On the first day of a new year, may I wish my readers a very healthy and peaceful year ahead.
In his message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace today, Pope Benedict XVI urges us to protect the creation. Yes, creation and not merely the environment. Environment can be something accidental (in the philosophical sense), somewhere in which we happen to be born by chance. As Christians, however, we firmly believe in God our Creator, who has created a universe favourable for the evolution of self-conscious beings, us. Therefore, Creation is something purposeful and necessary, not blind nor accidental. It follows that we have a moral duty in maintaining this Creation, for our sake and for the sake of the future development of all mankind. We owe our neighbours and the future generations a responsibility to manage a harmonious Creation.
In his message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace today, Pope Benedict XVI urges us to protect the creation. Yes, creation and not merely the environment. Environment can be something accidental (in the philosophical sense), somewhere in which we happen to be born by chance. As Christians, however, we firmly believe in God our Creator, who has created a universe favourable for the evolution of self-conscious beings, us. Therefore, Creation is something purposeful and necessary, not blind nor accidental. It follows that we have a moral duty in maintaining this Creation, for our sake and for the sake of the future development of all mankind. We owe our neighbours and the future generations a responsibility to manage a harmonious Creation.
Today, Fr. Martin was the chief celebrant of this first mass of the year. He began his homily with a story.
Once there was a single white female living in New York. After breaking up with her boy friend on New Year Eve, she attempted suicide. Her colleagues were celebrating the New Year Party. Noticing her absence, they called her to no avail. They reported to the police who broke into her apartment. She was rushed to the hospital. When she woke up, an anonymous nurse gently spoke to her, consoling her that many people cared about her well-being. The next day, her colleagues visited her, sang to her to cheer her up. Her boss even told her not to worry about her projects. Just rest to recover well. She put up a reluctant smile to send them away. On the third day, her parents flew in from afar. Her mother couldn't hold her tears, asking her why she was so cruel as to abandon them. She couldn't reply. On the fourth day, her bossom friend visited her and scolded her for more than half an hour before sitting down, holding her hand and crying with her. On the fifth day, the anonymous nurse came in again. She said, "I don't know you. Yet, I want you to know that you matter much to many people. Your well-being is their concern, including me. Get well."
Unbeknown to most of us, there is always at least one person on earth who cares about us very much. He is God the Father. He may be anonymous to you, yet He is here to stay beside you and me. He created this universe for us to evolve. Though the rebellion of our First Parents hurt Him, He did not abandon us. He sent His Son Jesus to deliver us. In so doing, He made Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Mother of God as well. We may wonder what the point of elevating an ordinary maid of Nazareth to such a high status was. It is all love and care for us. In making Mary the Mother of God, God the Father is making Mary the mother of all Christians. Last year, I mentioned the theological significance of Mary being the Mother of God. I need not repeat myself here. In the future, after I have studied more theology, I may explain it in greater depth. For the time being, we only need to contemplate the model Mary set before us.
Once there was a single white female living in New York. After breaking up with her boy friend on New Year Eve, she attempted suicide. Her colleagues were celebrating the New Year Party. Noticing her absence, they called her to no avail. They reported to the police who broke into her apartment. She was rushed to the hospital. When she woke up, an anonymous nurse gently spoke to her, consoling her that many people cared about her well-being. The next day, her colleagues visited her, sang to her to cheer her up. Her boss even told her not to worry about her projects. Just rest to recover well. She put up a reluctant smile to send them away. On the third day, her parents flew in from afar. Her mother couldn't hold her tears, asking her why she was so cruel as to abandon them. She couldn't reply. On the fourth day, her bossom friend visited her and scolded her for more than half an hour before sitting down, holding her hand and crying with her. On the fifth day, the anonymous nurse came in again. She said, "I don't know you. Yet, I want you to know that you matter much to many people. Your well-being is their concern, including me. Get well."
Unbeknown to most of us, there is always at least one person on earth who cares about us very much. He is God the Father. He may be anonymous to you, yet He is here to stay beside you and me. He created this universe for us to evolve. Though the rebellion of our First Parents hurt Him, He did not abandon us. He sent His Son Jesus to deliver us. In so doing, He made Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Mother of God as well. We may wonder what the point of elevating an ordinary maid of Nazareth to such a high status was. It is all love and care for us. In making Mary the Mother of God, God the Father is making Mary the mother of all Christians. Last year, I mentioned the theological significance of Mary being the Mother of God. I need not repeat myself here. In the future, after I have studied more theology, I may explain it in greater depth. For the time being, we only need to contemplate the model Mary set before us.
Today, we read the Gospel of Luke about the visit of shepherds to the newborn baby Jesus. Fr. Martin told us that God elevated the low-status shepherds to become the first group of people privileged to meet the Saviour. God elevated an ordinary Nazarene maid to become the Mother of God, an ordinary carpenter Joseph to become the legal father of Jesus. The shepherds, Mary and Joseph did not understand.
But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19).
Like Mary, none of us understand this mystery. However, let us follow the model of Mary to ponder this mystery of
But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19).
Like Mary, none of us understand this mystery. However, let us follow the model of Mary to ponder this mystery of
Incarnation in our hearts. One day, we will appreciate the great love God has for us all.
Dear Lord, may this mystery enrich our souls and bring us everlasting life. Amen.
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