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Friday, 23 December 2016

讓天主的慈悲在我們身上展開 Let God's Mercy Work in Us

十二月廿三日
「她的鄰居和親戚聽說上主向她大施仁慈,都和她一同歡樂。」(路1:58

很多天主教徒覺得傳福音,為耶穌作見証很困難。第一,覺得自己對聖經或者神學認識不足,恐怕講異端,誤人子弟,那就弄巧反拙了。第二,覺得自己沒有基督教徒的口才,不善詞令。基督教的崇拜,著重講道,不重儀式;天主教剛好相反,著重禮儀,不重証道。與其出醜,不如藏拙。第三,天主教徒的強項是愛德服務。就讓我們發揮自己的強項,以派飯傳福音,以替安老院長者剪腳甲作見証吧…

殊不知真正的福傳,真正的見証,不在於高超的智慧或雄辯的詞令(格前3:18-19),亦不在於慷慨的施捨(格前13:3)。真正的福傳其實很簡單,像依撒伯爾一樣,讓天主的慈悲在我們身上發揮作用,就是最好的福傳,最好的見証。不能生育是依撒伯爾的遺憾和恥辱。天主的仁慈,抹去了她的恥辱,並彰顯了天主的光榮。那麼,在我們的身上又怎樣展示天主的仁慈呢?

無論我們如何努力讀完整部聖經,取得所有神學學位;倘若我們沒有讓天主的慈悲改造我們,掌握到的知識,為任何人也沒有作用。無論我們服務過多少不幸的人,倘若我們自己沒有在服務之中,認出耶穌基督,體會到天主在找尋機會疼愛我們,我們所犧牲的時間和精力,為任何人也沒有好處;甚至適得其反,引起家人的投訴,破壞了家庭關係。何苦呢?一如昨天的分享指出,謙卑是領受天主慈悲的先決條件。因此,不是滔滔不絕的游說,也不是忙得不可開交的服務,而是謙卑地生活每一刻,讓天主在我們身上彰顯祂的慈悲,就是最真實的福傳了。

天父啊!我們頌揚祢,因為祢是神聖的,祢在我們身上施行了祢的仁慈。亞孟。

生命恩泉


"Her neighbours and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy on her, and they rejoiced with her." (Luke 1:58)

Many Catholics think that it is extremely difficult to bear witness to Christ. Firstly, they feel that their biblical or theological knowledge is inadequate. They don't want to say the wrong things and lead people to a wrong understanding. Secondly, they feel that they do not have the eloquence of their Protestant brothers. Christian worships stress more on homily than on rituals whereas Catholics focus more on liturgy than homily. It is unwise to show one's weakness. Thirdly, Catholics are strong in charitable services. So, let Catholics exercise their strength, evangelize through handing out free lunches or cutting finger nails for the elderly ...

In reality, true evangelization is not through wise words or eloquent debates (1 Corinthians 3:18-19), nor in generous almsgiving (13:3). True evangelization is actually very simple. Like Elizabeth, allowing God to work His mercy on us is the best evangelization, the best witness. Barrenness for Elizabeth was regrettable and shameful. God's mercy wiped her shame away and manifested God's glory. So, how do we show God's mercy working in us?

No matter how diligent we finish reading the whole Bible, attain all theological degrees. If we do not let God's mercy reform us, knowing all knowledge is good for nobody. No matter how many unfortunate people we have served, if we are not able to recognize Jesus in whose we serve, that God looks for opportunities to love us through such services, sacrificing all efforts and times is good for nobody. Even worse, our family members would complain us of neglecting them. Why wasting such efforts? As pointed out in the sharing yesterday, humility is the prerequisite of receiving God's mercy. Therefore, it is not eloquence of wise words, nor endless hectic services, but the humility to live up each moment, allowing God to manifest His mercy on us that is genuine evangelization.

Heavenly Father! We praise You because You are holy indeed. You have shown Your mercy on us. Amen.

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