Last evening, the old students of 1987 Class celebrated their Silver Jubilee of graduation in the auditorium of their alma mater. It was my privilege and honour to be invited among other ex-teachers to join this enjoyable big-family event. Many old students whose younger faces I could still remember, came up to greet me, introducing their wives and children. Many old (literally) colleagues cracked jokes on the good old days. They are still energetic and stylish (with greenish silvery hair). The LaSallians (students as well as teachers) truly possess a special kind of air that mark them a class of their own.
I miss one particular person whom the organizers claimed to have invited, Brother Alphonsus Chee FSC, my former boss. Every year since I left La Salle, I send him through email feast day greetings. He replies politely everytime except for this year. I worry about his health. The La Salle Brothers who retired from the post of principal in LSC Hong Kong, almost without exception, suffer from cancer of some sort. I entrust them in the care of the loving Lord.
Nobody is able to see their own future, including prophets of God. Had they been able to see their future, I wonder if they would have done what God had sent them to do. Seers of all ages made predictions about others but not about themselves. A veil of ignorance is necessary to get jobs done.
However, the for the true religion of God was able to sustain the true prophets to accomplish the mission God gave them even though they had known what would happen to them afterwards. Elijah had just finished competing with the false prophets of Baal and Asherah, 850 in all, defeated and killed them all. Yet, he had to run for his life because he had antagonized the Queen. Behind him were assasins sent by the Queen. Before him was a vast wilderness which nobody would normally survive. He escaped into the wilderness and travelled for one day. He had had enough. Elijah wanted to die but he could not kill himself. So, he prayed to God for his death.
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and
sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, "It
is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am no better than my
fathers." (1 Kings 19:4)
Of course, God had more missions for Elijah and would not let him die. God sent an angel to feed him with bread and water. With renewed strength, Elijah continued travelling for 40 days and nights and reached Mount Horeb. There, God would reveal Himself to Elijah and sent him off for further missions to rebuild the Yahwist religion in Israel.
With the limitations of our humanity, who would not get tired? Frustrated with the labour, the miserable results and perceived obstacles, who would not throw up their hands in the air? But God would catch us and hold us in His hand. He would feed us and sustain us in our efforts. Jesus assures us that God would give us him and His Holy Spirit.
In the gospel reading today (John 6:41-51), we heard Jesus systematically explain the claim he made that "I am the bread which came down from heaven." (John 6:41)
First of all, it is a mystery of faith and faith is a gift from God. Faith does not come from sight but from hearing (Romans 10:17). Unfortunately, man relies more on sight than on hearing. For the survival in the wild, sight perhaps is more essential than hearing. But in human relations, hearing is more essential in that we hear a person's words, observe his actions and only then pass judgment.聽其言、觀其行。
Secondly, we may not be able to verify what we hear. The gospel of God is breaking into the world and transforming it. It takes time to fulfill. Meanwhile, there is only faith to accompany us before the fulfilment of the total reconciliation with God. But of course, God continues to sustain our faith with continual interventions.
Thirdly, Jesus promises us eternal life which again cannot be verified. We either believe this promise or reject it.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life (John 6:47).
Throughout our life, we see in ourselves and others that God is faithful. His words have never failed. He keeps all His promises. So, there is no reason to reject it. Bingo!
Lastly, in his eagerness to assure us that his promise is not an empty one, Jesus invites us to eat him! Here is another leap of faith. It defies all human logic and is the greatest obstacle to overcome. This is not a rational language but a language of love, of intense love of which I cannot write anymore.
Dear Lord, I surrender myself to Your intense love. Amen.
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