Monthly Archives: August 2020

I believe most of us would want to keep healthy, especially as we age. We spend a lot of time and effort to ensure that we eat healthily, we go for regular check-ups to detect diseases early so that such diseases could be treated early to have a better chance at survival, and we do many other things which concern the health and well-being of our body. But how many of us spend time and effort to keep our soul healthy? Do we go for confession regularly, and build our relationship with God for the health and well-being of our soul?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us: “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap.” If we are not vigilant; if we slacken in our spiritual health and allow sin to permeate in our soul and neglect to cleanse ourselves from sin by going for confession, we may find ourselves regretting for not taking care of our spiritual health. By then, it may be too late, and we may find ourselves away from God.

While it is good for us to be concerned for the health and well-being of our body, we should also not neglect to be concerned about the health and well-being of our soul, lest we find ourselves suffering physically and even spiritually. Let us remain vigilant and watch ourselves, so that when the time comes, we would be better prepared to meet the Lord.

A dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable. Usually, when one is faced with a dilemma, one would try to choose the option which is less difficult to accept compared to the other choices.

In today’s reading, St. Paul spoke of a dilemma. But St. Paul’s dilemma was of a different kind, where there were two options or possibilities and both of which were good for him. St. Paul’s dilemma was either remaining alive so that he would able to continue guide and strengthen the community, while remaining in Christ; or facing death so that he would be forever with Christ. Though St. Paul would have wanted to be forever with Christ, he also realised that to stay alive on this earth would be better for the sake of the community. So, St. Paul chose to survive and stay, and continue to serve for the good of community and glorify God.

What about us? If we were to face a “happy” dilemma like St. Paul, would we be willing to set aside our personal desire or personal interests to be forever with Christ, and continue to guide the community entrusted to us, for the good of the community? May we continue to humbly walk in God’s ways, and help others to do the same.

It is easy and tempting for some of us to get carried away with new teaching by certain church leaders. Such church leaders may have heard such teaching from the internet, or they may have been influenced by their friends or colleagues. But what we need to watch out for is whether such teaching is for the benefit of those who spread such teaching, and not for the glory of God. That is why we need to discern what we hear, remain true to the truth, and continue to grow in love as we grow to become more like Christ, and not for our own glory or benefit.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Then we shall not be children any longer, or tossed one way and another and carried along by every wind of doctrine, at the mercy of all the tricks men play and their cleverness in practising deceit. If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to its function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love.”

The reading reminds us that it is through living by the truth and love that we shall grow in all ways into Christ. The reading also cautions us not to be so easily tossed one way and another and carried along by every wind of doctrine, at the mercy of all the tricks men play and their cleverness in practising deceit. What this means is we should take care to follow the ways of Christ, by making every effort to live by the truth and in love. May we be prudent and walk in Christ’s ways, glorifying Him in all we do.

Some of us can become quite animated and agitated when we discuss about a hot present issue such as what is happening in politics and the situation we are facing in the economy. We can spend lots of time trying to prove our point, or to comment with gusto on such matters which affect us. But when it comes to Jesus, do we have the same enthusiasm and zeal to share about Jesus and the Gospel to others, more so especially since Jesus is our saviour, our Lord and God? Do we acknowledge with pride and conviction Jesus’ presence in our lives before others? Do we acknowledge the difference that our Lord Jesus has made in our lives? Or have we become shy or fearful to mention about Jesus, even though He is not shy or fearful towards us?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of men, the Son of Man will declare himself for him in the presence of the angels. But the man who disowns me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of God’s angels.” Are we enthusiastic and joyful in declaring Jesus in the presence of men? May we not falter in sharing the Good News, and while doing so, give God the glory.