Tuesday, 31 October 2017

BEING AND BECOMING SAINTS

20171101 BEING AND BECOMING SAINTS

Readings at Mass
Liturgical Colour: White.

First reading
Apocalypse 7:2-4,9-14 ©
I, John, saw another angel rising where the sun rises, carrying the seal of the living God; he called in a powerful voice to the four angels whose duty was to devastate land and sea, ‘Wait before you do any damage on land or at sea or to the trees, until we have put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.’ Then I heard how many were sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel.
  After that I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted aloud, ‘Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels who were standing in a circle round the throne, surrounding the elders and the four animals, prostrated themselves before the throne, and touched the ground with their foreheads, worshipping God with these words, ‘Amen. Praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.’
  One of the elders then spoke, and asked me, ‘Do you know who these people are, dressed in white robes, and where they have come from?’ I answered him, ‘You can tell me, my lord.’ Then he said, ‘These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.’

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23(24):1-6 ©
Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
  the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
  on the waters he made it firm.
Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
  Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
  who desires not worthless things.
Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
  and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
  seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.

Second reading
1 John 3:1-3 ©
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,
  by letting us be called God’s children;
  and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him,
  therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God
  but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;
all we know is, that when it is revealed
  we shall be like him
  because we shall see him as he really is.
Surely everyone who entertains this hope
  must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.

Gospel Acclamation
Mt11:28
Alleluia, alleluia!
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Alleluia!

Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12a ©

How happy are the poor in spirit
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
  theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
  they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
  they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
  they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
  they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
  they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
  they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
  theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’


BEING AND BECOMING SAINTS

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ REV 7:2-49-14JN 3:1-3MT 5:1-12 ]
“Do you know who these people are, dressed in white robes, and where they have come from?”  (Apoc 7:13).  This question demands an answer from each one of us.  Because the answer that we give indicates how we understand ourselves, our origin and destiny in life.  And unless we know, the celebration of All Saints Day will have no relevance in our lives.
Now if I ask ‘who are the saints’, the answer that most people would give is that they are those who have lived their lives in such a way that they have arrived at sainthood.  And this means that we are all in the process of becoming saints.  All Saints Day therefore is a celebration not only of those who have become saints but all of us who will become saints at the end of our journey.  However, such an answer is only partially correct.  It starts with the fact that we believe that we are sinners even before we were born.  Now this is not really true, and even contradicts scripture.
St John tells us that we are already the children of God because of His love that He lavished on us.  Regardless of the fact that we are baptized or not, it would not be really wrong even to say that all of us are God’s children by the mere fact of our coming into existence in this world.  After all, do we not believe that God is the Father of all humankind and not just Christians?   To be born into the world means that we share in the very being and love of God.   This is implied also in the answer given by one of the elders to the question that I quoted from Apocalypse at the beginning of this homily.  He said, “These are people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.”   Now, how can they wash their robes white again unless their robes were white before?  Unless you narrowly interprete these texts as referring to those who were baptized. If that were so, then it means to say that the unbaptized cannot be saved.  But this would not be in harmony with what the Church has taught us with regard to the salvation of the unbaptized.
However, one might raise the problem of original sin.  Isn’t it true that the Church teaches that we are all born with original sin?  This is undeniably true both theologically and existentially.  It is our own experience that everyone of us shares the sinful nature of Adam and are under the influence of the situation of sin in the world when we are born.  But let us also not forget that corollary to the doctrine of original sin, there is the doctrine of original justice.  What the Church wants to say also is that even before we were born, God has in His eternal plan meant for us to be saints.  In other words, our original nature before we were born is already saintly.  But somehow things have gone wrong from the very beginning.  In other words, all of us have had a bad start.
What are the implications that we can draw from this premise.  Firstly, the fact is that we are already saints even before we came into the world.   The problem is that from the moment we were born, we forget that we are actually saints.  We have forgotten about our real nature, namely, our sainthood.  This, then, is the difference between the baptized and the unbaptized.  The baptized understands and knows that their real nature is their sainthood, whereas those who are unbaptized do not know.  In the words of John, the unbaptized are those in the world who refuse to acknowledge God as their Father.
Secondly, since we are already saints, since our very being is already sainthood, it means to say that in history, our sainthood is coming to be.  That is to say that in history, the saint in us is being unfolded concretely.  It is in history that we work out and manifest the sainthood in us.  We are just like the seed that already contains the tree in us.  And the tree is nothing else but the externalization of the seed.  Unfortunately, due to our fallen nature and our forgetfulness of our nature as saints, we live unsaintly lives, contradicting our very being.
For this very reason, Jesus, who is the true God and true man, offers us His blueprint on how we can recover our essential nature, which is to be both divine and human like Him, although differing ontologically. In fact, this is what John said:  “we are already the children of God, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him.”    And what is His blueprint for us?  It is spelt out in the beatitudes.  It is His program of life and for life.  The beatitudes help us to form a vision of life that is a Godly vision.  They are meant to help us to see ourselves, others, success and sufferings in the right perspective.   They will be the ways in which we will purify ourselves to be like Christ, as John tells us; and the way in which our tainted robes can be washed clean.  They are the necessary stages and process to help us to return home, namely, to our original nature even before we were born.
However, it is not enough to say that we were already saints before we were born.  To be purified does not mean simply to return to square one.  In that sense, we must also maintain that while it is true that our very being is saintly, and that we need to realize that sainthood in history, we must also in the same vein say that we can become saints.  In other words, we can become more than what we originally were.  In this sense, we are all becoming saints.  Sainthood, like love, can grow.  To become saints is similar to growing in love.  We cannot say that our love is no longer capable of growing at any point of time; so likewise in our sainthood.  We can become more and more like God.  And this would be an endless process and journey.  But this journey of becoming more and more saintly is not a frustrating process because it is not an implication that we are lacking fulfillment but simply pointing out the fact that we are capable of being enriched further and move on to a higher plane of life and love in God.
Yes, as we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, let us remember that we are celebrating the fact that we are already saints and that we are historically living out this sainthood on earth.  But more importantly, we are also celebrating the hope and the reality that we are called to greater heights in saintliness, by joining the communion of saints in fellowship and love which will lead us to ever greater and more enriching love now and for all eternity.  Finally, it means that in love and fellowship, we truly become more and more in God,  who ultimately is the one who can sustain and fulfill us completely.

Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved


Monday, 30 October 2017

CHRISTIAN HOPE FOR A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

20171031 CHRISTIAN HOPE FOR A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH
Readings at Mass
Liturgical Colour: Green.

First reading
Romans 8:18-25 ©
I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons. It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God; but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free. For we must be content to hope that we shall be saved – our salvation is not in sight, we should not have to be hoping for it if it were – but, as I say, we must hope to be saved since we are not saved yet – it is something we must wait for with patience.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 125(126) ©
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
  it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
  on our lips there were songs.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels
  the Lord worked for them!’
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
  Indeed we were glad.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
  as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
  will sing when they reap.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
  carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
  carrying their sheaves.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.

Gospel Acclamation
Jn15:15
Alleluia, alleluia!
I call you friends, says the Lord,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
Alleluia!
Or
Mt11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, 
Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom
to mere children.
Alleluia!

Gospel
Luke 13:18-21 ©
Jesus said, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.’
  Another thing he said, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God with? It is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.’



CHRISTIAN HOPE FOR A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ Rom 8:18-25Lk 13:18-21  ]
In this world, we cannot avoid suffering because of sin and imperfections.  We suffer because creation has been affected by sins.  It is destroyed by the selfishness of humanity.  One of the most obvious consequences is the destruction of the ecological system that has resulted in climate changes, global warming, freak weather and natural disasters.   We have been poor stewards of creation.  For a long time, scientists have warned of the possible destruction of our planet if the situation continues, as the destruction of ecology will lead to global warming, floods and many things will die eventually.
On the level of humanity, sin has also destroyed the peaceful and harmonious relationship among us all.  Because of selfishness, irresponsibility, greed and fear, we compete against each other and seek to grab more for ourselves, depriving others of their basic needs.  There is so much injustice in the world because of dishonesty and cheating.  People are discriminated and marginalized.  This has resulted in violence, civil disorder and even wars.   Poverty and discrimination are also breeding grounds for terrorism to grow.  Political, religious and corporate leaders are often tempted to seek their interests not the good of others.  When that happens, credibility and trust in our leaders are eroded.
On the level of the individual, we are under the bondage of sin and evil.  We are selfish and we succumb to the temptations of the flesh, of lust, gluttony and greed.  We are jealous and envious of others.  We feel insecure about our well-being and whether we are loved.  We become possessive of others and of things.  Our ego prevents us from listening to others.  Our pride, especially of intellect, hinders us from welcoming others who are different from us.  We seek to impose our views and ideas on others.  All such actions cause division, disunity and rob us of our peace and unity.  We quarrel, fight and hurt each other.
For this reason, God wants to give us a New Heaven and a New Earth.  “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.”  (Isa 65:1719)  St John also shared with us his vision. “When I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”  (Rev 21:1-4)
Consequently, St Paul urges us to look ahead of what is in store for us as Christians.  “I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us.”  We can look forward with confidence to a glorious future that lies ahead of us even as we groan on this earth.  For this to happen, God allows the decadence to take place so that we will not cling to this earth.   “It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God.”  Unless, we see the misery of this life and the imperfections of creation, we will not long for something greater and more perfect to come.   If life is too good on this earth, we would want to cling on to this earth forever.   But God has something greater for us.  Indeed, God allows us to suffer illness and pains so that when the time comes for us to let go, we could let go more easily.  Old age, illness and suffering are all part and parcel of God’s plan to help us to detach ourselves from this world so that we can depart for a better and more complete world to come.
What will happen to creation?  St Paul first speaks of creation as a whole, animate and inanimate matter.  He said, “Creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God.”  Although we do not know exactly what will happen to creation, plants and animals and all things of this earth, we know that they will be in Christ and all will be transformed and perfected.  This is what St Paul wrote, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”  (Col 1:1719)  He further explained, “For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”  (Eph 1:9f)
But not just for creation; we will also be set free and reclaim our dignity as sons and daughters of God. “The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons.”   Indeed, the calling and destiny of humanity is even higher than that of creation because we are called to share in the “freedom and glory as the children of God.”  In other words, we will share in the fullness of life and love with God, participating in the Trinitarian love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Our bodies will be glorified and resurrected like our Lord.
This hope of ours is a substantiated hope, not just a wishful thinking.  This is because we already have a foretaste of it.  St Paul wrote, “From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit.”   The Holy Spirit is the living presence of God in our hearts.  “In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”  (Eph 1:13f)  He is the love of God poured into our hearts.  (Rom 5:5)  Anyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit feels the closeness of God.  This is the same intimacy Jesus had with His Father.  This is the same joy that saints in their mystical experience have entered into when they experience the intimacy and love of God.  That is why those who have encountered God, deeply desire to be with Him and have no fear of death or of separation from this life.
This kingdom is also a reality in this life as a beginning.  The parables in today’s gospel illustrate the budding of the Kingdom of God.  The parable of the Mustard Seed speaks of the gradual growth of the Kingdom of God.  It begins small but it ends big.  “It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.”  So too, the Church, which started with 12 apostles, today has more than two billion Christians in the world, of which about half are Catholics.   The Kingdom of God is also compared to the woman with the yeast.  She “took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.”   Again, when the gospel is spread in society, it will bring light to humanity and it will salt the earth, give life and renewed humanity along the lines of the gospel.  It can be said that much of humanity has been infused with the Spirit of the gospel directly or indirectly.
So, while “we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free” we must cooperate in building the kingdom of God on earth.  “For we must be content to hope that we shall be saved – our salvation is not in sight, we should not have to be hoping for it if it were – but, as I say, we must hope to be saved since we are not saved yet – it is something we must wait for with patience.”   We need to live out the gospel life and announce the Good News of salvation to all by words and deeds.  On our part, we need to grow in virtues, to live the blessed life that the Lord has taught us in the beatitudes.  We must strive to live a life of justice tempered by compassion, charity and love.   Unless we grow in this direction, the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast can work against us.  For these parables can also be interpreted in terms of the complacency of the Church as the structure and institution grow.  We can become corrupt and allow evil to enter into the Church because of the lack of integrity.  We can allow worldliness to ruin the Church of God if we are not alert and cautious.

Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved