Isaiah 60:1-6 / Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 / Matthew 2:1-12
By now we would have already opened up all our Christmas presents.
If we were not surprised by the presents that we got, then we may not be aware of Murphy’s principle about Christmas presents – “we always get the most of what we need the least”. And maybe there is also another one – we never get what we want. The irony of Christmas presents.
Nonetheless, it is still quite exciting to tear away the wrappers and see what is the gift, even though we may already know that it is a box of chocolates, or a bottle of wine, or a shirt, or several pairs of socks, (seems like I am talking about what I got for presents …)
Anyway if we got our presents before Christmas Day, would we wait for that day to open our presents? Well, we should, but being pragmatic Singaporeans, we would open up the presents before Christmas Day and then see if we can “recycle” those presents!
But the spirit of Christmas is to give something precious isn’t it?
A 5-year-old boy was telling his 3-year-old brother: “Let’s play Christmas. I’ll be Santa Claus and you’ll be a present, and I’ll give you away.” So much about giving away something precious …
To put it business-like, the deadline for giving Christmas presents is Christmas Day.
Nonetheless, belated Christmas presents are still welcomed, but don’t wait till next Christmas.
Although it is not stated anywhere, but the last day for giving Christmas presents would be today, on the feast of Epiphany.
Today the Nativity Scene is a little more crowded than on Christmas Day because of three additional figurines. The three wise men have finally appeared, together with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
And their appearance is really a contrast to the rest of the figurines in the Nativity Scene. They have crowns on their heads, their robes are royal and elegant, their gifts are exotic and mystical.
These three wise men (let’s just take it at three) capture our attention, and they also stir up our imagination, and they also lead us on to a reflection.
Although they appeared at the end of the Christmas season, their journey actually began much earlier and they would give us something to think about at the start of Advent.
They saw a star, it was “His star” in their own words, and they began the journey to look for the infant king of the Jews.
The star stirred them to go on a journey of a search and to look for this king of the Jews. But it was not a straight-forward journey on first-class.
Because it meant crossing the harsh desert sands to Israel to look for this king.
Also the directions were not clear for them. The star was not there for them all the time. They had no clear indication of where the infant king of the Jews was.
They came to Jerusalem thinking He was there. King Herod came to know who they were looking for and he schemed to make use of them to get to know the whereabouts of this infant king of the Jews.
Unlike the shepherds who had a vision of angels and were told in detail how and where to look for Jesus, the wise men had to be redirected to Bethlehem.
And it was in the final stages of their search that the star appeared again to lead them to their destination.
The wise men presented gifts of symbolic and mystical meaning. Gold points to the kingship of Jesus; incense points to the divinity of Jesus; and myrrh points to the humanity of Jesus.
But the wise men are also gifts to us because we see in them the aspects of our faith. Our faith is one of searching and it also entails a struggling.
We too search of answers to our prayers. We search for answers to quell our doubts. We struggle with the fundamental questions of sickness, suffering and death, with hurting and broken relationships, with terrorism and wars and hunger and poverty, and recession and retrenchment.
We search for answers to the things that say that there can’t be a God, if God is the one who allows miscarriages and babies to be born with severe defects and illness.
We struggle with the anxiety and worry of job security, financial security and emotional security.
Yes, we search and we struggle for the answers to life and its burdens, challenges and difficulties.
The wise men also had to search and struggle for answers and directions.
But they appear in this feast of Epiphany with a message for us. Epiphany means revelation.
And their message for us is this: You will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your greatest revelation.
Yes, like the wise men, we will face our darkness, our uncertainties, the Herods who will manipulate us.
But on this feast of Epiphany, the wise men had this message for us – they found what they are looking for; they found who they were looking for.
And so will we. Jesus will reveal Himself to us. That is His promise to us on this feast of Epiphany.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
7th January 2017, Saturday, Weekday of Christmas Time
1 John 5:14-21 / John 2:1-11
It is said that miracles always happen when you believe.
So the miracle in the gospel, when water is changed into wine, seems that it could only be a real event when we believe in the power of Jesus.
Some other contentions to it in order to explain away miraculous dimension is that the neighbours came to the aid to the wedding couple by bringing wine from their home or that there happen to come about a new supply of wine.
But when we look at it and think deeper about it, the miracle is indeed the work of nature and the work of the supernatural.
Wine came from grapes which are grown in vineyards. The vines draw water from the ground in order to grow and produce grapes.
To put it simply, the water is eventually turned into wine by the work of nature and the work of man.
To put it simply again, the miracle of the water turning into wine is hastened by the work of the divine, the work of Jesus.
Indeed, miracles always happen when we believe. Miracles happen when we believe that God became man and gave Himself to us in the Eucharist.
Let us not wait for a miracle to happen. Jesus sends us to be a miracle for others so that their watery lives will be changed to sweet wine.
It is said that miracles always happen when you believe.
So the miracle in the gospel, when water is changed into wine, seems that it could only be a real event when we believe in the power of Jesus.
Some other contentions to it in order to explain away miraculous dimension is that the neighbours came to the aid to the wedding couple by bringing wine from their home or that there happen to come about a new supply of wine.
But when we look at it and think deeper about it, the miracle is indeed the work of nature and the work of the supernatural.
Wine came from grapes which are grown in vineyards. The vines draw water from the ground in order to grow and produce grapes.
To put it simply, the water is eventually turned into wine by the work of nature and the work of man.
To put it simply again, the miracle of the water turning into wine is hastened by the work of the divine, the work of Jesus.
Indeed, miracles always happen when we believe. Miracles happen when we believe that God became man and gave Himself to us in the Eucharist.
Let us not wait for a miracle to happen. Jesus sends us to be a miracle for others so that their watery lives will be changed to sweet wine.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
6th January 2017, Friday, Weekday of Christmas Time,
1 John 5:5-13 / Mark 1:6-11
Christmas is celebrated in many countries as a public holiday. Even in countries where it is not a public holiday, it is seen as a Christian religious festival.
Regardless of how it is celebrated or how it is acknowledged, the religious aspect of Christmas is always there.
The "reason for the season" is often embellished with commercial overtones and secular festivities like parties, such that Christmas can be even devoid of any religious meaning.
But for us Christians, the reason for the season and the spiritual meaning of Christmas is such a profound and overwhelming truth that is often beyond our comprehension.
The truth is that God became man and took on our humanity and yet He remained divine. Even to understand Jesus as human and divine can be mind-boggling.
What is beyond the grasp of our understanding is that supreme divinity can allow itself to be lowered to the level of weak and sinful humanity.
For the Creator to become like a creature is almost like saying that we want to become like the pets that we love so much.
But that is the truth of God's love for us. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to save us and to show His love for us.
That is the truth and the meaning of Christmas. May we always be aware of this truth and meaning so that Christmas can truly be celebrated as Christmas.
Christmas is celebrated in many countries as a public holiday. Even in countries where it is not a public holiday, it is seen as a Christian religious festival.
Regardless of how it is celebrated or how it is acknowledged, the religious aspect of Christmas is always there.
The "reason for the season" is often embellished with commercial overtones and secular festivities like parties, such that Christmas can be even devoid of any religious meaning.
But for us Christians, the reason for the season and the spiritual meaning of Christmas is such a profound and overwhelming truth that is often beyond our comprehension.
The truth is that God became man and took on our humanity and yet He remained divine. Even to understand Jesus as human and divine can be mind-boggling.
What is beyond the grasp of our understanding is that supreme divinity can allow itself to be lowered to the level of weak and sinful humanity.
For the Creator to become like a creature is almost like saying that we want to become like the pets that we love so much.
But that is the truth of God's love for us. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to save us and to show His love for us.
That is the truth and the meaning of Christmas. May we always be aware of this truth and meaning so that Christmas can truly be celebrated as Christmas.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
5th January 2017, Thursday, Weekday of Christmas Time
1 John 3:11-21 / John 1:43-51
Whenever we gather for family events, we would share stories about our relatives as well as recall events that that had happened.
Usually we would recall and share about the happy moments that had happened and reminisce the experiences that we had together.
However, we would want to avoid embarrassing moments or even tragic events because that would bring up the hurt and pain. We would rather forget those moments and events.
The 1st reading brings us way back to the book of Genesis and to the first murder committed in the Bible. The description is also rather graphic - that Cain cut his brother's throat.
It also delves into the reason for the murder - that Cain's own life was evil and his brother lived a good life.
And then it gives this teaching: you must not be surprised that the world hates you. So contrary to what we would think, when we live a good life, it does not mean that we will be trouble-free.
The evil one would give trouble and even make us commit evil like what happened to Cain.
But in spite of this, the 1st reading urges us to keep on living the good life and to love others even if they do evil to us.
Because if we refuse to love, then we are spiritually dead, and to hate is to be a murderer.
Jesus came to show us how to live a good life and to love even our enemies. When we follow His Way, then the stories of our lives would be testimonies of how God's love overcame the evil that so often threatens us.
Whenever we gather for family events, we would share stories about our relatives as well as recall events that that had happened.
Usually we would recall and share about the happy moments that had happened and reminisce the experiences that we had together.
However, we would want to avoid embarrassing moments or even tragic events because that would bring up the hurt and pain. We would rather forget those moments and events.
The 1st reading brings us way back to the book of Genesis and to the first murder committed in the Bible. The description is also rather graphic - that Cain cut his brother's throat.
It also delves into the reason for the murder - that Cain's own life was evil and his brother lived a good life.
And then it gives this teaching: you must not be surprised that the world hates you. So contrary to what we would think, when we live a good life, it does not mean that we will be trouble-free.
The evil one would give trouble and even make us commit evil like what happened to Cain.
But in spite of this, the 1st reading urges us to keep on living the good life and to love others even if they do evil to us.
Because if we refuse to love, then we are spiritually dead, and to hate is to be a murderer.
Jesus came to show us how to live a good life and to love even our enemies. When we follow His Way, then the stories of our lives would be testimonies of how God's love overcame the evil that so often threatens us.
4th January 2017, Wednesday, Weekday of Christmas Time
1 John 3:7-10 / John 1:35-42
Generally speaking, the issues of life are not distinctly clearly black and white. If it is so then decisions are easy to make as the matter is clearly divided between black and white.
But as it is, life is a mixture of black and white and hence grey areas abound in areas like bioethics, sexuality, morality, etc.
But when it comes to the spiritual life, that is not the case at all. Because between good and evil, it is mutually exclusive and that good and evil cannot co-exist in one entity.
As the 1st reading puts it: to live a holy life is to be holy just as God is holy; to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil.
And this is how the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil - anybody not living a holy life and not loving his brother is no child of God's.
In other words, we can't be children of God and at the same time the children of the devil. It is either one or the other. There is no grey area in this matter.
And we shouldn't be giving ourselves concessions or excuses that we are weak and a bit of sin is alright because it was to undo all the devil had done that Jesus came to save us and to restore our dignity as children of God.
As we continue to celebrate the Christmas season, let us remember that God became man so that man can become like God.
God is holy. If we are to be children of God then we too must strive to be holy. There can be no grey area about this.
Generally speaking, the issues of life are not distinctly clearly black and white. If it is so then decisions are easy to make as the matter is clearly divided between black and white.
But as it is, life is a mixture of black and white and hence grey areas abound in areas like bioethics, sexuality, morality, etc.
But when it comes to the spiritual life, that is not the case at all. Because between good and evil, it is mutually exclusive and that good and evil cannot co-exist in one entity.
As the 1st reading puts it: to live a holy life is to be holy just as God is holy; to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil.
And this is how the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil - anybody not living a holy life and not loving his brother is no child of God's.
In other words, we can't be children of God and at the same time the children of the devil. It is either one or the other. There is no grey area in this matter.
And we shouldn't be giving ourselves concessions or excuses that we are weak and a bit of sin is alright because it was to undo all the devil had done that Jesus came to save us and to restore our dignity as children of God.
As we continue to celebrate the Christmas season, let us remember that God became man so that man can become like God.
God is holy. If we are to be children of God then we too must strive to be holy. There can be no grey area about this.
Monday, January 2, 2017
3rd January 2017, Tuesday, Weekday of Christmas Time
1 John 2:29 - 3:6 / John 1:29-34
We may have heard of this term "a spiritual person". There can be many definitions and understandings to this term.
But generally speaking, the common expectation of someone who is "a spiritual person" is that he/she has got some spiritual gifts, eg. healing, miracles, prophecy, visionary, etc.
These manifestations are spectacular and may be associated with "a spiritual person". But a truly spiritual person may also be a rather common person that exhibits none of the above.
Nonetheless, by the life of the person, we will be able to see whether that person is essentially a spiritual person, just as a tree is judged by its fruits.
John the Baptist did not work any miracles of healing or give any spectacular signs. He only preached the Word of God as it came to him and he baptised people for the repentance of sins.
But he was someone who can be called a truly "spiritual person" because he was closely in touch with the promptings of the Spirit of God and it was he who pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Literally, God spoke to him and told him who Jesus was.
The 1st reading gives another expression of what a truly spiritual person is - everyone whose life is righteous has been begotten by God.
That life of righteousness is lived out with a purity of life, a purity that is rooted in Jesus, a life that avoids sin.
So when we live a life of righteousness and purity, we will be able to "hear" what God is saying to us. And then by our lives and our words, people will know whether or not we are a spiritual person.
We may have heard of this term "a spiritual person". There can be many definitions and understandings to this term.
But generally speaking, the common expectation of someone who is "a spiritual person" is that he/she has got some spiritual gifts, eg. healing, miracles, prophecy, visionary, etc.
These manifestations are spectacular and may be associated with "a spiritual person". But a truly spiritual person may also be a rather common person that exhibits none of the above.
Nonetheless, by the life of the person, we will be able to see whether that person is essentially a spiritual person, just as a tree is judged by its fruits.
John the Baptist did not work any miracles of healing or give any spectacular signs. He only preached the Word of God as it came to him and he baptised people for the repentance of sins.
But he was someone who can be called a truly "spiritual person" because he was closely in touch with the promptings of the Spirit of God and it was he who pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Literally, God spoke to him and told him who Jesus was.
The 1st reading gives another expression of what a truly spiritual person is - everyone whose life is righteous has been begotten by God.
That life of righteousness is lived out with a purity of life, a purity that is rooted in Jesus, a life that avoids sin.
So when we live a life of righteousness and purity, we will be able to "hear" what God is saying to us. And then by our lives and our words, people will know whether or not we are a spiritual person.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
2nd January 2017, Monday, Weekday of Christmas Time
1 John 2:22-28 / John 1:19-28
All of us will have at some point in our lives face a major change.
A major change would involve a change in direction or a call to higher responsibilities or to answer a higher calling.
That would mean a change in the state of life, like from being single to being married, from being a laity to being a cleric, from being backstage to being forefront, etc.
We may even call it a change in identity, because we tend to associate identity with what we do.
In the gospel when John the Baptist was asked "Who are you?" he initially answered with who he was not, and eventually he gave an enigmatic answer - a voice that cries in the wilderness: make a straight path for the Lord.
That is a rather strange answer to the question of identity.
But as we think about it, the question of identity is enigmatic isn't it. Because identity is a mystery.
Because for us Christians, our identity is not about ourself but our identity is in Christ.
That is what the 1st reading tells us: we are anointed with truth and so we must stay in Christ who is the fullness of truth.
Hence, our lives must be lived in the truth. To live a lie would mean that we would turn in shame when we asked who we are.
Let us put our confidence in Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Then we will know how to live our lives.
All of us will have at some point in our lives face a major change.
A major change would involve a change in direction or a call to higher responsibilities or to answer a higher calling.
That would mean a change in the state of life, like from being single to being married, from being a laity to being a cleric, from being backstage to being forefront, etc.
We may even call it a change in identity, because we tend to associate identity with what we do.
In the gospel when John the Baptist was asked "Who are you?" he initially answered with who he was not, and eventually he gave an enigmatic answer - a voice that cries in the wilderness: make a straight path for the Lord.
That is a rather strange answer to the question of identity.
But as we think about it, the question of identity is enigmatic isn't it. Because identity is a mystery.
Because for us Christians, our identity is not about ourself but our identity is in Christ.
That is what the 1st reading tells us: we are anointed with truth and so we must stay in Christ who is the fullness of truth.
Hence, our lives must be lived in the truth. To live a lie would mean that we would turn in shame when we asked who we are.
Let us put our confidence in Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Then we will know how to live our lives.
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