what's it to you?

a man is drinking at a lonesome bar
his bruised knuckles are primed for more alcohol
his wife is at home, trembling, flipping through the phone book
his children lie in bed, fighting their nightmares

a phone rings at an attourney's office
his specialties are domestic abuse and divorce
his secretary is taking down notes for him
his daughter lies about homework and sleepovers

a foetus is growing in her abdomen
his father's favourite pastime is pornography
his mother, the attourney's daughter, is walking to an abortion clinic
his abortionist-to-be goes to church sometimes

a pastor is preaching about the meaning of life
his parishioners think the answer is meaningless
his cousin is staring at the water below the bridge
his brother, the attourney, is crying in his office

a soldier adjusts his rifle strap in Iran
his sergeant has just shot a bomb-strapped child
his sister, the secretary, is judging the wife-beater
his professor spends his saturdays sleeping with the attourney

a drug-pusher flicks his cigarette butt into the trash
his mortgage and debts forced him into the trade
his girlfriend, the abortionist, has liver cancer
his uncle, the soldier, hates all Muslims

a politician is calling the fire brigade
his home was set alight by the cigarette butt
his aunt is a discreet elections officer
his grandson is about to be aborted

the man drinking at the lonesome bar gets a call
his in-charge wants him to get into his fire rescue gear
his inebriated driving will run over the drug-pusher
his accident will be the topic for tonight's tabloid

a society is going through its motions
what's it to you?

on technicalities

just an hour earlier, i literally had one of the rides of my life... okay maybe i'm exaggerating a little, but i really hope i learn my lesson for life!

it's the end of a long day (especially so for me, since i've been having problems coaxing myself to stop doodling around and go sleep), and Alvin was kind enough to drive us halfway around Singapore and send 5 of us home after the MM picnic. unfortunately, the few of us from CAW banner painting had earlier on accidentally (or not!) drifted onto my pet topic of SG politics, and i was still in the mood for argument...

well, suffice to say, i learnt that i'm still not very good at listening to another person's argument. or to be specific, i may have heard some of it, but i end up dismissing someone else's argument using a completely unnecessary sardonic tone. i may like irony, but when i use it on others in this manner, i should be hit with a block of iron!

either ways, another point did surface: many arguments (incl. those that end up affirming major decisions in people's lives) are predicated on terms that have subtle double-meanings. these under-appreciated technicalities often make or break the argument; and often, also the camaraderie which may have existed prior to the point. if the argumenters agree on technical definitions, it can save plenty of empty arguing, which often degenerates into a form of quid pro quo ad hominem. context really is everything!

like today's gospel: Jesus heals a leper who simply falls face down in front of Him and begs Him to cure his leprosy. many an atheist might ask: why then does God not cure everyone? why does He cure a leper who begs Him, but leave thousands upon thousands of other sick and suffering people to their own devices? is it because He felt good when He was begged? of course not! some technical definitions include: it was not just any form of begging - the leper identified Jesus as the Son of God who could heal him if He chose to; Jesus knows the beggar's life, heart and mind thoroughly and He also knew how His healing him is in accordance with the will of God; leprosy was also not entirely a physically painful affliction, but pain from the cold ostracism of the Jewish community, which Jesus came to reform with His message of love. with these 3 points of context, the characters of both Jesus and the leper are fleshed out and their exchange no longer one of mere "begging" and "receiving", but one of "submission" and "mission".

in making an argument really work, instead of merely argument for argument's sake, one ought to be aware of technicalities, empathising with the opposing argumenter and listen to hear his/er point - not simply because one can pick up weak arguments and turn them inside out at his/er expense, but because basic respect is one simple presentation of the love which should motivate all arguments.

argue for the love of God! not for the love of arguing or winning!

time to flee to God!

05 Jan - Monday after Epiphany of the Lord

"Come now, little man! Flee for a while from your tasks, hide yourself for a little space from the turmoil of your thoughts. Come, cast aside your burdensom cares, and put aside your laborious pursuits. For a little while, give your time to God, and rest in him for a little while. Enter into the chamber of your mind, shut out all the things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek him." - St. Anselm of Canterbury

- Taken from "Quotes and Anecdotes - An Anthology for Preachers & Teachers" by Anthony P. Castle

what a timely reminder! but will my pile of lazy bones really get down to keeping quiet?