鹿不是馬 The Emperor Is Naked

鹿不是馬（若5:31-47）

在古代，人們認為地面是平的；太陽每天從東方升起；平行線是永遠不會相交的直線…這些都是與經驗相符，理所當然的常識。到了現代，接受過科學教育的人，知道整個宇宙正在膨脹，推論出大約在一百三十八億年前，曾經發生過一次大爆炸，我們所認知的宇宙誕生了；現代人還相信愛恩斯坦發表的相對論，在宇宙任何一個角落，都是正確無誤的等等。這些道理已經超越人的經驗和直覺，但大部份人卻迷信科學的權威而深信不疑！的確，人類的認知有一個死穴，稱為「確認偏誤」，就是祇會努力尋找證明自己是正確的證據，很少人有本領尋找相反的證據，證明自己是錯的；有更少人有勇氣指出「鹿不是馬」！

世上有比科學定律更高層次的真理，要證明或反證，更加困難。例如，耶穌說：「我是道路、真理和生命」（若14:6），這並不是所有人的經驗和直覺，不是理所當然，沒有可能不證自明。所以，必須有人或者事物，為耶穌基督作見證，好使人能夠相信，從而得救（5:34）。當代的猶太人對耶穌並不友善，因為耶穌基督顛覆了他們的既得利益和社會地位。今天我們讀到耶穌怎樣不計較他們的冒犯，為了自己同胞的得救，而努力地協助他們相信自己。

按照猶太人的法律，祇要找到兩個證人作見證，便足以定奪一件事物的真實性。耶穌基督提出了三組證人，證明祂是默西亞的身份，綽綽有餘：若翰洗者（5:32-33），天父和耶穌自己的言行（5:36-37），最後是梅瑟和舊約經書（5:39, 46）。可惜，猶太人沒有認真對待若翰洗者的見證（谷9:13），而且祇是選擇性地信從梅瑟所寫的法律（若5:46-47），又怎會接受天父在耶穌基督受洗時的作證（路3:21-22）；他們沉迷於尋找耶穌基督違反安息日誡命的罪證，又怎會相信耶穌基督的言論和神蹟呢？ 「確認偏誤」真是害人不淺！

天父啊！請賜下聖神，教導我們謙遜，認清我們的「確認偏誤」。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：wikipedia

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The Emperor Is Naked (John 5:31-47)

In ancient times, people thought that the earth was flat; the sun rose in the east and parallel lines never met etc. These beliefs are common sense and correspond to our experiences. Nowadays, people have received science education and know that the universe is expanding. They deduce that some 1.38 billion years ago, a Big-Bang took place and the universe we know was born. Modern people also believe that the relativity theory of Einstein is applicable without modification anywhere in the universe etc. These statements have gone beyond our experience and intuition. Yet many people blindly believe in scientific authority and never cast a doubt. Indeed, there is an Achilles heel in human cognition called “confirmation bias” which makes people seek evidence to prove themselves right. Very few people are able to look for counter-examples to prove themselves wrong, even less have the courage to say, “the emperor is naked”!

There are truths of higher level that are more difficult to prove or disprove. For example, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). This is not a common experience for everybody and therefore it is not self-evident. Jesus needs people or things to bear witness to make people believe and be saved (5:34). The contemporary Jews were hostile to Jesus because He threatened their interests and social status. Today, we read how Jesus did not count their trespasses but tried hard to help His kinsmen believe and be saved.

According to Jewish laws, it takes two witnesses to validate the truthfulness of a thing or an event. Jesus Christ proposed three groups of witnesses, more than enough to proof His Messiahship: John the Baptist (5:32-33), the Father, the words and deeds of Jesus himself (5:36-37) and lastly Moses and the Scriptures (5:39, 46). Regrettably, the Jews did not treat the Baptist’s witness seriously (Mark 9:13) and they observed selectively the laws handed down by Moses (John 5:46-47). How then would they accept the Father’s witness at the baptism of Jesus Christ (Luke 3:21-22)? They were obsessed with collecting evidence of Jesus’ breaching the Sabbath regulations, how then would they believe in Jesus’ words and miracles? Confirmation bias is very injurious indeed!

Heavenly Father! Send us the Holy Spirit. Teach us to be humble and see clearly our confirmation bias. Amen.

守護靈魂 Defending Our Souls

守護靈魂（若5:17-30）

人有靈性嗎？為甚麼擁有靈性對人類是重要呢？
目前，科學家證明不了人有靈性，因為靈性不是他們有能力研究的範疇。立法者和教育家頂多祇能指出人有倫理道德，有別於禽獸甚至機械人！有朝一日，倘若人工智能發展到足以自己編寫倫理道德「程式」的話，人類還有甚麼可以意識到自己是有人性的人，而不是一台電腦呢？恐怕「靈性」是人類不能失守的最後一個橋頭堡了！

古今中外出現過不少文明，當中可以找到不同形式的宗教信仰。這些信仰有不少共同點：例如肯定靈魂的存在，而且靈魂是永存不滅的！為甚麼呢？因為在人類心靈深處，與生俱來某種公平、公義的概念。可惜目下好人受苦多，甚至含冤而死，但壞人卻逍遙法外，享盡榮華富貴。試問公義何在？這份矛盾，激發人類尋求在人生以外，取回公道。

基督宗教肯定了人的靈魂，就是天主的肖像（創1:26），把不公義的現象歸咎於罪惡。天主不但把罪人解放，甚至把「肖像」身份提昇成為「義子」的地位，這就是福音的核心意義。所以，耶穌基督在今天福音中所說的「子」，也包括了得救了的你和我！

「凡父所作的，子也照樣作。」（若5:19）既然天父從「混沌」創造了「秩序」（創1:2-2:3），所以作為天主子女的我們，應該締造和平（瑪5:9），團結共融四分五裂的社群！既然天父不再追究世人的過犯，所以作為基督大使的我們（格後5:19-20），就應該富於憐憫，寬恕別人的罪債（瑪5:7，6:12）；既然「天主是愛」（若一4:8），所以我們應該要愛，並且成為一份愛的禮物。作為天父的義子，我們應該跟長兄耶穌基督一樣。且看，天父使那不認識罪的聖子，替罪人成了罪（格後5:21），所以我們應該捨己為人，不求自己的喜悅，而是建立他人，使別人受益（羅15:1-2）…這樣做，我們便不是冷冰冰的機械人，而是有靈性的天主子女。

父啊！不要讓我們隨波逐流，沾污祢的肖像。讓我們成為祢名副其實的子女，光榮祢的聖名。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：knowyourphrase.com

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Defending Our Souls (John 5:17-30)

Are human beings spiritual? Why does possessing spirituality essential to mankind?
As for now, scientists are unable to prove that men possess spirit because spirit is beyond their turf of expertise. Legislators and educationalists are only able to point out that morality differentiates mankind from animals and even robots! In time, when artificial intelligence is advanced enough to write “morality” programmes to coordinate their behaviours, with what are mankind able to call themselves human persons with humanity and are not computers? I’m afraid spirituality is the last bulwark mankind cannot afford to lose!

Among civilizations sprung up throughout history, we are able to identify different forms of religions. There are many common elements among them: e.g. the existence of souls and their immortality. Why so? It is because deep down in our hearts, there is an inborn sense of fairness. Regrettably in real life, good people suffer and unfairly condemned while wicked people outwit the law and prosper. Where is justice? This contradiction stimulates humanity to see justice done beyond our earthly existence.

Christianity affirms the existence of human souls which are images of God (Genesis 1:26). Injustice is caused by sins. Not only does God deliver sinners from the bondage of sins, but He also elevates our image status to that of adopted children. This is the crux of the gospel. Therefore, when Jesus Christ mentions “son” in the gospel passage today, it includes the redeemed you and me as well!

“For what he (the Father) does, His son will do also.”(John 5:19) Since the Father created order out of chaos (Genesis 1:2-2:3), as children of God we should be peace-makers (Matthew 5:9) to bring conflicting groups into communion! Since the Father does not count the world’s trespasses against them, so we too should become ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-20), full of mercy and forgive those who trespass against us (Matthew 5:7, 6:12). Since God is love (1 John 4:8), so we should become love, a life-giving gift of love. As adopted children of God, we should follow examples set by Jesus Christ our elder brother. Behold, the Father made the Son to be sin who did not know sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), so we should be altruistic, not to please ourselves but for the good and building up of the others (Romans 15:1-2) … Then, we are not cold-blooded robots but children of God with spirit.

Father! Go we not with the flow and smear Your image. Help us become Your authentic children to glorify Your holy name. Amen.

換心 Heart Transplant

換心 Heart Transplant（若5:1-16）

科學家相信宇宙是有秩序的，否則科學的定律，便失去了立足點。科學家對「神蹟」抱懷疑的態度，因為很多時候，「神蹟」好像違反了科學定律，這是可以理解的。可悲的是，有些基督徒為了討好群眾，努力淡化福音中的神蹟，希望容易被不信天主的人接受，恐怕這是好心做壞事了。例如，他們把著名的「五餅二魚」解說成為在現場的五千群眾，被一個兒童（若6:9）的無私所感動，人人拿出自己的食物來分享云云。他們即使成功地淡化「五餅二魚」神蹟，不知道他們如何淡化天主在曠野降下瑪納，養活六十萬人四十年之久的神蹟了！

其實科學家與天主有不謀而合之處，那就是「秩序」。天主的創造，不是無中生有，而是在混沌中建立秩序（創1:2-2:3）。神蹟不一定否定「秩序」，即是說，天主絕對有能力按愛恩斯坦的E=mc²方程式，施行「五餅二魚」神蹟；或者從另一個時空，把麵餅調配到貝特賽達（路9:10）現場，而沒有違反科學定律！科學家需要的，不但是實證，還要擁有一個開放的胸襟！

另一方面，人類社會中還有其他心胸狹窄地追求「秩序」的人。他們就是福音中的法利塞人和他們在現代的「法治」代理人！法利塞人崇尚法律所帶來的秩序、社會的穩定繁榮和帶給他們的地位利益。他們著重法律的條文，卻忘記了法律的精神。他們在條文上鑽空子，凌駕在人民利益之上，把法律變成食人的禮教。他們依法而治，卻運用法律來犯罪，殘民以自肥（谷12:40）！且看，天主立安息日法律的原意，是讓以色列人慶祝不再是奴隸的自由，紀念天主的創造（出20:11）和解放（申5:15）的恩典。法利塞人卻反過來控告天主子違反安息日不許做不必要勞動的規矩，這是多麼的諷刺！

這些偽善人所需要的，不是更細密的條文，而是換一顆血肉的心（則11:19）！

主啊！求祢給我再造一顆純潔的心，求祢使我心重獲堅固的精神（詠51:12）。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：behold.oc.org

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Heart Transplant (John 5:1-16)

Scientists believe that the universe is ordered. Otherwise sciences would lose their foothold to build up scientific laws. It is understandable for scientists to be skeptical towards miracles because miracles seem to defy scientific laws. Deplorably, some Christians try to deny miracles in order to make gospel messages more acceptable to non-believers. Their good intentions lead only to hell! For example, they explain away the five loaves and 2 fish miracle as a moral story in which the 5000 plus crowd was touched by the altruism of a child (John 6:9). So they took out their food to share among all etc. Even if they were able to explain away the miracle of five loaves and 2 fish, I wonder how they would explain the miracle of manna in which God fed 600,000 Israelites for forty years in the wilderness!

In fact, both scientists and God agree in “order”. In a sense, God did not create something out of nothing. Rather, He established order out of chaos (Genesis 1:2-2:3). Miracles do not negate order. In other words, God is definitely capable of applying Einstein’s E=mc² equation to work the five loaves and two fish miracle; or allots the food to Bethsaida (Luke 9:10) from another time-space without violating any physical laws! Not only do scientists need positive evidence, but they also need an open heart!

On the other hand, there are narrow-minded people pursuing their version of “order” in the society. They are the Pharisees in the gospels and their “rule by law” counterparts in modern society. Pharisees advocated laws because laws brought about order, social stability and prosperity which showered them with status and benefits. They stressed the letters of the law and deliberately ignored the spirit. For their own interests, they manipulate the law above the benefits of the commoners they served. Law has become a devouring monster. They ruled by law but made use of the law to commit sins, fattening themselves at the expense of the welfare of the people (Mark 12:40)!

God blessed the Sabbath to allow the Israelites to celebrate their freedom from slavery. They could afford to take rests and make good use of the time to remember the graces of God’s creation (Exodus 20:11) and liberation (Deuteronomy 5:15). How satirizing it was for the Pharisees to accuse the Son of God of not observing the rule of refraining from unnecessary labour on Sabbath! What these hypocrites need are not more detailed laws but a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19)!

A clean heart create for me, Lord;renew within me a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:12). Amen.

「復活蛋」Easter Egg

「復活蛋」Easter Egg（若4:43-54）

電腦遊戲/應用程式中經常埋藏了些「復活蛋」，是一些意外的驚喜，秘技或者資訊。雖然離復活節還有三個星期，但在今天的福音中，筆者竟然發現了一顆「復活蛋」，一個隱藏了的神蹟！

人為「萬物之靈」其中的一個元素、一個足以把人類從動物界分別出來的因素，是他的「理性」。科技的發達，上可以飛出太空，下可以改造基因，都是有目共睹「理性」的輝煌成就。所以，不要怪責今天接受科學洗禮的人，事事講求「實證」。他們對於拿不出真憑實據的宗教信仰，嗤之以鼻，是可以理解的。

可惜，當科學家小心翼翼地指出目前科學結論的局限性時，有些不學無術的人，把「實證主義」推往實證所不能保證的極端，誇大它的成果，使普羅大眾，迷信科學，不信造物主的存在！迷信科學的人否定人類擁有靈性，因為有信仰的人拿不出他們的「靈魂」，給科學家放在顯微鏡下觀察，放進粒子撞擊器裡做實驗…這些不學無術的人，誤導了普羅大眾，在他們的認知裡造成了嚴重的障礙，用不恰當的工具去尋覓真理。這是另類的迷信，與崇拜偶像沒有分別！

今天故事中的王臣，憑他說的這句話，「主，在我的小孩未死以前，請你下來罷！」（若4:49）可知他是個很務實的人。但耶穌祇回答了一句話，「去罷！你的兒子活了」，那人竟然信了（4:50）！是甚麼令王臣信了呢？耶穌不是剛說了，「除非你們看到神蹟和奇事，你們總是不信」（4:48）嗎？這個實事求是的王臣看到甚麼神蹟呢？耶穌所說的一句話，有足夠力量嗎？抑或是耶穌的眼神、面容甚至是氣味，使他相信呢？我們不得而知。從第三章到這裡，我們找不到耶穌從猶太回到加里肋亞後，所行的第一個神蹟。莫非這裡發生了若望所暗示的第一個神蹟（4:54）？可能耶穌基督把自己是天主子的身份，啟示了給這王臣；祂以天主子的身份，向王臣的靈魂說了話。在死而復活的「生命之主」面前，王臣信服了眼前，一位來自加里肋亞的木匠。

主啊，這王臣真是有福！求祢讓我們在四旬期的默觀中，得以享見祢聖容的光輝，有如祢在高山上顯示祢的聖容一樣。亞孟。
相片鳴謝：bible.com
生命恩泉

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Easter Egg (John 4:43-54)

“Easter Eggs” are usually surprises, tips or interesting information buried in computer games/applications. Although there are still about three weeks before Easter, the author discovers in the gospel passage today an “Easter Egg”, a hidden miracle.

One of the elements which makes human beings the zenith of creation, distinguishing them from other animals is their rationality. Take a look at the advances in science and technology. Man is able to fly to outer space and manipulate his own genes. These are brilliant achievements of rationality. Thus, we cannot blame modern people who were baptized by science for demanding postive evidences in everything. It is understandable that they tease religious people who are unable to show concrete evidence of their beliefs.

Unfortunately, while scientists caution us to the limitations of current scientific conclusions, some less disciplined scholars push positivism beyond what positive evidence can guarantee. They exaggerate the fruits of science so much so that the general public become superstitious in science and don’t believe in the existence of a Creator! People superstitious in science deny the existence of souls because believers are not able to put their souls under the microscope for scientists to examine, or inside particle colliders for scientists to do experiment … The general public are misled by these undisciplined scholars who have created in them damaging cognitive obstacles and applying the wrong kind of tools to seek the truth. This kind of superstition is no different from idolatry!

From what the royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies” (John 4:49), we know that he was a very pragmatic person. But Jesus only said one sentence, “You may go; your son will live” and he believed (4:50)! What made this royal official believe? Didn’t Jesus say to him just a moment ago, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe”? (4:48) What miracle did this pragmatic official see? Was Jesus’ word truly powerful as such? Or Jesus’ gaze, countenance or even smell that made him believe? We don’t know. From Chapter 3 up to here, we are not able to locate the first miracle Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judaea. Would this encounter be the first miracle suggested by John (4:54)? Jesus Christ reveals his Son of God identity to this royal official. Jesus spoke in the capacity of the Son of God to the soul of the official. Facing this Author of Life who rose from the dead, this official believed in the Jesus he saw.

Lord! How blessed this official was! Allow us to see the glory of Your face in our Lenten contemplation, just as Your Transfiguration on a high mountain. Amen.

We’re Ambassadors of Reconciliation 我們都是修和大使

We’re Ambassadors of Reconciliation

Deacon Alex Kwok

By the time you’re reading this edition of Homestead, we’re probably celebrating the Paschal Triduum in the Holy Week. So before we enjoy the glorious fruit of Easter, let’s review whether we have prepared well enough so as to make up for what is lacking, as the virgins did in Matthew 25:9, before the arrival of the bridegroom. The Lenten Season is a period of forty days for the Elect to prepare for their baptism at Easter Vigil. It is also a time for the baptized to revitalize the graces they received in their baptisms. Like any annual celebrations such as birthdays and marriage anniversaries, we’ll enjoy more when the preparation is better done.

Pope Francis kick-started this Lenten Season by encouraging us to persevere in doing good in his Lenten message 2022. He quoted St. Paul, saying “Let us not grow tired of doing good …” (Galatians 6:9). Then he elaborated on three areas in which we need to put up our efforts: Let us not grow tired of praying, of uprooting evil from our lives and of doing good in active charity towards our neighbours. The Holy Father’s exhortation is both traditional and modern. Traditionally, Christians do three things in particular during Lent: prayers, fasting & abstinence and almsgiving. Our Pope makes these three items relevant to our lives in 2022.

Through prayers, we reconcile with God; draw strength and consolation from our heavenly Father. This is particularly urgent in the current pandemic and on-going war in Ukraine. In different occasions, the Pope invited all Christians and men of goodwill to pray for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. He even consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady on the Solemnity of Annunciation. These days, all churches in Hong Kong are closed. Paradoxically, prayer services have become more accessible, thanks to the popularity of the Internet. Brethren! Have you taken part?

Through almsgiving, we reconcile with our neighbours. From the current pandemic, we learn the importance of keeping the supply-chains connected. If any link is broken because of lockdowns, a lot of people will suffer. The Catholic Church has always acted as a hub of charity. She passes on donations from benefactors to the needy and the marginalized. Our Church has clearly demonstrated the role of charity-hub during this pandemic. Many people have a lot of donated money, coupons, food and medical supplies to us and we have volunteers going out in pairs to visit the needy all over Hong Kong. Brethren! Have you taken part?

Through fasting & abstinence, we reconcile with ourselves. But the traditional form of fasting & abstinence is rather irrelevant to our life in a modern society. Nowadays people are health/figure conscious and fasting has lost its altruistic meanings of sacrifice and life-enhancement for the poor. Thus, our Pope turn our attention to “evil in our lives”. What is “evil in our lives”? The Pope mentioned both the traditional concupiscence and the modern addiction to the digital media. He encouraged us to go to confession saying, “God never tires of forgiving”.
I feel that this is the most difficult part. Fasting & abstinence is easy but going to confession is never easy, right? The older we inevitably grow, the more difficult for us to forgive ourselves. We are burdened with all kinds of failures, mistakes, regrets and misunderstandings etc. Though the Pope has reminded us that God never tires of forgiving, we doubt whether we deserve God’s forgiveness …
Brethren! Such a doubt is a terrible temptation of the Devil. Let me assure you. Christ embraces you in the confessional. Before you’re able to say how many times you have committed such-and-such, you’ll burst into tears and be relieved. Brethren! Have you taken part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Brethren! If you have taken part, congratulations! I’m sure you’ll have a fruitful Easter 2022. If you haven’t taken part enough, there’s still time. Our sweet Lord is waiting to hug you in the depth of your hearts, among the marginalized and inside the confessional.
God bless!

We Should Come to Our Senses 當反躬自問

Lætare Sunday, Year C
Theme: We Should Come to Our Senses 當反躬自問

Today, we celebrate Lætare Sunday, a Sunday of Joy in the Lenten Season. Traditionally, halfway through the Lenten season when Christians fast and abstain to prepare for the Paschal mystery of the Lord, the Church would relax a bit to cheer the faithful up so as to gather a greater momentum for the last leg of journey. “Lætare Ierusalem et conventum, facite omnes qui diligitis eam … Rejoice ye with Jerusalem: and be ye glad for her, all ye that delight in her …” is the entrance hymn which gives this Sunday its name.
What joy can we find these days when the whole world suffers in turmoil from a pandemic and news of Russian invasion in Ukraine? Let me be clear. If we don’t repent, we’ll never find joy. If we don’t come to our senses, we’ll never repent. How do we come to our senses? That’s the question!

A famous Chinese author, known by his pen-name Lu Xun魯迅, told the following story in an anthology of his novellas published in 1923 called “SCREAM 吶喊”: A man woke up inside a sealed iron hut in the company of some other sleeping people. They would all suffocate to death if they continued like that. What would the man do? It was the conviction of Lu Xun at that time that “by waking up the others, there would be an opportunity to find together a way to break out of this sealed iron hut”. In 2019, a mainland professor teaching in one of the universities of Hong Kong disagreed. Time and situation had worsened. The professor lamented that in Hong Kong or perhaps elsewhere, the other sleeping people had actually awakened before. But they had chosen to continue “sleeping” and had become part of the iron hut! Woe to all the people inside this iron hut. They would all be doomed to suffocation!

I buy the professor’s opinion because to a certain degree, it agrees with the Christian faith. Lu Xun was a man of his time. He needed to be over optimistic. He needed to gather a congregation of like-minded comrades to revitalize the Chinese culture which had been eroded by conscripting traditional practices for too long. Most progressive thinkers in that age believed in the superiority of Western culture as vividly demonstrated by all the defeats in battles the Qing Dynasty engaged with the Western countries. Modern China after the fall of Qing Dynasty was desperately in need of more aggressive reforms. Paying lip services to Western superiority by the greedy and self-serving Qing mandarins proved to be conducive to their downfall. So Lu Xun and the other younger thinkers concentrated their efforts to improve the root of the Chinese culture, the very language she speaks and writes. They advocated writing in plain Chinese instead of classical Chinese.

Regrettably, not all people think along such a progressive line because it would be extremely painful for them to come to senses! It is easy and comfortable to throw one’s hands up in the air and be complacent while it is hard and nerve racking to stay awake and to find a way out. Lu Xun had greater confidence than the professor in human nature even though what he had witnessed was the very opposite. I don’t know whether the professor is a Christian or not. But it appears that the professor shares similar views with Christians who believe that human nature has been damaged by the Original Sin which makes it impossible for men to deliver themselves without help from above. Perhaps the similarity ends there. The professor might be an atheist and only has faith in the Western powers to help build democracy. We Christians believe in a higher other power: God. In the gospel reading today, the parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates well that unless one undergoes extreme hardship, one shall not come to his senses. And it is NOT superstitious to believe that extreme hardship is orchestrated by God for our sake.

The younger son came to his senses when “he found himself in dire need.” (Luke 15:14b) He was not the poorest person in the world. I’m sure there were many poor people whose situations were worse. What’s so special about his “dire need”? The simple fact is that he used to be rich and was probably surrounded by a lot of people serving and cheering him. Most likely in a very short time, he had spent all his money. Obviously he didn’t know how to manage his inheritance because Luke writes, “he had freely spent everything” (15:14a). It wouldn’t take too long for a fool and his money part! Some external factors (a severe famine) augmented his plights! He would feel being betrayed by the companions who accompanied him while he was rich. Now he had to put down his dignity as a member of God’s Chosen People to tend the swine (15:15) which no Jews would do because the Torah declared it ritually unclean. He was so hungry that he would have fought with the swine for the pods to fill his hunger (15:16).

A famine is a natural disaster beyond human management. “It must have been sent by God”, the younger son reasoned. He would have thrown his hands up in the air and accepted this “punishment from God” which he would feel he deserved because he had sinned against heaven and his father (15:18). Were he to stop at this point, he had not yet come to his senses! What prompted him to choose returning to his father, the hunger, the feeling of betrayal or the dignity? Or perhaps it was the naivety of the younger son in believing that his father would forgive and accept him that prompted his return. On a second thought, wouldn’t it be naïve to think that working as a hired worker was able to repay all the inheritance he had squandered? Obviously, the younger son did not think through this “second thought”. The younger son was really child-like or immature!

Let us meditate on the behaviour of the elder son and we might understand better. We may safely draw the conclusion that the elder son had not come to his senses when he became angry and refused to enter the house (15:28). Obviously the elder son was more capable in managing his share of inheritance to the extent that he had become a utilitarian. He calculated cost and benefit. He compared his service and obedience with the younger brother’s life of dissipation; his friends with his brother’s prostitutes and a young goat with a fattened calf! His anger had clouded his senses such that the father had to come out to reason him out (15:31-32). In contrast to his brother’s naivety, his sophistication would perhaps lead to his downfall had he insisted on not listening to the father’s call to showing mercy to his brother!

Brethren! Time and again, we make simple things complicated and mess things up. God is love. Whatever He does, He does it for our good. It is simple as such. That’s why Jesus tells us not to over-calculate and burden our senses. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”(Matthew 11:29) Our self-righteousness is our blind spot that clouds our judgment and prevents us from listening to other people’s advice, not even the good Lord’s advice! So, let’s enjoy the banquet for a while and move on in returning to the Father. God bless!
2016 Reflection
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Encounter At The Well 與主相遇在井邊

Third Lent Sunday, Year C
Theme: Encounter At The Well

Liturgically, the Lenten Season is a time of spiritual purification for the elect before their baptism. It is also a time for the baptized to reactivate the graces of baptism and to purify their faith in Jesus Christ their Redeemer. The scriptures in Year A are chosen so well that I can’t help but meditate more on them. The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is a vivid illustration of how the Good Shepherd goes all the way out to bring back His lost sheep. At the same time, it demonstrates how much Jesus thirsts for our repentance. Today, allow me to meditate one year ahead.

The ”encounter at the well” is a genre in its own right and occupies a respectable place in Biblical literature: Hagar (Genesis 16), Rebekah (Genesis 24), Rachel (Genesis 29), Zipporah (Exodus 2) and Saul (1 Samuel 9) together with the Samaritan woman play a prominent part in these dramas. In a broad sense, these encounters changed the status of all the women concerned and their life-situations were improved. The case of Saul is more complicated and deserves a fuller meditation of its own. Anyhow, in theological jargon, they were delivered or redeemed.
In the first example, Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, became pregnant by Abraham and she began not to respect Sarai her mistress. Sarai mistreated her and Hagar ran away from Sarai. An angel appeared to Hagar at a spring, the well of Beer-lahai-roi (Genesis 16:7, 14) and persuaded her to return to give birth to Ishmael. Of course family tensions remained but through this incidence, Hagar helped Abraham become the father of the Arabians. In effect, Abraham becomes the father of monotheistic peoples. The stories of Rebekah, Rachel and Zipporah were ones of betrothal and marriage. Subsequently, these women helped their husbands in building a deeper relationship with God to finish God’s intended missions for them. The last story is about Saul who was seeking the lost donkey of his father’s and the young women at the well pointed him the way to meet Samuel who subsequently anointed Saul the first king of Israel! Thus in the Bible, encounters at the well are life-enhancing occasions! Without exception, the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus at the well redeemed her and changed her life for the better!

John was not present in this encounter because together with all other disciples, he had gone into the town to buy food (John 4:3). Subsequently he must have learnt of the incidence from Jesus together with the other disciples but only John found this incidence as well as the Cana’s banquet significant, mediated and wrote them down. We should be grateful to this ”beloved disciple of the Lord” (13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20). He left behind important incidences so that we may ”believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief we may have life in His name.” (20:31) It would be ungrateful for us not to mediate on them!
Let’s return to the scene: it was about noon and Jesus was tired from his journey, sitting down at the well which was built by Rachel’s husband. A Samaritan woman came to draw water and Jesus asked her for a drink (4:6-7).

First of all, the Son of God must have known everything and the whole encounter must have been perfectly orchestrated. Yet, it doesn’t deny the humanity of the Son of God. He was tired and thirsty. This encounter was not a show. Jesus’ exhaustion and thirst were genuine. Otherwise, His death on the cross would also have been a phantom. This would be an unacceptable heresy! Rather, the Son of God is truly divine and human. But His humanity is perfectly mingled with His divinity. Jesus thirsted for something more noble. This is echoed later in the same story when the disciples returned, Jesus says, ”My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish His work.” (4:34) Therefore, not only was Jesus thirsty physiologically but He also thirsted for the redemption of this Samaritan woman who represents all the lost sheep of the Good Shepherd.

The timing was significant The Samaritan woman was avoiding the people when she came to draw water because she was probably a public sinner, a scandal of the town. To a certain extent, she was redeemable because she felt shameful for her deeds. An appropriate dose of shame is healthy because it is a driving force for our repentance. If the woman had been hardened and ”shamelessly” came to draw water during peak hour without fear of gossips and peer-pressure, probably it would have been more difficult to persuade her to repent!
Brethren! we’re truly offspring of Adam who after knowing his own sin, hid away from God (Genesis 3:8). But nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37) who must have ways beyond our understanding to redeem this woman and all sinners whom she represents.

The Samaritan woman’s response was obviously defensive and was a sharp one. ”How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (John 4:9) She brought up sexual as well as racial discriminations to defend herself as well as to complain. She flexed her muscle to show her despise towards a Jew. In ancient time, a woman was supposed to be submissive to men, obeying orders without question. Not now between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. In this way, her response was defensive. On a higher level between God and His people, it was a complaint. God, aren’t you supposed to be with us all the time? See how I have been suffering, being humiliated as a victim of institutionalized sins today?
Brethren! This Samaritan woman helps us see our futile defences before God. We are naked before God in whose sight, ”There is neither Jew nor Greek ... not male or female” (Galatians 3:18). We were created in the image of God but we are living in different societies which impose different roles upon us. Some roles enhance our abilities to manifest the images of God while others which we take up, hinder us from living up to God’s intention. Worse still, some of us become part of the institution to tarnish God’s images in other people and ourselves. God knows that our fragile humanity is unable to save ourselves. Out of love, God takes the initiative to free us from the bondage of sins by sending His only begotten Son to die on the cross to repay all our debts. The Son of God obeys the Father’s will to carry out this impossible mission to bear upon Himself all abuses we inflict on others through structural sins! Lord, have mercy!

The Son of God was not offended when the Samaritan woman retorted back. Jesus did not impose His good will on her. To her hostility, Jesus replied with respect. He patiently ”courted and enticed” her with a promise of living water (John 4:10-15). This reminds us of the imagery portrayed in Ezekiel 16:4-14 in which Israel was born like a baby abandoned in the field, kicking in the blood. God passed by and had pity on her so that she lived. She grew up and God showed affection for her and adorned her with royal richness. The bracelets and nose-ring (Ezekiel 16:11-12) should remind us of Rebekah’s story (Genesis 24:22) Ezekiel shows us that not only is God merciful, but He also goes wherever He wants. There’s no need to look for salvation at a spring or at a well although that is a good symbol of life.

The woman’s attitude started changing. She put down her hostility and started addressing this Jewish stranger ”Sir” (John 4:11, 15) Later on, when Jesus showed knowledge of her marital situation, suddenly the Samaritan woman found nowhere to hide her secrets. She felt naked in front of a Great Mysterious Other! Of course, it took time for her to acknowledge that Jesus is God. So she started acknowledging Jesus as a prophet instead (4:19). It was more than an admiration of the prophetic charisma of Jesus but a confession of her own sins, the repentance required by God. She had successfully engaged on her way towards redemption!

Brethren! It is always refreshing to meditate on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Pray that we may put down our defences in this season of Lent. God have mercy on our nakedness and frailty. He shall forgive.
God bless!
2020 Reflection
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