Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: November 2015

Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent

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We sometimes come across certain words or messages which are difficult to accept or swallow. When we are confronted with such words, what do we do? Some of us may try to avoid the words altogether, thinking that they will go away or even be forgotten. Some of us may try to find ways and means to interpret the words so that they mean something else, or at the very least they sound a little more palatable to us. Some of us may take offence and begin to find ways to discredit the person uttering such words. But how many of us are willing to accept such word as a means to improve oneself; or to take heart such words; or even to take such words with a pinch of salt, especially if we are quite certain that such words do not apply to us, instead of over-reacting?

In today’s Gospel, we see how the Pharisees were not able to understand or even misunderstood Jesus. This is because their minds were already so fixated and they refused to admit who Jesus is, even though they could clearly see who Jesus is from His words and deeds. These Pharisees even began to think of what to refute or retort, instead of taking the trouble or the effort to understand what Jesus was trying to tell them. When the heart is stubbornly closed, or when a person has become so proud, egoistic and arrogant, it is certainly very difficult to help a person to change or become better or grow closer to God. May we take caution and not end up becoming like the Pharisees, so that God may help us transform into something better.

Monday of the 5th Week of Lent

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Have you ever noticed how some people are so easily duped with certain leaders and hang on to every word they say? Some of these folks are not necessarily simpletons, as some of them are quite highly educated, but when it comes to certain matters such as faith and religion, some of these folks prefer not to think carefully what the leader is saying, and blindly follow the instructions and pronouncements made by the leader, without even thinking or considering whether such words uttered by the leader are truth, or actual teaching of the faith, or they are merely rubbish meant to benefit the leader.

In today’s reading, we come across two elderly men who had been selected from the people that year to act as judges. These elderly men were judges posing as guides to the people, and their hearts were filled with filled and uncontrollable lust, especially towards Susanna. Because of this, the reading tells us that these two men “threw reason aside, making no effort to turn their eyes to heaven, and forgetting its demands of virtue.” Instead, they managed to have Susanna condemned to death via trumped up charges, and the people were so naive to listen to these judges without proper investigation, just like what some people do even today. But thankfully, God “roused the holy spirit residing in a young boy named Daniel who began to shout, ‘I am innocent of this woman’s death!'” Daniel even added (perhaps in a mocking way): “Are you so stupid, sons of Israel, as to condemn a daughter of Israel unheard, and without troubling to find out the truth? Go back to the scene of the trial: these men have given false evidence against her.” In the end, instead of Susanna, the two elderly perverted men were the ones condemned to death.

What about us? Do we just follow a leader blindly, regardless whether the leader is a religious or political one? Have we come to realise that sometimes a leader may be dishing out commands or instructions merely for his or her own benefit? May we not be so “stupid” or so easily duped into obeying blindly, but take caution in what certain leaders say, so that in all things, we glorify God.

Friday of the 4th Week of Lent

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Throughout history, we have seen how certain people have been murdered, asssassinated, belittled or treated with meanness or contempt, just because they speak the truth or they do things that do not conform to the ways of the world, or conform to a certain ideology or way of thinking. The fact is: the truth hurts, and some people refuse to admit their error and change their ways; or some people are benefitting from certain deals or privileges, and they refuse to give up on such benefits.

In today’s reading, we come across some people who wanted to get rid of the virtuous man, since the virtuous man was exposing their hypocrisy and falseness. Likewise, the Gospel shows us how certain Jews, especially the scribes and the Pharisees, wanted to get rid of Jesus, because His words, way of life and deeds were challenging their comfort and so called authority. But the fact is: are we prepared, like the virtuous man and like Jesus to remain steadfast to the truth and to justice? Or have we become more and more conforming to the ways of the world? When we are on the side of truth, we should not be afraid as there is nothing to hide. So, let us stand firm and remain on the side of what is right and just, and we will see the fruits of our perseverance, knowing that our loving God will not fail us and be our help and guide.

Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent

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There is song called “When Will They Ever Learn” and part of the lyrics are: “Where have all the soldiers gone; Long time passing; Where have all the soldiers gone; A long, long time ago; Where have all the soldiers gone; Gone to graveyards, every one; When will they ever learn?; When will they ever learn?” In this song, we discover how people seem to have not learnt from the past; how people, especially among the younger generation who are experiencing peace and prosperity, easily forget the evil, the atrocities committed, the suffering endured. When people forget, the consequences can be disasterous. We have seen numerous wars, betrayals, and other deeds which happen over and over again at different points of history. Why is this happening? Some reasons could be: due to our pride, our ego, our impatience with God and with each other, our lack of forgiveness, our selective forgetfulness. When will they ever learn?

In today’s reading, the Israelites experienced the liberation from Egypt and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. God had rescued the Israelites in a spectacular way. But did the Israelites learn from their past? No. They soon forgot about the God who saved them and they created an idol in the image of an animal and worshipped it. As a result, the Israelites ended up wandering in the desert for 40 years as a reminder of who they are and what God has done for them.

We too could end up wandering in the desert for 40 years or even more, if we forget who we are and what God has done for us. We could end up in a vicious cycle, forgetting the many bitter and painful lessons of the past, if we do not make effort to remember and change our ways, our attitudes and our conduct. God is so patient with us and giving us plenty of opportunities to repent, realign ourselves to Him, and live and grow in His love and care. Will we ever learn? Are we willing to learn?

Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent

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How many of us could claim to be able to remember almost everything that has taken place, or almost every item we own or had, or even most of the names of the many friends and acquaintances we have? Quite likely we would remember a few things, and forget others. We forget because the memory is possibly not so important to us; or we have had unpleasant or painful experiences which compel us to forget; or because we have too many things in our mind and too busy to remember too many details, possibly leading to information overload; or due to age. Sometimes, especially when times are good, when we are healthy or doing well in life, or when we are in crisis and think that we can solve issues on our own, we even forget about God.

But does God forget about us? No. Today’s reading assures us that God will never forget us: “For Zion was saying, ‘The Lord has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.’ Does a woman forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you.” We may have forgotten about God at times, we even may have thought that we can do without God, and when we are in dire straits and think that God has abandoned us or forgotten us, we are assured in today’s reading that God will never forget us and will guide us if we let Him. The question is: are we still stubbornly trying to go our own way and end up even more stuck in muck, or are we willing to humbly and earnestly turn to God, and let Him be our help and guide.

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent

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Some of us think of a church as a nice building with perhaps a nice altar, pews, tabernacle and other fixtures and fittings that make a church look like a church. But what we see is only the physical and structural part of a church. Do we also see the other part of the church, which is the people or the faithful? In fact, what is more important is not the building or the structures, but the people or the faithful; since the church, even from the earliest times of Christianity, are made up the faithful, and that the focus should be on building up the faithful and helping the faithful grow.

In today’s reading, we are told that the waters flowing from the Temple, “flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.”

Notice that the waters flowing from the Temple brings health and life, enables the growth of every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails, and that their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal. If the waters flowing from the Temple could bring health and life, are our churches doing the same? Are our churches full of faithful who are “good to eat and the leaves medicinal” in their behaviour, attitude, care and concern towards others, and in their witnessing? Or have our churches become more and more divided, segregrated, like a marketplace? May we come to realise the true significance of the church and being church, and be life-giving and bringing the message of the Good News to all, so that all may have health and life.

Monday of the 4th Week of Lent

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Why is it so hard for some of us to forgive, reconcile and move on? One reason could be because of the hurt we had experienced as a result of the wrong done upon us, and we find it almost impossible to let go of the hurt. Another reason could be because our pride and ego has been wounded, and we find it difficult to let it be and move on, since we seem to be constantly bombarded by our pride and ego to claim what we think is rightfully ours. But what sort of attitude should Christians have towards forgiveness and reconciliation? Is it really that difficult to forgive and reconcile?

In today’s reading, the prophet Isaiah tells us: “Thus says the Lord: Now I create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered, and will come no more to men’s minds. Be glad and rejoice for ever and ever for what I am creating, because I now create Jerusalem ‘Joy’ and her people ‘Gladness.’” God is willing to forgive His people and make things new, instead of dwelling in the past and allowing the past to ensnare His people, freeing them from the bondage of past wrongdoings. In other words, God is letting bygones be bygones, and willing to give His people new life. If God is willing to do such things, are we not willing to do the same? Are we still trapped in our past hurts, failing to see the wonders and newness that God is offering us? May we free ourselves from our unforgiving drunkenness and unforgiving stupor, and let the Lord heal us and guide us closer to Him.

Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent

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There are many things in life which are actually simple and straightforward. The problem that some of us face is when we transform what is simple and straightforward into something so complex or complicated, that it seems impossible to solve. Take for instance poverty: why does poverty exist? If we look at the root cause of poverty, we could say that it boils down to human greed. Some people have more than enough, yet they are not satisfied with what they have, and want more and more, and in the process of attaining more, they become more and more selfish and refuse to share. But when we try to address the issue of poverty, some of us begin to complicate things by offering so many other possible reasons, instead of focusing on the fundamental or key or root reason.

In today’s readings, we see more examples of things that are actually simple and straightforward. In the reading, the prophet Hosea speaks on behalf of the Lord: “Israel, come back to your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall.” Notice that the reason for Israel’s downfall is its iniquity? Isn’t that such a simple and straighforward reason? Likewise, today’s Gospel reminds about loving God and loving neighbour. Loving God and loving neighbour are also simple and straightforward instructions which could be carried out easily. But herein lies our problem: we begin to make excuses as to why we experience downfall; we do not want to admit our wrongdoings, and allow our pride and ego to fester; we even claim to love God and neighbour, but our love is coloured with conditions, prejudices and other criteria.

Thus, instead of complicating things and making things difficult not only for ourselves but also for others, let us return to what is simple and straightforward. Let us turn back to God and learn to love genuinely, with no strings attached, the way God loves us all, and let us continuously and consciously grow closer to God and walk in His ways.

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent

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We live in a world where we are beginning to see more and more people being divided according to racial lines, ethnic groups, ideologies, economic situation (such as lower income, middle income, upper class), and many other forms of division and fragmentation. Even within our countries, our communities and in some cases, even in our families, we see such division and fragmentation taking place. Why is this happening? Perhaps it is because we are so stubbornly holding on to our ideals, our wants and needs, our identity, our achievements and status. Perhaps our pride and ego has become more and more uncontrollable, due to our neglect in checking them. Or perhaps we have become less loving and receptive to God’s voice, as we become more and more immersed in the ways of the world and all the attractions it has to offer. Perhaps some of us have even chosen not to listen, not to pay attention, and follow the dictates of our own hearts, ignoring God’s voice completely.

In today’s reading, God, through the prophet Jeremiah, reminded the Israelites, that He had been so patient and persistent in sending His servants the prophets to “knock some sense” into them, by trying to help them change their ways, their attitudes, their behaviour, so that they may have life and prosper, but the Israelites did not listen, they did not pay attention; they followed the dictates of their own evil hearts, refused to face God, and turned their backs on God. Even then, we see how God had not given up on them or left them to their doom. Instead, God was still so patient and persistent, even to the extent of sending His only Son, Jesus, to reach out to them, and eventually to die for their sins.

If God is so patiently waiting for the Israelites to change, He is also doing the same for us. We have been given many opportunities to change our ways, and return to His love and care. But sometimes, like the Israelites, we too did not listen, did not pay attention; followed the dictates of their own evil hearts, refused to face God, and turned our backs on God. Let us be reminded that our time on earth is short, and it is up to us to do what is necessary to change and grow closer to God. At the end of the day, whether we end up with God or away from God is up to us.

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent

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Some of us seem to have the tendency to forget things as we grow and as we age. While we may have had better memory when we were young, we could still forget certain things, especially things that have been difficult or unpleasant. But sometimes, it is necessary to remember certain things, even though they may be difficult or unpleasant, since by remembering, we could learn from them and try to avoid repeating the same mistakes, or we could learn to grow to become better persons.

In today’s reading, we see an example of the need to remember, where Moses reminded the Israelites: “Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you… But take care what you do and be on your guard. Do not forget the things your eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life; rather, tell them to your children and to your children’s children.” Notice that not only did Moses instruct the Israelites to not forget God’s laws and customs, Moses even instructed them to teach such laws and customs to their children and their descendants. Such laws and customs may have been unpleasant or difficult, but for one to have life, it was necessary to not only remember them, but also to ensure that future generations remember them as well.

What about us? Would we be humble and willing to remember situations, events, laws and customs, some of which may have been difficult or unpleasant? Are we open to letting God take control and guide us to grow closer to Him? The memory may be difficult or unpleasant, but the rewards that we may receive if we are faithful, consistent and hopeful, are indeed worth the remembering.