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2009年12月3日星期四

Long time no see and Prayer is needed

Long time no see and Prayer is needed for Daphne's patient.

Detail is written below:

"Please say a prayer for my little patient Cadence, a 1 1/2 year old girl who suffered a terrible accident while on her first vacation with her parents in China -- while sitting in a stroller in the market, a vendor that sells steamed buns knocked over a large pot of boiling water and it spilled all over her. She has 2nd to 3rd degree burns to 50% of her body, and is in a lot of pain. There is no skin left on her body to do skin grafts, and the care in China is obviously not that good. She was transported to Hong Kong a couple of days ago, and is expected to be medi-vac'd back to Vancouver this weekend. If she survives this ordeal, it will be a very long road of recovery for her and her family. Your prayers are much needed. " (From Daphne)

Thank you very much for your prayer


2009年8月11日星期二

哈哈! 最真心的對白

美麗又愚蠢


丈夫對妻子說︰"為什麼天主把女人造得那麼美麗卻又那麼愚蠢呢?"
妻子回答道︰"天主把我們造得美麗,你們才會愛我們,把我們造得愚蠢,我們才會愛你們。"

2009年7月30日星期四

倒霉的一天

我們RCIA同學Paul Cheung和Ellen Cheung夫婦雖暫未領洗,但會繼續參加慕道班。他們十分熱心,一心尋求真理,雖住Coquitlam, 仍每主日到我們聖堂參與十點彌撒。

上主日七月二十六日,他們如常出席,十點彌撒完畢,約在十一時十五分往聖堂停車場取車,駭然發覺車頭bumper被撞毀不堪 (註: 泊車時是尾入) 。當時並沒有見証,也沒有人站出來承認責任。明顯是Hit and Run。Paul 和Ellen 很不開心,Ellen 更十分不滿,他們氣憤難平,並非損失一千幾百的修理費用,重點在於身為教友,和其他人有什麼分別,信仰去了那裡,可以一樣Hit and Run。

當日下午,他們給我 (Augustine) 電話,我除了答應跟進之外,還安慰他們: 不是每個教友都是好教友;教友都有人性的一面;教會是容納罪人的教會;每個人都要為自己修德成聖而努力;天主是公義的天主,祂要每個人都要為自己所犯的罪而負責。

這次事件,是不是一個考驗?是不是很好的反省?同學們,請大家反思一下,如果事情發生在你我身上,自己該怎樣面對天主?請大家為Paul 和Ellen 祈禱或給他倆安慰和支持。謝謝。

Augustine 請Keith 協助post 上blog

2009年7月29日星期三

Bible Sharing

Dear all,
The Upcoming Bible Sharing Event as follows :

Date : Aug 03 (Monday)
Time : 7.30pm
Place : CMCC Room H
Sharing : Bible 若 15-16 and 格前 7-8

Thanks and God Bless you all.
Jackson
On behalf of Bible in Action

2009年6月25日星期四

2009 Parish Picnic - 2009堂區旅行

The 2009 Parish Picnic will be on August 3rd. (Mon).
Please notice the bulletin and poster this Sunday.

Date: August 3rd, 2009 Monday long weekend
Destination: Golden Ears Provincial Park - Alouette Lake
Departure: 9:15 am
Return: 4:00 pm ( from the lake)
Bus ticket: $12.00 (Adult), $10.00 (Children 5-12)
Food & drinks: Self prepared

There will be games and photo taking contest.

Ticket will be available this Sat and Sun (Jun 27, 28)
_____________________________________________________

2009堂區旅行將於八月三日(星期一)舉行。
請注意堂區通訊與海報。

日期: 二零零九年八月三日星期一長週末
地點: Golden Ears Provincial Park - Alouette Lake
出發時間: 9:15 am
回程時間: 4:00 pm
巴士票價: $12.00 (成人), $10.00 (小童 5-12)
食物飲品: 自備

將有遊戲和攝影比賽

巴士票將於今週六日發售

2009年6月18日星期四

Directory - 通訊錄



Please find the link written below the directory of RCIA 08-09. Keep in touch!!
這是我們RCIA 08-09的通訊錄, 大家可保持聯絡。

  • http://www.4shared.com/file/203802772/29a13983/Directory_6-18-09.html
  • 2009年6月14日星期日

    RCIA Appreciation Dinner (June 10, 2009)


    Thanks William for the great photos.

    Please follow the link below for more pictures



    2009年6月12日星期五

    2009年6月3日星期三

    The More We Get Together

    Hi guys

    This is the song we are going to sing on Saturday party.
    We are going to sing it twice.
    Thank you very much for your help and support




    The More We Get Together

    The more we get together, together, together.
    The more we get together the happier we'll be
    ‘Cause your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends.
    The more we get together the happier we'll be.



    I will have the lyrics prepared on Saturday also.

    2009年5月28日星期四

    天主經的故事

    有一個 PowerPoint 檔案想同大家分享 , 請到我的網站一看:
    (需要三分鐘下載)

    http://www.49ners.org/PPS/LordPrayer.pps


    .

    2009年5月24日星期日

    Booklets and CDs

    Let's give Eric and Grace a big hand for getting these great booklets for us. Help yourself and pick up whichever you like when you come on Wednesday.


    For next class, please stay behind after confession for further announcemnet. Thanks.

    2009年5月23日星期六

    Winnie and Gus' wedding Ceremony



    To all RCIA students, mentors and families:-

    You are cordially invited to celebrate

    The wedding of

    WINNIE and GUS

    On Saturday afternoon,

    June 13th

    At 2:00

    Canadian Martyr's Catholic Church

    followed by a reception in the Church hall

    2009年5月20日星期三

    My Parish - 堂區與我


    Notes for this week
    今週筆記

    _____________________________________________________

    For those who are absent today, please download this survey, fill it up and give it to me next class.
    今天缺席的同學,請下載此問卷、填寫並在下堂交回。

    2009年5月11日星期一

    Chapter 3 - ‘Where is Jesus?’ (By Christine and Samuel)

    When I regained consciousness, I was in UBC Hospital. I knew nothing about VGH. I knew nothing about the past 7-10 days. I could only faintly remember some ladies asking me repeatedly; “What is your name? What is your birthday? Do you know where you are?”

    I was transferred from UBC to GF Strong Rehab Centre where I was trained to stand, walk, move my hand and fingers. I was discharged in about two months.

    We sold our house and Christine insisted buying another with a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor so that we could accommodate Yvonne when she came home on the weekend. There was not too much choice in the market with the required feature. We decided very quickly on a house. We realised after we moved in that the house was so close to the Church.

    In autumn 2008, Yvonne fell very sick, not speaking, not swallowing, totally exhausted. She was hospitalised. Her bed was next to an old Chinese lady whose son visiting regularly. The son was a Christian. He was very kind saying prayer, telling stories of Jesus, and explaining patiently in both Chinese and English to Yvonne. Suddenly Yvonne asked the Christian very clearly ‘Where is Jesus?’ The man was stunned: ‘w..h..y….. she could speak?’

    The doctor confirmed Yvonne suffered blood infection. The nurse had difficulty taking her pulse and body temperature, as they were both so low.

    That evening I went home, idly sitting there, my head was blank. Suddenly, I jumped up when the phone rang. It was Veronica; she dialled the wrong numbers that night. I chit chat with her about Yvonne’s conditions, and I asked her if Yvonne could be baptised. She said she would find out.

    The next day when I visited Yvonne after work, Father Paul baptised Yvonne at age 26 in hospital bed. Veronica became Yvonne’s God mother.

    Yvonne recovered from her blood infection. She is attending Sunday Mass, rain shine or snow, on wheelchair.

    2009年5月9日星期六

    Chapter 2 - The Guardian Angel (By Christine)

    I phoned 911 and the ambulance arrived in 5 minutes. The ambulance examined Samuel for a minute and told me: ‘ma’am, your husband looks like having a stroke. Let’s go to VGH.’ I replied doubtfully: ‘VGH?’ I was thinking why not Richmond General Hospital which was 5 minutes away. He said: “VGH, trust me, Follow me.’ I said ‘Okay’. The ambulance crossed all the bridges; the traffic was very light because it was a long week end holiday morning.

    At VGH, a group of doctors and nurses were waiting for Samuel. A few minutes later, a doctor came and confirmed to me that Samuel suffered a stroke, the most serious type. His heading was still bleeding. The doctor said there was a new drug that needed to apply to the patient within one hour of the stroke. He checked the time when the stroke had likely happened and gave me a whole stack of documents to read and sign. I asked him what it was. He said: “if the drug does not work, he will die.” I asked: “Is there another drug?’ He said: “no”. So I signed the document as there was no alternative.

    I was waiting in the lobby while Samuel was under treatment. At this time the ambulance came to say good bye: “Ma’am, don’t you worry, your husband is okay.”

    I think the ambulance was my Guardian Angel leading my way to VGH, the world renowned Stroke Centre.

    Hello from Hong Kong

    I've been here in Hong Kong for 8 days now. I've enjoyed my time visiting with my brother and my new twin nieces tremendously, but other than that, I am looking forward to returning to Canada. I actually miss work!

    As a newly confirmed Catholic, I am seeing Hong Kong from a different angle this time. I see people walking on the streets with their heads down, not making eye contact. I see them always plugged into their i-Pods or their mobile phones. The beeps and rings from these electronic gadgets have become the music of the city. I see giant billboards everywhere celebrating brand names. Models and actors are worshipped like idols. Medical clinics often have signs promoting skincare and weight loss programs. Materialism is the religion in Hong Kong. Don't get me wrong, this is nothing new to me. I've always known Hong Kong to be rather soul-less, but this time around, I am feeling the emptiness of the city even more. In a place packed with so many people, I feel alone.

    A couple of nights ago, I had drinks with my cousin and her co-workers. These people barely talked to me the entire evening. I tried to make conversation, but I could tell that they did not want to have anything to do with a stranger. Perhaps I am of no use to them...? I find this to be quite typical in Hong Kong. People keep to themselves. It is troublesome to deal with strangers unless you are networking for your career.

    Even at church last Sunday, I saw the same "disconnection" among people. When it came time to receive the Eucharist, there was no line-up. Instead, it was a mad rush to the front. I don't understand what the big hurry is, as the Mass won't be over until everyone has received the Eucharist anyways! Then I saw a young man cough, and the lady standing next to him stared at him with much disgust. I know people are paranoid about the swine flu nowadays, but evil-staring is no way to treat your brothers and sisters! Whatever happened to comraderie or brotherhood? It is not very evident in Hong Kong.

    Today, I paid a visit to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Caine Road. I have never been there before, and yet I used to live in the Mid-Levels. I've travelled on Caine Road many times and have never seen this church. No wonder...it's nestled behind a bunch of buildings. This is quite ironic -- such a gorgeous place of worship is cocooned in the city, hidden from view. In a way, it is not very different from the way people in Hong Kong cocoon themselves from each other.

    Inside the Cathedral, I was immediately overcome by a sense of relief, serenity and belonging. I looked at the Cross and it felt like coming home. I spent some time sitting in the area where one can adore the Eucharist. I was so ready to spend a few minutes with God. While sitting there, I overheard the priest giving a sermon, and he basically summed up my entire experience this time in Hong Kong. He said that people in big cities are increasingly disconnected from each other. There is less and less of a sense of community, and we live in dangerous times. He said that as human beings, we need to be recognized, not because of pride, but because this is a necessity of human nature. We cannot exist alone. The process of recognition can be as simple as making eye contact with someone you pass by on the street, because by doing this, you acknowledge the person's existence, and you make a connection, even if it is on a miniscule level. Recognition is also given when you hold the door for someone, or thank someone. However, if you choose to forego even these simplest of gestures, we then become more and more isolated, and our community will break down. Our souls will not be nourished. We will be a nation of zombies.

    The priest went on to explain why it is not enough or alright to worship God on our own. He said that the Catholic Church has always been about community. We are meant to profess our faith together as a Christian family, and therefore, we should worship and pray together. Praying on our own, at home, is good, but it can never replace the Catholic community, the Church, which is an extension of Christ. As Jesus said He is the true vine, we as branches of His vine cannot survive alone or bear fruit on our own.

    Of course, we should always celebrate our individuality, but in modern times, perhaps there needs to be more focus on bridging these differences and building a sense of community. The strings on a violin each has a different tone, but it is not music unless they are played together. And if we are to become the Lord's instrument, we have to make more of an effort to reach out to each other.

    I think I know why I'm longing to come back to Canada. I want to return to my community. I don't care about having the latest designer jeans or the whitening my skin. I want to return to my work where I can make connections with many people daily. This is what matters to me the most.

    2009年5月8日星期五

    Gospel Spreading





    Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation (Mark 16.15)


    你們往普天下去,向一切受造物宣傳福音。(谷16:15)



    _____________________________________________________
    Notes for this week
    今週筆記

    2009年5月7日星期四

    Chapter 1 - The road to baptism of Yvonne, Christine and Samuel

    Our son, Ian had already left home for almost 3 years. He left for to Hong Kong right after his graduation in 2002, found no job there during the Asian financial crisis, experienced all the difficulties of SAR in 2003 yet he decided staying on and not returning to Canada. Our daughter, Yvonne had also left home in 2005 when she suddenly gave up walking. Since then the Health Ministry sent her to a senior house and shared room with a 103 year old lady. Although the old lady was very happy with Yvonne’s company, Christine fought hard with the Ministry and eventually Yvonne settled in a foster family.

    Yvonne was born with Prada Willi Syndrome, kind of gene disorder. One of the main problem in her young age was she could not control her appetite and tended to eat a lot and gained weight very fast. People with similar problem could gain weight up to 300, 400lbs easily. We were told the life expectancy was only 20, no medication; little information was available on their way of life after 20. Every 6 months we took her for medical check, every time the doctor and nurses would point finger at Christine and me scolding us if her body weight increased by more than 5 pounds in 6 months. Christine and I decided to apply strict control on food at home. We installed a lock on the kitchen door and kept the door locked all times. There would be no candy, sweet, chocolate, pop, ice cream, chips, nothing, absolutely nothing fancy or non-essential at home. There would be no birthday cake for birthday party, no exception even for 90 years old grandma. Ian was told he could have those junk foods at school or outside the house not in Yvonne’s presence.

    It was a hot summer long week end in late August of 2006. Christine and I, the two still living in the house, decided to downsize and to sell the house. To put up the house for sale, we wanted to paint the backyard fence and the gazebo. I woke up around 5:30 am as usual, started climbing up and down the ladder fixing and painting the roof of the gazebo. Around 9:30am I suddenly felt very dizzy when I came down from the ladder. My whole head was spinning; I held again the fence and yelled to Christine who was painting on the other side of the yard. She came over and helped me into the house. She put me down on a chair and went to tidy the paint and tools lying all around the backyard. The last thing I could remember was trying to stand up, falling flat on to the ground, and becoming completely blackout.

    In Samuel’s blackout, Christine would continue.

    Mass for New Catholics 新教友彌撒

    Location (地點):
    Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards St. Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3A3

    Date (日期):
    May 13th, 2009 (Wednesday)

    Time (時間):
    7:00 pm


    View Larger Map

    If you go by yourself, please arrive at 6:45 pm.
    如自行駕車前往,請於六時四十五分到達。


    If you go by carpooling, please arrive at Garrison Court, Richmond at 6:00 pm, and follow the list below to get on the car assigned to you.
    如共乘汽車,請於六時正在列治文Garrison Court集合,並按以下表格上車。

    Car #
    Driver
    Passengers
    1
    Keith Liu
    Paul, Paul's Wife, Lisa
    2
    Mella Sze
    Joyce, Eugenia


    View Larger Map

    When we return to Richmond, please follow the list below to get on the car assigned to you.
    回程時,請按以下表格上車。

    Car #
    Driver
    Passengers
    1
    Keith Liu
    Paul, Paul's Wife, Lisa
    2
    Daphne Tam
    Joyce, Eugenia

    愛是不保留

    2009年5月2日星期六

    RCIA Welcome Party - RCIA迎新聚舊晚會 (6/6/09)



    __________________________________________________




    2009年4月29日星期三

    Social Responsibility of Catholic 天主教徒的社會責任

    I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.


    你們該彼此相愛;如同我愛了你們,你們也該照樣彼此相愛。如果你們之間彼此相愛,世人因此就可認出你們是我的門徒。
    _______________________________________________________

    Notes and assignment for this week
    今週筆記與功課

    2009年4月27日星期一

    家宜走了


    上星期四下午, 家宜突然離開了我們. 她患有血癌,才三十八歲.
    記得去年七月, 我在本堂策劃了"拯救家宜行動", 務求爲她尋找骨髓捐赠者. 當时我還未認識她, 但就是忙着策劃行動时, 感受到天主的呼唤, 决心参加RCIA.
    到了今年一月, 她跟媽媽從多倫多搬來温哥華, 我成爲了她的家庭醫生. 她爲了保留生命, 和有一天能做骨髓移植的一絲希望, 勇敢地選擇做第四次化療(每次化療的療程大概十天). 很可惜, 化療最终不成功, 還勛害了她的心臓. 最近開始幫她准備善终, 谁知上星期四, 她喝了汽水後, 放一口胃氣出來, 心臓便停了. 她去的时候, 没有知覺, 没有痛苦, 家人都在身邊.
    其實早在復活節前, 我做了第一次的九日敬禮, 求天主幫幫家宜. 心知道她應該没有希望了, 便祈求天主讓她最终的日子好過一點. 天主的安排真奇妙, 家宜這樣離開, 我相信天主真的聆聽到我的禱告.
    我也該多謝家宜, 她帶給我很多好東西.
    没有她, 我不會有现在的一班好友.
    没有她, 我不會來到RCIA, 認識到你們.
    没有她, 我不會從新認識天主, 感受祂的愛, 改善我的生活, 我的工作.
    因為她, 超過一千名華人在加拿大登記成為骨髓捐赠者.
    因為她, 我們從那一千名新登記的華人中, 為一名六歲小孩找到了吻合的骨髓.
    為了她, 我們一班朋友會繼續宣傳華人骨髓捐赠的需求.
    其實家宜跟媽媽的關係一直都不是很好, 一整天吵架, 两個都很要面子, 很顽固, 誓不底頭不認錯. 有时候看見她們這樣子, 已經时日無多了, 還不懂珍惜, 説聲"我愛你", 我覺得很可惜. 我更要多多感謝天主給我那麼好的家庭, 跟家人有那麼好的關係, 我該每天都珍惜和感恩.
    家宜, 痛苦以經遠離你, 但願你安息, 早日返回天國. 我會為你和家人祈禱. 永遠懷念你.

    2009年4月25日星期六

    THANKS

    I feel so blessed that because I have joined RCIA this year, I know that I am not alone, and never will be, in this journey. I actually did pray for them that night, heehee.. , and will keep them in my prayer all the time. I will try to "forgive and forget", forgive is not difficult, I am not angry with them, forget is at a higher level. It doesn't mean that I can't forget how I got hurt, it is just the impact that still stay in the heart, I am sure it will be there for a while, not knowing what will happen, or what to do that they will listen a bit, I only hope that the conversation will be in a more peaceful way.

    ------ I definitely do not mind to try again!
    Jessie, if you feel badly for your friends because they have misunderstood our Catholic faith, you should pray for them. Maybe they are lost sheep, and we should pray that they will find their way back to God.

    When you are ready and have the courage, perhaps you can try meeting up with your friends again. I know it's not easy because they hurt you, but by offering love and kindness, you might end up helping them in the end. The sheep may be so lost that they won't know to come to God. Perhaps they need to see another sheep on the road, then they will follow. If they don't come, don't chase after them. This will only drive them further away. All you have to do is stand your ground, but do it with a smile.

    Who knows if this will work. But at least we have to try. I think this is what Jesus would want us to do. It is the hardest to try to love the people who hurt us. That's why I think our journey as Catholics will never be smooth or easy. But who would want to walk down a flat and straight path all the time? That would be so boring! =)
    MY FIRST CHALLEGE

    I had my first challege after baptism on Thursday night, a friend of my friend kept questioning my religion in a very rude attitude, I understand that there are different people different voices in the world, I tried to stay calm, hoping that I could satisfy them, so there won't be any misunderstanding to Catholics, in fact, this was not they really wanted to listen. I was not angry, I just felt sad and being hurt.

    I have to thank Daphne here, she reminded me that our journey to God will not be an easy one, we probably will encounter this kind of situation million times in our lives, so brothers and sisters, pray, pray to God, to give us strength, keep our faith, hope and love stronger.

    2009年4月23日星期四

    加洲小姐的一句話

    上星期日的美國小姐競選, 不知道你們有没有看? 通常我都不多留意選美節目, 但這次的美國小姐選擧發生了一件事情是值得天主教徒關注.

    加洲小姐是大熱門, 她樣子漂亮, 身材又好, 應該是冠軍人選, 但她回答評判的問题时, 偏偏講了一句話讓她輸了給别人. 問她問提的評判是一位電視節目主持人, 也是一位公開同性戀者. 這位評判問加洲小姐, "你怎樣看同性婚姻合法化?" 其實他問那麼具有爭儀性的問题, 我覺得對加洲小姐真的有點不公平, 她怎樣回答也會有人不高興, 可是她毫不猶豫便答, "我個人覺得婚姻是一男一女的事, 若我的意見讓你不安, 我抱歉."

    那一刻, 加洲小姐應該蛮有壓力, 尤其是最近幾年, 潮流興講人權, 很多荷里活大明星都因此支持同性婚姻合法化, 相信當晚的觀眾也一樣. 還有, 她明知評判想聽到的答案是甚麽, 但她還選擇真誠地回答問题, 没有放棄了她的立場. 最後, 她得到了亞軍.

    我不知道加洲小姐是否有信仰, 是與否不要緊, 她面對公眾壓力而不出賣自己的信仰或立場, 是值得我們學習和敬佩的.

    2009年4月21日星期二

    Love people, love God



    一個人是否愛主,不在乎於他對宗教活動有多熱衷,而是在乎於他對人有多少愛。

    基督徙要像耶穌




    基督徙要像耶穌,就必須學會寛恕,因為耶穌在十字架上爲我們做的,就是寛恕。

    2009年4月18日星期六

    Faith, Hope & Love 信望愛

    我相信,我渴望,我能愛,因為遇到你。


    ________________________________________________

    Notes for this week
    今週筆記

    2009年4月17日星期五

    與基督的愛情長跑

    《三十多年了》,三十多年前我經已立志要追隨基督要成為一個基督徒,這個願望終於在今年的復活節慶典中實現了。回想在領洗前的第二次避靜中我向代父Alex 說:「這個還是罪人的我,有否資格去領受這個神聖的洗禮呢?」他想了一想便回答說:「每個人在主的面前都是罪人,衪目的就是要拯救罪人,如果要等到罪人成了義人才去領洗,那又有誰可以做到呢?」那時我想到主耶穌的一句說話:「我不是來召義人,而是來召罪人。」這句話就使我接受了這份「不配受的福氣」。

    在典禮中我看到祭臺下的每位教友都正在祝福我們,這一刻的我非常感動,在他們當中我看到我太太正在抹眼淚,到了典禮完成後我牵着她的手問:「妳為可哭起來呢?」她回答說:「你等了幾十年的心願今天終於達成了,我看到你受洗的一刻就像是一個新生命的誕生使我非常感動,所以........。」我想了一想用手提起了我卦在頸上的基督苦像說:「不是我等了幾十年,而是我的主耶穌等了我幾十年。」在信主的路途上並非平坦,這三十多年間我曾經多次跌倒,當中也曾對衪有所懷疑,也試過迷失,真的辜負了衪對我的愛,但衪一直在我身邊伴着我,等着我,對我不離不棄。

    在往後的日子裏我一定要做好自己,好好珍惜這份純潔的「愛情」,因為基督耶穌已奪得了我。


    Facebook RCIA Group

    Hi everyone, are you on Facebook? If yes, a couple of the RCIA alumni (Vicky Chan and David Chingtai Wong) have created an RCIA alumni group for us to join. If you're on Facebook, find and add me. Then I can direct you to that group. =)

    2009年4月16日星期四

    对不起, 昨晚没时间把间体字转到繁体!

    烦惱慢慢離開我

    今晚校長提及我们每人都有十字架要负, 因人生是少不免烦惱的, 但我相信路上有耶稣陪同我们一起走, 十字架也可能輕一点.

    我本人最怕烦, 却偏偏工作上要聽别人的问题. 但最近好像多了爱心, 而"烦"和"怒"慢慢從我生命裡消失. 现在主動去了解病人的问题, 是因为多了關心和爱護他们, 花多一点时间也無所謂. 典型的紧张大師麻烦友病人来了, 不断地问问题, 我也没有觉得烦或發怒, 慢慢回答他们的问题, 當然過了时我要送他们出去 (免得其他病人等得太久嘛), 可是我现在懂得用和善的態度送他们走. 其實我發覺, 當我讓病人知道我是真心地对待他们, 再麻烦的病人也變得輕鬆了, 而他们开始信任我, 就不会问那么多问题! 现在每天上班都覺得蛮有满足感, 很开心, 唉...为什么老早不懂這样做呢?

    对父母也是一样. 如果他们要我帮忙做一些他们本應能瓣到的事时, 我现在不会烦或發脾气, 不会说他们應该諒解我已经很忙, 还要我替他们瓣一些無聊的事情. 对, 他们明明是炸型, 但我现在明白这是他们想接近我的方式, 我帮他们做事, 就是我用爱来回敬他们. 我亦要自我反省, 是不是没有盡我所能陪他们, 讓他们缺少了安全感. 近年来真的盡量陪父母, 他们也感受到我对他们的爱是無条件的, 最近也少炸型了!

    真的要感谢天主, 讓我懂得怎样去爱别人, 因此我生命裡多了很多安慰和意義, 少了烦惱. 遇到问题也不怕. 我的好友告诉我, 其實天主不会叫你做一些你做不到的事情, 只要你信赖祂, 你自然有能力面对所有的困难.

    2009年4月13日星期一

    This is one of my favourite songs, very beautiful.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dVE6hSh8uw


    Here I am - Lord


    I, the Lord of sea and sky,
    I have heard my people cry.
    All who dwell in dark and sin,
    My hand will save.

    I, who made the stars of night,
    I will make their darkness bright.
    Who will bear my light to them?
    Whom shall I send?
    (Chorus)

    I, the Lord of snow and rain,
    I have borne my people’s pain.
    I have wept for love of them.
    They turn away.

    I will break their hearts of stone,
    Give them hearts for love alone.
    I will speak my words to them.
    Whom shall I send?
    (Chorus)


    I, the Lord of wind and flame,
    I will send the poor and lame.
    I will set a feast for them.
    My hand will save.

    Finest bread I will provide,
    'Til their hearts be satisfied.
    I will give my life to them.
    Whom shall I send?
    (Chorus)


    Chorus
    Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
    I have heard you calling in the night.
    I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
    I will hold your people in my heart
    CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!! WE ARE ONE BIG FAMILY IN CHRIST!!

    I was very excited during the Holy Week, just like a child peep into adult world, the curtains are slowly opened, many things to see, many things to learn, not knowing what will happen next.

    On the night of Holy Thursday, I was deeply touched when Father knelt down to start the washing of disciple's feet just like Jesus did at the last supper, I could not hold my tears.

    Then I attended the Sunday Mass with my new title - a Catholic, unexpectedly I cried again when I heard the song You Raise Me Up, reminded me of my mother who passed last April, but in the meantime, I remember the poem "Footprints in the Sand", I know that God is always with me, I feel being loved and so blessed that I have answered to His calling.

    Brothers and sisters, we all have answered to God's calling, so pray to God everyday, we stay together, support each other in the future even though our class will end in June.

    God bless each of you.

    2009年4月12日星期日

    Our Big Night

    Finally...it is done! Christ is Risen!

    As brothers and sisters in Christ, we now enter a new chapter in our lives. Last night... actually... the entire RCIA year leading up to our big night will forever be embedded in my memory.

    It has been a very emotional Holy Week for me. Years of medical training were nothing compared to one short week! Actually, the emotional ride began for me on April 2, when I did my first Confession. What I feared to be a scary and torturous experience, turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to reveal my true self to God and become closer to Him.

    I then started a Novena to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, for the deepening of my faith and the hope that my family will get the "calling" as well. Like many others, I initially saw the prayer as just a bunch of repetitions. How can saying the same line over and over again be meaningful? Little did I know how powerful this kind of praying can be. I began to cry just after the second time I recited "for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." I truly "got into" the prayer, realizing what it really means for Christ to suffer and die for us, in order to atone our sins.

    I haven't been able to stop the tears since. The worst was Holy Thursday! It was really special to sit with you all at church, reliving the events that took place at the Last Supper. The most touching part was the washing of the disciples' feet, hearing Jesus' parting words, to urge us to love one another as He has loved us. To love, we must serve. These words were all the more powerful in the hymn "As I Have Done For You". I promised myself that, in the future, every time I get frustrated, I will stop and sing this song in my mind, to remind myself what I ought to do in this life -- to serve.

    Good Friday was just as emotional. It was like going to a funeral. I am trained to be unfazed by most things: pus, blood, excrement, pain and death. Yet the sight of a chunk of wood made my eyes overflow with tears. (But I found out that if you just let the tears roll down your face without closing your eyes, the mascara won't smudge...)

    Then came the big day -- April 11, 2009. Words cannot describe how joyful I felt watching each one of you walk up to the altar. I looked at everyone, and thought about how we were all strangers back in September. Now we are on the same journey together, as brothers and sisters. I feel so blessed to be in your company.

    My friend (who is atheist) told me the other day, when she watched a You Tube video on the Divine Mercy Novena, she had a "feeling". I know exactly what that feeling is. I had the same feeling last summer and it prompted me to join RCIA. I am sure all of you did as well. I wonder what your stories are. I hope that someday, I will learn all of your stories, to hear about what God did in His divine plan for all of us.

    We have reached a milestone, and yet this is only the beginning. We all have much to learn, and I hope that we will continue to help each other on this journey. I'd like to share with you a very special song -- people probably use it for weddings but to me, it sums up how we are now all servants for each other, and most importantly, of Our Lord.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wMO5KxeAI&feature=related

    Will you let me be your servant
    Let me be as Christ to you
    Pray that I may have the Grace
    To let you be my servant too

    We are pilgrims on a journey
    We are travellers on the road
    We are here to help each other
    Walk the mile and bear the load

    I will hold the Christ light for you
    In the night time of your fear
    I will hold my hand out to you
    Speak the peace you long to hear

    I will weep when you are weeping
    When you laugh I'll laugh with you
    I will share your joy and sorrow
    'Til we've seen this journey through

    When we sing to God in heaven
    We shall find such harmony
    Born of all we've known together
    Of Christ's love and agony

    Baptism

    Through baptism last night, not only I turn a new page of my life, but also a continuation of the one I love and miss by having the same holy name, same priest, same church and same sponsor.



    Thanks be to God


    2009年4月5日星期日

    Confession

    Do you remember when you were young, your parents would make you say sorry for something bad that you’ve done? Perhaps as a parent now, you teach your children the same. This is in order that they realize what they’ve done is wrong, and hopefully they will not repeat the same mistake.

    For the same reason, we go to Confession. How come it seems so much more difficult for adults to say sorry now, than when they were children? As I wrote earlier, I had gone for my very first Confession a few days ago. I was very scared beforehand, partly because it was a completely new thing to me, and also because I had to contemplate all the things that I have done wrong, and I was ashamed. I tell you, human pride has a lot to do with it as well. We may know our sins, but we are often too proud to admit them, even to ourselves. Worse yet, human pride might even tell us that what we’ve done isn’t so bad, so why the need to repent? Well, in the end, I had a wonderful Confession with the priest – it was a critical moment for me – I realized that it was actually a very positive and liberating experience to purge my sins, and I had the opportunity to feel God’s boundless love and mercy for us.

    I had discussed this experience briefly with my parents. They also had not gone for Confession in a very long time. My mother told me that she doesn’t think she needs to, because she can repent her sins to God in her heart. I thought about this and wanted to know why this is not right. My own explanation is this – if someone has wronged or hurt you, do you think it’s alright for him to just be sorry in his heart, and not say sorry to your face? In the same way, we have hurt God often with our faults, and we owe it to Him to actually repent our sins in Confession.

    Now some would say, God is everywhere and God is all-knowing. If I repent my sins in my heart, He must surely be able to hear me. No need to go to a priest. Well, in the same parallel, if the person who has hurt you just tells a mutual friend that he is regretful, and assumes that you will hear about it from your mutual friend, wouldn’t it still upset you that he doesn’t bother to apologize to you in person? What is the problem here? It is his attitude, isn’t it? Whether it be pride, cowardice, or laziness, it still comes across as a lack of respect. In the same way, if we just repent in our hearts, we do not respect God.

    To be honest, if you just repent in your heart, it would not be to the same extent as if you talk about it out loud, in person with a priest, and have a discussion about it anyways. Then you will do it less and less frequently, and let it slide.

    During this Holy Week, may we all look deeply into ourselves, reflect upon our sins and be truly sorry for them. May we also be deep in prayer, and remember the agony that Jesus Christ endured, even to His death, so that our sins may be washed away.

    2009年4月4日星期六

    Mercy

    Something just dawned on me. Actually, I should have realized it a long time ago, but I didn’t make the connection until now.

    I started a Novena 3 days ago, to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ. My intentions are for the deepening & strengthening of my faith, and I also pray that my family will hear the call from God and be drawn closer to Him. (Hey…so far, it seems to be working but ssshhh!!!)

    So, I read up on the Divine Mercy Devotion on this website:
    http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/backgr.htm

    It talks about God’s love being boundless, and that He is merciful and forgiving to all. It also tells us that we, too, need to show mercy and forgiveness to others. This may be nothing new to you or me. However, have you ever thought about this – that when we ask the Lord to have mercy on us, how does He shower us with mercy? He doesn’t dump it onto us from the heavens like so much rain or snow. What form does mercy come in?

    I believe that we are the instruments of God’s mercy onto the world. It is through us, via our forgiveness and kindness unto others, that God blesses the world with His mercy. We all know that we should try to be kind to one another, but perhaps now, at least for me, it is for more than altruistic reasons. We love each other not only for the sake of goodness, but also because we become channels of God’s mercy.

    I feel kind of stupid that I didn’t make this connection before. Duh. So from now on, during Sunday Mass, when we sing “Lord have mercy”, I will remember that it’s a two-way street – that not only am I asking God for mercy, I have to remember to always give it as well.

    2009年4月3日星期五

    Holy Week 聖週 2009-4-01


    ________________________________________________
    Notes for this week
    今週筆記

    2009年4月1日星期三

    Contemplation before Easter

    As we approach Holy Week, and my upcoming Confirmation, I am deep in thoughts about my faith, and what it means to me.

    My Confirmation is a big deal to me. In a way, I feel like I am getting married that day. I am prepared to give my entire self to God, and I dedicate my life to Him. This relationship I have with God is a blessing, but it also comes with many responsibilities, much like marriage. It is a promise, a covenant, which I do not take lightly at all.

    I want to enter this relationship with a clean heart and soul. Therefore, I have to go for my very first Confession. I was baptized as a baby, so I have 38 years of sins to confess! In preparation for my Confession, I need to examine my conscience. I know my faults and my sins, and I know what I should do to overcome them, but do you know what scares me the most? That, in order to do it – and I do want to – I have to overhaul my life. I have to be conscious of every aspect of my lifestyle, and institute changes despite what my peers will think of or say to me. I have to break old habits. I have to put in more time and effort to change my ways. In other words, I have to get out of my comfort zone.

    For example, as a Catholic physician, I know I should not prescribe the birth control pill. Instead, I should counsel my patients on the benefits of abstinence if they are single, or teach my married patients methods like timing. If I do that, it will completely change the way I practice, the way I manage time in the office, and I’m sure I will never hear the end of it from my patients and my colleagues. It would be so much easier just to write the prescription…. But no. That would be a quick fix. In the end, I have to choose between God and my comfort zone. I have to decide between what I know is right as a Catholic, and what is easy or convenient.

    It is clear what the answer is. Of course I choose God. But the road is not so easy, and this is something that I am thinking long and hard about during my examination of my conscience. Perhaps this is a question for all Christians… How willing are we to give up our comfort zone, to rip apart and change our lives, to go against the grain, to ignore pressure or criticism from our peers, in order to follow God? How faithful will we be as His servants? Can we really put God above all else, just like it says in the First Commandment?

    I now truly realize that this journey of faith is not going to be a smooth road. It will have many obstacles, and it will probably be a lonely one. How many of us can say that we are surrounded by other faithful Catholics? A lot of us are probably going through RCIA on our own, without the support of family or friends. So this is where faith comes in. We have to put our trust in God, and pray to Him always for strength and guidance. At the end of the road lies the Kingdom of Heaven. We have to keep that in sight and well, just suck up the rest, I suppose. Thank goodness there are prayer groups and bible studies.

    So I ask myself, what do I want out of all this? It is not peace of mind, or comfort, or recognition. I sincerely want to become an instrument of God, and serve Him in all of my days. I realize that I am not born a perfect instrument. I need to let God carve and sand me, so that some day, I can make beautiful music in His name. I am prepared to be put through the mill.

    I realize my sins. I am truly and deeply sorry, and I am ready to repent. I am ready to accept God and all the changes that will come into my life. I am scared but I am ready. Lord give me strength.

    2009年3月28日星期六

    RCIA Orientation and Gathering - RCIA迎新聚舊晚會

    RCIA Orientation and Gathering

    Former RCIA member would like to give us a warm welcome to the church, and plan to have a potluck party with us. Gathering information is written below:

    Date: June 6, 2009 (Saturday)

    Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm

    Location: Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church (Our Parish)

    Would everyone please kindly give me the following information at the end of April:
    1. To attend or not
    2. Number of guest attending (Family member is welcome)
    3. Dish brought to the party (Please choose 1 out of the 3 categories - appetizer, main course or dessert, and specify the food you plan to bring in)
    4. 2 Volunteers (Since we need 2 volunteers from each year to do food preparation and clean up afterward, please kindly notify me if you would like to help)
    5. Activity (We are asked whether we would like to come up with some activities - skit, singing - for the party or not. If you have any suggestion, please bring it up)

    ______________________________________________________

    RCIA迎新聚舊晚會

    為歡迎新教友,舊RCIA成員正籌備Potluck聚會。晚會資料如下:

    日期: 六月六日 二零零九 (星期六)

    時間: 6:00pm to 9:00pm

    地點: 加大殉道人天主堂

    請大家於四月尾回覆以下問題:

    1. 出席與否
    2. 參加人數 (歡迎家庭成員出席)
    3. 菜式 (請選擇前菜、主菜或甜品並說明菜式名稱)
    4. 義工二名 (如願意幫助食物準備與善後清潔,請通知我)
    5. 活動 (如大家想在晚會中進行任何活動,請盡量提出意見)

    The Beatitudes 真褔八端 2009-03-25

    Mount of Beatitudes 真褔八端山
    1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    2. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
    3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
    4. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
    5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
    6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
    7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
    8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    The beautiful Basilica of the Church of Mount of Beatitudes
    真褔八端山上的教堂
    ___________________________________________________

    Assignment for this week
    今週功課

    與基督的愛情長跑

    《三十多年了》,三十多年前我經已立志要追隨基督要成為一個基督徒,這個願望終於在今年的復活節慶典中實現了。回想在領洗前的第二次避靜中我向代父Alex 說:「這個還是罪人的我,有否資格去領受這個神聖的洗禮呢?」他想了一想便回答說:「每個人在主的面前都是罪人,衪目的就是要拯救罪人,如果要等到罪人成了義人才去領洗,那又有誰可以做到呢!」那時我想到主耶穌的一句說話:「我不是來召義人,而是來召罪人。」這句話就使我接受了這份「不配受的福氣。」
    在典禮中我看到祭臺下的每位教友都正在祝福我們,這一刻的我非常感動,在他們當中我看到我太太正在抹眼淚,到了典禮完成後我牵着她的手問:「妳為可哭起來呢?」她回答說:「你等了幾十年的心願今天終於達成了,我看到你受洗的一刻就像是一個新生命的誕生使我非常感動,所以........。」我想了一想用手提起了我卦在頸上的基督苦像說:「不是我等了幾十年,而是我的主耶穌等了我幾十年。」這三十多年間我真的孤負了衪對我的愛,這日子裏衪一直在我身邊伴着我,等着我,對我不離不棄。
    在往後的日子裏我一定要做好自已,好好珍惜這份純潔的「愛情」,因為基督耶穌已奪得了我。

    偶然遇上的驚喜

    與基督的愛情長跑

    《三十多年了》,三十多年前我經已立志要追隨基督要成為一個基督徒,這個願望終於在今年的復活節慶典中實現了。回想在領洗前的第二次避靜中我向代父Alex 說:「這個還是罪人的我,有否資格去領受這個神聖的洗禮呢?」他想了一想便回答說:「每個人在主的面前都是罪人,衪目的就是要拯救罪人,如果要等到罪人成了義人才去領洗,那又有誰可以做到呢!」那時我想到主耶穌的一句說話:「我不是來召義人,而是來召罪人。」這句話就使我接受了這份「不配受的福氣。」
    在典禮中我看到祭臺下的每位教友都正在祝福我們,這一刻的我非常感動,在他們當中我看到我太太正在抹眼淚,到了典禮完成後我牵着她的手問:「妳為可哭起來呢?」她回答說:「你等了幾十年的心願今天終於達成了,我看到你受洗的一刻就像是一個新生命的誕生使我非常感動,所以........。」我想了一想用手提起了我卦在頸上的基督苦像說:「不是我等了幾十年,而是我的主耶穌等了我幾十年。」這三十多年間我真的孤負了衪對我的愛,這日子裏衪一直在我身邊伴着我,等着我,對我不離不棄。
    在往後的日子裏我一定要做好自已,好好珍惜這份純潔的「愛情」,因為基督耶穌已奪得了我。

    偶然遇上的驚喜

    四旬期第五主日

    三月二十九日

    若望福音
    第十一章

    1. 有一個病人,名叫拉匝祿,住在伯達尼,即瑪利亞和她姊姊瑪爾大所住的村莊。
    2. 瑪利亞就是那曾用香液傅抹過主,並用自己的頭髮擦乾過他腳的婦人,患病的拉匝祿是他的兄弟。
    3. 他們姊妹二人便派人到耶穌那裏說:「主啊! 你所愛的病了!」
    4. 耶穌聽了便說:「這病不致於死,只是為彰顯天主的光榮,並為叫天主子因此受到光榮。」
    5. 耶穌素愛瑪爾大及她的妹妹和拉匝祿。
    6. 當他聽說拉匝祿病了,仍在原地逗留了兩天。
    7. 此後,才對門徒說:「我們再往猶太去罷!」
    8. 門徒向他說:「辣彼,近來猶太人圖謀砸死你,你又要往那裏去麼?」
    9. 耶穌回答說:「白日不是有十二個時辰麼?人若在白日行路,不會碰跌,因為看得見這世界的光;
    10. 人若在黑夜行路,就要碰跌,因為他沒有光。」
    11. 耶穌說了這些話,又給他們說:「我們的朋友拉匝祿睡著了,我要去叫醒他。」
    12. 門徒便對他說:「主,若是他睡著了,必定好了。」
    13. 耶穌原是指他的死說的,他們卻以為他是指安眠睡覺說的。
    14. 然後,耶穌就明明地向他們說:「拉匝祿死了。
    15. 為了你們,我喜歡我不在那裏,好叫你們相信;我們到他那裏去罷!」
    16. 號稱狄狄摩的多默便向其他的同伴說:「我們也去,同他一起死罷!」
    17. 耶穌一到伯達尼,得知拉匝祿在墳墓裏已經四天了。
    18. 伯達尼靠近耶路撒冷,相距約十五「斯塔狄」,
    19. 因而有許多猶太人來到瑪爾大和瑪利亞那裏,為她們兄弟的死安慰她們。
    20. 瑪爾大一聽說耶穌來了,便去迎接他;瑪利亞仍坐在家裏。
    21. 瑪爾大對耶穌說:「若是你在這裏,我的兄弟決不會死!
    22. 就是現在,我也知道: 你無論向天主求什麼,天主必要賜給你。」
    23. 耶穌對她說:「你的兄弟必定要復活。」
    24. 瑪爾大說:「我知道在末日復活時,他必要復活。」
    25. 耶穌對她說:「我就是復活,就是生命;信從我的,即使死了,仍要活著;
    26. 凡活著而信從我的人,必永遠不死。你信麼?」
    27. 她回答說:「是的,主,我信你是默西亞,天主子,要來到世界上的那一位。」
    28. 她說了這話,就去叫她的妹妹瑪利亞,偷偷地說:「師傅來了,他叫你。」
    29. 瑪利亞一聽說,立時起身到耶穌那裏去了。
    30. 那時,耶穌還沒有進村莊,仍在瑪爾大迎接他的地方。
    31. 那些同瑪利亞在家,安慰他的猶太人,見她急忙起身出去,便跟著她,以為她往墳墓上去哭泣。
    32. 當瑪利亞來到耶穌所在的地方,一看見他,就俯伏在他腳前,向他說:「主! 若是你在這裏,我的兄弟決不會死!」
    33. 耶穌看見她哭泣,還有同他一起來的猶太人也哭泣,便心神感傷,難過起來,
    34. 遂說:「你們把他安放在那裏?」他們回答說:「主,你來,看罷!」
    35. 耶穌流淚了。
    36. 於是猶太人說:「看,他多麼愛他啊!」
    37. 其中有些人說:「這個開了瞎子眼睛的,豈不能使這人也不死麼?」
    38. 耶穌心中又感傷起來,來到墳墓前。這墳墓是個洞穴,前面有一塊石頭堵著。
    39. 耶穌說:「挪開這塊石頭!」死者的姊姊瑪爾大向他說:「主! 已經臭了,因為已有四天了。」
    40. 耶穌對她說:「我不是告訴過你: 如果你信,會看到天主的光榮嗎?」
    41. 他們便挪開了石頭;耶穌舉目向上說:「父啊! 我感謝你,因為你俯聽了我。
    42. 我本來知道你常常俯聽我,但是我說這話,是為了四周站立的群眾,好叫他們信是你派遣了我。」
    43. 說完這話,便大聲喊說:「拉匝祿! 出來罷!」
    44. 死者便出來了,腳和手都纏著布條,面上還蒙著汗巾。耶穌向他們說:「解開他,讓他行走罷。」
    公議會決議殺害耶穌 
    45. 那些來到瑪利亞那裏的猶太人,一看到耶穌所行的事,就有許多人信了他


    分享
    11:3 瑪利亞和瑪爾大曾目睹過耶穌施行神跡,當她們的弟弟病重時,她們就向耶穌求助,相信他能夠醫治他。我們也可以從聖經和別人改變了的生命中認識耶穌的大能。當需要特別幫助時,不要猶豫,快快向他求助,他會賜我們格外的力量

    11:4 信徒身處任何困境,最終都能榮耀神,因為無論環境如何惡劣,神都能化險為夷。當你遇到困難,你是埋怨神,還是把困難看作榮耀神的機會呢?

    11:9-10 白日指人對天主旨意的認識,黑夜指沒有這種認識。若不認識天主的旨意,自然很容易跌倒走歪。
    11:14-15 若拉匝祿臨死前,耶穌在他身旁,他可能已經痊癒了,因耶穌不會眼見他死去而袖手旁觀。但拉匝祿死了,耶穌可以向門徒和其他人顯出其勝過死亡的權柄,拉匝祿的復活彰顯了耶穌的大能。從死裡復活是基督信仰的關鍵,耶穌不單自己從死裡復活,也有能力叫其他人復活。

    11:16 「多默」是一個疑心重的人,他不信耶穌復活,但這裡卻顯出他充滿愛心和勇氣的一面。門徒知道與耶穌前往耶路撒冷會遇到危險,想說服他別去,多默只是邀請其他同伴一起勇敢地跟隨耶穌,即使要死,都願意跟隨耶穌前往,雖然未必知道為何要死,但仍然忠心耿耿。事奉可能有許多不能預知的危險,作為耶穌的門徒,先要考慮清楚所要付出的代價。

    11:33-38 我們看到耶穌不同的情感──憐憫、憤怒、悲傷、甚至失意,他經常表現出強烈的情感。我們不要害怕向他表露自己真正的感受,因為他親身經歷過,瞭解我們的感受,顧念我們。

    2009年3月20日星期五

    四旬期第四主日

    若望福音
    第九章
    1. 耶穌前行時,看見了一個生來瞎眼的人。
    2. 他的門徒就問他說:「辣彼,誰犯了罪?是他,還是他的父母,竟使他生來瞎眼呢?」
    3. 耶穌答覆說:「也不是他犯了罪,也不是他的父母,而是為叫天主的工作在他身上顯揚出來。
    4. 趁著白天,我們應該做派遣我來者的工作;黑夜來到,就沒有人能工作了。
    5. 當我在世界上的時候,我是世界的光。」
    6. 耶穌說了這話以後,便吐唾沫在地上,用唾沫和了些泥,把泥抹在瞎子的眼上,
    7. 對他說:「去,到史羅亞水池裏洗洗罷!」──史羅亞解說「被派遣的」──瞎子去了,洗了,回來就看見了。
    8. 於是,鄰居和那些素來曾見他討飯的人,就說:「這不是那曾坐著討飯的人麼?」
    9. 有的說:「就是這人。」有的說:「不,是另一個很相似他的人。」那人卻說:「就是我。」
    10. 他們問他說:「你的眼睛究竟是怎樣開的呢?」
    11. 他答覆說:「名叫耶穌的那個人,和了些泥,抹在我的眼上,給我說: 你往史羅亞去洗洗罷;我去了,洗了,就看見了。」
    12. 他們又問他說:「那個人在那裏?」他說:「我不知道。」
    13. 他們便將先前瞎眼的人,領到法利塞人那裏。
    14. 耶穌和泥開他眼睛的那天,正是安息日。
    15. 於是法利塞人又詰問他怎樣看見了。那人就向他們說:「他把泥放在我的眼上,我洗了,就看見了。」
    16. 法利塞人中有的說:「這人不是從天主來的,因為他不遵守安息日。」有的卻說:「一個罪人怎能行這樣的奇跡?」他們中間便發生了紛爭。
    17. 於是,他們又問瞎子說:「對於那開了你眼睛的人,你說什麼呢?」瞎子說:「他是一位先知。」
    18. 可是猶太人不肯相信他先是瞎子而後看見了,等到叫了復明者的父母來,
    19. 問他們說:「這是你們的兒子麼?你們說他生來就瞎麼?怎麼他現在竟看見了呢?」
    20. 他的父母答覆說:「我們知道這是我們的兒子,也生來就瞎。
    21. 如今他究竟怎麼看見了,我們卻不知道;或者誰開了他的眼睛,我們也不知道。你們問他罷! 他已經成年,會說自己的事了。」
    22. 他的父母因為害怕猶太人,才這樣說,因為猶太人早已議定:誰若承諾耶穌是默西亞,就必被逐出會堂。
    23. 為此,他的父母說: 他己經成年,你們問他罷!
    24. 於是法利塞人再把那先前瞎眼的人叫過來,向他說:「歸光榮於天主罷! 我們知道這人是個罪人。」
    25. 那人回答說:「他是不是罪人,我不知道;有一件事我知道: 我曾是個瞎子,現在我卻看見了。 」
    26. 他們又問他說:「他給你作了什麼?怎樣開了你的眼睛?」
    27. 他回答說:「我已經告訴了你們,你們不聽; 為什麼又願意聽呢?莫非你們也願意做他的門徒麼?」
    28. 他們辱罵他說:「你去做他的門徒好了! 我們是梅瑟的門徒。
    29. 我們知道: 天主曾給梅瑟說過話;至於這人,我們不知道他是從那裏來的。」
    30. 那人回答說:「這真奇怪!你們不知道他是從那裏來的,他卻開了我的眼睛。
    31. 我們都曉得天主不俯聽罪人,只俯聽那恭敬天主,並承行他旨意的人。
    32. 自古以來從未聽說: 有人開了生來就是瞎子的眼睛。
    33. 這人若不是由天主來的,他什麼也不能做。」
    34. 他們卻向他說:「你整個生於罪惡中,竟來教訓我們?」便把他趕了出去了。
    35. 耶穌聽說他們把他趕出去了,後來遇見了他,就給他說:「你信人子麼?」
    36. 那人便回答說:「主,是誰,好使我去信他呢?」
    37. 耶穌對他說:「你已看見他了,和你講話的就是!」
    38. 他遂說道:「主,我信。 」遂俯伏朝拜了耶穌。
    39. 耶穌遂說:「我是為了判別,才到這世界上來,叫那些看不見的,看得見;叫那些看得見的,反而成為瞎子。」
    40. 有些和他在一起的法利塞人,一聽了這話就說:「難道我們也是瞎子麼?」
    41. 耶穌回答說:「你們如果是瞎子,就沒有罪了;但你們如今說:我們看得見,你們的罪惡便存留下來了。」



    我不是很好的嗎?我又沒有犯錯?為何要受這樣的苦?為何要我傷悲?
    9:2-3 猶太人有一個傳統的觀念,認為災難和受苦都是極重的罪孽所致,但耶穌利用這個人所受的苦,教導我們信心和榮耀天主的功課。我們生活在一個墮落了的世界裡,不一定是善有善報,惡有惡報,無辜的人有時也會受苦。假若我們每次請求天主挪走苦難,他都照做,我們便會為了安逸方便而跟隨他,而不是因著我們對他的敬愛。不論我們是因為什麼原因受苦,耶穌都有能力幫助我們面對。當你患病、悲哀、軟弱時,不要問「為什麼這些事會臨到我?」或「我究竟做錯了什麼?」我們反而要求聖神賜我們力量通過試煉,讓我們能對所發生的事情有更深的領會。

    嫉妒使法利塞人漠視耶穌所行的;嫉妒曾使你輕看別人嗎?
    9:13-17 法利塞人查問並爭論耶穌的事時,那人其實已被醫治好了,生命也得到改變,所以這些法利塞人並非由於證據不足而懷疑,乃是嫉妒耶穌受群眾愛戴。

    也許耶穌是不守安息日,我就想他是故意挑戰權威的,你認為呢?
    9:14-16 那天是猶太人的安息日,是每個星期的神聖休息日,法利塞人列出了長長的禁例,規定安息日可做和不可做的事項。他們認為抹泥和治病都是工作,在嚴禁之列。耶穌用唾沫和泥,可能是要表達他對安息日的看法──即使在安息日,照顧別人的需要仍是對的。

    人說信耶穌要承受逼迫,會被人遺棄
    9:28, 34 這個初信的人受到嚴峻的考驗,被一些有權勢的人詛咒並逐出聖殿。你要跟隨耶穌,就應預備隨時會受到迫害,或許會失去朋友,甚至喪命,但沒有人能把耶穌應許的永生從你身上奪去。

    9:30-38 這個人經歷新生命愈久,就愈對這個治癒了他的人有更強的信心,不但肉眼得看見,心靈上也得看見:先認出他是先知(9:17),然後知道他是主。當你歸向主,就開始對他有不同的觀感,與主同行愈久,就愈瞭解他是誰。伯多祿叫我們要「在恩寵及認識我們的主,和救世者耶穌基督上漸漸增長。願光榮歸於他,從如今直到永遠之日,阿們。」(伯多祿後書 3:18)假若你想更多認識耶穌,便要一直與他同行。

    2009年3月18日星期三

    Rosary & Etc 玫瑰經及其他敬體

    "Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial"
    " 醒寤祈禱罷!免陷於誘惑。"



    _______________________________________________________
    Note and assignment for this week
    今週筆記與功課

    2009年3月16日星期一

    四旬期四十天祈禱

    1 Ash Wensnesday 2/25
    岳厄爾 第二章
    12. 至少現在──上主的斷語──你們應全心歸向我,禁食,哭泣,悲哀!
    上主告訴百姓當趁還有時間時離罪歸向祂,因為毀滅將至

    2 Thu 2/26
    路加福音 第九章
    23. 衪又對眾人說:「誰若願意跟隨我,該棄絕自己,天天背著自己的十字架跟隨我。
    基督徒跟隨主是要傚法他的生命和順服他的命令。背十字架的意思是要克制我們自私的慾望。過這種生活的代價是極重的,但這些努力都是值得的。

    3 Fri 2/27
    聖詠 第五一篇
    10. 求你賜我聽見快慰和喜樂,使你粉碎的骨骸重新歡躍。

    4 Sat 2/28
    路加福音 第五章
    27. 此後,耶穌出去,看見一個稅吏,名叫肋未,在稅關那裡坐著,便對他說:「跟隨我吧! 」.
    這個稅吏就是瑪竇福音的作者:肋未人瑪竇。

    * 1st Sunday of Lent 3/1
    馬爾谷福音 第一章
    13. 他在曠野裏,四十天之久,受撒殫的試探,與野獸在一起,並有天使服侍他。
    耶穌離開人群往曠野去受撒殫試探。除非我們作出讓步,否則試探不能對我們造成任何傷害。我們不要憎惡內心的試探,因為主可以藉此叫我們剛強,領受祂寶貴的教誨。當我們面對撒殫的試探和騷擾時,不要忘記耶穌。祂運用上主的話語來抵擋撒殫,並且得勝,我們也可以照樣做。

    5 Mon 3/2
    肋未紀 第十九章
    2. 你告訴以色列子民全會眾說:你們應該是聖的,因為我,上主,你們的天主是聖的。

    6 Tue 3/3
    瑪竇福音 第六章
    9. 所以,你們應當這樣祈禱:我們在天的父! 願你的名被為聖

    7 Wed 3/4
    聖詠 第五一篇
    3 天主,求你按照你的仁慈憐憫我,依你豐厚的慈愛,消滅我的罪惡。
    在天主中,沒有甚麼大罪是不能赦免的。你是否感到因為自己做了些甚麼可怕的事,而不敢接近天主呢?天主可以赦免你任何罪。不過,當天主赦免我們的時候,祂不會每次都洗掉我們犯罪帶來的必然結果。

    8 Thu 3/5
    瑪竇福音 第七章
    12. 所以,凡你們願意別人給你們做的,你們也要照樣給人做:法律和先知即在於此。
    許多人消極地主張:“己所不欲,勿施於人”,耶穌卻積極地提出“你們願意人怎樣待你們,你們也要怎樣待人”,把這金科玉律變得更有意義。要制止不去傷害別人並不算困難,但要主動地為他人做好事就困難得多了,耶穌這個律正面地建基於良善和憐憫上,就是天主每天向我們顯明的性情。想想你今天可以怎樣行出良善和憐憫來。

    9 Fri 3/6
    聖詠 第一三0篇
    5 我仰賴上主,我靈期待衪的聖言;

    10 Sat 3/7
    瑪竇福音 第五章
    44. 我卻對你們說:你們當愛你們的仇人,當為迫害你們的人祈禱,
    耶穌叫我們除去仇恨報復,告訴我們不是單靠自己去遵行律法;要以善勝惡、以德報怨,我們必須以愛心為仇敵禱告。

    * 2nd Sunday of Lent 3/8
    馬爾谷福音 第九章
    7. 當時,有一團雲彩遮蔽了他們,從雲中有聲音說:「這是我的愛子,你們要聽從他!」
    耶穌並不是再生的厄里亞或梅瑟,祂不僅僅是一位先知,而是天主的獨生子,祂的權威和能力遠遠超過眾先知,並要我們聽從耶穌的教導。

    本堂朱神父的回應

    三月十六日

    「祈禱是基督徒每日的功課。」簡單來說,這句話的意思是「基督徒的靈修生活每天都要祈禱。」司鐸們每天要完成指定的誦經祈禱,教會也統稱之為「神聖日課」,又稱「大日課」。包括早課、午課、晚課等。取用「課」字,有意指明其中責任、義務的規定。同樣「功課」取用「課」字,也指明每天祈禱是基督徒靈修生活的責任和義務,沒有「交差」的意思。
    至於祈禱是否出於「交功課」形式,則視乎每個人祈禱時的心態。一篇充滿真誠、懇切、愛心、謙遜、用心去完成的誦禱,不論是出於內心或是功課,天主也會聆聽的,但祈求也要符合祂的聖意。


    熱心敬禮
    凡能表達傳揚福音精神、人類智慧、充實基督徒生活的「熱心敬禮」,教會都予以鼓勵。(天主教教理1679條) 。例如:唸玫瑰經 (Rosary)、救主慈悲敬禮 (Divine Mercy Devotion)、九日敬禮 (Novena) 等,都是教會所支持的。

    救主慈悲敬禮是耶穌親授聖女傅天娜 (St. Faustina) 的。聖女將主耶穌向她作的宣言及講話,記載在她的《靈修日記》中。天主教會承認那次顯現為真實的,但並未要求教友「必須」遵守。教會中的道理中,有所謂的「當信道理」,即我們信仰的核心,如天主三位一體,耶穌為我們的救主,罪過的赦免等,教友必須相信這些。此外,還有不同的「熱心敬禮」,如玫瑰經,恭敬聖人等。「救主慈悲敬禮」屬於這一類。教會鼓勵人以不同形式與主接近,但並沒有要求教友必須實行,沒有實行不算是「犯罪」。個人可按自己的喜好選擇不同的方式,不選亦可。如選擇「救主慈悲」敬禮,當然「下午三時」有著特別意義,但教友亦可隨時隨地誦念敬禮的經文。


    慈悲時刻

    聖女傅天娜在她的《靈修日記》中,記載了主耶穌向她作出以下的講話:

    「每當三時正的鐘聲嚮起,你應把自己完全沉浸在我的仁慈之中,欽崇並光榮我的慈悲,為世界,特別是可憐的罪人祈求全能的仁慈,因為這是我廣施慈愛的時刻。」(1320)

    耶穌希望每天三時正,祂在十字架上的聖死都會得到恭敬。耶穌許諾說,在這個小時內,「你可以為自己和其他人求得一切。」(1572)「我不會拒絕因我的苦難向我求恩的人。」(1320)

    當然,每天的任何時刻都可以祈禱,這是個人與主的契合。「慈悲時辰」明顯是與下午三時正有關,我們在這個時間的祈禱,應指向耶穌,我們的祈求也應訴諸祂悲慘苦難的功勞。至於祈求是否得到主耶穌的悅納,同樣要視乎每個人祈禱時的心態,及祈求是否符合祂的聖意。


    (在每段引文後括號內所表示之數字,是引述聖女傅天娜《靈修日記》中原文所記載的段節。)

    2009年3月12日星期四

    今天課堂後的反思

    三月十一日
    今天的課題是【基督徒的祈禱與靈修】,在課堂中導師說:「祈禱是基督徒每日的功課。」祈禱是我們與天主的交往,為何要將我們與天主神聖的交往視為功課呢?祈禱是發自內心由聖神感動而所做的,如果祈禱只是為着交功課而非發自內心這樣是沒有意義的,那麼天主會否悅納呢?
    在課堂中,又題到在某一個時間,誦唸某一個經文是特別有效,何謂特別有效?是否特別靈驗嗎?如果在這個時間只用心祈禱或是誦唸其他經文會否無效嗎?
    我相信只要用心祈禱慈愛的天主是會悅納的。
    瑪竇福音
    第二十一章
    21. 耶穌回答他們說:「我實在告訴你們:你們如果有信德,不疑惑,不但能對無花果樹做這件事,即便你們對這座山說:起來,投到海中! 也必要實現。
    22. 不論你們在祈禱時懇求什麼,只要信,就必獲得。」
    第十八章
    19. 我實在告訴你們:若你們中二人,在地上同心合意,無論為什麼事祈禱, 我在天之父,必要給他們成就,

    請大家為我祈禱:
    慈愛的天父,求袮派遣聖神開啟我們的心,使我們不論在課堂中或是在靈修中,都能夠清楚地明白天主的心意,使我們知道如何做到天主所喜悅的事情,好樣我們能夠成為真正的基督徒、天主所喜悅的兒女。
    我們祈禱是因着我主「耶穌基督」之名而求。
    亞孟

    願我的禱聲
    〔一〕祈禱中不禁心待盼,慈父令信望愛彰顯世間,
    沒法一生苦笑著做人,唯願晝夜與祂帶歡笑步行。
    來分享天賜的字句,瀰漫著主的吻,又再親近。
    用愛心慰解愁困裡路人,重現美麗愛德的寶訓。

    重唱:
    悅耳的歌聲隨同著心聲,在我的心中彼此呼應,
    沒有哭聲,凝望流星,憂傷已消失,有賴你的傾聽。
    願我的禱聲,能隨著歌聲,共送到天空中感主恩銘。
    願我的禱詞,能獲享天主的俯聽,盼主慈愛在答應。

    〔二〕人生裡獨行感自困,虔誠令我自信不再疑問,
    愉快歡欣天國內覓尋,同樣帶著信德播種勸導人。
    耶穌教導人應憐憫,留下互愛足印是我本份。
    若有天放開懷抱接納,同受永沒變更的福蔭。

    Scrutiny 懇禱禮

    All Catechumans please notify your god parents to join the Mass on Sunday this week and the following 2 weeks.
    請慕道者通知代父母出席今週與下兩週的彌撒。

    Seating Plan 座位表


    ______________________________________________________


    Line up in front of the Altar 排位表

    My Redeemer Lives



    A father's true and unconditional love for his son.

    2009年3月8日星期日

    十架七言

    耶穌十架上最後的七句說話
    有歌聽!

    歌詞:
    我的耶穌,我的救贖,你的恩典,在我心靡,
    我的一切,你都知道,我往那裡,逃你的靈。
    我的耶穌,你的犧牲,在各各他,髑髏之地,
    捨下尊貴,拋下榮華,在十架上,你的禱告。


    「父啊!寬赦他們罷!因為他們不知道他們做的是什麼。」-路23:34
    歌詞:父呀赦免他們,他們不曉得,他們所作的

    「我實在告訴你:今天你就要與我一同在樂園裡。」-路23:43
    歌詞:你說今天我要與你一同在樂園

    「看,你的兒子!」:「看,你的母親!」-若19:26-27
    歌詞:看你的母親看你的兒子

    「我的天主,我的天主!你為什麼捨棄了我?」-瑪 27:46
    歌詞:我的神我的神,為什麼離棄我

    『我渴。』-若19:28
    歌詞:我渴了

    「完成了。」-若19:30
    歌詞:成了

    「父啊!我把我的靈魂交托在你手中。」-路23:46
    歌詞:我把靈魂,交在你手裡。


    2009年3月7日星期六

    Photo taken at Retreat and Rite of Election

    Thanks John for the photo taken at Retreat and Rite of Election.
    Please follow the links below to have a look at it.

    Retreat
    http://picasaweb.google.com/JohnHoinCanada/090228RCIARetreat?authkey=Gv1sRgCLbcz_3djJzZrQE&feat=email#

    Rite of Election
    http://picasaweb.google.com/JohnHoinCanada/090301RiteOfElection?authkey=Gv1sRgCJKk2YOSj5jSeA&feat=email#

    B.C. Catholic newspaper

    We are on the cover of the B.C. Catholic newspaper!!!
    You can follow the link below to have a look.
    Thanks Daphne for the reminder and Uncle Dominic for the pictures.

    http://bcc.rcav.org/thisweek.htm



    2009年3月6日星期五

    耶穌最後的七句說話

    耶穌最後的七句說話

    "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
    「父啊!寬赦他們罷!因為他們不知道他們做的是什麼。」(路23:34)

    "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
    「我的天主,我的天主!你為什麼捨棄了我?」(瑪 27:46)

    He said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27)
    耶穌看見母親,又看見他所愛的門徒站在旁邊,就對母親說:「女人,看,你的兒子!」然後,又對那門徒說:「看,你的母親!」(若19:26-27)

    "I thirst!" (John 19:28)
    『我渴。』(若19:28)

    "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
    「我實在告訴你:今天你就要與我一同在樂園裡。」(路23:43)

    "It is finished!" (John 19:30)
    「完成了。」(若19:30)

    "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
    「父啊!我把我的靈魂交托在你手中。」(路23:46)

    耶穌說完這話,便斷了氣。


    以前跟爸爸“拜苦路”,一知半解,知道故事的内容,卻不明白當中的道理。直到看電影“The Passion of the Christ”才感受到耶稣所受的痛苦。聽說許多人覺得這部電影太暴力,我都同意,但對於我這些慕道新生來說,就是要這麼残酷和血腥,才可讓我們深入了解苦路,感受到耶穌的痛苦。

    耶穌最後的七句說話當中,我們可看到祂人性的一面。我想耶穌當其時也害怕吧,祂在山園祈禱時也說:「父啊!你如果願意,請給我免去這杯罷!但不要隨我的意願,惟照你的意願成就罷!」(路22:42) 可了解祂當時的矛盾和恐懼。换着是我,我一定逃跑了!誰那麼勇敢,那麼深信天主,無條件地實行天主的意願? 那一刻就只有耶穌。

    默想苦路,我們如何被感動?

    我成爲慕道者後,復活節再也不是小雞和朱古力,而在四旬期間,每天都緊記耶穌基督爲我們所付出的。我現在明白爲什麼我一位朋友說,從四旬期到復活主日,是她每年最emotional,最矛盾,最被感動的日子。

    主耶穌爲了救贖我們,承受痛苦,付出了生命,祂聖死和復活的奥蹟,銘記心中。

    2009年3月5日星期四

    Various things

    我好像真的做到了. 我原諒了神秘人. 雖然始终不知道他的身份, 可是...不重要啦. 以發生了,就讓它留在過去吧. 我需要向前走.

    今晚上課时, 念了那麼多次"天主經", 慢慢明白了"求你寬恕我們的罪過,如同我們寬恕別人一樣"的意義. 當我决定寬恕, 而覺得真的做到时, 忽然覺得整個人輕鬆了很多! 原來寬恕別人也讓自己好過一點.

    其他的update...這幾天不断摇電話給懷孕的女孩, 可是她一直不開手机. 我希望我没給她無型的壓力. 但很可惜, 墮胎診所的医生昨天打電話來, 說女孩已经把胎兒打掉了. 我不知道這是否上天的安排呢...? 我只知道自己需要更努力去照顧她.

    今晚Frankie提及到無條件的愛. 你們知道我在那裡常常感受到嗎? 在加拿大红十字會捐血时! 每次的經歷都是很漂亮的, 在那裡每個人都很nice, 而你知道每個捐贈者都是特别抽出自己的时間來為别人作出奉献, 這地方就是充满了愛! 我提議你們都嘗試一下, 你流走的血會换回來满心的愛!

    2009年3月4日星期三

    Stations of the Cross & Suffering 苦路與痛苦


    Suffering is the preparation of happiness. Without pain, you can never learn joy.
    痛苦是為喜樂作準備。不知苦,那懂樂。

    _______________________________________________________

    Note and assignment for this week
    今週筆記與功課

    2009年3月3日星期二

    Hosanna 賀三納

    默西亞榮進耶路撒冷

    瑪竇福音
    第二十一章
    8. 很多群眾,把自己的外衣舖在路上,還有些人從樹上砍下樹枝來,撒在路上。
    9. 前行後隨的群眾喊說: 「賀三納於達味之子! 因上主之名而來的,當受讚頌! 賀三納於至高之天。」
    10. 當耶穌進入耶路撒冷的時候,全城哄動,說:「這人是誰?」
    11. 群眾說:「這是加利肋亞納匝肋的先知耶穌。 」

    路加福音
    第十九章
    39. 人群人有幾個法利塞人對耶穌說:「師傅,責斥你的門徒罷!」
    40. 耶穌回答說:「我告訴你們:這些人若不作聲,石頭就要喊叫了!」





    Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Hosanna
    Hey JC, JC won't you smile at me?
    Sanna Hosanna
    Hey Superstar

    Tell the rabble to be quiet, we anticipate a riot.
    This common crowd, is much too loud.
    Tell the mob who sing your song that they are fools and they are wrong.
    They are a curse. They should disperse.

    Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Hosanna
    Hey JC, JC you're alright by me
    Sanna Hosanna
    Hey Superstar

    Why waste your breath moaning at the crowd?
    Nothing can be done to stop the shouting.
    If every tongue were stilled
    The noise would still continue.
    The rocks and stone themselves would start to sing:

    Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Hosanna

    Hey JC, JC won't you fight for me?
    Sanna Hosanna Hey Superstar

    Sing me your songs,
    But not for me alone.
    Sing out for yourselves,
    For you are bless-ed.
    There is not one of you
    Who can not win the kingdom.
    The slow, the suffering,
    The quick, the dead.

    Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
    Hey Sanna Hosanna

    Hey JC, JC won't you die for me?
    Sanna Hosanna Hey Superstar

    2009年3月1日星期日

    奇怪的事情

    想跟你們分享一件很奇怪的事, 它讓我煩了好幾天...

    我很向往在blog寫作, 也謝謝各位的回應. 其實當初寫blog时有點害怕, 因爲要抛開安全感, 把心底裡的說話講出來, 但既然大家都走在同一信仰道路上, 由陌生人慢慢變成朋友, 我明白這是天主賜的缘分, 那…公開自己, 分享一下也不用怕吧.

    很可惜, 就是我寫了blog, 带給我一些麻煩. 記得我曾經在blog寫過, 我不太可以跟爸爸媽媽分享RCIA的事情, 這我也跟一個好朋友Katherine提及過. 但有一位神秘人, 看過我在blog的寫作後, 盗入我的電腦裡面, 偷看了我跟Katherine寫的電郵, 更找到我爸爸的電郵地址, 假扮Katherine寫了一封e-mail給他, 责罵他不好好地看女兒寫的文章, 不了解女兒在信仰上”漂亮的變化”, 這位神秘人還把我跟Katherine寫的電郵attach給我爸爸看. 爸爸收到e-mail後當然很生氣, 爸爸媽媽也因此跟我吵架, 讓我們的關係恶化了一陣子.

    神秘e-mail有幾個疑點, 讓我知道不是Katherine做的. 她也很老實地告訴我她没做過, 我相信這位好朋友. 那…是谁呢? 看blog的人不多, 也應該是關心我的人吧…

    神秘人偷看了我的電郵, 應該也看到我電腦裡面所有的東西. 被人侵犯的感覺很難受, 我難過了好幾天, 心神仿佛, 疑神疑鬼, 不敢用電腦, 工作也不専心, 老是想…是谁弄的惡作劇? 我開始懷疑身邊的每個人, 把朋友視為敵人, 任何人都不敢信.

    神秘人, 你令我很難過, 嫁禍給我朋友, 也給我家人麻煩, 你這樣做可能出自好心, 為我抱打不平, 但你偷盗的行為絕不能接受. 你犯了十戒中的第七戒, 你一定非常糟糕, 但這是你的問提, 而我再不想讓這成為我的問提了. 我只能做的就是把所有的密码更改, 嘗試不懷疑他人, 繼續我的生活. 本來不感再寫blog, 但我不想活在恐懼當中, 所以硬着頭皮也要把這些寫下來.

    如果你肯誠實地招供, 我會好過一些, 但我猜你永不會把迷底打開. 我要張這段心煩的事情告一段落.

    我知道我應該原諒你, 因為天主經告訴我們: “forgive those who trespass against us”. 慕道班也教我們遠離七罪宗, 所以我要嘗試不對你發怒, 這趟真的很難做到, 我需要慢慢學會. 可能這是天主要我上的一堂課吧. 天主, 求祢幫我做到!

    2009年2月26日星期四

    The Lord's Prayer 天主經



    Our Father
    Who art in heaven
    Hallowed be Thy name
    Thy kingdom come
    Thy will be done
    On earth as it is in heaven

    Give us this day our daily bread
    Forgive us our trespasses
    As we forgive them who trespass against us
    Forgive us our trespasses

    Our Lord lead us not into temptation
    But save us from evil
    And the kingdom, the power
    And the glory forever
    Will be Yours

    我們的天父,願你的名受顯揚;願你的國來臨;
    願你的旨意奉行在人間,如同在天上。
    求你今天賞給我們日用的食糧;
    求你寬恕我們的罪過,如同我們寬恕別人一樣;
    不要讓我們陷於誘惑;但救我們免於凶惡。
    天下萬國,普世權威,一切榮耀,永歸於祢
    亞孟。

    2009年2月25日星期三

    Lent 四旬期


    Prayer, Penitence, Almsgiving and Self-Denial
    祈禱、懺悔、施舍、克己
    _______________________________________________________
    Note for this week
    今週筆記

    2009年2月23日星期一

    RCIA - Rite of Election 甄選禮

    Location (地點):
    Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards St. Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3A3

    Date (日期):
    March 1st, 2009 (Sunday)

    Time (時間):
    2:30 pm


    View Larger Map

    If you go by yourself, please arrive at 1:45 pm.
    如自行駕車前往,請於一時四十五分到達。


    If you go by carpooling, please arrive at Garrison Court, Richmond at 12:30 pm, and follow the list below to get on the car assigned to you.
    如共乘汽車,請於十二時三十分在列治文Garrison Court集合,並按以下表格上車。

    Car #
    Driver
    Passengers
    1
    Daphne Tam
    Jessie, Jessie's God Mother, Alex
    2
    Keith Liu
    Lisa, Lisa's God Mother
    3
    Mella Sze
    Mella's God Mother, Joyce, Joyce's God Mother
    4
    Eric Tom
    Mink, Mink's God Mother


    View Larger Map

    2009年2月22日星期日

    愛的行動

    當你知道別人的需要後,你會作出行動嗎?

    謝謝Eric昨天的提點. 今天神父也有提及到, 用愛作出行動, 就是堅固我們信仰的橋梁.

    Mother Teresa曾經説, 我們要知道谁是貧窮, 知道後便應作出選擇去幫助他們. 貧窮不一定是金錢上有需要, 可能是生理, 心理, 或靈魂上有所求. 不要等他們開口, 因為貧窮的人亦有自尊, 你先要作出行動, 踏出愛的第一步. 你得到的永遠比你付出的多一千倍, 一萬倍.

    付出...這是愛的基礎. 愛是不懒惰, 没保留. 愛護别人不能要求方便自己.

    今天在聖堂时, 想起這些東西, 亦突然想起那位懷孕的女孩, 我問自己, 我盡了我所能嗎? 聽到神父的説話, 我的心"囉囉亂", 下午便决定開車到診所拿她的電話号碼, 打電話問候她. 她當然嚇了一跳. 提及到她的抉擇, 她告訴我她還在想. 我知道她其實很害怕, 她自己也承認, 我便盡量跟她談, 解答她的問题. 我告訴她, "你不用担心你没能力, 你一定做得到, 不然我不會特别打電話鼓勵你. 我知你是一时不小心, 但既然上天賜給你這份禮物, 你就不要放棄. 我從來没認識到後悔生BB的媽媽, 只看過後悔堕胎的人. 我很疼你, 我不想你行差踏錯." 她對我說, "医生, 你星期天打電話給我, 我知你一定很疼我. 其實有點舍不得, 可是我真的害怕我做不到." 我又再一次勸她, "你害怕的是轉變. 没有人能预测未來, 而面臨巨大的改變是很恐怖的, 可是你不要小看了自己, 你能當一個好媽媽, 而你身邊亦有很多人支持你, 再難行的路也陪你走, 包括我." 我忍不住落淚了. (上主, 當医生的我本來很堅硬的嘛, 爲什麽祢把我溶化成泥漿呢?) 女孩的聲音也有點抖震, 希望她明白那是鼓勵的說話而不是壓力.

    朋友們, 請為這位女孩子及她肚裡的婴兒祈禱. 我希望在十月中, 女孩能見証到生命的寶貴, 上主的愛.

    2009年2月21日星期六

    常年期第七主日

    馬爾谷福音 第二章1-12
    1. 過了一些日子,耶穌又進了葛法翁,人聽說他在家裏,
    2. 就聚來了許多人,以致連門前也不能再容納,他就對他們講道。
    3. 那時,有人帶著一個癱子到他這裏來,由四個人抬著;
    4. 但因為人眾多,不能送到他面前,就在耶穌所在之處,拆開了房頂;拆穿之後,把床縋下去,癱子在上面躺著。
    5. 耶穌一見他們的信心,就對癱子說:「孩子! 你的罪赦了。」
    6. 那時,有幾個經師坐在那裏,心裏忖度說:
    7. 「怎麼這人這樣說話呢﹖他說了褻瀆的話;除了天主一個外,誰能赦罪呢﹖」
    8. 耶穌憑自己的神力,即刻認透了他們私自這樣忖度,遂向他們說:「你們心中為什麼這樣忖度呢﹖
    9. 什麼比較容易呢﹖是對癱子說:你的罪赦了;還是說:起來,拿你的床走﹖
    10. 但為叫你們知道:人子在地上有權柄赦罪──遂對癱子說:
    11. 我給你說:起來,拿你的床,回家去罷!」
    12. 那人遂起來,立刻拿起床,當著眾人的面走出去了,以致眾人大為驚愕,遂光榮天主說:「我們從未見過這樣的事!」

    我曾為誰感動過?感動以外還有甚麼?
    3-4 這個癱子的需要感動了他的朋友,使他們有所行動,帶他到耶穌那裡去。當你知道別人的需要後,你會作出行動嗎?許多人都有身體上和屬靈上的需要,一些是你一個人就能去解決的,一些則需要其他人一同幫忙。癱子的需要使這四個人作出行動,就如Daphne 在上一編文章『好的分享』中,病人的需要感動了她使她作出憐憫的行動,這個行動讓別人感受到天主的愛,然後决定歸依天主了,多麼的美麗呀! 就讓別人的需要也叫你作出憐憫的行動吧。

    猶太人經師對耶穌的認識不正確,錯失了在耶穌裡的豐盛;我又如何?
    5-7 耶穌一見他們的信心,就對癱子說:「孩子! 你的罪赦了。」猶太領袖認為,聲稱自己做到只有天主才可以做的事就是褻瀆神,根據律法,這是死罪(肋未紀24:15-16)。
      耶穌宣稱自己有神的赦罪權柄,宗教領袖沒有誤解祂的話,卻下了錯誤的判斷。耶穌沒有褻瀆天主,祂所說的是事實。耶穌是天主子,祂藉著治好這個癱子,證實自己的宣告是真的

    好的分享

    不好意思...跟你們講的都是工作上不太好的經歷, 其實當医生也常常遇上一些正面和動人的故事. 今天跟朋友提及到一個, 现在想跟你們分享一下.

    去年, 有一位男仕跟太太來看医生, 他要求我幫他量一下血压. 其實他自己有医生的, 可是他的医生太有名吧, 病人老是要等一两個小时才看到他, 也没有那麽多时間回答病人的問题, 干脆量一下血压就算了.

    其實這位男仕有很多問题, 他想知道為什麽他血压高, 是不是有其他的問题, 需要做其他的檢查吗? 在医生的角度裡, 高血压不是大問题, 可是對病人来說, 健康是寶贵的, 當然想搞清楚到底是怎样一回事. 我终於花了很多时間(大概幾個月), 帮他做了許多检查, 一一解答他的問题, 讓他再也不用那麽紧张. 有一天, 他竟然問我, "医生, 你有信仰的吗?" 我告訴他我是天主教的. 他然後説, "我覺得你很用心地照顧我和家人, 跟普通医生好像不一樣." 我拍一下他的肩膀説, "照顧你們是我的工作, 也是我的福份". 那一刻, 他流淚了. 其實不用多講, 我覺得他已感受到天主的愛. 我在一張纸上冩下"Philippians 4:13"給他, 叫他回家看.

    三個月後, 他回来看我, 告訴我他已回到教會了, 我多高興! 他説, 小时候聽神父講過天主的愛, 可是一直感受不到, 還跟他妈妈"拜神", 直到那一天我感動了他, 他的心屝才被打開, 然後决定歸依天主了. 他也告訴我, 他閲讀了金句, 還跟我分享感想!

    以後他每次来看病, 我都會冩一個章節的"密码"給他, 他便下一次来的时候跟我分享一下. 多感動, 讓多一個人接近天主了.

    2009年2月20日星期五

    Follow up

    The girl came in today. She decided to terminate the pregnancy. I spent some time talking with her, trying to make her understand that it is a life inside her body. Of course she already knows that, but she thinks her own life is more important. Before I could say anymore, she dashed out the door. I've never seen anyone leave so fast. Needless to say where she was heading...

    As physicians, we see a lot of selfish behavior. If somebody wants something, they will try anything to get it -- from unnecessary antibiotics, to unnecessary tests and scans, to whatever they fancy just to suit their own lifestyle or convenience. I once had a complaint from a patient that I don't work on Sundays. In the girl's case, she is selfish about maintaining her own lifestyle.

    We must reflect on our own behavior frequently and reject this kind of selfishness. If we get lazy about it, we will slide down that slippery slope and soon forget about the virtues and values in life. I know there has been some criticism on how the Catholic church focuses too much on sins. Some Christian denominations in the U.S. have chosen to focus more on love instead of sins because it comes across as more positive. But hey, if you think about it, we DO sin a LOT! It's just that in modern times, we have tailored the concept of sin to fit our increasingly busy lives. What should be sins may not be so bad anymore, in our eyes, because we want it that way...but God never said it's OK.

    Well, I'm sure I will see that girl again. I cannot and should not judge her. As her physician, I have the duty to - and will - take care of her as best as I can. As a fellow human being, I have to respect her. As a Catholic, I have to love her unconditionally, no matter how she chooses to live her life. Hopefully one day, she will learn to value life more.

    2009年2月18日星期三

    2009年2月17日星期二

    Choice on Life

    A 20 year old patient came to me today and told me she got pregnant. She asked me what she should do, and she immediately followed that question with another one, "where do I get an abortion?" I asked her if she has considered keeping the baby, and her eyes popped. She then nodded her head. She told me, of course she has considered her options -- there are only two, termination or continuation of the pregnancy. But she thought that the obvious & logical choice would be termination. She didn't think that anyone would even mention the alternative.

    I talked to her for a very long time. As her physician, I have to inform her on all the details and the possible outcomes of either scenario. I have also asked her to go home and think long and hard about this, because I don't want her to think of this as something that can be easily taken care of like a sore throat. Finally, I asked her to talk to her family, in addition to her boyfriend, because at such a young age, it will involve everyone in her life. She may very well go it alone as a single mom and would need all the support she can get from her family.

    I am glad that I brought up the option of keeping the baby. It seems that she never thought it was a feasible option. Now she knows she has a choice. She is going to tell me her decision on Friday. Whatever her decision ends up being, I hope she has gained some insight into the value of life.

    2009年2月16日星期一

    Cry, Prayer and Time

    In yesterday sharing, we talked about how to comfort a person with loss of a beloved one. Based on someone’s experience, no matter how many times you talk to others with sympathetic ears to listen, the most effective cure is still time. The pain of losing someone you love will be part of your life, and it will live inside your heart forever. Cry, prayer and time are always medicine to relieve pain.

    2009年2月15日星期日

    選擇

    今天神父(Monsignor Jenkins)的sermon很有意思 -- 他講及“選擇”. 福音提及痲瘋病人給耶穌一個選擇去醫治他, 耶穌亦選擇了讓病人病癒. 神父説我們亦要作出選擇, 他説天主已選擇了愛我們, 而我們需要選擇去接受祂那份愛.

    神父提及到選擇的privilege和responsibility. 我在網上翻译了privilege (hehe, 因为小妹的中文較差…), 得到的是"特權", 好像有點不對, 應該說privilege是直着天主的恩寵, 使我們有可以選擇的勸利吧. 而responsibility當然是責任, 我們選擇接受天主的責任, 就是做一個虔誠的天主教徒.

    我又想 (哈哈…好像最近好多嘢想!), 我日常生活中的責任是甚麼呢? 應該是...做每一件事之前先作一個選擇吧 -- 應該是愛的選擇. 記得我曾在RCIA功課寫過, "用心和愛對待别人, 等於用心和愛對待天主". (盧校長, 我今次没有寫錯字啦!) 常常提自己要這样做, 可是講就容易做就难, 时不时就犯了七罪宗其中一條!

    不過, 前天終於成功地作出了一個選擇了. 星期四晚上, 我花了两小时幫一位癌症病人寫份医療报告, 幫她向保险公司申請因病休假的支助, 收她$20. 寫這份那麽長的报告本来值$200, 收她$20是象徵式, 但她星期五来拿报告时, 竟然罵我! 連她兒子也”媽媽叉叉”, 説医生是為人民服務, 不應該收费. 我本来想發火, 覺得"好唔抵", 可是忽然想起...愛, 我便選擇了忍住脾氣, 笑眯眯地説, "对不起, 报告要收$20". 她抛下錢, 氣冲冲地離開. (心想, 她還可以那麽氣冲, 都好, 不是病得那麽厉害!) 居然一小时後, 她打電話来道歉, 可能想通了吧, 幸好我没有發脾氣, 否则會破壞我跟她的關係!

    其實我們每天都有很多選擇的機會, 開車时有人想轉lane, 你選擇給他入嗎? 迎面看到陌生人, 你選擇露出笑容嗎? St. Theresa 説得對, 小事情也可能充满意思的, 微不足道的小選擇, 也可以代表了愛, 亦代表你選擇了天主.

    2009年2月14日星期六

    情人節的感想

    情人節快樂!

    今天想起你們! 轉眼間我們的學期以過了一半, 很快我們就不會每星期見面, 想起來真的有點舍不得!

    我很感激有這個blog (谢谢 Keith!!), 觉得蛮有意思, 也邀请了幾位屬天主教的朋友和家人看看這個website. 朋友們没說甚麽, 反而弟弟看完後, 來e-mail說, "你怎能冩出那麼stupid的東西!" 今天跟爸爸妈妈聊天時, 也給他們笑到面都黄. 可能他們觉得心中的說話無须跟他人分享, 說出來很肉麻吧. 在blog寫作, 我一點也没有"面蒙", 反而有點失望不能跟最親的人分享從道理班得到的心得和快樂.

    在家中我是最後一個confirm, 奇怪的是决定报讀RCIA時, 家人反而有點反對! 他們觉得多餘吧, 为什么要學道理? 信天主, 参加彌撒便够了. 我也知道他們很怕"神佬,神婆", 所以我在RCIA學回來的, 一句也不能提. 很可惜... 家人每星期日都去聖堂, 可是他們明白天主的愛不只在聖堂裡, 而在我們每一天的生命裡嗎? 他們明白愛上主, 就要在行为上儘量愛他人嗎? 不知道他們星期一到六想些甚麽呢?

    哗...如果給他們知道我這样冩, 我一定很糟糕! 可是他們也不会再看這個blog啦. 哎, 只想他們明白, 天主的愛, 無所不在, 每天都是情人節. 可是, 你不去了解你的情人, 又怎能體会那份愛呢?

    Happy Valentine's Day


    2009年2月12日星期四

    常年期第六主日 2/15/09

    馬爾谷福音 第一章 40-45
    40. 有一個癩病人來到耶穌跟前,跪下求他說:「你若願意,就能潔淨我。」
    41. 耶穌動了憐憫的心,就伸手撫摸他,向他說:「我願意,你潔淨了罷!
    42. 癩病立時脫離了他,他就潔淨了。
    43. 然後耶穌嚴厲警告他,立即催他走,
    44. 並向他說:「當心! 什麼也不可告訴人,但去叫司祭檢驗你,並為你的潔淨,奉獻梅瑟所規定的,給他們 當作證據。 」
    45. 但那人一出去,便開始極力宣揚,把這事傳揚開了,以致耶穌不能再公然進城,只好留在外邊荒野的地方;但人們卻從各處到他跟前來。

    癩病,即是痳瘋病,在聖經中猶太人視為不潔的疾病,肋未紀十三和十四章記載了有關癩病的一切規定。誰如果不幸染上癩病,就相當於一個「活死人」(戶十二12);因此,他如果被治癒,就有如由死人中復活。肋十三45規定癩病人「要穿撕裂的衣服,披頭散髮,將口唇遮住,並且喊說『不潔!不潔!』」有關潔淨的法律主要是宗教禮儀方面的,因為以色列人自認為天主特選的潔淨的人民。癩病人由於被宣告為不潔,便被禁止參與任何宗教禮儀。任何人若和癩病人有所接觸,也會被「感染」而成為不潔的,因此患病者都被逐出社會團體之外。有些人甚至向痲瘋病人擲石,好與他們保持距離,反而耶穌卻伸手摸這個痲瘋病人,顯示祂病苦者充滿憐憫之心,對尋求援助的人,祂都願意給予救助。這個故事同時也啟發天主子民對於「潔淨」產生新的了解:耶穌不但不會經由接觸而感染不潔,相反的,任何人若能和祂接觸,便都成為了潔淨的人。在經文中那個癩病人跪下求他說了一句:「你若願意,就能潔淨我。」這是信德的表現,因著他對主的信賴,主- 動了憐憫的心就把他治癒了,同時,也證實祂行了一個偉大的神蹟。

    人的真正價值不是形於外,而是在於內的。雖然人的身體可能會有疾病或殘障,但人的價值在神眼中絲毫不減。神不會嫌某人太討厭而遠離他。其實,我們全都是“痲瘋病人”,罪使我們都變了形。然而,神差遣祂的兒子耶穌撫摸我們,醫治我們。

    請各位兄弟姊妹即極回應發表意見,你們的回應就是我們發帖的動力。

    金句

    2/11/09
    瑪竇福音 第十六章 26. 人縱然賺得了全世界,卻賠上了自己的靈魂,為他有什麼益處? 或者,人還能拿什麼作為自己靈魂的代價?
    2/11/09
    出谷紀 第十五章 26. 上主說:「你若誠心聽從上主你天主的話,行他眼中視為正義的事,服從他的命令,遵守他的一切法律,我決不把加於埃及人的災殃,加於你們,因為我是醫治你的上主。」
    1/28/09
    瑪竇福音 第十六章 26. 人縱然賺得了全世界,卻賠上了自己的靈魂,為他有什麼益處? 或者,人還能拿什麼作為自己靈魂的代價?
    1/21/09
    羅馬人書 第五章 8. 但是,基督在我們還是罪人的時候,就為我們死了, 這證明了天主怎樣愛我們。
    12/3/08
    瑪竇福音 第二十五章 40. 君王便回答他門說:我實在告訴你們:凡你們對我這些最小兄弟中的一個所做的,就是對我做的。*

    創世紀 第六章 17. 看我要使洪水在地上氾濫,消滅天下一切有生氣的血肉;凡地上所有的都要滅亡。
    11/26/08
    得撒洛尼前書 第五章 16. 應常歡樂,17. 不斷禱告,18. 事事感謝:這就是天主在基督耶穌內對你們所有的旨意。
    11/19/08
    格林多前書 第十五章 14. 假如基督沒有復活,那麼,我們的宣講便是空的,你們的信仰也是空的。
    17. 如果基督沒有復活,你們的信仰便是假的, 你們還是在罪惡中。
    11/19/08
    瑪竇福音 第一章 23. 「看,一位貞女,將懷孕生子,人將稱衪的名字為厄瑪奴耳,意思是:天主與我們同在。
    11/12/08
    若望福音 第十五章 4. 你們住在我內,我也住在你們內。正如枝條若不留在葡萄樹上,憑自己不能結實;你們若不住在我內,也一無所能。
    11/5/08
    路加福音 第十三章 3. 不是的。我告訴你們:如果你們不悔改,你們都要同樣喪亡。
    10/29/08
    瑪竇福音 第二十八章 20. 教訓他們遵守我所吩咐你們的一切。看!我同你們天天在一起,直到今世的終結。」
    10/22/08
    路加福音 第三章 22. 聖神藉著一個形像,如同鴿子,降在衪上邊;並有聲音從天上說:「你是我的愛子,我因你喜悅。」
    10/15/08
    路加福音 第二章 14. 「天主受享光榮於高天,主愛的人在世享平安。」
    10/8/08
    創世紀 第二十二章 14. 亞巴郎給那地方起名叫「上主自會照料。」直到今日人還說:「在山上,上主自會照料。」

    各位兄弟姊妹如發現以上金句有錯或遺漏請告知小弟 !!!