13th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 01-07-2024

Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 / Matthew 8:18-22

The term “Good News” first appeared in the New Testament.

That term points to the saving love of God.

It also points to Jesus Christ who is the Word-of-God made flesh.

Jesus is the Saviour who proclaimed the Good News of salvation.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of salvation that was prophesied in the Old Testament.

But even in the Old Testament, God has been announcing His saving love for His people through the prophets.

In the 1st reading, the prophet Amos proclaimed that God will punish the sinners and those who were unfaithful to Him.

At the same time, God will also come to the help of the poor, the oppressed and those who suffer evil and wickedness.

Jesus came to proclaim the Good News of salvation to the poor and oppressed, and those who suffer injustice and persecution.

He also came to cure the sick and break the power of evil.

Jesus is calling us to continue His mission of salvation.

Let us heed His call and may we be messengers of the saving love of God to those who are longing for God to come to their help.

13th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 30.06.2024

Wisdom 1:13-15 / 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15 / Mark 5:21-43

There are three ideals in life that we wish for. We want to be healthy, we want to be wealthy and we want to be free of worry. 

If we can ever have these three ideals in life, then we will be happy, then we should be happy. 

But happiness in life comes and goes. And that is because health and wealth come and go, and we worry about both. 

And the folly of life is this: we spend our health trying to gain wealth, and then we spend our wealth trying to regain our health. 

Regardless of our status in life, no one is exempted from the worries of health and wealth. 

With all these worries in life, we may wonder what is the purpose and meaning of life. 

More so, when we are afflicted with sickness and struggling with financial difficulties, we will be desperate for solutions. 

And it is in times like these, that God speaks to us. 

In today's gospel, we hear the Good News of God's love and care for us, especially in our suffering.

There was the synagogue official, Jairus by name, and then there was that unidentified woman who was suffering from haemorrhage for 12 years. 

Both of them were from different social status, and backgrounds. But both had a need. 

Jairus came before Jesus, fell at His feet and pleaded earnestly for his daughter, who was desperately sick. 

The woman, who shouldn't be in public because of her condition, came up behind Jesus through the crowd to touch His cloak, hoping to find a cure. 

In the gospel message, there is like a story within a story. 

But the gospel passage also has this Good News to tell us. 

That regardless of status, personality or background, God cares for all and hears every prayer. 

Jairus came before Jesus, fell at His feet and pleaded with Him for his daughter. 

The woman, on the other hand, came up quietly from behind Jesus to touch His cloak without telling him. 

The Good News is that in the end, both received what they hoped and longed for. 

And Jesus pointed out what it was that their prayers were answered. 

Jairus and the unidentified woman both had faith in Jesus. 

Today's gospel passage serves to reinforce our faith in God. 

The 1st reading also tells us that God created us in the image of His own nature. 

So, we are created in God's love and created with God's love. 

Regardless of our status, personality or background, when we come before the Lord with our needs, He will hear our prayer. 

So, in the sunshine of our confidence, let us give thanks to God with a grateful heart. 

In the darkness of our doubt, let us be humble and plead with the Lord. 

Whether we are like Jairus pleading with Jesus, or like the woman who came up from behind Jesus to touch His cloak, God knows our needs. 

More than health or wealth, God wants us to have faith in Him. 

With faith in God, we know our prayer will be heard, and with faith we wait for God to grant us our needs.

Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, Saturday, 29-06-2024

Acts 12:1-11 / 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18 / Matthew 16:13-19   

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, is a liturgical feast in honour of the martyrdom in Rome of these two great saints.

The celebration is of ancient origin, and it is celebrated on this date because it either marks the anniversary of their death or of the transfer of their relics.

Yet when we read the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we may wonder why these two saints are put together in the same feastday. 

Because in reality they were as different as oil and water. Yet it is also not about who is above the other.

Because both men had their flaws, and even their "fights" were recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.

But both were chosen and called by Jesus for a mission and a task.

Both responded with all their hearts and even with their lives.

They had their differences but their love for Jesus rose above their human weaknesses like oil above the water.

Their feastday also tells us that although the Church may have its failings and weaknesses, yet there is also the divine calling and the outpouring of graces.

Like Sts. Peter and Paul, let us put aside our differences and open our hearts to God's graces, so that by our love and unity, we will proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

12th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 28-06-2024

2 Kings 25:1-12 / Matthew 8:1-4  

The year 587BC is seared into the minds of the Biblical Jews whenever they recall their nation's history.

That was the year of the Babylonian invasion that resulted in the Exile in Babylon of the Jewish nation.

On top of that, the magnificent Temple that was built by king Solomon, that Temple which was the pride and glory of the nation was utterly demolished, along with the city of Jerusalem.

Stripped of all dignity and status, with no country or land to call their own, and being slaves in the land of their conquerors, the Jewish people began thinking and reflecting.

Why did such disaster and humiliation come upon them? Why didn't God protect them or come to their help?

Upon deeper reflection, they came to realize that in the first place, they had sinned and turned away from the Lord.

This was despite repeated attempts by the prophets to call the nation to repentance and to turn back to the Lord.

Hence it can be said that the one good thing that came out of the Babylonian Exile was that the people turned back to God in repentance and asking for forgiveness.

The history of the Jewish nation serves as a lesson for us especially when we become complacent and begin to take God for granted.

Yet the history of the Jewish nation also affirms the fact that God answers whenever we call to Him, especially in repentance and asking for forgiveness and healing.

It is like what the leper said in today's gospel: Sir, if you want to, you can cure me.

And the reply of Jesus was : Of course I want to! Be cured!

12th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 27-06-2024

2 Kings 24:8-17 / Matthew 7:21-29  

A house is a building made of stones and bricks and joined by cement and other materials.

A house becomes a home when people live in it and share their lives and help each other out.

Whether it is a family or a group of people staying together, what are the values that are shared and learnt?

When the family or group of people are enriching each other’s lives with good values and practices, then it can be truly called a home.

And it is a home that is built on rock because the values and practices help to build lives and help the members in the home to become better persons.

Jesus said in the gospel, that everyone who listens to Him and acts on His words are like sensible persons who built their houses on rock.

Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall; it was founded on rock.

Let us build our house on the rock of the teachings of Jesus, so that our house will be a home of love.

And let us also let Jesus make His home in our hearts. 

Then our lives will be built on the rock of God’s love and we will stand firm always.

12th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 26-06-2024

2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 / Matthew 7:15-20  

Among the other things that others want to see in us Christians, it will be how we live our lives.

And since they know that we are Christians, then obviously they will look at how we live and what we say and think.

And that would bring us to the essence of our faith and what we should be doing as Christians.

As Christians, we ought to be a people of prayer.

Whether as individuals or as a community, we must be grounded and rooted in prayer.

It is in prayer that we turn to God for His blessings to live out the life that He wants us to live.

It is in prayer that we bear the fruits of our faith.

As Jesus said in the gospel, others will be able to tell what kind of Christians we are by the fruits of our lives.

May our lives be holy and to bear fruits of love that will lead others to God, and also fruits of love that will do good for others.

12th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 25-06-2024

2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36 / Matthew 7:6, 12-14  

The act of name-dropping is often practiced by people who are not confident of themselves or do not have the capabilities to handle a situation.

Name-dropping is used to position oneself within a social hierarchy. It is often used to create a sense of superiority by raising one's status.

Obviously it is a poor reflection of oneself and unpleasant when others hear it.

In the 1st reading, the Assyrian king Sennacherib, did not name-drop to threaten king Hezekiah.

Rather Sennacherib did something more profane and disgusting.

In his message to Hezekiah, he said this: Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you, when he says: Jerusalem shall not fall into the power of the king of Assyria. You have learnt by now what the kings of Assyria have done to every country, putting them all under the ban. Are you likely to be spared?

Sennacherib derided and insulted the God of Israel to threaten Hezekiah.

For that, 185,000 men of his army was struck down, Sennacherib had to retreat.

It is important to know that we cannot use the name of God to boast or to threaten.

If we truly believe in God and stand by Him, then God will also stand by us and keep us safe and secure.

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Monday, 24-06-2024

Isaiah 49:1-6 / Acts 13:22-26 / Luke 1:57-66, 80  

The name "John" appears for the first time in the Bible in today's gospel.

It is a Jewish name (Yohanan) and it means "God is gracious".

Why Elizabeth have her son that name and why Zechariah confirmed it was not mentioned.

But we can suppose, and quite correctly, that she was expressing her thanks and praise to God for this gift of grace in her son, and that God was merciful to her and saved her from the shame of being barren.

Indeed the name "John" was very befitting for the Baptizer because he was the herald of a more important person.

He ushered in the appointed time of grace.

In fact he ushered in the fullness of grace that was embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus Christ, God came as a man to visit His people and to redeem them from the slavery of sin.

As it was then, so it is now still. Every moment is a time of grace.

God still visits us not only to save us but to make us the light of the nations, so that salvation may reach all nations, as we heard in the 1st reading.

May we live each moment in grace of God, so that we may be instruments of light and life to others.

12th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 23.06.2024

Job 38:1, 8-11 / 2 Cor 5:14-17 / Mark 4:35-41

One of the main worries and concerns in life is over our safety and security. 

No matter how confident or how strong we think we are, we also know this:

That accidents can happen anytime and that danger and trouble can flare up unexpectedly. 

It is tiring and draining to be always on the alert and to keep looking out for danger or what might go wrong. 

So, we will protect ourselves by getting whatever means of safety and security. 

We will get good locks for the doors of our homes and offices. 

We will get good antivirus software for our mobile phones and computers. 

We will buy insurance on what we think is valuable to us, so that when something drastic happens, at least there can be some financial recovery. 

We want to have all these safety measures because life is so fragile, and we need to have some security. 

The reality is that trouble and danger can happen anytime, and it can happen when we least expect it. 

In the gospel, when Jesus and His disciples went by boat to the other side, the weather was initially calm. 

It seemed that all was well and good and calm, such that Jesus can even sleep in the boat. 

And then, without much of a warning, it began to blow a gale, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that it was almost swamped. 

Obviously, the disciples were more than frightened, as they know that they were in big trouble, and they were in danger of losing their lives. 

And in the midst of all the chaos, there was Jesus soundly asleep, with His head on a cushion. 

That was just too much for the disciples, and they woke Him up and said to Him: Master, do you not care? We are going down! 

Well, those words were certainly not said calmly or gently. In fact, the disciples were scolding Jesus. 

Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the sea to be calm and to be quiet. 

After which, it was His turn to ask the disciples: Why are you so frightened? How is it you have no faith? 

And we might be thinking, the disciples had Jesus in the boat, and they were still frightened. 

As for us, yes, we have faith, but we certainly won't be sleeping when we are faced with trouble or mortal danger. 

Like the disciples, we will be frightened, worried and anxious. 

That boat-in-the-storm experience revealed who Jesus is to the disciples, and that also made them want to discover more about Jesus. 

As for us, the image of Jesus sleeping while it was storming, is teaching us something. 

In the book of Genesis, God put Adam into a deep sleep as He took one of Adam's ribs to create the woman Eve. 

So, there is a spiritual meaning in the act of sleeping - something is being created, something is being revealed. 

To sleep is also to be still, and God says in Psalm 41: Be still and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme on the Earth.

And Jesus tells us this: Come to Me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. 

The spiritual meaning of sleeping is to rest in the Lord. 

It is in resting in the Lord that He will reveal something to us. 

It is in resting in the Lord, that He will save us from our troubles and the dangers of life. 

Let us rest prayerfully in the Lord, and He will keep us safe and secure.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 22-06-2024

2 Chronicles 24:17-25 / Matthew 6:24-34  

The most important things in life are not about things.

Things come and go, and we use things as long as we need them.

The most important things in life are people and our relationships with them.

It is in our relationships with others that we know what life is about.

And it is also in our relationship with others that we come to know ourselves better.

In the 1st reading, the new king Joash forgot about the kindness the previous priest Jehoiada had shown him.

King Joash preferred to listen to the court officials and even killed Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who was sent by God to warn him to repent.

And being forgetful of the kindness, and for being ungrateful, king Joash suffered terrible consequences.

In the gospel, Jesus reminded us of who should be the master of our lives.

When we remember with gratitude the loving providence of God for us, then we would certainly know who we should turn to as our Lord and Master.

And our relationship with God should also be reflected in our relationship with others.

That would be the most important in this life, as well as in the next.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 21-06-2024

2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 / Matthew 6:19-23  

The simple truths of life can be so simple that gradually we don’t take notice of it anymore.

It can be as simple as having a balanced diet, regular resting times, regular exercise and general wellbeing.

We know all these are not just good life practices, but they are actually the truths of life.

Going beyond that, we also know that life on earth is temporary and all things will pass, including ourselves.

As much as we know all that, we get distracted by the glitter of this life and we begin to chase the wind.

In the 1st reading, we hear of Athaliah who usurped power by wicked means and even resorted to murdering those who stand in her way.

She had her eyes only of worldly power. Somehow she did not see the truth of retribution, or do not want to think about it.

So, in the end, she had to reap what she sowed, and paid for it with her life.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us to store up treasure for ourselves in heaven.

He also tells us to look at the truth and to understand what life is all about.

When we keep our focus on the truth of life, the truth will set us free, and the truth will also make us happy, in this life as well as in the next.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 20-06-2024

Ecclesiasticus 48:1-14 / Matthew 6:7-15  

It used to be a practice where a phrase or form of words were written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone, which is known as an epitaph.

Maybe it has fallen out of practice because niches are more practical and the plaque on the niche is rather small.

And it can be difficult to summarize a person’s life in just a few words.

The 1st reading is like a long epitaph of the life of the prophet Elijah.

But if all that is to condensed into a few words, it would probably be this: The prophet Elijah was a man of God and a man of prayer.

We may not have epitaphs or memories written about us after we have passed on.

What is more important is can others see that we believe in God and that we are a people of prayer.

In the gospel, Jesus taught us the prayer of the “Our Father’.

He also said that prayer is not to be a babbling of many words. He also said that the fruit of prayer is forgiveness.

When we pray, it should lead us to forgive others. And in forgiving others, we are also acknowledging the power of God in our prayer.

May others see us as a people who believe in God, a people who pray and that our prayer is expressed in our forgiveness of others.

 

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday 19-06-2024

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 / Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 

It can be said that all creation points to the presence and the power of God.

And it is also through creation that God shows us His love and care for us.

And it is also through creation that God speaks to us and lets us know His will and His plan for us.

In the 1st reading, Elisha made a request to Elijah, and he asked for a double share of Elijah’s prophetic abilities.

Elijah responded by saying that Elisha’s request is a difficult one.

And then Elijah gave this sign to Elisha – if Elisha sees him being taken up to heaven, his request will be granted. If not, then it won’t.

That was God’s sign for Elisha about whether his request will be granted.

Elijah was God’s sign for Elisha, and Elisha saw that sign and his request was granted.

We too are to be God’s sign for others especially in our good deeds, in our prayer and in our spiritual disciplines like fasting.

But as Jesus said, we must be careful not to parade our good deeds, or our prayer, or our spiritual disciplines to attract attention.

Whatever we do and say are to lead people to think about God’s presence in their lives.

And may we also be signs of God’s answer to the prayers of others. 

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 18-06-2024

1 Kings 21:17-29 / Matthew 5:43-48  

Human beings have limited abilities and limited resources.

And the limited life span is the most obvious reality of human life.

So in our human limitations, we cannot say that we can love unconditionally.

And neither can we say that we can forgive unconditionally.

Because only God can love unconditionally, and only He can forgive unconditionally.

In the 1^st reading, God seems to have forgiven the wicked king Ahab the terrible sin of killing an innocent man just because of some greed over a piece of land.

It seems that just because Ahab did some penance that God did not bring the punishment on him but turned it on his son instead.

But with the understanding that the afterlife and existence of a person is continued in his descendants, then it is actually a more terrible punishment on Ahab.

It was not because God did not want to forgive Ahab unconditionally.

Rather it was Ahab who did not repent unconditionally.

As the 1^st reading puts it: Indeed, there never as anyone like Ahab for double dealing and for doing what is displeasing to the Lord.

So, we may not be able to love unconditionally, and neither are we able to forgive unconditionally.

The least that we can do is to repent unconditionally, as we turn to God who loves us and forgives us unconditionally.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 16-06-2024

1 Kings 21:1-16 / Matthew 5:38-42  

In life, there are some principals that have to be kept so that there can be some order in life.

One such principle can be called the principle of limits.

Although the limits may not be specifically defined, yet we know that there is a line somewhere that marks that limit.

When we cross that line and go over the limit, then there will be trouble.

The saying of “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth” is to put a limit when scores are to be settled.

The teaching of Jesus about not resisting the wicked and being generous to those who ask or borrow certainly challenges us to raise our limits of love and tolerance.

But Jesus is not saying that there is to be no limit to our love and tolerance.

In the 1st reading, what Ahab and his wife Jezebel did was certainly crossing the line of morality and going beyond the limits of tolerance.

And no doubt, they will be held accountable for the death of the innocent Naboth.

As much as we try not to resist the wicked and be generous to those who ask or borrow, let us also know that there is a limit to what the wicked can do to us and a limit to what we can give.

Let us remember that when the wicked cross that line of tolerance, God will intervene.

And God will know when we have reached the limits of our generosity and He will reward us with His blessings.

11th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 16.06.2024

Ezekiel 17:22-24 / 2 Cor 5:6-10 / Mark 4:26-34  

From the moment we came into this world, we embarked on a learning process. 

We learn to recognize our parents and the people around us. 

We learn how to get attention when we are in some kind of need. 

We learn how to use the things around us for our benefit. 

Life is a learning process and it is a lifelong learning. 

And we go to school to acquire knowledge, and we get to understand more about people, about the world, and also about ourselves. 

But no matter how much we learn and how much knowledge we acquire, there will always be something that we don't know or understand. 

For example, we use our mobile phone so often, but we don't really know how it works. 

We ride on vehicles like cars, and trains and airplanes, but we don't know how they work. 

We hear an amplified voice of a person at a distance, and we don't know how a microphone or a sound system works. 

But, we don't have to ask all those questions when those things work, and there are no problems. 

We will only ask questions when things don't work, and when it becomes an inconvenience or a problem for us. 

In the gospel parable, we hear of a man who throws seeds on the land. 

Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the sea is sprouting and growing. How, he does not know. 

But of its own accord, the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain of the ear. 

And when the crop is ready, he loses no time. He starts to reap because the harvest has come. 

All that sounds like nature's manufacturing process, and the results are expected. 

But there are five words that call out for our attention and reflection. 

Those five words are: How, he does not know. Those five words reveal the limitation of human knowledge and understanding. 

And those five words reveal the wonders and the marvels of the mystery and the power of God. 

Yes, it is God who creates, who gives life, who brings about growth. 

And human knowledge and understanding cannot fully grasp the mind of God and His ways. 

In the 1st reading, the Lord God has this to say: Every tree of the field will learn that I, the Lord, am the One who stunts tall trees and makes the little ones grow, who withers green trees and makes the withered green. 

Indeed, who can fully understand the mysterious ways and the power of God. 

But we know that the Lord God looks with favour on the lowly and humble, and those who put their faith and trust in Him. 

On the side altars of our Lady and St. Joseph, there are more than 5,000 petitions gathered from the triduum and feastday celebrations.

We do not know how God is going to answer those prayer petitions, but we do know that God will answer them. 

There are many things about life, about people, about the world, and about ourselves, that we do not know or understand. 

And when we are faced with trials and tribulations, and we do not have the solution, let us say the “I don't know” prayer. 

Let us come before the Lord with our struggles and troubles, and humbly say that we don't know how to handle the situation. 

We just have to say: Lord, I don't know, but You know.

Yes, the Lord knows, and He will show us the wonder and the marvel of His knowledge and His power.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 15-06-2024

1 Kings 19:19-21 / Matthew 5:33-37  

When it comes to making appointments, there is a time that we need to keep.

Yet when it comes to keeping the time for the appointment, how do we fare in being early, and in time, and being late?

If we are often late for appointments and meetings, then we have to ask ourselves if we are serious with our words and with what we say.

So if we agree to a time for a meeting or appointment, and we don't keep to it as in that we are often late, then how about making promises and oaths?

If we cannot keep to our words in small things, then how sure are we that we will keep to our words in big things?

That is what Jesus is highlighting in today's gospel - whether we make a commitment to God or to man, we must be serious about it.

Being serious about our commitment does not just reflect our character.

It is also an indication that the love of Christ has overwhelmed us, and that we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and was raised to life for us.

So keeping to our words has a spiritual dimension - it shows that we are a new creation in Christ. The old creation is gone and it is all God's work.

Yes, it was God who was committed to saving us in Jesus Christ. Let us also be committed in being faithful to Him.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 14-06-2024

1 Kings 19:, 11-16 / Matthew 5:27-32  

What often captures our attention are visuals that are bright and striking.

And when it comes to audio, what we often hear are the loud and booming sounds.

When it comes to audio and visuals, it is often the loud and booming sounds, and the bright and striking that overwhelms our senses.

In this loud, noisy and dazzling world, we may have forgotten what is serene and tranquil.

We may have forgotten to observe the details, or unable to hear the little gentle sounds.

In the 1st reading, the mighty wind, the earthquake and the fire are indeed overwhelming and even frightening.

Then came the sound of a gentle breeze and when Elijah heard it, he knew it was the presence of God.

In this loud and noisy world, it is difficult to hear that soft gentle voice of God, which is the voice of our conscience.

It is often that soft gentle voice that warns us of the danger of sin, like lust, greed and selfishness.

It is in coming for Mass, for Devotion, for prayer that we turn away from the loud and dazzling.

Let us rest our hearts and minds in the peace of the Lord and then we will be able to listen to what He wants to say to us.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 13-06-2024

1 Kings 18:41-46 / Matthew 5:20-26  

There are certain human characteristics or qualities that are good to emulate.

If we want to be successful and achieve our goals in life, then there are two characteristics or qualities that we need to have.

They are perseverance and persistence.

With these two qualities and characteristics, we will be able to overcome setbacks and failures.

It is also with these two qualities that we will be patient with ourselves and with others.

And with faith, we will use these two qualities to put our trust in God.

In the 1st reading, the prophet Elijah told his servant to look out into the sea.

The servant came back and replied that there was nothing.

Elijah then told the servant to go back seven times.

The seventh time, the servant told Elijah that there was a cloud, small as a man's hand, rising from the sea.

And following that, the sky grew dark with cloud and storm, and the rain fell in torrents.

It was the perseverance and persistence of Elijah’s faith that God opened the skies and poured down rain after the long drought.

Let us persevere and persist with faith in our prayer and God will shower down His blessings upon us.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 12.06.2024

1 Kings 18:20-39 / Matthew 5:17-19   

We know how important and essential prayer is for our lives.

We pray to give thanks, we pray when we have needs and we pray for others in their needs.

We also know that God hears our prayers and when our prayers are answered, our faith in God is also deepened and strengthened.

In the 1st reading, the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest of proving who is the God of Israel.

When it came to his turn to offer the sacrifice, Elijah prayed and ended his prayer with this: Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that the people may know that you, Lord, are God and are winning back their hearts.

That prayer also reiterates that when God answers our prayers, He is drawing us back to Him, to let us know that He loves us and cares for us.

With prayers of praise and thanksgiving, with prayers of contrition and supplication, we turn back to God and we pray for others to turn back to God.

So, let us pray and let us also encourage and remind others to pray in their time of need.

Prayer is our expression of our need for God.

It is also an expression that we are keeping the Commandments of God and let us also teach others to do the same.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 10-06-2024

1 Kings 17:1-6 / Matthew 5:1-12  

We expect blessings to come in nice and pleasant forms.

After all, blessings are meant to be something good.

So, if blessings are good, then blessings ought to look nice and pleasant.

But God’s blessings often come in unexpected forms, or what we may often say “a blessing in disguise”.

In the 1st reading, the bird that brought food to the prophet Elijah was certainly not of the beautiful or majestic kind.

Rather, God ordered ravens, which is a rather unattractive bird, to serve Elijah.

Indeed, God’s ways and God’s thoughts are just so different from ours.

In the gospel, Jesus teaches about happiness.

Happiness is a blessing. But God’s way of blessing us with happiness is certainly not how we expect it to be.

Especially when Jesus says that it is a blessing when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on His account.

It is difficult to understand God’s way of blessing us.

But with faith, we will be able to see how God is blessing us even as we are undergoing trials and difficulties.

St. Barnabas, Apostle, Tuesday, 11-06-2024

Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3 / Matthew 10:7-13  

St. Barnabas was not one of the twelve Apostles who were chosen by Jesus.

Yet in Acts 14:14, he, together with St. Paul were called apostles, as they were sent by the Church for a mission and to preach or deliver a message.

Yet to be called an apostle was indeed a great privilege for St. Barnabas, considering the fact that he was one of the first converts to Christianity.

And indeed, he lived up to his calling as an apostle. He and St. Paul undertook missionary journeys together and defended Gentile converts against a faction which insisted on circumcision.

We also heard from the 1st reading that they also gained converts in Antioch, and it was there that the  disciples were first called "Christians".

He also participated in the Council of Jerusalem, the first Council, which addressed the status of the Gentile converts and formulated the required religious practices for them.

So St. Barnabas was a great figure of evangelization in the early Church.

Yet the 1st reading described these simple but important qualities in him - for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.

For us who are called by God to be His people, let us recognize the goodness that God has created in us.

Let us also ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith so that like St. Barnabas, we too will be instruments for the great work that God wants us to do.

10th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 09.06.2024

Genesis 3:9-15 / 2 Cor 4:13 – 5:1 / Mark 3:20-35  

One of the means of communication is with words. The primary form of interaction with others is through the spoken word. 

Although text messaging is popular, the human social inclination is to meet up and have a face-to-face interaction. 

In such interactions, words are spoken to express thoughts and emotions. 

Whether it is a casual or formal conversation, there is a need to be aware of what we say. 

There is a Chinese saying that we can be reckless with what we eat, but we have to be careful with what we say. 

But actually, we also need to be careful with what we eat, so as not to have digestive problems. 

So, we have to be careful with what we eat, as well as to be careful with what we say. 

But it seems like we are more discerning with what we eat than what we say. 

Because there are instances when we are so careless with our words. 

There are many reasons why we are careless with our words. 

It could be when we are angry and we lose our temper. And when we lose control of our temper, we also lose control of our tongue, and we say mean and hurtful words. 

Or, we may want to be sarcastic so as to insult and put down others. We will use words that are sharp and cutting and make others cringe and feel disgusted. 

By and large, we become careless with our words when we lose control of ourselves and give in to temptation. 

That's when we will say things that are false, or tell lies, or even to the extent of saying things that are outright evil. 

In the gospel, Jesus says that all men's sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies. But let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, and he will never have any forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin. 

Jesus said that because some people were saying that an unclean spirit is in Him. 

To say that there is an unclean or evil spirit in a person is a grave and serious matter. 

More so when it is not a factual statement, and it is said to criticize a person out of jealousy or to discredit or out of some malicious intent. 

We may not say something that grave and serious. 

But, we may give in to the temptation of cursing, and say things like “that person can go to hell”. 

That is certainly not a casual statement and it implies that a person is evil. 

As Christians, such words or phrases cannot come out of our mouths. 

Because from what fills our hearts, our mouths will speak. 

Let us remember that evil can only multiply when we lose control of ourselves and give in to temptation. 

We will speak words of evil and sow words of evil into the hearts of those who hear it. 

But when our hearts are filled with the Holy spirit, we will speak what is good and loving, what is right and true. 

The Holy Spirit leads us to do the will of God. 

To do the will of God is to speak about the will of God. 

And the will of God is that we speak words that are gentle and kind and compassionate. 

We speak words that encourage, words that affirm, words that heal. 

And may the Holy Spirit help us to speak words of Truth and Love.

The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saturday, 08-06-2024

Isaiah 61:9-11 / Luke 2:41-51    

The heart of a mother is a heart that is so lovable and understandable, and yet it is also so mysterious.

We may think that we understand our mothers, but they actually know more about us that we can ever imagine.

After all, we were conceived in the womb of our mothers, and hence we are a part of them and nothing can ever eradicate this mother-child relationship.

And it can be said that nothing can ever separate a mother from her child. A mother's bond to her child is something that goes beyond logic and explanation.

In today's feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the gospel reading gives us a good reflection of the heart of Mary.

Mary made it a point that Jesus had a religious upbringing and that was why she and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

Mary had a heart for God and she wanted Jesus to have what she treasured most - a heart for God.

When Mary and Joseph lost contact with Jesus, Mary would have felt that void most deeply.

Yet when they found Jesus, Mary was like a typical mother reprimanding her son. That makes her so lovable and understandable.

Yet when she did not understand the reply of Jesus, she kept quiet and stored it in her heart. Mary knew how to respond in the face of mystery.

May we too have a heart like that of Mary, lovable and understandable by others. And may our hearts be also open to mystery and to store and reflect in our hearts what we cannot understand immediately.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, 07-06-2024

Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9 / Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 / John 19:31-37  

There are some acts that are considerate as inhumane and a disregard of the human dignity.

Examples of these acts are torture and possible causing death.

Mutilation is an act of physical injury that degrades the appearance or function of any living body, sometimes causing death.

Mutilation of a human body could be intentional or unintentional during life, or after death, and it is a barbaric act.

Jesus was already dead when the soldier used the lance to pierce the side.

It may not mean much to the soldier but it was a terrible and horrible act.

Out of His pierced side immediately came out blood and water.

From the human perspective, it is a gross mutilation of the dead body.

But from the divine perspective, it was turned into a revelation.

The Heart of God was revealed to the world, and with it was the Blood that redeemed humanity from sin and the water of forgiveness.

In the feast of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, God revealed His love for us in signs and symbols that we, as human beings, can understand deeply.

We open our hearts to receive the precious Blood of Jesus and the water that cleanses our sinful hearts.

As we contemplate on the pierced Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us ask Jesus to make our hearts like His.

And we unite our hearts with His Sacred Heart as we offer prayer and reparation for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.

9th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 06-06-2024

2 Tim 2:8-15 / Mark 12:28-34  

Words are a means of communication between persons.

As much as words may seem necessary for communication, it does not necessarily mean that there will be clarity and understanding.

In fact, there are times when words are used to confuse and to contort meaning.

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

However, the scribe should know better, as he would be familiar with the commandments.

Probably there was some motive in asking Jesus that question.

But Jesus gave a reply that made the scribe see the truth and the clarity of what the commandments mean.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul warns of the wrangling about words that leads to the destruction of those who are listening.

St. Paul urges Timothy to present himself before God as a man who has come through his trials, and a man who has no cause to be ashamed of his life’s work and has kept a straight course with the message of truth.

When we do likewise, we too will not be far from the kingdom of God.

9th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 05-06-2024

2 Tim 1:1-3, 6-12 / Mark 12:18-27 

It is a common human desire that we want to enjoy life.

We want to be comfortable and have the good things of life.

So, money and wealth become a priority in life because it is the means to our desires.

But as we focus on getting the comforts and luxuries of this life, have we given a thought about the afterlife?

For the Sadducees, their denial of the resurrection led them to think about only the life in this world.

So for them, this life is all there is, and they want to enjoy this life as much as possible.

And in wanting to reinforce their idea about this life, they will think up of ridiculous situations to make the afterlife seem ridiculous too.

And hence they presented that situation of that one woman who was married to all the seven brothers, and they asked Jesus about what happens to them in the afterlife.

That thinking of the Sadducees is still widespread in today’s world as there are people who only think of getting rich and wealthy and enjoying the comforts and luxuries of life.

But for us Christians, we live our lives here on earth with the hope of the glory of the eternal life in heaven.

We witness to that hope by putting our trust in the God of love who will provide for our needs and give us His blessings to live life joyfully.

Let us always remember that enjoyment of this world can never outlast nor be compared to the eternal joy of being with God in heaven.

9th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 04-06-2024

2 Peter 3:11-15, 17-18 / Mark 12:13-17  

The definition of politics is the science or art of political government. That is understood with the good of the people in mind.

Politicking is an activity undertaken for political reasons or ends, or otherwise, promoting oneself or one's policies.

In the latter understanding, it could mean a maneuvering or scheming for power.

So given the understanding of politics and politicking as understood in that sense, we are able to see which of the two is the undesirable.

In the gospel, the question of paying taxes was not so much of a political question but a politicking question.

It was a question set out to trap Jesus and to catch Him out in His reply.

But to that politicking question, Jesus gave a political as well as a spiritual answer.

By saying "Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar - and to God what belongs to God", Jesus was not making a dichotomy between the two entities.

Rather He was speaking of an integrity - what "belongs" to Caesar, in reality belongs to God!

Even the 1st reading urged us to live holy and saintly lives, and that means being good and loyal citizens of our country.

It even urged us not to get carried away by the errors of unprincipled people, possibly referring to those who engage in politicking, whether be it in the affairs of the country or of the workplace or even in church.

We must remember that it does not matter what man may try to plot against the Lord and His anointed ones, God’s purpose will still come to pass.

Our mission is to make the world a place where righteousness will be at home.

9th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 03-06-2024

2 Peter 1:2-7 / Mark 12:1-12  

What we really want in life is happiness and contentment.

But as it is, happiness seems to be momentary and fleeting.

And neither do we seem to be satisfied and contented in life.

The gospel parable points out that human problem that we face.

The tenants ought to be happy with what they were doing, and the owner of the vineyard treated them fairly too.

But along the way, greed crept in and the tenants wanted to become the owners.

And they even resorted to violence and killing to get what was not even theirs.

And even if the tenants got what they wanted, they will still not be happy or contented.

As we know it, greed and ill-gotten gains can never have good consequences.

The 1st reading reminds us that God, in His divine power, has given us all the things that we need for life and for true devotion.

True devotion is to know God, who has called us by His own glory and goodness.

To know God is to know that He loves us with an everlasting and unconditional love.

It is a love that will dispel greed and selfishness.

It is a love that will grant us true happiness and contentment.

Corpus Christi, Year B, 02.06.2024

Exodus 24:3-8 / Hebrews 9:11-15 / Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Human beings have a wonderful and amazing ability in them, and it is also fascinating. 

We use this ability so often that we expect to have it always. But when that ability doesn't function well, or when we lose it, then we will realize how important it is. 

Human beings have a memory, and we use it to remember and to recall so many things. 

With our memory we remember occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. 

With our memory we remember experiences that shaped and formed us. 

With our memory we remember our relationships with others and how they have influenced us. 

We may forget some things here and there, and we may get some things mixed up. 

But we will remember what is necessary and what is important. 

But there is also such a thing called erasing the memory, and it is used to exterminate a race or a nation. 

So, the aggressor will begin by destroying the books, the culture and the history. 

Then new books will be written, and a new culture will be imposed, and a new history will be invented. 

In a matter of time, the race or the nation will begin to forget who they are and what they are. 

So, the struggle of humanity against oppression and extermination, is the struggle of keeping the memory from being erased and forgotten. 

We come to Church every Sunday. Coming to church is more than just a ritual or a habitual thing to do. 

We have come to recall and remember an important and fundamental aspect of our faith. 

We come for Mass to recall, and to remember God's love for us. 

And at Mass, we receive Holy Communion, we receive the Body of Christ, and we recall and remember those words of Jesus: Do this in memory of me. 

More than just recalling the historical event of the Last Supper, it is also a living memory. 

We remember how much Jesus loves us as we receive Him in Holy Communion. 

Today's feast of Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, is the celebration of the living memory and the loving presence of Christ in the Church, and in us the Body of Christ. 

One of those who are baptized at Easter was sharing with me how happy she was to be baptized and to receive Holy Communion. 

She said that in receiving Holy Communion, she felt a belonging to Christ and to the Parish Community. 

That is quite an amazing and profound statement from a newly baptized. 

And that is also a reminder for us Catholics to keep this belonging by keeping the memory and remembering what Jesus gave us at the Last Supper. 

Because the distractive and corruptive trends of the world are powerful enough to erase our memory. 

We see it in Catholics who have stopped coming to Church, and in those who have forgotten what their faith is about. 

But let us not forget, and let us always remember and recall who we are and why we are here at Mass. 

We must remember that we belong to Christ, and that we are members of the Body of Christ. 

And let us always remember what Jesus said to us at the Last supper: Do this in memory of me.