Fr. Milanese is scholarly. In this First Sunday of Advent, he introduced a German Lutheran theologian and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), to us to explain the spirit of Advent --- waiting. Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Nazi in April 1943 and executed two years later at the age of only 39. He was allowed to write letters once every ten days from prison and these were later compiled and translated into "Letters and Papers from Prison". In the tradition of St. Paul, Bonhoeffer, 文天祥 and many others have written letters that move the hearts of generations of readers. The letters and their authors have demonstrated the nobility of human souls.
For these noble souls, prisons are wonderful places to encounter God. Here, prisoners are stripped of their dignity, identity and individuality. They are known only as a number. They put on the uniform provided from the prison. They are emptied. The harshness of prison life forces them to rely more on God and to lead a life of simplicity. Yes, life can be simple and when it is simple, it is easier to find God. Extravagance is not a necessity.
In Advent, we wait patiently for the coming of Christ. In the meantime, we actively prepare for the celebration of Christmas. In a similar manner, Fr. Milanese helped us meditate that life is also an Advent experience. Life is full of occasions of waiting: a pregnant mother expects the delivery of her baby, an adolescent can't wait to become an adult, a young man works hard and saves money, waiting for the day when he is able to purchase a flat of his own to build up his own family and a fair maiden waits impatiently for the appearance of Mr. Right ... etc. In all these occasions of waiting, the person involved works hard to prepare for the arrival of that day. In drawing our attention to Jesus' advice of alertness and preparedness, Fr. Milanese avoided those thorny issues surrounding the discussion of eschatology. For example, he did not comment a single word on the following 2 verses.
Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left (Matthew 24:40-41).
Perhaps these two verses were written to strengthen the faith of Christians who were suffering persecution. Matthew consoled them that they would be the one to be taken up to the heavens while the unbelievers would be left behind. No. Fr. Milanese simply didn't care.
Life is like an imprisonment. Our soul is trapped in the body and she longs for leaving the body behind to return to God. This is a Platonic philosophical outlook. We always hear people say that opportunity appears only to those who are prepared. Truly, when we are physically and psychologically prepared, we will be able to bring one home. Many times, we complain to God for the cards we are dealt, not knowing that God has already opened the prison gate. We are able to walk out freely at any moment. However, are we ready? Are we well-prepared to embrace our end?
Dear Lord, while we are waiting for Your Second Coming, help us lead truly a prepared life so as to bear witness to the great love of Your heavenly Father. Amen.
Sunday 28 November 2010
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Feast of Vietnamese Martyrs
When the boss summoned me to his office to tell me the SMC decisions, I was troubled by my own peacefulness. There was no anger, nor disappointment. The decisions came out as expected. There was no exchanges of sharp words. The conversation lasted for less than 10 minutes and I left the boss' office. I was troubled because I worried that I had been too successful in suppressing my true feelings.
Of course I know that I am guilty of not following the proper procedure to ask for permission before I used English to teach E&RE. Of course I know that my boss would not adequately represent my views in the SMC. He said that there were too many documents on the table for the managers to handle. Of course I know that managers are unable to understand the situation because they do not enter the classrooms. They do not know me, nor my students. (With the exception of the PTA manager, whose child I am teaching.) But such a trivial matter should never have been brought up in the SMC in the first place. Next time, if a teacher teaches, say Physics, in Chinese, would my boss bring up the matter to the SMC? I doubt it very much. Then, why should I receive such a special treatment?
What are my true feelings?
I feel sorry for my boss. His chair is too big for him.
I feel sorry for my students. They will be deprived of a chance to stretch their potentials to greater heights.
I feel grateful to Adrian. He has been very supportive and borne most of the brunt of the boss' fury for me.
I myself feel unfulfilled. But I should not be selfish and pay attention to the wider range of learning abilities of my students. Though the NSS Form 5 looks equivalent to the Form Six of the old system, they are not quite the same. While the Form Six students are the cream, the selected few and the elites, the Form 5 students have not gone through the first round of selction. Some of them are weaker and may have difficulty in learn their lessons in English. If I do not adjust my teaching strategies, I am being irresponsible.
When the worst comes to the worst, I have to give up teaching E&RE in Chinese next year. It is unfair to demand an English teacher to teach a subject in Chinese. But I am unable to handle 3 classes of English. It is impossible for me to mark all their exercise books. Shall I quit?
Of course I know that I am not a martyr. I still have a family to feed.
Of course I know that life is not a smooth sail. A project is rarely accomplished without first overcoming obstacles. People say when God closes a door in my face, He will open another window for me.
Great and wonderful are thy deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages! (Revelation 15:3)
Dear Lord, I think I know how you felt when people rejected Your good will. You are my true hope. Show me the path and guide my steps on it. Amen.
Of course I know that I am guilty of not following the proper procedure to ask for permission before I used English to teach E&RE. Of course I know that my boss would not adequately represent my views in the SMC. He said that there were too many documents on the table for the managers to handle. Of course I know that managers are unable to understand the situation because they do not enter the classrooms. They do not know me, nor my students. (With the exception of the PTA manager, whose child I am teaching.) But such a trivial matter should never have been brought up in the SMC in the first place. Next time, if a teacher teaches, say Physics, in Chinese, would my boss bring up the matter to the SMC? I doubt it very much. Then, why should I receive such a special treatment?
What are my true feelings?
I feel sorry for my boss. His chair is too big for him.
I feel sorry for my students. They will be deprived of a chance to stretch their potentials to greater heights.
I feel grateful to Adrian. He has been very supportive and borne most of the brunt of the boss' fury for me.
I myself feel unfulfilled. But I should not be selfish and pay attention to the wider range of learning abilities of my students. Though the NSS Form 5 looks equivalent to the Form Six of the old system, they are not quite the same. While the Form Six students are the cream, the selected few and the elites, the Form 5 students have not gone through the first round of selction. Some of them are weaker and may have difficulty in learn their lessons in English. If I do not adjust my teaching strategies, I am being irresponsible.
When the worst comes to the worst, I have to give up teaching E&RE in Chinese next year. It is unfair to demand an English teacher to teach a subject in Chinese. But I am unable to handle 3 classes of English. It is impossible for me to mark all their exercise books. Shall I quit?
Of course I know that I am not a martyr. I still have a family to feed.
Of course I know that life is not a smooth sail. A project is rarely accomplished without first overcoming obstacles. People say when God closes a door in my face, He will open another window for me.
Great and wonderful are thy deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages! (Revelation 15:3)
Dear Lord, I think I know how you felt when people rejected Your good will. You are my true hope. Show me the path and guide my steps on it. Amen.
Sunday 21 November 2010
The 5 defects of Jesus
Late on Friday evening, I read the S.5 E&RE survey results sent by Adrian. I was very depressed because of the findings.
For me, the whole matter has been a humiliation. Why do I deserve to undergo such a persecution? Am I guilty of teaching English in Cantonese in Shung Tak? No! It is all because I have bypassed the Department to teach my S5 E&RE lessons in English in an English College! Have the school received any complaints from parents or students for my teaching E&RE in English? No! Of course, we should be proactive!
The school has been teaching S6 and S7 E&RE in English for years. Now, can I take these NSS S5 students as S6 students of the old system? I simply want to equip them with more English vocabulary and moral reasoning in group interviews. Am I not proactive?
Knowing that he is unable to persuade me to change my mind, he asked the Supervisor to deal with me. I obeyed the Supervisor's instruction and is willing to conduct a survey to gauge students' opinions, to find out if they have any difficulty in learning the lessons in English. To keep my neutrality, I washed my hands and asked the Department to do the survey. I don't want to meddle with the outcomes. However, my boss kept pressing Adrian and demanded that he met the deadline so that the results would be tabled for SMC discussion.
I have no intention to change the language policy of the school. Before the introduction of the 2000 HKCEE RS syllabus, Shung Tak taught RS in English and sat for public exam in English because she is an EMI school. With the introduction of the 2000 syllabus, the school feared that our students would be put in a disadvantage to compete with other elite schools in answering questions of personal and social issues in English. Mrs. Poon, the principal at that time, made a fatal mistake in switching the MOI of RS to Chinese, hoping to secure a good public exam RS result. Consequently, I, a Catholic English teacher, have to teach RS in Chinese! The outcome was unsatisfactory. For the past ten years, the passing rates are below 50% except for 2 or at most three years. Of course, the causes are complex.
As E&RE is not an exam subject. Therefore, I just request a little flexibility in the implementation of the MOI decision made in the SMC. But to rub salts in my wounds, I have to write up the questions in the survey. I feel like erecting my own crucifix to crucify myself. I feel stripped naked to be inspected by two hundred students. My teaching performance is to go under the microscope. Perhaps this is a sign of the time. Since professors in the universities are evaluated by the undergrads. Why not secondary school teachers?
I wrote up 15 questions plus an open-end one: "Other suggestions". However, the boss was not satisfied and insisted on adding question#16. He changed the open-end question into three open-end questions which betrayed the motive of the whole survey. I am afraid the whole survey is invalidated. Boss, why do you drive yet another nail in my coffin?
I was depressed because of the indifference shown in results. Nearly half of the responses to each question is "neutral". The agree's and disagree's split half-half of the remaining half.
I have attended three masses to console myself. In the anticipatory mass at the Holy Cross Parish to celebrate the Election of Permanent Deacon Candidates, Fr. Dominic Chan, V.G. was the chief celebrant. When he talked about the kingship of Jesus on the cross, he highlighted humility. Permanent Deacons should therefore exemplify the humility of Christ in front of the people they serve. Like Jesus, I should suffer injustice quietly and humbly.
This morning, I attended the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish to celebrate the first vow of Sr. Mother of Good Counsel Cheung, a Shung Tak past student. Fr. Jorge Montagna, VE, was the chief celebrant. He emphasized the love of Jesus for humanity on the cross. In return for this love, Mr and Mrs. Cheung gave their daughter to Christ the King to build the Kingdom of God on earth and Sr. Mother of Good Counsel Cheung dedicated her whole life to the love of Christ the King. Hearing her vow in the ceremony, I could not hold back my tears. Lord, I have not loved You enough.
At 4 in the afternoon, Fr. Pierre Lam Minh, MEP, V.G., came to celebrate the Feast Day of our parish. In this mass, we also celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Fr. Lejeune, MEP; Golden Jubilee of Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM and Sr. Michelle, MM; and thirtieth anniversary of Fr. Milanese, PIME. Other priests were also invited to co-celebrate. On the stage, most of the priests are missionaries and are aging. Fr. Martin is the only young, local priest.
Fr. Pierre made this observation and shared with us his response to priestly vocation. He came from a Chinese community in Vietnam and Fr. Lejeune had been a missionary priest in his parish. Young Pierre wondered whether all priests should be expatriates. Therefore, he made up his mind to become a missionary priest himself. Now, he is the Superior of MEP in Hong Kong, heading Fr. Lejeune! Fr. Pierre exhorted the congregation to pray for priestly vocation as well as considering more attentively their own vocation.
Then he turned to the life of the famous Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan who had been imprisoned after the fall of Saigon by Vietnamese Communists for 13 years, 9 of which were solitary confinement. In 2000, while he was still an Archbishop, he preached a course of spiritual exercises to Pope John Paul II and the Roman Curia. Later, his talks were compiled and published as "Testimony of Hope". Fr. Pierre told the congregation one section of Chapter 2, "The defects of Jesus".
Cardinal Van Thuan developed this paradox beautifully. He said that he had left everything to follow Jesus because he loved the defects of Jesus (pp, 16-17).
Therefore, as a disciple of Jesus, I should follow his examples to have a poor memory, to forget what my boss has wronged me. I can do this in my head. But I am afraid I still cannot do this in my heart.
As a follower of Jesus, I should also know no math. I should not be calculating, should not count the costs. If it is a right thing to do, do it whatever the costs. Jesus is God and has infinite resources and love. Of course he does not need to count the costs. But I am all too human. My remaining days are numbered. I have to be selective in my choices. My only chance is to get connected to Jesus to channel his resources onto me ...
Dear Lord, Your defects have cheered me up. Please engrave Your defects in me so that I will be depressed no more. Amen.
For me, the whole matter has been a humiliation. Why do I deserve to undergo such a persecution? Am I guilty of teaching English in Cantonese in Shung Tak? No! It is all because I have bypassed the Department to teach my S5 E&RE lessons in English in an English College! Have the school received any complaints from parents or students for my teaching E&RE in English? No! Of course, we should be proactive!
The school has been teaching S6 and S7 E&RE in English for years. Now, can I take these NSS S5 students as S6 students of the old system? I simply want to equip them with more English vocabulary and moral reasoning in group interviews. Am I not proactive?
Knowing that he is unable to persuade me to change my mind, he asked the Supervisor to deal with me. I obeyed the Supervisor's instruction and is willing to conduct a survey to gauge students' opinions, to find out if they have any difficulty in learning the lessons in English. To keep my neutrality, I washed my hands and asked the Department to do the survey. I don't want to meddle with the outcomes. However, my boss kept pressing Adrian and demanded that he met the deadline so that the results would be tabled for SMC discussion.
I have no intention to change the language policy of the school. Before the introduction of the 2000 HKCEE RS syllabus, Shung Tak taught RS in English and sat for public exam in English because she is an EMI school. With the introduction of the 2000 syllabus, the school feared that our students would be put in a disadvantage to compete with other elite schools in answering questions of personal and social issues in English. Mrs. Poon, the principal at that time, made a fatal mistake in switching the MOI of RS to Chinese, hoping to secure a good public exam RS result. Consequently, I, a Catholic English teacher, have to teach RS in Chinese! The outcome was unsatisfactory. For the past ten years, the passing rates are below 50% except for 2 or at most three years. Of course, the causes are complex.
As E&RE is not an exam subject. Therefore, I just request a little flexibility in the implementation of the MOI decision made in the SMC. But to rub salts in my wounds, I have to write up the questions in the survey. I feel like erecting my own crucifix to crucify myself. I feel stripped naked to be inspected by two hundred students. My teaching performance is to go under the microscope. Perhaps this is a sign of the time. Since professors in the universities are evaluated by the undergrads. Why not secondary school teachers?
I wrote up 15 questions plus an open-end one: "Other suggestions". However, the boss was not satisfied and insisted on adding question#16. He changed the open-end question into three open-end questions which betrayed the motive of the whole survey. I am afraid the whole survey is invalidated. Boss, why do you drive yet another nail in my coffin?
I was depressed because of the indifference shown in results. Nearly half of the responses to each question is "neutral". The agree's and disagree's split half-half of the remaining half.
I have attended three masses to console myself. In the anticipatory mass at the Holy Cross Parish to celebrate the Election of Permanent Deacon Candidates, Fr. Dominic Chan, V.G. was the chief celebrant. When he talked about the kingship of Jesus on the cross, he highlighted humility. Permanent Deacons should therefore exemplify the humility of Christ in front of the people they serve. Like Jesus, I should suffer injustice quietly and humbly.
This morning, I attended the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish to celebrate the first vow of Sr. Mother of Good Counsel Cheung, a Shung Tak past student. Fr. Jorge Montagna, VE, was the chief celebrant. He emphasized the love of Jesus for humanity on the cross. In return for this love, Mr and Mrs. Cheung gave their daughter to Christ the King to build the Kingdom of God on earth and Sr. Mother of Good Counsel Cheung dedicated her whole life to the love of Christ the King. Hearing her vow in the ceremony, I could not hold back my tears. Lord, I have not loved You enough.
At 4 in the afternoon, Fr. Pierre Lam Minh, MEP, V.G., came to celebrate the Feast Day of our parish. In this mass, we also celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Fr. Lejeune, MEP; Golden Jubilee of Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM and Sr. Michelle, MM; and thirtieth anniversary of Fr. Milanese, PIME. Other priests were also invited to co-celebrate. On the stage, most of the priests are missionaries and are aging. Fr. Martin is the only young, local priest.
Fr. Pierre made this observation and shared with us his response to priestly vocation. He came from a Chinese community in Vietnam and Fr. Lejeune had been a missionary priest in his parish. Young Pierre wondered whether all priests should be expatriates. Therefore, he made up his mind to become a missionary priest himself. Now, he is the Superior of MEP in Hong Kong, heading Fr. Lejeune! Fr. Pierre exhorted the congregation to pray for priestly vocation as well as considering more attentively their own vocation.
Then he turned to the life of the famous Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan who had been imprisoned after the fall of Saigon by Vietnamese Communists for 13 years, 9 of which were solitary confinement. In 2000, while he was still an Archbishop, he preached a course of spiritual exercises to Pope John Paul II and the Roman Curia. Later, his talks were compiled and published as "Testimony of Hope". Fr. Pierre told the congregation one section of Chapter 2, "The defects of Jesus".
Cardinal Van Thuan developed this paradox beautifully. He said that he had left everything to follow Jesus because he loved the defects of Jesus (pp, 16-17).
- Jesus has a terrible memory. Like the reading from today, he forgot the one crucified on the right was a thief. He promised the thief paradise on that day.
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43). - Jesus doesn't know math. He equated 99 to 1. He left 99 sheep behind to go after just 1.
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? (Luke 15:4). - Jesus knows no logic. A woman can trouble and call together all her neighbours and friends just to announce to them that she has just found her lost coin.
And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' (Luke 15:9).
The Beatitudes and many other teachings are full of paradoxes (Matthew 5:3-12). - Jesus is a risk-taker. He promises that people who follow him will receive 100 times more persecutions and an intangible eternal life.
... receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:30). - Lastly, Jesus doesn't understand finances or economics. He gave the same amount of wage to workers who have worked for different number of hours (Matthew 20:1-11).
Therefore, as a disciple of Jesus, I should follow his examples to have a poor memory, to forget what my boss has wronged me. I can do this in my head. But I am afraid I still cannot do this in my heart.
As a follower of Jesus, I should also know no math. I should not be calculating, should not count the costs. If it is a right thing to do, do it whatever the costs. Jesus is God and has infinite resources and love. Of course he does not need to count the costs. But I am all too human. My remaining days are numbered. I have to be selective in my choices. My only chance is to get connected to Jesus to channel his resources onto me ...
Dear Lord, Your defects have cheered me up. Please engrave Your defects in me so that I will be depressed no more. Amen.
Monday 15 November 2010
The End of the World (Year C)
We are approaching the end of the liturgical year. Thus, we are listening to reading about the end of the world. Today, we read of the Lukan version of apocalypse. Fr. Milanese celebrated the 11 a.m. mass. He gave us a newer understanding of the meaning of the end of the world.
Jesus' message has never been so clear. When he spoke to outsiders, he used parables. But when he spoke to his disciples, he spoke plainly (Mark 4:34).
Wars, famines, natural disasters and pestilences have always been around for centuries. They will be here to stay until the end but they are not the end, nor the causes of the end. No doubt, life would be difficult and people would long for deliverance. Out of fear and uncertainty, they would easily fall prey to false Messiahs.
And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once." (Luke 21:8-9).
Therefore, even if people around you panic about these wars and natural disasters, Christians should maintain your composure because you have been forewarned by Jesus. Don't be cheated by false prophets. Whenever people sell you any panacea to solve your problems, stay alert. Whenever people predict the end for you, remember what Jesus said in Mark.
But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come (Mark 13:32-33).
So far, so good. The interpretation of Fr. Milanese is no more than being traditional. His innovation followed.
Fr. Milanese said that the end of the world has come many times! Human history has gone through many upheavals. Through wars, revolutions, plagues and tumults, new ages are ushered in. The old China of a century ago is no more. In her stead is the Communist China of today. In 1910, on the eve of Chinese Nationalist Revolution, who could have dreamed of a China of today? The old world is finished. We are living in a new world. For people of each age, they live in a new world. Perhaps, that was what Jesus had in his mind, when he made the following claim.
But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
This will be a time for you to bear testimony (Luke 21:12-13).
It is rather unthinkable for Christians to be arrested and persecuted by kings and governors since the 4th century. Christianity was officially recognized as a state religion in the Roman Empire and in European nations in subsequent centuries. So, how can God's words become obsolete? Are God's words not relevant anymore today?
Rather, in the transition years between ages when the accepted truths and morals are challenged, it will be a time for Christians to bear testimony. They will not be denied this privilege to stand firm to uphold Christian values and principles.
Modern management theories enshrine the maximization of profits. Employers make money at the expense of the welfare of employees. Why? Among the four factors of production, land and capital are inelastic. There is not much room to manoeuvre. In order to maximize their profits, entrepreneurs would resort to the exploitation of the labourers by squeezing their wages. Property developers would build inflated flats to squash the middle class.
The Church has always been opting for the poor since Pope Leo XIII. Therefore, when Fr. Thomas Law passed his verdict on L' Devil, he was only bearing testimony to the teaching of the Church and the Spirit of the Gospel.
Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; ...
for when I was homeless you did not house me ... (Matthew 25:41-43).
Fr. Law, don't be disheartened. Jesus consoles you.
you will be hated by all for my name's sake.
But not a hair of your head will perish.
By your endurance you will gain your lives (Luke 21:17-19).
Dear Lord, we thank You for offering us the opportunity to polish our faith and bear testimony for You. We are honoured to be counted blessed to suffer persecution for Your name's sake. Amen.
Jesus' message has never been so clear. When he spoke to outsiders, he used parables. But when he spoke to his disciples, he spoke plainly (Mark 4:34).
Wars, famines, natural disasters and pestilences have always been around for centuries. They will be here to stay until the end but they are not the end, nor the causes of the end. No doubt, life would be difficult and people would long for deliverance. Out of fear and uncertainty, they would easily fall prey to false Messiahs.
And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once." (Luke 21:8-9).
Therefore, even if people around you panic about these wars and natural disasters, Christians should maintain your composure because you have been forewarned by Jesus. Don't be cheated by false prophets. Whenever people sell you any panacea to solve your problems, stay alert. Whenever people predict the end for you, remember what Jesus said in Mark.
But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come (Mark 13:32-33).
So far, so good. The interpretation of Fr. Milanese is no more than being traditional. His innovation followed.
Fr. Milanese said that the end of the world has come many times! Human history has gone through many upheavals. Through wars, revolutions, plagues and tumults, new ages are ushered in. The old China of a century ago is no more. In her stead is the Communist China of today. In 1910, on the eve of Chinese Nationalist Revolution, who could have dreamed of a China of today? The old world is finished. We are living in a new world. For people of each age, they live in a new world. Perhaps, that was what Jesus had in his mind, when he made the following claim.
But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
This will be a time for you to bear testimony (Luke 21:12-13).
It is rather unthinkable for Christians to be arrested and persecuted by kings and governors since the 4th century. Christianity was officially recognized as a state religion in the Roman Empire and in European nations in subsequent centuries. So, how can God's words become obsolete? Are God's words not relevant anymore today?
Rather, in the transition years between ages when the accepted truths and morals are challenged, it will be a time for Christians to bear testimony. They will not be denied this privilege to stand firm to uphold Christian values and principles.
Modern management theories enshrine the maximization of profits. Employers make money at the expense of the welfare of employees. Why? Among the four factors of production, land and capital are inelastic. There is not much room to manoeuvre. In order to maximize their profits, entrepreneurs would resort to the exploitation of the labourers by squeezing their wages. Property developers would build inflated flats to squash the middle class.
The Church has always been opting for the poor since Pope Leo XIII. Therefore, when Fr. Thomas Law passed his verdict on L' Devil, he was only bearing testimony to the teaching of the Church and the Spirit of the Gospel.
Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; ...
for when I was homeless you did not house me ... (Matthew 25:41-43).
Fr. Law, don't be disheartened. Jesus consoles you.
you will be hated by all for my name's sake.
But not a hair of your head will perish.
By your endurance you will gain your lives (Luke 21:17-19).
Dear Lord, we thank You for offering us the opportunity to polish our faith and bear testimony for You. We are honoured to be counted blessed to suffer persecution for Your name's sake. Amen.
Friday 12 November 2010
Pray for Fr. Thomas Law
Fr. Law was obviously very upset. Tonight in his lesson, he was not himself. The "Devil Verdict" has taken its toll on him. He tried to be cheerful and to crack a few jokes with us. But we could sense that he had to take great pain to do so. His brothers in the Hierarchy have not come to his defence. Sometimes, he became speechless, seemingly racking his brain to search for the most appropriate words which would not disturb our conscience. He was torn between the class and the court scene in the Council Meeting.
In this event, everybody becomes a loser.
An anti-wealthy atmosphere is brewing all over Hong Kong and is getting thicker day after day. The recent Cafe de Coral incident is just one such example. In this "Devil Verdict" event, Fr. Law has only voiced what most people have kept in the depth of their hearts. Now, the mass media and the Hierarchy are working together to crown Fr. Law a martyr. On the other hand, L' Devil is being painted more devilish and the upper echelons in the Hierarchy bending towards the super-rich instead of opting for the poor as has always been taught by the Church since the end of the 19th century. The stakes are high and Fr. Law is dispensable. Some people console themselves and speculate that the Second Man in Command would lose his favour before the Big Boss as well as his chances of succeeding the Big Boss because of the way he handled this issue.
As your students, Fr. Law, we support you. We pray for you. Perhaps you should also consider going on a 30-day retreat to examine your consciousness. Probably you will find, in the deep recess of your heart, L' Devil accusing you before God and then repenting in front of Him.
To quote Abraham, "God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." (Genesis 22:8)
Let go, Father. God will provide Himself the Law.
My Sweet Jesus. Look down on Your faithful servant and see how bravely he has fought his battle for the poor. Console him when he feels abandoned like You on the cross. Do not let despair tempt him. Protect him from all evils. Amen.
St. Martin of Tours, pray for Fr. Thomas. Amen.
In this event, everybody becomes a loser.
An anti-wealthy atmosphere is brewing all over Hong Kong and is getting thicker day after day. The recent Cafe de Coral incident is just one such example. In this "Devil Verdict" event, Fr. Law has only voiced what most people have kept in the depth of their hearts. Now, the mass media and the Hierarchy are working together to crown Fr. Law a martyr. On the other hand, L' Devil is being painted more devilish and the upper echelons in the Hierarchy bending towards the super-rich instead of opting for the poor as has always been taught by the Church since the end of the 19th century. The stakes are high and Fr. Law is dispensable. Some people console themselves and speculate that the Second Man in Command would lose his favour before the Big Boss as well as his chances of succeeding the Big Boss because of the way he handled this issue.
As your students, Fr. Law, we support you. We pray for you. Perhaps you should also consider going on a 30-day retreat to examine your consciousness. Probably you will find, in the deep recess of your heart, L' Devil accusing you before God and then repenting in front of Him.
To quote Abraham, "God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." (Genesis 22:8)
Let go, Father. God will provide Himself the Law.
My Sweet Jesus. Look down on Your faithful servant and see how bravely he has fought his battle for the poor. Console him when he feels abandoned like You on the cross. Do not let despair tempt him. Protect him from all evils. Amen.
St. Martin of Tours, pray for Fr. Thomas. Amen.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
I have been very lucky
God has been very merciful to me and patient with me. Throughout my teaching career, He kindly puts me in elite schools. The students are capable and challenging. I am privileged and honoured to share my life and grow up with them.
These two days, Shung Tak held her annual Sports Day in the Yuen Long Stadium. I am able to see the other sides of my students.
In the last few years, I was assigned the Chief Position Judge. Which means, like the time-keepers of track events, my helpers and I have to work nearly non-stop throughout these two days. That doesn't pose me any problem. I enjoy mixing with my helpers, practising English with them outside the classroom. These prefect helpers prove their worth. Very quickly, they are able to organize themselves and do their jobs autonomously. When some of them take leave to take part in their events, the remaining helpers are able to re-deploy themselves into a new formation. They take turn to recuperate themselves.
The track events are breathtaking. It is the first time I see some of them in a totally different shape. In school uniform, some of them look untidy, or genteel or lady-like. However, you cannot imagine the power and perseverance they show on the track. Of course, some of them have not done enough warm up or are overloaded. It hurts to see them cross the finishing line in agony.
This year, the cheering teams from four houses gave us a surprise performance. A combined team was formed to perform an energetic dance in front of the guests and the whole school. The chief choreographers: Monique, Angel, Stephanie, Zoe and Jasmine are all my girls! These girls can really dance and it is the first time I see their talents beyond their studies. Students from elite schools can study, play and know how to manage their time well.
Before I leave, the Boy Scouts in my class want me to post the following gossips on this blog:
Castolo is handsome. (I agree. Yes he is.)
Jacky is strong. (True.)
Arthur is clever. (No doubt about it.)
Isaac has a lot of room for improvement. (Of course. Everybody has.)
Bobby is obese. (OK. You know the word obese.)
Vincent's running posture is like an aeroplane. (No comment. I have not seen it.)
Christie looks like a beautiful hippo. (Jacky says so.)
Christie always massage Leo's hand. (Of this, I have no idea.)
Tammy has a red nose. (OK, I'll take a closer look next time.)
Last but not least, Mr. Kwok is the most handsome and
Ms. Yiu is very attractive. (This is blatant flattery! But I love this.)
Dear Lord, I thank You for allowing me to grow up with my students. Bless them so that they may help build our future society with compassion and justice. Amen.
These two days, Shung Tak held her annual Sports Day in the Yuen Long Stadium. I am able to see the other sides of my students.
In the last few years, I was assigned the Chief Position Judge. Which means, like the time-keepers of track events, my helpers and I have to work nearly non-stop throughout these two days. That doesn't pose me any problem. I enjoy mixing with my helpers, practising English with them outside the classroom. These prefect helpers prove their worth. Very quickly, they are able to organize themselves and do their jobs autonomously. When some of them take leave to take part in their events, the remaining helpers are able to re-deploy themselves into a new formation. They take turn to recuperate themselves.
The track events are breathtaking. It is the first time I see some of them in a totally different shape. In school uniform, some of them look untidy, or genteel or lady-like. However, you cannot imagine the power and perseverance they show on the track. Of course, some of them have not done enough warm up or are overloaded. It hurts to see them cross the finishing line in agony.
This year, the cheering teams from four houses gave us a surprise performance. A combined team was formed to perform an energetic dance in front of the guests and the whole school. The chief choreographers: Monique, Angel, Stephanie, Zoe and Jasmine are all my girls! These girls can really dance and it is the first time I see their talents beyond their studies. Students from elite schools can study, play and know how to manage their time well.
 |
| Jacky, Arthur, Castolo, me and Vincent in Yuen Long Stadium Photo credit: by Calvin Loo |
Castolo is handsome. (I agree. Yes he is.)
Jacky is strong. (True.)
Arthur is clever. (No doubt about it.)
Isaac has a lot of room for improvement. (Of course. Everybody has.)
Bobby is obese. (OK. You know the word obese.)
Vincent's running posture is like an aeroplane. (No comment. I have not seen it.)
Christie looks like a beautiful hippo. (Jacky says so.)
Christie always massage Leo's hand. (Of this, I have no idea.)
Tammy has a red nose. (OK, I'll take a closer look next time.)
Last but not least, Mr. Kwok is the most handsome and
Ms. Yiu is very attractive. (This is blatant flattery! But I love this.)
Dear Lord, I thank You for allowing me to grow up with my students. Bless them so that they may help build our future society with compassion and justice. Amen.
Monday 8 November 2010
I discover a new daytime scheme in Psalm 90
When does a day begin?
For Westerners, a day begins at midnight. For Chinese, it begins at 11:00 p.m. Traditional Chinese divided a day into 12 time slots【時辰】. The 12 slots are assigned 12 earth branches【地支】. The Chinese fortune tellers still employ this scheme to calculate the fate of a person from his birthday. What about the Jews?
From the Bible, we deduce that the Israelites begins a day at sunset, roughly 6:00 p.m. The night is divided into 4 watches. When the sun rises, at roughly 6:00 a.m. in the morning, they started counting in hours.
Therefore, on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the 120 believers who then began to speak in tongues, some onlookers dismissed them as drunk. Peter defended by saying that it was only the third hour of the day. That is, 9:00 a.m.
For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; (Acts 2:15).
According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus was crucified at 9:00 a.m., the third hour (Mark 15:25). At noon, the sixth hour, there was darkness over the whole land (Mark 15:33) and Jesus died at 3:00 p.m., the ninth hour (Mark 15:34).
The Gospel of Matthew tells of a vineyard owner hiring workers at different hours of the day. At the eleventh hour, he hired workers who could work for one hour only. Yet, they got the same wage as those who had worked for 12 (Matthew 20:12)! So, we know that day time was divided in 12 hours. Perhaps this was adopted from the Romans or Greeks.
When Jesus warned us to keep alert and be always prepared for the sudden coming of the end, he has the following to say.
Watch therefore -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning --
lest he come suddenly and find you asleep (Mark 13:35-36).
Notice that he began with the evening.
In the Creation hymn of Genesis 1, a refrain is sung six times.
And there was evening and there was morning, an nth day (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31).
Therefore, we may safely deduce that for Israelites, a day begins in the evening.
When I was saying my Lauds this morning, I suddenly discovered that Psalm 90 is using a different time scheme! It begins a day in the morning like us!
Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, "Turn back, O children of men!"
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers (Psalm 90:3-6, RSV).
RSV is peculiar in using the phrase "is renewed", whereas KJV simply uses "groweth up" and others "sprouts anew".
Further down, we have one more line, suggesting a day begins in the morning.
Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14).
Naturally, I wonder whether Psalm 90 is the only exception. I have not read enough Bible. Perhaps there are other places indicating that a day begins in the morning and not in the evening. This is a good research topic for Bible students.
Dear Lord, whether a day begins in the evening or in the morning, the work of Your hands captivates me in awe. Let thy work be manifest to thy servants, and thy glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it (Psalm 90:16-17). Amen.
For Westerners, a day begins at midnight. For Chinese, it begins at 11:00 p.m. Traditional Chinese divided a day into 12 time slots【時辰】. The 12 slots are assigned 12 earth branches【地支】. The Chinese fortune tellers still employ this scheme to calculate the fate of a person from his birthday. What about the Jews?
From the Bible, we deduce that the Israelites begins a day at sunset, roughly 6:00 p.m. The night is divided into 4 watches. When the sun rises, at roughly 6:00 a.m. in the morning, they started counting in hours.
Therefore, on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the 120 believers who then began to speak in tongues, some onlookers dismissed them as drunk. Peter defended by saying that it was only the third hour of the day. That is, 9:00 a.m.
For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; (Acts 2:15).
According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus was crucified at 9:00 a.m., the third hour (Mark 15:25). At noon, the sixth hour, there was darkness over the whole land (Mark 15:33) and Jesus died at 3:00 p.m., the ninth hour (Mark 15:34).
The Gospel of Matthew tells of a vineyard owner hiring workers at different hours of the day. At the eleventh hour, he hired workers who could work for one hour only. Yet, they got the same wage as those who had worked for 12 (Matthew 20:12)! So, we know that day time was divided in 12 hours. Perhaps this was adopted from the Romans or Greeks.
When Jesus warned us to keep alert and be always prepared for the sudden coming of the end, he has the following to say.
Watch therefore -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning --
lest he come suddenly and find you asleep (Mark 13:35-36).
Notice that he began with the evening.
In the Creation hymn of Genesis 1, a refrain is sung six times.
And there was evening and there was morning, an nth day (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31).
Therefore, we may safely deduce that for Israelites, a day begins in the evening.
When I was saying my Lauds this morning, I suddenly discovered that Psalm 90 is using a different time scheme! It begins a day in the morning like us!
Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, "Turn back, O children of men!"
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers (Psalm 90:3-6, RSV).
RSV is peculiar in using the phrase "is renewed", whereas KJV simply uses "groweth up" and others "sprouts anew".
Further down, we have one more line, suggesting a day begins in the morning.
Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14).
Naturally, I wonder whether Psalm 90 is the only exception. I have not read enough Bible. Perhaps there are other places indicating that a day begins in the morning and not in the evening. This is a good research topic for Bible students.
Dear Lord, whether a day begins in the evening or in the morning, the work of Your hands captivates me in awe. Let thy work be manifest to thy servants, and thy glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it (Psalm 90:16-17). Amen.
Sunday 7 November 2010
A Choice of Life and Death
Fr. Martin gave us a new perspective in the interpretation of the "resurrection debate". For us Christians, it is unthinkable not to believe in resurrection. Christ' resurrection is the very foundation of our faith. However, there were/are people who deny resurrection.
In the gospel story, the Sadduccees only recognized the Five Books of Moses. This religious party was mainly composed of priestly families and they must have been rich. Paradoxically, these priests did not believe in resurrection! Isn't it mind-boggling? Greeks did not believe in resurrection for philosophical reasons. Greeks believed that in death, the soul was released from the prison of the material body. Therefore, it would be stupid for the soul to re-enter the body after its release. The situation of the Sadduccees was different. They did not have the philosophical burden of the Greeks. Therefore, they rejected resurrection for some other reasons.
Why do/did people believe in resurrection or afterlife in general?
I think it is a matter of justice. When justice is not done or is not attainable in this life, people look forward to remedies in the afterlife. Who see that justice is not attainable? Most likely, it would be the poor, the exploited and the oppressed. The story of the martyrs in the Second Book of Maccabees illustrates this clearly. Such belief was put into the mouths of the second and fourth brothers. In their dying breath, they made the following statements.
And when he (the second brother) was at his last breath, he said, "You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws." (2 Maccabees 7:9)
And when he (the fourth brother) was near death, he said, "One cannot but choose to die at the hands of men and to cherish the hope that God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!" (2 Maccabees 7:14)
It was impossible for the martyrs to defeat their conquerers. But the God they/we believe in will see justice done.
Let's return to the Sadducces. Perhaps they were rich enough and did not bother to worry about their life after death. When people are rich, they usually enjoy power as well. They have more access to the resources of the society and rich people support each other to guarantee that their riches are secured. They will never experience "injustice" done to them. Naturally, the idea of an afterlife or the idea of seeing justice done will not be appealing to them.
Not only do they never experience injustice. Instead, they sometimes inflict injustice onto others in order to maintain a "fair/reasonable" share of profit. They gradually become insensitive to the sufferings of the poor. The recent incident of Cafe de Coral in Hong Kong is a case in point.
Gone are the days when traditional employers treated their employees like family members. They dined and whined together. Entered modern business administration when labour is but one of the four factors of production. When there is little room for employers to spend less expenditures in "Land" and "Capital", the entrepreneurs then turn to their employees and squeeze as much as possible from them in order to maintain a "reasonable" level of profit. When the government passes the minimum wage ordinance to protect the employees, the greedy employers would look for loopholes to spend less on wages. For Cafe de Coral, it was a PR disaster. Its stock price slided down for 4 consecutive days since November 1. As of this writing, Cafe de Coral bowed to public pressure and retracted its decision not to count the lunch hour wage of her workers.
Jesus quoted Moses' saying that God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob and drew the following conclusion.
Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him (Luke 20:38).
God offers us life in His hand. He will not and cannot force us to accept His generous gift. Some of us choose life. Some don't. We make our choices when we deal with our employees, our fellow men.
Dear Lord, You have the Word of Life to offer us. Where else can we turn? I pray for hearts of the rich. May they maintain their sensitivity and sensibility in making business decisions. Amen.
In the gospel story, the Sadduccees only recognized the Five Books of Moses. This religious party was mainly composed of priestly families and they must have been rich. Paradoxically, these priests did not believe in resurrection! Isn't it mind-boggling? Greeks did not believe in resurrection for philosophical reasons. Greeks believed that in death, the soul was released from the prison of the material body. Therefore, it would be stupid for the soul to re-enter the body after its release. The situation of the Sadduccees was different. They did not have the philosophical burden of the Greeks. Therefore, they rejected resurrection for some other reasons.
Why do/did people believe in resurrection or afterlife in general?
I think it is a matter of justice. When justice is not done or is not attainable in this life, people look forward to remedies in the afterlife. Who see that justice is not attainable? Most likely, it would be the poor, the exploited and the oppressed. The story of the martyrs in the Second Book of Maccabees illustrates this clearly. Such belief was put into the mouths of the second and fourth brothers. In their dying breath, they made the following statements.
And when he (the second brother) was at his last breath, he said, "You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws." (2 Maccabees 7:9)
And when he (the fourth brother) was near death, he said, "One cannot but choose to die at the hands of men and to cherish the hope that God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!" (2 Maccabees 7:14)
It was impossible for the martyrs to defeat their conquerers. But the God they/we believe in will see justice done.
Let's return to the Sadducces. Perhaps they were rich enough and did not bother to worry about their life after death. When people are rich, they usually enjoy power as well. They have more access to the resources of the society and rich people support each other to guarantee that their riches are secured. They will never experience "injustice" done to them. Naturally, the idea of an afterlife or the idea of seeing justice done will not be appealing to them.
Not only do they never experience injustice. Instead, they sometimes inflict injustice onto others in order to maintain a "fair/reasonable" share of profit. They gradually become insensitive to the sufferings of the poor. The recent incident of Cafe de Coral in Hong Kong is a case in point.
Gone are the days when traditional employers treated their employees like family members. They dined and whined together. Entered modern business administration when labour is but one of the four factors of production. When there is little room for employers to spend less expenditures in "Land" and "Capital", the entrepreneurs then turn to their employees and squeeze as much as possible from them in order to maintain a "reasonable" level of profit. When the government passes the minimum wage ordinance to protect the employees, the greedy employers would look for loopholes to spend less on wages. For Cafe de Coral, it was a PR disaster. Its stock price slided down for 4 consecutive days since November 1. As of this writing, Cafe de Coral bowed to public pressure and retracted its decision not to count the lunch hour wage of her workers.
Jesus quoted Moses' saying that God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob and drew the following conclusion.
Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him (Luke 20:38).
God offers us life in His hand. He will not and cannot force us to accept His generous gift. Some of us choose life. Some don't. We make our choices when we deal with our employees, our fellow men.
Dear Lord, You have the Word of Life to offer us. Where else can we turn? I pray for hearts of the rich. May they maintain their sensitivity and sensibility in making business decisions. Amen.
Monday 1 November 2010
A Wise Man makes good use of things
Xun Zi 荀子, a Confucian philosopher, was born in 313 B.C. Countering the view of Mencius 孟子, another Confucian philosopher, that man is born good, Xun Zi taught that human nature is evil and men need education to bring them back to the path of righteousness. He left us 20 essays, the first of which exhorts men to learn 【勸學】. In this essay, I found the Zacchaeus of Luke. Let me quote it.
吾嘗終日而思矣，不如須臾之所學也。吾嘗跂而望矣，不如登高之博見也。登高而招，臂非加長也，而見者遠；順風而呼，聲非加疾也，而聞者彰。假輿馬者，非利足也，而致千里；假舟檝者，非能水也，而絕江河。君子生非異也，善假於物也。
Once I meditated all day. It was not as good as a moment's study. I stood on my heels to look into the distance. I did not see as much as I do from on high. From on high I wave. My arm is not lengthened but people can see from afar. I shout in the leeward direction. The sound is not amplified but hearers will perceive it clearly. Riding a horse, my legs are not quickened but I cover thousands of miles. Sailing on boats, I am not able to swim but I ferry the rivers. A wise man is born no different from the others. He only makes better use of things.
Nowadays, new technology provides us with much convenience and extends much of our capabilities. We have machines that lift tonnes of iron, aeroplanes that fly in the air, telephones that enable people at great distances to talk with each other and computers that manipulate data in lightning speed. Homo Sapiens are truly sapient. They invent tools to amplify their muscular as well as intellectual strengths.
The story of Zacchaeus is enlightening. According to Luke, he was a chief tax-collector of Jericho. His stature was short. When Jesus came to Jericho, he attracted a huge crowd. In order to take a look at this legendary Jesus, Zacchaeus climbed up a sycamore tree (Luke 19:4). This was the first time Zacchaeus showed his wisdom in making use of things to his advantage. Back to his house, when he was dining with Jesus, he declared that he would give half of his goods to the poor and whomsoever was cheated by him before, he would restore 4 times (Luke 19:8). With this generous gesture, he earned the blessing of Jesus.
And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house." (Luke 19:9a)
Zacchaeus made good use of his money to earn eternal life! Once more, he showed wisdom.
I love the story of Zacchaeus because I am short in stature too. I always admire his wisdom. Most important of all, Zacchaeus shows me that in finding Jesus, we find our true identity.
He was a public sinner because of his job. He was rejected by all the Jews, his countrymen. Would his loyalty to the Romans bring him any advantages? I doubt very much. The Romans made use of him to collect tax and supplied him with just enough protection to do his job. Of course he could purchase a Roman citizenship. However, it would only be a second class citizenship and he still could not walk tall.
Jesus dined with him but it was an unplanned supper. Zacchaeus did not expect Jesus to notice him. So, when Jesus called out his name (Luke 19:5) and expressed his wish to stay in his house, Zacchaeus was overjoyed, so much so that he gave up half of his property and promised Jesus to repay fourfold whomsoever he had cheated. He must have been out of his mind! Yet, he attained his salvation and identity: a son of Abraham (Luke 19:9b).
Making good use of things is wise. But I think it is even wiser to make good use of men. Mrs. Mary Poon, my ex-boss, was a retired civil servant before becoming our principal. One of her administrative strengths was to hook the potential of her subordinates. She made use of her apparent weaknesses in Maths and Science to mobilize the senior teachers to work for her. She empowered them and held them responsible.
Her successor was burdened with a PhD title. While teachers in other schools meet many times to write up the School Self-Evaluation Report for External School Review, teachers in Shung Tak were spared the agony because the Report was penned by one man, our PhD ex-boss. In every subject area, he wanted to command respect. In so doing, he alienated most of the teachers and nobody wanted to put in any effort for the school. Let him handle it since he is a PhD. He left three years ago ignobly.
So be it that not making good use of people and things can be detrimental to one's career.
Dear Lord, You are our Good Shepherd. You call out our names one by one. Bring me back to the fold. Amen.
吾嘗終日而思矣，不如須臾之所學也。吾嘗跂而望矣，不如登高之博見也。登高而招，臂非加長也，而見者遠；順風而呼，聲非加疾也，而聞者彰。假輿馬者，非利足也，而致千里；假舟檝者，非能水也，而絕江河。君子生非異也，善假於物也。
Once I meditated all day. It was not as good as a moment's study. I stood on my heels to look into the distance. I did not see as much as I do from on high. From on high I wave. My arm is not lengthened but people can see from afar. I shout in the leeward direction. The sound is not amplified but hearers will perceive it clearly. Riding a horse, my legs are not quickened but I cover thousands of miles. Sailing on boats, I am not able to swim but I ferry the rivers. A wise man is born no different from the others. He only makes better use of things.
Nowadays, new technology provides us with much convenience and extends much of our capabilities. We have machines that lift tonnes of iron, aeroplanes that fly in the air, telephones that enable people at great distances to talk with each other and computers that manipulate data in lightning speed. Homo Sapiens are truly sapient. They invent tools to amplify their muscular as well as intellectual strengths.
The story of Zacchaeus is enlightening. According to Luke, he was a chief tax-collector of Jericho. His stature was short. When Jesus came to Jericho, he attracted a huge crowd. In order to take a look at this legendary Jesus, Zacchaeus climbed up a sycamore tree (Luke 19:4). This was the first time Zacchaeus showed his wisdom in making use of things to his advantage. Back to his house, when he was dining with Jesus, he declared that he would give half of his goods to the poor and whomsoever was cheated by him before, he would restore 4 times (Luke 19:8). With this generous gesture, he earned the blessing of Jesus.
And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house." (Luke 19:9a)
Zacchaeus made good use of his money to earn eternal life! Once more, he showed wisdom.
I love the story of Zacchaeus because I am short in stature too. I always admire his wisdom. Most important of all, Zacchaeus shows me that in finding Jesus, we find our true identity.
He was a public sinner because of his job. He was rejected by all the Jews, his countrymen. Would his loyalty to the Romans bring him any advantages? I doubt very much. The Romans made use of him to collect tax and supplied him with just enough protection to do his job. Of course he could purchase a Roman citizenship. However, it would only be a second class citizenship and he still could not walk tall.
Jesus dined with him but it was an unplanned supper. Zacchaeus did not expect Jesus to notice him. So, when Jesus called out his name (Luke 19:5) and expressed his wish to stay in his house, Zacchaeus was overjoyed, so much so that he gave up half of his property and promised Jesus to repay fourfold whomsoever he had cheated. He must have been out of his mind! Yet, he attained his salvation and identity: a son of Abraham (Luke 19:9b).
Making good use of things is wise. But I think it is even wiser to make good use of men. Mrs. Mary Poon, my ex-boss, was a retired civil servant before becoming our principal. One of her administrative strengths was to hook the potential of her subordinates. She made use of her apparent weaknesses in Maths and Science to mobilize the senior teachers to work for her. She empowered them and held them responsible.
Her successor was burdened with a PhD title. While teachers in other schools meet many times to write up the School Self-Evaluation Report for External School Review, teachers in Shung Tak were spared the agony because the Report was penned by one man, our PhD ex-boss. In every subject area, he wanted to command respect. In so doing, he alienated most of the teachers and nobody wanted to put in any effort for the school. Let him handle it since he is a PhD. He left three years ago ignobly.
So be it that not making good use of people and things can be detrimental to one's career.
Dear Lord, You are our Good Shepherd. You call out our names one by one. Bring me back to the fold. Amen.
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