Reflections on Psalm 84 (Br Gabriel Wong)

Psalm 84: 4-5

How blessed are those who live in your house;

they shall praise you continually.

Blessed those who find their strength in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

There have been strong feelings towards this particular verse of Psalm 84 ever since residing in the seminary. Living under the same roof and in the same house can be a challenge at times but mostly a blessing especially when unity and love overcomes the temptations of pride, jealousy and petty differences. Together the family here finds strength in You, Lord. No longer alone on the journey, but a lifetime of brotherhood as companions on this holy pilgrimage. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. Lent always feels like a pilgrimage to be closer to You, Lord. There is no need to take metal birds in the sky to travel to distant lands for this pilgrimage. This pilgrimage is right here and now.

If only one can open his eyes and is willing to hear, one can feel loving words from You, Lord on this Lentern pilgrimage. Like a lover, one can hear You singing along the pilgrimage just like Disney’s Aladdin singing to his would-be bride on a magic carpet.

“….Unbelievable sights. Indescribable feelings. Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling through an endless diamond sky. A whole new world. Don’t you dare close your eyes. A hundred thousand things to see. Hold your breath, it gets better…”

There is so much adventure on this pilgrimage if only one is willing to take it like lovers on a pilgrimage to You, Lord. Yes, a seminary is filled with lovers of the Lord. They are lovers, who have fallen and continue to fall in love with You, Lord. Did you not send out your lovers in pairs to spread Your love?

Luke 10:1

After this, the Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them out ahead of Him in PAIRS…

Behold a picture of thanksgiving. Within the picture, there are two pairs of brothers in two different formation years. This pilgrimage to You is no longer humanly alone. Besides the divine, there is another brother in flesh alongside to venture out on this lentern pilgrimage together.

This is Your blessing.

This is Your love.

Thank You, Lord.

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Stay tuned for the next post by Br Nicholas Lye on 11th Mar 2011.