Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Sunday

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Among the many senses which most of us have which we often take for granted are the ability to hear and the ability to speak. If we are unable to see, we can still get around on our own by using our ears, sense of smell and other senses which would have been further heightened and enhanced as we get older. If we are unable to hear but our other senses are intact, we could still survive by using sign language and other forms of communication, including reading another person’s lips to somewhat understand what the person is saying. If we are unable to speak, we could also depend on other forms of communication to survive. But just imagine if one is born mute and deaf, or become that way due to some illness. Life would certainly be quite difficult to live, since one would be dependent on others for almost everything.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus healed a man who was deaf and mute. This healing could be seen from a different perspective, that is, it can be seen as a symbolic model of the process of evangelisation, or spreading the Good News about Jesus. The apostles heard the Word of God and then went out and spoke about it to everyone. These people heard the apostles preaching and they in turn went and spoke about it to all their friends. Eventually the Good News reached the entire world.

Today, however, we may be in danger of losing the faith that the apostles gave their lives to hand on. Many people are abandoning the faith. The Good News is that God so loved the world that he sent his only son that we might have life, but many of us are not “hearing” it and are not sharing it. Why are we not sharing it? Because many of us may have become so preoccupied in our lives with so many other things, that we would have forgotten how urgent it is for the Good News to be preached. Some of us may have become deaf to the Good News, and some of us may have become mute in sharing it, whereas some of us may have even become both deaf and mute to the Good News.

To heal the deaf and mute man in the Gospel, Jesus took him away from the crowd. Jesus could have just willed that the man be healed, but instead He touched him. He put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. He then spoke a seemingly magic word… ephphatha which means “be open”, and the man was healed. Similarly, Jesus may be calling you to come away and touch each of us as well, so that our ears and tongue would “be open” and enable us to hear clearly and speak clearly once again, so that we too would be healed and be able to confidently and courageously go forth and preach the Good News. Are we willing to be healed by Jesus and go forth to preach the Good News with renewed vigour?

Housekeeping – Week 22 Year 1

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

30 Aug 2015 – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
31 Aug 2015 – Monday of Week 22 Year 1
1 Sept 2015 – Tuesday of Week 22 Year 1
2 Sept 2015 – Wednesday of Week 22 Year 1
3 Sept 2015 – Thursday of Week 22 Year 1
4 Sept 2015 – Friday of Week 22 Year 1

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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From a young age, most of us would have been introduced to rules and regulations at home. We would have been taught what is acceptable, what is not, and what would be the consequence if we broke a rule. Even in school and later in society, we have rules and regulations. As a civilised society, we know that we need rules and regulations, so that there would be some order. Otherwise, people would do as they please and society would disintegrate into chaos. As usual, we would always come across those who complain about certain rules and regulations, especially those that do not benefit them by giving them a free reign to do what they like, but rules and regulations are there not just for the benefit of a few, but meant for all. Take for instance vehicle parking. If there are no rules, people would park indiscriminately, and cause obstruction, inconvenience to others, and even pose a danger to other people. That is why, whether we like it or not, we need rules to function as a society.

In today’s readings, we come across the law, which is God’s commandments. God’s commandments are there to help us become better persons as well as to become mature and responsible Christians. The first reading tells us about God’s commandments, where we are to: “keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding.” Likewise, St. James in the second reading describes the law as “all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given to us from above” and that we are to “accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. But you must do what the word tells you, and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves.” St. James in the second reading also reminds us that God’s law is there to help us become the “first fruits of all that he had created.” Without God’s law to guide us, we would be guided by our own pride, prejudice, ego and selfishness. Thus, God’s laws help us become free from our own selfish motives and intentions.

However, we must be cautious not to become extremists in following God’s laws. The scribes and the Pharisees were examples of following God’s laws to the extreme, by following God’s laws without understanding their purpose, by being very judgmental of others, and by seeing themselves as the guardians of the Law and the watchdogs of morality. This led Jesus in today’s Gospel to reprimand them by exclaiming: “This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me.” This is because a person could appear to be following God’s law by meticulously observing external practices like what the scribes and Pharisees did, but deep inside the heart there could be malice and evil intentions, as Jesus in today’s Gospel reminds us: “nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean.” That is why it is not enough to just follow the laws, or follow them blindly, or even follow them only because we fear punishment. Instead, we should follow God’s law out of love and not out of fear, as God’s law is the law of love.

Thus, let us have a conversion of heart and follow God’s law with love and compassion. Just as God has shown much love and compassion towards us, we too should do the same for others. Let us ask God to help rid ourselves of any evil intentions, so that we would be free and happy to listen to His words, act upon them, and by our words and actions give Him all the glorify.

Housekeeping – Week 21 Year 1

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

23 Aug 2015 – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
24 Aug 2015 – St. Bartholomew, Apostle – Feast
25 Aug 2015 – Tuesday of Week 21 Year 1
26 Aug 2015 – Wednesday of Week 21 Year 1
27 Aug 2015 – Thursday of Week 21 Year 1
28 Aug 2015 – Friday of Week 21 Year 1

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

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Some people think that they are very wise, or that they supposingly have wisdom beyond their years. Others think that they are very intelligent. But is an intelligent person considered a wise person? If a person is clever in doing something or accomplishing something, is that person considered wise? Sometimes we come across people who have given up much of their time and wealth helping others. There are some in society who view such people as foolish, silly or stupid, since they think that such people could have used their time “wisely” for better pursuits. But are such people wise in helping others? Or are those who think these folks are being foolish, silly or stupid the ones who are wise? What is wisdom, really?

In Proverbs 9:10, we are told: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” This is quite a different picture of wisdom from what the world thinks as wisdom. In fact, St. Paul in today’s second reading reminds us: “Be very careful about the sort of lives you lead, like intelligent and not like senseless people. This may be a wicked age, but your lives should redeem it. And do not be thoughtless but recognize what is the will of the Lord.” When we are thinking with the mind of God, when we learn to fear Him with awe and reverence, we begin to learn and appreciate true wisdom, which is God’s wisdom.

This is why we would never be able to reconcile human wisdom with God’s wisdom. One classic example of how human wisdom differs greatly from God’s wisdom is the Eucharist. We Christians believe that Jesus is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine. The bread may continue to look and taste like bread, but our faith tells us that it is no longer bread but Christ himself. This is something really hard to understand or accept if we rely only on human wisdom. Moreover, in the Gospel, Jesus insisted that He is the living bread from heaven and that anyone who eats this bread will live for ever. Not only that, Jesus insisted that his “flesh” is that bread of life. Naturally, the Jews reacted in an understandable way, since they relied on human wisdom and logical intelligence, and they even argued among themselves: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” But God’s wisdom does not need to be logical, since His wisdom goes beyond our logic and our limited understanding. At Communion, it is Jesus that we are receiving, his flesh, his body. This may sound like foolishness or absurdity to the world, but for us it is wisdom, since we know and believe that Jesus is the only food that can satisfy all our wants and desires.

Therefore, let us not focus too much only on trying to be intelligent or clever, since these things are only temporary and will fail us some day. Let us also not depend too much on human wisdom, since what appears to be wise in human terms may not necessarily be so in God’s terms. Instead, let us make more effort to seek divine wisdom, so that with God’s help and guidance, we will grow closer to Him and one day be with Him for all eternity.

Housekeeping – Week 19 Year 1

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

9 Aug 2015 – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
10 Aug 2015 – Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr – Feast
11 Aug 2015 – Tuesday of Week 19 Year 1
12 Aug 2015 – Wednesday of Week 19 Year 1
13 Aug 2015 – Thursday of Week 19 Year 1
14 Aug 2015 – Friday of Week 19 Year 1
15 Aug 2015 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Over the years, people have experienced all sorts of trials and temptations as they try to improve and progress in their spiritual life. Some have been tempted to lie, to misuse God’s name, to steal, to covet, to murder, to commit adultery or to do this or to do that. But one thing which some may have been tempted to do which is probably far more dangerous is to be tempted to despair on himself, herself, or even on others.

What does it mean to despair? It basically means a person has totally given up on himself, or herself or on others, as if he or she is or they think others are beyond hope, beyond redemption, beyond salvation. Some even go to the extent of committing suicide as they think that that is the only option open to them. What some of us sometimes fail to realise is that we are not perfect and that until we die, there will always be plenty of chances and opportunities for us to repent and seek forgiveness from God and grow closer to Him. If we have the audacity to think that we are already perfect, then we don’t need repentance, which inadvertently means that we don’t need God.

Today’s readings give us a message of hope and consolation, sort of like a big vitamin C boost (C for confidence and consolation). In the first reading, we hear the story of the prophet Elijah and how he felt like ending his life out of despair. But God gives him the strength by giving him food so that he could continue his mission. This shows that God will never abandon us just as he did not abandon Elijah when he felt as if he was really ‘down and out’ or ‘down in the doldrums.’ God gives us the strength to carry on and will help us pick ourselves up when we are down. St. Paul in the second reading also reminds us: “Never have grudges against others, or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody, or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.” This means that we should never despair on others, for God can also strengthen them and help them pick themselves up, just as He could do so for us.

Some of you may be wondering: Are all these possible? Or are we only trying to fool or kid ourselves, since we are merely human? Humanly speaking, it appears impossible, but with God everything is possible. God will give us the grace to bounce back when we feel like giving up and carry on or press on; as well as the courage and strength to forgive others and accept their limitations. This is why it is so important for us to come regularly for Mass, better still if we can come for daily Mass. At the Mass, we receive physical and spiritual nourishment when we listen to God’s word in scripture and we receive the life-giving bread of Jesus, his own body, as Jesus reminds us in the Gospel: “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’. It is at the Mass that we will receive new life and a boost of energy to cope as we journey along as pilgrims on this earth. So, why are we not taking the many opportunities given to us to come for Mass and be nourished by our loving God? Why are we not accepting His invitation to banquet with the King of kings? It is Free of Charge (FOC) and the benefits are certainly out of this world!

Housekeeping – Week 18 Year 1

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

2 Aug 2015 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
3 Aug 2015 – Monday of Week 18 Year 1
4 Aug 2015 – Tuesday of Week 18 Year 1
5 Aug 2015 – Wednesday of Week 18 Year 1
6 Aug 2015 – The Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast
7 Aug 2015 – Friday of Week 18 Year 1