By Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu
August is coming to an end, marking the end of summer.
Students and teachers at international schools have already returned to campus to begin a new semester. Those who are just entering the education system, particularly new students transitioning to kindergarten, primary, secondary school, or even university, typically return to school a bit earlier than others. This allows them to adjust to campus life and familiarise themselves with the various facilities and rules.
We as priests are often invited to schools to lead prayers and religious educational activities at the start of the academic year.
During this time, the phrase “the sea of knowledge is boundless” often comes to mind. This line originates from a poem by Han Yu of the Tang Dynasty: “In the mountain of books, diligence is the path; in the sea of learning, hard work is the boat.” It serves as a reminder that we must approach the endless knowledge of life with diligence and perseverance.
Even our Lord Jesus Christ, despite being the Son of God, came among us with this mindset. Born as a normal human being, he grew up learning to speak, walked clumsily as a child, and explored the world through his senses, just like anyone else.
Through his parents and elders, he learned about the Law of Moses, prayers from the Psalms, wisdom literature, the teachings of the prophets, and the history of his people. He gained practical skills from his earthly father, Joseph, becoming a carpenter. All of these were the tangible results of his step-by-step learning throughout his life.
Before officially embarking on the mission of proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, Jesus spent 30 years learning and preparing. He chose followers to be his close companions, teaching them the true meaning of the gospel. Through interactions with them and the crowds.
He continuously learned how to fervently expand the God’s Kingdom on Earth and guide the faithful to fulfill the will of the Father. Ultimately, even as he faced his own death, He continued to demonstrate this learning attitude. The Apostle Paul summarised Jesus Christ’s learning journey by stating, “He learned obedience through what he suffered” [Hebrews 5:8].
Let us also learn from Christ, humbly acknowledging our human shortcomings and recognising that we need to deepen our understanding of God’s creation as well as the mysteries hidden within it through learning. In this process of learning, we will become more like Jesus Christ, adopting his kindness and humility and learning his obedience to the Father even unto death; and in turn, we will share in the eternal life that Jesus Christ has given us.
