Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: December 2014

3rd Sunday of Lent Year B

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How much do we value our places of worship? How much do we care about our churches? Also, how much do we care about ourselves as a Christian community? Are we coming to church only to fulfil our Sunday obligation and nothing more? Do we take care of the surroundings and the inside of the parish church we go to? Do we care about our Christian community and find ways and means to help it grow spiritually? Or has our church become a place of gossip; a place where we throw rubbish and other items we have just used (such as tissue paper, sweet wrappings and other items) or have no use of; a place of selling and buying of religious articles (or in some cases, even a place where business or other commercial dealings take place); or even a place for other activities instead of being a house of prayer and the dwelling place of God?

Among the Jews, the Temple was a sacred institution. It provided them physical space to offer worship and sacrifices, and also symbolised the very presence of God. For a Jew, the Temple became a sign that God had not abandoned his people, despite their failures, iniquities and weaknesses. The Temple therefore occupied a very central place in the Jewish religion. That is why in today’s Gospel, Jesus was so upset when he found people using the Temple for business purposes rather than for religious purposes.

As a result of the temple being misused and being turned into another commercial place, Jesus became quite angry and chased away all those money-changers, sellers and even the cattle and sheep as well from the Temple, saying: “‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.” This caused the Jews to become even more determined to plot to get rid of Him. But what gave Jesus the courage to do what no other person could dare do? “Zeal for your house will devour me,” are the Old Testament words that came to the minds of the disciples after seeing Jesus in action. Here is someone who is so passionate about truth, justice, fairness and right-conduct such that he is ready to challenge the religious leaders of his time in order to promote these values. Here is someone who is ready to die for his values.

Today, Jesus is looking for men and women of integrity who are willing and ready to serve, are courageous, committed and ready to stand up to challenge evil practices, immoral conduct and other vile acts, no matter the cost. He is challenging all of us to do what is right and proper in our lives and in our churches, so that others may see what it means to be a Christian. There is a time and place for everything, and we should strive to ensure that our churches and we too do not end up like what happened to the Temple. Let us pray that the same zeal that led Jesus to the cross and beyond may also fill our hearts and enable us to seek justice and fairness regardless of the cost to ourselves. Let us make our own these words: “Zeal for your house will devour me!”

Housekeeping – 2nd Week of Lent

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

1 March 2015 – 2nd Sunday of Lent Year B
2 March 2015 – Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent
3 March 2015 – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
4 March 2015 – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
5 March 2015 – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
6 March 2015 – Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent

Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Let us consider for a moment… Is there anything in this world that we really own? Do we have sole, complete and eternal rights to things, persons and ideas? Some of us may think that we have total rights and total control over such things, persons and ideas, and we become quite possessive towards them, but do we really have such total rights and total control? When we die or are one day incapable of controlling such things, persons and ideas due to some sickness or due to some other reason, what would happen then?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a parable of a vineyard. In this parable, Jesus was actually talking about the scribes and Pharisees. The owner of the vineyard is God, who is ever so patient, merciful and kind, giving the scribes and Pharisees plenty of opportunities to change and walk in His ways. But the scribes and Pharisees became quite possessive with their way of thinking and to them, only their way of rituals, sacrifices and other observances of their version of God’s law would enable themselves and those who followed them to grow closer to God. Prophets were sent to try and change the attitude and behaviour of the scribes and Pharisees, but thy remained obstinate, refused to listen or change, and got rid of the prophets. Jesus is the son the land owner had sent, but the scribes and Pharisees once again refused to listen or change, and even plotted to get rid of Him. Ultimately, Jesus gave the scribes and Pharisees a stern warning that they would not only meet their wretched end like the tenants in the parable, Jesus even added: “I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

What about us? Have we been like the scribes and Pharisees in one way or another? Have we been having “holier than thou” attitudes or become quite possessive with our position in church, possessive with our families and friends, or even tried to be possesive with God? Let us be reminded that our time here on earth is short, and make every effort to change our minds and hearts, so that we may produce good fruit and glorify God.

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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There are some people in this world who think that riches is a blessing from God.  They begin to think that just because they are rich or someone is rich, they or that someone can do whatever they like and possibly get away with it. For example, we have come across people who are rich in material wealth and property, and think that they can buy their way to privileges and perks, or they think they are entitled to certain benefits reserved only for those who have the means. Some even become conceited and boastful, thinking that money, wealth and property are all that matters. So does this mean that being rich is wrong or sinful? No. It depends on one’s attitude and behaviour, since we do come across people who are rich, but they live lives quite detached from the riches they have. In fact, some of these rich people use their riches not for themselves, but for charity and the benefit of mankind. Some even end up penniless at the end of their lives, because they had used up their riches to be of service to others less fortunate. If you are wealthy, what sort of person have you become?

In today’s Gospel, we come across the story of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man ended up in Hades not because he was a rich man per se, but because of his attitude or behaviour. The rich man was rich only for himself, since as the Gospel tells us, he: “used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.” He knew that Lazarus was there, but he refused to take notice, he was only concerned about himself, and he did not lift a finger or at the very least get someone to help Lazarus out. After all, the rich man was enjoying himself to the fullest, and he did not want to have anything to do with others. It is only when the rich man ended up in Hades that he realised his folly, but by then it is too late.

What about us? Have we become like the rich man in one way or another? We may have wealth, some of us may be rich in other ways, such as riches in intellect, riches in talent, riches in abilities, but are we keeping such riches only for ourselves? Let us not become complacent, indifferent or have a “tidak apa” or “tidak peduli” attitude (roughly translated from Malay as “don’t care” or “doesn’t matter to me” attitude), but use our “riches” for the greater glory of God.

Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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What do you look for in life? Some of us may be looking for riches, wealth and financial security. Some may be looking for continuous happiness with family and friends. Some may look for titles, recognition and power. Some may look for popularity among peers. But what about you? What are you really looking for?

In today’s Gospel, we come across the mother of Zebedee’s sons coming to Jesus and asking Jesus to give her two sons important positions in heaven. These two brothers were looking for power and prestige, even in heaven. It seems strange that these two did not ask Jesus themselves and got their mother involved, but if we consider for a moment their actions, we can understand why they did so, since some of us would do the same. What they did could be called a form of “intercessory syndrome,” where a person feels more comfortable to ask another to ask the authority or important person instead of asking themselves. Some of us do the same by asking our father or mother to ask the other parent, instead of asking the other parent directly. In the same way, some of us do the same by preferring to ask Mother Mary instead of asking God or Jesus directly.

But Jesus response to their request is a lesson in service and humility. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us: “You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” To be great is to be a humble servant to all. This is quite in contrast with what the world thinks of greatness, and if we call ourselves disciples of Jesus, then we need to learn to shed away the ways of the world and put on the ways of Christ. May we learn to walk humbly before our loving God and let Him be our guide.

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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When we are performing a certain task, we should consider for a moment what is our true motive for doing so. Some of us may be doing things just to please others and hopefully receive admiration and some form of reward or praise from others. Some of us do things grudgingly because we are forced to do so or we feel the task is not what we wanted or expected. How many of us would perform a task without any expectation and with the intention of giving glory to God?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to be careful not to become like the scribes and the Pharisees. He cautions us: “The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach… Everything they do is done to attract attention… The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” This is where we need to be truthful to ourselves: are we in all we do trying to win some sort of popularity contest, or appear to be better than others? Let us check our pride and ego, and learn to walk humbly before our loving God, while doing our tasks for the glory of God.

Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Every once in a while, we come across people who seem to only know how to say bad things about others, or they condemn others for even the smallest matter, or they seem to only know how to bad mouth others. Some of these people may be doing such things because they have some sort of inferiority complex, thinking that others seem better than they are and they feel the need to put others down to satisfy their ego. Some people may be doing such things because they think that only they are blameless or holy and adopt a self-righteous attitude, and everyone else seems to be unable to measure up to their standards. What sort of person have you become at this moment?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus admonishes us: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you…” In a world where people seem to be interested only in themselves, we as Christians should follow Jesus’ example and way of life in being loving, forgiving and generous with our time, talents and wealth towards others. Let us shed the ways of the world and remain close to Jesus, and let Him guide us in our conduct, behaviour and actions, so that in all things may God be glorified.

2nd Sunday of Lent Year B

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Some cultures view high places such as the top of mountains, hills, above the trees and other similar places with much reverence, since they believe that high places are sacred places where the divine resides or where the divine might be encountered. Some cultures even build temples, build shrines, perform sacrifices, and many other things or rituals, in an attempt to establish communication or a connection with the divine.

In today’s readings, we come across examples of high places where the divine is encountered. In the first reading, Abraham obeyed God’s command and almost sacrificed his son Isaac to God on a mountain. In the Gospel, Jesus was transfigured on a mountain, and Peter, James and John were granted the privilege of experiencing the divine. But what is more important in these readings is not the mountain or some other high place, but what God did after that. What God did was to grant a gift far greater than the events which took place on the mountain.

In the first reading, Abraham obeyed God and was about to sacrifice his son as a gift to God, but God gave Abraham a far greater gift when He said: “because you have done this, because you have not refused me your son, your only son, I will shower blessings on you, I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants shall gain possession of the gates of their enemies. All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, as a reward for your obedience.” Likewise, in the Gospel, the disciples have the privilege of hearing God’s voice: “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.” Jesus is God’s gift to all of us, and we do not need to go about offering sacrifices or climbing mountains or other high places in an attempt to be closer to God. We just need to listen to Jesus. And when we listen to Jesus and do whatever He tells us, we can be sure of God’s help and providence, as St. Paul tells us in the second reading: “With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give.”

Are we listening to Jesus? Are we doing our best to listen to Jesus in good times and also in bad? We sometimes feel as if Jesus is not speaking to us or helping us when we face tough times or difficult situations. But if we open our ears and also the ears of our hearts, we would be able to hear His soft but reassuring voice, inviting us to trust in Him and let Him be our guide. As we journey on in this season of Lent, let us not be distracted or give up, but focus on Jesus. Let us continue to seek Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Housekeeping – 1st Week of Lent

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

22 February 2015 – 1st Sunday of Lent Year B
23 February 2015 – Monday of the 1st Week of Lent
24 February 2015 – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent
25 February 2015 – Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent
26 February 2015 – Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent
27 February 2015 – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent

Friday of the 1st Week of Lent

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Each and every one of us have been given different choices throughout our lives. Ultimately, we are responsible and accountable for the choices we make. This also includes the choices we make on how we wish to live. We can choose to live as good Christians, observing humbly, consistently and joyfully God’s command to love God and neighbour; or we can choose to live a worldly life, caring only for oneself and living a life away from God’s loving care. Whatever the choice we make, we should be aware of the consequences and be prepared to face them.

One choice we make is mentioned in today’s reading. In the reading, we choose whether we wish to be a wicked man or an upright man. It may seem obvious that most of us would want to be an upright man, but the reality is that there are people who think that they are upright but from their attitude, behaviour and actions, they are actually leaning more towards being wicked. How so? The reading tells us how a wicked man would live: “If the wicked man renounces all the sins he has committed, respects my laws and is law-abiding and honest, he will certainly live; he will not die. All the sins he committed will be forgotten from then on; he shall live because of the integrity he has practised.” The reading also tells us how an upright man would die: “But if the upright man renounces his integrity, commits sin, copies the wicked man and practises every kind of filth, is he to live? All the integrity he has practised shall be forgotten from then on; but this is because he himself has broken faith and committed sin, and for this he shall die.”

Ultimately, as the reading reminds us: “When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.” The question we need to ask ourselves is this: we call ourselves upright and we believe that we are so, but are we truly and consistently living an upright life? Let us be honest with ourselves and discover where we stand, so that we can do what is necessary and return to the Lord’s ways, and live, not die.