Category Archives: Wednesday

Things happen for a reason and sometimes we humans find it difficult to understand why such things happen in the first place. We begin to question ourselves, question others or even question God, asking or even demanding answers as to why such things have occured. Some of us even begin to blame others or even blame God for what has taken place. But the point is, things really do happen for a reason, and even though the reason may not be revealed or may not be so clear or understandable, are we humble and willing to put our trust in God?

In today’s reading, Job questioned: “”How can a man be in the right against God?” “Can anyone be so rash as to challenge Him for reasons?” Sometimes we may never know why certain things have occured. Other times, we may get some understanding of why such things happen. But instead of looking for someone or something to blame; instead of looking for a scapegoat; perhaps we should learn from what has happened, and give thanks to God for His care and providence. Every cloud has a silver lining, and let us not lose sight of God, knowing that He will help us and transform us into something better.

Some people seem to think that only priests and religious are shepherds, and all others are sheep. Actually that is not the case, since each and every one of us are shepherds in different situations, and we have a responsibility towards the people under our care. For example, a person who teaches catechism is like a shepherd to those being catechised. If the person does not fulfil his or her duties in a responsible manner, those being catechised could be led astray. That is why each and every one of us who hold important functions or positions in church need to constantly remind ourselves that our duty and responsibility is to care and shepherd the flock with genuine love. We cannot slack or take things for granted or become complacent, since we would be accountable should something happen to the flock due to our neglect.

In today’s reading, the prophet Ezekiel warned the shepherds of Israel of their impending judgement: “Shepherds, the Lord says this: Trouble for the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shepherds ought to feed their flock, yet you have fed on milk, you have dressed yourselves in wool, you have sacrificed the fattest sheep, but failed to feed the flock.” The shepherds of Israel in this case had not done their duty faithfully. Instead of caring for the flock, these shepherds were preying on the flock and caring only about themselves. As a result, the Lord took the flock away from these shepherds to prevent them from causing any further damage.

What about us? Have some of us become like these shepherds of Israel, only concerned about ourselves and not the least bit bothered about the flock entrusted to us? If we have been neglecting or slacking in our duties, let us change our ways and do our duty, before it is too late.

Are you aware how much God loves you? Sometimes you may feel that God is not present or not helping, but actually He is there. He may not always grant our desires right away, but He knows when to give us help and care. After all, God was even willing to send us His own Son, Jesus, to redeem us and to save us from our sins. If God is so willing to do such things for us, then there is no reason for us to worry or fret or doubt His love.

In today’s reading, we are reassured of God’s love for us: “I have loved you with an everlasting love,
so I am constant in my affection for you.” God’s love for us is not just for a certain period or for a certain reason, but His love is unconditional and everlasting. Even though we may have run away from His love, even though we may have done wrong, God is still loving us and beckoning us to return to His love and care. Let us not be so stubborn or afraid, and come back to Him, so that we can find rest for our soul.

Some of us may have slacked in our faith or even gone astray at some point of our lives, due to various reasons. But even though we may have forgotten about God or church, God does not forget us. In fact, God is constantly calling out to us to come back to Him and walk in His ways. But God is not forcing us to come back, nor is He making us come back right away. He gives us time and many opportunities to come back. However, He is not going to wait for us indefinitely. At the end, we are accountable and responsible for coming back to Him or being away from Him.

In today’s reading, God is inviting His people and us too, to come back to Him. He even assures us: “If you come back, I will take you back into my service; and if you utter noble, not despicable, thoughts, you shall be as my own mouth… I am with you to save you and to deliver you – it is the Lord who speaks. I mean to deliver you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the clutches of the violent.” If God is so loving, so forgiving and so willing to take us back, what about us? Why do we delay in coming back to Him? Also, why do we delay in being loving and forgiving to others too? May we learn to be like our loving God, and remain in His love and providence.

The world that we live in today is full of different kinds of noise and attractions. People are being enticed with pleasure, fame, recognition, wealth, and many other things. This causes some nations to experience a drop in vocation, as fewer people are answering God’s call to the priesthood or religious life. When so many distractions persist, it is indeed difficult to listen and recognise God’s call. Sometimes, a person may have heard the call, but the person may feel inadequate or not worthy of answering the call.

This is where today’s reading assures us. In the reading, the prophet Jeremiah felt inadequate and said: “Ah, Lord; look, I do not know how to speak: I am a child!” But God assured him by responding: “Do not say, “I am a child.” Go now to those to whom I send you and, say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you – it is the Lord who speaks!” When you have God as your help and guide, there is no reason to feel inadequate or fearful, since God will take care of things. We just need to trust Him and let Him be our providence and strength. If God is calling you today, don’t be afraid, since God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.

Can a person make himself ot herself? Of course not, since each and every one of us are made by God, through the union of our parents. If the conditions were not right, and our parents had not united as one flesh, we would not have been conceived. So we really cannot make ourselves, and if some of us say we are “self-made,” then perhaps we may be arrogant or too full of ourselves, forgetting that who we are, and where we are today, is a result of many persons and circumstances.

That is why today’s reading questions us: “Does the axe claim more credit than the man who wields it, or the saw more strength than the man who handles it? It would be like the cudgel controlling the man who raises it, or the club moving what is not made of wood!” All that we are, all that we have come to be, is because of the help of many others and especially God’s help. So let us not become to proud or conceited, but give thanks for the many help given to us by others, and especially God’s help and providence. May we be thankful and grateful, and give God the glory.

As Christians, do we worship God alone? Some of you may think that this sounds like a silly question, but sometimes we come across Christians who appear to worship God, but they have become so attached to the ways of the world, that money, wealth, riches, and popularity have become more important than God, and some have made all these other things of equal importance with God. When we do such things, our hearts become divided and our focus may turn more and more towards other gods in the form of money, wealth, riches, and popularity, instead of the one, true God.

In today’s reading, Hosea cautioned Israel that “their heart is a divided heart and they must pay for it.” This is because the Israelites had focused more and more on other gods, and neglected or even abandoned the one, true God. Could we be in danger of having to pay for it, for abandoning or neglecting the one, true God? Are we risking our eternal future just for the sake of temporary success, wealth and power here on earth?

Every once in a while, we come across certain persons who claim to be preaching the Good News, but what they preach is more often than not their version or interpretation of the Good News. We see such persons making outrageous claims, such as being able to heal most persons in a crowd, and they even have the gall to say that if a person is not healed, then it is because the person did not put his or her faith in the so called healer. Sometimes such persons would encourage the crowd to give more of their wealth, so that they would get more wealth and success from God, making it sound as if God would do our bidding if we give more.

But let us consider a moment: who is actually doing the healing? God, isn’t it? The preacher or healer is not the one that heals, but it is through God’s grace and mercy that a person is healed. Also, since when God could be bribed or forced to give us wealth? The strange thing is, some people are so gullible into thinking that they can get what they want, be it healing and wealth, by following such persons. But quite often, such persons do such things only for their own benefit. Once they have reached a certain goal, or when they find that support is dwindling, such persons would quite likely disappear and go some other place to ply their trade.

That is why, in today’s Gospel, we are warned: “Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits.” Sometimes it does not take much to weed out a fake, and we should warn others about such persons, since such persons are there to try and create trouble and confusion for their own ends. Sometimes it may not be so easy to spot such persons, and this is where we need to watch carefully and be discerning as to whether such persons are genuine or not. Whatever it is, may we be diligent and careful, so that our Christian community would not be led astray or taken for a ride.