Claim OwnershipWilliam Cardinal Goh The Shepherd's Voice
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Featuring homilies and talks from His Eminence, William Cardinal Goh, the Archbishop of Singapore. This podcast may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission from the Archbishop’s Communications Office. This includes extracts, quotations or summaries.
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What does it truly mean to rebuild the Temple of God?The prophet Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory departing the Temple before the Babylonian siege reminds us that a magnificent structure is meaningless without the divine presence. Today, the closure and decay of churches in many regions is not simply a financial issue, but a sign of waning faith among the people.When faith is routine, inward-looking, or merely nominal, generosity fades. But when hearts encounter the living Christ within a vibrant community, faith is rekindled and with it comes the zeal and generosity to sustain God’s Church.Reflection Question: How is Christ inviting me to encounter Him more deeply so that my zeal for His Church may be renewed?
The people of Israel postponed rebuilding the Temple because they were focused on their own houses and needs. St. Paul reminds us that the Temple of God is not merely a structure but the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit within each of us. Like the Israelites, we often find excuses to postpone deepening our relationship with the Lord. Career, comfort, and worldly achievements can take centre stage, while God becomes secondary.But without placing God at the heart of our lives, our pursuits leave us restless and unsatisfied. True fulfilment comes only when we first build His temple within us, then everything else flows from that foundation.Reflection Question: Where is God inviting me to reorder my priorities and what concrete steps can I take to rebuild the “temple of God” in my life and in my community?
Happiness is not found in comparing ourselves with others, nor in the fleeting successes of life. True joy springs from gratitude, recognising God’s mercy at work in our struggles, our relationships, and our growth. Just as Ezra reminded Israel of God’s faithful love despite their failings, we too are invited to see how the Lord has sustained us through trials and blessed us beyond what we deserve. Gratitude keeps us humble, frees us from resentment, and strengthens our love for others. It transforms wounds into sources of healing, and turns dependence on God into our deepest strength.Reflection Question: How can I cultivate a spirit of gratitude in my daily life?
God often works in unexpected ways. Just as despair seemed to take hold, God sent pagan kings like Cyrus and Darius to provide the necessary resources and expertise to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This reminds us that rebuilding, whether in the Church or in our own lives, takes patience and perseverance. Progress is never straightforward, but God never abandons His people. More than structures or programmes, what truly matters is that our hearts and faith are renewed. When we let God rebuild us from within, we become His living temple, bringing light and hope to others.Reflection Question: Where is God inviting me to trust Him more deeply in the “slow work” of rebuilding, in my faith, my family, or in my parish community?
Every vocation is meant to sanctify us. Whether in Church, family, or workplace, our daily work should draw us closer to God and to one another. When pride, competition, or bitterness creep in, work becomes destructive instead of life-giving. True Christian leadership and service flow from love of the Lord, unity in mission, and authentic relationships that strengthen faith. At the end of the day, it is not success, money, or recognition that lasts, it is holiness, love, and communion in Christ. The women who followed Jesus, diverse in background but united in love for the Lord, remind us that when we are rooted in Him, we can work together, forgive each other, and serve with a shared purpose.Reflection Question: How does my work and vocation help me grow in holiness and draw me closer to God?
True respect cannot be forced through authority or titles, it must be earned through example, integrity, and humility. As St Paul advised Timothy, we are called to lead by example in the way we speak and act, showing love, faith, and sincerity. A leader's life must be consistent with what they preach, for when words lack integrity, people lose trust.A humble leader knows that true strength comes not from themselves but from God's empowering love. The more we recognise our need for God, the more He works through us, enabling us to bear fruit for His kingdom.Reflection Question: Do I demand respect or do I live in a way that earns it through love, integrity, and humility?
In the Gospel, Jesus is moved with compassion for a widow who has lost her only son. His sensitivity to her suffering reveals that true ministry begins not with words or efficiency, but with empathy and presence. The crowd’s response, “A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people” reminds us that through our actions, others should also experience God’s nearness.We are called to be Christ’s ambassadors, serving not only those we like or who can repay us, but especially the poor, the vulnerable, and the overlooked. This service is possible only when rooted in a deep, personal intimacy with the Lord. Without prayer, our work risks becoming hollow; with prayer, our presence becomes God’s visitation, bringing comfort, dignity, and hope to others.Reflection Question: When people encounter me in moments of struggle or sorrow, do they leave with the sense that God has visited them through my presence, words, and actions?
Forgiveness is often hardest when the hurt comes from those closest to us, especially when we feel they “knew what they were doing.” Yet today’s Scriptures remind us that sin deceives, and many act out of ignorance, fear, or woundedness, just as St. Paul once did before his conversion. Our own judgments, shaped by past hurts and limited understanding, are often faulty. Only God sees the heart and knows the full truth. That is why Jesus calls us to compassion: to withhold condemnation, to surrender judgment to God, and to choose forgiveness. True freedom comes not from clinging to resentment, but from allowing God’s mercy to shape our vision, so that we may see others, and ourselves, through His eyes.Reflection Question:When I struggle to forgive someone, am I willing to let go of my own judgment and entrust the person and myself, to God’s merciful judgment?
To be a Christian is not about observing religious laws or accomplishing good works, as if heaven could be earned through merit. The heart of Christianity is love. To be Christian is to “put on Christ”, to live as sons and daughters in God’s family, clothed with compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. This is what sets us apart. In Christ, we love even when wronged, forgive even when wounded, and show compassion to those who are hurting. Without love, even our service and ministry become hollow. With love, even the smallest act radiates Christ.Reflection Question:In what areas of my life am I invited to “put on Christ” by showing compassion and forgiveness?
St Paul reminds us that Christianity is not a human philosophy or intellectual theory. It is a living faith, a revelation rooted in the person of Jesus Christ. Too often, people seek to adapt the faith to worldly philosophies or look for “techniques” and “new spiritualities.” But the truth is simple: Jesus is the fullness of God. In Him, we find salvation, healing, and life.We are saved not by works or rituals, but by God’s grace in Christ, by His death on the Cross. The Eucharist, the Word, and a living relationship with Him are all we need. When we are truly in love with Jesus, unity and peace will follow, even among those of different temperaments and backgrounds.The invitation today is to be rooted in Christ, faithful to the apostolic tradition, and firm in the faith handed down to us because only in Jesus do we find the fullness of God.Reflection Question:Do I believe that Christ is enough or do I seek “something beyond Jesus” for fulfilment?
Too often, we live as though this world is all there is. We plan for career, retirement, and pleasure — but not for eternity. Yet the Lord reminds us: His coming will be sudden, like a thief in the night, or like labour pains that arrive without delay.If we truly believed in eternal life with Christ, how differently would we live today? Would we still cling to possessions, quarrel over money, or waste our days in distractions? Or would we live with passion, purpose, and commitment to the Gospel, knowing that every moment prepares us for forever?Today, let us not put off the most important preparation of all. Let us awaken our hearts, renew our faith, and encourage one another, so that when the Lord comes, He may find us ready to rise with Him into eternal joy.Reflection QuestionIn what ways is God inviting me to live more purposefully and with eternity in mind?
Leadership is more than efficiency or professionalism. True Christian leadership is prophetic: it is rooted in integrity, justice, and truth, even when it costs us. As we reflect on the witness of John the Baptist and the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke God’s word boldly in the face of opposition, we too are called to stand firm in God’s truth, not bending to fear, compromise, or popularity. When leaders act with prophetic courage, they guide others toward God’s justice and peace, even if the world resists. May we ask for the grace to not just lead, but to lead prophetically, with hearts anchored in Christ. Reflection Question: Where in my life is God inviting me to speak the truth with courage, even if it costs me comfort, popularity, or approval?
We are reminded of the call to live with consistency and integrity, not just in words, but in actions. Jesus condemned hypocrisy, not weakness. A sinner knows his faults and struggles to be faithful, but a hypocrite hides behind appearances. Our faith demands honesty: to be real, to admit our shortcomings, and to strive for sincerity in our lives and leadership. Pope Francis, echoing St. Paul, challenges us to be authentic witnesses so that the world sees not a perfect Church, but a truthful and compassionate one.Reflection Question: Where am I tempted to look good outwardly and how can I live with greater honesty before God and others?
What was the source of St. Paul's boldness? It was his sincerity of heart. He served with integrity — not for personal gain, popularity, or approval— but to please God, “who can read our inmost thoughts.”Secondly, boldness is born of love. Just as a mother instinctively protects her child, love gives us the courage to act for the good of those we serve — even when it means sacrifice, or extending grace beyond what is expected.Finally, the deepest source of boldness is our love for Christ. St. Paul endured suffering, misunderstanding, and lack of appreciation because he drew strength from Christ who suffered innocently for our sake. His example gives us courage to carry our cross and remain faithful.Let us pray for the grace to serve with integrity, compassion and a love for Christ so deep, that it makes us bold. Reflection Question: In my ministry and daily life, how can I grow in St Paul’s boldness — serving with sincerity and love, even when faced with opposition?
As we celebrate the Queenship of Mary, we reflect on what it truly means to call her Queen. Mary’s queenship is not about worldly power, but about her perfect obedience to God and her constant “yes” to His will.This feast reminds us that by baptism, we too share in Christ’s kingship — a call to let Jesus truly reign in our lives and to allow His will to govern all that we do. Mary shows us how to cooperate fully with God’s grace, making her not only Queen in heaven, but also our model on earth.Reflection Question: How can I, like Mary, say “yes” to God each day and allow His grace to shape my life?
Vows and promises are often taken lightly in our culture, but they hold profound weight. The story of Jephthah's vow, though tragic and perplexing, is a stark reminder of the seriousness of our commitments. While his vow may seem rash and misguided, the narrative underscores a key principle: a promise made to God must be kept. Are we truly living out the commitments we have made, or are we taking the grace of God for granted? Ultimately, our response to God's invitation requires not just a simple "yes" but a life lived in accordance with His will, fulfilling the responsibilities that come with His blessings.Reflection Question: What are the responsibilities I am called to as I uphold my vows and commitments to the Lord and those around me?
We all long for justice, but life isn’t lived on an equal playing field. Some are born with more opportunities, talents, or resources than others. When we measure everything by “fairness,” we fall into envy, resentment, and frustration. Jesus reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways.Everything we have, our gifts, our circumstances, our opportunities, is a gift of God’s grace. He gives us what we need to live a full and meaningful life. Our happiness isn’t found in measuring ourselves against others, but in using what we’ve been given for the good of others. True justice is found when we seek the good of everyone. Reflection Question: Where am I still comparing myself with others, and how is God inviting me instead to receive His grace and use my gifts for others?
No amount of good deeds, wealth, or human effort can secure salvation. It is purely God’s gift, received when we surrender self-reliance and place our trust fully in God's grace. True peace does not come from possessions or power, but from knowing that God is our ultimate security. It is only when we embrace our weakness and cling to God's strength that we can find genuine freedom and the peace that surpasses all understanding.Reflection Question: Where in my life am I still clinging to my own strength, possessions, or control; and how can I let God be my true security?
Moses’ 120 years — as prince, shepherd, and prophet — were full of unexpected turns. From Pharaoh’s palace to Midian’s pastures to leading a stubborn people through the desert, he kept saying “yes” to God. His life reminds us that God’s plan often looks nothing like ours. Whether we’re waiting in “cold storage” or facing the heat of mission, we can trust His timing, walk by faith, and lead with humility — ready to step aside when our mission is complete.Reflection Question: When my plans are disrupted, how can I respond with the same faith and trust in God that Moses lived by?
Scripture reminds us that leadership is never exercised in a vacuum. Just as the faith of leaders can uplift the community, so too can the discouragement of the community weigh heavily on its leaders. From Moses and Aaron in the desert, to Peter struggling to grasp Jesus’ mission, we see how the faith of leaders and the community are deeply connected.The journey of faith is not a solo mission. We are called to walk it together: strengthening one another. Let us reflect on how we can be a source of strength and support, especially to those called to lead us in faith.Reflection Question: How can I be a source of strength and encouragement to those who lead me in faith, especially when I’m struggling myself?
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