Category Archives: Friday

We sometimes do not realise the gravity or significance of certain words used. Sometimes, even the words used have lost its proper meaning, because some of us may have overused or misused such words. For example, when we use the word “love,” we may not necessarily mean what we say. Instead, what we may actually mean is we “like” or we”enjoy” but since we are so used to saying the word “love,” the meaning may have become lost in translation.

In today’s reading, we hear of Abraham making his steward swear an oath to choose a wife for his son Isaac according to his specific instructions. Then we read of something strange or peculiar: Abraham made the steward put his hand under his thigh to make the oath. Why did Abraham make the servant do so? In ancient times, a person who declares something usually makes an oath with the declaration. The declaration is also known as a testimony. The word “testimony” or to “testify” comes from the Latin word “testis,” which refers to the glans from which the seeds of life come from, and from which each man’s legacy or descendants is spread. So the steward had to reach down and grasp Abraham’s manhood, and then swear an oath upon the seed of Abraham’s tribe, that he would make every effort to adhere to the promise he was to make. This means that a testimony is so grave, so serious and so significant that it involves even the future generation of the one making the testimony.

Seeing the consequences of what a testimony means, are we careful and prudent with any testimonies we make? May we be fully aware of the consequences of making testimonies, and be willing to stake it all when we testify to the Good News, and give glory to God.

What would you do if you are already an 80 years old lady and a priest were to say to you that you would soon have a child? Quite likely you might respond: “Come on father… Don’t be silly. I am too old to conceive.” Some of you would laugh and think that the priest is joking. Some of you may even think that the priest has lost his marbles (in other words, gone crazy), and some of you might even avoid speaking to the priest for a while, hoping that he would not say such things again.

But the irony of ironies is: such things can happen. In today’s reading, such a thing did happen. Abram was told that his wife Sarah would conceive and bear him a son. Abram thought that God was joking as he was already 99 years old and his wife Sarah was also quite elderly. But as it turns out, God was not joking at all. Abram did have a son, and the son became known as Isaac, whom God chose and established a Covenant with.

Now, before any of you begin hitting the panic button and worry that God might pull a prank on you and make you conceive, the main point that we can gather from today’s reading is not so much about having babies, but having trust and confidence in God, no matter how challenging or unlikely the odds may be. If God could enable a person so old as Sarah to conceive, just imagine what wonders God could do for us, if we depend on Him and let Him be our help and guide. Let us not doubt any longer, for when it comes to God’s help and providence, it is certainly not a laughing matter.

Some of us seem to like to claim credit for what we do, and in some situations, even in what other people do. We have seen many examples of people doing something, and then someone higher up or with more influence gets the credit. In the Malay language, we call such a situation: “lembu punya susu, sapi dapat nama” (roughly translated as “milk from the cow, but the bull gets the praise.”) But what sort of attitude should we have towards doing things as Christians? Are we being just like everyone else in claiming credit?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us… You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.” What this reading is telling us is that we may have done many things, or worked miracles in Jesus’ name, but ultimately, credit should be given to God, since our abilities, talents and healing powers come from Him. May we learn to be docile and humble, and let God use us as His instruments, for His greater glory.

Among the Jews the most common title for the Messiah was Son of David.This title was connected to another, which is the title “the Christ” which means the anointed one. The religious authorities at that time maintained that the Christ must be a direct descendant of King David. However, this posed a problem, since Judah had been conquered by the Persians, and this caused King David’s direct line of descendants to be terminated.

When Jesus quoted the psalm from David and explained it, He cleared the confusion and doubts the people had in their minds. Jesus quoted the psalm to show to the crowds and the Pharisees that the Messiah was more than a descendant of David because David calls this descendant of his, “my Lord.” This is to show that David views the Messiah as his Lord and superior. When Jesus said these words, the people were delighted, because they could now believe again. Many of them already accepted Jesus as the Messiah and as the Son of David, and what Jesus explained to them further strengthened their confidence in Jesus.

So what does it mean for us when to acknowledge Jesus as Lord? To acknowledge Jesus as Lord means that we should owe our full submission and loyalty to Him. But do we really give to Him our loyalty? Do we take delight in knowing that we have a Lord who is far greater than any other? May we happily, gratefully and humbly acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and invite him to be the King of our hearts and the ruler of our thoughts, relationships, and in all that we do.

Some of us find making friends quite easy. But quite often, the friend that one makes is not really a friend, but an acquaintance, since finding friends who are true, generous and dependable is not so easy. We sometimes come across people who seem friendly, but they may have hidden agendas and they are friendly to us possibly because we have something to offer them, or the friendship is beneficial to them. Once we are unable to satisfy their needs, such persons may disappear or avoid us all of a sudden.

That is why, in today’s reading, we are cautioned: “Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisers one in a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and be in no hurry to trust him…” It may seem harsh, but life is such that we need to be careful when making friends, so as to not be taken advantaged of, or taken for a ride. May we find true, dependable, intimate and loyal friends, and may we be true, dependable, intimate and loyal as well.

What sort of life are we living here on earth? What do we hope to attain? Some of us seem to be more goal-oriented and achievement-centered. We spend much energy and time to reach somewhere in life: such as our career, wealth, status, knowledge or whatever we deem is our priority or has importance. But are these things really that important? Are all these things all there is to life? Have we ever thought about where we are going to, what is the real meaning of our life?

In the 1st reading, we come across a people who had only one purpose in mind, that is to build a town with a tower with a top reaching heaven. Their intention of doing all this is just to make a name for themselves. They want to be remembered for what they achieved on this earth. For them that was going to be their pride and joy. But when people begin to think that they can achieve anything, they may begin to think that they do not need God. They begin to think that they can do anything they please, and achieve all things through their own effort. We have seen throughout history, how some people have built things, even claiming that what they built would last or would not be destroyed, and we have seen the consequences of such arrogance, where not only what was built was destroyed, many lives were lost due to their folly. May we come to realise our limits and how much we really depend on God for many things, and walk humbly in His ways.

Have you heard of a being named S. A. Tan? Perhaps you may have seen horror stories at the movies, or read books about him, but few of us have seen him face to face. Some of us may have experienced his presence, and many of us could have experienced him luring us and tempting us to sin. Indeed, S. A. Tan is not a pleasant being to be with, even though he may appear to be deceptively so, since he has hidden and cruel intentions, and we would need to constantly and consistently watch out for the traps he has laid out to ensnare us.

In today’s reading, we read about one of the many ways S. A. Tan uses to try and ensnare us and tempt us to sin. S. A. Tan, in the form of a serpent, tempted the woman to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. He even had the sneakiness and gall to assure the woman: “No! You will not die! God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.” With such lies and deceitful words, both the man and woman were equally guilty in falling into Mr. S. A. Tan’s trap by eating the fruit.

What about us? Are we so easily allowing ourselves to be lured into S. A. Tan’s trap? S. A. Tan will constantly try to exploit our ego, our pride and our weaknesses to tempt us into sinning. Are we making efforts to resist and are we seeking God’s help fervently and humbly? We must remember that our foe is not just some ordinary being, and we need to remain in good relationship with God and continuously seek His help, guidance and protection, if we are to overcome such and ancient and deadly foe. Let us not be caught off-guard, and remain in the Lord, so that we would not fall into S. A. Tan’s deadly clutches.

It is easy for us to be warm and friendly towards our friends and family. When we go to church and see someone we know, we would make effort to say “hi” and to catch up on news. Some of us may even sit with such persons, so that we could go out for a meal or a drink after the Mass. But what if a stranger comes to church, do we welcome him or her and make him or her feel at home? Or do we mind our own business and carry on with our prayers or with whatever task we are doing? Are we brothers and sisters in Christ only to persons we know and like? Or are we brothers and sisters in Christ to all?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Continue to love each other like brothers, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the one body. Marriage is to be honoured by all, and marriages are to be kept undefiled, because fornicators and adulterers will come under God’s judgement. Put greed out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me?” May we come out of our “groupish” or “clannish” or “friends and family only” mentality and attitude, and make effort to be loving, caring and welcoming towards all, especially the lost, the least, the little and the last, so that others may know that we are Christians by our love.