21st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 28-08-2025

1 Thess 3:7-13 / Matthew 24:42-51    

Quite often we hear this phrase : History repeats itself.

But does history repeat itself? How can history repeat itself?

We can't go back to the stone-age and start life all over again.

No, history does not repeat itself. But the mistakes that were made in history tend to surface again and in a new packaging.

There were many moments in the history of humanity when modern man became like stone-age man.

Just to name a few : World War I, World War II, the Nazi holocaust, Bosnia genocide, Kosovo Conflict, Rwanda genocide.

And many more will be added to the list as the mistakes of history keep surfacing again and again.

Yes, the list of ugly moments of the history of humanity will continue to lengthen as long as we don't heed the call of Jesus to stay awake and to be vigilant.

Because the degradation and destruction of mankind begins with the corruption of the self.

It is the corrupted self who forgets that he is just a creature and a servant, and will one day stand before the Creator to account for his deeds.

Yes we must keep alert and stand ready.

The 1st reading reminds us that while we are waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ, it is He who will keep us steady and without blame until the last day.

Meanwhile as we journey towards that last day, let us make a history of mankind that is known for its beauty and not to make it ugly.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 27-08-2025

1 Thess 2:9-13 / Matthew 23:27-32    

First impressions are quite important.

Because usually from the first impressions, the opinions are formed, and these opinions might well be permanent.

That is why grooming schools teach people how to dress well, act well, talk well, etc.

The grooming schools focus on appearances and impressions, and whatever that is external.

But can the externals change the internal? Can externals change the heart?

Because we sometimes behave like the Mafia - those gangsters wear Italian fashion suits to commit murder.

Obviously, looking good does not necessarily mean that a person is good.

As Jesus said in the gospel, if we try to make a good impression with ulterior motives, others will eventually see through us.

There is no way that we can keep hiding our ulterior motives and vested interests.

Yet, let us also recognize what is embedded deep in our hearts.

We are created in love and created with love.

Let that love be shown to others and they will know what love looks like.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 26-08-2025

1 Thess 2:1-8 / Matthew 23:23-26   

What usually calls for attention are the big problems of life.

By big problems, it is often the usual list of war and hostility, injustice and poverty, and all those issues that make it to the headlines.

Yes, those are big problems, big issues, and they would also call for big-scale solutions.

But that does not mean small problems are not problems at all. Because small problems can also manifest into big problems.

By the same token, little acts of love and care can go a long way and remain in people’s hearts for a long time.

In the 1st reading, St. Paul used the image a mother feeding and looking after her own children to express his devotion and protection over the Thessalonians.

That image is simple and humble but it also expressed the love and care of God for His people.

In the gospel, Jesus also pointed out essentials of life, like justice, mercy and good faith.

Those are not big and spectacular acts of faith, but they point to essentials of life and love.

It is a reminder that we are not called to do great things, but to do little things with great love.

When the little essential things of life are looked into with love, the big problems and issues of life will be resolved.

21st Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 25-08-2025

1 Thess 1:1-5, 8-10 / Matthew 21:13-22   

To say that we believe in something, then our actions must also express that belief.

So if we say that we believe that physical exercise is good for the body, then we should be doing it every day.

If we say that organic foods are good for health, then we will be eating organic foods every day.

And if we say that we believe in heaven, then we will prepare to go there by our way of life here on earth.

For the Thessalonians in the 1st reading, they believe that God loves them and that they were chosen by God.

They believed in the Good News not just as words but as utter conviction.

Their lives were changed and they converted to God and became servants of the living God and placed their hope in Jesus.

On the contrary, the scribes and Pharisees were living hypocritical lives.

They know about heaven and the eternal life and yet they were the ones who shut up the Kingdom of God in men’s faces.

So, if we believe in heaven and in eternal life, let our actions express our belief.

Let us love God and our neighbour and live peaceful lives and focused on doing good to others.

Then, by our actions we express our belief in heaven and in eternal life, and we will also be helping others go to heaven.

21st Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 24.08.2025

Isaiah 66:18-21 / Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 / Luke 13:22-30 

Life is often said to be like a race and a competition. 

It is all about being the first, being the best, and being the most. 

And there is no doubt where the spotlight will shine on. 

It shines on the first, the best and the most. 

Another way of looking at it is like that of a lighted candle. 

What attracts is the flame of the candle that gives out light. 

But what goes unnoticed is the darkness at the base of the candle. 

The same can be said of a lighthouse. In the darkness of the night, only the light at the top of the lighthouse is seen shining brightly. 

And like the candle, it is dark at the foot of the lighthouse. 

So, even the brightest light casts a shadow at its base. 

Adding on to that, when the light is brightest, the shadows are also the darkest. 

The gospel passage begins with Jesus going through the towns and villages, and He went about teaching. 

And then someone asked Him: Sir, will there be only a few saved? 

That question is like asking a teacher: How many students will score an A? 

This weekend, the Church in Singapore highlights Catholic education in Catholic schools. 

Whenever education is discussed, the general inclination is about examinations and results. Good results will mean entry into good schools, and also towards a bright career path. 

But education is more than just a means to making a living. 

Education is a means to living life with dignity and meaning. 

So, as much as results are an indication, the formation of character and integrity of life is important. 

There is a story of two professors who were discussing about their lectures. 

One professor said: They are about 200 students attending my lectures. How many students are there in your lectures? 

The other professor replied: There are also about 200 who are attending my lectures, but I don't know how many are really my students. 

This may help us to understand what Jesus said: Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because many will try to enter and not succeed. 

So, to attend the lectures does not mean that that is true knowledge and understanding. 

To hear the gospel does not mean we have listened to the voice of Jesus. 

To be in the spotlight, or to be in the limelight, does not mean that we are enlightened. 

As we reflect on Catholic education in Catholic schools, we pray for the teachers and the students. 

The mission of the teacher is to proclaim the light of truth and love in the sharing of knowledge and understanding. 

Teachers are like a lighted candle. The light may not be seen by everyone, but it will reach those who are seeking it. So, keep shining.

Because there are students who need to see the light. 

They need to know that it is dark at the base of the candle. 

They need to know that the first can become the last, and the last can become the first. 

They need to be shown the narrow door, but it is the door that leads to life and love.

May teachers and students, and parents, be blessed with wisdom, knowledge and understanding by Jesus, who is our Teacher and who is the Light of the world.

20th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 23-08-2025

Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 / Matthew 23:1-12  

Everything happens for a reason and with a reason.

That is because when God created the world and every living creature, He had a plan.

Everything was planned and created orderly.

So nothing really happens by chance.

 

In the 1st reading, Ruth went to glean in the fields after the reapers.

And it chanced that she came to that part of the fields which belonged to Boaz.

But if everything happens for a reason and with a reason, then it was certainly not by chance.

Later Boaz would take Ruth as his wife and they would have a son, Obed, who was the father of David’s father, Jesse.

So God had it all planned, and we humbly accept the mystery of God’s plan.

Yet, God also creates chances for us to be humble and to recognize His signs and wonders.

When we think we know it all and have everything under our control, then pride comes in and we will be blind to God’s revelation.

But when we know that there is only so much that we know and understand, then God will reveal more to us of His ways.

And with humility, we will see the signs and wonders that God will show us.

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Friday, 22-08-2025

Isaiah 9:1-6 / Luke 1:26-38  

Eight days ago, the Church celebrated the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

In the course of the 8 days, the Church reflects deeper about the mystery of the Assumption, and on the Octave of the Assumption (8 days later) the Church concludes her reflection with the celebration of the Queenship of Mary.

In summary, it could be said that God assumed Mary into heaven to reign in glory with Christ the King.

So the proclamation and celebration of Mary's queenship in essence points to the Kingship of Christ.

In celebrating the queenship of Mary, we are also reminded that we are the Chosen people of God and thus royal children.

So as God's Chosen and royal children, all that we do and say must be geared towards giving glory to God.

Mary showed us how to do that in the gospel when she responded to God's call by accepting God's will.

In doing so, Mary gave us the concrete example of obedience in the form of servanthood.

We are not just the Chosen and royal children of God.

We are also the chosen and royal servants of Christ the King.

With Mary as our queen, let us offer ourselves in service to the Church, so that in all that we do and say, God will be glorified and exalted.