Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Tuesday

Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent

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How do we pray? Some of us may pray the rosary or novena to Mother Mary. Some pray the Divine Mercy prayer. Some pray the Divine Office, or part of the Divine Office like Lauds (Morning Prayer) and Vespers (Evening Prayer). Others may be more inclined towards praise and worship. But when we pray in these ways, are we really praying, or could we be guilty of, as today’s Gospel tells us, “babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard.”

Jesus taught us a simple way of praying in today’s Gospel, a prayer called the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer. The challenge in this prayer is where forgiveness is concerned. We seek forgiveness from God for the many sins we have committed, but are we willing to forgive others too? People may have hurt us, angered us, or betrayed us but are we willing and humble enough to forgive them? Easier said than done, but if we call ourselves brothers and sisters in Christ, let us walk the talk and learn to love and promote love to all, forgiving, reconciling and moving on.

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 2

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For some of us, life tends to be encumbered with all sorts of thoughts. We think about our present situation and the situation of our family. Some think about the future and what is going to happen to their family and themselves. Others think about their financial situation, be it good or not. If we are not careful and become too engrossed with these thoughts, this could lead to all sorts of fear and anxiety.

Today’s reading reminds us “Free your minds, then, of encumbrances; control them, and put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Do not behave in the way that you liked to before you learnt the truth; make a habit of obedience: be holy in all you do, since it is the Holy One who has called you, and scripture says: Be holy, for I am holy.” If we say we trust in God, then we should not be thinking too much about these other things which can distract us from our relationship with God. We do need to do our part, but there are some things and some situations which we cannot be fully in control of. There is a song called “que sera sera, whatever will be will be.” Perhaps we should be more trusting to God, and let whatever will be will be.

Tuesday of Week 7 Year 2

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How content are we in life? Some of us may be guilty of wanting more and more of things and even people, causing us to commit sin in our pursuit to attain what we want and satisfy our desire (which can never be fully satisfied). Today’s reading tells us: “Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Isn’t it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? You want something and you haven’t got it; so you are prepared to kill. You have an ambition that you cannot satisfy; so you fight to get your way by force. Why you don’t have what you want is because you don’t pray for it; when you do pray and don’t get it, it is because you have not prayed properly, you have prayed for something to indulge your own desires.” The problem that we face is, are we praying to God for our own selfish wants, or have we learnt to pray for His glory?

Instead of focusing our efforts in attaining temporary things here on earth, perhaps we should take heed of what the reading reminds us: “Give in to God, then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you go to God, the nearer he will come to you. Clean your hands, you sinners, and clear your minds, you waverers. Look at your wretched condition, and weep for it in misery; be miserable instead of laughing, gloomy instead of happy. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” Are we wanting to be with God for eternity, or are we setting ourselves up for an eternity away from God? Let us choose wisely, as we have only one choice.

Tuesday of Week 1 Year 2

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Exorcisms should not be taken lightly. We sometimes hear people claiming to be able to cast out evil spirits, but they may not necessarily be ready or able to do so. One needs to have a certain “authority” to be able to perform exorcisms. Sometimes, what we think is a manifestation of an evil spirit may not necessarily be the case. Evil exists, but we should not jump into conclusions whether a person is truly possessed or not. One needs to verify genuine cases from merely psychological or medical-based ones, and also one needs to be fully and properly prepared physically and especially spiritually, before any exorcism is attempted. In other words, one should not play play with such matters as it could mean a matter of life or death.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus not only taught with authority, but he also had authority over unclean spirits. If we are to be genuine and with “authority” to perform exorcisms, then we should follow Jesus example closely and ensure that we are physically and spiritually ready at all times for any situation. Being God’s instrument in casting out evil spirits is not a simple matter. Are we honest and humble enough to trust the Lord and be prepared to face any consequences? Are we performing such exorcisms for the glory of God? Let us examine ourselves carefully and not be blinded with personal intentions or personal gratification.

Tuesday after Epiphany

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When we hear of some people loving others without any hidden agenda or condition, we call that unconditional love. However, we sometimes come across people loving others because it is beneficial to them, and such love would be advantageous to them in some way. What about us? What sort of love do we have and practise?

Today’s reading reminds us that love comes from God “and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” Also, today’s reading tells us of God’s unconditional love, where He “sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him…” We also see in today’s Gospel how Jesus loved the crowd by not only teaching them, but also feeding them by performing the miracle of the multiplication of five loaves and two fish. Do we really know God and are willing to love unconditionally just as God loves us unconditionally? Are we following Jesus’ example in loving all?