Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 / Romans 5:12-19 / Matthew 4:1-11
One of the important things in life that we take for granted is our health.
When we are in the pink of health, when there is no threat to our well-being, we will be like riding on the crest of the wave and feeling high and mighty.
We might become so arrogant and then we will think that to be healthy is a time to get wealthy.
But when we get afflicted by illness, or when our health is threatened by some kind of contagion, then things become reversed.
The way life was one month ago, and the way of life now is like steep downward ride on a roller coaster.
Humble items like handheld forehead thermometers, surgical masks and hand sanitizers were items that we hardly bothered about before. But now they become prized items and fetch ridiculous prices.
The whole world is like on a lockdown as the COVID-19 virus makes its appearance outside of Asia.
Where once mankind was like the master and put
animals into cages, now it is a tiny virus that has put mankind into his self-made cages.
Where once mankind used health to gain wealth, now mankind uses wealth to gain health, and try to protect it.
As we enter into the first Sunday of Lent, we hear of Jesus being led by the Spirit out into the wilderness when He fasted for 40 days.
The wilderness is a harsh place where life is stripped down to almost nothing. There is no security or guarantee, no protection or assurance.
The wilderness, or the desert, and the number 40 has this biblical meaning of trial and testing.
But it also has the meaning of cleansing, purification and enlightenment.
In the book of Exodus, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years for them to learn that God is their Provider and Saviour, even though they failed in their faith in God time and again.
Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness where God was His only security and protection and after which he had to face the devil’s temptations.
But Jesus overcame the devil. Physically drained but spiritually strengthened, He rebutted and rebuked the devil.
As we wonder what the next 40 days hold for us and for the world, let us follow Jesus into the wilderness and let us also embark on the three spiritual disciplines of Lent, that is, prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Let these 40 days be a time of cleansing, purification and enlightenment, so that we can be spiritually healthy and strengthened in faith to meet the challenges and the temptations in life.
Let us be spiritually disciplined in these forty days and God will send His angels to look after us.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Friday, February 28, 2020
Saturday after Ash Wednesday, 29-02-2020
Isaiah 58 : 9-14 / Luke 5 : 27-32
At any point in time, we can surely think of a person or persons that we have difficulties relating with.
We may just feel uncomfortable about that person, or cannot accept certain qualities about that person, or that person may have hurt us before.
Hence human relationships are often laced with anything from indifference to intolerance.
Of course, we being the disciples of Jesus will try and strive to resolve our differences.
But the moment we get hurt again or feel that it is pointless or feel that there can be no change for the better, we will immediately and conveniently give up.
But in today's gospel, we see Jesus approaching someone whom we would automatically ostracize in our lives, especially if that person has betrayed us and sold us out.
Levi was such a person and yet Jesus not only approached him, but even called him to follow Him.
Jesus came to bring together all peoples into the peace and unity of God's kingdom.
In our Lenten journey ahead, let us heed the word of the Lord from the 1st reading.
Let us release our clenched fists and drop the wicked word.
Then our light will begin to shine for others and our own shadows will be shortened.
At any point in time, we can surely think of a person or persons that we have difficulties relating with.
We may just feel uncomfortable about that person, or cannot accept certain qualities about that person, or that person may have hurt us before.
Hence human relationships are often laced with anything from indifference to intolerance.
Of course, we being the disciples of Jesus will try and strive to resolve our differences.
But the moment we get hurt again or feel that it is pointless or feel that there can be no change for the better, we will immediately and conveniently give up.
But in today's gospel, we see Jesus approaching someone whom we would automatically ostracize in our lives, especially if that person has betrayed us and sold us out.
Levi was such a person and yet Jesus not only approached him, but even called him to follow Him.
Jesus came to bring together all peoples into the peace and unity of God's kingdom.
In our Lenten journey ahead, let us heed the word of the Lord from the 1st reading.
Let us release our clenched fists and drop the wicked word.
Then our light will begin to shine for others and our own shadows will be shortened.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Friday after Ash Wednesday, 28-02-2020
Isaiah 58 : 1-9 / Matthew 9 : 14-15
Whenever we embark on a task, especially a task that we are not that keen about, there may be a tendency for us to look for benefits or rewards in order to motivate us.
We may ask this question : what do I gain from it?
So even a spiritual discipline like fasting can be manipulated.
The prophet Isaiah tells of people who ask God such questions like : Why should we fast if You never see it, why do penance if You never notice.
Let us remember that spiritual disciplines like fasting or alms-giving or even prayer is not meant to attract God's attention and gain spiritual points.
In the case of fasting, it is a spiritual discipline, a physical form of prayer, that helps us to come to a greater awareness of God in our lives and also to have a hunger for God.
Fasting helps us see clearly what is really important and necessary in our lives.
Fasting is a good spiritual discipline that leads us into a deeper relationship with God.
When we are in a deep relationship with God, we will know what to fast from.
We are to fast from sin, because it creeps so easily into our lives and clings tenaciously onto us.
Sin destroys our relationship with God. Fasting is a spiritual means to restore that relationship.
Whenever we embark on a task, especially a task that we are not that keen about, there may be a tendency for us to look for benefits or rewards in order to motivate us.
We may ask this question : what do I gain from it?
So even a spiritual discipline like fasting can be manipulated.
The prophet Isaiah tells of people who ask God such questions like : Why should we fast if You never see it, why do penance if You never notice.
Let us remember that spiritual disciplines like fasting or alms-giving or even prayer is not meant to attract God's attention and gain spiritual points.
In the case of fasting, it is a spiritual discipline, a physical form of prayer, that helps us to come to a greater awareness of God in our lives and also to have a hunger for God.
Fasting helps us see clearly what is really important and necessary in our lives.
Fasting is a good spiritual discipline that leads us into a deeper relationship with God.
When we are in a deep relationship with God, we will know what to fast from.
We are to fast from sin, because it creeps so easily into our lives and clings tenaciously onto us.
Sin destroys our relationship with God. Fasting is a spiritual means to restore that relationship.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Thursday after Ash Wednesday, 27-02-2020
Deuteronomy 30:5-20 / Luke 9:22-25
We may know about the novel titled "Frankenstein" and may even have read it.
It is about this monster that Dr. Frankenstein created, although the monster had been mistakenly called Frankenstein.
It is not so much a horror story but rather a tragic story.
Because this creature-monster also had feelings and self-awareness to some extent.
It was that ability to think and feel and reflect that made it more an object of pity rather than of fear and disgust.
We too can think and feel and reflect. And we also can choose.
That is what makes us uniquely human - our ability to choose; our freedom of choice.
In the 1st reading, Moses asked his people to exercise properly this freedom of choice - a choice for life or death, a choice for God or for sin and destruction.
In the gospel, Jesus stated clearly His choice - He chose the cross.
In turn, Jesus now asks each of us : What is your choice?
Do we want to follow Jesus and hence choose the cross?
That is the fundamental question that stands between us and Jesus.
Moses urged his people : choose life.
Ironically, it is in choosing the cross that we choose life.
To choose otherwise will only make us monsters.
We may know about the novel titled "Frankenstein" and may even have read it.
It is about this monster that Dr. Frankenstein created, although the monster had been mistakenly called Frankenstein.
It is not so much a horror story but rather a tragic story.
Because this creature-monster also had feelings and self-awareness to some extent.
It was that ability to think and feel and reflect that made it more an object of pity rather than of fear and disgust.
We too can think and feel and reflect. And we also can choose.
That is what makes us uniquely human - our ability to choose; our freedom of choice.
In the 1st reading, Moses asked his people to exercise properly this freedom of choice - a choice for life or death, a choice for God or for sin and destruction.
In the gospel, Jesus stated clearly His choice - He chose the cross.
In turn, Jesus now asks each of us : What is your choice?
Do we want to follow Jesus and hence choose the cross?
That is the fundamental question that stands between us and Jesus.
Moses urged his people : choose life.
Ironically, it is in choosing the cross that we choose life.
To choose otherwise will only make us monsters.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Ash Wednesday, 26-02-2020
Joel 2 : 12-18 / 2 Cor 5:20 - 6:2 / Matthew 6 : 1-6, 16-18
Today, the whole Church, and especially those preparing for baptism at Easter, begin a very intense spiritual journey
It is a journey of repentance, a journey of renewal, a journey of conversion and a journey of healing.
Whatever form the journey may take, it is always a journey back into the heart of God.
In a way, it is a journey of acknowledgment.
We acknowledge that God is our Creator and that we are His creatures.
God created us in His image and likeness. Yet it was from the dust of the earth that He created us.
Today we acknowledge that we are created from dust and it will be unto dust that we shall return.
This is one of the reasons why we are signed with ashes on our foreheads on this day.
Yet being signed with ashes on our foreheads is also a sign of our repentance.
We also express our repentance and acknowledge our sinfulness through fasting, prayer and alms-giving.
Let us turn to the Lord now, for He is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in mercy.
Let us not delay, let us not procrastinate. Because now is the favourable time; now is the time of grace.
Today the God of our salvation is knocking on the door of our hearts. Let us open our hearts to Him and be filled with His grace.
Today, the whole Church, and especially those preparing for baptism at Easter, begin a very intense spiritual journey
It is a journey of repentance, a journey of renewal, a journey of conversion and a journey of healing.
Whatever form the journey may take, it is always a journey back into the heart of God.
In a way, it is a journey of acknowledgment.
We acknowledge that God is our Creator and that we are His creatures.
God created us in His image and likeness. Yet it was from the dust of the earth that He created us.
Today we acknowledge that we are created from dust and it will be unto dust that we shall return.
This is one of the reasons why we are signed with ashes on our foreheads on this day.
Yet being signed with ashes on our foreheads is also a sign of our repentance.
We also express our repentance and acknowledge our sinfulness through fasting, prayer and alms-giving.
Let us turn to the Lord now, for He is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in mercy.
Let us not delay, let us not procrastinate. Because now is the favourable time; now is the time of grace.
Today the God of our salvation is knocking on the door of our hearts. Let us open our hearts to Him and be filled with His grace.
Monday, February 24, 2020
7th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 25-02-2020
James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37
We may have enough of life experiences to say that nothing is a coincidence. Everything happens for, and with, a reason.
For example, today's two readings are not put together by coincidence, even though it may not have been planned that way.
Even in the 1st reading, St. James didn't write about the wars and battles in the Christian community by coincidence.
He was addressing a startling reality that has, surprisingly, infected the Church, and all because the fundamental factor is forgotten.
He puts it in this way: Don't you realize that making the world your friend is making God your enemy? Anyone who chooses the world for his friend turns himself into God's enemy.
And that was also the same spiritual infection that Jesus was addressing in the gospel with His disciples.
The disciples were also fighting among themselves for status and power and glory.
Isn't this same spiritual infection also affecting us? And the disease may have gotten so serious that the poor and lowly, the humble and the helpless, end up as casualties in this battle and war of darkness.
Let us heed the spiritual advice of St. James in the 1st reading - Give in to God then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you draw to God, the nearer He will come to you.
Yes, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and before others, and God will lift us up.
We may have enough of life experiences to say that nothing is a coincidence. Everything happens for, and with, a reason.
For example, today's two readings are not put together by coincidence, even though it may not have been planned that way.
Even in the 1st reading, St. James didn't write about the wars and battles in the Christian community by coincidence.
He was addressing a startling reality that has, surprisingly, infected the Church, and all because the fundamental factor is forgotten.
He puts it in this way: Don't you realize that making the world your friend is making God your enemy? Anyone who chooses the world for his friend turns himself into God's enemy.
And that was also the same spiritual infection that Jesus was addressing in the gospel with His disciples.
The disciples were also fighting among themselves for status and power and glory.
Isn't this same spiritual infection also affecting us? And the disease may have gotten so serious that the poor and lowly, the humble and the helpless, end up as casualties in this battle and war of darkness.
Let us heed the spiritual advice of St. James in the 1st reading - Give in to God then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you draw to God, the nearer He will come to you.
Yes, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and before others, and God will lift us up.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
7th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 24-02-2020
James 3:13-18 / Mark 9:14-29
When we were young, there were probably some people whom we look up to, or some role models in our lives.
But when we reach adulthood and get on in our years, we fall back on what we have learnt from experiences and we carve out a wisdom that is gained over the years.
Yet how much of that wisdom is mere human wisdom, and how much of that is divine wisdom?
The 1st reading states that truly wise people will show it by their good lives and with humility in their actions.
Yet a contorted and warped human wisdom would be shown in the bitterness of jealousy, self-seeking ambitions and the covering up of the truth.
St. James continued by saying that such is definitely not the wisdom that comes down from above but rather they are only earthly, animal and devilish.
Indeed we have to pray and reflect on what are our principles and motivation in life, what do we believe in and what do we practice.
Yes, we need to pray because as Jesus said in the gospel, evil can only be driven out by prayer, especially when it is the evil within.
May the Lord listen to our prayer, cleanse us from all evil, so that with the wisdom from above our lives will be pure, and we will bear fruits of love and peace, compassion and kindness.
When we were young, there were probably some people whom we look up to, or some role models in our lives.
But when we reach adulthood and get on in our years, we fall back on what we have learnt from experiences and we carve out a wisdom that is gained over the years.
Yet how much of that wisdom is mere human wisdom, and how much of that is divine wisdom?
The 1st reading states that truly wise people will show it by their good lives and with humility in their actions.
Yet a contorted and warped human wisdom would be shown in the bitterness of jealousy, self-seeking ambitions and the covering up of the truth.
St. James continued by saying that such is definitely not the wisdom that comes down from above but rather they are only earthly, animal and devilish.
Indeed we have to pray and reflect on what are our principles and motivation in life, what do we believe in and what do we practice.
Yes, we need to pray because as Jesus said in the gospel, evil can only be driven out by prayer, especially when it is the evil within.
May the Lord listen to our prayer, cleanse us from all evil, so that with the wisdom from above our lives will be pure, and we will bear fruits of love and peace, compassion and kindness.
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