Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we are reminded that as God’s faithful ones, as Christians, we have decided to follow the Lord, in the footsteps of the Apostles and the disciples, and we are all called to a transformed and holy life, transcending our past existences and leaving behind all traces of our past unworthiness and sinful lives.

‘Be holy as I am holy’, is what God wants from each and every one of us as Christians. What does this mean? Is it about praying everyday and showcasing our faith before others? Is it about showing off just how holy and devout we are in front of those who do not believe in God or even by chastising those whose faith and dedication are not as great as ours? No, brothers and sisters in Christ, it is not like that.

All the devotion, prayers and all those that we normally consider as holy, are indeed necessary, because these are what helps us in our journey of faith towards God. However, it becomes a problem when we end up just doing all of them, but without the correct focus and intention. This becomes a piety instead of true faith and genuine devotion to God. And instead of a life focused on God, we end up with a self-centred and selfish life.

That was how many of the Pharisees ended up becoming, as they became fixated on the strict enforcement and adherence to the Jewish customs and laws, but failing to recognise God’s truth and works in Christ, when He came into this world and bringing those truth to them. They closed their ears, their minds and their hearts from the Lord, and opposed God’s works and goodness at every possible opportunities.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, in the Gospel passage we heard today, we can find God’s advice on how we ought to live our lives with true and genuine faith. Through the words of the Apostles, we are reminded that as Christians, we often need to make sacrifices and to learn to let go of our worldly attachments. Indeed, it does not mean that we let go of everything, but we must not become attached or obsessed with things in this world that can cause us to lose our way.

For example, many people who have been obsessed with money and material possessions end up losing everything in their pursuit for money, or even fame and glory. They end up causing hurt, pain and sorrow to their loved ones, as people may often even set aside those who are close and precious to them in their pursuit of all these worldly and material goods.

But as Christians, this is not what we should do with our lives. Instead, the Lord Himself has shown us, that the greater we are and the greater we become, we should be ever humbler, following His own examples, that we serve one another, the greater one serving those who are under him or her. And we must centre our lives on the Lord, obeying Him and following Him in all things, so that ultimately, it is His will that shall be done and not ours.

Let us all turn ourselves to God, and let us all devote ourselves more wholeheartedly to Him. May all of us be filled with renewed faith for God, and be true in our faith to Him, every single days of our lives. Amen.