Since I am currently in a foreign country and my Cantonese is primitive, I went walking yesterday. I found the Mormon church, and the Methodist centre. I did not find the Presbyterians. Admittedly I am staying in a district close to the conference centre, and near the water: Most people in Hong Kong and most churches are where the land is relatively cheaper.

However, if you google churches you will get the Pentecostals. And discussions of power: this is a Chinese culture, and the Daoist ideas of spirits and conflict are very present.

We need to keep to our priorities. We are here to proclaim Christ, not rejoice in any power that we have. For our salvation is of greater importance.

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

(Luke 10:17-24 ESV)

Those who have power are blinded. They look for things that are not going to last. They chase power and influence and promotion, not knowing that power flows from caring for others: it is our obligations and duties that lead to such. They boast of those experiences and abilities and knowledge that they have, or can measure.

But this does not lead to salvation. It is not your credentials or miracles or Eucharist or ceremonies. . It is Christ, and Christ alone. So let us turn to Christ.

And pray for me. I will probably get lost trying to find a church.