Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Every year, especially in a parish, we may have a good number of neophytes (that is, those who have just been baptised and confirmed during the Easter Vigil). I believe most of us would have been quite happy and joyful to have new members in our church community. But the question which often lingers in my mind is this: how many of these neophytes, also how many of us who have been baptised, whether recently or quite some time back, have really had a transformation from our old selves, or our old ways, to a new self or a new way?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” At baptism, we were supposed to have been transformed from our old identity, to a new identity filled with the Spirit and given new life. However, some of us may be baptised and supposingly born again, but the way we live our lives do not seem to bear witness that we have really changed. Some of us continue to behave as we were before, doing things as we have been doing, living lives just like old times, as if nothing has really changed. Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel: “‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit.” We may be born of the flesh, but have we really been born of the Spirit? Have we become witnesses and joyful proclaimers of the Good News, or have we been complacent and unappreciative of the gift God has given us? May we keep the fire of our faith burning, and not slack but redouble our efforts, as we make effort to live new lives in the Spirit.

Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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When we sin, we would seek forgiveness from God and go for confession to clean our soul from the sin which clings to us. But when someone else has sinned against us, or hurt us, or has done something terrible or mean towards us, how do we respond? Do we show love, compassion and mercy towards the other person, regardless of how bad the person has wronged us? Or do we seek retribution or revenge, or even avoid or shun the person?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned.” It seems so easy for us to ask God for forgiveness and compassion towards us, but how easy it is for us to forgive and show others compasssion, just as God has done so for us? Are we willing to let go of our pride, hurt, ego and self-righteousness, and learn to forgive and love others, just as God loves and forgives us?

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 1

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It is interesting to observe how some people seem to hold back on their time and wealth when it comes to certain situations, whereas they can be generous or lavish in other situations. For example, some people seem to have no qualms about buying an expensive car, or a luxurious house, or invest in some business, but they do not seem so generous when it comes to their wealth and time in church matters, church activities, assisting in programmes to help the poor, and other works of charity. Some of such people even demand many things from the church, but seem quite stingy or reluctant to give. Why is this so? Are some people so selfish, self-centered and self-serving, where “me, myself and I” seems more important than the wellbeing of the community?

In today’s reading, we are reminded “Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring. Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford; for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.” God has been so generous to all of us in many ways, but some of us seem to be knowing only to take but not willing to give. Have we forgotten to be grateful and thankful for God’s providence, and share what we have with others, to the best of our abilities? May we learn to be generous, just as God has been generous to us.

Monday of Week 8 Year 1

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Some of us may have journeyed away from God at some point in our lives. We may have been caught up with making a living, getting some qualification, raising a family, and many other things which may have distracted us or caused us to try and move along on our own. But God has not given up on us, even though at times some of us may have given up on God. He is constantly and patiently waiting for us to come back to Him, no matter how bad we may have been.

In today’s reading, God is beckoning us to come back to Him. The reading tells us: “To those who repent, God permits return, and he encourages those who were losing hope. Return to the Lord and leave sin behind, plead before his face and lessen your offence. Come back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hold in abhorrence all that is foul.” Are we still delaying and procrastinating? Let us not be caught off-guard and do something quickly, for the betterment of our eternal future.

Friday of Week 7 Year 1

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Some of us find making friends quite easy. But quite often, the friend that one makes is not really a friend, but an acquaintance, since finding friends who are true, generous and dependable is not so easy. We sometimes come across people who seem friendly, but they may have hidden agendas and they are friendly to us possibly because we have something to offer them, or the friendship is beneficial to them. Once we are unable to satisfy their needs, such persons may disappear or avoid us all of a sudden.

That is why, in today’s reading, we are cautioned: “Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisers one in a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and be in no hurry to trust him…” It may seem harsh, but life is such that we need to be careful when making friends, so as to not be taken advantaged of, or taken for a ride. May we find true, dependable, intimate and loyal friends, and may we be true, dependable, intimate and loyal as well.

Thursday of Week 7 Year 1

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I believe many of us make much effort to keep our bodies clean. Some of us may feel uneasy or embarrassed to emit body odour, and we not only bathe regularly, some of us even put lots of perfume to hide our “natural perfume.” But how many of us pay much attention to the cleanliness of our soul? Do we keep our soul clean the way we keep our bodies clean, by going for confession regularly? Or do we procrastinate and think that we have plenty of time to do so?

In today’s reading, we are urged to do something about the cleanliness of our soul. The reading reminds us: “Do not say, “I have sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord’s forbearance is long.” At the same time, the reading also warns us “not to delay our return to the Lord, do not put it off day after day, for suddenly the Lord’s wrath will blaze out” and it will be tragic for us. May we do our part in keeping our soul clean, so that when the time comes, we would be ready and prepared to meet our God.

Tuesday of Week 7 Year 1

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Some of the things we need to be prepared for when we want to serve God is the possibility of rejection, persecution, and even being put to death. Over the centuries, we have seen many saints and martyrs who proclaimed the faith with vigour, and some even went to their death for the faith. Some may have been spared torture or persecution, but they experienced hardship and many difficulties, especially when the faith was being proclaimed in new areas where the people and the conditions of the place was generally unknown.

In today’s reading, we are being affirmed and encouraged to persevere while serving God. The reading tells us: “My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation. Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in him.” Let us not give up or waver in our vigour, but increase our efforts, knowing that God will guide us and help us in all we do, for His greater glory.

Monday of Week 7 Year 1

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How do we know whether a person is wise or not? Is there some sort of clear criteria which could be used to determine whether a person is wise? Unfortunately, there is no clear criteria. Different ethnic groups have different interpretations of what makes a wise person. Even within an ethnic group, what certain individuals claim to be wise could be disputed by others. Moreover, to make it even more complicated, there are different kinds of wisdom to be considered. Some are wise in learning, some are wise in experience, some are street-wise. So can anyone claim to be completely wise, or wise only in certain aspects?

In today’s reading, we are reminded that there is only One who is wise. The reading tells us: “All wisdom is from the Lord, and it is his own for ever. One only is wise, terrible indeed, seated on his throne, the Lord.” Many of us could try to claim to be wise in some specific way, but only God is wise in all aspects and in all ways. Instead of trying to claim to be wise, let us humble ourselves and learn from God’s wisdom, who far surpasses any of our own. Let us submit to His wisdom, since it is He who loves us and provides for us.

Friday of Week 6 Year 1

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What sort of life are we living here on earth? What do we hope to attain? Some of us seem to be more goal-oriented and achievement-centered. We spend much energy and time to reach somewhere in life: such as our career, wealth, status, knowledge or whatever we deem is our priority or has importance. But are these things really that important? Are all these things all there is to life? Have we ever thought about where we are going to, what is the real meaning of our life?

In the 1st reading, we come across a people who had only one purpose in mind, that is to build a town with a tower with a top reaching heaven. Their intention of doing all this is just to make a name for themselves. They want to be remembered for what they achieved on this earth. For them that was going to be their pride and joy. But when people begin to think that they can achieve anything, they may begin to think that they do not need God. They begin to think that they can do anything they please, and achieve all things through their own effort. We have seen throughout history, how some people have built things, even claiming that what they built would last or would not be destroyed, and we have seen the consequences of such arrogance, where not only what was built was destroyed, many lives were lost due to their folly. May we come to realise our limits and how much we really depend on God for many things, and walk humbly in His ways.

Thursday of Week 6 Year 1

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What sort of image of Christ do you have? Some of us may think of Christ as a healer, miracle worker, teacher, rebel against authorities, activist against the unjust status quo, and many other images. In today’s Gospel, Christ asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They respond to Him mentioning various prophets that represent important aspects of His mission, but nothing really captures who He really is and how He understands Himself. He tells them that He “must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” Christ’s self-image which contains suffering, death, and resurrection, was something which Peter found difficult to accept. Perhaps in his mind, he thought that Christ would be some champion who would save the Jews from unjust authorities. Peter just could not come to terms with a suffering and dying Christ. For this, Peter was criticised harshly by Christ, even addressed as “Satan”, for he was “thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

What about us? Do we have a certain image of Christ which seems rosy and nice? Are we aware of Christ’ true purpose and mission? Some of us try to think of Christ in good terms, with a feel good factor, but Christ came to save us from our sins, and also to teach us how to live as God intended, not according to the way we are comfortable in or the way some others think. Are we willing to set aside our thoughts and expectations, and try to understand and do what God expects of us?