Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Memorial

St. John Vianney – Memorial

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What does it mean to be a shepherd? A shepherd guides and guards the sheep under his care, even to the extent of dying for his sheep by defending the sheep when being attacked by wolves and other predators. Being a shepherd is certainly a great responsibility, and that is why finding young men and women who are willing to be shepherds to their communities is no easy task. One needs to constantly pray for God’s help so that more and more young men and women would answer God’s call to work in God’s vineyard as shepherds. Not only that, one also needs to encourage one’s own children to discern and consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.

In today’s Gospel, “Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’” Jesus invites us to come forward and labour as His shepherds, but how many of us are willing to respond? As time goes by, many of our present shepherds are getting old or have retired from active service. This means that new shepherds are needed to continue labouring in the harvest.

Today we celebrate St. John Vianney, patron of parish priests. Let us not only pray for our parish priests and give them our encouragement and support, but also encourage more and more young men to answer God’s call to become priests. Many of our present priests, some of which are parish priests, are not so young any more, no longer “spring chicken,” but they still continue serving in God’s harvest as best they can. May the Lord grant us more labourers to his harvest, to build His kingdom and give Him the glory.

St. John Vianney – Memorial 聖若翰維雅納節日

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我們常常希望我們的事情完成盡快。然而，作為基督的證人不能這麼快做到。如果我們想成為耶穌有效的證人，我們需要有3個重要的特徵：熱情，耐心和毅力。

今天，我們慶祝聖若翰維雅納的節日。聖若翰維雅納是本堂神父的主保。他用熱情，耐心和毅力關心天主的子民，讓亞爾斯村莊所有的人轉換從惡習到美德。所以，他是一個例子我們應該模仿。

各位教友，我們應該為我們的神父們祈禱，以便他們更熱中他們的聖職，讓他們更熱情履行他們的使命。我們也應該為自己祈禱，我們會更加努力見證基督的福音跟其他的人。願耶穌的聖心激勵我們效法他的榜樣。

We often want things to be done quickly. However, when it comes to being witnesses of Christ, it is often not possible to rush things. If we want to be an effective witness of Jesus, we need to have three important characteristics: passion, patience and perseverance.

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. John Vianney. St. John Vianney is the patron of parish priests. With passion, patience and perseverance, he showed great care and concern for God’s people, especially in the village of Ars, gradually converting the entire village from vices to virtue. Therefore, he is a good example for all of us to follow and imitate.

Let us pray for our priests, that they will continue to be faithful to their vocation, and enthusiastic in carrying out their mission. We also pray for ourselves, that we will make even more effort to be witnesses of Christ’s Good News to others. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus inspire us to imitate His example.

Our Lady, Mother of the Church – Memorial

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Some of us like to look up to certain role models in our lives. We try to follow their habits and ways, as we are attracted to their lives. But the reality of our earthly role models is that they do not remain with us forever. Some fall from their role model status, due to some significant wrongdoing or even scandal. Others become too old or even pass away, leaving behind a legacy which may be forgotten as the years go by. So what sort of role model do we really have, and what sort of role model should we Christians have?

As Christians, we have one role model whom we can look up to, and who has been guiding us and praying for us and with us all this while. That one role model is our Lady, Mother Mary. In the Gospel, when Jesus was dying on the cross, He gave Mary to the beloved disciple, and in doing so, gave Mary to us, His disciples, as our role model, mother and guide. In the reading, we see Mary with the apostles, joined in continuous prayer. Mary, as a role model, showed us what it means to be part of the church community, by joining in continuous prayer, instead of just keeping to herself.

So if we embrace Mary as our role model, then we do not need any other temporary earthly role model, since we already have an eternal role model who continues to pray for us and with us, while leading us to her Son, Jesus. Ultimately, Mary our role model is showing us the way on how we should become more and more like her Son Jesus, instead of bringing attention to herself, as what some of our earthly role models may do.

Our Lady, Mother of the Church – Memorial

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What does it mean to be a church? Is a church merely a building? Of course not! A church is more than a building, since the early Christians did not even have proper buildings which we call churches today. Instead, a church is the faithful; the people of God; the community and body of Christ; united as one in love, charity, faith and prayer. There is no room for individualistic attitudes or personal agenda, since as church we are sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters in Christ.

In our church communities, we have one person who has been guiding us and praying for us and with us since the early times of Christianity. That one person is our Lady, Mother Mary. In the Gospel, when Jesus was dying on the cross, He gave Mary to the beloved disciple, and in doing so, gave Mary to us, His disciples. In the reading, we see Mary with the apostles, joined in continuous prayer. Mary did not stay aloof or keep to herself, but was there praying for and with the apostles, after Jesus was taken up into heaven. The readings show us that Mary is also our mother, and that is why we celebrate “Our Lady, Mother of the Church” today.

With Mary as our mother, let us continue to trust in her love and care, and follow her example in reaching out to others in love and prayer. Let us offer our presence as she did, to all in need, especially the sick, the aged, the destitute, the downtrodden, and many more, so that in all we do, God may be glorified.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Today we celebrate the Memorial of the presentation of Mary in the Temple. The Memorial of the presentation of Mary in the Temple is not found in the Bible but from sources other than the Bible, which we call “Sacred Tradition.” It is found in an extra-biblical source called the Infancy Narrative of James. In that text, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne had been childless, but then they received a message from heaven that they would have a child. In thanksgiving, they brought the child Mary to the Temple to consecrate her to the Lord. It is believed that Mary remained in the Temple to be formed and prepared for her role as the Mother of God. This feast shows that even in her childhood Mary was completely dedicated to God.

From this Memorial, we are reminded of our presentation, dedication and consecration to God when we were baptised. We were transformed to be God’s chosen children, and our duty is to go forth to preach the Good News and to present our lives as an offering that is pleasing to God. Just as Mary fulfilled her mission to bring Jesus Christ into the world, we too are called, chosen and sent to fulfil our mission in bringing His message into the world. Are we following Mary’s example and doing our part earnestly, diligently and joyfully?

SS. Timothy & Titus, Bishops – Memorial

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Many of us became Christians when we were baptised as babies. Some of us became Christians when we were baptised as adults. But whatever the circumstances may be, we are Christians and as Christians, Jesus has commissioned us to go forth and proclaim the Good News. This is not merely a request, but a command, an order, a duty. We should not be shy or timid in fulfilling our duty, as St. Paul in today’s reading reminds us: “That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.”

The question we need to ask ourselves is this: Have we become complacent or comfortable with our lives, that proclaiming the Good News has become less and less important? Have we become more and more attracted to the ways of the world, and forgotten or ignored or feel ashamed of witnessing to the Lord? May we with renewed zeal and vigour fan into a flame the gift that God has given us, and fearlessly and enthusiastically share His Good News with all around us, remembering that ultimately, our lives are meant to give glory to God.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Memorial

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The feast of the Holy Rosary originated from the naval victory at Lepanto on 7 October 1571. In that naval battle, a small combined Christian fleet defeated a mighty Turkish armada, thus stopping the invasion of Christian Europe. The victory was considered a miracle and Pope St. Pius V attributed it to the praying of the Holy Rosary and the intercession of Our Lady.

From this incident, we can discover that the Rosary is indeed a very special devotion to Our Lady. Many Popes, clergy, religious, saints and lay persons have always recommended it as a good form of devotion. The Rosary is vocal and mental prayer; and it is also personal as well as communal prayer. When we meditate upon the mysteries of the Rosary, we experience Christ through Mary. Not only that, by praying the Rosary, Mary accompanies us in prayer, and praying the Rosary sustains us in the battle against the evil one and his accomplices. Therefore, let us not slack in praying the Rosary, and like Mary surrender ourselves to God so that He may be our help and guide.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Memorial

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It is not easy for a mother to care for her sick child. The mother would spend sleepless nights caring for her child and ensuring that her child takes medicine regularly, while praying that her child would recover quickly. It is even more not easy if the child is dying. The mother would be quite distraught, and she would turn to God in prayer, begging Him to heal her child and spare her child from death. Whatever the circumstances may be, a mother would generally make much sacrifices for the health and wellbeing of her child.

Mother Mary in today’s Gospel also made much sacrifices for Jesus. In fact, she made the ultimate sacrifice. She saw her son Jesus dying on the cross. Most other mothers would have avoided being at the crucifixion site, for personal safety and also it would have been too much to bear. But Mother Mary still stayed on, keeping vigil with her son, Jesus, and watched with agony as her son’s life slowly ebbed away. The Gospel tells us that Jesus gave Mother Mary to His beloved disciple as his mother, so that Mother Mary would have a place of refuge. In a way, Jesus is giving Mother Mary to each and every one of us, as we are like that beloved disciple.

In the end, Jesus died on that cross. But is this the end? No. We know that Jesus rose again after 3 days. Jesus’ death was for the forgiveness of our sins. What was initially a sorrowful scene has turned to great joy as Jesus appeared once again to His disciples. Even then, we could imagine the strength and patience of a mother, our Mother Mary, who despite going through hell and back, still had the fortitude to “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” May we too have the fortitude to face up to the many dangers, troubles and persecutions which may come our way, taking Mother Mary as our shining example, and always depending on our Lord’s help and providence.

St. Martha, Memorial

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Many of us seem quite busy doing many things these days. We have to juggle work, leisure, family commitments and many other activities that eat into the amount of time we have each day. Some of us even complain that there does not seem to be enough hours in a day to get everything done. We begin to get uptight, stressed, frazzled, high-strung and moody as there seems so much to do and we find it difficult to cope.

In today’s Gospel, a woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her house and made Him feel at home. In fact, she began to become extremely busy trying to make Jesus comfortable, that she too began to get uptight and stressed. On the other hand, her sister Mary sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Some of us may have wondered: isn’t Mary being selfish and mean by leaving her sister Martha to do all the serving? Actually, no. Jesus gives us the answer in the Gospel: “‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.'”

Sometimes in our community gatherings, we may have been just like Martha, so busy doing so many other things and forgetting the actual meaning and purpose of the community gathering, which is usually to pray and reflect together. While it is good to have refreshments and fellowship as part of community bonding, we should not lose focus on why we gather in the first place. May we depend on the Lord and learn when to be like Martha, and when to be like Mary.

SS. Timothy & Titus, Bishops – Memorial

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What does it mean to be a Christian? Are we only Christians in name, or do we consider being a Christian to be more than just a title? In the past, there have been people who became Christians because it was beneficial or advantageous for them to do so. For example, in some places, a person who became a Christian could get better education or a better position or status. It was “fashionable” as some may say, to be a Christian. But is Christianity merely a tool or a convenience for some of us to use and take advantage of?

As Christians, Jesus has commissioned us to go forth and proclaim the Good News. This is not merely a request, but a command, an order, a duty. We should not be shy or timid in fulfilling our duty, as St. Paul in today’s reading reminds us: “That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.” Moreover, today’s Gospel reminds us about the urgency and importance in preaching the Good News. The Gospel tells us: “Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you.”

The question we need to ask ourselves is this: are we all fired up, full of energy and gusto to go forth and preach the Good News? Or have we become complacent and fearful of ruffling feathers or rocking the boat? Do we not value our faith and consider it so exciting and so important that it must be shared with others, or do we think that only certain people such as clergy and religious are meant to preach the Good News? No! All of us are called, chosen and sent forth, not just a select few. We may not be able to go everywhere to preach the Good News, but we can do so with conviction within our family, our friends, and even our community. Let us not slacken or become “domesticated” in our faith, but fulfil our destiny in bringing Jesus’ message to all.