Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 7th

Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

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Some of us are fortunate to have parents who love us a lot. Sometimes we may not necessary hear our parents say the words “I love you,” but they would go out of their way to show their love. This is especially true among Asian parents, who are usually uncomfortable in using such words, but they would show much love and affection to their children. But do we love our parents in return? There are some who have received much love from their parents when they were young, but when their parents are old and are unable to care for themselves, what happens? How many children are willing to care and love their parents in their golden years? How many children are truly grateful and appreciative towards their parents for the love and sacrifices their parents had showered on them? How many children are really willing to go out of their way to love and care for their parents, just as their parents had done for them when they were young?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked Peter 3 times whether Peter loved Him. When Jesus was on trial, Peter had denied knowing Jesus but Jesus did not hold that against him. Instead, Jesus was trying to help Peter come to terms with what it really means to love. Love is not just words, since anybody can just say things without meaning it. Instead, love 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? Are we willing to love till it hurts, even to the point of death? Are we willing to go through all the effort and trouble to love our parents and care for them as best we can, just as they had done so for us? Sometimes it seems convenient to just do the minimum and get on with our own lives, but are we truly being loving, or are we just trying to shirk our responsibilities? If Jesus were to ask us: “Do you love me?” the way He asked Peter 3 times, what would our honest response be?

Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter

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Some of us seem to take offense over issues which we think are big or serious, but sometimes the issue at hand may not necessarily be that big or serious after all, but our minds are sometimes too fixated or closed to see the bigger picture. We begin to squabble over petty things when there are more serious matters to be discussed and addressed. When we are like this, we lose sight of our true purpose as Christians and end up wasting much time and energy over trivial matters.

This was the problem that the scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees had with Paul. Just as they were obstinate and refused to change when Jesus was around, they were also equally obstinate with Paul. So Paul decided to shake things up a bit and distract them from their narrow-mindedness. Using a bit of guile, 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 a big argument broke over differences of opinion which had nothing to do with the reason 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 so consumed, so obstinate or so insistent with our ways or our ideas, that we have become like the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees? Have we forgotten our primary duty as Christians to proclaim the Good News to all? Ultimately, we need to take a good, hard look at ourselves and realise that the universe does not revolve only around us, and that we have more important tasks or matters at hand for the greater glory of God.

Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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In every community, we do come across people who do things for their own interests. Sometimes such people would try to influence the community to listen to them and follow their lead, even though it may not be in the best interests of the community to do so. If members of the community are not careful or discerning enough, they may inadvertently bring suffering or even destruction to the entire community. We have seen throughout history how certain 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 make themselves scarce 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. This does not mean that we should become paranoid or suspicious of every person or every idea, but 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. This requires prayer and listening to God’s promptings, and sometimes it does not take much to smell a rat or identify a wolf in sheep clothing.

Thus, let us not become complacent in our duties as leaders in our Christian community. Ultimately, we should be discerning enough with the help of God, to determine whether certain persons are being true or are being agents of destruction.

Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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Whenever I go to the coffee shop for breakfast or lunch, I come across different sorts of people. Some are at the coffee shop to have a meal before they go to work. Some bring their children for a meal before sending them to school or kindergarten. But I also notice a few uncles and aunties who are at the coffee shop to get together and have a long chat, sometimes a really really long chat. I have observed some uncles and aunties who can spend almost the whole day at the coffee shop (since I sometimes pass by and notice some of them still there engrossed in their conversation). It amazes me how some of these folks can find so much to talk about. But I suppose that some feel as if they have got nothing else better to do, and find comfort and solace with their fellow compatriots in having marathon sessions of sharing juicy bits. But as Christians, what should be our attitude towards utilising our words, our time and our efforts?

In today’s reading, Paul tells 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.” While there is nothing wrong with catching up with friends and talking about matters at hand, we should also not lose sight of our purpose and goal as Christians, as Paul has shown us. May we ultimately use our words and actions wisely for the glory of God.

Monday of the 7th Week of Easter

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In recent times, we have seen increased persecution among our Christian brethren in many different countries. Often the persecution stems from just being a Christian, and such persecutors are only interested in either forcing these Christians to convert to another faith, or to wipe them out from where they are. We have seen how, in some cases, the property and belongings of our Christian brethren have been seized and sold to further the cause of the persecutors. So it seems like the persecutors are committing such heinous acts not only in the so-called name of their religion, but also out of greed and jealousy. In the face of such vile acts, how do we Christians respond?

In today’s gospel, Jesus assures us: “I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.” Jesus already knew that as Christians, we would have challenges, difficulties and trouble, since our ways are in contrast with the ways of the world. But Jesus is also assuring us of His peace and to be firm and steadfast in our faith in Him. Despite all the turmoil that we are facing around the world, let us not be disheartened or give up, since as Jesus tells us, He has conquered the world. Let us be patient and remain in Jesus, for He will save us and lead us to victory.

7th Sunday of Easter Year B

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Every once in a while, I get people coming up to me asking me to bless their car, their rosary, a picture of some saint, the crucifix that they would like to wear or they would like to gift to someone, a statue of Mary or some saint, some holy medal attributed to Mary or some saint, or even their house or workplace. Sometimes, I have people young and not so young coming to me asking me to bless them because it is their birthday, or their wedding anniversary, or they are hoping to conceive, or they are sick, about to go for some important treatment or feeling troubled, or they are about to take an examination, or to bless their children, or for some other reason. But the question is: What exactly is a blessing? Do you know why you ask for a blessing? Some people do not seem to really understand what a blessing means, and some people may think that it is a means of protection from evil or a means to obtain good luck, like a talisman or a good luck charm. But this understanding of what a blessing is, is wrong. It becomes a form of superstition, since the blessing ends up appearing to be some form of magic (like murgaga or hokus pokus).

So what exactly is a blessing? A blessing, as today’s Gospel reminds us, is a form of consecration. In the Gospel, Jesus prayed a prayer of blessing, where He said: “Consecrate them in the truth, your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.” A consecration means the person or object now belongs to God. It means the person or item is moved away from the world and towards God, as the person or item is set apart for God, and the fate and the life of the person or object is now in the hands of God, to be dealt with according to His will. When something or someone is consecrated to God, the object or the person is now set apart to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, which is to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to give glory to God in all things.

So what does this all mean? It means that, when a house is blessed, the family in that house must give glory to God by living a life of unity, charity and love. When a sick person is blessed, he or she gives glory to God through his or her sickness, regardless of whether he or she recovers or not. When a person asks for blessings before an important exam, the person is saying that he or she will do his or her best and give glory to God, regardless of whether he or she does well in the examination or not. When holy medals and rosaries are blessed, these objects become symbols reminding us to give glory to God through our prayers, through our deeds, and through the way we live our lives each day. When vehicles and workplaces are blessed, we are saying that such vehicles or workplaces would be used in an honest and proper way, for the good of all and for the glory of God.  So as we can see, asking for a blessing is not a small matter or a laughing matter or for play play. Are we prepared to carry out what the blessing requires?

Let us be reminded that God does not force us to have a relationship with Him, and we should love freely and willingly. Instead, God is inviting us to enter into a loving relationship with Him, as the second reading reminds us: “God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him.” When we ask for a blessing for whatever reason, let us be prepared to consecrate our entire lives to God, so that we may live in His love and allow Him to live in us. Are we really, truly and happily prepared to do this for the greater glory of God?

Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

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How much do we love Jesus? We say we love Him, but sometimes our actions do not correspond with what we say. We say we love Jesus, but we do not seem to love our family members. We say we love Jesus, but we do not show much love or patience towards others on the road, in our daily dealings, etc. We say we love Jesus, and yet we are willing to drag others to the police or even to court over trivial matters. How much do we really love Jesus?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Jesus did not just ask Simon Peter this question once, but 3 times. If Jesus were to ask the same question to us, what would we reply? Sometimes it seems easy to say that we love Jesus, but do we know the full implications of loving Jesus? Are we aware of what we are replying? It is easy to say things, but committing to what we say is not so easy. Jesus told Simon Peter: “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Would we be willing to love Jesus, even to the extend of going to places against our will?

Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter

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Sometimes when we are being persecuted or put on trial, one should be prepared spiritually and mentally to face our accusers. Sometimes the kind of accusers we are facing can be manipulated to our advantage. This is the tactic which Paul used in today’s reading. Because of the squabble which broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees due to Paul’s crafty statement, the accusations brought about by both parties were set aside and they became engrossed with arguments among themselves. As a result, Paul was rescued and brought into the fortress under the protection of the tribune.

Jesus reminds us: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). This means that, at times, we need to be cunning and able to defend ourselves, so that we would be able to continue in our mission in proclaiming the Good News. Are we using our intellect effectively and efficiently for the greater glory of God?

Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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In every Christian community, we need to be fervent in prayer and be watchful over the many dangers around us. This does not mean we become paranoid or fearful, but we should be prepared for any situation with full of faith. In today’s reading, St. Paul addressed these words to the elders of the church of Ephesus: “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…”

Dangers indeed lurk in many places, even among certain members of our Christian community. Some of our own Christian members may not necessarily be who they appear to be. There is more than meets the eye. Even among Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot later betrayed Jesus. This is why Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) reminds us: “Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him” (Sirach 6:6-7).” Be careful who we trust, and let us seek God’s help for His guidance.

Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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How urgent is the Good News to us? Are we enthusiastic and ever-ready to give our all and risk our lives to go forth and preach the Good News? In today’s reading, St. Paul tells us: “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.” Here, we see how St. Paul was more concerned about preaching the Good News, even to the extend of facing persecution and endangering his life.

What about us? Have we become comfortable with our lives on earth, and preaching the Good News seems to be less important? Are we becoming more and more complacent as Christians? Are we losing sight of our mission the Lord Jesus has given us, just He had given Paul, that is to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace? Let us not squander our lives away in only things which are temporary here on earth. Are we willing to change and finish the race, just Paul had done?