Category Archives: Year 2

How many of us still have a sense of politeness, courtesy and especially humility? Humility is the quality of having a modest or low view of one’s importance, but how many of us are able to maintain such humility, especially when it seems as if more and more people are forgetting their humble beginnings, as they become more affluent, or are supposingly having higher education, or they think they have better standing in society?

Today’s reading tells us of Job’s humility. The reading tells us: “This was the answer Job gave to the Lord: I know that you are all-powerful what you conceive, you can perform. I am the man who obscured your designs with my empty-headed words. I have been holding forth on matters I cannot understand, on marvels beyond me and my knowledge. I knew you then only by hearsay; but now, having seen you with my own eyes, I retract all I have said, and in dust and ashes I repent.” Job was willing to remain humble and seek forgiveness from God, instead of sticking to his pride and ego. As a result, the reading tells us that God blessed Job with wealth, property, offspring and other things, much more than Job could ever imagine.

What about us? Are we able to remain humble even though the world is tempting us to become proud, egoistic, and have a sense of entitlement? Have we learnt to become more like Job, willing to humble ourselves and let God be our help and guide? May we be make effort and be willing to walk humbly in God’s ways, and glorify God in all we say and do.

I sometimes wonder and ponder whether some of us are aware of the direction we are taking in our lives. We seem to be so busy with earthly pursuits, and we take great effort in making a name for ourselves; or enriching ourselves, thinking that we are doing so for our future happiness and security, and for the happiness and security of our loved ones. But the reality is: at the end of the day, do all these efforts really matter? Will our efforts be long lasting?

In today’s reading, we are cautioned that all our earthly pursuits would be scrutinised: “But this you must know: for all these things God will bring you to judgement.” Not only that, the reading reminds us: “while man goes to his everlasting home. And the mourners are already walking to and fro in the street; before the silver cord has snapped, or the golden lamp been broken, or the pitcher shattered at the spring, or the pulley cracked at the well, or before the dust returns to the earth as it once came from it, and the breath to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, the Preacher says. All is vanity.”

If we look at what the reading tells us, all our earthly pursuits may eventually be insignificant when we return to the Lord. It does not mean that we should totally disregard our livelihood here on earth, but what the reading is reminding us is to set our priorities right. Are we focusing so much on temporary things here on earth, that we end up neglecting our relationship with God? Let us take caution and not end up regretting later, since all that we have here on earth is impermanent, and our eternal future is at stake.

I sometimes come across people asking me what we would look like or be like after we die. Some begin to wonder whether a loved one would look or be the same. Some are even afraid to know what a loved one would look like or be like, especially when the loved one had gone through much suffering due to disease when the loved one was alive. But the reality is that our appearance would not be the same as when we were alive, since our bodies are perishable.

In today’s reading, we are reminded: “Someone may ask, ‘How are dead people raised, and what sort of body do they have when they come back?’ They are stupid questions. Whatever you sow in the ground has to die before it is given new life and the thing that you sow is not what is going to come; you sow a bare grain, say of wheat or something like that, It is the same with the resurrection of the dead: the thing that is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable; the thing that is sown is contemptible but what is raised is glorious; the thing that is sown is weak but what is raised is powerful; when it is sown it embodies the soul, when it is raised it embodies the spirit.”

The reading reminds us that our bodies will die, decay and eventually turn to dust, but our souls will become better and glorious, especially if we have been maintaining a good relationship with God. This is why we should not be too concerned about how we would look like or be like after we die. We should also not be too concerned about earthly things, since such things are impermanent. Instead, we should make more effort in growing in relationship with God. Are we putting our priorities right, and letting God be our guide and happiness?

How patient are we in letting God’s will be done? We sometimes expect God to answer our prayers quickly, or to help us when we turn to Him for help, but by doing so, are we really letting God’s will be done, or are we actually demanding that our will be done? For example, if we are stricken with a serious illness, would we expect God to heal us quickly, or would we be willing to be patient and let God decide what is best for us?

In today’s reading, God reminded Habakkuk: “if it comes slowly, wait, for come it will, without fail. ‘See how he flags, he whose soul is not at rights, but the upright man will live by his faithfulness.’” Habakkuk was reminded that God’s will would be done, not according to his terms, but according to God’s terms, and all that was needed was patience and trust.

What about us? When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are reminded: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Would we be willing and humble enough to let God’s will be done, while we remain patient and trust that God would make a way, even though it may take some time? Let us not be so easily disheartened or give up or even despair. Instead, let us remain faithful in God’s love and care, and let His will be done.

It is never easy to tell it as it is, or to tell the cold hard truth. I believe most people prefer to say or hear good news, and try as much as possible to avoid bad news. But the reality is that at times, bad news is necessary to help us grow, or to wake us up on certain realities, or even to protect us from possible harm. Also, at times, bad news could actually turn out to be good news after all, if one were to look at it from a different point of view.

In today’s reading, the priests and prophets wanted to get rid of the prophet Jeremiah, as he had prophesied against the city. But Jeremiah was prophesying bad news not because he enjoyed saying bad things or for the fun of it, but to warn the people of the consequences of not amending their actions and listening to God’s voice. The priests and prophets were not willing to listen to bad news from Jeremiah, but ironically, it was the city officials and the people who chose to do so, since they were convinced that such bad news was necessary and a wake up call for all to buck up and change their ways. Because of this, the city officials and the people refused to get rid of Jeremiah.

What about us? How would we treat bad news? Would we, like the priests and prophets, try to prevent bad news from circulating, or would we, like the city officials and the people, accept such bad news and change our ways? Sometimes bad news could actually save us from mortal danger, or even spiritual danger; and help us become better persons. May we learn to accept news, both good and bad, act upon such news for our own spiritual good, and continue to walk in His ways.