Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Wednesday of Week 33 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 33rd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Eash and every one of us has been given gifts, talents and capabilities which are meant to be put to good use and ultimately to glorify God. Some of us make use of our gifts, talents and capabilities as intended, but there are some who do not do so. Some make all sorts of excuses, saying that they are not good enough, or not skilful enough, or they are too busy with other things to offer their gifts, talents and capabilities at church or at a parish ministry. The point is, do we consider our gifts, talents and capabilities as our own, to be used as we please, and perhaps to glorify ourselves? Or are we using such gifts, talents and capabilities for the greater glory of God?

In today’s Gospel, we read of a man of noble birth who gave ten servants one pound each to do business with. Most of the servants used their gifts, talents and capabilities to make more money for their master, and they were amply rewarded. But one servant, knowing fully well what sort of person his master was, still had the gall to hand back the one pound to his master without doing anything to it. Such arrogance and refusal to use his gifts, talents and capabilities for the benefit of his master only led him to be condemned.

What about us? Are we using our gifts, talents and capabilities wisely for the greater glory of God? Or have we become selfish, complacent or arrogant, like that one servant, refusing to use our gifts, talents and capabilities in a righful way? Just as that one servant lost his one pound and was condemned, we too may lose our gifts, talents and capabilities if we are not careful.

Tuesday of Week 33 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 33rd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

What sort of state or condition are you in today in life? Are you happy, well-off, healthy, feeling peaceful, feeling loved and accepted; or are you feeling destitute, rejected, feeling depressed, struggling to make ends meet? What sort of state is your soul in today in life? Are you consistently making effort to grow closer to God; or have you become lukewarm, paying more attention to what this world has to offer and losing focus in your faith and dependence in God’s providence?

In today’s reading, the church in Sardis was once eager in faith for God but over time, it became more dead than alive in relationship with God. The reading also speaks of the church in Laodecia which was neither cold or hot in its zeal for God, but instead had become lukewarm in faith. How did these churches end up in such a state? Complacency, lack of focus, falling into the temptations of the world and becoming less humble and dependent on God are some possible reasons why these churches in Sardis and Laodecia had become like this. These churches in Sardis and Laodecia were warned by the Lord to wake up and change their ways and return to the Lord’s fold.

What about us? Have we become more dead than alive in our relationship with God? Have we become lukewarm in faith? God is inviting us to repent and turn back to Him, and dwell in His love and presence. Life is unpredictable and short, for we do not know the day or time we would need to face the Lord. We are given many opportunities to let Him guide us and care for us. It is up to us to take the initiative and make effort to change, open the door to our heart and soul, and let Him in.

Monday of Week 33 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 33rd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Every once in a while, we are faced with some difficulty or challenges or issues. When we are faced with such things, some of us may expect instant or quick resolution. When such quick resolution is not forthcoming, some may begin to pray earnestly to God, beseeching Him to help them. But what if we still do not get any help or response from God? Some may begin to feel angry or upset, some may think God has abandoned them, some may even give up or despair. But what about us? Are we expecting our issues or challenges to go away as quickly as possible? Or are we able to be patient and persistent in prayer, knowing that God will do what is best for us?

In today’s Gospel,  we see how the blind man was patient, persistent and persevering in asking Jesus to have pity on him. Even though the crowds thought he was a nuisance and scolded him, he refused to give up or be cowed by the crowd. Eventually, the blind man was able to come up to Jesus and because of his faith and perseverance, he got back his sight. What about us? Are we able to be like the blind man, being patient, persistent and persevering? In a world where we have become more and more used to fast results, perhaps we could learn from the blind man. We know that God will help us according to His terms and His time. It is a matter of whether we are willing and humble enough to have faith and trust in His providence.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Posted on by Posted in 33rd, Ordinary Time, Sunday, Year A Leave a comment

Each and every one of us have talents and abilities unique to us. No two persons are exactly the same. Some people, unfortunately, go through life without living or realising their full potential. Some people are satisfied with doing only the barest minimum, and they often remark: “Why should we do too much? Why do more when we can get by by doing less?” The point is, God created us to live life to the fullest, not to live only a fraction or a small portion of our lives. If the way we are living is only 5% of what we are capable of, then we are wasting the other 95%. We are often reminded not to waste food, not to waste time frivolously, or not to waste our talents, but perhaps we should also remind ourselves not to waste our lives.

We should always be ready to meet the Lord at any time, and being ready means we should be giving glory to God in all we do. We may not be able to do everything, or get things done well, or achieve all our hopes and aspirations; but what matters is not the amount of things we have done, what matters is we have done our best for the glory of God.

In the first reading, we see the example of a perfect wife as a great example of what it means to be a Christian disciple. A perfect wife knows that “charm is deceitful and beauty empty.” What is important is that she is able to fulfil her roles and responsibilities, bringing “advantage and not hurt to her husband all the days of her life.” The perfect wife reminds us that we are made for the glory of God and not to bring hurt to Him or to others. Likewise, the gospel tells us the story of three servants who received different amount of talents from their master. The amount that they received is not important, as what matters is how they used what they received to benefit their master. Sometimes we may feel that we are receiving less than others and we may feel this is unfair. Why are we receiving less? We do not know, no one except God knows, but we ought to know that the more we receive, the more is expected of us. Whatever we receive ought to be used for the good of others and for the glory of God. If we just whine or complain that we do not have enough, if we do not bother to do anything with the little that we have, then even what we have will be taken away.

Are we making the best use of our lives? Are we living life to the fullest? Or are we living a life of mediocrity, thinking that we are not good, not capable, not talented, when the fact is we actually are? Remember that God has given us talents and gifts not for our personal gratification or to exalt ourselves (in Malay, not to “syiok sendiri”); God has given us talents and gifts for His greater glory. Let us not hesitate or procrastinate in our efforts to live life to the fullest or the best we can, since as St. Paul in the second reading reminds us: “But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.”

Friday of Week 32 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 32nd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

When we believe in the Good News and became Christians, we are expected to keep the commandments, and the greatest commandment is to love. This means that we cannot pick and choose what suits or benefits us, but we need to be genuine in love for God and neighbour. John in today’s reading reminds us: “To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love.” Of course, it is not easy to live a life of love, since it may seem easier to love God than to love others, but this is what we are required to do, no ifs, buts or exceptions.

In an effort to live according to his commandments, we should also be cautious about various so-called teachings we hear from others, especially from the social media or the internet. John warns us: “There are many deceivers about in the world, refusing to admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. They are the Deceiver; they are the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, or all our work will be lost and not get the reward it deserves. If anybody does not keep within the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he cannot have God with him: only those who keep to what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them.” Some people utter teachings which seem contrary or somewhat different to what Jesus taught, especially because they have picked and chosen what they want or like to hear or what suits them, and refused to admit the truth. When we are faced with such a situation, we should not blindly agree to what they have said, even though they may be so called persons of authority or importance. This is where our faith needs to have reason; and we should make every effort to understand our faith better through the various courses available to us, so that we would not be so easily duped by certain others.

We are asked to love, just as God loved us, but our love should be in accordance to God’s commandments, not according to the teachings of some folks who try to distort the truth for their own purposes. This is where we need to discern what we have heard, and verify its authenticacy. Our love should be genuine, and let the love of God rule our minds, hearts and actions.

Thursday of Week 32 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 32nd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Some people are worried about their eternal future. They wonder whether they have been good enough, prayerful enough, holy enough or faithful enough to be with God. Some people worry about when the world would end, and this even causes some to begin storing up supplies and other necessities, including weapons and defensive items, thinking that these things would be able to keep them going, should the world or civilisation as they know it disintegrate. What about us? Are we increasingly becoming paranoid or worried about what is going to happen to us? Have some of us become obsessed in trying to preserve our lives? What is our worry, if any?

Today’s Gospel reminds us that “The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation… They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit…” If we have been faithful to our duty as Christians, then there is no reason to fear. We know that God will guide and care for us no matter what happens. Let us not become worrywarts or fret about such things, but instead focus in building our relationship with God and also with others, so that together we would dwell in His presence.

Wednesday of Week 32 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 32nd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Do we have gratitude and thanksgiving for the many things God has done for us? When we are facing good times, some of us may begin to think that it is through our own efforts that we are where we are. When we are facing bad times, some of us may begin to question others, or even question God, demanding to know why calamnity or problems have come our way. But how many of us are grateful and thankful to God for the many events and situations good and bad, which we have faced? It seems easy to be grateful and thankful when times are good, but are we also able to be grateful and thankful when times are bad?

In today’s Gospel, ten lepers were cured by Jesus. However, only “one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” The Gospel also tells us that “this made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’” While the ten lepers were obliged to follow the law by going to show themselves to the priests to prove that they had been healed, only one was grateful and thankful to Jesus for curing Him. In their anxiousness to show themselves to the priests and to be reintegrated to society (lepers in those days were considered unclean and were obstracised from society), the other lepers may have forgotten or overlooked the One who cured them in the first place.

What about us? Have we become more and more like the other nine lepers, cured but lacking gratefulness and thanksgiving to the Healer? Or have we learnt to become more like that one leper, who humbly and joyfully turned back to give thanks to the Healer? Have we become more and more self-centered, thinking and expecting things to be done for us? Or have we learnt to become more dependent on God’s providence?

Tuesday of Week 32 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 32nd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Age, some may say, is just a number. Then again, age also means that one has been on this earth for a certain period. As we become older, we hope that we would have become wiser and closer in relationship with God. St. Paul in today’s reading reminds us: “The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy. Similarly, the older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking.” When we reach a certain age, we ought to be good examples and role models, especially to the younger ones. St. Paul tells us to “be an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody can make objections to it; and then any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us.” Would we want to be looked upon as grumpy or gossipy types, or are we making effort to grow closer to God, while encouraging others to do the same?

St. Paul reminds us of our purpose and primary focus in this world, “that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus.” While we need to do our best to survive and prosper in this world, let us not lose sight of our eternal future. We are pilgrims here on earth, and let us be good examples to others, especially the younger ones, so that together, we may some day be with our loving God.

Monday of Week 32 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 32nd, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

What sort of leaders do we look for? Some of us may look for people who know how to talk well; in other words, they have the “gift of the gab.” Some may look for people who are popular or knowledgeable. Some may look for people who have the charisma and talent to attract and hold a crowd. But what sort of leaders should we be looking for?

St. Paul in today’s reading tells us that the leader: “as president, he will be God’s representative, he must be irreproachable: never an arrogant or hot-tempered man, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor out to make money; but a man who is hospitable and a friend of all that is good; sensible, moral, devout and self-controlled; and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition, so that he can be counted on for both expounding the sound doctrine and refuting those who argue against it.”

Finding such leaders as what St Paul describes to us is certainly not easy. This is why we need to constantly pray and discern carefully. Sometimes God will prompt us to choose a particular leader, if we are observant, patient and humble enough to let Him guide us. Let us not rush into choosing our leaders at church, especially since there is always the temptation to get it done and over with. Sometimes we need to wait, and just as God pointed out David to Samuel, He too would point out a suitable leader to us, a leader who meets His requirements and designs: “for the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7)”