32nd Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 08.11.2026

 Wisdom 6:12-16 / 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 / Matthew 25:1-13                  

We know that learning is a lifelong process. Already we spend the first 20 years or so of our life in school acquiring knowledge. 

And as we continue to journey in life, we also learn new things every day. 

We learn a bit more about ourselves, about the people around us, about the things around us, and also about life in general. 

Along with knowledge, comes another aspect which is called IQ or Intellectual Quotient. 

Putting it in simple terms, IQ is like the hardware of the brain and knowledge is the software and data installed in the brain. 

Or IQ is like the speed and the RAM of the computer, while knowledge is the files, documents, and programs stored in the hard drive. 

And so it can be assumed that a higher IQ enables knowledge to be acquired faster. 

But life is not just about knowledge and IQ. As human beings, we also have EQ. 

EQ or Emotional Quotient is about how the brain handles human experiences and relationships. 

In simple terms, knowledge is the map and EQ is the driver's composure and navigation skills. 

Besides knowledge and IQ and EQ, there is also a seldom mentioned SQ or Spiritual Quotient. 

Again, putting it in a simple example, knowledge is like a car, IQ is the engine, the EQ is the steering and handling, and SQ is the compass. 

The SQ is the compass which determines why we are driving, where we want to go, and whether the destination is truly worth reaching. 

Putting knowledge and IQ and EQ and SQ together, may indicate the depth of wisdom in a person. 

The gospel parable is about 10 bridesmaids who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom, but five of them were foolish and five of them were sensible. 

The foolish ones brought along their lamps but no extra oil. The sensible ones also brought along their lamps and also extra flask of oil. 

The bridegroom was late and the bridesmaids grew drowsy and fell asleep. 

When the bridegroom finally arrived, the five foolish bridesmaids realized that they do not have enough oil. 

They went to get it, but when they returned, it was too late and they were shut out. 

The teaching point of the parable is to be prepared for unexpected situations, like the five wise and sensible bridesmaids did. 

So, when we use our knowledge, our IQ, our EQ, and also our SQ, we will be wise enough to go through life. 

We will know what to do to be prepared for sunny or rainy or even hazy days. 

We will want to be at peace with ourselves and with others, fostering mutual understanding, patience and harmony in our relationships.

We will look before we leap. 

We will be careful about what we sow because we reap what we sow.

And we will even be prepared to expect the unexpected. 

But as much as we want to be prepared to expect the unexpected, we may need to think deeper about it. 

All our knowledge, our IQ, EQ, or SQ may help us to expect the unexpected. 

But when God comes up with the unexpected, then it is because He wants us to learn something new. 

For example, we always say that God won't give us more than we can handle. That is like what we expect. 

But the unexpected could be this: God will give us more than we can handle. Why? 

Because in those impossible situations, God is inviting us to move from self-reliance to God-reliance. 

There is a difference between our human wisdom and the divine wisdom.

And the difference is expressed in this poem (by Grace L. Naessens):

I got up early one morning

and rushed right into the day;

I had so much to do

that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

and heavier grew each task.

"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.

He said, "But you didn't ask."   

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

but the day toiled on, grey and bleak.

I wondered why God didn't show me.

He said, "But you didn't seek."   

I tried to come into God's presence; 

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

"My child, you didn't knock."   

I woke up early this morning, 

and paused before starting the day;

I had so much to do

that I had to take time to pray. 

When our knowledge, our IQ, EQ, and SQ are placed before the Lord in prayer, then He will teach us His ways, and how to walk in His paths. 

And we will also be able to share the wisdom of God with others, and also teach them how to pray. 

All Saints, 01.11.2026

 Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14 / 1 John 3:1-3 / Matthew 5:1-12                  

To wear white colour clothing, we need to be careful, and it can be challenging.

Because it is white, then any little stain or dirt is immediately visible. 

In contrast, stains or dirt on a dark coloured garment would not be that visible obvious. 

In a wedding, the bride would traditionally wear a white wedding gown. 

We can imagine how much care has to be taken to keep that wedding gown white and clean. 

Also in Church, the most basic liturgical garment is the alb, which must be white. 

It follows the biblical tradition, especially in the Old Testament, where priests wear a clean white linen garment in performing worship services. 

Also at Baptism, the newly baptized will be clothed in a white baptismal garment. 

It is to symbolize the purity and holiness of the new life that the newly baptized has put on in Jesus Christ. 

So, white colored garments is a symbol of purity and also holiness. 

It also symbolizes a belonging to God. 

It is an outward sign of an inward grace and blessing. 

But to keep a white garment clean and spotless is indeed very difficult.

Because the evil one would go all out to make us stain and soil our garment of purity and holiness. 

It is by our own sin that we will stain and soil our garment of purity and holiness. 

And we might also get used to a garment of that is stained and dirty, forgetting that we are called to be pure and holy. 

Today's feast of All Saints reminds us of our Christian identity and of our garment of purity and holiness. 

The Saints in heaven have gone through the difficult journey of keeping the garment of their Christian identity pure and holy. 

The devil had tempted them and tried to make them take off and discard their garment of their Christian identity. 

For example, St. Peter denied Jesus three times, but he repented and his garment became clean enough to be the first Pope of the Church. 

St. Paul was violently persecuting Christians, but on the road to Damascus, he fell off the horse and heard the Lord's voice. 

He took off the garment of persecution and put on the garment of salvation, and went on to become the Apostle to the Gentiles. 

St. Augustine of Hippo, who lived during the 5th century, wore a garment of sin and immorality, but by the prayers of his mother, St. Monica, he put on the garment of Christianity and led people to Christ. 

But these Saints had to keep the garment of their Christian identity pure and holy by resisting temptation and sin.

And they relied on the grace and blessing of Jesus Christ to remain faithful. 

Today's Gospel tells us the blessings that the Lord Jesus wants to bestow on us. 

To believe in those blessings is to be happy, and to be happy is to be holy.

But the world would not want to believe in those heavenly blessings. 

We believe in God's providence, and hence we being poor in spirit is our faith, but the world looks up to those who have plenty. 

In the eyes of the world, to be gentle and humble would mean being weak and being trampled upon. 

For the world, might is right. There is no place for the merciful and those who work for peace. 

And the lure of desires and luxuries often tempts us to give in to sin and immorality. 

On the garments of the Saints are their blood, sweat, and tears. 

They have fought the good fight and finished the race and kept the faith. 

The first reading tells us that their garments are washed by the blood of the Lamb and become white again. 

We also have our sweat and tears on our garments. But let us listen to this reflection often accredited to St. Mother Teresa, and it goes like this:

People are often unreasonable, 

illogical, and self-centred.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,

people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,

you will win some false friends and some true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,

people may cheat you.

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,

someone could destroy overnight.

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,

they may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,

people will often forget tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough.

Give the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis 

it is between you and God ;

it was never between you and them anyway.

So, we follow the Saints to keep our garments pure and holy by being faithful to Jesus Chirst.

And we look forward with hope to the prayers of the Saints, and to join them in heaven when our garments are washed by the blood of the Lamb and become clean and white again.

30th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 25.10.2026

 Exodus 22:20-26 / 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 / Matthew 22:34-40                  

When we think about life, we may wonder what are the most basic truths about life. 

Christianity teaches us this truth about life, and that is we are created by God. 

With that, the purpose of life is to know God and to love Him and to serve Him. 

When we truly understand this, then we will be happy. 

And the expression for happiness in life will be like this: 

We will expect nothing and appreciate everything. 

We will speak beautiful things. 

We will believe that things will work out and there is no need to be too anxious. 

We will smile and help others to smile. 

We will keep life simple and sweet. 

We may be imperfect, but we are not missing anything either. 

These are the simple truths of life that express our happiness. 

But the simple things of life can become complicated when we expect too much. 

In the Gospel, the Pharisees got together and to disconcert Jesus, they asked him, “Master, what is the greatest commandment of the Law?” 

In the traditional Jewish teaching at that time, there were a total of 613 commandments for the precepts, the laws, and the prohibitions found in the Torah, which is the first five books of the Jewish scriptures. 

The first reading has some of these commandments. 

The Pharisees wanted to disconcert and to unsettle Jesus by asking Him which of the 613 commandments was the most important. 

And whichever one Jesus chose, they will then question Him further and try to catch Him on what He said to trap Him. 

But instead of picking one, Jesus summarized the 613 commandments into the following. 

He said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it. You must love your neighbor as Yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets also.” 

That is as most fundamental as it can get, love God and love neighbor. 

Using a tree as an imagery, the love of God is the roots, and the love of neighbor is the fruits. 

Love of God is expressed in adoration and reverence, while love of neighbor is expressed in respect and compassion. 

There is this story of a journalist who once spent a week following Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) around the slums of Kolkata. 

He watched her endlessly bandage infected wounds, bathe dying men, and comfort desperate mothers under intense heat. 

Amazed, the journalist asked, "Mother Teresa, how do you keep doing this day after day without burning out?" 

Mother Teresa took him by the hand and led him into the convent chapel. She pointed to the monstrance on the altar and then out the window toward the slums, saying: 

"Every morning, we spend an hour in Adoration looking at the Host. In the Host, under the appearance of bread, we see Jesus. Then we walk out these doors, and under the distressing disguise of the poor, we see the exact same Jesus." 

That is love and compassion in action.

Another story is that on a cold evening, a priest noticed a homeless man sitting outside the church steps every morning, shivering in a thin jacket. 

Rather than simply giving him food and money, the priest went into his own closet, pulled out a winter coat, and walked outside. Instead of throwing it at him, the priest sat down on the cold concrete beside the man, handed him the coat, and stayed to talk with him for twenty minutes, learning his name—which is Joseph—and his sad story. 

Years later, after getting off the streets and finding employment, Joseph returned to the parish. 

He handed the pastor a donation and said, "It wasn't just that you gave me a coat to keep warm that morning. It was that you sat beside me on the concrete and treated me like a human being. Your coat kept my body warm, but your respect saved my soul." 

True Christian charity is never just about transactions; it is about recognizing the dignity of every person as a child of God. 

We have come into the house of God, and in the House of prayer, we are drawn closer to God to be deeply rooted in Him. 

After Mass, we go forth as the People of God to bear fruits of love for our neighbor. 

So, life is essentially, fundamentally, and simply about knowing that God loves us and we are called to love Him in return. 

And that response to God's love is in loving our neighbour. 

On these two commandments are the source of our meaning and direction in life, as well as our happiness and our eternal destiny.

29th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 18.10.2026

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 / 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 / Matthew 22:15-21                  

There are two basic and common ingredients that we consume, and they are sugar and salt. 

These two ingredients are not found on food menus, but we will notice it when they are missing. 

For those with a sweet tooth, the taste of sweet foods will make them smile. So for them, sweetness is happiness, but of course in moderate amounts. 

But there are people who can do without sugar, or has cut out sugar in their diets, and it is primarily for health reasons. 

But when it comes to food, we will know it when salt is missing. 

As the story goes, the wife asked the husband, "How is the dinner?" I tried a new recipe where I substituted salt with love." 

The husband replied, "My dear, the love tastes like warm paper towels." 

So, if there is no salt, then there will be no taste. But too much salt, then the taste buds will protest. 

So as much as sugar and salt are basic and common ingredients, they are to be used moderately and sparingly. 

The Bible does not mention of sugar as we know it, because it does not exist in that region at that time.

The natural sources of sweetness are honey and the natural sugars that come from fruits. 

But salt is mentioned in the Bible, and Jesus used it in His teachings when He said, "You are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world." 

In today's gospel passage, there is no mention of salt and sugar, but there is the mention of money and the question of taxes. 

The Pharisees, who were anti-Romans, and the Herodians, who were pro-Romans, had put aside their differences in order to trap Jesus in what He would say.

About the question of paying taxes, if Jesus said, "Yes, pay the tax," He would look like a traitor to God's people. 

And if He said, "No," then He could be arrested for inciting rebellion against the Romans. 

His brilliant response was to let Him see the money that was used to pay the tax. 

He was handed a denarius, and He asked whose name and whose image was on it. 

When they replied that it was Caesar's, Jesus gave them this profound reply, "Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." 

That makes us reflect again at that coin, that denarius, with the image and the name of Caesar. 

The powerful people of this world make their authority felt by stamping their image and their name on what matters most to them, and that is money. 

Yes, money can make a lot of things taste sweet, and money can also make our lives taste sweet. 

But that may mean we have to put on the image of the world, and we put on a money face. 

Of course, we are in this world, but we are not of this world. 

So, we give back to the world what belongs to the world, and to God what belongs to God. 

We go back to God because we are created in His image, and our lives are under God's authority. 

There is this story about the famous sculptor Michelangelo and the block of marble. 

Michelangelo was asked how he created his masterpiece, the statue of David, from a huge, flawed block of marble that other sculptors had rejected. 

His reply was, "I did not create David. David was already in the marble. I just chipped away everything that was not David." 

In this Eucharist, we are restored and renewed in the image of God, when we come into communion with Jesus. 

We are restored back into our essence and our mission, which is to be the salt of the earth. 

Let us also be the light of the world so that our lives will give glory to God and lead others back to God.

28th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 11.10.2026

 Isaiah 25:6-10 / Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 / Matthew 22:1-14                  

Whenever we go for holidays or tours, we would certainly like to visit scenic places.

In those scenic places, we would like to see, among other things, high mountains.

Mountains express the majesty of nature, and we are often awed by their beauty and majesty.

Mountains also have a spiritual significance.

In the Bible, it was on mountains that God revealed His majesty and glory.

It was on a mountain that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

It was on a mountain that God came to help of the prophet Elijah.

It was on a mountain that Jesus was transfigured in glory.

It was also on mountains that places of worship are built for God to meet His people.

It is in those high sacred places that God manifests His presence and people come to worship God.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah also speaks about a mountain.

On that mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich foods and fine wines.

On that mountain, He will remove the morning veil covering all peoples.

He will wipe away the tears from every cheek and take away the people's shame.

From that mountain, the Lord God calls out to all peoples to come up to the mountain of the Lord for that grand banquet.

Certainly, upon hearing that call, we would want to go up to that mountain.

The only thing that we have to do is to climb it.

In the Gospel, Jesus told a parable about a king who gave a feast for his son's wedding.

The surprising thing is that the invited guests were not interested in going for the wedding feast.

Some made excuses, while others seized the king's servants, maltreated them, and even killed them.

It is difficult to understand the attitude of the invited guests, other than they were not interested.

But the gospel parable may have some connection to the first reading in that there was mention of a feast and a banquet.

In the first reading, the Lord God prepared a grand banquet on His mountain.

It was a joyful feast, a celebration, a time of healing and rejoicing.

The response of the people is to climb up to that mountain in order to partake of the banquet.

But some may not want to go. They are just not interested.

They would rather remain at the foothills and to live a mundane and monotonous life, and maybe even a life without much meaning.

No change is needed, nor is it wanted.

It may also seem that God is not needed, nor is He wanted.

But for us, we know that we need God and we want Him.

We hear His call to the banquet and we want to be there.

But we need to do some climbing to get to the banquet on the mountain of the Lord.

The act of climbing is like a part of our human nature.

Little children love to climb.

They climb up chairs and sofas, and they are always amused by steps.

Whenever there are steps, they would go and start climbing up and down.

That may also tell us something about our spiritual life.

There is this innate desire to reach out and climb towards God.

We need God and we want to be at His grand banquet to celebrate and rejoice in His love.

And Jesus has made it easier for us.

The Mass is where Jesus sacrificed and offered Himself for us and to be united with us.

So, we don't need to climb high mountains.

We just have to come for Mass, especially when we are burdened and troubled in life.

Here at Mass, Jesus will wipe away the tears from our cheeks, console us in our sorrow, and heal us with His love and forgiveness.

We just have to be present, and God will bless us.

Let us also bring others to this grand feast, so that they too will experience the love and the blessings from God.

27th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 04.10.2026

 Isaiah 5:1-7 / Philippians 4:6-9 / Matthew 21:33-43                

It has often been said that money cannot buy happiness. 

That is true, because happiness is not a commodity or a thing that can be bought at a price. 

Nonetheless, money can also give us a sense of security so that the basic needs of life like food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare are met. 

But one thing that we need to think about with regards to money is this:

When it comes to money, is it the more the better? Is it the more the merrier? Is it the more the happier? 

Although we know that money cannot buy happiness, but somehow, we think that money is always not enough. 

Even though our financial assets tell us that we have enough, yet we desire for more. 

It stems from that sinful desire called greed, that makes us think that we don't have enough, and that we need more. 

So, in short, the desire and greed for money is our human weakness and failing. 

The lesson that keeps coming to us is that there is enough for everyone's need, but never enough for everyone's greed. And we are still learning that lesson. 

In the Gospel, Jesus told a parable that pointed out the human weakness and failing. 

It is a parable about a landowner who leased out his vineyard to some tenants. 

That landowner provided for everything. He fenced it round, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. 

So, the tenants had everything done for them, and they just have to give the landowner what is rightfully his at vintage time. 

But those tenants became greedy. What they rented, they now wanted. 

When the landowner sent his servants to collect his produce, the tenants turned violent and wicked. 

They seized the servants, trashed them, stoned them, and even kill them. 

And when the landowner sent his son, the servants also killed him, thinking that they can now take over the inheritance. 

Even though it is a parable, it is a reality and a tragedy, that human greed knows no limits and can even resort to violence. 

So initially, the tenants were happy, then they got greedy, and what followed was a tragedy. 

But the parable is not just about human greed and its tragic consequences. 

It is also about God's blessings that is bestowed on His people. 

God's blessings on us is that He will always provide for our needs. 

As the second reading tells us, “there is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and thoughts”. 

With God's blessing and with God's peace in our hearts, we are to live virtuous and noble lives, doing what is good and pure, and doing it with love and honour. 

That is the fruit that we are to produce in our lives. 

God has called us and chosen us to bear those fruits for His glory. 

It is in bearing those fruits of holiness that others will see God present in our lives, and that they will want to know God through us. 

And that is actually our mission, isn't it? 

There is a story of a conversation between Jesus and the archangel Gabriel, and though it is just a story, it illustrates a good point. 

After Jesus ascended to heaven, the archangel Gabriel approached Him and said, "Master, You must have suffered terribly for men down there." 

"I did," Jesus said. "And," continued Gabriel, "do they know all about how You loved them and what You did for them?" 

"Oh, no," said Jesus, "not yet. Right now only a small group of people in Jerusalem know about it." 

Gabriel was astonished. "Then what have You done, to let everyone know about Your love for them?" 

Jesus said, "I've asked Peter, James, John, and a few more friends to tell other people about Me. Those who are told will in turn tell other people about Me, and My story will be spread to the furthest ends of the world. Ultimately, all of mankind will have heard about My life and what I have done." 

Gabriel frowned and looked rather puzzled. He knew how weak and flawed men are. "But what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? What if way down in the twenty-first century, people just don't tell others about You? Haven't You made any other plans?" 

And Jesus answered, "I haven't made any other plans. I'm counting on them" 

Twenty centuries later, Jesus still has no other plan! 

So, there is no "plan B". Jesus counted on His early disciples, and they delivered.

Jesus is also counting on you and me.

Those early disciples prayed and Jesus helped them.

Let us also pray and trust that Jesus will provide for us, and we will bear the fruits for His glory and lead others to Him.

26th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 27.09.2026

Ezekiel 18:25-28 / Philippians 2:1-11 / Matthew 21:28-32          

To get a good head start in life is certainly a privilege as well as an advantage. 

A good head start would probably mean having a stable family background and good upbringing. 

It would also probably mean having the intellectual capacity and ability to attain a good educational qualification. 

All these conditions would give a good head start in life. Or so it seems. 

Let us take a look at Thomas Edison, Beethoven, Albert Einstein, and Isaac Newton. 

They have renowned accomplishments and achievements in life, and we would presume that they have had a good head start. 

But that was not the case in their younger years. 

Thomas Edison was kind of deaf, and in school, his teacher called him unintelligent and unteachable. But he became a prolific inventor and the electric bulb is one of his many inventions. 

Beethoven, the great composer, had a childhood marked by severe emotional and physical abuse. 

Albert Einstein had speech delay and academic rejection, and yet he became a great scientist. 

Isaac Newton was considered a lazy and inattentive and was always at the bottom of his class. Yet, from him came the Newton's law of motion and gravity. 

These are enough examples of renowned people who didn't have a good head start, was disadvantaged, and lacking in many ways.

Yet they managed to overcome some of their early adversities, whether it was physical disabilities, poverty, trauma, or labeled as unintelligent. 

But it also cannot be denied that there are many others who could not overcome their adversities and disadvantages. 

In the Gospel, Jesus told the chief priests and the elders of the parable of the two sons. 

In answer to His question about who did the father's will, they said it was the first son. 

Then Jesus connected the parable to the conversion of the tax collectors and prostitutes, in contrast to the obstinate and stubborn attitude of the chief priests and the elders. 

The tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners did not choose to be like that in life.

They probably didn't have a good head start, and they could not overcome the adversities and disadvantages in life. 

But they responded to the message of John the Baptist, the message of repentance, and they embarked on the road of conversion. 

The chief priests and the elders would have a good head start, and life was comfortable for them. 

But they have become complacent as they were not seeing and hearing what God is showing and saying to them. 

But regardless of whether it was a tax collector, a prostitute, a sinner, a high priest, or an elder, it is tragic when one does not see or hear what God is saying and showing. 

I remember that many years ago I was going for home communion visits to an elderly couple. 

The wife shared that they had four children. The first three were bright and intelligent. They were her pride and happiness. But the fourth child, a boy, was born with Down’s Syndrome. 

The couple felt sad and angry about that fourth child. The wife also questioned God about being burdened by that fourth child and saw it as a kind of punishment. 

So, while the other three children went on to achieve much in life, that fourth child was left without much in life and was like a burden for the family. 

Eventually, the other three children got married and moved out of the home, leaving the couple with that son. 

As the couple were getting on in years, it was that fourth child who was always with them to keep them company. 

In whatever capacity he could manage, he was a help and a comfort to his parents in their old age. 

As the wife shared all that, the son was sitting beside her, and I wondered if he could comprehend what his mother shared. 

Finally, the wife said that what she thought was a burden turned out to be a blessing. 

Today's gospel parable tells us that there are many who do not have a good head start, and they also do not have that many advantages and privileges in life. 

We can be God's sign of hope for them, just as how the message of John the Baptist gave hope to the tax collectors and prostitutes. 

Let us see these people as blessings and not as burdens, for through them God will show us what is love and humility.