Jesus’ final teaching in this week’s Gospel examines how we treat those in need. In this account, when Jesus returns in his glory, he will sit on his throne and separate people “as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matt. 25:32). The separation depends on how we treat people in need. To the sheep, he says, “Come, you [...]
Imagine an important exam we have to sit for, a very long journey we have to make, a critical assignment we have to submit. Imagine also that we know exactly what questions will be asked, and what the answers are, what to pack for the trip, how to go about the assignment. How should we prepare ourselves for each of [...]
The theme of today’s liturgical readings is ‘Wisdom’. What is wisdom? The letter of St James says “…the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” (3:17) Seeker of true wisdom will find her when we build a closer relationship with God. We can look at [...]
Whatever we proclaim to others we must be able to turn that into our deeds daily. This was unlike the Pharisees and Scribes who did not practice what they preached. All that is said must be put into action straight away and we must follow the footsteps and teachings of Jesus if we were to find his way, truth, and [...]
When the people came to become God's People, it was strictly prohibited to sacrifice to the pagan gods. God's laws were often broken, and as a result the Lord God permitted the people's own sins to overtake them. They were tormented by serpents, and put into exile, they lost their victories in battle, and the people became slaves to other [...]
“Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." (Matthew 22:21) In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we see a futile attempt by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap Jesus with a politically charged question about paying taxes to Caesar. However, Jesus, in His wisdom, not only evaded their trap but delivered a profound [...]
Today’s Gospel at first glance seems bizarre. Why will anyone who receives an invitation from the King not come in haste, dressed in his/her best clothes? It doesn’t make sense. Or does it? In today’s parable, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. There is parallelism between the King [...]
It was not and still is not easy to be a community. The letter of St. Paul is an invitation to the community to live in harmony; to focus on Jesus Christ. During his time, many of the philosophers would exhort their listeners to live out the virtues to avoid the destructive forces of vices. It was easier to have [...]
As we celebrate our Patron’s feast, we are reminded to bring before the angels our offerings to the Lord. The angels accompanies us, as we approach the temple of the Lord, the altar of the Lord. No one is allowed into this temple as it is guarded by the angels of the Lord. To be worthy is to bring a [...]
Some of us can probably resonate with the Gospel reading for today, feeling unjust for the workers who were hired first as it does seem unfair to be paid the same wage as those who only worked for 1 hour, bearing the work under the terrible heat for the entire day. Why should they be paid the same as me, [...]
