在沒有出路時仍可喜樂

在沒有出路時仍可喜樂

Joy amid Helplessness

周偉文

            香港在未開埠之先，是一條小漁村，卻因緣際會成為西方社會進入中國的大門。自割讓給英國後，雖然成為大英帝國殖民地，卻發展成東西文化的交匯點，一直享有高度自由。在清末而今百多年來，已成為了世界舉足輕重的運輸、貿易及金融中心，為中國經濟發展、及國家建設提供幫助，更成為輸入西方技術及文化的管道。香港能扮演這一角色，根源於她有一個和平、自由、公平及開放的社會。

回歸22年，隨著中國的強大，在轉變之中，香港逐漸地失去了她的自主性，而各屆的特區政府，亦無力為香港的發展，提出良方妙策，我們見到這一個城巿慢慢走向變成與中國其它大城巿沒有分別。香港人努力維持經濟發展，社會卻逐漸失去自由、公平及開放，在過去半年，連僅有的和平，也成為了歷史。

爭取自由，有香港人選擇和平、理性及非暴力的方式；也有人選擇勇武抗爭，表達他們對政府及它使用警力控制社會的不滿。亦有人選擇要從中國得到更多的發展空間，付上自由及民主權利，或許對這些人來說，只要每一天能如常生活，他們可能都不介意放棄個人的自由。

不過，香港人在這半年來的抗爭，向全世界展現了他們對自由的熱愛及堅持，贏得了西方社會的認同和支持。但現實是香港人要面對的，是一個向來忽視人權、專制及不重視過人自由的政權的管治。
第十九屆中共中央委員會第四次全體會議10月31日在北京閉幕，香港人應毫無懸念，明白在未來的28年，不管誰擔任特區政府首長，香港將會和以前不再一樣，因為中共不會容許港人爭取自由，破壞中國的安全。這對不少香港人來說，是好像沒有盼望及出路，我也感到同樣的絕望。

週二晚上，我聽了唐崇榮牧師及耶加達交響樂團在澳洲墨爾本的巡迴演出，其中演奏了貝多芬的第九交響樂曲第四樂章《歡樂頌》，提醒了我在神的仁愛之下，人可以聯合團結一起，在和平快樂中生活。這一首樂章在柏林圍牆倒下來之時，成為東西德人民聯合一起慶祝和平的紀念頌歌。

樂團的演出，提醒了我世界仍是在神手中掌握，不管在人看為如何沒有出路，神仍可叫人團結，得到和平。

Joy amid Helplessness

Hong Kong originated as a small fishing village but with all the luck has become a stepping stone for the western world into China. Since being surrendered as a colony to Britain Hong Kong served as bridge between the west and the east enjoying as a free entity. For over a hundred years after the Qing Dynasty, the world takes Hong Kong as a crucial logistic, trading and financial center, enhancing economy and development of China on one hand, as well as bringing western technology and culture into the country. This was made possible only because Hong Kong was a peaceful, free and open society.

Since the handover for 22 years, with the growing power of China, Hong Kong has been losing self-control. With the incapable SAR governments one after another, Hong Kong future is not optimistic at all and is heading down a direction in parallel with some major cities in China. HongKongers have been working hard for their economy but in the expense of freedom and justice, with their remaining bit of peace started being eroded away over the past months.

Some HongKongers employ peaceful and rational approach in fighting for freedom; some went for violent protesting means up against government’s hard-line control. Some just want more opportunities handed down by China so that that could lead a normal life to the extent that they are happy to forfeit some personal freedom and social democracy.

The fight put up by HongKongers over the past six months has demonstrated their passion and persistence of freedom and won the support from the Western world. But Hong Kong is facing an autocratic government used to be indifferent to human right and freedom.

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing on 31^st October. That left Hong Kong people with no uncertainty that over the coming 28 years Hong Kong would never be the same as before irrespective of who would become the Chief Executive. Because China would not allow Hong Kong to have more freedom that might impact on the national security. Many HongKongers would feel disappointing and helpless, so as I felt hopeless.

On Tuesday night I attended the concert tour of Rev Stephen Tong and the Jakarta Orchestra in Melbourne. Among the performance items was Beethoven’s ninth symphony fourth movement “Ode to Joy” which reminded me of God’s love could bring humanity together living in peace and joy. When the fall of the Berlin Wall happened, this piece of music was sung by people from East Germany and West Germany in unity to mark their celebration of peace.

Their performance indeed reminded me the world is still in the hands of God. In all helpless circumstances, God call us all in unity and peace.