1st Week of Advent, Thursday, 01-12-2022

Isaiah 26:1-6 / Matthew 7:21, 24-27        

The four weeks of Advent reminds us that we need to take time out of our busyness to do some reflection.

And because the four weeks can pass by so quickly with many distractions that it is possible that there is no spiritual meaning in Advent at all.

The main point of reflection in Advent is the promise of salvation and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

In the 1st reading, the prophet Isaiah looked forward to that day when God will save His people and there will be rejoicing and gladness.

Those who trusted in the Lord and are faithful to Him will be blessed and see the glory of God.

So we have heard the Word of God and His promises.

But we must reflect and meditate on them, just as Jesus said that a sensible man would build his house on rock.

When we make time this Advent to reflect and meditate on God’s Word and His gift of salvation, then we will be prepared to welcome Jesus into the home of our hearts.

St. Andrew, Apostle, Wednesday, 30-11-2022

Romans 10:9-18 / Matthew 4:18-22

Most of us would shy away from the limelight and rather work behind the scenes.

Well, that is until we have basked in the limelight and gotten a taste of the attention and the applause.

 After experiencing the taste of the limelight, it might be difficult to step back into the background and go back to being behind the scenes.

We often call it "cannot let go".

St. Andrew was always referred to as the brother of St. Peter.

That title gives the impression that St. Andrew was someone who was always behind the scenes, someone who tags along behind St. Peter.

Even today's gospel seemed to imply that idea when it tells of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew, in that order.

But in the gospel according to St. John, it was Andrew who first followed Jesus, and it was Andrew who told Peter that he had found the Messiah.

St. Andrew's role in the gospels may be few but nonetheless significant.

Besides being the first to follow Jesus and leading Peter to Him, St. Andrew was also instrumental in pointing out the boy with the barley loaves and the fish that later led to the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.

In St. Andrew, we see a reflection of ourselves and our mission.

Following Christ is our top priority and leading others to Christ is our mission.

But stepping back in order that God can continue to work through us must also be our conviction.

When we can do that, then we know what it means to let go and let God.

1st Week of Advent, Tuesday, 29-11-2022

Isaiah 11:1-10 / Luke 10:21-24

Trees and plants are beautiful especially in all their regal greenery.

And when they bear flowers and fruits, they can look really majestic.

When we look at what is above the ground, we see beauty and majesty.

But what is hidden from our sight is below the ground.

And there below the ground is the dirt and the mud and the soil, which has neither beauty and majesty.

But for all the beauty and majesty of the trees and plants, the flowers and the fruits, if there is no ground for the roots, then there will be nothing at all.

The 1st reading talks about a shoot that springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion trusts from his roots.

It reminds us that only when we are grounded and rooted in God, then we will have hope for the future.

While the world looks at what is above the ground and even takes advantage of the beauty and majesty, we look at the simplicity and necessity of the ground and the roots.

Let us be like little children who are grounded and rooted in God and we will know what true beauty and majesty is.

1st Week of Advent, Monday, 28-11-2022

Isaiah 4:2-6 (Year A) / Matthew 8:5-11   

One of the themes of Advent is the fulfillment of the prophecies that were written in the Old Testament.

The prophecies speak of the Promised One of God and that he will save God’s people.

The 1st reading is an example of one of those prophecies.

During the season of Advent, these prophecies are recalled, and for us, we know that the prophecies are already fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

But the prophecies of the Old Testament do not just speak about the Promised One of God.

No doubt the prophecies are already fulfilled in Jesus Christ, yet the same prophecies also speak to us about God’s saving plan for us in our day.

In the gospel, the centurion speaks about the word of authority, and Jesus affirmed him of his faith.

As for us, we too must believe in the authority of the Word of God.

God continues to renew His promises to us as we read and listen to His Word.

In this Advent, let us read and meditate on the Word of God, and believe that God will fulfill His promises to us.

1st Sunday of Advent, Year A, 27.11.2022

Isaiah 2:1-5 / Romans 13:11-14 / Matthew 24:37-44

Going by how we make plans for our lives and how life happens, we can say this, and that is “expect the expected”. 

Of course, we have heard the saying “expect the unexpected”, but let us remember that it is the exception to the norm. 

By and large, in life, we can expect the expected, and from that we will have some stability and maintain some balance in life. 

So, we come to church for Mass, and we expect to have Mass and there is Mass. We wouldn't like to have too many surprises, especially unpleasant surprises that leave us flustered and frustrated. 

So, if no changes have been announced earlier, we would come at this time for Mass and expect to have Mass as usual. 

It is not going to be like, we come at this time for Mass, and then be told that Mass was earlier and the next Mass is later in the evening. 

We will certainly not be pleasantly surprised, and we will have something to say about that. 

So, we can expect the expected, unless we have ignored some notices or announcements that were made earlier. 

Nevertheless, life has its surprises and here is where we have to expect the unexpected. 

But as we think deeper about it, even the unexpected will usually give out some signs and signals before it happens. 

In the gospel, Jesus talks about the Flood which was recorded in the Book of Genesis. 

Jesus said that in those days before the Flood, people were eating and drinking, taking wives and taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away. 

So, was the Flood expected? Was there no warning or were there no signs at all? 

Before it began to rain for 40 days and 40 nights, God had instructed Noah to build the ark. 

The ark was certainly big enough and cannot be missed, because it was to take in two of every species of all the animals, from the elephants to the ants, with the mosquitoes included. 

And even to this day, there are some people who are searching for the remains of that ark. 

So the ark was big enough not to be missed. So the people saw it. But they didn't wonder about it. They thought that Noah was crazy to build such a thing, and they didn't even bother to ask why. 

In short, they ignored the signs and the warnings. And then the Flood came. 

So, the Flood was not unexpected. There were warnings and there were signs. But the people ignored it. And for that they were all swept away. 

Jesus continues by saying that when the Son of Man comes, then of the two who are in the fields or at the millstone grinding, one will be taken and the other will be left. 

Whether who is taken or who is left behind, did they expect it, or were there no signs or warnings to indicate what was going to happen? 

As we begin a season of Advent, we are called to be like Mary, to ponder and to treasure what God is saying to us. 

We have also received a little booklet to help us in our reflection and to help us to be sensitive to the signs that God is showing us. 

And we are also given a card to write down our promises to Jesus as we embark on a new beginning in our spiritual lives. 

Yes, let us ask Mary our Mother to help us ponder and to be sensitive to the signs that God is revealing to us. 

Let us remember, that before we fall sick, our body will whisper about its pains. 

Before we break up, our spouse or friend will whisper about their frustrations. 

Before the business goes bankrupt, the customers will whisper about their complaints. 

If we don't listen to the whispers, then we will be forced to hear the screams. 

God speaks to us, softly and tenderly, and with Mary, we listen so that we can follow God's directions. 

As we begin this season of Advent, let us be silent so that we can listen. 

Then we can expect, not so much the unexpected, but more so the expected.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 26-11-2022

Apocalypse 22:1-7 / Luke 21:34-36       

During the celebration of the Mass, we are often reminded of the presence of God, with this phrase : The Lord be with you

Maybe some of us may ask : why not say - the Lord is with you. After all the Lord is here, isn't it?

True, the Lord is here, yet so often, even as we are greeted with the presence of the Lord, our hearts may not be that aware that Lord is indeed truly here.

Maybe that is why it is necessary to reflect on just that simple greeting: The Lord be with you.

Because that phrase call us to pay attention to the Lord, to pay attention to the Lord who is here and with us now.

In the gospel, Jesus says: Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened and hardened.

If we are not aware of God's presence in the Mass, how would we be aware of His presence during the course of the day.

Being with the Lord moment by moment, will help us to be ready to be with Him in eternity.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 25-11-2022

Apocalypse 20:1-4, 11 - 21:2 / Luke 21:29-33 

When we look at what is happening around in this world, we may wonder why evil seems to be getting the upper hand.

There are wars and violence, blood-shed and hostility, persecution and oppression.

Even in our personal lives, we wonder if being kind and charitable is worth it, especially when what we get in return is the opposite.

But we believe that good will eventually triumph over evil because we believe in God who is all good.

God will never let evil have the last say, and God will vindicate those who live good and upright lives.

In the 1st reading, we heard about the punishment of the devil and those who do evil, as well as the vindication and the rewarding of those who are faithful to God.

Yes, for those who do good and are faithful to God, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and they will be rejoicing in the presence of God.

So when we see that evil seems to be getting the upper hand and even getting away with it, let us keep being faithful to God.

Jesus tells us in the gospel that we see such things happening, then we must also know that the kingdom of God is near.

Let us keep being faithful to God and believe in His promises to us.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word and His promises will never pass away.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 24-11-2022

Apocalypse 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9 / Luke 21:20-28 / 

There is no doubt, that in any competition, there is no greater delight than winning.

The winner gets the top prize, the winner stands above the rest of the competitors, the winner gets all the attention and also endorsement contracts.

Yes, victory is a sweet taste, and everyone has this inclination to be a winner, because winning is everything.

If that is how we think about earthly victories and winning, then how about spiritual victories.

While earthly victories will only have earthly gains, spiritual victories gain heavenly blessings.

So when we resist temptations, when we refuse to give in to selfishness and greed, when we refuse to give in to pride and anger, we gain a spiritual victory.

But the victory is not so much for ourselves but for the glory of God, because as the 1st reading says: Victory and glory and power to our God.

And when God is glorified, we get a heavenly blessing that will enable us to stand erect and hold our heads high.

Because the greatest victory on earth and in heaven is when we liberated from the bonds of sin and rise in holiness of life.

It is a victory that will give us blessings of joy, on earth as well as in heaven.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 23-11-2022

Apocalypse 15:1-4 / Luke 21:12-19      

To say that we want to live a quiet and peaceful life is not something that we can easily take for granted.

If we say that a quiet and peaceful life does not sound exciting and that we want to have some thrills and spills of life, then we need to think again.

In other parts of the world, there are more than thrills and spills.

It is actually tension and even oppression, and it is day in day out, and where people live from hand to mouth and wondering if they will be alive to see the next day.

For them, even though they long for quiet and peace, it is also like something that is beyond imagination.

As for us who live in a peaceful and secure environment, it can be difficult to imagine the reality of what Jesus is saying in the gospel.

Even the stress and tensions of our lives are hardly anything like the tension and oppression that people face in other regions of the world.

Yet, it is our duty to pray for those who are suffering oppression, persecution and mortal danger.

We pray that God will protect them and keep them from danger and harm.

Let us not take peace and stability for granted, and let us pray that God will make His gift of salvation known so that there can be reconciliation and peace.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 22-11-2022

Apocalypse 14:14-19 / Luke 21:5-11  

One of the common ways to manipulate someone is to take advantage of that person’s insecurities.

When a person’s insecurities are known, then the next thing will be to create fears based on those insecurities.

That is how scammers operate and that is also how people are conned and deceived.

What Jesus said in the gospel is not just a prediction of what is to come.

It is also to prepare us in expectation that what seems so secure and stable now can just give way and crumble, and the image of not one stone on another says it all.

So it may happen to our family, to our relationships, to our careers, to our health, to our wealth, and to whatever that we hold near and dear.

So when our stability and security is tested and shaken, fear will creep in and even cripple us.

Jesus tells us not to be deceived, not to be frightened and not to fear, but to have faith in Him.

We can only have faith in Jesus, when during peaceful and stable times, we strengthen our relationship with Jesus.

So let us take our prayer seriously and faithfully and keep ourselves close to Jesus always, so that when our lives are shaken and we stumble, Jesus will protect us and save us.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Monday, 21-11-2022

Zechariah 2:14-17 / Matthew 12:46-50    

The feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an event that is not recorded in the gospels.

But it is found in an extra-biblical source called the Infancy Narrative of James.

According to that text, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne had been childless, but then they received a heavenly message that they would have a child.

In thanksgiving, they brought the child Mary to the Temple to consecrate her to the Lord.

It was believed that Mary remained in the Temple to be formed and prepared for her role as the Mother of God.

The focus of this feast is to show that even in her childhood Mary was completely dedicated to God. It is from this account that arose the feast of Mary's Presentation.

A further reflection on this feast would also make us think about the environment at home and the formation that we are giving our children and our family members.

The Christian home is to be a sanctuary of prayer where the members can grow in holiness and in the ways of the Lord.

When our will is nothing less than to do the will of God, then together with Mary, we will present our lives as an offering that is pleasing to God.

Christ the King, Year C, 20.22.2022

2 Sam 5:1-3 / Col 1:12-20 / Luke 23:35-43

Whenever the topic of leadership is discussed, we will have our expectations of what a leader is like. 

In our minds, a leader should have some abilities and capabilities that are above the ordinary. 

Probably our expectations of a leader are influenced by movies and even fairy tales. 

In movies and fairy tales, the leader is the hero who is the winner and everyone cheers for him as he leads his people to victory, and he saves his lady and they live happily ever after. 

The leader is a brave warrior who charges into battle and fights the bad guys. Though he may get injured and wounded, he will always make a comeback and overcome his enemies. 

Yes, these are what we imagine or expect a leader to be. 

And to be a king, it is to be a leader of all leaders. To be a good king means that he is able to govern his people wisely and justly. A good king will protect and provide for his people so that they will have peace and prosperity. 

With these ideas and expectations of a king and kingship, and as we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, let us look at what the gospel says about Jesus as king. 

In the gospel, the notice on the Cross says that Jesus is the King of the Jews. And that is where our ideas and expectations of a king begin to fizzle and crumble. 

Obviously, the notice was to mock and insult Jesus as He was nailed to the Cross and condemned to die as a criminal. 

The people were not cheering for him, and the leaders of the people were jeering at Him. Even the soldiers mocked Him as they said: If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself. 

Jesus, nailed to the Cross, and insulted and jeered at, did not look anything like a king and much less a leader; in fact, He looked like a loser. 

Yet it has to be said that on the Cross, Jesus is truly the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 

His most astounding statement to the repentant criminal is this: Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in Paradise. 

No matter how powerful a king is, no matter how great a leader is, he can't promise anyone entry into heaven, or the reward of eternal Paradise. 

A true king is able to protect his people and save them from their enemies. 

Jesus is the Universal King because He overcame evil and conquered sin and death. 

Jesus is the true Saviour because He not only saves us from sin and death, He leads us from this world to be with Him in paradise. 

We all want to go to our eternal home in Heaven. We believe that there is an eternal Paradise awaiting us where we will be with Jesus forever. 

Jesus our King will lead us there. Let us obey our King and serve Him by doing what He wants of us. 

So, we ask Jesus to remember us and we also ask Jesus to remember those who acknowledge Him as their King and Saviour. 

May we journey together with them to be with Jesus in Paradise. 

For those who mock and insult Jesus, let us also ask Jesus to remember them. 

They too need to be saved. They can only understand what salvation is when we offer them kindness and compassion. 

Let us remember that Jesus also wants to see them in Paradise.

And Jesus is asking us to help them by leading them to Him so that He can make that astounding promise to them, that same promise that He made to the repentant criminal, that same promise that He also makes to us.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 19-11-2022

Apocalypse 11:4-12 / Luke 20:27-40

When it come to what we believe in, there are some aspects about our faith and that can be understood after some time of reflection and meditation.

When we look at the crucifix, we may ask questions like why does Jesus have to die such an agonizing death on the Cross, even though we know He died to save us from our sins.

And then when we think about the Incarnation, the Christmas event, we may wonder about the divine becoming human and taking on flesh in the womb of a woman.

For God to become man is not that readily understandable or even acceptable to our human way of thinking.

And then there is the great feast of the Resurrection, that Jesus rose from the dead.

The question of the resurrection can be difficult and the answer may be rather abstract.

So, like the Sadducees, they rather not believe in the resurrection. 

They would rather believe in the reality that they see around them, and to indulge in the luxuries and pleasures of this life, since there is nothing beyond this life.

But we believe that there is an afterlife, and the Resurrection of Jesus affirms us of this belief.

Not only do we believe in the afterlife, we also believe in the God of life.

It is because of our faith in the God of life, that we will want to live life on earth with meaning and purpose, so that we will eventually rise to the fullness of life in heaven.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 18-11-2022

Apocalypse 10:8-11 / Luke 19:45-48 

In the long history of the Church, which is more than 2000 years, many things and practices have changed.

From how the Church started in Jerusalem, to the universal Church all over the world, there is diversity and yet there is unity.

So there are different languages for worship and different devotional practices in different cultures.

But no matter how diverse the Church is, the unifying factor is in the place of worship and the religious attitude of the faithful.

The place of worship is understood as the House of God, a House of prayer, and we come before God as a people of prayer.

In the House of God, the Eucharist is celebrated, and the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is renewed.

So, what is not worthy to be at the foot of the Cross is not worthy to be placed in the House of God.

We are also the living stones that build up the House of God; God makes His home in us.

Let us live lives that are worthy of the Cross of Christ, so that as we come to the House of God for prayer and worship, the House of God will be a sign of salvation for all peoples.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 17-11-2022

Apocalypse 5:1-10 / Luke 19:41-44

The gospels mentioned of two occasions that Jesus shed tears.

One was when His good friend Lazarus died. The other was what we just heard in the gospel.

Indeed, Jesus had every reason to shed tears over Jerusalem.

In the year 70AD, the city was destroyed and Temple was razed to the ground when the revolting Jews were crushed by the Roman army.

All because the message of Jesus, the message of peace did not sink into their hearts.

They did not heed the signs that God gave them.

As for us, we too can avoid impending danger and even tragedy if we look clearly at the signs in our lives.

If we do not heed the signs that God is giving us to enter into a deeper relationship with Him in prayer and to live a life of love and peace, then we are making ourselves prone to the danger and the tragedy of sin.

Let us ask God to enlighten us so as to heed the signs from God that we see around us.

When we understand the message of love and peace, then there will be no more tears.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 16-11-2022

Apocalypse 4:1-11 / Luke 19:11-28     

At our baptism, we are called Christians.

To be a Christian means that we are disciples of Jesus Christ and our way of life is the way of the Gospel.

But what is the Christian way of life? What are we called to be?

Our baptism calling and our Christian way of life is the calling to holiness and to live life in the way of holiness.

The God who created us is the God of holiness and hence we are called to be holy just as God is holy.

In the 1st reading, the whole realm of heaven proclaimed the holiness of God and that holiness is expressed in the glory, honour and power of God, and in all that God has created.

So God created us to be holy, He created the world to be holy, so that all creation is a reflection of God’s holiness.

In our Christian way of life, there are many ways to express that holiness of God, like in our love for God and for others, in our works of charity, in gentleness and kindness, in compassion and forgiveness.

In the gospel parable, we see another expression of God’s holiness and that is in our faithfulness to God in our duties and responsibilities.

When we are faithful to our duties and responsibilities, we are also faithful to our calling to be holy, and in doing so, we give glory to God who is holy.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 15-11-2022

Apocalypse 3:1-6, 14-22 / Luke 19:1-10

One of the famous religious paintings is by William Holman Hunt. It is called the "The Light of the World".

It was an allegorical painting that represented Jesus carrying a lantern and knocking on a long unopened door that had  overgrown weeds.

It represented what the Lord was saying in the 1st reading: Look, I am standing at the door and knocking; if one of you hears me calling, and opens the door, I will come in to share his meal, side by side with him.

The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, and the night scene represented the need for light.

Yet Jesus is carrying the lantern and persists in knocking on the door.

He knows that the door of the human heart will eventually open to him.

The tax-collector Zacchaeus in the gospel was one example of the door of the heart opening to the light of Christ.

Let us also persist in praying for ourselves and for those in need of conversion and salvation.

The persistent knocking of Jesus and the light of His love, coupled with our fervent prayers will open the hardest of hearts.

The reason why Jesus came is to knock on our hearts and to seek out and save what was lost.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 14-11-2022

Apocalypse 1:1-4; 2:1-5 / Luke 18:35-43      

To think about the past is not just about being nostalgic or to reminisce in enjoyable recollection of past events.

When we think about the past, memories come alive and we will recall the way we were and what our dreams and ambitions were.

Certainly, the past has many things to teach us and there are also many lessons that we can learn from the past.

In the gospel, when Jesus asked the blind man what was it that he wanted Jesus to do for him, the blind man replied, “Sir, let me see again.”

That may mean that the blind man had his sight before, but something had happened and he was inflicted with blindness.

When the blind man told Jesus that he wanted to see again, it could mean that he was ready to start anew.

Probably, in the darkness of his blindness, he had reflected on his past, he had learnt his lessons and he was ready to look at life with a renewed wisdom.

In the 1st reading, the church in Ephesus was told to think about where they were before they fell, and do as they used to at first.

One of the movements of prayer is to reflect about our past and to see what God was telling us then.

Then we will be ready to listen to what God is telling us now.

33rd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 13.11.2022

Malachi 3:19-20 / 2 Thess 3:7-21 / Luke 21:5-19

When God created man, God set man above all creation by creating man in His image. 

And we can see that image of God when we look at what we are endowed with and how human beings are unique. 

We have intellect and will, we have creativity and other abilities that set us apart and above all other creatures. 

So naturally, we want to be healthy and strong, we want to look good, feel good, and of course be good. 

And we want to face adversities and difficulties, bravely and courageously. 

But no matter how healthy and strong we are, no matter how brave and courageous we may be, we have one common adversary. 

And that adversary is none other than fear, which can be anything from a paralyzing fear, to a bone chilling fear to a fear of being alone. 

There can be the fear of insects like lizards or cockroaches or spiders. There can also be a fear of heights, or that something may seem normal to most people but causes phobia in some people. 

Whatever it is, the effects of fear can be anything from worry and anxiety, to panic and chaos. 

In life, there are fears that keep recurring, like the fear of poverty, which may make us obsessed with getting financial security. 

Or the fear of losing our jobs, or the fear of illness and diseases, and all sorts of other fears. 

In the gospel passage, Jesus addressed three realities that are rather disturbing. 

First, He talks about the passing of things, that not one stone will be left on another. In other words, nothing lasts forever. 

Then He talks about turmoil and distress, about natural disasters, plagues and famine. 

And then He talks about persecution and mortal danger and death. 

But despite all that, the last sentence of Jesus gives us the hope that God will protect and save us as He says: Your endurance will win you your lives. 

Endurance is to hold on to our faith in God as our Protector and Saviour, especially in the darkest and most frightening moments of our lives. 

To have faith means that we must trust in God that He has His ways of protecting and saving us.

There is this story that during World War II, a soldier was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire, he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. 

Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed. 

As he waited, he prayed, “Lord, if it is your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen.”

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy drawing close. He thought, “Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one.”

Just then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave. As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

“Hah” he thought, “what I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor.”

As the enemy drew closer, he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to him, he got ready to make his last stand. 

To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on.

Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance of the cave, it looked as if no one had entered it for quite a while.

“Lord, forgive me,” prayed the young man, “I had forgotten that in You, a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.”

We all face times of great trouble, distress and turmoil. It is so easy to fear and forget the victories that God would work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways.

But let us endure, let us keep believing, let us keep hoping and let us keep praying.

God is our Protector and our Saviour. We will not be lost as long as we put our trust in Him.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 12-11-2022

3 John 5-8 / Luke 18:1-8

There is no doubt that God listens to our prayers. And God would certainly pay attention to earnest and persevering prayers.

And if we think that God is not answering our prayers, then maybe we have to see what our prayers are all about.

In other words, we have to listen to our own prayers, for a change.

Prayer is not about trying to change God's mind or God's will.

It would be rather absurd to assume that if we say long and persistent prayers, God would finally give in and grant us what we want.

That would make prayer look like some kind of magical method that can make God do something.

Rather prayer is an act of faith and it is the source of strength which will empower us.

It is with prayer that we will continue to strive for justice and work for peace.

It may mean that we come to realize and accept that some things cannot be changed immediately.

It may also mean that we put our trust in God and believe that with God, nothing is impossible.

Whatever it may be, our earnest and persistent prayer should bring our wills to conform to God's will.

It is God's will "to see justice done, and done speedily".

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 11-11-2022

2 John 4-9 / Luke 17:26-37    

To go travelling as a group has its challenges.

Especially so when travelling abroad and communication is not that convenient.

So keeping together and watching out for one another and staying in contact is important.

But as we might know, there can be many distractions and anyone can be easily distracted with something and break contact with the group.

And when someone is not accounted for, it is quite alarming and the group will be in turmoil.

Certainly, out of concern for that missing person, there will be a search for that person.

And when the missing person is found, it will be a relief, but undeniably, there will also be frustrations and the situation can be rather sour.

It would be unthinkable for the group to just leave the missing person behind and continue with the itinerary.  

Similarly, as a faith community, we must look out for each other and help each other to journey along to our destination in heaven.

Salvation is not about myself going to heaven and not caring about the rest.

When Jesus gave that imagery of “where the body is, there too will be vultures gather”, we can vividly imagine those who are lost and left behind.

They are left to rot in loneliness and helplessness and become the final end for scavengers.

So in our journey of faith, let no one be left behind. Let us bear with each other in love and journey together and look forward with hope where we will rejoice with each other in heaven.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 10-11-2022

Philemon 7-20 / Luke 17:20-25     

Human beings are social beings.

And as social beings we form relationships with one another.

And these relationships become meaningful and enriching when there is communication and understanding, care and kindness, and all those beautiful human aspects.

But life becomes complicated and difficult when people forget the priority of human relationship and slide in mechanical transactions.

By mechanical transactions, we are talking about productivity, efficiency and effectiveness, which are usually measure in numbers and quantity.

In the 1st reading, when St. Paul appealed to Philemon for Onesimus, he had recourse to relationships.

There was the relationship between him and Philemon, between him and Onesimus, and also between Philemon and Onesimus.

It was upon these relationships that St. Paul believed that the matter would be resolved between Philemon and Onesimus.

God entered into a relationship with humanity by sending His only Son to teach us how to love God and to love others.

Let us place this love relationship first and above all other things, so that we can be truly human and be who God wants us to be.

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Wednesday, 09-11-2022

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12  or 1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17 / John 2:13-22

The Lateran Basilica was built around 324 by the Roman emperor Constantine, and it is the cathedral of the city of Rome.

The Lateran Basilica is the official church of the Pope since the 4th century.

It is also called the "Mother of all churches" and on Holy Thursday, the Pope and priests will celebrate the Eucharist there.

This feast reminds us that we belong to the universal church, with Christ as the Head of the Church which is His Body.

Hence we acknowledge that the Church is not just a building, but the body of believers who are scattered all over the world, yet spiritually united in the body of Christ.

We also acknowledge, in the celebration of this feast, that the Pope is the head of the Church and we pledge our obedience to him and our unity with the whole Church.

May we continue to be united as Church and as the Body of Christ and be a sign of salvation to the world.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 08-11-2022

Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 / Luke 17:7-10     

We may think that to be older is to be wiser.

But it may not necessarily always be the case.

Of course, it is the expectation of others that a senior person is wiser, more experienced in life, more exemplary and more dignified.

That can only be possible when a person has the moral guideposts as he/she advances in age.

The 1st reading gives good directions for people as they advance in years.

The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy.

The older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking, and they are to be teachers of the right behaviour to the younger women.

All that might sound rather old-fashioned, given the modern liberal thinking.

But it cannot be denied that there is a firm grounding in what the 1st reading is saying, because God reveals His grace for the salvation of the human race.

And God’s grace teaches us what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God.

So regardless of what our age is, as we advance in years, let us also grow in the grace of God so that we will be examples of sincerity and earnestness with which no one can really find fault with.

After all, we are only God’s servants who must do what God wants of us.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 07-11-2022

Titus 1:1-9 / Luke 17:1-6     

We may not think of ourselves as a bad or evil person.

At least we don’t commit serious crimes that cause harm or endanger others.

But we have to admit that we are not that good either.

We have had our share of telling lies, gossiping about others, being selfish and greedy … just to name a few.

We may not think that those are so serious that would sentence us as being obstacles for others, and that we deserved to be punished by being thrown into the sea with a millstone tied to our necks.

Yet, we also must remember that people don’t trip over hills and mountains; people trip over stones and pebbles.

Jesus warned us not to lead astray a single one of those who are little and lowly, and He told us to watch ourselves.

Yes, we need to watch ourselves and not to let our hearts be hardened that we let anger and bitterness block us from forgiving others.

We need to watch our words and actions that we do not spurt out harsh and hurtful words, or do things that will get others into trouble and cause division.

Let us ask the Lord to remove the obstacles that are in our lives so that we can become openings of God’s blessings for others.

32nd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 06.11.2022

 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 / 2 Thess 2:16 – 3:5 / Luke 20:27-38

It is a human desire to live to a ripe old age. So, what do we think is a ripe old age? 

In the Bible, the Book of Psalms (90:10) has this to tell us: The lifespan of a man is 70 years, and 80 for those who are strong. 

So, if our lifespan on earth is 70 or 80 years, would that be considered a short time or a long time? 

If life is good and comfortable, if we are healthy and happy, then 80 years might seem a bit short. We would like to enjoy life a bit longer. 

But if life is difficult and tough, and we are unhappy and stressed out, then 80 years might be enough. 

Of course, it is not up to us to decide how long we would live. That is for God to decide. 

But whether the life is short or long, we know that we live life in this world only once. 

And how we live our life in this world is a preparation for life in the next world, which is our eternal life. 

In the Bible, the Book of Wisdom says that the life of a person is not measured by the number of years, or how many grey hairs, but how faithful that person is to God. 

In the 1st reading, the seven brothers had their lives cut short because they rather lose their lives than to lose their faith. 

And their faith is that God will reward them for laying down their lives for Him, and so they faced death as they put their hope in God. 

We know that we pass by this world only once, and we will not come back again to this world. 

If we really believe that, then it really doesn't matter whether life is short or long. 

Rather we will live the life that God wants us to live, and that is to do whatever good we can, to be kind and gentle and loving. 

We will live by faith and good works, as we prepare ourselves for the eternal life that is to come. 

In the gospel, the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection or in eternal life, approached Jesus and presented Him with an imaginary case of seven brothers and woman whom each of them had married because of a particular stipulation in the law of Moses. 

They tried to trap Jesus so that He would be unable to give an answer, and that would enable the Sadducees to reinforce their belief that there is no resurrection or eternal life. 

But instead of getting entangled with a slippery question, Jesus gave a teaching about the God of life and love. 

So, if we truly believe that we will rise to eternal life, then how we live life in this world begins to matter. 

Because if we are not loving in this life, then what makes us think that we will be loving in the eternal life? 

If we don't put God first in this life, then where will He be in the eternal life? Or actually where will we be in the eternal life? 

The same would be for what Jesus taught us, about being kind and gentle, about compassion and forgiveness. 

As we give in this life, so will we receive in the eternal life. 

So, let us move away from anger and bitterness, from unforgiveness and revenge, from selfishness and greed. 

We don't want to live a long life of sadness and sorrow. 

We want to be happy in this life and eternally happy in the next. 

Jesus came to give us life and life to the full, so that we will be able to love God and to love others in this life. 

We believe in the God of life and love, and salvation means living a loving life. 

So, what can we say about life on earth? It is this: It is not about adding days to our life, but adding life and love to our days.

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 05-11-2022

Philippians  4:10-19 / Luke 16:9-15    

It can be quite astonishing, and maybe even amusing, as we think about what people quarrel and even fight over.

And one of the things that people quarrel about is over money.

It may be in the division of inheritance, about who foots the bill, about being paid less, etc.

But in the gospel, Jesus tells us to use money, tainted as it is, to win friends.

Practically, it means that if money can solve a problem, then use that money to solve it, instead of quarreling and fighting over it.

But of course, the burning question is that why should we be the ones to come out with the money when all should bear it and be fair and square.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul offers a noble view of using money, whether it is to solve problems or to help others.

He told the Philippians that they were the only ones who helped him with gifts of money.

But it was not so much the value or how much money they gave, but their generosity and that God accepts and finds it pleasing.

So whether we use money to solve problems or to help others, let us see it as an offering to God who in turn will bless us abundantly.

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 04-11-2022

Philippians 3:17 - 4:1 / Luke 16:1-8    

To say that there is nothing new under the sun is to say that what is happening now in the so-called modern world can be traced back to an era in history.

In other words, there is nothing truly novel in existence; every new idea has some sort of beginning or echo from the past.

So if we think that today’s world is in such a messy state, it is actually not that much different from before.

As St. Paul would say in the 1st reading, there were people who make foods into their god and they were proudest of something they ought to be shameful. The things they think important are earthly things.

As it was then, so it is now. So human beings haven’t changed much, especially in their wayward and immoral way of life.

The gospel parable about the dishonest steward only serves to reiterate this reality.

But St. Paul pleaded with the early Christian community, and he pleaded with tears, that as Christians, they should not behave as the enemies of the Cross of Christ, and end up being lost.

As he pleaded then, so is St. Paul pleading with us now.

And he also reminds us that our homeland is in heaven and Jesus is our Saviour.

So let us not give way to the world but remain faithful in the Lord, who is our Saviour, and forever He will be.

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 03-11-2022

Philippians 3:3-8 / Luke 15:1-10    

There had been many suggestions as to what is the most important verse or phrase in the Bible.

Well, the top contender seems to be John 3:16-17, follow by a host of profound Bible verses and passages.

Chapter 15 of the gospel of St. Luke may sound rather ordinary and today's gospel passage may just be about parables.

But nonetheless, today's gospel passage reflects the essential message of the Bible, and that is, it emphatically illustrates God's inexplicable and infinite love to save every man and woman whom He created in His image and likeness.

There are only 3 parables in Chapter 15 of the gospel of Luke - the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, the Prodigal Son.

The scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus for always being in the company of sinners and ritually impure people and the so-called bad company.

But Jesus always had a very deep compassion towards these so-called sinners. He even said that it is not the well who need a doctor but the ill.

Even this aspect of Jesus is not often understood by us who are His disciples.

Because we too have this tendency to criticize and judge others according to our standards or beliefs.

We may be able to quote the profound verses and remember the important passages of the Bible.

May we also remember to put the core message of love in the Bible into our lives as disciples of Jesus.

All Souls, Wednesday, 02-11-2022

Isaiah 25:6-9 / Romans 5:5-11 / John 6:37-40

The reality of death is something that we cannot deny or look away from. 

We have seen our loved ones, our relatives and friends pass on, and the emotions can be anything from sadness to grief. 

At the back of our minds is the lingering reminder of our own mortality, that one day, our time will come when we have to pass on from this world. 

With those who have passed on, we do not really know how they exist and what is the kind of life they have. 

We only know that they are in the hands of God.

And Jesus said that it is God's will that He should lose nothing of all that is given to Him. 

As for us, we remember the departed, and more importantly we remember them with love. 

And when we remember them with love, then we can believe that they are alive in God. 

Because where there is love, there is life, and the God that we believe in is the God of the living and not a god of the dead. 

And our departed loved ones, our relatives and friends, and also those whom we do not know, become alive in our memories when we remember them with love. 

This feast of All Souls is not about death. Rather it is about life, and it is a solemn occasion for us to pray for the departed, especially for those who are being purified as they journey into the presence of God. 

May our prayers and remembrance of love help them to attain the eternal life of peace and rest in the presence of God. 

And may we journey on in faith and place our hope in the God of life and love, who will reunite us with the departed, and we will sing God’s praises for all eternity.