St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Thursday, 01-10-2020

Isaiah 66:10-14 / Matthew 18:1-6     

When St. Therese entered the Carmelite convent, she took on the religious name of Therese of the Child Jesus.

But in popular devotion, she is known by another name: St. Therese the Little Flower.

Besides being easier to remember and to relate with, flowers were some of the images that St. Therese used in describing her simple spirituality.

One of her quotes about flowers is this

“The splendour of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of it’s scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”

St. Therese saw that little and humble things have great value, from the beauty of a little flower to the simple little act of charity.

She offered every little act of love to God for the salvation of others, as she said this:

“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbours’ defects–not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”

Her role of being the Patroness of all Missionaries and Missions is certainly not ordinary or insignificant.

We learn from St Therese the Little Flower that we live out our faith and mission in life, we need to be humble and simple.

In doing simple and little things with great love, we proclaim the Good News of salvation and that God looks up the simple and humble with great love.

26th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 30-09-2020

Job 9:1-13, 14-16 / Luke 9:57-62

To believe in God and to trust in Him is never an easy thing to do.

In fact, we tend to blame God when bad things happen to us and we get angry with Him when things don't go our way.

We treat God our way, and very often it is not a very nice way.

But what if God were to treat us the way we treat Him? Certainly we would shudder and tremble if God were to really do that.

That is what Job was saying in the 1st reading. He asked questions like "How can a man be in the right against God?" "Can anyone be so rash as to challenge Him for reasons?"

Job was suffering and afflicted even though he knew he had done nothing wrong. Yet he knew who he was and who God is, and hence he was almost resigned to the fact that he would have to suffer innocently.

And yet when God became man in Jesus, He did not force people to believe in Him and to trust Him unconditionally.

In fact, Jesus had to reason out with people and put across the reality of facing hardship in following Him.

Yes, believing in Jesus and trusting in Him is never an easy thing to do. We will surely get tired, disappointed, discouraged and grumble against Him and even get angry with Him.

Yet may we also persevere and persist, and keep our hand on the plough and keep going forward with Jesus. To look back may mean going nowhere.

The Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Apocalypse 12:7-12 / John 1:47-51   

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael that are mentioned in the Bible.

Archangels, and angels, are servants of God and in particular, the three archangels are given special missions to carry out God's plan of salvation for humanity.

St. Michael was given the task of leading the army of angels of heaven to fight and defeat and to drive out the devil and the fallen angels out of heaven.

He is the protector of God's people and we turn to him with the "Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel" whenever we face mortal or spiritual dangers.

St. Gabriel was the messenger of God's plan of salvation, firstly to Zechariah when he was offering incense at the Temple, and then to Mary at the Annunciation.

We turn to him for his assistance especially when we have difficulty in proclaiming God's message, whether orally or in written form. 

St. Raphael appeared in the Book of Tobit where he declared  that he was sent by the Lord to heal Tobit of his blindness and to deliver Sarah, his future daughter-in-law, from the demon Asmodeus, who killed every man she married on their wedding night before the marriage can be consummated.

We turn to him for his intercession in times of illness and in praying for a cure.

So in this feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, we ask for their help and intercession as we face the dangers, difficulties and the distress of life.

And we also give thanks to God for sending these His servants and messages to help us in our need and to guide us along the journey of life.

26th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 28-09-2020

Job 1:6-22 / Luke 9:46-50

The term "bucket list" generally means that it is the things that a person wishes to do during his lifetime, or at least before he passes on.

It can be anything from visiting a place or places, or achieving something or possessing something.

Whether all the items in that "bucket list" can be fulfilled is another matter; it may just be a "wish list" and it may not be that critical.

But it is not usual to come up with a "casket list". A so-called "casket list" is a list of items that one wishes to put into the coffin for his burial.

It is not usual in modern time to have a "casket list" but for the pharaohs and emperors in ancient times, there can be a number of items that will go into their tombs, e.g. treasures, possessions and even living human beings.

But we know that it would be pointless to have a "casket list" because we know we can't bring anything to the after-life.

As Job would say it in the 1st reading: Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I shall return.

Yes, the casket and the grave strip us of all our earthly possessions and achievements and even our greatness in the eyes of world.

Whatever "bucket list" or "casket list" would be useless.

The only thing that we can ever bring into our casket and to the grave is God's saving love for us.

In life and in death, it is not about how great we are or have been. It is how great God's love is for us that He saves us and gives us eternal life with Him.

26th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 27.09.2020

Ezekiel 18:25-28 / Philippians 2:1-11 / Matthew 21:28-32

We may have heard of this expression: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. 

Of course, that is more like a childish rebuttal when being teased or scolded or a reaction to some gossip. 

But in reality, it is more like: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will continue to haunt me. 

So, whatever we may think about words, whether it is too many words, or too few words, the power of words cannot be under-estimated. 

Words may not have the force to tear the skin or to break the bones, but words make their way into the heart and are locked in there. 

Kind and encouraging words strengthen the heart and lift up the spirit. 

Harsh and hurtful words contaminate the heart and make it bitter and resentful. 

We will remember that Jesus said this: From what fills the heart, the words will flow. 

But in today’s gospel parable, there seems to be some kind of contradiction. What is being said and what is being done is so different. 

In the parable, the first son was asked to go and work in the vineyard. He said “no” but afterwards thought better of it and went. 

The same thing was said to the second son and he answered, “Certainly, sir,” but he did not go. 

What we often encounter is the second son’s response. Some people will say “yes” to anything that is asked of them, but whether they will accomplish it or fulfill it, that’s another question. 

But the first son’s response and subsequent action is something for us to ponder upon. 

His response is something that is unpleasant to hear. To get a flat and sharp “No” from our children, our employees, our subordinates, it is certainly irritating and insulting. 

Our instinctive reaction would be to use words that hurt and haunt that person until we get compliance and submission. 

This is where the gospel parable teaches us about the ways of God, about His love, His mercy and His compassion, especially for those who disobey Him and turn away from Him. 

God didn’t use lightning and thunder to force them to repent and obey. Of course He could have, but He didn’t. 

Instead God sent John the Baptist to preach the message of repentance. And surprisingly, it was the lowest of sinners, those hopeless sinners, those tax collectors and prostitutes, those were the ones that listened to him and repented. 

And Jesus added on to John the Baptist’s message of repentance with these beautiful words:
For God sent His only Son into the world, not to condemn the world but that through Him the world might be saved. 

We have said “no” to others and it has made them felt hurt, pain, anger and bitterness. 

But let us listen to those loving words of Jesus and repent and do what God wants of us so that there will be peace and Harmony. 

For those who have said “no” to us, let us not use harsh and hurtful words to rebuke them. This will only cause bitterness and resentment. 

Just as God is loving and merciful and compassionate to us so that we can repent, let us also use kind and encouraging words to help others to do what God wants of them.

Let us use words that heal, loving words that come from our heart, so that others will experience the love of God by our words.

25th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 26-09-2020

Ecclesiastes 11:9 -12:8 / Luke 9:43-45  

The spring-time of life is certainly the days of youth when life is light and bright.

Those care-free days are filled with energy and in pursuit of dreams and even the sky may not be the limit.

Yes, as the 1st reading puts it, the time of youth is the time where we follow the promptings of the heart and the desires of the eyes.

And yet it also gives a grim reminder - remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before evil days come and the years approach when you say, "These give me no pleasure."

As we grow in the wisdom of years, we may look back at the days of our youth and feel awkward about what we were chasing after.

Especially for the admiration that we sought from others in trying to carve out a position in life.

In the gospel, Jesus gained the admiration of everyone for all He did.

Yes instead of brimming with pride, Jesus said to His disciples, "For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men."

Of course His disciples didn't understand what He was saying.

What they were seeing is the bright sunshine of dreams and there was no thought of the dark clouds of despair.

But as the 1st reading says, all is vanity. 

Let us be sober and wise and put our hope in God.

Everything will pass away but only God is eternal, and it is in God alone that our life will have meaning and direction.

25th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 25-09-2020

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 / Luke 9:18-22    

Whenever we talk about time, we may ask "What is the time?" or "How much time left?" if we are talking about duration.

If we are busy, we will say "No time ... " or "Don't have time ... "

But when the 1st reading talks about time, it is talking about a significant meaning of time.

It is time that belongs to God and that He is in control of the situations in whatever time they are happening.

It may be a time of happiness or a time of sadness, a time of hope or a time of despair, a time of joy or a time of tears.

We may not fully comprehend or understand the meaning of a particular period of time, but we still must believe that God is present in those times.

As to why God lets something happen, the 1st reading tells us that all God does is apt for its time.

Though God has permitted man to consider time in its wholeness, man cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.

Neither did Peter fully understand what he was saying when he said that Jesus is the "Christ of God".

But in time he will find out and understand what he said.

We too will come to find out and understand why things happen the way they happen.

We only need to believe that all time belong to God and all that happens happen for a reason which we may come to comprehend and understand.

25th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 24-09-2020

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 / Luke 9:7-9      

Earth is estimated to be about 4.54 billion years old, plus or minus about 50 million years.

In contrast, the earliest known humans lived about 2.4 million to 1.4 million years ago.

So the time of existence of human beings is hardly a fraction compared to the age of the earth.

That should make us realise that the earth and nature has been around much much longer than human beings have been.

To say the least, human beings, despite their intelligence and abilities, should respect the earth and the law of nature.

But from the history of humanity, that isn't often the case as human beings tend to be masters of the earth instead of being stewards of God's creation.

So the 1st reading begins with "vanity of vanities" and it poses this question: For all his toil, his toil under the sun, what does man gain by it?

Psalm 90:10 has this to say: Seventy years is the span of our days,or eighty if we are strong. And most of these are toil and pain.They pass swiftly and we are gone.

As one generation comes and goes, the Responsorial Psalm has a prayer to teach us: O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

Yes, we will eventually go back to the Lord, and with that in mind, let our lives not be lived in vain but in giving glory to the Lord, for He is our refuge.

25th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 23-09-2020

Proverbs 30:5-9 / Luke 9:1-6     

The word "enough" is a common word and its meaning is quite obvious in general usage.

As much as it may be obvious in meaning, it may not be so clear in life.

When it comes to possessions, luxury, wealth and riches, when will it be ever enough?

Of course, when it comes to the things of despair and distress, and when we can't take it anymore, then enough is certainly enough.

But it comes to to pleasures and desires, the fact is there is never enough; we want more and more.

In the gospel, Jesus tells His disciples to take nothing for the journey as they go off for the mission of proclaiming the kingdom of God.

It might sound so spartan, but they must believe that God will provide.

But even if we have enough and maybe even more than enough, the 1st reading has a reminder for us.

At the very basics of life, the writer of the Book of Proverbs says this: Keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of bread to eat.

Because surrounded by plenty, we might forget who God is, but on the other hand, in destitution, we might profane the name of God.

Yes, God will provide for our needs, and that is the Good News that we must believe in and live out in our lives.

25th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 22-09-2020

Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13 / Luke 8:19-20    

Water is an amazing natural element.    

Besides being used for cleansing and washing, it is also used in religious rituals.

More importantly, it is used for drinking as we know that dehydration of the human body has more serious consequences than hunger.

In its liquid form, water takes on the shape of the container that it is poured into.

Flowing water is a sign of freshness as well as a sign of the flexibility.

In the 1st reading, it says that like flowing water is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord, who turns it where He pleases.

And not just for the king, but for everyone, the heart is to be like flowing water in the hand of the Lord, who turns it where He pleases.

Those who hear the Word of God and put it into practice should be like flowing water in the hand of the Lord and do His will.

And just like flowing water which gives glory to God with its beauty, so too must our hearts give glory to God by doing His will as we put our hearts in His hand.

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Monday, 21-09-2020

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 / Matthew 9:9-13   

Have we ever wondered what were the thoughts that crossed the mind of St. Matthew as he got up from the customs house to follow Jesus?

Is it the uncertainty of abandoning a stable and profitable job, although it is not a respectable one?

Or is it the apprehension that from that moment on, things are not going to be the same anymore?

But over and above all these thoughts is the great up-lifting feeling that someone had given him respect, dignity and self-worth.

In Jesus, St. Matthew saw the mercy and love of God, who came not to call the virtuous, but sinners.

What St. Matthew saw in Jesus, he too wanted to emulate.

That is also what the 1st reading is telling us : that united in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, we strive to be the Perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ.

Jesus showed St. Matthew who and what he can become.

In turn, St. Matthew showed us in his gospel who and what we can become.

As the call of Jesus crosses and echoes in our hearts, let us answer the call like St. Matthew.

Because it is a call to the fullness of Christ Himself.

25th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 20.09.2020

Isaiah 55:6-9 / Philippians 1:20-24, 27 / Matthew 20:1-16

Whenever there is a presentation that has a few points, we will often hear this when it comes to the last point: “And last but not least …”.

That is to emphasize that the last point is just as important as the first point and just as important as the preceding points. 

So, we generally understand what is “last but not least”. It is a sort of a figure of speech to emphasize the equal importance of the last point to the other preceeding points. 

Most of the time it is applicable to presentations as a figure of speech. 

However, in the reality of life, things may be quite different. 

In this world, we are categorized by our financial and economic worth, we are graded by our abilities and capabilities, we are classified by our intelligence and academic qualifications. 

And that would obviously mean that first is first, and last is last, and in between there would be a huge gap that also makes a big difference. 

We know what it means to be first. There will be medals and trophies, offers and benefits, attention and the limelight, applause and cheers. Being first is certainly a good feeling. 

And if the winner takes it all, then the loser will have to stand small. And if the loser is the last, then there might be nowhere to stand at all. 

As we listen to the gospel, there are many things that the gospel is teaching us. 

Essentially the gospel is teaching us the ways of God, which often is so different from the ways of the world. 

As the 1st reading reminds us, and it is the Lord who speaks: Yes, the heavens are as high above the earth, as My ways are above your ways and My thoughts above your thoughts. 

That would also make us think about the last line of the gospel when Jesus said: The last will be first, and the first, last. 

More than just some kind of reversal of fortunes, it shows who God is and how He looks at the last, the lost, the lowly and the losers. 

The last, the lost, the lowly and the losers often find themselves at the bottom of the barrel and they are often rejected and devalued. 

The world may not look at them or listen to them, but God listens to them. 

Because for the last, the lost, the lowly and losers, they have no one to turn to but God alone. 

And God is close to all who call on Him. 

The gospel teaches us the ways of God and the thoughts of God. The last, the lost, the lowly and the losers also have something to teach us. 

Let us look at them and listen to them and learn from them.

Because they might just be the ones that God has sent to teach us His ways.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 19-09-2020

1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49 / Luke 8:4-15

It is not exactly easy to illustrate a gospel teaching by using stories or examples.

There are times when the gospel teaching is clear-cut but to find an example or story to illustrate it requires time and reflection.

The parable of the sower and the seeds is indeed an excellent story with a divine message.

It is a story in which we are invited not only to listen to it but also to find ourselves being part of it.

It is not a story that we can listen to and go away unchallenged, unchanged and unmoved by what we heard.

Even though we may not be from an agricultural background, yet we can still understand what the parable means to us.

Because every time we read the Bible or hear the scriptures being read and shared, the Word is being sown in our hearts.

How much of God's Word will take root in our hearts and bear fruits in our lives depends on how deeply we want to reflect on the gospel parable we have just heard.

When we are able to reflect upon the truth in the parable, then we will also see the truth about ourselves and also the state of our hearts.

But the fundamental truth is this: Just as God cares about what happens to His Word, He cares more about us who hear His Word.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 18-09-2020

1 Cor 15:12-20 / Luke 8:1-3    

In the Creed, we profess that we believe in life everlasting.

It means that there is a life beyond this life on earth, an after-life, an eternal life.

Our belief in this eternal life, in this everlasting life, comes from our belief in the Resurrection of Christ.

It is because of the Resurrection of Christ that we will understand that our life here on earth is a preparation for the eternal life in heaven.

That is why St. Paul said in the 1st reading that if our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people.

Yes, we will be unfortunate because even though we believe in the Resurrection of Christ, all we care about is life in this world.

But it is the Resurrection of Christ that helps us see the meaning of our life in this world and also helps us to see beyond to the other world.

Because of our belief in the Resurrection of Christ, then we will live out the message of salvation and proclaim the Good News with our lives.

In the gospel, that was what the women did. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and several others provided for Jesus and His disciples out of their own resources.

They knew that what they were doing was not just earthly but for eternity.

May we also come to know what they know and live our lives joyfully here on earth and prepare ourselves for eternal happiness in heaven

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 17-09-2020

 1 Cor 15:1-11 / Luke 7:36-50   

Everyone has a set of beliefs and with those beliefs they live their lives accordingly.

These beliefs may be secular or religious and these beliefs set the directions in life.

Some believe in the power of money, while others believe in charity.

Some believe that might it right, while others believe in gentleness and humility.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul reminded the Corinthians of the gospel that he preached to them, and it is the gospel that they come to believe in and were firmly established.

It is the gospel that will save them, but only if they keep believing in it. 

St. Paul also warned them that believing in anything else will not lead to anything.

We too have come to believe in the saving power of the gospel.

But the gospel also come with challenges. It challenges us to follow Jesus in carrying the cross and to live our lives in humility, charity, gentleness and forgiveness.

But the temptation to do otherwise is also very strong. In the world that we see around us, we see selfishness, greed, injustice and retaliation.

And we succumb to the temptation and forget about the saving power of the gospel.

But God is forgiving and we must turn back to Jesus to be healed and forgiven and strengthened by the gospel.

As Jesus tells us in the gospel, the more we are forgiven, the more we will want to love and live out the gospel.

Love and forgiveness are indeed the saving power of the gospel. Let us continue to believe in it.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 16-09-2020

1 Cor 12:31 - 13:13 / Luke 7:31-35    

Over the past few months, we have seen something that we never thought could have happened.

We have seen high flying companies come a grinding halt.

We have seen empty stadiums, empty concert halls, empty cinema halls.

Where once there were crowds, we now see deserted spaces.

If there is anything that we have to learn from the past few month it could be this:

- Nothing can be so certain and absolute anymore.

- No one is indispensable and everyone can be flexible

- Things can change suddenly and survival is about adaptability.

But there are still more important things to learn from all this.

As the 1st reading puts it: In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Yes, when all is over and gone, love will remain and that love is from God and God alone.

When we can learn this, then we too will become persons of love and continue to grow and bear fruits of love for the world to see.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Tuesday, 15-09-2020

Hebrews 5:7-9 / John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35   

It is not difficult to understand the love a mother has for her children.

A mother carries her baby in her womb for nine months before giving birth to her child.

In a deep sense, it can be said that the mother "knits" her baby in her womb and it is truly flesh from her flesh.

So the intense sorrow of a mother is also understandable when she sees her child being tortured and dies, especially if that is her only child.

The feast of our Lady of Sorrows brings us back to the Cross where Jesus was crucified and hung dying in front of his mother.

In that intense moment of sorrow, the dying Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing near her, and He said to His mother, "Woman, this is your son."

And to the disciple, He said, "This is your mother."

That wouldn't have lessened the sorrow of Mary but even in that painful moment she knew she had let go of her son, the flesh of her flesh, and accept to be the mother of other children that Jesus is giving to her.

This feast of our Lady of Sorrows reminds us that Our Lady cries in sorrow for each of her children who dies in the torment of injustice as Jesus did.

Mary also cries in sorrow when each of her children dies in sin and eternal damnation.

Let us turn away from sin and work for peace and justice and pray with Mary for the conversion of sinner so that the sorrow of all mothers will be consoled.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Monday, 14-09-2020

Numbers 21:4-9 or Philippians 2:6-11 / John 3:13-17  

Life is surrounded by symbols, and these symbols point to a deeper aspect of life which is called mystery. 

In the case of religious symbols, they point to the truth of life which is encompassed in mystery. 

For us Christians, the profound symbol of our faith is the cross. 

Yet the meaning of the cross may not be that explicit because it points to a deep mystery of life and love. 

At first sight, the cross is an instrument of death and suffering. It can be a stumbling block because we want to avoid suffering. 

But with Jesus nailed to the cross, what the cross was meant to do is no longer as important as what God meant it to do. 

In the cross, we see the love of God for humanity, that God came into the world not to condemn the world but to save the world. 

In the cross, we see God offering His love and His life for us. 

In the cross, we see healing and the forgiveness of sins. In the cross, we see the invitation to discipleship, as well as the cost of discipleship. 

In the cross, is not just the symbol of Christianity, but the reality of Christianity. 

When we accept the cross, then we will enter into the mystery of life and love.

When we accept the cross, we become disciples of Jesus and through the cross, we are united with Jesus for the salvation of the world.

24th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 13.03.2020

Ecclesiasticus 27:30 – 28:7 / Romans 14:7-9 / Matthew 18:21-35

When we look at life and ask ourselves what is it that we want in life, the answer can be quite obvious. 

Over and above everything else, we want to be happy, and like how all fairy tales often end, we want to live life happily ever after. 

But it seems that life is never ever happy!

So, whether we are studying or working, single or married, junior or senior or retired, happiness in whatever state of life seems so elusive. 

And because we are not happy in life, we get tired and weary with the burdens and struggles of life. 

But what is really the cause of our unhappiness in life? 

Actually, human beings can take a lot of hardships in life and still be happy. 

But it is the hardness of heart that makes us unhappy. 

And here, the 1st reading points out what it is that causes that hardness of heart. 

The 1st reading begins with this: Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found in the sinner. 

And from resentment and anger flows other foul things like vengeance, hurt, unforgiveness and even hate. 

Yes, all these are foul things, and these foul things make us unhappy, and we also make others unhappy. 

And these foul things cause the heart to be hardened and unhappy. 

Foul things are like rubbish in the house. We need to clear the rubbish in the house, otherwise there will be a bad rotten smell and of course, there will be pest infestation. 

Similarly, we need to clear the foul things in our lives so that our hearts can be clean and happy. 

But we know how difficult it can be. Even the 1st reading has this to say: Mere creatures of flesh, he cherishes resentment. 

Putting it bluntly, and we have to admit it, we like to keep the foul things of resentment, anger, vengeance and unforgiveness, although that doesn’t make us happy at all. 

Jesus came to cleanse us of these foul things so that we can be happy in life. 

On the cross Jesus did not let any of these foul things get into His Heart and He even prayed: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. 

On the Cross, blood and water flowed from His pierced side to cleanse our hearts. 

Let us look at the Cross, and let us embrace the Cross, so that Jesus can heal us with the blood and water from His Heart.

May the blood and water from the Heart of Jesus cleanse us and make us happy and make us holy, so that we too can make others happy and help them to be holy.

23rd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 12-09-2020

1 Corinthians 10:14-22 / Luke 6:43-49   

In almost every religion, food is used in worship as a sign of communion with the deity.

That is why in the worship, some thing is offered for sacrifice.

It can be an animal, or some produce of the land, or some cooked food.

It is offered to the deity, and then the devotees partake of some of the food as a sign of communion with the deity.

Even in our Eucharist, the bread and wine are offered and through the consecration of the priest, we partake of the Body of Christ in communion.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul had to remind the Christians that they are indeed in communion with Christ as they partake of the breaking of bread in the Eucharist.

Yes, they had to be reminded because familiarity can be the death of reverence.

We too can forget that we are in communion with Christ and that Christ lives in our hearts.

From the words that come out of our hearts, we will know how aware we are of the presence of Christ in us.

As Jesus said in the gospel: For a man's words flow out of what fills his heart.

By our words, others will know whether we truly worship God or not.

23rd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 11-09-2020

1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-27 / Luke 6:39-42    

Today is a significant day for the Church of the Sacred Heart.

Because 110 years ago this day, this church was consecrated and began its mission and service to the people of God.

This church was built by Fr. Vincent Gazeau and it took him 4 years of fundraising and building before it was completed in 1910.

It was said that after Fr Gazeau made a novena to the Sacred Heart that the site of an old abandoned soy sauce factory was available to build the church.

And this is where this little modest church is standing now, tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, but offering peace and solace to the tired and weary.

And that is also the reason how this church got its name - The Church of the Sacred Heart.

Fr. Gazeau made the Novena to the Sacred Heart, Jesus heard his prayer, and in thanksgiving Fr. Gazeau dedicated this church to the Sacred Heart.

And this is an inspiration for us who have come to offer our devotion to the Sacred Heart.

We have come with our need and our petitions and our intentions.

Jesus hears our prayers and will grant us our needs.

In thanksgiving we too offer our hearts to Jesus and dedicate our hearts to His Sacred Heart.

Jesus said in the gospel that the fully trained disciple will always be like the teacher.

Let us ask Jesus our Master and Teacher to make our hearts like His.

The world needs to see the loving Heart of Jesus.

May our hearts radiate the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the world and to those in need.

23rd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 10-09-2020

1 Cor 8:1-7, 11-13 / Luke 6:27-38   

Quite often, we take a lot of things for granted and usually it is the good things of life that are taken for granted.

We take clean water, fresh air, good food and a comfortable bed as things that will always be there.

We will only miss it when it is taken away from us or when it is not there any more.

Not only we take good things for granted, we also often take for granted. the people who love and care for us.

To take them for granted may mean that we don't love and care for them as much as they love and care for us.

In the gospel, Jesus says to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us and to pray for those who treat us badly.

That already sounds difficult enough but that is the higher calling for a Christian who wants to follow Jesus.

But if charity begins at home, then let us look at the ones who love and care for us and to ask ourselves if we love them more than they love us.

If we can love those who love us, then we will be ready to move out and to love those that  Jesus is calling us to love.

May our Lord Jesus grant us His love to fulfill our mission of love.

23rd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 09-09-2020

1 Cor 7:25-31 / Luke 6:20-26 

When everything comes to almost a standstill, it makes us start to think about life.

The recent experience of the last few months was like a standstill and we literally had to be cooped up in our homes.

We are like stopped in our tracks and being at a standstill, we begin to look around and reflect about our lives.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul urged to Corinthians to take a break and stop, so that they can reflect about what is going on with their lives.

The reason for doing so, as St. Paul puts it, is that time is growing short and the world as they know it is passing away.

But we can only come to realise that when we stop and start to look around and think about what life is all about.

The joys and hopes that we have, the troubles and difficulties that we face, should make us think about what the present life is all about.

But it should also make us think of the eternal life to come.

We need to take a stop, so that we look up to the heavens and see that there is where we must go because that is where we belong.

The Nativity of the B V Mary, Tuesday, 08-09-2020

Micah 5:1-4 or Romans 8:28-30 / Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 

Usually the Church commemorates and honours the saints at their death anniversary.

The death anniversary as their entry into heaven and rewarded with eternal life with God for their lives of service and sacrifice on earth.

The nativity, or birth, is only celebrated for Jesus Christ at Christmas, and also for Mary and for John the Baptist.

The reason for this is found in the singular mission each had in salvation history, but traditionally also because these alone were holy in their very birth.

St. John the Baptist was sanctified in St Elizabeth's womb and he leapt for joy (Lk 1:15). He was be the herald of the coming of the Saviour

For Mary, it was her Immaculate Conception. She was to be the Mother of the Son of God and her birth signalled the beginning of God's plan of salvation that was to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

For Mary, she had a mission in life, and she was faithful to that mission and fulfilled that mission.

Each of us too have a unique mission in life. It is in the plan of God that each of us will have a unique role in the ministry of salvation.

Let us ask Mary to pray for us that we will come to realise what our mission is and to be faithful to it and fulfill it for the glory of God, just as Mary did.

23rd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 07-09-2020

1 Cor 5:1-8 / Luke 6:6-11   

When we say that an act is wrong in the immoral sense, it means that it has broken some objective moral norms.

Not only has it broken some moral norms, it may not even be socially acceptable.

What St. Paul pointed out in the 1st reading was a case of sexual immorality in the Christian community, but it was so serious that it seemed unparalleled even among the pagans.

Christians are called to live a moral life that should be an edifying example to the pagans and not anything less that even the pagans would deem as scandalous.

Equally as important as the moral life is the life of charity to which Christians are called in following Jesus.

In the gospel, Jesus sets the example of morality and charity when He cured the man with a withered hand on the sabbath.

To those who were watching Him in order to catch Him doing something wrong, Jesus asked this question: Is it against the law on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?

Morality and charity are like the two sides of the same coin.

It is our moral duty to help those in need and to be charitable always.

May we have the courage to do as Jesus did, and to know that God sees what we are doing and He knows why we are doing it.

23rd Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 06.09.2020

Ezekiel 33:7-9 / Romans 13:8-10 / Matthew 18:15-20

It is said that a problem isn’t really a problem if it can be solved by money. 

That is quite true because as long as the solution to a problem is money, then the question is whether there is the money or not. 

So if the problem is hunger and what is needed is food, then what is needed will be money to buy the food and the problem is solved. It is almost as straightforward as that. 

That can be applicable to almost any physical and material problem. If money can solve the problem, then it is not really that big or that serious a problem. 

But a more complex matter would be human relationship problems. 

As we know by now, human relationships are so complex and if there are problems, money may only solve part of the problem but certainly not the whole problem. 

Especially so when we try to correct someone or tell that person that what he is doing is wrong. We all know how difficult it can be. 

In the gospel, Jesus gives a rather straight-forward method of correcting someone or telling him that what he is doing is wrong. 

Initially it is one-to-one, and if that doesn’t work, then two or three others are to be called upon, and if that still doesn’t work, then it it will have to involve the community. 

And finally if all that doesn’t solve the problem, then that person is to be treated like a pagan or a tax collector. 

That seems straight-forward enough. But does treating that person as a pagan or a tax collector means to cut him off and don’t bother about that person anymore? 

We need to listen to Jesus as He says this: I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them. 

What Jesus said makes us aware of the power of prayer and the power of intercession, even if it is only two or three who are gathered in Jesus’ name. Because He promised that He will be there.

 

The mission of the Church and our mission is for the conversion and the salvation of sinners and those who do not believe in God. 

We must believe that such prayers for sinners and non-believers are heard by Jesus because He said that when two or three agree to ask anything, then it will be granted by God. 

More so when it comes to trying to correct a person or tell him that he has done something wrong. 

We must have recourse to the power of prayer and also have recourse to the power of community prayer. 

Let us trust in Jesus and in His promises. Let us offer up our prayers at this Mass as well as during the online community prayers. 

The world needs to experience the saving love of God specially in these times. 

Money cannot buy that love. Only prayer and especially community prayer will open heavens and God will hear our prayers and rain down His love on us and on the world.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 05-09-2020

1 Corinthians 4:6-15 / Luke 6:1-5

A maxim is a written set of principles or rules of conduct.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul used this word to state a simple principle or rule and that is "Keep to what is written".

Most probably he was referring to the Scriptures and to the written set of teachings that were handed to the Christian community at Corinth.

He made recourse to that maxim because the Christians at Corinth were beginning to interpret the teachings to their own convenience and advantage.

What was too demanding and affected them personally they would give leeway for themselves and go with the broadest possible options.

St. Paul wanted to bring them to their senses and to help them see the truth and the reality of their spiritual deterioration.

Yet in the gospel, it was the Pharisees who were harping on keeping to the Law of the Sabbath.

But their intention was to reinforce and propagate their religious fundamentalist ideas.

But it is not a question of rigidity or laxity when it comes to religious teachings.

Jesus came to teach us the Truth so that we will have freedom when we keep to His teachings.

In Jesus, we have the Truth who will lead us to the Way of Life.

Let that be our spiritual maxim.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 04-09-2020

1 Cor 4:1-5 / Luke 5:33-39 

A servant is understood as one who is paid for what he is supposed to do and only needs to obey instructions.

In other words, a servant can be considered as a worker who works for his wages and he may also be given certain responsibilities.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul says that people must think of Christians as Christ's servants.

But more than mere servants, he also called Christians as stewards who are entrusted with the mysteries of God.

And what is expected of God's stewards is that each one should be found worthy of his trust.

As Christians, we are Christ's servants and we are also stewards of the mysteries of God.

We do not work for any material gain, for we know that our reward will be given by Christ Himself.

We are entrusted with the mission of proclaiming the love of God in the world as God has called us and entrusted His love to us.

So people must be able to see us as representatives of God and signs of His loving presence in the world.

When we are able to fulfill that mission, then this world will be able to come to know that God lives in us and we are the messages of the Good News of God's love.

Let us pray that we will be found worthy stewards of God's love on earth and God will be our eternal reward in heaven.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 03-09-2020

1 Cor 3:18-23 / Luke 5:1-11 

A cup that is filled with water cannot be filled anymore as the water will overflow out of the cup.

That is obvious and it doesn't require much thinking to know that.

But what may require some thinking is what St. Paul said in the 1st reading: if any of you thinks of himself as wise, in the ordinary sense of the word, then he learn to be a fool before he really can be wise.

Although St. Paul elaborated further on that, yet we will still wonder what it means by "he must learn to be a fool before he really can be wise".

We might think that it doesn't take much to be a fool.

But on further reflection, it is like a cup of water. No fresh water can be poured into the cup unless whatever water in it is poured out.

For Peter, he knows what it means to pour out the water. When Jesus told him to put out into deep water and pay out the nets for a catch, he had to decide.

He had worked hard all night long and caught nothing. Will he catch anything just because Jesus said so?

But he emptied his pride and ego and did as Jesus told him and he got that miraculous catch of fish.

But the greater miracle was that Peter didn't let his pride and ego get into the way.

Let us also learn to let go of our pride and ego and learn to be wise in the ways of God. That would be the miracle of our lives.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 02-09-2020

1 Cor 3:1-9 / Luke 4:38-44 

One of the things that are among the top in our prayer list is to pray for good health.

Certainly we know the importance of good health, and we would even say that health is wealth.

And we also know how paralysing illness and sickness can be and how depressing it is to be lying on a hospital bed.

Jesus came to proclaim the Good News of salvation and He also cured illness and diseases.

And there was one other thing that He did - He cast out devils and evil spirits.

Equally as important, if not more important that physical health, is spiritual health.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul pointed out the spiritual health of the Corinthians in that there was jealousy and wrangling.

That caused division in the community. He urged them to be united as fellow workers with God.

If there is division in the community, that is a sign of the unhealthy state of spiritual health.

Let us turn to Jesus and ask Jesus to cast out all the evil in us so that we can be spiritually healthy and work for unity as fellow workers with God.