主題：搵個好老闆
無論是教徒與否，很多人也喜歡參加聖誕子夜彌撒，因為是一種享受。除了悅耳的聖誕歌曲和充滿節日氣氛的馬槽佈置之外，就是那份非筆墨所能形容的平安。平安不單是一份安心，一份安枕無憂。如果您想安心，您可以買保險。如果您想安枕無憂，您必須好像孟嘗君一樣，為自己安排三條後路。始終，保險也有免責條款，除了戰爭和暴亂，保險公司總會想辦法令自己不用賠償。同樣，無論預留多少條後路，總敵不過毋妄之災，落得一無所有。
那麼，聖誕節帶給我們是怎麼樣的平安呢？讓我們默想路加福音的記載。
其次，季黎諾是凱撒的下屬，他是一位清官還是一位貪官，我們無從稽考。即使他不是為了迎合老闆的好大喜功，也決不能馬虎了事。所以，季黎諾因為凱撒的緣故，恐怕這一年半載，也難得平安。
第三，人民的反應又如何呢？試問有誰會樂意為了官府增加稅收，而改動平日的生活程序，浪費時間，回鄉登記？可想而知，這個擾民的政策，一定會令群眾怨聲載道，沒有平安。
第四，若瑟又怎樣呢？他雖然祗是個木匠，學歷未必高。不過，他有可能聽過默西亞在白冷出生的預言。所以，他不會像一般群眾一樣，埋怨凱撒下令他們回鄉登記，反而會讚嘆天主的奧妙安排，連凱撒也成了天主手中的工具，有如他手上的木工工具一樣！當初得知瑪利亞未婚懷孕的消息，若瑟的心一定有很大的掙扎。今天，若瑟的心會更加平安，因為他看到天主的奧妙安排，並且漸漸領會到自己在這救贖工程的貢獻！
第五，牧羊人平安嗎？當時的牧羊人沒有社會地位，沒有謀生技能，祗能生活在城外。用今天的術語，就是那些對社會好像沒有貢獻的人，被邊緣化了的人。例如獨居長者、露宿者、釋囚和外判清潔工人等。天使顯現給他們，把一個有關人類生死存亡的善訊交給他們，由他們向世人通報。在今天的福音以後的數節，記載了他們的反應。他們找到瑪利亞、若瑟和嬰兒，正如天使向他們說的一樣，便傳揚開了。即使聽他們傳福音的人不相信，他們仍光榮讚美天主，因為他們見到了天使和聖嬰。他們一定很興奮，很滿足，因為即使社會不理會他們，天主並沒有離棄他們，並且委以傳福音的重任。
最後，聖母瑪利亞呢？路加福音有關聖誕一段，沒有記載聖母任何一句說話。祗是說：「瑪利亞把這一切事，默存在自己心中，反覆思想。」（路2:19）那麼，聖母瑪利亞平安嗎？一定很平安。她不認識男人而懷孕，她產子而保持童貞，天主在她身上行的大事，實在太奇妙了。她不會明白，祗能反覆思量。但她知道出現在她身邊的人和事物，發生在自己身上的一切，都是天主的旨意。既然是天主的旨意在開展，有甚麼可以令她不安呢？
默想過這些人物之後，我有以下的結論。
讓我們效法聖若瑟、聖母瑪利亞和牧羊人一樣，樂於看見天主的計劃，在我們每個人身上順利開展，並合併起來，使天主的國逐漸實現。
首先，讓我們看看凱撒奧古斯都。他為甚麼要做人口登記呢？祗有一個原因，就是要增加稅收。可能他想大興土木，或者籌備額外的軍費。簡單地說，他有野心想幹一番事業。這樣看來，在未來的十年八載，凱撒奧古斯都是沒有平安的。
原來平安不是因為購買了保險、累積了財富，更不在於預備了後路而安枕無憂，不再煩惱。其實，真正的平安在於找到一個真正的老闆，一個不像凱撒或總督的老闆，而是一個可以照顧您一世的老闆。你可以安心為他工作，而他永遠不會辭退你，不會欠薪，並且有退休長俸。有這樣一個老闆，你還要愁甚麼呢？如果有一個老闆，一個主人，反轉過來無微不至地當你像老闆一樣地服事你，你會為這個老闆工作嗎？這世界上有這樣的老闆嗎？這個老闆是誰？就是今天慶祝降生成人的耶穌基督。他既是我們的主宰，卻無微不至地服事我們，為救贖我們而屈尊就卑，降生成人；並為償還我們的罪債，死在十字架上；為了賜予我們永生而復活升天，派遣聖神，建立教會。不跟隨這樣的老闆 又跟誰呢？
祝各位聖誕快樂！
Midnight Mass
Theme: Look for a perfect boss
Whether they are Christians or not, many people like going to midnight masses because it is enjoyable. Besides lovely Christmas hymns and festive decoration of cribs, there is an inexpressible peace. Peace is not just a sense of security or absence of worries. If you want a sense of security, you can buy insurance policies. If you want an absence of worries, you should follow the example of Lord Mengchang to prepare three backup plans. Unfortunately, there are disclaimers in insurance policies so that insurance companies are able to exempt from paying compensations not just in cases of wars and insurgencies. Similarly, no matter how many backup plans you have come up with, a disaster will strike off all your assets.
Then, what kind of peace can we find in Christmas? Let us meditate on the nativity story of Luke.
Next, Quirinius was the subordinate of Caesar. We have no clue whether he was a good governor or a corrupt one. Even if he would not buy his boss' ambition, neither could he slight it. Therefore, because of Caesar, Quirinius would not find peace for at least a year.
Thirdly, what would be the reaction of the people? Tell me, who on earth would gladly accept government increase in tax, would interrupt daily business and return to their home cities to register? Such an unpopular policy would stir up people's grumblings and there would be no peace.
Fourthly, what about Joseph? Although he was a carpenter and might not be educated, he might have heard of the prophecy of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. Therefore, he might not complain like any other people about returning home to register, but marvel at the wonderful arrangement of God. Even Caesar became a tool in God's hand just like those carpentry tools in his hand! At first, when he heard of the pregnancy news about Mary, his conscience must have gone through a lot of struggles. Today, Joseph's heart was in peace because he saw God's wonderful arrangements and he gradually saw his part in the salvation project.
Fifthly, were the shepherds in peace? Shepherds had no social status, no money making skills and had to live outside the city. Using today's jargon, they were people who seemed not to have any contribution to the society. They were marginalized just like our senior citizens who live alone, the homeless, the discharged prisoners and the outsourcing janitors etc. An angel appeared to them, giving them a piece of good news concerning the life and death of all humanity and sent them to inform the whole world. A few verses after the gospel reading today, we find their reactions. After finding Mary, Joseph and the baby just as it had been told by the angel, the shepherds spread the news. Even if other people did not believe in their report, they still glorified and praised God because they had seen angels and the Holy Infant. They must be very excited and contented. Even if they were ignored by the society, God had not abandoned them and commissioned them an important mission.
Lastly, what about the Blessed Virgin Mary? The BVM does not say a word in Luke's nativity story. Luke only says, "But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Then, did the BVM have peace in her heart? Certainly. She did not know men and yet became pregnant. She gave birth to a child and yet retained her virginity. The great things God had done for her were truly wondrous. She would never understand. She could only ponder them in her heart. But she knew it was God's will that such people and events happened around her. Since it was God's will, what could unsettle her?
After meditating all these people, I would draw the following conclusion.
Let us follow the example of Joseph, the BVM and the shepherds. Let us be joyful to see God's plan unfold in each one of us and together, the gradual realization of the Kingdom of God.
First of all, take a look at Augustus Caesar. Why did he decree a universal census? There was only one reason: to increase revenue. Perhaps he wanted to start a building project, or he wanted extra military funds. Simply put, he was ambitious. From this, we may conclude that Augustus Caesar would not find peace in at least ten years.
Buying insurance policies, accumulating wealth or preparing several backup plans cannot pacify your heart. In fact, only a genuine boss, someone who is not like Caesar or governor, can give you genuine peace of heart, someone who can take care of your whole life. You can work for him without worries and he shall never fire you. He shall not owe you salary and shall give you pension after retirement. With such a boss, why should you worry? Furthermore, if there is such a boss, a lord, who turns around serves you like a boss, will you work for this boss? Is there such a boss on earth? Who is this boss? He is Jesus Christ whose birthday we celebrate today. He is our Lord, yet he takes care of every detail of ours. For our redemption, he condescended and took up human flesh. To repay our debts, he died on the cross. To give us eternal life, he came back to life, ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to build up the Church. If we don't follow this boss, who else?
Merry Christmas to you all!
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