William Cardinal Goh The Shepherd's Voice

As we begin the O Antiphons with O Wisdom, the Church invites us to prepare for Christmas by trusting God’s long and patient plan of salvation. The genealogy of Jesus reminds us that God works through real history and imperfect people. From Abraham to David and beyond, salvation unfolded slowly, not because God delayed, but because humanity needed time to be formed. Jesus’ family tree is filled with sinners and saints alike, showing us that God does not wait for perfection before He acts. Grace heals and elevates our broken nature, and neither sin nor failure can stop God’s plan.As Christmas draws near, we are called to trust God’s wisdom in our own lives. Even our weaknesses and mistakes can become part of His saving work when we surrender them to Him.Reflection Question: Where in my life am I struggling to trust God’s timing or wisdom, and how is He inviting me to surrender this Advent?

Advent invites us to look again: to see not with our natural eyes, but with the eyes of faith. Today’s homily reminds us that discouragement, confusion, and even the darkness we face in the world do not have the final word. God has already promised renewal, restoration, and new life. But to recognise His work, we must learn to see as He sees.Like the two blind men in the Gospel, we may each have our own limitations, weaknesses, or wounds. Yet God always compensates. Where one faculty is lacking, another is strengthened. And He continues to reveal Himself in countless ways, through Scripture, through others, through silence, through unexpected moments of grace. The real question is: Are we paying attention?During this Advent season, the Lord invites us to slow down, to take time to reflect on the past year, and to recognise the subtle, gentle ways He has been guiding, forming, and loving us. Faith does not mean God will answer our prayers exactly as we wish. Rather, faith means trusting that He sees more than we do, and that His answers, visible or hidden, are always for our good.May this Advent be a time for renewed sight, humble trust, and deeper intimacy with the Lord who comes to heal, to restore, and to make all things new.

St Francis Xavier did not become one of the Church’s greatest missionaries because he was brilliant, adventurous, or influential. His mission began the moment he encountered Jesus personally and allowed that encounter to reorient his life. Authentic mission, whether in our families, workplaces, or parishes, cannot grow out of obligation or cultural convenience. It springs from a heart convinced that Jesus is the One who gives fullness of life. Like St Francis Xavier and St Paul, we are invited to rediscover this inner call: a renewed personal conversion that allows us to proclaim the Gospel not merely by words, but by the way we accompany people, listen with humility, and walk with them in the Spirit. True synodality begins here, shepherds and sheep journeying together, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak, purify, and guide. This is the path of real evangelisation today: to be with people, to understand their world, their culture, and to reveal Christ who is already present in their midst.Reflection Question: How is Jesus inviting me to a deeper personal encounter with Him: one that renews my desire and courage to share the Gospel with others?

Advent invites us to look beyond the surface chaos of our world and recognise the quiet work of God breaking in. Today’s readings remind us that Jesus comes not only to restore creation to harmony, but to restore our relationship with the Father. True peace begins when we allow Jesus to reveal the Father’s heart to us and when we receive our identity as His beloved children.But this gift is seen only by the humble, those who stay grateful, attentive, and open-hearted. If we live with humility, we begin to notice God’s tender interventions in the small, ordinary moments: a new morning, a simple act of kindness, a quiet prompting of grace. This is how the Kingdom is already unfolding in our midst.As we journey through Advent, may we cultivate hearts that see, receive, and rejoice in the Father’s love: the deepest joy of all.Reflection Question: How can I recognise God’s presence with greater humility, gratitude, and openness this Advent?

Today's Scriptures remind us that the true danger of success is not success itself, but the illusion that it is ours alone. King Belshazzar inherited greatness, but pride blinded him. Instead of remembering the God who had delivered and taught his father, he grew complacent, arrogant, and dismissive of the Holy God of Israel. Like Belshazzar, we too risk drifting into pride when life goes well; when our work flourishes, when people praise us, when we feel strong and capable. Pride convinces us that we owe nothing to God, and humility becomes an inconvenience. But God, in love, confronts us. Sometimes through failures, sometimes through crises, and sometimes simply through a quiet inner stirring that unsettles our self-sufficiency.Jesus promises that if we remain faithful and responsible, He will defend us. Not necessarily by preserving our earthly life, but by safeguarding us for eternal life. True security is not in our achievements, but in belonging to Him.Reflection Question: How is God inviting me to return to humility and dependence on Him today?

As the liturgical year ends, the Church reminds us to reflect on our own ending, a moment we often avoid because we assume we have plenty of time. Yet Jesus tells us that everything in this world, even the greatest things we build, will one day pass away. What endures is not our achievements but our faithfulness and trust in God.Instead of clinging to what fades, the Lord calls us to live each day with gratitude, purpose, and trust. To enjoy the simple gifts of life. To fulfil our vocation with humility. To face life’s joys and sorrows without fear. And when the world feels chaotic, wars, crises, uncertainties, Jesus assures us that God remains in control. The kingdom is already among us. Our task is not to predict the end, but to live faithfully in the present, trusting that His grace will triumph over all.Reflection Question: What changes might you make today if you truly lived with the awareness that everything in this world is passing, and that God is ultimately in control?

Sometimes when we meet someone whose beliefs or choices differ from ours, we can feel stuck or helpless—especially when we can’t persuade them toward what we believe is the right path. In these moments, we are invited to lean on God, to keep praying, and to place our hope in His grace rather than our own efforts.Reflection Question: How is God inviting me to trust Him more deeply, especial in times of hopelessness?

Today's readings teach us that loyalty and trust are not demanded, they are earned. The story of the seven brothers and their mother in Maccabees reminds us that deep faith gives courage to stand firm, even under persecution. Similarly, the parable of the talents shows that God entrusts each of us with gifts, expecting us to respond not out of fear, but out of love and responsibility.Whether in faith, ministry, leadership, or family life, true commitment grows from relationship, understanding, and trust. The foundation of all trust, especially in our faith, is a living, personal relationship with the Lord. When we truly know His heart, love becomes our motivation, creativity flows naturally, and faithfulness becomes a joy.Reflection Question: Where do I need to build deeper trust, with God or with others, so that true loyalty and wholehearted commitment can grow?

Today’s readings present two compelling witnesses: Eleazar, whose steadfast fidelity refused even the semblance of compromise, and Zacchaeus, whose encounter with Christ brought sincere conversion. Eleazar understood that authentic faith cannot coexist with outward pretence. Even a simulated act of infidelity would mislead others, weaken the community, and dishonour the God whom he served. His courage reminds us that our witness matters — what we choose to do (or not do) shapes the faith of those who look to us.Zacchaeus, on the other hand, shows the transforming mercy of Christ. Though he had strayed, his openness to Jesus restored his integrity. His restitution and generosity were the visible signs of a heart reclaimed by grace.Both figures remind us that fidelity to God requires interior truth and exterior coherence. Whether through steadfast perseverance or humble repentance, we are called to live our faith without duplicity, mindful that our example can either edify or mislead others.Reflection Question: How is God inviting me today to stand firm in my faith instead of blending in?

finally reach heaven. But Jesus reminds us that “the Kingdom of God is among you.” It is not a place to be found with signs or predictions, but a reality that begins the moment we let Christ reign in our hearts.In today’s world, comfort and convenience can dull our longing for God’s Kingdom. We become content with what we have: our jobs, our health, our holidays; and forget to look beyond. Yet the true measure of life is not how long or how well we live, but whether love, mercy, and goodness reign within us.Every act of compassion, every forgiveness given, every surrender to God’s will, these are signs that the Kingdom has already come. It is not about waiting for the end, but allowing Christ to rule our minds and hearts here and now.Reflection Question: If God’s Kingdom starts within me, how can I change my heart to be more like His?

Today’s Scripture reminds us that authority is never self-made. It is a gift from God, a trust to be exercised for the good of others. Jesus used His authority not to dominate, but to heal, to reconcile, and to bring unity. His power was rooted in compassion and humility. He respected the boundaries of others’ authority, even as He exercised His own with divine wisdom.Many lose respect for authority because they have seen it abused, when leadership becomes self-serving rather than self-giving. The challenge for us is to lead in such a way that others are grateful for our leadership, not resentful of it. True authority should never feed pride, but inspire service.Ultimately, whether we lead or follow, our response must be one of gratitude. Like the Samaritan leper who returned to thank Jesus, only a grateful heart is truly healed and saved. Gratitude keeps our hearts humble and reminds us that all power, all responsibility, and all success belong to God.Reflection Question: How am I using the authority or influence entrusted to me to serve others with humility and gratitude, as Jesus did?

As the Church draws close to the end of the liturgical year, we are invited to confront the ultimate question: where are we going after this life? The early Scriptures wrestled with this mystery, but over time, through revelation and reflection, God showed us that death is not the end. The souls of the virtuous are in His hands. Those who trust in Him “live with Him in love,” and our loved ones who have gone before us are not lost—they are with God, awaiting the fullness of the resurrection.This hope, however, is not passive. Faith is not merely believing in life after death; it is living each day in fidelity, charity, and obedience to God. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that we do not earn salvation by our works, nor does God owe us anything. Everything we are capable of doing, working, serving, loving, is already a gift from Him. The true disciple recognises this and responds not with entitlement, but with gratitude.To be ready for eternal life is to live a life of continual self-giving. We give because God has given to us first: health, resources, opportunities, relationships. When we give fully of ourselves, we will be at peace when the Lord calls us home. Our readiness for eternity is found not in fear, but in faithful, generous love.Reflection Question: How is God inviting me today to live with deeper gratitude and generosity, so that my life becomes a sincere preparation for eternity?

Leadership — whether in the home, workplace, Church, or community — is not about power, but responsibility before God. Every leader is called to love virtue, seek honesty, and live with integrity. The Book of Wisdom warns that “wisdom will never enter a deceitful soul.” A leader who compromises truth loses moral authority and becomes a stumbling block for others. Each of us, by our words and actions, either inspires faith or causes others to fall away. There is no such thing as a private sin — our example always affects others, especially the young and those weak in faith. To lead with integrity means having the courage to correct with love and the humility to forgive freely. It also means constant self-awareness — realising that people watch what we do more than they hear what we say. Before we correct others, we must pray. Correction without prayer can wound; correction rooted in prayer can heal. Leadership without faith leads to control; leadership with faith leads to conversion. In the end, true Christian leadership means being a living witness of Christ’s mercy and truth, so that our lives draw others closer to Him, not away.

We are challenged to see our roles, responsibilities, and talents not as entitlements, but as sacred trusts from God. Like the steward in the Gospel, we will one day be called to account for how we used the positions, opportunities, and gifts entrusted to us. While the steward was praised not for dishonesty, but for his creativity and astuteness in securing his future. Jesus invites us to reflect: Are we as creative and committed in building God’s Kingdom as the world is in building its own?We are reminded that our talents and positions, whether in ministry, work, or family, are opportunities to serve, sanctify, and bring others closer to Christ. The question is not only whether we are responsible, but also whether we are courageous and creative in making the Gospel alive and attractive in our world today.Reflection Question: How am I using my gifts and position to serve God faithfully and creatively in my daily life?

Today’s Gospel reminds us that being a disciple of Jesus goes far beyond simply following Him. The crowds followed Jesus out of admiration and curiosity, but few were willing to carry the cross with Him. Discipleship is costly, it demands sacrifice, detachment, and above all, love that puts Christ at the center of every relationship and decision.Many of us may treat Jesus like a “good luck charm”, praying when we need help, but not truly living His way of love and surrender. True discipleship means loving God above all else, even above our families, possessions, and comforts. When we love Jesus first, we learn how to love others rightly: not possessively, but freely and selflessly, as He loves us.Love that costs nothing is not love. To love as Jesus loves is to carry our cross daily with joy and humility, trusting that every trial purifies our hearts and draws us closer to Him.Reflection Question: Where in my life is Jesus inviting me to move from being a follower to becoming His disciple?

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a distant dream, but a present reality experienced through love, communion, and relationship. Heaven is a banquet, a joyful celebration of our relationship with God and one another, and everyone is invited. Yet many of us decline this invitation, distracted by work, achievements, hobbies, or even relationships that have forgotten their centre: God. When we place Christ at the heart of every relationship, our lives become a foretaste of Heaven’s joy. But when we turn inward, absorbed by success, pride or pleasure, we experience isolation, which is a foretaste of hell. Each of us has different gifts, but they are meant to build up one Body in Christ. When we learn to value and complement one another, rather than compete or compare, we live as true brothers and sisters, children of one Father.Reflection Question: How can I make more room for God and others, so that my relationships become a true communion of love?

Like St. Paul, we feel deep sorrow when our loved ones turn away from God. But instead of losing hope, we’re called to trust in God’s mercy and timing, believing He continues to work quietly in their hearts and will draw them back to His grace in His own way.What do I need to surrender to better entrust the conversion of my loved ones to the Lord?

To be singular-minded in our mission means staying focused on the Father’s will despite trials and opposition. Jesus and St. Paul embody this steadfastness, remaining faithful because they were rooted in the Father’s love and trusted in His unwavering faithfulness to see them through to the end.What prevents me from loving and trusting the Father like Jesus?

Salvation is more than belonging to the Church or following the law. It is about entering into a living, transforming relationship with God. We are called not to take this gift for granted, but to keep deepening our friendship with the Lord.Is my current relationship with God transforming me? How can I deepen my relationship with Him?

Sts Simon and Jude remind us that holiness is not about fame, position, or recognition. It is about faithfulness. Though little is known of them, their hidden lives reveal a truth at the heart of the Gospel: every person has a unique and irreplaceable role in God’s plan. Like the Apostles, we are each chosen, not because of our ability but because of God’s grace.In a world that measures worth by status and success, their example calls us back to humility, unity, and prayer – the real foundations of God’s household. When we align ourselves with Christ in prayer, every act of service, however unseen, becomes a part of His saving work.