Thursday, 29 January 2015 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we heard about the light that is being hidden, and how Jesus commented on how improper that is. Light should indeed be put on a pedestal and shown to the world, so that all may see the light and be made whole by that light. What does that mean, brethren? That means, we should be witnesses to the Light that Christ had brought into the world, and we have to show it through ourselves.

And how do we do that? It is by living the faith which we believe in, and therefore we have to practice it in our own lives. We cannot pretend to be faithful and yet not practicing what we believe in. Our faith is not one that should be hidden deep in our hearts, but rather should be expressed with courage and openly so that others may be able to see what we believe in, and believe too.

Brethren, as what the Lord had said in the Gospel as well, that in whatever measure we have given, we shall receive, therefore, there lies also the reality, that the more we do things for the sake of the Lord and for the sake of our faith, the more we shall receive in our reward, that is heavenly glory. The less things we do, because we are reluctant, or lazy or being indifferent to our faith, the less too shall be our reward, and in the end, not only that we may not receive the reward, but instead we may receive punishment and torment for our failure to do what the Lord had asked us to do.

Christ is the Light of the world, and He came into this world for a sole purpose, that is to find all those who have been lost in the darkness of the world, as the Shepherd who is looking for all of His lost sheep. Imagine a person carrying a torchlight or a candle in the darkness looking for a lost item, and that was what Jesus came into this world for. He did not come to this world to punish us, or to enjoy Himself, but to suffer and die for us, that through that action, we may see the true Light.

All of us who believe in Him, and who have accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour, had been made His children, that is the children of the Light. And as the children of the Light therefore, it is totally scandalous if we are to do things that are not showing that we are the creatures of the Light and instead showing that we belong to the darkness. That is why we have to think through our every actions.

Our actions must be based on the teachings of the Lord, and we have to show concretely that we are truly the possessions of Christ. How do they see it? It is by what we speak of, what we do to others, and whatever we have shown by the deeds we do, and if we truly are faithful to God, then it will naturally show itself in all of them, and every word we speak will reflect that nature of Christ, and our actions will show the same love which God had shown for us mankind.

Therefore, all of us should reflect on this day, on whether we have already done what our Lord had taught us to do. We have been made the reflections of the Light which Christ had brought into the world, and thus, we all should bring forth that light to all those who are still in the darkness. Let us reveal the truth of the Lord, bringing the salvation of God to all of them.

May Almighty God be upon us, protect us, and lead us all into His truth, and into His salvation. Let us all renew our commitment and grow stronger in our faith to Him, so that by our words and actions, many will come to believe in the Lord and be saved as well. God bless us all. Amen.

Thursday, 29 January 2015 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Mark 4 : 21-25

At that time, Jesus also said to them, “When the light comes, is it put under a tub or a bed? Surely it is put on a lampstand. Whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light. Listen then, if you have ears!”

And He also said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. In the measure you give, so shall you receive, and still more will be given to you. For to the one who produces something, more will be given, and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Thursday, 29 January 2015 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 23 : 1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord, the world and all that dwell in it. He has founded it upon the ocean and set it firmly upon the waters.

Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who will stand in His holy place? Those with clean hands and pure heart, who desire not what is vain.

They will receive blessings from the Lord, a reward from God, their Saviour. Such are the people who seek Him, who seek the face of Jacob’s God.

Thursday, 29 January 2015 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Hebrews 10 : 19-25

So, my friends, we are assured of entering the Sanctuary by the Blood of Jesus who opened for us this new and living way passing through the curtain, that is, His Body. Because we have a High Priest in charge of the House of God, let us approach with a sincere heart, with full faith, interiorly cleansed from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast to our hope without wavering, because He who promised is faithful. Let us consider how we may spur one another to love and good works. Do not abandon the assemblies as some of you do, but encourage one another, and all the more since the Day is drawing near.