Angela and Jonathan got baptized during Easter. The baby was unusually peaceful during the ceremony.
At that time, a few scriptures were read. One was on the testing of Abraham’s faith. God granted Abraham a son after decades of infertility. One day, God suddenly commanded him to sacrifice his son. Without a question, Abraham brought his son Isaac up a mountain, built an altar and tied him up. Just before he killed his son with a knife, God stopped him and acknowledged his faithfulness.
At the ceremony, it dawned on me that the whole story was a metaphor of what would happen to Jesus years later, except that Jesus really had to die on the cross. Without the narrative of a human, the description of God sacrificing His beloved son could sound distant.
It surprised me that I never made that association over the years. Now that I know it, this remains a test I cannot pass. Let me sacrifice something else.
26 Apr 2012
19 Apr 2012
Golden Hair
One day while I was driving, Angelina said, “There is a golden hair on my seat.” She threw it to the back before I could have a look.
“Only two kinds of creatures can leave a golden hair here,” I said after a while.
“What, Daddy?”
“First, a beautiful lady.”
“And?” Angelina eyed at me.
“Or it may be a Pekingese.”
“Cookie!” she jumped.
“Only two kinds of creatures can leave a golden hair here,” I said after a while.
“What, Daddy?”
“First, a beautiful lady.”
“And?” Angelina eyed at me.
“Or it may be a Pekingese.”
“Cookie!” she jumped.
12 Apr 2012
Resurrection
One day, Angelina looked at our old photos and asked, “Is this the father of Mummy?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“And he has died?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“After people die, they go to heaven,” she continued, “It must be lucky to come back to this world.”
“We Christians believe in life after death. We will all meet in heaven in the end.”
After a while, I suddenly added, “At that time, I will wait for you with a game of chess.”
“You mean when I am in hospital?”
“No, I mean I will wait for you in heaven.”
Angelina nodded. “And you will spare my Queen?”
“Yes, I will spare your Queen.”
“Yes,” I answered.
“And he has died?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“After people die, they go to heaven,” she continued, “It must be lucky to come back to this world.”
“We Christians believe in life after death. We will all meet in heaven in the end.”
After a while, I suddenly added, “At that time, I will wait for you with a game of chess.”
“You mean when I am in hospital?”
“No, I mean I will wait for you in heaven.”
Angelina nodded. “And you will spare my Queen?”
“Yes, I will spare your Queen.”
5 Apr 2012
Colony
Next, our host turned to the history of Taiwan. “Taiwan was occupied by the Dutch and the Spanish. After that, we became a Japanese colony for fifty years,” he said.
Suddenly, the Japanese professor bowed and said, “I am very sorry.”
The host could not be more apologetic. “No, no, no, we didn’t mind at all.”
Friends from China would probably sneer in disgust if they were in the audience, and that would be polite. Sympathizing with invaders is no better than treason.
Nevertheless, born in another colony myself, I had no problem understanding their feelings. No doubt our cities were taken over for the wrong reasons. However, on both occasions the natives benefited much from the cultural influence and technological input. We also cannot help noticing how difficult it is to find a better local leader.
From another perspective, I was moved by the Japanese professor's response. But life really can be so simple. If Japanese leaders apologize, I am sure we will just say we do not mind anymore.
Suddenly, the Japanese professor bowed and said, “I am very sorry.”
The host could not be more apologetic. “No, no, no, we didn’t mind at all.”
Friends from China would probably sneer in disgust if they were in the audience, and that would be polite. Sympathizing with invaders is no better than treason.
Nevertheless, born in another colony myself, I had no problem understanding their feelings. No doubt our cities were taken over for the wrong reasons. However, on both occasions the natives benefited much from the cultural influence and technological input. We also cannot help noticing how difficult it is to find a better local leader.
From another perspective, I was moved by the Japanese professor's response. But life really can be so simple. If Japanese leaders apologize, I am sure we will just say we do not mind anymore.
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