Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

19 December – Season of Advent

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Nowadays, being barren or infertile in many societies is no longer a stigma or issue. People in these societies have moved on in their thinking and adoption is a possible and acceptable alternative. However, some societies still view being barren as a great embarrassment or a punishment from the divine. Being barren in such societies was seen as grounds for a divorce (such societies usually put the blame on the woman), and in some cases, the woman was badly treated, shunned or became a source of ridicule and gossip.

In today’s reading, we come across Manoah and his wife who was barren. In today’s Gospel, we also come across Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who was barren. Even though these couples had suffered much due to being barren; even though they suffered much embarrassment and were a source of gossip and ridicule; they chose to stayed on with each other, bore the burden together, and were faithful to each other. God did not abandon them and gave them a precious gift of two babies, Samson and John the Baptist, who later carried out great deeds for the greater glory of God. If God can do wonders for these couples and cast away their shame, just imagine what He can do for us today. Let us not feel down or embarrassed but remain faithful and hopeful, knowing that God will help us and not abandon us.

Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent

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Every once in a while, we come across certain so called religious groups who claim that only their group are eligible to be with God in heaven. These people so easily and conveniently condemn others, saying that unless one joins their group or follow certain ways, one would be condemned to hell. Such persons even misquote certain scripture passages to prove and back up their claims. However, we should take caution and watch out for such persons, since they may have a hidden agenda and we should not fall for their gimmicks.

In today’s reading, we are assured: “Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love his name and be his servants – all who observe the sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. It is the Lord who speaks, who gathers the outcasts of Israel: there are others will gather besides those already gathered.”

God is not restricted only to certain groups or if one follows certain ways, but anyone who attaches themselves to the Lord is acceptable to Him. Let us not so easily and conveniently condemn others just because they think differently or pray differently than we do, but build peace and harmony among all, while giving Gof the glory in all we do.

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent

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We sometimes come across some people who seem to think that they have life figured out, as if they are in full control of their life, or they think that they are masters of their own destiny, or that they seem to have a plan in life. Such people, especially when they seem to be doing well in life, begin to think that all that they have achieved is due to their own efforts, hard work and determination. But behind the facade, the show of confidence, there may be issues that these people are facing, of which there seems to be no plan. When these people find themselves without a solid, reliable plan to face such issues, then what happens? If you are in their shoes, what would you do?

God has a plan for us, and He invites us to participate in His plan. His plan is that all of us are to be with Him. In today’s Gospel, we come across some people who chose to stick to God’s plan, while others chose to reject it. The Gospel tells us: “All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.” God did not abandon the Pharisees and the lawyers, and invited them to play according to His plan, but they chose to do things their own way, thinking adamantly that their way was a better way compared to God’s plan.

Likewise, we too are invited to play according to God’s plan. God does not force us to be a part of His plan, but we know from history that God’s ways are far better than human ways. It is a question of whether we trust in Him and are humble and willing to let Him be our providence and guide.

Friday of the 1st Week of Advent

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How confident and trusting are we towards God, when we ask Him to grant us our wants and needs? Some of us say we are confident, but we get disappointed so easily when our prayers are not answered quickly. Some of us do not even bother to ask, and go looking elsewhere for help, only to find that these other means are really no help at all. How many of us sincerely and persistently ask, and then wait patiently for God’s response?

In today’s Gospel. two blind men followed Jesus shouting, “Take pity on us, Son of David.” These blind men did not just sit around and expect Jesus to heal them, they took effort to follow Jesus till He reached the house.The Gospel also tells us: “Jesus asked them: ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned.” These two blind men were cured because they had complete confidence and trust in Jesus. What about us? Would we have the same confidence like these two blind men, when we ask Jesus for something? May we doubt no longer, and let Jesus be in control, knowing that He will grant us what is best for us.

Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent

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How many of us are true to our word and practise what we preach? It is easy for us to say many things, make many promises, assure others of this or that; but it is a different thing altogether in fulfilling such promises and assurance. For example, we come across certain politicians who make all sorts of promises before an election. After the election is over and the politician has won, what happens? Would the politician fulfil his or her promises, or make plenty of excuses or drag his or her feet? Even in other professions, we come across certain people who know how to talk and make all sorts of promises, only to break their word when the going gets tough, or when the situation poses no significant advantages to them.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” It is not enough to just listens to Jesus’ words, but we also need to act on them. When we look at our lives, are we merely wasting our words frivolously? Are we people of integrity, meaning what we say? Let us examine ourselves closely and say what we mean, for the betterment of our eternal future.

Monday of the 1st Week of Advent

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Words can kill and words can heal, depending on how one uses words. When one uses words in a derogatory way, or one uses bad words (in other words, foul language), or one uses words with negative tones and meanings, the recipient of such words may begin to slowly feel uncomfortable and uneasy, and given a period of time, the recipient of such words may lose some self-esteem or self-worth. Some of us may have experienced being bullied with such words, and the feeling could be quite unpleasant and degrading. On the other hand, when one uses words in a positive manner, or in an affirmative manner, the recipient of such words may eventually feel good about himself or herself, and some boost in self-esteem and self-worth may be experienced.

In today’s Gospel, we come across a centurion in Capernaum who came up and pleaded with Jesus to heal his paralysed servant. This centurion not only went to see Jesus, he even pleaded with Him for help. What is even more astonishing is the humility and complete confidence of the centurion in Jesus, so much so that he had full trust that all Jesus needed to do was to issue the order, and his servant would be healed. This centurion was sure that Jesus’ words were enough to heal his servant, and Jesus did not have to be physically present for the healing to take place. Because of this, the centurion’s servant was healed.

What about us? Do we use words wisely to heal and to build people up? Do we have confidence in Jesus’ words? May we be careful with what we say, and may what we say bring healing and happiness to all around us, for the glory of God.

Thursday of Week 34 Year 2

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Among the many ways the evil one could use to tempt us to sin, the use of deception and disappointment is quite common and dangerous. This is because, when we are going through trials and tribulations, we could be deceived with various false promises of security and safety, and when things don’t work out and such promises of security and safety end up crumbled and destroyed, some of us may become quite disappointed, even to the point of giving up or even despairing.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus paints us a picture of troubles and dangers to come when He says: “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.” For those who have let fear taken over their lives, such a message may seem like we are doomed. But Jesus did not stop there. He continues: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” If we have faith and hope in God, then we should not allow any other forms of promises of security and safety to distract and deceive us. Instead, we should be persistent and consistent in trusting in His providence, knowing that He will take care of things, according to His time and for His glory.

Friday of Week 34 Year 2

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For some of us, a vision could be seen as a warning or reminder to behave or to be good, otherwise some calamity or disaster may occur. However, visions need not necessarily be seen in that way. When a vision occurs, it could also be seen as a prompting from God, inviting us to look into our lives and grow closer to Him. God is reaching out to us, giving us opportunities to walk in His ways, trust in His providence, and let Him be our help and guide.

In today’s reading, John had a vision where he “saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.” John also saw in his vision a burning lake which is the second death “and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake.” If we have been consistent, committed and persistent in our efforts to grow in relationship with God, then such visions should not startle us or cause us to fear, since we can be confident and trust that God will take care of us. God is inviting us to live, it is up to us to accept His invitation and be alive in His love.

Wednesday of Week 34 Year 2

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Some of us think that when we are persecuted, mocked or put on trial, we should be bold and say many things in defence. Some of us think that to be vocal and loud is the better solution, since some of us think that keeping silent means that one is agreeing to the accusations or one has no defence at all. But sometimes, confidence is silent and dignified, whereas insecurities are loud and offensive, since being silent means one is confident in oneself and considers such accusations to be nonsense, baseless, and not worth arguing about.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.” The eloquence and wisdom here need not necessarily mean that we would be inspired to say many things, since a smile and keeping silent could be just as effective and deafening as using many words. There were times Jesus made profound statements of truth; but there were also times when He just remained silent. A smile is one way to solve many problems; and silence is one way to avoid many problems; and at times, Jesus has shown us that being silent with a smile is a better way or a good answer to insults and false accusations. Do we still need to say so many things, when being silent with a smile is sometimes all that is needed?

Tuesday of Week 34 Year 2

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Do you know what is a sickle? No, it does not mean someone is being sick, but it is a type of a hand-held agricultural tool with a curved, sharp blade used for harvesting grain crops or cutting certain edible plants to feed livestock. It is an ancient tool effective for reaping and harvesting, and if used as a weapon, it can be deadly and dangerous. You definitely would not want to be at the receiving end of a sickle, since the cut could be devastating, or even mortally wounding (in other words, one could get killed quite easily if struck by a sickle).

In the 1st reading, the sickles were being used for a harvest of a different sort; it was the harvest of the earth, and it refers to the judgement of the earth. In the reading, we are told that “the angel set his sickle to work on the earth and harvested the whole vintage of the earth and put it into a huge winepress, the winepress of God’s anger.” While the imagery of the reading may seem terrifying, its message is meant to awaken us from our complacency and our indifference to the call for repentance. Are we willing to change our ways, turn away from our sins, and return to the Lord’s ways?