14th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 10-07-2025

Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5 / Matthew 10:7-15  

We certainly like to be acknowledged for the contributions that we make.

Whether it is a financial contribution or a service that is rendered, it would be nice that our contributions are acknowledged.

But it would be embarrassing and even to our discredit if we expect it or even demand for acknowledgement.

As for us who are disciples of Jesus, we know that whatever contributions we make are for the glory of God and for the good of others.

That is our mission as Christians, and as Jesus said in the gospel, the workman deserves his wages.

We need to believe that Jesus will give us what is due to us.

Jesus will even provide for us in whatever we are lacking when we commit ourselves in serving Him.

For Joseph in the 1st reading, he acknowledged God’s plan in sending him to Egypt, initially as a slave, and later on to provide for his father and brothers in their time of need.

Let us remember that whatever we contribute comes from God’s providence.

Let our contribution be an encouragement for others to offer their service for the glory of God and for the good of others.

14th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 09-07-2025

Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24 / Matthew 10:1-7  

In life, we want to have our needs fulfilled and live a comfortable life.

That is what we strive for and that is also what gives us motivation and purpose.

But when we have all our needs fulfilled and we are comfortable, we may lose that “hunger” in life.

Because we will tend to sit back and relax and want to enjoy life more and more.

This can also affect our faith as we begin to rely less and less on God and need Him less and less.

As long as people have their needs fulfilled and are comfortable, they may not depend and rely on God that much.

But when a situation arises that makes us vulnerable, then we will wake up and turn back to God.

In the 1st reading, the sons of Israel went to Egypt to buy grain as there was a severe famine.

If not for the famine and the need to buy food, they may not have to go to Egypt and eventually came face to face with their brother Joseph.

They did not know it, but God used the famine to bring about a meeting with the brothers.

Whenever we face challenges and difficulties, let us know that those are moments that make us wake up to our need for God.

May we hunger and thirst for God, and may we always turn to Him in our struggles and troubles and experience His saving help.

14th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 08-07-2025

Genesis 32:23-33 / Matthew 9:32-38 

Whenever we think about obedience, we may think that it is a passive form of submission.

It may seem to be that way, since to obey is to surrender to a superior power or higher authority.

But in the spiritual sense, obedience can have an active dimension.

In the 1st reading, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.

The name Israel means Jacob had been strong against God, and he will prevail against men.

It can also imply that Jacob was strong in his faith but he was also obedient to God.

And it is by his obedience to God that he will be strong against his enemies.

Jesus was obedient to God His Father. By His obedience, He was able to cast out demons.

By His obedience, Jesus preached the Good News with authority.

By His obedience, Jesus cared for those who were harassed and dejected.

May we too be obedient to God and carry out God’s will to be labourers of His harvest.

Then we will be strong in faith, and we will also stand firm against wickedness and evil.

14th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 07-07-2025

Genesis 28:10-22 / Matthew 9:18-26   

One of our five senses is the sense of touch.

The eyes enable us to see, the ears enable to hear, the nose enables us to smell and the tongue enables us to taste.

When it comes to the sense of touch, the skin is the sensory organ for touch, enabling us to feel textures, temperature, pressure, and pain.

Primarily we use our hands to touch and feel, but we are also able to feel with the other parts of the body.

In the gospel, the woman who was suffering from haemorrhage for 12 years came up from behind Jesus to touch the fringe of His cloak.

It was a desperate act in search for a cure, but it was also a great act of faith.

For the woman, touching the fringe of the cloak of Jesus was enough for her, and she got her cure.

And Jesus affirmed her of her faith. She believed that even touching the fringe of the cloak of Jesus was enough for her.

As we come forward to receive Holy Communion later, we will receive Jesus.

Jesus reaches out to us to touch us to tell us that He loves us, that He forgives us and that He heals and strengthens us.

Let us receive Jesus reverently, and we will receive blessings upon blessings, and our faith will also be strengthened.

13th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 04-07-2025

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 / Matthew 9:9-13  

The priests of the diocese had just finished theirannual retreat earlier this afternoon.

The retreat began on Monday. 

On the one hand, we were looking forward to the retreat as we need to pray and to be strengthened by the Lord.

On the other hand, we have to leave everything behind, and pack up for the next few days, and to

quickly get used to the new surroundings and to a different schedule.

Because as creatures of habit, we tend to stick to routine and to our comfort zone.

In the 1st reading, Abraham sent his servant to look for a wife for his son Isaac.

The 1st reading did not say how Rebecca left her homeland and followed the servant to another land

and to marry someone she had not met before.

But still, Rebecca left her family and her homeland.

Rebecca heard the call and with faith, she responded to God.

In the gospel, Matthew also heard the call and with faith he followed Jesus.

Jesus has chosen and called each of us to a unique and personal mission in this life.

Let us pray that we will hear the call of Jesus and let Him lead us to what He wants us to do.

14th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 06.07.2025

Isaiah 66:10-14 / Galatians 6:14-18 / Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

We have heard of the Seven Wonders of the world, or to be exact, the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. 

Of these seven wonders of the ancient world, only one remained, and that is the Great Pyramids in Egypt. 

The other six wonders exist only as drawings of artists’ imagination. 

Following after the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, now there are more wonders. 

So, there are wonders of the modern world, wonders of the technological world, the wonders of the scientific world, the wonders of the industrial world. 

While each may be a wonder of its own, the common factor about all of them is that they are man-made. 

Mankind, as well as individuals of the human race, have this tendency to make a name for themselves, as well as to leave a legacy behind. 

Even though they came into this world with nothing, and will leave this world with nothing, yet somehow, they want to leave something behind. 

Some want to conquer and build empires so that their names will be remembered. 

Some want to be ultra rich and have buildings and businesses named after them. 

Some want to be popular and famous, so that their names will be echoed into the future. 

In the end, it is about wanting to make a name for themselves, so as to be remembered. 

But like the wonders of the ancient world, or even like the wonders of this present world, it will be a name without a memory, and a name without a legacy. 

In the gospel, Jesus sent 72 disciples out for mission as labourers in the Lord's harvest. 

The 72 disciples were not named, but we know what they were told to do. 

They were to bring peace to whatever house they go into. 

They were to cure the sick and to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. 

The disciples came back rejoicing and reported to Jesus that even the devils submit to them when they call upon His name. 

Jesus affirmed them, and then He said: Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you. Rejoice rather than your names are written in heaven. 

The disciples did wonderful work, but they could also be tempted to be a wonder in themselves, and make a name for themselves. 

What is important is not to make a name for ourselves on earth. 

Jesus will write our names in heaven when we do what He tells us. 

Like the 72 disciples, we are to bring the peace of Jesus to wherever we go. 

For those in pain and suffering, we bring comfort and healing with the power of the Good News of God's Kingdom. 

And we have to believe that this peace and power are already given to us by Jesus. 

We just have to be what He wants us to be, and we don't have to try too hard to be wonderful. 

There is a story of the wind having a discussion with the sun about who is stronger. 

The wind saw a man with a coat, and the wind said to the sun: I will blow the coat off the man. 

So, the wind blew with all its might, but the more it blew, the tighter the man clung on to his coat. 

So, the wind gave up and said to the sun: Now you try to take off his coat. 

Without a word, the sun just shined brightly, and the man felt warm, and so he naturally took off his coat. 

Very often, we just have to believe who we are because of Jesus who is with us, and we will naturally bring peace to others.

We are like a lighted candle. We don't have to tell others we are shining. 

It is enough to be the light of Christ shining in the darkness, and bringing peace and hope for others. 

A priest asked a parishioner, what does she expect of the Church. 

Her reply is this: I want a simple and a quiet Church, a Church where I can pray and be at peace, a Church where I am strengthened by the gentle power of Jesus Christ. 

Let us be that Church, a Church of peace and prayer, a Church that is like a lighted candle shining quietly in the darkness. 

A Church that is wonderful because we proclaim the name of Jesus.

Annual Priests Retreat 2025

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The priests of the Archdiocese of Singapore will be having their annual retreat from 30th June, Monday to 4th July, Friday.

I will also be at this retreat and I am really looking forward to it for a time of silence and prayer.

As such, the next homily post will be for 14th Ordinary Sunday, 6th July 2025.

Requesting prayers for myself and my brother priests that we will be renewed and re-focused so that we will continue to faithfully serve the Lord and His holy people.

Thank you. May God bless you!

Msgr. Stephen Yim

Sts. Peter and Paul, Year C, 29-06-25

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

The following are some of the famous people in history: Thomas Edison, Ludwig van Beethoven, Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, and Archbishop Fulton Sheen. 

There is something common in all these people. 

Surprisingly, it is not that they were top students or that they were outstanding when they were young. 

On the contrary, they were written off and cast aside, to be thrown into the rubbish heap of life. 

For example, his teacher wrote a note and told Thomas Edison to give it to his mother. The note read: Your son is too stupid to be taught. 

His mother decided that she herself would be his teacher. Thomas Edison would grow up to become one of the greatest inventors, and one of his inventions was the electric bulb. 

Similarly, Albert Einstein dropped out of elementary school at age 15, but he went on to become a great scientist. 

Ludwig van Beethoven was told by his teacher to forget about music and that he will never be able to compose anything. 

Mark Twain also dropped out of school at an early age, but he went on to become one of America's greatest writers.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the famous TV evangelist in the 1950s, was told by his teacher then he would never become any kind of great speaker. 

These are just some of the famous people in history who don't seem to have any talents or gifts when they were young. 

But later on in life, they made an impact, that the world would acknowledge their greatness. 

They may be called late bloomers, but bloom they did, and they bloomed to make the world better and beautiful.

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the two great pillars of the Church.

We may think that these two saints are like two peas in a pod, and if we were to give names to a pair of twin boys, the obvious choice would be to name them Peter and Paul.

Peter and Paul may seem to give us an impression of unity, but in fact, they were more of an incompatibility.

They were more like oil and water, and their differences go deeper than of oil and water.

That fact is that initially, they would have wished the other to be dead.

St. Paul, when he was Saul, was part of the mob that stoned Stephen, the first martyr, to death.

And following that, king Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church, as we heard in the 1st reading.

He beheaded James, the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the crowds, he targeted Peter and had him put into prison.

The Church then prayed fervently for Peter, and he was miraculously rescued from the prison by an angel.

By then Paul had become the No. 1 enemy of the Church as he relentlessly persecuted Christians and he even went as far as Damascus to capture Christians.

But it was there on that road to Damascus that something dramatic happened to him and then things changed drastically.

So initially, Paul was the hunter and Peter was the hunted; Paul was the persecutor and Peter the persecuted.

They were on opposite and opposing sides. Paul had the political force to carry out his persecution, but Peter had the spiritual power for his protection.

But even after Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, he and Peter did not immediately become friends, and they also did not see eye to eye on Church matters.

They were as different as oil and water and they even had their differences recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. 

And in Galatians 2:11-14, Paul even called Peter a hypocrite in his dealings with the Gentiles.

It was rather strange that Jesus would choose these two men who were far from perfect or even suitable to be the two pillars of His Church.

Yet, that also showed that the Church is both divine and human – that there is a spiritual power guiding and working through her human instruments.

Although in life, St. Peter and St. Paul had their differences and shortcomings, it was in death that they were united in a common goal and mission.

Both died in Rome as martyrs. St. Peter was crucified upside down and St. Paul was beheaded, and that showed that their lives were not for their own glory but for the glory of God.

This feast of Saints Peter and Paul teaches us that despite the differences and failings of personalities and characters, the Church can still be united in a common goal and mission.

Even now in the Church, there are some who are conservatives and some who are liberals; some are traditional and some want to be modern; some want discipline and others want freedom.

Yes, the Church is like a mixture of oil and water, and yet we, like St. Peter and St. Paul, are called to rise above our differences just like oil floats above the water, and be united in a common goal and mission.

As we heard in the gospel, Jesus promised that the gates of the underworld can never hold out against the Church.

But we also must be reminded that our differences must not give the opportunity to the underworld to tear us apart from within.

Rather, like St. Peter and St. Paul, let us be united in love for Jesus and for one another.

St. Peter and St. Paul showed that in their lives they loved Jesus, and hence in love they also accepted the other, even if they did not agree totally with the other. 

Just as they were united in life by the love of Jesus, so were they united in death, and now they are united in glory.

It was the love of Jesus that made Saints Peter and Paul rise from their weaknesses and bloom with love.

Likewise, let us be united in love for Jesus, so that whether in life or in death, the gates of the underworld will never tear us apart.

And may we bloom with the love of Jesus, so that the world will be better and beautiful.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saturday, 28-06-2025

Isaiah 61:9-11 / Luke 2:41-51       (2021 / 2023)

The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is closely connected to the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which was celebrated yesterday.

This feast highlights the joys and sorrows of Mary in doing the will of God, her virtues of obedience and humility, her love for God and for Jesus, and not least, her love for all people.

In Christian art, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is depicted with a sword pierced through the heart, and wrapped with roses or lilies.

In the gospel of Luke, Simeon prophesied that a sword will pierce through her heart (Lk 2:35) because of the sorrows and sufferings she will have to go through with Jesus.

Hence, closely connected to the devotion of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the seven sorrows of Mary :

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Lk 2:35)

2. The flight to Egypt (Mt 2:13-14)

3. The finding of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:43-45)

4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the way of the cross

5. The crucifixion

6. The taking down of the body of Jesus from the cross

7. The burial of Jesus (Jn 19:38-42)

Usually seven Hail Marys are also said while meditating upon the seven sorrows of Mary. Furthermore, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart would also include going for Confession before or after the first Saturday of every month, receive Communion and the praying of the Rosary.

All this is in reparation for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart, which are also the sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus, because the two Hearts are closely and intimately connected.

It is also a way of expressing our union with the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and sharing in their love for all people and praying for the conversion and salvation of sinners.

Yes, we and all peoples are in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. May Jesus and Mary be in our hearts and in the hearts of all peoples too so that all will be saved.

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, 27-0-6-2025

Ezekiel 34:11-16 / Romans 5:5-11 / Luke 15:3-7  

It is interesting to note how we associate certain actions with certain parts of our body.

When we say that we are thinking about some matters, we will instinctively point to the head.

When we want to say what we feel about something, we will put our hand on our heart.

Thinking is based very much on logic and reasoning.

Feeling is based much on emotions and the five senses.

And depending on the situation and circumstances, one may take priority over the other.

The gospel parable gives a good example of whether thinking or feeling has the priority.

From the logical and rational angle, it is not worth it to leave the 99 sheep in the wilderness just to look for that one missing sheep.

But in that gospel parable, the man did the opposite – he left the 99 sheep in the wilderness just to look for that lost sheep.

And Jesus used that parable to reveal to us His Sacred Heart, which is also the Heart of the Good Shepherd.

For Jesus, each of us is a precious lamb to Him, and when we get lost in the maze of life, Jesus goes all out in search of us.

It may sound too good to be true, but that is the love Jesus has for us.

Jesus wants all of us to be gathered into His Sacred Heart.

Let us ask Jesus to make our hearts like His, so that we too will go and look for those that are lost and bring them to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

12th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 26-06-2025

Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 / Matthew 7:21-29  

Human beings have this great gift of the freedom of choice.

With this gift of choice, a person can decide his direction in life and his destiny.

But with this gift of the freedom of choice, there comes a challenge.

This challenge is to let go of our freedom of choice and be obedient to a higher order or superior.

In the 1st reading, Sarai had no child, so in her own thinking, she decided to get children through her slave girl Hagar.

Although it was a cultural practice at that time, Sarai, as well as Abram, chose to let their own human thinking and designs chart their future’s direction.

But as it turned out, their ideas and ways went off course and things became unpleasant and ugly.

In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that it is not just about acknowledging Him as Lord, but to do the will of God.

To do the will of God is to surrender our freedom of choice to the Lord and to follow the ways of God.

The ways of God is difficult as it goes against our human reasoning and our liking.

But it is a choice between standing firmly on rock or to be washed away like the sand.

Let us choose the difficult ways of God and our lives will be at peace.

12th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 25-06-2025

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 / Matthew 7:15-20  

The phrase “frog in the well” gives an imagery to what it means.

It refers to someone with a narrow perspective or with limited knowledge.

It is like being similar to a frog that only knows the small world inside the well, and cannot conceive of anything larger than that of the well.

In the 1st reading, Abram was lamenting that he still did not have an heir of his own flesh and blood, even though God had promised him a son.

There is a rather casual phase that changed Abram’s perception.

God took Abram outside, and He said: Look up to heaven and count the stars if you can. Such will be your descendants.

And Abram put his faith in the Lord who counted this as making him justified.

In the gospel, Jesus told His disciples to beware of false prophets.

False prophets will tell people to look at the world and to gain whatever they can.

False prophets will tell us to be happy and stay in the well.

But true prophets will tell us to look up and beyond this world to the promises of God.

True prophets will tell us to come out of the well and wonder at the marvels of God.

May we come out of our narrow perspectives and limited knowledge and see the wonders and marvels of God’s love for us.

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Tuesday, 24-06-2025

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

We might be wondering why the birth of St. John the Baptist is such a big feast-day, in fact a solemnity.

Maybe we can get an idea from the meaning of his name.

John, or in Hebrew "Yehohanan", means "the Lord is gracious" or "the Lord shows favour".

Indeed, in St. John the Baptist, God had shown His favour, not just to Zachariah and Elizabeth by blessing them with a child.

He has shown favour to the whole of humanity.

Because before St. John the Baptist came into the scene, the prophetic voice in Israel has been silent for 400 years.

When St. John the Baptist came into the scene, he breathed fire and preached thunder.

All that was to prepare the way for Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One of God.

So St. John the Baptist prepared the people to receive the graciousness from God.

He prepared the people to receive Jesus who is filled with grace and truth.

What St. John the Baptist did for the people of his time, we too are to do for the people of our time.

We too are to prepare our people to receive the graciousness and the favour of God.

The name John means "God is gracious" and "God shows favour".

We have an even more important name.

We are called Christians. It means the "anointed ones". It means that we are to be another Christ to the world.

May we be filled with God's grace and favour to fulfill our mission.

12th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 23-06-2025

Genesis12:1-9 / Matthew 7:1-5    

According to a popular theory of psychosocial development by Erik Erikson, there are 8 stages of life, namely:

Infancy, Toddlerhood, Preschool years, Early school years, Adolescence, Young adulthood, Middle adulthood and Late adulthood.

The theory also proposes a conflict at each stage of life, which is a turning point that brings about the transition into the next stage.

So a person will face struggle or a crisis at each stage of life before going to the next stage.

It can be presumed that at the final stage of life, the only thing left to face is the finality of life, which is death.

And it can be supposed that it would be in the senior years, probably in the late 70s or 80s.

In the 1st reading, when God called Abram to leave his country, his family and his father’s house to go to another land, Abram was already 75 years old.

Ordinarily speaking, at that age, we would call it the sunset years and also call it a day.

Who would ever expect God to call a 75 year old man to a new phase or stage of life.

Jesus taught us in the gospel not to give a moral judgement on others, especially when we are no better than the rest.

But let us also not judge others on what they can or cannot do.

After all, when God calls a person, it is not so much about suitability but availability.

And let us also not judge ourselves about our abilities.

When God calls us, let us just be available to do His will.

Corpus Christi, Year C, 22.06.2025

 Genesis 14:18-20 / 1 Cor 11:23-26 / Luke 9:11-17

There are many reasons why people come to Church. 

One of the reasons is that they feel peaceful when they come to Church. 

And there are also some people who have a favourite, or a few favourite churches to go to. 

But the strange thing is that the church they go to is not about convenience or distance. 

There may be a church that is just a stone's throw from where they stay, but they prefer to go to a church that is across the island. 

Whatever it is, the reasons why people go to church can be logical and reasonable, as well as spiritual and emotional. 

It is about how they feel about going to a church, and keep going there week after week. 

So, it is not just about the colour of the paint, or a design of the church, or the food at the canteen, or the projections and the audio. 

Neither is it all about the choir or the preaching or the vibrancy of the church. 

People go to church essentially because they believe in God, and they want to pray in Church. 

After all, the Church is the House of God and the House of prayer. 

And people come, week after week, to keep praying and to give thanks because of prayers answered. 

Essentially, that is why people come to Church and keep coming to Church. 

This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi, which in English means “the Body of Christ.” 

The term “the Body of Christ” points to two fundamental realities. 

It points to the reality of the consecrated host that we received at Holy Communion - It is the Body of Christ. 

It also points to us, who receive the Body of Christ. We become what we receive. We become the Body of Christ. 

And as the Body of Christ, we also become the Church of Christ. 

As the Body of Christ, as the Church of Christ, we are to be what Jesus did in today's gospel passage. 

Jesus made the crowds welcome, and talked to them about the Kingdom of God, and cure those in need of healing. 

When we come to Church on Sundays, we come from various situations and circumstances. 

We had a busy week, we bring along our worries and anxieties, we struggle with our troubles. 

We come to Church to find peace, to offer our prayers, to rest and to be strengthened so that we can go forth and face the world again. 

And when we receive the Body of Christ at Holy Communion, we receive divine strength and power. 

We become a member of the Body of Christ who would want to welcome the weary and tired. 

As a member of the Body of Christ, we want to echo the Good News of the Kingdom of God to those who want to listen to the voice of God. 

And for those who are suffering and in pain, whether physically or mentally, we want to point them to the Divine Healer. 

And for all those in need, we want to pray for them so that they can find peace and healing in Jesus Christ. 

A priest was relating this story, that one day he was on his way to celebrate Mass when two women approached him. 

One of them said that her companion, who is a non-Catholic, would like to see a priest. 

But as it was about time for Mass, the priest told them to go for Mass and then see him after Mass. 

The priest saw the two women at Mass, but they did not come to see him after Mass. 

For the next few days, he saw them attending Mass. 

Then one day, the priest managed to see the two of them and he asked about the request to see him. 

The woman who made the request told him: No need already Father. You told us to go for Mass that day. We went and my friend here found peace. Since then, she wanted to come for Mass every day because her prayers are answered. Now she wants to join the RCIA. 

The priest was amazed. That was truly all God's work. 

That is also the wonderful and marvellous power of the Mass and the Eucharist. 

Indeed it is all God's work. The Body of Christ is the gift from God. Becoming a member of the Body of Christ is also the work of God. 

As the Body of Christ, let us welcome those who are seeking, those who are searching, and those who are in need. 

And may we also help those who want to believe in the love of God to be a member of the Body of Christ.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 21-06-2025

2 Cor 12:1-10 / Matthew 6:24-34     

We often hear of these phrases “win-win situation” or “the best of both worlds”.

That sounds nice and appealing and we would try to achieve these ideals.

But in reality of life, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose.

Whether we win or whether we lose, it all happens in this one world, and there is no other world to talk about.

So in this world in which we will journey through only once, what is it that is important?

And if we believe in the next world, then what is it that can be carried on from this world to the next?

In the gospel, Jesus says that we cannot be the slave of masters. We cannot be the slave of both God and money.

Between God and money, there is no “win-win situation” or “the best of both worlds”.

But the reality is that there is nothing to win in this world.

In God we already have everything we need in this world, because He already provided everything for us.

With God, we will rise from the worries of this world.

And with God, we will have a tomorrow in the eternal world.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 20-06-2025

2 Cor 11:18, 21-30 / Matthew 6:19-23   

No matter how good our eyesight may be, we have to accept that it will deteriorate as we get older.

Over the years, we will need reading glasses or other visual aids to see things better and clearer.

We want to see the things of life better and clearer.

We not only want to see things better and clearer, we also want to understand life better and clearer.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul says that there are many people who have been boasting of their worldly achievements.

These people see their worldly achievements as the most important treasure in life.

But in the gospel, Jesus gives a stark image of what will happen to the treasures of this world.

Moths and woodworms will destroy them, and thieves will steal them.

When we are able to see that the treasures of this world are temporary and fleeting, then our eyes have seen the light.

We will also see that our true treasure is in heaven, and that is also our eternal home.

Let us set our sights on heaven, and we will know how to live life here on earth.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 19-06-2025

2 Cor 11:1-11 / Matthew 6:7-15  

At the very core of every religion is the desire to come into communion with the divine.

While there are many means to achieve this, the primary way is through prayer.

For a Christian, prayer is essential, as prayer is an expression of the desire to come into communion with God.

So, prayer is an expression of a relationship with God.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us not to babble or to use many words in prayer to think we will make ourselves be heard.

Jesus taught us the prayer of the “Our Father”, which is a prayer that is short enough even for children to memorize.

The prayer begins by calling God our Father.

Already those two words lead us into an intimate relationship with God who wants to be our Father.

And it is a prayer taught by Jesus, the Son of God.

So, when we pray that prayer, let us not babble carelessly and forget about what we are saying.

We are calling on God our Father as we give thanks and praise for His love for us, and we also offer up our needs and petitions.

Let us meditate and ponder about that prayer because it is also the prayer of Jesus.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 18-06-2025

2 Cor 9:6-11 / Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18   

 

As human beings, we have a need for identification and recognition.

We need to be identified and recognised as an individual and as a person.

More than just physically identifiable and recognisable, we also need the acknowledgement of our existence.

Quite often, we express that need with actions that will bring attention to ourselves.

Some may even desire that self-attention to the extent that they will even “hog the lime-light”, and even at the expense of others.

This can also happen in religion when spiritual acts can be turned into attention-seeking.

As Jesus pointed out in the gospel, acts like almsgiving, fasting and prayer can be used to attract attention and for self-gain.

But as St. Paul says in the 1st reading: thin sowing means thin reaping.

When we sow in the field of human desires and seek self-attention and worldly-gains, then we are going to reap what is passing and temporary.

But when we sow in the field of humility and charity, then our reward is in eternity.

As the 1st reading puts it – he was free in almsgiving and gave to the poor and his good deed will never be forgotten.

Let us do what is pleasing to God, and He will bless us with peace and joy, and give us our due recognition.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 17-06-2025

2 Cor 8:1-9 / Matthew 5:43-48   

Many things seem to be possible in theory.

Putting theory on paper is neat and tidy.

But that also means that there may be other practical issues that are not considered.

To talk about love is like putting theory on paper.

But to put love into practice is challenging because people are going to be involved.

In the gospel, when Jesus talked about loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us, we already know it is very difficult.

And when we face our enemies and those who persecute us, we would rather turn away in resentment or anger.

Even for those whom we love, there are limits to how much we can love them.

But in the 1st reading, St. Paul praised God for the grace given to the churches in Macedonia.

They experienced great trials and sufferings, but their constant cheerfulness and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity.

They expressed their love for the other churches by giving far more than they can afford, and they gave spontaneously.

Truly it was by the grace of God that they can love so generously.

Let us pray for the grace of God to love more than others love us.

And with the grace of God, we can face the challenge of loving our enemies and those who persecute us.

11th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 16-06-2025

2 Cor 6:1-10 / Matthew 5:38-42   

Generally speaking, it can be presumed that people are reasonable as long as they are treated fairly.

People are not so petty and they won’t complain over trivial matters.

In other words, in its essence, the human nature is good.

And if people object to something, then that something certainly needs to be addressed.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul says that he and his co-workers will do nothing that people might object to, so as not to bring discredit on their function as God’s servants.

Instead, they prove that they are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering, in times of hardship and distress.

St. Paul and his co-workers were careful to not do anything that people might object.

But that is just the minimum. They want to witness to the grace that God has given them to reach higher human values.

In the gospel, Jesus also tells us move from that eye for eye and tooth for tooth mentality.

Jesus tells us to offer the wicked man no resistance, to offer the other cheek, to go the extra mile, and to give without asking for return.

People won’t object to higher human values like love, compassion, forgiveness and kindness.

May we witness to God’s grace and help others to strive for true human values.

Trinity Sunday, Year C, 15.06.2025

Proverbs 8:22-31 / Romans 5:1-5 / John 16:12-15

There are many inventions that come about from a process of in-depth thinking and designing. 

These are most obvious in the engineering and technological areas. 

But there are also many inventions and discoveries that were made by accidents. 

For example, the world’s first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, and it was actually the result of a contaminated laboratory dish. 

The accidental melting of a chocolate bar while working with radar technology led to the invention of the microwave oven. 

Those Post-it notes was accidentally created while working on a super strong adhesive. 

Other examples are chocolate chip cookies, superglue, Velcro tape, etc. 

These examples demonstrate that accidents and unintended events have played a significant role in scientific and technological progress. 

That also highlights the importance of observation and curiosity in making new discoveries. 

But we also believe that everything happens for a reason, and it happens in God's time and in God's plan. 

When we reflect deeper on this, we can also see that discoveries don't happen by mere accident. 

It is by God's revelation that discoveries are made, and human beings are involved in this revelation by observation and with reflection. 

Today, the Church celebrates Holy Trinity Sunday. 

The mystery of the Holy Trinity is a divine revelation that tells us that there is one God, and in that one God there are three Persons. 

It is a revelation of the very nature and essence of God, which is unity, family and charity. 

And who the Holy Trinity is, the Church is called to be. 

We, the Church are called to be like the Holy Trinity, called to be in unity, called to be family and called to charity. 

That is what the Church is called to be, so that the Church will be a sign of God's divine presence in the world. 

But as we know, the Church can be messy. 

The many Christian denominations say it all about Christian unity. 

It also says much about the unity in the Church, so praying for Christian unity is not an option but an obligation. 

And when we think about Church as family, it could be that the Church is like the “Tate Family”. 

The Tate family is a rather humorous portrayal of the Church as family. 

There is the old man “Dic Tate”, because he wants to run everything. 

There is that uncle “Ro Tate” who tries to change everything. 

And there is that aunty “Agi Tate” together with her husband “Irri Tate” who are always stirring up trouble.

And there is that “Decapi Tate” who is even worse, because he is always going after whoever is in charge. 

And when someone proposes a new project or event, it is impossible to get “Hesi Tate” or his wife “Vege Tate” to be interested, because they always want to wait and wait. 

And there is that “Regurgi Tate” who always wants to bring up the same thing again and again. 

And there's also a “Resusci Tate” who wants to bring new life into the Church. 

And there's that “Imi Tate” who wants the Church to be like that of another Church. 

So much about the Church that is like the “Tate Family”. 

And when it comes to charity, much is said and much needs to be done. 

We take the love of others for granted, and others take our love for granted. 

Oh yes, we take our father's love for granted, and when we become fathers, we know how our love can be taken for granted, but we will still love anyway. 

But as God reveals to us the mystery of His nature as unity, family and charity, He also calls us to enter into that mystery. 

In the gospel, Jesus tells His disciples this: I still have many things to say to you, but they would be too much for you now. 

But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth. 

So, truth and love are what God has revealed to us in the Church. 

We may not understand now, or we may understand later, but this poem of “The Folded Page” may help us to understand. 

“The Folded Page”.

“Up in the attic of an old house,

as raindrops pattered down on the roof,

I sat paging through my old schoolbook.

“I came to a page that was folded down.

Across it was written in my own childish hand:

‘The teacher says we should leave this for now.

It’s too hard to understand.’

“I unfolded the page and read it. 

Then I smiled and nodded my head and said, 

‘The teacher was right; now I understand.’

“There are many pages in the book of life

that are hard to understand.

All we can do is fold them down and write:

‘The Master says to leave this for now.

It’s too hard to understand.’

“Then, someday in heaven,

we’ll unfold the pages, reread them, and say, 

‘The Master was right; now I truly understand.’

And as we let God reveal in His time what we need to know about God and about life, love and truth, let us remember that Serenity Prayer which goes like this:

O God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 

the courage to change the things I can, 

and the wisdom to know the difference. 

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 14-06-2025

2 Cor 5:14-21 / Matthew 5:33-37  

As much as there is freedom of speech, it does not mean that there are no restrictions to what can be said.

With freedom comes responsibility, and that means what we say should be sensible and rational.

Insensitive and abusive speech only reveals the true character of the one who is speaking.

A person of integrity will speak politely and objectively.

A person of integrity will also speak with responsibility.

If he makes a promise, he will keep his word, and he will honour his word.

He has no need to swear or make an oath to support or reinforce what he says.

A person of integrity will always be committed to speaking the truth.

A person of integrity reflects the truth of God.

As the truth will set us free, let us exercise this freedom to speak sincerely, honestly and with responsibility.

May God help us to be committed to speaking the truth and nothing but the truth.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 13-06-2025

2 Cor 4:7-15 / Matthew 5:27-32   

It is in the human nature to admire what is beautiful and attractive.

In our admiration, we acknowledge that God is the Creator who makes all things good and beautiful.

And we also acknowledge that God created us in His image and that we are also good and beautiful.

But the reality of sin has distorted our human nature and also the way we look at things and people.

From initial admiration, we begin to desire and even want to possess what we see as beautiful and attractive.

In the gospel, Jesus addressed the sin of lust, and from that sin we develop perverse desires for people and even want to possess and use them for sexual motives.

But in the 1st reading, St. Paul reminds us of who we are and what we are made of.

No matter how good, how beautiful or attractive, human beings are like earthenware jars that are fragile and delicate.

But God has poured His love into these unworthy earthenware jars and we carry this divine treasure and dignity in us.

It is God’s love that makes us good, beautiful and even attractive.

May we see this treasure in ourselves and in others, so that in our admiration for what is good and beautiful, we will also see God who is the Creator of all that is good and beautiful.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 12-06-2025

2 Cor 3:14 - 4:1, 3-6 / Matthew 5:20-26  

It is presumed that the taller the tree, the deeper should the roots be.

By the same token, the taller the building, the deeper the foundations.

The test of the depth of the roots and foundations is when the tree is subjected to strong winds and when the building is shaken by an earthquake.

When trees get uprooted by strong winds or when a building collapses from an earthquake, the depth of the roots and foundations is exposed.

Similarly, a person’s character is exposed when there is a crisis.

Crisis does not build character. Crisis only exposes a person’s character.

Our character is formed by our virtues, and our virtues need to grow deeper in order to face the trials and crises.

Our virtues can only grow deeper when our lives are firmly rooted in the Lord Jesus.

When our lives are rooted firmly in the Lord Jesus, then, as the 1st reading puts it, even our faces will reflect the brightness of the Lord.

And not just our faces, but we will be turned into the image of God whose brightness we reflect.

May our prayer be deeper, so that our virtues will grow deeper, and that we will stand firm in the Lord against the trials and temptations of life.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 11-06-2025

2 Cor 3:4-11 / Matthew 5:17-19   

The word "radical" comes from the Latin word "radix", meaning "root".

The word can also refer to fundamental or complete change.

So a radical change or action may mean relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something.

It can be said that Jesus brought about a radical religious change.

But that radical change is what the word means.

As Jesus said in the gospel, He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.

Rather Jesus came not to abolish but the complete them.

Jesus is the Law and the Prophet in person.

As His disciples, we too must understand what is written in the Law and Prophets.

And as disciples of Jesus, we follow Jesus because in Him we will understand the root and the fundamental meaning of the Law and Prophets.

That root and fundamental meaning is none other than love – love for God and love for neighbour.

May we follow Jesus to show the world the radical meaning of love.

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 10-06-2025

2 Cor 1:18-22 / Matthew 5:13-16  

Life is not like a mathematical equation or scientific formula.

In mathematics, the final solution or answer is either correct or wrong.

In science, the results can be achieved by following the correct procedures.

But in life, it is not about the correct answers, nor getting the desired results.

There are many grey areas in life that make it intriguing as well as interesting.

Because in life, emotions are mixed into relationships, and personalities are entangled in discussions.

But life can be much simpler and clearer when we know what is true, what is good, what is right and what is loving.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul makes it clear that what he is teaching is God’s truth.

So it is “Yes” to the truth, the goodness, the righteousness and the love of Jesus Christ.

As disciples of Jesus, we are to help others to say “Yes” to God.

Just as salt gives taste, and light enable sight, may others taste and see what is true, what is good, what is right and what is loving by the way we live our lives.

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Monday, 09-06-2025

Acts 1:12-14 or Gen 3:9-15, 20 / 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 than willing to do.

But for us, Mary is not just our Mother. 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, Year C, 08.06.2025

Acts 2:1-11 / Romans 8:8-17 / John 20:19-23

Generally speaking, life unfolds in two ways. 

One is when we plan out the schedules for the day, but at the end of the day, at least half if not all the schedules were disrupted or displaced. 

The other way in which life unfolds is when the unexpected happens, and expected did not. 

Whether it is one way or the other, it all tells us that life is such a mystery, and we need to prepare for surprises. 

But we, who are logical and rational beings, want life to be predictable and manageable. 

We like, and we want, things to happen as expected and according to plan. 

And when it doesn't because of interruptions, disruptions and surprises, then we get flustered and frustrated. 

We see this kind of reaction when the MRT breaks down, or when there are flash floods, or when there are sudden road closures because of accidents. 

But we need to remember that we are intelligent beings, and we have the ability to read the signs, and we are able to adapt and adjust to the situation. 

As the Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost, it can be said that it is a celebration of the feast of the Spirit of surprises. 

The 1st reading describes how the first Pentecost happened. 

The disciples were all gathered in one room, then suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven. 

Then something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire that came to rest on their heads. 

They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak foreign languages, as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech to proclaim the marvels of God. 

All that happened suddenly and unexpectedly. But it was a wonderful and an awesome surprise. 

And those with a spiritual sense would know that it is not the work of man but the work of God. 

It was the Spirit of God manifesting and expressing the work of God. 

The gospel scene was much quieter, but no less dramatic. 

It was evening on the first day of the week, and the doors were locked in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. 

Then without notice, Jesus came and stood among them and said: Please be with you. 

The disciples were certainly surprised, and their fear turned into joy. 

And then, in an act which recalled that moment in the story of creation when God breathed into the nostrils of man, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said: Receive the Holy Spirit. 

In a quiet but profound way, the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

But whether it is a quiet and profound way, or dramatic and spectacular way, it was unexpected, it was surprising, and it all pointed to the marvellous ways of God. 

As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, Jesus is also pouring out the Holy Spirit on us. 

In the voices of prayer and singing of hymns at Mass, Jesus breathes on us the Holy Spirit. 

In the recently concluded conclave, 133 cardinals came from all over the world, from various countries with various cultures and languages.

They were to be guided by the Holy Spirit to choose the next Pope, according to the will of God. 

And now we know, that Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected and he took the name of Leo XIV.

The interesting thing is that he is an American cardinal that even the American cardinals didn’t really know about.

And if the American cardinals don’t really know much about him, then much less the cardinals of the other countries.

So, how was cardinal Robert Prevost elected to be Pope, that, we must say, is the work of the Holy Spirit. 

The 2nd reading tells us that our interests are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made His home in us. 

With the Spirit of God in our hearts, we will be able to see that the interruptions and disruptions of our lives are revelations and manifestations of the marvellous love of God. 

With the Spirit of God in our hearts, we will face the trials and tribulations of life and turn them into triumphs for the glory of God. 

And with the gentle breath of the Holy Spirit, may we speak the language of love that will bring comfort and consolation to those in need of God's forgiveness and healing.

7th Week of Easter, Saturday, 07-06-2025

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

To be focused is a desired attitude for ourselves.

And if we are a superior or a supervisor, then we would expect that from our subordinates.

When we are focused, and when our team-mates are focused, then the targets and the objectives will be achieved.

But we also know that we can’t keep focused for too long.

We get distracted by many things as well as by other people.

In the gospel, Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, and he asked Jesus, and he asked Jesus about him.

The reply of Jesus to Peter was rather sharp: What does it matter to you? You are to follow me.

Earlier, Peter had professed his love for Jesus three times, and then now, he got distracted with the other disciple.

The reply of Jesus is also for us to reflect and to be aware of our focus as well as our distractions.

We need to keep our focus on Jesus and to follow Him alone.

Of all the distractions that come our way, we need to be aware that we ourselves are our biggest distraction.

Prayer will help us keep focused on Jesus. Let us keep praying and keep following Jesus.

7th Week of Easter, Friday, 06-06-2025

Acts 25:13-21 / John 21:15-19   

Whenever we talk about freedom, it is generally understood with two meanings.

One is the power or the right to act, speak, or think as we want, as in we do have some freedom of choice.

The other is the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

Freedom is what defines our human dignity.

Freedom is also God’s gift to us, because of His love for us.

Even though we sin, God will not take our freedom away, otherwise we will become like puppets or robots.

God gave us freedom so that we can choose to love Him in return.

In the gospel, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, and Peter said yes.

In saying yes to Jesus, Peter had to be prepared to surrender his freedom to God.

It is in surrendering his freedom that he can be obedient to God’s will, even if he were led to where he would rather not go.

We have the freedom to choose. We can either choose to do what we want, or to choose what God wants of us.

When we choose to do God’s will, God will bless us abundantly and grant us a peace that the world cannot give.

7th Week of Easter, Thursday, 05-06-2025

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 / John 17:20-26   

One of the interesting types of movies to watch is the science-fiction movies.

Science-fiction movies can really stretch the imagination with futuristic gadgets and devices.

But imagination can turn into reality, and we know this happens because some of those robots that we saw in movies have become a reality.

So, science-fiction movies give us an imaginative glimpse of the future.

In the gospel, Jesus also gives us a glimpse of the future.

But it is not a future of this world. It is the future of the next world.

Jesus gives us a glimpse of our eternal future.

Jesus prayed to His Father that those who belong to Him will be with Him in eternity.

In other words, Jesus prayed that we will be with Him forever because we belong to Him.

Often, we pray for what we need and also what we wish to have in this world.

But let us also remember what Jesus prayed for.

Jesus prayed for us to be with Him in eternity.

Let us also pray that His prayer will be fulfilled.

7th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 04-06-2025

Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:11-19  

In life, there are many things that are not of our choice.

We don’t choose to be born into which family, or how we look like, or what is our blood type.

When we reflect deeper about this, we will come to see that it is God who made those choices for us.

God chose to create us, and God chose us to be His people.

In the gospel, Jesus prayed that God will keep those given to Him true to God’s name.

Jesus watched over those He had been given and not one was lost, except the one who chose to be lost.

So, even though God chose us to be His own, yet we can choose to be on our own.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul warned that even from within the Christian community, there will be some who will choose to go their own way and even bring others along.

May we always remember that we did not choose to follow Jesus.

It is Jesus who calls us and chooses us, and He commissions us with the power of the Holy Spirit to go forth and bear fruits of love.

God has made His choice for us. 

May we always choose to do the will of God so that we will be united with God and be blessed with His love and peace.

7th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 03-06-2025

Acts 20:17-27 / John 17:1-11    

There are two important days in our life.

One is the day we were born, the day that we came into this world.

The other important day is when we leave this world, the final day of our life on earth.

In between those two day, there are also many important moments.

All these important moments tell us why we are in this world.

All these important moments tell us about the meaning of our life on earth.

For St. Paul in the 1st reading, he knew why he was in this world and what is the meaning of his life in this world.

For him, life is not a thing to waste words on.

What is important is that he have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave him – and that is to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace.

That also reminds us that we have a mission in life.

The important moments of our life tell us what our mission in life is about.

We can only understand what the meaning of our life and our mission is when we raise our eyes from the things of earth to look at our God above.

In the gospel, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and saw the hour of glory has come.

May we always keep our eyes on heaven and see that the moments of our life are to bear witness to the Good News of God’s love for us and for others.

7th Week of Easter, Monday, 02-06-2025

Acts 19:1-8 / John 16:29-33   

One of the deepest hurts and pains is caused by betrayal.

To be betrayed may not necessarily result in physical pain.

But it will certainly be emotionally painful and hurt may stay on for a long time.

Humanly speaking, it is not that easy to forgive someone who betrayed us.

More so if it is someone whom we trusted, or someone whom we did not expect to do that to us.

And if it is done by someone whom we love, then it would be like a deep stab into the core of our being.

In the gospel, the disciples declared that they believed that Jesus came from God.

But Jesus replied that the time will come when they will be scattered, each going his own way, and leaving Jesus alone.

If Jesus were only human, He would not have forgiven His disciples for denying and deserting Him in His hour of trial.

But to forgive is divine, and Jesus showed His divinity when He appeared to His disciples after His Resurrection and granted them peace.

When we sin, we betray God’s love for us. And in doing so, we cause pain and hurt to ourselves.

But God forgives us no matter how grave our sin is.

God is merciful and compassionate, and He does not want to see us hurting and in pain.

Let us thank God for His love, and let us not betray God by committing sin.

7th Sunday of Easter, Year C, 01.06.2025

 Acts 7:55-60 / Apocalypse 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 / John 17:20-26

If we know that something is going to happen, then we will surely make preparations for it. 

Of course, we can't predict the future, and there is no need to read about what the horoscopes say. 

But there are obvious indications of what we need to plan and what to prepare for the future. 

For example, we need financial security and insurance coverage for what might happen in life. 

So, we save up for a rainy day, and we will buy life insurance, health insurance and hospital insurance. 

What we think is necessary, and if we are able to afford it, we should get it done. 

Because if we don't help ourselves to plan and prepare for the future, then there will be no one to help us when we are in need. 

And there's no need to plan too much. 

What is necessary and obvious, we should know. 

It is a matter of pondering and thinking about it, and getting it done. 

The gospel is part of a long prayer of Jesus. Jesus prayed that we, His church, will be united as one. 

Just as He and the Father are one, Jesus prayed that we, His Church, will also be one in God. 

Jesus said this prayer at the Last Supper, so it was His last prayer before He was arrested. 

Jesus knew what was going to happen soon. One of His disciples will betray Him, another will deny Him, the others will desert Him. Because He knew what was going to happen, He prayed that His disciples will be reunited, and united with love and in love. 

But that prayer is not just for His disciples. 

It is also for the many generations of Christians to come. 

Throughout the history of the Church, there were heresies and schisms which have broken up and torn the Church apart. 

Besides the division from within, there were also threats of persecution resulting in some Christians giving up and renouncing their faith. 

One such external threat was in the 5th century when the merciless barbarian Attila the Hun ravaged Italy and was about to attack the city of Rome. 

The pope then, Pope Leo I, or Leo the Great, went to meet at Attila to persuade him not to attack Rome. 

The historical fact is that Attila the Hun turned back and did not attack Rome. 

It was said that Pope Leo had prepared for the meeting with Attila by first celebrating the Eucharist, and then he went out in procession with the faithful, chanting prayers and singing hymns. 

There are many reasons as to why Attila turned back and did not attack Rome. 

There is also a legend that when Attila saw Pope Leo, he reportedly also saw two huge figures with Pope Leo. 

Those two figures were said to be St Peter and St. Paul, and they threatened Attila, and so he got frightened and retreated. 

But what is important for us to know is that Pope Leo prepared himself with prayer, and it was the hand of God that drove Attila away. 

This Sunday is in that period of time between the Ascension and Pentecost Sunday. 

Jesus told His disciples and the Church before He ascended, to pray and to wait to be clothed with the power from on high. 

That power from on high is none other than the gift of the Holy spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, our Protector, who will help us and lead us and guide us as we journey on in faith. 

The Holy Spirit will teach us all that we need to know, and He will prompt us as to what to prepare and what to do. 

So, we need to pray so as to be able to listen to the Holy Spirit and to be aware of His promptings. 

It is the Holy Spirit who will unite us to God and to one another in love and in peace.

6th Week of Easter, Saturday, 31-05-2025

Acts 18:23-28 / John 16:23-28 

We hear Jesus says in the gospel “Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete’.

That statement does sound too good to be true, but the reality of life is that we have asked and yet have not received.

So we get disappointed, frustrated and even get angry with God.

We expected our prayers to be answered, we expected to receive what we asked for.

But because we did not get what we asked for, we begin to lose faith.

But at the Ascension, Jesus said to wait to be clothed with power from on high.

The days between the Ascension and Pentecost are to be days of prayer.

The Church prays to be ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

With the Holy Spirit, we will know what to ask for, and truly our joy will be complete.

So let us pray for the outpouring of Holy Spirit in our hearts with a simple prayer like: Come Holy Spirit.

May we realize that the Holy Spirit is the best and the greatest gift from God.

6th Week of Easter, Friday, 30-05-2025

Acts 18:9-18 / John 16:20-23

What is our opinion about life?

To say the least, life is difficult.

For some it may even be painful and sorrowful. 

No matter how prepared we are for the challenges and difficulties, or the struggles and troubles of life, it still won’t be that easy.

As Jesus said in the gospel, we will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice.

Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of the Ascension of our Lord into heaven.

For us, the Ascension is also a revelation for us.

Jesus revealed to us our eternal destiny and our eternal homeland.

So the sorrows and tribulations of this world cannot be compared with the eternal glory that is promised to us.

Let us keep our mind and hearts fixed on this eternity.

So life is difficult, but that cannot be compared at all with the peace and joy of being with Jesus forever in heaven.

Ascension of the Lord, Thursday, 29-05-2025

Acts 1:1-11 / Ephesians 1:17-23 / Luke 24:46-54  

Whenever we talk about heaven, the inclination is to look up. 

It is almost like a natural instinct to look up when we think and talk about God and heaven. 

To look up is a natural posture when we want to think about something big and mighty. 

As a figure of speech, we look up to people who inspires us. 

In the religious sense, we look up to God when we pray. 

We look up to the heavens with hope. 

We look up to have a sense of eternity. 

Today we join the disciples as they see Jesus ascended into heaven. 

We believe that Jesus has gone up to heaven to prepare a place for us. 

And as Jesus ascended into heaven, He lift up His hands to bless His disciples. 

And from heaven, Jesus continues to bless us so that we will believe in the place that He has prepared for us in eternity. 

So, we look up from the things of earth to the things of above. 

We look up to receive blessings and to be clothed with the power of love from on high. 

We keep looking up because that is where we are journeying towards, and that is where we will be forever. 

And may our prayers rise up to God in praise and thanksgiving as we pray for His continued blessings.

6th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 28-05-2025

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

The past has happened and it is history.

Though we already know what happened, yet there are so many details of people, occasions and happenings that it is impossible to know all that actually happened.

If the past is history, then the future is mystery.

And as much as it might cross our mind to want to know the future, yet it would be too much of a burden.

To know the future is to know the details of every person that is connected to an occasion and how one incident is connected to another.

That will be too much for a human mind to follow.

So whether past or future, it is just too much for us as humans to handle.

Only God, who is the beginning and the end, can handle everything that happens in every instance of time.

We can only handle moments, and even that is already worrisome and anxious enough.

Jesus says in the gospel that the Holy Spirit will lead us to the complete truth.

Let us live life moment by moment and slowly be filled with the truth of life.

And may the truth of life lead us to a deeper love so that we will live each moment of life with love.

6th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 27-05-2025

Acts 16:22-34 / John 16:5-11   

It is often said that when God closes the door, He opens a window.

But when we think about it, it seems that there is something strange.

Why would some people say that about God? Why would God close a door and just open the window?

That would make God seem like He wants to take away things from us instead of giving things to us.

But we believe in God who is generous and wants to give us more than we can even think of, and more than we can ever dare to ask for.

In the gospel, Jesus says that unless He goes, the Advocate will not come to us.

Jesus says that His going back to the Father is for our good.

When we think about it, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us so that we are united with Him always.

The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who will help us to feel the presence of Jesus in us.

Indeed, the going away of Jesus becomes a coming in of the Holy Spirit.

So, we can see now that if God closes the door, He will open up all the doors and the windows too.

God does not take away. Rather He gives and He gives, and the Holy Spirit is the greatest and the best gift we will receive.

6th Week of Easter, Monday, 26-05-2025

Acts 16:11-15 / John 15:26 - 16:4  

To have faith is to believe in God who loves us.

And because God loves us, He will take care of us and provide for us.

And we pray because we know that God will listen to our prayers and He will answer our prayers.

But to have faith would also mean that our faith would be tested.

In the early Church, the persecution came from non-believers and anti-Christians.

But it also cannot be denied that there were some Christians who became betrayers and traitors.

After all, one of the apostles of Jesus betrayed Him and another denied Him, and the rest also deserted Him in the hour of trial.

In the gospel, Jesus warned that the hour is coming when anyone who kills a believer will think he is doing a holy duty for God.

In our time, we may have come across a fellow believer doing un-Christian things to us, and we are scandalized by that.

But let us hold on to our faith and keep believing that God knows all things and He also knows the intentions of each person’s heart.

Let us keep praying that we don’t lose faith, nor resort to the retaliation of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

If we truly believe in God who is love, then let us keep praying and keep loving.

6th Sunday of Easter, Year C, 25.05.2025

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 / Apocalypse 21:10-14, 22-23 / John 14:23-29

Outward appearances give impressions, and often they may have lasting impressions. 

So, in order to make impressions, and if so desired, then the attention will be focused on the image and appearances. 

And grooming the image and the appearance is big business. 

But it must be said that what we see is not all there is. 

There is more to what we see, there is more than just image and appearances. 

For example, in one of the comic book superheroes, his suit has a letter “S” which is encased in a diamond shaped frame. 

Almost immediately we will associate it with Superman, but that logo or emblem is more than just that.

Or, let us talk about food. It is said that the presentation is as important as the taste. 

But one of our favourite local dishes goes contrary to that saying. 

We are talking about “char kuey teow”. It fails in looks, appearance and presentation, but it is fabulous in taste. 

So, there are many things in life that have much more to tell us. 

And it is not just things, but there are also many people that we come across in our lives, who have many things to tell us. 

In the gospel, Jesus tells us that He will send the Holy Spirit who will teach us everything and also remind us of all that Jesus had taught us. 

But in order for the Holy Spirit to teach us and remind us and to prompt us, there is one requirement. 

Our hearts must be made to be the home for God, and then in the depths of our hearts, the Holy Spirit will speak God's Word to us. 

And God’s Word will remind us, teach us, prompt us and reveal to us what we need to know. 

And what God's Word will remind us, teach us, prompt us and reveal to us is the gift of peace. 

Only Jesus can give us this peace, and it is a peace that the world cannot give, nor can we create it for ourselves. 

With the peace of God in our hearts, we will not be troubled or afraid, even though we may not know what the future is going to be like. 

With peace in our hearts, we know that we are saved by the love of God, and not by any superpower or superhero. 

Anyway, talking about that superhero with the “S” emblem on his suit, the story behind the emblem is that it does not stand for Superman. 

Rather, the story is that the “S” in the Superman emblem represents the Kryptonian symbol for hope, and it is the family crest of the house of El, which is Superman's family.

So, it is not a simple “S” but a stylized Kryptonian symbol for hope and justice. 

So, even the comic book superheroes have something to reveal about hope and justice, and also about truth, love and salvation. 

Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit, who will teach us about the ways of God. 

The Holy Spirit will remind us that we are saved by the love of God. 

The Holy Spirit will also reveal what God wants us to see, so that we can understand deeper the marvels of God. 

And Holy Spirit will also prompt us to do the will of God and to speak the words of God. 

Let us believe in God's gifts of peace, love and the Holy Spirit. 

And we will see the wonders and the marvels of God.

5th Week of Easter, Saturday, 24-05-2025

Acts 16:1-10 / John 15:18-21  

If Christianity had to be described in just a few words, then it can be said that Christianity is all about love.

To elaborate it further, it is about God’s love for us and our love for one another.

Jesus is God’s love becoming human and expressing God’s love in human form.

All that sounds nice and beautiful, until we hear what Jesus said in the gospel.

Jesus said that the world hated Him and hence the world will also hate us who are His disciples.

This can be rather puzzling, because if love is nice and beautiful, then everyone would want to love, and everyone would also want to love Jesus.

But we also need to remember that while love is an emotion, it is also a decision.

True love is selfless and also sacrificial, it is kind and forgiving, it is compassionate and gentle.

True love reflects the love of God.

But very often, the world has a contorted, distorted and twisted concept of love.

And when it encounters God’s love, it will challenge and contradict God’s love and try to impose its own brand of love.

So if the world hates us, it is because it cannot understand God’s way of love.

Still, we must continue to love as God has loved us, because God’s love will always prevail in the end.

5th Week of Easter, Friday, 23-05-2025

Acts 15:22-31 / John 15:12-17  

The influence a person has in the world is often determined by what the world chooses to look for in that person.

So, it may be wealth and status, or it may be fame and popularity, or it may be success, achievements and accomplishments.

So if we want to make an impact in this world or to somebody in this world, then we have to know what the world chooses to see.

In a way, it can be said that the world chooses who it wants to succeed, or to be famous and popular.

And depending on what are the trends of the world, then it is about being there at the right time and at the right place.

But in the gospel, Jesus tells us that it is He who chose us and not we who chose Him.

And Jesus chose us and commissions us to go out and bear fruit that will last.

And Jesus chose each of us for a unique and personal mission in this world.

The wealth, success and fame of this world will come and go.

But in responding to the call and the choice of God, and doing His will, then we will have treasures in heaven, treasures that will last forever.

5th Week of Easter, Thursday, 22-05-2025

Acts 15:7-21 / John 15:9-11   

It is in the nature of human beings to be active and to be up and about.

To be able to move is a sign of life and health.

To move fast is a sign of strength, and to be able to walk or run for long distances is a sign of stamina.

But a constant and prolonged movement of the body will certainly result in tiredness and weariness.

In this fast-moving and busy world, people go to the extremes in the quest for productivity and efficiency.

To be fast, and to speed-up, and to change quickly, seems to be the blurry and flurry activity of the world.

In the gospel, Jesus says that He loves us just as the Father loves Him.

And Jesus tells us to remain in His love.

To “remain” may give the impression of being still, of not moving, of being inactive.

But to remain, in the spiritual sense, is to be faithful, to be committed, and to be focused on the Lord.

To remain, can also mean to ponder, to meditate and to treasure.

So, in our busy and active lives, let us pause and be still, and to remain in God’s love.

Then we can share with others the joy of being in God’s love.

5th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 21-05-2025

Acts 15:1-6 / John 15:1-8   

For those of us who are not into gardening, we may not know what pruning is.

According to some definition, it is to trim a tree, a shrub, or a bush, by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.

Maybe it could be more understandable if the image of housekeeping is used.

We all know what housekeeping entails.

It means throwing away or getting rid of stuff that is useless and taking up space.

It also means de-cluttering so that there can be better usage of space.

But whether it is pruning, or housekeeping, or de-cluttering, it has to be done regularly.

Our hearts are made to be a home for God.

But the distractions and desires of this world has cluttered up our hearts.

It can even be that we have pushed God out of our hearts.

So we need to do spiritual pruning, spiritual housekeeping or spiritual de-cluttering.

We need to pray and we must pray so that our heart will remain as a home for God.

We also must read the Word of God, so that it will take root in our hearts and bear fruit for God’s glory and for the good of others.

5th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 20-05-2025

Acts 14:19-28 / John 14:27-31   

As Christians, we are called to love. 

Actually, Jesus commanded us to love.

He gave that new commandment to love one another just as He has loved us.

But we know how difficult it can be to love others, especially those whom we don’t like.

We may not be able to say why we don’t like them, or what is it about them that irritates and annoys us.

But could it be that what we don’t like about others is what we don’t like about ourselves?

Putting it in another way, it is like pointing a criticizing finger at someone, but there are three fingers pointing back at us.

But instead of pointing fingers at other or looking at them with resentment, let us look at the Cross.

Let us look at Jesus on the Cross and reflect on the love He has for us, for each of us.

On the Cross, Jesus is telling us He loves us and is giving us peace, and it is a peace that the world cannot give.

Before we can love or like others, let us ask Jesus to fill our hearts with love and peace.

When our hearts are filled with love and peace, then we will about able to see the goodness in others and to love them.

5th Week of Easter, Monday, 19-05-2025

Acts 14:5-18 / John 14:21-26  

In our conversations and interactions with others, we will try to understand what they mean by what they say.

But it is not just the words that we are paying attention to.

It is also about how they say it, the tone of their voice, and their body language.

When we pay attention to these aspects, we would be able to get a better and fuller understanding of what the other person is saying.

In other words, we not only listen to what the other person is saying, we also try to feel the other person’s words.

In the gospel, Jesus said that whoever loves Him will keep His Word and He will make His home in the person’s heart.

And the Word of God will speak to the person in the heart.

In the 1st reading, Paul saw that the crippled man had the faith to be cured.

Paul saw what God wanted him to see because the Word of God in his heart spoke to him.

As we listen to God’s Word in the scriptures, may the Word of God find a home in our hearts.

There, in the depths of our hearts, God will speak to us and show us what He wants us to see.

5th Sunday of Easter, Year C, 18.05.2025

Acts 14:21-27 / Apocalypse 21:1-5 / John 13:31-35

The word “goodbye” is a common word, and it is also a word that is used daily. 

It is usually shortened to “bye”, and we say to our loved ones when we leave the house.

We say it to our colleagues after work, we say it to our friends after a gathering, and we say it because it is customary to do so.

The word “goodbye” or “bye” is so common and used so often that it is said casually. 

It is with an expectation that we will meet again, sooner or later, in the future. 

It is not expected to be a final goodbye, or with the knowledge that the goodbye means that we will not be meeting again. 

But there are occasions when the goodbye is the final goodbye. 

And then there are some people who may not have the opportunity to say the last goodbye to us. 

But whether the goodbye is said or not, their memory lingers on in our minds. 

In the gospel, when Judas left the group, he did not say goodbye to anyone. 

He was so obsessed with betraying Jesus, that his mind was focused on carrying out that plan of betrayal. 

When Judas had left, Jesus talked about Himself being glorified and God being glorified. 

For Jesus, He knew that His hour had come, and that by His suffering and death, it would be His hour of glory. 

But His disciples did not know that, and so He had to prepare them for His departure. 

So, He told them that He will not be with them much longer. 

But He will leave them with something to remember, and that is to love one another, just as He has loved them. 

And by that love for one another, others will know that they are His disciples. 

The disciples remembered those words. They also realized later that those were the departing words of Jesus. 

Those were His final words of goodbye. 

And those parting words of Jesus were understandable, practical and spiritual. 

The early disciples like Paul and Barnabas in the 1st reading carried out their mission with those words. 

With those words of Jesus, they put fresh hearts into the other disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith. 

Yes, we must remember those words of Jesus, and that is to love one another as Jesus has loved us. 

And we also remember the parting words of those who have loved us with the love of Jesus. 

We remember the late Pope Francis who said to his personal health assistant, “Thank you for bringing me to the Square.” 

It was there at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, when Pope Francis imparted his final apostolic blessing on the Church and on the world. As we know Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday.

So, as much as it seemed that Pope Francis said to his personal health assistant, “Thank you for bring me to the Square”, it could also be that he said that to Jesus to thank Jesus for being able to say goodbye to the people and to bless them.

And we also remember our loved ones and what they said to us before parting. 

Many people say “hi” and “bye” in our lives, but there are some who have left echoes of love in our hearts. 

They echo the words of Jesus: Love one another just as I have loved you. 

It is when we love one another as Jesus has loved us, that He will be present to wipe away the tears of our eyes, and there will be no mourning or sadness, but only the joy of loving one another with the love of Jesus.