Category Archives: Monday

When there is light, we can see things clearly. We can go about in our various tasks with little difficulty. But for some of us, light can cause problems for us, especially if we have something to hide, or if there are “skeletons in the closet.” When we have something to hide and we do not want others to know, we would go through great lengths to keep others in the dark, so that what we have said and done would not come to light. But for how long can we hide? Would we be able to face up to the truth, if it has come to light someday and somehow?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is for this loose living that God’s anger comes down on those who rebel against him. Make sure that you are not included with them. You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light.” As Christians, we are supposed to be like children of light. But let us ask ourselves honestly: are we really like children of light? Or have some of us stubbornly and vehemently chosen to remain in the dark? Are we willing to come out into the light and let the Lord guide us to become better persons? Or do we prefer to remain entrapped and enslaved in the dark?

Among the many exams we need to sit, one which could be said to be the most difficult is the exam of life. People seem to fail in this exam because they do not realise that the questions asked for each person is different, as each person has got a different question paper, and copying others would not be of any help. Instead, such an exam needs to be answered on our own, with help from God, since each and every one of us is an individual, different, unique, and special.

In today’s reading, we are reminded that “We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.” This tells us that we are specially created for a purpose, and we are created different from others, works of art with no duplicates. Instead of trying to be like others; instead of trying to copy others; instead of keeping up with the Jones or trying to match the abilities and talents of others; we should be thankful and grateful for the gifts and talents God has given us, and develop our gifts and talents for the glory of God. If we come to realise that we are God’s works of art; if we make every effort to glorify God by trusting in His providence and using our unique talents and gifts responsibly; then we would stand a good chance of passing our exam of life with flying colours, since we would be living life as He had meant us to live it.

It is interesting to observe how some people could claim to be free, but they are actually not free in other ways. For example, a person could seem free, but is enslaved by being addicted or dependent on substances, such as certain drugs, tobacco, or alcohol; or a person could be enslaved in various forms of personal gratification, abusing our minds and bodies; or a person could be enslaved in certain habits or attitudes, making it difficult for us to be truly human. So, are such people really free? Are you truly free?

In today’s reading St. Paul reminds us: “When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” We were freed and made sons and daughters of God, but perhaps some of us do not understand, appreciate or value the freedom won for us. We slowly lose our freedom when we sin and neglect to have the sin cleaned by promptly go for confession. We lose our freedom when we become indifferent towards God and towards others and become enslaved in our ego, pride and personal gratification. May we not allow ourselves to be enslaved by such yokes of slavery and end up jeopadising our eternal future.

Over the years, we have come across people who claim to be followers of Christ and they seem to have the gift of the gab. These people begin to go around appearing to be preaching the Good News, but we could begin to notice something strange or odd about the message these people are preaching. Quite often, these people would either preach fear or doomsday and they would try to entice people to give up their wealth; or these people would preach about receiving greater rewards from God if we are more generous in our contributions or love offerings. Some people become so easily taken in by fear of the end times, or by such easy access to God’s grace and providence, that they are duped into parting with their cash and even property. More often than not, such so called preachers are only looking to enriching themselves, and then make a run for it..

In today’s reading, St. Paul warns us: “if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one you have already heard, he is to be condemned. So now whom am I trying to please – man, or God? Would you say it is men’s approval I am looking for? If I still wanted that, I should not be what I am – a servant of Christ. The fact is, brothers, and I want you to realise this, the Good News I preached is not a human message that I was given by men, it is something I learnt only through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” St. Paul is cautioning us to be careful and vigilant, because there may be preachers claiming to proclaim the Good News, but they are actually giving us false teaching. Let us not be so easily taken for a ride, and adhere to true and proper preaching, for the good of our eternal future.

People can sometimes act strangely depending on the situation. When times are good, most people would enjoy the goodness and not think much about it. But what happens when bad times occur, when there is widespread disease, destruction, wars, persecution, suffering and other calamities that happen? Some people would begin to curse and fret over such misfortune or calamities. Some people would even think that there is no hope, causing some to even consider ending it all. But how many of us are able to give thanks to God, even in the face of such calamities?

In today’s reading, Job was faced with one calamity after another. Facing one calamity was already bad enough, but facing so many in one day? It was certainly painful and shocking for Job, but what did he do? The reading tells us: “In all this misfortune Job committed no sin nor offered any insult to God.” If we were in Job’s shoes, would we be able to do the same? Would we still be thankful and grateful to God for all that He has done, and remain confident in His providence?

If you had an opportunity to do some good for another person, would you do it? Some of you may say: “I would, but depending on the context and situation.” That seems a fair statement, but saying it is one thing, doing it is another. It is easy to say “I would,” but some of us could begin to make excuses if the situation or context is not so favourable or there does not seem to be anything to be gained from helping. If the situation is not dangerous, but does not provide any advantage or benefit, but a service to humanity, how many of us would really be willing to help? What more if the situation involves some danger or risk, but helping could deter a small crime or save a life, would we be willing to help, or would we mind our own business?

In today’s reading, we are reminded to be good examples towards others. But being good examples is not sufficient. We also need to suppliment our being with doing. Today’s reading reminds us: “My son, do not refuse a kindness to anyone who begs it, if it is in your power to perform it. Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow’, if you can do it now.” If we are given an opportunity to show our love as Christians, would we, if it is in our power or ability, do it? Or would we procrastinate and make excuses? Ultimately, people will come to know God’s love through our example and efforts, and may we be bold and humble enough to do as best we can, for the greater glory of God.

When we are invited to dine with the sultan or with the king or with some VIP (Very Important Person), would we go straight to the food and eat to our hearts content? Surely we would wait until certain protocols and customs have been observed, then only when the time has come to eat, we would begin the meal with decorum, respect and table manners. But when we come for Mass, do we practice the same decorum, respect and table manners?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us of such decorum, protocol and table manners when we come for Mass: “The point is, when you hold these meetings, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you are eating, since when the time comes to eat, everyone is in such a hurry to start his own supper that one person goes hungry while another is getting drunk. Surely you have homes for eating and drinking in? Surely you have enough respect for the community of God not to make poor people embarrassed?… So to sum up, my dear brothers, when you meet for the Meal, wait for one another.”

What St. Paul reminds us in the reading is still relevant even today. When we come for Mass to the Table of the Lord, we are coming for a banquet with the Lord. Just as we would observe the proper decorum, respect and table manners when we dine with so-called important persons on earth, may we remember who we are dining with when we come for Mass, and observe the proper decorum, respect and table manners such as fasting an hour before Holy Communion, going for confession, and ensuring that our children do not eat during Mass, just to name a few.

It is easy for some of us to begin to demand certain rights and privileges, just because we think we are entitled to them. But there are times where we could set aside certain rights as a form of showing good example or witnessing to others.

In today’s Gospel, we see the collectors of the half-shekel questioning Peter on whether Jesus pays the half-shekel. Jesus is actually exempted as the temple is the house of God and he is the Son of God. However, Jesus chose to forgo his right to be exempted and had the tax paid so that his exercising his right would not be a stumbling block to the temple collectors and others. He sent Peter fishing to demonstrate that he was in fact Lord over all creation, having the power to know which fish had a shekel in its mouth, just enough to pay the tax for the two of them. Moreover, Jesus’ willingness to pay the tax shows his submission to the law of God. He told Peter to take the shekel and “give it to them for me and for you.” Here, we see that Jesus made a distinction between himself as the exempted son and Peter as the non-exempted subject, and yet still followed the law of God as an example to others.

What about us? Are we still demanding our rights? If Jesus, son of God, is willing to forgo His rights and pay the temple tax, would we be willing to do the same? May we do what is right, even if it involves forgoing certain rights, for the glory of God.