Job 1:6-22 / Luke 9:46-50
There are some things which we would certainly like to put on display.
Whether
it is at home, or in school, or at the club-house, or even in the
parish office, if we have any awards, or academic achievements, or
medals, or trophies, we would certainly like to put them a special
display.
In a way, all those items are mirrors. They show us how good we are and what we can do.
They are also indicators of how we fare with others, to see what we are and who we are in comparison with others.
In the gospel, the disciples were ranking themselves against each other, and that's when Jesus interjected.
The model of greatness which He gave them was a humble little child.
That was really a contradiction and a paradoxical model of what we are so used to when we talk about greatness.
Because we tend to associate greatness with power and might, and achievements and possessions.
But when these are taken away, is there anything else that we can be proud of or feel great about?
We
can slowly understand a bit of what greatness is all about when Job in
the 1st reading said this after all he had was taken away :
Naked
I came from my mother's womb, naked I shall return. The Lord gave, the
Lord has taken back. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Saturday, September 29, 2018
26th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 30.09.2018
Numbers 11:25-29 / James 5:1-6 / Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
The following is a short description of a comic-book superhero: he is big, he is angry, and he is green all over. Who is he? – The Incredible Hulk!
He doesn’t seem to talk. He is often growling and roaring, especially when he on the rampage against the bad guys.
Why is he green, there is of course a reason and we can find out if we wish.
But the colour green is also often associated with jealousy (green with jealousy), and again there seems to be reason for that.
Jealousy, as well as envy, are very strong emotions that can make us growl and roar and even go on a rampage. But generally it is hidden and expresses itself in deceptive ways.
A story has it that at the entrance of a boutique, an impatient looking young man approached an attractive lady and said to her, “Would you mind talking to me for a few minutes?”
“Why?” the lady asked suspiciously.
The man explained, “My wife has been in this boutique for a long time. But I know that if she sees me talking to you, she will come out immediately!”
Well, jealousy, and envy, are certainly signs of personal insecurity. But not many would admit to being jealous. Most people would think that it is about self-preservation and self-protection.
In the 1st reading, when Joshua told Moses to stop the two men from prophesying, Moses answered him: Are you jealous on my account?
Certainly Joshua was stumped by that reply from Moses. Because Moses had pointed out the jealousy in him.
More than that, the jealousy of Joshua had that ulterior motive of stopping someone from doing a good thing.
The intensity of jealousy becomes cleared in the gospel when John reported to Jesus: Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name, and because he is not one of us, we tried to stop him.
So jealousy had reared its ugly head to bite on an exclusive right to the favour of Jesus. John wanted Jesus only for himself and his own people. He is not willing to share Jesus with others.
But with that comes a teaching from Jesus as He says: You must not stop him. No one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak ill of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.
Jesus goes on to teach about those who are obstacles to the faith of others, that they would be better thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck.
Now, that was actually a very severe punishment, because it meant that even a burial for the body was denied.
So it is obvious that jealousy is not a minor sin. Actually it is one of the seven deadly sins. The rest are pride, greed, lust, gluttony, anger and sloth.
It is a deadly sin because jealousy is an obstacle to those who have faith and want to do good for others.
But it is an obstacle as well as a stumbling block to those who want to do good because they could not understand why they are stopped or prevented from doing good. They may be given a whole load of petty reasons, but they would not be told that it was out of jealousy.
Because jealousy is a sin that would conceal and disguise itself, just as evil would conceal and disguise itself, and then ambush or sabotage people who want to do good.
So jealousy is a sin that is an obstacle and a stumbling block for others. It is a sin that we have to check ourselves on, and we have to tear out and cut off that cover of jealousy, lest we become obstacles and stumbling blocks for others.
Just as Moses asked Joshua if he was jealous, we also need to ask ourselves if we are jealous about other peoples’ good deeds or good works. Or it can even be very banal things like other people’s success, achievements, intelligence, talents, looks.
When we can address the jealousy in ourselves, then we become stepping stones for others to help them to do good for others and to help them in their journey to heaven.
Talking about stepping stones, the Primary 6 students are still having their PSLE exams. It is an exam that is like a stepping stone to their future education.
In the PSLE, the students are tested on many things that they have been taught.
PSLE stands for “Primary School Leaving Examinations”. A spiritual acronym for PSLE can be “Prayer Sanctifies Life Experiences”.
Everyone will experience jealousy now and then (hopefully not too often). So we must teach our children how to recognize the feelings of jealousy and to admit to it, and not to allow it to be an obstacle or stumbling block.
Let us teach our children to pray, so that with prayer, they can become aware of the sin of jealousy that is lurking in their hearts, and to cast it out with prayer, so that prayer will clean and sanctify their hearts and make them stepping stones for others who want to do good for others.
May we also pray and clean out the jealousy from our hearts, so that we can be a good example and be a stepping stone for our children.
That will be our PSLE.
The following is a short description of a comic-book superhero: he is big, he is angry, and he is green all over. Who is he? – The Incredible Hulk!
He doesn’t seem to talk. He is often growling and roaring, especially when he on the rampage against the bad guys.
Why is he green, there is of course a reason and we can find out if we wish.
But the colour green is also often associated with jealousy (green with jealousy), and again there seems to be reason for that.
Jealousy, as well as envy, are very strong emotions that can make us growl and roar and even go on a rampage. But generally it is hidden and expresses itself in deceptive ways.
A story has it that at the entrance of a boutique, an impatient looking young man approached an attractive lady and said to her, “Would you mind talking to me for a few minutes?”
“Why?” the lady asked suspiciously.
The man explained, “My wife has been in this boutique for a long time. But I know that if she sees me talking to you, she will come out immediately!”
Well, jealousy, and envy, are certainly signs of personal insecurity. But not many would admit to being jealous. Most people would think that it is about self-preservation and self-protection.
In the 1st reading, when Joshua told Moses to stop the two men from prophesying, Moses answered him: Are you jealous on my account?
Certainly Joshua was stumped by that reply from Moses. Because Moses had pointed out the jealousy in him.
More than that, the jealousy of Joshua had that ulterior motive of stopping someone from doing a good thing.
The intensity of jealousy becomes cleared in the gospel when John reported to Jesus: Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name, and because he is not one of us, we tried to stop him.
So jealousy had reared its ugly head to bite on an exclusive right to the favour of Jesus. John wanted Jesus only for himself and his own people. He is not willing to share Jesus with others.
But with that comes a teaching from Jesus as He says: You must not stop him. No one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak ill of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.
Jesus goes on to teach about those who are obstacles to the faith of others, that they would be better thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck.
Now, that was actually a very severe punishment, because it meant that even a burial for the body was denied.
So it is obvious that jealousy is not a minor sin. Actually it is one of the seven deadly sins. The rest are pride, greed, lust, gluttony, anger and sloth.
It is a deadly sin because jealousy is an obstacle to those who have faith and want to do good for others.
But it is an obstacle as well as a stumbling block to those who want to do good because they could not understand why they are stopped or prevented from doing good. They may be given a whole load of petty reasons, but they would not be told that it was out of jealousy.
Because jealousy is a sin that would conceal and disguise itself, just as evil would conceal and disguise itself, and then ambush or sabotage people who want to do good.
So jealousy is a sin that is an obstacle and a stumbling block for others. It is a sin that we have to check ourselves on, and we have to tear out and cut off that cover of jealousy, lest we become obstacles and stumbling blocks for others.
Just as Moses asked Joshua if he was jealous, we also need to ask ourselves if we are jealous about other peoples’ good deeds or good works. Or it can even be very banal things like other people’s success, achievements, intelligence, talents, looks.
When we can address the jealousy in ourselves, then we become stepping stones for others to help them to do good for others and to help them in their journey to heaven.
Talking about stepping stones, the Primary 6 students are still having their PSLE exams. It is an exam that is like a stepping stone to their future education.
In the PSLE, the students are tested on many things that they have been taught.
PSLE stands for “Primary School Leaving Examinations”. A spiritual acronym for PSLE can be “Prayer Sanctifies Life Experiences”.
Everyone will experience jealousy now and then (hopefully not too often). So we must teach our children how to recognize the feelings of jealousy and to admit to it, and not to allow it to be an obstacle or stumbling block.
Let us teach our children to pray, so that with prayer, they can become aware of the sin of jealousy that is lurking in their hearts, and to cast it out with prayer, so that prayer will clean and sanctify their hearts and make them stepping stones for others who want to do good for others.
May we also pray and clean out the jealousy from our hearts, so that we can be a good example and be a stepping stone for our children.
That will be our PSLE.
Friday, September 28, 2018
The Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Saturday, 29-09-18
Apocalypse 12:7-12 / John 1:47-51
The Bible has many passages referring to angels, both in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament
Furthermore the New Testament mentions frequently of angels in the significant moments.
There were angels giving messages to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds; angels ministering to Christ after his temptation in the wilderness, an angel visiting Christ in his agony, angels at the tomb of the risen Christ, and the angels who liberated the Apostles Peter and Paul from prison.
However, it makes only two references to "archangels." They are in Jude 9 where Michael is an archangel and in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, where the "voice of an archangel" will be heard at the return of Christ.
The Roman Catholic Church honours three archangels - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
Michael in the Hebrew language means "Who is like unto God?" or "Who is equal to God?" St. Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks the devil, and in his left hand a green palm branch which symbolizes victory over evil.
Gabriel means "Man of God" or "Might of God." He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the Incarnation of God and all other mysteries related to it. He is depicted as holding a lighted lantern to symbolize that only God can shed light to the mysteries.
Raphael means "God's healing" or "God the Healer". He is mentioned in the book of Tobit (3:17; 12:15). Raphael is depicted leading Tobit with his right hand, and holding a physician's alabaster jar in his left hand.
The celebration of the feast of the three Archangels focuses on three aspects of God.
It reminds us that God is almighty and is victorious over evil. Also the mystery of life and death, and suffering and evil is in the hands of God who is the source of all mystery.
God is also our Healer who forgives us our sins and strengthens us with His love.
May God also strengthen our faith so that as we gather together in this Eucharist, we will also become aware of the presence of angels and archangels joining us to worship and praise the Lord.
The Bible has many passages referring to angels, both in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament
Furthermore the New Testament mentions frequently of angels in the significant moments.
There were angels giving messages to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds; angels ministering to Christ after his temptation in the wilderness, an angel visiting Christ in his agony, angels at the tomb of the risen Christ, and the angels who liberated the Apostles Peter and Paul from prison.
However, it makes only two references to "archangels." They are in Jude 9 where Michael is an archangel and in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, where the "voice of an archangel" will be heard at the return of Christ.
The Roman Catholic Church honours three archangels - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
Michael in the Hebrew language means "Who is like unto God?" or "Who is equal to God?" St. Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks the devil, and in his left hand a green palm branch which symbolizes victory over evil.
Gabriel means "Man of God" or "Might of God." He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the Incarnation of God and all other mysteries related to it. He is depicted as holding a lighted lantern to symbolize that only God can shed light to the mysteries.
Raphael means "God's healing" or "God the Healer". He is mentioned in the book of Tobit (3:17; 12:15). Raphael is depicted leading Tobit with his right hand, and holding a physician's alabaster jar in his left hand.
The celebration of the feast of the three Archangels focuses on three aspects of God.
It reminds us that God is almighty and is victorious over evil. Also the mystery of life and death, and suffering and evil is in the hands of God who is the source of all mystery.
God is also our Healer who forgives us our sins and strengthens us with His love.
May God also strengthen our faith so that as we gather together in this Eucharist, we will also become aware of the presence of angels and archangels joining us to worship and praise the Lord.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 28-09-18
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 / Luke 9:18-22
Generally speaking, for something to work out, there must be the combination of the right place, the right persons and the right time.
These three factors can be said to be the legs of a three-legged stool, which can stand steady even in a uneven surface.
So when the combination of the right place, the right persons and right time come together, that is what we call the "appointed time", and we also know that it's not through human effort but rather it's the work of the divine.
The 1st reading talks about time and seasons for apparently cyclic human activities which at the same time are also apparently opposite in nature.
Yet as much as man may be able to comprehend what is happening at a particular time or season, yet he cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.
And even in the gospel, when Peter said that Jesus is the Christ of God, he may not know the full impact of what he was saying nor for that matter of fact, all its consequences.
But in time to come, Peter and the rest of the disciples will come to know what the Christ of God came to do and how He would go about accomplishing it.
So let us also be aware that what we do now is a preparation for the future and has a consequence for the future.
Hence if what we do now is done in God, then we are preparing for the God's "appointed time". But if not, then we are only creating obstacles in the fulfillment of God's plan.
Let us remember that all time belongs to God, hence let us do what God wants of us ... all the time.
Generally speaking, for something to work out, there must be the combination of the right place, the right persons and the right time.
These three factors can be said to be the legs of a three-legged stool, which can stand steady even in a uneven surface.
So when the combination of the right place, the right persons and right time come together, that is what we call the "appointed time", and we also know that it's not through human effort but rather it's the work of the divine.
The 1st reading talks about time and seasons for apparently cyclic human activities which at the same time are also apparently opposite in nature.
Yet as much as man may be able to comprehend what is happening at a particular time or season, yet he cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.
And even in the gospel, when Peter said that Jesus is the Christ of God, he may not know the full impact of what he was saying nor for that matter of fact, all its consequences.
But in time to come, Peter and the rest of the disciples will come to know what the Christ of God came to do and how He would go about accomplishing it.
So let us also be aware that what we do now is a preparation for the future and has a consequence for the future.
Hence if what we do now is done in God, then we are preparing for the God's "appointed time". But if not, then we are only creating obstacles in the fulfillment of God's plan.
Let us remember that all time belongs to God, hence let us do what God wants of us ... all the time.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 27-09-18
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 / Luke 9:7-9
It is said that seeing is believing. Generally speaking that may be true, especially when we have heard about something and then finally get to see it for ourselves with our own eyes.
Yet there may be other instances where seeing may not necessarily lead to believing.
In the gospel we heard that Herod was anxious to see Jesus; he had this longing to see who this Jesus was that he heard about.
But when Herod finally got to see Jesus during His passion, he didn't think much about who he was looking at.
Perhaps the pathetic state of being condemned led Herod to think that Jesus was just a shooting star that would fade off into the darkness.
Yet the 1st reading makes us reflect deeper on what we are seeing around us.
Images of the sun rising and setting, the wind blowing, the waters of the river flowing into the sea are telling us something about the reality of our lives.
Yet it is not about how much our eyes have seen or how much our ears have heard.
It is a matter of how much our hearts are filled - filled with mystery.
In the Eucharist we see things like bread and wine and we hear prayers.
May our hearts also be filled with the mystery of God's love.
It is said that seeing is believing. Generally speaking that may be true, especially when we have heard about something and then finally get to see it for ourselves with our own eyes.
Yet there may be other instances where seeing may not necessarily lead to believing.
In the gospel we heard that Herod was anxious to see Jesus; he had this longing to see who this Jesus was that he heard about.
But when Herod finally got to see Jesus during His passion, he didn't think much about who he was looking at.
Perhaps the pathetic state of being condemned led Herod to think that Jesus was just a shooting star that would fade off into the darkness.
Yet the 1st reading makes us reflect deeper on what we are seeing around us.
Images of the sun rising and setting, the wind blowing, the waters of the river flowing into the sea are telling us something about the reality of our lives.
Yet it is not about how much our eyes have seen or how much our ears have heard.
It is a matter of how much our hearts are filled - filled with mystery.
In the Eucharist we see things like bread and wine and we hear prayers.
May our hearts also be filled with the mystery of God's love.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 26-09-18
Proverbs 30:5-9 / Luke 9:1-6
We may like to be rich but maybe not too rich. And of course we don't like to be too poor, although we may still be able to manage it. But of course, it won't be that comfortable.
But whether in poverty or with plenty, we won't want to be at both the extreme ends.
In reality, what we really want is that we can have enough for our needs.
In the 1st reading, that is what the writer of the book of Proverbs is saying as he asks of the Lord:
"Two things I beg of you, do not grudge me them before I die. Keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of bread to eat."
But more than just asking God to provide enough for his needs, the writer goes on to say: "For fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, 'The Lord - who is the Lord?', or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of the Lord."
So having too much and having nothing can have problems in that we forget that God can provide for our needs.
And that is what Jesus is telling His disciples as He send them out for the mission as He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey ... "
He wants them to experience that they will have enough for their needs because God will provide.
Yes, God will provide for our needs. When we have enough, let us give thanks to God, and when we have excess, let us also help others in their need.
We may like to be rich but maybe not too rich. And of course we don't like to be too poor, although we may still be able to manage it. But of course, it won't be that comfortable.
But whether in poverty or with plenty, we won't want to be at both the extreme ends.
In reality, what we really want is that we can have enough for our needs.
In the 1st reading, that is what the writer of the book of Proverbs is saying as he asks of the Lord:
"Two things I beg of you, do not grudge me them before I die. Keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of bread to eat."
But more than just asking God to provide enough for his needs, the writer goes on to say: "For fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, 'The Lord - who is the Lord?', or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of the Lord."
So having too much and having nothing can have problems in that we forget that God can provide for our needs.
And that is what Jesus is telling His disciples as He send them out for the mission as He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey ... "
He wants them to experience that they will have enough for their needs because God will provide.
Yes, God will provide for our needs. When we have enough, let us give thanks to God, and when we have excess, let us also help others in their need.
Monday, September 24, 2018
25th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 25-09-18
Proverbs 21:1-6. 10-13 / Luke 8:19-21
The Old Testament is divided into a few sections. There is the Pentateuch or the Torah which is the first five books of the Bible.
Then there are the historical books, the prophetic writings and the wisdom books or wisdom literature.
The wisdom books consists of the Book of Wisdom, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), and Sirach.
The 1st reading is taken from the book of Proverbs and we may consider it rather easy reading because of its practicality and easy comprehension.
As we can see from the 1st reading, the truths of life are clearly and simply spelt out - act virtuously and with justice, be hardworking, be compassionate and charitable.
Yet, what is clear and simple may not necessarily be easy to carry out, as we are often fooled into thinking that what is simple is easy.
In the gospel, Jesus said that those who hear the Word of God and put it into practice are the ones who are closest to Him.
Yes, reading and hearing about the wisdom of life is one thing. Putting it into practice is another thing.
Certainly we want to live a meaningful and a God-centered life with the wisdom that is already found in the Bible.
May we become what we read, and in doing so may we become more and more Christ-like to others.
The Old Testament is divided into a few sections. There is the Pentateuch or the Torah which is the first five books of the Bible.
Then there are the historical books, the prophetic writings and the wisdom books or wisdom literature.
The wisdom books consists of the Book of Wisdom, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), and Sirach.
The 1st reading is taken from the book of Proverbs and we may consider it rather easy reading because of its practicality and easy comprehension.
As we can see from the 1st reading, the truths of life are clearly and simply spelt out - act virtuously and with justice, be hardworking, be compassionate and charitable.
Yet, what is clear and simple may not necessarily be easy to carry out, as we are often fooled into thinking that what is simple is easy.
In the gospel, Jesus said that those who hear the Word of God and put it into practice are the ones who are closest to Him.
Yes, reading and hearing about the wisdom of life is one thing. Putting it into practice is another thing.
Certainly we want to live a meaningful and a God-centered life with the wisdom that is already found in the Bible.
May we become what we read, and in doing so may we become more and more Christ-like to others.
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