Again, I will not write anything about of the life of this wonderful soldier of faith, St. Ignatius of Loyola. His loyalty as a soldier of Christ is worth respecting and imitating. I pray that we can follow his example and be a good soldier of Christ as well.
These two days, we will spend some time to read the book of Leviticus. Today, we will cover chapter 23 to know more about some well-known Jewish feasts which have been mentioned in the gospels. It also covers different types of offerings which I will not touch upon here.
First of all, we have Sabbath.
Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings (Leviticus 23:3).
Unlike the commandments recorded in Exodus 20, the Leviticus verse does not bother to explain why the Israelites should observe Sabbath. Just do it. It seems that the explanation given in Exodus had been taken for granted. God spent 6 days to create the universe and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, you should follow God's example because God had blessed that day.
for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it (Exodus 20:11).
Deuteronomy begs to be different. Deuteronomy 5 is similar to Exodus 20. There we find a nearly identical version of the 10 Commandments. The place was Mount Horeb, not Mount Sinai and it gave a different explanation why the Israelites should observe Sabbath.
You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out thence with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day (Deuteronomy 5:15).
Therefore, the Israelites should keep the Sabbath, not because of creation but because of redemption. On Sabbath, they did not work but to remember how God had delivered them from the bondage in Egypt.
I think the Deuteronomistic spirit is worth praising. It is not enough just to celebrate our birthday, how our parents brought us into existence. We should celebrate our baptism, how Jesus brought about our redemption. We Christians no longer observe Sabbath, but Sunday, the first day of the week when our Lord defeated death. Every Sunday, we celebrate our redemption, not our creation. In a way, we Christians agree with the Deuteronomistic spirit. Why not? Jesus quoted Deuteronomy to answer Satan's temptations in the wilderness!
Secondly, we have Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts for seven days on which the bread the Israelites ate should be unleavened. However, we have a little problem in the gospels. In New Testament time, it seemed that Passover overlapped with the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For example,
And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" (Mark 14:12)
However, Leviticus gives us a different story. The Feast of Unleavened Bread took place immediately after Passover.
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is the LORD's passover.
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the LORD; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread (Leviticus 23:5-6).
Somehow, either a misunderstanding on the part of Christians or a change of custom had happened.
On Passover, Israelites ate the Paschal Lamb with unleavened bread. They still kept a separate Feast of Unleavened Bread for 7 more days. But Christians misunderstood it as the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread so that Passover became, in the Christians' mind, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Or, had the Jews in New Testament time, like their modern counterparts, "married" the two feasts for convenience?
I hope somebody would enlighten me on this.
The last one barely survives had John not mentioned it. It is the Feast of Tabernacles. It is mentioned in John 7.
The seventh month of a year was very important for the Israelites.
Say to the people of Israel, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.
You shall do no laborious work; and you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD." (Leviticus 23:24-25)
So, the first day of the seventh month was an extra Sabbath!
Then comes the important Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement.
On the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present an offering by fire to the LORD.
And you shall do no work on this same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God (Leviticus 23:27-28).
Lastly comes the Feast of Tabernacles or Festival of Sukkot.
Say to the people of Israel, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the feast of booths to the LORD (Leviticus 23:34).
During this Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus taught in Jerusalem.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink.
He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:37-38)
Jesus was referring to the following prophecies in the book of Isaiah.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring (Isaiah 44:3).
Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1) and,
And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not (Isaiah 58:11).
God will quench our thirst with His Spirit. The Son of God is our TAP.
Dear Lord, You created the seasons for the growth of life on earth. You gave us festivals to celebrate and refresh our souls. Glory be Yours forever and ever. May we continue to drink from Your spring of life. Amen.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Thursday, 30 July 2009
How did the journey last 40 years?
The last chapter of Exodus may give us a little idea why it took 40 years for the Israelites to travel to the Promised Land. The erection of the Tabernacle slowed down their journey.
On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting (Exodus 40:2).
First of all, there was the tabernacle. This term first appears in Exodus 25.
And let them (the Israelites) make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it (Exodus 25:8-9).
Therefore, the tabernacle was supposed to be a place where God dwelt among the Israelites.
There follows a very elaborate description of the building of an Ark, 4 gold rings on its 4 feet, 2 poles, a mercy seat of pure gold decorated with 2 cherubim, a table on which the bread of Presence was put, the 7-branch lampstand again made of pure gold etc.
And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet stuff and fine twined linen; in skilled work shall it be made, with cherubim; (Exodus 26:31)
This veil was supported by 4 pillars to cover the Ark. This was the most holy place, the holy of the holies. On the north was placed the table and the south the lampstand. These two items were outside the holy of the holies, yet within the Tabernacle. The whole Tabernacle was made up of ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet stuff; with cherubim skilfully worked (Exodus 26:1). Then, the Tabernacle would be housed in a tent made up of 11 curtains of goat's hair (Exodus 26:7). I am sure there are a lot of webpages on the Internet showing what the Tabernacle the authors think look like. Have fun.
Then, there was "the tent of meeting". The term first appears in Exodus 27:21 but its meaning becomes clear later.
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; and he called it the tent of meeting. And every one who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp (Exodus 33:7).
It was a holy place and far off from the camp site of the 600000 Israelites. It was a meeting place between God and His chosen men.
Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose up, and every man stood at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he had gone into the tent.
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the door of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the door of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, every man at his tent door.
Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tent (Exodus 33:8-11).
Moses spoke to God face to face in the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons also entered because they were consecrated as priests to minister the Tabernacle.
So, on the first day of the year, they would re-erect the Tabernacle, that is the 11 goat's hair curtains plus the 10 curtains of fine tweined linen stuff, inside the tent of meeting. It seemed that they were not allowed to erect it at any other time. So, once they were on the move, the Tabernacle would be dislodged and could not be erected until it was New Year.
The book of Exodus ends in these verses.
Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would go onward;
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not go onward till the day that it was taken up.
For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel (Exodus 40:36-38).
So, there is a time for everything. A time to stay, a time to move. When the time comes, the cloud of the Lord would be taken up from over the Tabernacle and the Israelites would dislodge the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting and moved onward. I guess they would go until the year ended, settle down, and erect the Tabernacle on New Year day. The glory of the Lord would fill the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34). The Israelites would wait until the cloud of the Lord left the Tabernacle. Then the annual trek would commence. There is a time for everything.
I intended to stay in Chai Wan until Saturday. Unfortunately, flu caught me up and I had to leave. My mum was too drunk to take care of herself, not to mention me. My younger brother already had two senior citizens to take care of. Instead of lightening his burden, it is unfair for me to weigh him down any further. Still, my good brother accompanied me home to Tuen Mun. Thanks brother.
Dear Lord, You are the Lord over time. May we humbly learn to follow Your schedule. Amen.
On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting (Exodus 40:2).
First of all, there was the tabernacle. This term first appears in Exodus 25.
And let them (the Israelites) make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it (Exodus 25:8-9).
Therefore, the tabernacle was supposed to be a place where God dwelt among the Israelites.
There follows a very elaborate description of the building of an Ark, 4 gold rings on its 4 feet, 2 poles, a mercy seat of pure gold decorated with 2 cherubim, a table on which the bread of Presence was put, the 7-branch lampstand again made of pure gold etc.
And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet stuff and fine twined linen; in skilled work shall it be made, with cherubim; (Exodus 26:31)
This veil was supported by 4 pillars to cover the Ark. This was the most holy place, the holy of the holies. On the north was placed the table and the south the lampstand. These two items were outside the holy of the holies, yet within the Tabernacle. The whole Tabernacle was made up of ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet stuff; with cherubim skilfully worked (Exodus 26:1). Then, the Tabernacle would be housed in a tent made up of 11 curtains of goat's hair (Exodus 26:7). I am sure there are a lot of webpages on the Internet showing what the Tabernacle the authors think look like. Have fun.
Then, there was "the tent of meeting". The term first appears in Exodus 27:21 but its meaning becomes clear later.
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; and he called it the tent of meeting. And every one who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp (Exodus 33:7).
It was a holy place and far off from the camp site of the 600000 Israelites. It was a meeting place between God and His chosen men.
Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose up, and every man stood at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he had gone into the tent.
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the door of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the door of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, every man at his tent door.
Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tent (Exodus 33:8-11).
Moses spoke to God face to face in the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons also entered because they were consecrated as priests to minister the Tabernacle.
So, on the first day of the year, they would re-erect the Tabernacle, that is the 11 goat's hair curtains plus the 10 curtains of fine tweined linen stuff, inside the tent of meeting. It seemed that they were not allowed to erect it at any other time. So, once they were on the move, the Tabernacle would be dislodged and could not be erected until it was New Year.
The book of Exodus ends in these verses.
Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would go onward;
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not go onward till the day that it was taken up.
For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel (Exodus 40:36-38).
So, there is a time for everything. A time to stay, a time to move. When the time comes, the cloud of the Lord would be taken up from over the Tabernacle and the Israelites would dislodge the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting and moved onward. I guess they would go until the year ended, settle down, and erect the Tabernacle on New Year day. The glory of the Lord would fill the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34). The Israelites would wait until the cloud of the Lord left the Tabernacle. Then the annual trek would commence. There is a time for everything.
I intended to stay in Chai Wan until Saturday. Unfortunately, flu caught me up and I had to leave. My mum was too drunk to take care of herself, not to mention me. My younger brother already had two senior citizens to take care of. Instead of lightening his burden, it is unfair for me to weigh him down any further. Still, my good brother accompanied me home to Tuen Mun. Thanks brother.
Dear Lord, You are the Lord over time. May we humbly learn to follow Your schedule. Amen.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Feast of St. Martha
Today, the Church celebrates the feast day of Martha. She was the eldest of three siblings who extended hospitality to Jesus while he was preaching in Bethany. Mary the younger sister sat the Jesus' feet, listening to his teaching while Martha was busy serving (Luke 10:38-42). Mary was also the one who anointed Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair (John 11:2). Their brother Lazarus, whom the gospel of John says Jesus loved (John 11:3), was ill and died. Later Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. In all these incidents, Martha was not in the spotlight. She served and she complained like many of us. That probably is a genuine reflection of the personality of the eldest among the siblings. St. Martha is very accessible for us.
However, there is one remarkable thing Martha did. It all began with her usual complaint.
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)
Natural enough, Martha expected better treatment from Jesus because last time, Jesus had taught her to choose the good portion (Luke 10:42). For the time being, she might not know what better portion to expect from Jesus. Nevertheless, she expressed her strong faith in the Lord.
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." (John 11:23-24)
Jesus led Martha along to look upon, to expect resurrection. For Martha, and even most of us, we know that there will be bodily resurrection at the end of the world. For many times, when I attended funerals, I would fantasize what a scene it would make when the dead person sat up from the coffin. Of course, I did not have the strong faith as Martha to expect Jesus to raise my friends during funerals.
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?" (John 11:25-26)
This is a very profound piece of theology, one of the seven "I am" sayings in the gospel of John. (I am the bread of life, the light of the world, the door of the sheep, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way the truth and the life, the true vine.) In short, Jesus is our Saviour and our life. He will give us eternal life. But Jesus does not demand sharp understanding of theological niceties. Jesus demands faith. 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 11:27)
Martha believed. She confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. Not only did Martha serve and complain, she also believed.
The First Epistle of John is full of talks of love. The word "love" appears 33 times in 23 verses. In the midst of an exposition of love, John discusses how God is love, God has loved us first by sending Jesus to die for us and that we should love one another to show that God abides in us etc. (1 John 4:7-12) Then, John suddenly remembered something. He came up with the following line.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God (1 John 4:15).
What was in the mind of John? It must be love.
When we search the gospels and Acts, we find the following people who confessed that Jesus is the Son of God:
John the Baptist (John 1:34); Nathanel (John 1:49), demons (Mark 3:11); the possessed man at Gerasenes (Matthew 8:29, Luke 8:28); all the apostles after Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14:33); Peter (Matthew 16:16); Martha (John 11:27); the Roman centurion (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39); a eunuch baptised by Philip the deacon (Acts 8:37) and Paul (Acts 9:20).
I am sure there were many more. But I think Martha was special not just because she was the only woman mentioned, but because of her profound love of Jesus. Her faith in Jesus must have been thoroughly infused with her love of the Lord. St. Martha, pray for us.
Dear Lord, as far as love is concerned, I still have a long journey to travel. I have not loved enough. I pray that my studies will not harden my heart instead. Amen.
However, there is one remarkable thing Martha did. It all began with her usual complaint.
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)
Natural enough, Martha expected better treatment from Jesus because last time, Jesus had taught her to choose the good portion (Luke 10:42). For the time being, she might not know what better portion to expect from Jesus. Nevertheless, she expressed her strong faith in the Lord.
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." (John 11:23-24)
Jesus led Martha along to look upon, to expect resurrection. For Martha, and even most of us, we know that there will be bodily resurrection at the end of the world. For many times, when I attended funerals, I would fantasize what a scene it would make when the dead person sat up from the coffin. Of course, I did not have the strong faith as Martha to expect Jesus to raise my friends during funerals.
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?" (John 11:25-26)
This is a very profound piece of theology, one of the seven "I am" sayings in the gospel of John. (I am the bread of life, the light of the world, the door of the sheep, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way the truth and the life, the true vine.) In short, Jesus is our Saviour and our life. He will give us eternal life. But Jesus does not demand sharp understanding of theological niceties. Jesus demands faith. 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 11:27)
Martha believed. She confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. Not only did Martha serve and complain, she also believed.
The First Epistle of John is full of talks of love. The word "love" appears 33 times in 23 verses. In the midst of an exposition of love, John discusses how God is love, God has loved us first by sending Jesus to die for us and that we should love one another to show that God abides in us etc. (1 John 4:7-12) Then, John suddenly remembered something. He came up with the following line.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God (1 John 4:15).
What was in the mind of John? It must be love.
When we search the gospels and Acts, we find the following people who confessed that Jesus is the Son of God:
John the Baptist (John 1:34); Nathanel (John 1:49), demons (Mark 3:11); the possessed man at Gerasenes (Matthew 8:29, Luke 8:28); all the apostles after Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14:33); Peter (Matthew 16:16); Martha (John 11:27); the Roman centurion (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39); a eunuch baptised by Philip the deacon (Acts 8:37) and Paul (Acts 9:20).
I am sure there were many more. But I think Martha was special not just because she was the only woman mentioned, but because of her profound love of Jesus. Her faith in Jesus must have been thoroughly infused with her love of the Lord. St. Martha, pray for us.
Dear Lord, as far as love is concerned, I still have a long journey to travel. I have not loved enough. I pray that my studies will not harden my heart instead. Amen.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
The Merits of Moses
Exodus describes the tablets on which the 10 commandments were craved in this way.
And Moses turned, and went down from the mountain with the two tables of the testimony in his hands, tables that were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables (Exodus 32:15-16).
There were two tablets on both sides of which, God wrote the 10 commandments with His own fingers (Exodus 31:18). Unfortunately, the Israelites were growing impatient and forced Aaron to make them a golden calf.
God was upset. He had done so many things only to free an ungrateful people out of their bondage. God told Moses what had happened down the mountain and His intention to annihilate this people and make another nation out of Moses. Moses did not think this a viable option for God. Firstly, destroying Israel would give God a bad reputation. Moreover, Moses did not have the confidence that his descendants would fare any better than this "stiff-necked" people. In the end, he managed to dissuade God from destroying the Israelites. But when Moses came down from the mountain and saw the horrible scene, he smashed the 2 tablets.
And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tables out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 32:19).
Dare you, in your anger, to smash the handicraft of God? Perhaps Moses wanted to create a scene and pave the way to butcher those who worshipped the golden calf. He was successful, but at the expense of a holy relic. OK, let the conspiracy theory fantasize for a little while.
The two tablets were irrefutable proof of the existence of God. Did Moses want to wipe out this piece of evidence of God's presence? Without these two tablets, men have to go a much longer way, through a much harder spiritual struggle before they would accept the existence of God.
Perhaps Moses was too progressive. He did not think that laws should be craved on stones but should be on our hearts. The idolatry he saw was ample enough proof that he was right. Therefore, he smashed the stone tablets.
In different ways, Exodus shows that Moses was the Saviour of Israel. He was also a skilful negotiator with God, dissuading Him from destroying Israel. Exodus 33 tells us a similar incident.
God probably was afraid that He would not control His wrath and annihilated the Israelites. He decided to send an angel to accompany them instead.
And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you in the way, for you are a stiff-necked people (Exodus 33:2-4).
Wasn't an angel good enough to escort them? Anyway, let's see how Moses persuaded God to change His mind and continued accompanying the Israelites.
Moses said to the LORD, "See, thou sayest to me, 'Bring up this people'; but thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.'
Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee and find favor in thy sight. Consider too that this nation is thy people." (Exodus 33:12-13)
Do you see Abraham here?
Based on the favour he found in God's sigh, Moses asked for more. He wanted this favour to extend beyond himself to include the Israelites. Time and again, Moses defended Israel before God. I think Moses was smart. He knew that God had chosen the Israelites despite their imperfection. God had to honour His promises to Abraham. Therefore, defending Israel is the best strategy. We have to take a long-term view.
And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
And he said to him, "If thy presence will not go with me, do not carry us up from here.
For how shall it be known that I have found favor in thy sight, I and thy people? Is it not in thy going with us, so that we are distinct, I and thy people, from all other people that are upon the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:14-16)
Moses was not satisfied with personal gain --- having God to go along with and getting rest. He insisted on identifying himself with the whole nation. Repeatedly, Moses said "I and thy people". God yielded.
And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." (Exodus 33:17)
God had chosen well. Moses had done well. He was able to discern the bigger picture and focussed on the welfare of the whole people instead of personal gain.
Dear Lord, You have chosen Your servants well. I pray that I may serve You satisfactorily in my station of life. Amen.
And Moses turned, and went down from the mountain with the two tables of the testimony in his hands, tables that were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables (Exodus 32:15-16).
There were two tablets on both sides of which, God wrote the 10 commandments with His own fingers (Exodus 31:18). Unfortunately, the Israelites were growing impatient and forced Aaron to make them a golden calf.
God was upset. He had done so many things only to free an ungrateful people out of their bondage. God told Moses what had happened down the mountain and His intention to annihilate this people and make another nation out of Moses. Moses did not think this a viable option for God. Firstly, destroying Israel would give God a bad reputation. Moreover, Moses did not have the confidence that his descendants would fare any better than this "stiff-necked" people. In the end, he managed to dissuade God from destroying the Israelites. But when Moses came down from the mountain and saw the horrible scene, he smashed the 2 tablets.
And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tables out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 32:19).
Dare you, in your anger, to smash the handicraft of God? Perhaps Moses wanted to create a scene and pave the way to butcher those who worshipped the golden calf. He was successful, but at the expense of a holy relic. OK, let the conspiracy theory fantasize for a little while.
The two tablets were irrefutable proof of the existence of God. Did Moses want to wipe out this piece of evidence of God's presence? Without these two tablets, men have to go a much longer way, through a much harder spiritual struggle before they would accept the existence of God.
Perhaps Moses was too progressive. He did not think that laws should be craved on stones but should be on our hearts. The idolatry he saw was ample enough proof that he was right. Therefore, he smashed the stone tablets.
In different ways, Exodus shows that Moses was the Saviour of Israel. He was also a skilful negotiator with God, dissuading Him from destroying Israel. Exodus 33 tells us a similar incident.
God probably was afraid that He would not control His wrath and annihilated the Israelites. He decided to send an angel to accompany them instead.
And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you in the way, for you are a stiff-necked people (Exodus 33:2-4).
Wasn't an angel good enough to escort them? Anyway, let's see how Moses persuaded God to change His mind and continued accompanying the Israelites.
Moses said to the LORD, "See, thou sayest to me, 'Bring up this people'; but thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.'
Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee and find favor in thy sight. Consider too that this nation is thy people." (Exodus 33:12-13)
Do you see Abraham here?
Based on the favour he found in God's sigh, Moses asked for more. He wanted this favour to extend beyond himself to include the Israelites. Time and again, Moses defended Israel before God. I think Moses was smart. He knew that God had chosen the Israelites despite their imperfection. God had to honour His promises to Abraham. Therefore, defending Israel is the best strategy. We have to take a long-term view.
And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
And he said to him, "If thy presence will not go with me, do not carry us up from here.
For how shall it be known that I have found favor in thy sight, I and thy people? Is it not in thy going with us, so that we are distinct, I and thy people, from all other people that are upon the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:14-16)
Moses was not satisfied with personal gain --- having God to go along with and getting rest. He insisted on identifying himself with the whole nation. Repeatedly, Moses said "I and thy people". God yielded.
And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." (Exodus 33:17)
God had chosen well. Moses had done well. He was able to discern the bigger picture and focussed on the welfare of the whole people instead of personal gain.
Dear Lord, You have chosen Your servants well. I pray that I may serve You satisfactorily in my station of life. Amen.
Monday, 27 July 2009
The Golden Calf
Moses went up to the mountain for forty days to get the 10 Commandments. The people below were getting impatient. It is not easy to wait for forty days when no end is in sight. Listen to the Israelites.
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, "Up, make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." (Exodus 32:1)
Deep down in the human psyche, there is a spiritual need. The Israelites needed a god to go before them. I think, despite the technological advancement of the last century, men still need gods to walk with them into the unknown future. Newtonian physics has been very successful in explaining the physical world on the molecular level. However, when it comes to the subatomic or relativistic levels, it breaks down. Newtonian physics has to be replaced by general relativity (at the macroscopic level) and quantum mechanics (at the subatomic level). Meanwhile, chaos theory reigns. The world we live in is more complicated than Newtonian physics can explain. The world is deterministic but unpredictable because of chaos theory. Science is unable to exorcize the existence of God.
Some atheists would argue that in order to satisfy their spiritual needs, man created God. I agree with this but I think this applies only to some religions but not all. For example, Chinese mythology is rather bureaucratic. The deities in heavens, at seas or even in hells are arranged in a hierarchy reminiscent of the royal hierarchy in the Middle Kingdom. No doubt, this arrangement of deities is artificial to support the status quo. Christianity is rather different in the sense that the God of Christianity is rather elusive and is not subject to manipulation. Once, God said,
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).
Despite the fact that the Bible has made use of many human features to describe God, the Biblical God behaves in many ways inexplicable with human logic. Therefore, the God of Christianity is not a creation of man, and by definition, any artificial deity cannot be truly God. Of course, that is still far from proving that God is truly God.
When the true God is elusive, can we blame the people for resorting to idolatry? Well, it is understandable though pitiful. But God had not been elusive to the Israelites. Have they not seen the last plague? Have they not crossed the Red Sea and seen how the pursuing Egyptians perish? Have they not eaten manna? It is hard to imagine how, after all these incidents, the Israelites could rebel against Moses and God.
In this golden calf incident, all the blames seemed to have fallen on Aaron.
When the people pressurized him, Aaron asked them for gold and made them a calf.
And Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me."
So all the people took off the rings of gold which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.
"And he received the gold at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made a molten calf (Exodus 32:2-4);
However, when Moses confronted him, Aaron gave a scandalous answer.
And Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought a great sin upon them?"
And Aaron said, "Let not the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are set on evil.
For they said to me, 'Make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'
And I said to them, 'Let any who have gold take it off'; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and there came out this calf." (Exodus 32:21-24)
"I threw it (the gold) into the fire, and there came out this calf.". What a jaw-dropping miracle! All statisticians would throw up their hands in the air. Aaron was crying "not my fault". Indirectly, Aaron was shifting the blame on God. God made this golden calf! Probably, Aaron had greater and darker ambitions than the author of Exodus would admit. No doubt, all the blame had been laid on Aaron who did not have the guts to stand up against popular demands. He was a politician rather than a high priest, nor was he a spokesman for the liberation leader. There is nothing new under the sun. Most of the time, revolutionary leaders are sabotaged by their secondhand men. Moses was no exception.
Dear Lord, have pity on us subordinates. Give us a strong enough backbone to uphold Your will. Amen.
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, "Up, make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." (Exodus 32:1)
Deep down in the human psyche, there is a spiritual need. The Israelites needed a god to go before them. I think, despite the technological advancement of the last century, men still need gods to walk with them into the unknown future. Newtonian physics has been very successful in explaining the physical world on the molecular level. However, when it comes to the subatomic or relativistic levels, it breaks down. Newtonian physics has to be replaced by general relativity (at the macroscopic level) and quantum mechanics (at the subatomic level). Meanwhile, chaos theory reigns. The world we live in is more complicated than Newtonian physics can explain. The world is deterministic but unpredictable because of chaos theory. Science is unable to exorcize the existence of God.
Some atheists would argue that in order to satisfy their spiritual needs, man created God. I agree with this but I think this applies only to some religions but not all. For example, Chinese mythology is rather bureaucratic. The deities in heavens, at seas or even in hells are arranged in a hierarchy reminiscent of the royal hierarchy in the Middle Kingdom. No doubt, this arrangement of deities is artificial to support the status quo. Christianity is rather different in the sense that the God of Christianity is rather elusive and is not subject to manipulation. Once, God said,
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).
Despite the fact that the Bible has made use of many human features to describe God, the Biblical God behaves in many ways inexplicable with human logic. Therefore, the God of Christianity is not a creation of man, and by definition, any artificial deity cannot be truly God. Of course, that is still far from proving that God is truly God.
When the true God is elusive, can we blame the people for resorting to idolatry? Well, it is understandable though pitiful. But God had not been elusive to the Israelites. Have they not seen the last plague? Have they not crossed the Red Sea and seen how the pursuing Egyptians perish? Have they not eaten manna? It is hard to imagine how, after all these incidents, the Israelites could rebel against Moses and God.
In this golden calf incident, all the blames seemed to have fallen on Aaron.
When the people pressurized him, Aaron asked them for gold and made them a calf.
And Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me."
So all the people took off the rings of gold which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.
"And he received the gold at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made a molten calf (Exodus 32:2-4);
However, when Moses confronted him, Aaron gave a scandalous answer.
And Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought a great sin upon them?"
And Aaron said, "Let not the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are set on evil.
For they said to me, 'Make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'
And I said to them, 'Let any who have gold take it off'; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and there came out this calf." (Exodus 32:21-24)
"I threw it (the gold) into the fire, and there came out this calf.". What a jaw-dropping miracle! All statisticians would throw up their hands in the air. Aaron was crying "not my fault". Indirectly, Aaron was shifting the blame on God. God made this golden calf! Probably, Aaron had greater and darker ambitions than the author of Exodus would admit. No doubt, all the blame had been laid on Aaron who did not have the guts to stand up against popular demands. He was a politician rather than a high priest, nor was he a spokesman for the liberation leader. There is nothing new under the sun. Most of the time, revolutionary leaders are sabotaged by their secondhand men. Moses was no exception.
Dear Lord, have pity on us subordinates. Give us a strong enough backbone to uphold Your will. Amen.
17th Ordinary Sunday (Year B)
Today, we read of John's version of the familiar story of feeding 5000. The Old Testament reading echoed a similar miraculous feeding story. It was the story of Elisha.
There was a famine in the land when Elisha came to Gilgal. He was staying with a number prophets and the so-called "sons of prophets", probably their disciples. There were about 100 of them (2 Kings 4:38). An anonymous man arrived and brought along 20 loaves of barley. Elisha told his servant to feed the prophets with these 20 loaves. The servant thought it was not enough.
But his servant said, "How am I to set this before a hundred men?" (2 Kings 4:43a).
Elisha insisted and after eating, there were leftovers.
An event of much larger scale took place in the other side of the Lake of Galilee (John 6:1). This time, 5000 men, not counting women and children, gathered in one place to listen to the teaching of Jesus. Philip and Andrew made the following remarks on the situation.
Philip answered him (Jesus), "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?" (John 6:7-9)
Again, an anonymous young boy offered a meagre amount of food. After eating to the full, the disciples gathered 12 baskets of leftovers (John 6:13).
Too often, we give up trying because we think that our resources/efforts are too meagre and would not improve the situation. We forgot what our ancestors taught us. In his will, warlord Liu 劉備wrote the following line to remind his prodigal son.
勿以惡小而為之，勿以善小而不為。惟賢惟德，能服於人。【宋‧蕭常‧續後漢書‧卷二】
His prodigal son did not listen to his advice and in the end, despite the Herculean efforts put up by his chancellor 諸葛亮, they lost their kingdom to another warlord. Probably, this prodigal son saw no point in putting up any resistance.
However, all believers in God should think in a different way. God loves to show off His power with minimum human efforts. For example, in battles, God gave 300 men to Gideon to defeat tens of thousands of Midianites and Amalekites (Judges 7:7). In worship, Jesus praised a widow who could only offer 2 brass coins (Mark 12:42). Therefore, we should not shun doing good because our resources are limited. Be generous and allow God to fill up the rest.
Today, Fr. Martin focussed our attention to another aspect of this miracle --- mob control.
The last century has witnessed great technological advances. Agricultural output has dramatically increased. Yet, in many parts of the globe, famines are still rampant. We have seen too much news coverage of the distribution of relief aids to starving crowds in Africa. In scene after scene, we see chaos and even stampedes. For the survival of their children and themselves, starving people would resort to jaws and claws like beasts. It is a logistic nightmare with dreadful consequences.
Of course, there was no famine at the lakeside of Galilee. There the crowd were hungry both for food, for healing and for the gospel of Jesus. The fact that 12 apostles were enough to distribute the food without creating chaos was itself a miracle. To control a crowd of 5000 with only 12 men? You tell me how. Unless this was not a mob, not a crowd but a community. Unless they shared the same purpose, they organized themselves in a certain structure. Unless they cared about each other. Otherwise, we would only see stampedes. It was truly a miracle, on a different level.
Dear Lord, You are always generous. We only have to ask and You will fill our needs. I pray that I can be of some help in distributing Your grace to our neighbour. Amen.
There was a famine in the land when Elisha came to Gilgal. He was staying with a number prophets and the so-called "sons of prophets", probably their disciples. There were about 100 of them (2 Kings 4:38). An anonymous man arrived and brought along 20 loaves of barley. Elisha told his servant to feed the prophets with these 20 loaves. The servant thought it was not enough.
But his servant said, "How am I to set this before a hundred men?" (2 Kings 4:43a).
Elisha insisted and after eating, there were leftovers.
An event of much larger scale took place in the other side of the Lake of Galilee (John 6:1). This time, 5000 men, not counting women and children, gathered in one place to listen to the teaching of Jesus. Philip and Andrew made the following remarks on the situation.
Philip answered him (Jesus), "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?" (John 6:7-9)
Again, an anonymous young boy offered a meagre amount of food. After eating to the full, the disciples gathered 12 baskets of leftovers (John 6:13).
Too often, we give up trying because we think that our resources/efforts are too meagre and would not improve the situation. We forgot what our ancestors taught us. In his will, warlord Liu 劉備wrote the following line to remind his prodigal son.
勿以惡小而為之，勿以善小而不為。惟賢惟德，能服於人。【宋‧蕭常‧續後漢書‧卷二】
His prodigal son did not listen to his advice and in the end, despite the Herculean efforts put up by his chancellor 諸葛亮, they lost their kingdom to another warlord. Probably, this prodigal son saw no point in putting up any resistance.
However, all believers in God should think in a different way. God loves to show off His power with minimum human efforts. For example, in battles, God gave 300 men to Gideon to defeat tens of thousands of Midianites and Amalekites (Judges 7:7). In worship, Jesus praised a widow who could only offer 2 brass coins (Mark 12:42). Therefore, we should not shun doing good because our resources are limited. Be generous and allow God to fill up the rest.
Today, Fr. Martin focussed our attention to another aspect of this miracle --- mob control.
The last century has witnessed great technological advances. Agricultural output has dramatically increased. Yet, in many parts of the globe, famines are still rampant. We have seen too much news coverage of the distribution of relief aids to starving crowds in Africa. In scene after scene, we see chaos and even stampedes. For the survival of their children and themselves, starving people would resort to jaws and claws like beasts. It is a logistic nightmare with dreadful consequences.
Of course, there was no famine at the lakeside of Galilee. There the crowd were hungry both for food, for healing and for the gospel of Jesus. The fact that 12 apostles were enough to distribute the food without creating chaos was itself a miracle. To control a crowd of 5000 with only 12 men? You tell me how. Unless this was not a mob, not a crowd but a community. Unless they shared the same purpose, they organized themselves in a certain structure. Unless they cared about each other. Otherwise, we would only see stampedes. It was truly a miracle, on a different level.
Dear Lord, You are always generous. We only have to ask and You will fill our needs. I pray that I can be of some help in distributing Your grace to our neighbour. Amen.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Feast of James the Greater (Year B)
Today, the Church celebrates the feast day of James, the brother of John. He was the first apostle to suffer martyrdom, killed by Herod in 44 A.D. (Acts 12:2). Herod did it to please the Jews. This was a grim reality for a religious minority. The early Church had to wait for three more centuries before she could enjoy the freedom to worship. However, once the emperor lent her a helping hand, making her the state religion, there was no mechanism to stop the state from meddling with church affairs and even what church-goers should believe. Of course, we believe that God is behind all these. The gruesome death of Herod recorded in the Acts shows the optimism of Christians in their reliance on God (Acts 12:23).
In his second epistle written to the Corinthians, Paul opened up his chest to show us his attitude towards sufferings for Jesus. He knew that it was not yet his time of martyrdom. His advice is more appropriate for us because it seems that this is an age of martyrdom no more. Yet, for good or for bad, we suffer discrimination and various kinds of social injustice daily and the late Pope John Paul II has talked a lot about modern martyrdom in his long pontificate. So, when we read the list of sufferings in Paul's epistle, we will not find them unfamiliar (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). How did Paul face these? We find his answer in 2 Corinthians 4.
First of all, our body is but an earthen vessel. Therefore, it is our honour to suffer for the glory of God.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us (2 Corinthians 4:7).
And what is this treasure? It is the gospel of Jesus. Through this gospel, God
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christφωτισμὸν τῆς γνώσεως τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν προσώπῳ [Ἰησοῦ] Χριστοῦ (2 Corinthians 4:6b).
We are unworthy earthen vessels. Yet, we are entrusted with the gospel of Christ through which God gives light, knowledge and glory to the world. The gospel cannot be our invention. It comes from God and its power belongs to God.
So, how is the light, the knowledge and the glory be shown to the world? In his words,
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies
ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐ στενοχωρούμενοι, ἀπορούμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐξαπορούμενοι,
διωκόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι, καταβαλλόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀπολλύμενοι,
πάντοτε τὴν νέκρωσιν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι περιφέροντες, ἵνα καὶ ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι ἡμῶν φανερωθῇ. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
We may be able to appreciate more Paul's persuasive rhetoric in Greek and he was genuine. Read his admirable CV in chapter 11.
Dear Lord, You have chosen Your apostles well. They were able to bend their innate character traits to do Your will. We thank You and praise You. I pray that we may join their rank to serve You and the gospel. Amen.
In his second epistle written to the Corinthians, Paul opened up his chest to show us his attitude towards sufferings for Jesus. He knew that it was not yet his time of martyrdom. His advice is more appropriate for us because it seems that this is an age of martyrdom no more. Yet, for good or for bad, we suffer discrimination and various kinds of social injustice daily and the late Pope John Paul II has talked a lot about modern martyrdom in his long pontificate. So, when we read the list of sufferings in Paul's epistle, we will not find them unfamiliar (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). How did Paul face these? We find his answer in 2 Corinthians 4.
First of all, our body is but an earthen vessel. Therefore, it is our honour to suffer for the glory of God.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us (2 Corinthians 4:7).
And what is this treasure? It is the gospel of Jesus. Through this gospel, God
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christφωτισμὸν τῆς γνώσεως τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν προσώπῳ [Ἰησοῦ] Χριστοῦ (2 Corinthians 4:6b).
We are unworthy earthen vessels. Yet, we are entrusted with the gospel of Christ through which God gives light, knowledge and glory to the world. The gospel cannot be our invention. It comes from God and its power belongs to God.
So, how is the light, the knowledge and the glory be shown to the world? In his words,
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies
ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐ στενοχωρούμενοι, ἀπορούμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐξαπορούμενοι,
διωκόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι, καταβαλλόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀπολλύμενοι,
πάντοτε τὴν νέκρωσιν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι περιφέροντες, ἵνα καὶ ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι ἡμῶν φανερωθῇ. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
We may be able to appreciate more Paul's persuasive rhetoric in Greek and he was genuine. Read his admirable CV in chapter 11.
Dear Lord, You have chosen Your apostles well. They were able to bend their innate character traits to do Your will. We thank You and praise You. I pray that we may join their rank to serve You and the gospel. Amen.
Friday, 24 July 2009
The Commandments
After travelling for three months, the Israelites had arrived at Mount Sinai. There, they would set up a covenant with God who had liberated them from the bondage in Egypt. Previously, God made covenants with individuals: Noah (Genesis 9:9), Abraham (Genesis 15:18), Isaac (Genesis 17:21) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). These previous covenants were mostly promises which God pledged to honour. Men did nothing on their part. Simply put, God had no rights and men had no obligation. Men were enjoying a pure favour from God.
Now God was making a covenant with a people. Here, men began to fulfil certain obligations. Yet, it was still an unfair treaty because the two parties involved, God and the Israelites, were not on equal footing. In ancient time, when a strong nation entered into a covenant with a weak one, it was more a granting of favours on the part of the stronger one to demonstrate her wealth and splendour. The weaker one repaid only with a symbolic gesture of honour instead of real substance. A weaker nation would eagerly seek such a covenant to buy herself safety. A strong nation could afford to enter one such covenant to show off her might among aspiring empire builders. With these background ideas, let's take a look at this Sinai Covenant.
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine,
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:4-6a).
God began with a recount of how He delivered the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt. This was a typical opening of a treaty between a strong overlord with his vassal. It clearly demonstrated the Israelites' dependence on God. Then came the obligations of the vassal --- to obey His voice and keep His covenant. This is obvious. But what about the benefits, the rights? Among all peoples, Israel belongs to God. If God be a king, this benefit will amount to being chosen by the king to enter the palace. Of course, God is more than a king. If it is not clear enough, God elaborated. The Israelites would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
In ancient time, priests enjoyed the highest status in the society because they were the middle-men between heavens and men. Just imagine. Gather all the priests all over the world and form a nation. That is Israel. Each Israelite is a priest on behalf of a clan, a tribe, a people or a nation. Peter must have this idea in mind when he wrote to the Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
As a sign of a covenant, rainbow and circumcision had been used. These are more likely to be etymology stories than authentic covenants. However, the Sinai Covenant is more developed. Rights and obligations were stipulated. They were more clearly spelt out. Now, we have the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). What is Jesus' attitude towards them?
When the rich young man asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, Jesus gave the following preliminary answer.
You know the commandments: 'Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.' (Mark 10:19)
Jesus affirmed that keeping the commandments was the first step to attain eternal life. If you do not lead an ethical life, how can you lead an eternal one? However, Jesus gave only six, not ten. What about the remaining commandments? What about the confessing of one, true God? the honouring of the name of God and the observance of Sabbath?
From the mouth of Jesus, we hear the Christian affirmation of the Jewish ethics. On the other hand, as far as the relationship with God is concerned, Christians and Jews stand on different grounds. Take the observance of Sabbath as an example. Circumcision and keeping the Sabbath had been characteristics of the Jewish identity. However, as more and more Gentiles became Christians, celebrating the resurrection of Christ on Sunday would be more meaningful than celebrating God's rest on Sabbath. The Jerusalem Council further declared that circumcision was unnecessary for salvation (Acts 15). Christians were trying to cut themselves off from the Jews.
As for the oneness of God, Gentile Christians had less burden than Jewish Christians in confessing that Jesus was God. For this reason, Saul persecuted the early Christians. This also probably explains why Jesus was silent about the first few commandments. He remained ambiguous to allow people to interpret it either way --- Christians have taken them for granted or Christians are still struggling with the divinity of Jesus. Indeed, Christology had occupied the best minds for the next couple of centuries.
Dear Lord, You have shown us the way. Let us keep Your commandments to lead a sanctifying life. We adore You, the Blessed Triune God. Amen.
Now God was making a covenant with a people. Here, men began to fulfil certain obligations. Yet, it was still an unfair treaty because the two parties involved, God and the Israelites, were not on equal footing. In ancient time, when a strong nation entered into a covenant with a weak one, it was more a granting of favours on the part of the stronger one to demonstrate her wealth and splendour. The weaker one repaid only with a symbolic gesture of honour instead of real substance. A weaker nation would eagerly seek such a covenant to buy herself safety. A strong nation could afford to enter one such covenant to show off her might among aspiring empire builders. With these background ideas, let's take a look at this Sinai Covenant.
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine,
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:4-6a).
God began with a recount of how He delivered the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt. This was a typical opening of a treaty between a strong overlord with his vassal. It clearly demonstrated the Israelites' dependence on God. Then came the obligations of the vassal --- to obey His voice and keep His covenant. This is obvious. But what about the benefits, the rights? Among all peoples, Israel belongs to God. If God be a king, this benefit will amount to being chosen by the king to enter the palace. Of course, God is more than a king. If it is not clear enough, God elaborated. The Israelites would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
In ancient time, priests enjoyed the highest status in the society because they were the middle-men between heavens and men. Just imagine. Gather all the priests all over the world and form a nation. That is Israel. Each Israelite is a priest on behalf of a clan, a tribe, a people or a nation. Peter must have this idea in mind when he wrote to the Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
As a sign of a covenant, rainbow and circumcision had been used. These are more likely to be etymology stories than authentic covenants. However, the Sinai Covenant is more developed. Rights and obligations were stipulated. They were more clearly spelt out. Now, we have the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). What is Jesus' attitude towards them?
When the rich young man asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, Jesus gave the following preliminary answer.
You know the commandments: 'Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.' (Mark 10:19)
Jesus affirmed that keeping the commandments was the first step to attain eternal life. If you do not lead an ethical life, how can you lead an eternal one? However, Jesus gave only six, not ten. What about the remaining commandments? What about the confessing of one, true God? the honouring of the name of God and the observance of Sabbath?
From the mouth of Jesus, we hear the Christian affirmation of the Jewish ethics. On the other hand, as far as the relationship with God is concerned, Christians and Jews stand on different grounds. Take the observance of Sabbath as an example. Circumcision and keeping the Sabbath had been characteristics of the Jewish identity. However, as more and more Gentiles became Christians, celebrating the resurrection of Christ on Sunday would be more meaningful than celebrating God's rest on Sabbath. The Jerusalem Council further declared that circumcision was unnecessary for salvation (Acts 15). Christians were trying to cut themselves off from the Jews.
As for the oneness of God, Gentile Christians had less burden than Jewish Christians in confessing that Jesus was God. For this reason, Saul persecuted the early Christians. This also probably explains why Jesus was silent about the first few commandments. He remained ambiguous to allow people to interpret it either way --- Christians have taken them for granted or Christians are still struggling with the divinity of Jesus. Indeed, Christology had occupied the best minds for the next couple of centuries.
Dear Lord, You have shown us the way. Let us keep Your commandments to lead a sanctifying life. We adore You, the Blessed Triune God. Amen.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
How to govern 600000 Israelites
The 600000 Israelites took 3 months to arrive at Mount Sinai.
First of all, they crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 14). After that, no more Egyptians chased after them.
From the Red Sea, they came to a place called Marah. There we find an etymology story.
When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah (Exodus 15:23).
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
And he cried to the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet (Exodus 15:24-25).
Of course, Moses had the full support of God and the first problem was solved. Then they came to Elim (Exodus 15:27).
After departing from Egypt for one and a half month, the Israelites came to the wilderness of Sin.
They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt (Exodus 16:1).
Then came the food problem. They left Egypt in a hurry and could not have brought along sufficient food supply. How would Moses feed 600000 mouths?
And the whole congregation of the people of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,
and said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." (Exodus 16:2-3)
Liberation was truly an unthankful job. The Israelites preferred slavery to freedom. So long as they were fed, they did not mind slaving themselves to death in Egypt. God had to intervene. He solved the problem by raining them manna and quails for forty years!
Now the house of Israel called its name manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31).
And the people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land; they ate the manna, till they came to the border of the land of Canaan (Exodus 16:35).
Only God could do it, feeding 600000 mouths for 40 years!
When they reached Rephidim, the water problem surfaced again. This time, it was worse because there was no water.
Therefore the people found fault with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you find fault with me? Why do you put the LORD to the proof?" (Exodus 17:2)
Here came the famous story of striking the rock to get water. The God of Exodus always put up a spectacle before the Israelites to impress them.
And the LORD said to Moses, "Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand the rod with which you struck the Nile, and go.
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel (Exodus 17:5-6).
I suppose Horeb might be Sinai and Rephidim was in the neighbourhood. Here, we find another etymology story.
And he (Moses) called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the faultfinding of the children of Israel, and because they put the LORD to the proof by saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7)
Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun (Exodus 17:11-12).
If you wonder how Moses was able to lead 600000 people in the wildernss, it was simple. Group them.
The Israelites had arrived. Moses was encamped at the mountain of God. Jethro his father-in-law brought his wife and his two sons to reunite with him. When Jethro saw Moses busying himself all day to settle the disputes among the people, he advised Moses to teach the Israelites God's law.
Moreover choose able men from all the people, such as fear God, men who are trustworthy and who hate a bribe; and place such men over the people as rulers of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
And let them judge the people at all times; every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves; so it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you (Exodus 18:21-22).
Great leaders delegate. Moses was no exception. Only three months into the expedition, Moses had already organized the Israelites into manageable units of tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands.
Now, how many rulers had Moses recruited? Well, at least 600 rulers of thousands, right? Under each of these rulers, there would be 10 rulers of hundreds, totalling 6,000. Under each of these rulers of hundreds, there would be 2 rulers of fifties, totalling 12,000. Before we reach the level of tens, there were 18,600 rulers, occupying roughly 3% of the population. Add 60,000 rulers of tens. Now, Moses had a very huge administrative machinery, a team of 78,600 "civil servants", occupying roughly 13% of the population. It did not look efficient. Perhaps the rulers of tens were redundant. If the colonial government of Hong Kong be any guide, during the last century, she had 180,000 civil servants to serve 6 million people, roughly 3% of the population. Of course, the two governments were not comparable because they were dealing with totally different situations. People came into Hong Kong to dig gold, to make money. They had no intention to leave the community. On the contrary, Moses was dealing with a people who always wanted to leave or to return to Egypt. He had an unthankful job to keep the people together and march them to the Promised Land which was so remote, so unreachable.
Let's stop for a while and meet again at the foot of Mount Sinai tomorrow.
Dear Lord, without Your beneficial providence, it was impossible to keep the Israelites going for 40 forty years to reach the Promised Land. I pray that You continue to provide for the needs of the Church and nourish Your people until they reach home. Amen.
First of all, they crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 14). After that, no more Egyptians chased after them.
From the Red Sea, they came to a place called Marah. There we find an etymology story.
When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah (Exodus 15:23).
וַיָּבֹאוּ מָרָתָה--וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לִשְׁתֹּת מַיִם מִמָּרָה, כִּי מָרִים הֵם; עַל-כֵּן קָרָא-שְׁמָהּ, מָרָה
This was also the first time the people complained against Moses. Moses had anticipated that when God called him in the burning bush. That was why Moses was not too eager to respond to God's call.And the people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
And he cried to the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet (Exodus 15:24-25).
Of course, Moses had the full support of God and the first problem was solved. Then they came to Elim (Exodus 15:27).
After departing from Egypt for one and a half month, the Israelites came to the wilderness of Sin.
They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt (Exodus 16:1).
Then came the food problem. They left Egypt in a hurry and could not have brought along sufficient food supply. How would Moses feed 600000 mouths?
And the whole congregation of the people of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,
and said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." (Exodus 16:2-3)
Liberation was truly an unthankful job. The Israelites preferred slavery to freedom. So long as they were fed, they did not mind slaving themselves to death in Egypt. God had to intervene. He solved the problem by raining them manna and quails for forty years!
Now the house of Israel called its name manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31).
And the people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land; they ate the manna, till they came to the border of the land of Canaan (Exodus 16:35).
Only God could do it, feeding 600000 mouths for 40 years!
When they reached Rephidim, the water problem surfaced again. This time, it was worse because there was no water.
Therefore the people found fault with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you find fault with me? Why do you put the LORD to the proof?" (Exodus 17:2)
Here came the famous story of striking the rock to get water. The God of Exodus always put up a spectacle before the Israelites to impress them.
And the LORD said to Moses, "Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand the rod with which you struck the Nile, and go.
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel (Exodus 17:5-6).
I suppose Horeb might be Sinai and Rephidim was in the neighbourhood. Here, we find another etymology story.
And he (Moses) called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the faultfinding of the children of Israel, and because they put the LORD to the proof by saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7)
וַיִּקְרָא שֵׁם הַמָּקוֹם, מַסָּה וּמְרִיבָה: עַל-רִיב בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעַל נַסֹּתָם אֶת-יְהוָה לֵאמֹר, הֲיֵשׁ יְהוָה בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ, אִם-אָיִן
Before they came to Sinai, Israelites had to fight a battle with Amalek in Rephidim. Here, we have the famous battle in which whenever Moses' hands were raised, Israelites prevailed. When Moses grew tired, Aaron and Hur held up his hands while Joshua was battling Amalek below.Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun (Exodus 17:11-12).
If you wonder how Moses was able to lead 600000 people in the wildernss, it was simple. Group them.
The Israelites had arrived. Moses was encamped at the mountain of God. Jethro his father-in-law brought his wife and his two sons to reunite with him. When Jethro saw Moses busying himself all day to settle the disputes among the people, he advised Moses to teach the Israelites God's law.
Moreover choose able men from all the people, such as fear God, men who are trustworthy and who hate a bribe; and place such men over the people as rulers of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
And let them judge the people at all times; every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves; so it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you (Exodus 18:21-22).
Great leaders delegate. Moses was no exception. Only three months into the expedition, Moses had already organized the Israelites into manageable units of tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands.
Now, how many rulers had Moses recruited? Well, at least 600 rulers of thousands, right? Under each of these rulers, there would be 10 rulers of hundreds, totalling 6,000. Under each of these rulers of hundreds, there would be 2 rulers of fifties, totalling 12,000. Before we reach the level of tens, there were 18,600 rulers, occupying roughly 3% of the population. Add 60,000 rulers of tens. Now, Moses had a very huge administrative machinery, a team of 78,600 "civil servants", occupying roughly 13% of the population. It did not look efficient. Perhaps the rulers of tens were redundant. If the colonial government of Hong Kong be any guide, during the last century, she had 180,000 civil servants to serve 6 million people, roughly 3% of the population. Of course, the two governments were not comparable because they were dealing with totally different situations. People came into Hong Kong to dig gold, to make money. They had no intention to leave the community. On the contrary, Moses was dealing with a people who always wanted to leave or to return to Egypt. He had an unthankful job to keep the people together and march them to the Promised Land which was so remote, so unreachable.
Let's stop for a while and meet again at the foot of Mount Sinai tomorrow.
Dear Lord, without Your beneficial providence, it was impossible to keep the Israelites going for 40 forty years to reach the Promised Land. I pray that You continue to provide for the needs of the Church and nourish Your people until they reach home. Amen.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Feast of St. Mary Magdelene (Year B)
Last year, I also wrote about the feast of Mary Magdelene and the passage from the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Therefore, this time I want to write about the Songs of Solomon.
I studied science and therefore poetry is not my cup of tea. The pleasing sounds of Chinese poetry, I can appreciate. But when it comes to English, I may not be as capable to follow adequately the meter, the rhyme and the images etc. Hebrew poetry is even more difficult. Simply put, most of us do not know where the accents/stresses lie, how it is pronounced and whether it can be sung. At most, scholars have been able to unearth some parallel structures in it. Let's face it, we read the translations of these poems only. The parallel structures still remain, but the acoustic beauty will elude us. Despite all these setbacks, I understand that poems are powerful vehicles to convey emotions. As I mature, poetry is gaining its appeal over me.
I studied science and therefore poetry is not my cup of tea. The pleasing sounds of Chinese poetry, I can appreciate. But when it comes to English, I may not be as capable to follow adequately the meter, the rhyme and the images etc. Hebrew poetry is even more difficult. Simply put, most of us do not know where the accents/stresses lie, how it is pronounced and whether it can be sung. At most, scholars have been able to unearth some parallel structures in it. Let's face it, we read the translations of these poems only. The parallel structures still remain, but the acoustic beauty will elude us. Despite all these setbacks, I understand that poems are powerful vehicles to convey emotions. As I mature, poetry is gaining its appeal over me.
Romantic love and religious emotions probably share the same region in our brains. There are a lot of feelings in common. That probably explains why these love poems were able to occupy a place among the Holy Scripture. Read this.
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is cruel as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
a most vehement flame (Songs 8:6).
as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is cruel as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
a most vehement flame (Songs 8:6).
No doubt, this is a line taken from a love poem. Love is as intense as death, as consuming as a fire. Most people have experienced love one way or another. It will not be too difficult to translate their love of God with these terms. Answer ourselves honestly. Have we ever loved God so intensely as to defy death? Have we ever engraved the image of Jesus on our arm, in our heart?
Repetition is one of the many poetic devices. It is part of the parallel structures scholars found in Hebrew poetry. They might act as sign-posts, bracketing chunks of texts. Here are a few examples.
O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me! (Songs 2:6, 8:3)
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, (by the gazelles or the hinds of the field,) that you stir not up nor awaken love until it please (Songs 2:7, 3:5, 8:4).
I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me (Songs 3:4b, 8:2a).
Another type of parallel structure involves meanings and pushes the poem forward. For example
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys (Songs 2:1)
O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me! (Songs 2:6)
for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave (Song 8:6b).
Of course there are many more parallel structures. But all these poetic devices only serve to make the poem more appealing and more memorable. For us, these poems are helpful in uplifting our souls to God, even though some of the verses can be very suggestive while some others are explicit. Erotic love and religious sentiments are sometimes difficult to differentiate.
O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me! (Songs 2:6, 8:3)
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, (by the gazelles or the hinds of the field,) that you stir not up nor awaken love until it please (Songs 2:7, 3:5, 8:4).
I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me (Songs 3:4b, 8:2a).
Another type of parallel structure involves meanings and pushes the poem forward. For example
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys (Songs 2:1)
O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me! (Songs 2:6)
for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave (Song 8:6b).
Of course there are many more parallel structures. But all these poetic devices only serve to make the poem more appealing and more memorable. For us, these poems are helpful in uplifting our souls to God, even though some of the verses can be very suggestive while some others are explicit. Erotic love and religious sentiments are sometimes difficult to differentiate.
In the celebration of the feast of St. Mary Magdelene, we read Songs 3:1-4.
Upon my bed by night
I sought him whom my soul loves;
I sought him, but found him not;
I called him, but he gave no answer (Songs 3:1).
I sought him whom my soul loves;
I sought him, but found him not;
I called him, but he gave no answer (Songs 3:1).
From our experience, we feel that God has been very elusive. He seems to be playing hide-and-seek with us all the time. Yet, very often, He will pop up where we least expect Him. How delightful!
Scarcely had I passed them,
when I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go
until I had brought him into my mother's house,
and into the chamber of her that conceived me (Songs 3:4).
when I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go
until I had brought him into my mother's house,
and into the chamber of her that conceived me (Songs 3:4).
Once we have found God, do we establish the most intimate relationship with Him?
Dear Lord, I am not of mystic stuff. I understand that I am not worthy to receive You in my innermost chamber. Please, do not catch me unprepared. Amen.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Crossing the Red Sea
Efforts have been taken to locate the route the Israelites took to cross the Red Sea. The major problem is that the names of the places mentioned in the Scripture can no longer be found in modern maps.
Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baalzephon; you shall encamp over against it, by the sea (Exodus 14:2).
Where can we find Pihahiroth, Migdol and Baalzephon? Scholars know that the word Migdol means "tower" in Hebrew. It might suggest a fortress or even a mountain towering over the sea. Pihahiroth means "mouth of the caverns". Baalzephon means "the Baal of the north" or perhaps "the Baal of Typhon". Of course these can be proper location names. But nowadays, we are hopelessly unsure. Anyway, if you are patient enough, a search on the Internet will yield a lot of information. Truly, a lot of people take their faith seriously and have attempted to work out an acceptable route. Here is an article that disputes the traditional map at the back of some Bibles. It also supplies a map which I am sure will satisfy the curiosity of many of us.
The Red Sea is also at issue.
First of all, was Red Sea 3500 years ago the same Red Sea nowadays? Rivers changed course through the passage of time. Coastlines underwent constant sea-water erosion. It is no easy task to reconstruct the Red Sea 3500 years ago.
Secondly, the name is also problematic. The Red Sea יַם-סוּף in Hebrew is not red, but sea weeds. That is why scholars who tend to downplay Biblical miracles prefer thinking of the Israelites crossing a shallow swamp of Reed Sea rather than the Gulf of Suez. However, in denying one miracle, these scholars have to deny the miraculous drowning the chasing Egyptian army as well. Can these scholars deny the pursuing army out of existence? I'm afraid not because it is more reasonable for Pharaoh to chase these Hebrew slaves back than allowing them to pillage the Egyptians and go free (Exodus 12:35-36).
For the Jews, the whole story tells the world that despite their weakness as a people, as a nation, they have Yahweh to fight for them, to protect them. God killed the first-born of Egypt, forcing Pharaoh to release them. God prevented the pursuing Egyptian army from getting close to them. God blew dry an escape route for them to reach the other side. The seabed was dry enough for them to walk on to safety but soft enough to catch heavy chariots into a death-trap. It was not enough for Pharaoh to release them because Pharaoh always changed his mind. Only the crossing of the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh's army could guarantee their liberty. Yahweh is truly the God of gods, worthy of glory and praises. Yahweh is superior to all other gods.
For Christians, the whole story becomes the prototype of baptism. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb that redeems them. It is not enough just to believe in the redemptive action of Jesus. Only the sacrament of baptism, the crossing of the Red Sea, can guarantee their freedom from the bondage of sins. God is truly merciful.
For both Jews and Christians, the historical accuracy of the story itself is no longer important. When they believe in God, they do not need natural explanations for supernatural phenomena. In fact, if love were solely explained in terms of hormonal actions, life would be unbearable. We have to learn to live with something inexplicable, something of a mystery.
Dear Lord, while we should work hard to seek a proper understanding of our faith, let us humbly admit our inadequacy and trust in Your mercy for us. Amen.
Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baalzephon; you shall encamp over against it, by the sea (Exodus 14:2).
Where can we find Pihahiroth, Migdol and Baalzephon? Scholars know that the word Migdol means "tower" in Hebrew. It might suggest a fortress or even a mountain towering over the sea. Pihahiroth means "mouth of the caverns". Baalzephon means "the Baal of the north" or perhaps "the Baal of Typhon". Of course these can be proper location names. But nowadays, we are hopelessly unsure. Anyway, if you are patient enough, a search on the Internet will yield a lot of information. Truly, a lot of people take their faith seriously and have attempted to work out an acceptable route. Here is an article that disputes the traditional map at the back of some Bibles. It also supplies a map which I am sure will satisfy the curiosity of many of us.
The Red Sea is also at issue.
First of all, was Red Sea 3500 years ago the same Red Sea nowadays? Rivers changed course through the passage of time. Coastlines underwent constant sea-water erosion. It is no easy task to reconstruct the Red Sea 3500 years ago.
Secondly, the name is also problematic. The Red Sea יַם-סוּף in Hebrew is not red, but sea weeds. That is why scholars who tend to downplay Biblical miracles prefer thinking of the Israelites crossing a shallow swamp of Reed Sea rather than the Gulf of Suez. However, in denying one miracle, these scholars have to deny the miraculous drowning the chasing Egyptian army as well. Can these scholars deny the pursuing army out of existence? I'm afraid not because it is more reasonable for Pharaoh to chase these Hebrew slaves back than allowing them to pillage the Egyptians and go free (Exodus 12:35-36).
For the Jews, the whole story tells the world that despite their weakness as a people, as a nation, they have Yahweh to fight for them, to protect them. God killed the first-born of Egypt, forcing Pharaoh to release them. God prevented the pursuing Egyptian army from getting close to them. God blew dry an escape route for them to reach the other side. The seabed was dry enough for them to walk on to safety but soft enough to catch heavy chariots into a death-trap. It was not enough for Pharaoh to release them because Pharaoh always changed his mind. Only the crossing of the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh's army could guarantee their liberty. Yahweh is truly the God of gods, worthy of glory and praises. Yahweh is superior to all other gods.
For Christians, the whole story becomes the prototype of baptism. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb that redeems them. It is not enough just to believe in the redemptive action of Jesus. Only the sacrament of baptism, the crossing of the Red Sea, can guarantee their freedom from the bondage of sins. God is truly merciful.
For both Jews and Christians, the historical accuracy of the story itself is no longer important. When they believe in God, they do not need natural explanations for supernatural phenomena. In fact, if love were solely explained in terms of hormonal actions, life would be unbearable. We have to learn to live with something inexplicable, something of a mystery.
Dear Lord, while we should work hard to seek a proper understanding of our faith, let us humbly admit our inadequacy and trust in Your mercy for us. Amen.
To consecrate the first-born
Chapter 12 of Exodus records the first Passover and the institution of the feast of Passover. God would inflict the last plague on the Egyptians, killing all the first-born, of men and cattle. In order to evade this plague, Moses taught the Israelites to kill a lamb, smear its blood on the door posts and lintel for identification purposes.
The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:13).
They should roast the lamb, eat it with unleavened bread.
They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it (Exodus 12:8).
They would eat unleavened bread for seven days. Therefore, the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread is the feast of Passover. It is also the celebration of the new year for Israelites.
This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you (Exodus 12:2).
Instead of celebrating it on the first day, the Passover is celebrated on the fourteenth of the month (Exodus 12:6).
Jesus was crucified before the feast of Passover. Therefore, the Church celebrates Easter on the first Sunday after the full moon after Spring Equinox. The Jews celebrate Passover on the fourteenth of the lunar month after Spring Equinox. The Passover would be celebrated as their new year. This tradition would be handed down the generations.
And when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?'
you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he slew the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed their heads and worshiped (Exodus 12:26-27).
When Jesus was 8 days old, he was circumcised and named Jesus (Luke 2:21). When he was 40 days old, he was consecrated to God in the Temple because he was the first-born.
And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"
and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." (Luke 2:22-23)
These records show that Jesus was born a Jew. The consecration part of the custom was related to the plague of killing the first-born.
Consecrate to me all the first-born; whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine (Exodus 13:2).
Infant mortality rate was high. In order to secure the life of these infants, it became a custom for parents to offer their infants to the deities as adopted children. Bodhisattva, Avalokiteśvara, ancient trees and even rocks would come to their aid. Anthropologist and social scientists would easily explain the origin of Jewish custom as an outgrowth of the attempt to combat infant mortality. However, the Israelites have more to say about it.
And when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you,
you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstlings of your cattle that are males shall be the LORD's.
Every firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every first-born of man among your sons you shall redeem.
And when in time to come your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man and the first-born of cattle. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem.' (Exodus 13:11-15)
I quote it in length in order to show the high value Judaism places on educating the younger generation. Parents explain the reasons behind the feast of Passover and the consecration of the first-born.
Moreover, it is interesting to see that these two customs could be traced back to the genesis of their nation. Looking back to Chinese customs, seldom do we link them to our national identity. We have very entertaining stories about the relation of fire-crackers, greetings and the colour red with the monster Nien (Year). But these entertaining stories do not reinforce any national identity. If you put them in Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand or even Zambia, these stories are still convincing and entertaining but lack a patriotic overtone.
Lastly, had Israelites practised similar customs in Egypt, presenting their first-born to whatever deities they could come upon, it would have been a clear break from the past once they entered the Promised Land. God would be the sole recipient of all their first-born. His protection would be for all the Israelites and not just the infants. Things had become more centralized. Instead of being a selfish personal matter for fathers, such consecration became a national event. Israelites are truly a Chosen People!
My teenage friend Wong Ling Leung Stephen passed away suddenly at home yesterday morning. He had suffered some heart ailments for a couple of years. His passing away was rather shocking to us. We had been singing together in the choir before my marriage. We played bridge, worked at the parish Youth Council together. Stephen was a gifted entertainer and enlivened all the banquets and feasts he attended. At times, he was direct and could be blunt. Devil's Advocate was his favourite role. He will be fondly remembered by the boys.
Dear Lord, I pray for the soul of Stephen. Forgive whatever blemish he has and bring him to Your eternal rest. Amen.
The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:13).
They should roast the lamb, eat it with unleavened bread.
They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it (Exodus 12:8).
They would eat unleavened bread for seven days. Therefore, the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread is the feast of Passover. It is also the celebration of the new year for Israelites.
This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you (Exodus 12:2).
Instead of celebrating it on the first day, the Passover is celebrated on the fourteenth of the month (Exodus 12:6).
Jesus was crucified before the feast of Passover. Therefore, the Church celebrates Easter on the first Sunday after the full moon after Spring Equinox. The Jews celebrate Passover on the fourteenth of the lunar month after Spring Equinox. The Passover would be celebrated as their new year. This tradition would be handed down the generations.
And when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?'
you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he slew the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed their heads and worshiped (Exodus 12:26-27).
וְהָיָה, כִּי-יֹאמְרוּ אֲלֵיכֶם בְּנֵיכֶם: מָה הָעֲבֹדָה הַזֹּאת, לָכֶם
וַאֲמַרְתֶּם זֶבַח-פֶּסַח הוּא לַיהוָה, אֲשֶׁר פָּסַח עַל-בָּתֵּי בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמִצְרַיִם, בְּנָגְפּוֹ אֶת-מִצְרַיִם, וְאֶת-בָּתֵּינוּ הִצִּיל; וַיִּקֹּד הָעָם, וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ
Then we come to the custom of consecrating the first-born to the Lord.וַאֲמַרְתֶּם זֶבַח-פֶּסַח הוּא לַיהוָה, אֲשֶׁר פָּסַח עַל-בָּתֵּי בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמִצְרַיִם, בְּנָגְפּוֹ אֶת-מִצְרַיִם, וְאֶת-בָּתֵּינוּ הִצִּיל; וַיִּקֹּד הָעָם, וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ
When Jesus was 8 days old, he was circumcised and named Jesus (Luke 2:21). When he was 40 days old, he was consecrated to God in the Temple because he was the first-born.
And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"
and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." (Luke 2:22-23)
These records show that Jesus was born a Jew. The consecration part of the custom was related to the plague of killing the first-born.
Consecrate to me all the first-born; whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine (Exodus 13:2).
Infant mortality rate was high. In order to secure the life of these infants, it became a custom for parents to offer their infants to the deities as adopted children. Bodhisattva, Avalokiteśvara, ancient trees and even rocks would come to their aid. Anthropologist and social scientists would easily explain the origin of Jewish custom as an outgrowth of the attempt to combat infant mortality. However, the Israelites have more to say about it.
And when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you,
you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstlings of your cattle that are males shall be the LORD's.
Every firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every first-born of man among your sons you shall redeem.
And when in time to come your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man and the first-born of cattle. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem.' (Exodus 13:11-15)
I quote it in length in order to show the high value Judaism places on educating the younger generation. Parents explain the reasons behind the feast of Passover and the consecration of the first-born.
Moreover, it is interesting to see that these two customs could be traced back to the genesis of their nation. Looking back to Chinese customs, seldom do we link them to our national identity. We have very entertaining stories about the relation of fire-crackers, greetings and the colour red with the monster Nien (Year). But these entertaining stories do not reinforce any national identity. If you put them in Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand or even Zambia, these stories are still convincing and entertaining but lack a patriotic overtone.
Lastly, had Israelites practised similar customs in Egypt, presenting their first-born to whatever deities they could come upon, it would have been a clear break from the past once they entered the Promised Land. God would be the sole recipient of all their first-born. His protection would be for all the Israelites and not just the infants. Things had become more centralized. Instead of being a selfish personal matter for fathers, such consecration became a national event. Israelites are truly a Chosen People!
My teenage friend Wong Ling Leung Stephen passed away suddenly at home yesterday morning. He had suffered some heart ailments for a couple of years. His passing away was rather shocking to us. We had been singing together in the choir before my marriage. We played bridge, worked at the parish Youth Council together. Stephen was a gifted entertainer and enlivened all the banquets and feasts he attended. At times, he was direct and could be blunt. Devil's Advocate was his favourite role. He will be fondly remembered by the boys.
Dear Lord, I pray for the soul of Stephen. Forgive whatever blemish he has and bring him to Your eternal rest. Amen.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Sixteenth Ordinary Sunday (Year B)
Fr. Martin began his homily with the story of a diamond jeweller who always wore a ring with a huge beautiful diamond. Ordinary people would think that he was showing off his wealth. But his aide knew the secret. This diamond jeweller was not able to tell the difference between a good diamond and a perfect diamond. He had to rely on his diamond ring which acted as a reference, a measuring rod. This diamond ring enabled him to pass good judgment on the raw stones. Similarly, we Christians need a measuring rod to help us decide the right from wrong. The question is how we can build up such a reference, such a measuring rod.
The teaching of Jesus is our ultimate reference, our ultimate measuring rod to guide us on the right path. However, knowing his teaching is not the same as living up his teaching. It takes time for our life to be imbued with his teaching.
Modern men emphasize on the quality of life. They feel unfulfilled if they fail to fill up nearly every moment in their daily life with some activities. Every minute must be occupied. They put on earphones/headphones to drown their ear-drums with music. Their eyes are constantly bombarded by charts and numbers on the monitors, gorgeous photos in the magazines and flickering images on TV. You will find them constantly talking on their mobile, walking in hurried paces. This is modern life.
Think again. If we are so filled up, is there any more room for the teaching of Jesus to sink its root?
Today, we read of how the apostles finished their first preaching assignment, returned and reported to Jesus what achievement they had attained. They were eager to tell Jesus how they were able to heal, to cast out demons and to work miracles. Probably, they were eager to obtain the praises from their master. But Jesus knew that these apostles needed something else.
And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." (Mark 6:31a)
Yes, it takes time for the true significance of all these achievements to sink into our hearts. We need a lonely place to recoup our priorities. However, we don't need to go to a retreat or come back to the church to pray in order to find the tranquillity. Fr. Martin shared his seminary experience with us. It was the routine of all seminarians to spend about 15 minutes a day to reflect on their daily life. He gazed out to the Deep Bay where many yachts were moored for 15 minutes before dinner. To this date, Fr. Martin still keeps this habit of gazing out to some far off places for 15 minutes before dinner and he finds it energizing. It enables him to overcome daily frustrations more easily.
The other day, he met a parishioner and a newspaper dropped out from the handbag of this lady. It was Kung Kao Pao, the weekly Catholic Chinese magazine. She told Fr. Martin that as a business woman, she led a very busy life. Yet, she still tried to squeeze a few minutes a day to read through the weekly magazine. She knew that this habit would do her good spiritually. We too need to build up this habit to find time to feel the presence of God, to reflect on the teaching of Jesus.
Dear Lord, we are not good enough stewards. We do not make good enough use of the time and energy You give us. Let us today work a bit harder to come closer to You, to know You better. Amen.
The teaching of Jesus is our ultimate reference, our ultimate measuring rod to guide us on the right path. However, knowing his teaching is not the same as living up his teaching. It takes time for our life to be imbued with his teaching.
Modern men emphasize on the quality of life. They feel unfulfilled if they fail to fill up nearly every moment in their daily life with some activities. Every minute must be occupied. They put on earphones/headphones to drown their ear-drums with music. Their eyes are constantly bombarded by charts and numbers on the monitors, gorgeous photos in the magazines and flickering images on TV. You will find them constantly talking on their mobile, walking in hurried paces. This is modern life.
Think again. If we are so filled up, is there any more room for the teaching of Jesus to sink its root?
Today, we read of how the apostles finished their first preaching assignment, returned and reported to Jesus what achievement they had attained. They were eager to tell Jesus how they were able to heal, to cast out demons and to work miracles. Probably, they were eager to obtain the praises from their master. But Jesus knew that these apostles needed something else.
And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." (Mark 6:31a)
Yes, it takes time for the true significance of all these achievements to sink into our hearts. We need a lonely place to recoup our priorities. However, we don't need to go to a retreat or come back to the church to pray in order to find the tranquillity. Fr. Martin shared his seminary experience with us. It was the routine of all seminarians to spend about 15 minutes a day to reflect on their daily life. He gazed out to the Deep Bay where many yachts were moored for 15 minutes before dinner. To this date, Fr. Martin still keeps this habit of gazing out to some far off places for 15 minutes before dinner and he finds it energizing. It enables him to overcome daily frustrations more easily.
The other day, he met a parishioner and a newspaper dropped out from the handbag of this lady. It was Kung Kao Pao, the weekly Catholic Chinese magazine. She told Fr. Martin that as a business woman, she led a very busy life. Yet, she still tried to squeeze a few minutes a day to read through the weekly magazine. She knew that this habit would do her good spiritually. We too need to build up this habit to find time to feel the presence of God, to reflect on the teaching of Jesus.
Dear Lord, we are not good enough stewards. We do not make good enough use of the time and energy You give us. Let us today work a bit harder to come closer to You, to know You better. Amen.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Some demographic considerations
When Jacob's household settled in Egypt, there were 70 members.
All the offspring of Jacob were seventy persons (Exodus 1:5a)
After 430 years, when the Israelites left Egypt, there were 600,000.
The time that the people of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years (Exodus 12:40).
And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children (Exodus 12:37).
For a more detailed breakdown of this number, we may refer to Numbers 1:20-43.
Here, the Levites were not counted. Joseph and Levi were replaced by the two sons born to Joseph in Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Was this figure an exaggeration? Not quite. Take a pen and calculate.
Let us assume that 30 years make up one generation. There were 14.33 generations in 430 years.
You may object to this number because Isaac was born to Abraham when he was 100 (Genesis 21:5) and Jacob was born to Isaac when he was 60 (Genesis 25:26). Since Abraham, Isaac and even Jacob were sojourners. Therefore, it took longer for them to get married and to bear children. But I believe that 30 was a reasonable number of years for settled people to give birth to the next generation.
Let us further assume that population growth follows an exponential rate, like that of compound interest.
So, let R be the rate of population growth. To find out the value of this rate, solve the following equation.
What about the next 40 years? This R would not apply to the Israelites in the wilderness. The mortality rate would be very much higher than the birth rate. Just imagine. How are you going to support an army of 600000 soldiers for 40 years in the desert? How do you maintain the food supply and water supply for so many people for so long in the wilderness?
Indeed, it would not have taken forty years to travel from Egypt to Canaan, if the Israelites had not worshipped the golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai. I hold the view that God wanted to wipe out the generation of idol-worshippers in the wilderness, so that a new breed of uncontaminated Israelites might enter the Promised Land.
If the duration of one generation had extended from 30 to 40 years in the wilderness and the number of Israelites entering Canaan remained the same, i.e. 600000, it means 530000 (600000 * 0.88) Israelites had died in the wilderness within the 40 years, an average of 13200 per year or 22 per 1000 per year. Currently, some 3500 years later, according to an estimate in the CIA World Factbook, the crude death rate for the whole world in 8.23 per 1000 per year. Science and technology has made much progress in lengthening the life span and improving the quality of life of modern men.
Let us return to these half a million people. They deserved to die because they worshipped the golden calf. If you think God was cruel, killing some 50000 people in 4 years, think again how many Jews the Nazi had killed in 4 years. It was 6 millions. God was 120 times more merciful than the Nazi!
Dear Lord, numbers can be numbing. Let us appreciate the real significance of the truth beneath these numbers. Amen.
All the offspring of Jacob were seventy persons (Exodus 1:5a)
After 430 years, when the Israelites left Egypt, there were 600,000.
The time that the people of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years (Exodus 12:40).
And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children (Exodus 12:37).
For a more detailed breakdown of this number, we may refer to Numbers 1:20-43.
| Reuben | 46500 | Simeon | 59300 | Gad | 45650 | Judah | 74600 |
| Issachar | 54400 | Zebulun | 57400 | Ephraim | 40500 | Manasseh | 32200 |
| Benjamin | 35400 | Dan | 62700 | Asher | 41500 | Naphtali | 53400 |
Was this figure an exaggeration? Not quite. Take a pen and calculate.
Let us assume that 30 years make up one generation. There were 14.33 generations in 430 years.
You may object to this number because Isaac was born to Abraham when he was 100 (Genesis 21:5) and Jacob was born to Isaac when he was 60 (Genesis 25:26). Since Abraham, Isaac and even Jacob were sojourners. Therefore, it took longer for them to get married and to bear children. But I believe that 30 was a reasonable number of years for settled people to give birth to the next generation.
Let us further assume that population growth follows an exponential rate, like that of compound interest.
So, let R be the rate of population growth. To find out the value of this rate, solve the following equation.
70 * R14.33 = 603550
and we get R=1.88. That is to say, 30 years after arriving at Egypt, there were 132 Israelites. After 60 years, there were 247 and 90 years 465 etc. This rate looks reasonable. What about people who died? Don't worry, mortality has been taken care of in this equation. This growth rate is the difference between birth-rate and death-rate. Some died young, some died a full age of 180 (Genesis 35:28). The average is probably 120 (Genesis 6:3).What about the next 40 years? This R would not apply to the Israelites in the wilderness. The mortality rate would be very much higher than the birth rate. Just imagine. How are you going to support an army of 600000 soldiers for 40 years in the desert? How do you maintain the food supply and water supply for so many people for so long in the wilderness?
Indeed, it would not have taken forty years to travel from Egypt to Canaan, if the Israelites had not worshipped the golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai. I hold the view that God wanted to wipe out the generation of idol-worshippers in the wilderness, so that a new breed of uncontaminated Israelites might enter the Promised Land.
If the duration of one generation had extended from 30 to 40 years in the wilderness and the number of Israelites entering Canaan remained the same, i.e. 600000, it means 530000 (600000 * 0.88) Israelites had died in the wilderness within the 40 years, an average of 13200 per year or 22 per 1000 per year. Currently, some 3500 years later, according to an estimate in the CIA World Factbook, the crude death rate for the whole world in 8.23 per 1000 per year. Science and technology has made much progress in lengthening the life span and improving the quality of life of modern men.
Let us return to these half a million people. They deserved to die because they worshipped the golden calf. If you think God was cruel, killing some 50000 people in 4 years, think again how many Jews the Nazi had killed in 4 years. It was 6 millions. God was 120 times more merciful than the Nazi!
Dear Lord, numbers can be numbing. Let us appreciate the real significance of the truth beneath these numbers. Amen.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
How to defend atrocities committed by God?
God worked 10 plagues to force Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Every time, from the perspective of Israelites, God hardened the heart of Pharaoh so that he refused to release them (Exodus 7:13, 22, 8:15 etc.). God controlled everything happening in history. This was a very primitive way to look at history. Truly, Jews and Christians believe that God is the master of human history. God actively intervenes in human history to unfold His own saving plan. In a simplistic manner, we can think along such a line. Nevertheless, human actions are still the prime movers of history. While acknowledging God's intervention, human contributions should not be downplayed. We don't need to put all the blames on God for the plagues. Pharaoh had every reason not to release the Israelites. Slaves provided cheap labour force in the ancient world. Pharaoh had all the reasons on earth to keep his property, to maintain his productivity. He did not need a God to harden his heart to refuse to let the Israelites go.
On the other hand, in order to make money, BBC has in these years produced a lot of low-budget computer-animated biblical 'documentaries', trying to give a scientific explanation of extraordinary phenomena mentioned in the Bible. Of course, how can they miss the 10 Plagues? They hypothesized a volcanic eruption in an island in the Mediterranean Sea to explain the plagues as well as the crossing of the Red Sea. BBC attempted to explain biblical miracles in terms of natural phenomena. It downplays the mystical elements in the bible so as to make the biblical stories more acceptable to modern people. At the same time, it tries to downplay the atrocities committed by God. Mortality is inevitable for natural disasters. However, you will be disappointed because the documentary simply skipped the most crucial plague --- the killing of the first born.
And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever shall be again.
But against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, not a dog shall growl; that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel (Exodus 11:6-7).
Such a discriminatory killing is the dream of any bio-chemical weapon developers. But God did it 3500 years ago. You may spare God for the number of deaths caused by natural disasters in the first 9 plagues. But what of the last plague? If God committed genocide, why is it morally wrong for men to do the same?
Did God want to see the deaths of the Egyptians? Not quite.
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23)
Therefore, it was not the intention of God to kill the first-borns of the Egyptians. First-borns were chosen for their symbolic value. They represented the fertility of Egypt. Therefore, killing them means killing all Egyptians, now as well as the future generations. But God had indeed killed them. Let us not forget, God is the God of the living. He would raise the killed first-borns from the dead. God would have raised them after the Israelites left Egypt, or even after they had crossed the Red Sea.
God worked these 10 plagues in order to demonstrate His sovereignty over the Egyptian gods. He is the God of the Creation. He is also the God of life. He can take. He can give.
Dear Lord, let us acknowledge Your sovereignty over our lives. Make them Your handy instrument to channel Your grace to mankind. Amen.
On the other hand, in order to make money, BBC has in these years produced a lot of low-budget computer-animated biblical 'documentaries', trying to give a scientific explanation of extraordinary phenomena mentioned in the Bible. Of course, how can they miss the 10 Plagues? They hypothesized a volcanic eruption in an island in the Mediterranean Sea to explain the plagues as well as the crossing of the Red Sea. BBC attempted to explain biblical miracles in terms of natural phenomena. It downplays the mystical elements in the bible so as to make the biblical stories more acceptable to modern people. At the same time, it tries to downplay the atrocities committed by God. Mortality is inevitable for natural disasters. However, you will be disappointed because the documentary simply skipped the most crucial plague --- the killing of the first born.
And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever shall be again.
But against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, not a dog shall growl; that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel (Exodus 11:6-7).
Such a discriminatory killing is the dream of any bio-chemical weapon developers. But God did it 3500 years ago. You may spare God for the number of deaths caused by natural disasters in the first 9 plagues. But what of the last plague? If God committed genocide, why is it morally wrong for men to do the same?
Did God want to see the deaths of the Egyptians? Not quite.
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23)
Therefore, it was not the intention of God to kill the first-borns of the Egyptians. First-borns were chosen for their symbolic value. They represented the fertility of Egypt. Therefore, killing them means killing all Egyptians, now as well as the future generations. But God had indeed killed them. Let us not forget, God is the God of the living. He would raise the killed first-borns from the dead. God would have raised them after the Israelites left Egypt, or even after they had crossed the Red Sea.
God worked these 10 plagues in order to demonstrate His sovereignty over the Egyptian gods. He is the God of the Creation. He is also the God of life. He can take. He can give.
Dear Lord, let us acknowledge Your sovereignty over our lives. Make them Your handy instrument to channel Your grace to mankind. Amen.
Friday, 17 July 2009
I am who I am
Today, we continue with the reading of the second part of the story of the call of Moses. For the first time in human history, God reveals His identity.
By then, Moses was about 80 years old (Exodus 7:7). He knew enough of human affairs and was very cautious. Look at the way he killed an Egyptian at 40.
One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.
He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (Exodus 2:11-12).
The next day, when the Hebrew he saved hinted that he had killed the Egyptian, Moses fled immediately. He knew that Pharaoh would not spare his life, though he was brought up in the palace and having Pharaoh's daughter adopted him as her son.
We do not know whether it was the same Pharaoh who ordered the killing of Hebrew male babies. Judging from Moses' reaction, it is safe to put this Pharaoh in the same category.
Forty years later, when God called Moses on Mount Horeb to send him back to Pharaoh to demand the release of Israelites, Moses was reluctant. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt."
But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:10-11)
Most likely, this Pharaoh could not be the same Pharaoh that had ordered the killing of Hebrew male babies 80 years ago. But it was possible that this Pharaoh was the one from whom Moses fled 40 years ago. For anybody brought up in the Egyptian court, Pharaoh was their god. Probably Moses was not aware that he had left this god behind for nearly half of the life span he had lived. Therefore Moses did not have enough faith to confront this god. Now, Yahweh was going to take over his life and to shake off this pagan god. God assured Moses that He would stay with him.
He said, "But I will be with you." (Exodus 3:12a)
Moses knew that the whole mission was perilous. Not only was his life at stake, if the situation was not handled properly, a massacre would result. Many lives were at stake. Seeing that Pharaoh was not a good enough excuse, Moses conjured up the people to decline God's call.
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)
It was a safe bet that God would not reveal His name. Probably it was ancient magic or folklore that if you knew the name of a deity, you were able to conjure it up, to manipulate it to do your wish. Therefore, the best bet for Moses was to trick God to reveal His name. If God refused, it would be fair for Moses to do the same, to decline the call. If God accepted, Moses would make good use of God's name to do whatever was to his best interest. Moses was truly streetwise.
God answered Moses not quite an answer.
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14)
Ever since, a lot of theologians have spent a lot of energy trying to figure out the meaning of this enigma, this word-play. To add mystery to an enigma, God dropped us a further hint.
God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you': this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations." (Exodus 3:15)
Dear Lord, holy be Your name. In this name, we are redeemed. Amen.
By then, Moses was about 80 years old (Exodus 7:7). He knew enough of human affairs and was very cautious. Look at the way he killed an Egyptian at 40.
One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.
He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (Exodus 2:11-12).
The next day, when the Hebrew he saved hinted that he had killed the Egyptian, Moses fled immediately. He knew that Pharaoh would not spare his life, though he was brought up in the palace and having Pharaoh's daughter adopted him as her son.
We do not know whether it was the same Pharaoh who ordered the killing of Hebrew male babies. Judging from Moses' reaction, it is safe to put this Pharaoh in the same category.
Forty years later, when God called Moses on Mount Horeb to send him back to Pharaoh to demand the release of Israelites, Moses was reluctant. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt."
But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:10-11)
Most likely, this Pharaoh could not be the same Pharaoh that had ordered the killing of Hebrew male babies 80 years ago. But it was possible that this Pharaoh was the one from whom Moses fled 40 years ago. For anybody brought up in the Egyptian court, Pharaoh was their god. Probably Moses was not aware that he had left this god behind for nearly half of the life span he had lived. Therefore Moses did not have enough faith to confront this god. Now, Yahweh was going to take over his life and to shake off this pagan god. God assured Moses that He would stay with him.
He said, "But I will be with you." (Exodus 3:12a)
Moses knew that the whole mission was perilous. Not only was his life at stake, if the situation was not handled properly, a massacre would result. Many lives were at stake. Seeing that Pharaoh was not a good enough excuse, Moses conjured up the people to decline God's call.
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)
It was a safe bet that God would not reveal His name. Probably it was ancient magic or folklore that if you knew the name of a deity, you were able to conjure it up, to manipulate it to do your wish. Therefore, the best bet for Moses was to trick God to reveal His name. If God refused, it would be fair for Moses to do the same, to decline the call. If God accepted, Moses would make good use of God's name to do whatever was to his best interest. Moses was truly streetwise.
God answered Moses not quite an answer.
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14)
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה; וַיֹּאמֶר, כֹּה תֹאמַר לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶהְיֶה, שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם
Thus God reveals His name which is not a name at all. What kind of a name can "I AM" be? Ever since, a lot of theologians have spent a lot of energy trying to figure out the meaning of this enigma, this word-play. To add mystery to an enigma, God dropped us a further hint.
God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you': this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations." (Exodus 3:15)
וַיֹּאמֶר עוֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, כֹּה-תֹאמַר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב, שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם; זֶה-שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם, וְזֶה זִכְרִי לְדֹר דֹּר
That is how the name of God is enshrined in a four-letter word, the tetragrammaton YHWH "The Lord" which is not the same as ’HYH "I AM". YHWH gains more currency than ’HYH to become the official name of God in the Hebrew Scripture.Dear Lord, holy be Your name. In this name, we are redeemed. Amen.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Feast of St. Bonaventure (Year B)
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) today. St. Bonaventure was a contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas and was honoured a Doctor of the church. For a more detailed biography of his life, interested reader may refer to the link to the Catholic Encyclopeadia. St. Bonaventure was a prolific writer thus has great contribution to the theological development of the Church.
To prepare myself in the pursuit of perpetual diaconate, I apply to enrol in Religious Studies program offered in the Holy Spirit Seminary College. The deadline has already passed. Nevertheless, Fr. William Lo encouraged me to contact the office. This afternoon, I sat for a 2-hour written test. I was wondering what a waste of time it was. I scored a 4.5 out of 5 in the English language benchmark test. I am an English teachers and I have been using English most of the time in the last decade. I was confident that whatever the test, I would finish it within 45 minutes. I was too arrogant and totally wrong. The test consisted of a translation of a two-and-a-half-page article about "Virginal Conception" into Chinese! Chinese is my Achilles' heel. I did not finish the translation and managed only two pages because I arrived at the College at 3:20 p.m. and the office closes at 4:30 p.m. I was too overconfident.
After the test, I hurried home to mum and drank with her. I am intoxicated.
Today, we read of the first part of the story of the call of Moses. It took place in Horeb on the west side of the wilderness. It was called the mountain of God (Exodus 3:1). Later, Moses was to bring the Israelites onto this mountain to serve God.
He said, "But I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain." (Exodus 3:12)
Before this, let us figure out the concept of holiness.
First of all, God attracted the attention of Moses with a great sight of a burning bush which was not burnt (Exodus 3:3). When Moses drew near, God called his name. This is a natural logical procedure, but not necessarily an exclusive procedure employed by God. Human beings rely heavily on their sight. Therefore, I said it was natural and logical to catch their attention with visual images. However, there were occasions in which God attracted a crowd through sounds. For example, the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. No matter what, it is almost always God who takes the initiative.
Then he said, "Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:5-6).
Why should mere mortals not go any nearer to God? Why should shoes be removed when you are standing on holy ground?
Probably, it was a misguided superstition that we were too filthy and unworthy to approach God. God is an awesome Otherness. Unworthy creatures approach the glory of God at their own perils. Hagar expressed such a sentiment when God appeared to her when she fled from Sarai.
she said, "Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?" (Genesis 16:13b)
It is an interesting phenomenon. Ancient people relied on God who was too powerful to approach. They wanted to keep a safe enough distance from Him and yet wanted His blessings. In fact, the survival of ancient people depended on the community (and God). Nobody wanted to tinker with this. Nobody wanted to bring down the house. There were a lot of taboos to guarantee the safety of the community. There was no room for mistakes.
This reminds me of a section of translation I did today. Traditionally, theologians explained that Jesus was conceived by a virgin because sexual intercourse was filthy. In modern eyes, this is ridiculous, making the whole concept of "Virginal Conception" a caricature, a laughing joke. Therefore, many modern people reject the concept of "Virginal Conception".
On this issue, I side with modern people though I may be wrong. Sexuality is a gift from God. It is true that the intense sensations it carries have been abused. But perversion cannot disqualify the noble status of sexuality given by God. Sexual intercourse can be noble. Of course, this does not deny the "virginal conception" of Jesus. Jesus was conceived by a virgin for reasons other than the filthiness of sexual intercourse. "Sex is dirty" will only distract us from seeing the theological significance of this concept.
Back to Moses. To this date, I don't see why we should remove our shoes from our feet when we are standing on holy ground. I think the shoes will not be able to make the holy ground dirty. Perhaps God wants us to have direct contact with the holy ground through bare feet. Probably He wants to channel some energy, some qi from the holy ground through our bare feet. Pure fantasy!
Dear Lord, perhaps I am a filthy man with a filthy mind and get so used to being filthy that I do not see how filthy I am. Transform this filthy heart of mine so that I may become worthy to receive You in my house. Amen.
To prepare myself in the pursuit of perpetual diaconate, I apply to enrol in Religious Studies program offered in the Holy Spirit Seminary College. The deadline has already passed. Nevertheless, Fr. William Lo encouraged me to contact the office. This afternoon, I sat for a 2-hour written test. I was wondering what a waste of time it was. I scored a 4.5 out of 5 in the English language benchmark test. I am an English teachers and I have been using English most of the time in the last decade. I was confident that whatever the test, I would finish it within 45 minutes. I was too arrogant and totally wrong. The test consisted of a translation of a two-and-a-half-page article about "Virginal Conception" into Chinese! Chinese is my Achilles' heel. I did not finish the translation and managed only two pages because I arrived at the College at 3:20 p.m. and the office closes at 4:30 p.m. I was too overconfident.
After the test, I hurried home to mum and drank with her. I am intoxicated.
Today, we read of the first part of the story of the call of Moses. It took place in Horeb on the west side of the wilderness. It was called the mountain of God (Exodus 3:1). Later, Moses was to bring the Israelites onto this mountain to serve God.
He said, "But I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain." (Exodus 3:12)
Before this, let us figure out the concept of holiness.
First of all, God attracted the attention of Moses with a great sight of a burning bush which was not burnt (Exodus 3:3). When Moses drew near, God called his name. This is a natural logical procedure, but not necessarily an exclusive procedure employed by God. Human beings rely heavily on their sight. Therefore, I said it was natural and logical to catch their attention with visual images. However, there were occasions in which God attracted a crowd through sounds. For example, the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. No matter what, it is almost always God who takes the initiative.
Then he said, "Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:5-6).
Why should mere mortals not go any nearer to God? Why should shoes be removed when you are standing on holy ground?
Probably, it was a misguided superstition that we were too filthy and unworthy to approach God. God is an awesome Otherness. Unworthy creatures approach the glory of God at their own perils. Hagar expressed such a sentiment when God appeared to her when she fled from Sarai.
she said, "Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?" (Genesis 16:13b)
It is an interesting phenomenon. Ancient people relied on God who was too powerful to approach. They wanted to keep a safe enough distance from Him and yet wanted His blessings. In fact, the survival of ancient people depended on the community (and God). Nobody wanted to tinker with this. Nobody wanted to bring down the house. There were a lot of taboos to guarantee the safety of the community. There was no room for mistakes.
This reminds me of a section of translation I did today. Traditionally, theologians explained that Jesus was conceived by a virgin because sexual intercourse was filthy. In modern eyes, this is ridiculous, making the whole concept of "Virginal Conception" a caricature, a laughing joke. Therefore, many modern people reject the concept of "Virginal Conception".
On this issue, I side with modern people though I may be wrong. Sexuality is a gift from God. It is true that the intense sensations it carries have been abused. But perversion cannot disqualify the noble status of sexuality given by God. Sexual intercourse can be noble. Of course, this does not deny the "virginal conception" of Jesus. Jesus was conceived by a virgin for reasons other than the filthiness of sexual intercourse. "Sex is dirty" will only distract us from seeing the theological significance of this concept.
Back to Moses. To this date, I don't see why we should remove our shoes from our feet when we are standing on holy ground. I think the shoes will not be able to make the holy ground dirty. Perhaps God wants us to have direct contact with the holy ground through bare feet. Probably He wants to channel some energy, some qi from the holy ground through our bare feet. Pure fantasy!
Dear Lord, perhaps I am a filthy man with a filthy mind and get so used to being filthy that I do not see how filthy I am. Transform this filthy heart of mine so that I may become worthy to receive You in my house. Amen.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Moses the sojourner
The story of Moses is very complex. Let me go through some etymology stories first.
Moses was called Moses for a reason.
And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, "Because I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 2:10)
She (Zipporah) bore a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land." (Exodus 2:22)
I cannot remember for how long this "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land" feeling has been occupying my mind. The origin may be traced back to the university years. In those days, undergrads in HKU ganged up into "patriots" who supported whatever was going on in mainland China; "socialists" who fought against the social evils in Hong Kong; "money-grabbers" who were actually full-time teachers in nearby schools but only part-time undergrads; carefree "playboys" who just wanted to enjoy life.
I have never been a convinced Marxist or Communist. Therefore, I could not identify myself with the patriots. True, I came from a low-income family and I had to earn my tuition fee during the first year because it took time to apply for grant-loan. So, I was not qualified to be a playboy, nor did I see myself a money-grabber. During my first year, I taught English in an evening school in So Uk. Imagine the daily trek --- Choi Hung to HKU to So Uk and back to Choi Hung. No wonder I was not able to build up any sense of belonging in the first year. I was really a sojourner.
Since year two, I had earned enough tuition fee and obtained enough grant-loan to continue my study without unnecessary distraction. Despite the daily travel from Choi Hung to HKU, I could still manage to befriend more undergrads in the Social Sciences faculty. I identified myself more with the "socialists" and did not find any contradiction with my Catholic faith. For me, social action is compatible with Jesus' teaching to help the needy. I joined the Union Choir because I enjoy singing; organized the first Psychology Exhibition and took to the street to protest against the increase in telephone charge. Perhaps I was not committed enough, the feeling of alienation still hung over my mind.
After graduation, I landed a teaching job in La Salle College. At first, I had prejudice against the rich. It was never my ambition to serve these elite students. I studied science in a secondary school. I switched to social sciences in the university because at that time, I wished to become a social worker to help the poor and the needy. In the end, I turned out to teach these children from the upper class of the society. My dream did not come true. Since 1988, I was diagnosed a diabetic. I became much withdrawn.
I think I have been a dedicated teacher, committed to the upbringing of young people whether they are rich or poor. However, the feeling of alienation still hangs over my mind. I feel like an outsider rather than a LaSallian or a Shungtakian. I don't know what has kept a sense of belonging from budding. There is a certain reservation that pulls my leg, that prevents me from a full commitment in these two schools. To this date, I refuse to become the panel head of the RS department. I have stepped down from the post in La Salle before. Why bother to take it up in Shung Tak, only to step down again? I can leave any time I want. Had I held up the position, I would have stayed in La Salle instead of teaching here now in Shung Tak.
Tell me. What is it that pulls my leg? I just don't know what it is. My personality flaw? My health? This sojourner feeling is not good at all. It prevents me from leading my life to the full. A large part of it has been wasted. What a pity!
Dear Lord, perhaps it is my destiny to be a sojourner for the whole of my life. Be it sojourner or no sojourner, help me lead it to the full. Amen.
Moses was called Moses for a reason.
And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, "Because I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 2:10)
וַיִּגְדַּל הַיֶּלֶד, וַתְּבִאֵהוּ לְבַת-פַּרְעֹה, וַיְהִי-לָהּ, לְבֵן; וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ, מֹשֶׁה, וַתֹּאמֶר, כִּי מִן-הַמַּיִם מְשִׁיתִהוּ
Indeed, the name of Moses does not have much to do with מַּיִם water. It has more to do with "drawing out". The name of his son also carries a special meaning.She (Zipporah) bore a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land." (Exodus 2:22)
וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן, וַיִּקְרָא אֶת-שְׁמוֹ גֵּרְשֹׁם: כִּי אָמַר--גֵּר הָיִיתִי, בְּאֶרֶץ נָכְרִיָּה
I wonder which is a foreign land, Egypt or Midian, or both?I cannot remember for how long this "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land" feeling has been occupying my mind. The origin may be traced back to the university years. In those days, undergrads in HKU ganged up into "patriots" who supported whatever was going on in mainland China; "socialists" who fought against the social evils in Hong Kong; "money-grabbers" who were actually full-time teachers in nearby schools but only part-time undergrads; carefree "playboys" who just wanted to enjoy life.
I have never been a convinced Marxist or Communist. Therefore, I could not identify myself with the patriots. True, I came from a low-income family and I had to earn my tuition fee during the first year because it took time to apply for grant-loan. So, I was not qualified to be a playboy, nor did I see myself a money-grabber. During my first year, I taught English in an evening school in So Uk. Imagine the daily trek --- Choi Hung to HKU to So Uk and back to Choi Hung. No wonder I was not able to build up any sense of belonging in the first year. I was really a sojourner.
Since year two, I had earned enough tuition fee and obtained enough grant-loan to continue my study without unnecessary distraction. Despite the daily travel from Choi Hung to HKU, I could still manage to befriend more undergrads in the Social Sciences faculty. I identified myself more with the "socialists" and did not find any contradiction with my Catholic faith. For me, social action is compatible with Jesus' teaching to help the needy. I joined the Union Choir because I enjoy singing; organized the first Psychology Exhibition and took to the street to protest against the increase in telephone charge. Perhaps I was not committed enough, the feeling of alienation still hung over my mind.
After graduation, I landed a teaching job in La Salle College. At first, I had prejudice against the rich. It was never my ambition to serve these elite students. I studied science in a secondary school. I switched to social sciences in the university because at that time, I wished to become a social worker to help the poor and the needy. In the end, I turned out to teach these children from the upper class of the society. My dream did not come true. Since 1988, I was diagnosed a diabetic. I became much withdrawn.
I think I have been a dedicated teacher, committed to the upbringing of young people whether they are rich or poor. However, the feeling of alienation still hangs over my mind. I feel like an outsider rather than a LaSallian or a Shungtakian. I don't know what has kept a sense of belonging from budding. There is a certain reservation that pulls my leg, that prevents me from a full commitment in these two schools. To this date, I refuse to become the panel head of the RS department. I have stepped down from the post in La Salle before. Why bother to take it up in Shung Tak, only to step down again? I can leave any time I want. Had I held up the position, I would have stayed in La Salle instead of teaching here now in Shung Tak.
Tell me. What is it that pulls my leg? I just don't know what it is. My personality flaw? My health? This sojourner feeling is not good at all. It prevents me from leading my life to the full. A large part of it has been wasted. What a pity!
Dear Lord, perhaps it is my destiny to be a sojourner for the whole of my life. Be it sojourner or no sojourner, help me lead it to the full. Amen.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Not knowing Joseph
Today, we begin the reading of Exodus. Israelites had settled and multiplied in Egypt for more than 400 years. They were found everywhere.
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8).
This was how the story of how Israelites began to lead a life of slavery in Egypt. It was also how the story of Moses began.
There are a lot of Chinese stories about rulers knowing some learned wise men who helped them govern the country and extend the boundaries successfully. In one of these stories, during the period of 3 Kingdoms, warlord Lau humbly visited a strategist, Mr. Zhu Ge, three times to recruit him. Lau was successful and this famous strategist helped sustain a tripod balance among the three kingdoms so that ordinary people did not have to suffer an extended warring period. This is a popular story in the Chinese psyche. You have all the essential ingredients to please the general public.
Firstly, there was a humble ruler who thirsted for expert helpers. In reality, no leaders are humble. Otherwise, they would not be leaders. Warlord Lau was only an idealized image to soothe the frustrated intelligentsia which was equally thirsty for recognition. The story of Joseph and Pharaoh was also an idealized imagination. Indeed, that Pharaoh was very smart in putting Joseph in the front line, acting as a buffer between himself and the Egyptians. It looked as if he would go holidaying. But can you imagine a ruler delegating all his powers to a foreigner, without holding some kind of a trump card, say the army, under his sleeve? Was Pharaoh so naive as not to ponder the possibility of sedition on the part of Joseph? Indeed, in the history of China, there are equally many antithetical stories about how leaders cruelly eliminated people who had helped him to the throne. It was because these leaders wanted to make sure that their less intelligent children would not be threatened by these helpers.
Then, there was a master strategist of supernatural intelligence. Surely, Mr. Zhu Ge did engineer several brilliantly won battles. He was also capable of packaging his manoeuvres with a mystic mantle, creating for himself an ever stronger charisma. He was able to conjure the easterly wind. Single-handedly he defended an outnumbered castle. He created robots to help transport heavy loads. Even his corpse was able to scare an army away! His legends delighted the hearts of many.
Alas, nobody is perfect. People are vulnerable one way or the other. Mr. Zhu Ge was loyal to warlord Lau who did not have to worry about the safety of his son. However, Lau lost his share of the kingdom in the end despite the Herculean efforts of Mr. Zhu Ge. In contrast, his equally intelligent counterpart in the camp of warlord Cao, Mr. Si Ma, was treacherous. In the end, Si Ma helped Cao united the kingdoms and his son, Mr. Si Ma the junior, took the kingdom away from Cao the junior.
Mr. Zhu Ge was intelligent and loyal but he was not a good administrator. He was a perfectionist and unable to delegate. He took everything into his own hand and in the end, he died of exhaustion. Let's face it, people are vulnerable one way or the other.
Joseph was loyal to the Pharaoh who gave him an opportunity and recognized his contribution. Both of them worked in harmony to bring Egypt out of famine and probably into great prosperity. The Genesis novella is simpler.
Lastly, people were able to enjoy a relatively extended period of peace as a result. Peace is relative. There is no real peace on earth. Some pessimistic people would think of peace as an absence of wars, or a preparatory period for the next war. No doubt, people are tired of wars but peach on earth is so unreachable. That was why during the Last Supper, Jesus promised to give his disciples a different kind of peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27).
You may think that "peace of heart" is just an escapist attitude, an ostrich mentality. But when peace is impossible without, somehow we have to maintain a peace within. Otherwise, we will collapse. These recognition stories are popular, because they offer an internal peace to the readers. They soothe their troubled hearts. If you are not recognized, don't worry, one day a humble ruler may knock at your door. What you need to do now is to equip yourself with all sorts of strategic management knowledge. One day, you would help a receptive ruler to bring peace to this war-torn world. Confucius has the following advice to lead a joyful life. Enjoy life and do not get annoyed when not recognized. This piece of advice is recorded as the very first sentence in the book of Analect.
學而時習之，不亦悅乎？有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎？人不知而不慍，不亦君子乎？
Learn and practise often, isn't it fun? Have friends visited you from a far, isn't it joyful? Unrecognized and not annoyed, isn't it a superior man?
Dear Lord, I pray for leaders so that they may recognize the talents of their subordinates and give them opportunities to actualize their potentials. I also pray for myself. Let me know You more. Amen.
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8).
This was how the story of how Israelites began to lead a life of slavery in Egypt. It was also how the story of Moses began.
There are a lot of Chinese stories about rulers knowing some learned wise men who helped them govern the country and extend the boundaries successfully. In one of these stories, during the period of 3 Kingdoms, warlord Lau humbly visited a strategist, Mr. Zhu Ge, three times to recruit him. Lau was successful and this famous strategist helped sustain a tripod balance among the three kingdoms so that ordinary people did not have to suffer an extended warring period. This is a popular story in the Chinese psyche. You have all the essential ingredients to please the general public.
Firstly, there was a humble ruler who thirsted for expert helpers. In reality, no leaders are humble. Otherwise, they would not be leaders. Warlord Lau was only an idealized image to soothe the frustrated intelligentsia which was equally thirsty for recognition. The story of Joseph and Pharaoh was also an idealized imagination. Indeed, that Pharaoh was very smart in putting Joseph in the front line, acting as a buffer between himself and the Egyptians. It looked as if he would go holidaying. But can you imagine a ruler delegating all his powers to a foreigner, without holding some kind of a trump card, say the army, under his sleeve? Was Pharaoh so naive as not to ponder the possibility of sedition on the part of Joseph? Indeed, in the history of China, there are equally many antithetical stories about how leaders cruelly eliminated people who had helped him to the throne. It was because these leaders wanted to make sure that their less intelligent children would not be threatened by these helpers.
Then, there was a master strategist of supernatural intelligence. Surely, Mr. Zhu Ge did engineer several brilliantly won battles. He was also capable of packaging his manoeuvres with a mystic mantle, creating for himself an ever stronger charisma. He was able to conjure the easterly wind. Single-handedly he defended an outnumbered castle. He created robots to help transport heavy loads. Even his corpse was able to scare an army away! His legends delighted the hearts of many.
Alas, nobody is perfect. People are vulnerable one way or the other. Mr. Zhu Ge was loyal to warlord Lau who did not have to worry about the safety of his son. However, Lau lost his share of the kingdom in the end despite the Herculean efforts of Mr. Zhu Ge. In contrast, his equally intelligent counterpart in the camp of warlord Cao, Mr. Si Ma, was treacherous. In the end, Si Ma helped Cao united the kingdoms and his son, Mr. Si Ma the junior, took the kingdom away from Cao the junior.
Mr. Zhu Ge was intelligent and loyal but he was not a good administrator. He was a perfectionist and unable to delegate. He took everything into his own hand and in the end, he died of exhaustion. Let's face it, people are vulnerable one way or the other.
Joseph was loyal to the Pharaoh who gave him an opportunity and recognized his contribution. Both of them worked in harmony to bring Egypt out of famine and probably into great prosperity. The Genesis novella is simpler.
Lastly, people were able to enjoy a relatively extended period of peace as a result. Peace is relative. There is no real peace on earth. Some pessimistic people would think of peace as an absence of wars, or a preparatory period for the next war. No doubt, people are tired of wars but peach on earth is so unreachable. That was why during the Last Supper, Jesus promised to give his disciples a different kind of peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27).
You may think that "peace of heart" is just an escapist attitude, an ostrich mentality. But when peace is impossible without, somehow we have to maintain a peace within. Otherwise, we will collapse. These recognition stories are popular, because they offer an internal peace to the readers. They soothe their troubled hearts. If you are not recognized, don't worry, one day a humble ruler may knock at your door. What you need to do now is to equip yourself with all sorts of strategic management knowledge. One day, you would help a receptive ruler to bring peace to this war-torn world. Confucius has the following advice to lead a joyful life. Enjoy life and do not get annoyed when not recognized. This piece of advice is recorded as the very first sentence in the book of Analect.
學而時習之，不亦悅乎？有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎？人不知而不慍，不亦君子乎？
Learn and practise often, isn't it fun? Have friends visited you from a far, isn't it joyful? Unrecognized and not annoyed, isn't it a superior man?
Dear Lord, I pray for leaders so that they may recognize the talents of their subordinates and give them opportunities to actualize their potentials. I also pray for myself. Let me know You more. Amen.
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