November goals
One of my goals in November is to work on physical fitness. It is no surprise then that I have gone hiking more this month than the whole year (not counting the camino walks) put together. It has been...
View Article64th birthday prayer
As is my custom, on my birthday I take off to a solitary place to spend some time with the Lord, reflecting on my journey thus far. Lord, Today I’m 64 Thank you for being with me For saving me For...
View ArticleInvited to Song of Songs
Song of Songs. That prompting is so slight, so silk, I could have ignored it. But I did not and am thankful for following it. I figured that perhaps it may be the means through which my main prayer for...
View ArticleColonoscopy peace
I had a colonoscopy done. I entered the hospital with peace of mind. I had occasional reminders to not take things for granted even though both my parents were cancer-free. After all, cancer can happen...
View ArticleSabbatical reflection
It has been a month since my sabbatical began. I feel better rested physically and psychologically. Longer hours of sleep, exercise, and disengagement from pastoral duties does wonders. Being overseas...
View ArticleBlogging with a mobile
I am used to blogging on a laptop. Then two years ago, I started blogging with my iPad when I travelled, which I found cumbersome because photo transfers from my phone to iPad was ponderous. This time...
View ArticleCanal Boat Cruise of Riley Green
I am now in Bolton in my wife’s sister’s home. I am feeling blessed and well cared for. I have returned from a well planned day trip to near Blackburn. It was a boat cruise along a stretch of the...
View ArticleBarcelona: ending our Camino Ignaciano
It took an hour by bus from Manresa to Barcelona. We stayed in Denit Hotel near the Plaza Catalunya, where protests were taking place. We were there to trace St Ignatius presence there during his...
View ArticlePeter Claver patron saint of slaves…and retirees
I have never heard of Fr Peter Claver, a Jesuit priest-missionary, until we passed by the town he was born and grew up in during the Camino Ignaciano. Born in Verdu, Spain into a rich farming family,...
View ArticleThe Camino Ignaciano cast
I originally wanted to get a taste of training as a spiritual director but it was not to be since the church leadership felt the last quarter of the year would serve succession better. I was thankful...
View ArticleSt Francis Xavier inspiration
You cannot but be impressed and moved by the life and work of St Francis Xavier. Here I was at Castle of Xavier, where he was born, and grew up. Its surreal. I once did a paper on Xavier’s missionary...
View ArticleRelishing and being present
Its vineyard country we have entered, following one of the journeys of St Ignatius. We walked 15km on Saturday and about 14km today. The only difference to me was that the former was quieter and hardly...
View ArticleWalking 19km with “broken bones”
The camino led us through shop streets and apartments. People have yet awakened. We began our walk at 7.30am in silence after a meditation on scriptures that evokes awareness of sins, but from God’s...
View ArticleLoyola: contemplating the life and work of St Ignatius
When one of our pilgrims had to rush home because of a sudden loss it touched me with an unusual deep sadness. This is not normal. It has to be a grace and a burden from the Lord to uplift her in...
View ArticleFalling in love with Jesus
I feel very privileged and grateful. This camino experience had been made possible because my leadership wanted my sabbatical to be in the last quarter, and Lance Ng my spiritual director invited me to...
View ArticleRelish and rest
Today I felt happy taking a long leisurely morning walking by the sea front. The smell of the sea breeze and its caress is invigorating. I savored the moment. I am in Spain. Never thought of visiting...
View ArticleBeautiful apartment at San Sebastian
We landed in Barcelona in the morning and after breakfast eight of us drove in two cars for about 8 hours to San Sebastian in Spain’s northeastern shores, stopping for a tapas lunch midway through....
View ArticleBackpack on Sale – Thanks, Lord!
I am thankful to God for this timely sale at Decathlon. I had been eyeing this good quality backpack for my upcoming Camino Ignaciano. I was not prepared to pay the $70 original price a few months...
View ArticleSabbatical tiredness and struggles
It should not be surprising that I am slow to realise how physically tired I really am. After all, this is the third time in 39 years of pastoral ministry that I am having a sabbatical. This first was...
View Article70th Birthday Celebration at Bukit Indah
I have been away on vacation for some time. I have to use up all my annual leave for the year before I embark on my sabbatical from 1 October to 31 December 2019. We celebrated my wife’s brother’s 70th...
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