Finding meaning in our sufferings

To everything, there is a season - a time for everything. And more specifically, everything will take place in God's time. And as history taught us, God works in mysterious ways. I learn to accept the beauty in the mystery of the Eucharist, the "clashing" of the visible (Mass) and the invisible (Jesus and the Heavenly choir). All these are gifts of faith, hope and love.

In these trying times, I find the Masses to be more and more meaningful, as it is a reminder for us, the believers, of God's love for us and Jesus' Divine Mercy. It gives me meaning in this life filled with false hopes. How to find meaning in our suffering?

It is not easy to carry our own crosses of daily life. Sometimes we become burnouts, we lose hope. That is when we must turn our gaze back to the cross of Jesus Christ. He is our model - to carry our crosses willingly and to do the will of God our Father.

One such Saint who can relate was St Josemaria Escriva. He is the saint of ordinary life. Sure, we have small crosses to carry, too. But when we sweep those under the carpet, one by one, those small crosses will carry a burden like a volcano ready to explode.

St Josemaria Escriva: "The supernatural value of our life does not depend on accomplishing great undertakings suggested to us by our overactive imagination. Rather it is to be found in the faithful acceptance of God's will, in welcoming generously the opportunities for small, daily sacrifices."

I am well aware that it is not June 26 now, but I find St Josemaria to be a fitting role model, for myself at least, in my struggle to fight the good fight and to offer my sufferings to God as sacrifice, for the salvation of souls, and the conversion of sinners, including myself.

When I said "to everything there is a season" in the very beginning of this blog entry, I mean to say that I am rediscovering the significance of St Josemaria Escriva has on my life. This is so through the rediscovery of an old DVD lying in the shelf at my house. I turned it on, and immediately felt the need to write this down, as the movie "There Be Dragons" directed by Roland Joffe has inspired me to write this entry ASAP, lest I forget the core message I received from the movie: To accept suffering as my share in the passion of Christ.

To God be the glory!

Till the next entry, God bless us, everyone.

BN-Umno define a Malaysian?

You want to know one of my pet peeves? When people say that you are only a citizen of a country if you are of a certain party. Malaysia, for example, seems to be stuck on that "ideal".

Malaysia has been under the same government since Malaya's Independence on Aug 31, 1957 - the Barisan Nasional and Umno coalition. While I am grateful for being part of the "greater Malaysia" after Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya in 1963, I am disappointed that there are some really diehard supporters of BN-Umno coalition who get so "jilted" when I say I support the opposition. These diehards become so defensive to the point of saying I am a "traitor" of the country.

Take this screenshot of comments from YouTube for example, on the recent "Sang Saka Malaya" flag incident during the National Day event in Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur:

Note the last two comments: "miss ira" accused opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of inciting the incident, whereas "azhar atan" claims that "many people" have quit PKR (opposition party) because they deemed the opposition supporters as "traitors". In no way does Anwar support the acts of defacing the Malaysian flag, he'd know better than that. Yet these people call opposition supporters as "traitors".

The video shows an Indian-looking man grabbing the "controversial" flag then pointing at the right Malaysian flag - the Jalur Gemilang. For those of you who are in the dark over this incident, read "Hisham Rais defends the Sang Saka Malaya flag".

Don't get me wrong, I have all due respect for the country and King, including the Malaysian flag. But hey, the country is not all about BN-Umno. People move on. You can't control who people want as their leader. If we as voters truly have our right to choose who to lead the country, then let us choose.

I really admire Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's speech when he said he is the Premier to ALL Australians, not just to those who voted for him, but also for those who did not vote for him:

Australian Premier Tony Abbott.

"A good government, a good government is one that governs for all Australians. Including those who haven't voted for it. A good government is one with a duty to help everyone to maximise his or her potential. Indigenous people. People with disabilities. And our forgotten families, as well as those who Menzies described as lifters, not leaners. We will not leave anyone behind." - Tony Abbott

However, here in Malaysia, it seems that the country only belongs to those who support or vote for BN-Umno. Does party define Malaysia or the people?  This has got to stop.

I will continue to support the opposition if the government continues to discard the voice of the minority. If they continue to play the race and religion cards. They may not admit it, but most of those in Umno deem themselves to be the "supreme race" of Malaysia. A Malay is born Muslim. And, the child has no say in it, until he or she dies. So much for religious freedom. It's not just the "supreme race" now, but also "supreme religion". I respect that the country's official religion is Islam. I won't question that.

But to force a non-Muslim person to convert to Islam for the sake of marriage is anything but religious freedom, which Malaysia claims to  practice. I become frustrated when a number of my relatives converted to Islam because of that.

I dream of a Malaysia that respects religion and race not just on the superficial level, but deep in the heart of every Malaysian who claim to have the "1Malaysia" spirit. I dream of a democratic Malaysia, where the leaders accept the decision of the voters, and not try to coerce them into voting you back into power just because you can't live without power, because of greed and personal agenda.

I will vote for a government that is just, clean and free. Don't let a party define you. Malaysia is not BN, Umno, PAS, PKR, DAP, LDP, Upko, PBS, SUPP and what not. Malaysia is the people. The leaders should serve the people, and not the other way round. Use the resources wisely, take care of the environment. Be diplomatic when talking on sensitive matters, and don't just say "get out of Malaysia" when you run out of facts to back your statement.

I am done writing for now. There will be more pet peeves, be it political or personal.

Till then, God bless us, everyone.