4th Sunday of Advent, Year C, 22.12.2024

  Micah 5:1-4 / Hebrews 10:5-10 / Luke 1:39-44

Some of us may remember this famous statement and its historical background. 

The statement is this: That's one small step for man, a giant leap for mankind. 

That statement was made by the American astronaut Neil Armstrong on the 20th July, 1969. He made this statement as he descended from the ladder of the lunar capsule and stepped on the surface of the Moon. 

And with that, he became the first man to step on the moon. 

But man didn't stop with just stepping on the moon. The quest for exploration of outer space continues with further ventures to other planets. 

But other than the moon, man has not stepped on other planets, well, not yet. 

So, it can be said that man has leapt to the moon, and he may be eyeing other planets to leap at. 

Although man has leapt far into outer space, how far has he gone into inner space? 

Much money and resources are spent exploring other planets, and yet planet Earth was left with an ecological problem. 

Man has leapt are into outer space, but has neglected about his inner space. 

In the gospel, we hear of another kind of leap. It was a leap of joy, a leap of life, a leap of love. 

Mary greeting Elizabeth seems ordinary, but it revealed a deep mystery. 

The Word of God has taken flesh in the womb of Mary, and through her greeting, the Good News of salvation was proclaimed. 

And baby in Elizabeth's womb left for joy at the sound of the Good News. 

It was a leap not into outer space, but a leap into the mystery of salvation, a leap into the love of God. 

As we listen to the gospel passage, our hearts also want to leap for joy. 

But if our hearts are not responding to this joyful news, could it be that our hearts are heavy and burdened. 

We may have spent our time, resources and energy on the unnecessary, on the so-called outer space, and neglected what is necessary, we have neglected our inner space. 

We need to listen to the Good News, so that our hearts can also leap with joy into the love of God. 

A story goes that a man went trekking into the woods, and he was fascinated by the natural beauty, and he lost track of time. 

When he realized it was getting dark, he tried to hurry back but he got lost, but he still tried to find his way back even though it was dark. 

He went on and on and then suddenly he fell off a cliff. As he was falling down, he somehow managed to catch hold of a branch. 

He caught his breath and was relieved, but he couldn't see where he was as it was pitch dark. 

So, he began to pray: Oh God, save me, save me. 

To his surprise, he heard a voice: You want me to save you? 

The man replied. Yes Lord yes, please save me. 

The Voice then said: Okay, then do what I tell you, let go of the branch. 

The man was stunned and also shocked. He couldn’t believe what he heard. So, he closed his eyes and desperately held on to the branch with all his might. 

After a long while, he heard birds chirping and he knew that finally morning has arrived. 

With much anxiety, he slowly opened his eyes to see what his situation was. To his surprise, when he opened his eyes to see where he was, his feet was only six inches from the ground. 

If only he had listened to the voice of God and let go of the branch, he wouldn't have suffered all night. 

So, it comes back to this simple spiritual saying: Let go and let God. 

When we let go of our worries, fears and anxieties, we will listen to the voice of God and let God take control of our lives. 

When we let God take control, then we will be able to listen to the Good News of salvation, and our hearts will leap for joy.

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C, 15.12.2024

 Zephaniah 3:14-18 / Philippians 4:4-7 / Luke 3:10-18

Human beings and machines have some similarities. 

A machine is designed to perform a specific task. 

For example, a car is designed to move after a sequence of operations. The task is specific and there are not much variations to what a car is supposed to do. 

Human beings, as much as they can be flexible and adaptable, also like to be told specifically what to do. 

And human beings can be rather robotic, and they can at times even act like robots. 

But a better way of putting it is that human beings are creatures of habit, and they like to be ritualistic. 

They want to know what to do and keep doing it, so that they don't have to think too much about how to do it. 

And when they get used to doing something over and over again, then it is not likely that they will like to change it. 

In the gospel, the people who came to John the Baptist asked him what must they do for repentance. 

So, to specific groups of people John the Baptist gave them specific tasks to perform. 

Generally, he told them to be generous and to share with those in need. 

Then, to the tax collectors, he told them to be honest and not to collect more than required. To the soldiers, he told them not to intimidate and not to extort. 

John the Baptist was specific and straightforward in his teaching and in his instructions to the people and to the specific groups. 

So the people thought that it was all that was required. 

Then, John the Baptist gave them something more to think about and what to be prepared for. 

He said that he baptized with water for the repentance of sin. 

But there is one who is coming after him, and who is more powerful than he is. 

And that one who is to come, will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 

What immediately comes to mind is a stark contrast. 

John the Baptist talks about and uses water for his ministry. 

But Jesus, the one who is to come, will have the power of the Holy Spirit and there will be fire. 

What a contrast, and what a change. 

But the contrast also prepares for the change, and it will be a wonderful and beautiful change. 

On this third week of Advent, the rose coloured candle is lighted and rose coloured vestments are worn. 

The rose coloured candle stands as a contrast among the three purple coloured candles. 

It is a candle to symbolize the theme of rejoicing. 

It also reminds us that when Jesus came He brought about a change. 

He was a light in the darkness, and his birth brought about rejoicing because the promise of salvation was fulfilled. 

On this third Sunday of Advent, the message for us is that Jesus will bring about a change, and it is a change that we will rejoice over. 

So, when there are changes in our lives, in our family and in our workplace, let us ask Jesus to help us see the change with rejoicing and with His blessings.

For this parish community, for Fr. Andre and for myself, all of us had undergone a change, and we want to believe that the change comes with blessings and rejoicing.

Let us remember the rose coloured candle of the Advent wreath.

May the light of that candle give us the Spirit of rejoicing. 

And let us pray that every change will come with the blessings of God, and that every change will be wonderful and beautiful.

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, 08.12.2024

 Baruch 5:1-9 / Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11 / Luke 3:1-6 

The ways of the world are such that what is done is to be done on a big scale. 

It can be said that size does matter, so the bigger the better. 

The objective is to gain attention and admiration, so as to be more popular and famous than the rest. 

So, when it comes to the seasonal festive decorations, then the brighter and fancier, the better. 

And of course, when it comes to the Christmas trees, then the taller the better. 

But it is not just about being bigger, or brighter, or taller. 

The world also favours those with big names and high status, and from famous places. 

Needless to say, that behind those big names with high status and from famous places, there are influence, power and wealth. 

These are the ways of the world, and we are constantly being exposed to such ways. 

Inevitably, that also became a way of life, to be bigger, higher, better and with power. 

In the gospel, many big and powerful names were mentioned, and they also rule over famous places. 

Among those names are some that we have heard before, like, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Annas and Caiaphas. 

And we have heard about those places that they rule over, Judaea, Galilee and those other places. 

At that time, if someone were to name-drop and say that they are friend of Tiberius Caesar, or Pontius Pilate or Herod, they will be shown favour. 

Or, if someone were to say that the high priest Annas or Caiaphas is their friend, they will also get religious favours. 

What happened then, in that political and religious world, has not changed much. It is also happening in the present political and religious scenes, only that the names and places have changed. 

But there is one thing that did not change, and that is the ways of God. The ways of God are not the ways of the world. 

In the gospel, the Word of God did not go to those high and mighty and famous names or places. 

Instead, the Word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, and he was out there in the wilderness. 

And the message that John received was plain and simple, and that is, the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. 

It was a no-frills and no-thrills message, just repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

As we enter into the second week of Advent, the world has already entered into the festive celebrations. 

It looks and sounds as if Christmas is already here, and we are also moving with the flow. 

Being in this tension between Advent and the festive celebrations, a well-known figure emerges. 

We know who Santa Claus is. His image has appeared during this time in decorations and advertisements. 

Santa Claus is a big name in this festive season, so much so that his origins is often forgotten. 

Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, lived during the 4th century. He is venerated in the Church because he helped the poor in their misery and poverty with gifts of money.

So, that is why Santa Claus, or St Nicholas, became a symbol of giving during this season. 

He also reminds us that God gave us His only Son to save us and to forgive our sins. 

Just as the Word of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness, the Word of God comes to us through Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas. 

St Nicholas reminds us of the virtue of giving and especially to help the poor. 

The Word of God reminds us that the best gift is the gift of forgiveness. 

Let us turn to God for forgiveness so that we can forgive others. 

That is how we prepare the way for the Lord, so that we, the Church, and the world, will see the salvation of God.

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.

Christ the King, Year B, 23.11.2024

 We live in the world that is always changing. Almost nothing remains the same. Over time, there will be some changes. 

Buildings undergo renovation to have a new look or layout. Some buildings may even be demolished and an entirely new building comes up, and that also changes the landscape. 

In the name of progress and development, natural landscapes are changed, regardless of for better or for worse. 

People also grow in change. Children grow into adults and become parents. Their parents go on to become grandparents. 

So, the world around us, as well as ourselves, are constantly undergoing change. 

Change maybe an indication of growth and progress. 

We also hope that we can change for the better, in that we grow in wisdom and understanding. 

As we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, we celebrate the almighty power and glory of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ is the King of the universe, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 

His almighty power is eternal and everlasting. 

And His almighty power can change people, can change thinking, as well as situations and circumstances. 

In the gospel, Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews. 

And at the end of the gospel passage, Pilate answered his own question when he said to Jesus: So, you are a king then. 

In between, something about Pilate has changed. At first, he interrogated Jesus, then he pondered about Jesus, and in the end, he was rather intrigued about Jesus. 

It was Pilate who wrote that inscription on the Cross: Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews. 

Pilate may not have intended it, but he declared it in writing that Jesus is the King of the Jews. 

So, in the gospel passage, the encounter and exchange between Jesus and Pilate revealed something.

Pilate had the power, but Jesus is the Divine Authority. 

Pilate had the first say, but Jesus had the last Word. 

Pilate had the status, but Jesus has the truth. 

In fact, Jesus is the Truth as He tells Pilate this: Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth, and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice. 

One of the images of Christ the King is then he is carrying the cross with the left hand, and his right hand is raised to impart a blessing. 

That image tells us that the Cross is the truth of our lives if we want to be disciples of Jesus our king. 

Like Jesus, we will carry the cross of truth and stand on the side of truth and to bear witness to the truth. 

And in carrying the cross of truth, Jesus blesses us with His right hand of power and glory. 

Yes, we listen to the voice of Jesus Christ our King and we carry the cross of truth and bear witness to it. 

And in carrying the cross of truth, Jesus Christ will bless us with His almighty love. 

Yes, we believe and we follow Jesus Christ the King of Truth and Love. 

The world will keep changing, but the truth and love of Jesus Christ Our King will never change.

And the eternal truth is that Jesus Christ our King will love us and He will love us forever.

33rd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 17.11.2024

 Daniel 12:1-3 / Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 / Mark 13:24-32

One of the questions about life that we rather not think about is this: 

What is it that I am afraid of? 

Of course, there are many things in life that we are afraid of. 

When it comes to insects and such, some are afraid of lizards, others are afraid of cockroaches, and others are afraid of spiders. 

But those are just a part of the spectrum of fears. 

There are some who are afraid of heights, while others have stage-fright and others are afraid of crowds. 

To put it plainly, there is always something in life that we are afraid of. 

In Singapore, there is this general phenomenon of “kia-su” the fear of losing out. But whatever form of fears, the fact is that when it happens, we will lose control, we may even melt down and chaos can set in. 

It is like when the lights suddenly go off, and it is total darkness, and we begin to panic. 

In the gospel, Jesus talked about a rather disturbing and frightening situation. 

He said that in those days, after a time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will fall from heaven and other frightening sights. 

As we think about it, distress is already bad enough. 

Distress means that our lives are disturbed and we are displaced by all sorts of problems.

And it is not just about lizards or spiders, and it is more than the fear of heights or crowds. 

It is about chaos and confusion, and our faith is shaken. 

And as if the distress is not bad enough, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness and the stars will fall from heaven. 

In other words, after the distress, there will be darkness, a deep darkness that brings out all the fears in us. 

It is like one bad thing happening after another. 

As we think about it, this is not something new that Jesus is talking about. 

We have experienced bad things happening in our lives, and it is one bad thing after another. 

It is like being retrenched, and then getting into debt, and then a serious illness comes along. 

It is one distress after another, and the darkness becomes deeper and tighter. 

But in times like these, let us remember that verse from Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.” 

Yes, we need to be still and that all the distress and darkness will pass. 

Once a powerful king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, "Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something that can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?"  

All the wise men were puzzled by the King’s question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old wise man suggested something that appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity. 

Only in extreme danger, when the king finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The king put the paper in his bracelet. 

Some time later, the enemies attacked the kingdom. The king and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The king had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him, and they were getting closer and closer. 

Suddenly the king found himself at the edge of a cliff. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousands of feet deep. If he jumped down, he would be finished, and he could not return because it was a small road, and the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The king panicked. There seemed to be no way out.

Then suddenly he saw his bracelet shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the bracelet. He opened the paper and read the message. The message was – “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”

The king read it again and again. Suddenly something struck him - Yes! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, he was enjoying his kingdom. He was the mightiest of all the kings. Yet today, the kingdom and all his pleasures have gone. He is now trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his kingdom. 

The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were nowhere near him.

The king was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. 

Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on king from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment the king said to himself, “I am one of the bravest and greatest kings. It is not easy to defeat me.” With all the reception and celebration, an ego was emerging in him.

Suddenly his bracelet flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”. 

Yes, all the distress and darkness will pass but God's Word will not pass away. 

Even heaven and earth will pass away, but God's Word will never pass away. 

So, when we are faced with distress after distress, and the fear and darkness gets deeper and tighter, let us remember this. 

Let us remember to be still and know that God is with us. 

The distress and the darkness and the fear will pass away, but God's Word and His promises will not pass away. 

And God's Word and promise to us is this: God is here to stay, and He will not go away.

32nd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 10.11.2024

  1 Kings 17:10-16 / Hebrews 9:24-28 / Mark 12:38-44

Whether people believe in God or not, it cannot be denied that everyone has a conscience. 

Although it also cannot be denied that there are some people who are able to suppress their conscience.

So, their conscience becomes numbed to the bad that they do to others, and evil they commit against others. 

But even with the conscience suppressed, the eyes and the ears cannot be shut off from the realities of life. 

And there is one reality that cannot be denied and that is the reality of retribution. 

Retribution is commonly understood as some kind of “payback”, and it is usually about a punishment that is inflicted for some wickedness or evil that was done in the past. 

The reality of retribution is often portrayed in stories, movies and dramas. 

It is also something that we would talk about in order to dissuade someone from doing something wicked. 

And it may also be something that we have experienced in our lives or in the lives of people we know. 

In the gospel, Jesus did not use the word retribution. 

But in His teaching, He told the people to beware of the behaviour of the scribes. 

Jesus also said that because they swallow the property of widows while making a show of lengthy prayers, the more severe will be the sentence they receive. 

So, Jesus is issuing an unmistakable warning for those who commit wickedness and evil against others. 

More than just retribution, the wickedness and evil committed against others is done before God. 

Yes, God sees, God knows and God waits. 

But even as Jesus issued the warning against the wicked and the evildoers, He also pointed out something inspiring and enlightening. 

No one really noticed that poor widow who dropped the two small coins into the Temple treasury, but Jesus did. 

And how did Jesus know that the two small coins were all that the poor widow had to live on? 

There could be a couple of explanations, but in the end it comes down to this:

God sees, God knows and God waits. 

But if God sees and God knows, then what is God waiting for? 

Well, that poor widow dropped in the two small coins, everything she had to live on, and there were no immediate rewards for her. 

But we believe, that God will bless her and provide for her and that God will sustain her because of her faith and generosity. 

So, God sees, God knows and God waited, so that His blessings will be more than we can expect. 

So, for the good we do, let us do it quietly and humbly, like that poor widow. 

Our reward is not in man's praises and admiration, but in the blessings of God, the blessings of His love and peace. 

As for those who commit wickedness and evil, let us not threaten them with retribution or punishment.

Because God sees, God knows and God waits. 

God waits for our two small coins of prayer for sinners as He waits for their repentance and conversion.

Yes, God sees, God knows and God waits. 

God waits to grant sinners forgiveness, and God waits for our two small coins of prayers, prayers for the conversion of sinners.