Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 1st

Friday of the 1st Week of Lent

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Friday, Lent, Lent 1, Weekday Leave a comment

Each and every one of us have been given different choices throughout our lives. Ultimately, we are responsible and accountable for the choices we make. This also includes the choices we make on how we wish to live. We can choose to live as good Christians, observing humbly, consistently and joyfully God’s command to love God and neighbour; or we can choose to live a worldly life, caring only for oneself and living a life away from God’s loving care. Whatever the choice we make, we should be aware of the consequences and be prepared to face them.

One choice we make is mentioned in today’s reading. In the reading, we choose whether we wish to be a wicked man or an upright man. It may seem obvious that most of us would want to be an upright man, but the reality is that there are people who think that they are upright but from their attitude, behaviour and actions, they are actually leaning more towards being wicked. How so? The reading tells us how a wicked man would live: “If the wicked man renounces all the sins he has committed, respects my laws and is law-abiding and honest, he will certainly live; he will not die. All the sins he committed will be forgotten from then on; he shall live because of the integrity he has practised.” The reading also tells us how an upright man would die: “But if the upright man renounces his integrity, commits sin, copies the wicked man and practises every kind of filth, is he to live? All the integrity he has practised shall be forgotten from then on; but this is because he himself has broken faith and committed sin, and for this he shall die.”

Ultimately, as the reading reminds us: “When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.” The question we need to ask ourselves is this: we call ourselves upright and we believe that we are so, but are we truly and consistently living an upright life? Let us be honest with ourselves and discover where we stand, so that we can do what is necessary and return to the Lord’s ways, and live, not die.

Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Lent, Lent 1, Thursday, Weekday Leave a comment

There are times in life we may have bitten off more than we could chew. We think we can handle such things or situations, thinking that we are more than capable and do not need any help, even help from God. However, we sometimes get ourselves into a sticky, challenging or dangerous situation which we may find it difficult to get out of. When this happens, are we still going to stick to our guns, remain proud and try to work things out on our own? Or are we willing to humble ourselves and seek help from others and from God?

In today’s reading, we come across Queen Esther who “took refuge with the Lord in the mortal peril which had overtaken her. She besought the Lord God of Israel…” Despite facing great danger or peril, Queen Esther was humble and willing to seek God’s help and leave her fate in God’s hands. What about us? Are we willing to follow Queen Esther’s example and leave it in the hands of the Lord? Are we able to set aside our pride and let God be in control?

Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Lent, Lent 1, Wednesday, Weekday Leave a comment

How many of us really take our spiritual life or spiritual condition seriously? When was the last time you went for confession? How often do you go for Mass, seek spiritual direction, perform an examination of conscience, read the bible, pray, meditate, perform merciful acts of charity and other spiritual acts which help us grow in relationship with God? When we seem young, healthy, full of life and seem to have many things going good for us, some of us may have become preoccupied with enjoying life and striving to make a name for ourselves here on earth; but as we become more and more busy with earthly things, we may become more and more complacent or even indifferent with eternal things.

In today’s reading, the people of Nineveh were warned by Jonah that their city was going to be destroyed after 40 days. Though their city was tremendously huge and took 3 days to cross it, everything would be wiped out. So what did the Ninevites and their king do? Did they scoff at such a warning and go about merrily with their lives? No. The Ninevites and their king proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, making effort to renounce their evil behaviour and the wicked things they had done. As a result, the reading tells us: “God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour, and God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened.”

What about us? Are we still being complacent and continuing merrily with our lives? Are we aware of the state or condition of our soul? Let us not be caught off-guard and jeopardise our eternal future, but be proactive and make every effort to grow closer with God.

Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Lent, Lent 1, Tuesday, Weekday Leave a comment

Pride and ego are two things which we are often reminded to watch out for as we journey in this life. As Christians, we are cautioned not to allow pride and ego to fester in our minds and hearts, since many other sins have been committed in one way or another due to our pride and our ego. One area which some of us may be struggling to change and improve on is “forgiveness.” Our pride and ego sometimes gets in the way, distorting our minds into thinking only of the unfairness, the hurt, the anger, the frustration and the giving up on the other person who has wronged us. We begin to think: “poor me” or “I am the victim, so why shoud I forgive so easily.” But is this the kind of attitude that befits the life of a Christian?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus taught us how to pray. In the “Lord’s Prayer” or the “Our Father,” we pray: “forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.” Do we realise what these words mean? Our pride and ego blinds us to the fact that forgiveness is not just a one way street. All of us have fallen in one way or another, we are not perfect and we make mistakes. We ask God to forgive us when we are at fault, but have we learnt to be humble and willing to forgive others as well? Let us take heed of what the Gospel warns us: “Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.”

Monday of the 1st Week of Lent

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Lent, Lent 1, Monday, Weekday Leave a comment

Whenever we are faced with difficult people or difficult situations, what do we do? Some of us may choose the easy path, though at times, that easy path may not necessarily be a good choice or even a wise choice for us and for the other person. Some of us may choose not to get involved and avoid the person altogether, thinking that it is better to avoid conflict and remain neutral and supposingly peaceful. But what should we as Christians do?

Perhaps the key to what we as Christians should do can be found in today’s reading. The reading can be summarised into two important sentences: “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy” and “You must love your neighbour as yourself.” Instead of focusing too much on the minute details about what we should or should not do, some of which are mentioned in today’s reading, let us ask ourselves sincerely: are we loving others as much as we love God and also as much as we love ourselves? Sometimes difficult people or difficult situations are there to teach us what it means to love, since we are loving not because it is convenient or beneficial to us, but because we choose to love just as God loves all and cares for all. Let us thus make every effort to remain holy and dependent on God, and follow God’s example in being loving towards all.

1st Sunday of Lent Year B

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Lent, Lent 1, Sunday, Year B Leave a comment

Many of us can survive for some time without food, but how many of us can survive for a certain period of time without water? Our bodies are composed of quite a lot of water, and as we lose water through various ways, we need to replenish the water lost. Thus, water is essential to all life. We need water to drink, to cook, to clean ourselves, to wash our clothes and other things, to enable our trees, vegetables, flowers and other kinds of plants to grow and become fruitful, and even for animals both wild and tame to live and prosper. Most of us don’t give much thought to or appreciate the need for water, but when we are deprived of water due to shortage and rationing, due to maintenance or repairs to the pipes, or due to some other reason, then we begin to realise how important water really is.

When we look at water, we realise that too little water is not a good thing. On the other hand, too much water is also not a good thing. Why so? Too much water could cause damage to crops and cause food prices to escalate. Too much water could also cause floods and even tsunamis which have happened in recent times and caused great destruction and lost of life. But if we ponder for a while, we can begin to realise that just as water can kill, it can also bring life.

Water seems to be the common theme in today’s readings. In the first and second reading, we read of the flood waters which destroyed most of life on earth. In the gospel, we read of the Spirit driving Jesus into the wilderness, where water is scarce. When we look at the readings, we can see how too much water and too little water could be a bad thing. Too much water in the form of the flood waters caused death and destruction. Too little water caused much hardship and challenges to Jesus during His 40 days of being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. At the same time, we can also discover that the destructive power of water leads to salvation. In the story of Noah, God promises Noah that he will never destroy the world again with flood waters. At the end of Jesus’ experience in the desert, He proclaimed the Good News to all, with a message that will quench the thirst of everyone who long for the kingdom of God.

What about us? How does water affect us as we go through this season of Lent? During this season of Lent, water reminds us of our need for conversion and repentance, where we must die to our old ways of selfishness and sinfulness in the flood waters of purification; we must purify our intentions and face our temptations with courage, hope and trust, as we journey with Jesus into the wilderness of our lives. Water reminds us of our baptism and our constant need to remain “hydrated” with the Lord, as the second reading tells us: “That water is a type of the baptism which saves you now, and which is not the washing off of physical dirt but a pledge made to God from a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” Let us therefore take courage, knowing that we can continue to hope and trust in Jesus, as the second reading assures us: “Christ himself, innocent though he was, had died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God.”

Friday of Week 1 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Nowadays, disabilities, diseases and illnesses are usually attributed to some sort of genetic matter, or due to viruses, bacteria or some other cause. Advances in medicine and other forms of therapy and healing have enabled us to reduce or even remove the effects of some of these disabilities, diseases and illnesses. However, in ancient times, disabilities, diseases and illnesses were often connected with sin, be it personal sin or the sin of an earlier generation. This could lead those afflicted with such disabilities, diseases and illnesses to dwell in their own guilt and unforgiveness. They could not forgive themselves for being in the situation they are in, and in some cases, they could not forgive their parents or ancestors who may have sinned and caused them to be in such a state.

The paralytic man in today’s Gospel could have been experiencing these feelings and thoughts. This is why Jesus said to him: “My child, your sins are forgiven.” To hear such words from Jesus would have been uplifting and gratifying for the paralytic man. What Jesus was doing was basically to help the paralytic man be released from his mindset where disabilities, diseases and illnesses were thought to be a result of sin; and at the same time to heal the man. However, those around Jesus were still stuck in such a mindset and that is why they thought to themselves, “How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?” But what did Jesus do? He challenged all around Him to open their minds and hearts and be free from such pre-conceived thoughts, and proved to them that He had the authority not only to forgive sins, but also to heal the man completely. What an experience these people had! They were so astounded and taken aback with what they witnessed, and praised God saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

What about us? Are some of us having such a mindset, especially when it seems as if modern medicine does not seem to be helping? Are we still dwelling in our feelings and thoughts of worthlessness, anger, fear or even despair. Let us be reminded that just as Jesus healed the paralytic man, He can heal us too. Are we willing to be humble and patient and put our trust and confidence in Him, knowing that He would do what is best for us?

Thursday of Week 1 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

It is unfortunate and tragic when we come across people who decide to abandon their faith and belief in God over some matter or situation. But that is what could possibly happen, especially when a person has become so engrossed in the ways of the world and begin to think that they are self-sufficient, self-made and can do without God. This is something which we, as a Christian community should watch out for, as we shall see in today’s reading.

In today’s reading, we are cautioned: “Take care, brothers, that there is not in any one of your community a wicked mind, so unbelieving as to turn away from the living God. Every day, as long as this ‘today’ lasts, keep encouraging one another so that none of you is hardened by the lure of sin, because we shall remain co-heirs with Christ only if we keep a grasp on our first confidence right to the end.” When a person seems to be doing well or having it good in life, the person may be tempted to enjoy life and seek out more ways and means to remain as they are, and they may forget themselves, forget others, and may ultimately even forget God.

Let us not forget that our life here on earth is only temporary, and we are merely pilgrims. What we enjoy is also temporary and when the fun ends, we will never be satisfied and become restless, until we find satisfaction and rest, as St. Augustine reminds us, in the Lord.

Wednesday of Week 1 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Every once in a while, we hear of priests or religious being transferred from one community to another or from one parish to another or even from one role to another. There are many reasons why priests or religious are transferred, and one reason can be found in today’s Gospel.

In the Gospel, we read: “In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.”

Jesus could have easily decided to settle down in one place, make Himself comfortable, and carry out His mission there. But as we can see from the Gospel, His mission was not only for one place indefinitely; He also went to other places to preach and cast out devils. By doing so, Jesus set an example for us to follow. Some of us may have become too used to a place, and we should be enthusiastic to go forth and preach the Good News, not stay put and take things easy or for granted. If some day we are asked to move on, let us humbly and joyfully do so, for the greater glory of God.

Tuesday of Week 1 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 1st, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

What does it mean to have authority? The word “authority” can be used to mean power given by the state (in the form of government, judges, police officers, etc.) or by academic knowledge of an area (someone can be an authority on a subject). However, these forms of authority do not last forever and do not always command the respect and voluntary obedience of others. Also, we have seen many instances of people who have been granted such authority turning out to be arrogant, conceited, corrupted or misusing their position for their own purposes. These people may have so called political or intellectual authority, but they may not necessarily have moral or spiritual authority.

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus whose “teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.” Also, the Gospel tells us: “The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.'” How was Jesus different from the scribes, and what sort of authority did He hold? Jesus was different because He had moral and spiritual authority, as He was one with the Father. Jesus shows us that His authority stems from the fact that what He is teaching and doing is not for His own personal gratification or benefit, but for the greater glory of God. Jesus is inviting us to follow His example and grow in our moral and spiritual authority by maintaining a good relationship with God. Are we willing to nurture this form of authority, or are we still wandering around seeking for temporary authority?