Saturday of Week 29 Year 1

Do we eat to live or do we live to eat? If we say that we live to eat, that means we want to enjoy food and other attractions of the world as much as possible. Some may think that the world is all there is, and after that, they would cease to exist. So such persons would enjoy what this world has to offer to the fullest while they still can. On the other hand, if we eat to live, then we know that our lives on this earth are only temporary, and the choices we make would have eternal consequences. So we try our best to strike a balance in living in this world, with our focus in the next.

In today's reading, we are cautioned: "The unspiritual are interested only in what is unspiritual, but the spiritual are interested in spiritual things. It is death to limit oneself to what is unspiritual; life and peace can only come with concern for the spiritual. That is because to limit oneself to what is unspiritual is to be at enmity with God: such a limitation never could and never does submit to God’s law. People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God."

The question is: are we still going after unspiritual things here on earth, by living to eat and concerning ourselves only with this world, thinking that this world is all there is? Or have we made more effort to strive for more spiritual pursuits, by eating to live so that we could grow closer to God? May we come to realise what is really important in the end, and strive more towards what is spiritual, for our eternal good.

Saturday of Week 26 Year 1

Life as Christians is never easy. We face all sorts of challenges and difficulties, especially since we may need to take a stand or a position which is contrary to the ways of the world. For example, at work we may be asked to promote goods or services which may bring in huge profits and possibly a big bonus or a big pay raise or even a promotion, but such goods or services may be at odds with the teachings of our faith. When this happens, would we being tempted to go astray from God's ways to the ways of the world? The ways of the world have many attractions and benefits which try to lure us into alienating ourselves from God, and that is why we need to take courage and try hard to avoid going astray. When we fall into temptation, it is not the end yet, since God gives us many opportunities to seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, change our ways, and remain in God's path.

In today's reading, the prophet Baruch gives us a message of hope: "Take courage, my children, call on God: he who brought disaster on you will remember you. As by your will you first strayed away from God, so now turn back and search for him ten times as hard; for as he brought down those disasters on you, so will he rescue you and give you eternal joy." Baruch reminds us not to give up or give in to despair, but to keep on trusting in God and walk in His ways, trusting and knowing that He will help us. Even though we may be facing challenges, ridicule and persecution for holding steadfast to our faith, we know that God will not abandon us. Are we willing to be humble and patient in our journey towards eternal joy with Him?

Wednesday of Week 26 Year 1

Being a follower of Jesus is not so easy. Some people think that we can follow Jesus and live our lives as before, but the reality is that there are times we would be faced with difficult decision of whether we want to follow Jesus completely and faithfully, or we only follow Him when it is convenient to us. For example, we claim to follow Jesus, but if we answer God's call to serve as a missionary in a foreign land where it may be difficult for us to return home, we may have to sacrifice being with our family in their time of need, such as an illness or even death. Also, there may be situations where we may have to go against our family's demands, especially if such demands go against the teachings of Jesus. When faced with such difficult situations, would we still be able to follow Jesus?

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that following Him comes at a cost and sometimes the cost can be quite high, heavy or challenging to bear. We should be ready to give up everything we hold so dear, take up our cross and follow Him. This includes having to be detached from people and things, so that we could be free to do God's will. Would we be willing to surrender all to follow Jesus, or have we become so attached to persons and things around us, so much so that such persons and things have become obstacles preventing us from becoming true disciples of Jesus? When we sing: "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back," do we really mean what we sing?

Saturday of Week 25 Year 1

We can sometimes fall into a false sense of lull or complacency when we receive a lot of praises from others. We begin to think that we are ok and that things are going our way. But just as we could receive praise and admiration from others, we could also end up being condemned or shunned by others even for the slightest reason. Human praise and admiration can be very fickle, and people who were once allies or friends could become rivals or enemies when the circumstances do not benefit them.

In today's Gospel, we are told: "At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.”’" Jesus Himself, who performed a lot of miracles, healed many, and said many inspirational and good things, was eventually condemned, despite of all He had said and done. This shows that as followers of Jesus, we should not rest on our laurels and bask in human praise and admiration, since such things are temporary and could change so easily and quickly. Instead, let us take up our cross and follow Jesus, not seeking human glory, but by giving God the glory.

Friday of Week 25 Year 1

What sort of leader would we want to follow? Quite likely, we would want to follow a leader who is important, or a leader who has a great track record, or a leader who is a winner, or even a leader who can produce results which could help or benefit us. How many of us would follow a leader who is going to be mocked, persecuted or even put to death? If we observe the the ways of the world, such a leader would only bring disaster to us, and should be avoided at all cost. However, as Christians what sort of leader do we really follow?

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us: "'The Son of Man' he said 'is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.'" From a worldly point of view such a leader would end up dead and would not benefit or help us. Moreover, such a leader would be raised up on the third day? The world would laugh and say that such a thing is ridiculous, illogical or impossible. But Jesus proved to all that He did die and He rose again, as His purpose as a leader was not to gain fame or recognition from the world, but to save us from our sins.

Today we as Christians are called by Jesus to follow His example and His leadership. We are called to take up our cross and follow Him. Ultimately, we have a choice: to follow the ways of the world and its ideas of leadership, or to follow the ways of Christ and His way of leadership. May we learn to lead the way He leads us and let Him be our help and guide.

Saturday of Week 24 Year 1

As Christians, we have been taught many things about the deeds and teachings of Jesus. We would have gone through Catechism classes and for some RCIA classes, so that we would know and understand what being a follower of Jesus is all about. This means that we know or ought to know what our duties and responsibilities are as Christians. It also means that we cannot simply claim ignorance or pretend that we do not know, since such teaching was received not only during Catechism or RCIA classes, but through various formation sessions, classes or workshops made available to us, and also even at Mass, where the readings of the Sunday and the homily contains teachings for us to reflect on and act upon.

In today's reading, St. Paul reminds us: "Before God the source of all life and before Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures..." St. Paul is reminding us that being a Christian means witnessing for the truth and "doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures..." and not just simply listening without any action. May we take initiative and make effort to "do whatever He tells you" as what Mother Mary did, and do our duty for the glory of God.

Saturday of Week 23 Year 1

 It is easy for us to say that we are Christians, but how many of us really follow Jesus' teachings and commandments faithfully and completely? Some of us may be Christians only in name, but we want to do our own thing and according to our own way. Some of us may be Christians, but we follow only those teachings and commandments which are beneficial or convenient to us. How many of us are humble and willing to accept and follow Jesus' teachings and commandments in its entirety, even those teachings which are hard or challenging for us to follow?

In today's Gospel, Jesus challenges us: "Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?" It is easy to say that we are followers of Christ, but it is certainly not easy for us to be steadfast and faithful in following all that He has told and taught us. Being a Christian is not just accepting Jesus and listening to Him, but also acting on His words and growing in His ways. May we act upon His words, and help others to do the same, for His glory.