Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Easter

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.

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.

Monday of the 5th Week of Easter

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It is interesting to observe how some so called preachers behave or act when they claim to be able to heal others in the name of Jesus. Such persons tend to hold huge rallies, inviting many people to come and supposingly be healed. But when one looks at the way some of these preachers behave, it seems like their intention of holding such healing rallies is to boost their ego and increase the number of followers, as well as to increase their wealth and influence. Would such preachers take the trouble and effort to heal the poor, the marginalised, or even the sick in various places which some may think to be lowly or undesirable, instead of holding such big rallies, with possibly hidden intentions? Would such preachers heal at any place, time, or situation, without expecting anything in return?

In today’s reading, Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man. The crippled man was healed not because Paul and Barnabas are gods or some powerful being, but because they saw that the man had the faith to be healed. Paul and Barnabas could have basked in the glory of what they had accomplished through the healing and taken credit for it, but instead, they “tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold.'”

What does this mean to us? It means that, like Paul and Barnabas, the ability to heal is not for us to boost our pride or ego. It is meant for us to be used for the glory of God. If we have the gift of healing, may we used such gifts to build God’s Kingdom, and be of loving service to all.

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 7th Week of Easter

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It is easy for us to say “I love you,” but how many of us truly mean what we say? Do we say “I love you” but our actual meaning is merely “I like you,” or are the words “I love you” sincere and genuine? Would we be willing to love till it hurts, even to the point of death? For example, if someone is in grave danger and we are in a position to rescue the person, but in doing so we ourselves may end up dead, would we go ahead and attempt the rescue?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked Peter 3 times whether Peter loved Him. Peter had denied knowing Jesus when Jesus was on trial, but Jesus did not hold that against him. Instead, Jesus helped Peter come to terms with what it really means to love. Love is not just words but requires action, and in the case of Peter, Jesus had entrusted the care of His sheep to him. Not only that, Jesus reminded Peter: “I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.” This shows that ultimately, Peter would be expected to love till it hurts, to love even to the point of death.

What about us? Do we really know the meaning of the words “I love you” after all? Are we willing to love even to the point of death? May we truly love and give our all, and show what it really means to be a Christian by our love.

Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter

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I believe all of us would have experienced some issue at some point of our lives, due to misunderstanding, differences in opinion, or some other criteria. Some of the issues we may have experienced may seem significant or serious, but sometimes necessarily so, especially since our minds may have become too fixated or closed to see the bigger picture, and we begin to squabble over petty things or trivial matters. When we are like this, we lose sight of our true purpose as Christians and end up wasting much time and energy over such petty things or trivial matters.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees had a problem with Paul. They were obstinate and refused to change when Jesus was around, and they were also equally obstinate with Paul. So Paul decided to shake things up a bit and demonstrate their narrow-mindedness. Paul pitted the scribes and Pharisees against the Sadducees by exclaiming: “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” When he said this, the scribes and the Pharisees ganged up against the Sadducees and argued over differences of opinion which had nothing to do with why Paul was being arrested and put on trial in the first place. This shows that, the core issue which the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees had against Paul, was actually not really a big deal after all, since they could be so easily distracted with other things.

What about us? Have we become like the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Have we become so easily distracted by small matters or petty things, and neglected to address the bigger or more serious matters? May we learn to see the big picture, and free ourselves from such narrow-mindedness, so that we can truly live Christian lives, with love towards God and neighbour.

Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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From time to time, we do come across, within a community, people who do things for their own benefit or own gain. Sometimes such people would try to influence the community to listen to them and follow their ways, to the eventual detriment of the community. We have seen how such individuals have betrayed or sold off their community just for some title, position, wealth or power and when such people have gotten what they wanted, they would disappear and let the community face the consequences.

This is why St. Paul in today’s reading warns us: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard…”

As leaders of a Christian community, we need to be discerning and careful not to allow certain individuals to wreak havoc and destruction to the community. While we should not become paranoid or suspicious of every person or every idea, we should seek God’s help and wisdom to ensure that all in the community are not led astray or duped into following false or wrong teaching. May we be vigilant, so that our community would grow according to God’s ways and glorify His Name.

Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter

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Some of us go through life as if there does not seem to be much meaning. We get up, get ready, perhaps have a nice breakfast, go to work, slog it out for hours, then come back from work exhausted, probably have a shower then a light dinner, before we hit the sack, to repeat the whole process again. While it is necessary for us to survive in this world, and we need to take care of our life here on earth, is what we are doing day in day out all there is to life? Are we content in only focusing on living and surviving in this world, without much thought about our eternal future?

In today’s reading, St Paul reminds us: “But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me – and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace.” St Paul is reminding us that just living life as it is, or just talking about one’s present situation and one’s life, is insufficient. As Christians, we have an added dimension, that is, we are called to go forth and preach the Good News, and not only be content with letting life slip by or spending our time in idle chatter. May we take heed of St. Paul’s example, and do our part in building God’s Kingdom for His glory.

Monday of the 7th Week of Easter

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It is unavoidable that at some point of our lives, we would come into some form of conflict with others, or we may experience some form of persecution. This is because we as Christians follow Jesus, His way and His teaching. When we are faced with situations where we need to adhere to Christian principles at the expense of worldly principles, we are bound to clash with others who follow worldly principles, and who are trying to make us do the same.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us some reassuring, encouraging and comforting words: “In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.” Notice that Jesus did not say “may have trouble” but He said “will have trouble.” This shows that being a Christian is certainly not going to be easy, as there are many things that we adhere to which are against the ways of the world. So let us not be disheartened or even despair, as we have Jesus to guide and protect us, since He has already conquered the world, and with His help, we too can do the same.

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.