1 Peter 1:3-9 / Mark 10:17-27
If we would just take a moment and ask ourselves this question: What is the most precious thing in my life?
Whatever answers that we might have, it is most probably something that is tangible, something that we can see and touch and hear, something that we would want to hold on to.
And if we already have our answers, then the next question would be: How long will it endure? How long would it last?
If it is something that we think that we cannot do without, something that we depend and rely heavily upon, we also have to realize that there is a time-span for it. Eventually, it will deteriorate and fail us.
If it is someone that we love dearly and maybe even someone that we will die for, then we also have to realize that someday, that person would also not be around for us anymore.
And if is something that we have as a part of us, be it our health or our talents or our abilities, then we also have to realize that it will also eventually diminish no matter how hard we try to maintain it.
This may sound rather depressing and we may think that since this is the case, then life is rather futile.
But it is with faith that we see something more lasting. The 1st reading tells us we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away and it is being kept for us in the heavens.
God the Father, in His mercy, has given us this eternal inheritance and a new birth as His sons by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.
May we too rise from the things of this world to this eternal inheritance in heaven where all our longing and yearning will be fulfilled in God alone.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
8th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 02.03.2014
Isaiah 49:14-15/ 1 Corinthians 4:1-5/ Matthew 6:24-34
It is often said that you can’t have your cake and eat it.
Whether we like to eat cakes or not, we know what that saying means.
Obviously, once you have eaten your cake, you don’t have it with you anymore.
It means to say we can’t have it both ways, and that we also can’t have the best of both worlds.
Anyway, baking a cake is certainly not a piece of cake. We may want to bake a marble cake, but it may turn out to be just like marble!
Just a joke about cakes: A woman woke up her husband in the middle of the night and said to him, “There is a thief downstairs in the kitchen and he is eating the cake that I just baked!”
The husband sleepily replied, “So, should I call the police, or should I call the ambulance?”
Life is certainly not like a piece of cake. Even if it is, we can’t have our cake and eat it too.
Because the basic rule of life is that we can only say “yes” to one thing and “no” to the rest.
And what we say “yes” to will also determine how we are going to live our lives and the direction that we take.
And that is what Jesus is saying in today’s gospel.
“No one can be a slave to two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave of both God and money.”
And so we must know what we want and decide on it.
Our troubles and worries and anxieties begin when we are not sure of what we really want and that makes our decisions difficult.
And when we don’t know what we really want, then our lives are not focused, and we become scattered and stressed.
Jesus said that we cannot become the slave of both God and money. And with that He is already telling us what we should choose.
That is why Jesus is telling us not to worry about what to eat or what to wear. In short Jesus is telling us not to worry about money.
Because to be too anxious and worried about money is already an indication of whom we have chosen as our master.
Whatever that we keep focusing on and putting our energies into, that is our master.
What Jesus is pointing out in today’s gospel is this: Whatever we need, we already have it.
That is why He talked about the birds of the air and the flowers in the fields.
If God can provide for them, then all the more God will provide for us who are His beloved people and His beloved children.
Yes, whatever we need, we already have it. God has already provided for us. The problem is that we want more and more.
There is this short story of a poor farmer who found a magic cup.
Then he learnt that if he wept into the cup, his tears will turn into pearls.
Even though he had always been poor, he was a happy and contented man and he seldom shed a tear.
But then now, he began to find ways to make himself sad so that his tears will fall into the magic cup and turn to pearls and that would make him rich.
As the pearls piled up, so did his greed grew.
The story ended with the man sitting on a mountain of pearls, knife in hand, weeping helplessly into the magic cup, with his beloved wife’s slain body in his arms.
It’s a rather dark story with a tragic ending, and it reminds us to think carefully about what we choose and what we say “yes” to.
And so if we say “yes” to money and choose it as our master, then we must also accept the worries and anxieties that come along the way, and also pour out needless tears just to get some pearls.
But if we say “yes” to God as our master, what would that mean? Certainly it is not going to be a piece of cake!
Pope Francis said “yes” to God and that meant that he gives up all the frills and the icing on the cake that came with the papacy.
And more than that, his direction is that the Church is to be a Church for the poor and a Church of the poor.
Because as Church, as the people of God, as children of God, we must realize that what we need, we already have it.
But we also must realize that there are the poor who do not even have what they need.
The poor is not asking for a fancy cake or even just a piece of cake.
They are only asking for bread and it would be a grave injustice that the poor can’t even have what they need.
If God has provided for us, then we in turn must provide for the poor.
If God is our master, then we must serve the poor.
There may be no cakes to eat, but God will certainly provide for us in our need.
And God will never forget us in our need.
He promised us in the 1st reading: “I will never forget you.”
And may we also not forget who our real master is.
It is often said that you can’t have your cake and eat it.
Whether we like to eat cakes or not, we know what that saying means.
Obviously, once you have eaten your cake, you don’t have it with you anymore.
It means to say we can’t have it both ways, and that we also can’t have the best of both worlds.
Anyway, baking a cake is certainly not a piece of cake. We may want to bake a marble cake, but it may turn out to be just like marble!
Just a joke about cakes: A woman woke up her husband in the middle of the night and said to him, “There is a thief downstairs in the kitchen and he is eating the cake that I just baked!”
The husband sleepily replied, “So, should I call the police, or should I call the ambulance?”
Life is certainly not like a piece of cake. Even if it is, we can’t have our cake and eat it too.
Because the basic rule of life is that we can only say “yes” to one thing and “no” to the rest.
And what we say “yes” to will also determine how we are going to live our lives and the direction that we take.
And that is what Jesus is saying in today’s gospel.
“No one can be a slave to two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave of both God and money.”
And so we must know what we want and decide on it.
Our troubles and worries and anxieties begin when we are not sure of what we really want and that makes our decisions difficult.
And when we don’t know what we really want, then our lives are not focused, and we become scattered and stressed.
Jesus said that we cannot become the slave of both God and money. And with that He is already telling us what we should choose.
That is why Jesus is telling us not to worry about what to eat or what to wear. In short Jesus is telling us not to worry about money.
Because to be too anxious and worried about money is already an indication of whom we have chosen as our master.
Whatever that we keep focusing on and putting our energies into, that is our master.
What Jesus is pointing out in today’s gospel is this: Whatever we need, we already have it.
That is why He talked about the birds of the air and the flowers in the fields.
If God can provide for them, then all the more God will provide for us who are His beloved people and His beloved children.
Yes, whatever we need, we already have it. God has already provided for us. The problem is that we want more and more.
There is this short story of a poor farmer who found a magic cup.
Then he learnt that if he wept into the cup, his tears will turn into pearls.
Even though he had always been poor, he was a happy and contented man and he seldom shed a tear.
But then now, he began to find ways to make himself sad so that his tears will fall into the magic cup and turn to pearls and that would make him rich.
As the pearls piled up, so did his greed grew.
The story ended with the man sitting on a mountain of pearls, knife in hand, weeping helplessly into the magic cup, with his beloved wife’s slain body in his arms.
It’s a rather dark story with a tragic ending, and it reminds us to think carefully about what we choose and what we say “yes” to.
And so if we say “yes” to money and choose it as our master, then we must also accept the worries and anxieties that come along the way, and also pour out needless tears just to get some pearls.
But if we say “yes” to God as our master, what would that mean? Certainly it is not going to be a piece of cake!
Pope Francis said “yes” to God and that meant that he gives up all the frills and the icing on the cake that came with the papacy.
And more than that, his direction is that the Church is to be a Church for the poor and a Church of the poor.
Because as Church, as the people of God, as children of God, we must realize that what we need, we already have it.
But we also must realize that there are the poor who do not even have what they need.
The poor is not asking for a fancy cake or even just a piece of cake.
They are only asking for bread and it would be a grave injustice that the poor can’t even have what they need.
If God has provided for us, then we in turn must provide for the poor.
If God is our master, then we must serve the poor.
There may be no cakes to eat, but God will certainly provide for us in our need.
And God will never forget us in our need.
He promised us in the 1st reading: “I will never forget you.”
And may we also not forget who our real master is.
Friday, February 28, 2014
7th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday, 01-03-14
James 5:13-20 / Mark 10:13-16
We may think that what is the most obvious and necessary thing that must be done would be embarked on without hesitation.
But very often it is not the case, and the obvious and necessary thing is done only when what has preceded had failed.
One common example is the instruction manual of a gadget or equipment. We have this tendency to have a go at it hands-on first when the label would tell us to read the instructions first.
What the 1st reading said seemed so obvious and necessary - If anyone of you is in trouble, he should pray; if anyone is feeling happy, he should sing a psalm. If anyone of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the church.
Yet, we seem to do otherwise. When we are in trouble we will get anxious and will desperately look for solutions and when all is futile then we turn to prayer. Prayer does not seem to be our first option.
And even when we are happy, we bask in the euphoria of the moment and we forget that it is a moment of blessing from the Lord. Being happy and being thankful does not seem to go together.
And of course, when we fall ill, we would rather go see the doctor than to see a priest first to ask for a prayer of healing and strength to bear our illness.
So what is obvious and necessary is not really what we would do first. Often it may well be the last thing that we would do.
Similarly, children may seem to be like little concerns and we have more pressing issues at hand to handle, and so we may not have time to pray with them and bless them like Jesus did in the gospel.
Today's readings remind us to take care of the little, obvious and necessary things in life first. When we take care to let God be first in our lives, then we will be taken care of by God.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
7th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, 28-02-14
James 5:9-12 / Mark 10:1-12
There is a video clip of Pope Francis giving a speech to married couples on Valentine's Day. That video clip has gone viral because he cracked some jokes in it.
But he actually began on a typical preaching note. He said that we all know that there is no such thing as a perfect family, or a perfect husband or a perfect wife. Then his jokes began.
But jokes aside, what the Pope said is so true but not so easily accepted or understood.
Because we want others to live up to our expected perfections. And this happens in community, in family and to married couples.
In the gospel, when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about marriage and divorce, He brought in the very fundamental teaching that in the beginning of creation, God made them male and female, and that what God has united, man must not divide.
Yet Jesus did not say that it will be happily ever after. Just as there is no perfect family, perfect husband or perfect wife, it merely goes to show that no one is perfect.
And because no one is perfect, then what the 1st reading said must apply to everyone who has come to realize that.
It said: Do not make complaints against one another, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves.
That is so true but not so easy to do. Truth lies not in lofty profound matters but in ordinary day-to-day encounters and relationships.
When we understand that no one is perfect, then we will be less likely to complain and judge and more open in accepting and understanding each other.
There is a video clip of Pope Francis giving a speech to married couples on Valentine's Day. That video clip has gone viral because he cracked some jokes in it.
But he actually began on a typical preaching note. He said that we all know that there is no such thing as a perfect family, or a perfect husband or a perfect wife. Then his jokes began.
But jokes aside, what the Pope said is so true but not so easily accepted or understood.
Because we want others to live up to our expected perfections. And this happens in community, in family and to married couples.
In the gospel, when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about marriage and divorce, He brought in the very fundamental teaching that in the beginning of creation, God made them male and female, and that what God has united, man must not divide.
Yet Jesus did not say that it will be happily ever after. Just as there is no perfect family, perfect husband or perfect wife, it merely goes to show that no one is perfect.
And because no one is perfect, then what the 1st reading said must apply to everyone who has come to realize that.
It said: Do not make complaints against one another, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves.
That is so true but not so easy to do. Truth lies not in lofty profound matters but in ordinary day-to-day encounters and relationships.
When we understand that no one is perfect, then we will be less likely to complain and judge and more open in accepting and understanding each other.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
7th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 27-02-14
James 5:1-6 / Mark 9:41-50
Much has been said about wealth, and yet much more can still be said about wealth.
And to be fair, we have to talk about the both sides of wealth.
Wealth can be the result of hard work and prudent savings and good investments.
But wealth can also be the result of greed and dishonesty, with also a splash of stinginess thrown in.
Whichever way it is, wealth stands as a neutral object. The question is the attitude towards it that generates the interest behind it.
The 1st reading has a lashing for the wealthy by telling them they can start crying and weep for the miseries that are coming. Because their wealth is rotting, their clothes are eaten away, their gold and silver are corroding.
But that is because their wealth is gain through injustice and oppression - they cheat their labourers, hold back the wages of the reapers, condemned the innocent.
Wealth made them think that they had the might and right and no one dared to resist them. But the time of reckoning will come.
In the gospel, Jesus gave us this warning - whatever causes us to sin, we must cut it off. Rather to cut off a sinful thing than to go to hell with everything.
Anyway, wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. All we want, all we need is Jesus. The rest is transient and will eventually pass away. But Jesus will be our eternal reward.
Much has been said about wealth, and yet much more can still be said about wealth.
And to be fair, we have to talk about the both sides of wealth.
Wealth can be the result of hard work and prudent savings and good investments.
But wealth can also be the result of greed and dishonesty, with also a splash of stinginess thrown in.
Whichever way it is, wealth stands as a neutral object. The question is the attitude towards it that generates the interest behind it.
The 1st reading has a lashing for the wealthy by telling them they can start crying and weep for the miseries that are coming. Because their wealth is rotting, their clothes are eaten away, their gold and silver are corroding.
But that is because their wealth is gain through injustice and oppression - they cheat their labourers, hold back the wages of the reapers, condemned the innocent.
Wealth made them think that they had the might and right and no one dared to resist them. But the time of reckoning will come.
In the gospel, Jesus gave us this warning - whatever causes us to sin, we must cut it off. Rather to cut off a sinful thing than to go to hell with everything.
Anyway, wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. All we want, all we need is Jesus. The rest is transient and will eventually pass away. But Jesus will be our eternal reward.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
7th Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 26-02-14
James 4:13-17 / Mark 9:38-40
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)
Similarly, we may think that our country's food is the best, until we go abroad and have a taste of another country's cuisine.
The main difference between being narrow-minded and broad-minded lies in the attitude and in the way we look at things and people.
The two readings of today give us concrete examples of the difference between being narrow-minded and broad-minded.
The 1st reading quotes some people who talk about making plans for the future and what they are going to do and with hopes of making some money too.
But it is like a tunnel-vision of life and God does not seem to be included in their plans; it was all about themselves and nothing about God or anyone else.
If the problem with the people in the 1st reading is the exclusion of others in their life and in their plans, then the problem that we see in the gospel is that of non-acceptance.
John saw a man doing the same ministry as them and because he was not one of them, they tried to stop him. They couldn't accept that man and what he did.
And Jesus gave His disciples a very broad principle: Anyone who is not against us is for us.
The broad-minded see the truth; the narrow-minded see only the difference. Let us pray that we will be able to see God in little things and give Him glory for everything.
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)
Similarly, we may think that our country's food is the best, until we go abroad and have a taste of another country's cuisine.
The main difference between being narrow-minded and broad-minded lies in the attitude and in the way we look at things and people.
The two readings of today give us concrete examples of the difference between being narrow-minded and broad-minded.
The 1st reading quotes some people who talk about making plans for the future and what they are going to do and with hopes of making some money too.
But it is like a tunnel-vision of life and God does not seem to be included in their plans; it was all about themselves and nothing about God or anyone else.
If the problem with the people in the 1st reading is the exclusion of others in their life and in their plans, then the problem that we see in the gospel is that of non-acceptance.
John saw a man doing the same ministry as them and because he was not one of them, they tried to stop him. They couldn't accept that man and what he did.
And Jesus gave His disciples a very broad principle: Anyone who is not against us is for us.
The broad-minded see the truth; the narrow-minded see only the difference. Let us pray that we will be able to see God in little things and give Him glory for everything.
Monday, February 24, 2014
7th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 25-02-14
James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37
Most predators do not hunt for sport or for fun; they hunt for food and for survival.
Surely the hunting process would include killing the prey but that is the law of nature, and part of the food chain cycle.
What the 1st reading said seems to make human beings, not just like animals but even worse than animals.
From the desires fighting inside ourselves, we get obsessed with something but we can't seem to get it.
We are even prepared to kill, and when the ambition cannot be satisfied, we are prepared to fight to get our way by force.
We may think that it is an over-statement, yet the evidence is that in the history of humanity, there are wars and battles that have resulted in much blood-shed.
Even if that is in a figurative sense of the term, the psychological wars and battles have resulted in much stress and trauma and made life miserable.
And to stop this vicious damaging cycle, the 1st reading reminds us that God wants us for Himself alone.
God opposes the proud but He gives generously to the humble. And it is only with the heart of a child that we can draw nearer to God, and He will draw even nearer to us.
Only with the heart and the humility of a child then we will be able to let go of our desires and ambitions and be filled generously with the peace and joy that God wants to generously give us.
Most predators do not hunt for sport or for fun; they hunt for food and for survival.
Surely the hunting process would include killing the prey but that is the law of nature, and part of the food chain cycle.
What the 1st reading said seems to make human beings, not just like animals but even worse than animals.
From the desires fighting inside ourselves, we get obsessed with something but we can't seem to get it.
We are even prepared to kill, and when the ambition cannot be satisfied, we are prepared to fight to get our way by force.
We may think that it is an over-statement, yet the evidence is that in the history of humanity, there are wars and battles that have resulted in much blood-shed.
Even if that is in a figurative sense of the term, the psychological wars and battles have resulted in much stress and trauma and made life miserable.
And to stop this vicious damaging cycle, the 1st reading reminds us that God wants us for Himself alone.
God opposes the proud but He gives generously to the humble. And it is only with the heart of a child that we can draw nearer to God, and He will draw even nearer to us.
Only with the heart and the humility of a child then we will be able to let go of our desires and ambitions and be filled generously with the peace and joy that God wants to generously give us.
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