The three Synoptic gospels give us the impression that Jesus did not baptize. Mark quoted John the Baptist.
And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:7-8)
According to the witness of John the Baptist, Jesus was mightier than him. The Baptist baptized with water. But Jesus would baptized with the Holy Spirit. All Christians believe that what happened on the Pentecost was the fulfillment of this prophecy. Many of them would naturally think that Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit only because the three Synoptic gospels do not mention Jesus baptizing anybody. The gospels paint a Jesus more superior than John. John was only a forerunner. He taught about repentance and baptized people with water. His baptism did not confer the Holy Spirit. He did not know anything about the Kingdom of God. He could not work any miracle. God did not raise John the Baptist from the dead etc. Fair enough. Since the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus who was baptized by the Baptist, can we say that Christ was once a member of the Baptist movement and later, a Christ movement had branched out from the Baptist movement?
It is my impression that the three Synoptic gospels try to play down the role of the Baptist. Probably, the early Christians were struggling for survival against Jews, Baptists and other religious movements. The undeniable fact that Jesus was baptized by the Baptist might prove too embarrassing for the early Christians because they would just be a branch of the Baptist movement. In order to attain primacy over the Baptist movement, early Christians needed to demonstrate that Jesus was more superior than the Baptist even though he was baptized by the Baptist. Mark made Jesus' baptism his coronation, the inauguration of his ministry with the descent of the Holy Spirit when Jesus came out of the water (Mark 1:10). Matthew had the Baptist confessed that he himself should be baptized by Jesus and not vice versa (Matthew 3:14). Luke did not mention who baptized Jesus (Luke 3:21).
As I have discussed before, the Baptist movement died out and did not leave us any document. The Christ movement survives and leaves us with the Bible. Unless excavations come up with new findings, we can only know about the Baptist movement through the lens of Christians. I am not suggesting that Christians attempted to distort historical events. It is legitimate for them to report from their perspectives.
I further hypothesized that the author of the gospel of John had been a former member of the Baptist movement. Therefore, the gospel of John may provide us with a richer vision of this movement. For example, Jesus also baptized people with water like the Baptist did.
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized (John 3:22).
This took place after Jesus had discussed with Nicodemus about being reborn of water and of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5). Therefore, the beginning of the Christ movement was similar to, and of course far more superior, than the Baptist movement. Jesus recruited disciples through preaching and baptizing. What about the Baptist?
The gospel of John painted a Baptist who knew his time and his position well. He understood his mission thoroughly. When Christ came, his job was done. He should retire.
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full.
He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:29-30).
The Baptist bore witness that Jesus was the bridegroom because the bride was his, not the Baptist's. The Baptist was only the friend of the bridegroom. Now that Christ had come, his mission was accomplished. His joy was full.
It is interesting to note that Mark also employs the bridegroom image in another context related to the disciples of the Baptist. Some Pharisees came to challenge Jesus, asking him why his disciples did not fast while those of the Baptist and the Pharisees did (Mark 2:18-20). Jesus answered by claiming the status of the bridegroom.
I hypothesize that this image came from the Baptist. When some of the followers of the Baptist switched to Jesus, they brought along with them this idea and the disciples of Jesus made use of this in defence of challenges from the Pharisaic Jews.
I love this statement of the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease". He knew his position. He knew when to proceed, when to retreat. He was a wise man.
Dear Lord, I have been evading higher responsibilities. I am contented with my present situation. You uprooted me from La Salle and planted me in Shung Tak. Show me how I can serve You better. Amen.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Friday, 9 January 2009
Jesus cured a leper
Yesterday, I mentioned that every Evangelist has his own agenda. Each presents Jesus from their own perspective, or rather each persuades us to buy his version of Jesus. Now that we are reading Luke, what image of Jesus does Luke try to persuade us to believe? Let's compare the Luke text we read today with those of Mark.
Let me put the Luke version in context. After Jesus was rejected in Nazareth, he came down to Capernaum and taught on Sabbath. He drove out a demon from a possessed man in a synagogue. Leaving the synagogue, he entered Simon's house and healed his mother-in-law of fever. Then he healed more people and drove out more demons which cried aloud that Jesus was the Son of God. Then he retired into a lonely place to pray. People came to seek him.
but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43).
This much Luke follows Mark, except that he had not called any disciples yet. So, it was not Simon and other disciples who sought him (Mark 1:36). Rather, it was just the people.
Then came the story of the calling of Simon Peter in chapter 5 with a twist. We have the story of a miraculous catch of fish. At first, Simon addressed Jesus as Master. After the catch, Simon called Jesus Lord.
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke 5:8)
For the first time in Luke, Jesus was addressed as Lord. Here, I would hypothesize that in the gospel of Luke, disciples of Jesus address him Lord. Before we become disciples, we must recognize our unworthiness, and confess our sins. This is the attitude we must possess before we may become his disciples.
Of course, Jesus did not depart from Simon. Instead, he recruited Simon to be the fisher of man.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken;
and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men."
And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him (Luke 5:9-11).
In one stroke, Jesus recruited three disciples, Simon, James and John. But where is Andrew? Then, the story of the cure of a leper follows.
The story is nearly identical with that found in Mark except that the leper also called Jesus Lord.
While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." (Luke 5:12)
And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." (Mark 1:40)
To become a disciple of Jesus, we must see our sinfulness, our leprosy. Furthermore, we must humble ourselves, fall on our faces and beseech him. Then, we are ready to receive Jesus' touch and be cleaned. The gospel of Luke provides us with a lot of occasions to meditate as a disciple. For example, when the soldiers laid the cross of Jesus on Simon of Cyrene, he carried the cross behind Jesus (Luke 23:26). This is a powerful image for all disciples of Jesus. We are his followers. We don't go before him, lead him. Instead, Jesus leads us.
Thank you St. Luke for providing us with a prayerful book for meditation as a disciple.
Dear Lord, do not depart from me for I am a sinner. I am not able to leave everything to follow you. I am just an accidental disciple. Help me in my work to make Shung Tak a more religious school. Amen.
Let me put the Luke version in context. After Jesus was rejected in Nazareth, he came down to Capernaum and taught on Sabbath. He drove out a demon from a possessed man in a synagogue. Leaving the synagogue, he entered Simon's house and healed his mother-in-law of fever. Then he healed more people and drove out more demons which cried aloud that Jesus was the Son of God. Then he retired into a lonely place to pray. People came to seek him.
but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43).
This much Luke follows Mark, except that he had not called any disciples yet. So, it was not Simon and other disciples who sought him (Mark 1:36). Rather, it was just the people.
Then came the story of the calling of Simon Peter in chapter 5 with a twist. We have the story of a miraculous catch of fish. At first, Simon addressed Jesus as Master. After the catch, Simon called Jesus Lord.
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke 5:8)
For the first time in Luke, Jesus was addressed as Lord. Here, I would hypothesize that in the gospel of Luke, disciples of Jesus address him Lord. Before we become disciples, we must recognize our unworthiness, and confess our sins. This is the attitude we must possess before we may become his disciples.
Of course, Jesus did not depart from Simon. Instead, he recruited Simon to be the fisher of man.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken;
and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men."
And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him (Luke 5:9-11).
In one stroke, Jesus recruited three disciples, Simon, James and John. But where is Andrew? Then, the story of the cure of a leper follows.
The story is nearly identical with that found in Mark except that the leper also called Jesus Lord.
While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." (Luke 5:12)
And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." (Mark 1:40)
To become a disciple of Jesus, we must see our sinfulness, our leprosy. Furthermore, we must humble ourselves, fall on our faces and beseech him. Then, we are ready to receive Jesus' touch and be cleaned. The gospel of Luke provides us with a lot of occasions to meditate as a disciple. For example, when the soldiers laid the cross of Jesus on Simon of Cyrene, he carried the cross behind Jesus (Luke 23:26). This is a powerful image for all disciples of Jesus. We are his followers. We don't go before him, lead him. Instead, Jesus leads us.
Thank you St. Luke for providing us with a prayerful book for meditation as a disciple.
Dear Lord, do not depart from me for I am a sinner. I am not able to leave everything to follow you. I am just an accidental disciple. Help me in my work to make Shung Tak a more religious school. Amen.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Jesus rejected in Nazareth
Today, we read the Lukan version of the story in which Jesus was rejected in the town he was brought up --- Nazareth (Luke 4:14-30). All three Synoptic gospels tell the same story but the contexts are totally different. Let's begin with Mark.
Mark places the story after Jesus had cured the bleeding woman and raised the daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. Jesus brought his disciples along with him back to Nazareth. Here Mark demonstrates a sharp contrast between those who had faith in Jesus and those who did not. The faith of the bleeding woman was so strong that she was able to draw out Jesus' power to heal her disease whereas in Nazareth, Jesus was not able to work any miracle.
And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them.
And he marveled because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5-6).
After the failure in his own home town, Jesus went among the villages teaching and sent his 12 apostles to preach. Then Mark continues with the death of John the Baptist.
Matthew places the rejection of Jesus between a collection of parables of the kingdom of heaven and the death of John the Baptist. His story is nearly identical with that of Mark except that Jesus' disciples did not appear in Matthew. Therefore, Matthew has no intention to show the power of faith as Mark does.
Luke seems to be following a chronological order. Jesus returned to his home town after the three temptations. It seems that Jesus wanted to begin his mission at home. He had not yet called any disciples and therefore he was alone. On Sabbath in a synagogue, he read Isaiah 61 to proclaim his Messianic manifesto.
The reaction of the people was not bad.
And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:22)
In the other two gospels, people called Jesus Mary's son. In Luke, where Mary occupies a prominent role in the nativity story in sharp contrast to Matthew, Jesus was unexpectedly called Joseph's son. Isn't is interesting?
Later, Luke amplifies the prophet idiom "no prophet is acceptable in his own country" into the stories of Elijah and Elisha (Luke 4:24-27). The people of Nazareth was offended and tried to throw Jesus down the hill (Luke 4:29). Wasn't the wrath of the people unreasonable? Or was it a literary device of Luke to convey the theme that Jesus was rejected from birth to death by his own people?
After his failure in Nazareth, he turned to Capernaum, exorcising a possessed man, entered Simon's house to cure his mother-in-law even before calling Simon to be a fisher of man. Luke did not follow Mark's sequence of events. He has his own agenda. Indeed, every Evangelist has. Now, let's look at the Isaiah passage.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19)
πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐπ' ἐμὲ οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέν με εὐαγγελίσασθαι πτωχοῖς, ἀπέσταλκέν με, κηρύξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, ἀποστεῖλαι τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει, κηρύξαι ἐνιαυτὸν κυρίου δεκτόν. (Luke 4:18-19, GNT)
Πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐπ̓ ἐμέ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέν με, εὐαγγελίσασθαι πτωχοῖς ἀπέσταλκέν με, ἰάσασθαι τοὺς συντετριμμένους τῇ καρδίᾳ, κηρύξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, καλέσαι ἐνιαυτὸν κυρίου δεκτὸν καὶ ἡμέραν ἀνταποδόσεως, παρακαλέσαι πάντας τοὺς πενθοῦντας, (Isaiah 61:1-2, LXX).
οὐχὶ τοιαύτην νηστείαν ἐγὼ ἐξελεξάμην, λέγει κύριος, ἀλλὰ λῦε πάντα σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας, διάλυε στραγγαλιὰς βιαίων συναλλαγμάτων, ἀπόστελλε τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει καὶ πᾶσαν συγγραφὴν ἄδικον διάσπα (Isaiah 58:6, LXX).
The red text in LXX did not appear in Luke. The orange one was a graft from Isaiah 58:6. Once again, it shows that New Testament authors relied on LXX when they quoted Hebrew scripture.
As followers of Christ, we should continue his mission to preach good news to the poor, to release captives, restore the sight of the blind and help people reconcile with each other and with God. Be prepared to be rejected like Jesus had been.
Dear Lord, we are unworthy servants. We have only done what is our duty (Luke 17:10). Be merciful. Let us share table with You in Your paradise. Amen.
Mark places the story after Jesus had cured the bleeding woman and raised the daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. Jesus brought his disciples along with him back to Nazareth. Here Mark demonstrates a sharp contrast between those who had faith in Jesus and those who did not. The faith of the bleeding woman was so strong that she was able to draw out Jesus' power to heal her disease whereas in Nazareth, Jesus was not able to work any miracle.
And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them.
And he marveled because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5-6).
After the failure in his own home town, Jesus went among the villages teaching and sent his 12 apostles to preach. Then Mark continues with the death of John the Baptist.
Matthew places the rejection of Jesus between a collection of parables of the kingdom of heaven and the death of John the Baptist. His story is nearly identical with that of Mark except that Jesus' disciples did not appear in Matthew. Therefore, Matthew has no intention to show the power of faith as Mark does.
Luke seems to be following a chronological order. Jesus returned to his home town after the three temptations. It seems that Jesus wanted to begin his mission at home. He had not yet called any disciples and therefore he was alone. On Sabbath in a synagogue, he read Isaiah 61 to proclaim his Messianic manifesto.
The reaction of the people was not bad.
And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:22)
In the other two gospels, people called Jesus Mary's son. In Luke, where Mary occupies a prominent role in the nativity story in sharp contrast to Matthew, Jesus was unexpectedly called Joseph's son. Isn't is interesting?
Later, Luke amplifies the prophet idiom "no prophet is acceptable in his own country" into the stories of Elijah and Elisha (Luke 4:24-27). The people of Nazareth was offended and tried to throw Jesus down the hill (Luke 4:29). Wasn't the wrath of the people unreasonable? Or was it a literary device of Luke to convey the theme that Jesus was rejected from birth to death by his own people?
After his failure in Nazareth, he turned to Capernaum, exorcising a possessed man, entered Simon's house to cure his mother-in-law even before calling Simon to be a fisher of man. Luke did not follow Mark's sequence of events. He has his own agenda. Indeed, every Evangelist has. Now, let's look at the Isaiah passage.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19)
πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐπ' ἐμὲ οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέν με εὐαγγελίσασθαι πτωχοῖς, ἀπέσταλκέν με, κηρύξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, ἀποστεῖλαι τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει, κηρύξαι ἐνιαυτὸν κυρίου δεκτόν. (Luke 4:18-19, GNT)
Πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐπ̓ ἐμέ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέν με, εὐαγγελίσασθαι πτωχοῖς ἀπέσταλκέν με, ἰάσασθαι τοὺς συντετριμμένους τῇ καρδίᾳ, κηρύξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, καλέσαι ἐνιαυτὸν κυρίου δεκτὸν καὶ ἡμέραν ἀνταποδόσεως, παρακαλέσαι πάντας τοὺς πενθοῦντας, (Isaiah 61:1-2, LXX).
οὐχὶ τοιαύτην νηστείαν ἐγὼ ἐξελεξάμην, λέγει κύριος, ἀλλὰ λῦε πάντα σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας, διάλυε στραγγαλιὰς βιαίων συναλλαγμάτων, ἀπόστελλε τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει καὶ πᾶσαν συγγραφὴν ἄδικον διάσπα (Isaiah 58:6, LXX).
The red text in LXX did not appear in Luke. The orange one was a graft from Isaiah 58:6. Once again, it shows that New Testament authors relied on LXX when they quoted Hebrew scripture.
As followers of Christ, we should continue his mission to preach good news to the poor, to release captives, restore the sight of the blind and help people reconcile with each other and with God. Be prepared to be rejected like Jesus had been.
Dear Lord, we are unworthy servants. We have only done what is our duty (Luke 17:10). Be merciful. Let us share table with You in Your paradise. Amen.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
As he is so are we
Solomon was supposed to have written the following psalm, the last psalm of Book 2. The book of Psalm is divided into 5 books, containing 150 psalms. At the end of each book (Psalm #41, #72, #89 and #106) except the very last one #150, people find the "Amen" signature.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name for ever; may his glory fill the whole earth!
Amen and Amen! (Psalm 72:18-19)
Most probably, "the wondrous things" means victories in battle or deliverance by God, in other words, miraculously defeating the enemies.
Alleluia! Praise and honour be to Yahweh, my God forever and ever, who has answered my prayer.
Blessed be His sacred name forever for He has shown me mercy.
Amen and Amen!
I thank God because tonight at dinner, Wulstan emerged from his bedroom and had dinner with us! At dinner, I posed him a question which popped up in my mind at school. I consulted Mr. Y. the Senior but I was not satisfied with the answer he gave me. Wulstan hit the bull. Good boy! I can now rely on you to help me read books and solve my problems. Truly, I have to admit that I cannot do everything!
Oh! How we old folk topple! Mr. Y. the Senior, we are losing our grip to this world! Perhaps it is time for us to retire and make way for the younger generation.
Mr. Y. the Senior is the panel head of a Chinese subject. The Student Paper lauded him the most knowledgeable man in Shung Tak. He deserves this fame because he knows a lot of academic and nonacademic stuff, except English and the Bible. For the last one and a half years, he had been suffering persecution. After leading a study tour to Taiwan in the summer of 2007, he and two other colleagues have been helping the law-enforcement agents in some investigations. It was a great blow to his psyche and a threat to his career and retirement. He was very much depressed.
Around May 2008, a "scandal" erupted from the Examination Authority. Slang appeared and were wrongly applied in examination papers in ASL and HKCEE. The public was enraged and a lot of complaints and accusations were flying around. Just at that time, a "brilliant" idea flashed across my mind. I suggested constructing a webpage to explain the origins and true meanings of the common expressions we used in our daily life. It was an act of conservation of our Hong Kong heritage. This idea immediately cheered Mr. Y. the Senior up. 【崇德通志堂】was born! Perhaps because his frustration had been great, his productivity was very high. Sometimes, 5 to 6 entries were written within a day.
Since the beginning of this academic year, he has not written anything. Our ex-boss has been assigned elsewhere. Two days ago, he received a letter from the law enforcement agency, saying that the investigation is suspended. He is very much relieved and his productivity is zero! After all, Mencius has been right.
天將降大任於斯人也，必先苦其心志，勞其筋骨， 餓其體膚， 空乏其身，行拂亂其所為。所以動心忍性，增益其所不能也。
This famous line is verified for yet another time in Mr. Y. the Senior. When we suffer, we are more productive. When life is easy, man becomes lazy. I think St. Paul and Mencius might love each other because both of them encouraged people to tolerate hardship.
Though John did not write explicitly that we should work hard and endure hardship, he put it in another way. It is not simply hard to love, we need to work hard to sustain the love among us. Therefore, John gave us a focus to invest our efforts --- to love. And we will be richly rewarded when we love.
In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world (1 John 4:17).
Jesus went through humiliation and suffering before he attained glory. As he is, so are we in this world. Whoever runs away from sufferings and hardship will miss the opportunity to attain glory.
My Lord, I praise You again for You have answered my prayer. Keep Wulstan and me in Your grace forever. Amen.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name for ever; may his glory fill the whole earth!
Amen and Amen! (Psalm 72:18-19)
Most probably, "the wondrous things" means victories in battle or deliverance by God, in other words, miraculously defeating the enemies.
Alleluia! Praise and honour be to Yahweh, my God forever and ever, who has answered my prayer.
Blessed be His sacred name forever for He has shown me mercy.
Amen and Amen!
I thank God because tonight at dinner, Wulstan emerged from his bedroom and had dinner with us! At dinner, I posed him a question which popped up in my mind at school. I consulted Mr. Y. the Senior but I was not satisfied with the answer he gave me. Wulstan hit the bull. Good boy! I can now rely on you to help me read books and solve my problems. Truly, I have to admit that I cannot do everything!
Oh! How we old folk topple! Mr. Y. the Senior, we are losing our grip to this world! Perhaps it is time for us to retire and make way for the younger generation.
Mr. Y. the Senior is the panel head of a Chinese subject. The Student Paper lauded him the most knowledgeable man in Shung Tak. He deserves this fame because he knows a lot of academic and nonacademic stuff, except English and the Bible. For the last one and a half years, he had been suffering persecution. After leading a study tour to Taiwan in the summer of 2007, he and two other colleagues have been helping the law-enforcement agents in some investigations. It was a great blow to his psyche and a threat to his career and retirement. He was very much depressed.
Around May 2008, a "scandal" erupted from the Examination Authority. Slang appeared and were wrongly applied in examination papers in ASL and HKCEE. The public was enraged and a lot of complaints and accusations were flying around. Just at that time, a "brilliant" idea flashed across my mind. I suggested constructing a webpage to explain the origins and true meanings of the common expressions we used in our daily life. It was an act of conservation of our Hong Kong heritage. This idea immediately cheered Mr. Y. the Senior up. 【崇德通志堂】was born! Perhaps because his frustration had been great, his productivity was very high. Sometimes, 5 to 6 entries were written within a day.
Since the beginning of this academic year, he has not written anything. Our ex-boss has been assigned elsewhere. Two days ago, he received a letter from the law enforcement agency, saying that the investigation is suspended. He is very much relieved and his productivity is zero! After all, Mencius has been right.
天將降大任於斯人也，必先苦其心志，勞其筋骨， 餓其體膚， 空乏其身，行拂亂其所為。所以動心忍性，增益其所不能也。
This famous line is verified for yet another time in Mr. Y. the Senior. When we suffer, we are more productive. When life is easy, man becomes lazy. I think St. Paul and Mencius might love each other because both of them encouraged people to tolerate hardship.
Though John did not write explicitly that we should work hard and endure hardship, he put it in another way. It is not simply hard to love, we need to work hard to sustain the love among us. Therefore, John gave us a focus to invest our efforts --- to love. And we will be richly rewarded when we love.
In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world (1 John 4:17).
Jesus went through humiliation and suffering before he attained glory. As he is, so are we in this world. Whoever runs away from sufferings and hardship will miss the opportunity to attain glory.
My Lord, I praise You again for You have answered my prayer. Keep Wulstan and me in Your grace forever. Amen.
華隱書院 vs. 樹寅書院
「仁」者見「仁」
大袁Sir 認為這是「約定俗成」， 郭Sir 覺得 大袁 Sir 的答案未能滿足他的求知慾，以至在晚飯時仍喃喃自語。郭家二少爺問明原委，便執筆疾書，以解老父胸中悶氣。郭家二少爺，誠孝子也。
(re-directed from http://www.stc.edu.hk/2005/subjects/rs/2000/Stories/stc_yc/answer1.asp?id=182)
郭Sir忽發奇想，為甚麼我們讀「皇仁書院」「九龍華仁書院」的簡稱時，都會將「仁」字變調，但「樹仁大學」卻不會變調呢？
它們「變調」的情況是這樣的：
「皇仁」/wong4 jan2/*
「華仁」/waa4 jan2/
「樹仁」/syu6 jan4/
何文滙曾在自己的著作提及過有關「變調」的問題，稱「粵語口語往往把低聲調的字讀成高聲調，取其脣吻流易，我們稱之為『變調』。這尤以陽平聲為甚。」**加上陽平聲是粵語中最低音的聲調，連續出現時，尤其難讀，如黃仁龍、陳文媛這些名字，實在不是好聽好讀的名字。
大部份「變調」的情況，聲調會改為陰上聲或陰平聲。如「南洋」、「上樓」、「還錢」這些詞語，都是把陽平聲變為陰上聲，「皇仁」和「華仁」的「仁」字就是這一類情況。如果想找更多例子，讀者不妨看看《粵音平仄入門》中「變調」那一節。
加上之前提過陽平聲連讀時的困難，這能夠解釋到為何「皇仁」和「華仁」需要變調，而「樹仁」卻不用變調了。口語傾向採用有變化的聲調，「皇」「華」兩字都是陽平聲，配「仁」字組成詞語，讀起來聲調沒有變化，低沉又難聽難讀，但「樹」字為陽去聲，比「仁」字聲調稍高，讀起來自高流向低，即使不用變調已經聽起來有變化了，故沒有變調的需要。
在這個話題上，有兩件事情是需要注意的：
第一，「變調」是說話音的問題，不是讀書音的話。即當我們運用口語的時候才需要「變調」，但吟詩、誦詞時就必須受該文體的平仄限制，按讀書音來唸。
第二，基於語音流變的原故，口語「必然地」有一定程度是約定俗成的，並非大是大非的辯題。以前有人提出，如「任」這個姓氏，應讀作/jam4/，與「淫」同音。那時，任劍輝的「粉絲」立即出來抗議。又如「費」這個姓氏，由於「古無輕唇音」，原讀作/bei3/，與「秘」同音，多數被誤讀成/fai3/，與「廢」同音。但我卻曾聽過音樂界德高望重的費明儀女士，在公開場合把自己的姓氏讀成/fai3/。
那麼，無論誰把「皇仁」讀成/wong4 jan2/、「華仁」讀成/waa4 jan2/，也有一定程度是約定俗成的。岔開來說，樹仁大學的學生不會稱自己的學校作「樹大」，因為「樹大招風」嘛！他們會稱自己的學校作「仁大」，聽起來像「全國人大常委會」，這不正正是他們校內的風俗嗎？至於「香港能仁書院」是否可以讀作「能仁」/nang4 jan2/呢？就真是「仁」者見「仁」，智者見智了。
*為書寫方便之故，以上拼音字母根據黃錫凌《粵音韻彙》的拼音法，與何文滙博士所用的國際音標不同，讀者應注意兩者之別。
**何文滙，《粵音平仄入門．粵語正音示例》第七版，喜閱文化編輯委員會，香港，2005，頁18-20。
郭家二少爺
「華『隱』」
某日，正當 郭Sir 回應「大自然的呼喚」時，腦海中忽然浮現出一個疑問。為甚麽「華仁書院」、「皇仁書院」會讀成「華隱書院」、「皇隱書院」？而「樹仁書院」仍舊讀成「樹寅書院」呢？（對不起， 郭Sir 對上述名校，絕無不敬之意。若閣下覺得受到侮辱， 郭Sir 賠過不是。）大袁Sir 認為這是「約定俗成」， 郭Sir 覺得 大袁 Sir 的答案未能滿足他的求知慾，以至在晚飯時仍喃喃自語。郭家二少爺問明原委，便執筆疾書，以解老父胸中悶氣。郭家二少爺，誠孝子也。
(re-directed from http://www.stc.edu.hk/2005/subjects/rs/2000/Stories/stc_yc/answer1.asp?id=182)
郭Sir忽發奇想，為甚麼我們讀「皇仁書院」「九龍華仁書院」的簡稱時，都會將「仁」字變調，但「樹仁大學」卻不會變調呢？
它們「變調」的情況是這樣的：
「皇仁」/wong4 jan2/*
「華仁」/waa4 jan2/
「樹仁」/syu6 jan4/
何文滙曾在自己的著作提及過有關「變調」的問題，稱「粵語口語往往把低聲調的字讀成高聲調，取其脣吻流易，我們稱之為『變調』。這尤以陽平聲為甚。」**加上陽平聲是粵語中最低音的聲調，連續出現時，尤其難讀，如黃仁龍、陳文媛這些名字，實在不是好聽好讀的名字。
大部份「變調」的情況，聲調會改為陰上聲或陰平聲。如「南洋」、「上樓」、「還錢」這些詞語，都是把陽平聲變為陰上聲，「皇仁」和「華仁」的「仁」字就是這一類情況。如果想找更多例子，讀者不妨看看《粵音平仄入門》中「變調」那一節。
加上之前提過陽平聲連讀時的困難，這能夠解釋到為何「皇仁」和「華仁」需要變調，而「樹仁」卻不用變調了。口語傾向採用有變化的聲調，「皇」「華」兩字都是陽平聲，配「仁」字組成詞語，讀起來聲調沒有變化，低沉又難聽難讀，但「樹」字為陽去聲，比「仁」字聲調稍高，讀起來自高流向低，即使不用變調已經聽起來有變化了，故沒有變調的需要。
在這個話題上，有兩件事情是需要注意的：
第一，「變調」是說話音的問題，不是讀書音的話。即當我們運用口語的時候才需要「變調」，但吟詩、誦詞時就必須受該文體的平仄限制，按讀書音來唸。
第二，基於語音流變的原故，口語「必然地」有一定程度是約定俗成的，並非大是大非的辯題。以前有人提出，如「任」這個姓氏，應讀作/jam4/，與「淫」同音。那時，任劍輝的「粉絲」立即出來抗議。又如「費」這個姓氏，由於「古無輕唇音」，原讀作/bei3/，與「秘」同音，多數被誤讀成/fai3/，與「廢」同音。但我卻曾聽過音樂界德高望重的費明儀女士，在公開場合把自己的姓氏讀成/fai3/。
那麼，無論誰把「皇仁」讀成/wong4 jan2/、「華仁」讀成/waa4 jan2/，也有一定程度是約定俗成的。岔開來說，樹仁大學的學生不會稱自己的學校作「樹大」，因為「樹大招風」嘛！他們會稱自己的學校作「仁大」，聽起來像「全國人大常委會」，這不正正是他們校內的風俗嗎？至於「香港能仁書院」是否可以讀作「能仁」/nang4 jan2/呢？就真是「仁」者見「仁」，智者見智了。
*為書寫方便之故，以上拼音字母根據黃錫凌《粵音韻彙》的拼音法，與何文滙博士所用的國際音標不同，讀者應注意兩者之別。
**何文滙，《粵音平仄入門．粵語正音示例》第七版，喜閱文化編輯委員會，香港，2005，頁18-20。
郭家二少爺
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
God is love (2)
Exactly one year ago, I began writing this blog. Thank and praise be to God. He sustains me until this moment, writing one piece of reflection a day. It is very tempting to ask how much progress I have made. If I evaluate, it seems that I am very pride. If I don't, I may not be humble. Perhaps there is no progress to write about at all. Rationality dictates that I should choose the lesser evil. So, I should do an evaluation.
A simple word count shows that I have written around 245,000 words, roughly 670 words per day. Of course, I did not keep track of the number of hours I spent squabbling these random thoughts. It doesn't show how much I have grown in my love of God and of man. Quality counts more than quantity.
How much more have I loved my family members and my students? John wrote.
Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God; for God is love (1 John 4:7-8).
My mother loves me. There is no doubt about it. How much have I loved her in return? I call her every day after I return home from school. Last summer, I spent a week with her in Chai Wan, drinking with her, arguing with her but I could not reduce her bitterness and thus her drinking. Perhaps I have not been able to share her bitterness. My Lord, have mercy on her soul.
My children loves me. But Wulstan worries me most. He is intellectually the most challenging but that is only a tiny part of him. His graduation is drawing near yet his future is still very vague. He returns home after I have gone to bed. There is not enough exchanges between my son and me. My Lord, guide him on his way.
I know that many students don't like me because I am an annoying teacher and very likely a lousy one. I can manage to help some of them make some progress. I wish I could share more enjoyable time within and without the classrooms with them. I wish they knew the Bible better and obtained spiritual nourishment. I wish they gained higher proficiency in their English and achieved good HKCEE results. I wish they were more diligent in their studies. My Lord, admit them in Your fold.
Erminia is dedicated to me. She relieves me of my depression but I have not loved her enough. Quite often, I unload my frustrations on her and leave her with the burden to raise Symphorian. I should take up a greater share of her workload and love her more. My Lord, sanctify us so that we may grow in holiness together.
Dear Lord, I have not loved You enough. I have missed many opportunities to love my neighbours. There are many more people I have not mentioned but You know them all. I entrust them all in Your loving grace. Amen.
A simple word count shows that I have written around 245,000 words, roughly 670 words per day. Of course, I did not keep track of the number of hours I spent squabbling these random thoughts. It doesn't show how much I have grown in my love of God and of man. Quality counts more than quantity.
How much more have I loved my family members and my students? John wrote.
Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God; for God is love (1 John 4:7-8).
My mother loves me. There is no doubt about it. How much have I loved her in return? I call her every day after I return home from school. Last summer, I spent a week with her in Chai Wan, drinking with her, arguing with her but I could not reduce her bitterness and thus her drinking. Perhaps I have not been able to share her bitterness. My Lord, have mercy on her soul.
My children loves me. But Wulstan worries me most. He is intellectually the most challenging but that is only a tiny part of him. His graduation is drawing near yet his future is still very vague. He returns home after I have gone to bed. There is not enough exchanges between my son and me. My Lord, guide him on his way.
I know that many students don't like me because I am an annoying teacher and very likely a lousy one. I can manage to help some of them make some progress. I wish I could share more enjoyable time within and without the classrooms with them. I wish they knew the Bible better and obtained spiritual nourishment. I wish they gained higher proficiency in their English and achieved good HKCEE results. I wish they were more diligent in their studies. My Lord, admit them in Your fold.
Erminia is dedicated to me. She relieves me of my depression but I have not loved her enough. Quite often, I unload my frustrations on her and leave her with the burden to raise Symphorian. I should take up a greater share of her workload and love her more. My Lord, sanctify us so that we may grow in holiness together.
Dear Lord, I have not loved You enough. I have missed many opportunities to love my neighbours. There are many more people I have not mentioned but You know them all. I entrust them all in Your loving grace. Amen.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Love in deed and in truth
This afternoon, I attended the Executive Committee meeting of the Diocesan Secondary School Religious Education Committee. The Spiritual Director, Fr. Baptista S.J. was present and as usual, he likes to crack jokes with us. Timothy To of St. Peter's was the chairman and Joan Lam of Newman College the treasurer. These are dedicated people to work with.
In his allocutio, Fr. Baptista always encourages us to love our Church and to opt for the poor. Unlike Protestant churches which see themselves as congregations of saints, the Catholic Church sees herself as a church of sinners in need of God's redemption. Therefore, the Church is imperfect. She needs continuous purification until the Second Coming of our Lord. Still, we should love her despite her blemishes. Therefore, we should be ready to forgive. Then we can stand united to improve the situation of the poor.
In anticipation of more diplomatic rapport between Vatican and mainland China, we will have more contact with the churches in the mainland. The three attitudes mentioned above will help facilitate our dialogue with them.
After his allocutio, committee members shared their thoughts. Joan spoke up. Most of her students receive comprehensive social assistance. Therefore, she always encourages them to study hard in order to escape from poverty in the future. It is better to keep them in school than to let them loose roaming the street or return to their flats of bare walls. Struck by recent events happening around her student, Joan could not hold back her tears when she told us how a 13-year student faced the death of her father who died of cancer. Holding only a two-way permit, the student's mother did not know much about funeral matters in Hong Kong and she could not stay long with her daughter. Joan is a member of the Bereavement Pastoral Association of her parish. Knowing the case, all the members came and collected on the spot at the crematorium about $5000 to help the student out. The farewell rite was conducted cordially. Not only was Joan deeply touched, but also the people from the funeral parlour ...
Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).
Then, the committee members shared their worries about the difficulties in implementing the NSS Ethics & Religious Studies elective. We lack confidence in recruiting enough students to enrol in this subject, not to mention the difficulty in handling the subject matter.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him (1 John 3:21-22).
Dear Lord, we keep Your commandments to love. We beseech You. Help us implement E&RS in the upcoming NSS. Give us the confidence we lack. Amen.
In his allocutio, Fr. Baptista always encourages us to love our Church and to opt for the poor. Unlike Protestant churches which see themselves as congregations of saints, the Catholic Church sees herself as a church of sinners in need of God's redemption. Therefore, the Church is imperfect. She needs continuous purification until the Second Coming of our Lord. Still, we should love her despite her blemishes. Therefore, we should be ready to forgive. Then we can stand united to improve the situation of the poor.
In anticipation of more diplomatic rapport between Vatican and mainland China, we will have more contact with the churches in the mainland. The three attitudes mentioned above will help facilitate our dialogue with them.
After his allocutio, committee members shared their thoughts. Joan spoke up. Most of her students receive comprehensive social assistance. Therefore, she always encourages them to study hard in order to escape from poverty in the future. It is better to keep them in school than to let them loose roaming the street or return to their flats of bare walls. Struck by recent events happening around her student, Joan could not hold back her tears when she told us how a 13-year student faced the death of her father who died of cancer. Holding only a two-way permit, the student's mother did not know much about funeral matters in Hong Kong and she could not stay long with her daughter. Joan is a member of the Bereavement Pastoral Association of her parish. Knowing the case, all the members came and collected on the spot at the crematorium about $5000 to help the student out. The farewell rite was conducted cordially. Not only was Joan deeply touched, but also the people from the funeral parlour ...
Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).
Then, the committee members shared their worries about the difficulties in implementing the NSS Ethics & Religious Studies elective. We lack confidence in recruiting enough students to enrol in this subject, not to mention the difficulty in handling the subject matter.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him (1 John 3:21-22).
Dear Lord, we keep Your commandments to love. We beseech You. Help us implement E&RS in the upcoming NSS. Give us the confidence we lack. Amen.
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