Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 4th

Monday of the 4th Week of Easter

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Some of us may be quite strongly entrenched in our ethnic group, tribal group or in some form of association, that our loyalty and obedience towards that group may be quite strong. This could lead to great clashes of differences between groups. Even among Christians, we still see some remnants of such segregation and allegiance of groups in certain countries.

However, today’s reading reminds us that as Christians, we should no longer be in division and allegiance to a particular group. We as Christians should be brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all God’s children regardless of who we are and which ethnic group come from. Today’s reading shows us that the Jews had come to a realisation that even pagans could be saved. The reading tells us: “This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God. ‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.’”

If God can grant repentance to all, why are some of we still stubbornly holding on to our ethnic group? Let us change our attitudes and behaviour towards others and live in unity with diversity as children of God, for God loves and cares for all.

4th Sunday of Easter Year A

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At some point or another, we may have strayed and gotten ourselves into a mess. Sometimes, we get ourselves into a bigger mess than we can handle. But no matter how bad the situation may seem, we have a shepherd whom we can turn to for help. Today’s second reading reminds us that “Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took.” Also, we are reminded that “you had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” Christ is our shepherd and it is His voice that we should follow, since it is His voice that we ought to recognise.

Today’s Gospel also reminds us that Christ is “the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture.” The question is, are we listening to His voice and following only His voice? Or have we allowed ourselves to be distracted with other voices? Are we going through Christ, our gate? Or are we trying to take other shortcuts or routes, which could lead to dangerous situations?

Sometimes in life we may be tempted to listen to the various voices of the world. The world tells us different things, sometimes conflicting things, to confuse and subdue us. The world also gives us paths, routes and other avenues which may appear to be just as good as what Christ offers us, and yet, such other “gates” could only lead to our destruction. Are we still restless and stubborn, trying to find our own way? Or have we learnt be humble and open enough to listen to His voice, and go through His gate, where we will find rest and security for our souls?

Friday of the 4th Week of Lent

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Are we blinded with anger, rage and malice? When we are blinded in such ways, we may do things which could only later lead to regret or in other situations, indifference. When we are proud, arrogant, stubborn, or selfish, we could end up being “blind” towards others.

Today’s reading cautions us: “This is the way they reason, but they are misled, their malice makes them blind. They do not know the hidden things of God, they have no hope that holiness will be rewarded, they can see no reward for blameless souls.” When we are unable to appreciate the goodness in others and their capabilities, when we refuse to admit our faults and shortcomings, when we become self-absorbed with our achievements, then we may become “blind” with jealousy which may lead to malice. We may begin to put other people down because we do not want competition and want to look good. Ultimately, we may end up trying to build our own kingdom. Have some of us fallen into such a state? Let us open our eyes, minds and hearts, and stay on our guard from being dragged into such a state.

Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent

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What sort of approval are we seeking? Are we looking for fame, approval, recognition, status and fortune here on earth? Or are we seeking a closer relationship with God? Sometimes we may be so zealous in one that we forget the other, or we think that one is more important than the other. Some of us think that God is too difficult to please or it takes too much time to have a right relationship with Him. But ultimately, what sort of approval do we really want to achieve?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me; if someone else comes in his own name you will accept him. How can you believe, since you look to one another for approval and are not concerned with the approval that comes from the one God?” The Jews were so zealous in keeping with their customs and traditions, that they forgot the main reason why they were keeping such customs and traditions in the first place. Instead of keeping such customs and traditions so that they could grow in relationship with God, their focus began to sway and such customs and traditions are kept so that others would look up to them. Are we trying to draw attention to ourselves, for our self-gratification, to fuel our pride, to lord it over others? Or have we learnt to walk humbly before God and do things for His greater glory?

Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent

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As we go about in life, we may be tempted to do things our way and for our own benefit. This is especially evident as we climb the career ladder, as we try to impress the boss with hope of getting a promotion, as we go out of our way to gain admiration or approval from our professors or teachers at university or at school, hoping that we would gain better grades. Even in church circles, we see some people trying to curry favour with the parish priest or bishop, hoping that they would gain prominence and perhaps some sort of important position or title.

However, today’s Gospel paints us a very different picture. Jesus tells us “I tell you most solemnly,
the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing: and whatever the Father does the Son does too.” Towards the end of the Gospel, Jesus reminds us “I can do nothing by myself; I can only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because my aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” Are we doing things in obedience to the will of God? Or are we doing things for our own will? In the Lord’s Prayer, we are pray: “Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done.” Are we making effort and doing our part in building God’s Kingdom? Or are we only interested in building our kingdom?

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent

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Some people can be extremists in the way they do things. One does not necessarily need to be killing or torturing other people to be called extremists. These sort of people are murderers, terrorists perhaps, but not all extremists do such things.

Today’s Gospel shows us one form of extremism. The Sabbath was meant for people to spend time in growing in relationship with God and not to do unnecessary work. Yet, certain Jews were so extreme that they interpreted unnecessary work to mean not doing anything at all. Even curing people and carrying or moving things is considered work to them. Even today, if we go to the Holy Land, some hotels observe the practice where, on the Sabbath, the lift or elevator will stop at every floor so that people would not need to “work” by pressing the button to whichever floor they wish to go to.

When Jesus cured the man, the Jews began to persecute Him because he was not observing their interpretation of the Sabbath. What about us? Are we extreme in our conduct in one way or another? Do we observe the Lord’s day and spend time with Him in prayer and listen to Him? Or are we so engrossed or extreme in our ways, that we fail to genuinely love God and neighbour?

Monday of the 4th Week of Lent

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How much do you trust God? Some people say that they trust God, and yet go to shamans, witch doctors, or even medicine men, thinking that these can help them or cure them. Some people say they trust God, but at the back of their mind, they doubt whether God is really listening and whether God would really heal them or help them. How many of us trust God unreservedly and wholeheartedly?

In today’s Gospel, a court official whose son was ill at Capernaum believed what Jesus had said and started on his way, trusting that Jesus would heal his son. When he received news that his son was healed, he and all his household believed. If we were put in a similar situation, would we believe that Jesus would heal us? Sometimes healing may take place immediately, at other times, gradually. Are we expecting Jesus to heal us according to our time-frame? Or are we willing to be patient and wait, knowing and trusting that Jesus would do what is best for us?

4th Sunday of Lent Year A

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Blindness can occur in different ways. For some, they are physically blind. For others, they are spiritually blind. Advances in modern medicine may, to a certain extend, restore physical sight. People who were thought to be “blind” could see again after receiving treatment over a period of time. However, healing those who are spiritually blind may not be so straightforward.

Today’s Gospel tells us about the blind man and the Pharisees.Though the blind man was born blind, he had his sight restored by Jesus, and when he discovered that Jesus was the one who restored his sight, he believed in Jesus. On the other hand, the Pharisees could see physically, but due to their stubbornness, pride and lack of compassion, they were the ones who were spiritually blind.

Some of us may be just like the Pharisees. Though we could physically see clearly, we are unable to spiritually see clearly. When we refuse to change our ways; when we ignore the needs of others; when we choose to ignore the injustices happening; when we are filled with selfishness, hatred, prejudice and unforgiveness; when we fail or refuse to recognise goodness in others; then we are spiritually blind.

Are we still refusing to let the Lord heal us and help us see? Today, let us learn to be humble and submit to God, for it is He who can open our eyes of Faith and the eyes of our hearts, enabling us to see clearly.

Friday of Week 4 Year 2

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When a person is weak and self-centred, he or she may do things to please others or to win recognition and approval. Sometimes such people may make promises which are difficult to fulfil, and when confronted with possible embarrassment or ridicule for being unable to keep the promise, he or she may be more than willing to fulfil such promises, even though such promises could lead one to greater wrongdoing or even commit sin.

In today’s Gospel, we see King Herod who was an example of such a weak and self-centred person. He was so easily tricked by his wife who got her daughter to dance for Herod and entice him to do what she wanted. This led to the death of John the Baptist, even though initially “Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.” Are some of us like Herod in one way or another, wanting and willing to save face at all costs? Are we so easily duped into making promises without thinking carefully the consequences?

Thursday of Week 4 Year 2

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As Christians, we are constantly reminded to go forth and preach the Good News. This command is not to be taken lightly, as it is one of great urgency and importance. Today’s Gospel reminds us of this great urgency and importance: “Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.'”

Each of us are called to go forth and preach the Good News. Sometimes along the way, we may be distracted with all sorts of other attractions, and we may lose our focus and concentration in our duty. Let us learn to not be attached to all these other attractions, and depend on God’s providence, so that we can be effective in bringing Jesus’ message to others.