For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
6 July 2014 – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
7 July 2014 – Monday of Week 14 Year 2
8 July 2014 – Tuesday of Week 14 Year 2
9 July 2014 – Wednesday of Week 14 Year 2
10 July 2014 – Thursday of Week 14 Year 2
11 July 2014 – Friday of Week 14 Year 2
As children, some of us find it difficult to listen to our parents. We try to do things our way. As a result, we get a scolding (and in some cases, even a beating) for not listening or doing what our parents tell us. While we are growing up, we find it harder and harder to listen to our parents, as we value our freedom and we think we can figure things out. However, at times, what our parents tell us is actually for our own good, and we disobey at our peril.
When we are unable or find it difficult to listen to our parents, we are being disobedient. In the same way, when we are unable or find it difficult to listen to God’s voice, we are also being disobedient. Sin is disobedience to God. Obedience means listening to God’s voice and trusting in His providence.
Jesus in today’s Gospel invites us to put our trust in Him and in God the Father. We may not fully understand God’s will, but that’s ok. Unless we become docile and obedient like little children, we would not discover God’s will. Jesus reminds us that God hides these things from the learned and the clever and reveals them to mere children. This is what trust is all about. A child who trusts that his parents will take care of him is free from worry. Obedience means trusting.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus also gives us an imagery of the yoke where he says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” A yoke is often made for two or more oxen, and by inviting us to take His yoke and learn from Him, Jesus is assuring us that by putting on His yoke, He will guide us and help us in our burdens. When we accept Jesus’ yoke, we are actually being liberated from many unnecessary fears or worries, and we learn to be meek and humble, trusting in Jesus and in God the Father, knowing that we will be cared for, just as a child puts his or her trust in his or her and parents and is cared for by them. Disobedience is a result of pride. Obedience is a result of humility.
Let us therefore surrender to God’s will and let Him take control. When we surrender to God’s will, we will also find peace and true happiness. Are we still so obstinate and wanting to do things our way? Or would we be willing to be humble, and do things God’s way?
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
29 June 2014 – Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles
30 June 2014 – Monday of Week 13 Year 2
1 July 2014 – Tuesday of Week 13 Year 2
2 July 2014 – Wednesday of Week 13 Year 2
3 July 2014 – Saint Thomas, Apostle – Feast
4 July 2014 – Friday of Week 13 Year 2
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
22 June 2014 – Corpus Christi Year A
23 June 2014 – Monday of Week 12 Year 2
24 June 2014 – Birthday of John the Baptist
25 June 2014 – Wednesday of Week 12 Year 2
26 June 2014 – Thursday of Week 12 Year 2
27 June 2014 – Sacred Heart of Jesus
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
15 June 2014 – Trinity Sunday Year A
16 June 2014 – Monday of Week 11 Year 2
17 June 2014 – Tuesday of Week 11 Year 2
18 June 2014 – Wednesday of Week 11 Year 2
19 June 2014 – Thursday of Week 11 Year 2
20 June 2014 – Friday of Week 11 Year 2
How do we explain something which is not so easily explainable? Can we ever satisfactorily describe or define God? Today’s readings give us some important points.
Firstly, the doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that God is a mystery. A mystery is something which we can never fully understand or fathom. We do not have all the answers and we should be humble enough to let God guide us and take charge.
Secondly, the doctrine of the Trinity tells us that God is into relationships. God chooses to come close to us by sending His Son to save us. This helps us realise that God is not distant from us, He is with us and wants us to be with Him.
Finally, God is love. This love is not just in the Trinity, it is also shared with us. God loves us so much that Jesus came to help us and save us.
When we look at the Trinity, we are reminded to be humble and happy in letting God take control. Sometimes there are things which we cannot fully explain and cannot fully understand. But if we trust and believe, God can help us. Are we still insisting in finding the answers, or are we letting God be God?
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
8 June 2014 – Pentecost – Mass of the Day Year A
9 June 2014 – Monday of Week 10 Year 2
10 June 2014 – Tuesday of Week 10 Year 2
11 June 2014 – Wednesday of Week 10 Year 2
12 June 2014 – Thursday of Week 10 Year 2
13 June 2014 – Friday of Week 10 Year 2
Have we been filled with the Holy Spirit? Are we willing and daring enough to go and preach the Good News? When the Holy Spirit came and rested on the heads of the disciples, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.” Today’s 1st reading also tells us that “there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language about the marvels of God.” The Holy Spirit gave these disciples courage to go forth to proclaim the Good News fearlessly.
Today’s 2nd reading also reminds us that “there is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.” This means that all of us are filled with the Holy Spirit. We received the Holy Spirit at baptism, and further strengthened at confirmation. Strenghtened with the Holy Spirit, we should be going forth with gusto and joy to proclaim the Good News. The question is: why are some of us still procrastinating? Why are some of us cowering in fear or not willing to commit ourselves to proclaiming the Good News in whatever way of life we are in? Are we doubtful that God can help us? Are we expecting only others to proclaim the Good News? There is no such thing as a nominal Christian; for each of us have been called, chosen, and strengthened to go forth and proclaim the Good News. Are we shirking from our responsibility?
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
1 June 2014 – 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
2 June 2014 – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
3 June 2014 – Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter
4 June 2014 – Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
5 June 2014 – Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
6 June 2014 – Friday of the 7th Week of Easter
What does the word “glory” mean to you? For some, it could mean to become famous, to be popular, to be accepted publically as someone important or significant, or perhaps to have a good name. For others, it may be to be in a position where people would admire, praise and look up to you, and perhaps treat you as a role model or a VIP. But what is the Christian understanding of glory?
To glorify as a Christian means to be willing to embrace the cross. The cross to some may be a symbol of shame, rejection and death but for us Christians, it is a symbol of victory, glory and life. When we are going through suffering, rejection, persecution, or even faced with the possibility of being put to death, we are glorifying God and we are experiencing true glory. St. Peter in today’s second reading writes: “Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” How many of us can happily, truly and wholeheartedly rejoice in such a situation?
Today, if you are suffering because of your faith, rejoice and be glad. St. Peter reminds us that “whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.” Being glorified in Christ is not about how great or wonderful we are, but about our perseverence, commitment and enthusiasm in bringing the Good News to all, even if we are to suffer. Ultimately, our glory is not of this world and let us rejoice and be glad, for God is there to help us and lead us back to Him.
