Category Archives: Weekday

Each and every one of us is given different roles and responsibilities. Sometimes these roles and responsibilities come with a certain amount of authority. Not all of us are called to be in a position of authority, but when we are selected, we are expected to do our duty with integrity and impartiality. There are times where we may be tempted with riches, titles and other forms of attractions (including practises of corruption), but are we able to avoid all these temptations and be faithful in what has been entrusted to us?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” If we are suddenly called by God to give an account of what we have done, would we be ready to do so? Have we been diligent and faithful in our roles and responsibilities entrusted to us? When we were given roles and responsibilities, a great amount of burden of trust and confidence was placed upon us to carry out these roles and responsibilities as consistent and as best we can. Jesus reminds us of such a burden: “When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.” Humanly speaking, it would be difficult for us to do our duty properly or faithfully. This is where we need to continuously depend on God’s help and providence, so that we would not falter or give up. Let us always set our eyes upon Jesus, and let Him guide us in all we do.

Some of us feel as if we have little to offer to God. Some think that they are not talented, or gifted, or capable. Some may get the impression that their abilities are being sidelined or not utilised. However, we should not forget who we are. We may not be doing lots of things, but it does not mean that we are any less important or significant than those who appear to be doing lots of things. After all, there are times we need to be like Martha, actively involved in many things, and there are also times we need to be like Mary, contemplating, listening to God’s voice, and learning from Him. The trick is to know how to strike a good balance, when to be what we are supposed to be, and how long we should be in a particular state.

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.” We are all part of God’s plan, no matter how great or small our part may be. We are being nurtured as part of God’s household, and it does not matter whether we are doing lots or little. What matters is we are open and humble to let God guide us and help us grow in relationship with Him. Let us not be too concerned about only doing but also focus on being, and “grow into one holy temple in the Lord.”

How much is enough for you? Would you ever be satisfied or content with what you have? Or would you continue to seek more and more? Some people are never fully satisfied with what they have. They cannot stand it when others have got the latest gadget or gizmo, or the latest set of wheels, or the latest home design, or the latest fashion or clothing. Even after getting all these things, some people still want bigger, faster, trendier, or better. It is a vicious circle, because what was relevant or the in-thing yesterday or today, could be obsolete or irrelevant tomorrow. Some people even begin to hoard things, because they are unable to let go or give away, even though many things they have are hardly used or not used at all. In the end, what happens? Our lives become cluttered and suffocated with temporal matter, but what happens to our efforts for the eternal matter?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us: “Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.” When we are so occupied with things here on earth, we may become complacent and ignore things that really matter. We begin to neglect the state of our soul. We think we still have plenty of time on earth to ensure our soul is kept spick and span, but Jesus warns us in the Gospel: “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?.” Are we guilty in one way or another, as Jesus says: “So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.” Are we going to continue to not bother, carry on doing things in our own merry way and procrastinate until it is too late?

So does this mean we should become paranoid or obsessive compulsive in our efforts in our spiritual growth? No. What this means is we need to be diligent, consistent and committed in growing in relationship with God. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it takes time to nurture our spiritual life, but we should not have a false sense of security, thinking that we can slack or neglect in our efforts. Let us humbly, cheerfully and faithfully do our part, for our eternal betterment.

Are we a free people? Or are we an enslaved people? We may think that we are free, since there are many things we can do without let or hindrance. We may think that we are free, since we live in a rather peaceful environment (though this may not necessarily be the case for some in certain places). But are we really free? Some of us may be addicted or dependent on substances, such as certain drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. Some of us are entrapped in various forms of personal gratification, abusing our minds and bodies. Some are snared in certain habits or attitudes, making it difficult for us to truly love, forgive and reconcile. Are we really free?

In today’s reading St. Paul reminds us: “When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” We were freed and made sons and daughters of God, but perhaps some of us do not understand, appreciate or value the freedom won for us. Let us consider carefully the freedom given to us: are we going to maintain our freedom and remain in good relationship with God? Or are we squandering our freedom, only to ruin our eternal future?

When we were baptised, we became a new creation, a child of God. We became a loved and valued member of God’s family. But sometimes, we forget that we are supposed to change from old ways to God’s ways. Some of us go back to old habits, attitudes, ways of doing things or behaviours which contradict how a Christian should live. For example, there are people who may have consulted witch doctors, feng shui, divinations or medicine men in the past. When these people became Christians, they should have abandoned such practises and had more trust and dependence on God. However, some still go back to such practises, especially when their prayers are not answered or when they do not get what they wish. But do these other practises really help? Or are these practises merely taking us for a ride or straining our relationship with God and with others?

In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us: “Christians are told by the Spirit to look to faith for those rewards that righteousness hopes for, since in Christ Jesus whether you are circumcised or not makes no difference – what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.” How much faith and love do we really have for God and for others? Is our faith and love genuine, for the greater glory of God? Or are we still clinging on to our own selfish needs, trying to do things our way whatever the cost may be?