Bali
January 27, 2008, 21:34
After landing in Bali and going to the Convention Centre to register, I took the opportunity to do some sight-seeing in Bali. The taxi driver was very chatty, and through him, I was able to better understand what most Balinese thought of the late Indonesian President Suharto, the state of the economy as well as Balinese Culture.
I was first taken to Uluwahtu, an ancient temple set atop a cliff in Jimbaran Bay overlooking the azure blue Indian Ocean. It was a breath-taking sight, as one saw the deep blue waves hit across the shore. The temple is used only for special ceremonies. Located adjacent a forest, the temple is now infested with monkeys who have no fear of humans. One monkey jumped on my shoulders on the way to a branch. It was a shock.
On the way down to Kuta district, I was shown the Nyang Nyang beach which is home to a nudist beach community. Kuta is a tourist town, with shopping malls, massage shops, spas and restaurants of various culinary disciplines. I went for Mass at the Church of St Francis Xavier in Kuta. The priest, an eloquent British man, reflected about the Gospel on how Jesus called his disciples to follow him. It was emphasised that we were all special and unique in our own way, with our own specialised talent. Each person was important and like a giant stained glass, was a vital part of humanity. In no way should we dismiss anyone. In no way should we compare one person with the other, because in so doing, we failed to recognise the uniqueness of each person. God does not let us waste our lives. Even if we messed up, He will use our mistakes and transform it into something good. Similarly, He will never let our lives go to waste. For example, it was through the death of Christ on the cross which affected and inspired lives all over the world. However, that did not mean that we need not fulfill our vocation because even though St Paul said that "where sin abounds, grace abounds even more", because if only we understand the sacrifice, grace and love of God for humanity, then by faith we are redeemed. Faith is not just blind obedience of religious laws and duties. While those laws and duties do guide our spiritual walk, they should not constrict us. Faith is fulfilling the mission that has been asked of us. We may never know what the mission is, but in following His will, we may already have done part of that mission. We must always seek His will, since He will guide us, like a light in the darkness:
Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
Reminicising that he had presided over a funeral of a holidaymaker who had died at 41 suddenly, he said that he had pondered about what he should say to the relatives of the deceased who was expected to get married and that all their expectations of him were suddenly dashed. We should not think in that way because He may have, during his life fulfilled what has been given to him.
The church service was quite unique because it blended Balinese cultural traits in the liturgy. A gong replaced the pealing of the bells to indicate the start of the service. Moreover, chrasmatic praise and worship songs were sung instead of the traditional hymns. An Indonesian praise song was also sung during the service. It was very catchy and got the congregation tapping their feet and clapping to the beat. While this may be frowned upon in some places, I guess this form of celebration of the Mass is necessary in missionary societies in order to let people get a better understanding of God in their own cultural context.
Quite interesting to hear the priest ask that we pray for Suharto and the people who died during his "turbulent reign"
I hope to do some more things during my stay here other than work. To go to the beach, do some shopping and of course try out the spa here.
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