8th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 01-06-2023

Ecclesiasticus 42:15-25 / Mark 10:46-52   

A person has a name which identifies who he is and he responds to that name.

More than just a name to identify the person, the name is also a symbol of his uniqueness and dignity.

Even a nickname may have the above aspects.

In the gospel, there was this blind beggar who is called Bartimaeus.

But the gospel also mentioned that Bartimaeus means “the son of Timaeus”.

So that blind beggar was identified with a reference to someone else.

That may also indicate that his identity and dignity as a person was often ignored, and his status was also not important.

But all changed when he heard about Jesus.

He called out to Jesus like how others had called him; he began with “Son of David”.

But he also added the name which identified who he was calling: Jesus, have pity on me.

The blind man regained his sight, and as Jesus told him, his faith has saved him.

That blind man saw himself with dignity and status and as a unique person.

Just as he found his dignity and status in Jesus, we too will find our own in Jesus.

Let us ask Jesus to open our eyes to see who we really are, and we will also know how to live our lives as disciples of Jesus.

Visitation of the BVM, Wednesday, 31-05-2023

Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16 / Luke 1:39-56   

As Catholics, we certainly have an affection for Marian hymns.

And if we are the Saturday Novena people, then Marian hymns certainly have a place in our hearts.

These hymns are like evergreens, and we can sing them by heart, and they also bring us back to the memories of our childhood days, since those hymns have not changed much.

Someone shared about how he suffered a great setback in his career and in his marriage.

He was lost and broken in the storms of life.

Then one day he happened to pass by Novena church, and since it had been a long time since he had been there, he dropped in to say a prayer.

Somehow when he was in there, a strange feeling came over him and the tune of a familiar Marian hymn kept ringing in his head and he felt very moved.

In short, it was an experience of Mary's powerful intercession and also an experience of Mary visiting him in his dark moments of life.

Well, Mary continues to be a channel of God's grace for the needy people of our time, just as she was for Elizabeth.

May our devotion to Mother Mary also lead us to glorify God and to proclaim His greatness.

8th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 30-05-2023

Ecclesiasticus 35:1-12 / Mark 10:28-31    

When it comes to giving, the human instinct is to give only what is not needed.

So when it comes to giving in cash or kind, we give what we do not really need, or even what we do not want.

That is because we are always more concerned about whether we have enough for ourselves, as well as having a bit more than what we need.

Also, when we give, we may also be wondering at the back of our minds, about what returns or benefits we might get.

When Peter told Jesus that he and the rest have left everything to follow Jesus, he also wondered what returns or benefits he and the rest would get.

But the 1st reading teaches us about generosity: “Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford. For the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.”

So whether giving to the Lord or giving to the poor or those in need, let us not look for returns or benefits.

Let us add a smiling face to all our gifts, and be cheerful in giving.

And the Lord will bless us with whatever we need.

Our Lady, Mother of the Church, Monday, 29-05-2023

Acts 1:12-14 / John 19:25-34

In the 1st reading, we heard that after Jesus was taken up to heaven, the apostles returned to Jerusalem and went to the upper room where they were staying

There they devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.

That was the last mention of Mary. After that there was no more mention of her in the rest of the Bible.

This last mention of Mary is significant because that was also her purpose after Jesus was taken up to heaven.

Mary stayed with the apostles and she was with them in prayer. She was doing this because she was obedient to what Jesus entrusted to her while He was on the cross.

Because Mary remembered what Jesus told her when He was on the cross: Woman, behold your son.

Though she did not reply, her silence was her consent. She not only agreed to be the mother of the disciple that Jesus loved, she understood that she was to be the mother of all the disciples of Jesus.

Today's memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, is a new addition to the liturgical calendar of the Church.

That title of Mary, Mother of the Church, was officially given to Mary during the Second Vatican Council by Pope Paul VI.

So from Mother of God, she is now also the Mother of the Church. And if we are obedient to what Jesus said on the cross, then we too must embrace Mary as our Mother, which most of us would be more willing to do.

But for us, Mary is not just our Mother, but we would also want to carry out what Jesus entrusted to us and we want Mary to be the Mother of all peoples.

As we celebrate this memorial, let us make our Mother known to all peoples, for in doing so, we are also making Jesus known to all peoples.

Pentecost Sunday, Year A, 28.05.2023

 Acts 2:1-11 / 1 Cor 12:3-7 / John 20:19-23

In the whole spectrum of creation, human beings stand out as the most unique. 

Human beings have intellect and will. Their intelligence strives for development and new inventions. 

They know generally what is right and wrong. They exercise their freedom of choice to do what they wish. 

So, human beings can decide to do what is right or wrong. They can choose to be kind and gentle, or to be cruel and hostile. 

They can choose to be generous or selfish. They can choose to be truthful or deceitful. 

In other words, a person can choose to be whatever kind of human being he or she wishes to be. 

So more than just acting on instinct, to be a human being is to make decisions, and to decide on choices. 

That is what makes human beings so different from animals and other creatures. 

But what makes human beings so unique is what is revealed by God in the Bible. 

The Book of Genesis tells us that God made man in His image, and it was the best of all His creation. 

So, humanity stands right at the top, over and above all other creatures and creation. 

In other words, humanity is the glory of God. 

But here comes the difficult part. If humanity is the glory of God, if humanity is made in the image of God, then why is there so much sin and evil in the world? 

Humanity seems to be on the road of self-destruction, as well as the destruction of creation. 

There are violence and hostility, bloodshed and genocide, pollution and the destruction of nature. 

And on the personal level, there is greed and selfishness, exploitation and disregard of the human dignity. 

And at times, human beings seem to be like worse than animals. That can be quite shocking and disgusting. 

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost. At the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples to empower them to proclaim that Jesus is Lord, and the Good News of salvation. 

As we celebrate this feast, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to empower us as He did at the first Pentecost. 

And Holy Spirit descends on the Church and on the world to reclaim and renew the image of humanity that God has created in His likeness. 

The Holy Spirit wants to empower us to be living images of God's love so that we can be signs of God's presence in the world. 

And the Holy Spirit wants to do so much in us and for us. 

The Holy Spirit wants to help us to pray, so that we can discover the power of prayer that will help us see God's will and be able to do it. 

The Holy Spirit wants to bless us, so that we are able to turn adversity into opportunity. 

The Holy Spirit wants to show us signs and wonders, so that there will be conversion and repentance, and sinfulness will give way to holiness. 

May the Holy Spirit reclaim and renew our hearts and make us living images of God's glory. 

Then we will discover the particular way in which the Holy Spirit is given to each of us. 

And may we let the Holy Spirit lead us to proclaim the marvels of God in our lives, so that we will see the signs and wonders of God in the Church and in the world.

7th Week of Easter, Saturday, 27-05-2023

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 / John 21:20-25     

One of the symbols of Jesus is the “Alpha” and the “Omega”.

In other words, Jesus is the beginning and the end.

Another symbol for God is the circle, because, like a circle, God has no beginning and no end.

So, in a way, the same can be said of Jesus.

Although the symbol for Jesus is the “Alpha” and the “Omega”, in reality, Jesus is God who has no beginning and no end.

As we meditate and reflect deeper on this, today’s gospel passage brings us to the end of the gospel of John.

But the gospel, the Word of God, has no end, as it continues on in our lives.

In the 1st reading, the Good News continued on the life of St. Paul.

Similarly, let us continue to live out the gospel in our lives.

Even when our lives come to an end on this earth, our life begins in heaven.

So even for us, life has no ending. That is what eternal life is about. And that is also what we must share with others.

7th Week of Easter, Friday, 26-05-2023

Acts 25:13-21 / John 21:15-19   

One of the important things in life is about relationships.

In fact, we can say that human relationships are the most important in life.

When our relationships are good, then life has depth and meaning.

When we have good relationships with others, then there will be mutual trust and understanding.

But of course, good relationships take time to build.

And when relationships go through a rough patch, then there also must be forgiveness and reconciliation.

In the gospel, Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loves Him.

That brings back memories for Peter of the three denials.

But Peter experienced the forgiveness and healing from Jesus.

So to that question of love and to what Jesus wants him to do, he readily said “Yes”.

Even if that meant being led to where he would rather not go.

By coming into this world, Jesus entered into a relationship with us.

By suffering and dying on the Cross, He showed how much He loves us.

Let us treasure this relationship, and strengthened by His love, we will be ready and willing to do what God wants of us.

7th Week of Easter, Thursday, 25-05-2023

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 / John 17:20-26       

It is a comforting and consoling feeling when someone tells us that he or she will be there for us always.

Lovers would say that to each other, parents would say that to their children, and leaders would also say that to their followers

In times of sickness, loneliness, grief or sorrow, we would certainly want someone to be with us and to tell us that we are not alone.

As much as it is comforting and consoling, we also know that there are human limitations.

It is not possible for someone to be with us always, even if that person really wants to.

But what is not possible for humans is certainly not impossible for the divine.

Jesus said this prayer in the gospel: Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am.

Jesus had promised us that He will be with us until the end of time.

And He also prayed that we will be with Him in heaven.

Let us keep that promise and prayer of Jesus in mind always.

That will really comfort and console us here on earth, as well as in heaven above.

7th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 24-05-2023

Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:13-19      

The words that people say to us do not just pass into one ear and go out from the other.

Whatever the nature or content of the words, they linger on in our minds and some words even take root in our hearts.

So we will remember some of the words our parents said to us, and what our friends said to us.

And for some people that we know we will not meet them again for a long time, or may probably not meet them again, we will remember their last words to us.

In the 1st reading, when St. Paul was bidding farewell to the elders of the church of Ephesus, they will certainly remember his last words to them.

They may not see him again but they loved him and they know that he cared for them.

St. Paul had these profound words for them: Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers.

He continued by saying that fierce wolves will invade and will have no mercy on the flock, and even from within, there will be enemies of the church who will cause division and breakup.

St. Paul concluded by saying that he will commend them to God, and to the Word of His grace that has power to build up and be faithful.

We too must remember those words of St. Paul and those that are recorded in the Scriptures.

Those words are inspired by God. 

When we remember them, we will have life, be able to resist temptation, and grow in faith, hope and love.

7th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 23-05-2023

Acts 20:17-27 / John 17:1-11

Saying goodbyes can be a rather emotional experience.

Especially so when we are saying goodbye to people with whom we had developed a relationship with.

Having shared experiences and memories, we may wonder if we will meet them again in the journey of life.

In today’s two readings, there was a sense of goodbye and a parting.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul told the disciples at the church of Ephesus that they may not see his face again.

But he was happy that he had left them sound teachings and warm memories in their hearts.

In the gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going back to the Father.

But He will pray for them that they will deepen their faith and glorify God with their lives on earth.

As we move along in life, we will also move on and say goodbyes to those whom we have known and worked with.

May we leave fond and warm memories in their hearts, and may we also remember the life experiences they shared with us.

And even if we won’t meet them again in this life, we will have the hope that we will meet them in heaven and rejoice in God who brings us together in the eternal life.

7th Week of Easter, Monday, 22-05-2023

Acts 19:1-8 / John 16:29-33   

There are times when a situation calls for urgent help and we feel the urge to respond.

Yet the cautious side in us will hold us back and wait for someone to move in first.

And it is only when we see someone take the first step, then we will get moving and going.

Besides being cautious, we also need someone to inspire us to do what is difficult and requires courage.

Jesus said that if we want to be His disciples, we have to carry our cross and then we can follow Him.

When Jesus faced His Cross, His disciples deserted Him and He was left alone.

But as Jesus said in the gospel, He was not alone because God was with Him.

It was because Jesus stepped in and carried His Cross that His disciples were able to do so later.

As we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, may we be open and sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

May the Holy Spirit empower us and give us the courage to carry our cross and do the good, the right and the loving thing.

7th Sunday of Easter, Year A, 2023.05.21

Acts 1:12-14 / 1 Peter 4:13-16 / John 17:1-11

If we were asked, what the Church is about, what would be our reply? 

Of course, that is a rather broad question, and we can try to respond from the Catholic perspective. 

For a start, we can say that the Church is a building, yet it is not just an ordinary building. 

The Church is the House of God, and we come to Church to offer worship and prayer. 

So, the Church, as a building, is a holy place, where those who are tired and troubled go to for refuge and solace. 

We can also say that the Church is an organization with a hierarchy. 

But, it is not just an organization with a human hierarchy of ranks and titles. 

The Church is the Body of Christ, with Jesus as the Head, and we are the members of His Body. 

And as members of the Body of Christ, we form a community. 

But the Christian community is not just governed by precepts and statutes. 

More than just precepts and statutes, the Church is guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. 

So, the Church is the sign of God's presence in the world. 

And the Church is also the sign of God's salvation for the world. 

When we look at today's readings, we will see the essence and the foundation of the Church. 

In the 1st reading, the Church is portrayed as a community of disciples united in prayer. 

Praying together with them was Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other disciples. 

As it was then for the early Church, so must it be for the Church in today's world. 

Because, being united in prayer is a powerful sign that God is present in the Church. 

Whether it is individual prayer or community prayer, when the Church prays, God grants His abundant blessings. 

And Jesus assures us of God's blessings, because in the gospel, He says that He prays for us, His Church. 

We are His body, He loves us, He cares for us, He saves us.

And He sends us into the world to be witnesses of His saving love for others. 

As the 2nd reading tells us, in this world we have to be prepared to face sufferings. 

It is only with prayer that we can give a Christian response to suffering. 

The 2nd reading says that if we can have some share in the sufferings of Christ, we ought to be glad, because we will enjoy a much greater gladness when His glory is revealed. 

In other words, when we accept sufferings, we will receive blessings. 

But like Jesus who raised His eyes to heaven and prayed, may we also raise our eyes and hearts to heaven in prayer. 

Let the voices of prayer be heard in the Christian homes, as we pray for God's blessings on husband and wife relationships, and parent and children relationships. 

Let the voices of prayer be in the workplace, although it may be silent prayers, so that all will work for the glory of God. 

And may the voices of prayer be always heard in the Church, as we pray, that filled with the power of the Holy spirit, we will go into the world to proclaim and witness to God's saving love for the world. 

The world is in need of prayers, in need of salvation, in need of God's love. 

Let us bring God's love and salvation into the world with our faithful and fervent prayers.

6th Week of Easter, Saturday, 20-05-2023

Acts 18:23-28 / John 16:23-28    

Each of us has a purpose in this life. There is a meaning for our existence.

But it is not about what we do for a living, or what we do at home, or what we do in Church, or what we do for others.

At the very core of our existence, we have an identity.

From this identity flows the meaning of our existence and our purpose in life.

Jesus came to show us who we really are. We are children of God, sons and daughters of God our Father.

Jesus came to show us the Father's love, so that in Jesus, we will come to know the Father and love Him.

Jesus came from the Father and has now gone back to the Father.

We too came from the Father and we will eventually go back to the Father.

To forget this is to forget who we are and we will just become functional and lose the spiritual.

So let us ask Jesus to make His home in our hearts, so that we will be filled with His love for God and for others, and so that we will show others who we really are.

6th Week of Easter, Friday, 19-05-2023

Acts 18:9-18 / John 16:20-23

The mystery of life is that, among other things, it has a spectrum of emotions.

There is happiness and gladness, and there is also sadness and unhappiness.

And of course, we may wonder why can’t we be always happy in life.

Or we may even ask why is there so much unhappiness in life. 

And with that, it will be inevitable that we may even ask what is the meaning of life, if life has so much unhappiness.

But we also need to acknowledge that there are happy moments in life.

And as much as happy moments do not last long, neither do sad moments.

Jesus said in the gospel that we will have sadness but our sorrow will turn to joy.

He gave the example of a woman in childbirth in labour pains but her joy will be in her newborn baby.

And as we think about the sufferings of Jesus on the Cross, He endured the pain and even died, but through His suffering and death, He won for us eternal life and victory over sin.

In our sufferings and sorrow, let us look at Jesus on the Cross, and He will give us the hope of the joy and happiness to come.

Ascension of the Lord, Thursday, 18-05-2023

Acts 1:1-11 / Ephesians 1:17-23 / Matthew 28:16-20  

To be able to remember is a wonderful aspect of our lives.

We may have varying memory capabilities, but we will remember what is deeply important to us. 

And we will subconsciously recall those important memories every now and then, and those who listen to us would have lost count about how many times they have heard it. 

Today as we celebrate the feast of the Ascension, we remember a few important things. 

We remember that Jesus said He would send us the Holy Spirit. 

We remember that the angels told the disciples that Jesus will come back again. 

We remember that Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all the nations. 

And we remember that Jesus promised that He will be with us until the end of time. 

Yes, today we remember and we recall all that. 

We not only remember and recall, we also need to repeat it often, so that we will not forget how to live our lives as disciples of Jesus. 

6th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 17-05-2023

Acts 17:15, 22 - 18:1 / John 16:12-15    

Every school or institution of higher learning has a library and that is an important resource center.

Even though there is the Internet with search engines to get a multitude of information, the library is still a necessity.

We may not be able to remember all the information there is, but there is the world of books in the library that we can delve in.

The knowledge contained in there is almost inexhaustible.

But if knowledge is inexhaustible, then truth is inextinguishable.

By inextinguishable, it means to say that the truth is already planted in our hearts and we only need to let the light of truth keep shining for us.

Hence, any enlightenment, and realization, any insight, is simply the seeds of truth in our hearts that are bearing fruit.

And that is certainly the work of the Holy Spirit.

That is also what Jesus meant when He said that the Holy Spirit will lead us to the complete truth.

So for the questions in life and about life that we do not understand and do not have the answers for, let us pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and to journey on in faith.

One day we will know, one day we will understand, when we let the Spirit guide us.

6th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 16-05-2023

Acts 16:22-34 / John 16:5-11      

As Christians, we are commissioned to go and proclaim the Good News of salvation.

Depending on the state of life or vocation that we are in, we proclaim or share that Good News in the most applicable way.

But we also need to consider the privacy and sensitivity of others.

We cannot be that intrusive as to ask others if they are saved or if they want to be saved.

In the 1st reading, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they were praying and singing God’s praises, while the other prisoners listened.

Suddenly, there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations.

And all the doors flew open and the chains fell from all the prisoners.

When the goaler saw all that happened, he was astounded.

Then he asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

So in preaching or sharing the Good News of salvation, we need not necessarily ask others if they are saved or want to be saved.

We just need to witness to the saving love of God in our lives.

Then others will ask us what must they do to be saved.

6th Week of Easter, Monday, 15-05-2023

Acts 16:11-15 / John 15:26 - 16:4    

When someone gives us a gift, we may or may not find it useful to us.

If it is useful to us, then we would appreciate that gift.

Otherwise, we will just put it aside and leave it with the rest of the accumulated things.

Or, we may ask the giver what is the purpose of the gift, if that person doesn’t mind.

As Christians, we have the gift of faith to believe in God.

If we don’t exercise the gift of faith in our lives, then our faith would be dormant and maybe even irrelevant in our lives.

But when we live our lives with a lively faith in God, then we will grow stronger and deeper in our faith.

When our faith is tested with despair and distress, then we will know what kind of faith we have.

Our faith may be shaken, but the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, will help us overcome the challenges and troubles of life.

With the Holy Spirit helping us, the challenges and troubles of life will only make our faith stronger and deeper.

6th Sunday of Easter, Year A, 14.05.2023

 Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 / 1 Peter 3:15-18 / John 14:15-21

We know that it is an obligation to come for Mass on Sundays. 

Some of us would even come for Mass on weekdays, although it is not an obligation to do so. 

An obligation means that it is a requirement, a duty or a commitment. So, an obligation is not an option.

But, why is it that we must come every Sunday for Mass? Why can't it be fortnightly, or monthly, or quarterly, or whatever? 

The main reason can be found in the Bible, that God, after His work of creation, rested on the 7th day. 

Sunday is also the Day of the Lord, in which we celebrate the Day of Resurrection. 

So, Sunday is a day of rest, where God calls us to come to Him and to celebrate. 

We come for the Sunday Mass to offer worship and to give thanks for God's blessings of life and love. 

We come for the Sunday mass to celebrate relationships - our relationship with God, and our relationship with one another. 

And we come for the Sunday Mass to offer prayers of intercession as we pray for ourselves, for the Church and for the world. 

So, the Sunday Mass obligation has the tone of a divine commandment. 

But as with all Divine laws and commandments, we know that it is for our good, it is for our benefit. 

In the gospel, Jesus says this to us: If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

We know what the Commandment of Jesus is based on - it is based on love. It is a commandment of love. 

Jesus loves us and He calls us to love Him and to love others. 

So, love is a commandment, love is a commitment and love is also a revelation. 

When we obey the Commandment of love, Jesus promises us a gift of divine love. 

Jesus promised to give us the Holy Spirit to be with us forever. The Holy Spirit, who is the spirit of Truth, will come upon those who live by the Commandment of love. 

The Holy Spirit will reveal to us the reality of the truth of love in our lives. 

When we choose the way of love, the truth is that we choose the way of God. 

And the ways of God is beyond the ways of man, and beyond the thinking of man. 

In choosing the way of love, we choose to be life-giving. So, we will choose to love, to forgive, to be compassionate, to be kind, to be gentle, and to be humble. 

We will put God first in our lives, and that means we will pray and we will entrust to God our plans and our choices, and to let God direct our lives. 

And when we face difficulties, despair and distress, we know that the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, will help us and protect us from danger and from losing faith. 

All that is the truth of life, and that truth is revealed to those who follow God's commandment of love. 

So, coming for Sunday mass is not just an obligation. 

It is a celebration of love, it is a revelation of truth. 

With the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will know the truth of love, we will know how to live our lives.

And we will also help others to live their lives in truth and with love.

5th Week of Easter, Saturday, 13-05-2023

Acts 16:1-10 / John 15:18-21    

Many inventions were made possible because ideas were put into action.

And those ideas came about largely through inspiration in one form or another.

So it can be said that inventions come about through a combination of inspiration and the human intellect.

But it also needs to be said that inspiration has the element of divine revelation.

God who is the author of all creation inspires the human mind to new inventions and developments.

God continues to create through the inventions of humanity by inspiring the human mind.

In the 1st reading, as the early Church continues with the mission of spreading the Good News, the disciples were doing it not by their own initiative.

Rather, it was by the direction of the Holy Spirit and the revelation from God that they went to where they were sent.

May we also be open to the promptings and the directions of the Holy Spirit so that God will reveal to us His plans and also enable us to fulfill it.

5th Week of Easter, Friday, 12-05-2023

Acts 15:22-31 / John 15:12-17   

We know that words have an effect on us.

There is the spoken word and the written word.

A good spoken word has an echo effect in us and it also resonates in us.

On the other hand, a bad spoken word agitates us and even burns us within.

The written word has a more lasting effect on us, especially in this age of the internet where what is written may not be easily deleted or erased.

In the 1st reading, the apostles and the elders wrote a letter to the Christian community at Antioch to state their decision on the matter at hand.

That letter also encouraged the Christians at Antioch to keep practicing and deepening their faith.

With that letter were also the representatives of the apostles and elders to confirm by word of mouth what was written.

The early Church understood the importance of the spoken and written word.

They spoke and wrote what the Holy Spirit had inspired, and that word brought about encouragement and strengthening of faith.

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide and to inspire us to speak and write words that will have a holy effect on others.

By our words, whether spoken or written, others will know who we are and who we believe in.

5th Week of Easter, Thursday, 11-05-2023

Acts 15:7-21 / John 15:9-11

To fall in love is essentially an emotional experience.

And the word “love” is often used casually as we hear phrases like “I love this” or “I love that” or “I love that person”.

Regardless of whether it is an infatuation, falling in love is an emotional experience.

Falling in love is an emotion, but staying in love is a decision.

And often, it is easier to fall in love than to stay in love.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us that just as the Father loves Him, He too loves us.

And He tells us to remain in His love.

So Jesus loves us and He has made an eternal decision to love us always.

On our part, we have to make the decision to love Jesus and to remain in His love.

To remain in His love is to be faithful to Him always. 

When that is our decision, then we will fall deeper and deeper into His love.

5th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 10-05-2023

Acts 15:1-6 / John 15:1-8  

The wonder of nature has many lessons about life that we can learn from.

And from the wonder of nature, we also get a glimpse of the mysterious ways of God.

God, who is the Creator of nature, has also put an order into creation.

And God is also the God of life and the order of nature and order of life is in His hands.

In the gospel, Jesus gives an imagery of the vine and the branches.

That imagery also points to the relationship between Jesus and us.

Jesus says that He is the vine and we are the branches.

Whoever remains in Him bears fruit in plenty; but cut off from Him we can do nothing.

Nature tells us when a branch is cut off from the tree, it is most likely to wither away.

Similarly, when we cut ourselves from Jesus and from the Church, nothing good is going to come out of it.

And to be united with Jesus and His Church, we must also prepared to be pruned.

When we accept the Cross and its challenges, we will bear fruit for God, and it will be fruits of love that will last.

5th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 09-05-2023

Acts 14:19-28 / John 14:27-31

When a person embraces a religion, usually it is because there is an encounter and an experience.

In Christianity, it can be said that it is the encounter with God, or Jesus, or the intercession of Our Lady, that led the person to accept baptism.

It can also be said that when a person goes through some crisis or troubles, and when everything is down to nothing, and when that person turned to God, then something happened.

It was an encounter and an experience of God and His saving love, and that led the person to conversion.

Of course, God does not stop blessing us, pouring His grace upon us once we are baptized.

In all the struggles and troubles of life, we turn to God for His blessing, His protection and His guidance.

As St. Paul said in the 1st reading: We all have to experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God.

But even in the face of hardships, God will give us strength and peace to keep the faith.

It is also with God’s strength and peace that we bear witness to our faith even in hardships.

5th Week of Easter, Monday, 08-05-2023

Acts 14:5-18 / John 14:21-26

As Christians, our mission is to proclaim the Good News.

We proclaim the Good News in whatever state of life we are in.

So it may be by preaching and teaching, or in witnessing by what we do at work, or in whatever service we provide for others.

The core of this Good News is summed up concisely by St. Paul in the 1st reading as he said this:

We have come with Good News to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold.

That is the Good News that we bring to others so that they will come to believe in God and be saved.

But others will only believe when they can see that we ourselves are living out the Good News of salvation.

So the Good News must make its home in us. That also means that God has made His home in us.

When God has made His home in us, then our words and our actions will be from the One who is living in us.

When God is living in us, then the Good News will just flow from us to others.

5th Sunday of Easter, Year A, 07.05.2023

Acts 6:1-7 / 1 Peter 2:4-9 / John 14:1-12

The amazing thing about life is that what does not stop us will make us stronger. 

The human ability to move on despite tragedies and disasters is actually quite astonishing. 

Just going back to recent history, humanity has survived two major wars on a worldwide scale. 

And the recent worldwide pandemic has finally been accepted as an endemic. 

Although what does not stop us will make us stronger, we also know that gain comes with pain.

The mega troubles of a worldwide scale have caused despair and distress. 

Similarly the personal troubles on a personal level will also cause despair and distress. 

But we want to move on and we know that we have to move on. 

But what are we moving on to? Are we moving on towards more troubles and more despair and distress? 

If what does not stop us will make us stronger, then we also must stop and ponder. 

We ponder about what has happened, and we wonder about what will happen. 

In pondering and wondering, we may come to see that if we can't handle the small troubles in life, then we will really be in despair over the bigger troubles. 

In the 1st reading, we hear of the early Church facing a rather small problem, and that is about the distribution of food to the poor in which some widows were neglected. 

It may seem to be a small problem compared to persecutions, but the apostles had to look into it. 

It was not just an administrative matter, because it also has spiritual implications. 

The apostles realized what their priority was, and after prayer, they appointed seven men to do that admin work. 

It may seem to be a small administrative matter, but if the apostles do not prioritize their spiritual duty, then there will be big troubles. 

In the gospel, Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled. 

He tells us to trust in God, and to trust in Him. 

He tells us that He has prepared a place for us and that He will bring us there. 

When we think about what is troubling us, it comes down to our security. 

We are anxious and we worry about our basic necessities of life, like food, clothing and shelter. 

We are anxious and worry about our financial security, our job security, our relationships and family, our health, etc. 

So far, we have survived and moved on. 

Although the troubles of life have not stopped us, yet we must ponder. 

In spite of the troubles of life, what is it that we hope for? 

Yes, we hope for a better life. But more than that, we hope for an eternal life. 

It is an eternal life with Jesus, where He will wipe away the tears from our eyes, and troubles of our hearts. 

So, we journey on towards the future, with our hopes on the eternal future. 

We journey on with Jesus, who is our Way, our Truth and our Life.

We journey on towards that eternal dwelling that Jesus has promised us.

4th Week of Easter, Saturday, 06-05-2023

Acts 13:44-52 / John 14:7-14

Some of our quirky behaviours can be really childish and even downright stupid.

We don't gain anything from that kind of behaviour, and yet we don't seem to acknowledge how silly we really are.

The 1st reading points to one such behaviour - jealousy.

Because of jealousy, the opponents of St. Paul used blasphemies and contradicted everything he said.

But they were like biting their own tongues because they were the very ones who rejected the message of eternal life.

Yet their jealousy was unrestrained and they went on to instigate the influential and powerful people to turn against Paul and Barnabas and to expel them from their territory.

So jealousy is not just a quirky behaviour. It can turn into a violent behaviour. And it can also create multiple damages.

And yet there is nothing to gain and everything to lose.

And even more so when a Christian succumbs to the evil of jealousy. Because he will create an even greater damage.

So we as Christians must always turn to Christ and be in union with Him.

When we are in union with Christ, not only will there be no place for jealousy in our hearts, but also the little that we do will be blessed and made great by God.

4th Week of Easter, Friday, 05-05-2023

Acts 13:26-33 / John 14:1-6     

As much as the future is uncertain, still we need to have directions.

We need to have directions so that we can keep on moving and not stagnate.

But even as we move on, we may wonder what lies ahead of us.

Even without looking too far ahead, we already have troubles to deal with in the present.

If that is so for the present, we may not have that high or bright hopes for the future.

But Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, and to trust in God and to trust in Him.

He tells us that there are many rooms in His Father’s house, and He is going to prepare a place for us.

And He will take us to that place that He has prepared for us.

So as much as there are troubles in the present, as well as troubles in the future, yet we journey on with hope.

Our hope is not for a better future. Rather our hope is for an eternal future, a future that our Lord Jesus has prepared for us.

So we know where we are going, and with Jesus as our Way, our Truth and our Life, we will journey on with hope for that eternal dwelling that He has promised us.

4th Week of Easter, Thursday, 04-05-2023

Acts 13:13-25 / John 13:16-20      

In life, it is important to know our status and to act accordingly.

If we are subordinates, then we know that we will have to carry out our superior’s directions.

If we are students or apprentices, then we will have to follow our teacher’s or instructor’s instructions.

As Jesus said in the gospel, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.

And Jesus also said that happiness will be ours if we behave accordingly.

So in life, we must know who has authority over us – our parents, our superiors, our instructors, our teachers.

Over and above, we also know that God is our Creator and it is Him that we pledge our obedience and to do His will.

Our model is Jesus who came to do the Father’s will.

Let us follow the way of Jesus, and happiness and peace will be ours.

Sts. Philip and James, Apostles, Wednesday, 03-05-2023

1 Cor 15:1-8 / John 14:6-14       

Today we celebrate the feast of two apostles, St. Philip and St. James.

St. Philip was one of the first chosen disciples of Christ.  He in turn shared his calling with Nathaniel, saying, “We have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth.” And when Nathaniel in wonder asked, “Can any good come out of Nazareth?” And St. Philip simply answered, “Come and see,” and brought him to Jesus.

St. James (the Lesser), traditional author of the Letter of James, was the son of Alphaeus. Saint Paul tells us that he was favored by a special apparition of Christ after the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). As the Apostles went forth among the nations to preach the Good News, Saint James remained as Bishop of Jerusalem, where the Jews held him in high veneration for his purity, mortification, and prayer, that they named him the Just. He governed that church for 30 years before his martyrdom.

Yet, like the rest of the apostles, St. Philip and St. James also took a while to understand who Jesus was and who He really was.

As we heard in the gospel, St. Philip asked Jesus to let them see the Father and they shall be satisfied. We could almost hear Jesus sighing as He commented that they still do not know Him.

As we also heard in the 1st reading, after His resurrection Jesus seemed to have made a special appearance to St. James and then to the rest of the apostles.

It was after His resurrection that the apostles began to understand who Jesus really was and that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Just like how St. Philip and St. James and the rest of the apostles were called and sent forth to preach the Good News, we too are called and sent.

Just like the apostles had to slowly come to an understanding of who Jesus is and that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, we too must come to that understanding of who Jesus is.

The apostles were ordinary men who trusted and loved Jesus and led holy lives worthy of their calling.

May we too love Jesus deeply, pray faithfully and live lives worthy of the Good News of Lord.

4th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 02-05-2023

Acts 11:19-26 / John 10:22-30

As Christians, our mission is to proclaim the Good News of salvation.

We carry out our mission according to our vocation.

So some are called to preach, some are called to teach, some are called to lead.

There are so many ways that the Good News is proclaimed, and each Christian is called to do it in a unique way.

In the 1st reading, when the Church in Jerusalem heard about what was happening in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to find out more.

Barnabas (his name means “son of encouragement”) saw for himself that God has given grace to the church in Antioch, and he was pleased, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion.

The 1st reading also said this of Barnabas: he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.

So Barnabas encouraged and supported the Christians in Antioch, and later he would mentor St. Paul to be a great missionary.

So to be a witness and to proclaim the Good News of salvation does not necessarily mean that we must be very knowledgeable, and capable and suitable.

Like Barnabas, we just need to be a good person, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith, and to encourage and support others to live the Christian life.

Let us remember that the Lord calls us to do little things with great love.