What are we seeking this CNY?

 Chinese New Year is around the corner. Some of us have been shopping in Chinatown during the last couple of days, in preparation for our Reunion Dinners this weekend. Others have already started cleaning and decorating their homes. Many of us have already put in our orders for YuSheng. And most of us are looking forward to a weekend filled with family gatherings (according to the safety regulations of course), red packets, bakkwa and pineapple tarts. It is a wonderful time for many of us. 

Catholics also look forward to Chinese New Year every year, regardless of whether or not they come from Chinese backgrounds. If not for the fact that the world is currently in the midst of a pandemic, many Catholics would make it a point to celebrate the Eucharist in Church on the first day of Chinese New Year. In fact, in a few parishes, those who attend Mass on the first day of the New Year would be treated to a Lion Dance performance outside the Church, when the Mass ends. Some parishes even sell CNY Goodies and Decorations, as part of their effort to allow their parishioners to celebrate Chinese New Year while being true to their Catholic roots. 

However, as much as there is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating a cultural festival, I can't help but notice that for more than a few Catholics, intentions may have been misplaced when it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year. While it is certainly not a bad thing to embrace the Chinese culture, there are superstitious practices linked to this festival which we as Catholics should not be engaging with at all. 

One example would be how in the Chinese culture, when the New Year comes round, the rationale behind the tradition of spring cleaning is to sweep away all ill-fortune that may have been accumulated in the previous year, so as to make way for the good luck and prosperity that the New Year would bring. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with cleaning one's house before the New Year, I can't help but notice that Catholics who actually believe in the rationale behind this practice, may or may not have been a little misguided in their catechesis. Surely, it cannot be that our God needs us to sweep the floor in order for him to pour out his blessings upon us? Do we need to wait for an occasion for God to bless us? Or could it be that such Catholics may or may not be seeking our triune God's blessings? 

Another example would be on how many Catholics seem to think that it's important to check out their horoscopes before the New Year. Many of such Catholics are interested to know what the future holds, in terms of their career, their health, and their family life. While it's certainly not wrong to be curious, I can't help but wonder if such Catholics are even aware that the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches against any form of superstition, especially when such things attempt to take the place of God in our hearts. Do they really think that what the future holds depends on their horoscope? Why aren't they fully placing their trust in our God? 

In fact, a few Catholics even turn to Feng Shui. They move around the furniture in their homes and offices, especially before the Chinese New Year, so as to balance the yin and yang and ensure stability. Some even give the excuse that there isn't a God being prayed to when engaging in Feng Shui and that it's not a religion, nor superstition. Are they then trying to force the hand of God? Do they even care about the fact that God's hands are the hands in which we should place our trust? Do we trust in God's love and providence? 

I sincerely hope that nobody who reads this musing misunderstands what I'm trying to say here (even though I'm quite sure that more than a few who read this would say that I'm being rather judgmental). I am not saying that we cannot celebrate Chinese New Year, nor am I saying that we should not observe the customs that accompany this festive period. However, if there's one thing that the Church is absolutely clear on, it is on the fact that we as Christians should not be engaging in any form of superstitious practice. 

The first commandment of loving the Lord and having no strange Gods applies to us, even during this joyous occasion. We cannot claim to be faithful Catholics and still engage in superstitious practices. When we do this, we do not allow our triune God to be God in our lives. We do not allow him to lead us down the path of holiness, and to take the lead on how we should live our lives for the sake of building his kingdom on earth. 

So by all means, clean the house before the festival. Enjoy the Yusheng and Bakkwa. Have fun with your families over a steamboat dinner. But if you are seeking the good luck and wealth from the Chinese customs, rather than the blessings of Almighty God during this season, you might want to think about where you've been placing God in your life. And if you've done this in the past, you might want to make a trip to reconcile with our loving God in the sacrament of reconciliation.