Category Archives: Saturday

How patient are we in letting God’s will be done? We sometimes expect God to answer our prayers quickly, or to help us when we turn to Him for help, but by doing so, are we really letting God’s will be done, or are we actually demanding that our will be done? For example, if we are stricken with a serious illness, would we expect God to heal us quickly, or would we be willing to be patient and let God decide what is best for us?

In today’s reading, God reminded Habakkuk: “if it comes slowly, wait, for come it will, without fail. ‘See how he flags, he whose soul is not at rights, but the upright man will live by his faithfulness.’” Habakkuk was reminded that God’s will would be done, not according to his terms, but according to God’s terms, and all that was needed was patience and trust.

What about us? When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are reminded: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Would we be willing and humble enough to let God’s will be done, while we remain patient and trust that God would make a way, even though it may take some time? Let us not be so easily disheartened or give up or even despair. Instead, let us remain faithful in God’s love and care, and let His will be done.

It is never easy to tell it as it is, or to tell the cold hard truth. I believe most people prefer to say or hear good news, and try as much as possible to avoid bad news. But the reality is that at times, bad news is necessary to help us grow, or to wake us up on certain realities, or even to protect us from possible harm. Also, at times, bad news could actually turn out to be good news after all, if one were to look at it from a different point of view.

In today’s reading, the priests and prophets wanted to get rid of the prophet Jeremiah, as he had prophesied against the city. But Jeremiah was prophesying bad news not because he enjoyed saying bad things or for the fun of it, but to warn the people of the consequences of not amending their actions and listening to God’s voice. The priests and prophets were not willing to listen to bad news from Jeremiah, but ironically, it was the city officials and the people who chose to do so, since they were convinced that such bad news was necessary and a wake up call for all to buck up and change their ways. Because of this, the city officials and the people refused to get rid of Jeremiah.

What about us? How would we treat bad news? Would we, like the priests and prophets, try to prevent bad news from circulating, or would we, like the city officials and the people, accept such bad news and change our ways? Sometimes bad news could actually save us from mortal danger, or even spiritual danger; and help us become better persons. May we learn to accept news, both good and bad, act upon such news for our own spiritual good, and continue to walk in His ways.

In today’s reading, we see examples of persons who “plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do it – their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance.” Such persons don’t think about God, and they don’t even bother about Him. But to these evil doers, God has this to say: Woe to those who plot evil” and “your necks will not escape; nor will you be able to walk proudly.”

When we hear of such evil persons, some of us may condemn them or even shun them, but while it seems easy for us to condemn such persons for doing evil, what about us? Have some of us also committed such evil at some point of our lives? Are some of us persisting in doing evil and committing despicable acts, even after hearing such warning from God? May we examine our lives carefully, and avoid falling into evil, for the betterment of our eternal future.

Have some of us become more and more complacent or taking things for granted when it comes to sin? For example, I have noticed that when it comes to Lent and Advent, the number of faithful who come for the Sacrament of Reconciliation suddenly increases or surges, sometimes to a point where the priests present find it difficult to cope. But what about other times of the year? Do people only have sins to confess at certain times of the year, and they are sinless at other times?

Today’s reading tells us of the prophet Isaiah who had a mystical vision of the holiness of God. The prophet confessed his sinfulness, and subsequently he was cleansed and healed of his sinfulness, because he experienced the overwhelming glory of God. Not only that, the mystical experience also made him readily and willingly respond to God’s call to be His messenger.

If the prophet Isaiah Isaiah could recognise the magnitude of God’s holiness, and how incompatible sin is to God, then what about us?. Have some of us become so lax or have a “tidak apa” or “don’t care” attitude when it comes to sin? Or do some of us think that sin should be accumulated into a longer list or litany, before seeking confession? May we come to realise the seriousness of sin, and go for the Sacrament of Confession as soon as possible, to mend our relationship with God, and for the betterment of our eternal future.

In today’s Gospel we could see fasting in two different perspectives: The first perspective is that of John’s disciples and the second perspective is that of Jesus. According to the first perspective, fasting is viewed as an obligation, or something which has to be done, whether one likes it or not. This is why John’s disciples questioned: “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?” The second perspective, that of Jesus, tells us of a deeper meaning of fasting. Jesus responded to John’s disciples by saying: “Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Jesus wanted to show to John’s disciples that fasting is not merely a legal demand or done just to fulfil a law; instead it is a way of becoming closer to Him. In other words, we could come to an understanding that with Jesus, no fasting is necessary or needed; but away from Him, no amount of fasting suffices. When we fast just to follow the law, such fasting lacks merit and lacks meaning, whereas fasting by observing the spirit of the law brings fullness to our sacrifice, and guides us closer to Jesus. Perhaps we should re-examine our view of fasting and see whether it is something imposed on us or forced upon us, or an avenue and opportunity for us to restore and build our relationship with the Lord.

I still remember at one parish I served: there was this man who had been ill for quite sometime. His family and he were non-Catholics and not even Christians. I was quite surprised when his family came to ask me to pray over him because they believed that prayers are very powerful for his recovery. It was indeed an expression of faith. While praying over him, I saw in them the calmness and surrender not expected from a non-Catholic family. The man got better, and the family eventually attended RCIA and got baptised.

In today’s gospel, Jesus was amazed at the deep faith of the centurion who was a Gentile. Even though the centurion was not a follower of Jesus, he still believed that Jesus can heal. Because of such faith, Jesus healed the centurion’s servant.

What can we learn from this? When we have faith in God, God can make many things possible. All we need to do is to trust and believe that God will help us, not according to our time and our way, but in His time and His way. May we have faith like that centurion, a faith that continues to rely and trust in God’s power even if things do not happen the way we want and the time we expect.

One of the challenges we face when dealing with persons of different cultures is that in some cultures, speaking plainly and clearly is expected; whereas in other cultures, the ‘face’ is so important that persons of such cultures would try their level best not to cause another to ‘lose face.’ When the ‘face’ is important, some persons would try to break the news, whether good or bad, in such a way that the other person would not be ’embarrassed’, so to speak. Such an approach has led to misunderstandings and even ill-feelings, when different cultures clash.

As Christians, we too have a ‘Christian culture’ as shown in today’s Gospel. The Gospel tells us: “Do not swear: All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no.” When we swear, we may be trying avoid another from ‘losing face’ but in doing so, we may sometimes find ourselves unable to fulfil what we swore; or we may even end up telling lies. May we come to realise the importance of saying what we mean and meaning what we say, and all that we say and do, we give glory to God.

One thing we need to be careful about is when we come across certain church teachings which seem too good to be true, or sound strange. When we come across such teachings, we need to discern whether such teachings end up appealing to our needs, wants and desires, instead of what the church actually teaches. This is because those who teach such so-called church teachings often have got a hidden agenda, and not for the good of the church. Perhaps one key question we need to ponder is this: are such so-called church teaching really what Jesus taught us?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching. The time is sure to come when, far from being content with sound teaching, people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then, instead of listening to the truth, they will turn to myths. Be careful always to choose the right course; be brave under trials; make the preaching of the Good News your life’s work, in thoroughgoing service.”

The reading cautions us not to be so easily duped or led astray by such teachings, but remain steadfast to the truth, with patience and with the intention of teaching. May we always choose to preserve the truth, and help others do the same.

I believe most of us know that God’s commandments, as well as Jesus’ commandments of loving God and neighbour, are the basis for church rules and practices, whereas customs are traditional and widely accepted ways of behaving or doing something in the church community. Such rules, practices and customs did not materialise overnight, and they are meant for the good of the entire Christian community, not just for the good of a few. However, we sometimes come across certain persons or groups who are against such rules, practices and customs, because such persons or groups want things their way and for their benefit.

In today’s reading, we come across Jeorboam who did not like certain rules, practices or customs among the Israelites; and Jeroboam thought to himself, ‘As things are, the kingdom will revert to the House of David. If this people continues to go up to the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, the people’s heart will turn back again to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will put me to death.’ And so, Jeroboam created his own gods, by making two golden calves; he got the people to worship such false gods; “He set up the temple of the high places and appointed priests from ordinary families, who were not of the sons of Levi”; and even had the audacity to “institute a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth of the month, like the feast that was kept in Judah.” Jeroboam did all these because he did not like certain rules, practices or customs among the Israelites, and he wanted to save his own skin. As a result, “such conduct made the House of Jeroboam a sinful House, and caused its ruin and extinction from the face of the earth.”

What about us? When we are faced with certain church rules, practices or customs, would we change or discard such rules, practices or customs as we please, just because they are inconvenient to us or we feel uncomfortable towards them? Is faith like changing clothes, where we discard things which we are unable to accept? May we continue to be faithful, and walk in God’s ways.