By Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu
Recently, I had a spiritual journey with a school group. It was a sunny day on a quiet island, where I invited everyone to listen attentively to the sounds around us. It was easy to hear the calls of at least seven different species of birds, one after the other.
Though the sun was shining and we felt a bit hot, a refreshing breeze occasionally swept through, as if God were using his hand like a fan to cool us down. This spiritual journey reminded me of my graduation thesis from my time at a seminary.
During that time, I thoroughly researched the origin of the word “spiritual” and delved into the essence of “spirituality.” The term first appeared in the epistles of the Apostle Paul and refers to the “spiritual man,” someone who belongs to God.
On the island, we were divided into eight groups for different experiences, but there are truly more than eight ways to cultivate devotion. When we believe we have a deep connection with God, every detail of our lives can provide an opportunity for spirituality. Even simply listening to birdsong and feeling the breeze can be a precious moment of encounter with the Creator.
In reality, a spiritual experience does not rely on what we do. Instead it has a lot to do with the person who experience it. When you have a relationship with God, all aspects of your life can be spiritual. Calming down to listen to the birds and feeling the breeze are already acts of spiritual practice.
During this journey, the most profound experience for me was “turning decay into magic.” This wonderful transformation can be observed everywhere on this small island. The islanders make the most of everything, whether it’s a fallen tree from the wind or old furniture, turning them into amazing works of art. Places that were once dilapidated have been beautifully restored.
This reminds me that when we engage in education, aren’t we partaking in God’s project of “turning decay into magic”? Reflecting on our childhood, many of us may have heard our parents say, “You’re useless!” However, the word “useless” didn’t refer to our worth as a person, but rather described a state where we might not have been using our potential at that moment.
Today, we have all become useful people—isn’t this the best way to “turn decay into magic”? When we are willing to think critically, learn different languages and skills, and transform simple things into beautiful creations, we participate in this magical process of transformation.
This is true spirituality: the realisation that everything is a blessing from God and the belief that he has endowed us with the power to transform. Regardless of our religion, when we believe we can turn life into something magical, we embark on a spiritual journey and a process of personal growth. May the Lord bless you all, guiding everyone toward a brighter and more fulfilling life.
