Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: March 2016

Friday of Week 2 Year 1

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Do we really get to choose our leaders? Some of us think that we have a right to vote and choose our leaders, but in many cases, the choices given to us may not necessarily be what we want and expect. Sometimes we could be presented with a choice which a particular political party has decided, or because a particular person seems to be popular or has wealth or some other influence which enables him or her to be selected as one of the few choices. Given such situations, it seems like we do not really have much of a choice after all, since the ones we may want or expect, may not have the clout or support to get selected or voted in.

Likewise, today’s Gospel seems to give us an impression that we do not have much of a choice with the 12 who Jesus appointed. In the Gospel, Jesus summoned those He wanted, and He appointed twelve; they were to be His companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. But the difference here compared to the way people and political parties choose leaders is this: it is God who chooses, and He chooses persons to be His companions, to be sent out to preach, and to cast out devils. Notice that God chooses to fulfil His purposes, not to fulfil personal or political agenda.

So let us ask ourselves sincerely, when it comes to our leaders in church, especially leaders in the different church ministries: Do we choose leaders according to a worldly approach, where those who are popular, wealthy or influential are more likely to be selected? Or do we let God be in control, and seek His help and guidance to choose leaders to do His will? May we be discerning and careful in choosing our leaders, so that in all we do, may God be glorified.

Thursday of Week 2 Year 1

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Each and every one of us has got different needs and wants, and sometimes what we need and what we want can be numerous. To get what we need and want, we keep on praying to God, asking Him to grant our desires. When we get what we asked for, are we grateful and give thanks to God for His providence, or do we begin to ask for more and more? When we do not get what we ask for, what happens? Are we willing to let God do what is best for us, or are we going to look for other means of help, only to find that these other means of help are not of any help after all?

In today’s Gospel, we see the crowd swelling into a huge one, until Jesus had to get into a boat to avoid being crushed by the crowd. Indeed, people can be so demanding and their wants and needs can be great, and sometimes we could be crushing Jesus with our demands. While many of us are asking Jesus for so many things, how many of us are sharing or giving to others as well? Are we keeping what we have received only to ourselves? Just as Jesus has been generous to us in granting our needs, may we too be generous in helping and sharing with others.

Wednesday of Week 2 Year 1

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In the third commandment, we are reminded to honour the sabbath day. This commandment is meant to remind everyone to enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives. But sometimes, we come across people who go to two different extremes when it comes to the sabbath. On one extreme, we have the Pharisees who demand that keeping the sabbath means not doing anything at all, not even doing good or merciful things. On the other extreme, we have people who take advantage of the sabbath to make more money or reap in more profits. Could some of us be in one of the extremes?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus grieved to find the Pharisees so obstinate, and he looked angrily round at them, because they were extreme in their views of the sabbath. Even doing good or saving a life, to the Pharisees, is considered breaking the sabbath. But the Pharisees missed the whole point about the sabbath, and chose such extreme views because to them, it seems easier to not doing anything so as not to offend God. But how could doing good or doing something merciful be offensive to God? Seems strange, but that was what the Pharisees thought, because of their stubborn, obstinate and narrow-minded ways.

What about us? Have some of us become like the Pharisees in our views, thoughts, actions and conduct? Do we think that only our ways are right and everyone else is wrong? May we learn from our Eternal Master to be humble and open in our ways, so that we would do what is good, what is loving, what is right, what is just, and what is merciful, for the glory of God.

Tuesday of Week 2 Year 1

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Those of us who have taken part in a race would know what it takes to succeed. We would need to put in hours of practice, eat proper food to gain energy, get enough sleep, and do many other things to be prepared. But whatever one’s motivation is to participate in a race, patience, perseverance and persistence is needed, so that one would hopefully achieve what one is looking for. When it comes to preaching the Good News and serving others, we also need to be prepared, be patient, persevere and be persistent in our efforts. There are times where our efforts seem to be not as fruitful as we wanted, but what matters is not how effective or efficient we have been, what matters is how earnest and diligent we are in performing our tasks.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the saints. Our one desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same earnestness to the end, to the perfect fulfilment of our hopes, never growing careless, but imitating those who have the faith and the perseverance to inherit the promises.” We cannot do everything and we cannot please everyone, but let us not grow careless or complacent in our efforts, but be faithful and consistent, for the greater glory of God.

Monday of Week 2 Year 1

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Why do we have rules? If a country does not have any rules, then society would end up in chaos and disintegrate. People would begin to do as they please, and there would no longer be any commonly accepted form of morality, justice or even peace. For example, if we do not have rules, a person could commit murder for some insignificant reason and get away with it, since a “to each his or her own” mentality could prevail. That is why we have rules, since rules set us free from so many uncertainties. Rules define what is right and wrong, and when we know what is right and wrong, we would know how to conduct ourselves and live. Rules are not there for us to break as we please, or to change according to our own whims and fancies, but to be observed for the good of all. When we are obedient towards rules, what happens? We are able to live in harmony, peace and justice.

In today’s reading, Jesus too obeyed rules by obeying God the Father. The reading tells us: “During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation and was acclaimed by God with the title of high priest of the order of Melchizedek.” Jesus showed us that by obeying and submit to God, He became a source of eternal salvation to all of us. By being docile and humble enough to hear and obey God’s voice, we have no reason and no need to fear, for God will be our providence and guide. Let us offer ourselves in obedience to God, and let God transform us into something better, for His glory.

Friday of Week 1 Year 1

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After a long day at work or at school, I believe that most of us would want to go home for some peace and quiet, and to have some rest. We are not robots, and we need to recuperate from a heavy day, or we may feel fatique, tired or even may be stricken with some sort of disease or illness. Even robots and machines need rest, or their operational usefulness may be shortened due to wear and tear. But where is our home, really? Is earth really our home? We know that our being here is only temporary, so what have we been preparing for our true home?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Be careful: the promise of reaching the place of rest that God had for the Israelites still holds good, and none of you must think that he has come too late for it… We must therefore do everything we can to reach this place of rest, or some of you might copy this example of disobedience and be lost.” God is beckoning us to come home to our true home and be with Him, but going to our true home requires effort on our part. Have we been doing our part, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, in preparation to return to our true home?

Thursday of Week 1 Year 1

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What are you looking for in life? Is life here on earth all that matters? We sometimes come across people who seem to think that life on earth are all that matters, and some of these people even go to the extent of abandoning their faith, especially when they are given fame, fortune and other opportunities in exchange of doing so. For example, there are people who have abandoned their Christian faith and embraced another faith, because they are promised that they would get perks and benefits from the government or from certain business circles. Some marry a woman of another faith and embrace the same faith the woman professes, because of certain advantages to be exploited. But is faith so insignificant that such persons would do such things?

In today’s reading, we are cautioned: “Take care, brothers, that there is not in any one of your community a wicked mind, so unbelieving as to turn away from the living God. Every day, as long as this ‘today’ lasts, keep encouraging one another so that none of you is hardened by the lure of sin, because we shall remain co-heirs with Christ only if we keep a grasp on our first confidence right to the end.” When a person abandons his or her faith so easily, then it seems as if the person is only concerned about himself or herself, and is not bothered about God. Could some of us have ventured into such an attitude? Let us not forget that our life here on earth is only temporary, and we are merely pilgrims. What we enjoy is also temporary and when the fun ends, we may risk losing our eternal reward.

Wednesday of Week 1 Year 1

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Life is such that no one remains in the same place, same position, or same job forever. Situations change, the context we are in changes, our behaviour and attitude changes. What was once a passion in the past may no longer be so today. What we were capable of doing in the past may no longer be possible today. This is because, as we go through life, and as we age, we find ourselves being needed differently. Priests and religious, for example, are transferred from one community to another or from one parish to another or even from one role to another, when and where the need arises. The question is: are we ready and prepared to change and for change?

In today’s Gospel, we read: “In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.” It seemed easy and convenient for Jesus to settle down in one place, make Himself comfortable, and carry out His mission there. But as we can see from the Gospel, His mission was not only for one place indefinitely; He also went to other places to preach and cast out devils. By doing so, Jesus set an example for us to follow. Some of us may have become too used to a place, and we should be enthusiastic to go forth and preach the Good News, not stay put and take things easy or for granted. If some day we are asked to move on, let us humbly and joyfully do so, for the greater glory of God.

Tuesday of Week 1 Year 1

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When we want to interpret the scriptures, we cannot just simply interpret it as we please. This is because the reason, context, background and nuances in the passages is different from our context and background today. Far too many so called preachers have interpreted the scriptures according to their preference and convenience, leading to a free-for-all interpretation. So how do we ensure that what we are interpreting is as close and accurate as what the passage was originally intended? By having some form of authority, of course. When you have some form of authority, the passage could be evaluated by experts who would be able to help ensure a more accurate and reliable interpretation.

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus whose “teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.” How was Jesus different from the scribes, and what sort of authority did He hold? Jesus was different because He had moral and spiritual authority, as He was one with the Father, and that what He is teaching and doing is not for His own personal gratification or benefit, but for the greater glory of God.

What about us? Is our so-called authority coming for Jesus? Or do we claim to have authority, which is actually self-appointed and for our personal gratification? May we learn to cultivate the moral and spiritual authority by Jesus, and use such authority wisely to glorify God.

6 January

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Throughout our lives, we would have overcome many kinds of challenges and hurdles. There are also many other challenges and hurdles which we may still be trying to overcome or have yet to overcome, and one of which is avoiding sin. We face many temptations in life, some obvious, some so subtle, that we need to constantly discern whether a particular action or certain words could lead us or others to sin.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Who can overcome the world? Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God… God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son; anyone who has the Son has life, anyone who does not have the Son does not have life.” When we have life in Jesus, then we would have much help in overcoming sin, since Jesus has given us life. If we have found that we have been drifting away from God, or neglecting our life in Jesus, may we come to realise our situation, and return to life in Jesus, walking in His ways and growing in relationship with Him, for the betterment of our eternal future.