33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 22-11-2024

Apocalypse 10:8-11/ Luke 19:45-48   

The phrase “Actions speak louder than words” is truly a profound saying.

And if people believe a person’s words, then it is because of that person’s actions.

The gospel noted that the chief priests and the scribes tried to do away with Jesus.

But they couldn’t do that because the people as a whole hung on His words.

The people hung on the words of Jesus because they saw what He did.

They saw Him went to the Temple and began driving out those who were doing unfair business.

And Jesus took to the Scriptures to emphasize that the House of God is to be a house of prayer.

Yet, those who were doing business there were turning it into a robbers’ den.

What Jesus said were not sweet words, and for those who heard it, certainly made their stomachs sour.

May the words of Jesus make us realise the truth of our lives.

And if we truly believe in the words of Jesus, then let our actions speak louder than our words.

Presentation of the B. V. Mary, Thursday, 21-11-2024

Zechariah 2:14-17 / Matthew 12:46-51

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 20-11-2024

Apocalypse 4:1-11 / Luke 19:11-28   

We have to be careful about what we put into our mouths.

Of course it is food that we put into our mouths, and the food goes into our digestive system.

If we are not careful and we consume bad or spoilt food, then we are going to be in trouble.

But if we are careful about what goes into our mouths, then we may be quite careless about what comes out of our mouths.

What comes out from our mouths is what is in our hearts.

So, from the words that come out of our mouths, we will know the state of our hearts.

In the gospel parable, the king said this to the third servant: Out of your own mouth I condemn you.

It can also be said that out of that servant’s mouth, he condemned himself.

So let us watch what is in our hearts so that our words will be gracious and loving.

Let us also remember that what comes out of our mouths to praise God cannot also be use to say what is displeasing to Him and to others.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 19-11-2024

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

It is the time of the year for appraisals to be done.

Appraisals are usually done by the superior on the subordinate, or by the boss on the workers.

Appraisals are done to gauge the workers on their work performance and attitude.

But it can also be a time when the superior and subordinate, or the boss and the worker can have a conversation about their views and suggestions about the work environment.

But appraisals can be difficult when there is something sensitive to be pointed out.

But when it is the Lord who is going to point out the faults of His people, as in the 1st reading, there can be no avoiding or denying.

But more than just pointing out the faults of His people, the Lord wants to point His people to heaven.

But in order to make them look to heaven, the people must come down and see their faults and acknowledge them.

In the gospel, Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down from that sycamore tree so that he will come down to the reality of his life.

The Lord does not do an appraisal on us.

Rather He speaks to us in a soft gentle voice and prompts us to look at the signs.

May we hear His voice calling us to repentance so that we can look at heaven and journey towards there.

33rd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 18-11-2024

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

 

The word “again” implies a repetition.

So to do something again and again means that the task is done repeatedly.

That sounds rather mundane and monotonous.

But in life, there are a lot of things that we keep doing repeatedly and it becomes a routine for us.

And after some time, that routine is becomes so familiar that we don’t even need to think about it anymore.

In the gospel, Jesus asked the blind man what does he want.

The blind man replied, “Sir, let me see again”.

Probably that man could see but something happened and he became blind.

And now he desired to see again and this time he will cherish and treasure his eyesight.

In the 1st reading, the message to the church in Ephesus is this: You have less love now than you used to. Think where you were before you fell; repent and do as you used to at first.

That is also the message for us, that our love for God is not to be routine or mundane.

Let us ask the Lord to help us love again, so that our love will be deepened.

And as we love again and again, may we always cherish and treasure God as our first love.

33rd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 17.11.2024

Daniel 12:1-3 / Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 / Mark 13:24-32

One of the questions about life that we rather not think about is this: 

What is it that I am afraid of? 

Of course, there are many things in life that we are afraid of. 

When it comes to insects and such, some are afraid of lizards, others are afraid of cockroaches, and others are afraid of spiders. 

But those are just a part of the spectrum of fears. 

There are some who are afraid of heights, while others have stage-fright and others are afraid of crowds. 

To put it plainly, there is always something in life that we are afraid of. 

In Singapore, there is this general phenomenon of “kia-su” the fear of losing out. But whatever form of fears, the fact is that when it happens, we will lose control, we may even melt down and chaos can set in. 

It is like when the lights suddenly go off, and it is total darkness, and we begin to panic. 

In the gospel, Jesus talked about a rather disturbing and frightening situation. 

He said that in those days, after a time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will fall from heaven and other frightening sights. 

As we think about it, distress is already bad enough. 

Distress means that our lives are disturbed and we are displaced by all sorts of problems.

And it is not just about lizards or spiders, and it is more than the fear of heights or crowds. 

It is about chaos and confusion, and our faith is shaken. 

And as if the distress is not bad enough, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness and the stars will fall from heaven. 

In other words, after the distress, there will be darkness, a deep darkness that brings out all the fears in us. 

It is like one bad thing happening after another. 

As we think about it, this is not something new that Jesus is talking about. 

We have experienced bad things happening in our lives, and it is one bad thing after another. 

It is like being retrenched, and then getting into debt, and then a serious illness comes along. 

It is one distress after another, and the darkness becomes deeper and tighter. 

But in times like these, let us remember that verse from Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.” 

Yes, we need to be still and that all the distress and darkness will pass. 

Once a powerful king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, "Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something that can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?"  

All the wise men were puzzled by the King’s question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old wise man suggested something that appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity. 

Only in extreme danger, when the king finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The king put the paper in his bracelet. 

Some time later, the enemies attacked the kingdom. The king and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The king had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him, and they were getting closer and closer. 

Suddenly the king found himself at the edge of a cliff. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousands of feet deep. If he jumped down, he would be finished, and he could not return because it was a small road, and the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The king panicked. There seemed to be no way out.

Then suddenly he saw his bracelet shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the bracelet. He opened the paper and read the message. The message was – “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”

The king read it again and again. Suddenly something struck him - Yes! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, he was enjoying his kingdom. He was the mightiest of all the kings. Yet today, the kingdom and all his pleasures have gone. He is now trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his kingdom. 

The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were nowhere near him.

The king was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. 

Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on king from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment the king said to himself, “I am one of the bravest and greatest kings. It is not easy to defeat me.” With all the reception and celebration, an ego was emerging in him.

Suddenly his bracelet flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”. 

Yes, all the distress and darkness will pass but God's Word will not pass away. 

Even heaven and earth will pass away, but God's Word will never pass away. 

So, when we are faced with distress after distress, and the fear and darkness gets deeper and tighter, let us remember this. 

Let us remember to be still and know that God is with us. 

The distress and the darkness and the fear will pass away, but God's Word and His promises will not pass away. 

And God's Word and promise to us is this: God is here to stay, and He will not go away.

32nd Week, Saturday, 16-11-2024

3 John 5-8 / Luke 18:1-8  

To believe in God is to put our trust in Him.

We trust that God will always provide for our needs.

God created us and He will sustain us and provide for us.

In the 1st reading, the early missionaries went about proclaiming Jesus and the Good News of salvation.

The 1st reading reminds the Christian community that it is their duty to welcome these missionaries and contribute to their work for the truth.

It is only right and just in doing so.

And in the gospel, Jesus told a parable that God will provide especially when it is right and just.

God will see justice done to His chosen ones who cry out to Him.

And Jesus promises that God will see justice done and done speedily.

We turn to God and put our trust in His providence.

We also turn to God when injustice or some wrong is done to us.

Justice belongs to God. We only need to put our trust in God who will do what is right and just.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 15-11-2024

2 John 4-9 / 17:26-37  

There is one thing about life that can unsettle us.

And that is change. Change can disrupt our routines and schedules.

But change is inevitable, and it happens in fashion, styles, language, etc.

While change can be for the better, it may not be necessarily so.

In the 1st reading, the author says that there is no new commandment but the one which we were given from at the beginning.

And that commandment is as simple and understandable as it can be, and that is: let us love one another.

But the author of the 1st reading also warns of the many deceivers who would try to distract us from that fundamental commandment of love.

These deceivers would deviate from the commandment of love and introduce new ideas and thinking, which would contradict and change God’s commandment of love.

And in the gospel, Jesus also warns of distractions that make us lose focus on God’s commandment of love.

So in the midst of changes in lifestyle, in ideas and in practices, let us keep focused on God’s commandment of love.

God’s love for us will not change because it is an everlasting love.

May God’s love change us to make us love others as God loves us.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 14-11-2024

Philemon 7-20 / Luke 17:20-25  

We have heard it said so often, that the ways of God are not the ways of man.

In fact God’s ways are so much higher that the ways of man.

But so often, man thinks that he is smarter than God, and at times man even thinks that he is God.

And so mankind goes about doing things their way and thinks that their way is the best way.

But when things begin to go wrong and really wrong, then mankind starts blaming each other and may also blame God.

In the gospel, Jesus says that the kingdom of God does not admit of observation, and there will be no one to say “Look here, look there!”

And even if there is anyone who tells us to “Look there!” or “Look here!”, Jesus tells us to make no move, and do not set off in pursuit.

So, when everyone is running around looking for solutions to the problems of this world, what we need to do is to be still.

Yes, to be still and to know where God is, and Jesus tells us that God is among us.

And God is truly among us when two or three are gathered to pray for God to reveal His plans for us.

God’s plans may not be a path of roses. Jesus tells us there will be suffering and rejection when we say “yes” to God’s plan.

But we will go with God’s plan, because God loves us and His plans are for our good.

Let us put our faith and trust in God and we will be at peace.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 13-11-2024

Titus 3:1-7 / Luke 17:11-19   

Human beings are the most intelligent of all creatures on earth.

We have the ability to be creative and innovative.

But at the same time, human beings also have the tendency to be oppressive and destructive.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul reminds us that there was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and luxuries.

We lived then in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves.

It was the kindness and love of God our Saviour that woke up us from our sinfulness and we want to be saved and look forward to eternal life.

And that means that we will be obedient to the officials and representatives of the government, and ready to do good at every opportunity.

And we would not want to slander others or picking up quarrels, but to be courteous and always polite to all kinds of people.

The profound expression of our desire for salvation is when we want to always give thanks to God for His abundant love and blessings.

Like the Samaritan leper who came back to Jesus to express his thanks and gratefulness, let us ask God for a thankful heart.

With a grateful and thankful heart, God will grant us His abundant blessings and mercy for us and for the whole world.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 12-11-2024

Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 / Luke 17:7-10  

The one undeniable reality in life is that we go on in years, we will age.

In the younger days, we won’t think much about it.

But as we come to the senior years, we will feel the age in our bodies and in our bones.

And we hope that we will age gracefully.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul urges the older men and women to be dignified in their behaviour, and to be sound in faith and love.

And they are to be teachers of right behaviour and be an example of the message of God to the younger people.

In short, the seniors are to teach the younger people that what they have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God.

That is the duty of the seniors and they must see themselves as servants of God who are merely doing their duty.

It is in carrying out that duty with love and constancy that we will age gracefully.

It is in aging gracefully and lovingly that we will be an example and a model for the younger generation.

32nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 11-11-2024

Titus 1:1-9 / Luke 17:1-6 

To be a Christian is difficult because others will observe or even scrutinize our behaviour.

And if we don’t behave as a good Christian, then there will certainly be criticisms.

To be a Christian leader can be even more challenging and demanding.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul listed out for Titus the requirements for choosing and appointing elders for the Christian community.

And the requirements are so demanding that it would be like a miracle if anyone could ever be chosen.

And if anyone dares to accept the appointment of being an elder in the Christian community, he must be able to accept correction and even criticism.

And if he ever stumbles and falls, and becomes an obstacle for others, then, as Jesus said in the gospel, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck.

But the critical test for any Christian, and more so for a Christian leader, is in the virtue of forgiveness.

If a Christian cannot forgive others, then being a Christian is a contradiction.

May we always forgive others, just as God has forgiven us in Chirst.

32nd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 10.11.2024

 1 Kings 17:10-16 / Hebrews 9:24-28 / Mark 12:38-44

Whether people believe in God or not, it cannot be denied that everyone has a conscience. 

Although it also cannot be denied that there are some people who are able to suppress their conscience.

So, their conscience becomes numbed to the bad that they do to others, and evil they commit against others. 

But even with the conscience suppressed, the eyes and the ears cannot be shut off from the realities of life. 

And there is one reality that cannot be denied and that is the reality of retribution. 

Retribution is commonly understood as some kind of “payback”, and it is usually about a punishment that is inflicted for some wickedness or evil that was done in the past. 

The reality of retribution is often portrayed in stories, movies and dramas. 

It is also something that we would talk about in order to dissuade someone from doing something wicked. 

And it may also be something that we have experienced in our lives or in the lives of people we know. 

In the gospel, Jesus did not use the word retribution. 

But in His teaching, He told the people to beware of the behaviour of the scribes. 

Jesus also said that because they swallow the property of widows while making a show of lengthy prayers, the more severe will be the sentence they receive. 

So, Jesus is issuing an unmistakable warning for those who commit wickedness and evil against others. 

More than just retribution, the wickedness and evil committed against others is done before God. 

Yes, God sees, God knows and God waits. 

But even as Jesus issued the warning against the wicked and the evildoers, He also pointed out something inspiring and enlightening. 

No one really noticed that poor widow who dropped the two small coins into the Temple treasury, but Jesus did. 

And how did Jesus know that the two small coins were all that the poor widow had to live on? 

There could be a couple of explanations, but in the end it comes down to this:

God sees, God knows and God waits. 

But if God sees and God knows, then what is God waiting for? 

Well, that poor widow dropped in the two small coins, everything she had to live on, and there were no immediate rewards for her. 

But we believe, that God will bless her and provide for her and that God will sustain her because of her faith and generosity. 

So, God sees, God knows and God waited, so that His blessings will be more than we can expect. 

So, for the good we do, let us do it quietly and humbly, like that poor widow. 

Our reward is not in man's praises and admiration, but in the blessings of God, the blessings of His love and peace. 

As for those who commit wickedness and evil, let us not threaten them with retribution or punishment.

Because God sees, God knows and God waits. 

God waits for our two small coins of prayer for sinners as He waits for their repentance and conversion.

Yes, God sees, God knows and God waits. 

God waits to grant sinners forgiveness, and God waits for our two small coins of prayers, prayers for the conversion of sinners.

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Saturday, 09-11-2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 08-11-2024

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

Many a times, some of our best ideas come about out of a desperate situation.

It takes some urgency or emergency to get us to try out ideas and options that we would not have considered before.

Such was the case with the dishonest steward in today's gospel.

This parable can be difficult to interpret and understand if we don't understand the point that Jesus was making.

Jesus was focusing on the urgency and energy with which a worldly man secures his future when it is in jeopardy.

Jesus is even urging us, the children of light, to have an urgency when it comes to our eternal future.

Otherwise, as the 1st reading puts it, we might end up making food into our god and can even be proud of something that we ought to be shameful and worldly things are the only important things to us.

St. Paul urged his people not to give way but to remain faithful to the Lord.

Hence the urgency is not to get into a flurry of activity to prepare for our eternal destiny.

Rather the urgency is in the ordinary and the monotony of life.

When we can be faithful to the Lord in the small ordinary things and remain focused on the Lord despite the monotony of life, then we are prepared for eternal life.

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 07-11-2024

Philippians 3:3-8 / Luke 15:1-10   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Certainly this is not something new, because even the 1st reading reminds the Romans, as well as reminds us, not to pass judgement on a brother or treat him with contempt.

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

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

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 06-11-2024

Philippians 2:12-18 / Luke 14:25-33  

There is this story about two university professors  who were talking about their students.

One professor said that he has about 200 students who come for his lectures.

The other professor thought for awhile and then he said :

I also have about 200 people who come for my lectures, but I don't really know how many of them are my students.

We might ask : How can one come for the lecture of a professor and not be his student? What is the difference anyway?

That is the same question that Jesus is asking us also : What is the difference between a follower and a disciple?

Great crowds followed Jesus, but He was not just interested about how many people were following Him.

He was more interested about who really wanted to be His disciple.

To be a disciple of Jesus means to learn from Him, to give up everything for Him and to have Him as the center and sole-Master.

So the word "hate" that Jesus used as a condition for being His disciple is not to be understood in the emotional or relational sense but in the degree of priority.

In other words "hate" in that context is understood as to love lesser or to give a lower priority.

So Jesus never meant that to follow Him meant that we must hate our parents or family members.

Our love for Jesus must also be reflected in our love for others. It is a love that will not hurt or harm or hate.

Because it is a sacrificial love. That is the love of a true disciple of Jesus.

So the price of discipleship has to be carefully considered. Because for one to be a disciple, either Jesus is Master of all, or He is not master at all.

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 05-11-2024

Philippians 2:5-11 / Luke 14:15-24   

Happiness and sadness are the two emotions that seem to dominate our lives.

We desire for happiness and we do experience happiness when good things come our way.

But we also know that happiness will just come and go, and the next moment something bad may happen and we sink into sadness and disappointment.

But we also need to remember that sadness and disappointment also will just come and go, and that it won’t remain for a prolonged period of time.

In the gospel, someone said to Jesus that happy the man who will be at the feast of the kingdom of God.

And then Jesus told a parable in which a man gave a great banquet and invited many guests.

But surprisingly, the invited guests turned down the invitation for such a happy occasion.

It goes to show that we may not truly understand what true happiness is about.

The 1st reading tells us that though Jesus is divine, yet He emptied Himself to become a man and subjected Himself to the human condition, and even accepted a painful death.

But because He was obedient, God raised Him up and all creation should bend the knee at His name.

In our happiness and sadness, let us be like Jesus who showed us how to be obedient to God.

Then we will know what is true happiness and in our sadness, God will be our comfort and consolation.

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 04-11-2024

Philippians 2:1-4 / Luke 14:12-14  

In life, there will come about a crisis every now and then.

In happens in our personal life, in an organization and in a country.

Crisis brings along chaos and also a time of tribulation.

The thing about crisis is that it reveals character.

It reveals the character of the person, as well as the unity of the organization and the country.

St. Paul has this to say in the 1st reading:

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind.

What keep us united as Christians and as Church is our love for Christ.

Our love for Christ is the fruit of our life in Christ and it is the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life.

That is our faith and our conviction, and that will also keep us united as Christians and as Church in the face of crisis.

We will face the chaos and the tribulations together when we are united in a common love, and that is our love for Christ.

Our love for Christ will also reveal who we are and how united we will be in a time of crisis.

31st Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 03.11.2024

Deuteronomy 6:2-6 / Hebrews 7:23-28 / Mark 12:28-34

No one can be forced to listen to a message that they are not prepared to receive. 

They may have heard the message many times over, but they do not respond to it, or act on it. 

They may even know the contents of the message, but they do not really put it into practice.

Over the past two days, the Church celebrated two feasts that have a profound impact on our lives. 

And these two feasts make us reflect on our lives and how we should go on living. 

The first is the feast of All Saints, in which we express our belief in the Communion of Saints. 

We are reminded of the call to holiness, that the Saints are praying for us to join them in heaven to praise God in eternity. 

The second is the feasts of All Souls, in which we remember our departed loved ones and all the faithful departed. 

We offer Mass and pray for them, so that they will be purified and rest in the eternal peace of God. 

So, the feast of All Saints reminds us of our eternity. 

And the feast of All Souls reminds us of our mortality. 

The message is plain and clear, and it grounds us down to this reality: 

We were born without bringing anything into this world. 

We die without taking anything with us. 

But the surprising thing is that in the interval between life and death, we fight for what we did not bring in, and we desire for what we cannot take away. 

In other words, we forget about our mortality and our eternity. 

We know the message, we have heard it numerous times, but we forget to put it into practice. 

In the gospel, the scribe asked Jesus about which is the first of all commandments. 

As a scribe, he should know the answer to his own question. 

For whatever motive he had in asking that question, Jesus replied plainly and clearly: “This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

Then at that moment, the scribe seemed to be enlightened and he realized what the Commandment is about. 

Jesus seeing how wisely he had spoken said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” 

This gospel passage tells us that there will be an appointed time when we will realize the truth of life and the reality of love. 

For me, the appointed time has come in my last weekend of ministry and service in this parish. 

The truth of life is that there will be changes, but God has His plans for me and for this parish community. 

But in the midst of changes, the reality of love and blessing does not change. 

I came to this parish about 10 years ago wondering what is God's plan for you and me. 

As God’s plan unfolded, it was blessing upon blessing, and love upon love. 

From you, I have learned what is simplicity and humility, and to love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength.

And I hope that I have shown you how to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.

I have received abundant blessings from the Lord, and I also wanted to share God's blessings with you. 

Some of you may have received unique showers of blessings of Holy Water on your hair, running down your face, and maybe into your eyes and into your ears. 

Yes, God loves us and blesses us abundantly. 

May we also love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength. 

Then we will not be far from the kingdom of God.

All Souls Day, Saturday, 02-11-2024

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

Today, we the Church observe All Souls Day and we commemorate the faithful departed and we remember them in our prayers and especially at Mass.

Yesterday, we the Church, joined with all the Saints who already rejoice in heaven, and today we unite ourselves spiritually with all those who are being purified in Purgatory, so that they may join the saints and angels of the heavenly city in time to come.

Today, as we remember our departed loved ones and the faithful departed, we not only call to mind their memory, but more importantly we also offer Mass and prayers for them.

That is indeed a great act of faith in that we believe that our prayers can help those in Purgatory and that one day they too, will enter the heavenly city and enjoy eternal rest and peace.

This act of faith stems from our belief in the Resurrection, that Jesus died and rose again, and that God is God not of the dead but of the living.

Indeed, the departed do not just vanish out of sight and hence out of mind. In faith and in prayer, we are connected to them and it is by the love of God that we the living are united with the departed.

Visiting the departed at the cemetery or at the columbarium is a very profound sign that we are still in relationship with the departed as well as an affirmation of the fact that they are spiritually alive.

Although death leaves a heartache no one can heal, yet prayers offered with love leave a memory for the departed that no one can steal.

Yet, let us remember that "death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come" (Tagore).

May our departed loved ones, and the faithful departed, rest in God's peace and may eternal light shine on them.

All Saints, Friday, 01-11-2024

Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14 / 1 John 3:1-3 / Matthew 5:1-12   

As Christians, we are called to a life of holiness on earth.

It is the God of holiness, our Creator, who is calling us to reflect His holiness on earth.

That is our mission, that is our destiny and that is also our salvation.

So, we must strive to be holy, and when our journey on earth comes to an end, we will join the Saints in heaven.

That is our belief, that is our hope and that is our eternal destiny.

As we celebrate a feast of All Saints, we renew our hope in the mystery of the Communion of Saints.

We believe that the multitude of Saints in heaven are praying for us to join them in eternity to praise God.

These Saints, whether they are officially canonized, or among the multitude of other Saints in heaven, have strived for holiness on earth and are now in heaven.

The Church proclaims this mystery as revealed by the Holy Spirit, and today we celebrate the reality of that mystery.

And we also believe that the Saints are praying for us.

So, our Christian Mission does not come to an end.

We live a life of holiness on earth, and when we eventually enter into heaven, our mission is to pray for those on earth to be saved.

That is what the Saints are doing for us, that is also what we must do for others on earth, because that is also what we will be doing in heaven for eternity.

30th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 31-10-2024

Ephesians 6:10-20 / Luke 13:31-35   

Unity has its foundation in love, whereas sin is the cause of division.

In other words, love unites, but sin divides.

God is love and He wants all peoples to be united in His love.

But the devil tempts us to sin and causes us to go against each other.

That is why in the 1st reading, St. Paul urges us to grow strong, with the strength of the power of God’s love.

And God’s love is the armour that will enable us to resist the devil’s tactics.

The devil’s tactic is to use us to go against each other, and even to fight and cause bloodshed.

So, St. Paul tells us plainly that it is not against human enemies that we struggle against.

We should be fighting against the power of the darkness of this world, the spiritual army of evil.

Hence, we must rely on God’s power of love and that will be our armour to resist the devil.

We fight against evil and the devil by loving God and others and letting God’s love shine and scatter the darkness of sin and evil.

With God’s love, we will be united and sin and evil will be defeated.

30th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 30-10-2024

Ephesians 6:1-9 / Luke 13:22-30  

The human tendency is to want to do things our way and live life the way we like it.

When restrictions are in our way, we feel that our freedom is being obstructed.

And when we have to comply or obey what we don’t like, then we would tend to resist or look for a way to get round it.

In the gospel, Jesus teaches us about entering by the narrow door.

He also says that many will try to enter and not succeed.

But the narrow door is the way to true freedom.

And to enter the narrow door requires obedience and faithfulness.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul urges children and slaves to be obedient to their parents and masters.

But he also tells parents and masters to be obedient to the Lord’s laws of love and justice.

We are not our own masters. God is the Divine Master.

Let us obey God and be faithful to Him and we will have true freedom and happiness.

30th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 29-10-2024

Ephesians 5:21-33 / Luke 13:18-21  

Human determination, will-power and commitment are certainly noble and inspirational.

Yet, we also know that human beings are weak and prone to failings.

And from our own experience, we know that we ourselves have fallen short in our determination, will-power and commitment.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul reflects about the marriage commitment between husband and wife.

As much as determination and commitment is need for married couples to keep their marriage strong, St. Paul also brings in another factor.

He brings in the God-factor in marriage. When married couples understand the necessity of the presence of Christ in their marriage, then their marriage will be blessed with the love of God.

And it is the love of God that will empower the human determination and commitment, and also guide married couples and humanity to understand the will and the plan of God.

The gospel parables points to the power of God in bringing growth to nature.

And the love of God also empowers nature to bear fruit for His glory and for the good of humanity.

And it is the power and the love of God that will bring our determination, will-power and commitment to fulfill His will and His plan.

Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles, Monday, 28-10-2024

Ephesians 2:19-22 / Luke 6:12-19  

Not much is known about the two saints whose feast we celebrate today.

Simon was called Zealot probably because of his zeal for the Jewish independence before he was called by Jesus.

Jude or Thaddeus is the author of the letter in the New Testament in which he warned Christian converts against false teaching and immorality.

He is also venerated as the patron of "impossible cases"

Traditional sources had it that both of them were together in their missionary work in Persia and they were martyred.

Both of them also tell us something about the people Jesus chose to be His disciples.

Both of them, as well as the rest of the apostles, were insignificant people from insignificant backgrounds.

But both of them had  a purpose in God's plan of salvation.

Both of them became zealous for Christ and for the Kingdom and they also became channels of God's grace for those who were seeking God's love and forgiveness, or when they seek God's help when their problems in life seemed hopeless or impossible even.

We may think that we are insignificant persons and hence we think we have no purpose in God's plan of salvation.

But let us ask for the prayers of St. Simon and St. Jude that we will discover our purpose in life and also our purpose in God's plan of salvation.

We may be insignificant but it does not mean that we are impossible. Because with God, everything and everyone is possible.

30th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 27.10.2024

 Jeremiah 31:7-9 / Hebrews 5:1-6 / Mark 10:46-52

A disadvantage is understood as an unfavourable position or circumstance, or a condition that reduces the chances of success or effectiveness. 

Whether the disadvantage is personal or external, it is not something that we are happy about. 

A disadvantage can also be called a problem, and as with any problem, we want to look for solutions. 

So, if we are poor and the others around us are rich, then we wouldn’t buy what those others could buy, and we couldn’t live the lifestyle that those others could have. 

We will have to settle for the minimum.

Or, if we are of poor health, then we can forget about competing in sports or winning medals and trophies. 

But with every problem, there can a solution. It is futile to keep complaining about problems without looking for a solution or an alternative.

But there are some problems that may not have immediate solutions. 

There is this story of a young man who is poor and unhappy because he couldn't find a girlfriend and he wanted to get married. 

So, he went to see a wise men for advice. The wise man looked at him and said, “You will be poor and unhappy and unmarried till you are 40.” 

Then the young man asked, “Until 40? Then after that?”

The wise man replied, “After that you will get used to it.”

Maybe there are some disadvantages and problems in life that require some getting used to. 

In the gospel, Bartimaeus, or the son of Timaeus, was in a difficult disadvantage and with many problems. 

He was blind, and he had to beg for people's sympathy to get on with life, and he had to get used to it. 

More than that, he doesn't seem to have an identity of his own. He was called the son of Timaeus. 

He was really in the depths of poverty. He has no identity, no dignity and maybe even no sympathy. 

Because when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he shouted for Jesus to have pity on him. 

And the people around him scolded him and told him to keep quiet. 

But Bartimaeus only shouted all the louder for Jesus to have pity on him. 

The disadvantage of Bartimaeus was that he couldn't see. 

But his ears could hear that Jesus was near, and he still had a voice to call out to Jesus. 

Even though the people around him tried to silence him, there was one thing that was his advantage, and that was pointed out by Jesus. 

When Jesus asked Bartimaeus what does he want, Bartimaeus asked to let him see again. 

The reply of Jesus is truly a revelation for Bartimaeus - Go, your faith has saved you. 

The disadvantage of Bartimaeus was his blindness. 

But his advantage was that he had ears of faith to hear that Jesus is near. 

He also had a voice of faith to call out to Jesus to have pity on him.

Each of us has our own disadvantages in life as well as our problems. 

Even the famous biblical characters have their struggles: 

Moses had a speech impediment. 

David was considered too young and inexperienced to fight Goliath. 

And when he became a king, he committed two grave sins of adultery and murder. 

Peter was impulsive. 

Paul was a ferocious persecutor of Christians. 

But at the very core of their lives, they had faith in God. 

With faith, we will face our problems with prayer. 

And with prayer God will turn our disadvantages into revelations of how marvellous and wonderful His love is for us. 

And may our prayer be: Jesus, have pity on me. 

29th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 26-10-2024

Ephesians 4:7-16 / Luke 13:1-9   

We cannot force someone to hear a message that they are not prepared to receive.

But we must not underestimate the power of planting a seed.

The Good News is a wonderful message of salvation.

It is also a powerful reality in the person on Jesus Christ the Saviour.

Jesus Christ came to proclaim the saving love of God in word and in deeds.

Jesus began by proclaiming the need for repentance in order to accept the Good News of salvation.

In the gospel, we hear that need for repentance being emphasized again.

The call to repentance is a difficult message as we need to acknowledge that we are sinners in need of God’s mercy.

Some will heed the call, while others will not. Nonetheless, the seed of the message is planted.

May the call to repentance bear fruits of conversion in us.

And may we bear witness to the call of repentance and the Good News of salvation in word and in deeds.

29th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 25-10-2024

Ephesians 4:1-6 / Luke 12:54-59  

Whenever there is danger, there will be warning signs.

And before accidents happen, there will also be signs.

As much as there will be signs, the question is what kind of attention is paid to these signs, and if any preventive actions are taken.

For example, if the car has an unusual rattling sound as it is moving, it is a sign that it should be sent to the workshop for an inspection.

Or when there is an unusual odor, it could mean that something is decaying or burning, and it is better to check where that odor is coming form.

Or when there is a recurring persistent pain at a certain part of the body, then it is better to consult the doctor.

Not heeding the signs and being indifferent to it could mean further and bigger trouble.

And when trouble or accidents happen, then there will only be regret and blame.

In the gospel, Jesus tells the crowds that they were intelligent enough to interpret the signs of nature.

But how is it that they do not know how to interpret the signs of the times, or the signs from God.

With prayer, our hearts will be softened with the grace of God and we will be sensitive to the signs that God is giving us.

Then we will be able to interpret the signs of the times and the signs from God, and we will know what God is showing us and we will also do what God wants of us.

29th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 24-10-2024

Ephesians 3:14-21 / Luke 12:49-53  

God created the world, and He also created every human being.

God created the world beautiful to reflect His goodness.

God created human beings in His image to reflect His holiness.

But human beings disobeyed God and fell into sin.

Sin broke the relationship between God and man, broke the relationship between man and each other, and also man’s care for creation.

But God still loved the world and the fallen humanity and wished to save sinful humanity by sending His only Son Jesus Christ.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul reminds us that God is our Father, who created every family, whether spiritual or natural.

And for us who are disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to be the Church with a mission.

Our mission as Christians is to continue the saving work of Jesus Christ by making known to the world the love of Christ and to fill the world with God’s saving love.

The cleansing fire of God’s saving love is what we must bear in our hearts and it must also set the world ablaze with that love.

When the fire of God’s saving love burns away the sin, then there will be peace.

29th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 23-10-2024

Ephesians 3:2-12 / Luke 12:39-48   

Let us say that a wealthy person is coming to the end of his life.

He wants to give you all of his wealth after he passes away.

And there is only one condition to it.

That every month on a particular date, you are to visit his grave and put a bouquet of flowers there.

That is the only condition. Yes, only this condition and if you accept this, then you will also receive all the inheritance.

That might sound easy enough to fulfill. It is a rather simple task and we get all that wealth.

It is a simple task, and we think it is easy. 

But after a while, distractions will come in, and our faithfulness will be tested.

And with all that wealth that gives us a comfortable life, and with no one to be accountable to, we may begin to make excuses for not keeping to the promise.

In the gospel, Jesus says that when a man has had a great deal given to him, a great deal will be demanded of him.

And when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.

When we think about the abundant blessings given to us by God, then we are obligated to give thanks to God with a grateful heart.

And God wants us to share His blessings with others – blessings of love, kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness.

Let us be faithful to God in our thanksgiving, and God will grant us blessing upon blessing.

29th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 22-10-2024

Ephesians 2:12-22 / Luke 35-38  

There is one thing that we can say about life, and that is it doesn’t usually happen as planned.

We may make a “to-do” list, but at the end of the day, if we can get half of it done, it can be considered an accomplishment.

We may even plan to do only one thing, and yet we may not even manage to get started on it.

That is because life is full of surprises.

And more likely than not, we may not be that delighted about it.

So when Jesus tells us to be dressed for action and to have our lamps lit, it means one thing.

And that is we are to be prepared for surprises.

But when we see these surprises as promptings from God, then we will know that God is going to show us something wonderful.

And with prayer, our hearts will recognize these surprises as revelations from God.

And we will also understand that when life don’t go according to our plans, then God is planning something much better for us.

29th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 21-10-2024

Ephesians 2:1-10 / Luke 12:13-21   

It is said that there are two important moments in our lives.

One is when we are born. The other is when we know why we came into this world.

We know that when we were born, we came into this world with nothing.

Then our human instinct for survival kicks in, and we want everything to keep us alive and also to live a comfortable life and have security.

So we exist to survive and, as the 1st reading puts it, we desire for the sensual life and physical desires. 

Like the rich man in the gospel parable, we only think of ourselves and want as much as we can.

Yet, we forget that we cannot bring anything with us when we leave this world.

And in our selfishness, we also forget that there is always enough for everyone’s need and never enough for everyone’s greed.

But when we think about why we came into this world, and the meaning of our lives, then God can reveal something to us.

God sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world to save us and to tell us that we are God’s work of art.

When we realise that, then we know that we are God’s treasure that brings beauty and charity to our needy world.

Let us be God’s work of art for others so that they will also come to know why they came into this world.

Mission Sunday 2024, 20.10.2024

Isaiah 2:1-5 / Ephesians 3:2-12 / Mark 16:15-20

The word “go” gives the idea that there is a movement. 

The word “go” is usually followed by a phrase that indicates some kind of activity. 

So, it could be go for a meal. Or go for a walk. Or go shopping. Or go somewhere for holiday. 

Those kinds of activities give a sense that the activity is enjoyable and relaxing, and we look forward to it. 

But it may not be so for all activities that follow after the word “go”. 

To go for a meeting may be boring if we just have to be present and listen to presentations. On the other hand, it could be stressful if we have to give a presentation to our bosses. 

So, we would like to know what it is that is after the word “go”. Like … go away? Or, do what? Or, meet who? 

In the gospel, Jesus tells His disciples to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. 

He told them that they will be given gifts that will show that they are God's messengers. 

In His name, they will cast out devils, they will have the gift of tongues, they will pick up snakes in their hands, they will be unharmed should they drink the poison, they will lay hands on the sick who will recover. 

So, they went out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the message of salvation with signs from God. 

But the mission is not without difficulties or danger. There was rejection and persecution. 

Some had to lay down their lives in witness to the Good News. 

But the mission continued to this day and the mission reminds us of this: that the Good News is a divine message and not a human initiative. 

And because it is a divine message, it comes with blessings for the messenger as well as for the listener. 

The gospel tells us that Jesus ascended to heaven, and there at the right hand of God, He took His place. 

The right hand of God is the sign and the symbol of the power and the blessing from God. 

Jesus gives us the power to proclaim the Good News and He gives us His blessing to carry it out. 

Mission Sunday is a call to discover God's gift in us and to discern our mission as Christians.

If we have a St. Benedict's medal, we will see that on one side is a symbol of the Cross with some inscriptions around it. 

On the other side is a figure of St. Benedict holding a Cross on one hand and a book on the other. 

St Benedict used the Cross to preach the Good News. The book is the rule that he used to promote the monastic life. That was Saint Benedict's calling. 

Then there's also the image of a raven carrying a loaf of bread and its beak, and there is also a cup with a snake crawling out of it. 

The story is that the enemies of St. Benedict wanted to harm him by poisoning his bread and drink.

But when St. Benedict said the blessing over his food, a raven came along and carried the bread away, and a snake crawled out of the cup. 

So, the Lord Jesus protected St. Benedict from harm as he carried out his mission

And the Lord Jesus will also protect us when we respond to His call to go and proclaim the Good News

On this Mission Sunday, let us ask Jesus to help us discover our gifts and to respond to His call. 

And as we go forth to be messengers of the Good News, Jesus will work with us and He will give us the signs to confirm the truth of the message.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 19-10-2024

Ephesians 1:15-23 / Luke 12:8-12   

People are born with different levels of IQ, and we can say those who have a higher level of IQ are gifted.

Similarly people are born with different levels of EQ, and we can say that those with a higher level of EQ are also gifted.

But somehow we don't seem to say that people are born with different levels of SQ (spiritual quotient); yet it cannot be denied that human beings also have a spiritual dimension - human beings have a soul.

Whatever levels of SQ each of us may have, what is important is that the gift of faith opens up the spiritual qualities in us and brings it to blossom.

That was why St. Paul gave thanks in the 1st reading when he heard of the faith of the Ephesians that blossomed into love for God and others.

And he prayed that the Holy Spirit will give them wisdom and perception so that their knowledge of the spiritual life will be deepened and that they will live in the hope of the promises of God for eternal life.

More importantly would be that they will understand deeper that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the manifestation of the power of God over every Sovereignty, Authority, Power and Domination.

Indeed, God works through the power of the Holy Spirit in the Resurrection of Jesus and also in the spiritual life of the Church and believers.

And it is with the power of the Holy Spirit that we will be able to openly declare our faith in Jesus Christ.

It is with the power of the Holy Spirit that we will know what to say or do. May we pray to the Holy Spirit so that our spiritual life will blossom and bring forth fruits of the Spirit.

St. Luke, Evangelist, Friday, 18-10-2024

2 Tim 4:10-17 / Luke 10:1-9  

St. Luke was not one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus, but he is venerated as the Evangelist who wrote the fourth gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. 

Although he was not mentioned in the gospels, he is featured in the epistles of St. Paul of  the New Testament.

He is mentioned in the 1st reading of today. St. Paul mentioned about him in only five words - Only Luke is with me.

And that said volumes about St. Luke because St. Paul was suffering persecution and abandonment and his only source of consolation was that he had the company of St. Luke, and by mentioning that, it showed how much St. Paul appreciated him.

Furthermore, it was nearing the end of St. Paul's life in Rome that St. Luke was keeping him company and that was a testimony of how much St. Luke was involved in the ministry of the early Church as well as of his faith and character.

St. Luke knew first hand the challenges and difficulties of the mission of proclaiming the Good News and also the commitment and the sacrifices that are involved.

As we read about his account in the gospel of Jesus sending out His disciples, we can sense that it was from the depths of his missionary experience that he wrote it.

Yes, we are being sent out to proclaim the Good News but it is like lambs being sent among wolves.

Yet in the midst of danger and difficulties, let us keep in mind how St. Luke kept St. Paul company.

It is in keeping company with each other in unity and peace that we are able to face the wolves and proclaim the Good News of God's saving love.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 17-10-2024

Ephesians 1:1-10 / Luke 11:47-54  

Have we ever wondered what would life be like if we are not a Christian?

Would we think that we would be happier since we would be free from all those Christian moral obligations?

Not that we would go around living immoral lives and committing evil without any conscience.

We would be happy just living good and peaceful lives.

But the world is a rough and tough place, and inevitably we would be hardened by the injustice and unfairness that we will face.

Jesus faced persecution when He addressed the evil and wickedness of the people of His time.

And as Christians, we would also face some kind of persecution when we stand up for what is right and just.

But we are Christians not because we chose to be, but it was God who chose us in Christ.

And as Christians, God blesses us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven.

With God’s blessings, we will stand up and witness for what is right and just, and what is good and loving.

And with God’s blessings, we will also be happy Christians.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 16-10-2024

Galatians 5:18-25 / Luke 11:42-46

No one likes to be criticized or to be told of their faults and failings.

Instinctively, we will be defensive and we will counter-criticize the other person.

That is usually how relationships turn sour and may even turn violent.

In the gospel, Jesus pointed out the faults and failings of the Pharisees, 

A lawyer reacted by saying that Jesus was insulting them too.

We certainly don’t like to be insulted, whether directly or indirectly.

But let us take a moment to check our instinctive reactions.

When we cringe or get angry when others criticize us, then it could be that they have pointed out something that we don’t want to acknowledge about ourselves.

It could be a case that others see the smoke but we don’t want them to see the fire.

But as the 1st reading says, when we are led by the Spirit, we will have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When faced with criticism and negative remarks, let us ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of self-control.

May the Holy Spirit direct us to see our faults and failings so as to rise to a life in the Spirit.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 15-10-2024

Galatians 5:1-6 / Luke 11:37-41

It is always safer to follow instructions.

When we follow instructions, we are not likely to go wrong or get into any kind of trouble.

We can be quite comfortable following instructions and to conform our lives to it.

In fact, we may become rather agitated and annoyed when others don’t follow instructions.

And we can get rather defensive when others question us about the reason for the instructions.

In the gospel, the Pharisee was rather surprised when Jesus had not washed first before the meal.

While Jesus did not question the act of washing before meal, He pointed out a deeper meaning to that washing.

Exterior cleanliness should also make us think about internal cleanliness or spiritual purity.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul says that what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.

When we are pure of heart, our faith will be seen in our acts of love.

Then we will follow instructions with love, and we will also be able to instruct others with love.

28th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 14-10-2024

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 - 5:1 / Luke 11:29-32  

To be literate means that basically a person can read and write.

That would also mean that a person has had some elementary education.

That would enable a person to go from primary education to secondary education and to other higher levels of education.

That would mean that the person would have gone through a learning process.

As it is, learning is a life-long process, and everyday we learn new things.

So, intellectually speaking, we know and have learnt a lot.

However, spiritually speaking, there is the additional aspect of revelation and wisdom.

In the spiritual realm, one learns from the revelation from God and is open to God’s gift of wisdom.

In the gospel, Jesus called the people a wicked generation that is asking for a sign.

They may be literate and have knowledge, but they are illiterate in the ways of God.

They have not learnt from the signs of God and they keep asking for signs.

Let us pray and ask God for the wisdom to learn from the signs about His ways and how to do His will.

28th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 13.10. 2024

Wisdom 7:7-11 / Hebrews 4:12-13 / Mark 10:17-30

Many sayings and opinions have been expressed about the subject of money. 

And it cannot be denied that money is indeed a very useful thing. 

With money we are able to fulfil our basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. 

With money, we will have a comfortable life and we are able to afford the luxuries of life. 

On the noble side, money is used to help the poor and needy, and to fund humanitarian projects. 

Generally speaking, no one would say that they don't want money, or that they have no need for money. 

Indeed, money is useful, and he who has money can be quite powerful. 

But there are things that money cannot buy and have no power over. 

Money certainly cannot buy life. Money can never bring the dead back to life. 

And money cannot buy true friendships. 

And money also cannot buy love. 

In fact, when we have no money, then we will know who will help us, who are our true friends and who will really love us. 

In the gospel, a man ran up to Jesus, knelt before him and asked what must he do to inherit eternal life.

The man kept all commandments and he wanted to know if there is anything else to do. 

Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him. Then he told the man to sell off everything he owned, give the money to the poor and he will have eternal life. 

But that man's face fell, and he walked away sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 

Jesus had looked steadily at him and loved him. 

That man looked at his wealth, but did not look into the eyes of Jesus. 

It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. 

Just as Jesus looked steadily at that man and loved him, Jesus looks at us and loves us too. 

But just as that man looked at his wealth, we may be too busy looking at other things. 

Our eyes look and not just money and wealth. Our eyes look at what we desire for sensual pleasure and luxurious possessions. 

When it comes to food, our eyes become bigger than our stomachs and we eat till we overeat. 

So, we are busy looking at earthly desires and our eyes avert from looking at Jesus. 

Still, Jesus continues to look at us with that look of love, with eyes that want to tell us something. 

But we are busy, as busy as a bee. 

Bees may be busy, but they still have time to talk to the flowers. 

It seems that flowers talk to bee using static electricity. If a flower hasn't been visited recently by a bee, it gives off static electricity. 

That static electricity tugs at the tiny hairs on the bees’ back, letting them know which flower still has nectar. 

Like how the flower prompts the bee, Jesus prompts us to look at Him as He looks at us. 

As we feel His promptings, may this hymn also come to our minds: 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, 

look full in His wonderful face. 

And the things of earth 

will grow strangely dim 

in the light of His glory and grace.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 12-10-2024

Galatians 3:22-29 / Luke 11:27-28 

When it comes to maternal instinct, the one thought that comes to mind is the care and protection of the mother over her children.

That maternal instinct is so amazing that a mother would be willing to sacrifice her life for her children.

And if the mother has only one child, then, needless to say, all her attention and energy will be on that child.

Mary loved and cared for Jesus as her only child. And she also knew that God entrusted her with His only Son.

When the time came for Jesus to carry out His mission, Mary had to let Him go because she knew it was the will of God.

But Jesus is still her son, her flesh and blood, and like any mother, she would have longed for Jesus to stay by her side.

And when Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, the pain is beyond description, as no words can ever express the pain of a parent losing a child.

But over and above her maternal instinct, Mary submitted herself to God’s will.

Mary is the model of faith because she did what God wanted, and not what she wanted or desired.

Jesus gave Mary to be our mother when He was dying on the Cross.

Let us honour her and love her and learn from her to do God’s will.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 11-10-2024

Galatians 3:7-14 / Luke 11:15-26  

In life, there will be people who will like us, and there are people who don’t like us.

We may be curious about why people like us, and we may be a bit more curious about why there are people who don’t like us.

As for those who don’t like us, there are two options for us to consider.

We can try to please them into liking us, or we may just want to ignore them.

In the gospel, when Jesus had cast out a devil, there were people who said rather disparaging things about Him.

Obviously, those people didn’t like Jesus for one reason or another, although what He did was good and was not harmful or offensive.

Still, Jesus did not resent them and even gave a teaching to help them see the truth, if they were receptive to it.

As for us, we know who Jesus is, and with Him we want to gather those who wish to know Him.

As for those who do not like Jesus for some reason, let us pray for them.

Maybe one day, we may be called to gather them and lead them to Jesus.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 10-10-2024

Galatians 3:1-5 / Luke 12:5-13  

It seems like it takes more mouth muscles to say “yes” than to say “no”.

We can say “no” even without opening much of our lips, but to say “yes” we have to stretch our lips.

So, saying no to request for favours is our instinctive response.

In the gospel, Jesus tells a parable to point out our response to requests that do not seem to be of any benefit to us.

Not only are there no benefits, it will also cause inconvenience for us.

But when a person is truly in need of a favour from us, what would our response be?

Before we consider how inconvenient and troublesome it would be for us, let us remember those times when we turned to the Lord in our time of need.

Jesus tells us that God loves us and He would certainly want to help us and give us the good things in life.

When we have had our prayers answered and received blessings from the Lord, we too would want to share God’s blessings with others.

That would help us decide our response to those who come to us for a favour.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 09-10-2024

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 / Luke 11:1-4  

Human relationships are a mixture of ups and downs.

There are happy moments as well as sad ones.

There can be unity as well as divisions.

That happens not just in the world around us, it also happens in the Church.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul recalled how after his conversion, they met up with James, Cephas and John, and they shook hands as a sign of partnership.

But that moment of unity was broken into a confrontation between St. Paul and Cephas, aka Peter, over the issue of Peter’s relationship with the pagans.

That was certainly not a light matter and it could have erupted into a serious division within the Church.

It is in such times that the Church must realise what it is that keeps them together.

It is their common love for Jesus and with prayer they will be able to put aside differences and focus on the mission of caring and saving souls.

It is in such times that the Church must return to prayer and remember that prayer that Jesus taught them.

Prayer brings us to remember God’s love for us and that God forgives and we too must forgive each other over our differences.

It is our love for God that brings us back to prayer, and with prayer, there will be unity and blessings.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 08-10-2024

Galatians 1:13-14 / Luke 10:38-42  

Christianity is a unique aspect in that it is God who reveals Himself to us.

In the Scriptures, we see that it is God who begins everything and sets everything in motion.

God created the world and human beings, and He reaches out to save them when they fell to sin.

God even sent His only Son Jesus Christ to be the Saviour, and Jesus Christ continues the revelation of God in the Scriptures and in the Church.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul understood this revelation in a personal dimension when he says that it is God who had specially chosen him while he was still in his mother’s womb.

God called him through His grace and chose to reveal His Son in St. Paul, so that he might preach the Good News to the pagans.

So it was God who chose and called St. Paul for a specific mission.

In the gospel, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better part, meaning to say that Mary responded to God’s call to do what He wants of her, which is to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen to Him.

And Jesus is also telling Martha that God has a plan and a specific mission for her.

God also has a plan and a specific mission for us.

Let us be still and sit in prayer and listen to the voice of God and He reveals His plan and mission for us.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Monday, 07-10-2024

Acts 1:12-14 / Luke 1:26-38   

The story of the Feast of the Holy Rosary is a story of the power of prayer.

Back in 1571, the powerful Ottoman Turks decided to attack Europe from the East.

The stage was set for a decisive naval battle at the Gulf of Lepanto, off the coast of Greece.

A naval victory for the Turks would secure an opening for the Turkish army to overrun Christian Europe.

The pope at that time, Pope Pius V, called for a crusade against the invading Turks.

But at that time, the Church was already weakened by the Protestant Reformation and only a few countries responded.

In fact the Christian fleet was outnumbered 3:1 and was no match for the mighty Turkish armada.

But Pope Pius V also called for a Rosary crusade to help the Christian forces.

On this day, 7th Oct 1571, the two navies fought and the mighty Turkish armada was miraculously defeated.

It was said that the Christian soldiers fought with swords in one hand and rosaries in the other.

And it also must be said that the battle was won, not with strong arms but with praying hands.

Indeed the simple, humble and powerful prayers of the Rosary can achieve miracles and work wonders.

Because Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Mother of God prays with us when we pray the Rosary.

Today, Pope Francis also calls on the Church to pray for those affected by the war in the Middle East.

Let us pray for peace and as we offer the prayer of the Rosary with our Lady, may God show us that the power of prayer will calm the storms of war and put out the fires of violence.

27th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 06.10.2024

Genesis 2:18-24 / Hebrews 2:9-11 / Mark 10:2-16

One of the basic and fundamental needs in life is the need for survival. 

From the moment we came into the world, we instinctively made it known that we want to live and survive. 

So, even though when we were helpless little babies, we would cry out for attention in our need for food. 

And as we started to crawl around, we would put into our mouths anything we can lay our hands on, and our parents would go into alarm or panic mode. 

When our need for food is met, and we have a stable supply of food, we will turn our attention to something else. 

Not being satisfied with just having food to survive, we now want to have our place in this world. 

So, we begin the quest for recognition and status, for academic qualifications, for job promotions and for material possessions. 

Instinctively, we will look for what benefits us and we will avoid what are burdens to us. 

So, it is like when we have to go out on a rainy day, we will look for an umbrella, for the benefit of keeping dry. 

But, when the rain has stopped, or when we have no more need for the umbrella, then it becomes a burden, because we have to carry it around. 

So, in life, our human survival instinct tells us to get what benefits us, and to avoid and reject what are burdens to us. 

In the gospel, Jesus gave a teaching about marriage, and He stated that from the beginning, marriage was instituted by God. 

That beginning is what we heard in the 1st reading, when God said: It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate. 

The Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and then took to a rib from the man and created the woman. 

So, something was taken from the man and given to the woman. 

So, it can be said that a man and a woman commit themselves to marriage because they want to give themselves to the other. 

Marriage is not for self-benefit, neither is it to think of the other as a burden. 

When marriage is understood as a self-sacrifice for the other, then there will be love in the marriage. 

Needless to say, that in marriage, one spouse cannot think of the other as an umbrella for rainy days, and a burden when the rain has stopped. 

Rather, one becomes the umbrella and a shelter for the other in rainy days. 

This self-sacrifice of love is what parents will teach and show to their children. 

I once watched a movie clip about a father who went to fetch his twin children from kindergarten on a rainy day.

When the father reached the kindergarten and saw his two children happily waiting for him, he realized that he had only one umbrella, and it was not a big umbrella. 

For a moment, the father looked at his children and looked at the umbrella. 

The next scene showed him holding the umbrella over his two children, and he was wet in the rain. 

What he did for his children, he would also do for his wife, and his wife would also do likewise. 

And that is how we see the meaning of our life. 

More than just food and other things for survival, we live because of love. 

To survive is just to exist. But to live is to love. 

God created us in love, with love and for love. 

Let us go forth and share God's love with our world.