Acts 9:1-20 / John 6:52-59
For those of us who like durians or crabs, we know that there is some tough work to do.
The husks of the durians are hard and thorny, and so are the shells of the crabs.
But we know what is inside them, and so if we really desire to eat the tasty flesh of the durian seeds and the crabs, then we will be prepared to crack up the husks and the shells.
But the persecuted Christians of the early Church would have never thought of anything good about Saul
Besides the hard and thorny methods of persecution, they might even think of him as the devil in disguise since he was all out to destroy the Church.
Saul was hard and thorny on the outside as well as inside. The early Christians feared him, and they would have certainly prayed that they be delivered from this terrible scourge.
But would they have prayed for Saul's conversion? They could have and they would and the Lord Jesus listened to their prayer and He personally intervened.
So on that road to Damascus, Jesus came as a bright light, threw Saul to the ground and said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
Blinded and in shock for three days, the Lord then sent Ananias to cure him, and it was as if scales fell off his eyes and he could see again.
And Saul was a changed man. From being a persecutor of Christians, he became a proclaimer of Christ.
We may think of these times as bad times. But we may be blinded to the things that the Lord Jesus wants us to learn during these times.
Let us pray that the hard thorny scales will fall from our hearts and open our eyes to see what the Lord is teaching and showing us, so that like Saul, we too will become proclaimers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
3rd Week of Easter, Thursday, 30-04-2020
Acts 8:26-40 / John 6:44-51
Since we are spending a lot of time at home nowadays, some of us may have been looking at the devices and gadgets that we have laid aside because we have been too busy to fiddle with them.
So even without looking the instruction manual, we would sink our hands into those devices and gadgets and figure out the settings.
And for settings like cameras and video-cams, or trying to convert routers into range-extenders, which suddenly became useful in these times, even the instruction manuals may not be that helpful.
So we turn to the internet and hope to find some more information on what we are handling, but still it may not really solve our problems.
But there is none more helpful than someone who knows how answer the questions that are bugging us.
Just as in the 1st reading, the Ethiopian eunuch was wondering whether the passage from the book of Isaiah was about the prophet himself or was the prophet talking about someone else.
Then Philip came along and explained the meaning to him and he was enlightened and requested for baptism.
In the gospel, Jesus went a great length to explain that He is the Bread of life, and anyone who eats this bread will live forever.
And then Jesus said something at the end that is rather astounding - the bread that He shall give is His flesh for the life of the world.
For us who are so used to hearing this, are we able to explain this to those who ask us what it means?
It may not have crossed our minds that we may not be able to explain this adequately.
To be enlightened on the things of above, let us go to Jesus our Teacher. He will enlighten us on what we need to know and how to live our lives accordingly.
Since we are spending a lot of time at home nowadays, some of us may have been looking at the devices and gadgets that we have laid aside because we have been too busy to fiddle with them.
So even without looking the instruction manual, we would sink our hands into those devices and gadgets and figure out the settings.
And for settings like cameras and video-cams, or trying to convert routers into range-extenders, which suddenly became useful in these times, even the instruction manuals may not be that helpful.
So we turn to the internet and hope to find some more information on what we are handling, but still it may not really solve our problems.
But there is none more helpful than someone who knows how answer the questions that are bugging us.
Just as in the 1st reading, the Ethiopian eunuch was wondering whether the passage from the book of Isaiah was about the prophet himself or was the prophet talking about someone else.
Then Philip came along and explained the meaning to him and he was enlightened and requested for baptism.
In the gospel, Jesus went a great length to explain that He is the Bread of life, and anyone who eats this bread will live forever.
And then Jesus said something at the end that is rather astounding - the bread that He shall give is His flesh for the life of the world.
For us who are so used to hearing this, are we able to explain this to those who ask us what it means?
It may not have crossed our minds that we may not be able to explain this adequately.
To be enlightened on the things of above, let us go to Jesus our Teacher. He will enlighten us on what we need to know and how to live our lives accordingly.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
3rd Week of Easter, Wednesday, 29-04-2020
Acts 8:1-8 / John 6:35-40
Working from home (WFH) may sound like a good idea on paper.
After all, we don't have to worry about oversleeping and being late for work. We don't have to drive to work or take the bus or train to work during the rush hour. We can have our home cooked meals. It seems like the advantages go on and on.
But after more than 3 weeks of WFH, we just want to get out and to go out to work. If fact, it seems that working from home is more time consuming and tiring. Where once we dragged our feet to work, now we yearn to go out to work.
For the first Christians, they were quite comfortable staying put in Jerusalem until the bitter persecution started and they had to flee to the country districts.
But once they were out there, they discovered the great harvest that the Lord Jesus was talking about and instead of despairing over the situation, they went to work on the proclamation of the Good News.
In the 1st reading, there was Philip who proclaimed Jesus to the Samaritans and there were miracles, deliverance, cures and rejoicing.
As much as we have to WFH for now, this period of time has also made us realise that we shouldn't be complaining about having to go out to work.
And when the time comes for us to go back to our offices and work places, let us go forth with rejoicing and do our work well for the glory of God.
Working from home (WFH) may sound like a good idea on paper.
After all, we don't have to worry about oversleeping and being late for work. We don't have to drive to work or take the bus or train to work during the rush hour. We can have our home cooked meals. It seems like the advantages go on and on.
But after more than 3 weeks of WFH, we just want to get out and to go out to work. If fact, it seems that working from home is more time consuming and tiring. Where once we dragged our feet to work, now we yearn to go out to work.
For the first Christians, they were quite comfortable staying put in Jerusalem until the bitter persecution started and they had to flee to the country districts.
But once they were out there, they discovered the great harvest that the Lord Jesus was talking about and instead of despairing over the situation, they went to work on the proclamation of the Good News.
In the 1st reading, there was Philip who proclaimed Jesus to the Samaritans and there were miracles, deliverance, cures and rejoicing.
As much as we have to WFH for now, this period of time has also made us realise that we shouldn't be complaining about having to go out to work.
And when the time comes for us to go back to our offices and work places, let us go forth with rejoicing and do our work well for the glory of God.
Monday, April 27, 2020
3rd Week of Easter, Tuesday, 28-04-2020
Acts 7:51 - 8:1 / John 6:30-35
For every drop of sweat, a seed is taken and planted.
For every drop of tear, the ground is watered and the seed is germinated.
But for every drop of blood that is shed, the seed of conversion is produced.
In the 1st reading, we hear of two characters. One was Stephen who spoke out in witnessing to Jesus and was stoned to death.
The other was a young man called Saul and he entirely approved of the killing.
Stephen and Saul may not have known each or, or they may have heard of the other.
But for Saul, who after his conversion will be called Paul, the death of Stephen probably would have lingered on in his mind.
It could have been his first encounter with a Christian and he went on to persecute Christians.
But could it be that the blood of Stephen produced the seed of conversion in Paul, just as it is said that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.
For all the shedding of innocent blood in the world, could it be that the time for conversion has come where nation will not lift up sword against another nation?
May the blood of the innocent cry out to God for justice, and may we hammer the swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.
For every drop of sweat, a seed is taken and planted.
For every drop of tear, the ground is watered and the seed is germinated.
But for every drop of blood that is shed, the seed of conversion is produced.
In the 1st reading, we hear of two characters. One was Stephen who spoke out in witnessing to Jesus and was stoned to death.
The other was a young man called Saul and he entirely approved of the killing.
Stephen and Saul may not have known each or, or they may have heard of the other.
But for Saul, who after his conversion will be called Paul, the death of Stephen probably would have lingered on in his mind.
It could have been his first encounter with a Christian and he went on to persecute Christians.
But could it be that the blood of Stephen produced the seed of conversion in Paul, just as it is said that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.
For all the shedding of innocent blood in the world, could it be that the time for conversion has come where nation will not lift up sword against another nation?
May the blood of the innocent cry out to God for justice, and may we hammer the swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.
Sunday, April 26, 2020
3rd Week of Easter, Monday, 27-04-2020
Acts 6:8-15 / John 6:22-29
Whenever the phrase "the signs of the times" is mentioned, there may the tendency to think of big spectacular signs.
That is understandable as these big and spectacular signs catch the attention and there is a fascination over it.
But whether the people understand the meaning and the message of these big and spectacular signs is another question.
In the 1st reading, Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the peoples.
But instead of trying to understand the meaning and the message of these signs, some people came to debate with Stephen, and even arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
And in the gospel, Jesus said to the people that they were looking for Him not because they understood the meaning and the message of the sign of the multiplication of bread, but rather it was because they had all the bread they wanted to eat.
So it seems that in both cases, the meaning and the message of the sign is not understood.
The sign caught the attention and fascination of the people but it didn't go beyond.
As we look at the signs of our times, let us look beyond and try to understand the meaning and message of the sign(s).
God is speaking to us through these signs. Let us pray that we may come to understand the meaning and heed the message.
Whenever the phrase "the signs of the times" is mentioned, there may the tendency to think of big spectacular signs.
That is understandable as these big and spectacular signs catch the attention and there is a fascination over it.
But whether the people understand the meaning and the message of these big and spectacular signs is another question.
In the 1st reading, Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the peoples.
But instead of trying to understand the meaning and the message of these signs, some people came to debate with Stephen, and even arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
And in the gospel, Jesus said to the people that they were looking for Him not because they understood the meaning and the message of the sign of the multiplication of bread, but rather it was because they had all the bread they wanted to eat.
So it seems that in both cases, the meaning and the message of the sign is not understood.
The sign caught the attention and fascination of the people but it didn't go beyond.
As we look at the signs of our times, let us look beyond and try to understand the meaning and message of the sign(s).
God is speaking to us through these signs. Let us pray that we may come to understand the meaning and heed the message.
Saturday, April 25, 2020
3rd Sunday of Easter, 26.04.2020
Acts 2:14, 22-28 / 1 Peter 1:17-21 / Luke 24:13-35
There are some phrases that sound like a slang term but somehow the meaning is quite clear, and it does make sense.
For example, there is the phrase “talk the talk”. It can mean that the person knows what he is talking about and speaks fluently and convincingly about the topic.
But it can also mean that a person talks the talk just to please or impress others. It may also mean that words are not followed by actions and that the person does not practice what he preaches.
Another phrase is “walk the walk”. It means that actions speak louder than words, and that what is said is also done.
So if a person talks the talk and he walks the walk, then he is a man of his word and deserves respect for putting action into words.
But it can be said that there are many who like to talk the talk, and not that many who will walk the walk.
In the gospel we read of two of the disciples of Jesus who are walking to a village called Emmaus.
As they walked, they also talked about all that had happened in the past few days.
But they were not doing the “walk the walk”. Rather they were like walking away from it all.
This was evident as Jesus came up and walked by their side but somehow, they did not recognize Him.
As Jesus asked them what matters they were discussing, they stopped short, their faces downcast.
Yes, they were walking away from it all. They had hoped that Jesus would be the one they had waited for, but they saw Him being sentenced to death and crucified.
And then they heard news that He was alive. But since then, He has not been seen.
The disappointment, followed by the confusion, was just too much for them and so they decided to walk away from it all and to talk no more about it.
So, for the two disciples it was to Emmaus and then back to the world that they came from.
It was on that road to Emmaus that Jesus “walked the walk” and “talked the talk”.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost and He came up to the two disciples to walk with them in their disappointment and misery.
He “talked the talk” as He explained to them the scriptures that pointed to Himself.
The gloom of sadness and misery was lifted as their hearts began to burn with hope.
And finally, at the breaking of bread, Jesus opened their eyes to reveal Himself to them.
And from walking away from it all, they ran back to tell the Good News that Jesus was alive.
Yes, Jesus is risen, He is alive, He walks with us and He wants to talk with us.
There may be areas in our lives that we are thinking of walking away from - the stressful job, the quarrelsome families, the stale marriage.
We may also want to walk away from our financial difficulties, our troublesome relationships, our headaches and our heartaches.
Jesus comes to walk with us and He wants to talk with us.
Now is the time to read the Bible and to pray and to let Jesus speak to us.
May we also look forward to the day when we can be gathered together in His presence in the Eucharist, with our hearts burning with love, with our faith being strengthened and our hope be always in the blessings of the Lord.
There are some phrases that sound like a slang term but somehow the meaning is quite clear, and it does make sense.
For example, there is the phrase “talk the talk”. It can mean that the person knows what he is talking about and speaks fluently and convincingly about the topic.
But it can also mean that a person talks the talk just to please or impress others. It may also mean that words are not followed by actions and that the person does not practice what he preaches.
Another phrase is “walk the walk”. It means that actions speak louder than words, and that what is said is also done.
So if a person talks the talk and he walks the walk, then he is a man of his word and deserves respect for putting action into words.
But it can be said that there are many who like to talk the talk, and not that many who will walk the walk.
In the gospel we read of two of the disciples of Jesus who are walking to a village called Emmaus.
As they walked, they also talked about all that had happened in the past few days.
But they were not doing the “walk the walk”. Rather they were like walking away from it all.
This was evident as Jesus came up and walked by their side but somehow, they did not recognize Him.
As Jesus asked them what matters they were discussing, they stopped short, their faces downcast.
Yes, they were walking away from it all. They had hoped that Jesus would be the one they had waited for, but they saw Him being sentenced to death and crucified.
And then they heard news that He was alive. But since then, He has not been seen.
The disappointment, followed by the confusion, was just too much for them and so they decided to walk away from it all and to talk no more about it.
So, for the two disciples it was to Emmaus and then back to the world that they came from.
It was on that road to Emmaus that Jesus “walked the walk” and “talked the talk”.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost and He came up to the two disciples to walk with them in their disappointment and misery.
He “talked the talk” as He explained to them the scriptures that pointed to Himself.
The gloom of sadness and misery was lifted as their hearts began to burn with hope.
And finally, at the breaking of bread, Jesus opened their eyes to reveal Himself to them.
And from walking away from it all, they ran back to tell the Good News that Jesus was alive.
Yes, Jesus is risen, He is alive, He walks with us and He wants to talk with us.
There may be areas in our lives that we are thinking of walking away from - the stressful job, the quarrelsome families, the stale marriage.
We may also want to walk away from our financial difficulties, our troublesome relationships, our headaches and our heartaches.
Jesus comes to walk with us and He wants to talk with us.
Now is the time to read the Bible and to pray and to let Jesus speak to us.
May we also look forward to the day when we can be gathered together in His presence in the Eucharist, with our hearts burning with love, with our faith being strengthened and our hope be always in the blessings of the Lord.
Friday, April 24, 2020
St. Mark, Evangelist, Saturday, 24-04-2020
1 Peter 5:5-14 / Mark 16:15-20
St Mark was not one the the 12 Apostles. Known as John Mark who is mentioned in the 1st reading, he was a cousin of Barnabas, and he also accompanied St. Paul in his missionary journeys and he also worked closely with St. Peter in Rome.
So though St. Mark was not an "Apostle" (as in being one the chosen Twelve) he wrote an account which became known as the "Gospel according to St. Mark.
When we read that gospel, we also get an idea of the person of St Mark and what he thought of Jesus.
He does not focus on the lengthy teachings of Jesus (the gospel has only 16 chapters) but more on the deeds of Jesus and His power over evil and sickness.
As we heard in today's gospel which is from St. Mark, the emphasis is on the "signs" that Jesus had worked in His ministry and Jesus expected those signs to be continued in His disciples.
And those signs are indeed spectacular - cast out devils; gift of tongues; picking up snakes; unharmed by deadly poison; laying hands on the sick who will recover.
These are not only what Jesus did, but what His disciples did too as they went off to preach the Good News and these signs are associated with them.
And it was the underlying expectation of St. Mark that Christians in every age and time would work these signs and wonders so as to bring people to the faith.
So if these signs are not associated with us in this age and time, then what can the problem be? Is it a lack of faith, or doubt. Or as Jesus puts it - "In my name they will ... "
Are we doing it in the name of Jesus, or are we doing it to make a name for ourselves.
May all we say and do be in the name of Jesus, may we come to know Jesus as St. Mark did, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
St Mark was not one the the 12 Apostles. Known as John Mark who is mentioned in the 1st reading, he was a cousin of Barnabas, and he also accompanied St. Paul in his missionary journeys and he also worked closely with St. Peter in Rome.
So though St. Mark was not an "Apostle" (as in being one the chosen Twelve) he wrote an account which became known as the "Gospel according to St. Mark.
When we read that gospel, we also get an idea of the person of St Mark and what he thought of Jesus.
He does not focus on the lengthy teachings of Jesus (the gospel has only 16 chapters) but more on the deeds of Jesus and His power over evil and sickness.
As we heard in today's gospel which is from St. Mark, the emphasis is on the "signs" that Jesus had worked in His ministry and Jesus expected those signs to be continued in His disciples.
And those signs are indeed spectacular - cast out devils; gift of tongues; picking up snakes; unharmed by deadly poison; laying hands on the sick who will recover.
These are not only what Jesus did, but what His disciples did too as they went off to preach the Good News and these signs are associated with them.
And it was the underlying expectation of St. Mark that Christians in every age and time would work these signs and wonders so as to bring people to the faith.
So if these signs are not associated with us in this age and time, then what can the problem be? Is it a lack of faith, or doubt. Or as Jesus puts it - "In my name they will ... "
Are we doing it in the name of Jesus, or are we doing it to make a name for ourselves.
May all we say and do be in the name of Jesus, may we come to know Jesus as St. Mark did, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
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