Acts 1:12-14 / John 19:25-27
In the 1st reading, we heard that after Jesus was taken up to heaven, the apostles returned to Jerusalem and went to the upper room where they were staying
There they devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.
That was the last mention of Mary. After that there was no more mention of her in the rest of the Bible.
This last mention of Mary is significant because that was also her purpose after Jesus was taken up to heaven.
Mary stayed with the apostles and she was with them in prayer. She was doing this because she was obedient to what Jesus entrusted to her while He was on the cross.
Because Mary remembered what Jesus told her when He was on the cross: Woman, behold your son.
Though she did not reply, her silence was her consent. She not only agreed to be the mother of the disciple that Jesus loved, she understood that she was to be the mother of all the disciples of Jesus.
Today's memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, is a new addition to the liturgical calendar of the Church.
That title of Mary, Mother of the Church, was officially given to Mary during the Second Vatican Council by Pope Paul VI.
So from Mother of God, she is now also the Mother of the Church. And if we are obedient to what Jesus said on the cross, then we too must embrace Mary as our Mother, which most of us would be more willing to do.
But for us, Mary is not just our Mother, but we would also want to carry out what Jesus entrusted to us and we want Mary to be the Mother of all peoples.
As we celebrate this memorial, let us make our Mother known to all peoples, for in doing so, we are also making Jesus known to all peoples.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Pentecost Sunday, Year A, 31.05.2020
Acts 2:1-11 / 1 Cor 12:3-7 / John 20:19-23
It is said that everything happens for a reason. But it also leaves the statement rather open-ended. Is it for a good reason?
If only we can know how good the reason is, then maybe we will be able to accept what is happening around us and what is happening to us.
But more often than not, the reason is discovered only much later, and it is only on hindsight that we might be able to see the good reason.
So, when we look at what is happening around us and what is happening to us, just how do we feel about it?
Some see the good reason in all this, but most of us just end up sighing and grumbling and hoping that what is happening will end soon.
But with faith, we must believe that everything that happens has a good reason for it. It is with faith and hope that we can continue to live on with love.
For example, when Jesus told His disciples at the Last Supper that He was going away, they were sad. But He also told them that if He does not go, the Holy Spirit will not come.
So His going away is for a good reason but His disciples could not understand it then.
In the gospel, Jesus appeared to His disciples for the first time after His Resurrection. Then He said to them, “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.”
Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
It was probably then that the disciples understood that all that had happened, the suffering and death of Jesus, happened for a good reason.
And with the Holy Spirit upon them, they began to understand how good the Spirit was, and as we heard in the 1st reading, the disciples went forth to proclaim the marvels of God.
As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, and as the Holy Spirit descends into our hearts, the Holy Spirit will lead us to discover the good in what is happening around us and what is happening to us.
And more so, as the 2nd reading puts it, “The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.”
Over this period of time, we have discovered many areas of growth and we are learning new things to cope with and accept a fast-changing situation.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to turn trials into triumphs, and obstacles into opportunities.
But we must pray to the Holy Spirit and be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, as He guides us to learn and to grow and to see the good in every situation, so that we will be able to experience the marvels of God.
It is said that everything happens for a reason. But it also leaves the statement rather open-ended. Is it for a good reason?
If only we can know how good the reason is, then maybe we will be able to accept what is happening around us and what is happening to us.
But more often than not, the reason is discovered only much later, and it is only on hindsight that we might be able to see the good reason.
So, when we look at what is happening around us and what is happening to us, just how do we feel about it?
Some see the good reason in all this, but most of us just end up sighing and grumbling and hoping that what is happening will end soon.
But with faith, we must believe that everything that happens has a good reason for it. It is with faith and hope that we can continue to live on with love.
For example, when Jesus told His disciples at the Last Supper that He was going away, they were sad. But He also told them that if He does not go, the Holy Spirit will not come.
So His going away is for a good reason but His disciples could not understand it then.
In the gospel, Jesus appeared to His disciples for the first time after His Resurrection. Then He said to them, “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.”
Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
It was probably then that the disciples understood that all that had happened, the suffering and death of Jesus, happened for a good reason.
And with the Holy Spirit upon them, they began to understand how good the Spirit was, and as we heard in the 1st reading, the disciples went forth to proclaim the marvels of God.
As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, and as the Holy Spirit descends into our hearts, the Holy Spirit will lead us to discover the good in what is happening around us and what is happening to us.
And more so, as the 2nd reading puts it, “The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.”
Over this period of time, we have discovered many areas of growth and we are learning new things to cope with and accept a fast-changing situation.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to turn trials into triumphs, and obstacles into opportunities.
But we must pray to the Holy Spirit and be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, as He guides us to learn and to grow and to see the good in every situation, so that we will be able to experience the marvels of God.
7th Week of Easter, Saturday, 30-05-2020
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 / John 21:20-25
We have often heard of this phrase: No man is an island.
In a densely populated island-country like Singapore, who can ever say that he is a stand-alone or that he doesn't care about anybody around him?
Indeed, for better or otherwise, we will always be surrounded by people, and we will notice them just as they will notice us.
So we may or may not find it surprising that Peter should ask Jesus about the disciple whom He loved.
And it seemed that Jesus reproached Peter and told him to mind his own business.
Yet it order to have a better understanding of Peter's intentions, we might have to read the preceding passage.
Jesus had told Peter to feed His sheep and to follow Him and even indicated what kind of future Peter will have to face.
Well after knowing what is in store for him, Peter would certainly like to know what the rest would face, especially the disciple Jesus loved, whether it is out of concern or out of curiosity.
Therefore Jesus had to bring Peter back to focus on his commitment to love and the mission that he had received.
And as we prepare for the renewal and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let us focus on our commitment to love and our mission to love.
Love is never about the self; it is always about others and for their good. Let us keep focused on that.
We have often heard of this phrase: No man is an island.
In a densely populated island-country like Singapore, who can ever say that he is a stand-alone or that he doesn't care about anybody around him?
Indeed, for better or otherwise, we will always be surrounded by people, and we will notice them just as they will notice us.
So we may or may not find it surprising that Peter should ask Jesus about the disciple whom He loved.
And it seemed that Jesus reproached Peter and told him to mind his own business.
Yet it order to have a better understanding of Peter's intentions, we might have to read the preceding passage.
Jesus had told Peter to feed His sheep and to follow Him and even indicated what kind of future Peter will have to face.
Well after knowing what is in store for him, Peter would certainly like to know what the rest would face, especially the disciple Jesus loved, whether it is out of concern or out of curiosity.
Therefore Jesus had to bring Peter back to focus on his commitment to love and the mission that he had received.
And as we prepare for the renewal and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let us focus on our commitment to love and our mission to love.
Love is never about the self; it is always about others and for their good. Let us keep focused on that.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
7th Week of Easter, Friday, 29-05-2020
Acts 25:13-21 / John 21:15-19
Usually people would associate the shape of love with the shape of a heart.
Oh yes, when we want to express love between persons and people, we would put the shape of hearts all over, whether one heart or many hearts.
But from the perspective of faith, we know what the shape of love is - it is the shape of the Cross.
It was on the Cross that we see what unconditional love is, what sacrificial love and what divine love is.
In the gospel, when Jesus asked Peter "Do you love me" three times, it was certainly not lovey-dovey hearts all over that question.
For that three times that Peter denied Jesus, now Jesus is asking Peter three time if he loved Him.
And for the three times that Peter said to Jesus, "Yes Lord, you know I love you", the shape of the cross was slowly beginning to emerge as Jesus indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God.
Yes, the shape of love is the cross, yet that love comes from the Sacred Heart.
The shape of love is also the heart as we offer our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we see love and we see also the Cross.
Let us embrace the Heart of Jesus, and carry our cross and be His loving disciples.
Usually people would associate the shape of love with the shape of a heart.
Oh yes, when we want to express love between persons and people, we would put the shape of hearts all over, whether one heart or many hearts.
But from the perspective of faith, we know what the shape of love is - it is the shape of the Cross.
It was on the Cross that we see what unconditional love is, what sacrificial love and what divine love is.
In the gospel, when Jesus asked Peter "Do you love me" three times, it was certainly not lovey-dovey hearts all over that question.
For that three times that Peter denied Jesus, now Jesus is asking Peter three time if he loved Him.
And for the three times that Peter said to Jesus, "Yes Lord, you know I love you", the shape of the cross was slowly beginning to emerge as Jesus indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God.
Yes, the shape of love is the cross, yet that love comes from the Sacred Heart.
The shape of love is also the heart as we offer our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we see love and we see also the Cross.
Let us embrace the Heart of Jesus, and carry our cross and be His loving disciples.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
7th Week of Easter, Thursday, 28-05-2020
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 / John 17:20-26
In every Mass, there are at least two readings. One is the 1st reading and the other is the gospel.
In between the 1st reading and the gospel is the Responsorial Psalm.
The Responsorial Psalm is for us to response to the Word of God that we heard in the 1st reading.
The Responsorial Psalm for today is taken from Psalm 15, and the response is "Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you."
That connects well to the 1st reading as we heard how St. Paul was put on trial before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, but somehow his accusers ended up disagreeing and quarrelling among themselves.
Indeed, St. Paul took refuge in the Lord and the Lord preserved him and also gave him the courage to go forth and bear witness.
The response in the Responsorial Psalm can also be our prayer as we implore the Lord to preserve our faith as we take refuge in Him.
May the Lord also give us the courage that He gave to St. Paul to bear witness to Him in these times.
In every Mass, there are at least two readings. One is the 1st reading and the other is the gospel.
In between the 1st reading and the gospel is the Responsorial Psalm.
The Responsorial Psalm is for us to response to the Word of God that we heard in the 1st reading.
The Responsorial Psalm for today is taken from Psalm 15, and the response is "Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you."
That connects well to the 1st reading as we heard how St. Paul was put on trial before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, but somehow his accusers ended up disagreeing and quarrelling among themselves.
Indeed, St. Paul took refuge in the Lord and the Lord preserved him and also gave him the courage to go forth and bear witness.
The response in the Responsorial Psalm can also be our prayer as we implore the Lord to preserve our faith as we take refuge in Him.
May the Lord also give us the courage that He gave to St. Paul to bear witness to Him in these times.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
7th Week of Easter, Wednesday, 27-05-2020
Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:11-19
It is said that honesty is an expensive thing, so don't expect it from cheap people.
So in order to trust somebody, we may have to let our guard down, to whatever extent.
It is like wearing armour. We only take off the armour when we are with people that we trust.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul urged the elders of the church of Ephesus with these words:
Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood.
St. Paul was telling the elders of the church that they themselves need to guard themselves first before they can guard the flock that is entrusted to them.
St. Paul mentioned about the Holy Spirit, and that was where he was leading them towards.
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, and the Holy Spirit defends and protects us.
Let us continue to pray to the Holy Spirit that He will be our armour against evil and that He will also protect us from falling into the snares of the devil.
It is said that honesty is an expensive thing, so don't expect it from cheap people.
So in order to trust somebody, we may have to let our guard down, to whatever extent.
It is like wearing armour. We only take off the armour when we are with people that we trust.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul urged the elders of the church of Ephesus with these words:
Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood.
St. Paul was telling the elders of the church that they themselves need to guard themselves first before they can guard the flock that is entrusted to them.
St. Paul mentioned about the Holy Spirit, and that was where he was leading them towards.
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, and the Holy Spirit defends and protects us.
Let us continue to pray to the Holy Spirit that He will be our armour against evil and that He will also protect us from falling into the snares of the devil.
Monday, May 25, 2020
7th Week of Easter, Tuesday, 26-05-2020
Acts 20:17-27 / John 17:1-11
When something is under "draft", it means that it is not finalised and approved yet, and that it is still "work in progess".
In the process of having something finalised and approved, there will be a lot of drafts.
So there will be draft drawings, draft models, draft documents. It will be quite a collection of sketches and scribbling, corrections and modifications.
But the finalised and approved result or product will be neat and orderly and presentable.
And all those "draft" material will be either left aside or thrown away. In a way they are of no use anymore and there is no point keeping them.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul made this statement: But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race, I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me - and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God's grace.
It is a statement worth remembering always because for all that we did and for what we have achieved, have we like St. Paul, did what the Lord Jesus wants us to do.
And when we come to the end of our race on earth, are we still with our "drafts" or are we the witnesses who have carried out the mission of proclaiming the Good News of God's grace.
Let us not waste our life and our words on "drafts". Let us be the final wonderful product and be a witness of God's grace in our lives.
When something is under "draft", it means that it is not finalised and approved yet, and that it is still "work in progess".
In the process of having something finalised and approved, there will be a lot of drafts.
So there will be draft drawings, draft models, draft documents. It will be quite a collection of sketches and scribbling, corrections and modifications.
But the finalised and approved result or product will be neat and orderly and presentable.
And all those "draft" material will be either left aside or thrown away. In a way they are of no use anymore and there is no point keeping them.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul made this statement: But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race, I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me - and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God's grace.
It is a statement worth remembering always because for all that we did and for what we have achieved, have we like St. Paul, did what the Lord Jesus wants us to do.
And when we come to the end of our race on earth, are we still with our "drafts" or are we the witnesses who have carried out the mission of proclaiming the Good News of God's grace.
Let us not waste our life and our words on "drafts". Let us be the final wonderful product and be a witness of God's grace in our lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)