A Big Christmas Dung 一篤聖誕牛屎

A Big Christmas Dung

by Deacon Alex Kwok

By the time this edition of Homestead lands on your desk, the Chinese Lunar New Year shall be just around the corner. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your beloved ones a fruitful and safe Lunar Year ahead, not just the New Year.

Biblical scholars who specialized in typology claim that Old Testament figures are “pre-figures” of Jesus Christ and events are “pre-figures” of the age of the Church. For example, Noah’s Ark is a common symbol of the Church. Isaac who carried the wood for the burnt offering to ascend Moriah (Genesis 22:6-8) was a pre-figure of Jesus Christ who carried the cross to ascend Mount Calvary. Joseph who was sold by his brothers into Egypt was also a pre-figure of Jesus Christ who was betrayed by one of His disciples. The burning bush symbolizes the perpetual virginity of the BVM. The crossing of the Red Sea is a pre-figure of the Sacrament of baptism. The life of Jeremiah the prophet was reminiscent of Jesus Christ’s for telling the truth etc. …

We don’t need to be biblical experts to be able to see the symbolism. Here I would like to invite you to discover the highlights of our crib decorations this year. Yes, I’m sure none of you would have missed the “oxen dung” around our different cribs. In our daily life, there’s nothing likeable we are able to find in dung because a lot of unimaginable microorganisms are living inside and outside of it. Its shape and colours are disgusting and its smell nauseating. The worst of all, it attracts flies, thus spreading diseases … etc. I suppose the last thing you want to appear in your nightmares is to find yourself chained inside a dungeon of dung! Perhaps you have not read it. Jeremiah the prophet, who was accused of treason by his enemies, was thrown into a dungeon where “there was no water but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.” (Jeremiah 38:6) It takes little imagination to reason why there was dirt and mud in the dungeon. The dungeon was nothing but a septic tank to dispose of the human wastes collected in the royal palace! Pardon me for being gross! This was exactly what I felt when Father Law decorated the cribs in our church with pieces of “oxen dung” this year.

His inspiration came from a verse one of our parishioners told him, “Where there are no oxen, the crib is clean; but abundant crops come through the strength of the bull.” (Proverbs 14:4) The book of Proverbs is a collection of aphorisms contrasting the life of the wise against the foolish. In this context, the author of the Proverbs was probably encouraging his readers to work diligently like a bull! But Fr. Law took the cue and combined it with the Christmas message of our Bishop this year: “Emmanuel”, i.e. the Lord be with us! All of us are the “oxen dung”. No matter how lowly and smelly we are, our Lord is happy to accompany us. No matter how bullshit our personalities are, Jesus Christ is willing to die for us. Like all innocent children, had the Blessed Virgin Mary left the Holy Infant crawling around the floor to explore the world, Infant Jesus would have been excited to discover the warmth the manure he was massaging around his crib, remembering prophet Jeremiah whom He had sent to speak the truth.

Brethren! Fr. Law made use of every means to remind us of the plights of the needy: wheelchairs, bags of rice and Christmas muffins. Therefore what the homeless eat, we eat. Where the fragile sit, we sit with them! This is the meaning of Christmas. May I challenge you one step further. Dare you to suffer like Jeremiah in a dungeon of dung for the sake of telling God’s truth in the present milieu of Hong Kong?

Trying to Understand Young People 了解青年人

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, Year C
Theme: Trying to Understand Young People

On December 4, the Most Reverend Bishop Stephen Chow, SJ made it clear in his address after his consecration as the bishop of the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong that “A church without young people has no future”. By extrapolation, a society that gives up young people also has no future. Therefore, every organization and each community must treasure the young who hold the future! But as all parents know very well, it is never an easy task to raise the young.

For nearly a decade, a child had been obedient. Within this period of time, the parents were making all the decisions for the child and were emotionally dominant over it in different degrees. Some are more domineering even to the extent of being manipulative while some are distant and aloft. Unaware of the changes and developments going on in the body and mind of the child, parents are shocked and are caught unprepared to confront a rebellious adolescent who now dares to stand up against them! This is vividly narrated in the gospel story today. Joseph and Mary had known this boy Jesus through and through for the last 12 years. Suddenly, “they did not understand what he said to them.” (Luke 2:50) I’m sure many parents feel the same.

During its development, a child must go through this rebellious stage in order to shake off an identity and image imposed on them from the outside in order to build up its own unique identity. The intention of parents and the society is definitely good for the child. After all, parents know more. But things are far too complicated because parents don’t have crystal balls to predict the future. Moreover, they might inadvertently impose their own unfulfilled ambitions on their child who, as a unique human being, is a mystery! Learn from the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son! The younger son was spoiled. He needed to come to his senses and returned to the father on his own (15:17). By the time he returned, the prodigal son had become a more mature son than the spoiled child who had earlier on left. Of course the maturity is not yet perfect. On the other hand, the elder son was obedient through and through. Yet, his “rebellion” had only been covered and not been properly dealt with. At last, the father was able to see more clearly the frustration of the elder son whose obedience did not mean that he totally agreed with the father (15:29-30)!

I’m pretty optimistic. I believe that the identity the child itself builds up may not be too different from what their parents want because deep inside its DNA are genes from both parents. The child will definitely be different but surely we will be able to find more similarities. Have we not heard of “Like father like son”? Nevertheless, this identity of the child’s is unique and it is achieved and is not acquired! The child shall cherish it more than one imposed from outside, parents and society. Even for an adolescent who never disobeys like the elder son, the issue remains unresolved. He would continue to struggle until he finally settles himself in an identity he’s satisfied with.
Why must the obedient child struggle? It is because his obedience may not be genuine. The obedience might come about from fear of punishment or from want of reward! It may not be motivated by material reward, but psychologically from a need of approval! Somehow the child may someday wake up to this strong urge to stand on its own. Most likely its peers, who are beyond the control of the child’s parents, pressurize it. Such a struggle is a certainty. Only after settling that struggle is its obedience genuine because this obedience comes from its own free will, not from the calculation of costs and benefits. Congratulations parents. You have given birth not just to the body of your child. You have awakened its soul! If the child fails to establish its own independent and critical thinking, someday it will end up being somebody else’s slave if not yours! This is the wisdom of the father of the Prodigal Son!

Whether you agree with the style of child rearing of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son or not, parents are supposed to know more than the child. They can’t just demand blind obedience from the child. That is not what the “Honour thy father and thy mother”(Exodus 20:12) commandment means! God entrusts this child to parents. The commandment mandates that parents have the responsibility and knowledge to help the child develop a proper identity appropriate to it. Whether they believe in the rod, or they deploy “carrot and stick” strategy or they befriend the child, they have to bear in mind that at the end of the day, they don’t own the child. It belongs to the future when the time comes. It belongs to God. Their parenthood is actually a stewardship. It is their duty to build up the talents and faith of the child. On Judgment Day, the Master shall demand accountability. Have you buried the talent of the child the Master gave you (Matthew 25:18)? As parents, have you brought the child to its Father’s house (Luke 2:49)? The commandment also mandates that government officials have to provide an edifying environment for young people to develop their talents and identities. Have you, as government officials, stripped them of their opportunities and trampled on their dreams and hopes? Have you used them as scapegoats for your political gambits, accusing and arresting them for arson, rioting, terrorism and vandalism etc.? God will hold you accountable on Judgment Day.

Young brethren! Learn from boy Jesus. When Joseph and Mary found him in the Temple, boy Jesus was sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (2:46). Obviously our schooling system has failed you. We only prepare you to sit for public examinations to make you marketable. We teach you how to listen and pick up clues to answer test items but have not taught you how to listen with empathy. You don’t know how to respond properly to different moods, tones and expectations in a conversation. Worse still, we only tell you to memorize model answers and have not taught you how to ask questions to clarify your understanding. Alas! Human communication is too complicated a syllabus for the present schooling system. Regrettably, you have to learn them in a harsh and costly way when you set foot in the society.

Heavenly Father! This city is Your house as well. I beg You to have mercy on us. Forgive us because we have made Your house a mess. Come! Help us, especially our young people, cleanse up this mess because our time is running short and our young people have to carry on. Amen.
2018 Reflection
Picture Credit: http://sander-gaiser.de/

2021 A Belated Christmas Deliberation 一個遲來的聖誕思考

A Belated Christmas Deliberation
一個遲來的聖誕思考

Greeting! May the Joy and Peace of the Holy Infant be with you and your beloved in the days ahead.
祝各位與你們心愛的人，來日充滿聖嬰的喜樂平安！

I would like to show you highlights of cribs we decorated in our parish this Christmas. In the following seven photos, you’ll find some unconventional objects near the manger.

請找出以下七幅馬槽照片中的亮點，一些不落俗套的裝飾。

Yes, dung! A parishioner gave our parish priest the inspiration. “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” (Proverb 14:4) That is to say, the stronger the ox, the greater the harvest and … at the same time, the bigger the dung! Thus, we decorate our cribs with dung of different sizes. In his homily, our parish priest emphasized the meaning of Christmas: No matter how bullshit we all are, the Son of God is willing to become one of us!

對，就是在馬槽旁邊，一篤篤大小不一的牛屎！這是來自一位教友的靈感。「沒有耕牛，沒有五穀**；耕牛愈雄壯，收穫愈豐富。」（箴言14:4）言下之意，沒有耕牛，馬槽會非常清潔；收穫豐富，馬槽四周必有牛屎！堂區神父非常受落，在講道中強調聖誕的訊息，就是「天主子不計較我們一腳牛屎，樂意成為我們一份子！」
** 馬槽一詞，在英文譯本出現，思高版採用不同的譯法。
Photo Credit: the top photo came from Ms. Lilian Chin of OLMC

God Is Willing To Suffer 天主願意受苦

Fourth Advent Sunday, Year C
Theme: God Is Willing To Suffer

God is righteous and by deduction, fair. Therefore, He enjoys supporting the disadvantaged and the vulnerable, probably to show off His might. In doing battles for the Israelites, He only picked a handful of soldiers to defeat thousands. For example, He instructed Gideon to choose 300 men to annihilate a 135000 strong Midianite army (Judges 8:10). God is almighty. He doesn’t even need a single human soldier to defeat millions of Israelite enemies. In the Exodus story, He drowned Pharaoh’s chariots and foot soldiers single-handedly in the Red Sea. But for our good, He wants us to work with Him to achieve our own deliverance. Otherwise, our potentials would never be actualized. On the other hand, He doesn’t want us to be spoiled by our arrogance, thinking that “My own power saved me” (7:2). So, He symbolically selected a few in order to keep the number small.

Around the first century, the Jews were suffering under consecutive colonial rules. They longed for a powerful liberator to chase away the oppressors. The Psalms we read today shows their sentiment. “O Shepherd of Israel … Seated upon the cherubim, shine forth … Stir up your power, and come to save us.” (Psalms 80:2-3). Moses had been the archetype of their liberators, some mighty people sent by God. Thus they expected the next liberator to be somebody like Moses who had been raised in Pharaoh’s court. In other words, they expected the Messiah to be of royal blood, a mighty warrior king. God was faithful and did not disappoint them. The Son of God did come as an offspring of King David, a king after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). However, the Son of God was not born into the royal palace because the David’s line no longer occupied the royal throne after the Babylonian Captivity. In a miraculous manner, this suits the modus operandi of God who champions the underdogs. Thus, the Jews would have to look for their Messiah elsewhere in the most unexpected place!

The first reading drops us some hint. “But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah least among the clans of Judah …” (Micah 5:1) In hindsight, we now know that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem instead of its neighbour Jerusalem or even in Rome! Though Bethlehem was relatively undeveloped, a powerful king who was able to unite the 12 tribes of Israel for the first time came from it. What about the mother of this Messiah, she turned out to be a maid from an insignificant village, Nazareth which was in the neighbourhood of Gentiles in the north. Its reputation was as lowly as Bethlehem if not worse. One of the future apostles even says, “Can there any good thing come out from Nazareth?” (John 1:46) Thus, few people would bet on this candidate unless those who know the Scriptures well.
On a deeper level, Bethlehem was actually a good choice because literally, it means the “house of bread” which gave birth to Jesus Christ, the “bread of life”; while Nazareth, the “Guarded One” gave us our Saviour and one who lives forever to make intercession for us before God (Hebrews 7:25)! Of course, the maid is the now famous Blessed Virgin Mary. But I suspect few people know the meaning of the word Maria (Miriam) in Hebrew מְרִי which means “rebellion” (Numbers 17:10, Deuteronomy 31:27 etc.). Empowered by God, a fragile but “rebellious” virgin is somebody to be reckoned with. All evidences point to the work of a God who takes side with the poor, the mournful, the meek and all those who hunger and thirst for His deliverance (Matthew 5:3-6)!

The gospel passage today tells us the story of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth who in her old age miraculously was pregnant with John the Baptist. Luke’s passage is rich with materials for meditation. For example, some people suggest that “Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste” (Luke 1:39) in order to verify the truth of Gabriel’s annunciation. This interpretation is bad because it reduces the intensity of Mary’s faith! Some say that it shows the love and care of the future mother of the Messiah towards the needy, making her an exemplar like Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Some say that the Carrier of God went to consecrate the forerunner of Christ, making her some sort of a King Midas etc.
In real life, both pregnant women did not understand what was happening to them! When they met, Elizabeth suddenly felt that she was infused with an unspeakable power such that the infant she was carrying in her womb leaped with joy (1:41). What follows was a poetic Magnifcat, declaring how God elevates the lowly and throws down the mighty (1:52). Of course, there is no guarantee that the path ahead is going to be a bed of roses. NO! It would be very thorny indeed! The Collect spells out this connection between Christmas and Easter very well. It says, “Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ you Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of Resurrection …” Without Incarnation, the Son of God would not be human. He would not die and there would be no resurrection. If God does not destroy death with resurrection, what’s the point of Incarnation? In short, Christmas and Easter are two sides of the same coin.

In the past, God chose the minority to defeat the majority. In the process, the minority was protected and sustained no harm. Now, God goes further. He himself suffers and is imprinted with wounds which He keeps. He proves that no defeats, no pains and no sufferings would deter Him from loving us, no matter how unworthy we are. He is faithful and would not be easily disappointed by our failures.
Brethren! How blessed we are! Our God is not a control freak! He has confidence in us and helps us actualize our potentials to become like Him. Where else can we go? Simon Peter once confessed, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Let us follow the examples of Mary and Elizabeth. Be prepared to suffer and sustain wounds as Christians!
God bless!
Picture Credit: mycatholic.life
2018 Reflection

因耶穌基督而絆倒 Offended By Jesus Christ

因耶穌基督而絆倒

【路加福音】告訴讀者，天父是慈悲的。
我們憑甚麼知道那位看不見的天父是慈悲的呢？就是透過可見的耶穌基督。這位天主子是不可見的天父可見的標記，賜給人類救恩，所以祂是「原始的聖事」。單憑祂的所作所為：「瞎子看見，瘸子行走，癩病人潔淨，聾子聽見，死人復活，貧窮人聽到喜訊」（路7:22），足以證明天父是慈悲的，天主子是美善的。那麼，因耶穌基督而絆倒，可能嗎？

福音除了記載天主子如何重整患病及傷殘人士，恢復他們的健康，讓他們再可以過正常的生活外，還記載了宗教領袖與祂的衝突。耶穌基督驅魔（4:35, 41），經師和法利塞人沒有異議，因為驅魔的行為沒有「闖入」他們的管轄領域；耶穌基督潔淨了癩病人後，吩咐他找司祭檢驗（5:14），符合法律的要求，沒有問題。經師和法利塞人並非蠻不講理的人，在他們的認知中，祇有天主纔可以赦罪。眼前的耶穌是一個人，即使祂的教訓非常有權威（瑪7:29；谷1:22；路4:32），祂始終不是天主，所以祂沒有權赦免癱子的罪（5:21）！

這祇是表面的理由而已！試想想，以色列人憑甚麼知道天主赦免了他們的罪呢？憑司祭為他們舉行「贖罪祭」（肋5:5-6）。充軍後出現的經師和法利塞人，運用他們的教導，強化這種理念，當中便牽涉到經濟利益了！如今，耶穌基督祇說一句話，便得罪赦，他們一伙人的經濟利益去了哪？他們在人民心目中的地位去了哪？於是，他們便到處「發掘」更多天主子不守法律的罪證：與稅吏和罪人一起吃喝（路5:30），沒有禁食（5:33），不守安息日（6:2, 7），與羅馬人來往（7:2-10）等等。耶穌基督的善言善行，原來是可以令人絆倒的！

天主子已經為我們償還了所有的罪債，所以不需要再破費獻祭，而是藉著免費的修和聖事，獲得罪過的赦免。不得不要謙虛地承認，中世紀的天主教會沒有吸取教訓，重蹈覆轍，導致「宗教改革」與及後來的戰爭和流血…即使是基督的淨配，也會絆倒！
主啊！我們一再失足犯罪，請幫助我們真心悔改，獲得救贖。亞孟。
論盡神學
圖片鳴謝：johnhembree.com

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Offended By Jesus Christ

The gospel according to Luke tells the readers that the Heavenly Father is merciful.
With what do we know that the invisible Father is merciful? Through the visible Jesus Christ. The Son of God, who is the visible sign of the invisible Father, dispenses saving grace to humanity. Thus He is the “Primordial Sacrament”. His deeds alone, viz. “The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Luke 7:22), are sufficient to prove that the Father is merciful and the Son is good. Then is it possible to take offense at Jesus Christ?

Besides narrations of how the Son of God restore the health of the sick and handicapped, allowing them to lead a normal life again, the gospels also tell us His conflicts with the religious authority. The scribes and Pharisees had no objection against Jesus Christ’s exorcisms (4:35, 41) which was not their turf. After cleansing the lepers, Jesus Christ always told them to be examined by the priests (5:14). He had not breached any law. The scribes and Pharisees were not irrational people. In the best of their knowledge, only God could forgive sins. Although this Jesus who was standing before them was very authoritative in teachings (Matthew 7:29, Mark 1:22, Luke 4:32), he was not God. Therefore, he did not have the authority to forgive the sins of the paralytic (5:21)!

This is a superficial reason only! Think about it. How did the Israelites know that God had forgiven them? From the visible “purification offerings” performed by priests (Leviticus 5:5-6). The scribes and Pharisees who emerged after the Babylonian Captivity further reinforced this concept with their teachings. Financial incentives were involved! Now, with the pronouncement of a simple statement, Jesus Christ forgave sins. Where did the economic benefits go? Where would their standing among the people be gone? Thus, they went about digging up evidences of sins committed by the Son of God: eating with tax-collectors and sinners (Luke 5:30); not fasting (5:30); not observing Sabbath (6:2, 7) and dealing with Gentiles (7:2-10) etc. The good deeds and words of Jesus Christ do offend some people!

The Son of God has already repaid all our debts. We don’t need to spend money offering purification sacrifices. Through the Sacrament of Reciliation, which is free of charge, our sins are forgiven. Regrettably, we need to confess humbly that the Catholic Church in the Middle-Age had not learnt the lesson and repeated the same mistake, leading to Reformation and subsequent bloody wars … Even the Spouse of Christ stumbles!
Lord! We fall repeatedly. Help us repent genuinely to receive redemption. Amen.

天主的公義

天主的公義

很多人誤會了天主的公義，就是「賞善罰惡」。這種把複雜事物簡單化的傾向，是人之常情。倘若堅持自己這個膚淺的思想就是真理的全部，恐怕祇會自尋煩惱。例如，如果天主的公義祇可以是「賞善罰惡」，那麼，善人為何會受苦呢？可見天主的公義，不可能祇是「賞善罰惡」那麼簡單！

讓我們從另一個角度考慮。行善可以升天堂，對不對？祇對了一半！倘若行善的結果是升天堂，便違反了一個重要的倫理判斷原則了：就是「動機」。一個為了估名釣譽而捐出兩億財產的富翁，與福音中捐出兩個銅錢的窮寡婦，如何判別他們的優劣呢？其中一個準則就是行為的「動機」！同樣道理，倘若行善不是為了愛天主，或者不是為了解救有困難的近人，而是為了累積功勞給自己升天堂，相信很多人會唾棄這個動機！可見，行善，並不是為了自己，而是為了其他人的益處。這不是耶穌在講述「點燈應放在燈台上」的教訓嗎？「好使他們看見你們的善行，光耀你們在天之父。」（瑪5:15-16）

因此，行善不應該為自己。同理，履行公義也不是為了自己！這樣容易明白。可惜，很多人把「公義」簡單化為「公平」，繼而轉變為「以牙還牙」，目的是為了保障個體，不會受到不合理的傷害…殊不知這樣理解「公義」，反而製造更大的不公義。因為很多人會揮舞著「公義」的旗幟，聚眾攻擊與自己競爭的對手，結果令更多的個體，受到無辜的和更大的傷害。所以，真正的公義，應該是解放受約束的人，使他們不再被別人奴役！

在今天的福音，耶穌一方面教訓司祭長和長老，另一方面讚賞若翰的「正義」。因為若翰的言行，引導了娼妓和稅吏悔改，使罪人與天主修和，從罪惡的奴役中釋放出來！以言以行，協助罪人悔改，合符天主的公義，故然會獲得賞報。但過程中，免不了會受苦，甚至殉道，有如洗者若翰一樣。所以，在賞善罰惡的天主手上，善人也會受苦！
主啊！請賞賜我們剛毅與敬畏上主之恩，好能獲得真正的智慧，不會把事理簡單化。亞孟。
論盡神學
圖片鳴謝: Credo Magazine

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Rethink God's Righteousness

Many people misunderstand God’s righteousness to be “awarding the good and punishing the wicked”. It is the result of the human tendency to oversimplify complicated things. If we insist on this shallow way of thinking to be the whole truth, I’m afraid we’re only inviting troubles. For example, if God’s righteousness is only “awarding the good …”then why do good people suffer? Thus God’s righteousness can never be that simplistic!

Let’s think along another line. Doing good enables us to enter heaven, doesn’t it? It is only a half-truth! If the fruit of doing good is entry into heaven, it contradicts an important moral principle: viz. motive. How do we judge who is better, a rich man who donates two billion dollars for fame or the biblical poor widow who donates two mites? One of the moral principles is the motive of an action! Similarly, if we do good not for the love of God, or to relieve the plights of the needy neighbour but for earning merits to enter heaven, I’m sure we earn contempt instead! Thus, doing good is not for ourselves but for the sake of others. Isn’t this what Jesus teaches with “Lighting a lamp and setting it on a lampstand”? “That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly father.” (Matthew 5:15-16)

Thus, doing good is not for oneself. Similarly, doing justice is also not for oneself! This is easy to understand. Regrettably, many people simplify “righteousness” into “equality”, then turning into “a tooth for a tooth” to protect individuals from unreasonable harm … Unbeknown to them, such an understanding of “righteousness” creates a greater injustice. Many people hoist a righteous flag, gather a mob to attack their rivals. Consequently, more individuals are harmed and greater damages are made. Genuine righteousness should instead liberate people from bondage and slavery!

In the gospel text today, Jesus scolded the chief priests and elders on one hand and praised the righteousness of the Baptist. It was because John’s words and deeds made prostitutes and tax-collectors repent. He reconciled sinners and God, liberating sinners from the bondage of sin. Helping sinners repent with words and deeds satisfies God’s righteousness. We shall surely be rewarded. But in the process, we’ll suffer and may eventually are martyred like the Baptist. Thus in the hand of a God who “rewards the good and punishes the bad”, the good may suffer!
Lord! Grant us fortitude and the fear of God in order to obtain genuine wisdom not to oversimply things. Amen.

A Failed Finesse 企圖反客為主

企圖反客為主

假設你是來質問耶穌的司祭長和民間長老的一員。是你先提出問題，為甚麼你會「禮讓」耶穌，先回答他的反問呢？看，你掉進了耶穌設下的兩難局面，給了祂一個脫身的機會！你是原告，為甚麼反而變成了被告，你給耶穌催眠了嗎？

這是不是經師之間的辯論規則呢？提問的經師先回答被問者的問題，表示尊敬對方；並且表示自己有資格提出問題，並且無意浪費被問者寶貴的時間！不是，你們祇是司祭和長老，並不是法學士或「辣彼」，所以這並不是一場學術辯論。正因為有長老在場，這更加是一場法律程序！「催眠」一詞雖然是誇張的筆觸，卻能表達耶穌基督在群眾心目中的權威和震懾力（瑪7:29）！

也難怪司祭們這樣「禮讓」，因為他們理虧！
耶穌基督是天主子，建築聖殿的目的，原本就是為了欽崇祂，讚美祂。而且祂願意認可這人手建造的殿宇，就是祂神聖的身體（若2:21），這是猶太人何等的榮耀！如今天主子清理聖殿，清理自己的地方，好更堪當成為祂奧妙的身體，有何不可？是誰把聖殿不堪當成為天主子的奧體，變成賊窩呢（瑪21:13）？就是這群沒有忠誠地履行職責的司祭長！他們原本是「被告」，竟妄想成為「原告」；自投羅網，結果再敗一仗，活該！

孔子曾說：「不憤不啟，不俳不發，舉一隅不以三隅反，則不復也。」（論語‧述而）即是說，對不發憤苦思的學生，沒有必要去啟發；對苦於找不到適當表達方法的學生，總要引導；對於未能舉一反三的學生，不必浪費時間再教了！這來自「萬世師表」的教學方法，很有參考價值。可以天主子比孔子更慈悲，對於這些被財富權勢，迷惑了心竅的人，耶穌基督還是給他們一個反省認錯的機會！
主啊！請賜下聖神，以上天的智慧，明辨是非的聰敏和勇於實踐真理的剛毅，充滿我們的心，保護我們免於心硬，錯失悔改的機會。亞孟。
論盡神學
圖片鳴謝: wikipedia

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A Failed Finesse

Imagine you were one of the chief priests and elders who came to interrogate Jesus. It was you who started the interrogation. How could you ‘politely’ reply Jesus’ question? See, you fell into a dilemma, thus giving Jesus an easy exit! You’re the plaintiff. Why had you become a defendant? Were you hypnotized by Jesus?

Was it some kind of engagement rule in scholarly debate among teachers of the law? The interrogator had to answer some counter-questions to show respect, that he was qualified to interrogate and that he had no intention to waste the defendant’s time! No, it was not! You’re priests and elders, not scribes or Rabbis. Therefore, it was not a scholastic debate. Since elders were present, it must have been a legal proceeding! Although the wording, viz. ‘hypnotized’ was meant to be dramatic, it tried to convey the authority Jesus Christ had among the people (Matthew 7:29)!

We shouldn’t blame the priests for their ‘politeness’ because they were on the wrong side!
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Temple was built to worship and praise Him. He is willing to grant recognition to this man-made temple to be His mystical body (John 2:21). It should be a great Jewish honour! Now the Son of God cleansed His own house to make it worthy to be His mystical body. What could be wrong? Who turned the Temple into a den of thieves not worthy to be the mystical body of the Son of God? They were the chief priests who did not do their job properly! They were defendants who fantasized to become plaintiff! Now that they put their necks into the noose, whom shall they blame but themselves!

Confucius once said, “For those who do not think hard, don’t inspire them. For those who are unable to articulate themselves, guide them. For those who are unable to apply what is learnt to three other areas, don’t waste your time anymore.” (Shu er, Analects). This piece of pedagogical advice is sound. But the Son of God is more merciful than Confucius. Jesus Christ still gives opportunities of repentance to those whose hearts have been suffocated by power and wealth.
Lord! Grant us the Holy Spirit. Infuse our hearts with heavenly wisdom, discerning understanding and fortitude to practise the truth. Protect us from heart-hardening so that we won’t miss the opportunity to repent. Amen.

Burn the Chaff with Unquenchable Fire 用不滅的火焚燒糠秕

用不滅的火焚燒糠秕

在這福音片段，我們找到兩處與「火」有關的文字，並且，是與「祂要」連在一起的。它們分別是：「祂要以聖神和火洗你們。」（路3:16）與及「祂要揚淨自己的禾場，把麥粒收在倉内；至於糠秕，卻要用不滅的火焚燒」（3:17）。

從上文下理得知，兩處的「祂」是指猶太人等待了很久的默西亞，即我們的主耶穌基督（3:15-16），祂要為世人做兩件事。第一個章節比較容易明白，是指耶穌基督升天後，聖神在五旬節，以火舌的形象降臨在120個門徒頭上（宗2:3），教會於是誕生了。祂要派遣聖神，建立教會，藉教會履行祂與世人同在的承諾（瑪28:20）。這是第一個「祂要」。第二個讀來有點奇怪，糠秕並非甚麼堅硬頑固之物，普通一把火，足以把它燒毀，何需「不滅的火」呢？看來必定另有所指。

當我們聽到「不滅的火」，很容易會聯想到地獄，因為福音另一處說：「你一隻眼進入天主的國，比有兩隻眼被投入地獄裡更好，那裡的蟲子不死，火也不滅。」（谷9:47-48）在末日，善人與惡人的肉身一同復活，而復活後的肉身是永不磨損的。善人擁有永不磨損的肉身，在天堂享受永恆的福樂；而惡人永不磨損的肉身，將會與天主隔絕，在地獄受「不滅的火」懲罰，不對嗎？對的，以【瑪竇福音】的背景（瑪3:9-12），是可以這樣理解的；可是，上述這種猶太教「賞善罰惡」的思維，與強調聖神和慈悲的【路加福音】有點格格不入。或許，是指天主以不滅的火，淨煉罪人在世時沒有能力清除，與天主隔絕的障礙。以今天的認知，不竟「糠秕」並非絕對無用或有害之物，它與麥粒之間的對比，並不足以象徵「惡人」與「義人」之間的命運，能勉勵讀者悔改就夠了。
主啊！請以祢現在就以不滅的火，焚燒我們心中的糠秕，讓我們更能愛祢和愛有需要幫助的兄弟姊妹。亞孟。
圖片鳴謝：thefriendlyheretic.wordpress.com
論盡神學

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Burn the Chaff with Unquenchable Fire

We find 2 pieces of text in today’s gospel related with “fire”. They appear together with “He will”. They are: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16) and “… to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”(3:17)

From the context, the “He” is the Messiah whom the Jews had been anticipating. He is our Lord Jesus Christ (3:15-16). He’s going to do two things. The first piece of text is easier to understand. It refers to the Pentecost after the Ascension of Jesus Christ. The Church was born when the Holy Spirit would come down upon the 120 disciples in the form of tongues of fire (Acts 2:3). Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to establish the Church to honour His pledge of being with us always until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This is the first “He will”. The second one sounds a bit strange. Chaff is not hard nor strong. An ordinary fire would destroy it. Why does the Lord need “an unquenchable fire”? It must be symbolizing something else.

When we read “an unquenchable fire”, we will easily think of hell because it is written in another gospel, “Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:47-48). On Judgment Day, the bodies of both the righteous and the wicked shall come back to life. The resurrected bodies will be imperishable. With an imperishable body, the righteous shall enjoy eternal blisss while the wicked shall be cut off from God and suffer the punishment of “unquenchable fire” in hell, shall they not? It is correct and understandable in the context of the gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 3:9-12). However, this Jewish concept of “awarding the good and punishing the bad” is somehow in contradiction with the Lucan emphasis of the Holy Spirit and mercy. Perhaps there is a possibility that God uses an unquenchable fire to purge the obstacles which cut sinners off from God and which sinners were unable to remove during their life times. As of our knowledge today, “chaff” is not absolutely useless and harmful. Their contrast with wheat is inadequate in symbolizing the different fates of the wicked and the righteous. It has done its job if it is adequate to motivate the readers.
Lord! Please burn away the chaff in our hearts with Your unquenchable fire now. Let us love You and our needy brethren more fervently. Amen.

Discovering Joy In Adversity 逆境中發現喜樂

Gaudete Sunday, Year C
Theme: Discovering Joy In Adversity 逆境中發現喜樂

To be realistic, we aren’t living in paradise. Despite our efforts to modify it, the environment we are living in is still rather hostile. Not only is the physical ecology worsening, our interpersonal relations are getting tense and utilitarian. In short, we’re always stressed and it is never healthy both physically and spiritually. How do we sustain in such a prolonged adverse situation? We need to find something or some way which is able to cheer us up and to find joy or satisfactions in what we are able to do. Beware! Like stresses which we want to avoid, anything excessive is harmful. So are comfort and joy. When comfort and joy become addictive, they are also unhealthy for us and lead to our demise. This is the wisdom of Mencius. So, let’s face it. Pains are inevitable. To make them bearable, we need to pepper them reasonably with intermittent joy and satisfactions.

Liturgically, halfway in our Advent and Lent Seasons, the Church sets a “Gaudete Sunday” and a “Laetare Sunday” respectively to give us a break, to celebrate joyfully during these fasting and preparatory seasons. Today, let’s meditate in what we can be joyful. Are we joyful because we have a Christmas holiday? Is it because we receive candies and gifts? Certainly not! What about helping the needy? The Bible says, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Indeed, we feel good when we are able to extend a helping hand, don’t we? This is true but don’t forget there are other areas. For example, happiness can also be a relief from pain which goes far deeper.

The first reading today tells us this deeper something. “The Lord has removed the judgment against you, He has turned away your enemies” (Zephaniah 3:15) Why is the removal of judgment joyful?
To be candid, none of us is guiltless. In order to avoid the shame and guilt caused by our faults, we tend to compete to be the first to pass judgment on others before the others pass judgment on us! Of course, avoidance and denial cannot solve any problem. That is why Jesus teaches us not to judge (Matthew 7:1) and that is also how He saved the woman caught in adultery (John 8:7). Why shouldn’t we judge? It’s because we are aware of our own faults and not passing judgment on others trains us to be more compassionate. In this way, we’ll have the courage to face our own faults and overcome them.

In most situations, our guilty feelings are augmented to a disproportional scale such that we despair. We are misguided into thinking that our faults were so grave that God would never forgive us. There’s no hope! Judas was driven to despair when he failed to “redeem” Jesus from the chief priests. He committed suicide, denying himself an opportunity to repent! Actually this is the trick of the great Liar “who accused us before our God day and night.” (Revelation 12:10b) Thus, it is consoling and relieving to obtain assurance from the prophet that God “has turned away your enemies” (Zephaniah 3:15b) and the apostle that “The accuser of our brothers is cast out” (Revelation 12:10a). God loves us so much so that He teaches us not to judge and He removes judgments against us! He shows clemency by repaying all our debts for us! Here we find joy.

The God we believe in is full of surprises! Most of the time, His behaviour is mind-boggling! We take for granted that we will find happiness and joy when we find God. This is what all religions are supposed to be! They are supposed to console us and to cheer us up. But the God we believe in is different. When we find God, we don’t find comfort and security but more persecutions (Mark 10:30)! Furthermore, Zephaniah tells us that actually God finds happiness and joy in us! He says, God “will sing joyfully because of you” (Zephaniah 3:17c). How is it possible for us to make God joyful? It’s amazing isn’t it? We are mere creatures and mortals. We don’t last long! What in us merits God’s joy? Moreover, the Bible criticizes the Jews themselves, describing them as a stiff-necked people (Exodus 32:9, Deuteronomy 9:6, Acts 7:51), failing God many times with idolatry! It’s hard to imagine how God could find joy in such people!
We are unable to fathom God’s mystery indeed. From eternity, He had elected David to be the King of Israel and made the Messiah come from him. The Bible also says, “The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). And yet, from eternity, God had known that David would commit adultery and murder! David seems to know his own short comings when he writes, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him little less than a god, crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, put all things at his feet.” (Psalms 8:5-7) We don’t understand why and probably we never will. However, Jesus Christ the Son of God is the proof that God finds joy in us, human beings! When we come to love, there truly is no reason at all!

Let’s return to joy which is a theme that runs through all the encyclicals and apostolic exhortations of Pope Francis. Why is joy important? Pope Francis says, “An evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral” (Evangelii Gaudium #10) Therefore, joy is essential for evangelization. If the gospel we believe in were not able to give us hope, to cheer us up, why should we preach? Thus, we are able to understand Paul’s exhortation, “Rejoice in the Lord always ... Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4-5). When we are joyful, it is easier for us to be kind. St. Paul says that our kindness will show that the Lord is near. In other words, being joyful is evangelization! Isn’t it amazingly simple? Therefore, it is important to be cheerful and joyful to radiate the power of the gospel, viz. that the Saviour is near.

In the gospel passage today, we read of the Baptist’s instructions to help people prepare their hearts to receive the Messiah. Was the Baptist joyful? I think so. It was because the Baptist was able to convert many followers and people thought that he was the Messiah they were expecting (Luke 3:15) But was the Baptist aware that he was going to die? I think so. That he was joyful to embrace his own death is shown in the fourth gospel. “The friend of the bridegroom … rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice … He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29-30) The Baptist was joyful because he had accomplished his mission!

Brethren! In our daily life, there are in fact many sources of joy. They are waiting for us to discover. The Baptist has shown us that the Son of God is our ultimate joy which is worthy of our forsaking even our own lives in exchange. He is the Lord of Life. The parting with our lives can only be temporary. Save us Lord in adversities and grant us joy in eternity. Amen.
God bless!
2018 Reflection
Picture credit: SSPX.org

Who Is Able To Fill Our Emptiness? 誰能填滿我們的空虛？

Second Advent Sunday, Year C
Theme: Who Is Able To Fill Our Emptiness?

Men were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) who is infinite. Therefore, we should also be infinite in some ways. But in reality, our lives are short and we are not able to occupy two or more disconnected spaces at the same time. So, where does our infinity lie? We believe that our souls are immortal. We claim that our imagination knows no bound. For example, there’s a typical theme which the inmates I visited before confided in me. Though they were physically imprisoned within their cells, their minds were free to fly home across the oceans to see their family members! Logically speaking, the love we share with each other should know no boundary too. Yet, for various reasons, we love the lovable and the beautiful more. We admire the outstanding and the successful more. We care for our relatives and friends more. The trouble-makers we ignore. The ugly and the losers we avoid. Our rivals and enemies we hate! How paradoxical! There are a lot of holes in our infinity.

It is the Second Advent week now. Since last week, we should have become alert to the return of our Saviour to judge the living and the dead. This week, we are supposed to repent, i.e. to turn away from sins and turn to God. In the language of the prophets, Isaiah and John the Baptist, we should “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:4-6, Isaiah 40:3-5) There is much to meditate and let us begin from the end.

“All flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6, Isaiah 40:5). Yes, all flesh indeed and that is why the Church must be Catholic. The Church should embrace all and rejects nobody. The good Lord says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:31-32) However, as I previously mentioned above, there are holes in our love. We like to play God and take over God’s job to pass judgment on others. Therefore, some deserve our love and some our wrath …
When we were infants, we were not able to differentiate what is “me” and what isn’t “me”. Psychologists say that it takes time for infants to build up their concept of “self”, the boundaries of their body and lastly their identity and ego. This is a process necessary for infants to grow up. But in the process, all of us lose our “innocence/purity” and become selfish because we feel secure and comfortable living inside this shell, this so called “ego”! The prophet’s proclamations as well as Jesus’ teachings pluck us out of our crust which obscures and blocks God’s grace from penetrating into our souls! Whether we like it or not, God wills all to be saved, including those who have hurt us, those whom we hate and curse! We would be sitting next to each other in the heavenly banquet. Don’t worry. God is fair. Surely we have offended many people who hate us as much as we hate others. If we don’t feel comfortable sitting next to them, I’m sure they would feel the same towards us. How would we take it if we don’t repent and free ourselves of our own prejudices? We need a bigger heart to embrace all the people we encounter, even those whom we hate!

We should be grateful to God every morning when we get out of bed for granting us yet another day to love even those unlovable ones. Why? I believe this is how we prepare the way of the Lord. Surely the prophets are referring to our hearts where there are many valley, mountains, winding roads and rough ways!
There are valleys in our hearts created by dreams unfulfilled, emptiness, listlessness, loneliness, regrets and wants etc. After many defeats, disappointments, failures and frustrations, we are not able to harbour any hope in our hearts. Who is able to fill these valleys up?
There are mountains in our hearts inflated by ambitions, arrogance, greed, thirst for control and vainglory etc. Who is able to make them low?
There are winding roads in our hearts twisted by backstabbing, conspiracies, double-crosses, gossiping and scheming etc. Who is able to straighten them?
There are rough ways in our hearts conditioned by physical abuses, pushing people around, shouting people down, stuns, tortures and violence. Who is able to smooth them?
Let’s be honest. We are incapable of satiating our wants which is bottomless, of humbling our pride and self-inflation, of cherishing purity & simplicity and lastly of being meek and mild in getting what we want. In short, we’re unable to prepare the way of the Lord on our own. So, what is left of us? Without the Holy Spirit, without God’s grace we’re not able to repent. Lord, have mercy on us!

Do we still have faith in the Lord? Not only is our good Lord infinite, but He is also omniscient and He knows perfectly what needs to be straightened. Furthermore, His humanity surely will inspire great confidence in us so that we are able to trust His providence. What’s the best for us? To satisfy all our wants whenever they arise? No because after getting what we want, we would want more. It seems to be very natural but no end will be in sight! A better approach is to make us understand the truth of our nature. That is why He teaches us to embrace the spirit of poverty which is the sure path to return to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:3). In poverty, we would not waste our scarce resources on unnecessary wants. We’ll only spend our energy searching for the indispensable --- God!
How does our Lord help us deal with our pride and arrogance? By allowing us to succeed and scale greater heights until we forget Him. Then when we make mistakes and fail, we don’t think of Him who is always with us (28:20). Therefore, He teaches us to mourn (5:4). The society at large promotes achievements and successes and blames losers for their laziness. In passing the bucket to losers and blaming a group of scapegoats, powerful people are able to save their skins but fail to deal with the root of problems. They are still able to maintain their confident look and congratulate themselves of their “successes” … When are we able to shed a drop of tear for our inadequacy as well as our sins and to mourn? The good Lord promises consolation and not condemnation.
The society at large believes in power. For them, “Might is right”. People have turned the society into a metaphorical jungle. Today, it is the law of the jungle that most people follow and not the law of God. But violence brews further violence which brews more violence in revenge. The only way to break this vicious-cycle is mercy (5:7) in our daily life and a willingness to suffer violence for the redemption of abusers (5:10) in time of persecution. During ordinary days, mildness should be the garment of Christians (5:5). The good Lord advocates humility instead of pride, mildness instead of brute, purity and simplicity (5:8) instead of calculations.

Brethren, the Beatitudes are the Lord’s way to help us cultivate a big heart to partake in the Heavenly Banquet. We need to live up to this beatific spirit in this life. How much do we believe in the good Lord? How much do we hope in the and Lord? And lastly, how much do we love Him?
God bless!
Picture Credit: Holy Spirit Catholic Church
2018 Reflection

Stay Alert To See the Needs of Neighbour 經常留意近人的需要

First Advent Sunday, Year C
Theme: Stay Alert To See the Needs of Neighbour

For me, purple is not only a cold colour, but it also conveys a gloomy mood which is exactly what many people are feeling since 2019. It never rains but pours. When the social unrest subsided, pandemic erupted. In fact, we’re not so sure whether the social unrest has truly subsided. Perhaps it is hibernating! No wonder our northern neighbour, who prefer overkill to oversight, imposes overdoses of security measures to nip future unrest in its bud! When the developed countries are talking about the third vaccination while many underdeveloped countries are not able to afford the first, a new strain of more infectious COVID-19 virus comes on stage … If this is a narration of an Advent Season, it is truly a rather long season. Despite the gloomy outlook ahead, I meet many pregnant ladies on my way to work. I wonder where their faith in the future comes from. Then, it dawns to me that the tribulations before the end are birth pangs which prophets of the Old Testament, e.g. (Isaiah 13:8, Jeremiah 13:21) as well as St. Paul (Romans 8:22, Galatians 4:19) like referring to. Therefore, we shouldn’t focus on the pains and labour at the moment. Instead, we should listen to the advice of John and gaze in hope to the joy at the end. “When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.” (John 16:21)

On this first Advent Sunday, I would like to meditate on this verse taken from the gospel passage today, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise” (Luke 21:34). Many moralists have already pointed out that pains and sufferings are indispensable for our survival. For example, after enumerating a list of successful historical figures, Mencius drew the conclusion that “life springs from sorrow and calamity, and death from ease and pleasure.” (Mencius, II Gao Zi) We still agree with this ancient wisdom as one of our modern aphorisms goes, “No pain, no gain”. However, perhaps life has been too easy for this generation. The last World War ended more than seven decades ago and world economy has since been very vibrant. The living standard of most people on earth keeps improving. Had this pandemic not come uninvited, the market would have been extremely bullish. Making money has never been so easy. Pains seem to be something which could only unearthed in the past … Thus, many governments are caught unprepared to deal with the outbreak of this pandemic which is indeed a surprise and a wakeup call for all of us.

Brought up in this post-war era, seeking pleasure and avoiding pains seem to be natural human dispositions for these two generations of people. Who on earth would enjoy and actively seek pains unless one is a masochist, isn’t it? By definition, a masochist/sadist is a pervert and therefore, these behaviours and attitudes are culturally disapproved. So how can we blame people who seek relief and refuge in becoming an alchoholic, a workaholic and in substance abuses? They have never gone through sufferings in famines and wars. How do they come to know the survival values of calamities? Poor humanity, they have become so fragile. When suicide rates go hand in hand with economic prosperity, social scientists deny it and explain it away. After tasting the sweetness of affluence, who wants to go back to poverty? This is exactly what Christians of modern era have to battle against. Doesn’t Jesus Christ make poverty the very first Beatitude (Matthew 5:3)? Regrettably, even though Pope Francis claims that the Beatitudes are the identity card of Christians (Gaudete et Exsultate #63), who cares?

Being Christ’s ambassadors of reconciliation on earth (2 Corinthians 5:19-20), we shall keep on discharging our duties even if our proclamation falls on deaf ears. Very commandable indeed! But when we proclaim the good news to people that God is not counting their trespasses against them, are we able to inspire hope in those who are desperate and seek refuge in substance abuses or the like? One of the reasons for people to restort to substance abuses and the like is to fill their interior void. When people reject God, nothing on earth is able to fill up this inner black hole! What can we do? There are also people who believe in God but are unable to tolerate God’s schedules. They see bad things happening to good people. They witness prisons filled up with political prisoners but God seems not to notice or care. They can no longer take their faith in God seriously because justice is not seen done! If you try to explain to them that Jesus Christ shall judge the living and dead at the end of the world, they want to see immediate vengeance instead! Modern men are brought up in advanced technology. They take speed and convenience for granted. Patience, which agricultural societies demanded, is in short supply. “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) is alien to them. Immediate gratification of wants is the norm rather than the exception. How can we blame these people when they take justice to mean vengeance and prefer condemnation to reconciliation?

Lord, I really don’t know how to proceed because there is no turning back to agricultural societies. Nowadays, even agriculture is technological advanced to produce greater yields. How do we cultivate the virtues of long-suffering and hope among these impatent people? From afflictions! St. Paul’s famous exhortation is relevant here. He says, “Affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint.” (Romans 5:3-5) We have come a full circle and returned to the survival value of pains and sufferings. Of course, modern people may not buy the wisdom of St. Paul or Mencius because they were brought up in an era of immediate gratification and convenience. Where else can we turn? It seems that we have run out of all options.

Brethren! In His ineffable wisdom, God leaves us signs to remind us of His merciful presence. On the 33^rd Sunday, we meditated on the theme of “The poor you will always have with you” (Mark 14:7) In fact, despite improvements in the living standard of most people, poverty stares us down and teases our advances in modern technology which have failed miserably to eradicate poverty. By turning our attention to the needy instead of turning to ourselves, we may have the opportunity to see clearly our own inadequacy. By staying alert always to the needs of our neighbour, we may be able to liberate ourselves from egoism and humbly seek repentance. Let poverty be our guide to steer us away from despair and keep hoping in God’s redemption.
God bless!
2015 Reflection
Photo credit: scmp.com

Advent Is A Season of Anticipation

Advent Is A Season of Anticipation

Probably you have read His Eminence, Cardinal John Tong’s Advent message. He should have been happily retired had His Excellency, the late Bishop Michael Yeung not suddenly died in January 2019. His Eminence has gone through an extremely long season of Advent as the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong until the consecration of His Excellency, Bishop Stephen Chow, S.J. of Hong Kong on December 4, 2021.

Traditionally, Advent is an anticipatory season like Lent. The liturgical colour is rather gloomy --- purple. But don’t worry. Brightness is just around the corner. Christ the Holy Infant is the morning star at the dawn of our salvation. Before that, Jews were living in the dark age of captivity: Babylonian, Persian, Greek and finally Roman. After some thirty years, Jesus emerged from Nazareth where people didn’t expect anything good to come (John 1:46). His public ministry reached climax at His crucifixion on the cross, the darkest moment in human history but in the small hours of the very first Easter Sunday, Christ outshone the darkness of death like trillions of trillions suns and came back to life! At the end of history, Christ the King of the Universe shall come again in majestic glory to judge the living and the dead. Yes, darkness does not last!

Therefore, not only do we prepare for the birth of our Saviour during Advent, but we also prepare for the Second Coming of Christ the King. The liturgical setting of the Church arranges the first two weeks in anticipation of His Second Coming, not the first. This is an ingenious decision because the coming of Christ is always unexpected. Surely, nobody knows when the world shall end, nor when one shall die. But who would expect the Saviour of the world, the champion who would defeat Satan, to be born a nobody? The worst of all, Christ found no room to receive Him (Luke 2:7).

Brethren, we spend weeks, if not months, to prepare for throwing a birthday party/wedding banquet. By how do we prepare and to make room for the coming of our Saviour and King? We don’t have to worry about how to throw a party in heaven because we are not yet there. Rather, we should worry about whether we have thrown away the invitation card which God gives us! God forces nobody to join Him but He generously invites all to partake in His eternal life and glory. Thus, we should worry about whether we have prepared a good enough wedding garment to join the heavenly banquet (Matthew 22:12)! It would be pitiful if we would be rejected at the gate of heaven by St. Peter in full sight of all the souls present. The advice of Pope Francis is simple. The invitation/identity card of Christians is the Beatitudes (Gaudete et Exsultate #63). Deacon’s advice is even simpler. Pray, read the gospel, stay alert to see who needs help and act.

Together with the people of Hong Kong, His Eminence, Cardinal John Tong has gone through an advent of more than 34 months. All of us have! Has our faith vanished? Are we still anticipating the good Lord to manifest His justice? Are we helping the needy (Matthew 25:40) and acting as Christ's ambassadors of reconciliation in this world (2 Corinthians 5:19-20)? Be assured that our King and Lord shall come to reward all those who listen, follow and persevere. God bless! Amen!

HOMESTEAD 2021 Nov. edition

My Kingdom Does Not Belong To This World 我的國不屬於這世界

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe, Year B
Theme: My Kingdom Does Not Belong To This World

When Pilate interrogated Jesus for treason charges, asking Him whether He was the king of the Jews, the Lord gave Pilate an opportunity to confess if he truly believes so (John 18:34).
Pilate was under pressure. On one hand, he had lost favour before Caesar and was assigned a difficult job of governing a turbulent province: Judaea. He needed the chief priests to support the Roman colonial rule and Pilate knew that they handed Jesus over out of jealousy (Mark 15:10). On the other hand, he has the responsibility to enforce Roman justice, at least to show that Roman laws were impartial. It was a dilemma. Taking the chief priests’ side went against Roman justice and was immoral. Opposing them would lose their support. Pilate tried hard to get off the hook and the rest is history.

When Jesus asks Pilate if he truly believes that He is the king of the Jews, Pilate declares his neutrality/impartiality and continues to press for evidence, “What have you done?” (John 18:35) As usual, Jesus answers in an off-topic manner, speaking of “kingdom” three times in order to give Pilate the “evidence” he needs to incriminate Him. “My kingdom does not belong to this world…” (18:36) and in the end, Pilate could only wash his hands in the sight of the crowd to declare his own innocence of Jesus’ blood (Matthew 27:24).

We Catholics are called and chosen to be a “royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God” (1 Peter 2:9) Jesus Christ came and invited us to join His kingdom. We Catholics have accepted His invitation and thus, regret to say, we possess dual nationaly: the earthly state as well as the kingdom of Heaven. We need to obey two different sets of laws: the local laws and the Canon Law of the Church. Therefore, most of the time, we Catholics live in high tension, torn between worldly attitudes and the beatic spirit. I’m not joking because Pope Francis once says, “The Beatitudes are like a Christian’s identity card.” (GE #63) Which means, our baptismal certificate is no admission ticket to heaven. St. Peter shall check how we have led our earthly life in the beatific spirit! Most of the time, it would go against the flow (#65-66)! That’s what I meant when I previously said “we Catholics live in high tension.” Then, let’s meditate what message Jesus wants to tell us with “My kingdom does not belong to this world”.

Though a bit old-fashioned, our understanding of kingdom consists of the concept of space, viz. territory. Naturally we’ll wonder, if Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, then where?
There could be three possibilities. Jesus’ kingdom would be far-away and other-worldly which has nothing to do with this world. Neither is it Jewish, nor Roman, nor Chinese etc. Most likely, it may be somewhere in the outer space or in some dimensions beyond the usual three! This is not an attractive interpretation because it portrays a God who is all powerful, all knowing and all present. He could create a magnificent universe from void with just a snap of fingers. Yet, there is no way to reach Him, no way to migrate into His kingdom. So, we may forget it.

Or Jesus’ kingdom can be closer and bigger than this world, enveloping it and yet it can still exclude this world. Again, such a kingdom suggests an indifferent, lofty and almighty God who doesn’t care about us, doesn’t bother to relate to us. Do you think you may flourish in such an environment? No thanks. I would not migrate to this kingdom even if it is within reach.

At last, it is possible for Jesus’ kingdom to envelop this world as well as penetrating this world. In other words, Jesus’ kingdom is everywhere, within and without all of us. Thus, Jesus’ ambiguous answer could be a declaration that His kingdom is NOT Jewish as Pilate thinks, but universal. This interpretation agrees with what Catholics always believe because the God we believe in is love (1 John 4:8). Love is inclusive and accepts all. Love offers oneself instead of enslaving others. Thus, love only invites and forces nobody to accept it.

Despite the fact that technologies of transportation, from sailing to flying, from horseback to the internet, have broken down national borders, almost all kingdoms on earth are exclusive. Governments set up regulations to define who are qualified to be their nationals and who are not. This is convenient for greedy and ambitious mandarins because they could easily set up enemies to divert the dissatisfaction and frustration of their subjects. They could abuse the concept of territory to claim natural underground resources which should be shared by all humanity! Consequently and sadly, the world is more fragmented and polarized! Since almost all kingdoms on earth are exclusive, Jesus’ kingdom is unable to find a niche among them. Its invitation to build a kingdom of love and peace on earth has almost always fallen on deaf ears of the people in power. No kingdom on earth is interested to form alliance with Jesus’ kingdom ... No wonder Jesus’ kingdom does not belong to this world.

Brethren! All of us are citizens of Jesus’ kingdom. We can’t afford to lose hope even when the prospect is gloomy! Our king did not give up even when He was hanging on the cross. He has conquered death with resurrection. This is the turning point of the spiritual battle between good and evil, life and death. Like chess, Christ has secured for humanity a winning position and it is up to us to turn this winning position into victory. Our mission is clear, “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20a)

Jesus does not count Pilate’s trespasses. Instead, Jesus gives him opportunities to know the truth. No matter how hard he had tried to get off the hook, Pilate went down into history as the man who failed to uphold justice and condemned Jesus. Pilate’s plight is representative of the contradictions humanity has to face in all ages. Like Pilate, all of us are facing different degrees of dilemma in our daily life. Many of us don’t have the moral courage to take the right actions. Fortunately, we Christians occupy a better position than Pilate did because we acknowledge the kingship of Jesus Christ. Since the Father is pleased to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32), we are able to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation boldly to bring the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
God bless!
Picture Credit: widiart.org
2018 Reflection

你們常有窮人同你們在一起 The Poor You Will Always Have With You

5^th World Day of the Poor
Theme: 你們常有窮人同你們在一起 The Poor You Will Always Have With You (Mark 14:7)

In these two years of social unrest and pandemic, we are definitely in need of God’s accompaniment and support. Thus wherever appropriate in prayers or activities, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong would invoke the idea of Emmanuel: God is with us (Matthew 1:23). Indeed, Emmanuel forms an inclusio for the gospel of Matthew. He brought up the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14) to show that the virginal birth of Jesus is one of the signs showing that He is the Messiah. In the last chapter of Matthew, Jesus pledges that He is with us always until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). It is truly reassuring and consoling to read Matthew in this light.

Seeing the world around us in the light of faith, we are able to see God in most of the things we encounter. Of course, some are easier to identify while many others are more difficult to discern. For example, it is easier to see sunshine, the air we breathe, beautiful sceneries and good people we meet as signs of God’s loving care. Whereas, it is more challenging to see God in sufferings, in discouraging situations and in developments spinning downwards.
If anything, this pandemic teaches us at least one lesson. Like any virus, the Covid-19 is an indifferent virus like the Spanish Flu and we are going to live with it for ages ahead. First of all, it kills people that we love as well as people that we hate. Therefore, we should not fancy that God sent this virus to punish the world. No, instead this virus exposes a lot of ignorance, hypocrisy, greed and bigotry among peoples and governments. At the outbreak, commoners hoarded surgical masks and medical supplies in frenzy. Governments blame each other for releasing the virus from bio-chemical laboratories. Pharmaceutical giants rush to manufacture inadequately tested vaccinations to occupy the market. Experts relent their scientific objectivity to become consenting megaphones for the states and developed countries impose third vaccination while under-developed countries aren’t even able to deliver the first jab etc. Covid-19 shows how fragile all our social institutions and relations are. Are we able to see God in these failings? What about sufferings? Are we able to see God’s loving care when bad things happen to good people? If God is always with us, so are sufferings! If God is a mystery, so are sufferings! Are we able to see God in poverty, starvation, oppressions and persecutions as well? Let’s not be too ambitious. Meditating on poverty is enough to help us extrapolate our discernment to other areas. Perhaps this is the Pope had in mind when he made “The Poor You Will Always Have With You” (Mark 14:7) the theme of World Day of the Poor 2021.

First of all, we need to recognize that our negative feelings towards poverty could be a consequence of social and perhaps cultural conditioning. Bear in mind that culture/history is handed down to us through people in power who were inevitably rich and powerful enough to put their opinions down in writings. Thus we are fed with ideas which equate successes with health, wealth, longevity and fame. They blamed poverty on the sloth on the part of the poor. Not only are the poor an eyesore for the affluent society, but they are also a burden draining our social security resources. They don’t deserve our love and care because they have no contribution to the society!
Alas! Nowadays, we see that poverty can be a structural evil because many employers are greedy. They make exploitative laws so that many hard-working labourers are not able to feed themselves and their families. At least three things result: many people ignore purity/simplicity, forget about temperance and have turn workaholic. Becoming workaholic creates relational poverty because people spend less quality time with friends and relatives. They may be rich materially but lonely and poor emotionally. Without temperance, people hoard without restrain, fuelling further consumption and affluent spending. Without purity and simplicity, our hearts become congested and leave no room to love God and our neighbour! Powerful people are totally misled and they mislead many others! They are truly blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14)!

Secondly, why did Jesus make poverty the first Beatitude (5:3)? The Son of God is not trying to be revolutionary to turn mundane wisdom upside down. He comes to show us the path returning to the Father. Thus He reveals Himself to be “The way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He led a simple life in poverty, free of mundane burdens in full communion with the Father. This is the proper way of life we, who were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26) should lead. In the Pope’s word, “Jesus teaches that poverty is not the result of fate, but a concrete sign pointing to His presence among us. We do not find him when and where we want, but see him in the lives of the poor, in their sufferings and needs, in the often inhuman conditions in which they are forced to live.” (2021 Message #2)

When Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me” (Mark 14:7), you may interpret it as Jesus’ affirmation that poverty is a structural evil created by the rich and powerful. If they wish, they have all the resources required to change the situation. However, their hearts are so congested that they don’t always have the Author of Life, Lord Jesus Christ in them. Therefore, poverty persists … etc.
But when we interpret the text in the Pope’s manner, we may avoid making judgment and condemning people whom we don’t fully know. Yes, the Pope doesn’t deny that poverty is the fruit of structural evil which he does not condone. However, he is one step ahead. Not only is poverty a piece of evidence condemning human greed, but it is also a sign of God’s presence. God doesn’t enjoy the company of the arrogant. He feels more comfortable to dwell among the poor, the needy, the weak and the pure ones. Therefore, we seldom find God among the mighty, but to be sure, we shall be able to find God in the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the homeless, the sick and the imprisoned (Matthew 25:35-36).

What do you think God is doing among the poor? To accuse us for not loving Him in the poor and improving their situation, thus to condemn us? No. The Devil enjoys accusing us days and night (Revelation 12:20), not Jesus who lives forever to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Rather, the poor is a reminder to help us recognize our own poverty, if not materially, relationally and spiritually. Beware, the end is near. Do you have sufficient oil in your lamp to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-12)? When the Lord comes in glory to judge the living and the dead, are you able to tell the King, “My friend, glad to meet you again!”
God bless!
Photo Credit: https://7dayspoverty.hkccla.org.hk/
4^thWorld Day of the Poor

Love the Poor Widow As Yourself 愛窮寡婦如愛你自己

Thirty Second Ordinary Sunday, Year B
Theme: Learn From the Poor Widow

I cherish an unspeakable fondness of this poor widow story. In December 2012 during the election rite to the candidacy of permanent diaconate, my mind was fully infused with this story so much so that I do not remember what gospel passage was read that evening during the ceremony. The good Lord showed his mercy, accepting the meagre “possession” I offered. In fact, whatever I possessed at that moment were all His gifts and throughout the years, I have spent and wasted most of the talentum given me. To be candid, whatever remains is genuinely microscopic. Still, the good Lord is happy to accept my offer and to turn it useful. St. Augustine says it right, “Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I love you.” (Confession X)

Before meditating on the poor widow story, let’s tidy up some loose ends. In the previous week, a scribe challenged Jesus what the first commandment was among the 613 laws. Of course it’s a piece of cake for Jesus. But has anybody wondered why Jesus gave two commandments instead of one? Perhaps it’s a professional hazard for me as a retired teacher. When a student gives unasked for answers, we ignore those answers because they waste our time and we will have a bad impression on the student. So, why did Jesus bring up the “Love your neighbour as yourself” commandment (Mark 12:31)?
I opine that this is what Jesus means when He said “I have come not to abolish but to fulfil the law.” (Matthew 5:17) One way to diminish the effectiveness of the law is to compartmentalize it. Disconnect individual laws, erase their interrelationship and very soon, the spirit of the law vanishes. Without its spirit, the law turns into a devouring monster instead of a guardian of justice. See how the religious authority tried to make use of the law to find fault with Jesus. What did Jesus do? He put the two commandments together once more. His beloved disciple captured the Master’s intention well when he wrote, “If anyone says, ‘I love God’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20) Therefore, nobody is able to love God who is invisible, with all his heart, all his soul, all his mind and all his strength unless he also loves his neighbour who is visible. A hypocrite is able to boast how much he loves the invisible God. Only by loving the visible poor widow can a hypocrite prove that his love is genuine and thus he is not a hypocrite. Unfortunately, the scribes “devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers.” (Mark 12:40) With lengthy prayers, the scribes showed how much they loved the invisible God. At the same time, they harmed the needy who were visible. Do we need to pass judgment? No. God will provide.

On one hand, the story of the poor widow today is uplifting because no matter how microscopic our offer is, the good Lord accepts and praises. He praises because “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) The rich might want to show off their riches in their offering. This is pride which obviously offends God. But I think the worst part is to offer “from their surplus wealth” (Mark 12:44a) which was the same mistake Cain had made. (Genesis 4:3, 5, 7) God wants us to be free because He is free. He does not want us to be attached to any worldly things. God did not look with favour Cain’s offering because Cain did not want to depart from his best possession. Similarly, Jesus did not praise the rich because they were not free from their attachment to wealth. On the contrary, the poor widow offered up all that she had. Indeed, she loved God with all her heart, her soul, her mind and her strength. She had observed the first commandment!
We should envy the poor widow because it is easier for the poor to abandon two mites than for the rich two millions. It costs you less to give up two mites because after all, the two mites could not do anything while the opportunity cost of giving up two millions is much higher! It demands greater courage and intelligence to give up two millions than to give up two mites! Thus, the rich is more pitiful than the poor widow!

On the other hand, the story of the poor widow is disturbing because the poor widow is annonymous! Biblical characters without names usually do not end up well. For example, the child which Bathsheba bore for David as a result of adultery (2 Samuel 12:18) and the rich man in the parable of Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:23). So the fate of the poor widow concerns me. Of course, sociologically speaking, widows in ancient times were marginalized, unless they were national heroines , e.g. Jael and Judith, or were related with kings, e.g. Naomi and Ruth. Otherwise, they would be annoymous like the widow who fed Elijah for three years! Nevertheless, we will naturally wonder what would happen to the poor widow next? She loved God with her all. It would be disturbing if this poor widow was starved to death! However, in the cruelty of daily life, doesn’t our God allow bad things to happen to good people?

As usual, like the parable of the Prodigal Son, the gospel is open-ended. Jesus invites the readers to take appropriate actions. He would not force us. Therefore, her fate most probably depended on her neighbour in the Lucan sense. It is well-known that the early church set up in Jerusalem took care of widows (Acts 6:1). Therefore, the poor widow whom Jesus praised might be taken care of by the Christian community in Jerusalem and remained annoymous because there were so many of them. But that would only be possible at least 50 days later after the Pentecost! Would the widow have survived?
Let’s take a step back. Previously, Jesus came to fulful the law by putting the two commandments together. This time, where is the “Love your neighbour as yourself”? Put it this way, what would God do to feed the widow? Would God appear to perform a miracle, say multiplying the flour in the jar (1 Kings 17:16), to solve her problem? Of course not! Her neighbour should be the hands of God to perform this miracle! If you’re not convinced, watch the attached excerpt of a 1977 comedy.

Brethren! God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him.” (Genesis 2:18) Our heavenly Father intended us to help each other. But regrettably, we use each other instead! Remember Jesus’ question “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbour to the robbers’ victim?” (Luke 10:36) in the parable of the Good Samaritan! Invoke the Holy Spirit to help us live up the commandments of love so that the kingdom of heaven may prevail.
God bless!
2018 Homily

「不遠」有多遠？How Far is “Not Far”?

常年期第三十一主日，乙年
主題：「不遠」有多遠？

在起初，世人誤會了天主，這誤會並非今時今日纔有的新事物。雖然聖經告訴我們，天主是按自己的肖像創造了人類（創1:26），但人類始終是有限的受造物，若不是天主主動把自己啟示給我們，要理解這位無限的造物主，談何容易！我們既有理智、意志和能力，當然可以從四周的事物，發現天主留下的蛛絲馬跡，認知祂的存在，並與祂建立關係，分享祂的永恆生命。這個認知是可能的，是「近取諸身，遠取諸物」（易‧繫辭下）的道理，也是「高天陳述天主的光榮，穹蒼宣揚祂手的化工」（詠19:2）的讚嘆！

誠然，知識有深淺的不同程度，而認知多少卻要看機會與意志。古人憑肉眼，所見的有限，沒有機會看見火星的兩個月亮或者土星的光環；即使攀到了山腰，究竟有沒有足夠的體力登上珠穆朗瑪峰，呼吸到完全沒有污染過的空氣，是意志所決定。宗教信仰也不例外，很多基督徒以為是耶穌基督教導門徒，上愛天主，下愛世人兩大誡命，殊不知這兩大誡命是梅瑟所教導（申6:4-5；肋19:18）。這的確是一場美麗的誤會，是很多基督徒不求甚解使然。其實，耶穌基督在「山中聖訓」已清楚表明祂來不是為廢除法律，而是來成全它（瑪5:17）。且看，在曠野中三次著名的試探中，耶穌基督祇引述【申命紀】的教訓來擊退魔鬼（4:1-11；路4:1-13），並沒有提出任何新見解。即是說，善用梅瑟的法律，足以抗拒魔鬼的誘惑，足以成義。奈何人類駕馭不了天主所賜予的自由，纔踏上自我毀滅之路！此外，耶穌基督並沒有廢除舊教，另起爐灶，自立一個新教派的打算！倘若有信徒說「新約」取代了「舊約」，所以不用再受舊約法律的束縛，不用遵守舊約的法律，或者選擇性地執行有利自己的舊約法律，實在有違耶穌基督的心意，是自欺欺人。相反，基督徒應以耶穌基督所教導的福音精神，履行舊約的規定。例如，基督徒應該奉主日為聖日，是他們的安息日，放下一切不必要的工作，慶祝耶穌基督的復活和我們所獲得的自由！

今天所讀的福音，恰巧記載了一位經師挑戰耶穌基督，甚麼是「第一條誡命」（谷12:28-34），給我們一個默想耶穌基督心意的機會。在默想前，且讓我們參考以下表格，澄清一些疑問。

	申6:5	瑪22:37	谷12:30	路10:27
全心	✔	✔	✔	✔
全靈	✔	✔	✔	✔
全意		✔	✔	✔
全力	✔		✔	✔

【申命紀】和【瑪竇福音】的讀者，是猶太文化背景的，所以，「全心、全靈、全力」已經足以表達整個人。又時移世易，【瑪竇】以「全意」取代了「全力」（【七十賢士本 LXX】也是「全力」）。【馬爾谷】與【路加】是寫給外邦人的，他們受希臘文化影響，以「全心、全靈、全意、全力」，纔能足以代表整個人。馬爾谷和路加，有擅自纂改添加天主說話的嫌疑嗎？沒有！
天主的救恩，先啟示給以色列人，於是在起初，猶太文化的氣色濃厚，祇用三個元素去表達整個人。但天主的救恩豈可以局限在以色列呢？所以，耶穌基督把這誡命「成全」，加入已廣為猶太人所接受的「全意」，使它圓滿，是很有意義的。至於「全意、全力」在【馬爾谷】和【路加】的次序不同，有機會再討論。
文化的差異對「人是甚麼」有不同的看法，這是最合理不過了。以中國文化為例，我們有「魂魄」的觀念，卻沒有「靈魂」的觀念。儒家思想強調「格物致知，誠意正心」（禮記‧大學），與希臘文化的心、意、力的觀念相近，或許也有能力領會第一條誡命了。中國文化與猶太文化都是較為具體務實，抽象的哲理不多，人倫美德的教訓倒不少。少談抽象的心，多說「惻隱之心、羞惡之心、是非之心、辭讓之心」，「人之有是四端者，猶其有四體也」（孟子‧公孫丑上）。所以，在理解最大的誡命時，也許能另闢蹊徑。

其實，申命紀的誡命原文有「你」，是務實的，不能推卸的。但經師的回覆，「不錯，師傅說的實在對：他是唯一的，除他以外，再沒有別的：應以全心、全意、全力愛他，並愛近人如自己」（谷12:32-33）失去了「你」，變得抽離。雖然這種演繹足以應用到一切人身上，卻不與任何一個人扯上關係，真是可惜！倘若經師忘記補上一句「因為我喜歡仁愛勝過祭獻，喜歡人認識天主勝過全燔祭」（歐6:6），恐怕主耶穌基督不會覺得他答得明智，也不會說一句「你離天主的國不遠了。」（谷12:34）

的確，在物理的距離上，這經師與天主子耶穌基督──祂就是天國具體的化身──近在「咫尺」，真是離天主的國不遠！可是，他仍未能脫離猶太權貴的利益集團，與主耶穌對抗，站在基督的對立面，喪失了與天主子結合的機會。所以，在靈性上，這個「不遠」，是「天涯」的不遠！「天涯的不遠」是甚麼意思？因為在天主眼中，千里不外乎咫尺！天主是永恆的，沒有我們人類的時間觀念；祂更是無處不在的，所以祂更沒有人類的空間觀念。為主耶穌基督，天涯祇是咫尺而已。至於我們，所謂「人心隔肚皮」，即使親密如夫妻兄弟，也可以沒有溝通交流，孤獨在人群之中，真是咫尺猶如千里！志同道合的戰友，雖然萬水千山隔阻，仍可交心，不愁寂寞，確是千里猶如咫尺！

所以，各位兄弟姊妹，希望那位經師和所有的基督徒，不要因耶穌基督的讚賞而沾沾自喜。天主是慈悲的，萬里千年也阻不了祂對罪人的愛；但我們始終是微不足道的有限受造物。我們真的要加倍努力，鍥而不捨，憑天主聖神的助祐，纔能寸進！
天主保祐！
2018年反省
圖片鳴謝：free.messianicbible.com

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Thirty First Ordinary Sunday, Year B
Theme: How Far is “Not Far”?

In the beginning, mankind misunderstood God. This misunderstanding is not something new, something peculiar to the modern world. Although the Bible tells us that God created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26), humanity is after all a finite creature. Had the infinite God not taken the initiative to reveal Himself, we would never have been able to know Him! We are gifted with rationality, will and strength. Surely we are able to detect clues left behind by God, to know of His existence, to establish relationship with Him and partake in His eternal life. This knowledge is possible. It is the logic of “Taking nearby clues from our body and far off clues from things outside” (I-Ching Commentary). It is also the awe expressed in “The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of His hands.” (Psalm 19:2)

Indeed, knowledge can be shallow or deep but how much one is able to attain depends on opportunities and will power. Ancient people did not have the opportunity to see the 2 moons of Mars or the spectacular Saturn ring. Even if one has reached mid-hill, whether one is able to climb to the top of Mount Everest and breathes in the immaculate air depends on whether one has enough will and strength. Religious faiths are no exception. Many Christians think that Jesus Christ teaches His disciples the two greatest commandments: to love God above all and to love their neighbour. Unbeknown to them, it was Moses who handed these two commandments down (Deuteronomy 65:4-5, Leviticus 19:18). This is truly a happy misunderstanding because many a Christian is not diligent enough to study the Bible. In fact, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ made it clear that He had no intention to abolish the Mosaic Law but to fulfil (Matthew 5:17). Take a look at the three famous temptations in the wilderness. Jesus only quoted passages from Deuteronomy to defeat the Devil (4:1-11, Luke 4:1-12). He did not propose any new teachings. That is to say, making good use of the Mosaic Law is sufficient to overcome the Devil’s temptations and is sufficient to be justified. It’s a pity that humanity is unable to manage the freedom given by God and races towards self-destruction! Thus, if any believer claims that the New Testament has replaced the Old Testament whose laws have no binding on him, that he has no obligation to observe them or selectively obeys those laws which are advantageous to them, he is cheating himself because this is not what Christ wants. On the contrary, we should observe the laws in the Old Testament in the spirit of the gospels. For example, we should make Sunday holy and our Sabbath. Put down unnecessary labour to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our liberation!

In the gospel passage today, one of the scribes came to challenge Jesus, asking him what the “First Commandment” was (Mark 12:28-34). It provides us with an opportunity to meditate what is in Jesus’ mind. Before we meditate, let us clarify some points from the table below.

	Deuteronomy 6:5	Matthewn22:37	Mark 12:30	Luke 10:27
all heart	✔	✔	✔	✔
all soul	✔	✔	✔	✔
all mind		✔	✔	✔
all strength	✔		✔	✔

Deuteronomy and Matthew were written for readers from Jewish background. Thus, “with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength” was sufficient to represent the whole person. Time changes. Matthew replaces “all your strength” with “all your mind”. (The Septuagint LXX still retains “all your strength”). Mark and Luke wrote for the Gentiles who were living in the Greek civilization. Therefore, in order to represent the whole person, one needs “with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength”. Were Mark and Luke guilty of putting words into God’s mouth? NO!
At first, God revealed His salvation to the Israelites. Thus, the Jewish flavour was heavy and three elements were sufficient to represent the whole person. But God’s salvation is not confined to Israel. Thus, Jesus came to fulfil the law and to enrich the commandment with what the Jews have already accepted by adding the “all your mind”. It is truly meaningful. As for the order of “mind” and “strength”, Mark and Luke are different. Maybe we’ll meditate on this when the opportunity arises.
It is only natural for different cultures to have different conceptions of what man is! Take the Chinese culture for example. We have the concept of “Húnpò” but not the concept of souls. Confucianism emphasizes on “Investigate the nature of things, pursue knowledge, act in good faith and rectify one’s mind…” (Major Studies, the Book of Rites). These concepts are similar to the Greek concepts of heart, mind and strength. Perhaps the Chinese too are capable of discussing the First Commandment. Both the Chinese and Jewish cultures are pragmatic and concrete. There are few abstract world-views but many interpersonal moralistic advices. We seldom speak of heart in abstraction, but “heart of mercy, heart of conscience, heart of righteousness, heart of humility”, “These four hearts are like our four limbs” (I Gōngsūn Chǒu, Mencius). Perhaps the Chinese are able to break new path in understanding the First Commandment.

In fact, there is a “you” in the Deuteronomy version. It is pragmatic and nobody may evade. However, the “you” was missing in the scribe’s answer: “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than He.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:32-33) It is detached. Although this rendering is applicable to all peoples, it pinpoints nobody. What a pity! Had the scribe forgotten to add “For it is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6), Jesus would not have seen that he answered with understanding and said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34)

In fact, physically speaking, this scribe was in the proximity of the Son of God, Jesus Christ who is a concrete embodiment of the kingdom of God. He was truly not far away from the kingdom of God. However, he was inside the Jewish authoritative corporate which stood in opposition to Jesus. The scribe missed the opportunity to be in communion with the Son of God. Therefore, spiritually, this “not far away” was actually an unsurpassable “not far away”! What does this unsurpassable “not far away” mean? God is eternal. He has no human concept of time. He is omnipresent. Thus He even does not have the human concept of space. For Lord Jesus Christ, no unsurpassable abyss is too far away. However, we human beings are not connected. Even intimate couples and siblings do not communicate. They feel lonely in the crowd. Their “not far away” is an unsurpassable abyss! For comrades of like-mind, even though they are physically scattered as fugitives all over the world, they are not alone. Their separations are “not far away”!

Brethren, I hope the scribe and all Christians do not congratulate themselves too soon because of Jesus’ praises. God is merciful. Millions of miles and ages are not able to obscure His love of sinners. But we are negligible finite creatures. We need to work extra hard in perseverance with the support of the Holy Spirit to inch towards our sanctification!
God bless!