SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Revelation 7:2-4.9-14

Psalm 23 (24) 

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 contemplating the glory of God. 

 

In the first reading, St John had a vision of one hundred and forty-four thousand 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!

31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Deuteronomy 6:2-6

Psalm 17

Hebrews 7:23-28

Mark 12:28-34

  

SHEMA ISRAEL

When asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?”, the Jewish Rabbi Hillel the Elder, a great scholar of the first century before Christ, gave this famous reply: “What you hate for yourself, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Law; the rest is commentary. Go and learn.”

In today’s gospel, the same question is put to Jesus by one of the scribes: “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus replied that love of God and love of neighbour.  He made a reference to the great “Shema Israel” as presented in the first reading: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:2-6). But Jesus added: “the second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28-34). 

  

In fact, the “Shema Israel” was a profession of faith, and at the same time a call to obedience through listening to God’s voice, observing diligently his precepts and loving him unconditionally and without reserve. For he alone is the unique and true God. However, according to St John, he who says he loves God but hates his brother is a liar (1 John 4:20). Thus, the love of God and the love of the neighbour are like the two sides of a coin: they are inseparable.

But if loving God means obeying his voice and worshipping him faithfully, what does love of neighbour entails? Love simply means seeking the good of the other for the sake of the other. It is agape love; and Jesus Christ is our model of this free, total and unconditional love. During his earthly life, he went about doing good to people. In obedience to his Father and for love of mankind, he offered himself on the cross once for all as a perfect and pleasing sacrifice to God. Thus, he has become the High Priest par excellence; and his priesthood lasts forever (Heb. 7:23-28). Let us therefore ask him to teach us to love and serve him in our neighbours. Amen.

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Jeremiah 31:7-9

Psalm 125

Hebrew 5:1-6

Mark 10:46-52

“I WANT TO SEE”

The readings of today celebrate God who is a miracle-worker, who delivers his people and restores them to integrity and peace. In this perspective, the second reading reminds us that the priesthood is not a right but a gift of God and must be lived as such. It is God who calls some men from among his people to represent them in their relationship with him. And through these chosen men, God continues to work wonders among his people and to save them.  

In the first reading, God promises liberation and restoration to his people in exile. He himself would lead them out of slavery and bring them to their own land. Thus, the psalmist celebrates the fidelity of God who accomplished his promise by delivering the Israelites from captivity and bondage. 

The gospel narrates the story of a man whom Jesus restored from his blindness. This man is identified as Bartimaeus, meaning “son of Timaeus”. He was a man with no proper name and no social status. He was a blind man and a beggar, sitting on the road side. But his encounter with Jesus, the Son of David, changed his situation. He regained his sight. 

Each of us needs such a transforming and healing encounter with the Lord. Some of us have no vision and direction for our life. Others cannot recognize the marvels God works for them so as to appreciate him. Still others have their sight, but cannot see the beauty of life and its meaning. Others too are unable to see the needy around them. There is therefore the need to throw off our cloak of fear, individualism, self-pity and social tagging and come to Jesus for healing. 

Moreover, Bartimaeus is given to us today as a model of faith: a faith that cries out to God in time of need. A faith that is not easily put off but perseveres amid obstacles, oppositions and discouraging comments of others. A faith that remains firm and always celebrates God. May the Lord open our eyes to see beyond the opacity of our life events and recognize his hand that guides and heals us. Amen

29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Isaiah 53:10-11

Psalm 32

Hebrews 4:14-16

Mark 10:35-45

We do not serve a heartless and indifferent God. We serve a living, loving, compassionate and faithful God. Out of his infinite love, he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world for the salvation of mankind. Thus, by dying on the cross, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for his brothers, liberating them from the slavery of sin and death. We can therefore identify Jesus Christ with the Suffering Servant in the prophecy of Isaiah.

In effect, the prophet Isaiah spoke of an anonymous servant of God, who would give his life as an offering for the multitude. By his suffering and death, he would justify many (Is. 53:10-11). The author of the Letter to the Hebrews also presents Jesus as the compassionate High Priest, who by his own suffering is capable of sympathizing with us in our sufferings and weaknesses. Thus, we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, having the assurance that he will show us mercy and help us in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).

In the gospel, the sons of Zebedee, James and John, made a request to Jesus. They were eager to secure seats at the right and left of Jesus in his glory. In replying to their request Jesus made a reference to the cup he would drink and the baptism he would be baptized with. The images of cup and baptism refer to the humiliation, suffering and death he had to undergo for the salvation and redemption of mankind. By his Passion and death, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many and left us a perfect example of humble and selfless service to others as the way to greatness (Mark 10:35-45).

We should not therefore be afraid because we have someone who has suffered for us. we have someone who has been tempted like us in every respect, except sin. We have to trust in him in every situation. In difficult moments, we should not despair but go to him for help. Let us pray therefore that the Lord may grant us faith so as to approach his throne of mercy every moment of our life. May he teach us to serve one another, knowing that real power is service. Amen.

28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Wisdom 7:7-11

Ps 89:12-17

Hebrews 4:12-13

Mark 10:17-30

THE RICH MAN 

The Word of God is alive and active. It works like a double-edged sword; it penetrates our inner being and reveals our secret thoughts (cf. Heb. 4:12-13). Yes, the Word of God always challenges us. Today, it challenges us to take a fresh look at our attitude towards riches and material possessions. Indeed, material possessions are good and necessary for our well-being; but the danger is that they can easily possess us instead of we possessing them, in which case, we become slaves to our wealth. 

In today’s gospel, a rich man came to Jesus, and kneeling before him, he asked: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This question reveals his deep quest for salvation which is the ultimate reward for good life. He was a genuine man who had observed the commandments of God from his youthful age. But there was something lacking: detachment from his wealth. Since he was too much attached to his wealth, he forfeited the joy of following Jesus. He went away very sad, when Jesus told him to go, sell all his belongings, give to the poor, and then come to follow him. His riches, or better still, his attitude towards his riches, became an obstacle for him to follow the Lord and inherit the life he was searching for. 

Indeed, asking a rich man to let go all his riches and follow an itinerant preacher was not a light decision to take on the road side. But the request of Jesus and his subsequent interaction with his disciples show us that the way to holiness is not merely observing the law. It demands detachment from earthly possessions in order to live for God and for others. It demands a breakup with what promises material comfort. 

The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus; so, their reward would be great. Likewise, the author of the book of Wisdom held everything, including power, riches, social status, privilege and beauty as nothing before the wisdom of God (Wis. 7:7-11). St Paul also considered everything he had gained in life as rubbish because of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ the Saviour (cf. Phil 3:8). We too need to detach ourselves from material possessions so as to follow Jesus in freedom, and accept what he wants to give us, persecutions included. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen.

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Genesis 2:18-24

Psalm 127

Hebrews 2:9-11

Mark 10:2-16

THEY SHALL BE ONE

Nowadays, homosexual unions, promiscuity and trial marriage are hailed, defended, legalized and celebrated. When things go wrong in marriage, many spouses think about divorce. But today’s readings tell us something different.

The first reading reminds us that marriage was willed by God himself. God created man and woman so that they may become one for life. They were created equal so as to know and accept each other in their differences. When the man saw the woman, he was very happy because he had found a helper, somebody to be with (Gen. 2:18-24). Marriage is therefore to be enjoyed, not to be endured, for it is meant for the fulfillment and wellbeing of the spouses as well as for the care and growth of children.

In becoming “one body” in marriage, the spouses are united for life. Hence to dissolve the marital bond is to go against God’s will: “So then, what God has united, man must not divide,” says Jesus to the Pharisees who asked him if it was allowed to divorce one’s wife (Mark 10:2-16). Marriage is a lifelong commitment. It is indissoluble. As such, the marital bond cannot be broken without breaking the hearts of a human person. 

What can we do therefore to keep our marriage for life? First, let’s us love like children. I admire children for their simplicity, humility and unconditional trust. They can quarrel and fight, but shortly after come together to play again; they have short memories of the pains, hurts and humiliations caused by their peers or playmates. So, when there are misunderstandings, hurts and problems in your marriage, do not quit. Choose the way of dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation. Be humble and say “I am sorry”, when you are wrong, or “Thank you” to show appreciation.

Lastly, let Christ have a place in your marriage. The second reading tells us that Jesus is both the Son of God and our brother. He was made lower than the angels so as to sanctify us and become our brother (Heb. 2,9-11). If Jesus is our brother, then it is as a family that we can meet him more intimately. His presence thus becomes a source of blessing, peace and consolation for the family; for a family without Christ is a family with crises. May he bless our homes with peace, joy and fruitfulness. Amen.