 2 Priests, 1 Sister, 1 Brother, and the rest is us, the students and working ones.



The retreat was about our call to follow Jesus. [c.f. Luke 5:1-11].
Here's one of my point: "For Peter who was always not ready to be Jesus' disciple, who even neglected to admit that Jesus is a Messiah; God still chose Him. Why? It is because of his weaknesses..(which he later realized about) God loved him no matter what.

In 1 Corinthians 1:27, it is mentioned: "God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong" 29:"so that no one might boast in the presence of God". So that those who are 'more' will not be overwhelmed by what he has, cos everything in him/her, is all given by God, all is coming back to Him..

Therefore, do not be discouraged to come to Him. Now is the best time to do so, during this Lenten season. God is there waiting for you and me, to come back to Him. and here, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the answer.. It's -+ 2weeks before Easter. Let's be like Peter who turned back to Jesus because of His love and merciful grace, Amen.
Have a blessed Lenten season.

----------------------------

My room, the bed is so comfortable, way much more comfortable than my bed in my own room [in Taiwan].

My roomie [Dessy] during the retreat ^^,
..

Hosea

Don't you think this is beautiful?
I went for Sunday mass today at my University, and this song was being sung [again]. Last week this was also being sung. I wonder if God wants to tell me something..

God's in control

Reading: Esther C:12,14-16,23-25

How often have you been faced with a challenge that you have tackled through the sheer force of your own will and strength, as if you were a pillar of self-reliance?
From our first years, we are taught to approach life this way, and while that’s a good thing, it can lead us to forget how much we need God. The temptation is to live as if we are in a closed universe, not dependent upon anyone else. Could this be the reason we sometimes fail?

The Book of Esther teaches us that we are not alone, and that we should never feel as if it all depends on us. As her prayer reveals, she believed that God really does guide us and give us wisdom to deal with difficult situations. Sometimes he answers with unmistakable miracles. But at other times, he helps us through more subtle, natural means.

In Esther’s case, God used the love of a husband for his wife to save the Jewish people from extermination. This is one example of how his guidance can come to us in the whisper of a gentle breeze or in the words of a trusted friend. While it is true that God wants to give us good things and to help us as we navigate through life, it is also up to us to entrust our lives to him with complete reliance on his goodness and providence.
Esther humbled herself before God in faithful surrender as she prayed, “Help me, who am alone and have no help but you” (Esther C:14). She did not expect a miracle but knew that God would work through her. She prayed that God would give her courage to speak the words that she would need.

In addition, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take Esther as your model. Stop and pray. Ask God for what you need, and listen to your heart. Take the advice of the writer of Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not” (Proverbs 3:5). Expect him to speak to you clearly, truthfully, and peaceably (James 3:17).
Don’t stay stuck in a rut; stand with confidence on his word and move forward. As you follow the path that seems the best to you, you will undoubtedly meet Jesus along the way.

..
This was the reading on last Thursday, 5 March 09. As I was reading this reflection, I was struck by it. It is so relevant to me lately. And I've been asking God for direction and even for his voice. I am always unsure to myself, whether what's in my mind only comes from me, or it is God. Many say that what's in our heart, that is from God. Yet, I am still wondering..
But one thing I believe is that, whatever we pray/ask for, He'll lead us to the way that He wants us to go to. When our thoughts seem to be going on the same way as how our life is going through.. that might be God's answer to our prayer. We just have to pray and be more sensitive to Him..

...
“Lord, I put my life in your hands. Stay by my side always, and help me to trust in your presence, peace, and direction at every step of my journey.”

God bless!

Source of the reflection: www.wau.org

Lenten season

Today I went for a Reconciliation at the chapel in my University. It wasn't so much of new things that I gained, but rather reviews of things about Lent season, which indeed gave me a wider understanding about it.

It was Fr. Paskal, an Indonesian Priest who was carrying the session. And it was in English. Anyways, there is a few things that I'd like to share with you.. ^^ As it's mentioned in the Pope Benedict XVI's Lenten 2009's message, that Lenten includes mainly 3 things: Fasting/Abstinence, Prayer, and Almsgiving.

Here, he called these 3 as the Three Prongs.. You know Prongs? it's like the Fork, the sharp part of it.. So, that's why, these 3 Prongs are the things that strike us and to deeply feel the meaning of Lenten itself. Besides, he also mentioned about the Value and Meaning of fasting..
1. It is a way to avoid sin and all that leads us to it.
2. It is a way to clean out our lives, a time of discernment.
3. It is a way of making sacrifices, a time of detachment.
4. It is a way of removing our masks.

The first, by nature, we as human always fail not sin again, although we've promised ourselves not to do it again and we've even tried many times. But it is okay, there's nothing wrong with it. God still loves us and He'll be even glad when we realise that we've done wrong and ask Him for His forgiveness. For "God looks on our hearts." (c.f. 1 Sam 16: 7). Confession is indeed a way to get ourselves closer to Him. It is also a mirror for self-reflection. Don't be afraid to confession our wrong doings, and most importantly, don't get tired because of the same sins to confess! What's important is our desire to repent. Therefore, by avoiding the sins, we are to receive God's blessings.

Secondly, this Lenten season is a time for us to do cleaning. Just like what Chinese people when they're about to celebrate Chinese New Year. They clean their houses and throw away things that are not used anymore and buy new things for their house. Same for us, we should clean up our hearts, too, from everything that isn't good, that bothers us all this while. We ask Him for healing and thus, we'll have the peace within. Do not be afraid to ask, for "when we ask, it will be given; when we seek, we will find; and when we knock, the door will be opened to us." (c.f. Matt 7: 7)

Thirdly, it is also a time for sacrifices. If we have not done any almsgiving to help the needy, why not starting it from today? We can donate few cents/dollars to the church or any charity organisations, give some food to the little children on the streets, etc.. This reminds me of the money that I lost just last week. It was a huge amount of money and I couldn't even recall when I last hold that piece of paper money. -_-". But I told myself that it was part of my almsgiving and I pray for whoever got it, he/she will use it for something good. (That's why I am now more careful in spending my money.. considering if I were to used that $$ for things that I want to buy but in fact, I don't.. )

Other than this, sacrifices could also mean giving up something to gain something better. In other words, letting go something that doesn't do good to us. It allows us avoid the temptation of this world. Food is one of the example and the most common thing for people. We (at least me and my friends) hear a lot about food sacrificing. For me, besides food, computer is another sacrifice. By 11PM, my laptop has to be OFF. ^^, In addition, through this sacrifices, we're providing more room for God and us. So the relationship between the two is strengthened.

Last but not least, Lenten is the time for us to revealing ourselves and removing the mask which we've used all this while. We need to be opened and just be who we are! Nothing we shall be feared of, for God is with us. (c.f. Luke 12: 7). In addition, we should be true to ourselves first then we can be true to others.

Moreover, in order to carry this on, we need to cultivate within ourselves the new spiritual disciplines, in which we prepare ourselves to receive God's grace. And now is the best time for us to prepare for His coming.
The joy of Easter is right in front of us, so what are we waiting for?

God bless.

The Lord's prayer

"Our Father"

Matthew 6: 9-13

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. . . .
Lord, you are my King and God. I praise and adore you. I am your child and you are my everlasting Father. Right now, I want to come before your throne to honor You and praise You for your holiness. Father, help me keep my mind fixed on You and my eternal destiny.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. . .
Father, everything in heaven and on earth is Yours. And that includes my heart. I want to do what You want me to do. I want to say only the words You give me to say. I want to go only where You will lead me. Father, fill me with the grace I need to build, brick by brick, the kingdom of God inside the city of man.

Give us this day our daily bread. . . .
Father, you know I need you! I need your Bread of Life to live and to love, to learn and to grow. I cannot take a single breath without Your grace. I hunger and thirst for You. I hunger and thirst, too, for more people to come to know You. Many are thirsty, but don’t even know it. Help me be an icon of Your love for humanity. May my life help create a hunger and thirst for You.

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. . .
Father, I need Your mercy and forgiveness. I also need Your help to forgive the people who have hurt me. Father, set me free from the pain of wounded relationships, especially those wounds that have caused me to develop an unhealthy outlook on life. Widen my heart, Lord! I want to reveal Your mercy to the world.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. . . .
Father, help me to avoid all occasions of sin. Give me the wisdom I need to avoid situations that put me at spiritual and moral risk. Open my eyes to the subtle temptations of the evil one, and give me the strength to say “no” to his deceptions.

“Father, I praise and worship You for Your unfailing love for me! May I never forget Your goodness!”

Source: www.wau.org - daily meditation
God bless!