2 Sam 11:1-10, 13-17 / Mark 4:26-34
Our eyes are such a wonderful gift. With our eyes we can see and appreciate the beauty around us, we can look at where we are going, and we can also evaluate a situation by a visual judgement.
Eyes are like windows to the mind and the heart, and we can block what we don't like and let in what we like or desire.
In the 1st reading, when king David was strolling at his palace roof, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful.
He made inquiries about that woman and he found out that she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite.
From admiring her beauty, David went on to desire for her and so he had her brought to him and he slept with her.
One thing led to another, and eventually it lead to the conspired death of Uriah, who was one of David's faithful army commanders.
It all began with David's eyes. His eyes lingered on for too long on a beautiful woman who was bathing.
We too need to guard what we are looking at, and have control over our eyes, otherwise there can be tragic consequences, like what happened to David.
May our eyes be always on the Lord God, so that we will see goodness and beauty, and also go to the help of others who are in need.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 30-01-2020
2 Sam 7:18-19, 24-29 / Mark 4:21-25
In this time of anxiety and concerns over the spread of the virus, we are also brought to look at life squarely and seriously.
In situations where there is mortal danger and the fragility of life is exposed before our eyes, we come to certain realisations and are brought back to basics.
And inevitably, we will turn to God as we ask for His help in such a distressful time. Because it is in times like these that we realise who God is and who we are.
And those were the first words of David in the 1st reading when he spoke to God, "Who am I, Lord, and what is my house, that you have led me as far as this?"
David was thankful that God had already showered him with blessings, and God was going to bless him and his descendants even more.
David was like a light that God puts on a lamp-stand, so that people could see God's blessings in David.
We too have the light of Christ within us, and we too must stand up and let the light of Christ shine in times of darkness, so as to bring hope to our troubled world.
With the light of prayer, let us invoke the Lord for His blessings on us and on the world, so that the Good News of salvation will bring about hope in a time of anxiety and fear.
In this time of anxiety and concerns over the spread of the virus, we are also brought to look at life squarely and seriously.
In situations where there is mortal danger and the fragility of life is exposed before our eyes, we come to certain realisations and are brought back to basics.
And inevitably, we will turn to God as we ask for His help in such a distressful time. Because it is in times like these that we realise who God is and who we are.
And those were the first words of David in the 1st reading when he spoke to God, "Who am I, Lord, and what is my house, that you have led me as far as this?"
David was thankful that God had already showered him with blessings, and God was going to bless him and his descendants even more.
David was like a light that God puts on a lamp-stand, so that people could see God's blessings in David.
We too have the light of Christ within us, and we too must stand up and let the light of Christ shine in times of darkness, so as to bring hope to our troubled world.
With the light of prayer, let us invoke the Lord for His blessings on us and on the world, so that the Good News of salvation will bring about hope in a time of anxiety and fear.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 29-01-2020
2 Sam 7:4-17 / Mark 4:1-20
If seeing is believing, then there is more than meets the eye. Because we may not comprehend everything at first glance or at the first encounter.
So seeing does not necessarily equate to understanding, and looking does not necessarily equate to comprehending.
When Jesus told the parable of the sower and the seeds, the people knew what He was talking about because they could see it happening almost every day.
But when Jesus was alone, His disciples asked Him what the parables meant. They knew there was something more than just a story about the sowing techniques or where to plant seeds.
And even for David in the 1st reading, he thought that the next obvious thing to do was to build the House of God, now that things are more settled and in place.
But man does not see as God sees, nor does man think as God thinks. And hence the prophet Nathan was sent to David to help him understand the plans of God.
So there is always more that meets the eye and the mind.
Whatever plans that we make and think that it is the most obvious or natural thing to do, let us bring it before the Lord in prayer.
God will reveal to us more than we can see or think, and even lead us to understand and comprehend the ways of God.
If seeing is believing, then there is more than meets the eye. Because we may not comprehend everything at first glance or at the first encounter.
So seeing does not necessarily equate to understanding, and looking does not necessarily equate to comprehending.
When Jesus told the parable of the sower and the seeds, the people knew what He was talking about because they could see it happening almost every day.
But when Jesus was alone, His disciples asked Him what the parables meant. They knew there was something more than just a story about the sowing techniques or where to plant seeds.
And even for David in the 1st reading, he thought that the next obvious thing to do was to build the House of God, now that things are more settled and in place.
But man does not see as God sees, nor does man think as God thinks. And hence the prophet Nathan was sent to David to help him understand the plans of God.
So there is always more that meets the eye and the mind.
Whatever plans that we make and think that it is the most obvious or natural thing to do, let us bring it before the Lord in prayer.
God will reveal to us more than we can see or think, and even lead us to understand and comprehend the ways of God.
Monday, January 27, 2020
3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 28-01-2020
2 Sam 6:12-15, 17-19 / Mark 3:31-35
With a health issue looming over us, there are more and more precautions kicking in.
Although we are told not to be too alarmed, yet we can't help being concerned about how infectious the virus is.
In an anxious time like this, we must comply to the precautions and stay calm.
And in an anxious time like this, we must also turn to God and implore His help and His blessings on the medical personnel attending to the victims and that a cure for the virus be found quickly.
We want to see God coming to our aid, and we must not doubt His presence among us and that He will hear our prayer.
In the 1st reading, we hear of how David brought the ark of God to the Citadel of David with great rejoicing, dancing with all his might and offering holocausts and communion sacrifices to the Lord.
The ark of God was a profound sign of God's presence among His people, and David believed in it.
For us, the profound sign of God's presence is in the celebration of the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament.
We must have the faith to believe that God will hear our prayers and grant His blessings .
So let us stay calm, let us hold on to our faith, let us keep praying and trusting in the Lord.
If we believe that God is with us, then let us not give in to fear.
With a health issue looming over us, there are more and more precautions kicking in.
Although we are told not to be too alarmed, yet we can't help being concerned about how infectious the virus is.
In an anxious time like this, we must comply to the precautions and stay calm.
And in an anxious time like this, we must also turn to God and implore His help and His blessings on the medical personnel attending to the victims and that a cure for the virus be found quickly.
We want to see God coming to our aid, and we must not doubt His presence among us and that He will hear our prayer.
In the 1st reading, we hear of how David brought the ark of God to the Citadel of David with great rejoicing, dancing with all his might and offering holocausts and communion sacrifices to the Lord.
The ark of God was a profound sign of God's presence among His people, and David believed in it.
For us, the profound sign of God's presence is in the celebration of the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament.
We must have the faith to believe that God will hear our prayers and grant His blessings .
So let us stay calm, let us hold on to our faith, let us keep praying and trusting in the Lord.
If we believe that God is with us, then let us not give in to fear.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
3rd Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 27-01-2020
2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 / Mark 3:22-30
In a certain sense, we can say that life is rigid. For example, what is done cannot be undone, and what is said cannot be retracted.
Even in this age of information technology, what is posted on the internet cannot be taken off. As it is said, the internet remembers.
The second part of today's gospel passage can be quite troubling when Jesus said : Let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness; he is guilty of an eternal sin.
We might immediately sit up and ask if we ever committed a sin like that. Anyway what does "blaspheme against the Holy Spirit" mean?
When we read the preceding verses, then we will understand why Jesus said that.
Because the scribes were saying that Jesus cast out demons with the power of devil himself.
They were saying that what Jesus did was not the work of the Holy Spirit but the work of the devil.
In effect, they were saying that Jesus was the instrument of the devil.
Not only did that sounded ridiculous after the explanation of Jesus, but it also showed that the scribes utterly refused to acknowledge the good that Jesus was doing.
Yet in the 1st reading we see a different picture. The people acknowledged that the Lord was with David and they proclaimed him to be their king.
From today's readings, we have to ask ourselves if we have acknowledged the good in others and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the good that they do.
We also have to ask ourselves if there is any sin that we knowingly and repeatedly commit and are not willing to repent.
Well, what is done cannot be undone, and what is said cannot be retracted.
But with the Lord there is mercy and forgiveness. Only if and when we repent.
In a certain sense, we can say that life is rigid. For example, what is done cannot be undone, and what is said cannot be retracted.
Even in this age of information technology, what is posted on the internet cannot be taken off. As it is said, the internet remembers.
The second part of today's gospel passage can be quite troubling when Jesus said : Let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness; he is guilty of an eternal sin.
We might immediately sit up and ask if we ever committed a sin like that. Anyway what does "blaspheme against the Holy Spirit" mean?
When we read the preceding verses, then we will understand why Jesus said that.
Because the scribes were saying that Jesus cast out demons with the power of devil himself.
They were saying that what Jesus did was not the work of the Holy Spirit but the work of the devil.
In effect, they were saying that Jesus was the instrument of the devil.
Not only did that sounded ridiculous after the explanation of Jesus, but it also showed that the scribes utterly refused to acknowledge the good that Jesus was doing.
Yet in the 1st reading we see a different picture. The people acknowledged that the Lord was with David and they proclaimed him to be their king.
From today's readings, we have to ask ourselves if we have acknowledged the good in others and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the good that they do.
We also have to ask ourselves if there is any sin that we knowingly and repeatedly commit and are not willing to repent.
Well, what is done cannot be undone, and what is said cannot be retracted.
But with the Lord there is mercy and forgiveness. Only if and when we repent.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
3rd Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 26.01.2020
Isaiah 8:23 – 9:3 / 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 / Matthew 4:12-23
The one prominent colour of the Chinese New Year festive season is the colour red.
Chinese New Year paints the town red, and not only the town but also the heartland and almost everywhere else.
The decorations are red, the covers of the goodie containers are red, the dresses are red, the ang pows are red, and giving out ang pows can get you in the red.
Whatever it may be, red is a vibrant and joyous colour. Teams that wear red jerseys are often popular and successful.
Red is also associated with passion and energy, that is why fire is called red-hot.
But red is also a symbol of warning and danger. When traffic lights are going to turn red, we better stop, and not to charge across.
For this Chinese New Year, the colour red has taken on the meaning of warning and danger.
Quite unexpectedly, the coronavirus pneumonia, or the Wuhan virus, has gotten into Singapore and caused some alarm.
We are advised to take precautions and not to be too alarmed.
The gospel does not mention the colour red, but it gives out a light of vibrancy and energy.
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee and He settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, and hence the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled:
“The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light, on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
And with that Jesus began His preaching with the message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand”.
With the urgency of that message, Jesus wasted no time as He went on to call His first disciples, Peter and Andrew, and James and John.
He then went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.
Jesus was like on fire, red-hot, full of vibrancy and energy, and like how the prophecy puts it: the people that lived in darkness has seen a great light, on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned.
According to the Chinese zodiac, this year is the “Year of the Rat”, and we wonder what kind of year this would be.
Already the image of a rat is not a pleasant and inspiring one. We don’t have to see a rat to understand this. Even when we say that we smell a rat, it doesn’t mean anything nice and good.
But there is a saving grace of the rat. There is the 2007 animated movie about the Rat who can cook - “Ratatouille”. Then there is of course the famous Mickey Mouse, and also the cartoon series “Tom & Jerry”.
So it seems that things in life can go one way or the other. There is a choice to be either a smelly, dirty rat that brings about a cry of disgust, or a cute and adorable “Ratty” or “Mickey” that will bring on a smile of happiness.
And that is what Jesus came to do. He came to bring light into our darkened world and to heal the spiritual disease and illness that had darkened our lives and made us look like smelly, dirty rats.
We can choose to remain like those smelly dirty rats, or we can choose to let the light of Christ shine on us and make us into a likeable and lovable “Mickey Mouse”.
But we are not just called to stand around and look cute like “Mickey Mouse”. If at all, we are to be like a prayer mouse that will build up the prayer house.
And we need to build up this prayer house especially in this time of a health issue.
We need to pray for the medical personnel attending to the victims of the coronavirus pneumonia (or the Wuhan virus) and we pray for God’s blessings that the virus will be contained.
We pray that the light of Christ will shine a way for the medical research to cure the disease.
And just as Jesus came to cure all kinds of disease and sickness among the people, may He also cure the victims of this current aggressive virus.
Let us be that house of prayer, calling upon God’s grace and blessing in this time of need.
The one prominent colour of the Chinese New Year festive season is the colour red.
Chinese New Year paints the town red, and not only the town but also the heartland and almost everywhere else.
The decorations are red, the covers of the goodie containers are red, the dresses are red, the ang pows are red, and giving out ang pows can get you in the red.
Whatever it may be, red is a vibrant and joyous colour. Teams that wear red jerseys are often popular and successful.
Red is also associated with passion and energy, that is why fire is called red-hot.
But red is also a symbol of warning and danger. When traffic lights are going to turn red, we better stop, and not to charge across.
For this Chinese New Year, the colour red has taken on the meaning of warning and danger.
Quite unexpectedly, the coronavirus pneumonia, or the Wuhan virus, has gotten into Singapore and caused some alarm.
We are advised to take precautions and not to be too alarmed.
The gospel does not mention the colour red, but it gives out a light of vibrancy and energy.
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee and He settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, and hence the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled:
“The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light, on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
And with that Jesus began His preaching with the message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand”.
With the urgency of that message, Jesus wasted no time as He went on to call His first disciples, Peter and Andrew, and James and John.
He then went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.
Jesus was like on fire, red-hot, full of vibrancy and energy, and like how the prophecy puts it: the people that lived in darkness has seen a great light, on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned.
According to the Chinese zodiac, this year is the “Year of the Rat”, and we wonder what kind of year this would be.
Already the image of a rat is not a pleasant and inspiring one. We don’t have to see a rat to understand this. Even when we say that we smell a rat, it doesn’t mean anything nice and good.
But there is a saving grace of the rat. There is the 2007 animated movie about the Rat who can cook - “Ratatouille”. Then there is of course the famous Mickey Mouse, and also the cartoon series “Tom & Jerry”.
So it seems that things in life can go one way or the other. There is a choice to be either a smelly, dirty rat that brings about a cry of disgust, or a cute and adorable “Ratty” or “Mickey” that will bring on a smile of happiness.
And that is what Jesus came to do. He came to bring light into our darkened world and to heal the spiritual disease and illness that had darkened our lives and made us look like smelly, dirty rats.
We can choose to remain like those smelly dirty rats, or we can choose to let the light of Christ shine on us and make us into a likeable and lovable “Mickey Mouse”.
But we are not just called to stand around and look cute like “Mickey Mouse”. If at all, we are to be like a prayer mouse that will build up the prayer house.
And we need to build up this prayer house especially in this time of a health issue.
We need to pray for the medical personnel attending to the victims of the coronavirus pneumonia (or the Wuhan virus) and we pray for God’s blessings that the virus will be contained.
We pray that the light of Christ will shine a way for the medical research to cure the disease.
And just as Jesus came to cure all kinds of disease and sickness among the people, may He also cure the victims of this current aggressive virus.
Let us be that house of prayer, calling upon God’s grace and blessing in this time of need.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Chinese New Year 2020, Saturday, 25-01-2020
Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul
Acts 22:3-16 / Mark 16:15-18
Gathered in this Mass in thanksgiving as we celebrate the Lunar New Year, we welcome the Year of the Rat.
But that already sounds strange. We don’t really welcome rats nor do we like them at all.
And when we say that we smell a rat, we know what that means.
Life can be difficult for the smallest of the zodiac animals.
Besides the possibility of being kicked and stepped on by the other zodiac animals, rats (or white mice) are also used for all sorts of laboratory experiments.
But that is also the greatest contribution of the rats to humanity.
Rats and mice used in scientific experiments and research are sacrificed for the good of humanity.
Today’s feast of the conversion of St Paul tells us that the early Church smelled a rat in Saul (later known as Paul).
Saul was like a big rat that the early Christians feared and like a rat with sharp teeth, he persecuted Christians.
But with his conversion, St. Paul not only did good for the early Church by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, he also gave us a valuable lesson on the power of God’s grace.
With God’s grace, everything is possible and St. Paul’s conversion bears testimony to that.
As we begin the New Year with thanksgiving and asking for God’s blessings, may our hearts also be moved by the grace of conversion.
May we see goodness in everyone and give thanks for everything.
If even a rat can be of some good to humanity, then every person has some good to share with others.
May the year of the Rat bring forth an abundance of goodness in us, and may it bring forth an abundance of good from us to others.
May the year of the Rat be a blessing for all of us, and may the Lord our God protect from all danger and evil and grant us blessings of peace and joy and may we be God’s blessings for others.
Acts 22:3-16 / Mark 16:15-18
Gathered in this Mass in thanksgiving as we celebrate the Lunar New Year, we welcome the Year of the Rat.
But that already sounds strange. We don’t really welcome rats nor do we like them at all.
And when we say that we smell a rat, we know what that means.
Life can be difficult for the smallest of the zodiac animals.
Besides the possibility of being kicked and stepped on by the other zodiac animals, rats (or white mice) are also used for all sorts of laboratory experiments.
But that is also the greatest contribution of the rats to humanity.
Rats and mice used in scientific experiments and research are sacrificed for the good of humanity.
Today’s feast of the conversion of St Paul tells us that the early Church smelled a rat in Saul (later known as Paul).
Saul was like a big rat that the early Christians feared and like a rat with sharp teeth, he persecuted Christians.
But with his conversion, St. Paul not only did good for the early Church by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, he also gave us a valuable lesson on the power of God’s grace.
With God’s grace, everything is possible and St. Paul’s conversion bears testimony to that.
As we begin the New Year with thanksgiving and asking for God’s blessings, may our hearts also be moved by the grace of conversion.
May we see goodness in everyone and give thanks for everything.
If even a rat can be of some good to humanity, then every person has some good to share with others.
May the year of the Rat bring forth an abundance of goodness in us, and may it bring forth an abundance of good from us to others.
May the year of the Rat be a blessing for all of us, and may the Lord our God protect from all danger and evil and grant us blessings of peace and joy and may we be God’s blessings for others.
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