21st Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 01-08-2023

1 Thess 4:1-8 / Matthew 25:1-13     

The flame of a candle does not burn by itself. The wax of the candle fuels the flame and hence the candle gives light.

Similarly for an oil lamp. The lamp does not burn on its own. It needs the oil to keep the flame burning.

These are just two examples of the fact that for something good to happen, something must be offered.

Or to put it in another way, in order to gain something good, something has to be given up.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul reminds us that what God wants is for us to be holy.

In order to be holy, we must give up our sins of the flesh as well as sins of the heart.

Just like the candle and the oil lamp that gives light because the wax and the oil is burnt up, we can only be holy when we give up our sins and let the God’s love burn it up.

In the gospel parable, Jesus reminds us to stay awake and to be alert, because the devil is like a roaring lion looking for someone to tempt and fall into sin.

Whenever we sin, let us quickly come back to Lord to ask for forgiveness.

When we keep giving up our sins and burning them up with God’s love and forgiveness, then we will also grow in holiness.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 31-08-2023

1 Thess 3:7-13 / Matthew 24:42-51   

When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down. (Ecclesiastes 11:3). Similarly when the heart is heavy, the tears will fall.

The earth has received many tears from humanity since time began and the tears have yet to cease.

We shed tears when in pain; we shed tears when in grief and sorrow; we shed tears when overcome by emotions. When the heart is heavy, the tears will fall.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul mentioned a little about his own troubles and sorrows but with not much details.

But in other letters to the other early Christian communities, he did mention about shedding tears for them.

To shed tears over our own trials and tribulations is understandable; but to shed tears for someone would mean that the person(s) really matter to us.

It may not be tears literally, but those times when we pour out our life and time looking out for those whom we care about, but have gone astray.

Our worry and anxiety for them, the pain that we feel in our heart for them, those are like invisible tears that only we ourselves will know.

But still, may we stay awake at all times, praying and making sacrifices for them, so that their tears will cease, and so that there will be no more weeping and grinding of teeth.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 30-08-2023

1 Thess 2:9-13 /  Matthew 23:27-32   

When it comes to parents, the mother-figure expresses a tender love that is caring and guiding.

Also, the maternal instinct is usually to look out for her children and to gather them together in the safety of her arms.

On the other hand, there is the father-figure that is an expression of authority and discipline.

But in the father-figure is also where there is security, strength, duty and responsibility.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that he treated every one of them as a father treats his children.

And just as what a good father does for his children, St. Paul taught them what is right, encouraging them and appealing to them to live a life worthy of God so that they can have a share in the glory of the kingdom of God.

And St. Paul’s reward is that as soon as they heard the message, they accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking.

In the gospel, Jesus pointed out that the scribes and Pharisees had done exactly what their fathers had done, disregarding the law of God and persecuting the prophets.

Good parents will teach their children good values and the good principles of life.

As Christians, we have the duty to guide others in God’s ways, especially in the way of love.

In union with Jesus, we lead them to God the Father who is the source of all love.

The Passion of St. John the Baptist, Tuesday, 29-08-2023

Jeremiah 1:17-19 / Mark 6:17-29  

We might wonder how Jesus would have felt when he heard about the death of his cousin, John the Baptist.

Not much is said about their relationship, but we can guess they knew each other from their earliest days, probably played together, talked about life.

Both knew they had a mission.

And both also know that the mission cannot be accomplished without putting their lives on the line.

John the Baptist was the first to do it and that line was drawn across his neck.

For Jesus, it was drawn at the cross.

And for us, that line will also be drawn for us.

A line that will cut across the various aspects of our lives when we have to decide between whose side to stand on.

To stand on God's side, then there will be lines drawn right across our faith, our love, our hope, our security, our future, which will result in sorrow and pain, and maybe even some scars and wounds.

But it is through those sorrows and pain, and those scars and wounds that God will continue to save the world.

For it is by Christ's wounds that we ourselves have been healed and saved.

May we, like St. John the Baptist, put our lives in the hands of God, and bear witness to truth and love.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 28-08-2023

1 Thess 1:1-5, 8-10 / Matthew 23:13-22   

God speaks to us in the Bible, which is the Holy Book of the Church.

The Bible contains the Word of God, and essentially it is about the Good News of salvation.

So, we not only hear the Word of God, we also hear that Good News of salvation that will change our lives.

The Good News is not just mere words but it has the power to save us and help us keep walking along the road of salvation.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that God loves them and that they have been chosen to hear the Good News.

They hear it, not only as words, but as power from the Holy Spirit and it gave them the conviction.

They also saw how the disciples testified to the Good News with their lives, and they followed their example.

In the gospel, Jesus pointed out the wrong actions of the scribes and Pharisees and warned against following them.

Let us be aware of our actions too. May we live our lives according to the Good News that we hear.

By living our lives in Christ, we bear testimony of the saving love of God for us and for the world.

21st Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 27.08.2023

Isaiah 22:19-23 / Romans 11:33-36 / Matthew 16:13-20

This coming Friday is a public holiday, but unlike other public holidays, there is something that we are required to do. We are required to cast our votes for the next President of Singapore. 

So it means that we are called upon to choose a leader. Essentially that is what voting means. 

When it comes to choosing a leader, the inclination is to choose someone who is most qualified and capable. 

So the leadership qualities to be considered would be academic qualifications, status, experience, achievements, success and a respectable standing in life. 

We would certainly want to choose someone that we have confidence in, as well as someone who will meet our requirements. 

As for the candidate for the leadership role, what he or she says or promises the people will be scrutinized when he or she assumes the office. 

That is generally how it goes in the secular world, and we are familiar with that. 

In the gospel, we hear of a different structure and a different process. 

When Jesus asked His disciples who do they say He is, it was Peter who declared that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. 

It was God who inspired Peter to make that declaration, and with that, Jesus appointed Peter to be, as we call it now, the first Pope. 

By worldly standards, Peter, or for that matter of fact, the rest of the disciples, were hardly qualified or capable for any leadership role. 

The appointment of Peter, which by secular standards, is questionable, says a lot about Jesus. 

But it goes to show that in the Church, all power and authority that comes with the appointment, comes from God. 

Jesus also promised that Peter will be the rock on which He will build His Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. 

But throughout the history of the Church, there are numerous occasions when the Church, and the Pope, faced mortal danger and yet there was divine intervention. 

One was in the year 452, when Attila the Hun and his barbaric horde came upon Rome to kill and to plunder. 

Going out to meet him was the old and frail Pope Leo the Great, hoping to negotiate with Attila the Hun, and prepared to lay down his life for his people. 

In an unexpected and surprising turn of events, Attila the Hun and his barbarians turn back and left Rome untouched. 

One account has it that when Attila the Hun met the Pope, he saw two looming figures flanking the Pope, said to be Saint Peter and St Paul, and they were wielding swords and warning Attila. 

He also saw a huge heavenly army behind the Pope, and he recoiled and immediately retreated. 

So, on that day when he met Attila the Hun, Pope Leo showed that meekness is the mightiest of Heaven's powers. 

And again, later on, the famous French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, once threatened the Church saying that in a few months he will destroy the Church. 

The Pope's spokesman, replied: If in the 1800 years, we Catholics have failed to destroy the Church, do you really think that you will be able to do so? 

Napoleon Bonaparte would later find out the answer after his defeat and during his exile. 

It is often said that the Church is human, even too human, with the weakness, failings, scandals and whatever.

But it also must be said that the Church is divine, because Jesus Christ is the Head, and we are the members of His Body. 

Yes, the Church, at all levels, has its flaws, it has failed, and it even has been faithless at times. 

But let us remember that Jesus Christ is our Head, and He will protect us from the destructive power that comes out of the gates of the underworld. 

Like Pope Leo the Great, who showed that meekness is the mightiest power from heaven, let us walk the path of simplicity, humility and charity. 

Then we, the Church, will be able to lead the world in the way of salvation.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 26-08-2023

Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 / Matthew 23:1-12     

The word retribution has this meaning of punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.

But retribution is just one of the negative expressions of that rule of life that tells us not to do unto others what we do not want others to do unto us.

Another expression of that rule of life is vindication, which has a more positive aspect.

It means that for the good that we do, we will be recognized and rewarded along the way.

In the 1st reading, when Ruth asked Boaz how had she so earned his favour that he took notice of her, he said this to her:

I have been told all you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband’s death, and how you left your own father and mother and the land where you were born to come among a people whom you knew nothing about before you came.

For Ruth, it was a vindication moment for her for the love and the good that she had done for Naomi.

And more blessings will be bestowed on Ruth in time to come for the sacrifices she had made.

Let us believe that for all the good and the sacrifices that we have made and offered to the Lord, we will be blessed and rewarded.

Because God sees all we have done and He knows the intentions of our hearts.

Let us continue to believe in the God of love and goodness, and we will be persons of love and focused on doing good always.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 25-08-2023

Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22 / Matthew 22:34-40    

In life, we will encounter all sorts of differences.

There are differences of opinions, views, language, culture and the rest of it.

There is no doubt that differences can lead to divisions and disputes.

But, a deeper reflection of differences will help us come to a realization.

Differences are not intended to separate and to alienate.

Differences can actually help us to realise that we depend on each other.

In the 1st reading, the two women, Naomi and Ruth, were of different cultures, different races and different religions.

But Ruth understood that Naomi would be all alone if they went separate ways.

So she turned the differences into mutual dependance as they journey on in life.

And God would bless Ruth later on as she would become a prominent figure in the genealogy of Jesus.

Differences can be turned into mutual dependence when there is love.

So let us not let differences cause division, but with love, differences can help us realise how much we depend on each other, and also how much we depend on God.

 

St. Bartholomew, Apostle, Thursday, 24-08-2023

Apocalypse 21:9-14 / John 1:45-51    

St Bartholomew was from Cana in Galilee, and he was often identified as Nathaniel in the gospel of John but the other gospels listed him together with Philip as one of the first apostles chosen by Christ.

From the gospel, we can make a presumption of what kind of character he was.

For one, he was a straight-forward and a straight-talking person, who says what he means and means what he says.

We can make that presumption when he made that statement: Can anything good come from Nazareth? That was indeed a raw and cutting frankness.

Nonetheless, he was an open-minded person because he followed Philip to see who that person Jesus was.

He was also a person of prayer, as attested to by Jesus, because to sit under a fig tree means to be under its shade of coolness and to pray and meditate on God's righteousness and a longing for the coming of God's kingdom.

So in effect, Jesus was affirming Bartholomew about his character. It was like He knew what kind of a person Bartholomew really was.

Similarly, Jesus also knows each of us through and through and He also wants to affirm our goodness.

Like St. Bartholomew, let us continue to follow Jesus as He reveals Himself to us.

May we also come to know ourselves deeper and be strengthened in our goodness.

May we also always meditate on God's righteousness and on God's kingdom and proclaim it in our lives.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 23-08-2023

Judges 9:6-15 / Matthew 20:1-16     

In this world, the existence of good and evil is as distinct as day and night.

And going by what we see and hear on the media, it seems that evil seems to be overwhelming the good.

But more than just the media, we see the struggle between good and evil in the reality of our lives.

But we must understand that evil can only multiply and over-run the good when good people remain indifferent and do nothing about it.

In the 1st reading, Jotham spoke of a parable that pointed out this problem.

The good people and those who were capable of leading the country were only thinking of themselves.

They were represented by the olive tree, the fig tree, the vine.

So in the absence and the inaction of the good people, the bad people came up and took advantage of the situation, as represented by the thorn bush.

So there are good people, but for one reason or another, they just remained dormant and indifferent.

Let us pray that the good people will be awakened by the grace of God and move into action for the good of others.

May they be guided by the Holy Spirit to do what is good, right and just.

And if we are the ones that God is calling, let us get up and get going.

The good that we do for others is also the good that we are doing for ourselves.

Queenship of the BVM, Tuesday, 22-08-2023

Isaiah 9:1-6 / Luke 1:26-38  

Eight days ago, the Church celebrated the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

Mary entered heaven body and soul, and she is the first to receive the fullness of salvation that Jesus won for humanity through His Resurrection and Ascension.

When Mary was in this world, she shared in the ministry as well as the sufferings of Jesus.

She is now in heaven and enjoys that eternal reward that God gives to those who are faithful and do His will.

The Church acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord of heaven and earth and King of all creation.

The Church also acknowledges Mary as the Queen in heaven, because even in heaven, she continues to share in the saving mission Jesus has given to the Church.

With the title of Queen of heaven, our faith in the intercession of Mary our Mother is also reinforced.

Let us continue to ask Mary for her intercession, that we too will be faithful to God and do His will, and that one day we will join her in heaven to praise God forever.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 21-08-2023

Judges 2:11-19 / Matthew 19:16-22   

There is no doubt that we desire to have a good life.

A good life would probably mean that life is comfortable, there is financial security and life is generally stable.

But human beings won’t be contented with just that. They will strive for more.

When the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, their days of wandering in the desert also came to an end.

They settled in the land of milk and honey and life became comfortable and stable.

But that is also when problems began.

They became unfaithful to God and practiced idolatry and did what was displeasing to God.

Their comfort and their security became their downfall as they strayed away from the God who led them out of slavery into freedom and provided for them in the desert.

In other words, they forgot about the hard life and they also took God’s love for granted.

May we always remember the goodness that the Lord our God has blessed us with.

May we always give thanks with a grateful heart, and God will bless us and keep us safe.

20th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 20.08.2023

Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 / Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 / Matthew 15:21-28

It is said that everyone is equal, but it also has to be said that there are differences. 

It is undeniable that some people, or some groups, seem to have more privileges, more advantages, and more opportunities. 

They have a head start over the rest, and they also seem to be in the lead all the way. They have gifts and talents that stand out from the ordinary people. 

We admire them, and we may even envy them, because they make it look easy what is difficult for us, and what is like natural to them is a struggle for us. 

So, we may think that we are just ordinary people, much like the rest of the ordinary people. 

Yes, by and large, we are ordinary people, living ordinary lives, and we won't think of doing anything extraordinary in life. 

And if we want to have any achievements or success in life, there is no other way than the way of hard work and sweat. 

Even when it comes to faith in God, we have our doubts, and we think that we cannot be as holy as the Saints. 

As we know, the Jews were God's Chosen People. It was to them that God revealed Himself and made a covenant with them. 

Today's gospel passage is written by Matthew, himself a Jew, and who was a tax collector before Jesus called him. 

He was probably with the disciples who witnessed that encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman. 

In today's Gospel account, we may wonder why Jesus seemed to be brushing off that Canaanite woman and making it so difficult for her. 

But when Matthew wrote this account, he was simply stating that Jesus came for the Jewish people, because they were the Chosen Race, they were God's Chosen People. 

They have the privilege of God's first blessings over other people and they were proud of it. 

But Matthew also steered the gospel passage to a wider perspective, when he showed that Jesus will also grant God's blessings to outsiders, to those who do not belong to that Jewish people. 

That final statement of Jesus state a profound point when He said this to the Canaanite woman: Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted. 

So more than just advantages and privileges, God's blessings are granted to those who have faith in Him. 

This gospel passage is important to us because it states two things. One is that we, the Church, are also God's Chosen People because we believe that Jesus Christ is our Saviour. 

And the other point is that, like that Canaanite woman, we live by faith. With faith, we turn disadvantage into a direction, an obstacle into an opportunity, a trial into a testimony. 

That was what the Canaanite woman did, and she even taught us a simple and powerful prayer: Lord, help me. 

And Jesus will help us, each one of us, when we take a good grip on our faith. 

And when each of us come together in prayer and worship, we are not just an ordinary group of people, we are God's People, we are God’s children, we call God “Our Father”. 

Together, we unite as Church in prayer for each other that God will bless our needs. 

Together, we pray for the world and the problems that the world is facing that God will grant peace and harmony.

Together, we persevere and persist in our faith like that Canaanite woman did. 

Yes, we are not an ordinary people, we are God's People, we are God's children. 

God will listen to our prayer, and send forth His blessings when we pray: Lord, help me. Lord, help us.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 19-08-2023

Joshua 24:14-29 / Matthew 19:13-15   

It is a human desire and inclination to be a superior than to be a subordinate.

We like to be the master rather than to be the servant.

We would think that it is easier and more comfortable to be the superior and the master.

To be a servant is to be at the beck and call of the master, and the servant is under the watchful eyes of the master.

In the 1st reading, Joshua said that he and his house will serve the Lord.

To make that declaration is also to make a submission and a commitment to the Lord.

A deeper reflection would help us realise that it is by serving the Lord that He will look after us.

In being the Lord’s servants, He will protect us and provide for our needs.

He will grant us His blessings of peace and joy in our lives.

We just have to be faithful and obedient servants and do the will of God.

Let us have no other god or master other than the Lord our God.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 18-08-2023

Joshua 24:1-13 / Matthew 19:3-12     

In education, “The three Rs” are three basic skills taught in schools: reading, writing and arithmetic (usually said as "reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic").

With those three basic skills one would be able to get along.

And there are also another “Three Rs” in life.

They are Recall, Remember and Reflect.

These three Rs in life bring us back to our origins, and also to the basics of life.

In the 1st reading, that was what Joshua did for the people.

He recalled for them where they came from, he made them remember the wonders that God had done for them, and he also brought them to reflect on the promises that God had fulfilled for them.

In all this, Joshua hoped that the people will revere the Lord and be faithful to Him.

In the gospel, Jesus also made the Pharisees recall, remember and to reflect about what marriage was about.

Jesus brought them back to the beginning of creation, how God made male and female and the two became one.

And what God has united, no man must ever divide.

As for us, let us always recall, remember and reflect on who God is and what He has done for us.

As we recall, remember and reflect, let us revere the Lord and be faithful to Him.

God has called us to be His own; let us not separate ourselves from Him.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 17-08-2023

Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17 / Matthew 18:21 - 19:1   

In life, there will always be changes.

So, changes are inevitable, but change makes us look deeper at ourselves and to reflect more about how we are responding to the change.

In the 1st reading, there were two significant changes – one was for Joshua, and the other for the Israelites.

Joshua is appointed by God to be the new leader for the Israelites, and his first task was to lead the Israelites into the promised land.

As for the Israelites, it was a change in identity and status.

They are no more wanderers in the desert but God’s People in the Promised Land.

The crossing of the river Jordan has changed their identity and status.

That also makes us reflect about the teaching of Jesus about forgiveness.

When we forgive others, we cross over the river of resentment and bitterness.

And we enter into the land of peace and joy, and we inherit the promises of Jesus.

So, let us respond to the changes in our lives positively and we will grow in the love of the Lord.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 16-08-2023

Deuteronomy 34:1-12 / Matthew 18:15-20    

There are many different views of life.

For some who are fortunate enough, they may say that life is good and life may be too short especially when they are enjoying it.

But generally, it may be said that life is difficult and problems seem to drag on.

For Moses, life had been burdensome for 40 years, with leading the Israelites in the desert.

They were always complaining about this or that, and Moses had to often plead with the Lord for forgiveness for the people.

When he went up to Mount Nebo, the Lord showed him the land that was promised to Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

Then the Lord said to him: I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you shall not cross into it.

Would Moses be disappointed that he would not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land?

After having endured 40 years of burden and frustration in the desert, wouldn’t it be time for him to have some reward and rest?

But the Lord had a far better reward for Moses. And Moses would be able to enjoy that reward in eternal rest.

So if we think that life is difficult and burdensome, let us remember how Moses endured those 40 years.

After all, our sufferings in this life cannot be compared to the eternal reward that God wants to give us.

Assumption of Mary, Tuesday, 15-08-2023

Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 / 1 Cor 15:20-26 / Luke 1:39-56    

The Catholic Church has an undeniable deep devotion to Mary.

Yet, every devotion and every feast of Mary always point to Jesus who is the Saviour.

In this glorious feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the gospel passage brings the focus back to Jesus and what God did for Mary.

At the Visitation scene, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she proclaimed Mary as most blessed and blessed is the fruit of her womb.

And then Elizabeth addressed Mary as “the mother of my Lord”.

That is the most profound title of Mary, but her relationship with Jesus is more than just biological and physical.

As the mother of Jesus, she also followed Jesus in listening to the Word of God and doing God’s will.

As the mother of Jesus, she shared in His sufferings on the Cross.

And it was on the Cross, that Jesus proclaimed that Mary is our mother also.

And from being just the mother of Jesus, Mary went on to be the mother of the disciples and the mother of the Church.

So let us continue to have a deep devotion to Mary, and may she help us to listen to the Word of God and to do God’s will.

Let us set our hearts on Jesus who is our Saviour, and with Mary interceding for us, let us hold on to the hope that we will join her in heaven to praise the Lord forever.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 14-08-2023

Deuteronomy 10:12-22 / Matthew 17:22-27   

There are some things in life that are worth fighting for.

Yet, there are also some things in life that we can walk away from.

So, in order to fight the good fight, we must discern if any good is gained from it.

There is no need to fight every fight and lose our energy and strength over the unnecessary.

In the gospel, the tax-collectors asked Peter if Jesus was going to pay the half-shekel tax.

Jesus could have argued and pointed out that He need not pay the tax.

But He said to Peter that He doesn’t want to offend them, and He told Peter how to get that half-shekel in a rather strange way.

We may wonder why Jesus doesn’t want to offend the tax-collectors.

But Jesus knew that those tax-collectors were just following instructions and it would be a waste of time to argue with them.

Let us ask Jesus to help us discern what are the important and necessary things to do that will give glory to God.

Let us fight the good fight for the glory of God and for our good and for the good of others.

19th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 13.08.2023

1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 / Romans 9:1-5 / Matthew 14:22-33

In a country, or in an organization, or in a group, there is always a need for a leader. 

When there is a leader, then there will be unity and stability. 

The leader will be the one who will make decisions and give directions. 

So, a good leader will have to know the way, show the way and also lead the way. A leader won't just imagine the way and talk about the way and then go away. 

So, leadership skills are not just about theory and strategy. It is about leading others in a journey and keeping the unity. 

So, when there is no leader, or when there are too many leaders, then there will be problems, just like too many cooks all spoil the soup. 

But when there is a leader, and the leader is not present, the strength and the weakness of the group will be exposed. 

In the gospel, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and go on ahead to the other side, while He would send the crowds away. And then he went up to the hills to pray. 

When evening came, the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea. 

Certainly, the disciples in the boat were afraid as they were facing a mortal danger. 

Though, they were in the same boat, they may not have the same idea, as each would be thinking about his own survival. 

In such a situation, the strength and weakness of the individual, as well as the group, are exposed. 

Probably, everyone in the boat was panicking, but was there anyone who was praying? 

Probably not, because they were so terrified that when they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought He was a ghost. 

The disciples forgot about all that Jesus had taught them: 

- About the promise that where two or three are gathered in prayer, He will be there. 

- About faith that can move mountains, and calm the storms. 

We may not go sailing that often, so we may not know how terrifying the storms are at the sea. 

But even on dry land, we know about the storms of life. 

And these storms can make us forget about the teachings of Jesus, and we think only for ourselves and about ourselves. 

And storms will rattle family, the Church community, and the country. 

We just celebrated National Day, and we know how important it is for unity in our country. 

We also know how storms can break up families when they are not united. 

The Church has also faced the storms of faith that made us doubt and be skeptical and cynical. 

But let us believe that Jesus, our Saviour and Leader, is always present. 

And He wants us to be signs of His presence in the Church as well as in the world. 

So, it is not about me, but it is about we. 

It is about unity, it is about community. 

Because alone I “say”, but together we “talk”. Alone I “enjoy”, but together we “celebrate”. Alone I “smile”, but together we “laugh”. 

That is the beauty of unity, that is the power of community. 

When we are united in prayer, Jesus will always be present to lead us, and we will have the power to witness to Jesus as the Saviour and Leader of the world.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 12-08-2023

Deuteronomy 6:4-13 / Matthew 17:14-20    

Some people would say that love is a feeling, others would say it is an action, yet others would say that love is a decision.

But love is a combination of feelings, actions and decisions.

In the 1st reading, Moses told the people: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart (feeling), with all your soul (action) and with all your strength (decision).

It is a love in totality. It encompasses feelings that must be expressed in action, and reinforced continuously with decisions.

Yet, like the mustard seed that Jesus used as an imagery in today's Gospel, love is also a growth.

How we understand love in our younger days, we understand love now in much deeper ways.

To say that we love God might be quite easy, as in our love for God is merely confined to feelings.

Now we know that our love for God must be experienced in love for others, and that can be difficult.

There are mountains of resentment, bitterness, anger, disappointment etc to move.

But as long as we love God, these mountains can be moved.

Then we will understand that love is a feeling, an action as well as a decision.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 11-08-2023

Deuteronomy 4:32-40 / Matthew 16:24-28  

The Cross is a sacred symbol in Christianity.

For us Catholics, it is the Crucifix, meaning that it is the Cross with the corpus of Jesus nailed to it.

When we meditate and ponder on the Crucifix, we can see what it means for us.

Jesus died and sacrificed Himself for us on the Cross to save us from our sins.

All that Jesus taught, what He proclaimed, and all His works of mercy and charity are summed up on the Cross.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us this: If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.

For Jesus, it was on the Cross that He fulfilled His mission of salvation.

As for us, it is with the cross that we will understand the meaning of our lives as Christians.

It is with the cross that we die to our pride, our desires, our greed, our selfishness.

It is with the cross that we will follow Jesus as our Way, our Truth and our Life.

It is with the cross that we offer our lives to God so that we can be saved.

The Cross is the holy and sacred symbol of Christianity.

May we carry the cross so that we can live holy lives that are pleasing to God.

St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, Thursday, 10-08-2023

2 Cor 9:6-10 / John 12:24-26

St. Lawrence was a deacon of the Church of Rome when Pope Sixtus was martyred along with four other deacons during the year 258.

St. Lawrence, who was temporarily in charge of the administration, was told by the authorities that if he wanted to be spared, he was to surrender all the treasures of the Church in three days time.

So during the next three days, St. Lawrence went around gathering the poor and the needy who were supported by the Church.

Then he brought them before the authorities and he told them: These are the treasures of the Church.

Needless to say, he was taken away to be tortured to death. The account of the execution scene was morbid.

St. Lawrence was stripped and tied to a wire-mesh to be roasted over the fire.

One account has it that St. Laurence said to his torturers: You can turn me over, I am well done on this side.

But martyrdom is certainly no laughing matter, but yet even as the blood of the martyrs was poured out, the Church grew especially in those terrible times.

Because it was a blood that was willingly poured out, willingly given for the glory of God.

As the 1st reading puts it, St. Lawrence and the other martyrs sowed with their blood and their lives and they reaped the harvest of eternal life.

And as the gospel puts it, St. Lawrence gave up his life in witness to Jesus and by his death the Church reaped a rich harvest of faith.

The martyrdom of St. Lawrence reminds us that our lives are to be poured out for others so that they can grow in faith and love and be the treasures of the Church.

Hence, every sacrifice we make is like a dying to ourselves, and yet the harvest that will be reaped will make it all worth it.

National Day, Wednesday, 09-08-2023

Isaiah 63:7-9 / Colossians 3:12-17 / Luke 12:22-31  

As we rejoice with our nation in celebrating 58 years of independence, we are aware of one thing.

And that is, we are Singaporeans not by choice.

Yes, our ancestors came to Singapore, and we, their descendants, have settled here and called this country our home.

But more than that, we are here as citizens of this country in the plan of God.

As God’s people in the land of Singapore, we have a mission for our nation.

We give thanks to God for blessing our nation with peace, progress and prosperity.

As the 1st reading puts it: We want to sing praises of God’s goodness, and of His marvellous deeds, for all that He has done for us and for our country, and for the great kindness He has shown to Singapore in His mercy and in His boundless goodness.

Our mission is to witness to the Christian values of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and peace.

Above all, we witness to God’s love so that the peace of Christ will reign in the hearts of the people of this country.

So we must continue to pray for Singapore and her leaders, as well for the Church to grow in Singapore.

May the Lord continue to bless Singapore and watch over our country and our nation.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 08-08-2023

Numbers 12:1-13 / Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14 (Year A)  

One of the fundamental principals of life is respect.

Respect is more than just an attitude.

It takes into account the dignity of persons, as well as their responsibilities and appointments and authority.

When there is no respect, then the social order becomes chaotic.

Even the elected or appointed leaders will not be respected, and the result would be rebellion and mutiny.

But respect for persons in authority or appointments is an expression of respect for God who is the origin of all authority and order.

In the 1st reading, we heard of what happened to Miriam and Aaron when they had no respect for the authority and leadership of Moses.

Let us remember that more than just respect for those in authority and those who are appointed, we must respect our neighbour.

When there is respect, it will build relationships, and even if there is a disagreement, there can still be reconciliation.

But essentially, when we respect others, we are also showing respect for God.

When we respect God and others, God will bless our relationships with one another and there will be unity and harmony.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 07-08-2023

Numbers 11:4-15 / Matthew 14:22-36 (Year A)

In life, we will certainly face setbacks.

As much as we will pray for peace and happiness in life, we also need to be prepared for sadness and grief.

That is the undeniable common experience in life, and everyone will have to go through it.

Even for Jesus, when He heard about the death of John the Baptist, He would have felt sadness and grief.

Jesus had a personal relationship with John the Baptist, and his sudden death would have affected Jesus.

So, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and sent them off to the other side.

Then He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.

So, even Jesus need to come to terms with His sadness and grief.

We may not know what His prayer was, but going by our experience of sadness and grief, we could make some assumptions.

We would be angry with God, we would be frustrated, we would want to blame someone or we may blame ourselves in regret.

But we know that we need some time to let the pain and hurt subside before we can move on.

May the image of Jesus praying alone in the hills also remind us to pray for those who are in pain and hurting over their sadness and grief.

When we show compassion and understanding to those who are in sadness and in grief, then we too will be comforted in our time of need.

Transfiguration, Year A, 06.08.2023

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / 2 Peter 1:16-19 / Matthew 17:1-9    

This coming Wednesday, our country will be celebrating 58 years of independence. 

The highlight of the day will be the National Day Parade in the evening. 

As in the previous years, it will be a spectacular day with the singing of the National Anthem and other patriotic songs. 

There will also be aerial displays, marching contingents, performances, fireworks and other items. 

It will be a rousing celebration of national identity and unity, and we will feel proud to be Singaporeans. 

For a country that is often called a “small little red dot”, we have progressed well and achieved much. 

We will recall how we begin 58 years ago, how hard life used to be, and how good it is now. And we know what will be required to move onward as one people and one country. 

When we reflect on the celebration of the annual National Day Parade, we may see that there are some aspects that are similar to the feast of the Transfiguration. 

The Transfiguration happened somewhere in the middle of the ministry of Jesus. He had come to be known as a preacher who teaches with authority, and also someone who cures the sick and works miracles. 

But Jesus was also facing mounting opposition and criticism. 

He needed a so-called “recharge”, and so He brought along Peter, James and John up a high mountain where they could be alone. 

There He was transfigured. He was affirmed of His identity as the beloved Son of the Father. 

The presence of Moses and Elijah points to Jesus as the new Lawgiver and the Prophetic voice of God. 

Indeed, the Transfiguration was a significant moment for Jesus, in which His glory and identity were revealed. 

At the Transfiguration, the past was recalled, and future was foretold in the person of Jesus. 

Just as in the yearly celebration of National Day in which the history of our nation is recalled and we look into the future, the Transfiguration has a similar and yet a deeper meaning. 

It helps us to look at the journey of our faith with its joys and hopes, as well as the griefs and anxieties. 

It also brings us deeper into the mystery of our faith, as we see Jesus in the centre of our lives. 

In the Transfiguration, history and mystery are united in Jesus Christ. 

The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us that the history of our lives and the mystery of our faith are brought together in Jesus Christ.

We may have seen that TV footage from 58 years ago when the founding father of our nation, the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, announced the separation of Singapore from Malaysia.

His face was grim, and as he spoke, his voice began to quiver, and then he broke down.

If we were watching it on TV then, we too would have felt the quiver in the spine.

Would Singapore be able to survive? What would the future be like, or would there be a future for us?

Yes, our griefs and anxieties then, and about the future were real.

But 58 years later, we would look at that same footage with so-called “transfigured” eyes and hearts.

We will be proud that we have survived that dark moment, and we give thanks for where and what we are now.

Jesus wants to transfigure the dark moments of our past by shining the light of His Transfiguration to give us hope for the future.

So, the significance of the Transfiguration happens when the history of our lives are connected to the mystery of our faith. 

And in Jesus, the mystery of our faith reveals the connection of our lives with Jesus and our encounters with others. 

Let us journey on in the mystery of our faith, and let us keep listening to Jesus as He reveals Himself to us.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 05-08-2023

Leviticus 25:1, 8-17 / Matthew 14:1-12

One of the fundamental principles of life is that no one is to do anything wrong to his neighbour.

Regardless of whether it is emotional or physical, to do something that is morally wrong or legally wrong is a violation against that principle.

But when that principle is not adhered to, then the social order of life becomes corrupted and people will take things into their own hands without discretion.

The 1st reading reiterates this fundamental principle when God said this: Let none of you wrong his neighbour, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.

So that principle has a divine origin, and it is always for the good of humanity.

King Herod violated that principle when he arrested John the Baptist for pointing out the wrong he had done.

And often, one violation will be followed by a more serious one.

King Herod gave orders for John the Baptist to be executed just because of some casual promise made to a girl.

In all this, let us remember to observe and adhere to moral principles.

We are not just doing good to others and to ourselves.

We are also witnessing to the goodness of the God whom we believe in.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 04-08-2023

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37 / Matthew 13:54-58   

The human need for acceptance is critical for growth and development.

Even when we are in our mother’s womb, we could already feel our mother’s emotions towards us.

Whether in the womb or in the world, we will have to develop our self-confidence so that we can find our place in the world, as well as our standing with others.

But it can be challenging and difficult when we face criticism and rejection.

We would have to dig into our self-worth to keep going and believing in ourselves.

When Jesus came to His hometown and taught the people in the synagogue, His own people were astonished, and then came the criticism and finally rejection.

Jesus had to stand His ground and to believe who He really is and also what His mission is.

And Jesus also calls out to us who are His disciples to be prepared for criticism and rejection.

Jesus called out to St. John Vianney to be a priest, and at first, he faced criticism and rejection because of his lowly status as well as being intellectually slow.

But St. John Vianney persevered in his holiness and devotion, he became a model and patron saint of all priests.

Jesus has called us to be His disciples. He gave us dignity and self-worth so that we can witness to His love for all peoples.

May our confidence be in Jesus alone, and we will stand our ground and hold our heads up.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 03-08-2023

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 / Matthew 13:47-53     

We may be rather envious of the Israelites in the 1st reading.

They can actually see the presence of God in the holy things around them.

Anyway, they had already seen the wonders the Lord did in the land of Egypt.

And they had also seen how the Lord delivered them from the Egyptian army by parting the sea for them to cross over, and yet drowned the Egyptians.

And now, in the tabernacle that Moses had made, the presence of God rested on it like a cloud during the day, and a fire shone within the cloud by night.

But for us, we don’t see such awesome signs of God’s presence.

We have our doubts but we still walk on by faith.

And as we walk through life, we are like the dragnet that brings in a haul of all kinds.

But with faith, we know what is good and bad, and we keep what is good and throw out what is bad.

We may not see awesome signs of the presence of God.

But with faith, we will see God in all things and give thanks to God for everything.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 02-08-2023

Exodus 34:29-35 / Matthew 13:44-46   

There is no doubt that everyday we do a lot of important things.

But while we are busy doing so many important things, we may just want to stop and do take a little time to do some reflecting.

Just what are the things we are doing that are really important?

Does it only have a temporary importance, or does it also have an eternal importance?

We need to remember that how we live our lives here on earth is a preparation of how we are going to live our lives in heaven.

And God has planted the treasures of heaven in our hearts to help us live our live our lives on earth.

Hence the search for this treasure is not from the without as in the material or tangible.

The search is from the within, in the depths of our hearts, where the treasures of God are waiting to be discovered.

When we discover that treasure within, then we will naturally let go of the things that are not important and unnecessary.

We will realize that it is God that is our only need, and it is God that we really want.