Holy Family, Year C, 26.12.2021

 Eccelisiasticus 3:2-6, 12-14 / Colossians 3:12-21 / Luke 2:41-52

By now, the Nativity set would have been fully laid out, except for the figures of the three wise men who will make their appearance at the Feast of the Epiphany. 

The Nativity set that we see in church will have all the representations as told in the Christmas story. 

So that is the Baby Jesus lying in the manger or Crib, there is Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the sheep, as well as a donkey and a cow. 

All the figures are in perfect condition and intact, with no chips or cracks here and there. 

This is the one and only Nativity set that we have that is considered fitting for public display and we really have to handle it with care. 

But somewhere in the storeroom, there are at least two incomplete Nativity sets that may not be that appropriate for public display. 

That is either because some of the figures are missing, or that some of the figures have chips and cracks here and there. 

Obviously, we can't mix and match those figures together to make up a Nativity set. Somehow it is not appropriate. 

Because what we would like to see is a perfect and intact Nativity set. At least a set that is appropriate for public display. 

But the reality of life is not so perfect or intact. In fact, there are chips and cracks, and even breaks and fractures. 

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, the gospel account gives a rather tense moment in the life of the Holy Family. 

After a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, the boy Jesus stayed behind without His parents knowing it. 

And when they found Him three days later, Mary was emotional as she said, “My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.” 

The reply of the boy Jesus was neither that comforting or consoling, and Mary and Joseph also did not understand what He meant, and we could almost sense that it was heading towards a parent-and-child argument. 

But nothing more was said, and Jesus went back with Mary and Joseph and lived under their authority. 

Jesus showed that even though He was the Son of God, He respected and subjected Himself to the authority of Mary and Joseph. 

Jesus lived out the commands of God that is found in the 1st reading, by honouring Joseph and upholding the rights of Mary over Him. 

Jesus is teaching us through this incident in the gospel, that obedience to His parents is also obedience to God His father. 

And as a family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph showed us how to bear with one another as the 2nd reading tells us. 

In going for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, they showed that they are a devout and prayful family, and as it is said, a family that prays together stays together. 

But as it happened even to the Holy Family, we too in our own family will have disagreements and also get into each other's way. 

But family is about love and forgiveness, and that can only be possible with family prayer. 

May Mary and Joseph pray for us and our families, and may the love of Jesus be in our homes and may He grant us His peace and His joy to live like the Holy Family.

4th Sunday of Advent, Year C, 19.12.2021

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

It is understandable if we are still wondering whether we should get any presents for our relatives and friends. 

Other than presents for our loved ones, which is already mind-cracking enough as to what to get for them, we might want to skip getting presents for those who are outside the family. 

After all, we might have already skipped it last Christmas, so we might as well skip it for this year. 

Well, the reason, or excuse, is that the restrictions are similar to that of last year, so if we can't meet them, then there is no need to give them. 

And also shopping for presents was not like before as there seems to be lesser merchandise in the stores, and online shopping is not usually the “what-you-see-is-what-you-get”. 

But maybe, just a thought for the seniors, who are already quite cramped up at home. 

Instead of getting them another set of bed sheets or pyjamas or health supplements or hair dye, why not get them some tech gadgets. 

Maybe give them a new hand-phone instead of some old hand downs. Or a smart TV. Or maybe even a gaming console. 

We cannot underestimate the tech potential of the seniors. We just have to be patient in starting them off and then we will be surprised how far they will go. 

But it is not just about giving them a tech gadget to electrify their lives.

Because in giving them such presents, we would also have to give them our presence, and that is to be with them.

Because we will have to spend time teaching them how to use those gadgets, like taking photos and making video calls. 

In other words, we want to enable them to make themselves present to us, as well as for us to be present to them via the electronic means. 

Such are the advantages of technology as it can help us make connections with our loved ones and to feel each other's presence. 

But in the gospel, Mary didn't have such means to connect with Elizabeth. She had to set off quickly as the journey would take some time. And it was also to a hill country and that means rather rough terrain. 

But Mary was aware of Elizabeth's pregnancy since the angel had told her about it. 

And she was sensitive to Elizabeth needs, although she had her own needs to. 

Mary's journey to visit Elizabeth has this to teach us, and that is, there is nothing more powerful and profound then sharing the gift of our presence. 

Elizabeth felt the presence of the Lord in Mary and even the child in her womb leaped for joy. 

And Mary also received the affirmation from Elizabeth that she was going to be the mother of God. 

It was a beautiful moment for the two expectant mothers. And it was also a powerful experience of the presence of God in each other. 

So, if we are still thinking of what presents to get for our loved ones, whether they are seniors or otherwise, let us think about presents that will also let them experience our presence. 

It could be something that they need, or something that they will wear, or something that they will use. 

Let our Christmas presents be a gift of our loving presence to others. 

God gave us His only Son Jesus to be the Emmanuel, the “God-is-with-us”. 

That is how much God wants to be present to us. 

May what we give to others also be a symbol of how much we love them and want to be with them.

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C, 11.12.2021

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

The year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Singapore concluded yesterday, 11th December. 

We may wonder why the 11th December, and some other date. That is because on the 11th of December 1821, and that was two hundred years ago, a Catholic priest by the name of Father Laurent Imbert, stopped by Singapore on a mission to China. 

Though he did not establish a mission in Singapore, he wrote a letter to his Superior in which he said that he found about a dozen Catholics, all living in pitiful conditions and having forgotten about their religion. 

As it is always said, the rest is history, as Singapore grew from a little humble mission station to a bustling Archdiocese, with 32 parishes, all that in a relatively small island. 

So, the Church in Singapore had humble beginnings, but it grew and after two hundred years, we are looking at how God has blessed the Church in Singapore. 

Yes, we give thanks and we rejoice that the Lord has blessed and guided the Church over these two hundred years. 

We look back and we see the wonders and marvels the Lord has done through the Church, in the areas of education, healthcare, social service and proclaiming the Good News to all who are called by God to be His children. 

But, more than just what we, the Church in Singapore has done, we need to look at what needs to be done and to also ask for the Lord's blessings to do it. 

In the gospel, when the people heard the message of repentance from John the Baptist they had one question. The tax collectors, the soldiers and the people asked this question: What must we do? 

We too, as we look at the two hundred years of being Church in Singapore, we must also ask this question: What must we do? 

Yes, what must we do? What is it that the Lord wants us to do? 

As we think about this, let us also remember that what we do flows from who we are. In other words, action flows from being. 

We need to think about who we are first, and then we will know what we must do. 

The mission of the Church is to be a sign of salvation and to lead people to Jesus the Saviour. 

So, we are called to be signs of salvation, and that we know who Jesus is, and that others can see Jesus in us. 

And how do they see Jesus in us? The 2nd reading tells us this: Let your tolerance be evident to everyone. The Lord is near. There is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. 

When others can see that in us, that we are a joyful and thankful people, then they will want us to bring them to Church. 

They will want to know how to pray and how to be at peace. They will want to know who Jesus is and to seek forgiveness and healing. 

Yes, when others see that this is who we are, then what we need to do will come naturally. 

God has called us to be His people, and blessed us with the gift of faith. 

Let us be a blessing for others, so that as church, we will journey on with rejoicing and thanksgiving.

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, 05.12.2021

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

When it comes to size, whatever we may say or think about it, it is usually the bigger the better. 

The inclination is always for the bigger and not so much for the smaller. For example, a big car is preferred over a small car, at least where stability and safety are considered. 

A bigger house has more advantages over a smaller house. There can be more rooms and more space. 

A big budget is obviously more favourable than a small budget; more money would mean less anxiety. 

When it comes to big, it is not just about size or space or money. Because it comes to big names, it has that ability to draw attention, and maybe even investment. 

Movies starring big-name actors will certainly draw attention, and could be a factor for successful movies. 

Advertisements that have famous and popular personalities or celebrities, get the attention, regardless of the quality of the product. 

So, if there is a big name, added to a big-budget, and in a big setting, that seems like a formula for success. At least there will be attention. 

In the gospel, there were big names, in big places, and they also have great power and authority. 

The first of the big names is Tiberius Caesar, and he was the emperor of the Roman Empire at that time. So he was right there at the top. 

After that it is like a name list of the high and mighty. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judaea; Herod, tetrarch of Galilee; Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene. 

Also in the list are the chief priests, Annas and Caiaphas. 

They were the political and religious big names of the time. Their names were like on everyone's lips. To know them personally was certainly a big advantage. 

And then, almost like with the blink of the eye, came a name out of nowhere, if the wilderness can be called nowhere. 

And from that nowhere, came a nobody, John son of Zechariah. And it was to him that the Word of God came upon.

And it was this John, a nobody from nowhere, who proclaimed that big message of baptism for the repentance and forgiveness of sins. 

It was the voice of John the Baptist that cried out in the wilderness to prepare a way for the Lord and to make his paths straight. 

As we come to the Second Sunday of Advent, we see two lighted candles in the Advent wreath. It is not a big fire but just two little lights. 

Big things may draw attention, but it is the humble little things that lead us to a direction and maybe even an enlightenment. 

Big things may generate a lot of publicity, but it is the little humble things that points to the reality. 

And the reality is that the little and humble things can be difficult to see, and they can be difficult to find if they are lost. Those who have lost an earring will know how difficult it is to search for it. 

But when little things are done with big love, then it is like seeds that are planted with the hope that they will grow into strong big trees. 

When little things are done with big love, they are like little lights in the dark. There is no need for a big fire, little lights are good enough. 

As we begin the second week of Advent, let us look for the little humble acts of love that are around us. May we see these little humble acts of love as little lights that are leading us to Jesus the True Light, and may we also do little things with a big love.

1st Sunday of Advent, Year C, 28.11.2021

 Jeremiah 33:14-16 / 1 Thess 3:12 – 4:2 / Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

One of the easily available nutritious tropical fruit is the humble papaya. 

The papaya has a sweet taste and a vibrant colour and the wide variety of health benefits make the papaya a popular fruit. 

It is available at most times of the year and it is also not that expensive. In fact, it may be called a budget fruit. 

And it can be eaten in many ways. It can be sliced up and refreshing to eat when it is chilled. It can be added to salads, or blended into smoothies, or for toppings on the ice cream, or even added into soup. 

The nutrients found in the papaya are thought to have a range of health benefits, and may help to protect against a number of health conditions. 

But of course, having said all that, as in everything that is good and beneficial, it has to be eaten in moderation. 

What is usually done when we want to eat the papaya, is to cut it up and the roundish black seeds are removed and discarded. 

But here is where we might just want to take a moment to do a reflection. 

The seeds, unlike the skin of the papaya, is not useless just because we don't consume them. 

In fact, each seed, if planted and nurtured, has the potential to germinate and grow into a tree and bear fruit. 

So, each seed is a sign of life, and it is up to us whether we want to do something about it. 

In the gospel, Jesus talked about signs when He said that there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. He goes on to give a disturbing and terrifying picture of what might seem to be the end times. 

But Jesus also added by saying that it is in those times that the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and great glory. 

With that, Jesus tells us what we should do for now, and that is to watch ourselves, or our hearts will be coarsened with the unimportant things of life. 

Jesus ends off by urging us to stay awake, praying at all times and to stand in confidence. 

Yes, we have to watch ourselves and stay awake and keep our hearts from being coarsened and hardened by the cares of this world, and ignoring the signs that God is showing us. 

As we begin the season of Advent, we light the first candle of the Advent wreath. This first Sunday of Advent marks a new beginning in the liturgical life of the church. 

The lighted candle is a sign for us to reflect deeper about life, so that we can see more signs that are pointing to life and love. 

There is this story of a traveller who came upon an empty plot of land. He noticed an elderly man walking about in the barren land with a metal pipe in his hand. 

As he walked around, he would stop now and then to poke the metal pipe into the ground and then he would drop a seed from the other end of the pipe. 

The traveller was curious and asked the elderly man what he was doing. The man replied, “When I came into this world, there were fruit trees and I enjoyed the fruits that others before me had planted. I want to do the same, so that the next generation can have fruits to enjoy.” 

So, the next time when we cut up a papaya, let us take a moment to look at the seeds. 

We may know the number of seeds in a papaya, but only God knows the number of papayas there can be in a seed. 

The signs that God wants us to look at are not in the sun or moon or stars. 

God wants us to look at the signs in the people that we encounter. 

God wants us to see that in each person, there is a potential to bear fruits of life and love. 

When we can see that, then the season of Advent would prepare us for a joyful celebration of life and love.

Christ the King, Year B, 21.11.2021

 Daniel 7:13-14 / Apocalypse 1:5-8 / John 18:33-37

Whenever the word courage is mentioned, there is usually something inspirational that comes along with it. 

The meaning of courage is the ability to do something that is frightening, and that ability may come all of a sudden, or after a decision. 

So, it can be something like running into a burning building to save people, or having that strength in the face of pain or suffering. 

It can be anything as dramatic as a battle scenario where the outnumbered soldiers held the line against the onslaught of an overpowering enemy. 

Or it can be as quiet as a candle in the wind, holding on to its flame. 

These are inspiring images of courage, and often it is in a time of crisis that courage is put to the test. 

Hence, it is said that crisis does not build character. It only brings out the character. 

Another example of courage is to speak out against a powerful person or organisation. 

Quite often, it is only when the person or organization is no more in power or disposed of power, that criticisms come out against that person or organization. 

But it takes real courage to speak out against a powerful person or organisation, and knowing that there will be serious consequences for doing so. 

In the gospel passage, there are just two characters, Jesus and Pilate. Pilate was the one in power and he interrogated Jesus with the first question: Are you the king of the Jews? 

It was a question of curiosity. Pilate was curious as to why others called Jesus the King of the Jews. 

Jesus addressed Pilate’s curiosity and also answered Pilate’s question. 

But Pilate was not prepared for the answer that Jesus gave, that He is a king, He was born for this, He came into the world for this, to bear witness to the Truth, and all who are on the side of Truth listen to His voice. 

That reply of Jesus threw Pilate into a confusion. Pilate thought he was in control but now he was confused. 

Pilot was curious to know who Jesus is, and maybe to learn more about Him and to understand why Jesus was handed over to him. 

It takes curiosity to learn. 

And it takes courage to unlearn. 

Learning requires the humility to admit what we don't know today. 

Unlearning requires the courage to admit that we were wrong yesterday. 

Learning is how we evolve. Unlearning is how we keep up as the world and the people around us evolve. 

We may not be powerful in terms of might and strength, but pride is a powerful force that blocks out what we don't want to see and hear. 

If pride and might are the obstacles that we have put up as our security blocks against others, then humility and courage is what we must pray for if we want to be truly human. 

Deep within us, we want to be loving, kind, compassionate, forgiving, patient, gentle and also courageous. 

If we truly acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and King, then we will want to be humble and learn to live as a human being who carries the image of God within. 

Let us also ask Jesus our Lord and King for the courage to change, and to be that person who lives in truth and in love.

33rd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 14.11.2021

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

There are a few ways to make it known to others that we are in need of help. 

The most obvious way is to call out for help, or if it is a desperate and urgent case, then it will be to cry out for help. 

Another way is to write, or text a request for help, but that is usually done when help is not required urgently or immediately. 

There can be situations where help is required desperately, but it cannot be communicated verbally and the written form may not be quite enough to obtain the desired response. 

Just a couple of days ago, there was an article in the newspapers with this caption: “Teach children hand signals to seek help if they face abuse as Covid-19 curbs limit social interactions.” 

The article covered a symposium held a few days ago about child abuse. It said that Singapore recorded the highest number of child abuse cases in a decade last year. 

The pandemic has made it harder for children who are victims of abuse to seek help, as home-based learning and more time stuck at home have limited their social interactions. 

Hence it is more important now than before to let children know about non-verbal ways to ask for help. 

So now, there is a campaign to adopt a hand signal as a non-verbal way that victims can use to get help. 

That hand signal is done by first showing one hand, and then tucking the thumb into the palm, and then holding the other four fingers down over the thumb. 

This signal will be a way to seek help for those, whether children or adults, who cannot safely express their need for help verbally. 

When we listen to what Jesus said in the gospel, we would imagine that it was a frightening time. 

There is distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness and the stars will fall from heaven. 

With those terrifying signs, we would certainly cry out for help. 

And the consolation is that Jesus promised that He will come with great power and glory, and that He will send the angels to gather His chosen from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven. 

But as for that day or hour, we don't know when, and nobody knows it too.

But we don't have to wait for that day or hour to come and then ask for help. 

Now is the time to prepare for it and learn how to ask for help. Of course, we will ask for help in our prayer, and we are able to verbalize our intentions with words and we can also write down our petitions. 

But we have to prepare for a time when darkness clouds our minds and the distress overwhelms our hearts and no words of prayer come out of our mouths. 

That happens when grief and fear leave us paralyzed and we felt like we are frozen. 

Yet it is interesting to note of the several ways of non-verbal prayer, like kneeling and clasping hands in a prayer posture, or stretching out our hands to the One who has the power to save us. 

The most profound act of faith and prayer is when we come forward to receive Holy Communion. 

With one hand over the other, we receive the Body of Christ. Other than saying “Amen”, no other words are necessary as we received Jesus into our hearts, and there He makes His home in us. 

Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus will always come and stay. 

We just have to stretch out our hands and say “Amen”. 

That is all that is needed for us to profess that Jesus is our Saviour, and He will come to help us and save us.

32nd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 07.11.2021

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

One of the annoying and disappointing things to read is the notice with the words “out of stock”, and it is usually written in red capital letters. 

And that is usually applied to things that are popular, or even needed, and it is like on almost everyone's “must get” list. 

So, when a new handphone model is available, quite quickly it will go out of stock. Well, that can be expected as there is always this craze for new feature-filled gadgets. 

But there are also other things that can go out of stock that leaves us quite puzzled. 

For example, about a year ago, toilet rolls can go out of stock, and there were pictures circulating around of some people with shopping trolleys that are stacked with packets of toilet rolls. 

It seems funny now, but no one was laughing then, and it left us bewildered and frustrated. 

It was also around that time when the shelves of the supermarkets were cleaned out of dried and canned food. There was no need to even put the sign “out of stock”. It was obvious enough. 

At that time, a few other things were also out of stock, like face masks and handheld thermometers. But that is in good supply now. 

Currently, one of the must-have items is the Covid self-test kit. Let us hope that that will not go out of stock. 

But seriously, even if certain things can really go out of stock for a while, yet it must also be remembered that there is enough for everyone's need but never enough for everyone's greed. 

Greed comes from selfishness, and that is essentially a lack of consideration for other people, and concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure. 

And selfishness manifest itself most obviously in a time of need, when everyone just wants to think of themselves. 

In the 1st reading, the situation was that there was a famine and food was scarce. 

When the prophet Elijah asked the widow for some bread, she was already at her last meal and then she and her son will just wait for starvation to overcome them. 

But Elijah assured her that God will provide, and so out of her last meagre meal came forth a miracle. 

But the widow in the gospel passage did not have such an assurance. 

Jesus observed that the two small coins that she put in was all she had, all she had to live on. 

There was no further mention of that widow, or where, or when she would get her next meal. 

But we believe that God will provide for her, just as God had provided for the widow and her son in the 1st reading. 

The gospel message for us is that God sees our actions and knows our motives. 

When we give in to greed and selfishness, the world will be poorer, hungrier and sadder. 

But it doesn't have to be like that. In fact, we can change that. 

It calls for us to have faith In God's providence, that He will give us what we need, because He cares for us. 

Yes, God cares for us and He is calling us to care for others by sharing our resources with those in need. 

There is always enough for everyone's need but never enough for everyone's greed. 

The widow in the 1st reading with her last meal, and the widow in the gospel passage with her last two coins, have shown us this truth: 

When we are down to nothing, God will come up with something. 

Let us believe that, and God's miracles of generosity and providence will be shown to the world.

31st Ordinary Sunday, 31.10.2021

 Deut 6:2-6 / Hebrews 7:23-28 / Mark 12:28-34

As the month of October comes to a close, it may seem that this month has been a rather long month. 

There were a few things that weighed us down and we may feel that the going is rather heavy. 

The exams are ongoing and certainly the students and their parents are anxiously waiting for it to end. 

Then the “Stabilizing Phase” has been extended for another month, and we sigh and we can forget about trying to predict how things will turn out. 

And then last weekend, our church has to close and suspend Masses because of a Covid positive case, but thank God we are cleared for this weekend. 

All these are like “knee-jerkers” in that we want to go on but we had to jam the brakes and then start picking up again. 

If October seems long and heavy, then November may be the silver lining in the dark clouds. 

Next Thursday is a public holiday so that is something to be happy about. 

And then on Monday is All Saints Day, a day to remember our favourite Saints and to ask them to pray for us. 

And if we ever had that privilege of encountering a Saint, then it is truly a blessing. 

We may remember that Pope John Paul II visited Singapore in 1986 (November 20th 1986) and he is now a Saint. 

Mother Teresa also visited Singapore in 1987. If we had a personal encounter with those two Saints, it would have been a life-changing event. 

That brings us to the next day which is All Souls Day, and we remember our departed loved ones. They too had made a mark in our lives and we will surely remember them. 

Whether it is a personal encounter with a saint or a fond memory of the departed, we remember with love, and it makes us turn to God who is the source of all love. 

In the gospel, Jesus states the two great Commandments, and the first is this: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. 

And the second is this, that you must love your neighbour as yourself. 

These two Commandments complement each other. They are like the two sides of the same coin. 

To love God is to love neighbour. To love God whom we can’t see is to love our neighbour whom we can see.

A religious nun was writing about her vocation story and she recalled a childhood experience that probably planted the seed for her vocation. She wrote: 

I never liked Tracy, though she lived two doors from me, and she is about my age. I thought she looked funny and strange (later I came to know that she has “Downs Syndrome”). I never liked to talk to her, much less play with her.  

One day, my mum invited her and her mother over for lunch. My mother made me sit directly across the table to Tracy. I frowned and showed my displeasure but my mum glared at me and she was not going to change the seating arrangement.

I sulked over my lunch. After lunch came the dessert which is mango pie, which was my favourite. My elder brother knew that I was sulking and to taunt me further, took a double share of the pies. There was a piece for everyone at table, no more, no less.

When the tray of pies was handed to Tracy, there was only one piece left and it was obviously for her. Tracy looked around the table and she looked at my empty plate. And then she passed the tray with that last piece of mango pie to me and said only two words, “You take”.

I felt terrible then, but I took it. But something in me made me cut that piece of pie into half and I gave one half to Tracy.

When I did that, something strange happened to me. Tracy didn’t look funny anymore, neither did she look strange. She has become my friend. That was one of my early experiences of love for neighbour.

It is a nice and heartwarming story that tells us that when we love our neighbor, God’s love will grow greater in us. Yes, love for God and love for neighbor are the two sides of the same coin.

Our departed loved ones may bring back fond memories for us. We will also remember those moments when we could have loved them more but we were either too busy or in a hurry. 

Those phone calls from our parents, especially from our mothers, are moments that they want to tell us that they care for us. 

But our conversations with them are often brief and hurried, and we will recall those moments when we cut it short by saying, “Sorry Mum, but I am busy now. I have to go.” 

We remember now, how our mothers would have felt, especially when they have passed on. 

But whether it is our mothers, or fathers or neighbours, let it be written in our hearts that we must love them. 

How we love on Earth will be echoed in heaven. 

Let us remember that nothing is as important as loving God in our neighbour.

When we do that, Jesus will tell us that we are not far from the kingdom of God.

Mission Sunday, Year B, 24.10.2021

 Isaiah 2:1-5 / Ephesians 3:2-12 / Mark 16:15-20

There are a few important days in our lives that are significant and hold special meanings for us. 

There are, for example, birthdays and anniversaries. Those days bring back memories, and make us think about the way we were then, and the way we are now. 

It is said that there are two important and significant days in our lives. The first is the day when we were born, and the other is when we find out why. 

Certainly, we will remember our birthdays, and we will celebrate our birthdays, whether publicly or privately. 

That day has a fixed date, month and year, so in that sense it is unchangeable. And that day holds memories for us and we may also have photographs with our loved ones and friends. 

The other important and significant day, is the day that we find out why we are here in this world, and that may not have a fixed date, but we would certainly have an experience and an enlightenment. 

So, it would be good to think about and recall if we ever had such a day, or a few such days, when we become aware of the meaning of our existence. 

Today as the Church celebrates Mission Sunday, we are called to reflect upon the meaning of our lives as Christians. 

It all began with our baptism, and it would certainly be good to know the date of our baptism and where we were baptised. 

Jesus said in the gospel that he who believes and is baptized will be saved. So, it means to say that since we are baptized, then we are saved. But it may not be as simple as it sounds. 

We are called to proclaim the Good News of salvation to the world. And that is where the challenge comes in. 

To do that means that we believe in Jesus Christ Our Saviour, and we also know the meaning of our lives as Christians. 

For the disciples of Jesus, they knew what they were supposed to do. They will have the gift of tongues, they will pick up snakes in their hands, be unharmed should they drink deadly poison, they will lay their hands on the sick who will recover. 

And so, they went out to the whole world, preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that accompanied it. 

It was an experience for the disciples, and with each experience, the meaning and conviction of their lives as Christians deepened. That was what Christianity meant for the disciples. 

So, what does Christianity and our baptism mean for us? 

Generally speaking, we were baptized with water. So, what does the waters of baptism mean to us?

A story goes that a lady went to the priest and said, "I won’t be attending church anymore."

He said, "May I ask why??"

She said, "I see people on their cell phones during the service, some are gossiping, some just not living right, they are all just hypocrites."

The priest thought for a while and he said, "Ok... But can I ask you to do something for me before you make your final decision?"

She said, "What’s that?"

He said, "Take a glass of water and walk around the church two times and don’t let any water fall out the glass."

She said, "Yes I can do that."

She came back and said "It’s done."

He asked her three questions:

1. Did you see anybody on their phone?

2. Did you see anybody gossiping?

3. Was anybody living wrong?

She said, "I didn’t see anything because I was so focused on this glass, so the water wouldn’t fall."

He told her, "When you come to Church, you should be just that focused on God , so that you don’t fall.”

Yes, we come to church to focus on God and to renew our baptismal commitment to God. 

Each of us is like holding a glass of water and we are called to share that water with others, because it is the waters of salvation that brings about healing and forgiveness. 

Some may use the waters to wash their hands, some may use it to wash their face to look refreshed, some may use the waters to wash their eyes so that they can see what they need to see, and then some will use it to wash their lives in order to experience salvation and healing. 

Whatever it may be, we hold that glass of water, the water of salvation, the water of baptism, and we give it to others for them to find out the meaning of their existence, and may they also come to know who is their Saviour. 

Let us also renew our baptismal commitment Jesus, and may our lives be refreshed with living water. 

Then let us go forth to share that living water, and the Lord Jesus will work with us, and we will see the signs that will deepen the meaning of our lives as Christians.

29th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 17.10.2021

 Isaiah 53:10-11 / Hebrews 4:14-16 / Mark 10:35-45

By a simple definition, Christians are disciples of Jesus. And connected to that, Christians are a people of prayer. 

The Church is often called a House of Prayer. At the same time, Christians gathered and united in prayer are also called the Church. 

So, whether we are called Church or Christians, the fundamental denominator is prayer. 

So, as Church and as Christians, what is it that we do at prayer? There are four movements in prayer and it can be expressed in the acronym ACTS. 

A is for adoration - We praise and worship the Lord our God. 

C is for contrition - We confess our guilt and ask for forgiveness. 

T is for thanksgiving - We give thanks to God for His blessings and we also want to see everything as a blessing. 

S is for supplication - We offer our needs and petitions to the Lord. 

So, when we pray and when we follow that format of the acronym ACTS, then our prayer will be focused and directed towards God. 

But when we have urgent and pressing needs, then we tend to forget that ACTS format and go straight to supplication. 

Undoubtedly, when our needs are urgent, then our needs would come first and we “storm heaven” for our needs. 

But the acronym ACTS reminds us of the first things first, and that is Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication. 

In the gospel, we heard of James and John approaching Jesus and saying, “Master, we want you to do us a favor.” So James and John jumped straight into a request or petition. 

When Jesus asked them what was it that they wanted, they asked to be seated in glory at His right and left. 

And Jesus told them this: You do not know what you are asking. 

In other words, Jesus is telling James and John that what they are asking for is only for themselves and not for the good of others. 

And that also made the others feel indignant with James and John. 

But Jesus also went on to teach His disciples what to pray for, and that is, to be a servant for others. 

Because He Himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to even give His life as a ransom for many. 

And as disciples of Jesus, we the Church, will have to follow our Master, and to offer our prayers for others and our lives in service of others. 

This weekend, the local Churches all over the world, celebrate the inauguration of the Synod that was begun by Pope Francis in Rome last weekend. 

There is this phrase, “to keep an ear to the ground”. If we remember watching those old western movies, the Native Americans would go down on their hands and knees and put their ears to the ground to listen for movements in the area. 

In a sense, the Synod is a process in which the whole Church goes down on her hands and knees and listen the voices on the ground. 

But the Church can only listen clearly when her knees are knelt in prayer and her hands reach out in humble service to the poor and the lowly. 

So, in our prayer, we put aside our needs and we pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance in the Synod process, and also for those in need of God's help. 

That is also our service to others. When we pray for others in their need, God will also grant us what we need. 

When we do God's work, God will also help us to accomplish our own work.

As the Church and as disciples of Jesus, let us fulfil our calling as Christians. 

Let us lead the world in adoration of the one true God. 

Let us acknowledge that we are sinners and we pray for the conversion of sinners. 

Let us give thanks always for God's blessings so that we can be humble and grateful. 

Let that be our prayer and God will help us to take care of the rest.

28th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 10.10.2021

Wisdom 7:7-11 / Hebrews 4:12-13 / Mark 10:17-30

Whenever we talk about the reality, we would usually think about what we are able to perceive with our senses. 

So, the most obvious reality would be what is physical and material, and essentially that would be what we are able to see, hear, touch, smell and taste. 

And when it comes to persons, we would usually apply the same means to come to an assessment of a person. 

So, for persons, there would be psychological tests, aptitude tests, IQ tests or exams, and other scientific as well as medical tests.

No doubt, these tests show results, and these results can indicate the physical and mental state of a person. But that is only one dimension of the reality of a person. 

Because faith tells us that there is another dimension and that is the spiritual and mystical dimension. 

Data and facts show the physical states of the reality. 

But faith opens us to the spiritual dimension of the reality, so that we will be able to comprehend the whole reality. 

In the gospel, we heard of a man who ran up to Jesus, knelt before Him and put this question before Him: Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 

That man is certainly sincere and he had the faith to know that that is an eternal life and he desired for it. 

Jesus could see his sincerity and He looked steadily at him and loved him. 

Jesus also saw something in that man and so He addressed that matter when He told him: Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow me. 

But that man's face fell at those words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth. 

It seems like for that man, there are two realities, the physical and material reality, and the spiritual reality. 

But when Jesus connected the two realities into one, the man could not comprehend or accept it. 

Yes, it takes faith and wisdom to know that that is only one reality and it has a physical as well as a spiritual dimension. 

When we can comprehend that and accept that, then we will know how to connect one dimension to the other. 

When the physical and spiritual dimensions of life are connected, then life would be how it should be lived, and that is being connected with God and with one another. 

There is this story of “The Paper House that could produce money” and it has something to teach us. 

After the exams, a Primary 5 class organized an outing. Each classmate paid $5 and a total of $200 was collected from a class of 40 students. 

The money was collected and kept by the class monitor, who was pleasant and well-mannered girl. 

But that day she cried. Because she had put the money under her desk, but when she returned after the PE lesson, the money was gone. 

She felt responsible for the loss and she couldn't be able to replace it, and she cried her heart out. 

The co-teacher was furious and she said,  “Someone from this class must have stolen the money. I am going to conduct a search on each of you.” 

Just as she was about to start, the form teacher said, “Wait a minute, let me ask a special paper house for help. It will help us to find back the money.” 

The form teacher took out a piece of paper and started to fold it into a house, complete with a window. 

She said, “Now, each one of you will be given one minute alone in the classroom with this paper house. Touch the paper house and ask it to help us find back the money.” 

The students then stepped out of the classroom and each was given a minute to spend with that paper house. 

At the end of this, all the students got back in the classroom. The form teacher put her hand into the paper house and took out a stack of money. 

The full sum of $200 was recovered. The class cheered. In a corner, sat a little boy with a grateful heart. The boy was grateful to the little paper house. The paper house had saved him from the mark of shame and guilt. 

So, on the one hand there was a theft, and the culprit must be caught and punished. That is the truth. That is the reality. 

But on the other hand, the one who stole the money could have done it in a moment of folly, but he must be given the opportunity to learn the lesson in a gentle way. That is love. That is also the reality. 

When truth and love are connected, then there will be compassion and forgiveness, there will be kindness and gentleness. 

When there is truth and love, God will be there, and what is impossible for man is not impossible for God.

27th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 03.10.2021

 Genesis 2:18-24 / Hebrews 2:9-11 / Mark 10:2-16

When life gets a bit cloudy and foggy, or even murky, then we certainly need to get clarity. 

And to get clarity, it is necessary to go back to basics. Going back to basics will certainly help us see the simplicity of things as well as a simplicity of life. 

There is this cute little poem about simplicity and it goes like this: Read with me A,B,C. Count with me 1, 2, 3. Sing with me Do Re Mi. 

Well, that is as simple as things can be, and that is also the foundations of the learning process, be it reading or writing or counting or singing. 

So, going back to basics is going back to the beginning and understanding the primary objectives and asking basic questions like why, where, when, who and how. 

So, the complexity of life may not seem so complicated when we are prepared to go back to basics and to go back to the beginning. 

Similarly, the difficult questions of life can be simplified when we go back to basics. 

In the gospel, some Pharisees approached Jesus and asked Him a rather tricky question, and that is whether it is against the law to divorce. 

It was a tricky and complicated question, but Jesus turned it around and went back to the beginnings and to basics. 

From the beginning of creation, God made male and female, and marriage was a Divine institution, so much so that what God has united, man must not divide. 

So, in marriage, it is God who binds the couple with His love, and their love for each other deepens the love of God in them. 

No doubt, marriage is not without challenges and difficulties, and things do get a bit rough. 

So, when marriage get a bit cloudy and foggy and murky, then it is necessary to go back to basics and go back to the beginning. 

Marriage began with love and it is founded on love, and that love has to be nurtured and deepened so that it can bear fruit in procreation and witnessing to God's love. 

And since marriage is also a Divine institution, then God's help must be invoked and prayed for. 

So, it is fundamentally necessary, for married couples, and especially when they are Christians, to pray for God's help and blessings and protection for their marriage. 

And that is not just for marriage, but for the Christian life as well. 

We are created by God, and in order to live life according to God's will, then we must invoke and pray for God's help and blessings and protection. 

As we begin the month of October, we are reminded that October is a month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. 

It is a month to go back to the basics of the spiritual life and to renew our prayer life. 

And if our prayer life has gone a bit cloudy and foggy and murky, then we need to go back to the basics of prayer life with the simplicity of the prayer of the Rosary. 

The Rosary is such an effective prayer because Mother Mary prays with us in the Rosary. 

In fact she calls out to us to pray the Rosary with her. 

So, if the poem of simplicity goes with “Read with me A, B, C, count with me 1, 2, 3, and sing with me Do Re Mi, then we can also add this: Pray with Mary, pray the Rosary. 

Let us go back to the beginning, let us go back to the basics, and let us be like little simple children. 

Yes, let us be like little simple children who will listen to their Mother in her call to prayer. 

It is with simple humble prayers that marriages will be strengthened, and God will pour out His blessings and protection on His children.  

26th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 26.09.2021

 Numbers 11:25-29 / James 5:1-6 / Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

There are a few good things to remember in life and we must keep reminding ourselves about them. 

So, there are things like “charity begins at home”, “honesty is the best policy” and “don't do unto others what you don't want them to do unto you”. 

Certainly, these are good principles and values to live by, and to have a direction in life. 

Among the few good things to remember, there are two that are practical and even necessary, and it is this: 

Take care of your thoughts when you are alone, and take care of your words when you are with people. 

We form our own thoughts, and our thoughts shape our words, and our words have an impact and affect others. 

And especially when there are children around, we have to watch what we say and do. 

It is said that children are the world's most valuable resource and the best hope for the future. 

And every day, we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. 

In the gospel, Jesus gives a stern reminder when He said this: Anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. 

The little ones would obviously mean children, as well as those little, humble and lowly ones who have simple faith. 

Jesus reminds us that they are the ones to whom the kingdom of God belongs. 

They are the ones who will be impacted and affected by what we do and say. 

So, they are listening to what we say, they are looking at what we do, and their thoughts are being shaped and formed. 

So when children talk back and argue with us, where could they have learned it from? Or when they start shouting in an argument, was it because we shouted at them first? 

We also tend to complain and criticize and blame others for what has gone wrong that caused us inconveniences. 

When the children are listening to our venting, they would also do what we do. 

The current situation is like a fire that is burning with frustrations, disruptions, disappointments and maybe even depression. 

We can give in to complaining, criticizing and blaming. 

But Jesus is calling us to be like a cup of water for a thirsty and heated world. 

And just as water cleanses and refreshes, we need to see the situation with clean and fresh eyes. 

No doubt, the current situation is causing anxiety and worry, and with school exams around the corner, things have become disruptive with things like LOA and QO. 

But let us look at the situation and see it like a caterpillar. Why a caterpillar? Because there is nothing in a caterpillar that tells us that it is going to be a butterfly. 

And there is nothing in this present situation that tells us that there will be beauty and goodness. 

But just as the caterpillar needs to be resilient, from crawling around, to being a cocoon and finally breaking free as a butterfly, we too must give that cup of water to the world to help it be resilient and to be united in charity, so as to look forward in hope for beauty, justice and peace. 

May these be our thoughts, may these also be the words for our prayer, and may the Lord help us to be that cup of water for a thirsty world.

25th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 19.09.2021

 Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 / James 3:16 – 4:3 / Mark 9:30-37

There was a recent survey about which are the world's most fatigued cities. The survey was conducted based on the number of hours spent sleeping, the number of hours spent working and the number of hours of screen time, i.e. on the computer and looking at the screen. 

According to that survey, right at the top of the most fatigued cities in the world is Singapore! 

Would we find that surprising? Can it be true that the world's most fatigued city is Singapore? 

If that is true, it means to say that we Singaporeans sleep lesser hours, work longer hours and spend many hours in front of the computer screen. 

So compared with the peoples of the other bigger cities, we are more busy, more tired and more stressed out. In short, we are the most fatigued people in the world, at least according to the survey. 

Well, we may be tired, we may be busy, but are we happy? Can we say that we are happy? 

Well, happiness can be quite elusive. So, we can be happy for a few moments and then be miserable for quite a long while. 

And if we honestly admit that we are stressed and tired and miserable, then the gospel has a message for us. 

Jesus was instructing and telling His disciples this: The Son of God will be delivered into the hands of men. They will put him to death, and three days after he has been put to death oh, he will rise again. 

Jesus was, or could be feeling, stressed and anxious about that. And it didn't help that His disciples did not understand what He said and were afraid to ask Him. 

Instead, His disciples had other concerns in mind. They were arguing among themselves which of them was the greatest. 

We may think that it was some petty argument, but it was causing problems and maybe even serious problems. 

The 2nd reading sheds some light into those problems when it said: Whenever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony and wicked things of every kind being done. 

So, the disciples were not just arguing over some petty and trivial matters. They were arguing about which of them was the greatest, and in order to show who is the greatest, it would mean that the greatest would have to be the loudest. 

Their argument was loud enough to reach the ears of Jesus, so much so that He had to address the matter. 

Very often in an argument, a lot of shouting happens. No argument is ever done softly or gently. 

And when the decibels go higher, the anger grows hotter, and so the 2nd reading asks this question: Where do these wars and fights between yourselves start? 

And the 2nd reading goes on to point this out: Isn't it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? You have an ambition that you cannot satisfy, so you fight to get your way by force. 

So the 2nd reading reveals the reason why we end up shouting in an argument and even end up fighting. 

But shouting in an argument is not just a jarring noise. Because no one is listening. 

Only the noise is heard and the anger is felt. All that ends up in stress, anxiety and fatigue. We get tired and drained out by all that heated argument. 

In all this noisy and heated arguments, let us be silent so that we can listen. 

We need to listen to the voice of God that will give us the wisdom that comes down from above. 

It is that Divine wisdom that gives us peace, and that makes us kind, considerate and compassionate, and enables us to do good. 

When there is peace in our hearts, we will sow seeds that will bear fruit in holiness. 

To be holy is to be silent in order to listen to the wisdom of God. 

To be holy is to be silent so that we will listen to the cries of those in anguish and to be with them and to console them so that they will eventually be at peace. 

When we and others are at peace, then we will be able to receive the blessings from God. 

With God's blessings, we will be given the strength of eagles’ wings, and when faced with the fatigues of life, we will not be weary or tired.

In fact, with God’s blessings, we will be at peace and we will be happy.

24th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 12.09.2021

 Isaiah 50:5-9 / James 2:14-18 / Mark 8:27-35

It is said that life is like a roller coaster ride, with its ups and downs. Some may think of it as a thrilling fun ride, while others think of it as a chilling scary ride. 

But whether roller coaster or whatever, life certainly has its ups and downs. 

Well, just about a month ago, we were looking forward to more restrictions being lifted, and we were about to step forward to more socializing. 

But then, the number of cases started to spike and we are now holding back again. 

If there is another term for ups and downs, then it could be expectations and disappointments. 

And over these months, we have learned, or are still learning, to manage our expectations and disappointments. 

Maybe we have learned not to expect too much, so that there won't be too many disappointments. 

The ups and downs of life can be seen in the gospel account and it was Peter who experienced it. 

Jesus asked His disciples who did people say He was. The disciples came up with opinions like John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. 

Then Jesus narrowed it down to a personal question when He asked His disciples who they said He was. 

While the disciples were thinking about the most correct answer, it was Peter who declared “You are the Christ”. 

Peter got it spot-on, though it was by divine revelation that he got that inspiration. Whether he knew what it really meant is another matter. 

He could have felt good about it, felt “up there”, since he was the only one who could give such an answer. 

But almost at the next instance, Peter hit the ground and it was a heavy fall. 

When Jesus began to teach about rejection, suffering and death, Peter began to remonstrate with him. 

And Jesus rebuked him saying, “Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God's way but man's”. 

Peter had his expectations about the Christ. The Christ, or the Messiah, is the promised Saviour, and in Peter's mind, it was about power and glory. 

The Saviour would bring about victory over the enemies, and there would be peace and prosperity. 

Those were his expectations, and he wasn't going to let those expectations turn into disappointments when Jesus taught about rejection, suffering and death. 

Peter would certainly be shocked to be called “Satan” and with that all his previous expectations were shattered. 

And just as Jesus asked His disciples who did they think He was, Jesus is also asking us the same question. 

What and who Jesus is to us comes with a subsequent question, and that is what are we expecting of Jesus. 

If what we are expecting of Jesus is similar to the expectations of Peter, then it could be that the way we think is not God's way but man’s. 

But let's turn the tables around and let us ask ourselves what is Jesus expecting of us. 

Jesus made that clear in the gospel when he said, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel will save it. 

In life there are ups and downs, we have our expectations and disappointments. 

But with faith in God, we will have hope, and that hope is expressed in the good works of love. 

St. James said in the second reading: I will prove to you that I have faith by showing you my good deeds. 

And it is with faith and that the ministry members of our Parish continue to serve so that there can be Masses, so that we can come for Mass, and that the poor living at York Hill and Jalan Kukoh are served, even though there are risks involved. 

Let us not be too focused on expectations and disappointments, or on the ups and downs of life. 

Rather, let us focus on the Cross of Christ, and like Jesus, let us be prepared to serve with love, just as Jesus came to serve and to save us.

23rd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 05.09.2021

Isaiah 35:4-7 / James 2:1-5 / Mark 7:31-37

In the media industry, there are a few aspects that are critical to audience reception. 

Especially for movies and videos, besides the content, what is also necessary are sharp visuals and clear sound. 

Going by today's standards, for video resolution it must be at least a full HD, and even going up to 4K. And for those who are into minute details, there is the Blu-ray format. 

And when it comes to audio, besides the necessity for clarity, the volume consistency is also vital. We won't want to always keep adjusting the volume for a movie or a video, especially if we don't have the remote control, although it can be a form of good exercise. 

And with the surge in online Masses, prayers and spiritual talks, then besides content and presentation, the other factors are the internet connection and device performance. 

All those factors make it rather daunting if we were to do a video or an online presentation. 

But besides the need for proper, or maybe even professional equipment, the question is the result or the effect that a media presentation has on the audience. 

People may be impressed by the razzle-dazzle, but what is the takeaway for them? Did it enlighten them about the meaning of life, or make them think and reflect deeper about life? 

In the gospel, we heard about Jesus healing a man who was deaf and also had an impediment in his speech. 

The gospel ended off by saying that the people's admiration was unbounded, and they said this about Jesus: He has done all things well, he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak. 

Certainly, the people were impressed and amazed at what Jesus did. After all, it was quite spectacular. 

But was there anything more than that? Did Jesus come to perform spectacular miracles just to impress people and to gain their admiration? 

Of course, we will say “No”, and that must also make us think and reflect deeper about the gospel passage. 

The miracles of Jesus, besides being wonderful and amazing, always have a message and a meaning. 

There are many details in the gospel passage that we can reflect upon, but there is one that might escape our attention. 

And it is this: Jesus look up to heaven and He sighed. And then He said to the man “Ephphatha” which means “Be opened”. 

Jesus looked up to heaven to indicate that all miracles are the work of the power of God, and from Heaven, God pours down His healing love on the world. 

Jesus sighed, to indicate that He came to be with us in our sufferings, and just as we sigh over our troubles, Jesus sighs with us and He wants to lift us up from our sufferings and troubles. 

His spoken word “Ephphatha” is an Aramaic word, which is the spoken language of the people. It is their mother tongue, a language that resonates with the heart. 

Jesus is the Word of God. His spoken word brings about God's healing love from heaven. His spoken word lifts us up from the bad news of the world to hear the Good News from heaven. 

And He speaks to us in our “mother tongue” which is the language of love that everybody will understand. 

We are in need of healing, because the pains and hurts that we have experienced may have made us close our ears to the cries of those in need. 

We may have closed our mouths from speaking an encouraging word, or to give consolation to those in desolation. 

To know that we are in need of healing is to be poor and humble in the eyes of the Lord. 

And the 2nd reading says that it is the poor and humble according to the world that God chose to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the Kingdom. 

Yes, Jesus says softly to us “Ephphatha”. It means “Be opened”. 

But it is the sound of the language of love. 

And we know what it really means, because we heard in the 1st reading: Say to all the faint hearts – Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming, He is coming to save you. 

May we hear it, understand that message and its meaning, and may we go forth to proclaim the message of God's healing love.

22nd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 29.08.2021

 Duet 4:1-2, 6-8 / James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27 / Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

One of the things that we had not quite expected to come into prominence is hand sanitizers. 

We have been using it for about a year-and-a-half already, and it is actually in Church that we use quite a bit of it. 

As we come in, we sanitize our hands. Before coming up for Holy Communion we sanitize our hands. And on the way out of the Church we again sanitize our hands. 

Where once upon a time we see it only in the hospitals, now we see it in the lifts, in the restaurants, in the restrooms and in about almost every place where there is human traffic. 

There are some who even carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer long with them. 

That is just a reflection of the situation that we are in, and since viruses and bacteria are not that easily visible, then hand sanitizers can be a safety measure against it. 

But generally speaking, personal hygiene and cleanliness are good practices that can help to prevent unnecessary infections. 

The gospel began with the Pharisees and scribes noticing that some of the disciples of Jesus were eating with unclean hands and they raised the issue with Jesus. 

There was this practice in the tradition of the elders that before every meal there would be a ritual cleansing of the hands up to the elbows. 

So, it was in view of this “tradition of the elders” that the Pharisees and scribes raised the issue to indicate that Jesus was not following the “tradition of the elders”, and hence putting Himself above the Law.

Jesus responded by quoting from the prophet Isaiah: “This people honours me only with lip service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations. You put aside the Commandment of God to cling to human traditions”. 

Jesus then moved the issue of the state of the hands to the state of the heart. 

In effect, Jesus is asking this fundamental question: Where is the heart? 

That is the question that Jesus was asking then and also asking now: 

When we say all the prayers, where is the heart? 

When we come to Church, where is the heart? 

When we perform ministry work, where is the heart? 

Besides asking us where is the heart in the religious aspect of our lives, Jesus goes deeper as He asks: How clean is the heart? 

Jesus says this: Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean. It is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. 

Yes, from what is in the heart, flow our thoughts, our words and our actions. 

So, our thoughts, our words and our actions are reflections of the state of our heart. 

So, more than just sanitizing the hands before Holy Communion, we must also cleanse our hearts as we earnestly pray: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. 

St. Augustine gave us this profound saying: our hearts will not rest, until they are rested in you, O Lord. 

In our prayer and in our worship, let us place our hearts in the Heart of Jesus. 

Let us ask Jesus to cleanse our hearts of sin and grant us His peace. 

A heart that is at peace is a heart that is clean and ready to be filled with love. 

May our hearts be like the Heart of Jesus, so that through our thoughts, our words and our actions, others may see the loving Heart of Jesus.

21st Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 22.08.2021

 Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18 / Ephesians 5:21-32 / John 6:60-69

We may remember what are the 5 Cs in life. It is a phrase used to refer to the quest for affluence or wealth. 

Just in case we can’t quite remember what those 5 Cs stand for they are, Cash, Car, Credit Card, Condominium and Country club membership. 

That phrase has been around for quite a while, and though things may have changed a bit, the 5 Cs are still relevant. 

They reflect the human desire for comfort and security, and in fact the 5 Cs can be summed up into the first C, and that is Cash. 

With cash, or money, we can be quite comfortable, and the more we have of it, the more luxuries we will be able to get with it. 

But, how much cash do we really need to have? When is it enough? When will we ever be contented with what we have? 

These are questions that we'd rather not think about, because when it comes to cash, then the more, the better. 

Or is that really it? Money, as we know, can’t buy true love or happiness. Money can't buy peace. Money can't buy life. 

When we understand this truth, then it leads us to realize the power we have within us. 

And that power is the power of choice. It is the power to choose, to be who we want to be and what we want to be. 

The power of choice will also determine our destiny in life here and also the hereafter. 

In the 1st reading, Joshua gathered all the people of Israel together, and he presented them with a choice. 

He said to them, “If you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve.” 

And then he made known his choice: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 

Well, the people said that they will serve the Lord too. But we know from the Bible, that time and again, the people chose otherwise and were unfaithful to the Lord and even worshipped idols. 

And they suffered the consequences of their choice. They were conquered by the enemies and they were oppressed. 

But the Lord was faithful in His promises to His Chosen people. Time and again, He delivered them from their enemies, but it was always the people who made the wrong choice. 

In the gospel, the people could not accept the doctrine that Jesus was teaching, that He is the Bread of Life. 

They called it intolerable language, and after that many of His disciples left him and stopped going with Him. 

Jesus then turned to the Twelve and asked, “What about you, do you want to go away too?” In other words, Jesus was asking them to make a choice. 

And Jesus is also asking us to make a choice about what He is teaching us. And it is not just about the teaching that He is the Bread of Life that He is asking us to accept and believe. 

There are also other challenging and difficult teachings that He is asking us to follow. 

Like for e.g., “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you” (Mat 5:43-44).

Or how about this : Do not resist an evildoer; if he strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him as well (Mat 5:39)

Or, if you do not take up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:27).

In fact, every page of the gospels is filled with some kind of hard teachings from Jesus.

But all those teachings are about life and love. To choose to follow them will grant us peace and joy. 

Let us know that we have to make a choice and let it be Christ-centred choice. In comfort or in chaos, let us choose Christ and receive blessings that are beyond the 5 Cs.

Assumption of the BVM, 15.08.2021

 Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 / 1 Cor 15:20-26 / Luke 1:39-56

Catholics have a unique and amazing devotion, and that is the devotion to Mary. 

That devotion is expressed in praying the Rosary, going for Novena sessions on Saturdays (although it is now online), as well as other forms of Marian devotion. 

But the devotion, or veneration, is more than just spiritual. It is also a personal devotion and a personal relationship with Mary. 

No doubt, for those who do not understand the Catholic devotion and veneration of Mary, they may say that Catholics seem to worship Mary. 

And to make matters rather confusing, we say, as a manner of speech, that we pray to Mary. 

And the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a big feast such that it is a day of obligation, and since this year it is on a Sunday, the feast replaces the usual Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

All this seem to make Mary like on par with Jesus in status, and at times even more popular than Jesus. 

But the Church has emphasized over and over again, that any veneration or devotion to Mary must lead us to Jesus, and such veneration and devotion are highly encouraged. 

In other words, it is through Mary to Jesus. This is not something that is devised by the Church. It is actually the intention of God Himself. 

One of the titles of Mary is “Mother of God”, and also “Mother of the Church”. 

We can find the origins of this title in the gospel, when Elizabeth, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, blessed Mary and called her “the mother of my Lord”. 

The word “Lord” is synonymous with the word “God”. So, Mary is truly the Mother of God. 

And before Jesus died on the Cross, He turned to Mary His mother and said, “Woman, this is your son”. And then to the beloved disciple, He said, “This is your mother”. 

These two instances tell us that Jesus wants us to honour Mary as our mother, just as He did.

So, we turn to Mary and offer her flowers and we pray the Rosary and we ask her to pray for us, as we offer her our needs and our petitions. 

And indeed, the power of Mary's intercession is truly amazing as we hear testimony after testimony of how the prayers of people were answered through the intercession of Mary. 

More than just praying the Rosary and asking Mary to pray for us, we also must look to her as a model of faith. 

When we look to her and learn from her, then our devotion to her would make sense and would also help to clear the confusion. 

Mary is a disciple of love, and in the gospel, we heard how she literally carried God's love to Elizabeth in her time of need. 

And like Mary our mother, we are to be disciples of love. 

And the word love can be an acronym for our spiritual life. 

“L” is for listening. Mary listened to God's Word at the Annunciation and said “Yes” to God. 

May we also listen and let God's Word be made flesh in us. 

“O” is for obedience. Mary obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit and she set out at once to visit Elizabeth. 

May we be humble and follow the directions of our elders and superiors for our good and for the good of others. 

“V” is for victory. Mary overcame her difficulties with God's grace. May we follow Christ our Victorious King by carrying our cross and to gain eternal life. 

And finally, “E” is for encouragement. Mary's presence was an encouragement as well as an enlightenment for Elizabeth. 

May we too support each other in word and in action, so that where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He will be there to bless and to strengthen us. 

So, let us like Mary, be a disciple of love, a disciple who will listen to God and obey with humility.

Let us believe that through the agony of the Cross, we will gain victory for life, and that we will be a channel of encouragement to strengthen others in faith and hope. 

May our devotion to Mary, and the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption, form us to be disciples of God's love for others.