18th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 03-08-2026

Jeremiah 28:1-17 / Matthew 14:22-36 (gospel for Year A)

The ability to imagine is really quite amazing.

It goes beyond the confines of logic to something abstract, but still could be possible.

When imagination runs wild, then it is like wild horses running everywhere.

But when the imagination looks at the reality, then imagination can become a possibility.

In the first reading, the prophet Hananiah imagined the liberation of Judah from the power of Babylon.

He even broke the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and declared that in two years’ time, Judah would be freed from the yoke of Babylon.

The prophet Hananiah let his imagination run wild and did not listen to the prophet Jeremiah about the warnings of the prophets of the past.

In the end, the prophet Hananiah and Judah ended up in tragedy.

In the gospel, in the midst of a heavy sea and in fear, the imagination of the disciples in the boat ran wild as they thought that Jesus was a ghost.

Even Peter imagined that he could walk on water.

Yes, imagination can lead to creativity, but let us also imagine with faith and also by listening to the Word of God.

Then, led by the Spirit of God, our imagination will help us see the possibilities that God is showing us.

18th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 02.08.2026

Isaiah 55:1-3 / Romans 8:35, 37-39 / Matthew 14:13-21  

It is often said that life is short.

But of course, it depends on how we look at it.

According to the data from the Department of Statistics, the average life expectancy for Singaporeans is 84 years.

84 years may seem like a long time, but the focus has shifted towards extending healthy years.

But regardless of whether life is long or short, one thing is certain, and that is life has its problems.

The problems in life can be generally divided into two categories: problems that are within, and external problems, or other people's problems.

The problems within are problems that we face with ourselves.

So, there are health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, overweight. These are just some of the health problems.

And then, there are emotional problems, problems in the family, in marriage, in school, at work, and even in retirement.

These problems wear us down and we feel drained out in life.

What we don't need, and don't want, is to be involved with other people's problems.

Our first reaction would be to say, "That is not my problem."

We may just want to push it away by bluntly saying to the other person, "Go and solve your own problem."

But life is not as clear-cut as that, because there is some kind of connection between our problems and other people's problems.

In the Gospel, Jesus received the news of the death of John the Baptist.

He then wanted to withdraw to a lonely place with His disciples where they could be alone by themselves. 

The life of John the Baptist ended abruptly when he was executed by Herod. 

Jesus was affected by that, and He wanted some time to think about life and its meaning. 

But when Jesus stepped ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He took pity on them and healed their sick. 

Jesus has His needs, and the people also had their needs. 

But when Jesus saw the crowds, what He saw were not problems; what He saw was people. 

Jesus saw people who needed God, people who had problems that they cannot solve, and they came to Jesus because they saw God in Jesus. 

In His own need, Jesus also understood the people, and so He went to them to heal their sick. 

Jesus wasn't just a problem solver or a miracle worker. 

Jesus is the Saviour, and He showed how God is saving the people by taking on their problems in life. 

In this, we can then understand that God solved our sinful human problem by sending us Jesus to be with us, and to be like us, in all things, except sin. 

But the disciples did not quite understand that. 

When evening came, the disciples saw a problem coming up. 

There was a crowd of 5,000, not counting women and children. 

They were hungry, there was not enough food, and it was getting dark. 

The disciples saw a problem, and they didn't want it to be their problem. 

So, they said to Jesus, “Send the people away.” 

Yes, send them away and let them solve their own problem. 

But Jesus said, "There is no need for them to go. Give them something to eat yourselves." 

The disciples tried to protest, "All we have with us is five loaves and two fish." 

And Jesus said this, "Bring them here to me." 

Whenever we face the problems of life, whether it is our own problems or other people's problems, let us remember those five words of Jesus, "Bring them here to me." 

Our human tendency is to say, "That is not my problem." 

But, let us not say that because we might just end up with a bigger problem. 

Rather, let us listen to Jesus telling us, "Bring them here to me." 

In the hands of Jesus, problems become possibilities, and possibilities will turn into realities. 

So, whether it is our problem or other people's problems, let us bring them to Jesus.

In the hands of Jesus, miracles are realities. We just need to believe. 

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 01-08-2026

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24 / Matthew 14:1-12   

Some people may have the power and the might to force people to submit to their demands.

They may even push it further to commit injustice and oppression.

In other words, just because they have power and might, they bully others.

In the first reading, the priests and the prophets demanded for the death of Jeremiah because he prophesied against the city.

They would have had it their way, but Jeremiah reminded them that he was sent by the Lord Himself to say all those words.

And finally, Jeremiah gave them this chilling warning: 

“But be sure of this, that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and on its citizens, since the Lord has truly sent me to you to say all these words in your hearing.

That statement woke up the city officials and all the people, and they believed in Jeremiah.

In the gospel, when Herod heard about the reputation of Jesus, he said, “This is John the Baptist himself; he had risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Herod shed innocent blood by beheading him at the request of the daughter of Herodias.

That shedding of innocent blood haunted him and the shadow of John the Baptist hung over him.

The two readings remind us to always do what is true, right and good.

We are also reminded not to commit injustice and oppression when we are in a position of authority.

We must remember that any power or authority is given to us by God so that we will always do what is right and just.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 31-07-2026

Jeremiah 26:1-9 / Matthew 13:54-58 

There are two things in life that give us some kind of security and stability.

And that is routine and familiarity.

To do the same thing day in day out might sound boring.

But it does give us the peace of mind that everything is stable and secure.

However, if our routine and familiarity is shaken, then we will become irritated and annoyed.

In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah preached God's call to repentance at the Temple.

But the priests and people threaten to execute him for speaking hard truths.

Because they thought that the Temple will keep them safe and they can continue with their familiar rituals and practices.

They did not think, nor believe, that God would ever let the Temple be destroyed.

In the gospel, it was the people’s familiarity with Jesus that made them question His background.

Jesus did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

So when our routine and familiarity is shaken and disturbed, let us not get irritated and annoyed.

Let us reflect and ponder, and see if there is a meaning and a message for us.

It is in listening to God and doing what He wants of us that will keep us safe and secure.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 30-07-2026

Jeremiah 18:1-6 / Matthew 13:47-53

Strength and hardness are qualities that are highly regarded.

So metals like titanium is known for its high strength, low density, and strong resistance to rust.

But if it is subjected to oxygen contamination, or low temperatures, or improper alloying, then it can become brittle and break easily.

Similarly clay vessels are hard and durable, but they can also be easily broken.

In the first reading, God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house and to observe what the potter is doing.

Whenever the vessel came out wrong, the potter could start afresh while the clay is still soft.

It was a reminder to the people that God can do whatever He wanted to them if they did wrong.

But the other message is also that if the people were soft like the clay in the potter’s hand, then God can form them with love and faithfulness.

In the gospel parable of the dragnet, it is a reminder for us that this world has many types of people, just as there are many types of fish.

We may be affected by some people’s unkind actions and we can succumb to the hardening of our heart against these people.

But let us remember that all judgement belongs to the Lord our God.

Let our hearts be soft like the clay in the potter’s hand and God will shape us into a beautiful creation.

Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Wednesday, 29-07-2026

1 John 4:7-16 / John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42  

Whenever we talk about St. Martha, the image of an active and work-oriented as well as task-oriented person comes to mind.

That may be because of that occasion (Luke 10:38-42)when she invited Jesus to her home and she was caught up with all the serving.

And then she complained to Jesus about getting her sister Mary to help her with the work.

But Jesus told her that she worried and fret about so many things and yet only one was important, and Mary had chosen the better part.

Martha must have remembered what Jesus said to her, and so despite the sadness and grief over her brother's death, she knew that only Jesus could comfort her.

And true to her personality, she made the move to go out and meet Jesus and to express her faith in Jesus.

But on this occasion, she also made a profound proclamation.

Martha proclaimed Jesus to be Christ, the Son of God.

Only St. Peter had made that similar proclamation.

Hence, St. Martha, despite her active and work-oriented and task-oriented personality, came to slowly recognize who Jesus is.

St. Martha is an example for us of someone who is active and busy but yet took the time to reflect and to discover who Jesus is.

Like St. Martha we may also have very active lives and busy with a lot of things.

But let us not forget the one important thing - prayer!

And that is what St. Martha’s sister, St. Mary, reminds us of. She gives us this example of sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to Him. Prayer is about listening to the Lord.

It is in prayer that we will attain the peace to know that Jesus is truly the Son of God, our Saviour.

When we have that peace, we won’t worry and fret about the unnecessary.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 28-07-2026

Jeremiah 14:17-22 / Matthew 13:36-43   

Nobody likes to be punished, even if they deserve it.

And there is also the question of the value of punishment on those who are guilty.

Other than feeling the pain of the wrong that was done, the other thing could be that it would act as a deterrent.

In the first reading, the people of God were severely punished for their sinfulness and unfaithfulness to the Lord.

But it also must be said that they were given warning after warning, and prophets were sent to them to call for repentence.

But they did not heed the warnings and even persecuted and killed the prophets.

So God had to punish them severely enough to wake them up from their sinful stupidity.

But in the same first reading, God also expressed His pain over seeing His people being punished.

It is similar to the pain of a parent who had to punish his stubborn and rebellious child to wake him up.

In the gospel is the familiar parable of the wheat and the darnel, and also the obvious meaning of the judgement at the end of the world.

Yes, the subjects of the evil one must face their punishment.

But a thought would be how did they become subjects of the evil one?

At the end of the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah cried out for the sinful people:

O our God, you are our hope.

If we are Christian and virtuous enough, let us pray for those who are under the bondage of the evil one.

It is with our hope in the Lord our God that those subjects of the evil one will be converted and saved.