Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Year 1

Friday of Week 5 Year 1

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Have you heard of a being named S. A. Tan? Perhaps you may have seen horror stories at the movies, or read books about him, but few of us have seen him face to face. Some of us may have experienced his presence, and many of us could have experienced him luring us and tempting us to sin. Indeed, S. A. Tan is not a pleasant being to be with, even though he may appear to be deceptively so, since he has hidden and cruel intentions, and we would need to constantly and consistently watch out for the traps he has laid out to ensnare us.

In today’s reading, we read about one of the many ways S. A. Tan uses to try and ensnare us and tempt us to sin. S. A. Tan, in the form of a serpent, tempted the woman to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. He even had the sneakiness and gall to assure the woman: “No! You will not die! God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.” With such lies and deceitful words, both the man and woman were equally guilty in falling into Mr. S. A. Tan’s trap by eating the fruit.

What about us? Are we so easily allowing ourselves to be lured into S. A. Tan’s trap? S. A. Tan will constantly try to exploit our ego, our pride and our weaknesses to tempt us into sinning. Are we making efforts to resist and are we seeking God’s help fervently and humbly? We must remember that our foe is not just some ordinary being, and we need to remain in good relationship with God and continuously seek His help, guidance and protection, if we are to overcome such and ancient and deadly foe. Let us not be caught off-guard, and remain in the Lord, so that we would not fall into S. A. Tan’s deadly clutches.

Thursday of Week 5 Year 1

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It has become easy and convenient for many of us to get things done quickly. We have become so used to efficiency and instant this or that, that we may have become less and less tolerant or impatient when things don’t go our way or we have to wait for something to be completed. However, when it comes to our prayer life and communication with God, God does not follow our rules or our ways. Quite often, we find ourselves having to wait, since ultimately, God decides what is best for us. When we don’t get what we want or ask for, are we humble and willing to be patient and persistent in our prayer? Would we become impatient and start looking elsewhere to get what we want?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a Syrophoenician pagan woman who begged Jesus to cast the devil out of her daughter. Jesus did not seem to immediately grant her her wish, but she was humble enough to be patient and persistent in begging Jesus for His help. In the end, due to her immense faith in Jesus, Jesus granted her her wish. What about us? Are we willing to be patient and persistent in our prayer and in seeking God’s help? Are we willing to let God guide us and care for us, according to His time and for His glory?

Wednesday of Week 5 Year 1

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For some religions, there are certain restrictions to what can and cannot be eaten. Some of such religions would specify whether it is “kosher or not” to eat something, or whether it is “halal or haram” (Malay for ‘allowed or forbidden to be eaten.’) However, we sometimes come across followers of such religions who focus so much on such dietary laws, that they neglect, ignore or fail to observe more important aspects of God’s laws such as love, mercy, compassion, justice, fairness and many others. They may appear to be pious in what can or cannot be consumed, or even how they look in public, only to be hypocritical in their behaviour and conduct. For example, such persons would avoid eating in a shop which does not have a sign to say that the food sold in such a shop can be eaten by followers of a certain religion, but they seem to turn a blind eye or are ignorant of the corruption, injustice or other malpractices happening around them.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer? It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.” Some of us may appear to be holy and focus on external practices, but our hearts may be twisted or hide nasty or cruel intentions. Let us take heed and be honest with ourselves, and make every effort to shy away from all that drives us away from our relationship with our loving God.

Tuesday of Week 5 Year 1

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Some of us may have been guilty of being scrupulous in our way of life. What does scrupulous mean? It basically means that a person is very concerned to avoid doing wrong, and the person would come up with all kinds of laws or restrictions to prevent any possible wrong the person thinks could be commited. One example of being scrupulous would be the way some Jews live their lives even today. During the sabbath, some hotels would have the elevators stop and open at every floor, so that such Jews would not need to push the elevator floor button, since to such Jews, even pushing the elevator floor button is considered work, and they believe that no work can be done during the sabbath, no matter how minute the task may be.

In today’s Gospel, we come across another example of being scrupulous in the Pharisees and some of the scribes, who thought that loving God means following their traditions and way of life. These people were so extreme in following their own rules and regulations, so much so that they were even willing to circumvent or bypass the true meaning of God’s laws, for the convenience and observance of their own, for they were more concerned about avoiding doing wrong. This is why Jesus scolded them when He exclaimed: “It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations. You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.”

What about us? Are we guilty of being scrupulous? Let us be mindful and careful not to become like these Pharisees and scribes, who do things in such a scrupulous manner, only to appear to be good and holy. Let us instead follow the example of Jesus, who loves us all and does all things for the greater glory of God.

Monday of Week 5 Year 1

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I recall some people who seem to only belittle themselves or put themselves down when they are praised. Some of such persons do so because they have very low self-esteem. Some do so because they want to attract attention to themselves, and boost their pride and ego. But how should a Christian respond to praise? What sort of attitude should a Christian have when he or she receives praise or admiration from others?

In today’s reading, we come across the creation story, and in several verses, we could notice that God saw that it was good. In other words, what God has created is good, and there is no reason why one should feel small or belittle oneself. Instead, one should give praise and thanks to God for His creation and one should give glory to God for the many good He has given us. May we come to appreciate and be grateful and thankful to God for His bounty.

Friday of Week 4 Year 1

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It is easy for us to be warm and friendly towards our friends and family. When we go to church and see someone we know, we would make effort to say “hi” and to catch up on news. Some of us may even sit with such persons, so that we could go out for a meal or a drink after the Mass. But what if a stranger comes to church, do we welcome him or her and make him or her feel at home? Or do we mind our own business and carry on with our prayers or with whatever task we are doing? Are we brothers and sisters in Christ only to persons we know and like? Or are we brothers and sisters in Christ to all?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Continue to love each other like brothers, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the one body. Marriage is to be honoured by all, and marriages are to be kept undefiled, because fornicators and adulterers will come under God’s judgement. Put greed out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me?” May we come out of our “groupish” or “clannish” or “friends and family only” mentality and attitude, and make effort to be loving, caring and welcoming towards all, especially the lost, the least, the little and the last, so that others may know that we are Christians by our love.

Wednesday of Week 4 Year 1

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Each and every one of us go through some form of suffering in life. Suffering is part and parcel of life. We suffer because of illness, growth, lost relationships and many other reasons. While we cannot avoid suffering, what is more important is how we treat suffering. We could see suffering as a good or positive thing; or we could see it as a bad or negative thing.

In today’s reading, we are reminded of the necessity and advantages of suffering. We are told: “Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again.”

When we suffer punishment from God, it is not because God does not like us or is out to get us, it is because God treats us as His sons and daughters. We are being trained to become better people, and grow closer to God. Let us look at suffering as something good and worthwhile, for we are being prepared to remain happy and cared for in God’s loving presence.

Tuesday of Week 4 Year 1

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Many of us say we have faith in Jesus, but how many of us really mean what we say? Do we have faith in Jesus only when times are good or when the situation suits us, or do we have faith at all times? Supposing we are being persecuted, ridiculed or even being put to death, would we still have faith in Jesus? Or would some of us abandon our faith just to save our skin? Are consistent and steadfast in our faith, or is it only for our convenience?

In today’s Gospel, the synagogue official named Jairus and the woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years had great faith in Jesus. Because of their faith in Jesus, Jairus’ daughter was brought back to life, and the woman was cured from the haemorrhage she suffered. If Jesus could work such miracles for these people, just imagine what He could do for us, if we have consistent, persistent and unwavering faith in Him. May we learn to be patient and ask Jesus for His help, knowing with full confidence that He will do what is best for us, for the glory of God.

Monday of Week 4 Year 1

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We sometimes think that we can do things on our own. To a certain extent, that may seem true. For example, we can come up with new inventions, we are able to build seemingly amazing works, some of us may have discovered new ways of doing things or new medicines to help us live better lives. But sometimes, there are situations where we are unable to resolve or do on our own. For example, we have no control over certain kinds of diseases, since our knowledge of such diseases is still limited. We have no control over the weather, since typhoons, flash floods and other natural disasters still occur. So when we are faced with situations where we are unable to solve or control, what do we do? For some of us, we have faith and trust in God, believing that God will help us. We believe that God would make the impossible possible, and we just need to be patient and let Him be in control.

In today’s reading, we are told that “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders.” These are all heroes of faith, as they realised that they could not accomplish what they did on their own, and had depended on God for strength, ability and endurance to do what they did.

What about us? Do we depend entirely only on our strength, ability and endurance? Or do we offer ourselves to God, letting Him use us to accomplish even better things, for His glory? May we be humble and docile, letting God be our help and guide, and having full faith and confidence in His love and providence.

Friday of Week 3 Year 1

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When the political situation in your country is not good, what do you do? Do you stand up for what is right, or would you make a run for it and look for so-called greener pastures elsewhere? When you see injustice or racism occuring, what do you do? Do you look the other way, mind your own business and not get involved? Or do you do what is just and right, even if it means risking your life? It seems easy to avoid getting involved, look the other way, mind our own business, or even run away, but are such attitudes and actions proper to a Christian?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God’s will and gain what he has promised… You and I are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.” When we are faced with injustice, racism, misdeeds and other despicable acts, may we take courage, do what is right and just, and let God be our guide, knowing that He would help us in His time, for His greater glory.