Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Visitation. When Angel Gabriel informed Mary that her old, barren cousin Elizabeth had been pregnant for six months, Mary immediately went down from Nazareth to Hebron to visit her cousin. Mary was pregnant too.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-40).
Did Mary want to prove whether Angel Gabriel had told the truth? Very unlikely.
Zechariah doubted Gabriel because he was more advanced in age and inevitably more realistic. Considering his old age and the barrenness of his wife, Zechariah was unprepared to receive Gabriel's good news. In the case of Mary, she had an age advantage. She was young, only a teenager. She had been "protected" from the realism and worldliness of adult life.
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41).
A lot of theology is developed from the above verse.
The pregnant Mary has become the Theotokos Θεοτόκος. Her presence in the house of Zechariah was enough to sanctify Elizabeth and her baby John. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and baby John was so excited that he leaped in her womb.
From this, theologians came up with the teaching that John the Baptist was cleaned of his Original Sin. Turning to Mary, theologians came up with the teaching that the Mother of God exercised her role as a Mediatrix. Through her mediation, Christ gives us sanctifying grace. She would do it again when Jesus worked his first miracle.
and she (Elizabeth) exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Luke 1:42-45)
Elizabeth has shown the proper attitude towards Mary. Mary is the mother of our Lord. Biblical scholars believe that this claim was anachronical. It was after his resurrection that Jesus was called the Lord.
Then Mary sang her famous hymn, the Magnificat. She was overjoyed that people are drawn closer to God. There is no greater joy for Christians than seeing people come closer to God.
At last, a bombshell exploded in Shung Tak today. Brenda tendered her letter of resignation and will leave Shung Tak in September. We will wait and see the aftermath.
Dear Theotokos, come to our aid. Amen.
Monday 31 May 2010
Sunday 30 May 2010
Feast of the Blessed Trinity 2010
It is not easy for people to accept Christianity as a monotheistic religion. There is a God of Creation. There is a God of Salvation. There is a God of Advocate. But for Christians, their God is one.
Judaism has no such problem. They always have only one God who created the heavens and the earth and all the things within. This God is also their God of salvation who delivered them from Egypt and Babylon. Islam has no such problem. They have only one true God. Jesus was only a prophet and not their God.
Christianity resolves this problem with the concept of the Blessed Trinity. God reveals Himself in three different Persons. God the Father is the Creator. God the Son incarnates as Jesus and is the Saviour. God's love and power assumes a personality and is the God of Advocate.
Fr. Milanese lamented in his homily today that the Blessed Trinity is such a mystery that men can never fully comprehend. Therefore, when we talk about the Blessed Trinity, sometimes we do not even know what we are talking about.
Have Christians made a mistake in their understanding of their God? No way. How could they be wrong for 2000 years without being pointed out the mistake?
In fact, the brief definition of the Blessed Trinity above is inevitably inaccurate. If God is one, did God the Father create the universe without the participation of God the Son? Negative.
Indeed, God the Son took part in Creation as well. According to the book of Genesis, God created the known universe with His Word (Genesis 1). John, the apostle, wrote a whole gospel to reflect on this incarnated Word of God who calls God his Father and himself the Son of God. In Genesis, we also find the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). Of course, in the Hebrew Scripture, the Holy Spirit has not yet assumed a personality of its own. It was only the animating power of God. We have to wait until the Acts of the Apostles to see how a deepening of the understanding of the Holy Spirit has developed in the early church.
The question whether God the Father suffered on the cross with the Son had led some people to doubt the divinity of Jesus. It became a heresy in the early history of Christianity. Lastly, a difference in opinions on whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, or from the Father and the Son became an ignition point of the schism between the Roman Church and the Easter Orthodox Church in the 11th century. Truly, the Blessed Trinity is not easy to talk about. Luckily, the Holy Spirit will help us understand better as promised by Jesus in the Last Supper.
I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come (John 16:12-13).
Throughout history, the Holy Spirit has guided the Church through one crisis after another. He will continue to inspire the Church to handle new challenges in our modern age.
Confucism talks more about virtues than deities. Therefore, it is not difficult to discover a certain kind of Trinity of virtues too. They are mentioned in the Middle Way and known as the Three Constantly Practised Virtues「三達德」: Wisdom, Benevolence and Courage「智、仁、勇」and benevolence is the essence of them all. Wisdom and courage are embedded in benevolence.
天下之達道五，所以行之者三。曰：君臣也，父子也，夫婦也，昆弟也，朋友之交也。五者，天下之達道也。知仁勇，三者，天下之達德也，所以行之者一也。
子曰：好學近乎知，力行近乎仁，知恥近乎勇。知斯三者，則知所以修身。知所以修身，則知所以治人。知所以治人，則知所以治天下國家矣。【中庸第二十章】
Though there is no religious element, their unity may enlighten us on the inner life of the Blessed Trinity.
Dear Lord, we long to share in Your inner life of Trinity. Let us constantly practise virtues and meditate Your mystery to attain our salvation. Amen.
Judaism has no such problem. They always have only one God who created the heavens and the earth and all the things within. This God is also their God of salvation who delivered them from Egypt and Babylon. Islam has no such problem. They have only one true God. Jesus was only a prophet and not their God.
Christianity resolves this problem with the concept of the Blessed Trinity. God reveals Himself in three different Persons. God the Father is the Creator. God the Son incarnates as Jesus and is the Saviour. God's love and power assumes a personality and is the God of Advocate.
Fr. Milanese lamented in his homily today that the Blessed Trinity is such a mystery that men can never fully comprehend. Therefore, when we talk about the Blessed Trinity, sometimes we do not even know what we are talking about.
Have Christians made a mistake in their understanding of their God? No way. How could they be wrong for 2000 years without being pointed out the mistake?
In fact, the brief definition of the Blessed Trinity above is inevitably inaccurate. If God is one, did God the Father create the universe without the participation of God the Son? Negative.
Indeed, God the Son took part in Creation as well. According to the book of Genesis, God created the known universe with His Word (Genesis 1). John, the apostle, wrote a whole gospel to reflect on this incarnated Word of God who calls God his Father and himself the Son of God. In Genesis, we also find the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). Of course, in the Hebrew Scripture, the Holy Spirit has not yet assumed a personality of its own. It was only the animating power of God. We have to wait until the Acts of the Apostles to see how a deepening of the understanding of the Holy Spirit has developed in the early church.
The question whether God the Father suffered on the cross with the Son had led some people to doubt the divinity of Jesus. It became a heresy in the early history of Christianity. Lastly, a difference in opinions on whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, or from the Father and the Son became an ignition point of the schism between the Roman Church and the Easter Orthodox Church in the 11th century. Truly, the Blessed Trinity is not easy to talk about. Luckily, the Holy Spirit will help us understand better as promised by Jesus in the Last Supper.
I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come (John 16:12-13).
Throughout history, the Holy Spirit has guided the Church through one crisis after another. He will continue to inspire the Church to handle new challenges in our modern age.
Confucism talks more about virtues than deities. Therefore, it is not difficult to discover a certain kind of Trinity of virtues too. They are mentioned in the Middle Way and known as the Three Constantly Practised Virtues「三達德」: Wisdom, Benevolence and Courage「智、仁、勇」and benevolence is the essence of them all. Wisdom and courage are embedded in benevolence.
天下之達道五，所以行之者三。曰：君臣也，父子也，夫婦也，昆弟也，朋友之交也。五者，天下之達道也。知仁勇，三者，天下之達德也，所以行之者一也。
子曰：好學近乎知，力行近乎仁，知恥近乎勇。知斯三者，則知所以修身。知所以修身，則知所以治人。知所以治人，則知所以治天下國家矣。【中庸第二十章】
Though there is no religious element, their unity may enlighten us on the inner life of the Blessed Trinity.
Dear Lord, we long to share in Your inner life of Trinity. Let us constantly practise virtues and meditate Your mystery to attain our salvation. Amen.
Saturday 29 May 2010
There are sinners in the Church
From the very beginning, there have been sinners in the Church. Some have repented and been transformed. They lead a perfect life by exercising the charisma they receive from God to serve, suffering patiently and loving each other, even those who persecute them. But some take advantage of the freedom they gain and abuse it. In the reading today, Jude warns the churches to be vigilant.
For admission has been secretly gained by some who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly persons who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 4).
Jude reminds the congregation that God delivered the Israelites from Egypt. Yet, God also destroyed them in the wilderness those who did not kick their old habit of idolatry.
Now I desire to remind you, though you were once for all fully informed, that he who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
And the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day (Jude 5-6).
Yes, even angels are not spared.
What did the sinners look like? How did they behave?
Yet in like manner (Sodom and Gomorrah) these men in their dreamings defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile the glorious one (Jude 8).
Those sinners continue their fleshy passions and do not obey the teaching authority of the Church.
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own passions, loud-mouthed boasters, flattering people to gain advantage (Jude 16).
Do you find them familiar? We have seen a lot of such people in the Church flattering all their way to the top. How shall we deal with them? Avoid them? Pull them down?
Jude reminds the congregation also of the predictions by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
they (the apostles) said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions."
It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit (Jude 18-19).
Do you find them familiar? I am sure you do. But how shall we deal with them? Avoid them? Condemn them? Counsel them?
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;
keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
And convince some, who doubt;
save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 20-23).
We have to live with these sinners in the Church. This is the reality of life. Therefore we need all the more to strengthen our spirit through prayers, learning and waiting patiently for the Lord.
Strengthen others. Edify those who are weaker in faith. We need to build a strong team of allies to fight against these enemies from within. Extend a helping hand to pull sinners off the brink of downfall. Have mercy to forgive and reconcile. But towards evil acts, stand firm to condemn.
To outsiders, the Church has been too lenient and tolerant. They expect to see paedophiles exposed and locked up in jail. But the Church only move them around to other organizations. To workers of Church organizations, they expect their bosses to be visionary leaders. Yet, their bosses forget the benefits of the clients and focus more on doing superficial things to boost their standings inside the Church. They don't feel the need to reconcile. So, our only options left are to pray, to study and to wait patiently for the Lord to take action.
Dear Lord, blessed are those who do not lose faith in times of frustration. Amen.
For admission has been secretly gained by some who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly persons who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 4).
Jude reminds the congregation that God delivered the Israelites from Egypt. Yet, God also destroyed them in the wilderness those who did not kick their old habit of idolatry.
Now I desire to remind you, though you were once for all fully informed, that he who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
And the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day (Jude 5-6).
Yes, even angels are not spared.
What did the sinners look like? How did they behave?
Yet in like manner (Sodom and Gomorrah) these men in their dreamings defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile the glorious one (Jude 8).
Those sinners continue their fleshy passions and do not obey the teaching authority of the Church.
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own passions, loud-mouthed boasters, flattering people to gain advantage (Jude 16).
Do you find them familiar? We have seen a lot of such people in the Church flattering all their way to the top. How shall we deal with them? Avoid them? Pull them down?
Jude reminds the congregation also of the predictions by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
they (the apostles) said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions."
It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit (Jude 18-19).
Do you find them familiar? I am sure you do. But how shall we deal with them? Avoid them? Condemn them? Counsel them?
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;
keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
And convince some, who doubt;
save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 20-23).
We have to live with these sinners in the Church. This is the reality of life. Therefore we need all the more to strengthen our spirit through prayers, learning and waiting patiently for the Lord.
Strengthen others. Edify those who are weaker in faith. We need to build a strong team of allies to fight against these enemies from within. Extend a helping hand to pull sinners off the brink of downfall. Have mercy to forgive and reconcile. But towards evil acts, stand firm to condemn.
To outsiders, the Church has been too lenient and tolerant. They expect to see paedophiles exposed and locked up in jail. But the Church only move them around to other organizations. To workers of Church organizations, they expect their bosses to be visionary leaders. Yet, their bosses forget the benefits of the clients and focus more on doing superficial things to boost their standings inside the Church. They don't feel the need to reconcile. So, our only options left are to pray, to study and to wait patiently for the Lord to take action.
Dear Lord, blessed are those who do not lose faith in times of frustration. Amen.
Friday 28 May 2010
The moral standards of Christians
Sociologists explain that religions serve several social functions to maintain the society. For example, religions mark the boundary between the sacred and the profane, thus the sort of behaviours proper to the respective spheres. Some aspects of the sacred become taboos, untouchable under certain circumstances. Thus a kind of power structure is sustained in a society where a minority would control and define what are out of bounds for the profane, the ordinary. They enjoy great authority in a society and think up all sorts of rituals to monopolize this authority etc.
Of course, religion is more than just a social institution to maintain power. It is also the source of morality for some societies. While some religions provide only security, some carry with them a set of moral principles. Christianity belongs to the latter category. The First Epistle of Peter gives us such a set of moral principles.
Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:12).
The gospel of Matthew echoes the same principle (Matthew 5:16). Good deeds of Christians make Gentiles glorify God.
For it is God's will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15).
Christians do good not for good's sake but to silence foolish men and make them glorify God. Well, it sounds a bit negative, but pragmatic.
Christians are free but they should not abuse their freedom. They do not earn their freedom but obtain it free from the redemption of Christ. Christ has won them over with his death and resurrection such that Christians are now servants of God.
Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).
Christians are servants of God on earth. Therefore, they should conduct themselves honourably on earth.
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
When the author wrote this epistle, Christians were still protected by the Roman Emperor. Similarly, Matthew advised Christians to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar (Matthew 22:21). Systematic persecutions from the Empire had not yet begun.
What if Christians are persecuted? Endure persecutions patiently. God will reward.
For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval (1 Peter 2:19-20, 3:17).
The author continues to expound it with the patience Jesus showed in his sufferings, quoting the Song of Suffering Servant in Isaiah (Isaiah 53:5-12).
Turning to the relationship between husband and wife, the author taught like Paul did. Quoting the example of Sarah, the author told wives to be submissive to husbands (1 Peter 3:1-6) and husbands to be considerate towards their wives (1 Peter 3:7). There is only one single verse. It is rather unfair to wives.
What virtues should Christians exhibit?
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8).
Still unable to leave the attitude of suffering behind, the author continued further to bring home a life of perfection echoed in Matthew.
Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing (1 Peter 3:9, Matthew 5:38-48).
Here, the author quoted the Psalm (1 Peter 3:10-12, Psalm 34:13-16).
Return again to the example of Christ, we find the author explaining what Jesus did between his death on the cross and his resurrection. Christians believe that Jesus went down to Hell/Hades/Limbo to release those waiting there for his coming since Noah.
in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison,
who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. (1 Peter 3:19-20).
Why Noah and not Adam? The author was trying to establish the symbolic link between Noah's Ark and the Church.
These verses from the epistle are a good piece of moral theology. The text outlines the moral principles of Christian life and gives it a theological basis. Christian life is to be perfect by following Jesus' example of suffering patiently unfair treatments.
Dear Lord, may we continue to keep our eyes on the model You have set before us so as to lead a perfect life. Amen.
Of course, religion is more than just a social institution to maintain power. It is also the source of morality for some societies. While some religions provide only security, some carry with them a set of moral principles. Christianity belongs to the latter category. The First Epistle of Peter gives us such a set of moral principles.
Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:12).
The gospel of Matthew echoes the same principle (Matthew 5:16). Good deeds of Christians make Gentiles glorify God.
For it is God's will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15).
Christians do good not for good's sake but to silence foolish men and make them glorify God. Well, it sounds a bit negative, but pragmatic.
Christians are free but they should not abuse their freedom. They do not earn their freedom but obtain it free from the redemption of Christ. Christ has won them over with his death and resurrection such that Christians are now servants of God.
Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).
Christians are servants of God on earth. Therefore, they should conduct themselves honourably on earth.
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
When the author wrote this epistle, Christians were still protected by the Roman Emperor. Similarly, Matthew advised Christians to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar (Matthew 22:21). Systematic persecutions from the Empire had not yet begun.
What if Christians are persecuted? Endure persecutions patiently. God will reward.
For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval (1 Peter 2:19-20, 3:17).
The author continues to expound it with the patience Jesus showed in his sufferings, quoting the Song of Suffering Servant in Isaiah (Isaiah 53:5-12).
Turning to the relationship between husband and wife, the author taught like Paul did. Quoting the example of Sarah, the author told wives to be submissive to husbands (1 Peter 3:1-6) and husbands to be considerate towards their wives (1 Peter 3:7). There is only one single verse. It is rather unfair to wives.
What virtues should Christians exhibit?
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8).
Still unable to leave the attitude of suffering behind, the author continued further to bring home a life of perfection echoed in Matthew.
Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing (1 Peter 3:9, Matthew 5:38-48).
Here, the author quoted the Psalm (1 Peter 3:10-12, Psalm 34:13-16).
Return again to the example of Christ, we find the author explaining what Jesus did between his death on the cross and his resurrection. Christians believe that Jesus went down to Hell/Hades/Limbo to release those waiting there for his coming since Noah.
in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison,
who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. (1 Peter 3:19-20).
Why Noah and not Adam? The author was trying to establish the symbolic link between Noah's Ark and the Church.
These verses from the epistle are a good piece of moral theology. The text outlines the moral principles of Christian life and gives it a theological basis. Christian life is to be perfect by following Jesus' example of suffering patiently unfair treatments.
Dear Lord, may we continue to keep our eyes on the model You have set before us so as to lead a perfect life. Amen.
Thursday 27 May 2010
Images of the Church
Images are very useful thinking tools. Some memory enhancement programs teach people to visualize an image to memorize some difficult phrases. For example, when I studied Chemistry in Secondary Three in Choi Hung Estate Catholic Secondary School, which is a boy school, my teacher taught us a rather "indecent" phrase in Chinese to memorize the reactivity series of metals. It goes like this.
With a padded jacket, I cover a beautiful girl. Body touching, I finish kissing my mistress! 裌衲蓋美女，身貼錫完卿。 It represents potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, iron, tin, lead and hydrogen in decreasing reactivity. Of course, your teachers must have some tricks up their sleeves to make your school life very memorable.
Jesus also used images in teaching the Kingdom of God. For example, in talking about the reception of the Kingdom of God, Jesus used the parable of the sower (Mark 4:3-8). In talking about the growth of the Church, Jesus used the image of a mustard seed (Mark 4:31-32). In talking about the Church and the end of the world, Jesus used the image of a fishing net (Matthew 13:47-48). In describing the relation between Jesus and us, the images of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and the True Vine (John 15:1) immediately pop up in our mind. Paul put forth an unprecedented image of the Mystical Body of Christ to describe the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12). All of these images help us visualize different aspects of the Church.
Fr. Baptista taught us the New Testament. He always lamented the images the Church put forth to describe herself. No doubt, the Church is made up of sinners and saints just as the fishing net Jesus used. Throughout the ages, the Church adopted Paul's image of the Mystical Body of Christ. In such case, the Church is Holy and does not need any improvement.
In 1961, Pope John XXIII published an encyclical called "Mater et Magistra" (Mother and Teacher of all nations) to deal with the social and economic problems of the present age. As such, the Church is still beyond reproach. Catholics should love their mother and listen to their teacher, the Church.
One year later, moved by the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church convoked the Second Vatican Council to reform the Church so as to better present the Gospel to the modern world. In this Council, the Catholic Church adopted an age-old image found in the Bible --- the Church as a people of God on pilgrimage. In this image, reform becomes possible.
In describing Jesus, Peter called up the image of the forsaken stone which Jesus applied to himself. Jesus was rejected by the Jewish authority. This image fit him. But from the point of view of Christians, this stone gives them life. Therefore, this is a living stone.
Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious (1 Peter 2:4).
Then, Peter called up the image of a holy Temple to describe the Church.
and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).
Christians should turn themselves into holy stones as well to build up the holy Temple. But how can they be stones, albeit living stones? Of course not! Peter immediately linked them to the promise of the Old Covenant. Christians should form into a holy priesthood. A few verses later, Peter recalled the full promises of the Old Testament.
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 2:8).
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6a)
Christians fulfill what the Israelites have failed. The Church is visualized as yet another Jerusalem Temple. Christians are the royal priests. God is their king and they are the true Chosen People. The First Epistle of Peter is still very Jewish in outlook.
Dear Lord, we have yet to become perfect. We see the need to improve. Be our Teacher and help us repent, reform and reconcile. Amen.
Appendix:
ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ' αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ.
Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6b).
Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιων λίθον πολυτελῆ ἐκλεκτὸν ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἔντιμον εἰς τὰ θεμέλια αὐτῆς, καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ (Isaiah 28:16).
λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας
The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner (1 Peter 2:7, Psalm 117:22 LXX, 118:22 MT)
λίθος προσκόμματος καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου
A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall (1 Peter 2:8a)
λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι (Isaiah 8:11).
With a padded jacket, I cover a beautiful girl. Body touching, I finish kissing my mistress! 裌衲蓋美女，身貼錫完卿。 It represents potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, iron, tin, lead and hydrogen in decreasing reactivity. Of course, your teachers must have some tricks up their sleeves to make your school life very memorable.
Jesus also used images in teaching the Kingdom of God. For example, in talking about the reception of the Kingdom of God, Jesus used the parable of the sower (Mark 4:3-8). In talking about the growth of the Church, Jesus used the image of a mustard seed (Mark 4:31-32). In talking about the Church and the end of the world, Jesus used the image of a fishing net (Matthew 13:47-48). In describing the relation between Jesus and us, the images of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and the True Vine (John 15:1) immediately pop up in our mind. Paul put forth an unprecedented image of the Mystical Body of Christ to describe the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12). All of these images help us visualize different aspects of the Church.
Fr. Baptista taught us the New Testament. He always lamented the images the Church put forth to describe herself. No doubt, the Church is made up of sinners and saints just as the fishing net Jesus used. Throughout the ages, the Church adopted Paul's image of the Mystical Body of Christ. In such case, the Church is Holy and does not need any improvement.
In 1961, Pope John XXIII published an encyclical called "Mater et Magistra" (Mother and Teacher of all nations) to deal with the social and economic problems of the present age. As such, the Church is still beyond reproach. Catholics should love their mother and listen to their teacher, the Church.
One year later, moved by the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church convoked the Second Vatican Council to reform the Church so as to better present the Gospel to the modern world. In this Council, the Catholic Church adopted an age-old image found in the Bible --- the Church as a people of God on pilgrimage. In this image, reform becomes possible.
In describing Jesus, Peter called up the image of the forsaken stone which Jesus applied to himself. Jesus was rejected by the Jewish authority. This image fit him. But from the point of view of Christians, this stone gives them life. Therefore, this is a living stone.
Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious (1 Peter 2:4).
Then, Peter called up the image of a holy Temple to describe the Church.
and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).
Christians should turn themselves into holy stones as well to build up the holy Temple. But how can they be stones, albeit living stones? Of course not! Peter immediately linked them to the promise of the Old Covenant. Christians should form into a holy priesthood. A few verses later, Peter recalled the full promises of the Old Testament.
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 2:8).
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6a)
Christians fulfill what the Israelites have failed. The Church is visualized as yet another Jerusalem Temple. Christians are the royal priests. God is their king and they are the true Chosen People. The First Epistle of Peter is still very Jewish in outlook.
Dear Lord, we have yet to become perfect. We see the need to improve. Be our Teacher and help us repent, reform and reconcile. Amen.
Appendix:
ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ' αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ.
Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6b).
Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιων λίθον πολυτελῆ ἐκλεκτὸν ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἔντιμον εἰς τὰ θεμέλια αὐτῆς, καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ (Isaiah 28:16).
λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας
The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner (1 Peter 2:7, Psalm 117:22 LXX, 118:22 MT)
λίθος προσκόμματος καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου
A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall (1 Peter 2:8a)
λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι (Isaiah 8:11).
Wednesday 26 May 2010
What can last forever?
Man is mortal. Sooner or later, man dies. Whatever he has earned, he has achieved is no more for him. For this reason, man longs for immortality in order to continue to possess. Some men are more pragmatic. They only want to leave behind a legacy such as a magnifcient building or a philosophical system, which may or may not last forever. But what can last forever?
The Bible uses another phrase: "stands/abides forever". A search through the Bible yields the following items which can last forever: the word of God (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25), the counsel of God (Psalm 33:11), the throne of David (Psalm 89:37), Zion (Psalm 125:1) and the Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44). Since we are reading the First Epistle of Peter, we will take a look at the word of God.
God created the heavens and the earth with His word (Genesis 1). But the heavens and the earth will pass away one day. Therefore, the heavens and the earth do not guarantee the transcendence of the word of God. For the Israelites, the word of God comes in the form of the law. Jesus once made the following remark about the law.
For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished (Matthew 5:18).
The phrase "until all is accomplished" suggests an end to the law. When all is accomplished, the law is no longer needed. The law will also end one day.
So, why do Jews and Christians have so much confidence in the word of God such that it abides forever? None of them has yet lived forever. Superficially, it can be "proved" logically. The reasoning goes like this. God is eternal. Therefore, God's word is also eternal. God's creation may not be eternal. But God's word is not God's creation. Therefore, God's word is eternal.
The whole reasoning hinges on God Himself. Therefore, I think it is an act of faith to insist that the word of God lasts forever. I am afraid we will never be able to find any convincing empirical evidence to verify or to falsify it. Likewise, we can't prove or disprove the existence of God, though philosophers and theologians have demonstrated their proofs.
Return to Peter. For him, the gospel of Jesus is the word of God. Christians have been born anew through their faith in the risen Jesus. This entails leading a life of holiness. But Peter does not mean the holiness of keeping the commandments of God. Rather, it is a life of charity.
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).
The holiness of Christian life is demonstrated through charity.
Dear Lord, may we pass on Your love so as to partake in Your eternal life. Amen.
Appendix:
πᾶσα σὰρξ ὡς χόρτος καὶ πᾶσα δό ξα αὐτῆς ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου· ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξ έπεσεν·
τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord abides for ever (1 Peter 1:24-25a, RSV).
Πᾶσα σὰρξ χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα ἀνθρώπου ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου,
ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄν θος ἐξέπεσεν,
τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα(Isaiah 40:6b-7).
The Bible uses another phrase: "stands/abides forever". A search through the Bible yields the following items which can last forever: the word of God (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25), the counsel of God (Psalm 33:11), the throne of David (Psalm 89:37), Zion (Psalm 125:1) and the Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44). Since we are reading the First Epistle of Peter, we will take a look at the word of God.
God created the heavens and the earth with His word (Genesis 1). But the heavens and the earth will pass away one day. Therefore, the heavens and the earth do not guarantee the transcendence of the word of God. For the Israelites, the word of God comes in the form of the law. Jesus once made the following remark about the law.
For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished (Matthew 5:18).
The phrase "until all is accomplished" suggests an end to the law. When all is accomplished, the law is no longer needed. The law will also end one day.
So, why do Jews and Christians have so much confidence in the word of God such that it abides forever? None of them has yet lived forever. Superficially, it can be "proved" logically. The reasoning goes like this. God is eternal. Therefore, God's word is also eternal. God's creation may not be eternal. But God's word is not God's creation. Therefore, God's word is eternal.
The whole reasoning hinges on God Himself. Therefore, I think it is an act of faith to insist that the word of God lasts forever. I am afraid we will never be able to find any convincing empirical evidence to verify or to falsify it. Likewise, we can't prove or disprove the existence of God, though philosophers and theologians have demonstrated their proofs.
Return to Peter. For him, the gospel of Jesus is the word of God. Christians have been born anew through their faith in the risen Jesus. This entails leading a life of holiness. But Peter does not mean the holiness of keeping the commandments of God. Rather, it is a life of charity.
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).
The holiness of Christian life is demonstrated through charity.
Dear Lord, may we pass on Your love so as to partake in Your eternal life. Amen.
Appendix:
πᾶσα σὰρξ ὡς χόρτος καὶ πᾶσα δό ξα αὐτῆς ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου· ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξ έπεσεν·
τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord abides for ever (1 Peter 1:24-25a, RSV).
Πᾶσα σὰρξ χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα ἀνθρώπου ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου,
ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄν θος ἐξέπεσεν,
τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα(Isaiah 40:6b-7).
Tuesday 25 May 2010
Be holy or be perfect
The relationship between Christians and Jews was bad from the start and deteriorating in subsequent years until the end of the first century when the Jews included a curse of Christians in their Eighteen Benedictions (The Amidah). Benediction #12 was added later at Yavneh, aiming at Christians.
The epistles of Peter were written before the gospel of Matthew. Here, we can see that Peter's epistles were still very Jewish while Matthew was more hostile towards the Jews.
The epistles of Peter were written before the gospel of Matthew. Here, we can see that Peter's epistles were still very Jewish while Matthew was more hostile towards the Jews.
In the First Epistle of Peter, the author still relied on the prophets of the Old Testament to prove that Jesus was the Messiah.
The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation;
they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:10-12).
Even angels long to look at the things about the good news the apostles preached. What were these things? They were the teachings and actions of Jesus. In order to lead a life compatible with their calling, Christians should be holy in their conduct.
but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct;
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)
The author was quoting Leviticus 11:44.
Holiness, according to the Old Testament standard, consists of keeping all the commandments of God. At the time of writing, Christians were still very Jewish.
The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation;
they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:10-12).
Even angels long to look at the things about the good news the apostles preached. What were these things? They were the teachings and actions of Jesus. In order to lead a life compatible with their calling, Christians should be holy in their conduct.
but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct;
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)
The author was quoting Leviticus 11:44.
Holiness, according to the Old Testament standard, consists of keeping all the commandments of God. At the time of writing, Christians were still very Jewish.
When Matthew wrote about the Beatitudes, he advocated a different standard of Christian life. Instead of leading a holy life, Christians should lead a perfect life.
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τέλειός ἐστιν(Matthew 5:48).
It is not enough to keep all the commandments to be holy. A Christian life demands more than that. It demands turning the other cheek, walking an extra mile, praying for those who persecute you and relying totally on God etc. It is indeed more challenging to be perfect.
Though Christianity began within Judaism, Matthew and latter writers of the New Testament were moving away from their Jewish roots. They were writing less and less from the Jewish perspective. Instead, they quoted more directly from Jesus until he became the sole authority. They have finally established their own identity.
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τέλειός ἐστιν(Matthew 5:48).
It is not enough to keep all the commandments to be holy. A Christian life demands more than that. It demands turning the other cheek, walking an extra mile, praying for those who persecute you and relying totally on God etc. It is indeed more challenging to be perfect.
Though Christianity began within Judaism, Matthew and latter writers of the New Testament were moving away from their Jewish roots. They were writing less and less from the Jewish perspective. Instead, they quoted more directly from Jesus until he became the sole authority. They have finally established their own identity.
Dear Lord, we thank our religious forefathers for their legacy. We pray that they will one day accept You as their Saviour as well. May we lead our life compatible with Your calling. Amen.
Appendix:
διότι γέγραπται [ὅτι] ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιός [εἰμι].
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16, RSV)
ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ ἁγιασθήσεσθε καὶ ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, (Leviticus 11:44a, LXX)
διότι γέγραπται [ὅτι] ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιός [εἰμι].
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16, RSV)
ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ ἁγιασθήσεσθε καὶ ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, (Leviticus 11:44a, LXX)
Monday 24 May 2010
Is faith in Jesus irrational?
The Easter Season finishes on Pentecost. Today, the Church continues her daily prayers and masses of the Ordinary Season. The liturgical colour is green. Throughout the Easter Season, we finish reading the book of Acts. For the next few days, we will read the Epistles of Peter.
Peter was not known to be proficient enough in Greek to write. Therefore, we have a gospel of Mark, instead of a gospel of Peter. Peter was the source of information and the authority behind the gospel of Mark. Similarly, the two epistles under Peter's name were not written by Peter but certainly, they have the authority of Peter behind them. Furthermore, scholars have evidence to believe that the Second Epistle was written before the First. We must bear in mind that the books in the New Testament are not arranged chronologically. The editor has arranged them according to a certain scheme. For example, the epistles of Paul are arranged so that those written to the Churches go before the individuals and the longer ones go before the shorter ones. There are 5 chapters in the First Epistle of Peter and 3 in the Second. So be it.
The First Epistle of Peter was addressed to the Jewish Christians around Turkey.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1).
We do not have records of Peter's journey like that of Paul's. But the story of Peter in Antioch of Syria is mentioned in Paul's epistle (Galatians 2:11-14). He was preaching to the Jews. Therefore, we can safely conclude that after leaving Jerusalem, Peter must have travelled around these regions on his way to Rome. The Jewish Christians were facing impending persecutions and Peter wrote to encourage them.
Christians are redeemed by the work of the Blessed Trinity. God the Father initiated the salvation through the passion of God the Son. Christians are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you (1 Peter 1:2).
In sending them greetings, Peter reminded all Christians of the core of their salvation: the Blessed Trinity. It is through their unfailing faith in Jesus that they attain their salvation. In this point, both Peter and Paul agreed.
so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
But what is faith?
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1).
We do not have records of Peter's journey like that of Paul's. But the story of Peter in Antioch of Syria is mentioned in Paul's epistle (Galatians 2:11-14). He was preaching to the Jews. Therefore, we can safely conclude that after leaving Jerusalem, Peter must have travelled around these regions on his way to Rome. The Jewish Christians were facing impending persecutions and Peter wrote to encourage them.
Christians are redeemed by the work of the Blessed Trinity. God the Father initiated the salvation through the passion of God the Son. Christians are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you (1 Peter 1:2).
In sending them greetings, Peter reminded all Christians of the core of their salvation: the Blessed Trinity. It is through their unfailing faith in Jesus that they attain their salvation. In this point, both Peter and Paul agreed.
so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
But what is faith?
Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy.
As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Faith then is loving Jesus without seeing him, believing in him without seeing him. Faith is directed towards a person, not towards objects. Therefore, faith involves a personal relationship with a person. A diver trusts in his oxygen cylinder, a parachutist his parachute. This trust is not faith because it does not develop into a relationship. Faith in a person develops or deteriorates. Since faith develops, faith transforms the person who has faith.
The second element of faith is the invisibility of the other person. If the other person is in sight, you don't need to have faith in him. You can always verify what is going on. Faith comes in when for some reasons, the other person is out of sight. Your past experience with him comes in to support your faith in him. The outcomes will modify your faith accordingly.
As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Faith then is loving Jesus without seeing him, believing in him without seeing him. Faith is directed towards a person, not towards objects. Therefore, faith involves a personal relationship with a person. A diver trusts in his oxygen cylinder, a parachutist his parachute. This trust is not faith because it does not develop into a relationship. Faith in a person develops or deteriorates. Since faith develops, faith transforms the person who has faith.
The second element of faith is the invisibility of the other person. If the other person is in sight, you don't need to have faith in him. You can always verify what is going on. Faith comes in when for some reasons, the other person is out of sight. Your past experience with him comes in to support your faith in him. The outcomes will modify your faith accordingly.
For modern men raised up in this scientific age, they rely more on scientific evidences, i.e. that which can be publicly verified with proper procedures. Faith is too subjective and intangible to be reliable. Therefore, it looks irrational to have faith in Jesus who can only be verified on the Judgment Day! Only then can our faith be proved genuine. The only thing which can sustain Christians to this end is the virtue of hope. In the meantime, the faith of Christians develops through their virtue of charity. Faith, hope and charity are thus the trademarks of Christians. Their genuineness is thus tested and purified.
Dear Lord, may Your power guard us through so that our virtues be genuine (1 Peter 1:5). Amen.
Sunday 23 May 2010
Pentecost 2010
Regrettable to say, I find it difficult to explain the Holy Spirit to even Christians. God the Father is the white-beard old man in heaven. He created everything in heavens and on earth. Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, is the easiest to understand because we think we are familiar with his story. The Holy Spirit is different. When Jesus was baptized, it appeared as a dove (Mark 1:10). When Pentecost came, it descended in tongues of fire (Acts 2:3). The Holy Spirit does not have a fixed appearance. It is very elusive. When Nicodemus visited Jesus at night to learn more about his teaching, Jesus made the following remark.
The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).
In Greek, "wind" and "spirit" is the same word πνεῦμα! Therefore, the above verse can be translated as
"The Spirit goes where it wills ...; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."
The Holy Spirit is indeed elusive. Yet, we are able to discern its presence.
The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).
In Greek, "wind" and "spirit" is the same word πνεῦμα! Therefore, the above verse can be translated as
"The Spirit goes where it wills ...; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."
The Holy Spirit is indeed elusive. Yet, we are able to discern its presence.
Fr. Martin celebrated the youth mass this morning. He told us a story to show the presence of the Holy Spirit. He wanted us to keep our minds open to the Spirit.
One day, a Catholic took a taxi. She was carrying a large basket. In the taxi, she saw an old knapsack behind the driver's seat. Perhaps a previous passenger had left it there. Suddenly, greed emerged in her mind. "What if I put the knapsack into my basket. The driver would not notice it. Nobody would ..." She kept her eyes on the taxi-driver intensely. The driver was attending to the traffic on the road. When she slowly acting out her intention, the driver suddenly slowed down! "Oh my God! Does he notice?" No. the driver slowed down because an old man was crossing the road. The driver only gave way. The lady immediately woke up from her greed. She was ashamed. When she got off the taxi, she could not hold herself anymore. She asked the driver if he knew that there was an old knapsack behind his seat. The driver replied, "Thank you, lady. It is only a knapsack of rubbish. I intend to throw it away after you alight."
Fr. Martin said that the Holy Spirit did not teach the lady with words, nor with rods but with an old man crossing the road!
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you(John 14:26).
We will not be able to see the Holy Spirit, but we will discern its presence when it comes to us.
One day, a Catholic took a taxi. She was carrying a large basket. In the taxi, she saw an old knapsack behind the driver's seat. Perhaps a previous passenger had left it there. Suddenly, greed emerged in her mind. "What if I put the knapsack into my basket. The driver would not notice it. Nobody would ..." She kept her eyes on the taxi-driver intensely. The driver was attending to the traffic on the road. When she slowly acting out her intention, the driver suddenly slowed down! "Oh my God! Does he notice?" No. the driver slowed down because an old man was crossing the road. The driver only gave way. The lady immediately woke up from her greed. She was ashamed. When she got off the taxi, she could not hold herself anymore. She asked the driver if he knew that there was an old knapsack behind his seat. The driver replied, "Thank you, lady. It is only a knapsack of rubbish. I intend to throw it away after you alight."
Fr. Martin said that the Holy Spirit did not teach the lady with words, nor with rods but with an old man crossing the road!
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you(John 14:26).
We will not be able to see the Holy Spirit, but we will discern its presence when it comes to us.
Dear Lord, not only does Your Spirit teach. It also moves us. May the Holy Spirit empower us to sanctify the world. Amen.
Saturday 22 May 2010
Paul in Rome
Paul finally arrived in Rome. Luke accompanied him.
There (Puteoli) we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome (Acts 28:14).
Some years ago, Paul had written an epistle to the Roman Christians from Corinth in 58 A.D. He met some of them when he arrived.
And the brethren there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them Paul thanked God and took courage (Acts 28:15).
Paul was under house arrest in Rome and he enjoyed a certain amount of freedom because he was a Roman citizen. He was free to receive people in his house and he made use of such opportunities to preach the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ (Acts 28:31).
But the first thing he did was to meet the local Jewish leaders and inquired about the situation in Rome. He made clear to them that he meant no hostility to the Jews and was only forced to appeal to Caesar. The Jewish leaders replied that they heard nothing against him from Judea but they knew that Christianity was a sect spoken against everywhere!
And they said to him, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brethren coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.
But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against." (Acts 28:21-22)
In their view, Christianity was pretty unpopular. For us nowadays, it is rather unimaginable. Still, Paul made an effort to explain to them the mission of Jesus from the law and the prophets. Some believed. Some didn't (Acts 28:24).
Now that Paul was in Rome, Luke could close his book. He has managed to outline how the followers of Jesus had born him witness from Jerusalem through Judea, Samaria to Rome. Luke has charted for us the growth and development of the early Church and provided us a brief history of Christianity and the work of the Holy Spirit in the first half of the first century. We will continue to make history until the second coming of Christ.
Dear Lord, on this eve of the Pentecost, let us pray that Your Kingdom come to transform us all. Amen.
There (Puteoli) we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome (Acts 28:14).
Some years ago, Paul had written an epistle to the Roman Christians from Corinth in 58 A.D. He met some of them when he arrived.
And the brethren there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them Paul thanked God and took courage (Acts 28:15).
Paul was under house arrest in Rome and he enjoyed a certain amount of freedom because he was a Roman citizen. He was free to receive people in his house and he made use of such opportunities to preach the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ (Acts 28:31).
But the first thing he did was to meet the local Jewish leaders and inquired about the situation in Rome. He made clear to them that he meant no hostility to the Jews and was only forced to appeal to Caesar. The Jewish leaders replied that they heard nothing against him from Judea but they knew that Christianity was a sect spoken against everywhere!
And they said to him, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brethren coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.
But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against." (Acts 28:21-22)
In their view, Christianity was pretty unpopular. For us nowadays, it is rather unimaginable. Still, Paul made an effort to explain to them the mission of Jesus from the law and the prophets. Some believed. Some didn't (Acts 28:24).
Now that Paul was in Rome, Luke could close his book. He has managed to outline how the followers of Jesus had born him witness from Jerusalem through Judea, Samaria to Rome. Luke has charted for us the growth and development of the early Church and provided us a brief history of Christianity and the work of the Holy Spirit in the first half of the first century. We will continue to make history until the second coming of Christ.
Dear Lord, on this eve of the Pentecost, let us pray that Your Kingdom come to transform us all. Amen.
Friday 21 May 2010
Missiology Workshop
Today is the Festival of the Nativity of Buddha. It is also my father's birthday. Since we have other engagements we celebrated his birthday last Sunday instead.
Today some of the deacons gathered together to finish their missiology workshop conducted by Fr. Paul Leung Kon-chiu, SDB, who will return to Mongolia soon. It was pretty intensive. In the morning session, we ploughed through the Bible to look up some models of evangelization. In the afternoon, we studies three major Church documents on evangelization. It was a rare and challenging opportunity for me to meet so many highly intelligent people in one go. Though it lasted from nine to five, it was extremely rewarding. There are so many valuable and enlightening documents, including the Bible, lying around, waiting for us to explore and find nourishment. It is a pity that we don't leaf through the pages to be inspired.
After the lunch break, Deacon Edwin Ng played us a documentary "Canaan Hymns". It was about a simple Chinese girl Xiao Min, who wrote more than 1270 Chinese hymns which are sung across mainland China. The hymns are Biblical as well as personal. They are taken from the books of Psalms and the Songs of Solomon. But many of them are personal reflections of a Chinese Christian on her relationship with God. The melodies are contemporary Chinese. Xiao Min is obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit. The documentary is able to highlight her intimate relationship with God. No wonder her hymns are very uplifting and inspiring. Her testimony demonstrates what a missionary should be doing --- to touch the lives of millions with her life. You may find the documentary sensational. But the portrait of this simple country lady is surely touching.
In 1965, the Catholic Church finished the twenty first ecumenical Council in Vatican and released 4 Constitutions, 8 Decrees and 3 Declarations. Among them is the Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity, Ad Gentes which outlines the guiding principles of evangelization. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Pope Paul VI wrote an Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi. It is a meditation on evangelization. In the silver jubilee of the publication of Ad Gentes, Pope John Paul II wrote an Encyclical, Redemptoris Missio to clarify the various concepts of evangelization. These three documents surely look intimidating. But Fr. Paul Leung guided us through them comfortably to get a more thorough understanding of the concept evangelization. I will not do these documents justice but I still try to summarize as much as I understand.
Evangelization is the raison d'être of the Church which continues the Saviour's mission on earth.
Evangelization is the responsibility of every member of the Church, from the Pope, bishops, priests and all the way to the laity.
The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind all evangelization activities. The Holy Spirit works in the evangelizers as well as the evangelized.
The target of evangelization includes not just all peoples who don't know Christ, but also the members of the Church, including the practising and non-practising Christians. This internal work is called pastoral ministry.
Evangelization efforts must be based on a life of holiness. Not only do evangelizers preach but they also live what they preach. They are the living witnesses of the risen Lord.
Evangelization efforts are motivated by the love of God and the love of fellow men. This love is shown by their respect of the situations of the evangelized.
Religious dialogues with other religions seek not to convert but to uncover the truth God has sown among the peoples.
The final outcome of evangelization is not the total number of people baptized annually, but the baptism of the cultures Christians encounter.
There are many more principles which I have not covered. Dear Readers. Read them yourselves and be inspired.
Dear Lord, You have given us different charisma to glorify You in our lives. May we mature through serving You and our neighbour. Amen.
Today some of the deacons gathered together to finish their missiology workshop conducted by Fr. Paul Leung Kon-chiu, SDB, who will return to Mongolia soon. It was pretty intensive. In the morning session, we ploughed through the Bible to look up some models of evangelization. In the afternoon, we studies three major Church documents on evangelization. It was a rare and challenging opportunity for me to meet so many highly intelligent people in one go. Though it lasted from nine to five, it was extremely rewarding. There are so many valuable and enlightening documents, including the Bible, lying around, waiting for us to explore and find nourishment. It is a pity that we don't leaf through the pages to be inspired.
After the lunch break, Deacon Edwin Ng played us a documentary "Canaan Hymns". It was about a simple Chinese girl Xiao Min, who wrote more than 1270 Chinese hymns which are sung across mainland China. The hymns are Biblical as well as personal. They are taken from the books of Psalms and the Songs of Solomon. But many of them are personal reflections of a Chinese Christian on her relationship with God. The melodies are contemporary Chinese. Xiao Min is obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit. The documentary is able to highlight her intimate relationship with God. No wonder her hymns are very uplifting and inspiring. Her testimony demonstrates what a missionary should be doing --- to touch the lives of millions with her life. You may find the documentary sensational. But the portrait of this simple country lady is surely touching.
In 1965, the Catholic Church finished the twenty first ecumenical Council in Vatican and released 4 Constitutions, 8 Decrees and 3 Declarations. Among them is the Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity, Ad Gentes which outlines the guiding principles of evangelization. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Pope Paul VI wrote an Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi. It is a meditation on evangelization. In the silver jubilee of the publication of Ad Gentes, Pope John Paul II wrote an Encyclical, Redemptoris Missio to clarify the various concepts of evangelization. These three documents surely look intimidating. But Fr. Paul Leung guided us through them comfortably to get a more thorough understanding of the concept evangelization. I will not do these documents justice but I still try to summarize as much as I understand.
Evangelization is the raison d'être of the Church which continues the Saviour's mission on earth.
Evangelization is the responsibility of every member of the Church, from the Pope, bishops, priests and all the way to the laity.
The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind all evangelization activities. The Holy Spirit works in the evangelizers as well as the evangelized.
The target of evangelization includes not just all peoples who don't know Christ, but also the members of the Church, including the practising and non-practising Christians. This internal work is called pastoral ministry.
Evangelization efforts must be based on a life of holiness. Not only do evangelizers preach but they also live what they preach. They are the living witnesses of the risen Lord.
Evangelization efforts are motivated by the love of God and the love of fellow men. This love is shown by their respect of the situations of the evangelized.
Religious dialogues with other religions seek not to convert but to uncover the truth God has sown among the peoples.
The final outcome of evangelization is not the total number of people baptized annually, but the baptism of the cultures Christians encounter.
There are many more principles which I have not covered. Dear Readers. Read them yourselves and be inspired.
Dear Lord, You have given us different charisma to glorify You in our lives. May we mature through serving You and our neighbour. Amen.
Thursday 20 May 2010
To become all things to all men
Paul was versatile and adaptive. He was well educated in Jewish Torah (Acts 22:3) and was able to command several languages. Moreover, he was able to adapt himself to the situations. If you want, you may call him a chameleon. But in his own words, Paul explains his motive for being so fluid.
To the Jews, I became as a Jew in order to win Jews ...
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
The Acts recorded several incidents in which Paul saved himself from desperate situations by becoming all things to all men.
To the Jews, I became as a Jew in order to win Jews ...
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
The Acts recorded several incidents in which Paul saved himself from desperate situations by becoming all things to all men.
Angry Jews dragged Paul out of the Temple, intending to lynch him (Acts 21:27-31). He was saved by Roman soldiers just in time. In order to pacify the crowd, Paul requested to speak to the mob. He spoke to them in Hebrew. The crowd listened to him intensely (Acts 22:2). Paul recounted his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. The crowd was willing to listen until Paul mentioned Jesus sending him to the Gentiles. The crowd could tolerate no more and the situation immediately turned volatile (Acts 22:21-23).
Then the tribune sent Paul back into the barrack to be interrogated. He commanded the centurion to scourge Paul to find out why he had stirred up so much chaos in Jerusalem. Then Paul made use of his Roman citizenship to evade the scourging (Acts 22:24-29). The next day, the tribune sent Paul to a meeting of the Jewish Sanhedrin to find out the issue. The Sanhedrin was hostile to Paul and Paul knew very well that the Sanhedrin would not give him a fair hearing. Paul then made use of his Pharisee identity to call on the support of the Pharisees faction in the Sanhedrin. A heated argument erupted between the Pharisees and Sadducees in the Sanhedrin. In confusion, the tribune removed Paul and brought him back to the barrack (Acts 23:1-10).
Then the tribune sent Paul back into the barrack to be interrogated. He commanded the centurion to scourge Paul to find out why he had stirred up so much chaos in Jerusalem. Then Paul made use of his Roman citizenship to evade the scourging (Acts 22:24-29). The next day, the tribune sent Paul to a meeting of the Jewish Sanhedrin to find out the issue. The Sanhedrin was hostile to Paul and Paul knew very well that the Sanhedrin would not give him a fair hearing. Paul then made use of his Pharisee identity to call on the support of the Pharisees faction in the Sanhedrin. A heated argument erupted between the Pharisees and Sadducees in the Sanhedrin. In confusion, the tribune removed Paul and brought him back to the barrack (Acts 23:1-10).
Himself a Jew, of course Paul wanted his fellow countrymen to share the salvation he had found in Jesus. He spoke to the Jewish mob in Hebrew in order to appeal to their common Jewish root. He failed because Jesus was truly a stumbling block for the Jews. Furthermore, the national sentiment of the Jews was boiling under the pressure-cooker of Roman sovereignty. The mere mention of Gentiles would ignite an explosion. The situation was beyond Paul's control.
Now that he was in the hands of the Roman soldiers, of course Paul would take advantage of his Roman citizenship in order to ensure that he would survive and bear witness for Jesus in Rome. He claimed a common platform with the Roman authority in order to achieve this mission.
In the Sanhedrin, he declared his Pharisee identity in order to save his position. On the other hand, Paul pinned his hope on the Pharisees faction to seek sympathizers for Christianity. He was able to spot their common ground --- resurrection.
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead I am on trial." (Acts 23:6)
Christianity was on trial because of the belief in resurrection. For the time being, Paul put the divinity of Jesus aside. This was a crucial difference but this difference could be handled later. At the moment, the most urgent issue was to seek a common ground and to win sympathizers. So Paul kept their differences.
In the pluralistic environment we live today, it is all the more essential to seek common ground and keep the differences. Otherwise, there is no room for dialogue, for collaboration.
Now that he was in the hands of the Roman soldiers, of course Paul would take advantage of his Roman citizenship in order to ensure that he would survive and bear witness for Jesus in Rome. He claimed a common platform with the Roman authority in order to achieve this mission.
In the Sanhedrin, he declared his Pharisee identity in order to save his position. On the other hand, Paul pinned his hope on the Pharisees faction to seek sympathizers for Christianity. He was able to spot their common ground --- resurrection.
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead I am on trial." (Acts 23:6)
Christianity was on trial because of the belief in resurrection. For the time being, Paul put the divinity of Jesus aside. This was a crucial difference but this difference could be handled later. At the moment, the most urgent issue was to seek a common ground and to win sympathizers. So Paul kept their differences.
In the pluralistic environment we live today, it is all the more essential to seek common ground and keep the differences. Otherwise, there is no room for dialogue, for collaboration.
Dear Lord, we are unworthy and incompetent servants. Empower us to seek closer collaboration with our fellow men to build up Your Kingdom on earth. Amen.
Wednesday 19 May 2010
Jesus' Farewell speech in John 13-17
The disciples of Jesus were his students. As a teacher, I find familiarity in Jesus the teacher. Among the twelve apostles, Judas was a failure. Therefore, I blame myself less for the failure of some of my students. Jesus has a failure rate of 1 to 12. Being a less capable teacher than the Teacher, I should be contented when I score a failure rate of 4 students out of a class of 40. I cannot be the "saviour" of every student of mine.
In the lengthy farewell speech of Jesus in the Last Supper, he made the following statement.
While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled (John 17:12).
Jesus had kept his disciples in God's name. What have I done to keep my students in God's name?
I congratulate myself for being given the opportunity to teach Bible to my students. In the last three decades, the Bible keeps enriching my soul and my spirit. In teaching my students Bible, I am taught by the Holy Spirit. To these days, the Bible keeps fascinating me with more and more surprises. I hope I am able to inspire a similar passion for the Bible in my students.
I also enjoy using and teaching computer which is an indispensable tool in modern life. Nowadays, many young people use the computer for entertainment purposes, to download music, to chat with friends online and to play online games etc. They have not fully utilized the potential computers enhance. Computers help us calculate faster, try out our creativity, control instruments, organize and analyze our data etc. It is a pity to see young people burning their life away in front of the monitors playing online games. How can I help my students find God through the computer?
While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled (John 17:12).
Jesus had kept his disciples in God's name. What have I done to keep my students in God's name?
I congratulate myself for being given the opportunity to teach Bible to my students. In the last three decades, the Bible keeps enriching my soul and my spirit. In teaching my students Bible, I am taught by the Holy Spirit. To these days, the Bible keeps fascinating me with more and more surprises. I hope I am able to inspire a similar passion for the Bible in my students.
I also enjoy using and teaching computer which is an indispensable tool in modern life. Nowadays, many young people use the computer for entertainment purposes, to download music, to chat with friends online and to play online games etc. They have not fully utilized the potential computers enhance. Computers help us calculate faster, try out our creativity, control instruments, organize and analyze our data etc. It is a pity to see young people burning their life away in front of the monitors playing online games. How can I help my students find God through the computer?
Against what had Jesus guarded his apostles? I suppose it was the Evil one. However, Jesus did not save them from martyrdom. Only John did not die a martyr.
Against what do I guard my students? In my early days, I taught only boys. Nowadays, I teach both boys and girls. When I first moved to Shung Tak, I was not used to teaching girls. I was worried that my teaching style developed in the previous boy school would hurt them. I had to "handle" them more cautiously because they seemed so delicate. After a couple of years, I knew them better and I found them actually stronger, more capable and successful than boys in Shung Tak. Gradually, I feel more relaxed interacting with them. Of course, I still keep a respectful distance, physically as well as emotionally, from them. More recently, I find these teenage girls less restrained in their behaviour. This must be the outcome of the kind of morality propagated by the mass media. They are very casual towards their bodies, casual in how they dress, how they speak, how they physically touch each other and are touched. Oh my God. How am I going to guard them?
Of course, they are still young. As long as they don't make any serious mistakes, they will grow out of it. In ten years time, they will get married and become mothers. When they look back, they will laugh off their folly in the younger days. Now, my duty is to guard them from making serious mistakes, to help them build up a right attitude towards studies and life.
Against what do I guard my students? In my early days, I taught only boys. Nowadays, I teach both boys and girls. When I first moved to Shung Tak, I was not used to teaching girls. I was worried that my teaching style developed in the previous boy school would hurt them. I had to "handle" them more cautiously because they seemed so delicate. After a couple of years, I knew them better and I found them actually stronger, more capable and successful than boys in Shung Tak. Gradually, I feel more relaxed interacting with them. Of course, I still keep a respectful distance, physically as well as emotionally, from them. More recently, I find these teenage girls less restrained in their behaviour. This must be the outcome of the kind of morality propagated by the mass media. They are very casual towards their bodies, casual in how they dress, how they speak, how they physically touch each other and are touched. Oh my God. How am I going to guard them?
Of course, they are still young. As long as they don't make any serious mistakes, they will grow out of it. In ten years time, they will get married and become mothers. When they look back, they will laugh off their folly in the younger days. Now, my duty is to guard them from making serious mistakes, to help them build up a right attitude towards studies and life.
Dear Teacher, inspire me in how to help my students set up their goals in life and nurture a right attitude towards their bodies and their life. Amen.
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Paul's Farewell speech in Miletus
Paul knew that his days were numbered. He was going to Jerusalem and he sensed that it would be his last visit to the Holy City. But he was certain that his final destination was Rome. His heart was still filled with passion and he summoned the elders of Ephesus to Miletus to bid them farewell.
Why didn't he bid the Ephesian elders farewell in Ephesus but in Miletus? Luke rejoined Paul in Macedonia and had the following explanation.
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16).
Ephesus was the jewel of Paul's third missionary journey and he knew that he would never set foot on Ephesus anymore. That was why among the churches, Paul only called in the elders of Ephesus.
Why didn't he bid the Ephesian elders farewell in Ephesus but in Miletus? Luke rejoined Paul in Macedonia and had the following explanation.
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16).
Ephesus was the jewel of Paul's third missionary journey and he knew that he would never set foot on Ephesus anymore. That was why among the churches, Paul only called in the elders of Ephesus.
Paul summarized his work in Ephesus in the following way.
You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews;
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:18-21).
Paul did not mention the miracles he had worked in Ephesus. Instead, he saw himself serving the Lord and the Ephesians with humility, tears and trials. Paul did not count miracles as one of his achievements. He knew that they were the work of God, not his. His work was to testify to both Jews and Greeks of repentance to God and faith in Jesus. This testimony was more profitable to the Ephesians than a thousand miracles.
You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews;
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:18-21).
Paul did not mention the miracles he had worked in Ephesus. Instead, he saw himself serving the Lord and the Ephesians with humility, tears and trials. Paul did not count miracles as one of his achievements. He knew that they were the work of God, not his. His work was to testify to both Jews and Greeks of repentance to God and faith in Jesus. This testimony was more profitable to the Ephesians than a thousand miracles.
From now on, Paul would let go of the church God had set up through him and leave it to the elders. He knew the troubles awaiting them and warned them beforehand.
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them (Acts 20:28-30).
By letting go, Paul empowered the elders who had to fend for themselves as well as the church they had to oversee. What weapons did they have at their disposal to fight off those fierce wolves? There were two.
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified(Acts 20:31-32).
The Ephesians had the examples which Paul had set before them and the grace of God. In particular, they had seen for themselves how Paul had earned his own living and supported his co-workers. Moreover, Paul must have been very generous in giving alms to the needy. Here is what he had to say about his work ethics.
I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me.
In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:33-35)
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them (Acts 20:28-30).
By letting go, Paul empowered the elders who had to fend for themselves as well as the church they had to oversee. What weapons did they have at their disposal to fight off those fierce wolves? There were two.
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified(Acts 20:31-32).
The Ephesians had the examples which Paul had set before them and the grace of God. In particular, they had seen for themselves how Paul had earned his own living and supported his co-workers. Moreover, Paul must have been very generous in giving alms to the needy. Here is what he had to say about his work ethics.
I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me.
In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:33-35)
We may draw a lot of lessons from Paul missionary work.
First of all, it is the work of God and his. Therefore, all honour and glory should go to God, not to oneself.
Secondly, set the right priority. All efforts must be directed towards the spiritual profit of the people, not superficial splendour.
Thirdly, after establishing the community, let go and delegate to empower the community. Entrust them to the grace of God who will take care.
Lastly, earn one's own living. Don't burden the community.
You may draw a different set of lessons. I am sure you are able to see what I have overlooked.
First of all, it is the work of God and his. Therefore, all honour and glory should go to God, not to oneself.
Secondly, set the right priority. All efforts must be directed towards the spiritual profit of the people, not superficial splendour.
Thirdly, after establishing the community, let go and delegate to empower the community. Entrust them to the grace of God who will take care.
Lastly, earn one's own living. Don't burden the community.
You may draw a different set of lessons. I am sure you are able to see what I have overlooked.
Dear Lord, my heart goes to my students. Help me let go of them and still love them even more. Amen.
Monday 17 May 2010
Paul in Ephesus
Paul stayed longer in Ephesus in his third missionary journey. He stayed there for nearly two and a half years.
When Philip the deacon baptized the Samaritans in the name of Jesus, he was not able to give them the Holy Spirit. The Samaritans had to wait for Peter and John from Jerusalem to confer the Holy Spirit upon them (Acts 8:14-17).
In Ephesus, Paul found some 12 disciples of the Baptist movement. Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus. This time, the Ephesian disciples did not have to wait for the apostles from Jerusalem to confirm them.
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
There were about twelve of them in all (Acts 19:5-7).
Paul was able to give them the Holy Spirit. This action affirms the apostle status of Paul. In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul painfully defended his apostle status.
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1-2).
In the Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul did not have to defend his apostle status. His status was taken for granted. From this, perhaps we could deduce that Paul had not conferred the Holy Spirit to the Corinthians. In fact, when he reprimanded the Corinthians for factionism, siding with Apollos, Peter and himself etc., Paul claimed that he had only baptized two to three Corinthians. They were Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). Luke did not record any incident of Confirmation in Corinth. Paul did not have an opportunity to prove his apostle status in Corinth. Luke did not record any miracles Paul worked in Corinth.
When Philip the deacon baptized the Samaritans in the name of Jesus, he was not able to give them the Holy Spirit. The Samaritans had to wait for Peter and John from Jerusalem to confer the Holy Spirit upon them (Acts 8:14-17).
In Ephesus, Paul found some 12 disciples of the Baptist movement. Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus. This time, the Ephesian disciples did not have to wait for the apostles from Jerusalem to confirm them.
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
There were about twelve of them in all (Acts 19:5-7).
Paul was able to give them the Holy Spirit. This action affirms the apostle status of Paul. In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul painfully defended his apostle status.
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1-2).
In the Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul did not have to defend his apostle status. His status was taken for granted. From this, perhaps we could deduce that Paul had not conferred the Holy Spirit to the Corinthians. In fact, when he reprimanded the Corinthians for factionism, siding with Apollos, Peter and himself etc., Paul claimed that he had only baptized two to three Corinthians. They were Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). Luke did not record any incident of Confirmation in Corinth. Paul did not have an opportunity to prove his apostle status in Corinth. Luke did not record any miracles Paul worked in Corinth.
In Ephesus, Paul earned his own living as usual. He was more successful. God worked miracles and exorcised demons through Paul.
And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them (Acts 19:12).
Paul was so successful that the Ephesians brought out their books of witchcraft and burnt them in public.
And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily (Acts 19:19-20).
His successful proved detrimental to the livelihood of silversmiths in Ephesus. A riot led by the silversmiths who made statures of Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus, broke out and brought the whole city into confusion. After the riot died down, Paul left for Macedonia. The gospel of the Lord meets different kinds of opposition in different places.
And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them (Acts 19:12).
Paul was so successful that the Ephesians brought out their books of witchcraft and burnt them in public.
And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily (Acts 19:19-20).
His successful proved detrimental to the livelihood of silversmiths in Ephesus. A riot led by the silversmiths who made statures of Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus, broke out and brought the whole city into confusion. After the riot died down, Paul left for Macedonia. The gospel of the Lord meets different kinds of opposition in different places.
Dear Lord, help us overcome obstacles in spreading Your gospel of reconciliation. Amen.
Sunday 16 May 2010
Jesus' Ascension 2010
I have to attend a S3 Parents Day to explain the NSS curriculum and the selection procedure on Sunday. So, I went to the anticipatory mass which was celebrated by Fr. Milanese. His homily could be very critical.
First of all, he explained the differences in the Ascension narratives recorded in the gospel and the Acts by the same author! Why did the same author write two different ascension stories?
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus ascended to heaven on the same day he rose from the dead (Luke 24). The location was Bethany (Luke 24:50).
The same Luke wrote the Acts for the same Theophilus (Acts 1:1). In the Acts, Jesus spent 40 days on earth, appearing to 120 disciples, explaining to them the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). The location of Ascension was Mount Olivet, which is near Jerusalem (Acts 1:13).
Fr. Milanese explained that we cannot take these two books at their face values. They are theological reflections based on some historical events. The events are no longer important. The messages these events convey are. Therefore, the same Ascension story was rendered in two different versions. In theGospel, the Ascension story marks the end of Jesus' ministry on earth. In the Acts, it marks the beginning of the ministry of the Church, her raison d'être.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8).
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus ascended to heaven on the same day he rose from the dead (Luke 24). The location was Bethany (Luke 24:50).
The same Luke wrote the Acts for the same Theophilus (Acts 1:1). In the Acts, Jesus spent 40 days on earth, appearing to 120 disciples, explaining to them the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). The location of Ascension was Mount Olivet, which is near Jerusalem (Acts 1:13).
Fr. Milanese explained that we cannot take these two books at their face values. They are theological reflections based on some historical events. The events are no longer important. The messages these events convey are. Therefore, the same Ascension story was rendered in two different versions. In theGospel, the Ascension story marks the end of Jesus' ministry on earth. In the Acts, it marks the beginning of the ministry of the Church, her raison d'être.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8).
Why did Jesus tarry for 40 days before leaving? After resurrection, Jesus was already the Lord of the living and the dead. He does not need to spend so much time to get his will done, does he? True. Jesus doesn't need to, but we need to. We are only human and we may not be able to catch Jesus up if he works so fast. After all, the Church is a Church of sinners. Very often, we hear people say that they believe in Jesus, but they do not believe in the Church. Today, Fr. Milanese took issue of this attitude.
Fr. Milanese explained that behind such a statement is an attitude which is based on a wrong religious motive. Modern men are used to obtaining instant gratification: instant coffee, instant noodle and instant pain-killer etc. They want convenience. They don't carry handkerchief or lunchbox any more. In a similar rein, they want a Jesus to solve all their problems, better still, to solve the problems instantly. For these people, believing in Jesus is to obtain instant salvation, to avoid sufferings and to gain advantages. They have no patience for growth and maturity. Therefore, they cannot tolerate a Church in which sinners are slowly transformed and sanctified. These people would be the first to vote with their feet the first minute news of Church scandals breaks out. They believe in Jesus but not the Church.
These people have forgotten Acts 1:8. Jesus has commissioned the Church, however full of blemishes, to bear him witness to the end of the earth. Fr. Milanese ended his homily with a bombshell. "The ugly Church is the true face of Jesus on earth!"
These people have forgotten Acts 1:8. Jesus has commissioned the Church, however full of blemishes, to bear him witness to the end of the earth. Fr. Milanese ended his homily with a bombshell. "The ugly Church is the true face of Jesus on earth!"
Dear Lord, forgive us for defacing Your holy countenance. Purify Your followers so that Your glorious face may shine forth on earth. Amen.
Saturday 15 May 2010
Apollos
Today, we meet Apollos. This is how Luke introduces him in the Acts.
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures (Acts 18:24).
There were disciples in Ephesus. Paul had visited Ephesus before but left shortly. He would return later in his third journey.
Apollos knew something about Jesus but his knowledge was incomplete.
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25).
From Luke's description, we can deduce that Apollos knew only about repentance, but not the Kingdom of God and Jesus' redemptive role. In other words, Apollos did not know that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps he understood Jesus as a spin-off of the Baptist movement and started a repentance movement of his own. This we never know for sure.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately(Acts 18:26).
Equipped with a more accurate understanding, Apollos travelled to Achaia where Corinth was situated and started to make use of his knowledge of the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.
for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus (Acts 18:28).
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures (Acts 18:24).
There were disciples in Ephesus. Paul had visited Ephesus before but left shortly. He would return later in his third journey.
Apollos knew something about Jesus but his knowledge was incomplete.
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25).
From Luke's description, we can deduce that Apollos knew only about repentance, but not the Kingdom of God and Jesus' redemptive role. In other words, Apollos did not know that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps he understood Jesus as a spin-off of the Baptist movement and started a repentance movement of his own. This we never know for sure.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately(Acts 18:26).
Equipped with a more accurate understanding, Apollos travelled to Achaia where Corinth was situated and started to make use of his knowledge of the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.
for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus (Acts 18:28).
Being an eloquent speaker, Apollos must have gathered around him a great number of followers. In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul complained about the factionism there.
What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
Paul's indignation was justified. Christians are to be a unifying factor rather than a divisive one. Now, let's see how Paul tried to unify them.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:5-6).
Paul put them into the right perspective. The evangelists are but servants of God. Through them, mankind believe in God.
Did Paul claim priority when he said he planted and Apollos watered? No such priority exists because it is God who gives the growth. Without the grace of God, planting and watering are futile. Theirs are a division of labour, each according to their charisma.
Paul made it clear once more that their efforts were for the service of the Corinthians. Paul, Apollos and Peter were stewards of God's mystery to serve them.
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours;
and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's (1 Corinthians 3:22-23).
Paul has a large heart and God embraces them all.
What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
Paul's indignation was justified. Christians are to be a unifying factor rather than a divisive one. Now, let's see how Paul tried to unify them.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:5-6).
Paul put them into the right perspective. The evangelists are but servants of God. Through them, mankind believe in God.
Did Paul claim priority when he said he planted and Apollos watered? No such priority exists because it is God who gives the growth. Without the grace of God, planting and watering are futile. Theirs are a division of labour, each according to their charisma.
Paul made it clear once more that their efforts were for the service of the Corinthians. Paul, Apollos and Peter were stewards of God's mystery to serve them.
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours;
and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's (1 Corinthians 3:22-23).
Paul has a large heart and God embraces them all.
Dear Lord, very often we are carried away by our meagre achievements, by our talents. Make us humble in serving our brothers. Amen.
Friday 14 May 2010
Feast of St. Matthias
Jesus had chosen 12 apostles (Mark 3:14-19). Among them, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty silver pieces. Jesus was crucified and buried. Judas could not bear the judgment of his conscience and committed suicide before Jesus was raised from the dead. After the Ascension of Jesus, the 120 disciples felt the need to fill the vacancy left behind by Judas. They saw themselves as the new Israel. Therefore, there should be twelve tribes each of which headed by a patriarch. Peter spoke for all the disciples and proposed two criteria: the candidate should be a witness of Jesus' resurrection and had been in the company of Jesus since the baptism of John (Acts 1:20-21). Among them, two candidates were nominated: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23). They prayed and cast lot. Matthias was chosen to fill the vacancy (Acts 1:26). Since then, nobody was qualified to fill the vacancy left behind when one of the Twelve died. Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthias. Little is known of his life.
The election of Matthias to replace Judas reminds me of a passage in Revelation in which the names of the Twelve Apostles were inscribed on the twelve foundations of the holy city Jerusalem.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14).
Of course, the name of Matthias would replace that of Judas. However, will the name of St. Paul ever have a chance to be inscribed on one of the foundations? If Paul's is inscribed, what about Barnabas'? I really cannot tell. Only God and John know.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14).
Of course, the name of Matthias would replace that of Judas. However, will the name of St. Paul ever have a chance to be inscribed on one of the foundations? If Paul's is inscribed, what about Barnabas'? I really cannot tell. Only God and John know.
There is another more challenging feature about this New Jerusalem which has twelve gates. On the gates, the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed.
It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed(Revelation 21:12).
We have no problem in identifying the names of the twelve sons of Israel. But we have problem with the names of the twelve tribes. They are not the same!
Four women gave birth to twelve sons and one daughter for Jacob.
Leah gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (Genesis 29:32-35), Issachar, Zebulun and a daughter Dinah (Genesis 30:17-21).
Bilhah, the maid of Rachel, gave birth to Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:5-8).
Rachel gave birth to Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24) and Benjamin (Genesis 35:18).
Zilpah, the maid of Leah, gave birth to Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:10-13).
Jacob loved Joseph more and the other brothers were jealous. Joseph was sold to Egypt and later became the vizier to save the family from famine. Before he died, Jacob blessed his twelve sons (Genesis 49:3-27).
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel; and this is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him (Genesis 49:28).
The problem of the identity of the Twelve Tribes arises during the census the second year after the Israelites left Egypt. In this census, the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manesseh replaced Joseph and Levi (Numbers 1:5-15). After entering the Promised Land, Joshua divided it among the Israelites. However, the tribes of Levi received no inheritance.
To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance; the offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him (Joshua 13:14).
Therefore, are the names of Joseph and Levi inscribed on the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem, or Ephraim and Manesseh? Only God and John know.
It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed(Revelation 21:12).
We have no problem in identifying the names of the twelve sons of Israel. But we have problem with the names of the twelve tribes. They are not the same!
Four women gave birth to twelve sons and one daughter for Jacob.
Leah gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (Genesis 29:32-35), Issachar, Zebulun and a daughter Dinah (Genesis 30:17-21).
Bilhah, the maid of Rachel, gave birth to Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:5-8).
Rachel gave birth to Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24) and Benjamin (Genesis 35:18).
Zilpah, the maid of Leah, gave birth to Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:10-13).
Jacob loved Joseph more and the other brothers were jealous. Joseph was sold to Egypt and later became the vizier to save the family from famine. Before he died, Jacob blessed his twelve sons (Genesis 49:3-27).
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel; and this is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him (Genesis 49:28).
The problem of the identity of the Twelve Tribes arises during the census the second year after the Israelites left Egypt. In this census, the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manesseh replaced Joseph and Levi (Numbers 1:5-15). After entering the Promised Land, Joshua divided it among the Israelites. However, the tribes of Levi received no inheritance.
To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance; the offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him (Joshua 13:14).
Therefore, are the names of Joseph and Levi inscribed on the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem, or Ephraim and Manesseh? Only God and John know.
Dear Lord, how I long to see the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven! Carry me through. Amen.
Thursday 13 May 2010
Paul in Corinth
Officially, today is the fortieth day after Jesus' resurrection. The Church should celebrate Jesus' Ascension. However, for pastoral reasons, many dioceses will celebrate on Sunday instead. Therefore, I will reflect on Jesus' Ascension this Sunday.
Paul's preaching in Athens failed miserably. He did not expect the Athenians to reject outright the teaching of resurrection. For Paul, resurrection meant a new lease of life. His conversion on the road to Damascus was already a resurrection. He literally saw a new light, a new meaning in his life. One did not need to wait until the end of the world to enjoy resurrection. Living in the grace of God was already his resurrection. However, the Athenians did not give themselves an opportunity to hear more from Paul. Paul must have left Athens unfulfilled. He went to Corinth (Acts 18:1).
In Corinth, Paul met Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Paul joined Aquila to work as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Paul did not want to add burden on the disciples. He was proud of being able to support himself (1 Corinthians 4:12). In his epistles, Paul was able to instill his work ethics to the believers (e.g. 2 Thessalonians 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Ephesians 4:28 etc.). Of course, we cannot demand the clergy to follow Paul's example nowadays. The situation has changed.
Though he met many oppositions from the Jews, Paul had never given up his fellow countrymen. He continued to persuade both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue of Corinth on Sabbaths (Acts 18:4). Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia to join him (Acts 18:5b). Here, we find Paul focused on the Jews to persuade them that Jesus was the Christ they had been expecting (Acts 18:5b). He was not successful.
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (Acts 18:6).
Did Paul mean what he had said? No. Later, we still find him preaching to the Jews in Ephesus (Acts 18:19).
In Corinth, Paul had another vision of the Lord who reassured him of his efforts. He had managed to convert and baptize many Corinthians. Among them was Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue (Acts 18:8).
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;
for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)
Paul stayed for one and a half year (Acts 18:11) before leaving for Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:18-19). Paul did not stay long in Ephesus but promised to return if it was God's will.
In Corinth, Paul met Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Paul joined Aquila to work as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Paul did not want to add burden on the disciples. He was proud of being able to support himself (1 Corinthians 4:12). In his epistles, Paul was able to instill his work ethics to the believers (e.g. 2 Thessalonians 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Ephesians 4:28 etc.). Of course, we cannot demand the clergy to follow Paul's example nowadays. The situation has changed.
Though he met many oppositions from the Jews, Paul had never given up his fellow countrymen. He continued to persuade both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue of Corinth on Sabbaths (Acts 18:4). Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia to join him (Acts 18:5b). Here, we find Paul focused on the Jews to persuade them that Jesus was the Christ they had been expecting (Acts 18:5b). He was not successful.
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (Acts 18:6).
Did Paul mean what he had said? No. Later, we still find him preaching to the Jews in Ephesus (Acts 18:19).
In Corinth, Paul had another vision of the Lord who reassured him of his efforts. He had managed to convert and baptize many Corinthians. Among them was Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue (Acts 18:8).
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;
for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)
Paul stayed for one and a half year (Acts 18:11) before leaving for Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:18-19). Paul did not stay long in Ephesus but promised to return if it was God's will.
A few names were mentioned in Corinth. Titius Justus in whose house Paul stayed (Acts 18:7). Crispus the ruler of synagogue (Acts 18:8). After his conversion, Crispus might have given up the post of the ruler of synagogue. Sosthenes took it up. Unfortunately, Sosthenes was beaten up by the Jews before Gallio, the proconsul (Acts 18:17). Paul called Sosthenes his brother in the very first verse of his First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:1). Sosthenes must have worked closely with Paul in Corinth since the beating incident. Or perhaps Sosthenes had been converted and working closely with Paul. Consequently, he was beaten up.
Dear Lord, You have many people in Corinth. I am sure You have not given up the rest. May we work more closely with You to bring salvation to our countrymen. Amen.
Wednesday 12 May 2010
A clash of cultures
We jump ahead to Athens where Paul had an unsuccessful encounter with the Greek culture. While he was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, Paul saw that the city was full of idols. Of course, Paul was not happy with what he saw. Luke put it this way.
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols (Acts 17:16).
Most Christian missionaries would share the emotion of Paul when they visited a new region for the first time. They had not yet understood the cultures of the people. Therefore, it was all too easy for these missionaries to condemn the local customs for being idolatrous. What did Paul do? Without knowing it, he worked like a Socrates, picking up a verbal duel wherever possible, even in the market place.
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there (Acts 17:17).
Why would Paul argue with the Jews in the synagogue? Pious Jews would not have partaken in Athenian idolatry, unless some of them had compromised their faith in Yahweh. Yes, it would be highly likely because Athens was the centre of Greek high culture. There were a lot of poets and philosophers. Some Jews in the intertestament period had indeed given up their Jewish identity in order to do business with their Greek counterparts.
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols (Acts 17:16).
Most Christian missionaries would share the emotion of Paul when they visited a new region for the first time. They had not yet understood the cultures of the people. Therefore, it was all too easy for these missionaries to condemn the local customs for being idolatrous. What did Paul do? Without knowing it, he worked like a Socrates, picking up a verbal duel wherever possible, even in the market place.
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there (Acts 17:17).
Why would Paul argue with the Jews in the synagogue? Pious Jews would not have partaken in Athenian idolatry, unless some of them had compromised their faith in Yahweh. Yes, it would be highly likely because Athens was the centre of Greek high culture. There were a lot of poets and philosophers. Some Jews in the intertestament period had indeed given up their Jewish identity in order to do business with their Greek counterparts.
Now, Paul was invited to speak his thoughts in Areopagus.
And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you present?
For you bring some strange things to our ears; we wish to know therefore what these things mean." (Acts 17:19-20)
True to his colours, Paul made use of the Greek culture to present his natural theology. He praised the Greeks for their religiosity (Acts 17:22-23). He made use of Greek creation myths to introduce the Creator God who enticed men to seek Him in His creation (Acts 17:24-27). Paul quoted Greek poets and philosophers to support his points (Acts 17:28). However, when Paul mentioned resurrection, he knocked head on into a stone wall. The Greeks did not like the idea of resurrection. I did not understand the issue until I learned of Greek philosophy in the courses I am taking in the seminary.
For ancient Greeks, man was made of a body and a soul which came from the world of Ideas. The soul is immortal and the material body is a prison of this soul. In bodily death, the soul is liberated and returns to where it came from, the world of Ideas. Therefore, resurrection would be a bad thing for the soul would be imprisoned once more!
And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you present?
For you bring some strange things to our ears; we wish to know therefore what these things mean." (Acts 17:19-20)
True to his colours, Paul made use of the Greek culture to present his natural theology. He praised the Greeks for their religiosity (Acts 17:22-23). He made use of Greek creation myths to introduce the Creator God who enticed men to seek Him in His creation (Acts 17:24-27). Paul quoted Greek poets and philosophers to support his points (Acts 17:28). However, when Paul mentioned resurrection, he knocked head on into a stone wall. The Greeks did not like the idea of resurrection. I did not understand the issue until I learned of Greek philosophy in the courses I am taking in the seminary.
For ancient Greeks, man was made of a body and a soul which came from the world of Ideas. The soul is immortal and the material body is a prison of this soul. In bodily death, the soul is liberated and returns to where it came from, the world of Ideas. Therefore, resurrection would be a bad thing for the soul would be imprisoned once more!
Chinese also find Christianity difficult to swallow. Filial piety is an essential virtue for the Chinese. They have a highly developed system of precepts to honour their parents, to return the love and care they have received from parents since birth. They are to serve parents with pleasant countenance. Even when parents are morally wrong, they are to offer their objections mildly and patiently. Not bearing children is a grave sin against parents. Throughout their life, Chinese must not do anything that damage the reputation of parents. After the funeral of parents, they are to mourn for three years in remembrance of all their parents had done to raise them up. They should not change the wishes of their parents even after their death etc.
Chinese find the teaching of Genesis repugnant.
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).
One can choose any woman to be his wife, but cannot choose his parents. If a mother and a wife are both drowning, a Chinese will have no difficulty in deciding whom to rescue. His mother! Once a woman overheard the plot her husband had against her father, the tyrannical prime minister of the country. She did not know what to do and sought advice from her mother who told her to betray her husband. In the end, the prime minister killed his son-in-law, making his daughter a contented widow. This story is found in a classic history book. If a Chinese son wants to answer God's call to become a priest, he has to think thrice! God's love knows no bounds. We have Chinese priests, bishops and cardinals. Praise be to God forever. Amen.
Chinese find the teaching of Genesis repugnant.
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).
One can choose any woman to be his wife, but cannot choose his parents. If a mother and a wife are both drowning, a Chinese will have no difficulty in deciding whom to rescue. His mother! Once a woman overheard the plot her husband had against her father, the tyrannical prime minister of the country. She did not know what to do and sought advice from her mother who told her to betray her husband. In the end, the prime minister killed his son-in-law, making his daughter a contented widow. This story is found in a classic history book. If a Chinese son wants to answer God's call to become a priest, he has to think thrice! God's love knows no bounds. We have Chinese priests, bishops and cardinals. Praise be to God forever. Amen.
Dear God, help us overcome cultural obstacles in preaching Your good news. After all, all of us are Your children. Amen.
Tuesday 11 May 2010
Oppositions in Philippi
Paul's first missionary journey was plagued with Jewish oppositions. In his second missionary journey, Paul met oppositions of a different type. While most of the Jewish oppositions stemmed from theology, those Paul met in the second journey came mostly from economy. The Jews could not accept Jesus as their Messiah. They were furious that Christians had made one more God out of this Galilean carpenter. In their eyes, Paul was a dangerous heretic.
In the second journey, Paul was directed by the Holy Spirit to visit places where Jewish influence was minimum. Luke did not mention any synagogue in Philippi. Paul was to bear witness for Jesus before the Gentiles. He was meeting new kinds of oppositions.
In the second journey, Paul was directed by the Holy Spirit to visit places where Jewish influence was minimum. Luke did not mention any synagogue in Philippi. Paul was to bear witness for Jesus before the Gentiles. He was meeting new kinds of oppositions.
For example, in Philippi, Paul exorcised a divination spirit from a slave girl, thus giving her freedom. Consequently, her owners could no longer milk her of money. So, they dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrate and accused them of causing disturbances in the city (Acts 16:16-21). The magistrate ordered to have them beaten with rods and put into prison.
The magistrate was misled by the owners of the slave girl, thinking that Paul was only a Jew. Paul had learnt a lesson to take advantage of his Roman citizenship in the future.
The magistrate was misled by the owners of the slave girl, thinking that Paul was only a Jew. Paul had learnt a lesson to take advantage of his Roman citizenship in the future.
In prison, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns. A miraculous earthquake occurred and broke loose their bondage. Paul managed to stop the jailer from committing suicide and converted him and his household (Acts 16:25-29). Here, we find the frequently quoted verse of the Protestant churches.
and (the jailer) brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31)
The jailer must have been extremely desperate. Otherwise, he would not have attempted suicide. He was responsible for the custody of the prisoners. Had all the prisoners fled, he would have been executed in a most imaginably terrible way. That was why he preferred killing himself at the earliest possible moment. Had he died, his family would have suffered as well.
Now, on the brink of death, Paul saved him. From a near-death experience, the jailer was given a new life in Jesus. I am sure this jailer would become a pillar in the Philippian church. We might not have the grace of a near-death experience. Yet, isn't every moment of life already a blessing from God?
and (the jailer) brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31)
The jailer must have been extremely desperate. Otherwise, he would not have attempted suicide. He was responsible for the custody of the prisoners. Had all the prisoners fled, he would have been executed in a most imaginably terrible way. That was why he preferred killing himself at the earliest possible moment. Had he died, his family would have suffered as well.
Now, on the brink of death, Paul saved him. From a near-death experience, the jailer was given a new life in Jesus. I am sure this jailer would become a pillar in the Philippian church. We might not have the grace of a near-death experience. Yet, isn't every moment of life already a blessing from God?
Dear Lord, may Your love drive away the fear in our hearts. May we learn to be grateful always. Amen.
Monday 10 May 2010
Paul's fond memories in Philippi
St. Paul wrote with fondness the Epistle to the Philippians. Geographically, Philippi was the first church Paul set up in Europe. He had been well received by the Gentiles who gave St. Paul many supports then and in the future. Furthermore, the stay in Philippi was also very eventful. Thus, the Epistle was overflowed with joy.
Luke joined the company of Paul, Silas and Timothy in Troas. They travelled through Samothrace, Neapolis and reached Philippi, the chief city in Macedonia, a Roman colony (Acts 16:11-12). Luke did not mention any synagogues in Philippi. On Sabbath, Paul's company gathered outside the gate at the riverside (Acts 16:13). There they preached to a group of women. Among them was Lydia, a purple cloth merchant, a God-fearer. This is how Luke described her conversion.
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul (Acts 16:14).
Truly, we are only sowers. Whether the seeds we sow bear fruit or not depends not on our efforts but on the grace of the Lord. Of course, we cannot be lazy in our sowing, thinking that God would take care of everything. Our efforts are not essential. This attitude is not right. It deprives us of the opportunities to realize our potentials, to put God's bestowed charisma in good use. On the other hand, our preaching should be motivated by the love of our fellow mankind. Out of love, God created us. Out of love, God handed over His only beloved Son Jesus to be crucified for our sins. Out of love, God calls us to repent. If we preach for our personal benefits, it is incompatible with the whole salvation plan. Christ would have died in vain.
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul (Acts 16:14).
Truly, we are only sowers. Whether the seeds we sow bear fruit or not depends not on our efforts but on the grace of the Lord. Of course, we cannot be lazy in our sowing, thinking that God would take care of everything. Our efforts are not essential. This attitude is not right. It deprives us of the opportunities to realize our potentials, to put God's bestowed charisma in good use. On the other hand, our preaching should be motivated by the love of our fellow mankind. Out of love, God created us. Out of love, God handed over His only beloved Son Jesus to be crucified for our sins. Out of love, God calls us to repent. If we preach for our personal benefits, it is incompatible with the whole salvation plan. Christ would have died in vain.
Lydia proved to be a generous and grateful disciple. She insisted on Paul's company staying in her house.
And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us (Acts 16:15).
Probably, Luke had Lydia in mind when he wrote the following line in his gospel.
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house (Luke 10:7).
Missionaries deserve our provision of board and bed. And we should do it with gratitude and humility. We are only showing our faithfulness to the Lord in providing for the needs of the missionary. We don't do it for showing off.
And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us (Acts 16:15).
Probably, Luke had Lydia in mind when he wrote the following line in his gospel.
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house (Luke 10:7).
Missionaries deserve our provision of board and bed. And we should do it with gratitude and humility. We are only showing our faithfulness to the Lord in providing for the needs of the missionary. We don't do it for showing off.
Dear Lord, my love is cool. Help me love more. My faithful is lukewarm. Help me galvanize it. Amen.
Sunday 9 May 2010
Sixth Easter Sunday (Year C)
Today is Mother's Day. The Church gave out blessings and carnations to mothers during masses. Some years ago, a gentleman came out to receive the blessing, carrying a baby on his back. The priest did not hesitate to bless him. Perhaps this gentleman was running a single-parent family, taking up the roles of both the father and mother. I don't remember seeing him come up on Father's Day again. Perhaps he attended Father's Day Mass elsewhere.
Every year, our choir chose a different Canto-pop to sing praises to mothers. Luckily, we are not in short supply of these healthy songs. In fact, some of them are so touching that I could see tears in the eyes of some choir members today.
Every year, our choir chose a different Canto-pop to sing praises to mothers. Luckily, we are not in short supply of these healthy songs. In fact, some of them are so touching that I could see tears in the eyes of some choir members today.
Fr. Lejeune celebrated the mass today. He did not bring up any special teachings today. His homily is plain and practical. He made the gospel reading today easy for us to understand.
Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23).
Jesus invited us to keep his word love him and he promised us eternal life when we do it. Of course, it is not easy to keep his commandment.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34).
To love someone is not difficult, but to love as Jesus has loved is not easy at all. To love as Jesus has loved means to love till it hurts. That is not easy. Therefore, Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you(John 14:26).
All of us have received the Holy Spirit in our baptism. The Holy Spirit lives in us and He helps us remember and understand Jesus' teaching. Not only does the Holy Spirit teach us, but He also empowers us to put Jesus' word into practice. Love drives away fear in our hearts and we will enjoy 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).
Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23).
Jesus invited us to keep his word love him and he promised us eternal life when we do it. Of course, it is not easy to keep his commandment.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34).
To love someone is not difficult, but to love as Jesus has loved is not easy at all. To love as Jesus has loved means to love till it hurts. That is not easy. Therefore, Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you(John 14:26).
All of us have received the Holy Spirit in our baptism. The Holy Spirit lives in us and He helps us remember and understand Jesus' teaching. Not only does the Holy Spirit teach us, but He also empowers us to put Jesus' word into practice. Love drives away fear in our hearts and we will enjoy 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).
Of course, peace does not come easily. When the early grew and admitted Gentiles among the Jewish believers, conflicts arose over the issue of circumcision. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the early Church survived an imminent schism. This was the outcome of the Jerusalem Council, the first ever ecumenical councils of the Church. Twenty one ecumenical councils have been held to settle thorny theological issues. The Second Vatican Council was held from 1962 to 1965. More than four decades have passed and the renewal initiatives have been implemented, not without resistance among the people of God. The Church is now more capable of engaging in dialogue with the world, to present the good news of Jesus in a more acceptable way to the contemporary ears. May the Church continue to be an effective sacrament for the salvation of the world. Amen.
Dear Lord, on this Mother's Day, I pray for my own mother and my wife. Have mercy on the fragile soul of my mother so that she may come out sober. Strength me through my wife. May she find joy in her children. Amen.
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