Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: February 2016

Tuesday of Week 34 Year 2

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Do you know what is a sickle? No, it does not mean someone is being sick, but it is a type of a hand-held agricultural tool with a curved, sharp blade used for harvesting grain crops or cutting certain edible plants to feed livestock. It is an ancient tool effective for reaping and harvesting, and if used as a weapon, it can be deadly and dangerous. You definitely would not want to be at the receiving end of a sickle, since the cut could be devastating, or even mortally wounding (in other words, one could get killed quite easily if struck by a sickle).

In the 1st reading, the sickles were being used for a harvest of a different sort; it was the harvest of the earth, and it refers to the judgement of the earth. In the reading, we are told that “the angel set his sickle to work on the earth and harvested the whole vintage of the earth and put it into a huge winepress, the winepress of God’s anger.” While the imagery of the reading may seem terrifying, its message is meant to awaken us from our complacency and our indifference to the call for repentance. Are we willing to change our ways, turn away from our sins, and return to the Lord’s ways?

Friday of Week 33 Year 2

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What sort of lives do we want to live? Do we want to live good and holy lives? Or do we want to live according to the ways of the world? Sometimes, we come across people who try to live good and holy lives, but they begin to be influenced with what others think, or what is the latest fashion or style, or they try to fit into the crowd instead of standing out and being oneself. When such persons try to fit in, they have allowed themselves to succumb to peer pressure, since they want to stay in with the crowd, they want to be accepted, they don’t want to be the odd-one out. But is this right Christian living, especially if by succumbing to peer pressure, it might mean keeping silent and not doing anything even when we see injustice, oppression and corruption happening?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus chose to not fit in. He could have easily closed one eye, played safe, keep cool and look away from the injustice and corruption happening in the Temple. But Jesus would not put up with such nonsense in the Temple. He drove out the injustice and corruption from the holy place, and restored the Temple to its dignity. As a result, Jesus incurred the wrath of those who were already against Him.

What about us? Are we going to ignore the injustice, oppression and corruption happening around us? Are we going to mind our own business and let others do the fighting? May we follow the example of our loving Saviour, who showed us what being a Christian is all about, by doing what is right and just, for the glory of God.

Thursday of Week 33 Year 2

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Do you have any regrets in your life? Do you feel as if there are some unfinished business? Opportunities come and go. We can choose to seize such opportunities, or we can choose to ignore them and let them go by. At the end of the day, whether we end up with regrets or unfinished business or not depends on us. It is the same when it comes to our relationship with God. God gives us many opportunities to grow closer in relationship with Him, and it is up to us to seize such opportunities, or end up being left behind.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shed tears over Jerusalem because the Jews had heard His message but His message of peace did not sink into their hearts. The Jews did not heed the signs that God gave them because of their stubbornness and refusal to change. As a result, Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, and the Jews who attempted to revolt against the Romans were destroyed and crushed.

We too may suffer a similar fate, if we procrastinate or remain obstinate in our ways, if we do not hear Jesus’ message and let His message of peace sink into their hearts. God is patient and loving to all of us, and He gives us many opportunities to build a deeper and closer relationship with Him. We can choose to walk humbly in His ways, or choose to do things our way. Let us be mindful of the consequences of our actions.

Wednesday of Week 33 Year 2

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How are we making use of the gifts, talents and capabilities that God has given us? Are we using our gifts, talents and capabilities as our own, to be used as we please, and perhaps to glorify ourselves? Or are we using such gifts, talents and capabilities for the greater glory of God? In today’s Gospel, we read of a man of noble birth who gave ten servants one pound each to do business with. Most of the servants used their gifts, talents and capabilities to make more money for their master, and they were amply rewarded. But one servant, knowing fully well what sort of person his master was, still had the gall and the cheek to hand back the one pound to his master without doing anything to it. Such arrogance and refusal to use his gifts, talents and capabilities for the benefit of his master only led him to be condemned.

What about us? Are we using our gifts, talents and capabilities wisely for the greater glory of God? Or have we become selfish, complacent or arrogant, like that one servant, refusing to use our gifts, talents and capabilities in a righful way? Just as that one servant lost his one pound and was condemned, we too may lose our gifts, talents and capabilities if we are not careful.

Tuesday of Week 33 Year 2

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What sort of state is your soul today in life? Are you consistently making effort to grow closer to God; or have you become lukewarm, paying more attention to what this world has to offer and losing focus in your faith and dependence in God’s providence? In today’s reading, the church in Sardis was once eager in faith for God but over time, it became more dead than alive in relationship with God. The reading also speaks of the church in Laodecia which was neither cold or hot in its zeal for God, but instead had also become lukewarm in faith. These churches in Sardis and Laodecia were warned by the Lord to wake up and change their ways and return to the Lord’s fold.

What about us? Where do we stand? Have we become more dead than alive in our relationship with God? Have we become lukewarm in faith? God is inviting us to repent and turn back to Him, and dwell in His love and presence. It is up to us to take the initiative and make effort to change, open the door to our heart and soul, and let Him in.

Monday of Week 33 Year 2

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When some of us first fell in love, we would have gone through a lot of effort to make our girlfriend or boyfriend special. We would note what he or she likes, his or her birthday, the first time we started going steady, and other significant events. We do all these because, we love being with the person, we want to make the person happy, we care about the person, and hopefully we would one day get married to the person. In other words, we make so much effort and spend much time trying hard to eventually earn a “degree in paktorlogy” (“paktor” is roughly translated as to date, with the intention and hope of marriage). But supposing one has gotten married already to the person for several years; is the love, determination and effort still vibrant? Are we making as much effort to stay married and to keep the flame of love alive?

In the first reading, John speaks of the church of Ephesus and the admonishment it received: “Nevertheless, I have this complaint to make; you have less love now than you used to. Think where you were before you fell; repent, and do as you used to at first.” Just as a marriage needs constant effort, work and great doses of love, care and concern to stay vibrant, alive and exciting, members of the church too need to do their part with enthusiasm and vigour to keep the church vibrant, alive and exciting. We cannot let things wane, take things for granted or slack in our efforts. Our love must be consistent and strong. May we not lose or lessen our love, but keep it strong throughout the years, and give glory God in all we do.

Friday of Week 32 Year 2

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In today’s world, we have easy access to information, especially from the internet. But not everything posted or shared on the internet is true. Some people may have posted things which are lies, rubbish, nonsense or deceiving. Some of such persons do so for many reasons, including the intention to lead astray and bring about confusion. Some people even utter teachings which seem contrary or somewhat different to what Jesus taught, especially because they have picked and chosen what they want or like to hear or what suits them, and refuse to admit the truth. When we are faced with such a situation,what do we do?

In today’s reading, John warns us: “There are many deceivers about in the world, refusing to admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. They are the Deceiver; they are the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, or all our work will be lost and not get the reward it deserves. If anybody does not keep within the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he cannot have God with him: only those who keep to what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them.”

This is why we should not blindly agree to what certains persons have written or said, even though they may be so called persons of authority or importance. We should make every effort to understand our faith better through the various courses available to us, so that we would not be so easily duped by certain others. We also need to discern what we have heard, and verify its authenticacy. Let us not be so easily taken for a ride, and be vigilant and watch ourselves.

Thursday of Week 32 Year 2

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In anything that we do, there needs to be some sort of preparation. We cannot expect to get good results or good progress if we try to get something done all of a sudden. For example,if we want to do well in an exam, we would need to begin studying early, so that we would have had enough practice to answer the questions efficiently and effectively. If we want to run a race, we would need to train our bodies early, so that running the race would not be that strenous to our bodies. If we want to climb a mountain, we would need to work out our leg and and hand muscles, so that we would be ready and prepared to withstand the pressure of climbing.

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that “The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation… They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit…” If we have been faithful to our duty as Christians, then there is no reason to fear. We know that God will guide and care for us no matter what happens. Instead of becoming worrywarts or fret about such things, we should prepare ourselves and focus in building our relationship with God and also with others. If we have made the necessary preparations, we would be ready to meet the Lord at any time. Let us not slack or procrastinate, since the time to prepare is now.

Tuesday of Week 32 Year 2

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When we try our level best to get a task done and the task is completed successfully, many of us would like to be appreciated or recognised for the task well done. Some of us hope to get into the good books of our boss, superior, bishop or leader. Others may hope for some form of reward, bonus, promotion or gift. But as Christians, what sort of attitude should we have when we have done something well or completed successfully?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”” Instead of expecting others to admire us, or reward us, or appreciate us, or say good things about us, we should be thankful and grateful to God for the gifts, talents and abilities He has given us to be able to get the task done. Instead of looking for rewards, praises or recognition to boost our ego, pride and personal gratification, we should give glory to God. After all, we do such things not to bring attention to ourselves or to build our own kingdom, but to build God’s Kingdom.

Monday of Week 32 Year 2

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As Christian leaders, we should be careful how we guide others, since sometimes the way we are guiding others may not necessarily be following God’s will, but following our own agenda. Some Christian leaders may appear to be guiding others, but in actual fact, they are merely getting others to align to their ways. When there is dissent or disagreement from certain members, some of such leaders may reproach such members, or issue warnings to them to toe the line, or even have such members suspended, even though what is being dissented or disagreed is sensible and valid. This begs the question: are we as Christian leaders only expecting members to become “yes men or yes women” just to rubber stamp what we do, without proper evaluation, scrutiny or discernment?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the Sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!” When we try to enforce our own agenda, without any room for scrutiny or dissent; when we expect others to blindly or obediently accept our ways or our views; when we insist that only our way is the way to go; then we may be creating obstacles for others to grow and be of service to God. We may also be leading others astray, since we are concerned only with our own agenda, our ego, and our pride. May we come to realise what we are doing, and change our ways so that in all we do, we do it for the glory of God.