tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post2046006887158932973..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: How do we as Church respond to a heart-tugging statement like "he is our son"?Fr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-80907450388824303912014-10-18T15:33:57.054+08:002014-10-18T15:33:57.054+08:00Dear Father,
Archbishop William Goh: - " How...Dear Father,<br /><br />Archbishop William Goh: - " How are we to proclaim the Good News? The Good News must be proclaimed not only in words but in deeds. We must also match our words with deeds...... "<br /><br />Madeleine Delbrel (writer) : - If the God " whom no eyes has seen" can be known only through Christ and through His Gospel, He cannot be known through a Gospel that we have accommodated to our own understanding or our own strengths.<br /><br />We will speak "Naturally" about the single reality that can genuinely transform life and when one makes faith into something natural, it becomes for the nonbeliever SOMETHING ABSURD.<br /><br />Mother Teresa: - "We are called to be faithful not successful."<br /><br />Secret.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-91728401773607792292014-10-17T15:13:09.926+08:002014-10-17T15:13:09.926+08:00"But mercy also requires that we are clear in..."But mercy also requires that we are clear in not making compromises when it comes to truth." Thank you frLuke, a teaching that i will always remember, especially as a mother, believing that eternity is endless.<br /><br />wtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-74322871549619829772014-10-16T01:09:38.261+08:002014-10-16T01:09:38.261+08:00I do remember that St Paul had something to say ab...I do remember that St Paul had something to say about some of the early Christians ‘unreadiness for solid food’ and perhaps that’s the rational for quoting this ‘law of gradualness’ at the recent synod on family. However, on the issue of homosexuality, the Church’s stand has been consistently clear - for she can only stand for the truth. If one calls for an application of this law of gradualness, will it not seem to be a compromise of the truth? For the danger is - how can this step-by-step progress towards God’s will- be properly monitored? If the progress takes a long time (and it may, if one is to depend on the individual’s own rate of advance) God’s command may ultimately be seen as perhaps an ideal which one needs to work towards in the distant future and not a law to be obeyed! This is harmful for the soul as the awareness of sin diminishes and probably in time to come most likely-be completely forgotten. Is doing this showing true compassion or is it just being ‘pragmatic’ and doing a compromise?<br /><br /><br />“He is our son”..........is ‘very loaded’ as you have said and all who have children know what it’s like to have to disagree or say no to our children. However, sometimes, when it is a firm ‘no’ said with much love and conviction - that can liberate the afflicted person from his miasma, and allow the grace of God to work. <br /><br /><br />God bless you, Fr<br /><br />tessa<br />Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211998984286520369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-105222157616143252014-10-14T19:56:05.396+08:002014-10-14T19:56:05.396+08:00Truly inspiring and inspired post. Thank you, Fr. ...Truly inspiring and inspired post. Thank you, Fr. Luke.<br /><br />Recently my wife (jokingly) asked me; words to the effect that, “Do I come before ALL others in your life?” I replied, “Yes, of course my Love. But actually - there IS another who comes even before you. I can’t begin to describe her reaction. But then I quickly followed up with all seriousness, “His name is Jesus.”<br /><br />It is my understanding that we have to put Jesus first. He comes before even our own parents, children and spouse. “No one who prefers father or mother to me is worthy of me. No one who prefers son or daughter to me is worthy of me” (Matt 10:37). <br /><br />Truly loving someone is wanting for their (eternal) good, and this sometimes means we have to practice tough love – paradoxically, with great tenderness! My heart goes out to all parents who have to deal with life’s difficult, often heart-breaking situations. But we have to remain faithful to Christ and His church. Anything else would be a compromise. God bless you!<br />Robbie Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-62314522356255273242014-10-14T17:33:07.756+08:002014-10-14T17:33:07.756+08:00Dearest Fr. Luke,
We are in the age where Christi...Dearest Fr. Luke,<br /><br />We are in the age where Christians are faced with challenge of relativism, and we are and will always be constantly bombarded with controversial issues on right morals and human rights. <br /><br />Hence, it’s no surprise that recently in the top 10 list of Fr. Robert Barron’s most viewed videos, in the 5th place is on the topic of Gay marriage.<br />( http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/fr-barrons-top-10-youtube-videos-of-all-time/4515/ ) <br />But it’s a surprise that it had more viewership than the video on the devil in the 10th placing…hmm. <br /><br /><br />As Fr. Barron points out, the importance is to recognize that not everything that a good person does is morally good. We always need to question the integrity and purpose of our action(s). In the same vein, quoting you - "But perhaps we should be much more astute in how we approve or ‘bless’ some of the choices that our offspring make, because we may well be giving snakes in stead of fish, and stones in stead of bread."<br /><br />We are taught to love the sinner but hate the sin, indeed it has always been a very fine line to draw, under the sign of unconditional love. But isn't the purpose to loving someone helping the person become a better person, as how our heavenly Father loves us – His high hopes for us all, to be saints from sinners. ;} <br /><br />[ Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -1 Corinthians 13:7]<br /><br />HE trusts us in our given potentiality, perseveres in our purification and strengthen/ protects us in bearing our crosses, to overcome self and brokenness. <br /><br /> May God grant us the courage and persistence in choosing to love (our own “brokenness” and that of our beloved ) in God’s Way. <br /><br /><br /><br />PS: Dearest Fr.Luke,<br /> Thank You, for your last recent post(s) –inspired timely hit, as always. Am still chewing. ;}<br /><br />Wishing you a Blessed Feast Day Fr. Luke.<br /><br />Praying for you,<br />Laura<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-9412980855703056742014-10-14T05:51:11.631+08:002014-10-14T05:51:11.631+08:00Your reflection makes me think of the passage wher...Your reflection makes me think of the passage where Jesus says...anyone who does the will of my Father is my brother , sister mother.."and by extension son. and also as exemplified by Jesus on the cross, Son. What is the will of God? Is it mere rule following? or is that the slavery of the law<br /><br />Is it really the case that people are slow to grasp truths of the church? <br />Are they explained with clarity and charity to all or shrouded in mystery(I am using this word as it is ordinarily understood)...crowded by gossip and judgement....<br /><br />If you ask ten Catholics what the church teaches re people who die as a result of suicide will you get the same answer? Do some Catholics still see illness as punishment for sin? will victims of abuse receive stony silence and indifference...<br /><br />If i ask 3 priests the same question on an issue, will i get the same answer? If there is but one answer, then i guess I should<br /><br />In scripture Jesus shows mercy to people because of the situation they are in he opens the eyes of the blind cures the lame feeds the hungry heals the sick shows mercy to sinners and this encounter with Mercy, draws them to Him...transforms them...makes them want to change....the Truth is embodied ....it is real,,,they can conform to it.....<br /><br />He is most critical of those who claim to uphold the law but in reality, oppress the people with it....<br /><br />I do not know the answers to the situation you mention above...I have encountered a fair number of young people (who have no idea what the church teaches -what they know comes from outside sources ) who seem to equate it with human rights....i am not sure i see it the same way<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-36889513298562705332014-10-13T13:24:04.132+08:002014-10-13T13:24:04.132+08:00Hi Fr. Luke, agree with your point about aligning ...Hi Fr. Luke, agree with your point about aligning our lives according to what God's will is for us. I pray for clarity and to totally trust in God when faced with struggles and challenges in life's journey. I'm truly grateful when God sends 'angels' to brighten the day and lighten the load. God bless you and Thank You for your Courage and Love for His sheep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com