Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: February 2016

Friday of Week 31 Year 2

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I remember some advertisements on television saying that “Home is where the heart is,” In such advertisements, people are reminded and encouraged to go home to spend some time with their parents or family members, since one day, our parents and some of our family members may no longer be around. But as Christians, do we know where is our true home?

St. Paul in today’s reading reminds us that our home on earth is only temporary. He tells us: “For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe. So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord.” How prepared are we to return to our true homeland? In our quest for happiness, we may have invested much time and effort in building our temporary home here on earth. How much time and effort have we put in preparing to return to our permanent home?

Thursday of Week 31 Year 2

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If you had 100 sheep or 10 drachmas, and you lose one, what would you do? Some people would not have bothered about losing one sheep when they had another 99. In the same way, some people would not be too concerned about losing one drachma when they still have another 9. But to the people in today’s Gospel, every sheep and every drachma was extremely valuable. The man who lost a sheep and the woman who lost a drachma were possibly quite poor, and losing even one could be disastrous. This is why they took so much effort and trouble to find that one lost sheep and drachma.

In the same way, God treats every one of us as extremely precious. He does not want any one of us to be lost. If we do get lost from time to time, God would come looking for us. When we are repentent and seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we have an opportunity to clean our souls and grow in relationship with God. When we do so, there would be “rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner,” as Jesus said in today’s Gospel. Are we willing to admit our sins, and seek forgiveness at confession, so that we could grow closer to God?

Monday of Week 31 Year 2

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From a young age, many of us would have been taught and encouraged by our family, teachers, lecturers and peers to be the best we can be. Being the best you can be is not an issue, but the issue could occur if our objective or purpose leads us to become egoistic, self-centered, proud, conceited or ruthless. A person may begin to glorify oneself, thinking that he or she achieved and became the best one could be without any outside help, or as some may say, the person begins to think that he or she is self-made, instead of giving God the glory.

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind… There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.” St. Paul is cautioning us not to become entrapped in the ways of the world, where the me, myself and I is more important. When we allow ourselves to be consumed by the ways of the world, we only think of our needs, we begin to pursue only that which is for our success and happiness, and eventually there is no place for others, even no place for God in our lives. In the end, we may be building our own kingdom, instead of God’s Kingdom. May we learn to be humble, giving thanks for the many abilities, gifts and talents God has given us, and use them for His greater glory.

Thursday of Week 30 Year 2

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Evil exists, and evil will find ways and means to distract us and tempt us to sin. Some of us may think that we are capable and strong enough to resist temptation, but let us remember that the evil one knows our weaknesses and would use our weaknesses against us. Sometimes the temptations we face could be obvious, at other times, it could be very subtle. This is why, in today’s reading, St. Paul advises us: “Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put God’s armour on so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on God’s armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground.”

Not only do we need to put on God’s armour and depend on His care and providence, we also need to be consistent, committed and diligent in our prayer life. St. Paul also reminds us: “Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints…” Sometimes we may feel tired, or we feel as if our prayers are not working or seem to be unheard; but God is listening; He may not answer our prayers straightaway, but He will not abandon us. Let us choose to put on His armour and continue to pray, knowing that God will guide us and protect us from evil.

Wednesday of Week 30 Year 2

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Why do people obey? In some cases, people are not really obeying, but are simply complying to the instructions or demands of their superiors or leaders. People comply due to a number of reasons: some do so because it is in their best interest or advantage; some out of fear; some because of peer pressure; some for family, job or personal security. But how many of us obey according to the Christian context, that is to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God, letting Him be our providence and guide? How many of us are wholeheartedly, willingly, humbly, happily and faithfully obeying?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty… And parents, never drive your children to resentment but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does. Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men… And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven and he is not impressed by one person more than by another.” When we obey our parents, superiors or masters, we do so because we want to obey God and do things for the sake of the Lord. Our purpose and intention is to do what is pleasing to God. May we obey for the right reasons and right intentions, so that in all we do, may we give God the glory.

Tuesday of Week 30 Year 2

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Over the years, I have come across couples who plan to get married but have not thoroughly thought about what exactly they are getting themselves into. Some couples, especially if the groom happens to come from certain ethnic groups, think that the wife would become like a servant or a slave to them, and they expect the wife to wait on them hand and foot. Some couples think that marriage is like a business contract, where either party can terminate the contract if he or she can no longer stand the other party, citing so called irreconcilable reasons. But what some of these couples do not realise that, as far as a Christian marriage is concerned, it is not something which we play play, since it is for keeps, or a life-long commitment.

That is why we should take heed of what St. Paul tells us in today’s reading: “Give way to one another in obedience to Christ. Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord, since as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the Church submits to Christ, so should wives to their husbands, in everything. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy… To sum up; you too, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.” As a couple, both the man and the woman must learn that there needs to be genuine love, concern, mutual respect and many other things which make a marriage work. Being egoistic or self-centered has no place in a marriage, and couples need to learn to care for each other and support each other for better or for worse. It is certainly not easy staying married, but we pray for God’s grace that all couples will persevere and stay faithful, responsible and committed.

Monday of Week 30 Year 2

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When there is light, we can see things clearly. We can go about in our various tasks with little difficulty. But for some of us, light can cause problems for us, especially if we have something to hide, or if there are “skeletons in the closet.” When we have something to hide and we do not want others to know, we would go through great lengths to keep others in the dark, so that what we have said and done would not come to light. But for how long can we hide? Would we be able to face up to the truth, if it has come to light someday and somehow?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is for this loose living that God’s anger comes down on those who rebel against him. Make sure that you are not included with them. You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light.” As Christians, we are supposed to be like children of light. But let us ask ourselves honestly: are we really like children of light? Or have some of us stubbornly and vehemently chosen to remain in the dark? Are we willing to come out into the light and let the Lord guide us to become better persons? Or do we prefer to remain entrapped and enslaved in the dark?

Friday of Week 29 Year 2

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Before a person becomes a priest or a religious, the person would have gone through many years of formation, as part of a discernment process on whether the person is really suitable for priesthood or religious life. When a person has applied to enter the seminary or formation house and has been accepted, then it is the person’s responsibility to be committed in going through the formation. This means that the person should not treat formation lightly, and do his or her best to discern carefully and continuously whether such a life is what he or she really wants. Once the person is ordained or has made the final profession, then the person should remain committed to his or her vocation. Likewise, a person who chooses to get married should be committed in staying married.

In today’s reading, St. Paul implores us: “I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called.” St. Paul is reminding us to be true and committed to the vocation we have chosen, since vocation is a life-long commitment and not something we can change as if we are changing clothes. Let us not be hypocrites in the way we live, but be genuine and true to our vocation.

Thursday of Week 29 Year 2

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I believe most of us would want to live a harmonious life with our parents, siblings and other family members. I do not think anyone in his or her right mind would want to create division among family members. After all, we are reminded that “blood is thicker than water” and “united we stand, divided we fall.” But sometimes, certain situations or circumstances could cause family relationships to become strained or even divided. For example, while we try to live harmoniously with our family members, there are also difficult situations where we need to choose whether to listen to our family demands and go against God’s commandments; or observe God’s commandments and risk division among the family. If you were to choose one or the other, with no middle ground or choice, what would you choose?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” There are times, situations or circumstances where we need to make a choice, and the choice we make could cause our family members to become divided; some supporting us and some going against us. Such choices may involve matters concerning our faith and morals, and if put in such a difficult or even dangerous situation, the choice we make could have grave consequences. May we make a right and good choice, and be prepared to face the rewards or consequences.

Wednesday of Week 29 Year 2

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Throughout history, we have seen how certain ethnic groups have thought that God cares only for them and would protect them. One such ethnic group were the Israelites, and they thought that God would only their guide. These Israelites thought that they had a monopoly over God, and that God would only focus bringing salvation to them and them alone.

But the suprising thing is this: In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.” St. Paul reminded the Israelites, and us to, that God cannot be confined solely to us, since He has brought salvation to these pagans too. If God has given such pagans a share the same inheritance, then we should not segregate or avoid the many “pagans” in our society. Instead, we should be united with them in glorifying God in all we do, so that together, others would know what it means to be Christian.