Pray to God for strength

Fr. Savio Hon & Fr. William Lo
Group photo with BRS undergrads Jan 13, 2011

Tonight, the Seminary College organized a farewell prayer meeting for Fr. Savio Hon who will be leaving Hong Kong for Vatican on January 20. I was held back by some trivial work and arrived late. I met Susanna, my tutor, near the Home of the Aged. She had finished her lessons and was leaving to meet her former students. She saw that I was in a hurry and sent me quickly back on my way. When I entered the Church in the Seminary, I was only one step behind Cosmas. Both of us could not find any more vacant seats. The congregation was singing the Magnificat, near the end of the Vesper.

After the Vesper, Fr. William Lo said a few words of thanks and told us that Fr. Hon started his teaching career in the Seminary in 1983.
When Fr. Hon took over the microphone, he was facing a special congregation. Among them were his current students, former students, some of whom were ordained and had become his colleagues in the Seminary. This is the harvest of his career.
So, Fr. Hon began his sharing humbly with words of thanks for his colleagues and students. He mentioned them by names, one after another, priests, nuns and even lay professors. He felt privileged to be able to concentrate on teaching and doing research in theology. He joked that he did not learn much in studying theology. Rather, it was in the teaching of theology that he had learned most. His jokes are serious ones.
He encouraged the congregation to do theology for the service of God. Doing theology is a mission. It sharpens our awareness of the presence of God. Therefore, the reading of Scriptures makes more sense after doing theology. We are better able to discern what God is telling us in every passage we read.

He knew that we were all curious about how he was appointed. He confessed that he had spent the prime of his life in this Seminary, He studied here and had since taught here for nearly 28 years. His life had been tied up with this Seminary. Therefore, he felt uprooted with his appointment to serve in the Vatican which works in a way not comprehensible to outsiders. Considering his upbringing here in Hong Kong and the theology career he had gone through, he did not think himself suitable for the post. Yet, as a religious priest, he seeks God's will in the orders of the Superiors. Obedience is one of the three Evangelical Counsels. He will humbly obey the order of Vatican as God's will. Knowing that the assignment is something too big for him, he prays to God for the necessary strength and wisdom to do this job properly.
In his life so far, he had never before received so many congratulations and blessings. What he likes most are the promises of prayers from the well-wishers.
On one hand, we live with our shortcomings. On the other, we pray to God for strength to overcome all hurdles. We all need God's support.

Dear Lord, I am just an unworthy servant. I pray that I may be a good enough channel of Your peace. Lord, grant me the grace that I need to serve You and my neighbour. Amen.