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Two Hearts of Love (Memorial of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Yr 1, 2021)

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The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are two hearts that communicated passionately, two hearts that were united in sorrow, love and joy. As Jesus journeyed through life, Mary accompanied Him in her heart. In every turn of events in the life of Jesus, Mary never stopped contemplating and pondering. A heart that contemplated and chose the mission of being the Mother of God. A heart that would be pierced with a lance (as the Old Man Simeon prophesied -- cf. Luke 2:35). A heart that remained immaculate and pure despite the pains that it endured. This is the heart that had to bear seven sorrows for the sake of her beloved Son. This is the heart of one who never uttered a word of condemnation against those who condemned and crucified her innocent Son. This is the heart which kept praying. This is the heart that contemplated kindness: we learn that she visited her pregnant kinswoman Elizabeth and stayed with her for three months. This is the heart that remained humb
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A Heart of Love, A Heart that Bleeds (Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 2021)

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We are used to seeing beautiful images of the heart specially symbolizing (or pointing to) LOVE. On engagement days, birthdays & wedding anniversaries or celebrations, state-of-the-art depictions of the heart are most solemnly exchanged by lovers, loved ones, friends and family members. But are those beautiful images truly reflective of a heart that TRULY loves? Let's reflect further and know!  Things may become clearer and more interesting if we strive to understand the above question against the backdrop of the contents of the readings of today's mass (Hosea 11:1.3-4.8c-9; Ephesians 3:8-12.14-19; John 19:31-37). In Hosea 1, God instructed Prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, a harlot (who, as a harlot, must certainly be UNFAITHFUL to Hosea). God gave that instruction in order to symbolically depict the seriousness of His love for His people, Israel (a people whose name was almost becoming synonymous with UNFAITHFULNESS). Through Hosea, God assured the people of Israel that "
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The New Law (Thursday, Week 10, Year 1, 2021)

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Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (cf. John 13:34). To those who really understand what Christianity is all about, this may appear to be one of the most profound and refreshing teachings of Jesus.   He calls LOVE a new commandment, maybe a new law through which every other law or commandment finds its true meaning, relevance and sense. Anyone who loves cannot be a slave to any law. In all honesty, nothing is as liberating as love. St Augustine is known to have said: “Love, and do whatever you like!”   The “old law” came from Moses; the new law came from Jesus. Being overly concerned with the old law just like the Pharisees is like covering one’s face with a veil. In 2 Cor. 3:15-4:1.3-3, St Paul says that such veil can only be removed when one turns to the Lord (the new lawgiver) through whom every other law ought to find its true interpretation, meaning and sense. Through the Lord who is Spirit, we get a better understanding of the law.
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Law and the Spirit (Wednesday, Week 10, Year 1, 2021)

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Laws are made, promulgated and enforced for the maintenance of order, promotion of justice and enthronement of peace and sanity. I may be right to say that laws are created for the sake of love. it is sufficient to say that the spirit of the law is love. In other words, every law must be at the service of love. That is why it is recommended that those who make and enforce laws must create room for exceptions. There must be some flexibility in the interpretation and application of the law. For a law to serve its purpose then, it must be interpreted, understood and applied with particular reference to its spirit not the letters with which it is formulated (i.e. the written code itself).   In 2 Cor. 3:4-11, Paul, among other things, highlighted that “the written code (the law) kills but the Spirit gives life”. At the surface, this statement may give an impression of Paul as someone who was too negative about the law. It could be that Paul was responding to the dangerous legalism (excessiv
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Let Your Yes be Yes(Tuesday, Week 10, Year 1)

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In 2 Cor. 1:16-17, Paul wrote about his initial plan of visiting Corinth; but for reasons best known to him, he later changed his travelling plans. Apparently, some Corinthians criticised him for this change of plans, maybe having a wrong impression of him as someone who is fickle-minded, insincere and unreliable.  In response, Paul swore by God's truth that there's no YES and NO about what they (Paul, Timothy and Sylvanus) told the Corinthians (cf. 2 Cor. 1:18ff). It was also a good opportunity for Paul to remind the Corinthians that there's no YES and NO in God, no YES and NO in the Lord Jesus Christ: He is always YES. God is always reliable, trustworthy and unchanging. What can we learn from the above? The point is this: Since God is reliable and trustworthy, those who identify with and work for Him are expected to be and should actually be seen to be reliable, sincere and worthy of trust. And that's why Jesus taught in Matt. 5:37: "Let your Yes be Yes and your
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For the Sake of Goodness (Monday, Week 10, Year 1)

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Suffering is a painful experience. It becomes much more painful when one suffers alone. To identify or sympathise with anyone who suffers is one of the best things we can ever do for such person. Many people EASILY go through pains because of the consolation and comfort that come from others. Paul faced severe afflictions from the Jews while he labored for Christ in Corinth. In 2 Cor. 1:1-7, he testified to and acknowledged the kindness, love and graciousness of the Corinthian Christians who chose to suffer with him during his trial moments. What is more, his experience in the Corinthian community inspired him to recount that nothing is lost when we are afflicted for the sake of Christ, and that much is gained when we identify with those who are afflicted for the sake of Christ. I am sure such words from Paul  must have comforted and motivated the Corinthians who suffered on his behalf to do more for the sake of Christ and goodness. We must never forget that life is suffused with affli
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The New and Everlasting Covenant of God's Love(Corpus Christi Sunday, Year B, 2021)

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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ reminds us of the new and everlasting covenant sealed with the Blood of Christ. We may have to reflect more on the word, “Covenant”.   First, what is a covenant? A covenant can be understood as a solemn agreement, binding on all parties. It can be an agreement between two equal parties (between friends or between husband and wife). It can also be an agreement between unequal parties (between more powerful kingdoms and less powerful kingdoms; between God and His people; and so on). Second, why enter into covenant? Covenant is conceived when suspicions are rife; when trust is lacking; when iniquities abound; when business is meant; and when commitment is needed. When there is mistrust and suspicion in a love relationship, lovers choose to enter into covenant with each other just to demand more commitment from each other.   After the fall (cf. Gen. 3), it was necessary that God should enter into a covenant with creation (cf. Covenant
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