Category Archives: Weekday

I sometimes come across people asking me what we would look like or be like after we die. Some begin to wonder whether a loved one would look or be the same. Some are even afraid to know what a loved one would look like or be like, especially when the loved one had gone through much suffering due to disease when the loved one was alive. But the reality is that our appearance would not be the same as when we were alive, since our bodies are perishable.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Someone may ask, ‘How are dead people raised, and what sort of body do they have when they come back?’ They are stupid questions. Whatever you sow in the ground has to die before it is given new life and the thing that you sow is not what is going to come; you sow a bare grain, say of wheat or something like that, It is the same with the resurrection of the dead: the thing that is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable; the thing that is sown is contemptible but what is raised is glorious; the thing that is sown is weak but what is raised is powerful; when it is sown it embodies the soul, when it is raised it embodies the spirit.”

The reading reminds us that our bodies will die, decay and eventually turn to dust, but our souls will become better and glorious, especially if we have been maintaining a good relationship with God. This is why we should not be too concerned about how we would look like or be like after we die. We should also not be too concerned about earthly things, since such things are impermanent. Instead, we should make more effort in growing in relationship with God. Are we putting our priorities right, and letting God be our guide and happiness?

How patient are we in letting God’s will be done? We sometimes expect God to answer our prayers quickly, or to help us when we turn to Him for help, but by doing so, are we really letting God’s will be done, or are we actually demanding that our will be done? For example, if we are stricken with a serious illness, would we expect God to heal us quickly, or would we be willing to be patient and let God decide what is best for us?

In today’s reading, God reminded Habakkuk: “if it comes slowly, wait, for come it will, without fail. ‘See how he flags, he whose soul is not at rights, but the upright man will live by his faithfulness.’” Habakkuk was reminded that God’s will would be done, not according to his terms, but according to God’s terms, and all that was needed was patience and trust.

What about us? When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are reminded: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Would we be willing and humble enough to let God’s will be done, while we remain patient and trust that God would make a way, even though it may take some time? Let us not be so easily disheartened or give up or even despair. Instead, let us remain faithful in God’s love and care, and let His will be done.

It is never easy to tell it as it is, or to tell the cold hard truth. I believe most people prefer to say or hear good news, and try as much as possible to avoid bad news. But the reality is that at times, bad news is necessary to help us grow, or to wake us up on certain realities, or even to protect us from possible harm. Also, at times, bad news could actually turn out to be good news after all, if one were to look at it from a different point of view.

In today’s reading, the priests and prophets wanted to get rid of the prophet Jeremiah, as he had prophesied against the city. But Jeremiah was prophesying bad news not because he enjoyed saying bad things or for the fun of it, but to warn the people of the consequences of not amending their actions and listening to God’s voice. The priests and prophets were not willing to listen to bad news from Jeremiah, but ironically, it was the city officials and the people who chose to do so, since they were convinced that such bad news was necessary and a wake up call for all to buck up and change their ways. Because of this, the city officials and the people refused to get rid of Jeremiah.

What about us? How would we treat bad news? Would we, like the priests and prophets, try to prevent bad news from circulating, or would we, like the city officials and the people, accept such bad news and change our ways? Sometimes bad news could actually save us from mortal danger, or even spiritual danger; and help us become better persons. May we learn to accept news, both good and bad, act upon such news for our own spiritual good, and continue to walk in His ways.

In today’s reading, we see examples of persons who “plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do it – their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance.” Such persons don’t think about God, and they don’t even bother about Him. But to these evil doers, God has this to say: Woe to those who plot evil” and “your necks will not escape; nor will you be able to walk proudly.”

When we hear of such evil persons, some of us may condemn them or even shun them, but while it seems easy for us to condemn such persons for doing evil, what about us? Have some of us also committed such evil at some point of our lives? Are some of us persisting in doing evil and committing despicable acts, even after hearing such warning from God? May we examine our lives carefully, and avoid falling into evil, for the betterment of our eternal future.

Have some of us become more and more complacent or taking things for granted when it comes to sin? For example, I have noticed that when it comes to Lent and Advent, the number of faithful who come for the Sacrament of Reconciliation suddenly increases or surges, sometimes to a point where the priests present find it difficult to cope. But what about other times of the year? Do people only have sins to confess at certain times of the year, and they are sinless at other times?

Today’s reading tells us of the prophet Isaiah who had a mystical vision of the holiness of God. The prophet confessed his sinfulness, and subsequently he was cleansed and healed of his sinfulness, because he experienced the overwhelming glory of God. Not only that, the mystical experience also made him readily and willingly respond to God’s call to be His messenger.

If the prophet Isaiah Isaiah could recognise the magnitude of God’s holiness, and how incompatible sin is to God, then what about us?. Have some of us become so lax or have a “tidak apa” or “don’t care” attitude when it comes to sin? Or do some of us think that sin should be accumulated into a longer list or litany, before seeking confession? May we come to realise the seriousness of sin, and go for the Sacrament of Confession as soon as possible, to mend our relationship with God, and for the betterment of our eternal future.