Category Archives: Monday

Some of us find it quite difficult to detach ourselves from something. Some of us are so attached to our wealth and property, some of us are so attached to our titles, some of us are attached to our popularity and fame, some are even so attached to their spouse, so much so that they become easily jealous or suspicious of their spouse should they be just a little late, or they need to go some place. But whatever attachments we have towards people are things, the fact is we will not be able to remain attached to such persons or things forever. There will come a time where we may lose the person or thing for one reason or another. Then what do we do then?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a young man who claims to have observed all the commandments and wondered what more he needed to do to possess eternal life. While Jesus did not challenge the young man to prove that he had really observed all the commandments, Jesus did challenge the young man to become detached of his wealth, give it all away, and follow Him. This caused the young man to go away sad, for even though he may have supposingly observed all the commandments, he was still not able to observe the commandment to love, rich and poor alike. When we observe all the commandments, we observe them because we want to love God and neighbour, and not observe the commandments like robots. The young man may have thought that observing the commandments was good enough, but what he had failed to realise is that it is meaningless to observe without genuine love and charity towards others.

What about us? Are we observing all the commandments because we love God and neighbour? Or are we still entrapped in our own agenda, by observing the commandments only for our benefit or when it suits us? May we be humble and willing to become detached from things and persons around us, so that we could learn to depend more and more in God’s providence and care.

Some of us worry a lot and are worrywarts. We worry about so many things, sometimes things which are actually not a big deal. So how do we lessen or stop our worrying? By being more trusting towards God’s care, love, goodness and providence. If God is there for us, and if we believe that God can help us, then we should be free from worries. We should be more willing to care and share with others, because God is there for us and we will not be lacking as God can provide for us.

In today’s Gospel, we see how the disciples were worried about what to do with the crowd. We read: “When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’” Here, we see how the disciples still did not get it. They still did not recognise or have enough trust in Jesus. They were more concerned of themselves and wondered how they were going to feed such a crowd with so few loaves and fish. But Jesus showed them that when we give, we can receive even more, and we see this in the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish which Jesus performed right in front of their eyes.

So let us not be too worried or concerned. Instead, let us put our trust in God, knowing and trusting in His providence. After all, if He can feed so many with so little, just imagine what He could do for us if we depend on Him and let Him be our help and guide.

Some of us may have felt quite insecure as babies, toddlers or young children, when our parents were not around, even for a short moment. When our parents were not nearby even for a short moment, some of us may get into trouble or danger, and our parents would end up having to run and rescue us from our predicament. When we went to school or kindergarten for the first time, some of us may have created a scene and were reluctant to let go of mum (in some cases, even dad), and we would be bawling away. Actually, our parents were still around but in our mind, we may have been fearful and feeling insecure, thinking that they had abandoned us. It must have been quite stressful for our parents to have to put up with our behaviour during those early years. Fortunately, we would have eventually grown out of such fear and learnt to carry on without having to have our parents being present or keeping an eye on us all the time.

In today’s reading, we come across the sons of Israel who were behaving like babies, toddlers or young children. Just because Moses was not around for a moment, the sons of Israel thought that Moses and even God had abandoned them and they became increasingly worried and insecure. This made them make a gold calf to be their god to go at their head. Of course, their idolatry was inexcusable, and Moses had to plead with God on their behalf. Moses certainly was like a parent, frazzled with such attitude and behaviour among the sons of Israel, and yet, God was still merciful and continued to guide them.

Sometimes we may have been impatient, felt insecure, and feared being abandoned by God, especially when we are experiencing difficulties, persecution or even the possibility of death. But let us not despair or go off seeking other forms of help or even other so called gods, for God can and will help us. It is a question of whether we are willing to have full trust in God and be patient, humble and willing to let God take care of us, according to His time and for His glory.

Some people can never be satisfied or content, no matter how much you have done for them. Give them an inch, and they demand a yard; pacify them by giving in to some of their demands, and they may try to take away more if given the slightest opportunity. Such people are impossible to please, since whatever they are given is never enough, and there may seem to be no end to their demands. Could some of us fall into the category of such people?

In today’s reading, we come across the Israelites who are classic examples of such people. The Israelites had been rescued out of Egypt by God. God had provided for them and protected them but when they discovered that the Egyptians were in pursuit of them, they began to doubt God’s sincerity, despite all He had done for them so far. The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord, and even had the gall to say to Moses:”‘Were there no graves in Egypt that you must lead us out to die in the wilderness? What good have you done us, bringing us out of Egypt? We spoke of this in Egypt, did we not? Leave us alone, we said, we would rather work for the Egyptians! Better to work for the Egyptians than die in the wilderness!” But did God get angry or fed up with these Israelites? No. He still continued to rescue them even though they were ungrateful and difficult to satisfy.

What about us? Have we been so stubborn and unsatisfied, no matter what God has done for us? Or have we so easily lost patience towards others, preferring to wash our hands off them instead of being patient and persistent towards them, just like God has been patient and persistent towards us? God did not abandon the Israelites and continued to care and provide for them. In the same way, God has not abandoned us, no matter how difficult, dire or dangerous the situation we may be in. Are we willing and humble enough to continue trusting in God and let Him care for us?

Some people say that blood is thicker than water, and that we should make every effort to remain in good relationship or good ties with our parents and siblings. Even the 4th Commandment reminds us to honour our parents and treat them well. In some cultures, filial piety plays an important role in ensuring that our parents are well cared for, since it was they who cared for us and nourished us when we were young.

But let us consider for a moment: Supposing we come to a scenario where our parents or siblings demand that we perform something or carry out an act which would keep the family honour, but goes against God’s commandments? For example, in some traditional cultures, a child which is born with a serious defect is seen as an omen, or even a curse to the family, and if we are told by our parents to get rid of it; would we do such a deed to appease our parents?

This is where we face a dilemma. Jesus in today’s Gospel warns us: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.”

As Christians, we are reminded to obey and keep God’s commandments. But if we obey and keep God’s commandments, we would be going against our parents’ demands. Likewise, if we obey and submit to our parents’ demands, we would be going against God’s commandments. Should we be stricken with such a difficult choice, what would we choose? God over our family or our family over God? Ultimately, may we choose wisely and prudently what is right and just, for the betterment of our eternal future.

There are times in life some of us may have felt as if God has abandoned us. Some of us may be feeling this way because of constant illness which seems to have no cure; or perhaps we may be suffering from some form of persecution, depression or grief; or some of us may be suffering from some kind of substance abuse which we may be finding difficult to come out of. Whatever the situation may be, how should a Christian respond?

In today’s reading, God assured Jacob: “Be sure that I am with you; I will keep you safe wherever you go, and bring you back to this land, for I will not desert you before I have done all that I have promised you.” Not only that, today’s Gospel reassures us that God will not abandon us when He cured the woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and brought the official’s daughter back to life. What is important to note here is we need to have constant, unwavering faith in God, and trust that He will do what is best for us. God can help us according to His time and for His glory. It is a question of whether we are willing to be humble and patient in waiting for His help.

It is easy for us to look at other people with coloured vision. Some of us see only the good in others, and fail to take notice of their not so good points. This may sometimes happen when, for example, a person is deeply or crazily in love and is not in a rational state of mind, and the person longs or pines for the other, even though the other person may not necessarily be a suitable partner. Some of us see only the bad in others, and we may pick on every minute detail, every imperfection the other has, and make it seem as if it is a big deal. But how many of us are humble enough or willing to accept a person for who he or she is, without looking at the other through our own filtered or coloured vision?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus admonishes us: “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, “Let me take the splinter out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” We sometimes find fault with others because we are trying to make them change according to our standards. Sometimes we find fault because we are unwilling to admit our own shortcomings and project our shortcomings on another person. But let us be reminded that all of us are not perfect, all of us are made differently, and sometimes what we think are imperfections are actually perfectly imperfect. Thus, let us be mindful not to allow our filters or coloured vision to take control of us, and let the Lord guide us, so that we would truly be thankful and appreciate others for who they are.

What sort of people are we? Are we followers of Christ? Or have some of us begun to be more and more worldly in our attitude, behaviour and conduct? Calling ourselves followers of Christ is fine and good, but what matters more is that we show that we really are followers, not just in words, but especially in deeds.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “We prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress; when we are flogged, or sent to prison, or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving. We prove we are God’s servants by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by a spirit of holiness, by a love free from affectation; by the word of truth and by the power of God; by being armed with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, prepared for honour or disgrace, for blame or praise; taken for impostors while we are genuine; obscure yet famous; said to be dying and here are we alive; rumoured to be executed before we are sentenced; thought most miserable and yet we are always rejoicing; taken for paupers though we make others rich, for people having nothing though we have everything.”

Ultimately, all that we do, all that we say, is for the glory of God. Being a follower of Christ and a servant of God means there is no place for personal glory or personal gratification. If we are faithful and glorify God in all we do, we can find joy and confidence in His love and care.