“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. Let us rise up and live out God’s vision with passion today.” – Joel A. Barker/adapted
A Vision and A Passion
Father Richard Ho Lung and Friends have done it again!
For twenty-five years, this Roman Catholic priest and his friends have been blessing the Jamaican public and the world with a musical presentation that is thoroughly inspiring and entertaining, and presented at a level that compares favourably with any Broadway musical internationally.
This is the result of a vision and a passion, displayed in utilising his musical gifts, his ability to create lyrics and his gift in identifying the right skills to produce powerful songs, glorifying God and blessing the church and wider community.
The Birth of “Jesus 2025”.
What is fascinating about this superb musical production that is currently running at the National Arena is not only its brilliance and display of dramatic and artistic genius, but also that it is the result of one servant of God’s vision to make a difference in the lives of the poor. That is, Father Ho Lung’s vision to minister to the poor. Therefore, rather than conclude that there are no resources to minister, he begs (he calls himself “a humble beggar”) locally and internationally. His ministries are in “14 centres all over the world”. What a miracle, when a servant of God has been led to pursue a particular vision in the
name of the Lord and pursues that vision with passion. This, for me, is a study in true discipleship, servant leadership, and faithfulness.
Another fascinating fact about Father Ho Lung is his ability to attract some of the most talented in the musical production field and to create a musical drama of the quality, depth, and range of the current production.
Each scene of the production had rich music and singing. The lighting, sound effects and movement on the stage were superb, always smooth, and surprising. Many of the scenes captured the message of the text and more.
The participation of the children was great and consistent with the ministry of Jesus, who always had a place for the children, and Father Ho Lung’s own ministry to children with serious disabilities.
Caution and Commendation
There were some scenes where parental guidance should be advised: the slaughter of the innocent, the beheading of John the Baptist and the hanging of Judas. Apart from those scenes, which were effectively presented, the show was excellent family entertainment. And a dramatic way of presenting the gospel. The betrayal, denial, and suffering that Jesus went through, and that He still forgave those who were guilty, is the message of the gospel. It is indeed good news. All of us could see ourselves in that play, mocking Jesus, rejecting Him, ridiculing Him, and choosing His death over a bandit.
Still, today, we make the same choices. Popularity over integrity, evil over good and darkness over light. Even when we see the effects of darkness manifested as demons in the lives of different characters in the play.
When will Jesus be received for who He really is?
Conclusion
I return to where I started,
This production of Jesus, and the 24 others before, is the culmination of Father Ho Lung and Friend’s vision of what can happen when we: (1) put God first; (2) obey God’s command to love our neighbours as ourselves; (3) place our resources at His disposal; (4) and serve with passion, enthusiasm, and faithfulness. The church often limits itself and places limits on what God can do through her. Here is a model, demonstrating the creation of a vision to effect God’s mission, mobilising musicians, singers, actors, designers, stage managers, businessmen and women, towards a single cause. Everyone was throwing in what they had to make this production happen. The hungry are fed, the thirsty are satisfied, and the poor and wealthy have the good news proclaimed to them through this art form.
For me, this was not just a play for entertainment, but a presentation of the gospel in a variety of art forms, which was sending a message like any preacher from the pulpit; the difference, no one was sleeping.
Let us stop making excuses about ministry, about resources, about skills, and about talents to do God’s work. It is not about what we want to do. Rather, it is about what God has given us the vision and passion to accomplish in His name.
Let us make it happen!
Your Pastor