First Post of 2009

25 January 2009, 初二, Memorial of St Angela Merici

It has been a challenging 2008. But by the grace of God I have made it through the chaos and toil.

I have survived mind flaying BSLC. I have endured the scorn of those who are stronger than I am. I am grateful for those who have stretched out their hand to me in my time of need. I am convinced that there is hope for sinners. I know the priest often preaches in vain, but there is hope still.

I have endured the trial of needles draining my blood everyday in SPEC II course at SMTI.  I have found good friends. I have witnessed injustice and seen the true colours of many.Yet I felt some pride on Passing-Out-Parade day.

I have lasted six months in a unit with useless and absent superiors, complemented with unhelpful colleagues and subordinates. I know how it feels when your upperstudy leaves you to your own devices (leaving his share of duty for you to take as well). I know how it feels when you are dumped with menial tasks from idiot regulars. I have cleaned up the mess of others. I have received punishment for being at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

I have numbed my mind and dulled my senses through the greatest crisis, and emerged with success. I have kept my fingers (and myself) crossed when matters are beyond my control. I forced myself to work even though I could run away with good and acceptable reasons.

I have been berated by people I met for the first time, or never even met before. I have multi-tasked the movement of massive machines. I have borrowed them in one piece and returned them with some scratches.

I have survived the terror of both audit and ATEC. I have left rubbish behind, and when I returned it was still there waiting for me. I have been overseas. I have wandered around in a foreign city alone.

I have restarted the Mandarin youth legion at Nativity. I have rediscovered simplicity, and detested high jinks. I am thankful for those who worked harder than me.

I have seen the goodness in evil men, and the evil in good men. I have met good friends. I have kept good friends.

I have seen absolute anger and definite despair. I have dreamnt of gaining eternal joy and avoiding everlasting regret. I forgot how to pray, then I remembered once more.

It has been a good year, let us bless the Lord!

Te Deum

We praise you O God,
we acknowledge you to be the Lord;
all the earth now worships you,
the Father everlasting.
To you all angels cry aloud,
the heavens and all the powers therein;
to you cherubim and seraphim
continually do cry:
Holy, holy, holy
Holy Lord, God of Sabaoth,
heaven and earth are full of the
majesty of your glory.

The glorious company
of the apostles praise you,
the goodly fellowship
of the prophets praise you,
the noble army of martyrs praise you,
the holy Church throughout all the world
does acknowledge you:
the Father of an infinite majesty,
your adorable, true,
and only Son,
also the Holy Spirit, the counselor.
You are the King of glory, O Christ.
You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

When you took upon yourself
to deliver man,
you humbled yourself to be born of a virgin.
When you had overcome the sharpness of death,
you opened the kingdom
of heaven to all believers.
You sit at the right hand of God
in the glory of the Father.
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
We therefore pray you help your servants,
whom you have redeemed with your
precious blood.
Make them to be numbered
with your saints in glory everlasting.

O Lord save your people
and bless your heritage.
Govern them and lift them up forever.
Day by day we magnify you,
and we worship your name,
world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord,
to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let your mercy be upon us,
as our trust is in you.
O Lord, in you have I trusted,
let me never be confounded.