Category Archives: Saturday

Do we eat to live or do we live to eat? If we say that we live to eat, that means we want to enjoy food and other attractions of the world as much as possible. Some may think that the world is all there is, and after that, they would cease to exist. So such persons would enjoy what this world has to offer to the fullest while they still can. On the other hand, if we eat to live, then we know that our lives on this earth are only temporary, and the choices we make would have eternal consequences. So we try our best to strike a balance in living in this world, with our focus in the next.

In today’s reading, we are cautioned: “The unspiritual are interested only in what is unspiritual, but the spiritual are interested in spiritual things. It is death to limit oneself to what is unspiritual; life and peace can only come with concern for the spiritual. That is because to limit oneself to what is unspiritual is to be at enmity with God: such a limitation never could and never does submit to God’s law. People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God.”

The question is: are we still going after unspiritual things here on earth, by living to eat and concerning ourselves only with this world, thinking that this world is all there is? Or have we made more effort to strive for more spiritual pursuits, by eating to live so that we could grow closer to God? May we come to realise what is really important in the end, and strive more towards what is spiritual, for our eternal good.

Life as Christians is never easy. We face all sorts of challenges and difficulties, especially since we may need to take a stand or a position which is contrary to the ways of the world. For example, at work we may be asked to promote goods or services which may bring in huge profits and possibly a big bonus or a big pay raise or even a promotion, but such goods or services may be at odds with the teachings of our faith. When this happens, would we being tempted to go astray from God’s ways to the ways of the world? The ways of the world have many attractions and benefits which try to lure us into alienating ourselves from God, and that is why we need to take courage and try hard to avoid going astray. When we fall into temptation, it is not the end yet, since God gives us many opportunities to seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, change our ways, and remain in God’s path.

In today’s reading, the prophet Baruch gives us a message of hope: “Take courage, my children, call on God: he who brought disaster on you will remember you. As by your will you first strayed away from God, so now turn back and search for him ten times as hard; for as he brought down those disasters on you, so will he rescue you and give you eternal joy.” Baruch reminds us not to give up or give in to despair, but to keep on trusting in God and walk in His ways, trusting and knowing that He will help us. Even though we may be facing challenges, ridicule and persecution for holding steadfast to our faith, we know that God will not abandon us. Are we willing to be humble and patient in our journey towards eternal joy with Him?

We can sometimes fall into a false sense of lull or complacency when we receive a lot of praises from others. We begin to think that we are ok and that things are going our way. But just as we could receive praise and admiration from others, we could also end up being condemned or shunned by others even for the slightest reason. Human praise and admiration can be very fickle, and people who were once allies or friends could become rivals or enemies when the circumstances do not benefit them.

In today’s Gospel, we are told: “At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.”’” Jesus Himself, who performed a lot of miracles, healed many, and said many inspirational and good things, was eventually condemned, despite of all He had said and done. This shows that as followers of Jesus, we should not rest on our laurels and bask in human praise and admiration, since such things are temporary and could change so easily and quickly. Instead, let us take up our cross and follow Jesus, not seeking human glory, but by giving God the glory.

As Christians, we have been taught many things about the deeds and teachings of Jesus. We would have gone through Catechism classes and for some RCIA classes, so that we would know and understand what being a follower of Jesus is all about. This means that we know or ought to know what our duties and responsibilities are as Christians. It also means that we cannot simply claim ignorance or pretend that we do not know, since such teaching was received not only during Catechism or RCIA classes, but through various formation sessions, classes or workshops made available to us, and also even at Mass, where the readings of the Sunday and the homily contains teachings for us to reflect on and act upon.

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Before God the source of all life and before Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures…” St. Paul is reminding us that being a Christian means witnessing for the truth and “doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures…” and not just simply listening without any action. May we take initiative and make effort to “do whatever He tells you” as what Mother Mary did, and do our duty for the glory of God.

Every once in a while, I come across people who seem to have so many ideas and suggestions to make, and yet when they are asked to carry out such ideas and suggestions, they would suddenly back off and say that they are too busy, no time, unqualified and so many other excuses made. For example, there are people who have suggested that the church needs to have a funeral parlour, since more and more people are staying in apartments or condominiums, and such housing may not have a suitable place for a wake. However, when such persons are asked to take charge of such a project and see it through, they all of a sudden have cold feet and try to push the task to others. Indeed, coming out with lots of ideas and suggestions is easy, but carrying them out is a different matter.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus told the people to listen to what the scribes and Pharisees tell them since they occupy the chair of Moses, but not to be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach. The scribes and Pharisees knew how to talk, and everything they did was to attract attention and make them appear as if they were holy and pious. But being holy and pious is not just about words, but also about action, or action speaks louder than words, or walk the talk, so to speak.

What about us? Do we know only how to talk and make all sorts of suggestions and demands, without any further action? Or are we willing to do our part in seeing that what we suggest is carefully considered, planned and eventually materialised? May we learn to be humble and zealous in doing what is right, and glorify God in all we do.

Some of us are so used to doing so many things, but how many of us take time to listen to what we are doing, and ponder whether what we are doing is really God’s will or our own will? We may appear very busy doing so many things, but sometimes what is being done may not be necessary or just a waste of time; or what is done may turn out to be just to boost our pride and ego. Even when it comes to loving God, some of us may be loving God through lots of actions, but are these actions really necessary and according to His will?

In today’s reading, “Moses said to the people: ‘Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart.” Notice that in the reading, the first and foremost thing that the people need to do is not to carry out lots of tasks to show their love, but simply to listen. When the people listen carefully to God, they would come to realise that loving God means to love totally and completely and this includes discerning His will.

What about us? Are we really listening to God and doing His will? If we say that we love God, then we must be prepared to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength; and the very first thing we ought to do is to listen. Let us listen carefully and attentively to God’s promptings, and glorify God in all that we say and do.

Words spoken can be misinterpreted or misheard. Sometimes certain parties could take what is said, and twist or change the words according to their interpretation or for their benefit. This is is especially true when it comes to agreements or contracts, since what is said by one party could be heard differently by another, leading to misunderstandings or even legal action. That is why, no matter what, it is necessary for words to be put in writing, and to further reinforce what has been written, such written words are signed by parties involved, to seal the deal, so to speak.

In today’s reading, “Moses went and told the people all the commands of the Lord and all the ordinances. In answer, all the people said with one voice, ‘We will observe all the commands that the Lord has decreed.’ Moses put all the commands of the Lord into writing… Then Moses took the blood and cast it towards the people. This’ he said ‘is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you, containing all these rules.’ From the reading, we can see that Moses not only told the people the commands of the Lord, he also had the covenant signed on the people with the blood from the bullocks. This means that the people had “sealed the deal” with the Lord in writing, and they had no longer any excuse to misinterpret or misunderstand the terms and conditions of the Covenant.

In our situation, we had “sealed the deal” with God when we were baptised. We even went through catechism classes or RCIA to make sure we understood the terms of God’s Covenant. Moreover, we reinforced our Covenant with God when we received Confirmation. This means that we have no excuse to misinterpret or misunderstand the terms and conditions of the Covenant. May we observe all God’s Covenant without excuses or neglect, and encourage others to do the same.

In today’s reading, we are told that “The sons of Israel left Rameses for Succoth… People of various sorts joined them in great numbers; there were flocks, too, and herds in immense droves. They baked cakes with the dough which they had brought from Egypt, unleavened because the dough was not leavened; they had been driven out of Egypt, with no time for dallying, and had not provided themselves with food for the journey.”

For some, being driven out of one’s country may seem like a tragic or terrible thing. But in the case of the sons of Israel, the reason was to rescue them from Pharoah and Egypt, and as such, it was actually a better thing. We too may have experienced being driven out of a bad or even sinful situation, even if it means we have no time for dallying. By being driven out in this way, it no longer becomes a tragic or terrible situation, but a situation meant to rescue us from evil, and to help us remain in God’s ways. Are we willing to be driven out and led by God? Or are we still insisting to remain in servitude in Egypt?

Imagine you are a childless couple and are already getting on in years, and you had guests at your house. While having a meal, one of the guest suddenly says: “I shall visit you again next year without fail, and your wife will then have a son.” How would you respond? Quite likely some would say, “don’t be silly, my wife and I are too old”; some might say, “oh come on, don’t talk rubbish, factory closed long time ago (the ‘factory’ here refers the fertility period of a woman, before she hits menopause).”

This is exactly how Sarah in today’s reading responded when she heard such words. In the reading, “Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, ‘Now that I am past the age of child-bearing, and my husband is an old man, is pleasure to come my way again!’” Yet, the guest in the reading did not take it as a joke or a laughing matter and re-emphasised, “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the same time next year I shall visit you again and Sarah will have a son.”

Now, this does not mean that elderly childless couples should get worried or concerned about conceiving at an old age and bearing a child. If it really happens, then we should praise God for such a miracle. But what it means is, if God can enable Sarah to conceive at an old age, just imagine what He can do for us if we are to consistently pray and ask Him. May we not laugh or scoff at such things, since God can make a way, even though there seems to be no way. May we put our trust in Him, and let Him do what is best for us, for His purpose and glory.