Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Year 1

Wednesday of Week 1 Year 1

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Every once in a while, we hear of priests or religious being transferred from one community to another or from one parish to another or even from one role to another. There are many reasons why priests or religious are transferred, and one reason can be found in today’s Gospel.

In the Gospel, we read: “In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.”

Jesus could have easily decided to settle down in one place, make Himself comfortable, and carry out His mission there. But as we can see from the Gospel, His mission was not only for one place indefinitely; He also went to other places to preach and cast out devils. By doing so, Jesus set an example for us to follow. Some of us may have become too used to a place, and we should be enthusiastic to go forth and preach the Good News, not stay put and take things easy or for granted. If some day we are asked to move on, let us humbly and joyfully do so, for the greater glory of God.

Tuesday of Week 1 Year 1

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What does it mean to have authority? The word “authority” can be used to mean power given by the state (in the form of government, judges, police officers, etc.) or by academic knowledge of an area (someone can be an authority on a subject). However, these forms of authority do not last forever and do not always command the respect and voluntary obedience of others. Also, we have seen many instances of people who have been granted such authority turning out to be arrogant, conceited, corrupted or misusing their position for their own purposes. These people may have so called political or intellectual authority, but they may not necessarily have moral or spiritual authority.

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus whose “teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.” Also, the Gospel tells us: “The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.'” How was Jesus different from the scribes, and what sort of authority did He hold? Jesus was different because He had moral and spiritual authority, as He was one with the Father. Jesus shows us that His authority stems from the fact that what He is teaching and doing is not for His own personal gratification or benefit, but for the greater glory of God. Jesus is inviting us to follow His example and grow in our moral and spiritual authority by maintaining a good relationship with God. Are we willing to nurture this form of authority, or are we still wandering around seeking for temporary authority?

Monday of Week 1 Year 1

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What sort of leader do we look for in church? Some of us look for a leader who can speak well or have good eloquence or has as some may say, the gift of the gab. Some of us may look for someone who could be a good organiser or a capable peacemaker. Some of us may look for someone who is charismatic and able to rile up the crowd into action. But how did Jesus choose leaders? Did he look for leaders the way some of us do?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus simply saw and called out to Simon and his brother Andrew, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus did not make any grand or elaborate speech about following Him, but merely said: “Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.” We do not have much details about whether these men had previously encountered Jesus, since the Gospel does not tell us everything, but Jesus must have been quite an extraordinary person in the minds and hearts of these men to enable them to just leave everything and follow Him.

An interesting observation we could gather from today’s Gospel is this: When other leaders rein in their supporters, they are actually gathering supporters and followers for their own benefit. They call on people to follow them so that they would have the support or clout to accomplish their goals. But what we see here in Jesus is different. He called these men to follow Him so that He could form them and make them into fishers of men. By doing so, Jesus was preparing these men not for his own political or personal benefit, but for mission for the greater glory of God.

As Christians, some of us may be called into certain leadership positions in church. Let us follow the example of Jesus, and help our fellow brothers and sisters to become fishers of men, so that we as a people of God could grow in relationship with Him and help others do the same.

Thursday of Week 34 Year 1

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There are times in life where we are placed in a difficult or dangerous situation. Some of us may feel as if we have no way out and we may be tempted to give up or despair. However, today’s reading reminds us that with God, there is no problem too big, no situation too difficult or dangerous which He cannot help us out. Daniel in today’s reading had full confidence and trust in God’s help and God saved him from the lions. This caused King Darius to joyfully exclaim: “He is the living God, he endures for ever, his sovereignty will never be destroyed and his kingship never end. He saves, sets free, and works signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth; he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

If God is on our side and watching over us, there is no reason for us to fear. Let us therefore continue to build our relationship with Him and trust Him just as Daniel did.

Friday of Week 34 Year 1

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Looking back at our lives, some of us may begin to realise that many things that we hold dear is not permanent. The people that we love, the things that we own, the feelings of joy or hurt; all these may matter for some time, but after a while, they are no longer around and may only be a memory. Even our memory too may some day fail us.

However, there is One who will always be around. The reading reminds us that God’s “sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.” Seeing that God was, is and will always be there, we should make effort to get close to Him. Thus, let us strive to shed away the sin that clings on us, and make our peace with God and neighbour. He is beckoning us to come home and dwell in His presence. Are we still hesitant or reluctant to do so?

Wednesday of Week 34 Year 1

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“The writing is on the wall” is an idiom or expression which we sometimes hear and which originates from today’s reading. It basically means “imminent danger has become apparent” or “there are clear signs that something will fail or no longer exist.”

In today’s reading, King Belshazzar had “defied the Lord of heaven, you have had the vessels from his Temple brought to you, and you, your noblemen, your wives and your singing women have drunk your wine out of them. You have praised gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone, which cannot either see, hear or understand; but you have given no glory to the God who holds your breath and all your fortunes in his hands.” As a consequence to what he had done, the reading tells us that “Mene: God has measured your sovereignty and put an end to it; Tekel: you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting; Parsin: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.’”

What about us? Are we too in a similar situation and about to see “the writing on our wall?” Have we focused only on fame and fortune here on earth, and neglected to give glory to God? Let us take heed and do what is necessary to right ourselves before God while we are able to do so, before it becomes too late for us.

Tuesday of Week 34 Year 1

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Some of us seem to be focusing a lot on life here on earth. While there is nothing wrong with doing so, since we also need to survive as we live our lives as best we can, but one should also prepare oneself for life hereafter. Things, events and situations come and go but God’s Kingdom will be forever, as today’s reading reminds us: “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not pass into the hands of another race: it will shatter and absorb all the previous kingdoms, and itself last for ever.”

Are we doing our part fervently and consistently so that we can be with God in His everlasting Kingdom? Life on earth may seem to offer a lot, but life with God in heaven offers us more than we could ever dream or hope for. Let us not waste the many opportunities given to us while here on earth to strive towards our eternal happiness.

Monday of Week 34 Year 1

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How much of our wealth are we willing to offer to God for the proclamation of the Gospel? For some, a few ringgit (or dollars) a week is sufficient, though they are actually able to offer much more. Some may offer what they can afford, after carefully considering their needs and the needs of their family. Others may not be so well off, but they are willing to contribute generously.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that “this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.” Have some of us become so calculative and stingy in supporting the church financially, while more than willing to spend lavishly in material things, some of which are luxurious? Or have we learnt to be generous like that poverty-stricken widow, who gave all that she had, knowing that she could trust and depend on God’s providence?

Friday of Week 33 Year 1

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If you happen to visit different churches in your travels, one question may pop up: is the church a house of prayer or a robber’s den? While having activity around the church may be a good thing, sometimes the activity itself may cause distraction to those who want to have some peace and pray. Also, at times, certain activities such as buying and selling religious items, food stuff, etc. may tempt some to sin (cheating others when charging prices, gossiping, squabbling over price, etc.) When these things happen, we may be turning the church into a robber’s den.

Thus, we need to re-examine ourselves: why are we in church? Are we genuinely seeking God in prayer and reflection? Are we aware of the presence of the Most High in the Blessed Sacrament? Do we have respect for the sacredness of the church, within and it’s surrounding? Or have we allowed worldly activities to take precedence?

Thursday of Week 33 Year 1

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Most of us are given opportunities to be a leader in some way. Perhaps we are leaders in our home, perhaps in the office or workplace, perhaps in society, or perhaps in church. But wherever we are called to be leaders, we become aware of the great responsibility and expectation placed upon us. Are we firm and fair leaders, dedicated towards humble service? Or have we allowed power and prestige to get into our heads?

In today’s reading, we see how Mattathias and his sons chose to do what is right and just and obey God’s orders. The reading tells us that, “In his zeal for the Law, Mattathias went through the town, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘Let everyone who has a fervour for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.’ Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town. At this, many who were concerned for virtue and justice went down to the desert and stayed there.”

Such leadership by Mattathias and his sons inspired many others to follow their example and remain faithful to God. As church leaders, are we showing fervour and good example, encouraging others to do the same? Or have we misused our leadership for our own gain, and caused others to go astray?