On the Feast of the Holy Cross (14th September, 2013) the Diocese of Western Kowloon held an Ordination Service in All Saints’ Cathedral, Mongkok, Kowloon at 6 p.m. The Rt. Revd Andrew Chan presided and the Very Revd Samson Fan preached at the service to ordain Mr. Billy Tsz-leung Ip of St. Matthias’ Church to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate. In his sermon, “The Discovery of the Holy Cross and the Establishment of the Church,” the Very Revd Samson Fan reminded the deacon-to-be to bear in mind Bishop Andrew''s sixteen- character (in Chinese) mantra on being God''s good servant and serving in His Church. Bishop Andrew''s mantra says: “Be founded in God; people-oriented; grounded in understanding; and have a mind of forgiveness”. Fr. Fan welcomed Mr. Billy Ip to the family of the Ministry, and urged him to join his ministry with that of all bishops, clergy and the faithful, witnessing even in the ups and downs of his service to the Church and sharing in the joys and sorrows of building up the Church. This is the ministry to which he has been called.
Fr. Fan said jokingly that Billy Ip is generally regarded as a “handsome lad”. With his looks, elegance and wit, it seems as if he would have an easy time of it. Even if conflicts or challenges arise, he would hardly need to worry because others would protect him. But just for this reason, Fr. Fan believed that Billy Ip''s dedicating himself to God''s service and being ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate on the Feast of the Holy Cross was no coincidence. Fr. Fan said that very often people make light of the position of deacon because they think it is just a transition to priesthood. However, the Sacred Order of the Diaconate is part of the tradition of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Fr. Fan stressed that even if a deacon eventually becomes a priest or bishop he or she should not overlook or lose sight of this first identity as deacon. To underscore for Billy Ip the meaning of his being called to the diaconate, Fr. Fan repeated the sentences Bishop Andrew says to the ordinand before the candidate is ordained. He also said that the early Church created the Sacred Order of the Diaconate to serve the needy and to be the servants of all people on behalf of the Church. Fr. Fan told Billy Ip that he hoped the new deacon will train his ears and eyes and even his insight so as to discover the crosses people are carrying in their lives. He must listen carefully, observe closely and feel deeply for those who suffer poverty, weakness, sickness or loneliness; above all he must control his own human habits of self-centeredness. He must instead equip himself well to be a servant, imitating Christ''s own example of humility, remembering always Bishop Andrew''s mantra while serving God''s Church.
A deacon, Fr. Fan observed, is one who is called to prayer for others; according to church tradition, the deacon leads prayer. A life of prayer serves to remind everyone who has received ordination that he or she is the contact with God, while at the same time dealing with the people. No conflict exists between these two nor can the link be broken.The secluded devotional life and life in community with others are equally spiritual.
During the Ministry of the Word, a deacon is the Gospeller. Fr. Fan particularly pointed out that Billy Ip has long had a passion for God''s word, believing that “whenever people are in church they must take every opportunity to study the Bible.” For this reason, when Billy Ip was still very young he and one of his good friends came to the church to study the Bible two hours before the beginning of the gathering of the Fellowship. They were so involved that it made the tutors of the fellowship mistakenly think they had fallen into heresy and so the tutors counselled them with great care. Fr. Fan hoped that Billy Ip would continue his passion for the Gospel and the proclamation of God''s Word with joy.
Fr. Fan said Austin Farrer, a renowned Church of England theologian, once said in a sermon he preached in an Ordination Service that every one of the clergy is the “Walking Sacrament”. Thus, Fr. Fan said, those ordained should promise God, the bishops and the whole Church that they will be the visible symbol of the grace of God. Fr. Fan then asked Billy Ip to look at the tree growing in the SKH All Saints’ Middle School playground. The Church, he said, is like the tall trunk of the tree, while all generations of the clergy are the branches that bear abundant fruit of God''s grace through their lives. To be a “Walking Sacrament” we must try our very best to let all people see God''s grace.
As deacon, Billy Ip is a companion of Christ''s Cross. Fr. Fan once again reminded him that being a deacon does not mean he has to deal with and solve all the problems of the Church accumulated over 2,000 years. However, if he can solve the present problems of the faithful, he may strengthen their confidence in serving God. Of course, owing to human limitations, the clergy may only be able to be present with those who suffer, to be their companions.
To be a companion of Christ''s Cross, Fr. Fan told him, he must train himself with courage and patience to shoulder the suffering of this world and above all, of course, he must rely on God with full confidence and hope. Thus he may be able to accompany others as they aim towards the glory of God''s Kingdom.
Finally, Fr. Fan said that although serving as a witness to God''s Church in the world as deacon would be a heavy task, he would not be alone in his life of ministry. Numerous prophets and sages had walked the same path. All bishops, priests and all the faithful would walk together over high mountains and through deep valleys, in joy and in sorrow in building up the Church.
