Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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When we were baptised, how many of us rejoiced in receiving baptism? For those of us who were baptised as babies, perhaps we may not have been fully aware or understood what was going on. But for those who were baptised as adults, were we excited, joyful, happy, or enthusiastic? Today’s reading tells us about the eunuch who was an officer at the court of the kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia. This eunuch went on his way rejoicing after receiving baptism from Philip. We may not know what happened to the eunuch after this, but from his joyful exuberance, we could guess that he would have continued to spread the Good News in his homeland Ethiopia.

We too are called to go forth to preach the Good News, since our baptism makes a children of God and surely we should be excited to share this Good News with others. Our baptism is not meant to be kept for ourselves only, but we should be the salt of the earth and the light of the world so that others would come to know and accept Jesus. Are we doing our part? Or have we allowed ourselves to slack and become complacent towards our duty?

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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When we are faced with bitter persecution, what would we do? Would we continue to keep the faith and stand our ground? Would we continue to keep the faith but go elsewhere to proclaim it, since it would have been not possible to continue proclaiming it in one’s present location? Or would some of us abandon our faith to save our skin and protect our interests?

In today’s reading, we read “a bitter persecution started against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria.” At first instance, we may think that only the apostles were still keeping the faith. But if we read further, we would discover that “those who had escaped went from place to place preaching the Good News.” The disciples may have made a run for it, but they were doing so, so that the faith could be preserved and taught elsewhere, despite facing persecution. If we are faced with similar persecution, would we still be fervent and steadfast just as these disciples and the apostles were, some remaining to keep the church alive in Jerusalem, others going elsewhere to spread the Good News?

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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It seems strange that some of us would go through great effort to find the best or most delicious food or drink in this world. Some of us would travel many great distances just to taste and enjoy something which only lasts for a short while. No matter how wonderful or delicious or tasty the food or drink may be, we will eventually be hungry or thirsty again. The food which we get to nourish our physical bodies will not last.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of a different kind of food and drink. He says: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.” This kind of food is able to satisfy us completely, not just physically, but especially spiritually. Some of us may have been running around trying to satisfy only our physical needs, but how much effort have we been making to satisfy our spiritual needs? Which is ultimately more important to us? Let us be prudent and wise in doing what is necessary so that we will never be hungry or thirsty.

Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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Lies and jealousy are sins which some may have committed due to personal pride. Some of us feel insecure and do not want to lose out or want to appear to be greater than we really are. Some of us may become extremely jealous of other people’s accomplishments or abilities, and we may begin to spread lies or other forms of false information just to belittle or put down others. This is exactly what happened to those certain people in today’s reading, who came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom and what did they do? They procured some men to bear false witness against Stephen; then having in this way turned the people against him as well as the elders and scribes, they took Stephen by surprise, and arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin. People can do evil and despicable things, when they are blinded by jealousy and lies.

Are we just as guilty in being jealous and spreading lies in this way, just to make ourselves look good and to protect our interests? Is our face or pride more important to us in this temporary life? Sometimes the truth may come out and the lies we spread would be exposed, and to try and cover up further, we may end up lying more or committing even greater sins. How much more can we avoid the truth? May we be wise enough to finally accept ourselves as we really are, and be humble enough to be truthful to ourselves and to others.

3rd Sunday of Easter Year A

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Giving up seems to be the easiest thing to do for some people. People give up due to a number of reasons. Some do so because they lack confidence or strength. Some because of circumstances which they think are beyond their control. Some feel that the effort is just not worth it in the long run. Others feel dejected, and may even despair, thinking that all hope is gone. However, if we examine the motives of some people as to why they give up, we may begin to discover that some of the real reasons why they do so may be because they do not want to take responsibility for the situation or task, or perhaps they feel that their pride is at stake, or that their reputation is more important to them, and would rather salvage what they can instead of risking things further.

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus in today’s Gospel were walking away from Jerusalem, walking away from the situation at hand. They were giving up, thinking that there was nothing left for them to cling on to. But even though they had given up on Jesus, Jesus did not give up on them. Jesus walks along with them and helps them slowly but surely to realise that there is hope. Eventually, the fire within them which at first seemed to have sizzled out started burning again. They became aware again of their mission and they responsibilities to bear witness to the Good News.

We may at some point of our lives felt abandoned due to our failings, due to the many sins we may have committed. Some of us may begin to think that we are unworthy and therefore start missing Mass. However, it is at the Mass, which we try to avoid, that we are actually healed and strengthened. It is at the Mass that Jesus speaks to us from the readings in the bible; that Jesus breaks bread and opens our eyes to his presence in the Eucharist and in all around us; that Jesus will strengthen us and send us forth to bring the good news to all. It is at the Mass that we become aware that Jesus is always there walking next to us, guiding us and giving us hope.

If some of us are feeling like giving up, like there is no hope, remember this: Jesus is there. We may not see Him, but He is there. He is there at the Mass and He is inviting all to come and be nourished and strenghtened. He wants you to come closer to Him and let Him heal you and rekindle the fire in your hearts. Do not be afraid. The hearts of the two disciples at Emmaus were set aflame with new vigour, new zeal, new enthusiasm, because they opened their hearts to Jesus. Let us too open our hearts to Jesus.

Housekeeping – 2nd Week of Easter

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For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

27 April 2014 – 2nd Sunday of Easter Year A
28 April 2014 – Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter
29 April 2014 – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
30 April 2014 – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
1 May 2014 – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter
2 May 2014 – Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Sometimes in life, we get someone who is willing to talk sense or reason out with others for us. Such people know that it is important to have a balance of head knowledge and heart knowledge, so that we would make choices with some clarity and without prejudiced eyes. One such person in today’s reading is a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a doctor of the Law and respected by the whole people. Even though the Pharisees were filled with jealousy, Gamaliel was wise enough to caution the Pharisees concerning the apostles: “If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God.”

If someone or some people were to go about doing good things and giving glory to God, would we stop them? Sometimes, because such people are doing better than us or they do not belong to our community, we may become jealous of their success and achievements. What some of us fail to realise is that what they are doing is not necessarily for their own glory, but for the Glory of God. If we begin to find ways and means to belittle them or stop them, then we too may become like the Pharisees, who were blinded with jealousy, anger and pride. Ultimately, we may end up being guilty of building our own kingdom when we think that only we can do good and others are prohibited from doing so. Have some of us become so conceited or proud? Aren’t we all working in the vineyard of the Lord for His greater glory?

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Who do you obey? Do you obey God’s laws? Or do you obey man’s laws? Sometimes we may be asked to do something which is according to man’s laws, but by doing that something, we are breaking God’s laws. On the other hand, we may be obeying God’s laws, but that could cause us to be unpopular or persecuted because we are not going with the flow or joining the crowd. Man’s laws are not always just, not always fair, not always right, not always proper, and yet, some of us still obey them, because some of us think that by doing so, we would save our own skin, or perhaps gain an advantage or promotion, or maybe gain respect or recognition from other people.

Today’s reading reminds us that “obedience to God comes before obedience to men.” Ultimately we need to decide and check our conscience. Are we doing the right and proper thing to remain in good relationship with God? Or are we doing things to please people? Are we looking for eternal rewards, or are we merely satisfied with temporary rewards here on earth? Let us choose wisely for our eternal future.

Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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People get jealous for different reasons. Some are jealous in a joking or playful manner: they say they are jealous but they say it in jest. Some are jealous but they do not allow jealousy to get into their head and control them; instead they use their ‘jealous’ energies to do something positive or good. Others are jealous and allow their jealousy to control their thoughts, feelings and emotions; a good example of this kind of jealousy is found in today’s reading, where: “The high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol.”

When we allow jealousy to take control of our lives, we become slaves to our passion and pride. We see others doing God’s work or doing good deeds as a threat to our popularity and power. Great crimes and heinous deeds have been committed as a result of this unhealthy form of jealousy. Have some of us become like the high priest and all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees; jealous of the gifts and abilities of others and refusing to admit or acknowledge God’s gifts to them? Or have we learnt to be humble and content, praising God for the gifts of others and the gifts bestowed on us?

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Are we generous with our time and our possessions? Some of us may be making much effort to own more and more things, money, property, etc., but are we clinging to these items only for ourselves and perhaps for our immediate family members? Today’s reading tells us: “The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.”

Looking at society today, we find that more and more of us may be becoming individualistic. What is ours is ours and some of us may find it difficult to share. Our rights seem to be more important than the needs for the common good. However, if we persistently demand for our rights, we may face the danger that nothing will be left. Could we ever become just like the early disciples? Perhaps, due to our present circumstances, we may not be able to live exactly like the early disciples. But perhaps we could learn from their attitude towards possessions. Possessions are meant to be shared as far as possible, not to be hoarded for ourselves. After all, we know that we cannot bring our possessions with us when we die. Are we able to change our attitude on possessions from one of hoarding and attachment, to one of sharing and detachment?