Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Monday of Week 8 Year 2

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Many of us are fortunate that we are not being severely tested in our faith and in our resolve to keep our faith. This is because we live in a somewhat peaceful environment. Of course, off and on, we may experience some form of persecution, but such persecution is still manageable, compared to some Christians in some countries where they are being tortured or butchered for refusing to denounce their faith. But what if, some day, we too experienced such torture and butchering? Would we be able to remain steadfast to our faith, even to the point of death?

In today’s reading, we are comforted by the fact that our faith may be tested, but if we do not allow ourselves to falter and remain steadfast, we will have praise and glory and honour: “Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise and glory and honour.” May we be ever ready to stand by our faith, knowing that our God will protect us and lead us to everlasting joy.

Trinity Sunday

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Belief in the Trinity is the foundation of our Christian faith. This means that if a particular so-called Christian group claims to be Christian but rejects the Trinity, then that group is not Christian after all. But explaining the Trinity is certainly not easy. How can we explain that one is three and three is one? Seems impossible, especially from a mathematical or logical point of view. However, we can still gain some understanding of the Trinity and even experience the Trinity in terms of relationships.

To understand and even experience the Trinity, we can look at different images of God which helps us understand how God relates to us as a Trinity. Firstly, we see the image of God the Father creating the world, and He created all things good. To believe in God the Father is to believe that everything happens for a reason, and that God wishes only good things for us. Secondly, we see the image of Jesus, God the Son. Jesus revealed to us the three persons of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and himself, God the Son. Through Jesus, we come to know God as a personal God who loves us so much that he became a human person, one of us in all things except sin, to sacrifice his own life and save us from our sins. Finally, we see the image of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us, to be our guide and help, and to lead us to the complete truth. At our baptism, we received the gift of the Holy Spirit and this gift is strengthened in us at Confirmation.

So what does this mean to us? It means that we experience and understand the Holy Trinity not as some theological mystery, but how God relates with us as individuals and as a community. God is the Holy Trinity because God is love; God is relationship; and God is community. Likewise, we too are called to follow God’s example, and love others, not merely as individuals, but especially as a community. May we grow together as one family of God, embraced with the love of the Holy Trinity.

Friday of Week 7 Year 2

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Some of us seem to be so quick in judging others, just because they think differently, or behave differently, or do things differently, or carry out instructions differently, from the way we think or expect. When we encounter such people, we may get angry, annoyed, upset, frustrated or even shun the person. But what we may fail to realise or perceive is that the person might be in agreement with us, or might be getting a task done, but not exactly as how we wanted. If you are encountering such a person, what would you do? How would you respond or manage such persons?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord; remember it is those who had endurance that we say are the blessed ones. You have heard of the patience of Job, and understood the Lord’s purpose, realising that the Lord is kind and compassionate. Above all, my brothers, do not swear by heaven or by the earth, or use any oaths at all. If you mean ‘yes’, you must say ‘yes’; if you mean ‘no’, say ‘no.’ Otherwise you make yourselves liable to judgement.”

Perhaps the challenge that we face is to understand and appreciate the difference of methods or opinions, and engage the person or persons in question, so that we could strive together in one common goal, that is building the Kingdom of God. After all, we may have heard of the phrase “unity in diversity” before. Let us thus be thankful for the unity we experience, while appreciating the diversity of persons who make up God’s children.

Thursday of Week 7 Year 2

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Is it wrong for a person to be rich? No. Being rich is not wrong nor a sin. But how one acquired such riches and what one does with such riches could lead a person to sin. For example, a person could get rich by committing crime; or they gain wealth through corruption or other unsavoury means; or even get involved in illegal or black market trade; or through cheating, swindelling or abusing others for the sake of attaining wealth. Also, a person could misuse one’s riches to pervert the course of justice; or bribe certain officials for favours or benefits; or even use money lavishly for personal glory, fame, to boost one’s ego or personal gratification. When people do such things, the person could be sinning in many different ways.

In today’s reading, the rich who misuse their wealth or gain wealth through evil ways are warned: “Start crying, weep for the miseries that are coming to you. Your wealth is all rotting, your clothes are all eaten up by moths. All your gold and your silver are corroding away, and the same corrosion will be your own sentence, and eat into your body… Labourers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out; realise that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart’s content. It was you who condemned the innocent and killed them; they offered you no resistance.”

Could some of us be guilty of gaining wealth through evil ways and misusing wealth? Let us take caution and not be lured into a false sense of security, since our riches here on earth will not last. Instead, let us make more effort in building “riches” in heaven, riches that will last for all eternity.

Wednesday of Week 7 Year 2

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I believe that many of us are making effort to avoid sin and live good Christian lives. But sometimes, we do things knowing fully well that what we are doing is not right. For example, some of us feel that we are entitled to something, but we do not get what we think we are entitled to. Then what happens? Some of us may begin to scheme and find ways and means, by hook or by crook, to get what we want. But once we have gotten what we want, are we truly satisfied or happy? Or could some of us begin to desire even more?

Today’s reading cautions us: “You never know what will happen tomorrow: you are no more than a mist that is here for a little while and then disappears. The most you should ever say is: ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we shall still be alive to do this or that.’ But how proud and sure of yourselves you are now! Pride of this kind is always wicked. Everyone who knows what is the right thing to do and doesn’t do it commits a sin.” When we know what is the right thing to do, but do otherwise to satisfy our pride, our ego and to gain some personal gratification, surely we are sinning. Sometimes what we do may appear to be right, but in actuality, we are not doing the right thing for the right reasons. May we discern carefully what we do, and do what is right, for the greater glory of God.

Tuesday of Week 7 Year 2

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It is easy for some of us to get caught up with the ways of the world. Some of us strive for fame, popularity, titles, property, wealth, honour, and many other things that the world has to offer. Sometimes we end up doing things to put others down or to belittle others, in an effort to show how valuable or useful we are, in an effort to gain the attention of those who could reward us with worldly rewards. But let us ask ourselves honestly: How long will such rewards last? Can we bring such rewards with us in the afterlife? Would such rewards mean anything or is of any use when we die? Surely many of us know the answer to these questions, but how many of us are humble and willing to change our ways?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “You are as unfaithful as adulterous wives; don’t you realise that making the world your friend is making God your enemy? Anyone who chooses the world for his friend turns himself into God’s enemy… God opposes the proud but he gives generously to the humble. Give in to God, then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you go to God, the nearer he will come to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” God is ever so patient to us and gives us plenty of opportunities to grow closer to Him. He is offering us eternal life, not eternal damnation, but we have a choice: God does not force us to be with Him. We can choose to remain in Him, or we can choose to be away from Him. Of course, this does not mean that we should neglect worldly matters completely, since we still need to survive in the world while we are living. But what it means is we should get our priorities right, and strive towards what is eternal, instead of only being concerned about that which is temporary.

Monday of Week 7 Year 2

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Have you ever wondered why some people serve in church or hold some important office or function in church? Some may be doing so because they want to be generous in helping the church to grow, and to build God’s Kingdom. Such people do things for the benefit of the church, and we can see their humility and genuineness through their words and actions. But it is also interesting to see how some other people behave, what sort of attitude they have, when they hold some position in church. We have seen examples of arrogance, pride, and ego in some persons, who do things for show or to attract attention to themselves.

This is why today’s reading reminds us: “If there are any wise or learned men among you, let them show it by their good lives, with humility and wisdom in their actions.” The reading also cautions us: “Wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony, and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it.” Are we living good lives, with humility and wisdom in our actions? Or have we become partial or hypocritical in our lives?

Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

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It is easy for us to say “I love you,” but how many of us truly mean what we say? Do we say “I love you” but our actual meaning is merely “I like you,” or are the words “I love you” sincere and genuine? Would we be willing to love till it hurts, even to the point of death? For example, if someone is in grave danger and we are in a position to rescue the person, but in doing so we ourselves may end up dead, would we go ahead and attempt the rescue?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked Peter 3 times whether Peter loved Him. Peter had denied knowing Jesus when Jesus was on trial, but Jesus did not hold that against him. Instead, Jesus helped Peter come to terms with what it really means to love. Love is not just words but requires action, and in the case of Peter, Jesus had entrusted the care of His sheep to him. Not only that, Jesus reminded Peter: “I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.” This shows that ultimately, Peter would be expected to love till it hurts, to love even to the point of death.

What about us? Do we really know the meaning of the words “I love you” after all? Are we willing to love even to the point of death? May we truly love and give our all, and show what it really means to be a Christian by our love.

Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter

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I believe all of us would have experienced some issue at some point of our lives, due to misunderstanding, differences in opinion, or some other criteria. Some of the issues we may have experienced may seem significant or serious, but sometimes necessarily so, especially since our minds may have become too fixated or closed to see the bigger picture, and we begin to squabble over petty things or trivial matters. When we are like this, we lose sight of our true purpose as Christians and end up wasting much time and energy over such petty things or trivial matters.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees had a problem with Paul. They were obstinate and refused to change when Jesus was around, and they were also equally obstinate with Paul. So Paul decided to shake things up a bit and demonstrate their narrow-mindedness. Paul pitted the scribes and Pharisees against the Sadducees by exclaiming: “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” When he said this, the scribes and the Pharisees ganged up against the Sadducees and argued over differences of opinion which had nothing to do with why Paul was being arrested and put on trial in the first place. This shows that, the core issue which the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees had against Paul, was actually not really a big deal after all, since they could be so easily distracted with other things.

What about us? Have we become like the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Have we become so easily distracted by small matters or petty things, and neglected to address the bigger or more serious matters? May we learn to see the big picture, and free ourselves from such narrow-mindedness, so that we can truly live Christian lives, with love towards God and neighbour.

Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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From time to time, we do come across, within a community, people who do things for their own benefit or own gain. Sometimes such people would try to influence the community to listen to them and follow their ways, to the eventual detriment of the community. We have seen how such individuals have betrayed or sold off their community just for some title, position, wealth or power and when such people have gotten what they wanted, they would disappear and let the community face the consequences.

This is why St. Paul in today’s reading warns us: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard…”

As leaders of a Christian community, we need to be discerning and careful not to allow certain individuals to wreak havoc and destruction to the community. While we should not become paranoid or suspicious of every person or every idea, we should seek God’s help and wisdom to ensure that all in the community are not led astray or duped into following false or wrong teaching. May we be vigilant, so that our community would grow according to God’s ways and glorify His Name.