Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: April 2014

Monday of the 4th Week of Easter

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Some of us may be quite strongly entrenched in our ethnic group, tribal group or in some form of association, that our loyalty and obedience towards that group may be quite strong. This could lead to great clashes of differences between groups. Even among Christians, we still see some remnants of such segregation and allegiance of groups in certain countries.

However, today’s reading reminds us that as Christians, we should no longer be in division and allegiance to a particular group. We as Christians should be brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all God’s children regardless of who we are and which ethnic group come from. Today’s reading shows us that the Jews had come to a realisation that even pagans could be saved. The reading tells us: “This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God. ‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.’”

If God can grant repentance to all, why are some of we still stubbornly holding on to our ethnic group? Let us change our attitudes and behaviour towards others and live in unity with diversity as children of God, for God loves and cares for all.

4th Sunday of Easter Year A

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At some point or another, we may have strayed and gotten ourselves into a mess. Sometimes, we get ourselves into a bigger mess than we can handle. But no matter how bad the situation may seem, we have a shepherd whom we can turn to for help. Today’s second reading reminds us that “Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took.” Also, we are reminded that “you had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” Christ is our shepherd and it is His voice that we should follow, since it is His voice that we ought to recognise.

Today’s Gospel also reminds us that Christ is “the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture.” The question is, are we listening to His voice and following only His voice? Or have we allowed ourselves to be distracted with other voices? Are we going through Christ, our gate? Or are we trying to take other shortcuts or routes, which could lead to dangerous situations?

Sometimes in life we may be tempted to listen to the various voices of the world. The world tells us different things, sometimes conflicting things, to confuse and subdue us. The world also gives us paths, routes and other avenues which may appear to be just as good as what Christ offers us, and yet, such other “gates” could only lead to our destruction. Are we still restless and stubborn, trying to find our own way? Or have we learnt be humble and open enough to listen to His voice, and go through His gate, where we will find rest and security for our souls?

Housekeeping – 3rd Week of Easter

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For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

4 May 2014 – 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
5 May 2014 – Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter
6 May 2014 – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
7 May 2014 – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
8 May 2014 – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
9 May 2014 – Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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Some of us may have experienced a conversion at some point of our lives. We may have been born in a family of a different faith, and due to some incident, occasion or experience, we may have decided to inquire further of the Christian faith. Then, after much study and reflection, some of us may have decided to be baptised.

Perhaps not many of us would have experienced the sort of conversion which Saul did in today’s reading. Perhaps our conversion story may not have been so dramatic or phenomenal. But the fact is our conversion story must have been so significant or impacted our lives so much that we decided to eventually be baptised, or we may have decided to change our lives and live in a different way, hopefully closer to God. When we experienced a conversion, how did we feel? Were we excited and enthusiastic about the experience? Were we ready and willing to share our experience with others, with the hope that they too may experience conversion in their own way?

When we feel bogged down with challenges in life, perhaps we could recall our conversion stories as a source of inspiration, reminding us that God is moulding us and helping us to grow spiritually. Life is a struggle, but when we recall how God guided us to change our lives, we know that we can depend on His providence. Let us continue to trust and depend on Him. After all, if He can change Saul from a persecutor into a defender of the faith, how much more He can transform us into something better, if we offer ourselves to Him with trust and sincerity.

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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When we were baptised, how many of us rejoiced in receiving baptism? For those of us who were baptised as babies, perhaps we may not have been fully aware or understood what was going on. But for those who were baptised as adults, were we excited, joyful, happy, or enthusiastic? Today’s reading tells us about the eunuch who was an officer at the court of the kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia. This eunuch went on his way rejoicing after receiving baptism from Philip. We may not know what happened to the eunuch after this, but from his joyful exuberance, we could guess that he would have continued to spread the Good News in his homeland Ethiopia.

We too are called to go forth to preach the Good News, since our baptism makes a children of God and surely we should be excited to share this Good News with others. Our baptism is not meant to be kept for ourselves only, but we should be the salt of the earth and the light of the world so that others would come to know and accept Jesus. Are we doing our part? Or have we allowed ourselves to slack and become complacent towards our duty?

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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When we are faced with bitter persecution, what would we do? Would we continue to keep the faith and stand our ground? Would we continue to keep the faith but go elsewhere to proclaim it, since it would have been not possible to continue proclaiming it in one’s present location? Or would some of us abandon our faith to save our skin and protect our interests?

In today’s reading, we read “a bitter persecution started against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria.” At first instance, we may think that only the apostles were still keeping the faith. But if we read further, we would discover that “those who had escaped went from place to place preaching the Good News.” The disciples may have made a run for it, but they were doing so, so that the faith could be preserved and taught elsewhere, despite facing persecution. If we are faced with similar persecution, would we still be fervent and steadfast just as these disciples and the apostles were, some remaining to keep the church alive in Jerusalem, others going elsewhere to spread the Good News?

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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It seems strange that some of us would go through great effort to find the best or most delicious food or drink in this world. Some of us would travel many great distances just to taste and enjoy something which only lasts for a short while. No matter how wonderful or delicious or tasty the food or drink may be, we will eventually be hungry or thirsty again. The food which we get to nourish our physical bodies will not last.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of a different kind of food and drink. He says: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.” This kind of food is able to satisfy us completely, not just physically, but especially spiritually. Some of us may have been running around trying to satisfy only our physical needs, but how much effort have we been making to satisfy our spiritual needs? Which is ultimately more important to us? Let us be prudent and wise in doing what is necessary so that we will never be hungry or thirsty.

Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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Lies and jealousy are sins which some may have committed due to personal pride. Some of us feel insecure and do not want to lose out or want to appear to be greater than we really are. Some of us may become extremely jealous of other people’s accomplishments or abilities, and we may begin to spread lies or other forms of false information just to belittle or put down others. This is exactly what happened to those certain people in today’s reading, who came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom and what did they do? They procured some men to bear false witness against Stephen; then having in this way turned the people against him as well as the elders and scribes, they took Stephen by surprise, and arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin. People can do evil and despicable things, when they are blinded by jealousy and lies.

Are we just as guilty in being jealous and spreading lies in this way, just to make ourselves look good and to protect our interests? Is our face or pride more important to us in this temporary life? Sometimes the truth may come out and the lies we spread would be exposed, and to try and cover up further, we may end up lying more or committing even greater sins. How much more can we avoid the truth? May we be wise enough to finally accept ourselves as we really are, and be humble enough to be truthful to ourselves and to others.

3rd Sunday of Easter Year A

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Giving up seems to be the easiest thing to do for some people. People give up due to a number of reasons. Some do so because they lack confidence or strength. Some because of circumstances which they think are beyond their control. Some feel that the effort is just not worth it in the long run. Others feel dejected, and may even despair, thinking that all hope is gone. However, if we examine the motives of some people as to why they give up, we may begin to discover that some of the real reasons why they do so may be because they do not want to take responsibility for the situation or task, or perhaps they feel that their pride is at stake, or that their reputation is more important to them, and would rather salvage what they can instead of risking things further.

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus in today’s Gospel were walking away from Jerusalem, walking away from the situation at hand. They were giving up, thinking that there was nothing left for them to cling on to. But even though they had given up on Jesus, Jesus did not give up on them. Jesus walks along with them and helps them slowly but surely to realise that there is hope. Eventually, the fire within them which at first seemed to have sizzled out started burning again. They became aware again of their mission and they responsibilities to bear witness to the Good News.

We may at some point of our lives felt abandoned due to our failings, due to the many sins we may have committed. Some of us may begin to think that we are unworthy and therefore start missing Mass. However, it is at the Mass, which we try to avoid, that we are actually healed and strengthened. It is at the Mass that Jesus speaks to us from the readings in the bible; that Jesus breaks bread and opens our eyes to his presence in the Eucharist and in all around us; that Jesus will strengthen us and send us forth to bring the good news to all. It is at the Mass that we become aware that Jesus is always there walking next to us, guiding us and giving us hope.

If some of us are feeling like giving up, like there is no hope, remember this: Jesus is there. We may not see Him, but He is there. He is there at the Mass and He is inviting all to come and be nourished and strenghtened. He wants you to come closer to Him and let Him heal you and rekindle the fire in your hearts. Do not be afraid. The hearts of the two disciples at Emmaus were set aflame with new vigour, new zeal, new enthusiasm, because they opened their hearts to Jesus. Let us too open our hearts to Jesus.