主題：履行先知職務
每個天主教徒在領洗的時候，領受了，分擔了耶穌基督的君王、先知和司祭職務。即是說，每個天主教徒都是所謂的「先知」。其實，中文把Prophet翻譯為「先知」，有點不妥，但勝在方便和容易上口。倘若譯為「天主的代言人」，是最接近原意，卻稍嫌累贅。代表天主向世人說話，當然可以宣佈未來的事，即是講預言。這樣做的確是先知。但天主亦會警告、教訓甚至安慰祂的選民，這些說話就不一定是預言了。那麼，作為天主的代言人，一個天主教徒應該怎樣做呢？好像若翰洗者一樣，穿駱駝毛做的衣服，腰間束著皮帶，以蝗蟲和野蜜為食物嗎（瑪3:4）？縱使我們真的這樣做，祗不過是虛有其表，而並沒有內涵。那麼，做先知的內涵又是甚麼呢？既然當上天主的代言人，內涵當然就是天主的說話了。
首先，我們必須擁有「天主的說話」，否則，我們便是「假傳聖旨」的太監了！其實，舊約聖經中，亦記載了一些假先知禍國殃民的事蹟。有些腐敗的君王為了挽回自己的民望，便發動戰爭，企圖以勝利，堵塞人民的口。那些假先知為了討好君王好戰的心理，於是假傳天主的旨意，預言戰爭勝利。結果一敗塗地，君王戰死，割地賠款。可見假先知害人不淺。那麼，我們怎樣得知天主的說話呢？
天主的說話其實離我們不遠，就在聖經裡。所以，我們既分擔耶穌基督的先知職，便有責任每個主日參加彌撒，留心聆聽讀經和講道。這是最低的要求。請問大家還記得上一個主日的讀經嗎？上個月的讀經呢？執事並不是要求高，考驗大家的記憶力，為難大家。其實，所謂「溫故知新」，我們記不了是因為讀得少。倘若我們祗在主日彌撒聽聖經，一篇經文要三年纔再聽一次。倘若每天參加平日彌撒，或者因為工作而不能每天參加彌撒，至少每天也讀平日彌撒的讀經。這樣，就增加了接觸聖經的機會，一篇讀經再不是三年聽一次，而是三年聽幾次。這樣，天主的聖言就不再顯得陌生了。
其次，擁有了「天主的說話」，我們便成為了第一個受益人。正如保祿宗徒在今天的第二篇讀經所說，聖經給我們教訓和安慰，使我們生活在困難中，仍滿懷希望。（羅15:4）這「望德」從何而來呢？就是來自聖經。聖經記載了天主對人類的諾言，記載了天主如何在藉著選民的經歷，並藉著耶穌基督，一一兌現祂的諾言。從聖經記載的這些事蹟之中，我們看到天主是一位慈悲的父親，而且天主是信實的，一定實踐祂的諾言。所以，我們從聖經之中，可以獲得安慰，對天父懷有希望。縱使我們沒有傳福音所需要的口才，我們也可以好像童貞聖母瑪利亞一樣，把天主的說話，「默存心中，反覆思量。」（路2:19; 51）經常以天主聖言作為祈禱的材料，默想天主的聖言，我們也可以好像童貞聖母瑪利亞一樣，充滿恩寵，蒙受祝福。所以我說，擁有了「天主的說話」，我們是第一個受益人。
第三，我們可以得到甚麼恩寵呢？今天的第一篇讀經，是「聖神七恩」的出處。讓我們溫習在慕道班所學習過的道理。在領受堅振聖事的時候，我們領受了聖神七恩。這些恩寵，就好像我們在學校所學習到的學問一樣，在適當的環境中，纔有機會發揮作用。所謂「學而時習之」，不運用，不經常練習就會變得生疏了。同樣，倘若我們把所領受的「聖神七恩」收藏起來，恐怕也會落得「生銹」的命運了。
最後，我們已來到將臨期的第二個主日，這個主日的主題是「悔改」。其實，福音對若翰洗者的描述，是形象化地表達悔改。若翰是司祭匝加利亞的兒子。他本來可以繼承父業，做一個不愁衣食，受人尊重的司祭。但天主在若翰洗者身上有更重大的計劃，要他作默西亞的先鋒，幫助猶太人迎接救主。他的衣著和飲食，不是為了標奇立異，而是表現中完全地轉向天主。讓我們檢視自己的生活，調教生活的步伐，悔改轉向天主。
此外，教區在未來一年會著重婚姻、家庭和生命的牧民工作。就讓我們從家庭做起，不但自己一個人讀經祈禱，嘗試在忙碌的生活中，騰出一點時間與家人團聚。並且一起讀經祈禱，讓救主耶穌基督，臨現在家庭之中，使我們的家庭生活更完美，更充滿祝福。
「智慧」是指渴望屬靈的事物。星期日在與朋友旅行BBQ與參加彌撒之間，你有「智慧」、有渴望參加彌撒嗎？「聰敏」指明辨是非。在社會上大多數人都做的行為之中，如買六合彩，唱K等，你能辨別出那些行為是符合天主的旨意嗎？「超見」指正確的判斷。在社會上議論紛紛的意見中，你能判別到那些主張符合福音的精神呢？「剛毅」指道德勇氣。既然知道了天主的旨意，你有勇氣堅持做正確的事嗎？「明達」指對天主的知識。你們報讀教理班，抑或是美容班呢？禮儀課程，抑或是投資課程呢？「孝愛」是尊重天主，「敬畏天主」是在生活中，感覺和讚嘆天主的光榮和偉大。這兩種恩寵，幫助我們遵守十誡之中的第一、二誡。養成讀經祈禱的生活習慣，使我們不致荒廢了聖神七恩，並且能更好地履行先知的職務。
天主保祐！
Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Theme: To discharge the prophetic ministry
All Catholics received and shared the threefold kingly, priestly and prophetic ministry of Jesus Christ when they were baptized. That is to say every Catholic is prophet. The Chinese translation of the word "prophet" into "seer of the future" is rather misleading. It would be more faithful to translate it into "spokesman of God". Speaking for God, a prophet may proclaim future events. That would be prophecy. But God would also warn, exhort and even console His Chosen People. These messages might not be prophecies. Then, as a spokesman for God, what should a Catholic do? Shall they live like John the Baptist, wearing garment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle around the waist; eating locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4)? Even if we did, we would only be superficial and lack the essence. So, what is the essence of a prophet? As a spokesman of God, the essence must be the Word of God.
First of all, we need to possess the Word of God. Otherwise, we would be false prophets! In fact, the Old Testament records terrible casualties caused by false prophets. Some idolatrous kings wanted to win their subjects over by starting wars, hoping to become a war hero. In order to please these kings, those false prophets claimed that God willed them victories. In the end, the kings were killed in action and the country conceded territories. These false prophets did great damage to the empire and the people. Then, how do we know the Word of God?
The Word of God is not far away from us. It can be found in the Bible. Since we share the prophetic ministry of Jesus Christ, it is our duty to attend Sunday masses, listen attentively to the readings and homily. This is the minimum requirement. Do you remember the readings of last Sunday? Last month? I am not demanding and have no intention to tease you or discourage you. Alas, we need more practices. We don't remember because we have read too little. If we read the Bible during Sunday masses only, it takes three years to hear the same passage again. If we are able to attend daily masses, or because of work we cannot attend, at least we should read the daily reading. Then, we will turn the pages of the Bible more often, not once every three years but several times. Then, we can be more familiar with the Word of God.
Secondly, we become the first beneficiary when we possess the Word of God. Just as what St. Paul wrote in the second reading today, "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) Where does this hope come from? From the Bible. The Bible put down the promises God made for us, how through the experiences of the Chosen People and Jesus Christ, God honoured His promises one by one. From these stories, we see a merciful father in God and He is faithful. He keeps His promises. From these passages, we obtain consolation. We are full of hope in the Father. Even though we may not possess the eloquence to preach, we can follow the example of the BVM, "kept all these things, pondering them in her heart." (Luke 2:19; 51) When we pray with the Word of God, meditate the Word of God, we can be full of grace and blessed like the BVM. That is why I said we become the first beneficiary when we possess the Word of God.
Thirdly, what graces do we get? The first reading today is the biblical reference of "the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit". Let us revise what we learnt in catechumen class. We receive seven gifts of the Holy Spirit when we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. These graces, like what we study in school, will work in appropriate environment. If we do not make use of them, they will turn rusty.
Lastly, we have come to the Second Sunday of Advent. The theme is Repentance. The description of John the Baptist in the gospel is a vivid expression of repentance. John was the son of Zachary the priest. He would have inherited priesthood and enjoyed a comfortable and respectable life. But God had a more important plan for John. He would become the forerunner of the Messiah to prepare the Jews to receive the Saviour. John did not wear and eat to impress. He wanted to show a total turning towards God. Let us review of life style and adjust our pace. Repent and turn towards God.
Furthermore, the Diocesan pastoral focus for the coming year will be on marriage, family and life. Let us begin with our family. Not only do we read the Bible and pray, but we also try to squeeze some time out of our busy life to stay with our family members. Study the Bible and pray together with them. Make Christ present in our home, to make it more nearly perfect and full of blessing.
Wisdom is the desire of spiritual things. Between going picnicking and BBQ and joining mass on Sunday, do you have the wisdom to desire Sunday mass? Understanding is the ability to discern which action is right. There are many popular acts in the society, such as buying Mark Six or Karaoke. Are you able to discern which action follows God's will? Counsel is the ability to make right judgments. There are divergent opinions in the society. Can you tell which ones agree with the teachings of the gospel? Fortitude is moral courage. After knowing the will of God, do you have the courage to insist on doing the right thing? Knowledge is the knowledge of God. Will you enrol in catechist courses of cosmetic courses? In liturgy workshops or investment workshops? Piety is the respect of God and Fear of God is the awe and wonder in seeing God's glory in everyday life. These two graces help us keep the first and second Commandments. When we build up the habit of bible study and prayer, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit will not turn rusty and we can discharge the prophetic ministry better.
God bless!
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