1 Cor 2:10-16 / Luke 4:31-37
What we heard in the gospel may sound so alien to us, because it may seem to be like a scene from some kind of movie about evil spirits.
It may even sound like some fictitious story just to capture our attention and to excite our imagination.
Whatever the case it might be, it cannot be denied that the presence of evil spirits are real and they can oppress and even possess human beings.
So it is a spiritual issue over and above a physical and material aspect and it is certainly not to be dealt with lightly.
Jesus came to proclaim the Good News and to heal sickness and to expel evil spirits from those who are afflicted.
The 1st reading tells us that the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God.
The Spirit also teaches us about spiritual things.
But an unspiritual person does not accept anything of the Spirit of God and he sees it all as nonsense as it is beyond his understanding. But that creates an opening for the oppression and even possession by evil spirits.
But a spiritual person is able to judge the value of everything and he will be able to accept the Spirit of God into his life and into the depths of his being.
So let us accept the Spirit of God into our lives and let us live and move in the Spirit and to let the Spirit be our rule of life.
Monday, August 31, 2020
Sunday, August 30, 2020
22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 31-08-2020
1 Cor 2:1-8 / Luke 4:16-30
If we want people to believe in what we are saying, we would certainly want to impress them.
We would want to be as convincing as possible by telling them about the amazing and wonderful stories.
And we will certainly sparkle up the presentation and dazzle our listeners to beyond doubt even.
But for St. Paul, when he preached the Good News to the Corinthians, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy.
He simply told them what God had guaranteed, and that is salvation and eternal life.
He told them about Jesus Christ, but it was not about the glorious or triumphant Jesus Christ.
Rather it was about the crucified Christ, and St. Paul preached the crucified Christ with "trembling and fear" not because he was afraid of being unconvincing or being laughed at.
But St. Paul knew he had to preach the crucified Christ as God wanted him and preach and not to distort the message.
The message of the crucified Christ may not be that appealing in a world of impressive images that sparkle and dazzle.
But it is in the crucified Christ and the power of God is manifested and revealed.
Let us believe in the power of the Cross and in the salvation that the crucified Christ is offering.
All the impressive sparkle and dazzle of the world will not save us.
If we want people to believe in what we are saying, we would certainly want to impress them.
We would want to be as convincing as possible by telling them about the amazing and wonderful stories.
And we will certainly sparkle up the presentation and dazzle our listeners to beyond doubt even.
But for St. Paul, when he preached the Good News to the Corinthians, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy.
He simply told them what God had guaranteed, and that is salvation and eternal life.
He told them about Jesus Christ, but it was not about the glorious or triumphant Jesus Christ.
Rather it was about the crucified Christ, and St. Paul preached the crucified Christ with "trembling and fear" not because he was afraid of being unconvincing or being laughed at.
But St. Paul knew he had to preach the crucified Christ as God wanted him and preach and not to distort the message.
The message of the crucified Christ may not be that appealing in a world of impressive images that sparkle and dazzle.
But it is in the crucified Christ and the power of God is manifested and revealed.
Let us believe in the power of the Cross and in the salvation that the crucified Christ is offering.
All the impressive sparkle and dazzle of the world will not save us.
Saturday, August 29, 2020
22nd Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 30.08.2020
Jeremiah 20:7-9 / Romans 12:1-2 / Matthew 16:21-27
The word “domestic” gives the idea that it is relating to the home, the household, household affairs or the family.
And from that word comes another word and that is “domesticated”, and it is usually referred to animals and plants.
So a domesticated animal can be a pet that is usually kept at home or livestock that is on a farm. The same can be said of plants.
The word domesticated is not usually used on persons, unless it is meant to be a joke, as in “he was a wild man but after he got married he was domesticated.”
Nonetheless, domesticated has a positive meaning, and that is to nurture, to cultivate, to groom, and to form.
Over the past few months, there was a sort of domestication, but it was a kind of forced domestication.
We have to stay at home, work from home, learn from home.
Domestication usually results in a change of behaviour, a change of lifestyle, a change of mentality, and an overall change.
So has these few months brought about any change in us? And has it been a positive change? Has it been a creative change?
When Jesus called His disciples, it wasn’t for the purpose of domestication, in that He wanted to be a master and treat them as His slaves.
Rather He wants to form them in the ways of God and He will even set the example for them.
So when Jesus told His disciples that He was destined to suffer grievously and to be put to death and raised up on the third day, Peter started to remonstrate with Him.
But with that Jesus taught His disciples about the difference between God’s ways and man’s ways.
And the other lessons also followed, like the cross and the renunciation of self, and what has a man to offer in exchange for his life even if he gains the whole world.
Over these months, there were many safety measures and regulations that we have to comply with.
Do we observe them, or do we flout them whenever we can?
We want freedom from rules and regulations, whether in society or in the Church.
But we have to realize that true freedom lies in obedience to God and also in compliance to the rules and regulations of society that are for our good.
Jesus does not want us to be like domesticated slaves who will only obey when punished.
He wants us to exercise our freedom by being obedient and being faithful to God.
May we be obedient to the ways of God and by our lives of faithfulness, may we also teach others what is right and what is good for them.
The word “domestic” gives the idea that it is relating to the home, the household, household affairs or the family.
And from that word comes another word and that is “domesticated”, and it is usually referred to animals and plants.
So a domesticated animal can be a pet that is usually kept at home or livestock that is on a farm. The same can be said of plants.
The word domesticated is not usually used on persons, unless it is meant to be a joke, as in “he was a wild man but after he got married he was domesticated.”
Nonetheless, domesticated has a positive meaning, and that is to nurture, to cultivate, to groom, and to form.
Over the past few months, there was a sort of domestication, but it was a kind of forced domestication.
We have to stay at home, work from home, learn from home.
Domestication usually results in a change of behaviour, a change of lifestyle, a change of mentality, and an overall change.
So has these few months brought about any change in us? And has it been a positive change? Has it been a creative change?
When Jesus called His disciples, it wasn’t for the purpose of domestication, in that He wanted to be a master and treat them as His slaves.
Rather He wants to form them in the ways of God and He will even set the example for them.
So when Jesus told His disciples that He was destined to suffer grievously and to be put to death and raised up on the third day, Peter started to remonstrate with Him.
But with that Jesus taught His disciples about the difference between God’s ways and man’s ways.
And the other lessons also followed, like the cross and the renunciation of self, and what has a man to offer in exchange for his life even if he gains the whole world.
Over these months, there were many safety measures and regulations that we have to comply with.
Do we observe them, or do we flout them whenever we can?
We want freedom from rules and regulations, whether in society or in the Church.
But we have to realize that true freedom lies in obedience to God and also in compliance to the rules and regulations of society that are for our good.
Jesus does not want us to be like domesticated slaves who will only obey when punished.
He wants us to exercise our freedom by being obedient and being faithful to God.
May we be obedient to the ways of God and by our lives of faithfulness, may we also teach others what is right and what is good for them.
Friday, August 28, 2020
The Passion of St. John the Baptist, Saturday, 29-08-2020
Jeremiah 1:17-19 / Mark 6:17-29
The gospels did not mention how Jesus felt when He heard about the death of his cousin, John the Baptist.
Not much is said about their relationship, but we can guess they knew each other from their earlier days, probably played together, talked about life.
Both knew they had a mission.
And both also know that the mission cannot be accomplished without putting their lives on the line.
John the Baptist was the first to do it and that line was drawn across his neck.
For Jesus, it was drawn at the cross.
And for us, that line will also be drawn for us.
A line that will cut across the various aspects of our lives when we have to decide between whose side to stand on.
To stand on God's side, will result in some scars and wounds.
But it is through those scars and wounds that God will continue to save the world.
For it is by Christ's wounds that we ourselves have been healed and saved.
May the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist give us the motivation to continue bearing with our sufferings for the salvation of others.
Thursday, August 27, 2020
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 28-08-2020
1 Cor 1:17-25 / Matthew 25:1-13
In these uncertain and fast-changing times, we may wish that we know what the future is like.
But even as we wish for that, we already know what the near future is like.
We are in the crisis of our generation, and we are into the deepest recession that our country, as well as the world, has ever faced.
So the future seems bleak, to say the least, and even depressing and maybe even frightening.
But we have to prepare for the future. But what do we have to do to prepare for the future?
When we say that we have to prepare for the future, it may imply that the future is a mysterious unknown, with twists and turns.
If we are going to prepare for that kind of future, then we may not know where or how to start or what to do.
But what does our faith tell us about the future?
When we look at the future with faith, then we will come to see that the future is in the hands of God.
So the future, and even the now, are in the hands of God. God is in full control of the now and the future.
So we may have to change the way we say it. It is not so much as "prepare for the future", but rather to "prepare the future". We just have to take out the "for". That is what Pope Francis said.
And how are we to "prepare the future"?
Today the Church honours the great saint, Saint Augustine, and one of his profound sayings is this:
"Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you".
So it is prayer and work. One complements and completes the other.
Then we will look at the future with hope, because God is in the future.
And because God is in the future, let us not give in to gloom, but let us bloom and be like brightly lit lamps that will scatter the darkness of fear.
----------------------------------
Join us for an online Devotion to the Sacred Heart with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Every Friday, 8.30pm (Singapore time, GMT +8), the Youtube link for the Devotion on 28 Aug is
https://youtu.be/fBQ9fr96kvk
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/churchofthesacredheartsingapore
In these uncertain and fast-changing times, we may wish that we know what the future is like.
But even as we wish for that, we already know what the near future is like.
We are in the crisis of our generation, and we are into the deepest recession that our country, as well as the world, has ever faced.
So the future seems bleak, to say the least, and even depressing and maybe even frightening.
But we have to prepare for the future. But what do we have to do to prepare for the future?
When we say that we have to prepare for the future, it may imply that the future is a mysterious unknown, with twists and turns.
If we are going to prepare for that kind of future, then we may not know where or how to start or what to do.
But what does our faith tell us about the future?
When we look at the future with faith, then we will come to see that the future is in the hands of God.
So the future, and even the now, are in the hands of God. God is in full control of the now and the future.
So we may have to change the way we say it. It is not so much as "prepare for the future", but rather to "prepare the future". We just have to take out the "for". That is what Pope Francis said.
And how are we to "prepare the future"?
Today the Church honours the great saint, Saint Augustine, and one of his profound sayings is this:
"Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you".
So it is prayer and work. One complements and completes the other.
Then we will look at the future with hope, because God is in the future.
And because God is in the future, let us not give in to gloom, but let us bloom and be like brightly lit lamps that will scatter the darkness of fear.
----------------------------------
Join us for an online Devotion to the Sacred Heart with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Every Friday, 8.30pm (Singapore time, GMT +8), the Youtube link for the Devotion on 28 Aug is
https://youtu.be/fBQ9fr96kvk
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/churchofthesacredheartsingapore
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 27-08-2020
1 Cor 1:1-9 / Matthew 24:42-51
Once in a while, we may have entertained the thought of being our own boss.
Maybe it is because we get tired and frustrated of being bossed around and being told to get more and more work done.
So it might be nice to dream that we can be our own boss and order people around and make them work while we just give orders.
But for those of us who are our own boss, whether we run our own business or self-employed, we will know how much harder it is than to be just an employee.
We must be really disciplined and work much harder and because there is practically no one to report to, we can give in to laziness and begin to slack.
But whether we are an employer or an employee, there must be a sense of responsibility and accountability.
If such is required in the secular life, then no less is expected in the spiritual life.
We know that God is our Master and that we are His servants and we are called to serve God in the ministry of love.
We are to serve our neighbours with love and to do it at all times and to do it willing and graciously.
Let us be responsible to our Christian duty and God will keep us steady and without blame for God has called us to serve with love and He will help us to be faithful
Once in a while, we may have entertained the thought of being our own boss.
Maybe it is because we get tired and frustrated of being bossed around and being told to get more and more work done.
So it might be nice to dream that we can be our own boss and order people around and make them work while we just give orders.
But for those of us who are our own boss, whether we run our own business or self-employed, we will know how much harder it is than to be just an employee.
We must be really disciplined and work much harder and because there is practically no one to report to, we can give in to laziness and begin to slack.
But whether we are an employer or an employee, there must be a sense of responsibility and accountability.
If such is required in the secular life, then no less is expected in the spiritual life.
We know that God is our Master and that we are His servants and we are called to serve God in the ministry of love.
We are to serve our neighbours with love and to do it at all times and to do it willing and graciously.
Let us be responsible to our Christian duty and God will keep us steady and without blame for God has called us to serve with love and He will help us to be faithful
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 26-08-2020
2 Thess 3:6-10, 16-18 / Matthew 23:27-32
The two readings of today reminds us that action speaks louder than words, that examples show and teach without too much words.
There is a profound poem about this by Edgar Guest and the title is "Sermons We See":
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
(This poem is in the public domain)
The two readings of today reminds us that action speaks louder than words, that examples show and teach without too much words.
There is a profound poem about this by Edgar Guest and the title is "Sermons We See":
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
(This poem is in the public domain)
Monday, August 24, 2020
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 25-08-2020
2 Thess 2:1-3, 14-17 / Matthew 23:23-26
There are many things that we wish to know about the future.
We may wish to know what will happen in a couple of months' time, or in a year's time, or in ten years' time.
Yes, we may wish to know what the future is like but the fact is that life will slowly unfold before us moment by moment.
Still, we may wish to know how long more will we live on earth and when we will die.
For the Thessalonians in the 1st reading, they were wishing to know when the Lord Jesus will return.
So there was excitement as well as alarm by predictions and rumours and talk about the coming of the Day of the Lord.
But St. Paul tells them not to be deceived by any of these.
Rather he tells them to believe in the Good News and to stand firm and keep to the traditions.
What is important for them, as well as for us, is that Jesus and God the Father have given us love and comforted us with hope and strength to do good in everything we do and say.
So let us live every moment in love and do the good that the Lord Jesus wants of us and to place our hope of a glorious eternity with Him.
There are many things that we wish to know about the future.
We may wish to know what will happen in a couple of months' time, or in a year's time, or in ten years' time.
Yes, we may wish to know what the future is like but the fact is that life will slowly unfold before us moment by moment.
Still, we may wish to know how long more will we live on earth and when we will die.
For the Thessalonians in the 1st reading, they were wishing to know when the Lord Jesus will return.
So there was excitement as well as alarm by predictions and rumours and talk about the coming of the Day of the Lord.
But St. Paul tells them not to be deceived by any of these.
Rather he tells them to believe in the Good News and to stand firm and keep to the traditions.
What is important for them, as well as for us, is that Jesus and God the Father have given us love and comforted us with hope and strength to do good in everything we do and say.
So let us live every moment in love and do the good that the Lord Jesus wants of us and to place our hope of a glorious eternity with Him.
Sunday, August 23, 2020
St. Bartholomew, Apostle, Monday, 24-08-2020
Apocalypse 21:9-14 / John 1:45-51
St Bartholomew was from Cana in Galilee, and he was often identified as Nathaniel because the Gospel according to Mathew lists him together with Philip as one of the first apostles chosen by Christ.
But from the gospel that we have just heard, Nathaniel did not initially had a good impression of Jesus.
Because when he heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, he asked, "What good can come out of Nazareth?"
But Jesus saw more than that in him; he saw that he was sincere and he awaited for the coming of the Messiah.
And indeed, Nathaniel was open enough to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel.
Let us sincerely pray that we will eventually see the good in others, just as Jesus sees the good in each of us.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
21st Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 23.08.2020
Isaiah 22:19-23 / Romans 11:33-36 / Matthew 16:13-20
The knowledge of the reality that we see around us is usually accumulated from what we were taught, what we were told and from what we experienced through our senses.
So whatever we know is either based on facts, on accounts from others or from the testimonies of others.
But there are also some things that we accept without questioning, like the existence of places that we have never been to, events that happened in history, right down to the acceptance that we are born of a particular set of parents.
Hence, much of our knowledge is actually based on faith, faith in the broadest sense of the word.
Without faith in that sense, we will be burdened by doubts and paralyzed with questions.
In today’s Gospel, we come to know of something that would require a specific kind of faith, and that is faith in the religious sense.
When Jesus asked His disciples, who do they say He is, Simon Peter spoke up: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
But how did Simon Peter know this? How did he find it out?
And here we are presented with another source of knowledge, which is called a revelation.
And Jesus says where Peter got this knowledge from: It was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
And from that revelation, Jesus went on to speak about two realities.
One is the Church, which Jesus said: You are Peter and on this rock I will build My church.
That is also a revelation, that the Church is not just a mere human institution but also a Divine institution, founded by Jesus Christ.
And there is also another revelation when Jesus said this: The gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
So it means that the Church will triumph over evil and evil cannot destroy the Church.
But the Church is divine as well as human, just as Jesus is divine as well as human.
As much as the divine nature of the church cannot be destroyed by evil, very often it is the human nature of the church that is subjected to weakness and sinfulness from the temptations of the evil one.
But to focus and criticize the sinfulness and the weaknesses of the church is just looking at one side of the coin.
The Divine aspect of the Church is a revelation from God. When we believe in this divine revelation, then we will be united in the divine mission of salvation.
When we truly believe in that divine revelation, then that knowledge can dissolve fear, just as light scatters the darkness.
Let us live in the light of God’s revelation and be courageous members of the Church in the mission of salvation.
The knowledge of the reality that we see around us is usually accumulated from what we were taught, what we were told and from what we experienced through our senses.
So whatever we know is either based on facts, on accounts from others or from the testimonies of others.
But there are also some things that we accept without questioning, like the existence of places that we have never been to, events that happened in history, right down to the acceptance that we are born of a particular set of parents.
Hence, much of our knowledge is actually based on faith, faith in the broadest sense of the word.
Without faith in that sense, we will be burdened by doubts and paralyzed with questions.
In today’s Gospel, we come to know of something that would require a specific kind of faith, and that is faith in the religious sense.
When Jesus asked His disciples, who do they say He is, Simon Peter spoke up: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
But how did Simon Peter know this? How did he find it out?
And here we are presented with another source of knowledge, which is called a revelation.
And Jesus says where Peter got this knowledge from: It was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
And from that revelation, Jesus went on to speak about two realities.
One is the Church, which Jesus said: You are Peter and on this rock I will build My church.
That is also a revelation, that the Church is not just a mere human institution but also a Divine institution, founded by Jesus Christ.
And there is also another revelation when Jesus said this: The gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
So it means that the Church will triumph over evil and evil cannot destroy the Church.
But the Church is divine as well as human, just as Jesus is divine as well as human.
As much as the divine nature of the church cannot be destroyed by evil, very often it is the human nature of the church that is subjected to weakness and sinfulness from the temptations of the evil one.
But to focus and criticize the sinfulness and the weaknesses of the church is just looking at one side of the coin.
The Divine aspect of the Church is a revelation from God. When we believe in this divine revelation, then we will be united in the divine mission of salvation.
When we truly believe in that divine revelation, then that knowledge can dissolve fear, just as light scatters the darkness.
Let us live in the light of God’s revelation and be courageous members of the Church in the mission of salvation.
Friday, August 21, 2020
The Queenship of the B V Mary, Saturday, 22-08-2020
Isaiah 9:1-6 / Luke 1:26-38
Eight days ago, the Church celebrated the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven.
In the course of the 8 days, the Church reflects deeper about the mystery of the Assumption, and on the Octave of the Assumption (8 days later) the Church concludes her reflection with the celebration of the Queenship of Mary.
In summary, it could be said that God assumed Mary into heaven to reign in glory with Christ the King.
So the proclamation and celebration of Mary's queenship in essence points to the Kingship of Christ.
In celebrating the queenship of Mary, we are also reminded that we are the Chosen people of God and thus royal children.
So as God's Chosen and royal children, all that we do and say must be geared towards giving glory to God.
Mary showed us how to do that in the gospel when she responded to God's call by accepting God's will.
In doing so, Mary gave us the concrete example of obedience in the form of servanthood.
We are not just the Chosen and royal children of God.
We are also the chosen and royal servants of Christ the King.
With Mary as our queen, let us offer ourselves in service to the Church, so that in all that we do and say, God will be glorified and exalted.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
20th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 21-08-2020
Ezekiel 17:1-4 / Matthew 22:34-40
To exist is to live. That seems obvious enough.
But is our existence in this world just based on the fact that we are alive?
We may be alive but we may be just living a routine, monotonous kind of life that seems to be lacking in vision and direction.
Some people may like life to be like that. They just want to mind their own business and shut themselves out of what is happening around them.
Some may want to have a vision and a direction in life, but the burdens of this world have reduced them to mere existence without motivation.
The 1st reading tells of a valley of dry bones, much like a valley of death, where life is non-existent.
But it was actually an image of the people who had lost hope, vision and direction.
They had lost their faith in God and they ended up like a lifeless existence, a valley of dry bones.
Jesus reminds us in the gospel that the purpose of our life is to love God and to love our neighbour.
That will give us a meaningful existence and joyful purpose in life. Otherwise, we will end up like dry bone in the valley.
To exist is to live. That seems obvious enough.
But is our existence in this world just based on the fact that we are alive?
We may be alive but we may be just living a routine, monotonous kind of life that seems to be lacking in vision and direction.
Some people may like life to be like that. They just want to mind their own business and shut themselves out of what is happening around them.
Some may want to have a vision and a direction in life, but the burdens of this world have reduced them to mere existence without motivation.
The 1st reading tells of a valley of dry bones, much like a valley of death, where life is non-existent.
But it was actually an image of the people who had lost hope, vision and direction.
They had lost their faith in God and they ended up like a lifeless existence, a valley of dry bones.
Jesus reminds us in the gospel that the purpose of our life is to love God and to love our neighbour.
That will give us a meaningful existence and joyful purpose in life. Otherwise, we will end up like dry bone in the valley.
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
20th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 20-08-2020
Ezekiel 36:23-28 / Matthew 22:1-14
Water is a common element and it is used for many purposes like washing and cleaning.
But the most important usage of water is for drinking. It is important enough for the body such that if we don't drink water for a couple of days, we will suffer from dehydration and get into serious trouble.
Water is also used in the baptism ritual and it has the spiritual meaning of cleansing of sin as well as life-giving.
In the 1st reading, the Lord speaks of pouring clean water over His people to cleanse them of all their defilement and their unfaithfulness and idol-worshipping.
More than just cleansing the people, the water will also soften their hearts of stone and turn it into hearts of flesh, hearts that will be able to receive God's Spirit that will make them keep God's laws and observances.
In the gospel parable, we hear of what hearts of stone are in the attitude and behaviour of those invited for the wedding.
Both readings will make us reflect on our baptism and also the corruption of sin.
Baptism makes our hearts into hearts of love and to be faithful to God.
Sin corrupts the heart and turn it into a heart of stone and rebel against God.
Let us make a daily renewal of our baptismal promises to renounce sin and to profess our faithfulness to God.
Let us ask to Lord God to give us hearts of flesh to love God and to love neighbour.
That is what we are baptised for and that is also our mission in life.
Water is a common element and it is used for many purposes like washing and cleaning.
But the most important usage of water is for drinking. It is important enough for the body such that if we don't drink water for a couple of days, we will suffer from dehydration and get into serious trouble.
Water is also used in the baptism ritual and it has the spiritual meaning of cleansing of sin as well as life-giving.
In the 1st reading, the Lord speaks of pouring clean water over His people to cleanse them of all their defilement and their unfaithfulness and idol-worshipping.
More than just cleansing the people, the water will also soften their hearts of stone and turn it into hearts of flesh, hearts that will be able to receive God's Spirit that will make them keep God's laws and observances.
In the gospel parable, we hear of what hearts of stone are in the attitude and behaviour of those invited for the wedding.
Both readings will make us reflect on our baptism and also the corruption of sin.
Baptism makes our hearts into hearts of love and to be faithful to God.
Sin corrupts the heart and turn it into a heart of stone and rebel against God.
Let us make a daily renewal of our baptismal promises to renounce sin and to profess our faithfulness to God.
Let us ask to Lord God to give us hearts of flesh to love God and to love neighbour.
That is what we are baptised for and that is also our mission in life.
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
20th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 19-08-2020
Ezekiel 34:1-11 / Matthew 20:1-16
A good leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way.
A bad leader may know the way, he may even show the way, but then he goes away.
The shepherds that the 1st reading is referring to were the leaders of the people.
They may be secular or religious leaders.
They will certainly know what is expected of them, they know what they should do - they know the way.
But instead of showing the way and leading the way, they "go away" to their own pleasures and desires and they also "go away" from the people they were put in charge of, leaving them scattered and harassed and dejected.
But God will put a stop to the misdeeds of the bad shepherds when He said: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep it all in view.
In the gospel parable, we heard of what a good leader and a good shepherd is in the form of a fair and just landowner.
He looks for the lost, the least and the last. He looks for the hopeless and the helpless.
Let us pray for our leaders and shepherds, that they will know the way, show the way and lead the way.
A good leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way.
A bad leader may know the way, he may even show the way, but then he goes away.
The shepherds that the 1st reading is referring to were the leaders of the people.
They may be secular or religious leaders.
They will certainly know what is expected of them, they know what they should do - they know the way.
But instead of showing the way and leading the way, they "go away" to their own pleasures and desires and they also "go away" from the people they were put in charge of, leaving them scattered and harassed and dejected.
But God will put a stop to the misdeeds of the bad shepherds when He said: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep it all in view.
In the gospel parable, we heard of what a good leader and a good shepherd is in the form of a fair and just landowner.
He looks for the lost, the least and the last. He looks for the hopeless and the helpless.
Let us pray for our leaders and shepherds, that they will know the way, show the way and lead the way.
Monday, August 17, 2020
20th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 18-08-2020
Ezekiel 28:1-10 / Matthew 19:23-30
It is said that most men can withstand adversity, but to test a man's character, just give him power.
When a man is given power, and more so absolute power, then what comes next is the tendency to be corrupted.
Much as power does not necessarily corrupt a person, but when he does not know or realise where that power comes from, he will act and behave like he is a god.
Such has happened to the pharaohs and the emperors and the kings of the past.
Such was what happened to the ruler of the Tyre in the 1st reading, and the prophet Ezekiel was sent to tell him of his folly.
Will that ruler of Tyre heed the prophet's message and learn his lesson?
When one is high and mighty and powerful, he will think that he is like a god and even thinks that he is a god.
And when one is rich and wealthy, one may not necessarily think that he is like a god or think that he is god.
But he may not think about God at all.
Hence, Jesus said that it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Because like power, money and wealth can corrupt and make a man foolish.
Let us pray for that wisdom to know that nothing can save us except God who sent His Son to show us how to live simply and humbly.
It is said that most men can withstand adversity, but to test a man's character, just give him power.
When a man is given power, and more so absolute power, then what comes next is the tendency to be corrupted.
Much as power does not necessarily corrupt a person, but when he does not know or realise where that power comes from, he will act and behave like he is a god.
Such has happened to the pharaohs and the emperors and the kings of the past.
Such was what happened to the ruler of the Tyre in the 1st reading, and the prophet Ezekiel was sent to tell him of his folly.
Will that ruler of Tyre heed the prophet's message and learn his lesson?
When one is high and mighty and powerful, he will think that he is like a god and even thinks that he is a god.
And when one is rich and wealthy, one may not necessarily think that he is like a god or think that he is god.
But he may not think about God at all.
Hence, Jesus said that it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Because like power, money and wealth can corrupt and make a man foolish.
Let us pray for that wisdom to know that nothing can save us except God who sent His Son to show us how to live simply and humbly.
Sunday, August 16, 2020
20th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 17-08-2020
Ezekiel 24:13-24 / Matthew 19:16-22
If we want something, then it is obvious that we have to look for it or to work for it.
We can't expect that whatever we want would just fall on our laps without any effort on our part.
The rich young man in the gospel knew what he wanted in life and he worked for it and got it.
He possessed great wealth because he worked for it and he got it.
He was a determined man and he was successful because he worked hard for it.
He wanted to possess eternal life and so he asked Jesus what good deed must he do to get it.
What Jesus told him probably surprised him and maybe even shocked him.
In a word, it was "nothing" - to give up everything and have nothing and then follow Him.
And that is the message for us too. There is nothing we can do to possess eternal life.
It is a gift from God and we can receive it only when we empty our hearts of all that is blocking what God wants to give us.
Eternal life is given to those who want nothing else but to follow Jesus faithfully and walk in His ways.
If we want something, then it is obvious that we have to look for it or to work for it.
We can't expect that whatever we want would just fall on our laps without any effort on our part.
The rich young man in the gospel knew what he wanted in life and he worked for it and got it.
He possessed great wealth because he worked for it and he got it.
He was a determined man and he was successful because he worked hard for it.
He wanted to possess eternal life and so he asked Jesus what good deed must he do to get it.
What Jesus told him probably surprised him and maybe even shocked him.
In a word, it was "nothing" - to give up everything and have nothing and then follow Him.
And that is the message for us too. There is nothing we can do to possess eternal life.
It is a gift from God and we can receive it only when we empty our hearts of all that is blocking what God wants to give us.
Eternal life is given to those who want nothing else but to follow Jesus faithfully and walk in His ways.
Saturday, August 15, 2020
20th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 16.08.2020
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 / Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 / Matthew 15:21-28
It is said that technology changes the world and indeed it has.
And in recent times, technology has indeed changed the world, especially in the way we communicate, in the way we work, in the way we learn, in the way we shop, and even in ways we have never thought could happen.
Now there is a surge of online or livestreaming activities, like online worship, online prayers, online weddings, etc.
All this is possible because of the technological advances that enable us to be connected online.
But we must remember that human beings are social beings and there is this inherent need to gather together and meet up face-to-face.
The physical encounter enables a dimension that technology cannot do, and that is, there is a personal encounter.
In the gospel, we hear of a personal encounter as well as a witty conversation.
Jesus came to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and then out came a Canaanite woman shouting: Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.
It was a very respectful request, and we would have expected Jesus to grant that woman her request without hesitation.
But surprisingly, Jesus answered her not a word. And we know what a non-reply means - it means “no” and also don’t bother to ask again.
Instead it was the disciples who intervened as they said: Give her what she wants. But why did the disciple say that. It was because she was shouting after them.
Then Jesus said something about Him being sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
But the woman came up and knelt at His feet with this plea: Lord, help me.
This gospel passage has many things to tell us. There is a lesson on persistence and perseverance. There is a lesson of faith and trust.
But underlying all this is the personal encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, with a lesson on prayer.
Those three prayer words of the Canaanite woman “Lord, help me” is as simple, as profound, as moving, as effective and as personal as prayer can be.
And that is how we should pray - with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction.
So even though we cannot gather physically as a community in prayer, let us pray together online and pray with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction.
Let us have faith in Jesus that when we pray with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction, He will grant us our needs, just as He granted that Canaanite woman her prayer.
It is said that technology changes the world and indeed it has.
And in recent times, technology has indeed changed the world, especially in the way we communicate, in the way we work, in the way we learn, in the way we shop, and even in ways we have never thought could happen.
Now there is a surge of online or livestreaming activities, like online worship, online prayers, online weddings, etc.
All this is possible because of the technological advances that enable us to be connected online.
But we must remember that human beings are social beings and there is this inherent need to gather together and meet up face-to-face.
The physical encounter enables a dimension that technology cannot do, and that is, there is a personal encounter.
In the gospel, we hear of a personal encounter as well as a witty conversation.
Jesus came to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and then out came a Canaanite woman shouting: Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.
It was a very respectful request, and we would have expected Jesus to grant that woman her request without hesitation.
But surprisingly, Jesus answered her not a word. And we know what a non-reply means - it means “no” and also don’t bother to ask again.
Instead it was the disciples who intervened as they said: Give her what she wants. But why did the disciple say that. It was because she was shouting after them.
Then Jesus said something about Him being sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
But the woman came up and knelt at His feet with this plea: Lord, help me.
This gospel passage has many things to tell us. There is a lesson on persistence and perseverance. There is a lesson of faith and trust.
But underlying all this is the personal encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, with a lesson on prayer.
Those three prayer words of the Canaanite woman “Lord, help me” is as simple, as profound, as moving, as effective and as personal as prayer can be.
And that is how we should pray - with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction.
So even though we cannot gather physically as a community in prayer, let us pray together online and pray with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction.
Let us have faith in Jesus that when we pray with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction, He will grant us our needs, just as He granted that Canaanite woman her prayer.
The Assumption of the B V Mary, Saturday, 15-08-2020
Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 / 1 Cor 15:20-26 / Luke 1:39-56
The Assumption of Mary into heaven was proclaimed as a dogma of faith in 1950.
A dogma is defined as a divinely revealed truth, proclaimed as such by the infallible teaching authority of the Church, and hence binding now and forever on all the faithful.
It means to say that though the Scriptures do not explicitly say that Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul, the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit defined the truth of this age old belief.
It is a belief not only of the Catholic Church but also of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
It is the affirmation of the hope in the resurrection of the body, which is a tenet of faith, or a pillar of faith.
Through the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, Mary entered heaven, body and soul.
So where Mary had gone, there too is our destiny
That is what we are celebrating and thanking God for.
That our bodies, like Mary’s, are the temples of the Holy Spirit,
And though our bodies may be apparently destroyed by death but yet we are destined to rise again.
That brings us to reflect on the dignity of the human body.
In today’s world, the human body has lost much of its dignity through sexual exploitation, genocide, starvation, violence and war.
Faced with so much distress and despair, we are called to face this injustice to humanity with the faith of Mary.
Mary’s hymn of the Magnificant proclaims that God will come to the help of His people.
That God will even do great things for us and through us.
This Mass is not about a commemoration of a proclamation of a dogma.
Rather it is a celebration of faith, faith in our eternal destiny, faith in the promises that God made to Mary and to us.
And blessed too are we who believe that these promises will be fulfilled.
The Assumption of Mary into heaven was proclaimed as a dogma of faith in 1950.
A dogma is defined as a divinely revealed truth, proclaimed as such by the infallible teaching authority of the Church, and hence binding now and forever on all the faithful.
It means to say that though the Scriptures do not explicitly say that Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul, the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit defined the truth of this age old belief.
It is a belief not only of the Catholic Church but also of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
It is the affirmation of the hope in the resurrection of the body, which is a tenet of faith, or a pillar of faith.
Through the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, Mary entered heaven, body and soul.
So where Mary had gone, there too is our destiny
That is what we are celebrating and thanking God for.
That our bodies, like Mary’s, are the temples of the Holy Spirit,
And though our bodies may be apparently destroyed by death but yet we are destined to rise again.
That brings us to reflect on the dignity of the human body.
In today’s world, the human body has lost much of its dignity through sexual exploitation, genocide, starvation, violence and war.
Faced with so much distress and despair, we are called to face this injustice to humanity with the faith of Mary.
Mary’s hymn of the Magnificant proclaims that God will come to the help of His people.
That God will even do great things for us and through us.
This Mass is not about a commemoration of a proclamation of a dogma.
Rather it is a celebration of faith, faith in our eternal destiny, faith in the promises that God made to Mary and to us.
And blessed too are we who believe that these promises will be fulfilled.
Thursday, August 13, 2020
19th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 14-08-2020
Ezekiel 16:59-63 / Matthew 19:3-12
To understand the purpose and function of something, it is necessary to go back to its original design.
Whether it is an appliance or equipment or building, the original design can be found in the blueprints, the specifications and the architectural drawings.
With a good knowledge of the original design, then the appliance or equipment or building will function well and serve its purpose.
In the gospel when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about marriage and divorce, He used a phrase that make them recall what marriage was all about.
Jesus said: Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female.
That can be found in the Book of Genesis where there are the stories of the creation of the world, the creation of man, and then this rather unique story of woman who was created from a rib taken from the side of man.
So the whole creation story is a story of God’s love, a love that is also expressed between a man and a woman in the union of marriage.
That was the original design and purpose of creation and marriage, that man and woman and creation are designed for love and designed to love.
That design and purpose of love in the creation story is eventually brought to a fulfillment on the Cross.
When the soldier pierced the side of Jesus with a lance, blood and water flowed from His heart.
From His pierced heart flowed the beginning of the Church, the Bride of Christ.
From His pierced Heart flowed His love for us, as symbolized by the blood, and that He has washed us clean from sin, as symbolized by the water.
So we are designed to love and our purpose in life is to love.
When we keep to that design and purpose, then we will be able to live our lives joyfully and meaningfully, because that is the design and purpose that our Creator has for us from the beginning.
To understand the purpose and function of something, it is necessary to go back to its original design.
Whether it is an appliance or equipment or building, the original design can be found in the blueprints, the specifications and the architectural drawings.
With a good knowledge of the original design, then the appliance or equipment or building will function well and serve its purpose.
In the gospel when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about marriage and divorce, He used a phrase that make them recall what marriage was all about.
Jesus said: Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female.
That can be found in the Book of Genesis where there are the stories of the creation of the world, the creation of man, and then this rather unique story of woman who was created from a rib taken from the side of man.
So the whole creation story is a story of God’s love, a love that is also expressed between a man and a woman in the union of marriage.
That was the original design and purpose of creation and marriage, that man and woman and creation are designed for love and designed to love.
That design and purpose of love in the creation story is eventually brought to a fulfillment on the Cross.
When the soldier pierced the side of Jesus with a lance, blood and water flowed from His heart.
From His pierced heart flowed the beginning of the Church, the Bride of Christ.
From His pierced Heart flowed His love for us, as symbolized by the blood, and that He has washed us clean from sin, as symbolized by the water.
So we are designed to love and our purpose in life is to love.
When we keep to that design and purpose, then we will be able to live our lives joyfully and meaningfully, because that is the design and purpose that our Creator has for us from the beginning.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
19th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 13-08-2020
Ezekiel 12:1-12 / Matthew 18:21-19:1
During the time of Jesus, the rabbis would teach the people about forgiveness.
They taught people to forgive those who offended them, but only to forgive three times.
They reckoned that after three times, the offender does not deserve any more forgiveness.
In the gospel, Peter thought he was exceptionally noble when he asked Jesus if seven times were enough.
Once again Jesus showed that to be His disciples, we cannot count the times nor count the cost.
What Jesus said to Peter was simply this - forgive and keep forgiving.
And that is also what He is saying about our sins.
God will forgive us and He will keep forgiving us, because God is love and forgiveness.
There is this story about a man who was skeptical about going for confession.
So he told the priest: The next time you pray, why not you ask Jesus what was my greatest sin. If Jesus can tell you my greatest sin, then I might consider coming for confession.
A few days later, he met the priest and so he asked: So did Jesus tell you what was my greatest sin?
The priest answered: Oh, I did ask Jesus. He said that He has already forgiven you that sin. But He said that you still must go to confession for it.
It may be a witty reply but it is nonetheless the reality.
God is sure to forgive; but we must also ask for forgiveness and want to be forgiven.
During the time of Jesus, the rabbis would teach the people about forgiveness.
They taught people to forgive those who offended them, but only to forgive three times.
They reckoned that after three times, the offender does not deserve any more forgiveness.
In the gospel, Peter thought he was exceptionally noble when he asked Jesus if seven times were enough.
Once again Jesus showed that to be His disciples, we cannot count the times nor count the cost.
What Jesus said to Peter was simply this - forgive and keep forgiving.
And that is also what He is saying about our sins.
God will forgive us and He will keep forgiving us, because God is love and forgiveness.
There is this story about a man who was skeptical about going for confession.
So he told the priest: The next time you pray, why not you ask Jesus what was my greatest sin. If Jesus can tell you my greatest sin, then I might consider coming for confession.
A few days later, he met the priest and so he asked: So did Jesus tell you what was my greatest sin?
The priest answered: Oh, I did ask Jesus. He said that He has already forgiven you that sin. But He said that you still must go to confession for it.
It may be a witty reply but it is nonetheless the reality.
God is sure to forgive; but we must also ask for forgiveness and want to be forgiven.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
19th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 12-08-2020
Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22 / Matthew 18:15-20
The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is one of the deepest belief of the Catholic Church.
We believe that we truly receive Jesus in the Eucharist at Holy Communion.
We have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament where we adore Christ in the consecrated host that is exposed in the monstrance.
In the gospel, Jesus also promised us that He will be truly present where two or three are gathered in His name.
And Jesus also said that if two agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted by the Father in heaven.
It is indeed wonderful to know that Jesus is always present to us and when two or more are gathered in His name to pray for something, it will be granted by God.
And as we gather in His name, when physically or online, let us pray and believe that our prayers will be answered.
More so, let us pray for those who do wrong and refuse to repent.
We believe that conversion will happen one day, because our prayers for them will be heard and Jesus will do something about it.
The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is one of the deepest belief of the Catholic Church.
We believe that we truly receive Jesus in the Eucharist at Holy Communion.
We have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament where we adore Christ in the consecrated host that is exposed in the monstrance.
In the gospel, Jesus also promised us that He will be truly present where two or three are gathered in His name.
And Jesus also said that if two agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted by the Father in heaven.
It is indeed wonderful to know that Jesus is always present to us and when two or more are gathered in His name to pray for something, it will be granted by God.
And as we gather in His name, when physically or online, let us pray and believe that our prayers will be answered.
More so, let us pray for those who do wrong and refuse to repent.
We believe that conversion will happen one day, because our prayers for them will be heard and Jesus will do something about it.
Monday, August 10, 2020
19th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 11-08-2020
Ezekiel 2:8 - 3:4 / Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
The prophet Ezekiel was one of the 3000 upper class Jews who were exiled in Babylon in the year 597BC.
It was while he was in Babylon that he started to have visions and gave prophetic insights.
One of which was about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586BC.
Of course, at that time, the people were just too obstinate to accept Ezekiel's prophesies, especially those who were exiled in Babylon.
Because the Temple was still standing then, they thought that God will bring them back. They would never had expected to die in a foreign land.
Yet, as we heard in the 1st reading, what Ezekiel saw written on the scroll was clearly an indication of what was to come - "lamentations, wailings, moanings".
If only they had not been so stubborn and obstinate, they might have been spared; if only they had hearts like little children, they might have listened.
Indeed, children are sensitive enough to sense the seriousness of a warning and they will follow as they were told.
Yes, we need to have the simplicity and also the sensitivity of children in order to hear and understand and act on the promptings of the Lord.
As Psalm 8:2 would put it - From the mouths of children and of babes, You have found praise to foil the enemy and the foe.
The prophet Ezekiel was one of the 3000 upper class Jews who were exiled in Babylon in the year 597BC.
It was while he was in Babylon that he started to have visions and gave prophetic insights.
One of which was about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586BC.
Of course, at that time, the people were just too obstinate to accept Ezekiel's prophesies, especially those who were exiled in Babylon.
Because the Temple was still standing then, they thought that God will bring them back. They would never had expected to die in a foreign land.
Yet, as we heard in the 1st reading, what Ezekiel saw written on the scroll was clearly an indication of what was to come - "lamentations, wailings, moanings".
If only they had not been so stubborn and obstinate, they might have been spared; if only they had hearts like little children, they might have listened.
Indeed, children are sensitive enough to sense the seriousness of a warning and they will follow as they were told.
Yes, we need to have the simplicity and also the sensitivity of children in order to hear and understand and act on the promptings of the Lord.
As Psalm 8:2 would put it - From the mouths of children and of babes, You have found praise to foil the enemy and the foe.
Sunday, August 9, 2020
St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, Monday, 10-08-2020
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 / John 12:24-26
St. Lawrence was a deacon of the Church of Rome when Pope Sixtus was martyred along with four other deacons.
St. Lawrence was told by the authorities that if he wanted to be spared, he was to surrender all the treasures of the Church in three days time.
So during the next three day, St. Lawrence went around gathering the poor and the needy who were supported by the Church.
Then he brought them before the authorities and he told them : These are the treasures of the Church.
Needless to say, he was taken away to be tortured to death.
The account of the execution scene was morbid.
St. Lawrence was stripped and tied to a wire-mesh to be roasted over the fire.
One account has it that St. Lawrence said to his torturers : You can turn me over, I am well done on this side.
But martyrdom is certainly no laughing matter, but yet even as the blood of the martyrs was poured out, the Church grew especially in those terrible times.
Because it was a blood that was willingly poured out, willingly given for the glory of God.
In these present times, the seeds of faith are also waiting to sprout in and around the Church.
We as Christians are called to fertilize the soil by the example of our lives and by our love for God and for others.
We do this by faithfully following Christ and serving Him in the poor, like St. Laurence did, so that our lives will also bear a rich harvest.
St. Lawrence was a deacon of the Church of Rome when Pope Sixtus was martyred along with four other deacons.
St. Lawrence was told by the authorities that if he wanted to be spared, he was to surrender all the treasures of the Church in three days time.
So during the next three day, St. Lawrence went around gathering the poor and the needy who were supported by the Church.
Then he brought them before the authorities and he told them : These are the treasures of the Church.
Needless to say, he was taken away to be tortured to death.
The account of the execution scene was morbid.
St. Lawrence was stripped and tied to a wire-mesh to be roasted over the fire.
One account has it that St. Lawrence said to his torturers : You can turn me over, I am well done on this side.
But martyrdom is certainly no laughing matter, but yet even as the blood of the martyrs was poured out, the Church grew especially in those terrible times.
Because it was a blood that was willingly poured out, willingly given for the glory of God.
In these present times, the seeds of faith are also waiting to sprout in and around the Church.
We as Christians are called to fertilize the soil by the example of our lives and by our love for God and for others.
We do this by faithfully following Christ and serving Him in the poor, like St. Laurence did, so that our lives will also bear a rich harvest.
Saturday, August 8, 2020
19th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 09.08.2020
1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 / Romans 9:1-5 / Matthew 14:22-33
Whenever we say that we “understand”, it means that we are clear about something.
So to say that we understand a topic or a subject, it means that we know what it is what it is all about or at least we have a good idea of it.
When we say that we understand someone, it means that we know that person’s thoughts and feel that person’s emotions.
So when we say we understand, it means a lot and it says a lot.
But somehow the word “understand” may seem to be made up of two words: under and stand. But it certainly does not mean to be standing under something.
In fact, it means to be standing in the midst of something and knowing what the situation is all about.
In a gospel, the disciples understood something. They were in a boat on the lake and battling with a heavy sea. They understood and they knew they were in danger.
But then came along something that they couldn’t understand at all. They saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, and they were terrified as they thought it was a ghost and they cried out in fear.
But Jesus called out to them saying: Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!
Peter seemed to have understood that, and wanted to even walk on the water towards Jesus.
But as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink into the water.
Now, we know we can’t walk on water. Even if we can swim, it would be difficult to swim in a heavy sea.
What we are going through now is like what the disciples were going through.
We are hanging on to our faith but it is getting difficult. We are anxious, we are worried, we are even frightened.
There are so many bad and sad situations happening around us.
We want to keep walking towards Jesus but we are sinking into the cold murky waters.
Here we need to do what Peter did. He cried out: Lord, save me.
And Jesus put out His hand at once and held him.
We may have little faith, we may doubt, we may be frightened.
But let us cry out: Jesus, save me.
Jesus will put out His hand and hold us up.
Then we will truly understand who Jesus is and that He holds our hands especially when we are anxious, worried and sinking in fear.
Whenever we say that we “understand”, it means that we are clear about something.
So to say that we understand a topic or a subject, it means that we know what it is what it is all about or at least we have a good idea of it.
When we say that we understand someone, it means that we know that person’s thoughts and feel that person’s emotions.
So when we say we understand, it means a lot and it says a lot.
But somehow the word “understand” may seem to be made up of two words: under and stand. But it certainly does not mean to be standing under something.
In fact, it means to be standing in the midst of something and knowing what the situation is all about.
In a gospel, the disciples understood something. They were in a boat on the lake and battling with a heavy sea. They understood and they knew they were in danger.
But then came along something that they couldn’t understand at all. They saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, and they were terrified as they thought it was a ghost and they cried out in fear.
But Jesus called out to them saying: Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!
Peter seemed to have understood that, and wanted to even walk on the water towards Jesus.
But as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink into the water.
Now, we know we can’t walk on water. Even if we can swim, it would be difficult to swim in a heavy sea.
What we are going through now is like what the disciples were going through.
We are hanging on to our faith but it is getting difficult. We are anxious, we are worried, we are even frightened.
There are so many bad and sad situations happening around us.
We want to keep walking towards Jesus but we are sinking into the cold murky waters.
Here we need to do what Peter did. He cried out: Lord, save me.
And Jesus put out His hand at once and held him.
We may have little faith, we may doubt, we may be frightened.
But let us cry out: Jesus, save me.
Jesus will put out His hand and hold us up.
Then we will truly understand who Jesus is and that He holds our hands especially when we are anxious, worried and sinking in fear.
18th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 08-08-2020
Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 / Matthew 17:14-20
Under normal circumstances, we would not say anything rash or brash.
When things are under control, we would surely be more logical and rational.
But when things start to get rough and we see injustice and oppression and evil happening before our eyes, we begin to search anxiously for answers and solutions.
And being a people of faith, we will surely pray.
Yet when God doesn't seem to answer our prayer or seems like He is taking forever to do so, then God becomes the target of our frustration and criticism.
That was what the prophet Habakkuk did and his laments and complaints against God are even recorded in the Holy Bible!
Habakkuk could not understand why Judah was punished by her enemies who were more wicked and sinful than her.
He complained that God was silent and did nothing while wicked men swallowed up His people.
In the end, God did answer. Yes even if it comes slowly, we just have to wait in faith, for come it will, without fail.
Because we believe that the wicked man will eventually stumble and fall, but the upright man will live by his faithfulness.
That is God's answer to us, as well as His promise to us.
We need to have faith in God who loves us and cares for us.
In the gospel, Jesus emphasized on faith in God in all that we do.
With faith in God, nothing would be impossible. Because with God nothing is impossible.
Under normal circumstances, we would not say anything rash or brash.
When things are under control, we would surely be more logical and rational.
But when things start to get rough and we see injustice and oppression and evil happening before our eyes, we begin to search anxiously for answers and solutions.
And being a people of faith, we will surely pray.
Yet when God doesn't seem to answer our prayer or seems like He is taking forever to do so, then God becomes the target of our frustration and criticism.
That was what the prophet Habakkuk did and his laments and complaints against God are even recorded in the Holy Bible!
Habakkuk could not understand why Judah was punished by her enemies who were more wicked and sinful than her.
He complained that God was silent and did nothing while wicked men swallowed up His people.
In the end, God did answer. Yes even if it comes slowly, we just have to wait in faith, for come it will, without fail.
Because we believe that the wicked man will eventually stumble and fall, but the upright man will live by his faithfulness.
That is God's answer to us, as well as His promise to us.
We need to have faith in God who loves us and cares for us.
In the gospel, Jesus emphasized on faith in God in all that we do.
With faith in God, nothing would be impossible. Because with God nothing is impossible.
Friday, August 7, 2020
18th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 07-08-2020
Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7 / Matthew 16:24-28
In the history of the world, we read about the rise and fall of empires. From the conquests of Alexander the Great to the Roman empire, the pattern has not changed.
They rose and they faded, and what is left of them are just names in the history books and remnants that are showcased in museums.
In the Middle East and during the period between 900 BC and 650 BC, Assyria was the major empire, with its capital at Nineveh.
It was also during this time that northern kingdom of Israel was annihilated and the southern kingdom of Judah was conquered.
Yet in the 1st reading, the prophet Nahum proclaimed peace for Judah and of her restoration. But the Lord God was going to put a stop to the ruthless plundering of Assyria.
Assyria in turn will be annihilated and turned into a ruin. As it was with the mighty and powerful kingdoms of the past, so its turn will come.
In the rise and fall of the mighty and powerful kingdoms, Jesus had this to say in the gospel: What then will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
The answer is obvious and also a foregone conclusion. But that didn't seem so obvious to those who still want to pillage and plunder and to show their power and might.
On a lesser scale, the question for us is what are we trying to gain and what are we longing for.
If what we are looking for are not of the kingdom of above, then all will just fade and be forgotten, as it was with the kingdoms of this earth.
In the history of the world, we read about the rise and fall of empires. From the conquests of Alexander the Great to the Roman empire, the pattern has not changed.
They rose and they faded, and what is left of them are just names in the history books and remnants that are showcased in museums.
In the Middle East and during the period between 900 BC and 650 BC, Assyria was the major empire, with its capital at Nineveh.
It was also during this time that northern kingdom of Israel was annihilated and the southern kingdom of Judah was conquered.
Yet in the 1st reading, the prophet Nahum proclaimed peace for Judah and of her restoration. But the Lord God was going to put a stop to the ruthless plundering of Assyria.
Assyria in turn will be annihilated and turned into a ruin. As it was with the mighty and powerful kingdoms of the past, so its turn will come.
In the rise and fall of the mighty and powerful kingdoms, Jesus had this to say in the gospel: What then will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
The answer is obvious and also a foregone conclusion. But that didn't seem so obvious to those who still want to pillage and plunder and to show their power and might.
On a lesser scale, the question for us is what are we trying to gain and what are we longing for.
If what we are looking for are not of the kingdom of above, then all will just fade and be forgotten, as it was with the kingdoms of this earth.
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Transfiguration of the Lord, Thursday, 06-08-2020
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / 2 Peter 1:16-19 / Matthew 17:1-9
The word "new" is an attractive and exciting word.
When it is applied to things, e.g., new house, new office, new computer, it gives a feeling of a new beginning without the limitations of the old settings.
When it is applied to persons, e.g., new boss, new president, new priest, then it's going to be a process of discovering and adjusting to the new attitudes and styles of new person at the helm.
But as with time and tide, all things new will also become old, or familiar, or gotten used to, or just lose its shine and sparkle.
When Jesus began His ministry and called His disciples to follow Him, He was seen as an exciting and attractive "item" by His disciples and the people following Him.
But as time went by, His disciples also slowly got used to Him and He lost His "shine" for them.
But in the Transfiguration, Jesus showed His glory, but it was not meant to bring back the shine or the attention.
It was a profound moment of proclamation and revelation as Jesus reveals again to Peter, James and John His true identity.
Jesus did not lose His "shine"; rather it was the disciples who may have thought they knew everything about Jesus and was beginning to take Him for granted.
But for us, the Transfiguration is also a reminder of who we really are - we are the beloved children of God.
No one can ever take that "shine" from us. Yet we may just take ourselves for granted and lose that "shine" altogether.
The word "new" is an attractive and exciting word.
When it is applied to things, e.g., new house, new office, new computer, it gives a feeling of a new beginning without the limitations of the old settings.
When it is applied to persons, e.g., new boss, new president, new priest, then it's going to be a process of discovering and adjusting to the new attitudes and styles of new person at the helm.
But as with time and tide, all things new will also become old, or familiar, or gotten used to, or just lose its shine and sparkle.
When Jesus began His ministry and called His disciples to follow Him, He was seen as an exciting and attractive "item" by His disciples and the people following Him.
But as time went by, His disciples also slowly got used to Him and He lost His "shine" for them.
But in the Transfiguration, Jesus showed His glory, but it was not meant to bring back the shine or the attention.
It was a profound moment of proclamation and revelation as Jesus reveals again to Peter, James and John His true identity.
Jesus did not lose His "shine"; rather it was the disciples who may have thought they knew everything about Jesus and was beginning to take Him for granted.
But for us, the Transfiguration is also a reminder of who we really are - we are the beloved children of God.
No one can ever take that "shine" from us. Yet we may just take ourselves for granted and lose that "shine" altogether.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
18th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 05-08-2020
Jeremiah 31:1-7 / Matthew 15:21-28
Most of the characters in the gospel are not identified by their names.
Usually they are identified either by gender or by status or by profession or by nationality.
But what can be surprising is that some of the most astounding encounters of Jesus are with persons who were not identified by name.
In the gospel is one such encounter of Jesus with a Canaanite woman.
At the end of the encounter, Jesus affirmed that woman of her faith and also granted her request.
But that unnamed Canaanite woman also taught us a simple powerful prayer.
That woman came up to Jesus and knelt at His feet and pleaded: Lord, help me.
That simple gesture of coming up to Jesus and kneeling at His feet and pleading with Him with just three simple words should inspire us to do likewise whenever we are in difficulty and in need.
We must come before Jesus and kneel before Him with the simple prayer "Lord, help me."
May the Lord Jesus take pity on us and look at our humble faith and grant us what we need.
Most of the characters in the gospel are not identified by their names.
Usually they are identified either by gender or by status or by profession or by nationality.
But what can be surprising is that some of the most astounding encounters of Jesus are with persons who were not identified by name.
In the gospel is one such encounter of Jesus with a Canaanite woman.
At the end of the encounter, Jesus affirmed that woman of her faith and also granted her request.
But that unnamed Canaanite woman also taught us a simple powerful prayer.
That woman came up to Jesus and knelt at His feet and pleaded: Lord, help me.
That simple gesture of coming up to Jesus and kneeling at His feet and pleading with Him with just three simple words should inspire us to do likewise whenever we are in difficulty and in need.
We must come before Jesus and kneel before Him with the simple prayer "Lord, help me."
May the Lord Jesus take pity on us and look at our humble faith and grant us what we need.
Monday, August 3, 2020
18th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 04-08-2020 (Yr A)
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 / Matthew 18:1-2, 10-14 (Memorial of St. John Vianney)
Today the Church honours St. John Vianney, who was a French parish priest and is venerated as the patron saint of parish priests.
He came from a poor peasant family, had his studies interrupted by the French Revolution, considered a slow and unpromising candidate for the priesthood, but he was ordained on account of his love and devotion to God rather than anything else.
As a seminarian, he was not quick at learning. It appears that when one of his professors called him an ass, he purportedly replied, "If Samson could defeat the Philistines with the skull of an ass, what could God not do with a complete ass like me?" - or words to the effect.
In 1818, he was sent to an isolated village of Ars to be the parish priest where he was noted as a simple but heart-touching preacher and also a confessor who was gifted with the spiritual insight into souls.
Some of his simple and practical quotes are these:
- Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God, the angels and the saints - they are your public.
- Everything is a reminder of the Cross. We ourselves are made in the shape of a cross.
As a priest, he expressed what the priestly ministry is about in these words: The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.
Let us pray for priests that they will love God's people with the heart of Jesus and be faithful servants of God as St. John Vianney was.
Today the Church honours St. John Vianney, who was a French parish priest and is venerated as the patron saint of parish priests.
He came from a poor peasant family, had his studies interrupted by the French Revolution, considered a slow and unpromising candidate for the priesthood, but he was ordained on account of his love and devotion to God rather than anything else.
As a seminarian, he was not quick at learning. It appears that when one of his professors called him an ass, he purportedly replied, "If Samson could defeat the Philistines with the skull of an ass, what could God not do with a complete ass like me?" - or words to the effect.
In 1818, he was sent to an isolated village of Ars to be the parish priest where he was noted as a simple but heart-touching preacher and also a confessor who was gifted with the spiritual insight into souls.
Some of his simple and practical quotes are these:
- Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God, the angels and the saints - they are your public.
- Everything is a reminder of the Cross. We ourselves are made in the shape of a cross.
As a priest, he expressed what the priestly ministry is about in these words: The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.
Let us pray for priests that they will love God's people with the heart of Jesus and be faithful servants of God as St. John Vianney was.
Sunday, August 2, 2020
18th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 03-08-2020 (Yr A)
Jeremiah 28:1-17 / Matthew 14:22-36
Whenever this phrase "a bitter pill to swallow" is used, there could be several shades of meaning to it. It could mean:
- an unwanted or unpleasant situation that someone is forced to accept
- an unpleasant fact, disappointment, or humiliation that is difficult to endure
Whatever shades of meaning there are, the word that is most obvious is "bitter".
As much as bitter is far from pleasant, but swallowing the bitter pill may result in something better.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Jeremiah said that true prophets often present the people a bitter pill to swallow.
And unless the people swallow the bitter pill and repent and turn back to God, there can be no real peace.
And in the gospel, Peter had to swallow the bitter pill of being called a man of little faith.
We too must humbly swallow the bitter pill of humility and acknowledge that we have little faith and we also doubted God especially when the going gets rough and we want to take the easy way out.
We only need to cry out "Lord! Save me!" and what is bitter will be turned into something better.
Whenever this phrase "a bitter pill to swallow" is used, there could be several shades of meaning to it. It could mean:
- an unwanted or unpleasant situation that someone is forced to accept
- an unpleasant fact, disappointment, or humiliation that is difficult to endure
Whatever shades of meaning there are, the word that is most obvious is "bitter".
As much as bitter is far from pleasant, but swallowing the bitter pill may result in something better.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Jeremiah said that true prophets often present the people a bitter pill to swallow.
And unless the people swallow the bitter pill and repent and turn back to God, there can be no real peace.
And in the gospel, Peter had to swallow the bitter pill of being called a man of little faith.
We too must humbly swallow the bitter pill of humility and acknowledge that we have little faith and we also doubted God especially when the going gets rough and we want to take the easy way out.
We only need to cry out "Lord! Save me!" and what is bitter will be turned into something better.
Saturday, August 1, 2020
18th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 02.08.2020
Isaiah 55:1-3 / Romans 8:35, 37-39 / Matthew 14:13-21
Whenever we talk about relationships, we are talking about a very complex matter.
It is complex because it includes multiple aspects of life, like the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.
And when we talk about relationships, we’re not referring to relationships with things like the mobile phone or computer or the car.
Neither are we referring to relationships with our pets, whether it is our dogs or cats on whatever pets we may have.
We are talking about human relationships, and these can either be blood relations or friendships that we have built along the way.
The gospel begins with this sentence: When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death, He withdrew to a lonely place where they could be by themselves.
We would be able to feel what Jesus felt especially when we have gone through the experience of the death of a loved one or someone who is close to us.
As we may recall, Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins. The gospels did not tell us much about their personal relationship.
But we can presume that they knew each other from young, played together, had a meal together and talked about life whenever they met. At least it can be said that they had something in common.
So when Jesus received the news of the death of John the Baptist, it affected Him. It was a tragic death. John the Baptist was executed by King Herod. It was a life cut short at its prime.
And that’s why Jesus wanted to withdraw to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. It is understandable that He wanted to grieve over the death of John the Baptist.
He had lost a cousin, a friend and the one who baptized Him and pointed Him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
As much as Jesus wanted to spend some time alone, but when He saw a large crowd, He knew what John the Baptist would have wanted Him to do.
So Jesus took pity on them, healed the sick and even fed the crowd.
As we think about all this, let us also remember our departed loved ones. We may have fond memories of them, we may have regrets, we may be carrying a legacy that they have left behind.
But one thing for sure is that our relationships with them have not passed on. Rather their memory lives on in our hearts.
And we also believe that they are alive in another realm. And they would hope that we would live our lives on earth joyfully, peacefully, fruitfully and meaningfully.
As much as the hopes and aspirations of our departed loved ones live on in us, a deeper aspect of this lies in how Jesus wants us to live our lives on earth.
If John the Baptist was an inspiration for Jesus, then our departed loved ones are also signs and directions for us as to how to live our lives here on earth.
May we live our lives joyfully, peacefully, fruitfully and meaningfully, so that we will serve God faithfully, and be signs and directions and inspiration for others.
Whenever we talk about relationships, we are talking about a very complex matter.
It is complex because it includes multiple aspects of life, like the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.
And when we talk about relationships, we’re not referring to relationships with things like the mobile phone or computer or the car.
Neither are we referring to relationships with our pets, whether it is our dogs or cats on whatever pets we may have.
We are talking about human relationships, and these can either be blood relations or friendships that we have built along the way.
The gospel begins with this sentence: When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death, He withdrew to a lonely place where they could be by themselves.
We would be able to feel what Jesus felt especially when we have gone through the experience of the death of a loved one or someone who is close to us.
As we may recall, Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins. The gospels did not tell us much about their personal relationship.
But we can presume that they knew each other from young, played together, had a meal together and talked about life whenever they met. At least it can be said that they had something in common.
So when Jesus received the news of the death of John the Baptist, it affected Him. It was a tragic death. John the Baptist was executed by King Herod. It was a life cut short at its prime.
And that’s why Jesus wanted to withdraw to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. It is understandable that He wanted to grieve over the death of John the Baptist.
He had lost a cousin, a friend and the one who baptized Him and pointed Him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
As much as Jesus wanted to spend some time alone, but when He saw a large crowd, He knew what John the Baptist would have wanted Him to do.
So Jesus took pity on them, healed the sick and even fed the crowd.
As we think about all this, let us also remember our departed loved ones. We may have fond memories of them, we may have regrets, we may be carrying a legacy that they have left behind.
But one thing for sure is that our relationships with them have not passed on. Rather their memory lives on in our hearts.
And we also believe that they are alive in another realm. And they would hope that we would live our lives on earth joyfully, peacefully, fruitfully and meaningfully.
As much as the hopes and aspirations of our departed loved ones live on in us, a deeper aspect of this lies in how Jesus wants us to live our lives on earth.
If John the Baptist was an inspiration for Jesus, then our departed loved ones are also signs and directions for us as to how to live our lives here on earth.
May we live our lives joyfully, peacefully, fruitfully and meaningfully, so that we will serve God faithfully, and be signs and directions and inspiration for others.
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