Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Many of us may claim to know Jesus. We claim to have participated in church, helped in different ministries, did some charity, got involved in other church activities, etc. But does Jesus know us? Or do we claim that Jesus knows us because of the many good we supposingly have done, but the reality is Jesus actually does not know us? How can we tell?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’” We can be doing so many good things, but are the things we do the will of God, or our own will? Sometimes we may do things that appear to be according to God’s will, and we are blinded and convinced that it is, but the fact is what we are doing may actually be our own will, for our own gratification, our own fame and glory.

Let us discern carefully. Why do we do what we do? Are we aware of the will of God, or are we merely satisfying our own desires and needs?

What sort of fruits are you producing in the eyes of God? Are you producing good fruit? Or have you been neglecting your duties and end up producing bad fruit? Some of us may claim to be preaching the good news, but we do so only with words. Our actions, behaviour, attitude and way of life are a contradiction to what we say. In the eyes of the world, we may appear to be producing good fruit, and our track record may seem show it. But the heart can sometimes be devious and the actions of a person may in actuality and in reality be only for one’s personal benefit, gratification, glory.

Today’s Gospel warns us “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.” We may be preaching the good news, but the motive on why we do so may not necessarily for the glory of God. Are we guilty of this? We can disguise our intentions, but let us be reminded that God sees all and we may end up being a false prophet.

It seems easy to find fault or imperfections in others. We think that others should behave like this or like that, or they should look like this or like that, or they should get rid of a certain habit, etc. But how many of us are diligent and humble enough to discover and rectify our own faults or imperfections? Sometimes the faults and imperfections we see in others are in reality our own which we project on others. We may feel too proud or ashamed to admit our faults, weaknesses and imperfections, and so we try to blame others, hoping that no one will notice our true self.

Jesus in today’s Gospel questions us: “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, “Let me take the splinter out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” Are we still being stubborn and hypocritical in trying to change others while refusing to change ourselves? Have we become so thick-skinned that we think we are ok and others are not? Let us open our eyes and hearts, and be humble enough to realise our true selves and let God help us change our lives and attitudes.