Category Archives: 24th

As Christians, we have been taught many things about the deeds and teachings of Jesus. We would have gone through Catechism classes and for some RCIA classes, so that we would know and understand what being a follower of Jesus is all about. This means that we know or ought to know what our duties and responsibilities are as Christians. It also means that we cannot simply claim ignorance or pretend that we do not know, since such teaching was received not only during Catechism or RCIA classes, but through various formation sessions, classes or workshops made available to us, and also even at Mass, where the readings of the Sunday and the homily contains teachings for us to reflect on and act upon.

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Before God the source of all life and before Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures…” St. Paul is reminding us that being a Christian means witnessing for the truth and “doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures…” and not just simply listening without any action. May we take initiative and make effort to “do whatever He tells you” as what Mother Mary did, and do our duty for the glory of God.

I sometimes come across people asking me what we would look like or be like after we die. Some begin to wonder whether a loved one would look or be the same. Some are even afraid to know what a loved one would look like or be like, especially when the loved one had gone through much suffering due to disease when the loved one was alive. But the reality is that our appearance would not be the same as when we were alive, since our bodies are perishable.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Someone may ask, ‘How are dead people raised, and what sort of body do they have when they come back?’ They are stupid questions. Whatever you sow in the ground has to die before it is given new life and the thing that you sow is not what is going to come; you sow a bare grain, say of wheat or something like that, It is the same with the resurrection of the dead: the thing that is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable; the thing that is sown is contemptible but what is raised is glorious; the thing that is sown is weak but what is raised is powerful; when it is sown it embodies the soul, when it is raised it embodies the spirit.”

The reading reminds us that our bodies will die, decay and eventually turn to dust, but our souls will become better and glorious, especially if we have been maintaining a good relationship with God. This is why we should not be too concerned about how we would look like or be like after we die. We should also not be too concerned about earthly things, since such things are impermanent. Instead, we should make more effort in growing in relationship with God. Are we putting our priorities right, and letting God be our guide and happiness?

I recall reading an article about the burning of paper gifts, paper houses with what seems to be lots of servants in them, even paper modern products such as computer, car and hand-phone, as if such products and facilities would still be needed when one dies and is in what some believe to be the afterworld. In the article, I learnt that the original intention for the burning of such items was not for the afterworld, as some seem to believe, but to remind one of impermanence and detachment from such things, since such things cannot be physically brought with us when we die.

In today’s reading, we see a similar situation about not being too concerned with things on earth, as such things are also impermanent and one should be detached. The reading tells us: “Someone may ask, ‘How are dead people raised, and what sort of body do they have when they come back?’ They are stupid questions. Whatever you sow in the ground has to die before it is given new life and the thing that you sow is not what is going to come; you sow a bare grain, say of wheat or something like that, It is the same with the resurrection of the dead: the thing that is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable; the thing that is sown is contemptible but what is raised is glorious; the thing that is sown is weak but what is raised is powerful; when it is sown it embodies the soul, when it is raised it embodies the spirit.”

Just as a seed dies and transforms into something better, our bodies too will die, decay and eventually turn to dust, but our souls will become better and glorious, especially if we have been maintaining a good relationship with God. This is why we should make more effort in growing in relationship with God, and not be too concerned with worldly wealth and power, since such things won’t last. Are we putting our priorities right, and letting God be our guide and happiness?

Why do we call ourselves Christians? If we call ourselves Christians, then do we do what Jesus expects of us? Or do we pick and choose only what is convenient and comfortable for us? Sometimes, we come across people who claim to be Christians, but they want to do things their own way, as if being a Christian could be customised according to what suits them. But is that what being a Christian is all about? Are we Christians for our convenience?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Before God the source of all life and before Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures…” St. Paul is reminding us that being a Christian means witnessing for the truth and “doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures…” It means that we cannot pick and choose, or water down the truth, for our convenience and the convenience of others. May we take initiative and make effort to “do whatever He tells you” as what Mother Mary did, and do our duty for the glory of God.