Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Thursday

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Posted on by Posted in 3rd, 3rd Week, Advent, Advent 3, Thursday, Weekday Leave a comment

God has a plan for us, and He invites us to participate in His plan. His plan is that all of us are to be with Him, and to further strengthen His plan, God even sent Jesus to the world to die on the cross for us and to save us from our sins. But it is interesting and tragic to note that there are people in this world who do not want to be a part of God’s plan. Would you want to be part of God’s plan, or would you prefer to stay out of it and do your own thing?

In today’s Gospel, we come across some people who chose to stick to God’s plan, while others chose to reject it. The Gospel tells us: “All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.” God did not abandon the Pharisees and the lawyers, and invited them to play according to His plan, but they chose to do things their own way, thinking adamantly that their way was a better way compared to God’s plan. It is ironic that the tax collectors, who many hated or disliked, were among the ones who recognised that God’s plan was the way to go, whereas the Pharisees and lawyers who were supposed to be good people turned out to be going against God’s plan.

Today, may we truly recognise God’s plan and seize the opportunity to follow it. God does not force us to be a part of His plan, but we know from history that God’s ways are far better than human ways. It is a question of whether we trust in Him and are humble and willing to let Him be our help, providence and guide.

Thursday of Week 13 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 13th, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Those of us who need to use a hearing aid know how convenient a hearing aid is. With a hearing aid, we would be able to hear many things which, due to some reason or another, our ears are no longer able to pick up. On the other hand, a hearing aid could also be a nuisance for some, since a hearing aid picks up every kind of sound, near and far. The hearing aid, unlike the human ear, is not discerning and does not have selective hearing, whereas our human ear has selective hearing, since it filters out unnecessary noises and only lets in what needs to be heard.

In a way, today’s reading shows us how we too could become so selective in our hearing when it comes to things we don’t like to hear. In the reading, Amaziah the priest of Bethel reacted to Amos by telling him: “Go away seer; get back to the land of Judah; earn your bread there, do your prophesying there. We want no more prophesying in Bethel.” Amaziah did not like what Amos was saying, since much of what Amos said was unpleasant to hear and as if impending doom was approaching. But Amos was saying such things not because he liked to or wanted to, but as a warning to change one’s ways, by responding to a call of conversion and repentance.

What about us? Are we still so stubborn and proud to listen to God’s voice, and filter out things which makes us uncomfortable or disturbs us? Let us be reminded that at times, we need to discard our selective hearing, so that God’s soft promptings could be heard, and we could learn from Him and grow closer to Him, for the good of our eternal future.

Thursday of Week 9 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 9th, Thursday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Some of us are not ashamed to be known as a successful doctor, lawyer or some other profession. Some of us even display our qualifications and achievements on the wall of our office or at a prominent place at home, to show our customers, guests and others how far we have made it in the world. When we go for a function or an important event, some of us have no qualms about dressing our best and even show off our medals and other decorations attained from royalty or for outstanding services rendered to the government. But what about our spiritual achievements? Have we been consistent and persistent in maintaining a good and healthy relationship with God, and observing not only His commandments but sharing the Good News with others?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Do all you can to present yourself in front of God as a man who has come through his trials, and a man who has no cause to be ashamed of his life’s work and has kept a straight course with the message of the truth.” Sometimes we may suffer humiliation and persecution for keeping the faith and defending the truth. But what are we really seeking at the end: temporary recognition here on earth, or eternal happiness with our loving God?

Thursday of Week 8 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Thursday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Each and every one of us face temptations daily, in one form or another. Quite often, we may succumb to such temptations if we allow our pride, ego and selfish desires to take control of our lives. This is why, in today’s reading, St. Peter reminds us: “I urge you, my dear people, while you are visitors and pilgrims to keep yourselves free from the selfish passions that attack the soul. Always behave honourably among pagans so that they can see your good works for themselves…” Our time here on earth is short, and we should do our best to avoid giving in to our selfish passions, which would lead us to sin.

Instead, St. Peter reminds us: “You are new born, and, like babies, you should be hungry for nothing but milk – the spiritual honesty which will help you to grow up to salvation – now that you have tasted the goodness of the Lord.” When we were baptised, we tasted the goodness of the Lord and learnt to depend on Him as we grow up to salvation. May we be humble and willing to continue growing up to salvation, depending on the Lord for His help and guidance. Since the nourishment that He gives us is the best and since we have tasted the best, do we still need to look elsewhere?

Thursday of the 4th week of Lent

Posted on by Posted in 4th, Lent, Lent 4, Thursday, Weekday Leave a comment

How much do we really love God? Do we have genuine love for God and for others, or are we doing things just for show and to seek approval and be accepted?  Some of us may have become so accustomed to the ways of the world, that we seek more and more approval from others around us, instead of doing what is right in God’s eyes.

This is why, in today’s Gospel, Jesus admonishes us: “As for human approval, this means nothing to me. Besides, I know you too well: you have no love of God in you. I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me; if someone else comes in his own name you will accept him. How can you believe, since you look to one another for approval and are not concerned with the approval that comes from the one God?” Have we become so attuned to winning approval among people here on earth, approval which would not last and would be lost? Are we risking our eternal future, just for the sake of experiencing temporary gratification and happiness? May we come to realise our folly, and change our lives before it is too late.

Thursday of Week 34 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 34th, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Difficulties and problems crop up in our lives every once in a while, and sometimes these problems and difficulties could lead to severe persecution or even death. When we are faced with such problems and difficulties, especially if it involves our faith, some of us may be tempted to protect ourselves by distancing ourselves from our faith, or even abandoning it altogether. But how many of us would hold steadfast to our faith in such situations, with trust and confidence in God’s help and providence? How many of us would truly and unreservedly be willing to die for our faith?

In today’s reading, king Darius had gotten himself into a mess, since he had signed an edict which, for the next thirty days, demanded that all pray to no other than him. Daniel refused to do so, and even though king Darius favoured Daniel much, he had no choice but to throw Daniel into the lion’s den, since such an edict could not be altered even by the king. Daniel’s enemies thought they had finally gotten rid of Daniel, but Daniel held steadfast to his faith and was even prepared to die, and God’s angels came to seal the lion’s jaws and protect Daniel from harm. In the end, it was Daniel’s enemies and their families who were killed by the lions.

Daniel had great faith in God’s help and providence to protect him from danger. What about us? Are we willing to risk it all, even our lives, and let God be our help and guide? If God can protect Daniel from mortal danger, surely He would do the same for us, if we have trust and confidence in Him.

Thursday of Week 33 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 33rd, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Some of us may have experienced some form of regret in our lives. For example, there are people who have regretted not being hard working enough in their studies or at work, and as a result, they did not do so well in their examinations or they missed opportunities for career advancement or an increase in salary. There are people who may also have regretted not being bold enough or have not made enough effort in a relationship, and they lost a good opportunity to marry and settle down. Do you have a regret haunting you?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said: “and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!” God had given many chances and opportunities for the Jews to change their ways, but all these chances and opportunities were lost as the Jews were stubborn and obstinate, preferring to remain as they are. We too could be in the same situation, if we refuse to change our ways and grow closer to God. May we not end up with regret, with lost opportunity to grow closer to God, because when death comes, it may be too late.

Thursday of Week 32 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 32nd, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Some of us get very excited easily over the smallest things or incidences. For example, we are driving on the road and we notice a massive traffic jam ahead of us, and we later discover that the traffic jam is caused by onlookers and other folks who just have to slow down to see the result of an accident which has occurred at the opposite side of the road, some of us would slow down too. Some of us just cannot resist the urge to gaze at what is taking place at the accident site, even though the relevant authorities are already at the scene and are desperately trying to get folks to move on quickly instead of causing unnecessary congestion.

In the same way, some of us get very excited about whether we would be with God in heaven or otherwise. Some of us would begin to fret and worry about what is going to happen to our eternal future. At the other extreme, there are some who worry about hell, and become paralysed with fear that they may have done something wrong that would cause them to be thrown into hell. But Jesus in today’s Gospel tells us: “The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation… They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit…” If we have been consistent and persistent in building our spiritual lives and our relationship with God, if we have been regular in attending Mass and going for confession, then we have no need to be easily excited. It does not matter when the Kingdom of God comes, nor does it matter what would happen to us, if we have done our part and done our best. Do we not trust in God and His providence, help and mercy?

Thursday of Week 31 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 31st, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Each and every one of us has an impact on others in one way or another, whether we like it or not, and whether we are aware of it or not. For example, a child would follow or imitate your habits, words and expressions, and after a while, the child would become accustomed or used to such things. The expression “a chip of the old block” may apply to a certain extend here. That is why in matters of faith, parents are responsible to pass on the basics of faith, good conduct and virtues to their children. If the parents themselves are not bothered about their faith, then their children may follow suit, though by the grace of God, some of such children may rediscover God and faith later in life.

That is why St. Paul cautions us in today’s reading: “The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. This is also why you should never pass judgement on a brother or treat him with contempt, as some of you have done.” We ought to be careful how we conduct ourselves and how we behave, since some others may get the right or wrong understanding or impression of Christianity, depending on our words and actions. May we be prudent and good examples to others, so that we may truly be light of the world and salt of the earth.

Thursday of Week 30 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 30th, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

At some point of our lives, some of us may feel as if life is quite difficult to continue living, especially when we are being ill-treated, persecuted, going through all sorts of suffering as Christians, or even facing the possibility of being put to death for our faith. Some of us may feel as if God has not come to our aid and that we are being left to fend for ourselves. Why do some of us allow ourselves to feel this way or have such thoughts in our minds? Don’t we have trust and faith in Jesus, knowing that He is our saviour and Lord?

In today’s reading, we are further encouraged to persevere and be patient: “Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. As scripture promised: For your sake we are being massacred daily, and reckoned as sheep for the slaughter. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The reading reminds and assures us that Jesus will help and guide us. If that is so, why do some of us still doubt? Do we expect Jesus to help and guide us according to our terms, or according to His terms and for His glory?