Lord help me
to remember
that nothing
is going to happen
to me today
that You and I
together can't handle.
Amen.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Find your spirituality type here
Mine's the 'path of intellect'. Here's what it says:
PATH OF INTELLECT (Thomistic prayer): About 12 percent of the population follows this path, using the syllogistic method of Saint Thomas Aquinas known as Scholastic prayer. The main emphasis is on the orderly progression of thought from cause to effect. People of this prayer type prefer neat, orderly forms of the spiritual life, as opposed to the free-spirit, impulsive attitude of the Franciscan approach. Their spirituality is centered on the earnest pursuit of all the transcendental values: truth, goodness, beauty, unity, love, life, and spirit. Like Saint Teresa of Avila, they are willing to exert superhuman effort to achieve their goal. Because of their disdain for second best, they seek total truth and authenticity in their lives and work hard to reach the whole truth about themselves, about God, and about sanctity. This intense pursuit of truth colors their whole spiritual life. Books of prayer frequently call the Thomistic method of prayer 'discursive meditation.' In this type of prayer, one takes a virtue or fault or theological truth and studied it from every possible angle. Change of behavior is an essential part of this prayer--it doesn't stay at the intellectual level. There is generally a bias against this type of prayer today because it was so much in vogue before Vatican II.
Mine's the 'path of intellect'. Here's what it says:
PATH OF INTELLECT (Thomistic prayer): About 12 percent of the population follows this path, using the syllogistic method of Saint Thomas Aquinas known as Scholastic prayer. The main emphasis is on the orderly progression of thought from cause to effect. People of this prayer type prefer neat, orderly forms of the spiritual life, as opposed to the free-spirit, impulsive attitude of the Franciscan approach. Their spirituality is centered on the earnest pursuit of all the transcendental values: truth, goodness, beauty, unity, love, life, and spirit. Like Saint Teresa of Avila, they are willing to exert superhuman effort to achieve their goal. Because of their disdain for second best, they seek total truth and authenticity in their lives and work hard to reach the whole truth about themselves, about God, and about sanctity. This intense pursuit of truth colors their whole spiritual life. Books of prayer frequently call the Thomistic method of prayer 'discursive meditation.' In this type of prayer, one takes a virtue or fault or theological truth and studied it from every possible angle. Change of behavior is an essential part of this prayer--it doesn't stay at the intellectual level. There is generally a bias against this type of prayer today because it was so much in vogue before Vatican II.
Back from holiday. Back to work.
Not quite yet; today's spring cleaning of my room and then followed by "Return of the Kings". It was lovely! I can't remember when was the last time I was simply blown away by a movie. Its beauty moved me, its nobility takes my breath away, and the courage of the characters inspires me. Have you ever wondered what it would be like living in such times? But as Gandalf wisely remarked (in the movie), "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
Not quite yet; today's spring cleaning of my room and then followed by "Return of the Kings". It was lovely! I can't remember when was the last time I was simply blown away by a movie. Its beauty moved me, its nobility takes my breath away, and the courage of the characters inspires me. Have you ever wondered what it would be like living in such times? But as Gandalf wisely remarked (in the movie), "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
'Kudeta' in bali
'Kudeta' in bali
Originally uploaded by Through the looking glass, darkly.
An upscale restaurant-cum-pub called "Kudeta" (Bahasa Indonesia's spelling of coup-de-tat) by the coast in Bali. My aunt, who's been living in Bali for nearly 20 years now, took us around. This place was so posh that there were more Western foreigners than Indonesians.
I love the lanterns they placed to illuminate the parking ground. (Will post more lantern pictures :D)
Sunset in bali
Sunset in bali
Originally uploaded by Through the looking glass, darkly.
This picture was taken in GWK Park, Bali, in December 2003. My family visited Bali for a day.. (a day??!!). One of my favorite pictures to remember.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Angst. Problem. Analysis. Solutions.
A friend once sneered at blogs, dismissing them as 'blobs of angst written by sweet young things'. Well, although the last part isn't true in my case, the first definitely seems to be the order of the day. Angst.
I followed the blog entitled Sancta Sanctis with interest, and her earnest endeavor to embrace a more religious life simply astounds me. Not to mention she writes so elegantly and with so much devotion to God. In my life, similar threads of events occurred lately; I suspect it must be the works of, in Enbrethiliel's words, my own guardian angel. From things like awakening of what i call the 'spiritual intellect', to getting my life in order, these events 'reek' of divine intervention. And i'm flailing. Hopelessly flailing and failing.
Not only my religious life is shabby (it used to be non-existent, I believe), other things in life are screaming for attention. For once, I could find a functional use for a blog such as these. When thoughts are written down, they're easier to sort. At least I hope so.
So, getting back to things to be put in priority queue, they include:
Surveying people around my age and station in life, it will not be surprising to find that the above things are simply common concerns in life to be put in order. Why am i flailing? Often my pride gets in the way of acknowledging that i'm in trouble in a big way... i guess success has been a lousy teacher. One such as myself need to begin taking 'hard knocks' to nudge life back on track. And where am I going? I have been posed this question, and I have evaded answering it. But here goes, in no particular order (i know to some this is the biggest problem!):
*Phew* There. I got them listed. For once in many years. Now it's time to reflect on a plan, and which stage I am in the blueprint. So what's my plan?
A friend once sneered at blogs, dismissing them as 'blobs of angst written by sweet young things'. Well, although the last part isn't true in my case, the first definitely seems to be the order of the day. Angst.
I followed the blog entitled Sancta Sanctis with interest, and her earnest endeavor to embrace a more religious life simply astounds me. Not to mention she writes so elegantly and with so much devotion to God. In my life, similar threads of events occurred lately; I suspect it must be the works of, in Enbrethiliel's words, my own guardian angel. From things like awakening of what i call the 'spiritual intellect', to getting my life in order, these events 'reek' of divine intervention. And i'm flailing. Hopelessly flailing and failing.
Not only my religious life is shabby (it used to be non-existent, I believe), other things in life are screaming for attention. For once, I could find a functional use for a blog such as these. When thoughts are written down, they're easier to sort. At least I hope so.
So, getting back to things to be put in priority queue, they include:
- My religious life -- beginning of my interest in Catholic apologetics
- My relationship -- the shabby way I treat my kind 'special friend'
- My work -- my thesis, my budding business idea, and my work
- My interpersonal relations -- the ungracious, not-so-sociable me
- Last but not least, my family! "Out of sight, out of mind" -- i hope this won't be my motto
Surveying people around my age and station in life, it will not be surprising to find that the above things are simply common concerns in life to be put in order. Why am i flailing? Often my pride gets in the way of acknowledging that i'm in trouble in a big way... i guess success has been a lousy teacher. One such as myself need to begin taking 'hard knocks' to nudge life back on track. And where am I going? I have been posed this question, and I have evaded answering it. But here goes, in no particular order (i know to some this is the biggest problem!):
- Having a spiritually rich life with inner peace of God
- Building excellent interpersonal relations and leadership skills
- Building a successful business
- Having a happy family
- Build a business in Africa, if i can
*Phew* There. I got them listed. For once in many years. Now it's time to reflect on a plan, and which stage I am in the blueprint. So what's my plan?
- Get my room cleaned
- Get my work back on track
- Start learning about businesses and the industry I'm interested
- Keep looking out for new ideas
- Read the right things
- Discipline myself to stick with my spiritual regime (i'm beginning to miss my primary school's regular mass...)
- Work on my relationship with people
- Pray more
- Reflect more
- Plan for long-term goals
- Update my plans as frequently as I can
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Novena to the Divine Mercy
Ninth Day
"Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of You love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.
Ninth Day
"Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of You love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.
Friday, December 12, 2003
Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12.
I first heard of the name "Guadalupe" a few years back. As a nominal Catholic back then, it held no particular meaning, nor does it arouse interest for me. Recently, since my attendance at Catholic apologetics session, I have 'stumbled' (in a sense) upon a huge treasure of patron saints, especially when it comes to the pro-life movement.
Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in a small town in Mexico, which now became known as Guadalupe, named after the image left on the tilma following Her apparition. She is known as the Protectress of the Unborn.
I think my stand on the issue of abortion, as a Catholic, have been too silent. A silent pro-lifer is as good as a pro-choice. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”(Edmund Burke)
Looking towards our Lady of Guadalupe, I shall strive be more aware of the people around me, and how i can be a more active pro-lifer.
I first heard of the name "Guadalupe" a few years back. As a nominal Catholic back then, it held no particular meaning, nor does it arouse interest for me. Recently, since my attendance at Catholic apologetics session, I have 'stumbled' (in a sense) upon a huge treasure of patron saints, especially when it comes to the pro-life movement.
Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in a small town in Mexico, which now became known as Guadalupe, named after the image left on the tilma following Her apparition. She is known as the Protectress of the Unborn.
I think my stand on the issue of abortion, as a Catholic, have been too silent. A silent pro-lifer is as good as a pro-choice. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”(Edmund Burke)
Looking towards our Lady of Guadalupe, I shall strive be more aware of the people around me, and how i can be a more active pro-lifer.
Novena to the Divine Mercy
Eighth Day
"Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay for their debt to My justice."
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Eighth Day
"Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay for their debt to My justice."
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
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