29th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 22-10-2024

Ephesians 2:12-22 / Luke 35-38  

There is one thing that we can say about life, and that is it doesn’t usually happen as planned.

We may make a “to-do” list, but at the end of the day, if we can get half of it done, it can be considered an accomplishment.

We may even plan to do only one thing, and yet we may not even manage to get started on it.

That is because life is full of surprises.

And more likely than not, we may not be that delighted about it.

So when Jesus tells us to be dressed for action and to have our lamps lit, it means one thing.

And that is we are to be prepared for surprises.

But when we see these surprises as promptings from God, then we will know that God is going to show us something wonderful.

And with prayer, our hearts will recognize these surprises as revelations from God.

And we will also understand that when life don’t go according to our plans, then God is planning something much better for us.

29th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 21-10-2024

Ephesians 2:1-10 / Luke 12:13-21   

It is said that there are two important moments in our lives.

One is when we are born. The other is when we know why we came into this world.

We know that when we were born, we came into this world with nothing.

Then our human instinct for survival kicks in, and we want everything to keep us alive and also to live a comfortable life and have security.

So we exist to survive and, as the 1st reading puts it, we desire for the sensual life and physical desires. 

Like the rich man in the gospel parable, we only think of ourselves and want as much as we can.

Yet, we forget that we cannot bring anything with us when we leave this world.

And in our selfishness, we also forget that there is always enough for everyone’s need and never enough for everyone’s greed.

But when we think about why we came into this world, and the meaning of our lives, then God can reveal something to us.

God sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world to save us and to tell us that we are God’s work of art.

When we realise that, then we know that we are God’s treasure that brings beauty and charity to our needy world.

Let us be God’s work of art for others so that they will also come to know why they came into this world.

Mission Sunday 2024, 20.10.2024

Isaiah 2:1-5 / Ephesians 3:2-12 / Mark 16:15-20

The word “go” gives the idea that there is a movement. 

The word “go” is usually followed by a phrase that indicates some kind of activity. 

So, it could be go for a meal. Or go for a walk. Or go shopping. Or go somewhere for holiday. 

Those kinds of activities give a sense that the activity is enjoyable and relaxing, and we look forward to it. 

But it may not be so for all activities that follow after the word “go”. 

To go for a meeting may be boring if we just have to be present and listen to presentations. On the other hand, it could be stressful if we have to give a presentation to our bosses. 

So, we would like to know what it is that is after the word “go”. Like … go away? Or, do what? Or, meet who? 

In the gospel, Jesus tells His disciples to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. 

He told them that they will be given gifts that will show that they are God's messengers. 

In His name, they will cast out devils, they will have the gift of tongues, they will pick up snakes in their hands, they will be unharmed should they drink the poison, they will lay hands on the sick who will recover. 

So, they went out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the message of salvation with signs from God. 

But the mission is not without difficulties or danger. There was rejection and persecution. 

Some had to lay down their lives in witness to the Good News. 

But the mission continued to this day and the mission reminds us of this: that the Good News is a divine message and not a human initiative. 

And because it is a divine message, it comes with blessings for the messenger as well as for the listener. 

The gospel tells us that Jesus ascended to heaven, and there at the right hand of God, He took His place. 

The right hand of God is the sign and the symbol of the power and the blessing from God. 

Jesus gives us the power to proclaim the Good News and He gives us His blessing to carry it out. 

Mission Sunday is a call to discover God's gift in us and to discern our mission as Christians.

If we have a St. Benedict's medal, we will see that on one side is a symbol of the Cross with some inscriptions around it. 

On the other side is a figure of St. Benedict holding a Cross on one hand and a book on the other. 

St Benedict used the Cross to preach the Good News. The book is the rule that he used to promote the monastic life. That was Saint Benedict's calling. 

Then there's also the image of a raven carrying a loaf of bread and its beak, and there is also a cup with a snake crawling out of it. 

The story is that the enemies of St. Benedict wanted to harm him by poisoning his bread and drink.

But when St. Benedict said the blessing over his food, a raven came along and carried the bread away, and a snake crawled out of the cup. 

So, the Lord Jesus protected St. Benedict from harm as he carried out his mission

And the Lord Jesus will also protect us when we respond to His call to go and proclaim the Good News

On this Mission Sunday, let us ask Jesus to help us discover our gifts and to respond to His call. 

And as we go forth to be messengers of the Good News, Jesus will work with us and He will give us the signs to confirm the truth of the message.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 19-10-2024

Ephesians 1:15-23 / Luke 12:8-12   

People are born with different levels of IQ, and we can say those who have a higher level of IQ are gifted.

Similarly people are born with different levels of EQ, and we can say that those with a higher level of EQ are also gifted.

But somehow we don't seem to say that people are born with different levels of SQ (spiritual quotient); yet it cannot be denied that human beings also have a spiritual dimension - human beings have a soul.

Whatever levels of SQ each of us may have, what is important is that the gift of faith opens up the spiritual qualities in us and brings it to blossom.

That was why St. Paul gave thanks in the 1st reading when he heard of the faith of the Ephesians that blossomed into love for God and others.

And he prayed that the Holy Spirit will give them wisdom and perception so that their knowledge of the spiritual life will be deepened and that they will live in the hope of the promises of God for eternal life.

More importantly would be that they will understand deeper that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the manifestation of the power of God over every Sovereignty, Authority, Power and Domination.

Indeed, God works through the power of the Holy Spirit in the Resurrection of Jesus and also in the spiritual life of the Church and believers.

And it is with the power of the Holy Spirit that we will be able to openly declare our faith in Jesus Christ.

It is with the power of the Holy Spirit that we will know what to say or do. May we pray to the Holy Spirit so that our spiritual life will blossom and bring forth fruits of the Spirit.

St. Luke, Evangelist, Friday, 18-10-2024

2 Tim 4:10-17 / Luke 10:1-9  

St. Luke was not one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus, but he is venerated as the Evangelist who wrote the fourth gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. 

Although he was not mentioned in the gospels, he is featured in the epistles of St. Paul of  the New Testament.

He is mentioned in the 1st reading of today. St. Paul mentioned about him in only five words - Only Luke is with me.

And that said volumes about St. Luke because St. Paul was suffering persecution and abandonment and his only source of consolation was that he had the company of St. Luke, and by mentioning that, it showed how much St. Paul appreciated him.

Furthermore, it was nearing the end of St. Paul's life in Rome that St. Luke was keeping him company and that was a testimony of how much St. Luke was involved in the ministry of the early Church as well as of his faith and character.

St. Luke knew first hand the challenges and difficulties of the mission of proclaiming the Good News and also the commitment and the sacrifices that are involved.

As we read about his account in the gospel of Jesus sending out His disciples, we can sense that it was from the depths of his missionary experience that he wrote it.

Yes, we are being sent out to proclaim the Good News but it is like lambs being sent among wolves.

Yet in the midst of danger and difficulties, let us keep in mind how St. Luke kept St. Paul company.

It is in keeping company with each other in unity and peace that we are able to face the wolves and proclaim the Good News of God's saving love.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 17-10-2024

Ephesians 1:1-10 / Luke 11:47-54  

Have we ever wondered what would life be like if we are not a Christian?

Would we think that we would be happier since we would be free from all those Christian moral obligations?

Not that we would go around living immoral lives and committing evil without any conscience.

We would be happy just living good and peaceful lives.

But the world is a rough and tough place, and inevitably we would be hardened by the injustice and unfairness that we will face.

Jesus faced persecution when He addressed the evil and wickedness of the people of His time.

And as Christians, we would also face some kind of persecution when we stand up for what is right and just.

But we are Christians not because we chose to be, but it was God who chose us in Christ.

And as Christians, God blesses us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven.

With God’s blessings, we will stand up and witness for what is right and just, and what is good and loving.

And with God’s blessings, we will also be happy Christians.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 16-10-2024

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

No one likes to be criticized or to be told of their faults and failings.

Instinctively, we will be defensive and we will counter-criticize the other person.

That is usually how relationships turn sour and may even turn violent.

In the gospel, Jesus pointed out the faults and failings of the Pharisees, 

A lawyer reacted by saying that Jesus was insulting them too.

We certainly don’t like to be insulted, whether directly or indirectly.

But let us take a moment to check our instinctive reactions.

When we cringe or get angry when others criticize us, then it could be that they have pointed out something that we don’t want to acknowledge about ourselves.

It could be a case that others see the smoke but we don’t want them to see the fire.

But as the 1st reading says, when we are led by the Spirit, we will have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When faced with criticism and negative remarks, let us ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of self-control.

May the Holy Spirit direct us to see our faults and failings so as to rise to a life in the Spirit.