Following Jesus

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The Eucharistic meal is above all else a meal. It is easy to lose that sense when we are fed with a thin wafer that barely resembles bread. However it reflects a great reality. As did the apostles in this weekend’s Gospel reading, we recognize the presence of Jesus among us in the invitation he extends to us to eat and drink of him. We are nourished for the task that awaits us which is nothing less than FOLLOWING HIM.

Following him is not necessarily easy. It is not supposed to be. The popular notion but a mistaken one is the impression that all one has to do to follow Jesus is to believe in him and every emotional, physical and financial difficulty we may have will be resolved.

No, this is ‘prosperity gospel’. The ‘sugar-coated pill’ and the “instant noodle mentality”. The problem with this view of Christianity is that it ignores an essential aspect in the life of Jesus’ disciples: the CROSS.

Of course, Jesus wants us to be happy, but the source of our happiness does not lie in money, power, possessions or status. The source of our joy and peace can only be Jesus. If the focus of our life is Jesus, then we will gladly embrace the CROSS for his sake.

What constitutes the CROSS that Christians must bear with faith and hope? It is not the trials and tribulations of daily life or even major upheavals such as disease and natural catastrophes. These are not consequential but they are experienced by nearly all of us, Christian or not.

On the other hand, the CROSS is the suffering and persecution, and perhaps even death, that occurs as a result of our trying to follow Jesus in the manner he obeys his Father and does what he wills.

This is shown clearly in the experience of the apostles later as they face their Jewish detractors. There is opposition and hostility from them as the apostles try to proclaim the Good News.

It is never easy to stand in the face of a challenge, but the apostles deem obedience to what they know is to be from God and more important than the opposition and possible persecution they have to face. When Peter declares his love for Jesus on the banks of Lake Tiberius that blessed morning when Jesus appears to him and the apostles, he means what he says.

It is no wonder that Jesus, knowing his love for him, tells him to “follow” him, knowing that Peter will suffer and die for his sake.

In this connection, perhaps we need to ask ourselves if we really and sincerely love Jesus to the extent of following him and carrying the CROSS. If we do, then just follow Jesus.

This article is extracted from the bulletin of the Church of St Francis Xaiver - Serangoon.

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Believing in Jesus

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Today’s readings emphasise believing in Jesus, the Risen lord. He is powerfully present in the community and manifests himself to the disciples. In the new age, the disciples carry on the ministry of Jesus and rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit. In our time, belief takes on a different tenor for we believe in the testimony of others and without the signs seen in the early days of the Church.

The early Church was a community which was credible and attractive to others because it gave testimony to the presence and action of the Lord. This resulted in a great increase in the number of believers in the early Church.

In the reading from Revelation, John reflects on the meaning and significance of his union with Christ and the union of Christians in the Lord. It is a union in suffering and glory. According to John, Jesus and the Christian do not pass through suffering into glory. Rather, for Jesus and the Christian, suffering and glorification occur in the same moment. In other words, in the suffering is the glorification.

The reading also reminds us of the presence of the Risen Lord in our ministry. John’s vision stresses the presence of the Lord among us. The glorified Lord is always with the Church as he interprets the meaning of events and gives new life to hispeople. Jesus is present and active in our lives and in the community.

In the two appearances of the Risen Lord to his disciples as recorded in John’s gospel, Jesus invites the unbelieving disciples to a new level of belief. In the first episode, the frightened disciples were filled with joy when they heard the words of peace spoken by Jesus. They believed in his new presence among them and
because of this renewed faith, they were sent forth to continue his mission. Believing is therefore more than an affirmation of faith in Jesus. It is actively continuing the mission of Jesus. The Risen Lord assures us that he will continue to be with us in his Spirit. It is in the reality that we celebrate the Easter liturgies.

The second appearance of Jesus to his disciples speaks of believing in Jesus.. The story of Thomas’ “unbelief” reminds us of ourselves. Thomas would not believe in the presence of the Risen Lord on the testimony of others. We remember Thomas being mentioned several times in the gospel. At the time of Lazarus' death in Bethany, Thomas said,“Let us go and die with him.” During the Last Supper,he had some difficulty understanding Jesus. “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Thomas seemed again to struggle in his faith and needed a sign of his own choosing – a sign that would confirm Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, the doubt of Thomas was the prelude to a great confession of belief: “My Lord and my God.”

Today’s readings end with a clarification of what believing in Jesus is all about. When we believe in Jesus, we have life in his name. The reading identifies for us the focus of our belief and urges us to believe in Jesus. And our belief can only be an effectual sign if it is expressed in relationship with and service of others within and beyond our community.

The above article is taken from the bulletin of the St Francis Xavier Church - Serangoon.

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City Harvest Church responds to questions over non-disclosure of Suntec deal

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City Harvest Church has sought to clear the air surrounding the confidentiality of its deal to co-own Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In a two-page notice to its members on Sunday, it explained that it had signed a non-disclosure agreement.

This makes the megachurch a party to the Shareholders Agreement.

It has to keep confidential all matters and details relating to the Suntec transaction, including the share price and the percentage of shares acquired.

The church also said there is a "strong and unfounded allegation" floating online that the Management Board and Reverend Kong Hee are "deliberately concealing a number of embarrassing facts from its members".

You can read the full report HERE

Well, I think the missing fact is this...

As the reading of this Easter week's reading (Colossians 3:1-8) clearly tell us: "that is why you must kill everything in you that is earthly: sexual vice, impurity, uncontrolled passion, evil desires and especially greed"

It should be things in heaven that we should be looking for....

A church should not be turned into a business enterprise and tax free funds collected in the name of charity should be used towards helping the needy....

How do you think?

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• City Harvest Church or City Harvest Inc? (searching4god.blogspot.com)
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