Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Friday of Week 29 Year 2

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What sort of lives are we really living in this world? Are we living the values of the Gospel? Or are we living the values of the world? Some of us may be actually living lives in contrary to the Gospel. We may appear to be holy, friendly or helpful, but there are dark and hidden secrets which we are too proud of or ashamed to mention or reveal and seek help. Are we content with the way we are living? Have we become complacent or not bothered, carrying on as we wish?

In today’s reading, St. Paul implores us: “I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called.” Are we really living lives worthy of our vocation as Christians, brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we really love others charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience, just as God loves us all and treats all of us as His children? Let us not be hypocrites in the way we live, but be genuine and true to our vocation.

Thursday of Week 29 Year 2

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How do you pray? Some of us pray through praise and worship. Some pray by reciting the rosary and meditating upon the various mysteries of each day. Some pray using the divine office (where, in some churches, the morning and/or evening prayer is prayed). Some dwell into Christian meditation. So many ways which we can employ to pray to God.

However, how many of us pray especially for others? Some of us pray for ourselves, and perhaps for our family members or friends. But what about for those whom we do not have any family ties, or friendship, or any connection in one way or another? Do we pray for our enemies, those who hurt or persecute us? Do we pray for God’s glory, for His Kingdom come and Will be done? Perhaps we need to look closely at how and why we pray, because sometimes our prayers may be only focusing on ourselves and on our circle of friends.

Perhaps a good way to pray is shared with us by St. Paul in today’s reading: “Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God. Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.” Ultimately, our prayers should be for His glory, and this prayer by St. Paul is a great example of asking God to strengthen us and use us for His glory.

Wednesday of Week 29 Year 2

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Each and every one of us is given different roles and responsibilities. Sometimes these roles and responsibilities come with a certain amount of authority. Not all of us are called to be in a position of authority, but when we are selected, we are expected to do our duty with integrity and impartiality. There are times where we may be tempted with riches, titles and other forms of attractions (including practises of corruption), but are we able to avoid all these temptations and be faithful in what has been entrusted to us?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” If we are suddenly called by God to give an account of what we have done, would we be ready to do so? Have we been diligent and faithful in our roles and responsibilities entrusted to us? When we were given roles and responsibilities, a great amount of burden of trust and confidence was placed upon us to carry out these roles and responsibilities as consistent and as best we can. Jesus reminds us of such a burden: “When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.” Humanly speaking, it would be difficult for us to do our duty properly or faithfully. This is where we need to continuously depend on God’s help and providence, so that we would not falter or give up. Let us always set our eyes upon Jesus, and let Him guide us in all we do.

Tuesday of Week 29 Year 2

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Some of us feel as if we have little to offer to God. Some think that they are not talented, or gifted, or capable. Some may get the impression that their abilities are being sidelined or not utilised. However, we should not forget who we are. We may not be doing lots of things, but it does not mean that we are any less important or significant than those who appear to be doing lots of things. After all, there are times we need to be like Martha, actively involved in many things, and there are also times we need to be like Mary, contemplating, listening to God’s voice, and learning from Him. The trick is to know how to strike a good balance, when to be what we are supposed to be, and how long we should be in a particular state.

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.” We are all part of God’s plan, no matter how great or small our part may be. We are being nurtured as part of God’s household, and it does not matter whether we are doing lots or little. What matters is we are open and humble to let God guide us and help us grow in relationship with Him. Let us not be too concerned about only doing but also focus on being, and “grow into one holy temple in the Lord.”

Monday of Week 29 Year 2

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How much is enough for you? Would you ever be satisfied or content with what you have? Or would you continue to seek more and more? Some people are never fully satisfied with what they have. They cannot stand it when others have got the latest gadget or gizmo, or the latest set of wheels, or the latest home design, or the latest fashion or clothing. Even after getting all these things, some people still want bigger, faster, trendier, or better. It is a vicious circle, because what was relevant or the in-thing yesterday or today, could be obsolete or irrelevant tomorrow. Some people even begin to hoard things, because they are unable to let go or give away, even though many things they have are hardly used or not used at all. In the end, what happens? Our lives become cluttered and suffocated with temporal matter, but what happens to our efforts for the eternal matter?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.” When we are so occupied with things here on earth, we may become complacent and ignore things that really matter. We begin to neglect the state of our soul. We think we still have plenty of time on earth to ensure our soul is kept spick and span, but Jesus warns us in the Gospel: “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?.” Are we guilty in one way or another, as Jesus says: “So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.” Are we going to continue to not bother, carry on doing things in our own merry way and procrastinate until it is too late?

So does this mean we should become paranoid or obsessive compulsive in our efforts in our spiritual growth? No. What this means is we need to be diligent, consistent and committed in growing in relationship with God. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it takes time to nurture our spiritual life, but we should not have a false sense of security, thinking that we can slack or neglect in our efforts. Let us humbly, cheerfully and faithfully do our part, for our eternal betterment.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

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Some of us may be actually living with split or different personalities (similar to the story of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”). Some of us behave quite differently according to the situation or circumstances. For example, in the office, we may behave like a good, helpful and hardworking person in front of the boss or superior; but when it comes to other colleagues, we may begin to pick on a few who we think are a threat to our survival and advancement; or we may pick on those who we think are weaker or less capable, just to gratify ourselves. With friends, we may be jovial and cheerful, but when we are with family, our dark and discriminating side may emerge. In church, we may appear to be holy, prayerful and helpful, especially when the priest or bishop is present, but the moment we step out of church, our behavior and attitude towards our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ may change: some may even fight, quarrel, gossip, compete or belittle other parishioners.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said: “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.” Is Jesus telling us to have different standards, attitudes, or behaviour for God and others? No. Jesus is not giving us an excuse for us to behave one way with God and another way with others. Does anything really belong to Caesar? Does anything really belong to us? No. Everything belongs to God, and we are merely stewards entrusted to the care of such things. So, whatever we do, whatever we have, whatever we supposingly own or have been given the privilege to use, are meant for us to glorify God; not for our own personal gain, gratification or glory.

In the same way, today’s first reading reminds us that everything ultimately belongs to God. In the reading, Cyrus was chosen “to subdue nations before God, and strip the loins of kings, to force gateways before Him, that their gates be closed no more.” God also reminds Cyrus: “Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing.” Indeed, this shows that we really do not own anything and should not be too proud or conceited with our achievements and things. Instead, we should remind ourselves that we are merely servants, entrusted with things, responsibilities and titles for the greater glory of God.

Therefore, no matter where we are, no matter who we are with, we should act and behave as children of God. Our life in church, with family, at the working place, in school, in the restaurant or among friends should not have any distinction or difference, especially in what we say or do. What is the point if we go to church behaving like angels, and then in other situations or settings, we become like “hantu” or devils? Are we being genuine, loving, or true to our identity as children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ? Or are we merely playing games, thinking that we can get away with our nastiness, meanness or aloofness? Let us remember: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal 6:7-8).”

At the end of our lives, we would have nothing but our lives to give back to God. What sort of lives have we lived when we return our lives to God? Are we giving a life full of honesty, compassion, love and respect; or are we giving a life full of dishonesty, selfishness and sin? Let us choose wisely, for our eternal future.

Friday of Week 28 Year 2

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Hypocrisy is defined as a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess; or a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude. People are hypocrites when they are not being real, they put on a show but in actuality are not who or what they really are, and do not practise what they preach.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear.” We can try to appear to be holy, or religious, or humble, but our pretense or masquerade could be exposed. Instead, we need to be truthful and honest about ourselves: are we really being who we are? Are we saying and doing things for our own benefit and glory, or just to sound good or look good, or just to please others? Are we being blind guides and causing others to stray? We may think we can run, but we cannot hide forever. One day we would need to give an account of our attitude, behaviour and conduct. When that happens, what would the consequences be?

As Jesus cautions us in the Gospel: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell.” Let us thus be true, be real, be genuine in what we say and do, and make every effort and without pretense to walk humbly in God’s presence, learning to love all, while trusting and depending on Him.

Thursday of Week 28 Year 2

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When a person does something wrong, how the person would respond to the wrongdoing very much depends on the person’s value system, morality code, conscience, or attitude towards life and the hereafter. Some people choose to keep the wrongdoing under wraps, or pretend that it never happened, or sweep it under the carpet, thinking and hoping that no one would notice or investigate or interrogate further. Some people would try to find a scapegoat to put the blame on, refusing to take any responsibility for what had happened. Some people would manipulate others or create a ruckus or a distraction, hoping that others would become preoccupied with other issues and forget or ignore the issue at hand. How many are truly, humbly or willingly able to admit the wrongdoing, seek forgiveness and make amends where possible, and move on?

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus exposing the many wrongdoings and nonsenses that the scribes and Pharisees had been guilty of. However, these scribes and Pharisees refused to admit or acknowledge their guilt. Instead, they reacted towards Jesus’ accusation in this way: “…began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, setting traps to catch him out in something he might say.” When we are proud, conceited or self-righteous, we may be behaving just like the scribes and Pharisees by refusing to change our ways. However, we should remember: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal. 6:7-8)” Are we setting ourselves up for eternal ruin and condemnation?

Wednesday of Week 28 Year 2

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As we journey on in this life, we are often surrounded with all sorts of worldly attractions. Some of us may be tempted by these world attractions, which St. Paul in today’s reading calls self-indulgence. As a consequence of self-indulgence, we may fall into: “fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery; feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things.” All these things, as St. Paul warned us, would lead us away from God, where he said: “I warn you now, as I warned you before: those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Instead, we should be focusing more and more on what St. Paul describes as being “led by the Spirit.” St. Paul reminds us: “What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against things like that, of course. You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires.
Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit.” The question is: are we making conscious and consistent efforts to be led by the Spirit, or have we allowed ourselves to be stricken with self-indulgence?