Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:11-19
Whenever we hear this phrase "we agree to disagree", have we ever wondered what does that mean?
Whatever that means, most disagreements are caused by different perceptions that create different realities.
Such seems to be the case in the 1st reading between the Pharisees and the Sadducess when Paul brought up the topic of the resurrection.
There was no possibility of "agree to disagree" and the tension was so high that the tribune had to send troops to get Paul out of the situation.
The Pharisees and Sadducees saw their disagreement as an opportunity to inflict defeat and gain victory over the other.
But they failed to see that their disagreement fulfilled a divine intention - Paul was able to bear witness to the Lord, and he was now able to continue the mission from Jerusalem to Rome.
In the gospel, when Jesus prayed that we will all be one, surely He meant that we be united in Him.
But He didn't say that in this unity, there will be no disagreements. And certainly there have been, there are still and there always will be.
But the purpose of disagreement is not about victory or defeat; it is about progress and growth.
It is about praying together in the midst of the disagreements to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying and what is the divine intention.
We can disagree among ourselves, but in the end we must agree with what God is saying. Then there will be unity.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Visitation of the BVM, Wednesday, 31-05-17
Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16 / Luke 1:39-56
Very often it is in a time of need and difficulty that God will surely bestow His blessings on those who turn to Him and invoke His help.
From the book of Genesis, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth in the beginning was a formless void, there was darkness over deep, and God's Spirit hovered over the earth, and then God began the work of creation.
Similarly, in a time of need and difficulty, God's Spirit is hovering and moving the hearts of His people to bring forth His help and blessings.
The Opening Prayer at Mass is this: Almighty ever-living God, who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth.
So how was Mary inspired to visit Elizabeth? The second part of the prayer tells us how: Grant us, we pray, that faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all time.
So it was through the promptings of the Holy Spirit that Mary was moved to go and visit Elizabeth and to be of help to Elizabeth.
And as we heard in the gospel, as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mary was moved by the Spirit, and Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit, as the Spirit brought forth blessings to those in need and in difficulty.
As we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, let us pray with Mary that we open our hearts to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
God's Holy Spirit is hovering over our hearts. When we act on the Spirit's promptings, then a new creation will come forth and abundant blessings will flow.
Very often it is in a time of need and difficulty that God will surely bestow His blessings on those who turn to Him and invoke His help.
From the book of Genesis, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth in the beginning was a formless void, there was darkness over deep, and God's Spirit hovered over the earth, and then God began the work of creation.
Similarly, in a time of need and difficulty, God's Spirit is hovering and moving the hearts of His people to bring forth His help and blessings.
The Opening Prayer at Mass is this: Almighty ever-living God, who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth.
So how was Mary inspired to visit Elizabeth? The second part of the prayer tells us how: Grant us, we pray, that faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all time.
So it was through the promptings of the Holy Spirit that Mary was moved to go and visit Elizabeth and to be of help to Elizabeth.
And as we heard in the gospel, as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mary was moved by the Spirit, and Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit, as the Spirit brought forth blessings to those in need and in difficulty.
As we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, let us pray with Mary that we open our hearts to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
God's Holy Spirit is hovering over our hearts. When we act on the Spirit's promptings, then a new creation will come forth and abundant blessings will flow.
Monday, May 29, 2017
7th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 30-05-17
Acts 20:17-27 / John 17:1-11
Each of us has lived a number of years, and depending on our age, some have lived longer that others.
As we reflect on our lives, can we honestly say that our lives were worth living?
Or if given a choice, would we want to start all over again?
If St. Paul were to answer the question about life, he would just simply say that life is not a thing to waste words on, as we heard in the 1st reading.
What mattered to him was whether his life bore witness to the Good News of God's grace, the Good News of God's love.
Putting it in another way, do we live like children of God our Father, living not just in the temporary, but also looking forward to our eternity?
No doubt, we often get distracted by the narrowness of life, and we lose our focus on our eternal life with God.
But may we never forget that the time spent on this earth is nothing compared to the eternal life that is awaiting us
Each of us has lived a number of years, and depending on our age, some have lived longer that others.
As we reflect on our lives, can we honestly say that our lives were worth living?
Or if given a choice, would we want to start all over again?
If St. Paul were to answer the question about life, he would just simply say that life is not a thing to waste words on, as we heard in the 1st reading.
What mattered to him was whether his life bore witness to the Good News of God's grace, the Good News of God's love.
Putting it in another way, do we live like children of God our Father, living not just in the temporary, but also looking forward to our eternity?
No doubt, we often get distracted by the narrowness of life, and we lose our focus on our eternal life with God.
But may we never forget that the time spent on this earth is nothing compared to the eternal life that is awaiting us
Sunday, May 28, 2017
7th Week of Easter, Monday, 29-05-17
Acts 19:1-8 / John 16:29-33
If we make a comparison between the early Church and the present Church, we may see one obvious difference.
Many signs and wonders happened during the time of the early Church. It was like a "happening" church. Sure they had their problems and difficulties but they were always on the mission of evangelization.
What was quite obvious was that the power of the Holy Spirit was propelling them to grow and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
This was seen in the 1st reading when Paul baptized the disciples in Ephesus and when he laid hands on them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in tongues and prophesy.
No doubt we too have received the Holy Spirit and we know who the Holy Spirit is.
But we need to invoke the Holy Spirit who is our Advocate to help us to know the will of God and to continue the work of Jesus in the mission of salvation.
It is the Holy Spirit who will lead us to a deeper faith and to a deeper truth to who Jesus is and what Jesus wants of us.
It is with the Holy Spirit that we will find peace in Jesus, so that in the face of trouble we will be brave and like Jesus we will conquer our troubles.
So we need to invoke the Holy Spirit in our prayer. Then we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit and we will see signs and wonders.
If we make a comparison between the early Church and the present Church, we may see one obvious difference.
Many signs and wonders happened during the time of the early Church. It was like a "happening" church. Sure they had their problems and difficulties but they were always on the mission of evangelization.
What was quite obvious was that the power of the Holy Spirit was propelling them to grow and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
This was seen in the 1st reading when Paul baptized the disciples in Ephesus and when he laid hands on them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in tongues and prophesy.
No doubt we too have received the Holy Spirit and we know who the Holy Spirit is.
But we need to invoke the Holy Spirit who is our Advocate to help us to know the will of God and to continue the work of Jesus in the mission of salvation.
It is the Holy Spirit who will lead us to a deeper faith and to a deeper truth to who Jesus is and what Jesus wants of us.
It is with the Holy Spirit that we will find peace in Jesus, so that in the face of trouble we will be brave and like Jesus we will conquer our troubles.
So we need to invoke the Holy Spirit in our prayer. Then we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit and we will see signs and wonders.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
7th Sunday of Easter, Year A, 21.05.2017
Acts 1:12-14 / 1 Peter 4:13-16 / John 17:1-11
Last Wednesday, there was a historical meeting between two Christian heads-of-state.
For such a meeting, we would expect the usual formal protocol and etiquette between political leaders like smiles and handshakes, and more so since both are also Christians.
It was the first face-to-face meeting between Pope Francis and US President Donald Trump. But it was a meeting that was closely watched because both had voiced out criticism about each other even before they met.
Before his election to the presidency, Donald Trump had said that he planned to build a border wall between the US and Mexico.
But it happened that the Pope was returning from a trip to Mexico, and he said: A person who thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not a Christian.
Trump responded swiftly at a campaign event: For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful.
So with such a public tension in the background, the meeting between the two was closely watched and also photographed.
As we know, Pope Francis is quite photogenic. He is usually photographed as smiling and even laughing.
But one photo that has gone viral showed a glum-looking Pope standing next to a smiling Trump, and that was immediately compared to other earlier photos of a smiling Pope with other heads-of-state, including the former US President Barrack Obama.
Yes, it was a high profile meeting between the two leaders, one religious and the other political, both had a disagreement, and the world was watching, photographing and commenting.
Yes, people were watching, photographing and commenting. But was there anyone praying?
Well, at least Pope Francis and Donald Trump would be praying in preparation for their first meeting. Both are Christians, and Christians should pray for anything and everything.
But at least there is another person who would have prayed for them. Because in the gospel, there was this line said by Jesus: I pray for them.
Just four words that tell us the priority and the importance of prayer. And if Jesus can say that He prays, then all the more, we as His disciples should pray and must pray.
And that priority and importance of prayer is truly understood by the early Church. In the 1st reading, we heard that the apostles were in the upper room and joined in continuous prayer with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus.
The 1st reading made it a point to mention Mary, and it was the last mention of her in the Bible, and it portrays her as praying with the Church and for the Church.
And we can be sure that Mary also prayed for the Pope and the US President in their first meeting.
Indeed, the whole aspect of prayer is so important and fundamental in the life of a Christian. So it may be said that a Christian who does not pray cannot be considered a Christian, and a Christian who does not pray is also rather disgraceful.
A Christian, through prayer, is united with Jesus, and goes forth to tear down walls and build bridges.
This Sunday is also known as World Communication Sunday. The Church wants to emphasize that communication must lead to communion.
Prayer is our communication with God. Prayer must also lead us to a communion with others.
As Christians, we are called to communicate the love of God to others, so that we will tear down walls and build bridges. And Jesus prays that we will do just that.
Which brings to mind how we use our electronic communication devices. Are we using it to tear down walls and build bridges? Or are we using it to build walls and burn bridges?
And here Pope Francis has shown us how to communicate in order to have communion. His meeting with Donald Trump ended off with a warm exchange of gifts.
The Pope had a theme with his gifts, and it was theme of peace.
He presented Trump with a medallion and he said: This is a medallion with an olive tree which is a symbol of peace. It has two branches, which were divided in the middle because of war. And the olive tree is slowly trying to bring them together for peace. It is my strongest desire that you can be an olive tree to make peace.
Donald Trump responded: Thank you, I will remember what you said.
It was a beautiful ending to the meeting between the two leaders.
Jesus prayed for them. Mary and the saints also prayed for them.
May we also pray that in our communication with others, walls will be torn down and bridges will be built for peace and communion.
Last Wednesday, there was a historical meeting between two Christian heads-of-state.
For such a meeting, we would expect the usual formal protocol and etiquette between political leaders like smiles and handshakes, and more so since both are also Christians.
It was the first face-to-face meeting between Pope Francis and US President Donald Trump. But it was a meeting that was closely watched because both had voiced out criticism about each other even before they met.
Before his election to the presidency, Donald Trump had said that he planned to build a border wall between the US and Mexico.
But it happened that the Pope was returning from a trip to Mexico, and he said: A person who thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not a Christian.
Trump responded swiftly at a campaign event: For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful.
So with such a public tension in the background, the meeting between the two was closely watched and also photographed.
As we know, Pope Francis is quite photogenic. He is usually photographed as smiling and even laughing.
But one photo that has gone viral showed a glum-looking Pope standing next to a smiling Trump, and that was immediately compared to other earlier photos of a smiling Pope with other heads-of-state, including the former US President Barrack Obama.Yes, it was a high profile meeting between the two leaders, one religious and the other political, both had a disagreement, and the world was watching, photographing and commenting.
Yes, people were watching, photographing and commenting. But was there anyone praying?
Well, at least Pope Francis and Donald Trump would be praying in preparation for their first meeting. Both are Christians, and Christians should pray for anything and everything.
But at least there is another person who would have prayed for them. Because in the gospel, there was this line said by Jesus: I pray for them.
Just four words that tell us the priority and the importance of prayer. And if Jesus can say that He prays, then all the more, we as His disciples should pray and must pray.
And that priority and importance of prayer is truly understood by the early Church. In the 1st reading, we heard that the apostles were in the upper room and joined in continuous prayer with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus.
The 1st reading made it a point to mention Mary, and it was the last mention of her in the Bible, and it portrays her as praying with the Church and for the Church.
And we can be sure that Mary also prayed for the Pope and the US President in their first meeting.
Indeed, the whole aspect of prayer is so important and fundamental in the life of a Christian. So it may be said that a Christian who does not pray cannot be considered a Christian, and a Christian who does not pray is also rather disgraceful.
A Christian, through prayer, is united with Jesus, and goes forth to tear down walls and build bridges.
This Sunday is also known as World Communication Sunday. The Church wants to emphasize that communication must lead to communion.
Prayer is our communication with God. Prayer must also lead us to a communion with others.
As Christians, we are called to communicate the love of God to others, so that we will tear down walls and build bridges. And Jesus prays that we will do just that.
Which brings to mind how we use our electronic communication devices. Are we using it to tear down walls and build bridges? Or are we using it to build walls and burn bridges?
And here Pope Francis has shown us how to communicate in order to have communion. His meeting with Donald Trump ended off with a warm exchange of gifts.
The Pope had a theme with his gifts, and it was theme of peace.
He presented Trump with a medallion and he said: This is a medallion with an olive tree which is a symbol of peace. It has two branches, which were divided in the middle because of war. And the olive tree is slowly trying to bring them together for peace. It is my strongest desire that you can be an olive tree to make peace.
Donald Trump responded: Thank you, I will remember what you said.
It was a beautiful ending to the meeting between the two leaders.
Jesus prayed for them. Mary and the saints also prayed for them.
May we also pray that in our communication with others, walls will be torn down and bridges will be built for peace and communion.
Friday, May 26, 2017
6th Week of Easter, Saturday, 27-05-17
Acts 18:23-28 / John 16:23-28
Each of us has a purpose in this life. There is a meaning for our existence.
But it is not about what we do for a living, or what we do at home, or what we do in Church, or what we do for others.
At the very core of our existence, we have an identity.
From this identity flows the meaning of our existence and our purpose in life.
Jesus came to show us who we really are. We are children of God, sons and daughters of God our Father.
Jesus came to show us the Father's love, so that in Jesus, we will come to know the Father and love Him.
Jesus came from the Father and has now gone back to the Father.
We too came from the Father and we will eventually go back to the Father.
To forget this is to forget who we are and we will just become functional and lose the spiritual.
So let us ask Jesus to make His home in our hearts, so that we will be filled with His love for God and for others, and so that we will show others who we really are.
Each of us has a purpose in this life. There is a meaning for our existence.
But it is not about what we do for a living, or what we do at home, or what we do in Church, or what we do for others.
At the very core of our existence, we have an identity.
From this identity flows the meaning of our existence and our purpose in life.
Jesus came to show us who we really are. We are children of God, sons and daughters of God our Father.
Jesus came to show us the Father's love, so that in Jesus, we will come to know the Father and love Him.
Jesus came from the Father and has now gone back to the Father.
We too came from the Father and we will eventually go back to the Father.
To forget this is to forget who we are and we will just become functional and lose the spiritual.
So let us ask Jesus to make His home in our hearts, so that we will be filled with His love for God and for others, and so that we will show others who we really are.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
6th Week of Easter, Friday, 26-05-17
Acts 18:9-18 / John 16:20-23
No one can ever say that they don't have any difficulties and struggles in life. Nor can anyone ever say that they never had any experiences of difficulties and struggles in life.
Of course our natural inclination is to try to avoid difficulties and struggles and we will even pray that God spare us of the hardships of life.
Because what we desire is comfort and pleasure, and that there will be no weeping or sorrow.
But if life is really going to as such, then we will not need the help of God because what would we need His help for?
St. Paul knew what hardship is about. The Lord had said this of him: I myself will show him how much he himself must suffer for my name (Acts 9:16)
In the 1st reading, we heard that the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced. I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.
It could be that Paul was worn out by the challenges and persecutions against him and he was feeling wearied and run down.
But he was rewarded with this vision from the Lord and from it he got the strength and encouragement to carry on the mission of the Lord.
His sorrow had turned to joy. He suffered but now he was strengthened. He only needed to feel that the Lord was with him, and nothing else matters.
So where sufferings abound, let us believe that blessings abound all the more. It is in suffering that the Lord will let us have an experience of His presence. And with that we won't be afraid of difficulties and struggles.
No one can ever say that they don't have any difficulties and struggles in life. Nor can anyone ever say that they never had any experiences of difficulties and struggles in life.
Of course our natural inclination is to try to avoid difficulties and struggles and we will even pray that God spare us of the hardships of life.
Because what we desire is comfort and pleasure, and that there will be no weeping or sorrow.
But if life is really going to as such, then we will not need the help of God because what would we need His help for?
St. Paul knew what hardship is about. The Lord had said this of him: I myself will show him how much he himself must suffer for my name (Acts 9:16)
In the 1st reading, we heard that the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced. I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.
It could be that Paul was worn out by the challenges and persecutions against him and he was feeling wearied and run down.
But he was rewarded with this vision from the Lord and from it he got the strength and encouragement to carry on the mission of the Lord.
His sorrow had turned to joy. He suffered but now he was strengthened. He only needed to feel that the Lord was with him, and nothing else matters.
So where sufferings abound, let us believe that blessings abound all the more. It is in suffering that the Lord will let us have an experience of His presence. And with that we won't be afraid of difficulties and struggles.
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