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Monday, July 13, 2009

15th Ordinary Sunday, 12.07.09

Mark 6:7-13

It is amazing how the standard of living in Singapore has risen, especially in the area of affluence.

We take so many things for granted now, without thinking how it was back then.

For eg, maybe 40 years ago, each house has only one TV set, and it’s usually placed in the living room.

Now, each room has a TV set, and maybe all are connected to cable TV with over 40 channels to chose from.

Probably the only room that does not have a TV, well not at least I know of, is the toilet.

But maybe because the toilet is like a reading room. People bring newspapers and magazines in there to read.

Maybe also because the reading material comes in handy if the toilet paper runs out!

But it is not just TVs that is a reflection of our affluence.
The number of computers or laptops in each household is amazing.

Plus of course the accessories of comfort and entertainment, like the home-theatre-system, the aircon units, the crystal lighting and what have you.

Indeed, most of us are very proud of our well-furnished and well-decorated homes, and in a way, it reflects the level of our affluence.

But let’s say, let’s just say, although it’s not nice to say such things, let’s just say that our house is now on fire.

And we have only 3 minutes to retrieve whatever is most precious to us. Now, what would it be?

What is it that we are willing to risk our lives for, in order to save it from being destroyed?

Of course, I am not talking about that kind of drama where the baby is left in one of the rooms, or the paralyzed parent is still in the bed. That is TV kind of drama.

Church drama is about what are the most precious possessions that we have at home.

So if there is a fire now at home, and we have only 3 minutes to save what is most precious to us, what will it be?

Will it be that biscuit tin that is tucked away in an obscure cabinet which contains the hard-earned cash of our life savings?

Well, other than that I really can’t think of anything else that is more important.

Or would we be contented with just taking a pair of shoes and a walking stick?

Well, that was what Jesus told his disciples to take as He sends them forth to proclaim His Word.

He didn’t give them time to pack; or time to think; just the clothes they were wearing, a pair of sandals and a staff and off they go. That was about it. Nothing more.

We might even ask: How about the Bible? At least ask them to bring the Bible lah!

Well, priests and religious and pastors should bring their bibles along everywhere they go to proclaim the Good News.
And This Monday, the priests of the diocese are going for their annual retreat.

We priests are cordially reminded: Please bring your own Bible. So it means we cannot share Bible. Sounds like going for exam.

But the Bible, the Word of God, is not just a thick book that is often carried under the arm, or placed at the home altar for adoration, or hidden in some biscuit tin in some obscure cabinet.

The Word of God is dynamic, in that when God speaks, He also creates. When God said : Let there be light, and there was light.

When He said : let us make man in our image and likeness, man was created, in God’s image, in God’s love.

So God’s word created us, God’s Word shaped us into His image and likeness, and God’s Word is stamped into our very being.

In a way, we can say that God’s Word is made flesh in us. It cannot be taken away from us.

It is precisely God’s Word in us that makes us turn to God and to thirst for God.

St Augustine would express this yearning for God in a prayer like this: O Lord, our hearts will not rest until they rest in you.

Yes, it is only in God that we know we have come home, that indeed we are at home.

And this homing instinct is not so mystifying or mysterious.

Even animals show that they have this homing instinct.
Take for example, the green sea turtles. The green sea turtle will lay eggs on a particular beach.

When the eggs hatch, the baby turtles will instinctively head for the sea.

After about 40 years of swimming in the sea and surviving the dangers from predators and other elements, the green sea turtle reaches reproductive age.

Then she will swim all the way back to that particular beach where she was hatched. They call it the natal beach.

It is on that and only that particular natal beach, she will lay her eggs of the next generation of sea turtles.

The problem comes in when that particular natal beach is destroyed or reclaimed or whatever.

I really don’t know what the sea turtle would do. But one thing for sure, the sea turtle is lost, because the natal beach is lost, and with that the next generation is lost.

The story of the sea turtle reminds us of this: We have to preserve and safeguard the natal beach of our hearts.

Because God’s Word created us and God’s Word is planted deep in our hearts for us to find God and come back to Him.

And that’s why reading the Bible is imperative, it is a must.

Because the written word of the Bible will awaken the Word of God that is planted deep in our hearts.

The Word of God awakens us and spurs us into action, to go forth and awaken in others the Word that is in them.

Today, being Bible Sunday, Jesus sends us forth to proclaim His Word.

And I ask you to bring one thing – that is, this little card that was given to you as you came in.

On this card are 2 promises. God promised that He will be with us always.

The other promise is that His plans for us are always for our good, so as to give us hope and a future.

We need to believe in these promises from God.
We must believe in these promises.

When we don’t, then we ourselves have destroyed the natal beach of our hearts, and we would be lost.

But when we believe, then we must also show that we believe.

Take this card, and more if you want, and give it to those who need to hear about God’s promises.

Especially those who have their hopes and their future destroyed by the fires of bitterness and disappointment.

We pray, that with the aid of these humble cards, we will help others to find their natal beach and come home to God.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

12th Ordinary Sunday, Yr B, 20.06.09

Well, the school holidays are going to be over, and if you had planned for a short holiday, then I suppose it is already over and done with.

But there is one place that we won’t go to for a holiday, or that we will make a trip to.

That’s because no travel agency and no one would want to bring us there, Not that I know of at least.

Ever heard of Atlantis? The sunken city? I don’t think any of us had gone there before, even though some of us may like scuba-diving.

Well, in the first place, we don’t even know exactly where it is. Because it seems that there are quite a few places that have gone underwater.
And that, highlights the enormous power of the sea.

Even as we stand before a calm and tranquil sea, we cannot pretend that we are not aware of what lies beneath the waters.
Besides the Atlantis, there are some big and famous names that are lying in its depths.

One of which is the Titanic, which was touted as the ship which would never sink ; it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage and sank on 14 April 1912.

Also lying in the seabed are aircraft carriers, ships of all shapes and sizes, all sorts of aircraft and whatever that is sinkable.
Plus whatever we throw into the sea; we treat the sea like some kind of dumping ground.

But the sea is temperamental. And what goes down into the clutches of its murky waters are not easily retrievable.
Today’s gospel features the Sea of Galilee. It is actually a very big lake.

But because it is something like 700 ft below sea-level and surrounded by mountains, the Sea of Galilee is more temperamental than any other lake.

The gospel tells of one such temperamental moment and the disciples were caught in it.

Their experience tells them that it was not just one of those storms, but one that can bring them down to the bottom and end up as one of the victims of the Sea of Galilee.

And yet Jesus was asleep in the boat. Strange that he could still be asleep in such a storm.

So the disciples had to wake him up. I am sure the gospel went through some kind of censorship.
What we don’t get to hear are the shouting, the cursing and the swearing, all the panicking. But we can imagine…

But what were the disciples expecting Jesus to do?
I guess that they merely wanted Him to help them keep the boat afloat till the storm blew over and that they reach the shore.

But did they expect Him to stop the storm just like that.
Certainly not, otherwise they won’t be filled with awe, and they wondered “Who can this be.”

Now we, we are much smarter than the disciples.

Becoz , we will ask Jesus that no storms will ever hit us.

And then, should a storm hit us, we will ask Jesus for a bigger boa,t to keep us safe and secure in the storm.
Surely, this is what we expect for believing in Jesus, what.
We expect life to be like a leisurely cruise on Superstar Virgo and sailing over calm and tranquil waters.

Now here is the good news. If we are asking our God to let our lives be smooth sailing, that there will be no storms in life, and that our boats will be unsinkable, then here is the good news.

The good news is this :God says No! I repeat: God says – No!
And we will ask – why?

We will always ask why because we can’t quite take “No” for an answer.

We are not much different from the character of Job, from the first reading.

Job met with one storm after another, and he too asked why??

Yes, we want answers, especially when storms start to blow, and ships start to sink.

Here, let me share with you a reflection that might help us to understand why God may say No to our requests.
It goes like this:

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No. I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No. You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No. I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.

Sometimes, I wonder if that is why God is called Father.

Because when I was a kid, the most frequently used word from my father is “No”, and like what we would usually do, I will go running to my mother and ask “why”(x5).

Today is also Father’ Day. As we honour our fathers, we also try to understand why they say No to us.

Could there be something more than just a plain No?

Well, let me share with you two stories, two real stories.

WWII produced many heroes. One of them was Edward Henry O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific.

One day, his entire squadron was sent on a mission.

After he was in the air, he checked his fuel gauge only to realize that he didn’t have a full tank to complete his mission and return back

So he had to drop out and head back to his ship.
As he was heading back alone, he saw something that turned his blood cold.

A squadron of Japanese fighter bombers were speeding their way towards the American fleet.

Since the American fighters had all gone on mission, the entire fleet was left defenseless.

O’Hare had no time to think. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety and survival, he dived into the formation of the Japanese planes.

Wing mounted 50 calibers blazed as he charged in, weaving in and out, shooting down a couple of planes and breaking up their formation.

Finally, with all his ammunition running out, the surprised and confused enemy planes flew off.

The film from the camera mounted on his plane told the story. It showed the extent of O’Hare’s daring attempt to protect the American fleet.

He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation’s highest military awards. And today, the O’Hare airport in Chicago is named in honour of the courage of this great man.

The second story was about a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie.

At that time, the Mafia boss Al Capone virtually owned the city. Al Capone, as we might know, dealt in everything, from prostitution to murder.

Now, Easy Eddie was Al Capone’s lawyer, and for a good reason. EE was very good.

In fact, his skill at legal maneuvering kept Al Capone from the law and the jail, for a long time.

And of course, EE was very well-rewarded by Al Capone.

Yes, EE lived the high life of the Chicago mob, and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him.

But he did have one soft spot. He had a son whom he loved dearly.

EE saw to it that his young son had everything and despite his own involvement in organized crime, EE tried to teach his right from wrong.

EE just wanted to teach his son to rise above his own sordid life. He wanted him to be a better man than he was.

EE began to realize that there were 2 things that he could not pass on to his beloved son, and that is a good name, and a good example. A storm was beginning to brew in his heart.

One day, he came to a difficult decision. Offering his son a good name was more important than the rewards Al Capone was giving him.

He had to rectify all the wrong he had done. He will spill the beans on Al Capone. That meant that he would testify against Al Capone, and he knew the cost would be great.

But more than anything he wanted to be an example to his son.

EE wanted to give his son an example of courage and honour. He wanted to teach his son to say No to wrongdoing. That meant that he himself had to say No first.

Not long after EE testified against Al Capone, his life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street.

But, he left his son an example of courage and honour, and to say No to wrong doing.

So what is the connection between the two stories? It is this: O’Hare, the fighter pilot, was Easy Eddie’s son.

So when our fathers say “No” to us, they certainly have more wisdom and experience than we think.

They don’t want us to get pampered, and become softies, and end up sinking in the storms of life.

And when God seems to say “No” to us, it is because He wants us to learn something from the storms of life.

And essentially, it is this: the storm is not out there.
The storm is within. When we quell that storm, then we will know who God is.