Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Friday of Week 11 Year 2

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From a young age, we are taught to take care of our bodies. We learn about personal hygiene, and we are reminded to pay attention to certain parts of our bodies which would quite likely smell. We make effort to eat well, so that our bodies would get proper nutrition, and bathe once, twice or even three times a day. All these are good, since neglecting our bodies could lead to medical problems or even relational problems, since people would find it challenging being near to us because of the smell and to some extent, also because of our appearance. But what about our soul? How well do we keep our soul clean? Do we bother about our soul at all?

In today’s Gospel, we are cautioned: “The lamp of the body is the eye. It follows that if your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be all darkness. If then, the light inside you is darkness, what darkness that will be!” This eye refers to our soul, and when our soul is soiled with sin, our whole being will eventually be engulfed in darkness, causing us to lose contact with God. Are we going to allow ourselves to be consumed with the stench of sin, and tragically lose our eternal inheritance?

Thursday of Week 11 Year 2

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If you observe the way young children play and interact, you would find that, in many cases, such children find it easier to forgive among themselves and move on. From time to time, such children may encounter wrongdoings or misbehaviour, but rather than holding a grudge or getting angry over words and deeds, sometimes for a certain period of time, we could notice that after a while, they would continue playing and having fun, as if nothing had happened. Why is this so? It is because of pride and ego. Such children have not yet developed the level of pride and ego which some of us adults may have.

Today we come across the Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father in the Gospel. I suppose the hardest line to follow is: “And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.” Moreover, the Gospel cautions us: “Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.” If children can and are willing to forgive others quite easily, why do some of us find it so difficult to forgive? When we do wrong or said some unkind words, do we seek forgiveness too, or do we hold on to our pride and ego? Why do we allow our pride and ego to take control of us completely? May we come to realise that forgiveness is not just a one way street, where we expect to be forgiven but we refuse to forgive. Instead, may we learn to forgive others, and be humble enough to seek forgiveness from others. Like children, let us set aside our pride and ego, and learn to be more like our loving God.

Wednesday of Week 11 Year 2

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When we do good things, what is the purpose of us doing so? Do we do good things to show how good we are, or how wonderful or kind we are? Do we do good things to win the admiration of others? Do we expect praise and honour for the good things we do? Or do we do good things to glorify God? What sort of attitude should we have as Christians, when it comes to doing good?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded: “Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.” Also, when we are doing good, we should do so in secret, since the Gospel tells us: “…and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.” By doing good deeds in secret, we are not bringing attention to ourselves, but giving God the glory. May we check our motives when doing good, and in all we do, may we give God the greater glory.

Tuesday of Week 11 Year 2

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As Christians, we are often reminded to conduct ourselves or behave or do things in ways very different or totally the opposite of what the world does. For example, we have seen how some people of the world would find ways and means, by hook or by crook, to gain an advantage over others; but as Christians, our goal ought to be towards being with the Lord. Being somebody or successful in the world ought to be not our main concern, but growing in relationship with God is.

Another example of how we Christians ought to be different is when it comes to enemies. No matter how kind or caring we are, no matter how much we have done, we are bound to have people who are not happy with what we say or do, for one reason or another. Some of such persons may even go to the extent of becoming our enemy, bending in finding ways and means to put us down or belittle us. But how do we respond to such persons?

The answer can be found in today’s Gospel: we are to love them just as God loves all of us, regardless of who we are and whether we have been good or bad. Not only that, we are also to pray for our enemies. Can you imagine loving and praying for them, especially when they have said and done so many nasty things towards us? Of course it is not easy, but Jesus is asking us to transcend from the ways of the world, where an eye for an eye and revenge is often used. Instead, we are to be loving, prayerful and merciful; just as God has been to us in many ways. May we learn to follow the ways of Christ, and love all just as God loves us all. Sometimes by doing so, we could cause our enemies to become friends, and show others what it really means to be a Christian.

Monday of Week 11 Year 2

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Are we content with what we have or what we achieved? Or have we become accustomed to looking for more and more? When we want more and more, what happens? We begin to work hard to try and achieve or attain more and more. But what if what we want to achieve or attain is beyond our reach because it belongs to someone else and cannot be given away or sold? Some of us may just let it be, but some of us may resort to doing something unthinkable, even to the point of committing sin, to get what we want. Would you go to the extent of sinning to get what you want, come what may?

In today’s reading, king Ahab wanted Naboth of Jezreel’s vineyard. Naboth had no intention of giving away, or exchanging or selling his vineyard, since the vineyard was ancestral land. So what did Ahab do? He, with the help of his wife Jezebel, had Naboth killed, so that he could take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. What do we see here? We see a classic example of several mortal sins being committed, such as: committing murder, coveting neighbour’s goods, and bearing false witness. Is obtaining such land that important? To some of us, it may not be a big deal, but to Ahab, he had allowed his heart to become poisoned and enslaved with greed, envy, wrath, passion, pride, ego and many other vices.

What about us? Where do we stand? Could some of us already have become like Ahab? Do we value only what we can get or gain here on earth, at the expense of our eternal reward? Would we be in danger of gaining the whole world, but losing our soul?

Friday of Week 10 Year 2

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We sometimes have the impression that just because God is Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Omniscient (all knowing), he should reveal Himself in a spectacular or powerful way. Some of us think that a good example of God being revealed is through natural events such as a strong wind like a tornado or typhoon; or an erupting volcano; or a deafening thunder followed with frightening lightning; or a tremendous earthquake; or through some other powerful means which could be scary or phenomenal. But how does God really reveal Himself?

In today’s reading, we discover that God revealed Himself in a way least expected. He revealed Himself to Elijah in the sound of a gentle breeze. Just imagine, we have God who reveals to us not in a spectacular or powerful way according to what we expect, but in a calm and gentle way. This gives us some insight about God, that despite being Omnipotent and Omniscient, He has no need to show off or prove Himself. Likewise, we as children of God need not show off or prove ourselves, since we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of our qualifications, capabilities, strengths and abilities. May we learn from our Divine Master and providence, and remain humble and rooted in His love and care.

Thursday of Week 10 Year 2

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It is very easy for some of us to become like the scribes and Pharisees. Some of you may say: “Yerr! This padre so bad one. Call us scribe and Pharisees.” But if we think about it for a moment, we could somewhat agree that it is indeed easy and possible for some of us to become like the scribes and Pharisees. How so? How can? It’s like this: What is the problem the scribes and Pharisees had? Firstly, they excelled in following the letter of the law. They even added numerous sub-laws to so-called compliment God’s law, forgetting or ignoring that basically, God’s law is not that complicated, since God’s law is basically only two, that is to love God and to love neighbour. But all they were interested was to follow the letter of the law, and not the spirit or purpose of the law. Secondly, the scribes and Pharisees knew how to make other people feel bad, since they thought that they were ok and everyone else was not ok. Thirdly, the scribes and Pharisees were famous for not practising what they preach, as we have seen in many examples in the Gospel. Could some of us be like the scribes and Pharisees, looking at what sort of persons they were, and what sort of persons some of us are becoming or have become?

That is why, in today’s Gospel, we are cautioned: “If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” When we are so full of ourselves; when we think that everyone else is wrong and we are right; when we belittle others or put others down, just because they do not think, behave or act like we do; when we are self-righteous and condemn others; we may actually be like the scribes and Pharisees. One example I have observed is when a person comes for confession, but instead of confessing one’s sins, the person begins to complain about or condemn other people, and when asked why they came to confession in the first place, such persons say that they have been wronged, they are ok or innocent, and they are angry or upset that other people or not treating them right or listening to them. Is that what confession is all about? Are such persons not behaving like the scribes and Pharisees?

Thus, let us ask ourselves. Are we learning to love God and neighbour sincerely and genuinely? Are we concerned about our relationship, especially with others, and are willing to be patient, persistent, firm but kind? Or are we cold or hard hearted, like the scribes and Pharisees, who thought that they were holy and faultless, and others are doomed?

Wednesday of Week 10 Year 2

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God can sometimes have a very interesting sense of humour. When people try to worship idols and other so called gods, He would sometimes show how silly and futile such an activty could be, and in doing so, those involved would learn who is really the true God, and those who witness would be more convinced to return to His path.

In today’s reading, we come across a confrontation between Elijah and 450 prophets of Baal. Mathematically speaking, Elijah did not seem to stand a chance against so many prophets of Baal, but what these phophets failed to realise is that God was supporting Elijah. In the end, the prophets of Baal ended up losing to Elijah, because God showed them that only He is the true God.

What does this mean to us? It means that we should take caution and not end up worshipping false gods. We should be worshipping only God. Sometimes we may fall into the trap of worshipping false gods, when we begin to focus our attention only to wealth, power, and things, which could become like gods to us. May we focus more on our relationship with God, knowing that only He can grant us eternal joy.

Tuesday of Week 10 Year 2

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When we are having a problem or facing a crisis, what do we do? Perhaps we may pray and beseech God to help us through. But what if our prayers do not seem to be answered, even though we may have prayed fervently, then what do we do? Would we continue to pray, with patience and persistence, knowing and trusting that God would do what is best for us? Or would some of us begin to try looking for other means of help, only to find that those other means are really no help at all?

In today’s reading, the woman from Zarephath was facing a crisis, since there was famine and she was at her wits end as to how to feed her son and herself, once the last bit of meal and oil is finished. To make matters worse, the woman was a widow, and widows in those days would have experienced much hardship, especially if they did not have much wealth or property left behind by their deceased spouse. Fortunately for this widow, her prayers were answered because she obeyed Elijah’s instructions  “The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.” Because of her obedience and trust in God, the woman and her son were saved from imminent suffering and death.

What about us? Are we willing to have full trust and confidence in God, with patience and persistence? Sometimes, especially in today’s world, we may be so used to getting things done quickly. But God’s ways are not our ways, and if we are willing to wait and let Him do what is best for us, we may receive even more than what we hoped for.

Monday of Week 10 Year 2

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Sometimes, we come across people who are so obstinate and stubborn, that we are unable to help them change right away. Such people may need to be left alone for a while, so that they may perhaps come to their senses or acknowledge their error, before they could be helped. One example of such a person is found in today’s reading. In today’s reading, we come across king Ahab, who had done wrong towards God, but had refused to admit it, or acknowledge his error. As a result, the prophet Elijah left the presence of Ahab, until such a time Ahab was ready to repent and return to God’s ways.

What about us? Have we been so stubborn and obstinate and refused to mend our ways and right our relationship with God? Just as Ahab ended experiencing severe drought in his kingdom until such a time he made amends with God, we too may experience a severe drought in our soul, until we realise our folly and return to God’s help and providence. May we come to realise our error and change our ways, before it becomes too late.