The LORD came and stood there,
and called as he had before," Samuel! Samuel!"
Samuel answered,
"Speak; your servant is listening."
1 Samuel 3: 10
I decided to go round Georgetown yesterday afternoon, visited Little India alone. As I was strolling along the many colorful and noisy Indian stalls, I came along the stall selling the famous samosa; I guess it was made famous by the heritage club? Anyway, this time round I make an effort to actually buy and try it for myself. And it was good! Nothing fancy or spectacular about the samosa- it was just a simply, home-i, street food.
Then 2 'putu mayong' sellers caught my attention; they were selling this Indian sweet dessert on motor cycles. Again, I had to have them as these days they are no longer widely sold conveniently at Penang's markets. As I was waiting for my packet of 'putu mayong' a homeless woman came up to me, begging me for cash to "buy things". She was rather rugged looking, dirty clothes, thin, chinese of origin, going from people to people begging and she spoke hokkien. For the first time in my life, I had to ignore a homeless, helpless human being.
Each year I will walk the streets with donations (from Church members and my own little money) looking for homeless poor people. I will sit and actually listen to their stories, as I pass on to them a bag consisting of various food items, some cash and some Holy Pictures as holy reminders.
This time round, I told myself I have to ignore this homeless poor woman in town. I did feel disgusted with my action, but perhaps it is time to be a little self-centred; to start looking after myself. Perhaps, I am wrong in this action as Jesus said, if we give food, drink, visit those in prisons, we are in fact ministering to Jesus himself in the person of the poor-needy. But, that is life. Don't we sometimes treat our enemies, neighbours and those we work with, the same way? I have seen enough of human weakness in the many years I served the Church (the people); occasions of pride, self-fishness, insincerity...You name it.
Maybe it is time for me to learn such 'yakky' skills so common in our society?
Each time I return home, church members I meet on the street or in shops will come up to me and greet me. Some, will express to me their sadness to see that Malaysia too is facing a decreasing number of Priests and Religious. Some told me their husbands have left the church- no longer practicing their Catholic Faith.
For me, I cannot do anything. The best I can do is to live my life in accordance with the Gospel, and with the help of Grace, hopefully my life can touch the lives of others; let this happen in God's time.
To those who expressed to me their disappointments of the current Church, all I can say is, "DO NOT FORGET TO PRAY". With prayer comes grace, when we ask we receive, and when we knock the door opens for us. "Pray, pray, pray", was the advice given by the Virgin Mary. Because by praying we are aware of our needs and we have the humility to seek God.
Thus, my friends, it is never easy in life to be like Samuel. Never easy to respond in the way Samuel responded when God called him in his sleep. At times Samuel's response of "Speak; your servant is listening" may not reflect the reality we live in? We may perhaps allow God to speak to us, but to have the courage to perform according to what God has spoken is never easy; it requires a firm Faith, Hope and Charity, a deep life giving relationship with God. And Samuel was one that was dedicated to the service of God, Samuel was given to God by his mother while he was still a baby.
PS: Please remember to pray for Br Kenneth of the Cross' ordination on 1st Oct in Klang.