Thursday of Week 10 Year 2

It is very easy for some of us to become like the scribes and Pharisees. Some of you may say: "Yerr! This padre so bad one. Call us scribe and Pharisees." But if we think about it for a moment, we could somewhat agree that it is indeed easy and possible for some of us to become like the scribes and Pharisees. How so? How can? It's like this: What is the problem the scribes and Pharisees had? Firstly, they excelled in following the letter of the law. They even added numerous sub-laws to so-called compliment God's law, forgetting or ignoring that basically, God's law is not that complicated, since God's law is basically only two, that is to love God and to love neighbour. But all they were interested was to follow the letter of the law, and not the spirit or purpose of the law. Secondly, the scribes and Pharisees knew how to make other people feel bad, since they thought that they were ok and everyone else was not ok. Thirdly, the scribes and Pharisees were famous for not practising what they preach, as we have seen in many examples in the Gospel. Could some of us be like the scribes and Pharisees, looking at what sort of persons they were, and what sort of persons some of us are becoming or have become?

That is why, in today's Gospel, we are cautioned: "If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven." When we are so full of ourselves; when we think that everyone else is wrong and we are right; when we belittle others or put others down, just because they do not think, behave or act like we do; when we are self-righteous and condemn others; we may actually be like the scribes and Pharisees. One example I have observed is when a person comes for confession, but instead of confessing one's sins, the person begins to complain about or condemn other people, and when asked why they came to confession in the first place, such persons say that they have been wronged, they are ok or innocent, and they are angry or upset that other people or not treating them right or listening to them. Is that what confession is all about? Are such persons not behaving like the scribes and Pharisees?

Thus, let us ask ourselves. Are we learning to love God and neighbour sincerely and genuinely? Are we concerned about our relationship, especially with others, and are willing to be patient, persistent, firm but kind? Or are we cold or hard hearted, like the scribes and Pharisees, who thought that they were holy and faultless, and others are doomed?

Wednesday of Week 10 Year 2

God can sometimes have a very interesting sense of humour. When people try to worship idols and other so called gods, He would sometimes show how silly and futile such an activty could be, and in doing so, those involved would learn who is really the true God, and those who witness would be more convinced to return to His path.

In today's reading, we come across a confrontation between Elijah and 450 prophets of Baal. Mathematically speaking, Elijah did not seem to stand a chance against so many prophets of Baal, but what these phophets failed to realise is that God was supporting Elijah. In the end, the prophets of Baal ended up losing to Elijah, because God showed them that only He is the true God.

What does this mean to us? It means that we should take caution and not end up worshipping false gods. We should be worshipping only God. Sometimes we may fall into the trap of worshipping false gods, when we begin to focus our attention only to wealth, power, and things, which could become like gods to us. May we focus more on our relationship with God, knowing that only He can grant us eternal joy.

Tuesday of Week 10 Year 2

When we are having a problem or facing a crisis, what do we do? Perhaps we may pray and beseech God to help us through. But what if our prayers do not seem to be answered, even though we may have prayed fervently, then what do we do? Would we continue to pray, with patience and persistence, knowing and trusting that God would do what is best for us? Or would some of us begin to try looking for other means of help, only to find that those other means are really no help at all?

In today's reading, the woman from Zarephath was facing a crisis, since there was famine and she was at her wits end as to how to feed her son and herself, once the last bit of meal and oil is finished. To make matters worse, the woman was a widow, and widows in those days would have experienced much hardship, especially if they did not have much wealth or property left behind by their deceased spouse. Fortunately for this widow, her prayers were answered because she obeyed Elijah's instructions  "The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah." Because of her obedience and trust in God, the woman and her son were saved from imminent suffering and death.

What about us? Are we willing to have full trust and confidence in God, with patience and persistence? Sometimes, especially in today's world, we may be so used to getting things done quickly. But God's ways are not our ways, and if we are willing to wait and let Him do what is best for us, we may receive even more than what we hoped for.

Monday of Week 10 Year 2

Sometimes, we come across people who are so obstinate and stubborn, that we are unable to help them change right away. Such people may need to be left alone for a while, so that they may perhaps come to their senses or acknowledge their error, before they could be helped. One example of such a person is found in today's reading. In today's reading, we come across king Ahab, who had done wrong towards God, but had refused to admit it, or acknowledge his error. As a result, the prophet Elijah left the presence of Ahab, until such a time Ahab was ready to repent and return to God's ways.

What about us? Have we been so stubborn and obstinate and refused to mend our ways and right our relationship with God? Just as Ahab ended experiencing severe drought in his kingdom until such a time he made amends with God, we too may experience a severe drought in our soul, until we realise our folly and return to God's help and providence. May we come to realise our error and change our ways, before it becomes too late.

Sacred Heart of Jesus - 3

Can you see love? Of course we cannot see love, so we use a common symbol to represent it, a heart. When we say someone has a heart of gold, it means that the person is selfless and loving. When we have a heart-to-heart talk with a friend, we are expressing our deepest care and concern towards  someone we love. When we say, "have a heart," we are asking someone to be more considerate or caring. The heart can also be understood in various ways. Scientifically and medically speaking, it is a vital organ. If the heart stops completely, we die, simple as that. Psychologically speaking, the heart is seen as the center of emotions and feelings. Morally speaking, the heart is the seat of good or evil, because out of the heart flows our words and actions that tell us whether what is being said or done is good or bad.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart of Jesus that we see on pictures is a symbol reminding us of God’s divine love, the greatest love of all. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is aflame with love, radiant with love, wounded with love for each and every one of us. The image of the Heart of Jesus focuses on the self-sacrificing of Jesus Christ for us. It is this image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which reminds us that Jesus is our shepherd, who is constantly calling out to us, sinners, to return to Him.

Today's Gospel tells us that when sinners return to Jesus, "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance." The Sacred Heart of Jesus is beckoning us to "have a heart" and come back to Jesus, so that we will live. May we strive to be closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and let Jesus' heart heal us, and transform us, so that in all we say and do, we will glorify God.

Thursday of Week 9 Year 2

Life is such that we will face trials and challenges from time to time, and sometimes such challenges and trials could test our faith. When we are tested, we could respond in different ways: some of us would take the challenge and do our best in overcoming such tests; some of us would just sit and do nothing, thinking that such challenges will eventually go away and not bother us; or some of us could even give up and be overwhelmed by such challenges, even to the point of losing our faith. If you are in such a situation where you are facing a great challenge, how would you respond?

In today's reading, we are reminded: "Do all you can to present yourself in front of God as a man who has come through his trials, and a man who has no cause to be ashamed of his life’s work and has kept a straight course with the message of the truth." The reading cautions us that we are to do all we can; not just sit idle; or give up. Are we taking on such challenges for the glory of God? Or have we become too complacent and forgotten our identity and mission as Christians?

Wednesday of Week 9 Year 2

God has called and chosen each and every one of us to be His witnesses and to proclaim the Gospel as best we can. Each of us are different, and how much or little we are able to do in proclaiming the Gospel is not important. What is important is we do our part, no matter how big or small that part may be. Some of us may be able to travel a lot to preach the Good News; some of us may not be able to do so due to some reason or another but can still offer prayers for others. But in all our efforts, our goal is to preach the Good News according to our ability and situation, with gusto and with power, love and self-control.

In today's reading, we are reminded: "That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord..." If we believe strongly in our faith, then why are some of us feeling small, timid or scared to preach the Good News? Sometimes we do not even have to say so many words, since even our attitude, behaviour and actions can be a form of preaching. May we take heed of what today's reading is telling us, and do our duty in preaching the Good News to all, so that all may know what it means to be a Christian.