The Catholic Church is rather busy these days, celebrating one saint after another. Today is the Feast Day of St. Jerome (331-420 AD). He is most remembered for translating the Bible from the original languages (Hebrew and Greek) into Latin, the Vulgate which had been the only Bible accepted by the Roman Catholics for many centuries. Though he led a hermetic life, he did not hesitate to combat against heretics with his sharp tongue. He is the patron saint of librarians.
We will be reading the book of Job for two days. The book of Job is one of the Jewish wisdom writings. In the English language, we owe an idiom "As patient as Job" to the hero of this book. However, it is a total misrepresentation of Job. Job is anything but a patient victim of undeserved evils. He challenged the traditional Jewish teaching that the good would be rewarded and sinners punished. Job needed to defend his own innocence. He suffered calamities for no fault of his own. His friends came to console him. Yet they followed the traditional Jewish wisdom and debated with Job, arguing that Job must have done some evils. Otherwise, his sufferings would be inexplicable.
Suffering is a mystery. People suffer from the consequences of evils done by themselves or by others or simply by sheer misfortune. The good rewarded and evil punished is the simplest logic which is subscribed by most people. However, in reality, the good is not rewarded and evil not punished. The case of Job was even worse. Now, the good is being punished instead! Jewish traditional wisdom is muted. Job the innocent called up the supreme God to pass judgment on him. The Jews are really a rebellious people. They dare to question God and Job was not alone. Abraham questioned the justice of God when God intended to destroy the good together with the bad in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
In his great pain, Job desired his own non-existence. Death is the great equalizer which swallows up both kings and beggars. It is also the great liberator for the suffering. In death, slaves and prisoners are free from their taskmasters.
The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master (Job 3:19).
Job was pitiful. His way was blocked and God was fighting against him. In such circumstances, death is truly more desirable than life. What is the point to survive when God has laid up a trap to ensnare you?
Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, whom God has hedged in? (Job 3:23)
In his miseries, Job's friends appeared to console him as well as to defend for God. Such an attempt revitalized Job. He stood to defend his own innocence and integrity.
My dear Advocate, Job has left us a heroic image of suffering innocence. In him, we find Jesus. May we turn our attention to God the Saviour. In the latter days, grant us strength to finish the mission You gave us. Amen.
Tuesday 30 September 2008
Monday 29 September 2008
Feast of the Archangels
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels, Michael (Who is like God?), Gabriel (the Power of God) and Raphael (God has healed). According to the Church Fathers, there are nine orders of angels: Angels, Archangels, Virtues/Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Dominations, Throne, Cherubim and Seraphim. They are spiritual beings which are beyond our understanding. Theologians have already tried their very best to figure out their activities. To be frank, their work cannot go beyond mere speculation. Like God, angels are as elusive. They do not leave any traces behind for us to put them through the microscope. However, God does enable us to feel their presence and allows us to engage in interactions.
This morning, Jesuszette spoke in the morning assembly. Our new principal revamps the morning assembly. On Mondays, Catholic teachers, herself and the Supervisor will take turn to speak. Tuesdays and Fridays, there is no assembly but class-teacher periods in the classrooms. This year, the school introduces Centralized Morning Prayers through the PA system on Tuesdays and Fridays. Non-class teachers will take care of them. The remaining two days remain the same. So, Jesuszette spoke this morning. I told her to speak about the archangels because it is their feast day. She spoke very well.
She began by explaining the roles played by these three archangels: Michael the protector; Gabriel the messenger and Raphael the healer. She understands that it is impossible to explain angels. Therefore, she invited us to feel their existence. If we don't feel their existence, why don't we become one such angel ourselves. When we work for justice, help the needy and support the weak, we are playing the role of Michael. When we preach the good news and bear witness to the truth, we are Gabriel. When we smile and console the depressed, we are healing people like Raphael. There were no scholarly quotations from the Bible. Nor were there speculative theological propositions. Yet, you could feel her warmth and sincerity.
In the reading today, we found one particularly spectacular verse in Daniel.
A stream of fire issued and came forth from before him;
a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened (Daniel 7:10).
This heavenly court is awesome indeed. 100 millions angels stood before God the Father from whom a stream of fire came forth. Had the author of Daniel known some larger cardinals, he would have used them instead. Nowadays, we use millions, billions and even trillions and zillions. These cardinals only reveal our greed and self-aggrandizement.
My dear Advocate, You have created both angels and men to serve You. Grant us the wisdom to know Your will. Grant us the strength to execute Your will. May we be handy and useful instruments of Yours. Amen.
Comment from zette:
Thank you for the nice comments, Alex. :) You have captured what I wanted to spread: a message to all that we can play a part in mirroring the archangels' miracles. Thank you for giving me a chance to talk about the archangels. If it weren't for you, I would have talked about something else which would be a pity because the Feast of the archangels deserves attention, especially now as we are in the midst of new challenges.
This morning, Jesuszette spoke in the morning assembly. Our new principal revamps the morning assembly. On Mondays, Catholic teachers, herself and the Supervisor will take turn to speak. Tuesdays and Fridays, there is no assembly but class-teacher periods in the classrooms. This year, the school introduces Centralized Morning Prayers through the PA system on Tuesdays and Fridays. Non-class teachers will take care of them. The remaining two days remain the same. So, Jesuszette spoke this morning. I told her to speak about the archangels because it is their feast day. She spoke very well.
She began by explaining the roles played by these three archangels: Michael the protector; Gabriel the messenger and Raphael the healer. She understands that it is impossible to explain angels. Therefore, she invited us to feel their existence. If we don't feel their existence, why don't we become one such angel ourselves. When we work for justice, help the needy and support the weak, we are playing the role of Michael. When we preach the good news and bear witness to the truth, we are Gabriel. When we smile and console the depressed, we are healing people like Raphael. There were no scholarly quotations from the Bible. Nor were there speculative theological propositions. Yet, you could feel her warmth and sincerity.
In the reading today, we found one particularly spectacular verse in Daniel.
A stream of fire issued and came forth from before him;
a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened (Daniel 7:10).
This heavenly court is awesome indeed. 100 millions angels stood before God the Father from whom a stream of fire came forth. Had the author of Daniel known some larger cardinals, he would have used them instead. Nowadays, we use millions, billions and even trillions and zillions. These cardinals only reveal our greed and self-aggrandizement.
My dear Advocate, You have created both angels and men to serve You. Grant us the wisdom to know Your will. Grant us the strength to execute Your will. May we be handy and useful instruments of Yours. Amen.
Comment from zette:
Thank you for the nice comments, Alex. :) You have captured what I wanted to spread: a message to all that we can play a part in mirroring the archangels' miracles. Thank you for giving me a chance to talk about the archangels. If it weren't for you, I would have talked about something else which would be a pity because the Feast of the archangels deserves attention, especially now as we are in the midst of new challenges.
Sunday 28 September 2008
Only actions count
September 29 is the Feast Day of the Archangels: Gabriel, Michael and Raphael. Gabriel is the patron saint for Fr. Lejeune M.E.P. So, the parish celebrated his Feast Day on Saturday so that more parishioners could participate. Fr. Lejeune is old and wise but never feels himself too old to learn new things from us. He is one of the few priests I know who inspire. During the homily, he shared with us a story of his boyhood.
He teased himself, describing himself a naughty boy. Once he went on a retreat and the Spiritual Director told the boys that they should imitate the models set up by their patron saints. The boy Lejeune was recalcitrant. He protested, "How can I imitiate my patron? Gabriel is an angel, an archangel!" The priest smiled and asked him back, "Other than a few passages in the Old Testament about Gabriel, what other event was Angel Gabriel involved in the New Testament?" Of course, it is the Annunciation. Angel Gabriel broke the news to the Blessed Virgin that the Saviour would come to this world through her. "Right. Go and do the same! Tell the world that the Saviour has come!" Fr. Lejeune humbly confessed that probably, this was how the seed of his vocation as a missionary priest was planted. He fondly remembers this little boyhood story.
Then he related this to what the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) has to teach us. Truly, actions speak louder than words. It is action that counts. In the parable, the father told the first son to work in the vineyard. The first son said no but later repented and went. The father also told the second son to work in the vineyard. The second son said that he would go but did not. Jesus asked a very simple question.
Which of the two did the will of his father? (Matthew 21:31a)
Of course, it was the first.
Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).
Only actions count. I am sure he holds this dearly in his heart. In the congratulatory message to the Shung Tak Golden Jubilee, he quoted Confucius:君子欲訥於言而敏於行。【論語‧里仁】
"A Gentleman is slow in speech but prompt in action."
Fr. Lejeune extended the parable. Actually, there are four possibilities.
1) The son could have said no and did not go. This case is not worth discussing. There are die-hard people who, for some unfortunate reasons, reject God through and through. Probably they have met some very bad, repugnant Christians who bear counter-witnesses to the love and justice of God to the people they meet. I pray for their souls.
2) The son could have agreed to go and did so. Jesus is just such a son. He obeyed the will of the Father unto death. Alleluia.
Matthew's parable covers the remaining two cases. Fr. Lejeune encouraged us to follow Jesus' footstep. Of course doing God's will is what counts, and our Heavenly Father is merciful enough to forgive when we repent. But it is also important to say yes to God. Saying yes to God enables us to do greater things. The humble Blessed Virgin said yes and became the Mother of the Saviour. In saying yes, we don't waste our energy (and God's grace) repenting. Saying yes to God has given this world one more missionary priest.
My dear Advocate, I pray for Fr. Lejeune. Protect him and keep him healthy. I pray for those who are now seriously pondering over their own vocation. Give them a little push. Boost their faith. We need more inspiring priests to feed Your flock. Amen.
He teased himself, describing himself a naughty boy. Once he went on a retreat and the Spiritual Director told the boys that they should imitate the models set up by their patron saints. The boy Lejeune was recalcitrant. He protested, "How can I imitiate my patron? Gabriel is an angel, an archangel!" The priest smiled and asked him back, "Other than a few passages in the Old Testament about Gabriel, what other event was Angel Gabriel involved in the New Testament?" Of course, it is the Annunciation. Angel Gabriel broke the news to the Blessed Virgin that the Saviour would come to this world through her. "Right. Go and do the same! Tell the world that the Saviour has come!" Fr. Lejeune humbly confessed that probably, this was how the seed of his vocation as a missionary priest was planted. He fondly remembers this little boyhood story.
Then he related this to what the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) has to teach us. Truly, actions speak louder than words. It is action that counts. In the parable, the father told the first son to work in the vineyard. The first son said no but later repented and went. The father also told the second son to work in the vineyard. The second son said that he would go but did not. Jesus asked a very simple question.
Which of the two did the will of his father? (Matthew 21:31a)
Of course, it was the first.
Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).
Only actions count. I am sure he holds this dearly in his heart. In the congratulatory message to the Shung Tak Golden Jubilee, he quoted Confucius:君子欲訥於言而敏於行。【論語‧里仁】
"A Gentleman is slow in speech but prompt in action."
Fr. Lejeune extended the parable. Actually, there are four possibilities.
1) The son could have said no and did not go. This case is not worth discussing. There are die-hard people who, for some unfortunate reasons, reject God through and through. Probably they have met some very bad, repugnant Christians who bear counter-witnesses to the love and justice of God to the people they meet. I pray for their souls.
2) The son could have agreed to go and did so. Jesus is just such a son. He obeyed the will of the Father unto death. Alleluia.
Matthew's parable covers the remaining two cases. Fr. Lejeune encouraged us to follow Jesus' footstep. Of course doing God's will is what counts, and our Heavenly Father is merciful enough to forgive when we repent. But it is also important to say yes to God. Saying yes to God enables us to do greater things. The humble Blessed Virgin said yes and became the Mother of the Saviour. In saying yes, we don't waste our energy (and God's grace) repenting. Saying yes to God has given this world one more missionary priest.
My dear Advocate, I pray for Fr. Lejeune. Protect him and keep him healthy. I pray for those who are now seriously pondering over their own vocation. Give them a little push. Boost their faith. We need more inspiring priests to feed Your flock. Amen.
Saturday 27 September 2008
Feast of St. Vincent de Paul
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul (1580-1660). He was the founder of the Congregation of Mission. He was able to put the teachings of Matthew 25:35-36 into action. His work for the poor, the sick and convicted prisoners earned him sainthood from the church.
We read the book of Ecclesiastes for the last day. Therefore, we are reading her last two chapters. In chapter 3 which we read yesterday, we learn that the author offers the following advice.
also that it is God's gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil (Ecclesiastes 3:13).
This is one of the major themes of Ecclesiastes. Enjoy life. Enjoy work. In chapter 11, he offers more advice to handle uncertainties in life.
There are many unknowns in life. There are also many things which we don't know now and never.
As you do not know how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything (Ecclesiastes 11:5).
Shall we worry about these unknowns? No. Instead, the author offers some very practicable advice.
Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what evil may happen on earth (Ecclesiastes 11:2).
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good (Ecclesiastes 11:6).
For if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many.
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:8-9).
Yes, enjoy work, enjoy life and buy insurance. But while you are enjoying your work/life, always bear in mind that God will pass judgment on you. He also remind us to stay awake in our enjoyment. There are days of darkness just around the corner.
To me, Ecclesiastes 12:2-6 is a riddle, a puzzle. The author employs popular images to describe aging. The sun, the lights, the moon and the stars are darkened. The keepers of the house tremble. The strong men are bent. The few remaining grinders cease. Those that look through windows are dimmed. The doors are shut. Daughters of song are brought low. The almond tree blossoms. The grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails. All these failures are failures of the aging human body. This is an interesting piece of Jewish literature, telling us how they experience and articulate their repressed desires. So young men, enjoy your youth because once aging sets in, you will not be able to find pleasure in any other things. His last piece of advice:
Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13b).
So, while you are enjoying your life, enjoying your work, keep God's commandments!
My dear Advocate, grant us chances to learn more from the book of Ecclesiastes. Without Your blessings, we are nothing. Without Your faithfulness, we will not accomplish anything. Be gracious to us and remember us. Amen.
We read the book of Ecclesiastes for the last day. Therefore, we are reading her last two chapters. In chapter 3 which we read yesterday, we learn that the author offers the following advice.
also that it is God's gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil (Ecclesiastes 3:13).
This is one of the major themes of Ecclesiastes. Enjoy life. Enjoy work. In chapter 11, he offers more advice to handle uncertainties in life.
There are many unknowns in life. There are also many things which we don't know now and never.
As you do not know how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything (Ecclesiastes 11:5).
Shall we worry about these unknowns? No. Instead, the author offers some very practicable advice.
Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what evil may happen on earth (Ecclesiastes 11:2).
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good (Ecclesiastes 11:6).
For if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many.
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:8-9).
Yes, enjoy work, enjoy life and buy insurance. But while you are enjoying your work/life, always bear in mind that God will pass judgment on you. He also remind us to stay awake in our enjoyment. There are days of darkness just around the corner.
To me, Ecclesiastes 12:2-6 is a riddle, a puzzle. The author employs popular images to describe aging. The sun, the lights, the moon and the stars are darkened. The keepers of the house tremble. The strong men are bent. The few remaining grinders cease. Those that look through windows are dimmed. The doors are shut. Daughters of song are brought low. The almond tree blossoms. The grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails. All these failures are failures of the aging human body. This is an interesting piece of Jewish literature, telling us how they experience and articulate their repressed desires. So young men, enjoy your youth because once aging sets in, you will not be able to find pleasure in any other things. His last piece of advice:
Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13b).
So, while you are enjoying your life, enjoying your work, keep God's commandments!
My dear Advocate, grant us chances to learn more from the book of Ecclesiastes. Without Your blessings, we are nothing. Without Your faithfulness, we will not accomplish anything. Be gracious to us and remember us. Amen.
Friday 26 September 2008
The outlook of Ecclesiastes is positive
If chapter 1 sounds pessimistic, chapter 3 will reveal the true colours of Ecclesiastes. Here is the true intention of the book.
I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live;
also that it is God's gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).
Yes, enjoy the work and toil. Seek pleasure and satisfaction in the work you are doing. This is a right attitude of work. Following this piece of advice, life will be a lot easier.
We are frustrated, not because misfortune visits us. Rather, it is because we put in our efforts at the wrong time. This is the wisdom the author of Ecclesiastes shares with us. In his words,
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Then, you are fed with a list of 14 pairs of opposites. It is enjoyable to recite them in full.
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:2-8).
Firstly, it is very comfortable to read this list because you feel less guilty to kill, to break down, to hate and to go to war. God has decreed that there is a time reserved for killing, for breaking down, for hatred and going to war. We are licensed even to kill, to hate and to go to wars.
Secondly, timing is crucial in doing everything. I have learned it the hard way. I am sure many of you must have come across the problem of timing.
a time to be born, and a time to die;
Chinese cannot agree more. They have developed many schools of fortune-telling to gauge these secrets of life and death. Their philosophy of life is that there is no point starting prematurely. You will have to double your efforts and yet harvest only half. If the timing is right, you will get things done with half your efforts.
John will retire next year. He has been kind enough to take up the job of a care-taker panel head for me, to act as a buffer between the Principal and me. His time has finally come. I know I should not run away from obligations. But I really don't want to. So, help me Lord.
My dear Advocate, from sunrise to sunset, May Your name be praised for ever. Amen.
I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live;
also that it is God's gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).
Yes, enjoy the work and toil. Seek pleasure and satisfaction in the work you are doing. This is a right attitude of work. Following this piece of advice, life will be a lot easier.
We are frustrated, not because misfortune visits us. Rather, it is because we put in our efforts at the wrong time. This is the wisdom the author of Ecclesiastes shares with us. In his words,
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Then, you are fed with a list of 14 pairs of opposites. It is enjoyable to recite them in full.
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:2-8).
Firstly, it is very comfortable to read this list because you feel less guilty to kill, to break down, to hate and to go to war. God has decreed that there is a time reserved for killing, for breaking down, for hatred and going to war. We are licensed even to kill, to hate and to go to wars.
Secondly, timing is crucial in doing everything. I have learned it the hard way. I am sure many of you must have come across the problem of timing.
a time to be born, and a time to die;
Chinese cannot agree more. They have developed many schools of fortune-telling to gauge these secrets of life and death. Their philosophy of life is that there is no point starting prematurely. You will have to double your efforts and yet harvest only half. If the timing is right, you will get things done with half your efforts.
John will retire next year. He has been kind enough to take up the job of a care-taker panel head for me, to act as a buffer between the Principal and me. His time has finally come. I know I should not run away from obligations. But I really don't want to. So, help me Lord.
My dear Advocate, from sunrise to sunset, May Your name be praised for ever. Amen.
Thursday 25 September 2008
Is the outlook of Ecclesiastes pessimistic?
We will be reading selected passages from Ecclesiastes for three days. Like any book that you read more than once, Ecclesiastes gives you different impressions, depending on your station in life. Today, when I read chapter 1 again, I obtain an impression different from that I got three years ago. In the first go, the impression one gets from reading chapter 1 is that Solomon had aged and was exhausted in life.
I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered (Ecclesiastes 1:14-15).
"all is vanity and a striving after wind" appears 9 times in the book and becomes the rally cry of Ecclesiastes.
Then, is Ecclesiastes a pessimistic book?
If we read only chapter 1, we cannot escape the conclusion above. Since wisdom literature is poetic, we have to read longer passages in order to get the feel. For example.
A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains for ever.
The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north;
round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing (Ecclesiastes 1:4-8).
Now, do you feel the fatigue Solomon felt? Why was Solomon tired and exhausted? It was because however hardworking he applied himself, he was unable to satisfy himself, thus "the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Indeed, he was even tired of wisdom, tired of knowledge.
And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:17-18).
Why the vexation, why the sorrow? Is not wisdom something desirable? Francis Bacon once said, "Scientia potentia est (Knowledge is power)" Then, isn't knowledge also desirable?
The author of Ecclesiastes thought otherwise. It was because for him, all efforts had been futile. Yes, we increase our knowledge and accumulate our wisdom. Yet we cannot be satisfied. Then, why are we not satisfied? The answer has been given earlier.
There is no remembrance of former things,
nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to happen among those who come after (Ecclesiastes 1:11).
We would not be satisfied because we know for sure that our efforts and achievements would not be remembered by future generations. This was the answer offered by the author of Ecclesiastes. But is it true?
This answer is probably true among arts and humanities, but not true among scientific disciplines. Isaac Newton once said, "If I have seen further it is by standing on ye shoulders of Giants." Along the line, we remember giants such as Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Bohr and Hawking etc. Of course, fallen along the roadside of scientific revolution, there are many unsung casualties whom nobody remembers. No wonder the author of Ecclesiastes sounded pessimistic.
Like it or not, Ecclesiastes is part of our culture, luring deep down our psyche. Here is the proof.
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done;
and there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
So, this is the origin of the idiom: there is nothing new under the sun.
Let me assure you, the more you read on, the more you will enjoy Ecclesiastes and perhaps agree with it.
My dear Advocate, who can fathom Your wisdom? Nobody can. So, let us open our arms and hearts to embrace Your wind. Amen.
I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered (Ecclesiastes 1:14-15).
"all is vanity and a striving after wind" appears 9 times in the book and becomes the rally cry of Ecclesiastes.
Then, is Ecclesiastes a pessimistic book?
If we read only chapter 1, we cannot escape the conclusion above. Since wisdom literature is poetic, we have to read longer passages in order to get the feel. For example.
A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains for ever.
The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north;
round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing (Ecclesiastes 1:4-8).
Now, do you feel the fatigue Solomon felt? Why was Solomon tired and exhausted? It was because however hardworking he applied himself, he was unable to satisfy himself, thus "the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Indeed, he was even tired of wisdom, tired of knowledge.
And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:17-18).
Why the vexation, why the sorrow? Is not wisdom something desirable? Francis Bacon once said, "Scientia potentia est (Knowledge is power)" Then, isn't knowledge also desirable?
The author of Ecclesiastes thought otherwise. It was because for him, all efforts had been futile. Yes, we increase our knowledge and accumulate our wisdom. Yet we cannot be satisfied. Then, why are we not satisfied? The answer has been given earlier.
There is no remembrance of former things,
nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to happen among those who come after (Ecclesiastes 1:11).
We would not be satisfied because we know for sure that our efforts and achievements would not be remembered by future generations. This was the answer offered by the author of Ecclesiastes. But is it true?
This answer is probably true among arts and humanities, but not true among scientific disciplines. Isaac Newton once said, "If I have seen further it is by standing on ye shoulders of Giants." Along the line, we remember giants such as Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Bohr and Hawking etc. Of course, fallen along the roadside of scientific revolution, there are many unsung casualties whom nobody remembers. No wonder the author of Ecclesiastes sounded pessimistic.
Like it or not, Ecclesiastes is part of our culture, luring deep down our psyche. Here is the proof.
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done;
and there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
So, this is the origin of the idiom: there is nothing new under the sun.
Let me assure you, the more you read on, the more you will enjoy Ecclesiastes and perhaps agree with it.
My dear Advocate, who can fathom Your wisdom? Nobody can. So, let us open our arms and hearts to embrace Your wind. Amen.
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Neither poverty nor riches
We will be reading the book of Proverbs for the last day and tomorrow, we will begin another wisdom book. There are all together 31 chapters in Proverbs. Three days are not enough to appreciate all the gems collected in this volume. Most of the wisdom sayings are attributed to King Solomon. However, for the last two chapters, the sayings go to somebody else, viz. Agur, son of Jakeh of Massa (chapter 30) and Lemuel, king of Massa (chapter 31). The book of Proverbs finishes with a famous ode dedicated to a good wife (Proverbs 31:10-31).
There is a style peculiar to Jewish wisdom saying, probably for poetic reasons. This is illustrated with the verses shown below. They may be found in other Jewish wisdom literature.
Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough" (Proverbs 30:15b)
Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand (Proverbs 30:18)
Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up:(Proverbs 30:21).
Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride (Proverbs 30:29)
There are always exceptions. For example,
Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die (Proverbs 30:7)
Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise (Proverbs 30:24)
Here, the author really meant two things and four things respectively.
Now, I would look at the first one in greater details. It runs like this.
Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, "Who is the LORD?"
or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God (Proverbs 30:7-9).
The author prayed to God, seeking two favours from God.
First of all, do not allow him to tell lies, to bear false witness etc. The author prayed to God to help him lead a moral truthful life. This is very commendable. To be able to refrain from telling lies is not easy. Telling lies is usually a convenient way to escape from embarrassment, to evade responsibilities, to divert blames etc. This is a well-known defense mechanism to help the ego feel good. However, the day will come when telling lies becomes so natural, so deep-seated that the ego itself is willing to believe in the lies one tells. When this day comes, I don't know how that person can ever face the truth anymore.
Secondly, the author prayed that he would neither be rich nor poor. He did not want to be too rich, lest he would become arrogant and deny God. Neither did he want to live in poverty. Living in poverty or as a beggar was a nightmare for a Jew. As long as there was enough food and a shelter, a Jew would be satisfied. If he was forced to live in poverty, he might become a thief to steal. This would profane the name of God. So, wisdom traditions in different cultures at least agree on one thing: leading a contended life, neither rich nor poor, is happiness.
My dear Advocate, I believe that the truth will make us free. Therefore, I pray that I may, with Your blessing, be able to lead a truthful life. We need courage, moral courage to do so. So, help me God. Amen.
There is a style peculiar to Jewish wisdom saying, probably for poetic reasons. This is illustrated with the verses shown below. They may be found in other Jewish wisdom literature.
Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough" (Proverbs 30:15b)
Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand (Proverbs 30:18)
Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up:(Proverbs 30:21).
Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride (Proverbs 30:29)
There are always exceptions. For example,
Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die (Proverbs 30:7)
Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise (Proverbs 30:24)
Here, the author really meant two things and four things respectively.
Now, I would look at the first one in greater details. It runs like this.
Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, "Who is the LORD?"
or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God (Proverbs 30:7-9).
The author prayed to God, seeking two favours from God.
First of all, do not allow him to tell lies, to bear false witness etc. The author prayed to God to help him lead a moral truthful life. This is very commendable. To be able to refrain from telling lies is not easy. Telling lies is usually a convenient way to escape from embarrassment, to evade responsibilities, to divert blames etc. This is a well-known defense mechanism to help the ego feel good. However, the day will come when telling lies becomes so natural, so deep-seated that the ego itself is willing to believe in the lies one tells. When this day comes, I don't know how that person can ever face the truth anymore.
Secondly, the author prayed that he would neither be rich nor poor. He did not want to be too rich, lest he would become arrogant and deny God. Neither did he want to live in poverty. Living in poverty or as a beggar was a nightmare for a Jew. As long as there was enough food and a shelter, a Jew would be satisfied. If he was forced to live in poverty, he might become a thief to steal. This would profane the name of God. So, wisdom traditions in different cultures at least agree on one thing: leading a contended life, neither rich nor poor, is happiness.
My dear Advocate, I believe that the truth will make us free. Therefore, I pray that I may, with Your blessing, be able to lead a truthful life. We need courage, moral courage to do so. So, help me God. Amen.
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Feast of St. Padre Pio
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. The late Pope John Paul II proclaimed him a saint in 2002. He was ordained a priest in 1910 and received the stigmata of Jesus in 1918. Such stigmata have already demonstrated that Pio was destined to become a saint.
These few days, we will continue to read the book of Proverbs. Jews in ancient times collected these wise sayings. They must have felt strongly about the messages conveyed in these words. However, nowadays, we may not be able to capture their experiences and develop an empathy with them. We will find it difficult to resonate with those "wise sayings". I mean no offence. Indeed, I find the following sayings difficult to follow. There is "no feel".
The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will (Proverbs 21:1).
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin (Proverbs 21:4).
The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right (Proverbs 21:8).
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman (Proverbs 21:9).
It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman (Proverbs 21:19).
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright (Proverbs 21:18).
All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back (Proverbs 21:29).
I am sure in those days, these verses would create a stir in people's hearts. Not so nowadays.
On the other hand, there seem to be universal truths which every people shares. For example,
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2).
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want (Proverbs 21:5).
He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard (Proverbs 21:13).
He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23).
All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back (Proverbs 21:26).
How true their message is!
Man needs to lie to himself in order to stay alive in a hostile world. He needs to look highly of himself, have a healthy good self-image. We have met and worked under one such man before. How true Proverbs 21:2 is.
On the other hand, I have, more than once, got myself into deep trouble because I did not keep my mouth and my tongue to myself. To these days, I remain outspoken to the wrong people at the wrong times. How true Proverbs 21:23 is.
My dear Advocate, keep me under Your wings. Deliver me from my folly. Let my lips only sing praises to You and do not utter stupidities. May the words I speak be edifying ones to the people I meet. Amen.
These few days, we will continue to read the book of Proverbs. Jews in ancient times collected these wise sayings. They must have felt strongly about the messages conveyed in these words. However, nowadays, we may not be able to capture their experiences and develop an empathy with them. We will find it difficult to resonate with those "wise sayings". I mean no offence. Indeed, I find the following sayings difficult to follow. There is "no feel".
The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will (Proverbs 21:1).
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin (Proverbs 21:4).
The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right (Proverbs 21:8).
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman (Proverbs 21:9).
It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman (Proverbs 21:19).
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright (Proverbs 21:18).
All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back (Proverbs 21:29).
I am sure in those days, these verses would create a stir in people's hearts. Not so nowadays.
On the other hand, there seem to be universal truths which every people shares. For example,
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2).
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want (Proverbs 21:5).
He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard (Proverbs 21:13).
He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23).
All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back (Proverbs 21:26).
How true their message is!
Man needs to lie to himself in order to stay alive in a hostile world. He needs to look highly of himself, have a healthy good self-image. We have met and worked under one such man before. How true Proverbs 21:2 is.
On the other hand, I have, more than once, got myself into deep trouble because I did not keep my mouth and my tongue to myself. To these days, I remain outspoken to the wrong people at the wrong times. How true Proverbs 21:23 is.
My dear Advocate, keep me under Your wings. Deliver me from my folly. Let my lips only sing praises to You and do not utter stupidities. May the words I speak be edifying ones to the people I meet. Amen.
Monday 22 September 2008
Doing the right thing at the right time
Starting from today, we will be reading the Proverbs. It is a collection of advice and wisdom of the Jewish culture. Here are the few pieces of advice we read today. They are framed in negative terms.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbour, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" -- when you have it with you (Proverbs 3:27-28).
Well, should I do something because it is in my power to do it? No, it may not be the right thing to do.
Given that this something good is due somebody, then it is the right thing to do now. Why would we withhold? Why would we procrastinate? Well, perhaps it is not the right time, the right moment to take action. We must have been occupied with something of higher priority. Or at that moment, we are doing something of higher value. Therefore, we don't take the trouble to do good things within our power.
My God, are You telling me that I should take up the post of the RS panelchair? Why did I decline? It was personal in two senses. My first excuse is health. It was an excuse because I managed to obtain my Biblical Diploma within three years. (Is an excuse a lie? Then, am I telling lies that my health does not permit me?) The second reason was the frustrations built up with the boss. He failed to win my loyalty. We failed to develop a good rapport. I have no intention to attack the integrity or character of my ex-boss. It was only unlucky that our personalities did not match.
Sometimes, the book of Proverbs would frame an advice in contrasting pairs. The reading today finishes with these contrasts. We will be reading more of these in the following days.
for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.
The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favour.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace (Proverbs 3:32-35).
My dear Advocate, have mercy on me. I am too arrogant. Help me see my weaknesses and improve. Amen.
Comment from evaward:
郭sir 你好 ,, 我在f.4 , f.5 都一直有睇你的website ,, 好感謝你 ^^ 因為你令我在 rs 這一科得到很好的成績..
今年f.6 也選修了 er(as) ,, 但我找不到跟你相似的site ( 有齊 past paper 而且更分晒topic ) 請問你有er website 的介紹嗎?
My Reply:
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbour, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" -- when you have it with you (Proverbs 3:27-28).
Well, should I do something because it is in my power to do it? No, it may not be the right thing to do.
Given that this something good is due somebody, then it is the right thing to do now. Why would we withhold? Why would we procrastinate? Well, perhaps it is not the right time, the right moment to take action. We must have been occupied with something of higher priority. Or at that moment, we are doing something of higher value. Therefore, we don't take the trouble to do good things within our power.
My God, are You telling me that I should take up the post of the RS panelchair? Why did I decline? It was personal in two senses. My first excuse is health. It was an excuse because I managed to obtain my Biblical Diploma within three years. (Is an excuse a lie? Then, am I telling lies that my health does not permit me?) The second reason was the frustrations built up with the boss. He failed to win my loyalty. We failed to develop a good rapport. I have no intention to attack the integrity or character of my ex-boss. It was only unlucky that our personalities did not match.
Sometimes, the book of Proverbs would frame an advice in contrasting pairs. The reading today finishes with these contrasts. We will be reading more of these in the following days.
for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.
The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favour.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace (Proverbs 3:32-35).
My dear Advocate, have mercy on me. I am too arrogant. Help me see my weaknesses and improve. Amen.
Comment from evaward:
郭sir 你好 ,, 我在f.4 , f.5 都一直有睇你的website ,, 好感謝你 ^^ 因為你令我在 rs 這一科得到很好的成績..
今年f.6 也選修了 er(as) ,, 但我找不到跟你相似的site ( 有齊 past paper 而且更分晒topic ) 請問你有er website 的介紹嗎?
My Reply:
@evaward - 謝謝妳（希望沒有弄錯閣下的性別！）很高興妳考到理想的成績，而且繼續 ERS (AS) 的挑戰。網上應有很多討論倫理及宗教問題的網頁，例如 www.bbc.co.uk/religion 和 www.bbc.co.uk/ethics ，可作參攷。
Sunday 21 September 2008
Love and Justice
Today, we read the parable of the vineyard owner in Matthew 20. There is always an element of surprise in the parables of Jesus. This one is no exception. Briefly, the story goes like this.
Early in the morning before six, the owner of a vineyard went out to hire labourers to harvest grapes. After agreeing to give them a denarius a day, the standard wage at that time, he sent the labourers working in his vineyard at 6 a.m. in the morning. He went out several times (at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.) to hire more workers, promising them a right wage. At last, at 5 p.m., he went out for the last time and hired the last batch of workers.
When the sun set at 6 p.m. in the evening, the owner of the vineyard gave the labourers wages, beginning from the last batch. Here comes the surprise, he gave workers of all batches the same wage, one denarius! Of course, the workers who had been working all day long since 6 a.m. in the morning grumbled. The owner of the vineyard told them off (Matthew 20:1-15). Then Matthew concludes that
So the last will be first, and the first last (Matthew 20:16).
A search in the Gospels reveals 4 such verses in the Synoptic Gospels. They can be classified into two groups. The first group talks about the hundredfold rewards for those who give up everything to follow Jesus to preach the gospel. They would receive 100 times the things they have given up: houses, children, brothers and land etc. This promise of hundredfold reward is concluded with this last-first statement (Matthew 19:30, Mark 10:31).
The second group talks about the Gentiles overtaking the Israelites in the Kingdom of God because they accepted Jesus while the Israelites rejected (Matthew 20:16, Luke 13:30).
But parables are such a rich source of spirituality. Their meanings are literally inexhaustible. This Gentiles-vs.-Israelites understanding should not be the only interpretation.
Question#1: Does the owner encourage laziness?There is a criticism commonly directed against (Chinese) Communism. "Work and (you get) ¥36. Not work and (you still get) ¥36." Communism does not encourage people to take the initiative, to work harder and earn more. Communism encourages people to be lazy. Does the owner of the vineyard (God) make the same mistake? Does God support Communism?
I think we should look at, not the hired labourers, but those who failed to be hired! As the parable goes, some people failed to secure a post in the vineyard.
And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' (Matthew 20:6-7)
I think all are called, but not all respond, even less are chosen. Many parents fight hard to send their children to elite schools. Only a handful can be enrolled. Some students succeed during the first attempt. Others may need to fight for several years before they get a place. In the end, whether they study for one year or 7 years, they all emerge as the graduates of elite schools. Do these elite schools encourage people to be lazy? I doubt very much. Does God encourage us to fold our hands and wait for His salvation? I think this question has been wrongly phrased.
Question#2: Has the owner been unfair to the first batch of workers?
First of all, early workers did not know what the owner had promised to workers who came after them. Moreover, had the owner handed out the wages from the first batch to the last, they had no way of knowing what the latter workers received. They could only know it much later some time in the future if the workers had a chance to meet again. Conspiracy theorists would accuse the owner of deliberately revealing the truth to stir up the jealousy of the early workers and to create disputes among them. Then, workers would not be united to demand higher wages! It is an interesting interpretation but obviously not biblical.
The Bible consistently conveys a message about God. He does not want us to think that we earn our own salvation through our merits. He deliberately helped the weak, the underdogs, the fleeing Israelites chased by Egyptian chariots and armoured soldiers, 300 men facing an army of more than a hundred thousand, a David against a Goliath etc. No. Nobody is able to earn his own salvation through his own efforts. Rather, it is God's love and mercy that save us. The wages the vineyard labourers earned was the generosity of the vineyard owner. It was not an exchange of labour for money.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? (Matthew 20:15)
Question#3: Does love overwrite justice?If law enshrines justice, the answer is positive. Jesus breached the law. He healed on Sabbath. For him, charity/mercy/love is more important than justice/judgment/law. James once said the following.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)
God's mercy to men triumphs over justice. He sent Jesus to die for us, to satisfy the requirements of all justice and judgment. God is generous to us. At the end of the world, even Satan could not challenge His generosity towards men.
My dear Advocate, may honour and glory be Yours forever and ever. Amen.
Early in the morning before six, the owner of a vineyard went out to hire labourers to harvest grapes. After agreeing to give them a denarius a day, the standard wage at that time, he sent the labourers working in his vineyard at 6 a.m. in the morning. He went out several times (at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.) to hire more workers, promising them a right wage. At last, at 5 p.m., he went out for the last time and hired the last batch of workers.
When the sun set at 6 p.m. in the evening, the owner of the vineyard gave the labourers wages, beginning from the last batch. Here comes the surprise, he gave workers of all batches the same wage, one denarius! Of course, the workers who had been working all day long since 6 a.m. in the morning grumbled. The owner of the vineyard told them off (Matthew 20:1-15). Then Matthew concludes that
So the last will be first, and the first last (Matthew 20:16).
A search in the Gospels reveals 4 such verses in the Synoptic Gospels. They can be classified into two groups. The first group talks about the hundredfold rewards for those who give up everything to follow Jesus to preach the gospel. They would receive 100 times the things they have given up: houses, children, brothers and land etc. This promise of hundredfold reward is concluded with this last-first statement (Matthew 19:30, Mark 10:31).
The second group talks about the Gentiles overtaking the Israelites in the Kingdom of God because they accepted Jesus while the Israelites rejected (Matthew 20:16, Luke 13:30).
But parables are such a rich source of spirituality. Their meanings are literally inexhaustible. This Gentiles-vs.-Israelites understanding should not be the only interpretation.
Question#1: Does the owner encourage laziness?There is a criticism commonly directed against (Chinese) Communism. "Work and (you get) ¥36. Not work and (you still get) ¥36." Communism does not encourage people to take the initiative, to work harder and earn more. Communism encourages people to be lazy. Does the owner of the vineyard (God) make the same mistake? Does God support Communism?
I think we should look at, not the hired labourers, but those who failed to be hired! As the parable goes, some people failed to secure a post in the vineyard.
And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' (Matthew 20:6-7)
I think all are called, but not all respond, even less are chosen. Many parents fight hard to send their children to elite schools. Only a handful can be enrolled. Some students succeed during the first attempt. Others may need to fight for several years before they get a place. In the end, whether they study for one year or 7 years, they all emerge as the graduates of elite schools. Do these elite schools encourage people to be lazy? I doubt very much. Does God encourage us to fold our hands and wait for His salvation? I think this question has been wrongly phrased.
Question#2: Has the owner been unfair to the first batch of workers?
First of all, early workers did not know what the owner had promised to workers who came after them. Moreover, had the owner handed out the wages from the first batch to the last, they had no way of knowing what the latter workers received. They could only know it much later some time in the future if the workers had a chance to meet again. Conspiracy theorists would accuse the owner of deliberately revealing the truth to stir up the jealousy of the early workers and to create disputes among them. Then, workers would not be united to demand higher wages! It is an interesting interpretation but obviously not biblical.
The Bible consistently conveys a message about God. He does not want us to think that we earn our own salvation through our merits. He deliberately helped the weak, the underdogs, the fleeing Israelites chased by Egyptian chariots and armoured soldiers, 300 men facing an army of more than a hundred thousand, a David against a Goliath etc. No. Nobody is able to earn his own salvation through his own efforts. Rather, it is God's love and mercy that save us. The wages the vineyard labourers earned was the generosity of the vineyard owner. It was not an exchange of labour for money.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? (Matthew 20:15)
Question#3: Does love overwrite justice?If law enshrines justice, the answer is positive. Jesus breached the law. He healed on Sabbath. For him, charity/mercy/love is more important than justice/judgment/law. James once said the following.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)
God's mercy to men triumphs over justice. He sent Jesus to die for us, to satisfy the requirements of all justice and judgment. God is generous to us. At the end of the world, even Satan could not challenge His generosity towards men.
My dear Advocate, may honour and glory be Yours forever and ever. Amen.
Saturday 20 September 2008
Resurrection
Paul's theology on resurrection is well-known. There is little room for alternative interpretations. Therefore, I will simply collect the quotations he used in chapter 15 of the first epistle to the Corinthians.
φάγωμεν καὶ πίωμεν, αὔριον γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκομεν.
Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. (1 Corinthians 15:32b)
Φάγωμεν καὶ πίωμεν, αὔριον γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκομεν. (Isaiah 22:13b)
This quotation is identical with Septuagint.
ἐγένετο ὁ πρῶτος ἄνθρωπος Ἀδὰμ εἰς ψυχὴν ζῶσαν
The first man Adam became a living being (1 Corinthians 15:45b)
ἐγένετο ὁ ἄνθρωπος εἰς ψυχὴν ζῶσαν. (Genesis 2:7b)
This quotation is nearly identical. The words in red had been added by the author of 1 Corinthians to make the meaning clearer.
κατεπόθη ὁ θάνατος εἰς νῖκος.
Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54b)
κατέπιεν ὁ θάνατος ἰσχύσας,
He will swallow up death prevailing (Isaiah 25:8, LXX).
He will swallow up death forever (Isaiah 25:8, MT)
The author has rewritten the text. He changed the verb "to swallow" from active to passive.
ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τὸ νῖκος; ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τὸ κέντρον;
O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
ποῦ ἡ δίκη σου, θάνατε; ποῦ τὸ κέντρον σου, ᾅδη;
Where is your punishment, O death? Where is your sting, O Hades? (Hosea 13:14c, LXX).
Where is your plagues, O death? Where is your ruin, O Sheol? (Hosea 13:14c, MT)
The Septuagint is a very good rendering of the Hebrew, adapting Sheol to Hades. The author of 1 Corinthians made one more change to render the text more inline with his thoughts. But why didn't he keep the word "Hades"?
My dear Advocate, the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Resurrection is also our hope in the future. Help us lead a life of charity, follow St. Paul's advice on love so that we will be worthy to share the eternal life You have prepared for us. Amen.
φάγωμεν καὶ πίωμεν, αὔριον γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκομεν.
Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. (1 Corinthians 15:32b)
Φάγωμεν καὶ πίωμεν, αὔριον γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκομεν. (Isaiah 22:13b)
This quotation is identical with Septuagint.
ἐγένετο ὁ πρῶτος ἄνθρωπος Ἀδὰμ εἰς ψυχὴν ζῶσαν
The first man Adam became a living being (1 Corinthians 15:45b)
ἐγένετο ὁ ἄνθρωπος εἰς ψυχὴν ζῶσαν. (Genesis 2:7b)
This quotation is nearly identical. The words in red had been added by the author of 1 Corinthians to make the meaning clearer.
κατεπόθη ὁ θάνατος εἰς νῖκος.
Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54b)
κατέπιεν ὁ θάνατος ἰσχύσας,
He will swallow up death prevailing (Isaiah 25:8, LXX).
He will swallow up death forever (Isaiah 25:8, MT)
The author has rewritten the text. He changed the verb "to swallow" from active to passive.
ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τὸ νῖκος; ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τὸ κέντρον;
O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
ποῦ ἡ δίκη σου, θάνατε; ποῦ τὸ κέντρον σου, ᾅδη;
Where is your punishment, O death? Where is your sting, O Hades? (Hosea 13:14c, LXX).
Where is your plagues, O death? Where is your ruin, O Sheol? (Hosea 13:14c, MT)
The Septuagint is a very good rendering of the Hebrew, adapting Sheol to Hades. The author of 1 Corinthians made one more change to render the text more inline with his thoughts. But why didn't he keep the word "Hades"?
My dear Advocate, the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Resurrection is also our hope in the future. Help us lead a life of charity, follow St. Paul's advice on love so that we will be worthy to share the eternal life You have prepared for us. Amen.
Friday 19 September 2008
Speaking in tongue/English
In contrasting the gifts from the Holy Spirit, Paul was a utilitarian.
According to the opinion of St. Paul, speaking in tongue benefits only the person who speaks.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself (1 Corinthians 14:4a)
When a person is possessed by the Holy Spirit, he enters into a trance. God and he are in union. He is in ecstasy. He begins to speak in tongue which nobody nearby understands. In most cases, he becomes the envy of everyone. In fact, how many of us can be so lucky as to be blessed with the opportunity to enjoy a close encounter with God? But since nobody will understand his utterance while in trance, that is why St. Paul said that only the person himself is edified.
I insist on speaking in English in Shung Tak, the school I am currently teaching in. As an English teacher, of course I speak English most of the time. Moreover, Shung Tak is an EMI school. It provides a very good environment for students to build up their English proficiency. But in a bilingual environment in which most people speak Chinese, I have to switch to and fro between the two languages. It does not pose any problem for me. The problem is, the current principal and the previous one are not insistent enough to speak in English.
Shung Tak is in full swing preparing for the celebration of her Golden Jubilee. We will invite the Vicar General to officiate at the ceremony. He expressed his wish to deliver his homily in Chinese. I am responsible for writing up the prayers in the liturgy. In my mind, Shung Tak is an EMI school and we are the host. I took it for granted that the ceremony would be in English and prepared the liturgy accordingly. Of course, the celebrant is free to deliver his homily in whichever language he likes. For the benefit of the congregation, he should deliver his homily in Chinese.
When I put forth my reasoning in support for an English liturgy, I did not check the details and claimed that it has been our tradition to hold all these celebrations in English. The principal proved me wrong. She looked through the pamphlets of previous ceremonies and found that there were occasions in which the ceremonies had been conducted in Chinese! The truth is those ceremonies had been prepared, not by me but by the ex-pastoral assistant. The curious part is that I participated in them. Yet, I thought they were conducted in English! Suddenly, it dawned to me that all along, it had been my wish to see that Shung Tak has a tradition to conduct her religious ceremonies in English. Furthermore, it brought up grudges buried long time ago. Subconsciously, I have been trying to forget those unpleasant experiences but unfortunately, they come up again. My God, help me keep in mind that the present principal has nothing to do with those old grudges.
My dear Advocate, speaking in tongue edifies myself and not the others. But in our situation, conducting the ceremony in English is certainly edifying for the parents. Once more, they are assured that Shung Tak offers quality English education for their children. I pray that the principal will change her mind. But I understand that love does not insist. May You be glorified in our celebration. Amen.
According to the opinion of St. Paul, speaking in tongue benefits only the person who speaks.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself (1 Corinthians 14:4a)
When a person is possessed by the Holy Spirit, he enters into a trance. God and he are in union. He is in ecstasy. He begins to speak in tongue which nobody nearby understands. In most cases, he becomes the envy of everyone. In fact, how many of us can be so lucky as to be blessed with the opportunity to enjoy a close encounter with God? But since nobody will understand his utterance while in trance, that is why St. Paul said that only the person himself is edified.
I insist on speaking in English in Shung Tak, the school I am currently teaching in. As an English teacher, of course I speak English most of the time. Moreover, Shung Tak is an EMI school. It provides a very good environment for students to build up their English proficiency. But in a bilingual environment in which most people speak Chinese, I have to switch to and fro between the two languages. It does not pose any problem for me. The problem is, the current principal and the previous one are not insistent enough to speak in English.
Shung Tak is in full swing preparing for the celebration of her Golden Jubilee. We will invite the Vicar General to officiate at the ceremony. He expressed his wish to deliver his homily in Chinese. I am responsible for writing up the prayers in the liturgy. In my mind, Shung Tak is an EMI school and we are the host. I took it for granted that the ceremony would be in English and prepared the liturgy accordingly. Of course, the celebrant is free to deliver his homily in whichever language he likes. For the benefit of the congregation, he should deliver his homily in Chinese.
When I put forth my reasoning in support for an English liturgy, I did not check the details and claimed that it has been our tradition to hold all these celebrations in English. The principal proved me wrong. She looked through the pamphlets of previous ceremonies and found that there were occasions in which the ceremonies had been conducted in Chinese! The truth is those ceremonies had been prepared, not by me but by the ex-pastoral assistant. The curious part is that I participated in them. Yet, I thought they were conducted in English! Suddenly, it dawned to me that all along, it had been my wish to see that Shung Tak has a tradition to conduct her religious ceremonies in English. Furthermore, it brought up grudges buried long time ago. Subconsciously, I have been trying to forget those unpleasant experiences but unfortunately, they come up again. My God, help me keep in mind that the present principal has nothing to do with those old grudges.
My dear Advocate, speaking in tongue edifies myself and not the others. But in our situation, conducting the ceremony in English is certainly edifying for the parents. Once more, they are assured that Shung Tak offers quality English education for their children. I pray that the principal will change her mind. But I understand that love does not insist. May You be glorified in our celebration. Amen.
Thursday 18 September 2008
Ode of Love
St. Paul examined all those extraordinary features of church life, i.e. speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 13:1); prophetic power, knowledge of mysteries, faith to move mountains (13:2); total self-renunciation and martyrdom (13:3) and concluded that without love (ἀγάπην), these features are worthless. If we focus on their utilities or their consequences, these features are good. They are good for individual members as well as for the church as a whole. These features are gifts from the Holy Spirit. They help build up the church. Therefore, it is hard to imagine their worthlessness.
Of course St. Paul knew that these features are good. But he strongly felt that they are not good enough if love is not the motive. Both millionaires donated $1,000,000 to the charity. The first one did it for fame. The second one did it for the care of the needy. If you are a utilitarian or consequentialist, the two donations make no difference to you. However, if you are like St. Paul and you judge the two, not according to how much they had donated and how many needy people benefited, but according to the nobility of their motives, then you would only approve of the second one.
But what exactly is love? This is too abstract and is rather difficult to articulate in words.
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;
it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
Love is patient. But is patience love? Obviously not. A man goes patiently fishing. Does he love the fish? Of course not.
We then see Paul try to describe love, like God, in a negative way, in what love is NOT: not jealous, not boastful, not arrogant, not rude, not insistent, not irritable, not resentful and not unjust οὐ ζηλοῖ, [ἡ ἀγάπη] οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται, οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ, οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς, οὐ παροξύνεται, οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν, οὐ χαίρει ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, (13:4b-6a). All these are the opposites of abstract qualities. So, love is a concept that is difficult to capture. But is love a concept?
Then St. Paul continued to describe what love does: does the right thing, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ. πάντα στέγει, πάντα πιστεύει, πάντα ἐλπίζει, πάντα ὑπομένει. (13:6b-7). Using action verbs was Paul's attempt to concretize such an abstract entity. Here, St. Paul tended to lump everything together, including even faith and hope in love. No wonder at the end, he claims that among the three, love is the greatest.
So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
νυνὶ δὲ μένει πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη, τὰ τρία ταῦτα: μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη. (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Modern psychologists are in a better position than St. Paul. For example, Eric Fromm wrote a popular book in 1956 called The Art of Loving. He was a Jew like St. Paul and had received extensive Talmudic training. He turned away from orthodox Judaism, but popularized its ideas in his books. In analyzing the nature of different kinds of love, e.g. parental love, love between husband and wife, among friends and even patriotism etc., Eric Fromm was able to isolate four common elements of love: care, responsibility, respect and knowledge. His treatment makes love a more tangible and accessible entity.
My dear Advocate, warm up our hearts so that we are better able to care about our neighbours, more willing to commit ourselves for the welfare of people around us. Enlighten our mind so that we may know the proper way to love You and our neighbours. Amen.
Of course St. Paul knew that these features are good. But he strongly felt that they are not good enough if love is not the motive. Both millionaires donated $1,000,000 to the charity. The first one did it for fame. The second one did it for the care of the needy. If you are a utilitarian or consequentialist, the two donations make no difference to you. However, if you are like St. Paul and you judge the two, not according to how much they had donated and how many needy people benefited, but according to the nobility of their motives, then you would only approve of the second one.
But what exactly is love? This is too abstract and is rather difficult to articulate in words.
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;
it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
Love is patient. But is patience love? Obviously not. A man goes patiently fishing. Does he love the fish? Of course not.
We then see Paul try to describe love, like God, in a negative way, in what love is NOT: not jealous, not boastful, not arrogant, not rude, not insistent, not irritable, not resentful and not unjust οὐ ζηλοῖ, [ἡ ἀγάπη] οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται, οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ, οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς, οὐ παροξύνεται, οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν, οὐ χαίρει ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, (13:4b-6a). All these are the opposites of abstract qualities. So, love is a concept that is difficult to capture. But is love a concept?
Then St. Paul continued to describe what love does: does the right thing, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ. πάντα στέγει, πάντα πιστεύει, πάντα ἐλπίζει, πάντα ὑπομένει. (13:6b-7). Using action verbs was Paul's attempt to concretize such an abstract entity. Here, St. Paul tended to lump everything together, including even faith and hope in love. No wonder at the end, he claims that among the three, love is the greatest.
So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
νυνὶ δὲ μένει πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη, τὰ τρία ταῦτα: μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη. (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Modern psychologists are in a better position than St. Paul. For example, Eric Fromm wrote a popular book in 1956 called The Art of Loving. He was a Jew like St. Paul and had received extensive Talmudic training. He turned away from orthodox Judaism, but popularized its ideas in his books. In analyzing the nature of different kinds of love, e.g. parental love, love between husband and wife, among friends and even patriotism etc., Eric Fromm was able to isolate four common elements of love: care, responsibility, respect and knowledge. His treatment makes love a more tangible and accessible entity.
My dear Advocate, warm up our hearts so that we are better able to care about our neighbours, more willing to commit ourselves for the welfare of people around us. Enlighten our mind so that we may know the proper way to love You and our neighbours. Amen.
Wednesday 17 September 2008
The Mystical Body of Christ
I do not have any statistics, but I believe that chapters 12, 13 of the first epistle to the Corinthians are the most quoted chapters of St. Paul's epistles. Chapter 12 expounds an organic view of the church and chapter 13 is an ode to charity.
First of all, St. Paul discusses the different gifts each member received from the Holy Spirit. In order to help believers stick together in one church, the Holy Spirit empowers the church members in different ways in order to help build them up into one church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit (utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecies, the discernment of spirits and speaking in tongues) are for the common good, for the building up of the church. Therefore, possession of these special talents is nothing to boast about. They come from the same Holy Spirit for the building of the church. Yet, boasting is a reality in life and boasting is the source of factionalism which Paul tried to eradicate.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).
St. Paul continues to expound his theology of the church being the Mystical Body of Christ. We are all members of this Body. Together, members form an organic whole. They are interdependent. Therefore, there should NOT be any discrimination against any members.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
However, there are a few verses which are quoted less frequently.
On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable,
and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
which our more presentable parts do not require (1 Corinthians 12:22-24a).
Here, St. Paul was not very explicit. There is no way to determine what those "weaker", "less honourable" members Paul referred to. Back to our physical body, which parts of the physical body are weaker and yet indispensable? Quickly, one would answer: the tongue. It is not as hard as bones or teeth. Without it, we cannot articulate our thoughts and feelings. It is truly indispensable for normal life.
To wrap up chapter 12, Paul ranked the different offices in the Church!
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:28).
The gifts and duties are different and serve different purposes. Since they all serve one purpose, they should be treated equally with respect. A big organization demands a division of labour. Then, a hierarchy began to emerge, with the apostles at the zenith.
My dear Advocate, I thank my sweet Jesus for his tolerance and patience in accepting us to make up his Mystical Body. We are unworthy to be absorbed into You. Pray that our words and actions will not tarnish Your glory. Amen.
First of all, St. Paul discusses the different gifts each member received from the Holy Spirit. In order to help believers stick together in one church, the Holy Spirit empowers the church members in different ways in order to help build them up into one church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit (utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecies, the discernment of spirits and speaking in tongues) are for the common good, for the building up of the church. Therefore, possession of these special talents is nothing to boast about. They come from the same Holy Spirit for the building of the church. Yet, boasting is a reality in life and boasting is the source of factionalism which Paul tried to eradicate.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).
St. Paul continues to expound his theology of the church being the Mystical Body of Christ. We are all members of this Body. Together, members form an organic whole. They are interdependent. Therefore, there should NOT be any discrimination against any members.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
However, there are a few verses which are quoted less frequently.
On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable,
and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
which our more presentable parts do not require (1 Corinthians 12:22-24a).
Here, St. Paul was not very explicit. There is no way to determine what those "weaker", "less honourable" members Paul referred to. Back to our physical body, which parts of the physical body are weaker and yet indispensable? Quickly, one would answer: the tongue. It is not as hard as bones or teeth. Without it, we cannot articulate our thoughts and feelings. It is truly indispensable for normal life.
To wrap up chapter 12, Paul ranked the different offices in the Church!
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:28).
The gifts and duties are different and serve different purposes. Since they all serve one purpose, they should be treated equally with respect. A big organization demands a division of labour. Then, a hierarchy began to emerge, with the apostles at the zenith.
My dear Advocate, I thank my sweet Jesus for his tolerance and patience in accepting us to make up his Mystical Body. We are unworthy to be absorbed into You. Pray that our words and actions will not tarnish Your glory. Amen.
Tuesday 16 September 2008
Should women wear veils during worship?
According to the Lectionary, I should be reading chapter 12 of the first epistle to the Corinthians. However, I don't want to miss anything and so, I read chapter 11 instead. This is not an easy chapter to understand. No wonder, it is not included in the daily reading texts.
Paul began by appealing the Corinthians to imitate him. He was very good at writing one-liners. This one is a top-quality aphorism.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Matthew had a hard time with the Scribes and Pharisees. He recorded the following warning from Jesus.
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat;
so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice (Matthew 23:2-3).
St. Paul was a reformed Pharisee. He was different from his fellow party members. So, he could encourage the Corinthians to imitate him. As a teacher, I myself dare not tell my students to imitate me. I do not always practise what I preach. I am fully aware of my pride, arrogance and weaknesses. Therefore, I do not have the moral authority to tell my students to follow my behaviours. How can I tell my students not to smoke when I myself smoke a pipe in my nocturnal reading? St. Paul is admirable indeed. He preached what he practised.
Then Paul began to touch on the issue of women wearing veils during worship. I think this issue was culturally determined. Its teachings might not be applicable elsewhere. This position of mine may raise the eye-brows of some of my readers who think that the writing of the Bible is inspired by God. Therefore, the Bible contains nothing but the truth. To say that the truth recorded in the Bible cannot be applied elsewhere will infuriate many people.
In patriarchal societies, women are deprived of the opportunity to exercise authority. So, when a lady became the Supreme Ruler of Mainland China, many people would be unhappy. Some felt that a lady emperor was "a female rooster summoning the dawn." Of course, the patriarchal societies were wrong. Just survey the leaders of the world and you will find lady presidents, Queens and ministers etc. So, how are we to handle the problem of forcing women to wear veils in worship?
For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels (1 Corinthians 11:7, 10).
The logic does not follow. Man should not cover his head because he is the image and glory of God. Now, woman is the glory of man. Then why should she cover her head. Put it in another way, if the glory of man should cover her head, shouldn't the glory of God cover his head even more?
Then St. Paul argued from the natural world.
Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him,
but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? (1 Corinthians 11:14-15)
Then all the male in China in ancient times were degraded! Therefore, my only conclusion is that women wearing veils in worship is only a culturally determined practice not necessarily applicable to worships in other parts of the world.
Chapter 11 also gives us Paul's theology of the Holy Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:23-27). It also tries to tackle the manner with which the Corinthians handled the Lord's Supper. Much background information about how the Agape was conducted in Church is not available. Scholars have to conjure up some educated guesses as to what had actually happened. We are able to identify some issues: factionalism (11:18-19), lack of charity (11:22) and did not receive the body of the Lord in worthy manners (11:27-30). There are quite a number of real issues to handle. Unlike the practice of veiling the head, these issues are universally applicable.
My dear Advocate, You inspired culturally conditioned authors to write the Bible. The spirit is more important than the letters. Empower us to be able to discern the message You want them to convey to us. Amen.
Paul began by appealing the Corinthians to imitate him. He was very good at writing one-liners. This one is a top-quality aphorism.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Matthew had a hard time with the Scribes and Pharisees. He recorded the following warning from Jesus.
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat;
so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice (Matthew 23:2-3).
St. Paul was a reformed Pharisee. He was different from his fellow party members. So, he could encourage the Corinthians to imitate him. As a teacher, I myself dare not tell my students to imitate me. I do not always practise what I preach. I am fully aware of my pride, arrogance and weaknesses. Therefore, I do not have the moral authority to tell my students to follow my behaviours. How can I tell my students not to smoke when I myself smoke a pipe in my nocturnal reading? St. Paul is admirable indeed. He preached what he practised.
Then Paul began to touch on the issue of women wearing veils during worship. I think this issue was culturally determined. Its teachings might not be applicable elsewhere. This position of mine may raise the eye-brows of some of my readers who think that the writing of the Bible is inspired by God. Therefore, the Bible contains nothing but the truth. To say that the truth recorded in the Bible cannot be applied elsewhere will infuriate many people.
In patriarchal societies, women are deprived of the opportunity to exercise authority. So, when a lady became the Supreme Ruler of Mainland China, many people would be unhappy. Some felt that a lady emperor was "a female rooster summoning the dawn." Of course, the patriarchal societies were wrong. Just survey the leaders of the world and you will find lady presidents, Queens and ministers etc. So, how are we to handle the problem of forcing women to wear veils in worship?
For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels (1 Corinthians 11:7, 10).
The logic does not follow. Man should not cover his head because he is the image and glory of God. Now, woman is the glory of man. Then why should she cover her head. Put it in another way, if the glory of man should cover her head, shouldn't the glory of God cover his head even more?
Then St. Paul argued from the natural world.
Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him,
but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? (1 Corinthians 11:14-15)
Then all the male in China in ancient times were degraded! Therefore, my only conclusion is that women wearing veils in worship is only a culturally determined practice not necessarily applicable to worships in other parts of the world.
Chapter 11 also gives us Paul's theology of the Holy Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:23-27). It also tries to tackle the manner with which the Corinthians handled the Lord's Supper. Much background information about how the Agape was conducted in Church is not available. Scholars have to conjure up some educated guesses as to what had actually happened. We are able to identify some issues: factionalism (11:18-19), lack of charity (11:22) and did not receive the body of the Lord in worthy manners (11:27-30). There are quite a number of real issues to handle. Unlike the practice of veiling the head, these issues are universally applicable.
My dear Advocate, You inspired culturally conditioned authors to write the Bible. The spirit is more important than the letters. Empower us to be able to discern the message You want them to convey to us. Amen.
Monday 15 September 2008
Feast of Seven Sorrows of the BVM
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary today. Jesus gave Mary to be our mother when he was crucified on the cross (John 19:27). Not only does she take care of her adopted children, she is also set up as a model for us to imitate. She cooperated with God to bring Jesus to this world. Therefore, she is a prototype for all Christians who are supposed to bring Christ to this world too. She followed Jesus closely in the background in his public ministry, never ever overshadowed her son. She suffered together with Jesus during his crucifixion. Standing below the cross, the Blessed Virgin went through her martyrdom, bearing witness to the truth. Of course, we are not saved through her sufferings, but meditations on her sufferings would bring us closer to our Saviour.
The Church meditates on the following seven occasions of her sorrow.
We read Hebrews 5:7-9 in the celebration today. Here is an interesting verse trying to figure out why Jesus save the world in this funny way.
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;
and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Jesus suffered to learn obedience. His sufferings made him perfect. After suffering his death, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. The logic is puzzling.
First of all, the concept is alien to me: to learn obedience through suffering. What does that mean? How do people learn obedience? Through punishment! If a child does not obey, it receives punishment. After punishment, it learns a lesson. In order to escape punishment and thus suffering, you had better obey! In the case of Jesus, it is the opposite. He suffered because he obeyed! Had Jesus not obeyed the will of the Father, he would not have suffered on the cross.
Secondly, why does Jesus only become the source of salvation for those who obey him? Why is there such a condition? What about those who don't obey him? Shouldn't Jesus be powerful enough to be the source of salvation for all, whether you obey or not? The condition is also funny. Didn't Paul talk about justification through faith? Shouldn't the verse read: Jesus became the source of salvation to those who believe in him?
The theology in Hebrews is interesting. But I am afraid it is incomplete. It seems that the author of Hebrews did not understand that Jesus is God. The verses quoted above do not touch on the divinity of Jesus. In his divinity, there is no need for Jesus to be made perfect because he is already perfect and holy. For eternity, Jesus is the source of salvation. There is no need for him to go through the Passion in order to become the source of salvation. For me, the wording of Hebrews is puzzling because I have not studied theology. Probably some of you may be able to enlighten me on this point.
My dear Lady, pray for your adopted children. May the meditation on your sorrows benefit us and bring us closer to our Sweet Jesus. Amen.
The Church meditates on the following seven occasions of her sorrow.
- when Simeon prophesized about the future of Jesus;
- when they fled to Egypt;
- when they lost Jesus for three days at Jerusalem;
- when she met Jesus while he was carrying his cross to Calvary;
- when she as standing at the foot of the Cross;
- when Jesus was taken down from the Cross, the Pieta
- when Jesus was buried.
We read Hebrews 5:7-9 in the celebration today. Here is an interesting verse trying to figure out why Jesus save the world in this funny way.
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;
and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Jesus suffered to learn obedience. His sufferings made him perfect. After suffering his death, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. The logic is puzzling.
First of all, the concept is alien to me: to learn obedience through suffering. What does that mean? How do people learn obedience? Through punishment! If a child does not obey, it receives punishment. After punishment, it learns a lesson. In order to escape punishment and thus suffering, you had better obey! In the case of Jesus, it is the opposite. He suffered because he obeyed! Had Jesus not obeyed the will of the Father, he would not have suffered on the cross.
Secondly, why does Jesus only become the source of salvation for those who obey him? Why is there such a condition? What about those who don't obey him? Shouldn't Jesus be powerful enough to be the source of salvation for all, whether you obey or not? The condition is also funny. Didn't Paul talk about justification through faith? Shouldn't the verse read: Jesus became the source of salvation to those who believe in him?
The theology in Hebrews is interesting. But I am afraid it is incomplete. It seems that the author of Hebrews did not understand that Jesus is God. The verses quoted above do not touch on the divinity of Jesus. In his divinity, there is no need for Jesus to be made perfect because he is already perfect and holy. For eternity, Jesus is the source of salvation. There is no need for him to go through the Passion in order to become the source of salvation. For me, the wording of Hebrews is puzzling because I have not studied theology. Probably some of you may be able to enlighten me on this point.
My dear Lady, pray for your adopted children. May the meditation on your sorrows benefit us and bring us closer to our Sweet Jesus. Amen.
Sunday 14 September 2008
Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross today. Legend has it that St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, recovered the True Cross in 326 AD. Actually, three crosses were recovered. To identify the true one, a miracle was needed. St. Helena caused a man already dead and buried to be carried to the scene. Upon touching the True Cross, the dead man came back to life! The veneration of relics and images received a big shot in the arm. It spreads like wild fire because deep down in the human psyche, there is a yearning for tangible things. No wonder, many Protestants accuse Catholics of idolatry, of worshipping relics, and of being superstitious.
In Protestant churches, you will not find Jesus on the crucifix. They only have a blank cross hanging on the wall. Protestants follow the Bible literally and therefore, they do not make graven images (Exodus 20:4). This is their taboo, their burden. In Catholic churches, you will find Jesus on the crucifix. There are a great variety of images, depending on the spirituality of the time. The traditional ones have a half-naked Jesus crucified on the cross to suffer for the sins of the world. These images encourage Catholics to repent, to turn away from their sinful life which is the source of Jesus' sufferings. Other modern ones have a risen (fully or half clad) Jesus, arms widely open to embrace the world. These images encourage Catholics to meditate on their own resurrection at the end of the world. These images serve useful purposes for the spiritual development of the congregation. Therefore, I support the veneration of images.
Today, Sr. Lucia So, SSC (Missionary Sister of St. Columban) shared with us her vocation experience during homily time. This is the Silver Jubilee of her perpetual vow. At the moment, the Columban Sisters have given up educational mission in Hong Kong and concentrate more of their efforts in the missionary work in Mainland China.
Sr. Lucia believes that God is equally kind to everybody. Nuns and priests do not receive any special treatment. Each of us is uniquely loved by God in unique ways. She was born and raised in a Catholic village in Pokfulam, Hong Kong. God had prepared her well by sending priests whom she worked with, laity activities that she took part. Father Rene Chevalier, M.E.P. 明之剛神父 left her very fond memories. She was able to experience Jesus' humble service in the person of Fr. Chevalier. Sr. Lucia So dreamed that one day she would be a missionary like Father Chevalier.
Sr. Lucia has a strong sense of community. She held up a basket of flowers a parishioner gave her this morning. She thanked the kindness of all the Tuen Mun parishioners. In the several years she served in Tuen Mun, she felt deeply the brotherly (sisterly?) love we had towards each other and towards her. In her words, the teaching of Jesus was materialized among us in the parish. There are flowers of different kinds and colours. They are fully grown to sing of the glories of the Creator. Together, they make up a beautiful bouquet and emit a rich bouquet. This basket of flowers is an appropriate symbol of our parish life. Thanks Sr. Lucia.
My dear Advocate, I thank you for sending us dedicated missionaries. Pray that Your Holy Name be praised throughout the world. May the veneration of the Holy Cross bring us a true repentance of our sins and a true salvation. Amen.
In Protestant churches, you will not find Jesus on the crucifix. They only have a blank cross hanging on the wall. Protestants follow the Bible literally and therefore, they do not make graven images (Exodus 20:4). This is their taboo, their burden. In Catholic churches, you will find Jesus on the crucifix. There are a great variety of images, depending on the spirituality of the time. The traditional ones have a half-naked Jesus crucified on the cross to suffer for the sins of the world. These images encourage Catholics to repent, to turn away from their sinful life which is the source of Jesus' sufferings. Other modern ones have a risen (fully or half clad) Jesus, arms widely open to embrace the world. These images encourage Catholics to meditate on their own resurrection at the end of the world. These images serve useful purposes for the spiritual development of the congregation. Therefore, I support the veneration of images.
Today, Sr. Lucia So, SSC (Missionary Sister of St. Columban) shared with us her vocation experience during homily time. This is the Silver Jubilee of her perpetual vow. At the moment, the Columban Sisters have given up educational mission in Hong Kong and concentrate more of their efforts in the missionary work in Mainland China.
Sr. Lucia believes that God is equally kind to everybody. Nuns and priests do not receive any special treatment. Each of us is uniquely loved by God in unique ways. She was born and raised in a Catholic village in Pokfulam, Hong Kong. God had prepared her well by sending priests whom she worked with, laity activities that she took part. Father Rene Chevalier, M.E.P. 明之剛神父 left her very fond memories. She was able to experience Jesus' humble service in the person of Fr. Chevalier. Sr. Lucia So dreamed that one day she would be a missionary like Father Chevalier.
Sr. Lucia has a strong sense of community. She held up a basket of flowers a parishioner gave her this morning. She thanked the kindness of all the Tuen Mun parishioners. In the several years she served in Tuen Mun, she felt deeply the brotherly (sisterly?) love we had towards each other and towards her. In her words, the teaching of Jesus was materialized among us in the parish. There are flowers of different kinds and colours. They are fully grown to sing of the glories of the Creator. Together, they make up a beautiful bouquet and emit a rich bouquet. This basket of flowers is an appropriate symbol of our parish life. Thanks Sr. Lucia.
My dear Advocate, I thank you for sending us dedicated missionaries. Pray that Your Holy Name be praised throughout the world. May the veneration of the Holy Cross bring us a true repentance of our sins and a true salvation. Amen.
Saturday 13 September 2008
Paul struck gold in 1 Corinthians 10
It is not easy to summarize the whole of chapter 10 under one theme. Warning against idolatry probably can loosely connect the whole chapter.
It began with a commentary on the wilderness experience of Israelites. Most of the first generation Israelites who left Egypt perished in the wilderness and Paul saw this as a warning for his contemporaries.
Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. (1 Corinthians 10:6)
Truly, the stories written down in the Bible tell us of people's encounters with God, their successes and failures; their ascents and downfalls. Failures and downfalls are usually attributed by Biblical authors to idolatry which had been the major concern for Paul because early Christians lived in a pagan world whose life was saturated with it. Temptation was everywhere.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
It is very encouraging indeed. God will not let us be tempted beyond our strength. Probably this verse is the origin of another popular Christian aphorism: God is faithful. He will not give us a cross too heavy for us to bear/carry.
In his commentary on the wilderness experience, Paul struck gold! He identified Jesus as the Rock from which the Israelites drank!
and all ate the same supernatural food
and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3-4).
This is a spirituality and theology gem. Early Christians must have been very anxious to position themselves as the true Israel. They needed to trace their root back to the Old Testament and reinterpret it in their favour. Here, Paul and John shared the share vision --- that Jesus is the running water and flows to eternity. John wrote several decades later and enjoyed a time advantage. His theology would be more mature. He was able to relate the wound pierced on Jesus' side as the source of living water flowing to eternity. Jesus is the Rock.
However, Paul did not have the time advantage. He died early and was only able to develop the theology of the Mystic Body of Christ, whereas John was able to develop the theology of manna, the bread from heaven.
In this epistle, his discussion of the Holy Communion focused on oneness with Christ, forming the Mystical Body. His target was to refute idolatry.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:21).
Paul was too eager to fight against idolatry. He missed the chance to develop a spirituality of the bread of life, like what John had done. Of course, God has His deployment plan.
Nevertheless, Paul left us very good aphorisms. For example:
"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up (1 Corinthians 10:23, 6:12).
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor (1 Corinthians 10:24).
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Before I leave, let me put down some LXX references. This time in chapter 10, Paul simply copied from LXX. As for Psalm, it is understandable. But he copied even the Torah section of LXX. As a Pharisee, Paul was very familiar with the Torah. In other epistles or even other parts of this epistle, Paul translated the Torah himself into Greek. But not for this time.
ἐκάθισεν ὁ λαὸς φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν καὶ ἀνέστησαν παίζειν.
The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance. (1 Corinthians 10:7b)
ἐκάθισεν ὁ λαὸς φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν καὶ ἀνέστησαν παίζειν. (Exodus 32:6b)
τοῦ κυρίου γὰρ ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς.
the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. (1 Corinthians 10:26)
Τοῦ κυρίου ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς, (Psalm 23:1b LXX, Psalm 24:1b MT)
My dear Advocate, it has been a pleasure to read the first epistle to the Corinthians. Let us learn from Paul and from his reasoning. His deep love for the Israelites is admirable. Very often, familiarity breeds contempt. In Hong Kong, we are easily disgusted with what the Mainland Chinese do. I pray for the baby victims of the recent baby-formula scandal. May they recover and grow healthily. Amen.
It began with a commentary on the wilderness experience of Israelites. Most of the first generation Israelites who left Egypt perished in the wilderness and Paul saw this as a warning for his contemporaries.
Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. (1 Corinthians 10:6)
Truly, the stories written down in the Bible tell us of people's encounters with God, their successes and failures; their ascents and downfalls. Failures and downfalls are usually attributed by Biblical authors to idolatry which had been the major concern for Paul because early Christians lived in a pagan world whose life was saturated with it. Temptation was everywhere.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
It is very encouraging indeed. God will not let us be tempted beyond our strength. Probably this verse is the origin of another popular Christian aphorism: God is faithful. He will not give us a cross too heavy for us to bear/carry.
In his commentary on the wilderness experience, Paul struck gold! He identified Jesus as the Rock from which the Israelites drank!
and all ate the same supernatural food
and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3-4).
This is a spirituality and theology gem. Early Christians must have been very anxious to position themselves as the true Israel. They needed to trace their root back to the Old Testament and reinterpret it in their favour. Here, Paul and John shared the share vision --- that Jesus is the running water and flows to eternity. John wrote several decades later and enjoyed a time advantage. His theology would be more mature. He was able to relate the wound pierced on Jesus' side as the source of living water flowing to eternity. Jesus is the Rock.
However, Paul did not have the time advantage. He died early and was only able to develop the theology of the Mystic Body of Christ, whereas John was able to develop the theology of manna, the bread from heaven.
In this epistle, his discussion of the Holy Communion focused on oneness with Christ, forming the Mystical Body. His target was to refute idolatry.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:21).
Paul was too eager to fight against idolatry. He missed the chance to develop a spirituality of the bread of life, like what John had done. Of course, God has His deployment plan.
Nevertheless, Paul left us very good aphorisms. For example:
"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up (1 Corinthians 10:23, 6:12).
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor (1 Corinthians 10:24).
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Before I leave, let me put down some LXX references. This time in chapter 10, Paul simply copied from LXX. As for Psalm, it is understandable. But he copied even the Torah section of LXX. As a Pharisee, Paul was very familiar with the Torah. In other epistles or even other parts of this epistle, Paul translated the Torah himself into Greek. But not for this time.
ἐκάθισεν ὁ λαὸς φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν καὶ ἀνέστησαν παίζειν.
The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance. (1 Corinthians 10:7b)
ἐκάθισεν ὁ λαὸς φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν καὶ ἀνέστησαν παίζειν. (Exodus 32:6b)
τοῦ κυρίου γὰρ ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς.
the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. (1 Corinthians 10:26)
Τοῦ κυρίου ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς, (Psalm 23:1b LXX, Psalm 24:1b MT)
My dear Advocate, it has been a pleasure to read the first epistle to the Corinthians. Let us learn from Paul and from his reasoning. His deep love for the Israelites is admirable. Very often, familiarity breeds contempt. In Hong Kong, we are easily disgusted with what the Mainland Chinese do. I pray for the baby victims of the recent baby-formula scandal. May they recover and grow healthily. Amen.
Friday 12 September 2008
Becoming all things to all men
Chapter 9 begins with a series of rhetorical questions whose answers are affirmative (1 Corinthians 9:1).
Am I not free? (Yes you are.)
Am I not an apostle? (Yes you are.)
Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? (Yes you have.)
Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? (Yes we are.)
Then Paul continued to defend his right to claim wages for preaching. Interestingly, Paul quoted from Deuteronomy to support his argument. Indeed, Paul constantly quoted the Old Testament, nearly once every chapter. I don't know how the Gentiles believers in Corinth could follow the Old Testament. The quote is
οὐ κημώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα.
You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain. (1 Corinthians 9:9b)
Οὐ φιμώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα.
You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the corn. (Deuteronomy 25:4)
Yet, he set up an example not to claim this right. He preferred to earn a living with his own hands while he was preaching the good news of Jesus.
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12).
This is a very noble and commendable intention. In fact, some people earn a living with preaching the gospel. We have seen many such evangelists who are very popular and successful. However, there are also people who gain power and money through becoming a Christian or Catholic. They make use of loopholes in the administrative procedures of the diocese to satisfy their lust. I trust that God knows it all. Yet, His patience is simply mind-boggling.
The call of Jesus made Paul, and other apostles, a slave.
For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16b)
When things are done out of necessity and duty etc., one is not free. In the beginning, Paul claimed to be free, to be an apostle. Now he felt that Jesus had called him, had commanded him to preach the good news. Therefore, Paul was no longer free. Had he sacrificed his freedom?
Different people are motivated in different ways. Some people respond to money. Some power and others women. Of course, some people simply enjoy doing it and do it they will without analyzing the costs and benefits. They love it. (I wonder any apostles, except John, loved the gospel.) Still others do it out of a sense of mission. Paul surely belonged to this last group of men.
In trying to accomplish this mission, Paul became all things to all men and he humbly expected to be able to save only some people.
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law -- though not being myself under the law -- that I might win those under the law.
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law -- not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ -- that I might win those outside the law.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (1 Corinthians 9:19-22).
These verses remind me of the life and work of Matteo Ricci. When he first reached China, he found that most people believed in Buddhism. So, he dressed himself up like an Indian monk. Later, after befriending the court officials, he understood that Chinese had her own rich culture. So he started learning Chinese, dressed like Chinese. He even authored a few apologetics in Chinese! Like Paul, Matteo Ricci was truly a missionary giant.
My dear Advocate, with Your support, nothing is impossible. Throughout the centuries, You called missionaries into Your service to help preach the good news. May we learn to reach out, to give up our self-centre and be all things to all men. Amen.
Am I not free? (Yes you are.)
Am I not an apostle? (Yes you are.)
Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? (Yes you have.)
Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? (Yes we are.)
Then Paul continued to defend his right to claim wages for preaching. Interestingly, Paul quoted from Deuteronomy to support his argument. Indeed, Paul constantly quoted the Old Testament, nearly once every chapter. I don't know how the Gentiles believers in Corinth could follow the Old Testament. The quote is
οὐ κημώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα.
You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain. (1 Corinthians 9:9b)
Οὐ φιμώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα.
You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the corn. (Deuteronomy 25:4)
Yet, he set up an example not to claim this right. He preferred to earn a living with his own hands while he was preaching the good news of Jesus.
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12).
This is a very noble and commendable intention. In fact, some people earn a living with preaching the gospel. We have seen many such evangelists who are very popular and successful. However, there are also people who gain power and money through becoming a Christian or Catholic. They make use of loopholes in the administrative procedures of the diocese to satisfy their lust. I trust that God knows it all. Yet, His patience is simply mind-boggling.
The call of Jesus made Paul, and other apostles, a slave.
For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16b)
When things are done out of necessity and duty etc., one is not free. In the beginning, Paul claimed to be free, to be an apostle. Now he felt that Jesus had called him, had commanded him to preach the good news. Therefore, Paul was no longer free. Had he sacrificed his freedom?
Different people are motivated in different ways. Some people respond to money. Some power and others women. Of course, some people simply enjoy doing it and do it they will without analyzing the costs and benefits. They love it. (I wonder any apostles, except John, loved the gospel.) Still others do it out of a sense of mission. Paul surely belonged to this last group of men.
In trying to accomplish this mission, Paul became all things to all men and he humbly expected to be able to save only some people.
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law -- though not being myself under the law -- that I might win those under the law.
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law -- not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ -- that I might win those outside the law.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (1 Corinthians 9:19-22).
These verses remind me of the life and work of Matteo Ricci. When he first reached China, he found that most people believed in Buddhism. So, he dressed himself up like an Indian monk. Later, after befriending the court officials, he understood that Chinese had her own rich culture. So he started learning Chinese, dressed like Chinese. He even authored a few apologetics in Chinese! Like Paul, Matteo Ricci was truly a missionary giant.
My dear Advocate, with Your support, nothing is impossible. Throughout the centuries, You called missionaries into Your service to help preach the good news. May we learn to reach out, to give up our self-centre and be all things to all men. Amen.
Thursday 11 September 2008
Love edifies
Chapter 8 of the first epistle to the Corinthians is more laudable. There are some word-plays to help readers memorize the passage. Below are two such poetic verses in Chapter 8.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
ἡ γνῶσις φυσιοῖ, ἡ δὲ ἀγάπη οἰκοδομεῖ. (1 Corinthians 8:1b)
yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. ἀλλ' ἡμῖν
εἷς θεὸς ὁ πατήρ, ἐξ οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς αὐτόν, καὶ
εἷς κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, δι' οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς δι' αὐτοῦ. (1 Corinthians 8:6)
The issue was raised concerning the eating of meat offered to idols. Of course, Christians confess only one loving God. Other idols simply aren't any god. Therefore, for Christians, meat offered to idols is no different from ordinary meat. Even if those idols were really gods, Paul refuted the effectiveness of eating meat offered to idols.
Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do(1 Corinthians 8:8).
Therefore, for Christians, eating meat offered to idols is not a problem. This is one of the many ways showing that knowing the truth will make us free. We will not be troubled by superstitions. We enjoy the freedom to eat any meat. That is how knowledge puffs us up!
Regrettably, in real life situation, nobody possesses complete knowledge. We must always take risks and make moral choices under the constrains of incomplete knowledge. Very often, we regret what we have chosen. We could have chosen better, have done better. How shall we improve our lots? How shall we approach a problem so as to minimize our regret? Paul suggests making love the motive of our choices and actions. Love edifies.
Go back to his famous example of eating meat offered to idols. Considering the possibility of hurting the conscience of brethren with a weaker faith, Christians should refrain from eating meat offered to idols. This is an act of charity. When our action is based on charity, we seldom err. Even if we err, we will not regret.
It is a pity that St. Paul had to pit knowledge against charity when he dealt with the Corinthian church. In Corinth, there might be Gnostics or some other Christians who prided themselves of their knowledge. However, without love, such knowledge is dead. That is why later, in chapter 13, St. Paul wrote an ode in praise of love.
My dear Advocate, I pray that we may all abide in Your love. Then we will make less mistakes. Amen.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
ἡ γνῶσις φυσιοῖ, ἡ δὲ ἀγάπη οἰκοδομεῖ. (1 Corinthians 8:1b)
yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. ἀλλ' ἡμῖν
εἷς θεὸς ὁ πατήρ, ἐξ οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς αὐτόν, καὶ
εἷς κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, δι' οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς δι' αὐτοῦ. (1 Corinthians 8:6)
The issue was raised concerning the eating of meat offered to idols. Of course, Christians confess only one loving God. Other idols simply aren't any god. Therefore, for Christians, meat offered to idols is no different from ordinary meat. Even if those idols were really gods, Paul refuted the effectiveness of eating meat offered to idols.
Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do(1 Corinthians 8:8).
Therefore, for Christians, eating meat offered to idols is not a problem. This is one of the many ways showing that knowing the truth will make us free. We will not be troubled by superstitions. We enjoy the freedom to eat any meat. That is how knowledge puffs us up!
Regrettably, in real life situation, nobody possesses complete knowledge. We must always take risks and make moral choices under the constrains of incomplete knowledge. Very often, we regret what we have chosen. We could have chosen better, have done better. How shall we improve our lots? How shall we approach a problem so as to minimize our regret? Paul suggests making love the motive of our choices and actions. Love edifies.
Go back to his famous example of eating meat offered to idols. Considering the possibility of hurting the conscience of brethren with a weaker faith, Christians should refrain from eating meat offered to idols. This is an act of charity. When our action is based on charity, we seldom err. Even if we err, we will not regret.
It is a pity that St. Paul had to pit knowledge against charity when he dealt with the Corinthian church. In Corinth, there might be Gnostics or some other Christians who prided themselves of their knowledge. However, without love, such knowledge is dead. That is why later, in chapter 13, St. Paul wrote an ode in praise of love.
My dear Advocate, I pray that we may all abide in Your love. Then we will make less mistakes. Amen.
Wednesday 10 September 2008
How far shall Christians suffer wrong silently?
Yesterday I stuck to Paul's teaching of not settling our disputes with outsiders. Furthermore, I admired his exhortation to suffer wrong (1 Corinthians 6:7). However, is there a limit to its application? Are there crimes so serious that even the Church cannot handle?
In the past few years, child abuse scandals plagued the Catholic Church all over the world. Some dioceses even went bankrupt in face of tides of compensation claims. In many cases, probably following the exhortation of St. Paul, the victims suffered silently for decades. On the other hand, the dioceses swept the problem under the carpet by transferring the offending priests elsewhere. Consequently, the priests were not reformed. Nor the victims underwent rehabilitation. The Catholic Church believes in God. The Church also claims herself to be a church of sinners. Yet, it is questionable if the parties involved benefit at all. Shall we let God take care of the victims as well as the abusive priests? But one thing is certain. It is an abuse of the trust of the parents who entrust their minors into our care. The Church is a champion of justice. Yet, allowing abusive priests to leave unpunished is not doing justice to the victims.
Of course, this is a very superficial discussion of a hot issue. Each case has a lot of information not revealed to the public. Therefore, the opinions above tend to be over-sweeping. But I cannot convince myself to let abusive priests go unpunished. Were St. Paul alive today, what would he advise the church to deal with them?
Chapter 7 of the first epistle to the Corinthians deals with marriage. Personally, I dislike some of St. Paul's ideas in this chapter. His attitude towards marriage was too negative (1 Corinthians 7:1-2). Maybe this is an early epistle and his ideas had been immature. In general, people find his ideas about marriage more palatable in Ephesians. That said, St. Paul's ideas remain a very illuminating guideline to Christian marriage.
My sweet Jesus, bless my marriage. May Erminia and me lead a loving married life to glorify Your love for the Church, especially for the fallen brethrens. Amen.
In the past few years, child abuse scandals plagued the Catholic Church all over the world. Some dioceses even went bankrupt in face of tides of compensation claims. In many cases, probably following the exhortation of St. Paul, the victims suffered silently for decades. On the other hand, the dioceses swept the problem under the carpet by transferring the offending priests elsewhere. Consequently, the priests were not reformed. Nor the victims underwent rehabilitation. The Catholic Church believes in God. The Church also claims herself to be a church of sinners. Yet, it is questionable if the parties involved benefit at all. Shall we let God take care of the victims as well as the abusive priests? But one thing is certain. It is an abuse of the trust of the parents who entrust their minors into our care. The Church is a champion of justice. Yet, allowing abusive priests to leave unpunished is not doing justice to the victims.
Of course, this is a very superficial discussion of a hot issue. Each case has a lot of information not revealed to the public. Therefore, the opinions above tend to be over-sweeping. But I cannot convince myself to let abusive priests go unpunished. Were St. Paul alive today, what would he advise the church to deal with them?
Chapter 7 of the first epistle to the Corinthians deals with marriage. Personally, I dislike some of St. Paul's ideas in this chapter. His attitude towards marriage was too negative (1 Corinthians 7:1-2). Maybe this is an early epistle and his ideas had been immature. In general, people find his ideas about marriage more palatable in Ephesians. That said, St. Paul's ideas remain a very illuminating guideline to Christian marriage.
My sweet Jesus, bless my marriage. May Erminia and me lead a loving married life to glorify Your love for the Church, especially for the fallen brethrens. Amen.
Tuesday 9 September 2008
All things are lawful?
We return to the first epistle to the Corinthians again. Today, we read chapter 6. A lot of theological concepts have been packed within these 20 verses.
First of all, disputes arose among the Corinthian community. Some members did not settle their disputes within the community. Rather, they brought their grievances to Roman court of justice. They tried to summon the support of outsiders to defeat their rivals within the Church! Paul was very angry about such actions. He thought that Christians were called to be saints while people outside the church were unrighteous in the sight of God. How could they drag their brethren, who were saints, to be tortured by these unrighteous outsiders (1 Corinthians 6:1-6)?
This was exactly what happened to Shung Tak last year. If you argue that your reporting the case to ICAC was the right thing to do because you were doing your civic obligation and that you were a good citizen because you have rendered to Caesar what belonged to Caesar etc., you are dead wrong. Haven't you read the next part of the verse: to God what belongs to God (Mark 12:17)? Which is more important, to be a good citizen of Hong Kong, or to be a good citizen of the Kingdom of God? What does not belong to God? Are the School Managers too incompetent to handle the case?
Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? (1 Corinthians 6:7b)
It is a pity to see you abusing your authority. St. Paul told us not to call upon outsiders to settle internal disputes. Probably, you were not even aware of his teaching in this chapter.
This chapter is rich in texture and touch on your life. There are 6 rhetorical questions. Namely,
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? (1 Corinthians 6:2a)
Do you not know that we are to judge angels? (1 Corinthians 6:3a)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Corinthians 6:9a)
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? (1 Corinthians 6:15a)
Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? (1 Corinthians 6:16a)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19a)
Some of these points are very Jewish. For example, judging the world and judging angels. It was news to me. It is the first time I heard that we are to judge angels. Amazing isn't it? I am sure we do not have the authority and capacity to do so. But since the Son had become men and raised their standard above angels before God, there is nothing capable of preventing us from reaching out to God.
The point about prostitutes is common sense but Jewish enough. It is based on Genesis 2:24.
Again, the point about the unrighteous not inheriting the Kingdom of God is common sense. Yet, the concept of inheriting the Kingdom of God is very Christian.
The remaining 2 points are Christian: members of the Mystic Body of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
This epistle was probably written early after his conversion. Paul was still half-Christian, half-Jewish.
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Thanks Paul for leaving us with these memorable one-liners. Yes, we are free to do anything, but the consequences of some of them are harmful. Think thrice before you leap.
My dear Advocate, open our eyes to see the right things to do; our hearts to love our brethren. Amen.
First of all, disputes arose among the Corinthian community. Some members did not settle their disputes within the community. Rather, they brought their grievances to Roman court of justice. They tried to summon the support of outsiders to defeat their rivals within the Church! Paul was very angry about such actions. He thought that Christians were called to be saints while people outside the church were unrighteous in the sight of God. How could they drag their brethren, who were saints, to be tortured by these unrighteous outsiders (1 Corinthians 6:1-6)?
This was exactly what happened to Shung Tak last year. If you argue that your reporting the case to ICAC was the right thing to do because you were doing your civic obligation and that you were a good citizen because you have rendered to Caesar what belonged to Caesar etc., you are dead wrong. Haven't you read the next part of the verse: to God what belongs to God (Mark 12:17)? Which is more important, to be a good citizen of Hong Kong, or to be a good citizen of the Kingdom of God? What does not belong to God? Are the School Managers too incompetent to handle the case?
Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? (1 Corinthians 6:7b)
It is a pity to see you abusing your authority. St. Paul told us not to call upon outsiders to settle internal disputes. Probably, you were not even aware of his teaching in this chapter.
This chapter is rich in texture and touch on your life. There are 6 rhetorical questions. Namely,
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? (1 Corinthians 6:2a)
Do you not know that we are to judge angels? (1 Corinthians 6:3a)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Corinthians 6:9a)
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? (1 Corinthians 6:15a)
Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? (1 Corinthians 6:16a)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19a)
Some of these points are very Jewish. For example, judging the world and judging angels. It was news to me. It is the first time I heard that we are to judge angels. Amazing isn't it? I am sure we do not have the authority and capacity to do so. But since the Son had become men and raised their standard above angels before God, there is nothing capable of preventing us from reaching out to God.
The point about prostitutes is common sense but Jewish enough. It is based on Genesis 2:24.
Again, the point about the unrighteous not inheriting the Kingdom of God is common sense. Yet, the concept of inheriting the Kingdom of God is very Christian.
The remaining 2 points are Christian: members of the Mystic Body of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
This epistle was probably written early after his conversion. Paul was still half-Christian, half-Jewish.
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Thanks Paul for leaving us with these memorable one-liners. Yes, we are free to do anything, but the consequences of some of them are harmful. Think thrice before you leap.
My dear Advocate, open our eyes to see the right things to do; our hearts to love our brethren. Amen.
Monday 8 September 2008
Feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary today. Of course, it is impossible for the canonical New Testament to have any record of the birth of Our Lady. The gospels proclaim our Lord, Jesus Christ, not the Blessed Virgin. She was only a supporting cast in the story of our Saviour.
This feast was the outcome of Marian devotion from previous centuries. We humans need a father-figure as well as a mother-figure to hold on to. Jesus understands our needs. Therefore, while he was still hanging on the cross, he entrusted us into the care of his mother (John 19:26) and gave us his own mother to be our mother (John 19:27). She becomes the perfect channel to convey God's blessings on our needs. Very often, our earthly mothers are less than desirable. The Blessed Virgin, our Heavenly Mother, is able to fill up this void. Naturally, we invest whatever is lacking in our earthly mothers into the Blessed Virgin. It is at first sight, a bit contradictory to have a virgin as a mother. Think just one step ahead, we will immediately know that it is possible when we are only her adopted children. Of course, the virgin-birth of the Saviour is another story. As the Blessed Virgin, Mary naturally becomes the patron saint for all the virgins. In ancient times, if a woman wanted to free herself from the patriarchal tyranny of marriage and childbearing, leading a religious life as a nun was one way out. Therefore, the Blessed Virgin is also an Advocate of Women Emancipation. Believe it or not, the Catholic Church has been pretty progressive in allowing the proliferation of Marian devotion and in allowing women to shake off the roles assigned them by the society at large. This probably explains the origin and growth of Marian devotion in the Catholic Church. Of course, this is just a wild hypothesis and the Catholic Church may not endorse such an explanation. Anyway, as her children, it is appropriate for us to celebrate the nativity of our Heavenly Mother.
Most of us are grownups and our surviving mothers are most likely aged. Looking back, the mass culture has been feeding us with immaculate images of mothers. They have been portrayed as adorable, devotional, heroic, lovable, selfless and tender. In reality, many a mother is fragile, addicted to mahjong and even foulmouthed. When they were young and inexperienced, they might be overanxious and domineering. When they are aging, they might become impossible to reason with, obsessive and might begin to lose touch with the outside world. When they become unlovable, it is emotionally exhausting to love them back.
In this feast of Nativity of Our Lady, we don't just honour our Heavenly Mother. This feast also reminds us of our aging mothers, of their needs. How did you celebrate the birthday of your mother when she was younger? Now that she is getting old and her mind regressing to babies, how will you celebrate her birthday?
This summer, I spent a week living with my mum. In the foreseeable future, I might not have any other chance to do the same. I hope I will not feel guilty about failing to repay her what an eldest son should do.
My Heavenly Mother, channel your grace to my mum. May she be free from her alcoholism and enjoy a peaceful autumn in life. Amen.
This feast was the outcome of Marian devotion from previous centuries. We humans need a father-figure as well as a mother-figure to hold on to. Jesus understands our needs. Therefore, while he was still hanging on the cross, he entrusted us into the care of his mother (John 19:26) and gave us his own mother to be our mother (John 19:27). She becomes the perfect channel to convey God's blessings on our needs. Very often, our earthly mothers are less than desirable. The Blessed Virgin, our Heavenly Mother, is able to fill up this void. Naturally, we invest whatever is lacking in our earthly mothers into the Blessed Virgin. It is at first sight, a bit contradictory to have a virgin as a mother. Think just one step ahead, we will immediately know that it is possible when we are only her adopted children. Of course, the virgin-birth of the Saviour is another story. As the Blessed Virgin, Mary naturally becomes the patron saint for all the virgins. In ancient times, if a woman wanted to free herself from the patriarchal tyranny of marriage and childbearing, leading a religious life as a nun was one way out. Therefore, the Blessed Virgin is also an Advocate of Women Emancipation. Believe it or not, the Catholic Church has been pretty progressive in allowing the proliferation of Marian devotion and in allowing women to shake off the roles assigned them by the society at large. This probably explains the origin and growth of Marian devotion in the Catholic Church. Of course, this is just a wild hypothesis and the Catholic Church may not endorse such an explanation. Anyway, as her children, it is appropriate for us to celebrate the nativity of our Heavenly Mother.
Most of us are grownups and our surviving mothers are most likely aged. Looking back, the mass culture has been feeding us with immaculate images of mothers. They have been portrayed as adorable, devotional, heroic, lovable, selfless and tender. In reality, many a mother is fragile, addicted to mahjong and even foulmouthed. When they were young and inexperienced, they might be overanxious and domineering. When they are aging, they might become impossible to reason with, obsessive and might begin to lose touch with the outside world. When they become unlovable, it is emotionally exhausting to love them back.
In this feast of Nativity of Our Lady, we don't just honour our Heavenly Mother. This feast also reminds us of our aging mothers, of their needs. How did you celebrate the birthday of your mother when she was younger? Now that she is getting old and her mind regressing to babies, how will you celebrate her birthday?
This summer, I spent a week living with my mum. In the foreseeable future, I might not have any other chance to do the same. I hope I will not feel guilty about failing to repay her what an eldest son should do.
My Heavenly Mother, channel your grace to my mum. May she be free from her alcoholism and enjoy a peaceful autumn in life. Amen.
Sunday 7 September 2008
Winning the soul of a brother
Times and again, we are embarrassed by the morality stipulated in the Old Testament. Quite a large number of the precepts are culturally conditioned and may not be universally applicable. Take the example of keeping the Sabbath holy. Frankly speaking, nowadays many people mistake Sunday for the Sabbath because they rest on Sunday and the Sabbath is supposed to be the day of rest. Actually, in ancient time, Sunday was the day devoted to the worship of the sun. That is why it was called Sunday. Roman legislation made it the first day of the week. The concept of the Sabbath comes from the creation story in Genesis. The Sabbath is the day after the 6-day creation. God blessed this seventh day (Genesis 2:3). So, if we equate one week with seven days, the Sabbath is the last day of the week: Saturday! The Ten Commandments make it mandatory to rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10). However, the Christian Western world rests on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus and Christians also observe the Ten Commandments. Therefore, Sunday gets mixed up with the Sabbath. Christians rest on the wrong day! What is worse, whoever works on Saturday should be put to death!
You shall keep the sabbath, because it is holy for you; every one who profanes it shall be put to death; whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall be put to death (Exodus 31:14-15).
No wonder early Christians were persecuted by Saul (Paul) and many other Jews.
Jews are a very pragmatic people. They don't care much about the niceties of morality. They care more about the consequences. Take the advice of Ezekiel as an example.
But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life (Ezekiel 33:9).
Ezekiel advised us to do good in order to save our life! The motive is not very noble, is it? Who cares? As long as you donate money to save the needy, whether you do it for fame or for compassion, Jews don't care. Probably, it was God, rather than the Jews, who was pragmatic. How do you motivate pragmatic people to do good? I'm afraid high-sounding ideals will not work. You need to speak their language, do a cost-benefit analysis with them to convince them.
Christians are an idealistic folk. When they try to persuade people to do good, they give you high-sounding ideals to convince you.
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother (Matthew 18:15).
Therefore, your motive is not to save your own life, but to save the soul of your brother. Isn't is noble? Yes, but I am afraid it is really too challenging. Wouldn't it be more natural and easier to curse them, to wish them die instead of reasoning with annoying and offensive people? Well, Christians are called to be perfect (Matthew 5:48) and practice makes perfect, doesn't it?
Now, after an initial failure, Christians do not lose heart. They call more people together to exert peer pressure on the offender (Matthew 18:16). Matthew was in fact very Jewish. The reason he gave was based on Jewish law (Deuteronomy 19:15). When it does not work, Christians will call on the authority of the church (Matthew 18:17a). The next step has to be interpreted very carefully.
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matthew 18:17b).
Does it mean we should excommunicate the offender who does not obey even the church?
If this line were written by Paul, the answer would be positive. Paul, the Pharisee, was very strict to sinners. He advised the Corinthian Church to remove immoral members from the community (1 Corinthians 5:2, 9).
Luckily, the line was written by Matthew, the tax-collector whom Jesus called. Tax-collectors served the Romans who were Gentiles. Gentiles were clients they served everyday. So, both tax-collectors and Gentiles are not people to be rejected, but people to be won over! If the Church fails to win them over, their only hope lies in the mercy of Jesus.
Once again, when we read the Bible, we cannot read it out of context.
My dear Advocate, we are called to be perfect. We will stop if only we reach perfection 止於至善. Yet, perfection is an ever receding goal. There is always room for improvement. I pray that You continue to accompany us on this pilgrimage home. Amen.
You shall keep the sabbath, because it is holy for you; every one who profanes it shall be put to death; whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall be put to death (Exodus 31:14-15).
No wonder early Christians were persecuted by Saul (Paul) and many other Jews.
Jews are a very pragmatic people. They don't care much about the niceties of morality. They care more about the consequences. Take the advice of Ezekiel as an example.
But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life (Ezekiel 33:9).
Ezekiel advised us to do good in order to save our life! The motive is not very noble, is it? Who cares? As long as you donate money to save the needy, whether you do it for fame or for compassion, Jews don't care. Probably, it was God, rather than the Jews, who was pragmatic. How do you motivate pragmatic people to do good? I'm afraid high-sounding ideals will not work. You need to speak their language, do a cost-benefit analysis with them to convince them.
Christians are an idealistic folk. When they try to persuade people to do good, they give you high-sounding ideals to convince you.
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother (Matthew 18:15).
Therefore, your motive is not to save your own life, but to save the soul of your brother. Isn't is noble? Yes, but I am afraid it is really too challenging. Wouldn't it be more natural and easier to curse them, to wish them die instead of reasoning with annoying and offensive people? Well, Christians are called to be perfect (Matthew 5:48) and practice makes perfect, doesn't it?
Now, after an initial failure, Christians do not lose heart. They call more people together to exert peer pressure on the offender (Matthew 18:16). Matthew was in fact very Jewish. The reason he gave was based on Jewish law (Deuteronomy 19:15). When it does not work, Christians will call on the authority of the church (Matthew 18:17a). The next step has to be interpreted very carefully.
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matthew 18:17b).
Does it mean we should excommunicate the offender who does not obey even the church?
If this line were written by Paul, the answer would be positive. Paul, the Pharisee, was very strict to sinners. He advised the Corinthian Church to remove immoral members from the community (1 Corinthians 5:2, 9).
Luckily, the line was written by Matthew, the tax-collector whom Jesus called. Tax-collectors served the Romans who were Gentiles. Gentiles were clients they served everyday. So, both tax-collectors and Gentiles are not people to be rejected, but people to be won over! If the Church fails to win them over, their only hope lies in the mercy of Jesus.
Once again, when we read the Bible, we cannot read it out of context.
My dear Advocate, we are called to be perfect. We will stop if only we reach perfection 止於至善. Yet, perfection is an ever receding goal. There is always room for improvement. I pray that You continue to accompany us on this pilgrimage home. Amen.
Do we make what we are?
We return from chapter 5 and read chapter 4 today. The tone of chapter 4 is very personal. Try the last verse.
What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?(1 Corinthians 4:21)
It is very much like talking to someone face to face. Paul did not quite need to meet his believers face to face. Reading his epistle, you could feel his presence. His joy and his anger were appropriately conveyed to the readers, even to those who are reading it now. Of course, nowadays, there are many means of communication. People demand instantaneous interactions such as MSN. Today, writing and reading letters are no longer parts of our repertoire for survival. Many of us just don't know how to write properly, not to mention appearing before the readers.
Paul regarded themselves (including Apollos and Peter) "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God ὑπηρέτας Χριστοῦ καὶ οἰκονόμους μυστηρίων θεοῦ" (1 Corinthians 4:1) and expected to be regarded as such. But Paul did not want the believers to go beyond what was written and puffed up in favour of one against each other, making Paul more important than Apollo; Peter more important then XXX etc. (1 Corinthians 4:6) They were all servants and stewards, each doing different tasks. Nobody was more important than the other. It was God who gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). Paul was indeed a good writer. He wrote the same point a second time in a totally different way.
Paul continued to remind the believers that whatever they were possessing and whatever they had achieved now were gifts received from God. Therefore, their boasting had no substance. They had nothing to boast about. Belonging to Apollos was not good enough for them to boast about, nor was belonging to Paul.
What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
This is really a good piece of meditation material. We always think that we are what we make we are. We are persuaded by TV commercials that what we eat makes what we are. Ethical theorists encourage us to think that the choices we make in our life make what we are. However, geneticists will tell us that our genes provide us with a tendency towards certain character traits. So, our genes make us what we are. Social scientists would say that our social environment makes us what we are. In general, we tend to forget that it is God who makes us what we are.
This point is repeatedly recited everyday in the vesper. However, due to aesthetic reason, some modern translations of Psalm 100:3 do not render it clearly enough. Some translations have chosen a variant reading from some other manuscripts and rendered differently.
你們應該明認雅威就是天主，他造成了我們，我們非他莫屬，【思高】
你們當曉得耶和華是 神．我們是他造的、也是屬他的． 【和合本】
Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; (RSV)
If we go back to earlier translations, the original idea that we do not make ourselves is clearly retained. Let's look at the Hebrew text, then the Greek and various older English translations.
scitote quoniam Dominus ipse est Deus ipse fecit nos et non ipsi nos (Pslam 99:3, Vulgate)
Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. (Psalm 99:3, Duouay-Rheims)
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; (Psalm 100:3, KJV)
My dear Advocate, I acknowledge Your majesty. You are my Maker and Keeper. Allow me to sing praises to You all the days of my life. Amen.
What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?(1 Corinthians 4:21)
It is very much like talking to someone face to face. Paul did not quite need to meet his believers face to face. Reading his epistle, you could feel his presence. His joy and his anger were appropriately conveyed to the readers, even to those who are reading it now. Of course, nowadays, there are many means of communication. People demand instantaneous interactions such as MSN. Today, writing and reading letters are no longer parts of our repertoire for survival. Many of us just don't know how to write properly, not to mention appearing before the readers.
Paul regarded themselves (including Apollos and Peter) "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God ὑπηρέτας Χριστοῦ καὶ οἰκονόμους μυστηρίων θεοῦ" (1 Corinthians 4:1) and expected to be regarded as such. But Paul did not want the believers to go beyond what was written and puffed up in favour of one against each other, making Paul more important than Apollo; Peter more important then XXX etc. (1 Corinthians 4:6) They were all servants and stewards, each doing different tasks. Nobody was more important than the other. It was God who gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). Paul was indeed a good writer. He wrote the same point a second time in a totally different way.
Paul continued to remind the believers that whatever they were possessing and whatever they had achieved now were gifts received from God. Therefore, their boasting had no substance. They had nothing to boast about. Belonging to Apollos was not good enough for them to boast about, nor was belonging to Paul.
What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
This is really a good piece of meditation material. We always think that we are what we make we are. We are persuaded by TV commercials that what we eat makes what we are. Ethical theorists encourage us to think that the choices we make in our life make what we are. However, geneticists will tell us that our genes provide us with a tendency towards certain character traits. So, our genes make us what we are. Social scientists would say that our social environment makes us what we are. In general, we tend to forget that it is God who makes us what we are.
This point is repeatedly recited everyday in the vesper. However, due to aesthetic reason, some modern translations of Psalm 100:3 do not render it clearly enough. Some translations have chosen a variant reading from some other manuscripts and rendered differently.
你們應該明認雅威就是天主，他造成了我們，我們非他莫屬，【思高】
你們當曉得耶和華是 神．我們是他造的、也是屬他的． 【和合本】
Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; (RSV)
If we go back to earlier translations, the original idea that we do not make ourselves is clearly retained. Let's look at the Hebrew text, then the Greek and various older English translations.
(Psalm 100:3, MT) דְּע֗וּ כִּֽי־יְהוָה֮ ה֤וּא אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים הֽוּא־עָ֭שָׂנוּ וְלֹ֣֯א אֲנַ֑חְנוּ
γνῶτε ὅτι κύριος, αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ θεός, αὐτὸς ἐποίησεν ἡμᾶς καὶ οὐχ ἡμεῖς, (Psalm 99:3, LXX)scitote quoniam Dominus ipse est Deus ipse fecit nos et non ipsi nos (Pslam 99:3, Vulgate)
Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. (Psalm 99:3, Duouay-Rheims)
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; (Psalm 100:3, KJV)
My dear Advocate, I acknowledge Your majesty. You are my Maker and Keeper. Allow me to sing praises to You all the days of my life. Amen.
Saturday 6 September 2008
Is Paul's morality obsolete today?
Today, I skip one chapter and will return to chapter 4 tomorrow. I would like to deal with some ethical issues.
Paul heard that a Christian in Corinth was known to live with his father's wife. Paul was very strict and unforgiving to some sinners and demanded the church in Corinth to remove them from the community. This one was no exception because Paul considered the sin so bad that even pagans did not practise.
Let him who has done this be removed from among you (1 Corinthians 5:2b).
Why did Paul not tolerate such sins? It was understandable because Paul was a Pharisee. These Pharisees were famous for keeping the letters of the law so sincerely that sometimes, they failed to appreciate the real-life situation of the others. Moreover, the image of leaven leavening the whole lump cut deeply into his mind.
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6b)
This unaccommodating attitude towards sinners is self-defeating. Sooner or later, the church would rid herself of nearly all members. Only a handful of elites would be able to remain in the church. The church would not be a church of sinners. All the members would be saints without sins. They would not need God anymore! Soon, they would drive God out of their church. That's why it is self-defeating to drive sinners (and God) out of the church.
The image of leaven leavening the whole lump is misleading. The leaven is active while the flour lump is passive. But such is not an accurate description of the interactions taking place in the church. The church is not a passive flour lump. She is made up of many members. It is true that sinners would exert bad influence on members who faith is weak. This is what the leaven image conveys. Yet, there are members who faith is stronger. They will be able to call up their potential to counteract the bad influences. The presence of sinners in the church "forces" Christians to practise forgiveness and charity. Moreover, let us forget not that the Holy Spirit is abiding in the Church, sanctifying her. Driving out sinners indicates a lack of faith in people and in the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the theology expounded in chapter 5 is rather problematic. It is strongly Pharisaic in smell.
Matthew was a tax-collector. He was more sympathetic with sinners. What is more, he himself had experienced the accommodation of Jesus when Jesus was willing to dine with them. Therefore, the way he dealt with public sinners of the church was more accommodating as well.
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matthew 18:17b).
Furthermore, it is Matthew who reported Jesus' instruction to forgive 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:22). In the gospels, tax-collectors and Pharisees are natural enemies. Their treatments of sinners couldn't be more diametrically opposite!
Paul knew the Torah very much. Most of the time, he would translate the text into Greek directly and did not copy from the Septuagint. However, the quotation in the last verse of chapter 5 is very much identical with the Septuagint text. One wonders if this comes from the hands of Paul or from some scribe secretary.
ἐξάρατε τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν.
Drive out the wicked person from among you. (1 Corinthians 5:13)
καὶ ἀφανιεῖς τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν.
So you shall purge the evil from the midst of you. (Deut 13:6, LXX; Deut 13:5 MT)
My dear Advocate, I pray for the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. You are the guarantee of our eternal life. May You protect the Church from evil leaven within. May we sing praises to You day by day. Amen.
Paul heard that a Christian in Corinth was known to live with his father's wife. Paul was very strict and unforgiving to some sinners and demanded the church in Corinth to remove them from the community. This one was no exception because Paul considered the sin so bad that even pagans did not practise.
Let him who has done this be removed from among you (1 Corinthians 5:2b).
Why did Paul not tolerate such sins? It was understandable because Paul was a Pharisee. These Pharisees were famous for keeping the letters of the law so sincerely that sometimes, they failed to appreciate the real-life situation of the others. Moreover, the image of leaven leavening the whole lump cut deeply into his mind.
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6b)
This unaccommodating attitude towards sinners is self-defeating. Sooner or later, the church would rid herself of nearly all members. Only a handful of elites would be able to remain in the church. The church would not be a church of sinners. All the members would be saints without sins. They would not need God anymore! Soon, they would drive God out of their church. That's why it is self-defeating to drive sinners (and God) out of the church.
The image of leaven leavening the whole lump is misleading. The leaven is active while the flour lump is passive. But such is not an accurate description of the interactions taking place in the church. The church is not a passive flour lump. She is made up of many members. It is true that sinners would exert bad influence on members who faith is weak. This is what the leaven image conveys. Yet, there are members who faith is stronger. They will be able to call up their potential to counteract the bad influences. The presence of sinners in the church "forces" Christians to practise forgiveness and charity. Moreover, let us forget not that the Holy Spirit is abiding in the Church, sanctifying her. Driving out sinners indicates a lack of faith in people and in the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the theology expounded in chapter 5 is rather problematic. It is strongly Pharisaic in smell.
Matthew was a tax-collector. He was more sympathetic with sinners. What is more, he himself had experienced the accommodation of Jesus when Jesus was willing to dine with them. Therefore, the way he dealt with public sinners of the church was more accommodating as well.
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matthew 18:17b).
Furthermore, it is Matthew who reported Jesus' instruction to forgive 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:22). In the gospels, tax-collectors and Pharisees are natural enemies. Their treatments of sinners couldn't be more diametrically opposite!
Paul knew the Torah very much. Most of the time, he would translate the text into Greek directly and did not copy from the Septuagint. However, the quotation in the last verse of chapter 5 is very much identical with the Septuagint text. One wonders if this comes from the hands of Paul or from some scribe secretary.
ἐξάρατε τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν.
Drive out the wicked person from among you. (1 Corinthians 5:13)
καὶ ἀφανιεῖς τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν.
So you shall purge the evil from the midst of you. (Deut 13:6, LXX; Deut 13:5 MT)
My dear Advocate, I pray for the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. You are the guarantee of our eternal life. May You protect the Church from evil leaven within. May we sing praises to You day by day. Amen.
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