O Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil. As we begin the Lenten journey, make this season holy by our self-denial. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

adapted from International Committee on English in the Liturgy (via Verse and Voice)

There are two seasons which has a special place in my own spiritual journey.  The first is Advent, the other is Lent. Both seasons somehow concentrate my attention towards a climatic point, the two pictures that capture this climax is the cradle and the cross of Christ.

This is my first season of Lent away from my home country.  So, the Lenten journey opens up a a different possibility to reflect on the regular themes only in different geographical location, but also in a different spiritual location in this season of my life.

My connection back home to Malaysia, is primarily through the internet either on Facebook or reading the news and views online. A quick glance of the thoughts in So, why is Malaysia on the Human Rights Council again?, especially the following caught my attention:

The dialogue on human rights in this country has been strange and very often contradictory. It’s not for nothing that we have been accused of being “champions of double talk.” Consider the fact that time and again, our policymakers have repeated the line that human rights is solely a Western device not suited for Asian communities. A number of religious figures have even stated that human rights is not compatible with Islam, never mind that the Quran is in fact, when read and interpreted properly, chock-a- block full with the spirit and principles of human rights and justice. The Malaysian government has also argued that international standards of human rights are not applicable to Malaysia because of the over-emphasis on the rights of the individual as opposed to the rights of the community.

So why then are we on the Human Rights Council? Why did we make those pledges during the campaigning and lobbying to be elected for a seat (yes, Malaysia did work hard and made several pledges to be on this august group). Malaysia stated clearly as one of its pledges that it would “engage constructively in the evolving modalities of work of the HRC to make it a strong, fair, effective, efficient and credible vehicle for the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.” If Malaysia doesn’t believe in human rights as it is understood by the international community, why then continue to be a member of the HRC?

So my mind comes back to the opening utterance from the prayer:

O Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil.

In this season of Lent, our struggle against evil not only includes confronting the rights and wrongs  – good and evil within us so we can be an ‘Upright Human’, but this whole debate on ‘Human Rights’ alerts us to the struggle of right and wrong – good and evil outside of the comforts of computer screens and the solitude of our souls.

We are very well aware that when our ‘souls’ are corrupted by evil, this corruption is destructive to our ‘body’ life and our relations with other people, culture and even nature. I doubt it is that different when the ‘soul’ of a nation is corrupted by evil in and through self-deception, questionable intentions, methods of control, and a range of other expressions would in any way help the ‘body’ life of our society. The lines from the Lord’s Prayer is shouts aloud in the classic translation, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”.

So, as I enter this Lented journey as an individual, and together with a corporate body as a church both institutionally and organically, I wonder what this Lenten journey might mean for us in Malaysia as we are gearing towards what some have labeled as potentially the ‘filthiest’ general election in Malaysian history.

For me, my prayer is for all who are struggling against evil expressed in varied shapes and sizes – whether is corruption or a ‘dirty’ election.  This does not mean that when we pray this prayer everyone who is not like us are ‘demonized’, it’s a call to ALL to recognize the ‘war against evil’ is truly a struggle because no one is exempt from its temptation.

"You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities." - Psalm 51:6-9

The media, violence and partnership

20 October 2010 | By Vinoth Ramachandra

Recently we saw a pitiful demonstration of the power of the Internet, coupled with the way global media corporations love to promote religious extremists. Why did the media seize on the words of an obscure, sectarian pastor of an unknown Florida church with less than 50 members and broadcast it… Continue Reading

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Do we need another skyscraper?

20 October 2010 | By Allen Tan

Finance Minister cum Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has tabled the 2011 budget. It amounts to RM212 billion which is the highest ever in Malaysian history. Unfortunately with the huge sum of money to be spent, it does not benefit the people at large. Does Najib have the… Continue Reading

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The need for the wounded to forgive (Part 2)

18 October 2010 | By Peter Young

B FORGIVING THOSE WHO HAVE WOUNDED US (cont’d) a. The reason to forgive We have already dealt with this and it can be summed up in the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:14 – 15 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will…Continue Reading

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Rising above ground, self and country

15 October 2010 | By Goh Keat Peng

The story of the restoration of the thirty-three trapped miners to their loved ones will live long in our memories and be amongst inspirational human stories which tug at our hearts and give us courage and encouragement in times of frail nerves and hopeless thoughts. The odds of being given… Continue Reading

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Managing change

11 October 2010 | By TK Tan

Someone, in writing about “managing change,” made the point that when change is first envisioned it is usually in very broad idealistic terms. That vision needs to be broken down into manageable stages with goals that are more realistic and have a shorter time frame. The point is that a… Continue Reading

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The need for the wounded to forgive (part 1)

11 October 2010 | By Peter Young

When we have been wounded, whom do we need to forgive? A FORGIVING GOD? When we face a family or personal crisis (such as criminal attacks, accidents, disease or disability, marriage failure, redundancy, natural disasters, etc), it is tempting to blame God for allowing such events to take place. If… Continue Reading

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On Muhyiddin, ants and flames

11 October 2010 | By Rama Ramanathan

Should churches (and mosques and temples) accept money offered by the government? Government income includes taxes paid by gambling companies. Government income includes taxes paid by tobacco companies. Government income includes taxes paid by alcohol companies. Most “religious people” frown upon gambling, smoking and drunken-ness. So should religious groups accept… Continue Reading

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HUMILITY, a word related to humus, which means “the earth,” is the notion of being grounded in the reality of who one is before God; it is God who is in charge of our lives — not the other way around.

- Daniel Wolpert
Creating a Life with God

~ God In Charge

Just when you think you have every thing under control, history springs you a surprise! As a person of faith, I’d attribute it to God’s initiative. I was probably more than ready to fly into the sky only to be brought to the ground in a good way.

Besides, the earthy bit which is where “humus” comes in. There’s also a humorous flavor to my life. For me, humility comes together very much which God’s humor. The laugh is our way of admitting the futility of the drive for control as fragile human beings.

It’s good medicine too, when so much around us can be toxic.

Some people tend to associate humility with a kind of seriousness that misses the whole incarnational earthiness which it’s truly rooted in. Being grounded is not about being stiff and inflexible, it’s about knowing who is in charge.

Submitting to God’s leadership – or “in-charge-ness” is less about robotic unthinking obedience, but rather more about relational trusting obedience out of surrendering to the freedom that we can’t fix everything, and chart anything by our own schemings.

It’s humbling. That’s the point. God is God, I am not. I’m glad I’m not.

If I have ever neglected Sacred Space and make a return, I’m always delighted by a needed surprise. Today it is the following:

The catechism definition of prayer is useful: the raising of the heart and mind to God. Not that we need a definition. Prayer is something we do in our own way. We breathe, smile and metabolise food, without defining the operations; so too with prayer. But we can consciously put ourselves in the way of prayer.

Quieten the body: one traditional method is to sit with the backbone straight, from your bottom to the top of your head, the eyes half-closed, the breathing slow and easy, the hands on your lap with the palms facing upwards in openness to God�s gifts. Then we aim to become present to God as God is always present to us. God has ears to listen to what our heart is saying.

I just sat up straight and started the process like I’m learning it from the beginning. This simple practice has helped me keep my sanity in my often insane schedule and life. Beyond the spiritual exercise, it’s the confidence that God is present and I’m actually in communication (and better in communion) with the divine.

The nice thing about being in a conference is the rhythm of a schedule.  I don’t need to worry what is going to happen next.

The conversations during the meal times are usually unexpected and interesting. So far, I found myself engaged in topics such as young adults today, the ups and downs of secondary schools, the issue of land and church buildings, and of course, the regular toppings on politics and the current climate we are in.

Good to be reminded that God not only worked in the past, and revealed himself in the past, he continues to do so today in the life experience and history of today.  I’m listening to a series of examples in a community like what we read in Exodus, and also in a person like Job. This is also found in the New Testament, and the scripture reading for today included the letter to the Ephesians.

Oh yes, I need to spend some time on Ephesians.  I’m a little overdue for my proper “solitude” day.

So I wonder how does God manifest himself in our day to day life today?  How does God show himself even through people whom we consider “unable” to perceive God or not the “chosen people”?

Obviously, there are examples to clearly in the scriptures that God showed up in the lives of the non-privileged groups. “God’s revelation is not frozen” has been one phrase repeated thus far.

back to some random thoughts.

It’s always nice to see the variety of church leaders in a context like this.  Bishops in their purple, Salvation Army leaders in their uniform, those from the Orthodox tradition with their cassocks, some in batik, and me?  I’m happy with jeans and I’ll put on a collar later (it’s comfortable)!

I realized so often while we may not like it, we tend towards what Luther calls “the Law” – what we should or shouldn’t do, what we have or have not done.  A lot of our discourse also can be captured by the phrase the “paralysis of analysis”. The tendency towards raising questions (which is great) but I wonder whether so much of it, it’s actually disempowering.

The seeds of transformation to me seems to be sown and later will grow in the midst of discourse which is “creative” and even “playful”.  Break out of our polarities a bit, or come out of our boxes, and a surge of energy oozes out.  But of course, there’s also the ground experience is that we won’t see transformation happen speedily.  I do think however, that this “experimental” and “open” space is crucial because if not we’ll be bogged down by “analysis”.

I’m  learning more and more the need for deep analysis, as well as more detailed thinking.  But only when it’s backed by more free wheeling explorations of possibilities, that we can break free from the past. 

Since, the Bible study is about God still manifesting himself  himself past and present. So, he shows up as we analyze the past and present, and he also shows up from the future helping us to relook at the past and present. 

I think the coffee is finally kicking in. The Bible study is probably coming to an end.  And we’ll have another long day.

It’s good to return to Parker Palmer’s book, A Hidden Wholeness the last couple of days.  How often we start reading a book without finishing it and  then return to it later to devour its treasures.

What has been lingering in my mind since resuming my reading has been the whole idea of “the Empty Self”. 

The contrast which Palmer draws with reference to “Secularism” (which focuses on the self as a “social construct”) and “Moralism” (with is focus on “selfishness”) has been most helpful.  Perhaps a quote to let us hear him out, he obviously wants to move deeper and beyond this polarity:

I have met too many people who suffer from an empty self.  They have a bottomless pit where their identity should be – an inner void they try to fill with competitive success, consumerism, sexism, racism, or anything that might give them the illusion of being better than others.  We embrace attitudes and practices such as these not because we regard ourselves superior but because we have no sense of self at all.  Putting others down becomes a path to identity, a path we would not need to walk if we knew who we were. (p.38)

In Malaysia, we’ve been bombarded in public discourse on the superiority of race.  Either all out in the open, or secretly in private conversation.  I’ve read it in the news, and I’ve heard it over coffee. Just when we think it’s the problem of some supremacist fanatic, we suddenly realize we’re talking the same lingo in private.

And isn’t it true we usually go along the lines that the “self” is either a “social construct”, i.e. the product of years of indoctrination, propaganda, lack of education, and so on.  Or, we swing to the other side and claim it’s plain “selfishness”. The fact is it’s probably a messy mix of both.  But Palmer’s words made me pause, because this is one key insight we often miss.  There’s so much effort to “fill” ourselves in public or in private because we’re simply empty.

Once we recognize that in us and even in others, there is less anger or fury but more sadness and tragedy.  How did we land up this way?  What do we need to do now?  How can we move forward with freedom?  These are inner battles one needs to engage in.

But alas, it’s hard because it’s not easy to translate the honest recognition of the empty self in public. It’s not easy to enjoy a cup of coffee when bullets are flying across the table. But having said that, I hope there will be some of us who can find gaps between the fire power, and breakthrough the smoke and damage.  Perhaps, even starting with ourselves, our families, our faith communities, we can begin reassessing ourselves.  The moment more of us do that, then an sample group or environment is cultivated for us to then find our true selves (in Palmer’s words), and with that form true communities.

This requires such a long term commitment.  All levels need to work on this. As a person of faith, I see this as a deeply spiritual and theological process.  Others might see it simply as getting back to basic humanity. Well, where we start, we better get started before we destroy ourselves. Or more tragically, we won’t have a world left behind for our children.

I agree with Palmer and won’t ignore the reality of selfish acts which will hurt us.  He says it better than I do:

There are selfish acts, to be sure.  But those acts arise from an empty self, as we try to fill our emptiness in ways that harm others – or in ways that harm us and bring grief to those who care about us.  When we are rooted in true self, we can act in ways that are life-giving for us and all whose lives we touch.  Whatever we do to care for true self is, in the long run, a gift to the world. (p. 39)

From today onwards, when I say “take care” (which is take care of yourself in short I think), it would carry the depth of this blog post meaning “take care of your true self”.  That’s our gift to the world.

EACH TIME I SPEAK or teach or gather together in some other way with folk from our local congregation, I am aware that each one of us sits next to a pool of tears. Each one of us carries in our hearts personal wounds as well as the wounds of the nation. Each one of us groans, not only with our own painful longings, but also with the painful longings of that part of the world where we live.

- Trevor Hudson with Stephen Bryant
Listening to the Groans: A Spirituality for Ministry and Mission

(via Upper Room Daily Reflections)

It’s been a while since I’ve posted reflections based on the quotes like the one above.� I know for many people it’s hard to deal with “tears”.� We are uncomfortable to feel vulnerable.� The pain may be too hard to bear.� We might be concerned how others view us.� For some, it might be a sign of weakness or immaturity – move on, get over it quickly they say. Well, perhaps it’s easier for those words to come out when we are at a distant (or choose to be distant).

For me, while I must admit I like many are not most comfortable with “tears”, but I’m learning to understand more and more,� what “a pool of tears” means for those who carry “wounds” that cannot be simply ignored.� There’s something about being human that requires us to feel deeply. Sure, being immobilized with emotions is one thing.� But then, shoving them aside or burying them prematurely may not really be a true sign of maturity or intelligence.

We don’t have to fear tears – whether our own or others. One day there won’t be any more tears.� For now, we embrace them as part of our pilgrimage.

With so much disturbing news these days, is it too much to pray for at least one good day? And then savor it fully. One for the evening, and for the week ahead.

The whole 8 minutes is worth every second. Jonathan Brink‘s words below kind of lead me there:

"Perhaps we will find ourselves drawn to the author who believes in us enough to leave so many pages blank

(HT: Aaron Loy )

BECAUSE GOD INTENDS OUR ENEMIES TO BE OUR ALLIES and friends someday, Jesus insists that we pray for them. Such universalism is a challenge to any age. People find it far easier to write off individuals, even whole groups, as evil than to maintain a sense that we’re all in this together and need to work out differences.

- Robert Corin Morris
Provocative Grace: The Challenge in Jesus’ Words

(via Upper Room Daily Reflections)

I don’t think it’s ever easy.  But that’s the least  some of us can or are willing to do.  It’s not the end, but a start. Enough said for now.