TRAGEDY OF REJECTION

20230201 TRAGEDY OF REJECTION

 

 

01 February 2023 Wednesday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time

First reading

Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15 ©

God is training you as his sons

In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.

  Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread;then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again.

  Always be wanting peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 102(103):1-2,13-14,17-18 ©

The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

  all my being, bless his holy name.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

  and never forget all his blessings.

The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

As a father has compassion on his sons,

  the Lord has pity on those who fear him;

for he knows of what we are made,

  he remembers that we are dust.

The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

But the love of the Lord is everlasting

  upon those who hold him in fear;

his justice reaches out to children’s children

  when they keep his covenant in truth.

The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

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Gospel Acclamation

Mt4:4

Alleluia, alleluia!

Man does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Alleluia!

Or:

Jn10:27

Alleluia, alleluia!

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, 

says the Lord, 

I know them and they follow me.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel

Mark 6:1-6 ©

'A prophet is only despised in his own country'

Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

 

TRAGEDY OF REJECTION

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SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Heb 12:4-15; Ps 103:1-2,13-14,17-18; Mk 6:1-6]

In the gospel, we read the shock Jesus received upon returning to His hometown.  “Most of them were astonished when they heard him.”  From being astonished, it led to disbelief and rejection. They said, “What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?”  In a terse and heart-breaking remark, the evangelist wrote, “And they would not accept him.”

Indeed, this is often the reality of life.  We should not be surprised as Jesus said, “A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house.”  Those supposedly closest to us, whether they are family members or colleagues, are often our greatest enemies and wet blankets.  They cannot see the good in us but only our faults.  Instead of supporting us, they are always putting us down for whatever initiatives we take.  They oppose us in whatever good we try to do. We receive nothing but discouragement and sometimes even slander.  This explains why many children lose confidence in their studies because no matter how hard they try, their parents would criticize them and ridicule their efforts, destroying their confidence and self-esteem.  So too in the office as well!  Instead of affirming our fellow colleagues, we pass disparaging remarks, make them feel small or inadequate.  Isn’t this the way the relatives of Jesus said as well?   “Where did the man get all this?”

The tragedy is that often those rejected by us are happily welcomed by others.  That is why we prefer to be with those who love us and support us.  When husbands and wives keep putting each other down, they do not realize that they are killing the love between them and indirectly forcing the other partner to seek consolation and support elsewhere.  Children too, when they do not find acceptance at home, would prefer to hang out with their friends instead of being at home in a hostile environment.  Indeed, if you find someone who does not like to be at home, most likely there is no real home but simply a house.  A home is where you expect support, encouragement, understanding, compassion, consolation and love.

Likewise, in our parishes, how often have we had good laity who are professionals and doing well in life offering to devote their time to serving God, only to find discouragement and rejection? In so doing, the Church ends up losing valuable resources to other organisations and institutions, including NGOs and non-Catholic or non-Christian entities, that appreciate them more.   We have lost the services of many talented Catholics in our churches because we fail to appreciate them and value their services.  The irony is that many of them are now doing very well in the world, serving the poor.

What is the reason?  Clearly, most of the time when we find ourselves unable to welcome the prophets in our lives, it has to do with insecurity and self-interest.  The relatives of Jesus were jealous of Him.   They cannot accept that someone who was living with them and once under their authority could now speak in such an authoritative manner.  The scribes and Pharisees also opposed Jesus later in His ministry because they found Jesus a threat to their status quo, their position in society and most of all, they did not like what Jesus said because they felt embarrassed by the truth of His words.  They were all out to remove Jesus as He was a nuisance and an obstacle to their comfort and interests.

We too behave exactly the same way.  This explains why most people have difficulty with those in authority.  They are too proud to obey.  They want things to be done their way, and according to their whims and fancies.  They do not want to be told what to do.  When their vested interests are compromised, they will fight back to retain their status quo.  This is what Pope Francis often warns us; that worldliness has crept into the Church as well.  Even within the Church, there is an unconscious ambition for fame, power, attention, security and comfort. The zeal for the spread of the gospel is often lacking so much so that it is in danger of becoming just another institution that affords security with all the material and emotional benefits.

So if we do not want to lose the assistance and services of our fellow Catholics, we must welcome them.  We must not see others who have talent or fresh ideas as working against us.  More often than not, we react out of our insecurity.  The bottom line is that we do not like our cheese moved.  We want things to remain the same.  We are routine people and we do not like changes.  But without the sacrifices and pain of change, no organization or church can grow.   When we are set in our own ways, just like the relatives of Jesus, we will remain stagnant, unable to receive the blessings of God.  This was what the evangelist said, “He could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.”   By rejecting such talented people and their sincere good will, we are the ones to suffer in the end.  Then we should not be complaining and lamenting why we do not have enough volunteers in the Church.  The answer is simple.  They are not welcome and their professional advice and skills are not appreciated.

Conversely, when we welcome the initiatives of people, we empower them and help them to become better each day.  What people need is our confidence and trust.  When we are receptive, open and docile to their plans and visions, they will be more willing to share and to listen to us and to work collaboratively to bring their ideas to greater heights.  When they see us sincerely wanting to better their proposals and not sabotaging them, they will be more forthcoming and eager to contribute to our interests.  By placing our confidence in them, we help them to become more confident in themselves and more courageous in thinking out of the box and taking risks.

For those of us who are rejected, we should not fall into despair.  As the author in the first reading reminds us, we are sons of God.  “My son, do not scorn correction from the Lord, do not resent his training, for the Lord trains those he loves, and chastises every son he accepts.  Perseverance is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons.”  We are the children of God but we need to be purified and grow in grace, in humility and faith.  “Our human fathers were training us for a short life and according to their own lights; but he does it all for our own good, so that we may share his own holiness.”   Jesus learned obedience through suffering.  It was through the rejection of His own relatives that He could be prepared to accept a wider rejection from the community.  His rejection by His own relatives and townsfolk prepared Him for the final betrayal and rejection of the apostles and those who whom He has helped.

Most of all, the author warns us not to fall into resentment and bitterness.  “Seek peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a large number.”   We must learn to forgive like Jesus and use such rejection to grow in compassion for our enemies and trust in the Lord.  Indeed, if we accept the trials of life positively, they can make us better, not bitter.  We must be brave and courageous and see everything not through our wounded eyes and bruised ego but through the mercy and compassion of God.

So let us heed the exhortation of the author of Hebrews, “any discipline is at the time a matter for grief, not joy; but later, in those who have undergone it, it bears fruit in peace and uprightness. So steady all weary hands and trembling knees and make your crooked paths straight; then the injured limb will not be maimed, it will get better instead.”  With a stronger prayer life, a deeper relationship with the Lord, with greater openness and perseverance in establishing dialogue with those who see us as our enemies, and by building bridges instead of walls, we will one day not just transcend our opponents but we will make them our friends.  We will use their taunts for our growth so that we can become better and more purified in love and service.

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Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved. 

CLING TO JESUS OUR ULTIMATE HOPE

20230131 CLING TO JESUS OUR ULTIMATE HOPE

 

 

31 January 2023 Tuesday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time

First reading

Hebrews 12:1-4 ©

We should keep running steadily in the race we have started

With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us, we too, then, should throw off everything that hinders us, especially the sin that clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it, and from now on has taken his place at the right of God’s throne. Think of the way he stood such opposition from sinners and then you will not give up for want of courage. In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.

---

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 21(22):26-28,30-32 ©

They shall praise you, Lord, those who seek you.

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.

  The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.

They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.

  May their hearts live for ever and ever!

They shall praise you, Lord, those who seek you.

All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,

  all families of the nations worship before him;

They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;

  before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.

They shall praise you, Lord, those who seek you.

And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him.

  They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,

declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn:

  ‘These things the Lord has done.’

They shall praise you, Lord, those who seek you.

---

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:

Mt8:17

Alleluia, alleluia!

He took our sicknesses away,

and carried our diseases for us.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel

Mark 5:21-43 ©

Little girl, I tell you to get up

When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.

  Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’

  While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.

 

CLING TO JESUS OUR ULTIMATE HOPE

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SCRIPTURE READINGS: [HEB 12:1-4; PS 22:26-28,30-32; MARK 5:21-43]

“Keep running steadily in the race we have started!”  This is a tall order.  It is easy to start things in life but to run steadily is certainly not easy.  Whether it is the beginning of a new chapter in life, in marriage, in a relationship or in a new job, or in a new project, we are bound to face many difficulties along the way.  There will be trials, unexpected change of circumstances, opposition and setbacks.  When we meet with such difficulties, many of us will withdraw and give up.  Many “give up for want of courage.”

This is especially true in suffering, particularly when overcoming our sinfulness.  We know that we are weak and vulnerable in the face of temptations. We succumb easily to sin “that clings so easily” especially the sin of lust, pride, envy, anger, greed, sloth and gluttony.   We find ourselves too weak to resist sins.  We remain in bondage in our sins.  We lack peace of mind and we feel guilty for not being faithful to the gospel way of life.  We try and try but we always end up committing the same sins again and again.  So much so that we fall into the trap of the Evil One who discourages us by telling us to give up because there is no hope.  After some time, we lose sight of what we are called to be and to do, which is to live a life of holiness.  We get tired of going for confession again and again, especially for the sin of lust.  After some time, we just begin to live with our sins.  This is what the Devil wants us to do so that we can eventually rationalize our sins, be numb to them, and continue to live a double life.   As we continue living a life without integrity, soon we lose God totally.

This is true not just in the area of sin but in every dimension of life.  Some of us are like the woman suffering from haemorrhage who had tried all means to get herself cured but to no avail.  To be afflicted with sickness is something very trying.  The inconvenience, the pain, the lack of mobility and the need for assistance make us feel useless and frustrated.  More so, when we have sought all forms of medical help and yet cannot find a cure.  So we can empathize with this woman who suffered for twelve years.  She not only suffered physically but from social and religious alienation as well, because she was considered to be “unclean.”

Today, we are told that Jesus is our Hope.  She did not give up so easily.  She clung to her last hope and touched the cloak of Jesus.  In faith, she said, “If I can touch even his clothes, I shall be well again.”   And we read that “the source of bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint.”  We too, in all our troubles must never think that we are at the end of the road and give up trying and most of all, praying.  The Lord wants to heal us.  So even if there is a glimpse of hope just by touching His cloak, that is, any available means, we should be receptive because the Lord wants to heal us.  He comes to heal us in many ways and through various means.  All we need to do is to keep on praying and believing.  He will send us His messenger or He Himself would heal us.  So like the woman, have hope and have faith in Jesus.

Jesus is not just our Hope but our final hope too.  In the story of the cure of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus was certainly the last hope.  When all thought that his daughter was beyond help, the Lord came to raise her back to life.  All those without faith could only say she was dead.  “Why put the master to any further trouble?”   And they were “weeping and wailing unrestrainedly.”  Some were even cynical, like many unbelievers today who are not open to the power of God and miracles. They think that only science can save them.  Science is their god today.  It is unfortunate and also an indication of a lack of faith that many of us when we are sick or in trouble, will only ask for prayers for healing when doctors cannot heal us.  The first thing we should be doing is to pray for one another so that we can be healed.

Again, the same attitude is asked of us.  “Do not be afraid; only have faith.”  Those without faith will be turned out.  “So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay.”  Without faith, we will only be deprived of witnessing the power of God at work in our lives.  If we have faith in Jesus, then the gospel says, power would come out from him.  “Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘who touched my clothes?'”  Similarly, because of the faith of the synagogue officials, Jesus anticipated His own power to rise from the dead upon His death by raising the daughter back to life.  ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.'”

How can we strengthen our faith in the midst of so many discouraging voices and challenges?  “With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us, we too, then, should throw off everything that hinders us.”  In other words, we must rely on the heroes of faith before us.  The bible is full of examples and stories of those who have faith in God. We only need to contemplate on the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, the judges and the prophets especially Elijah, Isaiah, Amos and Jeremiah.  Regardless of the opposition, they remained firm in their faith in God.  In the New Testament, we also read of the faith of the apostles who preached the gospel in defiance against the earthly and religious authorities of the day.  They were then ignorant, wanting power and glory, but now sought humiliation, suffering and martyrdom.  Such were their faith that they performed miracles in the name of the Lord.  We too must also imitate their examples and in turn give hope to others.  Let us not miss out on any opportunity to give hope to people who are suffering or going through difficult times.  We must not make people give up hope in life because of our discouraging words.  Rather, if we are positive and affirming, they will persevere in their trials.   What people need to hear are words of hope.  Just a word of encouragement is all that they need. Give them a glimpse of that hope!

Most of all, the author reminds us to contemplate on the life, passion and death of our Lord.  He urges us not to “lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it.  Think of the way he stood such opposition from sinners and then you will not give up for want of courage.”  Indeed, only Jesus can show us what it means to be faithful to God and have faith in Him till the end.  Even when betrayed and abandoned by His friends, and feeling the absence and silence of His Father on the cross, Jesus continued to place and surrender His life to Him, forgiving His enemies, praying for them; and commending His Spirit to His Father.  He did not give up His faith, and He did not submit to the evil plans of His enemies.  Compared to the suffering of Jesus “in the fight against sin” we “have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.”  

So let us not be discouraged or be disheartened in the face of trials and sufferings.  We will triumph in the end, in this life or in the next.  Indeed, we should not fear too much about the future.  Rather “Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future.”  For the greater good our future and of the next generation, we must persevere and never give up hope.  God will give us the grace to overcome all our trials.  At times, He will show His power by healing us or removing our enemies.  At other times, He allows us to suffer even unto death because He wants to give us a greater glory with Him.  So let us praise the Lord at all times, in good or bad. “They shall praise you, Lord, those who seek you. My vows I will pay before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.”  Those who seek the Lord will praise Him because we know that in faith, God has something better for us all the time.  Even in the case of Jesus, although He was not exempted from the cross and from death, yet His death made it possible for Him to “take his place at the right of God’s throne.”  It was His death that made the resurrection possible.  It was His death and resurrection that made possible the establishment of the Kingdom of God and His Church.   So too with Abraham and the heroes of faith in the bible!  They did not see the promised glory on earth but they receive their reward in heaven.  So let us walk by faith, not by sight.

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Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.

 

FREEING OURSELVES FROM OUR BONDAGES

20230130 FREEING OURSELVES FROM OUR BONDAGES

 

 

30 January 2023 Monday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time

First reading

Hebrews 11:32-40 ©

The example of the Old Testament saints

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders. Some came back to their wives from the dead, by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life. Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison. They were stoned, or sawn in half, or beheaded; they were homeless, and dressed in the skins of sheep and goats; they were penniless and were given nothing but ill-treatment. They were too good for the world and they went out to live in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines. These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 30(31):20-24 ©

Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, Lord,

  that you keep for those who fear you,

that you show to those who trust you

  in the sight of men.

Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence

  from the plotting of men;

you keep them safe within your tent

  from disputing tongues.

Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

Blessed be the Lord who has shown me

  the wonders of his love

  in a fortified city.

Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

‘I am far removed from your sight’

  I said in my alarm.

Yet you heard the voice of my plea

  when I cried for help.

Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

Love the Lord, all you saints.

  He guards his faithful

but the Lord will repay to the full

  those who act with pride.

Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

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Gospel Acclamation

Jn17:17

Alleluia, alleluia!

Your word is truth, O Lord:

consecrate us in the truth.

Alleluia!

Or:

Lk7:16

Alleluia, alleluia!

A great prophet has appeared among us;

God has visited his people.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel

Mark 5:1-20 ©

The Gadarene swine

Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district. 

  Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

 

FREEING OURSELVES FROM OUR BONDAGES

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SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31:20-24; Mk 5:1-20]

We are created in the image and likeness of God.   We are created in freedom and for freedom.  This explains why the desire for freedom is in the DNA of every human person.  Without freedom, we cannot be truly happy in life.  Even God respects our freedom so much so that He would not even stop us from choosing Hell instead of choosing Him if we so desire.  We know that conscience is also paramount in making decisions and the person’s conscience must be respected.   Of course, the judgment of conscience presumes that the person takes into account in his or her discernment process, the objective norms.

Consequently, to be under bondage in any way violates the dignity of the human person.  We can feel and identify with this man who was under the bondage of the Evil Spirit.  “The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him anymore, even with a chain, because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him.  All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones.”  If one of us or our loved ones were possessed, we can imagine the trauma and the anxiety that we would have to go through.  Indeed, we do not have to go that far in speaking about demonic possession.   Some of us and our loved ones suffer from various types of obsessions and compulsive disorders.   Handling such sufferers is never easy and can be extremely trying for the care givers.   But the sufferers too are going through extreme loneliness of being misunderstood and often ridiculed and ostracized.

What are these obsessions?  The most common is pornography and lust.  Some people are not able to get over their obsession for lewd sex.  They cannot live without masturbating or watching pornography.  Others suffer from addiction to gambling, drinking and smoking.  Such addictions cause much harm not just to the person himself but to his or her loved ones who live in fear that something untoward would happen to the person.  Many are not able to control their temper and would often easily take it out on innocent victims.  At times, they can even be violent, hitting their loved ones.  Of course, some of the obsessions are internal and these deal with envy and greed.  They are voices inside us, making us lose our peace and happiness, yet we find ourselves powerless to silence these voices in our hearts.

In truth, the greatest bondage is fear!  All sins originate from fear.  The greatest irony of today’s gospel story is that the real person under bondage was not the man that Jesus delivered but the townsfolks who became fearful of the implications of accepting Jesus into their lives.  Instead of welcoming Jesus to stay, they were fearful of further economic losses.  “They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid.  And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs.  Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood.”

Indeed, when we examine our obsessions and bondages, we will realize that they are rooted in fear. All the sins we commit are due to our fear of pain and suffering.  Most of all, we fear death, which is our greatest enemy because we think that with death, everything is finished.  So long as we fear suffering and death, we cannot live a life of freedom.  This explains why the richest and most powerful people in the world are the most insecure people because they have everything to lose; their wealth, power and glory.  Whereas for the poor people, those who are suffering because of illnesses or oppression and injustices, they have nothing to lose.  They can only hope for the fullness of life hereafter.

But with Christ all fears are overcome.   St Paul says, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Rom 6:22f) In his letter to the Corinthians, we read of Christ’s total victory over the last enemy of humanity.  “As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”  (1 Cor 15:22-25)

So for those who fear, it is because of their ignorance, like the swineherds.  They thought that with Jesus around, they would lose their livelihood and their business would be affected.  It is true as well for those of us who cling to sins.  We think that if we are chaste in our relationships, we will lose our loved ones.  What we lose is inauthentic and selfish love, not true love!  Those of us who gamble are afraid that if we stop gambling, we will not have enough.  On the contrary, their health will get better, there will be peace of mind, less stress, less family squabbling and they will be able to work better.  Most of all, they will have more money because no one can be a winner in gambling except the gambling operators!   Again, some cannot give up drinking and smoking for fear that their lives will be more stressful without alcohol and cigarettes.  On the contrary, with less dependence on them, life will become freer and they will enjoy better health and be soberer to deal with life’s challenges.

Indeed, when we choose the illusory security offered by the world, we will be the ultimate loser as we could even lose our life, our health, our job and family, and even God!  In asking Jesus to leave, the villagers might have retained their herds, but they lost a great opportunity to find the fullness of life.  For the Jews, a pig symbolizes contamination by uncleanness.  So to choose the life of a pig is to live in that manner, under bondage, no direction and a life without happiness.  Which is a better option?  Do we want to choose the fullness of life?  For this, it means giving up something and everything that is detrimental to our well-being and peace of mind.  We cannot expect to find peace and joy if we allow ourselves to be under the bondage of the Evil One.

Today, the gospel invites us to take care and decide for Christ, like the man who was delivered from the Evil Spirit.  “As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him.  Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you .’  So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him.  And everyone was amazed.”   He not only became a disciple of Jesus but an apostle to his own people.  If we are liberated, we too will have a change of perspective towards life, like those who suffered from a near death experience or remission from a terminal illness.

How do we overcome our fears?  Firstly, we must name it.  This was what Jesus sought to do when He asked, “What is your name?”  And the Evil Spirit answered, “My name is legion, for there are many of us.”   So acknowledging the fact that we are obsessed or under bondage is the primary step towards healing and freedom.  Unfortunately, the truth is that those of us who are addicted or under some kind of bondage would deny the fact.  Without the humility to call a spade a spade, there can be no cure or effective liberation. Rather, in all honesty, when we name the fear we have, the paralysis of shame is immediately overcome.  That is why when the name of the Evil Spirit was revealed, they knew that they could no longer stay in the house of the possessed man.   Getting people to acknowledge their sins, their wrong doings, their addictions and fear is the most challenging part because of pride.   We are all too proud to admit we need help or that we are sinners.  So if we want to be set free from our fear and bondages, name your sin specifically and it will have lost its power.

Secondly, we must rely on the strength that comes from Jesus alone.  The name of Jesus on the other hand puts fear into the hearts of the Evil Spirit.  “Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the Most high God?  Swear by God you will not torture me!’  – For Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.'”   We too cannot depend on our own strength but on Jesus who is our mighty hero to defend us.  He is the Lord of hosts, the army commander of our almighty God.   When we have faith in the name and authority of Jesus over sin and evil, we no longer have to live in fear.  He is our strength and our stronghold.

We are called to imitate the faith of our fathers.  With the psalmist, we pray, “Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.  How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you, that you show to those who trust you in the sight of men.  You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plotting of men; you keep them safe within your tent from disputing tongues.”  With the heroes of faith in the Old Testament, we must be strong in our faith and our battle against our enemies. “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises.  They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle.  They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders.”

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Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved. 

FORMING OUR CHILDREN IN WISDOM, VIRTUE, HOLINESS AND FREEDOM

20230129 FORMING OUR CHILDREN IN WISDOM, VIRTUE, HOLINESS AND FREEDOM

 

 

29 January 2023 Sunday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time

First reading

Zephaniah 2:3,3:12-13 ©

In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people

Seek the Lord,

all you, the humble of the earth,

who obey his commands.

Seek integrity,

seek humility:

you may perhaps find shelter

on the day of the anger of the Lord.

In your midst I will leave

a humble and lowly people,

and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.

They will do no wrong,

will tell no lies;

and the perjured tongue will no longer

be found in their mouths.

But they will be able to graze and rest

with no one to disturb them.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 145(146):6-10 ©

How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or

Alleluia!

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever,

  who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

  the Lord, who sets prisoners free.

How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or

Alleluia!

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

  who raises up those who are bowed down,

the Lord, who protects the stranger

  and upholds the widow and orphan.

How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or

Alleluia!

It is the Lord who loves the just

  but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

  Zion’s God, from age to age.

How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or

Alleluia!

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Second reading

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ©

God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, to shame the wise

Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.

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Gospel Acclamation

Mt11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father, 

Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom

to mere children.

Alleluia!

Or:

Mt5:12a

Alleluia, alleluia!

Rejoice and be glad:

your reward will be great in heaven.

Alleluia!

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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.’

 

FORMING OUR CHILDREN IN WISDOM, VIRTUE, HOLINESS AND FREEDOM

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SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Zep 2:3; 3:12-13; Ps 146:6-10; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12]

What is education? Most people in the world confuse education with acquiring skills, knowledge and an academic degree to certify that one has the capacity to do something.  Education means going to a good school where we can be trained in writing, speaking, literary arts, mathematics, history, geography, science and technology.  Of course, to offer a more holistic formation of our students, we offer extra-curriculum activities such as sports and arts. Yet, society is short-sighted if we think that education is simply having our students perform well in their academic studies or even in sports and the arts.  What if a student excels in his studies and acquires skills and knowledge but has a bad character?  Does it mean that this student is educated?  Is it good enough to produce students who are smart and intelligent and who can work and be successful in what they do?  What if a smart and intelligent student uses his talents to cheat, to manipulate and to take advantage of others?

Indeed, education goes beyond acquiring skills and knowledge.  If education is reduced to gaining knowledge, in truth, there is no need for young people to go to school anymore.  We can form ourselves through the internet.  Even terrorists can make bombs by finding information from the internet.  With the internet, there is so much information that one can acquire all kinds of knowledge and skills about anything under the sun.  We can become great businessmen and researchers or developers of new products without even going to school. 

Education is forming a person integrally, developing his potentials to the fullest so that he could realize himself in the process of living out his talents as he gives himself in service to humanity.  Whilst acquiring skills and knowledge are important, yet seldom do parents realize that a good education must provide their children with the right set of values to guide them in life.  Education is about forming our children in skills and knowledge but equally important is to form them in values, morality and in character.   In other words, we form them in virtues and holiness.  This is what the scripture readings are teaching us today.  

Prophet Zephaniah said, “Seek integrity, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter on the day of the anger of the Lord. They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; and the perjured tongue will no longer be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb them.”  What we need today are not just brilliant entrepreneurs, businessmen, intelligent teachers and lawyers, creative professionals, eloquent politicians and religious leaders. We must ensure that they live lives of integrity so that they will be upright, honest and just in all that they do.  We have seen enough politicians and even religious leaders who seek power for themselves.  We have seen professionals who use their skills and knowledge to cheat people and to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor.  Without integrity, the more intelligent and brilliant the person is, especially when he or she holds leadership positions, he or she will destroy everyone, including the country.

Secondly, we need to form our future leaders in humility.  Arrogance and pride are the downfall of every man, especially leaders.  Again, the prophet Zephaniah said, “seek humility.”  St Paul in today’s second reading also reminded the Christians of their humble past.  He said, “Take yourselves, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families?”  Indeed, we must be conscious that what we are today is not just due to our hard work and efforts alone.  It is through the help of many good people who came our way to assist us, whether it be our parents, friends or teachers.  Humility is a necessary virtue to cultivate so that we will always remain grateful for what we received and are generous in return.

This is what the Lord in the gospel also underscored.  In the be-attitudes, He said, “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 peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Having the right values means to have the right attitudes towards life so that we can find happiness in a blessed life.  Among the beatitudes, the most important are those that keep us humble, gentle and merciful towards others.  We cannot be great leaders unless we feel with the suffering, the poor and those who suffer from injustices.  Being a leader is to lead our people to greener pasture, to set them free from their bondages and to help them to realize their potentials so that they can live a meaningful life.  Being a leader is to be a peacemaker, to unite our peoples and to defend truth, justice and compassion.

Ironically, the blessed, according to Jesus and St Paul, are not the rich or the powerful or the brilliant of this world.  St Paul wrote, “No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything.”  Against what the world values most, Jesus, St Paul and the Prophet Zephaniah valued humility, integrity, compassion and justice. These are the values that will assure that when our students grow up, they will be able to give themselves to society, to the church and to their families, especially the poor and the marginalized.  This is what will make them happy in life and fulfilled, rather than to accumulate wealth and luxury for themselves.  Indeed, by serving the poor, we come to discover the joy of life and the joy of love and sharing which money cannot buy.  When we can help someone who is considered a failure or an outcast in society to become a great leader who contributes back to society, we feel that our work and labour have not been in vain.

But what is the secret to helping our students acquire such virtues that can see them through in life?  Knowing God is the key, knowing Christ is the secret.  Ethics can be taught but they are not easily acquired and become part of a person’s values. Of course, for some agnostics and humanists, departing from their conscience, the “ought to” in the hearts of man, as Emmanuel Kant suggests, might be possible.  But the heart of all virtues come from God alone.  St Paul wrote, “The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.”  Jesus shows us the way to live a life of integrity, honesty, in truth and compassion for others.  These values are summed up in the beatitudes which we read in the gospel.   Hence, the prophet exhorts us, “Seek the Lord all you, the humble of the earth, who obey his commands. In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.”  

But acquiring values is not through teaching ethics or even religion and morality alone.  We need witnesses and mentors to inspire.  Teachers, including parents, are important witnesses of the values that they teach to their students.  It is not enough to teach our young people values, we must live them in our very life.  Otherwise, what we teach remain just words.  There is no better way to teach than to exemplify these values of the gospel in our lives, in the way we relate to others, to our students and to our colleagues.  The beatitudes taught by our Lord was lived by Him.  They were not just nice words; that was how He lived His life, in poverty of spirit, in humility, in compassion and mercy to those who are weak; defending the poor and innocent from the injustice of their oppressors.  Truly, by our virtuous lives, we show that “it is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free.  It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked.”  Catholic education is about living our life meaningfully by giving ourselves to God and our fellowmen.

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Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.