Do we really love kids?

(Photo courtesy of Google)

There was a time in our lives when we were kids. Some of us mischievous, some could not wait to be adults and some who just wanted to be kids forever. We all come from diverse cultures, beliefs and financial backgrounds.

We all relied on our parents or guardians to take care of us and being there for us as pillars of support physically and emotionally. Seriously it is not easy being a parent. Being an individual is hard enough, what more taking care of another human being who is helpless@ kids. It would be a responsibility that covers satisfying the basic if human needs; eating, bathing, walking.

With the rising cost of living and some being influenced from our materialistic friends, it becomes even harder to keep up with the 'Joneses' and support a growing child.

It is so nice to see friends or relatives with cute babies. For some of us, we feel a certain emptiness that invokes us to compete and follow in pursuit to acquire a child just to be accepted into that social circle. This sometimes would be done without consideration of current financial earnings, added responsibility, devotion of time and space.

Are we really cut-out to be parents? Are we willing to support and bring-up a child?

These are the questions both parents need to analyze before going all out to conceive a child. We must truly stand by what we believe in and what are our needs at this point in our lives.

Lately, it is saddening to see so many child abuse cases. What has happened to Malaysians? Why are we becoming so aggressive?

A mother carries a baby for 9 months in her womb, enduring pre-natal syndrome and going into labour. So much is done to bring a life into this world. However, some individuals lack the understanding and appreciation from God for being gifted with kids.

From kicking, to punching, to throwing... how can someone be so heartless and over-powering?

Where are the morals in an adult Malaysian despite so much emphasis on Moral studies throughout the stage of schooling?

Kids are kids. They do silly things. Due to their maturity and experience, they act in so-called foolish ways.

It seems we are using our kids as punching bags to vent our frustrations. How can we blame them when it was us who brought them into this world?

Sometimes, it is due to certain carelessness that we accidentally conceive a child. It is our fault and we should not punish an innocent human being.

I am sure it is sad for those couples that are having difficulty conceiving to see people that are gifted with kids, show no appreciation, love and care to their kids. Some couples really want to be parents and devote their energy to the well-being of their kids. It is considered such a joy and blessing to have kids for them. I am sure they are also happy and considering that in time to come when they begin to become frail, they do have their kids to take care of them. These are the people who deserve to have kids but sometimes due to biological and health constraints, they may not be as fortunate to be called Mom and Dad.

I would like to appeal to all Malaysians to stop child abuse.

Thank you.

Priest on leave

I have a lot of respect for priest. They gave up their freedom and material wants to devote their lives to God. Catholic priest are not allowed to get married or live lavish lives. It is not a bad thing seriously. It is good that some people have been touched in some way to be obedient to religious life and spread religion amongst believers and non-believers.

To become a priest is not easy. One has to attend almost 10 years of religious studies in a seminary. Also, being human, it is a challenge to fight the temptations of the world out there.

Strangely, only recently have I been overwhelmed with priest that are going on leave. From what I heard, they are allowed to take 2 years leave from pastoral work. I also heard that the bishop of the diocese will not pay them their monthly tokens. In our world, it sounds pretty much like no-pay leave. Seems fair I guess.

But as to why priest are going on leave is a big '?'.

I have heard a couple of stories and of all times to hear un-confirmed or should I say rumors is during Lent(preparation for Easter where we should be holy and avoid such things like rumor mongering).

There is this priest who claims to have bought his own electrical appliance with his own money and kept it at the church house. One day, the bishop questioned these appliances and he defended himself saying it was his own. However, there was a dispute and the issue remains unresolved with the priest taking leave now.

As most may know, I go to Botanical Gardens for my walks these couple of months. I bumped into this priest walking in the gardens with a lady in her 60s. The priest looked different or somewhat camouflaged with long hair and beard. I thought of her as the priest relative or a good samaritan taking a priest out for exercise. To my disbelief, I heard recently they are a couple and they are dating! So this priest is also now on leave.

What is happening to these priest? Have they forgotten their purpose to serve God and His people? Have they forgotten that they must have nothing except for the greater glory of God?

Yes, I read this in the booklet when I went to church during Holy week. It was a prayer for priest and religious.

If they do not have a religious reason to take leave, I certainly think that they are then not fit to be priest. It leaves me with an impression of how fickle minded and unstable they are mentally, emotionally and maturely.

It is a disgrace to Catholics to adopt such priest who do not remain like priest compared to the old days. It is also a reflection on us Catholics on how the decision process is made to elect priest in our communities. Perhaps we are so desperate for priest because there is a shortage of priest.

However, the priesthood in Asia is still growing. My dad was in Ireland a year back and met with a priest there. The priest said that back in the old days, priest used to come from the West to spread God's word to the East. In todays times, it is the opposite with the East going to meet the West to preach.

I honestly pray that these priest who are on leave come to a self-realization on life and religion and return back to the priesthood. If not, I think it's best we as Catholics let them leave with their own free-will.

However, as a more pro-active approach, the Catholic diocese especially in Malaysia should revise their religious approach and identify the root of this problem of why priest are taking leave.