My apartment is swaying! What's going on?

On Friday, 28th March, at 1.20pm, an earthquake hit My Bangkok.  At the time, I was on my own, in my room.  This was my first earthquake.  I remember my initial and natural processing of what was happening.

1)  What is this?

2)  Is this an earthquake?

3)  It is an earthquake!

4)  What do I do? 

5)  It is too late to do anything  now.

6)  I hope this finishes soon.  

All this happpened in rapid succession, during the 45 seconds, that the earthquake lasted.    

What can I say about the experience from my standpoint?  

I have to start by categorically stating the real tragedy is Myanmar, where they suffer tragedy upon tragedy.  I just so feel for these people who deserve a much better life.  

Going on from this basis, my experience has been my experience, within the context of being on my own and not suffering any loss.  Then, as I ventured out of my little world, I tasted the wider experience of an earthquake in Bangkok.  I must observe that I am learning much about what is happening and this learning is continuing.  I am not presenting here a finished thesis, by any means.

What I am discovering is that the number of stories and experiences around this event can be as many as the number of people that I encounter.  There is no one story that says it for everyone.  I am also discovering that, while here is not Myanmar, there is a level still a level of distress and trauma.  I feel no trauma, but I am discovering that I need to process this event and that processing takes time.  

Finally, the event is not a one-off 45 second period, but is also a process, which seems determined by where you stand in the overall picture of the event.  Truth is, in My Bangkok, there are very distressed people, there are people killed by a construction site collapse, people are suffering.  I am not to minimize the experience of ones around me.  

So I pray a prayer of St Teresa of Avila that speaks to us today, in My Bangkok. 

"We can endure anything from without, if we have peace within.  

The obstacle to inner peace lies within.  Keep on doing what you know is useful.  

Keep the love of God before you.  The love of God within cannot be overcome."    

 

"Shut your mouth"

Last Monday was St Patrick's Day!  Instead of going to an Irish pub for green beer, I had a much better option lined up.  It was to have dinner with a few people from our Sunday mass community.  It was more than just a night out, for it was our chance to meet and chat with Fr Dominic, a Myanmar priest, ministering to his people, up in the north of Thailand. 

Fr Dominic is a good man and a good priest, doing great things to help his people, who are here fleeing war, persecution and poverty.  So many come here, with some facing such dire circumstances in striving to eek out an existence in Thailand.  Despite the trauma of war and desperation back home, they remain a commendable people, smart and competent, able to achieve so much in the face of such adversity.  

Back to Fr Dominic.  He is such a kind and gentle man, dealing with a suffering humanity.  We heard him share in his softly spoken and humble way, about the challenges he faces and the burdens he bears.  Trauma and suffering are the lot of his people.  In hearing of this, we were there not to show pity, but solidarity.  Our aim was not to listen to a spicy, after dinner speech, but to reach out and help.  St Patrick would have totally approved of our chosen celebration of his day.    

Over the years, I have come to appreciate that the best word to describe life, in its various dimensions, is "mystery".  Mystery, for where is our loving God?  She is right in the midst of human suffering and striving!  God explains a Fr Dominic who remains so humble and gracious in the face of the raw, human struggle of life.  As we sat there in his presence, what could we say?  Words are not essential, for it is all about the mystery which we live and breathe, and act upon. 

During the week, I read that this word "mystery" comes from an ancient word, meaning "to shut one's mouth".  That is what it is about.  Once again, that night, we were left speechless.  Life is truly and ultimately mystery, and it is so, for it is under the loving care of a kind and gracious God who is mystery.  All shall be well!       

Erin go bragh

Happy St Patrick's Day!  

St Patrick was a tough character.  As one may say in Australia, he was a down to earth, fair dinkum guy.  He is a reminder that being a saint is not to turn someone into a pious, angelic type.  Who wants to be like that, anyway?  Not me.  

From a Distance was a great Bette Midler song of 1990.  It went like this.    

From a distance, the world looks blue and green.  

From a distance, there is harmony.  

From a distance, we all have enough.  

Froma distance, we are instruments marching ina common band. 

From a distance, you look like my friend.  

God is watching us from a distance.  

A great song but what poor theology and is that how we want to approach life?  Not me.  

In the Christian narrative, there is no distance, for God is offering humanity intimacy.  Can we cope?  I know I find it threatening.  Too close for comfort?  Yet the invitaion remains ever open from our God, no matter what.  This is a key reminder that our faith invites us to transformation, not comfort, routine and acceptability.

The Christian project challenges us to engage with our world, its realities and the peoples in it, to enter into encounter with our neighbour and to know God close-up.  Am I up to the challenge or will I remain in my bubble?    

 

  

A Definite First

Last week, I did something different.  I enjoyed a mini school reunion, and here in Bangkok.  Pichai, a local and now good mate, boarded at Nudgee, when we were there 50 years ago and more.  JB, another of our class, was here on a regular holiday.  So the three of us had an enjoyable dinner together.  When we went to pay, the waiter told us that the bill was covered by a couple at the bar.  I thought they must be among Pichai's friends or business associates, but No!

The couple, who paid, were connected to me.  They had recognised me as the priest from Assumption Cathedral, where they had gone for mass.  They saw me at the restaurant and paid our bill, paying for all of us.  I remember now greeting them after mass.  They were friendly and there they now were at the same restaurant that night, leaving later for home in the USA.    

This was amazing.  The coincidence of being in the same place, at the same time, was incredible.  Their kindness just overwhelmed me.  This was a definite first for me.  All I could say was "Thank you".  I was left lost for words. They never had to do this, but they did and just did it.  

Their kindness alerted me to the goodness of humankind.  People can be so kind and good.  We see all the bad stuff going on in our world but, deespite all, people remain basically decent and good.  That speaks of the salvation of our world.  Good does hold its hand over the bad.  

Yes, there is a lot of bad stuff around.  That same day, I read a message from Pope Francis to a meeting of scientists, alerting them to a "polycrisis world".  There is just so much going wrong - wars, climate change, mass migration, poverty.  He was urging them to do something constructive in response.  As he said. 'We can't just stand still'.    

Therein lies the key.  Yes the bad is part of our world and part of us, but we ever have power to act for good, to act for the good of all, to build that better world in line with God's vision for humanity.  The lesson I learnt from the kindenss of that lovely couple, returning to the USA, is that we can do it.  We do have power for good.  We all have that power, which lies within the heart of our human vulnerability.  Let us claim it and use it.  We can do it, if we are but humble enough, honest enough, vulnerable enough.  

  

The Wounded Healer

"Of the sweets of adversity, and let me say that these are not numerous, I have found the sweetest, the most precious of all, is the lesson I learnt on the value of kindness. Every kindness I received, small or big, convinced me that there could never be enough of it in our world. To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others. Even the briefest touch of kindness can lighten a heavy heart. Kindness can change the lives of people."  

- Aung San Suu Kyi in her Nobel Lecture, 2012  

In the last week, I met face to face, for the first time, a Burmese guy who initially came my way in 2018.  We should have met long before now, but Covid and then an ugly war stopped that from happening.  I met him at Bangkok airport on his way out of Myanmar, fleeing a war, seeking a new beginning so as to support his family back home.  

Reflecting back, I can see his sad eyes.  I must say that he is not the only Burmese with sad eyes.  

Given the circumstances of a rushed meeting between planes and his trauma of departure from a war zone, even if home, I was not sure how to approach him.  I just went prepared, telling myself - be awake and be friendly.  

He asked me if Myanmar was the worst country in the wolrd.  To offer some optimism, I could truthfully say, "No,  Surely Gaza is worse?"  He spoke of his family and their tragic plight.  Despite all, the human spirit goes on, his spirit goes on.  

Even as a helper, one on the other's side, I can become far too self-assured about my lot and that of others, even those so wounded, with so little in their hands.  Truth is I am above no one.  No human act is beyond me.  So judge no one.  

Then I remembered the great insight of Henri Nouwen - we are but "wounded healers".  We are all in the same human boat.  So I remind myself to never become harsh towards others and remain always kind.  Then the words of Aung San Sun Kyi came rushing back to me.  There is nothiong greater in our world than human kindness.  Be always kind!

It's a Struggle

For some reason, when I went to the local store this past week, for my weekly, grocery shopping, I was shocked at how much everything cost. I was walking down aisles, looking at all sorts of items, thinking it all costs so much   This simple, everyday experience became overwhelming, putting me in touch with the universal human struggle.  

Struggle is a key spiritual theme, within Christian religion, and not in Christianity alone.  It is a life-long struggle, a quest for life, run within the primal battle between good and evil.  It so strikes me that this battle is being waged both out there, on the streets, and, in here, in my heart.  I feel it as I know this struggle so well and it does not simply go away.  

It is one where we are dealing with powerful, internal forces.  If we want to understand wars, we don't have to look further than ourselves.  No one is outside this human storm.  If we think we are above this struggle, we are either deceiving ourselves, lacking in self- awareness or just playing an arrogant game.  So what is our response to this battle?  Fight or flight, as they say?  

Flight is an easy escape, too readily sought.  Sadly, we too often reduce life to its lowest common denominator.  We fall into unhelpful routines.  We retreat to our comfort bubbles.  We rely on gimmicks and games to reassure ourselves.  To do any of this is to miss out on the beauty and joy of life, while failing to deal with the harsh realities of life, which stay with us.  

The other side of life is that it calls us beyond our safe zones and tried ways to wondrous spiritual depths and illumined human heights.  The challenge to being people of integrity and humility, living authentic and aware lives, may overwhelm us, but it is the invited and great way ahead.  Within the Christian narrative, based on the Gospel, St Charles de Foucauld lived life by a simple motto - 

"Be Christ in order to do what Christ does".  

In doing what may appear as so alien to the accepted ways of our world, we are destined to find peace and happiness.  This simple way may go against human wisdom, but that is okay.  It is signposted by our being kind and compassionate, by our reaching out to our neighbour in their need.  It is a struggle, but one worth fighting.  Thus we find ourselves and the greatness of the life to which we are called.  

Happy solidarity in shopping!    

Building Trust

I watched, in total fascination, a 15 minute report on AI and religion, aired on Deutsche Welle, last week.  It quoted a staggering figure of 2.16 Euros profit, made in 2024, from Spiritual Wellness Apps.  In the USA, one in three adults use these Apps for support during times of grief, relationship difficulty and financial hardship. Information is gathered from such use to then help establish Virtual Church.  Amazing!  Then there isthe  AI priest, the AI Buddha and even the AI Jesus.  What is all this leading to? 

I will not be the Aussie cynic nor will I simply deny the value of AI.  Neither is the way to go.  In line with the guidance of both the Church and the UN, AI is to be used responsibly and ethically, as a tool for advacing the common good of humanity. 

This post is not about AI, but really about trust.  During the past week, I particpated in a workshop on the use of AI in our work.  I saw how its misuse could destroy trust as its abuse could lead to serious questioning of one 's integrity.  

Is that homily yours? 

Did you really write that proposal or article?  

Any good relationship, strong community or decent world order has to be based on trust.  This issue of trust arose also during the past week, when participating in meetings on helping people in a time when funds are radically lacking.  It struck me the core issue was not funding itself, but trust.  

These discussions on funding arose within the present, chaotic climate created by the unilateral and immediate withdrawal of a major, aid funder on the world scene.  As a response, I was hearing various, professional players, in the field, speak in desperation.  

Does this mean that each player just looks after itself?  

Does it reduce the bonds of professional cooperation?  

Do we trust each other enough to take risks, to be honest, or is it all just about getting our money?  

Do times of difficulty and challenge, whether personal or corprate, reduce our life and actions to the lowest common denominator or do they instill in us the will to struggle even harder, to come together ever stronger?  

The questions go even deeper.  Do we allow ourselves to be vulnerable with each other, to bear our fragility in front of others?  

Do I realise that I am no better than anyone else?  Am I that brutally honest?  Only then can I and we build a trust that is lasting, that speaks of the gospel vision for life.  Trust is fundamental.  Building trust is not just about others.  It is about me.  How do I fare being trustworthy and engendering trust.  Don't expect others to do it for me or instead of me.  Do my bit to better myself and the world. 

Such levels of trust are frightening, but they are needed for a life that is rich and nourishing.  We are being drawn, in our crazy world, to more threatening levels of truat that are simultaneously deeply personal and deeply communal.  Are we up to this?  Trust in God, trust in the other, trust in myself.  It is needed for my sake, if no one else's.