25 February 2016

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Thursday, 25 February 2016 : 2nd Week of Lent (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we are all reminded of the fate that awaits all those who have not been faithful and to God, namely all those who have committed sin in His presence. The story of Lazarus and the rich man underlined the division that existed between the world and the Lord in their respective ways. And God reminded us that the fate awaiting those who have not been righteous, then they shall fall down into the depth of hell and the eternal fire.

Those who are faithful and committed to the Lord shall not be disappointed. Even though they may encounter difficulties and challenges throughout their earthly lives, but God Who knows it all and sees all, shall know all that His people had done on earth, and He will reward them in accordance to their virtues and deeds, as they have done it.

In the first reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah, it was made clear to us, that those who have followed the path of righteousness shall be blessed and shall receive the fullness of God’s grace, and have the inheritance and the eternal promise of God given to them as their right. But those who have been wicked and refused to do as what the Lord had told them to do, these shall be destroyed and cast out into the utter darkness.

It is a reminder for all of us still living in this world, not to wait until it is too late for us, to change our ways and abandon all the sinful and wicked things that we have done and committed in this life. God has offered us many chances and opportunities, but it is up to us now whether we want to accept His mercy and be forgiven from our sins.

And we cannot merely just say that we will repent and change our ways, as words without actions are truly empty and meaningless. Instead, we must show with real action, dedication and commitment, that we want to be forgiven, and that we will abandon all of our past wickedness, and turn over a new leaf, and embrace righteousness and justice from now on. This is what we urgently need to do, brothers and sisters in Christ.

We cannot say or think that there is still ample amount of time for us. We may think that we are still young and we have many more years ahead of us to enjoy all the goodness and the pleasures in this world, but life is not for us to decide, when the Lord Himself Who is Lord and Master of all life, is the One to decide our fate, when He calls us back to Himself, and then from there, into judgment.

Thus, in this season of Lent, this very moment, this very day, minute and second, let us not hesitate any longer, and let us not be afraid any longer, or be unsure of what to do. Instead, let us all gather every ounce of our strength, and commit ourselves to righteousness and charity, and in all of our actions, let us no longer be self-serving and selfish, but instead, let us all love one another and care for each other as our own brethren in the Lord.

May our efforts be blessed by God, and may all of us find our way to the Lord, and through our actions and commitments, let us be justified by the actions that we have done to hold upright our faith in God. Let us practice self-limitation and inculcate in ourselves, a heart for service and charity during this period of Lent. And therefore, let us all hope that God will make us stronger as His people in faith. God bless us all. Amen.

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Thursday, 25 February 2016 : 2nd Week of Lent (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Luke 16 : 19-31

At that time, Jesus said to the people and to His disciples, “Once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted every day. At his gate lay Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man’s table. Even dogs used to come and lick his sores.”

“It happened that the poor man died, and Angels carried him to take his place with Abraham. The rich man also died, and was buried. From hell, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Abraham afar off, and with him Lazarus at rest. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me, and send Lazarus’ with the tip of his finger dipped in water, to cool my tongue, for I suffer so much in this fire.'”

“Abraham replied, ‘My son, remember that in your lifetime you were well-off, while the lot of Lazarus was misfortune. Now he is in comfort, and you are in agony. But that is not all. Between your place and ours a great chasm has been fixed, so that no one can cross over from here to you, or from your side to us.'”

“The rich man implored once more, ‘Then I beg you, Father Abraham, to send Lazarus to my father’s house, where my five brothers live. Let him warn them, so that they may not end up in this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.'”

“But the rich man said, ‘No, Father Abraham; but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead.'”

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Thursday, 25 February 2016 : 2nd Week of Lent (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Psalm 1 : 1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Blessed is the one who does not go where the wicked gather, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit where the scoffers sit! Instead, he finds delight in the Law of the Lord and meditates day and night on His commandments.

He is like a tree beside a brook producing its fruit in due season, its leaves never withering. Everything he does is a success.

But it is different with the wicked. They are like chaff driven away by the wind. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous but cuts off the way of the wicked.

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Thursday, 25 February 2016 : 2nd Week of Lent (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Jeremiah 17 : 5-10

This is what YHVH says, “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings and depends on a mortal for his life, while his heart is drawn away from YHVH! He is like a bunch of thistles in dry land, in parched desert places, in a salt land where no one lives and who never finds happiness.”

“Blessed is the man who puts his trust in YHVH and whose confidence is in Him! He is like a tree planted by the water, sending out its roots towards the stream. He has no fear when the heat comes, his leaves are always green; the year of drought is no problem and he can always bear fruit.”

“Most deceitful is the heart. What is there within man, who can understand him? I, YHVH, search the heart and penetrate the mind. I reward each one according to his ways and the fruit of his deeds.”