SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Revelation 7:2-4.9-14

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12

 

CALLED TO BE SAINTS

 

We celebrate today the solemnity of All Saints. We often apply the title of Sainthood to those Catholics who have distinguished themselves with a life of faith, a heroic witness to Christ in martyrdom or a life of unparallel Christian virtues, and have been canonized or beatified by the Church. But “All Saints” refers to that great multitude of men and women, young and old, Christians and non-Christians alike, whose lives on earth were pleasing to God, and now are with God in paradise.

 

In the first reading, St John had a vision of one hundred and forty-four thousands people from the twelve tribes of Israel, and also another “great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue.” They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches before the throne of God and the Lamb. They had survived the time of great distress and washed their robes, making them white in the blood of the Lamb.

 

They were not supermen on earth, but ordinary men and women like us. They remained faithful to the end in spite of everything. They exhibited the virtues proclaimed by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Beatitudes, which may be rightly said to be “the Charter for Sainthood.” As such, anyone who lives in accordance with the Beatitude will inherit the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:1-12). For God has loved us and made us his children. But what we shall be has not yet been revealed. Thus, what we hope and long for is to be like him when we see him as he really is (1John 3:1-3).

 

It can be observed therefore that Sainthood is not reserved to a selected few. Each and every one of us is called to be a Saint, to be the best-version of himself or herself. We are all called to perfection. But let us remember that “perfection does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.” In short, becoming a saint consists in doing good daily and doing it well. Again, we can do nothing without God’s grace. Therefore, let us ask him to grant us his grace so that we may follow the footsteps of the Saints and contemplate his glory one day in heaven. Amen

 

Happy Feast to you all !

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Exodus 22:20-26

Psalm 18

1Thessalonians 1:5-10

Mathieu 22:34-40

LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE of6 NEIGHBOR 

“Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” This was the question put to Jesus by a doctor of the Law. Even if his intention was to test Jesus, the question was worth asking; for in the Mosaic Law there were six hundred and thirteen (613) precepts and prohibitions. As such, the Law that was supposed to guarantee the freedom of man and protect the weak became a burden for the people. But from Jesus’ response, we learn that the key to interpret the “whole law and the prophets” is the double commandment of love: love of God and love of neighbour (Matt. 22:34-40).

As such, I would like to highlight three important lessons in today’s readings. Firstly, love is like a coin with two inseparable faces: we cannot pretend to love God if we fail to love and seek the good of our brothers and sisters (cf. 1 John 4:20). Our love of God finds practical expression in love of neighbour, and love of neighbour shows the quality of our love of God.

Secondly, love is not an abstract thing; it is not about words. Love is a lifestyle. As the first reading teaches, love must be shown in simple and concrete ways, such as showing compassion and caring for the stranger, the widows, the orphans and the poor (cf. Exod. 22:20-26). The basis of such caring love for the little ones is God’s love for us.

Thirdly, to love is to appreciate people, to recognize the good in them and encourage them to keep doing good. This is shown in the second reading. Full of apostolic zeal and love for all, St Paul commends the Thessalonians for their living faith in the one and true God. By their faith translated in concrete ways of life, they had become a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia (1Thes. 1:5-10).

Therefore, let us ask ourselves if we truly love. Do we care about the needy, the stranger, the widow and orphan, the aged, the sick or those young ones who need help to further their education? Let us remember: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”, says the Lord (Matt. 25:40). May God bless and keep all of us. Amen

29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 45:1,4-6

Psalm 95(96)

1Thesalonicians 1:1-5

Matthew 22:15-21

GOD AND CAESAR 

We celebrate today the World Mission Sunday on the theme: “Here am I, send me” (Is. 6:8). In the first reading, God calls king Cyrus, the king of Persia, “his anointed”, because he appointed him to liberate Israel from the exile in Babylon. In the second reading, Saint Paul appreciates the faith, charity and hope of the Christians of Thessalonica. He tells them that he knows that God has chosen them not only by the word of the Gospel but also in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the gospel passage, Jesus defeats the ill-motivated delegation of the Pharisees and Herodians who took counsel together to trap him by asking him: "is it lawful, yes or no, to pay taxes to Caesar, the emperor?" (Mt 22,15-21). Knowing their malicious intentions, Jesus requested for a coin used for the tax, and replied: "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

We may draw three lessons from today’s gospel. First, not every person who praises you wants you good. The Pharisees and Herodians used a flattering and linguistic foreplay to praise Jesus, but their inner aim was to trap him so that they might discredit him. But Jesus was clever than they were. So be careful and wise not to fall into the traps of malicious and ill-intended people.

Second, service to God is not incompatible with service to the nation. A good Christian is also a good citizen. He knows when to pay his taxes to the State and when to pay his tithes to the Church. He loves and serves the Church not much less than he loves and serves his nation. So we must keep the balance with integrity, responsibility and clear conscience.

Third, beyond the socio-political interpretations of this passage, the answer of Jesus touches on a fundamental aspect of our human identity. If the image of Caesar stamped on a coin means that the coin belongs to Caesar, then the image of God stamped on each and every human person means that each and every one belongs to God. It is therefore befitting to give honour and praise to God and lead lives worthy of our identity. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen

28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 25:6-10

Psalm 23

Philippians 4:12-14.19-20

Matthew 22:1-14

THE WEDDING FEAST

Christian life is a life of celebration. Each moment is an opportunity to celebrate the loving care of God, our Shepherd. Thus, today's readings bring home this festive aspect of our religion. In the first reading, Isaiah prophesied about the day when God would organize a feast for all nations. It would be a day of great rejoicing, liberation and consolation (Is.25:6-10).

In the second reading, St Paul expresses his appreciation to the Philippians who supported him in time of need. Besides, it is no doubt that Pauls trust in the Providence of God and the future festive glory that allows him to be content with any situation he finds himself in. In fact, he can do all things in the Lord who strengthens him (Phil. 4:12-14.19-20).

Jesus, in the gospel reading, gives the parable of the royal wedding feast and of the wedding garment. The king's actions may surprise us. First, out of anger, he gives orders to burn the city of the guests who refused to attend the celebration, giving excuses and maltreating his messengers. Second, he orders that the man who was not in a wedding garment be thrown out (Matt. 22:1-14).

What can we learn from this parable? First, God is the King who invites all humanity, all people beginning with the Israelites, to partake in the wedding feast of his Son Jesus Christ. But we must make ourselves available and respond adequately to the invitation. Indeed, the feast is ready, but admission to the feast alone is not enough; we must wear the wedding garment by living lives worthy of the Gospel. Otherwise, God will hold us responsible for not making ourselves worthy for his eternal banquet.

Second, the banquet is not only about a future salvation; the banquet is also the Eucharist. Each day, God invites all of us to this banquet. But how do we respond to this invitation? Do we not often give various excuses not to attend Mass? And when we do, do we get ourselves worthy for this feast? How do we prepare ourselves to receive the Holy Communion? Let us remember the words of Saint Paul: For those who eat and drink without discerning (that is, unworthily) the body of Christ, eat and drink judgment on themselves (1 Cor. 11:29).

Remain blessed!!!

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 5:1-7

Psalm 79

Philippians 4:6-9

Matthew 21:33-43

A DISAPPOINTED VINEYARD OWNER

The readings of today echo the drama of the love and trust of God misconstrued and betrayed by man. The first reading expresses the disappointment of God who did everything possible to make his vine bear good fruits. Yet, it bore sour ones: God expected his people, the house of Israel, to bear fruit of justice and righteousness, but rather it bore fruits of wickedness, crime and injustices. As such, this cherished vineyard would be exposed to perils, because it deserved no more attention and care (Is. 5:1-7).

In the Gospel reading, Jesus gives the parable of the wicked tenants. Here the problem is not about an unfruitful vineyard, but about the disappointing attitude of the tenants. They refused to deliver the fruits to the owner. Thus, the story of the trust of the owner turned into a drama of homicide whereby the tenants murdered the servants and the heir of the master of the vineyard so as to take it over. In this drama, Jesus denounces the attitudes of the religious leaders of God’s people throughout the salvation history. They persecuted the prophets, killed some of them. Finally, they would persecute and hand himself, the Son of God, over to be crucified outside of Jerusalem (Matt. 21:33-43).

Behind these metaphors that express the relationship between God and his chosen people is hidden the story of each one of us: we have disappointed and betrayed the love and trust of God in many ways. God trusts us. He loves us. He does everything to help us grow. For instance, in the Church, we have his Word, the Sacraments and the Sacramentals that accompany us throughout our life. But what are the fruits we have yielded so far? How often have we not failed to live up to expectation? How often have we not turned to be God-murders?

Fortunately, our story has not come to an end yet. We still have the opportunity to bear fruits if we take seriously Jesus’ call to repentance and the advice of St Paul. For St Paul in the second reading, we should pray and remain faithful to what has been handed onto us; and the God of peace will be with us. He also invites us to pursue whatever is true, honourable, just and right. By so doing, we will bear fruits that befit our calling. May God help us in this regard. 

Amen