Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 2nd

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Who do you obey? Do you obey God’s laws? Or do you obey man’s laws? Sometimes we may be asked to do something which is according to man’s laws, but by doing that something, we are breaking God’s laws. On the other hand, we may be obeying God’s laws, but that could cause us to be unpopular or persecuted because we are not going with the flow or joining the crowd. Man’s laws are not always just, not always fair, not always right, not always proper, and yet, some of us still obey them, because some of us think that by doing so, we would save our own skin, or perhaps gain an advantage or promotion, or maybe gain respect or recognition from other people.

Today’s reading reminds us that “obedience to God comes before obedience to men.” Ultimately we need to decide and check our conscience. Are we doing the right and proper thing to remain in good relationship with God? Or are we doing things to please people? Are we looking for eternal rewards, or are we merely satisfied with temporary rewards here on earth? Let us choose wisely for our eternal future.

Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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People get jealous for different reasons. Some are jealous in a joking or playful manner: they say they are jealous but they say it in jest. Some are jealous but they do not allow jealousy to get into their head and control them; instead they use their ‘jealous’ energies to do something positive or good. Others are jealous and allow their jealousy to control their thoughts, feelings and emotions; a good example of this kind of jealousy is found in today’s reading, where: “The high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol.”

When we allow jealousy to take control of our lives, we become slaves to our passion and pride. We see others doing God’s work or doing good deeds as a threat to our popularity and power. Great crimes and heinous deeds have been committed as a result of this unhealthy form of jealousy. Have some of us become like the high priest and all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees; jealous of the gifts and abilities of others and refusing to admit or acknowledge God’s gifts to them? Or have we learnt to be humble and content, praising God for the gifts of others and the gifts bestowed on us?

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Are we generous with our time and our possessions? Some of us may be making much effort to own more and more things, money, property, etc., but are we clinging to these items only for ourselves and perhaps for our immediate family members? Today’s reading tells us: “The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.”

Looking at society today, we find that more and more of us may be becoming individualistic. What is ours is ours and some of us may find it difficult to share. Our rights seem to be more important than the needs for the common good. However, if we persistently demand for our rights, we may face the danger that nothing will be left. Could we ever become just like the early disciples? Perhaps, due to our present circumstances, we may not be able to live exactly like the early disciples. But perhaps we could learn from their attitude towards possessions. Possessions are meant to be shared as far as possible, not to be hoarded for ourselves. After all, we know that we cannot bring our possessions with us when we die. Are we able to change our attitude on possessions from one of hoarding and attachment, to one of sharing and detachment?

Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Are you born again? Has you life changed from your old self to a new self? In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” At baptism, we were transformed from our old identity, to a new identity filled with the Spirit and given new life.

However, some of us may be baptised and supposingly born again, but the way we live our lives do not seem to bear witness that we have really changed. Some of us continue to behave as we were before, doing things as we have been doing. Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel: “‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit.” We may be born of the flesh, but have we really been born of the Spirit? Have we become witnesses and joyful proclaimers of the Good News, or have we been complacent and unappreciative of the gift God has given us? The greatest gift of all has been given to us; are we still looking elsewhere?

2nd Sunday of Easter Year A

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What sort of community do we live in? Is our community united? Do we live in harmony, joy, happiness, peace, goodwill, etc. in our community? Do we care and share and love each other genuinely as a community? Today’s first reading tells us of a community which “remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.” Does such a community still exist today?

As we read more and more about the early Christian community, we can discover that the early Christian community was not perfect. Till today no Christian community is perfect. We continue to hurt and be hurt by others, because we are not perfect. However, the difference between a Christian community and other “communities” is this: as a Christian community, we are able to forgive others and to receive forgiveness from others. Sometimes some of us try to look for God on our own. But God is present in the midst of the community, no matter how broken or sinful the community members may be. If we keep away from the community, we keep away from God.

Thus, let us make more effort to love and grow in faith in our community. Let us not shy or run away from our community, since Jesus reminds us “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Our community may not be perfect, but together, we can grow in love and relationship with each other and with our risen and loving Lord, Jesus Christ.

Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Jealousy can kill. People can commit hideous acts out of jealousy. Today’s reading shows us a classic example of jealousy. In today’s reading: “Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him. But his brothers, seeing how his father loved him more than all his other sons, came to hate him so much that they could not say a civil word to him.”

See how jealousy can cause us to behave in a crazy manner? Just because Israel loved Joseph more, the other brothers hated him so much that they could not say a civil word to him. They even tried to kill him but fortunately, one of the brothers named Reuben had some sense and prevented them from doing so. When we are jealous, we too could do crazy things, stupid things, only to realise our folly when it is too late. Some of us may even try to sweep our deed under the carpet, hoping that no one would notice and hoping that the deed would be forgotten. But no, the consequences of our jealousy will come back to haunt us in one way or another. When will we ever learn to be content and happy with who we are, what we have?

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Some people can be difficult to understand or comprehend. They may put on appearance and masquerade in one way, but the fact of the matter is they are not who we may think they are. There is more than meets the eye, and it takes much observation to figure out their true intentions. Sometimes they are so adept in cloaking their true self that many could be easily fooled by them. It takes a trained eye and a discerning heart to penetrate through their facade.

But though such people can fool others, they cannot fool God. Today’s reading tells us: “The heart is more devious than any other thing, perverse too: who can pierce its secrets? I, the Lord, search to the heart, I probe the loins, to give each man what his conduct and his actions deserve.” We can try to appear to be good, holy, respectable, etc., but God can clearly see whether we are genuine people or fake people. The question is: are we going to continue to portray a false image of ourselves for our own glory and win the admiration of others, or are we willing to come to terms with our true selves and walk humbly before God?

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Throughout our lives. we will face many challenges and obstacles. We may commit sin, but we are constantly reminded to go for confession and do our best to be in good relationship with God and with all around us. Our God is patient and loving, even though at times, some of us may behave in such a manner which could make us wonder if we are doomed and condemned. However, until we die, we still have opportunities to seek forgiveness, reconciliation and move on.

In today’s reading, God assures us: “Come now, let us talk this over, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing to obey, you shall eat the good things of the earth. But if you persist in rebellion, the sword shall eat you instead.” Are we still refusing to walk in His ways? God has not given up on us, and we should not give up also. Let us choose to obey Him and let Him care for us.

Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Some people may be stingy with their time and finances when it comes to church and helping others. However, these people may not be so when it comes to their own needs. Sometimes I hear of some people asking the church for this, for that, but these same people are very reluctant to contribute a fair amount of time or money. During parties or functions, these people would rush for the best pieces or the largest quantity, only to throw away or pack home what they have grabbed, but it is unfortunate to note that these people would be so inconsiderate to either bring very little to share, or they would not bring anything at all. Greed and selfishness seems to be their way of doing things.

Today’s Gospel reminds us: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you…” Some people may think that they can get away with their behaviour and attitude, but they fail to realise that they are answerable for what they have done. Let us learn to be responsible, loving and caring, just as we pray and hope for God to be loving and merciful towards us.

2nd Sunday of Lent Year A

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Do you know who you really are? Do you know who the person next to you really is? Sometimes we are not fully aware of who a person really is until that person reveals his or her true self. Some say that to really know a person, one needs to cause the person to become drunk, then the true self emerges. More often than not, we would not know a person completely.

The disciples in today’s Gospel also did not really know who Jesus really was. They had seen him performing miracles, healing the sick, and preaching fantastic words. But they were still not fully aware of Jesus’ true nature. When Jesus was transfigured, then only did they get a glimpse of Jesus’ true identity. It must have been so awesome, so amazing, the disciples were on a high, and they wanted to be on a high for much longer, since Peter had suggested to construct 3 tents so that they could hang around for a while. But things would not last in that way forever. It was time to come back to earth, and the disciples were reminded to listen to Jesus and not to say a word about the vision to anyone until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

We too might have experienced our mountain top experience. We would love to stay there longer, perhaps indefinitely. But we know that we cannot, for we still need to continue proclaiming the Good News to others. We have been given a glimpse of who Jesus really is, and so it is our turn to share this glimpse with others. Are we still stuck on the mountain top? Or have we begun our mission in bringing the joy of Christ to others?