Chung Chi College, CUHK

©Poling Sun, 2009

Chung Chi College, CUHK

Deceptive Knowing

Mark 6:1~6

There is something in our texts this morning that resonate with some of the Chinese sayings like:「本地薑不辣」,「外來的和尚會唸經」,「隔離阿婆飯香」，「外國的月亮比較圓」, etc. Because of this “knowledge” people hold the view that anything or anyone spectacular could not be produced locally.

Then again there are also sayings at the other end stressing exactly the opposite point:「猛虎不及地頭蟲」,「茶是故鄉濃」, etc. Accordingly folks share the opinion that local is always the better.

Which of the two views is closer to the truth any way? I suppose we would have no problem proving either view valid with experiences and illustration of cases. It seems that what really matters, however, is what we think we see and understand. In fact, it does not have much to do, if not nothing, with geographical location. Indeed it is not a matter of physical distance but a distance of mind and heart. It is not where others are or where they are from, it is really what’s already in our mind, and presumption is its name.

I recall some years ago when we first went to the States for further studies. We came to know some nice people, generous, loving and caring, ready to help. Among those nice people there were a few folks who had some presumptions of us who came from the Orient; and people outside of America and Europe are often stereotyped as “the Third World”. One of these nice folks was our neighbor.

One evening common friends between us invited our family and our neighbor to go over to their house for dinner. We had a great time chatting and eating. At certain point of that wonderful evening, I think it was when we were each enjoying our steak, while slicing her steak our neighbor remarked casually but surely,

“This is quite different from what Joe (my English name) and Serena (my wife’s English name) have been doing for their meal at home.”

“How is it different?” The host asked. Before I really knew what she was getting at, she went on to explain assertively,

“Well, they usually cut the meat into very small pieces, unlike our big portion. Do you know why?” She looked at the hosts seriously and almost immediately offered her answer as assuredly,

“Back home they don’t have refrigerator to keep the left over. To make sure no meat is left or all meat would be consumed, they cook very small portion of meat. That’s why they cut it into small pieces.”

I must confess that I learnt something from her answer, but I am not sure if that really explains Chinese cooking pattern. As far as I know she has not taken any Chinese cooking class, neither has she been keen on Chinese culture. In fact, before we met she did not have a Chinese friend. All she knew about Chinese people was from the characters in TV or motion pictures. But one thing is sure; she considers Chinese people as part of the Third World. More importantly she has a view of what Third World is like: rather primitive, simple… you see? Presumption.

But is presumption the problem of certain part of the world only? Several years ago there is a story shared among the sea of web. I guess many of us have read it or some versions of it already. According to this story, the United Nations sends out a question or a thought for children in different parts of the world to discuss and interact: “PLEASE SHARE YOUR OWN THOUGHT CONCERNING THE ADEQUACY OF FOOD SUPPLY IN OTHER NATIONS.” Now the quiz was sent out, but the result has not been satisfactory because,

Children in Africa do not know “adequacy of food supply”;

Children in the US do not know “other nations”;

Children in Latin America do not know “please”;

Children in Asia do not know “their own thought”.

Hilarious? But I also wonder if there is not truth in that. I am not saying that all Asian children do not have thought of their own. I am not saying that every American kid is always arrogant and self-centered. I am not saying that all Latin American children are aggressive. I am saying that none of us, young and old, rich or poor, male or female, East or West, can be exempted from presumption, pre-understanding, pre-supposition, even prejudice.

Just because no one is exempted from presumption, as such it is not a problem. I would even argue that without presumption there cannot be any possibility of understanding or communication. For example, without some prior understanding or knowledge of languages, both Chinese and English (I am referring to those who are now understanding me with the help of simultaneous interpretation), I am just producing sound. The morning newspapers are random clusters of weird signs without any meaning. Without some pre-understanding we could hardly get this worship go as it should.

The problem is not presumption or pre-understanding, the problem is that we make our pre-understanding the only and final knowledge, refusing to know more, refusing to connect to others, refusing to admit any space for possibility, growth and change. Life is but an endless mathematical deduction. Every result is nicely predicted and known because of our presumption and our knowledge. Anything, any one outside of our calculation or formulation would be unreasonable, absurd and therefore unacceptable.

“He’s just a carpenter-Mary’s boy. We’ve known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?” (6:3, Message)

“He is good and marvelous. Yes indeed, no doubt about that. But a carpenter’s son can and will only be another carpenter. We just know that, no matter what he does and speaks. We just know and will know.” People in Nazareth said assertively. People in Nazareth lived safely on their logic and calculation. But a life in lack of faith does not allow anything to happen, not even miracle.

“Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there-he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness.” (6:4~6, Message)

Just this week on Tuesday morning 38,000 students received their A-Levels. I share the joy with those who did well and want to encourage those who did not. I also wonder, good or bad, if there is anyone who just knew how the students would end up and insists at this moment he just knows how the students will end up in the future. I wonder how the students’ future would prove what the folks asserted in Nazareth.

“She is a 6 As student, she will fly; I just know. He is a failure. I’ve known him since he was a child. His father, mother, family… Sorry to say, but it’s a mess. I just know.” Maybe, but maybe not.

I have recently known a group of young lads that have proved many of our “knowledge” wrong. They are kids of different backgrounds, but with one thing in common-they once trod their path wrongly into drug addiction. Then they have their second thing in common-they were sent to Zheng Sheng College. You all should not be unfamiliar with the news and debates about their future school site in Mui Wo, I would not want to repeat it here. I would love to point out to you their third thing in common-but it is really most uncommon, not predictable, not logical, even miracle-they have been able to be live a life that surpasses many of our “knowledge” that a failure is a failure

They had been looked down upon; perhaps they still are by some. For those who could see them as they are, they see new lives, brave kids… Indeed, people have seen God because of them. [Please go to the earlier post: 「你們作了一個很好的見證」]

Moment later we will be gathering under the Cross. As you take the Bread and the Cup, remember Jesus whom had also been concluded as “just a carpenter, just a Jew, just a man died on the cross, just a failure.” With his resurrection, life is proved more than our calculation, knowledge, even prejudice. Because of faith in Him, forgiveness of sin, new life, and miracle are realities of life. Because of faith in Him, you are liberated from the deceptive knowing that binds you and others at the dead ends of life. Amen.