Category Archives: Friday

What does the word “time” mean to you? Time is a measure in which events can be ordered from the past through the present into the future, and also the measure of durations of events and the intervals between them. For some of us, we feel as if we have no time or little time, since we seem to be so busy with so many things. For others, especially when we are sick or elderly, we may feel as if we have so much time in our hands. But do we really have so much time or so little of it? Is time really in our hands?

In today’s reading, we are reminded that “There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven… What does a man gain for the efforts that he makes? I contemplate the task that God gives mankind to labour at. All that he does is apt for its time; but though he has permitted man to consider time in its wholeness, man cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.”This reading reminds us that ultimately, all time is in God’s hands and all He does is apt for its time. Likewise, we too should learn to do what is necessary and apt for its time, and not overdo things. What has happened is past; what is happening is the here and now, and we should do what we can and leave the rest to God; and what may happen in the future should not concern us, if we trust in God’s care and providence.

Do you believe that there is life after death? As Christians, we believe that there is life after death, but we sometimes come across people who seem to think that this life is all that matters. They rather spend more time and effort to accumulate titles, wealth, fame, and recognition, with the intention of winning admiration and respect from others. These people think that after this life is over and done with, that is it: we are finished, we are history. But is this what we Christians believe? As Christians, could some of us be thinking that this life is all there is to it and all that matters?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us that we Christians believe in the resurrection. He says: “Now if Christ raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless; indeed, we are shown up as witnesses who have committed perjury before God, because we swore in evidence before God that he had raised Christ to life.”

As Christians, we are reminded each time we recite the Nicene or Apostles creed that there is the resurrection of the dead. This means that we Christians affirm and believe that there is life after death. May we not fool ourselves into thinking that this life is all that matters or that this life is all there is to it, and make the necessary preparations for our eternal future while we have time and opportunities to do so.

What do you do when you are really down in the doldrums, when you feel as if there is no hope, when things look bleak and there does not seem to be any way out, when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel? Would you give up and think that all is lost? Would you despair and go into severe depression, or even end it all? Or would you still trust in God, knowing that no matter how bad things may seem, He will help us out in His time?

In today’s reading, we see how God is about to rescue the Israelites and give them life again: “Then he said, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole House of Israel. They keep saying, “Our bones are dried up, our hope has gone; we are as good as dead.” So prophesy. Say to them, “The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. And I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will know that I, the Lord, have said and done this – it is the Lord who speaks.”” This reading shows us that God is not going to abandon us, no matter how bad or hopeless the situation may seem. Are we patient and humble enough to wait for God to save us? Would we be discerning enough to recognise when He comes to deliver us?

If you find out that your husband or wife has been unfaithful and has prostituted himself or herself, all for the sake of money, would you forgive him or her? What if you find out your girlfriend has become pregnant because of her loose living which you discovered, would you forgive her? It seems easy to say that we forgive, and we recite such words when we pray the Our Father. But are we willing to put into action what we say by genuinely forgiving those who hurt us, just as God forgives us our trespasses?

In today’s reading, we are reminded of how loving and forgiving God is: “The Lord says this: ‘Jerusalem, I will treat you as you deserve, you who have despised your oath even to the extent of breaking a covenant, but I will remember the covenant that I made with you when you were a girl, and I will conclude a covenant with you that shall last for ever… I am going to renew my covenant with you; and you will learn that I am the Lord, and so so remember and be covered with shame, and in your confusion be reduced to silence, when I have pardoned you for all that you have done – it is the Lord who speaks.'” God is willing to forgive us, no matter how bad we have been. If God is willing to forgive us, should we not do the same towards others?

As children, we were encouraged to work hard so that we would do well in school. If we did well in school and attained good grades, then we may have opportunities to go to university. If we study hard and do well in university, we may graduate with honours or even go on to do a Masters degree or PhD. With such qualifications, we may be able to get a good job, with a good pay, and have a comfortable life. But notice that all these are geared only towards life here on earth. What have we been doing for our preparation towards eternal life? Are we preparing at all?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded: “What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?” We may get plenty of wealth, recognition, titles, fame and other things this world has to offer, but would these things be of any use if we ruin our eternal future? All that we have here on earth are only temporary things, and while it is necessary for us to survive in this world, we should also focus especially in our relationship with God. May we take the necessary measures to get back on track with our relationship with God, while we have time and opportunities to do so.

The scribes and Pharisees were often described in negative or not so good ways throughout the Gospels. Often we hear Jesus mocking them, or scolding them, or telling them of their hypocrisy by showing them how wrong they were in their behaviour and conduct. But actually, the scribes and Pharisees were not entirely bad people or wicked people. They were misguided or extreme in their behaviour and conduct, but from time to time, we do hear of some scribes and Pharisees who were not that bad after all. So, in a nutshell, what was their problem?

The problem with the scribes and the Pharisees is that they were interpreting the Law according to their own terms. They thought that by following the letter of the Law to the minute detail, things would be ok. But what they failed to realise is that there is more to the Law than just the letter. In today’s Gospel, Jesus further emphasised the need to follow the Law not so much according to the letter, but according to the Spirit. In the Gospel, Jesus reminded them: “What I want is mercy, not sacrifice.” The scribes and Pharisees excelled in making sacrifices and making others do the same, but they failed in showing mercy.

What about us? Are we following God’s laws just for the sake of being in His good books? Have we become like the scribes and Pharisees, focusing so much on following the Law so rigidly, that we have lost or misunderstood its meaning? May we learn to be loving and merciful, just as God is loving and merciful to all of us.

When we sin, what happens? Our soul begins to get smeared with the filth of sin, and we slowly begin to lose our relationship with God. It may not be instant or so quick, but if we let the sin remain in us, its filth would eventually cover us in darkness, and our connection to God may end up disconnected. As an analogy, imagine if you drink hard liquor regularly without giving time for your body, especially your liver or other vital organs to rest. In time to come, such organs may fail and you may be stricken with severe health issues. Sin is like that, since its effects on us would have far reaching and devastating effects, especially to our eternal future.

That is why, in today’s reading, God is constantly calling out to Israel, and to us too, to come back to Him. God is willing to heal our disloyalty and love us with all His heart. The problem is, some of us are still so proud and stubborn to change our ways and come back to Him. Some of us feel too ashamed or afraid, but if God is willing to take us back, why do we still feel this way? Do we not trust in God’s promises and care? May we take every opportunity to walk in His ways, return to Him, and let Him be our help and guide.