Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 / 1 Peter 3:15-18 / John 14:15-21
It is said that Singapore is a fine country and we are certainly proud of that.
But another aspect is a play on the word “fine”, and it is in the penal sense.
If Singapore is a fine country, then it is because of its strict rules and regulations.
If ever a rule or regulation is broken, a fine is certainly to be expected. And needless to say, the more serious the offense, the heavier will be the fine or the punishment.
And recently, many new prohibitions have been enforced, like wearing masks, no socializing, no dining at food outlets and restaurants, etc.
Failure to comply with these rules and regulations will result in a hefty fine, and it would be really foolish to throw away money like that.
But we should know by now what is the purpose of those rules and regulations. It is for our safety as well as the safety of others.
To flout those rules and regulations would mean that we are socially irresponsible and defiant and also immature.
Mature people should be able to see the rationale of the rules and regulations, as well as question those that are impractical or archaic.
As for us Christians, what would be the basis of discernment when it comes to rules and regulations?
In the gospel, Jesus said to His disciples: If you love me, you will keep My Commandments.
So the basis of our discernment about rules and regulations and about our faith and our morals is our love for Jesus and keeping to His Commandments and to what He has taught us.
And to help us to love Jesus and to keep his Commandments, Jesus also sends us the Spirit of Truth to help us understand the truth of God and the truth about ourselves.
It is with love and truth that we will be able to keep the commandments of Jesus and love as He has loved us.
One of the fundamental teachings of Jesus can be found in the Beatitudes.
When Jesus says that the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven, we know in practical terms that God blesses the humble and the happiest people are the givers and not the getters.
When Jesus says that happy are the gentle, we will also realize that being gentle is a God-given strength. On the other hand, the first victim of our temper is ourselves.
When Jesus says that happy are the merciful, we are reminded to be kind and careful with our words. The tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart with harsh and hurting words.
So our love for Jesus will help us to understand the truth of life, and the Spirit of truth will help us grow in our love for Jesus.
When we can love others as Jesus has loved us, then we have become fully matured as disciples of Jesus.