St. Joseph the Worker, Thursday, 01-05-2025

Genesis 1:26 - 2:3 or Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24 / Matthew 13:54-58    

On this Labour Day, workers are honoured for their contributions to society as well as their contributions to the economy.

Whether as professionals or menial workers, the work of human beings give glory to God and contribute to the development of the world.

On this day, the Church honours St. Joseph because he too was a worker, a carpenter, and Jesus was known as the carpenter’s son.

St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers, but he was more than a carpenter.

St. Joseph’s greatest work was to do the will of God, when he took Mary home as his wife.

His most eminent title is “Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and connected with this title, he also became the guardian of the child Jesus.

His most important work was to understand the will of God and to carry it out. 

St. Joseph is a man of prayer and that helped him in his work and his mission.

So too for us, our most important work is to pray so that we will know what God’s will is and to be able to carry it out.

Our Archbishop, William Cardinal Goh, has called on us to pray for the Cardinals who will be participating in the coming conclave that begins on the 7th May.

This evening, we also dedicate ourselves to Mary as we honour her with the procession of her statue and the praying of the Rosary.

Because month of May is dedicated to Mary.

Let us offer up prayers for the Cardinals participating in the conclave that they will heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit to elect a Pope according to the will of God.

May St. Joseph pray for us, that we offer up this work of prayer for the glory of God and for the good of the Church.

2nd Week of Easter, Wednesday, 30-04-2025

Acts 5:17-26 / John 3:16-21   

To be wondering can mean a few things.

We can be wondering in amazement at things or happenings that are wonderful and beautiful.

For example, when a rainbow appears out of nowhere against a backdrop of a moving event.

Yes, we are struck with awe and wonder at moments and instances that seem to have a divine influence.

In the 1st reading, when the officials went to gaol to bring out the disciples, they found that the prisoners were not there, though the gaol were securely locked and the wardens were on duty at the gates.

The captain of the Temple and the chief priests wondered what this could mean, and then they received news that the disciples were at the Temple preaching to the people.

They wondered what was happening but their wondering was not in amazement but with indifference.

It seems that they just want to think it was strange and nothing more.

But God always makes us wonder with awe and amazement.

When we look at the Cross, we see what the gospel is telling us that God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world but so that through Him the world might be saved.

Yes, God loved the world so much, and the Cross points to that love.

Let us look at Jesus on the Cross and see how wonderful God’s love is for us.

 

2nd Week of Easter, Tuesday, 29-04-2025

Acts 4:32-37 / John 3:7-15   

The term “humble beginnings” is often used to reflect on how it all began.

Whether is a business enterprise, or an organization, or a movement, it always began with humble beginnings.

Those humble beginnings are usually characterized by challenges and difficulties, as well as struggles and troubles.

But it was also a time of growth and learning, as well as discovering possibilities and creativity.

In the 1st reading, the life of the early Christian community is certainly the envy of today’s Church.

Those early believers were united in heart and soul, and they held everything in common.

The apostles testified to the Risen Lord with great power, and they were all given great respect.

But all this is possible because of their faith in the Risen Lord and their dependence on God.

Let us focus on our faith in Jesus and put our hope in Him, so that with God’s love we will see the wonders that God will work in us.

2nd Week of Easter, Monday, 28-04-2025

Acts 4:23-31 / John 3:1-8  

The irony of life is that things happen contrary to what we expect.

This happens especially in the spiritual realm when God puts down the proud and mighty, but He raises the poor and lowly.

In the 1st reading, Peter and John were released and they went back to the community and told them what had happened.

The powerful chief priests and elders had tried to stop them but God proved to be more powerful.

The community rejoiced and praised God for His mighty works, they also saw this.

That the more the rulers, the chief priests and the elders tried to stop the community from witnessing to the Good News, the stronger the community became.

This was of course with the blessing of God, that God was working powerfully through the Christian community.

And as they prayed and praised God, even the house where they were assembled began to rock and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

In the gospel, Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

We are baptized with water and Holy Spirit.

When we let the Holy Spirit direct our lives we will see the wonders of God.

And we will also know that God works wonders for the humble and the lowly.

2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C, 26.04.2025

Acts 5:12-16 / Apocalypse 1:9-13, 17-19 / John 20:19-31 

Yesterday afternoon, most of the world's attention was focused on Rome, or more specifically at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City. 

As for us Catholics who couldn't be at the St. Peter's Square, we would be watching the funeral Mass that was being streamed live. 

Together with the Church, we want to bid farewell to our beloved Pope Francis and to pray for him. 

We want to thank God for Pope Francis who led the Church for 12 years. 

We want to thank God for the great blessing of having Pope Francis visiting us in Singapore, and giving us an experience of unity and hope. 

Now that the funeral of Pope Francis is over, the attention will be on the coming Conclave.

The Church, and the world, will await the election of the next Pope. 

But the memory of Pope Francis will linger on, and the legacy that he left behind will still be remembered. 

Pope Francis held the highest office of the Church for 12 years, which was not really a long time. 

But his simple, humble and ordinary lifestyle resonated with many of us. 

After his election as Pope, he took the bus back together with the other Cardinals instead of taking the papal limousine.

 He continued to stay in Casa Santa Martha, which was a guest house for clergy. 

That choice of residence symbolized Pope Francis’ papacy, which was defined by humility, accessibility and the rejection of luxury. 

He also died there, and the Church, and the world, was reminded of how he transformed the papacy and the Church through his living arrangements as much as through his words. 

Little things mattered to Pope Francis. 

After his election as Pope, he called up his newspaper vendor in Argentina to tell him to cancel the newspaper subscription. 

He also personally called up some people to tell them that he won't be coming back to Argentina, and they all thought it was a prank call. 

Pope Francis also taught us that when we give money to the poor, it is not just about putting money into their hands, but also looking into the eyes of the poor. 

Pope Francis brought the Church to regain her core purpose and core mission, and to recover the image of a Church for the poor. 

Yes, little, simple and humble things matter to Pope Francis. 

But, we are tempted and attracted by the big, the grand and the spectacular things. 

In a way, we are quite similar to Thomas in the gospel reading. 

Thomas was not contented with what the rest said about having seen the Risen Christ. 

He not only wanted to see the Risen Christ, he demanded to put his finger and his hand into those wounds. 

Thomas was demanding, he wanted certainty, he wanted it to be spectacular, so that it will be like the biggest news, or like breaking news. 

So, when Jesus appeared again, He addressed those demands of Thomas. 

Whether or not Thomas put his finger into those holes and his hand into the side, the gospel did not say. 

But Thomas made this simple and humble proclamation: My Lord and my God. 

Pope Francis has taught us to move away from the big, the grand, the spectacular and the attractive, and to go back to the core of our humanity, and to the core of our Christianity. 

Like Thomas, we too must say: My Lord and my God. 

And with simplicity, humility and with charity, let us say what we mean, and mean what we say, when it comes to those words “my Lord and my God”.

Saturday With Easter Octave, 26-04-2025

Acts 4:13-21 / Mark 16:9-15  

When God speaks, it is often done through the voices of His chosen ones.

And when God wants to show us something, we won’t miss it and we also can’t miss it.

Even if we don’t want to listen and don’t want to see, we won’t be able to deny it.

In the 1st reading, the rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John.

But when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer.

And even when they gave the apostles a warning not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John retorted that it is God and not man that they must listen to.

Furthermore, the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.

Indeed, God had spoken, and God had shown. 

In the gospel, Jesus reproached the apostles for being incredulous and obstinate, because they refused to believe despite the testimony of the witnesses.

Let us pray and ponder about what we hear and what we see, because God does not stop revealing Himself to us.

Friday Within Easter Octave, 25-04-2025

Acts 4:1-12 / John 21:1-14   

The word authority implies that there is power, and it is usually bestowed upon a person or persons.

But quite often, when the power that comes with the authority is abused, then it becomes unpleasantly overpowering, domineering and dominating.

But it cannot be denied that only with authority, can there be power.

In the 1st reading, the rulers, the elders, the scribes and all the members of the high-priestly families were gathered for a particular purpose.

They were faced with a phenomenon, and they could see that there was a power that came forth from Peter and John.

It was a power that brought about the healing of a crippled man.

But they also know that the power does not originate from the apostles themselves.

Therefore they asked the apostles this question: By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?

And Peter, filled with Holy Spirit, gladly told them that it was Jesus the Nazarene, whom they rejected and crucified.

We too are filled with Holy Spirit and we are given the power of love to be witnesses and to bring out peace and healing for others.

In all we do and say, may others be able to see that it is done and said with the authority of Jesus.

Thursday Within Easter Octave, 24-04-2025

Acts 3:11-26 / Luke 24:35-48   

Simple and ordinary actions may not get much attention.

But those simple and ordinary actions do mean something to those who need to see and experience those actions.

It may be just looking into the eyes of a person when that person is speaking.

It may be holding a child’s hand or an elderly person’s hand when crossing the road.

It may be a wave to express our thanks to another driver for giving way to us.

Whatever it might be, a simple and ordinary action says more than just words.

In the gospel, when the Risen Christ appeared to the disciples, they were in a state of alarm and fright as they thought they were seeing a ghost.

Even when Jesus showed them His hands and feet, they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded.

Then Jesus asked for something to eat. They offered Him a piece of grilled fish, which He took and ate before their eyes.

That simple and ordinary action of eating was enough for the disciples to believe that Jesus was really alive.

Later as we come forward for Communion, we will receive the Body of Christ which we will consume.

It is a simple and ordinary action but it has a profound meaning: we have come into communion with Christ.

And with Christ in our hearts, may our simple and ordinary actions express the profound presence of the Risen Christ to others.

Wednesday Within Easter Octave, 23-04-2025

Acts 3:1-10 / Luke 24:13-35   

Life has its challenges, and in the face of those challenges, we can choose to either face it or the flee from it.

Of course, when we face those challenges in life, we will grow and learn and be better from it.

But when it comes to disappointments, looking at it and lingering upon it may only result in frustration and resentment.

So it would be better to walk away and walk out of it and forget about it altogether.

In the gospel, that was what the two disciples were doing. They were walking away from their shattered dreams and deep disappointment.

They took the road to Emmaus, and along the way Jesus came along and walked with them.

Jesus listened to them, talked with them, explained the Scriptures to them, and then ate with them.

He gave them hope by revealing Himself to them, and their hearts burned with excitement as they ran back to share the Good News.

In the 1st reading, Peter made this profound statement to the crippled man: I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!

And so, we walk with Jesus. In our happiness and disappointments, in our health and sickness, in our success and failure, let us walk close to Jesus.

And when we walk with others in their challenges and difficulties, let us share the love of Jesus with them.

And together, let us walk with them towards Jesus.

Tuesday Within Easter Octave, 22-04-2025

Acts 2:36-41 / John 20:11-18  

Our names have a purpose and a personal significance.

We are addressed and identified by our names.

Those who call us by our name have different levels of relationships with us.

How we respond to an acquaintance who calls us by name is different from how a loved one calls us by name.

When a loved one calls us by name, the voice is heard by our hearts and we respond with love.

In the gospel, when the Risen Lord spoke to Mary, she thought that He was the gardener.

But when He called her by name, she immediately knew it was Jesus, and she responded to Him in Hebrew, which is the intimate language of her heart.

In the 1st reading, when Peter spoke to the people, they were cut to the heart.

They heard the words of Peter, and they also heard the voice of the Lord Jesus.

Every day we hear the voices of many people and we hear our names being called.

May we hear the voice of the Risen Lord who calls us by name.

And may we respond with love to whatever He is asking of us.

Monday Within Easter Octave, 21-04-2025

Acts 2:14, 22-23 / Matthew 28:8-15  

There are many ways that courage is put to the test.

It may be a heroic action or an act of valour or bravery.

But in life, courage is put to test when it comes to the truth.

It takes courage to tell the truth despite knowing that it will hurt.

It takes courage to tell the truth knowing that there will be something to lose.

In the gospel, there were two groups of people whose courage was put to the test.

One group was the women who met the Risen Lord, who sent them to tell the disciples about the Resurrection.

The women did that, disregarding what others will think of what they were telling.

The other group was the soldiers, who were guarding the tomb and they went off to tell the chief priests what had happened.

They were then given a considerable sum of money to tell a lie that the disciples stole the body of Jesus.

For the women, the truth set them free. But for the soldiers who took the money, they were imprisoned by the lie.

So, the truth is the truth, even if nobody believes it.

But a lie is a lie, even if everybody is talking about it.

As for us, let us ask Jesus, who is the Truth, to give us the courage to always tell the truth, so that we will live in the freedom of peace.

Easter Sunday, Year C, 20.04.2025

Easter Sunday C-2025                                                                                                 20-04-25

Life is ironic, and yet surprising. 

Because it takes sadness to know what happiness is. 

It takes noise to appreciate silence. 

And it takes absence to value presence. 

Yes, life is ironic, and the surprise is in the opposite. 

This weekend is what is often called a “long weekend”. 

Since Friday was a holiday, then it can be quite tempting to go for a short trip or do something exciting over the weekend.

But Friday is a religious holiday, and for us Catholics, that means it was a day of fasting and also coming to church. 

It may seem rather ironic to spend a holiday with fasting and praying instead of doing something exciting. 

But the irony is that in giving up what seems exciting that we receive something inspiring. 

We came to church on Good Friday, and there is one thing that we will remember doing. 

We will remember that we came forward to venerate the cross. 

Parents brought their children along and as they kissed the cross, their children did likewise. 

Whether ordinary or celebrity, they went down on their knees to kiss the cross. 

Elderly aunties and uncles took great effort to get down and to kiss the cross and to get up again. 

It is amazing, as well as inspiring. 

It is ironic that the cross of suffering and pain is the majestic object of our veneration and adoration. 

And it is also ironic that in the instrument of death is the symbol of life and love. 

The mystery of the Resurrection is often symbolized in the empty tomb. 

But the irony of the mystery is not in the empty tomb. 

The question the angels had for those who went to the tomb is this: 

Why look among the dead for the One who is alive? 

The question that people may ask us is this:

Why kiss the cross on Good Friday? Why kiss an object of pain and suffering when we can enjoy the holiday and have fun and do something exciting. 

But the irony is that in the symbol of pain and death, we encounter life and love. 

But it is not because of the cross, but because of Jesus who died on it. 

We believe in the Resurrection, not because of the empty tomb, but because of Jesus who rose from the dead, and rolled away the stone of sin and death. 

So, we don't look among the dead for the One who is alive. 

And Jesus lives, not in the empty tomb, but in our hearts. 

With Jesus, let us roll away the stones of sin and death. 

And may our faith in the Resurrection of Christ, bring out the love and life from us, so that others will also come to believe in Jesus who rose from the dead, and will give them life and love.   

Good Friday, 18.04.2025

Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 / Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 / John 18:1 – 19:42  

On this day which is called Good Friday, we meditate and reflect about the three harsh reality of life, which is: 

- the crosses in life that is to be carried, 

- the sufferings of life that is to be endured, 

- and finally the end of life that is to be accepted. 

Jesus went through all these three harsh realities in the final hours of His life on Earth. 

But these three realities are also a part of our life on Earth. 

As disciples of Jesus, we have to carry the crosses of life, and make sacrifices for the good of others. 

And the cross is painful and heavy and causes us to suffer. 

But later as we come forward to venerate the cross, we are saying “yes” to Jesus that we will accept the cross. 

With Jesus, we will accept to carry the cross and follow Him. 

There is pain and suffering, but pain and suffering are not permanent and they don't last forever. 

Also, our pain and suffering in this world cannot be compared to the reward of glory in eternity. 

So, when we come up later to venerate the Cross, we acknowledge that it is the Cross of suffering and pain. 

But because of Jesus, we believe that the cross will also lead us to life and salvation.

So, we will accept the Cross, and we will carry it and follow Jesus.

Holy Thursday 17.04.2025

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 / 1 Cor 11:23-26 / John 13:1-15 

The Sacred Paschal Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper. 

So, it would be expected that the readings be focused on the institution of the Eucharist. 

Well, the 1st reading talks about how the Passover came about. 

The 2nd reading mentions about the institution of the Eucharist. 

The gospel began with Jesus having the Passover meal with His disciples. 

It was to be His Last Supper with His disciples. 

In that Last Supper, Jesus changed everything and turned it into the institution of the Eucharist. 

But in the gospel, there was no mention of the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. 

Rather, the gospel mentioned that during supper, Jesus did something surprising. 

He got up, took a basin and towel, and began to wash the feet of His disciples. 

All attention was focused on the washing of the feet, which will be re-enacted later. 

From the sacred and holy Eucharist, the attention went down to the lowly feet. 

But that also makes us think about our feet. 

We may not like to show our feet for some reason. 

The feet are meant for the floor, and not raised up, unless it is an act of insult. 

But the washing of the feet makes us think about the connection of the Eucharist and our feet. 

The Eucharist is the love of God for us. 

As we receive that love in the Eucharist, it has to go down all the way in service to the lowly, the poor and the needy. 

We need not wash their feet, but we share with them God's love, so that they can get back on their feet and move on with hope. 

When we understand that, then we understand God's love for us in the Eucharist, and we also understand what Jesus, our Master and Lord, has done for us.

Wednesday of Holy Week, 16-04-2025

Isaiah 50:4-9 / Matthew 26:14-25  

A person who has integrity is a person who is honest and sincere.

He keeps to his word and has strong moral principles which he will stand firmly on.

Such a person commands the respect of others and he can be trusted when there are tough decisions to be made.

Jesus came to show us what integrity is and how it is expressed.

He already knew that Judas was going to betray him.

Yet, Jesus did not expose the evil intention of Judas.

Rather, He tried to hint to Judas that betrayal brings about destruction in relationships.

But Judas was indifferent to the persuasive hints of Jesus to come to his senses.

Still, Jesus showed His integrity by not accusing or exposing Judas.

In life, it is difficult to be upright and virtuous in the face of betrayal, slanders and other bad things that are done to us.

But let us keep our focus on Jesus who will come to our aid in the face of insults and false accusations. 

Yes, Jesus is our vindicator who will reward us for keeping to our integrity.

Tuesday of Holy Week, 15-04-2025

Isaiah 49:1-6 /John 13:21-33, 36-38 

One of the spiritual things that we might have thought of doing for the season of Lent is to give up something.

What comes to mind will be our pleasures and desires and other bad habits and practices.

So it might be giving up drinking or smoking, or giving up a meal a day, or going on a bread-and-water diet.

But whatever we might think of giving up, we would not likely ever think of giving up our life for someone.

Even giving up something of our own for another person is already difficult.

When Jesus decided to give up His life to save sinners, not only was there no appreciation, rather, He faced rejection.

And it came from one of His disciples who will betray Him.

Though Peter said that he will lay down his life, Jesus knew that when it comes to the test, each will be for himself.

Yes, when it comes to the test, we will rather save ourselves than to lay down our lives for others.

We might think it is not worth it to make the sacrifice, or to be charitable, or to give way.

But as the 1st reading tells us, we will not toil in vain, nor will we exhaust ourselves for nothing.

Because God knows, and He will be our strength and our reward.

And when we offer up our lives to God for the good of others, let us also remember what Jesus said: the person who gives up his life for the sake of Jesus will save it.

Monday of Holy Week, 14-04-2025

Isaiah 42:1-7 / John 12:1-11   

As we enter into Holy Week, we enter into a week that stirs up emotions.

Holy Week can be called a week of emotions.

In the gospel passage, Mary did something that was rather difficult to comprehend.

She brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair.

Besides the house being full of the scent of the ointment, it was also full of reactions of the people in the house.

Judas Iscariot was first to react with criticism about the cost of ointment, but that was because he had other motives about the money.

The reply of Jesus was rather baffling, as He talked about His burial.

As for the chief priests, they not only wanted to kill Jesus, they even wanted to do away with Lazarus as well.

All these dramatic incidents are heavy with emotions.

But the 1st reading brings us to focus on Jesus, who is the central figure in Holy Week.

Jesus is appointed by God as the covenant of the people and the light of the nations.

He will open our eyes and free us from darkness.

Let us keep our focus on Jesus and feel His love for us as we journey on into Holy Week.

Palm Sunday, Year C, 13.04.2025

Isaiah 50:4-7 / Philippians 2:6-11 / Luke 22:14 – 23:56

The Mass began with hymns of “Hosanna” and the blessing and waving of palm branches. It was a joyful mood. 

That recalled the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. 

But as the readings began, the mood becomes sober and solemn. 

There were accounts of betrayal and denial. There were accounts of accusation and condemnation. 

There were accounts of suffering and death. 

Today's Mass of the Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord brings about many emotions and reflections. 

But what we will bring back will be the palm branches that are in our hands. 

These are reminders of what today's Mass is about, and also what our life in Christ is about. 

These green palm branches will slowly dry up and turn brownish. 

They may be left aside and be among the other items at home. 

But may they also remind us of the life, the suffering and the death of Jesus. 

As we enter into Holy Week, may we be with Jesus in His life, His suffering and His death on the Cross. 

And may we wait with a quiet and firm hope, that with Jesus, we will also rise from the death of our sins to the new life of love.

Palm Sunday, Year C, 13.04.2025

 Isaiah 50:4-7 / Philippians 2:6-11 / Luke 22:14 – 23:56

The Mass began with hymns of “Hosanna” and the blessing and waving of palm branches. It was a joyful mood. 

That recalled the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. 

But as the readings began, the mood becomes sober and solemn. 

There were accounts of betrayal and denial. There were accounts of accusation and condemnation. 

There were accounts of suffering and death. 

Today's Mass of the Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord brings about many emotions and reflections. 

But what we will bring back will be the palm branches that are in our hands. 

These are reminders of what today's Mass is about, and also what our life in Christ is about. 

These green palm branches will slowly dry up and turn brownish. 

They may be left aside and be among the other items at home. 

But may they also remind us of the life, the suffering and the death of Jesus. 

As we enter into Holy Week, may we be with Jesus in His life, His suffering and His death on the Cross. 

And may we wait with a quiet and firm hope, that with Jesus, we will also rise from the death of our sins to the new life of love.

5th Week of Lent, Saturday, 12-04-2025

Ezekiel 37:21-28 / John 11:45-56  

Human beings have this basic need to belong.

It is a basic human need to belong to a family or to a community, or to a homeland or a country.

It is in this belonging that we find our identity and origins.

In the 1st reading, the Lord God says this: I shall gather them together from everywhere and bring them home to their own soil.

The people of God had been unfaithful to the Lord and so their enemies conquered them and sent them into exile and dispersed them.

They had lost their identity and their origins, and they were forgetting about the God who chose them to be His people.

But God is faithful and He forgives His people their sins.

He brings them home so that they can recover their identity and origins and be His people again.

When we sin, we stray and deviate and we lose our way.

We also will lose our sense of belonging, our identity and our origins.

Let us hear the call of the Lord God to come back to Him.

Let us turn back to the Lord, so that we can turn our hearts and minds to heaven, our eternal home.

5th Week of Lent, Friday, 11-04-2025

Jeremiah 20:10-13 / John 10:31-42  

We may have heard of stories or accounts of people who were dead but came back to life.

Some of the stories are really astounding and it is for us to believe it or not.

But we have heard of enough of stories of persons who claimed to be divine; they claim that they are God.

But most, if not all, of those stories seem to have come to a dead end, literally.

So those who claimed to be divine, to be God, will be put to test to prove themselves.

Even if they managed to get through the tests, they will eventually have to face the inevitable final test of life, and that is death.

We have heard of some stories of people coming back to life after they were presumed or even certified dead.

But we have not heard of any accounts of persons who are immortal.

In the gospel, the people accused Jesus of blasphemy because He claimed to be God.

That accusation also makes us reflect about our faith in Jesus.

Do we really believe that Jesus is God and that He will save us from our sins and protect us from evil and danger?

We will find out when we are put to the test, just like Jeremiah, in the 1st reading, was put to the test.

In every tribulation, there will be a revelation.

Jesus will reveal to us who He is. May we come to know Jesus as our Lord and God.

5th Week of Lent, Thursday, 10-04-2025

Genesis 17:3-9 / John 8:51-59   

Life is indeed a mystery. We can plan but life just happens, and often it is not according to our plans.

We can’t even predict what will happen as the day unfolds, much less can we ever predict what the future holds for us.

And if life is a mystery, then all the more the after-life is even more mysterious.

And because we don’t know much about the after-life, we don’t think about it too much.

In the 1st reading, God promised Abraham that he will be a father of a multitude of nations.

Abraham believed in what God promised, but it was a future that he will not see on earth.

But Abraham believed more than what God promised him.

Abraham believed in the future of eternity that God promised him, where he will see his descendants, generations after generations.

As Christians, we too believe in the future where God promised to bring us to eternity.

Our future, as well as our eternal future, is in God’s hands.

Let us plan our life well, so that our life on earth will be a preparation for our eternal life in heaven.

5th Week of Lent, Wednesday, 09-04-2025

Daniel 3:14-20, 24-25, 28 / John 8:31-42   

Fire is a good master but a bad servant.

Fire give out light which is certainly helpful when it is dark.

Fire also helps to cook food and makes it fit for human consumption.

But fire also burns and causes damage to property and can also cause death to human beings.

And in a horrible and barbaric way, fire is also used to torture and put people to death.

Such is the case when king Nebuchadnezzar decided to put Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to death by throwing them into the burning fiery furnace.

But by the light of that fiery furnace, king Nebuchadnezzar saw that the three men were not harmed by the fire.

And by the light of that fiery furnace, he also saw a fourth figure who looked like a son of the gods.

By the light of that fiery furnace, king Nebuchadnezzar came to see the power of God and how God saved the three men from the fiery furnace.

We too received the light of God at our baptism.

May the light of God enlighten us to see the love of God in us.

And may the light of God shine in us to let others see the marvels of God in our lives.

5th Week of Lent, Tuesday, 08-04-2025

Numbers 21:4-9 / John 8:21-30   

One of the things that bring back memories are images.

It may be a photo, or a painting or a sculpture.

When images bring back good and warm memories, we treasure them and keep them.

But if an image makes us recall bad and traumatic memories, we will certainly discard and get rid of them.

But in the 1st reading, God instructed Moses to make an image of a fiery serpent and put it on a standard.

And when anyone who was bitten by a fiery serpent looks at that image, he shall live.

It sounds rather contradictory that the cause of the pain would be cured by looking at the image of what caused that pain.

But, in a way, it is to remind the people that it was because they sinned that the fiery serpents were sent to punish them.

In a similar way, we don’t like to admit to our sins or confess them.

But when we look at our sins, we are reminded how we have sinned and turned away from God.

We need to look from our sins to look at Jesus who will forgive our sins and heal us.

Let us look at Jesus on the Cross and may that stir us to repentance and bring us healing.

5th Week of Lent, Monday, 07-04-2025

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 / John 8:12-20 (Year C) 

Some of the common things that give out light is the candle and the electric lamp.

When the lamp is switched on, the light that it emits fills the room.

When a candle is lit, the light from the candle shines in the darkness.

The lamp and the candle simply do what they were made for.

They don’t have to outdo themselves to become something that they are not.

In the gospel, Jesus says that He is the light of the world.

Anyone who follows Him will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life.

Jesus was a testimony unto Himself because He knew who He is.

He did not try to become what others wanted Him to be.

Jesus is the light of the world, and He is also the light of our lives.

The light of Jesus shines into our hearts to help us know who we are.

We are children of God and we are called to be children of the light.

May the light of our lives shine quietly and humbly like the electric lamp and the candle.

And may our light help others to see God and to become children of light.

5th Sunday of Lent, Year C, 06.04.2025

Isaiah 43:16-21 / Philippians 3:8-14 / John 8:1-11 

One ordinary item that can be found almost everywhere is the mirror. 

Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes. 

It can be found in bedrooms and in the restrooms. 

It can be found in hairdressing saloons and in boutiques. 

So, mirrors can be found in high and mighty places, as well as in ordinary and lowly places. 

Regardless of where it may be found, if there is a mirror, we would certainly want to look at it or at least glance at it. 

That is because we like to look at ourselves in the mirror. 

It may be out of vanity to see how good we look. 

Or it may be out of curiosity to see if we look good. 

But most of the time, we are concerned with the externals, we are concerned with our appearances. 

Mirrors don't show us the emotional and psychological state of ourselves. 

In the gospel, scribes and Pharisees brought before Jesus, a woman who was caught committing adultery. 

They said that according to the Law, that woman is to be condemned to death by stoning. 

When the scribes and the Pharisees persisted with their question, Jesus made this stunning statement: 

If there is one of you who have not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. 

There was probably silence after that statement. There is no need for any further discussion or questions. 

No stones were thrown, and no one wanted to be around to see if anyone would throw a stone. 

All went away until only Jesus and the woman were left alone. 

That statement of Jesus was like a mirror that each one had to look at. 

What they saw, they had to look away and walk away. 

While they may judge other people's sins, they could not and would not want to look at their own sins.

So, that statement from Jesus was like the mirror of truth that reveals, and yet also conceals. 

We may recall this phrase “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” 

That phrase is from the fairy tale Snow White and the Seven dwarfs, and it was said by the evil queen. 

While that mirror told the truth that the evil queen was the fairest of all, the time came when Snow White was born and that mirror had to say that Snow White was now the fairest of all. 

So, what reflections and thoughts do we have about that statement from Jesus: 

If there is one of you who have not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. 

That statement could be like the mirror of truth that reveals to us that we all have sinned. 

But we may also want to conceal the truth and direct the attention to other people's sins. 

So, even when we look into the mirror of truth, we may accept it for what it reveals. 

Or we can turn it around and let the truth be concealed. 

The problem with this is that we would rather be ruined by praise than to be saved by criticism. 

As we reflect and think about that statement of Jesus, may the Lord God turn the stones of our sins into stepping stones that will lead us to God's mercy and forgiveness.

4th Week of Lent, Saturday, 05-04-2025

Jeremiah 11:18-20 / John 7:40-52  

It is really something when one has a status or a reputation in the world.

It may be in the form of credentials, or qualifications, or titles, etc.

Add on to that with power and authority and the world will pay attention to whatever one says and does.

But the ways and the preferences of God are mysterious.

God often speaks through the voices of the humble and lowly.

But the voices of the high and mighty often drown out that of the humble and lowly.

In the gospel, the Temple police actually attested that Jesus spoke with authority.

And the Pharisee Nicodemus actually spoke up for justice and truth.

But their voices were not heeded and pushed aside by the high and mighty.

In the world, we hear many voices. Some are loud and sharp, while others are gentle and mellow.

But let us pay attention to the voices of the humble and low.

When we hear in them the voice of love and truth, justice and compassion, then we know that indeed, God speaks through the voices of the humble and lowly.

4th Week of Lent, Friday, 04-04-2025

Wisdom 2:1, 12-22 / John 7:1-2, 10,25-30   

To talk about a good deed or doing a good deed is certainly edifying and motivating.

That will get others to want to contribute in whatever ways they are able to.

But to talk about a bad and evil deed in public is disgusting and deplorable.

In the face of such public evil actions, will there be any reactions or response to it.

In the 1st reading, the godless say to themselves with their misguided reasoning.

And what they said seems to be in the public.

Their evil talk and thoughts include trapping and persecuting the virtuous man, put his faith to the test with cruelty and torture, and finally killing him.

But the 1st reading concludes with a response to such evil and their actions.

Their malice makes them blind, and they do not know the hidden things of God.

In the gospel, it also seems that it is public knowledge that the authorities want to kill Jesus.

Those with power and might may publicly propagate their evil intentions and even make know their evil deeds.

But, in the end, they will have to be accountable to God.

Let us pray that we stand firm in the face and evil, and let us also place our hope in Jesus that holiness will be rewarded.

4th Week of Lent, Thursday, 03-04-2025

Exodus 32:7-14 / John 5:31-47   

Whenever we say that we agree with a person, it usually means that we agree with that person’s opinions and suggestions.

But when we agree with a person’s life-style, the person’s habits, the person’s beliefs and principles, then that is something else.

Because that means that we agree and accept everything about that person.

It is like almost one more little step to believing totally in that person in whatever that person does and says.

In the gospel, Jesus declared that He came to testify to God.

And human approval means nothing to Him.

The people look to one another for approval and are not concerned with the approval that comes from God.

In our discussions and proposals, whether at work or in Church, we too would want support and approval for our ideas and suggestions.

But as Christians, we need to place our plans, our ideas and even our inspirations before the Lord.

We need to ask the Lord for His blessings on what we are going to do.

And we must be prepared to change our plans and our ideas according to God’s plan and His will.

In life, we must submit to God’s plan and His will.

Because God’s will and plan is always for our good and the good of others.

4th Week of Lent, Wednesday, 02-04-2025

Isaiah 49:8-15 / John 5:17-30  

People who have a good memory will impress us.

They not only remember names, they can even remember phone numbers, dates and events.

On the other hand, most of us may be hampered by our own forgetfulness, or the forgetfulness of others.

Forgetfulness can happen when we are distracted, when we are too busy or that we are not interested in remembering.

And we also don’t like the thought that we have been forgotten by others, that we are left out because we are not important to them.

In the 1st reading, the people of God lamented that the Lord has abandoned them, that the Lord has forgotten them.

The Lord God responds by saying that even if a woman forgets her baby at the breast, which is almost impossible, He will not forget His people.

And at the favourable time, God will answer them, and on the day of salvation, He will help them.

So God will not forget us. But it is we who will forget God.

In a time of plenty and when we are too comfortable, God may be the furthest from our minds.

The season of Lent reminds us that we are nothing without God.

May we always remember that.