Monthly Archives: July 2014

If you were given a choice of being rich or being poor, which would you choose? Some of us may go for being rich, thinking that riches would help us be comfortable and happy. Also, some may say that riches enable them to be without worry. Others may choose to be poor, thinking that poverty enables them to live simple lives, going back to basics and perhaps living off the land. But regardless of whether we choose to be rich or poor, does it really help us spiritually?

In today’s reading, we discover a choice which transcends or goes beyond the need to be rich or poor. In the reading: “keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of bread to eat, for fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, ‘the Lord – who is the Lord?’ or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of my God.” Seeking to be rich or seeking to be poor does not satisfy us completely, since either way, our desires will never be fulfilled. As the reading says: “grant me only my share of bread to eat.” We also recite a similar request in the Lord’s Prayer when we say: “Give us this day our daily bread.” In this way, we are contend with what we have each day; there is no need for more or less.

Some people say that blood is thicker than water. They believe that your immediate family members are the ones you can mostly count on or depend on. To a certain extend, this may be true. As children, we depended on our parents for many things: food, shelter, love, education and guidance. When we grew up, we became less dependent on our immediate family members, but the familial bond is still there. However, is familial bond all that matters?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” This shows that to Jesus, familial relationship is not all that matters. What really matters is we hear God’s word and act on it. Jesus is reminding us that if we hear and do God’s will, then we are part of a family relationship which goes beyond just blood-relationship. We become members of God’s family, we become brothers and sisters in Christ. More importantly, we become closer to God our loving father. Do we only want to focus on our relationship here on earth, or are we making more effort to focus on a relationship which is eternal?

What sort of a person do we consider ourselves at this present time? Are we a loving, caring, generous, courteous, respectful, compassionate, or merciful person? Or have we become more and more cold towards others, even to the point of plotting against them? Sometimes, we could be just as guilty if we are indifferent, couldn’t be bothered, aloof, over-demanding or rude towards others. We may not realise it ourselves, but sometimes a good, trustworthy and reliable friend could point out our abilities as well as our shortcomings to us, enabling us to become better people.

In today’s reading, we are reminded to be good examples towards others. But being good examples is not sufficient. We also need to suppliment our being with doing. As some may say, we need to “walk the talk.” Today’s reading cautions us: “Do not emulate the man of violence, never model your conduct on his; for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to the Lord, who confides only in honest men. The Lord’s curse lies on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the virtuous. He mocks those who mock, but accords his favour to the humble.” Let us take a deep, honest look at ourselves. Are we people of peace, bringing love, joy, compassion or mercy to all? Or are we wilfully doing wrong, committing abhorrent or wicked things in one way or another, thinking only of ourselves and ultimately distancing ourselves from God?

Some people live lives as if this life is all that matters. They try to accumulate titles, wealth, fame, and recognition, with the intention of winning admiration and respect from others. However, what these people have accumulated seems not enough, and they work even harder and try harder to gain more and more of such things. Some people may think that after this life is over and done with, that is it: we are finished, we are history. But is this what we Christians believe?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us that we Christians believe in the resurrection. He says: “Now if Christ raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless; indeed, we are shown up as witnesses who have committed perjury before God, because we swore in evidence before God that he had raised Christ to life.”

It seems as if there are some Christians who may have begun to doubt the resurrection of the dead. Even today, there are Christians who may have doubted this important teaching. However, we should note that if we doubt the resurrection of the dead, then we could be drifting away from our Christian belief. After all, we say that we believe in the resurrection of the dead, when we recite the Apostles Creed or even the Nicene Creed. Are we holding fast to our belief and trusting in God?

There are times in life where we say things without thinking, only to regret what we said later. There are times where we say something just to make another person happy or to get the other person off our back, but we do not mean what we say. There are also times where we say something, perhaps intending to honour what we have said, but due to pressures and other distractions in life, we may have forgotten what we had said. What about you? Are you being honest with your words? Some people say that they have uttered white lies, perhaps to get out of a sticky or undesirable situation, but a lie is still a lie, regardless of what colour it is.

The same scenario can be applied to when we use the word “love.” Do we really understand what “love” is? Sometimes we say we “love,” but we actually mean we “like.” In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us that: “Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes… In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.”

Seeing the many attributes and characteristics of “love,” do we really mean what we say when we say we love God? In the same way, do we really love others, just as God loves us? It is easy to misuse and abuse the word “love,” but it is certainly not so simple to really love God and people. Does this mean that we can never love properly and truly? We are not perfect, we make mistakes, but if we do our best and continue to trust in God’s help and providence, surely we will slowly be able to love meaningfully, truthfully and consistently.

What sort of attitude do we have towards others? Are we compassionate, loving, forgiving and caring? Or are we self-righteous, thinking that only we are ok and others are not ok? Do we treat people equally, or have we allowed pride and prejudice to creep into our attitude and behaviour towards others? Sometimes we come across discrimination, double-standards, or unfairness towards certain groups. Are we guilty in committing these in one way or another too?

In today’s Gospel, we see two contrasting figures: Simon the Pharisee and the woman with a bad name. Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to a meal, and yet his hospitality towards Jesus was minimal. The woman, on the other hand, “waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.” Here we see the judgemental attitude the Pharisee had towards the woman, and to a certain extend, towards Jesus. The woman, on the other hand, sought forgiveness and mercy, perhaps wanting to change or turn over a new leaf. Yet, Jesus showed care and mercy towards the woman, by saying: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

God is ever merciful and loving to all of us. He gives us plenty of opportunities to change for the better, forgiving us for the many wrongdoings we may have committed, just as the woman had been forgiven. Are we too not bound to be just as merciful, compassionate and loving towards others?

Each and every one of us has got a purpose and role as a Christian. We are not the same, and we do not have the same responsibilities. Some of us may feel that we should be given more significant duties. But the question is: are we Christians after status and recognition? Or are we Christians with a mission, in different ways and capacities perhaps, but with one common goal, that is to proclaim the Good News?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink. Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it.” We may have different duties, responsibilities, or functions, but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. We should do our duty with joy, enthusiasm and vigour, instead of trying to compare with others and feeling upset that we are not being given something better. After all, are we serving God, or are we serving ourselves? Be happy and committed in doing your part in building the Kingdom of God.