Traditionally, Chinese families clear out their junk and clean their homes three days before the Chinese New Year. This custom means sending away the old and welcoming the new; hoping to prepare for the new year with the cleanest and best outlook, which is understandable. We Catholics are not only concerned about the cleanliness and tidiness of the external environment, but also concerned about spiritual sanctity. Let us take this opportunity to clear out the long accumulated dirt, bad habits and ill thoughts.
The cleansing our hearts can be done through retreats, self-discipline and devotion to God’s Word. We get rid of our negative emotions, lay down resentment and stubbornness and learn to forgive.
Peter asks Jesus whether it is enough to forgive those who sin against him up to seven times. Jesus answers him: seventy-seven times [Matthew 18:21]. This is not to be understood literally. Jesus uses this metaphor to encourage us to follow God’s immense kindness and practice the virtue of forgiveness. God does not set a limit to forgiveness. As long as we repent sincerely and promise that we will not sin again, we are forgiven.
Besides reconciling with God and other people, we should seek to rebuild our relationship with nature. Massive tree felling, mechanical over-production and development, and land reclamation not only destroy the ecological balance, but also cause all sorts of pollution.
Ultimately it is human beings who suffer. Pope Francis promulgated the encyclical, Laudato Si’, in 2015 to encourage people to embrace ecological conversion, concern for our shared habitat and repentance for ecological destruction. Certain religious congregations have promoted land ‘rebirth’ to rebuild the ecological system through field farming and to experience the wonder of nature.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, think about sharing your happiness and grace with the disadvantaged. Some members of some parish social concern groups regularly visit the homeless. They provide warmth in the cold winter by distributing hot food and warm clothes. The homeless can experience the compassion of society through heartfelt greetings and loving care.
Some communities and the young people have designed various cards to express new year greetings. They also created virtual stickers, emojis and wallpapers for the faithful to download onto their smartphones to use on social media such as WhatsApp, Signal and Instagram. They are especially encouraged to bestow God’s blessings on non-Christians with these tools, so that they may share the gospel.
Although we cannot physically participate in Masses and parish meetings at this time, we can break through geographical restrictions by attending online Masses. The daily scripture readings also draw us closer to God. SE
