Saturday, January 05, 2008
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Spirituality, social service and social justice
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese. I feel very much honoured to be able to get involved in the preparation work to celebrate the group's anniversary. What a coincidence! I become 30 years old this year as well.
As a member of the publication group of the preparatory committee, I volunteered to write an article about the relationship between social service and social justice. Another member wrote an article about spirituality and social justice. We did that because we found that many people, especially conservative Church people, always regard social actions as trouble-making incidents and social activists as trouble-makers.
Our faith always reminds us of caring for the needy and the underprivileged, but it also reminds of upholding social justice. So, I find it strange for some conservative people to say that we should avoid politics and that we shouldn't take part in politics. It is important to note that taking part in politics is a basic human rights and it is not necessarily about winning any political elections. It is necessary for us to take actions to fight for the basic human rights of the marginalised and the oppressed when the government or those in power turn a blind eye to those people's suffering.
Therefore, I can't see any contradiction between faith and social justice. Rather, they are intertwined with each other. I would prefer to spending more time to help those in need to making any more excuses.
As a member of the publication group of the preparatory committee, I volunteered to write an article about the relationship between social service and social justice. Another member wrote an article about spirituality and social justice. We did that because we found that many people, especially conservative Church people, always regard social actions as trouble-making incidents and social activists as trouble-makers.
Our faith always reminds us of caring for the needy and the underprivileged, but it also reminds of upholding social justice. So, I find it strange for some conservative people to say that we should avoid politics and that we shouldn't take part in politics. It is important to note that taking part in politics is a basic human rights and it is not necessarily about winning any political elections. It is necessary for us to take actions to fight for the basic human rights of the marginalised and the oppressed when the government or those in power turn a blind eye to those people's suffering.
Therefore, I can't see any contradiction between faith and social justice. Rather, they are intertwined with each other. I would prefer to spending more time to help those in need to making any more excuses.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Spiritual Reflection_29 March 2007
We had a great CLC Feast Day last Saturday (24 March 2007) before the Annunciation. Fr. Sean gave us a talk about how to identify "indicative" and "prescriptive" statements in our General Principles.
He said that "indicative" statements are those which are "ideal" and we should find a way through our prayers and spiritual exercise to identify the "prescriptive" statements so as to make them become "reality".
I'm still trying to understand it but it has been difficult for me due to my lack of knowledge in theology and spirituality.
However, I would like to thank our President, Joseph Chor, who sorted out some clauses from the Preamble of the CLC General Principles. I began to understand more about which statements in the General Principles are "indicative" and which are "prescriptive".
Two clauses about "option for the poor" caught my attention. I sincerely hope that my CLC community will soon be able to discern the "prescriptive" statements about "option for the poor" in the General Principles, so that we will be able to do something for the poor, but not keep thinking this kind of actions as merely "indicative" statements. God bless!
He said that "indicative" statements are those which are "ideal" and we should find a way through our prayers and spiritual exercise to identify the "prescriptive" statements so as to make them become "reality".
I'm still trying to understand it but it has been difficult for me due to my lack of knowledge in theology and spirituality.
However, I would like to thank our President, Joseph Chor, who sorted out some clauses from the Preamble of the CLC General Principles. I began to understand more about which statements in the General Principles are "indicative" and which are "prescriptive".
Two clauses about "option for the poor" caught my attention. I sincerely hope that my CLC community will soon be able to discern the "prescriptive" statements about "option for the poor" in the General Principles, so that we will be able to do something for the poor, but not keep thinking this kind of actions as merely "indicative" statements. God bless!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Spiritual Reflection_11 January 2007
The Christian Life Community (Hong Kong) [CLC (Hong Kong)] is going to have its annual General Assembly (GA) tomorrow. Just a few days ago, our CLC's president Joseph sent us a very touching email asking us to try our best to take part in all sessions of the GA.
He pointed out that it was always those familiar faces who would show up in CLC activities. Thanks to Joseph's repeated and tireless reminders, I have realised that taking part in the community's activities is the best way to share our spiritual experiences and better understand each other's concerns.
Last year has been a very hectic year for me as I took part in too many different activities and works with different civil rights groups. But I hope I can take part in more CLC activities this year and kick off my spiritual exercise.
He pointed out that it was always those familiar faces who would show up in CLC activities. Thanks to Joseph's repeated and tireless reminders, I have realised that taking part in the community's activities is the best way to share our spiritual experiences and better understand each other's concerns.
Last year has been a very hectic year for me as I took part in too many different activities and works with different civil rights groups. But I hope I can take part in more CLC activities this year and kick off my spiritual exercise.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Spiritual reflection_6December2006
Have been very busy with work and voluntary work at the Justice and Peace Commission recently. Have learnt a lot. I was lucky to have the chance to speak at St. Andrew's Church last Sunday. Thanks to the excellent preparation work done by the staff at Justice and Peace Commission, the speech was very well received. The topic was about globalisation and the poor with reference to the commercialisation of Christmas. Due to globalisation, the problem of uneven distribution of wealth is becoming worse. The wealth gap between the rich and the poor has been further widened. I was so happy that a sister at the parish came to me after the mass liturgy on that day and asked me if she could use the text of my speech for the parish's newsletter. I felt very much honoured by God's grace to have given me the opportunity to speak for the poor at a parish with socially-minded people. Let us pray for the poor as Christmas is coming!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Spiritual reflection_17October2006
Haven't written my spiritual reflection for a month. So many things have happened since I wrote the last one. I had appendicitis several days after I wrote the last reflection in mid-September. It's so painful. It's lucky that I had the operation to remove my appendix one week before I was scheduled to leave for Europe to attend some conferences there. Thank God, I recovered in just one week after the operation. It's really God's grace. I came across the entrances of many Catholic churches in Britain, Belgium and Spain. I felt very peaceful when I saw the magnificent architecture of the medieval churches there. Thank God for giving me the opportunity to have kind of pilgrimage during my business trip. During the trip, I prayed for my health and my family's health. Lord, please grant us peace and health, so that we'll be able to praise you everyday. Thanks for Your love towards us. Amen
Spiritual reflection_16September2006
Have been sick in the last few days. My intestine was so painful. Thank God for helping me recover so soon. Suddenly, I feel that health is so important which is something that I have ignored in the past 30 years. Haven't done much on spiritual reflection in the last week. Hope can do more again starting from today!
Spiritual Diary_6September2006
I visited my aunt this afternoon.
I told her how interesting it was when we read our old photo albums.
She's 76 now. She said she is prepared to go any time.
I felt sad to hear that and I suddenly missed my another aunt and other passed away close relatives so much.
I promise I'll keep them in my prayers.
May God grant us peace. Amen.
I told her how interesting it was when we read our old photo albums.
She's 76 now. She said she is prepared to go any time.
I felt sad to hear that and I suddenly missed my another aunt and other passed away close relatives so much.
I promise I'll keep them in my prayers.
May God grant us peace. Amen.
Spiritual Diary_5September2006
September 5, 2006.
I read some old photo albums with my family yesterday.
I felt God's presence in my family.
I felt how much my parents and my relatives had loved my brother and me in the last 30 years.
I reflected my deeds and words in the last week.
I felt that I needed to pray more to our Father, our Lord.
I missed my aunt who passed away four years ago. I sometimes pray for her in the name of our Lord.
Lord, have mercy on us and I pray for the Holy Family's love on my family and my relatives. Amen.
I read some old photo albums with my family yesterday.
I felt God's presence in my family.
I felt how much my parents and my relatives had loved my brother and me in the last 30 years.
I reflected my deeds and words in the last week.
I felt that I needed to pray more to our Father, our Lord.
I missed my aunt who passed away four years ago. I sometimes pray for her in the name of our Lord.
Lord, have mercy on us and I pray for the Holy Family's love on my family and my relatives. Amen.
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