Four Biblical Truths

The following is an online version of Lifeline's Four Biblical Truths, a concise guide to:

1. Help Catholics defend the Faith
   
2. Help others make an informed decision when choosing a church
   
3. Engage fellow Protestant brothers and sisters in inter-religious dialogues
   

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Are you looking for a Church to belong? Have you asked yourself if you are in the right church? Or aren’t all Christian denominations the same?

These 4 Biblical Truths are offered to you as your right to make an informed choice


1ST BIBLICAL TRUTH

The SEPARATION of Christians is against God’s plan

Jesus prayed to the Father,

‘The glory that you have given me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one’”

John 17:22

Today, Christianity is separated into over 25,000 denominations,

How did these divisions begin?

They began when individuals began to take the Bible as their sole authority and interpreted it by themselves.


2nd BIBLICAL TRUTH

SACRED SCRIPTURE was never meant to be read alone

The last book of the New Testament was only completed in 100 AD and the list of books to be included in the Bible was only finalised by 397 AD. Clearly, at least until that time, the early Church must have regarded something else as authoritative for the Faith.

This “something else” is Sacred Tradition. This includes the Bible, but also oral teachings and unwritten practices. Sacred Tradition helps us to interpret the Bible rightly, according with what the early Christians believed.

“So then brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter”
2 Thessalonians 2:15

Where can I find this Sacred Tradition?


3RD BIBLICAL TRUTH

SACRED TRADITION is found in the Church built by Jesus

The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth
1 Timothy 3:15

Jesus said, “I will build my Church and the powers of hell shall not triumph over it”
Matthew 16:18

And where is this Church?

Through her successive leaders of Popes and bishops, the Catholic Church traces her roots and identifies with the Biblical church founded by Jesus Christ. All Protestant churches were founded by men not more than 500 years ago.

We are secure knowing that the father of lies will never succeed in introducing false doctrines into the Church that Jesus Christ founded. To claim that the Catholic Church, as the bearer of this promise, has deviated from the truth is to call God a liar.


4th BIBLICAL TRUTH

A SPECIAL AUTHORITY was given by Jesus to the leader of his Church

Without clear and visible leadership, the people of God would be left to do what they thought was best. This is a sure path to division and idolatry (Judges 17:6, 21:25).

Jesus said to Peter, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven”
Matthew 16:19

St. Peter received special authority to arbitrate over Church disputes and discern authentic Tradition. Even St. Paul did not decide on his own but recognised this authority in a doctrinal dispute that broke out in the early Church (Acts 15:3)

Christ planned for the Church to remain till the end of time. Wouldn’t it be strange that He would give this visible office of authority to Peter and not intend for it to be passed on in succession?


Jesus’ promise that the Spirit would lead the Church into all truth (John 16:12, Acts 15:28) enables the Church to consolidate, grow in insight and clarify the teaching of the Apostles. It was the Catholic Church, exercising this authority that defined what we hold today to be indisputable: Christ’s human and divine nature, the Trinity and the books to be included in the Bible.

The Catholic Church has been accused of being slow to change. In fact she is always cautious to change and has changed nothing that has been received as doctrinally essential from the Lord. An honest examination of early Christian letters as historical documents reveal belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the saints, prayers for the Dead, Baptism of infants and Confession of sins; everything which you may have heard were innovations of the Catholic Church.

Today, you can plant your Faith firmly upon the facts of God’s Word. Just as you have a biblical faith that in no other name can you be saved except the name of Jesus, in no Christian denomination is there fullness of Truth except in the Catholic Church. In this Church alone is there Apostolic Faith, God-ordained Authority and the Sacraments of Salvation.

TESTIMONY OF THE EARLY CHURCH

It is within the power of all in every Church, who may wish to see the truth, to contemplate clearly the tradition of the apostles manifested throughout the whole world. We are able to list those who were instituted bishops by the apostles in the Churches, and [to demonstrate] the succession of these men to our own times. These men neither taught nor knew of anything like what these [heretics] rave about.

We point to the tradition of that very great, ancient and universally known Church that was founded and established at Rome by the two most glorious Apostles Peter and Paul. We point I say, to the tradition which this Church has from the Apostles, and to her faith proclaimed to men which comes down to our time through the succession of her bishops. And so we put to shame who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, all who assemble in unauthorised meetings. For it is a matter of necessity that every Church must agree with this Church on account of its superior authority. The faithful who preserve the Apostolic tradition would do as much.

St. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons,
Against Heresies Book 3, Chapter 3 (125-189 AD)

Centering Prayer

"Centering Prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of God's presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God’s presence and action within. It furthers the development of contemplative prayer by quieting our faculties to cooperate with the gift of God’s presence.

Centering Prayer facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. It emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God. At the same time, it is a discipline to foster and serve this relationship by a regular, daily practice of prayer. It is Trinitarian in its source, Christ-centered in its focus, and ecclesial in its effects; that is, it builds communities of faith.

Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert, Lectio Divina, (praying the scriptures), The Cloud of Unknowing, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila.. It was distilled into a simple method of prayer in the 1970’s by three Trappist monks, Fr. William Meninger, Fr. Basil Pennington and Abbot Thomas Keating at the Trappist Abbey, St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts."

- CenteringPrayer.com

Recently I have been trying out this method of prayer in an attempt to counter spiritual dryness which have been persisting for months. To my surprise, by just sitting still and keeping quiet I am able to connect with God much better than using conversational prayers. The downside to this is I do not have much "stamina" for centering prayer. I find it tough to be still for more than 20 minutes and I have noticed that during centering prayer the act of breathing becomes a conscious effort.

Anyone here experienced this phenomena?

Weekend With The Jesuits

About the Society of Jesus (a.k.a. the Jesuits):

The Society of Jesus (Societas Iesu in Latin) is a Christian religious order of the Roman Catholic Church in direct service to the Pope. Its members, known as Jesuits since the Protestant Reformation, have been called "Footsoldiers of the Pope" in part because the Society's founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a Basque nobleman and soldier before his conversion. Today, Jesuits number over 20,000 and comprise the largest religious order in the Catholic Church. Jesuit priests and brothers are engaged in ministries in 112 nations on six continents. Their work is focused on education and intellectual contributions, primarily at colleges and universities.

The Society of Jesus is consecrated under the patronage of Madonna Della Strada, a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary meaning Our Lady of the Way. The Way was what early Christians called their community in Jerusalem and surrounding Palestine. The Society is lead by Peter Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General, based in the Church of the Name of Jesus in Rome.

- Wikipedia.com

Last week I had the priviledge to spend the weekend (2 days and 1 night, to be exact) with the Jesuits in my church as part of the Religious Vocation Exposure Programme by Lifeline. Although my stay was short, through much interactions with the Jesuits I have learnt a lot about them. These are somethings which I have learnt:

1. JESUITS LIVE AS A COMMUNITY
   
   Not all Jesuits are priests, they can be Jesuit brothers or Scholastics (Jesuits who are undergoing the process of becoming a Jesuit priest) who might be currently working as a teacher or even a pharmacologist. The Jesuits is an independant community which meant that they have to find their own income (i.e. jobs/donations). Therefore whatever that was earned by its members will be put into the common fund, which will be used to buy necessities for the community's use. The most interesting fact I have discovered about the Jesuits was that, no Jesuit is allowed to own anything after he has become a member of the Society. By "anything", I meant from stuff like money to toothbrush. So owns it? Everyone. But of course due to hygiene purposes no one will be borrowing toothbrushes. ;)
   
   
2. JESUITS HAVE NO TEMPORARY VOWS
   
   Some Orders I know have temporary vows, which will be valid only for a period of time (e.g. one year). But for the Jesuits, vows are perpetual. By the way being a Jesuit meant taking the vow of chastity, obedience and poverty. When I first heard this, I once asked a Jesuit...
   
   
   Me: So perpetual means... forever?
   Jesuit: Yes.
   Me: Forever, forever?
   Jesuit: Yes.
   Me: Forever and ever and ever?
   Jesuit: Yes.
   
   
   Therefore when one joins the Jesuit he will be required to go through the Novitiate for at least 2 years before he is given the option to take the vows.
   
   
3. THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IS NO BED OF ROSES
   According to a Jesuit I know, the 2 year Novitiate is like boot camp. Not that this is a bad thing, because one of the purposes of the Novitiate is to instill disicpline and humility. So for you aspiring Jesuits, be prepared for a full scheduled day from classes to cooking meals, everyday. That's not so bad compared to what they require to do to break pride. Humility is instilled through menial jobs they were sent to do for at least 6 weeks. Some I knew worked as paddy farmers in northern Thailand and another worked in a hospital; bathing patients and cleaning up feces daily.
   
   
   
4. JESUITS ARE SERIOUSLY FUNNY
   As I was having dinner with the Jesuits at SS2's Wai Sek Kai (Glutton Street), I made small talk with Father A...
   
   Me: Well Father, what other languages do you speak besides English and Malay?
   Father A.: *serious expression* I do speak in tongues.
   Me: Oo.. kayy...
   
   Besides Father A., Brother A. was another adorably funny character. Impressed at the depth of his practical knowledge, I said...
   
   Me: Wow, you know so much.
   Brother A.: There are a lot of things in this world that I do not know, you know? (<--by the way, that line was word-for-word)
   Me: *chuckles*
   
   

All in all, being with the Jesuits was a memorable and good experience. There were many other things which I have experienced and have learnt but as Scripture says "...if every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25) Hehe.

On a personal note, I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the Jesuit community in St. Francis Xavier's for their generous hospitality.

God bless.

Danny Wilson - Mary's Prayer

This song is so Catholic! Haha. Not really, but this is one of those songs that keeps me in the happy dreamy mood. Bet it does that to you too! ;)

:: NOW STREAMING ON RADIO.BLOG ::

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Mary's Prayer
by Danny Wilson

Everything is wonderful
Being here is heavenly
Every single day she sends
Everything is free

I used to be so careless
As if I couldn't care less
Why did I have to make this mess
When I was Mary's prayer

Suddenly, the heavens roared
Suddenly, the rain came down
Suddenly, was washed away
The Mary that I knew

So when you find somebody to keep
Think of me and celebrate
I made such a big mistake
When I was Mary's prayer

So if I say save me, save me
Be the light in my eyes
And if I say ten Hail Mary's
Leave the light in heaven for me

Blessed is the one who shares
Your power and your beauty, Mary
Blessed is the millionaire who shares your wedding day

So when you find somebody to keep
Think of me and celebrate
I made such a big mistake
When I was Mary's prayer

So if I say save me, save me
Be the light in my eyes
And if I say ten Hail Mary's
Leave the light in heaven

Save me, save me
Be the light in my eyes
And if I say ten Hail Mary's
Leave the light in heaven for me

If you want the fruit to fall
You have to give the tree a shake
If you shake the tree too hard
The bough is gonna break

And if I can't reach the top of the tree
Mary, you can blow me up there
What I wouldnt give to be
When I was Mary's prayer

So if I say save me, save me
Be the light in my eyes
And if I say ten Hail Mary's
Leave the light in heaven

Save me, save me
Be the light in my eyes
And if I say ten Hail Mary's
Leave the light in heaven

Save me, save me
Be the light in my eyes
What I wouldn't give to be
When I was Mary's prayer

What I wouldn't give to be
When I was Mary's prayer
What I wouldn't give to be
When I was Mary's prayer

War of the Worlds

I went to watch War of the Worlds yesterday at the new GSC (One Utama) with a couple of my friends and it was the best sci-fi movie I have watched. I've heard people say that the ending kinda suck, so I braced myself throughout the show expecting it. But as it turned out, the ending was a good closure (think M. Night Shyamalan ;)) to the movie.

My verdict? Go watch the movie, it's worth the 10 ringgit.

No Longer A Teen

My transition from teenagehood into young-adulthood begun exactly an hour and twenty-two minutes ago. So now I am officially a twenty-year old. :) Strangely this year I feel indifferent on my birthday... Hmm. Must be the exam stress. Oh yeah, my exam's tomorrow (PY101) and Wednesday (EN102). Hehe. OK. Got... to... stop... blogging... now *peels hands off keyboard* and go study. Yayness. :D

p/s: thanks guys (you know who you are! :)) for your birthday wishes! I can't wait for the exams to be over. *sigh* ;)

Seeds/Birds/Rocky Places/Thorns/Good Soil

It was a very fruitful session for me yesterday at Potter & Clay. The topic was on the Word of God (a.k.a. the Bible) and the the key passage for the bible study was the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-8):

¹That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ²Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown..."

I've always thought that this verse refers to us Christians as the seed, and it implies that we need to grow tall (i.e. reaching God) and to be strongly rooted in God's word. But as I reflected on this passage, I realised that this verse might also refer us Christians as either the birds, rocky places, thorns or good soil! And the seed(s) refers to people that God brought to our lives (i.e. either in church/youth ministry) to be looked after.

Do we see ourselves like the birds who took advantage of the seed? In other words, are we welcoming new people for the purpose of their use, and not for the sake of their soul? Or do we see ourselves as rocky places without much soil, where fellowship and bible study are on the mere surface? So although our members might know the bible in and out, when trouble (i.e. persecution/times of trials) comes their faith withers because the fellowship is merely on the superficial level and not on a deeper, personal and more rooted level. Or are we like thorns which suppress the growth of our members because of our self-righteous or holier-than-thou attitudes, judging others without looking at ourselves first? Lastly are we like good soil, which allows people to transform from their seed capsules to beautiful golden wheat (i.e. life change)? Thus when people grow deeper in faith, naturally through word of mouth; multitudes come to have their own life changed.

Amen.

8 Simple Rules For Dating

This blog has been collecting dust for almost a month now. :D Here's something I plagiarize from a tract I got from Lifeline College & Young Adults Ministry entitled: 8 Simple Rules For Dating. It's based on the book "Christian Courtship In An Oversexed World: A Guide For Catholics" and Joshua Harris' "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" I think this tract is pretty cool! If you have any feedback, I'd love to read it. :)

Here it is:

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RULE #1: DON'T DATE IF YOU'RE NOT READY
Modern research confirms that our brains don't fully develop until age 25. Hold off till you're emotionally mature and financially able to enter into a committed relationship and discern marriage.

For everything there is a season under heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Rule #2: DON'T DATE FOR EXPERIENCE
It's healthy to develop friendships with persons of the opposite sex. Exclusive dating however, has the purpose of discerning marriage. When this purpose isn't clear, dating becomes a game where feelings get hurt and purity compromised. Experience in the game won't make you a better marriage partner. Instead, the emotional roller-coaster of intimacy and break-ups may build up instability or cynicism in your heart.

Don't go after your lusts but keep them in check
Sirach 18:30

Rule #3: PREPARE YOURSELF
Do not become preoccupied looking for a life partner. Singleness is not a curse! Guard against temptation through prayer, Scripture reading and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Seek healing for emotional scars that may affect future relationships. Learn to love generously and unselfishly as your family and church responsibilities expand. Embrace singleness as a chance to serve the Lord.

An unmarried person is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord
1 Corinthians 7:32

Rule #4: BUILD FRIENDSHIPS FIRST
Don't rush. Don't date someone on the rebound. Take a good look at why he or she broke up from a previous relationship. If the person is a two-timer or jumped from one relationship to another because, "I didn't feel anything anymore", you're asking for trouble. Many want to play the romanticised role of the hero who rehabilitates the guy or girl but they end up getting hurt in the end.

You and I were create in the image of God and through baptism restored in His likeness. If your hormones control your head, you've degraded yourself to the level of an animal and set yourself up for future unchastitiy and marital infidelity.

Friendships take time and are built on common values and interests. If your relationship with the Lord is important, look for someone who shares that priority. Although there is no strict prohibition against non-Catholics, be aware and cautious of difficulties arising from differences in beliefs. Also, be careful of non-practising Catholics!

At this stage of relationship, expression of feelings should remain on the level of kindness and consideration as you come together as friends 2 or 3 times a week.

Do not be yokes with those who are different, with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have?
2 Corinthians 6:14

Rule #5: SEEK ADVICE
Find a God-fearing person of the same sex that you look up to, and go to him or her for guidance about the relationship. Family input and other's perception of the relationship are important to overcome your own possibly biased perceptions.

It's a naive product of our individualistic society to think that the family won't be involved in the relationship. Invite the other person to visit your family and vice versa. If you have to keep your relationship hidden, perhaps you already know he or she is bad news. Honour parents by introducing the person you are dating to them. Observe how the other person treats his or her own family, as it's likely to be how he or she will treat you when the romance tapers off.

Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisors, they succeed
Proverbs 15:22

Rule #6: AVOID OVER-DATING
In an exclusive dating relationship, 3 or 4 meetings in the week and phone calls every other day is find. Dropping half your life so you can be with a person every night of the week is a sign of co-dependency. Balance your life or the relationship will get smothering and stale.

Forsake not an old friend, for a new one does not compare with him
Sirach 9:10

Rule #7: DRAW PHYSICAL PARAMETERS
Ladies, respect yourself and set high standards. Pre-marital sex, heavy petting and kissing that lead to sexual arousal are out. Communicate your expectations. Don't submit to something you're not comfortable with. If he pressures you, he doesn't respect you; he's not interested in you but in your body. If you depend on physical pleasure to feel close to him and have not learnt how to express love in other ways, the relationship will soon fizzle out. It's an old saying that men trade love for sex and women trade sex for love. Once the guys scored, be ready to become yesterday's chewing gum.

Cohabitation, even without sex, puts yourself into temptation. If you started off as platonic housemates, move out. Never spend the night together. Even if "nothing happens", you've set a bad example for couples who may be morally weaker. You also open yourself to the accusation and scandal that Christians are morally loose.

Don't leave lots of your belongings at the other person's place which suggest you're already permanently part of his or her life. Giving each other expensive presents can also be manipulative and make it difficult for the other to really discern if you're the right person to marry.

Flee from sin as from a serpent that will bite you if you go near it
Sirach 21:2

Rule #8: AIM FOR A 2-YEAR COURTSHIP
Couples who have dated for more than 2 years score consistently higher on marital satisfaction. It lacks prudence for a woman to accept a marriage proposal from a man whom she's known for less than a year. If you're getting married for a lifetime, a few more months of waiting and discovering more about the other person will only help your discernment. Look beyond the roses and the romance to real virtues.

Ask yourself some other questions: Has the relationship led each of you closer to Christ? Can I see myself marrying this person? Would I like my children to grow up to be just like this person? Do I feel safe, honoured and respected around this person? Does this person bring out the best in me?

American sociologists find that divorce rates are lowest for those who marry for the first time at age 28 or later. Smart people don't assume that they are a special case to the general rule. Don't rush marriage because of the biological clock or because the baby's on the way.

A patient man will endure to the right moment and then joy will burst forth for him
Sirach 1:23