Going around the land of Edom, the Israelites complained against God and Moses. God sent fierce serpents among the Israelites to bite them. Many were killed (Numbers 21:4-6). Obviously, God was offended and was impatient with the Israelites. God would have killed them in many other ways but He chose serpents. Because of a serpent, Adam and Eve were fallen. Now that God sent serpents to punish them, there must be a deeper purpose behind. Indeed, to cure them of their wounds, God told Moses to make a serpent and set it on a pole. Whoever saw it would be saved (Numbers 21:8).
Interesting enough. God forbade Israelites to make any images. He punished them when they made a golden calf to lead them in the wilderness. Yet, God Himself told Moses to make a serpent. Wasn't God contradictory? Or is it because God is above the law and He is free to do whatever His heart desires?
God forbids us to make and worship idols because they will drag us away from Him. Idols give us illusions. We can manipulate idols, but not God. Idols are concrete but God is elusive. Idols make us stop in front of them instead of leading us to transcend them because idols give people a sense of comfort and security. Following God has never been a comfortable pursuit because much of the time, we have to fight alone against the whole world.
Now, God makes an image for us to look up to in order to attract us to His saving grace. This image draws us closer to God instead of leading us astray. Iconoclasts, would you smash this image made by God? Protestants, would you? In the Nativity story of Jesus, God made use of a star to attract the Magi, most likely astrologists, to Jesus. To be sure, there were not just star-gazers but also star-worshippers. Would you not be tolerant towards God's unconventional ways to save us?
However, why did God choose a serpent, instead of more familiar objects such as a lamb or a lamp? A serpent was the least expected animal to save them. Men had fallen all because of the Serpent. What was worse, serpents were sent by God to bite them. How could a punishment heal the wounds of sinning? This is truly a paradox. There are many kinds of fears. We may choose to run away from them or confront them. Running away from the object of fear may be safe for the time being, but not forever because we still carry the fear in our hearts. We can never get rid of the fears until we confront them and overcome them. The same is true for loneliness. We can be very lonely among a crowd of friends. We have to live with it until we can genuinely open ourselves and relate with others. Of course, opening ourselves up risks being hurt. This hurt opens up yet another weak spot in us to be overcome ad infinitum. I think this was God's intention to make this serpent to heal the wounds bitten by serpents.
Jesus is this same serpent on the cross. On the cross, Jesus bears all our sins, our loneliness, arrogance, selfishness, lust, pride and our self-righteousness which we must overcome, but are unable to. When we look up to Jesus on the cross, with God's mercy, we are healed.
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he." (John 8:28a)
and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself (John 12:32)
My Jesus, you laid down your life for us. Let us lay down our sins to abide in you and acquire eternal life. Amen.
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Monday 30 March 2009
Sin no more (John 8:11)
Today, we read the famous story of Jesus and an adulterous woman (John 8:1-11). From this story came the idiom "to cast the first stone", meaning to be the first to attack a sinner. However, many scholars believe that the original gospel did not contain this beautiful story because among reliable ancient New Testament manuscripts, a few of them do not have it. Somehow, a scribe inserted this story in one of the manuscripts and it got copied in latter generations and survives. Of course, this is just a hypothesis and we can also argue otherwise. Perhaps, one scribe found this story unpalatable and removed it from his manuscript! Adultery was too grave a sin to tolerate and this scribe did not want to see Jesus not condemning it. OK, let's stop speculating. The fact that this story survives indicates that it is God's will to remind us not to be self-righteous.
Indeed, this story is totally compatible with Jesus' teaching. True, Jesus objects to divorce and adultery because such actions destroy the sanctity of marriage. However, Jesus is also merciful to sinners. He called public sinners to be his apostles. He accepted the anointment of a woman with dubious background. He died in place of Barabbas, a murderer. He received a thief into the paradise when he was crucified on the cross. Jesus was the walking mercy of God among men. Therefore, his defence for this adulterous woman was compatible with his teachings and attitude.
This morning, it was Brenda's turn to address the morning assembly. She was supposed to talk about the Sunday readings. The reading was taken from John 12.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (John 12:24).
The hour was drawing near for Jesus to be glorified. "Glorified" is a code word for "crucified" in John. In this context, Jesus was explaining the purpose of his death to his apostles: Philip and Andrew. Brenda made use of this beneficial concept of death and advised the congregation that our "old self" should die.
We Christians are not afraid to die because we know that beyond this physical death, an eternal life is beckoning to us. Everyday, our "old self" must die so that we may renew and improve ourselves continuously. Very often, we are selfish and egocentric. In particular, we assert that we are right and the others are wrong. We cannot be wrong. It is not our fault. Not me! Brenda made the point dramatically by openly apologizing to Emily for the heated argument they had over the P6 interview last Saturday. Emily was so moved that she could not hold her tears in front of all the students. However, I am afraid Brenda's effort was a total waste because her intended audience was lecturing the S4 students in the school hall! Let's put down our self-righteousness for the time being and turn to the finger of Jesus.
But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not (John 8:6b).
Throughout the ages, people have been speculating what Jesus wrote on the ground. Some suggest that Jesus was writing the sins of those who tried to trap him with the adulterous woman. Pressed further, Jesus made the famous line of casting the first stone.
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7b).
Then he returned to his writing on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst (John 8:9).
In the gospel of John, there are two places where fingers are mentioned. The first one is in this story of the adulterous woman. The other one is about Thomas, the famous empiricist.
The other disciples therefore said unto him (Thomas), We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25).
When Jesus appeared again to the 11 apostles, he invited Thomas to put his fingers into his wounds to unearth the truth. So, in the gospel of John, fingers are somehow related to the truth. Jesus is God and whatever he wrote on the ground must be the truth, whether it be the sins of the people or the Torah.
I think the former is most unlikely because it is not yet the Judgment Day and the first time Jesus came, he did not come to condemn, to pass judgment (John 3:17). Moses brought down two tables of stone written with the fingers of God. They were the tables of covenant, containing the words of God, the words of life (Deuteronomy 9:9-10).
In the end, only two people remained, Jesus and the adulterous woman. Jesus did not pass judgment on her.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:10-11).
When Jesus is not around, we tend to play the "not me" game, pointing our fingers at others. When such finger-pointings abound, there is no Jesus. Self-righteous people, like their ancestors the Pharisees, find no room for Jesus. Maybe we should put down our arrogance, our self-righteousness and invite Jesus to be our Lord. He brings the truth and the truth shall make us free (John 8:32), free from our weaknesses, our sins, our "old-self".
My God, we are approaching the end of the Lent season. Let us work harder to rid ourselves of self-righteousness. Imbue in us Your spirit of humility so that we can love You and our neighbours more freely. Amen.
Indeed, this story is totally compatible with Jesus' teaching. True, Jesus objects to divorce and adultery because such actions destroy the sanctity of marriage. However, Jesus is also merciful to sinners. He called public sinners to be his apostles. He accepted the anointment of a woman with dubious background. He died in place of Barabbas, a murderer. He received a thief into the paradise when he was crucified on the cross. Jesus was the walking mercy of God among men. Therefore, his defence for this adulterous woman was compatible with his teachings and attitude.
This morning, it was Brenda's turn to address the morning assembly. She was supposed to talk about the Sunday readings. The reading was taken from John 12.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (John 12:24).
The hour was drawing near for Jesus to be glorified. "Glorified" is a code word for "crucified" in John. In this context, Jesus was explaining the purpose of his death to his apostles: Philip and Andrew. Brenda made use of this beneficial concept of death and advised the congregation that our "old self" should die.
We Christians are not afraid to die because we know that beyond this physical death, an eternal life is beckoning to us. Everyday, our "old self" must die so that we may renew and improve ourselves continuously. Very often, we are selfish and egocentric. In particular, we assert that we are right and the others are wrong. We cannot be wrong. It is not our fault. Not me! Brenda made the point dramatically by openly apologizing to Emily for the heated argument they had over the P6 interview last Saturday. Emily was so moved that she could not hold her tears in front of all the students. However, I am afraid Brenda's effort was a total waste because her intended audience was lecturing the S4 students in the school hall! Let's put down our self-righteousness for the time being and turn to the finger of Jesus.
But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not (John 8:6b).
Throughout the ages, people have been speculating what Jesus wrote on the ground. Some suggest that Jesus was writing the sins of those who tried to trap him with the adulterous woman. Pressed further, Jesus made the famous line of casting the first stone.
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7b).
Then he returned to his writing on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst (John 8:9).
In the gospel of John, there are two places where fingers are mentioned. The first one is in this story of the adulterous woman. The other one is about Thomas, the famous empiricist.
The other disciples therefore said unto him (Thomas), We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25).
When Jesus appeared again to the 11 apostles, he invited Thomas to put his fingers into his wounds to unearth the truth. So, in the gospel of John, fingers are somehow related to the truth. Jesus is God and whatever he wrote on the ground must be the truth, whether it be the sins of the people or the Torah.
I think the former is most unlikely because it is not yet the Judgment Day and the first time Jesus came, he did not come to condemn, to pass judgment (John 3:17). Moses brought down two tables of stone written with the fingers of God. They were the tables of covenant, containing the words of God, the words of life (Deuteronomy 9:9-10).
In the end, only two people remained, Jesus and the adulterous woman. Jesus did not pass judgment on her.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:10-11).
When Jesus is not around, we tend to play the "not me" game, pointing our fingers at others. When such finger-pointings abound, there is no Jesus. Self-righteous people, like their ancestors the Pharisees, find no room for Jesus. Maybe we should put down our arrogance, our self-righteousness and invite Jesus to be our Lord. He brings the truth and the truth shall make us free (John 8:32), free from our weaknesses, our sins, our "old-self".
My God, we are approaching the end of the Lent season. Let us work harder to rid ourselves of self-righteousness. Imbue in us Your spirit of humility so that we can love You and our neighbours more freely. Amen.
Sunday 29 March 2009
5th Sunday in Lent (Year B)
Today, Fr. Patrick Sun celebrated the Rite of Scrutiny at 11 a.m. mass for those waiting to be baptized this Easter Eve. Therefore, the readings were taken from Year A, the story of raising Lazarus in John 11.
Fr. Patrick began with the liver cross-transplant which took place last January in Queen Mary Hospital. The sacrifice on the part of the liver donors gives a new lease of life to the recipients. This is the meaning behind Jesus' Passion. God loves us and does not want to see us perish. Therefore, He sent His Son Jesus to give us life. This mission takes its toll on the life of Jesus. To save our lives, Jesus must die. It sounds rather cruel, but life has never been cozy. Now that these catechumens have entered their final stage of preparation, it is appropriate for them to pray and meditate on the words of Jesus.
Martha had informed Jesus that her brother Lazarus had been very ill. However, Jesus tarried for a while before he turned to Bethany where they lived. When he arrived, Lazarus was dead and had been buried for four days already. Martha complained to Jesus.
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." (John 11:21-22)
Once more, we are ignorant of God's plan. We try our best to do whatever we can. Time and again, we want God to solve our problems in our way. Naturally, God frustrates us most of the time. Unlike other religions in which people can manipulate their gods, the Christian God is seldom swayed by prayers or offerings.
Martha demonstrated her strong faith in Jesus. He was her last hope. Martha was faintly aware that with Jesus around, anything could be accomplished. She begged Jesus and she was not disappointed.
Then followed a series of exchanges between Jesus and Martha.
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world." (John 11:23-27)
Resurrection at the last day was the conventional knowledge of the Jews. There was no reason for Martha to leap beyond this frame of mind. Yet, Jesus wants to teach us that resurrection is not just some vagueness in the remotest future. Resurrection is here and now and he is the resurrection and the life, the eternal life.
We are, without exception, sick. We want to be whole and well. However, the sins within us prevent us to do the good we want to do and make us do the bad we want to avoid. We are exhausted and do not want to put up resistance any more. Just when we wanted to surrender, Jesus came. He offers us a new beginning, a new reconciled life with God. The catechumens are preparing for their new life through baptism in keen expectation. Fr. Patrick encouraged us, those who have been leading this new and reconciled life, to join these catechumens to prepare for the Paschal mystery this Easter.
Jesus would do his part. He would cry with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." (John 11:43)
We should do our parts, respond to his call. Of course, we need other people to help us remove the rock that blocked the tomb, the bandages that bound our hands and feet. We must work together to build up this new life in God. So, call us, O God.
My God, Awake us from our slumber. Chase away the death that rots us. Grant us a new lease of life, an enriching relation with our fellow men. Amen.
Fr. Patrick began with the liver cross-transplant which took place last January in Queen Mary Hospital. The sacrifice on the part of the liver donors gives a new lease of life to the recipients. This is the meaning behind Jesus' Passion. God loves us and does not want to see us perish. Therefore, He sent His Son Jesus to give us life. This mission takes its toll on the life of Jesus. To save our lives, Jesus must die. It sounds rather cruel, but life has never been cozy. Now that these catechumens have entered their final stage of preparation, it is appropriate for them to pray and meditate on the words of Jesus.
Martha had informed Jesus that her brother Lazarus had been very ill. However, Jesus tarried for a while before he turned to Bethany where they lived. When he arrived, Lazarus was dead and had been buried for four days already. Martha complained to Jesus.
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." (John 11:21-22)
Once more, we are ignorant of God's plan. We try our best to do whatever we can. Time and again, we want God to solve our problems in our way. Naturally, God frustrates us most of the time. Unlike other religions in which people can manipulate their gods, the Christian God is seldom swayed by prayers or offerings.
Martha demonstrated her strong faith in Jesus. He was her last hope. Martha was faintly aware that with Jesus around, anything could be accomplished. She begged Jesus and she was not disappointed.
Then followed a series of exchanges between Jesus and Martha.
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world." (John 11:23-27)
Resurrection at the last day was the conventional knowledge of the Jews. There was no reason for Martha to leap beyond this frame of mind. Yet, Jesus wants to teach us that resurrection is not just some vagueness in the remotest future. Resurrection is here and now and he is the resurrection and the life, the eternal life.
We are, without exception, sick. We want to be whole and well. However, the sins within us prevent us to do the good we want to do and make us do the bad we want to avoid. We are exhausted and do not want to put up resistance any more. Just when we wanted to surrender, Jesus came. He offers us a new beginning, a new reconciled life with God. The catechumens are preparing for their new life through baptism in keen expectation. Fr. Patrick encouraged us, those who have been leading this new and reconciled life, to join these catechumens to prepare for the Paschal mystery this Easter.
Jesus would do his part. He would cry with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." (John 11:43)
We should do our parts, respond to his call. Of course, we need other people to help us remove the rock that blocked the tomb, the bandages that bound our hands and feet. We must work together to build up this new life in God. So, call us, O God.
My God, Awake us from our slumber. Chase away the death that rots us. Grant us a new lease of life, an enriching relation with our fellow men. Amen.
Saturday 28 March 2009
Do not judge by appearances
In John 7, the identity of Jesus is the focus of conflicts. Jesus warned against judgment by appearances.
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment (John 7:24).
How often we judge by appearances!
God sent Jesus to bring us salvation. He worked miracles to heal, to restore the well being of the sick. Many believed in him. Yet, there have been many more who could not fit Jesus into their preconceived mind-set.
Firstly, the Jews knew that Jesus came from Galilee.
Yet we know where this man comes from; and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from (John 7:27).
But was it true that the Jews did not know where the Christ came from? Not at all.
Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was? (John 7:42)
The prophet Micah foretold that Christ was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days (Micah 5:2).
Matthew made use of this verse in the Nativity story. In general, the Jews subscribed to this understanding. Then, how could the Jews claim that no one would know where Christ came from?
Secondly, when Nicodemus tried to defend Jesus, his fellow Pharisees challenged him.
They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." (John 7:52)
Now, we know that there was a prophet called Jonah who came from Gath-hepher, a town in lower Galilee.
He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher (2 Kings 14:25).
In the Nativity story of Jesus, both Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem though he was later raised up in Nazareth, Galilee. Therefore, the Pharisees was proven wrong once more by the Evangelist. Perhaps they knew that Jesus came from Nazareth but did not know where Jesus was born. Therefore, they passed a wrong judgment on Jesus.
How often we judge by appearances! In this way, we are no better than the Pharisees in Jesus' time. The question now becomes how we may develop right judgment. I think we should keep an open-mind. Evaluate evidences as they are. Only then can we make right judgment.
For example, in many people's eyes, the implementation of the Mother Tongue policy has been a disaster. To begin with, the Hong Kong SAR government has underestimated the reaction of parents against depriving their children of the opportunity to learn in English. What is worse, this policy undermines the English proficiency of the school children. On top of these defects, the government has not been determined enough. She allows 114 EMI schools to exist. Now, CMI schools suddenly became second class schools overnight. Recently, in an attempt to remove the labelling effect on schools, the SAR government proposes a "fine-tuning" of the medium of instruction in the classrooms. Many people eagerly embrace this proposal, naively imagining that there will be no more EMI and CMI schools in Hong Kong. Will this fantasy come true? Pardon me for using judgmental language here. Let us keep our minds open. Wait and see more disasters to unfold.
My God, our perception is selective and clouded with prejudice. Open our eyes to see the truth so that we may be able to make right judgment. I pray that the administrators may see the reality soon enough before disasters strike. Amen.
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment (John 7:24).
How often we judge by appearances!
God sent Jesus to bring us salvation. He worked miracles to heal, to restore the well being of the sick. Many believed in him. Yet, there have been many more who could not fit Jesus into their preconceived mind-set.
Firstly, the Jews knew that Jesus came from Galilee.
Yet we know where this man comes from; and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from (John 7:27).
But was it true that the Jews did not know where the Christ came from? Not at all.
Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was? (John 7:42)
The prophet Micah foretold that Christ was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days (Micah 5:2).
Matthew made use of this verse in the Nativity story. In general, the Jews subscribed to this understanding. Then, how could the Jews claim that no one would know where Christ came from?
Secondly, when Nicodemus tried to defend Jesus, his fellow Pharisees challenged him.
They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." (John 7:52)
Now, we know that there was a prophet called Jonah who came from Gath-hepher, a town in lower Galilee.
He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher (2 Kings 14:25).
In the Nativity story of Jesus, both Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem though he was later raised up in Nazareth, Galilee. Therefore, the Pharisees was proven wrong once more by the Evangelist. Perhaps they knew that Jesus came from Nazareth but did not know where Jesus was born. Therefore, they passed a wrong judgment on Jesus.
How often we judge by appearances! In this way, we are no better than the Pharisees in Jesus' time. The question now becomes how we may develop right judgment. I think we should keep an open-mind. Evaluate evidences as they are. Only then can we make right judgment.
For example, in many people's eyes, the implementation of the Mother Tongue policy has been a disaster. To begin with, the Hong Kong SAR government has underestimated the reaction of parents against depriving their children of the opportunity to learn in English. What is worse, this policy undermines the English proficiency of the school children. On top of these defects, the government has not been determined enough. She allows 114 EMI schools to exist. Now, CMI schools suddenly became second class schools overnight. Recently, in an attempt to remove the labelling effect on schools, the SAR government proposes a "fine-tuning" of the medium of instruction in the classrooms. Many people eagerly embrace this proposal, naively imagining that there will be no more EMI and CMI schools in Hong Kong. Will this fantasy come true? Pardon me for using judgmental language here. Let us keep our minds open. Wait and see more disasters to unfold.
My God, our perception is selective and clouded with prejudice. Open our eyes to see the truth so that we may be able to make right judgment. I pray that the administrators may see the reality soon enough before disasters strike. Amen.
Friday 27 March 2009
Songs
I have been a lucky man. I was brought up in a normal low-incoming family, spending my formative years in a low-cost housing estate. My father has been a hard working shopkeeper to bring me and my younger brother up, my mother an ordinary housewife like any others. We experienced financial hardship but I managed to graduate from the university and land in a steady job as a teacher. God has been very kind to me.
One of my classmates was less fortunate. He never knows who his father was. He grew up as a step-son and in his wedding banquet, his surname did not appear in the banquet hall. In his youth and throughout his life, he manages to attract and establish liaisons with different women. In the end, he divorced his wife and is probably living with another woman. He needs to establish his identity through these different liaisons. His life is a totally different song from mine. As an RS teacher, I have difficulty in speaking against divorce.
for God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity,
but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it (Wisdom 2:23-24).
My God, we are Your songs. When we finish our coda, remember us in Your eternity. Amen.
One of my classmates was less fortunate. He never knows who his father was. He grew up as a step-son and in his wedding banquet, his surname did not appear in the banquet hall. In his youth and throughout his life, he manages to attract and establish liaisons with different women. In the end, he divorced his wife and is probably living with another woman. He needs to establish his identity through these different liaisons. His life is a totally different song from mine. As an RS teacher, I have difficulty in speaking against divorce.
for God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity,
but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it (Wisdom 2:23-24).
My God, we are Your songs. When we finish our coda, remember us in Your eternity. Amen.
Thursday 26 March 2009
Repay Good with Evil
In Exodus 19, Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:20-20:17). Then follows another tradition of Moses drawing near the thick darkness of where God was and received the ordinances God gave to the people of Israel (Exodus 20:18-23-33). Then follows yet another tradition in which Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders of Israel went to worship and eat with God. Later, Moses alone went up into the cloud on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights. God gave very detailed instructions on the cultic rules and two stone tablets of testimony written with the finger of God (Exodus 24:1-31:18). In all, three different traditions are assembled in the Book of Exodus to tell us of the giving of Torah to help Israelites keep the covenant with God.
We have barely finished 4 weeks in this season of Lent. Forty days are really long especially when the situation is difficult. Forty days proved to be too long for the Israelites to stand in the wilderness. They repaid good with evil and angered God. They had lost Moses their leader for so many days. Therefore, they demanded Aaron to make them gods to lead them on their exodus to the Promised Land. This is the story of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1-35).
At first, when God called Moses, He described Israel as "my people".
Then the LORD said, "I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings." (Exodus 3:7)
When the Israelites worshipped the Golden Calf, they had chosen to forsake Yahweh. Of course, God was angry. Since the Israelites disowned Him, God disowned them in return. Tit for tat, fair enough. This time, instead of calling Israel "my people" as before, God described her as "your people", referring to Moses. Was God angry with Moses as well?
And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." (Exodus 32:7)
The God described in these chapters took on human characteristics. He behaved like a man distained by his lover. He had all the reasons to be angry. Yet God was clear-minded enough to recognize the potential greatness of Moses. He offered Moses a position similar to that of Abraham. Yahweh was willing to restart His salvation project from scratch.
And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people;
now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; but of you I will make a great nation." (Exodus 32:9-10)
Now, God recruited Moses on His side. He distanced Himself and Moses from "this people". So, God was not angry with Moses.
True to his greatness, Moses politely declined God's offer. Probably he had seen enough bad sons raised by good fathers. Perhaps he had foreseen the destiny of his future seeds fare no better than those of the Israelites. Moses rightly declined and managed to persuade God to repent His evil plan.
But Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does thy wrath burn hot against thy people, whom thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Why should the Egyptians say, `With evil intent did he bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people (Exodus 32:11-12).
Moses successfully returned the ball to God's court. The Israelites were "thy people", not Moses'. He managed to restore the rightful place of Israel in the grand salvation plan of God. However, the Israelites failed miserably both God and Moses. They did not listen to the exhortation of Moses and rejected Jesus.
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren -- him you shall heed -- (Deuteronomy 18:15).
When Jesus healed a sick man on Sabbath in Jerusalem, the Jews rejected him and wanted to persecute him because Jesus had breached the Law of Moses according to their interpretation. When Jesus further called God his father, they were furious and wanted to kill him because for them, it was blasphemy. Jesus defended himself and had the following to say.
Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope.
If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words? (John 5:45-47)
Perhap Jesus was referring to the Deuteronomy verse above. Since the hearts of the Jews were hardened and rejected Jesus, it showed that the Jews did not believe in the writings of Moses.
In our intercourse with our fellow men, very often, we repay good with evil. In a similar vein, we do the same to God. God wants us and helps us to lead a good life. We don't appreciate that and want to do it in our own ways and very often, we repay good with evil.
Yesterday, an S.2 boy fooled around in the classroom, throwing a plastic water bottle at his classmates. He missed and the bottle flew out of a closed window, breaking it. Together with the shattered glass, the bottle gained momentum and fell onto the car of Emily five storeys below, smashing the rear window. Bad luck? Repaying the good the school rendered him?
My God, help our students and us see the consequences of our choices and actions. Deliver us from our egocentricism. Grant us the grace to make up for all the evils we have done. Amen.
We have barely finished 4 weeks in this season of Lent. Forty days are really long especially when the situation is difficult. Forty days proved to be too long for the Israelites to stand in the wilderness. They repaid good with evil and angered God. They had lost Moses their leader for so many days. Therefore, they demanded Aaron to make them gods to lead them on their exodus to the Promised Land. This is the story of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1-35).
At first, when God called Moses, He described Israel as "my people".
Then the LORD said, "I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings." (Exodus 3:7)
When the Israelites worshipped the Golden Calf, they had chosen to forsake Yahweh. Of course, God was angry. Since the Israelites disowned Him, God disowned them in return. Tit for tat, fair enough. This time, instead of calling Israel "my people" as before, God described her as "your people", referring to Moses. Was God angry with Moses as well?
And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." (Exodus 32:7)
The God described in these chapters took on human characteristics. He behaved like a man distained by his lover. He had all the reasons to be angry. Yet God was clear-minded enough to recognize the potential greatness of Moses. He offered Moses a position similar to that of Abraham. Yahweh was willing to restart His salvation project from scratch.
And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people;
now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; but of you I will make a great nation." (Exodus 32:9-10)
Now, God recruited Moses on His side. He distanced Himself and Moses from "this people". So, God was not angry with Moses.
True to his greatness, Moses politely declined God's offer. Probably he had seen enough bad sons raised by good fathers. Perhaps he had foreseen the destiny of his future seeds fare no better than those of the Israelites. Moses rightly declined and managed to persuade God to repent His evil plan.
But Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does thy wrath burn hot against thy people, whom thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Why should the Egyptians say, `With evil intent did he bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people (Exodus 32:11-12).
Moses successfully returned the ball to God's court. The Israelites were "thy people", not Moses'. He managed to restore the rightful place of Israel in the grand salvation plan of God. However, the Israelites failed miserably both God and Moses. They did not listen to the exhortation of Moses and rejected Jesus.
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren -- him you shall heed -- (Deuteronomy 18:15).
When Jesus healed a sick man on Sabbath in Jerusalem, the Jews rejected him and wanted to persecute him because Jesus had breached the Law of Moses according to their interpretation. When Jesus further called God his father, they were furious and wanted to kill him because for them, it was blasphemy. Jesus defended himself and had the following to say.
Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope.
If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words? (John 5:45-47)
Perhap Jesus was referring to the Deuteronomy verse above. Since the hearts of the Jews were hardened and rejected Jesus, it showed that the Jews did not believe in the writings of Moses.
In our intercourse with our fellow men, very often, we repay good with evil. In a similar vein, we do the same to God. God wants us and helps us to lead a good life. We don't appreciate that and want to do it in our own ways and very often, we repay good with evil.
Yesterday, an S.2 boy fooled around in the classroom, throwing a plastic water bottle at his classmates. He missed and the bottle flew out of a closed window, breaking it. Together with the shattered glass, the bottle gained momentum and fell onto the car of Emily five storeys below, smashing the rear window. Bad luck? Repaying the good the school rendered him?
My God, help our students and us see the consequences of our choices and actions. Deliver us from our egocentricism. Grant us the grace to make up for all the evils we have done. Amen.
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Feast of Annunciation 2009
Just imagine, what if the Blessed Virgin Mary refused to become the mother of the Saviour, without her cooperation, would God be able to save the world, to redeem the fallen mankind? Would men be doomed forever to the inextinguishable fire of hell?
Well, I don't think we should worry too much about such an eventuality. If the Mary of Nazareth refused, God would continue His search for another candidate until one was found. Whatever her name might be, the salvation plan would unfold accordingly.
However, would God leave it to chance? No way. God had to find ways to fulfill His promise made to Adam.
I will put enmity between you (the Serpent) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15).
God must have, from eternity, chosen a woman and equip her for such a mission. First of all, she is free from the contamination of the Original Sin. She is immune from the tendency of committing sins. She will provide an immaculate environment, physical as well as spiritual, to nurture the future Saviour. Her answer to the annunciation from Gabriel was to be expected.
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:38).
What else would Mary say? Therefore, the Catholic Church embraces the dogma of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When God calls, who can resist? Let's consider Moses.
God called Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses had tried to decline with many excuses but in the end, he submitted.
But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11)
Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" (Exodus 3:13)
Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The LORD did not appear to you.'" (Exodus 4:1)
But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either heretofore or since thou hast spoken to thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of tongue." (Exodus 4:10)
But he said, "Oh, my Lord, send, I pray, some other person." (Exodus 4:13)
God's patience was driving thin. His anger was kindled against Moses and he submitted (Exodus 4:14).
Take the case of Gideon. When God called him to fight against the Midianites to deliver Israel, Gideon asked God for a sign, not once but twice (Judges 6:36-40)! So, if God has chosen you, you can demand anything from God!
The case of Samuel was simpler because he was only a young boy when God called him. Under the guidance of Eli, Samuel responded in the right way and established a life-long bond with God.
And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for thy servant hears." (1 Samuel 3:10)
Here, we hear something similar to Mary's answer.
The case of Isaiah was extra-terrestrial. In his vision, he was transported to the court in heaven. He felt his sinfulness and lamented.
And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5)
Here, we hear something similar to Simon Peter after the miraculous catch (Luke 5:8).
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
God did not call Isaiah directly. But who else was in the court of heaven, but Isaiah? Isaiah would have remained silent and uncommitted. Yet, he volunteered!
There are many more cases to contemplate. But it is enough for today. When God has chosen His servants or handmaids, He will surely prepare them for their mission. In all cases, God will give them signs. Let us keep all our senses open and be prepared.
My Lord, I pray for my father. He is getting fragile. His younger brother passed away last week. Grant my father peace. Amen.
Well, I don't think we should worry too much about such an eventuality. If the Mary of Nazareth refused, God would continue His search for another candidate until one was found. Whatever her name might be, the salvation plan would unfold accordingly.
However, would God leave it to chance? No way. God had to find ways to fulfill His promise made to Adam.
I will put enmity between you (the Serpent) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15).
God must have, from eternity, chosen a woman and equip her for such a mission. First of all, she is free from the contamination of the Original Sin. She is immune from the tendency of committing sins. She will provide an immaculate environment, physical as well as spiritual, to nurture the future Saviour. Her answer to the annunciation from Gabriel was to be expected.
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:38).
What else would Mary say? Therefore, the Catholic Church embraces the dogma of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When God calls, who can resist? Let's consider Moses.
God called Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses had tried to decline with many excuses but in the end, he submitted.
But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11)
Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" (Exodus 3:13)
Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The LORD did not appear to you.'" (Exodus 4:1)
But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either heretofore or since thou hast spoken to thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of tongue." (Exodus 4:10)
But he said, "Oh, my Lord, send, I pray, some other person." (Exodus 4:13)
God's patience was driving thin. His anger was kindled against Moses and he submitted (Exodus 4:14).
Take the case of Gideon. When God called him to fight against the Midianites to deliver Israel, Gideon asked God for a sign, not once but twice (Judges 6:36-40)! So, if God has chosen you, you can demand anything from God!
The case of Samuel was simpler because he was only a young boy when God called him. Under the guidance of Eli, Samuel responded in the right way and established a life-long bond with God.
And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for thy servant hears." (1 Samuel 3:10)
Here, we hear something similar to Mary's answer.
The case of Isaiah was extra-terrestrial. In his vision, he was transported to the court in heaven. He felt his sinfulness and lamented.
And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5)
Here, we hear something similar to Simon Peter after the miraculous catch (Luke 5:8).
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
God did not call Isaiah directly. But who else was in the court of heaven, but Isaiah? Isaiah would have remained silent and uncommitted. Yet, he volunteered!
There are many more cases to contemplate. But it is enough for today. When God has chosen His servants or handmaids, He will surely prepare them for their mission. In all cases, God will give them signs. Let us keep all our senses open and be prepared.
My Lord, I pray for my father. He is getting fragile. His younger brother passed away last week. Grant my father peace. Amen.
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Jesus' first miracle in Jerusalem
Ezekiel was a prophet of visions. In his last vision, he saw the new Temple and much living water come out from the south of the altar flowing to the east (Ezekiel 47:1). This living water goes down into the Arabah and when it enters into the stagnant waters of the sea, the water will become fresh (Ezekiel 47:8).
And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes (Ezekiel 47:9). Jesus is our living water. Everything will live where Jesus goes.
In John 5, we read of the first healing miracle Jesus performed in Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethzatha, which has five porticoes (John 5:2).
A lot of sick people waited for the water to be stirred and the first one who entered the water at this moment would be healed. Jesus saw a man who had been ill for 38 years, lying there with nobody to help him. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed.
The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." (John 5:7)
Jesus told him to rise, take up his pallet and walk. The man was healed. However, it was Sabbath.
Some scholars draw our attention to the 38 years the man had been sick. They suggest that this man might symbolize the Israelites who wandered for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. For me, this link seems rather remote. I think I have to study more before I am able to discern the relationship. I leave my mind open.
So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." (John 5:10)
How stagnant the mind of these Jews was! Instead of celebrating the healing of this fellow man, these Jews accused him of breaking the Sabbath law. Their mind had become so rigid that they failed to share the joy of liberation of the others. They were restrictive in their mind and wanted to impose restrictions on the others as well. How unreasonable!
And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the sabbath (John 5:16).
Of course, the healing could not be undone. God's liberation cannot be confined. Neither time, nor space, nor human institutions and prejudice can stop it. It bursts forth like the river of living water, animating everything it touches. For a long time, men have been fettered by sins. Now that Jesus has come, he liberates whoever that wants freedom and life, like the man who had been sick for 38 years.
My colleague Edmund is now in a precarious situation. His probation period is not yet over. Previously, the boss harshly criticized him for not organizing enough religious activities in the Evangelization Week, amidst many curricular activities organized by other committees last week. So, Edmund drew up a series of activities about St. Paul, such as pilgrimage, poster design competition, Biblical calligraphy competition, bible reading, bible quiz on Paul etc. He consulted the other Catholic teachers, gained their support and put forth the proposal to the boss who banned it because it would clash with other activities on the proposed week in May!
What conclusion can I draw? The boss is not appreciative of the efforts we have put into our work.
Anyway, Edmund's major difficulty is his classroom management skill. Whatever he does, the boss will find fault with him. Today, the boss reprimanded him for not bringing the prayer book to the class during the Centralized Morning Prayer in the class-teacher period. He had set a bad example in front of the students. Poor Edmund! He got another entry in the boss' record book. In the end, the boss gave him a one-month deadline to improve his classroom management. Otherwise ...
I do not complain about the boss for her being harsh. Probably other people's feelings do not enter into the boss' equations. For example, in a debriefing of the "Parent Drama" during the morning assembly yesterday, the boss criticized the parent concerned as reckless in front of a thousand students and teachers. If you were the two children of this parent, what would you feel?
Well, the school is entering a harsh educational milieu in the years ahead because of the demographic changes in the region. Our life has been cosy for too long. Harsh criticism from the boss might probably be a good dose of stimulant. However, indiscriminate prescription of stimulants might cause substance abuse. I am afraid some of my colleagues, perhaps I as well, begin to show signs of withdrawal. It is pretty discouraging especially when it comes from a fellow Catholic in Christ.
My Jesus, surely you understand our situation because you yourself have met much hostility for doing good from your fellow countrymen. Cheer us up, Lord. Liberate us from depression, Lord. Through your wounds, we shall be healed. Amen.
And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes (Ezekiel 47:9). Jesus is our living water. Everything will live where Jesus goes.
In John 5, we read of the first healing miracle Jesus performed in Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethzatha, which has five porticoes (John 5:2).
A lot of sick people waited for the water to be stirred and the first one who entered the water at this moment would be healed. Jesus saw a man who had been ill for 38 years, lying there with nobody to help him. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed.
The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." (John 5:7)
Jesus told him to rise, take up his pallet and walk. The man was healed. However, it was Sabbath.
Some scholars draw our attention to the 38 years the man had been sick. They suggest that this man might symbolize the Israelites who wandered for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. For me, this link seems rather remote. I think I have to study more before I am able to discern the relationship. I leave my mind open.
So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." (John 5:10)
How stagnant the mind of these Jews was! Instead of celebrating the healing of this fellow man, these Jews accused him of breaking the Sabbath law. Their mind had become so rigid that they failed to share the joy of liberation of the others. They were restrictive in their mind and wanted to impose restrictions on the others as well. How unreasonable!
And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the sabbath (John 5:16).
Of course, the healing could not be undone. God's liberation cannot be confined. Neither time, nor space, nor human institutions and prejudice can stop it. It bursts forth like the river of living water, animating everything it touches. For a long time, men have been fettered by sins. Now that Jesus has come, he liberates whoever that wants freedom and life, like the man who had been sick for 38 years.
My colleague Edmund is now in a precarious situation. His probation period is not yet over. Previously, the boss harshly criticized him for not organizing enough religious activities in the Evangelization Week, amidst many curricular activities organized by other committees last week. So, Edmund drew up a series of activities about St. Paul, such as pilgrimage, poster design competition, Biblical calligraphy competition, bible reading, bible quiz on Paul etc. He consulted the other Catholic teachers, gained their support and put forth the proposal to the boss who banned it because it would clash with other activities on the proposed week in May!
What conclusion can I draw? The boss is not appreciative of the efforts we have put into our work.
Anyway, Edmund's major difficulty is his classroom management skill. Whatever he does, the boss will find fault with him. Today, the boss reprimanded him for not bringing the prayer book to the class during the Centralized Morning Prayer in the class-teacher period. He had set a bad example in front of the students. Poor Edmund! He got another entry in the boss' record book. In the end, the boss gave him a one-month deadline to improve his classroom management. Otherwise ...
I do not complain about the boss for her being harsh. Probably other people's feelings do not enter into the boss' equations. For example, in a debriefing of the "Parent Drama" during the morning assembly yesterday, the boss criticized the parent concerned as reckless in front of a thousand students and teachers. If you were the two children of this parent, what would you feel?
Well, the school is entering a harsh educational milieu in the years ahead because of the demographic changes in the region. Our life has been cosy for too long. Harsh criticism from the boss might probably be a good dose of stimulant. However, indiscriminate prescription of stimulants might cause substance abuse. I am afraid some of my colleagues, perhaps I as well, begin to show signs of withdrawal. It is pretty discouraging especially when it comes from a fellow Catholic in Christ.
My Jesus, surely you understand our situation because you yourself have met much hostility for doing good from your fellow countrymen. Cheer us up, Lord. Liberate us from depression, Lord. Through your wounds, we shall be healed. Amen.
Monday 23 March 2009
God suffers patiently
We have parted company, my boss and me. Don't be alarmed. I have NOT resigned. After "suffering" for more than 9 years under the wrong choice of using Chinese as the Medium of Instruction for the RS (2000) syllabus, I have been longing to use English in the teaching of the upcoming New Senior Secondary Ethics & Religious Studies. No! My request was denied. Fine. I will NOT resign for this reason. I will continue my teaching in Shung Tak as long as God allows me.
Last Friday, after the hunger meal activity, my boss thanked us for a job well done. However, it sounded very hollow. The hard feelings generated a day earlier by her scolding Agnes for more than 45 minutes, were still fresh.
Why should I be so stupid as to take an active role in my school work when my efforts have been wasted and unappreciated? Probably, this was what God felt in His dealing with the stiff-necked Israelites.
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that did not call on my name.
I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;
a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense upon bricks;
who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am set apart from you." (Isaiah 65:1-5b)
I am not God. God could blast Israel and Judah, put the inhabitants to the swords. I could not. Therefore, I should suffer patiently and quietly because I am a Catholic. Right?
To be true to myself, I will continue to sit in Edmund's lessons. Hopefully, I can help him improve his classroom management skill which the boss has already found fault with. My S.5 classes have gone to prepare for their HKCEE. I can have more free time to prepare for the Ethics & Religious Education teaching materials next year. In the meantime, I will continue to clarify if God really wants me to serve Him in the capacity of a perpetual deacon. Last Sunday, I talked with Fr. Lajeune and sought his advice. He has reservation about the whole concept of perpetual deaconship. He thinks that this is the work of ordinary Catholics and it is not appropriate to absorb it into the church hierarchy. Of course, he knows that he is in no position to oppose God's call. He will pray for me.
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit (Isaiah 65:17-21).
I am not God and I will not play God. If it is God's will, He will bless my work and see it through.
My God, You promise to answer me before I call, hear while I am yet speaking (Isaiah 65:24). You want me to call and speak so that I may understand Your will better. Remove my stubbornness and put me on Your path. Amen.
Comment by Parsimony:
Because someone will appreciate it.
Last Friday, after the hunger meal activity, my boss thanked us for a job well done. However, it sounded very hollow. The hard feelings generated a day earlier by her scolding Agnes for more than 45 minutes, were still fresh.
Why should I be so stupid as to take an active role in my school work when my efforts have been wasted and unappreciated? Probably, this was what God felt in His dealing with the stiff-necked Israelites.
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that did not call on my name.
I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;
a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense upon bricks;
who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am set apart from you." (Isaiah 65:1-5b)
I am not God. God could blast Israel and Judah, put the inhabitants to the swords. I could not. Therefore, I should suffer patiently and quietly because I am a Catholic. Right?
To be true to myself, I will continue to sit in Edmund's lessons. Hopefully, I can help him improve his classroom management skill which the boss has already found fault with. My S.5 classes have gone to prepare for their HKCEE. I can have more free time to prepare for the Ethics & Religious Education teaching materials next year. In the meantime, I will continue to clarify if God really wants me to serve Him in the capacity of a perpetual deacon. Last Sunday, I talked with Fr. Lajeune and sought his advice. He has reservation about the whole concept of perpetual deaconship. He thinks that this is the work of ordinary Catholics and it is not appropriate to absorb it into the church hierarchy. Of course, he knows that he is in no position to oppose God's call. He will pray for me.
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit (Isaiah 65:17-21).
I am not God and I will not play God. If it is God's will, He will bless my work and see it through.
My God, You promise to answer me before I call, hear while I am yet speaking (Isaiah 65:24). You want me to call and speak so that I may understand Your will better. Remove my stubbornness and put me on Your path. Amen.
Comment by Parsimony:
Because someone will appreciate it.
Sunday 22 March 2009
Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year B)
It is rather sad to read the last chapter of the Second Book of Chronicles. King Josiah initiated a badly needed religious reform in Judah. The book of Deuteronomy was "recovered". When it was read to the people, the congregation was moved into tears, such as had never been before. Unfortunately, Josiah died pre-maturely and the religious reform never saw its fruition.
The last chapter of the Second Book of Chronicles began with Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah. He was 23 and people made him king over Judah. He reigned for only 3 months and was deposed by the Egyptians!
The Egyptians made his 25-year old brother Eliakim, a vassal and renamed him Jehoiakim.
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God (2 Chronicles 36:5).
Unfortunate for Jehoiakim, the Babylonians rose in power and King Nebuchadnezzar captured him and brought him into exile in Babylon. His son Jehoiachin reigned in his stead.
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 36:9).
I do not know what an eight-year-old could have done that was evil in the sight of God. Probably when you are in power and if you fail to master power, power will instead master over you. The boy was so young that he was not able to tell right from wrong. People around him should be blamed instead. After being a king for roughly 100 days, King Nebuchadnezzar carried him off to Babylon and made his 21-year-old brother Zedekiah king of Judah.
After 11 years, Zedekiah dared to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar. Jerusalem was under siege and breached. All the vessels in the Temple were carried away and the Temple was burnt down. Many people were butchered and the surviving ones were sent to captivity in Babylon. Zedekiah was blinded by Nebuchadnezzar after witnessing the killing of his children. The kingdom of Judah ended in total humiliation. God passed judgment on Judah because she condemned herself.
Nebuchadnezzar took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia,
to fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept sabbath, to fulfil seventy years (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).
Jews spent 70 years in captivity and finally, King Cyrus of Persia sent them home to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up.' (2 Chronicles 36:23)
Now we fast forwards to Jesus. Fr. Martin celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us this morning. He began his homily with the contradiction we read in the gospel of John this morning.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Then Fr. Martin brought out the contradiction in John.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God (John 3:17-21).
Fr. Martin shared with us 3 incidents he met which highlighted how when we passed judgments on others, we passed judgments on ourselves at the same time.
Once, Fr. Martin spoke with an old friend who spent their school years together. His friend admitted candidly that he would never want to be converted because most of the Catholics and Christians he met had never been sincere. Fr. Martin was not offended. In turn, he candidly admitted that working in the parish, it is difficult to maintain his candour. He needs to put up a brave face in front of difficult situations.
In another occasion, he spoke to some old nuns, telling them that the animation Wall-E was worth watching. The nuns commented what could come good from a cartoon. What was worse, there was little dialogue. Fr. Martin retorted that the theme of friendship which needed no dialogue made the cartoon a good movie.
In the last incident, Fr. Martin was listening to a young man of twenty something complaining about his father who always told him to abstain from hot food and put on more clothes. The young man retorted that he was already 24 and had not eaten potato chips because of his acne. For twenty four years, he had never caught any cold. Fr. Martin patiently asked the young man to put on his father's shoe. He was old and would fall sick after eating hot food. He was old and easily caught cold when he did not put on enough clothes.
So, whenever we want to pass judgment on others, think of their situations. Most likely, we do not know well enough their situations. Leave room in our harsh judgment on others. God does not want to see us perish. It is us who put ourselves in damnation.
My God, I sincerely thank You for sending us Jesus to save us. May we take this opportunity in Lent to return to You. You do not pass us judgment. Let us not condemn ourselves. Amen.
The last chapter of the Second Book of Chronicles began with Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah. He was 23 and people made him king over Judah. He reigned for only 3 months and was deposed by the Egyptians!
The Egyptians made his 25-year old brother Eliakim, a vassal and renamed him Jehoiakim.
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God (2 Chronicles 36:5).
Unfortunate for Jehoiakim, the Babylonians rose in power and King Nebuchadnezzar captured him and brought him into exile in Babylon. His son Jehoiachin reigned in his stead.
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 36:9).
I do not know what an eight-year-old could have done that was evil in the sight of God. Probably when you are in power and if you fail to master power, power will instead master over you. The boy was so young that he was not able to tell right from wrong. People around him should be blamed instead. After being a king for roughly 100 days, King Nebuchadnezzar carried him off to Babylon and made his 21-year-old brother Zedekiah king of Judah.
After 11 years, Zedekiah dared to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar. Jerusalem was under siege and breached. All the vessels in the Temple were carried away and the Temple was burnt down. Many people were butchered and the surviving ones were sent to captivity in Babylon. Zedekiah was blinded by Nebuchadnezzar after witnessing the killing of his children. The kingdom of Judah ended in total humiliation. God passed judgment on Judah because she condemned herself.
Nebuchadnezzar took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia,
to fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept sabbath, to fulfil seventy years (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).
Jews spent 70 years in captivity and finally, King Cyrus of Persia sent them home to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up.' (2 Chronicles 36:23)
Now we fast forwards to Jesus. Fr. Martin celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us this morning. He began his homily with the contradiction we read in the gospel of John this morning.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Then Fr. Martin brought out the contradiction in John.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God (John 3:17-21).
Fr. Martin shared with us 3 incidents he met which highlighted how when we passed judgments on others, we passed judgments on ourselves at the same time.
Once, Fr. Martin spoke with an old friend who spent their school years together. His friend admitted candidly that he would never want to be converted because most of the Catholics and Christians he met had never been sincere. Fr. Martin was not offended. In turn, he candidly admitted that working in the parish, it is difficult to maintain his candour. He needs to put up a brave face in front of difficult situations.
In another occasion, he spoke to some old nuns, telling them that the animation Wall-E was worth watching. The nuns commented what could come good from a cartoon. What was worse, there was little dialogue. Fr. Martin retorted that the theme of friendship which needed no dialogue made the cartoon a good movie.
In the last incident, Fr. Martin was listening to a young man of twenty something complaining about his father who always told him to abstain from hot food and put on more clothes. The young man retorted that he was already 24 and had not eaten potato chips because of his acne. For twenty four years, he had never caught any cold. Fr. Martin patiently asked the young man to put on his father's shoe. He was old and would fall sick after eating hot food. He was old and easily caught cold when he did not put on enough clothes.
So, whenever we want to pass judgment on others, think of their situations. Most likely, we do not know well enough their situations. Leave room in our harsh judgment on others. God does not want to see us perish. It is us who put ourselves in damnation.
My God, I sincerely thank You for sending us Jesus to save us. May we take this opportunity in Lent to return to You. You do not pass us judgment. Let us not condemn ourselves. Amen.
Saturday 21 March 2009
God hurts us in order to heal us?
In the reading of Hosea today, we find several pieces of important, but unrelated texts. It is to be expected because books of prophets are collections of oracles. One might be able to discern certain major themes running throughout the text. But these themes more likely reflect the theological stance of the interpreters rather than the true intentions of the editors of the books. The most important thing is not what themes expert interpreters have drawn out. Rather, it is what effects these words of God have in our life. What benefits does a prophecy such as, say the coming down of the new Jerusalem from heaven, have if we cannot gain any hope in times of difficulties? So, let us turn to the words of Hosea.
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up (Hosea 6:1).
God is just. He showers us with good things when we follow His right ways. Time and again, we go astray and He punishes us to prod us back to the right track. Of course, bad things happen to the good and righteous. One may choose to resent and resign. But we can also take these sufferings as an opportunity to rid us of our own weaknesses and failings. Probably, we have done good superficially and sufferings are good times for us to grow deeper in our reliance on our God. God is faithful. He hurts us in order to heal our weaknesses.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him (Hosea 6:2).
Is this a prooftext in the Old Testament to foretell the resurrection of Jesus on the third day? Did this verse run through Jesus' mind while he was hanging on the cross? Maybe and maybe not. Whichever way we like to interpret it, this is a promise and the hope generated from this promise will carry us through our difficult times.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).
Twice, Jesus made use of this verse to teach us that there are more important things to do than offering sacrifices to God. Does God want us to offer sacrifice to show our love to Him? I am afraid offering sacrifices pleases us more than God. It makes us feel more secure because we think God is pleased with our burnt offerings. In reality, God wants something deeper from us. Mercy.
When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for mixing with the tax collectors after he called Matthew, Jesus replied with the idiom that those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12). Furthermore, Jesus quoted this verse from Hosea which is missing from Mark.
Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13).
Be merciful to sinners who need God more than self-righteous people do. God rejoices when sinners repent and return to Him. The self-righteous have difficulty to recognize their own short-comings. They have a longer way to go to receive God's salvation.
Further down when the Pharisees criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples to pluck the heads of the grain to eat on Sabbath, the Jesus in Matthew not only quoted the story of David as he did in Mark, but also quoted how the priests profane the Sabbath in defence. Again, he quoted Hosea, to show that mercy overwrites these Sabbath rites.
And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless (Matthew 12:7).
We tend to live a routine life. Worse still when we focus on the letters and details, and consequently become legalistic, we forget the true spirit of the law --- mercy. Terrible things will be done instead. Instead of observing the Sabbath and other rituals to come closer to God, we will point our fingers at the failures of others in order to elevate our piety, our standing. Ritual laws are transformed into monstrous man-eating regulations. Jesus fought against such tendency by exposing its ugliness.
Dear Lord, help us in whatever we do. Draw us nearer You when we observe our spiritual obligations. Meanwhile, allow us to remember the needs of our neighbours, especially in this season of Lent. Make us good servants of Yours. Amen.
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up (Hosea 6:1).
God is just. He showers us with good things when we follow His right ways. Time and again, we go astray and He punishes us to prod us back to the right track. Of course, bad things happen to the good and righteous. One may choose to resent and resign. But we can also take these sufferings as an opportunity to rid us of our own weaknesses and failings. Probably, we have done good superficially and sufferings are good times for us to grow deeper in our reliance on our God. God is faithful. He hurts us in order to heal our weaknesses.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him (Hosea 6:2).
Is this a prooftext in the Old Testament to foretell the resurrection of Jesus on the third day? Did this verse run through Jesus' mind while he was hanging on the cross? Maybe and maybe not. Whichever way we like to interpret it, this is a promise and the hope generated from this promise will carry us through our difficult times.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).
Twice, Jesus made use of this verse to teach us that there are more important things to do than offering sacrifices to God. Does God want us to offer sacrifice to show our love to Him? I am afraid offering sacrifices pleases us more than God. It makes us feel more secure because we think God is pleased with our burnt offerings. In reality, God wants something deeper from us. Mercy.
When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for mixing with the tax collectors after he called Matthew, Jesus replied with the idiom that those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12). Furthermore, Jesus quoted this verse from Hosea which is missing from Mark.
Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13).
Be merciful to sinners who need God more than self-righteous people do. God rejoices when sinners repent and return to Him. The self-righteous have difficulty to recognize their own short-comings. They have a longer way to go to receive God's salvation.
Further down when the Pharisees criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples to pluck the heads of the grain to eat on Sabbath, the Jesus in Matthew not only quoted the story of David as he did in Mark, but also quoted how the priests profane the Sabbath in defence. Again, he quoted Hosea, to show that mercy overwrites these Sabbath rites.
And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless (Matthew 12:7).
We tend to live a routine life. Worse still when we focus on the letters and details, and consequently become legalistic, we forget the true spirit of the law --- mercy. Terrible things will be done instead. Instead of observing the Sabbath and other rituals to come closer to God, we will point our fingers at the failures of others in order to elevate our piety, our standing. Ritual laws are transformed into monstrous man-eating regulations. Jesus fought against such tendency by exposing its ugliness.
Dear Lord, help us in whatever we do. Draw us nearer You when we observe our spiritual obligations. Meanwhile, allow us to remember the needs of our neighbours, especially in this season of Lent. Make us good servants of Yours. Amen.
Friday 20 March 2009
Return to God
Prophet Hosea was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom, a contemporary of prophet Amos. His ministry of prophet lasted roughly from 750 to 730 B.C, and ended a decade before Israel was conquered by Assyria. God told him to marry a prostitute to symbolize the relationship between God and His Chosen People. Today, we read the last chapter of Hosea, foretelling the return of Israel to God. They would give up their false hope of reliance on Assyria, forsake idolatry and be merciful to orphans.
Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses;
and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands.
In thee the orphan finds mercy (Hosea 14:3).
Politically, they would rely no more on the powerful neighbour Assyria who in fact would conquer them. All along, prophets had been urging people to turn to God for support rather than military might. A powerful army was an illusion. It would trigger an arm race and strain their resources until their economy collapsed. A powerful neighbour was even worse. She would have only one ambition: to conquer and occupy them. Only their God would give them true protection.
Religiously, they would no longer rely on false gods, idols which they made for themselves.
O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you.
I am like an evergreen cypress, from me comes your fruit (Hosea 14:8).
Isn't it funny? How can man rely on things he makes? They will tear and wear. Worse, at critical moments, technological hiccups will spoil his presentations. Nowadays, modern people cherish great confidence in their technology rather than in God. Belief in God looks so old-fashioned and superstitious. Technology has won the day and become a new breed of idols. Hosea urges us to forsake our reliance on them and see clearly who answers our plea.
Socially, they would be more considerate and caring towards the orphans, the needy. Exploitation of the lower class means social injustice. Hosea urges the people to rectify such injustice by taking care of the orphans. In so doing, they are obeying their God.
So, on three different levels, Hosea urged the people to turn to their one true God for effective protection, for reliable support and true love. God's ways are the only right ways. This is how Hosea ends his book.
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them (Hosea 14:9).
The "Parent Drama" ended yesterday when he met the Principal and the 2 vice principals for one and a half hour. The Principal reiterated what actions she had taken to solve the problem. John pointed out the damages he had done to his child. He did not respond to them. Instead, he chose Brenda to be his saving grace to back down. He apologized for the rashness of his actions and thanked Brenda several times before her boss, without acknowledging her authority. Once more, he put Brenda on the table! I think he will be kicked out from the executive committee of the PTA soon.
Today, we held a hunger meal in Shung Tak for the first time. More than 140 students and all Catholic teachers together with Mr. Yuen participated. We ate simple bread and drank only a cup of water. Hymns were sung and prayers were said. There were video and PowerPoint shows and sharing of service experiences from students. This activity was quite successful and we will evaluate and continue next year.
Dear Lord, let us follow Your true ways and build a more caring school, a better society and a brighter world. Amen.
Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses;
and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands.
In thee the orphan finds mercy (Hosea 14:3).
Politically, they would rely no more on the powerful neighbour Assyria who in fact would conquer them. All along, prophets had been urging people to turn to God for support rather than military might. A powerful army was an illusion. It would trigger an arm race and strain their resources until their economy collapsed. A powerful neighbour was even worse. She would have only one ambition: to conquer and occupy them. Only their God would give them true protection.
Religiously, they would no longer rely on false gods, idols which they made for themselves.
O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you.
I am like an evergreen cypress, from me comes your fruit (Hosea 14:8).
Isn't it funny? How can man rely on things he makes? They will tear and wear. Worse, at critical moments, technological hiccups will spoil his presentations. Nowadays, modern people cherish great confidence in their technology rather than in God. Belief in God looks so old-fashioned and superstitious. Technology has won the day and become a new breed of idols. Hosea urges us to forsake our reliance on them and see clearly who answers our plea.
Socially, they would be more considerate and caring towards the orphans, the needy. Exploitation of the lower class means social injustice. Hosea urges the people to rectify such injustice by taking care of the orphans. In so doing, they are obeying their God.
So, on three different levels, Hosea urged the people to turn to their one true God for effective protection, for reliable support and true love. God's ways are the only right ways. This is how Hosea ends his book.
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them (Hosea 14:9).
The "Parent Drama" ended yesterday when he met the Principal and the 2 vice principals for one and a half hour. The Principal reiterated what actions she had taken to solve the problem. John pointed out the damages he had done to his child. He did not respond to them. Instead, he chose Brenda to be his saving grace to back down. He apologized for the rashness of his actions and thanked Brenda several times before her boss, without acknowledging her authority. Once more, he put Brenda on the table! I think he will be kicked out from the executive committee of the PTA soon.
Today, we held a hunger meal in Shung Tak for the first time. More than 140 students and all Catholic teachers together with Mr. Yuen participated. We ate simple bread and drank only a cup of water. Hymns were sung and prayers were said. There were video and PowerPoint shows and sharing of service experiences from students. This activity was quite successful and we will evaluate and continue next year.
Dear Lord, let us follow Your true ways and build a more caring school, a better society and a brighter world. Amen.
Thursday 19 March 2009
Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of the BVM
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus on earth. We find only a few verses about his earthly life in the gospels. Therefore, a lot of legends have sprung up to satisfy our curiosity, our desire to know more. When Jesus began his public ministry, Joseph had already vanished from the scene. Only the Blessed Virgin remained to accompany her son. When Jesus was rejected in his home town Nazareth, people referred him as Mary's son (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55). Only Luke reports that he was Joseph's son (Luke 4:22). Therefore, Joseph must have died by then.
Only Matthew and Luke give us the Nativity story of Jesus. The Lucan version focusses more on Mary whereas the Matthean on men. In Matthew, the major players are Joseph and Herod the Great, the righteous versus the wicked, son of David (Matthew 1:20) versus a half-Jew. Let's take a look at Matthew to find out how he painted a righteous Joseph.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;
and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:18-19).
God sent His Son to redeem mankind. He needed the cooperation of Mary to give flesh to Jesus. Mary must have told Joseph that her pregnancy was the work of the Holy Spirit. Now Joseph was facing a problem. Whether he believed Mary or not, he still had to deal with this problem. Joseph was a just man. Which means he had to follow the law of Moses. According to the law, both Mary, a betrothed virgin, and the man who impregnated her should be put to death (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Perhaps out of love or mercy, Joseph did not want to put Mary to shame. He had to solve this problem according to the law. The only available option was to write Mary a bill of divorce so that she would be free to marry anyone she cared (Deuteronomy 24:1-2). Now, God had a problem. There was no man but the Holy Spirit. But Jesus would need a foster father to give him a legal status in a Jewish society. The Holy Spirit could not give Jesus this status. God intervened. The rest of the story is history. Joseph did an excellent job in providing for the safety and necessities of the mother and the child.
Naturally, modern people would ask if Joseph ever had sex with Mary. Catholics uphold the Perpetual Virginity of Mary and will say no. Protestants do not accept this position because it will be convenient to explain the brothers and sisters of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6:3. The crucial text is found in the last verse of Matthew 1.
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife,
but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus (Matthew 1:25).
Protestants would graphically interpret this verse to mean Joseph did not have sex with Mary until she gave birth to Jesus.
How would Catholics defend?
My teacher in the Biblical Institute suggested that Joseph dared not touch Mary because she was God's woman. He had to serve her like serving his God. I agree and I would add that the sexual life of people living two thousand years ago is up to our speculation. Whichever direction we want to pursue, it is no better than mere speculation. No more, no less. It will not be fruitful.
St. Joseph followed the law and had a big heart. He suffered patiently and quietly. St. Joseph is our model.
Our boss continues to offend people and tramples our morale. She has decided to use Chinese as the medium of instruction for NSS Ethics and Religious Studies. I have made it clear that I will not take it. Agnes is the only teacher capable to handle it in Chinese. Yet, today, she talked harshly to Agnes for nearly 45 minutes. She was disappointed with Agnes who, as an RS teacher, was expected to be more active and visible in taking part in religious activities organized in school. She threatened to give Agnes a zero in her appraisal! Poor Agnes. She has been working patiently and quietly behind the scene, like St. Joseph. God knows.
I told Brenda about it while we were on our way to the SCMP "Homes of Hope" kickoff cocktail reception. Brenda suggested that we should be more direct in pointing out our boss' mistakes. There are a lot of things she does not know, yet she thinks she knows everything. We need to help her learn.
Dear Lord, may we continue to follow the model of St. Joseph, working patiently and quietly for the promotion of religious atmosphere in our school. St. Joseph. Pray for us. Amen.
Appendix:
but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκεν υἱόν· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν. (Matthew 1:25).
Only Matthew and Luke give us the Nativity story of Jesus. The Lucan version focusses more on Mary whereas the Matthean on men. In Matthew, the major players are Joseph and Herod the Great, the righteous versus the wicked, son of David (Matthew 1:20) versus a half-Jew. Let's take a look at Matthew to find out how he painted a righteous Joseph.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;
and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:18-19).
God sent His Son to redeem mankind. He needed the cooperation of Mary to give flesh to Jesus. Mary must have told Joseph that her pregnancy was the work of the Holy Spirit. Now Joseph was facing a problem. Whether he believed Mary or not, he still had to deal with this problem. Joseph was a just man. Which means he had to follow the law of Moses. According to the law, both Mary, a betrothed virgin, and the man who impregnated her should be put to death (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Perhaps out of love or mercy, Joseph did not want to put Mary to shame. He had to solve this problem according to the law. The only available option was to write Mary a bill of divorce so that she would be free to marry anyone she cared (Deuteronomy 24:1-2). Now, God had a problem. There was no man but the Holy Spirit. But Jesus would need a foster father to give him a legal status in a Jewish society. The Holy Spirit could not give Jesus this status. God intervened. The rest of the story is history. Joseph did an excellent job in providing for the safety and necessities of the mother and the child.
Naturally, modern people would ask if Joseph ever had sex with Mary. Catholics uphold the Perpetual Virginity of Mary and will say no. Protestants do not accept this position because it will be convenient to explain the brothers and sisters of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6:3. The crucial text is found in the last verse of Matthew 1.
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife,
but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus (Matthew 1:25).
Protestants would graphically interpret this verse to mean Joseph did not have sex with Mary until she gave birth to Jesus.
How would Catholics defend?
My teacher in the Biblical Institute suggested that Joseph dared not touch Mary because she was God's woman. He had to serve her like serving his God. I agree and I would add that the sexual life of people living two thousand years ago is up to our speculation. Whichever direction we want to pursue, it is no better than mere speculation. No more, no less. It will not be fruitful.
St. Joseph followed the law and had a big heart. He suffered patiently and quietly. St. Joseph is our model.
Our boss continues to offend people and tramples our morale. She has decided to use Chinese as the medium of instruction for NSS Ethics and Religious Studies. I have made it clear that I will not take it. Agnes is the only teacher capable to handle it in Chinese. Yet, today, she talked harshly to Agnes for nearly 45 minutes. She was disappointed with Agnes who, as an RS teacher, was expected to be more active and visible in taking part in religious activities organized in school. She threatened to give Agnes a zero in her appraisal! Poor Agnes. She has been working patiently and quietly behind the scene, like St. Joseph. God knows.
I told Brenda about it while we were on our way to the SCMP "Homes of Hope" kickoff cocktail reception. Brenda suggested that we should be more direct in pointing out our boss' mistakes. There are a lot of things she does not know, yet she thinks she knows everything. We need to help her learn.
Dear Lord, may we continue to follow the model of St. Joseph, working patiently and quietly for the promotion of religious atmosphere in our school. St. Joseph. Pray for us. Amen.
Appendix:
but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκεν υἱόν· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν. (Matthew 1:25).
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Understanding from parents
Among the stakeholders of a secondary school, students and their parents spend at most seven years there whereas, teachers spend more and the sponsoring body all. It is understandable that parents are most concerned when their children are studying in the school. After that, if these students have built up a strong enough sense of belonging, they become the alumni and continue to help out the school for the rest of their life. Otherwise, parents and their children are like customers visiting a shop. Theoretically, if this "shop" doesn't render satisfactory enough service, they can go elsewhere. In reality, the situation is more complicated because some schools are in greater demand than the rest. It is very difficult to enrol in these elite schools. Now, parents are even more concerned and sometimes take some irrational actions in order to get their wish done. Indeed, most parents need schooling as well.
Nearly all schools in Hong Kong have a Parent Teacher Association to provide a platform for parent teacher cooperation. When the school needs extra funding to cover what the Education Bureau fails to supply, PTA would come to aid. When the school needs more volunteers to run activities, such as School Speech/Music Festival, School Picnic, Reading to Learn Project, Exchange Students Program, measuring body temperatures etc., many parents are very generous in lending a helping hand. The government even passes a law to put a parent representative in the School Management Committee to run the school. Alas! These channels fail to satisfy the wishes of some unreasonable parents.
Among the school chores, discipline is the most unpleasing task. Very few teachers want to play the bad guys in front of students. Yet, somebody has to take up this unpopular job. Understanding and cooperation from parents are indispensable for the school discipline to be carried out successfully. Unfortunately, many parents fail to cooperate with the school administration and create even more troubles than their children for the school. Sometimes, they side and lie with their children so that the children may escape punishment.
Theft is a crime that all schools have to combat. It can be prevented but rather impossible to stamp out. Books, calculators, mobile phones and purses are left unattended. When such incidents are reported to the school office, very little can be done. Recently, our school took a procedure which, in hindsight, was rather stupid. Discipline teachers patrol around the school and round up all unattended purses! Suddenly, they become officially sanctioned thieves! What if money is missing from some of these purses? I believe they have stopped this procedure but complaints have already been raised. Too bad! What is worse, one particular parent doggedly complains to the school administration, the School Management Committee and the Education Bureau. Today during lunch time, together with two assistants, he even put up a banner and a bench near the bus stop to hand out pamphlets to our students. What resources he possesses and what uses he puts them in! He threatens to go public through the media! But he has already gone public! I wonder if this parent has ever thought of the reactions of those students who took the pamphlets and passers-by who obtained the pamphlets by chance. Too bad! Damages have been done.
I am not here to pass judgment on anybody. It is no use investigating how the discipline teachers came to devise such a procedure. It is no use uncovering the motive behind this persistent parent. Several things are certain. The school has the responsibility to teach students to take good care of their own things. The school also needs the understanding and cooperation of parents in order to carry out procedures successfully. Meanwhile, parents need to give the school enough time and support to change for the better. School discipline is mainly an "internal" matter. It should be settled within the school. I am sure many students as well as teachers do not like to see such an incident go public and out of hand. I am also certain that it is not the end of the story. But I am afraid the child will be ostracized by its fellow classmates. How much forgiveness will our students know? I don't know.
My God, if You are for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31) We are weak. We are sinners. Help us forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22) so that we may have a chance to begin anew. Amen.
Nearly all schools in Hong Kong have a Parent Teacher Association to provide a platform for parent teacher cooperation. When the school needs extra funding to cover what the Education Bureau fails to supply, PTA would come to aid. When the school needs more volunteers to run activities, such as School Speech/Music Festival, School Picnic, Reading to Learn Project, Exchange Students Program, measuring body temperatures etc., many parents are very generous in lending a helping hand. The government even passes a law to put a parent representative in the School Management Committee to run the school. Alas! These channels fail to satisfy the wishes of some unreasonable parents.
Among the school chores, discipline is the most unpleasing task. Very few teachers want to play the bad guys in front of students. Yet, somebody has to take up this unpopular job. Understanding and cooperation from parents are indispensable for the school discipline to be carried out successfully. Unfortunately, many parents fail to cooperate with the school administration and create even more troubles than their children for the school. Sometimes, they side and lie with their children so that the children may escape punishment.
Theft is a crime that all schools have to combat. It can be prevented but rather impossible to stamp out. Books, calculators, mobile phones and purses are left unattended. When such incidents are reported to the school office, very little can be done. Recently, our school took a procedure which, in hindsight, was rather stupid. Discipline teachers patrol around the school and round up all unattended purses! Suddenly, they become officially sanctioned thieves! What if money is missing from some of these purses? I believe they have stopped this procedure but complaints have already been raised. Too bad! What is worse, one particular parent doggedly complains to the school administration, the School Management Committee and the Education Bureau. Today during lunch time, together with two assistants, he even put up a banner and a bench near the bus stop to hand out pamphlets to our students. What resources he possesses and what uses he puts them in! He threatens to go public through the media! But he has already gone public! I wonder if this parent has ever thought of the reactions of those students who took the pamphlets and passers-by who obtained the pamphlets by chance. Too bad! Damages have been done.
I am not here to pass judgment on anybody. It is no use investigating how the discipline teachers came to devise such a procedure. It is no use uncovering the motive behind this persistent parent. Several things are certain. The school has the responsibility to teach students to take good care of their own things. The school also needs the understanding and cooperation of parents in order to carry out procedures successfully. Meanwhile, parents need to give the school enough time and support to change for the better. School discipline is mainly an "internal" matter. It should be settled within the school. I am sure many students as well as teachers do not like to see such an incident go public and out of hand. I am also certain that it is not the end of the story. But I am afraid the child will be ostracized by its fellow classmates. How much forgiveness will our students know? I don't know.
My God, if You are for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31) We are weak. We are sinners. Help us forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22) so that we may have a chance to begin anew. Amen.
Tuesday 17 March 2009
A God who allows evils to happen
We are always puzzled by the existence of evils in the presence of an almighty and benevolent God. Greek philosophers had long ago questioned this concept of God. If God were almighty, He would stop the evils and sufferings in this world. He had not. Therefore, either God were not almighty or that He were not benevolent. God could not be both. This logic is simple and powerful. Many people subscribe to this argument and drive God out of their consciousness. However, to quote Einstein, "Raffiniert ist der Herr Gott, aber boshaft ist er nicht (Subtle is the Lord God, but malicious He is not)".
Today, we read of the story of the three companions of Daniel. They were Hananiah (aka Shadrach), Mishael (aka Meshach), and Azariah (aka Abednego) of the tribe of Judah (Daniel 1:6). They were young men carried away from Jerusalem and sent into exile when Babylon conquered Judah. Previously, King Nebuchadnezzar was disturbed by a strange dream. He dreamt of a statue made up of gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay.
The head of this image was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,
its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay (Daniel 2:32-33).
Then this statue was smashed by a stone into pieces and the stone became a great mountain. Daniel interpreted this dream of King Nebuchadnezzar and was made the chief prefect over all the wise men in Babylon. He served the King in the court while his three companions were appointed over the affairs in the province of Babylon (Daniel 2:48-49).
Ironically, King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue and decreed that all should fall down to worship this statue. Whoever did not obey would be thrown into a a burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:4-6). Of course, the three young men did not obey. Here was their logic.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up (Daniel 3:17-18).
If God is able to save them, God will deliver them. Even if God, for some grander reasons, does not save them from this evil, they will still not worship the golden image. It is against their faith and their conscience. For these three young men, their faith was more important than their lives. They were prepared to die a martyrdom.
Eventually, they were bound and thrown into the furnace. God sent an angel to protect them from the heat. King Nebuchadnezzar saw four people walking freely in the furnace unharmed by the fire. At the command of the King, the three young men came out unscathed.
And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men; the hair of their heads was not singed, their mantles were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them (Daniel 3:27).
This story comes to its natural conclusion. Once again, God demonstrates that He is almighty as well as benevolent.
Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set at nought the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God." (Daniel 3:28)
What conclusion can we draw from this story?
God allows evils to exist in order to demonstrate His might and His love for men. His might is unquestionable. God is in full control. But His love? The God of the Bible gives the people He loves sufferings. This mystery is harder to swallow. But Job provides us with an answer.
Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10)
Very often, suffering is a blessing in disguise. The Chinese story 「塞翁失馬」is a case in point. Blessing brings suffering and suffering blessing. Together, the two prod us ahead. The Original Sin brought the downfall of man. Without it, God would not bring us Christ's salvation and elevate us from the status of God's pets to God's adopted sons. Alas! Evil is inevitable and let us live with it. It provides us with an opportunity to bring out the dignity and nobility of our souls.
My God, all honour and glory are Yours. You are almighty and benevolent. In Your mercy, we receive salvation. May we make good use of this season of Lent to do penance, sacrifice and almsgiving so that we may come closer to You. Amen.
Today, we read of the story of the three companions of Daniel. They were Hananiah (aka Shadrach), Mishael (aka Meshach), and Azariah (aka Abednego) of the tribe of Judah (Daniel 1:6). They were young men carried away from Jerusalem and sent into exile when Babylon conquered Judah. Previously, King Nebuchadnezzar was disturbed by a strange dream. He dreamt of a statue made up of gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay.
The head of this image was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,
its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay (Daniel 2:32-33).
Then this statue was smashed by a stone into pieces and the stone became a great mountain. Daniel interpreted this dream of King Nebuchadnezzar and was made the chief prefect over all the wise men in Babylon. He served the King in the court while his three companions were appointed over the affairs in the province of Babylon (Daniel 2:48-49).
Ironically, King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue and decreed that all should fall down to worship this statue. Whoever did not obey would be thrown into a a burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:4-6). Of course, the three young men did not obey. Here was their logic.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up (Daniel 3:17-18).
If God is able to save them, God will deliver them. Even if God, for some grander reasons, does not save them from this evil, they will still not worship the golden image. It is against their faith and their conscience. For these three young men, their faith was more important than their lives. They were prepared to die a martyrdom.
Eventually, they were bound and thrown into the furnace. God sent an angel to protect them from the heat. King Nebuchadnezzar saw four people walking freely in the furnace unharmed by the fire. At the command of the King, the three young men came out unscathed.
And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men; the hair of their heads was not singed, their mantles were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them (Daniel 3:27).
This story comes to its natural conclusion. Once again, God demonstrates that He is almighty as well as benevolent.
Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set at nought the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God." (Daniel 3:28)
What conclusion can we draw from this story?
God allows evils to exist in order to demonstrate His might and His love for men. His might is unquestionable. God is in full control. But His love? The God of the Bible gives the people He loves sufferings. This mystery is harder to swallow. But Job provides us with an answer.
Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10)
Very often, suffering is a blessing in disguise. The Chinese story 「塞翁失馬」is a case in point. Blessing brings suffering and suffering blessing. Together, the two prod us ahead. The Original Sin brought the downfall of man. Without it, God would not bring us Christ's salvation and elevate us from the status of God's pets to God's adopted sons. Alas! Evil is inevitable and let us live with it. It provides us with an opportunity to bring out the dignity and nobility of our souls.
My God, all honour and glory are Yours. You are almighty and benevolent. In Your mercy, we receive salvation. May we make good use of this season of Lent to do penance, sacrifice and almsgiving so that we may come closer to You. Amen.
Monday 16 March 2009
God of the underdogs
I was brought up in a low-cost housing estate, a government funded housing program to cater for the needs of the lower-income families in Hong Kong in the sixties. Therefore, my ambition was to become a social worker to serve the needy. So, when I entered the university, I switched to study social science instead of pure science. When I first taught in La Salle after graduation, I resented the reality that I was serving the elite class of the society. Gradually, God enlightened me. There are spiritually poor people among the rich. Now, I feel privileged to have taught these bright kids who have become professionals serving Hong Kong.
My God is also a God of the underdogs. He chose Israel to engineer His salvation plan for the fallen humanity. Superficially, God did not seem to have made a right choice. Israel has never been a great or powerful nation throughout human history as she herself is well aware of.
It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love upon you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7).
What is worse, Israel has been very rebellious and failed time and again to cooperate with God. This naughty girl needs to be disciplined and, out of love, God does not spare her. The kingdom was split into two after the death of King Solomon. The two daughter kingdoms were conquered and exiled. A remnant of chosen people survived but was successively ruled by the Greeks and Romans. In the meantime, they have developed a deeper and deeper hope in the steadfast love of God. But they have never shaken off their exclusive outlook. The world has to wait until the emergence of Christianity for monotheism to become catholic, to become universal.
In the gospel reading today, we read of Jesus being rejected by his own countrymen in Nazareth. The change of moods in the story is rather sudden. There are a lot of emotional undercurrents going on.
On Sabbath, Jesus stood up in the synagogue to read a passage from Isaiah. It was well received.
And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:21-22)
Then, Jesus seemed to feel slighted by the last remark --- "Is not his Joseph's son?" He took up the defensive.
And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself'; what we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country." (Luke 4:23)
Had Jesus all along been despised in Nazareth, an underdog in Nazareth? What was wrong for being a carpenter's son? Was it because the people of Nazareth knew that Jesus was an illegitimate son of Joseph? In the gospel of Mark, the people of Nazareth called Jesus the carpenter, the son of Mary rather than Joseph's son. Mark seems to suggest that Jesus was rejected because of his low social status (a carpenter). Indeed, Luke does not say either Joseph or Jesus was a carpenter. Therefore, the people of Nazareth slighted Jesus for some other reasons.
Then came the main theme of the story.
And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country (Luke 4:24).
Xenophilia, love of novelty, enhancing one's standing by association with foreigners etc. might not be a correct explanation for this attitude towards prophets. In fact, prophets were rejected because they did not speak popular wisdom. Instead, they spoke God's messages which, for most of the time, were difficult to obey. When people were not able to vent their anger to God, they projected it to His spokesmen.
To further elaborate Jesus' point, Luke quoted two examples which were not found in the other gospels: Elijah and Elisha.
But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;
and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." (Luke 4:25-27)
Now, it was the people of Nazareth who were offended. But why?
These two prophets were the favourites of Israelites. Many miracles were associated with them. In particular, the relevant miracles demonstrated one key point: There is no God in all the earth but in Israel (1 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 5:15). Instead, Luke's Jesus made use of these two prophets to turn the table and show them a stark reality: God is not just the God of Israel. He is God of all humanity, especially the underdogs. Israel has always been the underdog. Therefore, they are able to obtain God's favour. Now, at the end of time, God's love is open to all.
My God, I pray that my students and I may continue to work for the good of all, especially the underprivileged. Amen.
My God is also a God of the underdogs. He chose Israel to engineer His salvation plan for the fallen humanity. Superficially, God did not seem to have made a right choice. Israel has never been a great or powerful nation throughout human history as she herself is well aware of.
It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love upon you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7).
What is worse, Israel has been very rebellious and failed time and again to cooperate with God. This naughty girl needs to be disciplined and, out of love, God does not spare her. The kingdom was split into two after the death of King Solomon. The two daughter kingdoms were conquered and exiled. A remnant of chosen people survived but was successively ruled by the Greeks and Romans. In the meantime, they have developed a deeper and deeper hope in the steadfast love of God. But they have never shaken off their exclusive outlook. The world has to wait until the emergence of Christianity for monotheism to become catholic, to become universal.
In the gospel reading today, we read of Jesus being rejected by his own countrymen in Nazareth. The change of moods in the story is rather sudden. There are a lot of emotional undercurrents going on.
On Sabbath, Jesus stood up in the synagogue to read a passage from Isaiah. It was well received.
And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:21-22)
Then, Jesus seemed to feel slighted by the last remark --- "Is not his Joseph's son?" He took up the defensive.
And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself'; what we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country." (Luke 4:23)
Had Jesus all along been despised in Nazareth, an underdog in Nazareth? What was wrong for being a carpenter's son? Was it because the people of Nazareth knew that Jesus was an illegitimate son of Joseph? In the gospel of Mark, the people of Nazareth called Jesus the carpenter, the son of Mary rather than Joseph's son. Mark seems to suggest that Jesus was rejected because of his low social status (a carpenter). Indeed, Luke does not say either Joseph or Jesus was a carpenter. Therefore, the people of Nazareth slighted Jesus for some other reasons.
Then came the main theme of the story.
And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country (Luke 4:24).
Xenophilia, love of novelty, enhancing one's standing by association with foreigners etc. might not be a correct explanation for this attitude towards prophets. In fact, prophets were rejected because they did not speak popular wisdom. Instead, they spoke God's messages which, for most of the time, were difficult to obey. When people were not able to vent their anger to God, they projected it to His spokesmen.
To further elaborate Jesus' point, Luke quoted two examples which were not found in the other gospels: Elijah and Elisha.
But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;
and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." (Luke 4:25-27)
Now, it was the people of Nazareth who were offended. But why?
These two prophets were the favourites of Israelites. Many miracles were associated with them. In particular, the relevant miracles demonstrated one key point: There is no God in all the earth but in Israel (1 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 5:15). Instead, Luke's Jesus made use of these two prophets to turn the table and show them a stark reality: God is not just the God of Israel. He is God of all humanity, especially the underdogs. Israel has always been the underdog. Therefore, they are able to obtain God's favour. Now, at the end of time, God's love is open to all.
My God, I pray that my students and I may continue to work for the good of all, especially the underprivileged. Amen.
Sunday 15 March 2009
Third Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Today, we read of Jesus' cleansing the Temple in the gospel of John. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels in which Jesus visited Jerusalem only once on his last days, John's Gospel has Jesus visiting Jerusalem three times. The first time Jesus visited Jerusalem, he cleansed the Temple, chasing out the merchants (John 2:13-25). That probably explains why in the Gospel of Mark, the Jewish authority was hostile to Jesus early in his public ministry (Mark 3:1-6). Mark collected a series of 5 conflicts between Jesus and the Jewish authority. These conflicts centred around the difference in attitudes towards observing the Jewish customs, especially the Sabbath, accumulating to Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand on Sabbath. Since the Synoptic Gospels have Jesus' visiting Jerusalem once on his last days, they postpone the cleansing of the Temple until the latter part of the gospels.
Jesus described the Temple as his Father's house when Mary and Joseph found him sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions (Luke 2:49). Here, in John, Jesus told those who sold pigeons not to make his Father's house a house of trade (John 2:16). These words reminded his disciples of Psalm 69. Fr. Kwan, our parish priest, celebrated 11 a.m. mass with us this morning. He focussed on this theme of Father's house.
The Church is the house of God. It is not just a building. It is a place for us to come close to God, to meet our Father and each other. He asked how many of us felt the urge on Fridays to come to encounter God on Sundays. The Church has the Ten Commandments and Four Precepts to guide our life. These rules and regulations help us lead a life pleasing to God. Going to Church on Sundays is one of the Four Precepts. It is not a matter of avoiding sins. It is a matter of building up a loving relationship with God, a zeal that consumes us.
His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for thy house will consume me." (John 2:17)
To be true disciples of Jesus, let us remember to love the Church with as much zeal as Jesus.
When the Jewish authority challenged Jesus, asking him for a miracle to show where his authority (to cleanse the Temple) came from, Jesus told them, in an enigma, to destroy the Temple and he would raise it up again in three days. Of course, the Jewish authority would dismiss this as a farce. It took Herod the Great 46 years to extend and embellish the Temple. Destroy it? You must be joking, Jesus! What if you fail to raise it up again? Do you think you would get away with this mess you have done? No. You shall pay for what you have done.
The disciples had a different understanding of Jesus' words.
But he spoke of the temple of his body.
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken (John 2:21-22).
Fr. Kwan then dwelt on St. Paul's theme on the sanctity of our body. The Church is not simply a meeting place for believers to worship God. Our bodies are also churches that house God, the Holy Spirit. Therefore, our bodies are also holy. They are holy places where the Holy Spirit shall dwell. Therefore, we should keep our mind clean and holy. In particular, he urged parents to watch over what materials their children browse on the Internet. Nowadays, too much obscene information is too easily available on the Internet to poison the mind of teenagers. Discuss candidly with the kids to help them sort out what is good and what is bad for them. This is responsible parenthood.
My God, I thank You for allowing me to work with these bunch of young people to sing praises to You in Your house. May our singing elevate the spirit of the congregation to come close to You. May our souls be nourished and in this season of Lent, turn to You for our salvation. Amen.
Appendix:
Zeal for thy house will consume me ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου καταφάγεταί με (John 2:17b).
ὅτι ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου κατέφαγέν με (Psalm 68:10a LXX, 69:10a MT)
Jesus described the Temple as his Father's house when Mary and Joseph found him sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions (Luke 2:49). Here, in John, Jesus told those who sold pigeons not to make his Father's house a house of trade (John 2:16). These words reminded his disciples of Psalm 69. Fr. Kwan, our parish priest, celebrated 11 a.m. mass with us this morning. He focussed on this theme of Father's house.
The Church is the house of God. It is not just a building. It is a place for us to come close to God, to meet our Father and each other. He asked how many of us felt the urge on Fridays to come to encounter God on Sundays. The Church has the Ten Commandments and Four Precepts to guide our life. These rules and regulations help us lead a life pleasing to God. Going to Church on Sundays is one of the Four Precepts. It is not a matter of avoiding sins. It is a matter of building up a loving relationship with God, a zeal that consumes us.
His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for thy house will consume me." (John 2:17)
To be true disciples of Jesus, let us remember to love the Church with as much zeal as Jesus.
When the Jewish authority challenged Jesus, asking him for a miracle to show where his authority (to cleanse the Temple) came from, Jesus told them, in an enigma, to destroy the Temple and he would raise it up again in three days. Of course, the Jewish authority would dismiss this as a farce. It took Herod the Great 46 years to extend and embellish the Temple. Destroy it? You must be joking, Jesus! What if you fail to raise it up again? Do you think you would get away with this mess you have done? No. You shall pay for what you have done.
The disciples had a different understanding of Jesus' words.
But he spoke of the temple of his body.
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken (John 2:21-22).
Fr. Kwan then dwelt on St. Paul's theme on the sanctity of our body. The Church is not simply a meeting place for believers to worship God. Our bodies are also churches that house God, the Holy Spirit. Therefore, our bodies are also holy. They are holy places where the Holy Spirit shall dwell. Therefore, we should keep our mind clean and holy. In particular, he urged parents to watch over what materials their children browse on the Internet. Nowadays, too much obscene information is too easily available on the Internet to poison the mind of teenagers. Discuss candidly with the kids to help them sort out what is good and what is bad for them. This is responsible parenthood.
My God, I thank You for allowing me to work with these bunch of young people to sing praises to You in Your house. May our singing elevate the spirit of the congregation to come close to You. May our souls be nourished and in this season of Lent, turn to You for our salvation. Amen.
Appendix:
Zeal for thy house will consume me ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου καταφάγεταί με (John 2:17b).
ὅτι ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου κατέφαγέν με (Psalm 68:10a LXX, 69:10a MT)
Saturday 14 March 2009
God is our hope
Today, we read the book of Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah. Micah means "who is like (Yahweh)?" He gave us glimpses of the true nature of God. While Isaiah came from the upper class, Micah was a prophet of the grassroots. Therefore, he was sympathetic towards the poor and downtrodden and criticized the rich for their exploitation of the poor. Micah is one of the twelve Minor Prophets and his book is a collection of oracles. Since it is impossible to determine the context of these oracles and bearing in mind that prophets did not see everything, it is impossible for us to know for sure the true meaning of these oracles. Throughout the ages, people have been puzzled by some of their visions because the things mentioned were unimaginable at that time. We have to wait patiently until these things actually happen and we will marvel at the truthfulness of God's words. Take the following verses as an example.
Put no trust in a neighbor, have no confidence in a friend;
guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom;
for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house (Micah 7:5-6).
It would be impossible for people living in agricultural societies to dream of children rising up to accuse their parents and friends betraying friends in order to save their own skin. Yet, in totalitarian countries of the last century, we see amply examples of such assaults against traditional family ties. Such were the tragedies of Cultural Revolution in the sixties in mainland China. So, how do we survive such irrationality? What is the advice of Micah?
But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me (Micah 7:7).
God is the hope of Micah. Yahweh is also our hope.
But we must remember our sinful state.
I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I shall behold his deliverance (Micah 7:9).
While we are waiting for our hope, His deliverance, we should wait patiently and bear His indignation. We must pay the full price for our transgressions. Until then, our deliverance will come. Meanwhile, we should not lose hope. We have full confidence in our God.
Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love (Micah 7:18).
God is just. He is angry with evils. But He will not be angry forever. He delights in mercy. Therefore, our God will pardon our iniquity and transgression. In His mercy we trust.
In the fullness of time, God sent Jesus to demonstrate His mercy on sinners. He becomes our safety valve and always gives us a second chance. Therefore, in this season of Lent, let us repent and turn to God. Reconcile to Him and lead a saintly life, a life acceptable to God.
My God, who is like You, delightful in Your mercy and pardoning our transgressions? Let us seek You while You can be found so that we can encourage and strengthen our brothers. When I am depressed, You always cheer me up with surprises. I thank You for today, You sent three of my past students to cheer me up. I pray for my present and past students. May they also find delights in Your words. Amen.
Put no trust in a neighbor, have no confidence in a friend;
guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom;
for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house (Micah 7:5-6).
It would be impossible for people living in agricultural societies to dream of children rising up to accuse their parents and friends betraying friends in order to save their own skin. Yet, in totalitarian countries of the last century, we see amply examples of such assaults against traditional family ties. Such were the tragedies of Cultural Revolution in the sixties in mainland China. So, how do we survive such irrationality? What is the advice of Micah?
But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me (Micah 7:7).
God is the hope of Micah. Yahweh is also our hope.
But we must remember our sinful state.
I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I shall behold his deliverance (Micah 7:9).
While we are waiting for our hope, His deliverance, we should wait patiently and bear His indignation. We must pay the full price for our transgressions. Until then, our deliverance will come. Meanwhile, we should not lose hope. We have full confidence in our God.
Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love (Micah 7:18).
God is just. He is angry with evils. But He will not be angry forever. He delights in mercy. Therefore, our God will pardon our iniquity and transgression. In His mercy we trust.
In the fullness of time, God sent Jesus to demonstrate His mercy on sinners. He becomes our safety valve and always gives us a second chance. Therefore, in this season of Lent, let us repent and turn to God. Reconcile to Him and lead a saintly life, a life acceptable to God.
My God, who is like You, delightful in Your mercy and pardoning our transgressions? Let us seek You while You can be found so that we can encourage and strengthen our brothers. When I am depressed, You always cheer me up with surprises. I thank You for today, You sent three of my past students to cheer me up. I pray for my present and past students. May they also find delights in Your words. Amen.
Friday 13 March 2009
How old was Jacob when Joseph was born?
Today, we read of the beginning of the story of Joseph in Genesis. Theologians treat Joseph as a pre-figure of Christ because he was sold by his brothers. But in the end, he saved them from severe famine. Similarly, Jesus was betrayed by Judas, abandoned by all his disciples, denied by the future Pope, forsaken by all his disciples and countrymen. But in the end, Jesus saved us all from the bondage of sins.
Scholars generally agree that the book of Genesis pieces together various traditions and folklore. The story of Joseph occupies the last part of Genesis and its richness in contents and details read like a novella.
This is the history of the family of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought an ill report of them to their father.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a long robe with sleeves (Genesis 37:2-3).
Of course, we all know that Jacob and Israel was one and the same person. What intrigues me is the line "... Joseph ... was the son of his old age ...". How old was Jacob when Joseph was born?
It was a long story. It began when Jacob fled to his uncle Laban after cheating Esau of the blessing from their father Isaac. He met Rachael, the daughter of Laban and immediately fell in love with her. He promised Laban to work seven years for him in order to marry Rachael. After seven years, Lahan cheated him and gave him Leah, the elder sister of Rachael instead. Jacob promised to work for another seven years in order to marry Rachael. After spending one week with Leah, Jacob married Rachael and kept his promise to work for another seven years. How great Jacob's love was towards Rachael. He was willing to be a slave for Laban for a total of fourteen years! After this, he spent another six years to take care of the flock of Laban. He exercised his intelligence and took over most of the flock of Laban and left (Genesis 29-35). Within these twenty years, 11 sons and 1 daughter were born to Jacob. Refer to the following table.
The youngest son, Benjamin, was born on the way when Jacob left Laban. No matter what, Joseph was born within Jacob's twenty-year stay with Laban. How old was Jacob when he first came to Laban? In his twenties, or thirties? Jacob died at the age of 147 in Egypt.
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were a hundred and forty-seven years (Genesis 47:28).
Therefore, it is rather odd to describe Joseph as the son of Jacob of his old age. Anyway, let's continue with Joseph's story.
Joseph was gifted but naive at first. His naivety was probably the result of Jacob's love for him because of his mother Rachael. Joseph was a famous dreamer in the Bible. His naivety antagonized his brothers because he brought an ill report, albeit a candid one, of them to their father. He told them his dream and they hated him more. When Jacob sent him to see how his brothers fared with the flock, their brothers decided to kill him. Reuben, the eldest brother came to his rescue and dumped him in a dry pit.
And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; cast him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him" -- that he might rescue him out of their hand, to restore him to his father (Genesis 37:22).
Somehow, Reuben left his brothers for a while. A caravan of Ishmaelites came along. Judah proposed to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites who brought him down to Egypt.
Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?
Come, let us sell him to the Ish'maelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers heeded him (Genesis 37:26-27).
When Reuben returned to the dry pit and saw that Joseph was missing, he rented his clothes (Genesis 37:49). In the end, Judah was included in the genealogy of Jesus, not Reuben, the son of Leah, the first born of Jacob. In ancient times, the first born usually enjoyed special privileges. Yet, most of the time, God did not elect the first-born, Cain, Ishmael, Esau and Reuben etc. God has His own logic.
Meanwhile, Joseph suffered because of his special gift. He needed to mature beyond this special talent. In the course of time, Joseph was transformed from a dreamer to a dream interpreter which did him good. As a dreamer, Joseph was hated by his brothers. As a dream interpreter, Joseph was elevated to the right hand man of Pharaoh. Students, whatever talents you have, you need to develop and polish them into a profitable and useful strength.
Dear Lord, discipline me so that I can put Your gift into profitable use for my students. Amen.
Scholars generally agree that the book of Genesis pieces together various traditions and folklore. The story of Joseph occupies the last part of Genesis and its richness in contents and details read like a novella.
This is the history of the family of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought an ill report of them to their father.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a long robe with sleeves (Genesis 37:2-3).
Of course, we all know that Jacob and Israel was one and the same person. What intrigues me is the line "... Joseph ... was the son of his old age ...". How old was Jacob when Joseph was born?
It was a long story. It began when Jacob fled to his uncle Laban after cheating Esau of the blessing from their father Isaac. He met Rachael, the daughter of Laban and immediately fell in love with her. He promised Laban to work seven years for him in order to marry Rachael. After seven years, Lahan cheated him and gave him Leah, the elder sister of Rachael instead. Jacob promised to work for another seven years in order to marry Rachael. After spending one week with Leah, Jacob married Rachael and kept his promise to work for another seven years. How great Jacob's love was towards Rachael. He was willing to be a slave for Laban for a total of fourteen years! After this, he spent another six years to take care of the flock of Laban. He exercised his intelligence and took over most of the flock of Laban and left (Genesis 29-35). Within these twenty years, 11 sons and 1 daughter were born to Jacob. Refer to the following table.
| Leah | Bilhah (Rachael's maid) | Zilpah (Leah's maid) | Rachael |
| Reuben | |||
| Simeon | |||
| Levi | |||
| Judah | |||
| Dan | |||
| Naphtali | |||
| Gad | |||
| Asher | |||
| Issachar | |||
| Zebulun | |||
| Dinah | |||
| Joseph | |||
| Benejamin |
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were a hundred and forty-seven years (Genesis 47:28).
Therefore, it is rather odd to describe Joseph as the son of Jacob of his old age. Anyway, let's continue with Joseph's story.
Joseph was gifted but naive at first. His naivety was probably the result of Jacob's love for him because of his mother Rachael. Joseph was a famous dreamer in the Bible. His naivety antagonized his brothers because he brought an ill report, albeit a candid one, of them to their father. He told them his dream and they hated him more. When Jacob sent him to see how his brothers fared with the flock, their brothers decided to kill him. Reuben, the eldest brother came to his rescue and dumped him in a dry pit.
And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; cast him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him" -- that he might rescue him out of their hand, to restore him to his father (Genesis 37:22).
Somehow, Reuben left his brothers for a while. A caravan of Ishmaelites came along. Judah proposed to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites who brought him down to Egypt.
Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?
Come, let us sell him to the Ish'maelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers heeded him (Genesis 37:26-27).
When Reuben returned to the dry pit and saw that Joseph was missing, he rented his clothes (Genesis 37:49). In the end, Judah was included in the genealogy of Jesus, not Reuben, the son of Leah, the first born of Jacob. In ancient times, the first born usually enjoyed special privileges. Yet, most of the time, God did not elect the first-born, Cain, Ishmael, Esau and Reuben etc. God has His own logic.
Meanwhile, Joseph suffered because of his special gift. He needed to mature beyond this special talent. In the course of time, Joseph was transformed from a dreamer to a dream interpreter which did him good. As a dreamer, Joseph was hated by his brothers. As a dream interpreter, Joseph was elevated to the right hand man of Pharaoh. Students, whatever talents you have, you need to develop and polish them into a profitable and useful strength.
Dear Lord, discipline me so that I can put Your gift into profitable use for my students. Amen.
Thursday 12 March 2009
Prophets don't see everything
God , through Jeremiah, proclaimed a new covenant to replace the old.
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).
While Moses inscribed the 10 Commandments on two tablets of stone, God would inscribe the law in the hearts of men.
But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33).
In the new covenant, men follow the law, which is no longer imposed from without, but from within their hearts. When the law is imposed from without, men need teachers of the law to teach them. They follow the law out of fear of punishment. When the law is inscribed in their hearts, men know the law. No longer can they claim ignorance and disclaim their obligations. Men are no longer animals but moral beings. Following the law becomes sweet and satisfying. It is an evolution.
In Jeremiah 17, we find what was inside men's hearts.
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars (Jeremiah 17:1).
Now, the evil thoughts inside their hearts are replaced by the law of God. In this new covenant, a breath of fresh air infiltrates the whole being. The Holy Spirit infuses the whole person. God will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34).
Alas! All sorts of negative feelings and desires continuously spring out from men's hearts. But men have an arsenal of defence mechanisms to repress them. To make life tolerable and comfortable, men deny, suppress and project their guilt. Beginning with Adam, men have developed a bad habit of playing the not-me game. Men began to alienate themselves and soon could not even recognize their true selves. They needed someone from without to tell them the truth.
I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10).
In the days of old, God checked and balanced our indulgence. When the law is written in our hearts, we develop self-discipline. After years of a disciplined life, we may follow the desires of our hearts without breaching the law.
七十而從心所欲，不踰矩。【論語‧為政】God does not need to search our mind and try our hearts any more!
Jesus clashed with the Jewish leaders, especially over the issue of keeping the Sabbath. The gospels give us Jesus' side of the story. Reading Jeremiah, we may become more sympathetic towards the Pharisees. The Torah is very strict in forbidding people to work on Sabbath. People breaking this law were put to death (Exodus 31:14-15). Jeremiah did not threaten people with death. God told him to go and stand in the Benjamin Gate to exhort people to keep Sabbath holy and do no work on it (Jeremiah 17:24). No wonder the Pharisees were so hostile to Jesus. They would not appreciate, nor accept Jesus' humanitarian principle: the Sabbath was made for man, not man for Sabbath (Mark 2:27).
Progressive though Jeremiah was, he had not seen everything. He was only given visions of kings riding in chariots and horses to enter Jerusalem through the Benjamin Gate (Jeremiah 17:25). We have to wait until a Zechariah to see the Messiah entering Jerusalem on an ass (Zechariah 9:9). Prophets don't see everything.
My Lord, clear up the defence mechanisms in my psyche. May the Law You have written in my heart be my guide to lead me home. Open my ears to hear the sweet whispers of Yours. Amen.
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).
While Moses inscribed the 10 Commandments on two tablets of stone, God would inscribe the law in the hearts of men.
But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33).
In the new covenant, men follow the law, which is no longer imposed from without, but from within their hearts. When the law is imposed from without, men need teachers of the law to teach them. They follow the law out of fear of punishment. When the law is inscribed in their hearts, men know the law. No longer can they claim ignorance and disclaim their obligations. Men are no longer animals but moral beings. Following the law becomes sweet and satisfying. It is an evolution.
In Jeremiah 17, we find what was inside men's hearts.
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars (Jeremiah 17:1).
Now, the evil thoughts inside their hearts are replaced by the law of God. In this new covenant, a breath of fresh air infiltrates the whole being. The Holy Spirit infuses the whole person. God will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34).
Alas! All sorts of negative feelings and desires continuously spring out from men's hearts. But men have an arsenal of defence mechanisms to repress them. To make life tolerable and comfortable, men deny, suppress and project their guilt. Beginning with Adam, men have developed a bad habit of playing the not-me game. Men began to alienate themselves and soon could not even recognize their true selves. They needed someone from without to tell them the truth.
I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10).
In the days of old, God checked and balanced our indulgence. When the law is written in our hearts, we develop self-discipline. After years of a disciplined life, we may follow the desires of our hearts without breaching the law.
七十而從心所欲，不踰矩。【論語‧為政】God does not need to search our mind and try our hearts any more!
Jesus clashed with the Jewish leaders, especially over the issue of keeping the Sabbath. The gospels give us Jesus' side of the story. Reading Jeremiah, we may become more sympathetic towards the Pharisees. The Torah is very strict in forbidding people to work on Sabbath. People breaking this law were put to death (Exodus 31:14-15). Jeremiah did not threaten people with death. God told him to go and stand in the Benjamin Gate to exhort people to keep Sabbath holy and do no work on it (Jeremiah 17:24). No wonder the Pharisees were so hostile to Jesus. They would not appreciate, nor accept Jesus' humanitarian principle: the Sabbath was made for man, not man for Sabbath (Mark 2:27).
Progressive though Jeremiah was, he had not seen everything. He was only given visions of kings riding in chariots and horses to enter Jerusalem through the Benjamin Gate (Jeremiah 17:25). We have to wait until a Zechariah to see the Messiah entering Jerusalem on an ass (Zechariah 9:9). Prophets don't see everything.
My Lord, clear up the defence mechanisms in my psyche. May the Law You have written in my heart be my guide to lead me home. Open my ears to hear the sweet whispers of Yours. Amen.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
The bitterness of Jeremiah
Scholars treat Jeremiah as a prototype of Jesus. He was sent by God to speak unpopular warnings to the Jews. Naturally, nobody listened to him and everybody continued their wicked ways. God put words in his mouth. Jeremiah could not resist speaking them.
Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant (Jeremiah 1:9-10).
Jeremiah's work was not totally destructive. Besides plucking up and breaking down, he built and planted. He tried to destroy and overthrow the wickedness of the people. His final target was to build and plant God's righteousness in them. Yet, Jeremiah had not succeeded. Despite the effort of God, the people were doomed.
So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you (Jeremiah 7:27).
Can you feel the frustration and bitterness of Jeremiah? He was speaking to a doomed people. Why did God put in so much effort when it was going to be wasted? It seems that this is the destiny of prophets. How should Jeremiah deal with these words which God had put in his mouth? Listen to what Jeremiah prayed.
O LORD, thou knowest; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In thy forbearance take me not away; know that for thy sake I bear reproach.
Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart;
for I am called by thy name, O LORD, God of hosts (Jeremiah 15:15-16).
Jeremiah knew very well that he was chosen by God to bear reproach for His sake. He had to make do with the situation. He made a virtue of necessity. He made God's words a joy and the delight of his heart. What did it mean?
God's words can be a source of joy and delight, if only we are doing His will, following His path. If instead we follow our own desires and depart from God's instructions, what do you expect?
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake thee shall be put to shame; those who turn away from thee shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water.
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise (Jeremiah 17:13-14).
So, here is the joy and delight. God is the fountain of living water. He heals and we are in need of His healing. We shall be healed. We shall be saved when we call on the Lord.
Then they said, "Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not heed any of his words."
Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to my plea.
Is evil a recompense for good? Yet they have dug a pit for my life. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy wrath from them (Jeremiah 18:18-20).
Though the people persecuted Jeremiah, he spoke good for them to turn away God's wrath from them. Jesus taught us to do the same. Instead of venting our hatred towards those who give us troubles, pray for them because God does not find pleasure in seeing them die.
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:44-45).
It is not for us to pass judgment on who is just and who unjust. Leave it to God. Our duty is simply to pray for the good of all people, be they our friends or enemies. God will take care of the rest.
My Lord, may Your words bring us joy and delight to cheer up my heart. May they turn my bitterness into sweetness. Speak, O Lord, speak. Your servant is here to listen. Amen.
Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant (Jeremiah 1:9-10).
Jeremiah's work was not totally destructive. Besides plucking up and breaking down, he built and planted. He tried to destroy and overthrow the wickedness of the people. His final target was to build and plant God's righteousness in them. Yet, Jeremiah had not succeeded. Despite the effort of God, the people were doomed.
So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you (Jeremiah 7:27).
Can you feel the frustration and bitterness of Jeremiah? He was speaking to a doomed people. Why did God put in so much effort when it was going to be wasted? It seems that this is the destiny of prophets. How should Jeremiah deal with these words which God had put in his mouth? Listen to what Jeremiah prayed.
O LORD, thou knowest; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In thy forbearance take me not away; know that for thy sake I bear reproach.
Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart;
for I am called by thy name, O LORD, God of hosts (Jeremiah 15:15-16).
Jeremiah knew very well that he was chosen by God to bear reproach for His sake. He had to make do with the situation. He made a virtue of necessity. He made God's words a joy and the delight of his heart. What did it mean?
God's words can be a source of joy and delight, if only we are doing His will, following His path. If instead we follow our own desires and depart from God's instructions, what do you expect?
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake thee shall be put to shame; those who turn away from thee shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water.
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise (Jeremiah 17:13-14).
So, here is the joy and delight. God is the fountain of living water. He heals and we are in need of His healing. We shall be healed. We shall be saved when we call on the Lord.
Then they said, "Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not heed any of his words."
Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to my plea.
Is evil a recompense for good? Yet they have dug a pit for my life. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy wrath from them (Jeremiah 18:18-20).
Though the people persecuted Jeremiah, he spoke good for them to turn away God's wrath from them. Jesus taught us to do the same. Instead of venting our hatred towards those who give us troubles, pray for them because God does not find pleasure in seeing them die.
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:44-45).
It is not for us to pass judgment on who is just and who unjust. Leave it to God. Our duty is simply to pray for the good of all people, be they our friends or enemies. God will take care of the rest.
My Lord, may Your words bring us joy and delight to cheer up my heart. May they turn my bitterness into sweetness. Speak, O Lord, speak. Your servant is here to listen. Amen.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Come, let us reason together
God has been very kind to me. Whenever I am frustrated and depressed, He would cheer me up.
Ethics and Religious Studies is offered in the Catholic Diocesan school I am teaching. It is a Band One EMI school, using English as the medium of instruction. But our students are very pragmatic. Academically strong students in Shung Tak drop RS in senior forms if they are given a chance. They think the subject does not give them any advantage in entering the university. Therefore, I teach a bunch of less-motivated students Bible. What is worse, the school made a seriously mistaken decision in switching the medium of instruction of RS to Chinese at the beginning of the new 2000 syllabus. The administration thought that our students would be put in a disadvantaged position to compete in English with those students coming from elite schools, like La Salle, Wah Yan and DGS. Alas! the passing rate of Shung Tak students in this subject has never been high since switching to Chinese. The reasons are many. But my feeling is that the switching to Chinese has a part to blame.
First of all, while the school argues that students can express their thoughts better in their mother-tongue, the administrators forget that these Band One students would think that they don't need to put in extra effort in a subject taught in Chinese. They prefer to spend their energy in more demanding subjects such as physics and economics. Reading the Bible the evening before examinations would be enough. When the passing rate turned out to be unattractive, RS failed to retain stronger students. A vicious cycle crept in.
Secondly, the Catholic Chinese Bible is no doubt the best scholarly translation among the many available versions. However, the language is not quite suitable for worship, nor for secondary students who are non-believers. To quote just one example:
耶穌就向他說：「我實在告訴你：就在今天，這一夜裡，雞叫兩遍以前，你要三次不認我。」(Mark 14:30)
Many of my students, who only read this verse in the examination hall, interpret this as a command given by Jesus to deny him three times, instead of a prediction that Peter would deny him three times! What can I do?
Lastly teaching in Chinese, I tend to be carried away in my rhetoric and forget the needs of my students. Sometimes, my emotions would burst out unrestrained. Eddie, regrettably, is a case in point. I made some casual remarks which turned out to have hurt him. He hates me and the subject to this day.
A beam of hope dawned on me when Ethics & Religious Studies would be offered as an elective in the New Senior Secondary curriculum. Now that students choose the subject voluntarily, they will be more motivated and it will be a golden opportunity to switch back to using English. Unfortunately, the administrators have never taught the subject. They only want to follow the Diocesan policy of using mother-tongue in teaching. I was crestfallen!
Just when I was depressed, God cheered me up today.
I always complain to the administration that they have conceded too much in RS. Repeatedly, they allow stronger students to take other popular subjects at the expense of RS: Computer, Economics and English Literature. Consequently, this year, more than 80 students out of 220 have opted out of RS. Most of them are very strong and capable students. To show that this Catholic school cares very much about the spiritual needs of these students, they attend an E&RE lesson once a week in the ninth period, taken care of by the two vice-principals. But the arrangement is plagued with predators who want to keep the students behind for extra lessons, tests, extra-curricular activities. Luckily, the vice-principals are strong enough to ward them off.
It is Lent. Brenda tried out the Stations of the Cross with these students, in English. I took part today. They are very capable and receptive. Shung Tak students are good enough and interested enough to know more about Christianity in English. God has consoled my bitter soul.
Don't get me wrong. I support evangelization in mother-tongue. The Cardinal has instructed all Diocesan schools to set aside at least two lessons per cycle for Ethics & Religious Education. I will throw my full weight about it. But sitting for examination is another matter. Shung Tak is a Band One English college. The quality of the students is good enough to learn the subject in English. If we do not stretch their potentials, we fail the trust of the parents. Therefore, I am frustrated to see students denied the opportunity because administrators do not consider the opinions of front line teachers.
Technically speaking, English is an offspring of the Bible, while the Chinese language has been happily married to Buddhism since Tang Dynasty. Many Buddhist idioms have been integrated in the language. It will take probably several centuries more for Christianity to become a daily vocabulary in Chinese.
though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool
(Isaiah 1:18, RSV).
現在你們來，讓我們互相辯論──上主說：你們的罪雖似朱紅，將變成雪一樣的潔白；雖紅得發紫，仍能變成羊毛一樣的皎潔。【思高】
Very few of us are able to read Hebrew. We have to rely on translations. If you happen to know Hebrew, congratulations. If you know both Chinese and English, which translation do you enjoy more?
Return to the text, does God want to reason, to debate with us in order to convince us?
Of course not. God knows that we are stiff-necked. Logic will not convince us. Authority will not intimidate us. Punishment will not bend us. Rather, God shows us love and invites us to repent so that our sins may be washed away, that our righteousness may be restored.
Dear Lord, I forsake my stance, my stubbornness. May Your will be done. Amen.
Ethics and Religious Studies is offered in the Catholic Diocesan school I am teaching. It is a Band One EMI school, using English as the medium of instruction. But our students are very pragmatic. Academically strong students in Shung Tak drop RS in senior forms if they are given a chance. They think the subject does not give them any advantage in entering the university. Therefore, I teach a bunch of less-motivated students Bible. What is worse, the school made a seriously mistaken decision in switching the medium of instruction of RS to Chinese at the beginning of the new 2000 syllabus. The administration thought that our students would be put in a disadvantaged position to compete in English with those students coming from elite schools, like La Salle, Wah Yan and DGS. Alas! the passing rate of Shung Tak students in this subject has never been high since switching to Chinese. The reasons are many. But my feeling is that the switching to Chinese has a part to blame.
First of all, while the school argues that students can express their thoughts better in their mother-tongue, the administrators forget that these Band One students would think that they don't need to put in extra effort in a subject taught in Chinese. They prefer to spend their energy in more demanding subjects such as physics and economics. Reading the Bible the evening before examinations would be enough. When the passing rate turned out to be unattractive, RS failed to retain stronger students. A vicious cycle crept in.
Secondly, the Catholic Chinese Bible is no doubt the best scholarly translation among the many available versions. However, the language is not quite suitable for worship, nor for secondary students who are non-believers. To quote just one example:
耶穌就向他說：「我實在告訴你：就在今天，這一夜裡，雞叫兩遍以前，你要三次不認我。」(Mark 14:30)
Many of my students, who only read this verse in the examination hall, interpret this as a command given by Jesus to deny him three times, instead of a prediction that Peter would deny him three times! What can I do?
Lastly teaching in Chinese, I tend to be carried away in my rhetoric and forget the needs of my students. Sometimes, my emotions would burst out unrestrained. Eddie, regrettably, is a case in point. I made some casual remarks which turned out to have hurt him. He hates me and the subject to this day.
A beam of hope dawned on me when Ethics & Religious Studies would be offered as an elective in the New Senior Secondary curriculum. Now that students choose the subject voluntarily, they will be more motivated and it will be a golden opportunity to switch back to using English. Unfortunately, the administrators have never taught the subject. They only want to follow the Diocesan policy of using mother-tongue in teaching. I was crestfallen!
Just when I was depressed, God cheered me up today.
I always complain to the administration that they have conceded too much in RS. Repeatedly, they allow stronger students to take other popular subjects at the expense of RS: Computer, Economics and English Literature. Consequently, this year, more than 80 students out of 220 have opted out of RS. Most of them are very strong and capable students. To show that this Catholic school cares very much about the spiritual needs of these students, they attend an E&RE lesson once a week in the ninth period, taken care of by the two vice-principals. But the arrangement is plagued with predators who want to keep the students behind for extra lessons, tests, extra-curricular activities. Luckily, the vice-principals are strong enough to ward them off.
It is Lent. Brenda tried out the Stations of the Cross with these students, in English. I took part today. They are very capable and receptive. Shung Tak students are good enough and interested enough to know more about Christianity in English. God has consoled my bitter soul.
Don't get me wrong. I support evangelization in mother-tongue. The Cardinal has instructed all Diocesan schools to set aside at least two lessons per cycle for Ethics & Religious Education. I will throw my full weight about it. But sitting for examination is another matter. Shung Tak is a Band One English college. The quality of the students is good enough to learn the subject in English. If we do not stretch their potentials, we fail the trust of the parents. Therefore, I am frustrated to see students denied the opportunity because administrators do not consider the opinions of front line teachers.
Technically speaking, English is an offspring of the Bible, while the Chinese language has been happily married to Buddhism since Tang Dynasty. Many Buddhist idioms have been integrated in the language. It will take probably several centuries more for Christianity to become a daily vocabulary in Chinese.
לְכוּ־נָ֛א וְנִוָּֽכְחָ֖ה יֹאמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה אִם־יִֽהְי֨וּ חֲטָאֵיכֶ֤ם כַּשָּׁנִים֙ כַּשֶּׁ֣לֶג יַלְבִּ֔ינוּ אִם־יַאְדִּ֥ימוּ כַתּוֹלָ֖ע כַּצֶּ֥מֶר יִֽהְיֽוּ
Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool
(Isaiah 1:18, RSV).
現在你們來，讓我們互相辯論──上主說：你們的罪雖似朱紅，將變成雪一樣的潔白；雖紅得發紫，仍能變成羊毛一樣的皎潔。【思高】
Very few of us are able to read Hebrew. We have to rely on translations. If you happen to know Hebrew, congratulations. If you know both Chinese and English, which translation do you enjoy more?
Return to the text, does God want to reason, to debate with us in order to convince us?
Of course not. God knows that we are stiff-necked. Logic will not convince us. Authority will not intimidate us. Punishment will not bend us. Rather, God shows us love and invites us to repent so that our sins may be washed away, that our righteousness may be restored.
Dear Lord, I forsake my stance, my stubbornness. May Your will be done. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)