Did you know?

Well, for us in Thailand, Wednesday was a holiday.  It was in honour of the great Thai King of just over 100 years ago - King Rama V or King Chulalongkorn.  I would see him as the Thai version of our Queen Victoria. 

Well, I thought that was what Wednesday was all about until I came upon this sign in my travels that tells me that Wednesday was also Creation Day.  I never knew.  It's all thanks to the hard work of the good Archbishop James Ussher.  What a mathematical mind he must have had.  It just amazes me what people will commit their energies to in life. 

Where do we commit ours?

I was at an interagency meeting yesterday for all those helping urban refugees.  One who spoke reminded me of a central motivation for our working in this area or for reaching out to any vulnerable and desperate group - passion!!  If you don't have passion for them, why do it? 

I wonder what the good Archbishop James Ussher had passion for.  He must have had lots of passion for something to do what he did.

Give it to someone who needs it

Due to security concerns, one of the refugee families I know had to move into a new apartment last week.  I visited to see their new place.  Being Catholic, they asked me to bless their new home which I happily did.  Then I could see movement that told me they were getting money to give me for the blessing.  My inner reaction was that they can't do this as they have no money to spare for themselves.  This evolved into an inner argument as I also recognised that I had to respect their dignity and to refuse such an offering could be insulting as it would be saying - you can't do this because you are poor.  At all costs, they were to be shown respect. 

Then they did give me money but with this line - Here, give this to a family that needs it.  This action touched me deeply as it said that a family that could be seen as having nothing was grateful for what it had and wanted to share what little they had with others less well off. 

In my life and mission, I have the great privilege and honour of seeing the goodness and greatness of ordinary people. 

The long lost relative

A highlight of my week was meeting a long, lost relative and it happened here in Bangkok.  He is a second cousin that I met once before and that was in 1991 in Manila.  I had gone for an immersion experience and staying at the Columban Fathers' house where he was then spending a year on pastoral experience as a seminarian.  Now 22 years later I meet him in Bangkok while he and his partner are here in Thailand on holidays. 

The three of us had a pleasant dinner together.  What struck me was how easily we clicked.  The conversation was natural and enjoyable and more than just about the weather.  It was as if we had been friends for years.  That may speak of the family connection but it may also speak of who we are.  It also struck me how life changes and we move on.  He now has his life partner and I have my life mission and here we connect just as we did 22 years ago in such a natural and friendly manner.  This happened this week within the context of our present life realities which are not the same as in 1991 and in a totally different city, but yet again outside Australia.  The realities may not be the same but the friendly coming together of long lost relatives has remained the same. 

A good reflection on life.   We grow older, we learn more, we take on new tasks, our circumstances change, we move forward as best we can.  We may think that so much has changed but all the while the basics remain with us - striving to be good people in relationship who enjoy great and life long friendships and relationships with family and friends.  It is all a reminder of what is really important in life - who we are with others on the journey of life. 

Lost in Bangkok

Well this is my second week back from Australia.  Come Tuesday this week, I had what I would call a "Lost in Bangkok Day".  That is the name that came to me quite naturally.  Now, what do I mean by this? 

Coming back, I have felt refreshed, relaxed and energised.  It makes me think I should go away more often.  Then by Tuesday, a week after returning, all the issues of working in my Bangkok were mounting up again. They are all the same, old issues - dealing with the ways of Thais doing business and Church which can come across as just being erratic and disorganised.  It all just goes on and becomes so tiring.  Instead of becoming upset or stressed out, I stood back for a day and that was Tuesday.  The internal experience of that day for me was that of being lost in Bangkok and I just persevered in feeling lost for the day and see where that went.

Maybe it went nowhere and that was hard for me as I like my work and ministry and like to feel that I have achieved something each day.  So I had to keep telling myself to remain lost for just today.  Okay, my day's outputs were low but, by now, I can see the impact.  My "Lost in Bangkok Day" has allowed me to be more effective personally in the following days.  I don't feel pressured to act or change what I can't change.  I just keep doing my work in ministry and try to be pro-active in what I do.  I even keep listening more.  A much better way to go! 

We all need our "Lost in Bangkok Days"!!