Ash Wednesday 2008

Today (Ash Wednesday) sees the beginning of the Lent season. It is time again to turn round from our previous life style to an improved relationship with God. I have already begun daily reflection on the Bible for one month. May God accompany me along and reveal to me what He intends me to know from the message in the Bible. May this knowledge deepen my love for God and make me more ready to reach out for my neighbours. Amen.

We read Joel 2:12-18 and 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2. Let me begin with 2 Corinthians. In this reading, Paul called us to be reconciled to God. We are indeed a rebellious creature. The first sin recorded in Genesis 3 is that our ancestors, though created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26) and were able to, among all creatures, enter into a dialogue with the Creator (Genesis 1:28), wanted to be like God, to be autonomous and free from the guiding hands of the Creator (Genesis 3:5b). This was a sin against God and in subsequent chapters, more sins were committed against our fellow men. There is no more harmony on earth. But God did not give up His creation. He initiated our redemption. Glory and praise to the Lord, forever and ever. Amen.
For our sake he (God) made him (Christ) to be sin (man) who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is a mystery. Christ took on our sinful flesh to make us the righteousness of God. O Jesus, you take up all our evils, sicknesses and humiliations. You want us to surrender all our weaknesses so that our perfection may be restored. With your great love, you melt our sins into occasions of grace. May we sing of your great wonders forever and ever. Amen.
Lent is the acceptable time when God shall listen to us (2 Corinthians 6:2). Joel called on a return to God. "now," says the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;" (Joel 2:12). Now, let us fast, weep and mourn with all our hearts. May we empty our sinful hearts to make room for God's love. Amen.
Yesterday evening, we attended the year-end Thanksgiving Mass. It becomes an annual tradition in the parish and it was full-house last night. In his homily, besides the usual stuff, Fr. Kwan put forth a new slogan: "0% tolerance, 100% forgiveness." He urged the parishers to forgive what the religious had failed in their service last year and to be candid. He thought that tolerance could build up an apparent harmony on the surface only. That would do no good to lives in family or in parish. In Christ, let's be candid so that we may forgive and improve. As a slogan, it sounds good. But in reality, it hardly applies to vertical relationships. Can we reduce our tolerance of the stupidities of our superiors? No. Our tolerance has reached fullness. Will our superiors be humble enough to ask for forgiveness so that we can have a chance to forgive them? No again. We have zero chance to forgive our superiors. So, in reality, it is "100% tolerance, 0% forgiveness!" Thanks Fr. Kwan for bringing the issue to the surface and throwing new lights on it.
Today is the Lunar New Year Eve. We are on the verge to enter the Year of the Rat. But let us keep the thousands of stranded migrant workers in mind. The snowstorm has deprived them of the joy of going home to enjoy the reunion with their families. Let us pray for them that they may find consolation in their present plights. There are a lot of things to clean up as well as new things to set up. So are our hearts. This is an annual and perpetual exercise. We know that we will never reach perfection, not until the day we, hopefully, return to God.

My God, may our fasting, weeping and mourning help us repent so that we become lighter to scale new heights in our perfection. I am not fully aware of my weaknesses. May I be able to read from Your Scripture holy words that illuminate my ignorance so that I may feel Your imminence and presence. Will You still accept me when, at the end of the days, I am still imperfect? But I will continue to work hard, whatever my destiny. Amen.

Comment from TheVoiceReturns:
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Did the Apostles observe Ash Wednesday or Lent ?
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Indeed, Christ set the example.

"...while Jesus was on earth...
He truly worshiped God,
and God listened to his prayers...
(Hebrews 5:7,8)(CEV)-BibleGateway

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February 6, 2008.

The death of Absalom

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feastday of St. Agatha, a martyr of Sicily. Legend has it that she suffered sexual assaults and indignity in her martyrdom. I am sure the merciful Lord would make her a patron saint and protector of sexual workers many of whom are victims of the exploitative patriarchal systems ancient and modern. Imagine a world in which the norm was for women to become wives and mothers. Then, Christianity would a dangerous cult when her female believers refused to get married, but secretly married to their Jesus! This kind of teaching was anti-social and subversive to the status quo. Little wonder, many early Christians had suffered martyrdom.

St. Agatha, pray for your oppressed sisters that their sufferings may quicken the coming of God's glorious Kingdom. Pray for the Pilgrim Church on earth that her journey here and now will purify her to become the Perfect Bride of Christ. Amen.

Now, let's return to the story of Absalom. He was the third son born to David in Hebron. His mother was Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur in the north (2 Samuel 3:3b). Naturally, after killing Amnon who had raped Tamar his sister, Absalom fled to Talmai, his maternal grandfather (2 Samuel 13:37).With royal blood flowing in his vein, little wonder Absalom was a beautiful and charming young man, without blemish. He had legendary long hair which he cut once a year (2 Samuel 14:25-26). After his reconciliation with David, he conducted himself with royal air. "After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him" (2 Samuel 15:1). I do not know the royal institution at David's time. But if Absalom had exceeded the usual practice in vanity, this would reveal his ambition to usurp the throne. Then Absalom spent 4 years to win the hearts of all the men of Israel. David must have been aware of this. Yet, whether it was out of his love of Absalom or his intention to weaken the Israel tribes, David allowed this conspiracy to grow unabated, without nipping it in the bud. The first story in 【左傳】鄭伯克段於鄢 may throw lights on the teaching responsibility of David toward Absalom.

The first piece of advice Ahithophel gave Absalom was for him to openly violate the 10 concubines David had left behind to take care of the household. Absalom followed and did it "in the sight of all Israel" (2 Samuel 16:21-22). St. Agatha, what would you feel about this? One and a half century of women emancipation has dumbed our senses of the cruelty to which women had been subjected for thousands of years. Women had long been a part of men's possession and property. Committing adultery was no more than occupying your neighbour's house without consent. Pay a sum and the matter would be settled! In war time, rapes are frequent. Impregnating the women of your enemies has even become a strategic action. Women continue to become victims of patriarchal systems. These days, local female celebrities have been victimized by the circulation of nudity pictures of theirs on the Internet. Their private parts are exposed in the sight of all while the males (the police and the Internet community) continue to enjoy playing their games to outwit each other. History has a peculiar way to repeat itself.
The second piece of advice Ahithophel gave was his war plan. He intended to call up 12000 men to focus on David alone while he was weary and discouraged. Hushai foiled his plan. He advised Absalom to call up all the Israel tribes and that Absalom should go to battle in person (2 Samuel 17:11). This met the vanity of Absalom. The author of Samuel told us that it was the Lord who intended to bring evil on Absalom (2 Samuel 17:14). However, when David prepared to go to war, his commanders advised him to stay behind in the city of Mahanaim from where he would send help (2 Samuel 18:3). Before marching out for war, David ordered his 3 commanders to "deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:5). That day, David's servants killed 20000 Israelites (2 Samuel 18:7). In the end, Joab and his men killed Absalom while he was hanging midair with his hair entangled in a big oak tree (2 Samuel 18:9-15). It was Joab who brought reconciliation between David and Absalom and it was Joab who finished Absalom. What irony fate is!
How did David mourn for his sons? The first son Bathsheba bore David died 7 days after birth. In these 7 days, David fasted and besought the Lord. After its death, David resumed eating. He comforted Bathsheba and she gave birth to Solomon (2 Samuel 12:15-24)! After Amnon was killed, David mourned for his son day after day (2 Samuel 13:37b), but it was not clear whether it was Amnon or Absalom that David mourned for. After Absalom was killed, David cried with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 19:4). But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me (2 Samuel 12:23). It is no use to mourn after their deaths. Rather, teach them to fear the Lord so that they might lead a life without any regret.

My God, heavy indeed is the responsibility of a father and You honour me with 4 children. I have taught hundreds of young men and women. But that does not make me a good enough father. I was brought up by a domineering mother and in reaction to this, I have been following the example of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. O my Heaven Father, guide me through that I may bear the fatherly responsibility properly so that my children may prosper, may not invite evils from You. May they become Your handy instruments to channel Your loving grace to all men. Amen.

David was cursed

Today, we continue with the story of David in 2 Samuel 15-17.
After an exile of 3 years in Geshur (2 Samuel 13:38), Absalom returned to Jerusalem with the help from Joab who knew the heart of David (2 Samuel 14:1). David did not see him for two full years (2 Samuel 14:28).  Absalom was later summoned by David after Joab had spoken to him and the king kissed Absalom (2 Samuel 14:33).
Within 4 years, Absalom was able to steal the hearts of the men of Israel (2 Samuel 15:6). He was a very beautiful and patient man. He waited for two years before he killed Amnon, the brother who had raped Tamar, his sister (2 Samuel 13:23). He went into exile for 3 years and after return, waited for 2 more years before he saw David. Now, 4 more years had gone by and he was ready to usurp David's throne. So, after all killing Amnon was not so much for the revenge of Tamar, but the elimination of a contender for the throne. Eleven years had passed before he sprang into action. Absalom went to Hebron to offer sacrifice to the Lord. He also sent for Ahithophel, David's counsellor from his city Giloh. "And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing" (2 Samuel 15:12). Absalom was intended to beat David at his own game.
When a messenger told David that "the hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom", David did not put up a fight and fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:14)! Was David too old to put up a fight? Did he so love Absalom as to refuse to fight with him head on? Did he try to avoid a civil war and bloodshed among the people? Or did David try to fight his battle outside Jerusalem, his city where the Ark of God was housed? What was the military position of David? First of all, David strategically "... left ten concubines to keep the house" (2 Samuel 15:16b).
I suppose 'the hearts of the men of Israel' means those of the northern tribes. David still had the loyalty of his army at his disposal. Even a newly arrived Ittai, the Gittite, vowed for David's life "As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be" (2 Samuel 15:21). When Abiathar, Zadok and the Levites carried the Ark of God to follow David, David sent them back. The Ark should remain in Jerusalem. "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his habitation; but if he says, 'I have no pleasure in you,' behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him" (2 Samuel 15:25-26). The Ark legitimized David's reign. If David 'kidnapped' it in his exile, making the Ark his personal possession, the Ark would lose its legitimization function in the future. David was able to keep his head cool in times of turmoil. Moreover, Zadok and Abiathar would act as David's ears and eyes in Jerusalem, informing David of Absalom's every movement. David was further assisted by Hushai the Archite, known as David's friend, to foil the counsel of Ahithophel for Absalom.
When David reached Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul, Shimei, came out to curse him and throw stones at David and his company. "Begone, begone, you man of blood, you worthless fellow! The LORD has avenged upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your ruin is on you; for you are a man of blood" (2 Samuel 16:7-8). David said to his men, "Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look upon my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for this cursing of me today" (2 Samuel 16:11-12). David had a guilty conscience. He saw all these events as God's punishment and understood that he had to receive them without complaint in order to expiate his sins, to cleanse his heart. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. These were the qualities David mostly needed at the moment. After God's rejection, Saul pressed Samuel to be present in the cultic rite at which he officiated in front of the elders. Saul still wanted to save his face and throne. On the contrary, David was willing to be cursed by Shimei, to give up his throne to Absalom. Surely, David had won God's mercy.
The first piece of advice Ahithophel gave to Absalom was to violate David's concubines openly so that "the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened" (2 Samuel 16:21). Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. In following Ahithophel's advice, Absalom would not see God. In the unfolding battle, Absalom rejected Ahithophel's plan and accepted Hushai's. Absalom was killed when his beautiful long hair got entangled in an oak tree. Rejected, Ahithophel returned home and hanged himself. When David returned, he spared the life of Shimei. He regained his throne, but lost his son. The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 19:4).

My God, I am a sinner. Grant me a chance that I may mourn my heart out. Purge it pure that I may see You face to face in eternity. Amen.

Beatitudes

Today is the Sunday of the 4<sup>th</sup> Ordinary Week (Year A). We read of the famous beatitudes on Matthew 5. Allow me to quote them in full.
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:1-12).

On the other hand, Luke has 4 beatitudes and 4 woes instead (Luke 6:20-27). These are supposed to be Jesus' words and some call them the 'Constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven'. Christians are supposed to live their lives accordingly. His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI wrote a book Jesus of Nazareth and devoted a chapter on them. Biblical scholars have to deal with them in their commentaries. The Catholic Church canonizes saints whenever they were able to live their lives according to any one of them.
The concept of the Kingdom of Heaven is a subversive one. It challenges all the kingdoms of the world. The first beatitude is anti-capitalistic. One wonders how it is possible to practise it in the present world. Yet, Christians belong to two worlds, the present one and the spiritual one. Without God's help and intervention, Christians can never put this Constitution into practice.
Mum is depressed. She has been entrapped and exhausted by the games she plays. She is bossy in holding others responsible for decisions she favours. This must be extremely stressful for her, especially when people are able to see through her tricks and deliberately prolong the negotiation and decision processes to drain her of her patience and energy. She would lose her temper. Every evening, she goes on her drinking spree, makes herself half-drunk and depressed. Then she starts weeping, mourning, wailing and talking about her 'humiliations' in the old days. She indulges in reliving those 'painful events', dragging those heavy burdens which she holds dear. Why can't she let go but continue to torture herself and us? It becomes a domestic violence routine every evening. In front of us, she boasts of what, in our eyes, are supposed to be ordinary, decent duties of a woman. Under such constant 'coaching', I am afraid we will develop in ourselves the kind of personality we hate. Help us God. To resist is a reflex action. I don't know how long we are able to withstand without putting up any resistance.

My God, help me live up to this poverty and meekness beatitude. Your Son calls us to live our lives in Your Kingdom. We experience great tensions in trying to remain poor in a capitalistic world. Strengthening us against the riches of the world so that we may be able to obtain riches in heaven. May we taste the sweetness of poverty that we may truly inherit Your richness in heaven. May our hearts remain pure and meek despite constant attacks from without. Amen.

Feast of Presentation

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The story is well known and can be found in Luke 2:22-38. Joseph and Mary performed this Jewish rite according to the Torah (Leviticus 12:2-6). For poor people who could not afford a lamb, the offering of a pair of pigeons was stipulated in Leviticus 5:7, 12:8. The first-born son must be consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 13:2) because their lives were spared by the blood of the Paschal Lamb when God worked wonders in Egypt to liberate the Israelites (Exodus 13:15).
Then Simeon and Anna appeared on stage. Simeon made prophecies about Jesus and Mary (Luke 2:25-35). Anna came and praised God and spoke of Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38b). However, Anna's voice was muted in the gospel. Did she talk about similar things spoken by Simeon and that she had added nothing new so that her words were not recorded in Luke? Many modern feminist scholars feel "offended" by this alleged suppression of the voices of women in Luke. The fact is, compared with other authors in the New Testament, Luke had already given far more extensive treatment of and weightier position for the materials concerning women in his gospel and Acts. So, I will leave the judgment of their scholarship to the community of biblical scholars. As for me, I continue to enjoy the reading of Luke.
The first gospel I read was Luke. I was about 8 years old when my family was lucky enough to move to Choi Hung Estate from a tiny cubicle in Yaumati. At that time, there was a mobile clinic run by a Christian organization. I think the fee was cheap enough for poor families to afford. Each time we paid a visit, they handed out a copy of Luke. That probably explains my fondness for this gospel. What is more, when I took the HKCEE Biblical Knowledge examination in 1971, it was Luke and Acts that I studied!
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is the 4<sup>th</sup> Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosaries. I did not understand why and asked Fr. Nicholas Hau Yik in the Holy Family Parish (Choi Hung). Now, I cannot remember the answer he gave but I can still remember the smile of this humble priest. He came from Shanxi when the communists drove out priests in 1952. Many parishers found his heavy Shanxi accent difficult to follow but with patience, I was able to make out his Sunday homilies. Once I asked him his ambition, he told me that he wished to build a church dedicated to his patron saint, St. Nicholas, way back where he came from. Of course, his dream is never realized. He spent his last days in the St. Joseph Home for the Aged run by the Little Sister of the Poor. Fr. Hau, the humble servant of Christ, pray for us. Amen.
The Nativity story of Jesus is joyous. There were Magi paying homage and offering precious gifts to him. There were angels singing in heaven to announce his birth. Yet, I can see traces of his future rejection and passion as well. There was no room in the inns to accomodate the Holy Family and when Jesus was born, he was placed in a manger. When he was presented in the Temple, Simeon prophesized that Jesus would be spoken against of (Luke 2:34) and a sword would pierce Mary's soul (Luke 2:35). Soon afterwards, the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt in order to run away from Herod's murdrous attempt to eliminate the Messiah. When Jesus was 12, he was lost for three days in the Temple. "... Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49) All these are glimpses of his being rejected for doing his Father's will.

My God, we are but poor humble creatures of Yours. We have nothing, but a pair of pigeons to offer. May we be consecrated to You to do Your will. May we joyfully embrace rejections and ill treatments in doing Your will. May we willingly, like Your humble handmaid, bear the brunt of the sword that pierces our souls in doing Your will. May Your will be done on us as it is in heaven. Amen.

David's sins

2 Samuel 8 records the glorious victories of David over Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek and Zobah (2 Samuel 8:12). He was a faithful servant of God and true to his colours, he dedicated all the silver, gold and spoils from all nations to the Lord (2 Samuel 8:11). The 2<sup>nd</sup> Book of Samuel praises him because "David administered justice and equity to all his people" (2 Samuel 8:15b). David was an ideal king.
In 2 Samuel 9, David searched for the surviving sons of the house of Saul. Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan was exposed. Would he survive? Would his physical disabilities save his life? In the end, David did not kill him but brought him to Jerusalem to eat always at his table. "And David said to him, 'Do not fear; for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat at my table always.'"  (2 Samuel 9:7). With David keeping a constant watchful eye over him, Mephibosheth would never be able to revolt. In the eyes of the people, especially those of the northern tribes, a 'house-arrest' was obviously better than a blood bath.  David had been successful in keeping his hands clean. He had never caused the death of any member of the house of Saul.
In 2 Samuel 10, we read that the Ammonites suspected and subsequently humiliated David's servants who came to offer condolence for the recently deceased king. Fearing David's revenge, they hired the Syrians and prepared to ward off an anticipated attack from David (2 Samuel 10:6). This military concentration precipitated David's retaliation. He sent Joab to disband them. David was an ideal king. He did not take any initiative to start any war unless provoked.
While the Ammonite and Syrian kings were engaged in battles with David's men, David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Consequently, Bathsethba became pregnant. David tried to trick Uriah into having sex with his wife to cover the scandal, but failed. Then David signed Uriah's death warrant and told him to deliver it in person to Joab in the front line. Joab followed the instruction and sent Uriah to the deadliest part of the siege and Uriah fell with some other servants of David (2 Samuel 11:16-17). In order not to kill Uriah so conspicuously, Joab sacrificed a few more 'funeral objects'! The death of Uriah strongly suggests that David was behind the death of Ishbosheth, Saul's son, in 2 Samuel 4. Immediately, this story throws David into an extremely bad light.
David was a mere mortal, a sinner like anyone of us, for breaching God's commandments. He was responsible for the murder of Uriah. He took away Uriah's wife. He employed other people to do the dirty jobs for him so that he would still appear pious in the eyes of his subjects.
Should we feel relieved after reading 2 Samuel 11? Even such faithful servant of God as David failed to keep God's commandments, who are we not to fall into temptations? But if I were you, I would not envy the fate of the house of David.
In 2 Samuel 12, we read of Nathan's parable of a poor man and his ewe lamb. He used this story to lead David to repentance. "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:13). God put away David's sin and he would not die. David died at about 70 (1040 B.C.-970 B.C.) [Philip Comfort, Walter Elwell, Who's Who in the Bible, Illinois:Tyndale House Publishing, 2004, page 125]. Nevertheless, evil would visit the house of David frequently: the child born of Bathsheba would die 7 days after birth (2 Samuel 12:18); David's daughter Tamar would be raped by David's son Amnon (2 Samuel 13:14). Tamar's brother Absalom would take revenge and kill Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28-29) and run into exile. Joab would arrange for David to recall Absalom from exile (2 Samuel 14) and pave his revolt against his father in the future. We have fast-forwarded to 2 Samuel 15 already.
Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon who brought the United Kingdom to her zenith. After his death, Israel was split and the two kingdoms were subsequently conquered by Assyria and Babylon one after another ... etc. God is God because He is able to transform sins into occasions of grace. I think this is the lesson we should learn from the history of God's Chosen People. Still, each one of us should try our best to keep God's commandments.

My God, You are not a God of the dead but the God of the living. I praise You for Your loving wonders. You make use of our sinful occasions and turn them into channels of Your grace. I pray that You keep me even in my falls and purge me of my flaws. May your humble servant be a channel of Your grace to all my neighbours I encounter throughout my life. Amen.

David's Prayer

Today (January 31) is the Feast of St. John Bosco, the patron saint for youngsters. His unfailing love for the youngsters and his concerns for their welfare urged him on. His devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was another source of his sanctity. We thank God for raising among us a holy man who not only devoted his life to the good of the young, but also had brought others into the awareness of the needs of teenagers.
Dear St. John Bosco, you have set up an exemplary life to invite teachers and youth workers to follow. The teaching profession has never been respectable in this commercial city of Hong Kong. Let us learn from your humility, become more professional to help these youngsters grow. Amen.
After hearing the good news brought by Nathan, David went in (the tent) and sat before the Lord and began his prayer (2 Samuel 7:18). See how relaxed at this particular moment David was in his relationship with God. He was sitting while praying to God. Yes, our relationship with God should be as relaxed like his, though in reality it is often not.
David knew of his limitations and lowliness. He began with "Who am I, O Lord God אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה... that Thou hast brought me thus far?" This should be the proper orientation in all our prayers. We are, but lowly creatures of the Lord God אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה which David invoked no less than 8 times within his prayer. Yes, You are our Lord and our God. You know us through and through. "And what more can David say to thee ... O Lord God" (2 Samuel 7:20). Yes, it is enough to be staying quietly in Your presence, enveloped by Your loving grace. I need to say no more. I only wish to remain in this blissful state forever and ever. But my journey on earth will only end at Your appointed time. When times come, I have to return to my earthly state of life to continue my journey. Be with me always to allow me to taste the sweetness of Your love so that I may be more able to recount Your greatness to my students whom You have entrusted in my hands. Let me see through the confusions in this world to discern Your greatness. Allow me the grace to see Your wonders unfolded with my dim eyes. Then I may sing praises to You in the assembly. Amen.
This afternoon, Ms. Bird Leung, an editor of "Ubiquity", a diocesan youth formation publication, came to Shung Tak to interview me. She allows me a good opportunity to reflect on the path I have trodden so far as a teacher of Religious Studies. She is so good an interviewer that I may proceed comfortably.
After showing her around the school campus, we settled down to talk about how evangelization could be achieved through the teaching of RS. On the school level, many diocesan schools face the difficulty of a lack of qualified and confident teachers to teach RS as an examination subject. This is where my webpage "郭Sir補習社" can contribute. But school policy is essential as well. In religious schools where nearly 50% of the students are Catholic, though not practising, RS is taken for granted. No student has ever thought of dropping the subject in HKCEE. The situation in diocesan schools is totally different. There are at most 4% Catholic among the students. Once the school concedes to the demands from students, parents and other subjects, RS seldom can stand on her feet any more.
On the teachers level, the personal sanctity of Catholic teachers, not just RS teachers, is essential. The scent of God will liberate from them and the light of Christ will radiate through them. So, Catholic teachers need to make their Catholic identity conspicuously visible. "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand?" (Mark 4:21). As an RS teacher, I count myself blessed because I am paid to enjoy the word of God! Of course, the support and sympathy from teachers of other subjects, such as Chinese Language, Music, Visual Art, Home Economics and even Maths and Sciences, are also essential.
On the parents level, I believe most of them want their children to be good and will support the effort of the school to teach their children well. Rather, students nowadays seem to be listless and aimless. Most of the time, they fool around, enjoy their life and care not what will happen to them tomorrow. Many of them are pragmatic and find no utility in taking RS. As an RS teacher, I can only console myself with the "parable of the growing seed" (Mark 4:26-29). Plough and ask not the yields. Evangelization should be our effort, but the result belongs to God.
St. Paul once said, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:16). Therefore, if I feel blessed, I will preach the gospel. Catholic teachers. Search our souls and see how blessed we have been. Let me assure you, sharing the word of God with the students is a very fruitful experience. Both the students and us are enlightened and enlivened. I feel blessed to have spent the last 30 odd years teaching my students RS.
NSS educational reform has rendered many teachers exhausted. I am not too optimistic about having enough students taking E&RS as an elective in 2009 and beyond. However, school administrations should stand firm in providing RS training for students in the area of "Other Learning Experiences".

St. John Bosco, what would you do in face of all these educational reforms? Pray for us so that we will never lose sight of and hope in God's providence for our students. Amen.