Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Easter 6

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter

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What is our priority in life? Some of us think that our priority is our career or job, and we spend hours building it or climbing the corporate ladder. Some of us think that our priority is our peace of mind and happiness, and we find ways and means to maintain such peace and happiness. Some of us think that our priority is our family and loved ones, and we making every effort to find the time to spend quality time with them. But as Christians, what is our real priority?

In the four Gospels, we read of several times where Jesus assures us: “Ask and you will receive.” But today’s Gospel not only tells us: “Ask and you will receive,” but also “and so that your joy will be complete.” What is this joy that Jesus assures us about? Many a times, we think that our joy would be complete when our wants and needs are fulfilled. But perhaps one way of looking at the word “Joy” is when we prioritise our lives by putting our lives according to this order: J for Jesus, O for others, then only Y for you. When we prioritise our lives in that order – Jesus, others, you – then we will indeed find true meaning and joy in our lives, and then we would find our lives complete.

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Some people think that only they or certain persons who are in their circle of friends or close group are authorised or capable of doing a task. Such persons would find ways and means to ensure that no one else would have any chance to get involved in such tasks, even though other persons may be quite capable or even better than such persons. It is interesting and ironic that we sometimes hear of such persons complaining that it seems so difficult to find new blood or new persons willing to help, when in the very first place, such persons are the ones who are unwilling to let go or share the task. As Christians, what is our attitude when it comes to preaching the Good News? Are we preventing others from doing so, thinking that only we or persons we choose are capable, or are we encouraging others, who may be just as capable or even better than us?

In today’s reading, we are told that: “When Apollos thought of crossing over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote asking the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived there he was able by God’s grace to help the believers considerably by the energetic way he refuted the Jews in public and demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” Instead of preventing Appolos from doing his part in preaching the Good News, the other disciples encouraged him and even sent messages to Achaia asking that Appolos be welcomed. This shows that the disciples were willing to share the task of preaching the Good News with others, instead of clinging on to such a task.

What about us? Are we willing to share the task with others, and encourage them and even giving them our full support, or are we still holding to such tasks and preventing others from helping? Instead of being an obstacle to others in helping in such tasks, let us change our ways and attitudes, and encourage others help, just as the disciples in today’s reading did. After all, we do such tasks not for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter

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For a message to be clear, accurate and effective, a person must not only get the facts right and accurate, but also the person must receive such facts from a reputable source. This is because, as we know, all sorts of so called facts are circulating around, and much of such so called facts could turn out to be mostly true but with some slight inaccuracies; or entirely false, or even true but needing additional support to make such facts rock solid.

In today’s reading, we come across Appolos who “though he had been given instruction in the Way of the Lord and preached with great spiritual earnestness and was accurate in all the details he taught about Jesus, he had only experienced the baptism of John.”Appolos may have had his facts accurate, but he needed additional coaching and instruction about the Way from Priscilla and Aquila, so that he had a reputable source to depend on and refer from. Not only that, the reading also tells us that Appolos “was able by God’s grace to help the believers considerably by the energetic way he refuted the Jews in public and demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” This shows that, not only does a person need to have accurate facts with reference from a reliable and reputable source, the person also needs God’s grace to make such facts rock solid.

What can we learn from this? We can realise that at the end of the day, mere facts alone are insufficient. We need supporting evidence to reinforce the facts, and such supporting evidence comes from reliable and reputable sources. However, this is not enough. We also need God’s help, so that the facts being preached are ultimately from His grace and for His glory.

Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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It is interesting to listen to the conversion stories of those who have been recently baptised. Some of their stories may sound nothing out of the ordinary, some may sound spectacular, but each story is unique and special. In some cases, a conversion story could inspire others who have not been baptised to seriously consider doing so; and also strengthen the resolve and conviction of those already baptised. That is why it is good to record the conversion stories of those recently baptised, as sources of inspiration and reflection.

In today’s reading, the gaoler experienced an amazing conversion story. The reading tells us: “Late that night Paul and Silas were praying and singing God’s praises, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains fell from all the prisoners. When the gaoler woke and saw the doors wide open he drew his sword and was about to commit suicide, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, ‘Don’t do yourself any harm; we are all here.’ The gaoler called for lights, then rushed in, threw himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, and escorted them out, saying, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” What the gaoler experienced led to him being transformed from a death to his old self to a birth to his new self. As a result, the gaoler and all his household were baptised.

Have we been inspired by our conversion story? Has our conversion story led us to a birth to a new self? Or have we slacken and gradually returned to our old selves? May we never forget our conversion story, and continue to grow in love of God and with others.

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter

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There are times in life where we come across certain forms of irrational persecution going on around us. Some of such irrational persecution stems from the irrational fear certain parties have towards Christians, whom they accuse are out to convert them or weaken their faith. In recent times, we read of how some of these parties react, even to the point of seeing as a threat, certain ordinary objects, or even certain fixtures and fittings, just because such items are in the shape of a plus sign, which they consider to be the shape of a cross, no matter how absurd or ridiculous such a consideration or thought may be. However, fortunately for us, we do still have some rational and open minded leaders who see such things as petty issues which are being used by certain quarters, who are using religion merely to gain political mileage.

In today’s reading, we come across another example of such a rational and open minded leader who could clearly see that the Jews were making a concerted attack on Paul and bringing him before the tribunal, merely out of jealousy and not because Paul had done anything wrong. This leader is Gallio who was proconsul of Achaia. Even though the Jewish crowd tried to create a ruckus by turning on Sosthenes, the synagogue president, and beat him in front of the court house, Gallio still refused to take any notice at all. As far as Gallio was concerned, Paul was innocent in Roman law, and he refused to allow the Jews to incite him to take any action.

If we are leaders in our community, or even if we are political leaders, may we learn from today’s reading and call a spade a spade. Instead of misusing religion for political grounds or for personal gain, may we learn to do what is right and just, since we ought to be leaders for the service of all, and not leaders for our own glory.

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Christian faith is such that we need to have an experience of it, as well as proper teaching of it. We cannot depend only on the experience of it, since we may not understand what is it we are really believing, and sometimes people could lead us astray with an experience of faith which has been manipulated by them for their own agenda. On the other hand, we cannot have only an intellectual-based faith, where we only learn about it but have no inkling about what it feels like, especially feeling the presence of God.

That is why, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.” Jesus has taught the disciples much, but depending on teaching alone is not sufficient. Experiencing the Holy Spirit is also necessary, so that we would be fired up and strengthened to go forth and preach the Good News with joy and courage. May we always strive to understand our faith well through proper study, and let the Holy Spirit fill us with love, strength, compassion and vigour, so that we may truly be His diciples bringing the Good News to all the earth.

Monday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Some of us may have heard of the country ballad by Carrie Underwood titled “I Told You So,” and some of the words are: “I told you so, oh I told you so, I told you some day you come crawling back and asking me to take you in…” In this song, the lyrics seem to show one person gloating over, or speaking in a condescending manner towards another person, for not listening to, or refusing to accept, or rejecting, advice or suggestions. When a person uses such word like “I Told You So,” it is possible that the person may “brag” over it, or the person may feel proud and “wise” for having said something towards another person, and the other person had not listened and ended up with issues or problems. But as Christians, is this the sort of attitude or behaviour we encourage?

In today’s Gospel, we see an example where Jesus said “I have told you all this” and even said it three times. Jesus said “I have told you all this” not to prove what He said was true, but so that when the time for those events have to come to pass, His disciples may remember that Jesus had told them. Jesus is helping His disciples, and us too, to remember that we must always be prepared and ready for anything, and remain in God’s love and care.

As Christians, we are called to be prophets. What does that mean? It basically means that we are to speak the truth and tell it as it is, no matter how hard or difficult the message may be to accept, for the good of those who are supposed to receive the message. But the prophet is saying such truth or message not to show how clever or wise the prophet is, but to do the will of God and deliver God’s message and warning to those who need to know. The prophet is not interested in bragging, or gloating, or saying “I told you so,” to appease one’s personal ego or gratification, since the prophet is merely doing one’s duty. Are we also doing our duty faithfully?

6th Sunday of Easter Year C

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Many of us know that the church can never be a democracy, where the opinions and votes of the faithful are important. This is because there are fundamental matters concerning faith and morals that cannot be changed to suit certain people, and if we are to dwell in the opinions of everyone, then we would find it impossible or extremely difficult to make decisions, sometimes decisions which may not be popular or difficult for some to accept. This is because different people would think that their opinion is what matters, and this would lead to disagreements, which may eventually lead to conflict, chaos and disunity.

In the first reading, the early Christian community faced a problem, because some of them believed that they should still follow Jewish customs, for example circumcision and prohibitions towards certain foods. This is because to them, Jesus was a Jew and had also followed Jewish ways and rituals. But there was also another group of Christians who recognised that Jesus was not merely another Jewish teacher wanting to reform his religion, but He was the Son of God who came to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God, where customs and rituals which separated and differentiated one race from the other could no longer be barriers to Christian brotherhood. Towards the end of the reading, we are told that a decision was made, where the Gentile converts should “not be saddled with any burden beyond certain essentials.”

This is where Christian communities throughout the centuries continued to survive and grow with guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to the church and to each of us believers. As Jesus tells us in the Gospel: “I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.” His presence enables us to experience peace in our decisions even in the midst of chaos and problems, because through His guidance, we can still come to a common decision that reflects the will of God, in spite of all our personal opinions and ways of thinking. Without the Holy Spirit, the Church and unity would not be possible.

At the end of the day, our decisions must always be made with reference to the Church and the community as a whole. Some of us may be tempted to think that my opinion is the best and the most important of all, but what matters most is not this or that opinion or even the opinion of the majority, but the will of God that we must search for with guidance of the Holy Spirit. May we continue to discern carefully and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, for the benefit and good of the entire Church and community, and for the glory of God.

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter

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When we are separated from our friends and loved ones for a period of time, some of us may feel down or feel sad. Sometimes the separation could be only for a short while, sometimes it could be for a longer time. However, how should we Christians deal with such separation? How many of us are joyful and hopeful, even when we are experiencing such separation?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that the separation we experience is only temporary. We read: “I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a man has been born into the world. So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you.” Jesus is encouraging us to stay focused and stay faithful to Him, since we will see Him again. Instead of dwelling in our sadness, let us give thanks to God and remain hopeful and joyful that such separation is only for a moment, and that we will be with Jesus again.

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Versatility in using different approaches in preaching the Good News is needed if we are to be effective witnesses. We cannot use a one style fits all approach, since different people, different groups and different cultures would require different approaches and methods. For example, the way we teach children about faith would be quite different to the way we teach youth or adults. Even among these different groups, some individuals may require more effort and time to help them grow in faith. The question is: are we patient and persistent enough to help others grow in faith according to their abilities?

In today’s reading, we come across Paul who used a more intellectual approach to stimulate the minds of the people of Athens, since these people were always on the look out for new ideas, new philosophies and things which involve the intellect. By using the intellectual approach, Paul was able to rouse the curiosity of some of the people of Athens and some even became believers, as the reading tells us: “At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, ‘We would like to hear you talk about this again.’ After that Paul left them, but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides.” Also, in the Gospel, Jesus said: “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.” Notice that Jesus did not shove everything down the throats of His disciples at one go. Instead, He taught them bite sizes, so that they would be able to grasp what He was saying, as His disciples required an approach quite different to the approach used by Paul on the people of Athens.

When we encounter different people, let us learn from the example of Jesus and St. Paul, and share the Good News to others using different ways. Sometimes we may find that one way works and another does not, depending on the situation, and we should be flexible and humble enough to change methods. Ultimately, how effective we are in preaching the Good News depends on how willing we are to change and let God guide us in our efforts.