Isaiah 63:7-9 / Colossians 3:12-17 / Luke 12:22-31
The theme for this year's National Day is "Majulah! The Singapore Spirit". "Majulah!" means "Onward!" so together it means Onward! The Singapore Spirit.
It is a rally call to us citizens to move forward together as a nation which is uniquely multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural.
Yes as we celebrate 46 years of independence, we are called to look forward to the future and to keep the Singapore Spirit burning strong so as to inspire the future generations to build a better home and a better Singapore.
As Catholic citizens, we too celebrate our country's independence and we also want to work towards to vision of the Singapore Spirit.
And taking a note from the Bishop's National Day message, we are also called upon to build a society where the dignity of the person is respected and upheld.
We, who are the Church in Singapore, are called to build a society where there is compassion for the less fortunate, where families are united in love and respect, and that everyone is equal in dignity.
In other words, as we move forward with our nation, we are called up to manifest our faith and what we believe in.
As the gospel puts it, we have to set our hearts on the kingdom of God and the rest will be given unto us.
We must realize that with the future, the smallest things are outside our control and we have to trust and depend on God to lead us step by step along the way.
The future of our country is our concern and our responsibility. We have to pray for our country, the leaders as well as the citizens, that God will guide our leaders and bless our country with His love.
With faith and thanksgiving, let us rejoice and celebrate our country's independence.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
19th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, 08-08-11
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 / Matthew 17:22-27
When we reflect deeper on the things that Jesus did, we may wonder why He did those things. And as the Son of God, He didn't really have to do it.
He didn't have to be born in a stable, and yet He did. He didn't have to work as a carpenter, and yet He did.
He didn't have to wash His disciples' feel, and yet He did. he didn't have to die on the cross and yet He did.
And as we heard in the gospel, He didn't have to pay that half-shekel, and yet He did.
In doing so, Jesus our Master has taught us a profound lesson in the Christian way of life.
He is the Son of God, He is Lord, He is Master, He is our Teacher.
Yet, He humbled Himself to do what He was exempted from.
In life, we may find ourselves laden with someone else's work, something we don't have to do and we won't even be faulted for it.
We can conveniently push it aside and not bother at all. After all, it is NOT our work and we won't be held responsible.
But let us remember the lesson of the half-shekel, and also remember what the 1st reading tells us about what God wants of us.
It's only this: to fear the Lord your God, to follow His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul.
When we do that, we will be rewarded with a full shekel of God's blessings.
When we reflect deeper on the things that Jesus did, we may wonder why He did those things. And as the Son of God, He didn't really have to do it.
He didn't have to be born in a stable, and yet He did. He didn't have to work as a carpenter, and yet He did.
He didn't have to wash His disciples' feel, and yet He did. he didn't have to die on the cross and yet He did.
And as we heard in the gospel, He didn't have to pay that half-shekel, and yet He did.
In doing so, Jesus our Master has taught us a profound lesson in the Christian way of life.
He is the Son of God, He is Lord, He is Master, He is our Teacher.
Yet, He humbled Himself to do what He was exempted from.
In life, we may find ourselves laden with someone else's work, something we don't have to do and we won't even be faulted for it.
We can conveniently push it aside and not bother at all. After all, it is NOT our work and we won't be held responsible.
But let us remember the lesson of the half-shekel, and also remember what the 1st reading tells us about what God wants of us.
It's only this: to fear the Lord your God, to follow His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul.
When we do that, we will be rewarded with a full shekel of God's blessings.
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Transfiguration, Saturday, 06-08-11
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / 2 Peter 1:16-19 / Matthew 17:1-9 (2020)
The word "new" is an attractive and exciting word.
When it is applied to things, e.g., new house, new office, new computer, it gives a feeling of a new beginning without the limitations of the old settings.
When it is applied to persons, e.g., new boss, new president, new priest, then it's going to be a process of discovering and adjusting to the new attitudes and styles of new person at the helm.
But as with time and tide, all things new will also become old, or familiar, or gotten used to, or just loose its shine and sparkle.
When Jesus began His ministry and called His disciples to follow Him, He was seen as an exciting and attractive "item" by His disciples and the people following Him.
But as time went by, His disciples also slowly got used to Him and He lost His "shine" for them.
But in the Transfiguration, Jesus showed His glory, but it was not meant to bring back the shine or the attention.
It was a profound moment of proclamation and revelation as Jesus reveals again to Peter, James and John His true identity.
Jesus did not lose His "shine"; rather it was the disciples who may have thought they knew everything about Jesus and was beginning to take Him for granted.
But for us, the Transfiguration is also a reminder of who we really are - we are the beloved children of God.
No one can ever take that "shine" from us. Yet we may just take ourselves for granted and lose that "shine" altogether.
The word "new" is an attractive and exciting word.
When it is applied to things, e.g., new house, new office, new computer, it gives a feeling of a new beginning without the limitations of the old settings.
When it is applied to persons, e.g., new boss, new president, new priest, then it's going to be a process of discovering and adjusting to the new attitudes and styles of new person at the helm.
But as with time and tide, all things new will also become old, or familiar, or gotten used to, or just loose its shine and sparkle.
When Jesus began His ministry and called His disciples to follow Him, He was seen as an exciting and attractive "item" by His disciples and the people following Him.
But as time went by, His disciples also slowly got used to Him and He lost His "shine" for them.
But in the Transfiguration, Jesus showed His glory, but it was not meant to bring back the shine or the attention.
It was a profound moment of proclamation and revelation as Jesus reveals again to Peter, James and John His true identity.
Jesus did not lose His "shine"; rather it was the disciples who may have thought they knew everything about Jesus and was beginning to take Him for granted.
But for us, the Transfiguration is also a reminder of who we really are - we are the beloved children of God.
No one can ever take that "shine" from us. Yet we may just take ourselves for granted and lose that "shine" altogether.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
18th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, 05-08-11
Deuteronomy 4:32-40 / Matthew 16:24-28
Whenever we hear the readings at Mass, we surely would wish that we would retain something in our hearts so that we can have some direction in life.
So is there anything inspiring or exciting in today's readings that we can remember and guide us in our lives?
Well, in the 1st reading, Moses exhorted his people to keep God's laws and commandments so that they may prosper and live long in the land that God has promised them.
So it may mean that as long as we keep God's laws and commandments, then we will always have enough, or more than enough money in the bank, we will not suffer from any grave illness and have a peaceful and enjoyable long life.
But in the gospel, Jesus tells us that if we want to be His disciples, then we will have to renounce ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him..
So is there a contradiction in the two readings that we have heard?
The crucial question is posed by Jesus: What will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his soul? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his soul?
Well, the truth that Jesus is teaching us is indeed the paradox of life.
For it is in letting go that we gain. In other words, let go and let God.
Yes, let God be the first and above all things and let go of ourselves and we will know what peace and joy and happiness is.
Truly, that will be the blessing and the treasure that we are longing for.
Whenever we hear the readings at Mass, we surely would wish that we would retain something in our hearts so that we can have some direction in life.
So is there anything inspiring or exciting in today's readings that we can remember and guide us in our lives?
Well, in the 1st reading, Moses exhorted his people to keep God's laws and commandments so that they may prosper and live long in the land that God has promised them.
So it may mean that as long as we keep God's laws and commandments, then we will always have enough, or more than enough money in the bank, we will not suffer from any grave illness and have a peaceful and enjoyable long life.
But in the gospel, Jesus tells us that if we want to be His disciples, then we will have to renounce ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him..
So is there a contradiction in the two readings that we have heard?
The crucial question is posed by Jesus: What will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his soul? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his soul?
Well, the truth that Jesus is teaching us is indeed the paradox of life.
For it is in letting go that we gain. In other words, let go and let God.
Yes, let God be the first and above all things and let go of ourselves and we will know what peace and joy and happiness is.
Truly, that will be the blessing and the treasure that we are longing for.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
18th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, 04-08-11
Numbers 20:1-13 / Matthew 1613-23 (2019)
Between hunger and thirst, it may be difficult to say which will affect us more adversely.
But in the desert, where life is becomes so thin and fragile, hunger and thirst are factors that will have to be seriously reckoned with.
In the 1st reading, the Israelites complained first of hunger. Then it is thirst.
And in the desert, thirst can have devastating effects. As it had on the Israelites. And also on Moses and Aaron.
In their disgust and resentment with the complaints of the rebellious Israelites, Moses taunted them before he struck the rock twice to make water flow from it.
Moses had reached the limit of his tolerance and patience and had only harsh and heated words for the people.
In the gospel, we also heard of some harsh words from Jesus to Peter.
But those harsh words of Jesus were not said in disgust or in resentment, but rather to emphasize His commitment to His saving mission, as well as a reminder to us that we should not be an obstacle to the ways of God.
Indeed the ways of God are mysteriously simple and humble, as in the case of the St. John Vianney.
As Patron Saint of Priests, his example in life is simply that of faithfulness to duty and humility in service.
As a confessor, he directed souls to God and did penance and mortification for them. He faithfully carried out his duty in love and service.
Nothing spectacular or dramatic but all done in simplicity and humility. Yet St. John Vianney is the Patron Saint and model for all priests.
Indeed man's ways are not God's ways. May St. John Vianney pray for us that we will understand the ways of God and walk in that way.
Between hunger and thirst, it may be difficult to say which will affect us more adversely.
But in the desert, where life is becomes so thin and fragile, hunger and thirst are factors that will have to be seriously reckoned with.
In the 1st reading, the Israelites complained first of hunger. Then it is thirst.
And in the desert, thirst can have devastating effects. As it had on the Israelites. And also on Moses and Aaron.
In their disgust and resentment with the complaints of the rebellious Israelites, Moses taunted them before he struck the rock twice to make water flow from it.
Moses had reached the limit of his tolerance and patience and had only harsh and heated words for the people.
In the gospel, we also heard of some harsh words from Jesus to Peter.
But those harsh words of Jesus were not said in disgust or in resentment, but rather to emphasize His commitment to His saving mission, as well as a reminder to us that we should not be an obstacle to the ways of God.
Indeed the ways of God are mysteriously simple and humble, as in the case of the St. John Vianney.
As Patron Saint of Priests, his example in life is simply that of faithfulness to duty and humility in service.
As a confessor, he directed souls to God and did penance and mortification for them. He faithfully carried out his duty in love and service.
Nothing spectacular or dramatic but all done in simplicity and humility. Yet St. John Vianney is the Patron Saint and model for all priests.
Indeed man's ways are not God's ways. May St. John Vianney pray for us that we will understand the ways of God and walk in that way.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
18th Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 03-08-11
Numbers 13:1-2, 25 - 14:1, 26-29, 34-35 / Matthew 15:21-28
Any ordinary person who is twenty years old would certainly have a bright future ahead of him.
At that age, the dreams of the opportunities and the possibilities, plus the vigour of youth, would certainly make life worth living.
But what if a twenty-year-old were told that he would be wandering around the the wilderness of the desert as a nomad and that eventually he will also die in the desert and be buried there.
In the 1st reading, we heard that because the Israelites did not have faith in God and even rejected and complained against God, and hence those who were twenty years old and above would die in the desert and not reach the Promised Land.
It would be so sad for the last man of that desert generation to see the Promised Land from afar and yet know that he will never set foot on it.
It was such a high price to pay for being rebellious and not having faith in God and in His promises.
Yet in the gospel, we hear of a very inspiring story of a Canaanite woman, a pagan, who came before Jesus pleading for a miracle in which she was not entitled to at all.
But it was her persistence and faith and trust in Jesus that her plea was granted.
We are God's Chosen people; we are the people of God's promises.
Let us have faith in God and in His promises.
Only then will we have hope for the future.
Any ordinary person who is twenty years old would certainly have a bright future ahead of him.
At that age, the dreams of the opportunities and the possibilities, plus the vigour of youth, would certainly make life worth living.
But what if a twenty-year-old were told that he would be wandering around the the wilderness of the desert as a nomad and that eventually he will also die in the desert and be buried there.
In the 1st reading, we heard that because the Israelites did not have faith in God and even rejected and complained against God, and hence those who were twenty years old and above would die in the desert and not reach the Promised Land.
It would be so sad for the last man of that desert generation to see the Promised Land from afar and yet know that he will never set foot on it.
It was such a high price to pay for being rebellious and not having faith in God and in His promises.
Yet in the gospel, we hear of a very inspiring story of a Canaanite woman, a pagan, who came before Jesus pleading for a miracle in which she was not entitled to at all.
But it was her persistence and faith and trust in Jesus that her plea was granted.
We are God's Chosen people; we are the people of God's promises.
Let us have faith in God and in His promises.
Only then will we have hope for the future.
Monday, August 1, 2011
18th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 02-08-11
Numbers 12:1-13 / Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14 (Yr A)
Envy and jealousy are what we feel in our hearts whenever we feel inferior to another person.
As it is, envy and jealousy already contorts our actions and behaviour.
In the spoken form, it comes out as criticism and judgement.
In the 1st reading we heard how Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses in connection with the Cushite woman.
But the real reason was that they were envious and jealous of Moses and they used a trivial matter to express it.
So what they said merely expressed what was really biting away in their hearts.
Indeed, as what Jesus said in the gospel, what goes into the mouth does not make a man unclean.
Rather it is what comes out of the mouth that really shows the state of what is in the heart.
Hence in our examination of conscience, it is necessary to recollect and reflect the words we have spoken to others throughout the day.
By our own words we will know what is in our hearts.
May we offer our hearts to the Lord to be cleansed and healed so that our hearts will be where the Lord makes His home and that we will be speak only words of love.
Envy and jealousy are what we feel in our hearts whenever we feel inferior to another person.
As it is, envy and jealousy already contorts our actions and behaviour.
In the spoken form, it comes out as criticism and judgement.
In the 1st reading we heard how Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses in connection with the Cushite woman.
But the real reason was that they were envious and jealous of Moses and they used a trivial matter to express it.
So what they said merely expressed what was really biting away in their hearts.
Indeed, as what Jesus said in the gospel, what goes into the mouth does not make a man unclean.
Rather it is what comes out of the mouth that really shows the state of what is in the heart.
Hence in our examination of conscience, it is necessary to recollect and reflect the words we have spoken to others throughout the day.
By our own words we will know what is in our hearts.
May we offer our hearts to the Lord to be cleansed and healed so that our hearts will be where the Lord makes His home and that we will be speak only words of love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)