Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 - 5:1 / Luke 11:29-32
As human
beings, we desire for independence and freedom. Even as babies, we would
want to take the first step on our own towards whatever direction we
want to go.
And with that we want to experience the freedom that we gain from our independence.
Yet if independence and freedom is understood in a warped way, then it would result in warped actions.
Because
with independence and freedom comes greater responsibility and
accountability. There will be no one to fight your battles for you and
you can't push the blame on anyone else for something you did wrong.
Yes, the
price of independence and freedom is constant vigilance and alertness in
case we go astray and end up doing something crazy.
The 1st
reading said that when Christ freed us, He meant us to remain free. The
reading also urged us to stand firm and not to submit again to the yoke
of slavery.
To remain free would mean for us to remain in Christ and to belong to Him and committed to Him.
Without Christ, we can do nothing and we would also end up as nothing.
We have
seen enough of signs to tell us that people who want to go their way
without God won't be able to find peace and joy that easily.
Yes, the price of independence and freedom is to stand by Jesus and depend on Him totally. That is hardly a price at all.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Saturday, October 13, 2018
28th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 14.10.2018
Wisdom 7:7-11 / Hebrews 4:12-13 / Mark 10:17-30
Whenever the word “freedom” is mentioned, many ideas of freedom will start to arise.
- Students want freedom from exams (maybe the parents too)
- Prisoners want freedom from the jail
- Teenagers want freedom from their parents
There are more than enough examples that say the same thing, and that is, people want freedom from restrictions, or freedom without restrictions.
But can there really be freedom without restrictions? And can there really be freedom from restrictions?
There can be freedom of speech, but can we say whatever we like? In fact, freedom of speech can reveal who are the fools and who are those are wise.
Modern people like to think of freedom as the complete absence of any constraints or restrictions. But let us think of the fish. The fish absorbs oxygen from the water, not from the air.
If the fish wants to be “freed” from the water, and go on the land to explore the freedom there, then it will surely not be able to live. It will die.
So freedom is not so much the absence of restrictions, but to understand the right restrictions, those that help us to grow and to be joyful persons.
In a way, it can be said that the rich man in the gospel was searching for freedom and the joy of life.
He ran up to Jesus (that showed how earnest he was) and knelt before Him and asked, “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Eternal life can be understood in many ways, but primarily it is a life of peace and joy, the kind of life that we can even live here on earth, so that we can have a foretaste of what eternal life is about.
The rich man told Jesus that he had done whatever he could but he was still not satisfied. Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him. And then He gave him this direction: to sell off everything he owned and give the money to the poor.
Jesus promised him an eternal treasure in heaven, and then he will have the freedom to follow Him.
But at this, the man’s face fell and he went away sad for he was a man of great wealth. He wanted to do more, but he couldn't live with less. His great wealth was also his great restriction.
We may not have great wealth, but we surely have possessions. More than just material possessions, we have our ambitions, our obsessions, our compulsions, our desires.
These can be our restrictions and if we can understand this, and control them, then we will have the freedom to live joyful and peaceful lives.
Back to the fish and here is a story about fishing.
A man was fishing by the river. He had been fishing for a few hours under the hot sun and had a few beers. Soon, he dozed off.
Suddenly, there was a strong tug at the end of his fishing line. A big fish had taken a bite and was hooked to his line. The sudden tug woke the man up and in his confusion, he lost his balance and fell into the water. The man struggled in the water, with the fishing rod in his hand and the fish still hooked to his line.
A boy who was strolling by the river with his father, was bewildered by the strange sight of the man and the fish both struggling in the water. He turned to his father and asked, “Daddy, is the man catching the fish or is the fish catching him?”
Yes, what are we catching? Or putting the question in another way – what is catching us? Usually what we possess can in turn possess us.
Today, at St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis will canonize Pope Paul VI, and also Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador.
Pope Paul VI died of a natural death but Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot to death by a single bullet to the heart when he was celebrating Mass.
Archbishop Oscar Romero served during a time of intense political turmoil and religious persecution in the country. He spoke out against the injustice, corruption and crimes of violence of the government.
Although he received death threats, he continued persistently to speak with the voice of God.
He even said this: If they succeed in killing me, I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realise they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the People of God, will never perish.
And with that his life came to an end on 24 March 1980, which is the eve of the feast of the Annunciation.
Archbishop Oscar Romero may not possess much, but even the life he had, he gave it up courageously. And he is rewarded with eternal life.
His message still persists even in our times, with those words: Hopefully, they will realise that they are wasting their time.
Well, hopefully, we will not be wasting our time thinking too much about our possessions or what we possess.
Let us ask the Lord to grant us the wisdom to know what true freedom is and to let go of what is restricting us from that freedom.
As the 1st reading puts it: I prayed and understanding was given to me. I entreated, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
May the spirit of Wisdom lead us to true freedom so that we can be witnesses of a joyful and peaceful life, and also be witnesses of the eternal life.
Whenever the word “freedom” is mentioned, many ideas of freedom will start to arise.
- Students want freedom from exams (maybe the parents too)
- Prisoners want freedom from the jail
- Teenagers want freedom from their parents
There are more than enough examples that say the same thing, and that is, people want freedom from restrictions, or freedom without restrictions.
But can there really be freedom without restrictions? And can there really be freedom from restrictions?
There can be freedom of speech, but can we say whatever we like? In fact, freedom of speech can reveal who are the fools and who are those are wise.
Modern people like to think of freedom as the complete absence of any constraints or restrictions. But let us think of the fish. The fish absorbs oxygen from the water, not from the air.
If the fish wants to be “freed” from the water, and go on the land to explore the freedom there, then it will surely not be able to live. It will die.
So freedom is not so much the absence of restrictions, but to understand the right restrictions, those that help us to grow and to be joyful persons.
In a way, it can be said that the rich man in the gospel was searching for freedom and the joy of life.
He ran up to Jesus (that showed how earnest he was) and knelt before Him and asked, “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Eternal life can be understood in many ways, but primarily it is a life of peace and joy, the kind of life that we can even live here on earth, so that we can have a foretaste of what eternal life is about.
The rich man told Jesus that he had done whatever he could but he was still not satisfied. Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him. And then He gave him this direction: to sell off everything he owned and give the money to the poor.
Jesus promised him an eternal treasure in heaven, and then he will have the freedom to follow Him.
But at this, the man’s face fell and he went away sad for he was a man of great wealth. He wanted to do more, but he couldn't live with less. His great wealth was also his great restriction.
We may not have great wealth, but we surely have possessions. More than just material possessions, we have our ambitions, our obsessions, our compulsions, our desires.
These can be our restrictions and if we can understand this, and control them, then we will have the freedom to live joyful and peaceful lives.
Back to the fish and here is a story about fishing.
A man was fishing by the river. He had been fishing for a few hours under the hot sun and had a few beers. Soon, he dozed off.
Suddenly, there was a strong tug at the end of his fishing line. A big fish had taken a bite and was hooked to his line. The sudden tug woke the man up and in his confusion, he lost his balance and fell into the water. The man struggled in the water, with the fishing rod in his hand and the fish still hooked to his line.
A boy who was strolling by the river with his father, was bewildered by the strange sight of the man and the fish both struggling in the water. He turned to his father and asked, “Daddy, is the man catching the fish or is the fish catching him?”
Yes, what are we catching? Or putting the question in another way – what is catching us? Usually what we possess can in turn possess us.
Today, at St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis will canonize Pope Paul VI, and also Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador.
Pope Paul VI died of a natural death but Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot to death by a single bullet to the heart when he was celebrating Mass.
Archbishop Oscar Romero served during a time of intense political turmoil and religious persecution in the country. He spoke out against the injustice, corruption and crimes of violence of the government.
Although he received death threats, he continued persistently to speak with the voice of God.
He even said this: If they succeed in killing me, I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realise they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the People of God, will never perish.
And with that his life came to an end on 24 March 1980, which is the eve of the feast of the Annunciation.
Archbishop Oscar Romero may not possess much, but even the life he had, he gave it up courageously. And he is rewarded with eternal life.
His message still persists even in our times, with those words: Hopefully, they will realise that they are wasting their time.
Well, hopefully, we will not be wasting our time thinking too much about our possessions or what we possess.
Let us ask the Lord to grant us the wisdom to know what true freedom is and to let go of what is restricting us from that freedom.
As the 1st reading puts it: I prayed and understanding was given to me. I entreated, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
May the spirit of Wisdom lead us to true freedom so that we can be witnesses of a joyful and peaceful life, and also be witnesses of the eternal life.
27th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 13-10-18
Galatians 3:22-29 / Luke 11:27-28
In the Mass as well as in devotions, there are always hymns of praise.
These hymns are sung to praise and thank the Lord and they are usually sung with feeling and emotion.
Also dynamic and emotive hymns are preferred in order to appeal to the emotions of the people and also to elicit a more fervent response from them.
But where the emotions and the feeling fade off, that is where the real action begins.
Our hymns of praise must also be translated into acts of love for God and neighbour.
That was why in response to the acclamation of praise, Jesus sobered down the emotions to focus on doing the will of God.
As we offer this Mass in honour of our Lady, let us remember that she heard the Word of God, pondered on it and did the will of God in her life.
May we who honour her also learn from her and do God's will in our lives.
In the Mass as well as in devotions, there are always hymns of praise.
These hymns are sung to praise and thank the Lord and they are usually sung with feeling and emotion.
Also dynamic and emotive hymns are preferred in order to appeal to the emotions of the people and also to elicit a more fervent response from them.
But where the emotions and the feeling fade off, that is where the real action begins.
Our hymns of praise must also be translated into acts of love for God and neighbour.
That was why in response to the acclamation of praise, Jesus sobered down the emotions to focus on doing the will of God.
As we offer this Mass in honour of our Lady, let us remember that she heard the Word of God, pondered on it and did the will of God in her life.
May we who honour her also learn from her and do God's will in our lives.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
27th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 12-10-18
Galatians 3:7-14 / Luke 11:15-26
Very often, life is like a paradox; it can be filled with so many strange contradictions.
We might think that when something good is done, people would be simply happy and even rejoice and celebrate.
But yet for every good that is done, there are criticisms and even slanderous remarks that are made that leaves a sour and bitter taste in the mouth.
But that should not be very surprising to us, isn't it?
Because it happened to Jesus. He was doing something good by casting out demons.
Yet some people could even say that He was in cahoots with the devil. Absurd, isn't it?
Maybe it can be said that the most difficult demons to cast out are those that like to criticize, to find fault, to argue regardless of the facts or the truth.
That kind of demonic behaviour exists in each of us.
In this Eucharist, let us ask Jesus to cast out that kind of demonic behaviour in us.
Let us ask Him to cleanse the temple of the Spirit that is within us.
And with Jesus in our hearts, let us gather people into the unity of the Spirit.
Very often, life is like a paradox; it can be filled with so many strange contradictions.
We might think that when something good is done, people would be simply happy and even rejoice and celebrate.
But yet for every good that is done, there are criticisms and even slanderous remarks that are made that leaves a sour and bitter taste in the mouth.
But that should not be very surprising to us, isn't it?
Because it happened to Jesus. He was doing something good by casting out demons.
Yet some people could even say that He was in cahoots with the devil. Absurd, isn't it?
Maybe it can be said that the most difficult demons to cast out are those that like to criticize, to find fault, to argue regardless of the facts or the truth.
That kind of demonic behaviour exists in each of us.
In this Eucharist, let us ask Jesus to cast out that kind of demonic behaviour in us.
Let us ask Him to cleanse the temple of the Spirit that is within us.
And with Jesus in our hearts, let us gather people into the unity of the Spirit.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
27th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 11-10-18
Galatians 3:1-5 / Luke 11:5-13
In forensic psychiatry there are two major areas of criminal evaluations. These are Competency to Stand trial (CST) and Mental State at the Time of the Offence (MSO).
Forensic psychiatrists work with courts evaluating an individual's competency to stand trial, defenses based on mental diseases or defects (e.g., the "insanity" defense), and sentencing recommendations.
Putting it simply, although it may be over-simplifying things, the forensic psychiatrists determine whether those on trial are mad or bad.
In the opening lines of the 1st reading, St. Paul seemed to be asking the Galatians if they were mad or bad.
Because they are turned away so quickly from the truth of the gospel and entertained other forms of practices and teachings that St. Paul had to ask if they were mad or if they were under some kind of spell.
Furthermore it was because they had believed in the truth of the gospel and hence they received the Holy Spirit. But now they turned to other teachings and practices thinking they could get more of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Indeed the simple and profound truth of gospel is that Jesus was crucified and died for our sins to save us. Believing in that would open us to live our lives in the Spirit.
And if we live our lives in the Spirit, then what Jesus said in the gospel would certainly be true: Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.
We just need to persevere and persist in believing the truth and to believe that the Holy Spirit would lead us along the way.
Believing in something else may mean that we are either mad or really bad.
In forensic psychiatry there are two major areas of criminal evaluations. These are Competency to Stand trial (CST) and Mental State at the Time of the Offence (MSO).
Forensic psychiatrists work with courts evaluating an individual's competency to stand trial, defenses based on mental diseases or defects (e.g., the "insanity" defense), and sentencing recommendations.
Putting it simply, although it may be over-simplifying things, the forensic psychiatrists determine whether those on trial are mad or bad.
In the opening lines of the 1st reading, St. Paul seemed to be asking the Galatians if they were mad or bad.
Because they are turned away so quickly from the truth of the gospel and entertained other forms of practices and teachings that St. Paul had to ask if they were mad or if they were under some kind of spell.
Furthermore it was because they had believed in the truth of the gospel and hence they received the Holy Spirit. But now they turned to other teachings and practices thinking they could get more of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Indeed the simple and profound truth of gospel is that Jesus was crucified and died for our sins to save us. Believing in that would open us to live our lives in the Spirit.
And if we live our lives in the Spirit, then what Jesus said in the gospel would certainly be true: Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.
We just need to persevere and persist in believing the truth and to believe that the Holy Spirit would lead us along the way.
Believing in something else may mean that we are either mad or really bad.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
27th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 10-10-18
Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 / Luke 11:1-4
Unity is indeed a very powerful sign. In the secular sense, unity is a sign of solidarity and brotherhood.
When the Church stands united as one, it is not just a sign of solidarity and brotherhood; it is also a sign of God's presence that unites all in one heart and mind.
Furthermore, the Church is to be a sign of unity, uniting people with God through worship, through charity and proclaiming the Good News of God's saving love for all people.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul understood the importance of unity especially in the proclamation of the Good News.
Hence he took the effort to meet up with the elders of the Church, people like Peter, James and John, and he also brought along Barnabas and Titus so that all would have a common understanding and solidarity in the work of proclaiming the Good News.
All seemed well and good and in harmony until Peter did something which Paul thought was wrong. Peter had been eating with pagans but he stopped and kept away from them for fear of those Jewish Christians who would criticize him for eating with the uncircumcised.
Needless to say, there was a confrontation between Paul and Peter. It would seemed that the unity that was forged with so much effort was breaking up.
Yet the issue would be resolved and unity would be restored. But that would not mean that the unity would not face any more challenges again.
There would always be challenges to the unity of the Church because the powers of evil are out to break up the Church and to scatter the believers.
But as we reflect and pray the prayer that Jesus taught us, the very first two words "Our Father" would would tell us that we must be united with each other because we believe that God is our Father and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Unity can be achieved with forgiveness. But without forgiving each other, we would be torn apart and scattered. So let us forgive each other, just as God has forgiven us.
Unity is indeed a very powerful sign. In the secular sense, unity is a sign of solidarity and brotherhood.
When the Church stands united as one, it is not just a sign of solidarity and brotherhood; it is also a sign of God's presence that unites all in one heart and mind.
Furthermore, the Church is to be a sign of unity, uniting people with God through worship, through charity and proclaiming the Good News of God's saving love for all people.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul understood the importance of unity especially in the proclamation of the Good News.
Hence he took the effort to meet up with the elders of the Church, people like Peter, James and John, and he also brought along Barnabas and Titus so that all would have a common understanding and solidarity in the work of proclaiming the Good News.
All seemed well and good and in harmony until Peter did something which Paul thought was wrong. Peter had been eating with pagans but he stopped and kept away from them for fear of those Jewish Christians who would criticize him for eating with the uncircumcised.
Needless to say, there was a confrontation between Paul and Peter. It would seemed that the unity that was forged with so much effort was breaking up.
Yet the issue would be resolved and unity would be restored. But that would not mean that the unity would not face any more challenges again.
There would always be challenges to the unity of the Church because the powers of evil are out to break up the Church and to scatter the believers.
But as we reflect and pray the prayer that Jesus taught us, the very first two words "Our Father" would would tell us that we must be united with each other because we believe that God is our Father and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Unity can be achieved with forgiveness. But without forgiving each other, we would be torn apart and scattered. So let us forgive each other, just as God has forgiven us.
Monday, October 8, 2018
27th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 09-10-18
Galatians 1:13-24 / Luke 10:38-42
One of the causes of dissatisfaction and discontentment in our lives is that we look away from our own turf and we begin to envy the seemingly greener pastures that other people are in.
We begin to look at others and start to dream about their cushy lives, their exciting jobs, the nice things they have, their happy families, etc.
We allow these distractions to come in because we think that who we are and what we are doing is insignificant, boring, frustrating, unrewarding and unrecognized.
That is simply because we are dissatisfied and unhappy with what we are doing.
In the gospel, Martha complained about her sister, maybe because she was unhappy about not getting any recognition and attention.
She was simply distracted from what she was doing.
Jesus was not saying that sitting around and listening to Him is more important than cooking and cleaning.
Jesus is saying that whatever we are doing, we just have to be focused and count our blessings and give thanks to God.
That is the one thing that is important and that is also the one thing that is needed in our lives.
Because that is also the one thing that will bring out satisfaction and happiness in our lives.
One of the causes of dissatisfaction and discontentment in our lives is that we look away from our own turf and we begin to envy the seemingly greener pastures that other people are in.
We begin to look at others and start to dream about their cushy lives, their exciting jobs, the nice things they have, their happy families, etc.
We allow these distractions to come in because we think that who we are and what we are doing is insignificant, boring, frustrating, unrewarding and unrecognized.
That is simply because we are dissatisfied and unhappy with what we are doing.
In the gospel, Martha complained about her sister, maybe because she was unhappy about not getting any recognition and attention.
She was simply distracted from what she was doing.
Jesus was not saying that sitting around and listening to Him is more important than cooking and cleaning.
Jesus is saying that whatever we are doing, we just have to be focused and count our blessings and give thanks to God.
That is the one thing that is important and that is also the one thing that is needed in our lives.
Because that is also the one thing that will bring out satisfaction and happiness in our lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)