Monthly Archives: November 2013

If you happen to visit different churches in your travels, one question may pop up: is the church a house of prayer or a robber’s den? While having activity around the church may be a good thing, sometimes the activity itself may cause distraction to those who want to have some peace and pray. Also, at times, certain activities such as buying and selling religious items, food stuff, etc. may tempt some to sin (cheating others when charging prices, gossiping, squabbling over price, etc.) When these things happen, we may be turning the church into a robber’s den.

Thus, we need to re-examine ourselves: why are we in church? Are we genuinely seeking God in prayer and reflection? Are we aware of the presence of the Most High in the Blessed Sacrament? Do we have respect for the sacredness of the church, within and it’s surrounding? Or have we allowed worldly activities to take precedence?

Most of us are given opportunities to be a leader in some way. Perhaps we are leaders in our home, perhaps in the office or workplace, perhaps in society, or perhaps in church. But wherever we are called to be leaders, we become aware of the great responsibility and expectation placed upon us. Are we firm and fair leaders, dedicated towards humble service? Or have we allowed power and prestige to get into our heads?

In today’s reading, we see how Mattathias and his sons chose to do what is right and just and obey God’s orders. The reading tells us that, “In his zeal for the Law, Mattathias went through the town, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘Let everyone who has a fervour for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.’ Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town. At this, many who were concerned for virtue and justice went down to the desert and stayed there.”

Such leadership by Mattathias and his sons inspired many others to follow their example and remain faithful to God. As church leaders, are we showing fervour and good example, encouraging others to do the same? Or have we misused our leadership for our own gain, and caused others to go astray?

Most of us would be very protective towards our family and kids, and often we would do our best to provide a secure and happy home. Some would send their kids for lots of classes: music class, ballet, tuition (one after another), taekwondo, etc., hoping that their kids would benefit greatly from such classes and gain an edge in the world.

But if we are faced in a dangerous situation where our faith is being challenged and the entire family could be wiped out, how would we advice or teach our kids? Would we tell them to save themselves, reasoning that they are young and have got lots of life ahead of them? Or would we be like that mother in today’s reading, who “was especially admirable and worthy of honourable remembrance, for she watched the death of seven sons in the course of a single day, and endured it resolutely because of her hopes in the Lord. Indeed she encouraged each of them in the language of their ancestors; filled with noble conviction, she reinforced her womanly argument with manly courage, saying to them, ‘I do not know how you appeared in my womb; it was not I who endowed you with breath and life, I had not the shaping of your every part. It is the creator of the world, ordaining the process of man’s birth and presiding over the origin of all things, who in his mercy will most surely give you back both breath and life, seeing that you now despise your own existence for the sake of his laws.’”

The question we need to ask ourselves is this: Is faith in God so precious, so valuable, so important, that we are willing to let our children and ourselves lose our lives so that we may gain eternal life? Or have we become so attached to the ways of the world that we are willing to compromise or abandon our faith, and in doing so lose our soul?

Some of us look up to movie stars, music stars, and other “stars” who have made a name for themselves in the entertainment, movie, financial, etc. industry. We hope to follow their example and become successful and famous just like them. But how many of us look up to the saints and martyrs as shining examples of faith? It seems as if some of us are more interested in temporary success here on earth, compared to eternal “success” in heaven.

Today’s reading shows us an excellent example of courage and willingness to sacrifice ones life to glorify God. The reading tells us that “Eleazar, one of the foremost teachers of the Law, a man already advanced in years and of most noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth wide to swallow pig’s flesh. But he, resolving to die with honour rather than to live disgraced, went to the block of his own accord, spitting the stuff out, the plain duty of anyone with the courage to reject what it is not lawful to taste, even from a natural tenderness for his own life.”

If we are asked to do something unlawful or illegal, would we do it? If our boss asks us to do something wrong for the benefit of the company, would we do it? Or would we follow the example of Eleazar in today’s reading, preferring to die than to commit sin?  It is certainly easier said than done, as we are being continuously tempted by riches, wealth and promotion and in pursuit of such things, we may be soiling and destroying our soul. Let us pray and continue to depend on God’s help to stay true, just and faithful to our duty as Catholics.

Nowadays, most of us would have not experienced major persecution for practicing our faith. Perhaps we may experience persecution in one form or another but not yet to the point of being put to death. as we generally live in a peaceful and civilised society. However, if we were one day challenged to renounce our faith or be executed, would we be willing and happy to do so?

In today’s reading, king Antiochus Epiphanes “issued a proclamation to his whole kingdom that all were to become a single people, each renouncing his particular customs. All the pagans conformed to the king’s decree, and many Israelites chose to accept his religion, sacrificing to idols and profaning the sabbath.” However, the reading also states that: “Yet there were many in Israel who stood firm and found the courage to refuse unclean food. They chose death rather than contamination by such fare or profanation of the holy covenant, and they were executed.”

If we were told to give up our faith and become a single people practicing another faith, would we do so to save our skin, or would we joyfully go to our deaths for the glory of God? Would we allow ourselves to be easily converted to another faith, possibly just for the sake of temporary benefits and wealth, or would we be enthusiastic about dying for our faith? If and when such a situation happens, let us pray that we would be brave and committed to do what is right and glorify God.