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Sunday, 4 February 2024 : Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday’s Scripture readings are clear reminders for each and every one of us of the fickleness of our human nature and existence, and of everything which we have and which we are currently experiencing in this world. All that we have enjoyed and all the wonderful and marvellous things we possess, all these are ultimately illusory in nature, and they may even distract us from our true path and progress in life, from our true focus and commitment, which is none other than the Lord, our God Himself. We must remember that we have been entrusted by the Lord with many things, with blessings and opportunities that we may glorify Him by our lives, and we should therefore make good use of them for the greater glory of God at all times.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of Job, of the lamentations and sorrows which the man of God, Job uttered as he was reflecting upon the sufferings and hardships that he had been enduring and experiencing at that time. Job was a great and rich man, greatly blessed by God in all things on account of his great faith and righteousness, his commitment and dedication to Him. However, Job encountered great moment of trial and tribulation, hardship and difficulty when he was attacked by the devil, who struck him, his possessions and loved ones to test him and his faith in God. But Job remained firm in his faith and did not allow the devil and his machinations to dissuade him and to take him away from the faith that he had in the Lord.

Despite suffering greatly and being ridiculed, rejected and ostracised by those whom he knew, even those who were near to him, Job remained faithful to the Lord, and trusted in Him regardless of what he had experienced. While his heart was filled with sorrow and pain, despair and regret of what happened to him, and blaming himself on occasions that everything happened because of his fault, but he still held on firmly to his faith in the Lord no matter what. And this is what all of us should be inspired to follow in our own lives, as we should also do whatever we can such that we may truly live our lives most worthily as best as we are able to, and despite the challenges and trials that we may have to encounter and face along our journey, we can always continue to persevere in righteousness and virtue, to be always ever worthy of God.

In our second reading today, St. Paul in his Epistle to the Corinthians spoke about how he cannot boast for whatever he had done in preaching the Gospel, in doing God’s works and in carrying out everything that had been entrusted to him by the Lord, all the missions and miracles he had performed. All these are reminders that in everything that we do as Christians, and as God’s people in this world should not be seeking personal glory and ambition, worldly attachments and matters, and we should not revel in worldly praise and jubilation, or to be proud and haughty because we have done great deeds in our lives. Instead, like St. Paul himself, we should always remain rooted in the Lord and continue to live our lives with Him as the centre and focus, and not the many worldly matters and attachments we have.

That was also how Job managed to remain strong in faith despite having suffered many personal losses, of property, wealth and loved ones. If Job had placed his trust and immersed himself in those things, then losing all of them would have made him to despair and lose all hope. But he remained faithful to God and did not blame the Lord for his losses. He was also able to let go of his losses and accepted what he had suffered as his fate. St. Paul similarly endured many things throughout the period of his work and ministry, which he could do precisely because he trusted in the Lord, and he did not let himself to be misled and swayed by the temptations of worldly glory and ambitions. He trusted the Lord in everything that he has been entrusted to do, and followed the Lord wherever He led him to.

In our Gospel passage this Sunday, we then heard of the moment when the Lord Jesus healed and ministered to the mother-in-law of one of His disciples, that is St. Peter, whose mother-in-law was very sick. The Lord miraculously healed her, and made her well again, and we heard then how the whole neighbourhood found out about what happened, and many people came to the Lord bearing their sick ones, so that the Lord might hopefully heal all of them as well. He cared for those who had been brought to Him and healed them all. Then, curiously, we heard how the Lord went off in the very early morning to pray, disappearing from the place, to the consternation from His disciples and the people. That was when He told the disciples that there were still many people that He had to minister to, and they all ought to move on to other places as well.

The Lord Jesus could have stayed on in that place, well-liked and adored by all the people who have witnessed and believed in His miracles. He could very well have gained a large following and popularity without much effort, and lead a rather comfortable and convenient work, instead of having to go from places to places, without proper accommodations and encountering oppositions and challenges throughout His efforts and journeys. Yet, the Lord obeyed the will of His Heavenly Father, Who had sent Him, the Son, into this world to proclaim the Good News and the salvation of God to more and more people. Hence, this is why the Lord carried out His mission faithfully and did everything not for worldly comfort or glory, but to fulfil the will of God, and to glorify Him.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, having heard of all these readings and reminders from the Sacred Scriptures, we are all reminded that as God’s faithful disciples and followers, we too should be filled with faith and trust in the Lord, and we should always continue to put God as the centre and the focus of our whole lives. We should not allow worldly temptations, attachments, glory, ambitions and our pride and greed, our desires and all other obstacles to prevent us from reaching ever closer to God, to His grace and salvation. Like Job, let us all detach ourselves from worldly matters and attachments, and remind ourselves that all the wealth and glory of the world are not lasting or permanent. Instead of seeking for worldly glory and greatness, we should seek the true joy and satisfaction which we can find in the Lord alone.

Let us all hence be good role models and inspirations, and be the worthy bearers of the light of God, His grace and love for us all. May all of us be blessed in our every good works, efforts and endeavours, now and always. Amen.

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Sunday, 4 February 2024 : Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Mark 1 : 29-39

At that time, on leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. As Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told Him about her. Jesus went to her and, taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

That evening, at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits : the whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons; but He did not let them speak, for they knew Who He was.

Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus went off to a lonely place where He prayed. Simon and the others went out also, searching for Him; and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You.” Then Jesus answered, “Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.”

So Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout Galilee; He also cast out demons.

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Sunday, 4 February 2024 : Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

1 Corinthians 9 : 16-19, 22-23

Because I cannot boast of announcing the Gospel : I am bound to do it. Woe to me, if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preached voluntarily, I could expect my reward, but I have been trusted with this office, against my will. How can I, then, deserve my reward? In announcing the Gospel, I will do it freely, without making use of the rights given to me by the Gospel.

So, feeling free with everybody, I have become everybody’s slave, in order to gain a greater number. To the weak, I made myself weak, to win the weak. So, I made myself all things to all people, in order to save, by all possible means, some of them. This, I do, for the Gospel, so that I, too, have a share of it.

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Sunday, 4 February 2024 : Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 146 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Alleluia! How good it is to sing to our God, how sweet and befitting, to praise Him! YHVH rebuilds Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel.

He heals their broken hearts and binds their wounds. He determines the number of stars; He calls each of them by name.

The Lord is great, and mighty in power; His wisdom is beyond measure. YHVH lifts up the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.

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Sunday, 4 February 2024 : Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Job 7 : 1-4, 6-7

Man’s life on earth is a thankless job, his days are those of a mercenary. Like a slave he longs for the shade of evening, like a hireling waiting for his wages. Thus I am allotted months of boredom and nights of grief and misery. In bed I say, “When shall the day break?” On rising, I think, “When shall evening come?” and I toss restless till dawn.

My days pass swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, heading without hope for their end. My life is like wind, you well know it, o God; never will I see happiness again.

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Saturday, 3 February 2024 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, and St. Ansgar, Bishop (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Bishops or Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we heard from the Sacred Scriptures the words of the Lord in which we are all reminded to seek the Lord whenever we have any need or problems, and we should always keep our faith in Him regardless of the challenges, trials and difficulties that we may encounter in our lives and respective journeys. We must always be faithful to God and trust in Him in whatever path that He has called us into, and we must not allow the temptations of worldly glory and pleasures to distract and discourage us from this path that we have been called and led into by the Lord. We should also seek the Lord for help, guidance and strength, in all occasions and opportunities.

In our first reading today, we heard of the young King Solomon of Israel, who had just taken over the rein of the kingdom from his recently deceased father, King David of Israel. The young Solomon was lacking in experience and his youth is something that had often been taken against rulers of his age, by the people and the important figures of the kingdom. Hence, he came to Gibeon to offer prayers to God, and in that prayer, he sought God’s guidance and help, asking Him for wisdom and knowledge, the understanding and the ability to judge well, between things that are good and evil. And we heard how God was pleased with Solomon and his prayers, and blessed him more than what he had asked for, because he had not asked for wealth, worldly glory or power, as what many others would have done instead.

Through this simple example of the prayer of Solomon, we are all reminded that we should always anchor ourselves firmly and faithfully in God, and not to allow ourselves to be easily swayed and turned by our desires and by all other sorts of wicked things and temptations present all around us. We must remain firm in our commitment and in our desire to walk down this path of righteousness, grace and virtue as the Lord Himself has shown and led us through. Like Solomon and his father David before him, we should also humble ourselves before the Lord and ask Him for help and assistance, guidance and strength that we may be better able to live our lives worthily and with devotion as good and faithful Christians, in all moments and opportunities that have been provided to us.

In our Gospel passage today, we heard of the moment when the Lord and His disciples were ministering to the multitudes of people who came to them seeking the Lord, wanting to listen to His teachings and wanting to be healed and freed from their diseases, ailments and problems. We heard how the Lord and His disciples had been working for a very long time and how exhausted and tired they were. They were looking for a place to rest and to eat properly, but the people kept looking for the Lord and they all went before the Lord and His disciples, waiting for them and giving the Lord and His disciples no proper time to even rest and relax. Yet, we heard how the Lord had compassion on them all and He preached to them and taught them all, seeing that they were all like sheep without a shepherd.

From this short passage of course we are reminded that often as Christians we tend to take for granted those whom the Lord had sent to help, guide and minister to us. We often took them for granted and mistreat them, thinking that they had to work for us and to cater to our every desires and needs. We must keep in mind that they are also humans like us, who needs rest and sustenance, and we must also help and support them so that they can better minister and help us in our lives and journeys of faith. Then, at the same time, we are also reminded of just how beloved and precious we are by God, that He was willing to spend more time and effort to care for us, to help and guide us like what the Lord Jesus had done.

The Lord was also responding to the people’s desire to look for Him for guidance, and the many multitudes of people who were all looking for Him showed us all the desire they had in seeking for God’s help and guidance, and the Lord responded to that desire, as He also showed them all His great love, compassion and generosity. And therefore, we are all reminded that we should not take for granted this great love of God which He has shown to all of us, and we must always do our best such that in all occasions and opportunities provided to us, we are always grateful for the love and generous compassion which God has provided to us all these while. We should never forget how He has blessed us with many wonderful things throughout our lives, and we must keep ourselves rooted firmly in Him, at all times.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Feast of two holy saints, namely St. Blaise and St. Ansgar, whose lives and examples can hopefully inspire us all in how we should lead lives that are truly worthy of the Lord. First of all, St. Blaise was the renowned saint whom many of us will remember for his intercessions for the sake of those who are suffering from throat problems and diseases, and the related popular Blessing of the Throats and the intercession of St. Blaise. St. Blaise was also a renowned physician who helped to treat many people for their diseases and ailments. He performed many miracles and healings which made him to be well-sought and respected by so many people, and which led him to be elected by the people who acclaimed him to be their bishop, in the area of Sebastea in Asia Minor. St. Blaise continued to care for the needs of the people under his care, and devoted his time and effort for their sake.

During that time, the Church and its Christian faithful had been under constant threats of persecutions and hardships, and despite the Edict of Milan which had been declared by the then Roman Emperors Constantine the Great and Licinius, very soon, in the Eastern parts of the Roman Empire ruled by the Emperor Licinius, the suspicion of that Emperor against the plans and support that Constantine the Great tacitly gave to the Christians and to the Church led to renewed persecutions against the faithful in his dominion, including that of St. Blaise’s diocese and domain. The governor arrested St. Blaise and persecuted him, and amidst all that, in what would make him well-known for his intercession for those afflicted with throat maladies, a woman who had a boy choking to death because of fish bone in his throat placed that son at his feet as he was led to his torture place, and the boy was miraculously healed almost immediately. In the end, as St. Blaise continued to resist the efforts to turn him away from his faith, he was martyred, and yet, his examples, courage and faith continued to inspire many others throughout history.

Meanwhile, St. Ansgar was known well for his many efforts and missionary works among the Germans, whom at the time were still following their pagan ways. He devoted much of his time and efforts to proclaim the Word of God and the Good News of His salvation to those who still followed their pagan ways, as he was sent in his capacity of a missionary. He went to proclaim the truth of God amidst the challenges, hardships and trials which he had to endure throughout that journey and efforts, going back and forth between many places, caring for the needs of the countless souls who have been attracted to God thanks to his efforts and works. Eventually he was made a bishop, and he continued to devote himself to his work, and which made him known as the ‘Apostle to the Germans’ or the ‘Apostle of the North’, marking his commitment to his mission to those who have not yet known the Lord, which he continued to do till the end of his life.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we have listened through today’s Scripture readings of putting our trust and faith in the Lord, and also through the lives and works of St. Blaise and St. Ansgar, let us all therefore do our best so that in each and every moments of our lives, we may continue to live ever more worthily in God’s Presence, and to come ever closer to the Lord. Let us all therefore come to the Lord, asking Him to help and guide us, and strengthen and encourage us in our path, so that in everything that we say and do, we will continue to glorify God, and that like St. Blaise and St. Ansgar before us, we may be the shining examples of our faith, commitment and love for God, now and always. Amen.

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Saturday, 3 February 2024 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, and St. Ansgar, Bishop (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Bishops or Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Mark 6 : 30-34

At that time, the Apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. Then He said to them, “Let us go off by ourselves into a remote place and have some rest.” For there were so many people coming and going that the Apostles had no time even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.

But people saw them leaving, and many could guess where they were going. So, from all the towns, they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them. As Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

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Saturday, 3 February 2024 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, and St. Ansgar, Bishop (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Bishops or Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Psalm 118 : 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

How can young people remain pure? By living according to Your word.

I seek You with my whole heart; let me not stray from Your commands.

In my heart I have kept Your word, that I may not sin against my YHVH.

Praise to You, o YHVH; instruct me in Your statutes.

That, with my lips, I may declare all Your spoken decrees.

I delight in following Your laws, more so than in all riches.

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Saturday, 3 February 2024 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, and St. Ansgar, Bishop (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Bishops or Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

1 Kings 3 : 4-13

The king used to sacrifice at Gibeon, the great high place; on the altar there he had offered a thousand burnt offerings. It was in Gibeon, during the night, that YHVH appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask what you want Me to give you.”

Solomon answered, “You have shown Your servant David my father a great and steadfast love because he served You faithfully and was righteous and sincere towards You. You have given him proof of Your steadfast love in making a son of his sit on his throne this day.”

“And now, o YHVH my God, You have made Your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a young boy who does not know how to undertake anything. Meantime, Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen – a people so great that they can neither be numbered nor counted.”

“Give me, therefore, an understanding mind in governing Your people that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this multitude of people of Yours?”

YHVH was pleased that Solomon had made this request. And He told him, “Because you have requested this rather than long life or wealth or even vengeance on your enemies; indeed, because you have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I shall grant you your request. I now give you a wise and discerning mind such as no one has had before you nor anyone after you shall ever have.”

“I will also give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and fame; and no king shall be your equal during your lifetime.”

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Friday, 2 February 2024 : Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, World Day for Consecrated Life (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we celebrate the occasion of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, commemorating the moment when the Lord Jesus was presented at the Temple of Jerusalem, at the House of God according to the Law and customs of the people of God, forty days after He was born, which was also the moment when His mother Mary was welcomed back into the community, in a celebration of purification from sin and corruption, which all mothers who have just given birth had to undergo. Today is that fortieth day since the celebration of Christmas, and traditionally this is the definitive end of the Christmas season, where all Christmas celebrations and commemorations end, and we transition into the period of contemplation and preparation as we are about to enter into the Season of Lent soon, which itself is a preparation for the Holy Week and Easter season.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Malachi, in which the Lord proclaimed His salvation which He would send into this world, and which would be preceded by the coming of the messenger whom He would send to precede the coming of His Saviour and the salvation He provided to all of us. The prophet Malachi himself was the last in the long line of prophets whom God had sent to the people of Israel, speaking and prophesying about what would come to happen. The prophet Malachi spoke of the coming salvation from God and reassured the people who had been waiting a long time for the coming of God’s Saviour. This would all be fulfilled and completed through the coming of St. John the Baptist, the one who preceded the Lord’s coming, preparing the path for Him to come into our midst, calling on all the people of God to repent and turn away from their sins.

That was exactly what the prophet Malachi had spoken about, as he spoke of the coming time of purification, and how everyone would be made worthy again, which was the baptism of repentance which St. John the Baptist had proclaimed, drawing thousands upon thousands to come back towards the Lord with hearts full of regret for their sins and wickedness, and hence opening the doors of their hearts and minds to the Lord, Who would come henceforth to lead everyone together back towards our loving Father and Creator, through everything that He would be doing as our Eternal High Priest and as the Lamb of God, offered and slain on the Altar of the Cross at Calvary, to be the perfect and worthy offering and sacrifice for our reconciliation with God.

In the second reading passage from the Epistle to the Hebrews, we then heard of the work which the Lord Jesus has come to perform in this world in our midst, as He entered into this world to become the One through Whom the New Covenant of God would be made anew and sealed, by none other than the most worthy and perfect offering of Himself, as the Lamb of God, our Paschal Lamb of Sacrifice. And as just mentioned earlier, He is also our one and true Eternal High Priest, as in that capacity, He offered on our behalf, the one worthy and perfect offering that is His own Precious Body and Blood, on the Altar of His Cross, broken and poured out for us, that by this offering, a New and Eternal Covenant may be made for us. Through this, all of us have received the assurance of God’s eternal love and grace, and we have been reconnected and reconciled with God.

In our Gospel passage today, we therefore heard of the account of the moment when the Lord Jesus as a newborn Child, was presented at the Temple of Jerusalem, at the House of God. This event, which is the main focus of our celebration and commemoration today, is a reminder of this role that Our Lord has in being our High Priest and as the One Whom the Lord had promised to us, and Whom therefore had been sent to us, appearing before us, as the perfect manifestation of His love and compassionate kindness, as He reached out to us, never giving up on us and desiring for us to be reconciled and reunited with Him. The Lord Jesus was consecrated and offered to God, His Heavenly Father from early in His life, that He may truly, in accordance with the Law, be a worthy High Priest to offer for us the sacrifice in atonement for our many sins.

Thus, we recall today with great joy the moment when the Lord was presented before all of us, as the One true High Priest and as the One Who would bring about our salvation and liberation to us. This day we are all reminded of the great joy which the old man of God Simeon and the prophetess Anna had when they saw the Saviour and the salvation of God being brought to them in the flesh, appearing before their very own eyes. They had been promised the opportunity to witness the salvation of God before they passed on from this world, and they had indeed seen the Light of God’s salvation, His hope and His love for all of us. That is why, this celebration today is also often known as the Candlemas, where candles are blessed and lighted, representing the Light of Christ, being brought into our midst, renewing our hopes and faith in God. This is also a reminder for us all that as the bearers of Christ’s Light, we should also show His Light to the world, to the people all around us.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today in a special way we also pray for all those who have dedicated themselves in religious and consecrated life, committing themselves completely and wholeheartedly to God. On this day of World Day for Consecrated Life, we remember all those who have followed in the footsteps of the Lord, in consecrating themselves to a holy life committed to God, and in doing what God has commanded each one of them to do, in their various missions, in their various religious orders and institutions, organisations and groups. They had made a lot of sacrifice and efforts in glorifying God by their lives, in many different ways, and many of them have also helped and assisted us all in their own ways, all these while. Let us all pray that they may be strengthened, empowered and encouraged by God in all the things that they do. Let us also pray for more vocations to the consecrated life, of various kinds, that those who have been called may respond positively to their calling.

May the Lord continue to guide and bless us in our whole lives, in everything that we say and do, so that by our exemplary lives and actions, we will always continue to grow ever stronger in faith, and continue to love Him at all times, remembering always how He has loved us so much, that He gave us all the perfect gift in His Son, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through Whom all of us have received the asssurance of eternal life and true happiness and joy with God. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, now and always. Amen.