死亡清掃人 (Death Sweeper)

這則新聞令我想起最近愛看的一部漫畫--死亡清掃人Death Sweeper。故事由主角發現自己哥哥自殺死去作開始……我只看了頭兩卷，但已被這故事及人物發展吸引著。這部不是以驚慄、怪異作招來的漫畫，卻是藉主角及其他不同角色直接面對死亡的實況，在描述人性的善惡以及對生命意義的反省，甚為細膩，值得推介。

This manga is about the job of cleaning up scenes of death, and discusses the meaning of life and death. Through interactions between the deceased's family and friends with the death sweepers, we understand the meaning of death. No matter is it is a peaceful death at the ends of one's life, murder, suicide, death from illnesses, when death comes, who would be able to predict it, or prevent it? That is why we have to try our best to live on.
(Quoted from Baka-Updates Manga)

明年今日

感謝天父，今日終於完成今個學期要交的最後一份功課！這一個月來的緊張狀態可以告一段落了。今個學期在系統神學及講道學中的學習真是滿足！今日寄出功課後除了感恩，還憧憬著明年的今日自己會在做什麼。明年四月到了這個時候，應該是櫻花盛放的初春，期待可以完成在Regent College這個Master of Christian Studies (Applied Theology)，可以畢業，和Connie、Abby、Elly回香港了！祈求在剩餘的這一年繼續經歷神的帶領，去完成這段在加拿大學習之旅。

Beloved

Although presently struggling with school work before school ends this week, I came across a few nice quotes from Henri Nouwen in his book The Only Necessary Thing:

"We are called to convert our loneliness into solitude. We are called to experience our aloneness not as a wound but as a gift--as God's gift--so that in our aloneness we might discover how deeply we are loved by God." (p.43)

...Henri urges us to claim ourselves as beloved children of a God who longs for our love. This is a whole new perspective on life. Do we dare to believe that a relationship of love and intimacy is possible between our God and ourselves?... "Prayer, is listening to that voice--to the One who calls you the Beloved". (p.12)

Yes, we are God's beloved children. May we learn to trust in Him more and live in His love daily.