Dinosaurs had been the apex of evolution until a rock from the outer space hit the planet so badly that they became extinct. This opened up the opportunity for mammals to evolve and among the mammals, man climbed to the apex of evolution. To this day, the Homo Sapiens continues to modify the environment intrusively to make it more habitable. To reinforce their safety, they live in communities and develop rules of engagement to reduce conflicts, to live in harmony to enhance their further evolution. Here we are today living according to rules and laws to settle disputes, to safeguard freedom. With freedom, we are able to find the best ways to enhance existence. Threats to freedom threaten our very existence.
Laws define the minimum requirements. Among different sets of laws, the Ten Commandments prove to be one of the best systems. Of course, new precepts have been developed to handle new situations. But the basic spirit remains. Times and again, this basic spirit has been obscured and in need of polish. On the other hand, laws must be transcended in order for us to move forwards to higher levels of existence. Morality and virtues emerge and develop.
Even if you do not believe in a god, or a kingdom of heaven, the challenges Jesus brought up against his contemporary Jews are relevant even today. The gospel reading today is a continuation of the Beatitudes he lay down at the beginning of Matthew 5. People have a tendency to stick to the letters of the law and ignore its spirit. It is the easiest and seems to be the safest thing to do. But Jesus refuses to settle for the minimum. He exercises his authority to demand nothing less than the perfect (Matthew 5:48). If we follow the rules imposed from the outside, we are not free. Only when we follow the principles from within, from our conscience are we truly free. Prophets in the Old Testament mentioned about God writing his Laws in our hearts. Kant contrasts between heteronomy and autonomy of will. Without freedom, be it physical or mental, man will not be able to obtain the best resources to develop his potential. That is why we need to defend our freedoms of thoughts, expressions and association. I repeat, threats to freedom threaten our existence.
Jesus is both challenging and revolutionary at the same time even to this day.
Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:38)
For any modern man, the mass media are like the air he breathes, the food he eats. Not only do media inform and entertain, they also scrutinize the performance of the government. Today in Hong Kong, we are experiencing an unprecedented wave of suppression upon the media. Investors in mass media of Hong Kong cannot ignore the market in mainland China. Inevitably, they bow to political and economic pressures. They shall have to pay a heavy price should they choose to speak the truth which the Central Government finds difficult to tolerate. It is truly challenging to speak simply the truth. To survive, they need to speak the truth diplomatically. It is truly revolutionary to speak simply the truth which might instigate the people to overthrow the government which might need to resort to greater violence in order to keep total control over the governed. Upholding Jesus' teachings faithfully will incur the wrath of the governments, many of which serve the interests of a minority.
As a Catholic, we look forward to the kingdom of heaven beyond the present life. We will not lose hope in the promises of God in whom we have faith. We work hard to bring the blessings of the kingdom of heaven on earth, to relieve the sufferings of the needy.
Sweet Jesus, may our good will be accomplished according to your will. Amen.
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