Ss. Comas and Damian were twin brothers and physicians. They healed people without accepting any fee and brought many people to believe in Christ. They died martyrdom in 287 A.D. during the Diocletian persecution.
In Hong Kong, the Church in Tsuen Wan is named after them. Interestingly enough, the Church is surrounded by a polyclinic and the Yan Chai Hospital. As the economy in Hong Kong is flourishing and medical services provided by the government are able to take care of most of the citizens, the veneration of these two saints does not grow in popularity in this generation.
In Hong Kong, the Church in Tsuen Wan is named after them. Interestingly enough, the Church is surrounded by a polyclinic and the Yan Chai Hospital. As the economy in Hong Kong is flourishing and medical services provided by the government are able to take care of most of the citizens, the veneration of these two saints does not grow in popularity in this generation.
Today, we read the prophet Zechariah, who was a contemporary of Haggai. Both of them were called by God to urge the Jews to pick up the rebuilding of the Temple. On top of this assignment, Zechariah has left us with some prophecies about the Messiah. Early in Chapter 1, God has shown His own will.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.
Cry again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem(Zechariah 1:16-17)
God has decided. Among the peoples and nations, God has chosen Zion and Jerusalem. He would comfort them. His Temple would be built in them. Isn't God supposed to be impartial? Why then did God show favouritism towards them?
This is a question commonly asked by non-Jews. In my younger days, I also asked why Jesus was born a Jews and not a Chinese. After learning something about the history of the Israelites and the Jews, I do not envy God's choice anymore.
When God decided not to give up the human race, He thought up a perfect plan to save men. First of all, He needed to meet us, to break into our history and communicate with us. God needs an entry point. This entry point was Abraham. The Bible describes him as "a friend of God" (2 Chronicles 20:7), "the father of all believers" (Romans 4). After many generations, the descendents of Abraham became a nation. They were unfaithful and God made use of other nations to punish them, to purify them. The Babylonian Captivity was one such purification incident. The Jews failed to spread the salvation plan of God to all mankind.
Christians saw themselves as the true Israelites, replacing the previously rebellious ones who were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus, their Lord. Now, these Christians were numerous enough to spread the salvation plan of God to all men.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD.
And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you (Zechariah 2:10-11).
God wants all nations to be saved through whoever are willing to be His channels of peace. Jews and Christians alike, when they are open-minded enough not to condemn the shortcomings of other, but work collaboratively for the benefit of all, God's salvation will come.
Truly, God does not need a Temple to dwell on earth. Yet, a Temple shows God's presence. Each one of us who believes in God, whether you are a Jew, a Christian or a Muslim, shows God's presence to a variety of degrees. Favouritism is out of question.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.
Cry again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem(Zechariah 1:16-17)
God has decided. Among the peoples and nations, God has chosen Zion and Jerusalem. He would comfort them. His Temple would be built in them. Isn't God supposed to be impartial? Why then did God show favouritism towards them?
This is a question commonly asked by non-Jews. In my younger days, I also asked why Jesus was born a Jews and not a Chinese. After learning something about the history of the Israelites and the Jews, I do not envy God's choice anymore.
When God decided not to give up the human race, He thought up a perfect plan to save men. First of all, He needed to meet us, to break into our history and communicate with us. God needs an entry point. This entry point was Abraham. The Bible describes him as "a friend of God" (2 Chronicles 20:7), "the father of all believers" (Romans 4). After many generations, the descendents of Abraham became a nation. They were unfaithful and God made use of other nations to punish them, to purify them. The Babylonian Captivity was one such purification incident. The Jews failed to spread the salvation plan of God to all mankind.
Christians saw themselves as the true Israelites, replacing the previously rebellious ones who were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus, their Lord. Now, these Christians were numerous enough to spread the salvation plan of God to all men.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD.
And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you (Zechariah 2:10-11).
God wants all nations to be saved through whoever are willing to be His channels of peace. Jews and Christians alike, when they are open-minded enough not to condemn the shortcomings of other, but work collaboratively for the benefit of all, God's salvation will come.
Truly, God does not need a Temple to dwell on earth. Yet, a Temple shows God's presence. Each one of us who believes in God, whether you are a Jew, a Christian or a Muslim, shows God's presence to a variety of degrees. Favouritism is out of question.
Dear Lord, I pray that people I meet are able to discern Your presence in our words and deeds. Amen.
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