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    Year B / Ordinary Time / Week 26 / Wednesday (Feast of the Archangels)
    Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / Psalm138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5 (R/v 1)  /John 1:47-51

    “In the sight of the angels, I will sing your praise, Lord” (Psalm 138.1)

     

    This is the refrain from today’s Responsorial Psalm. It is apt for the feast of the Archangels that we celebrate.

     

    Individually and collectively, the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, are present and working in our lives on God’s behalf. Their good labour is our cause to praise God. How so?

     

    Michael protects and defends us from the Evil One. He comes to our aid because we love God. Michael reminds us that God saves us because God does not want to lose any one of us.

     

    Gabriel announces God’s plans in our lives like he did to Mary at the Annunciation. As God’s messenger, Gabriel reminds us that God’s plans are always for our happiness and good.

     

    Raphael comes to heal our souls, relieving us of our suffering. His presence reminds us that God’s love always heals like God did by curing Tobias’ father of his blindness. Raphael reminds us that God’s healing expresses God’s faithfulness in our lives.

     

    I believe we have all experienced God’s protection, goodness, and healing. We have because the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are always present in our lives. God makes his love real to us through the Archangels.

     

    Isn’t it good and right for us to join the angels and sing praises to the Lord today, and yes, always too?

     

     



    Preached at Morning Mass in SJI.
    artwork: public domain (internet)


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  2. Year B / Ordinary Time / Week 26 / Sunday
    Readings: Numbers 11.25-29 / Psalm 18.8-10, 12-13, 14(R/v 9a) / James 5.1-6 / Mark 9.38-43, 45, 47-48


    “Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mark 9.40)

    Here is Jesus teaching his disciples and us about what it means to follow him. Besides doing good works “in his name,” it also means receiving all others who do good “in his name.” 

    “Us” and “them.” This is the context of John’s complaint to Jesus as today’s gospel begins. He criticizes someone who drives out demons but is not a follower of Jesus like he and the disciples are. 

    “Us” and “them” is also how we express ourselves and interact with others in word and deed. Consider these: you, me; men, women; local, not a foreigner; straight, not gay; professional, not blue collared. This “us-them” divide is as ancient as the Israelites claiming Yahweh to be their God against the Egyptians, and as contemporary as the anti-vaxxers confronting the vaccinated.

    There is also division in Church. The good, devout, and pious are welcomed. The bad, lukewarm and struggling are judged and sidelined. The traditionalists battle the progressives over how Christians should live and serve, pray and worship.

    We Christians repeatedly judge others on our terms, not God’s. I am guilty of this; may you are too.  

    This is why I find Moses’s refusal to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying challenging. He recognized God’s spirit anointing them even though they were absent when the elders were blessed. Because God chose them to prophesize, God blessed them all. God did not, and never does, discriminate. Can we recognise God’s spirit in everyone, even if they are seemingly not Christian enough? Even more challenging must be this: accepting and respecting God’s spirit working in those God chooses to lead or do His work that we disagree with or have hurt us.

    This challenge to accept and respect are the two demands today’s gospel reading is asking us to confront. “Who can do works in Jesus’s name” and “Who is a follower of Jesus?” How we answer these questions will either free us to partner with those God sends into our lives to partner for Jesus’s mission or cripple us from collaborating with them.

    I believe that whether we work in the world or minister in the church, whether we are lay, religious or ordained, whether we are charismatically gifted or spiritually lacking, God calls us to Jesus's mission as a community, never alone.

    This is Jesus’s teaching as he answers John’s complaint. Those who do good work, do so in his name; and they should not be prevented from doing so. For Jesus, these are also collaborators because their good works come from and lead back to God. 

    Indeed, when we welcome others as partners and collaborators into our Christian life, faith and work, and not as competitors or enemies, God’s goodness in each one empowers us to do mission together. For example, parents and children mutually complain about each other. Each however needs the other for the mission of loving each other into that communion we call “the family.” The family would be poorer if they did not have one another.

    Christian discipleship strives to bring about unity with God and inclusivity in the community. Disciples must reject excluding God and neighbour. They must refrain from dividing the community. Hence, “us” and “them” cannot be on our lips or the fruit of our labours. 

    Today Jesus teaches two ways to be inclusive and to build community. First, be generous towards others. This act welcomes all into the community. Second, do not lead others into sin. This act divides the community. 

    Both actions help us reconcile differences and strengthens our union with God and communion with all. For St Paul, this is how a Christian community ought to live and serve: as that one body of many parts proclaiming the reign of God, not dividing itIf we agree with St Paul, then, Jesus’ teaching today is not about being better than others for ministry. Rather, it is really about being better together for all we must serve

    Jesus’s single-minded focus to love God and serve neighbour, even to death on the Cross, and his open-minded acceptance of all the good works and good people doing them, show us how to live and serve as disciples.  Shall we go forth and serve in Jesus’s way? 



    Preached at St Ignatius Church, Singapore
    artwork: from www.outsourcing-pharma.com 
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  3. Year B / Ordinary Time / Week 25 / Sunday 
    Readings: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 / Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6, 8 (R/v 6b) / James 3:16-4:3 / Mark 9:30-37

    “What were you arguing about on the road?” (Mark 9.33)

    Here is Jesus questioning his disciples who were arguing on the way to Capernaum. On the way with Jesus.  Such was the disciples’ life on the road. Always with Jesus as he taught and healed, forgave and uplifted and, in the end, died and rose to save all. 

    Isn’t this our life too as Christians? All of us, on our way with Jesus to God.

    The word “way” was the ancient name for the Christian faith. For believers, it described following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ along “the Way” – to love God and to serve others.

    We believe by faith that Jesus walks with us on our way through life. Do we speak and listen to Jesus, learn from him, follow him and serve with him? Or are we preoccupied with ourselves and our wants, avoiding Jesus and ignoring those he entrusts into our care?  

    Maybe, for some of us, ‘on the way’ is all about becoming Somebody. The disciples argued about this. They wanted to be Somebody in the earthly kingdom they assumed Jesus as Messiah would establish. 

    All of us aspire to become somebody. We study hard and work even harder to better ourselves. This human drive for recognition, status, and wealth is about making our lives matter.  It is the antidote to mediocrity.  It can however tempt us to become egotistical. We sin when we fixate only ourselves with no space for God and others. Then our choices and actions are self-centered and self-preserving. Sounds familiar?

    Ego led the disciples to argue among themselves about who was the greatest. They were concerned about advancing themselves as Jesus’s disciples. Their discipleship was self-serving. In contrast, along their way together, Jesus taught them about self-sacrificing love for all. Can any Christian then justify selfishness?

    We see the disciples’ behaviour mirrored in the many egotistical people in our society, our Church, and the world. Their words and actions damage many. Listen to St. James describe the problem and the solution needed. “Wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony, and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it. Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness” (James 3.16-18).

    For Pope Francis, peacemakers are “those who make themselves servants of all, those who serve everyone, not those who have titles.” Servants are always considered among the least. Yet, for Francis, they are more important in the Church than “the Pope, the bishops, the monsignors, the cardinals, the pastors of the most beautiful parishes, the presidents of lay associations.”*

    In Jesus’ time, the child was one of the least. For Jesus, the child represents the countless nobodies around us. Nobodies because many bluff ourselves that we are abler, better, and holier than them. 

    Today, Jesus challenges us to reach out and serve them, these nobodies. When we do this, we reject the world’s label that the poor, the oppressed, and the abandoned are losers. This must be our Christian task: to claim them as Somebody to God and for others.

    “Whoever welcomes a child, welcomes me,” Jesus says. That is, whoever welcomes the least and little, the last and lost – these nobodies – is the one who serves the most. This is Jesus’s way. It involves humility. Serving others, choosing the last place, not climbing the ladder.*

    Humility must also be our way to receive and welcome them. Then experiencing God’s mercy working through them how else can we live but praising and thanking God. For, like the psalmist, God is our helper, sustaining, upholding, and saving everyone.

    Indeed, humility and gratitude enable us to receive Jesus in the Eucharist as God’s gift. This little piece of consecrated host we receive is not nothing. We believe it is Jesus. He is the One we desire above all things. We receive Jesus into our very selves that together we may grow into our graced identity as the Body of Christ

    If we believe this to be so, that this is truly who we are with Jesus, then really, need we argue anymore along the way when Jesus is truly our Way?



    * Pope Francis, “Greatness in the Church comes from service.” Homily, Mass at Casa Marta, Feb. 25, 2020



    Preached at St Ignatius Church, Singapore
    photo: the-way.info (Internet)
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  4. This homily was preached to celebrate Catholic Education Sunday in Singapore

    Year B / Ordinary Time / Week 24 / Sunday 
    Readings: Isaiah 50.5-9a / Psalm 114.1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (R/v 9) / James 2.14-18 / Mark 8.27-35


    Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8.29)

    Jesus asks his disciples this question in today’s gospel. Jesus asks us this same question in our prayer, when we are on retreat, in the best and worst times we have, and even when we act wisely or foolishly.  I wonder what our answer is.

    Peter’s response is unambiguous: “You are the Christ.”  Indeed Jesus is. He explains to Peter, the disciples, and us that he will suffer greatly, be rejected by many, be killed on behalf of God’s people. And he will rise to live after three days. Yes, all this comes to be. This is the Christian truth.

    Indeed Jesus is our Christ. We believe his death and resurrection have saved us. We follow him and his ways to love God and love others. This is why we dare to call ourselves Christians. Amen, we say.

    Because of Jesus, we gather to celebrate Catholic Education Sunday as students, teachers, parents, and friends of our pre-school kindergartens and schools.  Across Singapore, in our homes, we praise and reverence God in this Eucharist, and through Communion, we become the Body of Christ to serve all.  

    Today’s gospel reading reminds us that Jesus calls all to follow him and know life to the full. He also calls everyone to take up the Cross and know our salvation.

    We hear this Good News in our Catholic schools too. In all that we learn and teach, in everything we experience, in every moment of growing up, we do so on holy ground where we are reminded daily of how Jesus taught us to know God and live in God’s ways. This helps us to answer Jesus’s question, “Who do you say I am?” He is God-with-us. 

    “Who do you say I am?” is also a question we ask each other in school. It is a question that helps us understand one another and become friends, regardless of race, language, or religion. 

    It is a good question to ask. The answers from friends and classmates, teachers and parents, and many others, are helpful. They enable us to know ourselves better, to understand our purpose in life, to consider God’s vocation for us, and to appreciate the good deeds each of us can do to make the world better and happier.  

    This is why I wonder what Jesus would say to you and me if we dare to ask him the same question back. “Jesus, who do you say I am?” Perhaps, Jesus would say to us what he said to the first missionaries who came to Singapore 200 years ago, especially those setup schools. That is, “I have chosen you; you are mine and you are filled with faith to do good works.” 

    The religious sisters and brothers, and their lay collaborators began our Catholic schools filled with faith. They believed in Jesus’s call to proclaim God’s good news that everyone should have life to the full and be saved. They gave themselves tirelessly and selflessly to educate anyone who came to Catholic schools, especially, the last and lost, the least and little. Our schools are God’s good works. They have contributed to our nation and the world. We are all better because of the Catholic education they began and many still continue providing.

    Today I wonder if Jesus is saying the same to us who learn and teach in Catholic schools: “Remember God has given you faith, now ready yourselves to do great things for God.” 

    The Apostle James echoes this in our Second Reading. He teaches us that the good works we do are our response to the gift of faith and the life we have in God. Yes, faith and works must go together as one. They must because what is true in our hearts must show through in our actions.

    If we say, “God is dwelling in our hearts,” as Jesus teaches us, then we cannot be Christian only with our words. We must be Christian in our works and actions. And what a gift we will be to others by the good we do! This is how we live our faith with integrity.

    Catholic education helps every Christian in school make this his way of life by loving God and her daily manner of living in community by serving all. I know of people of all religions who tell me that Catholic education helps them live their faith with integrity too.

    Today’s world makes it hard for many to live their faith with integrity. There are too many attractions, distractions, temptations, and different ways of living that can take us far away from God and living in God’s ways.  It is hard growing up in our present times, especially in COVID times. 

    This is why I believe Jesus would also respond to our question, “Who do you say I am?” with the assurances we hear in the First Reading: that God is indeed near and God will help. The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed this comforting truth about God to the exiled Israelites. It is also meant for us: God is near and God will help us because we are God’s own, no matter our sinfulness

    Yes, God is one with us. This truth consoles us because believing in God doesn’t make our lives easy. Everyone’s lives have difficulties and struggles. We have things we worry about and things that make us sad. God is always with us in our sadness and struggles, giving us help in all our difficulties. We have all experienced how with Jesus, we don’t just carry the Cross; we are lifted up, many times because his resurrection gives us life in God. Indeed, with Jesus we are one with God.

    This is why Peter’s answer to Jesus, “You are the Christ” matters. Though each of our Catholic pre-schools and schools is guided by the different charisms of their founders, they share in the one way Jesus teaches – to reveal the truth and the life of how every person is created to live with dignity and flourish in the common good as God’s beloved

    This is the noble task of Christian education where faith and good works come together for God and for all.

    Catholic Education Sunday reminds us of Jesus’s good work continuing in our midst today. We give thanks. We also ask for grace. There is no better way to do these than to respond to Jesus’s question with this:  “Yes, you are the Christ; with you, we follow.”  Shall we?





    Preached at Chapel of the Holy Presence, SJI, Singapore
    photo: canossian sisters, singapore 
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  5. Year B / Ordinary Time / Week 23 / Sunday 
    Readings: Isaiah 35.4-7a / Psalm 145. 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10 (R/v 1b) / James 12.1-5 / Mark 7.31-31

    Then looking up to heaven Jesus sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha!” — “Be opened!”  (Mark 7.34)
    Today we witness Jesus miraculously healing the deaf-mute man. What are his ears being opened to really hear? God’s salvation. What is his tongue being loosened for actually? To announce God’s salvation.

    “Be opened!” Jesus commands us too. If we do, what about God’s salvation we will hear and must proclaim? Our readings offer three points.

    First, God’s salvation surprises; it is better than anyone can imagine

    The Israelites experienced this. Having wronged God, they feared His coming to save them. They expected God’s vengeance and retribution. Instead, God came and healed, as Isaiah proclaims: blind eyes opened, deaf ears hearing, lameness and silence turned to dancing and joyful singing. God did not punish; God blessed.

    All who encountered Jesus experienced the same. Jesus began his public ministry quoting Isaiah’s prophecy. Throughout his life, Jesus fulfilled it. He showed God putting right everything that is amiss in our lives and the world

    When have you experienced this goodness of God in your lives?

    Second, God’s salvation is particular and personal. 

    When Isaiah speaks of God healing the blind, deaf, dumb, and lame, he is explaining the conditions God wants to save them from. By taking the deaf-mute man aside from the crowd and healing him alone, Jesus reveals that God does this personally – to each of us, for each of us

    For Jesus, the deaf-mute man is a unique and individual person. Doesn’t God treat us similarly?  By bothering to know our individual stories and dreams. By comforting us in our own pains and troubles. By delighting in our particular joys and hopes. By lamenting our specific sinfulness with us and lifting us up in our individual saintliness. God does because He wonderfully made each of us for Himself and for all (Psalm 139). 

    “You are mine” is how God loves and saves us each by name. Notice how Jesus’s ministry is repeatedly intimate, personal and particular to each person he attends to. He heals the blind Bartimaeus. He forgives the adulterous women. He teaches Martha to be like Mary. He affirms the sinful woman who washes his feet with her tears. He lets John rest on his head on his chest. 

    When has Jesus done the same to you and made God’s salvation personal for you?

    Third, God’s salvation is for everyone, regardless of disabilities

    Our readings focus on physical disabilities people have. Everyone however has disabilities – our weaknesses, faults, and bad habits. Sometimes, they lead us to sin.

    One way to understand anyone with a disability is to ask him how he wishes to describe himself. If we listen attentively, we will know their simple, common hope: to be respected and treated with dignity.

    The Apostle James echoes this hope when he challenges the Christian community to treat the poor and the rich alike, and not judge each differently. Everyone deserves to be treated equally because God treats all the same, even as He creates each unique, loves each one individually, and saves each person by person

    This is the consistent message Isaiah, James and Mark make in today’s readings. Are we practising this in our relationships?

    God’s salvation surprises. God’s salvation is particular and personal. God’s salvation is for all. We know these points but Jesus still commands us, “Be opened.” He does this to save us. He knows we are often spiritually deaf and dumb, even blind, to those suffering and needing help. More so, to those we shun and are hard-hearted towards. In these moments, we do not hear and see them, nor do we feel or care for them. God is also side-lined. We are only fixated on ourselves. Such a life is lonely, miserable, and empty. 

    Jesus’s coming opens and frees everyone’s hearts. He makes God’s salvation real and alive, here and now. He reminds us we are capable of fully living with God and others. For Pope Francis, Jesus comes to help us hear God’s voice, speaking especially to us. From God, we can “learn to speak the language of love, transforming it into gestures of generosity and self-giving,” Francis insists.* Many will then experience God’s salvation in ways they understand – welcome and care, forgiveness and restoration, love and life.

    Today, Jesus teaches us that we need “to be opened” before we can hear, see and speak more truthfully about God’s salvation. Jesus always says “Ephphatha!” to the closed parts of our lives, so that he might dwell in us. “Ephphatha!” is Jesus’ prayer to God, his commandment to the deaf man, and his longing for each and every one of us. “Ephphatha!” Jesus says to us. Will we hear and follow?





    * Angelus, “Be opened” Sept 9, 2018

    Preached at St Ignatius Church, Singapore
    photo: christianitytoday.com

     

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"Bukas Palad"
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is Filipino for open palms
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Peace and welcome, dear friend.
I hope you will find in these posts something that speaks to you of the God who loves us all and who always holds us in the palm of his hand. Blessings!
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Fall in Love, Stay in Love
Fall in Love, Stay in Love

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute way final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."

Pedro Arrupe, sj, Superior General, 1965 - 1983

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is a 50something Catholic who resides in Singapore and works for the Church. He is a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.
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The views I express in these pages are personal. They do not speak for the Society of Jesus or the Catholic Church.
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