Numbers 6:22-27 / James 4:13-17 / Matthew 6:31-34
On this first day of the Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, one of the “must-do” things is to pay respects to our parents.
So, even before thinking about the “ang pows”, the feasting and the other festive celebrations, the age-old tradition on this first day of the New Year focuses on relationships.
We will pay respect and honour our parents by wishing them blessings of health and happiness, peace and joy.
And even if they had passed on, they will be present in our memories and prayers and the relationship lives on.
More than just a cultural tradition of filial piety, paying respects and honouring our parents is a divine commandment.
God wants us to honour our parents because they are a blessing for us. From our parents we have received life and love.
And we in turn are to be a blessing for them as we offer them our prayers and well wishes.
In the gospel, Jesus tells us not to worry because God our Father knows what we need.
Jesus tells us to set our hearts on His kingdom and on His righteousness, and all the other things will be given to us.
The righteousness of God is rooted in relationships.
That is why it is important to honour our parents and to respect them because that is the will of God, and that is also the expression of a righteous relationship with our parents.
And from that, all the other aspects of our lives will be made right because Jesus promised that the other things in life will be given to us.
Indeed, the celebration of the New Year is a celebration of relationships.
We have also come to Church to offer God our Father our thanksgiving and to pledge our obedience and faithfulness.
We also offer our prayers and petitions as we ask the Lord our God for His blessings and protection.
May the Lord God bless us, bless our parents, bless our families, bless our relatives, bless our friends and colleagues.
May the Lord God let His face shine on us, may He be gracious to us and grant us peace and joy.
May God our Father keep us his children united in a loving relationship with Jesus His Son and with one another.