Thursday after Ash Wednesday

All of us are given choices in life. We can choose good things, or we can choose bad things. It may seem strange that a person would want to choose bad things, but some people have resorted to choosing bad things due to one reason or another. For example, a person who is addicted to alcohol may choose to buy alcoholic drinks, even though that the person is aware that too much of such alcoholic drinks is detrimental to one's health. However, the urge to have a drink is great and it would require much willpower and help from others to overcome such addiction.

The same principle can also applied to today's reading. We are given a choice in today's reading to choose life or death. While it may seem strange for people to choose death, we can see examples of a culture of death in today's world, where people are willing to commit abortion or use contraception for one's own convenience and personal gratification. This is where today's reading is a stern reminder to us: choose life and you will live and increase; choose death and you will most certainly perish.

In our lives, are we continuously making a decision to choose life? Do we value and take seriously our eternal life, or are we only interested and focused in this life on earth? Let us choose carefully and not end up regretting later.

Ash Wednesday

Today we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. The imposition of ashes on our forehead reminds us that we are from dust and to dust we shall return. However, there is more to Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent which we can learn and reflect.

Often in our lives, we are busy with so many things. We are busy with our work, our family life, our social life, but how busy have we been with our relationship with God? Sometimes, in the midst of the hurry-burry, in the midst of the rat-race, we may have forgotten to take a good look at ourselves and see how we are progressing spiritually. The season of Lent is an opportunity to do just that.

During the season of Lent, we are encouraged to do more praying, fasting and alms-giving. These
three major means of penance would not mean anything if they do not ultimately lead us to an inner conversion, a change of heart. Are we willing to take an honest look at ourselves and work towards a better relationship with God and with others? Are there areas in our life which we have been neglecting that we should address? Let us not confine our conversion to a better person only during Lent, but also continuously and consistently do so, for the betterment of our soul.

Tuesday of Week 8 Year 2

For some of us, life tends to be encumbered with all sorts of thoughts. We think about our present situation and the situation of our family. Some think about the future and what is going to happen to their family and themselves. Others think about their financial situation, be it good or not. If we are not careful and become too engrossed with these thoughts, this could lead to all sorts of fear and anxiety.

Today's reading reminds us "Free your minds, then, of encumbrances; control them, and put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Do not behave in the way that you liked to before you learnt the truth; make a habit of obedience: be holy in all you do, since it is the Holy One who has called you, and scripture says: Be holy, for I am holy." If we say we trust in God, then we should not be thinking too much about these other things which can distract us from our relationship with God. We do need to do our part, but there are some things and some situations which we cannot be fully in control of. There is a song called "que sera sera, whatever will be will be." Perhaps we should be more trusting to God, and let whatever will be will be.

Monday of Week 8 Year 2

Some of us may be attached to certain things, way of life, people, habits, etc. We seem to be unable to let go of these attachments, since we may feel that these attachments belong to us and us alone. One form of attachment which people tend to fall into is wealth, be it money and/or property. A person could be so attached to wealth that sharing it or giving it away could pose a problem. Wealth becomes like a god to some, as they think that their happiness depends on what and how much they have.

When wealth becomes more important to us, then we may fall into the same trap as the rich man in today's Gospel. Like the rich man, we may have forgotten what is more important to us. In another part of the Gospel, we are reminded that we cannot serve 2 masters, God and wealth. In today's Gospel, the rich man may seem to have observed the commandments, but his heart is not attached to God, his heart is attached to the vast wealth he has. What about us? Have we become like the rich man, only concerned about our wealth, and forgotten or ignoring God? Can we bring our wealth with us when we die? Certainly not! But sometimes some of us only realise this when it is too late and we are about to leave this earth. Are we setting ourselves up for eternal happiness or otherwise?

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Some of us are worry-warts. We worry about our finances, our future, our children's future, our health, our job, our retirement plans, what to eat, where to go for holiday, etc. Some people even worry that they have nothing to worry about.

Certainly, we need to do our part and work hard for our families and ourselves. But we should not become too concerned to the point where it becomes sinful, as we are eaten up by anxiety, fear, and despair. Today's Gospel and readings are not telling us to become irresponsible and expect others to provide for us. Instead, we should note:

1. Stop worrying. What can you gain from worrying and how would that improve our situation?
2. God sees us as extremely valuable and precious.
3. We are citizens of God's Kingdom and we should "Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well."

God knows our needs and would grant them if we ask with persistence and with sincerity. Are we willing to let God guide us and help us?

Housekeeping - Week 7 Year 2

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

23 February 2014 - 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
24 February 2014 - Monday of Week 7 Year 2
25 February 2014 - Tuesday of Week 7 Year 2
26 February 2014 - Wednesday of Week 7 Year 2
27 February 2014 - Thursday of Week 7 Year 2
28 February 2014 - Friday of Week 7 Year 2

Friday of Week 7 Year 2

When we say we would do something, do we really mean it? Sometimes we say "yes" but our hidden meaning is "no." Other times, we say "yes" but actually mean "maybe." But how many of us are consistent when we say "yes" and really mean "yes?"

Today's reading reminds us: "do not swear by heaven or by the earth, or use any oaths at all. If you mean ‘yes’, you must say ‘yes’; if you mean ‘no’, say ‘no.’ Otherwise you make yourselves liable to judgement." Sometimes we get caught in a situation where we make a promise and are unable to keep it. We may only end up embarrassing ourselves and create problems because of our folly. This is why we should not simply make oaths or promises without seriously and carefully considering the consequences. Why "cari pasal" or "look for trouble" in this way? Are we committing ourselves just to please others and hopefully look good? Or are we doing so to glorify God?