tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post924253084797516434..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Being real in prayerFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-33632050405715781632013-04-28T11:09:51.422+08:002013-04-28T11:09:51.422+08:00Dear Serene
I don't know about any old man wh...Dear Serene<br /><br />I don't know about any old man who governs dreams, but you can certainly speak to God at any time of the day or night. He leaves that governing to you. I don't have a colourful beanie (yet), but thank God, I am spiritually strong. It's all grace. Continue to speak to God constantly. And just remember - you can make God laugh by telling him your plans!<br /><br />Fr LukeFr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-73194115493909076792013-04-28T10:18:12.484+08:002013-04-28T10:18:12.484+08:00Hi Fr Luke,
You know, there is a story in Chines...Hi Fr Luke, <br /><br />You know, there is a story in Chinese/Buddhist (not sure which) literature that says there is an old man who governs our dreams, and we can talk to or debate with him when we are sleeping. This will then help us to clarify goals, make decisions etc.<br /><br />Anyway, the reason I came to your blog today really is because I dreamt of you in my sleep! It is so strange. You were bald, in a colourful beanie, and looking quite frail but spiritually strong. HOW R U???<br /><br />I guess I think prayer is talking to God at any time of day. He is like an ever-present friend who is there for you. The fact that He is invisible makes it easier to believe He is real and ever-present. I don't know if my prayers have been working, but there has certainly been a peace and joy to talk to God.<br /><br />Serene (Goh)Serene Gohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12924316456885683737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-35952373681812826782013-04-27T05:25:07.120+08:002013-04-27T05:25:07.120+08:00One part of mass, "lift up your heart" ...One part of mass, "lift up your heart" remind me as a creation of God, we come before God not in the same make on every mass. On other 99.9% of living, I do tend to forget that the best time for prayer is when we are what we are. Accepting we as humanly, never come in perfect packages, thus accepting the greatness of faith that we truly above other living things, are capable of dignity in prayer with God, even at times we are not at best. It is in all peril and form, we are real in God's eyes, and God's love becomes miracle with prayer. After all, I did learnt that the best prayer events has it root in one being totally open and humble to God presence, yet aware of who and what I am. I do believe sincerity, honour God and fear God, as in respect of God as advised in Word does rings true but I do acknowledge the challenge when put in different shoes and very daily living. Yet, I hope greatly that we seek faith above self; having seen Grace of God from even the last that prayed. I think too, our state is not a criteria for prayer nor a measure of our eternal relations with God. To all no matter, our prayers are one.<br />Father Luke, God is with you<br />CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-2648775191731457242013-04-26T21:18:23.616+08:002013-04-26T21:18:23.616+08:00I will sing forever of your love, O Lord!
"I...I will sing forever of your love, O Lord!<br /><br />"I will sing" by Don Moen, Just for you in this prayer! <br />You sang so well in 1334. Music could uplift your spirit. Listen for his love for U.<br /><br />Be well to "Feed my Lamb"!<br /><br />Bless you, Father Luke!<br />:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-28362938678153021002013-04-24T22:55:05.550+08:002013-04-24T22:55:05.550+08:00Begin with praise i've been told.... read this...Begin with praise i've been told.... read this today n liked it very much<br /><br />Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen - Ephesians 3:20 Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-80889245396458854772013-04-24T10:36:00.421+08:002013-04-24T10:36:00.421+08:00Prayer is thinking of God, resting in God, gossipi...Prayer is thinking of God, resting in God, gossiping to God, complaining to God, confiding in God, praising Him, loving Him and sharing with Him the joys and the woes. This is my prayer (oblivious to the sound around), in thoughts, in words and in living.<br /><br />wt<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-74395932251063264962013-04-23T21:37:28.430+08:002013-04-23T21:37:28.430+08:00“So, if you are like my parishioners who have comp...“So, if you are like my parishioners who have complained about how ( in prayer) you are distracted by noise, and are annoyed, it could be that……..” - prayer has become a ritual………….a performance.<br /><br /><br />This reminds me of a story…..<br /><br />“The Tzar of Russia went to attend mass at a monastery that was famous for its wonderful choir. There was one monk there who was totally out of tune. The Abbot put him under the strictest obedience not to open his mouth in song during the visit of the Tzar. However, when the choir was singing one of its most complicated pieces, the raucous voice of the out-of-tune monk broke in on the performance, The Abbot was furious, he later castigated the monk and put him on bread and water for onr month as punishment for his disobedience. <br /><br />That night the Lord appeared to the Abbot and said, “Abbot, it is you who should be fasting on bread and water. Today, while all of you were performing out of pride, one monk sang out of devotion.”<br /><br />Thus, like what you said, “Perhaps, we should begin to make our prayer as real as possible”- for it is so easy to become a performer. This is so very true in all areas of our life.<br />What is meaningful and crucial is our Presence.<br />.<br /><br />“If one is not present in sincerity to a kiss it can become the kiss of Judas…..” ( Fr Pierse (C.Ss.R.)<br /><br /><br />God bless you Fr.<br /><br />tessa<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-71862220532695864352013-04-23T06:00:43.973+08:002013-04-23T06:00:43.973+08:00Dearest Fr. Luke,
I am a visual learner, and my m...Dearest Fr. Luke,<br /><br />I am a visual learner, and my mind tends to have many images and colours to help me understand and focus, which is also brought into my prayer life when communicating with God. So, blessedly, I am not so terribly affected by noise as I can “zonk” out into my imagery of Jesus, with the image of Sacred Heart as one of my favorite. <br /><br />However, just this past weekend, I was given a “wakeup call” towards my “rigidity” towards prayer. I attended a weekend course, during which, on the trainer’s own initiative, we were shown a picture of Jesus from Basilica Del Volto Santo in Manopello, Italy. It was explained that this picture of Jesus, a rather plain and unattractive looking male, was reputed to be the holy image of Jesus, imprinted on the reputed veil of Veronica. My first immediate reaction was disdain as I was too comfortable with my imagery of Jesus... but yet I was graced to be open-minded enough to catch the documentary on Holy Face of Manopello, outside of course curriculum, to find out more … <br /><br /> Isaiah 53:2 kept resounding to me since... -He has no stately form or majesty. That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him … <br /><br />This new reputed image of Jesus, plus your blog this week, seems to be a successive jolt to me, a lesson to relook and rediscover, that if we are too habitual in our prayer life, or if too reliant on our senses/feelings, mayhaps we are limiting our growth, in full potential for God to reveal Himself more intimately and fully to us.<br /><br />Thank You Fr. Luke, for continuing to selflessly minister to us, even when from your temporary “cloistered hermitage”.<br /><br />God is with you always.<br />United in prayers.<br />Laura<br />Lauranoreply@blogger.com