8th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 01-06-2024

Jude 17, 20-25 / Mark 11:27-33  

Whenever a country goes to the polls, there will certainly be a lot of excitement.

National and domestic issues will be discussed and debated by the politicians and political parties will proclaim that they are the most suitable to govern the country.

But the day of the elections is also the day of reckoning.

Because in the end it is the people and the citizens who will have to decide who they want to govern their country.

So as much as there are many levels of power and authority, yet the power and authority of the people can be overlooked or underestimated.

The people recognized the authority of Jesus even though it was not officially conferred onto Him.

On the other hand, those who were conferred with authority questioned the authority of Jesus.

Was it a question of insecurity? Was it a question of jealousy? Was it a question of protocol and official sanctioning?

Whatever it might be, those in authority need to pray for divine wisdom.

Whatever level of authority which we might be in, we certainly need God's wisdom to exercise it.

Without the wisdom from God, we may not know who has the real authority. 

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Friday, 31-05-2024

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

Pope Francis will be making a tour of this region in September and he will be stopping over in Singapore too.

Certainly we are excited about this occasion, as it was 38 years ago when Pope St John Paul II stopped over in Singapore for 5 hours, and he also got to celebrate Mass.

This time around, Pope Francis will be in Singapore for a couple of days, and he too will be celebrating Mass.

There is much eagerness and excitement over the availability of tickets to the Mass venue, and many have offered to volunteer their services.

But over and above the expectation and excitement of the occasion, it is truly a blessing and an occasion of grace.

The anticipated visit of the Pope is an echo of the feast of today, the Visitation of Mary.

In visiting Elizabeth, it was a moment of deep joy for both expecting mothers.

It was also a spiritual encounter between the two babies in their wombs.

The profound message is that salvation is at hand.

As Zechariah said when he regained his power of speech: Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel, He has visited His people and redeemed them.

On this feast of the Visitation, let us give thanks to God for the gift of salvation.

And as we prepare for the Pope’s coming visit, may we also prepare the blessings and graces that God is going to bestow upon us.

8th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 30-05-2024

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 / Mark 10:46-52  

One of the five sense is the sense of taste.

When we talk about taste, we are more inclined to talk about food.

We will talk about the taste of the food, and we will also share where to go to get a particular type of best tasting food.

But the sense of taste is not only to taste the food.

Because after tasting the food, we will consume the food.

The food goes into our digestive system and nourishes us.

So the sense of taste will discern whether the food is consumable, and whether we like the taste.

The 1st reading has this to say about taste: You have tasted the goodness of the Lord.

That also reminds us of Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good”

So, taste, besides being a physical sensation, also has a spiritual dimension.

It is the taste and the heart feels of the love and sweetness of the Lord.

It is also that goodness and sweetness of the Lord that Bartimaeus, the blind man in the gospel, experienced that restored his sight.

It is with faith that we will experience that goodness and sweetness of the Lord.

May that taste of the Lord’s goodness and sweetness lead us on towards salvation.

8th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 29-05-2024

1 Peter 1:18-25 / Mark 10:32-45  

The first step to eliminating a nation is to erase the people’s memory.

Begin by destroying its books, its culture, its language and its history.

Then write new books, create a new culture, invent a new history.

Before long, that nation will begin to forget who they and what they are.

In time to come, it will be a forgotten nation and a forgotten people.

By and large, the struggle of humanity is the struggle of memory against forgetting.

The 1st reading urges us to remember the ransom that was paid to free us from the useless way of life that we knew before.

That ransom was paid in the precious blood of Jesus Christ who is the sinless Lamb of God.

We remember by being obedient to the truth and living our lives with love.

Everything is passing, the grass withers, the flower falls, the seats of the powerful and mighty rise and fall.

But the Word of God remains forever, and the Good News of salvation reminds us of God’s love for us.

Let us always remember the ransom that was paid to save us, and let us always remember who paid that ransom.

8th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 28-05-2024

1 Peter 1:10-16 / Mark 10:28-31   

It is a natural human inclination and desire to have our needs fulfilled.

So, in whatever we do, we want to know what are the gains and benefits for ourselves.

All that springs from the human need of survival and self-preservation.

We may not say it aloud, but in our minds we will ask questions like: What will I gain from this? What is there for me?

In the gospel, Peter blatantly asked Jesus: What about us? We have left everything and followed you.

Jesus gave him and the rest a response to think about.

Yes, they will be rewarded, but there will also be persecution, there will be suffering, there will be a time of doubt and distress.

But they must remember that their eventual reward is in eternity.

The 1st reading would also reiterate this when it said that the prophets were looking and searching so hard as they tried to find out at what time and in what circumstances their prophesies would be fulfilled.

But it was then revealed to them that the prophesies were not for themselves but for a distant future, for a people that they will not know or see.

So it is with us. Jesus tells us that there is an eternal reward.

And may we realise that it is Jesus who is our reward, now and in eternity.

8th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 27-05-2024

1 Peter 1:3-9 / Mark 10:17-27  

Qin Shi Huangdi (秦始皇) (259 BC – 210 BC), was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BC to 221 BC during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC. He ruled until his death in 210 BC at the age of 50.

After his death, he was buried in an underground tomb, along with his treasures and also his servants (buried alive) as was the practice in those times

There was even a "Terracotta Army" to guard the tomb of the emperor.

When his tomb was discovered, his remains and the remains of those who were buried with him were taken aside for further analysis.

One of the archaeologists was examining the remains and he seemed to be looking for something.

When he was asked what he was looking for, he replied: I am looking to see if there is any difference between the bones of Qin Shi Huangdi and that of his slaves. I don't see any.

We may think it is an obvious comment, but yet it is a chilling fact that whatever we have now, will ultimately remain here on earth.

And when we come before God, we are no different from the person next to us, whether be it in terms of merit or credit.

We can't even earn heaven or eternal life. But it is given freely to us.

The 1st reading would even say that God promised us an eternal inheritance that is being kept for us in the heavens.

But while we are here on earth, we must treasure this eternal gift and inheritance.

Because where our treasure is, there our heart will be.

Trinity Sunday, Year B, 26.05.2024

 Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 / Romans 8:14-17 / Matthew 28:16-20

We are gathered in this church every week for one main purpose. And that purpose is to pray and to offer worship to God. 

As individuals, we want to pray for our own needs and intentions. But united in faith, we become the People of God, offering prayer and worship for ourselves, for the Church and for the world. 

We believe that God hears our prayers, that God watches over us, that God protects us and grants us our needs. 

And God has also revealed a truth that will lead believers, and even non-believers, to wonder and to ponder. 

That truth about God is that the essence of God is the unity of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity is the unity of the Father, and the Son and the Holy spirit. 

It is a truth that God reveals to us, and we profess our belief in that truth when we make the sign of the Cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

We also believe that God is love. And God the Holy Trinity is united in a relationship of love. 

So, it is with love and in love that the Father created us in the image of God. 

It is with love and in love that Jesus Christ the Son saved us from the corruption and disfiguration of sin. 

And it is with love and in love that the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts and makes us the temples of God. 

We believe in God who is love, and that God loves us. 

We also ponder about this truth that God is united in the Holy Trinity. But this truth about the Holy Trinity is not a concept or an idea about God. 

The truth of the Holy Trinity is also the truth about ourselves. It is a truth about who we are, and what our faith is really about. 

Because what we believe in, we must eventually become. 

So, when we believe that God is love, then we too must strive to be a person of love. 

We would want to be like God the Father, who created each person in love and with love. 

So, we would look at each person with love, and uphold the dignity of each person as God's beautiful creation. 

Yet, we do not deny the destructive effects of sin, that has disfigured and corrupted each person. 

So, we look at God the Son, who was obedient to being crucified on the Cross to save us from our sins. 

We would unite ourselves to Jesus, and offer prayer, penance and reparation for our sins and for the sins of others. 

And we would be attentive to the gentle promptings of God the Holy Spirit to be holy and faithful members of the Church and members of the Body of Christ. 

So, the truth about God is also the truth about ourselves. 

The truth about God is that God is love, and God is united in the love of the Holy Trinity. 

We believe in that truth, and in that love. What we believe in, we too must become, because we are called to become like God. 

So, we witness to the loving mercy of God the Father; we witness to the loving obedience of God the Son; and we witness to the love and gentleness of the Holy Spirit. 

When we become God's truth and love, then others will see God in us, and they will also want to believe what we believe in.

7th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 25-05-2024

James 5:13-20 / Mark 10:13-16  

Life certainly does have its problems, and we get burdened and worried by these problems.

The 1st reading puts these problems under three categories.

One is generally termed as trouble, and it can be anything from work issues to financial difficulties.

The next is health issues, as in sickness or grave illness.

And then there is the spiritual problem of sin.

In all the above problems, the 1st reading urges us to pray for God’s help.

Certainly, with prayer we will be able to handle these problems of life.

God is our help, God is our Healer, God is our Saviour.

We only need to be like little children and come before God and pray with trust and with love.

Yes, life is fragile. But we can handle it with prayer. 

When we pray, God will grant us His blessings, just like Jesus blessed the little children.

7th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 24-05-2024

James 5:9-12 / Mark 10:1-12   

The word “yes” is more difficult to say than the word “no”.

It seems that more muscles in the mouth are required to say “yes” than to say “no”.

But it is not just about mouth muscles. In life, to say “yes” to a task means that we have to keep our word and fulfill it.

And to say “yes” to someone means that we treasure our relationship with that person.

That “yes” would require love and patience, especially when we feel like complaining or feel that we are tired of always giving in.

The 1st reading urges us not to complain but to submit ourselves in patience.

To be patient and to refrain from complaining is truly a blessing from the Lord.

The 1st reading reminds us of Job, who was patient and finally understood the Lord’s purpose, and realized that the Lord is kind and compassionate.

In the gospel, the topic of discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees was about marriage and divorce.

Married couples also need to be patient with one another and to refrain from complaining against the other if they truly treasure the marital relationship.

When we say “yes” to patience, we will be able to endure the tests and trials of life and relationships.

Over and above, we want to say “yes” to God, and in doing so, we also say “yes” to His blessings.

7th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 22-05-2024

James 5:1-6 / Mark 9:41-50   

To be rich and wealthy is not morally wrong nor is it something to be frowned upon.

In fact, in the Old Testament, to be reasonably rich is considered a blessing from God.

Certainly, to become rich by honest means can be seen as an example of integrity and character.

But the 1st reading points out an issue about the rich and wealthy.

They have committed an injustice against the poor and the lowly.

The reading says: Labourers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out. Realise that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

It goes without saying that ill-gotten gains will be accounted for.

The 1st reading goes on to say this: All your gold and silver are corroding away, and the same corrosion will be your own sentence , and eat into your body. It is a burning fire that you stored up as your treasure for the last days.

The Word of God reminds us to live honest and upright lives, to have integrity of life and charity to the needy.

That cup of water is a symbol of our duty and obligation to the poor and needy.

In sharing our wealth and resources, Jesus tells us that God sees, God knows, and He will reward us in eternity.

7th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 22-05-2024

James 4:13-17 / Mark 9:38-40  

The truth of life is that there is a finality to our time here on earth.

In other words, our time here on earth will eventually come to an end.

As we think about that truth of life, we also need to ask ourselves what are we expecting out of life.

Whatever our expectations, we can expect to pass this world only once.

So any good that we can do, any kindness that we can show, let us do it now.

Because the truth is that we will never pass this way again.

The 1st reading addresses the thinking of those who think that time is in their hands and their aim in life is to make money and expect to have a comfortable life.

But what about God’s will for them and what about God’s plan in their lives?

We too need to ask ourselves about what is God’s will for us and what does He want us to do in life.

God’s plan for us is for our good and for our happiness in life.

Let us do what God wants of us, let us do what is good, what is right and what is loving.

Then we will be happy in this life and we will also be happy in the life hereafter.

7th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 21-05-2024

James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37   

To be a Christian is to give thanks to God with a grateful and contented heart.

Indeed, it should be so, because a Christian knows the love of God and has faith and trust in God’s providence and protection.

But a Christian can be swayed by the world into seeking profits, gains and advantages, 

When that happens, then a Christian turns to selfishness and greed, and pride and all the other vices will set in.

As much as that should not happen to a Christian or in a Christian community, the letter of St. James was addressing such a terrible situation.

St. James pointed out that the fighting within the Christian community was because of the desires in the individuals.

Some people were even prepared to kill to get what they wanted, and to get their way by force.

Even their prayer was to indulge in their own desires.

So from the era of the early Church to the modern day Church, the struggle against sin rages on and some Christians have given in to the desire of their sins.

St. James teaches us that God opposes the proud but He gives generously to the humble.

To be proud and to give in to our desires is to turn away from God and becoming wicked.

Let us be humble before the Lord and know that He will lift us up and grant us what we need.

With a humble heart, we will truly be a Christian in word and in actions by always giving thanks and praise to God.

Mary, Mother of the Church, Monday, 20-05-2024

Genesis 3:9-15 or Acts 1:12-14 / John 19:25-34  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And we would also want to carry out what Jesus entrusted to us and we want Mary to be the Mother of all peoples.

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

Pentecost Sunday, Year B, 19.05.2024

 Acts 2:1-11 / 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 / John 20:19-23

The reality of this world can be generally divided or categorized into two realms. 

One realm is the visible reality, and the other is the invisible. Although invisible, it is still a reality. 

Understandably, we are more familiar with the visible reality or the visible realm. 

That visible realm or reality is not limited to only what can be seen. It is also about what can be heard, what can be touched, what can be smelled and what can be tasted. 

In other words, the reality of the visible realm is what can be experienced by the five senses. 

That is what we are familiar with as we are able to experience that reality with our senses. 

What we may not be familiar with is the spiritual realm. 

On this Feast of Pentecost, the spiritual realm is revealed to us in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the unity of the Holy Trinity. In the Creed, we profess that the Holy Spirit is Lord and the Giver of Life. 

We often associate the Holy Spirit as something like a powerful wind or tongues of fire, as we heard in the 1st reading. 

And Holy Spirit is also often associated in the form of a dove, as the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove at the baptism of Jesus. 

But on this Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Church, upon each of us, to reveal Himself more to us, and to give us a deeper understanding. 

As on that first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they went out bravely to proclaim the marvels of God.

So, the Holy Spirit is revealed in the members of the Body of Christ. 

Over and above the five senses with which we experience the reality of the visible realm, the Holy Spirit gives us another sense. 

The Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual sense, with which we are able to experience the invisible realm. 

So, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the ways of God in this world. The Holy Spirit also reveals to us how God works in and through us. 

The 2nd reading, from one Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13, tells us this: There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit. There all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord, working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. 

So, with the Holy Spirit in each of us, we become a part of God's revelation in the Church, and to the world. 

The most profound sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is when we, the People of God, are gathered in prayer. 

The disciples were gathered in prayer in the upper room, and the Holy Spirit descended upon them. 

As we gather in worship and prayer, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon us, and we respond in thanksgiving and singing the praises of God. 

In worship and in prayer, the Holy Spirit unites us as the Church and as the Body of Christ. 

And guided and prompted by the Holy Spirit, we reveal God to each other and to the world. 

We reveal the presence of God through acts of love and words of peace. 

We reveal the compassion and the forgiveness of God. 

Over and above the five human senses, we bear witness to the divine sense, which is the spiritual sense. 

When we bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, others will be able to sense the presence of God.

That is our Christian mission, and may Holy Spirit help us to fulfil that mission.

7th Week of Easter, Saturday, 18-05-2024

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

To keep focused is tiring and a lot of energy is required.

Not only is it physically tiring, it is also mentally tiring.

But keeping focused is necessary in studies and at work.

Keeping focused is also necessary in sports and endurance activities.

Success and victory will be the result of one who is able to keep focused.

But there are distractions, and there are many distractions.

In the gospel, Peter had declared his love for Jesus, and not once but three times.

Just when Peter seemed so convicted about his committed love for Jesus, he turned and saw the disciple that Jesus loved.

And then he lost focus and lost concentration, and turned his attention to that disciple.

But Jesus rebuked Peter and said to him: What does it matter to you? You are to follow me.

When we think about what Jesus said to Peter, we may need to ask ourselves: Is there anything that mattered more, or more important than being focused on loving Jesus.

Let us turn our eyes to Jesus and keep our eyes on Him.

And let us keep our eyes focused on the road of love and life.

7th Week of Easter, Friday, 17-05-2024

Acts 25:13-21 / John 21:15-19  

The word “love” can be used in many ways and hence it can have many meanings.

When used casually, it may express our liking for something.

It can be used to express feelings of intimacy and passion.

But love is a strong word that has deep meanings.

It should not be a word that is used casually or even jokingly.

Because we believe that God is love, and He created humanity with love and in love.

Hence, the expression of the great commandment is to love God and to love neighbour.

In the gospel, Jesus asked Peter three times about his love for Him.

Jesus wanted Peter to be serious about his love for Him, and to know that love is a commitment and a sacrifice.

Jesus is also asking us the same question: Do you love Me?

Let us look at the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and in our response, may our love for Jesus be a commitment and a sacrifice.

7th Week of Easter, Thursday, 16-05-2024

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 / John 17:20-26  

The rule of life is to always do what is good, right and just.

But, it is not always that simple or easy to do that.

There are selfish motives and vested interests that come along and sway us away from the path of virtue and righteousness.

Nonetheless, we must remember that we reap what we sow.

In the 1st reading, the Sanhedrin, made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, had wanted to persecute St. Paul.

But in the end, they reaped what they sowed, as they ended up fighting among themselves.

So when we sow the seeds of goodness, righteousness and justice, we will reap the goodness, righteousness and justice.

Over and above, let us also ask the Lord to bless us with His love as we live a life of goodness, righteousness and justice.

May God’s love been seen in our acts of goodness, righteousness and justice.

7th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 15-05-2024

Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:11-19    

Life certainly has its troubles and we have our fair share of it.

We will worry, feel anxious, feel insecure, and feel frustrated with life.

But when we look deeper at all that, we may see that all that has a root cause.

That root cause is none other than fear.

Fear can come upon anyone at any time, and there seems to be no defense from it.

We fear the unknown and we also fear that we will be left all alone to face that unknown.

But in the gospel, Jesus assures us that He will keep us safe.

And He also prays to God His Father that we will be kept safe under His care.

We fear because we think that no one will protect us in our time of danger.

We fear because we think that we will be left all alone to face the unknown.

We fear because we choose to fear, and in choosing to fear, we become lost.

Let us choose to believe in Jesus. Let us put our trust in Jesus. 

In Jesus, we will be secure and we will be able to live life peacefully.

St. Matthias, Apostle, Tuesday, 14-05-2024

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 / John 15:9-17  

The name Matthias is of Hebrew origin and it means "the gift of God"

But Matthias was not chosen to replace Judas just because he had a nice and meaningful name.

Rather he was chosen by a draw of lots.

We would think that it was a rather primitive and secular method to use for such an important and sacred task.

But it only shows that the apostles left the choice to God.

They have done their part by proposing the candidates and commending them to to the Lord in prayer.

They let the Lord guide them in making the choice.

As Jesus said in the gospel, it is not we who chose Him.

Rather it is He who chose us, and He commissions us to go forth and bear lasting fruit.

Hence it is not so much our suitability for the task at hand but rather our availability for God.

Our availability is our response to God, just as St. Matthias made his availability his response to God.

So what we are is God's gift to us. How we can be available for God is our gift to God.

7th Week of Easter, Monday, 13-05-2024

Acts 19:1-8 / John 16:29-33  

Human beings are, by nature, social beings.

It is a human need to be with other human beings, and to live in groups or in families or in communities.

No one chooses to be alone or do not wish to come into contact with other human beings.

However, the reality of life is that there are persons who are abandoned, ostracized, neglected and treated as an outcast.

These persons may not be visible in society because no one cares or bothers about them.

Some of these persons can be found in nursing homes or they may be homeless.

They are certainly lonely, and they keep to themselves as they also do not want to bother others because of their status.

In the gospel, Jesus expressed a shade of this reality when He said to His disciples:

The time will come when you will be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone.

We leave people alone when we don’t want too much trouble upon ourselves.

Or it may be too risky to be in the company of a person, as it was in the case of the disciples when Jesus was arrested.

A person may not say that he is lonely or cry out for companionship.

But let us look into the eyes of a person suffering from loneliness and neglect.

We might see the eyes in Jesus when His disciples deserted and abandoned Him in His time of suffering.

7th Sunday of Easter, Year B, 12.05.2024

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 / 1 John 4:11-16 / John 17:11-19

No one can really say that they don't have any problems in life. Even a carefree person will be bothered by flies and mosquitoes, and will have some complaints about life. 

So, whenever we are faced with the problems of life, especially the big and difficult problems, we will certainly resort to complaining. 

We know that complaining is not the solution to our problems in life. In fact, complaining only creates more problems for us. 

But in our anger and frustration, we want to complain, and we may even blame others for our problems. 

And it can also be quite convenient to blame God for all our problems. 

Also, when we pray for God's help to solve our problems, we don't seem to get an answer. 

But the truth of life is that life is difficult. 

And so it is with faith; faith is also difficult. 

So, we not only have problems with life, we also have problems with our faith. 

In the gospel, Jesus says that we belong to the world no more than He belongs to the world. 

But Jesus is not asking God to remove us from the world. 

So, Jesus is not asking God to remove all our problems in life. 

Rather, Jesus is asking God for something more crucial and more important, and that is that God protects us from the evil one. 

Life is difficult, and we will have our problems in life. 

And then the evil one will lurk around to tempt us, and use our problems to pull us down. 

And when we give in to the temptations of the evil one, then the problems in life will overwhelm us, and we will begin to drown in disappointment and frustration. 

That is why Jesus ask God to protect us from the evil one. 

On our part, we must look to God for help and protection. 

In the gospel, Jesus gave us a posture of prayer, a posture to turn to God for help and protection. 

The gospel passage begins with: Jesus raised His eyes too heaven. 

When we come to Church, what will catch our attention are the brightly-lit stained glass images of Jesus, Mother Mary and Saint Joseph.

When we raise our eyes and attention to the sacred images, we will know that Jesus is our Saviour, and Mother Mary and Saint Joseph are praying for us for God's help and protection. 

But if we keep looking down, then the evil one will only pull us further down. 

And talking about raising up and looking down, there is this legend about St. Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite nun who reformed the Carmelite Order in the 16th century. 

St. Teresa of Avila was serious about reforming, but she was also witty and funny, even in the face of persecution and temptation. 

Legend has it that one day while she was in the toilet, the evil one popped up and began mocking her. 

St. Teresa prayed and then retorted to the evil one with this: What comes out from my mouth goes up to God. What comes out from the other end is for you the evil one. 

So let us raise our minds and hearts to God and let what comes out from our lips give praise and thanks to God. 

God will bless us with joy and protect us from the evil one. 

May the joy of the Lord be our strength to face the difficulties of life. 

May the joy of the Lord be our protection against the temptations of the evil one.

6th Week of Easter, Saturday, 11-05-2024

Acts 18:23-28 / John 16:23-28  

There is one sure way to know how well we know about a topic or a subject.

And that is to teach it or to explain it to others.

It is in teaching that we learn.

It is when we have to stand up and talk about a topic or subject that we will realise how much we really know.

When it comes to teaching or sharing the faith with others, it may not be that straightforward or that clear.

Just when we thought that we may know enough about the faith, there might come a question or a query that will stop us in our tracks and maybe even stump us.

More so in the relationship between faith and life, it could be even harder to apply what we believe in and how to live it out in life.

But faith and life are continuously revealing more about who God is and who we are, and also how much we really believe and understand.

As much as we may realise that there is so little we know and so much more that we don’t, let us also understand the one fundamental aspect.

As in faith, so in life, love is fundamental and essential.

When we love God and love others, there is no real need to keep on explaining what we believe in and how we live life.

6th Week of Easter, Friday, 10-05-2024

Acts 18:9-18 / John 16:20-23  

It is only human to ask questions about life. Questions like - Why is there innocent suffering? Why is there unnecessary pain? Why is happiness so elusive?

These questions are not just about what is happening in the world around us.

These questions are about what is happening in our lives and to those whom we love and care about.

So these questions concern our family, our marriage, our spouse, our parents, our children, our work, our friends, etc.

In short, we encounter sorrow and suffering in life.

And it may add on to our desolation when Jesus said in the gospel : I tell you solemnly, you will be sorrowful.

Yet our consolation is that Jesus did not end it there. He continues by saying that our sorrow will turn to joy and that joy no one can take from us.

As we bring our needs and petitions to the Lord and place it at the altar of sacrifice, let us have the hope that the Lord would come to our help in our sorrows and sufferings.

That hope is not just wishful thinking but it is a joyful hope as we wait for God's will to unfold in the midst of our sorrows and sufferings.

Let us just ask the Lord for this joyful hope. With this joyful hope, there will be no further questions.

6th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 08-05-2024

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

Christianity is a religion that is essentially founded on the revelation from God.

Without God’s revelation of who He is and what are His ways, man would be making assumptions and presumptions about God.

But God reached out to His creation and reached out to man and revealed Himself.

In the Bible are the accounts of God calling and revealing Himself to people like Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Moses.

And at the appointed time, God sent His Son to become a man like us to reveal His great love for us.

Jesus has revealed to us the deep and intimate love of God, especially when He died on the Cross to save us.

In the gospel, Jesus says that He has more to reveal to us, and He will do this by sending us the Spirit of truth.

The Spirit of truth has revealed through the Bible about the nature and the ways of God to the Church and to us.

The Spirit of truth will continue to reveal God’s love for us in our relationships with Him and with others.

Let us read and meditate on God’s Word, and the Spirit of love and truth will lead us to  a deeper understanding of who God is and His love for us.

Ascension B-2024, Thursday, 09-05-2024

When a good story reaches the conclusion, it will also recall the events at the introduction. 

So, it can be said that the story has come to a full circle, and all the events and elements of the story are linked together. 

The Feast of the Ascension brings the saving mission of Jesus to a glorious conclusion. 

It also brings us back to how the story of salvation began. 

In the Old Testament, God promised to send the Messiah, or the Saviour.

At the appointed time, Jesus came down from heaven and became man through the Incarnation. 

The Good News He proclaimed tells us that heaven is our eternal home, and God is waiting for us to come home. 

By His suffering, death, Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus gave us the firm hope that He will bring us home. 

We came from God, and we must return to God. 

We need to lift our minds and hearts from the temporary things of earth, to the eternal things of above. 

We will have our struggles and troubles, our sufferings and tribulations.

But all that cannot be compared to the eternal glory that Jesus is leading us to. 

God created us in love. May our lives on earth be a love story. 

And we look forward with hope that our story will conclude in everlasting love.

6th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 07-05-2024

Acts 16:22-34 / John 16:5-11 

For busy people who manage their own schedules, there is this worry and anxiety.

And that is there will be a double-booking of appointments at the same time slot.

And we know that this is not an imaginative anxiety. 

It is a reality because it has happened before, though it may not be that frequent.

But that is enough to make us keep checking and updating our schedules and appointments.

But that also tells us that we cannot say “yes” to two appointments at the same time.

Nor can we be at two different locations at the same time.

In the gospel, Jesus says this: I must tell you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you.

Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be with each of us .

Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus will be present with each of us.

And united by the Holy Spirit, we will be able to be in communion with each other and fulfil God’s plan for ourselves as well as for the Body of Christ.

Indeed, it is for our good that Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit is truly the best gift for each of us as well as all of us.

6th Week of Easter, Monday, 06-05-2024

Acts 16:11-15 / John 15:26 - 16:4  

What is right or wrong is not a matter of personal or public opinion.

Right is right, even if no one is doing it.

And wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it.

So, what is right or wrong is determined by an objective truth.

In the gospel, Jesus says this: When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who issues from the Father, he will be my witness.

Jesus is the Truth, and He proclaimed and witnessed to the truth of love.

And the truth of love bears the fruits of forgiveness, compassion, kindness, understanding, patience, all of which are the fruits of the Spirit of truth.

So the use of violence, terrorism and other hostile violations of the human dignity is certainly not the truth of life, nor can it be a truth from God.

Jesus calls us to be His witnesses, and He sends us the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate.

Let us be faithful to Jesus who is the Truth.

And when confronted with opposition and resistance, let us believe that in the end, the truth will prevail.

6th Sunday of Easter Year B, 05.05.2024

 Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 / 1 John 4:7-10 / John 15:9-17

There are many ways to describe what life is like, and what life is about. 

It can be said that life is like boarding a train and going on a long long journey. 

When we go on board a train, there are already people on it. 

As the train moves along, we will gradually strike up conversations, and make friends with people. 

There are some whom we will easily make friends with because of similarity in personality, and common interests. 

And then there are some who will just be acquaintances, and we won't know much about them, and they also will not know much about us. 

And then there might be some whom we will keep a distance from, for one reason or another. 

As the train travels from station to station, some people will come on board, while some will alight the train.

So, there are some people that we will meet, and then there will be some friends that we will miss, and we wonder if we will ever meet them again. 

And then there will be some who will remain on the train with us along the journey. 

They may become our good friends, and some may also become our best friends. 

So, life is like a train journey where we will meet people. And in that journey, we don't merely look at the passing scenery in solitude. 

Rather, we develop relationships, and some of these relationships will last throughout the journey. 

And when these relationships are enriching, then the journey of life will truly be beautiful and wonderful. 

In the gospel, Jesus tells us that He calls us friends, because He has made known to us everything He has learned from His Father. 

In the Bible, the word “friend” is more than an interpersonal relationship. 

In the Bible the word “friend” also expresses a deep personal relationship between God and man. 

God refers to Abraham as “my friend” (Isaiah 41: 8). And the Lord speaks to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33:11). 

When Jesus calls us friends, He means to say that He knows us through and through. 

He was with us when we came into this world, and He will be with us right till the day when we leave this world. 

Yes, Jesus is with us all throughout the journey of life. He chose us to be His friends, and He wants to be our good friend, to be our best friend. 

But, as in any friendship and relationship, the test will come. 

Jesus wants to be our friend, a friend who would be willing to make the sacrifice and to lay down His life for us. 

Jesus showed what a friend He is to us, by dying on the Cross in order to save us. 

Truly, a man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. 

Yes, what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs He bears. And what a privilege to carry everything to Him in prayer. 

Let us be a friend to Jesus by being with Him in prayer, daily and faithfully. 

When we have a friend in Jesus, He will also bless all our friendships. 

Then the journey of life, and the journey in life, will be beautiful and wonderful.

5th Week of Easter, Saturday, 04-05-2024

Acts 16:1-10 / John 15:18-21   

Progress and development are held in high esteem by the world.

The present generation strives to be better than the previous generation.

Each generation wants to leave a legacy behind for the next generation to follow up and to match up.

As much as all this may sound good, there can be the danger of ego and pride.

Under the masks of progress, development and improvement, the tendency is to be the master, the boss and the leader.

To be a servant, a subordinate or a humble worker would probably mean that there was no goals, no direction and no ambition.

But in the gospel, Jesus says that a servant is not greater than his master.

A good servant requires humility to serve and to learn from his master.

And a good master will teach his servants or disciples the virtues of humility and service.

That will be the legacy that any good master will impress on his servants or disciples.

Sts. Philip and James, Apostles, Friday, 03-05-2024

1 Cor 15:1-8 / John 14:6-14

At times we would wonder about those people who see visions of Jesus and Mary.

The most recent saint who had a vision of Mary is St. Bernadette Soubirous who saw our Lady at Lourdes.

She is also one of the saints whose body remained incorrupted, and her body is kept in a crystal reliquary for veneration.

Indeed, seeing leads to believing. Especially when we are able to verify and authenticate what we see to be true and real.

In the gospel, Philip asked Jesus to let them see the Father and then they shall be satisfied.

The reply of Jesus was profound as well as stunning - to have seen Him is to have seen the Father!

As for us, we have not seen Jesus nor have we had any visions of Him, so we may think that we are not that privileged enough and that our faith is not as strong as that of St. Philip and St. James.

But if the apostles, in seeing Jesus saw the Father, then for us, we must, with the eyes of faith, see Jesus in one another.

In fact, the greatest vision we can ever have is to see Jesus in the ordinary, humble and lowly people.

That is the faith of the saints. May that also be our faith, in that we have eyes that see with faith.

5th Week of Easter, Thursday, 02-05-2024

Acts 15:7-21 / John 15:9-11 

At meetings, there are usually important matters to discuss and burning issues to resolve.

As much as such meetings are necessary, they can become long-drawn and boring when the focus is lost with too many personal opinions.

When principles and objective reasoning is not adhered to, then meetings won’t be fruitful or meaningful.

In the 1st reading, the apostles and elders met to discuss on the matter of pagans becoming Christians and the issue of imposing religious practices on them.

The discussion had gone on for a long time, and then Peter stood up to address the apostles and elders.

He brought them to focus on the will of God and the workings of the Holy Spirit among the pagans.

Peter also reminded them that it is by the grace of God that salvation is offered to all.

That silenced the entire assembly, and the meeting carried on with the focus on God and on His will.

From this we are reminded that in Church meetings and discussions, it is so necessary to pray and invoke God’s blessings on the assembly.

And the Holy Spirit will guide minds and hearts that are softened by prayer to look at matters and issues with the mind of God.

Then meetings will be fruitful with blessings and issues will be resolved with love.