Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: April 2015

Tuesday of Week 19 Year 1

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We sometimes hear certain folks saying: “children are to be seen, not heard.” Not only that, children are often treated according the demands, rules and regulations of their parents, teachers and those who are caring for them in one way or another. Most of the time, children have got little rights, as all that they have, all that they depend on, comes from their parents or guardian. For example, a child in school cannot just get up and go to the toilet as he or she likes. The child would often need to get permission from the teacher first before being allowed to go. Seeing all these, how can then a child be considered great, as mentioned in today’s Gospel?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus told His disciples: “I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” What Jesus is telling us is not be become childish. Rather, He is telling us to be like little children, by being dependent on God and trusting in His providence. As adults, we tend to try and do things our way or live according to what we think is right, but sometimes what we are doing and the way we are living may not necessarily be best for us. That is why Jesus is inviting us to put more trust in God and let Him care for us, since God will not abandon us. Are we willing to be child-like and let God be in charge of our lives, for our physical and spiritual well-being, and for His greater glory?

Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr – Feast

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Every once in a while, I notice some people being quite tight or stingy with their time, finances and wealth. Some of such people would demand many things from the church, but when they are asked to help or contribute, they would give a thousand and one excuses. It is quite interesting to see some of them putting in only a ringgit (Malaysian currency) or two into the collection (some of us padres can see pretty well from the sanctuary you know), and yet some of these folks would ask for this or for that. I recall one parish where some folks had plenty of suggestions on how to improve the church, including installing air-conditioning, so that the faithful would not be so affected by the heat. When asked whether they would be willing to contribute or donate towards the purchase, maintenance and electricity bill for such air-conditioning, these folks immediately backed away and tried to pretend that such conversation never took place. Indeed, it seems easy to ask for so many things, but how many are willing to do their part and be generous, for the good of all?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works.”

Certainly, we are not asking people to give beyond their means, though if they choose to do so, it should be done because they want to and not because they feel obliged to or forced to. It is no point giving with a sour face or monkey face, but let us be generous as much as we can, since God has been so generous to us in so many different ways.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Over the years, people have experienced all sorts of trials and temptations as they try to improve and progress in their spiritual life. Some have been tempted to lie, to misuse God’s name, to steal, to covet, to murder, to commit adultery or to do this or to do that. But one thing which some may have been tempted to do which is probably far more dangerous is to be tempted to despair on himself, herself, or even on others.

What does it mean to despair? It basically means a person has totally given up on himself, or herself or on others, as if he or she is or they think others are beyond hope, beyond redemption, beyond salvation. Some even go to the extent of committing suicide as they think that that is the only option open to them. What some of us sometimes fail to realise is that we are not perfect and that until we die, there will always be plenty of chances and opportunities for us to repent and seek forgiveness from God and grow closer to Him. If we have the audacity to think that we are already perfect, then we don’t need repentance, which inadvertently means that we don’t need God.

Today’s readings give us a message of hope and consolation, sort of like a big vitamin C boost (C for confidence and consolation). In the first reading, we hear the story of the prophet Elijah and how he felt like ending his life out of despair. But God gives him the strength by giving him food so that he could continue his mission. This shows that God will never abandon us just as he did not abandon Elijah when he felt as if he was really ‘down and out’ or ‘down in the doldrums.’ God gives us the strength to carry on and will help us pick ourselves up when we are down. St. Paul in the second reading also reminds us: “Never have grudges against others, or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody, or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.” This means that we should never despair on others, for God can also strengthen them and help them pick themselves up, just as He could do so for us.

Some of you may be wondering: Are all these possible? Or are we only trying to fool or kid ourselves, since we are merely human? Humanly speaking, it appears impossible, but with God everything is possible. God will give us the grace to bounce back when we feel like giving up and carry on or press on; as well as the courage and strength to forgive others and accept their limitations. This is why it is so important for us to come regularly for Mass, better still if we can come for daily Mass. At the Mass, we receive physical and spiritual nourishment when we listen to God’s word in scripture and we receive the life-giving bread of Jesus, his own body, as Jesus reminds us in the Gospel: “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’. It is at the Mass that we will receive new life and a boost of energy to cope as we journey along as pilgrims on this earth. So, why are we not taking the many opportunities given to us to come for Mass and be nourished by our loving God? Why are we not accepting His invitation to banquet with the King of kings? It is Free of Charge (FOC) and the benefits are certainly out of this world!

Housekeeping – Week 18 Year 1

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

2 Aug 2015 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
3 Aug 2015 – Monday of Week 18 Year 1
4 Aug 2015 – Tuesday of Week 18 Year 1
5 Aug 2015 – Wednesday of Week 18 Year 1
6 Aug 2015 – The Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast
7 Aug 2015 – Friday of Week 18 Year 1

Friday of Week 18 Year 1

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Many people call themselves Christians or claim to be followers of Christ. But are these people really following Christ? Or are they merely Christians in name only? Are we following and practicing Jesus’ teachings, or are we only picking and choosing what suits us or what is convenient to us? It is easy to call ourselves Christians, but it is a different matter altogether to remain faithful in following and practising His teachings, not just a portion or a part of His teachings which appeal to us, but all that He has taught us, even those parts which are difficult or challenging to observe. What exactly does Jesus expect of us then?

In today’s Gospel, we read: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’

Being a follower of Christ basically means we are willing to renounce ourselves, renounce our old ways, our pride, our ego and our prejudices, and be willing to put on new ways in Christ. It means we are to follow the law of love which sums up what Christ has taught us; not just loving God, but loving neighbour as well. Have we truly been faithful disciples of Christ in word and deed?

The Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast

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Hear and listen are verbs we use when we refer to our sense of hearing – using our ears. But they have significant differences in meaning. When we hear, it simply means that sounds come into our ears. Hearing is to physically experience the sense of sound. As long as one’s ear and brain are capable of processing sound waves, one can hear. It may not be deliberate. We hear so many different things throughout our lives, throughout each day. When we listen, we try to hear. It involves effort and concentration. We pay attention and try to understand every sound. It is to deliberately apply the ability to hear. One who listens is thinking about what is heard, what it means, how to respond, and whether to continue to listen/pay attention.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Why do we celebrate this feast? Why did Jesus choose this moment to reveal His glory to His disciples? The Transfiguration comes at a time when Jesus was preparing His disciples for His own death. He was also preparing them for serious discipleship, by being prepared to endure the same trials, obstacles, opposition, persecution and even the cross which Jesus would endure. More importantly, the Transfiguration reminded His disciples, and us too, to listen to Jesus and be transformed by His words. Jesus must be the focus of the disciples’ and our lives, and that we should follow the example of mother Mary when she said: “Do whatever He tells you.”

Today, we are challenged by this Feast of the Transfiguration to listen to Jesus. We must listen to Jesus at every moment of our lives. We cannot only listen to Jesus when it suits us, or pick and choose what we want to listen. Rather, we must listen to Him when he challenges us to truly become His disciples, by being humble and willing to take up our crosses and follow him. Are we willing to put aside our ego, prejudices and pride, and really, faithfully and trustingly listen to Jesus?

Wednesday of Week 18 Year 1

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Some of us may have taken our faith for granted at times. When times are good, when we are enjoing peace and prosperity, some of us may have become complacent, wallowing in the good life. But what if, all of a sudden, the good life we had been enjoying is gone. Persecution is taking place all around us, many of our faithful are being put to death, and we are living in a perilous environment. Many of us would then turn to God in prayer and supplication, asking Him to rescue us, but some may lose faith and turn to other forms of help, thinking that they would stand a better chance of survival, and yet some would even go so far as to abandon their faith to save their skin. As Christians, how should we respond to such a situation?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a Canaanite woman who was pestering Jesus to heal her daughter. The Canaanites generally have got nothing to do with the Jews or even Jesus for that matter. They were considered pagans and the Jews had been warned not to mix around with them, for fear that they would become attracted to their pagan ways. But despite the suffering this Canaanite woman was experiencing, despite the fact that the Jews shunned such people, this Canaanite woman had great faith in Jesus. She had faith, trust and confidence that Jesus would heal her daughter. Jesus must had been quite amazed with such great faith, and even though He said: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel,” Jesus had found that even a Canaanite woman could have greater faith in Him than “the lost sheep of the House of Israel” at times. Because of the Canaanite woman’s great faith in Jesus, her daughter was freed from her torment.

What can we make out of this? Today’s Gospel shows us that we should never take our faith for granted. We should have trust and faith in Jesus, in good times and in bad. We should not be complacent with our faith, but be alert and ready at all times. When the time comes to show our faith, may we be courageous and bold, knowing that we are being witnesses of Jesus for His glory.

Tuesday of Week 18 Year 1

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Sometimes life can be tough, especially in the present economic situation many of us are in. We begin to worry about making ends meet, and we become more and more engrossed with our work and trying to make a living, that we may have given less and less time for God. We think that this is real life, it is not fair, it is a struggle, and we have to go at it on our own. But sometimes, we come to a situation that we cannot seem to free ourselves from, or we are stuck and do not know how to resolve. What do we do? Some of us may try alternative forms of help, thinking that these would somehow help us through, but more often than not, these alternative forms may only land us into more problems than solutions. Then what?

In today’s Gospel, the disciples were in a boat battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind.went towards them. We read: “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped.”

Each of us may have been experiencing heavy seas in our lives. We think that our problems are too difficult to solve. But if we put our trust in Jesus and let Him be our guide, then our problems are no longer problems but opportunities for us to grow closer to Jesus. We may not get everything we want, but Jesus can provide for us our needs, if we have faith and trust in Him. Let us not doubt any longer or think that Jesus has abandoned us, but continue to be patient and persistent in our trust and faith in Him, knowing that He will do what is best for us in His time and for His glory.

Monday of Week 18 Year 1

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Some of us worry a lot and are worrywarts. We worry about so many things, sometimes things which are actually not a big deal. So how do we lessen or stop our worrying? By being more trusting towards God’s care, love, goodness and providence. If God is there for us, and if we believe that God can help us, then we should be free from worries. We should be more willing to care and share with others, because God is there for us and we will not be lacking as God can provide for us.

In today’s Gospel, we see how the disciples were worried about what to do with the crowd. We read: “When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’” Here, we see how the disciples still did not get it. They still did not recognise or have enough trust in Jesus. They were more concerned of themselves and wondered how they were going to feed such a crowd with so few loaves and fish. But Jesus showed them that when we give, we can receive even more, and we see this in the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish which Jesus performed right in front of their eyes.

So let us not be too worried or concerned. Instead, let us put our trust in God, knowing and trusting in His providence. After all, if He can feed so many with so little, just imagine what He could do for us if we depend on Him and let Him be our help and guide.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Some people go through life without knowing exactly what they really want, what they really desire. Some people think what they really want is happiness, some think what they really want is peace and prosperity, others think what they really want is to marry a girl or a boy who would be a lifelong companion. The list could go on and on, and there may be so many things we want or desire. But do we really want or desire these things? More often than not, the things that we want or desire may change according to the circumstances we are in. Even though we may have gotten what we wanted or desired, quite likely it would only be a temporary thing or short-lived experience, since there will always be something else that would catch our attention. No matter how hard we try to fulfil our wants, we would only attain temporary gratification and satisfaction.

In the first reading, the Israelites had already been rescued from slavery in Egypt by God. Not only that, they had Moses to lead them. But were the Israelites satisfied and grateful for what God had done for them? No. They complained and complained. When in Egypt, they complained about being enslaved. When brought out of Egypt, they complained that they had no food in the desert. God still provided the Israelites with bread from heaven, even though they had been constantly unsatisfied and ungrateful. Even with bread from heaven, the Israelites still complained and complained. Such difficult people to please indeed.

What about us? Are some of us like the Israelites in some way? If our lives are constantly dictated or enslaved by our wants and desires, there will never be an end to our dissatisfaction, unhappiness and complaints.We will always be dissatisfied, unhappy, and unfulfilled even if we have supposingly attained all our wants and desires, because it is never enough, and even all is not enough. That is why St. Paul reminds us in the second reading: “You must give up your old way of life; you must put aside your old self, which gets corrupted by following illusory desires. Your mind must be renewed by a spiritual revolution so that you can put on the new self that has been created in God’s way, in the goodness and holiness of truth.” What is this new self all about? It is a new self in Jesus, as Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.” If our lives undergo a “spiritual revolution,” if we are able to allow Jesus to be at the heart and centre of our lives, then there is no need for us to crave for anything else. There is no need for us to run after riches, wealth, happiness, recognition, success and fame, since we have Jesus, and Jesus is enough.

Today, let us look at the kind of lives we are living. Some of us call ourselves Christians, but in spite of receiving Jesus, some of us still want more. If we believe that Jesus is the bread of life who satisfies our every want and need, then why do we still look for other things? Is Jesus not enough for us? This does not mean we should not do our part to survive in this world, but it means we should consider what is it we ultimately want and desire. May we choose wisely what is it we really want and desire, for the betterment of our eternal future.