Holy Family

The family today is under serious threat. We see more and more families becoming broken. We see lack of face-to-face communication taking place; husbands and wives not talking to each other; children not talking to their parents or siblings. Instead of talking, they prefer to text and send messages, as they become more and more dependent on smartphones, whatsapp, Facebook and other gadgets and gizmos to communicate. We see greater increase in divorce rates, because some people are not happy in their marriages and instead of seeking help or making effort to get their marriages fixed, they look elsewhere for love and comfort. We see children being left alone at home or under the care of grandparents, maids or babysitters, as parents work late or prefer to live and enjoy their lives outside. We see elderly parents being abandoned or placed in nursing homes and rarely visited, because some people find it inconvenient to care for them (even though our parents were making sacrifices to care for us when we were young, some of us are unwilling to do the same when they are old). Some parents have even given up or lack patience to teach their children, preferring to wash their hands and let others do their dirty work.

All these things may sound like a hopeless situation. Does this mean that there is no hope for the Christian family? Is the Christian family doomed? No. There is hope, if we are prepared to make God and our faith the center of our lives again. The Holy Family, whose Feast we celebrate today, reminds us that it is not hopeless. The Holy Family was not a perfect family. since they too had their problems; but what sets them apart from other families is their faith in God. They understood that a family would not be able to grow truly as a family unless God is made the center of it. Once we make God the center of our lives, does that mean we will not have any problems? No. But we know that God will care for us and not abandon us. The problems we face become easier to manage, since God is in control.

Today, we give thanks to God for the many families around us. Each family is a precious gift of God, and must never be taken for granted. Let us offer each family to God and pray that each family would make more effort to let God be the center of their lives. Whatever obstacles and problems we face in our lives and in our families, let us not despair or give up. Let us let God be in control in our families, so that with His help and guidance, we would be able to do and accomplish all things for His glory.

Housekeeping - Christmas

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

24 Dec 2016 - Christmas Eve - Midnight Mass
25 Dec 2016 - Christmas Day - Mass During the Day
26 Dec 2016 - Dec 26 - Saint Stephen, the first Martyr - Feast
27 Dec 2016 - Dec 27 - Saint John, Apostle, Evangelist - Feast
28 Dec 2016 - Dec 28 - The Holy Innocents, Martyrs - Feast
29 Dec 2016 - 5th day within the octave of Christmas
30 Dec 2016 - Holy Family

Housekeeping - Holy Family & Christmas Octave

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

27 Dec 2015 - Holy Family
28 Dec 2015 - The Holy Innocents, Martyrs - Feast
29 Dec 2015 - 5th day within the octave of Christmas
30 Dec 2015 - 6th day within the octave of Christmas
31 Dec 2015 - 7th day within the octave of Christmas
1 Jan 2016 -  Mary, Mother of God - Solemnity

5th day within the octave of Christmas

We live in a world where things are changing in an alarming rate. We have become so used to having things done quickly, that when something breaks down or slows down due to some reason or another, we become quite agitated and impatient. Some of us begin to grumble and even curse, thinking that such delays would ruin our timing. "Hurry!" "Quickly!" "Get out of my way!" These are some of the expressions we use, in our effort to get things done or get what we want. But life is such that sometimes, we have no choice but to wait or slow down, since there are many other things in life that we cannot rush. For example, we cannot rush through a pregnancy, since it takes time for a foetus to grow and develop into a baby. Also, we cannot rush through earning a degree, since it would be impossible for us to learn everything at one go.

In today's Gospel, we come across another example of learning the meaning of patience and perseverance in waiting. Simeon was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. Even though Simeon was already quite old, he would not see death and had to wait until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Instead of getting all worked up and impatient, Simeon waited with confidence and humility, and when he finally had the chance to see Jesus, he took Him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: "Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel."

Are we willing to be patient and wait just like Simeon did? Sometimes the waiting could result in a better outcome or experience. It is a question of how much we trust in God and how humble and willing we are to let Him be our help and guide.

7th day within the octave of Christmas

How many of us really do have a sense of belonging? Do we consider ourselves as belonging to this world, or do we consider ourselves belonging to God? Some of us may say that we belong to God and look forward with hope of one day returning to be with God, but are we living consistent lives which show that we belong to God? Sometimes, even those who appear to belong to God may have hidden agendas and we need to discern and be diligent and cautious not to fall into their trap and be led astray.

In today's reading we are told: "Those rivals of Christ came out of our own number, but they had never really belonged; if they had belonged, they would have stayed with us; but they left us, to prove that not one of them ever belonged to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and have all received the knowledge. It is not because you do not know the truth that I am writing to you but rather because you know it already and know that no lie can come from the truth." Belonging to Christ means that we stay with Him even when we are facing difficulties and persecution. It is tempting for some to leave or switch sides when trouble comes, but if we persevere and trust in Christ, He will guide us and help us weather out the storm. Also, belonging to Christ means we live a life of truth: no lies; no fakes; no pretenses; being genuine in our love to all. The question is: are we really belonging to Christ, or have we drifted away and become more tuned to the ways of the world?

6th day within the octave of Christmas

What are you looking for in life? Some people look for riches, property and wealth, thinking that these would bring happiness in their lives. Some people look for titles, positions, power and prestige, thinking that people would look up to them and give them the respect or honour they desire. Some people look for recognition and acceptance from their peers and from others, and would bend backwards trying to attain such recognition. But all these things that some look for, are they all that matter? Will these things really bring us happiness? How long will these things last anyway?

In today's reading, John cautions us: "You must not love this passing world or anything that is in the world. The love of the Father cannot be in any man who loves the world, because nothing the world has to offer – the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions – could ever come from the Father but only from the world; and the world, with all it craves for, is coming to an end; but anyone who does the will of God remains for ever." As we become more and more enticed and focused in the ways of the world, we may begin to lose our focus in God. We begin to think more and more only of ourselves and our needs, and perhaps the needs of our loved ones. Some of us may begin to set God aside in the pursuit of earthly happiness. But can we really find satisfaction and happiness in this world? More often than not, the happiness we experience is only temporary, and then we go off looking elsewhere to bring us back to that temporary high.

Instead of spending so much time, effort and energy in seeking that which is temporary, perhaps we should strive towards that which is eternal. Let us not be so easily deceived into thinking that we can satisfy our cravings here on earth, as St. Augustine reminds us: "Our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in God."

5th day within the octave of Christmas

It seems very easy for us to say things in our daily lives. There are times where we say one thing, but mean another. There are times where we say something just to sound good or to sound pleasing or accommodating. But saying without action is meaningless. Time and again we are reminded that "action speaks louder than words" and that we may be hypocritical if we do not mean what we say (or "cakap tak serupa bikin" in the Malay language).

In today's reading, St. John reminds us: "We can be sure that we know God only by keeping his commandments. Anyone who says, ‘I know him’, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, refusing to admit the truth. But when anyone does obey what he has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. We can be sure that we are in God only when the one who claims to be living in him is living the same kind of life as Christ lived." It is easy to say that we are Christians, but are we behaving like Christians? Do our actions and way of life show that we are Christians? Jesus taught us two commandments: love God and love neighbour, and yet even these two commandments seem quite difficult to keep for some. Some find it easier to love God whom they cannot see, touch or come face to face, compared to loving others, some of which could be quite difficult or a challenge to love. And yet, this is what is required of us. We are only deceiving ourselves and others if we do not truly love God and neighbour, since keeping God's commandments means keeping all of His commandments and not what we wish to pick and choose.

Let us be truthful and genuine in living in Christ, letting Him guide us in our actions. Let us also make every effort to not just call ourselves Christians, but to show that we are Christians by our love. Are we willing to change our ways, come out of our comfort zones and be real in our love to all?

Holy Family

There was a time in the past where a family usually consisted of a father, a mother, some children (people in those days used to have many children), and possibly extended family members such as grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins and other members. Many such families lived in one big house, which we used to call ancestral homes, since several generations lived in them. As the years went by, some members may leave to look for a better life elsewhere, and would return whenever possible to celebrate important events such as Chinese New Year, Christmas, or a birthday, or perhaps the birth of a new member. In those days, this may have been a "usual" or "normal" setup of a family.

Situations change, people move on, cost of living has escalated, and people become more and more anxious about finding better work as well as better living opportunities elsewhere. This has resulted in families dispersing and living in smaller setups. Rarely do we see or hear of families staying in one big house any more. Even such big houses have become rare, as many have been sold and demolished to make way for development.

As people struggle to make ends meet, the relationship between husband and wife, with the children, and even with extended family members may become strained. People begin to concentrate on their careers more and more, sometimes at the expense of family time and proper care of the children. We begin to see more and more families disintegrating or breaking up, divorces happening at an alarming rate, and the number of single parents arising due to one reason or another. The family, it appears, may have become more and more dysfunctional or "abnormal", in contrast with what was "normal" in the past. As a Christian family, what do we do about this situation that some may be in?

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. When we look at the Holy Family, we can discover that the Holy Family does not quite seem to fit what a normal family is perceived to be. Joseph was not Jesus' real father, though he was married to Mary. Mary conceived Jesus in an extraordinary way, not quite the way a woman usually conceived. Mary appears to have been widowed at a young age as there is no longer any mention of Joseph after the first few chapters of the Gospel. Mary may have been a single mother who had to single-handedly raise Jesus all on her own. All these make the Holy Family appear to be "abnormal."

But though the Holy Family appeared to be "abnormal," the Holy Family also gives us a picture of hope and a model to look to. Why is this so? The Holy Family shows us what it means to put our trust and dependence in God, and to put God in the centre of our lives. Joseph put his trust in God and married Mary, even though she was with child and the child was not his as the child was conceived through the Holy Spirit. Mary put her trust and confidence in God when she said: "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me." If God is at the centre of our family life, then no matter how big or difficult the problem may be, no matter how serious the hurts one experiences, no matter how distant people have become due to one reason or another, God has overcome all because he has been through it all in the person of Jesus.

Today, we give thanks to God for the many families around us. Each family is a precious gift of God, and must never be taken for granted. Let us offer each family to God, and as one big family of God, strive to bring His message of love and peace to all.

Housekeeping - 4th Week of Advent & Christmas

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

21 December 2014 - 4th Sunday of Advent Year B
22 December 2014 - 22 December - Season of Advent
23 December 2014 - 23 December - Season of Advent
24 December 2014 - Christmas Eve - Midnight Mass
25 December 2014 - Christmas Day - Mass During the Day
26 December 2014 - Dec 26 - Saint Stephen, the first Martyr - Feast

7th day within the octave of Christmas

Are we children of God, friends of Christ? Or are we rivals of Christ? This may seem a simple question. After all, who wouldn't want to be a child of God, a friend of Christ? But sometimes our way of life, our behaviour, our actions, our attitude, may cause us to be rivals of Christ instead of friends of Christ.

Today's reading tells us that "Those rivals of Christ came out of our own number, but they had never really belonged; if they had belonged, they would have stayed with us; but they left us, to prove that not one of them ever belonged to us." What exactly does it mean to belong? If we say that we love God and neighbour, then it may seem that we may belong. However, saying we love God and neighbour is not enough. We need to show that we love God and neighbour. It is through our actions that others will see that we are Jesus' disciples. Talk is cheap, action speaks louder than words.

Thus, let us seriously ponder. Are we really belonged? Or have we gone astray? Let us choose wisely, and do what is necessary if we want to belong.

6th day within the octave of Christmas

Some of us would have struggled through life to be in good relationship with God. Sometimes, we may feel as if our efforts are not bearing much fruit; or being and staying good seems like an uphill task. However, today's reading is a great source of inspiration and comfort for us:

"You must not love this passing world or anything that is in the world. The love of the Father cannot be in any man who loves the world, because nothing the world has to offer – the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions – could ever come from the Father but only from the world; and the world, with all it craves for, is coming to an end; but anyone who does the will of God remains for ever."

Do we have the love of the Father within us? Or have we begun to love the world more? Though we need to survive in this world, let us not be overwhelmed and seduced by its embrace. Though we do not know when the world would actually come to an end, let us not be caught offguard. Our goal ought to be to remain forever with God.

Holy Family

Where do we get most of our education from? Some may say from kindergarten. Others may say from primary or secondary school. Others may even say at college or university. However, all these forms of education can only be beneficial to us if we have learnt the basics, and the basics are (hopefully) taught to us at home, at a very young age. It is in the family that we learn to be a person, a citizen, a Christian, and God’s children.

However, the family is under threat. We see more and more families becoming broken. We see lack of communication taking place; husbands and wives not talking to each other; children not talking to their parents or siblings. We see greater increase in divorce rates, because some people are not happy in their marriages and look elsewhere for love and comfort. We see children being left alone at home or under the care of grandparents, maids or babysitters, as parents work late or prefer to live and enjoy their lives outside. We see elderly parents being abandoned or placed in nursing homes and rarely visited, because some people find it inconvenient to care for them (it seems strange and unfortunate that our parents were making sacrifices to care for us when we were young, but some of us are unwilling to do the same when they are old). Some parents have even given up or lack patience to teach their children, preferring to wash their hands and let others do their dirty work. I remember hearing a parent approaching a teacher and asking the teacher to control his son who is very "naughty." The teacher said: "If you cannot control your son at home, where you see him daily for several hours, how do you expect me to control him, when I see him only twice a week for about 30 minutes each?"

All these things may sound like a hopeless situation. But it need not be, if we are prepared to make God and our faith the centre of our lives again. The Holy Family, whose Feast we celebrate today, reminds us that it is not hopeless. The Holy Family was not a perfect family. They too had their problems. But what sets them apart from other families is their faith in God. They understood that a family is never truly a family unless God is made the centre of it. Does this mean that once we make God the centre of our lives, we will not have any problems? No. But we know that God will care for us and not abandon us. The problems we face become easier to manage, if we let God take control and help us, for he will not abandon us.

Whatever obstacles and problems we face in our lives and in our families, let us not despair or give up. God can and will help us. The question is: are we humble enough to walk in His ways and let Him guide us and our families? Do we offer ourselves and our families to God, so He can transform us into something better?