What's in a smile?

I was attending a talk by Fr JJ Fenelon last Saturday on liturgy, and something he said strike me:

At the final blessing, we are sent forth "to glorify the Lord" by our lives. Which is why even if we offer a smile or a greeting to people we meet, we are in fact passing on Christ to others.

Wow! Have you ever thought about that?

So I did an experiment: on Sunday, when I was doing my hike training, I tried smiling and greeting people whom I came across along the way. Most people either avoid eye contact or look away, but there are those who returned a smile and a greeting. I remembered in particular an old uncle whom I first came across at the Tanjong Rhu park connector, and later again at the Marina Bay area (he was cycling). He recognised me and said "hi" again the second time around.

I think many people are shy or surprised when a stranger greet them or smile at them, because it's not that common here in our country. It's kinda sad, don't you think? We should be happy to pass on a greeting - and Christ - to people we meet, be it a stranger or a schoolmate or workplace colleague whom we don't know very well.

Maybe you can start your own little "daily experiment" and share your results with us.

A Marian Prayer to learn

I saw this from ShareCatholic's Facebook page and wanted to share with you. Set it with one of my favourite drawing of Mother Mary (can't remember where I saw it, so sorry for not attributing to the correct source).

Inviting you to pray this prayer daily during this month of May. =)

May is the month of Mary!

(Image courtesy of happysaints.com)

Here's a little video by Fra. Joseph Mary (Haha, nice name... he has both St. Joseph and Mother Mary!) about the Immaculate Conception. Why do we give this title - which effectively means "conceived perfectly and without flaw" - to Mother Mary? What is the biblical origins of this title?

This video will give you the answer.

Pope Francis' message on the Feast of St. Joseph

Labour Day (1 May) was also the Feast of St. Joseph, Jesus' earthly father who is also known as the patron saint of workers. Pope Francis delivered a wonderful message about the importance and dignity of work on the feastday. He noted that in many countries, young people face unemployment and he urged leaders of the world to look into create jobs for people. The full message can be read here - doesn't take 5 mins to read, and I encourage you to read it.

In particular, he had this to say to you:

"And then I would like to speak especially to you young people: be committed to your daily duties, your study, your work, to relationships of friendship, to helping towards others; your future also depends on how you live these precious years of your life. Do not be afraid of commitment, of sacrifice, and do not look with fear towards the future; keep your hope alive: there is always a light on the horizon."

In our country, we do not dream of a time where there is a lack of opportunities for work, but in so many countries this is not the case. So before we complain that school is tough and work is difficult, let us thank God for the opportunities that we have been given in this land, and pray for those people who don't have as much opportunities as us - that their lives take a turn for the better.

Love in a box

So inspired by Fr Aloysius Ong's homily on Sunday that I made this today... (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

- John 13:34 and 35