Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Weekday

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter

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When we are separated from our friends and loved ones for a period of time, some of us may feel down or feel sad. Sometimes the separation could be only for a short while, sometimes it could be for a longer time. However, how should we Christians deal with such separation? How many of us are joyful and hopeful, even when we are experiencing such separation?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that the separation we experience is only temporary. We read: “I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a man has been born into the world. So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you.” Jesus is encouraging us to stay focused and stay faithful to Him, since we will see Him again. Instead of dwelling in our sadness, let us give thanks to God and remain hopeful and joyful that such separation is only for a moment, and that we will be with Jesus again.

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Versatility in using different approaches in preaching the Good News is needed if we are to be effective witnesses. We cannot use a one style fits all approach, since different people, different groups and different cultures would require different approaches and methods. For example, the way we teach children about faith would be quite different to the way we teach youth or adults. Even among these different groups, some individuals may require more effort and time to help them grow in faith. The question is: are we patient and persistent enough to help others grow in faith according to their abilities?

In today’s reading, we come across Paul who used a more intellectual approach to stimulate the minds of the people of Athens, since these people were always on the look out for new ideas, new philosophies and things which involve the intellect. By using the intellectual approach, Paul was able to rouse the curiosity of some of the people of Athens and some even became believers, as the reading tells us: “At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, ‘We would like to hear you talk about this again.’ After that Paul left them, but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides.” Also, in the Gospel, Jesus said: “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.” Notice that Jesus did not shove everything down the throats of His disciples at one go. Instead, He taught them bite sizes, so that they would be able to grasp what He was saying, as His disciples required an approach quite different to the approach used by Paul on the people of Athens.

When we encounter different people, let us learn from the example of Jesus and St. Paul, and share the Good News to others using different ways. Sometimes we may find that one way works and another does not, depending on the situation, and we should be flexible and humble enough to change methods. Ultimately, how effective we are in preaching the Good News depends on how willing we are to change and let God guide us in our efforts.

Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter

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When we have been with someone for quite some time, we begin to warm up to the person and become used to the person’s ways, habits, peculiarities and other things which we have begun to accept and live with. But the day will come when the person would need to go away for whatever reason, and when that day comes, how would we respond? Would we be prepared and ready to let go and give thanks to God? Or would we end up in an emotional mess?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus told his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you has asked, “Where are you going?” Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this. Still, I must tell you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going because unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you.” It must have been difficult for the disciples to let go of Jesus and begin their mission in spreading the Good News. But Jesus promised them that they would not be left alone, they would not be abandoned, since the Advocate would come to them, be with them and strengthen them.

In the same way, we may one day no longer have the presence of those we love and are used to, but we do have memories, and we have God to comfort us and guide us as we move on in our lives. Let us not be disheartened or feel sad, for God will not leave us orphaned or abandon us. Are we willing to be patient and let Him transform us into something better?

Monday of the 6th Week of Easter

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Every once in a while, we hear of persecution happening at certain places where the Christian community there is quite badly affected. Some of these communities end up losing their homes, their property and even their lives. Some are given a choice by their aggressors, to convert or die. We have seen many of these Christian communities fleeing from such persecution. Some are even willing to die rather than trying to save their skin and convert. Fortunately for many of us, we are spared from such a situation at the moment.

But what if one day, we too are faced with such a choice: to convert or die? What would our response be? Would we be willing to remain steadfast in our faith and face death, or would we so easily give up our faith just to preserve our lives? In today’s Gospel, Jesus has warned us of the persecutions to come: “I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken. They will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy duty for God. They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or myself.” Are we ready and prepared to face such persecutions, knowing that our reward is far more valuable and precious than anything this life could ever offer? Or are we going to allow ourselves to fall away just to save our lives, only to lose it later?

Housekeeping – 5th Week of Easter

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

3 May 2015 – 5th Sunday of Easter Year B
4 May 2015 – Monday of the 5th Week of Easter
5 May 2015 – Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter
6 May 2015 – Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter
7 May 2015 – Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter
8 May 2015 – Friday of the 5th Week of Easter

Friday of the 5th Week of Easter

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How encouraging have we been to others around us? Have we noticed people around us who seem to be down in the doldrums, or they seem depressed or sad, or they seem to be keeping to themselves quite a bit? There are many reasons why people are in such a state, but do we notice them at all? Or have we become so busy with our activities or with ourselves that such people end up being ignored, forgotten or set aside?

In today’s reading, we are told: “The apostles and elders decided to choose delegates to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; the whole church concurred with this. They chose Judas known as Barsabbas and Silas, both leading men in the brotherhood, and gave them this letter to take with them… The party left and went down to Antioch, where they summoned the whole community and delivered the letter. The community read it and were delighted with the encouragement it gave them.” Notice that in the reading, the apostles and elders did not just write a letter to encourage the community at Antioch, they also sent delegates to be present and give encouragement and support. It is easy to just write a letter or a few words of encouragement, but what matters more is when we offer our presence to others and give them our support as best we can. Perhaps we could make more effort to be mindful of people who need encouragement around us, and help strengthen these people with our support and presence.

Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter

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Meetings and discussions can sometimes turn out to be quite a frustrating activity. This is especially so when people begin to talk and argue over a topic which is essentially not a big deal. At times, such meetings and discussions could turn out to be quite a rowdy affair, especially when people begin to lose their cool and start behaving like only their opinion or point of view matters. In the midst of all these monkeying around, with some clashes of the gong and thundering voices here and there, we need someone to snap us out of our “temporary insanity” and get us back on our true purpose. That someone is what we call a moderator.

In today’s reading, we have Peter who ended up being the moderator. The apostles and elders had been discussing about an issue which so incensed and consumed them (they were Jews and it was part of their upbringing). What was the issue all about? It was about whether the gentile Christians should be circumcised as part of the “salvation package,” so to speak. Peter finally had had enough and he told all present: “In fact God, who can read everyone’s heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us. God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith. It would only provoke God’s anger now, surely, if you imposed on the disciples the very burden that neither we nor our ancestors were strong enough to support? Remember, we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus.” After Peter had said this, there was silence. You could almost hear a pin drop (if there was one at that time). It was clear to all present that they had been arguing about something which was really not big deal.

Then, to further strengthen Peter’s argument, James added: “I rule, then, that instead of making things more difficult for pagans who turn to God, we send them a letter telling them merely to abstain from anything polluted by idols, from fornication, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has always had his preachers in every town, and is read aloud in the synagogues every sabbath.” Wonderful! Case closed.

Just like the apostles and elders, we too sometimes end up arguing over the smallest matters concerning our faith, and we forget the bigger picture and the more important issues that we should be addressing instead. Let us learn from this dramatic episode and open our eyes, ears and hearts, so that we could learn to love and serve others better, while giving glory to God.

Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter

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A leaf cannot survive on its own. It needs to be part of a shrub or a tree so that it can grow and prosper. When a leaf falls from the shrub or the tree, what happens? It slowly dies and eventually it becomes compost or fertiliser for other plants. It could also end up as food for insects and animals. In some cases, the leaf could end up as part of a nest or part of shelter for insects and animals. Whatever the outcome may be, the leaf is dead, finito.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire, and they are burnt.” Just as a leaf cannot live and prosper for long if it is cut off from the shrub or tree, we too will not be able to live and prosper for long if we are are cut off from Jesus.

That is why Jesus is inviting us, beckoning us to “make your home in me, as I make mine in you.” When we do so, we would then be able to live and prosper, and bear fruit in plenty. When we allow ourselves to be pruned by Jesus, when we make effort to seek forgiveness for the sins we have committed and do our best to avoid sinning, we would bear even more fruit. Ultimately, we have a choice: to be happy, grow and prosper in Jesus; or to go our own way and bear the consequences. Let us choose wisely, for our eternal future is at stake.

Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter

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We live in a world full of uncertainty. Sometimes what may seem to be a peaceful, prosperous, or happy situation could change at the blink of an eye. Extremism, terrorism and other forms of violence, suppression and persecution could just appear all of a sudden, bringing misery, suffering and even death to many. We have seen how people who were once allies or friends have turned on each other for the smallest reasons. Considering what is happening around us, how would we respond? What should we do as Christians?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a message of hope. He tells us: “Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” When we have the peace of Christ in our hearts, nothing should shake us or distract us from doing the will of God. No matter how hopeless or challenging the situation may be, the peace that Jesus embeds in our hearts will help us ride the storm. This same message of peace is also for us to encourage others and help them experience and promote such peace in their own way. As Christians, we know that God will not abandon us to an uncertain fate, so we should also help others take courage and be confident that God and goodness will always triumph in the end.

Monday of the 5th Week of Easter

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Many of us are gifted with certain talents or capabilities which make us unique and different. Some of us are good at academic pursuits, some are good at art, some are good at music, some are good at using their hands to make or fix things, some are good at singing or dancing; but whatever it is we are good at, are we thankful for such talents God has given us? Do we glorify God when we use such talents or capabilities? Or are we using such talents or capabilities to boost our ego and pride?

In today’s reading, Paul healed a man who was crippled from birth. The reading tells us: “When the crowd saw what Paul had done they shouted in the language of Lycaonia, ‘These people are gods who have come down to us disguised as men.’ They addressed Barnabas as Zeus, and since Paul was the principal speaker they called him Hermes. The priests of Zeus-outside-the-Gate, proposing that all the people should offer sacrifice with them, brought garlanded oxen to the gates.” Of course, Paul had healed the man with the help of God, but the crowd did not know about this and thought that Paul had some sort of divine power in him. Paul and Barnabas could have basked in the glory of what they had accomplished through the healing and taken credit for it, but instead, they “tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold.'”

When we look at the kind of attitude Paul and Barnabas had, we can learn that though we have certain capabilities or talents, such capabilities or talents are meant to be used to give glory to God. In some ways, the capabilities and talents we have could also be used to preach the Good News. Are we using our capabilities and talents for such purposes?