Zechariah 8:1-8 / Luke 9:46-50
It is not really that easy to celebrate a funeral Mass, especially when it was for a one-week-old baby.
The infant had died of complications after birth. The parents told me that they had expected it because during the pregnancy, the test results showed that the baby had literally no chance of survival if delivered.
Still the parents brought it to term, instead of aborting the pregnancy.
And although they expected the final outcome, they still suffered the pain and grief at the loss of their child.
For the funeral Mass, I used the gospel passage which we have just heard, in which Jesus set a child before His disciples and said that whoever welcomes a child welcomes Him.
For the parents, they rejoiced at the initial news of pregnancy but even with the complications of the baby, they still welcomed her into the world and cherished her during her short life on earth.
I am sure their child will be there to welcome them when their time on earth is done.
I am also sure that God will also be there to turn their sorrow into joy.
But God is not just there at the end. In the 1st reading, God promised His people that He will come back to them and dwell in the middle of Jerusalem.
Yes God is indeed in our midst, especially in the lowly and the humble and the child-like. May we welcome Him into our hearts.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
25th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday, 24-09-11
Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15 / Luke 9:43-45 (2019)
Whenever we talk about a house, we would imagine it as having walls that would determine its size and boundaries.
Who can ever imagine a house that is without walls? What kind of security would that house have?
So it would certainly surprise us when we heard in the 1st reading that Jerusalem was to remain unwalled. What kind of city would that be if it is without walls for protection and security?
Yet the Lord was quick to add that He would be the wall of fire for her, all round her, and He would be the glory of the city.
Indeed, if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain would its watchmen keep vigil, and in vain would its stone walls offer any protection.
Jesus said in the gospel that He would be handed over into the power of men.
Yet Jesus also knew that His security and protection will be on God alone, and that God will save Him out of death and raise Him back to life.
May we also know that if God does not watch over us, then all other physical means of protection will be in vain.
With God in our midst and watching over us and protecting us, let us give thanks, let us sing, let us rejoice in the Lord our Saviour.
Whenever we talk about a house, we would imagine it as having walls that would determine its size and boundaries.
Who can ever imagine a house that is without walls? What kind of security would that house have?
So it would certainly surprise us when we heard in the 1st reading that Jerusalem was to remain unwalled. What kind of city would that be if it is without walls for protection and security?
Yet the Lord was quick to add that He would be the wall of fire for her, all round her, and He would be the glory of the city.
Indeed, if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain would its watchmen keep vigil, and in vain would its stone walls offer any protection.
Jesus said in the gospel that He would be handed over into the power of men.
Yet Jesus also knew that His security and protection will be on God alone, and that God will save Him out of death and raise Him back to life.
May we also know that if God does not watch over us, then all other physical means of protection will be in vain.
With God in our midst and watching over us and protecting us, let us give thanks, let us sing, let us rejoice in the Lord our Saviour.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
25th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, 23-09-11
Haggai 1:15 - 2:9 / Luke 9:18-22
The Temple that was mentioned in the 1st reading was completed around 450 BC.
It was built on the site of the first Temple which was destroyed by the Babylonians a hundred years earlier.
The exiles who came back to build this temple had the support of King Darius, but they also met with a lot of resistance.
For one, the Samaritans tried to block their efforts. At times, the workmen found themselves having to build with one hand and fight off the enemy with the other.
On top of that, the crops sometimes failed. These are certainly more than just teething problems.
But as the Lord told the prophet Haggai and the leaders of the people, Zerubbabel and Joshua, to take courage and not to be afraid and the Lord promised that His Spirit will be with them as they carry out the task.
The new Temple will be glorious and with the Temple, God will also grant them peace.
Similarly, to fully realize who Jesus is, requires us to understand the path of rejection and suffering that He has taken.
That path we too will have to undertake in order to come into a deeper understanding and union with Jesus.
But just as the new Temple was eventually raised and rebuilt, we too will rise with Jesus.
We just have to take courage and not be afraid of the struggles and sufferings, and eventually we will experience the peace that only God can give.
When the Temple was eventually completed, the people really rejoiced and celebrated.
This experience of the Jews in re-building the Temple serves to remind us that perseverance and commitment do not go wasted or uncounted.
Especially so when our commitment and perseverance in our faithfulness to God is put to the test.
To hear the Word of God and to put it into practice demands commitment and perseverance.
Especially in the areas like prayer time, moral decisions, life choices, service, etc.
As brothers and sisters of Jesus, let us deepen our commitment to God as we persevere in building God's kingdom on earth.
The Temple that was mentioned in the 1st reading was completed around 450 BC.
It was built on the site of the first Temple which was destroyed by the Babylonians a hundred years earlier.
The exiles who came back to build this temple had the support of King Darius, but they also met with a lot of resistance.
For one, the Samaritans tried to block their efforts. At times, the workmen found themselves having to build with one hand and fight off the enemy with the other.
On top of that, the crops sometimes failed. These are certainly more than just teething problems.
But as the Lord told the prophet Haggai and the leaders of the people, Zerubbabel and Joshua, to take courage and not to be afraid and the Lord promised that His Spirit will be with them as they carry out the task.
The new Temple will be glorious and with the Temple, God will also grant them peace.
Similarly, to fully realize who Jesus is, requires us to understand the path of rejection and suffering that He has taken.
That path we too will have to undertake in order to come into a deeper understanding and union with Jesus.
But just as the new Temple was eventually raised and rebuilt, we too will rise with Jesus.
We just have to take courage and not be afraid of the struggles and sufferings, and eventually we will experience the peace that only God can give.
When the Temple was eventually completed, the people really rejoiced and celebrated.
This experience of the Jews in re-building the Temple serves to remind us that perseverance and commitment do not go wasted or uncounted.
Especially so when our commitment and perseverance in our faithfulness to God is put to the test.
To hear the Word of God and to put it into practice demands commitment and perseverance.
Especially in the areas like prayer time, moral decisions, life choices, service, etc.
As brothers and sisters of Jesus, let us deepen our commitment to God as we persevere in building God's kingdom on earth.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
25th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, 22-09-11
Haggai 1:1-8 / Luke 9:7-9
Herod can be called a typical half-believer, someone who believes that there is a God, yet he was more concerned about himself, his comfort, his curiosity, and whatever that can gain him some advantage.
He wanted to see Jesus because of the curious and sensational reports that he heard about Jesus, and maybe also to see Jesus work something spectacular for him to see.
Well, Herod eventually got to see Jesus, but yet for all his curiosity to see Jesus, he didn't get anywhere closer to Him.
He got so near to Jesus, yet was so far away, and he ended up gaining nothing.
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, their own comfort and their own houses, yet there was no anxiety and concern for the Lord's house, the Temple, which was still under construction.
We too have to reflect carefully about our lives and we will see the truth of things.
Indeed we need not be too anxious and worry and over-concerned about our lives or about our comfort.
Let us seek the kingdom of God first, and whatever we need will be given unto us.
Let us be more concerned about the Temple of God in our hearts, and may God be glorified in our lives.
Herod can be called a typical half-believer, someone who believes that there is a God, yet he was more concerned about himself, his comfort, his curiosity, and whatever that can gain him some advantage.
He wanted to see Jesus because of the curious and sensational reports that he heard about Jesus, and maybe also to see Jesus work something spectacular for him to see.
Well, Herod eventually got to see Jesus, but yet for all his curiosity to see Jesus, he didn't get anywhere closer to Him.
He got so near to Jesus, yet was so far away, and he ended up gaining nothing.
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, their own comfort and their own houses, yet there was no anxiety and concern for the Lord's house, the Temple, which was still under construction.
We too have to reflect carefully about our lives and we will see the truth of things.
Indeed we need not be too anxious and worry and over-concerned about our lives or about our comfort.
Let us seek the kingdom of God first, and whatever we need will be given unto us.
Let us be more concerned about the Temple of God in our hearts, and may God be glorified in our lives.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
St. Matthew, Apostle, Wednesday, 21-09-11
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 / Matthew 9:9-13
Have we ever wondered what were the thoughts that crossed the mind of St. Matthew as he got up from the customs house to follow Jesus?
Was it apprehension or uncertainty because he was walking away from a stable and profitable job, although it is not a respectable one?
Or was it a sense of insecurity and anxiety that from that moment on, things are not going to be the same anymore in that nothing can be taken for granted anymore?
But over and above all these thoughts was the great up-lifting feeling that someone had given him respect, dignity and self-worth.
In Jesus, St. Matthew saw the mercy and love of God, who came not to call the virtuous, but sinners.
What St. Matthew saw in Jesus, he too wanted to emulate, he wanted to follow, he wanted to become
That is also what the 1st reading is telling us: that united in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, we strive to be the Perfect Man, the perfect person, fully mature with the fullness of Christ.
Jesus showed St. Matthew who and what he can become.
In turn, St. Matthew showed us in his gospel who and what we can become.
As the call of Jesus crosses and echoes in our hearts, let us answer the call like St. Matthew.
Because it is a call to the fullness of Christ Himself, who came to call sinners so that they can become virtuous.
Have we ever wondered what were the thoughts that crossed the mind of St. Matthew as he got up from the customs house to follow Jesus?
Was it apprehension or uncertainty because he was walking away from a stable and profitable job, although it is not a respectable one?
Or was it a sense of insecurity and anxiety that from that moment on, things are not going to be the same anymore in that nothing can be taken for granted anymore?
But over and above all these thoughts was the great up-lifting feeling that someone had given him respect, dignity and self-worth.
In Jesus, St. Matthew saw the mercy and love of God, who came not to call the virtuous, but sinners.
What St. Matthew saw in Jesus, he too wanted to emulate, he wanted to follow, he wanted to become
That is also what the 1st reading is telling us: that united in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, we strive to be the Perfect Man, the perfect person, fully mature with the fullness of Christ.
Jesus showed St. Matthew who and what he can become.
In turn, St. Matthew showed us in his gospel who and what we can become.
As the call of Jesus crosses and echoes in our hearts, let us answer the call like St. Matthew.
Because it is a call to the fullness of Christ Himself, who came to call sinners so that they can become virtuous.
Monday, September 19, 2011
25th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 20-09-11
Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20 / Luke 8:19-21
As we listen to the 1st reading, it may occur to us that it was indeed strange that the Persian king, Darius, allowed the exiled Jews in Babylon to return to their homeland to rebuild the Temple.
It was indeed even more puzzling as to why king Darius would also support the Jews in rebuilding the Temple.
Actually it all began when king Cyrus conquered Babylon and he liberated the captives of the other nations and allowed them to return to their homeland if they wished.
King Darius was the third king after Cyrus and it was he who issued the decree that we heard about in the 1st reading.
But it had been 70 long years since the Jews had been exiled in Babylon and by which time, the nostalgia and longing for their homeland was fading and waning.
Yet just as God stirred the heart of king Darius to issue the decree, God also had to stir the hearts of His people to return to their homeland and to rebuild the Temple.
God had not forgotten nor abandoned His people, and He will stir the hearts of those whom He has chosen to do His will, people like king Darius and Ezra and the elders of the Jewish people.
In the gospel we are reminded that God has chosen us as His people and in Jesus we see how God's will is to be done.
Whenever God stirs our hearts, let us get up and get moving because there is a Church that is waiting to be completed.
We are the living stones of the Church. We are also called to help others be living stones of the Church.
That is what is meant by hearing the Word of God and putting it into practice.
As we listen to the 1st reading, it may occur to us that it was indeed strange that the Persian king, Darius, allowed the exiled Jews in Babylon to return to their homeland to rebuild the Temple.
It was indeed even more puzzling as to why king Darius would also support the Jews in rebuilding the Temple.
Actually it all began when king Cyrus conquered Babylon and he liberated the captives of the other nations and allowed them to return to their homeland if they wished.
King Darius was the third king after Cyrus and it was he who issued the decree that we heard about in the 1st reading.
But it had been 70 long years since the Jews had been exiled in Babylon and by which time, the nostalgia and longing for their homeland was fading and waning.
Yet just as God stirred the heart of king Darius to issue the decree, God also had to stir the hearts of His people to return to their homeland and to rebuild the Temple.
God had not forgotten nor abandoned His people, and He will stir the hearts of those whom He has chosen to do His will, people like king Darius and Ezra and the elders of the Jewish people.
In the gospel we are reminded that God has chosen us as His people and in Jesus we see how God's will is to be done.
Whenever God stirs our hearts, let us get up and get moving because there is a Church that is waiting to be completed.
We are the living stones of the Church. We are also called to help others be living stones of the Church.
That is what is meant by hearing the Word of God and putting it into practice.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
25th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, 19-09-11
Ezra 1:1-6 / Luke 8:16-18 (2019)
During the 60s and the 70s, there was an emphasis to pray for the conversion of Russia.
During that period, Communism spread and threatened not only the democratic governments but also the Church.
At that time who would believe that in something like 30 years, the mighty Soviet Union would break up and the Berlin Wall would crumble and Communism would lose its sting?
If 30 years seemed like a long time, then how about 70 years?
That was how long the Jews were in exile in the foreign land of Babylon.
But when Cyrus, king of Persia came into power, he made the surprise decision to let the Jews go back to their homeland and even offered to help them rebuild the Temple.
So 70 years of darkness and hopelessness gave way to the long-awaited light.
When we go through the dark and rough period of our lives, let us reflect on how often God has delivered His people from bondage.
God's marvelous light shines through the dark and hopeless periods bringing about freedom and joy.
God's light is to shine through us. May we be lamp-stands so that others can see the light of God.
During the 60s and the 70s, there was an emphasis to pray for the conversion of Russia.
During that period, Communism spread and threatened not only the democratic governments but also the Church.
At that time who would believe that in something like 30 years, the mighty Soviet Union would break up and the Berlin Wall would crumble and Communism would lose its sting?
If 30 years seemed like a long time, then how about 70 years?
That was how long the Jews were in exile in the foreign land of Babylon.
But when Cyrus, king of Persia came into power, he made the surprise decision to let the Jews go back to their homeland and even offered to help them rebuild the Temple.
So 70 years of darkness and hopelessness gave way to the long-awaited light.
When we go through the dark and rough period of our lives, let us reflect on how often God has delivered His people from bondage.
God's marvelous light shines through the dark and hopeless periods bringing about freedom and joy.
God's light is to shine through us. May we be lamp-stands so that others can see the light of God.
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