Fr Gerard Louis reflects on our 60th year of independence as well as Abraham’s journey as a foreigner in the promised land, looking forward to a city designed and built by God. Similarly, Singapore grew from an island with kampongs and slums to this current ultramodern society, it took foresight, meticulous planning and hard work. Was this the planning in today’s gospel parable that Jesus was teaching?

The early Christians were initially not working and just waiting for Christ’s return. Soon they got tired of waiting and got on with life, getting distracted by worldly issues. Luke inserts this parable to remind them that even though we didn’t know when Christ would return, we still had to be prepared and be mindful of how Christ lives. Here in Singapore, we enjoy peace, prosperity and progress, but at high cost to ourselves as we work harder for a better future and lifestyle, burdened by numerous responsibilities. Are we mindful of the less fortunate, vulnerable, elderly and lonely? Do we treat all people with respect and dignity? Have we achieved prosperity and progress at the expense of happiness. Let us balance our responsibilities and take our faith seriously too, to live like Christ and hence be prepared-for nationhood as well as Christ’s coming.

- Sunday Homily by Fr. Gerard Louis, C.Ss.R. (10 August 2025)