Page 33 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

C h a i r p e r s o n ' s R e m a r k s

Hong Kong has struggled through five tough years. It is commonly felt that since the reversion of
sovereignty, Hong Kong has not experienced good days but has been caught by mishaps. Livelihood has become
all the more difficult. In spite of the fanfare in celebrating the fifth reversion anniversary trumpeted by the SAR
government, coupled with efforts to create accountable administrative leadership, there has not been much change.
Our economic recovery is too distant to be discernible. The unemployment figure stands high. Cases of negative
assets and applications for bankruptcy are stacking up. The number of youths out of school as well as out of jobs
has swelled to an unsettling level. The gloomy situation, on top of which are aggravating social issues such as
healthcare, social welfare, transportation and education, has dwarfed the government's efforts to alleviate the
pains that the community is enduring. In the face of current hardship, people have become disappointed,
despaired and despondent. On the other hand, we cannot blame the government for everything which has gone

wrong. It is understandable that we have expectations for our government to act, to intervene, and that when
they apparently let us down, we feel discontent and disgruntled. I hope we can replace our anger with goodwill;
grudges with understanding; accusations with shared responsibility; curses with blessings. Perhaps a famous
remark by the late American President John F. Kennedy can help us too: "Ask not what your country can do for
you - ask what you can do for your country." This serves to remind us not to pass on responsibility, not to blame
or be cynical, but to share the load, hand in hand, and to persevere.

What can churches in Hong Kong do in the midst of this social havoc? Jesus Christ's mission statement still
challenges us: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He
has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to
proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19) Words from the prophet Micah keep reminding
us: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love
kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8) Prior to his performing the miracle of five loaves and
two fish, Jesus saw the crowd starving and said: "... You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16) The
disciples were clear that they were unable to do it. All they had were "but five loaves and two fish." "And he
said, "Bring them here to me." (Matthew 14:18) After telling the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus told his
disciples, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37) In addition, after washing the disciples' feet to set an example of
love through servanthood, Jesus said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
(John 13:17)

It seems justifiable to say that in encountering the mounting unemployment and the enormous number of
'lost' youths having no job or school, the church doesn't have enough resources to act upon and effect real