Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Feast

Dec 28 – The Holy Innocents, Martyrs – Feast

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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Like St Stephen whose Feast we celebrated on Dec 26, the Holy Innocents were martyred or killed. Their deaths were a consequence of Jesus fleeing to Egypt. Why did they have to die? King Herod was a paranoid and insanely jealous man. He did not want anybody coming between him and his throne. He saw Jesus as a threat to his sovereignty and power. So, in his mind, the best solution would be to kill Jesus. Since he did not know what Jesus look like and where Jesus was, the simple option would be to kill any babies around, with the hope that one of them would turn out to be Jesus.

Some of us too can sometimes be paranoid or jealous about something. As a result, great sins could be committed to protect what we think is rightfully ours. Are we forgetting our ultimate purpose to be in good relationship with the Lord and eventually dwell in His presence? Have worldly pleasures and riches blinded us? Let us choose wisely for our eternal future.

Dec 26 – Saint Stephen, the first Martyr – Feast

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Most of us are still in a merry mood, as this is the season of Christmas. All of a sudden, the church brings in this feast of St. Stephen. Some of us may feel that this feast seems out of place, or seems to spoil the mood. However, we must not forget the real purpose of Jesus coming.

St. Stephen whose feast we celebrate today reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice we ought to make. If we are challenged to give up our faith, or if we are threatened with death if we do not commit sacrilege, would we be willing to die for the faith? This ultimate sacrifice is not easy to do, especially since some of us may value our lives and may find it difficult to just let it go for the greater glory of God. However, should we be put in such a situation, what would our response be?

This feast of St. Stephen reminds us that Jesus came to offer His life for our salvation, and on the cross he did just that. Would we be able to put aside our fear and doubt and offer our lives as a pleasing sacrifice for the faith? May God give us strength and courage to do what is right when the time comes.

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.

Saint Luke, Evangelist – Feast

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When we go for trips, some of us may fret about what to bring with us. Some would start packing lots of clothes, toiletries, make-up, etc. Others might just pack what they feel is necessary and travel light.

When the Lord sends us on a “trip” (mission), what have we been instructed to do? In today’s Gospel, there is a sense of urgency for us to make the trip. We are told to:

1. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

2. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals.

3. Salute no one on the road.

4. Stay in the same house… do not move from house to house.

Our duty, from today’s Gospel, is to go and preach the Good News through words and deeds. This duty is so urgent that we should not be hampered and distracted with other matters.

Should the Lord call you right now to go and preach the Good News without delay, would you be able and willing to do so immediately?