21st Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 27.08.2023

 Isaiah 22:19-23 / Romans 11:33-36 / Matthew 16:13-20

This coming Friday is a public holiday, but unlike other public holidays, there is something that we are required to do. We are required to cast our votes for the next President of Singapore. 

So it means that we are called upon to choose a leader. Essentially that is what voting means. 

When it comes to choosing a leader, the inclination is to choose someone who is most qualified and capable. 

So the leadership qualities to be considered would be academic qualifications, status, experience, achievements, success and a respectable standing in life. 

We would certainly want to choose someone that we have confidence in, as well as someone who will meet our requirements. 

As for the candidate for the leadership role, what he or she says or promises the people will be scrutinized when he or she assumes the office. 

That is generally how it goes in the secular world, and we are familiar with that. 

In the gospel, we hear of a different structure and a different process. 

When Jesus asked His disciples who do they say He is, it was Peter who declared that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. 

It was God who inspired Peter to make that declaration, and with that, Jesus appointed Peter to be, as we call it now, the first Pope. 

By worldly standards, Peter, or for that matter of fact, the rest of the disciples, were hardly qualified or capable for any leadership role. 

The appointment of Peter, which by secular standards, is questionable, says a lot about Jesus. 

But it goes to show that in the Church, all power and authority that comes with the appointment, comes from God. 

Jesus also promised that Peter will be the rock on which He will build His Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. 

But throughout the history of the Church, there are numerous occasions when the Church, and the Pope, faced mortal danger and yet there was divine intervention. 

One was in the year 452, when Attila the Hun and his barbaric horde came upon Rome to kill and to plunder. 

Going out to meet him was the old and frail Pope Leo the Great, hoping to negotiate with Attila the Hun, and prepared to lay down his life for his people. 

In an unexpected and surprising turn of events, Attila the Hun and his barbarians turn back and left Rome untouched. 

One account has it that when Attila the Hun met the Pope, he saw two looming figures flanking the Pope, said to be Saint Peter and St Paul, and they were wielding swords and warning Attila. 

He also saw a huge heavenly army behind the Pope, and he recoiled and immediately retreated. 

So, on that day when he met Attila the Hun, Pope Leo showed that meekness is the mightiest of Heaven's powers. 

And again, later on, the famous French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, once threatened the Church saying that in a few months he will destroy the Church. 

The Pope's spokesman, replied: If in the 1800 years, we Catholics have failed to destroy the Church, do you really think that you will be able to do so? 

Napoleon Bonaparte would later find out the answer after his defeat and during his exile. 

It is often said that the Church is human, even too human, with the weakness, failings, scandals and whatever.

But it also must be said that the Church is divine, because Jesus Christ is the Head, and we are the members of His Body. 

Yes, the Church, at all levels, has its flaws, it has failed, and it even has been faithless at times. 

But let us remember that Jesus Christ is our Head, and He will protect us from the destructive power that comes out of the gates of the underworld. 

Like Pope Leo the Great, who showed that meekness is the mightiest power from heaven, let us walk the path of simplicity, humility and charity. 

Then we, the Church, will be able to lead the world in the way of salvation.

20th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 20.08.2023

 Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 / Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 / Matthew 15:21-28

It is said that everyone is equal, but it also has to be said that there are differences. 

It is undeniable that some people, or some groups, seem to have more privileges, more advantages, and more opportunities. 

They have a head start over the rest, and they also seem to be in the lead all the way. They have gifts and talents that stand out from the ordinary people. 

We admire them, and we may even envy them, because they make it look easy what is difficult for us, and what is like natural to them is a struggle for us. 

So, we may think that we are just ordinary people, much like the rest of the ordinary people. 

Yes, by and large, we are ordinary people, living ordinary lives, and we won't think of doing anything extraordinary in life. 

And if we want to have any achievements or success in life, there is no other way than the way of hard work and sweat. 

Even when it comes to faith in God, we have our doubts, and we think that we cannot be as holy as the Saints. 

As we know, the Jews were God's Chosen People. It was to them that God revealed Himself and made a covenant with them. 

Today's gospel passage is written by Matthew, himself a Jew, and who was a tax collector before Jesus called him. 

He was probably with the disciples who witnessed that encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman. 

In today's Gospel account, we may wonder why Jesus seemed to be brushing off that Canaanite woman and making it so difficult for her. 

But when Matthew wrote this account, he was simply stating that Jesus came for the Jewish people, because they were the Chosen Race, they were God's Chosen People. 

They have the privilege of God's first blessings over other people and they were proud of it. 

But Matthew also steered the gospel passage to a wider perspective, when he showed that Jesus will also grant God's blessings to outsiders, to those who do not belong to that Jewish people. 

That final statement of Jesus state a profound point when He said this to the Canaanite woman: Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted. 

So more than just advantages and privileges, God's blessings are granted to those who have faith in Him. 

This gospel passage is important to us because it states two things. One is that we, the Church, are also God's Chosen People because we believe that Jesus Christ is our Saviour. 

And the other point is that, like that Canaanite woman, we live by faith. With faith, we turn disadvantage into a direction, an obstacle into an opportunity, a trial into a testimony. 

That was what the Canaanite woman did, and she even taught us a simple and powerful prayer: Lord, help me. 

And Jesus will help us, each one of us, when we take a good grip on our faith. 

And when each of us come together in prayer and worship, we are not just an ordinary group of people, we are God's People, we are God’s children, we call God “Our Father”. 

Together, we unite as Church in prayer for each other that God will bless our needs. 

Together, we pray for the world and the problems that the world is facing that God will grant peace and harmony.

Together, we persevere and persist in our faith like that Canaanite woman did. 

Yes, we are not an ordinary people, we are God's People, we are God's children. 

God will listen to our prayer, and send forth His blessings when we pray: Lord, help me. Lord, help us.

19th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 13.08.2023

 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 / Romans 9:1-5 / Matthew 14:22-33

In a country, or in an organization, or in a group, there is always a need for a leader. 

When there is a leader, then there will be unity and stability. 

The leader will be the one who will make decisions and give directions. 

So, a good leader will have to know the way, show the way and also lead the way. A leader won't just imagine the way and talk about the way and then go away. 

So, leadership skills are not just about theory and strategy. It is about leading others in a journey and keeping the unity. 

So, when there is no leader, or when there are too many leaders, then there will be problems, just like too many cooks all spoil the soup. 

But when there is a leader, and the leader is not present, the strength and the weakness of the group will be exposed. 

In the gospel, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and go on ahead to the other side, while He would send the crowds away. And then he went up to the hills to pray. 

When evening came, the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea. 

Certainly, the disciples in the boat were afraid as they were facing a mortal danger. 

Though, they were in the same boat, they may not have the same idea, as each would be thinking about his own survival. 

In such a situation, the strength and weakness of the individual, as well as the group, are exposed. 

Probably, everyone in the boat was panicking, but was there anyone who was praying? 

Probably not, because they were so terrified that when they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought He was a ghost. 

The disciples forgot about all that Jesus had taught them: 

- About the promise that where two or three are gathered in prayer, He will be there. 

- About faith that can move mountains, and calm the storms. 

We may not go sailing that often, so we may not know how terrifying the storms are at the sea. 

But even on dry land, we know about the storms of life. 

And these storms can make us forget about the teachings of Jesus, and we think only for ourselves and about ourselves. 

And storms will rattle family, the Church community, and the country. 

We just celebrated National Day, and we know how important it is for unity in our country. 

We also know how storms can break up families when they are not united. 

The Church has also faced the storms of faith that made us doubt and be skeptical and cynical. 

But let us believe that Jesus, our Saviour and Leader, is always present. 

And He wants us to be signs of His presence in the Church as well as in the world. 

So, it is not about me, but it is about we. 

It is about unity, it is about community. 

Because alone I “say”, but together we “talk”. Alone I “enjoy”, but together we “celebrate”. Alone I “smile”, but together we “laugh”. 

That is the beauty of unity, that is the power of community. 

When we are united in prayer, Jesus will always be present to lead us, and we will have the power to witness to Jesus as the Saviour and Leader of the world.

Transfiguration, Year A, 06.08.2023

 Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / 2 Peter 1:16-19 / Matthew 17:1-9    

This coming Wednesday, our country will be celebrating 58 years of independence. 

The highlight of the day will be the National Day Parade in the evening. 

As in the previous years, it will be a spectacular day with the singing of the National Anthem and other patriotic songs. 

There will also be aerial displays, marching contingents, performances, fireworks and other items. 

It will be a rousing celebration of national identity and unity, and we will feel proud to be Singaporeans. 

For a country that is often called a “small little red dot”, we have progressed well and achieved much. 

We will recall how we begin 58 years ago, how hard life used to be, and how good it is now. And we know what will be required to move onward as one people and one country. 

When we reflect on the celebration of the annual National Day Parade, we may see that there are some aspects that are similar to the feast of the Transfiguration. 

The Transfiguration happened somewhere in the middle of the ministry of Jesus. He had come to be known as a preacher who teaches with authority, and also someone who cures the sick and works miracles. 

But Jesus was also facing mounting opposition and criticism. 

He needed a so-called “recharge”, and so He brought along Peter, James and John up a high mountain where they could be alone. 

There He was transfigured. He was affirmed of His identity as the beloved Son of the Father. 

The presence of Moses and Elijah points to Jesus as the new Lawgiver and the Prophetic voice of God. 

Indeed, the Transfiguration was a significant moment for Jesus, in which His glory and identity were revealed. 

At the Transfiguration, the past was recalled, and future was foretold in the person of Jesus. 

Just as in the yearly celebration of National Day in which the history of our nation is recalled and we look into the future, the Transfiguration has a similar and yet a deeper meaning. 

It helps us to look at the journey of our faith with its joys and hopes, as well as the griefs and anxieties. 

It also brings us deeper into the mystery of our faith, as we see Jesus in the centre of our lives. 

In the Transfiguration, history and mystery are united in Jesus Christ. 

The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us that the history of our lives and the mystery of our faith are brought together in Jesus Christ.

We may have seen that TV footage from 58 years ago when the founding father of our nation, the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, announced the separation of Singapore from Malaysia.

His face was grim, and as he spoke, his voice began to quiver, and then he broke down.

If we were watching it on TV then, we too would have felt the quiver in the spine.

Would Singapore be able to survive? What would the future be like, or would there be a future for us?

Yes, our griefs and anxieties then, and about the future were real.

But 58 years later, we would look at that same footage with so-called “transfigured” eyes and hearts.

We will be proud that we have survived that dark moment, and we give thanks for where and what we are now.

Jesus wants to transfigure the dark moments of our past by shining the light of His Transfiguration to give us hope for the future.

So, the significance of the Transfiguration happens when the history of our lives are connected to the mystery of our faith. 

And in Jesus, the mystery of our faith reveals the connection of our lives with Jesus and our encounters with others. 

Let us journey on in the mystery of our faith, and let us keep listening to Jesus as He reveals Himself to us.

17th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 30.07.2023

  1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 / Romans 8:28-30 / Matthew 13:44-52

There are many things in life that we are busy with. And these are not trivial things. They are important and they require our attention. 

So, we are busy with work, and we do spend a lot of time at work, and also with our work. 

And we also busy with family matters. We need to look into our parents’ welfare and well-being, as they will need more attention in their senior years. 

We also need to look into our children's development and nurturing, and so we have to arrange tuition, enrichment classes and weekend activities for them. 

So, we are busy, weekdays as well as weekends, and at times we wish that there are more than 24 hours a day. 

Yes, we are busy with so much to do that we feel so tired and worn out. 

With all that busyness and tiredness, we may not have much time or energy to deepen our faith and for prayer. 

But we know that the seed of faith that is planted in our hearts needs attention and nurturing before it can bear fruit in our lives. 

And we can also hear the soft and gentle voice of Jesus calling out to us to come to Him and find rest for our souls. 

Yes, we know that faith and prayer are important, but there are so many things that call out for our attention. 

So, as much as we want to pray, we just can't find the time, or the energy, to be at prayer. 

And here is where king Solomon has something to teach us in the 1st reading. 

He succeeded his famous father David as king of Israel. But he knew he was young and unskilled in leadership to govern the people that was entrusted to him. 

So he prayed to the Lord to grant him a heart of understanding and wisdom to be the king of God's people. 

King Solomon could have asked for intelligence, so that he could be a shrewd ruler and be able to outwit and overcome his enemies. 

So, what is the difference between intelligence and wisdom then? 

Intelligence may help us to understand what the problems are. 

Wisdom helps us to know what are the problems to understand. 

So, king Solomon prayed for a wise and understanding heart. 

And the Lord God was pleased with his prayer and granted him what he asked for. 

So, whenever we have time to pray, what is it that we pray for, or what is it we pray about? 

Following king Solomon's example, let us pray for a wise and understanding heart to know what God wants to give us. 

God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding to rule and govern his people. 

God will also grant us wisdom and understanding to know what is really important in our family, in our work and in our life. 

Prayer is the treasure that we have, a treasure that brings peace and joy in our lives and in our relationships. 

St. Francis de Sales said this about prayer: Usually, half an hour of prayer a day is sufficient. But if you are busy, then make it one hour. 

We may be surprised at that, but when we make time for prayer, God will help us to know what are the problems to understand. 

Then we will be able to separate the necessary from the unnecessary, and our hearts will be at rest, and we will have peace in our lives.

16th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 23.07.2023

 Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 / Romans 8:26-27 / Matthew 13:24-43

Generally speaking, there are two things that we don't quite like to do, unless it is really necessary. 

One is going to the doctor because we are ill, or for a medical checkup. 

The other is to go to the dentist because of a toothache, or for a dental check-up. 

We go to the doctor not for just a slight illness but because we couldn't self-medicate anymore. 

Even for the regular medical check-up, we would procrastinate in making an appointment. 

Because whenever we go for a medical check-up, the doctor will usually find some problems with our health. 

It may be high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, or high blood sugar and whatever and we will have to follow up with medication or treatment. 

And when we go to the dentist, there will usually be some problems with the teeth. It can be anything from treating a decay to extraction, and there will also be follow-ups. 

But whether it is a medical check-up or a dental check-up, the purpose is to address health issues and to prevent health problems. 

It does not necessarily mean that any part of the body or organ that has problems must be removed. 

Health problems can be treated, so that health and well-being can be maintained and even improved. 

In the gospel parable, the good seed was sown in the field by the owner. 

Then when everyone was asleep, the enemy came and sowed darnel all among the wheat. 

Just some background information, the wheat and the darnel look alike when sprouting. Only when they are maturing will they look different. 

Darnel is poisonous, and there is an ancient Roman law that prohibits the sowing of darnel on the wheat field of an enemy. 

So, the gospel parable is realistic, and it is also true that once the wheat and the darnel begin sprouting, it will be difficult to weed out the darnel. Only at harvest time then it can be done. 

The gospel parable points out the reality of life in that this world has good and evil. 

But good and evil can be so closely intertwined that it can be difficult, if not impossible, to separate. 

It exists in situations that are very close to us, like in our families, in the work-place and even in church. 

So as much as the logical thing to do is to remove the problem, the gospel parable points out the difficulty. 

Because we are also connected to these difficult and troublesome people in a relationship that cannot be easily cancelled away. 

And it happens in marital relationships, family relationships, working relationships, community relationships, and the situation can be toxic and hostile. 

But we are also reminded that there is also an internal struggle within us. 

We too have our own wheat and darnel in our hearts.

The gospel parable ends off with the separation of the wheat and the darnel at harvest time. 

But the message for us is that we are to get rid of the sin in our lives first. 

It is through the help of God that we can do that. 

And when we have experienced the grace of conversion and repentance, then we will be able to accept the sinfulness of the people around us. 

We will not only just accept, but we will commit ourselves to praying for their conversion, and we will even respond to evil with the goodness of God. 

So, we pray for ourselves to be healed of our own sinfulness, and then we can be converted sinners to those who are deep in the toxic of sin. 

We can't wait till harvest time; the work must begin now. Because the salvation of toxic sinners depends on the commitment of converted sinners.

15th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 16.07.2023

 Isaiah 55:10-11 / Romans 8:18-23 / Matthew 13:1-23

One of the setbacks in life that can be difficult to overcome is failure. 

Failure puts a sudden stop and shatters our dreams of success and achievement. 

Failure breaks our confidence and creates fears in our hearts. 

Failure can even shake our faith in God, especially when we have prayed for success or for a positive outcome. 

We certainly don't like to fail, or to be a loser. 

We want to achieve and to succeed in life, and better still, if we can do it at the first attempt. 

And putting in the faith aspect, we will also pray for God's blessings to succeed in whatever we do. 

But failure is something that we must face in life. 

And like the saying goes: Whatever that can fail, will fail. 

By the very thought that there is a possibility of failure, means that it can happen. 

For example, going for a driving test. Not many people will pass at the first attempt, and so we must be prepared to retake.

We may be hoping for a promotion, but somehow we fail to get it. So, better to be prepared for that. 

But as the proverb says: Failure is the mother of success. 

So, sometimes we win, sometimes we learn. And often, we learn more from our failures than from our success. 

In the gospel parable, the sower seems to be a rather careless. Because he sows the seeds all over the place.

Some seeds fall on the edge of the path, some seeds fall on rocky soil, and some seeds fall among thorns. 

And some seeds fall on rich soil and that produced a harvest. 

In terms of productivity and efficiency, that sower is a failure. In terms of a competition, he is a loser. In an assessment, he is careless and not competent in the job. 

So, what is the gospel parable telling us? What is Jesus saying to us? 

One reflection is that the parable points at the spiritual condition of our heart. 

There are times we listen to the Word of God, and it just bounces off our heart. 

Sometimes we hear but we don't really listen. Sometimes we listen, but we don't move into action. 

But there are times we get an inspiration, and we embark on a mission.

But in the 1st reading, the Lord says this: The Word that goes from My mouth does not return to Me empty, without carrying out My will and succeeding in what it was sent to do. 

The Word of God is spoken to the Church and also proclaimed by the Church. 

The core and the strength of the Church lies in worship and prayer. 

It is in worship and in prayer that we hear the Word of God. 

How we listen to it depends on the spiritual condition of our hearts. 

But God's Word will not fail in us. It will bear fruit. 

So, as we listen to the Word of God, let us keep faith in prayer that God will reveal His plan for us. 

The seeds eaten by the birds may land up at the rooftops, and God's word will be proclaimed there. 

Seeds that don't germinate on the rocky soil and among the thorns, will be preparing the ground for the next sowing. 

With God there is no failure, we just have to persevere. 

In God there is no ending, we just have to keep praying and believing.