Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 6th

Monday of Week 6 Year 1

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Why do we do things or offer our services in church? Do we do such things and services to serve God? Or do we do such things and services to gain recognition, admiration and to feed our pride and ego? When we do something for church, do we expect praise and recognition from others, especially from the clergy, or do we give thanks to God for the privilege to serve? Also, do we give our best for the church, or do we give only what we can spare?

In today’s reading, we come across two brothers, Cain and Abel. The reading tells us: “The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering. But he did not look with favour on Cain and his offering, and Cain was very angry and downcast. The Lord asked Cain, ‘‘Why are you angry and downcast? If you are well disposed, ought you not to lift up your head? But if you are ill disposed, is not sin at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you, which you must master?'” Cain was angry and jealous because his brother Abel had received the Lord’s favour. It appears as if Cain had given his offering, but with the intention of getting affirmation or recognition from God. That is why Cain was very angry and downcast, since if we are sincere in offering to God without strings attached, it would not matter whether our offering is looked with favour or not. So, in a rage, Cain killed Abel, thinking that getting rid of the competition would give him sole access to God’s favour.

What about us? Have we become like Cain, expecting fame, recognition and affirmation from others for what we have done or contributed. Are we feeding our pride and ego when we offer our services to the church? May we take caution and not become so proud and conceited. Instead, may we do all things with humility and gratefulness, for the glory of God.

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter

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There are times in life where we come across certain forms of irrational persecution going on around us. Some of such irrational persecution stems from the irrational fear certain parties have towards Christians, whom they accuse are out to convert them or weaken their faith. In recent times, we read of how some of these parties react, even to the point of seeing as a threat, certain ordinary objects, or even certain fixtures and fittings, just because such items are in the shape of a plus sign, which they consider to be the shape of a cross, no matter how absurd or ridiculous such a consideration or thought may be. However, fortunately for us, we do still have some rational and open minded leaders who see such things as petty issues which are being used by certain quarters, who are using religion merely to gain political mileage.

In today’s reading, we come across another example of such a rational and open minded leader who could clearly see that the Jews were making a concerted attack on Paul and bringing him before the tribunal, merely out of jealousy and not because Paul had done anything wrong. This leader is Gallio who was proconsul of Achaia. Even though the Jewish crowd tried to create a ruckus by turning on Sosthenes, the synagogue president, and beat him in front of the court house, Gallio still refused to take any notice at all. As far as Gallio was concerned, Paul was innocent in Roman law, and he refused to allow the Jews to incite him to take any action.

If we are leaders in our community, or even if we are political leaders, may we learn from today’s reading and call a spade a spade. Instead of misusing religion for political grounds or for personal gain, may we learn to do what is right and just, since we ought to be leaders for the service of all, and not leaders for our own glory.

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Christian faith is such that we need to have an experience of it, as well as proper teaching of it. We cannot depend only on the experience of it, since we may not understand what is it we are really believing, and sometimes people could lead us astray with an experience of faith which has been manipulated by them for their own agenda. On the other hand, we cannot have only an intellectual-based faith, where we only learn about it but have no inkling about what it feels like, especially feeling the presence of God.

That is why, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.” Jesus has taught the disciples much, but depending on teaching alone is not sufficient. Experiencing the Holy Spirit is also necessary, so that we would be fired up and strengthened to go forth and preach the Good News with joy and courage. May we always strive to understand our faith well through proper study, and let the Holy Spirit fill us with love, strength, compassion and vigour, so that we may truly be His diciples bringing the Good News to all the earth.

Monday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Some of us may have heard of the country ballad by Carrie Underwood titled “I Told You So,” and some of the words are: “I told you so, oh I told you so, I told you some day you come crawling back and asking me to take you in…” In this song, the lyrics seem to show one person gloating over, or speaking in a condescending manner towards another person, for not listening to, or refusing to accept, or rejecting, advice or suggestions. When a person uses such word like “I Told You So,” it is possible that the person may “brag” over it, or the person may feel proud and “wise” for having said something towards another person, and the other person had not listened and ended up with issues or problems. But as Christians, is this the sort of attitude or behaviour we encourage?

In today’s Gospel, we see an example where Jesus said “I have told you all this” and even said it three times. Jesus said “I have told you all this” not to prove what He said was true, but so that when the time for those events have to come to pass, His disciples may remember that Jesus had told them. Jesus is helping His disciples, and us too, to remember that we must always be prepared and ready for anything, and remain in God’s love and care.

As Christians, we are called to be prophets. What does that mean? It basically means that we are to speak the truth and tell it as it is, no matter how hard or difficult the message may be to accept, for the good of those who are supposed to receive the message. But the prophet is saying such truth or message not to show how clever or wise the prophet is, but to do the will of God and deliver God’s message and warning to those who need to know. The prophet is not interested in bragging, or gloating, or saying “I told you so,” to appease one’s personal ego or gratification, since the prophet is merely doing one’s duty. Are we also doing our duty faithfully?

Housekeeping – 6th Week of Easter

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

1 May 2016 – 6th Sunday of Easter Year C
2 May 2016 – Monday of the 6th Week of Easter
3 May 2016 – Saints Philip and James, Apostles – Feast
4 May 2016 – Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter
5 May 2016 – The Ascension of the Lord – Mass of the Day
6 May 2016 – Friday of the 6th Week of Easter

6th Sunday of Easter Year C

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Many of us know that the church can never be a democracy, where the opinions and votes of the faithful are important. This is because there are fundamental matters concerning faith and morals that cannot be changed to suit certain people, and if we are to dwell in the opinions of everyone, then we would find it impossible or extremely difficult to make decisions, sometimes decisions which may not be popular or difficult for some to accept. This is because different people would think that their opinion is what matters, and this would lead to disagreements, which may eventually lead to conflict, chaos and disunity.

In the first reading, the early Christian community faced a problem, because some of them believed that they should still follow Jewish customs, for example circumcision and prohibitions towards certain foods. This is because to them, Jesus was a Jew and had also followed Jewish ways and rituals. But there was also another group of Christians who recognised that Jesus was not merely another Jewish teacher wanting to reform his religion, but He was the Son of God who came to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God, where customs and rituals which separated and differentiated one race from the other could no longer be barriers to Christian brotherhood. Towards the end of the reading, we are told that a decision was made, where the Gentile converts should “not be saddled with any burden beyond certain essentials.”

This is where Christian communities throughout the centuries continued to survive and grow with guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to the church and to each of us believers. As Jesus tells us in the Gospel: “I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.” His presence enables us to experience peace in our decisions even in the midst of chaos and problems, because through His guidance, we can still come to a common decision that reflects the will of God, in spite of all our personal opinions and ways of thinking. Without the Holy Spirit, the Church and unity would not be possible.

At the end of the day, our decisions must always be made with reference to the Church and the community as a whole. Some of us may be tempted to think that my opinion is the best and the most important of all, but what matters most is not this or that opinion or even the opinion of the majority, but the will of God that we must search for with guidance of the Holy Spirit. May we continue to discern carefully and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, for the benefit and good of the entire Church and community, and for the glory of God.

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter

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When we are separated from our friends and loved ones for a period of time, some of us may feel down or feel sad. Sometimes the separation could be only for a short while, sometimes it could be for a longer time. However, how should we Christians deal with such separation? How many of us are joyful and hopeful, even when we are experiencing such separation?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that the separation we experience is only temporary. We read: “I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a man has been born into the world. So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you.” Jesus is encouraging us to stay focused and stay faithful to Him, since we will see Him again. Instead of dwelling in our sadness, let us give thanks to God and remain hopeful and joyful that such separation is only for a moment, and that we will be with Jesus again.

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Versatility in using different approaches in preaching the Good News is needed if we are to be effective witnesses. We cannot use a one style fits all approach, since different people, different groups and different cultures would require different approaches and methods. For example, the way we teach children about faith would be quite different to the way we teach youth or adults. Even among these different groups, some individuals may require more effort and time to help them grow in faith. The question is: are we patient and persistent enough to help others grow in faith according to their abilities?

In today’s reading, we come across Paul who used a more intellectual approach to stimulate the minds of the people of Athens, since these people were always on the look out for new ideas, new philosophies and things which involve the intellect. By using the intellectual approach, Paul was able to rouse the curiosity of some of the people of Athens and some even became believers, as the reading tells us: “At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, ‘We would like to hear you talk about this again.’ After that Paul left them, but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides.” Also, in the Gospel, Jesus said: “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.” Notice that Jesus did not shove everything down the throats of His disciples at one go. Instead, He taught them bite sizes, so that they would be able to grasp what He was saying, as His disciples required an approach quite different to the approach used by Paul on the people of Athens.

When we encounter different people, let us learn from the example of Jesus and St. Paul, and share the Good News to others using different ways. Sometimes we may find that one way works and another does not, depending on the situation, and we should be flexible and humble enough to change methods. Ultimately, how effective we are in preaching the Good News depends on how willing we are to change and let God guide us in our efforts.

Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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When we have been with someone for quite some time, we begin to warm up to the person and become used to the person’s ways, habits, peculiarities and other things which we have begun to accept and live with. But the day will come when the person would need to go away for whatever reason, and when that day comes, how would we respond? Would we be prepared and ready to let go and give thanks to God? Or would we end up in an emotional mess?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus told his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you has asked, “Where are you going?” Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this. Still, I must tell you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going because unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you.” It must have been difficult for the disciples to let go of Jesus and begin their mission in spreading the Good News. But Jesus promised them that they would not be left alone, they would not be abandoned, since the Advocate would come to them, be with them and strengthen them.

In the same way, we may one day no longer have the presence of those we love and are used to, but we do have memories, and we have God to comfort us and guide us as we move on in our lives. Let us not be disheartened or feel sad, for God will not leave us orphaned or abandon us. Are we willing to be patient and let Him transform us into something better?

Monday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Every once in a while, we hear of persecution happening at certain places where the Christian community there is quite badly affected. Some of these communities end up losing their homes, their property and even their lives. Some are given a choice by their aggressors, to convert or die. We have seen many of these Christian communities fleeing from such persecution. Some are even willing to die rather than trying to save their skin and convert. Fortunately for many of us, we are spared from such a situation at the moment.

But what if one day, we too are faced with such a choice: to convert or die? What would our response be? Would we be willing to remain steadfast in our faith and face death, or would we so easily give up our faith just to preserve our lives? In today’s Gospel, Jesus has warned us of the persecutions to come: “I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken. They will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy duty for God. They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or myself.” Are we ready and prepared to face such persecutions, knowing that our reward is far more valuable and precious than anything this life could ever offer? Or are we going to allow ourselves to fall away just to save our lives, only to lose it later?