From cradle to grave, a man survives through relationships. No man is self-sufficient and is able to survive alone. In fact, from the moment of conception, a man, in the form of a fetus, relies on a healthy relationship with his mother who provides for all his needs inside her womb. If the mother is unhealthy or moody, miscarriages will result. Nowadays, with more knowledge and higher living standard, mothers can afford to nurture their fetus with the music of Mozart to improve its IQ and EQ until it comes to term.
Man is born immaturely because his brain will be too big to go through the vagina of his mother. Once born, this helpless creature will go through a long period of dependence to develop its flexible brain to meet the challenges in the future. There are family members, classmates, teachers and peers to accompany his growth until he ventures into the society. His network will expand and he will spend more than 40 years with his colleagues, his wife and children. Some men are successful and others may lead a life of disasters. Some are able to fully realize their potentials while others have theirs buried and even bring down the house. It all depends on relationships. So, how can you afford to antagonize most of your subordinates?
For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40)
You were baptized to Jesus. You have worked hard to earn a PhD. You believe in Jesus. How do you translate this belief into eternal life? Can faith alone without work guarantee you an eternal life? You believe in Jesus who reconciles us to God. Will you not do the same to reconcile with your subordinates? You believe in Jesus who descended from heaven to become a carpenter and died on the cross to wipe out our sins. Will you not do the same to lower your pride and reach out to your subordinates and wipe out disputes and conflicts between you and them? You believe in Jesus who empowered his disciples to build up the Church. Will you not empower your subordinates to think in higher level, to work as a team and serve our students in a smarter way? Jesus has offered us many examples to do God's will and to relate with our fellow men. He knows our strengths and weakenesses. He has taken the initiative and invites us to carry our crosses to follow him. When will you wake up, carry your cross and emerge from your comfortable office?
My sweet Jesus, I pray for my boss. You have crowned him with a PhD. May You awake him from his slumber and work for Your greater glory in his remaining days. Grant us Your peace so that we may work in fellowship to bear witness to our students so that they may share Your eternal blessings, forever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Why is it difficult to believe in Jesus?
After eating to their full satisfaction, the crowd sought Jesus who knew very well that they did not understanding the meaning of the feeding miracle. The crowd just wanted to solve their hunger problem which was their more immediate concern. According to the Hierarchy of Needs proposed by Abraham Maslow, physiological needs occupy the foundation of this hierarchy. Many advertisements nowadays still appeal to these basic needs to sell their products. Others have advanced along the hierarchy to appeals for security, love, status and even self-actualization.
Making use of every opportunity available, Jesus taught the people
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you (John 6:27).
Of course, all of us want to know the most effective and efficient way to solve the hunger problem, whether it be personal, regional or even global. Naturally, the crowd was interested to know how so that they, most of whom were likely to be peasants, hired labourers, displaced villagers etc., did not have to worry about food anymore in the future. They were eager to ask Jesus what they must do; even what God's work they must do so that they would have no worries about the problem of food anymore.
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" (John 6:28)
However, Jesus gave an answer which did not ring.
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (John 6:29)
What? Believe in Jesus and the our personal hunger problem as well as the global hunger problem will be solved? Are we speaking the same language? I think we are not. The crowd was looking for physical food that fills the stomach. Jesus was talking about spiritual food that nourished the soul. He answered their question on another level, a high level even beyond Maslow's Hierarchy. Of course, we know from the Bible that when needs arose, God would provide. Once He fed 600,000 Israelites for 40 years. Not even the richest country in this world is able to sustain a military expedition of this scale (600000 x 365 x 40 x 3 meals and don't forget, the 600000 will grow in time.). This is not the point today. I was trying to say that Jesus (and God), like many of my students, failed to answer the question (according to our marking schemes).
Pope Benedict XVI wrote a book called Jesus of Nazareth, to rectify the errors of historical criticism among New Testament scholarship. This book also helps readers in general reflect on the true messages of the gospels. In the discussion of the first temptation of Jesus, he pointed out the error on our part to define the criteria which God must pass in order to prove His existence. If God fails these human defined tests, God is not God. We do not allow God to speak for Himself.
Why is it so difficult to believe in Jesus? I am sure there are many reasons. Superficially, we Chinese feel that Christianity is a Western religion, forgetting that Jesus was a Jew, an Asian. Next, we think that all religions are similar in the sense that they urge us to lead a moral life. Alas! Morality is relativistic. What is good in one culture may be evil in another. We Chinese will surely find Genesis 2:24 offensive. Then comes the scientific age. Many a modern man finds the miracles in the gospels incredulous. For one, my godfather, the late Mr. Chow Ti who was a biology teacher, always complained that the doctrine of virginal birth of Jesus was an obstacle for modern believers. Yet, the Church is unable to give it up. Lastly, the anti-witnesses of many Christians are doing a disservice to the Christ they profess to follow. Many people are disappointed with the behaviour of priests, nuns and Christians, the actions of the Church and her many institutions, including her schools. No wonder it is difficult to believe in Jesus nowadays.
My sweet Jesus, I count myself blessed to follow you. Regrettably, I have done You a disservice in conveying a distorted face of Yours to many people I meet. Help me in my remaining days to understand You better so that I may pass on Your love to my students. Amen.
Making use of every opportunity available, Jesus taught the people
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you (John 6:27).
Of course, all of us want to know the most effective and efficient way to solve the hunger problem, whether it be personal, regional or even global. Naturally, the crowd was interested to know how so that they, most of whom were likely to be peasants, hired labourers, displaced villagers etc., did not have to worry about food anymore in the future. They were eager to ask Jesus what they must do; even what God's work they must do so that they would have no worries about the problem of food anymore.
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" (John 6:28)
However, Jesus gave an answer which did not ring.
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (John 6:29)
What? Believe in Jesus and the our personal hunger problem as well as the global hunger problem will be solved? Are we speaking the same language? I think we are not. The crowd was looking for physical food that fills the stomach. Jesus was talking about spiritual food that nourished the soul. He answered their question on another level, a high level even beyond Maslow's Hierarchy. Of course, we know from the Bible that when needs arose, God would provide. Once He fed 600,000 Israelites for 40 years. Not even the richest country in this world is able to sustain a military expedition of this scale (600000 x 365 x 40 x 3 meals and don't forget, the 600000 will grow in time.). This is not the point today. I was trying to say that Jesus (and God), like many of my students, failed to answer the question (according to our marking schemes).
Pope Benedict XVI wrote a book called Jesus of Nazareth, to rectify the errors of historical criticism among New Testament scholarship. This book also helps readers in general reflect on the true messages of the gospels. In the discussion of the first temptation of Jesus, he pointed out the error on our part to define the criteria which God must pass in order to prove His existence. If God fails these human defined tests, God is not God. We do not allow God to speak for Himself.
Why is it so difficult to believe in Jesus? I am sure there are many reasons. Superficially, we Chinese feel that Christianity is a Western religion, forgetting that Jesus was a Jew, an Asian. Next, we think that all religions are similar in the sense that they urge us to lead a moral life. Alas! Morality is relativistic. What is good in one culture may be evil in another. We Chinese will surely find Genesis 2:24 offensive. Then comes the scientific age. Many a modern man finds the miracles in the gospels incredulous. For one, my godfather, the late Mr. Chow Ti who was a biology teacher, always complained that the doctrine of virginal birth of Jesus was an obstacle for modern believers. Yet, the Church is unable to give it up. Lastly, the anti-witnesses of many Christians are doing a disservice to the Christ they profess to follow. Many people are disappointed with the behaviour of priests, nuns and Christians, the actions of the Church and her many institutions, including her schools. No wonder it is difficult to believe in Jesus nowadays.
My sweet Jesus, I count myself blessed to follow you. Regrettably, I have done You a disservice in conveying a distorted face of Yours to many people I meet. Help me in my remaining days to understand You better so that I may pass on Your love to my students. Amen.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Feast of St. John Baptist de La Salle
I began my teaching career as a substitute teacher in La Salle College after graduation from the university. That was not my ambition and I did not feel happy teaching those born with a silver spoon in their mouths because I was raised up in a low-cost housing estate. My dream was to become a social worker, helping the needy in the society. Those rich boys were not the needy.
I studied sociology and psychology in the university. I took part in social actions, collecting signatures from the public to object against the increase of telephone fees; taking to the streets and sitting outside government offices in Lower Albert Road etc. I was not at all radical. But these actions agreed with Christ's teaching:
And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)
When we fight for social justice, we are doing this in the name of Christ. Those La Salle boys belonged to the exploiting class rather than the exploited.
God has been very patient and merciful. He kept me in La Salle to coach me, to tame my arrogance. Gradually, I learn that God's will, not mine, be done. I learn that God works wonders even with trash; that He turns evils to blessings. I also learn that a good teacher is not a popular teacher; that nobody is indispensable and that you respect the principal's position, not the person (I thank the late Brother Raphael Egan FSC, my first boss, for imparting these insights in me). I am a slow learner indeed. I took 20 years to graduate from La Salle.
My dear La Salle boys, I feel privileged to have spent so many years with you, growing up together with you. Many of you are now professionals, contributing to the well-being of Hong Kong. I am proud of you. My dear ex-colleagues in La Salle, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to work with you. Each one of you is unique in your own way and is of excellent calibre as teachers. I pay my respect to all the Brothers I have met. They are noble souls and wonderful educators. Their dedication to the boys is admirable. May the La Sallian spirit continue to inspire us all in our daily life. St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us!
Today, we reflect on the beginning of the discourse on the Bread of Life in John. The 5000 sought Jesus after the feeding miracle. Who would not? Jesus would provide for your needs. In the 1950s when a lot of refugees fled China and came to Hong Kong, the Church provided them with flour and milk powder. A lot of people were baptized. Even today, some priests resent their motives and their presence in the Church. But Jesus did not. He did not chase the crowd away because of their lowly motives. Rather, he took the opportunity to show them a higher way.
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." (John 6:26-27)
Truly, I was idealistic and still am to a lesser extent. Thinking back, I probably have laboured for 'food which perishes'. My ideals may not be His. I have strayed into many blind alleys and wasted much of God's time. Even today, I am still drifting. My God, where do You want me to go? For the time being, I know I will continue to sing my song.
My sweet Jesus, there are still obstacles ahead. Help me clear the way and continue to bring Your peace to everyone I meet.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for me. Amen.
I studied sociology and psychology in the university. I took part in social actions, collecting signatures from the public to object against the increase of telephone fees; taking to the streets and sitting outside government offices in Lower Albert Road etc. I was not at all radical. But these actions agreed with Christ's teaching:
And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)
When we fight for social justice, we are doing this in the name of Christ. Those La Salle boys belonged to the exploiting class rather than the exploited.
God has been very patient and merciful. He kept me in La Salle to coach me, to tame my arrogance. Gradually, I learn that God's will, not mine, be done. I learn that God works wonders even with trash; that He turns evils to blessings. I also learn that a good teacher is not a popular teacher; that nobody is indispensable and that you respect the principal's position, not the person (I thank the late Brother Raphael Egan FSC, my first boss, for imparting these insights in me). I am a slow learner indeed. I took 20 years to graduate from La Salle.
My dear La Salle boys, I feel privileged to have spent so many years with you, growing up together with you. Many of you are now professionals, contributing to the well-being of Hong Kong. I am proud of you. My dear ex-colleagues in La Salle, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to work with you. Each one of you is unique in your own way and is of excellent calibre as teachers. I pay my respect to all the Brothers I have met. They are noble souls and wonderful educators. Their dedication to the boys is admirable. May the La Sallian spirit continue to inspire us all in our daily life. St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us!
Today, we reflect on the beginning of the discourse on the Bread of Life in John. The 5000 sought Jesus after the feeding miracle. Who would not? Jesus would provide for your needs. In the 1950s when a lot of refugees fled China and came to Hong Kong, the Church provided them with flour and milk powder. A lot of people were baptized. Even today, some priests resent their motives and their presence in the Church. But Jesus did not. He did not chase the crowd away because of their lowly motives. Rather, he took the opportunity to show them a higher way.
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." (John 6:26-27)
Truly, I was idealistic and still am to a lesser extent. Thinking back, I probably have laboured for 'food which perishes'. My ideals may not be His. I have strayed into many blind alleys and wasted much of God's time. Even today, I am still drifting. My God, where do You want me to go? For the time being, I know I will continue to sing my song.
My sweet Jesus, there are still obstacles ahead. Help me clear the way and continue to bring Your peace to everyone I meet.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for me. Amen.
Monday, 7 April 2008
3rd Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Unlike Buddhism or Taoism, Christianity is a religion of a community. If you are a Buddhist or Taoist, you can locate a holy mountain; meditate in a holy cave to become a holy man, to achieve enlightenment. As for Christianity, one cannot gain salvation outside the community, the Church. Christians need one another to practise their faith. Therefore, you would never be the sole survivor on earth after a nuclear Armageddon. Your mission would be to seek out other survivors, in order to save your own soul.
In the gospel we read today, we heard of how two disciples encountered the risen Lord on their return to Emmaus.
But their eyes were kept from recognizing him (Luke 24:16) because of their preconception of Jesus. Seeing his mighty deeds and hearing his words of authority, they expected Jesus to liberate them from the colonial rule of the Roman Empire.
But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21a).
Jesus patiently explained to them the messages in the Old Testament concerning him. It was during supper that the 2 disciples were able to recognize Jesus.
When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30).
Just when they recognized that the total stranger was indeed the risen Lord, Jesus vanished. The 2 disciples rushed back to Jerusalem to report their experience to the 11 apostles and those who were with them.
who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" (Luke 24:34).
Luke did not tell us what happened to Simon Peter, the circumstances in which the risen Lord appeared to him. I can only imagine that Peter must have felt very apologetic to have denied Jesus 3 times. But he wept when Jesus turned back to look at him at the house of the High Priest before his trial (Luke 22:61-62). Peter was too far away and even if Jesus said he forgave him, Peter would not hear it. He was too emotional and ashamed at that moment. Now, he had probably recovered a bit from this traumatic experience. Jesus might have forgiven Peter on the first day of his resurrection. Whatever had happened, the most important thing we should keep in mind is the fact that Simon's experience, the 2 disciples' experience together with experiences of many other Christians who have encountered the risen Lord contribute, in each of their own way, the edification of our faith. These experiences of encounters are the building blocks of Christianity.
Mrs Teresa Leung passed away on Monday in the Holy Week, after complaining about a little chest pain on Passion Sunday. She is survived by her husband and three married daughters who were Shung Tak graduates. All three daughters work in the medical establishment and are no strangers to births and deaths. This time, it is different. It is their beloved mother. Yesterday, we attended her requiem mass.
After homily, Louisa, the eldest sister, spoke to the congregation in tears, thanking them for their condolence. She was not able to see or hear her mother anymore. Yet, she saw the contributions of her mother in the parish, her services among the parishers bear fruits. She shared with us that her daughter told her that grandmother taught her not to weep, to be strong. Louisa believes that her mother is speaking to her through her daughter. She feels her presence. Throughout her sharing, Louisa was not able to contain her sobs. She looks fragile but I feel that she is strong despite her tears.
Helen, the second daughter, spoke next. She shed no tears and her voice was determined and calm. She was grateful that her mother passed away swiftly with minimum pains during the Holy Week. She could see her mother go through the Passover with the sweet Lord Jesus. She is not disappointed. It has been Ching Ming and the weather has been gloomy with drizzle. Yesterday, it was sunny and hot. Helen sees this as an omen of Resurrection. She may rest assured that her mother has resurrected into the bosom of God. Rita, the youngest daughter did not speak. Yet, the whole celebration has been an enriching experience.
My sweet Jesus, I thank the Leung sisters for their candour. They are strong indeed. May Your unspeakable grace be with their families always. Let us all be generous in sharing our encounters with You. May Your Church grow from strength to strength, boldly witnessing Your renewing Passover to the world. Amen.
In the gospel we read today, we heard of how two disciples encountered the risen Lord on their return to Emmaus.
But their eyes were kept from recognizing him (Luke 24:16) because of their preconception of Jesus. Seeing his mighty deeds and hearing his words of authority, they expected Jesus to liberate them from the colonial rule of the Roman Empire.
But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21a).
Jesus patiently explained to them the messages in the Old Testament concerning him. It was during supper that the 2 disciples were able to recognize Jesus.
When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30).
Just when they recognized that the total stranger was indeed the risen Lord, Jesus vanished. The 2 disciples rushed back to Jerusalem to report their experience to the 11 apostles and those who were with them.
who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" (Luke 24:34).
Luke did not tell us what happened to Simon Peter, the circumstances in which the risen Lord appeared to him. I can only imagine that Peter must have felt very apologetic to have denied Jesus 3 times. But he wept when Jesus turned back to look at him at the house of the High Priest before his trial (Luke 22:61-62). Peter was too far away and even if Jesus said he forgave him, Peter would not hear it. He was too emotional and ashamed at that moment. Now, he had probably recovered a bit from this traumatic experience. Jesus might have forgiven Peter on the first day of his resurrection. Whatever had happened, the most important thing we should keep in mind is the fact that Simon's experience, the 2 disciples' experience together with experiences of many other Christians who have encountered the risen Lord contribute, in each of their own way, the edification of our faith. These experiences of encounters are the building blocks of Christianity.
Mrs Teresa Leung passed away on Monday in the Holy Week, after complaining about a little chest pain on Passion Sunday. She is survived by her husband and three married daughters who were Shung Tak graduates. All three daughters work in the medical establishment and are no strangers to births and deaths. This time, it is different. It is their beloved mother. Yesterday, we attended her requiem mass.
After homily, Louisa, the eldest sister, spoke to the congregation in tears, thanking them for their condolence. She was not able to see or hear her mother anymore. Yet, she saw the contributions of her mother in the parish, her services among the parishers bear fruits. She shared with us that her daughter told her that grandmother taught her not to weep, to be strong. Louisa believes that her mother is speaking to her through her daughter. She feels her presence. Throughout her sharing, Louisa was not able to contain her sobs. She looks fragile but I feel that she is strong despite her tears.
Helen, the second daughter, spoke next. She shed no tears and her voice was determined and calm. She was grateful that her mother passed away swiftly with minimum pains during the Holy Week. She could see her mother go through the Passover with the sweet Lord Jesus. She is not disappointed. It has been Ching Ming and the weather has been gloomy with drizzle. Yesterday, it was sunny and hot. Helen sees this as an omen of Resurrection. She may rest assured that her mother has resurrected into the bosom of God. Rita, the youngest daughter did not speak. Yet, the whole celebration has been an enriching experience.
My sweet Jesus, I thank the Leung sisters for their candour. They are strong indeed. May Your unspeakable grace be with their families always. Let us all be generous in sharing our encounters with You. May Your Church grow from strength to strength, boldly witnessing Your renewing Passover to the world. Amen.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Jesus' walking on the water
For us Chinese, we have a wealth of legends in which the miracles are far more spectacular than those recorded in the Bible. It is not easy for us to appreciate their significance unless we study the Bible thorough enough to gain a certain level of background understanding. Walking on the water seems ordinary enough. Even heroes in martial art novels are able to perform such fits. So, what is the significance of Jesus' walking on the water?
All canonical gospels except Luke tell this walking on the water story. This happened after Jesus had fed 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish. It took place at night. The disciples were rowing a boat across the sea while Jesus was praying alone somewhere on the land. They were struggling with the waves.
In Mark, the disciples were shown in a bad light. They had witnessed many miracles of Jesus up close, yet their hearts were hardened.
for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened (Mark 6:52).
In Matthew, we have an extra episode of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. He lost faith and sank. Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him. Peter would have performed the same miracle as Jesus did had he kept his faith. Yet he failed.
And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 15:33)
In John, the mood is totally different. John did not cast the disciples in such a bad light. Yes, like the other 2 gospels, the disciples were frightened to see Jesus walking on the water. This fear is interpreted as a fear in the presence of the divine. (In Mark, the disciples were frightened because they thought they were seeing a ghost!) Yet, Jesus did not blame them. He simply said "It is I Ἐγώ εἰμι; do not be afraid μὴ φοβεῖσθε." (John 6:20), confirming their feeling that they were meeting God. The story ends in a cheerful mood.
Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going (John 6:21).
In the gospel of John, the statement Jesus made, Ἐγώ εἰμι I AM , is a label referring to his divinity. It reminded the Jews the scene of the burning bush in which God revealed His name to Moses: I AM WHO I AM ᾽Εγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν· (Exodus 3:14 LXX). Therefore, this episode is a theophany, God appearing to man. The scene calls up many OT images. For example, in Genesis, there were darkness and chaos and God was hovering upon the water. In Exodus, God accompanied the Israelites to cross the Reed Sea into safety and freedom. We need more background understanding of the bible in order to appreciate the significance of this and similar miracles.
My sweet Jesus, I adore You. You are my God and my Lord. Walking with You, we are not afraid of any turmoil. Our school is in deep trouble. Come to our aid and see us through. Amen.
All canonical gospels except Luke tell this walking on the water story. This happened after Jesus had fed 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish. It took place at night. The disciples were rowing a boat across the sea while Jesus was praying alone somewhere on the land. They were struggling with the waves.
In Mark, the disciples were shown in a bad light. They had witnessed many miracles of Jesus up close, yet their hearts were hardened.
for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened (Mark 6:52).
In Matthew, we have an extra episode of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. He lost faith and sank. Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him. Peter would have performed the same miracle as Jesus did had he kept his faith. Yet he failed.
And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 15:33)
In John, the mood is totally different. John did not cast the disciples in such a bad light. Yes, like the other 2 gospels, the disciples were frightened to see Jesus walking on the water. This fear is interpreted as a fear in the presence of the divine. (In Mark, the disciples were frightened because they thought they were seeing a ghost!) Yet, Jesus did not blame them. He simply said "It is I Ἐγώ εἰμι; do not be afraid μὴ φοβεῖσθε." (John 6:20), confirming their feeling that they were meeting God. The story ends in a cheerful mood.
Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going (John 6:21).
In the gospel of John, the statement Jesus made, Ἐγώ εἰμι I AM , is a label referring to his divinity. It reminded the Jews the scene of the burning bush in which God revealed His name to Moses: I AM WHO I AM ᾽Εγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν· (Exodus 3:14 LXX). Therefore, this episode is a theophany, God appearing to man. The scene calls up many OT images. For example, in Genesis, there were darkness and chaos and God was hovering upon the water. In Exodus, God accompanied the Israelites to cross the Reed Sea into safety and freedom. We need more background understanding of the bible in order to appreciate the significance of this and similar miracles.
My sweet Jesus, I adore You. You are my God and my Lord. Walking with You, we are not afraid of any turmoil. Our school is in deep trouble. Come to our aid and see us through. Amen.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
From Ching Ming Festival to the Holy Eucharist
Ching Ming is a traditional Chinese festival to remember the ancestors. In the political arena of Chinese politics, Ching Ming Festival has been a convenient date for student unrests in the name of remembering the deceased political giants such as Chou En-lai 周恩來 and Hu Yao-bang 胡耀邦. Nobody in the political hierarchy dare to muddle with them. Sometimes, these student unrests drag on and results in massacre. It is difficult to imagine that such a traditional festival, celebrating the conservative Confucius ideology of honouring ancestors can be so subversive and explosive.
Christianity was once a revolutionary ideology when Christians were underdogs of the society. Love your enemies! Lay down your life for your friends, like your Master! Blessed are the poor and meek, not the powerful etc. When Roman Empire embraced this religion, it was probably out of utilitarian considerations. Such a religion would help rule the Empire. Once it became the official religion, the revolutionary elements in this faith were played down to support the status quo. It takes generations of martyrs to rediscover its full meanings and many more unsung heroes to make this faith meaningful and applicable to each new generation.
The contents of the Gospel, the Good News Christians preach were canonized by Peter within the life span of Jesus between his baptism and ascension (Acts 1:22). Therefore, all 4 canonical gospels contain records Jesus' baptism, Jesus' passion, resurrection and ascension. Other materials were presented to flesh out the whole story as understood by the evangelists to respond to the needs of the community they lived. Each gospel is therefore a reflection on Jesus' deeds and teachings to make them accessible, meaningful to their respective communities. From their experience, Christians of later generations draw inspiration. Therefore, only Matthew and Luke contain the nativity story, the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer etc. Luke also has many beautiful parables such as the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son etc. not found in the other gospels. The only other story recorded by all 4 gospels is the feeding of 5000.
The story of the feeding of 5000 was meaningful to contemporary Jews because it reminded them of how God had fed the Israelites in wilderness for 40 years with manna. This story is meaningful for Christians of all generations because it reminds them how the good Lord Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to nourish their spiritual life. Now then, how do we make this feeding of 5000 meaningful to the people in the 21st century?
The feeding story in John came from an insider. It tells us that it was Philip who said that they needed 200 denarii to feed so many people (John 6:7). There were 5 loaves of bailey bread. They came from a child and this was found by Andrew (John 6:8-9). John treats all miracles as signs which demonstrate God's presence among us. They also show us God's love and glory. This feeding miracle is yet another sign to show God's providence for the needy.
Nowadays, our world still suffers from global hunger. But will this feeding story fill the stomach of the hungry? Worse still, how do we make sense out of natural disasters such as the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that killed more than 300,000 people? Christians have a hard time pondering over where God was. It is indeed difficult to be a modern Christian.
Dear Holy Spirit, You come upon the bread on the altar everyday to make them the body of Christ for us to consume. We are grateful to be nourished with this heavenly food. Enlighten us that we may know how to make the Christian story meaningful to our neighours. Help us live out this Christian story in our life. Amen.
Christianity was once a revolutionary ideology when Christians were underdogs of the society. Love your enemies! Lay down your life for your friends, like your Master! Blessed are the poor and meek, not the powerful etc. When Roman Empire embraced this religion, it was probably out of utilitarian considerations. Such a religion would help rule the Empire. Once it became the official religion, the revolutionary elements in this faith were played down to support the status quo. It takes generations of martyrs to rediscover its full meanings and many more unsung heroes to make this faith meaningful and applicable to each new generation.
The contents of the Gospel, the Good News Christians preach were canonized by Peter within the life span of Jesus between his baptism and ascension (Acts 1:22). Therefore, all 4 canonical gospels contain records Jesus' baptism, Jesus' passion, resurrection and ascension. Other materials were presented to flesh out the whole story as understood by the evangelists to respond to the needs of the community they lived. Each gospel is therefore a reflection on Jesus' deeds and teachings to make them accessible, meaningful to their respective communities. From their experience, Christians of later generations draw inspiration. Therefore, only Matthew and Luke contain the nativity story, the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer etc. Luke also has many beautiful parables such as the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son etc. not found in the other gospels. The only other story recorded by all 4 gospels is the feeding of 5000.
The story of the feeding of 5000 was meaningful to contemporary Jews because it reminded them of how God had fed the Israelites in wilderness for 40 years with manna. This story is meaningful for Christians of all generations because it reminds them how the good Lord Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to nourish their spiritual life. Now then, how do we make this feeding of 5000 meaningful to the people in the 21st century?
The feeding story in John came from an insider. It tells us that it was Philip who said that they needed 200 denarii to feed so many people (John 6:7). There were 5 loaves of bailey bread. They came from a child and this was found by Andrew (John 6:8-9). John treats all miracles as signs which demonstrate God's presence among us. They also show us God's love and glory. This feeding miracle is yet another sign to show God's providence for the needy.
Nowadays, our world still suffers from global hunger. But will this feeding story fill the stomach of the hungry? Worse still, how do we make sense out of natural disasters such as the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that killed more than 300,000 people? Christians have a hard time pondering over where God was. It is indeed difficult to be a modern Christian.
Dear Holy Spirit, You come upon the bread on the altar everyday to make them the body of Christ for us to consume. We are grateful to be nourished with this heavenly food. Enlighten us that we may know how to make the Christian story meaningful to our neighours. Help us live out this Christian story in our life. Amen.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Did Jesus baptize?
If we read only the Synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke), we don't know whether Jesus ever baptized people like John the Baptist did. The 3 gospels do not contain any record of Jesus baptizing anyone. However, we cannot argue from this absence of record that Jesus had never baptized anyone. The absence of record does not imply absence of activity.
Entering the 21st century, scholars and biblical popularizers (such as a number of BBC documentaries) suggest that in the 1st century, Christianity had to compete for believers with many other religious movements such as the Baptist, the Qumran community etc. Acts of the Apostles talks about Simon the Magician as well as many disciples of John the Baptist as far as Corinth (Acts 18:25) and Ephesus (Acts 19:3)
The relationship between Christians and the disciples of John the Baptist would be an embarrassing one. No gospel denies the fact that Jesus was baptized by the Baptist. Therefore, in a sense, Jesus was one of the disciples of the Baptist. Put it in another way, the disciples of Baptist could demand respect from Christians because it looked as if Christianity was only a branch of the Baptist Movement. If we read the gospels' report of Jesus' baptism, we find that Mark, whose audience were Christians living in Rome, was direct and states that the Baptist acknowledged Jesus' superior status over him. Matthew, on the other hand, takes great pain to show that the Baptist himself wanted to be baptized by Jesus. Luke was ambiguous whether Jesus was baptised by the Baptist. During the time the Synoptic evangelists wrote their gospels, Christians were trying not to be identified with the Baptist Movement on one hand and absorbing their followers on the other.
When John wrote his gospel, the Baptist Movement seemed to have been a lost cause. John did not shy away from telling us that the first disciple of Jesus was Andrew. He was actually a disciple of the Baptist (John 1:35-40). In today's reading, we read of Jesus baptizing people in the land of Judea in the south while the Baptist at Aenon near Salim near Samaria in the north (John 3:22-23, 26). So, early in his ministry, Jesus was doing things similar to those of the Baptist. By the time John wrote his gospel, Christianity must have been quite well established while the Baptist Movement had withered. Of course, this is a bold assertion and needs scholarly affirmation. The last statement made by the Baptist in John is
He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).
Then John reflects on the situation and makes the following conclusion:
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all (John 3:31). The Baptist belongs to the earth and speaks of things of the earth. Jesus is above all. This is the last nail driven into the coffin of the Baptist. It spells the end of the Baptist Movement. Jesus is above all because
the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him (John 3:35-36).
My sweet Jesus, Glory and honour be Yours forever. You are the Son of God. Yet You are humble enough to take up our lowly humanity to die for us. In Your resurrection we trust. May our hope in You sustain us till we meet again in Paradise. Amen.
Entering the 21st century, scholars and biblical popularizers (such as a number of BBC documentaries) suggest that in the 1st century, Christianity had to compete for believers with many other religious movements such as the Baptist, the Qumran community etc. Acts of the Apostles talks about Simon the Magician as well as many disciples of John the Baptist as far as Corinth (Acts 18:25) and Ephesus (Acts 19:3)
The relationship between Christians and the disciples of John the Baptist would be an embarrassing one. No gospel denies the fact that Jesus was baptized by the Baptist. Therefore, in a sense, Jesus was one of the disciples of the Baptist. Put it in another way, the disciples of Baptist could demand respect from Christians because it looked as if Christianity was only a branch of the Baptist Movement. If we read the gospels' report of Jesus' baptism, we find that Mark, whose audience were Christians living in Rome, was direct and states that the Baptist acknowledged Jesus' superior status over him. Matthew, on the other hand, takes great pain to show that the Baptist himself wanted to be baptized by Jesus. Luke was ambiguous whether Jesus was baptised by the Baptist. During the time the Synoptic evangelists wrote their gospels, Christians were trying not to be identified with the Baptist Movement on one hand and absorbing their followers on the other.
When John wrote his gospel, the Baptist Movement seemed to have been a lost cause. John did not shy away from telling us that the first disciple of Jesus was Andrew. He was actually a disciple of the Baptist (John 1:35-40). In today's reading, we read of Jesus baptizing people in the land of Judea in the south while the Baptist at Aenon near Salim near Samaria in the north (John 3:22-23, 26). So, early in his ministry, Jesus was doing things similar to those of the Baptist. By the time John wrote his gospel, Christianity must have been quite well established while the Baptist Movement had withered. Of course, this is a bold assertion and needs scholarly affirmation. The last statement made by the Baptist in John is
He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).
Then John reflects on the situation and makes the following conclusion:
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all (John 3:31). The Baptist belongs to the earth and speaks of things of the earth. Jesus is above all. This is the last nail driven into the coffin of the Baptist. It spells the end of the Baptist Movement. Jesus is above all because
the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him (John 3:35-36).
My sweet Jesus, Glory and honour be Yours forever. You are the Son of God. Yet You are humble enough to take up our lowly humanity to die for us. In Your resurrection we trust. May our hope in You sustain us till we meet again in Paradise. Amen.
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