Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Easter 2

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Fear is innate in all of us human beings. It is a defensive and survival instinct, and is usually a response to a particular situation. For example, a person may see a snake and experience fear, even though the snake may actually be harmless and not doing anything. We have experienced fear, either real or imagined, limitations and inadequacies in this life; and when we experience fear, what do we do? Quite likely our tendency is to back out, hesitate or even run away from difficult situations.

In today’s Gospel, the disciples were frightened to see Jesus walking on water. Why were the disciples frightened? Perhaps they thought they were seeing a ghost. To calm the disciples and reassure them, Jesus said: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” It seems strange and ironic that the disciples themselves were still subject to fear, even though they had been with Jesus for a while. By being fearful, the disciples seemed to still lack trust and confidence in Jesus, and to help them, Jesus constantly reassured them not to be afraid.

What about us? Do we still lack trust and confidence in Jesus, and let fear interfere with our duty and mission in preaching the Good News? Ultimately, fear is useless, what is needed is trust; and with Jesus as our help and guide, we should not fear anymore, but continue bringing the Good News to all, and give God the glory while doing so.

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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In any church community, we need to reach out and attend to both the physical and spiritual needs of the community. We cannot ignore one and only focus on the other. For example, if some in the community are poor and have little means to survive, then it is necessary to provide some form of financial and material help. We cannot just wash our hands and say: “Oh! My task is only to preach the Good News”, and pretend that such physical help would take care of itself. By providing such physical help, we are also preaching the Good News through charitable actions and by showing God’s love and care to others, especially the poor.

However, it is clear that different persons are needed to carry out different roles. We cannot be doing everything and it is necessary to let others do some things, while we concentrate on certain tasks. In today’s reading, the apostles realised that it was not possible for them to devote themselves to the spiritual needs of the community and at the same time attend to the physical needs. To solve the problem, the apostles delegated authority to seven men of good reputation, who would see to the physical needs of the community, while the apostles continued to devote themselves to prayer and to the service of the word. By delegating authority in this way, both the spiritual and physical needs of the community could be attended to.

What about us? Are we willing to delegate authority just as the apostles did, so each of us could concentrate on certain tasks, so that the Good News could be shared through different ways? May we learn to delegate, so that the gifts and talents of different members of the community could be put to good use, for the good of the community and for the glory of God.

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Some of us seem to think that we must be in control of everything. We find it difficult to let go or to let others help. This is because some of us are perfectionists, or we lack trust in the abilities of others. However, the reality of life is that, in many instances, it is necessary for us to let others help. This is because we cannot possibly do everything or control everything, especially as we age and become less able to manage. Also, by involving others in the task at hand, we may free ourselves time for other matters, including rest, recreation, family time, and more.

In today’s reading, the apostles realised that it was not possible for them to devote themselves to the spiritual needs of the community and at the same time attend to the physical and practical needs. So what did the apostles do? They delegated authority to seven men of good reputation, who would see to the physical and practical needs of the community, while the apostles continued to devote themselves to prayer and to the service of the word. In this way, both the spiritual and physical needs of the community could be attended to.

What about us? Are we willing to delegate authority to others so that they could help in sharing the Good News through different ways? May we learn to let go of our need to be in control, and delegate where necessary, so that we can devote ourselves according to our vocation, and in all we say and do, God may be glorified.

Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Every year, especially in a parish, we may have a good number of neophytes (that is, those who have just been baptised and confirmed during the Easter Vigil). I believe most of us would have been quite happy and joyful to have new members in our church community. But the question which often lingers in my mind is this: how many of these neophytes, also how many of us who have been baptised, whether recently or quite some time back, have really had a transformation from our old selves, or our old ways, to a new self or a new way?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” At baptism, we were supposed to have been transformed from our old identity, to a new identity filled with the Spirit and given new life. However, some of us may be baptised and supposingly born again, but the way we live our lives do not seem to bear witness that we have really changed. Some of us continue to behave as we were before, doing things as we have been doing, living lives just like old times, as if nothing has really changed. Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel: “‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit.” We may be born of the flesh, but have we really been born of the Spirit? Have we become witnesses and joyful proclaimers of the Good News, or have we been complacent and unappreciative of the gift God has given us? May we keep the fire of our faith burning, and not slack but redouble our efforts, as we make effort to live new lives in the Spirit.

Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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It is easy for some of us to get carried away with a certain task, or a certain situation or event, or a certain activity. When we get carried away, our emotions and feelings sometimes get the better of us, and some of us may not be able to see the task, situation, event or activity from a different angle. This could happen especially when we are so focused in getting things done or dealing with such situations, that our mind may become stuck and it seems to us as if there is only one way to complete the task or resolve the situation. But sometimes, there comes a time or a situation arises where we may need to think outside the box, but we cannot seem to get out of the present state of mind or thinking we may be in. Then what do we do?

What we may need to do is to have someone like Gamaliel in today’s reading to advice us and shake things up a bit, so we could reconsider or re-evaluate the situation. The members of the Sanhedrin were already so overcome with anger and jealousy that they were on the verge of destroying the apostles, but what they failed to realise is that what the apostles were doing is not of human origin, but of divine origin, and as Gamaliel rightly cautioned them, they may actually find themselves fighting against God. Fortunately for the members of the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel was in the right place and at the right time to help them think outside the box, and let the apostles be.

What about us? Do we have persons in our lives who could help us see things from a different perspective? Or are we ourselves, in one way or another, helping others to see things differently? May we be humble and docile enough to accept the advice of others, and see situations from a different angle or perspective, so that in all we do, may we give glory to God.

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Supposing your parents were to ask you to carry out a task which would make them happy, and the task is okay in matters of faith and morals. Quite likely you would get the task done, since you would want to maintain a good relationship with your parents. Likewise, supposing your boss in the company you work in asks you to carry out certain tasks for the benefit of the company, and such a task is also okay in matters of faith and morals. Once again, you would probably get the task done, since by doing so, you might get a good job review or evaluation, and you might stand a good chance to get a salary raise or move up the career ladder. Sounds so far so good, isn’t it?

But what if you are put in a quandary? What if your parents demand that you do something that would make them happy, but by doing so, you would be breaking God’s commandments and the laws of the church? For example, your wife has conceived but the foetus has been found to have some sort of defect, and your parents feel that having such a baby would be an embarrasment to the family honour, and so your parents have demanded that the foetus be aborted to “safe face” and protect the family interests. Would you do as what your parents have demanded? Likewise, supposing your boss demands that you conduct certain unscrupulous tasks, such as sabotaging a rival company’s products, or coming up with statements or claims to put down or belittle a rival company’s reputation or products, all for the sake of eliminating the competition. Would we do as our boss says?

We hope that we would not have the misfortune of being confronted with such difficult choices, or face such dilemmas as mentioned. But sometimes, life does give us such tough situations and we need to make a choice or take a stand. In today’s reading, we are reminded that “Obedience to God comes before obedience to men.” In reality, when confronted with such difficult decisions, would we truly, honestly and unreservedly choose to obey God, or would we succumb to obeying men, just to save face, or to save our skin? Whatever choice we make, may we choose wisely, for our eternal future is at stake.

Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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In recent times, we have seen certain people or certain leaders doing nasty or naughty things and then trying to find ways and means to hide their actions. Some of such persons and leaders even resort to twisting and manipulating the laws of the country to try and protect themselves by persecuting those who are trying to expose them, or those who are trying to uphold the truth and what is right. Such persons, whom we sometimes call “whistleblowers,” end up being silenced; some end up being imprisoned; and some even end up dead. But how long can these persons or leaders continue their charade? One day, their deeds and crimes will be exposed, either in this life or in the hereafter. If any of us are like such persons or leaders, would we stubbornly continue to try and hide, thinking we could continue as normal? Or would we rather change our ways and make amends with God and with others before it is too late?

In today’s Gospel, we read: “though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.” A person could try to hide evil deeds, corruption and other misdeeds, but one cannot hide indefinitely. Even if one thinks one could hide from others, such despicable acts or deeds would eventually become known by others, especially since information can spread so quickly and so easily in various ways these days. Moreover, such persons cannot hide from God, since all a person has done or failed to do would be presented when the time for God’s judgement comes. Are we going to lose our eternal life, just to save face only for a short moment here on earth?

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Over the years, it has become more and more challenging to live out Christian ideals and way of life. This is because the ways of the world and the many attractions it offers have become more and more enticing and appealing to many. Some of us may have become more and more engrossed with what the world offers, since some of us do not want to be left out or left behind. Some of us feel that it is important to keep up with progress and improve on our standard of living. But the question is: where do we draw the line? Do we embrace the ways of the world, even to the point of abandoning Christian living and Christian virtues? Do we succumb to the demands of the world, and forgo what is proper and just according to what Jesus has taught us?

In today’s reading, we are told about the early Christian community and the sort of attitude and way of life they lived: “The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.”

Could we ever go back to such a way of living? Would we be willing to make sacrifices and be willing to share whatever we have with others? The ways of the world seem to tell us that our rights are more important; that what is ours is ours; that we must protect our interests at all costs. But from the reading, we seem to be encouraged to share instead. Do we really want to follow Jesus and His ways, and be ready and willing to share, for the betterment of the Christian community and for the glory of God? Or have we become so accustomed to the ways of the world, so much so that some of us may have become more and more alienated from others, even though we call ourselves Christians?

2nd Sunday of Easter Year C

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What does Easter really mean to each of us? Is Easter meant to be experienced in an individualistic manner, or in a communitarian manner? Are we Christians only for ourselves, or are we Christians witnessing to all in a community? Today’s readings gives us an indication of how important it is for us to be an Easter people as a community.

In today’s Gospel, we come across the story of Thomas, one of the twelve apostles. When Jesus appeared to the apostles, Thomas was not there. The Gospel does not tell us why he was not there, but we could later get some glimpses of what was happening among the community of believers. The death of Jesus had effected each of the apostles in a different way. Perhaps in the case of Thomas, the death of Jesus caused him to have disillusionment or doubts about the community, since it was one among them who had betrayed Jesus, and many of them had run away when Jesus was arrested. So when Thomas insisted on seeing proofs of Jesus’ resurrection, he did not doubt Jesus nor the fact that he may have risen. He doubted the words of his brothers, the Christian community. A week later, when Thomas was with the others, Jesus appeared and revealed himself to Thomas and to the others in the community. This time, Thomas realised that his brothers were speaking the truth about Jesus, and he said: “My Lord and my God!”

Believing in God and in Jesus isn’t that difficult for most of us. But believing in the community is different matter altogether. We often see the sinfulness, the hypocrisy and the weaknesses of others in the community, and question whether God is really present in such a community. This causes many us to stay away from Church activities because we feel scandalised by the conduct and behaviour of certain persons in the community. But the point is, no community is perfect. The Church is made up of sinners, like you and I. It is in this broken and sinful community, that Jesus continues to be present, guiding us and helping us along the way. But how can we tell that Jesus is in this community and recognise His presence in the Church? Our physical eyes deceive us as they only focus our attention on the weaknesses and sinfulness of others. We must see with the eyes of faith, as Jesus tells us: “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Today, let us not doubt or feel disillusioned any longer. Let us look at Jesus as our hope and guide, knowing that no matter how difficult or challenging the community we are in may seem, we have confidence and trust that Jesus would be there to help us. May we do our part and be patient and persistent in our efforts to help our Christian community to grow, for the glory of God.

Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Humanly speaking, there are many situations or events which we find difficult to resolve or settle. Some of us may feel as if there is little hope or we feel that we are powerless to change anything or improve the situation. Some of us may resort to other forms of distraction or solace, to try and forget what has taken place. But how should a Christian respond when faced with what some may think are impossible odds?

In today’s Gospel, the disciples were faced with a logistical nightmare, so to speak. Jesus had thrown them a challenge to feed about 5000 men (not including women and children, mind you). With such a crowd, it looked humanly impossible to provide that much food to so many people. This led Jesus’ disciples to respond in this way: “Philip answered, ‘Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said, ‘There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?'” But what did Jesus do? He did not embarrass His disciples or leave them to deal with such a situation on their own. Instead, Jesus performed a tremendous miracle, feeding so many people with what was initially perceived as so few resources.

If Jesus could perform such miracles against the odds, just imagine what sort of miracles He has performed and will perform for us today. Sometimes we just need to have a little bit more faith in Jesus, seek His help and guidance consistently, earnestly and patiently, and let Him do wonders for us according to His terms and His time.