Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Year 1

Friday of Week 19 Year 1

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Throughout my ministry, I sometimes come across couples who do not seem to understand the implications of getting married and staying married. Getting married seems the easy part, but staying married is where the challenge lies. As the years go by, the married couple would face many kinds of conflict, difficulties and challenges. But such conflict, difficulties and challenges could be seen as opportunities for the couple to grow and stay strong together, especially if they practice “oneness” in thier married life. What is this “oneness” all about?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminded the Pharisees and reminds us too: “Have you not read that the creator from the beginning made them male and female and that he said: This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.” This is precisely the “oneness” that couples need to practice, that is, “the two become one body.” When couples stick together in working out conflict, difficulties and challenges, then their “oneness” would enable them to find solutions to such conflict, difficulties and challenges. May our couples remain stuck to each other through thick and through thin, through good times and bad, with help from our lovimg God.

Thursday of Week 19 Year 1

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Do we know the meaning of the words “mercy and compassion”? Some of us say we know the meaning of such words, but we do not put them to practice. We ask for mercy and compassion when we are in trouble or when we have done something wrong, but how many of us actually, wholeheartedly and willingly practice mercy and compassion towards others?

In today’s Gospel, the first servant had had his debt cancelled and he was allowed to go free. But this servant obviously did not appreciate the generosity of his master. He did not know the meaning of the words “mercy and compassion” and thought that he had been given a lucky break. Instead of learning from his master and showing mercy and compassion towards his fellow servant by cancelling his fellow servant’s debt, he became mean, arrogant and nasty towards his fellow servant, and  even had his fellow servant thrown into prison. In the end, this first servant ended up in prison himself, and his master in anger and disgust “handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt.”

When we are in trouble and have done something wrong, we ask God for mercy and compassion, but do we do the same towards others just as God has done to us? May we not end up in prison just like that unforgiving servant, as Jesus cautions us: “And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.”

Wednesday of Week 19 Year 1

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Once in a while, we come into conflict or have an issue with another person. The conflict or issue could be a small one or even a big one, but when we are faced with such conflict or issue, what do we do? Do we deal with the confilct or issue in an amicable manner? Or do we begin to gossip about the other person or belittle the person behind his or her back? Do we speak to the person first, and try to resolve the conflict or issue among the parties affected? Or do we allow our pride and ego to take control, and go straight to the person’s superior or leader, hoping to get some gratification by seeing the person being disciplined by the superior or leader?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded about how we should deal with people, especially when there is a conflict or issue at hand. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us: “If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.”

What does the Gospel tells us? It tells us that when it comes to dealing with conflict or issues, we should do so in a gradual manner, step-by-step. We should do our utmost to resolve the matter among the parties affected first, and go to a higher authority only after all avenues in dealing with the conflict or issue privately have been exhausted. If we really and truly value our relationships, let us be mindful of how we treat others, since we too would want to be treated fairly, justly and with proper dignity.

Monday of Week 19 Year 1

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In many religions, the followers are taught certain laws and customs which enable them to live peacefully, happily and with love and care. These laws and customs focus on right living, so that the followers would be seen as faithful not only to the deity they believe in, but also a good example and someone to look up to in society. If every follower of their respective religion were to be faithful and consistent in observing such laws and customs, then perhaps this world would become a better place. But the reality is, we are still far from making this world a better place, since we still encounter people who are extreme or refuse to follow such laws and customs for the common good.

In today’s reading, Moses said to the people: “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you? Only this: to fear the Lord your God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments and laws of the Lord that for your good I lay down for you today.” The people were told to fear the Lord, not some irrational fear, but a fear of respect and reverence. The people were also told to follow, love and serve the Lord. By doing so, they were also to love and serve others, especially by keeping God’s commanments and laws.

As Christians, are we also fearing our God? Or have we begun to treat other things as more important, so much so that these other things may have replaced God? Do we follow His ways, love Him and serve Him, as well as being loving and offering service to others? It is easy for us to call ourselves Christians, but are we Christians only in name? May we always be mindful of what is asked of us as Christians, and do all we can to love and serve the Lord.

Friday of Week 18 Year 1

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What does it mean to obey? In today’s reading we are presented with what seems to be a simplistic understanding of the meaning of obedience. In a nutshell, the reading is telling us that to obey means to keep the laws and the commandments of God, and by doing so we will prosper, live long and be happy. The reading also cautions us that if we disobey God, then we lose everything and be ruined.

But Jesus in the Gospel gives us a deeper and different meaning of obedience. In the Gospel, Jesus tells that if we want to be His disciples, then we would have to renounce everything and take up our cross. What Jesus is trying to tell us is that when we let go, we gain, or if we were to put it in a different way: We should let go, and let God. Obedience to God is not about gaining world riches. Rather, obedience to God is the realisation that eternal riches is far more precious, far more valuable. So the question is: Why do we obey? What do we ultimately seek?

Wednesday of Week 18 Year 1

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If a person makes a promise to you, would you believe him or her? If the person is someone you have trusted all this while, then it may be a no brainer to believe. But supposing the person is not someone close, would you still believe? Supposing the promise is made by a politician, would you believe? Or would you remain skeptical and think that such promises are just mere words, meant to be broken when necessary? How then would you trust and believe, when a promise is made?

In today’s reading, God told Moses to send a reconnaissance team to the land of Canaan which He was giving to the sons of Israel. This team was made up of the leaders of each tribe of Israel, and they were to give a report of the land that God had promised to give to Israel after 40 days of reconnaissance. When they came back, they showed the people the produce of the land and indeed it was a good and fertile land, a land flowing with milk and honey. But they also said that the people in that land were a powerful people, that they were no match against them, and they began to disparage the land. The people raised their voices, cried aloud and wailed in despair, forgetting that it was a land that the Lord had promised them. The people forgot that what the Lord had promised, He will deliver, and they didn’t want to believe in the promises God made to them. God did not break His promise; instead it was the people who broke faith in God.

What about us? If God were to make a promise to you, would you still remain skeptical? Sometimes we just need to have a little more faith and trust that God would fulfil His promise in His time and for His glory.

Tuesday of Week 18 Year 1

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Why do people become envious or jealous? Some become so because they covet what someone else owns. Some become so because they feel the other person seems more talented or capable than them. Some become so because they feel inferior or have low self-esteem. What happens when we are jealous and envious? We become critical and judgemental towards ourselves and towards others. We forget that each and every one of us is precious to God, and we are made in a unique way. We want to be someone else or we want something which we don’t have or lack. But what do we really gain from being jealous and envious? Are we living in truth, or are we living a lie?

In today’s reading, we hear of how Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses in connection with the Cushite woman. But the issue here is not so much the Cushite woman, but that they were envious and jealous of Moses, and they used a trivial matter to express it. So what they said merely expressed what was really eating away in their hearts. Because of such envy and jealousy, Miriam ended becoming a leper and Aaorn begged Moses to intercede for them and cure Miriam of her leprosy.

What about us? Have we become lepers because of our envy and jealousy? We may not necessarily be stricken with the disease of leprosy, but the poison of envy and jealousy causes us to become like lepers, where our envy and jealousy eats away our being bit by bit, until we become monsters, filled with resentment, anger, or even rage. May we come to our senses and remove the envy and jealousy in our hearts, and learn to be content and happy with the Lord.

Monday of Week 18 Year 1

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One of the many challenges parents face when feeding their children is when their children are fussy over food. Some children are so fussy and difficult to please, so much so that some parents just give in to their demands, and spoil the child. Some parents resort to walking away in frustration, and let the child be without giving the child the kind of food desired. Some parents even resort to punishment, including a smacking or a scolding, to try and get the child to eat up what is on the plate.

In today’s reading, we hear how the Israelites began to be fussy, not because they were hungry but because they were tired of eating manna, day in day out. God had already provided manna to sustain His people, but the Israelites were still fussing for the food they had in Egypt, even though the manna was actually more than enough to meet their needs. This caused the Lord’s anger to flare out, and greatly worried Moses. But instead of causing the Israelites to face the Lord’s wrath, Moses complained to the Lord and tried to intercede for them, begging the Lord to be merciful and generous to them.

What about us? Have we been fussy over many things, and yet neglecting in the essentials? How many of us have been fussy about going for Mass more often, or even fussy about going for confession to keep our souls clean? Are we fussing about things here on earth, or have we made effort to fuss about our eternal future?

Friday of Week 17 Year 1

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What would you do if one day, your parish has a new parish priest or a new religious sister, and the new person is actually a son or daughter of the parish, that is, someone whose origins are from the parish he or she is now being posted to. Would you accept the person and work with him or her to help the parish grow? Or would you reject the person, because you think that you know the person well enough?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “‘A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house’, and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” The people did not accept Jesus because the people thought they knew Him too well, and they already had preconceived opinions and ideas about Him. Their hearts were closed and they did not think Jesus had anything to offer them. As a result, they had rejected Jesus upfront, without even giving Him a chance to help and guide them.

Some of us too may have this attitude problem. Some of us allow our preconceived ideas and opinions to surface and rear their ugly heads, making it difficult for some to accept a familiar face. The question is: are we willing and docile enough to change our attitude and work with the son or daughter of the parish? Who knows, he or she may turn out to be an amazing and loving shepherd and guide. Are we willing to give him or her a chance?

Thursday of Week 17 Year 1

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Whenever we go fishing, most of us would use a fishing rod to try and catch fish. But if one is making a living as a fisherman, quite likely the person would use some sort of net to catch as many things as possible, so that there would be more choices to sell. Once the catch has been made, then the fisherman and his companions would go through things caught in the net, to determine which can be sold, and which is of no use. If the fisherman used a dragnet, then there is a possibility that even things found on the ocean floor would be caught in the net.

In today’s Gospel, we read: “Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.'” Just as a dragnet is used to catch all kinds of things, the church is also something like a dragnet, catching persons of many different attitudes, behaviour and background. But instead of separating what is good and what is of no use, the church is where we have many opportunities to grow closer to God, especially by attending Mass and by going for confession consistently and regularly. Let us seize every opportunity given to us to grow closer to God and keep our souls clean, while we prepare to meet the Lord.