Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Ordinary Time

Friday of Week 21 Year 1

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It is easy for some of us to be distracted with so many things in life here on earth, so much so that we may have neglected in our efforts to be prepared to meet the Lord. Some of us think that we still have much time to grow in relationship with God, and we procrastinate, thinking with confidence that we would eventually return to the Lord’s ways. But do we really have that much time?

In today’s Gospel, we come across ten bridesmaids: five were foolish, five were sensible. All ten were supposed to meet the bridegroom, but the foolish ones only brought their lamps without bringing extra oil, whereas the sensible ones brought both. The bridegroom was late and the lamps of the foolish bridesmaids were running out of oil. So these foolish bridesmaids had to go and buy more oil, and in their absence, the bridegroom came. As a result, the foolish bridesmaids ended up being locked out of the wedding hall.

Just as the foolish bridesmaids ended up being locked out, we too could find ourselves being locked out of God’s presence, if we have been foolish enough to be unprepared to meet Him. God has given plenty of chances for us to grow closer to Him, and it is up to us to be sensible enough to do our part. So let us not procrastinate any more but stay awake, because we do not know either the day or the hour.

Thursday of Week 21 Year 1

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Being sleepy during the day time could be hazardous to our health and could also lead to fatalities. We have seen how some people have fallen asleep at the steering wheel of the vehicle, only to end up in disastrous consequences. Even at the workplace, we may land ourselves into trouble or dangerous situations, if we are caught falling asleep by the boss, or if we fall asleep while operating dangerous equipment. This is why we need to be disciplined and get enough rest, so we will be alert and ready to do our work and other duties.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is cautioning us to stay awake for a different reason. Instead of our physical  sleepiness, Jesus is warning us about our spiritual sleepiness. We may have been sleepy in being regular in attending Mass, or sleepy in going for regular confession, or sleepy in being regular with our prayers and meditation. When we are spiritually sleepy, we may be caught off-guard or unaware if Jesus were to come and call us to give an account of our lives, since Jesus has cautioned us: “Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Thus, we have a choice: do we still wish to remain spiritually sleepy and risk our eternal future, or are we making efforts to remain alert and be ready for the Lord?

Wednesday of Week 21 Year 1

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Appearances can be deceiving. When we observe a person, especially when we do not know the person at all, or know very little about the person, we could be tricked or fooled into thinking that the person is friendly, good or holy. The person may appear to be prayerful, come for Mass, get involved in many church activities or even be friendly towards others, but is the person really doing all these and serving God for His greater glory? Or could there be a hidden agenda? Some of you may ask, aren’t we too quick to judge a person? The issue here is not about judging a person, but about being cautious and not be too quick in accepting a person as a friend or a confidant or confidante. This is because there are some people who could be putting on a show, just to win the support and admiration of others for a certain purpose or reason, and we could sometimes eventually discover their true intentions.

In today’s Gospel, we come across an example of how appearances can be deceiving. The scribes and the Pharisees were being given a good run down by Jesus, because of their attitude, behaviour, the amount of pretense at the way they portrayed themselves, and much more. Despite all Jesus had said and done, the scribes and the Pharisees chose to obstinately remain as they are, and throughout the Gospel, we can clearly see what sort of people they have become. We too could fall into the same trap as the scribes and the Pharisees, when we choose to remain stubborn and prefer to do things our way, while lording it over others. Are we willing to listen to Jesus’ warnings and have a change of heart, before it is too late?

Tuesday of Week 21 Year 1

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As Christians, we are being constantly reminded to go forth and preach the Good News. This is not merely a request or a suggestion, but a command from the Lord, and a duty for each and every one of us. All of us Christians are called to preach the Good News, not just the priests, pastors, religious or missionaries. But when we go and preach the Good News, what is our true purpose or agenda in doing so? Are we doing it for the greater glory of God, or are we doing it for our personal gratification or personal gain, and to boost our reputation and ego?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians and us: “We have not taken to preaching because we are deluded, or immoral, or trying to deceive anyone; it was God who decided that we were fit to be entrusted with the Good News, and when we are speaking, we are not trying to please men but God, who can read our inmost thoughts. You know very well, and we can swear it before God, that never at any time have our speeches been simply flattery, or a cover for trying to get money; nor have we ever looked for any special honour from men, either from you or anybody else, when we could have imposed ourselves on you with full weight, as apostles of Christ. Instead, we were unassuming. Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you, and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well.”

Ultimately, we need to check our motives and return to preaching the Good News with right motive, right intention and right disposition, since what we are doing ought not to be for ourselves, but for the greater glory of God.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Words are cheap. People can say many things, but they may not necessarily mean what they say. For example, we hear of all sorts of promises being made by certain leaders before an election, but once the leader has won the election, would he or she be committed in fulfilling the promises made? Some may try to do so to the best of their abilities, but as we have seen, there are those who only know how to talk, but do nothing in the end. In Bahasa Malaysia, we call such people “cakap tak serupa bikin” or “saying is not the same as doing.”

What about us Christians? We are taught to love God and love neighbour. But do we love God and love neighbour only in words and nothing more? Hopefully we as Christians would say that we love God and love neighbour not only in words, but especially in our actions, in our conduct and in our behaviour. If we love someone, especially if that someone is our girlfriend or boyfriend, we would try to see the person as often as possible, and we would also try to be with that person as much as possible. We call this “dating” (or as some may say, earning a “degree in ‘paktorlogy’) and some may make much effort in “dating” for some time, so that both would get to know each other pretty well, before deciding to get married or tie the knot, so to speak. But it is interesting to note that, when it comes to loving God, how many of us are making effort to go to church to spend time with Him? When we dislike a person, we would find ways and means to avoid or shun the person. But if some of us have been making all sorts of excuses or come to church only as and when it is convenient to us, doesn’t that mean we dislike God? Surely if we say we love God, then we should be trying to meet Him as much as possible.

If we say we love God, then how do we show it? Scripture reminds us that we must love God with all our heart, all our mind, all our being. This means that we must serve Him and only Him alone, and we must not have any other gods before Him. All this sounds nice and good when times are great, but when we are facing problems, difficulties, persecution or when times are bad, do we turn to God for help, or have some of us gone to bomohs, witch doctors, shamans, temple mediums and other forms of help? If we say that we love God, but we go to other forms of help when we are in need or in trouble and God does not seem to be responding to our pleas for help, then we are lying. We are prostituting ourselves to other forms, we are committing adultery, because the fact is, we do not really love God after all. St. Paul in the second reading gives us an example of a married couple to illustrate the relationship between God and us. If we pray to other gods; if we turn to other gods or other forms of help; then we will be committing adultery against God like how some of us commit adultery against our spouse when we are unfaithful to them.

This is why we need to make a firm commitment to love God above all else. We need to maintain fidelity and remain faithful to God regardless whether times are good or bad. In today’s gospel, many of Jesus’ followers left Him because they could not accept His teaching. If we say that we love God, then we must accept His teachings. We cannot choose to believe what suit us or make us feel comfortable. We must take God as He is and not according to our own terms. We must choose God over and above all other gods, whether it be money, wealth, fame, power, or other deities. This relationship we have with God must also be reflected in our families and community. Do we show our love to our husband or wife and family members in the way that we show our love to God? Do we show love for our children the same way God loves us? If we are not truly loving God and loving others the way God loves us, then what sort of a Christian life are we living? Are we not being hypocrites, “cakap tak serupa bikin,” only know how to say and not doing what we say?

Today, let us pray that God will strengthen our faith in Him and also strengthen our relationship with one another especially in the family and in the community. Let us not only pray, but also take action, do our part, and be truly loving and forgiving towards others. May we mean what we say, and say what we mean, and do all we can to show our love for God and for others.

Housekeeping – Week 20 Year 1

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For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

16 Aug 2015 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
17 Aug 2015 – Monday of Week 20 Year 1
18 Aug 2015 – Tuesday of Week 20 Year 1
19 Aug 2015 – Wednesday of Week 20 Year 1
20 Aug 2015 – Thursday of Week 20 Year 1
21 Aug 2015 – Friday of Week 20 Year 1

Friday of Week 20 Year 1

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In ancient times, there was no such thing as social security or a “welfare” state. People survived by depending on their spouse and children. This made it even more difficult for especially women to survive, should they have no husband, or should they lose their husband, and also should they lose their sons. If a woman was in such a terrible situation, she would need to depend on the generosity of neighbours and others who may help her according to their means, especially if the woman was elderly and no longer able to do some work to make ends meet.

In today’s reading, we come across one such woman named Naomi. She had lost her husband, and then lost both her sons. As she no longer had any immediate family, she felt that her two daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth were no longer under any obligation to stay with her and help care for her. Perhaps she did not want them to see her as a burden to them, perhaps she felt that they were still young enough to go back to their people and perhaps find another husband. But whatever the reason was, Naomi was willing to let them go. Orpah chose to go back to her people, but Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi and together face an uncertain future. Because of her generosity and willingness to keep Naomi company, we will later see how through Ruth, the lineage of David would eventually lead to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

If you were in Ruth’s shoes, would you choose to stay, or would you choose to go? Either way, we are not at fault or wrong in our choice. But sometimes, our love and generosity could lead to better and greater things. It is a question of how much we are willing to give, since God could use the little we give to work wonders. May we consider our options carefully, and do what is right for the greater glory of God.

Thursday of Week 20 Year 1

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Some of us may have made vows or promises to God for some reason or another, but sometimes, we may have been unwise in the vows or promises that we have made. If God helps us attain what we desire or ask for, would we be able to fulfil the vow or promise made? We may find ourselves in a difficult situation, especially if the vow or promise we made is a foolish one. As Ecclesiates 5:4-5 cautions us: “When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”

In today’s reading: “Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, ‘If you deliver the Ammonites into my hands, then the first person to meet me from the door of my house when I return in triumph from fighting the Ammonites shall belong to the Lord, and I will offer him up as a holocaust.'” Such a vow was indeed foolish and unwise, and Jephthah paid the ultimate price for making it, since the first person to meet him was his only daughter. Unable to go against his word, Jephthah had to fulfil his vow by offering his only daughter as a holocaust.

What about us? Have we made foolish or stupid vows recently? Are we not only setting ourselves up for our own ruin? As Jesus cautions and reminds us: “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Why do we make vows that we know would be quite difficult or impossible to keep? Why are we putting the Lord to the test? Let us not be careless in what we say or the vows we make, but say what we mean and mean what we say.

Wednesday of Week 20 Year 1

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Most people like to be recognised or rewarded for the work they do. When they have completed a task or some projects, they hope to get a good job review and look forward to an increase in salary, perks or even a promotion. Few people in the world are content with remaining as they are, without any reward, remuneration or recognition. However, when the boss or superior begins to reward everyone equally, regardless of how much or how little a person has done, there are bound to be some who feel cheated or that the boss or superior has been unfair in the way the reward was distributed. Some people would begin to feel disillusioned or less motivated, and some may just leave the company in disgust, because in their mind, rewards should be given in proportion to the amount of effort done and results achieved.

In today’s Gospel, we come across a landowner who hired workers at different hours of the day. Each worker was promised one denarius a day no matter how much or how little work he had done. When it came to paying the workers, the landowner had kept his end of the bargain or agreement. He paid each worker one denarius as what had been agreed. But this is where some workers began to grumble, as some of us may do so too. Those workers who had worked longer hours had expected to be paid more, but when they received one denarius too, they felt cheated and felt the landowner was being unfair. But if we recall, the landowner had made an agreement with the workers, and in that agreement, each worker would be paid one denarius a day, nothing more, nothing less, and that is exactly what the landowner had done.

Sometimes we come across a boss or a superior who is like that landowner. If the boss or superior is being kind and generous to all, do we have a right to complain? God is like that landowner, and He cares and loves all, regardless of how good or bad we have been. Do we have a right to complain? Instead, shouldn’t we be grateful and thankful that we have a boss or superior who is generous to all? He or she could have easily rewarded only his or her favourites, but chose to reward all generously. In the same way, God could have cared for only those who have been holy or good, but He cares for all of us and is patient with us. Thus, let us give thanks to God for His generosity and providence, and continue to do all things for His greater glory.

Tuesday of Week 20 Year 1

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Have you ever wondered why you are unable to grow in your spiritual life? One reason is because some of us are still clinging on to other things or persons, which we are reluctant to let go. These things and persons may be our wealth, riches, titles, popularity, fame, or even loved ones, but when we cling on and focus on these other things, we are actually being burdened by them, for we fear that if we do not pay attention to them, we worry that they may be lost or stolen.

In today’s Gospel, “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’ When the disciples heard this they were astonished. ‘Who can be saved, then?’ they said. Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he told them ‘this is impossible; for God everything is possible.'” The eye of a needle is a door which is shaped in such a way that a camel or any person carrying or clinging to too many things would not be able to pass through. It is only when the things are removed that one could pass through easily.

In the same way, each of us may be finding it difficult to pass through our very own “eye of a needle” to become closer to God. Our deeds and our sins may have become quite numerous; burdening and bogging us down, making it quite difficult or even impossible for us to move on. It is only when we have unloaded or removed such burdens that we would then be able to move closer to God. The question is: are we so fearful or proud to remove such burdens, or are we willing to let go and let God be our guide? God is beckoning us to come to Him so that He can care for us, it is up to us to discard that which is temporary, so that we may attain that which is for all eternity.