Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 7th

Monday of the 7th Week of Easter

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In our lives, are we trouble-free? Do we live in total peace and harmony? Quite likely, we are not so fortunate to live in total peace and harmony or trouble-free. We face all sorts of challenges and setbacks. Sometimes, we wonder how long we would be able to persevere and keep going. In the world, we may not experience the kind of peace we long for. However, Jesus in today’s Gospel assures us: “I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me.” It is when we are willing to let Jesus take control, when we are ready to let Him be our guide, that we wll find true peace.

Despite the many difficulties we may face, Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel: “In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.” If Jesus has conquered the world, then there is no reason for us to give up or despair. Jesus is our saviour and He will lead us to victory. Are we still having doubts and hesitations about letting Him take charge?

7th Sunday of Easter Year A

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What does the word “glory” mean to you? For some, it could mean to become famous, to be popular, to be accepted publically as someone important or significant, or perhaps to have a good name. For others, it may be to be in a position where people would admire, praise and look up to you, and perhaps treat you as a role model or a VIP. But what is the Christian understanding of glory?

To glorify as a Christian means to be willing to embrace the cross. The cross to some may be a symbol of shame, rejection and death but for us Christians, it is a symbol of victory, glory and life. When we are going through suffering, rejection, persecution, or even faced with the possibility of being put to death, we are glorifying God and we are experiencing true glory. St. Peter in today’s second reading writes: “Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” How many of us can happily, truly and wholeheartedly rejoice in such a situation?

Today, if you are suffering because of your faith, rejoice and be glad. St. Peter reminds us that “whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.” Being glorified in Christ is not about how great or wonderful we are, but about our perseverence, commitment and enthusiasm in bringing the Good News to all, even if we are to suffer. Ultimately, our glory is not of this world and let us rejoice and be glad, for God is there to help us and lead us back to Him.

Friday of Week 7 Year 2

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When we say we would do something, do we really mean it? Sometimes we say “yes” but our hidden meaning is “no.” Other times, we say “yes” but actually mean “maybe.” But how many of us are consistent when we say “yes” and really mean “yes?”

Today’s reading reminds us: “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.” Sometimes we get caught in a situation where we make a promise and are unable to keep it. We may only end up embarrassing ourselves and create problems because of our folly. This is why we should not simply make oaths or promises without seriously and carefully considering the consequences. Why “cari pasal” or “look for trouble” in this way? Are we committing ourselves just to please others and hopefully look good? Or are we doing so to glorify God?

Thursday of Week 7 Year 2

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Are we a just people? Do we treat others fairly? Some of us have maids helping to care for our loved ones at home. Are we just in our treatment towards them? From time to time, we hear horror stories of maids, factory workers and other migrant workers being mistreated. Some are even being paid pittance for the amount of work they do. Some don’t get a rest day, because some of us think that we had paid a huge sum to hire them and bring them into the country, and we think that it is right for us to get the most of our money.

However, today’s reading serves us a warning: “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.” When we mistreat other people for our own gain, we are only bringing condemnation towards ourselves. We may not experience punishment here on earth, as we think that we are clever enough to circumvent the law. However, we forget that God is watching us. Are we ready to answer Him when we meet Him face to face?

Wednesday of Week 7 Year 2

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Every now and then, we hear people say: “I am proud of my accomplishments” or “that man became rich because he is a self-made man.” Also, we hear in advertisements on television selling products with words like: “Proudly produced by XYZ Corporation.” Is it wrong for us to be proud? If we are proud because what we are doing is ultimately to glorify God, then that is a different matter. But how many of us are proud in this way? How many of us would take credit and think that we did it our way and succeeded? When we become proud, we become so full of ourselves and think that we can do without God’s help.

This is precisely what the reading warns us. The reading says: “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.” Have we forgotten who we are and where we come from? Let us take heed and change our ways, walking humbly before God.

Tuesday of Week 7 Year 2

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How content are we in life? Some of us may be guilty of wanting more and more of things and even people, causing us to commit sin in our pursuit to attain what we want and satisfy our desire (which can never be fully satisfied). Today’s reading tells us: “Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Isn’t it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? You want something and you haven’t got it; so you are prepared to kill. You have an ambition that you cannot satisfy; so you fight to get your way by force. Why you don’t have what you want is because you don’t pray for it; when you do pray and don’t get it, it is because you have not prayed properly, you have prayed for something to indulge your own desires.” The problem that we face is, are we praying to God for our own selfish wants, or have we learnt to pray for His glory?

Instead of focusing our efforts in attaining temporary things here on earth, perhaps we should take heed of what the reading reminds us: “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. Clean your hands, you sinners, and clear your minds, you waverers. Look at your wretched condition, and weep for it in misery; be miserable instead of laughing, gloomy instead of happy. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” Are we wanting to be with God for eternity, or are we setting ourselves up for an eternity away from God? Let us choose wisely, as we have only one choice.

Monday of Week 7 Year 2

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The minds of people are not easy to understand and discover. People can sometimes play games or pretend by putting up a front, hoping that others will not realise who they really are. Even people who appear to be respectable or upright could have a hidden side. There is more than meets the eye for some people, and unless one is very observant, one could be misled by such people.

Today’s reading reminds us that “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.” How many of us are genuinely wise or learned? We may have plenty of degrees, doctorates or other qualifications, but does that really make us wise? Sometimes we see such people with so called high qualifications behaving in a manner quite the opposite. Are we living good lives, with humility and wisdom in our actions? Or are we hiding behind our intellect, while in actual fact our hearts remain darkened and cold?

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

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Over the centuries and decades of human history, we have seen much anger, hatred, revenge, opposition, defiance, destruction, etc. as people are unable to love and forgive. It seems easier to get back at others than to forgive, reconcile, let bygones be bygones and move on. Perhaps there is a certain amount of pride and stubbornness which makes people behave and react in this way.

However, today’s Gospel and readings remind us of the need to love. Often we may think that love is only for those who love us. We find it difficult or impossible to love those who hate us. But if we consider the big picture: when we continuously and consistently love others, regardless whether they are friends or otherwise, these people may slowly change their attitude or behaviour towards us. Love is capable of transforming foes to friends, if we make effort to love genuinely. However, we should note that love is not just a feeling, it also requires action. We need to show love towards others, by being good to them, praying for them, being generous to them, etc. It is when we show true and genuine love towards others over time, people begin to change, and our environment changes too.

Often, we may try to take the easy way out by being nasty or indifferent towards those who are mean or difficult to us. We may feel as if our time and effort could be used for other things. But it is through God’s grace we can love and help bring peace on earth. If each of us make effort and not give up so easily, if we are willing to be consistent and make sacrifices, then perhaps we may all truly be God’s children.