Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Ordinary Time

Friday of Week 11 Year 2

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What do you treasure most in life? Do you still continue to look for riches here on earth, or have you been seeking riches in heaven? Some of us may have been enamoured or influenced by the glitter, beauty or value of riches here on earth, so much so that we spend a lot of time accumulating them. But the question is: for how long would we be able to hold on to such riches? When we die, all these riches we have accumulated cannot be brought with us. These riches will either become worthless, lose their value over time, or end up possessed by others.

Jesus in today’s Gospel reminds us: “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The riches we accumulate here on earth are only temporary. We cannot own them or hold on to them forever. The riches we accumulate for heaven is for eternity as we will not lose them. Are we reconsidering our priorities and begun focusing that which is eternal? Or are we still stubbornly interested only in that which is temporal?

Thursday of Week 11 Year 2

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Some people think that they need to say a lot of things when praying. They go into all sorts of words, noises, gestures, perhaps thinking that God needs some time and hopefully will eventually hear them. Today’s Gospel reminds us: “In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Instead, we are taught the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer. Though this prayer seems short and concise, it is full of meaning. In the Our Father, we learn to be humble and dependent on God’s providence. Are we reciting the Our Father with meaning, humility and conviction? Are we fully aware of what we are praying while reciting the Our Father? Or are we, as the Gospel tells us, merely “babble as the pagans do?” Why the need to rush? Why the need to say so much?

Wednesday of Week 11 Year 2

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When we do good things or works of charity, what is our motive or intention? Are we doing such things to show how rich, how great, or how wonderful we are? Or are we doing such things for the greater glory of God? Sometimes we may appear to be doing good, but we should be careful not to expect admiration, gratification or rewards. If we expect something in return, then perhaps we may, as today’s Gospel warns us, have had our reward.

Instead, we should make every effort to do good inconspicuously. As today’s Gospel reminds us, “and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.” Ultimately, we need to ask ourselves honestly: by doing good, are we glorifying God and letting His Kingdom come; or are we glorifying ourselves and letting our kingdom come?

Tuesday of Week 11 Year 2

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How much do we really love others? Do we love only those who are nice to us or love us or do good things for us? Some of us find it easy to love those who are friendly or kind to us, but some of us may find it quite difficult to love our enemies.

Today’s Gospel reminds us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In the world, this may sound like a crazy or unreasonable request. But if we call ourselves Christians, then we should imitate Jesus, who even prayed for His enemies as He died on the cross. Are we willing and humble enough to follow Jesus’ example and also love our enemies? Or have we become no different than the rest of the world? Our enemies may some day become our friends, or even followers of Jesus, if we love them and show compassion and good example. Are we willing to take up the challenge and love all as Jesus did?

Monday of Week 11 Year 2

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Wrath or rage is one of the seven capital sins we need to watch out for. We may fall into wrath or rage quite easily, especially when we have a short fuse or a quick temper. Wrath or rage can lead us to do worse things. Sometimes, we may even kill a person or several people. In the aftermath, we may become proud and refuse to feel any remorse, or we may regret our actions utterly. By then, it is often too late.

Today’s first reading shows us how Ahab fell into wrath or rage, since Naboth refused to sell him his ancestral land. Naturally, Naboth had every right to sell or not sell, but Ahab was determined to get the land at all cost. Ahab had the gall to allow Jezebel to “settle things” for him, so that he could get the land he wanted. Here, we see a classic example of not only wrath or rage, but also greed and pride thrown into a deadly mixture.

Are we guilty of wrath or rage at times? We may not necessarily kill a person, but the words we utter in our rage could still kill. Let us be mindful of our temper and seek God’s help to avoid falling into wrath or rage, lest we only bring ruin to ourselves.

Friday of Week 10 Year 2

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Some of us look for God in the spectacular. We think that God should make Himself known via a grand entrance. Some of us look for God in beauty, wealth and riches, or in some sort of environment we think would be more fitting and appropriate. However, would we really find God in such situations?

In today’s reading, Elijah came to the presence of God when he heard a gentle breeze. It is in the simple situation, the unlikely place, the strangest circumstances, that we may find God. The question is: are we sensitive enough to God’s promptings? Or have we, over the years, been so flooded with all sorts of noise, expectations or experiences, that we have failed to recognise and acknowledge His presence? God is calling us in His own way and in His own terms to do His will. Are we able to listen and obey?

Thursday of Week 10 Year 2

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Some of us try to do the minimum and expect to get maximum returns. For example, we may not be so hardworking in our studies or job, but we expect to do well or gain an increase in salary or a promotion. However, today’s Gospel reminds us that we cannot just do the minimum and expect to get into the Kingdom of heaven.

In today’s Gospel, “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.'” In the Gospel, we are reminded to do more than the minimum, and also to be in good terms with others. If we have problems or difficulties with a brother or sister, we cannot just ignore the problem or sweep it under the carpet. We must make every effort to forgive and reconcile, while we have the chance to do so. After all, the Gospel warns us: “Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.”

Are we making much effort to love God and neighbour? Or are we content in doing the barest minimum, and put our eternal future at risk?

Tuesday of Week 10 Year 2

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Salt and light are important things in our lives. Salt adds flavour to the food we eat. Light enables us to see and also enables us to grow and prosper.

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” We are called to be good examples to others, no matter how small or insignificant it may be. We may not necessarily be famous, rich, powerful or influential, but the good that we do can sometimes be more significant than we could ever fathom. Jesus reminds us that “your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Are we making more effort in doing good for the glory of God?

Monday of Week 10 Year 2

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Some of us may be so used to doing things on our own. Sometimes we try to make a name for ourselves and hope that we would gain acceptance and recognition for our efforts. But how many of us are willing and are prepared to be like Elijah in today’s reading? In the reading, “Elijah left and did as the LORD had commanded.”

If God commands us to do something, would we obey? If what God commands us is something which is not pleasant, seems difficult, or challenging, would we still obey? Some of us may say we would do it, but would we really be true to our word? Elijah surrendered to God and did what he was commanded. Are we able to set aside our preferences and surrender to God’s will also?

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

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Some of us are worry-warts. We worry about our finances, our future, our children’s future, our health, our job, our retirement plans, what to eat, where to go for holiday, etc. Some people even worry that they have nothing to worry about.

Certainly, we need to do our part and work hard for our families and ourselves. But we should not become too concerned to the point where it becomes sinful, as we are eaten up by anxiety, fear, and despair. Today’s Gospel and readings are not telling us to become irresponsible and expect others to provide for us. Instead, we should note:

  1. Stop worrying. What can you gain from worrying and how would that improve our situation?
  2. God sees us as extremely valuable and precious.
  3. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom and we should “Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well.”

God knows our needs and would grant them if we ask with persistence and with sincerity. Are we willing to let God guide us and help us?