Category Archives: Advent 2

Growing in relationship with God requires us to be in tune with the will of God. We need to get involved and do our part. Some of us may have thought that we could become closer to God by praying all the time, but we neglect in being loving and charitable to others. On the other hand, some do a lot of charitable deeds, but they do not pray or spend time listening to God’s promptings. These people may appear to be good and generous in what they do, but sometimes it may be done for personal gratification and not to glorify God. In other words, we need to learn to dance to God’s tune by doing His will, not ours.

In today’s Gospel, we read of Jesus commenting that the people of His generation knows how to criticise John the Baptist and Himself, but they wouldn’t dance to pipes nor mourn to dirges. They were not wise enough to see that John the Baptist and Jesus were trying to teach them a tune for their salvation. This is because these people wanted to dance to their own tune, instead of dancing to God’s tune by doing His will. Some of us may be like that: we want to grow in relationship with God, but we want to do it our way. We try to dance to our own tune and when others don’t join in, we criticise them for being stubborn or resistant to change. The problem is, it is actually us who are being stubborn or resistant to change, since we are adamant or insistent that our way is the better way or the only way. Are we willing to let our Lord of the dance guide us and teach us better “dancing techniques” for His glory?

Some people are quite fearful of different things. Some are fearful of what is going to happen to their future, some are fearful of their health or family situation, some are fearful of being lonely and abandoned, some are even fearful of unnecessary things. But as Christians, what should be our attitude towards fear? Should we be fearful in the first place?

In today’s reading, we are assured of God’s love and care: “I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you.’” When we have trust and confidence in God’s help and providence, there is no reason to be fearful. God will take care of things in His time. Are we willing to let God be in control and let Him keep us in His loving embrace?

Every once in a while, some of us may be suffering from some form of burnout or tiredness, depending on how severe our situation has become. This is why we are constantly advised not to overdo things and not to try to be a hero. We are called to glorify God, but we should also learn to take care of ourselves, not only physically, but also spiritually, so that we can serve the Lord with joy and vigour. There needs to be time for mission, time for rest and relaxation, and even time for updating oneself.

Naturally, we cannot rely only on our own strength to preach the message of the Gospel to others. Today’s reading tells us: “The Lord is an everlasting God, he created the boundaries of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming. He gives strength to the wearied, he strengthens the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire.” When we hope in the Lord and depend on Him, we would be able to accomplish many things for His glory. At the same time too, we ought to rest in His care, so that He can heal us and help us grow. Let us make every effort to let God guide our lives and actions, so that in all we do, may He be glorified.

How many of us actually bother about the small things or the small stuff? Sometimes we hear people tell us, “don’t sweat the small stuff,” or “look at the bigger picture,” or even “think big.” When we have plenty, would we still look out for one small item or thing which has been lost? Some of us may not bother and let it be, but others may go hunting high and low for that small item or thing. Somethings, the small item or thing may turn out to be just as precious as the bigger ones.

In today’s Gospel, we see a man who chose to go after that one sheep that was lost, even though he had another ninety-nine. For some of us, losing one sheep may not have been a big deal; but for that man, each sheep was extremely precious, and he had no qualms about searching for that lost sheep till it was found. God is very much like that man. The Gospel tells us that “it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” Even if we have done a lot of bad or nasty things, God is always looking for us and beckoning us to come home with Him. Are we going to stubbornly run away and hide, and choose to remain lost?

Following God’s commandments is not that difficult or complicated. It is when we are stubborn, rebellious, wanting our way, proud or have big egos that we begin to think we can do whatever we like. We sometimes see such attitude in society today. Some of those who are rich and powerful begin to think that they are superior and they think they can get away with anything. What about us? Are we becoming more self-centered and refusing to listen and obey God’s commandments? Do we think we can run away from right conduct and responsibility? In Bahasa Malaysia, there is a saying: “Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga.” Roughly translated into English: “No matter how clever a squirrel jumps or hops, it will eventually fall onto the ground.” What we do or failed to do will eventually emerge in some form some day. We cannot continuously hide skeletons in a closet forever. Are we humble enough to change and let God take control?

Today’s reading tells us: “I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you, I lead you in the way that you must go. If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea.” God is beckoning us to let Him teach us and lead us. Are we willing to open our hearts and minds and let him do so? Or are we still resistant and refusing to change? Life is short and unpredictable. Let us not waste the opportunities given to us to grow and dwell in God’s embrace.

As children, some of us often need reassurance from our parents that they love us. At times, they may find it difficult to say so, but they express their love in other ways. Even as adults, we need reassurance from our family, our spouse that they love us. In our relationship with God, there are times we seek reassurance from God that He loves us and is there for us. We may not see God face to face, but we see many signs of His love and care around us.

Today’s reading reinforces God’s reassuring love and care. We read: “I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you.” What more reassurance do we need from God? He is holding us, he will help us. Why are some of us still skeptical or not trusting? Do we doubt that God can and will help us? Or have we become so impatient, expecting God to help us right away, not according to His time?

In life, we sometimes are laden with heavy burdens. At times, we may feel as if our burdens are too difficult to bear and some may give up and despair. However, in today’s Gospel, we are reassured by Jesus who invites us to “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.”

With Jesus inviting us to shoulder his yoke and learn from Him, we no longer need to fear or worry, as Jesus is helping us along the way. However, are we willing to let Him guide us? Or are we still adamant that we go our own way?

From time to time, we may have to strayed away from God. We may have thought we can go on on our own, and sometimes we end up getting into trouble. However, today’s Gospel reassures us that God is constantly on the lookout and He is willing to “go in search of the stray.” It is never God’s will “that one of these little ones should be lost.”

In the same way, just as God is always looking out for us so that we will not be lost, are we doing the same towards others around us? Sometimes we may be tempted to just wash our hands and give up on certain people, but let us be reminded that we should learn from our loving God and follow His example, leading and guiding others back to Him. However, God does not force us to go back to Him. We have a choice: to be found and guided back to Him, or to remain lost. It is all up to us. Let us pray that we will choose wisely for our eternal future.