Month: February 2013

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Wednesday, 6 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Sts. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (Gospel Reading)

Mark 6 : 1-6

Leaving that place, Jesus returned to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and most of those who heard Him were astonished. But they said, “How did this come to Him? What kind of wisdom has been given to Him, that He also performs such miracles? Who is He but the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here among us?” So they took offense at Him.

And Jesus said to them, “Prophets are despised only in their own country, among their relatives, and in their own family.” And He could work no miracles there, but only healed a few sick people, by laying His hands on them. Jesus Himself was astounded at their unbelief. Jesus then went around the villages, teaching.

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Wednesday, 6 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Sts. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (Psalm)

Psalm 102 : 1-2,13-14,17-18a

Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless His holy Name! Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all His kindness.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.

But the Lord’s kindness is forever with those who fear Him; so is His justice, for their children’s children, for those who keep His covenant.

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9th Anniversary of my experience at Mass in the Catholic Church (6 February 2004 – present)

Today marks the 9th anniversary since the very first Mass that I fully participated in. That Mass was not the first Mass I ever attended, since I had attended the wedding Mass of my aunt two years before that.

However, on Friday, 6 February 2004, on the first Friday of the month, on the feast day of Saints Paul Miki and Companion the martyrs, which remained as a strong memory in my mind, is the first Mass I attended and I participated in, save for receiving Communion of course.

Yes, I was not a born Catholic, but was baptised as a teenager in September 2004. This year marks my eighth year in the Catholic faith.

I would like to thank God for His constant love for me, and His constant guidance to me. I would not be here, not even writing this blog regularly on the faith, if God is not with me since the very beginning. Thank you everyone too, for your constant support, love, and prayers.

Sts. Paul Miki and Companions, pray for me, and for all of my brethren in faith.

St. Peter the Apostle, St. Peter Canisius, and St. Michael the Archangel, my patrons, pray for me too, and also for all my brethren in faith.

King David of Israel, my namesake, pray for me, and for all of God’s beloved children.

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Wednesday, 6 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Sts. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (First Reading)

Hebrews 12 : 4-7,11-15

Have you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin? Do not forget the comforting words that Wisdom addresses to you as children : “My son, pay attention when the Lord corrects you and do not be discouraged when He punishes you. For the Lord corrects those He loves and chastises everyone He accepts as a son.”

What you endure is in order to correct you, God treats you like sons and what son is not corrected by his father?

All correction is painful at the moment, rather than pleasant; later it brings the fruit of peace, that is, holiness to those who have been trained by it. Lift up then, your drooping hands, and strengthen your trembling knees; make level the ways for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled but healed.

Strive for peace with all and strive to be holy, for without holiness no one will see the Lord. See that no one falls from the grace of God, lest a bitter plant spring up and its poison corrupt many among you.

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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (Scripture Reflection)

Today, the readings showed us that to God, nothing is impossible. For He has all the authority on this world and beyond. All lives lay under His power, and even death could not escape Him. This is because Christ Himself would conquer death, through His own death on the cross. His resurrection proved that death no longer has power over mankind. Christ bought us with His priceless and precious Blood from the enslavement of death and sin.

It is through His suffering on the cross, that Christ made all of us, especially those who believe in Him, pure and worthy of God’s Kingdom. It is through faith, that we are saved, just like the woman with the bleeding, whom out of her great faith, dared to push on and approached Jesus to be healed. Her effort paid off when the Lord healed her and also praised her for her great faith. Jairus, too, in his great faith, knowing that the Lord can save his daughter, reached out to Jesus, humbly asking Him to be willing to heal her.

Can we also be as humble and as faithful as they are? Many of us in this modern world, are particularly too proud to admit that we had erred, and that we had made mistakes in our lives. If we are so proud and unwilling to admit our faults to our fellow man, then even more so we are unwilling to admit our sin to God, and even to ask for forgiveness with great humility. Let us be not like the people in Jairus’ house, who laughed at Christ, and did not believe in Him, and His mastery over even death.

However, again, let us not be mistaken, that faith alone can save us fully and entirely, without any action in the practice of our faith. Our faith is not an instantaneous matter, since it takes action to nurture our faith in God, and our love of others. Just like Jairus who went all the way to seek for Jesus to heal his daughter, and the woman, who braved through the immense crowd to reach Jesus to touch His cloak. Can we also strive to do this extra effort to bring our faith into practice, to reach out to one another, and therefore in the end able to reach the Lord? Remember that Christ told us that whatever we do for those who are the least and weakest in our society, that we do it to the Lord, and in doing so, the Lord knows us and recognises us, as those worthy of Him and His Kingdom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agatha_of_Sicily

Today, we also commemorate the feast day of St. Agatha, a well known martyr of the third century AD, who was martyred by the then still pagan Roman Empire. St. Agatha dedicated her virginity to God, and God alone, in a similar way to the nuns and religious today do. She was also very firm in her faith and deeply against paganism and idol worship in the Roman society at the time. When a pagan Roman prefect named Quintianus made approaches to her, she rejected him firmly, and this eventually led to her martyrdom, in defense of her faith, and of her virginity that she dedicated to God.

St. Agatha’s deep faith and practice of her faith through her martyrdom should be a great example to all of us the faithful in Christ. Not to follow her into martyrdom, but in always ensuring that our faith remain strong and alive, that when temptations and challenges come, we will be able to stand fast to our faith, and did not falter, even when faced with suffering or death. Let us live in accordance with the example made by St. Agatha and other holy saints of God, so that we too are found worthy to God and worthy of life eternal.

St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us. Amen.

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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Mark 5 : 21-43

Jesus then crossed to the other side of the lake, and while He was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around Him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and, seeing Jesus, threw himself at His feet, and begged Him earnestly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may get well and live.”

Jesus went with him, and many people followed, pressing from every side. Among the crowd was a woman, who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors, and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse. Because she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind Him and touched His cloak, thinking, “If I just touch His clothing, I shall get well.” Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint.

But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from Him, so He turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding around You. Why do You ask who touched You?” But He kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward trembling and afraid. She knelt before Him, and told Him the whole truth.

Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be free of this illness.”

While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official’s house to inform him, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?” But Jesus ignored what they said, and told the official, “Do not fear, just believe.” And He allowed no one to follow Him, except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered, and said to them, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”

They laughed at him. So Jesus sent them outside, and went with the child’s father and mother and his companions into the room. where the child lay. Taking her by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kumi!” which means, “Little girl, get up!”

The girl got up at once and began to walk around. She was twelve years old. The parents were amazed, greatly amazed. Jesus strictly ordered them not to let anyone know about it; and He told them to give her something to eat.

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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (Psalm)

Psalm 21 : 26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32

I will fulfill my vows before all who revere You. The lowly will eat and be satisfied. Those who seek the Lord will praise Him. May Your hearts live forever!

The whole earth will acknowledge and turn to the Lord; the families of nations will worship Him. Before Him all those who rest in the earth will bow down, all who go down to the dust. My soul will live for Him.

My descendants will serve Him and proclaim the Lord to the coming generations; they will announce His salvation to a people yet unborn, “These are the things that He has done.”

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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (First Reading)

Hebrews 12 : 1-4

What a cloud if innumerable witnesses surround us! So let us be rid of every encumbrance, and especially of sin, to persevere in running the race marked out before us.

Let us look to Jesus the founder of our faith, who will bring it to completion. For the sake of the joy reserved for Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and then sat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Think of Jesus who suffered so many contradictions from evil people, and you will not be discouraged or grow weary. Have you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin?

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Chinese New Year message from the Archbishop of Singapore, Archbishop Nicholas Chia

As the Chinese New Year is approaching (Sunday, 10 February 2013), Chinese people throughout the world are preparing for the festive season, which is most important in the rich Chinese culture.

However, let us all, especially Chinese Christians, remember that the season of Lent is also approaching (Ash Wednesday on 13 February 2013), and therefore, do not forget that, in all our joys, let us also remember the poor and unfortunate ones around us, and make sure to give some of our joys to them to share together in true joy in the Lord.

And do not forget to pray always for our brethren in faith in China, that they will be strong in their faith despite active persecution by those who hates the Lord and His faithful.

 

http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8345%3Aarchbishops-chinese-new-year-message&catid=329%3Afebruary-10-2013-vol-63-no-03&Itemid=79

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate the Lunar New Year during this Year of Faith, I would like to express my best wishes to all Chinese Singaporeans that this feast may bring about an increase of faith and love for you and your families.

Faith is an expression of believing in God, even when we do not always understand God’s will in our lives.

To truly live faith-filled lives, we must rediscover a greater understanding of our Catholic faith. It is through a re-evangelisation of our own Catholic faith that we can reach out to our family members and to others in our society.

Faith never travels alone, it is always accompanied by hope and love. By focusing on strengthening our faith this Chinese New Year and the year ahead, we will also increase our hope in attaining heavenly glory, as well as sharing our love to those we most need it. 

Let the red packets and gifts we give out at this happy time not only signify the sharing of temporal goods, but also the generous giving of our lives and talents in the service of others.

Let us also continue to offer together our fervent prayers for the Church in China, that Chinese Catholics may be steadfast witnesses of faith to the love that Jesus has shown us and to the Universal Church.

Wishing you all a faith-filled and blessed Chinese New Year!

Yours in Christ

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

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Monday, 4 February 2013 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time (Scripture Reflection)

Jesus healed the evil-possessed man in today’s Gospel reading, and He showed that He has the authority over all, even over all the evil spirits. These evil spirits are actually once holy angels who served the Lord in Heaven. This is why they perfectly know who Jesus is when they see Him, even when He appear in human form. No demon will not tremble before the presence of the Lord, not even Lucifer, the leader of the angelic rebellion against God, who we now know as the great evil, or Satan. It is because of their rebellion against God, and man’s weakness that led to the fall of Adam and Eve to the temptation of the evil one.

Just like the man who was possessed by the evil spirits, all of us also have evil in ourselves, and we are chained and constrained by this evil that also ‘possess’ us the way it possessed the man.  But the Lord is truly merciful, and never are we forgotten by Him who love us with all of His heart. God listened to our prayers and pleas for mercy, but especially only if we are truly sorry and repentant from our sinful ways. Only if we humbly ask Him for forgiveness, He will justify us and welcome us back into His loving embrace.

Those who are proud and refuse to reject their sins, and refuse to ask God for His mercy, are those whom God rejects, and to have no part in His inheritance. Pride is the greatest of all sins, as it cause our hearts to be hardened against God, and perpetuate our rebellion from God’s love. Such pride brought down Lucifer, who was the brightest and mightiest of all angels created by God. Such is his beauty that in his vanity he, as told in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, tried to make himself equal to God, and there came his fall. He brought down with him many of the angels of heaven, who followed him in his pride and rebellious ways. These are the evil spirits that possessed the man, legion they were called because they were many.

But Jesus wanted to show us that, not even these evil spirits, mighty as they are, have permanent hold on us. And that not even the greatest sinners are without hope. Why does the evil spirits fear Jesus? Because they know that He, as the Son of God, God Himself, has authority over all, including themselves. It is in Christ that they met their greatest undoing. For ultimately, Christ’s Sacrifice for us on the cross deliver us forever from their hands, and by His act in becoming the bridge between us and God, we have hope of life eternal in Him, while they languish in darkness and hell, for their rebellion against God, which inadvertantly brought mankind down with them.

We humans are weak in flesh, and many are also weak in the Spirit. Nevertheless, just as it was in the past with the heroes, the judges, and the king David himself, if we believe in God, and put our trust in Him, He can grant us strength to persevere and do things that we normally would not be able to do. While these heroes of Israel fought physical warfare against the enemies of Israel who were bound to destroy the people of God, in our present day world, we are involved in spiritual warfare against evil and sin.

Many of our fellow brethren are still under the thrall of evil and chained by the slavery of sin. We, who are already freed by God from the subjugation under evil through baptism in Him, therefore should do our part to help these brethren of ours, to bring them out of darkness, back into the light. Our priests and missionaries are involved in the great mission on the spreading of the Good News of the Lord, but this does not mean that we cannot have a part to play in this mission. We have all been called to the mission when we were baptised, which is to spread the Good News to all peoples, and to baptise them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

It will not be easy to bring God to all peoples, as mentioned in the first reading, that there would be great persecution against those who believe in Christ. Many would have to face even death in defending their faith. This had happened during the early years of the Church, when the pagan Roman Empire tried to crush Christianity through numerous and intense persecutions. But persecution did not end that day, as even in our modern world, we also have a different kind of persecution. Christians today are ridiculed for their faith, especially by those who do not believe in God and His love. Those who, like Lucifer, believed fully in their own greatness and ability, as surpassing those of the Lord, and many believe that they do not need God, and assert that we, who believe in Him, are backward and superstitious.

However, let us not be confrontational, but instead approach them with love. Just like Christ, who with His great love purged the evil spirit out of the possessed man, we can also bring God’s love to those in our world that is spiritually hungry and empty of God’s divine love. Let us embrace them and show that God is Love, and in God only, we can find true peace and fulfillment. Let us pray for one another, that our faith will be strong, and we will be given great courage, to be able to deliver the Good News of our Lord to all peoples. May God bless us all, and bless our holy Church in our mission. Amen.