Nehemiah 2 : 1-8
Luke 9 : 57-62
We know that God sent His Spirit to guide us and to be our rule of life.
The Spirit helps us to be in union with God always and to seek His will in the choices and decisions of life.
In the 1st reading, Nehemiah knew he was only a slave and the king's wine-attendant. He will surely lose his head if the wine does not taste good.
But when the king asked what was in his heart, a great fear came upon him because he wanted to go back to his homeland.
But Nehemiah called upon God and made his request to the king.
Yet all that he asked for was granted, with the timber for building added on even.
But all this was possible because Nehemiah called on the Lord first, and the favour of God was upon him.
So let us remember that before we make any choices or decisions, let us call upon the Lord to have His favour and His grace upon us.
For without God's grace and favour upon us, we will not be able to seek and do His will, much less follow and serve Him.
Yes, we just have to call upon God first and then walk in faith.
At times we may not be sure, but we must have the faith to walk with God even in the dark, than to go alone in the bright daylight of our own strength.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Holy Archangles Ss Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Tuesday, 29-09-09
Dan 7:9-0,13-4 or Rev 12:7-12a
Rev 12:7-12a
Even though we are Catholics, we are certainly influenced and maybe even affected by the events of the recent Chinese 7th month.
We are more inclined to believe that the hungry ghosts and devils are roaming around to scare the wits out of us, than to believe in angels that look like cute chubby babies with wings.
But in the spiritual world of the unseen, if we believe in the existence of evil spirits, then all the more we too must believe in the presence of angels.
Today we celebrate the feast of three archangels : Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
All three names end with "el", which is the old Jewish word for "God".
The name Michael means "Who can be like God?" - it is a name that has the form of a rhetoric question.
Gabriel means "the power of God". He announced the Good News of salvation to Zechariah and Mary and manifested God's saving power.
Raphael means "the healing power of God". He brought about God's healing power in the book of Tobit.
Though God is unseen, yet through these three archangles, He manifested His power and presence.
Indeed, who can be like God, who is so loving that He saved us through His Son, and forgave and healed us.
We can only be thankful to God.
Rev 12:7-12a
Even though we are Catholics, we are certainly influenced and maybe even affected by the events of the recent Chinese 7th month.
We are more inclined to believe that the hungry ghosts and devils are roaming around to scare the wits out of us, than to believe in angels that look like cute chubby babies with wings.
But in the spiritual world of the unseen, if we believe in the existence of evil spirits, then all the more we too must believe in the presence of angels.
Today we celebrate the feast of three archangels : Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
All three names end with "el", which is the old Jewish word for "God".
The name Michael means "Who can be like God?" - it is a name that has the form of a rhetoric question.
Gabriel means "the power of God". He announced the Good News of salvation to Zechariah and Mary and manifested God's saving power.
Raphael means "the healing power of God". He brought about God's healing power in the book of Tobit.
Though God is unseen, yet through these three archangles, He manifested His power and presence.
Indeed, who can be like God, who is so loving that He saved us through His Son, and forgave and healed us.
We can only be thankful to God.
Monday, September 28, 2009
26th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 28-09-09
Zechariah 8 : 1-8
Luke 9 : 46-50
It is understandable to perceive power and authority in the secular world as important and even to strive for it.
So in the office, or in the school, or in the community club, to have power and authority means that a person have a say, and it means that a person is someone to be reckoned with.
But yet this secular perception of power and authority can, and has even pervaded the Church.
Church history tells us that Popes, bishops, priests, religious and the laity have succumbed to its lure and trap. They can even bask in it, and yearn for it.
Yet the yearning and longing for power and authority is also the clear give-away sign of a person's real motive and intention for being in the Church.
Indeed, it is difficult to balance power and authority with the sincerity and honesty of a child.
But what seems impossible for man is not so for God.
In the 1st reading, the Lord reiterates His mighty power.
He will bring His people back from the nations and He will be their God and they will be His people.
Yes, God will also save and protect the Church from the corruption of power and authority.
He will also teach us obedience and service, for that is true greatness.
Luke 9 : 46-50
It is understandable to perceive power and authority in the secular world as important and even to strive for it.
So in the office, or in the school, or in the community club, to have power and authority means that a person have a say, and it means that a person is someone to be reckoned with.
But yet this secular perception of power and authority can, and has even pervaded the Church.
Church history tells us that Popes, bishops, priests, religious and the laity have succumbed to its lure and trap. They can even bask in it, and yearn for it.
Yet the yearning and longing for power and authority is also the clear give-away sign of a person's real motive and intention for being in the Church.
Indeed, it is difficult to balance power and authority with the sincerity and honesty of a child.
But what seems impossible for man is not so for God.
In the 1st reading, the Lord reiterates His mighty power.
He will bring His people back from the nations and He will be their God and they will be His people.
Yes, God will also save and protect the Church from the corruption of power and authority.
He will also teach us obedience and service, for that is true greatness.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 26-09-09
Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a
Lk 9:43b-45
When we ask someone "How are you?", what answer are we expecting?
Or when others ask us that question, what kind of answer are we going to give?
Surely, we would expect, as well as give, polite but rather superficial answers like : I am ok. I am fine.
But beneath these polite and superficial answers is the reality of pain and suffering.
Even for Jesus, just when everyone was full of admiration for Him, He brought Himself and His disciples back to the reality of the cross that He must face.
Indeed the reality of pain and suffering is seared into humanity, especially that of being a Christian.
But our consolation is not in a delayed gratification as in that it will be the reward in the after-life.
Rather, our consolation is what the prophet Zechariah proclaimed in the 1st reading - that the Lord dwells right in our midst, and hence is with us inour pain and suffering.
With the Lord is our help and salvation.
For the Lord is with us, to wipe away every tear from our eyes
Lk 9:43b-45
When we ask someone "How are you?", what answer are we expecting?
Or when others ask us that question, what kind of answer are we going to give?
Surely, we would expect, as well as give, polite but rather superficial answers like : I am ok. I am fine.
But beneath these polite and superficial answers is the reality of pain and suffering.
Even for Jesus, just when everyone was full of admiration for Him, He brought Himself and His disciples back to the reality of the cross that He must face.
Indeed the reality of pain and suffering is seared into humanity, especially that of being a Christian.
But our consolation is not in a delayed gratification as in that it will be the reward in the after-life.
Rather, our consolation is what the prophet Zechariah proclaimed in the 1st reading - that the Lord dwells right in our midst, and hence is with us inour pain and suffering.
With the Lord is our help and salvation.
For the Lord is with us, to wipe away every tear from our eyes
Friday, September 25, 2009
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 25-09-09
Haggai 1:15 - 2:9
Luke 9 : 18-22
Whether we realised it or not, whether we admit it or not, we all need someone to look up to, someone to be our model of life, someone who will influence us deeply.
They are certainly our heroes, and we may even go to the extent of following their habits, the way they dress, etc.
The problem is that, the people we look up to, also have to meet our silent expectations.
We expect them to be strong, to be unbeatable, to be on top of things always.
So whatever the answers the disciples gave about who Jesus was, including Peter's profound answer, there was an underlying expectation about Jesus.
Yet Jesus said that He was destined to suffer greviously, to be rejected, put to death, but raised up on the third day.
What Jesus is saying is that even in suffering, in rejection and finally in death, He is still the strong one, because He will rise.
Jesus had said : Do not be afraid. I have overcome the world.
He who has overcome the world, will also give us the strength to overcome our own world of difficulties and sufferings.
With Jesus, we will also suffer and face rejection.
Yet, when we die to ourselves, we will also rise with Jesus
Luke 9 : 18-22
Whether we realised it or not, whether we admit it or not, we all need someone to look up to, someone to be our model of life, someone who will influence us deeply.
They are certainly our heroes, and we may even go to the extent of following their habits, the way they dress, etc.
The problem is that, the people we look up to, also have to meet our silent expectations.
We expect them to be strong, to be unbeatable, to be on top of things always.
So whatever the answers the disciples gave about who Jesus was, including Peter's profound answer, there was an underlying expectation about Jesus.
Yet Jesus said that He was destined to suffer greviously, to be rejected, put to death, but raised up on the third day.
What Jesus is saying is that even in suffering, in rejection and finally in death, He is still the strong one, because He will rise.
Jesus had said : Do not be afraid. I have overcome the world.
He who has overcome the world, will also give us the strength to overcome our own world of difficulties and sufferings.
With Jesus, we will also suffer and face rejection.
Yet, when we die to ourselves, we will also rise with Jesus
Thursday, September 24, 2009
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 24.09.09
Haggai 1 : 1-8
Luke 9 : 7-9
Herod can be called a half-believer, someone who believes in mystery, yet looks for the sensational and the curious.
He wanted to see Jesus because of the the curious reports that he heard about Him, and maybe to see Him work something spectacular.
Well, Herod eventually got to see Jesus, but yet for all his anxiety to see Jesus and his curiosity about Him, he didn't get anywhere closer to the truth.
Similarly for the people in the 1st reading. they were anxious about their own lives and how to live comfortably.
But as the prophet Haggai told them : Reflect carefully how things have gone for you!
They were anxious about themselves, but yet here was no anxiety for the Lord's house (the Temple)
We too have to reflect carefully and then we will see the truth of things.
Indeed we need not be anxious and worry about our lives.
Let us seek the kingdom of God first, and whatever we need will be given unto us. That is the truth.
Luke 9 : 7-9
Herod can be called a half-believer, someone who believes in mystery, yet looks for the sensational and the curious.
He wanted to see Jesus because of the the curious reports that he heard about Him, and maybe to see Him work something spectacular.
Well, Herod eventually got to see Jesus, but yet for all his anxiety to see Jesus and his curiosity about Him, he didn't get anywhere closer to the truth.
Similarly for the people in the 1st reading. they were anxious about their own lives and how to live comfortably.
But as the prophet Haggai told them : Reflect carefully how things have gone for you!
They were anxious about themselves, but yet here was no anxiety for the Lord's house (the Temple)
We too have to reflect carefully and then we will see the truth of things.
Indeed we need not be anxious and worry about our lives.
Let us seek the kingdom of God first, and whatever we need will be given unto us. That is the truth.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 23-09-09
Ezr 9:5-9 / Lk 9:1-6 (2023)
It is so easy to forget to be thankful and grateful when our difficulties and struggles are over.
Just like my parents' generation would look at my generation and say that we are not grateful and thankful that we have so much to eat and can even throw away food.
And my generation would look at the next generation and say that they take so many things for granted and that they waste money even before they have to earn it.
In the 1st reading, when Ezra looked at his people, he remembered how they were sent into exile.
They had sinned against the Lord and hence they were punished as their enemies conquered them and sent them into captivity and slavery.
But the Lord was merciful and now a remnant has come back to rebuild the Temple.
But Ezra remembered the past and he was taking nothing for granted in the present.
Even when Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the Good News, He sent them off with nothing but with His authority and empowerment.
This was to remind them to take nothing for granted because all they needed had already been granted.
Even for us, all we ever needed has already been granted. We need to be thankful and grateful.
That will be the first step for us in proclaiming the Good News
It is so easy to forget to be thankful and grateful when our difficulties and struggles are over.
Just like my parents' generation would look at my generation and say that we are not grateful and thankful that we have so much to eat and can even throw away food.
And my generation would look at the next generation and say that they take so many things for granted and that they waste money even before they have to earn it.
In the 1st reading, when Ezra looked at his people, he remembered how they were sent into exile.
They had sinned against the Lord and hence they were punished as their enemies conquered them and sent them into captivity and slavery.
But the Lord was merciful and now a remnant has come back to rebuild the Temple.
But Ezra remembered the past and he was taking nothing for granted in the present.
Even when Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the Good News, He sent them off with nothing but with His authority and empowerment.
This was to remind them to take nothing for granted because all they needed had already been granted.
Even for us, all we ever needed has already been granted. We need to be thankful and grateful.
That will be the first step for us in proclaiming the Good News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)