【神貧系列（V）】
「棄絕自己」是可能的（瑪16:24-28）
不知不覺，整個星期的默想都是圍繞著「軟弱」、「無依無靠」、「貧窮」和「不可自以為是」等的思想，今天耶穌基督更變本加厲，要求門徒「棄絕自己」，太難了！
所謂「錢財身外物」。我們赤裸裸的來到世上，死後一分錢也不能帶走。所以捨棄財富並不難。小額的財富我們有本領處理，捨棄它倒可能令人大傷腦筋；但億兆的財產令人摸不著頭腦，即使放棄也不會有任何感覺，棄絕它並不難！
所謂「面係人哋畀，架係自己丢」。名譽和身份地位是別人、是社會大眾賞賜給你的，即使是你辛苦經營而來，是應得的，但也不是永恆的，因為是來自他人及社會。社會正在不斷變化，人亦在宦海浮沉；今天你仍有利用的價值，明天就說不定了！例如，詩人在古代，備受達官貴人賞識，為他們的臉貼金。時移世易，今天寫詩自娛尚可，寫詩維生則免問了！但寫C的人，又當別論。因此捨棄名譽和身份地位也並不難。
「自己」是甚麼？除了與生俱來的遺傳基因外，就是自小在家人、師長和朋友薰陶下所形成的性格、學問和價值觀，指導著我所有的言行舉止和選擇。我之所以是「我」，大部份來自這些信念。「棄絕自己」表示以後不再是「從前的我」，而是另一個人，一個「新受造物」（格後5:17）。「棄絕自己」，談何容易！困難是肯定的，卻是可能的。歷史上俯拾皆是，不能盡錄！例如掃祿在前往大馬士革路上所獲得的經驗，使他在基督內，脫胎換骨，成了一個新受造物，並改名為保祿，為天主子作見證。
親愛的讀者，願你的生命，能觸及基督，產生變化。亞孟。
天主保祐！
Poverty Series (V)
It Is Possible To Deny Self (Matthew 16:24-28)
Imperceptibly, I have meditated around the thoughts of inadequacy, lack of support, poverty and the harm of self-righteousness. Today Jesus Christ demands even more. He requires whoever wants to become His disciples must deny themselves. Alas! It is next to impossible!
Wealth is outside our body. We were born naked into this world and will leave it without carrying a penny away. Thus, denying wealth is not difficult. We have the knowledge to handle small amounts of money. Giving it up is a headache. But trillions and even zillions of inheritance is simply mind-boggling. We are unable to feel anything when we give it away. Giving it up is not difficult.
Fame, identity and status are given us by others in the society. Even if we have worked hard to earn them, they are not eternal because they come from others and the society. Societies are evolving and people in power are rising and sinking in the hierarchy. Today you are still marketable but tomorrow who knows! For example, poets were popular among aristocrats and nobles because bards were capable of singing praises for them. Time changes. Today, you may write poems to entertain yourselves but not to earn a living. To earn a living, you had better write C programs. Thus, giving up fame and status is not too difficult too.
But what is “Self”? On top of our DNA’s, it is the personality, knowledge and values we have attained from interacting with our family members, friends and teachers. Those characteristics guide our words, deeds and choices. What make I the “me” comes mostly from those convictions. “Denying self” means the negation of the “old-self” to become another person, a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is easier talked than done! There are surely difficulties but it is possible! We are able to find many instances in history. For example, the encounter of Saul with the Lord on his way to Damascus transformed him in Christ. He became a “new creation”, picked up a new name Paul to become a witness/martyr of the Son of God.
Beloved brethren! May your life be touched and be transformed by Christ. Amen.
God bless!
生命恩泉
Picture Credit: creator.nightcafe.studio
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