29th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 22-10-18

Ephesians 2:1-10 / Luke 12:13-21

It can be said that life is the most difficult exam. Many people fail because they try to copy others, without realizing that everyone has a different question paper.

Who among us can say that we never desired to be richer, higher and have more.

We get these desires not out of nowhere, but from looking at others and then wanting to get what they have and even be who they are.

In the gospel, Jesus has a teaching for us that will help us in looking at life when He says: Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man's wealth is not made secure by what he owns even when he has more than he needs.

Then He tells a parable about a rich man who had a bountiful harvest and made plans for securing his future with his wealth.

And he was called a "fool" because he thought that his wealth was the security for his soul, without realizing that his wealth may belong to him but his soul belongs to God.

We can say that the rich man failed in the exam of life because he was foolish enough to think that his wealth can save him.

But as the 1st reading will remind us, that is by the grace of Jesus Christ that we have been saved through faith. Not by anything of our own, but by a gift from God. Not by anything that we have done, so that nobody can claim the credit.

Let us not be so foolish as to fail in the exam of life. We must realize that there is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind and that God loves us with so much love and He is so generous with His mercy that He has already given us a place in heaven.

We only need to be grateful and thankful to pass the exam of life.

Mission Sunday, Year B, 21.10.2018

Isaiah 2:1-5 / Ephesians 3:2-12 / Mark 16:15-20
It can be presumed that if someone wears a cross, that person could be a Christian or at least know the meaning of the cross.

But of course, that presumption does not apply to those who wear the cross like some kind of ornament or decoration and say and do things that do not reflect or have no connection of being a Christian.

No doubt about it, the cross is the profound sign of Christianity and of being a Christian.

But apart from the Christians, we would be able to pick out the Catholics quite easily. Because more than just the cross, some Catholics would wear rosary bracelets, rosary rings and also medals.

And talking about medals, there is a variety to choose from: Jesus, Mary, St. Christopher…

One popular medal is the St Benedict’s medal. Not only the religious article shops would have it, even the goldsmith shops have it. It goes to show how popular the St Benedict’s medal is, and we can see why.
The two sides of the medal are quite elaborate. One side has the cross with Latin inscriptions that are invocations for protection against evil. Maybe that’s why it is so popular.

The other side has a figure of St Benedict, in which he holds the book of the monastic rule on one hand and the cross on the other.

Then there are two other minor but interesting details. On one side of the figure of St Benedict, there is a raven carrying off a loaf of bread. On the other side of the figure of St Benedict is a cracked cup with a snake coming out of it.

The story is that some evil people wanted to kill St. Benedict so they poisoned his bread and wine. But when St Benedict made the sign of cross over the poisoned bread and wine that he was about to consume, a raven flew in and carried off the bread and the cup cracked. Then he realized that his food was poisoned.

That story brings us to what Jesus said in the gospel when He summoned His disciples to go out to the whole world to proclaim the Good News to all creation.

He talked about the signs that will be associated with believers – they will cast out devils, have the gift of tongues, pick up snakes in their hands, be unharmed should they drink deadly poison, lay their hands on the sick who will recover.

What Jesus said can be taken literally or figuratively as well as spiritually. But in whichever way we want to take it, the emphasis is on the signs that will be associated with believers.

In short, as Jesus sent His disciples to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News, He is also saying that there will be snares and dangers, but there also will be signs and wonders.

The purpose of these signs and wonders is to confirm the message of the Good News. Though there are snares and dangers, but Jesus is the Saviour and His saving power will prevail over evil.

But if we are wondering where are these signs and wonders today, then maybe it is also an occasion to ask ourselves, if we are proclaiming the Good News actively and courageously.

Because we are the most profound sign of the Good News. The purpose of Mission Sunday is to awaken us to our mission to be the Good News even in the face of indifference and opposition, and then we will see the signs.

Earlier on we heard about St. Benedict who led a holy life and led people to God, and though evil people tried to kill him, God protected him from harm.

Another interesting story is about Pope Leo the Great and Attila the Hun. One of the greatest threats to Europe during the 5th Century came from Eastern Asia. The Huns led by Attila had swept through Asia and in the year 452 was on the verge of invading Italy. 

The Huns were savage and barbaric in every aspect, killing men, women and children, plundering, sacking and destroying. Attila the Hun was especially and utterly cruel in inflicting torture, greedy in plundering and famous for ripping apart his enemies and drinking their blood.

Rome which was then the seat of the crumbling Roman empire waited in helpless terror for utter destruction. The pope at that time, Pope Leo, knew he had to defend his flock and so he decided to go and meet Attila the Hun at the risk of his life and try to negotiate for peace.

Before he set off, Pope Leo prayed to Jesus for help in this desperate and dangerous situation. And with that, the venerable and simple old man went forth to meet the merciless young destroyer who only knew how to kill and plunder.

It was a tense meeting as the Pope pleaded with Attila to stop the bloodshed and spare Rome and the innocent people, and at the same time wondering when he was going to lose his life.

Then in a spectacular and surprising turn of events, Attila ordered his army to stop attacking and return to their base camp.

Many speculations were offered for this sudden and unexpected change in Attila the Hun. Could it be that a sum of money was given to him to stop him from attacking? Or could it be that his army was short of supplies and worn out, and also there was a famine and plague in Italy at that time?

But another story has it that when Attila’s servants asked him why he suddenly changed his mind, he told them this: While the Pope was talking to him, there appeared above the Pope’s head, two figures with drawn swords, and they seemed to threatened to kill Attila unless he consented to do as Pope Leo had requested. Those two figures were said to be St. Peter and St. Paul.

Well, the fact was that Attila and his savage hordes turned back and Rome was saved at the mitigation of Pope Leo. The interesting point in all this is that although Pope Leo knew that he could lose his life, he also believed in the power of prayer and the saving power of Jesus. And that was enough for Pope Leo to stop Attila the Hun.

The month of October is a dedicated month of prayer, especially the prayer of the Rosary, and Pope Francis has called for a “Special Prayer Campaign for the Church” for protection from the attacks of the devil and for forgiveness and healing for the sins of the Church.

Let prayer be our mission and let prayer also lead us into mission. May we also be signs of the Good News and may we also be the signs and wonders of the saving love of Jesus.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 20-10-18

Ephesians 1:15-23 / Luke 12:8-12

The term blasphemy may be generally defined as anything from defiant irreverence to intentional sacrilegious acts .

Hence it can mean acts like cursing God or wilfully degrading things relating to God.

It can also be attributing some evil to God, or denying Him some good that should be attributed to Him.

Yet we believe that God is love and forgiveness and He will forgive us even if we had committed the most heinous sin.

So what did Jesus mean when He said that "he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven"?

The purpose of this phrase was to strengthen the disciples in the face of persecution and to deter them from falling into apostasy (giving up the faith) out of cowardice or doubt.

It was also meant as an admonition - a sin can only be unforgivable if repentance is impossible.

So in other words, it is not whether God will forgive; it is a question of whether we want to repent or not.

Because along with repentance is also the trust in God's love and mercy and forgiveness.

To be able to declare that is to stand before others and witness to God and all that He has done for us.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 19-10-18

Ephesians 1:11-14 / Luke 12:1-7

When we can understand what hypocrisy really is,  then we may also realize that it  is not a private affair.

Because the hypocrisy of the individual affects other people and it also distorts the opinion and impression of others.

Hypocrisy not only comes in many disguises; it needs many disguises.

For example, indifference or contempt may masquerade as innocence when we say "I don't know"

Legality wears the makeup of legitimacy when it is stated that abortion is legal.

Opportunism puts on the apparel of kindness to cover up ulterior motives and vested interests.

But hypocrisy can only survive as long as there is fear.

Jesus tells us in today's gospel not to fear because fear causes anxiety and unrest.

Fear also makes us blind and we can't see our self-worth before God, and it blocks us from receiving God's love.

Let us offer our fears, our anxieties and worries to the Lord, so that what is covered will be uncovered and what is hidden will be made clear.

St. Luke, Evangelist, Thursday, 18-10-18

2 Timothy 4:10-17 / Luke 10:1-9

To serve God by proclaiming the Good News is never an easy task.

From the 1st reading, we get to see that St. Paul had to struggle and endure a difficult time.

His band of co-workers had split up and some had even gone against him.

His only consolation was that St. Luke was with him, and he made it a point to say it.

From the few occasions that St. Paul mentioned him as his beloved physician, and from what St. Luke wrote in the Gospel and in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we get to see what the person of St. Luke was like.

He was a committed friend of St. Paul, and he paid special attention to those that were forgotten or pushed aside by society.

He wrote about Jesus reaching out to the poor, the lowly, the outcasts, the sinners and women.

What he knew about Jesus, he wrote it in his gospel, and he certainly carried out in his life.

His commitment to St. Paul in his time of need bore witness to that.

As we read the gospel according to St. Luke and meditate on it, a challenge is also awaiting us.

We too have to write another account of Jesus.

It is going to be an account that is not written in words but in actions for all to see.

From that gospel of our lives, others will be able to see who Jesus is.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 17-10-18

Galatians 5:18-25 / Luke 11:42-46

For those of us who have "green fingers" and like to plant things and have some space around the home to do so, then we would know about creepers and climbers.

Creepers are plants with weak stems that cannot stand upright and spread on the ground. Examples are pumpkins, watermelon and sweet potato.

Climbers are plants with weak stems and they would need the support of a stick or a fence. Examples are grapevine, money-plant and cucumber.

If we had grown cucumbers before, then we will notice, as well as be amazed, how the "branches" seem to "know" where the supports are and reach out for it slowly. It seems like those "branches" have "eyes".

The 1st reading tells us that if we are led by the Spirit, then we will experience the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.

And surely we want those gifts. But we must also reach out to the Spirit in order to be led by the Spirit.

But we also know that our hearts have the "eyes" to know where the Spirit is leading us to and what the Spirit wants of us.

And the 1st reading also tells us that in order to reach out and to be led by the Spirit, then we have to crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires.

If the climber plants "know" how to "look" for support and growth, then let us look to the Holy Spirit and let our hearts be directed by the Holy Spirit and grow in the love of God.
 

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 16-10-18

Galatians 5:1-6 / Luke 11:37-41

Different cultures use different cutlery or eating utensils for eating and serving food. Also the crockery may differ in shape and size and material.

So usually, Western food is eaten with forks and spoons and knives and Chinese food is eaten with chopsticks and bowls.

But even if we try to eat steak with chopsticks, it may not be very gracious, but nonetheless, it can be done.

Because in the end, it is the food that is to be eaten and not what we use to eat it. The cutlery or the eating utensils and the crockery is not that important in relation to the food.

In the gospel, the Pharisee was surprised that Jesus had not first washed before the meal, and obviously the Pharisee showed his disapproval, and Jesus noticed it.

But Jesus used this occasion to teach about religious observations and customs.  If religious observations and customs do not purify and sanctify, then we are just concerned about the externals.

And Jesus also tells us this: Give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.

Jesus highlights the act of almsgiving, that when done out of love, has the power to purify our hearts.

As we heard in the 1st reading, what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.

Let our almsgiving be done out of love for God and neighbour, and our hearts will also be cleansed.