Chair of St Peter the Apostle, Saturday, 22-02-2025

1 Peter 5:1-4 / Matthew 16:13-19  

One of the prominent features of the Catholic Church is its unity.

This unity is seen in worship, in teachings and generally in practices.

This unity is also symbolized in the figure of the Pope, who is the head of the Catholic Church.

The feast of the Chair of St. Peter is an affirmation of the authority given to St. Peter by Jesus to lead the Church on earth.

Jesus said: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.

The Church in its 2000 years of history has seen glorious times, challenging times, turbulent times and dark moments.

But the very fact that the Church has survived those turbulent and dark moments only goes to show that the Pope draws his authority from Christ, and that the Spirit is guiding the Church.

Nonetheless, the authority and leadership of the Pope is always being challenged.

In the area of morality, issues like abortion, the sanctity of life, same-sex marriage have often been brought up to ridicule and criticize the Church and inevitably the Pope.

In the area of faith, heresies and schisms have undermined the authority of the Pope.

From within as well as from without, the Pope and the Church had suffered potshots from numerous quarters.

Yet in the midst of these criticisms and confusion, let us keep faith with the Church and in obedience to the Pope.

Let us remember what Jesus promised the Church: The gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.

Let us also remember to pray for the Pope and the leaders of the Church.

6th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 21-02-2025

Genesis 11:1-9 / Mark 8:34 - 9:1  

The progress and advancement of humanity in the last two centuries is truly impressive and amazing.

Science and technology have progressed in leaps and bounds.

What was only imagined in the recent past has become realities in the present.

There seems to be almost nothing that is impossible to man.

That also seemed to be what the people in the 1st reading were thinking.

They wanted to build a town with a tower that can reach heaven, so that they can make a name for themselves.

In their proud ambitions, they wanted to venture into God’s domain and so, wanted to be like gods and do things without limits.

But God showed them that they can be stopped by just confusing their language.

And with that, their proud ambitions came to a stop and counted as nothing.

In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that what can we gain if we win the whole world and yet ruin our lives?

Indeed, what can man offer in exchange for his life?

Our abilities, our talents, our resources are all given by God.

Let us be simple and humble and be charitable in all that we do.

And by carrying our cross and following Jesus, we will gain the greatest gift from God, and that is, our salvation and eternal life with Him.

6th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 20-02-2025

Genesis 9:1-13 / Mark 8:276-33

If only we would heed and follow the commands of the Lord, we would be happy and the world would be a beautiful place.

When God created the world and humanity, there was order and beauty.

But when man sinned against God, then everything started to disintegrate and chaos sets in.

Time and again, God cleansed His creation to recreate its order and beauty.

In the 1st reading, after the flood, God reinstated order in creation and humanity and to restore the beauty of creation.

Man being made in the image of God was reiterated, and God gave everything to humanity so that mankind can be happy and lived their lives according to God’s ways.

But the sinful tendency of man is to go against God’s ways.

In doing so, man brings on himself misfortune and even tragedy.

In the gospel, Peter started to remonstrate with Jesus when He talked about suffering grievously and facing rejection.

Jesus rebuked him and even called him “Satan”.

Indeed, anyone who goes against the ways of God is going along the ways of evil.

So, let us walk in the ways of God and we will be happy in life and we will also bear witness to the image of God.

6th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 19-02-2025

Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22 / Mark 8:22-26 

There is a hymn with lyrics that go like this:

In his time, in his time

He makes all things beautiful

In his time

Lord, please show me everyday

As you're teaching me your way

That you do just what you say

In your time

The world that we live in goes by chronological time.

But in the spiritual world, everything goes by God’s time, or what is called, the appointed time.

In the 1st reading, Noah sent out the raven, and then the dove, to see if the waters of the flood had dried up.

Noah had to wait for seven days, and then another seven days, before he knew that the earth has dried up.

In the gospel, after Jesus had put spittle on the blind man’s eyes and laid hands on him, he was only beginning to see.

Then Jesus laid His hands on the man’s eyes again and this time round, he could see clearly.

Yes, life, love, forgiveness, healing and every other thing happens in God’s time.

Let us meditate on the lyrics of the above hymn, that God will make all things beautiful in His time.

We also ask God to show and teach us His way and to understand deeper about His time.

6th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 18-02-2025

Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 / Mark 8:14-21  

There is a method of discerning situations that goes by three words.

Those three words are see-judge-act.

The first is to observe and gather information ("See"), then evaluating it based on ethical principles to form a judgment ("Judge"), and finally taking action to address the situation ("Act")

That discerning process can also be used in our personal daily life situations.

And the see-judge-act process can be deepened with prayer.

With prayer we will be able to perceive what God wants to show us.

In the 1st reading, when Noah started building the ark, the people saw what he was doing.

So, they saw but they were not able to perceive why he was doing it.

It could be that their wickedness had blinded them and so they saw but they could not perceive.

In the gospel, Jesus asked His disciples some questions that should make them think deeper.

Jesus asked: Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember?

Let us bring these questions of Jesus to prayer.

Then when we see, judge and act, our minds will be open, our eyes will see, our ears will hear.

And we will also perceive what God is showing and telling us.

6th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 17-02-2025

Genesis 4:1-15, 25 / Mark 8:11-13   

When reading the Bible, there is certainly one thing that will come across quite obviously.

It is certainly not a book that has only profound teachings and wise practices.

Rather it is a book that also has accounts of human faults and failings. 

There are accounts of human sinfulness, even grave human sinfulness.

In the 1st reading is the account of the first murder and killing.

It was a crime that is committed by one brother on his only other brother.

What is even more puzzling is that God had warned Cain, when God said to Cain: But if you are ill disposed, is not sin at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you, which you must master?

But Cain did not heed the signs that God gave him, and went on to commit that grave crime.

In the gospel, when the Pharisees demanded from Jesus a sign from heaven to prove His identity.

But Jesus did not give them the sign, because enough signs have been given.

As for us, we will know the signs when we get a hold of our conscience.

Let us not end up sighing in regret for not heeding the warning signs that God is giving us.

6th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 16.02.25

 Jeremiah 17:5-8 / 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20 / Luke 6:17, 20-26

The festive celebrations have finally come to an end on the 15th day which was last Wednesday. 

With that, it means the popular “Lo Hei” will disappear from the menu. Anyway we also have had enough of it. 

The glaring red decorations are also taken down and those New Year songs are also taken off the air. 

So, it is back to life and back to reality. 

But what about those well wishes that we exchanged, like, “Gong Xi Fa Cai”. 

Will those well wishes turn into reality, or are they just festive formalities. 

Certainly, we wish that we will be happy in the year ahead. We also wish for the good things in life, like, health and wealth. 

So, we look forward for our wishes to come true, for others as well as for ourselves. 

And of course, we don't want anything bad or sad to happen. 

In the gospel passage, Jesus talked about happiness. But His teaching on happiness does not seem to go along with our understanding of happiness. 

In fact, the teaching of Jesus on happiness is like a contradiction for us. 

How can it be happy when we are hungry and sad. And why would it be bad or sad to be rich, or filled, or laughing. 

This gospel message is strange, and no wonder it wasn't used for the Chinese New Year Mass, even though it has the word happiness in it. 

So, what is the gospel truth here. Well, the gospel truth is this: That life is so ironic. 

It takes sadness to know what happiness is, noise to appreciate silence, and absence to value presence. 

But we don't like the bad and sad. In fact, we fear it. This is where faith comes in. 

Fear says “what if”. But faith says “even if”. 

I would like to share this story about “The last bouquet of carnations”, and for ease of narration I will narrate it in the first person.

When Mom passed away, she didn't forget to remind me of one thing.

"Mother's Day is coming. Remember to send flowers. And remember to send them every year, never forget!"

I nodded, understanding that what Mom meant was for me to send flowers to a woman named Doreen.

Doreen wasn't a relative, nor a close friend, and certainly not a regular customer. I didn’t understand why Mom was so insistent on this, even at the end of her life, making sure to remind me to send flowers to a stranger.

The older generation hold onto all sorts of illogical things, and can’t even explain why they do certain things. And yet they continue doing the same thing year after year.

Annie, who had been working in our store for a long time, said that sending flowers to Doreen had been a practice since we were little. Mom used to manage the flower shop herself. One day, a girl came in to order flowers, wanting to send them to a woman named Doreen. From that day on, Mom started sending flowers every year, even though that girl never came back and had only paid for one bouquet.

Back when Mom was the shop owner, she could send flowers to anyone she wanted, even if she didn’t get paid. But now, since Mom's health started deteriorating, I took over the flower shop.

For the past twenty years, Mom had always stuck to a certain way of doing things, never wanting to change the store. Of course, Mom was excellent at flower arranging, keeping the old customers coming, but she couldn’t attract new ones. 

Sometimes, when a large client from a hotel came in, they would leave simply because we didn’t have a proper catalogue to show them.

I didn’t want our flower shop to eventually become a tourist attraction or a museum. I was planning to renovate it and get rid of some of the old habits Mom had, like giving special treatment to regular customers and their families, friends, and so on. 

What could we earn from a single bouquet? How many times would a customer come back in a year? They were always trying to get something for nothing, especially when they saw a woman like Mom, so kind and naive. Everyone took advantage of her! The habit of sending flowers to Doreen seemed unnecessary too, though I had promised Mom I would continue doing it.

Annie was in a state of panic about my “big reform,” looking lost, and I could tell that if it had been Mom, her face would’ve looked just as pale.

"Are you really not going to send flowers to Doreen?" she asked.

I replied, "The flower shop is a business. If we don’t make money, you won’t even have a job!"

Annie looked around at the newly renovated flower shop, speaking hesitantly. Everything that once felt familiar seemed strange now.

Then Annie said, "I understand what you mean. Even if we don’t send flowers anymore... the last time should be done. Doreen has been receiving flowers every year, and it will be odd if no one comes this time. At least we should let her know not to wait anymore."

Her reasoning wasn’t entirely wrong. I thought at least I should go and see what kind of woman had attracted Mom to send flowers to her every year. I would explain that Mom was gone, and that the "practice" had to end.

Annie had arranged the carnations, with light purple forget-me-nots and white baby’s breath, a big beautiful bouquet. It was as lovely as it could be.

On Mother’s Day, I ran all over Singapore before finally reaching Doreen’s house, when the sun was setting.

As soon as I rang the doorbell, I heard something being knocked over inside.

An old woman with hunched shoulders and white hair opened the door.

I expected her to be surprised, thinking she would be shocked to see me instead of Mom, who had been sending flowers every year.

But she didn’t react at all. Instead, she smiled at me.

"You’re here. Come in quickly!" Her words were filled with eager excitement.

"You always come early, so I made jasmine tea, just the way you like it. But now... it’s cold." The old woman walked toward the table to pick up the teapot. "I’ll heat it up, it won’t take long."

Then I finally saw her eyes, which seemed frozen, not turning. No wonder she hadn’t "noticed" me … she can’t see me.

"Thank you, but that’s not necessary. You are Doreen, right?"

The old woman froze, gripping the teapot tightly in her hands, standing still.

"My mom has passed away. I’m here to deliver the last bouquet of flowers for her." I stepped forward and handed her the flowers.

She took the flowers excitedly, gently caressing them.

"The last bouquet of carnations? ...Thank you." She nodded and smiled, bringing the flowers close to her nose, inhaling the scent. A sudden sense of loss filled the wrinkles on her face...

Then she said, “Twenty years ago, a girl had ordered a bouquet of flowers to surprise her mother for Mother’s Day, but tragically, on the way home, a careless driver took her young life. Every year, I’ve held on just to wait for this bouquet of flowers!"

I had never imagined that such an ordinary bouquet could keep a life hanging on, a mother who had almost given up, heartbroken and blind from grief.

I realised I didn't know my Mom well.

It was already dark when I returned to the flower shop, and Annie was still there, nervously asking me: "Did you deliver the flowers? Did you explain that you won’t be sending them anymore?"

I looked at Annie, and said, "I will keep sending them. From now on, I’ll send them every day. Carnations, everyday!"

Yes, it takes sadness to know what happiness is. 

But we need not fear sadness and ask “what if”. 

Rather, with faith, let us say “even if”. 

So, even if we are poor and hungry, let us be like carnation flowers for others. 

When we can help others to be happy, then we too will be happy. 

This is what our Lord Jesus promised us.

5th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 15-02-2025

Genesis 3:9-24 / Mark 8:1-10  

Many questions have been asked about sin and suffering.

Questions such as: is there a connection between sin and innocent suffering?

So, as much as the reality of sin is not denied, yet the aspect of suffering as a consequence of sin is not readily accepted.

Especially innocent suffering, or as a consequence of other people's sin.

Some may even question the effects of Original Sin, since it was the sin of Adam and Eve, and it should have nothing to do with us.

We will always have our questions about sin and suffering.

But let us listen to what questions God is asking us.

In the 1st reading, we heard God asking the question - Where are you?

So even though Adam and Even had sinned, God did not abandon them but searches for them.

In the gospel, we hear Jesus asking another question - How many loaves have you?

Jesus was not looking at the limitations; He was more interested in possibilities.

God is reaching out to us with His questions so that we may look again at our questions about life, about sin and about suffering.

And Jesus is asking us to put the loaves of our lives with its questions into His hands.

From His hands we will receive the Bread of Life that will give us faith and hope to walk on in love, despite and in spite of our questions.

Dedication of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore, Friday, 14-02-2025

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 / 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17 / John 2:13-22 

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the oldest Catholic Church in Singapore.

Built in 1847, the Church of the Good Shepherd was blessed and opened. In 1888 it was elevated to the status of a cathedral and on the 14th February 1897, it was consecrated as a cathedral.

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd has a fascinating association with the history of Korea's Catholic Martyrs.

Saint Laurent-Marie-Joseph Imbert, a missionary Catholic priest who visited the island, died a martyr in Korea and the church's name "Good Shepherd" was inspired by what he wrote knowing the persecutions the missionaries will face "In desperate circumstances, the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep."

That was how the Cathedral got its name. The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the mother Church of all the churches in Singapore.

The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop and it is the sign of unity for all the parishes in the diocese.

The Cathedral is the sign of God's presence in the Church and also the source of blessings and graces.

It is like what the 1st reading said about the Temple from which healing and life-giving waters flow.

So let us pray that the Cathedral will always be a sign of God's blessings for the Church in Singapore as well as a House of prayer and worship.

5th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 13-02-2025

Genesis 2:18-25 / Mark 7:24-30   

There are many forms of expression in prayer.

All forms of prayer are directed to God, and the expression of the prayer is also an indication of our relationship with God when we pray.

There are words that form the expressions of prayer.

Some examples of these words are : invoke; implore; beseech; plead; entreat

But the simple and humble word to use is “beg”.

In the gospel, the Syrophoenician woman came before Jesus, fell at His feet, and begged Him to cast the devil out of her daughter.

Just considering the posture and the attitude of the prayer of the Syrophoenician woman is a profound lesson for us.

When we have a need, we come before the Lord in humility.

We kneel before the Lord, we beg Him to hear our prayer and grant our needs.

And just as Jesus granted the Syrophoenician woman her prayer, He will also grant us our needs when we come before Jesus with a humble and contrite heart.

5th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 12-02-2025

Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17 / Mark 7:14-23   

In the Bible, the verb "to eat" has a deeper meaning than just consuming food.

To eat can mean to be in communion with another person or persons, or to be in an intimate relationship with someone.

So for the Jews of the Biblical times, who they eat with is significant and important.

Another meaning of the verb "to eat" can also mean to know, or to have knowledge of something or someone.

For the Jews in the Bible, they had a long standing tradition of what is ritually clean and unclean foods.

So when Jesus said that nothing goes into a  man from outside can make him unclean, he actually knocked away one of the pillars of their cultural and religious tradition.

On the other hand, Jesus connected the act of eating with the knowledge of what is sin.

Similarly in the 1st reading, God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

When we sin, we eat of the fruit of evil and our hearts become filled with evil, and death and destruction happens from within.

In the Eucharist, we gather to partake of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life so as to be in communion with Him.

May we be filled with the life of the Spirit so that we will speak words of love that will give life to others.

5th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 11-02-2025

Genesis 1:20 - 2:4 / Mark 7:1-13  

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated today because it marks the date of the first reported apparition of the Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, on February 11, 1858.

This event is considered the beginning of the series of apparitions that led the Church to acknowledge the message of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Connected with the apparitions and the message is also the miraculous spring that sprung up at the spot St. Bernadette dug as instructed by Our Lady.

Over time, the waters of the spring brought about healing and miracles.

Lourdes became a place of prayer and hope.

People had recourse to the intercession of Our Lady for their needs.

The 1st reading recalls that moment when God created mankind in His image.

With that God saw His creation as very good.

This feast of Our Lady of Lourdes reminds us that God still sees mankind and the rest of creation as very good.

Though mankind is broken by sin, God bestows His healing love on humanity.

Through the intercession of Our Lady, may we too receive God’s healing love and forgiveness.

And may we live worthily as beautiful images of God.

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My Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

My Facebook page is Pastures of God

5th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 10-02-2025

Genesis 1:1-19 / Mark 6:53-56  

From the photos taken of the Earth from outer space, the Earth is truly a beautiful planet.

It is sometimes called the blue planet This is due to the amount of water that covers the Earth, and the way the atmosphere and water interact with the sunlight.

Indeed, the Earth is a beautiful planet and we should be proud of it and treasure and cherish our planet that we also call “Mother Earth”.

And it is stated in the 1st reading that from the beginning of creation, God created the Earth and saw it as good.

But what is nice from far, may be far from nice, when we look at what is happening in the reality of life.

In short, it is one bad news after another – violence and war, poverty and injustice, corruption and destruction.

And that is the reason why Jesus came.

Jesus is the goodness of God. In the gospel, when He and His disciples stepped out of the boat, the people recognized Him.

And the people started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick to Him.

The people saw the goodness of God in Jesus. They saw the love of God for humanity.

May we also see God’s love for us. And may we also be God’s love for others, especially those who need to see the goodness and the beauty of life and of the people around them.

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My Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

My Facebook page is Pastures of God

5th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 09.02.2025

Isaiah 6:1-8 / 1 Cor 15:1-11 / Luke 5:1-11

One of the rather stressful things to do is to drive and navigate at the same time. 

This usually happens when we are going to an unfamiliar place for the first time. 

We will certainly need some navigation aids, especially when driving around in dense and congested areas. 

Before the modern electronic navigation aids like the GPS came to the scene, drivers have to rely on roadmaps. 

Some of us may remember the “Singapore Street Directory”. 

Drivers going to an unfamiliar destination will have to keep one eye on the road and the other eye on the road map. 

One hand will be on the steering wheel, and the other hand on the page of the road map. 

Oh yes, those were stressful driving moments, and to make the situation even more frustrating, some maps were not updated. 

But with the modern electronic navigation aids like GPS, driving to an unfamiliar destination is not that challenging or difficult. 

We only need to switch on the GPS device, and it will show where we are in the electronic map and there's even a voice navigator to guide us along. 

The gospel began with Jesus teaching by the lakeside. Then He got into one of the boats because of the crowd, and continued to teach from there. 

The boat belonged to Simon Peter, so while he was washing his nets, he was also listening to Jesus. 

When Jesus had finished speaking, He turned to Peter and said: Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for catch. 

Simon Peter was taken by surprise and maybe confused. He had worked hard all night long and caught nothing. 

Nonetheless, he said to Jesus: But if you say so, I will pay out the nets. 

And then they caught so much fish that Simon Peter was stunned. 

Simon Peter was stunned, but he was not stunned into silence. 

Rather, he confessed his sinfulness and unworthiness in the presence of the authority and majesty of Jesus. 

Before Jesus told him to put out into the deep waters, Simon Peter had his own ideas about what to do and where to go in life. 

But that voice from Jesus was like the voice from the GPS device that told Simon Peter where to go and what to do. 

The voice of God that we hear in the Scriptures is like the voice from the GPS device. 

And instead of calling it the “Global Positioning System”, we can call it “God's Positioning System”. 

And like how we follow the voice navigator in the GPS device, when we listen to the voice of God in the Scriptures, we will know where to go and what to do. 

And when we ourselves listen to the voice of God in the Scriptures, then we too can become “God's Positioning System” for others. 

There is one peculiarity about that voice navigator in the GPS device. 

When we make a wrong turn or when we don't follow its directions, it does not reprimand us. 

It will simply adjust our route and tells us where to turn next. 

So, we need to listen to what God is saying to us in the Scriptures, so as to know where to go and what to do. 

And even if we get confused, or reluctant like Simon Peter, God will still keep prompting us until we reach our destination. 

And when we are the GPS for others, or “God's Positioning System” for others, they may not always listen to our suggestion or directions. 

But we keep praying and keep listening to what God wants us to tell them. 

With God, we will get to our destination. 

Or, like Simon Peter, we may get a new direction.

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My Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

My Facebook page is Pastures of God

4th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 08-02-2025

Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21 / Mark 6:30-34

To be a leader is not just having the title.

A leader is not just about being in charge.

A leader has to take care of those under his charge.

Good leaders understand that they serve those they are leading.

In the gospel, when the apostles rejoined Jesus, they told Him all they had done and taught.

For Jesus, the welfare of His apostles was more important than their success or achievements.

For Jesus, the spiritual wellbeing of His people is more important than their efficiency, effectiveness or productivity.

That is why Jesus led His disciples to a lonely place so that they can be by themselves and rest their minds and hearts.

In order to do God’s work, we also must know what God wants of us.

God cares for our physical and spiritual wellbeing.

He wants us to rest well in His love and be filled with His love.

When we are rested and filled with God’s love, then we can lead others to God.

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My Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

My Facebook page is Pastures of God

4th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 07-02-2025

Hebrews 13:1-8 / Mark 6:14-29  

The truth about life is that death is a reality.

Death is the finality of the life of human beings as well as of every living being on earth.

With that, we also have not heard of, or known of anyone, who came back from the dead.

So, to believe that Jesus rose from death is not only an act of faith but also a life-changing belief.

In the gospel, king Herod heard about Jesus, since His name was already by then well-known.

King Herod’s conclusion about Jesus was that it was John whom he had executed.

King Herod believed that John rose from the dead, and that Jesus is John.

Whatever the reasons may be for that conclusion, king Herod’s statement is a proclamation of his belief that a person can come back to life from the dead.

But does that statement also lead king Herod to change his life and repent of his misdeeds?

We profess our belief of the resurrection of Jesus. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead and conquered sin and gave us new life.

May what we profess and what we believe in also be expressed in our lives.

Then life and death become a journey towards eternal life with Jesus.

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My Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

My Facebook page is Pastures of God

4th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 06-02-2025

Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24 / Mark 6:7-13  

When we are going to a destination that we are not familiar with, we will need maps and navigation aids.

When we are going to embark on a project, we will need to have the drawings, the blueprints and if possible a scale model.

When Jesus sent out His disciples on the mission, He only gave them the authority over the unclean spirits.

His instruction to them is, literally, nothing – take nothing for the journey.

To our minds, that is difficult to accept, because there are too many uncertainties and inadequacies.

This is where we, like to disciples, will have to act with faith and walk by faith.

Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

He has absolute authority over all creation and over everything.

Jesus has authority over us and He will provide for us and also protect us.

So we don’t have to be suitable or certain or sufficient.

We only need to be available for Jesus and be obedient to what He wants us to do.

4th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 05-02-2025

Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 / Mark 6:1-6  

In order to learn a skill, there is a need for a good teacher.

So, it is necessary for an apprentice to study under a good master.

The period of training or formation may not be specified.

But generally it can be months or even years.

During that time, the apprentice will have to undergo strict training.

A good master will also ensure that the apprentice be well grounded in basics.

The 1st reading tells us that because the Lord loves us, He will correct and reprimand us.

The Lord trains the ones He loves, and suffering is part of that training.

Though suffering is painful and unpleasant, it will bear fruits in peace and goodness.

In the gospel, Jesus experienced rejection and was despised by the people of His own home town.

But Jesus accepted that as part of His mission, and that He will face rejection, opposition and even hostility.

Jesus is our Master. We must learn from Him and be prepared to face the challenges and difficulties that He faced.

Then we can be truly His disciples who will carry of the mission of salvation with peace and love.

My Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

My Facebook page is Pastures of God

4th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 04-02-2025

Hebrews 12:1-4 / Mark 5:21-43  

We want to be happy in life, and we also desire for a comfortable life.

But the reality of life is that there are always challenges and difficulties.

These challenges and difficulties wear us down and we get frustrated and desperate.

In the gospel passage, sickness and grave illness are the realities of life.

Jairus, the father of the girl, was desperately looking for a cure for his daughter.

The woman suffering for haemorrhage for 12 years was getting frustrated in looking for a cure.

Their last and only hope was in Jesus, and their hope was not in vain.

The 1st reading also urges us to keep running the race that we have started, and not to lose sight of Jesus. 

But another reality of life is that sin clings so easily to us, leaving us frustrated and desperate.

The 1st reading teaches us that for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, Jesus endured the Cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it.

Let us look at Jesus on the Cross, and pray for endurance.

Our faith in Jesus, and our endurance from the strength of the Cross, will help us overcome the challenges and difficulties of life.

We will even have a foretaste of the joy that is to come.

My official Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

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4th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 03-02-2025

Hebrews 11:32-40 / Mark 5:1-20  

To lose something is certainly not a pleasant feeling.

Even though it may not really be something critical, we would be bothered by it.

More so when what we lost is our wealth or our possessions.

In the gospel, when the people of the town heard of what happened to the herd of pigs, they came to see what had happened.

They saw Jesus and the man, who were possessed by the legion of unclean spirits, sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – and they were afraid.

The loss of the great herd of pigs was disturbing and worrisome.

If Jesus were to stay on, what further losses would there be?

The people of the town saw the loss of possession.

But they did not think much of the recovery of that person.

The gospel passage makes us think about our priorities in life.

It makes us think about which is more important – possessions or persons.

For Jesus, the person is more important than the two thousand pigs.

May we remember that possessions are meant to be used by persons, and not persons to be used for possessions.

The Presentation of the Lord, Year C, 02.02.2025

Malachi 3:1-4 / Hebrews 2:14-18 / Luke 2:22-40

One of the most useful things to have around is something that gives light. 

Of course, there are luminous objects that glows in the dark. But that effect can only last for a limited period of time. 

What is more useful are electric lamps or battery operated torch lights. These will give out sufficient amount of light to help us see especially in the dark. 

But, what if there is a blackout, or when electricity is not available? Then, battery operated torch lights will be the next in line. 

But as it is often the case, the battery is flat just when we need them. 

Of course, there is the torch light app in our mobile phone. So, there are ample modern day means of lighting, and so, we don’t have to fear the dark that much. 

Compared to these modern day lighting gadgets, the humble candle seems rather primitive, and it can be messy and also a fire hazard. 

But the light from just one candle is sufficient to brighten up a dark place. 

On this feast of the Presentation of the Lord, candles are blessed at the beginning of the Mass. 

In the prayer for the blessing of the candles, the Church invokes the Lord, who is the source of all light, to make the candles holy. 

And we who use these candles are to walk in the path of goodness and come to the light then shines forever. 

So, the blessed candles become a symbol of Christ, the light of the world. 

As Mary and Joseph presented the Infant Jesus at the Temple, the Divine Light shines on the Temple. 

The glory of God is manifested and the Temple radiates with the holy and divine Light. 

And those with faith will be able to recognize that divine light and see what it reveals. 

For the upright and devout Simeon, and the 84-year-old prophetess Anna, the divine light shines on them. 

It revealed to them who the Saviour is. It also revealed what their future is. 

For Simeon and Anna, they saw the light and they will now walk towards the Eternal Light. 

For Mary, the light revealed the sword that will pierce her heart. 

The divine light has revealed many things to various people in the past. 

The Wise Men followed the light of the star that revealed the newborn King of the Jews. 

St. Paul was struck with the flash of light that revealed to him it was Jesus he was persecuting. 

The feast of the Presentation reminds us that the divine light is shining on us, and God wants to reveal something to us. 

But when the light is brightest, the shadows are darkest. 

It may reveal our sinfulness, but it also leads us to holiness. 

As we bring back the candles, let us light the  candles in prayer, in times of need, in times of sickness, in times of worry and anxiety, in times of fear and darkness. 

May the gentle light of God's love fill us with peace, and to let us know that Jesus is with us now and always.

My official Instagram handle is PasturesofGod

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3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 01-02-2025

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 / Mark 4:325-41  

If we like to drink coffee or tea, then we know that something is needed for a good cup of coffee or tea.

Especially when the coffee or tea comes in a bag, then we know that we need hot water; better still is freshly boiled water.

The longer the coffee or tea bag stays in that hot water, the better the aroma and the taste.

In a way, faith is like a coffee or a tea bag.

We will not know how strong our faith until we are in hot water.

For the disciples in the gospel passage, their faith was tested in stormy waters, and they were frightened.

In the 1st reading, the faith of Abraham, Sarah, Issac and Jacob was tested in murky waters.

They had to believe in God’s promises and lived by faith.

But as the 1st reading says: Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen.

So, it can be said that to be in hot water is a blessing.

Then our faith will give out that strong aroma that will deepen our trust in God, and also be an inspiration for others.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 31-01-2025

Hebrews 10:32-39 / Mark 4:26-34  

At times, in order to describe realities, it may be helpful to use examples or analogies or metaphors.

That may be because no amount of words would give an adequate or comprehensive description.

More so for abstract realities like heaven or the afterlife, there can be no precise description.

In the gospel, when Jesus preached about the kingdom of God, He used daily life examples so that the listeners were capable of understanding it.

These examples would also help us to comprehend some aspects of what the kingdom of God, especially in terms of seeds and growth.

So, words can help to give some understanding to the reality, but words cannot fully describe the reality.

Even when we try to describe what life is about, words can be used to form images and recall experiences.

The 1st reading describes the challenges of the Christian life.

It uses words like suffering, insults, violence to give an image of what to really expect for being a faithful and true Christian.

But it also encourages us to be confident that the reward is truly great.

And we will also need endurance to do God’s will and gain what God has promised us.

So in order to attain the reward of God’s promise, let us keep growing the seed of faith that is planted in us by Jesus.

Let us look beyond the things of this earth, to God’s reward waiting for us above.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 30-01-2025

Hebrews 10:19-25 / Mark 4:21-25  

Coming for Mass regularly will certainly strengthen the faith.

We come for Mass to offer worship and thanks to God, as well as our needs and petitions.

But coming for Mass weekly, or even daily, can become routine.

And in the spiritual sense, routine can be an erosion of reverence.

The 1st reading brings us back into the deep mystery that we encounter at Mass.

It says that through the blood of Jesus, we have the right to enter the sanctuary by a new way which He has opened for us.

It is a living opening, and as we enter into the church, we enter into the living Body of Jesus, who is the high priest in the House of God.

The 1st reading urges us that as we enter, let us be sincere in heart and be filled with faith, our minds cleansed and free from impurity.

As we reflect on what the 1st reading said, Jesus tells us to take notice of what we are hearing.

What we get out of the Mass depends on what we bring to the Mass.

When we come for Mass with humility, we will be blessed with charity.

And that charity will be expressed in concern for others, and we will respond with love and good works. 

Indeed, the Mass is a celebration of the deep mystery of God’s love for us.

May we also go forth to celebrate that love with others.

Chinese New Year, Wednesday, 29-01-2025

Numbers 6:22-27 / James 4:13-15 / Matthew 6:31-34   

In the celebration of the Chinese New Year, there are many forms of decorations and many symbols are also used.

So there are lanterns and frills, banners with New Year greetings of peace, joy and prosperity.

The most prominent colour of these decorations and symbols is none other than the colour red; not just red, but very red.

And these red-coloured decorations and symbols are not just on the walls and ceilings.

They come right down into our hands in the form of “ang pows”.

But the colour red is not just a Chinese New Year colour, or a colour for Chinese New Year decorations and symbols.

For the Church, the colour red also symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus.

The colour red symbolizes the blood of Jesus that is poured out on the Cross for our salvation.

And that sacrifice of Jesus brought about abundant blessings for us.

And we will be receiving God’s blessings in the form of mandarin oranges.

The oranges are golden in colour to symbolize the royal blessings from the King of kings.

The sweetness of the fruit symbolize the deep and gracious love of God for us.

So with such abundant blessings of love, let us not worry too much about what to eat, or what to drink, or what to wear. 

Let us not worry too much about life or about the future.

God blesses us and loves us. Let us be a blessing for others by sharing God’s love with them as we celebrate this festival.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 28-01-2025

Hebrews 10:1-10 / Mark 3:31-35   

Sometimes religion can be thought of as some kind of barter trade between the deity and the devotee.

Religious rituals and sacrifices are performed in order to gain some kind of favours from the deity.

So someone may have gained a sum of ill-gotten money and to offset the guilt, he makes a donation to a religious institution in order to ease his conscience.

Or he may perform some religious rituals in order to ask for favours and to be granted what he desires.

Yet, we read in 1 Samuel 15:22 that the prophet Samuel told king Saul this, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."

So what God is asking of us, over and above everything else, is our obedience to Him. With that, our religious rituals and sacrifices will fall into place and find their meaning in our faith.

And this is reiterated in the 1st reading when it said that God wanted no sacrifice or oblation or holocaust but that we do His will.

And in the gospel, Jesus would tell His disciples that whoever does the will of God is His brother and sister and mother.

So as we pray to God for our needs and intentions, let us also remember that God's will must also be done.

Obedience to God's will will give us peace of heart and mind. And that is what we really want.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 27-01-2025

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28 / Mark 3:22-30

When we come for Mass, we come to worship God and to give thanks.

We also pray for God’s blessings, for guidance and for protection.

We also offer to God our needs and petitions.

We go through a set of rituals to express contrition and to ask for forgiveness.

We listen to Word of God, and unite ourselves with Christ in His sacrifice on the Cross.

But the Mass is not a re-enactment of the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary.

As the 1st reading says, Jesus Christ does not have to offer Himself again and again.

He offers Himself only once to take the faults of many on Himself.

And He enters not a man-made sanctuary but of heaven itself, so that He could appear in the actual presence of God on our behalf.

This may be beyond human comprehension, but the fact is that when we come for Mass, we enter into a deep and profound mystery.

It is a divine mystery that reveals and keep revealing itself to us.

And it is by faith that we enter into this mystery, and we can only give thanks to God for letting us participate in this mystery of His great love for us.

That is why the Mass is also called the Eucharist. Eucharist means thanksgiving.

Let us always give thanks, and with that we will also enter deeper into the mystery of God’s love for us.

3rd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 26.01.2025

Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10 / 1 Cor 12:12-30 / Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

It has been announced that the usage of cheques for monetary transactions will come to an end soon. 

So, with the era of cheques coming to an end, phrases like “my first pay-cheque” will also become archaic and obsolete. 

But for those of us who had the experience of receiving our first pay-cheque, we may remember how thrilled we were then. 

It was a symbol of our first achievement in the working world. 

It was a symbol of our independence and our abilities. 

And we may remember what we did with our first pay-cheque. 

We may have given half the amount to our parents as a gesture of gratitude. Or we may have given a treat to our family and friends. 

Whatever it might be, that piece of paper with writing on it says a lot and meant a lot to us. 

As we move to electronic banking, we will surely miss receiving cheques, because that means money coming in. 

On the other hand, we won't miss writing cheques, because that means money going out. 

And with the “go green” campaign and going paperless, there are also lesser and lesser hard copies of printed matter. 

But we also do not deny that there is a realistic feel about hard copies like books and notes. 

We can touch it, feel it, read it in black and white, and we are able to relate to it with almost all our senses. 

In the gospel, Jesus came to Nazareth, and He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. 

He stood up to read, and was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. 

He opened the scroll and found the passage that began with: The spirit of the Lord was given to me for he has anointed me. 

That passage talked about bringing good news to the poor, liberty to captives, to the blind new sight, setting the downtrodden free, and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour. 

When He had finished, Jesus rolled up the scroll and sat down, and all eyes were fixed on Him. 

Then He said to them: This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen. 

And every Mass, we listen to the readings from the Scriptures. As we listen, was there any word or phrase or image that came to our minds? 

Today, the Church celebrates “Word of God” Sunday. God speaks to us through His Word in the Scriptures. There is something that is to be fulfilled today as we listen. 

There is a story of a young boy, Tommy, who was very intelligent, but also very naughty and disruptive in class. 

One day, Tommy came to class early and saw his teacher scribbling something on a piece of paper, and he asked her what she was writing. 

The teacher replied: I'm writing a prayer for you. Tommy tried to look at the prayer, but he couldn't read it as it was written in shorthand (a system of fast writing that uses lines and simple signs to represent words and phrases). 

Then another student came into the class and talked to the teacher. While the teacher was not looking, Tommy took that prayer slip and put it into his exercise book. And then he forgot about it. 

Many years later, Tommy became a very successful businessman, but he had been resorting to some dishonest means. 

One day, while he was clearing his storeroom, he flipped through his old exercise book and that prayer slip of many years ago slipped out. 

He was surprised, but also intrigued by what was written in it but he could not read it as it was in shorthand. 

So, next morning, he asked his secretary to translate it for him. The secretary read it, and blushed, and said that she will type it out and put it on his desk. 

The translated note came in an envelope, and Tommy took it out and read that prayer that his teacher wrote. It went like this:

Lord, Tommy is a very intelligent boy, but he is very disruptive in class and very naughty. Please guide him as he grows up so that he won't do anything wrong in the future. 

Tommy was stunned by what his teacher wrote, because he was about to close a deal in which he would receive a very fat pay-cheque, but it was by a very dishonest means. 

That prayer note woke him up and he stopped the deal. 

It can be said that God had fulfilled that prayer of Tommy’s teacher. 

If prayer notes can change lives, then God's Word can move mountains and change hearts. 

So, let us listen attentively to God's Word, and may it awaken us to do what God wants of us today.

The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, Saturday, 25-01-2025

Acts 22:3-16/ Mark 16:15-18

Life, as we know, is a never-ending process of learning.

Not just of learning but also of discovery.

In that learning and discovery process, we also grow and we change.

Hence some of the principles and convictions that we had before may need to be reassessed and even revamped completely.

For St. Paul, the journey to Damascus was the critical milestone of his life.

In answer to his question "Who are you, Lord?", he discovered the person behind the people he was persecuting.

His next question - What am I to do? - that question he alone must answer for himself.

He can stick to his so-called security of his earlier unquestioned convictions and principles.

Or he can follow the way of the truth which will open him to change.

The feast of the conversion of St. Paul, former persecutor-turned-apostle, challenges us not only to look at our convictions and principles and beliefs.

We are also challenged to look at our relationship with Jesus.

Our relationship with Jesus must also be expressed in our relationship with others.

If there are some people whom we have a dislike for or a resentment against, or even some others whom we are " persecuting", then like St. Paul, we need to ask the question - Who are you Lord?

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 24-01-2025

Hebrews 8:6-13 / Mark 3:13-19 

In life, changes are inevitable. 

Landscape changes with development.

News ideas change thinking.

People change their lifestyles with advancements in science and technology.

But we know that God does not change. 

We know that God is faithful in His love for us.

Still, God changes His ways for relating to us.

The 1st reading tells of a transition from the old covenant to the new covenant.

That new covenant is expressed in the person of Jesus Christ.

In the gospel, Jesus chose His twelve apostles.

And over time and with changes, the Church emerged as the expression of the new covenant.

But even from age to age and change after change, what is essential remained.

And that is, the Church is to be a sign of God’s saving love and that will not change.

Let us continue the saving mission of Jesus by bring expressions of the Good News, bringing reconciliation and healing to the Church and to the world.

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 23-01-2025

Hebrews 7:25 - 8:6 / Mark 3:7-12  

One of the more common phrases that are used to end off a prayer is this: We ask this through Christ our Lord.

That phrase is used in the Liturgy and also other devotional prayers.

It is a phrase that is used and heard often, but it is a phrase that reminds us of who Jesus Christ is.

Jesus Christ was sent by God to bring sinful humanity back to God.

He is the Saviour and in Him we are forgiven and saved by His sacrifice on the Cross.

As the 1st reading says: The power of Jesus to save is utterly certain, since He is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through Him.

When a prayer ends off with “We ask this through Christ our Lord” we respond by saying “Amen.”

In saying Amen, we profess that Jesus is our Saviour who came to save us, forgive us our sins so that we can turn back to God who loves us.

In saying Amen, we declare our belief that our prayers are heard by God because Jesus intercedes for us.

Yes, through Jesus, with Jesus and in Jesus, we are blessed with salvation, forgiveness and healing.

So, let us say Amen with conviction and give thanks to Jesus for being our Saviour.

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 22-01-2025

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17 / Mark 3:1-6  

In order to have a good understanding of the New Testament, it is necessary to know what the Old Testament is about.

The connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament is that the New Testament is a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies.

So the New Testament has implicit as well as explicit references to the Old Testament.

The 1st reading states that when the Old Testament mentioned about Melchizedek, king of Salem, it was a prophecy about Jesus.

The name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” and he is also the king of Salem, which means peace.

The Old Testament says that Melchizedek has no ancestry and his life has no beginning or ending.

He is like the Son of God, and he remains forever.

The figure of Melchizedek is a prefiguring and a prophecy of who Jesus is and what His mission is.

Jesus came to forgive, to heal and bring about righteousness and peace.

Even though there was opposition, Jesus is the king who will overcome evil and prevail in goodness.

Let us follow Jesus our King, and together let us build the kingdom of God and be witnesses of peace and righteousness.

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 21-01-2025

Hebrews 6:10-20 / Mark 2:23-28  

An organization or a company has a set of procedures or practices to follow.

This is to ensure that operations will be orderly and processes will be adhered to.

People who want to join the organization or company will need to abide by these procedures and practices.

In a similar sense, a religion also has its own precepts, and the Church also has her own precepts.

Those precepts help us to know what we need to do as expressions of our faith.

As the 1st reading puts it, we need some precepts to follow so that we could go on showing the same earnestness to the end, to the perfect fulfillment of our hopes, never growing careless, but imitating those who have the faith and the perseverance to inherit the promises.

In other words, we want to inherit the promises of God and so the precepts are there to teach and guide us.

But at the same time, Jesus teaches in the gospel, that the sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath.

And He says that He is master even of the sabbath.

So we follow the precepts because we need some guidance and direction.

And it must all lead to Jesus our Master.

May Jesus teach us the meaning of the precepts of our faith, so that we will do God’s will and do what is for the good of others.

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 20-01-2025

Hebrews 7:1-3, 13-17 / Mark 3:1-6 

To say that Jesus is our Saviour is certainly not a casual statement.

When we think about what Jesus went through to save us, it is unimaginable.

To begin with, Jesus is divine, He is God.

And yet, He became one like us in all things, except sin.

If we have pets, and no matter how much we love our pets, we wouldn’t think of becoming like them.

But in becoming one like us, Jesus became the bridge between God and mankind.

It can be said that God became man so that man can go back to God.

Jesus showed us how to go back to God by obeying, even in suffering, and even unto death upon the Cross.

And by sacrificing Himself on the Cross to save us, Jesus offered Himself as the divine sacrifice and became our High Priest.

When we understand what Jesus went through to save us, we will also realise our calling.

We too are called to offer our lives in union with Jesus for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.

Our salvation begins with our obedience. 

Let us look at Jesus on the Cross and we will know what obedience is about.

2nd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 19.01.2025

 Isaiah 62:1-5 / 1 Cor 12:4-11 / John 2:1-12  

One of the profound expressions of love is in a wedding celebration. 

A wedding is more than just between a man and a woman. It also includes the families, the relatives and friends. 

And in the run-up to the day of the wedding, that is a lot of preparation. 

Like: the photo-shoot, wedding gifts, booking of the restaurant, food tasting. 

But no matter how well the preparations can be, the reality is that nothing is perfect. 

Because something will be left undone, or something will be forgotten. 

Like, the best man might forget to bring along the wedding rings. 

Or, when the bridegroom and his happy band of brothers bring the wedding gifts to the bride’s home, and the bride's mother and aunties make a huge commotion because the roasted pig does not have a tail. 

More than just something missing, the tail has a great significance. So, it is like, no tail, no wedding. 

The opening line of the gospel says that there was a wedding that Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited. 

It was like a communal celebration, and there was food and wine and it was happy occasion. 

And then a problem came up - the wine ran out. It was urgent and serious enough for the mother of Jesus to tell Him that they have no wine. 

The wine in a wedding celebration is a symbol of joy and hope. No wine means no joy, and maybe even no hope. 

And response of Jesus does not sound that encouraging, and He says that His hour has not come yet. 

With no wine and a seemingly no response from Jesus, the wedding celebration seems to be turning into an embarrassment. 

And in that desperate situation, Mary made that profound statement: Do whatever He tells you. 

That is a faith statement, as well as a reminder and a revelation. 

Life is not perfect, and we will have to face our desperate situations, as well as disappointments and frustrations. 

So, we will have no time, no money, no boyfriend, no girlfriend, no job. 

Going on a little further, then it can be, no peace, no love, no joy, no meaning, no future. 

For us, life is like a big “no”. And even when we pray, we feel that God is telling us “no”. 

But Jesus did not say “no” to His mother, and He will not say no to us either. 

And Mary tells us to do whatever Jesus tells us. 

So, we pray and wait. And Jesus will turn our disappointments and frustrations into rejoicing and celebration, just as He changed water into wine. 

The gospel tells us that the miracle of the water changing into wine is the first of the signs given by Jesus. 

A sign points to a meaning and a direction. 

Today's gospel reminds us that we have been washed and cleansed by the waters of Baptism. 

Jesus now wants to raise us up and change the waters of our washing and cleansing into the wine of our rejoicing. 

So yes, there will be wine, there will be peace, there will be joy and there will be love. 

There will be meaning, there will be direction. 

We only need to remember what Mary told us.

And that is to pray, wait, and do whatever Jesus tells us.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 18-01-2025

Hebrews 4:12-16 / Mark 2:13-17  

What we speak comes from what fills our hearts.

Hence our words reveal who we are and what we are thinking.

When Jesus saw Levi sitting by the customs house, He said only two words to him: Follow me.

That revealed who Jesus is. 

And when Levi got up and followed Jesus, it also revealed what Levi was searching for and what was the longing in his heart.

And when the scribes and the Pharisees commented and questioned the action of Jesus in eating with tax collectors and sinners, it also revealed what were their thoughts.

But the most profound revelation was in what Jesus said in response:

It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.

That statement revealed who Jesus is and also His mission.

The 1st reading says that the Word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword but more finely.

Let us listen to the Word of God and keep it in our hearts.

May the Word of God continue to reveal God’s love to us, and may it also deepen our longing for Jesus.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 17-01-2025

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 / Mark 2:1-12 

About 15% to 20% of the population in Singapore suffer from insomnia.

That is about one out of five person who suffers from a sleep disorder.

Even if we don’t suffer from insomnia, not being able to get to sleep quickly or having interrupted sleep can be quite frustrating.

Yes, it is so nice to be able to lie in bed and to sleep well and have a good rest.

But for the paralytic in the gospel passage, lying in bed was like a torture for him.

And there was nothing he could do about it, until his friends decided to do something.

They brought him to see Jesus, and in their determination, they even made an opening in the roof to lower the paralytic and his stretcher to where Jesus was.

The first words from Jesus that the paralytic heard was: My child, your sins are forgiven.

That was all that is needed to begin the healing of his spirit and body.

And the next time he lies in bed, it will be a good rest and a peaceful sleep.

The 1st reading tells of the promise of the place of rest that God had promised His people.

We understand this as an eternal rest in the peace and love of God.

But it also begins here on earth. 

As we end the day and prepare to sleep, let us ask for forgiveness for our sins.

May we be at peace with God and with others, and may God bless us with a good rest and a peaceful sleep.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 16-01-2025

Hebrews 1:67-14 / Mark 1:40-45

For most of us, every day is usually quite routine.

We go about the day doing the usual thing.

There may be surprises here and there, but it won’t jolt us out of our tracks.

For that leper in the gospel, each day was a dread.

He could be living alone. But even if he was in a colony of lepers, it is like in the company of misery.

But in that lonely misery, something prompted him to go look for Jesus.

And when he came before Jesus, he pleaded with Jesus on his knees to cure him.

And Jesus did cure him of his leprosy, and Jesus seem so eager to cure him.

We too have days when we feel lonely and in misery.

We can either continue in that lonely misery routine.

Or we can go to a church and go before Jesus and ask Him for help.

Like the leper, we may be surprised at how eager Jesus wants to help us.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 15-01-2025

Hebrews 2:14-18 / Mark 1:29-39  

We like to identify and to be identified by what we do and by our profession.

That is also the most common way to describe who we are and what we do.

In other words, who we are is, in a way, defined by what we do.

Or, should it be the other way round?

What we do should be from who we are.

Our essence should determine our actions.

In the gospel, Jesus went about His healing work.

He cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another.

And He also cast out many devils.

But early in the morning, He went off to a lonely place and prayed there.

He knew that He was the Son of the Father, and that relationship was the most important to Him.

We too must know that we are the beloved children of God.

When we know that God has called us with love and in love, then we will know that we are to express that love in our lives.

That is how we should live our lives and that is what we must to do in life.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 14-01-2025

Hebrews 2:5-12 / Mark 1:21-28  

The book of Genesis tells us that God made man in His image.

So every person carries in himself a divine dignity.

But when mankind fell into sin, that divine dignity was tarnished.

The divine image in man became disfigured and contorted.

Sin also created openings in the heart of a person for evil spirits to even have possession of the person.

Such was the case of the man who was possessed by an unclean spirit in the gospel passage.

But that man was in the synagogue and it could mean that he wants to be liberated for the evil possession and also be freed from sin.

In delivering that man from the possession of the unclean spirit, Jesus reiterated the purpose of His mission.

Jesus came to break the power of evil, to forgive sins, and to restore humanity back to the divine dignity.

Let us turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness for our sins and the sin of humanity.

Let us also ask Jesus for the healing of our hearts so that we can also be restored into the image of God and to help others discover their divine dignity.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 13-01-2025

Hebrews 1:1-6 / Mark 1:14-20  

One of the questions that is often asked is this:

How do I know if God is speaking to me? How can I be sure?

This question is often asked when there is a critical decision to be made.

And there is no certain indication of what God is saying about what to decide.

The 1st reading says that at various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets, but in our own time, the last days, He has spoken to us through His Son.

In the gospel, when Jesus called Simon and Andrew, and also James and John, to be His disciples, they responded immediately and even left everything behind.

We might wonder why they responded so quickly and what made them decide to do so.

Of course, we may say that it was Jesus who is calling them so it was easy for them to decide and respond.

But it can be said that God had already prepared their hearts and they heard the voice of God when Jesus called them.

As for us, it is in prayer that God prepares our hearts to listen to His promptings.

And when He speaks, we will know that it is His voice and we will know how to respond.

Baptism of the Lord, Year C, 12.01.2025

 Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 / Acts 10:34-38 / Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 

There are certain things that can be said about our country. 

We are called a “green city”, so yes, green and also quite clean. 

We may be just a small little dot in the world map, but the cost of living can be quite high. 

Whatever it might be, we have many things to be thankful for. 

One of which is the weather; we only have hot days or rainy days. 

The hot days are not that scorching, and the rainy days are not that freezing. 

Over the last couple of days, we have seen quite a lot of rain and quite a lot of water too. 

But in another country, there are raging fires that have caused much damage, and required mandatory evacuation. 

When we think about water and fire, they are good servants but bad masters. 

And in the religious sense, water and fire are also symbols of spiritual realities. 

In the gospel, John the Baptist also talks about water and fire. He said that he baptizes with water, but someone is coming after him, someone who is more powerful than he is. 

And that someone will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 

The gospel gives an account of the baptism of Jesus. 

After His baptism, Jesus was at prayer, and the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily shape, like a dove. 

And then there came a voice from Heaven that declared: You are my Son, the Beloved, my favour rest on you. 

With His baptism, Jesus began His work of salvation by immersing Himself into the broken and fractured human situation. 

By His baptism, water became a symbol and a means of spiritual cleansing and healing. 

Jesus came to save and to heal. He does not break the crushed reed nor quench the wavering flame, as the 1st reading puts it. 

The baptism of Jesus also reminds us of our own baptism. 

Yes, at our baptism, we have been washed and cleansed of sin, and we also received a lighted candle as a symbol of the Light of Christ. 

But as we step out into the world, we face brokenness from disappointments, and fractured relationships with others. 

The fire of God's love that we received at baptism begins to quiver and waiver. 

And we get tempted and distracted, and we fall into sin and into the trap of the devil. 

But as the 2nd reading tells us, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who fell into the trap of the devil. 

Jesus did not break the crush reed nor quench the wavering flame. 

Jesus came to save and to heal those who are crushed in life and wavering in gloom. 

Today, we renew our baptism and our commitment to Jesus. 

And today, God tells us that we are His beloved children, and that He wants to bless us abundantly. 

We need God's blessings of love to be witnesses of the Good News of salvation.

God has given the Church Holy Water as a reminder of our baptism, that we are His beloved children, and as a sign of His blessings and love. 

Let us give thanks for this gift of Holy Water, and use it on ourselves and our loved ones, and also on those who need to experience the saving love of God. 

Jesus will heal our crushed spirits so that our hearts will burn brightly with the fire of His love. 

And may our lives as God's beloved children radiate with hope, so that others will be drawn to the saving waters of baptism.

Saturday after Epiphany, 11-01-2025

1 John 5:14-21 / John 3:22-30  

If we were to look around, would it be easy to find someone who is truly happy and contented.

It would be truly amazing to be able to find someone or people who are truly happy and contented.

But our own life experience tells us happiness and contentment are so elusive.

Even if we are happy and contented, it is only momentary.

More than half the time, we are either grumbling about something or unsatisfied with what we already have.

Here is where we need to reflect and think deep about that statement from John the Baptist in today’s gospel: “A man can lay claim only to what is given him from heaven.”

When we understand the meaning and the truth of that statement, then we will look at what we already had been given.

More than just what we have, Jesus wants to give us something much greater.

He wants to come into our lives and fill our heart, so that when He becomes greater and we become less, then we will be happier.

Everything we have comes from God, but to have Jesus making His home in our hearts, then we will be truly happy and contented.

Friday after Epiphany, 10-01-2025

1 John 5:5-13 / Luke 5:12-16   

There is one problem that is inherent in all machinery and equipment.

And that is wear and tear. 

So after a time, the parts need to be replaced or repaired.

Even household items need to be maintained. 

Knives need to be sharpened. Batteries need to be charged.

As for the spiritual life, our minds and hearts also need to be sharpened and maintained with prayer.

Otherwise, the weeds of sin will grow leading to moral decay and spiritual leprosy.

In the gospel, Jesus cured the leper of his disease.

It also symbolizes that Jesus wants to forgive our sins and heal us of our spiritual decay and leprosy.

But like Jesus, we too must pray and be faithful at it.

Life is fragile. Let us handle it with prayer and invoke God’s blessings on ourselves as well as on others.

Thursday after Epiphany, 09-01-2025

1 John 4:19 - 5:4 / Luke 4:14-22  

By now, the Christmas music is nowhere to be heard, and the Christmas decorations are taken down.

Yes, Christmas is over, the holidays are over, it is back to work and back to school.

So, the celebrations are over and now the celebrations are to be put into actions.

The gospel tells of the beginning of the mission work of Jesus.

With the power of the Spirit, He taught the people.

Then in the synagogue at Nazara, He read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

With that, Jesus stated what His mission would be.

For us, the mission of Jesus is also our mission.

It is the mission of love. 

As the 1st reading puts it, we are to love because God loved us first.

We love God by loving others.

When we do that, the celebration of Christmas continues in our lives.

Wednesday after Epiphany, 08-01-2025

1 John 4:11-18 / Mark 6:45-52  

We may be very close to the light, and the light is also very bright.

But it would not be of any advantage if the eyes are closed.

The physical act of closing our eyes would indicate that we rather not look at what is happening around us.

On the other hand, our eyes may be wide open but we may not be looking or seeing.

In the gospel, the disciples were rowing against a heavy sea on a dark night.

And then when they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, they were terrified and thought it was a ghost.

And when Jesus got into the boat and the wind dropped, the disciples were utterly and completely dumbfounded.

They saw the miracle of the loaves, they saw Jesus walking on the water and He calmed the wind.

They were very near the light and the light was very bright.

Their eyes may be open, but their minds are closed.

May what we see and look at be an act of prayer so that we can see and look at what God wants to reveal to us.

Tuesday after Epiphany, 07-01-2025

1 John 4:7-10 / Mark 6:34-44

When it comes to making a sacrifice, we would be hesitant.

We would be thinking of what we need to give up and if it is worth it.

If we were to make a sacrifice or give up something, we would expect to gain something from it.

We would certainly be reluctant to make a sacrifice if there is nothing to gain from it.

The 1st reading says that God loves us with such great a love that He sent His Son to be a sacrifice that takes our sins away.

There is nothing for God to gain by sacrificing His Son.

He only wanted us to come back to Him through the sacrifice of His Son.

In the gospel, the disciples gave up the five loaves and two fish, which they could have for themselves.

But for doing that they saw the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.

So, whenever we have to give up something, or make a sacrifice for the benefit of others, let us do it for the love of God.

In return, God will show us amazing miracles for the little sacrifice we make.

Monday after Epiphany, 06-01-2025

1 John 3:22 - 4:6 / Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25   

The celebration of the feast of Christmas and Epiphany has a common feature.

That feature is about light.

More than just physical light, there is a spiritual aspect to that light.

As the gospel passage quoted from the prophet Isaiah: 

The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;

On those who dwell in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned.

The coming of Jesus has brought a mystical light to the world.

And Jesus began His ministry with these words: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.

So, repentance is about letting the light of Christ shine on the darkness of our lives.

And that light brings the Good News to our lives, as well as a spiritual healing.

Christ the light brings healing to our relationship with God, and also healing and reconciliation in our relationship with others.

Repentance begins with prayer. In prayer, we let the light of Christ shine into our hearts.

Then the healing and reconciliation that we are longing for will begin.