Romans 10 : 9-18 / Matthew 4 : 18-22 (2022)
Most of us would shy away from the limelight and rather work behind the scenes.
Well, that is until we have basked in the limelight and gotten a taste of the attention and the applause.
After experiencing the taste of the limelight, it might be difficult to step back into the background and go back to being behind the scenes.
We often call it "cannot let go".
St. Andrew was always referred to as the brother of St. Peter.
That title gives the impression that St. Andrew was someone who was always behind the scenes, someone who tags along behind St. Peter.
Even today's gospel seemed to imply that idea when it tells of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew, in that order.
But in the gospel according to St. John, it was Andrew who first followed Jesus, and it was Andrew who told Peter that he had found the Messiah.
St. Andrew's role in the gospels may be few but nonetheless significant.
Besides being the first to follow Jesus and leading Peter to Him, St. Andrew was also instrumental in pointing out the boy with the barley loaves and the fish that later led to the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.
In St. Andrew, we see a reflection of ourselves and our mission.
Following Christ is our top priority and leading others to Christ is our mission.
But stepping back in order that God can continue to work through us must also be our conviction.
When we can do that, then we know what it means to let go and let God.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
34th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 28-11-09
Daniel 7 : 15-27 / Luke 21 : 34-36 (2021)
During the celebration of the Mass, we are often reminded of the presence of God, with this phrase : The Lord be with you
Maybe some of us may ask : why not say - the Lord is with you. After all the Lord is here, isn't it?
True, the Lord is here, yet so often, even as we are greeted with the presence of the Lord, our hearts may not be that aware that is Lord is indeed truly here.
Maybe that is why it is necessary to reflect on just that simple greeting : The Lord be with you.
Because that phrase call us to pay attention to the Lord, to pay attention to the Lord who is here and with us now.
In the gospel, Jesus says : Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened and hardened.
If we are not aware of God's presence in the Mass, how would we be aware of His presence during the course of the day.
Being with the Lord moment by moment, will help us to be ready to be with Him in eternity.
During the celebration of the Mass, we are often reminded of the presence of God, with this phrase : The Lord be with you
Maybe some of us may ask : why not say - the Lord is with you. After all the Lord is here, isn't it?
True, the Lord is here, yet so often, even as we are greeted with the presence of the Lord, our hearts may not be that aware that is Lord is indeed truly here.
Maybe that is why it is necessary to reflect on just that simple greeting : The Lord be with you.
Because that phrase call us to pay attention to the Lord, to pay attention to the Lord who is here and with us now.
In the gospel, Jesus says : Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened and hardened.
If we are not aware of God's presence in the Mass, how would we be aware of His presence during the course of the day.
Being with the Lord moment by moment, will help us to be ready to be with Him in eternity.
Friday, November 27, 2009
34th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 27-11-09
Daniel 7 : 2-14
Luke 21 : 29-33
Promises are not that easy to keep, even when the conditions are stable and under control.
Promises are also not that easy to keep especially when there is turmoil and chaos.
More so in a situation of war and devastation and nothing is predictable.
But in World War II, one figure stood tall because of a promise he made to a people. The promise was made in three simple words : I shall return!
General Douglas McArthur earned a place in history because he did not only made a promise under volatile conditions, but he really fulfilled it.
That promise also changed the course of WW II and eventually brought it to an end.
Jesus also left us a promise when He said in today's gospel : Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.
But when we are faced with the painful realities of life, the promise of Jesus may seem to lose its impact and significance.
However the challenge to believe in His promise remains as we keep fighting the good fight and running the race even when we cannot see the finish line.
The 1st reading also reminds us : God's sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire be destroyed.
So let us remember that it is God who is making a promise to us His people. What God has promised He will fulfill.
For our part, we just have to keep on believing and trusting in God always.
Let us remember that though we may falter, God is always faithful.
Luke 21 : 29-33
Promises are not that easy to keep, even when the conditions are stable and under control.
Promises are also not that easy to keep especially when there is turmoil and chaos.
More so in a situation of war and devastation and nothing is predictable.
But in World War II, one figure stood tall because of a promise he made to a people. The promise was made in three simple words : I shall return!
General Douglas McArthur earned a place in history because he did not only made a promise under volatile conditions, but he really fulfilled it.
That promise also changed the course of WW II and eventually brought it to an end.
Jesus also left us a promise when He said in today's gospel : Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.
But when we are faced with the painful realities of life, the promise of Jesus may seem to lose its impact and significance.
However the challenge to believe in His promise remains as we keep fighting the good fight and running the race even when we cannot see the finish line.
The 1st reading also reminds us : God's sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire be destroyed.
So let us remember that it is God who is making a promise to us His people. What God has promised He will fulfill.
For our part, we just have to keep on believing and trusting in God always.
Let us remember that though we may falter, God is always faithful.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
34th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 26-11-09
Daniel 6 : 12-28
Luke 21 : 20-28
The story of Daniel in the lions' den which we heard in the 1st reading is indeed a famous and well-known story from the Old Testament.
It was another account of how God protected those who were faithful to Him and trusted in Him.
In that story, the other character, king Darius, was often seen just as a sort of supporting character.
Yet he is the character that we would look at today.
He ordered Daniel to be thrown to the lions, but he did it much against his own will.
He was trapped by his own edict and by the pressure of Daniel's accusers.
King Darius knew what he wanted to do ; he knew what he should do.
But he just couldn't do it without losing face or seen as weak.
So he finally succumbed to pressure, just like many others before him and many others after him, e.g. Pontius Pilate.
Acting under pressure from others, or to please others, or to meet the expectation of others, or afraid to lose face, or being called a softie, or no backbone, are things that we have all experienced.
We know what we should do, but to do it requires the courage to enter the lions' den.
That courage can only come about if we are faithful to God and trust like Him, like Daniel did.
The only lions that we need to fear are our lack of faith and trust in God.
But when fear seems overwhelming, let us remember these words of Jesus in today's gospel : Stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is at hand.
Luke 21 : 20-28
The story of Daniel in the lions' den which we heard in the 1st reading is indeed a famous and well-known story from the Old Testament.
It was another account of how God protected those who were faithful to Him and trusted in Him.
In that story, the other character, king Darius, was often seen just as a sort of supporting character.
Yet he is the character that we would look at today.
He ordered Daniel to be thrown to the lions, but he did it much against his own will.
He was trapped by his own edict and by the pressure of Daniel's accusers.
King Darius knew what he wanted to do ; he knew what he should do.
But he just couldn't do it without losing face or seen as weak.
So he finally succumbed to pressure, just like many others before him and many others after him, e.g. Pontius Pilate.
Acting under pressure from others, or to please others, or to meet the expectation of others, or afraid to lose face, or being called a softie, or no backbone, are things that we have all experienced.
We know what we should do, but to do it requires the courage to enter the lions' den.
That courage can only come about if we are faithful to God and trust like Him, like Daniel did.
The only lions that we need to fear are our lack of faith and trust in God.
But when fear seems overwhelming, let us remember these words of Jesus in today's gospel : Stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is at hand.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
34th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 25-11-09
Daniel 5 : 1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Luke 21 : 12-19
One phrase which we will use to express the idea that we can see things so clearly and so profoundly, is to use this expression - we say that "the writing is on the wall".
That phrase is taken from the book of the prophet Daniel which we heard in the 1st reading.
That phrase in the context of the 1st reading meant judgment for king Belshazzar because he desecrated the sacred vessels that were looted from the Temple in Jerusalem, and he did not acknowledge the God of all creation.
In a world that is filled with violence and terrorism, evil and sinfulness, is there any writing on the wall? Is there any judgment? Is there any vindication?
What do we see in such situations?
We can see two things : one is that those who propagate violence and evil will be accountable to God.
But we also need to see something else, something more profound.
We need to see that in the midst of violence and evil, we need to see that we are called to bear witness.
We need to bear witness to God's love and forgiveness.
We need to bear witness to the truth of way of Jesus in that we don't have to return evil for evil, but rather to overcome evil with good.
We need to bear witness and to be God's writing on the wall.
God's writing on the wall speaks not just of judgment, but of peace and love and forgiveness.
Yes, we must bear witness even when evil and sin seem to be overwhelming.
But as Jesus said in the gospel - our endurance will win us our lives.
Luke 21 : 12-19
One phrase which we will use to express the idea that we can see things so clearly and so profoundly, is to use this expression - we say that "the writing is on the wall".
That phrase is taken from the book of the prophet Daniel which we heard in the 1st reading.
That phrase in the context of the 1st reading meant judgment for king Belshazzar because he desecrated the sacred vessels that were looted from the Temple in Jerusalem, and he did not acknowledge the God of all creation.
In a world that is filled with violence and terrorism, evil and sinfulness, is there any writing on the wall? Is there any judgment? Is there any vindication?
What do we see in such situations?
We can see two things : one is that those who propagate violence and evil will be accountable to God.
But we also need to see something else, something more profound.
We need to see that in the midst of violence and evil, we need to see that we are called to bear witness.
We need to bear witness to God's love and forgiveness.
We need to bear witness to the truth of way of Jesus in that we don't have to return evil for evil, but rather to overcome evil with good.
We need to bear witness and to be God's writing on the wall.
God's writing on the wall speaks not just of judgment, but of peace and love and forgiveness.
Yes, we must bear witness even when evil and sin seem to be overwhelming.
But as Jesus said in the gospel - our endurance will win us our lives.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
34th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 24-11-09
Daniel 2 : 31-45
Luke 21 : 5-11
We often say that the past is history and the future is mystery. Sounds rather poetic.
And good poetry often makes a reflection on the harsh reality but puts it across beautifully.
So as much as we know the history of the past, we do not know the mystery of the future.
It is because we do not know the future, we tend to live in anxiety.
And we may secretly like to think that if we know what is going to happen in the future, then we may be relieved of this anxiety.
Well, king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about the future. And Daniel interpreted that dream for him.
But did it quell his anxiety?
Similarly in the gospel, the people asked Jesus about the time and the signs of the future.
And Jesus did tell them something about the future, but did it quell their anxiety?
It is not good to be too anxious about the future, but yet we can turn that anxiety into something creative.
We can use that anxiety to build the foundations of our lives so that we won't be thrown about by the worries of what is to come.
The prophet Daniel mentions in the 1st reading of a stone, untouched by human hands.
We, of course, know that the stone that he was talking about was that stone that was rejected by the builders but which became the corner stone.
May Jesus be that corner stone which forms the foundations of our lives.
It is in Jesus that we can have the security in a future that is mystery.
Because with Jesus we can truly live in the HERE and NOW. Without Jesus, we will be NOWHERE
Luke 21 : 5-11
We often say that the past is history and the future is mystery. Sounds rather poetic.
And good poetry often makes a reflection on the harsh reality but puts it across beautifully.
So as much as we know the history of the past, we do not know the mystery of the future.
It is because we do not know the future, we tend to live in anxiety.
And we may secretly like to think that if we know what is going to happen in the future, then we may be relieved of this anxiety.
Well, king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about the future. And Daniel interpreted that dream for him.
But did it quell his anxiety?
Similarly in the gospel, the people asked Jesus about the time and the signs of the future.
And Jesus did tell them something about the future, but did it quell their anxiety?
It is not good to be too anxious about the future, but yet we can turn that anxiety into something creative.
We can use that anxiety to build the foundations of our lives so that we won't be thrown about by the worries of what is to come.
The prophet Daniel mentions in the 1st reading of a stone, untouched by human hands.
We, of course, know that the stone that he was talking about was that stone that was rejected by the builders but which became the corner stone.
May Jesus be that corner stone which forms the foundations of our lives.
It is in Jesus that we can have the security in a future that is mystery.
Because with Jesus we can truly live in the HERE and NOW. Without Jesus, we will be NOWHERE
Monday, November 23, 2009
34th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 23-11-09
Daniel 1 :1-6, 8-20
Luke 21 : 1-4
One of the common problems in the work-place is this superior-subordinate tension.
Very often, one party views the other with suspicion and caution.
And very often, one party will always have complains and grouses against the other.
But at the heart of these problems lies basically the need for understanding.
In the 1st reading, we heard how Daniel and his friends faced the dilemma of having to eat forbidden food.
Yet he understood the situation of those who were put in charge of him.
And eventually he found a way of going round the problem.
That makes us think about how we deal with the problems in our workplace, whether it is with our superiors or our subordinates or our colleagues.
Or on a wider scale, our problems with anyone.
To just complain and get worked up and get frustrated would simply be aggravating the problem.
Like Daniel, we need to understand these people that we are having problems with.
To understand literally means to stand in their shoes.
That means that we have to let our guard down and take off our armour. That means to let go of our pride and our security.
That means we would have to be like the widow in the gospel who gave all that she had, and rely on the Lord to see her through the challenges and uncertainties of life.
It is only when we are down to nothing that God will come up with something.
Luke 21 : 1-4
One of the common problems in the work-place is this superior-subordinate tension.
Very often, one party views the other with suspicion and caution.
And very often, one party will always have complains and grouses against the other.
But at the heart of these problems lies basically the need for understanding.
In the 1st reading, we heard how Daniel and his friends faced the dilemma of having to eat forbidden food.
Yet he understood the situation of those who were put in charge of him.
And eventually he found a way of going round the problem.
That makes us think about how we deal with the problems in our workplace, whether it is with our superiors or our subordinates or our colleagues.
Or on a wider scale, our problems with anyone.
To just complain and get worked up and get frustrated would simply be aggravating the problem.
Like Daniel, we need to understand these people that we are having problems with.
To understand literally means to stand in their shoes.
That means that we have to let our guard down and take off our armour. That means to let go of our pride and our security.
That means we would have to be like the widow in the gospel who gave all that she had, and rely on the Lord to see her through the challenges and uncertainties of life.
It is only when we are down to nothing that God will come up with something.
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