Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12–14
As I read these verses and think about my time at CCI/CUI I have fond memories of people who displayed these qualities in their service to the students, faculty, staff and families of the university. However, there is one particular person who comes to mind. When I mention her name, I think you will agree that she embodied these qualities in her daily life. She also brought smiles, stories and her camera to every occasion. By now, you may have guessed that I am talking about Cecelia Wong.
Cecelia was everywhere! She welcomed students, attended games, served at board meetings and kept the cafeteria running from day to night. When she was not on campus, she was taking students on trips around Los Angeles, arranging meals with staff members in new restaurants or hanging out at Disneyland. There were no strangers when Cecelia was around. She did it all joyfully.
God’s word teaches us to “show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9) and “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). God works through people to care for others in their needs. Through hands like Cecilias, God is blessing others.
When we embody the virtues that Paul speaks about in Colossians 3, we remember that we do so in very small ways. But there is One who embodied them perfectly: Jesus. He is perfectly compassionate, kind, humble meek, patient, forgiving, and loving. By his death and resurrection, he forgives us our failures in all of these things and covers us in his holiness. Therefore, when we, in faith, begin to reflect these things, we are simply reflecting Jesus. By God’s goodness and grace, others are blessed through us.
All God’s people are called to “put on” these attributes in service, and above all, to “put on love.” Clothed in the love of Christ, we are blessed to serve others.
Dr. Mary Scott
Former Provost, Concordia University Irvine
Head of School, Concordia International School Shanghai