How visible is Your Faith?

Wednesday 30th June 2021. Read Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 116 and Matthew 9:1-8 

“When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.’” (Matthew 9:2) 

Abraham went to the extent of tying Isaac on the pile of wood because he believed that God was capable of giving him more sons. Four men opened the roof of the house where Jesus was to bring in their paralytic friend because they believed that an audience with Jesus was all he needed to be healed. The question is: “What do your actions say about your faith?”

Some lessons in today’s readings include One, God sometimes puts us to the test. Abraham was tested, Job was tested, by asking his disciples to cross the sea at night, Jesus tested their faith. Jesus himself suffered temptation (testing) in the wilderness at the beginning of His public ministry. He suffered the same again at the Garden of Gethsemane. Tough times come to good people. They are moments of testing, moments we catch ourselves asking: “God, why me?”

As St. Paul says: “We rejoice in our sufferings (testing, temptations, etc.), knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” (Romans 5:3-5) Going through a tough time? Remain steadfast. Don’t give in to sin. Don’t give up on God.

Two, God rewards our faithfulness. Just as God provided for Abraham a ram for the sacrifice, God has a way of providing for us when we least expect. As long as you do not give up on God, He would make a way where there seems to be no way.

Three, we can never hide anything from God. Even the thoughts in your heart are very loud in the ears of God. Jesus told us that if our faith is as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains.

Four, physical healing builds on spiritual healing (forgiveness of sins, repentance; reconciliation with God). Jesus could see that the paralytic needed healing but He began by saying: “Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven.” When last did you go for confession?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from faithlessness and sinfulness. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 13 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 116 and Matthew 9:1-8).

Don't Beg Jesus to Leave You

Wednesday 30th June 2021. Read Genesis 21:5-20, Psalm 34 and Matthew 8:28-34 

“All the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood.” (Matthew 8:34)

Our Gospel passage today contains some rather puzzling realities. One, the two demoniacs felt offended by the mere presence of Jesus in their territory. They cried: “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come to torment us before the time?” Notice that these were the same words spoken by the demoniac in the synagogue (Cf. Mark 1:24, 5:7). Why do demons try to challenge Jesus? The same reason why they try to challenge the children of light; to intimidate and put fear in us. 

Two, once the demons noticed that Jesus was not afraid, they started begging. “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.” As a child of God, you have authority over the forces of darkness. If you know your true worth before God, you will never be afraid of demons. Jesus gave heed to their plea to teach us that the life of one human is worth more than a whole herd of pigs.

Three, it is baffling that Jesus would allow the demons enter the pigs instead of simply destroying them completely. This means the demons asked a valid question: “Have you come to torment us before the time?” There is a time for this final destruction which obviously hasn’t come yet otherwise, there would no longer be any demons in existence.

Jesus hinted on this when He said: “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, but he finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” (Matthew 12:43-45). This is why we have to let God take complete possession of us and never give any room to the devil.

Four, the reaction of the people upon seeing what had happened speaks volumes about their love for money. Rather than rejoice at the deliverance of the demoniacs, they simply begged Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. They probably assumed that if Jesus were to cure all the demoniacs in their city, there might not be any livestock left. Has it ever occurred to you that like these people, there are times we kick Jesus out of our lives all because of our pursuit of (or perceived loss of ) some material riches?

Five, just as Jesus accepted the plea of the demons and sent them to the pigs, Jesus agreed to walk away from their town peacefully when they asked Him to leave. God will never force His way into your life if you do not make Him welcome. I mean, we all have a choice, to be possessed by the Holy Spirit or to be possessed by the evil spirits such as lust, materialism (greed), wrath, pride, envy, gluttony, sloth, etc.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I never be so blind as to push you aside in any aspect of my life. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 13 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 21:5-20, Psalm 34 and Matthew 8:28-34)

Fight the Good Fight

Tuesday 29th June 2021. Read Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34, 2nd Timothy 4:6-18, Matthew 16:13-19

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) 

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 teaches us that the Christian life is tough, full of challenges and hardships, yet, it contains a lot of great rewards. 

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, but a fight against sin and evil. This fight 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. For his numerous missionary enterprises, Paul became of the greatest figures of early Church history. Hence, we are celebrating both saints together.

One thing that marks out the life of 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.

A Non-Catholic asked me: “Why do we celebrate the saints? Why do we remember them or mold statutes of the saints? Aren’t they just dead people?” In response, I drew her attention to the book of Hebrews 13:7-8 which states: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” More still, Jesus taught us that “He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:27)  

The images of the saints do not compete in any way with our worship of God rather they increase our devotion to God by whose grace and power the saints became what they are. In an age of so much scandal and corruption among Christians, celebrating the saints help us remember that we have mentors, we have heroes, we have people who once walked this earth and followed the footsteps of Christ to the end. If Paul and Peter could do it, then we too can do it.

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. (Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Bible Study: Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34, 2nd Timothy 4:6-18, Matthew 16:13-19).

For The Sake Of Ten Righteous Persons, I Will Spare the City

Monday 28th June 2021. Read Genesis 18:16-33, Psalm 103 and Matthew 8:18-22 

“Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there. He answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’” (Genesis 18:32) 

There are many in our society today who have sold their souls already to evil and regardless of how much you preach, they aren’t ready to repent. This is the story of the towns called Sodom and Gomorrah.

In Genesis 19:4 onwards, we read about how the men of the city gathered around the house of Lot demanding that he should release the men in his house so that they can have carnal knowledge of them.

The Apostle Jude says: “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise acted immorally and indulged in unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Yet in like manner these men in their dreaming defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile the glorious ones.” (Jude 1:7-8).

Abraham did all he could to negotiate for Sodom and Gomorrah and it was interesting to note that Lord was willing to spare the entire city if up to ten righteous persons could be found in the city.

This reminds me again of the rice and salt proverb. Only a little quantity of salt is required to cook a whole pot of rice. If the quantity of salt is too small, the whole pot of rice would be tasteless. A whole city can be destroyed because there are not enough good people who are genuine Christians.

To the man who wanted to follow Jesus, Jesus said: “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head because people prefer darkness to light. Why not give Jesus a space to lay His head and reign? Why not be among the ten righteous persons for which our nation would be spared of disaster?

Jesus said: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead.” For those not willing to repent, they are living dead. You cannot kill yourself for their sake. The best way to preach to them is to be good, you start shining. Be the best version of you. Be the salt that will make the entire pot of rice sweet.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to respond positively to your call every day. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Irenaeus, Bishop, Martyr. Bible Study: Genesis 18:16-33, Psalm 103 and Matthew 8:18-22).

Do Not Fear, Only Believe

Sunday 27th June 2021. Read Wisdom 1:13-24, Psalm 30:2-13, 2nd Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 

“And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’ While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’” (Mark 5:34-36) 

Last Sunday, we read from Mark’s Gospel, how Jesus told his disciples to enter a boat and cross to the other side knowing that evening had come and that there would be a storm that night. Jesus, being such a wonderful teacher wanted his disciples to have this experience to strengthen their faith in the face of very scary situations.

In the midst of the panic, the disciples were surprised to see Jesus sleeping and the cushion, and when they woke Him, He not only spoke to the winds and the sea, He said to them: “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” In today’s Gospel passage, we hear something very similar from the lips of Jesus, this time, He addressed the synagogue official whose daughter was feared dead: “Do not fear, only believe.” This brings us to our lessons for today:

1. Fear and Faith do not mix.

While fear is about expecting the worst to happen, faith is expecting the best to happen. When the disciples woke Jesus, they voiced their fear: “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” (Mark 4:38). They were expecting the worst. If you want to know the extent of your faith, examine the kinds of words you use in speaking about your situation.

When Jesus was close to the synagogue official’s house, some men came from his house saying: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" (Mark 5:35). The statement of these men represents another kind of fear, the fear that there are certain things God cannot do; the fear that in certain situations, prayers do not work.

While it seems very reasonable to expect the worst possible outcome, the Good News for us today is that no matter how bleak and gloomy our situation appears, we can change it by our Faith. That is to say, if only we start to expect a better outcome and commit the matter to God, we can change our situation.

2. Fear keeps us in the Crowd, Faith makes us stand out.

Whether you like it or not, there are more fearful people in the world than people of faith. Yes, fear is more popular than faith. People would rather live with all kinds of fear than faith. All through the Gospels, those who had personal encounters with Jesus were those whose faith was strong enough to bring them out of the crowd.

As we read in our Gospel passage, a great crowd gathered about Jesus but out of this great crowd, one man, Jairus, fell at Jesus’ feet (prostrating himself in worship) while imploring Jesus to cure his little daughter. He got the attention of Jesus.

Again while a great crowd was pressing around Jesus, one woman said to herself: “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.” (Mark 5:28). Her faith was so strong that power left Jesus even when He was not prepared to heal. Jesus had to stop to ask: “Who touched me?” Dear friends: “Is your faith strong enough to touch Jesus?”

3. Fear destroys us, Faith heals and uplifts us.

After the woman had owned up about her action, Jesus said something very beautiful to her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:34). This teaches us that Faith, by itself is capable of making us well. On the other hand, fear which hides under the guise of negativity only makes our situation worse.

Even natural science shows us that depression, hopelessness, and extreme sadness secrete certain enzymes into our bodies that are capable of making sicknesses worse or developing psychological complications. Fear attracts more negativity into our lives and prevents us from receiving the miracles God plans for us. When Jesus went to his own hometown, the people there were so negatively minded towards Him that “He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:5-6) 

When the men brought bad news to Jairus, Jesus did not even allow Jairus to respond before saying: “Do not fear, only believe.” And upon getting to his house, Jesus drove out all who were weeping loudly and speaking negatively. Mark tells us that Jesus put them all outside. The book of Hebrews tells us: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) If God is not pleased with us like these faithless sympathizers, He would push us outside.

Dear friends, to receive what God desires for you, you must drive away so-called friends who come to laugh at you pretending to be mourning with you; friends who only see negative outcomes and never expect anything good in your future; friends who kill your dreams by telling you that your ideas are impossible or unrealistic; friends who tell you that Jesus cannot help you; friends who have no faith. You must clear your inner space and welcome only Jesus by creating time for personal prayer and reflection daily. The healing only happened when Jesus was alone with the child and her parents.

4. Fear makes us stingy and self-centered; Faith makes us kind and generous.

In today’s second reading, St. Paul admonishes the Corinthians: “Now as you excel in everything -- in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us -- see that you excel in this gracious work also.  … For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich…  As a matter of equality, your abundance at the present time should supply their want…” (2 Corinthians 8:7-14).

St. Paul demands generosity from the Corinthians because he knows that they excel in faith. Generosity is always a product of faith. Once upon a time, Jesus sat opposite the treasury in the synagogue and noticed how people were giving. His attention was drawn to a woman who gave what seemed to everyone like a small amount but Jesus commended her because it was all she had. (Mark 12:41-44) 

For this woman to have given all she had, it means she trusts completely in God’s providence. In a sense, she behaved like the widow at Zarephath who was gathering sticks to make the last morsel of bread for her and her son but still had faith to make some for Elijah. (1 Kings 17:8-15) Her jar of meal did not run out and her oil was never spent.

Conclusion: Have Faith. God is Stronger than Death

Our first reading this morning says: “God did not make death, and He does not delight in the death of the living.” If Jesus could raise a dead girl to life, it is clear proof that He has power over life and death and we have no reason to fear anymore after we have prayed or committed an issue into His Hands.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my faith, save me from faithlessness and negativity. Strengthen my prayer life that my words may not contradict my heart. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Wisdom 1:13-24, Psalm 30:2-13, 2nd Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43).

Is Anything Too Hard For God?

Saturday 26th June 2021. Read Genesis 18:1-15 and Matthew 8:5-17 

“The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh?’ … ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son’” (Genesis 18:13-14) 

Whenever you become worried about anything after you have already prayed about it, this is the question you must ask yourself: “Is there anything too hard for God?” 

After twenty-four years of waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise, Abraham and Sarah had given up any hope of seeing this promised child. When this promise was renewed after Abraham’s act of kindness, Sarah took it as a joke.

What we learn from this episode is that nothing is too hard for God. As finite creatures, we are limited and dependent but God is not limited by time, space or anything you can think of.

The Centurion in our Gospel passage this morning knew this. Hence, he did not consider his house worthy enough to receive Jesus. The centurion knew that Jesus is God who is able to speak creation into being. Jesus spoke to the sea and it calmed, He spoke to the leper and his leprosy vanished. The centurion said: “Only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)

Unlike Abraham and Sarah who laughed at the thought of having a child in old age, the Centurion knew that there was nothing too hard for God to do. Do you believe that there is nothing too hard for God, that even that which troubles you right now is not difficult for God?

Another important lesson contained in our readings today is the importance of showing kindness to strangers. Abraham was relaxing in his home when he saw three men but he would not let them pass without giving them something to eat. Abraham’s behavior can be likened to that of the Shunamite woman who built a small house for Elisha and to repay this kindness, Elisha prayed for her to conceive. (2 Kings 4:8-17)

The book of Hebrews tells us: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) Learn to be kind, not because of the reward you expect but because it is just good to be good. If your goodness is based on reward, you might easily become disappointed but if you are kind for the sake of just being kind, the happiness you give out would always return to you.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, only say your word, and my soul shall be healed. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 12 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 18:1-15 and Matthew 8:5-17).

The Leper’s Faith

Friday 25th June 2021. Read Genesis 17:1-22, Psalm 128 and Matthew 8:1-4 

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

Propelled by faith, a Leper boldly walked up to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Even though he was a leper, his faith was stronger than his external condition. I will repeat this: Even though he was a leper, his faith was stronger than his external condition. He did not allow his circumstance determine the extent of his faith in God. 

While the leper believed that God was capable of doing anything, Abraham fell on his face and laughed when God told him that his wife Sarai would have a child. Abraham thought that God had already done his best with Ishmael. Like Abraham, we sometimes look at our external condition and assume what we have is the limit of what God can do. The truth is that there is just no limit to what can do.

When we examine the statement of the Leper, we discover that contained therein is a powerful lesson for us. This leper said: “Lord if you will, you can…” In other words, if you want to do it for me, you have the power to do it.

Recall how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane during his agony? “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39). The Leper did not command his healing from God. He begged that if it was in line with the will of God, he should be healed.

In response, Jesus said to the Leper: “I will, be clean.” Instantly, the leprosy left him. Just as Jesus spoke to the winds and sea, Jesus spoke directly to his leprosy. Jesus is the one who commanded his leprosy to leave. All we have to do is to pray with faith and allow God do the rest.

Whatever it is that you are facing right now, let these words of Jesus resound again in your heart: “I will, be clean.” Jesus assures us: “What man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 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!” (Matthew 7:9-11)

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, heal us from all our diseases and troubles. Grant us a deeper faith in you and the grace of humility when we approach you in prayer. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 12 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 17:1-22, Psalm 128 and Matthew 8:1-4).

John the Baptist and the Rest of Us

Thursday 24th June 2021. Read Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 139 Acts 13:22-26 and Luke 1:57-66.80

“The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.” (Luke 1:80) 

Today happens to be the birthday of Saint John the Baptist. Birthdays are always great days; they give us some time to reflect on the life of the celebrant. From the life of John the Baptist, we can see that no human life comes into existence by a mere random act. God is the one who brings human beings to life and long before we come out of our Mothers’ wombs, God already has a plan for our life.

John the Baptist was not yet born before God sent an Angel to Zechariah his father telling him how he would have a son despite his old age who will prepare the way for the Messiah. Long before John the Baptist was formed in the womb, he already existed in the mind of God.

Long before we were born, God knew our names and he had plans for our lives. This is what the Prophet Isaiah relates in our first reading: “The Lord called me from the womb, from my mother’s womb he named my name…”

Dear friends, if God already knows our name before we were born, it means he knew about us when we were formed in our mother’s womb. Abortion is the greatest act of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. By killing an unborn baby, we deny him or her the chance to live out the plans God already has for them. There is no justification for taking anyone’s life even if it is just a day old in the womb.

Names are not merely means of identification; names are spiritual. A person’s name can affect his or her life. Our Gospel passage this morning is a record of the naming ceremony of John the Baptist. The family members were planning to call him Zechariah after his father because they felt he would re-live his father’s life. But Elizabeth and Zechariah knew that this child had a destiny different from that of his father so they both opted for “John” instead.

It was just after naming the child that God restored his gift of speech. And guess what? Zechariah who used to complain and doubt a lot became a changed person; he sang the Benedictus, a song of praise to God. The people wondered: “What will this child turn out to be?” This is the same question we should ask ourselves each time we come across little children. Every child deserves respect, care and love because you can never know what the future of that child would be. This little baby you see today may one day be your life-saver.

Our second reading sums up the life of John the Baptist. He fulfilled his destiny. He prepared the way for Jesus. He drew people’s attention only to end up saying: “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 that, he had reached old age. He had finished his work and was now prepared to bow out.

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. (The Birthday of Saint John the Baptist. Bible Study: Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 139 Acts 13:22-26 and Luke 1:57-66.80).

By Their Fruits, You Shall Know Them

Wednesday 23rd June 2021. Read Genesis 15:1-12.17-18, Psalm 105 and Matthew 7:15-20 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”(Matthew 7:15) 

The difference between a good tree and a bad one is not in its shape, size, age or colour. Rather, it is in the nature of the fruits it produces. A tree may appear very nice on the outside but if it bears rotten fruits, it is a rotten tree.

It is not a secret today there are many fake men and women of God claiming to be sent from God but are not. Jesus warns us because of the damage that false prophets can produce. Be careful. If it is too good to be true, then it is probably not true.

It is easy to pretend, it is easy to deceive others; it is easy to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing but then, no matter how much we pretend to be who we are not, our fruits will eventually sell us out.

As Jesus told the Samaritan woman: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him.” (John 4:23).

In today’s first reading, Abram is in conversation with God. When God told him to look at the stars and consider their number as his descendants, Abram believed it completely. His faith in God was credited to him as righteousness. We may pretend about everything else but we can never pretend about our beliefs. In truth, what we believe determines the kind of fruits that we bear.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from self-deception and pretense. Amen 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 15:1-12.17-18, Psalm 105 and Matthew 7:15-20).

Awoof Dey Run Belle (Greed Kills)

Tuesday 22nd June 2021. Read Genesis 13:2.5-18, Psalm 15 and Matthew 7:6.12-14 

“If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left. Lot saw that the plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD… So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan… thus they separated from each other.”(Genesis 13:9-11) 

Would you dare to be the last man standing if you have to divide a piece of property between yourself and your cousin? Especially when it appears your cousin is now choosing the better part (or the part that appears to be better)?

Would you dare to be the last man standing when everyone around you is going left? From where do you derive your sense of worth, from the beautiful things of life you possess or from your relationship with God?

Jesus tells us today: “Enter by the narrow gate for gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many.” Do not follow the crowd. The fact that something is trendy does not mean you must be part of it. The fact that all your friends are doing it and society considers it okay does not make it right. You should ask: “Is it in accord with God’s words?”

We live in a society that believes it can ignore God completely and still find happiness. We live in a society where people are ready to do anything, even sell their own organs just to afford the beautiful things of this temporal world; the same beautiful things that Lot saw and chose.

Lot, like many Christians today choose material prosperity over spiritual prosperity. Lot knew that the men of Sodom were “wicked, great sinners” but he didn’t mind. Christian preachers would not even dare mention the word “sin” but would spend hours teaching people how to make money, how to live big and achieve financial freedom.

Truth must be told, the gospel of prosperity has only helped to produce more greedy Christians than ever before – Christians who will see all the red flags of a scam and still convince themselves that God is about to bless them.

Abram’s behaviour is worth commending. First, God called him alone but he choose to go with Lot. Lot became rich by his association with Abram but soon Lot’s wealth became so much that there was now a quarrel between his servants that those of Abram. Still, it was Abram who sued for peace. He asked Lot to choose first. Abram was willing to settle for less so long as Lot was happy. Abram was not greedy.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to choose right, to stand by you even if the world around me falls to evil. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 13:2.5-18, Psalm 15 and Matthew 7:6.12-14).

Responding to God’s Call

Monday 21st June 2021. Read Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33 and Matthew 7:1-5 

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.’”(Genesis 12:1) 

When God is about to do something great and wonderful among humans, He begins by calling one person. The call of Abram in today’s first reading serves like a foundation or a mould for so many other calls contained in the Bible.

In the case of Abram, there was no resistance or questioning. Even though Abram did not know where God was calling him to, he simply obeyed leaving his father’s house and his native country behind.

Like Abram, God continues to call us today to accomplish His will and purpose. If we listen well, we would hear God’s voice in the depths of our hearts. This might happen while reading a bible, listening to a sermon or even while doing our everyday activities.

Again, like Abram, God’s call often demands action. We realize that we become restless until we have obeyed the voice of God. In the case of Abram, God wanted him to leave his Father’s house. In your case, it might be that God wants you to leave a particular sinful relationship or stop a bad habit. It might be that God wants you to take your prayer life more seriously and so on. Whatever be the content of your call will, it will be so clear that you would know it is coming from God.

In the Gospel passage, we come across another type of call. This one comes from Jesus himself. It is a call to EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. A call to constantly look inwards to take out the logs in our own eyes before attempting to remove the specks in our neighbors' eyes.

Both calls require movement and sacrifice. While Abram had to let go of his father’s land, we too are called to let go of our pride by examining our own lives rather than judging.

Let us claim the blessing of Abraham as we too respond to the Divine Call. I will make of you a great nation! Amen. And I will bless you. Amen. And make your name great, Amen. So that you will be a blessing, Amen. I will bless those who bless you, Amen. And him who curses you I will curse, Amen. And by you, all families of the earth shall bless themselves. Amen.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I like Abram move today from my old ways and worship you truly. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of week 12 in Ordinary Time, Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Bible Study: Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33 and Matthew 7:1-5).

God Never Sleeps

Sunday 20th June 2021. Read Job 38:1,8-11, Psalm 107, 2nd Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:35-41

“Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40) 

Last Sunday, we learnt that the season of ordinary time is a season of growth. In today’s readings, we get to learn more about how we are to overcome challenges and obstacles to achieving spiritual growth. Let us now consider the lessons contained in today’s readings:

1. “On that day, when EVENING had come . . .”

Why do fishermen prefer to go and catch fish at night? It is a moment of calmness, peace and quiet. In the same way, Satan tempts us the most when things are calm with us; when you have just passed an exam, when you have just received an answer to your prayer, when you suddenly hit jackpot in business etc., These are evening moments in the life of Christians, moments when the desire to pray is no longer there, moments when we crave relaxation. Evening moments are times when we sleep spiritually.

2. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us GO ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE…”

As much as evening is a time for relaxation and heavy temptations, evening is also the time that God prefers to lift a soul to a higher spiritual level. Consider the fact that Jesus often spent whole nights in prayer. (Cf. Luke 6:12). What do you do in the evening when the atmosphere is calm and quiet? Don’t be like the disciples of Jesus who were dozing off when he wanted them to watch and pray. (Cf. Matthew 26:40-46)

Coming back to our Gospel passage today, Jesus knew it was evening already and there would a serious storm that night but He asked his disciples to enter the boat and cross to the other side. Jesus wanted to use the experience to strengthen their faith. You wonder, why does God allow calamity in our lives? Simple answer: That through our trials, we may learn not to trust in ourselves but in the power of God.

What is this other side? Is it just another geographical location? No. The other side here represents a deeper faith and higher level of commitment with God. There are certain experiences you face that change you, certain things you go through that make you convinced that truly, God exists.

The other side is what St. Paul speaks of when he says in today’s second reading: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come.” You have to go to the other side to become a new creation. For some, this might be a near-death experience, a miracle least expected, or an event that brought them to total conversion such as that of St. Paul on his way to Damascus. He had gone there as Saul to persecute Christians but he left as Paul the evangelizer spreading the Christian faith.

3. “And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat…”

There is nothing more frightening to sailors and fishermen than a storm while at sea. The truth is that as the disciples faced a great storm that night, we all face storms in our lives; situations and events which threaten our entire lives and bring us to the point of complete helplessness, confusion, and panic.

Certain things just happen and we are shocked, thrown off balance, and demoralized. For instance, nothing prepared Job for the storm he faced. In one day, he lost everything he owned including his children and before you know it, he was afflicted with sickness in his own skin. Coincidentally, our first reading today is taken from the book of Job where we hear God responding to Job after all his questionings.

One thing we must know is that whether our storms are physical or spiritual, God would never allow them to come to us unless it is ultimately for our good. God always has a plan. I like the words of St. Paul to the Romans in chapter 8 verse 28 which states: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

4. “But Jesus was asleep on the cushion…”

Storms do not end because we pray. Storms only come to an end when they have achieved their purpose. Storms come to an end when we have learned our lesson. Unless the storm has achieved its purpose, it always seems as if our prayers are in vain. It seems as if God is sleeping. It seems as if God does not care, as if God is silent.

Mark tells us that Jesus was asleep on the cushion. How did Jesus manage to sleep despite the running up and down and the loud shouting of the disciples who were trying to rescue their boat from capsizing? Remember, it was because of the storm that Jesus asked his disciples to enter that boat that night. Jesus wanted to teach them a lesson; to show them what to do and how to react in a storm. What was this lesson? Fear Not.

Dear friends, I have good news for you. God never sleeps. God will never turn a blind eye to your situation. God sees. God knows. God hears. God can feel what you are going through. He may appear silent but He perfectly knows what He is doing. He has put you in a tunnel that is dark because He knows it will take you somewhere where you will see the light again. As the Psalmist says: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)

5. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”

This question that Jesus asked his disciples is one that we must sincerely ask ourselves today. “Why am I afraid?” “Where is my faith?” Fear is the opposite of Faith. When there is fear, it means there is no faith and when faith is present, fear vanishes. As we have noted above, Jesus wanted to use this experience to strengthen the faith of the disciples – to show them that:

_One: He is God; that all power belongs to Him (Cf. Matthew 28:18)._ By speaking to the storm, Jesus reminded them of God the Father who spoke the world into creation and it obeyed. Jesus used this experience to open the eyes of his disciples to His Divinity as He did with Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration. The disciples got the message when they asked themselves: “Who is this, that even the winds and sea obey Him?”

_Two: When we Have Jesus in the same boat with us, we should not be Afraid._ Fear is something natural to us. It is an impulse built into our psyche. Nevertheless, in moments of fear, the question we should be asking ourselves is: “Is Jesus in the same boat with me?” That is, “am I walking in the light of Christ?” The disciples should have known that there was no way the boat would sink since Jesus was there and this knowledge should have calmed their nerves.

Where Jesus is present, nothing spoils but when we are not on the same boat with Jesus, when we are walking in sin and disobeying His commands, then we are just on our own! The couple at Cana needed not be afraid because they were wise enough to invite Jesus and his mother to their wedding. (Cf. John 2:1-11).

When you are about to take any decision, always ask yourself if Jesus is part of it. Is Jesus a captain in my ship or just an afterthought? Is Jesus the special guest of honour on this occasion I am planning? These are very important questions to ask so that if later on, challenges and storms break-in, your consolation would be to just know that Jesus is there.

Finally, our psalmist this morning says: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercies endures forever.” Brothers and sisters, let us learn to give thanks to God always. Even when things are not working, God’s mercies never cease. God never sleeps.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my trust in you, strengthen my faith when storms come my way and help me to get through my dark moments knowing that you are always there with me. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Job 38:1,8-11, Psalm 107, 2nd Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:35-41).