1 Corinthians 3:1-9 / Luke 4:38-44 (2024)
If others were to give an honest opinion of us as Christians, would they say that we are different from non-Christians?
Or would they say that we are no different from non-Christians, and maybe at times behave in a lesser way than them!
In the 1st reading, St. Paul would not accept that Christians in Corinth were behaving like non-Christians and even regressing into behaviours like jealousy and wrangling.
They were even dividing themselves into unspiritual clans with slogans like "I am for Paul" and "I am for Apollos".
Obviously they had forgotten the teaching and example of Jesus of which we saw in the gospel.
Jesus loved and cared for the people by teaching them and healing the sick and He restored the spiritual dimension in the lives of the people.
In fact, He Himself highlighted how important the spiritual aspect is when He would go to a lonely place early in the day to pray.
People saw how different Jesus was and what an extraordinary life He lived.
They saw the spiritual dimension in His life and they experienced God's presence in Him.
Jesus showed us how to live life. We cannot live it any lesser.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 31-08-10
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 / Luke 4:31-37 (2024)
One of the well-known works of St. Augustine is his book called "Confessions".
It was a book that was written for the Catechumens to reflect on their spiritual journey towards baptism.
It was a book that was written based on his own spiritual journey.
In that book, St. Augustine described an occasion near the end of the life of St. Monica, his mother, who was instrumental in his conversion.
They were in Rome, in a room standing at the window, overlooking a garden.
St. Augustine wrote : "We had gone there to get away from the noisy crowd and to rest. The two of us were enjoying a very pleasant conversation.
We were asking one another, what would it be like to share the eternal life that the saints enjoy.
In the course of our conversation, the world and all its pleasure lost their attraction for us."
We heard in the 1st reading that the Spirit of God reaches the depths of everything; it reaches the depths of our hearts.
And when the Spirit reaches the depths of our hearts, we will experience what St. Augustine and St. Monica experienced.
We will experience peace and all the noisy longings of our hearts will slowly be silenced, just like how Jesus silenced the unclean spirit in the gospel.
When the Spirit of God touches the depths of our hearts, we long for nothing but God and God alone.
One of the well-known works of St. Augustine is his book called "Confessions".
It was a book that was written for the Catechumens to reflect on their spiritual journey towards baptism.
It was a book that was written based on his own spiritual journey.
In that book, St. Augustine described an occasion near the end of the life of St. Monica, his mother, who was instrumental in his conversion.
They were in Rome, in a room standing at the window, overlooking a garden.
St. Augustine wrote : "We had gone there to get away from the noisy crowd and to rest. The two of us were enjoying a very pleasant conversation.
We were asking one another, what would it be like to share the eternal life that the saints enjoy.
In the course of our conversation, the world and all its pleasure lost their attraction for us."
We heard in the 1st reading that the Spirit of God reaches the depths of everything; it reaches the depths of our hearts.
And when the Spirit reaches the depths of our hearts, we will experience what St. Augustine and St. Monica experienced.
We will experience peace and all the noisy longings of our hearts will slowly be silenced, just like how Jesus silenced the unclean spirit in the gospel.
When the Spirit of God touches the depths of our hearts, we long for nothing but God and God alone.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
22nd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 30-08-10
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 / Luke 4:16-30
One of the primary tasks of the priest is to preach the Word of God. Preaching the homily at Mass is his duty and he is obligated to prepare for it.
Yet the task of preaching is indeed challenging because the people of God thirst for the Word to be made flesh in their lives. They yearn to experience scriptural teachings translating in their everyday life.
So priests and preachers will understand what St. Paul meant when he said : I came among you in great fear and trembling in the speeches and sermons that I gave.
But he also quickly added that none of his preaching belonged to philosophy.
Rather it is a demonstration of the power of the Spirit.
It was with the power of the Spirit that Jesus went back to Nazareth, and at the synagogue, He read the passage from the prophet Isaiah.
And the people were astonished by the gracious words that came from His lips.
But it is so easy to let human thinking as well as criticism come into the way of the Word of God.
As we could see it from the gospel, the people started to make a judgment about Him and subsequently rejected Him.
Human beings may be endowed with knowledge and intelligence, but we must also remember that God's ways are not man's ways.
The book of the prophet Isaiah has this passage (Isa 55:8-9) : My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
May our minds and hearts be opened to God's revelation as He speaks to us through His Word.
May our faith be not dependent on human philosophy but on the power of God.
One of the primary tasks of the priest is to preach the Word of God. Preaching the homily at Mass is his duty and he is obligated to prepare for it.
Yet the task of preaching is indeed challenging because the people of God thirst for the Word to be made flesh in their lives. They yearn to experience scriptural teachings translating in their everyday life.
So priests and preachers will understand what St. Paul meant when he said : I came among you in great fear and trembling in the speeches and sermons that I gave.
But he also quickly added that none of his preaching belonged to philosophy.
Rather it is a demonstration of the power of the Spirit.
It was with the power of the Spirit that Jesus went back to Nazareth, and at the synagogue, He read the passage from the prophet Isaiah.
And the people were astonished by the gracious words that came from His lips.
But it is so easy to let human thinking as well as criticism come into the way of the Word of God.
As we could see it from the gospel, the people started to make a judgment about Him and subsequently rejected Him.
Human beings may be endowed with knowledge and intelligence, but we must also remember that God's ways are not man's ways.
The book of the prophet Isaiah has this passage (Isa 55:8-9) : My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
May our minds and hearts be opened to God's revelation as He speaks to us through His Word.
May our faith be not dependent on human philosophy but on the power of God.
Friday, August 27, 2010
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 28-08-10
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 / Matthew 25:14-30 (2024)
There is this quote from an unknown Greek poet : "I shall walk this way but once, therefore, whatever good I may do, let me do it now, for I shall never walk this way again."
It is a very profound reflection because it is so true that we only live this life but once, there is no going back, and yet there is so much to give to life and to learn from it.
Cardinal John Henry Newman had this to say : God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.
Indeed, as we journey on in this life, there is so much to learn and there is so much to give when we realized how much we have received.
Only if and when we realized how much we have received!
Otherwise we might just want to feel safe and secure by burying ourselves in the ground.
But that is not God's plan and purpose for us.
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Augustine.
In his early years, he knew about God from his mother St. Monica, but he didn't want to have anything to do with God, until much later in his life.
And when he started searching for God, God was right there for him.
His sombre reflection about his journey of conversion was worded like this :
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you.
May we always remember that we walk this way once and will never walk this way again.
Whatever good we can do, whatever love we can give, let us do it now.
Let us not bury our lives in the ground and waste it away.
There is always the work of love to carry out, and we will not rest until our hearts find rest in the Lord.
There is this quote from an unknown Greek poet : "I shall walk this way but once, therefore, whatever good I may do, let me do it now, for I shall never walk this way again."
It is a very profound reflection because it is so true that we only live this life but once, there is no going back, and yet there is so much to give to life and to learn from it.
Cardinal John Henry Newman had this to say : God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.
Indeed, as we journey on in this life, there is so much to learn and there is so much to give when we realized how much we have received.
Only if and when we realized how much we have received!
Otherwise we might just want to feel safe and secure by burying ourselves in the ground.
But that is not God's plan and purpose for us.
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Augustine.
In his early years, he knew about God from his mother St. Monica, but he didn't want to have anything to do with God, until much later in his life.
And when he started searching for God, God was right there for him.
His sombre reflection about his journey of conversion was worded like this :
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you.
May we always remember that we walk this way once and will never walk this way again.
Whatever good we can do, whatever love we can give, let us do it now.
Let us not bury our lives in the ground and waste it away.
There is always the work of love to carry out, and we will not rest until our hearts find rest in the Lord.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 27-08-10
1 Corinthians 1:17-25 / Matthew 25:1-13
In today's Mass, the Church remembers St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo.
In her life-time, St. Monica converted two persons, and these two persons probably stretched her faith to the limit.
One was her husband Patricius, a good and kind man, but violently temperamental and at times unfaithful.
But through the good example and holiness of St. Monica, he was converted and baptized before his death.
The other person, and a much more difficult case, was her son St. Augustine.
We may have heard of the duration that she prayed for his conversion - 30 years.
And when her faith was wearing out, she asked a bishop to counsel him.
Although the bishop was not successful in turning her son around, he nonetheless had these prophetic words for her:
He said to her: Let him be, and continue to pray for him. It is impossible that a son of so many tears should be lost.
St. Monica had the joy and consolation of seeing St. Augustine baptized when he was 33 years old.
Not long after that, just before she passed away, she told St. Augustine : "There was indeed one thing for which I wished to tarry a little in this life, and that was that I might see you a Catholic before I die. My God hath answered this more than abundantly, so that I see you now made His servant and spurning all earthly happiness. What more am I to do here?"
St. Monica trusted in the Lord and waited for Him to answer her prayer with faith and patience.
We too need to learn from St. Monica and trust in the Lord and wait for the day when He reveals His plan and purpose to us.
Like the 5 wise bridesmaids in the gospel parable, our faith and patience will reward us with joy and consolation when we see for ourselves the marvelous works that God has done for us.
In today's Mass, the Church remembers St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo.
In her life-time, St. Monica converted two persons, and these two persons probably stretched her faith to the limit.
One was her husband Patricius, a good and kind man, but violently temperamental and at times unfaithful.
But through the good example and holiness of St. Monica, he was converted and baptized before his death.
The other person, and a much more difficult case, was her son St. Augustine.
We may have heard of the duration that she prayed for his conversion - 30 years.
And when her faith was wearing out, she asked a bishop to counsel him.
Although the bishop was not successful in turning her son around, he nonetheless had these prophetic words for her:
He said to her: Let him be, and continue to pray for him. It is impossible that a son of so many tears should be lost.
St. Monica had the joy and consolation of seeing St. Augustine baptized when he was 33 years old.
Not long after that, just before she passed away, she told St. Augustine : "There was indeed one thing for which I wished to tarry a little in this life, and that was that I might see you a Catholic before I die. My God hath answered this more than abundantly, so that I see you now made His servant and spurning all earthly happiness. What more am I to do here?"
St. Monica trusted in the Lord and waited for Him to answer her prayer with faith and patience.
We too need to learn from St. Monica and trust in the Lord and wait for the day when He reveals His plan and purpose to us.
Like the 5 wise bridesmaids in the gospel parable, our faith and patience will reward us with joy and consolation when we see for ourselves the marvelous works that God has done for us.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 26-08-10
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 / 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.
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.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
21st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 25-08-10
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18 / Matthew 23:27-32 (2025)
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.
The 1st reading would put it in a more obvious way - do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work.
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.
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.
The 1st reading would put it in a more obvious way - do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work.
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.
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