Tuesday

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Tuesday, 21 May 2024 : 7th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we embark on the journey of faith, continuing on from our celebrations and festivities throughout the Easter season earlier on, and entering into this time of the Ordinary Season, we must remind ourselves that each and every one of us as Christians have been called to be good role models and inspirations for one another, in how we live our lives and in what we say and do, in how we interact with one another in our respective communities and places, so that by our lives, our actions, words and deeds we may indeed show that we truly belong to the Lord, at all times.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Epistle of St. James in which the Apostle in his exhortation to the faithful people of God reminded them all that as Christians they should always remember that they must always live their lives centred on God, and they should not allow themselves to be swayed by the desires, temptations, squabbles and conflicts of the world, which many of the faithful at that time fell prey to, causing the Apostles like St. James, St. Paul and others to grieve over how fellow Christian brothers and sisters were quarrelling with one another over worldly ambitions and matters, which they should not have done in the first place.

St. James reminded the faithful that they should be people of the Spirit, and not to follow the path of the flesh and the world, as their wrong motives, ambitions and desires are stumbling blocks that could prevent them from attaining true righteousness in God, and not only that, but their squabbles and quarrels were also unbecoming of them being Christians, who were supposed to be filled with God’s love, as Christ had taught all of them to love one another generously and tenderly, and not to be at each others’ throats over worldly matters, attachments and desires as they had done at that time.

St. James also reminded all of the faithful to distance themselves therefore from all sorts of vile things, impurities and corruptions from the world, from any sorts of wicked attachments and ambitions, the many temptations that could cause them to fall deeper and deeper into the path of sin and causing scandal for the Church and for their faith, besmirching the good and Holy Name of God in their pursuit for worldly glory and achievements. That is why St. James reminded all of the faithful, including all of us, to resist the temptations of worldly glory and ambition, to restrain our ego, pride and desires, and to be humble at all times, seeking to purify ourselves from all the corruptions of sin and evil.

In the Gospel passage today, this same theme and message are again repeated through what the Lord Jesus told to His disciples. He first of all told them the prediction and premonition of what He Himself would have to endure, betrayal, persecution, arrest and eventually suffering and death, which all happened during the time of His Passion and Crucifixion at Calvary. Back then, many of the disciples who followed the Lord Jesus thought that the Lord Who was considered widely as the Messiah or the Saviour. As per the common knowledge and considerations of the time, the Messiah was expected to restore the Kingdom of Israel, and as Son of David, to reign as King over Israel, and hence, overthrowing the yoke of the conquerors and rulers like the Romans and others who had put Israel under bondage.

Hence, some if not many of those disciples had ulterior motives in following the Lord, desiring power and glory, riches and ambitions, just as others who followed other worldly figures, kings and rulers throughout history. Many of these people sought power, fame, riches and influence, worldly goods and other satisfaction through association with the ones whom they were following. But the Lord told His disciples that to become His followers, it is not like becoming followers of all the other worldly rulers and figures. As He Himself showed by example, through the little children who were there, He told them all that to follow Him, they ought to be humble like the children, and not to allow themselves to be corrupted by worldly temptations and ambitions.

Like the ones to whom St. James addressed his Epistle to, the disciples of the Lord at that time also bickered and quarrelled with each other over who among them were the most important and influential ones, of who among them were more esteemed and honoured by the Lord, or who were closer to Him. But the Lord told them all that all those things were not what they should be seeking for in becoming His disciples. Instead, they should be like children in their faith and way of life, because those children, when they believe in something, they truly, sincerely and genuinely believe in them, not being sullied or corrupted by earthly desires and the ambitions of this world.

This is why, all of us today are also reminded by these readings from the Scriptures, that we should also reflect on our disposition in life in how we have lived our lives as Christians. If we have not put God at the centre and as the focus of our lives and existence, and allow the temptations and desires of this world, and the temptations of our ego and ambitions to lived our lives worthily in the manner that is expected of us, then how can we then help others to believe in God? Worse still, if our actions, behaviours and deeds contradict our beliefs and faith, it may even bring about scandal to our faith and to the Holy Name of God, and causing people to distance themselves from the Church and the Christian faith instead. All of us need to live our lives with genuine faith and commitment to God, and we must strive to do our best, to live each and every moments of our lives worthily so that we may be good examples and inspirations for one another.

Today, the Church also celebrates the feast of St. Christopher Magallanes, great priest and servant of God who dedicated himself to the mission entrusted to him, in proclaiming the Good News of the Lord and standing up for the Christian faith, teachings and truth, while facing trials and persecutions, which eventually led to his martyrdom. St. Christopher Magallanes lived and ministered as priest during a rather challenging time to be Christians in Mexico, about a hundred or so years ago, when the government, then dominated by those who were hostile to the Church and the faith, committed acts and enforced laws that sought to cripple and destroy the Catholic Church, and persecuted the faithful openly, especially the members of the clergy and priests like St. Christopher Magallanes.

Seminaries and other Church institutions were closed, and some priests like St. Christopher Magallanes continued carrying out priestly formation in clandestine seminaries to ensure the continued survival of the Church. All these harsh treatments against the Church led to open rebellions and conflicts between the supporters and the opponents of the Church, known as the Cristero War. Many members of the faithful were persecuted greatly and quite a few lost their lives, persecuted and tortured, and some even summarily executed without trial by those who were hostile to the Church. This was the fate faced by St. Christopher Magallanes, who risked his life in continuing to minister to the faithful despite the many threats and dangers facing his life as a Catholic priest working during the time of conflict and open persecution against the clergy and the other members of the faithful. When he was about to be executed, he forgave his persecutors and executors, even giving absolutions to them for what they were about to commit against him.

Through the examples of those holy martyrs and saints we have been shown how we all should live our lives as Christians, by putting emphasis and focus not on ourselves and our own selfish desires, but rather on the Lord and His will. Each and every one of us as Christians ought to do our best in our lives to be good role models and inspirations, in how we live, so that our lives truly showcase our faith in the Lord, to be full of love just as the Lord our God is ever full of love for us. We are all called to love our fellow brothers and sisters, to do what we can so that we can continue to touch the lives of others around us, reaching out especially to those who are suffering and facing difficulties and challenges in life.

May the Lord continue to help and strengthen us in our faith, and may He help us to walk ever more faithfully in His path, living our lives with genuine love and care for our fellow brothers and sisters, seeking not worldly glory, power, fame, riches and ambitions, but instead striving to do as best as we can to lead others to the path of the Lord, to proclaim His truth and Good News to more and more people we encounter in our respective lives. May the Lord bless us all in our every good efforts and endeavours, and encourage us through the good examples of his saints, like the courageous St. Christopher Magallanes and his companions in martyrdom. Amen.

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Tuesday, 21 May 2024 : 7th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Mark 9 : 30-37

At that time, after leaving the place where He cast out evil spirit from a deaf and dumb boy, Jesus and His disciples made their way through Galilee, but He did not want people to know where He was because He was teaching His disciples. And He told them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, but three days after He has been killed, He will rise.”

The disciples, however, did not understand these words and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they did not answer, because they had been arguing about who was the greatest.

Then He sat down, called the Twelve and said to them, “If someone wants to be first, let him be last of all and servant of all.” Then He took a little child, placed him in their midst, and putting His arms around him, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes a child such as this in My Name, welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me, welcomes not Me but the One Who sent Me.”

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Tuesday, 21 May 2024 : 7th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Psalm 54 : 7-8, 9-10a, 10b-11a, 23

I said, “If I had wings, like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest; I would seek a home in the desert.”

“I would hurry to find a cave, for shelter from the tempest.” O YHVH, shatter their plans.

In the city, I see strife and violence; day and night, they prowl about its walls.

Place your burden on YHVH, and He will sustain you; for He never allows the upright to fall.

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Tuesday, 21 May 2024 : 7th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

James 4 : 1-10

What causes these fights and quarrels among you? Is it not your cravings, that make war within your own selves? When you long for something you cannot have, you kill for it, and when you do not get what you desire, you squabble and fight. The fact is, you do not have what you want, because you do not pray for it.

You pray for something, and you do not get it, because you pray with the wrong motive, of indulging your pleasures. You adulterers! Do you not know, that making friends with the world makes you enemies of God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.

Can you not see the point of the saying in the Scripture : “The longing of the Spirit, He sent to dwell in us, is a jealous longing?” But God has something better to give, and Scripture also says, “God opposes the proud but He gives His favour to the humble.” Give in, then, to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw close to God and He will come close to you. Clean your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubters. Recognise your distress, be miserable and weep. Turn your laughter into tears and your joy into sadness. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will raise you up.

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Tuesday, 14 May 2024 : Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Lord, and the one who was not originally a member of the Twelve chosen by the Lord Himself to be among His chief disciples. There was a vacancy that arose due to the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, one of those Twelve, who betrayed the Lord Jesus to the chief priests and then took his own life shortly afterwards out of guilt and regret. As we heard in the Scriptural account from the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostles and the other disciples of the Lord discerned about this matter and chose from among those deemed worthy to be the twelfth member of the group of the Twelve Apostles.

Historically and according to the tradition of the Church fathers, this took place after the Lord had ascended into Heaven and before the coming of the Holy Spirit in the time of the Pentecost. This happened therefore in that ten days period between the Ascension of the Lord and the Pentecost, when the disciples were gathered in Jerusalem to discern their path forward after the Lord had ascended and was no longer physically with them. But although the Holy Spirit had not been given to them through the Pentecost, it did not mean that the Lord did not act through His Church. As we all heard that the disciples, while were still full of fear then because of the threats and persecutions from the Jewish elders and the chief priests, they were led to consider the needs of the Church and its future, and they discerned well through prayer that God might guide them in the right path.

And that was how St. Matthias was elected to be the one to fill up the vacancy among the Twelve, as the number twelve has a great significance representing the Twelve tribes of the people of Israel, and hence could not be left empty then. Through the election of St. Matthias, and the subsequent descent of the Holy Spirit upon all the Lord’s disciples, the Lord sent forth His Church to proclaim His Good News and salvation to the nations just as He had intended. He sent them all so that more and more people may come to know the One and only true God, through Whom alone all grace and salvation can come from. The Apostles therefore went forth afterwards to the many places all throughout the known world then, places distant and even risky, where they had to labour hard and suffer persecutions at times to proclaim the Good News of God.

St. Matthias according to the Church and Apostolic traditions went to the region of Cappadocia in Asia Minor, proclaiming the Word of God and His salvation to the people living there, calling upon them to follow the Lord and to believe in Him. He also went to various parts of the Levant or the Holy Land early in his ministry, and in some traditions, also went to the land of Ethiopia to proclaim the Gospels, and in his efforts, he gained many people who embraced the Lord and had faith in Him because of everything that He had told them all. However, just like the other Apostles and missionaries of the Lord, he also encountered significant opposition from all those who refused to believe in God and persecuted those who believed in Christ, including the missionaries like St. Matthias himself.

According to one of those traditions, St. Matthias was martyred in that region of Ethiopia during his mission there, as he encountered opposition to his preaching and efforts to proclaim the Good News of God there from the unbelievers. In another tradition, he was martyred in Jerusalem in Judea by the local populace, the Jewish people who refused to believe in the Lord and His message. Regardless of the exact details of the events and where he had been martyred, the fact is that St. Matthias committed himself thoroughly to fulfil whatever missions and works that he had been entrusted with by God, and suffered greatly in the midst of doing all of his ministry, and yet, he remained courageous and strong in proclaiming God’s truth and salvation to the very end.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, this is what we are all reminded to do as well in our own lives. As Christians, each and every one of us are called to follow in the footsteps of the Apostles and disciples of the Lord, those holy predecessors of ours who have gone before us, and have dedicated themselves and their lives to God in all various manners and ways. Yet, they all proclaim the Lord and showed everyone what it truly means for us to become disciples and followers of God by living the message of the Gospel of Christ, that is what we have heard in today’s Gospel passage. The Lord told all of them to love one another just as He has loved all of them, and how the Father has loved all, because the way and the path of the Lord is truly that one of Love and compassion.

This means that to be genuine and true Christians, we must always be filled with love, first and foremost of course directed towards God, but then we must also show the same kind of love towards our fellow brothers and sisters around us. Without love we cannot truly call ourselves as Christians, as the Lord Himself, Our Lord and Saviour, has shown us the example of perfect love and compassion towards us, by reaching out to us sinners. He shouldered for each and every one of us the burdens and the consequences of our many faults, mistakes and sins, nwillingly suffering and dying for our sake on the Cross at Calvary. This is the perfect and most selfless love that God wants us to have as well, in how we live our lives, ever loving God and our brethren.

Let us all therefore walk faithfully in the footsteps of the Holy Apostles, committing ourselves thoroughly and doing our very best so that in everything that we do, we will always glorify God and be good role models and examples for one another. Let us all be the great inspiration for our brothers and sisters so that through us, more and more may come to know the Lord, and more may be willing to walk in the path of the Lord. May St. Matthias, Holy Apostle and good servant of the Lord continue to intercede for us sinners, and help us in our journey and path towards God, inspiring us all to be more like Him in all of our actions, words and deeds, now and always. Amen.

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Tuesday, 14 May 2024 : Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

John 15 : 9-17

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. Remain in My love! You will remain in My love if you keep My commandments, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.”

“I have told you all this, that My own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. This is My commandment : Love one another as I have loved you! There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends; and you are My friends, if you do what I command you.”

“I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learnt from My Father. You did not choose Me; it was I Who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in My Name, He will give you.”

“This is My command, that you love one another.”

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Tuesday, 14 May 2024 : Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Psalm 112 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Alleluia! Praise, o servants of YHVH, praise the Name of YHVH! Blessed be the Name of YHVH now and forever!

From eastern lands to the western islands, may the Name of YHVH be praised! YHVH is exalted over the nations; His glory above the heavens.

Who is like YHVH our God, Who sits enthroned on high, but also bends down to see on earth as in heaven?

He lifts up the poor from the dust and the needy from the ash heap. He makes them sit with princes, with rulers of His people.

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Tuesday, 14 May 2024 : Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Acts 1 : 15-17, 20-26

It was during this time that Peter stood up in the midst of the community – about one hundred and twenty in all – and he said, “Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures referring to Judas be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit had spoken through David about the one who would lead the crowd coming to arrest Jesus. He was one of our number and had been called to share our common ministry.”

“In the Book of Psalms it is written : ‘Let his house become deserted and may no one live in it.’ But it is also written : ‘May another take his office.’ Therefore, we must choose someone from among those who were with us during all the time that the Lord Jesus moved about with us, beginning with John’s baptism until the day when Jesus was taken away from us. One of these has to become, with us, a witness to His resurrection.”

Then they proposed two : Joseph, called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias. They prayed : “You know, Lord, what is in the hearts of all. Show us, therefore, which of the two You have chosen to replace Judas in this Apostolic ministry which he deserted to go to the place he deserved.”

Then they drew lots between the two and the choice fell on Matthias who was added to the eleven Apostles.

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Tuesday, 7 May 2024 : 6th Week of Easter (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today all of us are reminded through the reading passages taken from the Sacred Scriptures of the many trials, obstacles and challenges that we shall face as God’s holy people, as we embark on our respective missions and vocations in life. Each and every one of us must realise that to be Christians is not going to be like a walk in the park, as to be true, genuine and active Christians, we may often have to go up against the currents and customs of the world, just as the Lord Himself had done. If He Himself had been persecuted, endured hardships and rejection, then as He said to His disciples, then all of us can also expect similar treatment, challenges and difficulties in our path as well. But we must not worry or be afraid, because God is always ultimately by our side at every step of the way.

In our first reading today, we heard of the difficulties which the Apostle St. Paul and his companion, St. Silas encountered as they were carrying out their ministry among the people in Philippi, in the region of Macedonia in northern part of Greece. Over there, as they began the ministry among all those who have not yet known the Lord, they attracted the attention of many slaves in the region, who welcomed the message and encouragement of the Apostles and the other Christian missionaries who presented to them the message of Christian equality and egalitarianism in the face of the rampant slavery which was quite common at that time in the Roman Empire. Because slaves were often exploited and badly treated, therefore the promise of equality in the eyes of God and the liberation that Christ has brought and promised to everyone is truly promising indeed.

However, as we heard, this led to stiff opposition and rejection by the slave owners who considered the efforts of the Apostles and the Christian teachings to be great threats to their position, status and way of life. That was why St. Paul and St. Silas encountered such great hardships, as the slave owners rose up against them and plotted to throw them into prison with the assistance of the local magistrate and rulers. We heard how both of them were imprisoned by the machinations of their enemies, and how God intervened most miraculously when an earthquake struck the area and the prison, which allowed both of the Apostles not just being unharmed, but was also free to leave the prison. We heard how the jailor of the prison was so distraught at what happened that he almost wanted to take his own life, as undoubtedly, he would be blamed for the escape of the prisoners.

Yet, the Apostles intervened and reached out to the jailor, who became a believer in Christ together with that of his entire family. We heard how God was with His servants and messengers in their time of great need, being with them, guarding and providing for them whenever they were in need. Despite the sufferings they faced, and all the challenges they encountered, God gave them the courage and the necessary help, the opportunities, and even the chance to continue their mission in the most unexpected way, just as we have heard from the conversion story of the jailor and his family. The same therefore happened to the Church, which continued to grow and flourish even amidst the intensifying persecutions and challenges against them, and many more people would come to be believers in Christ in the years afterwards.

In our Gospel passage today, we then heard of the Lord telling His disciples that He would go away from them, but He would still remain by their side, in His guidance through the sending of the Helper or the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. This was a reference of how the Lord Jesus eventually would leave the disciples physically and would no longer be visible to them after He has died, risen from the dead and then ascended into Heaven. Those same disciples witnessed the Risen Lord Who appeared to them on several occasions, and they saw His Ascension into Heaven, when the Lord reassured all of them once again of the promised Holy Spirit that God would send to them to help and guide them all in their work and ministry.

The Lord told them all everything that they might have to suffer and endure, and saying to them that the greatest flaw and sin that the world committed is that of disbelief, that is refusing to believe in the truth and love which God has revealed and shown to everyone, preferring to follow their own erroneous and wicked paths in life, ignoring the truth and the path which the Lord had revealed and shown to them, and this was often because they were not willing to open their hearts and minds to listen to His truth and to witness His loving care and compassion. Therefore, if the Lord Himself had faced this stubborn rejection and all sorts of persecutions and hardships, thus His Church and disciples might encounter the same things too.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore remind ourselves that living as Christians is not something that should be taken lightly and we should no longer be idle in our lives or in being ignorant of the truth which the Lord Himself has shown us. As Christians, that is as God’s chosen, holy and beloved people, we should always strive to be good role models and inspiration for one another in how we live our lives, in our every words, actions and deeds so that we may continue to proclaim the Lord and His truth in even the smallest actions we do, and like how the Apostles, the Christian missionaries and other holy men and women of God had inspired countless people to come and believe in God as well.

May the Risen Lord continue to guide each and every one of us, His Church, in our every efforts and endeavours so that by His guidance and strength, all of us may continue to persevere through the difficult challenges and trials which we may encounter in our journey. May all of us continue to put our trust and faith in the Lord and do our very best so that in everything that we say and do, we will always glorify the Lord and we will continue to proclaim Him in every occasions throughout our whole lives, now and always. Amen.

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Tuesday, 7 May 2024 : 6th Week of Easter (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

John 16 : 5-11

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “But now I am going to the One Who sent Me, and none of you asks Me where I am going; instead you are overcome with grief, because of what I have said.”

“Believe Me, it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go away, it is to send Him to you, and when He comes, He will vindicate the truth before a sinful world; and He will vindicate the paths of righteousness and justice.”

“What is the world’s sin, in regard to Me? Disbelief. What is the path of righteousness? It is the path I walk, by which I go to the Father; and you shall see Me no more. What is the path of justice? It is the path on which the prince of this world will always stand condemned.”