tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post1739942070217086987..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Our experiences in suffering can reveal a lack and a new learning curveFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-15395991776029943272015-10-22T03:28:50.300+08:002015-10-22T03:28:50.300+08:00“being at one with the person who was not operatin...“being at one with the person who was not operating at the peak of health”<br /><br />I like what you said about – “being at one with the person who was not operating at the peak of health” To be at one with another, especially in suffering speaks of an empathy, an ability to understand and share another’s experiences and emotions. It can only come about when the one who ministers has also been through this desert experience of helplessness and vulnerability, where the pain and suffering (be it -physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual) can leave one cold, hollow and empty. <br /><br />The head can hold forth on “experiencing the Paschal Mystery” but the heart speaks the language of fear. For deep within the heart of the Christian sufferer is the fear of being abandoned by God. Sometimes, it is so much easier to give in to the pain and the murky chaos within, listen to the whispering voices of despair and in self-pity, curl up and die. <br /><br />So, walking into the evening shadows with such a person requires a stout heart and a kindred spirit, - a desert sojourner and survivor and definitely not one, armed with a string of platitudes and patronizing theological arguments. Perhaps, it is then possible to persuade the afflicted to <br />“leave familiar shores...... to believe in familiar rains, falling gently on my days, dancing patterns on my pain.......and set my heart upon the deep, to follow you again My Lord.” - (words from a favourite hymn)<br /><br />God bless u, Fr.<br /><br />tessa<br />Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211998984286520369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-6139481406315635092015-10-21T13:27:33.117+08:002015-10-21T13:27:33.117+08:00Thank you Fr. Luke for your sharing. I have been t...Thank you Fr. Luke for your sharing. I have been through many struggles and praising God for all the experiences which makes me closer to Him. Somehow, I am at the state of questioning myself when I give advice when a friend share their problems and sufferings. I read a few books on discernments of God's will, because I don't want my sharing and my advices to them come from me which might makes me think I am wiser and pride came into my heart. I really want to help others especially friends and families to know Jesus and to know that they are not alone in this sufferings but I still doubt my approach. That is why I keep it in my prayers and asking Holy Spirit to guide me. Therefore, keep me in your prayers too Fr. Luke. <br /><br />God bless you Father. <br /><br />--<br />Rose Ragai Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07103818688031027848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-19011530294802521842015-10-21T08:13:03.991+08:002015-10-21T08:13:03.991+08:00Thank you Fr for the reminder that the help we are...Thank you Fr for the reminder that the help we are eager to give should be appropriate to the situation.<br /><br />While not a comforter of the sick, I'm part of a ministry that ministers to inmates. They may not be sick in body but spiritually. It's not good enough for us to feel sorry for them and pamper them. Our ministrations must be disciplined and help them recognise and be responsible for the wrong they have done not only to society but to their families, themselves and to God. Only then can they be reconciled and at peace in the prisons and upon their release.<br /><br />God bless you, dear Father.<br /><br />AngelaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-77980979315951375732015-10-19T21:55:37.934+08:002015-10-19T21:55:37.934+08:00Dear Fr Luke
You may recall that a couple of mont...Dear Fr Luke<br /><br />You may recall that a couple of months ago I messaged you informing you of a serious 'suffering' I was going through and requesting for your prayers. This is to update you that the situation has improved much but there are still ups and downs and sometimes it feels like a roller coaster ride minus the thrills but with all the anxieties. Your continued prayers are still needed and will be much appreciated.<br /><br />More importantly, I want to let you know that while I cannot claim that "I was quite aware when I was in the midst of my weakest and darkest moments….. that what I was going through was a mixed blessing" nor that "I was also blessed to tell myself that these moments are very special gifts from God where I was given the opportunity to go through (as opposed to going around) my discomfort, pain and suffering and to experience God’s walking that path with me"; I believe that God was ministering to me through you. The weekly "reflections and ruminations" you share on your blog, especially those on suffering e.g. it being a mystery; have helped me a lot during this period and I continue to look forward to your future sharings to sustain me and help me make sense of what is happening in my life during this period.<br /><br />I would like to add that in the course of my work in the parish, I have recommended your blog to a number of people who were or are going through difficult times or suffering and they too have found solace, refuge and/or strength in your reflections. <br /><br />Please continue with your sharings until such time when you sense God asking you to do something else. I am sure many people have benefitted from them though few have explicitly said so (myself included until now) and there could be many reasons for this - time, inability to express themselves and especially reticence and fear of making themselves vulnerable among others. <br /><br />I remember you requesting your readers to share and I hope you will not be discouraged but the poor response.<br /><br />Always Yours, in Christ<br />RaymondAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12130736909783500115noreply@blogger.com