Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 18th

Friday of Week 18 Year 2

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As children, we were encouraged to work hard so that we would do well in school. If we did well in school and attained good grades, then we may have opportunities to go to university. If we study hard and do well in university, we may graduate with honours or even go on to do a Masters degree or PhD. With such qualifications, we may be able to get a good job, with a good pay, and have a comfortable life. But notice that all these are geared only towards life here on earth. What have we been doing for our preparation towards eternal life? Are we preparing at all?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded: “What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?” We may get plenty of wealth, recognition, titles, fame and other things this world has to offer, but would these things be of any use if we ruin our eternal future? All that we have here on earth are only temporary things, and while it is necessary for us to survive in this world, we should also focus especially in our relationship with God. May we take the necessary measures to get back on track with our relationship with God, while we have time and opportunities to do so.

Thursday of Week 18 Year 2

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It is not easy for some of us to forgive others, especially if these others have done something very serious or caused us great pain or harm. The easiest thing for some of us would be to seek retribution or revenge, since some of us think that we deserve justice and the person who has wronged us should get his or her just desserts. But how many of us are willing to forgive such persons, despite the amount of hurt and pain the person has caused us? Are we willing to forgive and move on? Or are we forgiving but still harbouring the hurt in us?

In today’s reading, God is willing to forgive the Israelites their iniquity and never call their sin to mind. This means that God is not going to hold anything against the Israelites, and He is willing to guide them as His people. Likewise, God is willing to forgive us too for the many sins we may have committed against Him and against others. If God is willing to forgive and move on, why can”t we do the same? Are we too proud or egoistic to let go of the hurt and move on? When we forgive, we are not allowing the hurt to control us any longer, and we are freed from further hurt and pain. May we learn to forgive others, just as God forgives us, and let God help us become better persons.

Wednesday of Week 18 Year 2

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Are you aware how much God loves you? Sometimes you may feel that God is not present or not helping, but actually He is there. He may not always grant our desires right away, but He knows when to give us help and care. After all, God was even willing to send us His own Son, Jesus, to redeem us and to save us from our sins. If God is so willing to do such things for us, then there is no reason for us to worry or fret or doubt His love.

In today’s reading, we are reassured of God’s love for us: “I have loved you with an everlasting love,
so I am constant in my affection for you.” God’s love for us is not just for a certain period or for a certain reason, but His love is unconditional and everlasting. Even though we may have run away from His love, even though we may have done wrong, God is still loving us and beckoning us to return to His love and care. Let us not be so stubborn or afraid, and come back to Him, so that we can find rest for our soul.

Tuesday of Week 18 Year 2

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When a parent punishes a child, the parent may use harsh words or raise the voice. Some parents, especially those who come from an older or traditional background, may resort to giving a little smack. Those of us who are older may remember our parents using the cane or rod to give us a little whack for being naughty or mischievous. But generally, our parents said or did such things not because they hated or despised us, they did so because they loved us and those methods of disciplining were the only ways known to them at that time. After all, we were born without a user manual, and our parents did what they thought was best for us.

In the same way, in today’s reading, God had been quite harsh to the Israelites because of their stubbornness, sin, iniquity and obstinate refusal to change. It took many punishments and suffering for the Israelites to learn their lesson, but God did so to help them realise that ultimately, He is the one and only God. Eventually, God even restored His people and said: “And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

What about us? When God punishes us for something we have done wrong, when we are reprimanded for sinning, will be be humble and docile in accepting such correction? We may feel pain and suffering at first, but by going through such correction, we may become better persons. Let us not feel dejected, since God is our help and guide, and all He does for us is for our own good.

Monday of Week 18 Year 2

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Being a prophet is not something which one takes upon himself or herself, and the message to be delivered is to be from God, regardless whether message is good or bad. Sometimes, we come across so-called prophets who curry-favour or win over people who crave for good news, with the intention of gaining popularity, wealth and fame. Such so-called prophets are what we call false prophets, misusing the word “prophet” for their own ends and purposes.

In today’s reading, we come across an example of a false prophet named Hananiah. The reading warns us of the consequences of being a false prophet: “The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, ‘Listen carefully, Hananiah: the Lord has not sent you; and thanks to you this people are now relying on what is false. Hence – the Lord says this, “I am going to throw you off the face of the earth: you are going to die this year since you have preached apostasy from the Lord.”‘ The prophet Hananiah died the same year, in the seventh month.” As we can see, a false prophet is asking for trouble, since such persons are not only deceiving others, but they would also face the wrath of God.

Are any among us behaving like a false prophet? Let us take heed of the warning the reading gives us. Let us stop our false ways and the nonsense we have been saying and doing, repent and return to God’s ways, before it is too late.

Housekeeping – Week 18 Year 2

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

31 July 2016 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
1 Aug 2016 – Monday of Week 18 Year 2
2 Aug 2016 – Tuesday of Week 18 Year 2
3 Aug 2016 – Wednesday of Week 18 Year 2
4 Aug 2016 – Thursday of Week 18 Year 2
5 Aug 2016 – Friday of Week 18 Year 2

Wednesday of Week 18 Year 2

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How persistent and consistent are we in asking God for help? Do we ask God with hope or perseverance, or do we so easily give up when help does not seem to come? Are we patient enough to let God do what is best for us? Or do we expect God to cure us immediately, and when He does not submit to our demands, we begin to go for other sources, hoping and expecting these to help us, only to end up being disappointed? Sometimes, such other sources may not only be unable to help us, but may cause us even more problems. Then what happens? What would we do?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a Canaanite woman whose daughter is tormented by a devil. Jesus seemed reluctant to help her, since Jews generally do not have anything to do with Canaanites, and Jesus was a Jew “sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the Canaanite woman was persistent, patient and being humble enough to continuously call out to Jesus and seek His help. In the end, Jesus gave the woman what she wanted, saying: “Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.”

What about us? Are we going to grumble and pout when Jesus does not seem to be helping us? Or are we going to follow the example of the Canaanite woman, who showed us what it means to be persistent, patient and humble? May we let Jesus do what is best for us, in His time and for His glory.

Tuesday of Week 18 Year 2

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Every once in a while, we come across difficulties and challenges in life. Sometimes we feel as if such difficulties and troubles are too overwhelming, so much so that we may be tempted to give up. Instead of continuing to fervently pray and depend on God’s help, some may have doubted in God’s providence and turned to other forms of help thinking that these would really help them, only to later find that they are of no help.

In today’s Gospel, the disciples were battling with a heavy sea, and they doubted when Jesus came towards them, thinking that He was a ghost. Peter also doubted when he felt the force of the wind, took fright and began to sink, and Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. When we doubt, we begin to question whether God is able to help us. We fail to realise that God can help us, but according to His time. When we ask God for help, we cannot expect or demand that He will help us immediately according to our terms. Are we trying to control God? Let us be patient and persistent in prayer, knowing that God can and will help us. When and how? Trust and pray, go do your best today, and leave it in the hands of the Lord.

Monday of Week 18 Year 2

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Every once in a while, we come across people who claim to be some sort of prophet of God. They start to tell others all sorts of messages, and sometimes people can be so easily duped by such so-called prophets. The fact is, being a prophet is not something which one takes upon himself or herself, and the message to be delivered is to be from God, not some message which sounds good or pleasing to others. Sometimes, the motivation behind such so-called prophets is to curry-favour or win over people who crave for good news, with the intention of gaining popularity, wealth and fame. Such so-called prophets are what we call false prophets, misusing the word “prophet” for their own ends and purposes.

In today’s reading, we come across an example of a false prophet named Hananiah. The reading warns us of the consequences of being a false prophet: “The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, ‘Listen carefully, Hananiah: the Lord has not sent you; and thanks to you this people are now relying on what is false. Hence – the Lord says this, “I am going to throw you off the face of the earth: you are going to die this year since you have preached apostasy from the Lord.”‘ The prophet Hananiah died the same year, in the seventh month.” As we can see, a false prophet is asking for trouble, since such persons are not only deceiving others, but they would also face the wrath of God.

If any among us are behaving like a false prophet, let us take heed of the warning the reading gives us. Let us not think that God is not watching or ignoring our deeds, but stop our false ways and the nonsense we have been saying and doing. Let us repent and return to God’s ways, before it is too late.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

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Among the many things that concern us in this life here on earth, one which ranks quite high is security. We are concerned about security not only in ensuring that our family and us are safe from robbers, brigands, thieves and other undesirable characters, we are also concerned about other forms of security such as wealth and property. To plan for the future and save up for a rainy day, we make much effort to buy insurance policies, make investments, save money in banks, because we are often thinking about our financial future and the future of our children.

The question is: as Christians, is it wrong to work for security for our families and for ourselves here on earth? Of course not. We still need to live and survive on earth. But what we should be aware of is our yearning for security here on earth should be put in its proper perspective. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us of a rich farmer who had a perspective for security which caused him to lose it all in the end. What was the rich farmer’s mistake? What did he do wrong? He was greedy. He was “storing up treasures for himself.” Jesus warned us before telling the story of the rich farmer by giving us this warning: “Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.” Greed causes a person to rely solely on material possessions for his security, since having material possessions makes him think that he is in control of his life, and he begins to depend only on himself for his security, forgetting that he has obtained all these riches only through the grace of God. Ultimately, he forgets that his life is in God’s hands. Greed prevented the rich farmer from thinking of others and sharing with others what he has. Instead, he had plans to build more barns and thought of  hoarding or “storing treasures for himself” and for no one else.

So does this mean that having riches and wealth is sinful or wrong? No. Jesus is not condemning riches, but He is telling us to share our riches and our possessions. Jesus is telling us that, in the end, we cannot bring our riches with us when we die. Instead, life should be spent investing in things that really do matter, in things that will last. As St. Paul reminds us in the second reading: “Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.” In other words, our true security lies not in things in this world, but in Jesus.

The fact is, life is tough. We all know that. We face challenges each day. We work hard to make our lives more comfortable, and to do so, we accumulate all sorts of things, gadgets, gizmos and other conveniences. Sometimes, when we are so busy making our lives more comfortable here on earth, we forget about God, church and even our own families. We pressure our children to study hard and to get good jobs. No one is saying that these should be ignored or avoided, since these things have their purpose and importance, but they should not be the most important things in our lives. We should never let these things control our lives, because when we do, we become enslaved to them. We must never forget that we can never bring any of these things with us when we die. We entered into this world without having anything and we will leave this world without bringing anything.

Today, let us reflect the kind of lives we are living. Are our words, efforts and actions ultimately helping us to grow in relationship with God and grow closer to Him? Or are we leading ourselves astray, influenced and enslaved by the ways of the world, only to regret later? May we come to realise the condition our soul is in, and do the necessary while we have time and opportunities to do so, for the benefit of our eternal future.