James 1:12-18 / Mark 8:14-21
Today the archdiocese of Singapore celebrates the dedication of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral is dedicated to Jesus the Good Shepherd, hence it is called the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.
The story behind that name is that in1821, an MEP priest, Fr. Laurence Imbert was sent to Singapre to see if there was a possibility of opening a missionary station in the island. He spent about a week here and he could have been the first priest to celebrate Mass on the island.
In 1837, after being ordained bishop, he crossed secretly from Manchuria to Korea. During this time, Korea was going through a period of Christian persecution.
He secretly went about doing his missionary work, but the authorities found him out and before they captured him, he wrote a note to two other fellow missionaries.
He urged them to give themselves up to the authorities because he believed in doing so, the flock will be spared from persecution, and he wrote that a good shepherd must give up his life for his sheep.
So eventually the three of them were captured and tortured and beheaded. They were canonized in 1984.
When the Cathedral was to be dedicated, the name "Good Shepherd" was chosen in memory of Fr. Laurence Imbert and his two companions.
Today as the Church in Singapore celebrates the dedication of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the two readings remind us of what the Church ought to be.
In the gospel, Jesus sounded perplexed as he asked the questions : Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, and ears that do not hear?
Those are cutting questions that sear right into the heart of our faith.
Our Church is not about bread and butter issues but the spirituality with which we can understand and perceive the will of God so that others will see the presence of God in the Church and even hear the voice of God in the prayer of the Church.
This would require a deep and firm faith in God who always provides and watches over His Church.
As the 1st reading puts it - Happy the man who stands firm when trials come. He has proved himself, and will win the prize of life, the crown that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.