Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Apostle

Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles – Feast

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There comes a time in life where we need to make important decisions. Sometimes such decisions could determine our future vocation, way of life, financial happiness, the man or woman we may marry, our family happiness, and many other things which we need to consider carefully here on earth. Some decisions could also determine our relationship with God. We do not want to end up making foolish or rash decisions, only to regret later. So what do we do? How do we find the wisdom, strength and inspiration to make a right and good decision?

In today’s Gospel, we are told that Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. It was only after spending a substantial amount of time praying and listening to God that Jesus was able to choose twelve from His disciples, and he called them ‘apostles.’ Jesus took His time in praying, and listening attentively to God, before He made His choice. In the same way, we too should not treat decisions lightly. We should follow Jesus’ example in praying earnestly, and taking time to listen to God. Sometimes we can get inspiration and ideas when we humbly and patiently seek God’s help and providence through prayer. Are we willing to be patient and committed in prayer, listening to God’s promptings, and letting Him help us? Or do we still insist in doing things our way, only to regret our decision later?

St. James, Apostle – Feast

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“Look before you leap” is an English idiom which tells us to be careful and to weight the costs before doing something. Sometimes it is only after we get into trouble that we realise that we had been too rash or too quick in doing or saying something. So, before we endeavour into something which could be dangerous or highly risky, we should think things through.

In today’s Gospel, we come across St. James whose Feast we celebrate today, and his brother John, the two sons of Zebedee, who were bold and appear to be rash. Their mother was equally bold in asking Jesus for her sons to be seated on the left and right of Jesus in His Kingdom. Jesus’ reply is indeed classic… We read: “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.””

Indeed, we are sometimes like James, asking for something without knowing the consequences. Does this mean we must be careful and not take risks? No. Sometimes we need to be bold. We need to be willing to take risks, especially when preaching the Good News. But at the same time, we should be aware of the kind of risk we are taking. We should not be reckless in our efforts, but be knowledgeable of the situation before us. There is a time and place for everything, and we should constantly listen to God’s prompting and let Him guide us.

Saint Thomas, Apostle – Feast

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Do we believe everything we see or hear? Sometimes we may see something or hear of something, but what we see or hear may not necessarily be true. This is why we may sometimes be sceptical or unconvinced about something until we have clear and indisputable evidence. At other times, there are certain things we cannot see or hear, but they are present. This requires faith and trust in God.

St. Thomas in today’s Gospel doubted when the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ Considering the amount of stories and rumours St. Thomas may have heard, he had every reason to doubt. Of course we should discern when we accept what is being said, and when to doubt, since not everything we hear or see is true. However, we should also take heed of what Jesus said in the Gospel: “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.” This is where we need to know when we should use our reasoning and when to depend on faith. Let us ask our God to guide us, so we would be able to be balanced in faith and reason.

Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles

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Why do we remember Saints Peter and Paul?

Saint Peter was the first Pope and kept the rapidly growing church united in the years following Pentecost. In the first years after Pentecost it was Jews who accepted Jesus as the Saviour and so the early church was a very Jewish church. Paul preached to non-Jews, the Gentiles as they were called. All of us are Gentiles. His preaching was very successful and he brought huge numbers of non-Jews into the church, so much so that the number of Jews in the church was greatly outnumbered by non-Jews. It is because of Paul that we are now in the Church.

Also, the personalities of both Peter and Paul gives us something to reflect on. Peter was impulsive, telling Jesus that he would die with him on Holy Thursday night if necessary, but later that night he denied he knew him. Yet Jesus chose Peter because of his love: three times Jesus asked him if he loved him and asked him to look after the flock. Paul had a fiery personality. In his early life he channeled that fire towards persecuting the Christians in Jerusalem, even witnessing the death of Stephen, the first martyr for Jesus. After his conversion, Paul’s preaching was fiery for the Gospel.

Looking at the personalities of Peter and Paul, we see that God called them to use their personalities to spread the Gospel. Peter used his impulsive love to look after the flock, and Paul used his fiery preaching and personality to ensure that the non-Jews would be welcomed into the church. It is a reminder to us that our talents and our weaknesses can become God’s means to help others and guide others to Him. We don’t have to be perfect for God to work through us. God can work through us according to our abilities, as he did with Peter and Paul.

St. Barnabas, Apostle

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Some of us may have become so used to being in a particular way of life or in a particular place that we may have gradually become complacent. We may resist change or new ideas, since such things appears to be a threat to us. However, sometimes things happen for a reason and we may not be in control of the situation.

In today’s reading, we are told that “the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.'” This shows that our plans, our aspirations, our hopes and dreams; all these things can change according to God’s plan. The question is: are we open, willing and humble enough to do what God has planned for us? Or are we stubborn and obstinate, refusing to budge or move on? Are we doing things God’s way, or do we still insist in doing things our way?

Saint Matthias, Apostle – Feast

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There are certain things that we do in church which require a certain amount of authority. For example, a church organisation such as the Liturgical Committee or RCIA team ought to have a chairperson or leader, so that the organisation would be properly represented in the church structure. If there are any matters concerning a particular organisation, the leader or chairperson would be informed, so that other members could also be informed.

This idea of proper authority and structure was also evident in ancient times. In today’s reading, we see how the apostles eventually appointed Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot: “We must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us – and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection.”

Being an authority in church is certainly not easy, as one is called and chosen to be even more zealous in proclaiming the Good News. Notice here that one is not an authority through self-appointment. There is a danger that when a person is self-appointed, that person could be doing so for personal glory, personal gain, or personal gratification (syiok sendiri, as what some would say in Bahasa Malaysia).

In today’s reading, we see how a person is chosen to a position of authority. In the reading: “Having nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias, they prayed, ‘Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.’ They then drew lots for them, and as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles.”

Notice here in the reading:

  1. There is nomination: The candidates are nominated, not self-appointed.
  2. There is prayer: Prayer is necessary so that a wise decision is made
  3. There is drawing of lots: voting or undi is performed. We hope and pray that this is done fairly and after proper discernment, and not because the candidate is a friend or advantageous to certain persons.
  4. There is listing or acceptance: The person who has received the most number of votes fairly is then listed as the person of authority.

Thus, let us be mindful of how we choose persons to positions of authority. Let us properly discern and seek God’s help, so that those who are truly worthy to be in positions of authority are appointed. Such persons are appointed not to please others or for personal gain, but for the greater glory of God. May those among us chosen to be in positions of authority be continuously and consistently tireless in serving all and building God’s Kingdom.

Oct 28 – Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

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Before we do anything or make any important decisions, do we pray and ask God for strength and wisdom to do what is right? Today’s Gospel shows us that Jesus “went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God.” Notice that He did not rush through prayer but took time to converse with God and listen to Him. Perhaps we too should take heed of this, as some of us may have the habit of rattling through our prayer without giving God a chance to talk to us and teach us.