Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: July 2015

Friday of Week 21 Year 2

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How prepared are we to face God? If God were to call you right now, would you be ready to meet Him? Or would you begin to go about frantically preparing yourself, even though it may already be a little too late? Sometimes due to one reason or another, some of us may have neglected in preparing ourselves to meet God, only to regret our inaction or procrastination later. Why put ourselves in a spot if we had been given plenty of time and chances to be prepared?

In today’s Gospel, we come across ten bridesmaids. Five were foolish, five were sensible. Five chose to take things easy, five got things ready and were prepared for any situation. In the end, the five foolish bridesmaids ended up being left out and locked out. In our situation, would we end up like the five sensible bridesmaids, or would we be left out like the five foolish ones? May we be wise and prudent enough not be caught off-guard, and end up being left out.

St. Bartholomew, Apostle – Feast

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From time to time, some of us may have been guilty of judging others just by looking at them or hearing about them. Sometimes what we see or hear could have been coloured with prejudiced eyes and ears, and unless we are open to the promptings of God’s spirit, we may fail to discover and appreciate another person’s character, talent and capabilities.

In today’s Gospel, St Bartholomew did not initially have a good impression of Jesus or Nazareth. Hearing that Jesus was from Nazareth, he asked, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” He said this because Nazareth was a small, insignificant place, and to the Jews, it seemed unlikely that the Messiah would come from there. St Bartholomew was not despising Jesus or even Nazareth for that matter, but he was just being frank and straightforward, and Jesus recognised that in St Bartholomew when He said that St Bartholomew was incapable of deceit. Not only that, Jesus saw that St Bartholomew was sincere and that he awaited for the coming of the Messiah, since St Bartholomew was found “under the fig tree,” at prayer and open to the Lord. Eventually, St Bartholomew was humble and open enough to recognise Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel.

Some of us too may have been like St Bartholomew at some point of our lives. We may have had not quite a good impression of someone initially, because of what we may heard about the person or where the person came from. Let us pray that, like St Bartholomew, we would eventually see the good in others, just as Jesus sees the good in each of us.

Our Lady, Mother and Queen

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When we look at a queen, what sort of impression do we get? Some of us think that a queen is a serene figure who gives moral and emotional support to the king. Some of us may have seen or experienced a queen who is the head of the country or the head of the government, and plays an active role in ensuring that the country remains peaceful and prosperous. But what sort of queen do we have in Mother Mary?

In Mother Mary, we have a queen who shows us what it means to be humble and willing to place our trust in God, no matter what happens. Though Mother Mary knew the risks and dangers she would face by agreeing to become the mother of God’s Son, Jesus, she still said, ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.’ We also see later in the Gospel, where Mother Mary showed care and concern for her cousin Elizabeth, by going to be with her and help her in her pregnancy, even though Mother Mary was herself pregnant. Such a wonderful, loving, humble and caring queen we have, a queen of our hearts.

Today, let us follow our Mother Mary’s example, by being humble and willing to do God’s will. Let us also show our care and concern towards others, just as Mother Mary did, so that others would know that we are Christians by our love.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

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What sort of image do we have of God? Some of us seem to think of God as a fierce and strict police officer or judge, just waiting to catch us and condemn us for every little thing we have done. Some of us think that God is like a disciplinarian out to get us and give us a good whacking. But is God really like that? Of course not. Today’s first reading shows us that God is not interested in condemning us, but He wants to save all of us, since the reading tells us: “I am coming to gather the nations of every language.” Ultimately, God’s plan is to save everyone, regardless of race, language or culture.

So if this the case, then how do we understand the parable of the narrow door in today’s Gospel? Doesn’t this parable seem to imply that God is trying to catch us or make it tough for us to be with Him? Once again, no. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us: “Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.” What does this mean? What Jesus is trying to bring to our attention is not how many people would be saved, rather He is trying to emphasise to us the manner in which we should live our lives. Jesus is reminding us that to be a Christian is not easy. The way of the Christian, the narrow door, is not going to be an easy way. To follow Christ, we must be prepared to accept suffering too, since it means that we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him; it means that we would be misunderstood by others; it means that people would make fun of us, tease us and insult us; and it means that we must not seek positions of honour and power but must be prepared to be servants of others: “the first will be last and the last will be first.”

Though being a Christian means we should be prepared to suffer and that we should not be afraid of suffering, it does not mean we should become gluttons of punishment and purposely go looking for suffering. Through his own suffering and death, Jesus gave suffering a new meaning. Suffering is not punishment for our sins. Instead, the second reading assures us that: “Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness.” People who have gone through suffering would be more sensitive and caring to others who are suffering. Through suffering, one learns to be more patient and understanding of others.

Calling ourselves Christians is not good enough. Going to church each Sunday is also not good enough. We must put into practice what we profess to believe. Today, let us be courageous and steadfast in suffering for Christ, and pray for the strength and the courage to enter through the narrow gate. Let us also encourage others to persevere, so that together, we would be with our loving God.

Housekeeping – Week 20 Year 2

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

14 Aug 2016 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
15 Aug 2016 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
16 Aug 2016 – Tuesday of Week 20 Year 2
17 Aug 2016 – Wednesday of Week 20 Year 2
18 Aug 2016 – Thursday of Week 20 Year 2
19 Aug 2016 – Friday of Week 20 Year 2

Friday of Week 20 Year 2

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There are several words that we use which could form a sentence in itself. Among these, one word which is quite significant is “why.” When we use the word “why,” we could be using it as a sentence to question, to interrogate, to wonder, or even to reflect on something. When we use “why” to reflect on something, we come to a deeper understanding of why we do what we do.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus responded to the Pharisees question about which is the greatest commandment of the Law: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.” Have you ever reflected on why these two commandments are the greatest? These two commandments actually are the very essence of being human, of being who we really are, and the meaning of our human existence. If we are to abandon or ignore these two commandments, we are actually ignoring our humanity, and by doing so, we become like the dry bones as mentioned in the first reading. We become dead, though we appear to be alive.

Thus, let us learn to love God and neighbour just like God loves all of us equally. Let us not harden our hearts, but let God be our help and guide, so that through our love and example, others would know what it means to be followers of Jesus.

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

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Among the important discoveries of humankind, one which changed many things in our lives is the discovery of fire. By learning how to make fire and use it to our advantage, people gradually abandoned their nomadic life and settle down as farmers, heralding the beginning of villages, town and cities. Fire can be useful or destructive. It can be used to cook our meals or to burn down a house. It can be used to run equipment for industrial use, or to produce weapons of war.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes use of fire to tell us why He had come: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!… Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” Some of us may find such a statement by Jesus difficult to understand and accept.  After all, He is called Prince of Peace by the prophet Isaiah. Now He is saying that He would set the earth on fire and bring about division. How do we make sense of such a statement then? We need to remember that Jesus, and us too, are not only priest and king, but also a prophet. In the Old Testament, the false prophet is one who tries to please the audience, especially the rulers. Such false prophets have got a personal agenda, such as personal gratification, fame, popularity, wealth or recognition. On the other hand, the true prophet proclaims God’s Word, to his contemporaries, regardless of the consequences. The true prophet strives to speak the truth, and his words and warnings are meant to make us look into ourselves and discover that we may be our first and worst enemy, since quite often, it is our evil desires and deeds that may have kept us from living according to God’s Word and walk in His ways. It is in this context that Jesus’ coming and teachings would set the earth on fire and bring about division.

So what does this mean to us? What it means is that Jesus is now asking us make our choice: For or against Him; to say ‘Yes’ to God or to say ‘No.’ There is no in-between, no ifs, maybes or buts. Our choice will have eternal repercussions: Live according to His Word and we would have eternal life; or go against His Word and we will face the consequences, including eternal damnation. But we do not need to go through this alone, since Jesus is there to guide us and help us. In the second reading, St. Paul gives us these words of encouragement: “Let us persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus… For the sake of the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.” With these words, St. Paul is asking us to make Jesus our model as we run the race of life. Jesus endured the cross and its shame in view of the “joy that lay before him,” and we too should do the same. Jesus received triumphant glory by His obedience to His Father’s will, and we would too, if we live by God’s Word.

Let us therefore make our choice for Jesus and reaffirm it daily in thought, word and deed. Let us throw off everything that hinders us, especially the sin that clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection, so that we would be with Him for all eternity.

Housekeeping – Week 19 Year 2

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

7 Aug 2016 – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
8 Aug 2016 – Monday of Week 19 Year 2
9 Aug 2016 – Tuesday of Week 19 Year 2
10 Aug 2016 – Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr – Feast
11 Aug 2016 – Thursday of Week 19 Year 2
12 Aug 2016 – Friday of Week 19 Year 2

Friday of Week 19 Year 2

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Some of us sometimes forget who we are and where we come from. Some of us become easily upset or angry when someone has hurt us and some of us even begin to curse such persons, or even plot revenge. How many of us have truly learnt to be forgiving, to reconcile, and to move on? Sometimes it is due to our pride, prejudice and ego that makes it difficult for us to forgive, reconcile and move on. That is why we need to learn to have patience and humility, so that we would learn to forgive others their trespasses just as God forgives us our trespasses.

In today’s reading, we are reminded of how loving and forgiving God is: “The Lord says this: ‘Jerusalem, I will treat you as you deserve, you who have despised your oath even to the extent of breaking a covenant, but I will remember the covenant that I made with you when you were a girl, and I will conclude a covenant with you that shall last for ever… I am going to renew my covenant with you; and you will learn that I am the Lord, and so so remember and be covered with shame, and in your confusion be reduced to silence, when I have pardoned you for all that you have done – it is the Lord who speaks.'” Despite the many sins Jerusalem had committed, God was still willing to be merciful, loving and forgiving. What about us? Are we willing and able to follow God’s example and do the same?

Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr – Feast

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What do you look for in life? Some people seem to be busy trying to gain more riches, property and wealth; some look for power and prestige; some even look for recognition and titles. In our efforts to gain such things on earth, we may have grown more and more distant from God, since we may have spent much time on earthly pursuits, with little or no time for heavenly pursuits. But do all these really matter at the end? What would become of these things when we die? Can we bring them with us? Of course not. We would have to leave them behind. Then what is to become of us then?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.” Perhaps we should look carefully at the kind of lives we are living, and change our ways, growing closer to God while we have the chance to do so, so that we may be with Him for all eternity.