Being just in unjust time July 26, 2008
Posted by g13n in Catholic.Tags: bad, Batman, disaster, Job, praise, pray
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For The Dark Knight lovers, you may remember Harvey Dent who turned into a villain from the city’s best District Attorney; from someone with high confidence, even better than Batman’s, into someone with no confidence in justice.
It happens after he lost the woman he was about to marry, blaming Batman to tell him to stay just in the unjust time in Gotham. The lost of his lover changes him, and Joker manages to bring his bad and dark side out of him. The city’s best District Attorney changed into one of the criminals. When he died, however, he was lucky for Batman wants to keep him a hero.
Let us learn from the Bible, from a character named Job (Ayub in Indonesian). Now, the first attitudes about Job the Bible noted were: that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil (Job 1:1b, KJV). After those qualities, comes the narration about the family, that he had seven sons and three daughters (Job 1:2, KJV). After that is his wealth: His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east (Job 1:3, KJV).
With those situations, he could have been one the happiest in the world: fearing God, having a happy family, and possessing wealth. But look, God took everything he had: his family and wealth (Job 1:13-19, KJV). What is amazing from this man is he did not in the first place blame God for that. In fact, he arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:20-21, KJV).
Can you ever imagine? Someone who has just lost his family and wealth said such things to God. His faith must have been bigger than all he possessed the whole time. And what is more pleasing, the next verse noted that: In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
When you read further, you will find out that his wife, who survived, asked him to curse God for the disaster, yet he answered marvelously: shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10, KJV). Even when the three friends came and tried to drive him away from God, yet he stood still.
To make the long story short (a blog would not be enough), God came to just everything. Toward the three friends, He said that His wrath was upon them and He wanted them to offer a sacrifice to Him through Job for his will God accepted (Job 42:7-8, KJV). And after Job prayed for his friends, God turned the captivity of him, and have him twice as much as he previously had and of course his family (Job 42:10-11, KJV).
What can we learn from the book of Job? Simply, there are few things. First, we should not blame God for every disaster or bad thing happen to us. Remember what Job said, “shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” The next is to keep on praising the Lord, as what he did by saying, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
After not complaining and praising Him, we should do what Dent could not do: withstand the world’s temptation. It comes not only from our friends, but in Job’s case, it came even from his own wife. Still, he hold tight to his faith.
The greatest thing he did, in my opinion, is still communicating with God, even during such condolence. We might not communicate with God, even when we have joy. Job is surely a good example of people who are afraid of God.
What about us? Are we willing to act like Job did during our condolence? Are we willing to stay close to God during such moments in our lives? Like it or not, we should stay close to God more and more every day, in joy and tears, for I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5, KJV).
Why we change July 14, 2008
Posted by g13n in Catholic.Tags: change, Hancock, Ignatius, popular
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What makes you change? How much are you willing to change? Is popularity one of influential for you to change yourself, in terms of clothing, behavior, words, etc? For Hancock, popularity is one of the reasons he decided to change his behavior.
From an ignorant superhero with a bottle of alcohol in his hand each time he is in action to a typical American superhero with tight suits, John Hancock has surely changed. Realizing his ‘angel’ wife is as vulnerable (read: immortal) as he is when they are close to one another, he decided to act unselfishly, leaving her and her ‘human’ husband happy with their children. His landing act does not destroy the land where he lands anymore, and he pays more respect to the police officers, though he said “Good job!” to often. I am not discussing the movie; my friend has written a review on Hancock.
Let us see the reason why he changed. It was first triggered by the society’s insult when he saved Ray Embrey (is it Embrey?) from car accident. Story goes on, the two decided to work together, changing Hancock’s image in the society. They started by letting Hancock in the jail. During the whole process, Hancock learned things. When the time comes, he was summoned again by the police chief, and did his first post-jail heroic scene in a ‘good’ manner. He changed into a superhero loved by the people of Los Angeles.
If Hancock is willing to change for that reason, what about us? Should we take a turn in our lives, wh
at would the reason be? If we take a look at the Gospel, we might find a quite-different character from Hancock, named Jesus. He was born to a carpenter family in Bethlehem and lived in Nazareth. As He goes around spreading the words of God, people got to know Him better. His miracles, deeds, and words made the people adored, loved, and followed Him. The peak was when he got his ‘welcome party’ at Jerusalem, riding on a donkey’s back. But that was it… He was later sentenced to dead (on a cross), tortured, and insulted. That was a turn, from hero to villain. This is, however, the meaning of being a Christian.
It means standing in the truth; saying ‘yes’ to the truth and ‘no’ to the wrong. It means doing Jesus’ teaching in the middle of the world, no matter what the world says. It means being unpopular for doing the right thing. Sometimes, it is easier said than done.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola is one of the examples. During his thirtieth year of his life, he was one of the best officers in Spain. He had joined many wars without any injury, being hero for his nation, Spain. The only injury he got was during the war with the French, where he inspired his leader to strike in spite of the certain loss probability. He was shot in the leg and later hospitalized.
During his recovery, he was thinking to read books, as he loved to do so. At that time, there were only books about Christ and saints. So, he was forced to read those books. This is where he took a u-turn in his life. He chose to leave his dream of wealth, glory, and love of a princess, going to Jerusalem. His spiritual journey started, and he became a saint, started the Jesuit congregation, and wrote several spiritual books.
Ignatius’ change is totally different from Hancock’s. This is what I meant by being unpopular for doing Christ’s words.
Not all Godly change in one’s life resulted in unpopularity. However, we must be ready should it leads us there. So, start checking your life, whether or not you have lived in His words. If you find out that you have not lived that way, make a turn quickly for that is what He wants. Saints are all human; they are the same with us. If they can be saints, why can we not?
As for me, I am trying to get my discipline back on praying and reading Bible. Please pray for me too.
Friend are also a pain in the ass July 10, 2008
Posted by g13n in Catholic.Tags: Friend, Gospel, Jesus, Peter
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Friends… What do you think about ‘friends’ Are they your companions during your joy and laugh? How do you describe ‘friends’?
We might define a friend as someone who is with us during our joy or during our sad. When we are happy, we share them our happiness and laughter. When we are down, they are our ’shoulder to cry on’. Spending time with them might let us forget our problems and thoughts. Is that how you define ‘friends’?
I have a better definition. Friends are also a pain in the ass. To go straight to the point, let me give you a very nice analogy from, of course, the Gospel. It is between Jesus and the disciple He believes the most, Peter.
Peter turned into the most brilliant disciple when he proclaimed that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus responded very positively (a father said that it is because Peter made the statement in Caesarea Philippi, where some people do not believe in God) and rewarded him with a great responsibility by saying directly and spesifically to him: thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18, KJV). Even more, He said: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19, KJV).
Never again Jesus said such things to another people in the Gospel. It is a big and huge trust Jesus gave to Peter, that Catholic church considers Peter as the first pope and his anointment he got directly from Jesus is passed through years and generations until the current Pope, Benedictus XVI. Up to that point, Peter must have been the best disciple. Is he?
Moments before Jesus was to be sentenced to crucified, Peter made the opposite statement, denying Jesus thrice, exactly as what Jesus told him before (Matthew 26:69-75). How would you feel if someone you trusted a lot denied and betrayed you when you need him the most? How would Jesus feel? What would He do? Did He stop and be disappointed? I believe he did not and was not. He still faced the judgement, tortures, and the cross.
In fact, after He rose, He came to His disciples and asked Peter thrice, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” And thrice he answered that he loves Him (John 21:15-17). Even after He was denied, Jesus still trusted Peter with huge responsibility by asking him to feed His lambs. And Jesus’ anointment still exists until today.
Can you treat your friends the way Jesus treated Peter? If you can, you might have found a best friend. So, you need to add one more definition to the word ‘friends’. Friends are sometimes those who caused the problem. Friends are the pain in the ass. But in the end, we forgive them and reconcile with them, because they are our friends.
Here is one nice and simple poem about friends. Enjoy it. God blesses you.
Walk with Jesus July 9, 2008
Posted by g13n in Catholic.Tags: Catholic, Jesus, pray
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It is usual for people to get things down when it comes to pleasure and joy. They will take any chance when it comes to benefits. A certain thing or event or occupation will be given much attention when it grows lots of profit. Tragically, some peole treat God that way: for their own benefit and interest.
There this very good Indonesian song, teaching me how and when to pray to God. The song goes like this:
Jalan serta Yesus / Walk with Jesus
Jalan serta-Nya setiap hari / Walk with Him everyday
Jalan serta Yesus / Walk with Jesus
Serta Yesus selamanya / With Jesus forever
Jalan dalam suka / Walk in joy
Jalan dalam duka / Walk in tears
Jalan serta-Nya setiap hari / Walk with Him everyday
Jalan serta Yesus / Walk with Jesus
Serta Yesus selamanya / With Jesus Forever
It is only a children song, yet it has deep meaning. As Christ’s followers, we often come and pray to Him. Sometimes, we pray like we know the best for us. We pray to God to fulfill what we want. We might pray, “God, today I will have my interview at three companies. I want to have a job at the first company. You have to give me that job. Amen.” This kind of prayer is like going to the doctor for being not well and say to the doctor, “Doc, I have a headache, and I want to be cured by having (let’s say) Panadol.” Then, what’s the point in going to the doctor?
Now let us learn from the song. When you walk with Jesus, you do not lead Jesus by praying such way; you walk side by side with Him. Is it not a great pleasure? When you walk with Jesus, it also means you converse with Him. Let us just imagine you walk with someone you know, yet you say nothing along the road. It will be awkward, will it not? So, when we walk with Jesus everyday, we need to converse with Him everyday.
This is where things need more attention. When we pray, we do not merely say what we want to God, we need to converse with Him. Do not just say you want this or that, but take Him into conversation by asking Him what to do. Now, this might seem weird, but we need to realize God’s voices around us. God may speak through our parents, our brothers and sisters at our church or community, more experienced people, and even straight to you!
In the Bible, there is the story of Samuel, who was ministered to God before Eli. During his sleep, he heard he was called and rushed to Eli. Eli, not knowing what happened, said that he did not call for him and asked him to go to bed again. After the second time, Eli later understood that it was God calling Samuel and advised him: Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth (I Samuel 3:9, KJV).
When you think Samuel was someone holy and great so God would speak to him Himself, the Bible states: Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him (I Samuel 3:7, KJV). Samuel did not know the Lord, yet he can open his heart for the Lord’s voices. How come we, who have known and believed in Him and been baptized, not able to do that? We can hear His voice, as long as we give a silent moment during our prayer, instead of rushing and asking this and that to Him.
Another point we can learn from the song would be to be with God in both tars and joy. In the doctor’s case, we come to a doctor only when we are sick. Should we get better, we will not budge him with thanks. Money is our thanks to a doctor. It is wrong to treat God in such manner.
We always come to God whenever we face problems, which are inevitable in our daily lives. We pray asking for assistance and guidance so the problems could be finished. After we have done with the problems, would we treat Him like the doctor? Remember to grateful to God. King David wrote: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (Psalms 118:29, KJV). In the whole Psalms, he thanked God for His goodness, at least, 7 times.
Now, have we come to God and said thanks for what He has done in our lives? Or are we satisfied with the money we give to church? Be grateful in everything, good or bad, it is the best for us, as what is told to Jeremiah: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV). The God has promised His thought of peace, and not of evil. He will not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13a, KJV). What else do we worry about?
As a human, such worry is unavoidable. However, each time we have worries, problems, laughter, and joy, we should always remember God, for He is the one designing the path of our lives with His thought – His thought of peace, not evil. May God’s plan be declared in our lives.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38a, KJV)
Shifu’s unwise wise words July 7, 2008
Posted by g13n in Catholic.Tags: Catholic, history, Jesus, past
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During the last holy mass, the priest leading the Eucharist quoted Shifu, a character in a motion picture, Kungfu Panda. He said confidently, quoting the wise character, “The past is a history; the future is a mystery; today is a gift.” Everything sounds wise, doesn’t it? For me, who was sitting in the middle of the church, it is not.
What does history mean? It means something to be memorized during your primary school, forgotten after having graduated. Historical items will then be put in museums for the people to see and their descriptions will be read. The visitors will later say things like, “Wow, that king must be great for doing that,” bla bla bla… History is almost not mentioned in our daily live. It is only mentioned if we remember it. Is our past really a history, especially when it is said in a Eucharist?
As a Catholics (Christian.red), we have a past to be proud of. Yes, we are sinner, and it will never be changed as long as we still live in the earth. This is where our brilliant past takes place. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16, KJV). Because of our sin and stupidity, God sent Jesus Christ, and He was successful in doing His task, crucified on the cross, changing the sign from shameful to victorious. Up until now, the Catholic Church has soared through many storms and cloudy nights with His guidance and Virgin Mary’s prayer.
Yes, we need to be proud of our past, but let us not over do it. We should not just record those happenings on a book named the Bible, or display the historical-related items on beautiful glass display. We have to live it. Our brilliant past would be nothing if we take them as mere history. We can already see the effect of such treatment. Churches in Europe are now in need of youngsters. Most holy mass are attended by the elders. Where have the youngsters gone? This is very awful, especially since the late Pope John Paul II mentioned that the youth is the future and hope of the church. How can they be the hope if they do not even attend the holy mass, which is supposed to be the ‘peak’ of all Catholics’ spiritual life?
Thus, let us not take our past as a simple history. Let us live it. Jesus was crucified for us, paying out debt with His own life and blood. How can we ever forget such deeds? If we are moved to help someone because he has helped us before, how can we ignore Him who has died for us? I am sorry, not just died, but also tortured for us.
Today is a gift, that is why it is called a present. We should live every day being salt and light to the world, making our days a present for our surroundings and our God. The future is a mystery, but rest assured that we have faith in God, who knows the best for us and will never leave us alone like an orphan. Even a sparrow is blessed by our Lord, Jesus Christ: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows (Luke 12:6-7, KJV). Yet, do not make our past a mere history. Learn from it and live Jesus’ sacrifice.
