It takes love, not money

Chipping in to get ready for the big wedding

I just had a great weekend up north, in Mae Hong Son, a most beautiful part of Thailand, by the border with Myanmar.  I went there for the wedding of a good friend, a Karenni guy.  

On arriving there,  my friend, the groom, took me to his place to see the preparations happening for the wedding, the next day.  I was just amazed to see these young guys busily cutting up a pig for tomorrow's feast.  Then I looked across the yard to see a whole group of women cooking the dissected pigs in huge pans, over gas flames.    

The wedding, the next day, was just as amazing, or simply put, it was a breath of resh air for a Catholic priest so often imprisoned by "Wedding World", with all its over the top demands, costs and expectations.  All ever too much!  For a pleasant change, this was a "do it yourself" wedding.  I just loved it.  

There was a lot of fuss and preparation,  It was a grand celebration, but it was created by the couple, with their people, helping all the way.  Balloons decorated the church.  The bride and groom, elegantly but simply dressed, welcomed all the guests.  There was no long line of bridesmaids and groomsmen, doing nothing other than imbuing the event with fashion and beauty.  The church was a small, simple, village church, where the local community gathered.  Today, the people sung gustily and said all the prayers with firm conviction.  The church celebration was engulfed in a family atmosphere.  It set the scene for a relaxed, at home reception, enjoying home cooked pork.  Just wonderful!     

It was all about using the limited resources available to the people, to create a celebration of love.  It hit me - a strong, loving community makes a family.   

 

We are the clergy

I have just received a reminder from the local church here - 

"We are the clergy.  We are above the laity." 

I think: "Really? When did we last read Pope Francis on the scourge of clericalism in the church?" 

Then, I harken bak to last Friday, the 12th January, which was the feast day of Blessed Nicholas, a Thai priest, who has been named a martyr in the universal church.  For me, the landmark was that it was 80 years since he died a martyr in a Bangkok prison.  

80 years ago saw a different world and a different Thailand, caught up in the utter chaos of the Second World War.  At that time, the Catholic Church in Thailand knew persecution, for it was wrongly perceived as an agent of the then enemy, the French, a European, colonizing power.  

So Fr Nicholas Bunkerd  was hauled off to prison in January, 1941, having been wrongfully convicted, along with many other Catholics.  There he lasted three years, living under tough conditions, while remaining true to being a priest, through prayer and exercising ministry in teaching and charity. Having been infected with TB and being weakened by excessive blood transfusions, he died a martyr on 12th January, 1944.  

For me, his life message is two-fold. 

1)  Always be true o yourself and your calling.

2)  In the context of our Christian calling, rise up to meet the challenges of life.

Having suffered so much in prison, having ever remained the true priest and kind man, I do not believe that Blessed Nicholas would, in anyway, hold that the clergy were above the laity.  I see it in his fresh approach to life and its presenting tribulations; I see it in his good nature and ever pressing ahead in fulfilling his mission.  I never met the guy, but I look at his face and I see a kind and good hearted man, with a sense of humour.   

All I can say is that the essential and good message for life is too often lost in life's messiness and intrigues.  We too often and unnecessarily do ourselves harm.  Blessed Nicholas, pray for us. 

  

Reach for the Stars

 

Landmark 81, Saigon

My 2024 has started with a bang, with my visiting Ho Chi Minh City, known by the locals as Saigon. I went there presumably to attend a religious profession, but it turned out to be so much more.  Moving out of my comfort zone led to my experiencing many marvels, in such a short time. Life can be full of surprises.  Amazing!  

My plan was to be hosted to a tour of Saigon, organized by my good, Franciscan friend there.  What he organized went beyond all my expectations, for he put me into the hands of incredibly gifted and kind strangers who quickly became friends and companions on the journey.  

These strangers offered me generous hospitality, freely opening up to me, sharing a priceless look into life and what is possible for any of us.  I saw through them a people and a church rich in history, strong in faith and healthy in their approach to life.  They made me part of their life project,  which is both rich and nourishing.  Through them, I came upon a church and its people that energized me, refreshed me and gave me a renewed sense of purpose and direction, for what lay ahead of me, in My Bangkok. 

They showed me the sights - a vibrant city, an active church, the Presidential Palace, the cathedral, the Post Office.  I saw so much more through them. 

       

Following on from my last entry for 2023, I would now say - we enter deeper into the journey of life so that we can reach for the stars.  This is what I learnt from my three days in HCMC.