Today’s readings speak of a common theme and that theme is “fasting.” When we speak of fasting, some of us may begin to assume that it means not taking certain food or drink; or not eating a particular meal; or even not eating for a certain period of time (such as from dawn to dusk).
It is quite easy for some to become distracted and caught up with so many things this world has to offer. Wealth, property, popularity, fame, recognition, power and prestige are some of the attractions which could lure us away from our true purpose and our true goal. The world gives us the impression that these
Many things that we see around us may seem beautiful, pleasing to see, or attractive, but when these things are burnt, the only thing left are ashes. No matter how grand, stylo milo, or shockalingam the item or even a person may appear, all of these will no longer be identifiable once reduced to ashes.
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
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
What does it mean to be treated as an outcast or to be ostracised from society? Have you ever experienced being treated as an outcast, ostracised or excluded from a group, a community or even from society? Many of us may have had the privilege of not having to experience such a thing, but there
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date: 8 February 2015 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B9 February 2015 – Monday of Week 5 Year110 February 2015 – Tuesday of Week 5 Year111 February 2015 – Wednesday of Week 5 Year112 February 2015 –
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
Many of us are so used to getting things done quickly. Some of us complain when there is a traffic jam and we fume while we wait for the vehicles in front of us to hurry up and go. Some of us get agitated when the internet is slow, even if it is only for
We sometimes come across people who have taken certain God’s laws such as dietary laws to the extreme. Such people begin to focus more on whether it is “kosher or not” to eat something, or whether it is “halal or haram” (Malay for ‘allowed or forbidden to be eaten.’) But what some of these people
