Archbishop Simon Poh shares pertinent observations on ‘Integrity Lessons’ we can learn from Christmas.
By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — In conjunction with Christmas, the Unit Integriti dan Ombudsman Negeri (UNION) and Unit Hal Ehwal Agama-Agama Lain (UNIFOR), organised a Zoom session on 15 December that was simultaneously streamed via Online with Facebook Live to the Archdiocese of Kuching Facebook page.
The special guest for the session on “Integrity Lesson from Christmas” was Catholic Archbishop Dr Simon Poh from the Archdiocese of Kuching. In his welcome address, Archbishop Simon Poh, the present Chairman of the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS), informed participants that ACS comprises of member Churches in the following alphabetical order:
- Anglican Church – headed by Bishop Datuk Danald Jute
- Borneo Evangelical Church – headed by Pastor Agong Bina
- Catholic Church – headed by Archbishop Simon Poh (Kuching) with Bishop Joseph Hii (Sibu) and Bishop Richard Ng (Miri)
- Salvation Army – headed by Major Francis Ng
- SIAC (Iban Methodist) – headed by Bishop Bonnie Sedau
- SCAC (Chinese Methodist) – headed by Bishop Lau Hui Ming
- Seventh Day Adventist – headed by Pastor Edmund M Liak
Archbishop Simon described ‘integrity’ as a ‘steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code’. He said: “Someone who lives with integrity, lives according to their moral values. Integrity can be summed up simply as doing the right thing for the right reason even when no one is watching. Integrity is one of the qualities in a leader, whether church, office or political leader.”
The Archbishop made use of a video that was split into four parts as visual aids to articulate his Talk.
LESSONS FROM CHRISTMAS
The Christmas celebration of the birth of the child Jesus is a historical event orally passed down and recorded in a book called Luke’s Gospel in 90 AD.
The Christmas Story
It all began 2000 years ago in a little town in Nazareth, and the video detailed the story of Mary, a young obedient and God-fearing girl, kind and helpful. Mary had an encounter with Gabriel, an Angel of God who announced to her that she would be pregnant by the Spirit of God. Although engaged to be married, she had questioned how as a virgin she could conceive. But as a girl of faith, she believed and accepted God’s plan for her to be the mother of Jesus.
Mary’s visit to her pregnant cousin Elizabeth who lived 141 km away even when she herself was three months pregnant, showed her concern for others and her willingness to help others in more difficult situations without considering the danger to herself. Being pregnant before marriage would not have been tolerated during Mary’s time especially in Nazareth, a small village. Because of her faith and love, young Mary was ready to be shamed, rejected, punished and even risked being stoned to death as was the punishment at that time for someone found to be carrying a child before marriage.
The lessons to be learnt here is for us to be aware and show concern for others in greater need by our willingness to offer help without calculating the cost, even when it may be of much inconvenience to us.
Joseph, Mary’s betrothed was a good and honest man, just and righteous, responsible and God-fearing. He was a law-abiding citizen, ready to follow the law of Caesar and willing to travel to his hometown Bethlehem for the census.
Joseph wanted to break off his engagement because he believed that Mary had loved another man more and was carrying someone else’s baby. He was ready to make a sacrifice by letting Mary go. His story shows that a true and sincere love is expressed in sacrifices; that a righteous person desires the happiness of the other person more by seeking to do what is right.
The CENSUS: Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem
It was a difficult and perilous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and would have taken two to three days of travelling. Mary was in her ninth month of pregnancy. There was no room at the Inn but Joseph and Mary found a stable. God allowed Jesus to be born in a stable, welcomed by the animals and lowly shepherds.
The lessons to be learnt here is that when working together and supporting each other, the family will find comfort in helping each through difficult moments in their lives. As parents and leaders, we are expected to protect and provide for the family and those under our authorities.
This is also a lesson on humility. We will always be able to pull through together even when faced with challenging situations. “Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8)
The Shepherds
Shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem were portrayed as poor, uneducated and looked down by society. However, the first Christmas showed God’s love is for all people irrespective of social status, race or creed. God desires to bring hope to the poor, the rejected, the marginalised and those who seek him.
He sent his Angels to bring a message of peace. “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth, peace to people of good will.”
Gifts from the Wise Men
The story of the Wise Men portrayed King Herod as the antithesis of integrity. He was jealous, insecure, insincere, manipulative and ruthless, and he wanted to kill the new-born baby King. Correspondingly, the Wise Men from the East represented the people outside Israel; young, middle aged, old, representing sincere people of all ages, seeking God. By their offer of gold, incense and myrrh, they offer lessons of respect, an inclusive and welcoming attitude, and people willing to give generously to help alleviate suffering.
IN SUMMARY: INTEGRITY LESSONS FROM CHRISTMAS
Integrity means that one lives according to one’s moral and ethical code. They act consistently, in accordance with the moral and ethical principles in life at all times. Integrity is consistently doing the right things even when no one is watching.
Integrity – Personal Level
- Obedient and God-fearing person
- Kind and helpful person
- Good and honest person
- Just and righteous person
- Desire the happiness of others
- Willing to work hard and make sacrifices
- Responsible, trustworthy and reliable
- Law abiding citizen
- Transparent and accountable
Integrity – In Relationship with God
- Have faith and believe in God
- God-fearing person who seeks to do what is right before God
- Possess righteousness = right relationship with God and right relationship with people around us
- Seeking to love God and neighbours
- No exploitation or corruption or bribes
- Fair and just person = uphold justice and righteousness in society
Integrity – In Relationship with Others
- Provide for and protect his family
- Make sacrifices of love for family and others
- Concern for those in need
- Work for peace and harmony among people of good will
- Provide outreach with donations or assistance to those in need
- Empower and make the world a better place
Archbishop Simon Poh engaged with participants who had tuned in, with a Q & A session after his sharing. “Together with bishops and church leaders from Association of Churches in Sarawak, we wish all a Merry Christmas,” he concluded.
