Category Archives: Tuesday

We sometimes take for granted small things or small matters in life. We think that such small things or small matters are not worth our time or attention. But sometimes, small things or small matters could later turn out to be big things or big matters. For example, a child misbehaves and throws a tantrum to get what he or she wants, but the child’s parents think that it is a small matter, and let’s the child have his or her way. Then when the child is already grown up, the parents later realise how rude or demanding the child is, and they are at a lost as to why their child has become like that. But the reality is, by giving in to the child’s demands, the parents had sown the seeds of selfishness, entitlement, pride and ego into their child. By then, it is already too late, and the child’s attitude and behaviour could not be changed.

Today’s Gospel talks about mustard seed and yeast, which at first appear to be small things. The tiny mustard seed grows into a large tree and attracts numerous birds seeking food and shelter. Yeast is a powerful agent of change, and when it is added to dough, transformation takes place and produces rich wholesome bread when baked. God’s kingdom also works in a similar way, starting what seems small in the hearts of men and women who are receptive to God’s word. It works unseen and causes transformation from within.

What do we learn from this? We learn that small things can become great, when we cultivate patience, fortitude and hope. We must be patient and hopeful and with God’s grace, wait for the planted seed to grow and gradually become a tree. May we do our part in building God’s kingdom, no matter how small our part may be, so that God could transform what seems small into something great, for His glory.

Some people think that having patience refers to how long someone can wait, but perhaps another way of looking at patience is about how well someone is able to behave and conduct themselves with integrity and with justice and fairness, while they wait. For example, supposing two persons are planning to get married, and one needs to go away for work or for some important reason for quite a while. While waiting, one or even both persons could get involved in another relationship, or flirting may occur, or even cheating may take place. On the other hand, if both persons are serious about their relationship and serious about marriage, then they would lovingly keep on waiting with patience until the loved one returns.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the meaning of true patience: “See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” By waiting faithfully and lovingly, the servants would later discover a reward beyond their expectation – their master will even serve them upon his return.

If those who are faithful to Jesus are rewarded beyond their expectation, then how do we treat those who have been faithful to us? Do we reward them beyond their expectation, and also be just as loving and faithful to them? Or have we taken them for granted, or even taken advantage of them?

Every once in a while, a person would come for confession and start blaming everyone else for causing him or her to sin. For example, the person may say that his or her elderly mother or elderly father is too slow or takes too much time to eat, and because of that the person gets quite annoyed or angry. Some even blame other drivers on the road for driving too slow, even though the road may be quite congested, there is a speed limit and there is a speed camera present. At the bank, some blame the bank tellers for being too slow in attending to their needs, even though in reality, the amount being banked in is quite small, and could have easily been banked in using the Cash Deposit Machine (or CDM). It seems easy for some to put the blame on others for one’s sins.

However, today’s reading admonishes us, saying: “Never, when you have been tempted, say, ‘God sent the temptation’; God cannot be tempted to do anything wrong, and he does not tempt anybody. Everyone who is tempted is attracted and seduced by his own wrong desire. Then the desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it too has a child, and the child is death.” The reading makes it clear that we sin because we allow ourselves to be seduced and we allow ourselves to give in to sin, and not because of others. This means that we should take responsibility for the sins we have committed, and seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, instead of just conveniently trying to past the buck to others. Would we be willing to admit our fault, and make more effort to remain in the Lord’s ways?

In today’s reading and Gospel, we come across two different persons who came to Jesus for help. One came because she had tried all sorts of treatment to cure her haemorrhage, to no avail. The other, Jairus, came because his twelve-year old daughter was at the point of death or already dead by the time of Jesus reached Jairus’ house. Both came to Jesus with great faith, and they came in their own unique way. Jairus came publicly, begging Jesus to come to his house to save his daughter’s life. The woman came quietly, for fear of being exposed because she was ritually unclean, and inconspicuously touched the tassel of Jesus’ prayer shawl. Because of their great faith, Jairus’ daughter was saved, and the woman’s haemorrhage was healed.

What does this mean to us? It means that it does not matter what difficulty we are in or who we are; whenever we approach Jesus with sincere and honest faith, He comes to us without condition, to save us and heals us. He does not only heal us from our physical infirmities, from our shame and guilt, and from feelings of insecurities; Jesus comes readily to restore our dignity. Are we willing to make that great leap of faith like Jairus and the woman did, and let Jesus be our healer and guide?

Some of us may have watched several movies concerning the end of the world, and some have become so paranoid, that they begin to make extensive preparations for it, especially preparations like surviving a nuclear attack, or the disintegration of society due to some major disaster. Some even become influenced by certain doomsday groups, who claim to know when the world is going to end, and even trick people into parting with their wealth, property and other possessions. But what sort of attitude should a Christian have towards the end of the world?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.’”

What Jesus is telling us is not to be so easily duped or taken for a ride by those so called persons who claim to know when the world would end. This is because, as Christians, we should know our bible and if we know our bible, then we should know that Jesus Himself said that no one except God the Father knows when the end will be. Also, if we really trust God, should the end of the world come, there is no reason to fear or panic, because we have God to care for us. Moreover, we should not be lazy and think that by simply being counted or following such doomsday groups, we would be spared of the trials that accompany the coming of the end. Instead, we should focus in building a good relationship with God and with others, so that no matter what happens, God will be our providence. So let us not allow ourselves to be so easily deceived, and continue to have hope and trust in our loving God, as He is our everything and our guide.