【神貧系列（I）】
基督的軟弱比人強（瑪14:13-21）
今天的福音以「耶穌一聽說這消息」（瑪14:13a）開始，『這消息』是甚麼消息呢？三部對觀福音都把後來發生的「五餅二魚」神跡，緊接洗者若翰殉道和十二宗徒第一次傳福音之後，回來向耶穌匯報（谷6:30，路9:10）事件，惟有《瑪竇》暗示耶穌基督因著洗者若翰的殉道，需要「私下退到荒野地方」，停下來默觀前路。
且看，自己一手栽培的十二人，竟然能吸引並聚集了成千上萬的群眾；作為師父的，怎會不心花怒放呢？但在耶穌基督心裡湧出來的，不是「榮耀」或者「心滿意足」，而是「憐憫的心，治好了他們的病人」（瑪14:14）。忙了一整天，門徒請求基督遣散群眾，好讓自己也可以休息回氣，這是最自然不過的事。但主耶穌反而吩咐他們給群眾提供食物（14:16），作為門徒會有甚麼感想呢？「主！難道我們忙了一整天，還做得不夠好嗎？」「主！我們已經累了，不應該休息一晚，明天再努力嗎？」「主！我們不是祢，沒有祢的神力，恐怕不能再堅持下去了！」…「主！我們這裡甚麼也沒有，祇有五個餅和兩條魚，連我們自己也不夠分配，怎能給群眾提供食物呢…」（14:17）。跟著發生的神跡，就不用贅述了。
親愛的讀者，「勞苦、疲倦」並不是羞恥的事，兩個多星期前，耶穌基督曾邀請勞累的我們投靠祂 （11:28-30）。「軟弱」不一定是缺點，「軟弱」讓我們清楚明白自己的不足之處，謙遜地、誠實地把面對的困難，呈奉到基督的面前，讓祂按天父的旨意處理！正如保祿宗徒所說：「天主為愛祂的人所準備的，是眼所未見，耳所未聞，人心所未想到的」（格前2:9；依64:3）；又說：「我為基督的緣故，喜歡在軟弱中…因為我幾時軟弱，正是我有能力的時候」（格後12:10）。
天主保祐！
Poverty Series (I)
The Weakness of Christ Is Stronger Than Men’s Strength (Matthew 14:13-21)
Today’s gospel begins with “When Jesus heard of it” (Matthew 14:13a). One wonders what the “it” is. The Synoptic gospels put the miracle of 5 loaves and 2 fish immediately after the martyrdom of the Baptist and the return of the Twelve (Mark 6:30, Luke 9:10). Only Matthew hints at the martyrdom of the Baptist affecting Jesus and He needed to withdraw, “in a boat to a deserted place by Himself” to meditate the mission ahead.
Jesus Christ is both human and divine. As a human in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, how could he not be affected by the martyrdom of his cousin? Don’t overlook this superficial human “frailty” which inhibits us when successes blind us! Imagine.
“Behold, the Twelve whom I have instructed are able to attract and gather thousands of people. As their Master, how can I not be elated?” But what overflowed from the heart of Jesus Christ was not glory or contentment but “His heart was moved with pity for them, and He cured their sick” (Matthew 14:14).
After a busy day, it was natural for the disciples to request the Lord to dismiss the crowd so that they themselves might take a break. But Lord Jesus told them to feed the crowd (14:16). If you were among the disciples, what would you feel?
“Lord! Are we not good enough to have worked the whole day?” “Lord! We are exhausted. Shouldn’t we take a rest after evening so as to work harder tomorrow?” “Lord! We are not you. We don’t have your divine power. We can no longer persevere!” … “Lord! Five loaves and two fish are all we have here. We don’t have enough even for ourselves. How can we feed the crowd? …” (14:17) The rest was history.
Beloved brethren! Being tired is nothing to be ashamed of. Two weeks ago, Jesus Christ invited all who labour and are burdened to come to Him to take rest (11:28-30). “Frailty” is not necessarily a defect. Frailty allows us to know our inadequacies, to face our difficulties humbly as well as honestly and to offer them before Christ. Let Him handle them according to the Father’s will! Just as St. Paul says, “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:3); and, “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses … for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
God bless!
生命恩泉
Picture Credit: readingacts.com, creator.nightcafe.studio
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