Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 12th

Thursday of Week 12 Year 1

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There are some people who seem to think that they can get by as Christians by doing the barest minimum. Some of these people know how to talk, know how to make lots of suggestions, know how to complain and grumble when things are not in their favour, but that seems to be all they know. When they are asked to help improve on the situation, or offer their services to make things right, these people would begin to make lots of excuses or distance themselves, refusing to get involved and do their part.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” It is easy for people to talk, but not so easy for them to do things, especially when it comes to doing God’s will. Are we Christians only in name, preferring to be complacent and remain in our comfort zone, refusing to do our part for the glory of God?

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?

Thursday of Week 12 Year 2

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Many of us may claim to know Jesus. We claim to have participated in church, helped in different ministries, did some charity, got involved in other church activities, etc. But does Jesus know us? Or do we claim that Jesus knows us because of the many good we supposingly have done, but the reality is Jesus actually does not know us? How can we tell?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’” We can be doing so many good things, but are the things we do the will of God, or our own will? Sometimes we may do things that appear to be according to God’s will, and we are blinded and convinced that it is, but the fact is what we are doing may actually be our own will, for our own gratification, our own fame and glory.

Let us discern carefully. Why do we do what we do? Are we aware of the will of God, or are we merely satisfying our own desires and needs?

Wednesday of Week 12 Year 2

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What sort of fruits are you producing in the eyes of God? Are you producing good fruit? Or have you been neglecting your duties and end up producing bad fruit? Some of us may claim to be preaching the good news, but we do so only with words. Our actions, behaviour, attitude and way of life are a contradiction to what we say. In the eyes of the world, we may appear to be producing good fruit, and our track record may seem show it. But the heart can sometimes be devious and the actions of a person may in actuality and in reality be only for one’s personal benefit, gratification, glory.

Today’s Gospel warns us “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.” We may be preaching the good news, but the motive on why we do so may not necessarily for the glory of God. Are we guilty of this? We can disguise our intentions, but let us be reminded that God sees all and we may end up being a false prophet.

Monday of Week 12 Year 2

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It seems easy to find fault or imperfections in others. We think that others should behave like this or like that, or they should look like this or like that, or they should get rid of a certain habit, etc. But how many of us are diligent and humble enough to discover and rectify our own faults or imperfections? Sometimes the faults and imperfections we see in others are in reality our own which we project on others. We may feel too proud or ashamed to admit our faults, weaknesses and imperfections, and so we try to blame others, hoping that no one will notice our true self.

Jesus in today’s Gospel questions 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.” Are we still being stubborn and hypocritical in trying to change others while refusing to change ourselves? Have we become so thick-skinned that we think we are ok and others are not? Let us open our eyes and hearts, and be humble enough to realise our true selves and let God help us change our lives and attitudes.