25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all listened in the readings from the Sacred Scriptures, each and every one of us are reminded of the mission which we have been given as Christians, as God’s holy and beloved people. All of us are reminded that we have been entrusted with various gifts, talents and abilities which we all should make good use of so that we may truly be good and worthy disciples and followers of His, in proclaiming His Good News and wonders at all times, by our exemplary actions, words and deeds. The Lord has given us all these gifts and opportunities so that we may touch each others’ lives and inspire more and more people to come towards Him with faith, and to be more committed and dedicated to His cause, and not to depend on our own strength and might, but rather to trust in Him ever more wholeheartedly from now on.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of Proverbs in which the author spoke of the assurances of God’s Providence and help for His people, for those who are faithful and committed to Him. The author also spoke of seeking the Lord for His help and guidance, to provide us with just what is necessary for us lest we allow ourselves to be tempted by pride, desire and ego, all of which would end up leading us down the slippery slope of sin into our downfall and destruction. Each one of us are reminded not to give in to the temptation of evil all around us, of worldly pleasures and ambitions, of all the pursuits of fame and glory, and all the other things which can lead us into the path of damnation because of our desires and ambitions that may cause us to commit acts that are sinful against the Lord our God.

Instead, we are all exhorted through what we have heard to be ever more committed to the Lord and to be faithful to the commandments that the Lord has given us. We should strive to resist the various temptations present around us so that we may not falter in our efforts and desire to follow the path that the Lord has put us to walk through in life. All of us as Christians have been called and expected to embrace wholeheartedly this path in life, to be always firmly rooted in our faith and obedience to God, to our trust and belief in His providence, love and grace. Without this strong faith and conviction, 

Then, in our Gospel passage today, we heard from the Gospel of St. Luke in which the Lord spoke to His disciples as He sent them all out to minister to the people, that they all should not bring excessive things with themselves during their missions. This is meant to prevent them from thinking that it was by their own power, abilities or might that they had all done their works, wonders and efforts, and that any successes that they had gotten was because by their own performance and efforts alone, and not due to the guidance and strength from God. They are reminded to trust instead in God’s providence, His love and grace, and everything that He would provide fo them through the people and the circumstances they might encounter in their respective journeys and ministries.

All of us are essentially reminded that we must not allow ourselves to be swayed by worldly glory, pride, ambition and all the things which might distract us from the path towards God and His salvation. We must always remind ourselves that all those things are ultimately illusory and impermanent, and we must not allow ourselves to be easily attached and swayed to follow those ambitions and all the things that can derail us in our path towards God and His salvation. This is why we must always get our focus and attention correct, and our lives ought to have the right bearing, intention and direction, or else we may easily be dragged into the traps of sin and all the efforts which Satan and all of his fellow forces of evil and wickedness have always put up against us, in trying to bring us to our downfall.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, all of us as Christians are reminded that we have important missions and directions in life which the Lord has entrusted to each and every one of us. And if we think that we are incapable or unworthy to take part in such occasions, efforts and works, the reality is that no one can truly be worthy of the Lord in this manner. Yet, the Lord takes the unworthy and makes them to be good and worthy, blessing and empowering each and every one of us in various unique ways so that each and every one of us may be able to give our own respective contributions for the good and benefits of many of our fellow brothers and sisters all around us. Each and every single one of our efforts do matter and we should not underestimate them, as they are all important parts of the works of the Church, in bringing mankind ever closer to God and His salvation.


Let us all continue therefore to do our very best at each and every moments in our lives, so that by all the things we do, by our every words and interactions with one another, by our commitments and dedications in the Lord’s path and commandments. Let us all spend more and more time to do our part to be faithful and committed disciples and followers of the Lord, to fulfil whatever it is that the Lord has entrusted to each one of us, making good use of the various blessings and opportunities that He had provided to us. We must no longer be idle or ignorant of our calling and mission, the parts that we can do in order to be the worthy bearers of God’s Good News to the world. Each one of us have been given this important mission in life, so that we may truly glorify Him by our lives.

May the Lord, our most loving God and Father continue to help and strengthen us in our respective journeys, paths and efforts all throughout life. Let us all continue to do our best to follow His path, and may He continue to encourage and strengthen us in all the things we do, so that by our hard works and efforts in doing His will, and in proclaiming His glory and truth, His love and compassion towards each and every one of us, we may continue to be exemplary and inspirational examples for everyone around us, helping more and more people to come ever closer to the Lord, now and always. Amen.

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Luke 9 : 1-6

At that time, Jesus called His Twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases. And He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He instructed them, “Do not take anything for the journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even take a spare tunic.”

“Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. And wherever they do not welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet : it will be as a testimony against them.”

So they set out, and went through the villages, proclaiming the Good News and healing people everywhere.

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 118 : 29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163

Keep me away from deceitful paths; be gracious and teach me Your Law.

Your Law is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold.

O YHVH, Your word stands forever, firmly fixed in the heavens.

I turn my feet from evil paths, that I may keep step with Your word.

Your precepts have given me knowledge, and I hate all that is false.

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love Your Law.

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Proverbs 30 : 5-9

Every word of God is true, He is a shield in Whom man can find refuge. Add nothing to His words lest He rebuke you and take you for a liar. O God, two things I beg of You, do not deny me them before I die. Keep lying and falsehood far away from me, give me neither poverty nor riches.

Give me just as much food as I need lest, satisfied, I deny You and say, “Who is YHVH?” Or else, out of necessity, I steal and profane the Name of my God.

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Tuesday, 24 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all heard the words of the Sacred Scriptures, we are constantly being reminded yet again and again that each and every one of us as Christians are called to be righteous and full of virtue in everything that we say and do, in our every parts of life, in all the things we take part in. All of us cannot be idle in the living of our faith and we should not ignore the things and opportunities which we have that may allow us to do more for the benefit of those around us, in loving one another most generously and tenderly just as the Lord has taught and wanted us all to do, to be truly filled with His love and kindness, His generosity and compassion at all times.

In our first reading today, we heard of the words from the Book of Proverbs in which we are reminded that if we choose the path of wickedness and evil, all these eventually will lead to destruction and death. None of these will lead us to true happiness, satisfaction and joy. At that time, many among the people of God, the Israelites and their descendants had not been truly faithful to God, and they had spent a lot of time indulging in all sorts of worldly distractions and temptations, pleasures, desires and ambitions, all the pursuits which had led them deeper and deeper into the fallen path, into the path towards their condemnation, destruction and downfall. All these things can happen to us as well if we are not careful and vigilant.

Then, in our Gospel passage today, we are reminded by the short passage from the Gospel according to St. Luke, in which the Lord told the people who informed Him that His mother and brothers, likely His relatives and not actual brothers, were there to come and see Him. He told them that every one of them are like His mother and brothers if they all do the will of God, obey Him and commit themselves to Him. On a literal interpretation and surface level, these words might have sounded as if the Lord Jesus was being very rude for His words on them and on His response to their coming before the people, however, if we truly understand better of what the Lord intended with these words, then we will appreciate better what His intention and desire is, in reminding us all to continue to obey the Lord and to do His will as we all should have.

The Lord loved His mother Mary very much, and devoted Himself to Him, and He also loves everyone without exception, and thus, it is truly not at all in His intention to snub or disrespect His mother and relatives in any way, least of all His beloved Mother. In fact, the Lord was in fact highlighting and doubling up on His respect on His mother Mary by doing so, as Mary herself was and is a perfect example of faith and obedience to God. The Lord has highlighted to every one of us that if we follow Mary’s examples, then we are going to make it towards His Presence because indeed through Mary is the most direct path towards the Lord and His salvation. That is why our Christian faith honours Mary so much and accord to her a truly respectful position as the Mother of God.

And not only that, as this is also an assurance from the Lord that everyone who is good and just, obedient and faithful to God, full of virtue and love in their lives, in their every words, actions and deeds, all shall be blessed by God and all of them shall be made worthy by Him because they all had done what God had asked them to do. He will bless them in the manner that He has blessed His own Beloved Mother, and make them all filled with His grace just as Mary herself is full of God’s grace. Thus, it is an important reminder to each and every one of us not to be idle in the living of our faith in our respective lives. As Christians, we must always embody a strong, vibrant and missionary faith, one that is based upon our strong commitment and love towards God.

Each and every one of us are reminded to love one another ever more generously and to commit ourselves to the path that the Lord has shown and taught us, and best still following the path which His Mother, Mary, our own loving Mother has treaded and persevered through in her most faithful and committed life, in doing whatever she could to follow her Son and to do God’s will. Each and every one of us have to realise that we are all also part of this same Church, this same Body of Christ, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and hence, we are part of the same missions and efforts which the Lord had entrusted to His Church. We cannot dwell anymore in indulging ourselves upon worldly pleasures and desires. Instead, we should endeavour to renew our faith, commitment, dedication and obedience to God.

As Christians, it is always important that we continue to remind ourselves to be active in reaching out to those around us, especially those who are in need and those who are struggling, either physically, mentally or spiritually. Each and every one of us are brothers and sisters in the same Lord, and we are all called to be truly loving and life-giving in all things, in each and every moments of our lives, down to the smallest things, in all of our interactions and the time we spent with one another. The Lord our God should always be at the centre of our lives and existence, and He should always be the reason why we do things with love, inspired by His own most loving and generous examples, and also through His Mother’s loving intercession and help for all of us.

May the Lord continue to help and bless us all in our every works, efforts and endeavours, and may He continue to empower each and every one of us so that by our commitments to Him and by our every exemplary and inspiring examples in life, we may continue to bear forth His light and truth, hope and love to all the people whom we encounter daily in our lives, now and always, forevermore. Amen.

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Tuesday, 24 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Luke 8 : 19-21

At that time, the mother of Jesus and His relatives came to Him; but they could not get to Him because of the crowd. Someone told Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside and wish to meet You.”

Then Jesus answered, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

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Tuesday, 24 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 118 : 1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

Blessed are they whose ways are upright, who follow the Law of YHVH.

Explain to me all Your ordinances, and I will meditate on Your wondrous deeds.

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart upon Your laws.

Give me understanding, that I may observe Your Law with all my heart.

Guide me in obeying Your instructions, for my pleasure lies in them.

May I always keep Your word, forever and ever.

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Tuesday, 24 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Proverbs 21 : 1-6, 10-13

In the hands of YHVH, the heart of the king is like running water; He directs it wherever He wishes. To the eyes of man all His ways are honest but it is YHVH Who weighs the heart. To do what is upright and just pleases YHVH more than sacrifice.

Haughty looks, proud heart, the light of the wicked is sin. The plans of a hardworking man result in earnings; poverty is for those who act too hastily. To make a fortune by means of deceit is like running after the wind; the end is death.

The soul of the wicked desires nothing but evil; not even his friend is treated with compassion. When the mocker is punished the ignorant man grows wise; when the wise man is instructed he grows in knowledge. The Just One watches the house of the evildoer and hurls the wicked into misfortune.

He who is deaf to the poor man’s cry will not be heard when he himself calls out.

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Monday, 23 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures we are all reminded of the need for all of us to be truly righteous and worthy in everything that we say and do in our lives, in our every interactions with one another, so that each and every one of our works will truly be worthy of the Lord, and that we may always be the great beacons of God’s light and grace to the nations, to everyone who have encountered and been interacting with us, in each and every moments of our lives, even to the smallest actions, the seemingly least significant words, efforts and deeds. All of us should always do our part to proclaim the Lord by our exemplary actions and deeds so that everyone may experience God’s works and love through us.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of Proverbs we heard of the reminders from the Lord to His beloved people that they must not do what is evil and wicked in the sight of God and man alike, and they should not treat their fellow brethren with wicked intentions and contempt. Instead, each and every one of them must always be righteous and full of virtue in all things, and they should always be exemplary in their actions, words and deeds so that they may not be counted among those who were wicked and unjust, and therefore would have to face the reckoning from the Lord for all of their wicked deeds and sins, which they had to account and answer for. The Lord wants each one of them to know that if they do good to others, then good things shall be given to them as well, while if they do bad and evil to others, then they too shall face the just consequences for those things.

In our Gospel passage today, we then heard of the Lord speaking to His disciples using a parable to explain to them what He wanted to teach them regarding the matter of them living their lives in the manner that He has taught and shown them to do, so that in all that they have done, they may continue to proclaim the Lord faithfully in all of their whole lives, in their every actions, words and deeds, much as the author of the Book of Proverbs had said to the people of God many centuries earlier. The Lord essentially used this parable of the lamps to tell them that whatever good things He had taught and shown them to do, they should all do them faithfully and courageously in each and every moments of their lives, and not to hide them and not to ignore whatever responsibilities and missions which God had entrusted to them.

The Lord wanted them and hence all of us to know that as His disciples and followers, it is important that all of us must always be active and missionary in all the things that we do in our lives. Otherwise, our faith is truly empty and meaningless, and will not avail us on the moment of reckoning, when the Lord would ask us to account for our lives before Him, for everything that we have done and for all that we have failed to do. If we have been given many blessings, opportunities and capacities by the Lord to do what we are supposed to do as Christians, in doing His will wholeheartedly and in serving Him to the best of our abilities, then we should not be ignorant any longer of this calling that we have, and instead, we should embrace our calling and mission with great courage and with the desire to glorify the Lord ever more by our worthy living.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, also much more commonly and famously known as St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin Franciscan saint, a holy and truly pious priest and servant of God who had been known well for his many miracles and wonders. St. Padre Pio was remembered for his great piety and commitment to God, for his humble dedication to the Lord despite the many challenges that he had to face throughout his life and ministry. St. Padre Pio did not have it easy early on in life as he had been born to a family of poor farmers, and they had faced a lot of challenges, and yet, they were all very devout and committed to God, spending a lot of time in devotion and prayer to God despite all the hardships that they had to endure in their lives.

Amidst all that background, the young St. Padre Pio has begun to discern the calling to serve God and become a priest, and at the same time, he has also begun experiencing various heavenly visions and mystical experiences that he would go on to experience through the rest of his life. Eventually, St. Padre Pio joined the Capuchin religious order and dedicated himself to the order’s way of life, but even in that he also faced struggles and hurdles, as he was not properly educated, and needed to further his studies first before he was allowed to join the order. He faced several bouts of ill health and problems during his formation years, and this problem still plagued him even after he was ordained a priest, an experience which was worsened by his mystical experience of being a stigmatist later on in life, bearing the wounds of the Lord Himself on his body.

The appearance of the stigmatq gradually made St. Padre Pio to be very famous later on in his life, but for many years and decades, he encountered a lot of doubts, opposition and also persecution from the Church hierarchy and others who cast doubts on the authenticity of the miracles and the stigmata which were associated with this holy man of God. He had to bear through periods in which he was banned from celebrating the Mass publicly and preaching to the people of God, all the while experiencing spiritual attacks from the devil. Yet, all these did not dampen his spirit, and he continued to live his life humbly, faithfully and devoutly in all things, spending a lot of time in prayer, and many more people were coming to him seeking for his help and guidance, and other occasions happened when miracles happened to those who have interacted with this man of God.

To the end of his life, St. Padre Pio continued to dedicate himself to God without cease, continuing to showcase what it truly means to be a faithful Christian disciple and follower. All of us therefore are also reminded that we should also commit ourselves and our every actions, words and deeds, our every efforts to proclaim the Lord, in each and every moments of our lives. Let us all therefore do our part to proclaim the Lord our God faithfully as how St. Padre Pio, St. Pius of Pietrelcina had lived his life, in being good and worthy beacons of God’s light and hope, His love and salvation to all others around us. Let us all continue to walk ever more worthily in God’s Holy Presence from now on, helping and inspiring our fellow brethren in faith, committing more of our efforts and time to glorify the Lord by our lives.

May the Lord be with us all and may He empower each and every one of us to live our lives henceforth with the strong zeal and fervour, to continue to love Him and to love one another ever more generously, in the manner that the Lord Himself has shown and taught us, now and always, forevermore. Amen.

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Monday, 23 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Luke 8 : 16-18

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather, he puts it on a lamp stand, so that people coming in may see the light.”

“In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret, that shall not be known clearly. Now, pay attention and listen well, for whoever produces, will be given more; but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.”