Mustard Seed

I'm Moving!!

2007-08-20T22:36:00.003+08:00

Alright folks, for all of you who had given me your ardent support by reading the posts here.. I thank You *applause please*. Now I'm moving to a new location at Wordpress.... No offence to the editors of blogspot, I have nothing against you guys, you have done a great job! Keep it up! :D I just wanted a fresh start, thus found my way over at WP. Please visit me at the address below, its not ready yet, give it a few days ya. Cheers!

The link can found at http://divinerhapsody.wordpress.com/.

Mad about something, think twice!

2007-08-20T21:23:00.000+08:00

There was once a little boy who had a bad temper. One day, his father thought of an idea, and gave the little a bag full of nails. The father advised him that every time when he lost his temper, he should hammer a nail into the back of the fence, which besiege the house they live. The first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learnt to control his anger (exhausted of all energy to flare up from hammering nails into the fence), the nuber of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled overtime.

The little boy discovered that it was easier to control his temper, than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally, the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and his father suggested that the little boy now pull out all the nails, one by one, for each day that he was able to control his temper. The days passed and the little boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father then took his little boy, precious son by the hand and led him to the fence, and he said, "you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same again. So when you are pissed, angry or flaring, saying things that hurt, will leave scars just like these holes here."

Anger leads to resentment. Scars are like cracks in the wall, which cannot be healed completely humanly/human works. No matter how much we make up, or allow time to pass, we can never fully heal the brokenness others have inflicted on us, or vice versa. Thus, when we realise we are nothing, and can be so fragile.... we sense the presence of someone greater above, who seem to understand our sufferings. And thus, we turn to this source of peace.

Left, Centre, Right??

2007-08-05T00:31:00.000+08:00

Recently, the Vatican reaffirmed the centrality of the Catholic Church in the Salvific plan of God. In the Statement, the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (CDF) describes the Protestant Churches not so much as to be called "churches", but ecclesial communities, and the Orthodox Churches not to be in full communion with the Catholic Church, and thus lack something in their condition as particular churches.

I wouldn't go into theological debates. If you want more information you can visit http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/
rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

However, I am not against the statement being issued. Not because I am a Catholic, but because of how rational and logical the statement is phrased.

It serves as a reminder for us Catholics of our stand in ecumenical dialogue. And mind you, this stand has never changed even since the era of the Protestant reformation in the 16th century.

I think that more Catholics either don't know or they forget about the stand of the Catholic Church. It is time for someone to speak up for the Chrch, and that will be the CDF. What happens when we declare officially our stand? People start criticising, issuing ego-crushing comments (uncalled-for comments), or slamming the Catholic Church. Is it wrong for us to state our official stand, or to serve a reminder for Catholics who are engaging in dialogue? Then so, why all these comments? Is it better to sweep things under the carpet, pretend there's nothing wrong, there's isn't any divisions, disagreements, differences between the 2 traditions(Catholic and Reformed), or is it better to explain our stand and clear any misunderstandings or misconstrue? Will this affect our relationship with each other? (that of course is based on how you interpret things)

I guess the mixed response from the Protestants stems from different views of authority than from the Catholics. While the former believes in Sola Scriptura, and Biblical authority, on the other hand, Catholics believes in the authority of Tradition, handed down by the Apostles and great Fathers/Popes of the Church, to this day. Scripture is part of Tradition.

Is our stand detrimental to the progress of Ecumenism?

In my opinion, I don't think so. Because logically speaking, ecumenism is never about comprising positions, being a yes-person and giving in to all sorts of differing opinions and descriptions of the Catholic faith. Ecumenism is not: I would like to make friends with you, and hence whatever you want, just speak your mind, I will talk to the Pope and we see how we can meets your wants.

I think its more an acknowledgement of similarities and DIFFERENCES that exist between differing traditions, and besides touching on the similiarities, we know that differences still persist, and an obstacle to UNTIY. We strive to unity, however, we respect our differences, and give each other space and freedom to lay out the tough topics at hand. In this way, we reach a greater understanding. An understanding that will help to reduce prejudice or detestation.

Ecumenism is also not equated to conversion. This is never the aim of Second Vatican Council. Instead it is to create a greater awareness of the Catholic faith, by presenting the faith to others and non-believers in a more accessible way, and possibly eradicate any myths,fables or misconception.

In conculsion, I personally feel that the CDC was right in proclaiming the centrality/primacy of the Catholic Church, partly is to ease confusion to non-believers who are seeking to know God through Christianity. And in this godless and post-modernistic world, someone has to proclaim the inconvenient and well-disliked truth against all odds, and that is the Catholic Church.

I'm back!

2007-07-16T18:58:00.001+08:00

I'm back to this blog! :)

Been some time I know.. I don't have much of the time and choice too.. tied down my my country's mandatory national service. But now I am done with my training phase.. hence have the time now to return to this blog

Now I will pen my thoughts and inspirations down here. I use this place to air my opinions.

Revived!

2007-07-06T23:34:00.000+08:00

Yes Folks, Watch out for this space in July.
Returning back in mid-July.

And btw, happy 07-07-07!! :)

The perfect number that can resemble God, and just nice, each of the 3 07s refer to each person in the Trinity.

Christmas Traditions part 1

2006-12-25T13:05:00.000+08:00

Christmas trees can be found almost anywhere, any size. For many people, the Christmas tree is only a seasonal decoration. To Christians, the evergreen tree represents a celebration of the renewal of life and hope at a time of dying. Its origin as a Christian symbol is actually a tradition derived from Germany in the 18th century, in a historical event. It was when St. Boniface was evangelizing the Germanic tribes, he chopped down their sacred oak, a symbol for their god, to prove the impotence of their god. Following that, St Boniface used the evergreen as a symbol of the eternity of the true God.
Nowadays, Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments, and along with a Christmas Tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with garlands and evergreen foliage, particularly holly and mistletoe. Although Christmas decorations, such as a tree, are considered secular in many parts of the world, the significance and origin is very much Christian.

Thoughts on Christmas Day

2006-12-25T11:56:00.000+08:00

Its the time of the year again, where malls and shops are packed with Christmas goodies and decorations.Discounts and offers aligned the displays, and the streets are flooded with the "Christmas feeling". Are we aware of what Christmas is all about? Perhaps we are too occupied with the Christmas errands such as shopping for gifts, flipping through catalogues for affordable Christmas turkeys or hams, or even adorning the homes to conform to the festive mood. In those hassles we had our hands full, have we forgotten about HM??

We have turned His birthday celebration into wild and merrymaking parties, tainted with drunkedness, ordies and fun. The scent/mood/tone of solemn, reverence and joyful anticipation for the Nativity of Our Lord seems to be forgotten. Parties seem fun, don't they? We drown ourselves down with food and liquor, temporary forgetting our daily tows, casting aside our beliefs, and exchnaging the great story of a Saviour's birth for goosips, cheap talk, laughter or even complaints, as if the day was just another day, except that it is a public holiday.

His deserved appearance in pictures, Nativity scenes or ornaments in our rooms seemed to be replaced by angel dolls, or even pixies, fairies, elves etc. It is as if the focus of the feast is for these creation of God. Can Jesus ever be substituted with an angel? His deserved attention and honour, but yet shopping for presents, and finding a gift for loved ones.

Aren't we insensitive to and forgetful about someone here? His birthday is only once a year but yet it has been to so much taken granted for. Each year passes by with the special Person being treated like a dejected beggar, though its because of that special Person, that we have this day.

Maybe we are too much influenced by the material and the secular world, that we have neglected our Christian roots and tradition. We like to travel along with the flow, dare not resist of go against the flow of the crowd, for fear of rejection and ridicule. We are willing to compromise our religion, our faith, so as not to "offend" others. This even to the extend of wishing each other "happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". If we don't stand up for what we believe in, to uphold the original and authentic meaning of Christmas, who will? In the end, only the devil will rejoice. We mustn't be cowards for it is truly a privilege and joy to be a Christian. We must proclaim and abide our faith and tradition, only then can we be a visible light of God's message to the world.

Have a Holy and Blessed Christmas!!

Notification!

2006-09-29T21:41:00.000+08:00

Dear Faithful Readers

Please note that due to military regimentation, I will not be able to maintain this blog for a while. I will return to maintain this blog from Dec 2006 onwards... meanwhile, you are encouraged to visit the other links provided along the sidebars. Thanks for the understanding, may God bless, and His peace be with you.

Matthew

Prayer for World Peace

2006-08-28T21:24:00.001+08:00

Dear fellow readers in Christ, we live in a difficult world today. We live in a world plaqued by hatred, unrest, anger and resentment. War, riots, crime seem to spring out from every corner of the Earth. We are in an era of strife and disharmony that may last for a long time. As we who profess ourselves as Christians should promote peace and harmony in wherever we are, in wherever status we are in. If we do not stand up for peace, who will? Here is a prayer from a hymn named "Let there be peace on earth". For those who know the tune can sing as a prayer, whereas fr those who do not, can recite it as a prayer. God Bless!

Let there be Peace

by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller, Circa 1955

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father,brothers all are we,

Let me walk with my brother,in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me,let this be the moment now.

With every step I take,let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace, eternally.

Let there be Peace on Earth,and let it begin with me.

Anger: A Short Story

2006-06-14T23:12:00.000+08:00

There was once a little boy, who had a bad temper.

His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that

every time he lost his temper,

he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driveen 37 nails into the fence.

Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his temper/anger,

the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to control his temper than

to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.

He told his father about it and the father suggusted that the boy

now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to control his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able

to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

He said, "you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.

The fence will never be the same.

When you say or do things in anger,

they leave scars just like these holes."

A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Eph 4:26-27

Hi!

2006-05-09T21:19:00.000+08:00

Welcome to Mustard Seed.
This is a web blog solely delicated to the Christian God.

Its a blog on conversion stories and encounters with the Divine.
Feel free to browse around, there are more to come soon.

The material in this web blog will be very Catholic and Orthodox, however it is open to all Christians of any denomination.