God Never Fails; His Words Must Surely Come to Pass

Wednesday 1st December 2021. Read Isaiah 25:6-10, Ps. 23, Matthew 15:29-37

“And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the throng wondered when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.” (Matthew 15:30-31)

As at the time of Isaiah, the people who listened to him could only imagine what he was talking about. Nonetheless, as we see in the Gospel passage, the prophecy of Isaiah became a reality in the feeding of the multitude. Dear friends, the message for us today is very simple: Everything that God has revealed in the Bible must surely come to pass. God never fails.

Even our Responsorial Psalm today sings of God as a shepherd who never lets his sheep down. A shepherd who gives his sheep repose along fresh and green pastures, a shepherd who guides the sheep along the right path. A shepherd who never abandons his sheep even when they walk through the shadow of death, who prepares a table for the sheep even in the presence of the enemies.

I perfectly understand if things appear very tough for you right now. Know that even in the midst of all the difficulty you are facing now, God has not changed a bit. God has not failed you yet. God is always answering our prayers 

When I feel down, when I am tempted to start asking God “Why this or why that?” I always remind myself of this verse: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.” (Romans 8:28).  

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my faith and conviction in your word. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 1st week of Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 25:6-10, Ps. 23, Matthew 15:29-37).

Saint Andrew and the Rest of Us

Monday 29th November 2021. Read Romans 10:9-18, Ps. 19:2-5, Matthew 4:18-22

“For, ‘everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:13-14)

How many of us would leave everything behind to follow Jesus like Andrew, Simon, and the two sons of Zebedee? How many of us are willing to sacrifice our time, our intelligence, our money, our resources, our connections, etc. for the sake of God’s kingdom?

Today’s Gospel passage comes from Matthew. In John’s account, we are told that Andrew was the first person to be called by Jesus and he was the one who went to tell his brother Peter about Jesus.

Andrew would later introduce to Jesus a young lad who had five loaves and two fishes which Jesus blessed, broke, and shared for more than five thousand persons. Andrew was fond of introducing people to Jesus. (John 6:8-11). This characteristic of Andrew is what I call basic evangelization.

Just as Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus, the Feast of St. Andrew introduces the Church to the season of Advent.  St. Paul in today’s first reading says: “How beautiful are the feet of one who brings Good News.” 

Indeed, how beautiful were the feet of Andrew when he ran immediately to tell Simon Peter: “We have found the Messiah.” How beautiful are the feet of St. Andrew today as he announces to the Church: “Advent is here! Prepare your hearts for Jesus!” Indeed, how beautiful are your feet, hands, lips, etc. when you talk to people about Jesus? 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, use me like Andrew to bring people to you. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Andrew, Apostle – Feast. Bible Study: Romans 10:9-18, Ps. 19:2-5, Matthew 4:18-22).

The Advent Spirit

Monday 29th November 2021. Read Isaiah 2:1-5, Ps.122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Matthew 8:5-11

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:3)

During this season of Advent, one of our most common hymns is “Come Lord Jesus!” As we call on Jesus this season of Advent, the Centurion in our Gospel passage gives us the right disposition and outlook that should necessarily accompany our call.

We learn from the centurion to have the attitude of humility bearing in mind that we are indeed not worthy to have Jesus come to us. Humility is not just a matter of thinking less of myself, it is thinking big of the God I serve. If only I knew how big God is, rather than see prayer as a waste of time, I would consider each minute I spend praying as a privilege.

Secondly, we learn from the Centurion the need for faith. He had no iota of doubt in his heart about what Jesus could do and he approached Jesus with the firm assurance that by simply speaking the word, his servant would receive healing.

Thirdly, we learn from the Centurion the need to show care and concern for the people living with or working for us. At times, our workers are sick and we don’t even go to check on them. The Centurion going by his name must have been a busy man yet, he found time to come looking for Jesus because of his servant.

Isaiah speaks of a time when nations should beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Jesus was willing to go to the Centurion’s house because he didn’t want his servant to remain sick. We pray that Jesus would come and heal our sickness and bring relief to our pains. We pray that this Christmas would be a time of peace, a time of abundance, and not of war. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, bring us healing and teach us to trust you like the Centurion. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 1st week of Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 2:1-5, Ps.122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Matthew 8:5-11).

Look Up, Raise Your Head; Your Redemption is Drawing Near.

Sunday 28th November 2021. Read Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:4-14, 1^st Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 and Luke 21:25-36)

“But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life.” (Luke 21:34)

Dear friends in Christ, Christmas is just around the corner again. It is true that many do not celebrate Christmas. There are even some Christians that are against the celebration of Christmas, there are those who argue about the origin of the feast, the date of the celebration, the kind of activities which tend to be associated with Christmas, the fact that Jesus Christ did not mandate us to celebrate his birth, the fact that evil-minded people tend to take advantage of our happiness during this season and so on and so on.

Nevertheless, the fact is that whether anyone likes it or not, Christmas this year will not be canceled. We are going to celebrate it but to make the best of our celebration, we must prepare very well for it. If you want this Christmas to be your best ever, start your preparations now. This is the whole essence of this four-week period before December 25th.

The truth is that some have started mundane preparations already such as the year-long contributions in meetings and associations, the buying of cows, bags of rice, the rearing of chickens, goats, rabbits, the shopping for new clothes and shoes, the repainting of their houses and hanging all sorts of decorations and lights.

These are mundane preparations that may help in our enjoyment of Christmas but without spiritual preparation, without actually focusing our thoughts on Christ, without reminding ourselves of the second coming of Christ, without repainting our hearts and ridding ourselves of sin, we are just wasting our time and money. To help us get the best of Christmas, the church offers us a season of deep spiritual preparation which is called Advent. 

1. What is Advent?

The word Advent means “coming.” Who and what is coming? Our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, there are two types of “coming” that we celebrate at Advent, the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh (which is a commemoration of the Virgin birth of our Christ) and the second coming of Christ at the end of time. During the season of Advent, we think of the events leading up to the birth of Christ but we also remind ourselves that Christ will come again; that this whole world will soon end. This is why our readings today are laden with end-time (apocalyptic) imagery. 

2. What are we Supposed to do During Advent?

Jesus answers this question in our Gospel passage today: “Take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

The purple vestment we wear during Advent speaks volumes in the sense that it reminds us of the season of Lent. Considering what Jesus says in today’s Gospel passage, we cannot but conclude that Advent is a just like lent – it is a time of:

a. Spiritual Vigilance against temptations, persecutions and attacks from the evil ones. Of course, this requires going for confession and being on guard lest you fall into temptation.

b. Abstinence from drunkenness (over-indulging the flesh; gluttony, immorality etc.) Take a look at the Advent candles. What do they say to you? This is a time to let your light shine not a time to disgrace Christ in the name of celebrating his birthday.

c. Prayerfulness. Advent is a time to pray more than ever before. If it is true that the evil ones tend to take advantage of this period of festivities to wreak havoc on people’s lives and property, then the best defense we have is PRAYER. Pray against road accidents, insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery, inflation, e.t.c. If there is anything at all that makes you worry this period, pray about it. Devote more time to prayer. 

3. What is the Ultimate Aim of Advent?

The whole essence of Advent in the words of Jeremiah in today’s first reading is R I G H T E O U S N E S S. Jeremiah says: “Behold the days are coming… at that time, I will cause a righteous Branch to spring from David and he shall execute justice and righteousness… And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”(Jeremiah 33:14-16)

To fully get Jeremiah’s message in our first reading, it will help to read the whole of Jeremiah chapter 33. In fact, in verses 7, 8, and 9 God speaks through Jeremiah saying: “I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth.”

This city shall be to me a name of joy! Do you know that there is a kind of joy that comes to us when we are able to conquer our flesh? This is the joy God wants us to have and this is why we must battle sin and pursue righteousness more than ever before during this Advent period. If we observe our Advent properly, our joy on Christmas day would not simply be about the fact that Jesus was born, our joy would be that we have been able to conquer certain bad habits and sinful behaviors in our lives.

St. Paul crowns everything up with a very powerful prayer in today’s second reading; a prayer that we are going to pray for ourselves now and throughout this Advent season: “May the Lord make (…me…) increase and abound in love to one another and to all men… so that He may establish (…my heart…) unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

Let us pray: Lord Jesus at your second coming, whenever it may be, may you meet my heart in a state of purity and holiness. May I be among those to receive your commendation; not your condemnation. Amen

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (First Sunday of Advent. Year C. Bible Study: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:4-14, 1^st Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 and Luke 21:25-36).

Do Not Allow Your Heart Be Weighed Down

Saturday 27th November 2021. Read Daniel 7:15-27, Daniel 3:82-87, Luke 21:34-36

“But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life.” (Luke 21:34)

There would be tough times. The Christian life is not a bed of roses, be sure to meet resistance from the world whenever you seek to walk in the light. Nevertheless, as Jesus says, let not your hearts be troubled; let not your hearts be weighed down by worry, anxiety, and the cares of this life.

This is how we gain victory over the devil; by not allowing ourselves to be weighed down by our lack of the riches of this world. If Jesus Christ was so concerned about the cares of this life, he would have fallen for the devil’s temptations. Do not allow your heart to be weighed down; continue to trust God. No matter how tough things may be, continue to put God first, continue to obey His commandments.

How can we live above worries and the cares of life? Jesus tells us: “Watch at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place.”

Prayer is the key to avoiding worry. When we don’t pray enough, we begin to carry unnecessary burdens. Remember that song: “What a friend we have in Jesus…” There is a line of that song that says “oh what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry our burdens to Jesus.”

In other words, why worry when you can pray? You may ask: “I prayed in the past but things have not changed?” Continue to pray. Jesus says, pray at all times. Pray, not because you have problems, pray in obedience to Jesus’s command – at all times regardless of how things may be for you.

Before the advent of digital photography, pictures were developed from negatives meaning that photographers had to go into the “darkroom” to produce quality pictures. This fact teaches us something about life: our best days are not before but after the negatives. Sometimes life forces us into the darkroom, not to punish us but to wash us so that our brightest selves may shine out. 

Do not let anything weigh you down. Keep shining. Keep praying. Keep being good! 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, when life is tough, teach me to look beyond the blues and rest knowing that I am always in the palm of your hands. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 34 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Daniel 7:15-27, Daniel 3:82-87, Luke 21:34-36).

A King Whose Reign Lasts Forever

Friday 26th November 2021. Read Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Luke 21:29-33

“And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)

In our first reading today, Daniel narrates the contents of his dreams; the visions of the night. Daniel spoke in human language. He tried to describe what he saw using analogies that we can understand. As such, if we simply take Daniel’s vision at face value, we would only have a very imperfect image of God. God is simply beyond our imagination, God is greater than what words can express.

Daniel’s vision can be likened to a blind man trying to describe an elephant by touching one part of its body. God is beyond scientific observation or explanation. God is Father, Son, and Spirit. God is Love. In fact, don’t try to intellectualise God, just worship Him.

The other aspect of the vision corresponds perfectly with an image of Jesus Christ. He is the “one who came like a son of man.” Jesus himself in the course of his earthly life referred to himself as ‘Son of Man’ several times. “And to Him was given dominion… his dominion is an everlasting dominion… one that shall not be destroyed.”

In speaking about Jesus, St. Paul confirms: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). 

God is a king that can never be destroyed. He is greater than anything we can ever imagine or think of. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end the one who made us and sustains our life. As Jesus assures us today, “Heaven and earth may pass away but my words will not pass away.” Let us renew our faith and confidence in him every day casting off our fear of evil spirits, as we know, no one is greater than God.  

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my love and devotion to you every day and may I serve you as my king and Lord all my life. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 34 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Luke 21:29-33).

The Evil That Men Do Live With Them

Thursday 25th November 2021. Read Daniel 6:12-28, Daniel 3:68-74, Luke 21:20-28)

“So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions -- they, their children, and their wives; and before they reached the bottom of the den the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.” (Daniel 6:23-24)

Daniel correctly interpreted the handwriting on the wall. Everything took place as he said. The kingdom was divided between the Medes and Persians. A new King arose, Darius who sought friendship with Daniel. Now there arose some “enemies of progress” who envied Daniel. They hatched out a plan to destroy him knowing Daniel does not joke with his prayer life. They made Darius issue a decree preventing anyone from prayer.

When Jesus Christ spoke of the events of the end time, he said: “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity… men fainting with fear and with foreboding…. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28). In another passage, Jesus said: “Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:33).

Daniel had so much confidence in the power of God that he went as far as opening his windows so that all the people would see clearly that he didn’t stop praying. Daniel did not seek to preserve his life. He landed in the lions’ den for praying but God raised him to life again by shutting the mouths of the lions.

No matter what you are going through right now, do not worry! Just remain steadfast, don’t give up on God, don’t stop doing what is right. No matter what you are made to suffer, don’t worry, just keep your hands cleans and never stop praying. God sees you and He fights for you. 

The fate of Daniel’s conspirators is very similar to that of Haman who had prepared gallows to hang Mordecai not knowing he would be the one to die on it. (Esther 6&7). The evil that men do live with them. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, I place my trust in you. I resolve to deepen my prayer life and let not anything stop me from observing all my daily prayers. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 34 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Daniel 6:12-28, Daniel 3:68-74, Luke 21:20-28).

Fear God; Respect what is Dedicated to Him

Wednesday 24th November 2021. Read Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28, Daniel 3:62-67, Luke 21:12-19 

“Then they brought in the golden and silver vessels which had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Immediately the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand; and the king saw the hand as it wrote.” (Daniel 5:3-6)

Imagine coming home one day only to meet your children scrubbing the floor diligently with your most expensive piece of clothing. The sin of King Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar in today’s first reading is the sin of sacrilege.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Number 2120: “Sacrilege is profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God.” This includes the church building itself, sacred vessels, linens, liturgical books, the crucifix, rosaries (and other sacramentals), as well as items such as the pulpit, the chairs, and persons dedicated to God. 

Belshazzar knew what those vessels were meant for but he was trying to challenge the existence of God and he got what he deserved. Let us examine our hearts: Do I respect sacred vessels, linens, books, and other items used for liturgical worship? Do I even treat the church as God’s house?

On the other hand, do I respect persons who have been consecrated to God? David refused to strike Saul even when he had the opportunity, not because of Saul’s personal credibility but because David considered him as God’s anointed. Is this my attitude to consecrated persons today? A lack of respect for things dedicated to God is a lack of respect for God Himself.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus teaches us that tough times don’t last but tough people do. There would be some sacrifice for our faith; we may have to suffer many things but as Jesus concludes: “by your endurance, you will gain your lives.” 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my respect for what is yours. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saints Andrew Dũng-Lạc & Companions. Bible Study: Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28, Daniel 3:62-67, Luke 21:12-19).

Dreams, Visions, Signs, and the Future

Tuesday 23rd November 2021. Read Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 3:57-61, Luke 21:5-11

“A great God has made known to the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” (Daniel 2:45)

God still speaks to us today in so many ways and sometimes through dreams. It happened that God revealed the future of the kingdom to King Nebuchadnezzar in his dream. He knew this dream was not ordinary and it so disturbed him that he had to seek out an interpretation. Perhaps, given his past experience of being deceived by his officials, Nebuchadnezzar also asked for the content of the dream itself.

Truth be told, a lot of persons would rather hazard a guess and claim it was God who revealed such an interpretation. So many so-called men and women of God tell lies in the name of God when it comes to interpreting the dreams of their followers. In recent times some prominent prophets have predicted the future or said things on the altar that proved to be completely false. I wonder how they get such audacity to lie in God’s name while at the same time preaching God’s wrath upon those who sin against Him.

Of all the wise men and spiritual practitioners in the land, only Daniel was able to tell Nebuchadnezzar his exact dream and offer an interpretation. As St. Paul would say, there are a variety of gifts. Daniel’s gift was the ability to tell and interpret dreams. Try to discover your unique gift and be humble enough to admit when you do not have a particular gift; avoid deceiving others.

Daniel explained to the King the meaning of his dream – God was showing him what would happen in the future. Coming to our Gospel passage, we also see Jesus talking about the future; the fact that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, and that many false prophets would come claiming to Christ.

As Jesus would advise us, we should not be so concerned about the future. Avoid running from one priest (or pastor) to another hoping they would tell your future. Bear in mind that it is not every dream that is a revelation. God is not limited to dreams. 

In fact, do not be so concerned about knowing the future that you forget the present. Jesus says, “Yes, the world would end but for now, just get busy.” Make full use of the gifts and talents God has bestowed upon you. Spread the kingdom of God so that upon His return, the Master may find you doing what He commanded, and that your talents would have yielded abundant fruits. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me discover my gifts and use them judiciously as Daniel did. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 3:57-61, Luke 21:5-11).

Appearance is Not Reality

Monday 22nd November 2021. Read Daniel 1:1-6,8-20, Daniel 3:52-56, Luke 21:1-4

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.” (Luke 21:3-4)

When it comes to serving God, we must be willing to go the extra mile, even to deny ourselves of certain worldly “privileges” to give God his rightful place in our lives. In our first reading today, we see how Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah went the extra mile by denying themselves of the so-called rich food of the king as a way of giving God his rightful honor.

Their decision to abstain from the king’s food seemed like punishment but in the end, they looked better fed and more nourished.

There are so many evils today that are considered normal in our society today such as stealing, cursing, fornication, malice, worship of money, adultery, stealing, indecent dressing, taking bribes, gossiping, etc. Like Daniel and his colleagues, we are called upon to abstain from evil even if “everybody is doing it.”

Apart from the fact that we can survive without getting involved in such evils, we would be better in the end than those who engross themselves in such acts in the name of “enjoying life.” Learn from the Daniel experience, give God His due and God will take care of you.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus again pointed out the difference between appearance and reality. A woman put in two copper coins into the treasury which appeared like the smallest contribution anybody would make yet it happened that her offertory was the greatest among all those who gave.

This woman’s contribution can be likened to the act of Daniel and his colleagues. Just as they denied themselves of the king’s food, this woman denied herself of all the money she had trusting that God will provide for her. Behold, Jesus immediately noticed her. When we act with such faith, God responds immediately. 

Do I have this level of trust in God? Am I willing to let go of the world’s goods for the sake of my faith in God?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, I put my trust in you. Give me the grace to stand out from the rest of the world. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr (Memorial). Bible Study: Daniel 1:1-6,8-20, Daniel 3:52-56, Luke 21:1-4).

Worshipping Christ as Our King.

Sunday 21st November 2021. Read Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 93:1-5, Revelation 1:5-8 and John 18:33-37

“So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this, I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37)

Today is the last Sunday of this liturgical year. Today is the Sunday of all other Sundays. Today we celebrate the solemnity of all other solemnities; the solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe. All our celebrations of Christ from His birth, through his preaching, passion, death, and resurrection culminate in today’s celebration: Christ is the King and as we hear in today’s Gospel passage, this kingship of Christ is not of this world. The meaning of this is that Christ’s kingship is not like other earthly kingship. If the kingship of Christ is not like the kingships we are used to, how then is it like? If Christ is a king, where is his kingdom located, and how does this kingdom relate with other kingdoms? These are some of the points we shall examine in this reflection.

1. Is Jesus Christ a King?

When Pilate asked Jesus if he was a king, Jesus responded by saying: “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” This response of Jesus is heavily loaded. That Christ is a King is an indisputable fact to which all our readings today testify yet this kingship is not based on public opinion but on individual faith. It is one thing to call Christ a king simply because others are saying so but a different thing to actually acknowledge Christ as “my” King and worship Him as a King truly deserves.

The sad tale of our faith is that we call Christ a king, yet we do not allow Christ to reign in our lives, in our places of work, in our dressing, in our homes, in our conversations, in our hearts. Every year, we join the procession to publicly worship Christ as our king but the moment we get home, that becomes the end of Christ’s kingship for us. Sin, evil, and the quest for material things begin to reign strongly in our lives.

Today, the question Christ is going to ask us is: “Are you singing, dancing, and clapping hands, kneeling, bowing, and jumping up and down because I am your king or because others have said so?” If it is because others have said so, then you would soon like Pilate to give the order to crucify Jesus but if you are truly convinced of Christ’s kingship, Christ would reign in your life, in your bedroom, in your smartphone, in your office/business environment, in your dealings with people, even in your most secret chambers.

 2. Where is Christ’s Kingdom Located?

In our Gospel passage today, we hear Jesus say to Pilate: “My kingship is not of this world. If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews.” Does this mean Christ is only the king of heaven and has no power over this earth? No. Otherwise, how then do we reconcile the statement of Daniel in our first reading who noted: “to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him…”? or with the statement in our second reading that: “every eye will see him… and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.”

When Christ says His Kingdom is not of this world, he was not talking about its location but its operation. Christ is the King of the Universe (heaven and earth inclusive) but the kingship of Christ does not follow worldly principles. 

3. How does Christ’s Kingdom Operate?

To answer this question, let us examine the statement of Christ to Pilate: “if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews.” In one stroke, Jesus summed up the essence of all worldly kingdoms while at the same time highlighting the distinguishing superiority of His Kingship. While all worldly kingdoms fight and go to war for fear of losing power, the servants of Christ do not need to fight because nothing whatsoever can threaten the Kingdom of Christ. While the working principle of worldly kingdoms is fear, the working principle of Christ’s kingdom is love.

Do you notice that earthly rulers and kings are the most fearful kind of people? They know that their own lives, as well as their very kingdom, are always at risk of perishing so they invest heavily in their personal security, using all kinds of sophisticated weapons and trained military force to defend their ever-fragile kingdoms. They are always ready to fight once threatened yet not a single earthly kingdom lasts forever. Christ did not fight with the Roman authorities to defend his power as King of the Universe, instead, he loved all men to the point of being a sacrificial lamb for our salvation. The Romans themselves were once a world power but where are they today?

If we say we belong to Christ’s kingdom, why do we engage in useless fights with people? Why do we allow hatred, bitterness, malice, and lack of forgiveness to linger in our hearts? Why do find it difficult to love others like Christ did sacrificially?

4. Conclusion

Yes, Christ is a King. His kingship does not depend on us. Christ remains a King whether or not we worship Him. His Kingdom is an everlasting one. Nothing whatsoever can threaten Christ’s power. Our celebration today is an acknowledgment of Christ’s superior power over this world and the whole universe. We profess to be part of Christ’s kingdom but our membership of this kingdom should not begin and end with our singing and dancing all over the streets today, we must allow Christ to reign as king in every aspect of our lives including our most secret places. As members of Christ’s kingdom, we must operate according to the principle of love, the willingness to sacrifice rather than to fight others knowing that we are part of a kingdom that is greater than all this world has to offer. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, I worship you as my king forever and ever. Amen.

Happy Last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of Christ the King, Year B. Bible Study: Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 93:1-5, Revelation 1:5-8 and John 18:33-37).

God is Not Dead. He Never Sleeps. Wickedness Never Lasts

Saturday 20th November 2021. Read 1 Maccabees 6:1-13, Ps. 9:2-4,6,16,19, Luke 20:27-40 

“But now I remember the evils I did in Jerusalem. I seized all her vessels of silver and gold; and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judah without good reason. I know that it is because of this that these evils have come upon me; and behold, I am perishing of deep grief in a strange land.” (1 Maccabees 6:12-13)

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus explains the meaning of resurrection to the Sadducees who did not believe that the dead could rise again. If these Sadducees were modern-day Christians, I guess they would have asked Jesus to show them where it is written in the Scriptures that the dead are to rise again.

The Sadducees asked Jesus a question about a woman who married seven brothers desiring to know whose wife she would be in the resurrection. This question revealed their limited understanding of life after death. Jesus explains that in the resurrection, we are going to be like the Angels – pure spirits who would not need to marry or give birth.

Jesus quoted from the Scriptures to support his point. He referred them to the passage of Moses in the burning bush. The Sadducees were conversant with that passage but it never occurred to them the full implication of this passage. He is God, not of the dead but of the Living.

King Antiochus Epiphanes, after all his evil deeds, died in shame with tears and sorrow. In his own words: “I remember the evils I did in Jerusalem … I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judah without good reason. I know that it is because of this that these evils have come upon me, and behold, I am perishing of deep grief in a strange land.” 

Our Psalmist today sings: “For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hopes of the poor ever perish.” When it seems as if evil people are succeeding, don’t worry, just keep trusting in God, don’t give up hope, don’t stop being good. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, when I feel like giving up because of the many evils around me, strengthen me to move on. May I remain faithful to you till death. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 33 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13, Ps. 9:2-4,6,16,19, Luke 20:27-40).

The Double Assurance of Victory

Friday 19th November 2021. Read 1 Maccabees 4:36-37,52-59, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 & Luke 19:45-48

“Then said Judas and his brothers, ‘Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.’ So all the army assembled and they went up to Mount Zion.” (1 Maccabees 4:36-37)

Anyone who sets out to fight for truth, righteousness and holiness always wins in the end. The victory of Judas and his brothers which we read about in today’s first readings over the evil king Antiochus is a victory that assures us of God’s great hand of support when we fight for Him.

There is a song we sing often: “Who can battle with the Lord? Who can battle with the Lord? I say nobody. I say no-body.” Can anyone destroy God? The book of Proverbs 18:10 says: “the very name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and they are safe.”

When it comes to fighting, King David is one great example of a man who fought wars and defeated giants even from his very childhood. David revealed his secret in 2nd Samuel 22:2-4 when he said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge, and my saviour – from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

However, unless we fight the enemy within, we cannot fight the enemy outside. According to Sir Thomas Browne in his book “Religio Medici” written in 1639, “Every man is his own greatest enemy, and as it were his own executioner.” The first battle we must fight is the battle within us; the battle against sin.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive those who had turned it into a market. The state of the temple was a direct reflection of the state of the temples of their own heart. They had driven God out and replaced Him with money. What efforts do I make on a daily basis to cleanse my heart and ensure that God remains at the centre of my life?

If you are not moved by evil, if you are not fired up like Eleazer, like the seven brothers and their mother, like Matatthaias, like Judas and his brother or like Jesus who boldly cleansed the temple, then there is something seriously wrong somewhere. Fight for morality, fight for truth, fight for justice, fight for the Christian faith. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, set me on fire for you daily that I may not sit down and watch evil thrive. Cleanse me inside out. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 33 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37,52-59, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 & Luke 19:45-48).