Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 8th

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 1

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It is interesting to observe how some people seem to hold back on their time and wealth when it comes to certain situations, whereas they can be generous or lavish in other situations. For example, some people seem to have no qualms about buying an expensive car, or a luxurious house, or invest in some business, but they do not seem so generous when it comes to their wealth and time in church matters, church activities, assisting in programmes to help the poor, and other works of charity. Some of such people even demand many things from the church, but seem quite stingy or reluctant to give. Why is this so? Are some people so selfish, self-centered and self-serving, where “me, myself and I” seems more important than the wellbeing of the community?

In today’s reading, we are reminded “Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring. Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford; for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.” God has been so generous to all of us in many ways, but some of us seem to be knowing only to take but not willing to give. Have we forgotten to be grateful and thankful for God’s providence, and share what we have with others, to the best of our abilities? May we learn to be generous, just as God has been generous to us.

Monday of Week 8 Year 1

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Some of us may have journeyed away from God at some point in our lives. We may have been caught up with making a living, getting some qualification, raising a family, and many other things which may have distracted us or caused us to try and move along on our own. But God has not given up on us, even though at times some of us may have given up on God. He is constantly and patiently waiting for us to come back to Him, no matter how bad we may have been.

In today’s reading, God is beckoning us to come back to Him. The reading tells us: “To those who repent, God permits return, and he encourages those who were losing hope. Return to the Lord and leave sin behind, plead before his face and lessen your offence. Come back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hold in abhorrence all that is foul.” Are we still delaying and procrastinating? Let us not be caught off-guard and do something quickly, for the betterment of our eternal future.

Friday of Week 8 Year 2

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Each and every one of us are unique. No two of us are exactly the same, even though we may appear to look alike, especially if we are twins. God has given each and every one of us different gifts, different talents, different capabilities. But what do we do with such gifts, talents or capabilities? Some of us may begin to think that we are great and we use our gifts, talents or capabilities to show off and to boost our ego, pride and to gain fame and popularity. Some of us even use our gifts, talents or capabilities to lord it over others, belittle others or put other people down, because we think that they are not able to measure up to us. But what sort of attitude and behaviour should a Christian have towards such gifts, talents or capabilities?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of God, put yourselves at the service of others. If you are a speaker, speak in words which seem to come from God; if you are a helper, help as though every action was done at God’s orders; so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ, since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” Ultimately, our gifts, talents or capabilities are meant to serve others with humility and sincerity, and to glorify God. Are using our gifts, talents or capabilities for our own glory? Or are we using them for the greater glory of God?

Thursday of Week 8 Year 2

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Each and every day, we are surrounded with choices. Sometimes we make good choices, sometimes we make bad ones. When we make bad choices, what happens? Just as a stain can slowly ruin a shirt or pants, a stain of sin as a result of bad choices can slowly ruin our soul. When our soul is stained, what do we do? Ideally, we should go for confession as soon as possible. Surely we would not want a stain to remain on our soul for too long, just like we would quickly get the stain removed from our clothing. But the reality is, some of us seem to think that we have plenty of time to remove the stains of sin from our soul. Some of us seem to drag our feet, procrastinate, or put off going to confession. Some even go only once or twice a year. Are we forgetting the possible consequence of letting the stains of sin remain?

In today’s reading, we are cautioned: “I urge you, my dear people, while you are visitors and pilgrims to keep yourselves free from the selfish passions that attack the soul.: When our soul is stained, we are causing ourselves to drift further away from God. We begin to think that we are self-sufficient, and that we can get by and prosper in this world. Perhaps we may be able to survive in this world for a while, but what is going to happen to us when we leave this world? Are we going to lose our lives in the afterlife, because of our neglect? May we come to realise that we are merely visitors and pilgrims on earth. Earth is not our permanent home, so let us make more effort to prepare for our permanent home. Where our permanent home may be, is up to us to decide.

Wednesday of Week 8 Year 2

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Some people say they love, but their attitude and actions seem to say otherwise. We have come across people who say they love, but there is a reason why they love. For example, some people love another because the other person is smart, or handsome, or beautiful, or wealthy, or influential, or for some other reason. Some people love because they can get some sort of benefit or advantage in return. But how many of us can truly say we love without condition, without pretense?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “You have been obedient to the truth and purified your souls until you can love like brothers, in sincerity; let your love for each other be real and from the heart…” As Christians, we have experienced God’s love. God loves us so much that He even sent His Son, Jesus, to guide us and save us from our sins. May we be humble and willing to love genuinely, just like God loves us each and every one unconditionally and sincerely.

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 2

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Our minds can sometimes be so filled with thoughts of different kinds, that we become preoccupied with finding solutions to some of such thoughts. Sometimes we think too much, and stress ourselves out with so much anxiety, fear and worry. Our focus seem to lean more and more towards matters here on earth, that we forget that there is more to life than such earthly issues. As Christians, what should we do?

In today’s reading, we are told: “Free your minds, then, of encumbrances; control them, and put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” When we put our trust in God and depend on His providence, there is nothing for us to worry or fear. There is a song by Don Moen titled: “God Will Make A Way.” Indeed, God will make a way for us, even though we think that there seems to be no way. All we need to do is let Him be in control, and God’s Grace is sufficient for us. He will take care of things, so let us do our best and lead good Christian lives, and let God do the rest.

Monday of Week 8 Year 2

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Many of us are fortunate that we are not being severely tested in our faith and in our resolve to keep our faith. This is because we live in a somewhat peaceful environment. Of course, off and on, we may experience some form of persecution, but such persecution is still manageable, compared to some Christians in some countries where they are being tortured or butchered for refusing to denounce their faith. But what if, some day, we too experienced such torture and butchering? Would we be able to remain steadfast to our faith, even to the point of death?

In today’s reading, we are comforted by the fact that our faith may be tested, but if we do not allow ourselves to falter and remain steadfast, we will have praise and glory and honour: “Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise and glory and honour.” May we be ever ready to stand by our faith, knowing that our God will protect us and lead us to everlasting joy.

Friday of Week 8 Year 2

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It is interesting to watch the attitude and behaviour of some people at church. Some are really genuine in their efforts to serve, and we see such people going about performing their duties without trying to attract any attention or showing off. When the time comes to step down and let others take over, such people are happy to let go of their responsibilities and provide the necessary support and encouragement. On the other hand, we also come across people who seem to crave for attention and recognition. Such people go about doing their duties with much fanfare and they find it extremely difficult to let go of their responsibilities. Quite often, such people would give all sorts of excuses when it is time for someone else to take over, and they seem to think that without them, the particular ministry they are in would collapse, or even the church would collapse. But what sort of attitude do you have towards service in church? What sort of attitude is expected of a Christian?

In today’s reading, St. Peter reminds us: “Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of God, put yourselves at the service of others. If you are a speaker, speak in words which seem to come from God; if you are a helper, help as though every action was done at God’s orders; so that in everything God may receive the glory…” The important point to note here is that, ultimately, all that we do is for the glory of God. Are we humble and wlling to give God the glory, or are we still craving and insisting in doing things for our own personal gratification and own glory?

Thursday of Week 8 Year 2

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Each and every one of us face temptations daily, in one form or another. Quite often, we may succumb to such temptations if we allow our pride, ego and selfish desires to take control of our lives. This is why, in today’s reading, St. Peter reminds us: “I urge you, my dear people, while you are visitors and pilgrims to keep yourselves free from the selfish passions that attack the soul. Always behave honourably among pagans so that they can see your good works for themselves…” Our time here on earth is short, and we should do our best to avoid giving in to our selfish passions, which would lead us to sin.

Instead, St. Peter reminds us: “You are new born, and, like babies, you should be hungry for nothing but milk – the spiritual honesty which will help you to grow up to salvation – now that you have tasted the goodness of the Lord.” When we were baptised, we tasted the goodness of the Lord and learnt to depend on Him as we grow up to salvation. May we be humble and willing to continue growing up to salvation, depending on the Lord for His help and guidance. Since the nourishment that He gives us is the best and since we have tasted the best, do we still need to look elsewhere?

Wednesday of Week 8 Year 2

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It is easy to spot a fake, especially if we are quite observant of certain things about what is genuine. For example, we can see that a product is a fake by the type of packaging used, since most fake products would not go through the effort or trouble to use proper packaging for the product. However, from time to time we do get some products which have been packaged in such a way that it looks just like the real thing. This is where we need to be careful about where we buy the product from (such as purchasing from retail outlets which are known and recognised by the company of the product), and look out for certain security features which would tell us that the product is genuine, features which are extremely difficult for others to duplicate.

Likewise, it is also relatively easy to spot fake people, especially by their conduct and behaviour. Some of such people claim to love others, but their love could sometimes be seen to have some sort of hidden intention or agenda: “ada udang di sebalik batu” or “there is a prawn under the stone” are some expressions used on such persons, who love others or are nice to others because there could be some benefit or advantage for them in the long run. That is why, in today’s reading, St. Peter reminds us: “You have been obedient to the truth and purified your souls until you can love like brothers, in sincerity; let your love for each other be real and from the heart.” Some of us could be loving others, but we may be not sincere with our love, especially if we have certain conditions attached to it or we believe we could gain some advantage or benefit. May our love be genuine, sincere and real, and may we learn to love unconditionally, just as God loves all of us unconditionally.