Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 10th

Wednesday of Week 10 Year 1

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In each country which practices some form of democracy, there is a set of laws which do not change so easily. We call such laws constitutions, since such laws are fundamental principles or established precedents that determine how a country is to be governed. Such constitutions are there to ensure that all persons, regardless of their faith or upbringing, share the same rights and privileges (at least, that is what it is supposed to ensure.)

In today’s Gospel: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.'” Jesus said this probably because His disciples were thinking that Jesus was starting a revolution against the religious system at that time, and they were looking forward to some radical change. Instead of the kind of change the disciples expected, Jesus was actually helping his disciples and us too to return to the original meaning of the Law and the Prophets, sort of like the original constitution so to speak, since the original meaning had been diluted and interpreted to suit the scribes and the Pharisees.

What about us? Are we adhering to the original meaning of our faith, in loving God and loving neighbour? Or have some of us tried to change the original meaning of our faith to suit our needs and purposes? May we adhere to the original meaning of our faith, and in all we do, give God the glory.

Tuesday of Week 10 Year 1

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When we buy an item or product such as a handphone or a computer, we hope that the item or product would last for quite some time. But what happens if the item or product is damaged and cannot be repaired, or the item or product is no longer usable due to advances in technology? Quite likely we would discard them, since such items are considered useless and keeping such items or products around would mean we are accumulating junk.

In today’s gospel, Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt adds flavour to food, and light enables all to see. When salt becomes tasteless, it become useless and is thrown away. When the light bulb is spoiled, the light bulb become useless as it no longer able to produce light, and it is thrown away. Likewise, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and if we as salt and light do not use our gifts and talents to add flavour to the lives of all, as well as to light up the way, we may end up useless and end up being thrown away. Are we allowing ourselves to become useless through our pride, ego and indifference, and risk being thrown away?

Monday of Week 10 Year 1

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Throughout the week, many people would have slogged it out in their work or studies. They would have had to go through many challenges, suffering or even pain. Then when Friday comes, some of such persons would say “Thank Goodness It’s Friday” or TGIF. But the excitement of Friday is only for a short while, since eventually, we would come back to Monday again. When Monday comes, some of such persons would then say “Monday blues” since it is back to the grinding mill or back to work. But is Monday really that bad a day? Do we see Monday as going back to suffering?

In the 1st reading, we are presented with two perspectives of “suffering.” One perspective is that God will comfort us in all our sorrows (and suffering) so that we can offer others, in their sorrow, the consolation that we have received from God. The other perspective is that when we are “made” to suffer, then it is for the consolation and the salvation of others. What this means is that suffering and sorrow have a redemptive value and it can be a source of consolation. This redemptive value and source of consolation can be seen when we look at the Gospel, where the beatitudes remind us that suffering and sorrow can be blessings.

So what does this mean to us? What this means is that Monday, or any other day for that matter, is not that bad after all. This is because we can receive consolation from the Lord, especially when we are suffering in His Name or for His glory. May we look at each day as a blessing, and offer each day to God, doing all things not for our ego or pride, but for His greater glory.

Friday of Week 10 Year 2

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We sometimes have the impression that just because God is Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Omniscient (all knowing), he should reveal Himself in a spectacular or powerful way. Some of us think that a good example of God being revealed is through natural events such as a strong wind like a tornado or typhoon; or an erupting volcano; or a deafening thunder followed with frightening lightning; or a tremendous earthquake; or through some other powerful means which could be scary or phenomenal. But how does God really reveal Himself?

In today’s reading, we discover that God revealed Himself in a way least expected. He revealed Himself to Elijah in the sound of a gentle breeze. Just imagine, we have God who reveals to us not in a spectacular or powerful way according to what we expect, but in a calm and gentle way. This gives us some insight about God, that despite being Omnipotent and Omniscient, He has no need to show off or prove Himself. Likewise, we as children of God need not show off or prove ourselves, since we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of our qualifications, capabilities, strengths and abilities. May we learn from our Divine Master and providence, and remain humble and rooted in His love and care.

Thursday of Week 10 Year 2

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It is very easy for some of us to become like the scribes and Pharisees. Some of you may say: “Yerr! This padre so bad one. Call us scribe and Pharisees.” But if we think about it for a moment, we could somewhat agree that it is indeed easy and possible for some of us to become like the scribes and Pharisees. How so? How can? It’s like this: What is the problem the scribes and Pharisees had? Firstly, they excelled in following the letter of the law. They even added numerous sub-laws to so-called compliment God’s law, forgetting or ignoring that basically, God’s law is not that complicated, since God’s law is basically only two, that is to love God and to love neighbour. But all they were interested was to follow the letter of the law, and not the spirit or purpose of the law. Secondly, the scribes and Pharisees knew how to make other people feel bad, since they thought that they were ok and everyone else was not ok. Thirdly, the scribes and Pharisees were famous for not practising what they preach, as we have seen in many examples in the Gospel. Could some of us be like the scribes and Pharisees, looking at what sort of persons they were, and what sort of persons some of us are becoming or have become?

That is why, in today’s Gospel, we are cautioned: “If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” When we are so full of ourselves; when we think that everyone else is wrong and we are right; when we belittle others or put others down, just because they do not think, behave or act like we do; when we are self-righteous and condemn others; we may actually be like the scribes and Pharisees. One example I have observed is when a person comes for confession, but instead of confessing one’s sins, the person begins to complain about or condemn other people, and when asked why they came to confession in the first place, such persons say that they have been wronged, they are ok or innocent, and they are angry or upset that other people or not treating them right or listening to them. Is that what confession is all about? Are such persons not behaving like the scribes and Pharisees?

Thus, let us ask ourselves. Are we learning to love God and neighbour sincerely and genuinely? Are we concerned about our relationship, especially with others, and are willing to be patient, persistent, firm but kind? Or are we cold or hard hearted, like the scribes and Pharisees, who thought that they were holy and faultless, and others are doomed?

Wednesday of Week 10 Year 2

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God can sometimes have a very interesting sense of humour. When people try to worship idols and other so called gods, He would sometimes show how silly and futile such an activty could be, and in doing so, those involved would learn who is really the true God, and those who witness would be more convinced to return to His path.

In today’s reading, we come across a confrontation between Elijah and 450 prophets of Baal. Mathematically speaking, Elijah did not seem to stand a chance against so many prophets of Baal, but what these phophets failed to realise is that God was supporting Elijah. In the end, the prophets of Baal ended up losing to Elijah, because God showed them that only He is the true God.

What does this mean to us? It means that we should take caution and not end up worshipping false gods. We should be worshipping only God. Sometimes we may fall into the trap of worshipping false gods, when we begin to focus our attention only to wealth, power, and things, which could become like gods to us. May we focus more on our relationship with God, knowing that only He can grant us eternal joy.

Tuesday of Week 10 Year 2

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When we are having a problem or facing a crisis, what do we do? Perhaps we may pray and beseech God to help us through. But what if our prayers do not seem to be answered, even though we may have prayed fervently, then what do we do? Would we continue to pray, with patience and persistence, knowing and trusting that God would do what is best for us? Or would some of us begin to try looking for other means of help, only to find that those other means are really no help at all?

In today’s reading, the woman from Zarephath was facing a crisis, since there was famine and she was at her wits end as to how to feed her son and herself, once the last bit of meal and oil is finished. To make matters worse, the woman was a widow, and widows in those days would have experienced much hardship, especially if they did not have much wealth or property left behind by their deceased spouse. Fortunately for this widow, her prayers were answered because she obeyed Elijah’s instructions  “The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.” Because of her obedience and trust in God, the woman and her son were saved from imminent suffering and death.

What about us? Are we willing to have full trust and confidence in God, with patience and persistence? Sometimes, especially in today’s world, we may be so used to getting things done quickly. But God’s ways are not our ways, and if we are willing to wait and let Him do what is best for us, we may receive even more than what we hoped for.

Monday of Week 10 Year 2

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Sometimes, we come across people who are so obstinate and stubborn, that we are unable to help them change right away. Such people may need to be left alone for a while, so that they may perhaps come to their senses or acknowledge their error, before they could be helped. One example of such a person is found in today’s reading. In today’s reading, we come across king Ahab, who had done wrong towards God, but had refused to admit it, or acknowledge his error. As a result, the prophet Elijah left the presence of Ahab, until such a time Ahab was ready to repent and return to God’s ways.

What about us? Have we been so stubborn and obstinate and refused to mend our ways and right our relationship with God? Just as Ahab ended experiencing severe drought in his kingdom until such a time he made amends with God, we too may experience a severe drought in our soul, until we realise our folly and return to God’s help and providence. May we come to realise our error and change our ways, before it becomes too late.

Housekeeping – Week 10 Year 2

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

5 June 2016 – 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
6 June 2016 – Monday of Week 10 Year 2
7 June 2016 – Tuesday of Week 10 Year 2
8 June 2016 – Wednesday of Week 10 Year 2
9 June 2016 – Thursday of Week 10 Year 2
10 June 2016 – Friday of Week 10 Year 2

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

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Each and every one of us would have gone through some form of suffering in our lives. Suffering can either make or break us. We are familiar with what some people have done to themselves because of suffering: they become withdrawn; they feel they can’t take it any longer; some even despair and end it all by committing suicide. We are also familiar with how some people have handled their suffering: they could still smile sweetly and live normally, having a positive outlook and depending on God’s help with patience and confidence. What about us? How would we respond to suffering? What about the sufferings of other people? What have we done when we are confronted by the suffering of other people? What have we done when people share their pains and sufferings with us? Have we remained unmoved or have we involved ourselves in their suffering by lending a compassionate ear or extending a helping hand?

In today’s readings we learn that there are people who really do care about other people; that they do not keep their distance from others in their sufferings but instead do something to help them. This was what Elijah did to the widow of Zarephath in the first reading, where Elijah petitioned for God’s help and brought her son back to life. This was also what the townspeople did in the Gospel for the widow of Nain, by giving her their support as her son’s body was being carried out for burial. Jesus also did something spectacular for the widow of Nain, by raising her son back to life.

Do we not see examples of Elijah and Jesus in the way some of us deal with people who come to us? When a person comes to us in need, do we make effort to give him or her our time, or do we often make excuses, saying to ourselves that we have more important things to do? If we are making excuses and avoiding people to do our own thing, then perhaps the words “God has visited his people” in today’s Gospel can never be said of us.

Today, let us make time for others when they are in need. Sometimes, the time we offer to them could mean much more than all the sermons we could utter, or even the financial aid we could offer. Let us be men and women of God, bringing His love and compassion to others, so that in all we say and do, His name be glorified.