Doctor of the Church

by

Thursday, 30 July 2015 : 17th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Bishops)

Exodus 40 : 16-21, 34-38

Moses did this; he did exactly as YHVH had commanded him. The Holy Tent was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year. Moses set up the Holy Tent. He fixed the bases for it, put up its frames, put its crossbars in position, set up its posts.

He spread the tent over the Holy Tent and on top of this the covering for the Tent, as YHVH had commanded Moses. He took the Covenant and placed it inside the Ark. He set the poles to the Ark in place and put the mercy Seat on it. He brought the Ark into the Holy Tent and put the screening veil in place; thus he screened the Ark of YHVH, as YHVH had commanded Moses.

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the Glory of YHVH filled the Holy Tent. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because of the cloud that rested on it and because of the Glory of YHVH that filled the Holy Tent. At every stage of their journey, whenever the cloud rose from the Holy Tent the people of Israel would continue their march.

If the cloud did not rise, they waited and would not move their camp until it did. For the cloud rested on the Holy Tent by day, and a fire shone within the cloud by night for all the House of Israel to see. And so it was for every stage of their journey.

by

Tuesday, 21 July 2015 : 16th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we heard the readings on the event which many of us surely are quite well aware of, that is the opening or splitting of the Red Sea when the people of Israel was chased by the Egyptians and its Pharaoh, to the edge of the sea. God through Moses, His servant showed forth His might and deliverance for His people by opening the sea right in front of their eyes.

This is a well known story from the Bible which all of us should be familiar with, that God showed forth His salvation and help to all those who devoted themselves to Him and remained in His love. He delivered His own beloved people from the hands of those who sought to enslave them, oppress them and destroy them. He cast down all those who have opposed His loved ones, and turned upside down their plans.

And in the Gospel today, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of those who have done the will of God, and putting the words of the Lord and His teachings into real practice, as those who will be found worthy and just by the Lord, and therefore worthy of His grace and blessings. This is a reminder for all of us that God really values our faith, trust and devotion to Him, and He is always looking at us, taking note of our actions, words and deeds.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day let us look into ourselves and see if within us we have that faith and trust which we really ought to have for the Lord our God. Do we trust Him, and do we have that unshakeable faith in Him? When troubles come our way, and when challenges and obstacles bar our path, do we give in to the pressure of the world and its threats? Or do we stand up tall and place ourselves fully in the hands of God?

Like the Israelites, having been hemmed between the sea and the armies of the Pharaoh, the situation seemed to be hopeless for them, and indeed, they certainly panicked and thought that the end had come upon them, and they would all either be enslaved back by the Egyptians, or meet their end right there on the seashore. But God showed them that only if they put their complete trust in Him, they had nothing to fear.

Those who are righteous and walk faithfully in the way of the Lord have nothing to fear. Those who fear was because they have no faith in God, or that their faith was weak and easily shaken. They put their trust in human power and strength, and when those fail, they give in to their fears and anxieties. As a result, they subject themselves to drastic measures, and even at times such abominations like suicide or giving in to the pressures of those who seek to corrupt us?

We truly have to look at the examples of our holy martyrs and saints, who have remained strong and resolute even in the face of persecution and oppression from the world. They did not give in to the demands of the world and they continued to live righteously despite the difficulties they faced. And the Lord watched over them and protected them. In many occasions they were delivered from those who persecuted them.

But most importantly, at the end of their earthly lives, whether it was by martyrdom or natural death, all of them were righteous and just, and they were delivered from the clutches of death and sin, and they were freed from the dominion and power of Satan into real freedom with God. For just as the Lord delivered the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians, thus He had also delivered all those who are faithful to Him from Satan and all of his forces of darkness.

Today, we celebrate together as well the feast of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, who was a renowned priest who was later made a Doctor of the Church in recognition of his many works and commitments for the betterment of the Church of God and the people. St. Lawrence of Brindisi was a Capuchin friar and preacher who dedicated his life to help those who have fallen to heresy and became wayward in their faith.

St. Lawrence of Brindisi helped establish many Capuchin monasteries and works across areas which had been badly affected by the so-called Protestant ‘reformation’, and he helped to call back many people back to the Lord by his preaching, dispelling the falsehoods of Satan and his agents, and revealing to the people of God, the truth which has always been preserved in the Church.

Through his works, countless thousands upon thousands have been brought back to the true faith and to salvation. He should be an inspiration to all of us, as we all who still live in this world must also therefore awaken the courage and faith in our brethren who still live in darkness and ignorance of the Lord. Through us God will make His works evident in this world, and through us He will bless all mankind, bringing all His scattered people together once again.

May Almighty God who is always with us, protecting us and guarding us from harm, extend His loving embrace and hands upon us, to defend us from the forces of darkness and Satan trying to bring us harm. May He bless us and be with us, so that with all the might He had shown us, we may grow to trust Him and place our faith in Him forevermore. Amen.

by

Tuesday, 21 July 2015 : 16th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Matthew 12 : 46-50

At that time, while Jesus was still talking to the people, His mother and His brothers wanted to speak to Him, and they waited outside. So someone said to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside; they want to speak with You.”

Jesus answered, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” Then He pointed to His disciples and said, “Look! Here are My mother and My brothers. Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is for Me brother, sister or mother.”

by

Tuesday, 21 July 2015 : 16th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Exodus 15 : 8-9, 10 and 12, 17

At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up, the surging waters stood firm in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, “I will give chase and overtake, I will divide the spoil and make a feast of it. I shall draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.”

A breath of Yours and the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them.

You will bring Your people and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance, the place You chose to dwell in, o YHVH, the sanctuary prepared by Your hands.

by

Tuesday, 21 July 2015 : 16th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Exodus 14 : 21 – Exodus 15 : 1

Moses stretched his hand over the sea and YHVH made a strong east wind blow all night and dry up the sea. The waters divided and the sons of Israel went on dry ground through the middle of the sea, with the waters forming a wall to their right and to their left. The Egyptians followed them and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and horsemen moved forward in the middle of the sea.

It happened that in the morning watch, YHVH in the pillar of cloud and fire, looked towards the Egyptian camp and threw it into confusion. He so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly move. Then the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites for YHVH is fighting for them against Egypt.”

Then YHVH said to Moses, “Stretch your hand over the sea and let the waters come back over the Egyptians, over the chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The waters flowed back and engulfed the chariots and horsemen of the whole army of Pharaoh that had followed Israel into the sea. Not one of them escaped.

As for the Israelites they went forward on dry ground in the middle of the sea, the waters forming a wall on their right and their left. On that day YHVH delivered Israel from the power of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore. They understood what wonders YHVH had done for them against Egypt, and the people feared YHVH. They believed in YHVH and in Moses, His servant.

Then Moses and the people sang this song to YHVH : I will sing to YHVH, the Glorious One, horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.

by

Wednesday, 15 July 2015 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we heard in the first reading from the Book of Exodus, how God called Moses His chosen servant while he was in exile in Midian, so that He might reveal to him the truth about the mission which He had entrusted to him. It was His will that He would deliver His people from their suffering and oppression by the Egyptians who made them their slaves.

He called Moses in the wilderness, on top of His own holy mountain, Mount Horeb, in a bush burning as if burnt by fire, and yet it is not burnt. It is the Lord Himself who revealed Himself to the world through Moses. This is echoed in the Gospel today, where our Lord Jesus Christ praised His Father in heaven, for revealing the truth and the wisdom of God to simple and humble men, and not to the prideful and the haughty.

If we note, God called Moses not as a mighty prince of Egypt, but as a humble shepherd who lived in simplicity in exile. He called this seemingly hopeless and futureless person who had once fallen from grace and glory, outcast and downtrodden, poor in speech and trembling in the sight of a great challenge which God had placed before him.

But this is exactly what God had done, for His plans and His ways are not like what we always like our think. God’s wisdom and ways are beyond the ways of men, and the mightier and more powerful we are, the less likely we are to understand the ways of our God. Our Lord does not go about as we often do. He does not boast His might over the weak and the downtrodden, and He does not despise those who are poor, unloved and dejected.

Thus He called Moses, His servant, from amongst his sheep and goats, and sending him to liberate a people living in great poverty and oppression as slaves. He sent his servant not at the head of a great and conquering army to liberate His people, but with a stick and nothing more. It may seem ridiculous to most human observers at the time, but God does things in marvellous ways indeed.

Through Moses God did His many wonders, a simple and humble man, a prince no longer but one counted among the slaves, who with his walking stick challenged the mighty Pharaoh of Egypt, one of the mightiest secular rulers at the time. And God raised His hands against Pharaoh and Egypt such that, after witnessing the true power and strength of God, let the people of Israel go.

And in the same way therefore, God had called and chosen us all from among the nations to be His people. We have been called from our various origins, all to be His people and to follow Him hopefully for the rest of our days in faith. And through us God will work His great wonders to the people, as by our actions, words and deeds we will bear witness to our Lord’s might and call many peoples to come to His presence.

On this day, we celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure, a great bishop, preacher and a notable Doctor of the Church, who was a Franciscan Cardinal of the Church, a simple man, who gave himself to a simple life in a life dedicated to the service of the Lord and His people, and yet he was called for something even greater, and through his many works and teachings, which inspired so many people, he was also renowned by his title of the Seraphic Doctor.

St. Bonaventure joined the Franciscans, a religious order renowned for its simplicity, holiness and filled with devotion to God. He would have been content with such a simple, prayerful life, and yet God called him to a greater purpose. He preached against heresies and published many of his writings which became a great source of inspiration in the faith. Eventually, the Church recognised his great efforts and he was made a bishop and then a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, giving him even greater reach and responsibility.

The example of St. Bonaventure shows us that while we are perhaps simple and small in comparison with others we see around us, and even though our achievements seem to be minuscule compared to that of mankind combined together, but it is exactly what God needs. He calls not the mighty and the prideful, but the simple, to be moulded into His tools, for the good of all mankind.

May Almighty God inspire in us and awaken in us the fullness of love and faith in Him, so that we may devote ourselves ever more to His cause just as His servants Moses and St. Bonaventure had been. We may be small and insignificant, but God reveals His wisdom precisely to those like us, so that by our actions and deeds, filled with the goodness and truth of our Lord, we may be deemed righteous and just, and be worthy of the glory of heaven that awaits us. God bless us all. Amen.

by

Wednesday, 15 July 2015 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Matthew 11 : 25-27

At that time, on that occasion Jesus said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise You, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to simple people. Yes, Father, this is what pleased You.”

“Everything has been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

by

Wednesday, 15 July 2015 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 102 : 1-2, 3-4, 6-7

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

He forgives all your sins and heals all your sickness; He redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with love and compassion.

The Lord restores justice and secures the rights of the oppressed. He has made known His ways to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.

by

Wednesday, 15 July 2015 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Exodus 3 : 1-6, 9-12

Moses pastured the sheep of Jethro, his father-in-law, priest of Midian. One day he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the Mountain of God. The Angel of YHVH appeared to him by means of a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that although the bush was on fire it did not burn up. Moses thought, “I will go and see this amazing sight, why is the bush not burning up?”

YHVH saw that Moses was drawing near to look, and God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” He replied, “Here I am.” YHVH said to him, “Do not come near; take off your sandals because the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

And God continued, “I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face lest his eyes look on God. God said, “The cry of the sons of Israel has reached me and I have seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Go now! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”

Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God replied, “I will be with you and this will be the sign that I have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

by

Saturday, 27 June 2015 : 12th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Bishops or Saturday Mass of our Lady)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we heard about faith, and what faith really is, that is trusting in another. And faith is truly, putting our complete trust in the Lord our God, doubting nothing about Him, but surrendering everything completely to His will. This is true and genuine faith. This is what brought the daughter of the synagogue official and the woman with bleeding their salvation.

In the first reading, we heard how God visited Abraham and his wife, Sarah, in the flesh, when they were already very old. To understand this fully, we have to understand the situation first, because at that time, Abraham, who was ninety-nine years old had been promised by God with a son to be his heir who will receive the fullness of God’s blessings.

But Sarah was not able to bear a son by herself, and instead Abraham and Sarah took a shortcut by having Sarah’s slave girl, Hagar, to bear a son, Ishmael for Abraham. But he was not the promised child that God would give Abraham. Instead, Isaac was the son who God had promised that He would give to Abraham through Sarah. And He Himself came to deliver this good news to them.

Sarah did not believe what God had said and she laughed in her heart, thinking it was impossible for something like that to happen, thinking how impossible it was for such an old woman as her, far beyond her child-bearing age, to bear a son at such a time. But God chastised her, for her lack of faith in what God can do, as what is impossible for men, is not impossible for God.

Indeed, Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist also conceived him at such an old age, and from there, the herald of the Messiah would go on to do many wondrous things to prepare for the coming of the Lord, the Messiah who would save His people. And it was in Jesus that God made evident the fullness of His great and infinite love.

In the Gospel we heard how the army captain or centurion had such a great faith in the Lord, that knowing fully how he was a sinner and not worthy to have the Lord in his presence and in his house, but he trusted fully in Jesus and know that He will be able to heal his servant if He wants to. He knows that Jesus has the power to do so, as He is Lord and God, and the army captain acknowledged that completely, saying that if Jesus just said the word, then his servant would be healed.

And that was exactly what Jesus did, and He praised the army captain’s faith. And He showed it yet again with the mother-in-law of St. Peter, whom He healed from her fever and illness. In God indeed lies our salvation, our comfort and our help, and all this He offered us freely as long as we keep our faith in Him and devote ourselves to His cause.

Let us not doubt the Lord any longer but work on towards rekindling the faith which we ought to have for Him. Let us not put our trust in the temporary and perishable power of men and worldly goods, but put our trust and anchor on the imperishable and everlasting love of God, which He offers freely to all those who trust in Him. And on this day, the example of a great saint, St. Cyril of Alexandria may inspire us as we celebrate his feast day.

St. Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria in the early Church and therefore he was one of its great leaders. He led his flock and the Church through a turbulent and difficult time, when the people of God, the faithful were assailed with multitudes of lies and temptations to embrace the falsehoods of Satan and abandon the true faith in God.

Despite rejection, ridicule, opposition and even persecution by his enemies, St. Cyril continued to persevere and fought on for the sake of his flock, preventing them from being devoured by the lies and the falsehoods of Satan. He bravely defended the true faith from the falsehoods of heretics such as Nestorius, the founder of the Nestorian heresy and kept the faithful steady amidst the storm of assaults by Satan’s forces.

St. Cyril showed us the example of faith, just as the others mentioned earlier had shown their faith and were rewarded by Christ our Lord. This goes on to say that having faith in the Lord will not disappoint us, for if we do so, then we will be secure and have the unshakeable foundation that is our God. What is impossible for men, is possible for God, and this is a fact that we have to always keep in mind and remember at all times.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all pray that our faith in the Lord will continue to be strengthened and firmed, despite the challenges and the difficulties of the world. Let us learn to put our complete trust in the Lord, doubt no more but believe fully with all of our hearts, of the love that God has shown us all, His people. God bless us all. Amen.