22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 04-09-2025

Colossians 1:9-14 / Luke 5:1-11   

The world that we live in is so orderly that we often take it for granted.

The laws of nature and the wonders of the world are like little miracles happening before our eyes.

The rising of the sun and its setting are so glorious yet we might be too busy to admire it.

The melodious singing of the birds is often drowned out by the noise of the world.

So, the little wonders and miracles of life and nature are often blocked by the noise of the world and also our eyes keep looking at the small screens of our mobile phones.

But there are times when God works a sign that is big enough and loud enough for us to see and hear.

In the gospel, when Peter did what Jesus said and put out into deep water, he thought it was rather futile and it would come to nothing.

Then before his very eyes was that huge catch of fish.

But his eyes saw more than just fish. His eyes saw a revelation, he came to see himself as a sinner, and then left everything to follow Jesus.

So too, our eyes should see deeper into this world and see the signs and wonders that He is showing us.

And the 1st reading reminds us of this:

God has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of His Son whom He loves, and in Him, we gain our freedom and the forgiveness of our sins.

Let us see that the greatest wonder is to be loved by God and that our sins are forgiven.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 03-09-2025

Colossians 1:1-8 / Luke 4:38-44   

 

Whenever we buy a gadget, or a device or an electrical apparatus, we would be more interested in getting it working immediately.

But enclosed in the packaging is something else which is important and useful. 

And that is the operating instructions or the operating manual.

It may be just a piece of folded paper or a little booklet, and it provides instructions for safely and efficiently using, operating, and maintaining a product.

But often we just glance through it or don’t even look at it.

We just want to use the product immediately and we are not too interested about the product’s details.

When Jesus healed the people’s diseases and cast out devils, He did not allow the evil spirits to announce who He is.

Jesus wanted the people to discover His true identity and not just think of Him as a miracle healer and deliverer.

So when Jesus went off early in the morning to a lonely place to pray, the crowds came looking for Him.

They even wanted to prevent Him from leaving them, because they wanted more from Him.

But Jesus knew who He is and what He was sent to do.

Jesus wants to answer our prayers and give us what we need.

But He also wants us to know who He is and that He came to proclaim the Good News to us so that He can make His home in our hearts.

Let us take time to go off to a lonely place and enter into the Heart of Jesus.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 02-09-2025

1 Thess 5:1-6, 9-11 / Luke 4:31-37   

There is a game that is played often in parties, or functions, or in radio and tv shows.

Generally that game is called " Name the tune", and the contestants try to guess the title of the song with the fewest notes or bars that is played.

When Jesus spoke, His words carried authority and power.

But more than that, His words also carried a peculiar resonance, and the evil spirits immediately recognized that it was from the Holy One of God.

In short, the words of Jesus carried a holy and sacred resonance.

The evil spirits were repulsed by it. But we should be moved by it, meaning to say, we should immediately recognize it and respond to it.

But if like what St. Paul said in the 1st reading, if we were living in the dark and are spiritually asleep, then the words of Jesus would not resonate in us.

But we would know if the words of Jesus resonate in us or not.

Because if it does, then we would be able to name the tune, the spiritual tune, that God is playing for us.

In the ups and downs of the music of our lives, there is also a spiritual tune that God is playing gently and softly for us.

When we can recognize that spiritual tune, then we will know what God's will for us is.

That tune is nothing less than holy, because God's will is holy.

22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 01-09-2025

1 Thess 4:13-18 / Luke 4:16-30   

Our life’s directions and purposes are formed by our beliefs.

Because our beliefs shape our principles, which in turn are expressed in purposes and directions of our lives.

So if the belief is that this world is all there is, then when life comes to an end, then everything comes to an end.

But for us Christians, we believe in the message of Jesus Christ, and it is the Good News that He brought to us.

In the gospel, we hear what that Good News is: it is hope for the poor, liberty to captives, new sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed and downtrodden.

In essence, it is the Good News of salvation, the Good News that God loves and cares for us.

So, we believe in the God of life, we believe in the God of love.

And we will want to live a life of love in this world, so that we will have a life of love in the next world.

That is also the message of St. Paul to the Thessalonians in the 1st reading, so that they can have hope in the face of death.

May our lives be an expression of God’s love here on earth, and may our hope in the eternal life where we will live forever in God’s love.

22nd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 31.08.2025

Ecclesiasticus 3:17-20, 28-29 / Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 / Luke 14:1, 7-14

A cup is used for containing beverages so that it would be easier to drink from it. 

The beverage can be anything from plain water to tea or coffee or other kinds of drinks. 

And cups can be made of any material from paper to plastic to porcelain. 

And it can also be of any size from cute little teacups to big mugs. 

And nowadays, cups have taken on other purposes and meanings. 

There are things like the popular cup noodles, which are like tasty instant meals in a plastic disposable cup. 

And then there are cups that symbolize a status, or to be exact, a trophy. 

So, there are World Cups for various types of sports. 

Those are really big cups usually made of silver or some kind of valuable metal. 

We may wonder why they are called World Cups when nobody brings anything from it. 

In a gospel passage, Jesus told a parable about humility, because He had noticed how the guests picked the places of honour. 

The teaching in the parable is about having the humility to go to the lowest place first, so as not to be embarrassed if we were asked to change places. 

But practically speaking, whether we go to a wedding feast or to a restaurant for a meal, we let the host or the waiter show us to our seats. 

So, out of manners and etiquette, we don't choose the seats, but we choose something else. 

Later, if we go to the canteen for a drink, we would choose the cups. 

Whether we are going to drink water or coffee or tea, we will choose a nice and clean cup. 

We may have our reasons for choosing a particular cup, but this following story may help us do some reflection.

A group of successful graduates once visited their former professor.

They had built impressive careers, held prestigious titles, and lived seemingly perfect lives.

While waiting for the coffee, their conversation turned to the stresses of work, exhaustion, and the pressures of adulthood.

Some laughed.

Some complained.

Some philosophized.

The professor returned with a tray full of mismatched cups —

porcelain and glass, ceramic and plastic, elegant and chipped, minimalist and ornate.

As the guests chose their cups, the professor quietly observed. Then he spoke:

“Notice how you all instinctively reached for the finest cups — the fancy ones.

Not a single person chose the worn-out or plastic ones.

And that’s the root of much of your stress.”

“You wanted the coffee — not the cup.

But you focused on the cup’s appearance, not the essence of what you came for.”

He continued:

“Life is like coffee.

Career, salary, status, home, car — those are just cups.

They don’t define the richness of life itself.”

“Sometimes we get so distracted by the ‘cup’,

we forget to savour the coffee.”

So drink your coffee with joy.

Not by comparing.

Not by competing.

Not by glancing sideways.

Because the happiest people aren’t those who have the best of everything —

but those who know how to make the best of what they are having.

Still, the cups are important. Because we don't want to drink from a chipped cup. 

And a broken cup is of no use. It is to be discarded. 

But even a broken cup can also be a subject of reflection about life.

In the 15th century, a Japanese shogun sent a broken Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs.

It was returned repaired with ugly metal staples, and that prompted the Japanese craftsmen to look for a more aesthetic means of repair.

The broken valuable pottery was repaired with lacquered resin mixed with powdered gold. It is called kintsugi.

Kintsugi means “to repair with gold”. But the important point in the art of kintsugi is that the broken piece is now more beautiful for having been broken.

It takes humility to acknowledge that we are chipped, and cracked, and even broken, although no one can see it and no one may know about it. 

But Jesus knows, He notices, and He is inviting us to come to Him so that He can heal us. 

But in order for Jesus to heal us, we have to give Him our broken pieces. 

Jesus won't throw us away or discard us. 

He is our Healer, and He is the Master Craftsman. 

He will heal us and even make us beautiful in our brokenness. 

We just need to be humble and let Jesus recreate us back into His image of love.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 30-08-2025

1 Thess 4:9-11 / Matthew 25:14-30   

There is a story of a rat who fell into a bin of rice. At first it tried to get out but it was not possible as the walls of the bin are steep.

Since there was rice all around, it began to feed itself. And after a while, it was enjoying itself inside the bin.

There was food, there was security, and all it needed do was to literally eat and sleep.

But one day, the rice ran out, and the rat, by then obese and over-weight, realized that it couldn't get out of the bin any more and would eventually die of starvation.

One of the lessons about life that we can learn from this story is that when things are going easy and there are no difficulties and challenges, we got to be careful.

Because we will be getting careless and lax and we might be sliding into a hole in which we would not be able to get out.

In the gospel parable, the servant who buried his one talent in the ground was called "wicked and lazy" by his master.

We may think that the master was rather harsh with his words and in his treatment of that servant.

But it is a pointed reminder for us who are servants of God that we must labour in the field of love and to bear of harvest for the Lord, as St. Paul would remind the Thessalonians in the 1st reading.

Not to struggle and labour for love of God and neighbour would mean that we slowly dry up and waste away the love that God has given us.

The Passion of St. John the Baptist, Friday, 29-08-2025

Jeremiah 1:1`7-19 / Mark 6:17-29  

The life of St. John the Baptist is indeed very dramatic. Even in his mother's womb, he leapt when Mary greeted Elizabeth at the Visitation.

At his birth, there was this amazing occasion of the choice of his name which restored the power of speech of his father Zechariah, and which also left the astonished neighbours wondering what would he grow to be.

His appearance at the river Jordan preaching repentance and baptising people earned him the reputation of "the Baptist" and he even baptised Jesus.

He had an illustrious ministry. Yet in essence, St. John the Baptist was a prophet and his greatest deed as a prophet was to point out Jesus as the Lamb of God.

And as a prophet, he had to fulfil his mission by proclaiming the ways of the Lord and pointing out sin and evil and calling for repentance and conversion.

For that St. John the Baptist paid the price when he pointed out Herod's sin, and for that he was captured and imprisoned in Herod's fortress.

If his life was dramatic and illustrious, his death was equally dramatic, although it was also very gruesome.

His death by beheading revealed the characters of Herod, Herodias, her daughter, and also all the guests present, who did nothing and said nothing to stop the heinous act.

For a great prophet like St. John the Baptist who had such a dramatic and illustrious life and ministry, his death seemed so humiliating.

Yet, today, we the Church honour him. Over and above all else, we honour him for his faithfulness to God and for his courage to accept and fulfil the mission of being God's prophet.

Even for us, in all the drama of life, the spills and the thrills, or even in the mundane and the monotony, what counts for us will be our faithfulness to God.

Because in the end, it is our faithfulness to God that mattered. It mattered to St. John the Baptist. It also mattered to God.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 28-08-2025

1 Thess 3:7-13 / Matthew 24:42-51    

Quite often we hear this phrase : History repeats itself.

But does history repeat itself? How can history repeat itself?

We can't go back to the stone-age and start life all over again.

No, history does not repeat itself. But the mistakes that were made in history tend to surface again and in a new packaging.

There were many moments in the history of humanity when modern man became like stone-age man.

Just to name a few : World War I, World War II, the Nazi holocaust, Bosnia genocide, Kosovo Conflict, Rwanda genocide.

And many more will be added to the list as the mistakes of history keep surfacing again and again.

Yes, the list of ugly moments of the history of humanity will continue to lengthen as long as we don't heed the call of Jesus to stay awake and to be vigilant.

Because the degradation and destruction of mankind begins with the corruption of the self.

It is the corrupted self who forgets that he is just a creature and a servant, and will one day stand before the Creator to account for his deeds.

Yes we must keep alert and stand ready.

The 1st reading reminds us that while we are waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ, it is He who will keep us steady and without blame until the last day.

Meanwhile as we journey towards that last day, let us make a history of mankind that is known for its beauty and not to make it ugly.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 27-08-2025

1 Thess 2:9-13 / Matthew 23:27-32    

First impressions are quite important.

Because usually from the first impressions, the opinions are formed, and these opinions might well be permanent.

That is why grooming schools teach people how to dress well, act well, talk well, etc.

The grooming schools focus on appearances and impressions, and whatever that is external.

But can the externals change the internal? Can externals change the heart?

Because we sometimes behave like the Mafia - those gangsters wear Italian fashion suits to commit murder.

Obviously, looking good does not necessarily mean that a person is good.

As Jesus said in the gospel, if we try to make a good impression with ulterior motives, others will eventually see through us.

There is no way that we can keep hiding our ulterior motives and vested interests.

Yet, let us also recognize what is embedded deep in our hearts.

We are created in love and created with love.

Let that love be shown to others and they will know what love looks like.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 26-08-2025

1 Thess 2:1-8 / Matthew 23:23-26   

What usually calls for attention are the big problems of life.

By big problems, it is often the usual list of war and hostility, injustice and poverty, and all those issues that make it to the headlines.

Yes, those are big problems, big issues, and they would also call for big-scale solutions.

But that does not mean small problems are not problems at all. Because small problems can also manifest into big problems.

By the same token, little acts of love and care can go a long way and remain in people’s hearts for a long time.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul used the image a mother feeding and looking after her own children to express his devotion and protection over the Thessalonians.

That image is simple and humble but it also expressed the love and care of God for His people.

In the gospel, Jesus also pointed out essentials of life, like justice, mercy and good faith.

Those are not big and spectacular acts of faith, but they point to essentials of life and love.

It is a reminder that we are not called to do great things, but to do little things with great love.

When the little essential things of life are looked into with love, the big problems and issues of life will be resolved.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 25-08-2025

1 Thess 1:1-5, 8-10 / Matthew 21:13-22   

To say that we believe in something, then our actions must also express that belief.

So if we say that we believe that physical exercise is good for the body, then we should be doing it every day.

If we say that organic foods are good for health, then we will be eating organic foods every day.

And if we say that we believe in heaven, then we will prepare to go there by our way of life here on earth.

For the Thessalonians in the 1st reading, they believe that God loves them and that they were chosen by God.

They believed in the Good News not just as words but as utter conviction.

Their lives were changed and they converted to God and became servants of the living God and placed their hope in Jesus.

On the contrary, the scribes and Pharisees were living hypocritical lives.

They know about heaven and the eternal life and yet they were the ones who shut up the Kingdom of God in men’s faces.

So, if we believe in heaven and in eternal life, let our actions express our belief.

Let us love God and our neighbour and live peaceful lives and focused on doing good to others.

Then, by our actions we express our belief in heaven and in eternal life, and we will also be helping others go to heaven.

21st Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 24.08.2025

Isaiah 66:18-21 / Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 / Luke 13:22-30 

Life is often said to be like a race and a competition. 

It is all about being the first, being the best, and being the most. 

And there is no doubt where the spotlight will shine on. 

It shines on the first, the best and the most. 

Another way of looking at it is like that of a lighted candle. 

What attracts is the flame of the candle that gives out light. 

But what goes unnoticed is the darkness at the base of the candle. 

The same can be said of a lighthouse. In the darkness of the night, only the light at the top of the lighthouse is seen shining brightly. 

And like the candle, it is dark at the foot of the lighthouse. 

So, even the brightest light casts a shadow at its base. 

Adding on to that, when the light is brightest, the shadows are also the darkest. 

The gospel passage begins with Jesus going through the towns and villages, and He went about teaching. 

And then someone asked Him: Sir, will there be only a few saved? 

That question is like asking a teacher: How many students will score an A? 

This weekend, the Church in Singapore highlights Catholic education in Catholic schools. 

Whenever education is discussed, the general inclination is about examinations and results. Good results will mean entry into good schools, and also towards a bright career path. 

But education is more than just a means to making a living. 

Education is a means to living life with dignity and meaning. 

So, as much as results are an indication, the formation of character and integrity of life is important. 

There is a story of two professors who were discussing about their lectures. 

One professor said: They are about 200 students attending my lectures. How many students are there in your lectures? 

The other professor replied: There are also about 200 who are attending my lectures, but I don't know how many are really my students. 

This may help us to understand what Jesus said: Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because many will try to enter and not succeed. 

So, to attend the lectures does not mean that that is true knowledge and understanding. 

To hear the gospel does not mean we have listened to the voice of Jesus. 

To be in the spotlight, or to be in the limelight, does not mean that we are enlightened. 

As we reflect on Catholic education in Catholic schools, we pray for the teachers and the students. 

The mission of the teacher is to proclaim the light of truth and love in the sharing of knowledge and understanding. 

Teachers are like a lighted candle. The light may not be seen by everyone, but it will reach those who are seeking it. So, keep shining.

Because there are students who need to see the light. 

They need to know that it is dark at the base of the candle. 

They need to know that the first can become the last, and the last can become the first. 

They need to be shown the narrow door, but it is the door that leads to life and love.

May teachers and students, and parents, be blessed with wisdom, knowledge and understanding by Jesus, who is our Teacher and who is the Light of the world.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 23-08-2025

Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 / Matthew 23:1-12  

Everything happens for a reason and with a reason.

That is because when God created the world and every living creature, He had a plan.

Everything was planned and created orderly.

So nothing really happens by chance.

 

In the 1st reading, Ruth went to glean in the fields after the reapers.

And it chanced that she came to that part of the fields which belonged to Boaz.

But if everything happens for a reason and with a reason, then it was certainly not by chance.

Later Boaz would take Ruth as his wife and they would have a son, Obed, who was the father of David’s father, Jesse.

So God had it all planned, and we humbly accept the mystery of God’s plan.

Yet, God also creates chances for us to be humble and to recognize His signs and wonders.

When we think we know it all and have everything under our control, then pride comes in and we will be blind to God’s revelation.

But when we know that there is only so much that we know and understand, then God will reveal more to us of His ways.

And with humility, we will see the signs and wonders that God will show us.

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Friday, 22-08-2025

Isaiah 9:1-6 / Luke 1:26-38  

Eight days ago, the Church celebrated the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

In the course of the 8 days, the Church reflects deeper about the mystery of the Assumption, and on the Octave of the Assumption (8 days later) the Church concludes her reflection with the celebration of the Queenship of Mary.

In summary, it could be said that God assumed Mary into heaven to reign in glory with Christ the King.

So the proclamation and celebration of Mary's queenship in essence points to the Kingship of Christ.

In celebrating the queenship of Mary, we are also reminded that we are the Chosen people of God and thus royal children.

So as God's Chosen and royal children, all that we do and say must be geared towards giving glory to God.

Mary showed us how to do that in the gospel when she responded to God's call by accepting God's will.

In doing so, Mary gave us the concrete example of obedience in the form of servanthood.

We are not just the Chosen and royal children of God.

We are also the chosen and royal servants of Christ the King.

With Mary as our queen, let us offer ourselves in service to the Church, so that in all that we do and say, God will be glorified and exalted.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 21-08-2025

Judges 11:29-39 / Matthew 22:1-14    

It is understood that when more is given, then more is expected.

This is often the thinking when a person is given power and authority.

That person has the responsibility of living up to the expectations of others.

In the 1st reading, the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah, and he was given the power by the Lord to overcome the enemies.

Then Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, that if he is victorious over the enemies

He would offer the first person of his household to greet him when he comes home victorious as a holocaust.

As Jephthah returned victorious to his house, the first person in his family to come and meet him is his own daughter.

As much as it is heart-breaking for Jephthah, a vow is a vow, and it is made to the Lord.

He cannot undo what he had promised the Lord, although it must be said that the Lord did not ask for a vow to be made, or a life to be sacrificed.

Jephthah was given much by the Lord, but it must also be remembered that the Lord did not ask back for much.

The Lord does not ask for holocaust or a life to be sacrificed.

The Lord only asks for obedience and faithfulness.

Let us obey and be faithful to the Lord our God, and He will give us what we need.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 20-08-2025

Judges 9:6-15 / Matthew 20:1-16  

Whatever gifts and talents that we have, it is more than just for our own good.

As Christians, we believe that those gifts and talents are given to us by God.

Our mission as Christians is to develop our gifts and talents and to use them for the glory of God and for the good of others.

But we may be so focused on our gifts and talents that we end up being self-centred.

In the 1st reading, the story is about the trees choosing a king to rule over them.

The olive tree, the fig tree, the vine rejected the task to become the king of trees because they were not willing to give up what they had.

So eventually the trees asked the thorn bush, and it accepted.

But it would be a bad choice, and that is what Jotham was trying to warn the people when they chose Abimelech to be the king.

In the gospel parable, it was a different situation.

The workers were willing to work. Some were hired earlier, but there were also others who were hired later, even some at the last hour.

The teaching from the two readings is that whatever we have comes from God and it is for us to use our gifts and talents for the good of others.

And regardless how useful our gifts and talents may be, let us offer it to God and let us rejoice that God has called us to serve Him in others.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 21-08-2025

Judges 6:11-24 / Matthew 19:23-30    

When a person is last on the list, having the least compared to the rest, and looking like a loser, then not much is expected of him.

So as much as we should look kindly on the last, the least and the lost, but that is often not really the case.

So while we cheer for the underdog, we will still put our bets on the top-dog.

In the 1st reading, the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said: The Lord is with you, valiant warrior!

But Gideon replied: Forgive me, my Lord, but how can I deliver Israel? My clan, you must know, is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least important in my family.

But the Lord insisted that He will be with Gideon, and so Gideon asked for a sign.

He brought offerings to present to the Lord, and before his very eyes, the offerings were consumed by fire.

God often chooses the weak and the least, but He will also make them strong to show His power working through them.

So let us not be too smug about how much we have, or about our resources and abilities.

Let us offer them to the Lord and ask Him to show us how to use them for His glory.

Whatever we give up for the Lord, He will certainly reward us.

May we see the wonder of how much God will do with the little that we offer to Him.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 20-08-2025

Judges 2:11-19 / Matthew 19:16-22  

As Christians, we believe in God and the expression of this belief is to keep His Commandments.

In its very essentials, to keep the Commandments of God is to love God and to love neighbour.

To love God is to keep to what He has stated in the Commandments and also to do what is right, just and good to our neighbour.

But the temptations of the pleasure and desires make us lose focus on our faith.

In the 1st reading, the people of God did what displeases the Lord and served the Baals or idols.

They deserted the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and followed the other gods of the peoples around them.

The attraction of worshipping these other gods is that human desires and pleasures are fulfilled, but there is always a heavy price to pay later.

The people of God paid the price when their enemies pillaged and plundered them.

They repented and God sent judges to rescue them, but they still fell into the temptations of pleasure and desires.

In many ways, that is also our story of weakness in the face of temptations.

Like the rich young man in the gospel, we know that wealth and earthly possessions will not make us truly happy.

We have turned away from God, and that has only brought us sadness.

Let us turn back to God, and follow Jesus, and we will receive blessings that will give us true happiness.

20th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 17.08.2025

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 / Hebrews 12:1-4 / Luke 12:49-53 

It is often said that we live in a small world, a small world in the figurative sense of the word. 

We will see how true this is when we realize, and are amazed, at how closely we are connected to each other. 

We may have a friend, who is related to someone else, who in turn is related to someone else, and then that someone else is also related to us. 

So, from being a friend, we suddenly realise that we are distant relatives. 

Indeed, this is a small world, and we are more closely connected than we think. 

With these close connections, then people's views and opinions spread faster and further. 

On a personal level, we can't deny that we can be affected by how others see us, and what they think of us. 

And we will be concerned and anxious about people's views and opinions about us, especially when it is not that pleasant.

In the 1st reading, the prophet Jeremiah's reputation was not favourable to the king’s leading men. 

They wanted to put him to death for disheartening the people with the so-called bad news. 

Even the king wasn't able to stop the leading men from throwing Jeremiah into the well. 

Such is the fate of a true prophet who proclaims the Word of God to those who are not willing to listen. 

In the gospel, what Jesus said would certainly disturb us, and make us wonder about what He meant. 

Jesus talks about bringing fire to the earth, and how He wished it were blazing already. 

Obviously, this fire is in the figurative sense, and it has a deeper meaning. 

It is a spiritual fire that burns away impurities and it is also a fire that enlightens. 

In our interactions and connections with family, relatives and friends, we are very much concerned about their views and opinions. 

Very often, the question that we ask ourselves is this: What will others say? What will people say? 

So yes, we are concerned about what others say and think about us. We are concerned about public opinion. 

So, we will go with the flow, we will conform, we will stay with the majority. 

But, the question is not “What will others say?”, or, “What will people say?” 

The burning question is this: What will God say? 

In order to hear what God will say, we will have to pray. 

In prayer, we will remember how Jesus responded to others, especially with their snide and disparaging remarks. 

When He was nailed to the Cross, the crowd taunted Him by saying: If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross and save yourself. 

And the other criminal also abused Jesus by saying: If you are the Son of God, save yourself, and us as well. 

But Jesus remained silent and did not do what they wanted Him to do. 

Jesus did what God wanted Him to do, and that is to bear with the abusing and disparaging. 

In listening to God, and obeying God, Jesus won salvation for us. 

The 2nd reading urges us with this: Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection. 

May the fire of God's love enlighten us to listen to what He is saying to us.

And may we obey and follow Jesus, and walk with Him towards salvation.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 16-08-2025

Joshua 24:14-29 / Matthew 19:13-15  

When we hear it being said that promises are made to be broken, then we know what is the attitude towards promises.

If promises are made to be broken, then is there any more meaning in making promises?

So whether it is a verbal or a written promise, it is meant to be kept.

When a promise is broken, the integrity and character of the person who broke the promise is revealed.

In the 1st reading, Joshua presented to the people a choice as they settled in the Promised Land.

More than just a choice, it is also a promise that they have to make.

Joshua said this: Choose today whom you wish to serve. As  for me in my house, we will serve the Lord.

The people answered: We have no intention of deserting the Lord and serving other gods. We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God.

So, promises have been made, and promises will be put to the test, and integrity and character will be revealed.

As we reflect on the commitment of a promise, may we also know that it is to people that we are making promises to.

And when we make promises to children, let us always keep to our promises.

That will show our integrity and character, and it will also build theirs.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Friday, 15-08-2025

Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 / 1 Cor 15:20-26 / Luke 1:39-56 

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a great feast in the church. 

It is a Solemnity, and also a day of obligation, equivalent to that of the Sunday Mass. 

To some people, it may seem to be an occasion that is glorifying Mary. 

But for us who understand the meaning of this feast, we will know this:

Any honour, or veneration, or devotion to Mary must point to and lead us to Jesus Christ. 

So, the Assumption of Mary would make us recall the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. 

Jesus ascended into heaven and opened the gates of salvation, and Mary is the first receive the fullness of salvation. 

But Mary's entry into heaven does not mean that her mission is over. 

She still shares in the saving mission of Jesus in heaven. 

There she prays for us as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. 

Having faced the challenges and difficulties of life, especially in being faithful to God’s will on earth, Mary will pray for us as she knows that we would need God’s help in our journey of life and overcome the struggles and troubles of life.

Mary would also know that the evil one would tempt us to stray away from God and from heaven, but just as a mother would protect her children, Mary will also be with us to keep us close to Jesus and guide us to heaven.

Let us keep our devotion to Mary, and pray to her, that one day we will join her in heaven, and there together with her, we will praise and glorify God forever.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 14-08-2025

Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17 / Matthew 18:21 - 19:1   

Every new leader will have to face this challenge or burden.

And that is, the new leadership will be compared with the previous leadership.

So, the new leader is often under some kind of psychological pressure to prove himself and his abilities.

Some new leaders will try to dismantle the structures of the old leadership in order to implement new directions.

Some new leaders might resort to some gimmicks to gain support.

In the 1st reading, as Joshua takes over the leadership from Moses, it is the Lord who assured him with these words:

This very day I will begin to make you a great man in the eyes of all Israel …

And the first thing that the Lord directed Joshua was the crossing of the Jordan river.

It was quite similar to how Moses lead the people across the Red Sea when the Lord parted the waters.

As it was with Moses, so it was with Joshua, that the Lord worked signs and wonders through them.

They only have to put their faith and trust in the Lord, and do what the Lord directed them to do.

May we too, put our faith and trust in the Lord when we are given responsibilities and tasks.

We don’t have to worry about proving ourselves or making an impression on others.

We just have to do what the Lord directs us and the Lord will show us the way.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 13-08-2025

Deuteronomy 34:1-12 / Matthew 18:15-20   

No one likes to be left behind by others. It is a bitter depressing feeling.

More so when that person has been doing all the thankless work of getting the others together and getting them to move along.

For Moses, he had led the people in the desert for 40 years and he had to bear the brunt of their complaining and their demands.

And now, he had finally brought the people in sight of the land that God had promised them.

But as the Lord told him: I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you shall not cross into it.

We may have felt sorry for Moses, that despite the hardships that he went through, he could only see the Promised Land but could not step into it.

Moses may have felt that he was left behind.

But his true reward was in the Lord God. To be buried by the Lord God is to say that the Lord God has gathered Moses to go to his eternal reward.

The life and death of Moses tells us God does not forget those who faithfully carried out His will.

So, like Moses, let us not look at earthly rewards. And may the Lord our God be our eternal reward.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 12-08-2025

Deuteronomy 31:1-8 / Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14   

We may at times wonder about what others think of us.

If we are curious and anxious enough to know, then we may resort to feedback.

But we won’t normally do that, because it can be rather embarrassing to ask people about their opinions on ourselves.

Nonetheless, we would be interested to know what others think about us.

But, a more important question to ask is what does God think about us?

And here, we are reminded again that the thoughts of God are not the thoughts of man.

How God see a person is also not how others see that person.

In the gospel, Jesus holds a child before His disciples and tells them that unless they change and become like little children, they will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

So, the one who makes himself as little as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

In the 1st reading, we see a glimpse of the greatness of Moses, as he accepted what the Lord God told him, that he would not cross the Jordan into the Promised Land.

We also see the greatness of Joshua as he humbly accepted the role of being the successor of Moses.

Their greatness was to let the Lord God lead them.

In that sense, they were like little children following and trusting their father.

When we do likewise, then we will realise that to be great is to be humble and little.

19th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 11-08-2025

Deuteronomy 10:12-22 / Matthew 17:22-27 

We want the good things of life. It is a human desire.

We are not asking for extreme pleasures or luxuries.

What we want is to live comfortably and have security in life.

So, what do we need to do to have the good things of life?

In the 1st reading, Moses said this to the people:

What does the Lord your God ask of you? Only this: to fear the Lord our God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments and laws of the Lord that for your good I lay down for you today.

So, keeping the laws and commandments of the Lord God is not for His sake.

Rather, it is for our good. When we obey what the Lord God tells us, then we will have the good things of life, and we will be happy.

And when we are not demanding for too many good things, then the Lord our God will give enough, and we will be happy and contented.

In the gospel, Jesus was asked to pay the tax of the half-shekel.

Though He could have argued that He need not have to pay it, He choose not to offend the tax-collectors.

So, Jesus asked Peter to go catch a fish and there in the mouth of the fish was a shekel that paid the tax for both of them.

When we choose to do what the Lord wants of us, when we choose not to annoy others, or to irritate them, or to insult or offend them, then God will give us the good things of life.

When we walk in the ways of the Lord our God, it is certainly for our good, as well as for the good of others.

19th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 10.08.2025

Wisdom 18:6-9 / Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 / Luke 12:32-48

Sixty years ago, a small little island country began her journey of independence. 

That little island country was hardly noticeable in the world map. 

With no hinterland, no natural resources, and no advantages, there was not much of a future to think about. 

The independence was also nothing much to celebrate, because it came on quite suddenly. 

The future of the nation, and survival became a priority and a necessity. 

Needless to say, we are talking about our own country, and yesterday we celebrated sixty years of independence on a bright and high note. 

But we must not forget how we started off as an independent nation. 

We had nothing to speak of, but now we are rather well off. 

In retrospect, we can say that God looked upon our country with compassion and kindness. 

In the opening lines of today's gospel, Jesus said to His disciples: There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. 

That seems to remind our country that sixty years ago, God was gracious, and our country grew and developed and progressed with God's blessings. 

That is what the Church in Singapore must believe in, and we must also believe that the Church, in that early independence era, prayed for the country and for the nation. 

That is also similar to what the 1st reading is saying, as it recalls how God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. 

When the people put their trust in God, they joyfully took courage at what lies ahead. 

The 2nd reading reiterated this when it said that only faith can guarantee the blessings we hope for. 

So, as the Church in Singapore, we pray that our country will grow and develop in the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. 

But we the Church must also be reminded to pray for ourselves. 

As life becomes more settled and comfortable, our faith will also become less fervent. 

We will begin to rely more and more on material security and worldly resources. 

Prayer becomes less fervent and less urgent. 

And here, Jesus reminds us with this: See that you are dressed for action, and have your lamps lit. 

Jesus reminds us to keep vigil and to be on the watch with prayer. 

Already, there are gaps and cracks in the faith of the Church as there is little or no family prayer. 

Also, married couples are facing difficulties and problems in their marital relationships. 

Stress levels are rising with the cost of living, and affecting physical and mental health. 

The situation seems to be tensed, anxious and worrisome as it was sixty years ago. 

But like sixty years ago, let us hold tight to our faith and fortify ourselves with prayer. 

With faith and prayer, we will have hope. 

With faith in God and with fervent prayer, we will be signs of hope to our country, to our Church, and also to the next generation.

Singapore National Day, Saturday, 09-08-2025

Isaiah 63:7-9 / Colossians 3:12-17 / Luke 12:22-31  

Today, our country celebrates 60 years of independence.

For a small country with almost no natural resources, to be independent for this number of years is quite amazing.

The theme for this year’s National Day celebrations is “Majulah Singapura”, spotlighting Singapore's journey over the past 60 years

“Majulah” means onward or forward. It is a rallying call for the nation and her citizens to move onward and forward in the face of challenges and limitations.

We, the Church in Singapore, are also called to move onward and forward with the nation.

To be a good Catholic is also to be a good citizen of the nation.

We help the nation to move onward and forward with our prayer.

We also help the nation to move onward and forward by the witnessing of our faith.

So, we pray for God’s blessings on our country and her leaders, that God will guide our nation in the ways of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.

By our faith and our lives, we contribute to the spiritual growth and development of our nation by witnessing to charity, compassion, kindness, gentleness and understanding.

We thank God for His love for us and may we also express God’s love for our country and our fellow citizens.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 08-08-2025

Deuteronomy 4:32-40 / Matthew 16:24-28   

Although we have not seen God with our eyes, yet we believe in Him.

We profess our faith in God because of many reasons.

It may be a spiritual experience or encounter.

It may be because of a prayer in urgent need that was answered.

But that faith in God has to grow and deepen along with time.

In the 1st reading, Moses reminded the people that God had revealed Himself to them by signs, wonders and with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.

So the people saw the signs and wonders, and they believed in God.

But their faith in God wavered every now and then, and so Moses urged them to keep the faith so that they and their children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord will give them.

Still, the people failed and fell, because they were tempted by their desires and by pleasures.

When Jesus came, He told His disciples that if they want to follow Him, they will have to renounce themselves and take up their cross.

Jesus goes on to say that anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for the sake of Jesus will find it.

So faith and belief are not based on rewards and prosperity.

It is about having a relationship with Jesus. It is about taking up cross to follow Jesus. 

It does mean hardship and sacrifice, but a relationship with Jesus can only grow, be strengthened and deepened by accepting hardships and making sacrifices.

When all this is done for the sake of Jesus, then Jesus Himself will be our reward and that reward will be forever.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 07-08-2025

Numbers 20:1-13 / Matthew 16:13-23   

St. John Vianney was quoted as saying this: Here is a rule for everyday life – Do not do anything which you cannot offer to God.

That is truly a wise quote for the spiritual life.

Whatever we do should be for the glory of God and for the good of others.

But often, we get swayed about our own weaknesses and failings.

In the 1st reading, Moses and Aaron were instructed by God to take a branch and strike the rock.

Water will then flow out from the rock and provide drink for the community and their cattle.

Moses and Aaron did as God instructed but their anger and resentment against the people made them say this:

Listen now you rebels. Shall we make water gush from this rock for you?

Because of what Moses and Aaron did, the people felt the human anger and resentment instead of the holiness and graciousness of God.

In the gospel, Jesus gave Peter the authority of the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.

But soon after, Peter with his human ideas tried to remonstrate.

Jesus rebuked Peter sharply: Get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.

Let us always think about what we want to do and say, and ask ourselves if it is pleasing to God.

May what we do and say not be out of our human desires, but for the glory of God and for the good of others.

Transfiguration of the Lord, Wednesday, 06-08-2025

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / 2 Peter 1:16-19 / Luke 9:28-36

The Transfiguration is one of the significant events in the gospel narratives about Jesus. The other significant events are Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension.

Like the other significant events, it is about Jesus and it reveals His identity as well as His mission.

Certainly there is no question about the voice from heaven and its content - "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him."

And the setting on the mountain with the appearance of the Moses and Elijah point to the meaning of the event.

And that is, in Jesus, the Law and the prophesies of the Old Testament has been fulfilled.

Also in Jesus, divinity has dwelt among humanity, and in Jesus is the connecting point and the bridge between heaven and earth.

So for those who believe in who Jesus is, there can be no other alternative options in life to follow.

As St. Peter would say in the 2nd reading, his faith in Jesus is not any cleverly invented myth, otherwise everything will fall apart sooner or later.

And for us who profess our faith in Jesus, then He will be the lamp lighting our way through the dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in our minds.

Yes, we have to listen to Him as the voice of the Father has commanded us to do.

When we listen, and truly believe, we too will change and be "transfigured" like Jesus.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 05-08-2025

Numbers 12:1-13 / Matthew 14:22-36   

 

The world usually pays attention to those who are intelligent and with high IQs.

And if those who are intelligent and have high IQs are also eloquent and articulate, the world will hang on to their words.

Because what they say may be profound and thought-provoking, and may also be motivating.

But St. Peter is not usually portrayed as belonging to this class of people.

On the contrary, he is a lowly fisherman with presumably little education.

He is also portrayed as impulsive and saying things that will put him into a difficult situation.

His impulsiveness was shown in the gospel as he asks Jesus to tell him to walk towards Jesus on the water.

So the Lord Jesus tells him to come, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink.

It is at this moment, that St. Peter cried out a short and profound prayer: Lord! Save me!

And with that Jesus pulled St Peter out of the water.

That short humble prayer which has just three words was enough for the Lord to stretch out His hand to save St. Peter.

St. Peter may be remembered for many things, but today we learn this prayer from him.

Let us say this prayer everyday, and say it especially when we are sinking into danger and trouble.

May we feel the Lord’s saving hand, just like St. Peter did.

18th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 04-08-2025

Numbers 11:4-15 / Matthew 14:13-21   

As human beings, we know that no matter how strong or how healthy we are, we can become tired.

We work more than we rest, and when we are inflicted with sickness, we become more aware of our fragility.

As much as physical fatigue is what we often experience, there is also the emotion fatigue that drains our energy away.

It is a fatigue that eats away at our motivation, and it is also called a “burnout’.

In that state, even simple tasks can become a huge burden.

In the 1st reading, Moses was worn down by the complaints of the people.

They were clamouring for meat to eat, as they were getting tired of eating manna.

Moses began lamenting and wished that he was dead rather than to face the complaints of the people.

In the gospel, when Jesus received the news the death of John the Baptist, He withdrew to a lonely place where He and His disciples could be alone.

But when He stepped ashore, He saw a large number of people and He took pity on them and healed their sick.

Jesus even worked a miracle to feed the crowds with just five loaves and two fish.

There are and there will always be times when we are physically and emotionally fatigued.

We may even be resentful that everyone expects more from us and feel that we are taken for granted.

Like Jesus, we need to go to a lonely place and rest in the presence of the Lord.

God will give us strength to face the demands that people are making from us.

The peace and joy from the Lord will be our strength.

18th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 03.08.2025

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 / Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 / Luke 12:13-21 

It is not a pleasant experience to be reprimanded or scolded. 

We would also feel embarrassed and offended if we are reprimanded or scolded in public. 

Very often heated arguments and even fist-fights are a consequence of some reprimanding or scolding. 

But that also reveals this fiery anger within us that can erupt into a sudden violence. 

And we don't only react when we are reprimanded or scolded. 

We also have a few sharp things to criticize about others. 

We may not like the behaviour or attitude of some people, or how they talk, or what they wear. 

We wish we can just tell them off, even publicly, so as to teach them a lesson. 

But of course, we are smarter than that, and we also don't want to get ourselves into trouble. 

So, we will use third-party means to hit at those we want to reprimand or scold. 

In other words, we want to get others to do the dirty work for us. 

And that is like what we heard in the gospel. 

A man in the crowd said to Jesus: Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance. 

And Jesus replied: My friend, who appointed me to be your judge or arbitrator of your claims? 

In effect, Jesus was telling that man to go and resolve that matter himself. 

But Jesus went on further to give a teaching on avarice, which is an extreme greed for wealth or material gain. 

And He also told a parable to emphasize that a man's life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than enough. 

In that parable, the rich man wanted to hoard more and more so as to be secure and comfortable for the rest of his life. 

And then in the parable, God spoke: Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul. And this hoard of yours, whose will it be then? 

It is not often that Jesus would portray God as reprimanding with such sharp words. 

The one word that summarizes the teaching in the parable is the word “Fool”. 

The 1st reading would call that vanity. Whether it is foolishness or vanity, in the end it comes to nothing. 

Because without God, everything comes to nothing. 

A story has it that a grandfather was teaching his grandson about good and evil. 

The grandfather said: There are like two lions within me. One is a white lion and the other is a black lion, and they are always fighting against each other. 

The grandson asked: So, grandpa, who will win? 

The grandfather replied. The one that I feed, that one will win. 

In the spiritual life, we have to make a decision between God and greed. 

The 2nd reading says that greed is the same thing as worshiping a false god.

In our greed, we want to possess things. But what we want to possess, will eventually possess us.

But when we turn to God and put our lives in His hands, then we will focus on the heavenly riches of love, kindness, generosity, gentleness, understanding and compassion. 

May we also share these heavenly riches with those who need to be freed from foolishness and greed.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 02-08-2025

Leviticus 25:1, 8-17 / Matthew 14:1-12  

Human beings are prone to wrong-doing, and it can be anything from a small offence to a big crime.

But the trouble is that we don’t readily admit to our wrong-doing.

To cover up our wrong-doing, we often tell a lie, and the whole matter begins to spiral down into a mess.

In the gospel, Herod had John the Baptist thrown into prison because of a wrong-doing by Herod.

In order to silence him, Herod had John the Baptist imprisoned.

But in doing so, Herodias found an opportunity to do away with John the Baptist.

In short, it was one wrong after another, with the loss of an innocent life.

Whenever we commit a wrong-doing, the Lord will send someone to awaken our conscience. 

For Herod, that someone was John the Baptist.

For us, that someone will tell us what we already know to be wrong, but just that we don’t want to admit it.

Admitting to a wrong-doing doing is difficult, but in doing do, we will be stopping a tragedy for ourselves.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 01-08-2025

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37 / Matthew 13:54-58   

The ways of man are so different from the ways of God.

And the choice of man is also so different from the choice of God.

In the eyes of man, when a person has a social status, academic qualifications, has a reputable profession, then that person is held in high esteem.

And in the eyes of man, the lowly, the poor, the simple and the humble, would just have to remain down there.

But the ways and the thoughts of God are as high as the heavens are above the earth, and as far apart as the east is from the west.

In the gospel, Jesus came to His hometown where He taught the people in their synagogue in such a way that they were astonished.

They asked questions like where did Jesus get that wisdom and those miraculous powers.

In the minds and the thoughts of the people, a carpenter will always be a carpenter and nothing else higher, and much less a prophet.

And because of these presumptions, the people could not hear the prophetic voice of God.

Let us remember that God favours the lowly, the poor, the humble and the simple.

And it is through them that He speaks. May we have the ears to listen to the prophetic voice.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 31-07-2025

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 / Matthew 13:47-53   

A senior priest was sharing with a newly-ordained priest what to be prepared for in the ministry.

The senior priest said: We can’t determine or choose who we want to serve or wish to serve. We will serve whoever the Lord sends to us

That is so for the priestly ministry, and that is also in our daily lives.

We can’t determine who we will meet and interact with today.

We may have our preferences, but who we meet and interact with today are those whom God has arranged to meet with us.

While we wish that every person we encounter will give us a pleasant and enriching experience, it may not always be the case.

Our encounters with others can be like that of gospel parable of the dragnet that brings in all kinds of fish.

So, we will encounter all sorts of persons as we journey along in life

But whether inspiring or depressing, every encounter with another person is a learning and growing experience.

Let us reflect on our relationships and encounters with others.

May we see God in them and also listen to what God is saying through them.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 30-07-2025

Exodus 34:29-35 / Matthew 13:44-46    

One of the characteristics of a wise person is that of caution.

A wise person would be especially careful about what to say and what to show to others.

More so if a person is wealthy and has riches, it would be rather foolish to flaunt and to boast about it.

In the two gospel parables, the treasure in the field is discovered and the precious pearl is found.

But the persons who found the treasure and the pearl did not make any big publicity about it.

Rather they kept silent and sell everything they own to buy it.

So, instead of flaunting about their discoveries, they quietly went about acquiring it.

A wise person is not only cautious, he is also a humble person.

In the 1st reading, the face of Moses was radiant after speaking with the Lord.

Not wanting further attention to himself, he put a veil over his face, which can be regarded as an act of humility.

Whatever blessings we have received from the Lord, let us accept it quietly and humbly.

And let us also be cautious not to slide into ego and pride.

Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Tuesday, 29-07-2025

1 John 4:7-16 / John 11:19-27 (or Luke 10:38-42)

Whenever we talk about St. Martha, the image of an active and work-oriented as well as task-oriented person comes to mind.

That may be because of that occasion (Luke 10:38-42)when she invited Jesus to her home and she was caught up with all the serving.

And then she complained to Jesus about getting her sister Mary to help her with the work.

But Jesus told her that she worries and fret about so many things and yet only one is important, and Mary had chosen the better part.

Martha must have remembered what Jesus said to her, and so despite the sadness and grief over her brother's death, she knew that only Jesus could comfort her.

And true to her personality, she made the move to go out and meet Jesus and to express her faith in Jesus.

But on this occasion, she also made a profound proclamation.

Martha proclaimed Jesus to be Christ, the Son of God.

Only St. Peter had made that similar proclamation.

Hence, St. Martha, despite her active and work-oriented and task-oriented personality, came to slowly recognize who Jesus is.

St. Martha is an example for us of someone who is active and busy but yet took the time to reflect and to discover who Jesus is.

Like St. Martha, we may also have very active lives and busy with a lot of things.

But let us not forget the one important thing - prayer!

And that is what St. Martha’s sister, St. Mary, reminds us of. She gives us this example of sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to Him. Prayer is about listening to the Lord.

It is in prayer that we will attain the peace to know that Jesus is truly the Son of God, our Saviour.

When we have that peace, we won’t worry and fret about the unnecessary.

17th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 28-07-2025

Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 / Matthew 13:"31-35  

In any process or procedures, the beginning is of critical importance.

In construction, the foundation of building needs to be firm and solid before continuing.

In agriculture, the soil needs to be tilled and prepared before any sowing is done.

And in a person’s life, the first six years or so are the most important in terms of nurturing and development.

For faith and its growth and conviction, there needs to be a time of formation.

For the people of God, they had seen the wonders and the mighty hand of God in Egypt and how He had saved them from Pharoah’s army at the Red Sea.

But in the 1st reading, the people were quick to forget about the God who saved them and even turned to worship an object that they made.

But the punishment for such unfaithfulness was quick and heavy so as to teach and form the people in their faithfulness to God.

In the gospel, Jesus used the mustard seed and the yeast to express the growth of the Kingdom of God.

But even with mustard seeds and yeast, they have to be supervised so that the desired end results will be achieved.

As we journey on in our faith, may we be open to correction and change our ways so that we will continue to grow in the ways of God.

17th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 27.07.2025

 Genesis 18:20-32 / Colossians 2:12-24 / Luke 11:1-13

The art of communication is indeed a form of art. It has to be learned, it has to be practiced, it has to be refined, in order to be good at it. 

Another way of looking at the art of communication is to call it the art of negotiation. 

Practically speaking, it is a way of turning a NO into a YES, or YES into a NO. 

Maybe this example will give us the idea:

Father says to his son: I want you to marry a girl of my choice. 

Son says: No. 

Father says: The girl is Bill Gate’s daughter. Son says: Then okay. 

Father goes to see Bill Gates and says: I want your daughter to marry my son. 

Bill Gates says: No. 

Father says: My son is the CEO of the World Bank. 

Bill Gates says: Then okay. 

Father goes to the President of the World Bank and says: Appoint my son as CEO of your bank. 

President says: No. 

Father says: He is the son-in-law of Bill Gates. President says: Then okay. 

Call that the art of communication, or the art of negotiation, or the art of confusion, or whatever, there is one important factor that needs to be noted. 

And that is, we have to know who we are talking to. 

In the 1st reading, we can say that Abraham was pushing all the buttons as he seems to be bargaining with God for the lives of the people of the two wicked towns. 

Abraham knew that God is merciful and compassionate. 

So, he asked questions like, “Are you really going to destroy the just man with the sinner? Will the Judge of the whole earth not administer justice?” 

This conversation between God and Abraham revealed a couple of truths. 

Abraham spoke daringly, but he also knows who he is, and he knows that God is merciful and forgiving. 

He expressed it in statements like, “I am bold to speak like this to my Lord, I who am just dust and ashes. I trust my Lord will not be angry.” 

That conversation between God and Abraham also revealed the nature of God. 

Besides being merciful and forgiving, God listens to His people, and even allows them to speak daringly to Him. 

That 1st reading tells us how intimate God is to His people. 

And in the gospel, Jesus also tells us how much God loves us. 

Jesus tells us to ask and it will be given to us, to search and we will find, to knock and the door will be opened to us. 

And Jesus goes on further to say that the one who asks always receives, the one who searches always finds, and the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. 

But we know that from experience, when we pray to God for need, the answer is either a Yes, or a NO, or a LATER. 

A “Yes” is when God wants us to act immediately. 

A “No” is because God has something better for us.

And a “Later” means that it is not yet time. 

We may be able to understand what it means by “Later”, but there can also be a “yes and no” answer, a so-called “in-between” kind of answer. 

The following story may help us understand this. 

A priest was sharing that when he was discerning his call to the priesthood, he decided to ask God for a difficult sign. 

He decided to ask God to show him a blue moon, which he thought will never happen. 

Then one day, as he was driving and listening to the radio, out came this song: “Blue moon, you saw me standing alone …” 

Immediately he stopped the car and he knew he had to say yes to God. 

So, that priest asked for a difficult sign from God.

He did not get exactly what he asked for, but yes, he knew it when God gave him the sign.

So let us ask, let us search, and let us knock.

God will listen to our prayer, and every prayer that is uttered is also every prayer answered. 

And when God speaks, when God shows, may the Holy Spirit help us to listen, to see and to do what God is asking of us.

16th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 26-07-2025

Exodus 24:3-8 / Matthew 13:24-30

We use words when we talk and communicate with others.

Words have a literal meaning as well as a figurative meaning.

What meaning a word has depends on the context it is used.

In the 1st reading, Moses used the blood of the bullocks to express the Covenant between God and His people.

Half of the blood, Moses cast it on the altar. 

The other half, he cast it on the people.

So the blood of Covenant is as literal as it could mean.

But while God was faithful to His Covenant, the people became the “bad blood” of the Covenant.

Figurative speaking, the blood of the people became bad and they were unfaithful to God, violated the Covenant and committed evil and wickedness.

But God cleansed the blood of the Covenant by sending His Son Jesus who shed His blood on the Cross to save us from our sin.

By His blood on the Cross, Jesus has cleansed our hearts of sin and evil so that we can bear a good harvest for the Lord.

And may the words we use in talking and communicating with others bring about peace, hope and joy.

16th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 24-07-2025

Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20 / Matthew 13:10-17  

For most of us, life can be often described in one word – busy.

We may think that only people with jobs have busy lives.

But those who are retired may just be as busy, if not busier.

When we say we are busy, we will also say that we have “no time”.

So, in our busyness and with time constraints, we will just browse through life.

We may look, but we don’t see the details, like the fine print in those “Terms and Conditions”.

We may hear, but we don’t listen deeper to what is being said, or understand what is being said.

In the gospel, Jesus says that the reason He talks to the people in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding.

So, for some people, the parables of Jesus are just stories that have some entertainment.

But for some, the same parables make them think and reflect deeper and they hear the voice of God in the parables.

In our busy lives, may we stop for a prayer break to look and to listen to what God is showing and telling us.

Then we will also understand God’s plan and His will for us.

16th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 23-07-2025

Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 / Matthew 13:1-9   

As human beings, it cannot be denied that we like life to be easy and comfortable.

We don’t like to work too hard and think too much.

We like life to provide us with food, shelter and clothing instead of having to work for it.

And we also envy those who seem to have a better and a more comfortable life.

In the 1st reading, the sons of Israel began to complain about the harshness of the wilderness.

There was not much to eat and they began to think of the food they had in Egypt.

In short, they were saying that they rather die as slaves than to starve in freedom.

And they even began to imagine that slavery was better than freedom.

And we will also imagine when life is easy and comfortable, we will be able to live good and even holy lives.

But our desire for pleasure and comfort has no limit. 

We may end up desiring more and more and, in the end, we become enslaved by the desire for pleasure and comfort.

Because what we desire to possess will eventually possess us.

Let us accept that life is difficult and that we will have our struggles and troubles.

But God will come to our help, and He will give us strength to carry on sowing seeds of faith and hope for ourselves and for others.

St. Mary Magdalene, Apostle of the Apostles, Tuesday, 22-07-2025

Songs 3:1-4 or 2 Cor 5:14-17 / John 20:1-2, 11-18   

Every now and then, we see in the newspapers a notice about a missing person, with the person's photograph and some details.

Whether the person was eventually found or not, we cannot be certain because very often there are no follow-up reports on the case in the newspapers.

What is certain is that when a loved one is missing, the anxiety is painful and the search is relentless.

Such was the depth of the emotion in the search for the one whom the heart loves deeply.

It may also express the pain and grief of Mary Magdalene as she looked for the One she loved in the tomb.

And not finding Jesus in the tomb, Mary Magdalene searched relentlessly and persistently for Him.

Mary's deep love for Jesus was because it was He who loved her first and healed her of her sufferings and sins.

In life, Mary Magdalene loved Jesus. Even in death she searched for Him in order just to be with Him.

Mary Magdalene is remembered because of her deep love for Jesus and her relentless and persistent search for Jesus when others seemed to have given up.

From our priorities and what we are searching and longing for, we will know how deep our love is for Jesus.

There is this saying for St. Augustine in his book "Confessions" : You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there I searched for you.

God is within us. From within He calls out to us. 

If we are not listening to Him from within, then we might just be looking for the wrong things.

16th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 21-07-2025

Exodus 14:5-18 / Matthew 12:38-42   

One of the most fervent prayers is when we are faced with a mortal danger.

It is an impending danger, and we can see it coming like some kind of demolition ball.

We will certain pray desperately for divine help as we brace ourselves to face that danger.

It may be difficult to imagine that kind of mortal danger.

But we can certainly imagine the mortal danger that the Israelites were facing in the 1st reading.

Sandwiched between the sea and blood-thirsty mighty Egyptian army, there seem to be no escape.

They panicked and began saying all sorts of disparaging things against Moses.

But Moses answered the people with this:

‘Have no fear! Stand firm, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today: the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will do the fighting for you: you have only to keep still.’

As for us, in times of distress and desperation, we will resort to every possible means to get out of trouble.

It is difficult to keep still and to trust in the Lord who will save us.

But let us remember what Moses said to the people, and to let the Lord our God go ahead of us to fight our battles for us.

Yes, the Lord our God will save us. We just need to be still and pray and see the power and the glory of God.

16th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 20.07.2025

 Genesis 18:1-10 / Colossians 1:24-28 / Luke 10:38-42

One of the things in life that creates problems for us is that we expect the expected. 

And because we expect what we are expecting, then we begin to imagine our expectations. 

Even if our imagination doesn't run that wild, we would already have built up our expectations. 

A story goes that with her birthday approaching, a woman was expecting a gift from her husband. 

She wanted a specific gift, a diamond necklace, and so she hinted to her husband that she had a dream, that she received a diamond necklace for her birthday. 

The husband replied, “We will see” and then he went to work. 

That day the wife kept imagining and dreaming about the diamond necklace. 

In the evening, the husband came back from work with a parcel and gave it to his wife. 

The wife was so excited and she quickly opened up the parcel. 

In it was a book, and the title is: The meaning of dreams. 

In life, we spend quite a bit of time dreaming and imagining our expectations. 

Although there is this saying, “Expect the unexpected”, the reality is that we expect the expected. 

In other words, we want life to happen the way we expect it to happen. 

And when it doesn't, then we get flustered and frustrated. 

So, actually, we created our own problems with our own expectations. 

In the gospel, when Martha welcomed to Jesus into her home, she had expected Mary, her sister, to help in the serving. 

But when Mary sat at the Lord's feet, listening to Him speaking, Martha became distracted. 

So, Martha complained to Jesus, and she expected Him to tell Mary to help out in the serving. 

The reply of Jesus was rather unexpected, and caught Martha by surprise, and it would also make us think. 

We too worry and fret about so many things because we have high expectations of others. 

From our children we expect academic excellence.

From our parents, we expect our share of the inheritance. 

From our spouse, we expect dedication and affection. 

From our superiors, we expect understanding and compassion. 

From our subordinates, we expect agreement and compliance. 

And from God we expect providence. 

So instead of saying “Speak Lord, your servant is listening”, it becomes “Listen Lord, your servant is speaking”. 

In the 1st reading the Lord appeared to Abraham, but not in the usual way that Abraham expected. 

Abraham had been expecting the fulfillment of the promise of God for a son. 

Then that day, when he was sitting at the entrance of his tent at the hottest time of the day, he saw three men nearby. 

They appeared unexpectedly, and they came at an unexpected time, which is the hottest time of the day. 

Still, Abraham got up and welcome them, and in doing so, God answered Abraham's prayer and fulfilled His promise. 

But it was so unexpected, and certainly not in a way Abraham expected. 

The 2nd reading would call it the mysterious ways of God, His ways which are beyond human understanding and expectation. 

So, when unexpected events happen, when unexpected people come our way, and all that happening at an unexpected time, let us not worry and fret. 

Let us look and listen to what the Lord Jesus is saying and showing us. 

And let us remember that spiritual saying: Peace begins when expectation ends.

Whether we are expecting the expected, or expecting the unexpected, let us know what it is that we really want and what we are really longing for.

What we long for, what we really want, is peace in our hearts.

We don’t want to waste our lives burning away with worry and fret.

We don’t want to waste our time expecting this or expecting that.

We want peace. And peace begins when expectation ends.

15th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 19-07-2025

Exodus 12:37-42 / Matthew 12:14-21   

To live in a foreign land for an extended period of time will require some adaptability.

It would mean that we will have to learn another language, adapt to a different culture and practices, and other life changes.

Over time, we may forget and become alienated from our origins and may even forget our own mother-tongue.

The people of Israel had spent 430 years in Egypt.

They were already like Egyptians in almost every way.

But the one critical difference is that they kept to their religious belief of the God of their ancestors, who is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

Nonetheless, they would also have been influenced by the religious practices of the Egyptians.

But the night before they left Egypt, the Lord God kept vigil with them, and they would have to keep vigil with the Lord God for all their generations.

The gospel passage quoted from the prophet Isaiah:

Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, the favourite of my soul.

He will proclaim the true faith to the nations, he will not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick till he has led the truth to victory.

In his name the nations will put their hope.

That prophecy was referring to Jesus.

What God did for the people of Israel, Jesus will do for us.

When our faith is crushed, and the light of our faith is reduced to a smouldering wick, Jesus will keep vigil with us to keep the faith and to lead us with truth to victory.

Let us put our hope in Jesus, let us keep vigil with Him and He will lead us to victory.

15th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 18-07-2025

Exodus 11:10 - 12:14 / Matthew 12:1-89   

The act of eating is an essential act for human beings.

To eat is to consume food and that is necessary to curb hunger and to sustain life.

To eat is also to remember that it is God who provided the food for us and that makes us grateful and thankful.

So it can be said that the act of eating is also an act of thanksgiving.

The 1st reading recalls the ritual of the first Passover meal.

In the act of eating the Passover lamb, God is showing His people that through this simple food, He will save His people and deliver them from slavery.

And that day is to be remembered and to be celebrated in the Lord’s honour for all generations to come.

In the gospel, the hungry disciples picked ears of corn and ate them as they walked through the cornfields.

The Pharisees saw it and criticized the disciples for doing something forbidden on the Sabbath.

It is here that Jesus gave this teaching: food is a blessing from God.

To eat when it is necessary is to give thanks and to honour God for His providence.

May we remember the merciful love of God whenever we eat and let us also share our resources with the hungry and needy so that they too will experience the merciful love of God.

15th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 17-07-2025

Exodus 3:13-20 / Matthew 11:28-30   

When someone remembers our name, we would usually be quite impressed.

Especially so when we have only met that person just a couple of times.

We may wonder if that person has an extraordinary memory.

Turning the situation around, we may also be able to remember someone’s name even though we have only met that person a couple of times.

Certainly, that person has made some kind of impression on us and so we remember that person by name.

In the 1st reading, when Moses asked God for His name, God told him that His name is “I Am who I Am”.

It is a rather mysterious name, but God identified who He is when He said that He is the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, the God of Jacob.

He is the God who calls, who provides, who protects, who leads and who blesses.

In the gospel, Jesus calls out to us to come to Him.

The name of Jesus means “God saves” or “God is salvation”.

Jesus gives us rest, teaches us how to be gentle and humble and how to follow Him.

Let us call on the name of Jesus, for He is our Saviour, our Teacher and our Healer.

15th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 16-07-2025

Exodus 3:1-4, 9-12 / Matthew 11:25-27   

When it comes to challenging our thinking and imagination, riddles and puzzles provide a fun and enlightening way.

The question may seem so difficult, but the answer is so simple.

For example - Riddle: Which word becomes shorter when 2 letters are added to it? Answer: The word “short.”

In a way, the challenges and difficulties of life are like riddles and puzzles.

The solution is so simple, yet we think of complex and sophisticated ways to solve the problems of life.

In the gospel, Jesus says that God reveals the mysteries of life to mere children.

That is because children’s thinking is simple and they wonder with imagination.

In the 1st reading, Moses was wondering about the burning bush that was not burnt.

Instead of thinking about why it was not burnt, he went up to see this strange sight.

It was then he encountered God who then revealed His plan for Moses.

As we think about the challenges and difficulties that we face in life, let us ponder about what is revealed to us.

When we go before the Lord in prayer, He will reveal to us what we need to know as well what we need to do.

15th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 15-07-2025

Exodus 2:1-15 / Matthew 11:20-24   

At times, life seems like a routine of uneventful activities.

We wake up in the morning, we go to work, we talk to a few people, we come home and we rest for the night.

We tend to take life for granted until something unexpected happens that make us do some deep thinking.

It could be some problems or difficulties, or something more serious like a serious illness.

Then we will realise how we have taken so many beautiful things in life for granted.

As we reflect on the 1st reading, we could see how God had saved Moses over and over and again.

When we keep reflecting about how God has come into our lives and saved us from our challenges and difficulties, as well as our struggles and troubles, then we will certainly give thanks to God.

And when we know that God is sustaining and providing for us, then we will also be ready to accept His plans for us in our lives.

In the gospel, Jesus reproached the towns in which most of His miracles had been worked.

Those towns took all that for granted and only saw the spectacular and the dramatic.

May we not be like the people of those towns, but see the hand of God showing us something in life.

Indeed, every day is full of miracles, and to be alive and to be able to do ordinary routine things is truly a great blessing from God.

May we open our eyes and minds to see the miracles and blessings from God, and may we help others to see how wonderful God’s love is for us.