Whether you like it or not, when you come to any place, any country and if you want to stay, you must keep the customs and laws of that particular place. Therefore, Jews kept the Torah so that they might live in the land God had promised to Abraham. This theme is repeated throughout the book of Deuteronomy (e.g. 4:1, 12:1, 18:9, 25:15 etc.) Among these statues and commandments, circumcision and keeping the Sabbath distinguish Jews among the nations. Therefore, when Jesus healed the sick on Sabbath, the Jews were very much offended.
John 5 records the cure of a man who had been ill for 38 years. Some scholars see the man as a symbol of Israel who had wandered in the wilderness for 38 years before entering the Promised Land (40 years minus one to leave Egypt and another one to enter the Promised Land). Therefore, Jesus had symbolically healed Israel in this miracle. Instead of thanking Jesus for healing this man (Israel), the Jews wanted to persecute Jesus because he did it on Sabbath. How ungrateful!
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working." (John 5:17)
Jesus told them that God had never rested on Sabbath which He consecrated. He continuously sustains the Creation without rest. Indeed, God does not need any rest.
This verse reminds me of the first oracle in I-Ching 乾. In a philosophical reflection on this oracle, Confucius concluded that 天行健，君子以自強不息。As an ideal man, a 君子, we should follow the characteristics of heaven (God), tirelessly perfecting ourselves without rest. Of course, Confucius did not harbour the desire to become God. He advised us to lead a life as an ideal, a perfect man. Jesus is more 'ambitious'.
In defending his action, Jesus offended the Jews even more because he called God his Father.
This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:18).
Jesus declared his own divinity and awakened the spark of divinity God has deposited in us. When we work tirelessly towards perfection, we partake in the divinity of God.
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
Our Heavenly Father, You unceasingly sustain Your wonderful Creation. You made us in Your image and likeness so that one day, we may be fully infused in Your divinity. May we work, unceasingly like You, towards perfection, loving You and our neighbours ever more. Amen.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Sin no more
Ezekiel was a priest turned prophet at the time of Babylonian Captivity. He consoled the exiles and foretold the return to Jerusalem. There are 48 chapters in the book of Ezekiel which is famous for her visions. Her first chapters inspired Erich von Danikon to write a book called The Chariots of the Gods?: Unsolved Mysteries of the Past in 1968. In that generation, people fantasized that human civilizations were seeded by alien travellers around the universe. No wonder they saw God descending in flying saucers to pass on knowledge to human beings. However, it is more difficult to decide if the martial art novelist 「還珠樓主」had drawn inspiration from the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones of Ezekiel 37 in writing his 【蜀山劍俠傳】in 1932. Anyhow, similarity in visions probably reveals a deep archtype in the subconscious of the human psyche. There is no question of plagiarism in these literary creations. Ezekiel will remain a perpetual source of inspirations for the authors of science fictions.
The last chapters of prophetic books almost always offer consoling thoughts. Ezekiel 47 is no exception. She describes to us a vision of the living water gushing from the south side of the altar in the Temple (Ezekiel 47:1). The waters run deeper and deeper, ankle-deep (47:3), knee-deep then to the loins (47:4) until they become a river to swim in (47:5). The river revitalizes the surrounding, freshening the sea and sustaining all life forms (47:8-9). Whichever way you interpret this vision of living water, it must be God giving life to all creatures. At the end of time, a living water will flow from God and gives life to all creatures.
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing (Ezekiel 47:12). This is a living water. It heals. Then God instructed Ezekiel to divide the land as the inheritance for all people, including Gentiles. Yes, we Gentiles will share the salvation of God.
John 5 tells us of Jesus healing a sick man at the pool of Bethzatha. This man had suffered for 38 years. Jesus healed him on Sabbath, a holy day for the Jews. Later, Jesus met the man again in the Temple and advised him
See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you (John 5:14).
My God, I beg You to heal me too. On my own, I am unable to obtain healing. You are merciful. See my disabilities. Make me wholesome and grant me the Holy Spirit so that I sin no more. Amen.
The last chapters of prophetic books almost always offer consoling thoughts. Ezekiel 47 is no exception. She describes to us a vision of the living water gushing from the south side of the altar in the Temple (Ezekiel 47:1). The waters run deeper and deeper, ankle-deep (47:3), knee-deep then to the loins (47:4) until they become a river to swim in (47:5). The river revitalizes the surrounding, freshening the sea and sustaining all life forms (47:8-9). Whichever way you interpret this vision of living water, it must be God giving life to all creatures. At the end of time, a living water will flow from God and gives life to all creatures.
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing (Ezekiel 47:12). This is a living water. It heals. Then God instructed Ezekiel to divide the land as the inheritance for all people, including Gentiles. Yes, we Gentiles will share the salvation of God.
John 5 tells us of Jesus healing a sick man at the pool of Bethzatha. This man had suffered for 38 years. Jesus healed him on Sabbath, a holy day for the Jews. Later, Jesus met the man again in the Temple and advised him
See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you (John 5:14).
My God, I beg You to heal me too. On my own, I am unable to obtain healing. You are merciful. See my disabilities. Make me wholesome and grant me the Holy Spirit so that I sin no more. Amen.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
New heavens and a new earth
It is very comforting to read the last chapters of a prophetic book. The prophet would speak many words of comfort because the end is just around the corner. Isaiah 65 is the last but one chapter. It is full of consoling words.
When Luke tells us how the Father longed for the return of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:20), he was retelling what God declared in the book of Isaiah.
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that did not call on my name.
I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices (Isaiah 65:1-2).
In all His wisdom, God knows very well that He has to take the initiative to deliver sinners. Otherwise, nobody will be redeemed. All of them will be lost into the hand of Satan. God spreads out His hands all the day to reach out to sinners. That was why Jesus chose to be crucified. On the cross, he declared to the world how much he wanted us to seek him, to find him and he will always be there, however undeserving we are.
Isaiah continues to show us two different situations for the righteous (Isaiah 65:9-10) and the sinners (Isaiah 65:11-15). The decision is for us to make. To remain in sinful states (deaf to God's call) or to seek God for reconciliation. Make up your mind now. If we do, we will be able to enjoy the new heavens and the new earth.
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress (Isaiah 65:17-19).
But what is so good about this new heavens and the new earth?
No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their children with them.
Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear (Isaiah 65:20-24).
Even if you are not delighted in longevity, you should be satisfied to see that you do not labour in vain. This is the answer to Ecclesiastes who declared that all labour is in vain. Everything is vanity. But the most reassuring of all is God's promise to answer us before we call, to hear us before we speak of our worries. What else do we need? The last verse of Isaiah 65 echoes Isaiah 11:6 & 9. It gives us a glimpse of the peaceful Kingdom of Heaven which our Heavenly Father has prepared for us from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). The decision is for us to make.
My God, You have shown us Your loving care beyond what we dare to dream. Let me arise and return to You, loving Father. I have sinned against heaven and before You. Allow me a tiny room, even at the threshold of Your house that I may behold Your merciful countenance. Amen.
When Luke tells us how the Father longed for the return of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:20), he was retelling what God declared in the book of Isaiah.
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that did not call on my name.
I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices (Isaiah 65:1-2).
In all His wisdom, God knows very well that He has to take the initiative to deliver sinners. Otherwise, nobody will be redeemed. All of them will be lost into the hand of Satan. God spreads out His hands all the day to reach out to sinners. That was why Jesus chose to be crucified. On the cross, he declared to the world how much he wanted us to seek him, to find him and he will always be there, however undeserving we are.
Isaiah continues to show us two different situations for the righteous (Isaiah 65:9-10) and the sinners (Isaiah 65:11-15). The decision is for us to make. To remain in sinful states (deaf to God's call) or to seek God for reconciliation. Make up your mind now. If we do, we will be able to enjoy the new heavens and the new earth.
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress (Isaiah 65:17-19).
But what is so good about this new heavens and the new earth?
No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their children with them.
Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear (Isaiah 65:20-24).
Even if you are not delighted in longevity, you should be satisfied to see that you do not labour in vain. This is the answer to Ecclesiastes who declared that all labour is in vain. Everything is vanity. But the most reassuring of all is God's promise to answer us before we call, to hear us before we speak of our worries. What else do we need? The last verse of Isaiah 65 echoes Isaiah 11:6 & 9. It gives us a glimpse of the peaceful Kingdom of Heaven which our Heavenly Father has prepared for us from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). The decision is for us to make.
My God, You have shown us Your loving care beyond what we dare to dream. Let me arise and return to You, loving Father. I have sinned against heaven and before You. Allow me a tiny room, even at the threshold of Your house that I may behold Your merciful countenance. Amen.
Monday, 3 March 2008
4th Sunday of Lent (Year A)
In today's gospel, we read of the story of the cure of the man born blind in John 9. This story is a fertile theological field. There are many topics for us to meditate on.
For modern people, it is unfortunate for a man to be born blind. But he is only a victim of random mutation. Nobody is to be blamed. For the Jews in biblical times, it was a different story. Their God was a God of justice. He guaranteed the fairness of the law. He would award or punish men according to their behaviour. He would award the good and punish the bad. This is an axiom universal to all religions. From this, it followed a flawed conclusion: if you suffer, you must have sinned and God is punishing you.
The man born blind posed a difficult challenge to the above conclusion. Therefore Jesus' disciples asked: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2).
The man was born blind. He was blind before he was able to commit sins. (The Jews had not developed the theology of Original Sin. We have to wait until the 4th century.) So, was his blindness a punishment for his parents' sins? This reasoning follows the logic of Exodus.
for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exodus 20:5).
This logic was refuted by Jeremiah.
In those days they shall no longer say: `The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'
But every one shall die for his own sin; each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge. (Jeremiah 31:2-30). The story of Job wrestles with the problem of God's justice and human sufferings. Jesus elevated the problem of sufferings to a higher level.
Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him" (John 9:3). Human sufferings manifest the works of God. Jesus then restored the sight of the blind.
This miraculous cure would have been a glory of God, had it not been performed on Sabbath! Now, the Pharisees were divided.
Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them (John 9:16). They investigated and in the end, rejected the blind man. He was a sinner because he was blind. He did not deserve to bear witness.
They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out (John 9:34). They declared him a born sinner all because he did not agree with their opinion towards Jesus. Who did these Pharisees think they were? God? Even Jesus did not pass judgment on this blind man.
Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind."
Some of the Pharisees near him heard this, and they said to him, "Are we also blind?"
Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, `We see,' your guilt remains (John 9:39-41).
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed (John 3:19-20).
What a paradox! The blind see while those who see blind. What a danger to be learned! Too much knowledge crowds the truth and prejudice makes the learned blind. The learned easily fall victim to the desire to play God.
My God, may my learning lead to true knowledge, the knowledge of You. Though I see, I am blind to Your loving wonders and mercy. I pray that we love You more deeply and unite with You more completely. May we continue to walk in Your path of justice and mercy. Amen.
For modern people, it is unfortunate for a man to be born blind. But he is only a victim of random mutation. Nobody is to be blamed. For the Jews in biblical times, it was a different story. Their God was a God of justice. He guaranteed the fairness of the law. He would award or punish men according to their behaviour. He would award the good and punish the bad. This is an axiom universal to all religions. From this, it followed a flawed conclusion: if you suffer, you must have sinned and God is punishing you.
The man born blind posed a difficult challenge to the above conclusion. Therefore Jesus' disciples asked: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2).
The man was born blind. He was blind before he was able to commit sins. (The Jews had not developed the theology of Original Sin. We have to wait until the 4th century.) So, was his blindness a punishment for his parents' sins? This reasoning follows the logic of Exodus.
for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exodus 20:5).
This logic was refuted by Jeremiah.
In those days they shall no longer say: `The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'
But every one shall die for his own sin; each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge. (Jeremiah 31:2-30). The story of Job wrestles with the problem of God's justice and human sufferings. Jesus elevated the problem of sufferings to a higher level.
Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him" (John 9:3). Human sufferings manifest the works of God. Jesus then restored the sight of the blind.
This miraculous cure would have been a glory of God, had it not been performed on Sabbath! Now, the Pharisees were divided.
Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them (John 9:16). They investigated and in the end, rejected the blind man. He was a sinner because he was blind. He did not deserve to bear witness.
They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out (John 9:34). They declared him a born sinner all because he did not agree with their opinion towards Jesus. Who did these Pharisees think they were? God? Even Jesus did not pass judgment on this blind man.
Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind."
Some of the Pharisees near him heard this, and they said to him, "Are we also blind?"
Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, `We see,' your guilt remains (John 9:39-41).
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed (John 3:19-20).
What a paradox! The blind see while those who see blind. What a danger to be learned! Too much knowledge crowds the truth and prejudice makes the learned blind. The learned easily fall victim to the desire to play God.
My God, may my learning lead to true knowledge, the knowledge of You. Though I see, I am blind to Your loving wonders and mercy. I pray that we love You more deeply and unite with You more completely. May we continue to walk in Your path of justice and mercy. Amen.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Offering sacrifices to God
In all religions, people offer sacrifices to their gods. There are many purposes: to pacify them when disasters strike, to ask for favours in times of needs, to thank them for favours granted and to expiate their sins. Sometimes, the sins are so grave that only death would expiate them. Killing an animal in their stead was a clever way out.
Cain, the son of Adam and Eve, was the first to offer sacrifice to God.
In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground (Genesis 4:3). Then came Abel his brother.
and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering (Genesis 4:4).
But what makes an offering acceptable to God? The following research may throw light on the question.
ObedienceAnd Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).
An open ear and to do God's willSacrifice and offering thou dost not desire;
but thou hast given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering thou hast not required.
Then I said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me;
I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:6-8)
A broken & contrite heartFor thou hast no delight in sacrifice;
were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Psalm 51:16-17).
To do justiceTo do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3).
Mercy & the knowledge of GodFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6, KJV). [RSV uses steadfast love instead.] This is confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 9:13; 12:7.
My God, thank You for allowing me to know what is acceptable to You. Open my ears so that I may obey and do Your will. Justice and mercy are Yours and let me imitate with a contrite heart. Tame my arrogant heart in Lent and thereafter. May I be able to dwell in Your house and praise You forever and ever. Amen.
Cain, the son of Adam and Eve, was the first to offer sacrifice to God.
In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground (Genesis 4:3). Then came Abel his brother.
and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering (Genesis 4:4).
But what makes an offering acceptable to God? The following research may throw light on the question.
ObedienceAnd Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).
An open ear and to do God's willSacrifice and offering thou dost not desire;
but thou hast given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering thou hast not required.
Then I said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me;
I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:6-8)
A broken & contrite heartFor thou hast no delight in sacrifice;
were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Psalm 51:16-17).
To do justiceTo do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3).
Mercy & the knowledge of GodFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6, KJV). [RSV uses steadfast love instead.] This is confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 9:13; 12:7.
My God, thank You for allowing me to know what is acceptable to You. Open my ears so that I may obey and do Your will. Justice and mercy are Yours and let me imitate with a contrite heart. Tame my arrogant heart in Lent and thereafter. May I be able to dwell in Your house and praise You forever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself
I believe that the authors of different books of the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit. I also believe that the authors retained their autonomy in the writing of their books. In various degrees of freedom, they contributed in choice of words, idioms and the arrangement of the materials at hand. The story of the question of the first commandment of all in the Synoptic gospels is a case in point.
Mark was the first to put his gospel in writing. Matthew and Luke must have referred to it when they put together their own gospel. They told the same story in different styles. In the story understand consideration, a teacher of the Law challenged Jesus to identify the first commandment among the 613 pieces of legislation. Mark had Jesus gave the answer, quoting Deuteronomy 6:4Jesus answered, "The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one;
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:29-30). Then Jesus continued to give the next, quoting Leviticus 19:18.
The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31). When the teacher of the Law echoed the answers and added that it
is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices, Jesus commented that he was not far from the Kingdom God. After that, nobody dared to ask him any question (Mark 12:32-34).
Matthew is shorter. After giving the 2 answers, Jesus concluded that
On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40). The teacher of the Law did not echo the answers, nor did Jesus comment that he was not far from the Kingdom of God. Matthew did not mention that nobody dared to ask any question. It had been enough for him to portray Jesus as a Master Rabbi.
Luke treated the story in a totally different way. The teacher of the Law asked what he should do to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). The question looked different, but the answer was identical. Now, instead of answering the question directly, Jesus made the teacher of the Law answer the question himself. Jesus was an effective teacher indeed. Then came a new twist.
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29). Seeing that the teacher of the Law was egocentric, Jesus told the famous parable of the Good Samaritan and asked the same question in the opposite perspective.
Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? (Luke 10:36). This question pulled the teacher of the Law out from his self-centre. Luke always remains my favourite author.
Yes, our love of neighbour should be for the sake of our neighbour, not for our own sake. On the other hand, we love them as ourselves. Therefore, we must love ourselves, respect ourselves as well.
My God, forgive me for not taking care of myself enough, for not extending my love generously enough to my neighbours. May this Lent season open my heart to love more caringly. Amen.
Comment from Ruth;
Loving and respecting ourselves is a good way to love our neighbor too. As we love and take care ourselves, our neighbor, for example, our parents don't need to worry about us so much. We share their burdens when we are doing our duties.
My Reply;
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.
Let your father and mother be glad,
let her who bore you rejoice (Proverbs 23:24-25).
身體髮膚，受諸父母，豈敢毀傷，孝之始也；立身行道，揚名於後世，以顯父母，孝之終也。【孝經】
Yes, Ruth, this was what you learnt in your RS Section B.
Mark was the first to put his gospel in writing. Matthew and Luke must have referred to it when they put together their own gospel. They told the same story in different styles. In the story understand consideration, a teacher of the Law challenged Jesus to identify the first commandment among the 613 pieces of legislation. Mark had Jesus gave the answer, quoting Deuteronomy 6:4Jesus answered, "The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one;
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:29-30). Then Jesus continued to give the next, quoting Leviticus 19:18.
The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31). When the teacher of the Law echoed the answers and added that it
is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices, Jesus commented that he was not far from the Kingdom God. After that, nobody dared to ask him any question (Mark 12:32-34).
Matthew is shorter. After giving the 2 answers, Jesus concluded that
On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40). The teacher of the Law did not echo the answers, nor did Jesus comment that he was not far from the Kingdom of God. Matthew did not mention that nobody dared to ask any question. It had been enough for him to portray Jesus as a Master Rabbi.
Luke treated the story in a totally different way. The teacher of the Law asked what he should do to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). The question looked different, but the answer was identical. Now, instead of answering the question directly, Jesus made the teacher of the Law answer the question himself. Jesus was an effective teacher indeed. Then came a new twist.
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29). Seeing that the teacher of the Law was egocentric, Jesus told the famous parable of the Good Samaritan and asked the same question in the opposite perspective.
Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? (Luke 10:36). This question pulled the teacher of the Law out from his self-centre. Luke always remains my favourite author.
Yes, our love of neighbour should be for the sake of our neighbour, not for our own sake. On the other hand, we love them as ourselves. Therefore, we must love ourselves, respect ourselves as well.
My God, forgive me for not taking care of myself enough, for not extending my love generously enough to my neighbours. May this Lent season open my heart to love more caringly. Amen.
Comment from Ruth;
Loving and respecting ourselves is a good way to love our neighbor too. As we love and take care ourselves, our neighbor, for example, our parents don't need to worry about us so much. We share their burdens when we are doing our duties.
My Reply;
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.
Let your father and mother be glad,
let her who bore you rejoice (Proverbs 23:24-25).
身體髮膚，受諸父母，豈敢毀傷，孝之始也；立身行道，揚名於後世，以顯父母，孝之終也。【孝經】
Yes, Ruth, this was what you learnt in your RS Section B.
March 1, 2008
Friday, 29 February 2008
The finger of God
The recent obscene photos scandal is a defamation campaign. It leaves everybody a loser. The celebrities captured in the photographs are losers. The way police handled the situation makes it a loser. The sensational reporting by the media makes them losers. In the future, the Internet users may have their freedom restricted. They may become the ultimate losers ... People living in this technologically advanced society are very vulnerable indeed.
Jesus' enemies also tried to defame him, saying that he drove out demons with the power from the prince of demon, Beelzebul (Luke 11:15). Jesus defended himself with a parable of a divided kingdom. In the end, he concluded
But if it is by the finger of God ( δακτύλῳ θεοῦ ) that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Luke 11:20). He was referring to the Holy Spirit.
My God, where is Your finger today? The celebrities are possessed by lust, the police by power, the Internet users voyeurism and the media greed. My God, when will You exorcise them all?
Reading Jeremiah 7 today sent a chill down my spine. The Chosen People had driven God out of their existence. The Temple became for them a placebo. God was not inside (Jeremiah 7:4). God was not inside because there was no God in their hearts, only idols. Their hearts were smothered and they were not able to hear God's voice.
and when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer (Jeremiah 7:13).
Are the technological achievements which bring us welcomed comfort real progress? The obscene photo scandal has spoken against it loud and clear! We go backward and not forward.
For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.
But this command I gave them, 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'
But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.
From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day;
yet they did not listen to me, or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers (Jeremiah 7:23-26).
And they have built the high place of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind (Jeremiah 7:31). This reminds me of the child pornography victims who are burnt on the altar of the Internet!
The Israelites would not listen because their hearts were occupied by various idols. Their future? Gruesome indeed! Jeremiah seemed to be describing more the 20th century Holocaust than the Babylonian captivity of the 6th century B.C.
Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when it will no more be called Topheth, or the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of Slaughter: for they will bury in Topheth, because there is no room elsewhere.
And the dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the air, and for the beasts of the earth; and none will frighten them away.
And I will make to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride; for the land shall become a waste.
At that time, says the LORD, the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of its princes, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be brought out of their tombs;
and they shall be spread before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and served, which they have gone after, and which they have sought and worshiped; and they shall not be gathered or buried; they shall be as dung on the surface of the ground.
Death shall be preferred to life by all the remnant that remains of this evil family in all the places where I have driven them, says the LORD of hosts (Jeremiah 7:32-8:3).
My God, we indulge in idols of different flavours but see not the consequences. The Israelites have suffered a painful lesson. But modern people do not learn from them. Father, You are the God of the living, not of the dead. For the sake of Your holy name, exorcise all the idols in our hearts so that we may truly appreciate Your loving care. Amen.
Jesus' enemies also tried to defame him, saying that he drove out demons with the power from the prince of demon, Beelzebul (Luke 11:15). Jesus defended himself with a parable of a divided kingdom. In the end, he concluded
But if it is by the finger of God ( δακτύλῳ θεοῦ ) that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Luke 11:20). He was referring to the Holy Spirit.
My God, where is Your finger today? The celebrities are possessed by lust, the police by power, the Internet users voyeurism and the media greed. My God, when will You exorcise them all?
Reading Jeremiah 7 today sent a chill down my spine. The Chosen People had driven God out of their existence. The Temple became for them a placebo. God was not inside (Jeremiah 7:4). God was not inside because there was no God in their hearts, only idols. Their hearts were smothered and they were not able to hear God's voice.
and when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer (Jeremiah 7:13).
Are the technological achievements which bring us welcomed comfort real progress? The obscene photo scandal has spoken against it loud and clear! We go backward and not forward.
For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.
But this command I gave them, 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'
But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.
From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day;
yet they did not listen to me, or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers (Jeremiah 7:23-26).
And they have built the high place of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind (Jeremiah 7:31). This reminds me of the child pornography victims who are burnt on the altar of the Internet!
The Israelites would not listen because their hearts were occupied by various idols. Their future? Gruesome indeed! Jeremiah seemed to be describing more the 20th century Holocaust than the Babylonian captivity of the 6th century B.C.
Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when it will no more be called Topheth, or the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of Slaughter: for they will bury in Topheth, because there is no room elsewhere.
And the dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the air, and for the beasts of the earth; and none will frighten them away.
And I will make to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride; for the land shall become a waste.
At that time, says the LORD, the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of its princes, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be brought out of their tombs;
and they shall be spread before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and served, which they have gone after, and which they have sought and worshiped; and they shall not be gathered or buried; they shall be as dung on the surface of the ground.
Death shall be preferred to life by all the remnant that remains of this evil family in all the places where I have driven them, says the LORD of hosts (Jeremiah 7:32-8:3).
My God, we indulge in idols of different flavours but see not the consequences. The Israelites have suffered a painful lesson. But modern people do not learn from them. Father, You are the God of the living, not of the dead. For the sake of Your holy name, exorcise all the idols in our hearts so that we may truly appreciate Your loving care. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)