Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 17th

Tuesday of Week 17 Year 1

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Some of us seem to be looking for quick solutions or instant gratification in this world. Some of us may become increasingly impatient when we do not get what we want or achieve what we desire. This could lead us to commit sin, especially when the options we think are open to us involve acts or practices which are wicked, mean, sinful or illegal. Some of us may have gone ahead and committed sin, because we allowed our pride and ego to take control of us. As we continue to try and satisfy our desires, we may find that we have drifted further and further away from God. But God is ever patient. He is constantly calling us to return to Him. In spite of the many sins we may have committed, God is willing to take us back if we are willing to repent, seek forgiveness and change our ways. The question is: are we allowing ourselves to be consumed by our pride and ego, or are we willing to let go and let God take control?

In today’s Gospel, we come across an explanation of the parable about the darnel. Jesus had cautioned us: “Just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!” Have we become more and more worldly and committed all sorts of evil or offences to satisfy our desires, and feed our ego and pride? Are we refusing to change our ways and remain like the darnel, only to face eternal damnation at the end? God is ever patient and merciful, and He is waiting for us to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. It is up to us to make the decision to change, and do our utmost best to avoid any occasion of sin, with the help of God.

Monday of Week 17 Year 1

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Some of us may have felt quite insecure as babies, toddlers or young children, when our parents were not around, even for a short moment. When our parents were not nearby even for a short moment, some of us may get into trouble or danger, and our parents would end up having to run and rescue us from our predicament. When we went to school or kindergarten for the first time, some of us may have created a scene and were reluctant to let go of mum (in some cases, even dad), and we would be bawling away. Actually, our parents were still around but in our mind, we may have been fearful and feeling insecure, thinking that they had abandoned us. It must have been quite stressful for our parents to have to put up with our behaviour during those early years. Fortunately, we would have eventually grown out of such fear and learnt to carry on without having to have our parents being present or keeping an eye on us all the time.

In today’s reading, we come across the sons of Israel who were behaving like babies, toddlers or young children. Just because Moses was not around for a moment, the sons of Israel thought that Moses and even God had abandoned them and they became increasingly worried and insecure. This made them make a gold calf to be their god to go at their head. Of course, their idolatry was inexcusable, and Moses had to plead with God on their behalf. Moses certainly was like a parent, frazzled with such attitude and behaviour among the sons of Israel, and yet, God was still merciful and continued to guide them.

Sometimes we may have been impatient, felt insecure, and feared being abandoned by God, especially when we are experiencing difficulties, persecution or even the possibility of death. But let us not despair or go off seeking other forms of help or even other so called gods, for God can and will help us. It is a question of whether we are willing to have full trust in God and be patient, humble and willing to let God take care of us, according to His time and for His glory.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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What sort of world do we live in these days? Is the wealth of the world fairly and evenly distributed? Most likely, the wealth of the world is controlled by a few, maybe about less than ten percent of the entire world’s population. Some countries have got lots of resources, but these countries are often unwilling to share such resources with poorer countries, unless there is some benefit or advantage in it for them. For example, certain countries produces more than enough grain or other foodstuff to feed many of the poor in the world, but how much of these is shared? What is the problem here? It is basically greed and selfishness. Some people only think of themselves, are unwilling to share with others, are more concerned about protecting what is theirs, and in some cases even to the point of trying to increase what they have at the expense of others. Likewise, we see the same matter in our churches. There are many people who are skilled or talented in one way or another, but some people seem to be interested in using their skill or talent only if there is some sort of benefit, advantage or perk attached. It is like as if “what’s in it for me” is more important than “how can I be of service to glorify God.” It seems quite difficult to get some people to volunteer their talent or offer their help happily and willingly, since such people rather spend time shopping, going to the movies, making holiday trips, and sleeping, than spend that time serving in the church or helping someone else. Such people prefer to take care of their own needs and have time only for themselves and not for others. But as Christians, what sort of stance or attitude should we be having?

In today’s second reading, St. Paul reminds us to “bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience.” Today’s Gospel goes further by giving us a wonderful example of the kind of miracles that may happen when one is generous to share what little we possess. Many people think that the gospel story is merely a miracle where Jesus took five barley loaves and two fish and performed a miracle so that all five thousand men (not counting the women and children) could have enough to eat. But if we look closer, we would discover that the Gospel is more than that. It is about the generosity of the small boy who offered all that he had, five loaves and two fish. The disciples were not prepared to share. They felt that they had only enough for themselves to eat. But the boy was prepared to give up his food for others. He was not embarrassed about the amount that he had. He was prepared to give all that he had, although it may seem little to others. And what did Jesus do? He did what others thought was impossible, He fed so many with so few. Miracles happen when people are willing and happy to share what they have with others. When people are willing and happy to do so, there will always be enough. When we are prepared to share, God blesses us with much more. But for those who are not willing to share because they feel as if there is not enough to go around, no matter how much they try to amass and protect their resources, there will never be enough. They will never be satisfied, even if all has been given to them.

As Christians, we are supposed to be examples to others in our families, our community and our country. We are supposed to “bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience.” But if we take a good hard look at our lives, our behaviour, our attitude, and our conduct, are we living good Christian lives and practising Christian virtues? Are we following the example of Christ? Or have we become more and more immersed with the ways of the world, where greed, power, ego, ruthlessness, selfishness, impatience, intolerance and other kinds of vices seem to be more and more dominant? What is it that ultimately matters to us: the ways of Christ, or the ways of the world? May we be wise, careful and prudent with our choice, for our eternal future and happiness is at stake.

Friday of Week 17 Year 2

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There are many places a priest or religious is sent to to serve a community for a certain period of time. However, if one notices, the priest or religious is seldom sent to his or her hometown or home parish. Even if he or she is sent there, it may be only for a short while and then he or she is transferred elsewhere. One reason why this is so is mentioned in today’s Gospel.

In today’s Gospel, we read: “”A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.” At their hometown or home parish, a priest or religious may have been known from a young age. People may have become familiar with him or her as he or she grew up. Some people may think that they know the person well enough and it becomes difficult for them to accept advise, criticism, correction or teaching from the person. Jesus did not work many mighty deeds in his hometown because the people there lacked faith in Him, and thought they knew Him well enough. In the same way, a priest or religious may also be unable to carry out his or her mission in his or her hometown, because of lack of faith in him or her. In this situation, we could say that for some, “familiarity breeds contempt” to a certain extent.

However, this situation boils down to attitude and a willingness and openness to be guided, even by a son or daughter of the home parish. Seeing how short we are in priestly and religious vocations, we may some day have not much choice in who will come to serve our community. Are we going to allow our prejudices and so called familiarity with a person to become a stumbling block in our efforts towards spiritual growth?

Thursday of Week 17 Year 2

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If 2 items were placed before you: a large boulder and a piece of clay, which of the two would you identify yourself with, especially in your behaviour, attitude and present spiritual situation? Would you consider yourself hard and unmoving like the boulder, or would you see yourself as pliable and mouldable like the piece of clay? Many of us may like to think that we are like the piece of clay, but sometimes our way of life, our attitude, our behaviour and our actions prove otherwise.

In today’s reading: “I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.” Just as the Lord constantly worked on the Israelites and tried to help them come back to Him, the Lord is also constantly working on us, beckoning us to turn back to Him and depend on Him. Are we willing and humble enough to allow ourselves to be like the object of clay, so that the Lord can transform us into something even more wonderful?

Wednesday of Week 17 Year 2

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We face all sorts of challenges in life: from the time we were born; the time we took our first steps; the time we started kindergarten and then school, then college, then university; the time we started working; perhaps for some, looking for a life partner; for some, getting married; then starting a family; till today. Throughout the many stages of our lives, we have depended on our family and friends to guide us along the way. But how many of us have turned to God for help; perhaps falling away from Him at some point in our lives, and then returning once again to Him?

In today’s reading, we are comforted with the fact that we have a loving God who waits patiently for us to turn to Him and depend on Him. The reading tells us: “If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand; …For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.” Throughout our lives, we may have done many right and wrong things. God invites us to repent and return in friendship with Him. He will care for us and protect us, provided that we are willing and humble enough to let Him take control. Are we going to wait or ignore His promptings?

Monday of Week 17 Year 2

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Throughout our lives, God has been patient towards us. Sometimes we fall and pick ourselves up, and yet God is willing to give us lots of chances and opportunities to turn back to Him. However, the choice of whether to do the will of God or to do things our own way is entirely up to us. God is not going to force us to be with Him; we choose to be with Him or otherwise.

In today’s reading, the people of Judah and Jerusalem had chosen to remain stubborn and evil. The reading tells us: “This evil people who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the dictates of their own hard hearts, who have followed alien gods, and served them and worshipped them, let them become like this loincloth, good for nothing.” Have some of us become like these people of Judah and Jerusalem, our hearts hardened, just like the loincloth and good for nothing? Have we forgotten who we are? Let us be mindful of our choice for our eternal future.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

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What do we value most in our life? Do we value most our wealth, our property, our popularity, our position, our status, our credentials, qualifications and titles, our family, or our extended family? Perhaps we value one or a few of these things or people, but are these things and people all that matter to us? How long would we be able to hold on to these things or people? Would we be able to keep them securely and indefinitely?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us something which we should value most. Jesus is telling us that that which we value most is not our money or possessions, not our titles or qualifications, not even our loved ones. Jesus is telling us that that which we should value most is the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus says: “‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.”

All that we have, whether it be material things, titles or relationships are temporary. We could lose them eventually in one way or another. It is only the Kingdom of Heaven which remains and we are united with God and His Kingdom when we do His will, and also when we are are united with one another. Solomon in today’s first reading also realised how much more important the Kingdom of Heaven is when he asked God for wisdom instead of wealth, power and other things. Solomon knew and chose wisdom to understand the will of God. To know what God wants of us is the only thing that matters.

Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that all that we have here on earth are all that matters. Everything that we have is only temporary. We cannot bring our wealth, titles and relationships with us when we die. Let us make more effort to do the will of God, and be united with Him and each other in His Kingdom. Let us place God as our primary focus and highest value for the betterment of our eternal future.