Saturday, December 1, 2012

Bryan's 10th Birthday

Nov 26, 2012 - 10th Birthday of Bryan, my beloved son.






Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The A B C of Mercy

A - ask for His Mercy
Ask and it shall be given to you ... for everyone who asks, receives (Mt 7:7,8)

B - be Merciful
I give you a new commandment ... As I have loved you, so you must love one another (Jn 13:34)
Be merciful even as your Father is merciful (Lk 6:36)

Mercy
= love that seeks to relieve the misery of others
= an active love, poured out upon others to heal, to comfort, to console, to remove pain

C - completely Trust
Your will (not mine) be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Our Lord's prayer)
The cry of Jesus, in the garden, "Not my will, but Yours be done" (Lk 22:42)

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Mt 5:7)

How to be merciful?
See 7 Corporal works of Mercy & the 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

My Little Angel

As the clock hits midnight, my little girl turns 8. A charming little girl who is eagerly looking forward to her birthday and expects surprises too.

I thank God for giving me this little angel. She fills my life with so much love. May the Lord continue to bless her with good health and joy. May the Lord walks with her daily and protect her all the way. May the Lord guide her all the days of her journey here on earth.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Obstacles in the Journey to Carmel - St Therese

We all know God answers all our prayers.  Sometimes He says, "Yes" promptly.  Sometimes He says, "No, you can handle it".  Sometimes He says, "Wait.  I have something better."

This happened to Therese too.  She has an ardent love to serve Jesus and want to be his Spouse.  However, she encountered so many difficulties before she finally achieve her goal.

Her sister, Pauline encouraged her but not Marie, for she thought Therese is too young.  Therese doubted herself as she is aware that Celine also wanted to be a nun and hence, as the elder sister, she should be given the opportunity first.  Anyway, Celine allowed Therese to leave for Carmel first.

Then, Therese though happy, was struggling how and when to request for her father's permission.  She chose the feast of Pentecost to speak to her father.  Her father was sad but he agreed to give his Little Queen to Jesus.

More challenges came.  Therese's uncle did not consented as he felt it was wrong for a child so young to embrace the tough life in Carmel.  However, God touched him and he, with much affection said to Therese, "Go in peace, my dear child, you are a privileged little flower which our Lord wishes to gather.  I will put no obstacle in your way."

The Lord put Therese to the test.  More obstacles came her way.
- The Superior of Carmelites would only allow her entrance at the age of 21
- The Vicar-General, Father Recerony
- The Bishop at Bayeux

When all failed, Therese's father brought his 2 daughters on a pilgrimage to Rome, with the aim to speak to the Pope, at that time Pope Leo XIII.

Although no one was allowed to speak to the Pope, Therese has gained enough courage to seek permission to enter Carmel at the age of 15.  When she was told to do as the Superiors decide, she went on to persuade the Pope to say yes, saying, "Holy Father, if only you say 'yes', everyone else would agree."

The Pope gave his final answer, much to Therese's frustration, "You will enter if it is God's Will".

All these obstacles made Therese grew stronger in faith. She told the Child Jesus to treat her like a toy, not one that is precious and untouchable but like a ball which He can throw to the ground, kick about, pierced, left in the corner, rolled it away, and pressed to His heart as He wished.

She continued to pray fervently and used the miracles in the bible to console herself.  The miracles taught us that we will be put to trials before the reward is given.

After all the trials, finally Therese was given permission to enter Carmel.  However, the door will only be opened to her after Lent.  Though sad, the delay was good for her as she learned to be more serious in life and grow in humility and other virtues.

~ Chapter 5&6 ~ The Story of A Soul