United Church

It was the feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica yesterday. This basilica was the original Church of Rome and the pope resided in the building next to it.

I remember a few years back when we visited Rome, we went to the Lateran Basilica. It was so different from St Peter's Basilica. Though it was not as majestic, it had a very authentic beauty, one that is ancient beauty.

Father mentioned in his homily that it is a tradition that every newly installed pope will celebrate his first mass at the lateran Basilica. I think this symbolises the unity of the church, with all the previous popes.

This is such a beautiful tradition, as is the many traditions of the church. I am so blessed to be part of this united church. The mass is celebrated in accordance to the rich teachings of the church and is the same in every part of the world. I have never felt different when I attend mass anywhere in the world, and such is the oneness of our catholic church.

Be child like

"I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, from hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children..." This is taken from the Gospel of Matthew.

Indeed the kingdom of heaven is revealed to children. Most days, I find myself being very skeptical of others and things that happen around me. I am unable to see the glory of God as I am blinded by knowledge that I acquired, knowledge of this world. I need to see the world through the eyes of a child and be child like again. Only then can I see the glory of God in those around me.

Help me be child like again Lord, and reveal to me your glory...

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind

The Gospel passage of St Matthew speaks about the greatest and the first commandment of the law. 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

Father shared with us that we should do this by loving our neighbour as ourselves. This is the next commandment. I never seen it this way, always thinking that I should aim to love God by placing Him first in my life and seeking His Will in all I do. Now I know that I love God by loving those around me, people He has placed in my life. Though I find it hard sometimes, especially those who intentionally set out to hurt me, I pray for the grace to love them as myself. May I be strengthen by God to love Him through others.

Change and be better

Father shared at mass last weekend about how we can get very defensive when others comment on our actions. We always want to be right in all situations. Father challenged us to instead reflect on our behaviour and actions, and to change and be better.

I definitely agreed that I am very defensive when others comment on my actions. These may or may not be true, but I know that without reflecting on them, I would not be able to allow the situation to mold me and change me to be a better person. I have encountered many such situations and though I am not very proud of my responses, I know that I can use these experiences to do better next time. I also know that I need God to help me change from my old ways.

As I venture out into the unknown, I hold with me the faith that God will help me better handle situations in the future, and make me a better person for His Glory.

For many are called, but few are chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen." This was taken from the Gospel of Matthew and was the Gospel reading from last Sunday.

This phrase has been running through my head these past few days. I wonder what Jesus was trying to say, or is trying to say to me... Is He trying to tell me to persevere in my undertakings? That every opportunity that presents itself may not lead to the right outcome for me? This very much seems the case for my current situation...

However, as I pondered and prayed about it, I realised that there is a deeper meaning to this phrase. We are all called to live our life with love, but not all of us respond to this call. We are like the guests that were invited to the wedding, and we need to respond to this invitation by dressing appropriately, else we would be throw out. We need to respond in the right way to Christ's call for us, and only then can we remain in his heavenly banquet.

I know that I may not have always responded with love in my calling as a Christian but I pray that God will bless me with the grace and strength to do just that, in spite of how I am feeling.

Be thankful for life

Just the other day, I was having a really bad day and I chanced upon an event. It was an event in support of leukemia patients. The events of my day felt so insignificant at that moment.

We decided to purchase lanterns in support of the event. As we approached the queue, we were greeted by a lady who asked us whether we knew of anyone who has leukemia. Immediately, I remembered a school mate who passed on after his battle with leukemia. It was actually my brother's classmate. I was very young then, and did not really understand what it was all about. Now, as I remember him, I pray that he is with God now, in His heavenly embrace. We bought 2 lanterns, a gold one to remember a loved one and a blue one to support those who are battling this terrible disease.

I am thankful for being alive today and as I place the horrible events of my bad day behind me, I pray for those in a much worse off situation than me, especially those who are suffering from cancer and other illnesses. May our dear Lord grant them strength and healing.  

Do not be envious because of my generosity

Jesus preached about the parable of the landowner who went out to hire workers for his vineyard, and liken this to the Kingdom of Heaven. This landowner hired workers at different times of the day but paid them all the same day's wages.

The workers who were hired in the earlier part of the day felt unfairly treated and complained to the landowner. To this the landowner refuted, saying that the wages were agreed when they were hired. "Why be envious because I am generous?" He said.

We are very often like the workers who complained. It is human nature to expect more when we have done more. However, God is generous to everyone, as long as we believe in Him and enter into His covenant. It does not matter which stage of our lives this happens, God will always be there with open arms to receive us and shower His blessings on us. We who have been longer in this community of believers should extend our love and support to those on the journey towards God. We should be privileged that we can be part of this amazing community to show the face of God to others, to be His hands and feet.

I pray that God will continue to grant me an open heart to share in the joy of others and not be envious of His generosity.