Pilgrim's Progress Part 3

16th July: Called to live in the Spirit.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Catechesis at Our Lady of Fatima was enriching. My body bears the breath of God, the Ruah, the Holy Spirit. the Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life. Life always leads us into the light, from darkness to light, from chaos to calm and hope and peace. I like these words spoken by the presenting bishop from the U.S. Because it is truth. This is why we should aim to celebrate life and give life, not celebrate death/abortion/wars or allow these things to happen.

this pilgrim is here to see the Pope, to encounter Christ in others, to have a good time but also to change and grow closer to Christ. We are called to change from wandering people to journeying people. There are aspects in my life where I've been wandering around, where I've not made a stand for. Will this pilgrim make a stand for God's creation, for Mother Earth? will this pilgrim make a stand for peace?

I recall the Village Space by Catholic Mission Australia which we had attended the morning before (15th July). It was such a moving experience. We felt as though we were part of the stories being dramatised. They were real stories, real experiences being re-told to pilgrims. Pilgrims who don't know anything about Ugandan child soldiers, the devastation of coal mines, uranium mines and nuclear power plants and the struggles of the indidgenious people. Yet I felt a sense of helplessness. These things and many more other issues seem beyond me. I don't even think we can change a small place like Payatas. What is this pilgrim to do when we hear about food shortage in the world? crazy weather conditions? nuclear power plant to be set up in the neighbouring country? and so on? Do we continue to shrug our shoulders and we wander around as tourists enjoying what the world has to offer for the moment? or do we set off on a journey for the truth?

to set off on a journey we have to leave behind what's familiar and not know the destination and the power that enables us to do this is the Holy Spirit. I think of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who have gathered into Sydney. The same Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples at Pentecost has brought us here as One Church.

with Patrick Fox after a radio interview with SBS




The Homily during Eucharist:
We are called to be witnesses. But I cannot be a witness unless I have seen or heard Jesus (we have seen the Lord). During this World Youth Day, who have I seen, who have I heard?

Mary hears Angel Gabriel and says "yes" to God. but everything goes wrong for Mary! interesting right? and true too... yet Mary doesn't complain. We must sruggle with the ways of the Lord. When we see the meaning then we are not caught in the misery of the world but we see Jesus. We are called to be contemplatives... seeing and praying... to become more missionary.

Bishop Eugene Hurly's message at Act Today, Change Tomorrow
The call of the beloved need not make sense to us. But it is His call that we can commit ourselves to. How do we judge the reality of life? God calls us to love. Our reality of life is to response to love and Real life is made of experiences we have day by day.

At Asian Youth Gathering
With Fr Thomas and Turkmenistan youths


with Marie Mondu and Domninica, PNG


with Bishop Cornelius, Brunei and Bipul, IMCS


Today Martin makes a wish... He wants 2 flagpoles. actually he only needs one but he decides to try God and just ask for 2! We've been moving about for a week with our flag and we have no flag pole!