1 John 2:22-28 / John 1:19-28
John the Baptist was really a strange prophet. He had a strange wardrobe, and an even stranger diet.
We don't read about him working great miracles or wonders.
In fact, he didn't even identify himself as John the Baptist.
When asked who he was, he replied with who he was not.
Even in the last resort, he borrowed a passage from the prophet Isaiah, in order to give an answer about what he came to do.
Yet, Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest of all the prophets.
Simply because John the Baptist diverted the attention from himself to the one who is to come.
We too are called to be prophets by virtue of our baptism. We can learn a lot from John the Baptist about how we should carry out our prophetic role.
The temptation to get attention, the praise and even the glory is indeed very strong, and some have succumbed to it.
But let us remember that we are just a voice that cries out in the wilderness of our world to make a straight way for the Lord. Just that, and no more.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Mary, Mother of God Year C, 01-01-16
Numbers 6:22-27 / Galatians 4:4-7 / Luke 2:16-21
By now we should have already opened up our Christmas presents.
If not then we might as well keep it for next Christmas. But we are still in the Christmas season and so it’s actually not that late still.
But who would want to wait to open their Christmas presents.
Some would even open their presents before Christmas.
Come to think of it, it’s really not that easy to think of a Christmas gift for someone, especially when that person is really special to you.
And we would want to consider the two aspects of the present.
One is that the person would cherish it and remember us for the gift. Probably it would be gift to represent who that person is, so as to show our appreciation for that person.
The other would be that we want the gift to symbolize who we are to that person. Of course it doesn’t mean to say that I would give you a mug as a present and on it would be written the name “Stephen”! That’s rather egocentric.
But for a gift to symbolize who we are to that person, it would certainly be based on the relationship with that person, and how we would like that person to remember us.
For almost two months now, we the parish of the Sacred Heart had been preparing a gift for someone who is special and dear to our hearts.
Two months ago, there was a proposal to build a shrine for Our Lady.
The proposal to build the shrine was because we have a statue of Our Lady.
That statue was standing at the grotto which was pulled down to make way for the former parish hall in 1971.
From then on, that statue of Our Lady went all over, from being at the parish house to the parish hall to the store room and finally was place at the loft of the church.
Six months ago we brought down the statue to have it restored by taking off the layers of paint and we found that it was an intact and solidly-made statue.
After some prayer and discernment, we decided to build an outdoor shrine for Our Lady since in the first place the statue is an outdoor statue.
We asked for donations for the construction of the shrine and you were forthcoming and generous with it.
So eight days after Christmas, on this last day of the Octave of Christmas, and on this feast in which we honour Mary as Mother of God, we humbly present to Our Lady a shrine for her statue.
This is our gift to Our Lady who is also Our Mother.
It’s a gift to represent who she is to us, and we thank her for always being so loving, so thoughtful, so understanding and so kind.
She is the Mother of God and she is also the Mother of Mercy, the refuge and the hope of sinners, and her shrine will be a place where we can come to her and place our trust in her.
As we present her with the gift of the shrine, we also ask Mary to keep us close to her heart and we ask her to remember that never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help, or sought her intercession was left unaided.
And so, inspired with this confidence, we ask Mary our Mother to remember us and not to despise our petitions but in her mercy to hear and answer us.
Today’s gospel affirms that Mary will remember us as it says this about her: “As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart”.
Yes, Mary will remember us for the shrine we built for her statue.
She will remember us when we come and stand before her statue with our prayer, our petitions and our needs.
She will remember all those we will bring to her shrine and ask for her intercession for them.
Yes, Mary will treasure us and ponder upon us in her heart and she will help us for the love of Jesus Christ.
May we also treasure her and ponder upon her in our hearts.
For it is through her that we receive the greatest gift from God – Jesus Christ.
It is a gift that we need to open every day and to experience the love of God for us.
May we also help others to open the gift that God has given to them so that they too will experience the love of Jesus for them.
May we join Mary our Mother in prayer so that the Lord God will bless us and keep us, let His face shine upon us and be gracious to us and bring peace to the world.
By now we should have already opened up our Christmas presents.
If not then we might as well keep it for next Christmas. But we are still in the Christmas season and so it’s actually not that late still.
But who would want to wait to open their Christmas presents.
Some would even open their presents before Christmas.
Come to think of it, it’s really not that easy to think of a Christmas gift for someone, especially when that person is really special to you.
And we would want to consider the two aspects of the present.
One is that the person would cherish it and remember us for the gift. Probably it would be gift to represent who that person is, so as to show our appreciation for that person.
The other would be that we want the gift to symbolize who we are to that person. Of course it doesn’t mean to say that I would give you a mug as a present and on it would be written the name “Stephen”! That’s rather egocentric.
But for a gift to symbolize who we are to that person, it would certainly be based on the relationship with that person, and how we would like that person to remember us.
For almost two months now, we the parish of the Sacred Heart had been preparing a gift for someone who is special and dear to our hearts.
Two months ago, there was a proposal to build a shrine for Our Lady.
The proposal to build the shrine was because we have a statue of Our Lady.
That statue was standing at the grotto which was pulled down to make way for the former parish hall in 1971.
From then on, that statue of Our Lady went all over, from being at the parish house to the parish hall to the store room and finally was place at the loft of the church.
Six months ago we brought down the statue to have it restored by taking off the layers of paint and we found that it was an intact and solidly-made statue.
After some prayer and discernment, we decided to build an outdoor shrine for Our Lady since in the first place the statue is an outdoor statue.
We asked for donations for the construction of the shrine and you were forthcoming and generous with it.
So eight days after Christmas, on this last day of the Octave of Christmas, and on this feast in which we honour Mary as Mother of God, we humbly present to Our Lady a shrine for her statue.
This is our gift to Our Lady who is also Our Mother.
It’s a gift to represent who she is to us, and we thank her for always being so loving, so thoughtful, so understanding and so kind.
She is the Mother of God and she is also the Mother of Mercy, the refuge and the hope of sinners, and her shrine will be a place where we can come to her and place our trust in her.
As we present her with the gift of the shrine, we also ask Mary to keep us close to her heart and we ask her to remember that never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help, or sought her intercession was left unaided.
And so, inspired with this confidence, we ask Mary our Mother to remember us and not to despise our petitions but in her mercy to hear and answer us.
Today’s gospel affirms that Mary will remember us as it says this about her: “As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart”.
Yes, Mary will remember us for the shrine we built for her statue.
She will remember us when we come and stand before her statue with our prayer, our petitions and our needs.
She will remember all those we will bring to her shrine and ask for her intercession for them.
Yes, Mary will treasure us and ponder upon us in her heart and she will help us for the love of Jesus Christ.
May we also treasure her and ponder upon her in our hearts.
For it is through her that we receive the greatest gift from God – Jesus Christ.
It is a gift that we need to open every day and to experience the love of God for us.
May we also help others to open the gift that God has given to them so that they too will experience the love of Jesus for them.
May we join Mary our Mother in prayer so that the Lord God will bless us and keep us, let His face shine upon us and be gracious to us and bring peace to the world.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
31st December 2015, Thursday, Seventh Day within Octave of Christmas
1 John 2:18-21 / John 1:1-18
So we have finally come to the last day of the year 2015.
That might sound nostalgic to some, and melancholic to others, and it depends very much on how the year had turned out and how the events of the year unfolded in our lives.
So we can spend today reminiscing about the days that had gone by, or maybe regretting about some moments or even just wanting to forget about what a traumatic year it had been.
Whatever it might be, the 1st reading begins with this line "Children, these are the last days ..." and it gives a spiritual reflection of what had gone by.
The reading goes on to talk about the tumult caused by the antichrists, and those rivals of Christ have come out of within their own number.
Yet, the 1st reading also affirmed the Christian community that it has the knowledge of the truth and that they must remain steadfast to the truth in the face of the chaos and tumult within.
So what is this truth that we already have knowledge of?
That truth is found in the gospel of today. Yes, in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God, and the Word was made flesh and He lived among us.
Today's gospel is a summary of who Jesus is and what He wants to do for us.
He wants us to know the truth of His love for us so that we can receive grace upon grace.
In Jesus we see the light and in accepting His truth, we come out of the darkness of sin.
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega; He is the beginning and the end.
In Him we too will find our beginning; in Him we will also know where is our end.
With that knowledge of the truth, we will be able to face the tumult and the chaos of life.
That might sound nostalgic to some, and melancholic to others, and it depends very much on how the year had turned out and how the events of the year unfolded in our lives.
So we can spend today reminiscing about the days that had gone by, or maybe regretting about some moments or even just wanting to forget about what a traumatic year it had been.
Whatever it might be, the 1st reading begins with this line "Children, these are the last days ..." and it gives a spiritual reflection of what had gone by.
The reading goes on to talk about the tumult caused by the antichrists, and those rivals of Christ have come out of within their own number.
Yet, the 1st reading also affirmed the Christian community that it has the knowledge of the truth and that they must remain steadfast to the truth in the face of the chaos and tumult within.
So what is this truth that we already have knowledge of?
That truth is found in the gospel of today. Yes, in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God, and the Word was made flesh and He lived among us.
Today's gospel is a summary of who Jesus is and what He wants to do for us.
He wants us to know the truth of His love for us so that we can receive grace upon grace.
In Jesus we see the light and in accepting His truth, we come out of the darkness of sin.
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega; He is the beginning and the end.
In Him we too will find our beginning; in Him we will also know where is our end.
With that knowledge of the truth, we will be able to face the tumult and the chaos of life.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
30th December 2015, Wednesday, Sixth Day within Octave of Christmas
1 John 2:12-17 / Luke 2:36-40
The days between Christmas and New Year can be called the least productive week.
It can also be called the holiday week where even if offices and factories are opened, the workers may want to take leave to enjoy the festive time.
But more than just a festive time and to take a break from work, it is also a time for reflection and to think about the events that are just over and the events that are to come.
After all, life is more than just having a good time and enjoying whatever pleasures there can be.
Or as the 1st reading puts it - "the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions" - that is only what the world has to offer and can only offer and no more than that.
But there is a mystery to life that gives us a hope for the future in which we look forward to.
The prophetess Anna was one who knew what that mystery was and she looked forward to it and she lived to see it.
May we also like Anna, spend time in prayer and even fasting, so that we will encounter the mystery of Christmas and look forward to the mystery of the future.
The days between Christmas and New Year can be called the least productive week.
It can also be called the holiday week where even if offices and factories are opened, the workers may want to take leave to enjoy the festive time.
But more than just a festive time and to take a break from work, it is also a time for reflection and to think about the events that are just over and the events that are to come.
After all, life is more than just having a good time and enjoying whatever pleasures there can be.
Or as the 1st reading puts it - "the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions" - that is only what the world has to offer and can only offer and no more than that.
But there is a mystery to life that gives us a hope for the future in which we look forward to.
The prophetess Anna was one who knew what that mystery was and she looked forward to it and she lived to see it.
May we also like Anna, spend time in prayer and even fasting, so that we will encounter the mystery of Christmas and look forward to the mystery of the future.
Monday, December 28, 2015
29th December 2015, Tuesday, Fifth Day Within Octave of Christmas,
1 John 2:3-11 / Luke 2:22-35
The symbols of Christmas has this profound aspect of being symbols of light.
From the candles in the Advent wreath, to the star of Bethlehem, to the decorative lights on the Christmas tree and the electric bulb shining on the baby Jesus in the crib, all these are symbols and representations of light.
Indeed, Christmas is a celebration of the the light of Christ shining into our human shadows and scattering away the darkness of sin.
In the gospel, Simeon saw that light and his heart was at peace. His wait is over.
Our wait is also over because the 1st reading tells us that the night is over and the real light is already shining.
For the commercial world, Christmas is over, but for us Christmas has just begun.
Let us walk in the light of love and forgiveness, mercy and compassion, generosity and sacrifice so that we too will be symbols of the light of Christ.
The symbols of Christmas has this profound aspect of being symbols of light.
From the candles in the Advent wreath, to the star of Bethlehem, to the decorative lights on the Christmas tree and the electric bulb shining on the baby Jesus in the crib, all these are symbols and representations of light.
Indeed, Christmas is a celebration of the the light of Christ shining into our human shadows and scattering away the darkness of sin.
In the gospel, Simeon saw that light and his heart was at peace. His wait is over.
Our wait is also over because the 1st reading tells us that the night is over and the real light is already shining.
For the commercial world, Christmas is over, but for us Christmas has just begun.
Let us walk in the light of love and forgiveness, mercy and compassion, generosity and sacrifice so that we too will be symbols of the light of Christ.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Holy Innocents, Martyrs, Monday, 28-12-15
1 John 1:5 - 2:2 / Matthew 2:15-18
There are many famous men in Bible whose words and deeds have proclaimed the marvels and the wonders of God.
On Saturday, we celebrated the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, who witnessed to Christ even to the point of death and also forgave those who were stoning him to death.
Yesterday, was the feast day of St. John the evangelist, who proclaimed the mystery of the divinity of God made flesh in the humanity of Jesus.
But in the same Bible are also many infamous men, and today we hear of a man who was a tragedy to himself and he also caused tragic consequences.
Because of his pathological state of mind and his paranoia, he ordered the slaughter of the infants at Bethlehem in order to exterminate the new-born King of the Jews.
That deed was no big deal to him. In fact, it counts as nothing for him.
This makes us reflect on the horrible deeds that are done to children and the unborn: abortion, child abuse, child molestation, child labour, child pornography.
For some people, these things also count as nothing for them.
The feast of the Holy Innocents does not just recall the innocent babies being slaughtered and martyred for Christ.
Because their blood now cries out for the children of the world who are suffering.
Their blood also cries out to us to something for children.
So what can we do for our children and for the children of the world?
May this poem help us in reflection and spur us into action.
Children Learn What They Live
If children live with CRITICISM
They learn to CONDEMN
If children live with HOSTILITY
They learn to FIGHT
If children live with RIDICULE
They learn to BE SHY
If children live with SHAME
They learn to FEEL GUILTY
If children live with TOLERANCE
They learn to BE PATIENT
If children live with ENCOURAGEMENT
They learn to HAVE CONFIDENCE
If children live with PRAISE
They learn to APPRECIATE
If children live with FAIRNESS
They learn JUSTICE
If children live with SECURITY
They learn to HAVE FAITH
If children live with APPROVAL
They learn to LIKE THEMSELVES
If children live with ACCEPTANCE and FRIENDSHIP
They learn to FIND LOVE IN THE WORLD.
There are many famous men in Bible whose words and deeds have proclaimed the marvels and the wonders of God.
On Saturday, we celebrated the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, who witnessed to Christ even to the point of death and also forgave those who were stoning him to death.
Yesterday, was the feast day of St. John the evangelist, who proclaimed the mystery of the divinity of God made flesh in the humanity of Jesus.
But in the same Bible are also many infamous men, and today we hear of a man who was a tragedy to himself and he also caused tragic consequences.
Because of his pathological state of mind and his paranoia, he ordered the slaughter of the infants at Bethlehem in order to exterminate the new-born King of the Jews.
That deed was no big deal to him. In fact, it counts as nothing for him.
This makes us reflect on the horrible deeds that are done to children and the unborn: abortion, child abuse, child molestation, child labour, child pornography.
For some people, these things also count as nothing for them.
The feast of the Holy Innocents does not just recall the innocent babies being slaughtered and martyred for Christ.
Because their blood now cries out for the children of the world who are suffering.
Their blood also cries out to us to something for children.
So what can we do for our children and for the children of the world?
May this poem help us in reflection and spur us into action.
Children Learn What They Live
If children live with CRITICISM
They learn to CONDEMN
If children live with HOSTILITY
They learn to FIGHT
If children live with RIDICULE
They learn to BE SHY
If children live with SHAME
They learn to FEEL GUILTY
If children live with TOLERANCE
They learn to BE PATIENT
If children live with ENCOURAGEMENT
They learn to HAVE CONFIDENCE
If children live with PRAISE
They learn to APPRECIATE
If children live with FAIRNESS
They learn JUSTICE
If children live with SECURITY
They learn to HAVE FAITH
If children live with APPROVAL
They learn to LIKE THEMSELVES
If children live with ACCEPTANCE and FRIENDSHIP
They learn to FIND LOVE IN THE WORLD.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Holy Family, Year C, 27.12.2015
Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6, 12-14 / Colossians 3:12-21 / Luke 2:41-52
Today’s feast of the Holy Family brings back for me many childhood memories, especially childhood memories about going to church.
When my siblings and I were still kids, my parents would usually bring us together as a family for Mass every Sunday.
We would go for the early morning Mass and my parents would have a hard time waking us up on Sunday mornings.
I can’t remember how but I think my family would make it in time for Mass, although my parents had to drive us out of the house as if the house was on fire!
Then at Mass, I also don’t know if we were actually praying but all I could remember is that if I was not dreaming, then I would be playing a fool.
I remembered on one occasion, I went to church with a safety pin on my shirt because a button had come off.
But during the homily, I felt bored, so I took out the safety pin and poked my brother.
Of course, we got into a bit of fight, and my mum intervened, and she “prophesied” that I would get it after Mass, and the “prophecy” was fulfilled.
Of course, besides Sunday Mass, my parents would make sure that we have our family rosary prayers every evening.
As I think about it now, I must say that it is my parents who formed my religious upbringing.
It was not easy for them to make me behave in church and to say my prayers, because I was the naughtiest of my siblings.
They were strict with me in my religious upbringing but now I really thank them for that, otherwise I would have gone way out.
No doubt they prayed for me, but I guess they never expected how far their prayers would go, especially when I became a priest!
Today’s Gospel presents us Jesus and His parents going to the Temple.
This is the only time we hear about Jesus as a 12 year-old.
Being the Holy Family does not mean that they have no worries or anxieties or problems.
In today’s gospel, we see the problem between parents and children.
It is not about who is right or wrong. Rather it is about a family going through the struggles and difficulties of life together.
Nowadays parents have a difficult time bringing up their children, especially in giving them a religious upbringing.
Getting them to come on time for Mass on Sunday is already difficult enough.
Trying to have family prayers is really challenging because of the busyness of everyone in the family.
Yet, without the religious dimension of the family life, then it is almost impossible to have family values.
The 1st reading talks about the filial piety of children but this cannot be fostered if the children have no knowledge of God.
Hence, if parents want children to respect them then they have to teach their children to respect God first and then the children will know what to do.
Parents have to be firm with their children in their religious upbringing like coming for Mass on Sundays and praying together as a family.
It is not easy especially when parents themselves are so busy and children are so independent nowadays.
But if there is to be any family love, warmth and unity, then God must be in the center of the family.
The family that prays together will stay together in difficult and challenging times.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph showed us in this aspect.
Mary and Joseph will pray for us and our families that there will be love, unity, understanding, forgiveness in our families.
Yes, Mary and Joseph will pray for us but we too need to do our part.
On this feast of the Holy Family, the Archbishop William Goh has composed a “Prayer for the family in the Year of Mercy”.
In that prayer, he prayed for the healing of family brokenness through God’s mercy and forgiveness.
His prayer is inspired by what Pope Francis said about the family:
“Husband and wife, have you quarrelled? Children with parents? It’s not right, but it isn’t the problem. The problem is that this sentiment must not be there the next day... The day must never end without making peace in the family.”
Yes, we need to pray for peace in the family. But it can only come about through God’s mercy and forgiveness.
The Archbishop has given us the prayer. It is for us to decide whether we really want to pray for peace in the family.
Family peace begins with prayer. And Mother Mary and St. Joseph will be there in prayer with us for our families.
A family that prays together will stay together in peace.
Today’s feast of the Holy Family brings back for me many childhood memories, especially childhood memories about going to church.
When my siblings and I were still kids, my parents would usually bring us together as a family for Mass every Sunday.
We would go for the early morning Mass and my parents would have a hard time waking us up on Sunday mornings.
I can’t remember how but I think my family would make it in time for Mass, although my parents had to drive us out of the house as if the house was on fire!
Then at Mass, I also don’t know if we were actually praying but all I could remember is that if I was not dreaming, then I would be playing a fool.
I remembered on one occasion, I went to church with a safety pin on my shirt because a button had come off.
But during the homily, I felt bored, so I took out the safety pin and poked my brother.
Of course, we got into a bit of fight, and my mum intervened, and she “prophesied” that I would get it after Mass, and the “prophecy” was fulfilled.
Of course, besides Sunday Mass, my parents would make sure that we have our family rosary prayers every evening.
As I think about it now, I must say that it is my parents who formed my religious upbringing.
It was not easy for them to make me behave in church and to say my prayers, because I was the naughtiest of my siblings.
They were strict with me in my religious upbringing but now I really thank them for that, otherwise I would have gone way out.
No doubt they prayed for me, but I guess they never expected how far their prayers would go, especially when I became a priest!
Today’s Gospel presents us Jesus and His parents going to the Temple.
This is the only time we hear about Jesus as a 12 year-old.
Being the Holy Family does not mean that they have no worries or anxieties or problems.
In today’s gospel, we see the problem between parents and children.
It is not about who is right or wrong. Rather it is about a family going through the struggles and difficulties of life together.
Nowadays parents have a difficult time bringing up their children, especially in giving them a religious upbringing.
Getting them to come on time for Mass on Sunday is already difficult enough.
Trying to have family prayers is really challenging because of the busyness of everyone in the family.
Yet, without the religious dimension of the family life, then it is almost impossible to have family values.
The 1st reading talks about the filial piety of children but this cannot be fostered if the children have no knowledge of God.
Hence, if parents want children to respect them then they have to teach their children to respect God first and then the children will know what to do.
Parents have to be firm with their children in their religious upbringing like coming for Mass on Sundays and praying together as a family.
It is not easy especially when parents themselves are so busy and children are so independent nowadays.
But if there is to be any family love, warmth and unity, then God must be in the center of the family.
The family that prays together will stay together in difficult and challenging times.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph showed us in this aspect.
Mary and Joseph will pray for us and our families that there will be love, unity, understanding, forgiveness in our families.
Yes, Mary and Joseph will pray for us but we too need to do our part.
On this feast of the Holy Family, the Archbishop William Goh has composed a “Prayer for the family in the Year of Mercy”.
In that prayer, he prayed for the healing of family brokenness through God’s mercy and forgiveness.
His prayer is inspired by what Pope Francis said about the family:
“Husband and wife, have you quarrelled? Children with parents? It’s not right, but it isn’t the problem. The problem is that this sentiment must not be there the next day... The day must never end without making peace in the family.”
Yes, we need to pray for peace in the family. But it can only come about through God’s mercy and forgiveness.
The Archbishop has given us the prayer. It is for us to decide whether we really want to pray for peace in the family.
Family peace begins with prayer. And Mother Mary and St. Joseph will be there in prayer with us for our families.
A family that prays together will stay together in peace.
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