Figs, mentioned frequently in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as an essential plant in the Holy Land; also described figuratively by St. Augustine as a symbol of the human race. Nathanael, sitting under the fig tree, observing Jesus...so many possibilities, so many meanings!
An article by Dan Luby which appeared in the Catholic Herald Malaysia's 25 October 2009 issue began like this:
The movie opens. A man sips beer at the kitchen table, surrounded by the happy choreography of holiday meal preparation."So," someone asks him,"what's up in your world these days?" In the midst of chopping and washing and cleaning, ears cock."Actually," he says after a pause and another sip,"I've been talking to my pastor about going to the seminary."The screen splits to show two reactions.In one, his brother laughs dismissively and says,"No, seriously dude,"... His college friend frowns and says,"Why are on are you doing that?" and his mother looks disapprovingly and says nothing.
On a parallel screen, his brother laughs and says, "That'd be great man, man,"....His college friend smiles and says,"It's about time," and his mom hugs him tight, saying nothing.
Luby then goes on to share his priest friends' answers to the same question, including what makes it either easy or difficult to say "yes" to the call of the priesthood.
I remember a few years ago in my previous parish when the priest surprised many of us with his opening statement of his homily: "Parents, please don't pray for vocations." Then he went on to ask, "How many of you parents have sat down with your children and talked to them about vocations? How many of you have talked about the possibilities of one of your sons joining the seminary? How many of you have discussed with your daughters about becoming a religious?"
His point was simple. It's no use just praying for vocations without doing something about it. I remember when I was young, we were always reminded of that, like it or not! In the end, two of my brothers entered the Seminary. One later left to marry to a girl he met during one of his pastoral stints, the other is quite happy being a monk in his religious order. I'd like to think that both of them found their vocations.
My 8 year old son has not been spared the same queries either. His reply: " I don't think I want to be a priest right now, because that would mean I can't become a train driver!"
I remember when he was born, we went to the chapel just before being discharged and on an impulse, put him on the altar table, and both his mother and I thanked God for the gift he had given us, and in return we gave him back to God, as a thanksgiving. As we left the chapel, we bumped into the chaplain who blessed him and asked in his French accent, "When he's older, come back and give him to me, eh?" I remember that both of us nodded our heads.
I think it's too easy to read into situations and jump to conclusions, but as parents, we are open to God's plan for our son, and would indeed be very happy if he so gets the "call". Fast forward to last week, he came back from school with a form that required us to fill out a few details including his future "ambition". I think he must be one of the few in his school to pen "train driver" in the column!!
Looking at our world today, there is no doubt that religious persecution is very much in vogue. Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and peoples of other faiths are routinely persecuted partly by those who govern them and wherever people of these religions form the minority. Sometimes these persecutions are carried out in the cover of darkness. At other times, it's done with the collusion of powerful individuals and government.
Today, the UCAN (Union of Catholic Asian News) website reported that the Religion and Peace Academy Nepal (RAPAN), an Inter Religious body, has warned that "people forcing political goals on religion are hampering the already peace process in Nepal." Closer to home, especially in recent times, we have seen unruly mobs threaten, make fun and belittle the beliefs and rights of the religious minorities.
Sometime ago, I received this particular email "A Pastor With Guts" on three different occasions. No doubt, many others would have received it too. What stands out about this story is how one pastor decided to stand up for what he believed in, irrespective of what others thought. His stance brought about the wrath of many who stood opposed to his position. Conversely, it also brought about many new believers, renewed the floundering faith of others and affirmed those who believed.
For no particular reason, my thoughts turned toward China and the trials and tribulations of the Church there over the years. I learned about Ignatius Kung (pic above). The Christian History Timeline website tells us that:
On the night of September 8, 1955, the Communists arrested Bishop Kung and about 320 other Roman Catholics. Many of these would suffer long years in prison, known no longer by their names, but by numbers. For 5 years, Kung was held in prison without a trial. Finally, he was convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment. To go free, all he had to do was to renounce the pope and accept the Communist puppet church. He refused to do either.
And so, for thirty years, he had to live the Christian life, relying directly on the Spirit of Jesus, because he was denied letters, books or the Bible. Much of his thirty years was spent in such strict isolation that the guards were not permitted to speak to him. He was not even allowed eye contact with another human being!"
The Cardinal Fung Foundation has more on his life and work.
Check out also a 1993 Interview by Kung on the Persecution of the Church in China.
Catholic News Service has a one page brief history of the Catholic Church in China.
Although Kung was released in 1985, he remained under house arrest until 1988. In 1979 he was secretly ordained Cardinal by Pope John Paul II. By the time his election as cardinal was published, he had already turned 80 and had lost the right to participate in the papal conclave - the meeting of cardinals who gather to elect the pope whenever there's a vacancy. He died on March 12, 2000 and is buried at the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, California.
During this Year of Priests, we might want to think about all those whose religious freedoms are curtailed everywhere in the world, irrespective of our religious beliefs. We could also spend a little bit more time praying for those exemplary priests like Ignatius Kung who suffered greatly to remain faithful to the Catholic Church.
Haris Ibrahim who blogs at The People's Parliament has highlighted the urgent appeal in The Star Online today of Sarawakian children facing acute food shortage in the interior of Kapit division.
In his latest update at 5.05pm, he mentions he has just come off the phone with Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ding of the Miri Catholic Church who's also coordinating the aid relief. Fr. Ding has asked all donations to be sent c/o: Account holder : St Francis Centre Belaga
Bank : Maybank, Bintulu branch, Sarawak
Account No. : 011065307834
Please forward this appeal. In Jesus' own words:
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'(Mt. 25:40)
Today, 4 August is the feast of St. John Mary Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.
His background story is an incredible one, arguably one made for Hollywood! He was a young man who had more than his share of problems. For while he was acknowledged as an average student and had been found to have a genuine vocation toward priesthood, nevertheless he found learning exceptionally difficult, things maybe some of us and our young people in school can identify with.
Being a Frenchman, and with France at war with Spain at the time, Vianney was conscripted to the front lines only to find that his fellow soldier friends had left him behind while he had gone to pray in the chapel! He was now a "deserter" from the army.
Somehow, with the help of the mayor and family, he survived by teaching at a remote village under an assumed name. His younger brother then substituted for him in the army, leaving Vianney free to continue his studies and enter seminary. But true to form, his woes did not end there. He found it increasingly difficult to follow the studies, he flunked his seminary entrance exams, had to re-sit and finally succeeded some time later.
After more ups and downs than a roller coaster, he finally became parish priest at Ars, a remote hamlet. It was here that he began to get known as the "cure d'ars" throughout France and then the Christian world. His "fame" spread. He founded an orphanage for destitute girls which became the model for other similar institutions in France and began teaching Catechism. His classes soon became very popular with the population although later he had to close them down due to severe opposition from some of the people.
His most important contribution though, was the "direction of souls" - people began coming to him from all over France and abroad. During the last 10 years of his life he was spending 16-18 hours a day in the confessional. He was sought out for advice by people from all walks of life - bishops, priests, young men and women, sinners, sick persons, and etc. It is said that his direction was characterized by common sense, remarkable insight and supernatural knowledge. His instructions were known to be simple in language, full of imagery drawn from daily life.
Biographers have attributed 3 miracles to him:
obtaining funds for his charities and food for his orphans;
supernatural knowledge of the past and future; and
healing the sick, especially children.
But perhaps, the greatest miracle of all was his life. He practised mortification, and had insufficient food and sleep for 40 years even to sustain himself. And yet, he laboured without ceasing, with humility, gentleness, patience and cheerfulness until he was 73 and more.
On 3 October 1874, Pope Pius IX proclaimed him Venerable and on 8 June 1905 he was enrolled "Blessed". Later, Pope Pius X proposed him as model for the secular clergy. In 1925, Pope Pius XI canonised him. His feast day is today, 4th August.
Fast forwarding and looking at the tremendous challenges that parish priests face today, maybe now I can understand the significance of John Mary Vianney as patron. It's interesting also to note that Pope Benedict XVI has declared Vianney himself as the model for the "Year for Priests". The pope has also called for the relevance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which in recent times has fallen out of favour with many of us. Yet, it is the one thing more than anything else that brought the people of Ars back to God - Confessions.
Many of us have probably expressed concern at one time or another about the state of the world today, where there seems to be no place for God in our lives. But, just as it was relevant in Ars a hundred and fifty years ago, in the same context the Holy Father is urging us to use this next 12 months as a God-given opportunity to reconcile with ourselves and one another, the environment we live in and ultimately, Himself.
Even though now we know otherwise, we live in a world that at times glorifies academic excellence at the expense of other types of intelligences. Here, John Vianney goes against the grain. Like him, our parish priests may not be the high flying superstars that we expect them to be. But just like him, they may be the very ones to save our souls by giving simple but effective direction, advice, counseling, and healing. Maybe, in a sense, that's all that we really need.
It would be good too if not everyday, then on and off, during the next one year, we take time out and pray for our priests either in our own words or like the following prayer which was submitted by my granduncle, himself a Capuchin monk in India:
A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
Keep them, I pray thee, dearest Lord, Keep them, for they are Thine, Thy priests whose lives burn out before,
Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them thou knowest, dearest Lord, The world, the flesh are strong And, Satan spreads a thousand snares, To lead them into wrong.
Keep them for they are in the world, Though from the world apart, When earthly pleasures tempt, allure, Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them and comfort them in hours Of loneliness and pain, When all their life of sacrifice For souls seems but in vain,
Keep them and O remember Lord, They have no one but thee
Yet they have only human hearts, With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the host, that Daily they caress, Their every thought and word and deed, Deign, dearest Lord to bless.
Amen.
Imprimatur: Henry Joseph O'Leary, D.D.. Archbishop of Edmonton.
Now that the remnants of last week's crazy schedule have been finally put to rest, I will try and put my thoughts on the last installment of the “St. Anne trilogy".....
What is it then that makes people return year after year from far and near?
“Build it and they will come” – so goes a line from the movie Field of Dreams. 10 years ago, it would have been accurate to say that the feast resembled more of a carnival than a religious celebration. People came for all sorts of “questionable” reasons.In recent times though, that picture has changed a little.That may partly be due to the building of the new church in 2002. With the advent of the new building, there is now a proper place for pilgrims to worship. The “carnival” atmosphere now is largely reduced to outside the premises of the church. Even then, there is less blaring of loud popular music, less noise, less commotion.
To answer the question though, for some, it could be a chance to recharge the spiritual batteries. It may be a time to chill out by soaking in - the Word of God and listening to the sermons and come away a little soothed and invigorated spiritually. Traditionally there has always been a good response for Confessions through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, although I don't know how many actually took up the opportunity this time out. Many more come in the days before the main feast days and spend quiet time alone - praying and meditating.
Outside the church compound though, it's a different scene. For BM generally, it's a mini economic boom. Hotels are sold out months in advance. Restaurants witness a huge increase in diners during the week. Illegal parking spaces sprout up along the access roads, residential areas not being spared either, charging a hefty parking fee. Rubbish becomes gold. The town council obligingly cleans up the vast sea of rubbish - at a price. Traders and peddlers hawk their merchandise everywhere, their music blaring from loudspeakers.
Mingling among them are the many the many physically handicapped persons who line the street begging for alms. A couple of years ago, there were the Rohingya refugees from Burma. I also remember seeing some women from India. I heard from one local seller this year how the town council only allowed the hawkers to open their stalls for the last 3 days of the feast compared to the usual 7. She alleged that the FRU (Federal Reserve Unit) police also gave them a tough time. There have been allegations too that these police forces raided some of these stalls for contravening the terms and subsequently disposing off their ware back to them at a profit...
Still others make their annual trek for the candle-light procession on Saturday evening - the eve of the main day, the obligatory hike up St. Anne's hill and the petitioning of prayers to St. Anne. Many grateful pilgrims who have had their prayers answered return in turn to hand out free food to other pilgrims as an alms giving and thanksgiving. Interestingly, most are non Catholics and people of other faith.
Finally, there are the organizations that set up stalls seeking to promote their work and raise funds. Over the last few years, the Daughters of St. Paul's has become my favourite place to get my annual "quota" of reading materials at low prices. During the past 12 months especially, these have unintentionally become of great help to others who have found some solace in them. They happen to make great gifts too.
I can't help thinking it must have been like this too whenever Mary, Joseph and Jesus went to Jerusalem on their annual pilgrimages so many years ago. Just like now, there must have been plenty of noise and hassle that permeated the holiness of the occasion. Just like now, they would have journeyed with others who made theirs for all sorts of reasons - searching for answers, looking for healing, praying and being in need of prayers, fulfilling vows made previously, etc. etc. And just like now, the holy family too would have been caught up with the many distractions that came their way. They must have some great moments too - families and relatives traveling together, enjoying the company - just like the so many who throng St.Anne's today.
On one of these journeys though, the boy Jesus chose to stay back in the temple, to the great distress of his unknowing parents, to "discuss" and "debate" with the religious scholars and elders. Mary and Joseph, already halfway back on the journey home and worried sick, chose to leave everything behind and tracked back to Jerusalem in search of their son, who nonchalantly asked them, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"(Luke 2:41-42)
My mother Mary, and Joseph my foster father, experienced my absence during three days, something symbolic about the three days that would happen after my death, and also the separation from God that every human being experiences. My coming into the world was to build the temple of God....Everyone who listens to me receives a call to holiness. I am the perfection that God expects, that's why I invite the soul to recollection, prayer, meditation, so that by these means he may enter the interior temple where God listens and speaks...It is through these visitations to the altar of the interior temple that the soul receives my blessings and my light; it is there that the Holy Spirit grants his gifts. It is there that I am always doing the work of my Father, who has sent me to raise this humanity from dust and darkness to light, from sin to grace, from ailments and fragilities of human life to the glory and joy prepared for eternal life.
For me, these are the words which linger long after St. Anne’s over: That God is constantly inviting us to experience Him in our own journey of life. St. Anne’s feast then, becomes one such occasion.There have been, are and will be many more such opportunities in our lifetimes.Are we ready and willing to take God up on the offer?
If we look at the world today, there are so many areas of concern that need attention.At times, the troubles that plague us seem so insurmountable. One of the greatest worries of parents today is the future of our children.
Many of us are or will be parents one day, others may be grandparents already.Whether single or married, we may have nephews and nieces in our extended families.We may be in charge of children in our kindergartens, schools, playing fields, clubs, youth groups, catechism classes, hospitals, etc. etc.In a world which is seemingly becoming more and more difficult and dangerous for kids, we have a responsibility to protect, educate, correct and guide them so they can become the persons they are born to be.
In this context, the examples of Mary and Joseph, who left everything and tracked back to Jerusalem in search of Jesus and the attention of Joachim and Anne to Mary – how they nurtured her for her eventual role in salvation history may help us in our own life situations. May the intercessions of Sts. Anne and Joachim continue to be a powerful testament for all of us.
My annual "dates" with St. Anne go back some 30 over years when I was a much younger fellow.....
I can't remember exactly how or when it actually started but it seems now that I was always "eager" to make the annual nine day novena from where I lived at Prai to Bukit Mertajam (BM) about 16 km away due south. I remember that I'd put all my "appointments" on hold from 5-8 p.m. during that time. Which was not something that came easily - I was football mad those days, and nothing could stop me from the daily kickabouts with my friends. Except for that particular week in July.
In the beginning, I usually went with my parents - those were the days before I "graduated" to hanging out with friends. We didn't have a car then and so had to rely on the good old Central Province Wellesley Transport Company's yellow and red bus No. 60 for our rides to BM. Somehow, I didn't really mind the inconvenience or the ordinary condition of the buses (they didn't have air-conditioned buses then). In fact, I think that made the journey so much more interesting. Looking back now, it's funny to see how so many things have changed, and not necessarily for the better either.
The journey itself though was always interesting. As the bus made its complimentary stops and starts, it gave me time to watch the landscape change from an urban setting to a more austure kampung scene. Like many of those things from the 70's, even those old buses don't exist anymore. Many of the traditional houses that lined Jalan Baru (the main road to BM) have long gone too, replaced with spanking new, modern housing estates, all of which look like each other! Gone are the individual quirks and traits that those village homes possessed. Gone too are the vast green paddy fields that provided a soothing sight for the eyes. In its place now stand rows of low-rise apartments housing mainly UITM students.
The old bus-stop in BM is now a vacant plot. Where the Summit Hotel and Store supermarket now stand, was a huge football field. That too is gone. We had to walk from there to the then "new" St. Anne's church - now St. Joachim Centre, past the shops and the old BM Supermarket, the first major one in the area, near the main market. Next came the district hospital and the IJ Convent school. As we neared the church, I remember walking on the old road-bridge over the railway tracks next to the Convent. That was some scene. That bridge is also gone, replaced by a more wider one, but without a pedestrian walkway. Not that you can see many people walking along there nowadays! The price of progress I guess.
Entering the church, if you were lucky you could find a place inside or else had to prop up on long benches outside under the shady trees or along the 5 foot way of the church. The singing by the choir was always something I looked forward too. I can still recall the sounds of the lone guitarist strumming his acoustic guitar. The highpoint for me though were the homilies. As was and still is custom, there were always visiting priests from other parts of the diocese and country who broke the Word of God to those present. I remember being impressed very much and touched by the sermons. Which in later years, became the main reason to keep this annual "date" with St. Anne. It's not so much as the "Feast" in itself, or the candle light procession, or the crowds, or the good time with friends. It was more like going for my own "semi-directed" retreat. A time-out for a little bit of reflection and a time to recharge my batteries.
As I look back over the years, over all that's happened, I sense also how much time has passed me by. When once I used to come with my father and mother, then friends, and then much later alone, I now am now going back as a husband and father, with my own family, with an 8 year old kid in tow. That kid now seems to be happy tagging along with me, (at least for now!), as did I with my own father some four decades ago. Yesterday at the 3rd day of the novena masses, for the first time I saw and heard him singing away loudly, trying to follow the words on the large screen. It made me think. I've come full circle it seems. Somehow, I would never have imagined it all those years ago. Such is Life - strange, mysterious even.
Last Friday, the 19th of July marked the beginning of the 9 day Novena in Bukit Mertajam where I live, in honour of St.Anne, the maternal grandmother of Jesus. The theme permeating this year's celebration is: "Deepening our Discipleship through Spirituality of Communion".
It also marked the Diocesan level launching of the "Year of the Priest", the main celebrant being Bishop Anthony Selvanayagam together with a host of priests from the diocese. In his homily, Bishop Anthony touched on the reasons for the jubilee year for priests as espoused by Pope Benedict the VIV. The pope explains his reasons here.
The feast of St. Anne has always had a special significance for people - not only Catholics but also a large number of non-Christians from the region. The official website of St. Anne's Church sheds more light on itshistory.Tens of thousands make this annual pilgrimage from neighbouring countries as well as all over the country. Check the full schedule of the novena and feast. Click MyCen for a map and location of St. Anne's.
Read also the details of the times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, mass offerings and other information.
From what I observed, the Church was packed to capacity during the first two days (Friday and Saturday). The number of pilgrims usually level off in the next few days before peaking on the night of the eve of the feast on the 25th and climaxing on Sunday the 26th.
My hope and prayer? That in a difficult time in Malaysia, where many have been hit by personal tragedies, health issues, economic uncertainty, family and marital problems, increasing religious insensitivity and intolerance, this year's theme which calls for a deepening of our discipleship through a spirituality of communion, will help all of us appreciate all the blessings we have been bestowed, and strive to grow that little bit more in faith, stature and wisdom.
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