Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 7th

Tuesday of Week 7 Year 1

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Some people think that being a Christian is an easy thing. Some may have been duped into thinking by certain so called church leaders that all they need to do is call on the name of Jesus and their salvation is guaranteed. What such persons do not realise is that it is easy to claim to be a Christian, but how many are able to remain Christian when faced with persecution or even the possibility of being put to death? Are such persons able to remain steadfast as Christians, come what may?

In today’s reading, we are called to persevere while serving God. The reading tells us: “My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation. Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in him.”

The reading reminds us that if we want to be a Christian, we would need to serve the Lord and be prepared for trials and tribulations. Are we prepared to face any obstacles, persecution, torture or even death? Let us not abandon our resolve to remain in Christ, no matter what happens, and give glory to God with our lives.

Monday of Week 7 Year 1

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Human criteria of being wise and God’s criteria are quite different. For us humans, we are wise according to certain circumstances. For example, a person may be wise due to high education, but the person may not necessarily be wise when it comes to living choices. A person on the street may not seem wise according to academic criteria, but the person may be wise in finding creative ways to survive. Also, even within intellectual circles, one may be wise in certain subjects, but no one can claim to be wise in every subject. So, the question is: are we humans really wise, or do we seem wise only in certain aspects?

In today’s reading, we are reminded that there is only One who is wise. The reading tells us: “All wisdom is from the Lord, and it is his own for ever. One only is wise, terrible indeed, seated on his throne, the Lord.” The reading reminds us that only God is wise in all aspects and in all ways, and as such, we should humble ourselves and learn from God’s wisdom, who far surpasses any of our own. Let us submit to His wisdom, since it is He who loves us and provides for us.

Saturday of Week 7 Year 2

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I sometimes come across people who appear to be praying fervently, and when asked why they are praying this way, one reason I hear is because there is some sort of trouble or sickness involved. Praying for God’s help when trouble or sickness is involved, is fine, but what about times of happiness and joy? Also, what about praying for the needs and intentions of others, especially people who we don’t like, or who have hurt us, or who are our enemies? Do we pray only for ourselves and those who are good to us?

Today’s reading reminds us of who we should pray for and why we should pray: “If any one of you is in trouble, he should pray; if anyone is feeling happy, he should sing a psalm. If one of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him. The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up again; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.”

Whether we are happy, sad, sick, or even healthy, we should pray at all times, not just for ourselves, but for others also. Not only we should pray at all times, we should also pray with faith, confident and trusting that God would help us and do what is best for us, according to His time and His purposes. Would we be willing to come humbly before Him in prayer, and let Him take control, so that His will be done?

Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter

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We know that our primary duty as Christians or followers of Christ is to proclaim the Good News. Sometimes we may have become distracted or diverted from our duty, due to various circumstances, such as family matters, sickness, a recent loss of a family member, issues at work, issues at church, and so on. However, such various circumstances ought to be seen as learning experiences to depend more on God’s providence and not on our own strength.

In today’s reading, St. Paul did not lament about being in chains despite his innocence, but he took the opportunity to proclaim the Kingdom of God despite wearing those chains. St. Paul stayed focused on Jesus, doing His will, and depending on His providence instead of his own strength, and avoided wallowing in his predicament or unfortunate situation.

What about us? Would we be humble and willing to stay focused on Jesus and do His will, come what may? May we not allow ourselves to be distracted by the ways of the world or by the situation we are in, and focus on the ways of Christ, as we continue to depend on His providence and love.

Friday of Week 7 Year 1

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Some of us find making friends quite easy. But quite often, the friend that one makes is not really a friend, but an acquaintance, since finding friends who are true, generous and dependable is not so easy. We sometimes come across people who seem friendly, but they may have hidden agendas and they are friendly to us possibly because we have something to offer them, or the friendship is beneficial to them. Once we are unable to satisfy their needs, such persons may disappear or avoid us all of a sudden.

That is why, in today’s reading, we are cautioned: “Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisers one in a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and be in no hurry to trust him…” It may seem harsh, but life is such that we need to be careful when making friends, so as to not be taken advantaged of, or taken for a ride. May we find true, dependable, intimate and loyal friends, and may we be true, dependable, intimate and loyal as well.

Thursday of Week 7 Year 1

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I believe many of us make much effort to keep our bodies clean. Some of us may feel uneasy or embarrassed to emit body odour, and we not only bathe regularly, some of us even put lots of perfume to hide our “natural perfume.” But how many of us pay much attention to the cleanliness of our soul? Do we keep our soul clean the way we keep our bodies clean, by going for confession regularly? Or do we procrastinate and think that we have plenty of time to do so?

In today’s reading, we are urged to do something about the cleanliness of our soul. The reading reminds us: “Do not say, “I have sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord’s forbearance is long.” At the same time, the reading also warns us “not to delay our return to the Lord, do not put it off day after day, for suddenly the Lord’s wrath will blaze out” and it will be tragic for us. May we do our part in keeping our soul clean, so that when the time comes, we would be ready and prepared to meet our God.

Tuesday of Week 7 Year 1

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Some of the things we need to be prepared for when we want to serve God is the possibility of rejection, persecution, and even being put to death. Over the centuries, we have seen many saints and martyrs who proclaimed the faith with vigour, and some even went to their death for the faith. Some may have been spared torture or persecution, but they experienced hardship and many difficulties, especially when the faith was being proclaimed in new areas where the people and the conditions of the place was generally unknown.

In today’s reading, we are being affirmed and encouraged to persevere while serving God. The reading tells us: “My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation. Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in him.” Let us not give up or waver in our vigour, but increase our efforts, knowing that God will guide us and help us in all we do, for His greater glory.

Monday of Week 7 Year 1

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How do we know whether a person is wise or not? Is there some sort of clear criteria which could be used to determine whether a person is wise? Unfortunately, there is no clear criteria. Different ethnic groups have different interpretations of what makes a wise person. Even within an ethnic group, what certain individuals claim to be wise could be disputed by others. Moreover, to make it even more complicated, there are different kinds of wisdom to be considered. Some are wise in learning, some are wise in experience, some are street-wise. So can anyone claim to be completely wise, or wise only in certain aspects?

In today’s reading, we are reminded that there is only One who is wise. The reading tells us: “All wisdom is from the Lord, and it is his own for ever. One only is wise, terrible indeed, seated on his throne, the Lord.” Many of us could try to claim to be wise in some specific way, but only God is wise in all aspects and in all ways. Instead of trying to claim to be wise, let us humble ourselves and learn from God’s wisdom, who far surpasses any of our own. Let us submit to His wisdom, since it is He who loves us and provides for us.

Friday of Week 7 Year 2

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Some of us seem to be so quick in judging others, just because they think differently, or behave differently, or do things differently, or carry out instructions differently, from the way we think or expect. When we encounter such people, we may get angry, annoyed, upset, frustrated or even shun the person. But what we may fail to realise or perceive is that the person might be in agreement with us, or might be getting a task done, but not exactly as how we wanted. If you are encountering such a person, what would you do? How would you respond or manage such persons?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord; remember it is those who had endurance that we say are the blessed ones. You have heard of the patience of Job, and understood the Lord’s purpose, realising that the Lord is kind and compassionate. Above all, my brothers, do not swear by heaven or by the earth, or use any oaths at all. If you mean ‘yes’, you must say ‘yes’; if you mean ‘no’, say ‘no.’ Otherwise you make yourselves liable to judgement.”

Perhaps the challenge that we face is to understand and appreciate the difference of methods or opinions, and engage the person or persons in question, so that we could strive together in one common goal, that is building the Kingdom of God. After all, we may have heard of the phrase “unity in diversity” before. Let us thus be thankful for the unity we experience, while appreciating the diversity of persons who make up God’s children.

Thursday of Week 7 Year 2

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Is it wrong for a person to be rich? No. Being rich is not wrong nor a sin. But how one acquired such riches and what one does with such riches could lead a person to sin. For example, a person could get rich by committing crime; or they gain wealth through corruption or other unsavoury means; or even get involved in illegal or black market trade; or through cheating, swindelling or abusing others for the sake of attaining wealth. Also, a person could misuse one’s riches to pervert the course of justice; or bribe certain officials for favours or benefits; or even use money lavishly for personal glory, fame, to boost one’s ego or personal gratification. When people do such things, the person could be sinning in many different ways.

In today’s reading, the rich who misuse their wealth or gain wealth through evil ways are warned: “Start crying, weep for the miseries that are coming to you. Your wealth is all rotting, your clothes are all eaten up by moths. All your gold and your silver are corroding away, and the same corrosion will be your own sentence, and eat into your body… Labourers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out; realise that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart’s content. It was you who condemned the innocent and killed them; they offered you no resistance.”

Could some of us be guilty of gaining wealth through evil ways and misusing wealth? Let us take caution and not be lured into a false sense of security, since our riches here on earth will not last. Instead, let us make more effort in building “riches” in heaven, riches that will last for all eternity.