New Testament: Romans 8:18–27 Future Glory (NRSVUE)

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

7. Meditation

Option 1: Voices of Hong Kong’s Political Prisoners

“There is always a price to pay when you put truth, justice and goodness ahead of your own comfort, safety and physical wellbeing, or your life becomes a lie. I choose truth instead of a lie and pay the price.”

Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon and devoted Catholic

“If we are found guilty, then our crime is daring to spread hope during this difficult time in Hong Kong. I am not afraid of going to jail, nor am I ashamed. If this bitter cup cannot be removed, I will drink it without regret.”

Benny Tai, a former law professor and one of the Hong Kong 47

“Sir, sentence us for our insubordination if you must; but when the exercise of power is based on lies, being insubordinate is the only way to be human. This is my submission.”

Chow Hang-tung, a human rights lawyer and China labor rights advocate

“Being

Joshua Wong, a student activist and one of the Hong Kong 47

“The fight for minimum wage is also a fight for democracy. With a more democratic system, the ruling government has to listen to the people more. Secondly more democracy in Hong Kong will also be a litmus test for the tolerance for democracy for the Chinese govt. If government doesn’t allow Hong Kong, with a population of around 6.5 million people to have democracy how then will they ever allow democracy to develop inside the mainland with its population of 1.3 billion?”

Lee Cheuk-yan, a former Legislative Councilor and trade union leader

“To say how I have changed because of 2019, it’s actually quite simple: after witnessing how brave Hong Kong people can be, I also wanted to try being a bit braver.”

Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam, a former journalist and one of the Hong Kong 47

Option 2: Voice of a Hong Kong Filmmaker

Kiwi Kwun-wai Chow, a Christian and a filmmaker of the award-winning documentary Revolution of Our Times.

Many people have sacrificed a lot, and I have no way to despair. At this moment, we don’t have a large movement of resistance. I can only focus on my inner struggle; we must not despair.

Many people are still sacrificing and are imprisoned, but we do not forget them. If we were to lose hope, their struggles would become meaningless.

When they are enduring inside [the jail], that is a source of strength. I believe their suffering keeps us, the ones outside, moving forward.

If you feel guilty [of being a survivor], I hope you can transform yourself. I am in the same boat. You feel guilty because you care deeply about Hong Kong and the pursuit of justice. That’s why we don’t need to harbor such guilt. Our current struggle is against the despair within us and against the feeling of guilt that weighs on our hearts. We are still fighting.

We may not be able to change the larger environment, but we can change ourselves from within. When we have been hurt and feel powerless, we must focus on our inner selves as we continue to move forward. As we keep going, I hope you will remember to pay attention to your heart and mind.

Rewatching this film [Revolution of Our Times] is healing. Through tears, I experience the dark and bright sides of humanity depicted in the movie. Rather than focusing on the darkness, I want us all to remember the bright side of humanity that we Hong Kong people have shown on the streets.

8. Sermon

Fast Beat’s Sermon

Tak-chi Tam, also known as “Fast Beat,” is a former DJ, actor and currently a social activist.

After graduating with a MACS degree from the Divinity School of Chung Chi College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2011, he founded the Narrow Church to promote social justice among the Christian community on the streets. He was also a former vice chairman of People Power.

On January 6, 2021, Tam was among 55 pan-democrats arrested for allegedly violating the national security law over their participation in the pro-democracy primaries of 2020. He was accused of “subverting state power” and was already in prison on sedition charges. On February 28, he was charged, along with 46 others, with subversion.

On March 2, 2022, Tam was found guilty of 11 charges, including “uttering seditious words,” and acquitted of three charges. The date for the sentencing was set for March 31. On April 20, he was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

“Fast Beat” has been writing sermons from prison regularly.

“When Justice and Peace Are Crushed, Do We Still Have Hope?”

Scripture: Luke: 23:33–43

On Christ the King Day, the Lord who was crucified overturned our imagination of God, the King, and the powerful. There was a sign on the cross with this accusation: “King of the

Jews.” Jesus ultimately died under the hands of the Roman Empire, and his death meant nothing to them. When the Second Temple was destroyed, “There is no place without a cross, and no cross without nailing someone on it.” The crucifixion of Jesus was no different from the many other crucifixions of socalled rebels! But how could the Roman Empire have foreseen this man becoming the most decisive political challenge they would face? You may ask, “He has already died on the cross. How can he challenge the Roman Empire politically?” The empire knew how to deal with enemies: either kill or assimilate them. However, the empire did not know how to deal with a movement and a kingdom led by Christ the King, whose people refused to believe in violence as the means to determine history. The death and resurrection of Jesus challenges the restless violence of all authorities. This is the political significance of the Christian faith.

The cross and the crucified King are not symbols used to explain inexplicable suffering in the world. When facing tragedies in the world, we do not need to use the cross of Christ to explain or restrain our anger. The cross of Christ forms a group of people who no longer need the explanation of inexplicable suffering, which directly responds to Job’s doubts and “answers” the eternal question of why there is suffering in the world. When facing tragedies in our lives, we need love, not explanations. When we can hardly do anything to save ourselves, the task and demand given to us by Christ the King on the cross is to “be with one another.”

9. Affirmation of Faith

We believe in the God of life and death, who creates, who acts in history and who promises never to leave us alone despite suffering and death.

We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, who wants, not to be idolized, but to be followed, who worked for real change in the world so that people can live with dignity and freedom.

We believe that we dwell in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Without her, we are nothing; filled with her, we are able to overcome fear and despair.

We believe in the holy communion of saints. We are the community of Jesus where we find companions and courage for the struggles of life. We believe in the unity of all people. We believe in the hope that justice and peace will become true one day because this is the promise of God.

Glory to the Holy and undivided Trinity, who is beyond us, among us, within us, who was, and is, and is to come, world without end. Amen.

10. Prayer of Intercession

Pray for Democracy

God, today we lift up the people of Hong Kong and ask that their decades-long aspirations for democracy will be blessed by you. We pray that the recently inaugurated electoral arrangement that permits only so-called patriots to be candidates will give way to an authentic democratically elected system in which all can participate.

Pray for Political Prisoners

God of Justice, we pray for Hong Kong’s political prisoners, some of whom have been denied bail and have been imprisoned awaiting trial for more than two years. Comfort them, strengthen them, bless them with freedom. We pray too for their families and friends. May they have endurance and strength. We pray as well that the national security law and other laws that deny people their human rights be repealed and that common law principles and the independence of the judiciary be reflected throughout Hong Kong’s judicial system. May the rule of law once again prevail, and may it replace the current rule by law utilized by the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.

Pray for Freedom of Expression

In this more authoritarian environment, newspaper offices have been raided, and publishers, editors and journalists have been arrested in the past few years, resulting in the closure of several prominent media organizations. This crackdown has led to selfcensorship among the media as well as ordinary people’s posts and comments online. We pray, God, that freedom of expression will once again be respected by the authorities, that journalists can work freely once more without fear of arrest, that people can share their opinions online again without anxiety of crossing the indiscernible red lines.

Pray for Education

We our concerned as well, God, for Hong Kong’s educational system. Once a respected and rigorous academic institution, it is now being transformed to indoctrinate students as much as it is to educate them with required courses on national education and national identity. We pray for the youth of Hong Kong, God. We ask that students again can be challenged to be critical thinkers rather than obedient and unquestioning citizens.

Pray for the Church

Lastly, we remember our sisters and brothers in the churches in Hong Kong. Bless them, God, with courage and wisdom to discern how best to live out their faith authentically and to stand with the people of Hong Kong, especially those suffering because of the community’s new context.

We lift up these prayers for Hong Kong today in your Son’s name. Amen.

Liturgist: When evil darkens our world, Congregation: give us light.

Liturgist: When despair numbs our souls, Congregation: give us hope.

Liturgist: When we stumble and fall, Congregation: lift us up.

Liturgist: When doubts assail us, Congregation: give us faith.

Liturgist: When nothing seems sure, Congregation: give us trust.

Liturgist: When ideals fade, Congregation: give us vision.

Liturgist: When we lose our way, Congregation: be our guide.

All: That we may find serenity in Your presence and purpose in doing Your will.

John D. Rayner