Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: October 2014

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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Some people are quite fearful of different things. Some are fearful of what is going to happen to their future, some are fearful of their health or family situation, some are fearful of being lonely and abandoned, some are even fearful of unnecessary things. But as Christians, what should be our attitude towards fear? Should we be fearful in the first place?

In today’s reading, we are assured of God’s love and care: “I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you.’” When we have trust and confidence in God’s help and providence, there is no reason to be fearful. God will take care of things in His time. Are we willing to let God be in control and let Him keep us in His loving embrace?

Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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Every once in a while, some of us may be suffering from some form of burnout or tiredness, depending on how severe our situation has become. This is why we are constantly advised not to overdo things and not to try to be a hero. We are called to glorify God, but we should also learn to take care of ourselves, not only physically, but also spiritually, so that we can serve the Lord with joy and vigour. There needs to be time for mission, time for rest and relaxation, and even time for updating oneself.

Naturally, we cannot rely only on our own strength to preach the message of the Gospel to others. Today’s reading tells us: “The Lord is an everlasting God, he created the boundaries of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming. He gives strength to the wearied, he strengthens the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire.” When we hope in the Lord and depend on Him, we would be able to accomplish many things for His glory. At the same time too, we ought to rest in His care, so that He can heal us and help us grow. Let us make every effort to let God guide our lives and actions, so that in all we do, may He be glorified.

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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How many of us actually bother about the small things or the small stuff? Sometimes we hear people tell us, “don’t sweat the small stuff,” or “look at the bigger picture,” or even “think big.” When we have plenty, would we still look out for one small item or thing which has been lost? Some of us may not bother and let it be, but others may go hunting high and low for that small item or thing. Somethings, the small item or thing may turn out to be just as precious as the bigger ones.

In today’s Gospel, we see a man who chose to go after that one sheep that was lost, even though he had another ninety-nine. For some of us, losing one sheep may not have been a big deal; but for that man, each sheep was extremely precious, and he had no qualms about searching for that lost sheep till it was found. God is very much like that man. The Gospel tells us that “it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” Even if we have done a lot of bad or nasty things, God is always looking for us and beckoning us to come home with Him. Are we going to stubbornly run away and hide, and choose to remain lost?

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemnity

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Do we make it a practice to do the will of God, or are we doing our own will? Sometimes we say we are doing God’s will, but in actuality, we are doing our own thing. It seems easier to do things we are comfortable with, and to avoid those things which are less desirable or unpleasant.

In today’s readings, we see a contrast between the response of Adam and Eve, and the response of Mother Mary. Adam disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, and hid in fear and shame. On the other hand, Mary responded to God’s promptings and said “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.”

Mary said yes to the angel, knowing fully well of the unknown future ahead of her and trusting that God would take care of things. Sometimes we fear the unknown and we prefer to have some amount of certainty, but how many of us are willing to follow Mary’s example and confidently and trustingly say Yes to the many things God bestows on us? Let us look toward Mary as our example and reflect on our own response to God’s call. God invites us to dwell in His loving care, let us fear no more and remain in Him.

2nd Sunday of Advent Year B

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If you were given a choice to drive from one place to another, either by using the old road, or by using the highway, which would you choose? Some of us may not be so keen to use the highway, since the highway may impose hefty toll charges. But supposing the highway had no or minimal toll charges, would you still use the old road? Quite likely more people would use the highway, especially if the highway has more straightened roads which makes it easier and possibly faster to drive, enabling us to arrive at our destination earlier; compared to the old road which could be winding and narrow, making it a difficult and dangerous drive.

The prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading tells us of a highway: “Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley. ” What sort of highway is the prophet Isaiah talking about? This highway is the highway of our lives. Over the years, our highway may have become bogged down with diversions, winding paths, narrow roads and sharp corners, as we in one way or another have become more and more immersed in the ways of the world and more and more distant from God. Our behaviour, attitudes and way of life may have contributed to the condition of the highway of our lives. Isaiah’s call in the first reading is a call for us to make a radical and consistent change to the landscape of the highway of our lives. It is not just a cosmetic change such as repairing potholes or resurfacing the road here and there, but a total change, so that the highway of our lives would be straightened and God would have easier access to us. John the Baptist in today’s Gospel echoes this call of Isaiah where he says: “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.”

When we were baptised, we began a journey of transforming our highway into one which is straight and easily accessible. Our journey requires repentance, a turning away from our sins, and a rejection of our old way of life. We cannot expect others to change for us; we must change ourselves. If we think we are already ok and others are not; if we claim that there is no need for repentance or conversion on our part; then we may begin to think that we are already perfect. If we are perfect, then we do not need God.

Change is difficult, and can be painful; but change is necessary for us to grow closer to God. Let us put aside our stubbornness, our pride, our sinfulness and any obstacles which we may have placed, so that God can straighten us and transform us into something beautiful. Are we willing, humble and docile enough to let God straighten us, so that we would remain in His loving embrace?

Housekeeping – 1st Week of Advent

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

30 November 2014 – 1st Sunday of Advent Year B
1 December 2014 – Monday of the 1st Week of Advent
2 December 2014 – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
3 December 2014 – Saint Francis Xavier, Priest – Patron of Missions – Feast
4 December 2014 – Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent
5 December 2014 – Friday of the 1st Week of Advent

Friday of the 1st Week of Advent

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How much faith do we really have in God? Some of us say we have faith but at the back of our mind some may be doubting whether God really listens to our prayers or cares for us. Some look for other sources for help, thinking that it is better to have a backup plan, in case they do not get any response from God. Some may have given up on God altogether. What about you? What sort of faith do you have in God? Is your faith a convenient faith, where you pick and choose when to trust in God’s providence?

In today’s Gospel. two blind men followed Jesus shouting, “Take pity on us, Son of David.” These blind men did not just sit around and expect Jesus to heal them, they took effort to follow Jesus till He reached the house. They had total faith that Jesus would heal them and due to their faith in Him, their sight was returned to them. From this Gospel reading, we too can learn from these blind men. Our faith cannot be an armchair or stagnant one. We need to show our faith earnestly, with hope that God would grant our requests. Let us remain in faith in God, for He knows what is best for us and would help and guide us in His time.

Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent

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Words can sometimes be empty or useless, if such words are uttered without conviction and action. For example, we can say to our partner, spouse, loved ones or friends “I love you,” but if we do not do anything, then we may be guilty of not meaning what we say. Sometimes we come across people who say things just to curry favour others, or just to flatter them, or just to sound good, but these people do not “walk the talk” or in Bahasa Malaysia: “cakap tak serupa bikin” (which is roughly translated as “saying one thing, but doing another (if one is doing anything at all).” Basically, action speaks louder than words.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Here Jesus is emphasising that one not only needs to listens to these words of His, but also needs to act on them. When we look at our lives, are we merely wasting our words frivolously? Are we people of integrity, meaning what we say? Let us examine ourselves closely and say what we mean, for the betterment of our eternal future.

Saint Francis Xavier, Priest – Patron of Missions – Feast

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In most jobs or forms of employment, people expect to receive some form of remuneration, salary, wages or pay. It is unlikely that people would work for free, as generally we need to make a living and survive in this world. Moreover, some people who have achieved a particular position or status in their employment may begin to feel proud of their success and some may begin to demand more benefits, more perks, or even a higher salary. But what about preaching the Good News? Is it a job, or is it something else?

In today’s reading, St. Paul tells us that preaching the Good News is a duty which has been laid on him. He adds that he should be punished if he did not preach it, and that it is a responsibility which has been put into his hands. He continues to say that preaching the Good News is offered freely and that he made myself all things to all men in order to save some at any cost; and he does this, for the sake of the gospel, to have a share in its blessings. When we look closely at what St. Paul has told us, we can begin to realise that preaching the Good News is a duty, a vocation and ought to be a joyful effort. We do it not for our personal gain or gratification, but for the glory of God.

Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent

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What does it mean to be childish? What does it mean to childlike? To be childish is “to be like a child” or “to be silly and immature.” To be childlike, on the other hand, is “to have the good qualities, such as innocence, associated with a child.” Some people may think themselves as adults or mature, but in some situations or circumstances, such persons may be quite childish in their attitude or behaviour. Likewise, there are people who have learnt to be humble and dependent on God’s providence, being childlike in their relationship with God. What sort of person have you become?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that there are things which are revealed to mere children and not to the learned or clever. This is not to imply that God is being unfair or discriminating towards the learned or clever. But what is happening here is that there are the learned or clever who have become quite full of themselves, thinking that they know it all. Such persons are unable to listen to the promptings of God, because they are unable to be childlike and depend on God’s care and providence. Pride, prejudice and a bloated ego are some obstacles which prevent some of these learned or clever from becoming closer to God.

What about us? Are we making effort to be more childlike in our relationship with God? God is prompting and inviting us to learn from Him. It is up to us to change our attitude and behaviour, nd open ourselves to His care.