14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

As children, some of us find it difficult to listen to our parents. We try to do things our way. As a result, we get a scolding (and in some cases, even a beating) for not listening or doing what our parents tell us. While we are growing up, we find it harder and harder to listen to our parents, as we value our freedom and we think we can figure things out. However, at times, what our parents tell us is actually for our own good, and we disobey at our peril.

When we are unable or find it difficult to listen to our parents, we are being disobedient. In the same way, when we are unable or find it difficult to listen to God's voice, we are also being disobedient. Sin is disobedience to God. Obedience means listening to God's voice and trusting in His providence.

Jesus in today's Gospel invites us to put our trust in Him and in God the Father. We may not fully understand God's will, but that's ok. Unless we become docile and obedient like little children, we would not discover God’s will. Jesus reminds us that God hides these things from the learned and the clever and reveals them to mere children. This is what trust is all about. A child who trusts that his parents will take care of him is free from worry. Obedience means trusting.

In today's Gospel, Jesus also gives us an imagery of the yoke where he says: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." A yoke is often made for two or more oxen, and by inviting us to take His yoke and learn from Him, Jesus is assuring us that by putting on His yoke, He will guide us and help us in our burdens. When we accept Jesus' yoke, we are actually being liberated from many unnecessary fears or worries, and we learn to be meek and humble, trusting in Jesus and in God the Father, knowing that we will be cared for, just as a child puts his or her trust in his or her and parents and is cared for by them. Disobedience is a result of pride. Obedience is a result of humility.

Let us therefore surrender to God's will and let Him take control. When we surrender to God's will, we will also find peace and true happiness. Are we still so obstinate and wanting to do things our way? Or would we be willing to be humble, and do things God's way?

Housekeeping - Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles & Week 13 Year 2

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

29 June 2014 - Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles
30 June 2014 - Monday of Week 13 Year 2
1 July 2014 - Tuesday of Week 13 Year 2
2 July 2014 - Wednesday of Week 13 Year 2
3 July 2014 - Saint Thomas, Apostle - Feast
4 July 2014 - Friday of Week 13 Year 2

Friday of Week 13 Year 2

When we go about in our daily efforts in proclaiming the Good News, who or what sort of group do we go for? Some of us may have become quite comfortable with reaching out to a certain group based on their income level, status, or place of residence. As a result, we may be less inclined to visit areas such as the slum areas, areas which we perceive to be bad or undesirable areas, or even areas which are occupied by squatters. Others may have become quite comfortable with reaching out to a certain language or ethnic group. This may be due to the fact that our language skills may not be so good.

However, today's Gospel reminds us that Jesus did not come to call the virtuous but sinners. Jesus reminds us that what God wants is mercy, not sacrifice. Often we may offer sacrifice because we have the means to do so or we may be doing so for our own glory, our own gratification. But by being with tax collectors and sinners, the very persons which the Pharisees shunned, Jesus is showing us that we should follow His example and be loving and merciful to these types of people. They are the ones who need spiritual guidance and nourishment, instead of being despised or looked-down upon.

Are we guilty like the Pharisees in picking and choosing only those who seem ok or may later be beneficial to us? Have we forgotten our duty to preach the Good News to all?

Saint Thomas, Apostle - Feast

Do we believe everything we see or hear? Sometimes we may see something or hear of something, but what we see or hear may not necessarily be true. This is why we may sometimes be sceptical or unconvinced about something until we have clear and indisputable evidence. At other times, there are certain things we cannot see or hear, but they are present. This requires faith and trust in God.

St. Thomas in today's Gospel doubted when the disciples said, 'We have seen the Lord.' Considering the amount of stories and rumours St. Thomas may have heard, he had every reason to doubt. Of course we should discern when we accept what is being said, and when to doubt, since not everything we hear or see is true. However, we should also take heed of what Jesus said in the Gospel: "Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe." This is where we need to know when we should use our reasoning and when to depend on faith. Let us ask our God to guide us, so we would be able to be balanced in faith and reason.

Wednesday of Week 13 Year 2

How many of us would want to commit evil? Quite likely we would want to do good. But sometimes we may be committing evil when we allow justice and integrity to be distorted or trampled on. We see justice and integrity being abandoned or misused, all for our personal gain or gratification. This is why today's reading admonishes us: "I hate and despise your feasts, I take no pleasure in your solemn festivals. When you offer me holocausts, I reject your oblations, and refuse to look at your sacrifices of fattened cattle. Let me have no more of the din of your chanting, no more of your strumming on harps. But let justice flow like water, and integrity like an unfailing stream."

We can put on a show or appear to be holy and participating in various religious events, but all this would not mean anything if justice and integrity is abandoned or forgotten. Let us be mindful and take care that justice and integrity is upheld in whatever we do.

Tuesday of Week 13 Year 2

There are times we are in a difficult or dangerous situation or put in a spot. When we are faced with such situations, some of us may begin to worry, some may even begin to despair, thinking that all is lost. Some of us may be tempted to give up the faith, thinking that we could save our skin by doing so, especially when facing persecution or even the possibility of death.

However, today's Gospel reassures us that Jesus is there to guide us and weather out the storm. We may face all sorts of storms in life, but are we willing to put our trust in Jesus and let Him help us? He admonished the disciples, and also admonishes us: "Why are you so frightened, you men of little faith?" Why are some of us still afraid? Don't we trust in Jesus?

Monday of Week 13 Year 2

One of the hardest things we need to do as Christians is the ability and willingness to let go. In this world, we are so used to having property or possessions, titles or positions, or even people who mean a lot to us or are close to us. If we are told by Jesus to let go of these things and people for the sake of the Gospel, would we be willing and humble enough to do so?

In today's Gospel, Jesus challenges us to consider exactly that. He said: "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Jesus also said: "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead." Would we be willing and able to be detached from what we have, even to the extent of being detached from family relationship, so that we would be free to follow Him and preach the Good News? It is certainly not an easy thing to do, but if Jesus calls us to leave everything behind and follow Him, how would we respond? Would we do so happily, sincerely and wholeheartedly?