children, revolution of tmr

this morning i was getting ready for tmr Acts of Apostles lesson, reading the book of ACTS. I went to town in the afternoon to get my MAC and handphone repaired. Borders was having a 3 for the price of 2 sales today! how can I not go see the books, so i spent the afternoon at Borders.

I chanced upon this book-'knowing your roots', a case study of how our ancestors will have an effect on us. The study was done on Oprah Winfrey.

The book started off with Oprah sharing about her life. It is that sort of deep sharing that we have faithfully done all this while (praise Lord!)
If you have the time, do read up about her, she is in Times 100 important people of the year by the way. She was sexually abused at age of 9-14, she kept thinking that it is her fault till the age of 40, and cos of brokenness in her, she was suicidal during her teenage years. But God being God, placed people in her life, made good her circumstances, for her to become Union president during her high school(despite her having a baby before), to become a good student, God had great plans for her, she didn't fail in listening to the calling, and today, she is paving the way for the youths of African American.

A Bit Of History-
African Americans lead a tough life. Being slaves since of start of Queen Victoria Time-time when colonization of the world by European Powers started taking place, History of slaves, African Americans were separated from their family members and friends, reason being the Europeans wanted to prevent unity which will bring about riots. In the process of hardship, poor living standards, many African American died nameless, their roots uprooted. IF an African American of today is to proclaim that he has no slave as an ancestor, he will be lying. As their ancestors were slaves, many of them are looked down by the Whites evern till today. More importantly, many African Americans do not see their worth, not knowing about their roots, how many tried to put right the African Americans' lives, some are ashamed by their past, many choose to ignore the past, creating a new identity of Hip Hop black music. This resulted in violence, mistrust in America, the broken generation of today.


A good show to watch will be 'Crash' which depicts the situation of coloured people in America society.

If you look into history, many blacks have portrayed courageous behavior, fighting against poverty, slavery, for the rights of the people. many died in the process.
Oprah Winfrey's dad told her this when she was unmotivated to study during her teens," Do you know how many lives were sacrificed, how many people died for you to be here today. Your crown was paid for by someone else."

Wow! Something struck me when i read this statement. During JYC, someone said that we are all VIPS, all of us from different nations who were there for the retreat are VIPS, wearing invisible suits and coats. I remembered jean and I were awed by this statement. Jesus paid the price for us to be here today, to be part of a catholic family, we are prince and princesses wearing a Crown paid for by Jesus.

If a child, school, society is made known about how valuable each of their lives is, the people who have fought and died for their future, how their ancestors have fought for a better tomorrow for generations to come, the trauma these heros and heroines went through in the process, who will claim that he is not proud of his roots. who will not become confident secured individuals, and live a dignified life.

Oprah Winfrey used to lock herself in the toilet before the show, reciting the names of her ancestors, she claims that she will always come out of the toilet feeling more confident, as if there were many supporters behind her. Knowing her ancestors make her feel confident, secure, a sense of peace. That is because she could relate to her ancestors, she know the hardship, the bravery, the determination and faith they had for generations, for her to be where she is today, which give bountiful confidence!

It made me think of my prayer to Jesus, Mary and saints in times of needs. As i get to know the Lord's teaching and know more and more about who he is, it becomes easier to relate to the Father. Together with history of Salvation, as time passes,my prayer gives me more and more peace, with peace will be love, faith, confidence, all come in the package. ( taken from JYC booklet on shopping at a supermarket).

My discovery of Oprah's life gave me new promptings- Will knowing the history of martyrs, saints increase our faith? that is a definite yes. today's reading on

St. Matthias faithfully followed Jesus throughout His public ministry (Acts 1:21-22), answered God's call, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit fell upon him.


made me think of my patron saint-Stephen, the first Martyr, the angel faced, who before his death cried to the Father for forgiveness of man for what they did to him. Late John Paul, how he refused to step down even though he was struggling with death, how he told a cardinal that if Jesus did not get off the cross, why should I. and all the other saints- the price they paid, their sacrifice made for us to be here, to be apostles of today

I am so Awed!!! I wish to paint a picture, a glorious imagination into the lives, feelings of Stephen, Paul, Simon, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Matthew, Thomas, james, Thaddaeus, Bartholomew and so so many more, i want to know more about all our glorious ancestors who have paved the way for the catholic church. Indeed the church, we have came a long way. History is living lessons which gives our roots, which define who we are now and in future! We are the apostles of today, the responsibility is now in our hands, which reminds me of the promise, the prayer the Serangoon district had at JYC, our pact to not forget our time at JYC, our promise to pass the small spark and not let the flame die out, to be part of the covenant which will spread the faith through Asia!

We ought to know more about apostles. I am so so looking forward to the lesson on ACTS tmr!



Steven