What do you learn from Jesus?

Today, we read of the last three verses of Matthew 11. These verses have long been very consoling, especially for us who have burnt ourselves out in our work. Yet, under its soothing surface lies a great challenge. Let's read them in full.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30)
These verses speak to us because at the moment, who does not labour, who are not heavy laden? Neither kings nor beggars, the rich or the poor, nobody is exempted. Each is laden with different burden.
These verses are soothing because Jesus will give us rest. As our Lord and our boss, he holds expectations on us. Yet, he is a gentle and humble boss. He promises us an easy yoke and a light burden. So, where comes the challenge? Serving a boss like Jesus is Paradise (Luke 23:43).
The challenge lies in learning from Jesus. What do you learn from Jesus? Moral theologians would tell us to follow his humility, purity, obedience, kindness, compassion for the needy etc. These qualities are human achievable. Am I too greedy to learn something else from Jesus? Read Isaiah,
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? (Isaiah 40:12)
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in (Isaiah 40:22)
Before Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:39), he was actually sleeping on a cushion in a boat (Mark 4:38). In such adversity, Jesus was still in full control because he was the Creator of the Universe. Therefore, there is nothing too fearsome for Jesus to be afraid of. In Chinese, we have a comparable descriptor: 泰山崩於前而色不變。【心術‧蘇洵】
What about us? We were no creator of the universe, could we not be fearful of the situation? If I had all the trump cards, I would not be afraid. But is it necessary to hold ALL the trump cards. What if we have just a few. Are they enough?
Chinese ethicists talk a lot about the taming of the heart. When the heart is tamed, we will be able to make the right choice, have no regret of our actions and therefore have no fear. So, taming the heart is a trump card for us Chinese. As a Christian, we believe in the Lord who runs this universe. Therefore, there is nothing we should fear because the Lord will take care of us. For Christians, a strong faith in our Lord is a trump card. Therefore, as a Chinese Christian, I have two trump cards up my sleeve.

My Lord, You are my model and my teacher. You have an inexhaustible supply of inspiration. Guide me Your way home. Amen.

Dedication of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Hong Kong

This is a feast local to Hong Kong. The Diocese celebrates the Dedication of the Cathedral today. Therefore, we have some readings on the building materials of a church: rocks. It is taken from the 1^st Epistle of Peter. In chapter 2 of the epistle, St. Peter outlines what Christian life should be like. We Christians should constantly ask ourselves if our life is happy, if our life is good and if we have tasted the kindness of the Lord (1 Peter 2:3). If our answers are affirmative, congratulations. Otherwise, our identity as a Christian is fake, our Christian life hollow.
Faith and religion are not something irrational. Let's put on a utilitarianist hat and do a cost-benefit analysis honestly. Why should we continue to follow Jesus if we gain no advantage over a life without Jesus? There must be some advantages, material or spiritual, that sustain our belief. Otherwise, why bother if believing in Jesus makes our life no better. Of course, after following Jesus, our values may change so that what we prized most in the past may become a loss for you now. St. Paul had this experience to share with the Philippians.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)
So, in our daily life, if we are able to experience the kindness of the Lord, our faith will be more animated. We can truly be living stones that build up God's Temple. Otherwise, we are only claiming a spiritual high ground but in fact, we are still spiritually immature. St. Peter gave some very practical advice for believers to lead a life such that we may experience the kindness of the Lord.
So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander (1 Peter 2:1).
Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious (1 Peter 2:4);
In sum, pray to the Lord, approach Him. Put away all malice, guile, insincerity, envy and slander.
By then, we become good quality spiritual stones to build up the church, to build up the Kingdom of God (1 Peter 2:5).
The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 is a good illustration of Peter's advice.
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and rich (Luke 19:2). He wanted to see Jesus but Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd and Zacchaeus himself was short. Therefore, he climbed up a sycamore tree in order to get a glimpse of Jesus (Luke 19:4). This was a perfect illustration of the desire of a sinner to see his Saviour. Jesus rewarded Zacchaeus with his staying in his house. Zacchaeus took action. He declared in front of Jesus that he would give half of his property to the poor. If he had cheated anyone, he would repay fourfold (Luke 19:8). Jesus defended Zacchaeus and declared his intention and background.
For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Then Peter quoted Isaiah and Psalm to explain the role Jesus played in this enterprise.
Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιων λίθον πολυτελῆ ἐκλεκτὸν ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἔντιμον εἰς τὰ θεμέλια αὐτῆς, καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ' αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ. (Is 28:16)
ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ' αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ. (1 Peter 2:6)
Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and he who believes in him will not be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6, RSV)

λίθον, ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας, (Ps 117:22 LXX; Ps 118:22 MT)
λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας (1 Peter 2:7)
The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,(1 Peter 2:7 RSV)
Christians believe that Jesus is the cornerstone rejected by the builders. But he was appointed by God, chosen and precious. We Christians are supposed to believe in him and will not be put to shame, if our identity is not fake. Peter drew on the traditional image of the Israelites and applied this image to the current entrepreneurs:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10). A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people etc. were traditional images belonging to the Israelites. Now Peter applies these images to the new Israelites, the Church.

My dear Lord, I am privileged to be given the honour to receive Your Body and Blood. May this spiritual food arouse in us the good desire to seek You and to unite with You. Amen.

Feast of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This dogma was pronounced by Pope Pius IX in 1854. Technically speaking, it says
the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempted from all stain of original sin (Ineffabilis Deus).
I have to admit beforehand that I am not a theology student. Therefore, my discussion on the topic should not carry any weight. Indeed, this doctrine has been controversial all along until the pronouncement in 1854. This only shows that we are rational and non-complacent. We work very hard to try to understand what we believe in. Before the Pope made such a pronouncement, he had consulted many bishops the majority of whom supported this doctrine. Of course, the majority could be wrong and mob logic cannot be right. I have no intention and am in no position to stir up any more controversy. The following can only serve as a personal reflection on this doctrine.
Purity and chastity are noble values upheld and enshrined by the Catholic Church. That is why Catholic priests and nuns do not marry. They bear witness to these values with their celibate life. The Catholic Church honours many saints who were virgins. The Mother of Christ is held to be a perpetual virgin, even after giving birth to Jesus. All these are the fruits of upholding these purity and chastity values.
When it came to the purity and sinlessness of Mary, Catholics are emotional. They hold dear Jesus' words on the cross, telling Mary to take care of the young Church and the Church to honour Mary as their mother (John 19:26-27). Catholics denied Joseph's sexual obligation towards Mary and vice versa (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). Therefore, they interpret the 'brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon' (Mark 6:3) to be cousins or children of Joseph from a former marriage. Below their subconsciousness, Catholics hold high the status of priests and make married life a second-class vocation. Luckily, in the 21st century, we see the late Pope John Paul II canonize married women. Married life is no longer second-class.
Why should Mary be sinless from conception and not some time later? Jesus was not yet born. Would it be too risky to grant her such purity and Mary declined to be the Mother of Jesus at Annunciation? Theologians like to quote the principle designed by Anselm of Canterbury "potuit, decuit, ergo fecit" (God could do it, it was appropriate to do, therefore God did it.).
Of course, God could do anything. But was it appropriate? Was it necessary for Mary to be immaculate the very first instance of her conception? Was it possible for Mary to be immaculate some time later, say at Annunciation? Even if Mary were stained by the Original Sin, would it affect Jesus? Could we not simply have the Immaculate Conception of Jesus? If Mary could remain unstained in the womb of Anna for nine months, would it not be more appropriate for Jesus to remain unstained in the womb of Mary? Then, we don't have to postulate an extra privilege to take care of Mary. Of course, God is generous. He could grant favour to whoever pleases Him. Mary certainly found favour in God's sight.
The Catholic Church has to defend certain values. Throughout history, her theological reflections have been very active and fruitful. I am sure the doctrine of Immaculate Conception will continue to generate newer reflection on God's active involvement in our salvation.

Avē Marīa, grātia plēna, Dominus tēcum. Benedicta tū in mulieribus, et benedictus frūctus ventris tuī, Iēsus.Sancta Marīa, Māter Deī, ōrā prō nōbīs peccātōribus, nunc et in hōrā mortis nostræ. Āmēn.

Second Sunday in Advent (Year B)

This morning, Fr. Patrick celebrated 11 a.m. Mass. He told us that today is also the feast day of St. Ambrose, the patron saint of our choir. He took an unusual step to give a very brief account of the life of St. Ambrose in the homily. Indeed today, Deacon Tsang was responsible for the homily. We were doing the Rite of Acceptance 收錄禮 at 11 a.m. mass.
The life of St. Ambrose was legendary. Therefore, Fr. Patrick selected a few events to highlight the life of this saint. He was not yet baptized when the people of Milan chose him to be their bishop in 374! At first, he did not accept but later, Ambrose acquiesced and received baptism. 8 days later in December 7, 374, he was ordained a priest and later consecrated the bishop of Milan. Therefore, unlike most saints, his feast day celebrates his ordination, not his death. St Ambrose fought against the Arian heresy, sometimes with his political muscles, became the teacher of St. Augustine and was counted one of the most important Church Fathers. He was well versed in both Greek and Latin. In the end of this brief introduction, Fr. Patrick also mentioned the contribution of PIME priests in Hong Kong. He counted this as a legacy of St. Ambrose.
Now, it was Deacon Tsang's turn. His homily time was cut short by Fr. Patrick. So, he went directly into his speech. He pulled out a little banner on which was written 10000000. He told the catechumens that when they made God the centre of their life, this is what they would get. However, when they turned away from God, he turned his banner upside down, they would get 00000001. He used this to illustrate the concept of repentance, a turning back to God, mentioned in the gospel today.
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4).
Of course, he did not mention ten million what but he strongly hinted that it was Hong Kong dollars. By any standard, this sum of money could only be a dream for most people. The value, advantage of turning back to God can only be poorly indicated in monetary terms. Can the love of God be measured by money? Perhaps for catechumen, this illustration is meaningful and I should not be too harsh with the creativity of Deacon Tsang.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4).
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).
The author of the second epistle of Peter had a certain idea about the end of the world. Probably that was the idea held by his contemporaries as well. The Psalmist tried to convey the idea that God is above and beyond time. A thousand years for Him is insignificant, is but one day. However, the author of 2Peter was making a word-play. He turned the Psalmist around and said that for God, a day is as a thousand years. Since God is the master of space and time, He would manipulate time at His pleasure. So, spending a day like a thousand years is OK for Him, but mind-boggling for us. In Chinese, we have an idiom describing the harshness of life as 度日如年, spending a day like years, not to mention a millennium!
The author of 2Peter also mentioned how the end of the world comes about.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire!  (2 Peter 3:10-12).
He mentioned "the elements will melt/be dissolved with fire" twice. That was probably the popular belief of the day. It looks like the sun becoming a red giant in her final days when she expands and engulf even the earth. If that be the case, we will not be seeing it in our life time. Our concern should be our repentance. We should repent now. Don't wait until it is too late, until there is no turning back.

My Lord, melt not the elements, but our hearts. Grant us the grace to repent. Amen.

Taking our life in our own hand

Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for more than 400 years. It took a Moses to liberate them. After settling in the Promised Land, Canaan, they built up a kingdom under Saul, David and Solomon. The kingdom split into two after Solomon. These two kingdoms were under constant threat from north eastern invaders. Assyria, Babylon and Persia rose to power one after another. Later, powers from the west, Greek and Romans conquered them all. During these periods of warring kingdoms, forming alliance to ward off invaders was a common strategy.
Taking their life in their own hands, Israel and Judah formed alliance with their old master, their enemy of old --- Egypt. People were, and are pragmatic. Reliance on God is too intangible. They need to take control in order to feel secure. Isaiah 30 criticizes this way of life.
"Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "who carry out a plan, but not mine;
and who make a league, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin;
who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my counsel,
to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh, and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! (Isaiah 30:1-2)
For Egypt's help is worthless and empty, therefore I have called her "Rahab who sits still." (Isaiah 30:7)
This Rahab was not Rahab the prostitute who saved the 2 spies in Joshua. This Rahab was a sea monster, or even the guardian angel of Egypt.
Taking their life in their own hands is an illusion! Instead of trying to know the truth, to follow the will of God, people want their own will be done. Therefore, they like to listen to smooth things and will not accept things against their desires. People construct their own reality and live in their comfort zones. Their hearts turn away from God. It hurts the eyes to see the truth.
For they are a rebellious people, lying sons, sons who will not hear the instruction of the LORD;
who say to the seers, "See not";
and to the prophets, "Prophesy not to us what is right;
speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,
leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more of the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 30:9-11)
God's logic is anti-common-sense. It is hard to swallow. For people running for their life, God's advice was to wait! When people busy building up defence walls, God's advice was to rest! Instead of trusting in strongholds, weapons and ammunitions, God wanted them to trust in this elusive Him.
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,
"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."
And you would not,
but you said, "No! We will speed upon horses," therefore you shall speed away;
and, "We will ride upon swift steeds," therefore your pursuers shall be swift (Isaiah 30:15-16).
How about this promise from God, will you trust Him?
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him (Isaiah 30:18).
I'm sure God wants to be gracious and merciful to us. We need to learn how to interact with Him. Before we can deal with Him, we should know more about His value system, His mode of operation etc.

My Lord, You are merciful and gracious. You are willing to share Your eternal life with us, unworthy creatures. We don't know why You want to do this. What good have we done? Let's us continue with our preparation to celebrate Your incarnation. Amen.

God hardens people's hearts

People in the Old Testament tended to explain everything with God. When Pharaoh repeatedly refused to release the Israelites, Exodus would say that Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh (Exodus 4:21, 7:3, 8:15 etc). If such was the case, how much should man be responsible for his actions?
In the reading for Isaiah 29, we come across a similar situation.
As when a hungry man dreams he is eating and awakes with his hunger not satisfied,
or as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking and awakes faint, with his thirst not quenched,
so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.
Stupefy yourselves and be in a stupor, blind yourselves and be blind!
Be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not with strong drink!
For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep,
and has closed your eyes, the prophets, and covered your heads, the seers (Isaiah 29:8-10).
To a certain extent, Isaiah was true. Many times, we simply do not see the truth right under our noses. Our judgment is clouded. We seem like sleeping with eyes widely open. It seems that God is playing tricks on us, fooling us around.
But Isaiah explains otherwise. Hungry men dream they are eating. Hunger is the cause of such dreams. So, when Pharaoh hardened his heart, we don't need to call upon Yahweh to explain Pharaoh's decision.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and would not listen to them; as the LORD had said (Exodus 8:15).
So, when man is unable to see the truth, probably pride has smothered his judgment such that he refuses to see the truth, but to put the blame on the others. Perhaps they are actually hypocrites. Receiving Baptism may only be a tactic to enter a Diocesan Secondary School.
And the Lord said:
"Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote;
therefore, behold, I will again do marvelous things with this people, wonderful and marvelous;
and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hid." (Isaiah 29:13-14)
It is difficult to understand why the wise men would become stupid when God works wonders. What kind of wonders would God work such that even the wise would be baffled? Is this wonder the resurrection of Jesus? Isaiah seemed to talk about something else. Probably, he could only dimly discern what would happen in the future. He was able to see that the Messiah would heal the blind and the deaf. He was able to hear the Sermon on the Mount. Indeed, if Isaiah saw into the future, say what goes on in a medical operation theatre, how would he articulate what he saw? Language would be a big problem.
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book,
and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 29:18-19).
In the end, God still wants all to be saved. How could a father be willing to see his son perish, without trying to save him? He still leave a window open, giving him yet one more chance.
And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction (Isaiah 29:24).

Dear Lord, pardon me when I turn too judgmental. The arrogance in my heart always clouds my judgment. It still prevents me from confessing my sins. Shine forth your light on my soul which is still sitting in the shadow of darkness. You are my Saviour and my Lord, forever and ever. Amen.

In God we trust

The books of the prophets are difficult to follow. There is little narrative and therefore their structure, if there is any, is very loose. Usually, these books are collections of oracles, songs and lamentations etc. which may not be arranged in any chronological order. Today, we come upon a City of God song in Isaiah. Indeed, Isaiah contains a large number of songs. For example, there are two Vineyard songs (Isaiah 5:1-7; 27:2-5).
This City of God song consists of six verses. Applying the parallelism logic to this song, we find that middle verses (Isaiah 26:3-4) are the core. Take a look.
Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.
Trust in the LORD for ever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26:3-4).
Obviously "trust in the Lord" is the main theme of this song.
Next, consider the next layer, verses 2 and 5.
Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in (Isaiah 26:2).
For he has brought low the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city.
He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust (Isaiah 26:5).
God admits the righteous people (26:2) and rejects the proud (26:5)
Who are the righteous? Those who trust in the Lord (26:3-4). These and similar ideas were systematically incorporated into St. Paul's theology structure --- justification by faith..
Now, consider the outmost layer, verses 1 and 6.
We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks (Isaiah 26:1).
The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy (Isaiah 26:6).
The City of God is a strong city. It is made up of God's salvation which usually results in a reversal of fortune. The rich, proud and powerful shall be rejected by God while the poor and the needy shall enter into this big era when the poor will trample the rich, not vice versa.
What kind of a world is this? Cultural Revolution?
This is a world promised by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
Blessed are the poor, the mournful, the meek, the hungry and the persecuted. They would inherit the Kingdom and would be satisfied (Matthew 5:3-12).
People's fortune will be reversed in the Kingdom of God which will be inherited, not by the rich and powerful but the poor and meek.
Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).
Once again, it is action that counts. We should try our best to be meek and avoid using violence. Don't resist evil. Let God take care of the proud and godless.
It is regrettable that I was not able to attend Hilary's graduation ceremony. There is no point to fight for this "favour". Once the office clerk passed on the rejection message, the damage has already been done. My heart is sunk and lost. One may put the blame on a communication breakdown, or a rash decision or what not. But it is the sense of efforts not being appreciated that bleeds my heart. Jesus allowed his heart to be pierced. As an insignificant follower of Christ, this incident is but a microscopic gnat.

Dear Lord, I pray that I am able to grow out of this wound, for the reparation of my many sins and for the salvation of the people I have promised to pray for. Amen.