Friday of Week 32 Year 1

If you were told that tomorrow would be the end of the world, how would you respond? For some people, they may try to stack up food, water, medicine and other items to survive, and then go into hiding in a place they think is safe, because to them, the end of civilisation as we know it is the end of the world. Some people may begin to try patching up relationships with their loved ones, for fear that they may never see their loved ones again. Others may try to accumulate other forms of wealth like gold, silver or other precious metals to be used to barter for necessities, thinking that if the world's economy collapses, that would be the end of the world as the present forms of currency (paper and coins) would be useless.

However, are we ready spiritually if the end of the world comes? Today's Gospel reminds us that "Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe." In our efforts to secure temporary things, we neglect to prepare for things which are eternal. When the time comes, the Gospel tells us that "one will be taken, the other left." Could we be the one left behind, regretting when it is too late that we had failed to maintain a good and close relationship with our loving God? Let us take heed, and as some may say, don't play play with our eternal future.

Thursday of Week 32 Year 1

Some people can be very gullible. They can be easily taken for a ride or cheated. For example, we see how some people rush to attend healing rallies or prayer conventions without checking carefully whether the person or persons conducting such events are for real or are con persons. Later when they discover that they have not been healed or their prayers not answered, they may think that they have done something wrong which is causing God to not heal them or refusing to answer their prayers. Some may even blame God for not being fair to them. By the time they realise they have been conned (that is, if they ever realise at all), it is too late. The culprits have made their getaway.

The same issue also applies to some so called folks who claim to know when the end of the world is coming. They use different tactics to scare people into giving away wealth, possessions, etc., and often, these con persons are only after your wealth and property. Once they get a tidy sum, they make a run for it, or they offer all sorts of excuses when the so called date and time the world will end does not happen.

Today's Gospel reminds us that "The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation... They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit..." Are we going to be so easily influenced by others in such matters and start worrying and fretting? Or are we going to continue to trust in our loving God and build our relationship with Him, knowing that He will care for us no matter what happens?

Wednesday of Week 32 Year 1

Those of us who hold important posts, who hold positions of power, are public figures, who are leaders in different ministries, etc. have got a great burden of responsibility and accountability. Such responsibility and accountability is certainly not an easy or simple matter, and to be true and faithful in our conduct is not something we can accomplish on our own.We need to continuously depend on God's help for strength and perserverence.

However, for those in power who abuse their positions, who think that we can do as we please, today's reading is a serious warning to all of us. The reading warns that "power is a gift to you from the Lord, sovereignty is from the Most High; he himself will probe your acts and scrutinise your intentions." The reading also warns us: "If, as administrators of his kingdom, you have not governed justly; nor observed the law, nor behaved as God would have you behave, he will fall on you swiftly and terribly. Ruthless judgement is reserved for the high and mighty; the lowly will be compassionately pardoned, the mighty will be mightily punished."

Such warnings ought to be taken as a jarring wake up call to all of us, and remind us that we are to serve and not lord it over others. The question is: are we making efforts in humility to remain loyal, faithful and dependent on the Lord, or have we allowed ourselves to go astray? Are we aware and careful of the consequences of our actions, or have we become blind and deaf, refusing to admit any guilt or wrongdoing? Indeed, it is easier to be a follower than a leader, but we can do all things if we remain faithful and rely and trust in God's love and providence.

Tuesday of Week 32 Year 1

What sort of attitude do you have towards work, position, status, etc.? Some people may think that they are indispensible, and without them, the company would collapse. Some people may become so full of themselves with pride and arrogance, especially when they have reached a certain level and status in their workplace and in society. Some people may even look at others with disdain, especially when they think that they are more capable or intelligent. Such attitude could also be seen in churches, where there are certain faithful who begin to think that they "own" a particular office or ministry, and they may go through great lengths to ensure the status quo remains. The irony is that some of these people may lament that no new blood is forthcoming, but at the same time, they seem to be holding on with an iron fist.

However, today's Gospel admonishes us: "So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, 'We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.'” In whatever we do, are we merely serving ourselves, or are we really serving the Lord? There is always the danger that we may say that we are serving the Lord, but in reality, we are merely exalting ourselves. Thus, we should continuously remind ourselves as we pray the Our Father: "Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done"; NOT "My Kingdom come, My will be done."

Monday of Week 32 Year 1

What are you looking for in life? Often we hear people spending a lot of time and effort in building their career, their wealth, their families, etc. But how many of us truly strive to build our relationship with God? Today's reading reminds us that we should "love virtue, let honesty prompt your thinking about the Lord, seek him in simplicity of heart; since he is to be found by those who do not put him to the test, he shows himself to those who do not distrust him." Have we allowed ourselves to go astray in pursuing only that which is temporary? Or are we being more balanced by also progressing spiritually as we pursue that which is eternal?

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

As humans, we all experience some form of suffering in our lives. Some mothers suffer throughout their pregnancy due to cramps, morning sickness, and even at childbirth. Babies often suffer growing pains as they move from infant, to toddler, to beyond. There are people who constantly suffer migraine, depression, and other ailments which do not seem to go away. When these sufferings occur, some of us may begin to question: why is this happening? Is God punishing us?

We begin to think that good people enjoy life and bad people suffer. Along with this thought, we begin to think that we must have said or done something wrong or bad to have caused us to suffer. However, today's first reading tells us that this is not true. The seven brothers suffered terribly even though they were good people. Why did God allow them to suffer? Why didn't God rescue them?

Trying to find an answer to why suffering occurs is not easy. We try to explain it away, only to find that the answer is not complete, not satisfactory, not acceptable. Many learned people have in the past tried to find a good answer, only to discover that there is really no suitable answer. Just as God is a mystery, suffering is also a mystery, and a mystery is something which is slowly being revealed and points us to a greater truth.

However, we Catholics have faith in the resurrection and that helps us understand that suffering is not permanent and death is not the end. We trust that God promises life and not death, and we believe that He will care for us and raise us up. Thus, let us continue to place our hope and trust in our loving God, for as the Gospel reminds us: "He is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to Him all men are in fact alive."

Friday of Week 31 Year 1

Some of us are blessed with money and possessions, but are we making good use of these temporary things for our spiritual benefit? In today's Gospel, Jesus praised a steward who misused his master's money. The dishonest steward is praised not for mishandling his master's wealth, but for his shrewdness and foresight in avoiding personal disaster while securing his future livelihood. However, Jesus is not trying to teach us how to prevent a financial or economic crisis. Instead, He is more concerned that we use our shrewdness and foresight to prevent a spiritual and moral crisis. If only we would make much effort in spiritual matters which have eternal consequences, just as we make much effort in earthly matters which have temporary consequences, we would be better off in this life and in the next.