Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Pentecost, or to be more accurate, the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, 50 days after Easter. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit make up the Blessed Trinity, three Persons in one God. This formula is Christian specific. Whichever sects that do not profess this faith cannot be called Christian. For example, the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept the Blessed Trinity as an article of faith. They are not Christians.
Among the three Persons, the Holy Spirit is the least understood. Of course, we cannot understand God but at least, we have a fairly accurate picture of the Father, the Creator of this world. He created this world in such a way that men are conscious of themselves. God revealed to men that they were created in His image and likeness because God loves us. We were created in His image so that we possess a built-in mechanism to seek Him, to join Him and partake in His everlasting life. After the Fall of men, the Father did not give up. He decided to send His Son to redeem the fallen world.
From the gospels, we obtain a fairly accurate picture of the Son, the Redeemer of this world. He incarnated, took our humanity and lived among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth two thousand years ago. He preached the good news of the Kingdom of God, gathered a community of followers to continue his mission and lastly died a martyr. He came back to life, gathered his scattered disciples and commissioned them to preach the gospel to the whole world before he returned to his Father.
However, when we come to the Holy Spirit, we find it difficult to visualize it (pardon me for using a neuter pronoun which only highlights my ignorance). In my early years of Christian life, I thought of the Holy Spirit as some sorts of energy/power. However, energy/power is NOT a person. The Holy Spirit is a person. In the Acts of the Apostles, we find passages telling us that the Holy Spirit speaks and is offended. It is meaningless to offend the sunlight or the solar wind. However, Jesus warns us that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven (Mark 3:29), showing us that the Holy Spirit is not purely energy but a person. As a person, the Holy Spirit proves to be the most elusive. Like a strong wind, it hovered above the primordial waters during Creation (Genesis 1:2). It "possessed" certain celebrities in the Bible and gave them special powers to accomplish their missions (70 elders, Samson, Saul, prophets, Jesus and the 120 disciples etc.) When Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove (Mark 1:10). When it descended on the 120 disciples on Pentecost, it came in the forms of a strong wind, a loud sound and tongues of fires (Acts 2:2-3). The Jews handed down their understanding of the Holy Spirit --- wind/breath. The Holy Spirit is the breath of God and God Himself. Our brains are simply too microscopic and slow to compute its meanings (Here, I am reducing this meat ball into an information processing device. It can only be an analogy).
Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Advocate, the Counselor (John 14:16), affirming its personhood. Furthermore, he called it the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17).
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all
that I have said to you (John 14:26).
Alas! We are given the truth, but with our limited capacity, we can only articulate the truth in a partial way. The following is one such example.
Our team is going to present the topic of transsexual marriage on Tuesday in our Sexuality and Marriage ethics course. This is going to be an explosive and perhaps revolutionary topic.
In the beginning, God created man male and female (Genesis 1:26). For ages, we understand the truth of masculinity and femininity as air-tight concepts. The late Pope John Paul II expounded the Theology of Body in 1980's to deal with masculinity and femininity for the communion of persons. The body is a sacrament, a visible sign that conveys God's grace. The communion of persons is attained through marriage and celibacy in this earthly life. Pope John Paul II also analyzed Jesus' discussion of the eunuchs in Matthew 19 to uphold the nobility of celibacy. Virginity is highly priced, not because of the economic values of virgins in ancient world, but of the witness celibacy bears to life after resurrection. Celibacy is, if not better, on a par with marriage in attaining the communion of persons in this earthly life and in the communion of saints after resurrection.
I have not done TOB enough justice in so few sentences, but enough for our presentation. Now, let us turn to the transsexuals.
Medical advances allow us to recognize the phenomenon of the ambiguity of gender. The gender of babies was determined by external genitals. However, in some cases, the genitals can be ambiguous due to inadequate development of the fetus. What is more, internal elements such as chromosomes (the XX and XY), the uterus and the hormones which are not readily visible can be ambiguous as well. There are cases in which a "perfectly normal girl" was discovered to have XY chromosomes and without uterus only when she underwent surgery in her teens. In particular, the hormones affect the functioning of the brain may cause a man to feel that he is actually a woman imprisoned in a man's body. He underwent Sex Reassignment Surgery and became a transsexual woman.
So, what shall we make of the truth of masculinity and femininity?
Perhaps in the beginning, there were only male and female. However, through generations of environmental pollution, mutations and what not, as well as their subsequent survival, the compartment dividing masculinity and femininity is melting down. We are witnessing the development of a continuum of masculinity and femininity in the human race. At present, the percentage of gender ambiguity may be small. But just like the striped sheep which Jacob bred to outwit his uncle Leban, and which, in seven years, outnumbered the purely white and black ones, the gender ambiguous people would one day outnumber the purely male and female and become the majority. Perhaps we need another Pope with wisdom to extend TOB to include the transsexuals whose bodies will also partake in the communion of saints when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead. I dare to say that the discussion of eunuchs in Matthew 19 has already shed lights on the situation of transsexuals. Yet, our brains are not yet ready for and capable enough of entertaining such thoughts. The only truth we are sure of is that Jesus saves us all, including the transsexuals whom we do not yet have a proper label. Are they male, female or neuter?
I was being provocative to ask whether the Holy Spirit is male, female or neuter. In fact, the concept of gender is not appropriate for God. God created man male and female in His image and yet God is uncreated. We need a better understanding of the meaning of "created in the image of God" rather than imposing a gender on God.
Dear Advocate, I pray thee that our minds be open enough to drink of the truth You impart on us. You are the Spirit of Charity. Make us grow in truth and love day by day. Amen.
Sunday 27 May 2012
Sunday 20 May 2012
Feast of Ascension 2012
God has to be very patient with us. Our intellectual power is not capable of handling things related with Him. Just as what Isaiah, the prophet, has written:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
When we heard the first reading from Acts 1 of the mass today, the message of Isaiah is confirmed once more.
After resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days appearing to selected disciples, gathering them to form a community of redeemed, an embryonic Church. Jesus showed them infallible proofs of his resurrection and telling them things about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Yet, in the mind of these 120 disciples, the kingdom of Israel took the place of the Kingdom of God. Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem still lingered in their mind. For them, Jesus their Messiah would drive away the Romans to restore the past glory of Israel. When Jesus left them and returned to the Father, they still asked whether Jesus would restore the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus' answer left the question open. He did not affirm nor deny such an eventuality. His answer was enigmatic.
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power (Acts 1:7).
We will not know when the end will finally come. While we are concerned with our earthly things, God cares about heavenly things. The early Christians expected Jesus to return soon. Therefore, they gave up their money and property to the Apostles and waited expectantly for the imminent return of the Lord. Yet, Jesus has not returned for 2000 years. Meanwhile, Jesus is accompanying the Church on earth all the time to make the world a better place to stay. So, when God and men meet, heaven and earth are united. We are to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
In the reading of the gospel of Mark today, we heard the commission of Jesus to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Yes, all creatures and not just men. The whole universe was created for men which alone are created with the capability, and thus the responsibility, to communicate with God. The whole Creation serves men, yet men have the responsibility to actualize the potential in all. We need to understand the Creation better, thus we develop all branches of physical sciences. We need to understand men better, thus we develop all branches of social sciences. We have been quite successful in these areas. We need to respect the whole Creation, all the living and non-living things. Yet, we have abused it for our own convenience. We need to respect all men. Yet, we have discriminated and exploited the minorities of our fellow human beings. Obviously, we have not done well enough with our respect.
Today is the 46th World Communications Day. The Catholic Church began celebrating Jesus' Ascension with the particular emphasis on Communications in 1966. Realizing the power of mass media, Pope Paul VI instructed the Church to reflect on how the People of God should make good use of all the social communications available to bring about a social transformation according to the will of God. While we embrace the powerful influence of mass media on people, we should not ignore the dangers and damages they can inflict on the human psyche. Today, Pope Benedict XVI brought our attention to the importance of SILENCE in social communication: Silence and Word: Paths of Evangelization. Silent contemplation on the Word of God is essential for its deeper understanding. When all the available space is filled up with words, images and sounds, there is no room to receive the Word of God, the Son of God, Jesus our Lord in our hearts.
Dear readers. I believe it is time I followed the advice of the Pope to stop here. Let us contemplate and meet Jesus face to face.
Dear Lord, receive my soul. Amen.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
When we heard the first reading from Acts 1 of the mass today, the message of Isaiah is confirmed once more.
After resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days appearing to selected disciples, gathering them to form a community of redeemed, an embryonic Church. Jesus showed them infallible proofs of his resurrection and telling them things about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Yet, in the mind of these 120 disciples, the kingdom of Israel took the place of the Kingdom of God. Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem still lingered in their mind. For them, Jesus their Messiah would drive away the Romans to restore the past glory of Israel. When Jesus left them and returned to the Father, they still asked whether Jesus would restore the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus' answer left the question open. He did not affirm nor deny such an eventuality. His answer was enigmatic.
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power (Acts 1:7).
We will not know when the end will finally come. While we are concerned with our earthly things, God cares about heavenly things. The early Christians expected Jesus to return soon. Therefore, they gave up their money and property to the Apostles and waited expectantly for the imminent return of the Lord. Yet, Jesus has not returned for 2000 years. Meanwhile, Jesus is accompanying the Church on earth all the time to make the world a better place to stay. So, when God and men meet, heaven and earth are united. We are to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
In the reading of the gospel of Mark today, we heard the commission of Jesus to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Yes, all creatures and not just men. The whole universe was created for men which alone are created with the capability, and thus the responsibility, to communicate with God. The whole Creation serves men, yet men have the responsibility to actualize the potential in all. We need to understand the Creation better, thus we develop all branches of physical sciences. We need to understand men better, thus we develop all branches of social sciences. We have been quite successful in these areas. We need to respect the whole Creation, all the living and non-living things. Yet, we have abused it for our own convenience. We need to respect all men. Yet, we have discriminated and exploited the minorities of our fellow human beings. Obviously, we have not done well enough with our respect.
Today is the 46th World Communications Day. The Catholic Church began celebrating Jesus' Ascension with the particular emphasis on Communications in 1966. Realizing the power of mass media, Pope Paul VI instructed the Church to reflect on how the People of God should make good use of all the social communications available to bring about a social transformation according to the will of God. While we embrace the powerful influence of mass media on people, we should not ignore the dangers and damages they can inflict on the human psyche. Today, Pope Benedict XVI brought our attention to the importance of SILENCE in social communication: Silence and Word: Paths of Evangelization. Silent contemplation on the Word of God is essential for its deeper understanding. When all the available space is filled up with words, images and sounds, there is no room to receive the Word of God, the Son of God, Jesus our Lord in our hearts.
Dear readers. I believe it is time I followed the advice of the Pope to stop here. Let us contemplate and meet Jesus face to face.
Dear Lord, receive my soul. Amen.
Sunday 13 May 2012
Chosen or Not been Chosen
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain" (John 15:16a)
Israelites were chosen by God to redeem the fallen mankind. Among men, God chose Abraham and his children. The future target is for Christ to incarnate as a man to save the fallen mankind. God arranged the family of Abraham to settle in Egypt, one of the four ancient civilizations, to flourish. The next step was to merge the 12 tribes into a nation. God gave them Torah, the Law. Meanwhile, other peoples developed their different civilizations. By the time Jesus was born, the Greeks had left behind philosophy and science, the Hebrews a code of ethics for the Christians and Arabians of the future to bring to perfection.
Christians are chosen by Christ. They do not choose Christ but Christ chooses them. We are blessed to participate in this Redemption Project. For the last 2000 years, this Project has transformed the world to the present state. It has given rise to the hegemony of the Western civilization. Many of the chosen ones have contributed much to the advancement of the human civilization. It has never been a bed of roses. There have been lots of obstacles to overcome and have been overcome. New challenges keep coming up and to be sure, life has never been easy. Behind it all, love is the primary driving force. Love will continue to prevail. Love is the legacy of Christ.
When I look at myself, I will ask why Christ chose me and not my brother. What is in me that Christ should choose me? I am weak and unworthy. This morning when I got up from my bed, I experienced dizziness for the first time in my life. I managed to go to Church and sang. I got better in the afternoon. This sudden bout of dizziness reminds me of how weak I can be, at the same time without forgetting the healing power of God too. Yet, I am a chosen one because Christ loves me despite my unworthiness. He wants me to be fruitful. What else can I do but to keep His commandment to love my family members, my students and whoever needs my helping hand so that I may abide in His love?
This morning after Mass, I was interviewed by a young gentleman, an LS teacher in a religious school. He is doing his doctoral thesis on the history of religious education in Hong Kong! Wow, I was flattered and at the same time, he gave me a good opportunity to reflect on my spiritual formation as well as my teaching career which is approaching its logical end in a few years' time.
When I began studying in a Catholic Diocesan secondary school in the 1960's, the famous Baltimore Catechism Books 1 to 3 were our textbook. The Catechism was systematic and we learned a lot of prayers, theological terms and English language from it. In S4 and 5, we studied the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles for public exams. In those days, computer studies was unheard of. Instead, a lot of virtues, such as compassion, forgiveness, fortitude and generosity etc. were touched upon. In matriculate classes, moral issues were touched upon and a practical ethics textbook written by a Jesuit was used. In these formative years, God had arranged many good Catholics and dedicated priests to mould me.
After graduation, I taught RS in La Salle because I am a Catholic. After a couple of years, I attended the Catechumen course offered by the Diocesan Catechetical Commission. I believed and still believe that it takes a life to torch other lives. I did not have the intention to convert my students but enjoyed sharing life with them. It goes both ways and I am blessed to get paid to study the Bible.
I was married in 1982 and Erminia is sent by God to be my lifelong helper. She gave me 4 children and cheers me up in my depression. I have not loved her enough. When my health improved and the West Rail started running, I was able to attend the Diploma course in the Catholic Biblical Institute. It set me on my way of fulfilling my passion on the Bible and lay a good foundation for my present study of Theology in the Seminary.
Dear Lord, You have invested a lot of resources in moulding me. I pray that I can become Your handy instrument in the near future. Amen.
2009 Reflection
Israelites were chosen by God to redeem the fallen mankind. Among men, God chose Abraham and his children. The future target is for Christ to incarnate as a man to save the fallen mankind. God arranged the family of Abraham to settle in Egypt, one of the four ancient civilizations, to flourish. The next step was to merge the 12 tribes into a nation. God gave them Torah, the Law. Meanwhile, other peoples developed their different civilizations. By the time Jesus was born, the Greeks had left behind philosophy and science, the Hebrews a code of ethics for the Christians and Arabians of the future to bring to perfection.
Christians are chosen by Christ. They do not choose Christ but Christ chooses them. We are blessed to participate in this Redemption Project. For the last 2000 years, this Project has transformed the world to the present state. It has given rise to the hegemony of the Western civilization. Many of the chosen ones have contributed much to the advancement of the human civilization. It has never been a bed of roses. There have been lots of obstacles to overcome and have been overcome. New challenges keep coming up and to be sure, life has never been easy. Behind it all, love is the primary driving force. Love will continue to prevail. Love is the legacy of Christ.
When I look at myself, I will ask why Christ chose me and not my brother. What is in me that Christ should choose me? I am weak and unworthy. This morning when I got up from my bed, I experienced dizziness for the first time in my life. I managed to go to Church and sang. I got better in the afternoon. This sudden bout of dizziness reminds me of how weak I can be, at the same time without forgetting the healing power of God too. Yet, I am a chosen one because Christ loves me despite my unworthiness. He wants me to be fruitful. What else can I do but to keep His commandment to love my family members, my students and whoever needs my helping hand so that I may abide in His love?
This morning after Mass, I was interviewed by a young gentleman, an LS teacher in a religious school. He is doing his doctoral thesis on the history of religious education in Hong Kong! Wow, I was flattered and at the same time, he gave me a good opportunity to reflect on my spiritual formation as well as my teaching career which is approaching its logical end in a few years' time.
When I began studying in a Catholic Diocesan secondary school in the 1960's, the famous Baltimore Catechism Books 1 to 3 were our textbook. The Catechism was systematic and we learned a lot of prayers, theological terms and English language from it. In S4 and 5, we studied the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles for public exams. In those days, computer studies was unheard of. Instead, a lot of virtues, such as compassion, forgiveness, fortitude and generosity etc. were touched upon. In matriculate classes, moral issues were touched upon and a practical ethics textbook written by a Jesuit was used. In these formative years, God had arranged many good Catholics and dedicated priests to mould me.
After graduation, I taught RS in La Salle because I am a Catholic. After a couple of years, I attended the Catechumen course offered by the Diocesan Catechetical Commission. I believed and still believe that it takes a life to torch other lives. I did not have the intention to convert my students but enjoyed sharing life with them. It goes both ways and I am blessed to get paid to study the Bible.
I was married in 1982 and Erminia is sent by God to be my lifelong helper. She gave me 4 children and cheers me up in my depression. I have not loved her enough. When my health improved and the West Rail started running, I was able to attend the Diploma course in the Catholic Biblical Institute. It set me on my way of fulfilling my passion on the Bible and lay a good foundation for my present study of Theology in the Seminary.
Dear Lord, You have invested a lot of resources in moulding me. I pray that I can become Your handy instrument in the near future. Amen.
2009 Reflection
Sunday 6 May 2012
The Buddha-Nature in us all
My readers would be puzzled by the topic heading. Has Alex been converted to Buddhism? Not at all. Last Sunday, I touched superficially on the the topic of religious dialogue and felt unfinished. With this inclination behind, I saw more common elements in the gospel reading today. Thus, I would like to continue elaborating a little more on the topic of religious dialogue and common beliefs among world religions.
The gospel reading today is the famous "I am the True Vine" passage in John. Traditionally, this passage is understood to be an exposition on the relation between Jesus and his believers. Jesus is the true vine. We are his branches. Our (spiritual) well-being depends on how well we are connected with Jesus, like a branch with the trunk.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).
This interpretation is not wrong. But it is not the only interpretation possible.
Following the logic mentioned above, the following verse will easily be interpreted as condemning to the fire of Hell all those who don't believe in Jesus.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (John 15:6).
In previous generations when the Christian God was depicted as a righteous Judge in the Supreme Court who kept a detailed record of our good deeds and evils; and passed judgment accordingly, the above interpretation was the most logical of all. However, this is not the only interpretation possible.
Deacon Tsang spoke well in his homily this morning. He stressed the malleability of human beings. In the first reading, we found a ferocious persecutor of Christians, Saul converted to a bulwark of Christianity so much so that the Hellenists planned to kill him.
And he (Saul) spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him (Acts 9:29).
Deacon Tsang stressed that the grace of God, the work of the Holy Spirit transformed the notorious Saul to the co-founder of Christianity, Paul. God works in wondrous ways which human could never dream of.
On the other hand, we should not belittle the malleability of the human nature. Some theologians argue that Original Sin damaged our human soul but not completely enough to render it irredeemable. God has already implanted in us the inclination to seek Him. Therefore, God is capable of transforming all men into creatures higher level than angels. The mystery of Incarnation has already guaranteed us the possibility to attain the status of children of God.
So what can we make out of those who refuse to accept God's salvation? Should they not be condemned to the eternal fire of Hell?
Personally, I believe that the seed of eternal life is implanted in all of us and cannot be taken away from us. Even if we do not allow it to grow and bear fruit, God will not waste it. He can still make good use of it. Yes, those branches will be burnt and give out heat which God has other uses beyond our imagination. Let us keep our mind and heart open to glorify the wondrous deeds of God.
All living things have Buddha-nature. All of us have been implanted with the capacity to communicate with God our Creator. This is the common belief between Buddhism and Christianity. All living things will go through different cycles of reincarnation and be finally enlightened and attain Buddha-hood. All of us will go through different paths of redemption and attain the status of children of God. This is the common belief between Buddhism and Christianity. We have many more common beliefs than we are aware of. In the end, we will all reach the other side. Let us take one more look at those who refuse redemption.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away (John 15:2a)
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; (John 15:6a)
The gospel does not tell us what special treatments God will do to these branches. Surely they will wither and will be burnt. But that does not stop God from making them valuable and useful in ways beyond our understanding. Perhaps God sends them to other universes to go through different paths of purgation. I still insist that God will not forsake them.
Dear Lord, may we continue clinging to You to bear fruit to glorify You. May our hearts be big enough to discern Your wondrous deeds. Amen.
P.S.
I have to make myself clear. Firstly, I do not deny the existence of Hell and eternal fire of punishment. Jesus also mentions casting "the children of the kingdom" into the "outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" in Matthew 8:12. There is no doubt about the existence of Hell. The gospel also talks about everlasting fire and punishment. But I still insist that God's love is also everlasting. For some of us, perhaps it is logically contradictory to combine love and punishment together into one. Remember, for God, nothing is impossible.
The only thing I mentioned above that would cost me my life 400 years ago is the idea of multiple universes. The cosmology four hundred years ago could not accommodate such an idea and Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake. Nowadays, we know that there are 11 dimensions instead of 4. We are free to speculate that there are multiple universes.
The gospel reading today is the famous "I am the True Vine" passage in John. Traditionally, this passage is understood to be an exposition on the relation between Jesus and his believers. Jesus is the true vine. We are his branches. Our (spiritual) well-being depends on how well we are connected with Jesus, like a branch with the trunk.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).
This interpretation is not wrong. But it is not the only interpretation possible.
Following the logic mentioned above, the following verse will easily be interpreted as condemning to the fire of Hell all those who don't believe in Jesus.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (John 15:6).
In previous generations when the Christian God was depicted as a righteous Judge in the Supreme Court who kept a detailed record of our good deeds and evils; and passed judgment accordingly, the above interpretation was the most logical of all. However, this is not the only interpretation possible.
Deacon Tsang spoke well in his homily this morning. He stressed the malleability of human beings. In the first reading, we found a ferocious persecutor of Christians, Saul converted to a bulwark of Christianity so much so that the Hellenists planned to kill him.
And he (Saul) spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him (Acts 9:29).
Deacon Tsang stressed that the grace of God, the work of the Holy Spirit transformed the notorious Saul to the co-founder of Christianity, Paul. God works in wondrous ways which human could never dream of.
On the other hand, we should not belittle the malleability of the human nature. Some theologians argue that Original Sin damaged our human soul but not completely enough to render it irredeemable. God has already implanted in us the inclination to seek Him. Therefore, God is capable of transforming all men into creatures higher level than angels. The mystery of Incarnation has already guaranteed us the possibility to attain the status of children of God.
So what can we make out of those who refuse to accept God's salvation? Should they not be condemned to the eternal fire of Hell?
Personally, I believe that the seed of eternal life is implanted in all of us and cannot be taken away from us. Even if we do not allow it to grow and bear fruit, God will not waste it. He can still make good use of it. Yes, those branches will be burnt and give out heat which God has other uses beyond our imagination. Let us keep our mind and heart open to glorify the wondrous deeds of God.
All living things have Buddha-nature. All of us have been implanted with the capacity to communicate with God our Creator. This is the common belief between Buddhism and Christianity. All living things will go through different cycles of reincarnation and be finally enlightened and attain Buddha-hood. All of us will go through different paths of redemption and attain the status of children of God. This is the common belief between Buddhism and Christianity. We have many more common beliefs than we are aware of. In the end, we will all reach the other side. Let us take one more look at those who refuse redemption.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away (John 15:2a)
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; (John 15:6a)
The gospel does not tell us what special treatments God will do to these branches. Surely they will wither and will be burnt. But that does not stop God from making them valuable and useful in ways beyond our understanding. Perhaps God sends them to other universes to go through different paths of purgation. I still insist that God will not forsake them.
Dear Lord, may we continue clinging to You to bear fruit to glorify You. May our hearts be big enough to discern Your wondrous deeds. Amen.
P.S.
I have to make myself clear. Firstly, I do not deny the existence of Hell and eternal fire of punishment. Jesus also mentions casting "the children of the kingdom" into the "outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" in Matthew 8:12. There is no doubt about the existence of Hell. The gospel also talks about everlasting fire and punishment. But I still insist that God's love is also everlasting. For some of us, perhaps it is logically contradictory to combine love and punishment together into one. Remember, for God, nothing is impossible.
The only thing I mentioned above that would cost me my life 400 years ago is the idea of multiple universes. The cosmology four hundred years ago could not accommodate such an idea and Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake. Nowadays, we know that there are 11 dimensions instead of 4. We are free to speculate that there are multiple universes.
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