What does it mean to be great? What does it mean to be important? Some think that being great and important means having a title or a high position in society; some think it means having lots of wealth and property; some think it means having lots of influential friends and acquaintances; some think it means being popular or famous like movie stars or pop stars. But what about those people who are not in the limelight; those people who care for the sick, the unloved, the forgotten, the bedridden, the rejects of society; those people suffering crosses without grumbling; those people giving encouragement to others; those people who bring the love of God to others; those people who witness to Jesus in small ways? Are they great and important too? As Christians, what does it really mean to be great and important? Are we great and important only in the eyes of the world?
If we look at the life of Jesus, we can get some ideas of what it really means to be great as a Christian. In today’s Gospel Jesus says His hour has come, His hour of glory. Unlike what the world may think as glory, Jesus' glory is quite different: It is his passion and death! Why so? Because if a grain falls on the ground and dies it yields a rich harvest. The hour of glory for Jesus is his passion and death because when he is lifted up from the earth he will draw all men to himself. Jesus’ glory is not what the world thinks as glorious because the world does not see as God sees. Who would have thought that Jesus would have to suffer? Yet as the second reading reminds us, "He learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation." This is greatness, not quite what the world sees as greatness, but greatness in God's eyes. It is for each and every one of us Christians to follow, as the Gospel reminds us: "Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him."
The question is: are we still looking for greatness in this world, greatness which is only temporary, an illusion? Or have we begun looking for greatness which is eternal? Sometimes we give glory to what seems strong and powerful, but God does not look at appearances, God looks at the heart. Do we give glory to what appears great or do we give glory to what truly is great? Let us not be complacent into thinking of what seems great but in reality is not so, but humbly, earnestly and consistently strive to discover the real meaning of greatness, and glorify God.
Monday, 12 January 2015
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Housekeeping - 4th Week of Lent
For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
15 March 2015 - 4th Sunday of Lent Year B
16 March 2015 - Monday of the 4th Week of Lent
17 March 2015 - Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent
18 March 2015 - Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent
19 March 2015 - Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity
20 March 2015 - Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
15 March 2015 - 4th Sunday of Lent Year B
16 March 2015 - Monday of the 4th Week of Lent
17 March 2015 - Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent
18 March 2015 - Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent
19 March 2015 - Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity
20 March 2015 - Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
Each and every one of us have got a certain tolerance level or limit towards something. Once we reach that level and beyond, some may find it quite difficult to go on. Some have got a certain tolerance level towards pain. Once they reach that level, the pain may become quite unbearable that some may resort to drastic measures (such as suicide, or if the pain is caused by another, some may even go to the extent of committing murder) to end the pain, while others may turn to substances to dull the pain, and in doing so some may end up becoming addicted to such substances after prolonged usage. But what sort of tolerance level do we have towards the truth?
The truth hurts. Some of us prefer not to let others know the real us, or the real situation, and we would go through great effort to cover up the truth or sweep it under the carpet, and find ways and means to ensure it does not surface. In some cases, trying to avoid the truth could lead some of us to have malice, cruel intentions or wickedness in our hearts. Some begin to ill-treat, mock or even kill (either by actually committing such an act, or by bringing down a person's reputation through character assassination). This is the situation the godless in today's reading were in. They could not and refused to admit the truth, and their reasoning, common sense and sense of justice and fairness became corrupted and misguided. The reading even tells us: "This is the way they reason, but they are misled, their malice makes them blind. They do not know the hidden things of God, they have no hope that holiness will be rewarded, they can see no reward for blameless souls."
What about us? Have some of us become like the godless, only interested in finding ways and means to protect ourselves and our interests from being exposed or revealed? Are we running away, avoiding or hiding the truth? We may be able to run and hide, but for how long? Someday, somewhere, the truth will come back to haunt us and be brought to light. As a Malay saying goes: "sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga" (roughly translated into English as: "no matter how clever a squirrel is able to jump, it would eventually fall to the ground"). Let us set aside our pride, prejudice and ego, and let God guide us to be true.
The truth hurts. Some of us prefer not to let others know the real us, or the real situation, and we would go through great effort to cover up the truth or sweep it under the carpet, and find ways and means to ensure it does not surface. In some cases, trying to avoid the truth could lead some of us to have malice, cruel intentions or wickedness in our hearts. Some begin to ill-treat, mock or even kill (either by actually committing such an act, or by bringing down a person's reputation through character assassination). This is the situation the godless in today's reading were in. They could not and refused to admit the truth, and their reasoning, common sense and sense of justice and fairness became corrupted and misguided. The reading even tells us: "This is the way they reason, but they are misled, their malice makes them blind. They do not know the hidden things of God, they have no hope that holiness will be rewarded, they can see no reward for blameless souls."
What about us? Have some of us become like the godless, only interested in finding ways and means to protect ourselves and our interests from being exposed or revealed? Are we running away, avoiding or hiding the truth? We may be able to run and hide, but for how long? Someday, somewhere, the truth will come back to haunt us and be brought to light. As a Malay saying goes: "sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga" (roughly translated into English as: "no matter how clever a squirrel is able to jump, it would eventually fall to the ground"). Let us set aside our pride, prejudice and ego, and let God guide us to be true.
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity
Some of us seem to misunderstand the silent types. Some think that people who are silent or do not say much seem to be anti-social, or appear to be not so approachable, or even appearing to be aloof. But as we know, we should never judge a book by its cover. What appears to be something in our mind, could be quite different in reality, especially in personality and character, once we get to know the person. We sometimes call these sort of people "introverts" and for some of those among us who are extroverts or like to yakkity yak yak (talk a lot), meeting an introvert could be quite a harrowing or unnerving experience for some, especially if we do not know how to reach out to one.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That is quite a long (and impressive) title for someone we do not know much about. We do not have any record from the Gospels of what he said, and we would notice in the alternative Gospel that it was Mary who did the talking when they found Jesus in the temple. But what may seem lacking in words and sayings in the Gospel, Saint Joseph more than made up for it in action. Even though in the Gospel he found out that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, he still listened and did what the angel told him to do and took Mary to be his wife. When they found out that Jesus was missing, he became a pillar of strength for Mary and could be counted on as they frantically looked for Jesus.
From these few instances where Saint Joseph are mentioned, we can deduce that Saint Joseph trusted in the Lord and he was faithful to what was entrusted to him. In his silence, humility and trust, we learn that one can be silent, and be a source of strength. We also learn that action speaks louder than words, as what we do could sometimes mean more to another than what we merely say. So the next time you come across these silent types, be aware that these folks could sometimes be a great source of strength and dependence. We just need to be willing and humble enough to accept others for who they are and learn to appreciate their gifts, abilities and talents, giving thanks to God.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That is quite a long (and impressive) title for someone we do not know much about. We do not have any record from the Gospels of what he said, and we would notice in the alternative Gospel that it was Mary who did the talking when they found Jesus in the temple. But what may seem lacking in words and sayings in the Gospel, Saint Joseph more than made up for it in action. Even though in the Gospel he found out that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, he still listened and did what the angel told him to do and took Mary to be his wife. When they found out that Jesus was missing, he became a pillar of strength for Mary and could be counted on as they frantically looked for Jesus.
From these few instances where Saint Joseph are mentioned, we can deduce that Saint Joseph trusted in the Lord and he was faithful to what was entrusted to him. In his silence, humility and trust, we learn that one can be silent, and be a source of strength. We also learn that action speaks louder than words, as what we do could sometimes mean more to another than what we merely say. So the next time you come across these silent types, be aware that these folks could sometimes be a great source of strength and dependence. We just need to be willing and humble enough to accept others for who they are and learn to appreciate their gifts, abilities and talents, giving thanks to God.
Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent
Some of us may have experienced some situation or danger or even some sort of illness which make us wonder whether we would be able to survive such an ordeal. Some may begin to wonder whether our prayers would be answered, so that we would be safe and be able to continue living. Some may think that they would not get the help they asked for, and may begin to look for other sources of help in an effort to preserve their life; whereas some may just give up and despair. But how should we Christians address such an issue?
In today's reading, we are given great assurance that God will never abandon us or forget about us. The reading tells us: "For Zion was saying, 'The Lord has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.' Does a woman forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you." If God has made it clear that He would not forget us, even though others may, why do some of us still doubt His assurance? Let us remain hopeful, confident and steadfast in faith, knowing that God would help us in His time.
In today's reading, we are given great assurance that God will never abandon us or forget about us. The reading tells us: "For Zion was saying, 'The Lord has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.' Does a woman forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you." If God has made it clear that He would not forget us, even though others may, why do some of us still doubt His assurance? Let us remain hopeful, confident and steadfast in faith, knowing that God would help us in His time.
Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent
When we are stricken with a serious illness or facing some sort of crippling difficulty, who do we turn to? Some people start looking for the best doctors to try and cure them. When modern medicine or other forms of modern therapy fail to heal or cure, some people start looking for bomohs, medicine men, shamans or some other form of traditional healing; some people begin to listen to practitioners of feng shui or some other form of divination, thinking that these would give them some form of lucky charm, amulet or method which would cure them; some people may even think that their illness is incurable and may begin to despair. But what about us Christians? What should we do?
In today's Gospel, we come across a building at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. These people had much faith that the water, when stirred or disturbed, would heal whoever was first to get into the water. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and despite his faith that the water could heal him, he never had a chance to get into the water, since so many people were there and someone else always seemed to get there first. But Jesus came and said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk,’ and the man was instantly cured. There was no need for the man to inch his way to the pool with hope of receiving new life, since new life from Jesus came to him.
If Jesus could cure the man instantly, He could do the same for us. Are we willing to put our trust in Jesus instead of running around looking for all those other means, which more often than not would not cure us but may make matters worse? Sometimes we just need to be humble and patient, consistent and persistent in our prayer, and let Jesus heal us according to His time.
In today's Gospel, we come across a building at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. These people had much faith that the water, when stirred or disturbed, would heal whoever was first to get into the water. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and despite his faith that the water could heal him, he never had a chance to get into the water, since so many people were there and someone else always seemed to get there first. But Jesus came and said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk,’ and the man was instantly cured. There was no need for the man to inch his way to the pool with hope of receiving new life, since new life from Jesus came to him.
If Jesus could cure the man instantly, He could do the same for us. Are we willing to put our trust in Jesus instead of running around looking for all those other means, which more often than not would not cure us but may make matters worse? Sometimes we just need to be humble and patient, consistent and persistent in our prayer, and let Jesus heal us according to His time.
Friday, 9 January 2015
Monday of the 4th Week of Lent
Every now and then, some of us may have experienced a situation, event or persons which leave a bitter taste, which some may find quite difficult to forget. Some of us may begin to dwell more and more into the memory of such a situation, event or persons, so much so that the more we think of and relive what we had gone through, the more angry and bitter we become. If we are not careful, we could become consumed with disgust, hatred and hurt as we drown and suffocate more and more in such memories, to the detriment of our sanity and sanctity.
However, God is reaching out to us to let go, be humble and willing to forgive, and move on. We are not doing ourselves any good in dwelling and getting stuck in such memories. Instead, as mentioned in the 1st reading, God will create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered, and will come no more to men's minds. God wants His people to rejoice because He wants to give joy and gladness to His people. God wants to heal us of our bitterness and resentment so that we can be a new people who will proclaim joy and gladness to all. Are we willing to be transformed into something new, and experience God's healing grace of joy and gladness?
However, God is reaching out to us to let go, be humble and willing to forgive, and move on. We are not doing ourselves any good in dwelling and getting stuck in such memories. Instead, as mentioned in the 1st reading, God will create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered, and will come no more to men's minds. God wants His people to rejoice because He wants to give joy and gladness to His people. God wants to heal us of our bitterness and resentment so that we can be a new people who will proclaim joy and gladness to all. Are we willing to be transformed into something new, and experience God's healing grace of joy and gladness?
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