“Only in a dangerous environment can people train to become strong,” wrote Zhang Xiang Tao, a scholar of the Qing Dynasty. Life has not been easy for many people in Hong Kong in the past couple of years, and we walk into the Year of the Tiger with new hopes and aspirations. As the Zodiac image suggests, we hope to be stronger and braver in faith and spirit in the Tiger Year.
In Chinese and other cultures, the Tiger generates both respect and fear. The Chinese language has many tiger-related sayings such as 虎虎生威 (“Tigers are awe-inspiring”) and 生龍活虎 (“Live life with might and courage like dragons and tigers”). We say “A roaring tiger full of spirit” to describe a person of courage and “Walk like a dragon and step like a tiger” to refer to a person of impressive bearing and conduct. We wish these qualities upon all our readers in this Year of the Tiger.
Looking back on 2021 [Year of the Ox], or on 2020 [Year of the Rat], not everything was going well for Hong Kong. The Year of the Rat was about survival amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the social unrest. The Year of the Ox was about anchoring ourselves in new political realities, facing economic challenges caused by pandemic, and maintaining vigilance against the invisible virus.
The tiger is associated with Yang [masculine, active] energy in Chinese tradition. Therefore, may the Year of the Tiger be a year of adventure. Despite the threats from the numerous variants of the coronavirus, and subsequent restrictions even on everyday liturgical celebrations in parishes, we are finding enthusiasm again, with generosity at an all-time high, and social progress feeling possible once more. Many parish communities and religious groups are regularly distributing essential commodities to the homeless and to those from poor-income families. The pandemic has taught us patience, compassion and generosity.
In addition to the animals, the Chinese Zodiac also cycles through five elemental types. The year 2022 is a year of water, and therefore is the year of the Water-Tiger. Water years bring out our emotions more than any of the other elements. Water Tigers are family-oriented and have excellent interpersonal relationships. Their goal is always to do what is best for everyone, not just for themselves. These are the virtues that the Church stands for.
The tiger is vigilant and cautious, seeking to avoid pitfalls and traps. This message is nothing new to us Christians. Jesus has been persistent with his demand to be vigilant, awake, and prepared. The tiger reminds us to walk carefully, and we must be wise in the Lord.
Despite the despair and anxieties of an uncertain future, we hope our faith life grows strong. Liturgy and sacraments seem distant, but stay close to the Word of God and acts of charity, and we will be tigers on the road of faith, repelling the devil, the enemy. St. Peter’s advice for the Church in Rome could be our New Year message: “Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith….” (I Peter 5:8-9) jose CMF
