Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Weekday

Wednesday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

The world often equates a great or a successful person as one who has attained tremendous wealth, or important titles, or high qualifications, or recognition from peers and admiration from others. We would hear of such people being idolised as good examples which others ought to imitate and follow. But the moment these people lose their wealth for some reason or another, or they lose their titles or their qualifications are no longer relevant or redundant, or due to some issue or even scandal they lose recognition or admiration from others, then what happens? More often than not, the world would then look for other persons to exalt and glorify, and these people would become nobodies or has beens. But how should a Christian behave towards wealth, titles, qualifications or recognition?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Our duty and attitude as Christians is not to seek greatness for ourselves, but to be of service to all for the glory of God. Such attitude is in contrast with the ways of the world, so we need to ask ourselves truly: do we want merely temporary greatness in the world, or would we rather be great in God’s eyes?

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Some of us are quite calculative with the money, talent or time we have. We seem to expect others to do many things for us, but we seem to be quite stingy when it comes to us giving to others. I have seen people demanding so many things from the church, but when asked to help out or donate some wealth or their time, these people would make all sorts of excuses or try to pass the task or responsibility to others. Some of these people so easily make suggestions or make demands, but when asked to be involved in carrying out such suggestions or demands for the betterment of all, they seem to shy away or try to change the topic. It seems as if these people are more than willing to take or receive, but are quite hesitant or reluctant to offer or give.

But today’s reading is a contrast of how some of us behave towards our time, our wealth and our capabilities. The reading tells us: “Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring. Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford; for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.” When we are generous in giving, the reading assures us that God will reward us even more than what we have given. Instead of being reluctant in giving, instead of having a sour or monkey face when we give, let us be cheerful and happy, for the Lord has blessed us with many things and abilities. Do we not appreciate and are thankful with what God has given us and are we not willing to share such gifts and abilities with others?

Monday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Monday, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

In some societies and cultures, a person who has committed a crime may sometimes be ostracised and shunned indefinitely. This is especially if the person had committed a crime so terrible that the consequences of such a crime are being felt by many, long after the person has been convicted and perhaps imprisoned. In some cases, such a person may be sentenced to death and may either be immediately excuted, or is placed on death row, making it a daily ordeal for the person, or for the victims themselves if they survived, or even for the families of the victims, since the parties involved would not know when the person’s time is up and execution would be carried out. However, if you notice here, such a conviction is often following “an eye for an eye” principle, and even if the person may somehow be freed someday, the stigma of being known as a ex-convict may remain. In some cases, the ex-convict may have been imprisoned for such a long time that integration back to society is extremely difficult or even impossible, and we may have heard of cases where such a person would go back to a life of crime, or may commit suicide if the person is unable to cope with being freed.

But how does God deal with us when we commit a crime, when we sin? In the first reading, we come across a God who is quite different from what some of us humans may behave. The reading tells us “To those who repent, God permits return, and he encourages those who were losing hope. Return to the Lord and leave sin behind, plead before his face and lessen your offence. Come back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hold in abhorrence all that is foul. How great is the mercy of the Lord, his pardon on all those who turn towards him!” As we can see, God is a merciful and loving God. He gives us plenty of chances and opportunities to change, no matter how bad or terrible we may have been. If God is willing to do this for us, then perhaps we need to ask ourselves sincerely: we pray the Lord’s Prayer quite often, and when we do, we say: “forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us.” Such words seem easy to say, but do we mean what we say? Are we willing to forgive those who have hurt us, or committed terrible crimes? Let us seek the Lord’s help, and find it in our minds and hearts to forgive, just as God is willing to forgive us.

Housekeeping – 7th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in Easter, Housekeeping, Sunday, Weekday Leave a comment

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

17 May 2015 – 7th Sunday of Easter Year B
18 May 2015 – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
19 May 2015 – Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter
20 May 2015 – Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
21 May 2015 – Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
22 May 2015 – Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 7th, Easter, Easter 7, Friday, Weekday Leave a comment

Some of us are fortunate to have parents who love us a lot. Sometimes we may not necessary hear our parents say the words “I love you,” but they would go out of their way to show their love. This is especially true among Asian parents, who are usually uncomfortable in using such words, but they would show much love and affection to their children. But do we love our parents in return? There are some who have received much love from their parents when they were young, but when their parents are old and are unable to care for themselves, what happens? How many children are willing to care and love their parents in their golden years? How many children are truly grateful and appreciative towards their parents for the love and sacrifices their parents had showered on them? How many children are really willing to go out of their way to love and care for their parents, just as their parents had done for them when they were young?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked Peter 3 times whether Peter loved Him. When Jesus was on trial, Peter had denied knowing Jesus but Jesus did not hold that against him. Instead, Jesus was trying to help Peter come to terms with what it really means to love. Love is not just words, since anybody can just say things without meaning it. Instead, love requires action, and in the case of Peter, Jesus had entrusted the care of His sheep to him. Not only that, Jesus reminded Peter: “I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.” This shows that ultimately, Peter would be expected to love till it hurts, to love even to the point of death.

What about us? Are we willing to love till it hurts, even to the point of death? Are we willing to go through all the effort and trouble to love our parents and care for them as best we can, just as they had done so for us? Sometimes it seems convenient to just do the minimum and get on with our own lives, but are we truly being loving, or are we just trying to shirk our responsibilities? If Jesus were to ask us: “Do you love me?” the way He asked Peter 3 times, what would our honest response be?

Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 7th, Easter, Easter 7, Thursday, Weekday Leave a comment

Some of us seem to take offense over issues which we think are big or serious, but sometimes the issue at hand may not necessarily be that big or serious after all, but our minds are sometimes too fixated or closed to see the bigger picture. We begin to squabble over petty things when there are more serious matters to be discussed and addressed. When we are like this, we lose sight of our true purpose as Christians and end up wasting much time and energy over trivial matters.

This was the problem that the scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees had with Paul. Just as they were obstinate and refused to change when Jesus was around, they were also equally obstinate with Paul. So Paul decided to shake things up a bit and distract them from their narrow-mindedness. Using a bit of guile, Paul pitted the scribes and Pharisees against the Sadducees by exclaiming: “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” When he said this, the scribes and the Pharisees ganged up against the Sadducees and a big argument broke over differences of opinion which had nothing to do with the reason why Paul was being arrested and put on trial in the first place. This shows that, the core issue which the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees had against Paul, was actually not really a big deal after all, since they could be so easily distracted with other things.

What about us? Have we become so consumed, so obstinate or so insistent with our ways or our ideas, that we have become like the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees? Have we forgotten our primary duty as Christians to proclaim the Good News to all? Ultimately, we need to take a good, hard look at ourselves and realise that the universe does not revolve only around us, and that we have more important tasks or matters at hand for the greater glory of God.

Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 7th, Easter, Easter 7, Wednesday, Weekday Leave a comment

In every community, we do come across people who do things for their own interests. Sometimes such people would try to influence the community to listen to them and follow their lead, even though it may not be in the best interests of the community to do so. If members of the community are not careful or discerning enough, they may inadvertently bring suffering or even destruction to the entire community. We have seen throughout history how certain individuals have betrayed or sold off their community just for some title, position, wealth or power and when such people have gotten what they wanted, they would make themselves scarce and let the community face the consequences.

This is why St. Paul in today’s reading warns us: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard…” As leaders of a Christian community, we need to be discerning and careful not to allow certain individuals to wreak havoc and destruction to the community. This does not mean that we should become paranoid or suspicious of every person or every idea, but we should seek God’s help and wisdom to ensure that all in the community are not led astray or duped into following false or wrong teaching. This requires prayer and listening to God’s promptings, and sometimes it does not take much to smell a rat or identify a wolf in sheep clothing.

Thus, let us not become complacent in our duties as leaders in our Christian community. Ultimately, we should be discerning enough with the help of God, to determine whether certain persons are being true or are being agents of destruction.

Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 7th, Easter, Easter 7, Tuesday, Weekday Leave a comment

Whenever I go to the coffee shop for breakfast or lunch, I come across different sorts of people. Some are at the coffee shop to have a meal before they go to work. Some bring their children for a meal before sending them to school or kindergarten. But I also notice a few uncles and aunties who are at the coffee shop to get together and have a long chat, sometimes a really really long chat. I have observed some uncles and aunties who can spend almost the whole day at the coffee shop (since I sometimes pass by and notice some of them still there engrossed in their conversation). It amazes me how some of these folks can find so much to talk about. But I suppose that some feel as if they have got nothing else better to do, and find comfort and solace with their fellow compatriots in having marathon sessions of sharing juicy bits. But as Christians, what should be our attitude towards utilising our words, our time and our efforts?

In today’s reading, Paul tells us: “But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me – and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace.” While there is nothing wrong with catching up with friends and talking about matters at hand, we should also not lose sight of our purpose and goal as Christians, as Paul has shown us. May we ultimately use our words and actions wisely for the glory of God.

Monday of the 7th Week of Easter

Posted on by Posted in 7th, Easter, Easter 7, Monday, Weekday Leave a comment

In recent times, we have seen increased persecution among our Christian brethren in many different countries. Often the persecution stems from just being a Christian, and such persecutors are only interested in either forcing these Christians to convert to another faith, or to wipe them out from where they are. We have seen how, in some cases, the property and belongings of our Christian brethren have been seized and sold to further the cause of the persecutors. So it seems like the persecutors are committing such heinous acts not only in the so-called name of their religion, but also out of greed and jealousy. In the face of such vile acts, how do we Christians respond?

In today’s gospel, Jesus assures us: “I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.” Jesus already knew that as Christians, we would have challenges, difficulties and trouble, since our ways are in contrast with the ways of the world. But Jesus is also assuring us of His peace and to be firm and steadfast in our faith in Him. Despite all the turmoil that we are facing around the world, let us not be disheartened or give up, since as Jesus tells us, He has conquered the world. Let us be patient and remain in Jesus, for He will save us and lead us to victory.

Housekeeping – 6th Week of Easter & Ascension

Posted on by Posted in Ascension, Easter, Housekeeping, Sunday, Weekday Leave a comment

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

10 May 2015 – 6th Sunday of Easter Year B
11 May 2015 – Monday of the 6th Week of Easter
12 May 2015 – Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter
13 May 2015 – Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter
14 May 2015 – The Ascension of the Lord – Mass of the Day
15 May 2015 – Friday of the 6th Week of Easter