Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Wednesday of Week 26 Year 2

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Things happen for a reason and sometimes we humans find it difficult to understand why such things happen in the first place. We begin to question ourselves, question others or even question God, asking or even demanding answers as to why such things have occured. Some of us even begin to blame others or even blame God for what has taken place. But the point is, things really do happen for a reason, and even though the reason may not be revealed or may not be so clear or understandable, are we humble and willing to put our trust in God?

In today’s reading, Job questioned: “”How can a man be in the right against God?” “Can anyone be so rash as to challenge Him for reasons?” Sometimes we may never know why certain things have occured. Other times, we may get some understanding of why such things happen. But instead of looking for someone or something to blame; instead of looking for a scapegoat; perhaps we should learn from what has happened, and give thanks to God for His care and providence. Every cloud has a silver lining, and let us not lose sight of God, knowing that He will help us and transform us into something better.

Tuesday of Week 26 Year 2

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Each of us may have faced some sort of problem, calamity, hardship, suffering, anxiety, stress, or depression at some point of our lives. When we are faced with such situations, what do we do? Some would give up and despair. Some would resort to abuse of substances. Some would start blaming others for their condition, or even blame God. How many of us would bravely, resolutely and unwaveringly go through the situation, trusting God and knowing that God would help us?

In today’s reading, we come across Job who had been inflicted with one catastrophe after another. Satan was trying to make him curse God for the situation he was in. Yet, Job did not curse God or despair. He cursed the day he was born instead, wishing that he had not been born. Job did not put the blame on anyone or God, but expressed his feelings via figures of speech and exaggeration. Job still trusted in God to see him through his predicament. What about us? Are we patient and humble enough to trust in God’s providence and help?

Monday of Week 26 Year 2

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People can sometimes act strangely depending on the situation. When times are good, most people would enjoy the goodness and not think much about it. But what happens when bad times occur, when there is widespread disease, destruction, wars, persecution, suffering and other calamities that happen? Some people would begin to curse and fret over such misfortune or calamities. Some people would even think that there is no hope, causing some to even consider ending it all. But how many of us are able to give thanks to God, even in the face of such calamities?

In today’s reading, Job was faced with one calamity after another. Facing one calamity was already bad enough, but facing so many in one day? It was certainly painful and shocking for Job, but what did he do? The reading tells us: “In all this misfortune Job committed no sin nor offered any insult to God.” If we were in Job’s shoes, would we be able to do the same? Would we still be thankful and grateful to God for all that He has done, and remain confident in His providence?

Friday of Week 25 Year 2

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What does the word “time” mean to you? Time is a measure in which events can be ordered from the past through the present into the future, and also the measure of durations of events and the intervals between them. For some of us, we feel as if we have no time or little time, since we seem to be so busy with so many things. For others, especially when we are sick or elderly, we may feel as if we have so much time in our hands. But do we really have so much time or so little of it? Is time really in our hands?

In today’s reading, we are reminded that “There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven… What does a man gain for the efforts that he makes? I contemplate the task that God gives mankind to labour at. All that he does is apt for its time; but though he has permitted man to consider time in its wholeness, man cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.”This reading reminds us that ultimately, all time is in God’s hands and all He does is apt for its time. Likewise, we too should learn to do what is necessary and apt for its time, and not overdo things. What has happened is past; what is happening is the here and now, and we should do what we can and leave the rest to God; and what may happen in the future should not concern us, if we trust in God’s care and providence.

Thursday of Week 25 Year 2

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I find it amusing to see how some people go all out to pursue some qualification such as a Masters degree or a Doctorate. These people are willing to make major sacrifices to achieve such qualifications, but how does such qualifications help a person become a better person, a more loving person, a more responsible person, or even a person who is more dependent on God’s providence? A person could attain such higher qualifications, but if the person becomes haughty, proud, conceited, aloof, egoistic, or even vain, are such higher qualifications helpful or useful? Sure, you may get a better pay or position; some people may look up to you and admire your intellectual capabilities; but is this all there is to it?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Vanity of vanities, the Preacher says. Vanity of vanities. Vanity of vanities. All is vanity! For all his toil, his toil under the sun, what does man gain by it?” Vanity is defined as having excessive pride in one’s appearance, qualities, abilities, or achievements; being conceited; thinking that the world centres around oneself. Have we been vain or conceited in one form or another? What do we really gain by being so vain? All these things are temporary. Shouldn’t we be striving more for that which is eternal?

Tuesday of Week 25 Year 2

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It is easy for some of us to be fooled by appearances. For example, a person could appear to be holy or generous. The person could be doing a lot of good deeds, helping the poor, performing all sorts of corporal works of mercy, and other tasks. But does this mean that the person is really a genuine, good and holy person? Not necessarily so, since people could be doing such things to show off, to boost their ego, to look good, and win admiration from others.

This is why today’s reading cautions us: “A man’s conduct may strike him as upright, the Lord, however, weighs the heart.” Persons performing such good deeds and charitable tasks may be able to fool others, but they cannot fool God, since God sees all and knows our intentions. Thus, let us do what is just and what is right with love, justice and compassion, remembering that all that we do is ultimately for the glory of God.

Monday of Week 25 Year 2

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If you had an opportunity to do some good for another person, would you do it? Some of you may say: “I would, but depending on the context and situation.” That seems a fair statement, but saying it is one thing, doing it is another. It is easy to say “I would,” but some of us could begin to make excuses if the situation or context is not so favourable or there does not seem to be anything to be gained from helping. If the situation is not dangerous, but does not provide any advantage or benefit, but a service to humanity, how many of us would really be willing to help? What more if the situation involves some danger or risk, but helping could deter a small crime or save a life, would we be willing to help, or would we mind our own business?

In today’s reading, we are reminded to be good examples towards others. But being good examples is not sufficient. We also need to suppliment our being with doing. Today’s reading reminds us: “My son, do not refuse a kindness to anyone who begs it, if it is in your power to perform it. Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow’, if you can do it now.” If we are given an opportunity to show our love as Christians, would we, if it is in our power or ability, do it? Or would we procrastinate and make excuses? Ultimately, people will come to know God’s love through our example and efforts, and may we be bold and humble enough to do as best we can, for the greater glory of God.

Friday of Week 24 Year 2

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Do you believe that there is life after death? As Christians, we believe that there is life after death, but we sometimes come across people who seem to think that this life is all that matters. They rather spend more time and effort to accumulate titles, wealth, fame, and recognition, with the intention of winning admiration and respect from others. These people think that after this life is over and done with, that is it: we are finished, we are history. But is this what we Christians believe? As Christians, could some of us be thinking that this life is all there is to it and all that matters?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us that we Christians believe in the resurrection. He says: “Now if Christ raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless; indeed, we are shown up as witnesses who have committed perjury before God, because we swore in evidence before God that he had raised Christ to life.”

As Christians, we are reminded each time we recite the Nicene or Apostles creed that there is the resurrection of the dead. This means that we Christians affirm and believe that there is life after death. May we not fool ourselves into thinking that this life is all that matters or that this life is all there is to it, and make the necessary preparations for our eternal future while we have time and opportunities to do so.

Tuesday of Week 24 Year 2

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Are you happy with the gifts and talents that God has given you? Some of us say that we are happy, while others may wish that they had certain gifts and talents that others have. But the thing is, God makes each and every one of us different. The gifts and talents of each and every one of us is unique, and God in His wisdom has granted such gifts and talents not for us to gloat or become proud and conceited, but ultimately for His glory and to proclaim the Good News. Are we using our talents wisely, or are we wasting our talents for selfish reasons?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink. Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it.”

Our duties, responsibilities, or functions may be different; our gifts and talents may be different; but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. We should put our gifts and talents to good use and do our duty with joy, enthusiasm and vigour, instead of trying to compare with others and feeling upset that we are not being given something better. After all, at the end of the day, we are part of God’s family, and as a family we ought to be united with diversity.

Monday of Week 24 Year 2

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When we are invited to dine with the sultan or with the king or with some VIP (Very Important Person), would we go straight to the food and eat to our hearts content? Surely we would wait until certain protocols and customs have been observed, then only when the time has come to eat, we would begin the meal with decorum, respect and table manners. But when we come for Mass, do we practice the same decorum, respect and table manners?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us of such decorum, protocol and table manners when we come for Mass: “The point is, when you hold these meetings, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you are eating, since when the time comes to eat, everyone is in such a hurry to start his own supper that one person goes hungry while another is getting drunk. Surely you have homes for eating and drinking in? Surely you have enough respect for the community of God not to make poor people embarrassed?… So to sum up, my dear brothers, when you meet for the Meal, wait for one another.”

What St. Paul reminds us in the reading is still relevant even today. When we come for Mass to the Table of the Lord, we are coming for a banquet with the Lord. Just as we would observe the proper decorum, respect and table manners when we dine with so-called important persons on earth, may we remember who we are dining with when we come for Mass, and observe the proper decorum, respect and table manners such as fasting an hour before Holy Communion, going for confession, and ensuring that our children do not eat during Mass, just to name a few.