Chinese New Year- Year of Horse

Soon we will be celebrating Chinese New Year 2014. Based on the Chinese  zodiac, each of the years being associated  with an animal and this year we have horse as the symbol. The Chinese zodiac follows a twelve year cycle and the Chinese believe that people born in a particular year take on characteristics of the animal associated with the year. I found an interesting write up by Fr Stephen Chin on the Herald Malaysia that  explained how we Christian think about the horse in this Chinese New Year. 

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By Fr Stephen Chin
In this New Year 2014 we have the horse as the symbol. Last year, it is the year of the snake. Let us take a look at the horse in the Chinese tradition.

The HORSE is reckoned as the 7th of the 12 terrestrial branches. It is written in ancient classica1 script as a pictorial symbol of the actual horse and pronounced as ma. It is now written in a simpler form: ma. The horse is classed under the element of FIRE ( = fuo) and has its place in the SOUTH ( = nam). In the trigrams, the symbol CHIEN ( ) represents the male element ( = yang) and it symbolizes HEAVEN, HORSE, TIRELESS STRENGTH AND SOUTH. Let us see a little of what has been written about the horse.

The Great Chinese materia medica: Pen T’sao which has 24 sections, describes the history and uses of the horse. By the way, to think of it, the horse is considered delicacy even in our own country. I have heard of horsemeat barbecued as fine satay! Believe it or not! And horse meat fetches a very good price, unofficially priced, of course.

A section of the Pen T’sao deals with the horse as food or medicine.

-- A pure, white horse is very good for medicine.
-- The liver is said to be poisonous.
-- The heart, dried and powdered and mixed with wine is good for forgetfulness.
--The warts of the horse above the knees, which are called the “night eyes” for travelling at night, are useful for toothache.
-- The ashes of the skull mingled with water and the head of the skull used for a pillow is a cure for restlessness and hysteria.

What should we Christians think about the horse in this Chinese New Year

First and foremost, all superstitions must be deleted from our minds and hearts, if there are any, concerning the horse. However, every good symbol and positive mark concerning the horse can help us to come nearer to our Creator and Lord. This must be exploited to the fullest for our use towards educating man to great heights of glory, sanctity and happiness.

(1) With masculinity, tirelessness, strength to pursue our goal: The masculinity of the horse should make us realize that we must not be like jelly fish and remain passive but in our constant endeavours, we must have tireless strength to pursue towards our goal in 1ife, that is to fight to the last, to obtain the eternal crown of victory which our Lord God has prepared for us.

(2) Medicinal cure: The horse is used as a medicinal cure for bodily and spiritual sickness. This reminds us that the cure for our soul is in the Great Physician Jesus Christ, our Lord who not only cures but strengthens us through His living Word and Sacraments making us children of our Heavenly Father and his brothers and sisters, giving us even New life, new strength and new vigour.

(3) Liver and nose: Let us never be “liverish” and poisonous in our minds and hearts but let us have the significance of the nose, fire of the horse to be consumed by the fire and love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to love and serve others joyfully.

(4) Heart and wine: Do you remember that the dried and powdered heart of the horse mixed with wine is able to cure forgetfulness? Yes, let us never forget in our hearts to obey God’s commandments. May the wine of gIadness (vinum laetificat cor hominum means wine makes the heart of men joyful and happy), make us joyful in serving the Lord.

(5) “Night eyes” Let us have the “night eyes” of the horse to see in the darkness of our suffering, pain and tribulation, the inner meaning of God’s Holy will for us in all situations in life, to travel perseveringly to the end of our destiny that is heaven.

(6) Restlessness: Let us realize that we are restless and our sickness of restlessness will continue until we rest in the Lord by having faith and confidence in Him.

(7) From the creature to the Creator : Painters throughout the centuries, past and present alike have admired the wonderful creation of God, the horse. Yes. we are able to come to our Creator through admiring and recognising God’s hands in all of them and kneel down to adore Him.

(8) Worship: Ma Wang ( ): We will not invoke or worship the Ma Wang but we will certainly worship and invoke the King of horses and of all creation. God, our Lord and universal king, Jesus Christ.

The horse in the Bible

(1) Pharaoh’s army with his horses and chariots :
Let us turn to the Bible and see .. When I read the Bible, I came across Pharaoh’s chariots and horses ( a powerful army) chasing after God’s people. I cannot help but praise God in drowning Pharaoh’s army, horses and chariots, in the Red Sea while God’s people crossed the Red Sea dry shod, safe and sound. The powerful intervention of God saved His People who called for His help. Has he stopped helping us now? NO far from it.

(2) God’s coming riding on the cloud to help His People :
I too, remember God’s coming riding on the cloud i from heaven speedily to help His people in their great distress and peril. It is said in so many places in the Bible, that God comes riding on the cloud to save the just, the poor and the oppressed against their enemies.

(3) Use God’s creation for good not for evil :
Nations go to battle to grab for more power. People use force against force, just or unjust, depending on the intentions of the people. Horses are used for battle, for wars, for spying, for killing like those gunslingers who are trigger-happy to kill, to murder, to rape, to destroy. Or they are used to save, to bring justice and peace to the people, to bring law and order to the tribe, community or nation. Let us never abuse God’s creation for a bad purpose or for a malicious intent to destroy others or to satisfy our revengeful spirit but rather always to use God’s created things, living or inanimate, for the greater glory of God and for the benefit of mankind. The most beautiful thought that comes to my mind, I think, is this: Jesus riding humbly on an ass (donkey, colt, pony).

(4) Jesus riding humbly on a pony: 
This shows how humble Jesus is – riding on an ass (donkey, colt, pony). What a great and vivid contrast to the rulers and conquerors of the world who wield power and who wish one and all to know, see and feel the power exuding from them: the power to kill or destroy at will, everything that we possess … wield power and who wish one and all to know, see and feel the power exuding from them : the power to kill anyone or destroy at will, everything that we possess …

Yet Jesus, humbly riding on a stupid donkey is the sign of God’s power : God coming down to us riding on the cloud to help us.

Jesus was acclaimed as King of the Jews in his riding up to Jerusalem on a silly ass (donkey). The people made Him their King, who has power over death. (They saw the raising of Lazarus from the dead). Yes remember : Still water runs deep; using the Chinese Chi Kong of inner strength as a lame comparison. Jesus rides quietly with inner strength on a humble donkey up to Jerusalem to receive glory and triumph that are properly His. Yes, this is a wonderful thought that we can cherish all the days of our life.

Conclusion 
Yes, in this Chinese New Year, let us with courage and strength, with warmth, love and passion signified by the nose of the horse (fire) fight as champions and heroes of truth, justice, honesty and love.

Let us be messengers of God by bringing speedily and perseveringly God’s message of salvation to the world. Have courage, for God comes speedily riding on the cloud to help us in our endeavours.

God gives us medicine for our body and soul in His Creation: in the horse and grasses (herbs) of the field which have healing properties. May we thank God for these wonderful gifts of creation.

“Lord, you are so good! Thank you Lord. In this Chinese New Year, please come riding on the clouds to help us in all our needs and may You bless all of us especially our Chinese brothers and sisters during this festive Chinese New Year of the Horse. May the sight of wonderful spring with horses running in the fields, lead us closer to You day by day in this Chinese New Year of the Horse, 2014.

Source: http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/The-Year-of-the-Horse-18409-0-1.html

We are loved by God

Baptism of the Lord

Last week we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, which the word "epiphany" comes from the Greek "epiphainen", a verb that means "to shine upon", "to manifest", or "to make known", Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made himself known to the world, mainly the three events that manifested the mission and divinity of Christ: the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12), the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11), and the miracle at Cana (John  2:1-11). The visit of the Magi is emphasized on Epiphany Day, and Christ's baptism is celebrated this coming Sunday.

At the first glance, the Baptism of the Lord might seem an odd feast. Since the Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, particularly Original Sin, Why did Jesus, the Sinless One, submit himself to John’s baptism? After all, He was born without Original Sin, and He lives His entire life without sinning. Therefore, He had no need of the sacrament, as we do.

In submitting Himself humbly to the baptism of St. John the Baptist, however, Christ provided the example for the rest of us. If even He should be baptized, though He had no need of it, how much more should the rest of us be thankful for this sacrament, which frees us from the darkness of sin and incorporates us into the Church, the life of Christ on earth! His Baptism, therefore, was necessary--not for Him, but for us.

Many of the Fathers of the Church, as well as the medieval Scholastics, saw Christ's Baptism as the institution of the sacrament. His Flesh blessed the water, and the descent of the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) and the voice of God the Father announcing that this was His Son, in Whom He was well pleased, marked the beginning of Christ's public ministry.

In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of the “baptism” of his bloody death upon the cross. He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Gregory of Nazianzus, a seventh century Church father tells us: “Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him." Examine Jesus’ humility and ask the Holy Spirit to forge this same attitude in your heart. We are called to be “light” and “salt” to those around us. The Lord wants his love and truth to shine through us that others may see the goodness and truth of God’s message of salvation. Let us ask the Lord to fill us with his Holy Spirit that you may radiate the joy of the gospel to those around you.

Happiness is a gift from God. It is a gift freely given by God to those open to receive it. Happiness is knowing in the depths of one’s heart that one is truly loved by God. Happiness is knowing that we are loveable and that we are precious in the eyes of God. No matter how others may see us, no matter how others may judge us, nothing can change this single reality – we are loved by God.

This knowledge was the driving force behind Jesus. At his baptism, Jesus received this beautiful words from God the Father – “This is my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on him.” Knowing that he was loved by his Father in heaven, Jesus began his mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. Although he faced many setbacks, although he was criticized and hated by many people, although he was rejected by his own relatives and neighbours, although he was betrayed by his own disciples, Jesus never waivered in his resolve. Only one thing mattered to him – knowing that he was loved by God and nothing … absolutely nothing can change that. On the cross, in the midst of his pain and loneliness, Jesus was sustained by the knowledge of God’s love for him and that God will never abandon him at this moment of his greatest need.

This is what God wants to tell each of you: “You are my Son. You are my daughter. You are precious. I love you very much!!!” We don’t have to prove ourselves to God. We don’t have to show him that we are good or that we are perfect. God loves us in spite of our sins and weaknesses.

If we live each day with this knowledge of God’s love for us, we will not easily give up especially when we are faced with criticism from others. Whenever we celebrate the Mass, we are reminded again and again that we are loved by God. It was because of love, that God sent his only Son to die for us. Jesus, who gives his body and blood, is living proof of this. The mass is proof of God’s love. Because we are loved by God, let us now share this love with every other person.