HONG KONG (SE): We have to be open and humble and ready for God “to turn us upside down, so to see from his direction,” said Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., the bishop of Hong Kong, during a special Mass celebrating the 55th anniversary of St. Vincent’s Mass Centre, part of St. Andrew’s parish, Hang Hau, on September 22,
Cardinal Stephen was joined at the 10.30am celebration by Father Jacob Kwok, the parish priest of St. Andrew’s, and Father Flavien Bouame, CICM, the outgoing priest in charge of the Mass centre. Deacon Paul Wat Ho-keung also assisted in the ceremony. The chapel was filled to capacity as seven children received their First Communion during the Mass.
The cardinal asked the packed congregation if they ever wondered why God did not answer their prayers even after they prayed earnestly and hard, and if not getting an answer would be a major setback, including to their faith in God. He urged them not to be upset or doubt God’s love or competency.
Reflecting on the first reading from the Book of Wisdom and the second reading from the Letter of St. James, the cardinal highlighted the contrast between the positive qualities of peace, gentleness, and sincerity and the negative characteristics of greed and excessive desires.
He emphasised St. James’ teaching that “those who are rooted in wisdom from above should exhibit peaceful, gentle, compliant, merciful, and fruitful behaviour without wavering or insincerity.” He urged the faithful to introspect, asking how well we truly embody these values when assessing ourselves honestly.
The cardinal said that when in conflict with our desires and concerns, the “best approach for us people of faith to take” is to turn to our Lord. “Be open, humble, listening and be ready for him to turn us upside down so as to see from his direction. Sometimes, to understand God, try to stand upside down! God’s way is not our way.”
Cardinal Stephen, who was recently at a meeting in Bangkok with bishops, religious and laypeople from around Asia in preparation for the upcoming second session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, noted that compared to Western cultures, peace and harmony are the cherished values of Asian and ancient Asian cultures. He recounted that they identified what is unique—though not exclusive—to Asia as “we cherish harmony; we cherish peace.”
The cardinal added, “Besides positive connections and a sense of unity in plurality, peace and harmony also gives us time and space to discern for the better option.”
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen highlighted the significance of Education Sunday, urging parents and educators to create environments that foster support, companionship, and empowerment, nurturing faith and personal growth over external achievements. He emphasised the importance of instilling self-confidence and hope rather than focusing solely on competitive skills.
The cardinal inquired: “What is the main purpose of Christian education, particularly at a time when many of our youth are under stress, experiencing loneliness, confusion, helplessness, and even hopelessness? Why should equipping them with sharp competitive skills be more important than providing them with empathetic and supportive companionship?”
What is the main purpose of Christian education, particularly at a time when many of our youth are under stress, experiencing loneliness, confusion, helplessness, and even hopelessness? Why should equipping them with sharp competitive skills be more important than providing them with empathetic and supportive companionship?
Cardinal Stephen
He mentioned that it’s important to listen with reflective skills of discernment and empower young people with self-confidence, love, and inner peace and to “educate them with the ability to turn upside down, with good hope on a God who always wants and provides what is best for them.”
Cardinal Stephen told the congregation that God is continually educating us throughout our lives, and we are also called to help educate each other. In a world that prioritises economic and technological advancement and competitiveness, he fears that we have lost sight of the true purpose of education and faith.
“Faith is not about competing for this or that position, it’s not about something external, it’s about us, about life, about how we help each other grow as a person of faith, not a person of the world,” he said.
The Mass also served as a farewell to Father Flavien, who is set to embark on a new mission.
“And today we also say farewell to Father Flavien. So this event is a Mass of gratitude; thanksgiving,” Cardinal Stephen remarked as the congregation applauded their appreciation of departing priest.
“We wish him in his new mission of formation; that he will continue to be a great formator as he has shared with us here,” the cardinal said, “But we have faith in God. That God will always take care. God is the primary caregiver to us.”
