1 Peter 4:7-13 / Mark 11:11-26
Our country can be called a global city, and being as such, the pace of life here can be described as fast and faster.
In our highly urbanized city, where productivity and efficiency are the terms for success, almost everything is about what we can gain from the here and the now.
As a matter of fact, our survival and our future depends very much on how productive and efficient we are.
With so much of rushing around and with so many urgent deadlines to meet, there is not much time or opportunity to pause and ask what is the matter all about.
The first line of the 1st reading is like a spanner being thrown into the gears and everything just comes to a crashing halt.
Yes, everything will soon come to an end, so, we have to pray better, keep a calm and sober mind.
And the purpose is to get in touch with our hearts of love so that our love for each other wont grow insincere, since love covers over many a sin.
Indeed, everything will come to an end, even faith and hope will come to an end, but love will always remain.
As much as love will always remain, on the other hand, resentment, bitterness and hatred will always remain if we choose to let them remain.
This takes the form of unforgiveness. And that is why in the gospel Jesus tells us to forgive whatever we have against anybody.
In not wanting to forgive, it will be like driving a car faster and faster towards to cliff where there will be a point of no return.
So let us pause and sober up and pray to God for forgiveness so that in being healed we too will be able to forgive.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Visitation of the BVM, Thursday, 31-05-12
Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16 / Luke 1:39-56
Whether it is for the purpose of survey or statics or other reasons, people are often categorized into age groups.
While it might be useful to know what the people of a particular age bracket think, inevitably age groups also indicates age gaps or even generation gaps.
And with age gaps or generation gaps comes the tension and the difference of the generations.
But in the gospel, we hear of two representatives of different age gaps or even generation gaps being united in heart and mind by the Spirit of love.
We see Elizabeth, who seemed too advanced in years to have a child, but destined to bear the last prophet of an era or age that was passing away.
We hear of Mary who came to visit Elizabeth, Mary who was rather tender in age and not expecting to have a child so soon, but already bearing the One who was to bring about an age that would not pass away.
Mary visited Elizabeth; Elizabeth rejoiced and honoured Mary with the title "Mother of my Lord"; John the Baptist leapt for joy in Elizabeth's womb; and Mary glorified the Lord.
Even in the womb of Mary, Jesus already showed what He came to do for us.
Jesus came to bring all peoples together and to unite them in the love of God.
He brought Mary and Elizabeth together and united them deeper in love.
Let us also ask Mary to visit our homes, our office, our workplace, our church even, that all gaps, be it age or generation be removed so that we will be united in mind and in heart in the Spirit of Love.
Whether it is for the purpose of survey or statics or other reasons, people are often categorized into age groups.
While it might be useful to know what the people of a particular age bracket think, inevitably age groups also indicates age gaps or even generation gaps.
And with age gaps or generation gaps comes the tension and the difference of the generations.
But in the gospel, we hear of two representatives of different age gaps or even generation gaps being united in heart and mind by the Spirit of love.
We see Elizabeth, who seemed too advanced in years to have a child, but destined to bear the last prophet of an era or age that was passing away.
We hear of Mary who came to visit Elizabeth, Mary who was rather tender in age and not expecting to have a child so soon, but already bearing the One who was to bring about an age that would not pass away.
Mary visited Elizabeth; Elizabeth rejoiced and honoured Mary with the title "Mother of my Lord"; John the Baptist leapt for joy in Elizabeth's womb; and Mary glorified the Lord.
Even in the womb of Mary, Jesus already showed what He came to do for us.
Jesus came to bring all peoples together and to unite them in the love of God.
He brought Mary and Elizabeth together and united them deeper in love.
Let us also ask Mary to visit our homes, our office, our workplace, our church even, that all gaps, be it age or generation be removed so that we will be united in mind and in heart in the Spirit of Love.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
8th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 30-05-12
1 Peter 1:18-25 / Mark 10:32-45
Very often in those action and thriller movies, there will be a hostage or hostages that are taken in order to heighten the suspense.
A hostage is a person(s) who is held by a captor. Usually it means someone who is seized by a criminal abductor in order to compel another party such as a relative, employer, law enforcement, or government to act, or refrain from acting, in a particular way, often under threat of serious physical harm to the hostage(s) after expiration of an ultimatum.
Very often in those action and thriller movies, there will be a hostage or hostages that are taken in order to heighten the suspense.
A hostage is a person(s) who is held by a captor. Usually it means someone who is seized by a criminal abductor in order to compel another party such as a relative, employer, law enforcement, or government to act, or refrain from acting, in a particular way, often under threat of serious physical harm to the hostage(s) after expiration of an ultimatum.
And usually a ransom is demanded, and it is usually spelt out in monetary terms, or it may be in exchange for a person(s).
When the 1st reading reminded us about the ransom that was paid for our freedom, we have to understand what exactly was the situation.
It is we ourselves who fell into sin and are held hostage by the devil who wants to pull us down into eternal damnation.
And the devil wasn't going to negotiate for a ransom; he just wants us to suffer now and suffer eternally. Furthermore we also can't save ourselves from our own sins.
That is why when Jesus came to save us, it is He who dictated the terms for our freedom and salvation.
He willingly poured out His blood on the cross as a ransom to save us, and there is nothing the devil could do to hold us hostage any more.
That is why Jesus said in the gospel that He did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
By the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we are freed, forgiven and saved.
Let us not fall into sin and be held hostage again by the devil and suffer eternal damnation.
Rather, like Jesus our Saviour, let us pour out our lives for others in love and service, so that they too can be freed, forgiven and saved.
Monday, May 28, 2012
8th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 29-05-12
1 Peter 1:10-16 / Mark 10:28-31
We know that God is loving and compassionate and merciful, and He will always bless us and provide for our needs.
Yes, we know that, and yet do we really believe in it?
When the sun is shining on us, we walk confidently and happily in the brightness of the light.
Yet when darkness envelops us, even our shadow seems to desert us, and we begin to wonder where God is.
We begin to ask serious faith questions like "Why is this happening to me?" and "When will this dark period of my life be over?"
Why things happen in our life, especially negative and unhappy things, that will be revealed to us in the course of time, but it will happen only in the appointed time, meaning, in God's time.
As we heard in the 1st reading, the prophets of old longed to find out the time of the coming of the Saviour and in what circumstances all that was to be expected. Even the angels long to catch a glimpse of those things.
But it was only at the appointed time that the Saviour came and the prophesies fell into place.
As for ourselves, we might ask like Peter did in the gospel, "What about us?"
Jesus would only say that there will be " persecution" but there will also be an eternal reward.
As we take hold of the promise of Jesus, let us also adhere to the instructions given in the 1st reading: Free your minds of encumbrances; control them, and put your trust in the grace that will be given to you. Be holy in all you do, since it is the Holy One who has called you to be holy just as He is holy.
We know that God is loving and compassionate and merciful, and He will always bless us and provide for our needs.
Yes, we know that, and yet do we really believe in it?
When the sun is shining on us, we walk confidently and happily in the brightness of the light.
Yet when darkness envelops us, even our shadow seems to desert us, and we begin to wonder where God is.
We begin to ask serious faith questions like "Why is this happening to me?" and "When will this dark period of my life be over?"
Why things happen in our life, especially negative and unhappy things, that will be revealed to us in the course of time, but it will happen only in the appointed time, meaning, in God's time.
As we heard in the 1st reading, the prophets of old longed to find out the time of the coming of the Saviour and in what circumstances all that was to be expected. Even the angels long to catch a glimpse of those things.
But it was only at the appointed time that the Saviour came and the prophesies fell into place.
As for ourselves, we might ask like Peter did in the gospel, "What about us?"
Jesus would only say that there will be " persecution" but there will also be an eternal reward.
As we take hold of the promise of Jesus, let us also adhere to the instructions given in the 1st reading: Free your minds of encumbrances; control them, and put your trust in the grace that will be given to you. Be holy in all you do, since it is the Holy One who has called you to be holy just as He is holy.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
8th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday , 28-05-12
1 Peter 1:3-9 / Mark 10:17-27
We can't deny that we strive for a better life and to enjoy some of the creature comforts of life.
We may not be craving for luxury, yet to desire to have something better and nicer is in all of us.
And there is nothing better and nicer when it comes to money. If there is anything that we hoard most, it is certainly money.
Yes, money is indeed the key to all comforts and luxury. And we can never have enough of it.
And that's where the problem lies - we can never have enough of it. But whether it is money or other tangible or intangible desires, we can never have enough of it.
And as we are being swallowed up by our desires, we lose childlike virtues of humility and simplicity and trust in providence.
Yet we can surely empathize with the young man in today's gospel whose face fell when Jesus told him to sell everything and give the money to the poor.
And with our hearts going down with the young man's face, we may not want to listen further to the challenging message of Jesus.
His message did not just end with selling and giving up everything.
Jesus also promised us that we will have treasures in heaven.
As the 1st reading puts it - we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away.
Hence alms-giving is a spiritual discipline to help us let go so that we can trust in God's providence and follow Jesus in humility and simplicity.
Yet the question remains - how much are we willing to give, especially if we know the money is going to the poor?
Yes that question will bug us and haunt us until we are able to slowly let go of our desires and let God into our lives.
We can't deny that we strive for a better life and to enjoy some of the creature comforts of life.
We may not be craving for luxury, yet to desire to have something better and nicer is in all of us.
And there is nothing better and nicer when it comes to money. If there is anything that we hoard most, it is certainly money.
Yes, money is indeed the key to all comforts and luxury. And we can never have enough of it.
And that's where the problem lies - we can never have enough of it. But whether it is money or other tangible or intangible desires, we can never have enough of it.
And as we are being swallowed up by our desires, we lose childlike virtues of humility and simplicity and trust in providence.
Yet we can surely empathize with the young man in today's gospel whose face fell when Jesus told him to sell everything and give the money to the poor.
And with our hearts going down with the young man's face, we may not want to listen further to the challenging message of Jesus.
His message did not just end with selling and giving up everything.
Jesus also promised us that we will have treasures in heaven.
As the 1st reading puts it - we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away.
Hence alms-giving is a spiritual discipline to help us let go so that we can trust in God's providence and follow Jesus in humility and simplicity.
Yet the question remains - how much are we willing to give, especially if we know the money is going to the poor?
Yes that question will bug us and haunt us until we are able to slowly let go of our desires and let God into our lives.
Friday, May 25, 2012
7th Week of Easter, Saturday, 26-05-12
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 / John 21:20-25 (2020)
We have often heard of this phrase: No man is an island.
In a densely populated island-country like Singapore, who can ever say that he is a stand-alone or that he doesn't care about anybody around him?
Indeed, for better or otherwise, we will always be surrounded by people, and we will notice them just as they will notice us.
So we may or may not find it surprising that Peter should ask Jesus about the disciple whom He loved.
And it seemed that Jesus reproached Peter and told him to mind his own business.
Yet it order to have a better understanding of Peter's intentions, we might have to read the preceding passage.
Jesus had told Peter to feed His sheep and to follow Him and even indicated what kind of future Peter will have to face.
Well after knowing what is in store for him, Peter would certainly like to know what the rest would face, especially the disciple Jesus loved, whether it is out of concern or out of curiosity.
Therefore Jesus had to bring Peter back to focus on his commitment to love and the mission that he had received.
And as we prepare for the renewal and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let us focus on our commitment to love and our mission to love.
Love is never about the self; it is always about others and for their good. Let us keep focused on that.
We have often heard of this phrase: No man is an island.
In a densely populated island-country like Singapore, who can ever say that he is a stand-alone or that he doesn't care about anybody around him?
Indeed, for better or otherwise, we will always be surrounded by people, and we will notice them just as they will notice us.
So we may or may not find it surprising that Peter should ask Jesus about the disciple whom He loved.
And it seemed that Jesus reproached Peter and told him to mind his own business.
Yet it order to have a better understanding of Peter's intentions, we might have to read the preceding passage.
Jesus had told Peter to feed His sheep and to follow Him and even indicated what kind of future Peter will have to face.
Well after knowing what is in store for him, Peter would certainly like to know what the rest would face, especially the disciple Jesus loved, whether it is out of concern or out of curiosity.
Therefore Jesus had to bring Peter back to focus on his commitment to love and the mission that he had received.
And as we prepare for the renewal and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let us focus on our commitment to love and our mission to love.
Love is never about the self; it is always about others and for their good. Let us keep focused on that.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
7th Week of Easter, Friday, 25-05-12
Acts 25:13-21 / John 21:15-19
Most of us in our lifetime would not probably make any headline news.
And we certainly won't want to make the headline news for the wrong reasons.
So did it ever cross St. Paul's mind that he would make the headlines during his time?
He may have been zealous and committed about his religious convictions, whether as a Pharisee or a Christian, but would he ever have thought that he would be brought before governors and kings and emperors?
He had travelled far and wide to preach the Good News but did it ever cross his mind that his name will be mentioned in the circles of power and authority?
St. Paul did not know what was in store for him when he decided to follow Jesus but he just let the Lord lead him.
Similarly, when St Peter said that he loved Jesus, did he know what was in store for him?
Most probably not, because just like most of us, they also do not know what the future has in store for them.
But like St. Peter and St. Paul, let us put our faith in Jesus and look at the future with hope.
Jesus has already prepared the future for us. Let us continue to love Jesus and walk confidently into the future with Jesus.
Most of us in our lifetime would not probably make any headline news.
And we certainly won't want to make the headline news for the wrong reasons.
So did it ever cross St. Paul's mind that he would make the headlines during his time?
He may have been zealous and committed about his religious convictions, whether as a Pharisee or a Christian, but would he ever have thought that he would be brought before governors and kings and emperors?
He had travelled far and wide to preach the Good News but did it ever cross his mind that his name will be mentioned in the circles of power and authority?
St. Paul did not know what was in store for him when he decided to follow Jesus but he just let the Lord lead him.
Similarly, when St Peter said that he loved Jesus, did he know what was in store for him?
Most probably not, because just like most of us, they also do not know what the future has in store for them.
But like St. Peter and St. Paul, let us put our faith in Jesus and look at the future with hope.
Jesus has already prepared the future for us. Let us continue to love Jesus and walk confidently into the future with Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)