Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Year 1

Tuesday of Week 9 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 9th, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

In some ways, we really need to hand it to the scribes, Pharisees and chief priests, because their immense jealousy and hatred towards Jesus simply shows how we humans 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. At the end of the day, does it really matter? Actually, no. But some do not see it this way and stubbornly and vehemently insist in keeping to their ways and protecting their interests. But this is where some fail to realise that everything that we do, and everything that we have, be it wealth, fame, titles, recognition or whatever, is merely temporary and cannot be brought with us when we die.

In today’s Gospel, we see a classic example of how silly the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests were behaving. Already they had tensions and serious disagreements with the Herodians, but when it comes to a common so called enemy (Jesus, in this case), they are willing to forgo their principles just to find a solution to get rid of Jesus. Their hypocrisy showed quite clearly when they asked the question: “Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, yes or no?” These people asked not because they wanted to know, but because their intention (or in Bahasa Malaysia, “niat”) was merely to trap Jesus. Jesus answer: ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’ took them completely by surprise. But if we look deeper into Jesus’ reply, we can discover that Jesus was actually making fun of these folks. Does anything really belong to Caesar? No! Ultimately, everything actually belongs to God, whether we are willing to admit it or not. So the question these folks had asked was actually a non-question, but their jealousy and hatred towards Jesus blinded them to what is evidently truth.

When we look at our lives, 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? Have we forgotten who we are? Let us be mindful and check ourselves from falling into the abyss of hypocrisy, lest we lose ourselves and lost sight of our eternal goal.

Monday of Week 9 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 9th, Monday, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Most of us would not have experienced major persecution or face danger to our lives. Most of us have some freedom to practise our faith and share our faith with others. During such times, we may sometimes become complacent and used to the peace and prosperity. But let us consider for a moment, if we were living in exile in some strange land, constantly facing danger of being caught and executed for our faith, what would we do? Would we stay strong to our faith, come what may? Or would we abandon our faith to save our skin?

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. Upon discovering that a fellow countryman had been murdered and left at the market place, Tobit was willing to show solidarity with his brothers and fellow countrymen by taking away and burying the murdered countryman. Some of his neigbours even laughed and said, ‘See! He is not afraid any more.’ But Tobit was not affected by their taunts and went about doing charity to ensure that the murdered brother be given a decent burial.

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? It is easy to say that we have faith and keep to ourselves, but as James reminds us in his Epistle: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:14-18). Are we saying that we have faith only in mere words and nothing more? Or are we making effort to show our faith fearlessly?

Friday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Every once in a while, we come across people who claim that they are disciples or followers of Christ. But the fact is, are such people Christian only in name or are they really living fruitful lives as Christians? We can tell whether a person is really a Christian or not by the kind of fruits the person produces, since a person who is a Christian only in name would more often than not be living a life quite contrary to the values of the Gospel and the ways of Christ. We call such persons hypocrites, since they do not practice what they preach (or neglect or ignore what they learned about the Christian faith) and they do things only for show. Could some of us be guilty in this way?

In the Gospel, we come across Jesus cursing a fig tree which had no figs on it. Some of us may initially wonder whether Jesus was acting irrationally or weird, since the Gospel tells us that Jesus felt hungry and seemed annoyed that He could not find any figs, only leaves, since it was not the season for figs. However, if we look carefully at the text, we would discover that Jesus was actually using symbolic language to mean Israel, especially the scribes and Pharisees, who had so stubbornly held to their ways of doing things and their self-righteous behaviour and attitude, instead of repenting and returning to God’s ways. This point was further reinforced when Jesus “went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling pigeons. Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. And he taught them and said, ‘Does not scripture say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples? But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.'” Instead of changing their ways, the scribes and Pharisees began to plot to get rid of Jesus, because to them, their traditions and customs were more important to them than following God’s commandments. The Temple had become a place of profiteering and cheating, since buying and selling was being done there and many of those conducting such acts were more interested in making money, and not treating the Temple with proper reverence as the House of God. To make matters worse, the scribes, chief priests and Pharisees had no qualms about allowing such activities to continue and flourish in the Temple.

If we look at ourselves, have we in some way become like the scribes and Pharisees? Have we begun to stick only to our traditions and customs which we have formulated and followed, and set aside God’s commandments, which is to love God and love neighbour? What sort of fruits have we really been producing? Have we been like the fig tree, which produces fruit only according to season, and at other times we can behave and do as we please? Let us be mindful, lest we end up like the fig tree, withered to the roots; because of our pride, prejudice, selfishness, lack of forgiveness, and stubbornness; as well as our refusal to truly, consistently and wholeheartedly do all things for the glory of God.

Thursday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Ordinary Time, Thursday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

How persistent and consistent are we in asking God for help? Some of us may have asked for help, but we doubt whether God is really listening or willing to help us. Some of us may have asked for help, but we become so easily discouraged when we do not get results quickly or the kind of results expected. Some of us even think that God is not going to help us anyway no matter how hard we try, and we go for other forms of help like witch doctors, shamans, feng shui, or even some form of divination, thinking that we would have a better chance of getting the help we want and expect. But when we have such attitude or do such things, would we certainly be helped? More often than not, we would end up disillusioned, disappointed and disgusted. So how should we seek help from God?

In today’s Gospel, we come across a blind beggar who was very determined to ask Jesus to heal him. Even though he was scolded and asked to keep quiet, he refused to give up. He shouted all the more louder, asking Jesus for help. When he was called to come to Jesus, notice in the Gospel that he threw off his cloak to go to Jesus. The cloak was his security, the only piece of clothing he had to warm himself, but even that he was willing to let go, so that he could get to Jesus. Because of his faith in Jesus, the blind beggar could see again, and what did he do? He followed Jesus along the road, for he had found new security and joy in Jesus.

What about us? Are we willing to let go of the many things we cling to which become like a cloak to us? Are we willing to cling to Jesus as our new security instead? Are we willing to have faith in Jesus so that he may heal us? Let us follow the example of the blind beggar who was healed because of his great faith in Jesus, and let us be patient, persistent and determined, knowing that Jesus will help us according to His time and for His glory.

Wednesday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

The world often equates a great or a successful person as one who has attained tremendous wealth, or important titles, or high qualifications, or recognition from peers and admiration from others. We would hear of such people being idolised as good examples which others ought to imitate and follow. But the moment these people lose their wealth for some reason or another, or they lose their titles or their qualifications are no longer relevant or redundant, or due to some issue or even scandal they lose recognition or admiration from others, then what happens? More often than not, the world would then look for other persons to exalt and glorify, and these people would become nobodies or has beens. But how should a Christian behave towards wealth, titles, qualifications or recognition?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Our duty and attitude as Christians is not to seek greatness for ourselves, but to be of service to all for the glory of God. Such attitude is in contrast with the ways of the world, so we need to ask ourselves truly: do we want merely temporary greatness in the world, or would we rather be great in God’s eyes?

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Some of us are quite calculative with the money, talent or time we have. We seem to expect others to do many things for us, but we seem to be quite stingy when it comes to us giving to others. I have seen people demanding so many things from the church, but when asked to help out or donate some wealth or their time, these people would make all sorts of excuses or try to pass the task or responsibility to others. Some of these people so easily make suggestions or make demands, but when asked to be involved in carrying out such suggestions or demands for the betterment of all, they seem to shy away or try to change the topic. It seems as if these people are more than willing to take or receive, but are quite hesitant or reluctant to offer or give.

But today’s reading is a contrast of how some of us behave towards our time, our wealth and our capabilities. The reading tells us: “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.” When we are generous in giving, the reading assures us that God will reward us even more than what we have given. Instead of being reluctant in giving, instead of having a sour or monkey face when we give, let us be cheerful and happy, for the Lord has blessed us with many things and abilities. Do we not appreciate and are thankful with what God has given us and are we not willing to share such gifts and abilities with others?

Monday of Week 8 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 8th, Monday, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

In some societies and cultures, a person who has committed a crime may sometimes be ostracised and shunned indefinitely. This is especially if the person had committed a crime so terrible that the consequences of such a crime are being felt by many, long after the person has been convicted and perhaps imprisoned. In some cases, such a person may be sentenced to death and may either be immediately excuted, or is placed on death row, making it a daily ordeal for the person, or for the victims themselves if they survived, or even for the families of the victims, since the parties involved would not know when the person’s time is up and execution would be carried out. However, if you notice here, such a conviction is often following “an eye for an eye” principle, and even if the person may somehow be freed someday, the stigma of being known as a ex-convict may remain. In some cases, the ex-convict may have been imprisoned for such a long time that integration back to society is extremely difficult or even impossible, and we may have heard of cases where such a person would go back to a life of crime, or may commit suicide if the person is unable to cope with being freed.

But how does God deal with us when we commit a crime, when we sin? In the first reading, we come across a God who is quite different from what some of us humans may behave. The reading tells us “To those who repent, God permits return, and he encourages those who were losing hope. Return to the Lord and leave sin behind, plead before his face and lessen your offence. Come back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hold in abhorrence all that is foul. How great is the mercy of the Lord, his pardon on all those who turn towards him!” As we can see, God is a merciful and loving God. He gives us plenty of chances and opportunities to change, no matter how bad or terrible we may have been. If God is willing to do this for us, then perhaps we need to ask ourselves sincerely: we pray the Lord’s Prayer quite often, and when we do, we say: “forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us.” Such words seem easy to say, but do we mean what we say? Are we willing to forgive those who have hurt us, or committed terrible crimes? Let us seek the Lord’s help, and find it in our minds and hearts to forgive, just as God is willing to forgive us.

Tuesday of Week 6 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 6th, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Yeast is a useful substance which enables bread to expand and rise, making the bread more pleasing to look at and eat once baked. A little yeast can cause a small lump of dough to become a much larger loaf. Just a little of it affects everything. In today’s Gospel, Jesus warned us of a “yeast” that was both religious and political which we should be on our guard against. This “yeast” could be translated as “attitude”; and the “attitude” or “yeast” of the Pharisees and the “attitude” or “yeast”of Herod could corrupt one’s whole “attitude” as a Christian.

The problem with the Pharisees is not that they were bad people, but they tended to think only those like them had any value in the sight of God. The yeast of the Pharisees is narrow-minded religious exclusivism. It is an attitude that says only those who believe and behave like us are saved, everyone else is damned or are of no consequence. The yeast of the Pharisees makes people more concerned about who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’ instead of doing the will of God. It makes people continually compare themselves over others and makes them think that they are ok and everyone else is not.

The “yeast” of Herod, on the other hand, is the exact opposite of the Pharisees. Herod was a friend with the Romans since it was the Romans who kept him in power. For him, the important thing was to keep the status quo as it was, since it favoured him. Herod was prepared to make any number of accommodations, and was prepared to water down the Jewish faith to suit his purposes. Herod was only interested in preserving His political power, and was not the least bit interested in doing the will of God.

What about us? Have we been corrupted or infected with the “yeast” of the Pharisees and the “yeast” of Herod? Have we been behaving as religious extremists, thinking that our beliefs and way of doing things is the only way and everyone else who does not follow our way to the minute detail are condemned to hell? Or have we become so worldly in our behaviour and conduct, only interested in protecting our power, position and prestige, and watering down our faith or even totally ignoring the ways of God? When we allow ourselves to be infected with such “yeast”, either by falling into the “yeast” of the Pharisees, or by falling into the “yeast” of Herod, we would have lost the true meaning of being a Christian, since our focus is no longer in doing the will of God and doing all for the greater glory of God, but our focus has become one of personal gratification and personal glorification.

Monday of Week 6 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 6th, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

When we offer our services or talents to others, do we expect something in return? Some of us may expect others to be grateful to us; some of us may expect others to be nice to us or treat us favourably in return (like a “I scratch your back, you scratch mine” mentality); some of us may begin to feel proud, thinking that our ability to offer such services or talents is due to our own effort or our own capabilities. But what if we do not get a favourable response or the kind of response we expect from the other person; or the other person seems not grateful or thankful to us, or the other person does not respond in any way whatsoever? Would we become angry, upset, or fed up towards others? Or would we be humble enough to offer all we have done to God and give Him the glory?

In today’s reading, we come across two brothers, Cain and Abel. The reading tells us: “The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering. But he did not look with favour on Cain and his offering, and Cain was very angry and downcast. The Lord asked Cain, ‘‘Why are you angry and downcast? If you are well disposed, ought you not to lift up your head? But if you are ill disposed, is not sin at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you, which you must master?'” Cain was angry and jealous because his brother Abel had received the Lord’s favour. As a result, in a fit of rage, Cain killed Abel and tried to cover up the deed or pretend he did not know anything about it. But as we know, we can run but we cannot hide; we can pretend but God sees and knows all we have done, even if we have been able to prevent others from knowing the truth. The question we need to ask ourselves is this: are we offering our gifts, our services or talents for the glory of God and to build His Kingdom? Or are we doing things just to please others, to show off, to look good, and possibly for our own personal gratification and to build our own kingdom?

Friday of Week 5 Year 1

Posted on by Posted in 5th, Weekday, Year 1 Leave a comment

Some of us may be quite easily duped or tempted into doing something wrong, especially when the reward or prize seems to be quite lucrative. Mr. S. A. Tan is quite clever and adept in knowing our weaknesses, and he would find ways and means to try and distract us and tempt us into committing such acts by feeding our ego, our pride and our selfishness.

In today’s reading, this is exactly what happened. Mr. 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 assured 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.” Such lies and deceitful words, and yet both the man and woman were equally guilty in falling into Mr. S. A. Tan’s trap by eating the fruit.

What about us? Do we have a weakness which Mr. S. A. Tan is trying to exploit to tempt us into sinning? Are we making efforts to resist and are we seeking God’s help fervently and humbly? Sometimes we try to fight such temptations on our own, but we must remember that our foe is not just some ordinary being. If we are to overcome such a foe, we need to remain in good relationship with God and continuously seek His help, guidance and protection. Let us not play play with such a dangerous and deadly foe, since it is only with God’s grace and strength that we have the means to avoid his poisonous and deadly attacks.