A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on Sunday 31 March 2013 by
the Rev. Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings that day were Isaiah
65:17-25 and Luke 24:1-12.
Thank
you, sisters and brothers from One Body in Christ, for sharing with us this
wonderful drama.
Easter,
is a special time when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus who died on the
cross.
This
year, our Easter drama does not focus on the traditional narrative of the empty
tomb in Jesus’ resurrection story. It tried to share the vision of a new heaven
and earth taken from Isaiah instead.
In
this new heaven and earth, people’s basic needs are met. They are given houses
to live, food to eat. People are given fair share for their labour. Children
and old people, the lowly of the society are well protected and taken care of. Animals
and human beings live together in harmony. Hierarchical relationship is
challenged and reformulated as it is shared in the vision from Isaiah 65 that
we heard this morning.
During
the procession, we brought forth five items, the first was a bowl of fruits – this
represents the source of life and God’s provision to his people to satisfy
their basic needs. With a grateful heart, people of God returns to God.
The
animal toys presented were used to show the harmonious and restored
relationship of all creatures.
The
other three symbols we took this morning also indicated the true meaning of
Easter as well.
The
Cross with lilies – cross is a symbol of pain and suffering. It is a symbol of
shame and humiliation. The lilies symbolized that Jesus’ suffering and pain is
transformed into hope, his death is transformed into new life through
resurrection.
Stone
–The stone at the entrance of the tomb was rolled out. An empty tomb signifies
liberation -- people of God are no more enslaved by the power of death and
darkness, but are set free from oppression and unjust treatment.
The
last item, a Jug of Water – water is a symbol for tears. In Jesus’ pain, he
takes away the tears of those who suffer. Because Jesus overcomes the power of
the death and is risen, the tears is then transformed from pain to joy.
In
the drama prepared by One Body In Christ this morning, I noticed one
interesting arrangement. The savior, who represents Jesus, goes to give food to
the laborer, love and comforts to the weeping woman, friendship to the little
rabbit and set free the man who was kept in a prison of isolation and
suppression, is a woman. Macy has taken up this role.
Jesus
Christ, redeemer of the world was a man in history. But interestingly:
Jesus,
son of God, savior of humanity and the world was born by a woman.
Jesus,
son of God, savior of humanity and the world, whose resurrection was witnessed
by women first. (Luke 24:1-12)
In
Jesus’ time, women did not have high status as the society was still a male
dominated society. But God chose women to become his first partner to fulfill
his salvation plan.
It
gives to people, especially to those who regard themselves as less important,
less capable, less valuable and worthy of love, a new way to look at
themselves.
Jesus
came to the world to save everyone. His death and resurrection is for all.
Everyone is embraced by the love of God. We are all equal.
In
this special time of Easter, we keep remembering the death and resurrection of
Jesus. But we do not just remember the old details, but to share new insights
and fresh perspectives. It thus enables us to remember what a challenge it
still is to look death in the face and trust that ‘Jesus is risen’.
Dear
sisters and brothers, what is it in Easter’s narrative that you most remember
and that you most trust? What is it in Easter’s narrative that would give you
new life and new possibilities?
Closing prayer
Jesus Christ,
God of new life,
may your resurrection,
and your breathing again,
anchor us in
hope once more.
Dare our minds
to dream again,
to believe
beyond what this world offers
into something
renewed and reborn.
Jesus Christ,
God of new possibilities,
deepen our
faith to believe that
there are
mysteries beyond our knowing.
Strengthen us
to trust ourselves as we trust in you.
Empower us to
act with courage as in you,
all thing is
possible.
May the new
heaven and new earth that brings
joy, peace and hope
dwells in us
and this world.
Thank you Lord, for the power of life and loving
kindness. Amen.
# posted by Kowloon Union Church : Sunday, March 31, 2013
A sermon preached at Kowloon
Union Church on Sunday 10 March 2013 by Dr. Hope S. Antone.
The scripture readings that day was Matthew 26:6-13.
6Now
while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, *7a woman came to
him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his
head as he sat at the table. 8But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said,
‘Why this waste? 9For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum,
and the money given to the poor.’ 10But
Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has
performed a good service for me. 11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not
always have me. 12By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me
for burial. 13Truly I tell you, wherever this good news* is proclaimed
in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’ (Matthew 26:6-13, New Revised Standard
Version)
Although it is two days
after March 8, I would like to greet everyone this prayer and wish, which is
not only for International Women’s Day (IWD) but for every day of our lives: May you have a violence free day!!!
The story of a woman’s
anointing of Jesus is usually read and preached on during the Lenten
Season. It is very significant for IWD
because it is a story of a woman who dared to do something outside the box and
against the cultural norms of her time.
All the four gospels have an account of the anointing of Jesus by a
woman. Except in John where the woman is
identified as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, she is nameless in the
accounts. In Luke, she is labeled a
“sinner”, “a woman who had lived a sinful life”.
Matthew (like Mark)
narrates that a woman with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume (oil or
ointment, or nard) has come to where Jesus is reclining at the table, and pours
the perfume on his head.
Extra-biblical sources
tell us that alabaster was a semi-transparent
white stone (usually from Egypt)
and a very costly piece of decoration which people preserve in their
houses. Alabaster jar was mostly used as a decorative piece by kings. Nard
was a very costly ointment from a plant in the Himalayan Mountains,
believed to be so valuable since it got better with age. We are told that an alabaster jar of fragrant nard was usually something passed on from
mother to daughter as a family heirloom.
Other sources say it was
a custom for young Jewish girls to spend a huge amount on a jar of perfume,
which they would break on their wedding day to beautify themselves with. By doing so, a bride declared to her groom
that she was offering her best, her entire life, to him. We are also told that the
ointment/nard/perfume was kept in alabaster bottles that were specially sealed
to prevent evaporation. In order to use
it, the neck of the bottle had to be broken and the ointment used all at
once. Used in hospitality, one would
gently put a few drops of the ointment on the head of every guest.
But according to Matthew
and Mark, this woman poured the perfume on Jesus’ head! Some people who were there (the disciples,
according to Matthew) got angry, saying, “Why this
waste? 9For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum,
and the money given to the poor.”
Both Mark and John mention it could have been sold for more than a
year's wages (of a common laborer).
Jesus' reply
to them was: “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11For you
always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12By
pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13Truly I
tell you, wherever this good news* is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will
be told in memory of her.”
We
can pick up a few key points from this story:
First,
this story is a reminder for all of us on the
need to have a sincere heart. Jesus’
words, “For you always have the poor with you”, have baffled/confused many
people. Some evangelists have used such
words as an excuse not to do anything about the plight of the poor. But I think what is happening here is that
Jesus saw through the disciples’ so-called ‘concern’ for the poor. Concern for the poor can simply become a
fashion, an outward form, but the true spirit could still be missing. We know
how politicians running for office would champion the cause of the poor during
their political campaigns. They may
sound very convincing but wait what happens when they are in office. In a similar manner, we church-going
Christians may have mastered the language of justice and fairness, of being on
the side of the poor; but Jesus can see through all that for what is more
important is what’s in our hearts. Do we
have the true spirit that would eventually guide our commitment and
action? As was shown in this story,
Jesus can see through our hearts.
Second,
this story is also a reminder for all of us on the need to have a clear understanding of Jesus’ mission. Just as Jesus could see through the hearts of
his disciples, he also saw through the heart of the woman. You know it is quite lonely for any leader to
be so driven by a vision or a passion – which no one from among his or her
followers is able to comprehend. Jesus
did his ministry on earth for three years with his close disciples following
him, learning from him. Yet they never
did understand him. Some of them
expected him to be a political leader who would make Israel great again, like David
did. Some of them hoped to be seated on
his left and right in glory. When Jesus
talked about his impending suffering that would lead to his death and then
resurrection, Peter said, “God forbid it, Lord.
This must never happen to you.”
Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are
setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” [Mt. 16:23]
For Jesus, only this woman truly understood the meaning of his mission
and messiahship and the consequence of his servanthood.
Third,
this story is also a reminder for all of us on the need to take the side of the vulnerable.
Jesus clearly defended the woman’s action as she was being subjected to
the disciples’ anger and scolding. It
was not enough that they made such pro-poor statement about the waste that she
created. They scolded her for her
action! Jesus took the side of the
woman, who was here a victim of bullying, belittling, and, harassment. You remember the story about little children
being brought closer to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and the
disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them. I can imagine that those who brought the
children were the women (mothers, sisters, and maybe aunts and grandmothers). By taking the side of the woman, Jesus was
declaring, “No more bullying, belittling, devaluing; no more exclusion,
harassment, discrimination. And that is
what he expects of all his disciples today – to put an end to anything that
violates or denigrates the human being.
Finally,
I think this story is a reminder of the power
of memory to connect us to the past,
to shed light on the present, and to guide the future. Jesus declared that whenever the good news is
proclaimed in the world, the woman’s action would be told in memory of her. How do we
memorialize the act of this woman whose name we do not know?
In
memory of her means not only the biblical woman, but all the women like
her - whose names, services and actions remain unknown, unrecognized,
uncelebrated; whose causes and struggles for freedom, equality and human rights
have contributed to where we are now. In
memory of her includes the women who continue to be victims of belittling,
harassment, abuse, violence, and to challenge tendencies to blame them for
their predicament. Remember 23-year old Jyoti Singh Pandey,
a victim of gang rape in India 8 days
before Christmas? The lawyer of the
alleged rapists blamed her and her friend for being outside that night of
December 16.
In memory of her means not letting the
women’s struggles and causes go in vain.
Like Cristina Morales Jose, who
protested against human rights violations in the Philippines – she asked for
food for the victims of the typhoon Pablo but she was given bullets; Liu Xia, a
poet and artist in China who is under house arrest; and 15-year old Malala
Yousafzai who campaigned for girls’ rights to education in Pakistan.
In memory of her means for us today, being part of the present struggles
and advocacies for social change and transformation. Last Valentine’s Day, some
of us participated and many probably were among the spectators of the One
Billion Rising movement – where women (and men and children in support of them)
all over the world went to the streets, to sing, dance and demand an end to
violence against women. In celebration
of IWD, many of us signed online
petitions calling for an end to rape and to every form of violence against
women and girls. These are all important
activities to make our voices known that there should be no more rape, harassment,
violence! We always claim that Jesus
died once and for all to give us salvation.
That salvation means that by dying for us once and for all, Jesus is
declaring that no one deserves to suffer again.
Jesus has already taken and embraced all our suffering – so no one
deserves to suffer anymore. The woman
who anointed Jesus must have understood that.
And if we too understand that, then we will also strive to be part of the
movement to create a culture of justice and equality starting at our homes, and
into our workplaces and communities.
In
memory of her means remembering that the women's movement is not for
women alone, should not end with women only.
The struggle of women for recognition, equality and
humanization is part of the overall struggle for change and
transformation. It is part of the wider
vision of a much better world, the reign of God on earth. Thus, our vision should embrace the women of
other faiths, and all peoples who are marginalized and dehumanized, including
those of other sexual orientations, those with disability, and all those who
are regarded as different. This is the
reason why I chose the song, “A Place at the Table” (lyrics by Shirley Erena
Murray of Aotearoa New Zealand) because it captures the larger vision that we
all should uphold and aspire to. We
should all strive to make life more beautiful, more just, more equitable, more
embracing, more loving for everyone. May
it be so indeed….
# posted by Kowloon Union Church : Monday, March 11, 2013
A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on Sunday 3 March 2013 by
the Rev. Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings that day were Psalm
63: 1-8 and Luke 13:1-9.
Opening prayer:
Dear
God,
Thank
you for your steadfast love. May your word inspire us to understand the mystery
of life and the Holy Spirit leads us to experience the power of love in Christ.
May
the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my
God, God of compassion and liberation. Amen.
Introduction
The
recent hot air balloon blast that killed nineteen people, nine of them from Hong Kong, has shocked the world and many people in our
city. The incidence is so near to us. Many people are very upset as we have
witnessed such a terrible and fatal accident.
A
son of one of the woman victims from Hong Kong,
challenges God of his love and care to his people. This man asked some very
critical and provocative questions: “how can a God be caring as her mother who
is a faithful Christian was not saved?”
Why
didn’t God help? Where is God’s love and kindness in the midst of a disaster?
These are very common questions asked by people who have suffered from
tragedies, directly or indirectly.
I
am also a bit disturbed by this tragedy. This incidence reminded me of my
brother’s sudden death after a car accident.
Separation
from and disconnection with our loved ones is very heart breaking to people who
faced the harsh reality of death.
Accidents happen every day. People die and are seriously injured in
different kinds of accidents and natural disasters every day. These unexpected
incidents do create great hardship to victims and their loved ones. The Lamma
boat crash last October was another example.
The
Psalm 63 that we heard this morning is very comforting and timely. The poem has
touched on the hope to see God in the sanctuary, it is a sincere praise to God
for her steadfast love, and a recognition of God’s loving presence in times of
trial.
Psalm
63 reveals the Psalmist’s hope to see God in the sanctuary, and his awareness
that God is with him wherever he is. From the context, biblical scholars inform
us that the Psalmist was living in a tough living environment and life trial.
But with the hope and faith on God’s full presence in his life, he could bear
life with courage.
From
Psalm 63, verse 3a is a very unique phrase. It says - “God, your steadfast love
is better than life”
Isn’t
life important to human beings? If we don’t live and lose our breath, we are
dead. Why did the Psalmist say to God – your steadfast love is better than life?
When
I read the newspaper about the hot air balloon accident, I noticed that a
Briton named Michael Rennie survived after he jumped out from the balloon
before it exploded. Mr Rennie saved his life, but he lost his wife Yvonne
Rennie. According to the news report, Michael kept silent after the accident
and refused to talk. Very likely he is very upset and he may not feel the joy
of survival. It is not hard to imagine that he is in deep grief as his dear
wife died and separated from him permanently. The death of his wife could be a
torture to him. A life of loneliness and guilt could be very terrible to him.
The
phrase: God’s steadfast love is better than life, has given us insight.
In
face of unpredictable life circumstances and the reality of pains, suffering
and death in the human world, our hope is rooted in a firm belief and
determination to focus our life in the steadfast love of God. There is one
truth, in the oneness of God, we are all connected in life and in death because
God is eternal.
Ten
years ago, my brother died three days after he crashed in
a traffic accident. Although he is no longer a living human being on earth, I
feel his presence whenever I turn to God and her eternal love. It is only after
his death, I began to realize how God loved my brother and guided him to engage
in a rich earthly life that related to me and others.
My brother was a very good photographer. When our family tidied up his
boxes of possessions after his death, we discovered a lot of beautiful photos
he took from Tibet
and Mount. Everest. Although he was not a Christian, he had used his talents to
manifest God’s beautiful creation. I was amazed by the wonders and holiness
revealed by many of his photos.
I was deeply connected with him at that moment when we shared the
natural beauty which I believe is from God, the creator.
All lives are created by God. All lives are connected in and with God.
Therefore when we live in God, we are able to connect to other lives who are
also God’s creation.
I
sincerely pray and hope that Mr Michael Rennie and people who are facing
similar life challenges, will affirm the love of God and become more aware of
God’s presence in their life in every moment and every places. With this belief
and understanding, they will find that their loved ones are not far away from
them. Quite to the contrary, they are closely tied in the web of life.
Let’s
move to look at the gospel reading today.
The
passages taken from Gospel Luke and Psalm today seem quite different and
contradictory in looking at God’s image.
In
Psalm 63, God is a god of steadfast love and her presence gives hope and peace
to the people. In Luke, it emphasizes God’s judgment on human sins.
The
scriptures we heard from Luke 13:1-9
The
passage with a fig tree metaphor, is a reminder of the urgency to turn to God
and to reconnect with her: the God of eternity and God of love and kindness.
The
Jews in the ancient Israelite community had a traditional understanding about
sins. Those who were suffering from tragic accidents or terrible treatment, it
was because the person or family or community concerned sinned. They believed
this was the judgment and punishment of God to them.
But
Jesus said otherwise. He explicitly told the people the importance of
repentance.
“Unless
you repent, you will perish just as they did”
Jesus
had urged the people of his time to repent. Jesus had a strong sense of urgency
and he wished God’s people would sin no more but turn to God and to bear fruit
to bring out the richness of life.
Jesus
warned the people in his time and to us today: repent and turn to God. What does repent mean?
To
repent is not merely to regret things we have done or to apologize for them or
to recognize wrong has been done. Repentance is not an emotion.
Repentance,
is turning to God and refocus our life in God. In the context of the Gospel,
such a turning involves responding to Jesus’ teaching, his life, suffering and
death.
Repentance
also points to a reorientation to a new life. It involves an agreement to a
change of direction that is required. This change will help the person to bear
fruit so that lives would be enriched.
The
key reflection of the Lenten season is to return to God and refocus our life in
God by remembering once again the suffering, pain and death of Jesus Christ.
Lent
is also a prime time for us to reflect on how Jesus’ pain and suffering related
to our life and our world today.
Jesus
was mercilessly nailed on the cross. He suffered a lot. But he did not suffer
and die for no reason. His suffering revealed his identification with human
brokenness. His pains had shown his great compassion with those who are in deep
sorrow and grief. I firmly believe that Jesus Christ dwells in those who are
suffering in great pain from the balloon accident and other similar tragedies.
When we share the sorrow and grief of the victims, we are then all connected in
God and in love.
The
metaphor of the fig tree gives us one important message today. God has an
expectation from us. God would like her people to bear fruits like Jesus. This
demand is out of love. When a tree can bear fruit, its life would be much more meaningful
and enriching.
The
caretaker of the tree has done her best to nurture the fig tree which is weak and
bears no fruit. May we learn from this caretaker to share the gospel of love
with those who are in need of support and nutrition to heal and to grow, so
that they may bear fruits in their life?
From
the tragic hot air balloon accident, we realize once again:
Life
is fragile and unpredictable. The length of life is out of our control. Jesus’
call to repent and seize the day to bear fruits by leading a meaningful life is
like a bell rang aloud today. It is a call of urgency.
God’s
steadfast love is ever present in our life. And yet, it is up to us whether we
recognize and affirm her love. It is our willingness to seek her full presence
and her guidance in our lives that lead us to a life of love that may bear
fruits for her glory.
Sisters
and brothers, if you are still thinking to wait for another time and another
chance to make changes in your life, it may be wise to wake up and take action
right now.
May
the love of God empower you and give you strength. Amen
# posted by Kowloon Union Church : Tuesday, March 05, 2013
