Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: March 2016

5 January

Posted on by Posted in 5 January, Christmas Season Leave a comment

Some of us may have been quite judgmental others just by looking at them or hearing about them. Sometimes what we see or hear could have been coloured with prejudiced eyes and ears, and unless we are open to the promptings of God’s spirit, we may fail to discover and appreciate another person’s character, talent and capabilities.

In today’s Gospel, Nathanael did not initially have a good impression of Jesus or Nazareth. Hearing that Jesus was from Nazareth, he asked, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” He said this because Nazareth was a small, insignificant place, and to the Jews, it seemed unlikely that the Messiah would come from there. Nathanael was not despising Jesus or even Nazareth for that matter, but he was just being frank and straightforward, and Jesus recognised that in Nathanael when He said that Nathanael was incapable of deceit. Not only that, Jesus saw that Nathanael was sincere and that he awaited for the coming of the Messiah, since Nathanael was found “under the fig tree,” at prayer and open to the Lord. Eventually, Nathanael was humble and open enough to recognise Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel.

What about us? Would we be able to see or hear without prejudice? We may have had not quite a good impression of someone initially, because of what we may heard about the person or where the person came from. Let us pray that, like Nathanael, we would eventually see the good in others, just as Jesus sees the good in each of us.

4 January

Posted on by Posted in 4 January, Christmas Season Leave a comment

Some people can be quite possessive when it comes to certain things or even persons. In such situations, these persons may find it quite difficult to share or let go. Sometimes such persons would cling on to such things or persons as if their lives depended on it, and it is certainly not easy to live with such persons, because they can be domineering or controlling towards others. But the question is: how long can one really be possessive? Sooner or later, we would lose the item or person due to one reason or another. What would happen to us then, if we are such persons?

In today’s Gospel, “As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus.” John could have been possessive towards his two disciples and prevent them from going to Jesus, but John recognised that Jesus is the master, and that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. So, John let his two disciples go, knowing and trusting that they would be in good hands.

What about us? Would we be willing and able to let go of the things or persons we are possessive towards? Would we be willing to be detached of such things and persons, and leave them to God? May we, like John, point others to Jesus, and offer them to God for His glory.

20 December – Season of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 20 December, Advent Leave a comment

If you were in Mary’s shoes, and the angel Gabriel came to you to tell you that you would conceive and give birth to a son, how would you respond? Perhaps you might be excited, elated or happy and humbled to be given such honour and opportunity. Perhaps some locations of society today are more tolerant and understanding towards such a situation, and if you are in such a society, then you may experience less issues. But supposing you are in a place, like Mary, where becoming pregnant out of wedlock was unacceptable, or even a crime or a sin? How would you respond then?

In today’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive and give birth to a son and his name would be Jesus. Certainly Mary would have been fearful of the consequence of having a child in this way, since she could be accused of adultery and stoned to death for becoming pregnant before marriage, as she was only betrothed and not yet married. But the angel assured her that God would take care of things and that nothing is impossible to God, since her kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month. When Mary heard these, she chose to have faith and trust in God and said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.”

What about us? Are we willing to put our trust and faith in God, no matter how difficult or challenging the situation may seem? Would we let God take care of things and continue to do His will? May we, like Mary, remain courageous and confident, and leave it in the hands of the Lord.

19 December – Season of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 19 December, Advent Leave a comment

Nowadays, being barren or infertile in many societies is no longer a stigma or issue. People in these societies have moved on in their thinking and adoption is a possible and acceptable alternative. However, some societies still view being barren as a great embarrassment or a punishment from the divine. Being barren in such societies was seen as grounds for a divorce (such societies usually put the blame on the woman), and in some cases, the woman was badly treated, shunned or became a source of ridicule and gossip.

In today’s reading, we come across Manoah and his wife who was barren. In today’s Gospel, we also come across Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who was barren. Even though these couples had suffered much due to being barren; even though they suffered much embarrassment and were a source of gossip and ridicule; they chose to stayed on with each other, bore the burden together, and were faithful to each other. God did not abandon them and gave them a precious gift of two babies, Samson and John the Baptist, who later carried out great deeds for the greater glory of God. If God can do wonders for these couples and cast away their shame, just imagine what He can do for us today. Let us not feel down or embarrassed but remain faithful and hopeful, knowing that God will help us and not abandon us.

Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 3rd Week, Advent, Advent 3, Friday Leave a comment

Every once in a while, we come across certain so called religious groups who claim that only their group are eligible to be with God in heaven. These people so easily and conveniently condemn others, saying that unless one joins their group or follow certain ways, one would be condemned to hell. Such persons even misquote certain scripture passages to prove and back up their claims. However, we should take caution and watch out for such persons, since they may have a hidden agenda and we should not fall for their gimmicks.

In today’s reading, we are assured: “Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love his name and be his servants – all who observe the sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. It is the Lord who speaks, who gathers the outcasts of Israel: there are others will gather besides those already gathered.”

God is not restricted only to certain groups or if one follows certain ways, but anyone who attaches themselves to the Lord is acceptable to Him. Let us not so easily and conveniently condemn others just because they think differently or pray differently than we do, but build peace and harmony among all, while giving Gof the glory in all we do.

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 3rd Week, Advent, Advent 3, Thursday Leave a comment

We sometimes come across some people who seem to think that they have life figured out, as if they are in full control of their life, or they think that they are masters of their own destiny, or that they seem to have a plan in life. Such people, especially when they seem to be doing well in life, begin to think that all that they have achieved is due to their own efforts, hard work and determination. But behind the facade, the show of confidence, there may be issues that these people are facing, of which there seems to be no plan. When these people find themselves without a solid, reliable plan to face such issues, then what happens? If you are in their shoes, what would you do?

God has a plan for us, and He invites us to participate in His plan. His plan is that all of us are to be with Him. In today’s Gospel, we come across some people who chose to stick to God’s plan, while others chose to reject it. The Gospel tells us: “All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.” God did not abandon the Pharisees and the lawyers, and invited them to play according to His plan, but they chose to do things their own way, thinking adamantly that their way was a better way compared to God’s plan.

Likewise, we too are invited to play according to God’s plan. God does not force us to be a part of His plan, but we know from history that God’s ways are far better than human ways. It is a question of whether we trust in Him and are humble and willing to let Him be our providence and guide.

Friday of the 1st Week of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 1st Week, Advent, Advent 1, Friday Leave a comment

How confident and trusting are we towards God, when we ask Him to grant us our wants and needs? Some of us say we are confident, but we get disappointed so easily when our prayers are not answered quickly. Some of us do not even bother to ask, and go looking elsewhere for help, only to find that these other means are really no help at all. How many of us sincerely and persistently ask, and then wait patiently for God’s response?

In today’s Gospel. two blind men followed Jesus shouting, “Take pity on us, Son of David.” These blind men did not just sit around and expect Jesus to heal them, they took effort to follow Jesus till He reached the house.The Gospel also tells us: “Jesus asked them: ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned.” These two blind men were cured because they had complete confidence and trust in Jesus. What about us? Would we have the same confidence like these two blind men, when we ask Jesus for something? May we doubt no longer, and let Jesus be in control, knowing that He will grant us what is best for us.

Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 1st Week, Advent, Advent 1, Thursday Leave a comment

How many of us are true to our word and practise what we preach? It is easy for us to say many things, make many promises, assure others of this or that; but it is a different thing altogether in fulfilling such promises and assurance. For example, we come across certain politicians who make all sorts of promises before an election. After the election is over and the politician has won, what happens? Would the politician fulfil his or her promises, or make plenty of excuses or drag his or her feet? Even in other professions, we come across certain people who know how to talk and make all sorts of promises, only to break their word when the going gets tough, or when the situation poses no significant advantages to them.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” It is not enough to just listens to Jesus’ words, but we also need to act on them. When we look at our lives, are we merely wasting our words frivolously? Are we people of integrity, meaning what we say? Let us examine ourselves closely and say what we mean, for the betterment of our eternal future.

Monday of the 1st Week of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 1st Week, Advent, Advent 1, Monday Leave a comment

Words can kill and words can heal, depending on how one uses words. When one uses words in a derogatory way, or one uses bad words (in other words, foul language), or one uses words with negative tones and meanings, the recipient of such words may begin to slowly feel uncomfortable and uneasy, and given a period of time, the recipient of such words may lose some self-esteem or self-worth. Some of us may have experienced being bullied with such words, and the feeling could be quite unpleasant and degrading. On the other hand, when one uses words in a positive manner, or in an affirmative manner, the recipient of such words may eventually feel good about himself or herself, and some boost in self-esteem and self-worth may be experienced.

In today’s Gospel, we come across a centurion in Capernaum who came up and pleaded with Jesus to heal his paralysed servant. This centurion not only went to see Jesus, he even pleaded with Him for help. What is even more astonishing is the humility and complete confidence of the centurion in Jesus, so much so that he had full trust that all Jesus needed to do was to issue the order, and his servant would be healed. This centurion was sure that Jesus’ words were enough to heal his servant, and Jesus did not have to be physically present for the healing to take place. Because of this, the centurion’s servant was healed.

What about us? Do we use words wisely to heal and to build people up? Do we have confidence in Jesus’ words? May we be careful with what we say, and may what we say bring healing and happiness to all around us, for the glory of God.

Friday of Week 34 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 34th, Friday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

For some of us, a vision could be seen as a warning or reminder to behave or to be good, otherwise some calamity or disaster may occur. However, visions need not necessarily be seen in that way. When a vision occurs, it could also be seen as a prompting from God, inviting us to look into our lives and grow closer to Him. God is reaching out to us, giving us opportunities to walk in His ways, trust in His providence, and let Him be our help and guide.

In today’s reading, John had a vision where he “saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.” John also saw in his vision a burning lake which is the second death “and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake.” If we have been consistent, committed and persistent in our efforts to grow in relationship with God, then such visions should not startle us or cause us to fear, since we can be confident and trust that God will take care of us. God is inviting us to live, it is up to us to accept His invitation and be alive in His love.