Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Year 1

Thursday of Week 10 Year 1

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Some of us may appear to be good and holy Christians, but our conduct and behaviour may be different according to circumstances. For example, some of us may behave piously in church, or in the presence of a priest or a bishop, but how do we behave towards others in our homes, in our communities, in our work places, in society? Do we behave as Christians should, and practice Christian values and virtues, in all situations, in all circumstances?

In today’s Gospel, “Jesus said to his disciples, If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” What does this mean? We know that the scribes and Pharisees liked to show off and their piety was only to attract attention, or make them appear to be good and holy, or to boost their pride and ego. Jesus even called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, since they did not practice what they preached. When our conduct and behaviour is different according to circumstances, when we try to show off our piety but do not love God and neighbour, then we may be like the scribes and Pharisees. May we come to realise what it really means to be a Christian and truly, consistently and faithfully practice Christian virtues, for the glory of God.

Wednesday of Week 10 Year 1

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In each country which practices some form of democracy, there is a set of laws which do not change so easily. We call such laws constitutions, since such laws are fundamental principles or established precedents that determine how a country is to be governed. Such constitutions are there to ensure that all persons, regardless of their faith or upbringing, share the same rights and privileges (at least, that is what it is supposed to ensure.)

In today’s Gospel: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.'” Jesus said this probably because His disciples were thinking that Jesus was starting a revolution against the religious system at that time, and they were looking forward to some radical change. Instead of the kind of change the disciples expected, Jesus was actually helping his disciples and us too to return to the original meaning of the Law and the Prophets, sort of like the original constitution so to speak, since the original meaning had been diluted and interpreted to suit the scribes and the Pharisees.

What about us? Are we adhering to the original meaning of our faith, in loving God and loving neighbour? Or have some of us tried to change the original meaning of our faith to suit our needs and purposes? May we adhere to the original meaning of our faith, and in all we do, give God the glory.

Tuesday of Week 10 Year 1

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When we buy an item or product such as a handphone or a computer, we hope that the item or product would last for quite some time. But what happens if the item or product is damaged and cannot be repaired, or the item or product is no longer usable due to advances in technology? Quite likely we would discard them, since such items are considered useless and keeping such items or products around would mean we are accumulating junk.

In today’s gospel, Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt adds flavour to food, and light enables all to see. When salt becomes tasteless, it become useless and is thrown away. When the light bulb is spoiled, the light bulb become useless as it no longer able to produce light, and it is thrown away. Likewise, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and if we as salt and light do not use our gifts and talents to add flavour to the lives of all, as well as to light up the way, we may end up useless and end up being thrown away. Are we allowing ourselves to become useless through our pride, ego and indifference, and risk being thrown away?

Monday of Week 10 Year 1

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Throughout the week, many people would have slogged it out in their work or studies. They would have had to go through many challenges, suffering or even pain. Then when Friday comes, some of such persons would say “Thank Goodness It’s Friday” or TGIF. But the excitement of Friday is only for a short while, since eventually, we would come back to Monday again. When Monday comes, some of such persons would then say “Monday blues” since it is back to the grinding mill or back to work. But is Monday really that bad a day? Do we see Monday as going back to suffering?

In the 1st reading, we are presented with two perspectives of “suffering.” One perspective is that God will comfort us in all our sorrows (and suffering) so that we can offer others, in their sorrow, the consolation that we have received from God. The other perspective is that when we are “made” to suffer, then it is for the consolation and the salvation of others. What this means is that suffering and sorrow have a redemptive value and it can be a source of consolation. This redemptive value and source of consolation can be seen when we look at the Gospel, where the beatitudes remind us that suffering and sorrow can be blessings.

So what does this mean to us? What this means is that Monday, or any other day for that matter, is not that bad after all. This is because we can receive consolation from the Lord, especially when we are suffering in His Name or for His glory. May we look at each day as a blessing, and offer each day to God, doing all things not for our ego or pride, but for His greater glory.

Friday of Week 9 Year 1

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Among the Jews the most common title for the Messiah was Son of David.This title was connected to another, which is the title “the Christ” which means the anointed one. The religious authorities at that time maintained that the Christ must be a direct descendant of King David. However, this posed a problem, since Judah had been conquered by the Persians, and this caused King David’s direct line of descendants to be terminated.

When Jesus quoted the psalm from David and explained it, He cleared the confusion and doubts the people had in their minds. Jesus quoted the psalm to show to the crowds and the Pharisees that the Messiah was more than a descendant of David because David calls this descendant of his, “my Lord.” This is to show that David views the Messiah as his Lord and superior. When Jesus said these words, the people were delighted, because they could now believe again. Many of them already accepted Jesus as the Messiah and as the Son of David, and what Jesus explained to them further strengthened their confidence in Jesus.

So what does it mean for us when to acknowledge Jesus as Lord? To acknowledge Jesus as Lord means that we should owe our full submission and loyalty to Him. But do we really give to Him our loyalty? Do we take delight in knowing that we have a Lord who is far greater than any other? May we happily, gratefully and humbly acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and invite him to be the King of our hearts and the ruler of our thoughts, relationships, and in all that we do.

Thursday of Week 9 Year 1

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Each and every day, we are faced with a continuous challenge. What sort of challenge is it? The challenge to love. It is easy to say we love, but to put what we say into practice is a different thing altogether. It seems easy to love our friends and family members, but would we be able to love others whom we are not close with, or who have been difficult to us, or who are our enemies? Are we able to observe faithfully the law of love, not just in loving God, but also in loving our neigbour? Or have we become selective in our love?

In today’s Gospel, the scribe said: “‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.” That is what the commandments are all about: loving God and loving neighbour. We cannot pick and choose, as we are required to love both God and neighbour completely. If we say that we love God, and have arguments or problems with our neighbour, then we are actually not really loving, since loving God and neighbour cannot be separated. That is why it is not so easy to love, since love involves both God and neighbour. Are we really willing to love without prejudice? Or have we been loving only when it is easy, beneficial or convenient to us?

Wednesday of Week 9 Year 1

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What do you do when you are experiencing difficulty in life? What if you are experiencing misery or great pain or great suffering? For some of us, it would seem easy to give up or end it all, because the misery, pain and suffering seems too great for us to bear. Some of us may try to seek help from other sources, only to discover that these other sources are not much help after all. How many of us are willing and able to presevere, and wait patiently for God to help us?

In today’s reading, we come across Tobit’s prayer of lamentation. In his prayer, Tobit felt he was all alone in his suffering and said: “Therefore, Lord, remember me, look on me. Do not punish me for my sins or for my heedless faults …” Also, in the reading, Sarah was insulted by one of the maids, and she grieved and sobbed and even contemplated suicide. Fortunately, Sarah came to her senses and did not go ahead in killing herself, but decided to seek help from God. God indeed heard their cry, and sent Raphael to bring remedy to both of them.

What can we learn from this? We can discover that God indeed hears the cry of the lonely, the lost, the least and the last, because these are the ones who have no one to turn to and they only have God to help them. When we turn to God for help, we are putting ourselves in His care, knowing and trusting that He would do what is best for us. Are we willing to humbly beg for His help and let Him be our providence and guide?

Tuesday of Week 9 Year 1

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When we have jealousy and hatred in our hearts, we can sometimes degrade ourselves into committing all sorts of despicable and foolish acts. Pride and ego can colour our vision, and blind us from what is true, what is proper and just, what is truly holy and what is fair; just because we want to win at all costs, and we want to save face.

In today’s Gospel, we see an example of what jealousy and hatred can do, in the form of the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests. Even though these folks were enemies with the Herodians, they were willing to forgo their principles just to find a solution to get rid of Jesus. But these folks failed to realise that they were not dealing with just some ordinary person, and Jesus’ answer to their question took them completely by surprise. If we consider carefully Jesus’ answer, does anything really belong to Caesar? No! Ultimately, everything actually belongs to God. Unfortunately for the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests, their jealousy and hatred towards Jesus blinded them to what is evidently truth.

What about us? Have we become more like the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests or even the Herodians, in the way we conduct ourselves and the way we treat others? Let us be mindful and check ourselves from becoming jealous and harbour hatred, lest we lose ourselves and lost sight of our eternal goal.

Monday of Week 9 Year 1

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It seems easy to call ourselves Christians, but to live as Christians in any given situation is a different thing altogether. When times are good and peaceful, being a Christian may seem easy, but when we are faced with grave danger or even the possibility of being put to death for our faith, how many of us Christians would persevere and remain faithful?

In today’s reading, we come across Tobit who said: “I, Tobit, have walked in paths of truth and in good works all the days of my life. I have given much in alms to my brothers and fellow countrymen, exiled like me to Nineveh in the country of Assyria.” Even though Tobit was in exile in Nineveh, and even though the environment in Nineveh was hostile to Tobit and people of the same faith as him, Tobit was not afraid to practise his faith and be charitable to others. Tobit was willing to take risks and put his life on the line, to show his faith. What about us? Are we willing to do the same, even in the midst of severe persecution? Are we saying that we have faith only in mere words and nothing more? Or are we making effort to show our faith fearlessly?

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 1

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It is interesting to observe how some people seem to hold back on their time and wealth when it comes to certain situations, whereas they can be generous or lavish in other situations. For example, some people seem to have no qualms about buying an expensive car, or a luxurious house, or invest in some business, but they do not seem so generous when it comes to their wealth and time in church matters, church activities, assisting in programmes to help the poor, and other works of charity. Some of such people even demand many things from the church, but seem quite stingy or reluctant to give. Why is this so? Are some people so selfish, self-centered and self-serving, where “me, myself and I” seems more important than the wellbeing of the community?

In today’s reading, we are reminded “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.” God has been so generous to all of us in many ways, but some of us seem to be knowing only to take but not willing to give. Have we forgotten to be grateful and thankful for God’s providence, and share what we have with others, to the best of our abilities? May we learn to be generous, just as God has been generous to us.