Monday

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Monday, 30 March 2015 : Monday of the Holy Week (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Isaiah 42 : 1-7

YHVH said, “Here is My Servant whom I uphold, My Chosen One in whom I delight. I have put My Spirit upon Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. He does not shout or raise His voice. Proclamations are not heard in the streets.”

“A broken reed He will not crush, nor will He snuff out the light of the wavering wick. He will make justice appear in truth. He will not waver or be broken until He has established justice on earth; the islands are waiting for His Law.”

Thus says God, YHVH, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread the earth and all that comes from it, who gives life and breath to those who walk on it : “I, YHVH, have called You for the sake of justice; I will hold Your hand to make You firm; I will make You as a Covenant to the people, and as a Light to the nations, to open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in darkness.”

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Monday, 23 March 2015 : 5th Week of Lent, Memorial of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, Bishop (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s Scripture readings all have a clear purpose and intention which the Church intends to have us all know about it. It is about being judgmental and the judging attitude of others around us. It is within our human nature to be quick to judge and condemn others when they do something wrong to us. But it is not in our nature to judge ourselves and to look into ourselves for our mistakes.

In the first reading, we heard about the story of Susanna, the woman of Judah during the time of the exile in Babylon. She was a righteous and faithful woman, who had a loving family, and yet, the two elders appointed to be leaders of God’s people in exile turned to evil deeds and gave in to their desires and worldliness, and therefore, they persecuted her and almost had their way on her.

The elders gave in to their desire and their lust, and they were unable to resist the temptation of the flesh. And when they realised their sins in whatever they had committed or plotted with, instead of genuinely and sincerely repenting their ways and rejecting Satan, they instead allowed Satan to do even more harmful and evil works through them, by giving in to their pride and selfishness, seeking to preserve themselves by punishing the unfortunate Susanna to death.

The same also often happens to us, brothers and sisters in Christ. When we made a mistake and we are afraid of the consequences and the punishment, it is often and indeed it is our nature to seek to preserve ourselves first, by trying to find others to be blamed for our mistake instead, that is to find a scapegoat. It is what the two elders had done, when they could not get what they wanted, and even if they had succeeded, they wanted to clean their hands off whatever sins they had committed.

In the Gospel reading today, we heard also about how the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus in order to test Him and trap Him with their malicious intents. They masqueraded and pretended to be faithful to the Lord and His teachings by apparently showing concern about that woman who had committed adultery and wanted her punished. Yet, they failed to look into themselves.

Jesus rightly said to them and revealed to them the fact which they and indeed, many of us often conveniently forget. Let the one without sin cast the first stone. That is the truth revealed by Christ to us, brethren, that we are all without exception, a sinner. Each of us have sinned differently, but nevertheless, be it that we have small or large sins, all of us are still separated from God through those sins which we have committed.

We should not judge others for the fault and mistakes which they had done in their lives, for we too can be judged by our own fault and by our own misbehaviours. This is what the Lord wanted for us to know, so that we would not be antagonised and that we would not keep hatred and prejudice against our own brethren. Only God has the authority and capacity, as well as the right to judge all of us.

And like the two elders, they were judged for their own sins when they tried to condemn the innocent woman to death. God does not judge as He pleases, but He judges based on whether we are willing to throw far, far away our ways of sinfulness and embrace the ways of truth, or whether we are unrepentant or even trying to cause harm to others through lie, slander, prejudice, hatred and many others.

The Lord does not hate the sinner, and that is why He forgave the adulterous woman her sins, just as He wanted to forgive all mankind their sins, but His next words are equally clear as well, that she should sin no more. Hence, we too, we who have been forgiven from our sins by the Lord, must also sin no more in our lives. God hates the sin, as sin is wickedness, rebelliousness and disobedience against the will of God.

In this time of Lent, we should reflect on our own lives. Do we forgive each other our sins and faults to one another? Do we endeavour to live more and more according to the will of God? Today we celebrate the feast of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, the Spanish Archbishop of Lima several hundred years ago, who is one of the first saints who hailed from the New World or the American continent.

He worked hard to evangelise the people of the New World, bringing the Light of Christ to those who still live in sin and darkness. He established many schools, institutions and other instruments to help future efforts of evangelisation and conversion of sinners to the true Faith. But most important of all, he did not judge against sinners but in fact sincerely tried his best to bring them to righteousness in God. He championed their rights against the colonial rulers, the Spanish Empire which sought to exploit them as much as possible and treat them as less than human beings.

By looking at the examples of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo and what we have heard in the Scriptures today, we know that we should do more to help those who are still stranded and trapped in sin. We must do more to help those who have none or few to help them. It is important for us to show mercy to one another, and to help each other to grow more and deeper in our faith. But we must also not forget to remind each other to sin no more.

God have mercy on sinners, but He still hates sin very much. Therefore, let us all make ourselves worthy by distancing ourselves from all things that can cause us to sin, and do good from now on. Let us all be found worthy at the end of time, and from then on to receive the fullness of God’s grace and blessings. God bless us all. Amen.

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Monday, 23 March 2015 : 5th Week of Lent, Memorial of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, Bishop (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

John 8 : 1-11

At that time, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak Jesus appeared in the Temple again. All the people came to Him, and He sat down and began to teach them.

Then the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone. “Master,” they said, “this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses orders that such women be stoned to death; but You, what do You say?” They said this to test Jesus, in order to have some charge against Him.

Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with His finger. And as they continued to ask Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And He bent down again, writing on the ground.

As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him. Then Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go away and do not sin again.”

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Monday, 23 March 2015 : 5th Week of Lent, Memorial of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, Bishop (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Psalm 22 : 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul.

He guides me through the right paths for His Name’s sake. Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are beside me : Your rod and Your staff comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of my foes. You anoint my head with oil; my cup is overflowing.

Goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life. I shall dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

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Monday, 23 March 2015 : 5th Week of Lent, Memorial of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, Bishop (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Daniel 13 : 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62

There lived in Babylon a man named Joakim, who was married to a very beautiful God-fearing woman, Susanna, Hilkiah’s daughter, whose pious parents had trained her in the law of Moses. A very rich man and greatly respected by all the Jews, Joakim was frequently visited by the Jews in his house adjoining a garden.

That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, in whom this word of the Lord became true, “Wickedness has come forth from Babylon, through the elders appointed judges, who were supposed to govern the people.” These men frequented Joakim’s house, and all who had legal disputes used to come to them.

After the people had left at noon, Susanna would go into her husband’s garden for a walk. The two old men began to lust for her as they watched her enter the garden every day. Forgetting the demands of justice and virtue, their lust grew all the more as they made no effort to turn their eyes to heaven.

One day, as they were waiting for an opportune time, Susanna entered the garden as usual with only two maids. She decided to bathe, for it was a hot day. Nobody else was there except the two elders watching her from where they had hidden themselves. She said to the maids, “Bring me oil and ointments, and shut the garden doors while I bathe.”

When the maids had left, the two elders hurried to her and said, “Look, the garden doors are shut and no one sees us. We desire to possess you. If you refuse to give in, we will testify that you sent your maids away for there was a young man here with you.”

Susanna moaned, “Whatever I do, I am trapped. If I give in to your desire, it will be death for me; if I refuse, I will not escape your persecution. I would rather be persecuted than sin in the eyes of the Lord.” Susanna shrieked, but the old men shouted, putting the blame on her. One of them ran and opened the garden doors.

Hearing the noise in the garden, the household servants rushed in by the side entrance to see what was happening. They were taken aback when they heard the elders’ accusation, for never had anything like this been said of Susanna. The next day a meeting was held at Joakim’s house.

The two elders arrived, vindictively determined to have Susanna sentenced to death. They ordered before all the people, “Send for Susanna, Hilkiah’s daughter and Joakim’s wife.” They sent for her, and she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.

Her family and friends and all who saw her wept. The two elders stood up and laid their hands upon her head. Completely trusting in the Lord, she raised her tearful eyes to heaven. The elders started making their accusation, “We were taking a walk in the garden when this woman came in with two maids. She ordered them to shut the garden doors and dismissed them.”

“Then a young man came out of hiding and lay with her. We were in a corner of the garden, and we saw this crime from there. We ran to them, and caught them in the act of embracing. We were unable to take hold of the man. He was too strong for us. He made a dash for the door, opened it and ran off.”

“But we were able to seize this woman. We asked her who the young man was, but she refused to tell us. This is our statement and we testify to its truth.” The assembly took their word, since they were elders and judges of the people. 

Susanna was condemned to death. She cried aloud, “Eternal God, nothing is hidden from You; You know all things before they come to be. You know that these men have testified falsely against me. Would You let me die, though I am not guilty of all their malicious charges?”

The Lord heard her and as she was being led to her execution, God aroused the Holy Spirit residing in a young lad named Daniel. He shouted, “I will have no part in the death of this woman!” Those present turned to him, “What did you say?” they all asked.

Standing in their midst, he said to them, “Have you become fools, you Israelites, to condemn a daughter of Israel without due process and in the absence of clear evidence? Return to court, for those men have testified falsely against her.” Hurriedly they returned, and the elders said to Daniel, “Come and sit with us, for you also possess the gifts bestowed by God upon the elders.”

Daniel said to the people, “Separate these two from one another and I will examine each of them.” When the two elders were separated from each other, Daniel called one of them and said, “How wicked you have grown with age. Your sins of earlier days have piled up against you, and now is the time of reckoning.”

“Remember how you have passed unjust sentences, condemning the innocent and freeing the guilty, although the Lord has said, ‘The innocent and the just should not be put to death.’ Now, if you really witnessed the crime, under what tree did you see them do it?”

The elder answered, “Under a mastic tree.” Daniel said, “Your lie will cost you your head. You will be cut in two, as soon as the Lord’s angel receives your sentence from God.” Putting the first one aside, Daniel called the other elder and said to him, “You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, you have long allowed yourself to be perverted by lust. This is how you have dealt with the daughters of Israel, who out of fear have yielded to you.”

“But here is a daughter of Judah who would not tolerate your wickedness. Tell me then, under what tree did you catch them committing the crime?” The answer came, “Under an oak.” “Your lie has also cost you your head,” Daniel said. “God’s angel waits to cut you both in two.”

The whole assembly shouted and blessed God for helping those who hope in Him. They turned against the two elders who, through Daniel’s efforts, had been convicted by their own mouths. In accordance with Moses’ law, the penalty the two elders had intended to impose upon their neighbour was inflicted upon them. They were sentenced to death. Thus was the life of an innocent woman spared that day.


Alternative reading (shorter version)

Daniel 13 : 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 41c-62

There lived in Babylon a man named Joakim, who was married to a very beautiful God-fearing woman, Susanna, Hilkiah’s daughter, whose pious parents had trained her in the law of Moses. A very rich man and greatly respected by all the Jews, Joakim was frequently visited by the Jews in his house adjoining a garden.

That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, in whom this word of the Lord became true, “Wickedness has come forth from Babylon, through the elders appointed judges, who were supposed to govern the people.” These men frequented Joakim’s house, and all who had legal disputes used to come to them.

After the people had left at noon, Susanna would go into her husband’s garden for a walk. The two old men began to lust for her as they watched her enter the garden every day. Forgetting the demands of justice and virtue, their lust grew all the more as they made no effort to turn their eyes to heaven.

One day, as they were waiting for an opportune time, Susanna entered the garden as usual with only two maids. She decided to bathe, for it was a hot day. Nobody else was there except the two elders watching her from where they had hidden themselves. She said to the maids, “Bring me oil and ointments, and shut the garden doors while I bathe.”

When the maids had left, the two elders hurried to her and said, “Look, the garden doors are shut and no one sees us. We desire to possess you. If you refuse to give in, we will testify that you sent your maids away for there was a young man here with you.”

Susanna moaned, “Whatever I do, I am trapped. If I give in to your desire, it will be death for me; if I refuse, I will not escape your persecution. I would rather be persecuted than sin in the eyes of the Lord.” Susanna shrieked, but the old men shouted, putting the blame on her. One of them ran and opened the garden doors.

Hearing the noise in the garden, the household servants rushed in by the side entrance to see what was happening. They were taken aback when they heard the elders’ accusation, for never had anything like this been said of Susanna. The next day a meeting was held at Joakim’s house.

The two elders arrived, vindictively determined to have Susanna sentenced to death. They ordered before all the people, “Send for Susanna, Hilkiah’s daughter and Joakim’s wife.” They sent for her, and she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.

Susanna was condemned to death. She cried aloud, “Eternal God, nothing is hidden from You; You know all things before they come to be. You know that these men have testified falsely against me. Would You let me die, though I am not guilty of all their malicious charges?”

The Lord heard her and as she was being led to her execution, God aroused the Holy Spirit residing in a young lad named Daniel. He shouted, “I will have no part in the death of this woman!” Those present turned to him, “What did you say?” they all asked.

Standing in their midst, he said to them, “Have you become fools, you Israelites, to condemn a daughter of Israel without due process and in the absence of clear evidence? Return to court, for those men have testified falsely against her.” Hurriedly they returned, and the elders said to Daniel, “Come and sit with us, for you also possess the gifts bestowed by God upon the elders.”

Daniel said to the people, “Separate these two from one another and I will examine each of them.” When the two elders were separated from each other, Daniel called one of them and said, “How wicked you have grown with age. Your sins of earlier days have piled up against you, and now is the time of reckoning.”

“Remember how you have passed unjust sentences, condemning the innocent and freeing the guilty, although the Lord has said, ‘The innocent and the just should not be put to death.’ Now, if you really witnessed the crime, under what tree did you see them do it?”

The elder answered, “Under a mastic tree.” Daniel said, “Your lie will cost you your head. You will be cut in two, as soon as the Lord’s angel receives your sentence from God.” Putting the first one aside, Daniel called the other elder and said to him, “You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, you have long allowed yourself to be perverted by lust. This is how you have dealt with the daughters of Israel, who out of fear have yielded to you.”

“But here is a daughter of Judah who would not tolerate your wickedness. Tell me then, under what tree did you catch them committing the crime?” The answer came, “Under an oak.” “Your lie has also cost you your head,” Daniel said. “God’s angel waits to cut you both in two.”

The whole assembly shouted and blessed God for helping those who hope in Him. They turned against the two elders who, through Daniel’s efforts, had been convicted by their own mouths. In accordance with Moses’ law, the penalty the two elders had intended to impose upon their neighbour was inflicted upon them. They were sentenced to death. Thus was the life of an innocent woman spared that day.

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Monday, 16 March 2015 : 4th Week of Lent (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we are reminded by the readings of the Holy Scriptures, that if we put our trust and complete faith in the Lord, we truly have nothing to fear or be worried about in our lives. And indeed, Jesus pointed out today that many of us have to learn to be faithful and to put our trust in the Lord, instead of worrying about many things or being assailed with doubt.

The first reading today, taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah spoke about how God will bring about the creation of the new world, a new heaven and earth, one that is untainted by the filth of sin and wickedness. This is the promise and the hope which God has given us, and which will be our wonderful inheritance if only that we put our trust in Him, and put our complete faith in what He had planned for us.

The psalm today also spoke of the protection and the care which God will give all of those who have faith in Him, and who have not abandoned Him when they are in difficulty, instead praying and asking for His help. God is always faithful, and He will show His help in various ways, but all of them are meant to bring us help and bring us to relief and new hope.

In the Gospel today, we heard about the story of the official who asked Jesus to heal his son who was very ill and at the verge of death. Why Jesus said to the official in the way as He had said it is exactly because of the lack of faith in many of the people of God, that is the lack of true and genuine faith. They followed Jesus, the many multitudes of people, was because they were confused and they did not know what they are doing, other than being awed by the seemingly impossible things which He had done, by opening the eyes of the blind, making the deaf hear and the mute to speak, and even to raise people again from the dead.

This awe would not last beyond the extent of how much they were impressed by such deeds. As was to be proven by the events celebrated during the Holy Week itself. I am sure many of us are astonished and amazed at how fast the people’s opinion and support can change, when they cheered and adored Jesus as King, when He entered in glory to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and yet, the same people cried out for His death and crucifixion, and abandoned Him on Good Friday.

It is because they have no solid foundation in their faith. They did not completely trust the Lord their God, and they followed Him merely to satisfy their curiosity, to feel the thrill of seeing such wondrous things, not much different from how we are so thrilled to see a wonderful performance in theatres. But this kind of faith and following is not genuine. It is a selfish faith, because it is all truly about satisfying our wants and our desires, and not a real love which we should indeed show the Lord.

It is very clear that all of us also have the danger of having this to happen to us. Often times we have faith in God and believe in Him when things are good with us, but the moment we have difficulties and challenges facing us, and when we perceive that the Lord is not helping us, we begin to blame God and we are quick to abandon Him. Then this is indeed not true faith, but selfish desire for benefits. We truly only want to be served and to receive help from God but not return it equally with love and true devotion.

Therefore, in this season of Lent, it is a great time for us to reflect on our own lives and actions. Have we been truly faithful and devoted to God, that is to love Him without any attached conditions and want? If we are able to do this, then I can assure you that grace and blessings will never be far from us. The promised new world, the new heaven and earth will be part of our inheritance.

On the other hand, if we continue to be selfish and driven by our desires and greed, then eventually they will bring us inevitably towards destruction. The only ones who will suffer shall be ourselves. We are all reminded to be sincerely changing our ways in this time of forgiveness and grace. Let us pray to God, that He will forgive us our selfishness, our trespasses, and guide us to the right path. God bless us all. Amen.

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Monday, 16 March 2015 : 4th Week of Lent (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

John 4 : 43-54

At that time, when the two days Jesus was in Samaria were over, He left for Galilee. Jesus Himself said that no prophet is recognised in His own country. Yet the Galileans welcomed Him when He arrived, because of all the things which He had done in Jerusalem during the Festival, and which they had seen. For they, too, had gone to the feast.

Jesus went back to Cana of Galilee, where He had changed the water into wine. At Capernaum there was an official, whose son was ill, and when he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked Him to come and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Jesus said, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe!” The official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” And Jesus replied, “Go, your son lives!” The man had faith in the word that Jesus spoke to him, and went his way. As he was approaching his house, his servants met him, and gave him the good news, “Your son has recovered!”

So he asked them at what hour the child began to recover, and they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday, at about one o’clock in the afternoon.” And the father realised that that was the time when Jesus had told him, “Your son lives!” And he became a believer, he and all his family.

Jesus performed this second miraculous sign when He returned from Judea to Galilee.

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Monday, 16 March 2015 : 4th Week of Lent (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

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 I will give You thanks.

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Monday, 16 March 2015 : 4th Week of Lent (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Isaiah 65 : 17-21

I now create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind again. Be glad forever and rejoice in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sound of distress and the voice of weeping will not be heard in it any more.

You will no longer know of dead children or of adults who do not live out a lifetime. One who reaches a hundred years will have died a mere youth, but one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant crops and eat their fruit.

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Monday, 9 March 2015 : 3rd Week of Lent, Memorial of St. Frances of Rome, Religious (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the message of today’s Scripture readings is very clear. That we all have to listen and obey the Lord’s will and follow Him in all of our ways, sinning no more and deviating no more from His path. And then we also have to open our hearts to Him and allow Him to speak into our hearts, and we will then be saved. And also it is highlighted yet again, how God desires the salvation of all mankind, which He desires greatly, and all men are equal before Him, equally loved and equally deserving for His mercy.

In the first reading we heard about the healing of Naaman, the Syrian general. Syria or Aram was the great rival of Israel at the time and the two countries often came to war. Naaman was a great and mighty general, who won many wars, but he was down and afflicted with leprosy, a terrible and infectious disease which at the time would make him shunned and shamed by the entire society.

Thus he sought help and healing in the land of Israel, when at that time the prophet Elisha, the successor of Elijah, was ministering to the people of God. Yet at that time, the king of Israel and most of the people were wayward in their ways and they refused to listen to Elisha and to all of his warnings. And thus, they received no grace and blessing from God, and the one to receive His blessing was in fact a foreigner, who did not belong to the community of the people of God.

And in the Gospel we heard how Jesus was rejected by His own people, by His own townsfellow, the people of Nazareth where He stayed since His youth. This paralleled the rejection of the Lord and His prophets by His own sinful people. This goes on to show that the Lord sees all the people, all mankind equally and love them all equally. No difference or distinction between any depending on either race, wealth, fame, prestige or any other worldly distinctions.

What matters would be the attitude and the actions which we are doing in life. Do we show that we are truly disciples and children of our Lord? Or do we instead show that we are the children of this world? We cannot be a hypocrite, in living our faith we show that our faith is not just mere proclamation or mere words, but is as real as it can be. This is the kind of faith that we need, that is to follow what our Lord had taught us.

What Naaman did before he was healed should be a good lesson for all of us, in that when he was defiant and reluctant to follow what Elisha had said to him, he represented what all of us are often doing in our own lives. How often is it that we defy the will of God and refuse to follow what He had asked us to do, and instead trust in our own judgments and follow our own human desires? It has been too often indeed for most of us.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Frances of Rome, whose life hopefully will be able to inspire us to see and know what is meant by being a servant and follower of our God. St. Frances of Rome was born to a rich, influential and aristocratic family in Rome, who was married off to another aristocrat at a young age, and who was a usual and common mother for many years.

St. Frances encountered many difficult moments in her life, losing her children, being involved in family disputes and difficulties of life at the time, with conflict and challenges, but all these did not prevent her from committing herself to good cause, by her ample charitable acts and works to help many of the destitute and the poor, opening her house to welcome many of those who were less fortunate.

Although she was born to privilege and wealth, but she did not regard them as making her special above the rest. Instead, she used what she had to help all those who are in need, and she also dedicated herself to a life of prayer close to God. She left many things in the world in order to pursue her true desire, that is the Lord and to be close to Him.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, many of us are like Naaman who in his pride initially refused to follow the will of God and stood defiant. However, we all have to take note that he eventually obeyed the commands, and for that, he was healed from his leprosy. We too are sick from leprosy, brothers and sisters, but not leprosy of the body, rather that of the soul.

Sin is the leprosy, the sickness that is eating upon our soul, corrupting it and making it unworthy for the Lord. It is therefore what we should fight against and resist during this season of Lent. May this season by a time for us to reflect on our actions and find a way on how to become closer to our God and to walk faithfully and act justly according to His will. God bless us all. Amen.