tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post5073799351458510649..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Leaning on the breast of Jesus when the days seem darkerFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-74330891658975564802018-11-04T11:39:33.622+08:002018-11-04T11:39:33.622+08:00I'm in the midst of writing an article about h...I'm in the midst of writing an article about how Love precedes The Beginning and The Word and I made reference to this passage in Scripture and looked up examples of it in art and wanted to argue that, along with the Eucharist, the kind of love that Jesus exhibits here is almost "maternal" or, at least, "nurturing." Indeed, the art shows Jesus with a much younger disciple, who looks like a boy, lying against Jesus's breast or in his lap. Well, in the midst of this, I come across this beautiful post. It really moved me because, in the midst of writing the article, I am also in the midst of deep, deep darkness, and my only consolation has been to reach out to Christ with absolute faith that though I see no way out of my suffering I know that it has meaning and purpose. I do not comprehend the meaning and purpose of this suffering, and I may never know, not now, not in eternal life, but Christ knows and that is enough for me! Thank you for this lovely post. God bless. Jan Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05121815514583630370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-35934565973466425372014-04-17T15:48:31.955+08:002014-04-17T15:48:31.955+08:00 ... Perhaps it is Holy Week and our minds are cast in a more sombre or reflective mood, but on Monday, reading this post filled me with a poignancy that was further deepened when the next day, the Gospel reading at mass featured a fuller account ( Jn 13:21-33, 36-38). The homilist was quick to point out that in all this Jesus was “the one in control” and that made a connection (for me) with what you said about leaning on the breast of Jesus – “Yet, we do not see signs of tension or anxiety in Jesus. His heartbeat remains calm and regular. We need to let that calm and regular beating of the Sacred Heart resonate in our own anxiety-laden hearts.................” and leads me to confront your question – “How does one still maintain faith in a loving God who sustains us at every level of our being?”<br /><br /> Looking to Jesus, especially in his moment of agony, one sees that Jesus did struggle with the “will of the Father” too................for he is fully human like us. However, his “Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine,.......” shows his trust in the Father to know that it is necessary for him (as also for all of us) to accept and participate fully in our human nature and our human condition...............and what could sustain Him and us is the knowledge of the Father’s powerful love. This awareness of the loving presence of God in one’s life – whether in days of grey, darker grey or multi-coloured hues - would encourage one ‘to lean further onto the breast of Jesus’ (as you said) for it is the hour of ‘heart-to-heart’ prayer. It is not necessarily ( in fact, should not) be a prayer to badger God to make one’s life free from problems or suffering but rather, a praying for the courage and strength to bear the unbearable. Strangely enough, it is then that one is able to tap on the reserves of faith, courage and strength ( which were already given) to go on...........perhaps that is what is meant by ‘‘the grace of God......’’<br /><br />God bless you, Fr.<br /><br />tessa<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-57659725434719798632014-04-15T11:05:22.395+08:002014-04-15T11:05:22.395+08:00Dear Fr. Luke,
Thank you for your beautiful writi...Dear Fr. Luke,<br /><br />Thank you for your beautiful writings again, it is always inspiring like always. God bless Fr. Luke.<br /><br />SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-52977852182809851202014-04-14T16:23:57.726+08:002014-04-14T16:23:57.726+08:00Dear Fr Luke
As I read this post for the third ti...Dear Fr Luke<br /><br />As I read this post for the third time, Psalm 34 just keep resonating in my mind. Especially, verse 17-18, "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit." Indeed, at times when one sank into their darkest moments, and when they think that there isn't much hope at all, it can be very difficult for them to pull themselves out. But, as the Psalmist mentioned above, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted... if we sincerely cried out to Him, He will rescue us.. Peace, ZitaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com