Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Year 2

Monday of Week 19 Year 2

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It is easy for some of us to begin to demand certain rights and privileges, just because we think we are entitled to them. But there are times where we could set aside certain rights as a form of showing good example or witnessing to others.

In today’s Gospel, we see the collectors of the half-shekel questioning Peter on whether Jesus pays the half-shekel. Jesus is actually exempted as the temple is the house of God and he is the Son of God. However, Jesus chose to forgo his right to be exempted and had the tax paid so that his exercising his right would not be a stumbling block to the temple collectors and others. He sent Peter fishing to demonstrate that he was in fact Lord over all creation, having the power to know which fish had a shekel in its mouth, just enough to pay the tax for the two of them. Moreover, Jesus’ willingness to pay the tax shows his submission to the law of God. He told Peter to take the shekel and “give it to them for me and for you.” Here, we see that Jesus made a distinction between himself as the exempted son and Peter as the non-exempted subject, and yet still followed the law of God as an example to others.

What about us? Are we still demanding our rights? If Jesus, son of God, is willing to forgo His rights and pay the temple tax, would we be willing to do the same? May we do what is right, even if it involves forgoing certain rights, for the glory of God.

Friday of Week 18 Year 2

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As children, we were encouraged to work hard so that we would do well in school. If we did well in school and attained good grades, then we may have opportunities to go to university. If we study hard and do well in university, we may graduate with honours or even go on to do a Masters degree or PhD. With such qualifications, we may be able to get a good job, with a good pay, and have a comfortable life. But notice that all these are geared only towards life here on earth. What have we been doing for our preparation towards eternal life? Are we preparing at all?

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded: “What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?” We may get plenty of wealth, recognition, titles, fame and other things this world has to offer, but would these things be of any use if we ruin our eternal future? All that we have here on earth are only temporary things, and while it is necessary for us to survive in this world, we should also focus especially in our relationship with God. May we take the necessary measures to get back on track with our relationship with God, while we have time and opportunities to do so.

Thursday of Week 18 Year 2

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It is not easy for some of us to forgive others, especially if these others have done something very serious or caused us great pain or harm. The easiest thing for some of us would be to seek retribution or revenge, since some of us think that we deserve justice and the person who has wronged us should get his or her just desserts. But how many of us are willing to forgive such persons, despite the amount of hurt and pain the person has caused us? Are we willing to forgive and move on? Or are we forgiving but still harbouring the hurt in us?

In today’s reading, God is willing to forgive the Israelites their iniquity and never call their sin to mind. This means that God is not going to hold anything against the Israelites, and He is willing to guide them as His people. Likewise, God is willing to forgive us too for the many sins we may have committed against Him and against others. If God is willing to forgive and move on, why can”t we do the same? Are we too proud or egoistic to let go of the hurt and move on? When we forgive, we are not allowing the hurt to control us any longer, and we are freed from further hurt and pain. May we learn to forgive others, just as God forgives us, and let God help us become better persons.

Wednesday of Week 18 Year 2

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Are you aware how much God loves you? Sometimes you may feel that God is not present or not helping, but actually He is there. He may not always grant our desires right away, but He knows when to give us help and care. After all, God was even willing to send us His own Son, Jesus, to redeem us and to save us from our sins. If God is so willing to do such things for us, then there is no reason for us to worry or fret or doubt His love.

In today’s reading, we are reassured of God’s love for us: “I have loved you with an everlasting love,
so I am constant in my affection for you.” God’s love for us is not just for a certain period or for a certain reason, but His love is unconditional and everlasting. Even though we may have run away from His love, even though we may have done wrong, God is still loving us and beckoning us to return to His love and care. Let us not be so stubborn or afraid, and come back to Him, so that we can find rest for our soul.

Tuesday of Week 18 Year 2

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When a parent punishes a child, the parent may use harsh words or raise the voice. Some parents, especially those who come from an older or traditional background, may resort to giving a little smack. Those of us who are older may remember our parents using the cane or rod to give us a little whack for being naughty or mischievous. But generally, our parents said or did such things not because they hated or despised us, they did so because they loved us and those methods of disciplining were the only ways known to them at that time. After all, we were born without a user manual, and our parents did what they thought was best for us.

In the same way, in today’s reading, God had been quite harsh to the Israelites because of their stubbornness, sin, iniquity and obstinate refusal to change. It took many punishments and suffering for the Israelites to learn their lesson, but God did so to help them realise that ultimately, He is the one and only God. Eventually, God even restored His people and said: “And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

What about us? When God punishes us for something we have done wrong, when we are reprimanded for sinning, will be be humble and docile in accepting such correction? We may feel pain and suffering at first, but by going through such correction, we may become better persons. Let us not feel dejected, since God is our help and guide, and all He does for us is for our own good.

Monday of Week 18 Year 2

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Being a prophet is not something which one takes upon himself or herself, and the message to be delivered is to be from God, regardless whether message is good or bad. Sometimes, we come across so-called prophets who curry-favour or win over people who crave for good news, with the intention of gaining popularity, wealth and fame. Such so-called prophets are what we call false prophets, misusing the word “prophet” for their own ends and purposes.

In today’s reading, we come across an example of a false prophet named Hananiah. The reading warns us of the consequences of being a false prophet: “The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, ‘Listen carefully, Hananiah: the Lord has not sent you; and thanks to you this people are now relying on what is false. Hence – the Lord says this, “I am going to throw you off the face of the earth: you are going to die this year since you have preached apostasy from the Lord.”‘ The prophet Hananiah died the same year, in the seventh month.” As we can see, a false prophet is asking for trouble, since such persons are not only deceiving others, but they would also face the wrath of God.

Are any among us behaving like a false prophet? Let us take heed of the warning the reading gives us. Let us stop our false ways and the nonsense we have been saying and doing, repent and return to God’s ways, before it is too late.

Thursday of Week 17 Year 2

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As children, some of us may have played with mud or clay before. We may have tried to make an object with mud or clay, so that we could use such an object to play perhaps with our friends or even imaginary friends. Sometimes we would try to make an object which could be used as a decorative item. When we are not too happy with what we made, we just roll the whole thing into a big ball of mess, and start over, until we are satisfied with what we have made.

In today’s reading: “I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.” God constantly worked on the Israelites and tried to help them come back to Him. Likewise, God is also constantly working on us, inviting us to turn back to Him and depend on Him. Sometimes we are resistant to His moulding, and we may not turn out according to what He likes, but He is still willing to try again until we are moulded into something better. Are we willing to let God, like the potter, mould us into the best we can be?

Wednesday of Week 17 Year 2

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Some of us may have slacked in our faith or even gone astray at some point of our lives, due to various reasons. But even though we may have forgotten about God or church, God does not forget us. In fact, God is constantly calling out to us to come back to Him and walk in His ways. But God is not forcing us to come back, nor is He making us come back right away. He gives us time and many opportunities to come back. However, He is not going to wait for us indefinitely. At the end, we are accountable and responsible for coming back to Him or being away from Him.

In today’s reading, God is inviting His people and us too, to come back to Him. He even assures us: “If you come back, I will take you back into my service; and if you utter noble, not despicable, thoughts, you shall be as my own mouth… I am with you to save you and to deliver you – it is the Lord who speaks. I mean to deliver you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the clutches of the violent.” If God is so loving, so forgiving and so willing to take us back, what about us? Why do we delay in coming back to Him? Also, why do we delay in being loving and forgiving to others too? May we learn to be like our loving God, and remain in His love and providence.

Tuesday of Week 17 Year 2

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When we are given a choice to do good or to do bad, what would we choose? We may say that the answer is obvious, that is, we would choose to do good. But sometimes we have people who persistently choose to do bad, despite being given much opportunities to change. Ultimately, our choices could lead to different consequences, some good, some bad.

Our spiritual life too are also full of choices. We could choose to grow faithfully, consistently and humbly closer to God, or we could choose to avoid God. In making effort to grow in relationship with God, we are allowing the good seed to be sown into our soul, as mentioned in today’s Gospel. When we sin and neglect or refuse to go for Confession, we may be sowing darnel into our soul. At the end, what would happen to us would depend on what we sow, either wheat or darnel in our soul. Ultimately, we choose what the outcome would be, depending on the way we lived our lives. Therefore, let us be prudent and make a choice. Whether we choose to live a life with God, or away from God, we should be prepared to face the rewards or consequences.

Thursday of Week 16 Year 2

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We sometimes take for granted what God has done for us. We may have received many blessings and gifts from God, but how many of us are truly grateful or thankful to God for His providence? When times are good, some of us may even begin to think that all the blessings and gifts we received are from our own effort. But when times are bad, then only some of us may turn to God and beg for His help. Why do we behave in this way? Do we not realise where all our blessing and gifts are really coming from?

In today’s reading, the Israelites had become too full of themselves, even to the point of forgetting God. The reading tells us: “The priests have never asked, “Where is the Lord?”. Those who administer the Law have no knowledge of me. The shepherds have rebelled against me; the prophets have prophesied in the name of Baal, following the things with no power in them.” Even though the Lord had brought His people out of slavery into a fertile country to enjoy its produce and good things, they took it all for granted and even abandoned and rebelled against God who provided for them. Because of this, the Israelites eventually lost all these gifts and blessings, and ended up in exile.

In a way, we too could be in the same situation as the Israelites, if we take for granted God’s blessings and gifts. Let us never forget that what God has given is could be lost or taken away, and let us always be grateful and thankful for His generosity and bounty.