St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Saturday, 21-09-2024

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 / Matthew 9:9-13   

Have we ever wondered what were the thoughts that crossed the mind of St. Matthew as he got up from the customs house to follow Jesus?

Is it the uncertainty of abandoning a stable and profitable job, although it is not a respectable one?

Or is it the apprehension that from that moment on, things are not going to be the same anymore?

But over and above all these thoughts is the great up-lifting feeling that someone had given him respect, dignity and self-worth.

In Jesus, St. Matthew saw the mercy and love of God, who came not to call the virtuous, but sinners.

What St. Matthew saw in Jesus, he too wanted to emulate.

That is also what the 1st reading is telling us: that united in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, we strive to be the Perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ.

Jesus showed St. Matthew who and what he can become.

In turn, St. Matthew showed us in his gospel who and what we can become.

As the call of Jesus crosses and echoes in our hearts, let us answer the call like St. Matthew.

Because it is a call to the fullness of Christ Himself.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 20-09-2024

1 Cor 15:12-20 / Luke 8:1-3 

The rapid development of science and technology can be said to be phenomenal. 

And with the rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the incorporation of it into science and technology, the future seems exciting.

What was imagination and non-realities in the science-fiction movies are becoming realities and even becoming available in the consumer market.

But when it comes to the spiritual development of the human person and humanity in general, there seems to be not much publicity.

Maybe the secular world wants to avoid business being involved with religion.

But the human person is also a spiritual person, and humanity has a spiritual dimension to it.

In the 1st reading, when St. Paul talked about the Resurrection of Christ, he also said that if our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people.

Because as Christians, we have been raised to a higher spiritual life and our mission is to help others develop the spiritual dimension of their lives.

So with science and technology, man can reach outer space.

But it is only with Jesus, that we can reach the inner space of our hearts, and have our hope in God, in this world, as well as in the next.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 19-09-2024

1 Cor 15:1-11 / Luke 7:36-50    

The pyramids of Egypt are a famous sight, and the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the wonders of the ancient world.

The structure of the pyramids is similar. They are narrow at the top and the base is broad.

The pyramid is a reflection of the structure of society, where the government and leadership are the top and the common people are at the base.

In a sense, there is a quiet harmony between the top and the base, just like how a pyramid stands firmly through the ages.

The base which comprises the common people cannot and must not be neglected, because when the base is eroded and neglected, the whole structure will be in danger of collapsing.

St. Paul was a great missionary to the gentiles but in the 1st reading, he acknowledges that he is the least of the apostles because he had persecuted the Church.

But there was a conversion experience, and the grace of God worked powerfully in St. Paul.

In the gospel, the woman who had a bad name in the town had her sins forgiven by Jesus because of the great love she showed to Jesus.

Today’s readings make us aware that at the base of society, there is the presence of sinners and those who commit wicked deeds.

We must pray for their conversion that they will experience God’s forgiveness.

And like St. Paul and the woman in the gospel, they will form a firm and solid base in society.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 18-09-2024

1 Cor 12:31 - 13:13 / Luke 7:31-35  

There is one word that we use quite often, and that is “transaction”.

That word is often used in business, in payments and in services.

A transaction is quite clear and straightforward, in that there are records and documents in the dealings.

When it comes to people, there is the tendency to have transactions, so that matters can be clear and understandable.

But when we see our interactions with others as transactions, then there is no need for relationships.

Yet, life is not about transactions with others.

Even if we think it is just a momentary interaction with a stranger, we can’t say for sure that we won’t meet that person again.

Reflecting on what St. Paul said in the 1st reading about the essence of love, and as Christians, then we know that love is not a transaction.

With love, we build relationships with others, regardless of whether we interact with them everyday or momentarily.

When there is love in our interactions with others, then the bridges of relationships are being built.

Then there will be understanding and the love of God will be in our human relationships.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 17-09-2024

1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31 / Luke 7:11-17   

One peculiarity about being human is that we want others to be like us.

We want others to think like us, to do things our way, and to agree with our opinions.

We think that when everyone thinks alike and acts alike, then there will be unity.

If that is the case, we may have assumed that unity is in the uniformity.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul used the imagery of the human body and its many different parts to illustrate the unity of the Body of Christ.

The body is one, yet it is not identified with any one of its many parts.

St. Paul says that we together are Christ’s Body, but each of us is a different part of it.

But no matter whether we are prominent or obscure part, an active or supporting part, each of us need to be united by something essential.

We need to be united in love and with love.

Then, like Jesus in the gospel passage, we will be able to have compassion and understanding for others.

Then we know that we are not to competing against each other, but to complete each other, and be united in the love of Christ.

24th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 16-09-2024

1 Cor 11:17-26, 33 / Luke 7:1-10

The early Church is often held as an example of how she grew despite the persecutions and tribulations.

The accounts are recorded in the book of the Acts of the Apostles.

But that does not mean there were no internal problems.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul lamented over the attitudes of some Christians as they came together for the Eucharist.

There were separate factions and some were even getting drunk, and the poor were neglected.

It sounded rather terrible that things can occur and it was even recorded.

But the deterioration of faith happens throughout the history of the Church even right up to the modern times.

Yet, at the same time, there were also inspiring moments of faith, and that kept the Church going and growing.

In the gospel, the faith of the centurion astonished Jesus, and He commented that not even in Israel had He found faith like that.

That should remind us that if pagans or non-Christians have a respect and reverence for our faith, then we Christians should also be more fervent in our faith.

May we always respect and revere the holy presence of God in Church and especially in the celebration of the Eucharist.

24th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 15.09.2024

Isaiah 50:5-9 / James 2:14-18 / Mark 8:27-35

When it comes to choosing a leader, there are some expectations of what a leader should be. 

A leader is one who has the ability to unite people and lead them forward into the future. 

A leader should also provide for the needs of the people, and protect them from danger. 

A leader should also be strong and is able to defeat his enemies. 

These are some of the expectations of a leader, and there can be many more. 

Also, a good leader would want to have these qualities in order to prove his leadership skills. 

When we look at the expectations and qualities of a leader, an image may come to our minds. 

The image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, would meet the expectations and qualities of a leader. 

Yes, the Good Shepherd leads His flock to green pastures, He takes care of the weak and wounded, and He protects His sheep from wolves and other dangers. 

In the gospel, when Jesus asked His disciples who do they say He is, Peter spoke up and said this: You are the Christ. 

The word “Christ” means the Anointed One of God. 

It means that Jesus is sent by God to lead the People of God towards salvation. 

Jesus came to forgive sins and to heal the wounds caused by sin. 

Jesus came so that we can hear the voice of God, a voice that speaks of peace, a voice of life and love. 

Jesus is the leader who we want to follow, because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

And Jesus has also anointed a leader for us to continue the leadership and the mission. 

During the past week, we welcomed Pope Francis in his Apostolic visit to Singapore. 

In the person of Pope Francis, Jesus came to visit us and to unite us in faith and to strengthen our hope. 

Pope Francis brought the Good News of love to our country and to the Church in Singapore. 

In Pope Francis, we see how much Jesus loves us and cares for us, especially in the joyful celebration of the Eucharist at the National Stadium. 

In his meeting with the clergy, Pope Francis urged us, the priests, to be good shepherds of the People of God. 

He said that as shepherds of the flock, we are to be at the front of God's people, as well as in the middle, and also at the rear. 

At the front, we are to hold high the Cross of Christ for the people to keep their focus on God. 

In the middle, to have the sense and the smell of the sheep, so as to understand their worries and anxieties, the struggles and the troubles of the flock. 

To be at the rear, so as to help the least and the last, the sick and the aged. 

To be at the rear, is also to listen to the echoes of the voices of those in need, and to discern the directions of the flock. 

The message of the gospel and the visit of Pope Francis tells us this: we keep our focus on the Cross of Christ, because it points us to God. 

The Cross of Christ is heavy and it calls for sacrifices to be made. 

But the priests and the People of God are to put their hands on the cross and to carry it together. 

Carrying the Cross together, we will be able to go far. 

Carrying the Cross together will unite us in hope, and God will help us with His blessings of love.

No postings from 11th September to 14th September

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for reading my simple reflections on the readings of the day.

From the 11th September (Wednesday) to the 14th September (Saturday), there will be no postings, as I am involved in the Apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Singapore.

I ask for your prayers for Pope Francis, that the Lord our God will keep him safe and healthy.

Pray also for the Church in Singapore that we will be strengthened in faith, hope and love.

And may we also give thanks to God with a joyful heart for the gift and blessings of this visit by Pope Francis.

23rd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 10-09-2024

1 Cor 6:1-11 / Luke 6:12-19  

When it comes to family matters, it will always be good to have it discussed within the family.

Even when there are differences and disagreements, those issues still can and has to be settled and resolved within the family.

It would be embarrassing that family matters have to made known in public.

It only shows the cracks and the gaps in the relationships between the family members and also the lack of respect for the authority of the elders in the family.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul rebuked the church community at Corinth for bringing matters to pagan lawcourts instead of resolving it within themselves.

He also pointed out that those who were appointed to resolve issues were not respected in the Church.

The problem was that the members of the community were doing the wronging and the cheating to themselves.

Even when Jesus appointed the Twelve, there was one of them who became a traitor.

The reality is that the Church is human and hence there are flaws and weaknesses in those who are appointed as leaders.

But the Church is also divine, as Jesus Christ is the Head, and we the Church are members of His Body.

The Church may be weak and flawed, but God’s grace will still prevail.

Let us pray that the leaders of the Church will be focused on the mission of the Church, and that is to forgive and save sinners.

23rd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 09-09-2024

1 Cor 5:1-8 / Luke 6:6-11 

To desire for something good, then it is necessary for sacrifices to be made.

So, if we want to be healthy, then we must live a healthy lifestyle and eat healthily.

If we wish to be successful, then we would have to work hard.

Obviously, what is needed will be perseverance and persistence.

God loves us, and through Jesus Christ, He also offers us salvation.

If we wished to be saved, then we must also be faithful to the commandments of God, and to live a holy life.

To say that we desire for salvation and yet living a sinful and immoral life is a contradiction.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul insisted that the sinful person be punished and expelled from the community.

But this is to bring him to his senses and to repent of his sinfulness.

Let us remember to make the examination of our conscience a regular exercise and to turn away from any sinful habit.

Let us desire for salvation and make the necessary sacrifices to attain it.

23rd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 08.09.2024

 Isaiah 35:4-7 / James 2:1-5 / Mark 7:31-37

This church, like many other churches, has a high ceiling. 

A church, or a building, with high ceiling, makes it look grand and spacious. 

And a church with a high ceiling would make us think and reflect further and deeper.

With a high ceiling, we would likely look up and see what is at or around the ceiling. 

So, we see the triangular pediment and the cross, and the unique cornice design. 

There is a place in which we will certainly want to look up at the ceiling. 

The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City has a high ceiling with a fresco painted by Michelangelo. 

That ceiling fresco has a series of nine paintings showing God's creation of the world and man, God's relationship with mankind, and mankind's fall from God's grace.

The ceiling fresco is an awesome sight, and we would just keep looking up at the scenes in the fresco. 

Each scene has something to tell us about who God is, as well as about ourselves. 

In the gospel, when Jesus healed the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, He did some rather interesting actions. 

He put his fingers into the man's ears, and touched his tongue with spittle. 

And then before Jesus said “Ephphatha” which means “Be opened”, He did a seemingly ordinary action. 

Jesus looked up to heaven and sighed. 

Jesus looked up to heaven to tell the man that God is sending the healing grace from heaven. 

That sigh is a reminder that in the creation of man, God blew His breath into the man's nostrils and man became a living being. 

What Jesus did, that looking up to heaven, and that sigh, also teaches us something. 

We are to look up from the things of earth to what is above, to where God is. 

God sends us His blessings of healing and answer our prayers when we turn our eyes to Him. 

And that sigh of Jesus reminds us that God gives us the breath of life and sustains us with His love. 

But in Jesus Christ, we are reminded that God came down from heaven to be among us. 

This coming week, we prepare for the visit of Pope Francis to Singapore. 

As the successor of Saint Peter, the Pope is a sign of God visiting us and sending God's blessings on us. 

Indeed, the visit of Pope Francis is a wonderful gift and a marvellous blessing from God. 

We may wish to be up close to the Pope and to shake his hands, and to ask him to pray over us and to bless us. 

But just as Jesus looked up to heaven to invoke God's healing grace on the man, we too can do likewise.

With faith and with prayer, let us look at the Pope, whether it is up close, or from a distance, or on the live-stream. 

Jesus is visiting us in the person of Pope Francis. 

With the breath of prayer, let us offer to Jesus our needs, for healing, for forgiveness, for reconciliation, for peace. 

Yes, blessed be the Lord our God who is coming to visit us and to bless us. 

Let us be spiritually prepared and be open to receive God's blessings. and the answer to our prayers.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 07-09-2024

1 Cor 4:6-15 / Luke 6:1-5  

A maxim is a written set of principles or rules of conduct.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul used this word to state a simple principle or rule and that is "Keep to what is written".

Most probably he was referring to the Scriptures and to the written set of teachings that were handed to the Christian community at Corinth.

He made recourse to that maxim because the Christians at Corinth were beginning to interpret the teachings to their own convenience and advantage.

What was too demanding and affected them personally they would give leeway for themselves and go with the broadest possible options.

St. Paul wanted to bring them to their senses and to help them see the truth and the reality of their spiritual deterioration.

Yet in the gospel, it was the Pharisees who were harping on keeping to the Law of the Sabbath.

But their intention was to reinforce and propagate their religious fundamentalist ideas.

But it is not a question of rigidity or laxity when it comes to religious teachings.

Jesus came to teach us the Truth so that we will have freedom when we keep to His teachings.

In Jesus, we have the Truth who will lead us to the Way of Life.

Let that be our spiritual maxim.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 06-09-2024

1 Cor 4:1-5 / Luke 5:33-39  

Life has a way of putting its weight on the more important things.

That weight hangs on our hearts and it won’t be lifted unless we attend to those important things.

That weight can be called the weight of duty.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul says that people must think of us as Christ’s servants.

As Christ’s servants, we are also stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God.

And as stewards, we should be found worthy of what we are entrusted with.

God has entrusted us with His love, and we live out that love by doing what we are called to in our vocation in life.

So whether it is in marriage, or as a parent, or as a priest or religious, we are entrusted with the duty of love.

When we choose not to love, not only are we unfaithful to our duty and to what we are entrusted with.

There is also a weight on our hearts and we feel burdened in life.

Let us be faithful in carrying out the call and the duty of love.

Then our hearts will be light and free, and we will also want to love more and more.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 05-09-2024

1 Cor 3:18-23 / Luke 5:1-11   

In life, we often have to take risks, and we certainly would think about the kind of risks.

Whatever the risks may be, it is certainly wise to take a calculated risk.

In other words, we would rather “play safe” than to live dangerously.

Certainly, we would rather be wise and safe than to be foolish and be in danger.

In the gospel, when Jesus told Peter to go out into the deep water and pay out the nets for a catch, Peter would have to consider if it is worth it.

Going out into the deep waters would be risky, to say the least, and what if after doing that, there is still nothing to catch.

But somehow, Peter decided to take the risk, maybe it was a calculated risk, and it turned out to be a good gain.

And Peter realized that though he was a fishman by profession, he can still learn something from Jesus.

As the 1st reading puts it, if we think that we are wise by worldly standards, then God can still show that His wisdom is greater than our wisdom.

We are reminded that God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.

When we understand that, then we will accept God’s ways even if there are going to be risks.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 04-09-2024

1 Cor 3:1-9 / Luke 4:38-44  

If others were to give an honest opinion of us as Christians, would they say that we are different from non-Christians?

Or would they say that we are no different from non-Christians, and maybe at times behave in a lesser way than them!

In the 1st reading, St. Paul would not accept that Christians in Corinth were behaving like non-Christians and even regressing into behaviours like jealousy and wrangling.

They were even dividing themselves into unspiritual clans with slogans like "I am for Paul" and "I am for Apollos".

Obviously they had forgotten the teaching and example of Jesus of which we saw in the gospel.

Jesus loved and cared for the people by teaching them and healing the sick and He restored the spiritual dimension in the lives of the people.

In fact, He Himself highlighted how important the spiritual aspect is when He would go to a lonely place early in the day to pray.

People saw how different Jesus was and what an extraordinary life He lived.

They saw the spiritual dimension in His life and they experienced God's presence in Him.

Jesus showed us how to live life. We cannot live it any lesser.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 03-09-2024

1 Cor 2:10-16 / Luke 4:31-37  

One of the well-known works of St. Augustine is his book called "Confessions".

It was a book that was written for the Catechumens to reflect on their spiritual journey towards baptism.

It was a book that was written based on his own spiritual journey.

In that book, St. Augustine described an occasion near the end of the life of St. Monica, his mother, who was instrumental in his conversion.

They were in Rome, in a room standing at the window, overlooking a garden.

St. Augustine wrote : "We had gone there to get away from the noisy crowd and to rest. The two of us were enjoying a very pleasant conversation.

We were asking one another, what would it be like to share the eternal life that the saints enjoy.

In the course of our conversation, the world and all its pleasure lost their attraction for us."

We heard in the 1st reading that the Spirit of God reaches the depths of everything; it reaches the depths of our hearts.

And when the Spirit reaches the depths of our hearts, we will experience what St. Augustine and St. Monica experienced.

We will experience peace and all the noisy longings of our hearts will slowly be silenced, just like how Jesus silenced the unclean spirit in the gospel.

When the Spirit of God touches the depths of our hearts, we long for nothing but God and God alone.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 02-09-2024

1 Cor 2:1-5 / Luke 4:16-30

If we want to convince someone about an idea or a product, we would try our best to impress.

We would highlight the benefits and the advantages and whatever we think that would convince that person.

We would use the language of the world to market or sell that idea or product.

But in the 1st reading, St. Paul proclaimed Jesus Christ without any show of oratory or philosophy.

In great fear and trembling in his speeches and sermons, he talked about Jesus as the crucified Christ.

By worldly expectations and perception, that message would be deemed a failure, or at least it won’t gain much attention.

But if anyone were to be interested or believe in that message of the crucified Christ, then it is certainly the power of the Holy Spirit that moved that person.

As St. Paul said, faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God.

Let us look at the Cross and at the crucified Christ.

If we believe that Jesus died on the Cross to save us, then let us know that it is by the power of God that gave us that faith in the crucified Christ

22nd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 01.09.2024

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 / James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27 / Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

It is certainly a good thing in life to have a religion. 

Religion teaches us to live good and upright lives, so that we can have peace and happiness. 

Religion also teaches us to live in harmony with other people who do not share the same religious beliefs. 

Religion also teaches us about the truths of life, and the fundamental truth is love. 

In the Catholic religion, we believe that God gave us the 10 Commandments. The Ten Commandments are the Commandments about life and they teach us how to love. 

And God even became man in Jesus Christ to teach us how to live life with love. 

Essentially, the 10 Commandments teach us the fundamental truth, and that is to love God and to love neighbour. 

All the religious practices flow from this fundamental truth. So whether it is worshiping God at Mass, or praying the Rosary, or abstaining from meat on Fridays, all that is done to express our love for God and for neighbour. 

In the gospel, the scribes and Pharisees had a contention with some of the disciples of Jesus who were eating with unclean hands. 

The act of washing hands before eating is certainly a good practice for hygiene. But a practical hygienic practice was turned into a religious ritual and became a religious tradition. 

So, anyone who eats without first carrying out that ritual cleansing of hands is accused of not respecting the tradition of the elders. 

When the scribes and Pharisees questioned Jesus about that, He pointed out the motive of such a practice. 

Jesus said that such practices are formulated by human impositions that do not express the love for God and neighbour. 

Jesus also quoted from the prophet Isaiah, that the Commandment of God was even put aside in favour of human traditions. 

So, the fundamental purpose of the Commandment of God was blurred and even lost with the embellishment of elaborate human practices. 

There is this story that illustrates the absurdity of human practices that turned into religious rituals. 

There is an abbot of a monastery who had a pet cat. But that cat was causing a distraction to the monks during prayer time. 

So, as a solution, the abbot tied up the cat during prayer time, and it became a regular practice. 

As time went by, the abbot died, and the practice of tying up the cat during prayer time continued. 

After some time, the cat died, and the monks then found another cat to tie up during prayer time. 

As time passed, the practice of tying up a cat during prayer time became a religious practice. There was even a devotion to the string that is used to tie up the cat, and it became a religious object. 

As much as that story sounds absurd, it also makes us think about our understanding of religious practices. 

Our religious practices should express our love for God and for neighbour. 

Let us remember the fundamental Commandment of God which is love. 

May our religious practices express that love for God and for neighbour, and may it also help us to live holy lives.