SEAL PAINTING

 HKD 3,000

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C.

1.  AΩ

2.  主在涕

3.  傷心

4.  主在

5.  敢死

6.  地鹽世光

7.  不忘初心

8.  物外之趣

9.  太初有道

10.  才行3

HKD 3,600  

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C  

Legionary of Christ  Mysterium fidei The fish is an ancient symbol of Christianity, as in Greek the anagram ιχθύς stands for “Jesus Christ God’s Son Savior” (11).  With our eyes fixed on the savior, Christian life is infused with theological virtues of faith, hope and love (4) in order to work towards the coming of transcendental truth, good, and beauty (10). It is a life that is attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit that set our hearts aflame (5). It constantly reminds us of our origin coming from God (6) as well as our eternal destiny where all creation sings in a harmonious chorus (7).  We are called to witness our holiness of life like a sweet-smelling fragrance (2). The liturgy and the sacraments can thereby sanctify and divinize us, propelling us to work for the Kingdom in any state of life, which in my case was becoming a religious in the Legion of Christ and stationed in Rome. (1,3, 12) The word Amen (9) in ancient Chinese characters, is made up of two pictograms. 亞 refers to the place of gathering for worship in ancient China, and resembles like the eucharistic tabernacle. 孟 in ancient Chinese is a child being washed in a basin, with three drops of water that represent baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Great Amen is our Yes to the Church which is the sacrament of salvation. 

【信德的奧蹟】   

1. 棲駐大秦十八年 – 記載我在意大利逗留十八年。Stationed in Rome for 18 years 

2. 有麝自然香 – 如瀰漫的香氣,  基督徒可以通過生活中的見證來傳報福音。Have musk, have fragrance  

3. 晉鐸十二載 – 對這件聖事感恩。12 years ordained  

4. 信望愛 – 常常將目光注視耶穌，生命也會被信德、望德、愛德所充滿。Faith Hope Love  

5. 靈火動心 – 當我們隨從聖神引導，聖神會燃燒我們的熱火。Spiritual fire moves the heart  

6. 飲水思源 – 如果人類熱誠尋求其來源，將發現我們真正的「源頭」正是天主！Drinking reminds me of the source  

7. 百鳥齊鳴 – 我們的目標是達到天地人和，眾受造物都在頌揚上主的光榮。Hundred birds singing in harmony 

8. 龍(肖形) Dragon  

9. 亞孟 –「亞孟」是基督徒祈禱不可或缺的答句。「亞」字正是古時宗教聚會的場地（形狀像聖體櫃）、「孟」是一個孩子在盆中洗澡的意思（洗禮的意像）。Amen  

10. 真善美全 – 預段我們將參與超然及真、善、美的天國。True Good and Beauty  

11. 魚(肖形) – 希臘文 ιχθύς（魚）隱藏著「耶穌基督」；因此「魚」在早期基督團體已用來象徵基督徒。Fish  

12. 基督軍人章。 

HKD 3,000.00      

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C  

The Fathers of the Church spoke about the seeds of the Word (semina verbi) that is sown in different cultures and religions. Buddhism speaks of the need to purify ourselves continually to become holy (1) so that the enlightened heart will see the true nature of all things (5). Daoism tells us about the exuberance of life in all nature (8), the freedom of spirit (9) and the need to contemplate nature with awe through silence (3). In so doing, we may discover the truths that lies beyond nature (10).  In a mysterious passage by Laozi, he said, “The Dao gives rise to One, One gives rise to Two, Two gives rise to Three, and Three generates all things.”  This is a possible depiction of the interior procession of the Trinity, and alludes to the work of the Triune God in creation (6). The Book of Changes mentions the dragon as a mystical symbol. (4,7) In one of the forecasts, it says, “when the dragon appears, all the universe will be enlightened.”(2) Could this dragon be a semina verbi, referring to the coming of the Prince of Peace? 

【聖言的種子】 

1. 一麈不染 – 成聖之道，在於脫離罪惡的污染。Immaculate 

2. 見龍在田 – 易經說到「見龍在田，天下文明」；萬物也因著耶穌基督被光照了。The dragon is in the field 

3. 静觀萬物– 讓我們常懷靜觀的心，在萬事萬物中尋找天主的皆意。Silently observe nature 

4. 龍(肖形) – 中國人敬仰的「龍」，也可比喻作我們的君王，耶穌基督嗎？Dragon 

5. 明心見性 – 心裡潔淨的人是有福的， 讓我們明悟萬事萬物中隱藏的道理。Enlightened heart see nature 

6. 三生萬物 – 道德經曰：“道生一, 一生二，二生三，三生萬物.”  這可能是描繪三位一體天主聖三創造萬物的工程。The Three gives rise to everything 

7. 龍(肖形) – Dragon 

8. 天地之大德曰生 – 萬物之中，蘊含活躍的生命力。The greatest virtue of the cosmos is Life 

9. 且自逍遙沒人管 –「逍遙」猶像聖神內的自由。Nobody bothers me here, I am carefree 

10. 物外之趣 – 當我們愈接近聖神帶領，愈能發現事物中的道理和寓意無窮。Fascination beyond nature  

HKD 2,400.00     

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C  

Chinese poetry is a highly appreciated form of art.  It describes beautifully and at times poignantly the desires of the human heart.  The beauty of life (5), the fleeting passage of time (1), and the tenderness of motherly love (6) are some favorite expressions of the poets. At times, they compose prose about the high ideals of universal righteousness (4).  At other times, they recognize the absurdity of life as Li Bai wrote in his Ode to Drink, “Throughout time sages and men of virtue have only the company of solitude.” (3) This poem that describes the loneliness of the soul and emptiness of life that can only be annihilated by getting drunk. It speaks of a deep yearning for humanity without Christ much like what St. Augustine said, “Our heart is restless until it rests in Thee.”  Yet, other poems express hopes of greater perfection, to be wise and saintly, and to reach the heavens (2). These proses attempt to articulate the intangible presence of something beyond, in the silence of the dewfall (8) or the distant shape of misty mountains (7). Could this be a desire to unveil the ineffable Beauty? Yes, indeed, when we encounter this utter Beauty, the saints and the sages need not be lonely anymore (3). 

【美善詩詞】 

1. 千萬留春住 – 與主相遇的經驗，何等美好、歷久常新！Spring, please stay

2. 人希賢，賢希聖，聖希天 –  乾隆的三希堂，正表達人類最高的嚮往，是成聖，達到天國的希望。Man hopes to be wise, the wise hopes to be a saint, the saint hopes to reach Heaven 

3. 聖賢不寂寞 – 李白將進酒道：「古來聖賢皆寂寞，唯有飲者留其名。」；不正正對應聖奧斯定所說的：我們的心總不得安寧，直至我們安憩於天主之內？The saints and sages are not lonely 

4. 天地有正氣 – 文天祥所題的正氣，可否是天主的正義，在世間運行。Universe has qi of righteousness 

5. 生之序曲 – 默想天地初開，天主以愛創造萬有。Overture of Life 

6. 寸草心 – 天主對我們的愛，像慈母的呵護。我們的感恩，能報得三春煇嗎? Heart of a blade of grass 

7. 只緣身在此山中 –「不識廬山真面目，只緣身在此山中」，尋找靈聖之路，正正如此。For standing here, of the mountain one has become a part 

8. 潤物细無聲 –「隨風潛入夜，潤物细無聲」，聖神的微聲細語，你聽到嗎？Things are moistened without noise  

HKD 3,000.00    

 Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C   

1. 志在不朽  

2. 格物致知 

 3. 失敗乃成功之母   

4. 智者不惑 仁者不憂 勇者不懼   

5. 大智若愚  

6. 君子求諸己，小人求諸人  孔子《論語·衛靈公》  

7. 人者天地心   

8. 天矜于民   

9. 天地人和   

10. 游於藝  

HKD 1,500.00   

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C

1. 申祐慶  

2. 永祐慶，長壽康  

3. 逍遙遊  

4. 基督聖善光  

5. 水中生火  

HKD 2,700.00      

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C  

The Chinese mind is traditionally imbued with Confucian wisdom and values. According to this teaching, virtues and character development are necessary to obtain peace with oneself, in one’s relationships and this peace extends to the whole society (5).  He who does not discipline himself in virtuous living is destroyed by Heaven (3).  Virtues lies in the means (2) and one can practice humaneness and become prudent and wise (7). Substantial virtues that carry burdens (9) require much self-denial, silence and introspection (8).  Above all, Confucius spoke of the need to restore the right relationship with the heavens through the rites. (1)  The absence of proper relationship with Heaven, with others and with oneself will eventually lead to chaos.  Understood in the Christian context, peace can only come when one is in a proper relationship with God.  With revelation, we discover that God is not an impersonal Heaven, but a personal Friend who is close to us. As the Confucius says, “When a Friend comes to visit us from afar, we would indeed experience immense joy” (4).  The second person of the Trinity did visit us from afar by descending from heaven. He continues to dwell within our spirits, visit us in our prayers, and stay with us in the Eucharist. 

【儒家智慧】

1. 克己復禮 – 儒家思想強調以「禮」修德；基督徒的「禮」，正是對天主的崇敬、愛主在萬有之上、愛人如己。Self-denial and return to the rites 

2. 中庸之道 – 德行能夠彰顯在中庸之道。Virtue lies in the means 

3. 人不為己 天誅地滅 – 今天，人們讀“「為己」是為了自己的利益；事實上，正確的讀法是注意自己的「修為」。作為基督徒修為德行是成聖必經之路。If you do not cultivate self, may you be annihilated by Heaven 

4. 有朋自遠方來不亦樂乎 – 耶穌自天國而來，我們也以開放的心迎接祂嗎？To have friends come from afar is happiness, is it not?  

5. 修身齊家治國平天下 – 與儒家思想一致，和平之路，也是如此。Cultivate oneself. Bring order to the family. Govern the country. Bring peace to all 

6. 上善若水 – 《老子》水善利萬物而不爭，處眾人之所惡，故幾於道。Supreme goodness is like water 

7. 智者不惑 – 智德是四樞德中最重要的基本美德，可以導引基督徒生活節制私慾以順從天主的誡命。The prudent person is not deceived 

8. 仁者静 – 在寧靜中默觀和萬物，以便我們的日常生活中分辨天主的旨意。Humane person practices silence 

9. 厚德載物 – 與孔孟思想一致, 基督徒該時刻在意自己的德行、品行。Substantial virtue can carry a load 

HKD 2,700.00      

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C  

The Chinese ideal of unity of heaven and humanity (4) is envisioned as a state of absolute harmony and perfect joy (8) without end (7).  On one level, this is fulfilled when God became man in the person of Jesus.  On another level, we too can partake in God’s nature through a process of sanctification and divinization (2 Peter 1:4).  Heaven, Eternity (2) and time without beginning or end (6) are the desires of all ages. We all yearn to return to an existence which never terminates (5). Jesus tells us in the Book of Revelation, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev 21.5) (9).  He asks us to pray for the coming of the Kingdom in the Lord’s prayer (Matt. 6.10) (1).  In Mary who is full of grace (3), the New Eve anticipates the reversal of Eve’s sin prophesized in the protoevangelium of Genesis 3 (卍is Swastika reversed).  Hence, “Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more” (Rom. 5:20) is already anticipated by the New Man and Woman in the Heavenly Jerusalem.

【原始和終結】

1.  爾國臨格–來自耶穌親自教導我們的「天主經」（參閱 瑪6：10）。Thy Kingdom Come

2.  永恆 – 永恆的天國，正是我們心之嚮往。Eternity

3.  萬福 – 聖母是「新厄娃」，因她的服從，為世界帶來了無窮的祝福。Full of grace

4.  天人合一 – 中國人理想的「天人合一」境界，正正在耶穌基督身上尋到圓滿。而我們藉著耶穌，也能夠與天主合而為一了！Heaven and Man united

5.  復歸於無極  – 在每一個人的內心，都有著對「永恆」的期盼，正是對天國的盼待。Return to Endlessness

6.  無始终 – 在天國，無始、無終，永遠圓滿的喜樂。Without beginning or end

7.  無極  –  與道家永恆的慨念共鳴。Endless

8.  永樂 – 與佛教永恆的思想共鳴。Eternal joy

9.  萬象更新 – 參閱 默21：5 Make all things anew

HKD 2,700.00       

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C  

What brings us true joy and real blessedness?  The Beatitudes Jesus proclaims are so contrary to our human way of thinking. How do we accept that blessedness comes from suffering and being humiliated? (8) The Beatitudes are possible because Jesus first embodied them in his own life and death (2). By his passion, he was exalted on high (9). Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name (Phil. 2:9). On the cross, Jesus’ heart was pierced, showing all future generations the immensity of his love (1). If we accept the heart opened by Christ on the cross with open hearts, we too will experience true happiness (3).   He is the immolated Lamb of God who became our righteousness (4). The ram’s horn caught in the brambles that substituted Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows the crown of thorns on the Crucified Lamb (Gen. 22:13) (7).  Another ancient Christian symbol is the pelican, which allegedly feeds her chicks with her own flesh and blood (6). Confucius said, “If you hear the Dao in the morning, you are ready to die in the evening” (5).  This Dao is the Way, the Logos and the Life. So, “if today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Ps 95:7) 

【苦難與榮耀】

1.  留取丹心照汗青  – 耶穌在十架上被刺透的心，為世世代代信仰祂的人展示了他充滿愛心的例子。My patriotic heart shines through history

2.  視死如歸 – 耶穌教導我們，死亡是沒有什麼可怕的，因為它是一個回歸天國。Death is homecoming

3.  開心  –  耶穌的心被長矛打開。當我們願意接受耶穌基督敞開的聖心，我們也會獲的真正的快樂（開心）。Open heart (happiness)

4.  羊我 – 耶穌基督就是除免世罪的天主羔羊，使人成義。Righteousness (Lamb me)

5.  朝聞道夕死可矣 – 道，就是聖言，真正的生命。因此，我們該聽從他的聲音，別再心硬了！（參閱 詠95：7）If I hear the Dao in the morning, I’m ready to die in the evening

6.  鵜鶘 (肖形) – 古老的標記，象徵耶穌基督犧牲的愛：以自己的聖體聖血，餵養祂的後代。Pelican

7.  羊  (肖形)  – 羊的角讓我們想起纏在灌木中，讓亞巴郎用以代替依撒格作祭獻的羊（參閱 創22：13），也讓我們聯想起基督的荊棘冠Lamb

8.  吃虧是福  –  耶穌宣講的「真福八端」，顛覆了世俗「有福」的看法，卻真正喜樂之道。Blessed the one who loses out

9.  吃得苦中苦方為人上人  – 因著耶穌的謙卑服從，苦難至死，天主高高舉揚了祂；耶穌的名號，超越萬有。（參閱 斐2：9）Utmost bitterness refines the best of man

HKD 2,100

Fr. Joseph Tham, L.C.

God so loved the world, that the second person of the Trinity descended on earth to save us by becoming our righteousness (7). The Logos (Dao) became flesh (5) humble and kneeling as a servant (John 1). On Christmas night, the angels sang on high, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace good will toward man.” (Luke 2:14) (3). The ancient Chinese rendition of the word 在resembles a crucifix. It represents Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us, not only as a helpless newborn but also on the crucified one.  Rather than exercising justice of God with a sword, our hero suffered violence at the hands of the world (4). “He came to his own, but his own did not accept him.” (John 1:11) Jesus teaches his followers by the example of paying evil with good (Rom. 12:21) (6).  As the New Adam, he reversed the disobedience of our first parent. (Rom. 5:19-20) Jesus is therefore the cornerstone (1) of our faith, and we become his inheritance as descendants of the New Adam (2). As we take up our cross to follow Christ, the cross is a sign that forever seals us to Emmanuel and the Crucified Lord, from his incarnation unto his death.   

【生活的聖言】   

1. 磐石 – 耶穌基督是我們信仰的磐石。Cornerstone   

2. 亞當子孫 – 藉著耶穌，我們成為「新亞當」的子孫，被救贖的新人。Children of Adam   

3. 主愛的人在世享平安  –「在」的古字像十字架。當我們願意背起自己的十架、跟隨基督，十架成為一個恪印，顯示「厄瑪奴耳」，天主與我們同在。 Peace on earth and good will toward man   

4. 在世英雄  – 耶穌通過在十字架上的死亡拯救世人脫離罪惡。Hero of the world 

5. 道化成人  – 天主的聖言（道），謙卑眨抑自己，取了奴僕的形體。The Word become flesh   

6. 以善報惡  – 耶穌是以德報怨、以善報惡的模範（參閱 羅12：21）。Conquer evil with good   

7. 替天行道  – 耶穌替三位一體天主的行事，不是通過暴力而是自願受害死在十字架上。

Note: The order of the number reference for the stamps on the seal painting (1), (2), (3)....are read from left to right, from the top to the bottom row in chronological order.