holy martyrs

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Monday, 20 July 2015 : 16th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Exodus 14 : 5-18

The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled; then Pharaoh and his ministers changed their minds with regard to the people. “What have we done,” they said, “in allowing Israel to go and be free of our service?” Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. There were six hundred of his best chariots; indeed he took all the Egyptian chariots, each one with his warriors.

YHVH had hardened the mind of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who set out in pursuit of the Israelites as they marched forth triumphantly. The Egyptians – all the chariots and horses of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army – gave chase and caught up with them when they had encamped by the sea near Pihahiroth, facing Baalzephon.

The Israelites saw the Egyptians marching after them : Pharaoh was drawing near. They were terrified and cried out to YHVH. Then they said to Moses, “Were there no tombs in Egypt? Why have you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done by bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not what we said when we were in Egypt : Let us work for the Egyptians. Far better serve Egypt than to die in the desert!”

Moses said to the people, “Have no fear! Stay where you are and see the work YHVH will do to save you today. The Egyptians whom you see today, you will never see again! YHVH will fight for you and all you have to do is to keep still.”

YHVH said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. You will raise your staff and stretch your hand over the sea and divide it to let the Israelites go dryfoot through the sea. I will so harden the minds of the Egyptians that they will follow you. And I will have glory at the expense of Pharaoh, his army, his chariots and horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am YHVH when I gain glory for Myself at the cost of Pharaoh and his army!”

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Sunday, 28 June 2015 : Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s Scripture readings pointed out to us the nature of our Lord, who is the Lord of life and death and the Master of all things. Everything is in His power and under His authority, and to all who love Him, He would also love all back with even greater love, for even before we love Him, He had given up everything for our sake, even to strip Himself of all dignity to suffer and die on the cross for us.

All of these was because of His love for us. God did not create us all for nothing or for Him to gloat over our destruction at the hands of our sins. Death was not intended for us, as we were all intended for eternal life and glory with the Lord our God, in the happiness and pure joy in heaven, just as our first ancestors once experienced in the Gardens of Eden before the day of mankind’s fall into sin.

Death is the consequence of our disobedience, namely our sins, which have sundered us all from the love and grace of God, and because we were sundered from the Lord and Master of life, then we tasted the bitterness of suffering and death in this world. In the Book of Genesis we heard the Lord Himself spoke to Adam and Eve, that as they were born from the dust, they would return to dust again.

This is the mortal death that all of us mortals have to encounter at the end of our earthly lives, when the time came for us and our earthly existence is at its end, and many of us mankind feared death, because we see it as the end of the way, the end of our earthly existence, and separation from all the good things we have in this world. Thus from different peoples and cultures, we see how many people feared death and its unavoidable grip on us, and how we were often obsessed with trying to prolong our own lives.

And today, in the Gospel, Jesus showed all of us, what is meant by truly living, and what the faithful will receive if they keep their faith in Him. He raised from the dead the daughter of the synagogue official, because of his strong faith, placing all of his trust in Jesus, knowing that He could heal her, and brought her from the dead too if He wanted to, just as at the time when Jesus raised Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha from the dead.

What did Jesus told them on that day? He told them that, He is the Life and the Resurrection, and all who believe in Him and place their trust in Him shall not die but have eternal life. It is His right to give and take life from us mortals, and to all those whom He is pleased with, He shall give His life, eternal life filled with perfect joy and happiness, which is what was originally intended for us before we fell into sin.

They doubted at first, and the same happened with all the people who were gathered at the house of the synagogue official, all weeping and wailing loudly, because the girl had died. They thought that she had been lost forever, and they did not believe in Jesus, laughing at Him when He said to them that she was just asleep. Thus, He cast them out of the place because of their unbelief, and raised the girl back to life.

Just as the raising of Lazarus from the dead, this is a foretaste of our own resurrection. Remember what we have heard from Jesus, that the girl was just asleep and not dead? And if we notice that in the Canon of the Mass, after the Consecration and elevation of the Bread and the Wine to be the Most Precious Body and Blood of our Lord, we heard the priest saying, ‘Remember our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep before us…’, then we would see that death is not something to be feared, and it is not lasting, if we truly are faithful to the Lord.

Death is not an end, but in fact is just a transition, from our worldly and earthly life, in this imperfect and sinful world, tainted since the entry of sin into our hearts. It is a transition to the new life which our Lord Jesus Christ has promised all of us, that all those who believe in Him and live righteously according to the will of God, will receive this life everlasting, a life with God, filled with the fullness of God’s love and grace.

And what is the key to all this? Faith, and also hope, and also love, the three cardinal and most important virtues we ought to have. And faith is what the woman with bleeding had, trusting so much in the power and authority of Jesus, that she believed that even by just touching the edges of His cloak, she would be healed. And by her faith she was healed.

The same goes too for the synagogue official, whose faith we have discussed earlier, and many others whose faith Jesus had praised throughout the Gospels, namely the Syro-Phoenician woman, the army captain who said that ‘I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be healed.’ And many other examples, which shows how the faith of these people in Jesus, in our Lord, had brought about salvation to them.

Jesus offered this freely for them, when He died on the cross. By dying on the cross for us, and through all of His suffering, He had borne our sins upon Himself, all the punishment and suffering due for us, which should have been our fate. Indeed, we ought to fear death initially because of our sins, so heinous and evil before God, that the punishment must have been severe and unimaginable, but Jesus took all that upon Himself, and He died for all, even for those who were hostile to Him.

But as long as we refuse to accept His salvation, then this salvation does not come to us and it remains outside of our reach. Faith is how we come to receive this salvation, by believing that Jesus is our Lord and God, and then knowing that we have hope in Him. Yes, we ought to hope in the resurrection, and we know that we will have it if we love Him, and if we have love in us.

Why do we fear death so much? That is because we are by our nature selfish, and we love only ourselves, and the things that make us happy. But this happiness is just temporary and it does not last beyond death. For all the wealth, things and other worldly goods we accumulate and gain in our lives, none of this will be brought with us when we go to the world that is to come.

Remember that Jesus said to His disciples and to the people for them to build not treasures that can be destroyed and perish? But rather to build up for themselves the eternal and true treasures of heaven? What is this treasure? The love of God, and the love which is inside us, the hope we have for His resurrection and the eternal life He had promised all who have faith in Him.

So what do we all ought to bring home today from these readings which we have heard? It is for us to have true and genuine faith in the Lord Jesus, our hope and our salvation. To have faith does not mean for us just to say prayers and to say before others that we believe in Him. For we know that our faith is dead as long as we do not have action based on that faith.

If the woman with bleeding just had the faith but did not have the courage to go and approach Jesus through the crowd, her problem would remain with her and no healing would have taken place. If she did not have the courage to admit what she had done, touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak, then what she had done would not be known to us either. And what is the action we all need? Love, my brethren, it is love that we need.

Love our God with all of our heart’s strength, with all of our minds and our fullest attention, and then show the same love to our brethren, our neighbours, to all others who are around us. Our true treasures do not lie in the wealth and possessions in this world, which although they may be good to have, but they do not bring us true happiness. True happiness lies in knowing that we love one another, and God loves us all too because He sees the love that is in us, and therefore we are worthy of the eternal life He had promised all of us who have faith in Him.

Let us all therefore pray, brothers and sisters, that our faith in the Lord will be ever strengthened, that we will always put our trust in He who is the Lord of all, the Lord over life and death. Let us throw away our selfishness and our desire, for all the worldly things that keep us apart from the Lord. Let us be able to move our hands and limbs to love one another, sharing the faith which we have, and so that together, at the end, our Lord will gather us all back together once again to enjoy once again the goodness which He had intended for us from the beginning.

We do not need to fear death anymore for it is a new beginning for us, for an eternal life of joy with God. His life is in us and we rejoice because of this. May God bless us all and be with us, now and forever. Amen.

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Sunday, 28 June 2015 : Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Mark 5 : 21-43

At that time, Jesus crossed to the other side of the lake, and while He was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around Him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and, seeing Jesus, threw himself at His feet, and begged Him earnestly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may get well and live.”

Jesus went with him, and many people followed, pressing from every side. Among the crowd was a woman, who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors, and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse.

Because she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind Him and touched His cloak, thinking, “If I just touch His clothing, I shall get well.” Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint.

But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from Him, so He turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding around You. Why do You ask who touched You?”

But He kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward trembling and afraid. She knelt before Him, and told Him the whole truth. Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be free of this illness.”

While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official’s house to inform him, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?” But Jesus ignored what they said, and told the official, “Do not fear, just believe.” And He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered, and said to them, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” They laughed at Him. So Jesus sent them outside, and went with the child’s father and mother and His companions into the room, where the child lay.

Taking her by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kumi!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got up at once and began to walk around. She was twelve years old. The parents were amazed, greatly amazed. Jesus strictly ordered them not to let anyone know about it; and He told them to give her something to eat.

Alternative reading (shorter version)

Mark 5 : 21-24, 35b-43

At that time, Jesus crossed to the other side of the lake, and while He was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around Him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and, seeing Jesus, threw himself at His feet, and begged Him earnestly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may get well and live.” Jesus went with him, and many people followed, pressing from every side.

Some people arrived from the official’s house to inform him, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?” But Jesus ignored what they said, and told the official, “Do not fear, just believe.” And He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered, and said to them, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” They laughed at Him. So Jesus sent them outside, and went with the child’s father and mother and His companions into the room, where the child lay.

Taking her by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kumi!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got up at once and began to walk around. She was twelve years old. The parents were amazed, greatly amazed. Jesus strictly ordered them not to let anyone know about it; and He told them to give her something to eat.

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Sunday, 28 June 2015 : Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

2 Corinthians 8 : 7, 9, 13-15

You excel in everything : in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge; you feel concern for every cause and, besides, you are first in my heart. Excel also in this generous service.

You know well the generosity of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although He was rich, He made Himself poor to make you rich through His poverty. I do not mean that others should be at ease and you burdened. Strive for equality; at present give from your abundance what they are short of, and in some way they also will give from their abundance what you lack.

Then you will be equal and what the Scripture says shall come true : ‘To the one who had much, nothing was in excess; to the one who had little, nothing was lacking.’

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Sunday, 28 June 2015 : Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green
Psalm 29 : 2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b

I extol You, o Lord, for You have rescued me; my enemies will not gloat over me. O Lord, You have brought me up from the grave, You gave me life when I was going to the pit.

Sing to the Lord, o you His saints, give thanks and praise to His holy Name. For His anger lasts but a little while, and His kindness all through life. Weeping may tarry for the night, but rejoicing comes with the dawn.

Hear, o Lord, and have mercy on me; o Lord, be my Protector. But now, You have turned my mourning into rejoicing. O Lord, my God, forever will I give You thanks.

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Sunday, 28 June 2015 : Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Wisdom 1 : 13-15 and Wisdom 2 : 23-24

God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living. Since He has created everything, all creatures of the universe are for our good; there is no deadly poison in them and the netherworld has no dominion over the earth, because justice is immortal.

Indeed God created man to be immortal in the likeness of His own nature, but the envy of the devil brought death to the world, and those who take his side shall experience death.

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Friday, 19 June 2015 : 11th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Philip Minh, Priest and Companions, Martyrs (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s readings tie very closely to the lives of the saints and martyrs whose memory we are celebrating today. As such, the readings spoke about being the servants and followers of God, and what is to be expected of us, and how we ought to live our lives so that we may remain faithful and true to the Lord our God.

In the first reading today, St. Paul spoke of how he had encountered many oppositions and difficulties along the way, and how he had suffered many tribulations and torture at the hands of his enemies, rejection, been spitted on, lashed with ropes, imprisoned, and many other forms of inhuman torture which also unfortunately were the fate of many other Christians at the time.

And if we notice, Christians throughout time, even until today, including what the recent events had shown us, still encounter the same if not even worse persecution and torture. When we stand up for our faith, indeed there will be those who disagree, because they have rejected the truth which can be found only in the Lord our God.

But in the Gospel today, Jesus comforted all of us, by saying that we indeed ought to stand up for the faith and the truth. He spoke of seeking not earthly treasures but heavenly ones, and this is implying that we should not settle for the happiness and good things that can be found in the world, but we must strive for greater things, that is the true joy that only God can give, even though the world may disapprove of us.

The earthly treasures Jesus spoke of were the approval of the world, the pleasures of the world, money, wealth and possessions, sexual lust and pleasures, greed and human desires, fame, human praise and many others that we should all know about. Meanwhile, the heavenly treasures that God spoke of is the true joy and happiness that do not end, even to the end of time and beyond, for we will forever live in perfect harmony with the Lord our God.

This is exactly what the martyr saints of Vietnam, St. Philip Minh and his many companions in martyrdom had also done. They chose to remain true to their faith in God, despite the threat of persecution, torture, suffering and death by the authorities at the time, which was intensely against the Church and the Faith spreading in the country of Vietnam.

The government tried to persuade the faithful to abandon their faith, some even by offering them money, property, as well as opportunities for work and promotion in the social strata, so that they hopefully might be persuaded to abandon their faith in God and embrace what the government had provided them. But many refused to accept all these, as they fully knew that to do so means to trade the eternal and true wealth they had received and assured by the Lord, for the temporary and illusory pleasures and joy of the world.

The same thing had also been done by the Apostles and the disciples of Christ, and many of the members of the early Church, when they were faced with the oppression and persecution of the world. And even until today, many still faced persecution by the world because of their faith in the One, True God as the world is opposed to Christ and to His truth. This is why the faithful suffer such great persecutions for their faith.

May the examples of the saints and martyrs, especially that of St. Philip Minh and his companions, the Vietnamese Martyrs, be an inspiration to all of us on this day and beyond, to live our lives faithfully, so that we may truly seek the true treasures which await us in heaven despite the challenges that will come our way, rather than settling for the temporary treasures of this world that will inevitably cause us to lose forever our eternal inheritance and a prelude to eternal suffering. God bless us all. Amen.

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Friday, 19 June 2015 : 11th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Philip Minh, Priest and Companions, Martyrs (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Matthew 6 : 19-23

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “Do not store up treasures for yourself here on earth, where moth and rust destroy it, and where thieves can steal it. Store up treasures for yourself with God, where no moth or rust can destroy it, nor thief come and steal it.”

“For where your treasures is, there also your heart will be. The lamp of the body is the eye; if your eyes are sound, your whole body will be in the light. If your eyes are diseased, your whole body will be in darkness. Then, if your light has become darkness, how dark will be the darkest part of you!”

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Friday, 19 June 2015 : 11th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Philip Minh, Priest and Companions, Martyrs (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Psalm 33 : 2-3, 4-5, 6-7

I will bless the Lord all my days; His praise will be ever on my lips. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the lowly hear and rejoice.

Oh, let us magnify the Lord, together let us glorify His Name! I sought the Lord, and He answered me; from all my fears He delivered me.

They who look to Him are radiant with joy, their faces never clouded with shame. When the poor cry out, the Lord hears and saves them from distress.

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Friday, 19 June 2015 : 11th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Philip Minh, Priest and Companions, Martyrs (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

2 Corinthians 11 : 18, 21b-30

As some people boast of human advantages, I will do the same. But if others are so bold, I shall also dare, although I may speak like a fool. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I begin to talk like a madman) I am better than they.

Better than they with my numerous labours. Better than they with the time spent in prison. The beatings I received are beyond comparison. How many times have I found myself in danger of death! Five times the Jews sentenced me to thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with a rod, once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked, and once I spent a night and a day adrift on the high seas.

I have been continually in hazards of travelling because of rivers, because of bandits, because of my fellow Jews, or because of the pagans; in danger in the city, in the open country, at sea; in danger from false brothers. I have worked and often laboured without sleep, I have been hungry and thirsty and starving, cold and without shelter.

Besides these and other things, there was my daily concern for all the churches. Who is weak that I do not feel weak as well? Whoever stumbles, am I not on hot bricks? If it is necessary to boast, let me proclaim the occasions on which I was found weak.