Category Archives: Wednesday

It is interesting to observe how some people can be so easily duped by certain so called preachers, who appear to preach the Good News, but what such preachers are actually doing is preaching their own version of the Good News, or perhaps a “feel good” version of the Good News. Some such preachers are adept in customising the Good News to appear to suit such people, but such preachers have hidden intentions, sometimes, even with tragic consequences.

Today’s Gospel warns us “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.” That is why we must be vigilant, and help others who could be so easily fooled by such preachers or false prophets. Sometimes it may be necessary for us to be the “bad guy” or “bad girl,” and try help such persons come to realise their folly. Let us not allow such falseness or fakes infiltrate our communities; and ensure that only that which is true is shared.

We live in an age where things are moving fast in many ways. We have ATMs where money can be withdrawn quite quickly; cars that can go very fast, and even information that can be accessed at high speeds. For example, if we want to know about something, we just need to Google it or use some other search engine to get the information. But there are also some things in life which cannot move fast. For example, we cannot expect a baby to be conceived and born in an instant; and another matter which cannot be fast is attaining wisdom.

Today’s reading reminds us that wisdom cannot be attained instantly into our minds and hearts. Instead, the reading tells us that wisdom takes those who seek her “at first through winding ways, bringing fear and faintness on him, plaguing him with her discipline until she can trust him, and testing him with her ordeals…” It is when we persevere, remain humble and patient, and let wisdom guide us that, as the reading tells us, “in the end she will lead him back to the straight road and reveal her secrets to him.” Are we willing to slow down and let wisdom guide us closer to our loving God, and walk in His ways?

Being arrogant, intolerant and judgmental are some reasons or symptoms that prevent us from becoming effective followers of Jesus. When we are arrogant, intolerant and judgmental, we begin to think that only us or those within our circle are legitimate followers, and others are viewed with disdain or suspicion. For example, in church we may come across certain leaders who begin to think and behave as if they are the parish priest, just because they have been appointed to a certain position, or they have been heading a particular ministry for a while. When someone else appears to be doing good or serving the church in other ways, such persons begin to find ways to put others down, so that only they or their group would appear important or indispensable.

In today’s Gospel, John saw someone who was not in their group driving out demons in the name of Jesus, and he tried to prevent them. Perhaps John thought that only those in their group could have the monopoly or privilege to drive out demons. But how did Jesus respond to John about this matter? Jesus told John to let the other person do what he was doing for whoever is not against them is for them also. Jesus was teaching John and the other disciples that as His followers, they did not have exclusive rights

What does this mean to us? It means that we cannot be arrogant, intolerant and judgmental when it comes to being a follower of Jesus. Instead, we should remain humble and show the mercy and love of Jesus. When we do so, perhaps others may come to know what it really means to follow Jesus, and hopefully become Jesus’ followers as well.

As children, and even as adults, we sometimes hear people telling us: “patience is a virtue.” In a world where so many things are happening so quickly, and many of us are becoming more and more used to getting things done quickly, having patience is certainly harder for some of us to achieve. But the reality of life is this: some things just cannot be rushed. For example, we want to plant a mango or durian tree in our garden, but we cannot expect the tree to grow immediately and bear fruit. It takes years for the tree to grow, become strong, and eventually bear fruit. Even then, the first few fruits the tree produces may not necessarily be good to eat. It takes much patience, and lots of care, for the tree to eventually bear good fruit. When we exercise patience, we hopefully eventually get good fruit from the tree to enjoy.

In today’s reading, Noah had to wait for 40 days of rain, another 7 days for the water to subside, and then another 7 days for the surface of the earth to dry up.Whether Noah liked it or not, he had to have patience for the water to eventually subside and the surface of the earth to dry up properly. What does this mean to us? It means that eventually, we need to have patience and trust in God and wait. Are we willing to have patience, wait with hope, and trust in God’s providence and care?

We sometimes bring more than what is necessary when it comes to a holiday or a trip. I remember many years ago when my grandmother was younger and able to travel, and she planned to visit and stay with an uncle and his family in Singapore for a few weeks. We were at the train station in Kuala Lumpur to send her off and I was quite perplexed to see so many bags being loaded onto the train. My dad remarked: “Wow! Are you moving house or something?” Altogether, she had about 5 big bags and they were quite heavy, and I wondered how my grandmother, who was quite small sized, would be able to managed all that luggage during the trip.

In contrast to the number of luggage brought by my grandmother, Jesus in today’s Gospel “called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there.”

By not carrying additional or unnecessary luggage or burdens, the apostles were freer to go about doing their duty in preaching, teaching and healing, instead of being saddled or slowed down by such baggage, while being dependent on God’s providence and care to keep going. When we get our priorities right and focus on what we are called to do, God would surely take care of us, and often times we may even get more than we need. Are we willing to trust and let God be in control, while we glorify Him in all we say and do?

It is inevitable that no matter where one serves, no matter what one does, one would somehow have one’s share of critics or people who cannot accept or agree with almost everything or even to the point of everything of what one says ot does. This is because there are people who only want things done in a certain way, or they cannot accept what another does no matter how good and just it may be, or they only accept things which meet or surpass their requirements and expectations. Anything else would only encounter the displeasure or wrath of such persons.

In today’s Gospel, we see examples of how we can never satisfy or please everyone, especially when it comes to service and mission. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us: “‘For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.”’The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.'”

At the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves sincerely: are we performing service and mission to please and satisfy others, or are we doing so for the Glory of God? Are we more concerned about getting praise, acceptance and recognition from others; or are we more concerned about doing God’s will? May we put our priorities right, and ultimately in all we say and do, give God the greater glory.

In today’s gospel two men from the country of the Gadarenes were healed at the expense of some pigs. Jesus allowed the devils who had possessed the two men to leave the men, and enter into a large herd of pigs some distance away. As a result, “the pigs charged down the cliff into the lake and perished in the water.”

When the townspeople heard what had happened, what did they do? Instead of rejoicing and being grateful to Jesus, the townspeople implored Jesus to leave. Instead of appreciating the healing and saving power of Jesus, they did not welcome Jesus into their town. Why did they respond in this way? Perhaps it may be because, the townspeople were more concerned about the loss of the pigs and the potential profits to be made. The townspeople seemed to value more about material wealth and possession, instead of Jesus’ presence and salvation.

What about us? Do we value God more than our material possessions? Are we going to welcome Jesus in our lives or let Him go? Some of us may say that we value God more, but do we really mean what we say, or are we just putting on a show, while we continue to cling on to our wealth and possessions, instead of giving glory to God? May we come to realise what is more important, more valuable, and more lasting, and change our ways, while we have the opportunity and time to do so.