Category Archives: Sunday

How much joy is there in our hearts? Are we a joyful people, or have we become so preoccupied with so many things that we have become less and less joyful? Sometimes the way we have lived our lives or the circumstances around us, either through our own doing, or through other factors, could cause us to become weary and our joy may be diminished. But as Christians, how do we remain joyful? How do we continue to radiate joy and hope in the Lord?

Today’s readings remind us of the joy we should continuously radiate. From the first reading, we are reminded that “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me.” When you have the spirit of the Lord, there is no reason to fear, to be anxious, or to be insecure. Instead, we should be joyful, as the reading tells us: “I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity.” Likewise, the second reading echoes the need for us to remain joyful: “Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.” Why should we continue to be joyful? Because, as the reading assures us, “God has called you and he will not fail you.”

Our life here is too short to be tainted or saddled with worries or fear. God has assured us of His love and care, if we are willing to open our minds and hearts and let Him take control. Let us hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil, and let us share the joy God has given us to all.

If you were given a choice to drive from one place to another, either by using the old road, or by using the highway, which would you choose? Some of us may not be so keen to use the highway, since the highway may impose hefty toll charges. But supposing the highway had no or minimal toll charges, would you still use the old road? Quite likely more people would use the highway, especially if the highway has more straightened roads which makes it easier and possibly faster to drive, enabling us to arrive at our destination earlier; compared to the old road which could be winding and narrow, making it a difficult and dangerous drive.

The prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading tells us of a highway: “Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley. ” What sort of highway is the prophet Isaiah talking about? This highway is the highway of our lives. Over the years, our highway may have become bogged down with diversions, winding paths, narrow roads and sharp corners, as we in one way or another have become more and more immersed in the ways of the world and more and more distant from God. Our behaviour, attitudes and way of life may have contributed to the condition of the highway of our lives. Isaiah’s call in the first reading is a call for us to make a radical and consistent change to the landscape of the highway of our lives. It is not just a cosmetic change such as repairing potholes or resurfacing the road here and there, but a total change, so that the highway of our lives would be straightened and God would have easier access to us. John the Baptist in today’s Gospel echoes this call of Isaiah where he says: “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.”

When we were baptised, we began a journey of transforming our highway into one which is straight and easily accessible. Our journey requires repentance, a turning away from our sins, and a rejection of our old way of life. We cannot expect others to change for us; we must change ourselves. If we think we are already ok and others are not; if we claim that there is no need for repentance or conversion on our part; then we may begin to think that we are already perfect. If we are perfect, then we do not need God.

Change is difficult, and can be painful; but change is necessary for us to grow closer to God. Let us put aside our stubbornness, our pride, our sinfulness and any obstacles which we may have placed, so that God can straighten us and transform us into something beautiful. Are we willing, humble and docile enough to let God straighten us, so that we would remain in His loving embrace?

Throughout our lives, we may have been concentrating on building a better life here on earth. As children, we studied hard, hoping to do well in school, in exams and striving to get into a good university. Then we spend much effort earning our Bachelor’s degree and perhaps going on to a Master’s degree or even a Doctorate. We may then look for work either in academic circles or in the corporate world, hoping to make a decent living and perhaps make a name for ourselves. All these things and efforts are certainly not wrong, since we do need to survive and prosper in this world. However, as we may have noticed, all these things and efforts only refer to life here on earth. As Christians, we believe that there is life after our time here on earth ceases. What would happen to us after we leave this life here on earth? Would we be with God? Would we be away from God?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.” What does Jesus mean by “stay awake?” In this season of Advent, we are not only preparing ourselves to celebrate Christmas, we ought to also be preparing ourselves for the eventuality of death where we would meet the Lord, and also for His second coming, which is the end of the world. Death and the second coming of Jesus could be frightening to some, because of the unknown before us. Many passages in scripture have painted us fearful images of death and the second coming of Christ, but today’s readings give us a different image.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the Lord’s Day as a day of happiness and expectation. The Lord is our redeemer and He “would tear the heavens open and come down.” For those of us who have prepared for death and His second coming, there would be no need to fear, since the Lord would be like a father to us. There would be no need for us to be anxious or frightened, if we have allowed ourselves to be formed by the Lord, as we are the clay and God is the potter. But if we are not prepared, if we have been neglecting our spiritual life and our relationship with God, if we have refused to change our ways, then we would have every reason to fear. We could be awake physically, but asleep spiritually, and we could be caught off guard or unaware or unprepared. In the Gospel, Jesus warns us to “stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’

Are we spiritually awake, or are we spiritually in slumber. Over the years, we may have slackened or neglected our spiritual life. The attractions of this world, the choices and priorities we make and our attitudes towards sin, confession, and repentance are some factors which could have contributed to our spiritual slumber. Instead of making excuses; instead of pointing the blame towards others; instead of stubbornly continuing as we are; instead of procrastinating until it is too late; let us ponder the consequences of our actions. Do we want to be joyful and at peace with the Lord? If we do, then let us stay awake, and be prepared and ready at all times.