Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 34th

Thursday of Week 34 Year 2

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Among the many ways the evil one could use to tempt us to sin, the use of deception and disappointment is quite common and dangerous. This is because, when we are going through trials and tribulations, we could be deceived with various false promises of security and safety, and when things don’t work out and such promises of security and safety end up crumbled and destroyed, some of us may become quite disappointed, even to the point of giving up or even despairing.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus paints us a picture of troubles and dangers to come when He says: “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.” For those who have let fear taken over their lives, such a message may seem like we are doomed. But Jesus did not stop there. He continues: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” If we have faith and hope in God, then we should not allow any other forms of promises of security and safety to distract and deceive us. Instead, we should be persistent and consistent in trusting in His providence, knowing that He will take care of things, according to His time and for His glory.

Friday of Week 34 Year 2

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For some of us, a vision could be seen as a warning or reminder to behave or to be good, otherwise some calamity or disaster may occur. However, visions need not necessarily be seen in that way. When a vision occurs, it could also be seen as a prompting from God, inviting us to look into our lives and grow closer to Him. God is reaching out to us, giving us opportunities to walk in His ways, trust in His providence, and let Him be our help and guide.

In today’s reading, John had a vision where he “saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.” John also saw in his vision a burning lake which is the second death “and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake.” If we have been consistent, committed and persistent in our efforts to grow in relationship with God, then such visions should not startle us or cause us to fear, since we can be confident and trust that God will take care of us. God is inviting us to live, it is up to us to accept His invitation and be alive in His love.

Wednesday of Week 34 Year 2

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Some of us think that when we are persecuted, mocked or put on trial, we should be bold and say many things in defence. Some of us think that to be vocal and loud is the better solution, since some of us think that keeping silent means that one is agreeing to the accusations or one has no defence at all. But sometimes, confidence is silent and dignified, whereas insecurities are loud and offensive, since being silent means one is confident in oneself and considers such accusations to be nonsense, baseless, and not worth arguing about.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.” The eloquence and wisdom here need not necessarily mean that we would be inspired to say many things, since a smile and keeping silent could be just as effective and deafening as using many words. There were times Jesus made profound statements of truth; but there were also times when He just remained silent. A smile is one way to solve many problems; and silence is one way to avoid many problems; and at times, Jesus has shown us that being silent with a smile is a better way or a good answer to insults and false accusations. Do we still need to say so many things, when being silent with a smile is sometimes all that is needed?

Tuesday of Week 34 Year 2

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Do you know what is a sickle? No, it does not mean someone is being sick, but it is a type of a hand-held agricultural tool with a curved, sharp blade used for harvesting grain crops or cutting certain edible plants to feed livestock. It is an ancient tool effective for reaping and harvesting, and if used as a weapon, it can be deadly and dangerous. You definitely would not want to be at the receiving end of a sickle, since the cut could be devastating, or even mortally wounding (in other words, one could get killed quite easily if struck by a sickle).

In the 1st reading, the sickles were being used for a harvest of a different sort; it was the harvest of the earth, and it refers to the judgement of the earth. In the reading, we are told that “the angel set his sickle to work on the earth and harvested the whole vintage of the earth and put it into a huge winepress, the winepress of God’s anger.” While the imagery of the reading may seem terrifying, its message is meant to awaken us from our complacency and our indifference to the call for repentance. Are we willing to change our ways, turn away from our sins, and return to the Lord’s ways?

Housekeeping – Week 34 Year 2

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

20 Nov 2016 – Christ the King Year C
21 Nov 2016 – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
22 Nov 2016 – Tuesday of Week 34 Year 2
23 Nov 2016 – Wednesday of Week 34 Year 2
24 Nov 2016 – Thursday of Week 34 Year 2
25 Nov 2016 – Friday of Week 34 Year 2

Friday of Week 34 Year 1

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One fact that we should never forget as we journey in this life is that many things around us, many things we hold dear, will not last. Today we may have a young family, tomorrow the children would have gone and left the nest. Today we may be healthy and fit, tomorrow we may be not so well and some may be struggling to live.The qualifications we have attained may be relevant today, but may be obsolete tomorrow. Even the cars we drive, the computers and gadgets we own, will eventually become obsolete or redundant, as technology progresses and new and better products come out. Sounds like a not so exciting picture of life, isn’t it? But that is the way things are here on earth, and we need to set our priorities right and focus on what really matters, while we have time and opportunities to do so.

In today’s reading, we are reminded of One who will never disappear or fade away. The reading tells us: “His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.” No matter what happens, be it good or bad, Jesus will always be there for us. So we should make more effort to grow closer to Him and let Him be our guide, since all other persons and things will sooner or later go away, but Jesus will always be around.

Thursday of Week 34 Year 1

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Difficulties and problems crop up in our lives every once in a while, and sometimes these problems and difficulties could lead to severe persecution or even death. When we are faced with such problems and difficulties, especially if it involves our faith, some of us may be tempted to protect ourselves by distancing ourselves from our faith, or even abandoning it altogether. But how many of us would hold steadfast to our faith in such situations, with trust and confidence in God’s help and providence? How many of us would truly and unreservedly be willing to die for our faith?

In today’s reading, king Darius had gotten himself into a mess, since he had signed an edict which, for the next thirty days, demanded that all pray to no other than him. Daniel refused to do so, and even though king Darius favoured Daniel much, he had no choice but to throw Daniel into the lion’s den, since such an edict could not be altered even by the king. Daniel’s enemies thought they had finally gotten rid of Daniel, but Daniel held steadfast to his faith and was even prepared to die, and God’s angels came to seal the lion’s jaws and protect Daniel from harm. In the end, it was Daniel’s enemies and their families who were killed by the lions.

Daniel had great faith in God’s help and providence to protect him from danger. What about us? Are we willing to risk it all, even our lives, and let God be our help and guide? If God can protect Daniel from mortal danger, surely He would do the same for us, if we have trust and confidence in Him.

Wednesday of Week 34 Year 1

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Some of us may be experiencing some form of religious persecution, depending on where and which state or country we live in. In some countries, Christians are being enticed with riches, power and popularity, to abandon their faith and join another faith. Sometimes, such countries would also begin to drive fear into the hearts of others by putting to death anyone who refuses to embrace another religion. If we are confronted with such persecution, including the possibility of death, how would we respond? Would we be courageous enough to face such persecution, or would we abandon our faith to save our skin?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded: “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.” If we have trust and confidence in God, then we have no reason to fear or despair. May we continue to face such persecution bravely and courageously, and let God be our help and guide.

Tuesday of Week 34 Year 1

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Some people seem to be quite preoccupied with doomsday or the end of the world. Even on television, we sometimes come across documentaries about how some people would try to stock up and be prepared should the end of civilisation as they know it happens. To some people, the end of civilisation is like the end of the world, and they believe that chaos would reign and the only way to survive would be to have sufficient food, water and defences. But all these preparations are only for an earthly existence. What about preparations for life after death?

In today’s Gospel, we are told: “‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.'” If we have been consistent and persistent in our spiritual preparations for life after death, then all the so called claims made by others about the end of the world coming, as well as all the seemingly heavenly signs happening, should not concern us. What should concern us is that we are prepared at all times as best we can, knowing and trusting that God will care for us no matter what happens. Let us not become paranoid or fearful, but have continue to have confidence and trust in God.

Monday of Week 34 Year 1

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When you come to church to attend Mass, how many of you would offer all the money you have on you for the church? Quite likely, many of you would put a few dollars or a few Malaysian ringgit into the offering bag, while some of you may offer what you can spare. Some may put in more if they are rich and can afford it, but how many of us would be willing to put everything that we have by emptying our pockets of cash? Some of you may say that it would be crazy to offer everything we have to God, since we would need money for food and other things after the Mass.

But if we consider a moment, today’s Gospel tells us of a poverty-stricken widow who put in all she had to live on, as Jesus tells us: “I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.” When we put money in the offering, it is not the amount that counts, it is how generous we are willing to be. Remember that all that we have comes from God, and God has been generous to us in many ways. Are we not willing to be just as generous in our contributions and in offering our talents for the church?