Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: March 2016

Monday of Week 5 Year 1

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I recall some people who seem to only belittle themselves or put themselves down when they are praised. Some of such persons do so because they have very low self-esteem. Some do so because they want to attract attention to themselves, and boost their pride and ego. But how should a Christian respond to praise? What sort of attitude should a Christian have when he or she receives praise or admiration from others?

In today’s reading, we come across the creation story, and in several verses, we could notice that God saw that it was good. In other words, what God has created is good, and there is no reason why one should feel small or belittle oneself. Instead, one should give praise and thanks to God for His creation and one should give glory to God for the many good He has given us. May we come to appreciate and be grateful and thankful to God for His bounty.

Friday of Week 4 Year 1

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It is easy for us to be warm and friendly towards our friends and family. When we go to church and see someone we know, we would make effort to say “hi” and to catch up on news. Some of us may even sit with such persons, so that we could go out for a meal or a drink after the Mass. But what if a stranger comes to church, do we welcome him or her and make him or her feel at home? Or do we mind our own business and carry on with our prayers or with whatever task we are doing? Are we brothers and sisters in Christ only to persons we know and like? Or are we brothers and sisters in Christ to all?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Continue to love each other like brothers, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the one body. Marriage is to be honoured by all, and marriages are to be kept undefiled, because fornicators and adulterers will come under God’s judgement. Put greed out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me?” May we come out of our “groupish” or “clannish” or “friends and family only” mentality and attitude, and make effort to be loving, caring and welcoming towards all, especially the lost, the least, the little and the last, so that others may know that we are Christians by our love.

Presentation of the Lord

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The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is one of the major feasts in the church year. It is also known as Candlemas or the Feast of the Purification, and is celebrated forty days after Christmas and commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem temple. What does this feast signify? It teaches us a few things:

Firstly, this feast reminds us of the Consecration of the Lord. Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. It was an act of consecration, to acknowledge and to thank the Lord for the gift of life, and to dedicate the child’s whole life to God. According to ancient Jewish tradition, every firstborn male, whether a son or an animal, belongs to God. In the case of the firstborn son, he must be ransomed or bought back. This custom is to remind the Isrealites that God delivered them from slavery by slaying every firstborn Egyptian male. Jesus is the firstborn male child of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so He was consecrated to God and “ransomed” as required by the custom. Also, this feast reminds us of the purification of the mother in Jewish law. This was purification from ritual uncleanness after childbirth. Though Our Lady did not need this purification because she was a virgin before, during and after the birth of Jesus, she underwent it anyway to fulfil the law. In a way, when we were baptised, we too were consecrated and dedicated to God.

Secondly, this feast reminds us that Jesus is the light of all nations. We celebrate this feast of the Candlemas (a Mass with Candles) to remind us that Jesus is the light that has come into this world to give us light. Simeon in today’s Gospel said that Jesus is “the light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Jesus is the light that the world needs, as the world is enveloped with darkness. Just as Jesus is the light of all nations, we too are called by Jesus to be lights to others, by our personal example, as well as through our good words and deeds.

Thirdly, this feast reminds us that Jesus is a sign of contradiction. Simeon also prophesied that Jesus is a “sign that will be contradicted” or a sign that will be opposed. Throughout His ministry, Jesus met much opposition from the leaders of Israel. Such opposition lead to persecution and ultimately, his death. Likewise, we too should be prepared to be a sign of contradiction to the ways of the world, and be prepared to face opposition, persecution and even death.

The world today is faced with all sorts of fear and hopelessness. May we radiate the light of hope that comes from Jesus. May our lives serve as a candle that shares the light of hope that comes from Jesus Christ to others. May we also present ourselves to God, and diligently, persistently, and consistently be a sign of contradiction to the ways of the world, and do our part in preaching the ways of Christ. In all our efforts, may we give God the glory.

Wednesday of Week 4 Year 1

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Each and every one of us go through some form of suffering in life. Suffering is part and parcel of life. We suffer because of illness, growth, lost relationships and many other reasons. While we cannot avoid suffering, what is more important is how we treat suffering. We could see suffering as a good or positive thing; or we could see it as a bad or negative thing.

In today’s reading, we are reminded of the necessity and advantages of suffering. We are told: “Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. 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. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again.”

When we suffer punishment from God, it is not because God does not like us or is out to get us, it is because God treats us as His sons and daughters. We are being trained to become better people, and grow closer to God. Let us look at suffering as something good and worthwhile, for we are being prepared to remain happy and cared for in God’s loving presence.

Tuesday of Week 4 Year 1

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Many of us say we have faith in Jesus, but how many of us really mean what we say? Do we have faith in Jesus only when times are good or when the situation suits us, or do we have faith at all times? Supposing we are being persecuted, ridiculed or even being put to death, would we still have faith in Jesus? Or would some of us abandon our faith just to save our skin? Are consistent and steadfast in our faith, or is it only for our convenience?

In today’s Gospel, the synagogue official named Jairus and the woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years had great faith in Jesus. Because of their faith in Jesus, Jairus’ daughter was brought back to life, and the woman was cured from the haemorrhage she suffered. If Jesus could work such miracles for these people, just imagine what He could do for us, if we have consistent, persistent and unwavering faith in Him. May we learn to be patient and ask Jesus for His help, knowing with full confidence that He will do what is best for us, for the glory of God.

Monday of Week 4 Year 1

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We sometimes think that we can do things on our own. To a certain extent, that may seem true. For example, we can come up with new inventions, we are able to build seemingly amazing works, some of us may have discovered new ways of doing things or new medicines to help us live better lives. But sometimes, there are situations where we are unable to resolve or do on our own. For example, we have no control over certain kinds of diseases, since our knowledge of such diseases is still limited. We have no control over the weather, since typhoons, flash floods and other natural disasters still occur. So when we are faced with situations where we are unable to solve or control, what do we do? For some of us, we have faith and trust in God, believing that God will help us. We believe that God would make the impossible possible, and we just need to be patient and let Him be in control.

In today’s reading, we are told that “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders.” These are all heroes of faith, as they realised that they could not accomplish what they did on their own, and had depended on God for strength, ability and endurance to do what they did.

What about us? Do we depend entirely only on our strength, ability and endurance? Or do we offer ourselves to God, letting Him use us to accomplish even better things, for His glory? May we be humble and docile, letting God be our help and guide, and having full faith and confidence in His love and providence.

Friday of Week 3 Year 1

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When the political situation in your country is not good, what do you do? Do you stand up for what is right, or would you make a run for it and look for so-called greener pastures elsewhere? When you see injustice or racism occuring, what do you do? Do you look the other way, mind your own business and not get involved? Or do you do what is just and right, even if it means risking your life? It seems easy to avoid getting involved, look the other way, mind our own business, or even run away, but are such attitudes and actions proper to a Christian?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God’s will and gain what he has promised… You and I are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.” When we are faced with injustice, racism, misdeeds and other despicable acts, may we take courage, do what is right and just, and let God be our guide, knowing that He would help us in His time, for His greater glory.

Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle – Feast

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Every once and a while, we come across a person who seems so impossible to like or deal with. Such a person could be quite obnoxious, or nasty, or mean, or even dangerous to our lives. Some of us may try to avoid such a person, or keep the person at arms length. Some of us even think that such a person is a goner, or beyond redemption. But sometimes, God works in strange ways, and persons who were once obnoxious, nasty, mean or dangerous could be transformed into something better for His glory.

One such person who was transformed is Saint Paul, whose conversion we celebrate today. Paul was once threatening Christians, and even throwing them into prison. But God had other plans for Paul, and he was totally transformed from a monstrosity to a stalwart defender of the faith. Just imagine, if God can transform a person like Paul, how much more could He transform the persons around us who are a pain or a thorn to us. May we never lose hope and remain steadfast in our trust and dependence in God, knowing that He would help us and transform us, including those who have been difficult, into something better.

Tuesday of Week 3 Year 1

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In our lives, we come across people who seem to be extra nice or extra polite when the boss or superior or some person of authority is present. Such persons are likely trying to curry favour with the boss or superior or person of authority, hoping to get some advantage, promotion or benefit out of it. When it comes to religion, some of such persons even think they can pull the same tricks on God, by appearing to be extra prayerful, or do lots of things for the church, or be extra nice to the priest or bishop, thinking that they could earn some brownie points with God. But what sort of attitude or way of life should we have as Christians? Why are we doing such things?

In today’s reading and Gospel, God is not interested in “the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin.” What God wants is for us to obey and do His will. It is not enough to just obey, since anyone could be playing games and obeying just to get some advantage or benefit. We also need to do His will. May we discern and discover God’s will for us, and do it joyfully and dilligently, for His Kingdom and glory.

Monday of Week 3 Year 1

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We sometimes come across people who are immensely jealous, insecure and easily provoked. Such persons cannot stand seeing other people doing well, or doing better than them, or even making some progress, since such persons fear that they may lose out. When such persons let jealousy get the better of them, they begin to do and say things merely to protect what they think is their interests or to safeguard their position and power. But what such persons fail to realise is that their jealousy would only lead them to say or do things which could lead them to look foolish or even lead them to commit sin.

In today’s Gospel, the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem had such immense jealousy, that they began to talk rubbish and contradict themselves when they said about Jesus: “‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.'” Jesus really went to town with these scribes and made fun of them, saying: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him.” Due to jealousy, these scribes uttered contradicting and silly statements, just because they could not get the better of Jesus, only to be made to look foolish with Jesus’ rebuttal to their utterance.

Have some of us become like these scribes, saying nonsensical things in the heat of jealousy? May we be on our guard against such immense jealousy, and think carefully what we say and do, since all that we say and do should be for the glory of God.