2 Samuel 12 : 1-7, 10-17
Mark 4 : 35-41
Just to think that one day we will have to stand before the Lord and receive a judgment that will seal our eternity can be rather frightening.
So we might think that it is God who will judge us and determine how guilty we are and then send us according to where we should go.
Yet, if God is love, then why would He want to judge us and even condemn us?
In the 1st reading, it was not God who pronounced judgment on David but rather it was David who pronounced judgment on himself.
Nathan, the prophet, narrated the story, but it was David who made the conclusion.
It was Nathan just held the mirror, and David saw the reflection.
Yet, we must also acknowledge that David had the humility to admit that it was his own reflection, that he was that man in the story.
We all have that God-given conscience to admit to our faults and sinfulness.
Yet, with the same breath, we also must admit that we have this ability to deny guilt and responsibility.
We can even rationalize away our guilt and turn black into white.
That can happen, and will happen, when we are not close to God and forget that Jesus is in our hearts.
The disciples in the gospel were frightened in the face of the storm, but that was because they have yet to realize who Jesus is.
We know who Jesus is. We also know that He has made His home in our hearts.
In the face of temptations and sinfulness, let us hear His voice as He tells us : Quiet now! Be calm!
Let us remember that Jesus came, not to judge and condemn us, but to save us.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 29-01-10
2 Samuel 11 : 1-10, 13-17
Mark 4 : 26-34
We know what a bamboo tree is, and how tall it can grow.
But what we may not know is that after the bamboo is planted, it takes about five years before the bamboo shoots begin to grow.
But once the shoots start growing, they can soar to a great height, to even as high as 100ft, in as short a time as 10 weeks.
Why such a long time of inactivity and how come such a phenomenal growth, we may ask.
Well, during those 5 years or so, the bamboo has been putting down an elaborate system of roots that reach out far and wide.
It is an elaborate root system that enables the plant to grow so phenomenally, once nature triggers the above-ground process.
It is also the root system that holds the tall bamboo tree to the ground.
The bamboo tree tells us something about ourselves.
What we are externally is a reflection of what we are internally.
When we are deeply rooted in God and in other values of His kingdom, we will be like that small mustard seed in the gospel parable which grows into a tree which provides shade and shelter and bears fruit.
But to be deeply rooted in God calls for prayer, patience and perseverance.
We may fail and even fall, just as David in the 1st reading failed and fell.
We can become disappointed and discouraged with ourselves and with others.
In such times, let us turn to God in prayer and ask for the grace of patience and perseverance.
With prayer and with patience and perseverance, we will rise and grow tall like the bamboo tree and reach out to God.
Mark 4 : 26-34
We know what a bamboo tree is, and how tall it can grow.
But what we may not know is that after the bamboo is planted, it takes about five years before the bamboo shoots begin to grow.
But once the shoots start growing, they can soar to a great height, to even as high as 100ft, in as short a time as 10 weeks.
Why such a long time of inactivity and how come such a phenomenal growth, we may ask.
Well, during those 5 years or so, the bamboo has been putting down an elaborate system of roots that reach out far and wide.
It is an elaborate root system that enables the plant to grow so phenomenally, once nature triggers the above-ground process.
It is also the root system that holds the tall bamboo tree to the ground.
The bamboo tree tells us something about ourselves.
What we are externally is a reflection of what we are internally.
When we are deeply rooted in God and in other values of His kingdom, we will be like that small mustard seed in the gospel parable which grows into a tree which provides shade and shelter and bears fruit.
But to be deeply rooted in God calls for prayer, patience and perseverance.
We may fail and even fall, just as David in the 1st reading failed and fell.
We can become disappointed and discouraged with ourselves and with others.
In such times, let us turn to God in prayer and ask for the grace of patience and perseverance.
With prayer and with patience and perseverance, we will rise and grow tall like the bamboo tree and reach out to God.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 28-01-10
2 Samuel 7 : 18-19, 24-29
Mark 4 : 21-25
The Book of Psalms in the Bible is accredited to the authorship of King David, although it is quite obvious that there is more than one author.
We use the Psalms in the worship at Mass and also in the Divine Office of the Church.
In many ways, the Psalms expressed the spirituality of King David.
There are psalms of adoration, worship, praise and thanksgiving.
There are also psalms of petitions, contrition, distress and lamentation.
Psalm 8 expresses best the prayer of King David in today's 1st reading.
Psalms 8 begins with this: What is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him.
David was overwhelmed that God not only made him king of a great nation, God also promised to make his descendants into a royal dynasty, from which as we know now, came the Saviour Jesus.
That was why David said : Who am I, Lord, and what is my house that you have led me this far?
Like King David, let us also ask ourselves: Who am I, that the Lord should care for me even though I am sinful, and He sustains my life and fills me with blessings even though I do not deserve it.
Indeed, we could only say that God is merciful and His mercy endures from age to age.
When we truly understand this mercy and love of God for us, then that mercy and love will kindle the flame within us and, like Jesus said in the gospel, we will shine God's love for all to see.
Mark 4 : 21-25
The Book of Psalms in the Bible is accredited to the authorship of King David, although it is quite obvious that there is more than one author.
We use the Psalms in the worship at Mass and also in the Divine Office of the Church.
In many ways, the Psalms expressed the spirituality of King David.
There are psalms of adoration, worship, praise and thanksgiving.
There are also psalms of petitions, contrition, distress and lamentation.
Psalm 8 expresses best the prayer of King David in today's 1st reading.
Psalms 8 begins with this: What is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him.
David was overwhelmed that God not only made him king of a great nation, God also promised to make his descendants into a royal dynasty, from which as we know now, came the Saviour Jesus.
That was why David said : Who am I, Lord, and what is my house that you have led me this far?
Like King David, let us also ask ourselves: Who am I, that the Lord should care for me even though I am sinful, and He sustains my life and fills me with blessings even though I do not deserve it.
Indeed, we could only say that God is merciful and His mercy endures from age to age.
When we truly understand this mercy and love of God for us, then that mercy and love will kindle the flame within us and, like Jesus said in the gospel, we will shine God's love for all to see.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 27-01-10
2 Samuel 7 : 4-17
Mark 4 : 1-20
Jesus started His ministry by teaching in the synagogues.
In today's gospel, we see a switch in style. He goes into the open: at the seashore and the fishing boat becomes the pulpit.
But a more profound switch was from lecture-style teaching to simple parables about everyday life, although the purpose was still the same, i.e. to teach the people about eternal life.
The switch was only natural, because for the common people, stories attract their attention, and they are easy to remember.
But the purpose of Jesus in using stories or parables goes deeper than just getting their attention.
A parable like the sower and the seed tests the hearts of the people, as well as our hearts.
When our hearts are open, we will be able to sense the truth of the teachings of Jesus.
Just as in the 1st reading, the prophet Nathan sensed it was the word of the Lord that was being announced to him and he opened his heart to receive it.
Yet, nonetheless, God will also respect our freedom.
The parables of Jesus contain enough light for us who want to know the truth.
We have the freedom to step into the light of truth, or to remain in the shadow of darkness.
Mark 4 : 1-20
Jesus started His ministry by teaching in the synagogues.
In today's gospel, we see a switch in style. He goes into the open: at the seashore and the fishing boat becomes the pulpit.
But a more profound switch was from lecture-style teaching to simple parables about everyday life, although the purpose was still the same, i.e. to teach the people about eternal life.
The switch was only natural, because for the common people, stories attract their attention, and they are easy to remember.
But the purpose of Jesus in using stories or parables goes deeper than just getting their attention.
A parable like the sower and the seed tests the hearts of the people, as well as our hearts.
When our hearts are open, we will be able to sense the truth of the teachings of Jesus.
Just as in the 1st reading, the prophet Nathan sensed it was the word of the Lord that was being announced to him and he opened his heart to receive it.
Yet, nonetheless, God will also respect our freedom.
The parables of Jesus contain enough light for us who want to know the truth.
We have the freedom to step into the light of truth, or to remain in the shadow of darkness.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Ss Timothy and Titus, Memoria, Tuesday, 26-01-10
2 Timothy 1 : 1-8 / Luke 10 : 1-9 (2024)
One of the ways to motivate people to take on higher responsibilities is to recognize the contributions they are already making and the talents they have.
They need to be affirmed of whatever gifts that God has bestowed upon them so that what they have and what they are doing with it can be reinforced.
When St. Paul chose Timothy and Titus to be bishops of their respective churches, he was not looking merely at their gifts and talents.
In fact, Timothy and Titus were rather young to be the bishops of the churches.
Rather, St. Paul recognized the faith that they had.
And especially for Timothy, St. Paul reminded him of the sincere faith which was handed down from his grandmother and his mother.
St. Paul affirmed Timothy that he saw this faith in him, and that was sufficient for him to lead the church that was entrusted to him.
Here, it is good to remember that faith, is not so much taught as it is caught.
The faith that we have is "caught" from others - our parents, our teachers, our friends, etc.
Hence we have a faith to share, a faith that others are waiting to catch, so that they too will come to know God and believe in Him.
One of the ways to motivate people to take on higher responsibilities is to recognize the contributions they are already making and the talents they have.
They need to be affirmed of whatever gifts that God has bestowed upon them so that what they have and what they are doing with it can be reinforced.
When St. Paul chose Timothy and Titus to be bishops of their respective churches, he was not looking merely at their gifts and talents.
In fact, Timothy and Titus were rather young to be the bishops of the churches.
Rather, St. Paul recognized the faith that they had.
And especially for Timothy, St. Paul reminded him of the sincere faith which was handed down from his grandmother and his mother.
St. Paul affirmed Timothy that he saw this faith in him, and that was sufficient for him to lead the church that was entrusted to him.
Here, it is good to remember that faith, is not so much taught as it is caught.
The faith that we have is "caught" from others - our parents, our teachers, our friends, etc.
Hence we have a faith to share, a faith that others are waiting to catch, so that they too will come to know God and believe in Him.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Conversion of St. Paul, feast, Monday, 25-01-10
Acts 9 : 1-22 / Mark 16 : 15-18 (2024)
Almost everyone is interested in a conversion story and may even get inspired by a conversion story.
Usually what we hear about are the deep experiences leading to the conversion.
What we seldom hear about is the other side of the conversion story.
We seldom get to hear about the sinfulness or its details before the conversion experience. It is deemed too profane and maybe also scandalous.
But in the conversion story of St. Paul, he recounted, almost unabashedly, what he was doing before that experience on the road to Damascus.
And these are not minor sins, because even Jesus Himself had to tell the then Saul : Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me!
But from then on, St. Paul moved on to become the apostle to the Gentiles.
From the history of the Church, we can also see that similar conversion pattern of the great saints who once were great sinners.
There is St. Peter who denied Jesus, and St. Augustine who even wrote about his past sinfulness in his book "Confessions".
But they experienced mercy and the conversion was deep.
So it is with those whom we might call the "sinners of today".
We need to pray for them that they too will experience the grace of conversion as St. Paul did.
And how can we ourselves not admit our sinfulness and the need for on-going conversion?
But the sinners of today can be the saints of tomorrow.
Almost everyone is interested in a conversion story and may even get inspired by a conversion story.
Usually what we hear about are the deep experiences leading to the conversion.
What we seldom hear about is the other side of the conversion story.
We seldom get to hear about the sinfulness or its details before the conversion experience. It is deemed too profane and maybe also scandalous.
But in the conversion story of St. Paul, he recounted, almost unabashedly, what he was doing before that experience on the road to Damascus.
And these are not minor sins, because even Jesus Himself had to tell the then Saul : Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me!
But from then on, St. Paul moved on to become the apostle to the Gentiles.
From the history of the Church, we can also see that similar conversion pattern of the great saints who once were great sinners.
There is St. Peter who denied Jesus, and St. Augustine who even wrote about his past sinfulness in his book "Confessions".
But they experienced mercy and the conversion was deep.
So it is with those whom we might call the "sinners of today".
We need to pray for them that they too will experience the grace of conversion as St. Paul did.
And how can we ourselves not admit our sinfulness and the need for on-going conversion?
But the sinners of today can be the saints of tomorrow.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 23-01-10
2 Samuel 1 : 1-4, 11-12, 17, 19, 23-27 / Mark 3 : 20-21 (2022 / 2026)
We are called Christians. There are many words that can be used to describe who we are and what we do as Christians.
For e.g. we are to be loving and forgiving, generous and kind, merciful and compassionate, etc.
One simple expression could be to say that we are "big-hearted" people.
Big-hearted people are also express love in a big-hearted way.
We not only love our friends and those who are good to us.
We also must rise above our selfishness that tends to make us hate those who hate us and to ignore those who ignore us.
In the 1st reading we could see how David showed he was such a big-hearted person.
He forgave Saul who had persecuted him for so many years.
Not only did he lamented in grief over the death of Saul, he also remembered Saul's good qualities and he also remembered the goodness and love that Johnathan had for him.
Jesus Himself preached and showed the bigness and greatness of love.
But such bigness and greatness of love is not easily understood and accepted by others because they may have become numbed to the selfishness and evil they see so often around them.
Even the relatives of Jesus thought He was out of His mind.
But what is foolishness and madness for the world is indeed the bigness and the greatness of love.
That bigness and greatness is shown on the cross. It is in the cross we encounter the unfathomable bigness and greatness of God's love.
We are called Christians. There are many words that can be used to describe who we are and what we do as Christians.
For e.g. we are to be loving and forgiving, generous and kind, merciful and compassionate, etc.
One simple expression could be to say that we are "big-hearted" people.
Big-hearted people are also express love in a big-hearted way.
We not only love our friends and those who are good to us.
We also must rise above our selfishness that tends to make us hate those who hate us and to ignore those who ignore us.
In the 1st reading we could see how David showed he was such a big-hearted person.
He forgave Saul who had persecuted him for so many years.
Not only did he lamented in grief over the death of Saul, he also remembered Saul's good qualities and he also remembered the goodness and love that Johnathan had for him.
Jesus Himself preached and showed the bigness and greatness of love.
But such bigness and greatness of love is not easily understood and accepted by others because they may have become numbed to the selfishness and evil they see so often around them.
Even the relatives of Jesus thought He was out of His mind.
But what is foolishness and madness for the world is indeed the bigness and the greatness of love.
That bigness and greatness is shown on the cross. It is in the cross we encounter the unfathomable bigness and greatness of God's love.
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