“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” (St Augustine of Hippo). In each of us, we have an unquenchable thirst and we spend much of our lives in search of something to quench it. God our Father’s message in today’s readings is this: Come to me and I will [...]
“Life is not fair!” How often do we lament these words verbally or in the silence of our hearts? How frequently do we hear this statement made by others as well? When one reads the parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard (Mt 20:1-16) using the logic of labour’s market, one is likely to feel the sense of injustice for [...]
We all want to be liked, loved, be well received and respected by others. However, if we harbour grudges and want to exact revenge, can we be the person who glorifies our Father? The first reading is a timely reminder of the main ingredients found in sin – pride, resentment and anger. We must not allow anger to seethe and overtake [...]
On first impressions, the Gospel for this week seems oddly antagonistic and confrontational - it seems to suggest how we should stand up, perhaps challenge someone from the church, who has wronged us. It even lists methodologically how we should go about it along with a follow-up should the exchanges prove unsuccessful; attempt the one-on-one first, followed by bringing along [...]
In today’s Gospel, the reflection is centered on Matthew 16:24. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Jesus is preaching about the conditions of discipleship - to become his follower or disciple. A terse and precise command to emulate the perfect model but never an [...]
In the first reading of this weekend, Paul acknowledges the immensity of our Father’s existence. An existence that cannot be fathomed. Having this as the background to the gospel as well as the first reading that speaks about the “keys of the house of David” that will be handed to Christ, the Anointed. The question of who Jesus is, is [...]
Today’s Scripture readings are about the faith and salvation of the Gentiles. We know that the Jews at that time did not want to have anything to do with; and even looked down upon the Gentiles, which is what we would be if we were not a Jew. The first reading Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7 reveals the promises that the [...]
As we celebrate Singapore’s 55 years of independence, it is also a time for us to look at how this week’s reading speaks to us about our faith and trust in the Lord our God, calls us to listen to His soft prompting in our hearts and teaches us how to discern His messages. Could we be like prophet Elijah, [...]
As we enter into the sixth Sunday of Easter, the theme is Peace. Preparation to celebrate Pentecost. The peace of the Risen Lord be with you. For most of us, peace is understood to mean the absence of conflict or disturbance in our lives. We long for “peace and quiet.” In our homes, office, neighbourhood and church communities. The [...]
They said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here."(Matthew 14:17) How many time have we told the Lord that we do not have enough to feed the rest? If only we believe that we just need to take the first step to surrender to Jesus and he will provide the rest. The little boy [...]