Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 7th

Wednesday of Week 7 Year 2

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I believe that many of us are making effort to avoid sin and live good Christian lives. But sometimes, we do things knowing fully well that what we are doing is not right. For example, some of us feel that we are entitled to something, but we do not get what we think we are entitled to. Then what happens? Some of us may begin to scheme and find ways and means, by hook or by crook, to get what we want. But once we have gotten what we want, are we truly satisfied or happy? Or could some of us begin to desire even more?

Today’s reading cautions us: “You never know what will happen tomorrow: you are no more than a mist that is here for a little while and then disappears. The most you should ever say is: ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we shall still be alive to do this or that.’ But how proud and sure of yourselves you are now! Pride of this kind is always wicked. Everyone who knows what is the right thing to do and doesn’t do it commits a sin.” When we know what is the right thing to do, but do otherwise to satisfy our pride, our ego and to gain some personal gratification, surely we are sinning. Sometimes what we do may appear to be right, but in actuality, we are not doing the right thing for the right reasons. May we discern carefully what we do, and do what is right, for the greater glory of God.

Tuesday of Week 7 Year 2

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It is easy for some of us to get caught up with the ways of the world. Some of us strive for fame, popularity, titles, property, wealth, honour, and many other things that the world has to offer. Sometimes we end up doing things to put others down or to belittle others, in an effort to show how valuable or useful we are, in an effort to gain the attention of those who could reward us with worldly rewards. But let us ask ourselves honestly: How long will such rewards last? Can we bring such rewards with us in the afterlife? Would such rewards mean anything or is of any use when we die? Surely many of us know the answer to these questions, but how many of us are humble and willing to change our ways?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “You are as unfaithful as adulterous wives; don’t you realise that making the world your friend is making God your enemy? Anyone who chooses the world for his friend turns himself into God’s enemy… God opposes the proud but he gives generously to the humble. Give in to God, then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you go to God, the nearer he will come to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” God is ever so patient to us and gives us plenty of opportunities to grow closer to Him. He is offering us eternal life, not eternal damnation, but we have a choice: God does not force us to be with Him. We can choose to remain in Him, or we can choose to be away from Him. Of course, this does not mean that we should neglect worldly matters completely, since we still need to survive in the world while we are living. But what it means is we should get our priorities right, and strive towards what is eternal, instead of only being concerned about that which is temporary.

Monday of Week 7 Year 2

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Have you ever wondered why some people serve in church or hold some important office or function in church? Some may be doing so because they want to be generous in helping the church to grow, and to build God’s Kingdom. Such people do things for the benefit of the church, and we can see their humility and genuineness through their words and actions. But it is also interesting to see how some other people behave, what sort of attitude they have, when they hold some position in church. We have seen examples of arrogance, pride, and ego in some persons, who do things for show or to attract attention to themselves.

This is why today’s reading reminds us: “If there are any wise or learned men among you, let them show it by their good lives, with humility and wisdom in their actions.” The reading also cautions us: “Wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony, and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it.” Are we living good lives, with humility and wisdom in our actions? Or have we become partial or hypocritical in our lives?

Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

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It is easy for us to say “I love you,” but how many of us truly mean what we say? Do we say “I love you” but our actual meaning is merely “I like you,” or are the words “I love you” sincere and genuine? Would we be willing to love till it hurts, even to the point of death? For example, if someone is in grave danger and we are in a position to rescue the person, but in doing so we ourselves may end up dead, would we go ahead and attempt the rescue?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked Peter 3 times whether Peter loved Him. Peter had denied knowing Jesus when Jesus was on trial, but Jesus did not hold that against him. Instead, Jesus helped Peter come to terms with what it really means to love. Love is not just words but requires action, and in the case of Peter, Jesus had entrusted the care of His sheep to him. Not only that, Jesus reminded Peter: “I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.” This shows that ultimately, Peter would be expected to love till it hurts, to love even to the point of death.

What about us? Do we really know the meaning of the words “I love you” after all? Are we willing to love even to the point of death? May we truly love and give our all, and show what it really means to be a Christian by our love.

Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter

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I believe all of us would have experienced some issue at some point of our lives, due to misunderstanding, differences in opinion, or some other criteria. Some of the issues we may have experienced may seem significant or serious, but sometimes necessarily so, especially since our minds may have become too fixated or closed to see the bigger picture, and we begin to squabble over petty things or trivial matters. When we are like this, we lose sight of our true purpose as Christians and end up wasting much time and energy over such petty things or trivial matters.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees had a problem with Paul. They were obstinate and refused to change when Jesus was around, and they were also equally obstinate with Paul. So Paul decided to shake things up a bit and demonstrate their narrow-mindedness. Paul pitted the scribes and Pharisees against the Sadducees by exclaiming: “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” When he said this, the scribes and the Pharisees ganged up against the Sadducees and argued over differences of opinion which had nothing to do with why Paul was being arrested and put on trial in the first place. This shows that, the core issue which the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees had against Paul, was actually not really a big deal after all, since they could be so easily distracted with other things.

What about us? Have we become like the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Have we become so easily distracted by small matters or petty things, and neglected to address the bigger or more serious matters? May we learn to see the big picture, and free ourselves from such narrow-mindedness, so that we can truly live Christian lives, with love towards God and neighbour.

Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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From time to time, we do come across, within a community, people who do things for their own benefit or own gain. Sometimes such people would try to influence the community to listen to them and follow their ways, to the eventual detriment of the community. We have seen how such individuals have betrayed or sold off their community just for some title, position, wealth or power and when such people have gotten what they wanted, they would disappear and let the community face the consequences.

This is why St. Paul in today’s reading warns us: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard…”

As leaders of a Christian community, we need to be discerning and careful not to allow certain individuals to wreak havoc and destruction to the community. While we should not become paranoid or suspicious of every person or every idea, we should seek God’s help and wisdom to ensure that all in the community are not led astray or duped into following false or wrong teaching. May we be vigilant, so that our community would grow according to God’s ways and glorify His Name.

Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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Some of us go through life as if there does not seem to be much meaning. We get up, get ready, perhaps have a nice breakfast, go to work, slog it out for hours, then come back from work exhausted, probably have a shower then a light dinner, before we hit the sack, to repeat the whole process again. While it is necessary for us to survive in this world, and we need to take care of our life here on earth, is what we are doing day in day out all there is to life? Are we content in only focusing on living and surviving in this world, without much thought about our eternal future?

In today’s reading, St Paul reminds us: “But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me – and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace.” St Paul is reminding us that just living life as it is, or just talking about one’s present situation and one’s life, is insufficient. As Christians, we have an added dimension, that is, we are called to go forth and preach the Good News, and not only be content with letting life slip by or spending our time in idle chatter. May we take heed of St. Paul’s example, and do our part in building God’s Kingdom for His glory.

Monday of the 7th Week of Easter

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It is unavoidable that at some point of our lives, we would come into some form of conflict with others, or we may experience some form of persecution. This is because we as Christians follow Jesus, His way and His teaching. When we are faced with situations where we need to adhere to Christian principles at the expense of worldly principles, we are bound to clash with others who follow worldly principles, and who are trying to make us do the same.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us some reassuring, encouraging and comforting words: “In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.” Notice that Jesus did not say “may have trouble” but He said “will have trouble.” This shows that being a Christian is certainly not going to be easy, as there are many things that we adhere to which are against the ways of the world. So let us not be disheartened or even despair, as we have Jesus to guide and protect us, since He has already conquered the world, and with His help, we too can do the same.

Housekeeping – 7th Week of Easter

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

8 May 2016 – 7th Sunday of Easter Year C
9 May 2016 – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
10 May 2016 – Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter
11 May 2016 – Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
12 May 2016 – Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
13 May 2016 – Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

7th Sunday of Easter Year C

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Sometimes at church, we come across faithful who seem to be more comfortable with their own group, such as a particular ministry, or language group, or some other group which share a common interest or practice. While there is nothing wrong with getting involved in a particular group, we need to be careful not to form cliques, where our particular group is more important or all that matters, and we begin to avoid other faithful, just because of some differences such as interests or language which could alienate us from others. After all, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and one family of God, and there is no room for division and distinction in this one family of God.

This is why, in today’s Gospel, Jesus prayed: “Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us as you are in me and I am in you.” Jesus was concerned not only for his disciples, those that the Heavenly Father had given to His care, but also for others, including those who rejected him and even his enemies. This is also why we cannot only be praying for our loved ones and friends and only help people who are close to us. We are also called to pray for ‘others,’ including our enemies, people who hurt us, those speak ill of us, those who think differently, those who are of a different skin colour or language. In the first reading, we are reminded that, filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen did exactly this, since he prayed that God would forgive his enemies their sins as he was being stoned.

Today, we are challenged to remain as one family of God. We are challenged to set aside our differences and let God be our help and guide. It is certainly not easy to come out of our comfort zones and unite with others who seem so different from us, but that is what being Christian is all about, to be able to see others as our brother or sister, and to accept them as part of God’s family. May we be humble and willing to let God take charge of our lives, and keep us as one.