Hate Evil and Love Good

Wednesday 1^st July 2020. Read Amos 5:14-24, Psalm 50:7-17, Matthew 8:28-34.

“What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29)

Our first reading this morning explains the popular, yet very controversial quote that “the prayer of a sinner is an abomination in the sight of God.” Does God abhor the prayer of a sinner? How then do we explain the prayer of the tax collector in the parable of Jesus who without looking up to heaven prayed? “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13).

To say the prayer of the sinner is an abomination to God is to say only half of the whole truth. God loves sinners but hates sin. God says: “I hate, I despise your festivals… even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon… But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:21-24).

Worshipping God is not just a matter of avoiding sin, it is more importantly about doing good deeds. Seek the good, love what is good, establish justice in your gates and let righteousness flow from your actions. As Jesus says: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14).

We cannot claim to love God and love sin at the same time. If truly we love God, we must have a zero-tolerance for sin and all forms of evil so much so that like Jesus, our very presence becomes a threat to demons. We must hate sin so much that evil people become completely uncomfortable in our midst.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you cured the demoniacs, cure me of my sinfulness. Amen.

Happy New Month. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 13^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Amos 5:14-24, Psalm 50:7-17, Matthew 8:28-34).

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Little Faith; Large Fears.

Tuesday 30^th June 2020. Read Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12, Psalm 5, Matthew 8:23-27)_

“Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26)

Behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves, but Jesus was asleep. Just as the disciples were shocked to find Jesus sleeping while they were facing a great storm, many of us today just cannot understand where God is in the midst of this pandemic that is threatening almost all life on earth.

Is it possible that Jesus was not aware of the storm and the fact that the boat was at the point of sinking? Of course, as a man Jesus was truly asleep but as God, being all-knowing and all-powerful, Jesus allowed the storm to test the disciples’ faith. As St. James puts it: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

The question is not whether or not we face trials and difficulties, the question is: “How do we react or respond when we face such moments?” Being human, the most reasonable thing to do when faced with such situations is to become afraid (that is, to expect the worst). In the words of the disciples: “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” Do you notice the contradiction in this prayer? They acknowledged that Jesus is Lord but within that same breath, they talked about perishing.

If they truly believed that Jesus is Lord, why would they be having negative thoughts of perishing? Surely, like these disciples, we believe that Jesus is Lord and we have some level of faith to pray but even while we pray, we remain overwhelmed by fear; we call on God not necessarily because we expect a better outcome but just out of habit. At times, we pray without even considering the amount of negativity issuing from within. We have faith but it is just too little.

Are you facing a storm? I am sure you have prayed about it already but you don’t feel too confident that your prayers will work. Right? Calm down now and imagine the best, hold on your imagination for as long as you can. Visualize your future just as you have prayed. Know that it will happen. The next step is to use the power of gratitude to boost your faith. Start singing praises to God. Count your blessings. Recall how God helped you in the past. Don’t allow any complaint formulate in your heart, it is the devil trying to make you think less of God. Be positive and all you will see are possibilities.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, when I fear, teach me to be calm and expect the best. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 13^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12, Psalm 5, Matthew 8:23-27).

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The Good Fight.

Monday 29^th June 2020. Read Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34, 2^nd Timothy 4:6-18, Matthew 16:13-19.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

As we celebrate two of the greatest pillars of the early church today; Saints Peter and Paul, our readings today are basically set on a tone of encouragement. The life of Saints Peter and Paul teach us that the Christian life is tough, full of challenges and hardships, yet, it contains a lot of great rewards if we do not give up.

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul describes the Christian life as a fight and a race. It is not a fight against flesh and blood (people), but a fight against sin and evil as such it requires a dress code; the belt of truth, the shield of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and so on. (Cf. Ephesians 6:13-18).

The Christian life is also race; a race to be perfect as God is perfect. Just as “athletes exercise self-control in all things to receive a perishable wreath,” we must discipline ourselves to win the imperishable crown of glory. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

From the experience of Peter, we learn that the Christian life involves active listening to the Holy Spirit. “Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven.” (Mathew 16:17). For his ability to hear from God, Peter was made the head of the Church; a task that did not come without its unique cross and challenges.

One thing that marks out the life Peter and Paul was their unstoppable zeal for evangelization. They were ready to sacrifice everything (including their own lives) for the sake of God. They suffered a lot but God never abandoned them. On many occasions, they received Angelic visitations and even miraculous deliverance from the hands of their enemies as we see in today’s first reading.

Do you feel called to this kind of life? Let nothing discourage you. It is not an easy life, it is tough and strenuous but at the same time, it is sweet and beautiful. God will always be there to guide and direct you.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, like Peter and Paul, use me to continue this great work. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Bible Study: Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34, 2^nd Timothy 4:6-18, Matthew 16:13-19).

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Put God First: You Will Surely Be Rewarded.

Sunday 28^th June 2020. Read 2 Kings 4:8-11.14-16, Psalm 89, Romans 6:3-4.8-11 Matthew 10:37-42.

“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37-38)

Last Sunday, Jesus while encouraging us not to be afraid of people tells assures us that we are important to God who knows even the number of hairs on our head. Like Jeremiah, we may encounter resistance from people but this should not stop us from proclaiming God by our words and deeds. Otherwise, if we are ashamed of God here on earth, God would be ashamed of us in heaven.

Our Gospel passage today is somehow a continuation of that of last Sunday. Jesus is still instructing the twelve apostles as He sends them out to preach the Gospel. Indeed, Jesus is repeating the same message but this time with very compelling graphic illustrations. What is this message? How relevant is it for us today? What other lessons do our readings today present to us?

1. Seek First God’s Kingdom.

The summary of both last Sunday and this Sunday’s Gospel passages and the one message Jesus want us to grasp is: SEEK FIRST GOD’S KINGDOM. We must place God above all our desires and goals; we must fear God more than we fear any human being, we must love God more than our father or mother and more than our own children; we must love God even more than our own very lives; we must be ready to make whatever sacrifice or let go of whatever is demanded of us for the sake of God.

Seeking first God’s kingdom can be understood as working for God, taking care of the things of God, ensuring that the church (the house of God), is kept clean and sparkling all the time). It also entails providing for the needs of those who have dedicated themselves to the work of God and by so doing have made themselves poor. This is what we see in our first reading today. The woman of Shunem provided food for Elisha in his journeys and with the help of her husband built him a small house so he could rest whenever he came around. This woman did this not just for Elisha as a person but for God.

2. Seeking God First Always Requires a Sacrifice.

Seeking first God’s kingdom also entails dying to sin and walking in righteousness. This is what St. Paul teaches us in our second reading today. “So you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11). Whenever we are faced with temptation, we are made to choose between doing what God desires and doing what the devil desires; a choice between obeying God and satisfying our bodily craving for pleasure. Of course, this is never an easy choice to make.

For instance, Jesus was very hungry but when asked to change stones to bread, Jesus said: “man shall not live by bread only but every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Are you addicted to the sin of the flesh? Know this: no matter how many times you have fallen before, your will is yours and no force on earth and none in hell can take away your will. You still have what it takes to choose what comes out of the mouth of God, to do what is right, to let go of that ungodly desire.

In all the temptations, Jesus always sought God first. This is why He refused to put God to the test by jumping down from the pinnacle of the temple. Again, Jesus placed God above the craving for wealth and prosperity by refusing to bow to Satan in exchange for all the riches in the world. (Cf. Matthew 4:1-11). In building a house for Elisha, this woman sacrificed a lot; that money would have been used for something else but she felt God’s own is more important. Seeking first God’s kingdom always requires a sacrifice. It is never the most convenient option for us – it is a cross we carry as we attempt to follow God.

Jesus says unless we are willing to carry this cross unless we are ready to pay the price, to deny ourselves of pleasures and our cravings and even material comforts we are not worthy of following Him. If the only reason we are serving God is just to take from God, if there is nothing we are sacrificing on our part, we would soon fall away when these goodies we seek are not forthcoming.

3. There is Always a Reward for Seeking God First.

As much as seeking God first comes at a cost, as much as there are sacrifices we are to make, the truth is that the reward we get at the end of the day is always bigger. As the Psalmist puts it: “He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6). Whatever good you do for the sake of God, even if it is as little as giving someone a cup of water to drink, there is a greater reward awaiting you.

Making a sacrifice to die to a particularly bad habit (addiction) would at first seem like suicide (you think you would die if you stop it), but in the long run, you realize that you have freed yourself from bondage; that your life is now happier and healthier. This is what Jesus means when He says: “He who loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39). The devil might be telling you that if you stop watching pornography, you will die or that if you end a particular relationship, you would lose money or even your job or no one will take care of you anymore and so on. Don’t listen to the devil. Trust Jesus. There is a greater life awaiting you. Don’t be afraid.

Jesus also speaks of a prophet’s reward, a righteous man’s reward and a little child’s reward. This takes us again to our first reading. In appreciation for the house she built, Elisha thought of how to say “thank you” and when Gehazi told him she had no child, Elisha assured the woman of Shunem she would embrace a son. Dear friends, the reward we get for serving God is always greater than whatever sacrifice we make. In fact, when we really look at it, we realize we never lost anything at all.

Nevertheless, we must bear one thing in mind, the woman of Shunem did not build the house for Elisha with the hope that by so doing, she would have a child. She never expected anything in return. She built the house because like Peter who wanted to build three tents during the Transfiguration, she felt a sense of God’s presence whenever Elisha came by. Giving to God always comes with a reward but it is never an investment. God is not a money doubler neither does He withhold His blessings to punish us for not giving. Give when you see a real need not just because you want something back. Don’t just give money or gifts, accompany your giving with a righteous life. God can never be bribed.

Conclusion: Give Thanks to God Always.

Our calling is to seek first God’s kingdom, to give priority to the things of God over and above our own desires and especially above our sinful inclinations. There is a great reward for seeking first God’s kingdom but our motivation must go beyond this reward. Our worship of God must come from a pure heart not from a business-oriented mind.

Above all, as our Psalmist today sings, we must sing forever of God’s mercies. That is, we must never stop singing praises to God. The more we sing to God, the more we realize He has done so much for us already and that our troubles are very light for Him. Even our constant singing reminds us to seek God first in all we are doing. In fact, in moments of temptation, the best thing to do is to start singing praises to God and the devil will run. Is it possible to be singing worship songs while engaging in sin? Of course not. If anything, your singing would become the voice of your conscience at that moment. So never stop singing praises. “Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33). Carry God on your head and He will carry your problems for you.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, into your hands I surrender my whole being. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: 2 Kings 4:8-11.14-16, Psalm 89, Romans 6:3-4.8-11 Matthew 10:37-42).

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Believing is Seeing.

Saturday 27^th June 2020. Read Lamentations 2:2-19, Psalm 74:1-7, 20-21, Matthew 8:5-17)_

“Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith…. Go; let it be done for you according to your faith. And the servant was healed in that hour.” (Matthew 8:10-13).

Our first reading today, taken from the book of Lamentations expresses the pain, sorrow and frustration of a people taken from their homeland and made to live like slaves in a strange place. By displacing the Israelites, the Babylonians sought to make them forget their history but more important to make them forget the living God. Many Israelites actually lost faith in God.

Years before the Babylonian deportation, God had sent so many prophets to warn the people to repent of their sinfulness but they persecuted and killed these prophets. Even their kings gave themselves over to the worship of foreign gods. As the saying goes, the grass always looks greener on your neighbour’s lawn. It is a fact of history that people do not value what belongs to them until it is taken away from them.

Just as the Israelites fancied foreign gods made of wood, iron and stone, many of us Christians believe more in charms, occultic powers and forces of darkness. Some of us even try to combine our worship of God with active participation in such circles. We are neither here nor there. Dear friends, where exactly do you belong?

The irony of life is that while we look down on what is ours, others value it more. While many were struggling to believe in Jesus, a Centurion; that is, a Roman Soldier in charge of a hundred soldiers had enough faith to see that Jesus is God; that He only needs to speak the word and the whole world would obey. Even Jesus was amazed at his great faith: “in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” Can Jesus say this of you too? Do you believe there is power in prayer?

The lesson we learn today comes from the statement of Jesus to the Centurion: “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” If my faith was money, how much would it worth? Before you start asking God for anything, ask sincerely: “Am I expecting it to happen?” Just as He touched the leper, Jesus touched Peter’s mother-in-law and she was cured instantly of her fever. We have an opportunity to touch Jesus today when we receive Holy Communion but the question is: “Do I believe that Jesus would heal me when I touch him?”

Dear friends, we cannot deceive God, we cannot pretend when it comes to faith. As one great man said: Faith is the assurance of things not seen but the reward of faith is to see those things we hoped for. Do I believe in the power of God?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my faith in you that I may never disappoint you by going after false gods. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 12^th Week in ordinary time. Bible Study: Lamentations 2:2-19, Psalm 74:1-7, 20-21, Matthew 8:5-17).

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Trust in God Only.

Friday 26^th June 2020. Read 2 Kings 25:1-12, Psalm 136 & Matthew 8:1-4.

“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2)

While today’s first reading contains a very sad tale of King’s Nebuchadnezzar’s capture of Jerusalem, our Gospel passage presents us with a comforting story of the mercy and love of God in the healing of the leper. This seeming contradiction is beautifully summed up by the leper’s plea: “If you will (if you want to), you can make me clean.”

If God wanted to, He would have prevented the army of Babylonians just as He fought for the land of Judah during the time of King Hezekiah who refusing to surrender to King Sennacherib of Assyria went down on his knees to pray. In just one night, one hundred and eighty-five thousand men fell. Meanwhile, King Zedekiah having no trust in God or in the power of prayers tried to escape under the cover of darkness with all his fighting men in whom he trusted.

This story in our first reading is recorded to serve as a reminder to us of the need to place all our trust in God. Our Psalmist sings: “Let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not.” The problem of the Israelites back then is still a typical human problem today; when all is going well for us, we forget God; we assume we are in control, we begin to seek vainglory and boast as if our achievements are based on our personal effort. Whenever we forget God and start trusting in ourselves (our connections, riches, security mechanisms etc.), God shows us that we are just dust.

The leper clearly understand his total dependency on God but at the same time, he knew that God’s will was superior to his personal desires. He must have been listening when Jesus was teaching the prayer: “your will be done on earth as it is heaven.” Going through the entire Gospels, we find this pattern: first the Word, then the miracles. When we listen to the Word of God and allow it to permeate our spirit, we catapult ourselves to the realm of miracles.

Jesus was so impressed by this leper’s confession of faith that He reached out to touch him. “Of course, I want to! Be cured!” It was a taboo to touch a leper but by so doing, Jesus was literally taking his leprosy upon Himself so that the leper might receive life. In reality, what Jesus did for this leper is what He does for all humanity. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes, we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and unworthy of you, please touch me today, touch me from the depths of my spirit and let your healing power flow. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 12^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Kings 25:1-12, Psalm 136 & Matthew 8:1-4).

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Those Who Say Lord, Lord.

Thursday 25^th June 2020. Read 2 Kings 24:8-17, Psalm 79 and Matthew 7:21-29)_

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel passage are quite blunt and direct. It is not all those who call on the name of God or identify as Christians that would behold the blessedness of heaven.

Who are those Jesus is referring to as saying ‘Lord, Lord’? We the prayer warriors; we who prophesy, cast out demons and do mighty works in God’s name. We are the ones who would not allow our neighbours to sleep because of the volume of our loudspeakers during all-night service.

What happens after these mighty prayer sessions? What happens after all the shouting of “Amen, I receive it”? What happens in the secret of our homes when no one watching?

As Jesus puts it: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’ (Matthew 7:22-23)

We may be prayer warriors, miracle workers, but so long as we allow sin fester within us, we run the risk of being kicked out of heaven on the last day. Don’t just listen to the Word, practice the faith. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.” (Matthew 7:24).

Avoid shallow Christianity. Be a doer of the word. Let it not be that the only reason you are a Christian faith is simply to receive miracles, breakthroughs and prosperity. If this the case, you will not be able to withstand the rains, floods and winds that would come your way. If you are simply an Amen-I-receive-it-Christian, you would soon fall away when trials and difficulties come.

In today’s first reading, we see the story of king Jehoiachin who despite becoming king at a very early age continued to walk in the abominable ways of his predecessors. Rather than surrender to God, Jehoiachin thought he would be safe by surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar. It was his worst mistake. Trust in God, not in human beings.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give the grace of authenticity as I follow you. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 12^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Kings 24:8-17, Psalm 79 and Matthew 7:21-29).

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Celebrating St. John the Baptist

Wednesday 24^th June 2020. Read Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 139 Acts 13:22-26 and Luke 1:57-66.80

“And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.” (Luke 1:64)

 Today is June 24. It is now six months before Christmas. Today, we are celebrating the birthday of the one of whom the Angel Gabriel spoke when he said: “Your kinswoman, Elizabeth, the one whom people call barren is now in her sixth month for with God, nothing will be impossible.” We celebrate the birth of John the Baptist not just because it was a miracle, but it also marked the beginning of God’s plan for the redemption of man.

From the life of John the Baptist, we can see that no human life comes into existence without God knowing it. Long before we were formed in the womb, we already existed in the mind of God. As the Prophet Isaiah relates in today’s first reading: “The Lord called me from the womb, from my mother’s womb he named my name…” Abortion is the greatest act of man’s inhumanity to man. John the Baptist was not yet conceived before God sent an Angel to Zechariah to inform him he would have a son. What would have been of this child if he was aborted?

Our Gospel passage today is a record of the naming ceremony of John the Baptist. The family members were planning to call him Zechariah but Elizabeth and Zechariah knew that this child had a different destiny. They both opted for “John”. As soon as he wrote the name on a tablet, Zechariah’s speech was restored and he who once doubted God sang the Benedictus, praising God. Zechariah must have complained so much that he completely lost faith in God hence Angel Gabriel had to shut his mouth. Whenever you catch yourself complaining, please shut up. Sing praises instead.

The people wondered: “What will this child turn out to be?” This question is answered in our second reading. John the Baptist did the most beautiful work of preparing the ground for Jesus Christ. We can never understand our life looking forward, we only understand it looking back. Stop asking what tomorrow holds for you, you will not find the answer. But when you look back and connect the dots, you realize that God has always been there all through your life.

John the Baptist knew his purpose, he was not in competition with anyone, he did not try to be like anyone else. He fulfilled his destiny. He prepared the way for Jesus. When he became so popular he said: “I am not he. No, but after me, one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.” The moment John the Baptist said this, he had reached old age. He had finished his work.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my respect for the life of the unborn. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of the Birthday of John the Baptist. Bible Study: Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 139 Acts 13:22-26 and Luke 1:57-66.80).

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The Narrow Door of Faith.

Tuesday 23rd June 2020. Read 2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-35,36, Psalm 48:2-4,10-11 Matthew 7:6,12-14)_

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14)

Our first reading today contains a very beautiful story: the miraculous defeat of the Assyrian army led by King Sennacherib who dared to make a mockery of God. There are indeed so many lessons to learn from this reading.

King Sennacherib sent a letter to King Hezekiah saying: “Do not let your God on whom you rely deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Behold you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the lands, destroying them utterly. And shall you be delivered.”

This was a direct message of threat not only to King Hezekiah as a person but even to God. But see how Hezekiah responded. He simply took the letter from the messengers and went up to the house of the Lord, spread it before the Lord and prayed. The prayer of Hezekiah can be likened to that of Jeremiah which we read on Sunday.

When faced with threats from enemies of the faith, let us learn to surrender completely to God. Hezekiah, like Jeremiah, simply went down on their knees to pray. “Lord, you test the mind and heart, let me see your vengeance against them for to you have I committed my cause.” (Jeremiah 20:12) When we display such faith and confidence in God, He always responds. As Jesus would say: “even the hairs of your head are numbered, do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Cf. Matthew 10:28,30).

Do not panic. Just pray and surrender. Let God do your fighting. As soon as Hezekiah finished praying, the Spirit of the Lord roused the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz and he spoke an oracle which came to pass exactly as he said. That night, and Angel of God struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. King Sennacherib woke up the next day to see that nothing was left of all he had trusted. With great shame, he retreated on exile to the land of Nineveh.

The question is: “If you were in Hezekiah’s shoes, and you received such a frightening message, what would you have done?” Be honest with your answer. Just as Jesus said in today’s Gospel passage, not many people would be this confident in God’s ability to save them. Trusting God is a very narrow and difficult route, those who find it are very few. We claim to pray to God, yet we fear human beings more than we fear God.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, when I am afraid, teach me to call upon you with deep faith and trust. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time. 2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-35,36, Psalm 48:2-4,10-11 Matthew 7:6,12-14).

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The Speck and the Log.

Monday 22nd June 2020. Read 2 Kings 17:5-18, Psalm 60:3-13, Matthew 7:1-5

“Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)

Why do I notice the speck in my neighbour’s eye but do not notice the log in my own eye? Simple answer: I can’t see the log. Isn’t the log bigger than the speck? The truth is that I have an ego that likes to think of itself as perfect. I become blind to my faults and limitations even though I can barely stand these very limitations in others.

I guess you may have heard the saying that “if you want to catch a thief, employ a thief.” In reality, that which I try to fight in others is the very reflection of my own darkness. If only I am able to tell myself the truth, then I can come out of the darkness.

From time to time, God gives me the opportunity to hear the truth from others but the truth, being too bitter to swallow is perceived as an insult. Rather than accept it and begin to make amends, I start fighting the person who was courageous enough to tell me. I become defensive and start arguing that I am right while they are wrong. I surround myself with praise-singers instead who only help to inflate my ego. Persons who tell us the truth are not easy to come by. People would rather praise you just to make you happy to get something from you.

To see the log inside, we must practice the act of examination of conscience. At the end of each day, begin by recalling the good things you did that day. Then go through your day again, this time identify those things you are ashamed of. You may want to write down everything and if you do, this becomes your own spiritual journal. By examining our conscience every day, we soon begin to see the log in our eye.

Jesus is not saying we shouldn’t correct others. He says “first take out the log in your own eye, and then YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” You cannot help someone simply by judging and condemning them. If you have never been in that person’s shoes, you would never really understand what they are going through. First, cure your blindness, then you can see what the problem is.

If you want to change the world, be the change. Work on your inside. Not many people can compose and sing a beautiful song but almost everyone is an expert in judging a bad song. It is easier to criticize than to create. We like to blame our inadequacies on others. In our first reading today, we see how the people of Israel suffered because they refused to listen to several prophets that God sent to them who warned them to repent.

Don’t be stubborn. Look inwards and begin to work on those things that others have said to you which you brushed off as mere insults. They are not insults, they are just glimpses of the log you cannot see.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to change and to be a better person every day. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Kings 17:5-18, Psalm 60:3-13, Matthew 7:1-5).

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Do Not Be Afraid of Men.

Sunday 21^st June 2020. Read Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 69, Romans 5:12-15 and Matthew 10:26-33

“Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

Fear is a natural defence mechanism of the human body. It is a force that prevents us from moving forward once we sense or predict danger ahead. All our fears (including the tiniest fear) is ultimately the fear of death. No matter how tough and difficult life may be, the truth is that no one wants to die. Hence, at the threat of death, people are ready to do anything and this is our major weakness. Is it even possible to overcome fear completely? What do we do when our life is threatened as a result of our Christian values and beliefs? How do we respond to those who hate us and seek our downfall by all means? These are some of the lessons contained in today’s liturgy.

1. Always Remember That You Are Sent.

The first key to overcoming fear as a Christian is to constantly remind yourself that you do not belong to this world. You cannot be here forever and when your time comes, you must give an account of your life. Our Gospel passage today is part of the instruction Jesus gave to the twelve apostles while sending them out to evangelize. Jesus knew that this would not be an easy assignment for them. He knew he was sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves; that they were going to face a lot of resistance, threats and persecutions from people who prefer darkness to light.

Like these apostles, all of us Christians have also been called to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Cf. Mark 16:15) as such, Jesus’ words apply directly to us. Knowing that we come from God and are simply sojourners on earth gives us a great edge. We are not easily moved because we know that our true life can never be threatened. Standing before Pilate, Jesus said: “If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.” (John 18:36).

Since we do not belong to this world, there is really no point trying to preserve our life on earth at the detriment of faith. Jesus would say: “Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:33). Let not the threat of death prevent you from saying the truth or doing what is right. “Nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Matthew 10:26) 

2. Choose Whom To Fear.

Knowing that we are sent entails that we never lose sight of the one who sent us. As we noted earlier, fear is a natural defence mechanism, it is normal to be afraid. We cannot prevent ourselves from being afraid but we can always choose who we are to fear. Of all the things that frighten us, there is only one valid fear; it is the fear of God and scriptures teach us that this fear is the beginning of wisdom. According to Job, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning (the crown, the root) of wisdom.” (Cf. Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 15:33, Sirach 1:12,16,18,27, 19:20, 21:11).

Having gone through these passages of Scripture, I must conclude that the only reason we are afraid of people when they threaten us for doing what is right is because we are not afraid of God. We take God for granted when we are moved by threats from ordinary human beings like us. As Jesus puts it: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28).

If as a result of our fear of what people can do to us, we disappoint God and commit sin, there is a greater danger awaiting us. “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:36-38). 

Once upon a time, a man name Alexandro tried to have carnal knowledge of a twelve-year-old girl by name Maria Gorretti but the more he tried, the more she refused. When he then threatened to kill her, she looked at him and asked, “Do you not fear God? If you commit this sin, you will go to hell. I would rather die than sin against my God.” St. Maria Gorretti was really afraid but she feared God more than she feared Alexandro. Even at that early age, she had acquired the wisdom of the ages, she continued preaching as she received several blows of the knife from Alexandro.

3. Know That You Are Important To God.

Another reason we should never be afraid of people is that we serve a God who is never far away from us, a God who sees everything that is happening to us, a God who is more than capable of defending us and granting us victory from all evil. The Psalmist says: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:4-5).

Jesus re-echoes these words in today’s Gospel passage when He said: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31). Listen, like Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego who were thrown into the blazing furnace or like Daniel who was thrown into the Lions’ Den, God for whom nothing is impossible knows how to defend you. They were not afraid of people and God came to their rescue. Another example of a man who was not afraid of people was Mordecai. He wouldn’t bow or worship Haman, a man who thought himself to be god. Haman conspired not only to kill Mordecai but to wipe out the whole nation of Israel. In the end, Haman was hanged in the very gallows he had constructed for Mordecai. (Read Esther 1 to 9).

Dear friends, God surely knows how to defend His own. If it is not His will that you should suffer, then know that these threats to your life are simply a test of your faithfulness. Remain with God, don’t give in to sin. As Jeremiah declares in today’s first reading: “The Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 20:11)

4. Your Duty is to Sing Praises and Pray: The Battle Belongs to God.

When you are really afraid, open your mouth and start singing praises. Be like Paul and Silas who were able to sing from prison and the glory of God manifested mightily. The chains were broken and all the prisoners were set free. Even the jailer was converted that night and he who inflicted blows on Paul and Silas treated their wounds, took them to his own house and fed them.

Faced with threats on every side from many who wanted his downfall, Jeremiah prays a prayer of surrender: “O Lord of hosts, who triest the righteous, who seest the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance upon them, for to thee have I committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.” (Jeremiah 20:12-13). Surrender to God and relax.

Conclusion: Fear God, Better be dead than Sin.

St. Paul in today’s second reading explains the social character of sin. When we sin, we do not suffer the consequences alone. So many are affected. No wonder Jesus warns us saying: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42). Let not your fear of people cause you to sin, compromising to evil will bring about the downfall of others looking up to you. Do not become a scandal.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, please take away the fear of people from my heart. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 69, Romans 5:12-15 and Matthew 10:26-33).

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