Chinese New Year, 01.02.2022

Numbers 6:22-27 / James 4:13-17 / Matthew 6:31-34

On this first day of the Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, one of the “must-do” things is to pay respects to our parents. 

So, even before thinking about the “ang pows”, the feasting and the other festive celebrations, the age-old tradition on this first day of the New Year focuses on relationships. 

We will pay respect and honour our parents by wishing them blessings of health and happiness, peace and joy. 

And even if they had passed on, they will be present in our memories and prayers and the relationship lives on. 

More than just a cultural tradition of filial piety, paying respects and honouring our parents is a divine commandment. 

God wants us to honour our parents because they are a blessing for us. From our parents we have received life and love. 

And we in turn are to be a blessing for them as we offer them our prayers and well wishes. 

In the gospel, Jesus tells us not to worry because God our Father knows what we need. 

Jesus tells us to set our hearts on His kingdom and on His righteousness, and all the other things will be given to us. 

The righteousness of God is rooted in relationships. 

That is why it is important to honour our parents and to respect them because that is the will of God, and that is also the expression of a righteous relationship with our parents. 

And from that, all the other aspects of our lives will be made right because Jesus promised that the other things in life will be given to us. 

Indeed, the celebration of the New Year is a celebration of relationships. 

We have also come to Church to offer God our Father our thanksgiving and to pledge our obedience and faithfulness. 

We also offer our prayers and petitions as we ask the Lord our God for His blessings and protection. 

May the Lord God bless us, bless our parents, bless our families, bless our relatives, bless our friends and colleagues. 

May the Lord God let His face shine on us, may He be gracious to us and grant us peace and joy. 

May God our Father keep us his children united in a loving relationship with Jesus His Son and with one another.

4th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 31-01-2022

2 Sam 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13 / Mark 5:1-20   

Just as every thing that happens has a reason, every action also has a reason.

And the person behind the action has a reason for doing so.

The reason or reasons as to why a person does a particular action may or may not be obvious.

In the 1st reading, the reason why Absalom plotted against his father David could be that he was ambitious and wanted to be king.

The reason why Shimei cursed David could be that since he was of the clan of Saul's family, he wanted to show his disgust against David.

And why David did not retaliate could be because he knew he had done wrong and he rather submit to the Lord humbly than to take things into his own hands.

In the gospel, the reason why the man had an unclean spirit in him was unknown and he was causing a terrifying disturbance.

We too have reasons for doing what we did or intend to do.

Let us place our reasons and intentions before the Lord in prayer and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us discern.

Then whatever we do, it will be for the glory of God and for the good of others.

4th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 30.01.2022

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 / 1 Cor 12:31 – 13:13 / Luke 4:21-30

With the Lunar New Year festival coming up, some of the yearly cultural traditions will be observed. 

Of course, in keeping with the safety measures, there still can be the reunion dinner, paying respects to elders, visiting relatives and that usual feasting. 

The New Year means a new beginning and one of the expressions of that new beginning is to wear new clothes on the first day of the New Year. 

It's a symbol of a new outlook as well as a new look, and also a symbol of a new hope. 

After all, at least for that once-a-year occasion, everything from top to toe can have a brand-new look. 

But of course, the externals are a reflection of an internal renewal of a renewed direction and purpose. 

When Jesus came back to His hometown, He may not be wearing new clothes, but there was something different about Him. 

And as He preached, the people were astonished by the gracious words that came from His lips. 

But the people didn't want, or didn't accept, that something has changed in that there is something different about Jesus. 

For them, He was still the son of Joseph the carpenter. And they don't expect the son of a carpenter to preach or teach, and with such gracious words. 

Jesus was aware of their biasness and their mindset, and so He brought up two instances when God Himself did the unexpected for outsiders, outsiders who are not of the Chosen People. 

God blessed the widow of the Sidonian town and He granted a healing to Naaman the Syrian. 

Of course, the people were offended and even and enraged, and they couldn't take it anymore from Jesus, and they even wanted to get rid of Him immediately. 

Obviously, the people's minds were closed and they were offended by what Jesus said although it was the truth. 

But closed minds are like stagnant water. Over time it will become polluted and unpleasant. 

The gospel account shows how people's minds can be closed up and they can even turn violent when offended. 

But the prophetic voice of the Gospel is also sounding out to us about certain aspects of ourselves. 

When we are told about certain aspects of ourselves which seems unfavourable to us and disturbs us, what will be our reaction? 

We may cringe and feel offended, which was how the people in the gospel reacted. 

Even though it could be the truth, it could also sting our hearts and minds. 

And then we might just busy ourselves feeling offended and even be obsessed with it. 

Our minds and hearts become like stagnant water that is getting polluted and toxic. 

Jesus came to bring us the truth of love, and the truth will set us free when we want to stop feeling offended and be free from being obsessed by it. 

The 2nd reading tells us that love does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delight in the truth. 

May the truth of God's love heal us of our resentment and set us free from sin, so that with a renewed mind and heart we can be prophets proclaiming the truth of God's healing love.

4th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 30.01.2022

 Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 / 1 Cor 12:31 – 13:13 / Luke 4:21-30

With the Lunar New Year festival coming up, some of the yearly cultural traditions will be observed. 

Of course, in keeping with the safety measures, there still can be the reunion dinner, paying respects to elders, visiting relatives and that usual feasting. 

The New Year means a new beginning and one of the expressions of that new beginning is to wear new clothes on the first day of the New Year. 

It's a symbol of a new outlook as well as a new look, and also a symbol of a new hope. 

After all, at least for that once-a-year occasion, everything from top to toe can have a brand-new look. 

But of course, the externals are a reflection of an internal renewal of a renewed direction and purpose. 

When Jesus came back to His hometown, He may not be wearing new clothes, but there was something different about Him. 

And as He preached, the people were astonished by the gracious words that came from His lips. 

But the people didn't want, or didn't accept, that something has changed in that there is something different about Jesus. 

For them, He was still the son of Joseph the carpenter. And they don't expect the son of a carpenter to preach or teach, and with such gracious words. 

Jesus was aware of their biasness and their mindset, and so He brought up two instances when God Himself did the unexpected for outsiders, outsiders who are not of the Chosen People. 

God blessed the widow of the Sidonian town and He granted a healing to Naaman the Syrian. 

Of course, the people were offended and even and enraged, and they couldn't take it anymore from Jesus, and they even wanted to get rid of Him immediately. 

Obviously, the people's minds were closed and they were offended by what Jesus said although it was the truth. 

But closed minds are like stagnant water. Over time it will become polluted and unpleasant. 

The gospel account shows how people's minds can be closed up and they can even turn violent when offended. 

But the prophetic voice of the Gospel is also sounding out to us about certain aspects of ourselves. 

When we are told about certain aspects of ourselves which seems unfavourable to us and disturbs us, what will be our reaction? 

We may cringe and feel offended, which was how the people in the gospel reacted. 

Even though it could be the truth, it could also sting our hearts and minds. 

And then we might just busy ourselves feeling offended and even be obsessed with it. 

Our minds and hearts become like stagnant water that is getting polluted and toxic. 

Jesus came to bring us the truth of love, and the truth will set us free when we want to stop feeling offended and be free from being obsessed by it. 

The 2nd reading tells us that love does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delight in the truth. 

May the truth of God's love heal us of our resentment and set us free from sin, so that with a renewed mind and heart we can be prophets proclaiming the truth of God's healing love.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 29-01-2022

2 Sam 12:1-7, 10-17 / Mark 4:35-41    

The strange thing about life is that when things are going well and good, we become rather dull and complacent.

Even in the spiritual life, when things are going steady and we cruise along, we forget to give thanks to God and there is no urgency even for prayer.

But when we hit the portholes and stumble and fall off the cliff, then we get awakened and we realise we need God especially in those times.

It can be said that it is in tribulations that there will be revelations.

In the 1st reading, the sin that David committed became a revelation and a realisation for him. 

By his own mouth, he accused himself and with that he also admitted to his guilt.

In the gospel, it was through a storm that Jesus revealed who He is and His disciples were filled with awe at the revelation.

In good times, let us give thanks to the Lord and in rough times, let us be prepared for a revelation from God.

God wants to show us who He is so that we will keep our focus on Him and walk in the ways of the Lord.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 28-01-2022

2 Sam 11:1-10, 13-17 / Mark 4:26-34  

There is this natural law in life that others will do unto us what we have done to them, that what goes around comes around and that we reap what we sow.

Depending on how we look at it, that may be call retribution or it may be called affirmation.

In the 1st reading, king David committed two serious offences.

He committed adultery with Uriah's wife and then he plotted to get Uriah killed in battle so as to cover up his adultery.

But as the story goes further, king David will have to face up to what he had done. He will have to face the retribution for his offences.

In the gospel, Jesus told two parables about the kingdom of God. Both had the imagery of seeds being sown.

The seeds germinated and grew to bear a harvest and to beautify the world.

In life, we either sow seeds of love and affirmation, or we sow weeds of sin and retribution

May we always choose to sow seeds of love, for we will reap what we sow.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 27-01-2022

2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29 / Mark 4:21-25    

It is said that fire cannot be wrapped up with paper and that no matter how deep the darkness may be, a spark of light can be seen.

Fire and light are certainly elements that cannot be hidden for they are destined to fulfill their purpose.

In the gospel, Jesus used the image of a lamp to teach that what is to be disclosed cannot be kept hidden, and what must be brought to light cannot be kept secret.

And just as God revealed to David in the 1st reading the plans that He has for him, God will also reveal His plans for us.

And God's plans for us are for our good and not to harm us. God's plans for us are to give us hope and a future.

On our part we have to listen and see what God wants to tell us and show us.

We must want to put the lamp on the lamp-stand instead of hiding it in the tub or under the bed.

Let us not be afraid to look at the light, for we will see what is good for us.

Let us also listen to the Word of God in the scriptures for it is the voice of love telling us to do what is right and just.

Saints Timothy and Titus, Wednesday, 26-01-2022

2 Tim 1:1-8 / Luke 10:1-9    

Behind every successful person, there would be obviously a dedicated team of people working for the common goal and objective.

St. Paul was an astounding missionary in the early Church and he is called an Apostle to the Gentiles.

He went far and wide preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.

And wherever he went, he would establish Christian communities to continue the work of the gospel.

He would also appoint leaders in those communities to help the communities to grow.

St. Timothy and St. Titus were appointed by St. Paul to lead their respective communities.

They had to work hard to keep the communities united and to be faithful to the gospel.

We too have our part in helping our parish community and the Church to grow in faith and to be united in love and to be witnesses of the Good News of salvation.

May St. Timothy and St. Titus pray for us and may the Holy Spirit guide us to become a vibrant, missionary and evangelising Church so that others will come to know and believe in Jesus Christ the Saviour.

  

The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, Tuesday, 25-01-2022

Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22 / Mark 16:15-18   

A word can have a few shades of meanings depending on the context, the usage, the sentence, etc.

Today's feast is called the Conversion of St. Paul. 

What is generally understood is that St. Paul converted from being a persecutor of Christianity to become a missionary for Christ and an Apostle to the Gentiles.

The conversion is not from one faith to another. Rather the conversion as understood in the life of St. Paul is an enlightenment and a clarification of his understanding of God and who Jesus really is.

This feast also reminds us that no conversion is impossible because God wants all to be saved.

If St. Paul can turn from being a persecutor of Christianity to a proclaimer of the Good News, then there is certainly hope for those so-called hardcore sinners.

May we ourselves be converted to believe that God is truly merciful, compassionate and forgiving.

And may we not judge those who do evil. Rather we must pray for them for Jesus wants to save them too.

3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 24-01-2022

2 Sam 5:1-7, 10 / Mark 3:22-30   

It is certainly not a good thing to badmouth others.

Whether it is gossiping or criticising, nothing good is coming out of it.

In fact, our words reveal what is in our hearts.

And to curse others is nothing less than inflicting evil upon them.

In the gospel, what the scribes were saying about Jesus was certainly terrible and disgusting.

They were saying that the devil was in Jesus and that Jesus was the agent of the devil. 

In plain terms, they were cursing Jesus.

What the scribes said about Jesus is something that we should not say about others.

To gossip, to criticise and to curse are verbal sins against others and also against God who created all that is good.

May what comes out from our mouths be pleasing to God and for the good of others and may we always guard our lips from foul talk.

3rd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 23.01.2022

Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10 / 1 Cor 12:12-30 / Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

The difference between the countryside and the city is that the countryside has a natural beauty and ambience, fewer tall buildings, a slower pace of life and less stress. 

The city is a happening place with all the bright lights and conveniences, a place to look for a job or to start a business, a place of prospects and opportunities. 

Singapore is a big city with almost no countryside to talk about. We are quite used to the urban lifestyle, and although we may think about going to a countryside for a break, we may not really consider staying there in some rural place for long-term. 

So, if we really have to choose, it is most likely that we will want to live in the city instead of staying in the countryside. The city has obvious advantages. 

In the gospel, Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit in him, did not go to the big city to begin His ministry. 

Instead, He returned to Galilee and to Nazareth where He had been brought up and He taught in the synagogues and everyone praised Him. 

So, Jesus began His ministry in His humble home town of Nazareth, and throughout His life He was associated with His hometown, and even on the Cross, the notice stated that He was “Jesus the Nazarene”. 

So, it can be said that Jesus started off with humble beginnings in His hometown, and went on further to the big city to proclaim the Good News of salvation. 

But it was not just to start small that He began His ministry in His humble home town. 

It was there that He had been brought up and had His religious formation there. He had heard the scriptures being read in the synagogue every Sabbath. 

The time had come for Him to fulfill what he had heard and it was to begin from the humble town of Nazareth to the big city of Jerusalem. 

We come to the Church of the Sacred Heart for Mass and this can be considered as our home Parish. 

This is a rather small parish and although it is in the city, it is a bit like a simple and humble countryside parish. 

We listen to the scriptures every Sunday and we are formed as the people of God. 

And like what this parish is, we too must be simple and humble and radiating the warmth of God's love for each other. 

So, when we say that we are from the Church of the Sacred Heart, others should be able to see the simplicity and humility of our lives and feel the warmth of God's love from us. 

Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is also given to us so that as we go forth, we too will proclaim the Good News of God's love to those who are longing to see the beauty of love. 

We are also empowered by the Holy Spirit to be messengers of hope to the downhearted and those burdened by the worries and anxieties of this world. 

We may be from a small parish but we have a big mission ahead of us. 

Let us remember that as parishioners of the Church of the Sacred Heart, we are to show God's love in simple and humble ways and to be witnesses of hope in God's blessings for the world. 

That is how we will proclaim the Good News of salvation and may we begin our mission even as we listen.

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 22-01-2022

2 Samuel 1 : 1-4, 11-12, 17, 19, 23-27 / Mark 3 : 20-21

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.

We should 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.

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 21-01-2022

1 Sam 24:3-21 / Mark 3:13-19     

With every action, there will be a reaction.

The reaction may enhance the action or it may resist and contort the action.

When Jesus sent His disciples to go out to preach the Good News, He also gave them power to cast out devils.

To preach the Good News and to have to cast out devils are like two sides of the same coin.

It cannot be presumed that the Good News will be welcomed by all who hear it.

There will be people who are instigated by the devil to resist and to destroy the work of proclaiming the Good News.

But to cast out devils does not necessarily mean to have a direct confrontation with the forces or agents of evil.

In the 1st reading, David faced persecution from king Saul although he had done no wrong.

In fact it was king Saul who was possessed by jealousy and anger that blinded him into wanting to kill David.

David had the opportunity to take Saul's life, but he resisted being drawn to return evil with evil.

Rather he returned good for evil and that made Saul realize the evil he was doing.

May we proclaim the Good News with works of kindness and gentleness, compassion and forgiveness.

It is with love that others will be converted and evil be cast out.

 

2nd Week. Ordinary Time, Thursday, 20-01-2022

1 Sam 6-9; 19:1-7 / Mark 3:7-12     

For a business venture to succeed or for a product to sell, it is necessary to get the people's attention.

Even for the Church to carry out her work of mission of evangelization, she has to employ modern means to reach out to people and get their attention.

In the 1st reading, David certainly caught the attention of the people when he defeated the Goliath.

It was an amazing victory and the people sang his praises.

But not everyone was happy. Saul was very angry and the attention given to David was not to his lliking.

Obviously it was jealousy and those who want to succeed must be prepared to face the jealousies of others.

And more so for Christians, we must face jealousies as a tactic by the devil to use others to discourage us.

May the Lord grant His blessings on the work of our hands and may we not succumb to the temptation of pride, nor be discouraged by the jealousies of others.

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 19-01-2022

1 Sam 17:32-22, 37, 40-51 / Mark 3:1-6    

To look down on a person is certainly not a proper and decent way of treating that person.

To treat everyone equally must be the principle of life.

So regardless how much better or higher or stronger a person is, that person should not look down on others.

In the 1st reading, Goliath was stronger, taller and more experienced in battle than David was.

Goliath literally looked down on David and despised him.

Goliath will learn his lesson the hard way, although it was too late for him to be humble.

In the gospel, the Pharisees were not looking down on Jesus, but they were watching Him closely for something to use against Him; they were looking for faults against Jesus.

Whether looking down on others or looking around for their faults, it is certainly not a good thing to do to others.

And it also goes to show that we do not know what humility is.

Let us treat others equally and fairly and be humble. May we not wait till it is too late

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 18-01-2022

1 Sam 16:1-13 / Mark 2:23-28      

Moving on in life is an important aspect as it is a sign of our growth.

But to move on in life means that we have embraced our past and learned from it.

No doubt there are baggages of the past that we may still be grappling with and have yet to come to terms with it.

In the 1st reading, Samuel was mourning over Saul since God had rejected him as king.

Saul was dear to Samuel as he had anointed him as the first king of Israel.

But God had decided on the next king and God wanted Samuel to move on so that he can go and anoint that next king.

We too may have things in the past to move on from.

It may be grief, regrets, disappointments, hurts, etc.

Let us bring them and offer them to God in prayer so that we may come to terms with the past and see that God will heal our past and move on to the present.

Let us grow with God's help and we will look at the future with hope.

 

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 17-01-2022

1 Sam 15:16-23 / Mark 2:18-22   

To follow instructions from our superiors may not be as straightforward as it sounds.

When we receive orders or instructions, we would usually interpret it with our own understanding.

Especially so when we think that we are smarter than our superiors.

In the 1st reading, king Saul told Samuel that he did obey the voice of the Lord.

But he had his own ideas of how that obedience is to be carried out and took out some of the booty to offer as sacrifice to the Lord.

Samuel told Saul that obedience is better than sacrifices and holocausts.

This teaches us that whether it is following the orders or instructions of our superiors, or the teachings of the Church, what is required is obedience and submissiveness.

If in doubt, it is better to seek clarification than to think that we know better.

That will save us from a lot of trouble and misunderstanding.

 

2nd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 16.01.2022

 2nd Sunday OT C-2022                                                                                      16-01-2022 

Isaiah 62:1-5 / 1 Cor 12:4-11 / John 2:1-12 

Whenever the word “miracle” is mentioned, it would mean that something wonderful, astonishing and beautiful has happened. 

It would also imply that it is beyond scientific explanation and that there was a divine intervention. 

And usually the reaction to a miracle would be surprise and wonder, as well as thanksgiving and rejoicing. 

In short, a miracle is not the work of man but the work of God, and what is impossible to man is certainly not impossible for God. 

And we expect a miracle to be spectacular, to be making news and to capture people's attention. 

But a miracle can also be a humble and ordinary event and yet it inspires faith and brings about hope.

The Gospel account is about the miraculous changing of water into wine in the wedding at Cana. 

But the gospel did not use the word “miracle” to describe the event. 

Rather the gospel said that it was the first of the signs given by Jesus, and in it He let His glory be seen. 

So, the changing of water into wine was a sign that pointed to a reality and that is Jesus is God as well as man.

And yet, that profound sign does not stand alone by itself. There were other supporting signs. 

It happened at a wedding. The wedding is a celebration of the love between a man and a woman. 

It is a sign of the outpouring of God's love on the couple and uniting them as one so that they could go forth and multiply that love. 

And there were six large stone jars, and each could hold 20 to 30 gallons. With that much water turned into wine, it is a sign that God's blessings come in abundance resulting in great rejoicing. 

And there were the servants who filled those jars with water. It was certainly a laborious task. 

But the servants were a sign of God's workers who serve God for the good of others. 

And there was Mary who told the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them. Those five words “Do whatever he tells you”, is a sign and a call to obedience to do the will of God and to trust in His plans for us. 

So, the gospel account of the miraculous changing of water into wine in the wedding at Cana teaches us to open our minds and hearts to the signs and wonders that God is showing us. 

Mary, the wedding couple, the servants and the six stone jars were signs that contributed to the profound sign of who Jesus is and what He can do. 

We too are called to be signs of God to manifest and to reveal the presence of God to others. 

By obeying the will of God and carrying out His plans, God will work signs and wonders to inspire faith and to give hope to the world. 

We don't need to see spectacular miracles. We just need to be humble and obedient signs of God and others will see how wonderful and marvellous God is.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 15-01-2022

1 Sam 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1 / Mark 2:13-17    

It will certainly take some humility to admit that we are lacking in one thing or another.

We may say that we are not perfect but we may hesitate to say that we are not that good after all.

Even if we do say it, do we really mean what we say?

Would we be sincere enough to say that we have taken advantage of others, that we have been dishonest and told lies, that we were not responsible and lazy and pushed blame onto others.

It is not easy to be frank and to admit that we are not that good after all.

And even if we say that we are sinners, how sincere are we about it?

Jesus says in the gospel that He did not come to call the virtuous but sinners.

When we humbly admit that we have sinned and that we have criticised others for doing wrong, then we know that we are in need of forgiveness.

Then Jesus can come to heal us and save us. And we in turn can become witnesses of God's love and forgiveness for other.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 15-01-2022

1 Sam 8:4-7, 10-22 / Mark 2:1-12     

It is so true that human beings stand at the apex of creation.

Human beings are indeed above all other creatures in terms of intelligence, rationality and creativity.

But over and above everything else, each human being has a free will.

A person's free will is the most powerful attribute that is bestowed by God.

Hence a person can choose to love or hate, to be kind or to be cruel, to be generous or to be selfish.

Whatever a person's choice, only that person can decide and no one can ever take away a person's free will and the choice he makes.

In the 1st reading, the people made a choice to ask for a king, and God respected their choice and even told Samuel to obey the voice and the choice of the people, despite having told them what their choice entails.

In the gospel, the paralytic and his friends were determined to get to Jesus, and though it was almost impossible to get in by the front door, their determination, and their choice, was to go by way of the roof.

And Jesus saw their faith and rewarded them for their faith by healing the paralytic.

We have the power of choice that is rooted in our free will. 

May we exercise our free will with faith so that we will always do the will of God.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 13-01-2022

1 Sam 4:1-11 / Mark 1:40-45      

When we have an undertaking, or a project or an assignment, we would certainly want to succeed. 

To fail in it would certainly result in disappointment, and the greater the expectation for achievement, the greater will be the disappointment.

But when our plans and expectations fail, then we also need to remember that it is just a temporary setback and not a permanent failure.

Failure is our teacher, not the undertaker; failure is not defeat.

In the 1st reading, the battle between the Philistines and Israel resulted in a defeat for Israel with a substantial loss of lives.

Immediately they questioned and asked why has the Lord allowed them to be defeated by the Philistines.

And even before seeking an answer from the Lord, they decided to bring the ark of the Lord into the next battle.

They were simply trying to make the Lord grant them victory, instead of reflecting on why they were defeated in the first place.

So they did not learn from their first defeat and were presumptuous to think that with the ark, the Lord will grant them victory.

As for the leper in the gospel, he has learned through his suffering that only the Lord will grant him a cure from his disease.

May our failures and disappointments teach us to turn to the Lord and ask for His guidance to grant success to the work of our hands so that the Lord will be glorified.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 12-01-2022

1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20 / Mark 1:29-39       

Life is dynamic and it is always changing.

As it is said, we don't step into the same river twice.

We may have our plans but life just happens.

But we are creatures of habit and we would rather stick to routines and hope that nothing changes that much.

For Eli and Samuel in the 1st reading, a significant change was about to happen.

The Lord called out to Samuel, but Samuel went to Eli, and Eli didn't expect anything unusual.

But after the third time, Eli understood that it was the Lord calling Samuel.

In the gospel, Jesus had a packed day of curing people of their diseases and casting out demons.

But early the next morning, He went off to a lonely place to pray. 

Jesus had to be sensitive to the dynamic and changing needs of His mission and ministry.

May we always have time to pray so that we will be able to sense where God is calling us to and what He wants us to do.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 11-01-2022

1 Sam 1:9-20 / Mark 1:21-28    

A place of worship has a particular ambience and atmosphere surrounding it.

For us Christians, we believe that the Church is the house of God and a house of prayer.

It is a sacred place where worship and prayer are offered and God is there to listen to our prayers and grant our needs.

In the 1st reading, Hannah went to the Temple and stood before the Lord. In the bitterness of her soul, she prayed to the Lord with many tears and even made a vow to the Lord.

In the gospel, it was in a synagogue where a man possessed by an unclean spirit caused a commotion by shouting at Jesus and revealing who Jesus is.

So in a place of worship and prayer, not only praise and thanksgiving are offered, there are also lamentations and voices of despair and distress.

And God is there is there to be glorified and He also listens to those in despair and distress and frees them from bondage and oppression and grants them peace.

May we always experience the presence and the love of God when we come to Church, and may we also bring those in need of prayer to the Lord and help them to pray and to experience the loving presence of God in His house.

1st Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 10-01-2022

1 Sam 1:1-8 / Mark 1:14-20   

The notion of delayed gratification is that we bear with the sufferings now so that we will be rewarded in the future.

It may seem that Christianity has this kind of notion as in that we suffer in this life so that we will be rewarded in the next life.

There is no doubt that this life has its fair share of sufferings.

In the 1st reading, Hannah had to bear with barrenness and the taunts of her rival.

She was so depressed by it that she would weep and would not eat.

Her husband would try to comfort but it didn't bring her any consolation.

We can sympathise with Hannah as we too have faced similar situations of suffering.

We may have recourse to the notion of delayed gratification but that notion cannot stand on its own.

What we need to have is faith in the God of all consolation and have the hope that He will wipe away our tears.

In times of darkness and suffering, we need to believe in the Good News that God is close at hand.

We only need to hold on to His hand with faith and hope. That will be our consolation.

Baptism of the Lord, Year C, 09.01.2022

 Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 / Acts 10:34-38 / Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 

There are seven Sacraments in the Church and Baptism is one of the seven Sacraments. 

In fact, Baptism can be called the first of the seven Sacraments because with and through Baptism, we can then receive the rest of the Sacraments. 

And as much as Baptism is the first and necessary Sacrament, the Rite of Baptism utilizes a simple and humble element, and that is water. 

Whether it is Infant Baptism or Adult Baptism, water is poured three times on the head as the priest says, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” 

Most of us are baptized that way, although some may have been baptized by immersion. Whatever it may be, both are valid forms of baptism. 

The element of water is also significant for baptism. It washes away sin, gives new life, and with baptism, we share in the identity of Christ, and that is why we are officially called Christians. 

The water also has a special significance. It is blessed and the act of pouring water over the head symbolizes the Holy Spirit coming down upon the one who is baptized. 

Water is also one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit, besides fire, oil, wind and of course, the dove. 

So, to be baptized and to be a Christian means that we are another Christ for others. 

Like Christ, we are also empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of the Good News of salvation. 

Like Christ, we are called to love and to serve as Christ did. But to love and to serve as Jesus did is certainly not an easy task. 

As the 2nd reading tells us, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. 

Doing good is already challenging enough. Trying to help those who have fallen into the power of the devil is difficult. 

On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we recall and reflect on our baptism and our mission in this world. 

And as we are baptized with water, we may want to reflect about the properties of water, and how it is relevant to our spiritual lives. 

Flowing water may not have a particular shape and it has a soothing feeling. Yet in the confrontation between flowing water and the rock, the flowing water will always win. Because the hard rock will be slowly worn away by the flowing water. 

And in the process the rock gets polished and become smooth and even pretty. 

So, since we are baptized with water, then we may also need to be like water, especially when we are faced with the difficult people and situations in life. 

When we are faced with difficult people, let us be like water that will soften our hearts and theirs, so that there will be refreshing and soothing encounter. 

When we fight fire with fire, the result will only be a bigger fire that will burn and destroy. 

And when people throw stones at us, throwing stones back will only result in sparks that will pierce and hurt. 

Let us remember that in the confrontation between the flowing water and hard rock, the flowing water will win, eventually. 

So, let us be like the waters of our baptism, let us go with the flow of the power of the Holy Spirit, and we will be able to live up to our baptismal calling of being witnesses of the Good News of salvation.

Saturday after Epiphany, 08-01-2022

1 John 5:14-21 / John 3:22-30

There is no doubt that God hears our prayers. In fact He always answers our prayers.

The question is in the way God answers our prayers.

The 1st reading gives an indication of how we should pray when it says: we are quite confident that if we ask the Son of God for anything, and it is in accordance with His will, He will hear us.

Yet it is so easy for our prayer to be laced with self-interests and self-centered desires.

As we come to the end of the Christmas season, the figure of John the Baptist comes up again.

He did not say anything about prayer but what he said in the gospel showed that he was a person of prayer and who understands what God's will is.

With Jesus beginning His public ministry, John the Baptist sensed that it was time to do handing-over.

And he also had some words of wisdom for us when he said : A man can lay claim only to what is given him from heaven.

He knew who Jesus is and he knew who he was.

So as he gracefully steps aside, he had this to say: He must grow greater, I must grow smaller.

Let our prayer be that Jesus will grow greater in our lives and that we give thanks to God for all that has been given to us. That's all that we need.

Friday after Epiphany, 07-01-2022

1 John 5:5-13 / Luke 5:12-16     

It won't come as a surprise to hear people say that life is difficult.

No sober person would say that life is easy and carefree.

Yes, life has its difficulties and struggles and we get weighed down by it.

And to add on to that, there are worries and anxieties, as well as illnesses and sickness.

In the gospel, we hear of a man, covered with leprosy, and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Jesus to cure him.

Jesus, in an affirmative tone, said, "Of course, I want to! Be cured!" And the man was cured immediately.

Of course, that man had to have faith in Jesus to cure him of such a dreaded disease, which had no cure at that time.

The 1st reading tells us that we need to have faith in Jesus in order to overcome the troubles and struggles of this world.

But more importantly, we need to believe in Jesus who will help us overcome the difficulties of this world, and that He will save us and bring us to the joys of eternal life in heaven.

Thursday after Epiphany, 06-01-2022

1 John 4:19 - 5:4 / Luke 4:14-22    

With all honesty, we have to admit that there are people whom we don't like, or resent, and even detest.

Certainly life is not all fresh air and sunshine, and people are not all pretty flowers and butterflies.

There will be people who irritate us and even be a "pain in the neck" for us.

So we have a mental list of persons that we would just want to avoid and not to come into contact with.

But turning the tables around, we may want to ask ourselves if we are on other's people's "Don't like" list.

Certainly, in all honesty, we too have to admit that there are people who don't like us, or even resent and detest us.

In a way, it can be said that what we think of others is also a reflection of what others think about us.

If that is the case, then the 1st reading urges us to remember that we are to love because God loved us first.

And if we say that we love God, but harbour ill-feelings about others, then we have to remember the commandment of love that God has given us.

When we choose to love others, then we are proclaiming the Good News of God's love.

Wednesday after Epiphany, 05-01-2022

1 John 4:11-18 / Mark 6:45-52    

Life can be said to be ordinary for most of us.

Everyday we have a routine, and that gives us some stability in life.

And when something extra-ordinary happens, it captures our attention and we get amazed and even absorbed by it.

It could be that someone important stops by and chats with us and we get so delighted by it.

Or that something spectacular happens and we get so thrilled by it.

For the disciples of Jesus, they had just earlier witnessed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.

They were so thrilled and amazed by it and they were so caught up by the wonder of it.

Then in the next instance, they were in a boat battling a heavy sea.

And when they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought it was a ghost.

And when Jesus got into the boat, the wind dropped and the sea was calm again.

They were utterly and completely dumbfounded, because they had not see what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed.

Our minds too may be close to the wonders of the little miracles of love that we see in every ordinary day.

It would be a wonderful miracle when our minds can be opened to see God's love in the ordinary.

Tuesday after Epiphany, 04-01-2022

1 John 4:7-10 / Mark 6:34-44       

Whenever we talk about hunger, it usually means the longing for food to fill an empty stomach.

So hunger and food is usually connected to one another in an obvious way.

In the gospel, the people were in a lonely place to hear the the teaching of Jesus.

It got late, and the people got hungry, and the disciples thought of sending them off so that they can get their own food.

But Jesus showed that just as He is the Word made Flesh, He is also the Bread of Life.

He blessed whatever little bread available and fed the five thousand and there was even an excess of twelve baskets of scraps.

We have known physical hunger and we have known how good it is to be filled and satisfied.

But there is always an inner hunger that needs to be filled.

The 1st reading tells us to love one another since love comes from God.

It is love that can fill that inner hunger so that we can experience contentment and God's deep love for us.

May we also love one another so that we too can fill each other's hunger with God's love.

Monday after Epiphany, 03-01-2021

1 John 3:22 - 4:6 / Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25    

It would be really comforting to come to Church and hear that whatever we ask of God we will receive.

And that is what the 1st reading tells us in the first line that whatever we ask of God we will receive.

But it goes on to say that what we ask we will receive because we keep His commandments and live the life that He wants.

So it is clear that when we keep God's commandments and live the life that He wants, then what we ask of God will be nothing less than He wants of us.

Often our complaint is that God does not seem to answer our prayer.

But do we know what God wants? Or are we asking God for what we want?

To go a bit further, are we faithfully keeping God's commandments and living a life that is pleasing to God?

In the gospel, Jesus began His preaching with this message: Repent, for the kingdom of God is close at hand.

The call for repentance may not be that attractive to hear.

But when we repent of our sinfulness and turn back to God and be faithful and obedient to Him, we will truly find comfort and consolation, and there will be nothing more that we will ask for.

Epiphany of the Lord, Year C, 02.01.2022

 Isaiah 60:1-6 / Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 / Matthew 2:1-12  

Some of us were baptized as infants and a term used for us is “cradle Catholics”. 

Some of us were baptized when we are adults, and the term used for us is “converts”. 

But whether “cradle Catholics” or “converts”, God has called us into His Church through various means and given us the gift of faith. 

So, it could be our parents who brought us to church when we were infants for baptism, and we grew up in the faith. 

For those of us who are baptized as adults, we may have encountered the faith through our friends, our colleagues, or that we may have had a spiritual experience that led us to look for God in the Catholic Church. 

Whatever the means, we acknowledge that it was God who revealed Himself to us and called us into the Church. 

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, we give thanks to God for revealing Himself to the world through His Son Jesus Christ. 

In the gospel, it was a star that caught the attention of the wise men and they were convinced that it was revealing to them the birth of the new born King of the Jews. 

The sight of the star was enough for them to embark on a search for the infant King that would lead them to a foreign land. 

But things were not that straightforward as the star wasn't always there for them. That was why they ended up in Jerusalem, and when King Herod heard about it, he was perturbed. 

And then he schemed to use the wise men as his agents to find out the whereabouts of that infant King. 

But God always guide and protect those He is calling, and finally the star appeared and led the wise men to Bethlehem and they finally found the infant King. 

They did Him homage and offered Him the mystic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh - Gold to symbolize royalty and kingship; incense to symbolize divinity; and myrrh to symbolize humanity. 

These three gifts from the wise men point to the true identity of Jesus, that He is Divine as well as human, and that He is the King of kings.

And the three gifts, in a way, also have a revelation for us.

The gold makes us aware that we do have gold and silver and wealth. But whatever wealth, all gold or silver that we have, we are only stewards of it. Wealth is put to good use when it is shared and not hoarded. 

Incense gives a fragrant scent and it is offered to God as a symbol of our prayer. And like incense, prayer has to be offered regularly so that our lives will be pleasing to God and that we share with others the fragrant scent of God's love. 

Myrrh is a kind of medicine and it is also used for embalming. We acknowledge the frailty of our humanity and that we are nothing without God. 

We confess that we have sinned, and we must turn to God for forgiveness and healing. 

Indeed, the Feast of the Epiphany reveals Jesus to the world as the Saviour and the King of Kings. 

Yet, in this Feast, God also reveals to us who we are and that there is more that He will reveal to us. 

May we walk humbly in the ways of the Lord and follow where He is leading us,  just as the wise men did.