Deuteronomy 18:15-20 / 1 Cor 7:32-35 / Mark 1:21-28
One week has passed and we are back again here in church for Mass.
One week is not that long a time. But let’s ask ourselves this: What was it at Mass last week that made an impression on me? Was there anything that I remembered at Mass last week?
Although it was just seven days ago, we might not be able to recall anything of significance at last week’s Mass.
Oh yes, we were on our Sunday routine – we came for the same Mass time, we probably sat at the same pew or around there, the same things were being done. Nothing special, nothing impressionable, nothing impressive.
Not that we have a bad memory or suffer from a memory loss. Anyway if we can remember that we didn’t for Mass last Sunday, then we would have gone for Confession already.
Otherwise, we would say that everything went on as per normal at last week’s Mass. There was nothing out of the ordinary and nothing special.
Well on that Sabbath day in the synagogue as we heard in the gospel, the assembly gathered there also thought that it was just another ordinary Sabbath.
Until Jesus came along and He began to teach. And His teaching made a deep impression on them because He taught with authority.
And not only that, when there appeared a man possessed by an unclean spirit and challenged Jesus, Jesus expelled the unclean spirit from that man.
Certainly, for the people gathered at the synagogue, it was a Sabbath to remember. They were astonished and wondered what it all meant. But it also made a deep impression on them.
Now back to us who are gathered here for Mass on this Sunday. Will there be anything spectacular happening? Will there be anything that will make a deep impression on us?
Well, on the surface level, not likely. Unless the choir sings really off-key, or the wardens forget to go around for the collection, or the air-con breaks down. But no one will be shouting or screaming or making a scene.
So on the surface level, all seems normal and under control. But that’s only on the surface level. But there is also the spiritual level to consider.
And here is where we need to be quiet. We need to be silent so as to listen. Anyway “silent” and “listen” are made up of the same letters.
We need to be silent so as to listen to the prayers and to the Word of the Lord. If we were asked what were the Scripture readings of last Sunday, we will probably roll our eyes upwards as if the readings are on the ceiling.
And if we are asked if we remember any of the prayers said at Mass last Sunday, we will probably only remember saying “Amen”. Everything else seem to have gone in one ear and out from the other by the other ear.
Even though we may remember only saying “Amen”, yet that one word is a powerful affirmation. It means “Yes! It shall be!
We say it at the beginning and at the end of the Mass. We say it at end of every prayer. All in all we say “Amen” no less than ten times at Mass.
What we are saying is that what we have listened to and what we have prayed for will be fulfilled. As Jesus said, “This is being fulfilled today, even as you listen.”
So how is it fulfilled even as we listen and say “Amen” that it will happen.
In the Offertory Prayer last week, there is this word “salvation.” And the gospel of last week is about the call of the disciples.
A few days ago last week, a lady, who was a non-Catholic, came with her Catholic friend to see me.
She stays nearby and she ventured into the Church a couple of times during Mass and so she decided to ask her Catholic friend to accompany her to see a priest and so they ended up seeing me.
She made her queries, talked about her challenges and wondered if God wants her to be a Catholic.
As I listened to her, the words of last Sunday’s Mass “salvation” and “call” came to my mind, and then I realized that I was seeing it happening to that lady as she was talking.
Indeed the Lord will fulfill the prayers that we “Amen” to and He will also fulfill the Word that He spoke to us.
God will give us signs and will work wonders for us. We do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord, because the Word of the Lord is spirit and they give us life and light.
So let us be quiet. Let us be silent and listen, so that the Word of the Lord and our prayers at Mass will make an impression on us as we await the signs and wonders that the Lord will work for us.
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Saturday, January 27, 2018
Saturday, January 20, 2018
3rd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 21.01.2018
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 / 1 Cor 7:29-31 / Mark 1:14-20
As we sit down to listen to the homily, some of us may habitually or instinctively glance at our watches. It is not that we want to time the homily to see how long it is going to take. (Anyway I have already timed it – it’s going to take about 7 minutes)
Since most of us wear a watch or have some kind of timepiece, it only goes to show how important time is to us.
More than just wanting to know the time of the day, we also want to know how much time we have for the next appointment, whether we will be on time or not, and just how much time we have for the things that we have planned.
But we also understand time in a much broader sense. There is the “first time” that marks a new experience or a new encounter.
There is the “next time” where we will be more prepared from what we have learnt before. There is the “last time” which can mean how we have always done things in the past, or when we want to put an end to something.
And of course there is the famous “no time” to mean how busy we are. But actually it is just another way of saying that it’s not our priority so we have no time for it. Or that we just don’t want to do it, so we say we have no time.
If we noticed in the 1st reading, it begins with “The word of the Lord was addressed a second time to Jonah”. So it was the second time that God called Jonah. So what happened at the first time?
Putting it simply, at the first time, Jonah had no time because he didn’t want to do what God wanted of him, because it was not to his liking.
God told him to go east to Nineveh, and he went west to go sailing. God told him to preach, but he went to the beach. In other words, God said “go” but he said “no”.
We might have heard of the story of Jonah, how he sailed off to escape from God, but a storm blew up and he had to be thrown overboard to quell the storm, and got swallowed up by a big fish, often-known-as, a whale.
But even the big fish can’t stand him because after three days in its belly, it threw him up on the shore. It was probably the first time and the last time that Jonah would want to be in the belly of a big fish.
But those three days in the belly of the big fish has a spiritual meaning. Because it was a time for Jonah to think about things. The point of all this is that Jonah was taken into the depths so that he could rise again. It was as if that for Jonah to move onwards, he must pass inwards.
Something in Jonah must give in before he can give up. Enlightenment can only come about after an experience of purification. And Jonah’s experience indeed has a lesson for us.
Like Jonah, we may not have paid attention at the first time; we may not have responded to God’s direction for us. But God still calls out to us the second time, or even the next time.
But the 2nd reading also tells us that our time is growing short, and that our time in this world is passing on, slowly but surely.
And Jesus, in the gospel, would announce it even more urgently: The time has come, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent and believe in the Good News.
In whatever time of our life that we are in, there is an appointed time when God calls out to us and waits for our response.
When the appointed time came for Jonah, he had to respond. When the appointed time came for Simon and Andrew, for James and John, they too responded and did what God wanted of them.
They left their nets and their boats and followed Jesus, and they can only trust Him that He knows the plans He has for them, plans for their good and not for disaster, plans to give them hope and a future. (cf Jeremiah 29:11)
Doing what they did would certainly leave us feeling insecure. And at times we might feel that we are like being swallowed up by a big fish and left tumbling and swirling around in the darkness of the belly of the world.
Here is where a reflection of time can be helpful and it is put in just four words – First, Next, Then, Last.
First: God brought me to this. The will of God will never take me to where the grace of God will not protect me. In that I will be at peace.
Next: God will keep me in His love to behave as His child in this trial. God will never give us more than we can take. He will let us bend, but He will never let us break.
Then: He will turn the trial into a blessing and will teach me lessons that He wants me to learn. God doesn’t just want us to go through it; He wants us to grow through it.
Last: In God’s good time, He will bring me out and let me rise and shine. Then we realize that in order for the light to shine brightly, the darkness must be present.
So just four words connected with time – First, Next, Then, Last. May we know that time after time, whether it is First, Next, Then or Last, it is all in God’s appointed time.
We end off with a short prayer to the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that stands at the entrance of the Church:
O Jesus, You stand there, generation after generation
Receiving our prayer and petition
Stretching out Your hands in love and mercy
Touching ours that are so unworthy
Healing our sins and sorrow
Giving us hope for tomorrow. Amen.
As we sit down to listen to the homily, some of us may habitually or instinctively glance at our watches. It is not that we want to time the homily to see how long it is going to take. (Anyway I have already timed it – it’s going to take about 7 minutes)
Since most of us wear a watch or have some kind of timepiece, it only goes to show how important time is to us.
More than just wanting to know the time of the day, we also want to know how much time we have for the next appointment, whether we will be on time or not, and just how much time we have for the things that we have planned.
But we also understand time in a much broader sense. There is the “first time” that marks a new experience or a new encounter.
There is the “next time” where we will be more prepared from what we have learnt before. There is the “last time” which can mean how we have always done things in the past, or when we want to put an end to something.
And of course there is the famous “no time” to mean how busy we are. But actually it is just another way of saying that it’s not our priority so we have no time for it. Or that we just don’t want to do it, so we say we have no time.
If we noticed in the 1st reading, it begins with “The word of the Lord was addressed a second time to Jonah”. So it was the second time that God called Jonah. So what happened at the first time?
Putting it simply, at the first time, Jonah had no time because he didn’t want to do what God wanted of him, because it was not to his liking.
God told him to go east to Nineveh, and he went west to go sailing. God told him to preach, but he went to the beach. In other words, God said “go” but he said “no”.
We might have heard of the story of Jonah, how he sailed off to escape from God, but a storm blew up and he had to be thrown overboard to quell the storm, and got swallowed up by a big fish, often-known-as, a whale.
But even the big fish can’t stand him because after three days in its belly, it threw him up on the shore. It was probably the first time and the last time that Jonah would want to be in the belly of a big fish.
But those three days in the belly of the big fish has a spiritual meaning. Because it was a time for Jonah to think about things. The point of all this is that Jonah was taken into the depths so that he could rise again. It was as if that for Jonah to move onwards, he must pass inwards.
Something in Jonah must give in before he can give up. Enlightenment can only come about after an experience of purification. And Jonah’s experience indeed has a lesson for us.
Like Jonah, we may not have paid attention at the first time; we may not have responded to God’s direction for us. But God still calls out to us the second time, or even the next time.
But the 2nd reading also tells us that our time is growing short, and that our time in this world is passing on, slowly but surely.
And Jesus, in the gospel, would announce it even more urgently: The time has come, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent and believe in the Good News.
In whatever time of our life that we are in, there is an appointed time when God calls out to us and waits for our response.
When the appointed time came for Jonah, he had to respond. When the appointed time came for Simon and Andrew, for James and John, they too responded and did what God wanted of them.
They left their nets and their boats and followed Jesus, and they can only trust Him that He knows the plans He has for them, plans for their good and not for disaster, plans to give them hope and a future. (cf Jeremiah 29:11)
Doing what they did would certainly leave us feeling insecure. And at times we might feel that we are like being swallowed up by a big fish and left tumbling and swirling around in the darkness of the belly of the world.
Here is where a reflection of time can be helpful and it is put in just four words – First, Next, Then, Last.
First: God brought me to this. The will of God will never take me to where the grace of God will not protect me. In that I will be at peace.
Next: God will keep me in His love to behave as His child in this trial. God will never give us more than we can take. He will let us bend, but He will never let us break.
Then: He will turn the trial into a blessing and will teach me lessons that He wants me to learn. God doesn’t just want us to go through it; He wants us to grow through it.
Last: In God’s good time, He will bring me out and let me rise and shine. Then we realize that in order for the light to shine brightly, the darkness must be present.
So just four words connected with time – First, Next, Then, Last. May we know that time after time, whether it is First, Next, Then or Last, it is all in God’s appointed time.
We end off with a short prayer to the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that stands at the entrance of the Church:
O Jesus, You stand there, generation after generation
Receiving our prayer and petition
Stretching out Your hands in love and mercy
Touching ours that are so unworthy
Healing our sins and sorrow
Giving us hope for tomorrow. Amen.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
2nd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 14.01.2017
2nd Sunday OT B-2017 14-01-18
1 Sam 3:3-10, 19 / 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20 / John 1:35-42
Between sight and sound, it is difficult to say which has a more appealing advantage.
Before the era of television, when radio ruled the airwaves, listening is understanding. But with television, seeing is believing.
Still, hearing is essential. Try to watch a movie without the audio, or with a lousy audio, and it can be very frustrating.
And it can be equally frustrating for a hearing-impaired or a deaf person. While a blind or visually-impaired person is easily noticeable, a deaf or hearing-impaired person looks as ordinary as the rest.
Hearing aids may be helpful but it depends on the situation and surroundings.
An elderly man had serious hearing problems for many years. Finally he went to see a doctor and then the doctor had him fitted with new hearing aids and told him to come back a month later.
A month passed and the elderly man went back to the doctor and the doctor asked about his hearing aid.
The elderly man said that it was working very well. And the doctor said, “Oh, your family must be happy that you can hear again.”
The elderly man replied, “Oh, I haven’t told them. I just sit around and listen to their conversations. And I have already changed my will three times. ”
Yes, be careful with what we say. Even walls have ears. And hearing aids can make a difference!
In the 1st reading, the young Samuel heard a voice and he thought it was Eli calling him. But after the third time, Eli understood that it was the voice of the Lord calling out to Samuel and he taught Samuel how to respond: Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
And with that Samuel became the prophet of God and the voice of the Lord was now heard through him.
In the gospel, there was the voice of another prophet – John the Baptist. He had this to say, “Look, there is the Lamb of God” as he pointed out Jesus to his disciples.
Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
So the voice of the Lord as we heard in the 1st reading is calling out to us, and the voice of Jesus as we heard in the gospel is asking us, “What do you want?”
As we think about what Jesus is asking us, as we think about what we want, there is an article in the Catholic News about the 19 Catholic clergy and religious who were killed in Algeria between 1993 and 1996, during the armed conflict that devastated Algeria.
Among the 19 were seven French Trappist monks who were kidnapped from their monastery of Tibhirine and later killed by the extremist rebel groups.
Their story is made into a movie titled “Of Gods and Men” The monks of the Tibhirine monastery knew they were in danger, and would be killed if they remained in Algeria and they had a choice to leave the country. But they deliberated and debated among themselves, prayed and listened to the voice of the Lord, and they chose to stay.
Fr Christian de Cherge, the slain abbot of the monastery, had written in a letter nearly three years before his death that he and the other monks would willingly offer themselves as a sacrifice for the people of Algeria.
“When the time comes, I would like to be able to have that stroke of lucidity which would permit me to ask forgiveness of God and of my brothers in humanity, forgiving wholeheartedly, at the same time, whoever my killer may be,” he wrote, “May we meet each other again, happy thieves, in paradise, should it please God.”
Even though they lost their lives, their martyrdom teaches us something about listening to the voice of the Lord in the face of danger and death.
The title of the movie made about them “Of Gods and Men” is also rather enigmatic. It refers to a verse from Psalm 82 shown at the beginning of the film -“I said, ‘You are “gods”; and all of you, sons of the Most High.’ But you will die like men; you shall fall like any of the princes.”
The gods of this world with their shrilling voices are shouting at us, taunting us, with their power and might, and luring us to play into their games of hatred and violence.
These false gods claim to have powers of divinity by wielding weapons of violence and bloodshed. Their murderous voice stirs fear and confusion in us that tempt us to fight back with violence and hate.
But it is the voice of the true God that passes judgement on these false gods and those seven Trappist monks were the instruments of God’s judgement.
By the gospel values of love and peace and forgiveness, by prayer and the Word of God, those monks listened to the voice of the true God and became His instruments of judgement as the mighty are cast down from their thrones and the lowly are raised.
Yes, we must listen to the voice of the one true God. As Jesus asks us what do we want, let us ask Jesus to grant us the faith to believe in His truth, that through prayer and perseverance, with love and forgiveness, we will overcome the power and might of those false gods and silence their taunts.
Like Samuel, let us say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” When the Lord speaks, we will know, because it is a voice that speaks of peace, it is a voice of love.
1 Sam 3:3-10, 19 / 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20 / John 1:35-42
Between sight and sound, it is difficult to say which has a more appealing advantage.
Before the era of television, when radio ruled the airwaves, listening is understanding. But with television, seeing is believing.
Still, hearing is essential. Try to watch a movie without the audio, or with a lousy audio, and it can be very frustrating.
And it can be equally frustrating for a hearing-impaired or a deaf person. While a blind or visually-impaired person is easily noticeable, a deaf or hearing-impaired person looks as ordinary as the rest.
Hearing aids may be helpful but it depends on the situation and surroundings.
An elderly man had serious hearing problems for many years. Finally he went to see a doctor and then the doctor had him fitted with new hearing aids and told him to come back a month later.
A month passed and the elderly man went back to the doctor and the doctor asked about his hearing aid.
The elderly man said that it was working very well. And the doctor said, “Oh, your family must be happy that you can hear again.”
The elderly man replied, “Oh, I haven’t told them. I just sit around and listen to their conversations. And I have already changed my will three times. ”
Yes, be careful with what we say. Even walls have ears. And hearing aids can make a difference!
In the 1st reading, the young Samuel heard a voice and he thought it was Eli calling him. But after the third time, Eli understood that it was the voice of the Lord calling out to Samuel and he taught Samuel how to respond: Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
And with that Samuel became the prophet of God and the voice of the Lord was now heard through him.
In the gospel, there was the voice of another prophet – John the Baptist. He had this to say, “Look, there is the Lamb of God” as he pointed out Jesus to his disciples.
Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
So the voice of the Lord as we heard in the 1st reading is calling out to us, and the voice of Jesus as we heard in the gospel is asking us, “What do you want?”
As we think about what Jesus is asking us, as we think about what we want, there is an article in the Catholic News about the 19 Catholic clergy and religious who were killed in Algeria between 1993 and 1996, during the armed conflict that devastated Algeria.
Among the 19 were seven French Trappist monks who were kidnapped from their monastery of Tibhirine and later killed by the extremist rebel groups.
Their story is made into a movie titled “Of Gods and Men” The monks of the Tibhirine monastery knew they were in danger, and would be killed if they remained in Algeria and they had a choice to leave the country. But they deliberated and debated among themselves, prayed and listened to the voice of the Lord, and they chose to stay.
Fr Christian de Cherge, the slain abbot of the monastery, had written in a letter nearly three years before his death that he and the other monks would willingly offer themselves as a sacrifice for the people of Algeria.
“When the time comes, I would like to be able to have that stroke of lucidity which would permit me to ask forgiveness of God and of my brothers in humanity, forgiving wholeheartedly, at the same time, whoever my killer may be,” he wrote, “May we meet each other again, happy thieves, in paradise, should it please God.”
Even though they lost their lives, their martyrdom teaches us something about listening to the voice of the Lord in the face of danger and death.
The title of the movie made about them “Of Gods and Men” is also rather enigmatic. It refers to a verse from Psalm 82 shown at the beginning of the film -“I said, ‘You are “gods”; and all of you, sons of the Most High.’ But you will die like men; you shall fall like any of the princes.”
The gods of this world with their shrilling voices are shouting at us, taunting us, with their power and might, and luring us to play into their games of hatred and violence.
These false gods claim to have powers of divinity by wielding weapons of violence and bloodshed. Their murderous voice stirs fear and confusion in us that tempt us to fight back with violence and hate.
But it is the voice of the true God that passes judgement on these false gods and those seven Trappist monks were the instruments of God’s judgement.
By the gospel values of love and peace and forgiveness, by prayer and the Word of God, those monks listened to the voice of the true God and became His instruments of judgement as the mighty are cast down from their thrones and the lowly are raised.
Yes, we must listen to the voice of the one true God. As Jesus asks us what do we want, let us ask Jesus to grant us the faith to believe in His truth, that through prayer and perseverance, with love and forgiveness, we will overcome the power and might of those false gods and silence their taunts.
Like Samuel, let us say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” When the Lord speaks, we will know, because it is a voice that speaks of peace, it is a voice of love.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Epiphany, Year B, 07.01.2018
Isaiah 60:1-6 / Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 / Matthew 2:1-12
By now we would have settled back into normal routine. The holidays are over, Christmas Day had come and gone, we are already into the new year, all the festive excitement has died down.
So it’s back to work and back to school with appointments and assignments, schedules and what-have-you.
Well, we are looking into the new year and there are targets to set and goals to achieve. All engines are fired up and it’s full speed ahead.
No one would think of taking leave at this time of the year. There is just no mood for this. We have already relaxed enough over the holidays and there is back-log to clear and much to do.
Even for the Church, after this weekend, we are going to take down and keep the Christmas décor. Already they are looking a bit tired and waiting to be cleared.
But just when we thought that things are back to routine, we may notice that the Nativity scene is a bit crowded today, and there are three additional figures there.
And these three figures are quite a contrast compared to the other figures. Their dressing is exotic with rich robes and crowns on their heads and gifts in their hands.
So it’s guest appearance and it’s just for this weekend only, we have the 3 wise men (let’s just take it that there is three) aka the 3 Magis, or the 3 kings (and that is where we have that song “We three Kings of Orient are”).
And sure enough they were from the Orient as the gospel tells us that they are from the East.
They saw “His star” rising and they have come to do homage to the infant king of the Jews.
And that perturbed king Herod and the whole of Jerusalem. How was it that he didn’t know that a new king was born!
But there was another group of “wise” men who knew – the chief priests and the scribes. And they can even say “At Bethlehem in Judaea” – Well, they knew, but they just sat on it. They did nothing about it.
And so king Herod sent the wise men from the east to Bethlehem, to find out more about this infant king. His motive was to use them as his informants.
And when they found the infant Jesus, they did Him homage and opening their treasures, they presented Him with the 3 symbolic gifts: gold to honour His kingship, frankincense to worship His divinity, myrrh to acknowledge His humanity.
So Christmas is the great celebration of the birth of our Saviour, but of significance is the celebration of the Epiphany when the Saviour and King was manifested or revealed. Epiphany means manifestation or revelation.
The wise men from the east may seem to be just making a guest appearance in the whole Christmas celebration, but they are probably the first to know about the birth of Jesus, through the sign of the star. But they were also the last to come and pay homage to Him.
They saw His star rising. There were probably many other stars in the night sky, but this star called out to them and they responded.
It was a journey across barren desert sands and harsh conditions but they had to stay together because they only had each other along the journey.
The star was not always there to guide them and lead them and that was why they ended up at the palace of king Herod and were even used by him.
But they eventually found who they were looking for and by their gifts, they became witnesses of the royalty, divinity and humanity of the infant Jesus.
And truly they were wise men. Of course they were wise enough to know which star to follow.
But they were also wise because they learned many things from their difficulties in their search.
And we can learn from them. One is about the star (Jesus). In this world there are movie stars, pop stars, sports stars, we may even want to be a star. But there is only one star that will lead us to God.
About the gold. All that glitters and all we treasure must be offered to Jesus because our true treasure is in heaven.
Frankincense is used in worship. We offer worship to the one true God, no one else.
Myrrh has medicinal properties. It is offered to Jesus because Jesus is our Healer who will heal us and save us from our sins.
The wise men may be the latecomers or last-comers but we still want to celebrate with them. Because they found who they were truly searching for.
And they have this to tell us: We too will find Jesus. We just have to learn from them.
By now we would have settled back into normal routine. The holidays are over, Christmas Day had come and gone, we are already into the new year, all the festive excitement has died down.
So it’s back to work and back to school with appointments and assignments, schedules and what-have-you.
Well, we are looking into the new year and there are targets to set and goals to achieve. All engines are fired up and it’s full speed ahead.
No one would think of taking leave at this time of the year. There is just no mood for this. We have already relaxed enough over the holidays and there is back-log to clear and much to do.
Even for the Church, after this weekend, we are going to take down and keep the Christmas décor. Already they are looking a bit tired and waiting to be cleared.
But just when we thought that things are back to routine, we may notice that the Nativity scene is a bit crowded today, and there are three additional figures there.
And these three figures are quite a contrast compared to the other figures. Their dressing is exotic with rich robes and crowns on their heads and gifts in their hands.
So it’s guest appearance and it’s just for this weekend only, we have the 3 wise men (let’s just take it that there is three) aka the 3 Magis, or the 3 kings (and that is where we have that song “We three Kings of Orient are”).
And sure enough they were from the Orient as the gospel tells us that they are from the East.
They saw “His star” rising and they have come to do homage to the infant king of the Jews.
And that perturbed king Herod and the whole of Jerusalem. How was it that he didn’t know that a new king was born!
But there was another group of “wise” men who knew – the chief priests and the scribes. And they can even say “At Bethlehem in Judaea” – Well, they knew, but they just sat on it. They did nothing about it.
And so king Herod sent the wise men from the east to Bethlehem, to find out more about this infant king. His motive was to use them as his informants.
And when they found the infant Jesus, they did Him homage and opening their treasures, they presented Him with the 3 symbolic gifts: gold to honour His kingship, frankincense to worship His divinity, myrrh to acknowledge His humanity.
So Christmas is the great celebration of the birth of our Saviour, but of significance is the celebration of the Epiphany when the Saviour and King was manifested or revealed. Epiphany means manifestation or revelation.
The wise men from the east may seem to be just making a guest appearance in the whole Christmas celebration, but they are probably the first to know about the birth of Jesus, through the sign of the star. But they were also the last to come and pay homage to Him.
They saw His star rising. There were probably many other stars in the night sky, but this star called out to them and they responded.
It was a journey across barren desert sands and harsh conditions but they had to stay together because they only had each other along the journey.
The star was not always there to guide them and lead them and that was why they ended up at the palace of king Herod and were even used by him.
But they eventually found who they were looking for and by their gifts, they became witnesses of the royalty, divinity and humanity of the infant Jesus.
And truly they were wise men. Of course they were wise enough to know which star to follow.
But they were also wise because they learned many things from their difficulties in their search.
And we can learn from them. One is about the star (Jesus). In this world there are movie stars, pop stars, sports stars, we may even want to be a star. But there is only one star that will lead us to God.
About the gold. All that glitters and all we treasure must be offered to Jesus because our true treasure is in heaven.
Frankincense is used in worship. We offer worship to the one true God, no one else.
Myrrh has medicinal properties. It is offered to Jesus because Jesus is our Healer who will heal us and save us from our sins.
The wise men may be the latecomers or last-comers but we still want to celebrate with them. Because they found who they were truly searching for.
And they have this to tell us: We too will find Jesus. We just have to learn from them.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Holy Family, Year B, 31.12.2017
Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6, 12-14 / Colossians 3:12-21 / Luke 2:22-40
Today the 31st December is certainly not just another day. Today, we have come to the end of the calendar year 2017, and we stand on the threshold of a new calendar year.
Here, as well as in other places all over the world, people will be participating in the countdown to the new year with parties and merry-making. The idea is to start the new year with a “bang” and on a high note.
But on this day, as we prepare to welcome the new year, the significance of this day also beckons us to look back at what lies behind us, to look at what has happened in 2017 as it comes to a close.
Certainly there are many significant events on the local and international scene. Maybe we can recall that the US has a new president; maybe we can recall there was flooding in the MRT tunnel.
Maybe we can recall that 4 churches are opened after extensive and expensive renovation and building programs – Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, Church of the Transfiguration and Novena Church.
Yes, as we look back and recall the events that shaped 2017, we remember with thanksgiving. Yes, we thank God for His blessings and for being with us and bringing us to the last day of 2017 and that we can look forward to 2018 with hope in more blessings to come.
Today, the Church also celebrates a significant feast, the feast of the Holy Family, and the gospel begins with this:
“When the day came for them to be purified, as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ...”
For Mary and Joseph, much had happened and as they present the child Jesus to the Lord, they would surely want to give thanks that they were still holding on together.
From the Annunciation to the Presentation, there were events there were so significant and filled with mystery that is beyond reality.
Mary had a visit from the angel Gabriel who had a mission for her and she said “Yes”. Joseph had dreams and he also said “Yes”. They had to go to Bethlehem and together they said “Yes”. They accepted the stable as the place of birth for Jesus. And now, in obedience to the Law of Moses, they presented Jesus to the Lord.
But much had happened, and more is to come. The upright and devout Simeon came along and took the child Jesus in his arms. For him, at last, his eyes have seen the promised Saviour and his eyes can now rest in peace.
For Anna, the 84 year old widow, her vigil is over and she can now look forward to a peace-filled sunset.
But as for Mary and Joseph, they have to be prepared for what is to come. Especially for Mary, that sword will pierce her soul.
But the experiences of Mary and Joseph with the child Jesus are not just confined to themselves in the celebration of the feast of the Holy Family. Because it makes us think about the experiences of our own families.
We might remember that this feast is termed the “Holy Family” and not the “perfect family” or the “ideal family”.
And that is also the reality of our families isn’t it? Our families are neither perfect nor ideal, whatever perfect or ideal might mean.
But our families must strive to be holy, and here is where the Holy Family is the model for our families.
In spite of their trials and tribulations and having to care for and protect Jesus, they radiated holiness and brought peace to people who encountered them.
Simeon saw what his eyes longed to see and for Anna her waiting was over, and peace came upon them.
As we look at the senior members of our families, do we know what they are longing to see and do we know what they are waiting for? Are they waiting for us to visit them, and to bring the grandchildren to see them? May their waiting not be in vain, and may their eyes close peacefully with the sunset.
And about our children, are we forming them to love God first above all things? Do we bring them for Mass and Catechism classes on Sundays? It is not either-or; it is Mass and Catechism class.
Yes, it is tough to juggle Mass and Catechism class on a Sunday morning. But these are the formative years. If we choose Catechism class over Mass just because no one checks their attendance at Mass, then when they are done with Catechism class after Confirmation, they will also be done with Church.
Because if in their growing-up years, Mass is seen as optional, then in their later years, Church will also be optional.
It is certainly more beneficial to take the trouble and bear with the inconvenience now than to have the sword pierce our hearts later on.
As this feast tells us, it is about holiness in the family and the difficult and challenging task of formation in holiness.
Let us listen to this passage and see if it sounds familiar:
“The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.”
We may think it is some parent lamenting or the older generation complaining about the younger generation.
But that passage was quoted from Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher (469–399 B.C.)
Seems like nothing much has changed. But something must change.
Mary and Joseph formed Jesus in holiness and He changed the thinking of the world.
But we can’t just keep thinking about it; we need to get it going. Like the Holy Family, let us strive for holiness as we look forward to the new year.
Let holiness be our focus, and God’s blessings will be abundant.
Today the 31st December is certainly not just another day. Today, we have come to the end of the calendar year 2017, and we stand on the threshold of a new calendar year.
Here, as well as in other places all over the world, people will be participating in the countdown to the new year with parties and merry-making. The idea is to start the new year with a “bang” and on a high note.
But on this day, as we prepare to welcome the new year, the significance of this day also beckons us to look back at what lies behind us, to look at what has happened in 2017 as it comes to a close.
Certainly there are many significant events on the local and international scene. Maybe we can recall that the US has a new president; maybe we can recall there was flooding in the MRT tunnel.
Maybe we can recall that 4 churches are opened after extensive and expensive renovation and building programs – Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, Church of the Transfiguration and Novena Church.
Yes, as we look back and recall the events that shaped 2017, we remember with thanksgiving. Yes, we thank God for His blessings and for being with us and bringing us to the last day of 2017 and that we can look forward to 2018 with hope in more blessings to come.
Today, the Church also celebrates a significant feast, the feast of the Holy Family, and the gospel begins with this:
“When the day came for them to be purified, as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ...”
For Mary and Joseph, much had happened and as they present the child Jesus to the Lord, they would surely want to give thanks that they were still holding on together.
From the Annunciation to the Presentation, there were events there were so significant and filled with mystery that is beyond reality.
Mary had a visit from the angel Gabriel who had a mission for her and she said “Yes”. Joseph had dreams and he also said “Yes”. They had to go to Bethlehem and together they said “Yes”. They accepted the stable as the place of birth for Jesus. And now, in obedience to the Law of Moses, they presented Jesus to the Lord.
But much had happened, and more is to come. The upright and devout Simeon came along and took the child Jesus in his arms. For him, at last, his eyes have seen the promised Saviour and his eyes can now rest in peace.
For Anna, the 84 year old widow, her vigil is over and she can now look forward to a peace-filled sunset.
But as for Mary and Joseph, they have to be prepared for what is to come. Especially for Mary, that sword will pierce her soul.
But the experiences of Mary and Joseph with the child Jesus are not just confined to themselves in the celebration of the feast of the Holy Family. Because it makes us think about the experiences of our own families.
We might remember that this feast is termed the “Holy Family” and not the “perfect family” or the “ideal family”.
And that is also the reality of our families isn’t it? Our families are neither perfect nor ideal, whatever perfect or ideal might mean.
But our families must strive to be holy, and here is where the Holy Family is the model for our families.
In spite of their trials and tribulations and having to care for and protect Jesus, they radiated holiness and brought peace to people who encountered them.
Simeon saw what his eyes longed to see and for Anna her waiting was over, and peace came upon them.
As we look at the senior members of our families, do we know what they are longing to see and do we know what they are waiting for? Are they waiting for us to visit them, and to bring the grandchildren to see them? May their waiting not be in vain, and may their eyes close peacefully with the sunset.
And about our children, are we forming them to love God first above all things? Do we bring them for Mass and Catechism classes on Sundays? It is not either-or; it is Mass and Catechism class.
Yes, it is tough to juggle Mass and Catechism class on a Sunday morning. But these are the formative years. If we choose Catechism class over Mass just because no one checks their attendance at Mass, then when they are done with Catechism class after Confirmation, they will also be done with Church.
Because if in their growing-up years, Mass is seen as optional, then in their later years, Church will also be optional.
It is certainly more beneficial to take the trouble and bear with the inconvenience now than to have the sword pierce our hearts later on.
As this feast tells us, it is about holiness in the family and the difficult and challenging task of formation in holiness.
Let us listen to this passage and see if it sounds familiar:
“The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.”
We may think it is some parent lamenting or the older generation complaining about the younger generation.
But that passage was quoted from Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher (469–399 B.C.)
Seems like nothing much has changed. But something must change.
Mary and Joseph formed Jesus in holiness and He changed the thinking of the world.
But we can’t just keep thinking about it; we need to get it going. Like the Holy Family, let us strive for holiness as we look forward to the new year.
Let holiness be our focus, and God’s blessings will be abundant.
Saturday, December 23, 2017
4th Sunday of Advent, Year B, 24.12.2017
2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-11, 16 / Romans 16:25-27 / Luke 1:26-38
Very soon we will be opening up our Christmas presents, if we have not opened them up already.
Regardless of whether we were naughty or nice, a Christmas present has a sense of surprise, or mystery.
Because it says something about the recipient and it also says something about the giver.
But nowadays the mystery or surprise is often taken away because to make the task easier we might be asked “What do you want for Christmas?” That makes it easy for the giver. But we better be specific about what we ask for.
A story goes that an angel appeared to a pious and devout man and told him that he will be rewarded with two wishes for being faithful to his prayers and good deeds.
The man thought for a while and said, “My first wish is to have the best wine.” And “poof!” there was a bottle of wine, he tasted the wine and it was very good. Then he said, “My second wish is to have the best woman.” And “poof!” and guess who? - St. Mother Teresa! (Who was he thinking of?)
Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent, and this time round, Christmas is just a day away. And as we come for Mass today, have we ever thought of asking God for a Christmas present? And if we are, then what are we asking for?
Whether or not we are asking God for a Christmas present, He has something to give us, and we don’t have to wait till Christmas Day to know what it is.
And if we are guessing what it is, well, it is not the best wine, not the best woman, but none other than Mother Mary.
Yes, God wants to present to us the gift of Mary on this 4th Sunday of Advent so that we can take a moment to think about what God wants to give us at Christmas.
But to begin with, the whole Christmas event began at the Annunciation, which was the account that we heard in the gospel.
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel Gabriel had a surprise for Mary. He had a present for her.
It was a surprise but in a way, also not a surprise. The present is to be opened nine months later. But the angel Gabriel had all the details of the present.
And it goes like this: “Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.”
So would Mary accept this present? Well she was disturbed and confused and so she said, “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin.”
And the angel Gabriel gave her even more astounding details like the Holy Spirit covering her with His Shadow, Elizabeth in her six month of pregnancy, and that nothing is impossible for God.
As Mary listened to all this, she could be thinking, “This is not what I wanted or expected. And why me?” And probably many other things were going on in her mind.
But here is where Mary has something to teach us. As much as she had her apprehensions and questions, she chose to listen. She listened to what the angel Gabriel had to tell her. And she believed, and blessed is she because she believed.
But of course, accepting that divine present was not without challenges and difficulties. Would Joseph believe her? And then the census were held and being heavy with child, she and Joseph had to make their way to Bethlehem, only to have doors shut to their faces, and giving birth in a manger, and then almost immediately having to flee from the evil Herod.
But she listened, she accepted the gift, she believed in the gift, and now Mary wants us to have that gift too. But like her, we must listen, we must believe that it is a divine gift.
A young man graduated from university with honours. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted for Christmas.
As Christmas Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of Christmas Day, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. Then he handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. He got angry, and he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money, you give me a Bible?” and he stormed out and left home.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but he also realised his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that Christmas Day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received news telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to go through his father’s important papers and then saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With a heavy heart, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse from the gospel of Matthew, 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was written “Merry Christmas”, and the words PAID IN FULL. If he had only listened to what his father said before giving him the gift.
Just a story to help us realize how many times we miss God’s blessings and gifts just because we can’t see past our own ideas and desires.
But today we are presented with the gift of Mary, who listened to what the angel Gabriel had to say. Mary chose to listen to what God had to say, though she had her own ideas and plans.
Mary listened and received the divine gift. May we also like Mary listen to what God is saying in the depths of our hearts so that Christmas will be indeed a celebration of the divine gift of Jesus in our hearts.
Very soon we will be opening up our Christmas presents, if we have not opened them up already.
Regardless of whether we were naughty or nice, a Christmas present has a sense of surprise, or mystery.
Because it says something about the recipient and it also says something about the giver.
But nowadays the mystery or surprise is often taken away because to make the task easier we might be asked “What do you want for Christmas?” That makes it easy for the giver. But we better be specific about what we ask for.
A story goes that an angel appeared to a pious and devout man and told him that he will be rewarded with two wishes for being faithful to his prayers and good deeds.
The man thought for a while and said, “My first wish is to have the best wine.” And “poof!” there was a bottle of wine, he tasted the wine and it was very good. Then he said, “My second wish is to have the best woman.” And “poof!” and guess who? - St. Mother Teresa! (Who was he thinking of?)
Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent, and this time round, Christmas is just a day away. And as we come for Mass today, have we ever thought of asking God for a Christmas present? And if we are, then what are we asking for?
Whether or not we are asking God for a Christmas present, He has something to give us, and we don’t have to wait till Christmas Day to know what it is.
And if we are guessing what it is, well, it is not the best wine, not the best woman, but none other than Mother Mary.
Yes, God wants to present to us the gift of Mary on this 4th Sunday of Advent so that we can take a moment to think about what God wants to give us at Christmas.
But to begin with, the whole Christmas event began at the Annunciation, which was the account that we heard in the gospel.
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel Gabriel had a surprise for Mary. He had a present for her.
It was a surprise but in a way, also not a surprise. The present is to be opened nine months later. But the angel Gabriel had all the details of the present.
And it goes like this: “Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.”
So would Mary accept this present? Well she was disturbed and confused and so she said, “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin.”
And the angel Gabriel gave her even more astounding details like the Holy Spirit covering her with His Shadow, Elizabeth in her six month of pregnancy, and that nothing is impossible for God.
As Mary listened to all this, she could be thinking, “This is not what I wanted or expected. And why me?” And probably many other things were going on in her mind.
But here is where Mary has something to teach us. As much as she had her apprehensions and questions, she chose to listen. She listened to what the angel Gabriel had to tell her. And she believed, and blessed is she because she believed.
But of course, accepting that divine present was not without challenges and difficulties. Would Joseph believe her? And then the census were held and being heavy with child, she and Joseph had to make their way to Bethlehem, only to have doors shut to their faces, and giving birth in a manger, and then almost immediately having to flee from the evil Herod.
But she listened, she accepted the gift, she believed in the gift, and now Mary wants us to have that gift too. But like her, we must listen, we must believe that it is a divine gift.
A young man graduated from university with honours. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted for Christmas.
As Christmas Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of Christmas Day, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. Then he handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. He got angry, and he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money, you give me a Bible?” and he stormed out and left home.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but he also realised his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that Christmas Day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received news telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to go through his father’s important papers and then saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With a heavy heart, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse from the gospel of Matthew, 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was written “Merry Christmas”, and the words PAID IN FULL. If he had only listened to what his father said before giving him the gift.
Just a story to help us realize how many times we miss God’s blessings and gifts just because we can’t see past our own ideas and desires.
But today we are presented with the gift of Mary, who listened to what the angel Gabriel had to say. Mary chose to listen to what God had to say, though she had her own ideas and plans.
Mary listened and received the divine gift. May we also like Mary listen to what God is saying in the depths of our hearts so that Christmas will be indeed a celebration of the divine gift of Jesus in our hearts.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B, 17.12.2017
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 / 1 Thess 5:16-24 / John 1:6-8, 19-28
I came across a group of children in a play-school playing a game. I guess the name of the game is “Who took the cookie from the cookie pot?”
Each child in the group is given a number except for one child who is the “cookie pot”. So the “cookie pot” will say “who took the cookie from the cookie pot” followed by “Number 3 (or whatever number) took the cookie from the cookie pot!”
The child who is number 3 will say “Who me?” Cookie pot will reply “Yes, you!” Number 3 will say “Couldn’t be!” Cookie pot will say “Then who?” and then Number 3 will say “Number 5 (or whatever number) took the cookie from the cookie pot.”
From there, the Cookie Pot and Number 5 will repeat the same question and reply.
Then whoever fumbles in the dialogue or forgets his number becomes the next “Cookie Pot”. And when there is a new Cookie Pot, the children are assigned new numbers. Young children will find it exciting, but for adults, this is children’s game.
Even though it may be children’s game, it may be a mean to train memory and the children have to remember their numbers and their lines. Otherwise, they will be the “Cookie Pot” and keep asking questions until someone fumbles.
In the gospel, the conversation between the priests and the Levites, and John the Baptist was like a “children’s game”.
- Are you the Christ? Who me? Yes, you! Couldn’t be! Then who?
- Are you Elijah? Who me? Yes, you! Couldn’t be! Then who?
- Are you the Prophet? Who me? Yes, you! Couldn’t be! Then who?
The priests and the Levites are like the “Cookie Pot” who kept asking questions and getting dead end answers from John the Baptist.
In their frustration, they said to him: Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?
John the Baptist stated clearly that he was not the Christ, not Elijah, not the Prophet, and then he said that he is “the voice that cries out in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.”
John the Baptist said that he was just a voice in the wilderness. But we know he was more than that. He came as a witness to speak for the Light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the Light, only a witness to speak for the Light.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus the true Light, we too like John the Baptist, are to be witnesses to speak for the Light.
And we can’t say “Who me? Couldn’t be! ” because if not we, then who? Our preparation in Advent is to witness and speak for the Light of lights, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.
It’s not just about putting up Christmas decorations and singing Christmas carols. There is more than just that.
A missionary priest told of how a few years ago, he made a visit to China where he met an elderly couple who were both doctors.
They had studied together in medical school, fallen in love and got married. She was a Catholic, he was not. She wanted to convince him to join the Church but he did not wish to be baptized. A short time later she had a child.
Then during one of China’s political movements, her husband with several other intellectuals, was arrested and sent to a labour camp. The separation was very difficult for the wife, who had to work long hours at the hospital during the day and care for her son at night.
In addition to her loneliness, she was under pressure from the government to divorce her husband and renounce her religion, so that she could gain political advantages.
But she refused. Every night after she returned home, she and her son knelt down to pray and ask strength from God to endure the difficulties.
At the end of the 1970s, she heard that her husband and other intellectuals were to be allowed to come home. When the day came, she and her son went to the railway station. The strange thing was that they were the only family members on the platform to welcome the men.
Then came the realization. All the other women were unable to endure the long separation, and had divorced and remarried. But that woman remained faithful to her husband. Deeply moved by her fidelity and her faith, her husband took instructions and was later baptized.
That woman and her son bore witness to the Light and her husband saw the Light and embraced the Light.
For many people in the world today, Jesus is a dim and abstract figure. Even “Merry Christmas” is being replaced with “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings”.
In the words of John the Baptist “there stands among you, unknown to you”. Yes, Jesus needs witnesses to make Him known. The world may know about Christmas but may not know who Christ is.
So, who are to be the witnesses of Christ at Christmas? Who else but us. If not we, then who?
Like John the Baptist, we must bear witness and speak for the Light so that everyone might believe and come to embrace the Light.
I came across a group of children in a play-school playing a game. I guess the name of the game is “Who took the cookie from the cookie pot?”
Each child in the group is given a number except for one child who is the “cookie pot”. So the “cookie pot” will say “who took the cookie from the cookie pot” followed by “Number 3 (or whatever number) took the cookie from the cookie pot!”
The child who is number 3 will say “Who me?” Cookie pot will reply “Yes, you!” Number 3 will say “Couldn’t be!” Cookie pot will say “Then who?” and then Number 3 will say “Number 5 (or whatever number) took the cookie from the cookie pot.”
From there, the Cookie Pot and Number 5 will repeat the same question and reply.
Then whoever fumbles in the dialogue or forgets his number becomes the next “Cookie Pot”. And when there is a new Cookie Pot, the children are assigned new numbers. Young children will find it exciting, but for adults, this is children’s game.
Even though it may be children’s game, it may be a mean to train memory and the children have to remember their numbers and their lines. Otherwise, they will be the “Cookie Pot” and keep asking questions until someone fumbles.
In the gospel, the conversation between the priests and the Levites, and John the Baptist was like a “children’s game”.
- Are you the Christ? Who me? Yes, you! Couldn’t be! Then who?
- Are you Elijah? Who me? Yes, you! Couldn’t be! Then who?
- Are you the Prophet? Who me? Yes, you! Couldn’t be! Then who?
The priests and the Levites are like the “Cookie Pot” who kept asking questions and getting dead end answers from John the Baptist.
In their frustration, they said to him: Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?
John the Baptist stated clearly that he was not the Christ, not Elijah, not the Prophet, and then he said that he is “the voice that cries out in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.”
John the Baptist said that he was just a voice in the wilderness. But we know he was more than that. He came as a witness to speak for the Light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the Light, only a witness to speak for the Light.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus the true Light, we too like John the Baptist, are to be witnesses to speak for the Light.
And we can’t say “Who me? Couldn’t be! ” because if not we, then who? Our preparation in Advent is to witness and speak for the Light of lights, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.
It’s not just about putting up Christmas decorations and singing Christmas carols. There is more than just that.
A missionary priest told of how a few years ago, he made a visit to China where he met an elderly couple who were both doctors.
They had studied together in medical school, fallen in love and got married. She was a Catholic, he was not. She wanted to convince him to join the Church but he did not wish to be baptized. A short time later she had a child.
Then during one of China’s political movements, her husband with several other intellectuals, was arrested and sent to a labour camp. The separation was very difficult for the wife, who had to work long hours at the hospital during the day and care for her son at night.
In addition to her loneliness, she was under pressure from the government to divorce her husband and renounce her religion, so that she could gain political advantages.
But she refused. Every night after she returned home, she and her son knelt down to pray and ask strength from God to endure the difficulties.
At the end of the 1970s, she heard that her husband and other intellectuals were to be allowed to come home. When the day came, she and her son went to the railway station. The strange thing was that they were the only family members on the platform to welcome the men.
Then came the realization. All the other women were unable to endure the long separation, and had divorced and remarried. But that woman remained faithful to her husband. Deeply moved by her fidelity and her faith, her husband took instructions and was later baptized.
That woman and her son bore witness to the Light and her husband saw the Light and embraced the Light.
For many people in the world today, Jesus is a dim and abstract figure. Even “Merry Christmas” is being replaced with “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings”.
In the words of John the Baptist “there stands among you, unknown to you”. Yes, Jesus needs witnesses to make Him known. The world may know about Christmas but may not know who Christ is.
So, who are to be the witnesses of Christ at Christmas? Who else but us. If not we, then who?
Like John the Baptist, we must bear witness and speak for the Light so that everyone might believe and come to embrace the Light.
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