Keep Walking

The Catholic Church in Thailand may be small in number, but I ever find its history rich and fascinating.  Last week, I had recourse to delve further into its history, discovering new pearls in its over 450 year history.  I read about Bishop Florens, an MEP missionary, who was Vicar Apostolic of the Siam mission, in the 1820s.  By 1824, he was alone in Bangkok, being the only priest missionary in Bangkok.  Just imagine that.  He was naturally concerned for the future of the mission, fearing it may die.  So he petitioned his MEP superiors to send him more men.  

One appeal in support of his cause, from his superiors, was that he did not share any great stories of the mission, to which he replied that nothing of much colour happened in the mission.  Despite his expressed and felt sense of despair, he did continue, doing his bit to build up the mission and thus, he left his mark.  

There is a simple lesson in this little bit of history - no matter what befalls us, we keep moving.  If one speaks from a sense of resignation, it is simply put as, "What else can we do?"  Beyond that simple lesson, I saw how the contradictions of life, that befall us all, may easily hold us back, but the challenge is to rise above them and keep going.  Any of us, even in one day, can rise to the very heights of our existence and then fall into the depths of our weakness.  The challengeg then is not to stay at the highest point, but to simply keep going.  That, I believe, is the greatest challenge of life.  

In Sermon 169, St Augustine expresses it clearly and precisely.  Just keep walking.  He was speaking in the midst of the chaos of his own world, which was watching the decay of the Roman Empire, in quie spectacular ways.  He succinctly sums up the human spirit's strength and drive to overcome all for the sake of both, human survival and human betterment.  We can do it.  

Take a risk

Looking down from a safe distance, all looks small and safe.  Being here in Brisbane, I am reminded of the rich beauty of this land and the true friendliness of its peoples.  Everywhere I have been over my two weeks home, I have experienced how friendly people are.  They say, "Hi!", as they pass you.  They share a sense of humour with a simple smile and a one-line comment.  They say thanks to the driver as they leave the bus.  

All may seem mundane and tame here but, for me, its refreshing reality is a timely reminder and challenge for a world caught up in chaos and self-indulgence.  This is my experience of Australia. a land that I have christened as "The Land of Friends".  

Even from the Skywalk at Queens Wharf, by the Brisbane River, the traffic below looked a tame and friendly scene.  Standing there, it reminded me that life is a risk, not in jumping to be suicidal, but by approaching what is before us in the sure knowledge that we are surrounded by friendship and beauty. 

20th August, my last full day back home, is the feast of one of my great heroes, St Bernard of Clairvaux.  He lived God's love spoke with such passion.  It was so real that he spoke about God's love in such erotic terms, that his writings make your whole body shake with a sense of God's love, as it is felt as being so intimate.  

His words ring home today.  

"The measure of love is love without measure."

"What we love we shall grow to resemble." 

"The three most important virtues are humility, humility and humility."  

We don't take risks that often, if ever, as we are held back by fear or comfort, or both.  On the other side of the equation, love frees us; beauty inspires us; friendship lifts us up, so to reach out and take those risks we need to take along the way of life.  Otherwise, we remain small and safe, becoming mundane and tame, not becoming the life-giving friends. the bearers of beauty mor the passionate lovers our alienating world needs.  

God bless the Land of Friends.   

In the midst of the darkness, there is a bright light

Here I am in Brisbane, blue skies and sunshine, visiting my family.  On going to mass with my sister, I read this in her parish newsletter:

"During the homily, Archbishop Shane explained how we should shine brightly during dark times, shining to others, not keeping the light to ourselves.  ...   God said, 'Let there be light', and the whole world shone brightly.  God didn't make the light for Him.  He made it for us and the beautiful world we live in."  

This is based on the homily, given during the mass for Catholic Education Week, which had as its theme - Share your light, inspire others.  Personally, it strikes me how our world is shrouded in darkness and now I wonder if this may be a universal theme, not just mine. 

At the beginning of my stay with my family, a little bit of light was shone my way by a few words of welcome and love, offered by my niece, at a family dinner.     

"Hey JM, our favourite uncle, uncle-in-law and brother.  It's always great to have you back in Oz.  We love it when you come over to visit.  ...  We turned on the winter sunshine for you.  Maybe it was mum who had s direct line to the big man upstairs and organized the great weather for your visit.  We look forward to hanging out with you, while you are in Brissie.  Here's to you, JM, and big love."

Simple and sincere words can make a difference and let the light shine amidst the darkness. 

Where has our sense of decency gone?

 

During the past week, I watched a short news clip that left me troubled and disturbed.  It was a report from the US Congress where they were holding a Senate hearing on Covid and Dr Fauci.  I was watching some US politician letting forth a most brutal attack against Dr Fauci, with the US Senator being foul mouthed and ever so angry.  

I thought two things.  One, this was not acceptable behaviour for a respected politician in the public forum of exercising his duty.  The other, this was a public humiliation of a public servant who led his country in the fight against Covid.  He deserves better.  I was left wondering - what was going on here?  

Even with not knowing all the facts, this scene was so extreme that it took me to the level of asking myself, "Whatever happened to our sense of decency?"  Yes, things go wrong in life.  Yes, people oppose us or just don't like us.  Yes, we all do bad.  But, in whatever situation, the challenge is to keep our sense of decency so that we can walk away, being assured of our own worth and dignity.  

At the same time, in my own little world, I faced a moral challenge.  In my leadership role at Caritas, I had to deal with a personnel issue.  Whatever the outcome, I wanted to be fair and just.  Yes, someone in my watch had failed in performing their duty, but this did not mean that decency went out the door.  In dealing with the person, I was told something about myself that I did not like.  I do not know why but I did not become angry and defensive.  Rather, I naturally apologised for what may be and moved on.  I look back and think - "Thank God I did not attack.  Decency can't go out the door."