Monthly Archives: August 2014

There are many things in this world we need to deal with and watch out for. We need to be diligent in our relationship with others; we need to take care of ourselves and our families; we need to be loving and compassionate; so many things which occupy our time. But no matter how busy we are or what needs to be done, we need to be extra careful and cautious when it comes to our efforts in building and maintaining a good relationship with God. This is because evil exists, and evil will find ways and means to distract us and tempt us to sin. Some of us may think that we are capable and strong enough to resist temptation, but let us remember that the evil one knows our weaknesses and would use our weaknesses against us.

This is why, in today’s reading, St. Paul advises us: “Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put God’s armour on so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on God’s armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground.” Not only do we need to put on God’s armour and depend on His care and providence, we also need to be consistent, committed and diligent in our prayer life. St. Paul also reminds us: “Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints…” Sometimes we may feel tired, or we feel as if our prayers are not working or seem to be unheard; but let us remember that God is listening; He may not answer our prayers straightaway, but He will not abandon us. Let us choose to put on His armour and continue to pray, knowing that God will guide us and protect us from evil.

What does it mean to obey? Obedience, in a Christian context, is to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God, letting Him be our providence and guide. This is in contrast with a worldly concept of obedience, where in some cases, people are not really obeying, but are simply complying to the instructions or demands of their superiors or leaders. People comply due to a number of reasons: some do so because it is in their best interest or advantage; some out of fear; some because of peer pressure; some for family, job or personal security. But how many of us are wholeheartedly, willingly, humbly, happily and faithfully obeying?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty… And parents, never drive your children to resentment but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does. Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men… And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven and he is not impressed by one person more than by another.” Do you see a pattern here? Ultimately, we obey our parents, superiors or masters because by doing so, we are obeying God and doing things for the sake of the Lord. Our motivation is not to please our earthly masters or leaders, with the possible hope of gaining fame, status or recognition; instead we should be doing what is pleasing to God.

How many of us prefer brightness? How many of us prefer darkness? It may sound or seem strange, but there are people who prefer to be in the dark. Out in the light, many things are exposed or revealed, and some people may behave themselves to avoid being exposed or caught red-handed, for fear of retribution or punishment. Some people prefer to remain in the dark, since they can do hanky-panky things, thinking that they would less likely get caught. But as Christians, are some of us in the light? Or have some of us chosen to remain in the dark?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ. Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.” As children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ, we should strive to remain in good relationship with God and with others. We cannot be in good relationship if we choose to be in the dark. This is where St. Paul also reminds us: “Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is for this loose living that God’s anger comes down on those who rebel against him. Make sure that you are not included with them. You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light.” As Christians, we are supposed to be like children of light. But let us ask ourselves honestly: are we really like children of light? Or have some of us stubbornly and vehemently chosen to remain in the dark?

What sort of lives are we really living in this world? Are we living the values of the Gospel? Or are we living the values of the world? Some of us may be actually living lives in contrary to the Gospel. We may appear to be holy, friendly or helpful, but there are dark and hidden secrets which we are too proud of or ashamed to mention or reveal and seek help. Are we content with the way we are living? Have we become complacent or not bothered, carrying on as we wish?

In today’s reading, St. Paul implores us: “I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called.” Are we really living lives worthy of our vocation as Christians, brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we really love others charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience, just as God loves us all and treats all of us as His children? Let us not be hypocrites in the way we live, but be genuine and true to our vocation.

Each and every one of us is given different roles and responsibilities. Sometimes these roles and responsibilities come with a certain amount of authority. Not all of us are called to be in a position of authority, but when we are selected, we are expected to do our duty with integrity and impartiality. There are times where we may be tempted with riches, titles and other forms of attractions (including practises of corruption), but are we able to avoid all these temptations and be faithful in what has been entrusted to us?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” If we are suddenly called by God to give an account of what we have done, would we be ready to do so? Have we been diligent and faithful in our roles and responsibilities entrusted to us? When we were given roles and responsibilities, a great amount of burden of trust and confidence was placed upon us to carry out these roles and responsibilities as consistent and as best we can. Jesus reminds us of such a burden: “When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.” Humanly speaking, it would be difficult for us to do our duty properly or faithfully. This is where we need to continuously depend on God’s help and providence, so that we would not falter or give up. Let us always set our eyes upon Jesus, and let Him guide us in all we do.

How do you pray? Some of us pray through praise and worship. Some pray by reciting the rosary and meditating upon the various mysteries of each day. Some pray using the divine office (where, in some churches, the morning and/or evening prayer is prayed). Some dwell into Christian meditation. So many ways which we can employ to pray to God.

However, how many of us pray especially for others? Some of us pray for ourselves, and perhaps for our family members or friends. But what about for those whom we do not have any family ties, or friendship, or any connection in one way or another? Do we pray for our enemies, those who hurt or persecute us? Do we pray for God’s glory, for His Kingdom come and Will be done? Perhaps we need to look closely at how and why we pray, because sometimes our prayers may be only focusing on ourselves and on our circle of friends.

Perhaps a good way to pray is shared with us by St. Paul in today’s reading: “Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God. Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.” Ultimately, our prayers should be for His glory, and this prayer by St. Paul is a great example of asking God to strengthen us and use us for His glory.

Some of us feel as if we have little to offer to God. Some think that they are not talented, or gifted, or capable. Some may get the impression that their abilities are being sidelined or not utilised. However, we should not forget who we are. We may not be doing lots of things, but it does not mean that we are any less important or significant than those who appear to be doing lots of things. After all, there are times we need to be like Martha, actively involved in many things, and there are also times we need to be like Mary, contemplating, listening to God’s voice, and learning from Him. The trick is to know how to strike a good balance, when to be what we are supposed to be, and how long we should be in a particular state.

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.” We are all part of God’s plan, no matter how great or small our part may be. We are being nurtured as part of God’s household, and it does not matter whether we are doing lots or little. What matters is we are open and humble to let God guide us and help us grow in relationship with Him. Let us not be too concerned about only doing but also focus on being, and “grow into one holy temple in the Lord.”