Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Wednesday of Week 4 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 4th, Wednesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Each and every one of us go through some form of suffering in life. Suffering is part and parcel of life. We suffer because of illness, growth, lost relationships and many other reasons. While we cannot avoid suffering, what is more important is how we treat suffering. We could see suffering as a good or positive thing; or we could see it as a bad or negative thing.

In today’s reading, we are reminded of the necessity and advantages of suffering. We are told: “Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again.”

When we suffer punishment from God, it is not because God does not like us or is out to get us, it is because God treats us as His sons and daughters. We are being trained to become better people, and grow closer to God. Let us look at suffering as something good and worthwhile, for we are being prepared to remain happy and cared for in God’s loving presence.

Tuesday of Week 4 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 4th, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Many of us say we have faith in Jesus, but how many of us really mean what we say? Do we have faith in Jesus only when times are good or when the situation suits us, or do we have faith at all times? Supposing we are being persecuted, ridiculed or even being put to death, would we still have faith in Jesus? Or would some of us abandon our faith just to save our skin? Are consistent and steadfast in our faith, or is it only for our convenience?

In today’s Gospel, the synagogue official named Jairus and the woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years had great faith in Jesus. Because of their faith in Jesus, Jairus’ daughter was brought back to life, and the woman was cured from the haemorrhage she suffered. If Jesus could work such miracles for these people, just imagine what He could do for us, if we have consistent, persistent and unwavering faith in Him. May we learn to be patient and ask Jesus for His help, knowing with full confidence that He will do what is best for us, for the glory of God.

Monday of Week 4 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 4th, Monday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

We sometimes think that we can do things on our own. To a certain extent, that may seem true. For example, we can come up with new inventions, we are able to build seemingly amazing works, some of us may have discovered new ways of doing things or new medicines to help us live better lives. But sometimes, there are situations where we are unable to resolve or do on our own. For example, we have no control over certain kinds of diseases, since our knowledge of such diseases is still limited. We have no control over the weather, since typhoons, flash floods and other natural disasters still occur. So when we are faced with situations where we are unable to solve or control, what do we do? For some of us, we have faith and trust in God, believing that God will help us. We believe that God would make the impossible possible, and we just need to be patient and let Him be in control.

In today’s reading, we are told that “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders.” These are all heroes of faith, as they realised that they could not accomplish what they did on their own, and had depended on God for strength, ability and endurance to do what they did.

What about us? Do we depend entirely only on our strength, ability and endurance? Or do we offer ourselves to God, letting Him use us to accomplish even better things, for His glory? May we be humble and docile, letting God be our help and guide, and having full faith and confidence in His love and providence.

Friday of Week 3 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Friday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

When the political situation in your country is not good, what do you do? Do you stand up for what is right, or would you make a run for it and look for so-called greener pastures elsewhere? When you see injustice or racism occuring, what do you do? Do you look the other way, mind your own business and not get involved? Or do you do what is just and right, even if it means risking your life? It seems easy to avoid getting involved, look the other way, mind our own business, or even run away, but are such attitudes and actions proper to a Christian?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God’s will and gain what he has promised… You and I are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.” When we are faced with injustice, racism, misdeeds and other despicable acts, may we take courage, do what is right and just, and let God be our guide, knowing that He would help us in His time, for His greater glory.

Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle – Feast

Posted on by Posted in Apostle, Conversion, Feast, St. Paul Leave a comment

Every once and a while, we come across a person who seems so impossible to like or deal with. Such a person could be quite obnoxious, or nasty, or mean, or even dangerous to our lives. Some of us may try to avoid such a person, or keep the person at arms length. Some of us even think that such a person is a goner, or beyond redemption. But sometimes, God works in strange ways, and persons who were once obnoxious, nasty, mean or dangerous could be transformed into something better for His glory.

One such person who was transformed is Saint Paul, whose conversion we celebrate today. Paul was once threatening Christians, and even throwing them into prison. But God had other plans for Paul, and he was totally transformed from a monstrosity to a stalwart defender of the faith. Just imagine, if God can transform a person like Paul, how much more could He transform the persons around us who are a pain or a thorn to us. May we never lose hope and remain steadfast in our trust and dependence in God, knowing that He would help us and transform us, including those who have been difficult, into something better.

Tuesday of Week 3 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

In our lives, we come across people who seem to be extra nice or extra polite when the boss or superior or some person of authority is present. Such persons are likely trying to curry favour with the boss or superior or person of authority, hoping to get some advantage, promotion or benefit out of it. When it comes to religion, some of such persons even think they can pull the same tricks on God, by appearing to be extra prayerful, or do lots of things for the church, or be extra nice to the priest or bishop, thinking that they could earn some brownie points with God. But what sort of attitude or way of life should we have as Christians? Why are we doing such things?

In today’s reading and Gospel, God is not interested in “the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin.” What God wants is for us to obey and do His will. It is not enough to just obey, since anyone could be playing games and obeying just to get some advantage or benefit. We also need to do His will. May we discern and discover God’s will for us, and do it joyfully and dilligently, for His Kingdom and glory.

Monday of Week 3 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Monday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

We sometimes come across people who are immensely jealous, insecure and easily provoked. Such persons cannot stand seeing other people doing well, or doing better than them, or even making some progress, since such persons fear that they may lose out. When such persons let jealousy get the better of them, they begin to do and say things merely to protect what they think is their interests or to safeguard their position and power. But what such persons fail to realise is that their jealousy would only lead them to say or do things which could lead them to look foolish or even lead them to commit sin.

In today’s Gospel, the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem had such immense jealousy, that they began to talk rubbish and contradict themselves when they said about Jesus: “‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.'” Jesus really went to town with these scribes and made fun of them, saying: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him.” Due to jealousy, these scribes uttered contradicting and silly statements, just because they could not get the better of Jesus, only to be made to look foolish with Jesus’ rebuttal to their utterance.

Have some of us become like these scribes, saying nonsensical things in the heat of jealousy? May we be on our guard against such immense jealousy, and think carefully what we say and do, since all that we say and do should be for the glory of God.

Friday of Week 2 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 2nd, Friday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Do we really get to choose our leaders? Some of us think that we have a right to vote and choose our leaders, but in many cases, the choices given to us may not necessarily be what we want and expect. Sometimes we could be presented with a choice which a particular political party has decided, or because a particular person seems to be popular or has wealth or some other influence which enables him or her to be selected as one of the few choices. Given such situations, it seems like we do not really have much of a choice after all, since the ones we may want or expect, may not have the clout or support to get selected or voted in.

Likewise, today’s Gospel seems to give us an impression that we do not have much of a choice with the 12 who Jesus appointed. In the Gospel, Jesus summoned those He wanted, and He appointed twelve; they were to be His companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. But the difference here compared to the way people and political parties choose leaders is this: it is God who chooses, and He chooses persons to be His companions, to be sent out to preach, and to cast out devils. Notice that God chooses to fulfil His purposes, not to fulfil personal or political agenda.

So let us ask ourselves sincerely, when it comes to our leaders in church, especially leaders in the different church ministries: Do we choose leaders according to a worldly approach, where those who are popular, wealthy or influential are more likely to be selected? Or do we let God be in control, and seek His help and guidance to choose leaders to do His will? May we be discerning and careful in choosing our leaders, so that in all we do, may God be glorified.

Thursday of Week 2 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 2nd, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Each and every one of us has got different needs and wants, and sometimes what we need and what we want can be numerous. To get what we need and want, we keep on praying to God, asking Him to grant our desires. When we get what we asked for, are we grateful and give thanks to God for His providence, or do we begin to ask for more and more? When we do not get what we ask for, what happens? Are we willing to let God do what is best for us, or are we going to look for other means of help, only to find that these other means of help are not of any help after all?

In today’s Gospel, we see the crowd swelling into a huge one, until Jesus had to get into a boat to avoid being crushed by the crowd. Indeed, people can be so demanding and their wants and needs can be great, and sometimes we could be crushing Jesus with our demands. While many of us are asking Jesus for so many things, how many of us are sharing or giving to others as well? Are we keeping what we have received only to ourselves? Just as Jesus has been generous to us in granting our needs, may we too be generous in helping and sharing with others.

Wednesday of Week 2 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 2nd, Wednesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

In the third commandment, we are reminded to honour the sabbath day. This commandment is meant to remind everyone to enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives. But sometimes, we come across people who go to two different extremes when it comes to the sabbath. On one extreme, we have the Pharisees who demand that keeping the sabbath means not doing anything at all, not even doing good or merciful things. On the other extreme, we have people who take advantage of the sabbath to make more money or reap in more profits. Could some of us be in one of the extremes?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus grieved to find the Pharisees so obstinate, and he looked angrily round at them, because they were extreme in their views of the sabbath. Even doing good or saving a life, to the Pharisees, is considered breaking the sabbath. But the Pharisees missed the whole point about the sabbath, and chose such extreme views because to them, it seems easier to not doing anything so as not to offend God. But how could doing good or doing something merciful be offensive to God? Seems strange, but that was what the Pharisees thought, because of their stubborn, obstinate and narrow-minded ways.

What about us? Have some of us become like the Pharisees in our views, thoughts, actions and conduct? Do we think that only our ways are right and everyone else is wrong? May we learn from our Eternal Master to be humble and open in our ways, so that we would do what is good, what is loving, what is right, what is just, and what is merciful, for the glory of God.