Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Saint Mark, Evangelist – Feast

Posted on by Posted in Evangelist, Feast, St. Mark Leave a comment

It is easy for some of us to be taken in by the ways of the world, especially where fame and recognition is concerned. Some of us want to be known or recognised for what we have done, and sometimes we could go through great lengths to protect what we think is rightfully our intellectual property. Even in universities, we are reminded not to plagiarise but to acknowledge the work of others by giving credit where it is due. Of course, it is right to do such things, since by doing so we are promoting healthy research and scholarship, improving on the work of others while thanking them for what has been done; but are we allowing ourselves to become proud and conceited, as a result of such fame and recognition? Are we focusing only on what we have achieved, thinking that we attained such achievements solely through our own effort?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “All wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble.” When we remain humble even though we have achieved much, we are actually giving credit to God for helping us come to where we are today. We are also acknowledging that all that we have, all that we have achieved, are gifts from His bounty, and we continue to depend on Him for help and guidance. May we not become so proud and conceited into thinking that we can do without God, and continue to serve with humility and joy, for His greater glory.

Friday of the 4th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 4th, Easter, Easter 4, Friday, Weekday Leave a comment

Some of us may have experienced a situation called mid-life crisis, where we begin to realise that the many things we once enjoyed, can no longer be enjoyed; the many things we once could do, seem to be harder to accomplish; the many tasks we once worked so hard on, seem to be not much of a big deal anymore. When we are experiencing such a situation, some of us may be slipping towards depression, since our life and body condition is changing, as we are aging and we discover that we are no longer as before, sort of like “no more spring chicken.”

But today’s Gospel gives us some comfort. Jesus is inviting us: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.” What we are going through is part of life as we grow older, and instead of worrying or fretting, we should just move along and adapt to a different phase of life. Sure, we may not be as we were before, but does it really matter? With Jesus as our guide and help, what we can or cannot do is no longer our concern. We just do what we can, and offer all we do for the glory of God. May we keep on trusting in Jesus, knowing that He will be at our side, as we walk on.

Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 4th, Easter, Easter 4, Thursday, Weekday Leave a comment

What do we look for in life? Are we looking for fame, popularity, recognition, peer acceptance or something else for ourselves? Or are we looking for true joy and happiness? Some of us think that by gaining fame, popularity, recognition, or peer acceptance, we would be joyful and happy. But the joy and happiness we seemingly experience are only temporary things, they do not last, they are merely illusions that come and go. After some time, when the fame, popularity, recognition, or peer acceptance is gone, we may even lose the joy and happiness previously experienced.

That is why, in today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “I tell you most solemnly, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him. Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly.” When we let Jesus be in control, when we do not seek greatness for ourselves, then we will experience true happiness, because all that we are doing is not for our own pleasure, personal gratification or to boost our ego. All that we are doing is for the greater glory of God, and to build God’s Kingdom. May we be humble and willing to walk in Jesus’ ways, and let Him grant us true happiness, the kind of happiness that will last.

Wednesday of the 4th Week of Easter

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

It is tempting for some of us to come up with our own opinion or interpretation about what a particular passage in the bible means. Sometimes our opinion or interpretation could be coloured or influenced by our background, attitude towards certain persons or places, or some other criteria. When we begin to interpret passages in the bible on our own, without a definitive authority, then we risk interpreting such passages according to what suits us, or what suits our agenda. This could lead others to follow what we say, instead of what the bible is really telling us, or what Jesus is really teaching us.

This is where Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel: “For what I have spoken does not come from myself; no, what I was to say, what I had to speak, was commanded by the Father who sent me, and I know that his commands mean eternal life. And therefore what the Father has told me is what I speak.” Jesus is showing us what we are to say or teach should not be at our whims and fancies, since what we are teaching is not our own stuff, but what Jesus taught us. Are we trying to build God’s Kingdom by teaching what Jesus is really teaching? Or are we ending up building our own kingdom, by teaching what we think Jesus is teaching, but in reality, is our own stuff instead?

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter

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

In the corporate world, people would generally not share important matters or company procedures with just anybody. This is because such information is normally classified as trade secrets or company confidential information, and sharing such information could be detrimental towatds the growth of the company, or put the company at a disadvantage. Strict rules and heavy penalties are enforced to ensure that employees and those who have access to such information toe the line and divulge such information only to those who are authorised to know. But when it comes to the Good News of Jesus Christ, we have no such stringent rules. Instead, we are encouraged to share the Good News to everyone without fear or favour. But sometimes, we come across people who seem to be sharing the Good News only with certain groups or certain persons they are comfortable with. As Christians, are we limiting our efforts on sharing the Good News? Or have we learnt to break any barriers or prejudices, and share the Good News with all?

In today’s reading, we are told that those who escaped during the persecution travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, but they proclaimed the Good News only to the Jews. We were not told why they limited the proclamation of the Good News only to the Jews, since there could have been many reasons that made them do so, including reasons like the political, social and cultural circumstances. But some of them who came from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and started preaching to the Greeks, and the Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord. This shows that if we are willing to move out of the norm and venture into the unknown, if we are willing to come out of our comfort zone and be courageous and daring to reach out to others, God can work wonders through us. May we be humble and willing to let God be in control, so that we can be His instruments in building His Kingdom and glorify His Name.

Monday of the 4th Week of Easter

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

One of the things that ought to change when we become Christians is that we should no longer be divided or segregated according to ethnic group, language group, racial lines or whatever that had segregated us in the past. We are brothers and sisters in Christ; not brothers and sisters in Christ according to a certain group, or language, or social status; but brothers and sisters in Christ, full stop. What this means is, we are no longer strangers or foreigners to each other, but one family with Jesus as our brother, Mary as our mother, God as our Father. If we live according to such basic principles, then we should experience peace and happiness in unity with diversity. But are we really living as brothers and sisters in Christ, or are we still distinguishing ourselves according to groups, factions or some other criteria?

In today’s reading, the Jews were initially unhappy that the pagans or the uncircumcised had been baptised. These Jews thought that Jesus belonged only to their club, and all others are to be excluded. But Peter made them realise that God does not limit Himself only to certain groups or certain persons. He is God for all, and He loves us all the same, regardless of who we are, or where we come from, since the reading tells us: “‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.'”

If God is a God for all, then what about us? Are we still keeping only to our group, our social status, our prejudices, our comfort zones? Or have we learnt to come out and mix around, as brothers and sisters in Christ, one family of God? Are we living and loving as brothers and sisters in Christ, without terms or conditions? Or are we still trapped in our old self and old ways?

Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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

It is easy for us to write off someone who seems lost or hopeless according to our expectations or according to our standards, or the person is different from us or seems to be lacking in one way or another, according to our coloured and prejudiced eyes. Some of us begin to think that such a person is beyond redemption and is destined to be condemned. Some of us even ostracise the person, and do not want to have anything to do with the person. The funny thing is, sometimes, God uses such persons to teach us never to judge, never to be so quick to condemn, to be humble, and to love unconditionally, just as God loves all of us the same.

In today’s reading, we come across Saul who many feared and despised, since he was fervently and enthusiastically persecuting Christians. But God had other plans for Saul. Instead of writing him off, God caused Saul to change from a Christian basher, to a Christian defender. Imagine the shock, bewilderment and amazement experienced by the Christians when Saul, who became Paul, began preaching in the synagogues, ‘Jesus is the Son of God.’ Who would have ever thought that Saul could be turned into a stalwart promoter of the Christian faith, yet that is exactly what happened. God had shown that what was impossible is made possible.

What does this tell us? It tells us that God can do wonders beyond our expectations. He can change people, no matter how evil, horrible, obnoxious or mean they may have been. Are we willing to put our trust in God, knowing that He will do what is best for us, according to His time and for His glory?

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Easter, Easter 3, Thursday, Weekday Leave a comment

I have done many baptisms throughout my ministry and so far, I have noticed that in these baptisms, there is quite a bit of rejoicing and happiness. If the baptised is a baby, the parents, grandparents, Godparents and guests are rejoicing and all-smiles, as a new member has come forth from the family, even though the baby may be unaware of what is going on. If the baptised is a child or an adult, not only the parents, grandparents, Godparents and guests are rejoicing and all-smiles, the baptised too are excited, rejoicing and happy for having received new life and God’s salvation. In today’s reading, the eunuch went on his way rejoicing, after being baptised by Philip.

It is good to rejoice when a new person receives baptism, since the person has become a child of God. But let us not just rejoice at that point of time and that’s that. We should continue to live a life of rejoicing in God’s love and care, and share this life of rejoicing with all we meet. If something is so significant and worth rejoicing, surely we would not want to keep it under wraps, but share the joy around. So let us renew our efforts with joy, enthusiasm and exuberance, so that all would come to know what it means to be a Christian.

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Easter, Easter 3, Wednesday, Weekday Leave a comment

There are many things that we cannot see, yet we believe that such things exist. For example, we cannot see germs or bacteria, but we experience their effects. We cannot see electricity, but we experience the effects of electricity through the many appliances it provides power to, so that our lives would be easier or more convenient. But the irony is: sometimes we may be able to see something, and yet we are not able to believe what we are seeing. Why is this so? Sometimes it could be because the something is so shocking, spectacular, disturbing or flabbergasting that we may be at a lost of words and unable to comprehend what is happening or has just happened. Sometimes it could be because we are so set in our way of thinking or doing things, that other ways of thinking or doing things are seen as a threat or not worth our attention.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst. But, as I have told you, you can see me and still you do not believe.” The people had seen Jesus say and do so many things. They had witnessed so many healings and miracles performed by Jesus. But some of the people, especially the scribes and the Pharisees, were so fixated and stubborn with their way of thinking and their way of doing things, that no matter what Jesus said or did, they chose to remain closed to the Good News being proclaimed by Jesus. They knew who Jesus was, but chose to find ways and means to get rid of Him, since what Jesus said and did was challenging their authority and going against the status quo. To them, personal survival, personal status and self-preservation was more important than listening to God’s voice and doing what is just and right.

What about us? Have we too become or are becoming like the scribes and Pharisees? Do we value only our views, so much so that Jesus’ teachings, God’s commandments and many other things have taken a back seat or ignored completely? May we continue to take courage and say and do what is right, and let God be our providence and guide.

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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

There are some topics of discussion which could cause people to become very excited or passionate in expressing their views, opinions and thoughts. One such topic would be politics, where people sometimes get into intense argument and may begin to take sides and insist that a particular political party or persons within that party are good, bad or somewhere in between. Another such topic would be food, since each person would have his or her favourite food and favourite location where such food could be found. But if we look at such topics carefully, we would discover that these topics are only temporary. People could change allegience from one political party or person to another, due to changes in circumstances or situation. Likewise, people could change their preference for food and where to find such food, due to various reasons.

But there is one topic that will not change, and that is Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and believe in Him, as today’s Gospel tells us: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.” When we remain in Jesus and believe in Him, we have something which is constant, dependable, reliable and accessible. Political parties and persons come and go. Food comes and goes, since places and persons also come and go. But Jesus remains at all times and in all places. So, if that is the case, shouldn’t we make more effort in being with Jesus, receiving Him regularly, and letting Him be our help and guide?