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.