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 24 Year 2

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?

Thursday of Week 24 Year 1

Nowadays, we can get all sorts of comments, opinions and information about certain church teaching or certain church practices. But the reality is that truth and church teaching has to be definitive and absolute. Otherwise, we may end up in relativism, where anything and everything goes, as long as it fits in with a certain culture, society, or historical context. This is why those of us who are teachers of faith and morals, including clergy, religious and even lay persons, have a heavy responsibility to ensure that matters concerning faith and morals are taught faithfully according to what the church teaches, not according to one's preference, opinion or way of thinking.

In today's reading, St. Paul cautions us: "Take great care about what you do and what you teach; always do this, and in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you." Having an opinion or preference about a matter concerning faith and morals is fine, it is not wrong. But it becomes a problem one begins to treat one's opinion or preference as truth, and one begins to teach one's opinion or preference, instead of what the church teachers. Let us therefore be responsible in what we teach, and teach the truth, not what we like or prefer.

Tuesday of Week 24 Year 1

During Jesus' time, widows were considered helpless and powerless, as they had no one to protect or support them in their needs. In today's Gospel, the widow was considered practically dead too, since without her only son, she had no means to provide for herself. But then she encountered the compassion of Jesus. Jesus was moved with pity for her, saw her pain and grief, and felt her sorrow and helplessness. By restoring her only son to life, Jesus showed his love and concern, giving back to her hope and new life, and restored her to her community.

What about us, if we see someone who is helpless and powerless, would we do our utmost best to help the person, so that the person would get back hope and new life? Or would we mind our own business and look the other way, or simply wish the person well and not get involved? May we learn to imitate the love and compassion that Jesus shows us, so that all may know what it really means to be a Christian.

Monday of Week 24 Year 1

When we pray, what do we pray for, and who do we pray for? Do we pray only for our needs or perhaps the needs of those we care about or love? Have we ever prayed also for others, especially those we do not know, or we do not like, or those who have been hurtful towards us in one way or another? Do we keep everyone in our prayers; or do we pick and choose who we pray for, or do we pray for only certain reasons?

In today's reading, we are told: "My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. To do this is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth."  May we remember all around us in our prayers, for the good of all and for the glory of God.

Saturday of Week 24 Year 2

I recall reading an article about the burning of paper gifts, paper houses with what seems to be lots of servants in them, even paper modern products such as computer, car and hand-phone, as if such products and facilities would still be needed when one dies and is in what some believe to be the afterworld. In the article, I learnt that the original intention for the burning of such items was not for the afterworld, as some seem to believe, but to remind one of impermanence and detachment from such things, since such things cannot be physically brought with us when we die.

In today's reading, we see a similar situation about not being too concerned with things on earth, as such things are also impermanent and one should be detached. The reading tells us: "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."

Just as a seed dies and transforms into something better, our bodies too 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 make more effort in growing in relationship with God, and not be too concerned with worldly wealth and power, since such things won't last. Are we putting our priorities right, and letting God be our guide and happiness?

Thursday of Week 24 Year 2

It is easy for some of us to become attracted and distracted by so called church teaching from various other sources. We sometimes lose focus on what is true, genuine church teaching, because the teaching we read or hear from such other sources appears to come from some so-called authoritative figure, or the teaching itself seems appealing to us, or such teaching seems to satisfiy our interpretation of what being church and being a follower of Christ means. But how do we know for certain whether such teaching is genuine or bona fide?

One way of ensuring that such church teaching is genuine is to read or hear such teaching from certified or official sources, and such teaching should jive or flow from the apostles, as St. Paul reminds us in today's reading: "Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything." As we can read, St. Paul is telling us that he is the genuine authoritative figure, instead of listening to so called other authoritative figures who may only lead us astray.

So what does this mean to us? It means that we must be prudent and discern what we read or hear, and scrutinise the source of such teaching. This is to ensure that we do not lose our way in our faith, and we should also guide others so that they too will not lose their way. May we make every effort to ensure we read and hear only true and genuine teaching, and share such genuine teaching to all.

Wednesday of Week 24 Year 2

It is inevitable that no matter where one serves, no matter what one does, one would somehow have one's share of critics or people who cannot accept or agree with almost everything or even to the point of everything of what one says ot does. This is because there are people who only want things done in a certain way, or they cannot accept what another does no matter how good and just it may be, or they only accept things which meet or surpass their requirements and expectations. Anything else would only encounter the displeasure or wrath of such persons.

In today's Gospel, we see examples of how we can never satisfy or please everyone, especially when it comes to service and mission. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us: "‘For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.”'The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.'"

At the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves sincerely: are we performing service and mission to please and satisfy others, or are we doing so for the Glory of God? Are we more concerned about getting praise, acceptance and recognition from others; or are we more concerned about doing God's will? May we put our priorities right, and ultimately in all we say and do, give God the greater glory.

Saturday of Week 24 Year 1

Why do we call ourselves Christians? If we call ourselves Christians, then do we do what Jesus expects of us? Or do we pick and choose only what is convenient and comfortable for us? Sometimes, we come across people who claim to be Christians, but they want to do things their own way, as if being a Christian could be customised according to what suits them. But is that what being a Christian is all about? Are we Christians for our convenience?

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..." It means that we cannot pick and choose, or water down the truth, for our convenience and the convenience of others. 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.

Friday of Week 24 Year 1

It is interesting to note that some people seem to think that they can pay their way to heaven, sort of like "cheap grace" where the more they contribute, the better the chances for them to reach heaven. Also, some so called Christian pastors seem to be focused in ensuring that their faithful pay up every month, even to the point of checking on their pay slip or income status, and even publishing on the notice board, the names of so called "offenders" who have not been able to contribute, though there may be good and valid reasons why they may be unable to do so. Has our church and even some of us begun to have such thoughts and attitudes?

In today's reading, St. Paul warns us: "This is what you are to teach the brothers to believe and persuade them to do. Anyone who teaches anything different, and does not keep to the sound teaching which is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine which is in accordance with true religion, is simply ignorant and must be full of self-conceit – with a craze for questioning everything and arguing about words. All that can come of this is jealousy, contention, abuse and wicked mistrust of one another; and unending disputes by people who are neither rational nor informed and imagine that religion is a way of making a profit. Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it; but as long as we have food and clothing, let us be content with that."

Are we a church only for the money? In some churches, we seem to get the impression that the leadership is focusing only for the money, where the rich, influential and wealthy are well treated, but the poor, the marginalised, those who are not so well-off or even those who are struggling to make ends meet are given little or minimal attention. If our focus is only for the money, then why are we church in the first place? Are we followers of our own ego, pride and gratification, or are we truly and sincerely following Jesus and His teachings?

Wednesday of Week 24 Year 1

We sometimes come across people who say things that hurt, but what they say is the truth and makes sense. Some of such persons are called prophets, since what they are saying is to bring us back to our senses and help us realign ourselves with what is actual church teaching. However, those of us who say such things may not be appreciated or accepted by those who do not want to face the truth or accept the facts. Such persons would go to great lengths to try and discredit the prophet, in an attempt to safeguard the status quo or to maintain their interpretation of what they claim the church teaches, no matter how distorted or diverted the so called teaching may be.

In today's Gospel, the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees and Jesus were in constant conflict, as the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees had their own interpretation of religion and its practices, which was constantly challenged by Jesus.The chief priests, scribes and Pharisees tried to make Jesus dance to their tune but He wouldn't and He even said of them: "We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn't dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn't cry." Because Jesus and John the Baptist didn't conform, the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees labelled them as "possessed" and "glutton and drunkard." But as we know, it is the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees who had become "possessed" and "glutton and drunkard," since they were the ones who had interpreted God's laws according to their whims and fancies, instead of what is true.

What about us? Are we just as guilty like the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees, coming up with our own interpretations just because what the church teaches is not to our liking? May we come to realise what is true, and teach the truth accordingly, not what what we like or what suits us.

Tuesday of Week 24 Year 1

What does it mean to do noble work? For some, it means doing some sort of charitable task, or to carry out some form of social work or to volunteer for a good cause. But sometimes, people perform noble work for a reason. Some do so because they want to gain a tax exemption or recognition from the government. Some do so because they want others to look up to them or to gain admiration or praise from their friends and peers. But what is a Christian understanding of noble work?

Noble work, from a Christian perspective, is not so much what a person does, but the kind of person he or she is, that is the person's character. Today's reading gives us some important clues about the kind of character a person should have, which in a nutshell should be respectable and impeccable. The work or ministry that a person would be doing could only be noble when the person in question is of noble character. That is why, when it comes to clergy and persons who would be entrusted to positions of authority in the church, it is necessary to examine and scrutinise the person's character prior to ordination or appointment. May we be found to be of noble character, in our efforts to preach the good news to all.

Monday of Week 24 Year 1

Many of us find it easy to pray for someone we care about or love. We pray for such persons, so that they would have happy lives, or they would remain strong and healthy, or for some other reason. But how many of us truly and genuinely pray for others, especially those we do not know, or we do not like, or those who have been hurtful towards us? Do we keep everyone in our prayers, or do we pick and choose?

In today's reading, we are told: "My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. To do this is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth." When we pray for everyone, we are praying not for our own needs or wants, but for the good of all and for the glory of God. May we remember all around us in our prayers, with hope that there would be peace on earth.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Some of us may have experienced tremendous hurt or pain due to betrayal from those who were supposed to be close and trusting to us, such as our friends, our brother or sister, our husband or wife, our children, or even our parents. When we experience such hurt or pain, would we still be able to forgive the person or persons who have betrayed us? As Christians we are reminded that we are asked to fogive those who trespass against us, just as we ask God to forgive us our trespasses. But how do we forgive, especially when the hurt seems so great?

Some people think that forgiveness means forgetting, but this is not true. We are asked to forgive, not forget, since if we try to forget the memories, they will not be healed. To bring about healing, we must remember, since forgiveness is a healing of that memory which we must remember. Also, some seem to think that forgiveness will take away the anger and the hurt feelings, but that too is not necessarily true. Forgiveness is not about taking away the anger and the hurt feelings, but it is a decision to let go of the hurts, and to refuse to allow our hurts to control us. Should we wait till those hurt feelings disappear entirely before we are ready to forgive? Of course not! Forgiveness can and should begin even when we continue to feel hurt.

Moreover, forgiveness is not a single event, since it is a process and it takes time. When we decide to forgive, it does not happen all at once, or instantly, like some sort of hokus pokus, since we decide to keep on forgiving, and we will never stop forgiving till the day we die. As Jesus told his disciples in the Gospel, we are to forgive “Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.” That is a lifetime of forgiving indeed! Beside, we need to remember that forgiving others becomes easier when we realise that we too need forgiveness, since we too have made mistakes, betrayed others, hurt and gossiped about others, and are in need of forgiveness. God our Father readily forgives us for the many times that we’ve sinned, and we are challenged to do the same. Ultimately, we must learn to forgive ourselves, even though it may seem hard. Why do we need to forgive ourselves? Because if you cannot forgive yourself, you would also find it hard to forgive others, and you are doubting God’s compassion and mercy.

In today's first reading, we are reminded that "Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found with the sinner. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin. Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven. If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord?" May we make every effort to begin by forgiving now, instead of putting it off till tomorrow, or next month, or the year after. At the end of our life, may we look back with joy and thanksgiving that our life was well lived and marked by forgiveness and reconciliation, instead of unforgiveness, bitterness and sorrow.

Friday of Week 24 Year 2

Do you believe that there is life after death? As Christians, we believe that there is life after death, but we sometimes come across people who seem to think that this life is all that matters. They rather spend more time and effort to accumulate titles, wealth, fame, and recognition, with the intention of winning admiration and respect from others. These people think that after this life is over and done with, that is it: we are finished, we are history. But is this what we Christians believe? As Christians, could some of us be thinking that this life is all there is to it and all that matters?

In today's reading, St. Paul reminds us that we Christians believe in the resurrection. He says: "Now if Christ raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless; indeed, we are shown up as witnesses who have committed perjury before God, because we swore in evidence before God that he had raised Christ to life."

As Christians, we are reminded each time we recite the Nicene or Apostles creed that there is the resurrection of the dead. This means that we Christians affirm and believe that there is life after death. May we not fool ourselves into thinking that this life is all that matters or that this life is all there is to it, and make the necessary preparations for our eternal future while we have time and opportunities to do so.

Tuesday of Week 24 Year 2

Are you happy with the gifts and talents that God has given you? Some of us say that we are happy, while others may wish that they had certain gifts and talents that others have. But the thing is, God makes each and every one of us different. The gifts and talents of each and every one of us is unique, and God in His wisdom has granted such gifts and talents not for us to gloat or become proud and conceited, but ultimately for His glory and to proclaim the Good News. Are we using our talents wisely, or are we wasting our talents for selfish reasons?

In today's reading, St. Paul reminds us: "Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink. Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it."

Our duties, responsibilities, or functions may be different; our gifts and talents may be different; but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. We should put our gifts and talents to good use and do our duty with joy, enthusiasm and vigour, instead of trying to compare with others and feeling upset that we are not being given something better. After all, at the end of the day, we are part of God's family, and as a family we ought to be united with diversity.

Monday of Week 24 Year 2

When we are invited to dine with the sultan or with the king or with some VIP (Very Important Person), would we go straight to the food and eat to our hearts content? Surely we would wait until certain protocols and customs have been observed, then only when the time has come to eat, we would begin the meal with decorum, respect and table manners. But when we come for Mass, do we practice the same decorum, respect and table manners?

In today's reading, St. Paul reminds us of such decorum, protocol and table manners when we come for Mass: "The point is, when you hold these meetings, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you are eating, since when the time comes to eat, everyone is in such a hurry to start his own supper that one person goes hungry while another is getting drunk. Surely you have homes for eating and drinking in? Surely you have enough respect for the community of God not to make poor people embarrassed?... So to sum up, my dear brothers, when you meet for the Meal, wait for one another."

What St. Paul reminds us in the reading is still relevant even today. When we come for Mass to the Table of the Lord, we are coming for a banquet with the Lord. Just as we would observe the proper decorum, respect and table manners when we dine with so-called important persons on earth, may we remember who we are dining with when we come for Mass, and observe the proper decorum, respect and table manners such as fasting an hour before Holy Communion, going for confession, and ensuring that our children do not eat during Mass, just to name a few.

Housekeeping - Week 24 Year 2

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

11 Sept 2016 - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
12 Sept 2016 - Monday of Week 24 Year 2
13 Sept 2016 - Tuesday of Week 24 Year 2
14 Sept 2016 - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
15 Sept 2016 - Our Lady of Sorrows, Memorial
16 Sept 2016 - Friday of Week 24 Year 2

Monday of Week 24 Year 2

When we are invited to a house for a meal, would we just barge in, go straight to the dining table and begin eating? Of course not! There is a certain decorum and good manners we follow, since the host has taken so much trouble to invite us and prepare us a meal. When the time comes for the meal to be enjoyed, we would also not just simply seat at the dining table, but wait politely for the host to seat us according to his or her preference, and wait till everyone is present and ready, and then wait until we are invited to begin eating. Surely we are not barbarians or so uncivilised as to embarrass the host with disgusting and unbecoming table manners.

In the same way, when we come for Mass to the Table of the Lord, there is a certain decorum, protocol and table manners to follow. In today's reading, St. Paul reminds us of such decorum, protocol and table manners: "The point is, when you hold these meetings, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you are eating, since when the time comes to eat, everyone is in such a hurry to start his own supper that one person goes hungry while another is getting drunk. Surely you have homes for eating and drinking in? Surely you have enough respect for the community of God not to make poor people embarrassed?... So to sum up, my dear brothers, when you meet for the Meal, wait for one another."

What St. Paul reminds us in the reading is still applicable even today. When we come for Mass to the Table of the Lord, we are coming for a banquet with the Lord. Unfortunately, we sometimes see some people appearing to be so famished or lack control, that they have to eat something else while Mass is going on; or they even allow their children to eat something during Mass. Surely we can train ourselves and our children to be patient and wait; and then later eat and drink as we like after Mass. Have we forgotten that we are in the presence of God, and that we should learn to wait till the proper time comes for us as a community to partake in the Lord's meal? Do we not respect and value the Lord's meal, and wait till the Mass is over?

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

People in love have the capacity of doing the craziest things. If you observe a person in love, you would notice the amount of time and effort the person would spend towards the one the person loves. For example, a mother would go through great extent to ensure that her child is well cared for and well provided, regardless whether the child is grateful to the mother or not. A father would not hesitate to rescue his child who fell into a pool, even though he does not know how to swim and may be at risk of drowning. A teacher spends lots of time helping a child to gain a better grasp of his lessons, as the child is a slow learner, and the teacher loves the child and wants him to do well in life, without caring about what others think. Love can certainly make people do crazy things.

In today's Gospel, we see examples of how love can make people do crazy things. In the Gospel, we are told that a shepherd leaves ninety nine sheep to go after the one that is lost. We are also told that a woman goes in search for the lost tenth drachma by "light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it." A person attuned to the ways of the world or a business person may be thinking: "Are you crazy? Have you gone nuts? Why risk losing the other sheep just to look out for one? Why go through all the trouble looking to that one drachma when you already have the other nine?" But the fact is, God's ways are different from our ways. God loves without limit, and He is prepared to go all out and endure suffering, seek and find that one which is lost.

Some of us may think that the best thing to do would be to let these sort of people carry on with whatever they're doing, and we too carry on with our own lives. We wash our hands off such people, because we don't feel it worthwhile or necessary to bring them or rescue them. But this is where God shows us the true meaning of love. God never gives up even when we choose to give up; He never stops working or trying even though we have long ceased all efforts; He never stops loving even when we may feel as if it is impossible to love anymore. Such is our God: the most compassionate, the most loving, and the most merciful. Seeing that we have such a God, what does this tell us? This tells us that each of us is very important; has a special dignity; is unique; is priceless and worth saving. The problem is, we sometimes fail to recognise our own dignity, and we forget who we are. Because of this, we easily get angry with others when we are made to feel small; or become jealous and selfish because we feel that we are not good enough. But the point is, God is telling you: "You are beautiful! You are precious! Why let others put you down? God loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for you and to save you from your sins!" Are we doubting God?

Today, let us hold our heads up high, knowing with trust and confidence that God is there to help us and guide us. Each and every one of us is more precious and valuable than anything else, so we should not feel down or give up. Let us always remember that God will never abandon us; that He loves us unconditionally, and that we too should learn to love the way He loves us.