Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Friday

Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent

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Some of us seem to be great runners. Some of us run away from responsibilities; some run away from commitments; some run away from relationships for some reason or another; some run away from the hurt or pain one is experiencing and try to find alternatives to help forget or reduce the hurt or pain; some even run away from God. But how long can we really run away? Eventually, we will need to face reality and the truth, and come to terms with what we are trying to run away from. What would we do then, when we are unable to run anymore?

In today’s reading, God beckoned Israel: “Israel, come back to the Lord your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall. Provide yourself with words and come back to the Lord. Say to him, ‘Take all iniquity away so that we may have happiness again and offer you our words of praise…’ Let the wise man understand these words. Let the intelligent man grasp their meaning. For the ways of the Lord are straight, and virtuous men walk in them, but sinners stumble.” When Israel was running in circles and running away from God, they faced many challenges and hardship because of their stubbornness and iniquity. But God did not give up on them; God continued to call them to come back to Him, to stop running away and be happy again in His love and care. In the same way, God is calling us to come back to Him, to stop running away and be happy again in His love and care. Why are we still running away and remaining fearful and stubborn? Don’t we want to experience the true happiness that God offers us?

Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Let us consider for a moment… Is there anything in this world that we really own? Do we have sole, complete and eternal rights to things, persons and ideas? Some of us may think that we have total rights and total control over such things, persons and ideas, and we become quite possessive towards them, but do we really have such total rights and total control? When we die or are one day incapable of controlling such things, persons and ideas due to some sickness or due to some other reason, what would happen then?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a parable of a vineyard. In this parable, Jesus was actually talking about the scribes and Pharisees. The owner of the vineyard is God, who is ever so patient, merciful and kind, giving the scribes and Pharisees plenty of opportunities to change and walk in His ways. But the scribes and Pharisees became quite possessive with their way of thinking and to them, only their way of rituals, sacrifices and other observances of their version of God’s law would enable themselves and those who followed them to grow closer to God. Prophets were sent to try and change the attitude and behaviour of the scribes and Pharisees, but thy remained obstinate, refused to listen or change, and got rid of the prophets. Jesus is the son the land owner had sent, but the scribes and Pharisees once again refused to listen or change, and even plotted to get rid of Him. Ultimately, Jesus gave the scribes and Pharisees a stern warning that they would not only meet their wretched end like the tenants in the parable, Jesus even added: “I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

What about us? Have we been like the scribes and Pharisees in one way or another? Have we been having “holier than thou” attitudes or become quite possessive with our position in church, possessive with our families and friends, or even tried to be possesive with God? Let us be reminded that our time here on earth is short, and make every effort to change our minds and hearts, so that we may produce good fruit and glorify God.

Friday of the 1st Week of Lent

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Each and every one of us have been given different choices throughout our lives. Ultimately, we are responsible and accountable for the choices we make. This also includes the choices we make on how we wish to live. We can choose to live as good Christians, observing humbly, consistently and joyfully God’s command to love God and neighbour; or we can choose to live a worldly life, caring only for oneself and living a life away from God’s loving care. Whatever the choice we make, we should be aware of the consequences and be prepared to face them.

One choice we make is mentioned in today’s reading. In the reading, we choose whether we wish to be a wicked man or an upright man. It may seem obvious that most of us would want to be an upright man, but the reality is that there are people who think that they are upright but from their attitude, behaviour and actions, they are actually leaning more towards being wicked. How so? The reading tells us how a wicked man would live: “If the wicked man renounces all the sins he has committed, respects my laws and is law-abiding and honest, he will certainly live; he will not die. All the sins he committed will be forgotten from then on; he shall live because of the integrity he has practised.” The reading also tells us how an upright man would die: “But if the upright man renounces his integrity, commits sin, copies the wicked man and practises every kind of filth, is he to live? All the integrity he has practised shall be forgotten from then on; but this is because he himself has broken faith and committed sin, and for this he shall die.”

Ultimately, as the reading reminds us: “When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.” The question we need to ask ourselves is this: we call ourselves upright and we believe that we are so, but are we truly and consistently living an upright life? Let us be honest with ourselves and discover where we stand, so that we can do what is necessary and return to the Lord’s ways, and live, not die.

Friday after Ash Wednesday

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Today’s readings speak of a common theme and that theme is “fasting.” When we speak of fasting, some of us may begin to assume that it means not taking certain food or drink; or not eating a particular meal; or even not eating for a certain period of time (such as from dawn to dusk). But is that the kind of fasting we are supposed to do?

In today’s reading, we are told that there are some people who fast just to put on a show. The reading tells us: “Why should we fast if you never see it, why do penance if you never notice?’ Look, you do business on your fast-days, you oppress all your workmen; look, you quarrel and squabble when you fast and strike the poor man with your fist. Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high. Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men? Hanging your head like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Lord?” When we supposingly fast from food or drink without love, without right conduct and with right action, we are merely making a mockery out of fasting. If this is what we do, then why fast in the first place? Are we trying to win a popularity contest or something? Do we expect others to see us fasting for our own personal gratification, while we continue to put on a sad or monkey face, but at the same time be nasty or ruthless in our behaviour and conduct?

Instead, the reading tells us about the right way to fast: “Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me, to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin?” When we fast with love, mercy and compassion, the reading tells us: “Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.” Let us not be hypocrites in fasting only to win recognition and admiration among men, but do what is pleasing to God.

Friday after Epiphany

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Some of us seem to have lots of things to do each day, and sometimes our involvement in doing so many things could lead some us to a crisis. On the one hand, we need to be active in ministry, but when we become too engrossed in active ministry, we face the danger of being worn out, tired and in some cases, burned out. On the other hand, when we begin to live a passive life and not do anything, we may lose touch of our ministry and in some cases, even our purpose as Christians. Both extremes certainly are not good for our well-being. So what do we do?

In today’s Gospel, we can learn from Jesus on how to be balanced in our ministry. The Gospel tells us: “His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured, but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.” Notice that Jesus was not always teaching and helping people. He also took time off to be alone and pray. We must remember that we are not superman or superwoman; we can only do so much. What we can do, we do our best, and the rest, let us leave it in the hands of the Lord. God will take care of the rest in His time. Are we willing, patient and humble enough to let God be God?

Friday of Week 11 Year 2

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What do you treasure most in life? Do you still continue to look for riches here on earth, or have you been seeking riches in heaven? Some of us may have been enamoured or influenced by the glitter, beauty or value of riches here on earth, so much so that we spend a lot of time accumulating them. But the question is: for how long would we be able to hold on to such riches? When we die, all these riches we have accumulated cannot be brought with us. These riches will either become worthless, lose their value over time, or end up possessed by others.

Jesus in today’s Gospel reminds us: “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The riches we accumulate here on earth are only temporary. We cannot own them or hold on to them forever. The riches we accumulate for heaven is for eternity as we will not lose them. Are we reconsidering our priorities and begun focusing that which is eternal? Or are we still stubbornly interested only in that which is temporal?

Friday of Week 10 Year 2

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Some of us look for God in the spectacular. We think that God should make Himself known via a grand entrance. Some of us look for God in beauty, wealth and riches, or in some sort of environment we think would be more fitting and appropriate. However, would we really find God in such situations?

In today’s reading, Elijah came to the presence of God when he heard a gentle breeze. It is in the simple situation, the unlikely place, the strangest circumstances, that we may find God. The question is: are we sensitive enough to God’s promptings? Or have we, over the years, been so flooded with all sorts of noise, expectations or experiences, that we have failed to recognise and acknowledge His presence? God is calling us in His own way and in His own terms to do His will. Are we able to listen and obey?

Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

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How much do we love Jesus? We say we love Him, but sometimes our actions do not correspond with what we say. We say we love Jesus, but we do not seem to love our family members. We say we love Jesus, but we do not show much love or patience towards others on the road, in our daily dealings, etc. We say we love Jesus, and yet we are willing to drag others to the police or even to court over trivial matters. How much do we really love Jesus?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Jesus did not just ask Simon Peter this question once, but 3 times. If Jesus were to ask the same question to us, what would we reply? Sometimes it seems easy to say that we love Jesus, but do we know the full implications of loving Jesus? Are we aware of what we are replying? It is easy to say things, but committing to what we say is not so easy. Jesus told Simon Peter: “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Would we be willing to love Jesus, even to the extend of going to places against our will?

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter

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When we are faced with difficulties, challenges, persecution, or even the possibility of being put to death, would we be able to be steadfast in our faith and continue to trust in God’s providence? Giving up or running away seems like a tempting option, but today’s reading should be a reminder to us that God is on our side and watching out for us: “Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.” If God can protect and care for Paul, surely He can do the same for us.

Even Gallio who was proconsul of Achaia refused to get involved with petty things the Jews were coming up against Paul. Here, we can clearly see the envy and jealousy the Jews had towards Paul. Jealousy and envy can cause us to commit great sins and in our blindness, we may even do stupid things. Let us be on our guard against falling into the trap the Jews were in, and continue our efforts and vigour to proclaim the Good News. As the Letter to the Romans remind us: “If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)”

Friday of the 5th Week of Easter

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Do we truly and really love? Or do we merely “like” or “enjoy” under the appearance of love? Sometimes we come across people who genuinely love others and just as today’s Gospel tells us, they would even be willing to “lay down his life for his friends.” Other times, we come across individuals who love because it is convenient or advantageous to them, or provides self-gratification, but deep down in their hearts there is no love. What about you? Where do you stand?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we are His friends if we do what He commands us. What did He command us to do? Jesus tells us in the Gospel: “What I command you is to love one another.” Moreover, Jesus has chosen us; and commissioned us to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last. Are we loving others and sharing Jesus’ love with others, just as Jesus loves us? Or are we hoarding love only for ourselves? Is our love genuine? Or has our love become more and more selfish or self-centred? We may appear to be able to hide our true intentions or true self, but we cannot run away from the “fruit” of our “love.”