四旬期第三主日（丙年）
主題：天主的慈悲有限期嗎？
在默想今天的比喻之前，讓我們認識一點上文下理。今天所讀的福音，是第十二章至第十四章的一個片段。路加福音的第十二至十四章，講述的是進入天國的條件。在消極方面，包括了不可貪婪、不可掛慮世俗事物。這些生活態度，會阻礙我們進入天國，獲得永生。在積極方面，包括做人真誠、審慎、保持醒寤和主動悔改。今天的比喻，勸說我們趁早悔改。
路加在勸說我們悔改的重要性之前，首先處理一個有關「報應」的錯誤觀念。相信各位在網上，可能觀賞過一段三分鐘的短片。一位關小姐在立法會福利事務委員會有關全民退休保障的特別會議上發言，道出很多市民的怨氣所在。兩日內點擊率超過三十萬，大快人心。在結束前，關小姐說：「呢個世界有樣嘢叫『報應』。」可想而知，「報應」的觀念，深入人心。讓我們來分析，耶穌基督相信有「報應」嗎？
人性本善，而且人單獨生活不好，必須在群體中生活成長。與別人相處，公平和公義是美善的，是合理的。公義就好像是一種與生俱來的感覺，雖然不好解釋，但大部份的人，仍然相信有「公義」是好的。可是，現實世界的社會生活中，我們的確見到很多不公義的事情發生了。從信仰的角度看，天主是美善的，而且祂也是公義的。祂是宇宙萬物和世人的主宰。為甚麼祂會容許惡人享福呢？於是「報應」的概念出現了，即是所謂「善惡到頭終有報。」又「若然未報，時辰未到。」一方面，「報應」解決了在現世惡人享福的不公義現象；更重要的，「報應」撫平群眾心中的不忿。
雖然說「人同此心，心同此理」，古今中外的人都相信有報應。不過，二千年前福音所記載的猶太人，卻把問題反轉過來問：「遇難的人，是否因為他們犯了罪呢？」原來古代的猶太人，素來很簡單地相信天主賞罰分明。善人受到祝福，兒女成群，豐衣足食。壞人會愛到天主的懲罰，不是死無葬身之地，就是疾病纏身。很明顯，這邏輯是錯的。假設「犯了罪，遲早一定會受到應得的懲罰」是正確，反轉過來說，即是「橫遭劫難，必定是因為犯了罪。」就不一定正確了。在舊約的【約伯傳】之中，來安慰約伯的其中一個朋友，就曾運用過這種錯誤的邏輯。如果這「遇難表示犯了罪，受到天主懲罰」是錯誤的邏輯，這就意味著，好人和壞人，一同會遇難。例如在空難之中，死了二百多人。難道所有的乘客都是壞人，死有餘辜嗎？但耶穌並沒有停留在邏輯爭辯之中，他藉著這個機會，進一步警告那些自以為是，沒有危機意識的人：「不要以為眼前的死難者，比較其他人更有罪，更死有餘辜，纔會遭此禍殃。不對。假如你們不悔改，你們都要同樣喪亡。」正如保祿宗徒曾說過，「眾人都犯了罪，破壞了天主的光榮。」所以當法利塞人瞧不起稅吏的時候，是「五十步笑百步」。大家在天主前都不達標，都是罪人。所以歧視他人，便罪加一等，多一條歧視他人之罪！
現在，我們可以反省今天福音中的比喻了。比喻中的無花果樹，祗吸取養份，從來也沒有結果實，沒有達標，在這個比喻中，無花果樹象徵了罪人。園主當然象徵了天主聖父。祂認識我們，知道我們每個人能做到些甚麼，有甚麼做不了。祂悉心栽培我們，有如栽種各種各樣的葡萄樹、無花果樹，給我們發展，提昇我們的人性，好能將來可以在天國，分享祂的天主性。如果我們做不到天主對我們的期望，我們的確在「荒廢土地」。福音中的園丁象徵了耶穌基督。他為我們向天父求情，不要立刻懲罰我們，繼續給我們悔改的機會，「再容他這一年罷！」。這就是天主的慈悲。天主的慈悲就在於對悔改的人，不斷地給予機會，給予寬恕。所以，壞人仍然可以享福。但原來天主的慈悲是有限期的。第四年過後，倘若他仍然執迷不悟，讓享福麻木了自己的心，不知回頭改過：不施捨，改善窮人的困境；不守齋，體驗窮人的苦處和補贖自己的罪過；不祈禱，回頭歸向天父。結果，他們會受到天主公義的判決，可能是現眼報，可能在死的時候，亦可能要到世界末日之時。這個「第四年」有多久，由天主決定。在我們眼中，這就是「報應」了。
其實天主既是公義，又是慈悲的。祂的公義和祂的慈悲，並沒有矛盾。從時間上看，天主好像先慈悲，後公義。但天主是不受時間限制的。所以祂在慈悲的時候，同時是公義的。我們犯罪，可能出於無知，出於軟弱。天主出於公義，容忍我們，給我們改過的機會，表現了祂的慈悲。祂在行公義的時候，同時是慈悲的。祂給予壞人些小懲罰，旨在提醒他們改過遷善。天主出於慈悲，給予小懲大戒。因此，祂的公義是慈悲的。不過，耶穌在這個比喻中，提醒我們，人的夀命有限度，所以天主的慈悲也受到了限制。所謂蓋棺定論。人死後再也沒有回頭的機會了。這是合乎情理的，並不是天主的無能。
各位兄弟姊妹，四旬期，特別是在慈悲禧年的四旬期，我們應趁天主還是慈悲的時候，祈禱守齋，行各樣神形哀矜，轉化麻木了的心靈，悔改，妥當告解，領全大赦，好能重投天父的懷抱。
天主保祐。
為甚麼在葡萄園種無花果樹？
Why Plants a Fig-tree in a Vineyard?
Third Lenten Sunday (Year C)
Theme: Does God's mercy have a due date?
Let us clarify the context of the gospel reading today (Luke 13:1-9). The passage today is taken among Luke chapters 12 to 14. This section talks about the requirements for entering the Kingdom of God. On the negative side, we should not be greedy, should not worry about worldly things. These attitudes in life will block us from entering the Kingdom of God, from obtaining eternal life. On the positive side, we should be sincere and prudent, be alert and take the initiative to repent. The parable today teaches us to repent as soon as possible.
Before handling the importance of repentance, Luke deals with a wrong concept related to Karma. I believe many of you must have watched the 3-minute video on the social media. A Miss Kwan spoke out the grievances of many citizens during a special Legislative Council meeting about retirement protection. Within two days, the video received a hit rate of more than 300,000. Near the end of the tirade, Ms. Kwan said, "There is something in this world called Karma!" Obviously, the concept of Karma has deeply been carved into our psyche. Let us analyze and see if Jesus buys the idea of Karma.
Human nature is basically good and it is not good for man to be alone. He must live and grow in a group. When we live with other people, fairness is good and reasonable. Fairness seems to be inborn and it is not easy to explain. Still, most people believe that justice is good. However, in the real world, we see a lot of unfair things. From a religious point of view, God is good and God is just. He is the master of the whole universe and mankind. Why then does He allow evil people to enjoy a good life? The concept of Karma appears. In the end, God will award everybody his due. Put it in another way, sooner or later God will act. So on one hand, the concept of Karma solves the problem of apparent unfairness, but more importantly, the concept soothes people's grumblings.
All mankind share the same humanity. The concept of Karma transcends space and time. But 2000 years ago, the Jews turned the question around and asked, "People suffer disasters. Is it due to their sins?" Ancient Jews believed in God's justice in a simplistic way. God blessed good people with many children and wealth. He punished bad people with death without a proper burial or with chronic illnesses. Obviously, this logic is flawed. Assuming that the statement "If you commit a sin, sooner or later, you will be punished" is correct, conversely, "When someone suffers disasters, he must have committed a sin" is not logically correct. In the book of Job, one of Job's friends who came to console him committed this fallacy. If the logic is wrong, it implies that both good people and bad people will meet disasters. For example, in an air crash in which more than 200 people died, it is impossible for all passengers to be sinners who deserve such a violent death. But Jesus was not content with logical arguments. He took this opportunity to warn those self-righteous people who do not have a sense of crisis: "Do not think that those who suffer a violent death were worse sinners than other people and that they deserved to die a violent death. No, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Just as what St. Paul has taught, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". So, when the Pharisees despised the tax-collectors, it is "the pot calling the kettle black". All of them fail to meet the target God sets for them and thus are sinners all the same. Therefore, despising others is committing yet one more sin of prejudice.
Now, we can do our reflection on the parable. The fig tree only absorbs nutrients and never bears any fruits. It does not achieve its target. It symbolizes sinners. Of course the owner of the vineyard represents the Father. He knows us through and through, what we can do and what we cannot do. He cultivates us like all kinds of vine and fig trees. He helps us develop, elevates our human nature so that we may enter the Kingdom of God to partake His divinity. If we do not meet His expectation, we have truly "used up the ground". The vinedresser represents Jesus Christ. He pledges the Father for us, not to punish us immediately, to continue giving us more opportunities to repent, "let it alone this year also". This is the mercy of God. The mercy of God is to forgive repentant people continually. That is why bad people can still enjoy a good life. However, God's mercy has a due date. After the "4th year", if a sinner persists in his evil and allows riches to numb his heart and refuses to repent: does not give alms to relieve the plights of the poor; does not fast to experience the hunger of the poor and to do penance for his sins; does not pray and turn to the Father. In the end, he will receive the just judgment of God, perhaps an immediate punishment, or at his death, or even at the end of the world. God decides the duration of this "4th year". In our eyes, there is Karma, God's vengeance.
In fact, God is both just and merciful. There is no contradiction between His justice and mercy. Chronologically, God's mercy precedes His justice but God transcends time. Therefore, His justice and mercy go hand in hand. We commit sins out of ignorance or weaknesses. Out of His justice, God tolerates us and gives us opportunity to repent, thus manifesting His mercy. When God metes out His justice, He is merciful at the same time. He punishes bad people to chastise them and remind them of repentance. Out of mercy, God gives them a little punishment to teach them a big lesson. Therefore, God's justice is merciful. But Jesus' parable reminds us that our life span is limited and thus, confines God's mercy. After death, a person can no long turn to God. This is reasonable and God is not impotent.
Brethren, in Lent, especially the Lent in this Jubilee of Mercy, we should, while God is still merciful, pray, fast and perform spiritual and as well as corporal works of mercy to transformed our numbed hearts, repent, do confession and receive plenary indulgence so as to return to the bosom of the Father.
God bless.
Sunday 28 February 2016
Saturday 27 February 2016
WHEN WILL DISASTERS STRIKE?
It is very difficult to repent. We focus on ourselves most of the time and seldom see the log in our eyes. Instead, we easily see the speck on our siblings, spouses, parents and colleagues. How true Jesus' observation is (Matthew 7:3-5). Even when we suffer anxiety and feel the need to seek help, we deny it is our problem.
Today, I listened to a couple who suffered from communication breakdown. Their marriage is undergoing a serious crisis which is precipitated by the demise of one of the parents of the couple. When A spoke, B cut A off in mid-sentence and started putting forth B's view without responding to A's emotion. When B pointed B's finger at A, A denied and claimed that B did not understand the whole truth ... While listening to them, I experienced a strong sense of déjà vu emerging. I have had communication breakdown myself before because I focused too much in my work and had failed to respond to my wife's frustrations. At the end of our session, I did not think the couple were willing to acknowledge that they had a communication problem. We three prayed together, holding our hands. May Jesus have mercy on the couple and me as well.
The prodigal son woke up and came to his senses when he was hungry, when his comfortable life ended, when he spent all his resources and there was nothing else to rely on. Only then did he remember his father (Luke 15:17). Do we really need to meet disasters in order to come to our senses? I am pessimistic. I think we do because most of us are so egocentric that we are unable to leave our comfort zone voluntarily unless disasters strike. Perhaps it would be too late.
Lord, have mercy on us. Have mercy on us couples. We do not have the strength to repent. Amen.
Today, I listened to a couple who suffered from communication breakdown. Their marriage is undergoing a serious crisis which is precipitated by the demise of one of the parents of the couple. When A spoke, B cut A off in mid-sentence and started putting forth B's view without responding to A's emotion. When B pointed B's finger at A, A denied and claimed that B did not understand the whole truth ... While listening to them, I experienced a strong sense of déjà vu emerging. I have had communication breakdown myself before because I focused too much in my work and had failed to respond to my wife's frustrations. At the end of our session, I did not think the couple were willing to acknowledge that they had a communication problem. We three prayed together, holding our hands. May Jesus have mercy on the couple and me as well.
The prodigal son woke up and came to his senses when he was hungry, when his comfortable life ended, when he spent all his resources and there was nothing else to rely on. Only then did he remember his father (Luke 15:17). Do we really need to meet disasters in order to come to our senses? I am pessimistic. I think we do because most of us are so egocentric that we are unable to leave our comfort zone voluntarily unless disasters strike. Perhaps it would be too late.
Lord, have mercy on us. Have mercy on us couples. We do not have the strength to repent. Amen.
IT IS HARD TO DEFEND
The parable of the Wrecked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46) is a difficult case to defend, God being the defendant. His motive is to kill his own son to save the world. His action is to provoke the Jews, who were smart enough to make the Romans do the dirty job for them, to kill his own son. In the end, who is/are guilty for the death of his own son? Of course, in the end, He raised his own son from death. Nobody is guilty of killing the Son of God. Only Satan was fooled into believing that it had captured the Son of Man, whom it had suspected all along to be somebody holy and great. So, God is merciful to mankind. He and mankind cooperated to defeat Satan. If so, how do we explain, "He (the owner of the vineyard) will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons" (21:41)?
God is merciful. God has been patient with the rebelliousness of the Jews and kept sending prophets to remind them of the covenant, knowing all along that the Jews would reject them. Though God is all-knowing. He knows every possible outcome and respect the freedom of will of mankind. A handful of Jews might not follow the crowd. Indeed there were Jesus' disciples. But God has a bigger plan. His salvation is for all mankind, not just for the Jews. But this outcome depends on the rebelliousness of the Jews to spread His salvation for all. Had the Jews been obedient in the first place, they would have become a nation of priests, a sacred people. The chance of killing Jesus would have been extremely slim. Once again, we can only marvel at God's wisdom and power to make use of evil to do good. Since everybody is simply playing their parts, the Jews as Judas and the Gentiles as beneficiary, we cannot blame the Jews for killing Jesus and thus, they did not deserve a miserable death.
God is just. Spilled blood should be repaid. "His blood be on us and on our children" (27:25). I am not sure. Perhaps Matthew put these words into their mouths. Since the justice of God goes hand in hand with His mercy, where lies God's mercy to the Jews? We have to be patient because the curtain has not been drawn. This salvation drama has yet to play out in full.
Dear God, this reflection has not been satisfactory. Enlighten me please. Amen.
God is merciful. God has been patient with the rebelliousness of the Jews and kept sending prophets to remind them of the covenant, knowing all along that the Jews would reject them. Though God is all-knowing. He knows every possible outcome and respect the freedom of will of mankind. A handful of Jews might not follow the crowd. Indeed there were Jesus' disciples. But God has a bigger plan. His salvation is for all mankind, not just for the Jews. But this outcome depends on the rebelliousness of the Jews to spread His salvation for all. Had the Jews been obedient in the first place, they would have become a nation of priests, a sacred people. The chance of killing Jesus would have been extremely slim. Once again, we can only marvel at God's wisdom and power to make use of evil to do good. Since everybody is simply playing their parts, the Jews as Judas and the Gentiles as beneficiary, we cannot blame the Jews for killing Jesus and thus, they did not deserve a miserable death.
God is just. Spilled blood should be repaid. "His blood be on us and on our children" (27:25). I am not sure. Perhaps Matthew put these words into their mouths. Since the justice of God goes hand in hand with His mercy, where lies God's mercy to the Jews? We have to be patient because the curtain has not been drawn. This salvation drama has yet to play out in full.
Dear God, this reflection has not been satisfactory. Enlighten me please. Amen.
Friday 26 February 2016
THE SILENT POOR
The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man is an excellent statement of Christian social justice.
Luke is famous in reversing the fortunes. For example, in the Magnificat, Mary sang praises to the Lord because He puts down the mighty and exalted the lowly, fills the hungry and sends the rich away empty (Luke 1:52-53). In this parable, the rich man is anonymous while the poor man has a name, the very opposite of what is happening in the society. Here in Hong Kong, who doesn't know Li Kar Shing, the richest man perhaps even in Asia Pacific? After their death, the poor Lazarus was carried by angels to heaven while the rich man was buried in Hades (16:22). Of course, I am not saying Li Kar Shing will suffer the same fate because of his riches. God will decide, not me nor any readers of the parable. Why then did Luke reverse the fortunes of the rich man and Lazarus?
Throughout the parable, Lazarus is silent while the rich man talks a lot. How true it is! Not only do the poor struggle with a lack of resources, they also suffer from a lack of media for them to voice their plights. Media professionals do not find the poor newsworthy. They pay attention to the rich, the celebrities because their news sell.
What sin does the rich man commit? What is wrong being rich? There is nothing wrong being rich as long as they do something to improve the situation of the voiceless poor. Do they not have the freedom to spend their money in whatever way they want? Yes they do. Are they not entitled to enjoy the fruit of their hard work? Yes they are. That is why Jesus does not force us to give up all our riches to follow him. He only invites us to do so. So, what wrong has the rich man done? The answer is simple.
We are brothers and sisters, the rich and the poor. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. Then are the rich keepers of their poor brothers? Yes they are. So, they are immoral when they neglect the plights of the poor. In the Lenten message this year, Pope Francis reminds us that the silent Lazarus is an invitation for us to repent. Through the poor, God quietly invites us to partake in His mercy. As long as there are poor people around, and there always are, we still have the opportunity to receive God's mercy. But when our hearts become numb and then hardened by riches, we risk ignoring God's mercy. Consequently, we are doomed to Hades.
Heavenly Father, make me not turn a blind eye to the needy. Let me see You in my poor neighbour. Strengthen my reluctant heart to extend a helping hand. Amen.
Luke is famous in reversing the fortunes. For example, in the Magnificat, Mary sang praises to the Lord because He puts down the mighty and exalted the lowly, fills the hungry and sends the rich away empty (Luke 1:52-53). In this parable, the rich man is anonymous while the poor man has a name, the very opposite of what is happening in the society. Here in Hong Kong, who doesn't know Li Kar Shing, the richest man perhaps even in Asia Pacific? After their death, the poor Lazarus was carried by angels to heaven while the rich man was buried in Hades (16:22). Of course, I am not saying Li Kar Shing will suffer the same fate because of his riches. God will decide, not me nor any readers of the parable. Why then did Luke reverse the fortunes of the rich man and Lazarus?
Throughout the parable, Lazarus is silent while the rich man talks a lot. How true it is! Not only do the poor struggle with a lack of resources, they also suffer from a lack of media for them to voice their plights. Media professionals do not find the poor newsworthy. They pay attention to the rich, the celebrities because their news sell.
What sin does the rich man commit? What is wrong being rich? There is nothing wrong being rich as long as they do something to improve the situation of the voiceless poor. Do they not have the freedom to spend their money in whatever way they want? Yes they do. Are they not entitled to enjoy the fruit of their hard work? Yes they are. That is why Jesus does not force us to give up all our riches to follow him. He only invites us to do so. So, what wrong has the rich man done? The answer is simple.
We are brothers and sisters, the rich and the poor. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. Then are the rich keepers of their poor brothers? Yes they are. So, they are immoral when they neglect the plights of the poor. In the Lenten message this year, Pope Francis reminds us that the silent Lazarus is an invitation for us to repent. Through the poor, God quietly invites us to partake in His mercy. As long as there are poor people around, and there always are, we still have the opportunity to receive God's mercy. But when our hearts become numb and then hardened by riches, we risk ignoring God's mercy. Consequently, we are doomed to Hades.
Heavenly Father, make me not turn a blind eye to the needy. Let me see You in my poor neighbour. Strengthen my reluctant heart to extend a helping hand. Amen.
Wednesday 24 February 2016
THE CASKET AND THE PEARL
There is a Chinese idiom warning against superficiality. It reads "Buying the casket and returning the pearl買櫝還珠", a summary statement of a parable found in Han Feizi《韓非子·外儲說左上》. Briefly, a merchant wanted to sell his pearl. In order to improve the chance of sale, he made a beautifully decorated casket. Later, the person who had bought the casket returned the pearl inside!
Of course we can draw many lessons from this parable. Immediately, we may tease the customer for his choice. The pearl should be more valuable than the casket. He had chosen foolishly. However, we do not know why he valued the casket more than the pearl. On the other hand, we may tease the merchant for putting his effort in the wrong place. He should not have made a casket which overshadowed the pearl. At the end of the day, he had failed to sell his pearl, the very purpose of making the casket!
Forget about the taste/value system of the customer who returned the pearl. Let us agree on some basic tenets. Firstly, eternal life is the most valuable for all of us. Secondly, eternal life has many facets one of which is glory. Thirdly, there is no glory without suffering which is a "price" to pay.
Now, the mother of the Zebedee brothers asked Jesus to leave the seats of glory for the brothers (Matthew 20:21). She did not choose wisely. She should have asked for a guarantee of eternal life instead.
Alas! Why do human beings always choose stupidly? I do not blame the psychologists who advise corporate leaders to design incentive schemes to motivate their employees ahead to make money for the companies. This is human nature. But naturally, which is more valuable, life or food, body or clothes? We eat to live. We wear clothes to keep our body warm. We earn money to make a living etc. However, our focus has shifted and our values changed after living in a highly commercialized society for too long. We enjoy eating more than caring for our health. We chase after fashion at the detriment of our body. We hoard money and forget our eternal life ... In short, we buy the casket and return the pearl to God.
Dear Lord, we pray that we will never lose sight of what the most important thing for us is. Amen.
Acknowledgement: The cartoon came from cartoonstock.com
Of course we can draw many lessons from this parable. Immediately, we may tease the customer for his choice. The pearl should be more valuable than the casket. He had chosen foolishly. However, we do not know why he valued the casket more than the pearl. On the other hand, we may tease the merchant for putting his effort in the wrong place. He should not have made a casket which overshadowed the pearl. At the end of the day, he had failed to sell his pearl, the very purpose of making the casket!
Forget about the taste/value system of the customer who returned the pearl. Let us agree on some basic tenets. Firstly, eternal life is the most valuable for all of us. Secondly, eternal life has many facets one of which is glory. Thirdly, there is no glory without suffering which is a "price" to pay.Now, the mother of the Zebedee brothers asked Jesus to leave the seats of glory for the brothers (Matthew 20:21). She did not choose wisely. She should have asked for a guarantee of eternal life instead.
Alas! Why do human beings always choose stupidly? I do not blame the psychologists who advise corporate leaders to design incentive schemes to motivate their employees ahead to make money for the companies. This is human nature. But naturally, which is more valuable, life or food, body or clothes? We eat to live. We wear clothes to keep our body warm. We earn money to make a living etc. However, our focus has shifted and our values changed after living in a highly commercialized society for too long. We enjoy eating more than caring for our health. We chase after fashion at the detriment of our body. We hoard money and forget our eternal life ... In short, we buy the casket and return the pearl to God.
Dear Lord, we pray that we will never lose sight of what the most important thing for us is. Amen.
Acknowledgement: The cartoon came from cartoonstock.com
ON ENJOYING BEING A TEACHER
In the Chinese culture, especially Confucianism, there is a clear distinction between the role of a teacher and that of a friend. A teacher tells you what the right thing to do is while a friend warns you what a mistake is. However, in reality, the roles of teachers and friends get mixed up very easily. In order to teach more effectively, many a teacher takes a more friendly approach instead of keeping a healthy distance, not necessarily a lofty one, from the students. Imperceptibly, the roles of teachers and friends get mixed up.
It is human nature to pick up others' mistakes easily and in time, a teacher pinpoints mistakes instead of articulating the right way. Pinpointing mistakes of others will inevitably elevate one position and ego. Teachers can easily become arrogant. When pointing out others' mistakes becomes a second nature, woe to that teacher. That explains why Confucius warned against this danger and said, "Enjoy being a teacher is a nuisance to people人之患在好為人師." Still, many people enjoy being a teacher, pinpointing others' mistakes to boost their own ego. What is worse, it is also human nature to be blind to one's own mistakes. In the end, people do not practise what they preach (Matthew 23:3).
Jesus practised what he preached. He taught us to pray for those who persecute you. He did it on the cross. He taught that the meek are blessed. He was meek and did not fight back when he was insulted and injured. He taught us to love even our enemies and when he was arrested, he healed an injured servant. He claimed that he did not come to abolish the law. He sent the healed leper to follow Moses' law to be examined by a priest and offered sacrifice ... He is the perfect teacher and we need other teachers no more (Matthew 23:10). Shall we stop others from enjoying being a Rabbi, a Father, a Master? No. They are free to enjoy what they want to enjoy. Others are able to judge whether they are what they claim. There is no harm having teachers of a variety of hues, of various degrees of perfection.
Master, be my friend as well. Amen.
It is human nature to pick up others' mistakes easily and in time, a teacher pinpoints mistakes instead of articulating the right way. Pinpointing mistakes of others will inevitably elevate one position and ego. Teachers can easily become arrogant. When pointing out others' mistakes becomes a second nature, woe to that teacher. That explains why Confucius warned against this danger and said, "Enjoy being a teacher is a nuisance to people人之患在好為人師." Still, many people enjoy being a teacher, pinpointing others' mistakes to boost their own ego. What is worse, it is also human nature to be blind to one's own mistakes. In the end, people do not practise what they preach (Matthew 23:3).
Jesus practised what he preached. He taught us to pray for those who persecute you. He did it on the cross. He taught that the meek are blessed. He was meek and did not fight back when he was insulted and injured. He taught us to love even our enemies and when he was arrested, he healed an injured servant. He claimed that he did not come to abolish the law. He sent the healed leper to follow Moses' law to be examined by a priest and offered sacrifice ... He is the perfect teacher and we need other teachers no more (Matthew 23:10). Shall we stop others from enjoying being a Rabbi, a Father, a Master? No. They are free to enjoy what they want to enjoy. Others are able to judge whether they are what they claim. There is no harm having teachers of a variety of hues, of various degrees of perfection.
Master, be my friend as well. Amen.
Tuesday 23 February 2016
TO FORGIVE OR NOT TO FORGIVE, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Which authority is more effective to reform a sinner, to forgive or to punish?
From what we have learned in psychology, positive reinforcement is always better than negative reinforcement, in other word punishment, in learning. That is to say, punishment is less effective in helping people improve. Moreover, meting out appropriate punishment is extremely difficult because we do not know when a punishment is excessive, is out of proportion.
However, most people are impatient and want to see instant results. Furthermore, it is easy to identify errors and mistakes in others. (Ironically, it is not easy to do likewise in oneself. Life is always so asymmetrical!) Therefore, punishment gets an upper hand. Gradually, tortures in public were invented in the name of deterrence.
On the contrary, God has perfect knowledge. His punishment is never excessive and is appropriate to the point. I am of the opinion that God alone is qualify to punish. However, God prefers mercy to punishment and mercy is more effective in reforming sinners.
Today, we celebrate the primacy of Peter's Chair. Jesus gave him the key of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever he binds on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever he looses on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19). In other words, Jesus delegates to Peter and his successors the authority to punish and to forgive. When Peter forgives on earth, Jesus will forgive in heaven. What Peter declares to be a sin on earth, Jesus will do likewise in heaven. Jesus' decision is rather risky because human beings tend to punish more than to forgive. It is easy to abuse such an absolute authority. Yet, Jesus puts his faith in fragile humanity to forgive/punish each other; to administer his body and blood at any time! God's mercy and love is mind-boggling.
Merciful Lord, help our Pope and his delegates exercise their authority to forgive so as to manifest Your loving mercy. Amen.
From what we have learned in psychology, positive reinforcement is always better than negative reinforcement, in other word punishment, in learning. That is to say, punishment is less effective in helping people improve. Moreover, meting out appropriate punishment is extremely difficult because we do not know when a punishment is excessive, is out of proportion.
However, most people are impatient and want to see instant results. Furthermore, it is easy to identify errors and mistakes in others. (Ironically, it is not easy to do likewise in oneself. Life is always so asymmetrical!) Therefore, punishment gets an upper hand. Gradually, tortures in public were invented in the name of deterrence.
On the contrary, God has perfect knowledge. His punishment is never excessive and is appropriate to the point. I am of the opinion that God alone is qualify to punish. However, God prefers mercy to punishment and mercy is more effective in reforming sinners.
Today, we celebrate the primacy of Peter's Chair. Jesus gave him the key of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever he binds on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever he looses on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19). In other words, Jesus delegates to Peter and his successors the authority to punish and to forgive. When Peter forgives on earth, Jesus will forgive in heaven. What Peter declares to be a sin on earth, Jesus will do likewise in heaven. Jesus' decision is rather risky because human beings tend to punish more than to forgive. It is easy to abuse such an absolute authority. Yet, Jesus puts his faith in fragile humanity to forgive/punish each other; to administer his body and blood at any time! God's mercy and love is mind-boggling.
Merciful Lord, help our Pope and his delegates exercise their authority to forgive so as to manifest Your loving mercy. Amen.
Sunday 21 February 2016
必須下山 We must descend from the mountain
四旬期第二主日（丙年）
主題：必須下山
Second Lent Sunday (Year C)
Theme: We must descend from the mountain
主題：必須下山
讓我們先了解一些前因後果。耶穌傳福音已有三年，他在斐理伯的凱撒肋雅問他的門徒，在他們的心目中他是誰。當時伯多祿代表一眾師兄弟說，耶穌是默西亞，永生天主之子。耶穌見到天父在眾門徒之中，揀選了伯多祿，把真理啟示給他。於是立伯多祿為教會的磐石，並進一步把默西亞的救贖工程，告訴門徒。即默西亞必先被猶太領袖拒絕，受難而死，第三日復活來徹底擊敗罪惡及死亡。豈料伯多祿原來並不明白默西亞的真正意義，祗以為默西亞是天主派來，把猶太人從羅馬殖民地解放出來的軍政領袖。伯多祿出於善意，想制止耶穌，結果被耶穌責罵是撒殫。耶穌有點兒高估了門徒的實力。門徒不但誤解了默西亞的使命，並且對「復活」，一知半解。可是時間無多了。於是耶穌為三個入室弟子「惡補」，帶領伯多祿、雅各伯和若望，登上大博耳山，把自己復活的光榮顯示給他們，幫助他們克服對死亡的恐懼，並增加他們對復活的熱切期待。
三部對觀福音都沒有記載，耶穌在哪一座山上顯聖容。從第三世紀開始，教父們一般認為是大博爾山。另一方面，梅瑟和厄里亞代表著舊約的法律和先知。舊約所記載的一切，若沒有耶穌，就得不到應驗。沒有耶穌，舊約祗不過是仍未兌現的諾言。耶穌來，是為兌現天主曾應許的所有承諾。
路加福音是一部幫助信徒祈禱默想的耶穌傳。所以，整個顯聖容的過程，有幾個場景，都是幫助我們祈禱默想的好材料。第一，有強烈的光從耶穌身上透出；第二，有梅瑟與厄里亞的相伴；第三，伯多祿希望繼續留在山上；第四，有雲彩遮蔽了他們；第五，有聖父的聲音作証。這些材料，非常適合個人祈禱，例如放工時候，專程返回聖堂，在聖體櫃前，或跪或坐地默想。
今天，我想與大家一起默想，伯多祿不願下山的情節。試想像你是伯多祿，你在高山上，與耶穌一起祈禱。耶穌向誰祈禱？天父。你當然也是向天父祈禱。請記住，每次你祈禱的時候，是耶穌陪伴著你祈禱的。這是多麼幸福的一回事。所以，我們應多祈禱，經常祈禱。
無論如何完美的狀態，都是不能留戀的。人生在世要長進，不能原地踏步。除非你已經到了天堂。好了，你必須要下山，你要偕同耶穌榮進耶路撒冷，一起清理聖殿，共晉最後晚餐，然後三次不認他…待耶穌復活後，你仍有很多拓展教會的工作。現在，亦是默想結束的時候了。希望這份祈禱默想的習慣，帶來良好的經驗。帶著這份良好的經驗，返回俗世去回味，應付日常生活中的各種困難挑戰，好像伯多祿一樣。
以色列人在曠野四十年，沒有聖殿供奉天主。天主指示他們造一個約櫃，安放刻有十誡的兩塊石板，而不可見的天主，就臨現在約櫃之上。以色列人在曠野流浪四十年，當停頓下來時，就會搭一個帳棚，稱為會幕，把約櫃供奉在會幕之內。當天主降臨會幕的時候，就會濃煙密佈，顯示祂的出現，祂的臨在。所以，當伯多祿想搭三個帳棚給耶穌、梅瑟和厄里亞，是有供奉他們的意思。那麼，伯多祿豈不是拜偶像嗎？不是。能從身上透出強烈的光輝，耶穌一定不是屬於這個世界的人，是天主子。厄里亞是公元前九世紀的先知。按【列王紀下】的記載，厄里亞沒有經過死亡，是天主派了一輛噴火的馬車來，接了他升天。今次出現，當然是從天主回來的。梅瑟是公元前一千三百年的人，梅瑟雖然死了，但沒有留下遺體。根據以色列人的傳說，是天主派彌額爾總領天使守護著他的遺體。梅瑟現在出現，表示他也是從天主而來的。所以，伯多祿想搭帳棚供奉耶穌、梅瑟和厄里亞，並沒有犯拜偶像的罪，因為他們三個都是引領我們歸向天主的人物。而偶像卻是引誘我們離開天主的。再進一步推論，我們對聖人和聖母瑪利亞的敬禮，也不是拜偶像。因為他們並沒有引誘我們離開天主。
為甚麼伯多祿感到害怕呢？正如前面提到，天主臨現時，濃煙密佈。今次，是一片雲彩。當門徒在進入雲彩時，他們感到害怕。這是人類在神聖的事物前，被其神聖性所懾服的反應。
你祈禱的時候，可以和耶穌對話，傾訴你的心聲。你亦可以聆聽耶穌與天父交談的內容或語氣。你聽到耶穌對你說話嗎？如果今次沒有，等下一次再試。聽到的話，請記住這聲音。因為在日常生活中，甚至在祈禱之外，當你迷茫之時，這聲音會給你安慰幫助。忽然，耶穌開始透出強光。這光的強度，足以透射出衣服以外，以至耶穌的衣服，看來好像潔白發光。這光現在照射到你身上，亦穿透了你的身體，以至你的五臟六腑，骨骼血脈，清晰可見。更重要的，這光把你的心靈，照耀到清明通透，你更深刻認識到自己的長短，和壓抑了很久，不能面對的內心秘密…這狀態實在太美好了，時間好像停頓了。你想離開這美妙的境界嗎？當然不希望。「師父，我們在這裡真好…」你寧願在這裡，搭三個帳棚來供奉師父，永遠留在這天堂的安樂境界，不願下山，返回充滿鬥爭的俗世去…
天主保祐。
Second Lent Sunday (Year C)
Theme: We must descend from the mountain
Let us clarify the context of this miracle first. Jesus had been evangelizing for three years. In Caesaria Philippi, he asked his disciples what they thought he was. Peter spoke on behalf of all followers and declared that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus knew then that the Father had chosen Peter among the disciples and revealed the truth to him. So he made Peter the Rock of the Church and told them the redemptive mission of the Messiah. That is, the Messiah would be rejected by the Jewish authority, suffered, died and on the third day rose again from the dead to defeat sins and death. To his surprise, Peter did not fully understand the mission of the Messiah. He thought that the Messiah would be a political military leader sent from God to liberate them from the colonial rule of the Romans. Out of good intention, Peter tried to dissuade Jesus from going to meet his death. Consequently, Jesus scolded him Satan. Jesus had overestimated his disciples. But time was running short. So Jesus had to take the three core disciples for an extra lesson. He took them up Mount Tabor to reveal the glory of resurrection to them. He hoped to help them overcome the fear of death and increase their desire for resurrection.
The three Synoptic gospels have not mentioned on which mountain Jesus transfigured. Ever since the third century, Church Fathers have agreed that it was Mount Tabor. On the other hand, Moses and Elijah represented the Law and prophets of the Old Testament. Without Jesus, all the things written in the Old Testament would not be fulfilled. Without Jesus, the Old Testament would only be empty promises. Jesus came to honour the covenant God made with people.
Luke is a contemplative biography of Jesus. Several scenes in the Transfiguration are good materials for prayers. Firstly, strong lights beamed out of Jesus' body. Secondly, Moses and Elijah accompanied Jesus. Thirdly, Peter wanted to stay behind and remain on the mountain. Fourthly, a cloud overshadowed them. Lastly, the testimony of the Father's voice. These scenes are very suitable for personal prayer. For example, you return to Church after your daily work, kneel or sit down in front of the tabernacle to meditate.
Today, let us meditate together the scene where Peter preferred staying on the mountain. Imagine you are Peter. You go up the mountain to pray with Jesus. To whom does Jesus prayer? Heavenly Father. You also pray to the Father. Remember, every time you pray, Jesus prays with you. How happy this is! So, we should pray more.
No matter how perfect the state, we cannot attach to it. In our earthly life, we need to grow and cannot stay in the same square forever, unless we are already in heaven. We have to go down the mountain, accompany Jesus to enter Jerusalem triumphantly, cleanse the Temple together, eat the Last Supper together and deny him three times … After the resurrection of Jesus, there are more works for us to expand the Church. Now, the meditation is over. Hope that this habit of meditation brings us good experience. We bring this good experience back to our secular life, make use of it to combat daily difficulties like Peter.
During the forty-year wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites did not have a Temple to worship God. God gave them clear instructions to build an Ark of Covenant to house the two stone tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments. The invisible God resides on the top of the Ark. Whenever the Israelites stopped moving in the wilderness they would build a big tent, called the Tabernacle, to house the Ark in order to worship God. When God descended in the Tabernacle, a billow of thick smoke would indicate the presence of God. So, when Peter wanted to build three booths for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, he intended to build a place to worship them. Then, wouldn't Peter be worshipping idols? Of course not. Emitting strong light from inside his body, Jesus does not belong to this world. He is the Son of God. Elijah was a prophet serving in the 9th century B.C. According to 2 Kings, Elijah did not die. God sent a chariot of fire to take him up. Now that he appeared, Elijah must have come from God. Moses belonged to the 13th century B.C. Although he had died, he did not leave behind his corpse. According to legends of Israelites, God sent Archangel Michael to guard over his body. Now that Moses appeared, once again it showed that he came from God. Therefore, when Peter intended to build three booths for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, he did not commit the sin of idolatry because these three lead us to God while idols tempt us away from God. Furthermore, when we honour the saints and BVM, we are not worshipping idols because they do not lead us away from God.
Why was Peter afraid? As it was mentioned before, God is shrouded in thick smoke when He appears. This time, it was a cloud. When they entered the cloud, they were afraid. It was a natural reaction when men were overwhelmed before sacred beings.
When you pray, you talk with Jesus, telling him what in your heart is. You can also listen to the conversation between Jesus and the Heavenly Father, the contents or the tone. Do you hear Jesus speak to you? If not, next time. If you do, keep this sound in mind. It is because in our daily life, even in time outside our prayers, in time of distress, this sound will give us consolation. Suddenly, Jesus begins to radiate strong lights. The intensity of the light is so strong as to penetrate his clothes so much so that his clothes become dazzling white. Now, this light comes upon you, penetrate your body so that your organs, bones and blood vessels become visible. More importantly, this light so brightens up your heart and soul that you are able to know your strength and weakness, as well as darkness, repressed secrets which you do not find the courage to confront etc. This state of mind is so wonderful. Time seems stopped. You do not wish to separate from this state. "Master, it is well that we are here …" You prefer staying here to build three booths for Jesus. You desire to stay in this heavenly happy state forever. You don't want to come down the mountain to return to secular conflicts in our daily life …
God bless.
HOW TO MAKE AN ENEMY LOVABLE
How can we love our enemy (Matthew 5:44)?
Firstly of all, we must make no enemy. Then, we don't have enemies to love.
However, life is not perfect. We have enemies, no matter how well we behave or how good our intentions are. Therefore, let us make our enemy lovable before we can love him. But before we make our enemy lovable, we must understand our enemy first. What makes him our enemy?
In most cases, we are enemies because we are rivals. We compete for some resources in short supply, such as a promotion or even some food or water for survival. In such zero-sum games, it is difficult to share. If you give up a promotion, subordinates under you may suffer. If you give up the food or water, again people who depend on you will die. So, even if you are willing to concede or sacrifice, other people will suffer because you stop competing. In such circumstances, we try our best to figure out a win-win situation. If there is no way out, compete in an honourable and dignified way. Respect your rival. Pay your enemy due respect because they are worth competing with. You love him as your equal.
In other situations, we are the underdogs, the scapegoats. We have no way to fight back and our cause, even if truth is on our side, is doomed to failure and our battle a total loss. In such situations, our enemies are simply too strong for us. Then, be prepared to become martyrs and pray for your persecutors, your enemy. They are God's executioners sending us home. Love them by praying for them. After all, we are brothers and are made in the image of God who will take care of the preservation of truth and He doesn't need us to defend the truth anymore.
In still other situations, we are prevalent and our side is winning. Even though truth is on our side, we remember to respect our enemies. Show them kindness, hoping that they may change their hearts and see the truth. We do not convince them with logic. We convince them with kindness and mercy.
Heavenly Father, help us make more friends, not enemies. Amen.
Firstly of all, we must make no enemy. Then, we don't have enemies to love.
However, life is not perfect. We have enemies, no matter how well we behave or how good our intentions are. Therefore, let us make our enemy lovable before we can love him. But before we make our enemy lovable, we must understand our enemy first. What makes him our enemy?
In most cases, we are enemies because we are rivals. We compete for some resources in short supply, such as a promotion or even some food or water for survival. In such zero-sum games, it is difficult to share. If you give up a promotion, subordinates under you may suffer. If you give up the food or water, again people who depend on you will die. So, even if you are willing to concede or sacrifice, other people will suffer because you stop competing. In such circumstances, we try our best to figure out a win-win situation. If there is no way out, compete in an honourable and dignified way. Respect your rival. Pay your enemy due respect because they are worth competing with. You love him as your equal.
In other situations, we are the underdogs, the scapegoats. We have no way to fight back and our cause, even if truth is on our side, is doomed to failure and our battle a total loss. In such situations, our enemies are simply too strong for us. Then, be prepared to become martyrs and pray for your persecutors, your enemy. They are God's executioners sending us home. Love them by praying for them. After all, we are brothers and are made in the image of God who will take care of the preservation of truth and He doesn't need us to defend the truth anymore.
In still other situations, we are prevalent and our side is winning. Even though truth is on our side, we remember to respect our enemies. Show them kindness, hoping that they may change their hearts and see the truth. We do not convince them with logic. We convince them with kindness and mercy.
Heavenly Father, help us make more friends, not enemies. Amen.
Friday 19 February 2016
RECONCILE BEFORE THE SUN SETS
Seldom do we see our own wrongs whenever we have quarrels. It is always the fault of the other party. If we win the quarrel, we return home triumphantly. Seldom do we give a thought to the feelings of the "defeated" party. After all, they are the losers and they must be wrong. Why bother think about their feelings. In today's gospel reading, Jesus reminds us to care about the wrong side, the loser side.
"And if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you." (Matthew 5:23)
Here, you do not have any problem. You do not feel wronged. You are not the victim. Rather, you remember that your brother feels bad. He has something against you. He feels bad because of you. Well, why bother? You may think it is none of my business. It is his problem, not mine. But Jesus says, "Love your brother. His problem is yours because he is your brother. You are the keeper of your brother (Genesis 4:9). Relieve him of his problem. Then you are relieving yourself of your future problems. Moreover, act before it is too late!" Only after you have relieved yourself, have reconciled with your brother can you offer your gift (5:24).
If there is no peace between you and your brother, God will keep bugging you until you reconcile with your brother. When your conscience is not peaceful, it will distract you in your offering. Your offering will not be a good one, not a pleasing one to God. How can God accept such an offering? For His good and for your own good, reconcile before the sun sets. Amen.
"And if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you." (Matthew 5:23)
Here, you do not have any problem. You do not feel wronged. You are not the victim. Rather, you remember that your brother feels bad. He has something against you. He feels bad because of you. Well, why bother? You may think it is none of my business. It is his problem, not mine. But Jesus says, "Love your brother. His problem is yours because he is your brother. You are the keeper of your brother (Genesis 4:9). Relieve him of his problem. Then you are relieving yourself of your future problems. Moreover, act before it is too late!" Only after you have relieved yourself, have reconciled with your brother can you offer your gift (5:24).
If there is no peace between you and your brother, God will keep bugging you until you reconcile with your brother. When your conscience is not peaceful, it will distract you in your offering. Your offering will not be a good one, not a pleasing one to God. How can God accept such an offering? For His good and for your own good, reconcile before the sun sets. Amen.
MONSTER PARENTS
Nowadays, many couples prefer not to have children. On the other hand, for those who are willing to suffer pregnancy and delivery, many are being labelled MONSTERS nowadays, at least in Hong Kong. Parents in their thirties or forties today were raised up in the seventies or eighties in the last century when economy was booming. Living standard was high and parents back in those years were too much occupied in making money. To compensate for the negligence of their children, they showered them with material gifts. Today, those children are themselves parents but the society has bred a generation of Monster Parents!
They gave birth to single child. They do homework for their kids. They fill up the time of their children with lots of extra-curricular classes in order to have a head start in admission to elite schools. They tell lies to 'defend' their truant children. They accuse teachers of their children being unfairly treated in schools. They will not encourage their children to choose DSE Ethics and Religious Studies. They escort young gentlemen and ladies to University Orientation Camps etc., to name just a few. I wonder if Jesus' saying still applies today, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children ... " (Matthew 7:11) In order to save our children, these Monster Parents need re-education, in other words, repentance. What are to be done? I have no ready answers. Of course, the statements made above are sweeping. There must be good parents who know what is genuinely good for their children.
I have to admit that no parents are perfect. Mine too are not perfect. As a parent myself, I have made many mistakes. But I have hope because man can change. I pray to God that all parents change for the better. God is merciful. "Ask and it will be given you." (7:7) I pray that when parents seek what is good for their children, they will find the best. I pray that when parents knock, they knock at the right door and it will be opened to them. Amen.
They gave birth to single child. They do homework for their kids. They fill up the time of their children with lots of extra-curricular classes in order to have a head start in admission to elite schools. They tell lies to 'defend' their truant children. They accuse teachers of their children being unfairly treated in schools. They will not encourage their children to choose DSE Ethics and Religious Studies. They escort young gentlemen and ladies to University Orientation Camps etc., to name just a few. I wonder if Jesus' saying still applies today, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children ... " (Matthew 7:11) In order to save our children, these Monster Parents need re-education, in other words, repentance. What are to be done? I have no ready answers. Of course, the statements made above are sweeping. There must be good parents who know what is genuinely good for their children.
I have to admit that no parents are perfect. Mine too are not perfect. As a parent myself, I have made many mistakes. But I have hope because man can change. I pray to God that all parents change for the better. God is merciful. "Ask and it will be given you." (7:7) I pray that when parents seek what is good for their children, they will find the best. I pray that when parents knock, they knock at the right door and it will be opened to them. Amen.
Wednesday 17 February 2016
SOMETHING IS BIGGER THAN SOLOMON AND JONAH
Christianity is a personal religion in the sense that believers establish a personal relation with their God. Sanctification is achieved through the union with their Lord. Most believers have no problem relating to Jesus Christ on a personal level. He can be your friend, your elder brother and even your King. However, I think most Christians have difficulty relating to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Blessed Trinity. It is because many believers cannot treat the Holy Spirit, though the third divine Person of the Trinity, as a person. Mostly, they treat Him as a power, a divine force.
Now, Jesus treats himself as a thing! That's devastating for many of us because it is immoral to treat a person as a thing, as an object! We condemn pornography and slavery on this ground. However, whenever we read Luke 11:31-32, or Matthew 12:41-42, we feel uncomfortable because Jesus treats himself as a thing! "Something greater than Jonah is here" or "Something greater than Solomon is here." Let me assure you, the original Greek word is neuter, neither masculine nor feminine. It is not a matter of improper translation.
As if words are not damaging enough, Jesus offers himself up as a wafer of unleavened bread! We see and consume this piece of wafer and confess that it is the Body of Christ! During Eucharistic adoration, we kneel before a wafer of unleavened bread and pray to Jesus. The Eucharist is a truly challenging mystery of faith!
In this Jubilee of Mercy, we have a better understanding why Jesus is willing to offer himself up as a thing! Jesus is the personification of the Father's mercy. He is the Son of God, pervading the whole universe. Yet, he debases himself and took up human flesh to be pierced through on the cross. Furthermore, he is willing to take up the substance of unleavened bread for our consumption whenever we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. He does all these to show and pass on to us the Father's mercy. His mercy is unfathomable.
Lord, have mercy on me, a pitiful soul rendered feeble by sins. Amen.
Now, Jesus treats himself as a thing! That's devastating for many of us because it is immoral to treat a person as a thing, as an object! We condemn pornography and slavery on this ground. However, whenever we read Luke 11:31-32, or Matthew 12:41-42, we feel uncomfortable because Jesus treats himself as a thing! "Something greater than Jonah is here" or "Something greater than Solomon is here." Let me assure you, the original Greek word is neuter, neither masculine nor feminine. It is not a matter of improper translation.
As if words are not damaging enough, Jesus offers himself up as a wafer of unleavened bread! We see and consume this piece of wafer and confess that it is the Body of Christ! During Eucharistic adoration, we kneel before a wafer of unleavened bread and pray to Jesus. The Eucharist is a truly challenging mystery of faith!
In this Jubilee of Mercy, we have a better understanding why Jesus is willing to offer himself up as a thing! Jesus is the personification of the Father's mercy. He is the Son of God, pervading the whole universe. Yet, he debases himself and took up human flesh to be pierced through on the cross. Furthermore, he is willing to take up the substance of unleavened bread for our consumption whenever we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. He does all these to show and pass on to us the Father's mercy. His mercy is unfathomable.
Lord, have mercy on me, a pitiful soul rendered feeble by sins. Amen.
WHY SHOULD WE FORGIVE IN PRAYERS?
In the reading today, Jesus teaches us the famous Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:7-15)
First of all, Jesus warns us not to heap up empty phrases in prayer. That makes sense. He then tells us the our heavenly Father knows even before we pray. That makes sense because God is all-knowing. Naturally, we may ask why then we should pray at all. The Father knows everything, even the exact words we are going to utter. Why bother praying? Obviously, prayer is more than telling God our needs. Rather, I would say prayer is an exercise of self-knowledge.
Prayer is an exercise of lifting up our souls towards God. It is an exercise because it takes efforts. Most of the time during the day, we are occupied with a lot of other things. Our focus lies elsewhere. We are not aware of the whereabouts of God even though He is always around. In prayer, we turn our attention towards God at long last.
In lifting up our souls towards God, we will be illuminated. We see and understand ourselves better. In our daily life, we have a lot of wants and needs and are overwhelmed and confused. Therefore, we may want things we actually do not need and our desperate needs, we don't want. It is contradictory, isn't it? But this is a fact of life when we are awake. In prayer, we turn to God our Creator who knows all. He will illuminate our souls so that we can see our wants and needs clearly. That is why, prayer is an exercise of self-knowledge.
There are seven petitions in the Lord's Prayer. One of them is to seek God to forgive us. But why does Jesus focus on only this one after teaching us the prayer? Why is forgiveness such an important element in our prayers? I think it is because anger clouds our perception and judgment of the world and ourselves. When we are wronged, we feel victimized and angry. We become angry and naturally seek revenge. Anger hurts. In anger, our judgment will be flawed and our perception will be blinded. Therefore, it is most important to remove anger, to forgive the perpetrators. When we forgive, we ourselves are freed and God's mercy may descend on us. When we remain angry, we do not allow others to come close to us, not even God. Then God is not able to shower His mercy on us. Therefore, for our own sake, forgive.
Merciful Lord, I am will to forgive and to free myself. Forgive me for I am weak. I am a sinner. Amen.
First of all, Jesus warns us not to heap up empty phrases in prayer. That makes sense. He then tells us the our heavenly Father knows even before we pray. That makes sense because God is all-knowing. Naturally, we may ask why then we should pray at all. The Father knows everything, even the exact words we are going to utter. Why bother praying? Obviously, prayer is more than telling God our needs. Rather, I would say prayer is an exercise of self-knowledge.
Prayer is an exercise of lifting up our souls towards God. It is an exercise because it takes efforts. Most of the time during the day, we are occupied with a lot of other things. Our focus lies elsewhere. We are not aware of the whereabouts of God even though He is always around. In prayer, we turn our attention towards God at long last.
In lifting up our souls towards God, we will be illuminated. We see and understand ourselves better. In our daily life, we have a lot of wants and needs and are overwhelmed and confused. Therefore, we may want things we actually do not need and our desperate needs, we don't want. It is contradictory, isn't it? But this is a fact of life when we are awake. In prayer, we turn to God our Creator who knows all. He will illuminate our souls so that we can see our wants and needs clearly. That is why, prayer is an exercise of self-knowledge.
There are seven petitions in the Lord's Prayer. One of them is to seek God to forgive us. But why does Jesus focus on only this one after teaching us the prayer? Why is forgiveness such an important element in our prayers? I think it is because anger clouds our perception and judgment of the world and ourselves. When we are wronged, we feel victimized and angry. We become angry and naturally seek revenge. Anger hurts. In anger, our judgment will be flawed and our perception will be blinded. Therefore, it is most important to remove anger, to forgive the perpetrators. When we forgive, we ourselves are freed and God's mercy may descend on us. When we remain angry, we do not allow others to come close to us, not even God. Then God is not able to shower His mercy on us. Therefore, for our own sake, forgive.
Merciful Lord, I am will to forgive and to free myself. Forgive me for I am weak. I am a sinner. Amen.
Monday 15 February 2016
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS
"Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?" Then Jesus will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me." (Matthew 25:44-45)
2000 years ago, Jesus had already told us how to see him and serve him. Yet, many people still refuse to see the needy. Pope Francis has offered an explanation in his 2016 Lent Message. It goes all the way to the root of all sins, "you will be like God" (Genesis 3:5). We are omnipotent but our development and achievement "...leads to lack of concern for the fate of the poor on the part of wealthier individuals and societies; they close their doors, refusing even to see the poor."
Once again, we see that science and technology cannot be neutral. There is always a need of moral guidance behind all human endeavours. Without morality, scientific advancements can create monstrous harm to the society. On the personal level, Christian morality is a matter of salvation.
Pope Francis says it well. "Lazarus (Luke 16:20-21), the poor man, is a figure of Christ, who through the poor pleads for our conversion. As such, he represents the possibility of conversion which God offers us and which we may well fail to see." That is to say, if we refuse to see the poor and the needy, we miss a conversion opportunity. The consequence of this blindness is serious. Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see', your guilt remains." (John 9:41) That's why the Pope, quoting St. John of the Cross, insists that "as we prepare to leave this life, we will be judged on the basis of love." (Misericordiae Vultus 15), repeating the teaching of Matthew 25. Performing works or mercy is a cure of this spiritual blindness. As simple as ABC.
Dear Lord, I want to see again. Amen.
2000 years ago, Jesus had already told us how to see him and serve him. Yet, many people still refuse to see the needy. Pope Francis has offered an explanation in his 2016 Lent Message. It goes all the way to the root of all sins, "you will be like God" (Genesis 3:5). We are omnipotent but our development and achievement "...leads to lack of concern for the fate of the poor on the part of wealthier individuals and societies; they close their doors, refusing even to see the poor."
Once again, we see that science and technology cannot be neutral. There is always a need of moral guidance behind all human endeavours. Without morality, scientific advancements can create monstrous harm to the society. On the personal level, Christian morality is a matter of salvation.
Pope Francis says it well. "Lazarus (Luke 16:20-21), the poor man, is a figure of Christ, who through the poor pleads for our conversion. As such, he represents the possibility of conversion which God offers us and which we may well fail to see." That is to say, if we refuse to see the poor and the needy, we miss a conversion opportunity. The consequence of this blindness is serious. Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see', your guilt remains." (John 9:41) That's why the Pope, quoting St. John of the Cross, insists that "as we prepare to leave this life, we will be judged on the basis of love." (Misericordiae Vultus 15), repeating the teaching of Matthew 25. Performing works or mercy is a cure of this spiritual blindness. As simple as ABC.
Dear Lord, I want to see again. Amen.
Sunday 14 February 2016
做好基本功，應付試探 Build up a good foundation to resist temptation
四旬期第一主日（丙年）
主題：做好基本功，應付試探
First Week of Lent (Year C)
Theme: Build up a good foundation to resist temptation
主題：做好基本功，應付試探
人生活總有大大小小不同的目標。要達到目標必須克服重重障礙。其中有些障礙，不是阻止你，而是吸引你改變方向，徧離目標的，我們稱之為誘惑。
美國心理學家馬斯諾在幫助商界研究如何激發員工士氣時，發展出一套「需要金字塔」理論。提出人為了生存，必須按等級次序，先後滿足生理、安全、人際關係、尊嚴榮譽與及自我實現的需要。針對不同人的處境和需要，便可以鼓舞、激發他們的士氣，為公司賺錢。這套理論在西方國家，獲得廣泛應用。應用這套理論，可以讓我們更深入認識耶穌所遇到的試探的性質。
在三部對觀福音之中，一如聖誕故事一樣，祗有瑪竇和路加詳細記載耶穌受試探的內容。馬爾谷祗寫了一句，說耶穌受洗後，聖神催促他進入曠野，受魔鬼的試探達四十天之久。試探內容沒有交代。至於瑪竇和路加，記載了相同的三個試探，但次序上有所出入。瑪竇寫給猶太信徒，他把耶穌四十日在曠野克服三個試探的勝利，補償以色列人四十年在曠野中的三次失敗。路加沒有猶太人的包袱，所寫的福音適合普世人類閱讀，所以在次序上比較合理。耶穌所受試探的次序，符合「需要金字塔」的等級次序。把變石頭為餅充飢，為滿足最低層，最基本的生理需要。若得不到滿足，生命不保，遑論滿足上層的其他需要呢？獲得權勢和榮華，就可以享受第二層的安定生活，第三層的交遊廣闊和第四層的受人擁戴。最後，從聖殿頂躍下，便可把天主子的身份和能力實現，滿足最頂層自我實現的需要。其實，四十天所受的，又何止三個試探呢？這三個祗是較有代表性，對我們的信仰有幫助的試探而已。耶穌受試探時，又沒有其他人在場。所以，一定是耶穌挑選了其中三個有代表性的試探，教導他的門徒。
既然人生在世，總不能擺脫需要，而需要與誘惑又是如影隨形，即是說，誘惑是無可避免的。那麼，我們可以怎樣對待誘惑呢？
但福音不是說，是聖神催促耶穌進入曠野，受魔鬼的試探嗎？即是說，有時，受魔鬼試探是天主的旨意了。對，雖然唸天主經時，我們祈求天父不要讓我們陷於誘惑，但若是天主的旨意，要我們經歷誘惑的磨練，我們就應跟隨耶穌所立下的榜樣了。孟子說得好：「天將降大任於斯人也，必先苦其心志、勞其筋骨、餓其體膚，空乏其身，行拂亂其所為。」等等。試想想，這樣辛苦，又有誰會自願享受這些磨難呢？但不經過這些磨練，就不能履行天父的旨意，不能成就大任。所以，擺脫這些磨難反而成為試探，成了誘惑。那麼，耶穌三退魔誘的榜樣，給了我們甚麼啟示呢？
非常簡單，首先是基本功。且看耶穌每次答覆魔鬼，祗是說：「經上記載…」注意，在魔鬼面前搖晃聖經是不能驅魔的。耶穌祗是引用聖經的教訓，來辨別甚麼是誘惑，甚麼是應該做的事。且看，耶穌雖然今次拒絕把石頭變餅，但他不是曾經增餅，解決五千人的饑餓問題嗎？但當群眾要求耶穌從十字架上跳下來時，他不是有如今次一樣，拒絕跳下嗎？可見耶穌熟識聖經的教訓，能辨別甚麼是誘惑，甚麼是應該做的事。所以，平時勤讀聖經，是非常重要的基本功。有了讀聖經的基礎，就能幫助我們抗拒誘惑。給大家一個溫馨提示，耶穌三退魔誘的經文，全部出自申命紀。
不過要小心，魔鬼比我們凡人更熟識聖經。君不見牠引用聖詠來試探耶穌嗎？耶穌是天主子，當然不受誘惑，但我們是凡人，又何來擊敗魔鬼的本領呢？有。就是信靠天父。請問耶穌到曠野做甚麼？看風景？做研究，搜集石頭樣本？不對。是守齋。守齋令我們饑餓，饑餓令我們軟弱。在軟弱時，我們可以選擇信靠天父，我們也可以選擇憑自己的能力，滿足自己的需要。耶穌選擇了信靠天父。這就是我們所應該學習的地方。所以教會學習耶穌基督的榜樣，在禮儀年中劃出四旬期，在這四十天內，跟隨耶穌守齋克己的榜樣，操練自己，信靠天父，對抗誘惑。
各位兄弟姊妹，讓我們善用這四旬期的機會，守齋讀經，做好基本功，好能成就天降的大任。
每個人都有自己的需要，有需要就有受誘惑的機會。西諺有云：「每個人都有一個價格。」當你已經有足夠的金錢，惡人就不能用金錢引誘你，收買你去做壞事。但如果發現你單身，或者婚姻有危機，就可以用美色換取你服務，或者用你親人的人身安全，要脅你效忠組織，做出埋沒良心的事等等。這些固然是電影的一般橋段，但在日常生活中，卻真實地，不斷地發生在我們身上。除非我們不再有任何需要，到了那一天，我們便不會再受誘惑。否則，需要與誘惑，便會如影隨形，同時出現。
誘惑不是犯罪，而是犯罪的機會，與犯罪祗有一線之隔。向誘惑屈服，或作出不適當的抵抗，便會掉進犯罪的陷阱。教會傳統的智慧，是勸人遠離試探，遠離犯罪的機會。即是說，明知是色情片，就不要下載、明知自己的財政出現困難，就不要過澳門、明知自己對藍絲帶有徧見，就避免到旺角人群聚集與警察對峙的地方等。
天主保祐。
First Week of Lent (Year C)
Theme: Build up a good foundation to resist temptation
There are many targets in life, whether large or small. And in order to achieve them, we need to overcome many obstacles. Some of them do not obstruct us but distract us to deviate from our target. We call them "temptations".
The American psychologist, Maslow, developed a theory of a hierarchy of needs when he helped business corporations find ways to motivate the employees. He opines that for men to live, they have to satisfy their needs according to a hierarchy. Firstly they need to meet their physiological needs, then needs of security, of belonging, of esteems and lastly the need of self-actualization. Taking into consideration of their situations and needs, bosses can motivate their employees and stir up their morale to make money for their companies. This theory has been widely and successfully applied in western countries. With this theory, we may understand better the nature of temptations that Jesus met.
Among the Synoptic gospels, like the Nativity story, only Matthew and Luke mention the contents of the temptation Jesus had gone through. Mark simply says that after his baptism, the Holy Spirit immediately drove Jesus into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. Mark does not mention the contents of temptation. The three temptations which Matthew and Luke mention are identical but in different sequence. Matthew wrote for Jewish believers. He made use of the victory of Jesus' overcoming temptations in the forty days to compensate for the three Israelite failures in their 40-year wandering in the wilderness. Luke did not have the Jewish burden. His readership is universal and the sequence is more reasonable. The sequence of temptations fits the hierarchy of needs. In turning stones into bread to satiate hunger is to meet the lowest, the most fundamental physiological needs. Had these needs not met, one would not have survived and how can one meet higher needs in the hierarchy? With authority and glory, one can enjoy a secure life of level two, an extensive social network of level three and esteem of level four. Lastly, jumping off from the top of the Jerusalem Temple, Jesus could actualize his power and status as the Son of God, satisfying the need of self-actualization. In fact, there must have been more than three temptations within the forty days. These three are typical and conducive to our faith. When Jesus underwent temptations, there was nobody around. Thus, Jesus must have chosen these three to instruct his disciples.
As we live, we cannot shake off needs. Needs and temptations go hand in hand. That is to say, temptation is unavoidable. Then, how shall we deal with temptations?
But don't the gospels say that the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan? That is to say, sometimes it is God's will to allow Satan to tempt us. Truly, although we pray in the Lord's Prayer not to lead us into temptation, if it is God's will for us to undergo temptation exercises, we should follow the example set down by Jesus. Mencius says well, "When heaven decrees a major mission for a man, his will is to be drilled, his bones and joints laboured, his belly hungered, his body emptied and his acts scrabbled etc." Just think about it, who would willingly enjoy such sufferings? But not undergoing such sufferings, one cannot do the Father's will, cannot accomplish the major mission. Thus trying to shake off these sufferings turns out to be a temptation per se. Then what does Jesus' example of overcoming temptation reveal to us?
Simply put "fundamental exercises". Look at each of Jesus's answers to Satan. He simply said, "It is written ..." Beware, waving the Bible in front of Satan does not drive it away! Jesus only makes use of the teachings of the Bible to discern what temptation is and what the right thing to do is. Look, although Jesus did not turn stone into bread his time, had he not multiplied bread to solve the problem of 5000 hungry souls? When the crowd challenged him to jump down from the cross, did he refuse to jump like this time? So Jesus knew the teachings of the Bible so well that he is able to discern what temptation is and what the right thing to do is. Thus, daily Bible study is a very important fundamental exercise. On this solid foundation, we can resist temptation. Let me tell you a little tip. All the passages which Jesus used to fend off Satan came from Deuteronomy.
But beware, Satan knows the Bible more thoroughly than anyone of us. Don't you see how Satan made use of the Psalms to test Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God. Of course he could resist the temptation. But we are mere mortals. Where can we come up with the ability to defeat Satan? There is. Trust in the Father. Tell me, what was Jesus doing in the wilderness? Sightseeing? Researching, gathering stone samples? Wrong. He was fasting. Fasting makes us hungry and hunger makes us feeble. When we are weak, we can choose to trust in our heavenly Father, or we can choose to make use of our own ability to satisfy our needs. Jesus chose trusting in his heavenly Father. This is what we should learn from Jesus. Thus the Church follows the example of Jesus Christ, apportions a Lent Season in the liturgical year. Within these forty days, we follow Jesus' example of fasting, renouncing ourselves, drilling us to trust in the Father and resisting temptations.
Brethren, let us make good use of the Lent Season to fast and to study the Bible. Build up a good foundation so as to accomplish the major mission which heaven decrees.
Every human being has needs and needs give room to temptation. As the idiom goes, "Everybody has a price." When you have enough money, bad people cannot buy you with money to do bad things. But if you are single or your marriage has cracks, they will entice your lust in exchange for your service; or they will threaten you with the personal safety of your loved ones so that you will remain loyal and do things against your conscience. These sound like movie plots but in our daily life, these things actually and continually happen around us. Unless we no longer have any needs, we will always be tempted. Needs and temptations always go hand in hand.
Temptation is not a sin. It is an opportunity to commit sins. There is a thin line between temptation and sin. If we succumb to temptation or put up inappropriate resistance, we will fall into the trap of committing sins. Traditional Church teaching tells us to stay away from temptation. That is to say, if you know it is a pornographic video, do not download it. If you know that you are in financial troubles, do not go to Macau. If you know you have prejudice against the ‘blue ribbons', avoid going to Mongkok where crowds are facing off the police etc.
God bless.
Saturday 13 February 2016
EAGERNESS TO EVANGELIZE
Levi, i.e. Matthew, was truly an outstanding apostle. This is shown in the gospel reading today.
Levi must have been very unpopular and ostracized among his fellow Jews because he was a tax collector, a public sinner. Who could be his friends? Other public sinners such as fellow tax collectors and perhaps prostitutes. What about Jesus? A popular Rabbi, a rising star from Nazareth.
For reasons we could no longer fathom, Levi left everything, rose and followed Jesus when Jesus called him (Luke 5:28). Among the calling stories, only Matthew's mentions about celebration afterward. This is significant. Do we find joy after following Jesus? How do we celebrate our call? Do we throw a party? Levi did! He found joy. He celebrated and he threw a party for Jesus (5:29). If our answer is not affirmative, being a Christian will be burdensome. If we find no joy, no transformation and no improvement in life as a Christian, how can we take the next logical step, to evangelize?
Levi did. He found joy probably in being able to walk tall again. He celebrated and threw a party to express his gratitude towards the Lord who had redeemed and restored his dignity. He shared his newly discovered joyful life with his fellow sinners! How I envy you St. Matthew.
We cannot make this joy up ourselves. This joy is granted in God's pleasure. But Jesus has assured us that it is our Father's pleasure to give us the Kingdom (12:32). The question remains: Do we open ourselves up to God? What do we obsess about, money or God?
Merciful Lord, I am a sinner. I am weak. Have mercy on me. Amen.
Levi must have been very unpopular and ostracized among his fellow Jews because he was a tax collector, a public sinner. Who could be his friends? Other public sinners such as fellow tax collectors and perhaps prostitutes. What about Jesus? A popular Rabbi, a rising star from Nazareth.
For reasons we could no longer fathom, Levi left everything, rose and followed Jesus when Jesus called him (Luke 5:28). Among the calling stories, only Matthew's mentions about celebration afterward. This is significant. Do we find joy after following Jesus? How do we celebrate our call? Do we throw a party? Levi did! He found joy. He celebrated and he threw a party for Jesus (5:29). If our answer is not affirmative, being a Christian will be burdensome. If we find no joy, no transformation and no improvement in life as a Christian, how can we take the next logical step, to evangelize?
Levi did. He found joy probably in being able to walk tall again. He celebrated and threw a party to express his gratitude towards the Lord who had redeemed and restored his dignity. He shared his newly discovered joyful life with his fellow sinners! How I envy you St. Matthew.
We cannot make this joy up ourselves. This joy is granted in God's pleasure. But Jesus has assured us that it is our Father's pleasure to give us the Kingdom (12:32). The question remains: Do we open ourselves up to God? What do we obsess about, money or God?
Merciful Lord, I am a sinner. I am weak. Have mercy on me. Amen.
Friday 12 February 2016
FASTING OF THE SPIRIT
This year, Lent began on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year. Catholics in Hong Kong were dispensed from fasting on Ash Wednesday. "However they are obliged to choose for themselves some other suitable forms of penance or perform some works of charity, in keeping with the penitential spirit of the season of Lent." (Chancery Notices III, 18 January, 2016) So, we fast spiritually. Of course, just as the first reading of today says, performing fasting rituals void of spirit is useless (Isaiah 58:3b-5) Even in Isaiah's time, God made it clear that He wants social justice more than fasting rituals.
Then, is social justice the spirit of fasting? No, much more than social justice. The violence erupted in Mongkok on the first night of the Lunar New Year clearly shows that evil can be perpetrated in the name of social justice. The ends does not justify the means. On that night in Mongkok, prudence was nowhere to be found, not among the protesters, not among the police. The causes of "fishball revolution" are complicated and many. But one thing is clear. Many frustrated young people in Hong Kong are marginalized and angry. Things can be and have to be done to alleviate the problem. However, the administration seem to have lost touch with the people. Or do they lack the will to improve the situation? Or are they blind to the plights of the citizens? No matter how many excuses we may grant them, one thing is clear. Hearts must change in order to effect social changes.
Fasting weakens our body for a while but it strengthens our spirit because we need a strong spirit to endure the hunger. But nowadays, our spirit is being bombarded by far too many distractions from the media and the Internet. We need to be choosy spiritually as well.
As for myself, my relationship with my mother can turn stormy sometimes and last night, I nearly exploded when she kept nagging me. I begged the Lord to help me and He mercifully granted. I need to go deeper inwards to dig up the root. So, help me Lord. Amen.
Fasting weakens our body for a while but it strengthens our spirit because we need a strong spirit to endure the hunger. But nowadays, our spirit is being bombarded by far too many distractions from the media and the Internet. We need to be choosy spiritually as well.
As for myself, my relationship with my mother can turn stormy sometimes and last night, I nearly exploded when she kept nagging me. I begged the Lord to help me and He mercifully granted. I need to go deeper inwards to dig up the root. So, help me Lord. Amen.
Thursday 11 February 2016
BREAK OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE
These days, the concept of "comfort zone" pops up many times in my homilies and personal reflections. I understand that it is an important concept in my spirituality and perhaps a handle with which I may achieve a breakthrough. Of course, it is all a matter of God's pleasure, not mine.
In meditating today's reading (Luke 9:22-25), I see that being a workaholic is in fact an evasion from intimate relationships. I bury myself among heavy workloads which are more comfortable than opening up my vulnerabilities. I do not allow myself to be hurt emotionally. Therefore, I keep myself aloft for fear of establishing close relationships. In work, I can forget my being. In this way, I have achieved to a certain extent self-denial required by Jesus. Consequently, I suffer financially and medically. And I deem it my daily cross. Yet, am I following Jesus? What does it mean to follow him (9:23)?
What was the script of Jesus? He carried out the will of the Father, suffered many things and was rejected and killed but on the third day, he was raised from the dead (9:22). Now, what does it mean to follow him? Am I supposed to suffer many things and is rejected and killed like Jesus, and only then can I be said to be following him? Why then does he say that his yoke is easy and his burden light (Matthew 11:30)?
In the diaconia ministry, I feel more and more strongly that there are many things beyond my control. For example, the "Pun Choy Banquet" we offer for outsourcing janitors in Tin Shui Wai. I set the target to 15 tables. So far, only some 50 janitors sign up and we are just one week away. During my teaching career, things have been thoroughly thought out and meticulously implemented. Everything is under control. Now, everything relies on God's pleasure! I need to break out of my comfort zone and relearn the easy and light way.
Merciful Lord, may whatever I do is what you will to get done. Please put your words on my lips so that whatever I say is what you will to convey. Amen.
In meditating today's reading (Luke 9:22-25), I see that being a workaholic is in fact an evasion from intimate relationships. I bury myself among heavy workloads which are more comfortable than opening up my vulnerabilities. I do not allow myself to be hurt emotionally. Therefore, I keep myself aloft for fear of establishing close relationships. In work, I can forget my being. In this way, I have achieved to a certain extent self-denial required by Jesus. Consequently, I suffer financially and medically. And I deem it my daily cross. Yet, am I following Jesus? What does it mean to follow him (9:23)?
What was the script of Jesus? He carried out the will of the Father, suffered many things and was rejected and killed but on the third day, he was raised from the dead (9:22). Now, what does it mean to follow him? Am I supposed to suffer many things and is rejected and killed like Jesus, and only then can I be said to be following him? Why then does he say that his yoke is easy and his burden light (Matthew 11:30)?
In the diaconia ministry, I feel more and more strongly that there are many things beyond my control. For example, the "Pun Choy Banquet" we offer for outsourcing janitors in Tin Shui Wai. I set the target to 15 tables. So far, only some 50 janitors sign up and we are just one week away. During my teaching career, things have been thoroughly thought out and meticulously implemented. Everything is under control. Now, everything relies on God's pleasure! I need to break out of my comfort zone and relearn the easy and light way.
Merciful Lord, may whatever I do is what you will to get done. Please put your words on my lips so that whatever I say is what you will to convey. Amen.
STOP PLAYING THE BLAME GAME
When God asked Adam why he had eaten the Forbidden Fruit, Adam blamed Eve (and God who made such a "helper" for him). When God asked Eve why, she put the blame on the Serpent. God had reached the end of the line. Had God proceed to question the Serpent, whom would the Serpent have blamed? God! It was all God's fault for creating the cosmos! By playing the Blame Game, we refuse to admit the truth. Not only can we not solve the problem, but we will also make things worse. Then the whole Creation would have become absurd if God had not intervened.
Last year, at the early stage of the Umbrella Movement, the administrations started and kept blaming foreign influences which, until today, could not be verified. How convenient an excuse it was! Foreign influences were everywhere in a cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong. To show their love and care for the youngsters who took to the streets, the authority blamed the pan-democrats for instigating the youngsters. One year after the end of Umbrella Movement, the administration still does not give even a little thought of how far the government was responsible for creating this "deep-level contradiction" within the society. At the wake of the Mongkok protests which turned ugly on the first Lunar New Year night, the government blamed the so called "localists" ... It is not my fault. Am I my brother's keeper? Worst of all, the administration was playing a more dangerous game by defining this incident a "riot" which could easily turn into an excuse to call in the PLA once the police is proven ineffective in containing the situation. The so called "riot" lasted for 7 hours and the police starts rounding up "suspects" ...
The Catholic Church starts the Lent Season today, the Ash Wednesday. To prepare ourselves to partake in the resurrection of Christ, we should fast, pray and give alms. We should repent and turn once more towards God. We should make God our centre of being etc. For me, this Lent Season is going to be a forty-day retreat. I will try to empty myself to make room for God. The first thing to empty is the habit of playing the Blame Game. Look hard at myself to see how much I am responsible for the misery suffered by my neighbour. If I refuse to see the truth, I will never be free.
Merciful Father, correct me when I start playing the Blame Game. Amen.
Last year, at the early stage of the Umbrella Movement, the administrations started and kept blaming foreign influences which, until today, could not be verified. How convenient an excuse it was! Foreign influences were everywhere in a cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong. To show their love and care for the youngsters who took to the streets, the authority blamed the pan-democrats for instigating the youngsters. One year after the end of Umbrella Movement, the administration still does not give even a little thought of how far the government was responsible for creating this "deep-level contradiction" within the society. At the wake of the Mongkok protests which turned ugly on the first Lunar New Year night, the government blamed the so called "localists" ... It is not my fault. Am I my brother's keeper? Worst of all, the administration was playing a more dangerous game by defining this incident a "riot" which could easily turn into an excuse to call in the PLA once the police is proven ineffective in containing the situation. The so called "riot" lasted for 7 hours and the police starts rounding up "suspects" ...
The Catholic Church starts the Lent Season today, the Ash Wednesday. To prepare ourselves to partake in the resurrection of Christ, we should fast, pray and give alms. We should repent and turn once more towards God. We should make God our centre of being etc. For me, this Lent Season is going to be a forty-day retreat. I will try to empty myself to make room for God. The first thing to empty is the habit of playing the Blame Game. Look hard at myself to see how much I am responsible for the misery suffered by my neighbour. If I refuse to see the truth, I will never be free.
Merciful Father, correct me when I start playing the Blame Game. Amen.
Tuesday 9 February 2016
2016 LUNAR NEW YEAR GREETING
In this Jubilee of Mercy,May I
Wish you an agile year of the Monkey ahead,
Full of God's Grace & Mercy.
Sunday 7 February 2016
升呢 Upgrade
常年期第五主日（丙年）
主題：升呢
Fifth Ordinary Sunday (Year C)
Theme: Upgrade
主題：升呢
我們已經來到路加福音的第五章。過去兩個主日的福音，焦點放在耶穌身上，告訴我們耶穌是默西亞，是貧窮和受壓迫者的慈悲救主。可是，出於徧見，納匝肋的鄉親父老拒絕了耶穌，並且把天主趕走了。今天，我們讀到關於耶穌身邊的宗徒的故事，就是伯多祿和其他漁夫的蒙召。馬爾谷福音祗有很簡單幾句的敘述，目的祗想表達四個漁夫，怎樣爽快地捨棄了一切來跟隨耶穌。這個故事在路加筆下，就變得多姿多彩了。
我不是漁夫，對於如何在加里肋亞湖捕魚，沒有認識。廿多年前曾帶領四個學生到馬來西亞，參加該學校的亞太區生活體驗，認識貧窮與社會公義的關係。我們曾在一個漁村，度宿一宵，認識了一點當地漁民的生活方式。他們都是在夜間捕魚，用火炬發出的光，在黑暗中吸引魚群游近，然後下網。這種方法，不是馬來西亞所獨有，因為在電視台一些介紹日本的旅遊節目，也曾見過。所以，在晚間用火光和網來捕魚，相信是漁民在淺水地方的一般作業方式。淺水，是因為火光不足以穿透到深水裡去。
耶穌來到湖邊講道，一定不是在晚上。漁夫們已經網了一晚的魚，回到岸上洗網。試想像您是伯多祿，您操勞了一晚，一無所獲，正在岸上洗網的時候，忽然來了一個陌生人，跳上您的船，要借用您的船作為講壇，並請您放下您的工作，替他把船划離岸邊（路5:3）。您還有甚麼可以做呢？他已經坐在您的船上了，而且有一大群聽眾在岸邊等著，難道要趕他下船到別處嗎？如果是這樣，您可能會在心中咒罵這個帶給您麻煩的人。然後與其他伙計，收拾未洗好的網，回到船上。划開少許，他有他講道，您有您繼續洗網，或者也坐下休息，或者想辦法如何懲戒這個麻煩人，令他尷尬也好。另一個可能是在這事件之前，您已聽聞過耶穌的大名，也希望有機會聽他的福音，但忙於工作，沒有機會。今天有幸他光顧您的船，是您的榮幸。於是您與其他伙計，收拾未洗好的網，回到船上。划開少許，聽他講道。
無論您是歡迎耶穌與否，跟著發生的事，都是不合理的。因為耶穌在講道後竟然命令您划到深處，撒網捕魚。您是習慣了在夜間捕魚，正如前面說過，您的設備祗適合在淺水作業。如今划到深處，又在白天，怎樣吸引魚群從深水游上來呢？按常理，這次捕魚，肯定會白費心機…
伯多祿說自己是一個罪人，請耶穌離開他。有學者認為，伯多祿不是犯了甚麼殺人放火的大罪，而是在這神蹟面前，深深感受到天主的臨在、天主的榮耀和自己的不堪當、自己的欠缺，一如第一篇讀經中，依撒意亞先知蒙召時的感覺一樣。伯多祿掙扎，他不想離開安樂窩，他不想接受天主的召叫委派，竟然想天主離開他！伯多祿實在太傻了！天主既然已經把伯多祿趕出了安樂窩，自然會安排他一份更有挑戰性的任務，讓他發展未開發的潛能。天主要他「升呢」，從捕魚「升呢」到捕人。倘若伯多祿拒絕了，他的領導才能又如何得到發展呢？將來又如何成為宗徒之長，教會的磐石，第一任教宗呢？
各位兄弟姊妹，您意識到天主對您所懷有的計劃嗎？您認識天主的旨意嗎？您聽到您的聖召嗎？您感覺到天主對您的愛嗎？您愛天主有多深呢？您願意更信靠天主，放棄一些日常生活的例行工事，如打機，傾電話，煲劇…投放多一些時間讀經祈禱，實踐神哀矜、形哀矜嗎？
但伯多祿的心中已出現了微妙的變化，無論當初耶穌上船的時候，伯多祿對耶穌的印象如何，現在，伯多祿稱呼耶穌為「老師」了。路加沒有記載耶穌在船上講道的內容，或者記載伯多祿聽到了多少。無論如何，伯多祿已有所改變，信服了耶穌。因此，神蹟出現了。請記住，不是神蹟加強人的信德，而是信德引發出神蹟。這個神蹟，值得我們深刻地反省。
習慣是舒適的，因為不需要傷腦筋。我們在不知不覺的情況下，建立了一個安樂窩，做一些行之有效的步驟，犯不著改變現狀。「無驚無險，又到五點。」是很多人生活的常態。在夜間以火炬吸引魚群上水面來捕魚，是行之有效的步驟，犯不著划到深處下網。但耶穌來了，把伯多祿踢出他的安樂窩，要他做一些人力不可為的事─在白天，用淺水網到深水捕魚。不可能的事竟然發生了。與天主同在，有甚麼事是不可能的呢？
生活無憂，是我們每個人，包括信徒，很自然會產生的願望，而且天主亦沒有特別的理由，想我們生活困難。加上電視台和傳媒的鼓吹，擺風水陣來趨吉避凶已成為時尚，連接受過科學教育的年青人，也不介意暫時拋棄科學的頭腦，找個風水師父改運，使事業順利，姻緣美好。歸根究底，這些現象都是人想自己操控自己的命運，不想由天主操控。不錯，天主的確尊重我們的自由，讓我們自由地發展。但始終天主對我們是有要求，有指標的。天主希望我們認識祂的愛，回應祂的愛。倘若我們未達標，倘若我們信靠風水而不是信靠操控風水的天主，祂會派遣祂的使者，邀請我們回頭悔改，達到天主的要求，符合天主的旨意。
既然蒙召，天主自會保護他，伯多祿從此不再犯錯，不再犯罪嗎？錯。且看他日後如何為了保命，三次否認耶穌。天主從來沒有遠離伯多祿，沒有遠離我們任何一個，問題在於伯多祿，或者我們，信靠天主有多少。倘若伯多祿祗信靠自己，例如在山園祈禱耶穌被捕之時，他便會慘敗。倘若他信靠天主，他就能做更偉大的事，成為教會的磐石。
天主保祐。
Fifth Ordinary Sunday (Year C)
Theme: Upgrade
We have reached Luke 5. In the previous two weeks, the texts focused on Jesus, telling us that Jesus is the Messiah, the merciful Saviour of the poor and oppressed. However, out of prejudice, the Nazarethians rejected Jesus and sent God away. Today, we read the story of the apostles, that is, the call of Simon and the other fishermen. Mark only briefly mentions the story in a few verses, trying to show how swiftly and completely the four fishermen abandoned everything to follow Jesus. In the hands of Luke, the whole story becomes very colourful.
I have never been a fisherman and know nothing about fishing in Lake Galilee. More than two decades ago, I brought along four students to Malaysia to participate in an Asian Pacific immersion program of the La Sallians to know about the relation between poverty and social injustice. We spent a night in a fishing village to know something about their livelihood. The villagers went out catching fish at night, using torches in the dark to attract fish to swim near in order to catch them with a net. I believe this method of fishing was not exclusively Malaysian because I have seen similarly techniques in tourism shows on TV about Japan. Therefore, this way of fishing must be a common routine for shallow water fishing. It is "shallow" because light from torches cannot penetrate into very deep waters.
When Jesus came to preach, it could not be night time. The fishermen had already finished a night's labour and returned to the shore to wash the nets. Imagine you were Simon Peter. You had worked the whole night without a catch. While you were washing your nets, a stranger boarded your boat and used it as a pulpit (in Luke, it is the first encounter between Jesus and Peter). He asked you to put down your work at hand and put out a little from the land (Luke 5:3). What else could you do, now that he was already sitting in our boat and a large crowd was waiting? Could you drive him away to other boats? In such a situation, perhaps you would be cursing this troublesome man in your heart. Then together with your partners, you picked up the unwashed nets to the boat, rowed out a little bit. Jesus did his preaching and you your washing, or perhaps resting, or thinking about how to punish or embarrass this guy. There is also another possibility. Perhaps you had heard of Jesus and wished to have an opportunity to hear his preaching but you were too busy to have time. Today, you were lucky and honoured to have Jesus patronizing your boat. So, together with your partners, you picked up the unwashed nets to the boat, rowed out a little bit to listen to his preaching.
Whether you welcomed Jesus or not, what followed was illogical. After preaching, Jesus told you to put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch (5:4). Your routine was to fish at night. Just as previously be explained, your equipment was only suitable for shallow water fishing. Now putting out into the deep and it was day time, how could you attract shoals from the deep to swim up? Logically, this catch would be a waste of effort...
Habits are comfortable because we don't need to rack our brains. Gradually and imperceptibly, we build up our comfort zone, doing effective procedures. We don't bother to change the status quo. "No frills no thrills, it is five o'clock" is a norm for most people. Catching fish at night with fire torches is an effective procedure. Why bother putting out into the deep? But Jesus comes to kick Peter out of his comfort zone, asking him to do some impossible thing --- using shallow water nets to fish in the deep in broad daylight. A miracular catch happens. With God, what cannot be done?
A worry-free life is the wish of everybody, including Christians. Furthermore, there is no particular reason for God to want our life to be difficult. With the promotion of mass media, setting up fung-shui matrix to avoid evil and to lead an auspicious life has become a fashion. Even young people who have received scientific education are willing to suspend their scientific mind to seek advice from fung-shui masters to improve their careers and marriage prospects. At the root of the phenomenon is men's desire to take fate into their own hands and do not want God to meddle. Truly, God respects our freedom and allows us to develop freely. But at the end of the day, God has demands and sets targets for us. God wants us to know His love, to respond to His love. If we miss the target, if we trust in fung-shui, but not God who controls fung-shui, He will send us messengers, inviting us to repent to meet God's demands and to do His will.
Peter said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." (5:8). Scholars argue that Peter had not committed any mortal sins but was deeply thrilled in the face of an awesome miracle. He was shaken in the presence and glory of God. He felt inadequate and unworthy just like what Isaiah felt when God called him in the first reading today. Peter struggled. He did not want to leave his comfort zone. He did not want to accept God's call but wanted God to leave him alone. How silly Peter is! Now that God had kicked him out of his comfort zone, God would arrange a more challenging mission for him to develop his potentials. God wanted Peter to upgrade from a fisher of fish to a fisher of men (5:10). Had Peter rejected, how would he have developed his leadership? In the future, how would he have become the Prince of the Apostles, the Rock of the Church and the first Pope?
Since he left everything to follow Jesus, would God protect him so that Peter would never sin, would never make mistakes in the future? Of course not. See how he denied Jesus three times to save his own skin. God has never abandoned Peter and is never far away from anyone of us. The problem lies in how much Peter, or we, trusts in God. If Peter trusted in himself, such as what he did when Jesus was arrested after the Agony in Gethsemani, he would lose. If he trusted in God, he would be able to achieve bigger things and become the Rock of the Church.
Brethren, are you aware of God's plan for you? Do you know God's will? Have you heard God's call? Do you feel God's love for you? How deeply do you love God? Are you will to trust God more, to give up some of your daily routines, such as playing computer games, chatting on the phone, watching TV dramas ... and spend more time reading the Bible, prayer, performing spiritual and corporal works of mercy?
But some delicate changes had taken place in the heart of Peter. Whatever impression Peter had about Jesus when he boarded his boat, now Peter addressed Jesus as "Master". Luke has not written down what Jesus preached on the boat or how much Peter had heard. No matter what, Peter had changed and believed in Jesus. Thus, a miracle appeared. Remember, miracles do not strength faith but faith triggers miracles. This miracle is worth deep reflection.
God bless.
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