Category Archives: Thursday

Some of us may appear to be good and holy Christians, but our conduct and behaviour may be different according to circumstances. For example, some of us may behave piously in church, or in the presence of a priest or a bishop, but how do we behave towards others in our homes, in our communities, in our work places, in society? Do we behave as Christians should, and practice Christian values and virtues, in all situations, in all circumstances?

In today’s Gospel, “Jesus said to his disciples, If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” What does this mean? We know that the scribes and Pharisees liked to show off and their piety was only to attract attention, or make them appear to be good and holy, or to boost their pride and ego. Jesus even called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, since they did not practice what they preached. When our conduct and behaviour is different according to circumstances, when we try to show off our piety but do not love God and neighbour, then we may be like the scribes and Pharisees. May we come to realise what it really means to be a Christian and truly, consistently and faithfully practice Christian virtues, for the glory of God.

Each and every day, we are faced with a continuous challenge. What sort of challenge is it? The challenge to love. It is easy to say we love, but to put what we say into practice is a different thing altogether. It seems easy to love our friends and family members, but would we be able to love others whom we are not close with, or who have been difficult to us, or who are our enemies? Are we able to observe faithfully the law of love, not just in loving God, but also in loving our neigbour? Or have we become selective in our love?

In today’s Gospel, the scribe said: “‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.” That is what the commandments are all about: loving God and loving neighbour. We cannot pick and choose, as we are required to love both God and neighbour completely. If we say that we love God, and have arguments or problems with our neighbour, then we are actually not really loving, since loving God and neighbour cannot be separated. That is why it is not so easy to love, since love involves both God and neighbour. Are we really willing to love without prejudice? Or have we been loving only when it is easy, beneficial or convenient to us?

I believe many of us make much effort to keep our bodies clean. Some of us may feel uneasy or embarrassed to emit body odour, and we not only bathe regularly, some of us even put lots of perfume to hide our “natural perfume.” But how many of us pay much attention to the cleanliness of our soul? Do we keep our soul clean the way we keep our bodies clean, by going for confession regularly? Or do we procrastinate and think that we have plenty of time to do so?

In today’s reading, we are urged to do something about the cleanliness of our soul. The reading reminds us: “Do not say, “I have sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord’s forbearance is long.” At the same time, the reading also warns us “not to delay our return to the Lord, do not put it off day after day, for suddenly the Lord’s wrath will blaze out” and it will be tragic for us. May we do our part in keeping our soul clean, so that when the time comes, we would be ready and prepared to meet our God.

What sort of image of Christ do you have? Some of us may think of Christ as a healer, miracle worker, teacher, rebel against authorities, activist against the unjust status quo, and many other images. In today’s Gospel, Christ asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They respond to Him mentioning various prophets that represent important aspects of His mission, but nothing really captures who He really is and how He understands Himself. He tells them that He “must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” Christ’s self-image which contains suffering, death, and resurrection, was something which Peter found difficult to accept. Perhaps in his mind, he thought that Christ would be some champion who would save the Jews from unjust authorities. Peter just could not come to terms with a suffering and dying Christ. For this, Peter was criticised harshly by Christ, even addressed as “Satan”, for he was “thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

What about us? Do we have a certain image of Christ which seems rosy and nice? Are we aware of Christ’ true purpose and mission? Some of us try to think of Christ in good terms, with a feel good factor, but Christ came to save us from our sins, and also to teach us how to live as God intended, not according to the way we are comfortable in or the way some others think. Are we willing to set aside our thoughts and expectations, and try to understand and do what God expects of us?

It has become easy and convenient for many of us to get things done quickly. We have become so used to efficiency and instant this or that, that we may have become less and less tolerant or impatient when things don’t go our way or we have to wait for something to be completed. However, when it comes to our prayer life and communication with God, God does not follow our rules or our ways. Quite often, we find ourselves having to wait, since ultimately, God decides what is best for us. When we don’t get what we want or ask for, are we humble and willing to be patient and persistent in our prayer? Would we become impatient and start looking elsewhere to get what we want?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a Syrophoenician pagan woman who begged Jesus to cast the devil out of her daughter. Jesus did not seem to immediately grant her her wish, but she was humble enough to be patient and persistent in begging Jesus for His help. In the end, due to her immense faith in Jesus, Jesus granted her her wish. What about us? Are we willing to be patient and persistent in our prayer and in seeking God’s help? Are we willing to let God guide us and care for us, according to His time and for His glory?

Among the many ways the evil one could use to tempt us to sin, the use of deception and disappointment is quite common and dangerous. This is because, when we are going through trials and tribulations, we could be deceived with various false promises of security and safety, and when things don’t work out and such promises of security and safety end up crumbled and destroyed, some of us may become quite disappointed, even to the point of giving up or even despairing.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus paints us a picture of troubles and dangers to come when He says: “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.” For those who have let fear taken over their lives, such a message may seem like we are doomed. But Jesus did not stop there. He continues: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” If we have faith and hope in God, then we should not allow any other forms of promises of security and safety to distract and deceive us. Instead, we should be persistent and consistent in trusting in His providence, knowing that He will take care of things, according to His time and for His glory.