Fr. Patrick Sun celebrated the 11 a.m. mass this morning. Instead of expounding the readings, he focused on the Gospel Acclamation which reads
Show us thy steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation (Psalm 85:7).
Fr. Sun told us to reflect upon our life. What would our salvation be?
Show us thy steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation (Psalm 85:7).
Fr. Sun told us to reflect upon our life. What would our salvation be?
Immediately, someone who owes other people a lot of money appears in my mind. He or she might be a compulsive gambler, a shopaholic or whatever. He or she owes load sharks huge sum of money so much so that his monthly income nearly cannot cover the debt. If somehow, his debt is written off, that is salvation. It will not only be a salvation of this person, but also the salvation of his family. In reality, this "somehow" will not happen.
Other than money, we may owe people something emotional. We may deeply hurt other people's feelings. We may have done something not ordinarily forgivable. In such cases, if the party hurt is willing to forgive us, that is salvation. Reconciliation is the salvation of both parties because both hatred and guilt hurt and harden our hearts. In fact, I have my boss in mind. In a formal occasion, he spoke again to the same audience, his traumatic experience on the day his HKCEE result was released. When he called home, full of anticipation, his mother coldly said that if she had money, she would spend it on his more promising siblings. We could feel the hatred he harbours, after all these years of hard work and his present successes. He needs salvation. He needs to forgive and let go.
Other than money, we may owe people something emotional. We may deeply hurt other people's feelings. We may have done something not ordinarily forgivable. In such cases, if the party hurt is willing to forgive us, that is salvation. Reconciliation is the salvation of both parties because both hatred and guilt hurt and harden our hearts. In fact, I have my boss in mind. In a formal occasion, he spoke again to the same audience, his traumatic experience on the day his HKCEE result was released. When he called home, full of anticipation, his mother coldly said that if she had money, she would spend it on his more promising siblings. We could feel the hatred he harbours, after all these years of hard work and his present successes. He needs salvation. He needs to forgive and let go.
Fr. Patrick stressed on the steadfast love of God. God loves us not because of our goodness. He loves us no matter how evil, how rebellious or how destructive we are. He takes care of us even when we despise ourselves. If God does not despise us, why should we continue to despise ourselves? If God does not hate our mother, who am I to continue to hate our mother?
Only then did Fr. Patrick Sun return to the gospel briefly.
He said that the end of the world would only scare non-believers or baptized Christians who lead a life not much different from non-believers. We Christians are not afraid of the end of the world. Rather, we welcome it instead because God would rectify the mistakes of the world. He will restore our reputation, recompense us for the unfair treatment we have received.
Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).
In the Graduation Mass this afternoon, Bishop John Tong gave us another perspective.
It is certainly curious to read of the end of the world in Advent. Isn't Advent a season to prepare ourselves for Christmas? This is not a wrong interpretation of Advent. It is only an incomplete one. Advent is not only the coming of baby Jesus in the crib. The Lord's Prayer reminds us constantly that it is the coming of the Kingdom of God that we pray for.
Adveniat regnum tuum (Matthew 6:10).
Therefore, Advent is a season not only for the preparation of Christmas, but also of the Kingdom of God. We Christians are responsible for the bringing about of the end of this world, the bringing in of the Kingdom of God.
He said that the end of the world would only scare non-believers or baptized Christians who lead a life not much different from non-believers. We Christians are not afraid of the end of the world. Rather, we welcome it instead because God would rectify the mistakes of the world. He will restore our reputation, recompense us for the unfair treatment we have received.
Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).
In the Graduation Mass this afternoon, Bishop John Tong gave us another perspective.
It is certainly curious to read of the end of the world in Advent. Isn't Advent a season to prepare ourselves for Christmas? This is not a wrong interpretation of Advent. It is only an incomplete one. Advent is not only the coming of baby Jesus in the crib. The Lord's Prayer reminds us constantly that it is the coming of the Kingdom of God that we pray for.
Adveniat regnum tuum (Matthew 6:10).
Therefore, Advent is a season not only for the preparation of Christmas, but also of the Kingdom of God. We Christians are responsible for the bringing about of the end of this world, the bringing in of the Kingdom of God.
Dear Lord, we have nothing to fear at the end of the world. I pray that Your healing power be generously showered on our personal wounds so that we can be more generous to reconcile. Amen.
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