Interesting: Veneration of Dead Relatives

I wish to capture Mr Lionel De Souza's letter to the ST Forum printed on 15 Aug 2008:

I am Roman Catholic and write from this Christian perspective. I am sure that we are conversant with the Bible's fourth Commandment: "Honour your father and your mother."

The Liturgy Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore felt it necessary to consider Chinese customary rites, because of the many queries Catholic priests have received on this matter. It is well known in Singapore's Catholic community that many "old" Catholics, as well as new converts, whose family members are mostly non-Catholics, are still confused about what they can do or should not do on the occasion of Chinese funerals and on the commemoration of ancestors.

That is why the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore clarified that the veneration of ancestors refers to rituals performed to express honour or respect for the dead by the family members; and that in such rituals, filial piety is, and always has been, at least to some extent, the motivating factor.

In 1964, seven Chinese bishops in Taiwan met officially with a Vatican representative. They resolved the following regarding the practice of venerating one's ancestors:

a) Burning of joss papers for the dead is forbidden because of its superstitious nature.
b) Offering of fruit or other food in front of the ancestor tablet or at the grave is no longer forbidden;
c) In rememberance of the dead, the setting up of a tablet (bearing his name without the addition of superstitious inscriptions) by family members is no longer forbidden;
d) It is allowed to bow or prostrate oneself in front of the ancestor tablet, photograph or coffin.

These instructions combine Catholic tradition with ancestor veneration and were issued by a conference of Chinese bishops in Taipei, 10 years later.

They are practised by Chinese Catholics in Singapore. Lionel De Souza

Images - Dolphin

Heart Versus Mind

In my blog entry dated 5 Mar 08, I wrote about "slain in the spirit". I mentioned that these manifestations occur in churches of different denominations.

As christians and muslims are supposed to be worshipping the same God, I posed a question in an "Ask the Expert website" whether such manifestations occur in muslim communities as well. The "Expert Website" replied that muslims do not experience speaking in tongues or 'slain in the spirit'.

So why speaking in tongues, and 'slain in the spirit' take place in the different christian denominations? I believe it is a sign of God's acceptance, inspite of all the differences in teachings, precepts, practices and dogmas of the different christian denominations.

No denominations can claim that all their teachings and beliefs are accurate. And that the conflicting teachings of other denominations must be wrong.

There is only 1 condition to be a child of God and that is 'Whoever believes in Jesus Christ should not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16. So fulfilling this one condition, and then not committing the Unpardonable Sin (see blog entry below), should be enough for us to be accepted into God's kingdom.

Apart from these 2 requirements, we may be misled by deviant teachings, we may advertently or inadvertently believe in cultist heresies, or even committed abominable sins. But we are still saved by the redeeming blood of Christ! How generous is God's grace!

So, in our relationship with God, the knowledge in our brain is secondary. Knowing the differences between right and wrong teachings, and differentiating what are heresies or wrong concepts, are not that important.

What lies in our heart is of primary importance. Faith and love is a matter of the heart. We seek God with our hearts. God looks in our heart for sincerity. We feel God's grace in our hearts.

Use our hearts more.

The Assumption of Mother Mary

Someone asked DEAR PADRE "What Does Mary's Assumption Means?" I read the answer by Dear Padre. But when I searched Wikipedia, it gave a more informative answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Mary

The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and the Coptic Orthodox Churches believe in the Assumption of Mary. In short, it means that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united.

There are other interesting information related to this belief in Wikipedia. You can read about it.

There are volumes of answered prayers and petitions attributed to the intercessory prayers of Mother Mary. Just attend the Novena sessions at Novena Church, Thomson Road on Saturdays, or view the Novena Church website to be convinced.

It is up to you whether to believe in the Assumption of Mary. But I believe God answers the prayers and petitions of the faithful and the sincere-hearted , regardless of whether christians pray directly or through the intercession of Mother Mary or any of the Saints.

Isn't it comforting to know this?

A Mystery: What Happen When A Christian Commits That One Unpardonable Sin?

I remember that my Bible study group asked this awkward question about the "Unpardonable Sin" many years ago.

Once a person accepts Christ and invites the Holy Spirit into his life, he becomes a child of God and the Holy Spirit would dwell in him. So what would happen if he turns against God sometime later and commits the One Unpardonable Sin - Mark 3:29 "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven... but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin..."

My Bible study group did not find a scriptural answer to this question. The logical conclusion was that God will 'call this christian home' (i.e. take this christian away) . After all, the Holy Spirit already dwells in him. God is unlikely to let such as sinful child remain on Earth any longer.

Without a better answer, I still hold onto this logical conclusion today.

Remember, we must never commit this Unpardonable Sin.


God bless you.

Taking Risks. Living On The Edge.

We born to life. Life is a journey with an end. At the end we embark on another life, another journey again.

Today, 5 Aug 08, the newspapers announced that 11 mountaineers had perished in an avalanche just below the summit of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Some climbers were still missing.

So far there were 284 ascents and 66 deaths on K2. These climbers know the dangers of climbing. But their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I perish, so be it."

This Friday 8 Aug 08, TOTO is offering a Special Draw with price money of $8 Million. 3 quarters of Singapore are queueing at TOTO booths to place bets of tens or hundreds of dollars, hoping to win a million bucks. Their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I lose, so be it."

Perhaps that is life. 1 Cor 13:13 says "But now abide faith, hope, love..." Humans need to exercise the element of hope. If there is no risk, no danger, no pain, no uncertainty, then hope is not needed.

I too have several hope. An urgent one is that my investments in the banking and SingTel shares will be profitable soon.

If you have nothing to hope for, then something is wrong with you. Better get out of your comfort zone and start living.