Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 3rd

Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Lent, Lent 3, Saturday, Weekday Leave a comment

It is easy for us to take God for granted, especially when we have received so much from Him in different ways. Some of us forget to say grace before meals or even grace after meals, and we do not thank God enough for the good things we have and the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. Some of us may have even become presumptuous about God’s mercy and forgiveness, that we take it for granted and not feel real contrition, remorse, and sorrow for our sins. We think that God would forgive us anyhow, and we neglect going for confession, which is required for our sins to be forgiven.

When we take things for granted and become presumptuous towards God, we begin to take God’s mercy and forgiveness too lightly. Such attitude of taking things for granted and being presumptuous can be found in today’s reading, where the people said: “Come let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wound; on the third day he will raise us and we shall live in his presence.” The Lord responded: “What am I to do with you? This love of yours is like a morning cloud, like the dew that quickly disappears.” It seems like the people were only giving lip service, instead of practising true love and knowledge of God.

What about us? Have we become like the people in today’s reading, where we end up saying and doing things only to puff our ego and swell our pride? Have we become presumptuous, taking God for granted, instead of walking humbly before Him? May we come to realise such attitude, and change our ways while we have the opportunity to do so.

Saturday of Week 3 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Saturday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

We sometimes come across people who refuse or who are reluctant to admit their guilt. Even when they are confronted with facts and evidence proving their guilt beyond reasonable doubt, such persons would still refuse to admit or accept their guilt, and some even try to find a scapegoat and blame others such as a family member, friend or colleague, and some even go to the extent of blaming God, instead of taking responsibility for the wrong they have committed. Blinded by pride and ego, such persons think that they are never wrong or never guilty. Could some of us be having such a proud or egoistic attitude?

In contrast, today’s reading shows us how King David responded when the prophet Nathan confronted him with the many sins he had committed. Instead of trying to worm his way out, or make all sorts of excuses, or deny his guilt, King David was docile and humble enough to admit his guilt and merely said: “I have sinned against the Lord.”

What about us? Would we be willing to own up to our guilt, our mistakes, our sins? Or would we rather try to sweep things under the carpet, only to have such dirt exposed at a later time? Let us be humble and docile, just like King David showed us, and admit our guilt. After all, isn’t it better for us to remove the stain of guilt earlier, than to let the stain remain and ruin our relationship with God?

Tuesday of Week 3 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

We often make a lot of effort and time in building our relationship with our parents, siblings and loved ones. Sometimes we even bend backwards, trying to accommodate their requests or demands, in an effort to maintain family bonds. All these efforts are fine and good, but the reality is our parents, siblings and loved ones are not going to be with us forever. Some may move to another place and may be less reachable, some may pass away due to old age or sickness. What would become of us then, when our parents, siblings and loved ones are no longer with us?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is reminding us that our efforts should not only be in building relationships with parents, siblings and loved ones. Rather, our efforts should especially be in building a relationship with God, by doing the will of God. Our physical relationships will not last, but a spiritual relationship with God would last. Are we willing to double our efforts, and grow spiritually and closer to God?

Monday of Week 3 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Monday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

I once visited a parishioner whose husband ran an Aikido school. Her husband joined us for tea, and while having a chat on various topics, her husband shared with me about his Aikido school. It seems that Aikido is a martial art, like karate. However, Aikido is a unique way of self-defense because, unlike Karate which uses force which can be lethal, Aikido uses the assailant’s aggression against himself. As her husband enthusiastically shared his experiences in practicing and teaching Aikido, I recall how Aikido could be related to today’s Gospel. How so?

In today’s Gospel, we see how Jesus used the principles of Aikido to defend himself against the scribes. The scribes accused Jesus by claiming that “‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’”But Jesus used such statements to point out the scribes flawed logic by countering, “How can Satan drive out Satan?” In the end, the scribes were made to look foolish, since their accusation or “aggression” was used against themselves.

What about us? Have we been caught in such an embarrassing situation where we had accused others of something, only to end up having such accusations thrown back to our face? May we learn to be humble and check our motivations and intentions, so that we do not end up making false or illogical accusations or comments, and end up looking silly or foolish.

Friday of Week 3 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Friday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

When the political situation in your country is not good, what do you do? Do you stand up for what is right, or would you make a run for it and look for so-called greener pastures elsewhere? When you see injustice or racism occuring, what do you do? Do you look the other way, mind your own business and not get involved? Or do you do what is just and right, even if it means risking your life? It seems easy to avoid getting involved, look the other way, mind our own business, or even run away, but are such attitudes and actions proper to a Christian?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God’s will and gain what he has promised… You and I are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.” When we are faced with injustice, racism, misdeeds and other despicable acts, may we take courage, do what is right and just, and let God be our guide, knowing that He would help us in His time, for His greater glory.

Tuesday of Week 3 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

In our lives, we come across people who seem to be extra nice or extra polite when the boss or superior or some person of authority is present. Such persons are likely trying to curry favour with the boss or superior or person of authority, hoping to get some advantage, promotion or benefit out of it. When it comes to religion, some of such persons even think they can pull the same tricks on God, by appearing to be extra prayerful, or do lots of things for the church, or be extra nice to the priest or bishop, thinking that they could earn some brownie points with God. But what sort of attitude or way of life should we have as Christians? Why are we doing such things?

In today’s reading and Gospel, God is not interested in “the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin.” What God wants is for us to obey and do His will. It is not enough to just obey, since anyone could be playing games and obeying just to get some advantage or benefit. We also need to do His will. May we discern and discover God’s will for us, and do it joyfully and dilligently, for His Kingdom and glory.

Monday of Week 3 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Monday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

We sometimes come across people who are immensely jealous, insecure and easily provoked. Such persons cannot stand seeing other people doing well, or doing better than them, or even making some progress, since such persons fear that they may lose out. When such persons let jealousy get the better of them, they begin to do and say things merely to protect what they think is their interests or to safeguard their position and power. But what such persons fail to realise is that their jealousy would only lead them to say or do things which could lead them to look foolish or even lead them to commit sin.

In today’s Gospel, the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem had such immense jealousy, that they began to talk rubbish and contradict themselves when they said about Jesus: “‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.'” Jesus really went to town with these scribes and made fun of them, saying: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him.” Due to jealousy, these scribes uttered contradicting and silly statements, just because they could not get the better of Jesus, only to be made to look foolish with Jesus’ rebuttal to their utterance.

Have some of us become like these scribes, saying nonsensical things in the heat of jealousy? May we be on our guard against such immense jealousy, and think carefully what we say and do, since all that we say and do should be for the glory of God.

Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Easter, Easter 3, Friday, Weekday Leave a comment

It is easy for us to write off someone who seems lost or hopeless according to our expectations or according to our standards, or the person is different from us or seems to be lacking in one way or another, according to our coloured and prejudiced eyes. Some of us begin to think that such a person is beyond redemption and is destined to be condemned. Some of us even ostracise the person, and do not want to have anything to do with the person. The funny thing is, sometimes, God uses such persons to teach us never to judge, never to be so quick to condemn, to be humble, and to love unconditionally, just as God loves all of us the same.

In today’s reading, we come across Saul who many feared and despised, since he was fervently and enthusiastically persecuting Christians. But God had other plans for Saul. Instead of writing him off, God caused Saul to change from a Christian basher, to a Christian defender. Imagine the shock, bewilderment and amazement experienced by the Christians when Saul, who became Paul, began preaching in the synagogues, ‘Jesus is the Son of God.’ Who would have ever thought that Saul could be turned into a stalwart promoter of the Christian faith, yet that is exactly what happened. God had shown that what was impossible is made possible.

What does this tell us? It tells us that God can do wonders beyond our expectations. He can change people, no matter how evil, horrible, obnoxious or mean they may have been. Are we willing to put our trust in God, knowing that He will do what is best for us, according to His time and for His glory?

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Easter, Easter 3, Thursday, Weekday Leave a comment

I have done many baptisms throughout my ministry and so far, I have noticed that in these baptisms, there is quite a bit of rejoicing and happiness. If the baptised is a baby, the parents, grandparents, Godparents and guests are rejoicing and all-smiles, as a new member has come forth from the family, even though the baby may be unaware of what is going on. If the baptised is a child or an adult, not only the parents, grandparents, Godparents and guests are rejoicing and all-smiles, the baptised too are excited, rejoicing and happy for having received new life and God’s salvation. In today’s reading, the eunuch went on his way rejoicing, after being baptised by Philip.

It is good to rejoice when a new person receives baptism, since the person has become a child of God. But let us not just rejoice at that point of time and that’s that. We should continue to live a life of rejoicing in God’s love and care, and share this life of rejoicing with all we meet. If something is so significant and worth rejoicing, surely we would not want to keep it under wraps, but share the joy around. So let us renew our efforts with joy, enthusiasm and exuberance, so that all would come to know what it means to be a Christian.

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, Easter, Easter 3, Wednesday, Weekday Leave a comment

There are many things that we cannot see, yet we believe that such things exist. For example, we cannot see germs or bacteria, but we experience their effects. We cannot see electricity, but we experience the effects of electricity through the many appliances it provides power to, so that our lives would be easier or more convenient. But the irony is: sometimes we may be able to see something, and yet we are not able to believe what we are seeing. Why is this so? Sometimes it could be because the something is so shocking, spectacular, disturbing or flabbergasting that we may be at a lost of words and unable to comprehend what is happening or has just happened. Sometimes it could be because we are so set in our way of thinking or doing things, that other ways of thinking or doing things are seen as a threat or not worth our attention.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst. But, as I have told you, you can see me and still you do not believe.” The people had seen Jesus say and do so many things. They had witnessed so many healings and miracles performed by Jesus. But some of the people, especially the scribes and the Pharisees, were so fixated and stubborn with their way of thinking and their way of doing things, that no matter what Jesus said or did, they chose to remain closed to the Good News being proclaimed by Jesus. They knew who Jesus was, but chose to find ways and means to get rid of Him, since what Jesus said and did was challenging their authority and going against the status quo. To them, personal survival, personal status and self-preservation was more important than listening to God’s voice and doing what is just and right.

What about us? Have we too become or are becoming like the scribes and Pharisees? Do we value only our views, so much so that Jesus’ teachings, God’s commandments and many other things have taken a back seat or ignored completely? May we continue to take courage and say and do what is right, and let God be our providence and guide.