Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: 9th

Wednesday of Week 9 Year 1

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What do you do when you are experiencing difficulty in life? What if you are experiencing misery or great pain or great suffering? For some of us, it would seem easy to give up or end it all, because the misery, pain and suffering seems too great for us to bear. Some of us may try to seek help from other sources, only to discover that these other sources are not much help after all. How many of us are willing and able to presevere, and wait patiently for God to help us?

In today’s reading, we come across Tobit’s prayer of lamentation. In his prayer, Tobit felt he was all alone in his suffering and said: “Therefore, Lord, remember me, look on me. Do not punish me for my sins or for my heedless faults …” Also, in the reading, Sarah was insulted by one of the maids, and she grieved and sobbed and even contemplated suicide. Fortunately, Sarah came to her senses and did not go ahead in killing herself, but decided to seek help from God. God indeed heard their cry, and sent Raphael to bring remedy to both of them.

What can we learn from this? We can discover that God indeed hears the cry of the lonely, the lost, the least and the last, because these are the ones who have no one to turn to and they only have God to help them. When we turn to God for help, we are putting ourselves in His care, knowing and trusting that He would do what is best for us. Are we willing to humbly beg for His help and let Him be our providence and guide?

Tuesday of Week 9 Year 1

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When we have jealousy and hatred in our hearts, we can sometimes degrade ourselves into committing all sorts of despicable and foolish acts. Pride and ego can colour our vision, and blind us from what is true, what is proper and just, what is truly holy and what is fair; just because we want to win at all costs, and we want to save face.

In today’s Gospel, we see an example of what jealousy and hatred can do, in the form of the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests. Even though these folks were enemies with the Herodians, they were willing to forgo their principles just to find a solution to get rid of Jesus. But these folks failed to realise that they were not dealing with just some ordinary person, and Jesus’ answer to their question took them completely by surprise. If we consider carefully Jesus’ answer, does anything really belong to Caesar? No! Ultimately, everything actually belongs to God. Unfortunately for the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests, their jealousy and hatred towards Jesus blinded them to what is evidently truth.

What about us? Have we become more like the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests or even the Herodians, in the way we conduct ourselves and the way we treat others? Let us be mindful and check ourselves from becoming jealous and harbour hatred, lest we lose ourselves and lost sight of our eternal goal.

Monday of Week 9 Year 1

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It seems easy to call ourselves Christians, but to live as Christians in any given situation is a different thing altogether. When times are good and peaceful, being a Christian may seem easy, but when we are faced with grave danger or even the possibility of being put to death for our faith, how many of us Christians would persevere and remain faithful?

In today’s reading, we come across Tobit who said: “I, Tobit, have walked in paths of truth and in good works all the days of my life. I have given much in alms to my brothers and fellow countrymen, exiled like me to Nineveh in the country of Assyria.” Even though Tobit was in exile in Nineveh, and even though the environment in Nineveh was hostile to Tobit and people of the same faith as him, Tobit was not afraid to practise his faith and be charitable to others. Tobit was willing to take risks and put his life on the line, to show his faith. What about us? Are we willing to do the same, even in the midst of severe persecution? Are we saying that we have faith only in mere words and nothing more? Or are we making effort to show our faith fearlessly?

Thursday of Week 9 Year 2

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Life is such that we will face trials and challenges from time to time, and sometimes such challenges and trials could test our faith. When we are tested, we could respond in different ways: some of us would take the challenge and do our best in overcoming such tests; some of us would just sit and do nothing, thinking that such challenges will eventually go away and not bother us; or some of us could even give up and be overwhelmed by such challenges, even to the point of losing our faith. If you are in such a situation where you are facing a great challenge, how would you respond?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Do all you can to present yourself in front of God as a man who has come through his trials, and a man who has no cause to be ashamed of his life’s work and has kept a straight course with the message of the truth.” The reading cautions us that we are to do all we can; not just sit idle; or give up. Are we taking on such challenges for the glory of God? Or have we become too complacent and forgotten our identity and mission as Christians?

Wednesday of Week 9 Year 2

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God has called and chosen each and every one of us to be His witnesses and to proclaim the Gospel as best we can. Each of us are different, and how much or little we are able to do in proclaiming the Gospel is not important. What is important is we do our part, no matter how big or small that part may be. Some of us may be able to travel a lot to preach the Good News; some of us may not be able to do so due to some reason or another but can still offer prayers for others. But in all our efforts, our goal is to preach the Good News according to our ability and situation, with gusto and with power, love and self-control.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord…” If we believe strongly in our faith, then why are some of us feeling small, timid or scared to preach the Good News? Sometimes we do not even have to say so many words, since even our attitude, behaviour and actions can be a form of preaching. May we take heed of what today’s reading is telling us, and do our duty in preaching the Good News to all, so that all may know what it means to be a Christian.

Monday of Week 9 Year 2

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Christian faith in itself is meaningless if we do not show our faith. Christian faith is not something which we keep only to ourselves, or hide it in a closet, or sweep it under a rug. Christian faith must be shown, witnessed and lived, so that others would come to know what it really means to be a Christian, not by mere words, but by the example of our attitude, behaviour, conduct and our lives. So how do we show our faith? What do we need to do as Christians?

Today’s reading gives us some ideas: “…you will have to do your utmost yourselves, adding goodness to the faith that you have, understanding to your goodness, self-control to your understanding, patience to your self-control, true devotion to your patience, kindness towards your fellow men to your devotion, and, to this kindness, love.” If we say that we have faith, then we must show our goodness, our understanding, our self-control, our patience, true devotion, our kindness towards others, and ultimately, genuine love. Sounds like quite a lot is expected of us, isn’t it? Well, nobody said that being a Christian is going to be easy, but let us be joyful and glad, since the benefits are out of this world.

Thursday of Week 9 Year 2

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Some of us are not ashamed to be known as a successful doctor, lawyer or some other profession. Some of us even display our qualifications and achievements on the wall of our office or at a prominent place at home, to show our customers, guests and others how far we have made it in the world. When we go for a function or an important event, some of us have no qualms about dressing our best and even show off our medals and other decorations attained from royalty or for outstanding services rendered to the government. But what about our spiritual achievements? Have we been consistent and persistent in maintaining a good and healthy relationship with God, and observing not only His commandments but sharing the Good News with others?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Do all you can to present yourself in front of God as a man who has come through his trials, and a man who has no cause to be ashamed of his life’s work and has kept a straight course with the message of the truth.” Sometimes we may suffer humiliation and persecution for keeping the faith and defending the truth. But what are we really seeking at the end: temporary recognition here on earth, or eternal happiness with our loving God?

Wednesday of Week 9 Year 2

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It is often tempting and easy, when it comes to preaching the Good News, to rest on our laurels and avoid coming into conflict with others, especially when times are peaceful and churches seem full of faithful. Some of us become reluctant to share the Good News with others, and some even do not respond when their faith is questioned, preferring not to get involved. But what sort of attitude should we Christians have concerning this matter?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace.” This means that we cannot just remain silent and idle in our faith, but be bold, courageous and willing to go forth and preach the Good News, as well as to make clear what our faith is really about if questioned. Are we willing to bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, following the example of St. Paul?

Monday of Week 9 Year 2

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Some of us priests are appointed parish priest of a certain parish for a certain period of time. After the time is up, or if the bishop has got valid reasons or certain other reasons, we could be removed from the parish and transferred elsewhere, or given some other task. This is because the parish does not belong to a particular priest or a particular group, and the temporal and spiritual care of the parish could be given to a priest chosen by the bishop according to his discernment and decision. However, we sometimes come across some people who seem to think that the parish belongs to them, and some of them even think that the parish priest belongs to them.

This is the problem which the tenants had in today’s Gospel parable. They thought that the land belonged to them, after probably having lived there for quite a while. The Gospel reminds us that the landowner had only leased the land to the tenants, but these tenants had become too comfortable living on the land and began to treat the land as theirs. When the landowner tried to collect his share of the vineyard, the tenants went against him by ill-treating the landowner’s servants and killing some of the servants, and even killed his son. Eventually, the landowner got rid of the tenants and leased the vineyard to other tenants.

Some of you may be wondering: why were the chief priests, scribes and elders furious and wanted to arrest Jesus? Because as the Gospel tells us, they realised that the parable was aimed at them. They were like the tenants, who had been given a lease to care for the temple and faithfully observe the commandments that God had given to them. But instead of being faithful to their task, they began to think that the temple and the commandments could be manipulated according to their whims and fancies. The prophets had been sent to admonish these people, but they ill-treated these prophets and killed some. Even Jesus, who is the son in the parable, was ill-treated by these chief priests, scribes and elders, and they even tried to do away with Him. Because of this, Jesus warned the chief priests, scribes and elders that they would eventually lose control of the temple and the commandments, and these would be entrusted to others who were more worthy.

What about us? Have we manipulated the church we are in, trying to take control and do things as we please? Have we become like these chief priests, scribes and elders, in danger of losing it all due to our pride, ego, prejudice and stubborn ways? May we change our ways and let God take control, depending on His care and guidance, since we too are merely tenants on this earth, and if we fail to be faithful and sincere in our duties, we may lose even the little we have.

Friday of Week 9 Year 1

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Do you believe that miracles can happen? Have you experienced a miracle before in your life? There are some who do not seem to believe that miracles happen, since they seem to take on a worldly view that science could give an answer and if it doesn’t, then they would accept the fact that their fate is sealed. The funny thing is, such people sometimes experience a miracle and become believers. Such is the power of our loving God, who does wonders for us, though at times we may not realise it or experience it directly.

In today’s reading, we see a series of miracles happening. In the reading, Anna was so full of joy of being able to see her son again that she exclaimed: “Now I can die. I have seen you again.” We must remember that the Jews were in exile in Nineveh at that time and they were facing persecution, and for a Jew to leave Nineveh safely and return safely was indeed a miracle. Tobias used the fish gall on his father’s eyes as medicine and as a result, Tobit was able to see again. Once again, another miracle had happened. Who would have thought that fish gall could be used to make a blind man see, but that was exactly what happened. Then, to top up the series of miracles, Tobias was able to bring Sarah his wife home. Sarah, in case some of you may not know, had been given in marriage seven times, and that Asmodeus, that worst of demons, had killed her bridegrooms one after another before ever they had slept with her as man with wife. But this time, God had intervened and the angel Raphael had chased the demon Asmodeus away, so that Sarah and Tobias could be together in peace.

Indeed, miracles do happen. Sometimes we realise it and give thanks to God. At other times, we may not realise it. But perhaps one miracle which we experience each day but we may of taken for granted, is the miracle of life. The fact that each of us is able to wake up every morning is already a miracle. Are we thankful for the gift and miracle of life that God has granted us each day?