Sunday, December 19, 2010

Pengalaman Malam NATAL

By: Rev. P. Segundo Llorente, SJ

Seorang Pastor menceritakan kepadaku apa yang terjadi padanya sekali, di dalam gerejanya yang pertama.

Setelah Misa tengah malam pada hari Natal, ia sendirian mengunci gerejanya. Dengan kunci yang berada di dalam kantongnya ia menuhu ke kamarnya dan tidur nyenyak..

Pada jam 07.30 pagi, ia bangun dan menuju ke gereja bermaksud untuk berdoa satu jam untuk dirinya. Ia membuka pintu samping yang menuju ke Sakristi, menyalakan lampu dan kemudian menyalakan sepasang lilin di dalam gereja.

Saat ia membuka pintu Sakristi dan berjalan menuju gereja, ia diam terpaku. Sebagian bangku-bangku gereja dipenuhi oleh orang asing mengenakan pakaian-pakaian yang paling miskin dan semuanya dalam keheningan yang dalam. Tak ada satupun yang bergeming dan tak ada orang yang peduli untuk melihat dia. Suatu kelompok kecil sedang berdiri di samping (sebuah miniatur kelahiran Yesus) memandang palungan dalam kehenigan yang dalam.

Pastor tersebut tersadar dengan segera dan dengan suara yang keras bertanya kepada mereka bagaimana mereka dapat masuk?
Tak seorangpun menjawab!
Dia berjalan medekati mereka dan bertanya lagi siapa yang telah mengizinkan mereka masuk?

Seorang perempuan menjawab, dengan sangat tak memperdulikan, "Hal-hal yang aneh terjadi pada malam Natal!" dan kemudian kembali ke keheningan yang dalam.

Pastor itu pergi memeriksa pintu utama dan menemukan bahwa pintu tersebut terkunci, seperti waktu ia meninggalkannya kemarin. Ia sekarang memutuskan untuk mencari bukti-bukti dan dipalingkan mukanya ke arah bangku-bangku tersebut kosong. Orang-orang itu telah hilang.

Ia menyimpan kejadian itu untuk dirinya sendiri dalam beberapa waktu..
Tak sanggup untuk menyimpannya lebih lama, ia menceritakan kepadaku seperti apa yang telah kuceritakan padamu.

Dapatkan saya membantu dengan penjelasan yang masuk akal? Biarkan saya segera mengatakan, bahwa pastor dalam cerita tersebut adalah model jiwa dan dididik secara akademi seperti sebagian besar pastor yang saya kenal, jika bukan lebih baik.

Penjelasan saya masih berlanjut, sebagai berikut:
Orang-orang yang berada di bangku-bangku gereja tersebut adalah orang-orang yang meninggal yang sedang menjalankan penyucian diri mereka dan sebagian dari mereka, di dalam gereja. Adalah aman untuk mengandaikan bahwa kita bertobat atas dosa-dosa kita pada suatu tempat dimana kita melakukan dosa tersebut. Orang-orang tersebut dibenamkan dalam keheningan yang sangat dalam. Mengapa?

Pertimbangkan sikap kurang sopan yang dilakukan di hadapan Sakramen Terberkati, beberapa banyak orang bertingkah di dalam gereja, ngobrol, tertawa (cekikikan), menoleh sekeliling. Setelah Misa beberapa orang berkumpul dalam satu kelompok sekitar bangku gereja dan mengubah gereja menjadi suatu pasar dengan tidak menyapa kehadiran nyata Kristus dalam tabernakel.

Mengapa mereka menghilang?
Mereka tidak menghilang. Mereka dengan muda menjadi tidak terlihat, namun mereka tetap berada pada bangku mereka, tak dapat mengungkapkan sepatah katapun, untuk menebus obrolan mereka yang tidak sopan waktu mereka hidup.
Sakramen Maha Kudus bukan merupakan hal yang patut ditertawakan. Ada sebuah harga yang harus kita bayar terhadap apa yang kita katakan dan lakukan. Pada akhirnya hanyalah Tuhan yang akan tertawa juga berbicara. Orang-orang itu harus memberikan Adorasi dan rasa hormat pada jasa Kristus terhadap Sakramen Maha Kudus. Untuk berapa lama? Hanya Tuhan yang dapat menjawabnya.

Mengapa Pastor melihat mereka?
Sehingga ia dapat berdoa bagi mereka dan bagi semua jiwa-jiwa malang yang lain yang ditahan di dalam gereja yang lain. Mengapa Pastor lain tidak melihat orang-orang tersebut? Baiklah mungkin mereka telah tahu dalam teori bahwa jiwa-jiwa dapat ditahan di dalam gereja sebagaimana di tempat lain, jadi mereka tidak perlu suatu mujizat.

Mengapa mereka mengenakan pakaian yang sangat miskin?
Untuk menebus kelahiran mereka saat masih hidup. Orang-orang sering memakai pakaian yang tidak banyak menutupi ketelanjangan mereka namun sebagai simbol status untuk menarik perhatian ke orang lain. Namun Tuhan tidak tertarik dengan, katakanlah, sebuah contoh pakaian: jaket dari bulu binatang. Juga orang berjalan masuk ke gereja dengan pakaian-pakaian yang sangat ketat. Dalam Komuni Kudus dengan pakaian yang tidak senonoh. Pastor boleh dan tidak boleh melarang hal itu; namun Tuhan akan mengupas tentang hal ini pada saat hari-Nya dalam persidangan. Pakaian compang-camping akan merupakan hukuman yang sangat cocok untuk perbuatan yang keterlaluan itu.

Seorang biarawati dalam api penyucian menampakkan diri kepada biarawati yang lain pada tahun 1880-an. "Bukan pada hari semua jiwa-jiwa malang. Bagaimanapun, sebagian besar jiwa-jiwa diangkat ke surga justru pada Malam Natal, ribuan jiwa-jiwa meninggalkan tempat-tempat penyucian mereka menuju surga.."

Dalam tulisan Santa Margaret Mary kita menemukan nasehat sebagai berikuta:
"Dalam persatuan dengan Hati Ilahi Yesus, lakukan Jalan Salib singkat bagi jiwa di api penyucian pada malam hari. Persembahkanlah kepada-Nya semua aktivitasmu sehari-hari dan mintalah pada-Nya untuk memberikan kebaikan-Nya kepada jiwa-jiwa yang menderita. Pada saat yang sama, mohonkanlah kepada mereka guna mendapatkan bagimu rahmat untuk hidup dan mati dalam cinta dan persahabatan dari Hati-Nya yang Ilahi.

Barangkali Dia tidak menemukan di dalam dirimu kekuatan melawan Kehendak-Nya yang kudus, ataupun juga keinginan untuk menghalangi ciptaan-Nya dalam pandanganmu. Beruntunglah kamu, jika kamu berhasil mengantarkan beberapa jiwa yang terpenjara ke surga, bagimu akan mendapat sebanyak mungkin teman di surga.

Dan lagi: "Terbangun dari pagi hari ini, pada hari Minggu Gembala Baikm tulis Santa Margaret Mary 200 tahun yang lalu, dua temanku yang malang datang untuk mengucapkan selamat tinggal padaku, hari ini Gembala Baik menerima mereka ke dalam rumah kekal-Nya. Mereka pergi dengan kegembiraan dan kebahagiaan yang tak terucapkan. Saat kuminta kepadanya untuk mengingatku, mereka menjawab: "Rasa tak berterima kasih tidak pernah masuk surga."

O kalian semua, teman-teman kristianiku yang membaca tulisan ini. Para Pastor, Religius, atau orang-orang yang taat, bantulah untuk menyebarkan dengan devosi ini. Ini sangatlah mudah dan membutuhkan sedikit usaha, terlebih lagi kamu akan mendapat upahnya untuk hal itu.


Sumber: AVE MARIA Australia, Jan '09.
Penerjemah: Gloria Nadie M.

God bless.

Friday, November 26, 2010

In Him, everything is possible.

Yesterday I went for an interview at Novotel Balikpapan.
I was pretty excited to go for it, and honestly speaking, I was optimist too. :D

So there I went, first, I met up with the HRM, Mr. Agus. I thought he was a nice person. The interview with him went very well. And then I had to meet up with the GM as the final process of interview. One word to describe how I felt when I was having a conversation with him: WOW!
He is really a wise man, someone whom I hardly found anywhere on earth.
Well, basically, he's interested in hiring me, very much interested perhaps. But.. there's one question from him that I found really hard to answer..
Due to his previous experiences dealing with high turnover in the hotel, he was asking me if I could commit working with him for at least a year orelse, I'd have to pay him back all the salary I've gotten.. It would have been way easier if I weren't applying for any schools or etc.. BUT, I've already applied for one school and I am still hoping to go overseas next year, which means that, if I really get accepted by the school, I'll have to quit the job in less than a year.

He asked me when will I know about the result. Then he said "You wait for March/April, whenever the result comes out, if you get accepted, you go, if not, you come back here and I promise you to get you in a job, even in 2 weeks". The way he said things was really wise. And he appreciated it for my honesty (hehe.. couldn't lie anymore).

He said quite a lot of positive and motivational things which made me impressed. He mentioned that now almost 50% of the GM in Novotel/Accor group are locals (Indonesians). Hmm... Well, I am not aiming that high at this moment since I am not really familiar with hotel in details.

I believe that Novotel is one of the fine hotels that will excel and open the gate for its employees in their professional career.
Nevertheless, I am now still striving for my future studies and at least I know that I am secured. When Plan A doesn't work, I have Plan B in my hand. (But Plan A is really important for me, I am 99.9% hoping for it).

Thank you so much for your supports and prayers dear friends. I wouldn't make it all without Him and you by my side. ;)

With Love,
and God bless.

TOEFL Result

I just received my TOEFL result yesterday..
Voila!
Thanks be to God that I made it, though it was really close to the minimum score required.. hehe.. as long as I passed, I am happy enough :)
Thank you for your prayers and supports too!!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

11.11.2010

What's been happening here??
I feel that I find myself hardly write anything anymore here. :|

Anyway, tomorrow I am leaving for Malang, to see my Grandma and to celebrate her birthday! Thank You Lord for the Grace You've given to her and all of us.
And then on Sunday, I am gonna have the TOEFL test. Olala! I am not nervous yet, but I am sure I will by Saturday! especially that I prepare nothing!

But overall, I am excited for the things to come! ;)

Ah, let me share something that made my day yesterday :)
It's about my work. I finally had the chance to really SPEAK OUT about whatever I feel towards my work. Well, not entirely I SPOKE about all, but things related to the work, I did share, except for the feelings that came along, NOPE. (My so-called manager was there too.)

So I had like 8 points that I shared. I am glad I did it and hopefully, something good will come up soon.
Something that makes me surprised is always whenever I feel really bad about my job and I bring it into prayer, it always turns out to be something I don't expect but for some reason, it's good.
I remember that I wanted to quit this job so bad, and I prayed about it. In the end, I still find myself here working!
As terrible as it seems, my working hours are really bad. I have to work from 1PM to 9PM (officially) but I usually only go home at 9.30pm earliest and 11pm latest everyday. And I only have a day off, plus, I work on WEEKENDs.
I've had to let go my social life and church activities.

When people go back home after work, i am still at work. And when people are on their day off, again, I am still at work.
For the first few months I was working, my family complained so much. But I told them that this is my job and it's part of the consequences, so let me continue this til at least for a period of 6 months. But now, I think it turns to be the other way around, I've always wanted to quit, but my mom keeps on saying, not now, keep holding on while u're trying to look for a new one.

And so here it is now, I've made a choice for my future, to continue my studies to Master. But only by His Grace and Will that I can make it.
Please keep me in your prayer.

Terima Kasih.
Love you all.

God bless.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

TOEFL Ibt

If all goes well, I'll be having my TOEFL Ibt Exam next Sunday.
This test will be a back up for the requirements from any Universities that I am looking forward to go to next year (hopefully).

If you read this, please keep me in your prayer, or at least, say a little pray for me.
It means a lot to me :)

Thank you and wish me luck.
God bless.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

C'est la vie

Last Tuesday I had a day off. As usual, I was planning to do everything that I couldn't do during my working days - 6/7 -.

At first I decided to go for gym, but since I woke up (considered) quite late, I decided to just wash the car and count it as another form of exercise. And after that I planned to watch movie(s). I knew I would watch the movie on my own, since everyone else is working, but that doesn't bother
me at all since I am used to it already. So I finished washing the car at 11, then I took shower and I went to the cinema for a 12 O'clock Movie which was, Step Up 3D.
I thought the movie was inspiring. I've always wanted to dance, though even until now I've never had the chance to dance. I can't find one here in my hometown. And I remember there was a time when I wanted to go to a dancing studio in Malaysia, just a few meter walking to the studio,
I got a very painful accident, hit by a motorbike. So there was it. I thought I've never meant to be a dancer or even to dance.

But this movie, it wasn't just about dancing. I learned how to not give up to the thing that we want to achieve in our lives. And in country like America, chances are quite a lot, unlike Indonesia. Having watching this movie, it pushed me to aim higher and to think positively. Not giving up and keep on asking and praying. I've this feeling that one day I'll fulfill my dream. Not a very clear one a
t the moment, but it's something much better than my current situation.

Finished with that, I went for lunch by myself, and I went
again for another movie, "Eat, Pray and Love", but this time, with my brother.Honestly, I don't really like the story line of the movie,it wasn't really clear for me, but one thing that I liked was the traveling part. Italy was really interesting. I learned a bit of Italian culture from there (the hands moving and the lifestyle). It's so true when they talked about how Americans are so busy with their work and they concern so much about their appearance, til they don't enjoy life as much as the Italians do. Hmm... In terms of appearance, you can see it clearly how they much they spend their time in the gym working out on their body, though it works for some of them :). But for the working adults, it's just so real that they're really stressed out with their daily work hectic.
Life oh Life..

Anyway, finished with that I went home for a while and moved on to the French class. Man, French is getting more difficult. And I can't find a time to work on it other than in class. fiuhh.. -_-"/..

Friday, October 15, 2010

Prayer for my beloved Grandma

My Grandma will be having an operation tomorrow morning..

Please pray for her, that everything will alright..

If only I had weekend, I WOULD HAVE already gone there and waited for her, with my mom and aunts..

I HATE working on weekends! sighhh.
I hope there's something greater to come.
I do hope and believe that He's got a Bigger plan for me, something exciting!! :)

Friday, October 8, 2010

All I want is VACATION part.1

I am back to Balikpapan after a week of super short yet exciting vacation. Thanks be to God for the little time that I managed to get away from work. It was a NICE ESCAPE.
The vacation was really packed as I could call it. You wanna know why? That's because I went to 3 countries within that ONE week! Some of you mig
ht have done that before, I suppose.. :)

Sept 30th afternoon, I left for Singapore..
Oct 1st midnight, I moved on to Malaysia..

Oct 3rd morning, I went to Thailand..

Oct 5th afternoon, I was back in Malaysia..

Oct 6th afternoon, I was back home in the evening..

Oct 7th afternoon, I was back to work.

So now, what do you think??? ;p

Singapore..

Thank you Meity, for a very comfortable room to stay in. You've really got a really nice room there! ;) thanks for calling Adrian, accompanying me to get a bus ticket to Malaysia, and every other things!

Thank you Dian, Daniel, Adrian for making it to meet up even just for a dinner. I love you
all! and Dian, for taking me to the local dessert in town! Bugis area ;) and also for paying my MRT! hehe..
Last but not least, for sure, thank you Nadia!! for your time spent with me at Universal! you companionship really meant a lot for me :) and especially that it was on your birthday. Thank you also for picking me up at the airport! all the way from your school to airport and just to send me to meet my friends at City Hall :)



Malaysia..

I arrived at Jalan Imbi - Berjaya Times Square at 5 o'clock in the morning. And that time, Tracie who was coming to pick me up, she was still on her way from Melaka. Thank God I saw a 24-hour Mamak restaurant nearby, so I decided to go there. I ordered Roti Canai and Hot Milo while waiting for her. Luckily I had my Canai here orelse I wouldn't have time to have Roti Canai at all. An hour after, Tracie came and picked me up to her house. And we rested for an hour before we headed to MidValley for shopping! :) Bought a wedding gift for my newly wed friend, Cassie as well.

Met up with Tee (college's friend) at Chillis'. I always want to go to Chillis for no exact reason. Even when I was there, I didn't actually want to order the Nachos. but the Fries was really good! ;p


At 5.30 PM I left MidValley to go for Mass at SFX. Thought the mass started at 6PM but actually it started at 6.30PM. Anyhow, I was glad to reach there early for the Prayer with Mother Mary. Cos it was the first week of the month.

I already made appointment with Gaby for attending mass together, but God brought more than a Gaby. :) He brought Crisabel, Emily, Stephie, Peter Toyat and many more! Praise God that I was able to see many of them altogether :)

After the mass, Gaby and I headed to Sunway for dinner. And I got appoi
ntment with Cassie as well. So we went to Kim Gary since Zanmai was really full. Cassie gave me Green Tea mooncake because she knew I was craving for the mooncake :p

Later on, Aaron Lee, Aaron Leong and Rowena came. Thank you for coming guys! :)



I shall let the story be continued...
gotta go back to work! ;p