"They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!"
John 20: 13
Sometime last week, I made use of Couscous. Couscous is an Italian, I will say a form of pasta, made from Durum Wheat; as you see in the picture above it is rough and is like pasta in the version of rice. My first time making and trying, at first it tasted too blend to my liking, but I started liking it after a few mouths full. I ate the couscous with chicken nuggets and stir-fry vegetable (had to start eating more vegies!!!). The box of couscous says that it can be added to fresh salad as well.
I wonder if any of us can "get it completely right?" I do at times wonder why the hell I want to be a religious priest? Why borther to go out there and preach the Gospel to people each day? Don't we enjoy just NOT KNOWING- and live life the way we want, like the Bible says, just sway to which ever direction the wind takes us??? Just like Mary Magdalene in today's Gospel, she did not know what had happened to the body of Jesus in the tomb! I paused at the moment when Mary was lost in the unknown; how nice I wondered to just live sometimes in the unknown?
Unfortunately, I must say for now the ways of the world has yet to capture my imagination. The ways of the world to my reflection is half-truths, self glorification, margelinizing others, arguements...Yes, hang on, I must admit that these too are present within the Church arthorities. So, can any of us "get it completely right?"
I was asked be a Commonwealth Bank Manager, I was there about 2 weeks ago and I must say a personal service is better than internet bank service! I was at the Commonwealth Bank branch in Brisbane CBD, and upon me touching my bum on their comfortable chair, here comes a nice person in apron asking me, "What do you like sir?" I asked for a hot chocolate with mashmallows! Anyway this lady manager, a Catholic from the Philippines asked me, "Why is western people looking at buddhism these days?"
A very relevant question! But, come on let us face reality. These differences does not only take place in the field of religion, they are present among each individual; we see it in families, we see these difference of opinions in the work place, in hypothesis made is science, in health. Each of us has a different idea, a different way of approaching the truth, a different understanding. Perhaps, this is why divorces happens, wars, persecution, corruptions...
What can I do then? For me, I strive to the best I can to be myself. God has touched my life, yes it is religion, and for now I will not give up living this touched from the Divine; many are asking me to give up and just live life in 'the world'. To me if I have found a Divine Truth I will not want to give that up. Afterall, we are a mortal being, and when I die I want to die in the Truth of God. I don't want to die clinging onto a man-made ideology of getting rich, having properties, serve yourself first before you help the poor, ect.
I do also think about, if in 10 to 20 years time I find that the priesthood is not my cup of tea, what will happen to me? For me I think I will hold on to the Words of the Bible, "I am with you till the end of time". Till today, I must admit God has never left me empty. Strange fact, and that is why God continues to amaze me! At least I am doing God's work now, because some people thinks that earn world money first then as one is about to die then do charity. Sorry, this does not make sense to me:( I rather save my heavenly money in heaven first, then before I die maybe I eat my many favourite foods:)
Each of us have our unique way of life. To those who aren't yet living a Christ-way of life, I hope someday soon they will discover the Truth and be enlightened by the Truth.
My new postal address in Western Australia is:
Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate
Kenneth Gan
PO Box 1028
Toodyay WA 6566
Friends please do keep in touch and I wish you the very best that life offers!