Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 29th

Friday of Week 29 Year 2

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Before a person becomes a priest or a religious, the person would have gone through many years of formation, as part of a discernment process on whether the person is really suitable for priesthood or religious life. When a person has applied to enter the seminary or formation house and has been accepted, then it is the person’s responsibility to be committed in going through the formation. This means that the person should not treat formation lightly, and do his or her best to discern carefully and continuously whether such a life is what he or she really wants. Once the person is ordained or has made the final profession, then the person should remain committed to his or her vocation. Likewise, a person who chooses to get married should be committed in staying married.

In today’s reading, St. Paul implores us: “I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called.” St. Paul is reminding us to be true and committed to the vocation we have chosen, since vocation is a life-long commitment and not something we can change as if we are changing clothes. Let us not be hypocrites in the way we live, but be genuine and true to our vocation.

Thursday of Week 29 Year 2

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I believe most of us would want to live a harmonious life with our parents, siblings and other family members. I do not think anyone in his or her right mind would want to create division among family members. After all, we are reminded that “blood is thicker than water” and “united we stand, divided we fall.” But sometimes, certain situations or circumstances could cause family relationships to become strained or even divided. For example, while we try to live harmoniously with our family members, there are also difficult situations where we need to choose whether to listen to our family demands and go against God’s commandments; or observe God’s commandments and risk division among the family. If you were to choose one or the other, with no middle ground or choice, what would you choose?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” There are times, situations or circumstances where we need to make a choice, and the choice we make could cause our family members to become divided; some supporting us and some going against us. Such choices may involve matters concerning our faith and morals, and if put in such a difficult or even dangerous situation, the choice we make could have grave consequences. May we make a right and good choice, and be prepared to face the rewards or consequences.

Wednesday of Week 29 Year 2

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Throughout history, we have seen how certain ethnic groups have thought that God cares only for them and would protect them. One such ethnic group were the Israelites, and they thought that God would only their guide. These Israelites thought that they had a monopoly over God, and that God would only focus bringing salvation to them and them alone.

But the suprising thing is this: In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.” St. Paul reminded the Israelites, and us to, that God cannot be confined solely to us, since He has brought salvation to these pagans too. If God has given such pagans a share the same inheritance, then we should not segregate or avoid the many “pagans” in our society. Instead, we should be united with them in glorifying God in all we do, so that together, others would know what it means to be Christian.

Monday of Week 29 Year 2

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Among the many exams we need to sit, one which could be said to be the most difficult is the exam of life. People seem to fail in this exam because they do not realise that the questions asked for each person is different, as each person has got a different question paper, and copying others would not be of any help. Instead, such an exam needs to be answered on our own, with help from God, since each and every one of us is an individual, different, unique, and special.

In today’s reading, we are reminded that “We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.” This tells us that we are specially created for a purpose, and we are created different from others, works of art with no duplicates. Instead of trying to be like others; instead of trying to copy others; instead of keeping up with the Jones or trying to match the abilities and talents of others; we should be thankful and grateful for the gifts and talents God has given us, and develop our gifts and talents for the glory of God. If we come to realise that we are God’s works of art; if we make every effort to glorify God by trusting in His providence and using our unique talents and gifts responsibly; then we would stand a good chance of passing our exam of life with flying colours, since we would be living life as He had meant us to live it.

Housekeeping – Week 29 Year 2

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

16 Oct 2016 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
17 Oct 2016 – Monday of Week 29 Year 2
18 Oct 2016 – Saint Luke, Evangelist – Feast
19 Oct 2016 – Wednesday of Week 29 Year 2
20 Oct 2016 – Thursday of Week 29 Year 2
21 Oct 2016 – Friday of Week 29 Year 2

Friday of Week 29 Year 1

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Some of us may have had an issue with another person at some point of our lives. When this happens, what do we do? Some of us may try to ignore the issue altogether, thinking that it would be a waste of our time to try and argue over it or get it resolved. Some of us think that the other party is definitely in the wrong and we expect them to come crawling to us for forgiveness, even though we too may be in the wrong through our conduct, behaviour and actions. How many of us are willing to get the issue resolved amicably with the other party in a brotherly or sisterly way?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.” Are we so self-righteous or conceited that we think we are faultless and right, demanding that others admit their faults? Or have we come to a point that we are not bothered about the other person, and we choose to have nothing to do with him or her, causing ill-feelings, anger or even hatred to simmer and boil over? As Christians, we pray that God would forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Are we practising what we pray, or are we saying it blindly, without meaning, just to put on a show?

Thursday of Week 29 Year 1

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Most of us like to keep the peace, especially in our family and with our parents, siblings and other loved ones. We generally try not to get into major arguments as far as possible, and sometimes we learn to give and take so as to avoid ill feelings, as we would not want our family to break up and drift apart. But sometimes, we are put into a difficult situation. Supposing you are asked by your parents, siblings or other family members to do something which would keep the family united and at peace, but would cause you to break God’s commandment and commit sin? What would you do: Listen to your family, or listen to God?

This is why Jesus in today’s Gospel tells us: “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” It may seem good to try and maintain family unity and happiness, but by doing so, we could be doing something which would cause us to commit sin. It is indeed a difficult choice, but it may be one we may need to make. Ultimately, we need to choose, and be prepared to take responsibility for the consequences, whether it be temporary, or eternal.

Wednesday of Week 29 Year 1

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Whose side are you on? Are you on the side of good? Or are you on the side of evil? Some of you may be saying: “Isn’t it obvious? Of course we are on the side of good!” But sometimes, we could be heading more and more towards the side of evil, especially when we sin, when we neglect to be loving and charitable towards others, when we think only about ourselves, when we allow pride and our ego to get the better of us, or when we are unable or refuse to forgive others.

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds and cautions us: “You must not let sin reign in your mortal bodies or command your obedience to bodily passions, you must not let any part of your body turn into an unholy weapon fighting on the side of sin; you should, instead, offer yourselves to God, and consider yourselves dead men brought back to life; you should make every part of your body into a weapon fighting on the side of God; and then sin will no longer dominate your life, since you are living by grace and not by law.”

Some of you may be saying: “But being good is hard, it is difficult, how do we resist falling into sin?” Humanly speaking, it is difficult, because the ways of the world tempts us with so many attractions. But this is not an excuse for us to give up or despair, since we are helped by God’s grace, and when we go for confession regularly, we are actually making effort to keep our soul clean. May we not neglect the value and importance of regular confession, so that we may grow steadily in our relationship with God.

Tuesday of Week 29 Year 1

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For many Catholics, Sunday is the day where they go to church to attend Mass. Some do so because they want to grow closer to God and be nourished by His word and by the Eucharist. Some do so out of habit, or to fulfil the Sunday obligation. But whatever reasons we may have for attending Mass, one important fact remains: are we properly prepared for Mass? Some of you may be wondering: “this padre is crazy; what do you mean prepared? Surely we are prepared! We got up early, showered and cleaned ourselves well, got the kids ready, made sure everyone is dressed properly, and made effort to come to church early.” While all these are good, but what may be lacking or missing is this: are you prepared spiritually, that is, have you examined yourselves carefully and gone for confession to clear any sins, especially serious ones?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the need to be prepared: “See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” While it is commendable for us to make effort to attend Mass, we should also not neglect in keeping our souls spick and span. May we be diligent and consistent in our preparations to meet the Lord, for the betterment of our souls.

Monday of Week 29 Year 1

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Some of us may have become quite comfortable with life on earth, that we may have neglected in preparing ourselves to meet the Lord. We think that we have plenty of time to grow spiritually, especially if we are still young, seem physically fit, do not seem to have any diseases or major illnesses and we have a whole life and many opportunities ahead of us. But as know, death can come at any time and in any form. We have seen recent tragedies and happenings which remind us how frail and impermanent we are, since we could be gone in a blink of an eye. Would we end up being caught off-guard and unprepared if something should suddenly happen?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a rich man who had a good harvest and thought that he had many years of enjoyment to come. But Jesus cautions us: “But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?.” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.” Would we still insist in being complacent and not bothered, thinking that we need not be concerned for the time being? Or would it not be better for us to start doing something now, even if it is little by little, so that we would gradually grow closer to God? After all, we are reminded in a Malay proverb: “Sedikit sedikit lama lama jadi bukit” which roughly translates as “little by little, eventually it becomes a hill.” May we do what we can, even if it is little by little, so that we may be somewhat prepared for any eventuality, come what may.