7th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 22-05-2024

James 4:13-17 / Mark 9:38-40  

The truth of life is that there is a finality to our time here on earth.

In other words, our time here on earth will eventually come to an end.

As we think about that truth of life, we also need to ask ourselves what are we expecting out of life.

Whatever our expectations, we can expect to pass this world only once.

So any good that we can do, any kindness that we can show, let us do it now.

Because the truth is that we will never pass this way again.

The 1st reading addresses the thinking of those who think that time is in their hands and their aim in life is to make money and expect to have a comfortable life.

But what about God’s will for them and what about God’s plan in their lives?

We too need to ask ourselves about what is God’s will for us and what does He want us to do in life.

God’s plan for us is for our good and for our happiness in life.

Let us do what God wants of us, let us do what is good, what is right and what is loving.

Then we will be happy in this life and we will also be happy in the life hereafter.

7th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 21-05-2024

James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37   

To be a Christian is to give thanks to God with a grateful and contented heart.

Indeed, it should be so, because a Christian knows the love of God and has faith and trust in God’s providence and protection.

But a Christian can be swayed by the world into seeking profits, gains and advantages, 

When that happens, then a Christian turns to selfishness and greed, and pride and all the other vices will set in.

As much as that should not happen to a Christian or in a Christian community, the letter of St. James was addressing such a terrible situation.

St. James pointed out that the fighting within the Christian community was because of the desires in the individuals.

Some people were even prepared to kill to get what they wanted, and to get their way by force.

Even their prayer was to indulge in their own desires.

So from the era of the early Church to the modern day Church, the struggle against sin rages on and some Christians have given in to the desire of their sins.

St. James teaches us that God opposes the proud but He gives generously to the humble.

To be proud and to give in to our desires is to turn away from God and becoming wicked.

Let us be humble before the Lord and know that He will lift us up and grant us what we need.

With a humble heart, we will truly be a Christian in word and in actions by always giving thanks and praise to God.

Mary, Mother of the Church, Monday, 20-05-2024

Genesis 3:9-15 or Acts 1:12-14 / John 19:25-34  

In the 1st reading, we heard that after Jesus was taken up to heaven, the apostles returned to Jerusalem and went to the upper room where they were staying

There they devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.

That was the last mention of Mary. After that there was no more mention of her in the rest of the Bible.

This last mention of Mary is significant because that was also her purpose after Jesus was taken up to heaven.

Mary stayed with the apostles and she was with them in prayer. She was doing this because she was obedient to what Jesus entrusted to her while He was on the cross.

Because Mary remembered what Jesus told her when He was on the cross: Woman, behold your son.

Though she did not reply, her silence was her consent. She not only agreed to be the mother of the disciple that Jesus loved, she understood that she was to be the mother of all the disciples of Jesus.

Today's memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, is a new addition to the liturgical calendar of the Church.

That title of Mary, Mother of the Church, was officially given to Mary during the Second Vatican Council by Pope Paul VI.

So from Mother of God, she is now also the Mother of the Church. And if we are obedient to what Jesus said on the cross, then we too must embrace Mary as our Mother, which most of us would be more willing to do.

And we would also want to carry out what Jesus entrusted to us and we want Mary to be the Mother of all peoples.

As we celebrate this memorial, let us make our Mother known to all peoples, for in doing so, we are also making Jesus known to all peoples.

Pentecost Sunday, Year B, 19.05.2024

 Acts 2:1-11 / 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 / John 20:19-23

The reality of this world can be generally divided or categorized into two realms. 

One realm is the visible reality, and the other is the invisible. Although invisible, it is still a reality. 

Understandably, we are more familiar with the visible reality or the visible realm. 

That visible realm or reality is not limited to only what can be seen. It is also about what can be heard, what can be touched, what can be smelled and what can be tasted. 

In other words, the reality of the visible realm is what can be experienced by the five senses. 

That is what we are familiar with as we are able to experience that reality with our senses. 

What we may not be familiar with is the spiritual realm. 

On this Feast of Pentecost, the spiritual realm is revealed to us in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the unity of the Holy Trinity. In the Creed, we profess that the Holy Spirit is Lord and the Giver of Life. 

We often associate the Holy Spirit as something like a powerful wind or tongues of fire, as we heard in the 1st reading. 

And Holy Spirit is also often associated in the form of a dove, as the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove at the baptism of Jesus. 

But on this Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Church, upon each of us, to reveal Himself more to us, and to give us a deeper understanding. 

As on that first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they went out bravely to proclaim the marvels of God.

So, the Holy Spirit is revealed in the members of the Body of Christ. 

Over and above the five senses with which we experience the reality of the visible realm, the Holy Spirit gives us another sense. 

The Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual sense, with which we are able to experience the invisible realm. 

So, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the ways of God in this world. The Holy Spirit also reveals to us how God works in and through us. 

The 2nd reading, from one Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13, tells us this: There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit. There all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord, working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. 

So, with the Holy Spirit in each of us, we become a part of God's revelation in the Church, and to the world. 

The most profound sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is when we, the People of God, are gathered in prayer. 

The disciples were gathered in prayer in the upper room, and the Holy Spirit descended upon them. 

As we gather in worship and prayer, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon us, and we respond in thanksgiving and singing the praises of God. 

In worship and in prayer, the Holy Spirit unites us as the Church and as the Body of Christ. 

And guided and prompted by the Holy Spirit, we reveal God to each other and to the world. 

We reveal the presence of God through acts of love and words of peace. 

We reveal the compassion and the forgiveness of God. 

Over and above the five human senses, we bear witness to the divine sense, which is the spiritual sense. 

When we bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, others will be able to sense the presence of God.

That is our Christian mission, and may Holy Spirit help us to fulfil that mission.

7th Week of Easter, Saturday, 18-05-2024

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 / John 21:20-25  

To keep focused is tiring and a lot of energy is required.

Not only is it physically tiring, it is also mentally tiring.

But keeping focused is necessary in studies and at work.

Keeping focused is also necessary in sports and endurance activities.

Success and victory will be the result of one who is able to keep focused.

But there are distractions, and there are many distractions.

In the gospel, Peter had declared his love for Jesus, and not once but three times.

Just when Peter seemed so convicted about his committed love for Jesus, he turned and saw the disciple that Jesus loved.

And then he lost focus and lost concentration, and turned his attention to that disciple.

But Jesus rebuked Peter and said to him: What does it matter to you? You are to follow me.

When we think about what Jesus said to Peter, we may need to ask ourselves: Is there anything that mattered more, or more important than being focused on loving Jesus.

Let us turn our eyes to Jesus and keep our eyes on Him.

And let us keep our eyes focused on the road of love and life.

7th Week of Easter, Friday, 17-05-2024

Acts 25:13-21 / John 21:15-19  

The word “love” can be used in many ways and hence it can have many meanings.

When used casually, it may express our liking for something.

It can be used to express feelings of intimacy and passion.

But love is a strong word that has deep meanings.

It should not be a word that is used casually or even jokingly.

Because we believe that God is love, and He created humanity with love and in love.

Hence, the expression of the great commandment is to love God and to love neighbour.

In the gospel, Jesus asked Peter three times about his love for Him.

Jesus wanted Peter to be serious about his love for Him, and to know that love is a commitment and a sacrifice.

Jesus is also asking us the same question: Do you love Me?

Let us look at the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and in our response, may our love for Jesus be a commitment and a sacrifice.

7th Week of Easter, Thursday, 16-05-2024

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 / John 17:20-26  

The rule of life is to always do what is good, right and just.

But, it is not always that simple or easy to do that.

There are selfish motives and vested interests that come along and sway us away from the path of virtue and righteousness.

Nonetheless, we must remember that we reap what we sow.

In the 1st reading, the Sanhedrin, made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, had wanted to persecute St. Paul.

But in the end, they reaped what they sowed, as they ended up fighting among themselves.

So when we sow the seeds of goodness, righteousness and justice, we will reap the goodness, righteousness and justice.

Over and above, let us also ask the Lord to bless us with His love as we live a life of goodness, righteousness and justice.

May God’s love been seen in our acts of goodness, righteousness and justice.