tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post6362292218514800081..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Being bothered for the right reasons - a great challenge for a priest.Fr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-1757376973895506042015-04-17T11:14:20.515+08:002015-04-17T11:14:20.515+08:00Morning Fr Luke, be assured that we accept that ki...Morning Fr Luke, be assured that we accept that kind of outburst from our priests as they have a tough challenge to keep us considerate (parking of cars) and disciplined (watching the cellphone) and attentive (falling asleep). We do deserve some 'scolding' from time to time, but it's all forgiven when the priest blesses us, especially with sprinkles of holy water. We'll be doing a Weekend 1-3 May. Do pray for us, the team, and 15 participating couples as we prepare and present. Love, Ignatius & FlorenceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-21786933801457898922015-04-16T07:33:27.488+08:002015-04-16T07:33:27.488+08:00“But it is when we worship with a half-baked atten...“But it is when we worship with a half-baked attentiveness and a divided heart,...........................” <br /> <br /><br /><br />Perhaps it is when our hearts are not engaged at all that our attention is diverted and not focussed. We do a lot of things that we think or feel it is the ‘accepted norm’ or a good thing to do, or image to create but when our hearts are not in it, it is hardly surprising that we are unconvincing even to ourselves and we end up being distracted and disgruntled. And so we finger-point and blame the choir, the un-inspiring homily, the staid ritualistic liturgy and a host of reasons- finding a scape-goat- for our inability to be attentive at mass. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I feel that - we can put on our Sunday best, a correct churchy or religious demeanor (among other things) - but worship is actually an “extension of oneself” - of what we really are and bringing this self as ‘offering’- that would be pleasing to the One - we profess to love. Thus, we cannot give of what we do not have. To do so, we need to be well-acquainted with our own ‘inner self’. It is more than just our feelings or emotions or psychic experiences which could be just ego-related.<br /><br /><br /><br />It will happen when we respond to God’s invitation to have a spiritual life. Knowing that God dwells within each of us - we must seek to deepen this awareness and seeing our desire, He will provide all the graces we need - creating an inner stillness where the mind is at quiet and the silence is vast. Making daily time to be alone and focussing our attention on God is our continual ‘yes’ to the divine invitation. And so participating in shared worship becomes a very natural and exciting thing we look forward to.<br /><br /><br />God bless you, Fr<br /><br /><br />tessa<br /> <br /><br />Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211998984286520369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-67483810376090537712015-04-14T12:50:22.382+08:002015-04-14T12:50:22.382+08:00I have some bad news for you, Fr. Luke. This “half...I have some bad news for you, Fr. Luke. This “half-baked attentiveness” in church during mass is not about to go away anytime soon. And you have every right to feel outraged, or at least saddened, as I am.<br /><br />I believe the problem is basically twofold (although there are many other factors, such as the lure of worldly ‘values’).<br /><br />Parents. On one hand, if we, as parents have not formed our children well – by the very act of leading by good example, then how can we expect them to honour God as He so rightly deserves? When parents (especially of young children) ‘use’ the time during the homily to check their cellphones for incoming messages etc. then we can really expect any better from the next generation? (By the way, this phenomenon of ‘digital-media addiction’ is not just limited to the young. My of us old-fogies also fall prey to this disease). Catholic (and Christian) parents have the sacred responsibility of passing on their faith to their little ones; nothing is more important than this, in the raising of children. Too often though, the children’s grades in school take precedence over everything else.<br /><br />The other problem, is our catechism classes. I remember some years ago, when I was a catechist, the lessons consisted mainly of specific incidents in the Bible, like the crossing of the Red sea and so forth. I didn’t see any connection being made with our young charges - who viewed it as just another history lesson (sigh…). They already study history in school and their “half-baked attentiveness” during cat-class was palpable. Instead we need to get back to the basics of the faith. The fundamentals. We need to teach them that Jesus is real, and alive, and that He LOVES us!<br /><br />I am sorry if this sounds like a rant. It is not my intention to ‘point a finger’ at anyone. But this problem of “half-baked attentiveness” that we are so accustomed to witnessing during mass is heart-breaking and needs to be addressed; especially by parents, and catechists. God bless you.Robbie Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-60508306344179303792015-04-14T10:28:48.002+08:002015-04-14T10:28:48.002+08:00Agreed!... i do wish people would remember that we...Agreed!... i do wish people would remember that we go to Church to pray and as I've constantly reminded people, not to play or chat... We can do that at any time outside of Church. At least respect those who do want some quiet time in Church. Reminders from the priests do help though sadly I don't hear much of those. Pax!holygroundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00939574132545166920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-56723228411275824152015-04-13T20:10:35.097+08:002015-04-13T20:10:35.097+08:00A mass is a mass;
it is not a religious extravang...A mass is a mass; <br />it is not a religious extravanganza, not a pious performance. <br />It is not a show.<br /><br />I find the current shift towards externals and outward display unsettling;<br />there is just too much noise and distraction, giving one very little opportunity to encounter one's "interior silence" during mass.<br /><br />"Be still, and know that I am GOD" - Psalm 46:10<br /><br /><br />W.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-56044792701646144792015-04-13T06:38:55.327+08:002015-04-13T06:38:55.327+08:00imagine if you will....the darkness punctuated by ...imagine if you will....the darkness punctuated by the glare of dozens of mobile phone screens held aloft, as people huddle in twos and threes candle in hand, to take selfies and pics as the priests intones " Christ our light" <br />Is HE their light....i don't know....they seem to live by the light of the cell phone<br />there were several official photographers on hand to document the proceedings ....so i really cannot understand the need ....but i am told, this is all part of the joy of Easter....the other thing that annoys, is arriving early (sometimes hours before mass - usually Easter Vigil and other such "special masses" ) and finding handbags and other assorted items standing proxy, for people who are probably at home taking a shower and will arrive in time for the start of the mass...but of course this all pales in comparison to being a "disordered temple"..... <br /><br />wet blanket Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com