The reading of 1 Peter was interrupted by 2 feasts. Today, we celebrate the Feast of the BVM visiting Elizabeth. The story was recorded in Luke 1:39-56 where we find the beautiful Magnificat. The readings today include Romans 12:9-16. The church in Rome was already established and Paul wrote this epistle before he visited them. The church in Rome composed of Jewish and Gentile Christians. In the reading today, we find 2 quotations of the OT. Out of curiosity, I would like to see if Paul made use of the Septuagint.
The epistle to the Romans can roughly be divided into 2 parts. The first 11 chapters deal with theological questions and the rest ethical. So, the reading today deals with how Christians should lead their life. For example,
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good (Romans 12:9).
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them (Romans 12:14).
Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all (Romans 12:17).
These are high moral grounds on which Christians should stand firm.
Suffer patiently for injustice. Let God handles it.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
Here comes the first OT quotation in this reading.
μὴ ἑαυτοὺς ἐκδικοῦντες, ἀγαπητοί, ἀλλὰ δότε τόπον τῇ ὀργῇ, γέγραπται γάρ· ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις, ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω, λέγει κύριος.
The OT quotation comes from
Vengeance is mine, and recompense,
for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly. (Deuteronomy 32:35).
However, the Septuagint renders this verse in a different way.
ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐκδικήσεως ἀνταποδώσω, ἐν καιρῷ, ὅταν σφαλῇ ὁ ποὺς αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἡμέρα ἀπωλείας αὐτῶν, καὶ πάρεστιν ἕτοιμα ὑμῖν. (Deuteronomy 32:35 LXX).
Roughly, it can be translated as
In the days of punishment, I shall recompense, in a time wherever their foot should trip, for the day of their destruction is near, and at hand prepared for you. (Brenden)
Therefore, it seems to me that Paul was translating directly from the Hebrew text, instead of copying from the Septuagint. He should be competent enough to do so.
The next verse continues
No, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." (Romans 12:20)
ἀλλὰ ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν· ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ.
This quotation comes from
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you (Proverbs 25:21-22). The Septuagint translates it this way.
ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, τρέφε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν,
τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά (Proverbs 25:21-22 LXX).
They are nearly identical. The Septuagint author and Paul used different words for 'feed' and both of them left out the word 'bread' and 'water' which are found in the Hebrew text. Did Paul copy from the Septuagint Proverbs or did he translate it all by himself just like what he did one verse earlier, rendering nearly identical translation?
It is beyond my ability to decide. Let the experts handle it. As for me, it is already hard enough to follow Paul's advice literally. Of course, to suffer patiently is heroic indeed. The only support one can muster is to believe that vengeance is God's. God will take care of injustice.
My Advocate, like the June 4th and Sichuan victims, we may not be able to see justice vindicated for ourselves. So, let us rest in the satisfaction that You will take care of it.
Our Lady, when you saw your Son suffer on the cross, you firmly believed that it was God's plan to save the sinful world in this manner. May we see what you see and keep reflecting them in our hearts like you. Amen.
Saturday 31 May 2008
Friday 30 May 2008
Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus
This is a Catholic feast not shared by Protestants. They would argue that there is no biblical basis for the concept of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also well known that they would only accept a bare crucifix without an idol of Jesus hanging onto it. They justify this by claiming that Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. For them, the adoration of any image is idolatry. A bare crucifix is good enough as a symbol of Christianity. Now, Catholics have created yet another idol!
For me, I don't need to be apologetic. The Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds me concretely of the extent to which Jesus has sacrificed himself for us. His heart was crowned with thorns and was pierced. This wound, together with the other 5 stigmata, remains forever in him because he is willing to keep them even after his resurrection. These are the signs of his love for us, sinners all.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
How consoling these words are! The burden of sins is really heavy. It impedes our growth and our relationships with the others. Jesus offers us a way out.
My sweet Jesus, let me imitate Your humility to follow the will of our Heavenly Father. May our sufferings merge with Yours to redeem the world. Amen.
For me, I don't need to be apologetic. The Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds me concretely of the extent to which Jesus has sacrificed himself for us. His heart was crowned with thorns and was pierced. This wound, together with the other 5 stigmata, remains forever in him because he is willing to keep them even after his resurrection. These are the signs of his love for us, sinners all.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
How consoling these words are! The burden of sins is really heavy. It impedes our growth and our relationships with the others. Jesus offers us a way out.
My sweet Jesus, let me imitate Your humility to follow the will of our Heavenly Father. May our sufferings merge with Yours to redeem the world. Amen.
Thursday 29 May 2008
More Septuagint
Taking cue from what I discovered yesterday on the importance of Septuagint, I went back to check out which of the 3 verses in Leviticus Peter quoted. The answer is Leviticus 19:2. Here is the comparison:
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
διότι γέγραπται ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιός [εἰμι] (1 Peter 1:16).
Λάλησον τῇ συναγωγῇ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς Ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος, κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν (Leviticus 19:2).
In chapter 2, we find more OT quotations. Here they are.
for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
ἐγεύσασθε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος (1 Peter 2:3).
γεύσασθε καὶ ἴδετε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος, μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὃς ἐλπίζει ἐπ̓ αὐτόν (Psalm 33:9 LXX).
It should be noted that the chapter numbering of Psalm in Septuagint and the Hebrew scripture is different, in this case Psalm 34:9 BHS.
For it stands in scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
διότι περιέχει ἐν γραφῇ·
ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπʼ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ (1 Peter 2:6).
διὰ τοῦτο οὕτως λέγει κύριος Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιων λίθον πολυτελῆ ἐκλεκτὸν ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἔντιμον εἰς τὰ θεμέλια αὐτῆς, καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ (Isaiah 28:16).
The resemblance is clear.
To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe,
"The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,"ὑμῖν οὖν ἡ τιμὴ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν, ἀπιστοῦσιν δὲ
λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας (1 Peter 2:7).
λίθον, ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας, (Psalm 117:22 LXX, Psalm 118:22 BHS).
and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall";
for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. καὶ λίθος προσκόμματος καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου
οἳ προσκόπτουσιν τῷ λόγῳ ἀπειθοῦντες εἰς ὃ καὶ ἐτέθησαν (1 Peter 2:8).
καὶ ἐὰν ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ πεποιθὼς ᾖς, ἔσται σοι εἰς ἁγίασμα, καὶ οὐχ ὡς λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι, ὁ δὲ οἶκος Ιακωβ ἐν παγίδι, καὶ ἐν κοιλάσματι ἐγκαθήμενοι ἐν Ιερουσαλημ
(Isaiah 8:14).
He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips.
ὃς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ, (1 Peter 2:22)
καὶ δώσω τοὺς πονηροὺς ἀντὶ τῆς ταφῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς πλουσίους ἀντὶ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀνομίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ (Isaiah 53:9).
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν αὐτὸς ἀνήνεγκεν ἐν τῷ σώματι αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον, ἵνα ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἀπογενόμενοι τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ ζήσωμεν, οὗ τῷ μώλωπι ἰάθητε (1 Peter 2:24).
αὐτὸς δὲ ἐτραυματίσθη διὰ τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῶν καὶ μεμαλάκισται διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, παιδεία εἰρήνης ἡμῶν ἐπ̓ αὐτόν, τῷ μώλωπι αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς ἰάθημεν. (Isaiah 53:5).
For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
ἦτε γὰρ ὡς πρόβατα πλανώμενοι, ἀλλὰ ἐπεστράφητε νῦν ἐπὶ τὸν ποιμένα καὶ ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν (1 Peter 2:25).
πάντες ὡς πρόβατα ἐπλανήθημεν, ἄνθρωπος τῇ ὁδῷ αὐτοῦ ἐπλανήθη, καὶ κύριος παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν (Isaiah 53:6).
In these two verses, Peter took only some phrases from Isaiah and reflected on them. This should be how we should pray too.
This chapter contains a lot of practical advice on how a Christian lives his life in the world. In their particular situation, Peter advised them to be submissive to people in authority, to do right. Inevitably, we will suffer because of this. Peter encourages us to suffer patiently. Only then could we obtain God's approval.
For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval (1 Peter 2:19-20).
My Advocate, we thank St. Peter for reminding us of what kind of life we should lead. Nowadays, people value assertiveness. If we want to get things done, complain. It is really not easy to suffer and stay patient at the same time. Strengthen us to bear this cross of ours.
Our Lady, you are patient and keep everything in your heart for reflection. Help us lead a life like your Son, suffers quietly for the salvation of the world. Amen.
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
διότι γέγραπται ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιός [εἰμι] (1 Peter 1:16).
Λάλησον τῇ συναγωγῇ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς Ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος, κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν (Leviticus 19:2).
In chapter 2, we find more OT quotations. Here they are.
for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
ἐγεύσασθε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος (1 Peter 2:3).
γεύσασθε καὶ ἴδετε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος, μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὃς ἐλπίζει ἐπ̓ αὐτόν (Psalm 33:9 LXX).
It should be noted that the chapter numbering of Psalm in Septuagint and the Hebrew scripture is different, in this case Psalm 34:9 BHS.
For it stands in scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
διότι περιέχει ἐν γραφῇ·
ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπʼ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ (1 Peter 2:6).
διὰ τοῦτο οὕτως λέγει κύριος Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιων λίθον πολυτελῆ ἐκλεκτὸν ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἔντιμον εἰς τὰ θεμέλια αὐτῆς, καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ (Isaiah 28:16).
The resemblance is clear.
To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe,
"The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,"ὑμῖν οὖν ἡ τιμὴ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν, ἀπιστοῦσιν δὲ
λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας (1 Peter 2:7).
λίθον, ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας, (Psalm 117:22 LXX, Psalm 118:22 BHS).
and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall";
for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. καὶ λίθος προσκόμματος καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου
οἳ προσκόπτουσιν τῷ λόγῳ ἀπειθοῦντες εἰς ὃ καὶ ἐτέθησαν (1 Peter 2:8).
καὶ ἐὰν ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ πεποιθὼς ᾖς, ἔσται σοι εἰς ἁγίασμα, καὶ οὐχ ὡς λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι, ὁ δὲ οἶκος Ιακωβ ἐν παγίδι, καὶ ἐν κοιλάσματι ἐγκαθήμενοι ἐν Ιερουσαλημ
(Isaiah 8:14).
He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips.
ὃς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ, (1 Peter 2:22)
καὶ δώσω τοὺς πονηροὺς ἀντὶ τῆς ταφῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς πλουσίους ἀντὶ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀνομίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ (Isaiah 53:9).
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν αὐτὸς ἀνήνεγκεν ἐν τῷ σώματι αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον, ἵνα ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἀπογενόμενοι τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ ζήσωμεν, οὗ τῷ μώλωπι ἰάθητε (1 Peter 2:24).
αὐτὸς δὲ ἐτραυματίσθη διὰ τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῶν καὶ μεμαλάκισται διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, παιδεία εἰρήνης ἡμῶν ἐπ̓ αὐτόν, τῷ μώλωπι αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς ἰάθημεν. (Isaiah 53:5).
For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
ἦτε γὰρ ὡς πρόβατα πλανώμενοι, ἀλλὰ ἐπεστράφητε νῦν ἐπὶ τὸν ποιμένα καὶ ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν (1 Peter 2:25).
πάντες ὡς πρόβατα ἐπλανήθημεν, ἄνθρωπος τῇ ὁδῷ αὐτοῦ ἐπλανήθη, καὶ κύριος παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν (Isaiah 53:6).
In these two verses, Peter took only some phrases from Isaiah and reflected on them. This should be how we should pray too.
This chapter contains a lot of practical advice on how a Christian lives his life in the world. In their particular situation, Peter advised them to be submissive to people in authority, to do right. Inevitably, we will suffer because of this. Peter encourages us to suffer patiently. Only then could we obtain God's approval.
For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval (1 Peter 2:19-20).
My Advocate, we thank St. Peter for reminding us of what kind of life we should lead. Nowadays, people value assertiveness. If we want to get things done, complain. It is really not easy to suffer and stay patient at the same time. Strengthen us to bear this cross of ours.
Our Lady, you are patient and keep everything in your heart for reflection. Help us lead a life like your Son, suffers quietly for the salvation of the world. Amen.
Wednesday 28 May 2008
The importance of Septuagint
I must make an amendment to the 2nd statement on the blog entry I wrote yesterday. I wrote "Therefore, we expect the intended readers to be familiar with the Hebrew Scripture."
I forgot to mention that it was the Greek version of the Hebrew Scripture, that is the Septuagint, which they were familiar with. Is that important? You will see why when we reach the end of chapter one.
Today, we continue reading from 1 Peter 1:18. Peter reminded the readers that they were ransomed, not with gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord (1 Peter 1:18-19). Like John, Peter confessed his belief in the pre-existence of Jesus as the Word of God before the creation of the universe (1 Peter 1:20). Through the risen Jesus, we have faith and hope in God (1 Peter 1:21). He urged the readers to practise charity towards one another (1 Peter 1:22). He reiterated once again that the readers were born anew through Jesus, the living and abiding word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Then he quoted Isaiah. Now, I would like to make some comparisons among the various translations we have in hand. Indeed, with the help of the Internet, we can amass a lot of information to help us study the Word of God.
KJV was an older translation. The words are spelt differently.
【思高】is recognized by both Protestants and Catholics to be the best Chinese translation we have.
The Latin version contains the most variations. St. Jerome was known to translate the OT from Hebrew. No wonder the differences are so glaring.
We can easily see that the quotations are not identical. Well, different people did the translation and most likely, the Isaiah quotation was translated from the Hebrew text! Let's go for the Greek.
Amazing, isn't it? They are nearly identical and there are no intervening words! What can we say about the relation between the Greek New Testament and the Septuagint? This piece of text is probably a very special case where the secretary of Peter was resourceful enough to have a copy of the Septuagint on his desk. He was able to copy it directly into his epistle. Other NT authors might not be so lucky. More likely, they quoted from memory. Therefore, we will find OT quotations in different degrees of variation. When we come to modern translations, different translators were probably working on different books. Therefore, the translator of 1 Peter would render a somewhat different version from that of the Isaiah translator. What's more, the Isaiah translator was most likely working on the Hebrew text which the NT author might not have and he might not even be proficient in Hebrew!
My Advocate, I thank You for bestowing on me a thirst for languages. I pray that I put this interest in good use for Your greater glory. Our Lady, you gave us the Word of God. Pray for your children so that they love the word/Word of God and be nourished by HIM. Amen.
I forgot to mention that it was the Greek version of the Hebrew Scripture, that is the Septuagint, which they were familiar with. Is that important? You will see why when we reach the end of chapter one.
Today, we continue reading from 1 Peter 1:18. Peter reminded the readers that they were ransomed, not with gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord (1 Peter 1:18-19). Like John, Peter confessed his belief in the pre-existence of Jesus as the Word of God before the creation of the universe (1 Peter 1:20). Through the risen Jesus, we have faith and hope in God (1 Peter 1:21). He urged the readers to practise charity towards one another (1 Peter 1:22). He reiterated once again that the readers were born anew through Jesus, the living and abiding word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Then he quoted Isaiah. Now, I would like to make some comparisons among the various translations we have in hand. Indeed, with the help of the Internet, we can amass a lot of information to help us study the Word of God.
| RSV | |
| 1 Peter 1:24-25 | Isaiah 40:6-8 |
| for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord abides for ever." That word is the good news which was preached to you. | A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people is grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. |
| KJV | |
| 1 Peter 1:24-25 | Isaiah 40:6-8 |
| For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. | The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. |
【思高】is recognized by both Protestants and Catholics to be the best Chinese translation we have.
| 思高 | |
| 伯前 1:24-25 | 依 40:6-8 |
| 因為『凡有血肉的都似草，他的一切美麗都似草上的花：草枯萎了，花也就凋謝了； 但上主的話卻永遠常存。』這話就是傳報給你們的福音。 | 有個聲音說：「呼喊罷！」我答說：「我呼喊什麼？」「凡有血肉的都似草，他的美麗似田野的花； 上主的風吹來，草必枯萎，花必凋謝。【的確，人民好像草。】 草能枯萎，花能凋謝，但我們天主的話永遠常存。」 |
The Latin version contains the most variations. St. Jerome was known to translate the OT from Hebrew. No wonder the differences are so glaring.
| Vulgate | |
| 1 Peter 1:24-25 | Isaiah 40:6-8 |
| quia omnis caro ut fœnum: et omnis gloria ejus tamquam flos fœni: exaruit fœnum, et flos ejus decidit. Verbum autem Domini manet in æternum: hoc est autem verbum, quod evangelizatum est in vos. | Vox dicentis: Clama. Et dixi: Quid clamabo? Omnis caro fœnum, et omnis gloria ejus quasi flos agri.Exsiccatum est fœnum, et cecidit flos, quia spiritus Domini sufflavit in eo. Vere fœnum est populus: exsiccatum est fœnum, et cecidit flos; verbum autem Domini nostri manet in æternum. |
| GNT | Septuagint |
| 1 Peter 1:24-25 | Isaiah 40:6-8 |
| διότι πᾶσα σὰρξ ὡς χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα αὐτῆς ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου: ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξέπεσεν: τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν εἰς ὑμᾶς. | ϕωνὴ λέγοντος Βόησον· καὶ εἶπα Τί βοήσω; Πᾶσα σὰρξ χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα ἀνϑρώπου ὡς ἄνϑος χόρτου· ἐξηράνϑη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄνϑος ἐξέπεσεν, τὸ δὲ ϱῆμα τοῦ ϑεοῦ ἡμῶν μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. |
Amazing, isn't it? They are nearly identical and there are no intervening words! What can we say about the relation between the Greek New Testament and the Septuagint? This piece of text is probably a very special case where the secretary of Peter was resourceful enough to have a copy of the Septuagint on his desk. He was able to copy it directly into his epistle. Other NT authors might not be so lucky. More likely, they quoted from memory. Therefore, we will find OT quotations in different degrees of variation. When we come to modern translations, different translators were probably working on different books. Therefore, the translator of 1 Peter would render a somewhat different version from that of the Isaiah translator. What's more, the Isaiah translator was most likely working on the Hebrew text which the NT author might not have and he might not even be proficient in Hebrew!
My Advocate, I thank You for bestowing on me a thirst for languages. I pray that I put this interest in good use for Your greater glory. Our Lady, you gave us the Word of God. Pray for your children so that they love the word/Word of God and be nourished by HIM. Amen.
Tuesday 27 May 2008
You shall be holy
Peter was writing to the Jewish Diaspora in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1). Therefore, we expect the intended readers to be familiar with the Hebrew Scripture. Unlike Matthew, who wrote that
You, therefore, must be perfect τέλειοι , as your heavenly Father is perfect τέλειός (Matthew 5:48).
Peter quoted Leviticus and wrote instead
You shall be holy (Hebrew קְדֹשִׁים) ἅγιοι, for I am holy (Hebrew קָדוֹש) ἅγιός (1 Peter 1:16)
The intended readers are supposed to understand what Peter refers to. Though we are not Jews, we have also inherited the Hebrew scriptures. So, let's find out what Peter intended to say.
The quotation comes from Leviticus. There are three occurrences.
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls upon the earth.
For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy (Leviticus 11:44-45).
Say to all the congregation of the people of Israel, You shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2).
You shall be holy to me; for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine (Leviticus 20:26).
In Leviticus 11, the Israelites were commanded not to eat swarming things. The idea of holiness is then equated with staying clean. Don't defile yourself. Don't make your hands dirty. Pontius Pilate washed his hands in front of the people. He handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. Could his conscience be clean? Well then, pay a hit man to kill someone you hate. Your hands are clean. But will your conscience? Obviously, something more needs be done.
In Leviticus 19, Moses was delivering the 10 commandments to the people of Israel. Now, the Israelites shall be holy when they keep the commandments of God. This is a step forward. More positive actions are included. Don't reap the field to its border or strip the vineyard bare. Leave the gleanings, the fallen grapes for the poor and the sojourners. The wage of the workers shall not remain with you till morning. Don't put a stumbling block before the blind. Don't hate your brother in your heart. Reason with your neighbour. Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The underprivileged are taken care of. In doing so, the Israelites shall be holy.
Leviticus 20 highlights another meaning of holiness. It is the separation from the rest of the world. People and things become holy when they are separated from the mundane and are dedicated exclusively to God. The Blessed Virgin Mary, for one, is holy. Her whole life was dedicated to God. Her womb was dedicated to God as the vessel to bear the Son of God. Her breasts exclusively fed baby Jesus (Luke 11:27). Jesus also calls her blessed because she hears the word of God and keeps it (Luke 11:28). The saints are holy men and women because they dedicated their life to God in different ways, in varying degrees. We Christians are called to be saints, to lead a life dedicated exclusively to God (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2). I think it is this concept of holiness which Peter refers to.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:14-15)
My Advocate, we lead a worldly life. Yet, we are called to separate ourselves from this world and dedicate ourselves to God. Make us Your holy Temple. Dwell in us so that we may pray with You in one accord. Our Lady, you are the purest and holiest of us all. Pray for your children that we may resemble your first born, our Lord, more closely. Amen.
You, therefore, must be perfect τέλειοι , as your heavenly Father is perfect τέλειός (Matthew 5:48).
Peter quoted Leviticus and wrote instead
You shall be holy (Hebrew קְדֹשִׁים) ἅγιοι, for I am holy (Hebrew קָדוֹש) ἅγιός (1 Peter 1:16)
The intended readers are supposed to understand what Peter refers to. Though we are not Jews, we have also inherited the Hebrew scriptures. So, let's find out what Peter intended to say.
The quotation comes from Leviticus. There are three occurrences.
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls upon the earth.
For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy (Leviticus 11:44-45).
Say to all the congregation of the people of Israel, You shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2).
You shall be holy to me; for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine (Leviticus 20:26).
In Leviticus 11, the Israelites were commanded not to eat swarming things. The idea of holiness is then equated with staying clean. Don't defile yourself. Don't make your hands dirty. Pontius Pilate washed his hands in front of the people. He handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. Could his conscience be clean? Well then, pay a hit man to kill someone you hate. Your hands are clean. But will your conscience? Obviously, something more needs be done.
In Leviticus 19, Moses was delivering the 10 commandments to the people of Israel. Now, the Israelites shall be holy when they keep the commandments of God. This is a step forward. More positive actions are included. Don't reap the field to its border or strip the vineyard bare. Leave the gleanings, the fallen grapes for the poor and the sojourners. The wage of the workers shall not remain with you till morning. Don't put a stumbling block before the blind. Don't hate your brother in your heart. Reason with your neighbour. Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The underprivileged are taken care of. In doing so, the Israelites shall be holy.
Leviticus 20 highlights another meaning of holiness. It is the separation from the rest of the world. People and things become holy when they are separated from the mundane and are dedicated exclusively to God. The Blessed Virgin Mary, for one, is holy. Her whole life was dedicated to God. Her womb was dedicated to God as the vessel to bear the Son of God. Her breasts exclusively fed baby Jesus (Luke 11:27). Jesus also calls her blessed because she hears the word of God and keeps it (Luke 11:28). The saints are holy men and women because they dedicated their life to God in different ways, in varying degrees. We Christians are called to be saints, to lead a life dedicated exclusively to God (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2). I think it is this concept of holiness which Peter refers to.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:14-15)
My Advocate, we lead a worldly life. Yet, we are called to separate ourselves from this world and dedicate ourselves to God. Make us Your holy Temple. Dwell in us so that we may pray with You in one accord. Our Lady, you are the purest and holiest of us all. Pray for your children that we may resemble your first born, our Lord, more closely. Amen.
Monday 26 May 2008
Faith according to St. Peter
Today, we begin reading the first epistle written by Peter. We should remember that Peter was a fisherman in Galilee in the north. He might have had exposure to Greek, probably enough for his trade as a fisherman. But it would be rather difficult for him to pen a letter such as this epistle in Greek. Of course, such argument would deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the believers on the Pentecost. But such an argument is favoured by critical biblical scholars who try to build up a rational basis for Christianity. They would suggest that the speeches recorded in the Acts were in fact composed by Luke. It was impossible for Luke to record them verbertim. In order to defend the traditional position, other scholars would argue that though Peter was not the real author, he must be the authority behind the text. Though he did not write the epistle in his own hand, the contents must have been endorsed by him. Similarly, the second gospel was written by Mark. Evidences show clearly that Peter was the main source of information behind this gospel. In this sense, the gospel of Mark could also be regarded as the gospel of Peter. After mumbling so long about authorship, it is time we turned to the contents of the epistle.
We begin reading 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Among this seven verses, only once does the author identify himself with the readers. This is found in the third verse. The rest is directed to the readers.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
Therefore, all of us have been born anew to a living hope. What sort of hope is this? Peter followed up with
and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:4).
Well, is this "inheritance in heaven" an explanation of the concept of "living hope"? Or have we been born anew into two different things: a living hope and an inheritance in heaven?
Inheritance is an Old Testament concept. A search in the RSV uncovered 200 occurrences in 169 verses. Only 16 or 10% of the verses are located in the New Testament. Half of the occurrences are found in 3 books: Numbers (34), Deuteronomy (20) and Joshua (45). The concept is best summarized as followed:
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years (Acts 13:19).
Therefore, for the Jews, inheritance is a piece of land given by God. Now, Peter extends the concept to heavens above. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have been born anew in a living hope and into piece of space (land) in heaven. All this is achieved through faith. But then, what is faith?
First of all, faith enables us to go through trials and temptations (the same word in Greek).
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials πειρασμοῖς (1 Peter 1:6).
But what exactly is faith?
Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy (1 Peter 1:8).
So for Peter, faith means, without seeing Jesus, we still believe in him and love him. This is a very balanced view. We don't just believe in him in our head, we love him in our heart. Many of us can only do it in either way. Some devote themselves superstitiously without using their common sense. Others reason all their way through without opening their hearts. Both are not to be admired, though very likely I fall into the second category.
My Advocate, You are not just the Spirit of Truth. You are also the Spirit of Love. I am afraid my head is already big enough. It is high time I tamed my heart. May Your grace descend on me to make my heart glow. Our Lady, your Immaculate Heart is the purest and there is nothing to impede the love of your heart. May we, your wailing children, take temporary refuge in your Immaculate Heart from the trials and temptations of this life. Amen.
We begin reading 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Among this seven verses, only once does the author identify himself with the readers. This is found in the third verse. The rest is directed to the readers.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
Therefore, all of us have been born anew to a living hope. What sort of hope is this? Peter followed up with
and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:4).
Well, is this "inheritance in heaven" an explanation of the concept of "living hope"? Or have we been born anew into two different things: a living hope and an inheritance in heaven?
Inheritance is an Old Testament concept. A search in the RSV uncovered 200 occurrences in 169 verses. Only 16 or 10% of the verses are located in the New Testament. Half of the occurrences are found in 3 books: Numbers (34), Deuteronomy (20) and Joshua (45). The concept is best summarized as followed:
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years (Acts 13:19).
Therefore, for the Jews, inheritance is a piece of land given by God. Now, Peter extends the concept to heavens above. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have been born anew in a living hope and into piece of space (land) in heaven. All this is achieved through faith. But then, what is faith?
First of all, faith enables us to go through trials and temptations (the same word in Greek).
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials πειρασμοῖς (1 Peter 1:6).
But what exactly is faith?
Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy (1 Peter 1:8).
So for Peter, faith means, without seeing Jesus, we still believe in him and love him. This is a very balanced view. We don't just believe in him in our head, we love him in our heart. Many of us can only do it in either way. Some devote themselves superstitiously without using their common sense. Others reason all their way through without opening their hearts. Both are not to be admired, though very likely I fall into the second category.
My Advocate, You are not just the Spirit of Truth. You are also the Spirit of Love. I am afraid my head is already big enough. It is high time I tamed my heart. May Your grace descend on me to make my heart glow. Our Lady, your Immaculate Heart is the purest and there is nothing to impede the love of your heart. May we, your wailing children, take temporary refuge in your Immaculate Heart from the trials and temptations of this life. Amen.
Sunday 25 May 2008
Feast of the Blessed Eucharist
Today we celebrated the Feast of the Blessed Eucharist. 15 youngsters received their First Communion today. They were dressed up to receive the sacrament and Jesus in their hearts. This was what Jesus promised he would do in John.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him (John 6:56).
This is truly a mystery. First of all, the Son of God downgraded himself to become a man, to live among us, to die for us. He further downgraded himself to become a loaf of bread, to feed us, to build us up. All these amazing things are done out of love. But why should God be so good to us? No doubt, there have been a few noble souls who deserve heavens. But they are outnumbered by sadistic butchers. In ancient times, men killed for survival's sake. Nowadays, many kill for convenience's sake. Foeti and the senile elderly who proved to be inconvenient are terminated. Isn't it mind-boggling that God should treat us so well?
Today, Fr. Martin Yip shared with us his experience of administering the Communion of the Sick. He was serving in the Church of the Mother of Good Counsel in San Po Kong. San Po Kong is an old district. There are a lot of aging buildings without lifts. He used to administer this Communion to a wheelchair bound old lady living on the sixth floor of one such building. This old lady lived alone. The daily household chores were taken care of by domestic assistants coming from the Social Welfare Department. She was not able to attend Sunday Mass. Once a week, she received this Communion from Deacon Martin. She received it with a grateful heart. Deacon Martin could feel that she was fully aware of the love of Christ, his great sacrifice. She was in communion with the whole church, though she was not able to attend any liturgy. Daily rosaries were what she could only do. The Holy Eucharist is truly a sacrament of love. It embodies Jesus' love for us and our love towards one another. May this sacrament nourish us and edify us. Amen.
My Advocate, through Your consecration, the Word of God became flesh and dwelled among us. Through Your consecration of the bread, the Word of God became flesh so that we may receive it and have eternal life. Our Lady, you gave us Christ, your son. May we be united through His sacrifice and grow in grace. Amen.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him (John 6:56).
This is truly a mystery. First of all, the Son of God downgraded himself to become a man, to live among us, to die for us. He further downgraded himself to become a loaf of bread, to feed us, to build us up. All these amazing things are done out of love. But why should God be so good to us? No doubt, there have been a few noble souls who deserve heavens. But they are outnumbered by sadistic butchers. In ancient times, men killed for survival's sake. Nowadays, many kill for convenience's sake. Foeti and the senile elderly who proved to be inconvenient are terminated. Isn't it mind-boggling that God should treat us so well?
Today, Fr. Martin Yip shared with us his experience of administering the Communion of the Sick. He was serving in the Church of the Mother of Good Counsel in San Po Kong. San Po Kong is an old district. There are a lot of aging buildings without lifts. He used to administer this Communion to a wheelchair bound old lady living on the sixth floor of one such building. This old lady lived alone. The daily household chores were taken care of by domestic assistants coming from the Social Welfare Department. She was not able to attend Sunday Mass. Once a week, she received this Communion from Deacon Martin. She received it with a grateful heart. Deacon Martin could feel that she was fully aware of the love of Christ, his great sacrifice. She was in communion with the whole church, though she was not able to attend any liturgy. Daily rosaries were what she could only do. The Holy Eucharist is truly a sacrament of love. It embodies Jesus' love for us and our love towards one another. May this sacrament nourish us and edify us. Amen.
My Advocate, through Your consecration, the Word of God became flesh and dwelled among us. Through Your consecration of the bread, the Word of God became flesh so that we may receive it and have eternal life. Our Lady, you gave us Christ, your son. May we be united through His sacrifice and grow in grace. Amen.
Saturday 24 May 2008
The Last Words of James
We finish the Epistle of James today. The last few verses of James are a collection of practical advice. Here we find rudiments of sacraments administered by the Church.
First of all, do not swear.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation (James 5:12). This is a summary and echo of what Jesus said in Matthew.
But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Let what you say be simply `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil (Matthew 5:24-37).
Earlier on, James mentions humility and meekness which are two of the Beatitudes found in Matthew. He also warns about the rust of gold and silver which brings judgment from God, echoing Matthew's warnings.
Then, James mentions prayer for the first time.
Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise (James 5:13).
Remember to sing praises and thank God in good time. In time of suffering, being patient and not grumbling is not enough to endure. Prayer is where we draw strength to heal our wounds.
For physical sufferings such as sickness, there is the sacrament of Anointment of the sick. This is a service administered by the Church (James 5:14). For spiritual sickness, prayer for forgiveness heals our sins (James 5:15). Private prayer is not enough. We need to confess our sins to one another and seek other's prayers to heal our sins. This is the sacrament of Reconciliation (James 5:16).
James illustrates the power of prayer with the example of Elijah.
Wasn't it God's will to punish Ahab by withholding rain for 3 years? James attributes it to Elijah's prayer.
Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth (James 5:17).
According to 1 Kings, Elijah announced God's judgment to Ahab.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." (1 Kings 17:1)
1 King does not say Elijah prayed that it would not rain for three years. He was only the messenger of God. Later, his prayer would bring rain. It is James that attributes this drought to the prayer of Elijah. How should we harmonize this?
We are supposed to seek God's will, not ours in our prayer. So, if God wills such a drought, He will make someone pray for it. This someone was Elijah. This is probably what James has in mind when he attributes this drought to Elijah's prayer. Indeed, prayer is such a deep mystery, revealing God's mind!
At last, James encourages the church members to practise the ultimate charity of bringing back sinners, those apostates. In times of persecutions, some weaker members of weaker faith would not be able to withstand pressures and recanted their pledge to the Lord. Condemning these apostates is too negative and does them no good.
My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back,
let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20).
My Advocate, cultivate my heart to pray properly so that we may be prepared to receive God's revelation. We are lazy. Entice us into building a good habit of daily prayers. Our Lady, you have prayed very well. Pray with us so that we may become an authentic channel of God's grace. Amen.
First of all, do not swear.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation (James 5:12). This is a summary and echo of what Jesus said in Matthew.
But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Let what you say be simply `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil (Matthew 5:24-37).
Earlier on, James mentions humility and meekness which are two of the Beatitudes found in Matthew. He also warns about the rust of gold and silver which brings judgment from God, echoing Matthew's warnings.
Then, James mentions prayer for the first time.
Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise (James 5:13).
Remember to sing praises and thank God in good time. In time of suffering, being patient and not grumbling is not enough to endure. Prayer is where we draw strength to heal our wounds.
For physical sufferings such as sickness, there is the sacrament of Anointment of the sick. This is a service administered by the Church (James 5:14). For spiritual sickness, prayer for forgiveness heals our sins (James 5:15). Private prayer is not enough. We need to confess our sins to one another and seek other's prayers to heal our sins. This is the sacrament of Reconciliation (James 5:16).
James illustrates the power of prayer with the example of Elijah.
Wasn't it God's will to punish Ahab by withholding rain for 3 years? James attributes it to Elijah's prayer.
Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth (James 5:17).
According to 1 Kings, Elijah announced God's judgment to Ahab.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." (1 Kings 17:1)
1 King does not say Elijah prayed that it would not rain for three years. He was only the messenger of God. Later, his prayer would bring rain. It is James that attributes this drought to the prayer of Elijah. How should we harmonize this?
We are supposed to seek God's will, not ours in our prayer. So, if God wills such a drought, He will make someone pray for it. This someone was Elijah. This is probably what James has in mind when he attributes this drought to Elijah's prayer. Indeed, prayer is such a deep mystery, revealing God's mind!
At last, James encourages the church members to practise the ultimate charity of bringing back sinners, those apostates. In times of persecutions, some weaker members of weaker faith would not be able to withstand pressures and recanted their pledge to the Lord. Condemning these apostates is too negative and does them no good.
My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back,
let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20).
My Advocate, cultivate my heart to pray properly so that we may be prepared to receive God's revelation. We are lazy. Entice us into building a good habit of daily prayers. Our Lady, you have prayed very well. Pray with us so that we may become an authentic channel of God's grace. Amen.
Friday 23 May 2008
The virtue of patience
God exists outside the time-dimension. That is how I understand death as a passage to eternity. Through death, we exit the time-dimension to return to Him. All our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Confucius have passed over to the other side of existence. That is why Jesus claimed that God is not God of the dead, but of the living (Mark 12:27)
God has a different time frame. Eternity appears but a single point to Him. That is what Peter wrote concerning God's eternity.
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8).
Peter was probably referring to the following Psalm.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4).
God operates in a time scale different from ours. That is why James appeals to us to be patient, firstly like the farmers (James 5:7-8), then like the prophets (James 5:10) and at last, like Job (James 5:11). That probably is the origin of the English idiom "as patient as Job". Now, how does one demonstrate his patience?
Consistent with his advice on taming the tongue in chapter 3, James told his community not to grumble. Hold your tongue to demonstrate your patience. Otherwise, the Lord's judgment will descend on you because you have not demonstrated enough faith in His promises.
Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors (James 5:9).
Peter explains why God does not take immediate actions. He gives us chances to repent.
The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Is James' advice absolute, in the sense that it is an official Church pronouncement? Even so, history is littered with instances where members grumbled. When teachers in Lai King Catholic grumbled, the Catholic Education Office (CEO) moved the principal to Shung Tak. Six years later, when teachers and parents of Shung Tak grumbled, CEO moves the principal once more to Ng Wah College, giving him yet another chance to turn back, to repent. CEO is playing God. This seems to be a very much consistent practice in the Catholic Church. She moves paedophile priests from one parish to another, never bringing them to justice. I am in no position to pass judgment on this practice, though obviously, it costs the Catholic Church millions of dollars as well as faithful. Once again, we can only look up to God who is able to work good out of evils.
My Advocate, You have a heavy schedule to educate our hearts. As for our part, we need to be patient to allow You to work things out, to allow things to run their full course. Meanwhile, let us grow older and wiser. Our Lady, you have always been a model of patience. Allow us to follow your example to surrender yourself, to say fiat to God. Amen.
God has a different time frame. Eternity appears but a single point to Him. That is what Peter wrote concerning God's eternity.
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8).
Peter was probably referring to the following Psalm.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4).
God operates in a time scale different from ours. That is why James appeals to us to be patient, firstly like the farmers (James 5:7-8), then like the prophets (James 5:10) and at last, like Job (James 5:11). That probably is the origin of the English idiom "as patient as Job". Now, how does one demonstrate his patience?
Consistent with his advice on taming the tongue in chapter 3, James told his community not to grumble. Hold your tongue to demonstrate your patience. Otherwise, the Lord's judgment will descend on you because you have not demonstrated enough faith in His promises.
Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors (James 5:9).
Peter explains why God does not take immediate actions. He gives us chances to repent.
The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Is James' advice absolute, in the sense that it is an official Church pronouncement? Even so, history is littered with instances where members grumbled. When teachers in Lai King Catholic grumbled, the Catholic Education Office (CEO) moved the principal to Shung Tak. Six years later, when teachers and parents of Shung Tak grumbled, CEO moves the principal once more to Ng Wah College, giving him yet another chance to turn back, to repent. CEO is playing God. This seems to be a very much consistent practice in the Catholic Church. She moves paedophile priests from one parish to another, never bringing them to justice. I am in no position to pass judgment on this practice, though obviously, it costs the Catholic Church millions of dollars as well as faithful. Once again, we can only look up to God who is able to work good out of evils.
My Advocate, You have a heavy schedule to educate our hearts. As for our part, we need to be patient to allow You to work things out, to allow things to run their full course. Meanwhile, let us grow older and wiser. Our Lady, you have always been a model of patience. Allow us to follow your example to surrender yourself, to say fiat to God. Amen.
Thursday 22 May 2008
Social justice in James
Today, James turns his attention to the rich and gives them warnings.
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days (James 5:2-3).
Christians slight riches. Their financial management philosophy is very simple. Accumulation of riches is evil and will invoke God's judgment on the last days. Contrary to the philosophy of Capitalism, Christians are not supposed to snowball their money into more money. Rather, it should be spent to help the needy. They should hold on to a spirit of poverty.
Where do the riches come from? In Biblical time, riches came from produce of the land which was enough to feed all. If the distribution was fair, no evil arose. Where there was greed, there would be injustice. Only at the expense of the poor did the rich become rich.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts (James 5:4).
The rich withheld the wages of the labourers to become rich and God saw it all. This is blatant injustice and God saw it evil.
Well, I am no landowner. Would I be exempted from these evils of social injustice? Nowadays in Hong Kong, when the economy turned downwards, workers were willing to endure a freeze on their salaries, and even a reduction in order to keep their rice-bowls. Now that the economy has improved, workers complain that they are deprived of the opportunity to share the fruits of economic prosperity. The grumble can clearly be heard on various days when workers take to the street. Social justice is denied them. Though government officials and entrepreneurs refuse to listen to their complaints, God will hear them.
OK, I am no businessman. I am just an administrator in a secondary school. Would I be exempted from these evils of social injustice? Nowadays in the midst of educational reforms, quite a number of teachers opt out. The situation is particularly acute where the school administration is incompetent. Every year, vacancies arise when teachers retire, some immaturely. Posts are opened for promotion and re-grade. New incumbents have to go through a year of probation before confirmation. Fair enough. But now is the golden opportunity of administrative abuse. The school administrator who writes your appraisal could withhold your confirmation and put you on probation for another year and for yet another year forever and ever. Though managers of the SMC may be blind to such abuses, God will see them.
What is James' advice to the victims? Do not resist (James 5:6b)! Rather,
Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand (James 5:7-8).
He trusts that God will take care of the situation because He is believed to be just.
Well, Bren, it is up to you to listen to James. You are always lovely and vocal. I don't have to remind you to be more patient. You know what you are doing and most important of all, you know that you are on the right.
My Advocate, grant us the grace to discern the unfolding of Your plan. We are grateful for being allowed to take part in this struggle. May Your light shine upon us, lead us on along the path You have designed for us. Our Lady, you have quietly followed your son's ministry up to the cross. Be our perpetual help and refashion our souls after the likeness of your son. Amen.
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days (James 5:2-3).
Christians slight riches. Their financial management philosophy is very simple. Accumulation of riches is evil and will invoke God's judgment on the last days. Contrary to the philosophy of Capitalism, Christians are not supposed to snowball their money into more money. Rather, it should be spent to help the needy. They should hold on to a spirit of poverty.
Where do the riches come from? In Biblical time, riches came from produce of the land which was enough to feed all. If the distribution was fair, no evil arose. Where there was greed, there would be injustice. Only at the expense of the poor did the rich become rich.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts (James 5:4).
The rich withheld the wages of the labourers to become rich and God saw it all. This is blatant injustice and God saw it evil.
Well, I am no landowner. Would I be exempted from these evils of social injustice? Nowadays in Hong Kong, when the economy turned downwards, workers were willing to endure a freeze on their salaries, and even a reduction in order to keep their rice-bowls. Now that the economy has improved, workers complain that they are deprived of the opportunity to share the fruits of economic prosperity. The grumble can clearly be heard on various days when workers take to the street. Social justice is denied them. Though government officials and entrepreneurs refuse to listen to their complaints, God will hear them.
OK, I am no businessman. I am just an administrator in a secondary school. Would I be exempted from these evils of social injustice? Nowadays in the midst of educational reforms, quite a number of teachers opt out. The situation is particularly acute where the school administration is incompetent. Every year, vacancies arise when teachers retire, some immaturely. Posts are opened for promotion and re-grade. New incumbents have to go through a year of probation before confirmation. Fair enough. But now is the golden opportunity of administrative abuse. The school administrator who writes your appraisal could withhold your confirmation and put you on probation for another year and for yet another year forever and ever. Though managers of the SMC may be blind to such abuses, God will see them.
What is James' advice to the victims? Do not resist (James 5:6b)! Rather,
Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand (James 5:7-8).
He trusts that God will take care of the situation because He is believed to be just.
Well, Bren, it is up to you to listen to James. You are always lovely and vocal. I don't have to remind you to be more patient. You know what you are doing and most important of all, you know that you are on the right.
My Advocate, grant us the grace to discern the unfolding of Your plan. We are grateful for being allowed to take part in this struggle. May Your light shine upon us, lead us on along the path You have designed for us. Our Lady, you have quietly followed your son's ministry up to the cross. Be our perpetual help and refashion our souls after the likeness of your son. Amen.
Wednesday 21 May 2008
My conviction about RS
When I first came to Shung Tak, I made myself clear to Mr. Yau, the then vice-principal, that my first priority is RS, then Computer and English last. My CEE and AL English results were mediocre, if I may praise myself as such. I did not study English in the university. I have never spent any time in any English speaking land, except for one week in Malaysia. If you think I am proficient enough, credit should go to La Salle College and Shung Tak. Teaching in English for more than 30 years definitely leaves its mark in me.
RS is an examination subject. These days, not many diocesan schools offer it. Lucky me, I have never stopped teaching it in my career and I tell myself if, one day, the school did not offer this examination subject, it would be high time I left. I have no reasonable defence for my position. Why does the Church operate schools? Its aim must be the Christian formation of young people. Equipping young people for their future is already a noble enough aim. But Catholic schools can never rid themselves of their responsibility to bring young people near to Christ. Granted this, why take public examination? Isn't Ethics and Religious Education good enough? I agree. Given the different situation each Catholic school is in, it is up to each of them to decide. Say, they may not have Catholic teachers confident enough to take up the challenge. They can only opt out. But I would say that RS has its effective advantages in Christian formation. As an examination subject, RS is more effective in sinking the Christian values deeper into the hearts of these young people. This is my conviction and here is a donkey stubborn enough to take up the challenge. Period.
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain";
whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:13-14).
Therefore, Mr. Kwok, don't be so confident in your plans. See? Mr. Ng has left you so suddenly. Rather, seek the will of your God.
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that." (James 4:15)
Thank you, James, for reminding me of my arrogance. I should be more open minded.
Last Sunday, Shung Tak held an S3 parents meeting to explain the S4 curriculum to be offered next September. The school plans to put English Literature back to the formal curriculum in the coming academic year. Naturally, parents asked why not make RS elective. The principal was not able to give a convincing answer. He knew little about the curriculum. Neither did John. The principal could only reiterate the official position of the Church, that the School Sponsoring Body has the duty and the right to make RS compulsory. But here lies the chink of her armour. The school has allowed the science students to choose between RS and Computer! She is now suffering from this bad decision, inviting more demands for choices between RS and English Literature, RS and Economics etc. Indeed, had the principal known the syllabus better, he would have made use of the pornographic pictures of artists on the Internet to explain that RS would be the best candidate to deal with this issue in the classroom. This issue covers at least 6 topics in the RS syllabus. What is more, these topics would be the hottest ones to appear in the next examination paper! OK, Mr. Kwok, why didn't you attend that meeting to persuade the parents? May I decline to answer?
My Advocate, guide me and channel my energy to wherever You will. I am not a good enough defender of RS. I am only a teacher, a not so useful servant of Yours. Have mercy on my students and enkindle their interest in this subject. Our Lady, I don't have enough wine. You see our poverty. Ask your Son to satisfy our needs. Amen.
RS is an examination subject. These days, not many diocesan schools offer it. Lucky me, I have never stopped teaching it in my career and I tell myself if, one day, the school did not offer this examination subject, it would be high time I left. I have no reasonable defence for my position. Why does the Church operate schools? Its aim must be the Christian formation of young people. Equipping young people for their future is already a noble enough aim. But Catholic schools can never rid themselves of their responsibility to bring young people near to Christ. Granted this, why take public examination? Isn't Ethics and Religious Education good enough? I agree. Given the different situation each Catholic school is in, it is up to each of them to decide. Say, they may not have Catholic teachers confident enough to take up the challenge. They can only opt out. But I would say that RS has its effective advantages in Christian formation. As an examination subject, RS is more effective in sinking the Christian values deeper into the hearts of these young people. This is my conviction and here is a donkey stubborn enough to take up the challenge. Period.
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain";
whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:13-14).
Therefore, Mr. Kwok, don't be so confident in your plans. See? Mr. Ng has left you so suddenly. Rather, seek the will of your God.
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that." (James 4:15)
Thank you, James, for reminding me of my arrogance. I should be more open minded.
Last Sunday, Shung Tak held an S3 parents meeting to explain the S4 curriculum to be offered next September. The school plans to put English Literature back to the formal curriculum in the coming academic year. Naturally, parents asked why not make RS elective. The principal was not able to give a convincing answer. He knew little about the curriculum. Neither did John. The principal could only reiterate the official position of the Church, that the School Sponsoring Body has the duty and the right to make RS compulsory. But here lies the chink of her armour. The school has allowed the science students to choose between RS and Computer! She is now suffering from this bad decision, inviting more demands for choices between RS and English Literature, RS and Economics etc. Indeed, had the principal known the syllabus better, he would have made use of the pornographic pictures of artists on the Internet to explain that RS would be the best candidate to deal with this issue in the classroom. This issue covers at least 6 topics in the RS syllabus. What is more, these topics would be the hottest ones to appear in the next examination paper! OK, Mr. Kwok, why didn't you attend that meeting to persuade the parents? May I decline to answer?
My Advocate, guide me and channel my energy to wherever You will. I am not a good enough defender of RS. I am only a teacher, a not so useful servant of Yours. Have mercy on my students and enkindle their interest in this subject. Our Lady, I don't have enough wine. You see our poverty. Ask your Son to satisfy our needs. Amen.
Tuesday 20 May 2008
James the angry man
In a story, some characters are flat. Their traits are consistent and predictable. Some characters are round. They possess a variety of potentially conflicting traits (Forster 1927, Aspects of the Novel). Though the Epistle of James is not a story, it shows a round James. He was humble and called the believers brethren. But at times, he was so angry and disappointed with them that he literally yelled at them.
Early in his Epistle, James advised the community.
Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,
for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).
He kept his words and patiently discussed various issues arising in the community. The discrimination against the poor members in the community concerns him. The rich did not show charity towards the poor. They entertained the illusion that faith alone would justify them. James would not hold on to his patience any more. He scolded them "You shallow man" (James 2:20). Faith without charity is a dead faith.
Then, there were church members eager to be teachers. In telling others what to do, these teachers satisfied their own ego rather than edifying the weaker members. Mencius felt the same sting. He said 「人之患，在好為人師」【離婁上‧23章】Their tongues were the very source of disorders and disputes. Consequently, they waged wars against each other. James was angered by these in-fighting. He yelled at them, calling them "unfaithful creatures" (James 4:4) and "you sinners, you men of double mind" (James 4:8) and "double-minded man will not receive wisdom from the Lord" (James 1:7-8). James is not a one-dimensional character. He is humble and righteous at the same time. He cares a lot about the community he is writing to.
Why do church members fight against each other? Here is his analysis.
You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (James 4:2-3).
How often we ask wrongly in our prayers. That is why we receive not what we ask for. Even when we ask, not for selfish purposes, but for the good of the others, our prayers might still not be answered. We must learn to seek God's will.
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.
Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection.
Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you (James 4:8-10).
Here, we hear echoes of the Beatitudes. But it is no good to be hearers only because hearing will only produce illusion if we do not put the truth into practice. For James said,
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).
Therefore, cleanse your hands, i.e. repent and kick the old habits; purify your heart, i.e. stay focused on the Kingdom of God, rather than earthly ambitions. Only then shall we travel upon the right path.
My Advocate, I have a lot to learn from James. Open my eyes to see more clearly his example. Stir up my enthusiasm to follow his examples. Enable me to discern the will of God. Our Lady, your humility is always my guidance. fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Amen.
p.s. I dropped and smashed the porcelain teacup Mr. Chan Yue Ham, my ex-colleague in La Salle, gave me after finishing the above blog entry at 11:20 p.m. I have been using it every evening since I left La Salle, remembering Mr. Chan's kindness to me. I pray that this is not a bad omen. Amen.
Early in his Epistle, James advised the community.
Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,
for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).
He kept his words and patiently discussed various issues arising in the community. The discrimination against the poor members in the community concerns him. The rich did not show charity towards the poor. They entertained the illusion that faith alone would justify them. James would not hold on to his patience any more. He scolded them "You shallow man" (James 2:20). Faith without charity is a dead faith.
Then, there were church members eager to be teachers. In telling others what to do, these teachers satisfied their own ego rather than edifying the weaker members. Mencius felt the same sting. He said 「人之患，在好為人師」【離婁上‧23章】Their tongues were the very source of disorders and disputes. Consequently, they waged wars against each other. James was angered by these in-fighting. He yelled at them, calling them "unfaithful creatures" (James 4:4) and "you sinners, you men of double mind" (James 4:8) and "double-minded man will not receive wisdom from the Lord" (James 1:7-8). James is not a one-dimensional character. He is humble and righteous at the same time. He cares a lot about the community he is writing to.
Why do church members fight against each other? Here is his analysis.
You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (James 4:2-3).
How often we ask wrongly in our prayers. That is why we receive not what we ask for. Even when we ask, not for selfish purposes, but for the good of the others, our prayers might still not be answered. We must learn to seek God's will.
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.
Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection.
Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you (James 4:8-10).
Here, we hear echoes of the Beatitudes. But it is no good to be hearers only because hearing will only produce illusion if we do not put the truth into practice. For James said,
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).
Therefore, cleanse your hands, i.e. repent and kick the old habits; purify your heart, i.e. stay focused on the Kingdom of God, rather than earthly ambitions. Only then shall we travel upon the right path.
My Advocate, I have a lot to learn from James. Open my eyes to see more clearly his example. Stir up my enthusiasm to follow his examples. Enable me to discern the will of God. Our Lady, your humility is always my guidance. fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Amen.
p.s. I dropped and smashed the porcelain teacup Mr. Chan Yue Ham, my ex-colleague in La Salle, gave me after finishing the above blog entry at 11:20 p.m. I have been using it every evening since I left La Salle, remembering Mr. Chan's kindness to me. I pray that this is not a bad omen. Amen.
Monday 19 May 2008
James, the naive?
Daily living is very complex. Its challenges create anxiety in our psychology. Therefore, each man will construct a different worldview to deal with the daily life he leads. Human beings actively construct a mental world to represent the outside world. These representations can only be incomplete but so long as they are usable, human beings will keep on using them. Of course, more hardworking human beings will adjust them to newer experiences. Others will stick to them until the day they die.
James was really a simple man. His worldview was naive. Listen to him:
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh (James 3:11-12).
Probably he had never met people who were able to flatter, to please their supervisors and oppress their subordinates at the same time. These people abuse and enjoy the authority delegated to them, betraying their supervisors and preying on their subordinates. They pour forth fresh water to their supervisors and salt water to their subordinates. Dear James, I am sure you must have met them. Then, why do you appear to be so naive? Probably, you had made your world more bearable. Or have I missed something?
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice (James 3:16).
Surely, you had seen those ambitious middle managers and you knew very well the havoc they were able to wreak. Yet, you preferred to see the world in a simpler light. That probably explains why you put yourself on equal footing with the recipients of your Epistle. You called them your brethren instead of your underlings. I admire your confidence in man. You were able to see the image and likeness of God in them. I have to admit that I am rather pessimistic. I am too demanding on my students.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom (James 3:13).
I don't understand. I don't know what you mean by "meekness of wisdom"? Can wisdom be meek? Do you mean true wisdom is not imposing, allowing man the choice to accept it or reject it? Then being a teacher is detrimental to my soul. We easily entertain the mentality of "I am always right and you are wrong". How arrogant!
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17).
I sincerely care for the well being of my students. Probably, what I lack is meekness and mercy. I am not wise.
My Advocate, grant me the nine fruits of Yours: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May I be more patient with my Shung Tak students.
Our Lady, you suffered patiently under your son's cross. You have set us a good model to follow. Blessed be the humble and those who fear the Lord forever and ever. Amen.
James was really a simple man. His worldview was naive. Listen to him:
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh (James 3:11-12).
Probably he had never met people who were able to flatter, to please their supervisors and oppress their subordinates at the same time. These people abuse and enjoy the authority delegated to them, betraying their supervisors and preying on their subordinates. They pour forth fresh water to their supervisors and salt water to their subordinates. Dear James, I am sure you must have met them. Then, why do you appear to be so naive? Probably, you had made your world more bearable. Or have I missed something?
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice (James 3:16).
Surely, you had seen those ambitious middle managers and you knew very well the havoc they were able to wreak. Yet, you preferred to see the world in a simpler light. That probably explains why you put yourself on equal footing with the recipients of your Epistle. You called them your brethren instead of your underlings. I admire your confidence in man. You were able to see the image and likeness of God in them. I have to admit that I am rather pessimistic. I am too demanding on my students.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom (James 3:13).
I don't understand. I don't know what you mean by "meekness of wisdom"? Can wisdom be meek? Do you mean true wisdom is not imposing, allowing man the choice to accept it or reject it? Then being a teacher is detrimental to my soul. We easily entertain the mentality of "I am always right and you are wrong". How arrogant!
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17).
I sincerely care for the well being of my students. Probably, what I lack is meekness and mercy. I am not wise.
My Advocate, grant me the nine fruits of Yours: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May I be more patient with my Shung Tak students.
Our Lady, you suffered patiently under your son's cross. You have set us a good model to follow. Blessed be the humble and those who fear the Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Sunday 18 May 2008
The Blessed Trinity
The Jewish God is one. The Christian God is also one. Jews admit nobody beside God. Therefore, for the Jews, Christians are heretics. It appears to the Jews that Christians confess more than one God. They rename the One True Lord (Yahweh) to the Father who was responsible for creating the world. They elevate the carpenter (Jesus) to the Son who was responsible for redeeming the world. They give a personality to the power of Yahweh and worship it as the Holy Spirit.
Muslims don't have any doctrinal problems. For them, Allah is one. Jesus is not the Son of Allah. He was just one of the many prophets of Allah, like Abraham, Moses, David and Muhammad etc. Only Christians have problems because they believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is fully God and at the same time, fully man! This doctrine posed a lot of challenges to the Church Fathers in the first few centuries. The matter has been settled and Christians believe in One God who leads a communal life. He reveals to Christians that there are 3 persons in God: the Father who created the universe, the Son who redeemed the sinful world and the Holy Spirit who sustains and animates the Church till the end of time. The three persons share the same nature of God. They are equal in power and glory though to us finite human, there appears to be differences among them. This is the Blessed Trinity.
Intellectually, it is no longer difficult to imagine the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity. In 1884, Edwin Abbott wrote a novella called Flatland: A Romance in Many Dimensions, to help his students understand the concept of dimensions.
Imagine the world of two dimensions, e.g. Teachers usually put a sheet of glass over their desks. Under the glass, we put time-tables, photos, school calendar and circulars etc. This is an example of a 2-D world. The inhabitants of this Flatland are 2-D geometric figures of all sorts: triangles, squares, pentagons, octagons and circles etc.
Further imagine a sphere, which is an inhabitant in the 3-D world. Now it passes through the Flatland. What would the Flatlanders see? Out of nowhere, a point suddenly appears. It grows into a bigger and bigger circle. Then it shrinks and vanishes at a point. No big deal.
Now, imagine a ring passing through the Flatland. A point suddenly appears. It grows into an elongated ellipse. Then it breaks into 2 circles which fly away from each other for some time. Then the 2 circles approach each other again, merge into an ellipse which contracts and vanishes at a point. The ring is one. Yet, for the Flatlanders, there are two 'persons' in one ring: the Binity.
Now, imagine myself sinking my elbow into the Flatland. Sometime before it vanishes, there are five 'persons' (my thumb and 4 fat fingers) in this one arm: the Pentanity. Therefore, we should not be surprised to know that there are 3 persons in one Christian God. Compared with my arm, God is already very humble indeed! Of course, mine is just a personal hypothesis. The underlying assumption is that God is a high-dimensional Being and we human beings are just 3-dimensional ones. (Three and not four because we have no freedom in the time-dimension.) Now, it is no longer difficult to talk about the eternal, all-knowing and almighty God and the miracles recorded in the Bible.
What about the problem of innocent sufferings? Today, we are celebrating the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity amid the sorrows and aftermath of Sichuan earthquake. Last night, the celebrities in Hong Kong raised 210 millions in one charity show for earthquake relief! Do you intend to argue that these innocent sufferings bring out human good?
Not quite. This earthquake indeed brings out the best and the worst of humanity. There are casualties, corruption, sensationalism as well as heroism and generosity. There is one certainty in my conviction. No matter what, this disaster is also a moment of grace.
God allows disasters to happen. He does not will it. He allows nature to run its course. Yet, He Himself suffers with us. Jesus' passion speaks loud and clear that God loves us and is willing to die with us. Whether you accept it or not, it is your business, not mine. Period.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).
My Advocate, I burst into tears while singing "The Church's One Foundation" in Mass today. I thank You for this unspeakable emotion You stir up in me. May this precious emotion carry me through until the day I return home. Our Lady of Sorrows, cry with me. Amen.
Muslims don't have any doctrinal problems. For them, Allah is one. Jesus is not the Son of Allah. He was just one of the many prophets of Allah, like Abraham, Moses, David and Muhammad etc. Only Christians have problems because they believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is fully God and at the same time, fully man! This doctrine posed a lot of challenges to the Church Fathers in the first few centuries. The matter has been settled and Christians believe in One God who leads a communal life. He reveals to Christians that there are 3 persons in God: the Father who created the universe, the Son who redeemed the sinful world and the Holy Spirit who sustains and animates the Church till the end of time. The three persons share the same nature of God. They are equal in power and glory though to us finite human, there appears to be differences among them. This is the Blessed Trinity.
Intellectually, it is no longer difficult to imagine the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity. In 1884, Edwin Abbott wrote a novella called Flatland: A Romance in Many Dimensions, to help his students understand the concept of dimensions.
Imagine the world of two dimensions, e.g. Teachers usually put a sheet of glass over their desks. Under the glass, we put time-tables, photos, school calendar and circulars etc. This is an example of a 2-D world. The inhabitants of this Flatland are 2-D geometric figures of all sorts: triangles, squares, pentagons, octagons and circles etc.
Further imagine a sphere, which is an inhabitant in the 3-D world. Now it passes through the Flatland. What would the Flatlanders see? Out of nowhere, a point suddenly appears. It grows into a bigger and bigger circle. Then it shrinks and vanishes at a point. No big deal.
Now, imagine a ring passing through the Flatland. A point suddenly appears. It grows into an elongated ellipse. Then it breaks into 2 circles which fly away from each other for some time. Then the 2 circles approach each other again, merge into an ellipse which contracts and vanishes at a point. The ring is one. Yet, for the Flatlanders, there are two 'persons' in one ring: the Binity.
Now, imagine myself sinking my elbow into the Flatland. Sometime before it vanishes, there are five 'persons' (my thumb and 4 fat fingers) in this one arm: the Pentanity. Therefore, we should not be surprised to know that there are 3 persons in one Christian God. Compared with my arm, God is already very humble indeed! Of course, mine is just a personal hypothesis. The underlying assumption is that God is a high-dimensional Being and we human beings are just 3-dimensional ones. (Three and not four because we have no freedom in the time-dimension.) Now, it is no longer difficult to talk about the eternal, all-knowing and almighty God and the miracles recorded in the Bible.
What about the problem of innocent sufferings? Today, we are celebrating the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity amid the sorrows and aftermath of Sichuan earthquake. Last night, the celebrities in Hong Kong raised 210 millions in one charity show for earthquake relief! Do you intend to argue that these innocent sufferings bring out human good?
Not quite. This earthquake indeed brings out the best and the worst of humanity. There are casualties, corruption, sensationalism as well as heroism and generosity. There is one certainty in my conviction. No matter what, this disaster is also a moment of grace.
God allows disasters to happen. He does not will it. He allows nature to run its course. Yet, He Himself suffers with us. Jesus' passion speaks loud and clear that God loves us and is willing to die with us. Whether you accept it or not, it is your business, not mine. Period.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).
My Advocate, I burst into tears while singing "The Church's One Foundation" in Mass today. I thank You for this unspeakable emotion You stir up in me. May this precious emotion carry me through until the day I return home. Our Lady of Sorrows, cry with me. Amen.
Saturday 17 May 2008
Tame our tongues
Tradition has James, the brother of the Lord, wrote this Catholic epistle. True to his title, he addressed the readers of his epistle "my beloved brethren ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοί" (James 1:16). The epistles written by Peter and Jude called the readers "beloved", those of John "my little children Τεκνία μου" (1 John 2:1). John must have written those epistles late in his life. Anyway, James' tone is unassuming, treating his readers his equals. His words are wise and comfortable to read. Today, James deals with our tongues. Had I read it earlier, I would not have made a regrettable mistake in dealing with Eddie. I hope I will not make similar stupid mistakes anymore.
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1).
Woe to me. I make my living as a teacher and have committed myself to be judged with greater strictness. No Mark Six. No AV. No, no, no! These are minor things. Rather, tame my tongue! This little rascal brings me a lot of regrets.
For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also (James 3:2).
James is very considerate. He does not put himself above all. "We" all make many mistakes. Yet, he sets before us the target of perfection: Make no mistakes in what we say. Then he proceeds to compare our tongues with the bits in the mouths of horses and rudders of ships. If we are able to bridle the tongue, we have full mastery over our body.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. (James 3:5b-6)
but no human being can tame the tongue -- a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so (James 3:8-10).
Indeed, the tongue has no heart of its own. Rather, it is our heart that we should tame. Make our mind sincere, then we will be able to steer our heart to the right direction 誠意、正心. Unfortunately, in our daily life, we often poison our hearts with anger, bitterness, complacency, greed, jealousy, lust and pride, to name just a few. We need a better ecology to nourish our hearts. It is really a life-long battle to fight.
Coincidentally, Confucius also touched upon the issue of the tongue. While James focused on gossiping, Confucius focused more on public administration. It is a long passage and worth quoting in full.
定公問一言而可以興邦，有諸？
孔子對曰：言不可以若是其幾也。人之言曰，「為君難，為臣不易。」如知為君之難也，不幾乎一言而興邦乎？
曰：一言而喪邦，有諸？
孔子對曰：言不可以若是其幾也。人之言曰，「予無樂乎為君，唯其言而莫予違也。」如其善而莫之違也，不亦善乎？如不善而莫之違也，不幾乎一言而喪邦乎？【論語‧子路】
Of course, the above context applies to rulers of a country. If the rulers pay attention to a word of wisdom, appreciating the complexity of ruling a country, that word of wisdom will surely render the country prosperous. If the rulers only adhere to some ideologies, ignoring people's plights that glare at their eyes, those ideologies will surely ruin the country.
Now, does it apply to our life in the society, in our family and ourselves? I think it does. Our words can be edifying. They can also be self-annihilating. Therefore, let us speak more edifying words to build up more gratifying relationships, a more harmonious society.
My Advocate, You read our hearts. Burn away the vices in our heart and cool its sores. Let praises and blessings flow naturally out from our tongues.
Our Lady, you seldom speak but keep all things and ponder over them in your immaculate heart. Help your children in this wailing valley to follow your model and tame their hearts and tongue. Amen.
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1).
Woe to me. I make my living as a teacher and have committed myself to be judged with greater strictness. No Mark Six. No AV. No, no, no! These are minor things. Rather, tame my tongue! This little rascal brings me a lot of regrets.
For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also (James 3:2).
James is very considerate. He does not put himself above all. "We" all make many mistakes. Yet, he sets before us the target of perfection: Make no mistakes in what we say. Then he proceeds to compare our tongues with the bits in the mouths of horses and rudders of ships. If we are able to bridle the tongue, we have full mastery over our body.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. (James 3:5b-6)
but no human being can tame the tongue -- a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so (James 3:8-10).
Indeed, the tongue has no heart of its own. Rather, it is our heart that we should tame. Make our mind sincere, then we will be able to steer our heart to the right direction 誠意、正心. Unfortunately, in our daily life, we often poison our hearts with anger, bitterness, complacency, greed, jealousy, lust and pride, to name just a few. We need a better ecology to nourish our hearts. It is really a life-long battle to fight.
Coincidentally, Confucius also touched upon the issue of the tongue. While James focused on gossiping, Confucius focused more on public administration. It is a long passage and worth quoting in full.
定公問一言而可以興邦，有諸？
孔子對曰：言不可以若是其幾也。人之言曰，「為君難，為臣不易。」如知為君之難也，不幾乎一言而興邦乎？
曰：一言而喪邦，有諸？
孔子對曰：言不可以若是其幾也。人之言曰，「予無樂乎為君，唯其言而莫予違也。」如其善而莫之違也，不亦善乎？如不善而莫之違也，不幾乎一言而喪邦乎？【論語‧子路】
Of course, the above context applies to rulers of a country. If the rulers pay attention to a word of wisdom, appreciating the complexity of ruling a country, that word of wisdom will surely render the country prosperous. If the rulers only adhere to some ideologies, ignoring people's plights that glare at their eyes, those ideologies will surely ruin the country.
Now, does it apply to our life in the society, in our family and ourselves? I think it does. Our words can be edifying. They can also be self-annihilating. Therefore, let us speak more edifying words to build up more gratifying relationships, a more harmonious society.
My Advocate, You read our hearts. Burn away the vices in our heart and cool its sores. Let praises and blessings flow naturally out from our tongues.
Our Lady, you seldom speak but keep all things and ponder over them in your immaculate heart. Help your children in this wailing valley to follow your model and tame their hearts and tongue. Amen.
Friday 16 May 2008
Dead faith and living charity
Religions consist of beliefs and rites. Believers believe in a future, an afterlife. This afterlife is the target of their present life. Believers live up to their beliefs, putting them into practice. Christians are no exceptions. Being followers of Christ, they follow the examples and teachings preached by Jesus. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God which is both in the present life and the after. Therefore, leading an earthly life, Christians are gradually admitted into the Kingdom of God. Problems arise when Christians think that they are able to earn the Kingdom of God through their good works. They are mistaken when they think that performing rituals and charity is sufficient to gain entry into heaven.
It was at this point that Martin Luther appeared on the stage. He re-introduced the importance of faith through which man is justified. Picking up a section of the Bible, viz. the epistles of St. Paul, he explained that it was not works, but faith that justified a man. He also brought in an essential element for salvation not found in man. It was grace. Grace comes from God alone. Grace denies the merits of man. By these, Luther corrected the extremes of gaining salvation through good works. Yet, this is only part of the teaching of the Bible, not the complete whole. His teaching needs to be balanced by James.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? (James 2:13-14)
Without mercy, without charity, a man will not pass God's judgment. That is, he will not be justified before God.
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith (James 2:17-18).
Faith is intangible. It must be substantiated by works. Even Jesus had to cure the paralyzed man in order to show that he had effectively forgiven his sins. Forgiving sins is intangible. Jesus must substantiate the act of forgiving with the cure.
You see that faith was active along with his (Abraham's) works, and faith was completed by works (James 2:22).
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead (James 2:26).
Here, James seemed to have turned the table around. Faith is the body and works is the spirit!
But can I paraphrase it this way?
For as the spirit apart from the body is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.No! Because all along, people believe that the spirit survives the death of the body. Therefore, you can have a dead faith. But charity will survive.
My Advocate, You are the Spirit of truth and of love. Strengthen me to animate my faith with charity. I love my students. Help me to love more.
Our Lady, may your motherly love nourish me to love Your Son forever more. Amen.
It was at this point that Martin Luther appeared on the stage. He re-introduced the importance of faith through which man is justified. Picking up a section of the Bible, viz. the epistles of St. Paul, he explained that it was not works, but faith that justified a man. He also brought in an essential element for salvation not found in man. It was grace. Grace comes from God alone. Grace denies the merits of man. By these, Luther corrected the extremes of gaining salvation through good works. Yet, this is only part of the teaching of the Bible, not the complete whole. His teaching needs to be balanced by James.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? (James 2:13-14)
Without mercy, without charity, a man will not pass God's judgment. That is, he will not be justified before God.
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith (James 2:17-18).
Faith is intangible. It must be substantiated by works. Even Jesus had to cure the paralyzed man in order to show that he had effectively forgiven his sins. Forgiving sins is intangible. Jesus must substantiate the act of forgiving with the cure.
You see that faith was active along with his (Abraham's) works, and faith was completed by works (James 2:22).
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead (James 2:26).
Here, James seemed to have turned the table around. Faith is the body and works is the spirit!
But can I paraphrase it this way?
For as the spirit apart from the body is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.No! Because all along, people believe that the spirit survives the death of the body. Therefore, you can have a dead faith. But charity will survive.
My Advocate, You are the Spirit of truth and of love. Strengthen me to animate my faith with charity. I love my students. Help me to love more.
Our Lady, may your motherly love nourish me to love Your Son forever more. Amen.
Thursday 15 May 2008
Practical advice from James
James gave lots of practical advice in his epistle. These exhortations are timeless advice applicable to any generation. For example:
Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19)
How often have we answered without listening carefully first? How often have we spoken carelessly, only to regret later? How often have we expressed our own opinions uninvited? How often have we flared up our anger to hide the inadequacy of our arguments? How often?
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).
How often we live in self-deception! We are delighted to hear the truth, but we are not very eager to put it into practice because the truth is often very inconvenient to us. For example, when we discover it is our fault to mess things up, very often, we put the blame on others. Not me! Not me! You have been unkind and unfair to me! With such an attitude, how can we hope that you are an honest man?
If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:26-27).
Very often, we gossip, we boast of ourselves instead of doing charity. Talking nonsense is such an easy and enjoyable pastime. Visiting orphans and widows is too troublesome.
Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)
Blessed are the poor for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Do we Christians truly believe in this piece of Beatitude?
Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court?
Is it not they who blaspheme that honorable name which was invoked over you? (James 2:6b-7)
and yet, many of us are no different from worldly people. Somehow, we too are attracted to rich and powerful people, waiting for chances to offer them favours they don't really need nor appreciate. In the end, we become bitter because we are ignored.
My Advocate, enrich our hearts so that we may live comfortably in poverty. Open our mouths so that we may sing praises to You instead of trumpeting our incompetence. May we generously extend a helping hand whenever needs arise.
Our Lady, let us learn to be humble and pure in heart, like you. Amen.
Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19)
How often have we answered without listening carefully first? How often have we spoken carelessly, only to regret later? How often have we expressed our own opinions uninvited? How often have we flared up our anger to hide the inadequacy of our arguments? How often?
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).
How often we live in self-deception! We are delighted to hear the truth, but we are not very eager to put it into practice because the truth is often very inconvenient to us. For example, when we discover it is our fault to mess things up, very often, we put the blame on others. Not me! Not me! You have been unkind and unfair to me! With such an attitude, how can we hope that you are an honest man?
If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:26-27).
Very often, we gossip, we boast of ourselves instead of doing charity. Talking nonsense is such an easy and enjoyable pastime. Visiting orphans and widows is too troublesome.
Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)
Blessed are the poor for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Do we Christians truly believe in this piece of Beatitude?
Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court?
Is it not they who blaspheme that honorable name which was invoked over you? (James 2:6b-7)
and yet, many of us are no different from worldly people. Somehow, we too are attracted to rich and powerful people, waiting for chances to offer them favours they don't really need nor appreciate. In the end, we become bitter because we are ignored.
My Advocate, enrich our hearts so that we may live comfortably in poverty. Open our mouths so that we may sing praises to You instead of trumpeting our incompetence. May we generously extend a helping hand whenever needs arise.
Our Lady, let us learn to be humble and pure in heart, like you. Amen.
Wednesday 14 May 2008
Feast of St. Matthias
The Acts of the Apostles leaves us a record of the process in which a successor was chosen to fill up the vacancy left by Judas. The first believers were mostly Jews. They saw themselves the successors to the Old Covenant. They were the New Israel. Therefore, it was natural for them to keep the number Twelve intact. Jesus had chosen the Twelve. Now that Judas had committed suicide, his vacancy had to be filled up. There had to be twelve new Patriarchs to lead the 12 tribes of the New Israel. With the expansion of the Church to include more Samaritans and Gentiles, twelve apostles were obviously not enough. Therefore, more people became apostles (Acts 13).
The primacy of Peter had long been established even during Jesus' life time. It was he who raised the issue of finding a successor to the 120 believers Jesus had gathered after his resurrection (Acts 1:15). Peter then defined the criteria for such a candidate (Acts 1:21). Out of the 120, there were 2 qualified candidates. They were Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23). After saying a prayer, they cast lots and Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:24-26). According to Jewish customs, casting lots was a legitimate way to seek God's will. The early church did not vote, but cast lots to decide whom to fill up the post. This was a smart move, avoiding a fatal schism when solidarity was most crucial for the survival of this tiny group of followers. Nowadays, Popes are elected through voting among the cardinals gathered inside the Sistine Chapel. I have no idea why casting lots is no longer in use.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you (John 15:16).
This is true, not only for Matthias but also for all of us. Jesus chooses us to be his followers. It is our honour. Like Matthias, we might not have been chosen in the first place. Nevertheless, we have been chosen now. So, let us lead a life compatible with this call, loving each other just as Christ has loved us and died for us.
My Advocate, without Your help, we are not able to confess Jesus our Lord. Guide us when we lose our way. Strengthen us when we are weary.
Our Lady, be our Perpetual Help. Amen.
The primacy of Peter had long been established even during Jesus' life time. It was he who raised the issue of finding a successor to the 120 believers Jesus had gathered after his resurrection (Acts 1:15). Peter then defined the criteria for such a candidate (Acts 1:21). Out of the 120, there were 2 qualified candidates. They were Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23). After saying a prayer, they cast lots and Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:24-26). According to Jewish customs, casting lots was a legitimate way to seek God's will. The early church did not vote, but cast lots to decide whom to fill up the post. This was a smart move, avoiding a fatal schism when solidarity was most crucial for the survival of this tiny group of followers. Nowadays, Popes are elected through voting among the cardinals gathered inside the Sistine Chapel. I have no idea why casting lots is no longer in use.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you (John 15:16).
This is true, not only for Matthias but also for all of us. Jesus chooses us to be his followers. It is our honour. Like Matthias, we might not have been chosen in the first place. Nevertheless, we have been chosen now. So, let us lead a life compatible with this call, loving each other just as Christ has loved us and died for us.
My Advocate, without Your help, we are not able to confess Jesus our Lord. Guide us when we lose our way. Strengthen us when we are weary.
Our Lady, be our Perpetual Help. Amen.
Tuesday 13 May 2008
Help the disaster victims
Our God, the God of Christ or the Christian God is an elusive God. He respects human freedom and in order not to force us to believe in Him and to love Him, God is rather elusive. His presence is not very obvious. We need to apply our faith as well as our reasons to know God.
Theologians are experts who seek an understanding of faith in rational terms. They say that God is all-loving and almighty. Immediately, this claim encounters difficulties. Ancient Greek philosophers had reasoned that the two concepts, viz. all-loving and almighty, did not work well together. If God is all-loving, why does He allow sufferings on earth? If God is almighty, why does He not stop sufferings on earth? Either He is not almighty or He is almighty but not all-loving. The existence of sufferings on earth is an embarrassment to the God of the theologians.
For ordinary sufferings in our daily life, we can point our fingers to the evil hearts of our neighbours. They are ambitious and they are greedy. They are jealous and they are lazy ... Consequently, someone has to bear the outcomes and we Christians are generous people. Naturally, we suffer more than the others. God is acquitted of these kind of sufferings. But what about natural disasters, the typhoon that devastated Myanmar and the earthquake that rocked Sichuan? Hundreds of thousands of innocent lives are lost. Christians, where was your God when these disasters struck? Unfortunately, the Christian God is very elusive. His line is currently very busy. Leave a message of your curiosity. He will definitely find time to call you back. In the meantime, donate money to help the disaster victims.
It is difficult to defend God's position. We can only stand in awe before these elements of the nature. What is man, but an arrogant ape currently occupying the apex of the evolutionary ladder. They butcher each other in millions. Such atrocities dwarf the devastation of natural disasters. Yet, an all-loving and almighty God is not supposed to take any innocent life. Why didn't He create a better world without killer typhoons and earthquakes? I have no ready defence. It is a mystery which I am not capable of fathoming.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures (James 1:18).
St. Paul also mentions 'first fruits' in 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23. He refers to Christ. His resurrection makes him the first fruits of the dead. He is our guarantee of eternal life. St. Paul also mentions us as the 'first fruits' in Romans 8:23 in relation to the whole creation. Both James and Paul saw us as the first fruits of the salvation of the whole creation.
In the beginning when God created the whole universe, He saw that it was good. Somewhere along the line, it became flawed. Man pollutes the environment. The environment fights back. But this is only a very recent episode in the long history of evolution. Long before man polluted the environment, man had suffered from the elements. Therefore, we should not put the blame on pollution. Rather, we are but tiny, insignificant but numerous creatures on this planet which has a life of its own. When it sneezes and cough, millions of men perish. It is just natural. But our existence on this planet must somehow be essential to the well-being of this planet. That is why both James and Paul called us the 'first fruits' of creation which awaits salvation, a return and reconciliation to the Creator.
My Advocate, I pray for the victims and their relatives in these disasters. May they and their countries recover soon. May we learn from these painful experiences our proper position in the creation. I firmly believe that when disasters strike, it is also a time of abundant grace.
Our Lady, see how your children suffer. Console them, comfort them. Amen.
Theologians are experts who seek an understanding of faith in rational terms. They say that God is all-loving and almighty. Immediately, this claim encounters difficulties. Ancient Greek philosophers had reasoned that the two concepts, viz. all-loving and almighty, did not work well together. If God is all-loving, why does He allow sufferings on earth? If God is almighty, why does He not stop sufferings on earth? Either He is not almighty or He is almighty but not all-loving. The existence of sufferings on earth is an embarrassment to the God of the theologians.
For ordinary sufferings in our daily life, we can point our fingers to the evil hearts of our neighbours. They are ambitious and they are greedy. They are jealous and they are lazy ... Consequently, someone has to bear the outcomes and we Christians are generous people. Naturally, we suffer more than the others. God is acquitted of these kind of sufferings. But what about natural disasters, the typhoon that devastated Myanmar and the earthquake that rocked Sichuan? Hundreds of thousands of innocent lives are lost. Christians, where was your God when these disasters struck? Unfortunately, the Christian God is very elusive. His line is currently very busy. Leave a message of your curiosity. He will definitely find time to call you back. In the meantime, donate money to help the disaster victims.
It is difficult to defend God's position. We can only stand in awe before these elements of the nature. What is man, but an arrogant ape currently occupying the apex of the evolutionary ladder. They butcher each other in millions. Such atrocities dwarf the devastation of natural disasters. Yet, an all-loving and almighty God is not supposed to take any innocent life. Why didn't He create a better world without killer typhoons and earthquakes? I have no ready defence. It is a mystery which I am not capable of fathoming.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures (James 1:18).
St. Paul also mentions 'first fruits' in 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23. He refers to Christ. His resurrection makes him the first fruits of the dead. He is our guarantee of eternal life. St. Paul also mentions us as the 'first fruits' in Romans 8:23 in relation to the whole creation. Both James and Paul saw us as the first fruits of the salvation of the whole creation.
In the beginning when God created the whole universe, He saw that it was good. Somewhere along the line, it became flawed. Man pollutes the environment. The environment fights back. But this is only a very recent episode in the long history of evolution. Long before man polluted the environment, man had suffered from the elements. Therefore, we should not put the blame on pollution. Rather, we are but tiny, insignificant but numerous creatures on this planet which has a life of its own. When it sneezes and cough, millions of men perish. It is just natural. But our existence on this planet must somehow be essential to the well-being of this planet. That is why both James and Paul called us the 'first fruits' of creation which awaits salvation, a return and reconciliation to the Creator.
My Advocate, I pray for the victims and their relatives in these disasters. May they and their countries recover soon. May we learn from these painful experiences our proper position in the creation. I firmly believe that when disasters strike, it is also a time of abundant grace.
Our Lady, see how your children suffer. Console them, comfort them. Amen.
Monday 12 May 2008
Who wants to lose?
For me as a believer in God, it is difficult to imagine life without God. How can people deal with tragic events in life without God? Widows stay alive, probably because of their children who give them hope for a brighter future. Therefore, the woman who jumped to her death, carrying her 14-month baby with her, might have suffered from post-natal depression to such an extent that she saw no hope for any future. She literally denied herself and the baby a future. Modern couples don't want babies. They are unwilling to take up the burden of educating these children. I wonder what hope they cherish for their married life in the future. Don't we say that children are the future of our society? Life without any hope of a future is really hard for most people to lead.
Nor is life a bed of roses for the rich and powerful. I have never paid attention to Taiwan politics. Yet, the news of the sudden death of the Interior Minister-designate, Liao Feng te, left us bewildered, pondering over the absurdity of life. Whatever hope you hold for your future or the future of the country, death always comes at the most inconvenient moment! Therefore, putting our hope on our children does not enable us to fare any better. We can only echo with the author of Ecclesiastes,
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
Christianity is an expert in the field of handling sufferings. Christ suffered to set the tone for all Christians to follow. They see sufferings as trials, as the testing of faith and most important of all, they bear these sufferings with joy! Christianity really drives one crazy!
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3).
Sufferings, trials and the testing of faith involve failures of some sort, loss of a kind. We suffer because our health fails, our relationship fails and our business fails. We suffer because we lose loved ones, we lose confidence from others and we lose our hope. Sufferings, failures and losses are inevitable. But who wants to lose? Who doesn't want to win? Then, it seems to me that to be an authentic Christian, you are willing to lose, to fail and to be defeated and humiliated. Don't worry. We have God to vindicate us and to lift us up.
James seemed not to be friendly with the rich and powerful. He said,
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits (James 1:11).
I think here, the rich does not simply refer to those financially abundant. It may refer to those who have been successful and powerful so far. Sometimes, these successful people need to lose and to be defeated so as to recoup their resources and faith. There is wisdom in James' advice.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him (James 1:5).
Of course, for those who don't believe in the existence of God, or who feel that God probably exists but is irrelevant in their life, I have no idea how to persuade them to accept losses and defeats. Without God, only fools would lose. Without God, only the stupid and the weak would be defeated. Life follows the rules of the jungle. If you are being eliminated or fall prey to stronger rivals, think of yourself contributing to the continued survival of the mighty. You will feel better.
My Advocate, allow me to see hope in the future. In times of trials and tribulations, allow me to go through and grow up. I pray for my students so that their hopes keep burning in their hearts. Allow them to see what I see. Amen.
Nor is life a bed of roses for the rich and powerful. I have never paid attention to Taiwan politics. Yet, the news of the sudden death of the Interior Minister-designate, Liao Feng te, left us bewildered, pondering over the absurdity of life. Whatever hope you hold for your future or the future of the country, death always comes at the most inconvenient moment! Therefore, putting our hope on our children does not enable us to fare any better. We can only echo with the author of Ecclesiastes,
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
Christianity is an expert in the field of handling sufferings. Christ suffered to set the tone for all Christians to follow. They see sufferings as trials, as the testing of faith and most important of all, they bear these sufferings with joy! Christianity really drives one crazy!
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3).
Sufferings, trials and the testing of faith involve failures of some sort, loss of a kind. We suffer because our health fails, our relationship fails and our business fails. We suffer because we lose loved ones, we lose confidence from others and we lose our hope. Sufferings, failures and losses are inevitable. But who wants to lose? Who doesn't want to win? Then, it seems to me that to be an authentic Christian, you are willing to lose, to fail and to be defeated and humiliated. Don't worry. We have God to vindicate us and to lift us up.
James seemed not to be friendly with the rich and powerful. He said,
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits (James 1:11).
I think here, the rich does not simply refer to those financially abundant. It may refer to those who have been successful and powerful so far. Sometimes, these successful people need to lose and to be defeated so as to recoup their resources and faith. There is wisdom in James' advice.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him (James 1:5).
Of course, for those who don't believe in the existence of God, or who feel that God probably exists but is irrelevant in their life, I have no idea how to persuade them to accept losses and defeats. Without God, only fools would lose. Without God, only the stupid and the weak would be defeated. Life follows the rules of the jungle. If you are being eliminated or fall prey to stronger rivals, think of yourself contributing to the continued survival of the mighty. You will feel better.
My Advocate, allow me to see hope in the future. In times of trials and tribulations, allow me to go through and grow up. I pray for my students so that their hopes keep burning in their hearts. Allow them to see what I see. Amen.
Sunday 11 May 2008
Mother's Day & the Pentecost
This year, it was an astronomical event that brought the Mother's Day and the Pentecost together. In 2008, the Spring Equinox (or Vernal Equinox) falls on the 20th of March, a Thursday. Two days later, it is full moon. Therefore, the Easter of the Western churches falls on the 23rd of March, 2008.
Deacon Tsang talked about the reality of the Holy Spirit and touched on the Mother's Day as well. He mentioned something that aroused my curiosity. He said that the celebration of the Mother's Day was in fact an emphasis on the contribution of women to the society. For him, it was part of the Women's Right Movement. Then he quoted several significant events in the Church to show that the Catholic Church is not as conservative as most people think. She also has her part to contribute to the recognition of women's right.
The Independence of USA from British colonial rule in 1776 produced the Declaration of Independence, a document that enshrines basic human rights, especially the right to rebel against tyranny. In 1789, the French Revolution produced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. However, women and negroes were still denied the right to vote. Then began the Women's Rights Movement. In 1890, the National American Woman Suffrage Association was formally set up to fight for the voting right of women. In 1903, the National Women's Trade Union League was established to advocate for improved wages and working conditions for women. In 1914, USA declared the first national Mother's Day. Then other issues were raised such as birth control (1921). In broad strokes, I try to paint the background against which Deacon Tsang claimed the Church's contribution to Women's Right Movement.
Deacon Tsang quoted the following. In December 1854, the Catholic Church declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1858, Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in Lourdes. In 1917, she appeared again to 3 peasant children in Fatima. In November 1950, the Church declared the dogma of the Assumption of Our Lady. All these cases involve Our Lady whom the Catholic Church has a long history of devotion. Granted that the Catholic Church recognizes women's contribution to family life, she systematically bars women from holding offices in the hierarchy. I cannot find even the weakest link between the declared dogmas, the apparitions of Our Lady and women's rights. Sorry, Deacon Tsang.
In the gospel reading today, Jesus appeared to his disciples. He greeted them with peace.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:22-23)
When Simon confessed the Messiahship of Jesus, Jesus renamed him Peter, the Rock on which he would build his church. Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heavens and the authority to forgive or retain people's sins.
And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19).
Therefore, after his resurrection, Jesus extended this authority of forgiveness to all disciples, not exclusively to Peter. The Holy Spirit is the key. It empowers the forgivers as well as the forgiven. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to speak in different tongues to proclaim the good news of reconciliation with God to all men. In fact, the same Spirit empowers everyone with different gifts to serve the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Again, forgiveness is the key to unlock this empowerment. We cannot fully realize our potentials because of our human weaknesses. It is through forgiving each other, through reconciliation with God that these precious gifts of the Holy Spirit can be fully put into service. May we then reconcile with God and our fellow men.
My Advocate, may You be our sweet guest and reside in our hearts to warm them up. May You lift up our downtrodden heads to hope for our eternal life which You have prepared for us. Strengthen our feeble arms and legs to fight for the rights of the underprivileged. Amen.
Our Mother in Heaven, you are always around when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. Pray for us, your miserable children. In your loving motherly care, we entrust our life. Amen.
Deacon Tsang talked about the reality of the Holy Spirit and touched on the Mother's Day as well. He mentioned something that aroused my curiosity. He said that the celebration of the Mother's Day was in fact an emphasis on the contribution of women to the society. For him, it was part of the Women's Right Movement. Then he quoted several significant events in the Church to show that the Catholic Church is not as conservative as most people think. She also has her part to contribute to the recognition of women's right.
The Independence of USA from British colonial rule in 1776 produced the Declaration of Independence, a document that enshrines basic human rights, especially the right to rebel against tyranny. In 1789, the French Revolution produced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. However, women and negroes were still denied the right to vote. Then began the Women's Rights Movement. In 1890, the National American Woman Suffrage Association was formally set up to fight for the voting right of women. In 1903, the National Women's Trade Union League was established to advocate for improved wages and working conditions for women. In 1914, USA declared the first national Mother's Day. Then other issues were raised such as birth control (1921). In broad strokes, I try to paint the background against which Deacon Tsang claimed the Church's contribution to Women's Right Movement.
Deacon Tsang quoted the following. In December 1854, the Catholic Church declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1858, Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in Lourdes. In 1917, she appeared again to 3 peasant children in Fatima. In November 1950, the Church declared the dogma of the Assumption of Our Lady. All these cases involve Our Lady whom the Catholic Church has a long history of devotion. Granted that the Catholic Church recognizes women's contribution to family life, she systematically bars women from holding offices in the hierarchy. I cannot find even the weakest link between the declared dogmas, the apparitions of Our Lady and women's rights. Sorry, Deacon Tsang.
In the gospel reading today, Jesus appeared to his disciples. He greeted them with peace.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:22-23)
When Simon confessed the Messiahship of Jesus, Jesus renamed him Peter, the Rock on which he would build his church. Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heavens and the authority to forgive or retain people's sins.
And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19).
Therefore, after his resurrection, Jesus extended this authority of forgiveness to all disciples, not exclusively to Peter. The Holy Spirit is the key. It empowers the forgivers as well as the forgiven. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to speak in different tongues to proclaim the good news of reconciliation with God to all men. In fact, the same Spirit empowers everyone with different gifts to serve the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Again, forgiveness is the key to unlock this empowerment. We cannot fully realize our potentials because of our human weaknesses. It is through forgiving each other, through reconciliation with God that these precious gifts of the Holy Spirit can be fully put into service. May we then reconcile with God and our fellow men.
My Advocate, may You be our sweet guest and reside in our hearts to warm them up. May You lift up our downtrodden heads to hope for our eternal life which You have prepared for us. Strengthen our feeble arms and legs to fight for the rights of the underprivileged. Amen.
Our Mother in Heaven, you are always around when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. Pray for us, your miserable children. In your loving motherly care, we entrust our life. Amen.
Our Lady, Queen of China
In La Salle College, there are 5 Legion of Mary praesidia. Three of them are English and two Chinese. Each praesidium is named after one title of Our Lady. For example, the two Chinese praesidia are called, the House of Gold and Queen of China respectively. I feel blessed and privileged to have served the former for about seventeen years alongside the other LaSallian Brothers. Then, I was transferred to an English praesidium, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for two years before I threw all responsibilities of extra-curricular activities back to the school administration in protest for an injustice done to an alumnus teacher. One year later, I followed his footstep and left La Salle.
I feel blessed serving as the Spiritual Director of the praesidia because I have been nourished with Marian spirituality for so many years. I feel privileged to accompany the spiritual growth of these young, enthusiastic and heroic souls of La Salle boys. That is also the same reason I have been so infuriated for the imprisonment of Our Lady in Shung Tak. Of course, this is just a feeling and experience unique to myself. Others may not share the same degree of frustration. Therefore, I have kept it to myself for already four years.
In 1924, the First Synod of Chinese Bishops was held in Shanghai. The theme was to develop an authentic Chinese Catholic Church in China. All bishops present decided to dedicate China to the motherly care of Our Lady. In 1941, the Curia declared a Feast of Our Lady, Queen of China. Since 1973, the feast day has been fixed on the 2nd Saturday in May. Anyone truly faithful to Christ should also pay due respect to the Mother of Christ. There have been debates on whether the motherhood of Mary should be restricted to the humanity of Jesus only. But it would lead to a heresy because the divinity and humanity of Jesus are inseparable. Jesus, the incarnated Word of God is truly God and man. Therefore, Mary is also the Mother of God and not just the mother of man Jesus. Christianity can really drive one crazy!
Our Lady is not just the mother of Jesus. On the cross, he requested Mary to take care of all Christians in the future generations.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" (John 19:26)
No doubt, Mary would consent. She fulfilled her motherly duties humbly and quietly, keeping everything in her heart, as she always had been.
All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers (Acts 1:14).
When the Holy Spirit first broke into the world, it was upon Mary that It descended (Luke 1:35). She then gave birth to Jesus. When the Holy Spirit came again at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, it was during his baptism, confirming that Jesus is the Son of God (Luke 3:22).
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place (Acts 2:1).
Then the Holy Spirit descended, in the presence of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Once again, she gave birth to her children in Spirit, the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. If Christians believe that they form the Mystical Body of Christ who is her head, it follows naturally that Mary, the mother of Christ should also be the mother of this Mystical Body as well. That is what the Catholic Church means when she declares Mary to be the Mother of Church. The Church dedicates the month of May to Our Lady. It is probably no coincidence that the Mother's Day is celebrated in May.
My sweet Jesus, I thank You for Your generosity to bestow Your Mother to be our mother as well. She delivered You to this world. She is truly the first Christian. She has led an exemplary life for us to imitate. May her constant intercessions for us be answered. May she nurture us like You so that we may be authentic children of God. Amen.
Queen of China, pray for us. Amen.
I feel blessed serving as the Spiritual Director of the praesidia because I have been nourished with Marian spirituality for so many years. I feel privileged to accompany the spiritual growth of these young, enthusiastic and heroic souls of La Salle boys. That is also the same reason I have been so infuriated for the imprisonment of Our Lady in Shung Tak. Of course, this is just a feeling and experience unique to myself. Others may not share the same degree of frustration. Therefore, I have kept it to myself for already four years.
In 1924, the First Synod of Chinese Bishops was held in Shanghai. The theme was to develop an authentic Chinese Catholic Church in China. All bishops present decided to dedicate China to the motherly care of Our Lady. In 1941, the Curia declared a Feast of Our Lady, Queen of China. Since 1973, the feast day has been fixed on the 2nd Saturday in May. Anyone truly faithful to Christ should also pay due respect to the Mother of Christ. There have been debates on whether the motherhood of Mary should be restricted to the humanity of Jesus only. But it would lead to a heresy because the divinity and humanity of Jesus are inseparable. Jesus, the incarnated Word of God is truly God and man. Therefore, Mary is also the Mother of God and not just the mother of man Jesus. Christianity can really drive one crazy!
Our Lady is not just the mother of Jesus. On the cross, he requested Mary to take care of all Christians in the future generations.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" (John 19:26)
No doubt, Mary would consent. She fulfilled her motherly duties humbly and quietly, keeping everything in her heart, as she always had been.
All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers (Acts 1:14).
When the Holy Spirit first broke into the world, it was upon Mary that It descended (Luke 1:35). She then gave birth to Jesus. When the Holy Spirit came again at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, it was during his baptism, confirming that Jesus is the Son of God (Luke 3:22).
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place (Acts 2:1).
Then the Holy Spirit descended, in the presence of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Once again, she gave birth to her children in Spirit, the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. If Christians believe that they form the Mystical Body of Christ who is her head, it follows naturally that Mary, the mother of Christ should also be the mother of this Mystical Body as well. That is what the Catholic Church means when she declares Mary to be the Mother of Church. The Church dedicates the month of May to Our Lady. It is probably no coincidence that the Mother's Day is celebrated in May.
My sweet Jesus, I thank You for Your generosity to bestow Your Mother to be our mother as well. She delivered You to this world. She is truly the first Christian. She has led an exemplary life for us to imitate. May her constant intercessions for us be answered. May she nurture us like You so that we may be authentic children of God. Amen.
Queen of China, pray for us. Amen.
Saturday 10 May 2008
Simon, do you love me?
I declined to take up the post of RS Panel Chair after Mr. Anthony Wong. I could see that besides the Principal, there were a number of people eager to see me taking up the post. They are loyal to the school and they wanted to retain me in Shung Tak to improve on her ethos. Probably, they also thought that I could join and strengthen their camp to make sure that the post of vice-principal would not fall into the hand of their rivals whose hearts they thought were not for Shung Tak.
I was in no position to pass judgment on their good will. But I was really not inclined. The traumatic experience in La Salle has sunk deep and I was still licking my wounds. To ward off their pressure, I posed a challenge. Find me, within a certain deadline, a verse in the gospel of John to tell me to take up the post . If they were able to meet this challenge, I would accept the post. In order to be fair, I submitted my answer to Sr. Michelle, the Supervisor, so that I would not retract my promise. Suddenly, I had sent them into a frenzy of reading the gospel of John. Praise be the Lord! In the end, the Principal submitted a photocopy of John 10. He did not highlight any verse. The others had come up with several verses. None of them hit. I have to thank them for their efforts. I am sure the sweet Lord would reward them with abundant grace. As for me, I continued to render my full support to Mr. John Wong. Since then, I have been doing the duties in fact but not in name.
The answer is in the reading today. Peter had earlier denied Jesus three times. So, after his resurrection, Jesus granted three chances for Peter to amend his betrayal. Jesus asked Peter three times the following questions.
Simon, son of John, do you love me?Each time, Simon answered
Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.
Peter was well aware of his weaknesses. His master knew them through and through, even better than he himself. Jesus accepted his weaknesses and forgave Peter three times and commissioned him to take care of his flock, his Church.
Forgiving a person gives him a new lease of life. He will be able to stand up from his previous fall to scale new heights. Had forgiveness been denied, we would not have a St. Peter. His denials reminded him of weaknesses he had not been aware of before. Now that he had known his weaknesses and had been forgiven, he should remain humble.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go (John 21:18).
My sweet Jesus, I am old enough now. I humbly submit myself to You. Carry me wherever You wish, even where I do not wish to go. Amen.
I was in no position to pass judgment on their good will. But I was really not inclined. The traumatic experience in La Salle has sunk deep and I was still licking my wounds. To ward off their pressure, I posed a challenge. Find me, within a certain deadline, a verse in the gospel of John to tell me to take up the post . If they were able to meet this challenge, I would accept the post. In order to be fair, I submitted my answer to Sr. Michelle, the Supervisor, so that I would not retract my promise. Suddenly, I had sent them into a frenzy of reading the gospel of John. Praise be the Lord! In the end, the Principal submitted a photocopy of John 10. He did not highlight any verse. The others had come up with several verses. None of them hit. I have to thank them for their efforts. I am sure the sweet Lord would reward them with abundant grace. As for me, I continued to render my full support to Mr. John Wong. Since then, I have been doing the duties in fact but not in name.
The answer is in the reading today. Peter had earlier denied Jesus three times. So, after his resurrection, Jesus granted three chances for Peter to amend his betrayal. Jesus asked Peter three times the following questions.
Simon, son of John, do you love me?Each time, Simon answered
Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.
Peter was well aware of his weaknesses. His master knew them through and through, even better than he himself. Jesus accepted his weaknesses and forgave Peter three times and commissioned him to take care of his flock, his Church.
Forgiving a person gives him a new lease of life. He will be able to stand up from his previous fall to scale new heights. Had forgiveness been denied, we would not have a St. Peter. His denials reminded him of weaknesses he had not been aware of before. Now that he had known his weaknesses and had been forgiven, he should remain humble.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go (John 21:18).
My sweet Jesus, I am old enough now. I humbly submit myself to You. Carry me wherever You wish, even where I do not wish to go. Amen.
Friday 9 May 2008
The Spiritual Journey of Confucius
Christianity is a comprehensive religion. It encompasses the totality of human existence and beyond. I teach my S5 RS students a pyramidal model to analyse personal and social problems. It is based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. All the problem areas defined in the HKCEE RS syllabus can be analysed with the following model: physiological layer, psychological layer, interpersonal, economical, societal, political, cultural and a spiritual to top them all. The layers are not isolated compartments. The cultural layer is on the top. Yet, it also touches the psychological and even the physiological. Unfortunately, I cannot supply a picture here. A picture speaks more than a thousand words. So, apply your imagination to draw one yourself or ask anyone of my S5 RS students if you happen to know any of them.
Christianity has her personal as well as social faces. Some Christians emphasize their personal relationship with God. Others emphasize social justice and see serving the needy as an inroad to encounter God. Being a Chinese Christian, I see the teachings of Confucius as a treasury of gems glowing with Christian lights. Of course, Confucism is not Christ-centred. How could it be? But I am confident that it is a piece of fertile soil for the enrichment of Christianity. Take the passage from 【大學】 for an illustration. It charts eight stages of personal growth. They are:
格物、致知、誠意、正心、修身、齊家、治國、平天下。
It begins with empirical experience, intellect, mind, heart, personality, family, country and the whole world. Our personal growth does not stop short at the family level but the global level. Remember, it was a time of collectivity. The concept of an individual was unknown. Some would argue that 平天下is the political ideal of Confucius. Yet, it begins with our personal experience and fixes our eyes towards the whole world. What a balanced and grand plan!
Christian spirituality stresses much on the personal union with God in contemplation. The whole object is to melt ourselves in God. No. our Lord Jesus Christ has a much grander vision. He is the Lord of the universe. God's object of redemption is not confined to man, but the whole Creation. Therefore, we should not stop short at our personal union with God, but the universal union of the whole Creation with God. St. Paul said it well in the letter to the Romans.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God;
for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope;
because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now;
and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:19-23).
John 17 does not mention the Holy Spirit. In the reading today, John 17:20-26, Jesus stresses a lot not so much about a personal union with the Father, but the collective union of the Christian community with the Father. Jesus prayed
that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me (John 17:21-23).
Indeed, this social, even universal aspect of spirituality needs to be stressed more if we are genuine Christians. Confucius has offered a practicable signposts to follow the Way. I really feel blessed to be a Chinese Christian.
My Advocate, may we be diligent in following the Way. May our hearts desire more than an intimate personal union with the Blessed Trinity. May we desire what Jesus desires, pray what Jesus prays for. May the whole Creation be restored and transcended. In this month of Our Lady, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, be our Mediatrix and our Perpetual Help. Amen.
Comment from THEGODOFJESUSCHRIST:
"Jesus declared...'salvation is from the Jews. ... the true worshipers will worship THE FATHER.' "
(John 4:23,24)(NIV)-BibleGateway
Christianity has her personal as well as social faces. Some Christians emphasize their personal relationship with God. Others emphasize social justice and see serving the needy as an inroad to encounter God. Being a Chinese Christian, I see the teachings of Confucius as a treasury of gems glowing with Christian lights. Of course, Confucism is not Christ-centred. How could it be? But I am confident that it is a piece of fertile soil for the enrichment of Christianity. Take the passage from 【大學】 for an illustration. It charts eight stages of personal growth. They are:
格物、致知、誠意、正心、修身、齊家、治國、平天下。
It begins with empirical experience, intellect, mind, heart, personality, family, country and the whole world. Our personal growth does not stop short at the family level but the global level. Remember, it was a time of collectivity. The concept of an individual was unknown. Some would argue that 平天下is the political ideal of Confucius. Yet, it begins with our personal experience and fixes our eyes towards the whole world. What a balanced and grand plan!
Christian spirituality stresses much on the personal union with God in contemplation. The whole object is to melt ourselves in God. No. our Lord Jesus Christ has a much grander vision. He is the Lord of the universe. God's object of redemption is not confined to man, but the whole Creation. Therefore, we should not stop short at our personal union with God, but the universal union of the whole Creation with God. St. Paul said it well in the letter to the Romans.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God;
for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope;
because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now;
and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:19-23).
John 17 does not mention the Holy Spirit. In the reading today, John 17:20-26, Jesus stresses a lot not so much about a personal union with the Father, but the collective union of the Christian community with the Father. Jesus prayed
that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me (John 17:21-23).
Indeed, this social, even universal aspect of spirituality needs to be stressed more if we are genuine Christians. Confucius has offered a practicable signposts to follow the Way. I really feel blessed to be a Chinese Christian.
My Advocate, may we be diligent in following the Way. May our hearts desire more than an intimate personal union with the Blessed Trinity. May we desire what Jesus desires, pray what Jesus prays for. May the whole Creation be restored and transcended. In this month of Our Lady, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, be our Mediatrix and our Perpetual Help. Amen.
Comment from THEGODOFJESUSCHRIST:
"Jesus declared...'salvation is from the Jews. ... the true worshipers will worship THE FATHER.' "
(John 4:23,24)(NIV)-BibleGateway
May 11, 2008.
Thursday 8 May 2008
What is Eternal Life?
I have to catch up with the reading of the gospel of John. We should be reading John 17:11-19 today. In the course of reflecting on these verses, a story returned to my mind.
Four years ago, Mr. Anthony Wong, the then RS Panel Chair, was going to retire. The school needed to hire an RS teacher to take up the RS lessons left by him. I was invited to take part in the interviews. There were 3 of us, Mr. Anthony Wong, the Principal and me. It is interesting to note that those interviews were just 'first interviews'. Yet, the Principal took great interest and indeed he was the chief interviewer. Mr. Wong and I sat on both sides. In those years, the economy of Hong Kong was yet to recover. There were literally hundreds of application letters for other subjects. But it was not the case for RS plus English. We interviewed several applicants. Each time, the Principal always asked this question in Chinese. "Suppose a student asks you what eternal life is, how would you answer?" He would role-play the student and persisted for a while.
After several interviews, I was curious and wanted to know the 'model answer' of the Principal. Off hand, he only gave me some very vague answers. Not satisfied, I searched for the answer myself in the Bible and I came up with the answer in the gospel of John and shared it with Mr. Wong. Then came the next stage of the issue. Who would take up the Panel Chair? With the La Salle experience behind, I declined the invitation from the Principal.
One day, the Principal called a meeting of all Catholic teachers and he wanted to apply group pressure on me to take up the responsibility. It was a good opportunity for all Catholic teachers to share experience but I would not bend. Somehow, I brought up the question the Principal posed in the interviews. The other teachers put forth their ideas and when it was the Principal's turn, he gave an answer, summarizing others' but adding no more of his own. I then went up to the staff room to get a copy of the Bible and handed it to Mr. Wong. But he was not able to locate the verse I shared earlier with him. I then gave the following answer.
And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
In the end, Mr. John Wong was generous enough to take care of the Panel and I gave him my total support.
To this day, I think I have done the right thing for Shung Tak. With the vice-principal at the helm, the religious atmosphere of the whole school has been greatly improved. Mr. John Wong is a wise and prudent man. Shung Tak owes him a lot, not just in religious matters. To name just one fact, fewer S5 students drop RS these days. Had I taken up the post, I would not have been able to restore such respectability to the subject. I am honoured to be his RS sidekick.
A search of RSV yields 44 verses of eternal life in the New Testament. 17 are found in the gospel of John, mostly about gaining eternal life. Only does the verse above define unambiguously what eternal life is: to know the only true God and to know Jesus Christ.
My sweet Jesus, I thank You for revealing to us what eternal life is. You died for our sins and with Your resurrection, Your death effectively wipes out our sins. Your resurrection guarantees our eternal life. May we know You better and deeper. May we abide in You forever and ever. Amen.
Four years ago, Mr. Anthony Wong, the then RS Panel Chair, was going to retire. The school needed to hire an RS teacher to take up the RS lessons left by him. I was invited to take part in the interviews. There were 3 of us, Mr. Anthony Wong, the Principal and me. It is interesting to note that those interviews were just 'first interviews'. Yet, the Principal took great interest and indeed he was the chief interviewer. Mr. Wong and I sat on both sides. In those years, the economy of Hong Kong was yet to recover. There were literally hundreds of application letters for other subjects. But it was not the case for RS plus English. We interviewed several applicants. Each time, the Principal always asked this question in Chinese. "Suppose a student asks you what eternal life is, how would you answer?" He would role-play the student and persisted for a while.
After several interviews, I was curious and wanted to know the 'model answer' of the Principal. Off hand, he only gave me some very vague answers. Not satisfied, I searched for the answer myself in the Bible and I came up with the answer in the gospel of John and shared it with Mr. Wong. Then came the next stage of the issue. Who would take up the Panel Chair? With the La Salle experience behind, I declined the invitation from the Principal.
One day, the Principal called a meeting of all Catholic teachers and he wanted to apply group pressure on me to take up the responsibility. It was a good opportunity for all Catholic teachers to share experience but I would not bend. Somehow, I brought up the question the Principal posed in the interviews. The other teachers put forth their ideas and when it was the Principal's turn, he gave an answer, summarizing others' but adding no more of his own. I then went up to the staff room to get a copy of the Bible and handed it to Mr. Wong. But he was not able to locate the verse I shared earlier with him. I then gave the following answer.
And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
In the end, Mr. John Wong was generous enough to take care of the Panel and I gave him my total support.
To this day, I think I have done the right thing for Shung Tak. With the vice-principal at the helm, the religious atmosphere of the whole school has been greatly improved. Mr. John Wong is a wise and prudent man. Shung Tak owes him a lot, not just in religious matters. To name just one fact, fewer S5 students drop RS these days. Had I taken up the post, I would not have been able to restore such respectability to the subject. I am honoured to be his RS sidekick.
A search of RSV yields 44 verses of eternal life in the New Testament. 17 are found in the gospel of John, mostly about gaining eternal life. Only does the verse above define unambiguously what eternal life is: to know the only true God and to know Jesus Christ.
My sweet Jesus, I thank You for revealing to us what eternal life is. You died for our sins and with Your resurrection, Your death effectively wipes out our sins. Your resurrection guarantees our eternal life. May we know You better and deeper. May we abide in You forever and ever. Amen.
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