First ever retreat in Canberra

What are you in for? Are you seeking God’s will or are you finding a God of your will?

I thought I was finding His way, for the greater glory of God. But when struggles came, I have resolved to my usual own way. 

I laid down the palms on the road to welcome Jesus, but I have turned to Caesar.

Is this the thought that the Jews have when they welcome Jesus, yet when struggles and hardships came, they have chosen Caesar?

Perhaps the take-home message, as with many of the retreats, is the Love. The Love that you’re loved no matter what you do. He could be up high, but he has incarnated and to be with you. He feasted and fasted, glorified and struggled, lived and died. He used his life journey to demonstrate love. So, go love and be loved. 

How you will spend your Saturday? 🎵

Finally got some time for a walk

Trying to find some tourists sightings in the town

And discover this “bible garden” in the city

Amazingly great place for recollection 

Listening to “Fall in love” in the centre of Labyrinth Maze and fall in love

“Let’s fall in love, let’s stay in love, it will decide everything” 🎵

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERswvKOmAKU

Photos:

Beautiful pictures from Christianity centre and Bible Garden

Walk along the Lake Burley Griffin:

Snapshots from the Skyfire 2018 at Canberra:

And of course, heavy traffic afterwards!

Opus Dei

It is so wonderful and surprising to receive a card like this from a participant after the weekday mass.
A young lady from the Philippines has introduced "Opus Dei" to me - The name is Latin for “Work of God”.
As written from the prayer card, "Opus Dei is a way of sanctification in daily work".
Feeling it so familiar with "Finding God in All things", I felt deeply interested and did a little search on it.

"Your ordinary contact with God takes place where your fellow men, your yearnings, your work and your affections are. There you have your daily encounter with Christ.” (Saint Josemaría)

And coincidentally, today's gospel is about God's work.
"I can do nothing by myself; I can only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because my aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. (Jn 5:30)"

Today's diary

To "celebrate" the first month in Canberra, I've caught a flu...

Ok, yes, I have no idea whether it is a flu or a cold, whether it's from virus or bacteria. I have no thermometer at hand, so I assume (or wishful think) that I did not have a fever. So, I have tried to relax, and have enjoyed the congee gift from a good friend.

The past month was so overwhelming that could not be described by words.
The emotions and the situations that have encountered during the first two weeks was so desperate.
But when I thought about it, each incident did not seem to be such a big deal. It's just an unhygienic house, quarrels between housemate and landlord each night, the awful smell triggering sickness. It's just anxieties towards the two sick dears, new challenges, new culture, new language (Aussie English is so difficult to listen...). It's perhaps also some attachments and detachments to friends and people. In a nutshell, it's just I haven't got ready yet in emotions. It's this moment I desperately need comfort through attending daily masses, finding myself so spiritually poor that I urge for His love. (I guess it's this stress that have triggered the flu. Like emotions, my body is so slow in reacting its symptoms..)

Then it's "the courage to change the things we can" that propels me to actively look for another accommodation. Perhaps opportunity comes with action, so I found a new place by attending in person right away. Not an elegant place, but a clean dorm. First thing settled.
Next, perhaps through looking opportunities and opt-in as volunteers, I have now at least three different roles at hand, apart from being a student. So perhaps I have been keeping myself busy, or too busy (or at least, I haven't felt "relaxing" after my last day in the former company).
And I started to meet some kind and gentle friends. They are all awesome people, learning more about politics, international relations, and even Hong Kong politics through the people here!
Daily life here is not that easy, especially for a stubborn and perhaps frugal person like me. So, you'll find me trying to save a dollar trying to walk from work to dorm; Or purchase a free SIM and fail to activate ending up spending much time to deal with the telecommunications dealer; Or don't want to spend another three dollars for another washing machine ending up handwashing all the clothes due to the failure of the previous broken washing machine in the dorm...
So that's the adventurous experience prompting me for thoughts about "find God/finding God/found God in all things".

As far as study goes, I feel like "Communicating science with the public" is admitting the limitations of science and scientists. Science may be perceived as seeking the "universal truth of the time". And as our knowledge grows, and as the world evolves, the "universal truth" also changes. Science may appear as a battlefield, scientists argue among themselves. We do not know what the "truth" is, perhaps until the end of the day. Or, we are just living like the Schrodinger cat in the box. It's not the science or scientists to be blamed when things have gone wrong, it's just as it is.

And I found great similarities between science and religion. Both are seeking the "truth". And public sees both science and religion as  "should be always true". That's why scientists or meterologists got blame from the public when they made wrong predictions and the faithful got scolded severely when they have wrongdoings. The science community is just made up of no-one-is-perfect humans, while the Church is just a community of sinners, for people admit they have sins when they are baptised. There is nothing wrong with this, the only sin is not knowing it is always thus.¹ Humble, is perhaps the greatest lesson for both scientists and religious leaders.

¹Collins H.; Pinch T. The Golem: what everyone should know about science. 1993. Cambridge University Press.

Find/Finding/Found God in all things

When I was unwell, I felt an immense urge to attend the mass and go to church.

But as I gradually recover bit by bit, the urge is obviously declining.

Today while I was at the daily mass, I was thinking - is it because I am more counting on myself again when I felt alright and putting God back in the drawer? Or is it because when we are content, we just tend to neglect God or be grateful?

Then suddenly I realised, perhaps because I have started to find consolation in daily life, the mass (or the Church) has become not the only place that I could find peace within.
I guess, this could possibly lead to the state of "taking things for granted" if I had not thought over it.

Then I realised that this is what I should be grateful for - finding peace in the little things in everyday life.
Doesn't it mean one has found God in all things?

Several new (and unorganised) thoughts just pop up:
To find God in all things - the need for God - spiritually poor
Finding God in all things - the action to search for God - being Christ to others and accepting blessings from others - love and being loved
Found God in all things - the realisation that God is happening in daily life - being grateful and counting blessings we have

You don't need a vacation when there's nothing to escape from

I was just attending an interview this afternoon and introducing myself. 

I unconsciously described myself as someone who love exploring different fields, therefore diving into science, playing with research...

The interviewer was impressed by the words "playing" and "PhD".

Yes, it certainly isn't an "all-happy" experience, but if one is passionate, one must find some "fun" in it. 

If you're passionate in what you're doing, you'd just enjoy it as holidays.

This strikes him again.  

He said, that's a mature thought.

Well, perhaps I'm just too much influenced by "You don't need a vacation when there's nothing to escape from." (Everything is sound, Jason Mraz)

當洗衣機停住不動

當洗衣機就這樣停了不動

悲觀的想法：怎麼換了新環境都要遇上這種不幸事，這麼多洗衣機都可以選中壞的那部...

樂觀的想法：這樣的事都俾我遇到是測試我的應變能力吧...（一邊拿著鋪好乾淨膠袋的垃圾桶清理現場、衝去沖涼房開花灑沖走洗衣液一邊苦笑）

Returning to thy self

A tour at the Questacon (The science museum in Canberra)

There were many little quests, simple toys, and silly faces. Suddenly I realised how simple it is for happiness. It’s this curiosity, the joy of playing and exploring that has created the laughters in children. When did we forget how to laugh? 

When we were playing the same simple games with children, we laughed and smiled as they did. We were all so simple and naive. When have we become so troubled? 

Living in the moment and embracing the present as presents.

Thanks for a day reminding me who I am.

Way of the cross

It was a meditating Way of the Cross plus Eucharist Adoration. The meditation used was so inspiring and strike me. I'm putting it down for future reference.

This is the TLDR (too long didn't read) version:

Station 2 Jesus takes up his cross.
Help me to embrace the crosses in life – the hardships, struggles, disappointments, and pain. Only by recognizing my own weakness, can I discover Your strength.

Station 4 Jesus meets his mother.
Help me to see how often You love me through the people in my life.

Station 6 Veronica wipes the face of Jesus with a towel
At times I am afraid to reach out to others. I do nothing when I should act; I say nothing when I should speak out. Give me a deeper and more courageous faith.

Station 7 Jesus falls a second time.
Failure and disappointment sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from You and others. Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again.

Station 10 Jesus is stripped of his garments.
Realize how I cling to my accomplishments, my possessions, my way. Help me to let go of those things, in my life that prevent me from growing closer to You and others.

Station 12 Jesus dies on the cross.
Help me to see my crosses as ways of loving You.

Station 13 Jesus is taken down from the cross.
I am frightened when I think of being unimportant, useless, and helpless. Help me to place my life in Your hands.


==================================
This is the full version. I am bolding the phrase that has strike me today.


Station 1         Jesus is condemned to death by Pontius Pilate

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, often I judge others and fail to be understanding or loving. Help me to see the people in my life through Your eyes, not the eyes of Pontius Pilate.

Station 2         Jesus takes up his cross.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, Your embraced Your cross to redeem the world. Help me to embrace the crosses in life – the hardships, struggles, disappointments, and pain. Only by recognizing my own weakness, can I discover Your strength.

Station 3         Jesus falls the first time.

Meditation: Lord Jesus, You know how often I fall trying to follow You. Yet, You are always there to lift me up. Help me always to trust in Your loving care for me.

Station 4         Jesus meets his mother.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, Your mother Mary’s grief was surpassed by her love for you. So often You come to me in others and their love gives me new life. Help me to see how often You love me through the people in my life.

Station 5         Simon is forced to help Jesus to carry his cross.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, sometimes I am indifferent to the needs of others in my life. I even neglect those whom I love. Help me to see that loving others is the surest way to find You in my life.

Station 6         Veronica wipes the face of Jesus with a towel

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, at times I am afraid to reach out to others. I do nothing when I should act; I say nothing when I should speak out. Give me a deeper and more courageous faith. Help me to trust that You are with me.

Station 7         Jesus falls a second time.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, failure and disappointment sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from You and others. Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again.

Station 8         Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, Your great compassion for others overwhelms me. I feel petty and selfish when I think of You and the way You love. Help me to pour out my love, that You might fill me with Your Love.

Station 9         Jesus falls a third time.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, Your failing strength makes me see how helpless I am. Without You, I can do nothing. Help me to rely on Your strength, to see how much I need You.

Station 10      Jesus is stripped of his garments.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, seeing You so cruelly humiliated makes me realize how I cling to my accomplishments, my possessions, my way. Help me to let go of those things, in my life that prevent me from growing closer to You and others.

Station 11      Jesus is nailed to the cross.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, I can never doubt Your great love for me when I see You crucified. Help me to see Your cross as the great sign of Your love for me.

Station 12      Jesus dies on the cross.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, Your broken and lifeless body calls me to deeper faith. You chose death, even death on the cross. Help me to see my crosses as ways of loving You.

Station 13      Jesus is taken down from the cross.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, seeing Your body taken from the cross reminds me how fearful I am of letting go of my own life. I am frightened when I think of being unimportant, useless, and helpless. Help me to place my life in Your hands.

Station 14      Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Meditation:

Lord Jesus, when I see the great stone sealing Your tomb, I feel alone and abandoned. Even though You sometimes seem distant or absent in my life, help me always to believe in Your closeness and loving presence.