“Be Still and Know that I Am God”

Publish Date: 02-Oct-2019

The Blessing Hong Kong column team this week calls on parishioners to retreat into silence so that they can be aware of their inner movements in the current political and social gridlock. Through the contemplation of such movements, we can discover our inner freedom, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit, to place us in communion with all the saints who suffered before our time but insisted to fight the odds and to witness the richness and resilience of life in God.

In the face of the current political and social climate, Hong Kong people continue to struggle with no feasible solution in sight. The continuing conflicts cannot help end the current turmoil but will mire the city further in violence. On the other hand, promoting hatred would close off all paths to resolving the differences. Listening and dialogues are options seemed not yet fully explored at present. It is easy to destroy, but difficult to rebuild. Rebuilding sincerity and trust take time. Both sides of the current conflict must allow time and patience to work out a reconciliation. The government actively conducting sincere dialogues could be the first step in breaking through the current stalemate although this first step might not yield immediate results.

Being Christians, we do not expect dramatic changes for good or breakthroughs in the immediate future. Christians, who live under long-term social stress, need to take care of their own well-being, and silent retreats would be a good dose of spiritual medicine for Christians.