Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Advent

Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent

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“Jangan cari pasal,” is a Bahasa Malaysia phrase which is translated as “Don’t look for trouble.” In today’s Gospel, we see the chief priests and the elders of the people trying to “cari pasal” with Jesus, hoping to find some excuse to trap Him. They challenged Him by asking: “What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?” They knew who Jesus was but refused to admit and acknowledge Him. When Jesus questioned them back, they themselves fell into the very trap which they had tried to set on Jesus.

In our lives, we too may be guilty of trying to “cari pasal” with others, especially when we think we are smarter, better qualified, or better off than they are. We think we can put other people down or belittle them and get away with it. But, as Jesus has shown us, sometimes we may just end up eating humble pie or we may end up making a fool of ourselves. Are we allowing our ego to swell and take control of our lives? Or are we willing to walk humbly in God’s presence?

3rd Sunday of Advent Year A

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We live in a world where everything must be done fast. We have ATMs for instant cash, we have credit cards for instant credit, we have instant coffee, instant noodles, instant this, instant that. But there are also many situations where we need to wait, to be patient. For example, babies are not conceived and born in a day or a week. It takes about 9 months of waiting and preparing. Nobody gets a degree after only one class. Most people need to study 2 or 3 years for a basic degree. Building a house cannot be completed too quickly. We need to ensure that a strong and secure foundation has been established before the building can commence. When we eat, we cannot shove everything into our mouth and swallow at one go. We may choke or get indigestion as a result.

Even waiting for the Lord’s coming requires us to be patient. In the first reading, we are told: “Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.” When is the Lord coming to save us? We do not know. So we need to be patient. In the second reading, we are
reminded: “Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming… You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon.” Here, we should be patient and not lose heart. The Gospel today also echos our need to be patient and not lose heart, as Jesus tells us: “happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.”

Seeing that we need to be patient and not lose heart, let us make a choice. We could choose to trust God, or we could choose to do things our way. Whatever choice we may wish make, we must be prepared to face the consequences.

Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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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.

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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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?

Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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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?

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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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.

2nd Sunday of Advent Year A

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When we were baptised as babies, or as children, or as adults, did anything change in our lives? Some of us may think that baptism means we become adopted children of God, but do we really know what that means?

In today’s Gospel, we see John baptising. His baptism is a baptism of repentance, and with repentance we need to be totally changed, totally converted and transformed anew. Total conversion means we can no longer be partial, we need to discard any form of prejudice, discrimination and intolerance. In the First Reading, we see how all creatures live in peace and harmony. They do no hurt, no harm,
on all God’s holy mountain. In the Second Reading, we are reminded that “It can only be to God’s glory, then, for you to treat each other in the same friendly way as Christ treated you.”

Seeing how we are supposed to behave as baptised Catholics and as adopted children of God, let us then examine ourselves. Do we treat others fairly and justly? Do we consider ourselves united as Catholics, and not just focused in a particular ethnic group or language? Are we able to care and love others without looking at skin colour, language, or appearance? When we sing, “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love,” do we realise the significance of what we sing and do we really mean what we sing? If we consider ourselves as adopted children of God, then perhaps we should make more effort to treat others as part of God’s family, and not as strangers.

Friday of the 1st Week of Advent

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Sometimes when we pray and ask God for something, we may not necessarily get what we want so quickly. When this happens, how would we respond? Some would be patient and persistent in asking. Others may give up, thinking that we won’t get it anyhow.

Today’s Gospel shows us how the 2 blind men were patient and persistent by following Jesus as He went on His way. These 2 kept shouting, “Take pity on us, Son of David.” Due to their patience, persistence and faith, Jesus healed them and their sight returned. What about us? Are we willing to go the distance with persistence, patience and faith, knowing that the Lord will grant what is best for us?

Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent

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Are we sensible people? Or are we stupid people? Some of us may take offence if someone would dare to ask us such questions. After all, would you dare to say such things to others? Surely not! However, this is precisely the gist of the Gospel today. Jesus Himself made this statement: “Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man… But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man…” Notice that Jesus is telling us that we should not just listen to His words, He also asserts that we need to act on them if we are sensible.

Therefore, we should ask ourselves honestly: are we really sensible people or not? For Jesus warned us: “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Have we been doing God’s will, or our will?

Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent

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There are times in life where we may feel as if no one is bothered about us, or people are too busy to notice us. This may cause some of us to feel unwanted, unloved, unappreciated and some may despair. However, today’s Gospel reminds us that we have an Eternal Shepherd who is loving to all of us and willing to cure the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others. Even when the crowd had been with Him for 3 days, clinging and pondering on His words, He did not want to send them off hungry, for they might collapse on the way. This led to a miracle of the multiplication of seven loaves and fish.

Seeing how loving and concerned Jesus is towards all of us, we need to look at ourselves and ponder sincerely. Have we been loving and concerned towards others, following the example of Jesus? Have we learnt to be generous in our giving, just as we have received God’s generosity?