It is arrogant for us to think that our faith is stronger, or more advanced than the others. We are not superstitious. We know a lot of biblical stories, and the words and deeds of Jesus as well as the teachings of the Catholic Church. No, we should be humble. Therefore, I prefer saying that our faith is more mature. Not only do we know, but we are also able to discern deeper meanings in God's actions.
Theoretically speaking, if our God were only able to make better things out of things that are already good enough, it would be no big deal. Such a deity is not worth believing. Rather, the God Christians believe in like to show off His brilliance by elevating the lowly from the dirt. To illustrate my point. Suppose a student from an elite school in the urban area enters the university, there is nothing extraordinary about him or his school. However, if a student from a Band Three school in the New Territories enters the top university in Hong Kong, this is sensational and should make headlines. Christian schools in Hong Kong should assist their God to send more Band Three students to the universities, in order to glorify Him.
When two kings engage in battles, we expect to see a showing off of military power. However, when Christ engaged in a decisive battle to defeat Satan, we only see a pitiful disillusioned carpenter wailing, "My God, my God! Why hast Thou forsaken me?" on the cross. This is the modus operandi of God. He likes to turn bad things good. He chose an apparent defeat to conquer Satan and death to defeat Death. In order to lead a new life, the old self must die first! Die Now. Live Later! This is the ultimate paradox. To be able to see glimpses of hope in disasters requires a mature faith to discern. When people are arguing for the right to die or advocating abortion to raise the status of women, Nick Vujicic and Stephen Hawkings are living testimonies of faith, hope and charity. Perhaps that also explains why the Messiah must suffer in order to deliver us from death (Luke 24:46-47). There are values and meanings in evil and suffering.
The Cultural Revolution between 1966 to 1976 was an annihilating disaster for everybody in China. Cultural heritages were destroyed. Human relations were destroyed. A whole stratum of intellectuals were destroyed. Even natural resources and infrastructures of the whole nation were destroyed. Thousands of human lives and trillions of dollars were wiped out. My God, can any good come out of such a disaster? I was not able to see any until yesterday when we attended the lively lecture of Dr. Anthony Lam Shui Ki of the Holy Spirit Study Centre. He talked about the situation of the Catholic Church in mainland China after the Communists had taken over in 1949. Dr. Lam was able to show us the sufferings the Catholic Church had undergone in those days. Foreign missionaries were driven out. Local uncooperative bishops were rounded up and imprisoned. Puppet leaders were consecrated and implanted into the hierarchy, forcing bishops loyal to Vatican to suffer auto-excommunication from the Pope. Church buildings were confiscated because the parishioners were unable to pay heavy levies imposed by the government. Later, seeing no more hope of practising their faith and serving the Church, some local priests were married out of despair etc. However, Dr. Lam also demonstrated what good the Cultural Revolution could do to the Church!
During the Cultural Revolution, many communist officials were themselves victims of Red Guards. They were no longer able to protect and grant privileges to those bishops and priests who had earlier been persuaded to cooperate with the Party. Those who were imprisoned because they were loyal to Vatican were consoled that their sufferings were not in vain. Those who had earlier "defected" took the public humiliation and criticism during the CR as a penance and found reconciliation with God. Mature faith helped people weather through the disaster. Even Communists began to appreciate the contribution of religion to human existence, especially in extreme situations. Halleluia! Praise be the Lord! He has not abandoned His believers in mainland China. We may now know better why the Messiah must suffer and die in order that redemption may be realized on earth.
Dear Lord, open our minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45) so that we may become better witness to Your great love. Amen.
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