Posted in Christmas, Holy Family, Housekeeping, Octave, Sunday, Weekday
Leave a comment
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
27 Dec 2015 – Holy Family
28 Dec 2015 – The Holy Innocents, Martyrs – Feast
29 Dec 2015 – 5th day within the octave of Christmas
30 Dec 2015 – 6th day within the octave of Christmas
31 Dec 2015 – 7th day within the octave of Christmas
1 Jan 2016 – Mary, Mother of God – Solemnity
We live in a world where things are changing in an alarming rate. We have become so used to having things done quickly, that when something breaks down or slows down due to some reason or another, we become quite agitated and impatient. Some of us begin to grumble and even curse, thinking that such delays would ruin our timing. “Hurry!” “Quickly!” “Get out of my way!” These are some of the expressions we use, in our effort to get things done or get what we want. But life is such that sometimes, we have no choice but to wait or slow down, since there are many other things in life that we cannot rush. For example, we cannot rush through a pregnancy, since it takes time for a foetus to grow and develop into a baby. Also, we cannot rush through earning a degree, since it would be impossible for us to learn everything at one go.
In today’s Gospel, we come across another example of learning the meaning of patience and perseverance in waiting. Simeon was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. Even though Simeon was already quite old, he would not see death and had to wait until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Instead of getting all worked up and impatient, Simeon waited with confidence and humility, and when he finally had the chance to see Jesus, he took Him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.”
Are we willing to be patient and wait just like Simeon did? Sometimes the waiting could result in a better outcome or experience. It is a question of how much we trust in God and how humble and willing we are to let Him be our help and guide.
How many of us really do have a sense of belonging? Do we consider ourselves as belonging to this world, or do we consider ourselves belonging to God? Some of us may say that we belong to God and look forward with hope of one day returning to be with God, but are we living consistent lives which show that we belong to God? Sometimes, even those who appear to belong to God may have hidden agendas and we need to discern and be diligent and cautious not to fall into their trap and be led astray.
In today’s reading we are told: “Those rivals of Christ came out of our own number, but they had never really belonged; if they had belonged, they would have stayed with us; but they left us, to prove that not one of them ever belonged to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and have all received the knowledge. It is not because you do not know the truth that I am writing to you but rather because you know it already and know that no lie can come from the truth.” Belonging to Christ means that we stay with Him even when we are facing difficulties and persecution. It is tempting for some to leave or switch sides when trouble comes, but if we persevere and trust in Christ, He will guide us and help us weather out the storm. Also, belonging to Christ means we live a life of truth: no lies; no fakes; no pretenses; being genuine in our love to all. The question is: are we really belonging to Christ, or have we drifted away and become more tuned to the ways of the world?
What are you looking for in life? Some people look for riches, property and wealth, thinking that these would bring happiness in their lives. Some people look for titles, positions, power and prestige, thinking that people would look up to them and give them the respect or honour they desire. Some people look for recognition and acceptance from their peers and from others, and would bend backwards trying to attain such recognition. But all these things that some look for, are they all that matter? Will these things really bring us happiness? How long will these things last anyway?
In today’s reading, John cautions us: “You must not love this passing world or anything that is in the world. The love of the Father cannot be in any man who loves the world, because nothing the world has to offer – the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions – could ever come from the Father but only from the world; and the world, with all it craves for, is coming to an end; but anyone who does the will of God remains for ever.” As we become more and more enticed and focused in the ways of the world, we may begin to lose our focus in God. We begin to think more and more only of ourselves and our needs, and perhaps the needs of our loved ones. Some of us may begin to set God aside in the pursuit of earthly happiness. But can we really find satisfaction and happiness in this world? More often than not, the happiness we experience is only temporary, and then we go off looking elsewhere to bring us back to that temporary high.
Instead of spending so much time, effort and energy in seeking that which is temporary, perhaps we should strive towards that which is eternal. Let us not be so easily deceived into thinking that we can satisfy our cravings here on earth, as St. Augustine reminds us: “Our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in God.”
It seems very easy for us to say things in our daily lives. There are times where we say one thing, but mean another. There are times where we say something just to sound good or to sound pleasing or accommodating. But saying without action is meaningless. Time and again we are reminded that “action speaks louder than words” and that we may be hypocritical if we do not mean what we say (or “cakap tak serupa bikin” in the Malay language).
In today’s reading, St. John reminds us: “We can be sure that we know God only by keeping his commandments. Anyone who says, ‘I know him’, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, refusing to admit the truth. But when anyone does obey what he has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. We can be sure that we are in God only when the one who claims to be living in him is living the same kind of life as Christ lived.” It is easy to say that we are Christians, but are we behaving like Christians? Do our actions and way of life show that we are Christians? Jesus taught us two commandments: love God and love neighbour, and yet even these two commandments seem quite difficult to keep for some. Some find it easier to love God whom they cannot see, touch or come face to face, compared to loving others, some of which could be quite difficult or a challenge to love. And yet, this is what is required of us. We are only deceiving ourselves and others if we do not truly love God and neighbour, since keeping God’s commandments means keeping all of His commandments and not what we wish to pick and choose.
Let us be truthful and genuine in living in Christ, letting Him guide us in our actions. Let us also make every effort to not just call ourselves Christians, but to show that we are Christians by our love. Are we willing to change our ways, come out of our comfort zones and be real in our love to all?
Are we children of God, friends of Christ? Or are we rivals of Christ? This may seem a simple question. After all, who wouldn’t want to be a child of God, a friend of Christ? But sometimes our way of life, our behaviour, our actions, our attitude, may cause us to be rivals of Christ instead of friends of Christ.
Today’s reading tells us that “Those rivals of Christ came out of our own number, but they had never really belonged; if they had belonged, they would have stayed with us; but they left us, to prove that not one of them ever belonged to us.” What exactly does it mean to belong? If we say that we love God and neighbour, then it may seem that we may belong. However, saying we love God and neighbour is not enough. We need to show that we love God and neighbour. It is through our actions that others will see that we are Jesus’ disciples. Talk is cheap, action speaks louder than words.
Thus, let us seriously ponder. Are we really belonged? Or have we gone astray? Let us choose wisely, and do what is necessary if we want to belong.
Some of us would have struggled through life to be in good relationship with God. Sometimes, we may feel as if our efforts are not bearing much fruit; or being and staying good seems like an uphill task. However, today’s reading is a great source of inspiration and comfort for us:
“You must not love this passing world or anything that is in the world. The love of the Father cannot be in any man who loves the world, because nothing the world has to offer – the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions – could ever come from the Father but only from the world; and the world, with all it craves for, is coming to an end; but anyone who does the will of God remains for ever.”
Do we have the love of the Father within us? Or have we begun to love the world more? Though we need to survive in this world, let us not be overwhelmed and seduced by its embrace. Though we do not know when the world would actually come to an end, let us not be caught offguard. Our goal ought to be to remain forever with God.