tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post2242602091009551340..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Tensions, sufferings and stress in life can fuel God's gloryFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-36601243575445432162015-05-15T22:50:47.013+08:002015-05-15T22:50:47.013+08:00“...............we are reed pipes where we allow G...“...............we are reed pipes where we allow God to live lyrically through us.”<br /> I like this imagery.<br /><br />Before the mass I was reflecting on today’s Gospel......... on why ‘your sorrow will turn to joy’.......... I was pleasantly surprised that the homilist gave the answer – “when you have experienced God’s unconditional love...............all the challenges and set-backs, sufferings and hardships and sorrows will turn to joy....”and I do believe that includes all the pains and fears too.<br /><br />For pain and suffering do really isolate the sufferer and this isolation becomes an additional pain that makes it worse. When one knows that the one who seeks to comfort has been through the same painful path, it makes a world of difference to the sufferer – for one knows the empathy is sincere, is heart-felt. Perhaps, that explains why Christ has to undergo his passion and death..........and one knows that from such a one like this, who has suffered much, He will not judge us too harshly for He understands. <br /><br />Pain is like a voracious monster and in the grips of pain one’s world narrows down to mere survival. It is only those whose lives have been swallowed up by pain, who will be able to have tender hearts towards those in pain. Pain is the teacher that throws one onto total and humble dependence on God............it is then that we truly acknowledge our powerlessness and cast ourselves in total abandonment to Him who is the searcher of hearts. It is only then that we can understand what St Paul meant when he says that he delighted in weakness, hardships and difficulties for “when I am weak, then I am strong.” It is only then that we can be like “...............reed pipes where we allow God to live lyrically through us” and we begin to see the glimmer of “your sorrow will turn to joy.”<br /><br />God bless you, Fr<br /><br />tessa<br /><br /><br /><br />Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211998984286520369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-86197717264335526592015-05-13T00:03:02.532+08:002015-05-13T00:03:02.532+08:00Thank you, Father, for your sharing & reflecti...Thank you, Father, for your sharing & reflections.<br /><br />Recently, while going through the reflection on the blessings of motherhood & the mystery of suffering, I shared a Mother's Day article about the unique connection both the Mother & child has between them; at the same time praising the mothers for their courage to brave the uncertainties of pregnancy & childbirth to change their lives for love & for the children. <br /><br />We are blessed to be able to look after the children & at the same time learn more about our faith through loving them.<br /><br />I know of a vibrant woman who's life took a 180 degrees turn after delivering her 3rd child. Now she's unable to speak & look after herself, not to mention looking after her newborn & 2 other young children.<br /><br />Our lives change when we have children but nobody can guarantee that it would not change to one with unexpected suffering.<br /><br />I pray that both herself & her family will understand what you have mentioned, "Suffering has a meaning that goes beyond logic." It can be a frustrating journey for them when they don't know the beauty of the ultimate destination. MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07222774795021466551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-78418457715333499742015-05-12T00:14:09.678+08:002015-05-12T00:14:09.678+08:00Fr. Luke, we were blessed to have you in our home ...Fr. Luke, we were blessed to have you in our home for the week, and to have you alongside us as we grieved with Janet's family, and celebrated with Ava's family. Thank YOU for who you are, and we thank God for your ministry!Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041013756786783712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-4345997442764655432015-05-11T10:07:04.188+08:002015-05-11T10:07:04.188+08:00Thank you Fr Luke Fong for your deep sharing. Thro...Thank you Fr Luke Fong for your deep sharing. Through your reflections, I am beginning to grasp the concept of redemptive suffering. Santorinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04554103130104512984noreply@blogger.com