3rd Week of Easter, Monday, 15-04-2024

Acts 6:8-15 / John 6:22-29  

We are often curious, if not attracted, by miracles and great signs.

More so, when we have a need, e.g. looking for a cure from an illness, looking for a way out from some financial difficulty, etc.

So if we heard about someone who is working miracles and great signs, we will certainly want to see if we can benefit from it.

In the gospel, the people had seen the miracle and the great sign of the multiplication of the loaves.

However, as Jesus had pointed out, the people had benefitted by having eaten all the bread they wanted to eat.

And the human desire would be to see what more can be gotten from Jesus.

So the people saw the miracle and the sign, but did not understand the meaning and purpose of it.

In the 1st reading, the people saw the miracles and the signs that Stephen worked.

But they saw it as a threat to their security. They too didn’t understand the meaning of the miracles and the signs.

Today’s readings remind us that God speaks to us in many ways, and also through signs.

Let us ask the Lord for the wisdom to discern those signs that come from Him.

When we understand the meaning of those signs, then we will also know what God is asking of us.

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B, 14.04.2024

 Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 / 1 John 2:1-5 / Luke 24:35-48  

The act of eating is often seen as a casual act, and we won't think too much about it. 

But a number of processes are activated in the act of eating. The mouth opens with the help of the muscles so that we can put food into our mouth. 

The taste buds are activated, the jaw moves and the teeth chew the food, and after which the food is swallowed. 

Besides and before all that, we also choose what we want to eat, and also what we should not eat. 

But eating is not just about consuming food. Eating is an act of life. We eat to Live. 

Our stomach will tell us that we are hungry, and hence we need to eat something, otherwise we may end up with some health issues.

And going beyond that, there is the social dimension in eating. 

No doubt, a person can eat in solitude, but that would give the impression of loneliness. 

Because, when it comes to eating, there is a social and communal expression in it. 

Even with simple home cooked food that is eaten with family and friends, relationships are renewed and deepened. 

In other words, eating with others is a celebration of life and relationships. 

In the gospel, when the Risen Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples, they were alarmed and frightened. They thought they were seeing a ghost. 

Jesus greeted them with peace, and showed them His hands and side, and even ask them to touch Him. 

But they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded. 

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

That act of eating the grilled fish dispelled the fears and doubts of the disciples. 

That simple act of eating assured the disciples that Jesus is real and alive. 

But even before that, the two disciples had told their story of what had happened on the road, and how they recognized Jesus at the breaking of bread. 

So, it was earlier, at a meal setting, the Jesus had revealed Himself to the two disciples. 

Today, as we come for Mass, we are also going to partake of a meal. 

At Holy communion, we are going to receive the Body of Christ. 

It is Jesus Himself who prepared this sacred meal as He offers us the heart of all meals, and that is His Body. 

In receiving the Body of Christ, we receive life and love from the Risen Lord Jesus. 

We become the living members of His Body, and filled with love, we go forth to share that life and love. 

And this brings us to think about our family and whether we have family meals. 

We can say that a family that eats together will stay together. 

It may be difficult to have a family meal because of the business of our work and schedules. 

But it is so necessary, if we think that family life and relationships are important. 

It is also the same when it comes to Mass. If we think that our faith is important and necessary, we will come for Mass, and we will also invite others to come back for Mass. 

Because at Mass, when we partake of the Sacred meal at Holy Communion, Jesus will tell us that He is real and alive. 

And He will also have a revelation for us about ourselves. 

That as we have our family meals and other social meals, He will be present, and He will make each meal, a meal of life and love, a meal of forgiveness and reconciliation.

2nd Week of Easter, Saturday, 13-04-2024

Acts 6:1-7 / John 6:16-21  

The early church has often been held as an model for us to emulate. They were united in heart and mind and they shared their belongings with each other and no one was in need.

Furthermore, the presence of the apostles affirmed and strengthened the faith of the early church and they bore powerful witness to the Risen Christ and to the Good News.

Yet, in spite of this, all was not that perfect or rosy, for danger lurks even in safe places, and small issues can explode into nasty confrontations.

The 1st reading recorded the first crisis in the early church. There was tension between the Hebrews and Hellenists, and it was a tension within the community.

We may be surprised that this can happen in the early church. But as a matter of fact, this can happen to any church in any time in any place.

The possible cause of such crises may be found in today's gospel, as the disciples in the boat were caught in rough seas and strong wind.

And Jesus was not with them! And even when He came to them walking on the water, they became frightened.

Yes, there will always be crises in the Church and also in our own lives. More so when we begin to think that it is safe and we become complacent and indifferent in our faith. We take Jesus for granted.

But when crises start to explode and rock the Church and our lives, let us remember what Jesus said to the disciples in the boat.

"It is I. Do not be afraid." Yes, we must always turn back to Jesus. 

When we are not with Jesus, then we will surely be scattered.

But when we are with Jesus, then we will be united, even when there is tension and differences.

2nd Week of Easter, Friday, 12-04-2024

Acts 5:34-42 / John 6:1-15   

When we say that a product is tried and tested, it means that the product is good enough to be used.

That is certainly a good publicity for the product because it is a testimony for those who have used the product.

It may also mean that the product has quality and may have also withstood the test of time.

When it comes to a business enterprise or a religious movement, the gauge is not only how successful it is.

It must also stand the test of time, as well as how it overcomes setbacks and changes in leadership.

In the 1st reading, the wise and respected Gamaliel advised the members of the Sanhedrin to let the test of time determine the movement that had sprung up from the apostles.

His profound statement is this: If this movement of theirs is of human origin, it will break up on its own accord. But if it does in fact comes from God, you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you may find yourselves fighting against God.

In the 2000-year history of the Church, there were triumphant and glorious times as well as dark and terrible times.

But Jesus had promised that the gates of the underworld will not prevail against the Church.

Jesus is the Head of the Church as we are members of His Body.

May the promise of Jesus assure us of our faith and may we continue to be united with the Church in good times and in bad.

2nd Week of Easter, Thursday, 11-04-2024

Acts 5:27-33 / John 3:31-36  

The Bible is the sacred book of the Church.

It is divided into sections – the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Generally speaking, the Old Testament is about the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, or the Saviour.

The New Testament is about the fulfillment of the prophecies in Jesus Christ.

The four Gospels are the important books of the New Testament, in which are the accounts of the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Reading the gospels would require attention and devotion as it is Jesus who is speaking to us.

Reading the gospels with attention and devotion will form our minds and hearts to understand the ways of God and His will.

May the Word of God be a lamp for our steps and a light for our paths.

And when we read the Word of God regularly and devoutly, we will be able to understand the ways of God.

And when we read the Word of God regularly and devoutly, God’s Word will be on our lips and our words will be life-giving and bear fruits of love.

2nd Week of Easter, Wednesday, 10-04-2024

Acts 5:17-26 / John 3:16-21  

It is said that the fruit of truth is freedom. 

In other words, the truth will set us free.

We certainly know what that means. 

When we speak and act with the truth, we will not be burdened by lies and falsehood.

In the 1st reading, the truth that leads to freedom is as literal as it can be.

The angel of the Lord opened the gates and as he led the apostles out, he told them to go to the Temple and tell the people all about the New Life.

As for the high priest and the Sanhedrin, they were told that the apostles were not in prison, though the prison was securely locked.

Yes, truth has the power to free and the truth will always prevail over sin and evil.

Because Jesus is the Truth and He is Lord and Saviour.

The ultimate truth is that God sent Jesus, not to condemn us, but to save us.

Let us always believe in that truth, and live our lives in the freedom of love.

2nd Week of Easter, Tuesday, 09-04-2024

Acts 4:32-37 / John 3:7-15  

Usually our lives are quite routine and most things and events happen as expected.

We wake up to the alarm, we have breakfast, we go to work, we go back home and have dinner and rest for the night.

Nothing much may surprise us, or is it that we have become numbed and indifferent to the little surprises of our lives.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us of one surprise that we often do not notice or wonder about.

And that is the wind. Sometimes it blows as a gentle breeze. Other times it blows as a thunderstorm.

At times it blows in one direction, and then without notice, it blows in another direction.

We can’t see it, but we can see where it is blowing and how it is blowing.

Jesus used the imagery of the wind to point to the reality and the mystery of the Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit is manifested in the 1st reading by the life of the early Christian community.

The whole group of believers were united, heart and soul, and everything they owned was held in common.

We may think that it is surprising or even quite impossible.

But when the Holy Spirit moves, nothing is impossible or surprising.

And when we let the Holy Spirit move our hearts, then we will see the signs and wonders that God is showing us.