Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Year 1

Friday of Week 13 Year 1

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I sometimes come across people who say they do not go to church any more because they have a problem with certain persons in church, or they think that the church is full of hypocrites, or they think that the church is full of sinners. Such persons think that only good people or saintly people should be in church, and everyone else is damned or condemned. But the reality is, the church is not a hotel for saints or even a museum for saints; it is a hospital for sinners.

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded why Jesus came. Jesus came not to call the virtuous, but sinners. Just as Jesus came to call sinners, the church is also following Jesus’ example to call sinners to come and be forgiven and strengthened, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist. So if the church is inviting all to come and abide in the Lord, especially sinners, let us not shun or avoid those who have sinned. Rather, let us learn to grow together as one family of God, and together grow in relationship with Him.

Monday of Week 13 Year 1

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When we come for confession, we ask God for forgiveness and mercy because we have sinned. Sometimes, the sin we have committed may be venial sins; other times our sin could be mortal sin. Yet, we make effort to plead to God to forgive us and help us not to sin again. However, when others have wronged us or sinned against us, are we willing to be just as forgiving and merciful to them, just as we ask God to be forgiving and merciful towards us.

In today’s reading, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had committed grievous sin, and the outcry against them had come up to the Lord. We also hear of Abraham pleading for mercy from God not to destroy the two cities. Because of Abraham’s pleading to spare the innocent in these cities, God was willing to spare the entire cities for the sake of so few innocent persons. This shows us that God’s mercy is incomprehensible and knows no bounds.

If God could spare entire cities for the sake of a few innocent persons, what about us? Are we still finding it so difficult to forgive and be merciful towards others who have sinned against us? May we learn to follow God’s example and be forgiving and merciful towards others, just as He was merciful towards the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and just as He is merciful towards us.

Thursday of Week 12 Year 1

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I sometimes come across people who can come up with lots of suggestions and ideas, but the interesting thing is when such persons are asked whether they can follow through with such suggestions and ideas, they suddenly back away or give all sorts of excuses. For example, I sometimes hear of people saying that the priest should make more time for house visits, but when asked whether such persons are willing to help the priest identify houses which may need such visits, and where possible accompany the priest to such houses, such persons suddenly back down from their suggestions.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” As Christians, are we merely making suggestions without taking ownership of them, or making a commitment to follow through such suggestions? Are we merely, as the Gospel says, saying “Lord, Lord,” and refusing to do our part in sharing the Good News? May we walk the talk, not just utter words, since action speaks louder than words.

Wednesday of Week 12 Year 1

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It is interesting to observe how some people can be so easily duped by certain so called preachers, who appear to preach the Good News, but what such preachers are actually doing is preaching their own version of the Good News, or perhaps a “feel good” version of the Good News. Some such preachers are adept in customising the Good News to appear to suit such people, but such preachers have hidden intentions, sometimes, even with tragic consequences.

Today’s Gospel warns us “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.” That is why we must be vigilant, and help others who could be so easily fooled by such preachers or false prophets. Sometimes it may be necessary for us to be the “bad guy” or “bad girl,” and try help such persons come to realise their folly. Let us not allow such falseness or fakes infiltrate our communities; and ensure that only that which is true is shared.

Saturday of Week 11 Year 1

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What do we look for when it comes to strength or being strong? Is strength or being strong a physical thing, where one is able to use one’s muscles or energy to accomplish feats? Or is strength something to do with one’s talents and abilities? When we focus on such strength, some of us begin to feel very proud, boastful and egoistic of such strength. But as Christians, what sort of strength should we really be focusing on?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “In view of the extraordinary nature of these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’ So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.”

The reading reminds us that ultimately, we should not be depending or focusing on our own strengths. Instead, we should be focusing on God’s grace and power, since it is God who can give us strength which far surpasses anything which we could ever have or what we think we have. May we give thanks to God even in our weaknesses, and let Him use us for His glory.

Friday of Week 11 Year 1

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What do we look for in life? Do we look for wealth and property? Do we look for fame and popularity? Do we look for titles and admiration from others, especially our peers? While it is true that we need to have some of these worldly things to survive, how long would we be able to cling on to such things? When we return to the Lord, would we be able to bring such worldly things with us? Of course not! Such worldly things would need to be left behind, and would no longer mean anything to us. Then what is to become of us then?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The Gospel cautions us that treasures on earth are only temporary, whereas treasures in heaven are permanent. The strange thing is that some of us are making so much effort to store up that which is temporary, to the detriment of that which is permanent. Are we willing to have a change of heart, and make more effort to focus on that which is permanent, without neglecting our living needs while here on earth?

Saturday of Week 10 Year 1

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It is interesting to observe the enthusiasm of some of those who have been newly baptised. They seem so excited of being a new child of God, and some begin to get involved in various church ministries with passion and vigour. Fast forward several years later, would such faithful still have got that same drive and passion they had when they were newly baptised? Or have some become complacent or even burned out; or even to the extent of going back to their old ways and old habits?

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God’s work. It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation… So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God.”

If we are a new creation and ambassadors of Christ, then we should not slacken in our passion and vigour to preach the Good News. We should not rest on our laurels or even go back to our old ways. Instead, let us continue to do our duty in sharing the Good News through words and deeds, and glorify God in our efforts.

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 1

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It is a reality that a church cannot function and carry out its mission effectively without funds. Various kinds of bills need to be paid; salaries of workers need to be paid, since most parishes employ people to take care of various tasks such as office administration, gardening and cleaning, etc.; works of charity and providing help to the poor; the list of expenses could go on and accumulate to a sizeable amount. Such funds come from the offerings of the faithful and from generous donors. The question is: how many of the faithful are generous in their offerings? Are some able to offer more, but they seem to hold back for some reason or another? Are some expecting to see tangible results on what they have offered, or are they willing to offer generously without any terms and conditions?

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’s generosity knows no limits and He has been generous to us in many ways. Are we just as generous in return? May we “give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford”, and be grateful and joyful for His abundant love and care.

Monday of Week 8 Year 1

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Some people seem to think that just because they have been committing the same sins over and over again, they begin to think that they have no hope or no possibility of changing. This leads to some even giving up, even to the point of despair. But the reality is: we are sinners, and we must continue to hope and trust in God to help us in overcoming our sins. Even though we may have sinned, we should pick ourselves up and continue our level best to stop sinning.

In today’s reading, we are assured: “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.” God is not giving up on us, even though we may at times feel like giving up. When we sin, let us go to confession as soon as possible, to seek forgiveness for our sins, and do our very best to stop sinning. Of course, it is a struggle to remain without sin, since many temptations surround us. But we know that Jesus has won the victory for us, and we should place our trust and confidence in Him, knowing that He will help us and guide us in our struggle.

Saturday of Week 7 Year 1

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What sort of persons would we expect to be part of the Kingdom of God? In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” Why would Jesus consider a little child as being part of the Kingdom of God?

A little child is seen as weak and vulnerable in the eyes of society, and yet such weakness and vulnerability is seen as important elements for one to be part of the Kingdom of God. When one is weak and vulnerable, one would trust God more, just as a little child trusts his or her parents for care and security. Also, a little child sees life as joy and excitement, and does not take life too seriously as some of us may do. Moreover, a little child shows us simplicity in listening and accepting the truth. Simple explanations of what is right and what is wrong are enough for them.

So when we look at the sort of qualities a little child has, we can begin to understand what Jesus is trying to tell us. In a nutshell, we should become like little children, always depending on God’s providence; being joyful in His care; and being simple in receiving His teachings. When we become like little children, we learn to let go of our pride, ego, and prejudices, and grow closer towards being part of His Kingdom.