ACCEPTING THE INVITATION TO BE KINGDOM BUILDERS

20150930 ACCEPTING THE INVITATION TO BE KINGDOM BUILDERS

Readings at Mass

First reading

Nehemiah 2:1-8 ©

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, the wine being my concern, I took up the wine and offered it to the king. Now I had never been downcast before. So the king said, ‘Why is your face so sad? You are not sick, surely? This must be a sadness of the heart.’ A great fear came over me and I said to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! How could my face be other than sad when the city where the tombs of my ancestors are lies in ruins, and its gates have been burnt down?’ ‘What’ the king asked ‘is your request?’ I called on the God of heaven and made this reply to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if you are satisfied with your servant, give me leave to go to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ tombs, and rebuild it.’ The king, with the queen sitting there beside him, said, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you return?’ So I named a date that seemed acceptable to the king and he gave me leave to go. I spoke to the king once more, ‘If it please the king, could letters be given me for the governors of Transeuphrates to allow me to pass through to Judah? And also a letter for Asaph, keeper of the king’s park, to supply me with timber for the gates of the citadel of the Temple, for the city walls and for the house I am to occupy?’ This the king granted me, for the kindly favour of my God was with me.

Psalm

Psalm 136:1-6 ©

O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

By the rivers of Babylon

  there we sat and wept,

  remembering Zion;

on the poplars that grew there

  we hung up our harps.

O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

For it was there that they asked us,

  our captors, for songs,

  our oppressors, for joy.

‘Sing to us,’ they said,

  ‘one of Zion’s songs.’

O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

O how could we sing

  the song of the Lord

  on alien soil?

If I forget you, Jerusalem,

  let my right hand wither!

O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

O let my tongue

  cleave to my mouth

  if I remember you not,

if I prize not Jerusalem

  above all my joys!

O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

Gospel Acclamation

Ps118:105

Alleluia, alleluia!

Your word is a lamp for my steps

and a light for my path.

Alleluia!

Or

Ph3:8-9

Alleluia, alleluia!

I have accepted the loss of everything

and I look on everything as so much rubbish

if only I can have Christ

and be given a place in him.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 9:57-62 ©

As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’

  Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’

  Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

ACCEPTING THE INVITATION TO BE KINGDOM BUILDERS

SCRIPTURE READINGS: NEH 2:1-8; LK 9:57-62

Like Nehemiah, we are all called to rebuild the house of the Lord, or in the words of Jesus, we are called to be His disciples of the Kingdom.  The call to build the House of God is urgent, whether it was during the time of the prophet Nehemiah, or that of His disciples today.  Indeed, we read of the pathetic condition of the Temple. The walls were in ruins, leading to frequent attacks from invaders.  The great prophecies of Ezekiel, Second Isaiah and Zechariah about the restoration of the Temple and Jerusalem were fast becoming pure illusion. Jesus too, faced great challenges in proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and was very much aware of the challenges of missionary work, being an itinerant preacher Himself.

The Church today is not much different.  In fact, we are under the onslaught, not so much from armies with weapons, but from enemies who are equally hostile to the Church, particularly secularists who oppose the teachings and values of the gospel.  From within, we experience the weaknesses of both the religious leaders and members that have resulted in scandals and failures.  Living in an individualistic culture that is also materialistic and secularist, it is difficult to preserve one’s faith in the world.  All these attacks from within and without have made the Church lose credibility in the proclamation of the gospel.  Thus, the call to rebuild the Church by having faithful and committed disciples is even more urgent than ever.  But what is required for the disciples or the would-be disciples of Jesus to live the Kingdom life?  Three kinds of responses are identified today as being incompatible in realizing the Kingdom in our lives.

Firstly, the response to discipleship cannot be a mere emotional response.  That was what happened to the man who wanted to follow Jesus.  He told Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus restrained him saying, “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” In other words, discipleship is not for the weak and for those who are not ready to make sacrifices.  This is a clear warning for those who have converted to the Faith, or joined priestly or religious life because of some spiritual euphoria that they have experienced.  Whilst such religious experiences can be the beginning of a conversion experience or a call, yet we need time to sort out the demands of discipleship.  For the fact is that emotions and feelings do not last; only commitment lasts.  Feelings come and go.  No one is high in love always, but what is left are the daily struggles that come from living out our commitment to God and to His people.  Consequently, such people easily get disillusioned and discouraged when they are confronted with the harsh realities of Christian living and their own inner struggles. Discipleship cannot be dependent on some feelings of love but a real commitment to live the truth in love and to love in truth.  All other motives will not carry us very far.

Secondly, in the face of the offer of the Kingdom, either because of other distractions or because of the exacting demands that come from the acceptance of the gospel, many of us would want to postpone our commitment.  Like the second man in the gospel, we seek to delay our response to the invitation, saying, “let me bury my father first.”   To bury one’s father means to wait until we have fulfilled all our filial duties, which might take years.  Of course, the commandment requires that we honour our parents. However, to allow human beings to obstruct us from answering the call of God is but another form of idolatry.

We must, therefore, in the mind of Jesus, learn to rely not on human calculation but rest on heroic faith in the Lord.  We must make a decision to live the life of the Kingdom, the kingdom of love and service.  Conversion to the Kingdom life and a life of discipleship is not to be postponed indefinitely but requires an immediate decision.  This is true with regard to our desire to change our lives.  We pay lip service, consoling ourselves that we will one day live an authentic Christian life.  But in reality we keep procrastinating, whether it is a question of deepening our prayer life or living a life of integrity.  Unless we make the decision to change now, to be happy now, to live now, then we will never find the Kingdom.  The Kingdom of God is already here; not a future event that is yet to come.  As for the future, things will somehow look after themselves.  We need to trust in providence.  Right now, we need only to surrender our lives in trust and faith.

The third inadequate response that we can give to Jesus is that of a divided commitment.  Like the man who wanted to follow Jesus, but on condition that he be allowed to take leave of his people at home first.  He said, “I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say good-bye to my people at home.”  This person has the intention to follow Jesus but his heart is torn between giving himself to the work of the Kingdom and to his loved ones.  He has a problem of attachment.  He cannot let go entirely.  And among all our attachments in life, which include things, glory, power, fame, viewpoints, the greatest attachment is to people whom we love.  It takes tremendous sacrifice to give up the people whom we love so much because that relationship prevents us from living a life of purity and truth.  This is particularly true when it comes to giving up an irregular relationship and physical intimacy with a person whom we love so much.  Indeed, there are many who want to serve the Lord and yet unable to let go of such improper relationships because whilst loving Jesus, they also desire human love and affection. Quite often, our past will prevent us from being fully open to the love of God that is coming to us in the present.  The tragedy of attachment is that our hearts become un-free for other things in life, and most of all, for the love and service of God and His people.

Attachments prevent a person from being open to others and whatever is coming into his life.  That is why Jesus makes it clear that the man who puts his hand on the plough and looks back is not fit to live in the kingdom of God.  When attachments rule our hearts, we are not free for God’s offer of life and love.  It is a situation or ‘either or’.  There is no question of having our attachments and the joy of the Kingdom at the same time.  Our commitment to the Kingdom must be a single-minded commitment, which is possible only in total detachment.  Only then can we live in the Kingdom, which is to live for the moment now, totally and fully.  But having recognized this truth, it is not easy.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  The sacrifice of giving up human love for God’s love is perhaps the greatest of all sacrifices, especially if the person whom you are giving up is the dearest love and gem in your life.

Yes, the invitation to live the Kingdom life is urgent.  And not only urgent, it requires our total commitment.  Anything less will not do.  To delay a minute longer would simply mean to delay our happiness a minute longer.  But the moment we decide to live in the present and give our whole heart to the present, then we will begin to live the Kingdom which is a kingdom of love, joy and peace.  Living in our past and in the future cannot ever bring about happiness.  Living in our attachments simply means that God’s love cannot rule our lives. To be His disciples simply means that we live the Kingdom life of love and service in total trust in the Father.

So how can we muster the strength to do what we have to do and make a decisive decision now?  We must ask for the grace to love God and His people more than we love ourselves.  Truly, to follow the Lord and work in His kingdom demands a magnanimous heart like Jesus who emptied Himself of the glory of His divinity to become one of us to serve us unto death.  Unless we have a higher love, we will not be able to give up a lower form of love.  The decision to give up our own happiness for the greater good of others demands total selflessness and self-denial.  Only a deep love for God can enable us to sacrifice our own personal needs and interests for the sake of His people.

In our dilemma to answer the call of God to give up ourselves for His sake and the people God loves, we can only rely on grace alone.  Human effort and human will alone, will break our hearts and can even lead to repression of our human needs for affection and love.  This will only make us un-loveable and even bitter against God because we made a reluctant sacrifice.  So what else can we do except to learn from Nehemiah, to surrender our emotions to the Lord in humble and earnest prayer?  Let us ask God for the grace to see the urgency and the great joy of the Kingdom, and be convinced that we can have it now.  Let us plead for a foretaste of the joy and freedom of serving Him and His people so that we will not become discouraged in the face of sacrifices and trials ahead of us.  Finally, we pray for the grace to say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Written by The Most Rev William Goh

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore

© All Rights Reserved

CALLED TO CONTINUE THE MINISTRY OF THE ARCHANGELS AS PROTECTORS, HEALERS AND MESSENGERS

20150929 CALLED TO CONTINUE THE MINISTRY OF THE ARCHANGELS AS PROTECTORS, HEALERS AND MESSENGERS

Readings at Mass

First reading

Apocalypse 12:7-12 ©

Now war broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and driven out of heaven. The great dragon, the primeval serpent, known as the devil or Satan, who had deceived all the world, was hurled down to the earth and his angels were hurled down with him. Then I heard a voice shout from heaven, ‘Victory and power and empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authority for his Christ, now that the persecutor, who accused our brothers day and night before our God, has been brought down. They have triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the witness of their martyrdom, because even in the face of death they would not cling to life. Let the heavens rejoice and all who live there.’

Psalm

Psalm 137:1-5 ©

In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:

  you have heard the words of my mouth.

In the presence of the angels I will bless you.

  I will adore before your holy temple.

In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.

I thank you for your faithfulness and love,

  which excel all we ever knew of you.

On the day I called, you answered;

  you increased the strength of my soul.

In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.

All earth’s kings shall thank you

  when they hear the words of your mouth.

They shall sing of the Lord’s ways:

  ‘How great is the glory of the Lord!’

In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Ps102:21

Alleluia, alleluia!

Give thanks to the Lord, all his hosts,

his servants who do his will.

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 1:47-51 ©

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’

CALLED TO CONTINUE THE MINISTRY OF THE ARCHANGELS AS PROTECTORS, HEALERS AND MESSENGERS

SCRIPTURE READINGS: REV 12:7-12;  JN 1:47-51

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Archangels.  This feast presupposes that we believe in the existence of angels.  However, belief in the existence of angels is placed in doubt today.  The modern man cannot trust in things that he cannot see or feel, because he lives in a world which values only empirical evidence.  Secularization has relegated angelology and demonology to the realm of mythology.  Hence, believing in angels is as good as believing in Santa Claus.  With the denial of angels, there is also the corresponding disbelief in the existence of Satan and his devils.  Conversely, if one denies the existence of the devils, one cannot in the same breath accept the existence of angels, since devils are fallen angels in the first place.

Nevertheless, angels and devils are pure spirits created by God. The official doctrine of the Church in the Council of Lateran in 1215 teaches “We firmly believe and profess without qualification that the Three Divine Persons are one, the only principle of all things – Creator of all things visible and invisible, spiritual and corporeal, who by his almighty power, from the very beginning of time has created both orders of creatures in the same way out of nothing, the spiritual or angelic world and the corporeal or visible universe.  After afterward He formed the creature man, who in a way belongs to both orders, as he is composed of spirit and body.  For the devil and the other demons were created by God good according to their nature, but they made themselves evil by their own doing. As for man, his sin was at the prompting of the devil.”

The existence of angels and the devils were once again reiterated in the document issued by the Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship (SCDW) in 1975 regarding “Christian Faith and Demonology.”  In the teaching of Christ and in the scripture, the existence of angels and devils are revealed as a dogma.  The ministry of Jesus in the proclamation of the Kingdom of God is situated against the background of the work of Satan.  In the gospel today, Jesus affirms the truth of scripture regarding the existence of the angels when He said, “I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.”  Hence, the existence of angels has always been the universal and constant faith of the Church, firmly taught and held.  For this reason, the angels are mentioned in the liturgy at the penitential rite and the Eucharistic prayer as they have a role in our salvation.

However, belief in the existence of angels is not sufficient. There is the question of consciousness.  Ironically, even for us who believe in the existence of angels and demons, most have little consciousness of the presence of the angels although some might have consciousness of the presence of the devils and his works.  This could be because we hardly pray to the angels as they are pure spirits, unlike Jesus and the saints.  The feasts of the Archangels and the Guardian angels are therefore important in instilling in us a consciousness of them in our lives and their place in our salvation.

Who then are the archangels?  Angels, as we know, are actually messengers of God.  Angels like us are created for the service of God.  Our vocation is to minister to God in worship and in the service of the kingdom and our fellowmen.  Angels therefore have a role in our salvation.  As such, angels are named after their powers and activities.  St Michael means “Who is like God”, Gabriel “Strength of God” and Raphael, “Healing of God.”

St Michael is assigned to the work of defender, for no one can do what God can do.  Only God can defeat Satan.  He is seen as the one who battles with the devil and his evil angels, defending the people of God.  He reminds us of the real existence of the Devil and of his diabolical activity.  Therefore, we must be alert to the work of the devil as St Paul reminds us in 1 Pt 5:8, “Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat.  Stand up to him, strong in faith!”  Indeed as the SCDW warns us, “It would be indeed a fatal mistake to act as if history were already finished and redemption has achieved all its effects, so that it would no longer be necessary to engage in the struggle of which the New Testament and the masters of the spiritual life speak.”

St Gabriel was sent to announce to Zechariah the coming birth of John the Baptist and to Mary, the birth of Jesus.   Besides carrying the Good News to Mary, he was there to assure Mary of God’s grace and that God would be with her in the difficult office of being the mother of the Saviour.  Hence, he is rightly called the “strength of God.” As for Archangel Raphael, he is venerated as the healing power of God because he took care of Tobias and healed him of his blindness.

Today as we celebrate this feast, we are reminded of our own ministry as baptized Christians.  We too are called to continue the work that they have begun and are still doing in our midst.  By virtue of our baptism, we are anointed to be Christ’s priests, shepherds and prophets.

Like St Michael, we are called to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the wiles of Satan.  We are called to help those under our care, our fellow Catholics, our children and our families to grow in their faith and not fall under the temptations of the Evil One.  We must therefore strengthen our faith so that we can be firm against the work of the Devil, especially in a world where atheism is becoming more and more hostile towards God and all religions.  We too are called to remove all evil and sins from our lives, and defending ourselves from the influence of the evil spirits. To do this, we need to have recourse to the Archangel, St Michael, to defend us in our battles against the work of the Devil and his demons.

As prophets, like St Gabriel, we should imitate him by being the bearers and messengers of the Good News, enlightening and strengthening those under our charge with the Word of God and the word of grace.  There are many ways we can strengthen the faith of our people, especially those who are discouraged, confused and lost.  We can help them through our sharing, our testimonies of what God has done for us, or by enlightening them in the truth.  By helping weaker Catholics in their faith, we too, like St Gabriel, can be their strength in times of adversity and misfortunes.

Finally, as members if the royal priesthood, like St Raphael, we are called to heal our people through forgiveness, love and genuine concern for those in need.  What better way to heal them than to bring to them the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? These are the most powerful means the Lord has left to the Church to continue His work of healing.  Besides the sacraments, we should pray for those who need healing, especially healing of memories, past hurts and traumas and deliverance from the evil spirits.  Turning to Mary, the Saints and Archangel Raphael, we must pray for our own and those who need healing. We should also have faith in the Lord who is our healer, and not hesitate to turn to Him to heal us physically, emotionally, spiritual or psychologically.

Yes, besides praying to the saints, God has given us His Archangels to help protect us from the Evil One, and strength to make this pilgrimage of life.  Consequently, we must pray to them for help in our ministry and for our daily life.  This will increase our consciousness of their presence and assistance.  In our work as defenders of the faith and the faithful, let us turn to St Michael to help us defeat the powers of Satan and his angels, and most of all, to give us the gift of discernment.  As messengers of God, we must pray to St Gabriel for help to be proclaimers of the Good News.  Finally as healers, let us ask Raphael for help in ministering to the sick and broken with faith so that those who receive our assistance will experience the healing grace of God.

Written by The Most Rev William Goh

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore

© All Rights Reserved

JEALOUSY OF GOD VS THE JEALOUSY OF MAN

20150928 JEALOUSY OF GOD VS THE JEALOUSY OF MAN

Readings at Mass

First reading

Zechariah 8:1-8 ©

The word of the Lord of Hosts was addressed to me as follows:

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

I am burning with jealousy for Zion,

with great anger for her sake.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

I am coming back to Zion

and shall dwell in the middle of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem will be called Faithful City

and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts, the Holy Mountain.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

Old men and old women will again sit down

in the squares of Jerusalem;

every one of them staff in hand

because of their great age.

And the squares of the city will be full

of boys and girls

playing in the squares.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

If this seems a miracle

to the remnant of this people (in those days),

will it seem one to me?

It is the Lord of Hosts who speaks.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

Now I am going to save my people

from the countries of the East

and from the countries of the West.

I will bring them back

to live inside Jerusalem.

They shall be my people

and I will be their God

in faithfulness and integrity.’

Psalm

Psalm 101:16-21,29,22-23 ©

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

The nations shall fear the name of the Lord

  and all the earth’s kings your glory,

when the Lord shall build up Zion again

  and appear in all his glory.

Then he will turn to the prayers of the helpless;

  he will not despise their prayers.

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

Let this be written for ages to come

  that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord;

for the Lord leaned down from his sanctuary on high.

  He looked down from heaven to the earth

that he might hear the groans of the prisoners

  and free those condemned to die.

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

The sons of your servants shall dwell untroubled

  and their race shall endure before you

that the name of the Lord may be proclaimed in Zion

  and his praise in the heart of Jerusalem,

when peoples and kingdoms are gathered together

  to pay their homage to the Lord.

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

Gospel Acclamation

Jn14:6

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

No one can come to the Father except through me.

Alleluia!

Or

Mk10:45

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Son of Man came to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 9:46-50 ©

An argument started between the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side and then said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.’

  John spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.’

JEALOUSY OF GOD VS THE JEALOUSY OF MAN

SCRIPTURE READINGS: ZECH 8:1-8; LK 9:46-50

Some of us may find it disappointing that the Twelve were no better than us, because they too were fighting for status.  Their motives for serving the Lord before the Resurrection were certainly less than selfless and pure.  In their minds, they imagined that serving the Lord would also bring them power and glory, since Jesus as the Messiah would liberate Israel from their political enemies.  Perhaps we are no better than them, even for all the claims that we love Jesus above all things; for the stark truth is that we love Jesus as much as ourselves.   And like the disciples, we all want to be loved, known and be regarded as important people, which presumably entails that we have power.

But what we find unacceptable is their total lack of sensitivity to the feelings of Jesus.  He must have been rather saddened because in spite of all the great things He had done, sending them out on a mission, giving them the same power to heal and to cast out devils, followed by the miraculous multiplication of the loaves for five thousand, and culminating in the revelation to Peter on His identity as the Christ – yet the disciples did not consider that He was pensive about His imminent death in Jerusalem.  In spite of Jesus’ prophecies regarding His crucifixion, His disciples showed no concern or sympathy for Him.  If at all, Peter remonstrated against Him for making such a prophecy, and it was because Peter had a vested interest.  They were fighting and seeking to be greater than the others, oblivious to Jesus’ state of His mind and soul.

The truth is that the disciples failed to recognize that greatness in God’s understanding does not translate to power and glory.   Power in the world is associated with might and strength.  This is what Jesus wants to debunk by His death and crucifixion.  In the eyes of God, power is service and lowliness.  To underscore the kind of power which can change their lives and the world, Jesus used the example of children to symbolize those who are truly great in the eyes of God. “He took a little child and set him by his side and then said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.’”  Only humble and selfless service can transform lives.

The consequence of desiring to be great is that we become competitive and jealous.  We see others as our enemies and are overwhelmed by the sin of pride, envy and greed.  We seek to destroy our competitors so that we can portray ourselves as honorable and great in the eyes of the world.  When there is competition, there will be jealousy and protectionism.  When the sin of envy lives in us, it will be manifested in different ways.   As we read in the gospel, they were initially provoking each other into jealousy by comparing themselves with each other.  But as a group too, they were jealous that others were doing the same work they were doing.  They could not accept that others outside of their circle were also performing miracles in the name of Jesus.  They wanted to limit the powers given to them by Jesus only to themselves and did not want others to share in that power, as their position, status, popularity and security would be challenged.  They were too blinded by their pride, thinking that they were special as members of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples.  They did not go beyond their narrow confines of looking beyond their interests to that of the spread of the gospel.  Instead of recognizing others as partners sent by God to help them in their mission, they tried to stop them.

Indeed, because of jealousy, we too often hinder others from serving in our community and in the Church.  In the office, we see each one trying to outdo each other, not for the sake of the organization, but for promotion and self-interest.  Instead of having people in the same organization working together to ensure that the company grows in strength, members within the organization seek to destroy, ridicule and put down each other even when they are doing well.  This kind of jealousy happens even within the Church, unfortunately.  The sin of envy lives in us, and we often fail to nurture new leaders because the existing leaders are unable to let go of their authority and power. Members are often jealous of each other because some are given more important positions.  Sometimes, we see rivalry among Church organizations vying for more members and recognition. It is ironical that we fail to affirm each other among ourselves as Christians.  Jesus makes it clear when He declared, “You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.”

How then can we overcome jealousy?  We are called to recognize ourselves as children, that is, those who are insignificant in the world.  By placing a child next to Himself, He wanted to remind the disciples that we are not entitled to any rights, positions or privileges in this world.  We should therefore not aspire for such rights.  Whatever we have are blessings from the Lord, whether these are our talents, social status, wealth or prestige.  In seating the child next to Him, Jesus was dramatizing that only those who are humble of heart are truly the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, because these people do not forget their humble beginnings even when they become successful.  He who is humble will be compassionate towards the weak and the underprivileged, and he will never become overly proud of his achievements.  Those who recognize their undeserved blessings tend to share their time and resources with others generously, returning to the Lord and His people what they have received.

Of course, there are other reasons why greatness is associated with children, as with for their docility, faith and sincerity.  To become children in order to enter the Kingdom of God entails that we adopt the attitudes of children, not the attitudes of childishness but childlikeness.  Like them, we are called to trust in God just as children trust in their parents, to be docile and always willing to learn and to grow.  Most of all, children speak their minds from the depths of their hearts and do not feel the need to bend over backwards to please others.  If you want to know the truth, ask the children and they will tell you exactly as it is, whilst we adults try to protect ourselves, especially when we have to be politically correct when broaching sensitive issues.  By being docile to the Holy Spirit, we come to know ourselves and discover our imperfect motives in serving Him.  By our faith in Him, we will not succumb under pressure of any kind simply because in sincerity, we continue to serve the Lord with whatever resources He has given us, leaving success in His hands rather than ours.  Through the exercise of such virtues, we will be able to remain humble and forgiving even towards those who are jealous of us, feeling with and for them, rather than getting angry and becoming intolerant of their human weaknesses and insecurity.

Jesus is our model of humility in service.  He emptied Himself of His divinity and assumed our humanity, taking the position of a slave to serve us until death (Phil 2:7-8).   By stooping so low in the Incarnation and the crucifixion as dramatized in the washing of feet at the Last Supper, Jesus behaved exactly like a servant.   Indeed, He came not to be served, but to serve (Mt 20:28).

In the first reading too, we see the true meaning of jealousy, the kind that is permitted by God.  The prophet tells us, “The Lord of hosts says this. I am burning with jealousy for Zion, with great anger for her sake”.  Our God is a jealous God not because He is insecure like us when we fear losing our positions or someone whom we love.   God is jealous of us not because He fears that He might lose us and therefore He is in deficit, but because He fears that if we lose Him, we will end up losing everything.  If God sought to bring the remnants back to Jerusalem, it was because He wanted to restore them to their glory.  The jealousy of God is unlike ours, as it is defined by pure love, concern matched by faithfulness and integrity.  Hence, His jealousy for us makes Him watchful of us, because of His concern for our well-being.   So jealous is He for us that He would not even spare His own Son to save us all.

Therefore if we find ourselves jealous of others, we must imitate God’s jealousy and transform our jealousy to one of love and protection of others’ interests.  We must love them more than we love ourselves and desire their good rather than ours.  On the other hand, if ever we are victims of prejudice and slander because of envy, we can take heart that God is with us.   And that so long as He is with us, He will ensure that we will triumph eventually, because whatever we are doing is for His glory.  This is what the psalmist invites us.  He said, “The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.  The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory when the Lord has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute and not despised their prayer.”

Written by The Most Rev William Goh

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore

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