tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post1098637491678517956..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Embracing the Cross in the Body of ChristFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-90798918817415998792013-03-12T18:50:20.607+08:002013-03-12T18:50:20.607+08:00Fr Luke, my prayer to God for you is simply this -...Fr Luke, my prayer to God for you is simply this - that He gives you the strength you need to fight this enemy that has invaded your body. That He gives you comfort with the knowledge that He's with you as you walk down this journey, that you are not alone. And that He gives comfort and strength to your family, who esp need to know that our Loving Father is present with you during this difficult time. Be strong.<br /><br />A parishioner from SFX Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-88399088307405313362013-03-10T22:05:50.276+08:002013-03-10T22:05:50.276+08:00Dear Fr Luke
God has through your unfortunate inc...Dear Fr Luke<br /><br />God has through your unfortunate incidence draw some of us closer to Him. I am one of them.<br /><br />I often hear news that some friends have cancer, heart failure, stroke, etc. Such news did not bother me much as I just took it as a matter of fact. But when I heard that you have leukaemia and you have come back to Singapore for treatment, I was shocked and asked "why him?"<br /><br />I feel sad that this illness falls on you. As I read your blog, I am inspired by what you have written, your strong faith in God and the words of encouragement which many of your readers have written for you.<br /><br />What happens to you has made me realise the importance of prayer and draws me closer to God.<br /><br />Every day, I have been praying for you to respond well to your treatment and to regain your good health speedily. I also pray that you will be cured miraculously.<br /><br />Many people have been diagnosed with leukaemia too. They have recovered from this illness. Hope such cases is an encouragement to you in this trying moment.<br /><br />You always ended your homily with "God loves you." <br /><br />God LOVES You too and He will take good care of you.<br /><br />A Parishioner from OLSS.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-72102750504599915152013-03-10T00:07:34.442+08:002013-03-10T00:07:34.442+08:00Dear Fr Luke
God bless you for your faithfulness ...Dear Fr Luke<br /><br />God bless you for your faithfulness to Him. Keeping you in my prayer. <br /><br />Elaine Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-11053443021076339082013-03-09T17:08:52.507+08:002013-03-09T17:08:52.507+08:00‘’Is it a brazen prayer, a bold prayer and an auda...‘’Is it a brazen prayer, a bold prayer and an audacious prayer to ask for also the ability to embrace the cross willingly and lovingly? Is it too soon to ask for this in a journey towards anyone’s Calvary, especially one that has just been embarked on like mine? Does not this mean that we will first have to identify our own garments that we have been loath to remove but rather, have spent years and years to acquire and to wear, display and exhibit with pride? I am afraid it does, and unless I too learn to do this, my embrace of the cross will only be lip service and hardly be something that will help much the sufferings of the body of Christ.’’ - I find this sharing interesting. <br /><br /><br />No, I don’t believe it is brazen or audacious..........rather it is both a courageous and a lover’s act to pray thus. For the language of love is subtly, yet most poignantly expressed in the desire to submit one’s will to the beloved............ a silent acquiescing in ‘blind’ faith and trust. Not an act of bravado, but rather like what John said, “...perfect love casts out fear.....’’ Fear may still lurk in the background but love reigns supreme. Neither is it ‘’too soon’’ ...........for intensity of love is measured by depth not by time.<br /><br />Yes, I agree that the discarding of the garments may pose to be more problematic than the identifying them. For many a times, we really know/know of our garments that need to be removed before we can embrace the cross but some of them have fitted us so well that they seemed to be a ‘’second skin’’ and we feel we would be ‘naked’ without them. So we try to convince ourselves that a thin layer wouldn’t make a difference. Sadly it does, for the pain of ‘cushioned flesh’ against the cross, definitely pales beneath that of the raw agony of flesh pressed against rough wood. Letting go of this last layer would be the litmus test of our love.<br />God bless you, Fr<br /><br />tessa<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-21448739086441588022013-03-08T08:52:43.804+08:002013-03-08T08:52:43.804+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
Most glad to see you writting again...Dear Fr Luke,<br /><br />Most glad to see you writting again. Have been waiting most PATIENTLY for your post.<br /><br />I am in A-W-E!!! of your most recent post. No words can describe how I feel right now. Or rather, a conflict of emotions overwhelms me...<br /><br />We are, and, will most faithfully be praying the rosary for you every night. <br /><br />* A struggle at times - LAZINESS sets in. But somehow, through the work of the Holy Spirit, each of us are "edging" each other on FOR YOU. Especially the boys. Like how you always ended your sermon in SIN,... GOD LOVES YOU!<br /><br />You are lovingly loved by all!<br /><br />Family-of-4, DownUnder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-48914241816533403122013-03-07T22:14:26.306+08:002013-03-07T22:14:26.306+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
In my darkest days of my mum's...Dear Fr Luke, <br /><br />In my darkest days of my mum's unexpected nearing death moments, I shouted to God to return my mum back to me. I questioned why did the unfortunate and unexpected happen to her? And guess what, miraculously, a car drove in front of me with the decal 'You are never alone'. At that moment and thereafter, I knew God is with me (and us) all the time, though we may lack 'battery' or energy to feel His presence / Love at times. I am praying for a miracle to happen for her, but the step towards God is to accept God's plan for us lovingly - and the route to that may not be the best cushioned road envisioned, but it's the 'best' road He has planned for us.<br /><br />I am praying for you, as well as the many others suffering from illnesses. <br /><br />Remember Fr Luke - you are never alone. God has shown himself in many ways that you can ever imagine.<br /><br />In God's loveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-41019614657881477882013-03-07T10:52:54.883+08:002013-03-07T10:52:54.883+08:00Dearest Fr Luke,
Reg and I from ME Singapore, tog...Dearest Fr Luke,<br /><br />Reg and I from ME Singapore, together with the entire ME Singapore Community, are keeping you in our prayers.<br /><br />Reg and I are, of course, praying for your speedy recovery, and futher, that you will submit yourself fully to His will, grow in your faith in the process, and be closer to the you that God wants you to be.<br /><br />FYI, for the ME D&D on 20 April 2013, the LCL Service Team will be performing songs from the musical that you have blogged about earlier, and we will definitely be dedicating our performance to you. Hey, if possible, we will be most happy if you can come see it for yourself, ok?<br /><br />Love Always,<br />Foot Hin & ReginaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11858092780806805849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-13683682638799474882013-03-07T08:16:36.305+08:002013-03-07T08:16:36.305+08:00Dear Father Luke,
Your blog has inspired and moti...Dear Father Luke,<br /><br />Your blog has inspired and motivated me. Despite your illness, you are still inspiring us in every way. <br /><br />I got to know you when I was a parishioner at St Anne's. I had some setbacks years ago and stop attending church altogether. I was upset and angry with God for all the unhappiness and always asking Him the same question --- Why me? I did nothing wrong, I attended church and prayed regularly so I was unable to accept it that God actually allowed such things to happen. <br /><br />It was only when I heard about your illness and read your blog that I began to realise how silly I have been. Thanks for sharing. I will press on and I hope you too. Get well soon. Looking forward to your homily again. Do continue writing, I believe all your readers are looking forward to reading your blog. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-86365192447768041522013-03-06T20:36:12.774+08:002013-03-06T20:36:12.774+08:00Dear Fr Luke, thank you for opening your heart wit...Dear Fr Luke, thank you for opening your heart with all its fears and hopes to us. In some strange way the cross you bear in this uncharted journey has become a source of hope for many. What is so personal is also so universal as Henri Nouwen once wrote. <br />Our Children's Liturgy community is praying and fasting and offering this up for you. We may not have met but we are connected to you Fr Luke. <br />May the peace of our loving and gracious Father be always with you.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-62962901964234639092013-03-06T14:55:03.537+08:002013-03-06T14:55:03.537+08:00Dear Fr. Luke,
Yes, I too was much taken up with ...Dear Fr. Luke,<br /><br />Yes, I too was much taken up with Joshua Ling's testimony. Inspiring indeed!<br />If I may quote from Peter Kreeft's recent article:<br /><br />"A third shattering realization was that Romans 8:28 was literally true: “In everything God works for good with those who love him.” This is surely the most astonishing verse in the Bible, for it certainly doesn’t look as if all things work for good. What awful things our lives contain! But if God, the all-powerful Creator and Designer and Provider of our lives, is 100 percent love, then it necessarily follows, as the night the day, that everything in his world, from birth to death, from kisses to slaps, from candy to cancer, comes to us out of God’s active or permissive love."<br /><br />I was thinking of you when I read this. More and more I get the feeling that all this is part of His master plan, although for the life of me I can't figure it out just yet. Hang in there and God love you!Robbie Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-1562418348096699422013-03-06T10:47:03.748+08:002013-03-06T10:47:03.748+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
May the Holy Spirit guides and lea...Dear Fr Luke, <br /><br />May the Holy Spirit guides and leads you as you journey through this life changing situation. I was in the same situation a long time ago, perhaps the same doctors are also managing your case. Just to share an entry in my journal which say "God heals us in many way through miracle or via the doctors and nurses He provides" not forgetting that there is also 'external healing'. With this thought I pray that His will be done and live every moment with a cheerful heart. Of course there are still the moment of anxiety, during this moment I pray the Rosary which bring calm. And as Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."<br /><br />God Bless and May His angels watch over you Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-78182079786497612182013-03-05T22:09:15.238+08:002013-03-05T22:09:15.238+08:00Fr. Luke, thank you for continuing to inspire us ...Fr. Luke, thank you for continuing to inspire us with your faith and your insights. I pray that the Lord continue to nourish your spirit and comfort you wih His presence at this time in your life. - CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-16655038903557229752013-03-05T13:59:54.801+08:002013-03-05T13:59:54.801+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
I would like to share this story wi...Dear Fr Luke,<br /><br />I would like to share this story with you. When I read it this morning I thought of you. Here it goes:<br /><br />"Just before Christmas one year, a friend was diagnosed with leukemia and was told she must begin chemotherapy immediately. Just a few weeks earlier, Kim had told friends how blessed and content she felt with a loving family, a comfortable home and a new grandson. As she entered the hospital, Kim asked Jesus to make His presence known to her and to stay close.<br />The next 7 months of treatments followed by recovery in partial isolation became a season she calls "forced leisure". She says she learned how to slow down, reflect quietly, and rest in God's goodness, love and perfect plan -- regardless of whether or not she would be healed.<br />One of God's promise to His people Israel became personal to Kim. "Do not be afraid...do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The Lord will take delight in you, and in his love, he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you." (Zep 3:16-17)<br />Kim is in remission after a journey she says changed her life for the better. Now back in her busy routine, she often pauses to recapture the lessons of "forced leisure".<br />How important that we -- in good times or times of challenge -- draw near to God's loving heart to hear His voice and place our lives in His hands."<br /><br />Will pray and light a candle for you everyday, asking Mother Mary to intercede for you. Take care Fr Luke and FIGHTING!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-39935923860400489182013-03-05T03:50:05.940+08:002013-03-05T03:50:05.940+08:00"Across that threshold I had been afraid to c..."Across that threshold I had been afraid to cross, things suddenly seemed so very simple. There was but a single vision, God, who was all in all; there was but one will that directed all things, God's will. I had only to see it, to discern it in every circumstance in which I found myself, and let myself be ruled by it. God is in all things, sustains all things, directs all things. To discern this in every situation and circumstance, to see His will in all things, was to accept each circumstance and situation and let oneself be borne along in perfect confidence and trust. Nothing could separate me from Him, because He was in all things. No danger could threaten me, no fear could shake me, except the fear of losing sight of Him. The future, hidden as it was, was hidden in His will and therefore acceptable to me no matter what it might bring. The past, with all its failures, was not forgotten; it remained to remind me of the weakness of human nature and the folly of putting any faith in self. But it no longer depressed me. I looked no longer to self to guide me, relied on it no longer in any way, so it could not again fail me. By renouncing, finally and completely, all control of my life and future destiny, I was relieved as a consequence of all responsibility. I was freed thereby from anxiety and worry, from every tension, and could float serenely upon the tide of God's sustaining providence in perfect peace of soul." - from "He Leadth Me" by Walter Ciszek, S.J.<br /><br />God bless us with his love and grace. Amen. <br /><br />WuiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-22857185429518373322013-03-04T23:57:45.755+08:002013-03-04T23:57:45.755+08:00DEAREST FR LUKE ... GOD'S WAYS ARE NOT MAN'...DEAREST FR LUKE ... GOD'S WAYS ARE NOT MAN'S WAYS. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU IN SILENT PRAYERS THAT GOD'S GREAT LOVE AND MERCY BE SHOWERED UPON YOU IN THIS DIFFICULT MOMENTS THAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AS YOU UNITE YOUR SUFFERING WITH OUR LORD AT CALVARY AND NEVER FORGET THAT GOD REALLY LOVES YOU, HIS PRIEST SON, AND IS ALWAYS WITH YOU. I WILL ENTRUST ALL OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU FR LUKE THROUGH THE POWERFUL AND LOVING INTERCESSION OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER MARY WHO HAD JOURNEYED WITH HER SON OUR LORD JESUS THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE TIME AND SHE IS JOURNEYING WITH YOU TOO. MAY HER HOLY MANTLE BLESS AND PROTECT YOU AND MAY THE HEALING GRACE OF GOD BE UPON YOU AND IF IT IS HIS WILL MAY YOU BE RESTORED TO THE FULLNESS OF HEALTH IN HIS TIME. IN THE HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY I PRAY FOR YOU FR LUKE. GOD BLESS! LILLIAN ONG Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-83244620918054843572013-03-04T15:10:31.127+08:002013-03-04T15:10:31.127+08:00Amen, Amen to your post Fr Luke.
May our prayers f...Amen, Amen to your post Fr Luke.<br />May our prayers from all over lift you up in every little way possible for you. Especially when things seem bleak, and you feel like you are all alone. ALWAYS remember that you are not alone in this difficult journey.<br />May you cling on to Jesus.<br />Blessings<br />MirandaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-40015593107093088812013-03-04T14:56:55.355+08:002013-03-04T14:56:55.355+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
This is my prayer: "Dear Lord,...Dear Fr Luke,<br /><br />This is my prayer: "Dear Lord, I ask you for mercy and love of Fr Luke that you continue to sustain his faith and strength in the face of the pain and suffering that he is going through; that in his suffering he may gain greater compassion, in his sorrow that he may experience closeness with You, and his pain be redemptive. May Fr Luke with Your divine grace never falter in his trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness, even in the middle of this suffering. Let him be filled with patience and joy in your presence as he waits for your healing touch." <br /><br />PS: "Lord, if it be your will, have mercy on your faithful servant Fr Luke, and let him not suffer too much beyond what he can bear. "<br /><br />In Jesus' name I pray.<br /><br />Richard ContardoRichard Contardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08510698026126311378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-41484807745914488582013-03-04T13:09:16.451+08:002013-03-04T13:09:16.451+08:00Hi Fr Luke..
As always.. you are in my prayers a...Hi Fr Luke.. <br /><br />As always.. you are in my prayers as well as many others.. At the same time.. the Church is in the midst of choosing the pope. The selection lies in the hands of the cardinals. We pray that they be inspired and guided by the holy spirit to select the new pope.. that is truly a man of God.. to lead His Church here on earth.. tks<br /><br />God's choicest Blessings be upon You!!<br /><br />G Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-89800518267855646662013-03-04T09:31:09.071+08:002013-03-04T09:31:09.071+08:00Whatever the care, which breaks thy rest
Whatever ...Whatever the care, which breaks thy rest<br />Whatever the wish that swells thy breast<br />Spread before God that wish, that care<br />And change anxiety to prayer.<br /><br />We are all turning our anxieties into prayers<br />For you Fr Luke. God Loves You Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com