「祂的仁慈世世代代於無窮世，賜與敬畏祂的人。」（路1:50）
現代人對大自然的控制能力大了，自信心強了。同時，與聖經時代相比，天主好像更加「隱閉」了。結果，現代人對天主的敬畏相對地少了，甚至不知道「敬畏天主」是甚麼意思！
當然，我們知道，我們不應試探天主，要求天主行神蹟，解決我們的困難；或者以驚天動地的姿態，顯示自己的臨在。但同時我們也知道，天主的仁慈是永遠而真實地存在的；祂喜歡俯就我們，因而收歛了自己的榮耀，與我們同行，以至我們覺得祂「隱閉」了，有人甚至狂莽地宣佈「上帝已死」！狂莽自大的人，目中無神，當然不會敬畏天主。他們主動地拒絕了天主的慈悲，咎由自取。從這些反面教材，和參考瑪利亞的言行，可見謙遜、卑微的人，就是福音所指的「敬畏天主」的人。
甚麼是謙遜呢？「自謙」與「矮化自己」是兩碼子事。有人為了邀功，在老闆面前勉強做一些超出自己能力的事，這是驕傲。但亦有人為了奉承主子，在老闆面前未盡全力，這是「矮化自己」。真正的「謙遜」取中庸之道。一方面並不矮化自己，盡力而為；另一方面，功成不必我在，並不居功。同時，亦應了解自己的不足，自己的過失；守在二三線的位置，甚至甘心幫閑。這樣處於卑微地位，便更容易看見天主隱閉地與我們同行，更容易體會到天主的慈悲，好像「法利塞人與稅吏」比喻中的稅吏一樣。瑪利亞和稅吏一樣，清楚認識自己的卑微，並不需要天主閃電打雷，已經敬畏天主，當然領受到天主所賜與的仁慈。
父啊！願我們認清自己的不足，好更能見証祢的慈悲。亞孟。
"And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation." (Luke 1:50)
Modern people have greater control over the Mother Nature. Their confidence becomes greater. At the same time, compared with biblical times, God seems to be more difficult to detect. Consequently, modern people fear God less and even have no idea what it means to fear God!
Of course, we know that we should not put God to the test, telling God to work miracles to solve our problems, or to show His presence in heaven-shaking signs. But at the same time, we know that God's mercy truly exists forever. He likes to restrain His glory in order to condescend to our level, to walk with us. Consequently, we feel that He has withdrawn Himself so much so that some people even declare arrogantly "the death of God"! There is no God in the eyes of arrogant people. They do not fear God and actively reject God's mercy. They condemn themselves. From these counter-examples in contrast with Mary's, we can conclude that humble and lowly people are those who fear God mentioned in the gospels.
What is humility? Humility and dwarfing oneself are two different things. Doing things beyond one's capability to draw the attention of the boss is pride. However, there are people who do not put up their full effort in order to flatter their boss. This is dwarfing oneself. Humility takes the middle ground. On one hand, one puts forth one's true capability, thus not dwarfing oneself. On the other hand, one takes no credit when the mission is accomplished. At the same time, always keep in mind one's weaknesses and faults. Be happy to position oneself on the second or third line and even unengaged. In such a lowly position, it will be easier to see God walking with us in a hidden way, easier to feel God's mercy, like the tax-collection in the parable of the Pharisee and Publican. Like the tax-collector, Mary knew her lowly position. She fears God without waiting for Him to hail thunders. Of course she received God's mercy.
Heavenly Father, make us know our inadequacy so that we may bear better witness to Your mercy. Amen.
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