1st Sunday of Advent, Year C, 01.12.2024

Jeremiah 33:14-16 / 1 Thess 3:12 -4:2 / Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 

Human beings are such that they will usually follow what the majority or what the crowd is doing, or where the majority or the crowd is going. 

That is also sometimes called the “herd  mentality”. 

To follow the majority or the crowd would be certainly a safer option. 

At least we won't feel left out, or left alone. It is always safer to be with a crowd or in a crowd. 

But doing what the crowd is doing, or going where the crowd is going, would make us lose something. 

It would make us lose our sense of judgment, as we would do without thinking and go without looking. 

Then there is also the peer pressure that will numb our discernment and judgment. 

But that would be what we have to give up if we want to be with the “in-crowd” and so as not to be left out. 

So, when the crowd says that that is the way, then we will also follow along and say that is the way. 

And when the crowd is in chaos and panicking because of some danger, then we too will also be frightened and begin to panic. 

In the gospel, Jesus talks about disturbing and frightening signs and happenings. 

But He also says that in those fearful and frightening times, He will come with power and great glory. 

Jesus tells us to stand erect, and hold our heads high, because our liberation is near at hand. 

Jesus wants to liberate and free us from the conformity and the confusion of this world. 

So, the world says that we must stay low and protect ourselves, and to take cover from danger. 

But Jesus tells us to stand erect and hold our heads high. 

Practically, it means that we must know what is right and wrong. 

Right is right even if nobody is doing it. And wrong is wrong even if everybody is doing it.

But, that would be challenging and difficult because of the herd-mentality and the peer pressure. 

As we begin the season of Advent, the first candle of the Advent wreath is lighted. 

It is just one lighted candle, but that one little light is sufficient to make us think and reflect. 

As we journey further into Advent, eventually all the four candles of the Advent wreath will be lighted. 

And it began with just one lighted candle. 

So when we stand up for what is right and true, and what is good and loving, we also must stand erect and hold our heads high. 

We do what is right and true, what is good and loving, even if no one is doing it. 

We stand on the promise of Jesus, and we hold our heads high because Jesus will shine His light on us and liberate and light up our lives. 

We don't follow the crowd, because we follow Jesus. 

We can only follow Jesus when we stay awake and pray. 

With the light of Jesus shining on us, we will be able to stand erect and hold our heads high. 

And we will be able to do what is right and true, and what is good and loving, even if nobody is doing it.

St. Andrew, Apostle, Saturday, 30-11-2024

Romans 10:9-18 / Matthew 4:18-22   

The New Testament states that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. The gospel of John states that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist who pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God to him.

Andrew followed Jesus and recognized Him as the Messiah, and hastened to introduce Him to his brother Simon Peter, and from then on the two brothers became disciples of Jesus.

But in today's gospel, we heard Jesus called them, while they were casting their nets in the lake, for they were fishermen.

Jesus called them to be His disciples, saying that He will make them "fishers of men".

Yet both gospel accounts complement each other in that we can see the faith of St. Andrew and his openness to the mission of a higher calling than just being a mere fisherman.

Besides bringing Peter to see Jesus, St. Andrew also accepted that he was to bring others to encounter the person of Jesus and that would be his mission and purpose in life from then on.

Of course as the 1st reading puts it, everyone (and anyone) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But, they will not ask for His help unless they believe in Him, and they will not believe in Him unless they have heard of Him, and they will not hear of Him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent.

Like St. Andrew, we too are called and sent to the deep and cast the net of the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Like St. Andrew, we too must speak about our Lord Jesus Christ.

We speak about our Lord Jesus Christ, because we believe, and we speak so that others will believe.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 29-11-2024

Apocalypse 20:1-4, 11 - 21:2 / Luke 21:29-33

Life is like drawing a line with a pen.

The line may not be that straight, but such is life.

As much as we try to draw it straight, life is curly and wavy.

Nonetheless, we still continue to draw that line as best as we could and as straight as we could.

But the time will come when that pen which we are using to draw the line runs out of ink.

That is where the line stops, and as much as we may want to continue drawing, the ink in the pen has run out.

That also tells us that our life on this earth will run out sooner or later.

But unlike the pen that had run out of ink, our life does not run out and come to a dead stop.

Because the God of life and love has saved us and we continue into eternal life.

That is the promise of Jesus to us who are faithful to Him.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but the promise of Jesus and His Word to us will never pass away.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 28-11-2024

Apocalypse 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9 /  Luke 21:20-28   

No one likes to face a disturbing and distressful time. Even just thinking about it makes us uneasy and anxious.

Yet, if we do not have a good grip on our faith, we might just fall into the two-pronged trap of the devil.

This two-pronged trap is called deception and disappointment.

In the midst of trials and turbulent times, it is easy to be deceived by false promises of security and safety, and we may be disappointed when these securities and safety nets break and fail us and we begin to lose our faith in God.

Yet, in the midst of this fear and disappointment, Jesus comes to proclaim the Good News.

He tells us that we see disturbing and distressful things happening around us, that is a sign that the kingdom of God is approaching.

Even the 1st reading gives a similar portrayal - after the persecutions, those who suffered are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

So let us overcome the deception and the disappointment of the evil one by asking the Lord to renew our hope and strengthen our faith.

Only in trusting in the Lord do we dare to look hopefully into the future and journey on in faith.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 27-11-2024

Apocalypse 15:1-4 / Luke 21:12-19  

We will remember with embarrassment or regret those occasions when we use the wrong words and said the wrong things.

We think about why those kind of words come out of our mouths and try to understand so as not to make the same mistake again.

One of the reasons could be that we talk before we think.

Another reason is that in order to get out of a tight situation, we say things that are either half-truths or not true at all.

In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds us in the face of persecution and opposition, we must keep this carefully in mind:

We are not to prepare our defence, because Jesus Himself will give us an eloquence and a wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

But that means that we need to pray before we speak so that the Lord will speak through us.

It also means that we will always stand on the side of truth and speak the truth.

And it also means that we let our “yes” be a yes and our “no” be a no.

May we always let the Lord speak to us first before we speak to others.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 26-11-2024

Apocalypse 14:14-19 / Luke 21:5-11  

Generally speaking, we are quite slow to respond to warnings.

But in the first place, our attitude towards warning can be one of indifference.

So if it is a recurring pain in some part of the body, we will still try to self-medicate instead of going to consult the doctor.

But often, we delay for too long and then it is too late and we can only regret.

In the gospel, Jesus sounded out a warning when He said that the time will come when the things that the people were admiring will all be destroyed.

But instead of getting alarmed and turning to God for mercy and forgiveness, the people asked about when would it happen, and what are the signs.

If there are some indifferences about judgement and punishment, it could be because we are taking God’s mercy and forgiveness for granted.

The 1st reading is a reminder that eventually there will be punishment for sin and wickedness.

There are already enough of warning signs to wake us up and to repent.

Let us heed those signs and turn to God for mercy and forgiveness.

34th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 25-11-2024

Apocalypse 14:1-5 / Luke 21:1-4   

To redeem something means that in the first place, that something was given up for a price.

Whatever the reasons for giving up that something, to want to redeem it means that it has a value.

When we think about redemption and salvation, then we know that Jesus redeemed us by giving up His life on the Cross.

On the Cross, Jesus sacrificed His life for our salvation.

That makes us think about the value of our life.

We are precious to God and He willingly gave up His only Son to save us.

In the 1st reading, the redeemed are described as those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

They also never allowed a lie to pass their lips and no fault can be found in them.

We need to constantly reflect on what God did to redeem us from slavery to sin and save us from eternal death.

And may we also live the life of the redeemed so that we won’t fall into sin and be trapped by the devil.

And like the widow in the gospel, may we give our lives totally to Jesus and follow Him as He leads us to heaven.