Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Saint Andrew, Apostle – Feast

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Some of us may be able to learn certain subjects through the internet these days. The internet has become so full of resources that we can get information about a certain topic or subject, and learn much about it with ease. However, we also know that the information available on the internet is not always accurate or reliable. We need to be cautious about what we read, because what we sometimes get could be false or inaccurate.

What about information concerning faith? Can we learn about faith through the internet? To some extend, we may glean some information there, but once again, we need to be cautious and verify that the source of such information concerning faith is reliable and reputable. That is why it is sometimes better to learn about faith from a person or persons who has been properly trained and qualified in teaching about faith to others. As St. Paul reminds us in today’s reading: “Faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ.” May we be alert and cautious not to be misled by false information or false doctrine, but go and seek those who can preach it to us, those who really know their stuff and teach what the church teaches.

1st Sunday of Advent Year C

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Every year, many of us would celebrate the new year to remember and give thanks to God for all the blessings of the past year and also take the opportunity to pray for a good year ahead. But today’s readings and Gospel seems to give us a different way of how Christians should celebrate the new year. What is this different way all about? This different way is that we celebrate the new year not by looking to the past or to the following year but to focus on the end of time or on the end of the world. It seems strange for us to focus on the end of time, so why should we do so, since some may find the end of time a not-so-pleasant topic?

Today’s Gospel appears to give us a frightening picture of the end of the world: “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 some, such natural disasters may seem scary or frightening, but science has shown us that such natural disasters mean that the earth is growing and evolving, which are signs of life instead of death. Planets that no longer have such natural disasters like earthquakes, storms, or volcanoes have no life, in other words, they are dead. Jesus gives us examples of such natural disasters to describe the end of the world and tell us that something new is about to take place. This means that, from this point of view, we should see the end of the world as a celebration of hope instead of fear.

Some of us may be wondering: when and how will all these take place? When and how is not important, but what we should do in preparation for such an event should be our focus. To begin with, even if there is confusion in our lives, even if things don’t go according to plan, nobody should lose heart, as Jesus reminds us: “When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” Also, we may be tempted to run away or look for excuses or other solutions when faced with problems and challenges in the world, but we should instead watch ourselves and stay alert and ready, as Jesus reminds us: “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap.” Moreover, we must “stay awake and pray.” This means that we must take our spiritual growth seriously, as St. Paul in the second reading urges each and every one of us to continue growing in our faith life.

So what does this mean to us? It means that we cannot rest on our laurels and think that we have plenty of time to grow closer to God. Instead, we should be consistent and persistent in our efforts to grow in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God and with others, as St. Paul advises us in the second reading: “We urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants, as you learnt from us, and as you are already living it.” May we do our best and stay alert and prepared, with hope and confidence that God will be our providence and guide.

Friday of Week 34 Year 1

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One fact that we should never forget as we journey in this life is that many things around us, many things we hold dear, will not last. Today we may have a young family, tomorrow the children would have gone and left the nest. Today we may be healthy and fit, tomorrow we may be not so well and some may be struggling to live.The qualifications we have attained may be relevant today, but may be obsolete tomorrow. Even the cars we drive, the computers and gadgets we own, will eventually become obsolete or redundant, as technology progresses and new and better products come out. Sounds like a not so exciting picture of life, isn’t it? But that is the way things are here on earth, and we need to set our priorities right and focus on what really matters, while we have time and opportunities to do so.

In today’s reading, we are reminded of One who will never disappear or fade away. The reading tells us: “His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.” No matter what happens, be it good or bad, Jesus will always be there for us. So we should make more effort to grow closer to Him and let Him be our guide, since all other persons and things will sooner or later go away, but Jesus will always be around.

Thursday of Week 34 Year 1

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Difficulties and problems crop up in our lives every once in a while, and sometimes these problems and difficulties could lead to severe persecution or even death. When we are faced with such problems and difficulties, especially if it involves our faith, some of us may be tempted to protect ourselves by distancing ourselves from our faith, or even abandoning it altogether. But how many of us would hold steadfast to our faith in such situations, with trust and confidence in God’s help and providence? How many of us would truly and unreservedly be willing to die for our faith?

In today’s reading, king Darius had gotten himself into a mess, since he had signed an edict which, for the next thirty days, demanded that all pray to no other than him. Daniel refused to do so, and even though king Darius favoured Daniel much, he had no choice but to throw Daniel into the lion’s den, since such an edict could not be altered even by the king. Daniel’s enemies thought they had finally gotten rid of Daniel, but Daniel held steadfast to his faith and was even prepared to die, and God’s angels came to seal the lion’s jaws and protect Daniel from harm. In the end, it was Daniel’s enemies and their families who were killed by the lions.

Daniel had great faith in God’s help and providence to protect him from danger. What about us? Are we willing to risk it all, even our lives, and let God be our help and guide? If God can protect Daniel from mortal danger, surely He would do the same for us, if we have trust and confidence in Him.

Wednesday of Week 34 Year 1

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Some of us may be experiencing some form of religious persecution, depending on where and which state or country we live in. In some countries, Christians are being enticed with riches, power and popularity, to abandon their faith and join another faith. Sometimes, such countries would also begin to drive fear into the hearts of others by putting to death anyone who refuses to embrace another religion. If we are confronted with such persecution, including the possibility of death, how would we respond? Would we be courageous enough to face such persecution, or would we abandon our faith to save our skin?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded: “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.” If we have trust and confidence in God, then we have no reason to fear or despair. May we continue to face such persecution bravely and courageously, and let God be our help and guide.

Tuesday of Week 34 Year 1

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Some people seem to be quite preoccupied with doomsday or the end of the world. Even on television, we sometimes come across documentaries about how some people would try to stock up and be prepared should the end of civilisation as they know it happens. To some people, the end of civilisation is like the end of the world, and they believe that chaos would reign and the only way to survive would be to have sufficient food, water and defences. But all these preparations are only for an earthly existence. What about preparations for life after death?

In today’s Gospel, we are told: “‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.'” If we have been consistent and persistent in our spiritual preparations for life after death, then all the so called claims made by others about the end of the world coming, as well as all the seemingly heavenly signs happening, should not concern us. What should concern us is that we are prepared at all times as best we can, knowing and trusting that God will care for us no matter what happens. Let us not become paranoid or fearful, but have continue to have confidence and trust in God.

Monday of Week 34 Year 1

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When you come to church to attend Mass, how many of you would offer all the money you have on you for the church? Quite likely, many of you would put a few dollars or a few Malaysian ringgit into the offering bag, while some of you may offer what you can spare. Some may put in more if they are rich and can afford it, but how many of us would be willing to put everything that we have by emptying our pockets of cash? Some of you may say that it would be crazy to offer everything we have to God, since we would need money for food and other things after the Mass.

But if we consider a moment, today’s Gospel tells us of a poverty-stricken widow who put in all she had to live on, as Jesus tells us: “I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.” When we put money in the offering, it is not the amount that counts, it is how generous we are willing to be. Remember that all that we have comes from God, and God has been generous to us in many ways. Are we not willing to be just as generous in our contributions and in offering our talents for the church?

Christ the King Year B

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Many of us seem to be quite caught up with attaining various types of qualifications these days. When we have completed a course or studies, we expect to receive a diploma, degree or some form of paper stating the kind of qualification we have achieved. Such paper is called a certificate, and some of us may even frame it and place it on the wall, either in some prominent place in our home, or at our office, to show others how qualified or learned we are. When we go to the hospital for a checkup, some of us may also receive a certificate of fitness, to show that we are healthy. Such a certificate of fitness is sometimes required when we apply for a job, or when we apply to go for studies in a college or university or some other institution of learning. But all these certifications here are only temporary and useful while we are on earth.

As we know, the ways of God are not the same as the ways of the world. When it comes to being a king, God’s idea of being King is quite different from the worldly idea of being king, as Jesus tells us: “Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.” Jesus also adds: “Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” So, just as God’s understanding of being King is quite different from worldly understanding of being king, God’s understanding of what is required to gain some sort of “certification” with Him, is quite different from the worldly understanding of certification. Of course, God’s certification does not come in the form paper, rather it involves certain attitudes, behaviour, way of life, in other words, things that really matter to God, so to speak.

So what things could really matter to God? What really matters would be whether we have been faithful to God, faithful to being Jesus’ disciples and faithful to Jesus’ teachings; whether we have been focused in being of service like Jesus the servant King, by serving others without expecting anything in return, instead of being like an earthly king who lords it over others; and perhaps by allowing change and conversion to take place in our lives. Thus, instead of being so concerned with worldly qualifications which many do, we should change our focus towards eternal qualifications which would bring greater and longer lasting benefits to us.

Thus, let us let Jesus be our King and our guide, since as the second reading tells us: “Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the First-Born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood, and made us a line of kings, priests to serve God and Father; to him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever.” May we follow His ways and concentrate on what really matters to God, on His “certifications,” for our eternal future and happiness.

Housekeeping – Week 33 Year 1

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For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

15 Nov 2015 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
16 Nov 2015 – Monday of Week 33 Year 1
17 Nov 2015 – Tuesday of Week 33 Year 1
18 Nov 2015 – Wednesday of Week 33 Year 1
19 Nov 2015 – Thursday of Week 33 Year 1
20 Nov 2015 – Friday of Week 33 Year 1