It's the Journey

Santa Cruz Church, Bangkok 

 For so long, I have wanted to visit the famous and historical Santa Cruz church, standing by the river in Bangkok.  No matter what, last Saturday was the day. So off I went with Google Maps as my guide.  

I took the underground to Sanam Chai.  So far, so good but when I got above ground, I just stood there totally disoriented for I was assuming that I would be on the same side of the river as the church but I was not.  So I was standing looking around, wondering what to do, when I heard a call from nowhere - "Fr John". 

I could have just collpased to see two people from church on a motorbike stop at my side.  They were able to give me my bearings and so off I went with a sense of certainty.  I knew now I had to cross the river but what awaited me on the way utterly took me by surprise for the pier was just full of activity.  It was no simple "jump on a boat" pier.  

I got to the other side of the river to see how close the church was to be stopped in my steps by an unexpected storm.  So near, yet so far; but I remained determined to get to the church, which I did, only to find it closed.  

So I stood in front of the church, being very philosophical, thinking that I had learnt so much on the way: 

1)  Don't assume. 

2)  You can do it with the help of others.  

3)  Be determined. 

4)  The journey itself is worth doing. 

5)  It will be easier when I come again in the future. 

Then finally, I sought cover yet again at the church due to a second storm only to learn the last lesson of the journey.  If you wait long enough, you will strike gold, for the church was opened for a wedding.  What a magnificent church.  It was so worth the journey and the wait to be able to experience a grand, 100 year old church that gives witness to the Portuguese legacy to my Bangkok.  .  

I have been here so long

This week, I have to renew my diver's licence.  Here you are given a licence for five years and then you renew it.  I knew what I had to face in getting it and, even after 15 years here, I was stressed facing the prospect of what awaited me - big crowds at a government office where I will find all sorts of bureaucratic adventures.  And what good purpose does it all serve?  As far as I can see, it is primarily about seeing if the applicant can overcome every challenge put in their way.  .  

Anyway, here goes!

Notice of appointment for getting my new licence.

Surprise!  Surprise!  

On carefully, but bravely, approaching another exercise in Thai government bureaucracy, I never expected what happened.   Due to Covid-19 a new process was set in place for renewing your driver's licence.  You now had to make an appointment which I did, discovering that the next available appoibntment is in March next year - four months away.  Wow!  

As I always say about here, your life can completely turn around in 24 hours, or much less.  Another way of expressing this was given to me by a Thai parent who has his child preparing for First Penance at the cathedral.  At the last minute, he advised me that he and his family could nort come to a planned family meeting within the programme.  He asked me if I was not aware of the "Thai surprise"?  The Thai surprise is ever present.  

My Thailand is a funny place.  It shows how imperfect our world is, and thank God it is as it surely, always reminds me that I am not in control.  

It's about them

I have been sharing with my friend, Robert, for an age that what has been a mass commitment every Sunday at the cathedral has turned over time into a parish.  I do ask myself why.  I have had my unspoken theory which I do not speak, as it frightens me.  Then just in the last week, it struck me why and I feel relieved.  It is because "it's about them".  

This came to me in the last few days, after my powerful, spiritual experience on visiting the Thai Seven Martyrs Shrine and on hearing from Tony at church about another new initiative rising up from the people coming to the 10am mass.  Over time, I may be the focus because of my role and contribution in the mass, but the church and its ministry are truly raised up by the people, by the faithful.  

This is a paradigm shift for a church that is very much a clerical church, ruled under a monarchical style of control.  Yes, this way does reflect the mainstream, Thai culture and society., but it is applied no less at a cost in our world and Church.  If we want a church of mission that is alive and thriving, it must come from the bottom up; it must rise from the faithful and their dreams, vision and needs.  

I see this so clearly through the eyes and vision of my very good friends from the cathedral - Robert and Tony.  The way to go is to give the faithful space, let them share their dreams, listen to them and let them do it for themselves.  No need to urge control,  Just allow for good order and give people freedom to be and act for the gospel.  Long live the revolution of the gospel!.  

True Faith

This week, I achieved a long term wish of visiting the Shrine of the Seven Thai Martyrs in Songkhon, Mukdahan Province.  I shared the pilgrimage with two good friends, Tony and Om.  There, I discovered a peaceful, powerful, beautiful spot by the Mekong.  It is a very special places which just oozes spirituality.  Here is their story as given at the shrine.     

The Seven Blessed Martyrs of Songkhon 

 In 1940, Thailand was at war with their Indo-China neighbours.  To achieve unity on the home front, the government expelled all foreign missionaries and sought to pressure its Catholics into apostasy.  The persecution was really strong, especially at Songkhon, a Catholic village in Mukdahan Province, of the Mission of Tharae-Nongseng.   

 Living in Songkhon were two Sisters of the Congregation of the Lovers of the Cross.  They were Sister Agnes and Sister Lucia.  They, together with an excellent catechist, Philip Siphong, were the leaders of their faith community as their pastor had been ordered out on 29^th November, 1940. 

Philip Siphong, a married man with five children, gave moral and spiritual support by speaking words of encouragement and strengthening the faith.  The policemen decided to frighten the other parishioners into submission by executing him.  On 16^th December, 1940, they took him outside the village and shot him dead.  So Philip Siphong died for his faith and became the first of the Seven Blessed Martyrs.  His death strengthened, rather than weakened, the faith of the parishioners. 

On 23^rd December, 1940, one of the policemen ordered the Catholics to assemble in front of the church.  He told then that he been ordered to suppress Christianity.  Therefore, he gave them a choice between apostasy and death.  At that moment, Cecilia Butsi, 16 years old, spoke out – “We die only one time for the faith.  I am not afraid.”  She was ready to accept death.  The policeman did not seem to hear her. 

On Christmas night, Sister Agnes wrote a letter in her own name and in the name of all who resided in the convent, declaring they would rather die than abandon their faith.  In the note, she prayed, “We ask to be your witnesses, O Lord, our God.”  Sister Agnes gave the letter to Cecilia Butsi to deliver to the policemen. 

On 26^th December, these policemen called at the convent and addressed the Sisters and the layfolk present.  All reiterated their resolve not to apostatize. 

They therefore had all of them escorted to the cemetery.  All of them walked in line singing hymns and praying.  As they arrived in the cemetery, they knelt down beside a fallen tree trunk and prayed fervently; and then Sister Agnes addressed the policemen, saying, “We are ready!  Please do your duty.”   Immediately, the policemen opened fire and left the cemetery. 

As soon as the Church was granted freedom, the local Ordinary began setting up the canonical investigations on the case of these Seven Brave Servants of God.  On 22^nd October, 1989, Propagation of the Faith Sunday, Pope John Paul II proclaimed their Beatification at St Peter’s Basilica.  Deeply touched by their fidelity, the Holy Father quoted Sister Agnes’ letter to the policemen:

“We rejoice in giving back to God the life that He has given us. … We beseech you to open to us the door of heaven. … You are acting according to the orders of men, but we act according to the commandments of God.” 

The feast of the Seven Martyrs of Songkhon is 16^th December, the anniversary of Philip Siphon’s death, which is also Thai Catechists’ Day.  

The Seven Blessed Martyrs are:

Philip Siphon, catechist, 33 years old.

Sister Agnes Phila, 31 years old.

Sister Lucia Khambang, 23 years old.

Agatha Phutta, 59 years old. 

Cecilia Butsi, 16 years old.

Bibiana Khamphai, 15 years old.

Maria Phorn, 14 years old.

A Spiritual Revolution

Last week, I had mass and dinner with a group of committed, Catholic women.  The dinner discussion progressed to the inevitable topic, the pandemic, on which I shared how I viewed it positively as an impetus for needed change in a world where so many just take life for granted and have become too comfortable.  This led onto a Thai woman commenting on the youth protests here.  I braced myself for what she might say next.  Then I heard her proclaim that the problem here is that Thais lack a spirituality and that what Thailand needs is a spiritual revolution.  I silently applauded and kept my counsel so as to hear more.  

At the end of her pronouncement, I could agree saying that the whole world needs a spiritual revolution.  Now, what does that mean?  

For any response, I turn straight to my hero - St Teresa of Avila, that revolutionary Carmelite nun of 16th century Spain.  And what does she say?  

Don't look outside at the world around you for what really matters, for it is full of diversions and so much that is ephemeral.  Don't focus on success, fame, riches, beauty, popularity and all the rest.  Go rather to the core of your being and find God there for God is waiting for us at the depths of who we are and of our reality.  The goal of life is so simple.  It is union with God who loves us, calls us and initiates that union.  This pursuit is no escape from reality but rather a way of being totally immersed in it for what it is really about - having a passion for life, feeling with and for others, being kind and humble, showing compassion, and working for peace and the better world for all.   .  

Wow! That is revolutionary.  Viva la revolucion!   .