Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: October 2014

4th Sunday of Advent Year B

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Many of us like to give and receive gifts. Sometimes the gift could be something big, or something small, or something expensive, or something cheap, or something valuable or precious, or even something useful to us or we think is useful to the person receiving the gift. As we are approaching Christmas, some of us may begin to scurry about frantically looking for different gifts for different people, some of us may begin shopping for new clothing, some of us may even begin stocking up different types of food, fruits, drinks and other delicacies, so that we would be well prepared for the upcoming celebrations. But if we consider for a moment… when we are choosing a gift or purchasing something, are we choosing something that we like and we think that the other person would like as well? Or are we choosing something which the other person really likes?

In the first reading, we come across King David who thought he ought to build a temple to house the ark of the Covenant. Perhaps King David felt guilty that God had done so much for him and he had not done anything or had not done enough in response. Perhaps King David felt uncomfortable and thought that it was improper or not dignified enough for the ark of God to dwell in a tent while he lived in a house of cedar. But instead of gifting God a temple, King David received a greater gift from God. God blessed King David and promised him a dynasty that will last forever, and also make him great in the midst of all nations.

Some of us think that we owe God something in return for the many things God has given us. Some of us may subscribe to a “you scratch my back, I scratch yours” mentality, thinking that we can get more blessings or favours from God through our gifts (as though we could bribe God). But God cannot be bribed. Everything we have comes from Him and is actually a gift from Him to us. God chooses to give us many gifts, and we must learn to receive and accept from God whatever he wishes to give us. This is an attitude or quality which Mary displayed in the Gospel. She had nothing to give God, for she had no power, no possession; nothing. And yet, God chose her as the mother of His Son Jesus. God blessed her with such a gift because Mary was willing to receive and accept God’s gift; she was willing and humble enough to listen to God’s will when she said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me.”

When we gift something to others, we are in control, since we decide what we give. On the other hand, when we receive something, we have no power or control over what we receive. When God gives us something, we cannot dictate what we want to receive from Him; God chooses what is best for us, and we can decide to accept or reject the gift. For some, not having control over the gift which we may receive could be a scary situation. But why should we be afraid? Are we not confident or trusting enough in God’s choice? Let us be willing and humble enough to let God take control of our lives and receive the many blessings and gifts He bestows on us.

Housekeeping – 3rd Week of Advent

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

14 December 2014 – 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B
15 December 2014 – Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent
16 December 2014 – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
17 December 2014 – 17 December – Season of Advent
18 December 2014 – 18 December – Season of Advent
19 December 2014 – 19 December – Season of Advent

19 December – Season of Advent

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For some couples, a pregnancy is a joyful and hopeful experience. People enthusiastically and excitedly begin to make plans and preparations to welcome a new member of the family. Some people begin to make changes to their life style, hoping that their efforts would enable their newborn to be healthy and grow well. Advances in medicine have improved the mortality rate of foetuses and infants and the journey from pregnancy to birth has become less difficult or stressful for many.

However, not all couples are fortunate. Some, for some reason or another, have been found to be infertile. The word used in today’s reading and Gospel is “barren.” Nowadays, being barren in many societies is no longer a stigma or issue. People in these societies have moved on in their thinking and adoption is a possible and acceptable alternative. However, there are still some societies that view being barren as a great embarrassment or a punishment from the divine. Being barren in such societies was seen as grounds for a divorce (such societies usually put the blame on the woman), and in some cases, the woman was badly treated, shunned or became a source of ridicule and gossip. In some situations, to protect the family honour or to ensure a continuation of the family linage, the woman could be expelled from the house or even from the village; and the man is free and even encouraged to look for another wife.

In today’s reading, we come across Manoah and his wife who was barren. In today’s Gospel, we also come across Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who was barren. Even though these couples had suffered much due to being barren; even though they suffered much embarrassment and were a source of gossip and ridicule; they chose to stayed on with each other, bore the burden together, and were faithful to each other. God did not abandon them and gave them a precious gift of two babies, Samson and John the Baptist, who later carried out great deeds for the greater glory of God.

If God can do wonders for these couples and cast away their shame, just imagine what He can do for us today. Let us not feel down or embarrassed but remain faithful and hopeful, knowing that God will help us and not abandon us.

18 December – Season of Advent

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We sometimes hear the saying: “Home is where the heart is” and many of us long to be home with our family and loved ones. In many countries where people are dispersed or on the run due to war, disease or some other matter, the longing to be home weighs heavily in their hearts. Even for many of us, when there is a long holiday break or some religious festival, we would take the opportunity to “balik kampung” or “go back home” to enjoy the break with our loved ones. Though we may face long traveling time and horrible traffic jams, the excitement and joy of being with loved ones makes the journey home worth the hassle.

In today’s reading, we are told that the Lord would lead His people home to live in their own soil. The reading says: “So, then, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when people will no longer say, “As the Lord lives who brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt!” but, “As the Lord lives who led back and brought home the descendants of the House of Israel out of the land of the North and from all the countries to which he had dispersed them, to live on their own soil.”” Just as the Lord led His people home, He is also beckoning us to come home to Him. We are all pilgrims dispersed in different places, but our being here is only temporary, for our true home is to be with the Lord. Are we excited and enthusiastic in our preparations to come home to the Lord? Are we doing our part in preparing to come home, or have we become quite comfortable in this temporary home?

17 December – Season of Advent

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Among the many types and choices of food in Malaysia, one delicacy which is quite popular among the many ethnic groups in Malaysia is rojak. Rojak is a mixture of ingredients with sauce and other condiments or spices similar to salad in the West, but it has quite a different taste and texture compared to what the West considers as salad. Moreover, each ethnic group in Malaysia would have a different form and taste of rojak. The rojak made by the Malay ethnic group is quite different compared to that made by the Chinese or Indian ethnic groups, but regardless of which ethnic group one belongs to, rojak is loved by all (especially if the ingredients in the rojak can be consumed by all without any religious prohibition specific to certain ethnic groups).

In today’s Gospel, we see the geneology or ancestry of Jesus. At a glance, we see all sorts of people, some good, some not so good, some rich, some poor, some powerful, some who are peasants, a sort of big bowl of rojak, so to speak. But regardless of who and what sort of person mentioned, one thing is clear: God uses all sorts of people to work wonders and to show His saving love for us. The Gospel reminds us that each and every one of us are like different ingredients or flavours in a rojak bowl (making the rojak yummylicious and shockalingamly tasty), and we have a role to play in God’s plan of salvation, no matter how big, small, important or insignificant that role may be. May we be humble, open and willing enough to be mixed in God’s rojak bowl, so that we can do our part for His greater glory.

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent

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When our parents give us some chores or some task, would we do it willingly, or would we do it grudgingly, or would we pretend to not hear and not do the chore or task? What if God were to give us some chore or task, what would our response be? Sometimes, we come across people who do a task because they expect to gain something out of it. How many of us would do a chore or task without expecting anything in return? How many of us would do a chore or task simply to glorify God?

In today’s Gospel, we come across two brothers who were asked by their father to go and work in the vineyard. The first boy was at first reluctant to go, but later chose to go. The second boy perhaps tried to sound good and please his father by saying that he would go, but he may have said it thinking that it would make his father happy with his response, but in his heart, he had no intention whatsoever of going. Which of these two brothers would we identify with?

Ultimately, saying is one thing, but doing is a different matter altogether. Words are easy and cheap but meaningless if no action is taken. Let us consider the words we utter, and be genuine not only in what we say, but also in carrying out what we say for the greater glory of God.

Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent

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Every once in a while, we hear of people putting their foot in their mouth by trying to act smart and end up saying something foolish or stupid. When we are so full of ourselves, when we think we know it all, when we look down at others, we may sometimes try to show off our so-called superiority, only to be shot down or humbled, especially when we are cornered with a response which we are unable to counter. Some are even so thick-skinned that even when they have been proven wrong, their minds have been so conditioned to think that they are still right and everyone else is wrong, no matter how silly or absurd their arguments may be.

Today’s Gospel gives us an example of some people who have put their foot in their mouth. These people who are known as the chief priests and elders of the people knew very well who Jesus was and also who John the Baptist was, but they were unable and unwilling to admit and change their ways. Instead, they had the gall to ask Jesus: “What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?” As a result, Jesus shot back a question to them which left them cornered and unable to answer. They knew what the answer was, since they could still “argue it out this way among themselves”, but pride had infested into them and they were stubbornly refusing to admit the truth.

In some cases, we too may have inadvertently put our foot in our mouth, especially when we lack humility and a willingness to admit our mistakes. At the end, we may only cause ourselves to look foolish, and we may even lose our status or credibility. Are we willing and able to walk humbly before our God, and let Him change our lives, our behaviour and our attitudes, or are we still stubborn and adamant in remaining as we are?

3rd Sunday of Advent Year B

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How much joy is there in our hearts? Are we a joyful people, or have we become so preoccupied with so many things that we have become less and less joyful? Sometimes the way we have lived our lives or the circumstances around us, either through our own doing, or through other factors, could cause us to become weary and our joy may be diminished. But as Christians, how do we remain joyful? How do we continue to radiate joy and hope in the Lord?

Today’s readings remind us of the joy we should continuously radiate. From the first reading, we are reminded that “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me.” When you have the spirit of the Lord, there is no reason to fear, to be anxious, or to be insecure. Instead, we should be joyful, as the reading tells us: “I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity.” Likewise, the second reading echoes the need for us to remain joyful: “Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.” Why should we continue to be joyful? Because, as the reading assures us, “God has called you and he will not fail you.”

Our life here is too short to be tainted or saddled with worries or fear. God has assured us of His love and care, if we are willing to open our minds and hearts and let Him take control. Let us hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil, and let us share the joy God has given us to all.

Housekeeping – 2nd Week of Advent

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

7 December 2014 – 2nd Sunday of Advent Year B
8 December 2014 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemnity
9 December 2014 – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent
10 December 2014 – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent
11 December 2014 – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent
12 December 2014 – Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent

Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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Growing in relationship with God requires us to be in tune with the will of God. We need to get involved and do our part. Some of us may have thought that we could become closer to God by praying all the time, but we neglect in being loving and charitable to others. On the other hand, some do a lot of charitable deeds, but they do not pray or spend time listening to God’s promptings. These people may appear to be good and generous in what they do, but sometimes it may be done for personal gratification and not to glorify God. In other words, we need to learn to dance to God’s tune by doing His will, not ours.

In today’s Gospel, we read of Jesus commenting that the people of His generation knows how to criticise John the Baptist and Himself, but they wouldn’t dance to pipes nor mourn to dirges. They were not wise enough to see that John the Baptist and Jesus were trying to teach them a tune for their salvation. This is because these people wanted to dance to their own tune, instead of dancing to God’s tune by doing His will. Some of us may be like that: we want to grow in relationship with God, but we want to do it our way. We try to dance to our own tune and when others don’t join in, we criticise them for being stubborn or resistant to change. The problem is, it is actually us who are being stubborn or resistant to change, since we are adamant or insistent that our way is the better way or the only way. Are we willing to let our Lord of the dance guide us and teach us better “dancing techniques” for His glory?