Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Easter Octave

Easter Saturday

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It is certainly not easy for us to reach out to a person who is in the state of denial. It does not matter whether it is some form of serious illness, a loss, a discovery, or some significant matter; when a person is in denial, it is very difficult to convince the person to think and see otherwise. This is because the person refuses to accept the truth, even though it is already quite clear that what has happened has happened; and the reality is that one cannot turn back the clock.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples were also in a state of denial. They thought that Jesus was gone for good, since they had witnessed His crucifixion and death, and they thought that it was impossible for Jesus to be alive again. That is why Jesus gave a piece of His mind to His disciples as He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy. Jesus not only reproached His disciples, He also sent them out to the whole world to proclaim the Good News to all creation, so that His disciples would snap out of their state of denial and do their part in helping others come to know Jesus.

What about us? Are we still in a state of denial and feel paralysed and unable to do anything? Or have we learnt to let go of our state of denial, and let God guide us and use us to bring the Good News to others, and glorify Him? Let us not doubt or remain in denial any longer, and go forth to proclaim the Good News with zeal and conviction.

Easter Saturday

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We sometimes come across certain folks who are stuck in their incredulity or disbelief, and obstinacy. Such persons refuse to admit or budge from their way of thinking or way of doing things, even though it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that their way may not be suitable or relevant, especially in today’s world. For example, we still come across people who insist in doing their banking at the bank counter with a bank teller, even though the amount they are banking in is small, and such an amount could have been easily banked in using a Cash Deposit Machine.

In today’s reading, the rulers, elders and scribes were incredulous and obstinate, even though they could clearly see that there was no way to counter the assurance shown by Peter and John. Even though the evidence was clearly in Peter and John’s favour, the rulers, elders and scribes refused to admit or budge from their way of thinking, and the most they could do is merely issue a warning, since, as the reading tells us, “they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.”

What about us? When we are stuck in our incredulity and obstinacy, we begin to become more and more like the rulers, elders and scribes, who have narrowed their way of thinking, even to the point of absurdity despite the fact that the evidence is overwhelmingly against them. May we be willing to let go of our pride, prejudice and stubborn ways, and be willing to let God guide us closer to His ways.

Easter Saturday

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We know that faith is a gift from God, and how we read the bible and accept the teachings of the faith depends on whether or not we received this gift of faith from God. If we have not received the gift of faith, then no matter how much we read the bible, no matter how many talks we attend which are conducted by powerful preachers, no matter how many books we read on theology, we would be reading only from an intellectual and academic level. However, sometimes we may have received faith, but because of personal interest, pride and ego, we choose not to let the faith develop and transform us. We want to be in control, or to maintain the status quo, resulting in that faith being seen as a threat, even though we may be at a lost as to how to counter it.

In today’s reading, we see an example of how faith was evidently present, but the rulers, elders and scribes refused to allow such faith to change their lives. Even when presented with indisputable evidence of the man being cured, of which “they could find no answer.”; and even though they admitted: “It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it.”; these rulers, elders and scribes still chose to go against such faith, out of sheer arrogance, pride and stubbornness.

What about us? Do we accept faith humbly and let God transform us? Or has faith become merely an academic exercise for us, to be used only when it suits us and benefits us? May we come to realise how precious and life-giving faith is, and let God transform us into something better.

Easter Friday

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Why do some people get annoyed or even angry so easily? Some people become annoyed or even angry when things do not go their way, when they are misunderstood by another person, or when their viewpoints clash with another’s viewpoints. Some become annoyed or even angry when they are accused of being wrong, when they think they are right, and their perception causes them to believe that they are right. Some become so easily annoyed or even angry because they do not know how to or refuse to reason. Some become annoyed or even angry when they are insulted, when they incur a loss, or when they are trying to protect their pride or their greed. Our reactions vary in different situations, and sometimes, we may be making mountains out of molehills in our annoyance or anger.

In today’s reading, Peter and John were talking to the people, much to the extreme annoyance of the priests, who were accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees.These priests and Sadducees were extremely annoyed because their pride and ego had been hurt by the truth being proclaimed by Peter and John. But Peter and John did not back down and did not water things down to appease these priests and Sadducees. Instead, Peter and John continued to preach the truth, the Good News, with enthusiasm and vigour. Would we be willing to face persecution and even death, just like Peter and John, so that the Good News would be known to all.

Easter Thursday

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When you see a wound, especially if the wound looks serious or grievous, how would you react? Some of us may feel faint, especially if the wound is oozing with blood. Some of us may feel quite squeamish and try to look the other way. Some of us may even run away, afraid to see more than just the wound. But could a wound be a source of tremendous joy or happiness? Some of you may be thinking: “Has this padre gone bonkers and needs his head examined? How could a wound ever be a source of tremendous joy or happiness?”

But surprising as it sounds, a wound could indeed be a source of tremendous joy and happiness. How so? In today’s Gospel, Jesus showed the wounds of his hands and his feet. Not only that, He even ate a piece of grilled fish right in front of the eyes of His disciples. The wounds of Jesus became a source of great and tremendous joy and happiness, because they show that Jesus is not a ghost, but is risen, and that the disciples not only had Jesus in their midst again, they were also healed of their possible feelings of guilt of having deserted and abandoned Jesus in His darkest moment.

In a way, Jesus is also beckoning us to show the wounds of our hearts, to tell Him what is troubling and disturbing us, to tell Him our hurts and pains, as well as our anger and resentment. Jesus is inviting us to let Him heal us, since by His wounds, we are healed and saved. May we with tremendous joy and happiness and without any hesitation, show our wounds to Jesus, so that He can heal us and make us whole again.

Easter Wednesday

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Giving up seems to be the easiest thing to do for some people. People give up due to a number of reasons. However, if we examine the motives of some people as to why they give up, we may begin to discover that some of the real reasons why they do so may be because they do not want to take responsibility for the situation or task, or perhaps they feel that their pride is at stake, or that their reputation is more important to them, and would rather salvage what they can instead of risking things further.

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus in today’s Gospel were walking away from Jerusalem, walking away from the situation at hand. They were giving up, thinking that there was nothing left for them to cling on to. But Jesus did not give up on them. Jesus walks along with them and helps them realise that there is hope. Eventually, the fire within them which at first seemed to have sizzled out started burning again. They became aware again of their mission and they responsibilities to bear witness to the Good News.

If some of us are feeling like giving up, like there is no hope, remember this: Jesus is there. We may not see Him, but He is there. He wants you to come closer to Him and let Him heal you and rekindle the fire in your hearts. Do not be afraid. The hearts of the two disciples at Emmaus were set aflame with new vigour, new zeal, new enthusiasm, because they opened their hearts to Jesus. Let us too open our hearts to Jesus.

Easter Tuesday

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Usually on a Sunday, we may get a sizeable crowd for Mass. In some parishes, several Masses may need to be celebrated to accommodate the crowd. Sometimes, Masses may be celebrated in different languages, so that persons of different language preference would be able to understand and participate at Mass. However, just imagine for a moment… 3000 people coming for Mass at the same time. Surely such a situation would be unusual or amazing, especially on a Sunday, not a Feast Day, Solemnity or some other significant celebration, but an ordinary Sunday. If 3000 people coming for Mass at the same time is already considered phenomenal, just imagine if we had 3000 baptisms happening on the same day and time. Wouldn’t it be a miracle? Could such a miracle happen ever again in our churches at this present time?

In today’s reading, 3000 people were cut to the heart when they heard Peter’s words, they were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. What Peter said had moved the hearts of so many and changed their lives completely, bringing about their conversion. Likewise, may our hearts be moved like those 3000 people, and may we renew our zeal and commitment in bringing Jesus’ Good News to others.

Easter Monday

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What sort of persons are we? What sort of stuff are we made off? Do we have only outer strength, or do we have inner strength as well? Some people may have outer strength: for example, they have the military power, weapons, political and social influence, connections and standing, or some other form of external factor which gives the illusion that such people are strong and powerful. But the problem with outer strength is that such outer strength comes and goes. People with only outer strength could lose such strength at any time or at any moment. But how many of us have inner strength, which includes truth, integrity and other virtues which come from within us?

In today’s Gospel, we come across examples of outer strength and inner strength. The soldiers, the chief priests and the elders, had outer strength, but they lacked inner strength, since they chose to cook up a lie and live on in fear and worry. Instead of being people of courage and bravery, they succumbed to cowardice and deceit. They failed to adhere to good principles and good virtues expected of them. On the other hand, the women, who were thought to be powerless, discounted and devalued, were the ones who lived up to the truth with courage and integrity. These women showed their inner strength, as they saw the empty tomb, the truth in the Risen Christ, and went off to proclaim the truth with joy and fervour.

Let us ponder and ask ourselves sincerely: are we people of merely outer strength? Or have we grown especially in our inner strength? Do we depend only on outer strength to define who we are? Or have we shown our inner strength through our words and actions? May we come to realise the folly and illusion of outer strength, and learn to follow the ways of the Lord.

Easter Friday

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We sometimes forget our identity and our purpose as Christians. When times are not so favourable, some of us may be tempted to go back to our old ways, our old habits or our previous life. Some of us may even become lapse in our faith and some even stop going to church or get involved in any church activities, all because some feel as if God is not helping them.

In today’s Gospel, we read: “Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.” It seems as if the disciples may have had some doubts whether Jesus would be with them again, or perhaps they were wondering what would be next. Instead of becoming fishers of men, these disciples were going back to being fishermen. But what do we find next? Jesus stood on the shore and helped these disciples to rediscover their identity and purpose. He helped them become aware of His presence by performing the same miracle when He first “caught” them and brought them into His company. After this, “None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord.”

When we are down in the doldrums, when we feel as if we are heading in all sorts of directions without any real purpose, let us be reminded that Jesus is there to help us and strengthen us. Let us not be so easily discouraged and go back to our old ways. Let us instead focus on Jesus and let Him lead us through the storms in our lives, so that we too would be “fishers of men.”

Easter Thursday

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It is tempting for some of us to take all the credit for a job well done or when a task has been completed successfully. Sometimes the task at hand could have been near completion and before you know it, the original person or persons who had toiled at it have moved on, and another person or other persons get the opportunity to finish it. If we are honest and grateful about our duties and efforts as well as the efforts of those before us, we would give recognition and credit where it is due, but some may try to grab the glory all for himself, herself or themselves. A Malay proverb comes to mind: “Lembu punya susu, sapi dapat nama,” which roughly translated means: “it is the milk from the cow, but the bull takes the credit.”

In today’s reading: “Everyone came running towards Peter and John in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the man was still clinging to Peter and John. When Peter saw the people he addressed them, ‘Why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or holiness? You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just One, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses; and it is the name of Jesus which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see.”

Notice that in the reading, Peter and John had healed the man, but they did not take credit for it. Instead, they gave credit to Jesus because the power to heal comes from Jesus. Peter and John shows us that as Christians, we should not try to exalt ourselves or think that we can do all things through our own efforts. It is Jesus who uses us as His instruments to help and to heal. We ought to think of ourselves as merely servants, doing God’s will and not our own. In a world where some people would try to take credit and show how great they are, we should show example and give glory to God, for all things are made possible through God’s love and providence.