Faithfulness and Love

Author Archives: Andrew Kooi

Birthday of John the Baptist

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Who is John the Baptist? Why are we celebrating His birthday? What is so significant about him? John the Baptist is the last of the Old Testament prophets. At the same time, his ministry begins the New Testament period. Therefore, he is the link between the Old and the New Testament. But is this reason enough to celebrate the feast of his birthday? There is actually more than meets the eye, and we shall soon discover other significant points concerning why we celebrate his birthday.

We celebrate the feast of his birth because we are also called to share in his ministry as a prophet. Each of us is also called by God to his ministry even before we were born, as the prophet Isaiah in the first reading writes: “the Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name.” This means that we are not the result of some accident, but we are part of God’s plan and have a purpose and a mission in life. Also, we have been called to preach the Good News of God’s salvation. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God has made our mouth a sharp sword or a sharpened arrow. This means that we cannot remain silent and remain hidden in our comfort zone.

Besides that, as God’s servant and prophet, we must remember that our reward comes from the Lord, and we should not expect any other earthly reward or payment for what we do. This means that we must not compromise the truth or allow ourselves to be bribed into diluting the truth, even though there will be people who will not like what we say. Moreover, our role is to bring a message of healing and reconciliation to all, just as John the Baptist preached a message of repentance and reconciliation, and called the people to turn back to God by turning away from their evil ways to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

Ultimately, we are to point the way to Jesus. We must decrease as Jesus increases. Our message and our ministry does not point to ourselves; and we must lead others to Christ, not to ourselves. All these points mentioned are precisely what John the Baptist did, and we are called to do the same by giving glory to God.

Today, as we celebrate the feast of the birthday of John the Baptist, let us learn from his example, for his example is precisely the model of Christian discipleship. May we, like John the Baptist, bear witness to the Light, and prepare others for the Lord.

Tuesday of Week 12 Year 1

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Many of us like to get things done as easily and as quickly as possible. We do not like to be stuck in a task or a situation for too long, and would try to find ways and means to get it done and get it over with. For example, when we are on the road and we notice a traffic jam coming up ahead, we would try to look for an alternative road to avoid the jam, so that we could reach our destination sooner. Many of us would use the highway to get to our destination quickly, since the highway usually has more lanes and is supposingly easier and faster to drive on. But if we consider for a moment, taking the highway or the alternative road may seem easier and faster to drive on, but it may not necessarily be safer. The alternative road may have much larger vehicles using it, and attempting to overtake such vehicles could be dangerous or even fatal, since it could be harder for us to see other incoming vehicles. The highway could tempt some of us to speed, and we may be at risk of getting a speeding ticket or even get into an accident.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Just as taking the highway or the alternative road may not be good for us, taking the wide and spacious road may lead us to perdition. This is because we sometimes try to cut corners and look for shortcuts in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God. We forget, fail to realise or refuse to admit that the alternative road or the highway seems easy and convenient, but we may become complacent, become distracted with other things, or slack in our concentration towards consistently and faithfully maintaining a good and healthy relationship with God. May we take heed and be alert of what sort of road we are using, and change course accordingly, lest the road we take leads us to our doom.

Monday of Week 12 Year 1

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It is easy for us to look at other people with coloured vision. Some of us see only the good in others, and fail to take notice of their not so good points. This may sometimes happen when, for example, a person is deeply or crazily in love and is not in a rational state of mind, and the person longs or pines for the other, even though the other person may not necessarily be a suitable partner. Some of us see only the bad in others, and we may pick on every minute detail, every imperfection the other has, and make it seem as if it is a big deal. But how many of us are humble enough or willing to accept a person for who he or she is, without looking at the other through our own filtered or coloured vision?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus admonishes us: “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, “Let me take the splinter out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” We sometimes find fault with others because we are trying to make them change according to our standards. Sometimes we find fault because we are unwilling to admit our own shortcomings and project our shortcomings on another person. But let us be reminded that all of us are not perfect, all of us are made differently, and sometimes what we think are imperfections are actually perfectly imperfect. Thus, let us be mindful not to allow our filters or coloured vision to take control of us, and let the Lord guide us, so that we would truly be thankful and appreciate others for who they are.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Life sometimes throws us a hurdle or a difficult situation which seems to have no solution or no way out. Some may feel as if their lives are crumbling to dust, or everything seems to be falling apart. Some feel as if they are in a boat which is being bombarded by waves at all sides, that it is close to being ripped apart or to the point of sinking; or some feel as if they are in a airplane being swayed dangerously around, to the point of almost stalling and falling from the sky. When we are in such a predicament, some of us may begin to question whether God really takes notice or cares. There are some of us who turn to God only at the moment of our need, when we are stuck in a rut or in a hopeless situation, but we may have forgotten about Him at other times, especially when times are good or when we are ok. On the other hand, some of us may be so overwhelmed by our problems that we have forgotten about God and we blame Him for deserting us. We accuse Him of doing nothing to help us and we are angry with Him because He does not seem to be helping us out according to our terms and our expectations. But the question is: is God answerable to us? Does He have to quickly rush to our aid without delay?

In today’s readings, we are reminded that no matter how big the problem, no matter how great the obstacle, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem, we will not be overwhelmed by it. This is because, as the second reading reminds us: “The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them.” When we have Christ’s overwhelming love, we no longer need to fear or be overwhelmed by other matters, since our lives are under His care and benevolence. Likewise, in the Gospel, Jesus admonishes us just as He admonished His disciples: “Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?” Jesus is the Lord of the storm and the seas; and the Lord of every problem, obstacle or situation that we may encounter, and He can help us if we allow him to be our Lord.

When we are faced with a problem or a difficult situation, we must allow Jesus to be our Lord and let Him give direction to our lives. The problem is: it is never easy for us to give up control, we want to take charge, we are reluctant or refuse to let go and let God take over. We continue to want to have control over the boat of our lives, even though we know that our efforts would not work out or even lead to disaster. But the fact of the matter is: do we want to remain in a vicious cycle, where we remain stubborn and try to face the situation or problem on our own, expecting God to get us out of our mess, only to end up angry and disappointed when it seems as if He is not helping? Or are we willing to let Jesus to take control, since it is He who must give directions and lead us according to His terms and for His glory; not we who give Him directions on what to do?

Sometimes the problem may seem to worsen, or we may have to live with the problem for the rest of our lives. But whatever the outcome may be, we must trust that God will take care of everything and provide us with what we need. Ultimately, it is His will be done, not our will be done. And if we are willing to accept God’s will and let Him be our guide and help, then there is no need for us to be disappointed, angry or fearful, since we can depend on God to do what is best for us. Are we willing and prepared to let God be God, and be comforted and cared for in His loving embrace?

Housekeeping – Week 11 Year 1

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

14 June 2015 – 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
15 June 2015 – Monday of Week 11 Year 1
16 June 2015 – Tuesday of Week 11 Year 1
17 June 2015 – Wednesday of Week 11 Year 1
18 June 2015 – Thursday of Week 11 Year 1
19 June 2015 – Friday of Week 11 Year 1

Friday of Week 11 Year 1

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As Christians, we are often tempted to be attracted to wealth, riches and property. The advertisements that we see on television or hear on the radio, the various posters and billboards that we see next to the road, all seem to bombard us with the message that wealth ought to be our ultimate purpose and goal in life. How do we survive and avoid such constant attacks and temptations?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Jesus reminds us that all the wealth, riches and property in the world are temporary, can be corrupted, can be stolen, and merely illusions. Such riches do not satisfy or bring us happiness, since we will never have enough of it. Instead, we should be focusing more on building a good relationship with God, since being with Him should be our ultimate goal. The question is: are we merely looking for that which is temporary, or are we looking for that which is eternal?

Thursday of Week 11 Year 1

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Whenever we do something wrong, it seems easy for us to ask God for forgiveness. After all, we do not actually see God, but we trust that God would be loving and merciful to us, and forgive us. But forgiveness is not just a one way street or one-sided. The forgiveness we ask from God has got a clause in the fine-print, something which some of us may overlook, ignore or fail to observe.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to 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.'” We ask for forgiveness from God, but some of us find it so difficult or so hard to forgive others, due to our pride, prejudice, ego, or even our arrogance. Let us be humble and willing to forgive others, since God is loving and forgiving to all of us, regardless of who or what we are.

Wednesday of Week 11 Year 1

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Every once in a while, we come across people who are quite tight fisted or stingy or calculative with their wealth and time. Such people expect the church to give them all kinds of things, but they themselves are quite reluctant to give in return. Some even put on a monkey face or sour face when giving, as if they are having their teeth pulled or they are undergoing some sort of extremely painful procedure. I recall with amusement a person asking for a tax-exemption receipt for a small donation, even though the sum donated was quite small and most people would have been embarrassed to ask for such a receipt in the first place.

In today’s reading, St. Paul cautions us: “Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works.”

Are we giving because we are being pressured or forced or coerced to? Or are we giving happily and willingly? Are we giving because we want to show off how wealthy, supposingly generous or how great we are? Or are we giving to glorify God? Let us be reminded that God is generous to each and every one of us by being our providence and guide, and what He grants us is far more substantial than what we could ever give.

Tuesday of Week 11 Year 1

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As humans, we like to receive affection and assurance from others. When a person says nice things to us or praises us for something we had done, we feel good and feel happy. But if we consider for a moment, people who say nice things and praise us are often our friends or people who like us. What about those people who are our enemies, or have got something against us, or just plain dislike us for one reason or another? How do we respond to such people?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

If we are loving and good only to those who like us or who are our friends, then we are no different from others who do the same. As Christians, we are challenged to go beyond this and be loving and good to all, regardless of whether they like us or are friendly to us or otherwise. Who knows, by being good and loving to all, we may be helping our enemies and others who dislike us to have a change of heart, for God works in mysterious ways and can do wonders for us. May we continue to glorify God in all we do, and trust in His love and providence.

Monday of Week 11 Year 1

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What sort of people are we? Are we followers of Christ? Or have some of us begun to be more and more worldly in our attitude, behaviour and conduct? Calling ourselves followers of Christ is fine and good, but what matters more is that we show that we really are followers, not just in words, but especially in deeds.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “We prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress; when we are flogged, or sent to prison, or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving. We prove we are God’s servants by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by a spirit of holiness, by a love free from affectation; by the word of truth and by the power of God; by being armed with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, prepared for honour or disgrace, for blame or praise; taken for impostors while we are genuine; obscure yet famous; said to be dying and here are we alive; rumoured to be executed before we are sentenced; thought most miserable and yet we are always rejoicing; taken for paupers though we make others rich, for people having nothing though we have everything.”

Ultimately, all that we do, all that we say, is for the glory of God. Being a follower of Christ and a servant of God means there is no place for personal glory or personal gratification. If we are faithful and glorify God in all we do, we can find joy and confidence in His love and care.