Category Archives: 10th

We sometimes comes across certain persons or cultures that find it hard or even disrespectful to speak frankly. Such persons or cultures have been conditioned to think that the ‘face’ or ‘saving face’ is paramount, and that speaking frankly or telling it like it is could cause another person to “lose face” which is incomprehensible, unimaginable or even a taboo. This can lead to much miscommunication or misunderstanding, because one could never be too sure what such persons or cultures really mean, since a yes could mean a no or even a maybe.

As Christians, we too have a ‘Christian culture’ as shown in today’s Gospel. The Gospel tells us: “Do not swear: All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no.” When we swear, we may be trying avoid another from ‘losing face’ but in doing so, we may sometimes find ourselves unable to fulfil what we swore; or we may even end up telling lies. May we come to realise the importance of saying what we mean and meaning what we say, and all that we say and do, we give glory to God.

One of the challenges we face when dealing with persons of different cultures is that in some cultures, speaking plainly and clearly is expected; whereas in other cultures, the ‘face’ is so important that persons of such cultures would try their level best not to cause another to ‘lose face.’ When the ‘face’ is important, some persons would try to break the news, whether good or bad, in such a way that the other person would not be ’embarrassed’, so to speak. Such an approach has led to misunderstandings and even ill-feelings, when different cultures clash.

As Christians, we too have a ‘Christian culture’ as shown in today’s Gospel. The Gospel tells us: “Do not swear: All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no.” When we swear, we may be trying avoid another from ‘losing face’ but in doing so, we may sometimes find ourselves unable to fulfil what we swore; or we may even end up telling lies. May we come to realise the importance of saying what we mean and meaning what we say, and all that we say and do, we give glory to God.

It is interesting to observe the enthusiasm of some of those who have been newly baptised. They seem so excited of being a new child of God, and some begin to get involved in various church ministries with passion and vigour. Fast forward several years later, would such faithful still have got that same drive and passion they had when they were newly baptised? Or have some become complacent or even burned out; or even to the extent of going back to their old ways and old habits?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God’s work. It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation… So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God.”

If we are a new creation and ambassadors of Christ, then we should not slacken in our passion and vigour to preach the Good News. We should not rest on our laurels or even go back to our old ways. Instead, let us continue to do our duty in sharing the Good News through words and deeds, and glorify God in our efforts.

What is the difference between interest and commitment? When we speak about interest, we are speaking about the interest to do something only when circumstances permit; or if it is convenient to do so; or if there is some sort of incentive or benefit to it. But how many of us are willing to take it to the next level, where we become committed to the task without excuses, even if it means much inconvenience, challenges, or difficulties? For example, when we speak about preparing bacon and eggs for a meal, the chicken merely provides eggs as its involvement, since it is convenient for it to do so. But the pig has to offer its life as a total commitment, so that ham could be provided as bacon. Are we merely content in being like the chicken, providing only that which is convenient; or are we willing to be like the pig, even to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice?

In today’s reading, we come across Elisha who was called by Elijah to follow him, where Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha as a sign to follow him. Elisha initially showed interest in following Elijah, by offering to follow him after kissing his father and mother. But when confronted with a choice between showing interest and making a commitment, Elisha chose to make a total commitment in following Elijah, by slaughtering the two oxen he had, using the plough to cook the oxen, and then giving the meal to his men to eat.

What about us? We say that we are followers of Jesus. We say that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. But are we following Jesus only out of interest, when it is convenient to us? Are we brothers and sisters in Christ only when it is beneficial to us? Or are we totally committed in following Jesus, walk in His ways, and truly live and behave as brothers and sisters in Christ?