Gratitude & Thanksgiving

Notes from Deacon Clement Chen’s sermon @ Sunday Mass 23 Aug 2020, Church of the Holy Family       Having doubts does not mean a lacking of faith.     In moments of doubt ,  it is possible that our faith can become stronger.   Both faith and doubt deal with the unseen, and is a mystery with no complete answers to men.   Faith reduces our doubt .   Doubt can lead to suffering, and can also make our faith more experiential and mature.   As Christians, in the face of suffering, we need to have faith and respond as Peter did, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Mathew 16:16   We need to proclaim our faith , especially to our children, to speak about who Jesus is, and what difference he has made in our lives.     The core of our Christian faith is to  acknolwedge our belief, to trust Him and to bear witness.   Do our actions and way of life demonst...

        Many among my friends are facing difficulties and challenges - grave health problems, parental concerns about the wellbeing of children, navigating marital relationships,  unsurpassed challenges at work at this time of COVID-19 uncertainties....   The Psalms and intercessory prayers at Lauds today are filled with the Lord’s promises and encouragement.  I took note of some beautiful verses….Hope they give strength and encouragement to all who need them; and a reminder for myself too, at times when I need to be reassured of the Lord’s promises.  Let all the peoples praise Him! (Psalm 67)     I called to the Lord in my distress He answered and freed me The Lord is at my side, I do not fear What can man do against me? The Lord is at my side as my helper I shall look down on my foes I take refuge in the Lord He comes to my help He is my strength and my song Open to me the gates of holiness I will enter and give tha...

      So many of us know to trust the Lord, be obedient to his statutes, have faith.  At the same time, we persist in living in negativity - daily worrying, murmuring, blaming, criticising and fearing.   Often, we ourselves are blocking the joy and peace that the Lord wants to give us, our disposition delays the plan of God to be fulfilled in our lives.   The account of the Israelites journey from Egypt to their eventually arriving at the Promised Land has so many important lessons.    (Extracted and organised from Fr Bobby’s sermon)   First a timeline: The Israelites had left Egypt over a year ago, and on the 20 th day of the 2 nd month of the 2 nd year, they left Sinai. Then, after a 11-day journey, they reached Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran.  Kadesh is at the border of the land of Canaan, just across from the Promised Land (Jos 15:3). It would have taken no more that 2 days to cross the border and reach the Pr...