It literally means "Peace on Earth", a quote directly taken from one of Pope John XXIII's papal encyclical which came out during the 2nd Vatican Council. This great piece is obviously about peace, freedom and moral justice. In this current world - where many people become victims of wars, starvation and injustice - peace is one thing that we as human always dream and yearn. Some people argue that those things are unavoidable - we might say that "well after all, we are human, nobody is perfect." But I think that's why on this year papal mass, Papa Benedict homily once again asked us to try be closer with God's heart, so that He can freely turn us into a better person, and slowly - we can all make this world a better place to live for humankind. Just let God be God :) Kudos for RCTI and Indosiar for keep broadcasting the papal mass, keep up the good work! I don't think that any public tv station in the states will air it. EWTN definitely has it, but come on, they are catholic channel. But I guess the circumstances are different for every country. Merry Christmas and peace on earth! Selamat natal dan damai di bumi!

Verse 1 Da ogni dove siamo qua riuniti ad adorar. Con te in festa noi gioiam In tutto il mondo ti seguirem. Chorus Alleluia, Alleluia! Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia! Receive the Power to be a light unto the world! Verse 2 Tu Espíritu nos llama Responderemos a tu voluntad, Testigos para siempre De tu piedad y eterno amor. Chorus Alleluia, Alleluia! Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia! Receive the Power to be a light unto the world! Bridge Agneau de Dieu, nous t’adorons Notre Seigneur, nous t’adorons Pain de vie, nous t’adorons Emmanuel, nous t’adorons Agneau de Dieu, nous t’adorons Notre Seigneur, nous t’adorons Pain de vie, nous t’adorons Emmanuel, nous te chanterons toujours Chorus Alleluia, Alleluia! Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia! Receive the Power to be a light unto the world!

Verse 1 Spirit calls to rise we will answer and do Your Will. We’ll forever testify of Your mercy and unfailing love. Chorus Alleluia! Alleluia! Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Receive the Power to be a light unto the world! Verse 2 As Your Spirit calls to rise we will answer and do Your Will. We’ll forever testify of Your mercy and unfailing love. Chorus Alleluia! Alleluia! Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Receive the Power to be a light unto the world! Bridge Lamb of God, we worship You, Holy One, we worship You, Bread of Life, we worship You, Emmanuel, we worship You. Lamb of God, we worship You, Holy One, we worship You, Bread of Life, we worship You, Emmanuel, we will sing forever. Chorus Alleluia! Alleluia! Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Receive the Power to be a light unto the world!

So I got this video from my old pal, and it just happens that I like the song too..

Everything Performed by Lifehouse Find Me Here Speak To Me I want to feel you I need to hear you You are the light That's leading me To the place where I find peace again. You are the strength, that keeps me walking. You are the hope, that keeps me trusting. You are the light to my soul. You are my purpose...you're everything. And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this? You calm the storms, and you give me rest. You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall. You STILL my heart, and you take my breath away. Would you take me in? Take me deeper now? And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this? And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this? Cause you're all I want, You're all I need You're everything,everything You're all I want you're all I need You're everything, everything. You're all I want you're all I need. You're everything, everything You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything. And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this? And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better, any better. And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

A quote from Evan Almighty

Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

Something for us to think about..

Take time to work. It is the price of success. Take time to meditate. It is the source of power. Take time to play. It is the secret of perpetual youth. Take time to read. It is the way to knowledge. Take time to be friendly. It is the road to happiness. Take time to laugh. It is the music of the soul. And take time to love and be loved. (quoted from Dr. Zimmerman's Tuesday Tip)

A couple of weeks ago, my roomie told me about IgnatiusLoyola.net. It is a website about Ignatian Spirituality, a spirituality that has been growing on me ever since Frater Pater Koko taught it in my early Loyola days. So I am familiar with the material there, from the infamous spiritual exercise, the examen of consciusness to what is consolation/desolation and how we're supposed to act when we're on those situation. Anyways, so that is a brief introduction to that website. Feel free to go there and read the articles. I know it's really not for everyone, and the contents might be a little weird for those who never read Jesuits books or study in a Jesuit institution. BUT, that is not the real reason I write this post. I was reading this article, and stumbled on this picture: You know, how true is that? Personally, I complain all the time. People who know me IRL might deny that, since I don't seems to complain much. But deep down in my heart, I know I always complain. I just don't express it explicitly. It makes me think of my life. Is that really true? Have I been seriously too busy with my life? I know a couple of people that call me orang sibuk, you know... busy with school, works, ministry, organizational stuff,  personal projects, slacking :p whatever you can think lah... I always think that that's a good thing right? I mean, God don't want us to be idle and do nothing. If we're busy with life, trying to reach our goal and do good things during our pilgrimage on earth, then God must be proud of us. Afterall, that's what He wanted us to do right? On the contrary, this article reminds us to stop. Stop from whatever we doing and try look back. Look at what we have done in your life, all that we have and have not achieve, all that are happening in the past.. and reflect on how God have been working through all those events in our life. Without stopping, we will running out of fuel and simply stranded in the middle of nowhere. In a Formula One race, every car have to take pit-stop. No matter how fast or how skillful you drive, you always have to take at least one pit-stop. And if you ever watch Formula One, you must know that pit-stop strategy is extremely important to win the race. It needs good planning and perfect execution to get good result, because if you spent too much time in pit stop, you will lose so many precious seconds. I guess that's how life really is. It is a race to reach the finish line. And we have to remember and really know where the finish line before we can really put our foot on the pedal. Learning from Ignatius Loyola, I know that I will reach the finish line as long as I live with his motto: Ad Majorem dei Gloriam - for the greater glory of God, untuk kemuliaan Tuhan yang lebih tinggi. Semangat magis, the passion to always improve and do it only for Him. And the occasional and well-timed pit stop to make sure that I'm not on the wrong track. Now, for a little reflection.. let's try to answer this question: Are you too busy to notice you're too busy? Bummer! :p

Tony Melendez

"You be His feet and His hands. I say this without the hands, but you might have." People have asked me “Tony, where are the miracles?” I always say: “I see the hand, one hand, and when somebody raises a hand… for me that is a miracle” Please don’t tell me that you can’t… because you can do much more. Just say “I want, I can and I’m going to do it." You have a world waiting for yours hands saying yes.

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Good grief... I'm finally done with these midterms. I already got the result for two of them, one was so-so, one was exceptionally good. I haven't got the result for the other two, but rest assured - the one I just took this afternoon is going to be EXTREMELY AWFUL. I would be really happy if I managed to get C. Just imagine, 4 essay questions, 25 points each. I blow the first one, I expect no partical credit what so ever. The other three, hmm... let's say that if I rate my confidence level for those answers, it will be around 3 out of 10. ROFL. God help me. So midterm is over, I'm back to my daily routines: tons of homeworks and computer projects. I have one lab due this Friday for my Computer Graphic class (which I haven't even started), and one for the following Friday: building a working interpreter (and Yes, I haven't start that one either). And don't forget all these pre-lab and report for my ECE labs. Oh humanity! Anyways... on the positive side, I'm really happy that yesterday there's one Indonesian priest who came from Boston (through Cincinnati). This is like the first Indonesian mass in Columbus, because the previous one was at least 4 years ago. Pater Priyo, that's his name, is a Jesuit. And to my surprise, he knows all Jesuits I know! From Pater Puspo, Pater Koko, Pater Yoedho, to Frater Jon. He know all of them, because apparently there is only 350 Jesuits in Indonesia! Isn't that surprising? I thought Jesuits are pretty big in Indonesia, because they are like everywhere - especially in the educational sector. But still, 350 is quite a big number. So I guess he's one of the senior people on the organization. Thank you for coming Romo, I am praying for all the happiness God can gives you through your holy priesthood :) The other thing that makes me happy today is the premiere of That Catholic Show. It is a video podcast done professionally by Star Quest Production Network (www.SQPN.com) and Rosary Army (www.RosaryArmy.com). They are well known for their dedication to spread the Catholic faith using internet media. SQPN.com have been hosting for 30ish podcasts, and although most of them are very well made, only a few of them (The Daily Breakfast and Catholic Insider for example) can match this quality. Unsurprisingly, Fr. Roderick is also the co-producer for the show :) Well done guys! Anyways, this very first show is about Sit, Stand, or Kneel. It is presented in a very light, funny and educational way. It's almost like watching Mythbuster on Discovery Channel! Seriously! I hopefully pray that Holy Spirit will works through these people so it can maintain it's high standart, and of course - brings people closer to the Church! If you haven't watch it, just go to www.thatcatholicshow.com Alright, now back to my ECE homework.

Message from President Karen A. Holbrook:

At 3 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18, the chimes of Orton Hall, on the Oval, will play the Virginia Tech alma mater in memory of those individuals who lost their lives Monday on the campus of Virginia Tech University. Following the chimes, please join the entire Ohio State University campus in a moment of silence, so each of us, in our own way, can offer our private thoughts and prayers on behalf of victims of this terrible tragedy. Wherever you may be at 3 p.m., please pause and join the entire campus community for a moment of reflection.

Let's pray for everyone who died on this tragedy. May our heavenly Father forgive their sins and give them eternal life.