Feast of Japanese martyrs

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Paul Miki and 25 companions who were crucified on February 5, 1597. More background information can be found in the Catholic Encyclopedia. Once again, it demonstrates the catholicity of the Christianity which embraces all races of humanity.
Today in Shung Tak, we organized a Benediction Bible Service for the S.5 and S.7 students who will be going off for their public examinations. Unlike previous years, there were more student participation in the ceremony. Credit goes to our new pastoral assistant, Ms. Cecilia Lee. I encouraged her to try out what she had done in her previous school. Besides the routines of a bible service, we included student sharing of their campus life, making the whole ceremony more meaningful for them. In December, she gave out worksheets to them to put down their memorable experiences in pictures and in words. One of the worksheets was to be filled in by classmates. They filled in their impressions of the student concerned. Cecilia then summarized them for each student, made an individualized blessing card to be distributed near the end of the ceremony. She scanned the pictures they drew and showed them in PowerPoint. All of the students resonated with the images on screen.
Each class would send a representative to share in the ceremony. I think it was the most touching part of all. It was a rare opportunity for us teachers, at least for those who were present, to gain a glimpse into what makes campus life tick. It was genuine and at times hilarious. The two-year studying together and growing up together in the same class moulds them into a tightly knitted basic community. Their laughers and sweats stick them together. My eyes were wet.
The author of Hebrews is wrapping up his homily. In the last chapter of the epistle, he exhorts them to lead a decent Christian life with brotherly love, extending hospitality to strangers, visiting prisoners, purity in marriage and freedom from the love of money.
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body.
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:1-5a)
Nowadays, showing hospitality to strangers is more difficult in urban societies. In ancient Middle East when people were leading a nomadic life, it was a duty to shelter strangers. Otherwise, they would easily die in the wilderness. When people were settling down in villages, they knew each other like the back of their hands. The whole village would know when a stranger arrived and entertaining him became the business of the whole village. When towns and cities rose up on the land, people became more alienated and isolated. We no longer know even our neighbours next door. Entertaining angels probably dates back to the story of Abraham. But I think the story of Tobia was probably in the mind of the author when he said "... for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." We are less adventurous nowadays to do likewise.
At last, I will follow the author's advice not to give hard times to my bosses. That would be of no advantage to me.
Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you (Hebrews 13:17).

My Lord, You were the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). I will submit to my bosses and let it be my sacrifice of praise to My God (Hebrews 13:15). Amen.

Appendix:
I will never fail you nor forsake youοὐ μή σε ἀνῶ οὐδ' οὐ μή σε ἐγκαταλίπω, (Hebrews 13:5b)
ἀνδρίζου καὶ ἴσχυε, μὴ φοβοῦ μηδὲ δειλία μηδὲ πτοηθῇς ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν, ὅτι κύριος ὁ θεός σου ὁ προπορευόμενος μεθ̓ ὑμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν οὐ μή σε ἀνῇ οὔτε μή σε ἐγκαταλίπῃ. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?
κύριος ἐμοὶ βοηθός, [καὶ] οὐ φοβηθήσομαι, τί ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος; (Hebrews 13:6b; Psalm 117:6 LXX, 118:6 MT)