tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post4280682646370674118..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: On death and dyingFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-86378901828692836522011-11-07T00:45:49.074+08:002011-11-07T00:45:49.074+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
The 2nd reading touched a chord as ...Dear Fr Luke,<br /><br />The 2nd reading touched a chord as I recalled a colleague shared with me 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 on the demise of my mum some years back. It was indeed comforting....<br /><br />When the command by the arch-angel's voice is given, the Lord will come down from heaven, while the divine trumpet call is sounding. Then those who have died in the Lord will rise first; as for us who are still alive, we will be brought along with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the celestial world. And we will be with the Lord forever.<br /><br />Thank you for giving me a fresh outlook of death... God bless. Mat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-86552435593041140442011-11-04T20:58:34.238+08:002011-11-04T20:58:34.238+08:00Errata (grammatical error)- last but one paragraph...Errata (grammatical error)- last but one paragraph:<br />"this community also wants to see you healed and forgiven". Fr LukeFr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-13830830064396283492011-11-04T20:56:37.800+08:002011-11-04T20:56:37.800+08:00To 'regards' and all who have taken pains ...To 'regards' and all who have taken pains to address this very unpleasant incident,<br /><br />I have just received a very remorseful reply to my request from the said "Stalker", and am satisfied that he has realised his egregious acts. I will not be posting what he said, but I do believe that he is sincere in his words of regret. Thank you for your courage, and I do hope that you will find the needed courage to go to any priest and seek divine absolution. I will offer up a fast day for your courage, and pray that your heart will be mellowed and your mind enlightened with time.<br /><br />To be clear to everyone concerned, I am certainly not more concerned for my blog than for a human soul. In fact, to allow this whole episode to come out this way shows that I have far more regard for the safety of human souls and bodies than for something as practical as a blog. <br /><br />Is it sullied? Let's put it this way - its purpose is to help everyone who comes here to be lifted in spirits, to be formed in the Lord, and to be more and more mature in living the baptised life. Sometimes, the road to these higher levels of living go through a meandering of pains and struggles, as can be seen in this unpleasant episode. It's, I guess, what is commonly called the writing of 'straight with crooked lines'. But this certainly does not laud the fact that these things should be encouraged to happen. <br /><br />So, "Regards", as you pray for healing and forgiveness, this community also want to see you healed and forgiven. And if you do come back regularly to visit this place, we pray that you do so with the greatest of respect for human lives, and with a prayerful spirit, eager to learn, to love (in the most Godly way possible) and to live. <br /><br />oremus pro invicem<br />Fr LukeFr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-60790505714022509292011-11-03T16:46:28.880+08:002011-11-03T16:46:28.880+08:00Hi Rachel
I think in life only those who want to ...Hi Rachel<br /><br />I think in life only those who want to be treated can be treated. By not answering Fr Luke's request at revealing his ID, there is not much indication that he is sincere about his remorse, let alone being at all interested in treatment of any sort. He is probably out there on the loose, awaiting his next victim.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-39364159925101827452011-11-03T14:56:34.671+08:002011-11-03T14:56:34.671+08:00If we all agree that Stalker is mentally ill and t...If we all agree that Stalker is mentally ill and that there is no dignity in hunting and killing this person, shouldn't Stalker be properly treated by trained professionals? <br />We have mentally ill priests in our diocese but he is receiving treatment and not unleashed like Stalker.<br /><br /><br /><br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-41715748568871994262011-11-03T11:14:14.752+08:002011-11-03T11:14:14.752+08:00Thank you for taking the time to enlighten all of ...Thank you for taking the time to enlighten all of us Ms Pumpkin. I now see Stalker's actions and his email to Luke in context. <br />To Stalker: You are a total idiot. Better get some help and brush up on your social skills. That is no way to pursue a girl. Do not live on false hope and accept rejection more graciously. Respect Pumpkin's wishes and stay away from her.<br />To Fr Luke: I see your pain at having to look at the real unadulterated terrible thoughts of another fellow human. You were in a dilemma but behaved honourably to help Pumpkin out of this. <br />To Pumpkin: You are one resourceful and brave girl. I have nothing but admiration for the way you have expressed your sentiments and how you handled this with Fr's help. I agree that there is no dignity in hunting down and killing a mentally ill person. We will all pray that stalker lives and learns. <br /><br />God Bless.<br /><br />BillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-88533767920453181672011-11-03T08:33:48.539+08:002011-11-03T08:33:48.539+08:00Brilliant move Fr. Praying for you n pumpkin to be...Brilliant move Fr. Praying for you n pumpkin to be covered and protected. Enough air time for Mr Trouble. November is a good month for us to re-read the book of Revelations or the Screwtape Letters keep our perspective right.<br /><br />joanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-43296215086922888922011-11-03T08:26:28.982+08:002011-11-03T08:26:28.982+08:00Dear Father
My hat is off to Ms Pumpkin for showi...Dear Father<br /><br />My hat is off to Ms Pumpkin for showing courage, dignity and no small amount of compassion under pressure, like gold that's tested in fire. <br /><br />Fr Luke, I feel sorry for Stalker. Most of us have private fantasies which are too disgusting to share. Yet he unleashed them on you believing he was in a confession. You represent the church and we often confide our personal problems to priests just maybe not to the full extent. Stalker Has said sorry. Even if he cannot face you, he offered a decent suggestion to see Pumpkin and he tried. You did not want to deal. There is no point to further screaming at him in print and insisting on doing this your way. Let us move forward and put this behind us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-20756619687301224752011-11-02T23:20:56.641+08:002011-11-02T23:20:56.641+08:00Dear Fr Luke and Everyone here,
It’s me Pumpkin ag...Dear Fr Luke and Everyone here,<br />It’s me Pumpkin again. I believe that Stalker truly hated me at first as he felt that I had unnecessarily deferred to Fr Luke’s opinion on a sensitive topic. He tried to identify me to talk about it, butsomewhere along the way, hatred turned to infatuation. <br /><br />Stalker dealt with this infatuation by pouring out his deepest thoughts to Fr Luke about his feelings and fantasies about me without any filter. I think that he sincerely believed that he was in a ‘confession’. Stalker was clearly schizophrenic – sprouting both terms of endearment and hatred of me in the same vein. Imaginative in thought but unimaginative in coarse vocabulary, this caused poor Fr Luke to react with alarm. Fr Luke became concerned about my safety and gave me warnings about Stalker’s intentions when he could, after censoring out vulgarities like the good priest that he is. <br /><br />In a way, I was luckier than the average stalked-person because Fr Luke’s information was helpful and gave me a window into Stalker’s mind. I think that Stalker’s wild imagination was not actually borne out by vile actions, because in one email to Fr Luke he stated that he knew better than to touch me. <br /><br />I did extensive research about mental illness and stranger stalking, gathered some good friends and we set about formulating a plan to catch Stalker. However, sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men go awry. Last weekend, Stalker reached the height of his delusion that he could have a meaningful relationship with me, and through Fr Luke asked me to post some indication on the Blog this week that I would return his affections. Of course one thing led to another.<br /><br />Yes, Fr Luke and I have had difficult arguments about whether we should lodge a police report. However, to me, at the end of the day, justice is not all about retribution. There is no dignity in hunting down and killing a mentally ill person, especially with knowledge that he thought (erroneously) he was in a ‘confession’ with a priest. The lodging of a police report also takes any decision out of either mine or Father’s hands even if we forgive him. I don’t want to attract media attention this way as no one will emerge unscathed. Also, I wish to protect my privacy and my family if this can be resolved quietly. Of course, this does not exclude the possibility that we will take this up with proper law enforcement authorities if the necessity arises. <br /><br />Stalker had indeed approached me and tried to identify himself and apologize the other day when his first post appeared on this Blog. Unfortunately I lost my temper spectacularly and just told him that I never wanted to see him again. I still don't. Given the backlash, I don’t think he has the courage to face Fr Luke or myself again. I just hope that he will appreciate that he has been given a chance, and go away and sin no more. <br /><br />A very warm thank you to everyone here for the prayers and supportive words, and to the anonymous person for the reminder that there is scope for forgiveness and second chances. <br /><br />Pumpkin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-40521540654882741072011-11-02T22:26:35.854+08:002011-11-02T22:26:35.854+08:00Errata:
...In which case, “it is better if he had...Errata:<br /> ...In which case, “it is better if he had NOT been born”. If he continues his errant ways and be unrepentant, he may just end up as the “wilted fig tree”. ...Angry no more...hopefullynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-42413712346994474532011-11-02T22:24:33.608+08:002011-11-02T22:24:33.608+08:00We must remember that when our actions cause scand...We must remember that when our actions cause scandal or has hurt others we not only need to say sorry but we need to do restitution - we can never ever restore a hurt or injury to it's original state for the fissure is there but by trying to make amends or restitution is a sincere sign of one's repentance. This is our Church teaching - that's why we ask for penance from the priest at reconciliation . We must remember that our God is a loving n forgiving God - yes but He is also All Just and compassionate to those who have been injured too. Remember He listens to the poor - these include those anawim - those who have no one to rely on but only on Him- ie the weak, the victims of crime - ( that include victims of stalkers too ) is it therefore too much to ask for a true closure for pumpkin ? God bless ! <br /><br />TessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-23035011895050327292011-11-02T22:21:07.233+08:002011-11-02T22:21:07.233+08:00To anonymous. You have an interesting take on the...To anonymous. You have an interesting take on the Scriptures. Wonder if you are the same guy who said to take pity on the stalker. If he were really remorseful and wants to change his ways, I believe this community will gladly welcome him back.<br /><br />As for you, I urge you to be careful when quoting Scriptures. Even the devil quotes Scriptures – remember him in the desert with Jesus?<br /><br />Let us take a closer look at what you have quoted. In both the thief and the adulterous woman, there was real repentance. The thief acknowledged who Jesus was. To the thief, he was the Christ. And we all know the adulterous woman sin no more after that encounter with Jesus. She became a disciple. However, I am unsure what happened to the Pharisees and scribes who tried to corner Jesus on that eventful day with Scripture and the Laws to condemn the woman.<br /><br />Another interesting point was that there were witnesses to the thief’s confession and the adulterous woman’s “sin no more”. They were able to stand before the community to be judged, and more importantly, to be forgiven. Christian forgiveness is not throwing justice out of the window. It is the community lifting the sinner up in love and integrity. <br /><br />Remember, “Condemn the sin but not the sinner.” Is the stalker ready to condemn his sins? If so, we are ever so ready to welcome him back to the kingdom. There will be much rejoicing in heaven as we have found the “lost coin” or the “lost sheep”.<br />The stalker did say sorry. I hope he means it. Otherwise, he is betraying us the readers with empty words. In which case, “it is better if he had been born”. If he continues his errant ways and be unrepentant, he may just end up as the “wilted fig tree”.<br /><br />Finally, can we get back to the purpose of this blog which is the providing of spiritual food to our hungry souls. To the stalker – “Stop turning my father’s house into a robbers’ den.”Angry no more...hopefullynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-85244280095348085652011-11-02T22:02:44.269+08:002011-11-02T22:02:44.269+08:00Are you and the stalker one of the same person? T...Are you and the stalker one of the same person? Trying to justify the actions of one which amounts to modern day terrorism and now trying to spew out forgiveness as though it can be bought like any bread roll from a bakery? You don't give the readers of this blog enough credit. <br /><br />SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-20092262424886711212011-11-02T19:25:58.533+08:002011-11-02T19:25:58.533+08:00The guy said sorry.
That's good enough for Jes...The guy said sorry.<br />That's good enough for Jesus. <br /><br />Jesus to the thief: TODAY <br />you will be with me in paradise.<br /><br />To the adulterous woman: ... neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.<br /><br />Thank you Jesus for being one of a kind saviour.<br />Amen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-12330033119068536462011-11-02T19:25:18.144+08:002011-11-02T19:25:18.144+08:00I have to agree with Sharon. The Stalker does not...I have to agree with Sharon. The Stalker does not appear to be suffering at all before Fr Luke decides to put up the Stalker's (many) intimidating post. And when he is exposed, he suddenly becomes the suffering one? So kindly give me a minute while I wait for my toes to stop laughing. If the stalker had not been exposed, I am 100% sure he would have continued with his harrassment and intimidation.<br /> <br />Justice has to be done when someone's life is being threatened and at risk. (Please go read Fr Luke's post to Michelle again). We do not wait for a tragedy to happen before bemoaning the fact that we ought to have done something to prevent it. If screaming in print helps to force the stalker out to the open and stop his harrassment, I say go for it.<br /><br />Be Jesus to him, you say. I say Jesus would have this to say: If you are truly repentent, you will confess and you will be forgiven. But that does not mean you do not have to bear the consequences of your sin. <br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-78315818344454095292011-11-02T17:58:43.231+08:002011-11-02T17:58:43.231+08:00There are always 2 sides to the proverbial coin an...There are always 2 sides to the proverbial coin and what had transpired here is probably a very shortened version of what had been happening behind heavily censored postings to be mindful of people's sensitivities. If you are just commenting from the sidelines with no full knowledge of the whole story or even have an inkling of how long it has been going on, please don't pass cheap judgements like "you care more for the blog than you do a sick man". They are not appreciated. Ask Pumpkin for her side of the story. Sigh!<br /><br />SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-34352128610392008462011-11-02T15:20:53.679+08:002011-11-02T15:20:53.679+08:00The Stalker is suffering too. We don't have to...The Stalker is suffering too. We don't have to make it worse for him. Screaming at him in print surely does not help. Help him. No need to trample on him. <br /><br />You have beautifully crafted holy words. They sound hollow when a sick man is beaten down. Be Jesus to him. Don't let Satan get the better of you. You care more for the blog than you do a sick man. Sigh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-36199030474405236242011-11-01T21:38:40.464+08:002011-11-01T21:38:40.464+08:00Just do it troublemaker. Better to face Father th...Just do it troublemaker. Better to face Father than the Judge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-20347398510030602552011-11-01T21:25:21.900+08:002011-11-01T21:25:21.900+08:00No deal. You don't set the parameters of this...No deal. You don't set the parameters of this solution. These are my terms and conditions, and as I said, you have my word that I will not reveal you to anyone except the said Pumpkin. So what if I know who you are? Are you aware of the countless number of confessions that I have heard in my life and have not divulged anything to anyone? This is the only way that I will be at all convinced you are sincere - to me, to her, and to all the readers who are so angry with you for tarnishing this blog space. <br /><br />Again, NO DEAL.<br /><br />Fr LukeFr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-54505413011790493382011-11-01T21:19:35.183+08:002011-11-01T21:19:35.183+08:00To Fr Fong
I am only prepared to share such infor...To Fr Fong<br /><br />I am only prepared to share such information with Pumpkin. I am ashamed to face you as you probably know who I am.. I want to give her the assurance that I am sincere and let her be the holder of the information if I transgress again. I hope that is acceptable to make amends and show my sincere that I will not disturb you or her again. <br /><br />Regards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-24547962931247211562011-11-01T20:43:04.838+08:002011-11-01T20:43:04.838+08:00To the troublemaker who has sullied and tainted th...To the troublemaker who has sullied and tainted this spiritual blog.<br /><br />I am still not convinced that this has ended. The only way that I will be slightly convinced is if the stalker reveals himself to me. You have my word that I will not reveal you publicly (believe me you WILL be stoned). I will only share this information with the said Pumpkin who needs this as closure. You owe her and me this much if you really are sincere. Write to me in the same way as you have done so in the past, but let me see who you are, I want your full name, your Singapore address, your phone number and I will contact you just to make sure that you are genuine. Once I get this, I will make a blog post to communicate to all that this issue is officially closed. This way, said Pumpkin will be able to go on with her life in peace, and you can either print all this out and show it to your shrink so that he has a rough picture of the sick person that he is dealing with, or if you are a Catholic, show this to your confessor and truly be repentant for the turmoil that you so selfishly and stupidly have caused in the lives of innocent and kind people. <br /><br />I await your response.<br /><br />Fr LukeFr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-19141346674429602352011-11-01T18:55:27.206+08:002011-11-01T18:55:27.206+08:00Dear Angry ( did I say Bird?)
You GO and tell the...Dear Angry ( did I say Bird?) <br />You GO and tell the _alless off! He thinks it can end on his terms? An anonymous apology??<br /><br />To the Sicko - what about showing genuine remorse and reveal your identity to Pumpkin, whom you admire so much and apologise profusely?Maybe in doing so, you may at least redeem some shred of decency.<br /><br />ZenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-61715174145368291242011-11-01T17:07:06.983+08:002011-11-01T17:07:06.983+08:00Good morning Father Luke. Happy Feast Day of All ...Good morning Father Luke. Happy Feast Day of All Saints! May the Saints protect us from evil and guide us, especially the stupid ones. <br /><br />Hey bozo! I pray as fellow Catholics that you are not evil. This is a blog that I, and many others, read so that our lives may be transformed. Where do you find the stupid in you to think otherwise and write nonsense? What you have effectively done this week is to hijack a beautiful blog about celebrating life into a dark alley. Really, I pray that you are not evil, just asinine.<br /><br />Stop stalking Pumpkin! What you are doing is despicable. You are a disgrace to men. I am glad to see in a latter entry that you have apologised to Pumpkin. Seeing you have contacted her, I trust you are sincere enough to tell Pumpkin who you are. Otherwise, I wonder whether your entry above was to gather sympathy from us readers or that you are truly sorry and are seeking help. (Pumpkin – you are right not to accept anything until you see real remorse.)<br /><br />In case you are evil, who sent you?<br /><br />Now, if you were really evil, you must be a doofus too. I deduced from above you have been cyber-stalking pumpkin for a long time. I think you have been shown mercy by her and by Father. Any retard would know that if one wishes to report you to the law, it will be easy to catch you. Don’t believe me? Try googling “tracking Internet stalkers and reporting them”. <br /><br />Father Luke – thank you for revealing to us. I know as a priest, you have to be charitable and loving to lost sheep. However, I will be totally peeved if I were Pumpkin’s husband or father that you let this go. Father Luke, you mentioned he had made many comments. Reading the threatening one he has just made, I get the impression that the earlier ones are just as bad, if not worse. Please don’t let your Christian charity mar your vision that what is before you is criminal. It is time you apply the right justice.Angrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-48219513832249207222011-11-01T14:25:08.122+08:002011-11-01T14:25:08.122+08:00To Fr Fong
I am sorry that it has to end this way...To Fr Fong<br /><br />I am sorry that it has to end this way. I really wish I can get to know Pumpkin better. I did not start out liking her but as I observe the way she work and how she argue in court I begin to develop a grudging admiration and become hooked by her. I suppose I am jealous because I know I cannot be as good as her in what she does and I feel inferior because she is so young and so talented and so supportive of your blog and I just know she will never bother with a loser like me. However I know my way is not right and I again apology to you and her. <br /><br />Regards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-48958643311684270012011-11-01T12:18:59.794+08:002011-11-01T12:18:59.794+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
Am so sorry to see that your blog h...Dear Fr Luke,<br /><br />Am so sorry to see that your blog has been tainted by one particular scumbag who derive evil pleasures by intimidating and taunting readers (and a female one at that)from behind a keyboard?! How low is that? No _alls, I say.<br /><br />Hey Pumpkin - Shalom. Just to let you know that there are people unbeknownst to that jerk who has been holding you to ransom, keeping you in prayer and ever ready to bring down unto that jerk-off a couple of tonnes of bricks.<br /><br />To Scumbag - i know where you hang out. Just wait for the tap on the shoulder.<br /><br />KewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com