Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Saturday

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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In the English language, black sheep is an idiom used to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family. The black sheep is the odd one out, whether he’s a disgrace to the family or just doesn’t seem to belong. The origin of the phrase comes from the rare presence in a flock of white sheep of a sheep with black fleece. For some families, a child who is a black sheep is seen as a bane and a burden of parents. Some parents may even resort to renouncing relationship with that child; while others may resort to punishment which may actually be just a way of venting out their frustrations on the child.

In today’s Gospel, we come across another black sheep, the younger son. In the Gospel, the father gave in to his younger son’s request for his share of the inheritance, but yet further on in the parable, we hear of the father waiting and looking out for him to return. The younger son came to his senses because he recalled how kindly his father treated his servants, and that was enough for him to return home to his father. Instead of seeing the younger son as a bane or a burden, the father was so happy to see his younger son again, and took him back to the household.

What does this mean for us? It means that even a black sheep is still welcomed back when he or she comes to his or her senses and wants to return. It also means that when we come across the odd one, the black sheep, the sinner, let us be the reflection of God’s love to that person. May we be merciful, loving and forgiving to others, even when it comes to black sheep, just as God is merciful, loving and forgiving towards us.

Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent

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Are we able to forgive our enemies and those who have hurt us in one way or another? Jesus taught us to forgive in different parts of the Gospel, including today’s Gospel. If we ponder on what it means to forgive, we would realise that forgiving is an act of our will, not our emotions. In the Our Father, we pray: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive others who sin against us.” When we pray in this way, we are asking God to forgive us to the degree by which we forgive others; and it is the sign that we have received God’s forgiveness by our willingness to forgive others.

If we are able to forgive, we would save ourselves from restless nights and unnecessary anger and anxiety. Instead, we could channel our energies to more constructive things. If we find ourselves unable to forgive, it could be that God is not good enough for us. It could also be that God and His words do not occupy the first priority in our lives. Thus, let us set aside our pride and ego, and continuously choose to forgive, just as God forgives us.

Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent

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As humans, we are the same in body parts and composition. We may not necessarily look the same, since we have different skin colour; different body shape and hair style; but deep down inside, we belong to one humanity. Our problem is we tend to distinguish ourselves from others based on language, social status, religion, ethnic group and much more, and we stubbornly hold on to such criteria. But is this the way God intends us to live from the beginning? Of course not! We are all part of humankind, and we should be united and loving with one another, not divisive and conceited.

In today’s reading, Ezekiel tells us of how God will reunite His people who had been scattered, exiled and divided, into one people, and He would be their God and they would be His people. This reading reminds us, that ultimately, we should be one people under God. The question is: are we able to let go of our pride and ego; our divisiveness; and our prejudices; and strive towards being one people of God? It may seem difficult or impossible to achieve, but God can make straight out of crooked lines, and we should continue to trust in Him and walk in His ways, as we strive to remain as one.

Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent

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Who can we trust in this world? Some of us think that we can trust our parents; some think we can trust our spouse; some think we can trust our children; some think we can trust our brothers, sisters or other relatives; some even think we can trust our friends; but how much can we really trust such persons? Can we find a person we can trust completely, without any shadow of doubt? The challenge that we face is that we may be able to trust persons to a certain extent, but how many of us can claim to have absolute trust in certain persons?

In today’s reading, Jeremiah is trusting of others until the Lord shows him the truth, and then he realises that they were plotting against him, even ready to kill him, and he was unaware of the deception. He would have gone on innocently, not knowing the danger, except that the Lord was looking out for him and showed him the way. We may think others are trustworthy, but they are at best human and at worst dangerous. Jeremiah was trusting of others, and they would have killed him. But he can trust in the Lord. In the same way, we too should be mindful whom we trust, and ultimately put full trust and confidence in the Lord.

Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent

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Some of us take for granted and not feel real contrition, remorse, and sorrow for our sins. Some think that God would forgive us anyhow, and we neglect going for confession to seek forgiveness for our sins. Some even assume that being a Christian means merely accepting Jesus as Lord and saviour, and that is all enough for them to be guaranteed access to heaven. But what sort of attitude should a Christian have towards God’s mercy and forgiveness, especially when it comes to the sins one has committed? Is God’s mercy and forgiveness so easily accessed?

In today’s reading, the people said: “Come let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wound; on the third day he will raise us and we shall live in his presence.” The Lord responded: “What am I to do with you? This love of yours is like a morning cloud, like the dew that quickly disappears.” It seems like the people prayed to God in their misery but they prayed with a certain arrogance and self-interest. They were not repentant and did not ask why such misery fell on them. Instead, they took for granted that God would heal them and help them, and they felt entitled to His mercy and forgiveness.

What about us? Have we become like the people in today’s reading, where we end up taking for granted His mercy and forgiveness? Have we become presumptuous, thinking that we are entitled to God’s help and care, instead of walking humbly before Him? May we come to realise such attitude, and walk humbly in His ways.

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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What is so different and unique about God that we Christians believe in? Unlike other so-called deities, who were often viewed as gods who are fierce-looking and who inflict judgement and punishment whenever people were unfaithful and do not offer them sacrifice from time to time, we believe in God who loves and forgives.

In today’s reading we are told: “What god can compare with you: taking fault away, pardoning crime, not cherishing anger for ever but delighting in showing mercy?” Other so-called deities may be seen as fierce, vengeful and prone to meting out punishment, but our God takes fault away, pardons crime, does not cherish anger, and even delights in showing mercy. Since we have God who is merciful and who loves and forgives, what about us? Are we able to be just as merciful and love and forgive others, just as God is merciful and loves and forgives us?

Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent

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I believe many of us like to pick and choose things in our lives. As children, our parents would pick and choose a kindergarten and primary school which they think and feel is best for us. When we look for clothing, we pick and choose something which fits us, and the colour and pattern of the clothing is something we like. Some of us are even particular about the food we eat, and we pick and choose certain types, flavour and quality of food.

One thing which we cannot pick and choose is when it comes to God’s laws and customs. Today’s reading reminds us: “Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord your God today commands you to observe these laws and customs; you must keep and observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.” When it comes to God, we cannot pick and choose only that which is pleasant or easy to observe. God expects us to observe His laws and customs wholeheartedly, in fact, we are to do so with all your heart and all your soul.

Saturday of Week 7 Year 1

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What sort of persons would we expect to be part of the Kingdom of God? In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” Why would Jesus consider a little child as being part of the Kingdom of God?

A little child is seen as weak and vulnerable in the eyes of society, and yet such weakness and vulnerability is seen as important elements for one to be part of the Kingdom of God. When one is weak and vulnerable, one would trust God more, just as a little child trusts his or her parents for care and security. Also, a little child sees life as joy and excitement, and does not take life too seriously as some of us may do. Moreover, a little child shows us simplicity in listening and accepting the truth. Simple explanations of what is right and what is wrong are enough for them.

So when we look at the sort of qualities a little child has, we can begin to understand what Jesus is trying to tell us. In a nutshell, we should become like little children, always depending on God’s providence; being joyful in His care; and being simple in receiving His teachings. When we become like little children, we learn to let go of our pride, ego, and prejudices, and grow closer towards being part of His Kingdom.

Saturday of Week 7 Year 1

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We know how vast the universe is, and there are still many things about the universe that remains a mystery. Due to many limitations in our present technological state, there are still many things about the universe that are unknown, or little is known. When we look at how immensely vast the universe is, some of us may feel small or insignificant, since there seem much more around us. However, are we really that small or insignificant as some of us may feel?

Today’s reading drives home an important point which some of us may not be aware of. The reading tells us that we are much “more” than we think, even to the extent of being “more” than the universe which some of us are so eager to explore. This is because, as the reading tells us, God our creator clothed us with strength like His and made us in His image; He filled us with understanding and knowledge; and He put His own light into our hearts to show us the magnificence of His works.

So if we are significantly “more” than what we think we are, then what does this mean to us? It means that we should not look ourselves down, and “beware of all wrong-doing,” especially when it comes to how we treat ourselves and how we treat our neighbour. Thus, let us be humble and grateful that God is lifting us up to “more” than what we think we are, and continue to serve him and glorify Him in all we say and do.

Saturday of Week 6 Year 1

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There are things and situations in this world which we experience through our senses. However, there are also things and situations in this world which we cannot see or understand, since such things and situations often are beyond our control or comprehension. When we are faced with such things or situations, what do we do? Some of us may try to live in denial, but the reality is that such things and situations would not go away or be forgotten so easily. So what then should we do? When we are faced with things and situations beyond our control or comprehension, we should then have faith.

Faith is believing in what cannot be seen and hoping in what cannot be fully explained. Today’s reading tells us about faith from the beginning of the reading till its end. It talks about the faith of Biblical characters like Abel, Enoch and Noah. By their faith they came to know who God is, and by their faith they experienced His presence, and it was by their faith they did God’s will. These prophets depended in faith in all they said and did, even though they faced things and situations beyond their control or comprehension.

What about us? Are we willing to have faith in God, just as the prophets in today’s reading had, come what may? Let us not doubt any longer or be hesitant in doing God’s will, but have faith in His providence and care, and give Him the greater glory.