背信棄義的人 People of No Integrity

常年期第廿六主日，甲年
主題：背信棄義的人

不要小覷耶穌基督二千年前所說的話，以為不合時宜。殊不知即使今時今日，祂的說話仍然活現眼前！

今天所讀的「二子比喻」，在當時的環境，是指著猶太權貴來批評的，因為他們代表著全體人民，供奉天主。雅威信守對亞巴郎所許下的諾言，從埃及把以色列人解放出來，並與他們訂立「西乃山盟約」，在全人類中，提拔他們成為天主的「選民」（出19:4-6）。後來，他們背信棄義，崇拜偶像，沒有履行自己的承諾，就好像比喻中的第一個兒子一樣，應承了父親到葡萄園工作，卻沒有去（瑪21:29）。另一方面，猶太人的社會中，有一批被邊緣化了的人，包括稅吏和娼妓。他們被邊緣化，因為在其他猶太人的眼中，是公認已經離棄了天主誡命的人。在比喻中，第二個兒子代表了他們。無論最初是甚麼原因，他們拒絕履行天父的旨意，但最後他們相信了洗者若翰的勸諭，悔改了（21:32）。耶穌的教訓十分清楚，天主不會計較人類說甚麼，祂祇要求實際的悔改行動：「兩人中，哪一個履行了父親的意願？」（21:31）

第一個兒子背信棄義的行為，直到今天仍不斷上演。做老闆的，為了逃避繳付遣散費和長期服務金，索性直接關門。過一段時間後，用另一個名號開設同一間公司，繼續經營。售賣的商品或服務，經常貨不對辦；祇求眼前的利潤，即使信譽破產亦置諸不理…說也奇怪，不單商界如此，連今天的當權者，也不要求官員忠心，不要求市民愛國；他祇要求公務員簽署「效忠」政府的文件，祇要求市民經常把「擁護」本地憲法，掛在嘴邊便可以了，做到與否並不關心！對那些所謂「異見人士」，不問是否忠心愛國，祇管強力打壓！誠然，今天互聯網發達，出版或發言的成本不高，以致流通的資訊，真偽難辨，良莠不齊，很難辨別「吹哨人」和「造謠者」。合理的對策，就是保持資訊流通，讓市民得到全面的互相參照，辨別真偽。當權者反而限制，而不是協助傳媒的採訪，杜絕對政府「不利」的消息，這樣做祇會形成更嚴重的偏聽…

是當權者對市民要求低嗎？還是不尊重人民，認為他們是無知的，不敢對他們奢望呢？是事實上沒有可能證明一個人是否忠心愛國？還是祇要求表面功夫，向上級交差了事呢？這樣做，當權者豈不是教導鼓勵市民及商界，忠誠的行為是沒有出路的。反過來，對當權者忠誠，是「註定失敗」的嗎？「民無信不立」（論語‧顏淵）是治國的基本原則，怎可以反其道而行呢？即使信奉法家的帝王，也要借用儒家思想教化人民守法！祇有表面的法律條文，沒有法律精神的內涵，結果仍是一場空！當年以色列的君王，不聽先知的話，導至亡國；耶穌時代的權貴，祇做到表面的虔誠，心中沒有法律的精神。當耶穌指出他們的錯謬時，他們反而老羞成怒，把天主聖子殺了！那些不從歷史汲取教訓的當權者，真是自掘墳墓！可怕的是，官員和市民成了無辜的陪葬品！

「稅吏和娼妓要在你們之先進入天國。」（21:31）他們可以進入天國，是因為悔改。即是說，即使從前拒絕履行天父的旨意，祇要從今以後履行天父的旨意便是。其實先後並不重要，常言道：「道無古今，學無先後」，即使稅吏和娼妓先進入天國，亦沒有否定猶太權貴進入天國的可能！雖然耶穌基督並沒有講述第一個兒子的下場，但從歷史我們知道，天主並沒有放棄以色列人，即使是背信棄義的君王刁民。天主借助外族人的手，征服他們，教訓他們；最後，祂還親自下凡，把他們及各民族，從罪惡的奴役中解放出來。這就是天主的公義，不是人間所追求的公平！所以天國的大門，仍然開放給猶太的權貴和今天的當權者！倘若在末日不能進入天國，是咎由自取！

要捨棄財富纔可獲得天國（5:3），為窮人是容易的，因為要捨棄的不多；為富有者的人，犧牲太多了！同樣道理，公開的罪人要悔改並不難，因為他們的罪惡，常在他們的眼前（詠51:5），要說服一個自以為義的法利塞人悔改，好像勸一個認為自己沒有病的病人接受治療一樣，談何容易！要取銷一個初出道的年青議員的議席容易，要一個資深政客下台，難上加難！一個不能說真心話的人，生活想必十分痛苦；終日戴著假面具與人相處，想必十分寂寞。為了減輕這痛苦，惟有把心腸變硬。為了不想聽到逆耳的忠言，便以言入罪，把「異見者」滅聲，到頭來把自己囚禁在自己建築的無聲監獄裡！為了宣洩失去自由的痛苦，便虐待身邊沒有能力反抗的人…不過，我們深信天主是不會輕言放棄的。出於慈悲，出於祂的大能，祂一定會恢復蒙污了的肖像的光彩，照耀宇宙。

天父，「求祢給我再造一顆純潔的心，使我心重獲堅固的精神；不要從祢的面前把我拋棄，不要從我身上將祢的聖神收回」（51:12-13）。亞孟。
2017講道
圖片鳴謝：freebibleimages.org

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Twenty Sixth Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: People of No Integrity

Don't slight the words of Jesus Christ because they were two millennia old and therefore irrelevant. Even today, His words play out right before our eyes!
Today, we read of the Parable of Two Sons. In context, it criticised the Jewish leaders who represented the people to worship God. Yahweh was faithful to the pledge He had made to Abraham. He liberated the Israelites from Egypt and set up the "Sinai Covenant" with them. Among all the peoples on earth, God elected the Israelites to be the "Chosen People" (Exodus 19:4-6). Later, the Israelites did not honour the Covenant and worshipped idols, like the other son in the parable who promised to go but did not go (Matthew 21:30). On the other hand, there were Jews in the society, including tax collectors and prostitutes, who were marginalized because they were public sinners who did not obey the law. They were represented by the first son in the parable. At first, they refused to do the Father's will for whatever reasons. But later, they believed the Baptist and repented (21:32). Jesus' teaching is very clear. God doesn't care what you say. He only demands genuine repentance from you, "Which of the two did the father's will?" (21:31)

The unfaithful behaviours of the other son are still performing continuously today. In order not to hand out Severance Payment and Long Service Payment, employers simply shut down the company without prior notice. After a while, they open it again with another name. They keep their eyes on profits and don't care about the quality of their goods and services, not giving a damn to the bankruptcy of their reputation … Strangely, not only do merchants do that, but also the people in power nowadays. They don't demand civil servants to be loyal or citizens to be patriotic. They only require civil servants to sign papers to pledge loyalty to the government, citizens to chant support to the local constitution. They don't bother whether the people genuinely are. To dissidents, they crash without mercy indifferent to the dissidents' patriotism. Admittedly, with the popularity of the Internet, making speeches and voicing opinions do not cost much. Consequently, there is no guarantee to the quality of information floating around. It is difficult to distinguish between whistle-blowers and scaremongers. A reasonable measure to counter this is to keep information flowing freely so that citizens may have access to comprehensive cross checking to tell truth from falsehood. Instead, people in power choose restricting instead of helping journalists in their coverage in order to filter out unfavourable news. This censorship can only result in more seriously selective listening on the part of government …

Do people in power demand little from the citizens? Or dare they not to expect from the citizens who don't deserve respect, thinking that they are ignorant? Is it impossible to prove one's loyalty and patriotism? Or do they simply want to do superficial stuff to meet the demand from their superiors? In doing so, people in power are teaching merchants and citizens alike that it is futile to be honest. It backfires: integrity towards people in power is "destined to fail"! Confucius says, "Integrity towards people is the foundation of governance" (Analect, Yan Hui). How can a government proceed in the opposite direction and succeed? Even emperors who upheld Legalism advocated Confucianism to teach people to obey laws. It is futile to obey the letters of the law and ignore its spirit. Israelite kings refused to listen to exhortations of prophets and led to their own downfalls. The Jewish authority during Jesus' time was pious in front of the people. There was no spirit of the law in their hearts. When Jesus pointed out their mistakes, they became furious and murdered the Son of God! Those who don't learn from history are digging their own graves! Unfortunately, civil servants and citizens become innocent grave goods!

"Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you" (21:31). They are allowed to enter the kingdom of God because they repent. That is to say, even though they refused to do the Father's will, they may enter when they do the Father's will from now on. In fact, it's insignificant to be the first or the last. "Truth is timeless and seniority in learning doesn't count." Even if tax collectors and prostitutes enter the kingdom of God before the Jewish authority, that doesn't deny their admittance. Although Jesus Christ tells us nothing about what happened to the other son afterwards, we learn from history that God did not abandon the Israelites, even unfaithful kings and hooligans. God made use of foreign forces to conquer and chasten them. At last, He came down Himself to deliver them and all peoples from the bondage of sin. This is God's righteousness, not the kind of tit for tat we seek on earth! The gate to heaven was accessible for the Jewish authority and still is for the people of power today. If they fail to enter the kingdom of God on Judgment Day, they themselves alone are responsible!

In order to enter the kingdom of God, one must forsake wealth (5:3). It is easier for the poor because they don't have much to abandon. Not so for the rich. They have to sacrifice much! Similarly, it is not difficult for public sinners to repent because their sins are always before them (Psalm 51:5). To convince a self-righteous Pharisee to repent is as difficult as persuading a patient, who doesn't think he is sick, to receive treatment! To disqualify a young councillor of his seat is easy, to make a seasoned politician to stand down is difficult! The life of a person who is forced not to empty his heart must be very painful indeed. Interacting with people through masks must be lonely. In order to relieve such pains, one has to harden his heart. In order not to hear unpleasant truth, silence the dissidents. In the end, people in power imprison themselves in a prison of dead silence they build for themselves! In order to vent the frustration of losing freedom, they abuse nearby people who can't defend themselves … However, we are convinced that God will not give up easily. Out of mercy and omnipotence, He shall restore the glory of those tarnished images and make them shine forth in the universe.

Father, "A clean heart creates for me; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your Holy Spirit" (51:12-13) Amen.

為甚麼我們這樣思考？ Why Do We Think the Way We Think?

常年期第廿五主日，甲年
主題：為甚麼我們這樣思考？

雖然這個著名的比喻已流傳了二千年，但大部份人仍未吸取其教訓。

很多人喜歡引述阮文順樞機的作品《希望的見證》，當中提及「耶穌的五個缺陷」。阮樞機謙遜地說：「我捨棄一切跟隨耶穌，因為我愛祂的缺陷。」（14頁）就在講述第五個缺陷時，樞機引述了今天的比喻：「第五個缺陷：耶穌不懂財務或者經濟…倘若提名耶穌做一個團體的署理人，或者一所企業的總裁，這機構必然倒閉和破產。一個黃昏五點纔開工的人怎可以支一個由朝做到晚的工人同一樣的薪酬呢？是耶穌疏忽嗎？還是他的會計錯了？都不是。耶穌是故意的！為甚麼耶穌有這些缺陷呢？因為祂是愛（若一4:16）。真愛不講道理、不量度、不製造障礙、不計較、不記仇與及不設條件。」（17-18頁）

耶穌不是教會的署理或總裁嗎？不是，因為教會仍未倒閉或破產！倘若我們認真看待樞機的說話，希望教會能展示耶穌有缺陷的真面目，我們就應該清君側，推翻祂在世的代表！請重新小心閱讀前面的三句話！為甚麼我們會運用這樣的思考模式呢？就是減低情感，運用冰冷的邏輯、老謀深算、設立限制和強加自己的主意？

人類崇尚理性，因為他們相信理性是人類生存的依靠。經過進化的淘汰，那些倚賴體力、速度和爪牙的類似人類的生物，已經成為了更強、更快的猛獸的食物。依靠理性的卻組成團體，智取其他物種。他們改造周圍的環境，為自己創造一個安定的環境，繁殖繁榮。早期的社會，屯積資源是保證穩定資源供應的策略，勤儉就是美德。但效率有限，常被四周環境所局限。後來，不知從那麼出現了一些敢於冒險的人類，他們不惜犧牲目前的收成，將它再投資到未來更大的收益去。這再投資的策略像滾雪球一樣，帶來更大的繁榮安定。但這種理性亦同步趨近冷酷的謀算。工人與生產工具，例如一把鋤頭或者一袋肥料，沒有分別！企業管理繼承了封建主義。今天統治階級社會的，不再是王侯而是企業家。權力奉效率之名，集於一身；本質沒有變，祇是銜頭改了。冷酷無情的謀算被提拔到神壇之上。
另一方面，工業革命帶給工人的苦果，孕育了社會主義，一個無階級的烏托邦，在那裡人人平等。要建立一個無階級的社會，必須先打破現有的階級；流血革命在所難免，於是暴力被認可了。共產黨員登上政治舞台挑戰企業家。崇尚暴力和限制自由的極權主義登基了。

天主希望看見這一切嗎？不！耶穌曾教導：「沒有人能事奉兩個主人：他或是要恨這一個，而愛那一個，或是依附這一個而輕忽那一個。你們不能事奉天主而又事奉錢財。」（瑪6:24）愛在那兩種意識形態，完全沒有地位。因此，作為臨在世上的一件聖事，教會是不會認同它們中的任何一個。她要告訴世界，她的天主是愛。即使天主絕對可以極權，但祂沒有這樣做，反而給擁有位格的人，完全自主。作為有位格的人，我們不可傷害近人。當然，天主亦要求我們愛人如己（肋19:18），因為我們是彼此的守護者（創4:9）！所以，教會不是共產黨的朋友，雖然她不排除無可避免地要與共產政權合作。
聖詠的作者告訴我們在宇宙間的定位：「由赤子乳兒的口中，祢取得完美的讚頌。」（詠8:3）的確，在天主前，我們祇不過是赤子乳兒。不久前，耶穌更進一步教訓我們要像小孩進入天國：「我實在告訴你們：你們若不變成如同小孩子一樣，決不能進天國。」（瑪18:3）小孩子不謀算！服從她的主的訓導，教會不會認同資本主義那冷酷無情的謀算。

保祿在《愛之歌》這樣教導：「愛是含忍的，愛是慈祥的，愛不嫉妒，不誇張，不自大，不作無禮的事， 不求己益，不動怒，不圖謀惡事，不以不義為樂，卻與真理同樂：凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。」（格前13:4-7）天主是忍耐的，所以我們也要耐心忍受痛苦；天主是慈祥的，所以我們放棄暴力；天主是真理，所以我們以真理為樂，因為真理把我們從奴役中出解放出來，得以自由成長（若8:32）；我們包容、相信、盼望和忍耐，因為我們希望看見近人明天會更好。他們都是天主按自己的肖像創造出來的，總有光芒四射的一日。

那麼，當主人說：「你們也到我的葡萄裡去吧！凡照公義該給的，我必給你們」（瑪20:4），他說的「公義」是指甚麼？我們很容易再次以人的公義來思考天主的公義。在個人範疇，我們的公義是有仇必報；你敬我一尺，我敬你一丈。在社會範疇，我們倡議教育平等，選舉平等和同工同酬等。在這些範圍，人類社會已有長足的成就，但處境仍然有很多有待改善的空間。例如今次疫情，便揭露了社會上不平等的實況。當同學們困在家中網上學習時，貧富之間的「數碼洪溝」，盡顯無遺！理論上，教育應該可以幫助社會的低下階層脫貧。今天做不到了。這種「平等」的觀念是不足以表述天主的公義，因為世上沒有任何事物能與祂平起平坐！天主的公義就是祂的慷慨、慈悲和拯救。祂樂於看見我們成長，達到祂心中為我們每個人所訂下的目標。倘若我們把一個「德納」（20:2）象徵我們所得的救恩，它不是我們所「賺取」的。換句話說，我們領洗的年資、我們虔誠的唸經、我們在堂區熱心的事工和我們的獻金等等，算不了甚麼。那麼，我們的嫉妒是沒有理據了（20:15）。首批工人嫉妒，因為他們以同工同酬思考。倘若「平等」足以述說天主，他們便有權以冷酷的謀算，來為自己「賺取」救恩。在經濟領域看似正確，其實是一個「迷思」。經濟學告訴我們，價格由供求來決定。因此，酬勞絕不與努力成正比。但很多人樂意鼓吹這個迷思，有些人為了在勞苦中尋求一點慰藉，有些人卻利用它來剝削其他人。這是錯的，這不是天主的旨意。保祿說：「直到我們眾人都達到…成為成年人，達到基督圓滿年齡的程度。」（弗4:13）

各位兄弟姊妹！我們需要檢討自己的思考模式，以達到基督圓滿年齡的程度，成為成熟的基督徒。對，我們應當善用我們的理性去追求真理，它不應該是冷酷無情的，因為真理可以釋放我們。真理內有愛，否則它不能令生命豐富。另一方面，沒有真理的愛是盲目的，反過來會傷害生命。讓我們祈求真理之神與愛德之神，以天主的生命充實我們。亞孟。
天主保祐！

2017年講道

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Twenty Fifth Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: Why Do We Think the Way We Think?

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Though this famous parable has been told us for nearly two thousand years, most of us don't seem to have learnt its lesson.
Many people quote from a book written by Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận, "The Testimony of Hope" (2000), and talk about the "five defects of Jesus". Cardinal Francis Xavier begins humbly with these words, "… I left everything to follow Jesus, because I love the defects of Jesus." (pg.14) In the fifth defect, he quotes this famous parable. "The fifth defect: Jesus doesn't understand finances or economics … If Jesus were named the administrator of a community or the director of a business, the institution would surely fail and go bankrupt. How can anyone pay someone who began working at 5:00p.m. the same wage paid to the person who has been working since early morning? Is this merely an oversight? Is Jesus' accounting wrong? No! He does it on purpose … Perhaps we can ask ourselves why Jesus has these defects. Because he is love (cf. 1 John 4:16). Real love does not reason, does not measure, does not create barriers, does not calculate, does not remember offenses, and does not impose conditions." (pp. 17-18)

Isn't Jesus our administrator or director of the Church? No, it isn't Jesus because the Church hasn't failed or gone bankrupt! If we take the words of the Cardinal seriously and want the Church to reveal the true face of Jesus with His defects, we should reinstate Christ and dethrone the Pope as the Vicar of Christ! Go back and read the last three sentences carefully once more! Why do we keep thinking in the way we usually think, viz. we minimize affection, we use cold logic, we calculate, we set barriers and we impose?

Human beings worship rationality because they believe that on rationality their survival depends. Through evolution, those humanoids that relied on strength, speed, teeth and claws were devoured by stronger, speedier animals and those that relied on the use of reason which enabled them join together into communities to outwit other species survived. They managed to modify the surrounding environment and created for themselves a stable environment to prosper. In the early stages of society, hoarding resources was the major strategy to ensure steady supplies and diligence was a virtue. However, its efficiency was limited, in particular, by the total environment they were living in. Somewhere somehow some risk-taking souls arose to prominence. We can't be sure whether it was greed that bred them. Those brave souls were willing to sacrifice their fruits of labour and re-invest them for bigger gains in the future. Such a strategy snowballed and the rise of capitalism saw greater prosperity and thus stability. At the same time, this rationality has approached the edge of cold calculations because labourers are no different from other productivity tools such as a plough or a bag of fertilizer! Entrepreneurship is an heir of feudalism. Instead of kings and dukes ruling the land in a society of strata, entrepreneurs are. Powers are centralized in the name of efficiency. Only titles change, not essence. In other words, cold calculation is canonized!
On the other hand, the plights of workers during the Industrial Revolution sowed the seeds of socialism, a utopian ideology of a classless society in which all are equal. In order to build a classless society, the proletariats needed to break down the classes. Bloody revolutions became inevitable and violence was condoned. Communists came on stage to challenge entrepreneurs. Blatant violence and restrictions on freedom became inevitable and totalitarianism was crowned.

Does God want to see this? No, Jesus Christ has warned us before, "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24) In both ideologies, love has no position. Therefore, as a sacrament on earth, the Church can't condone either of them. She needs to remind the world of her God who is love. God has never been a totalitarian. He should be but instead, He gives us total autonomy as persons. As persons, we don't harm our neighbour. Of course, God demands us to love our neighbour as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18) because we are each other's keeper (Genesis 4:9)! Thus, the Church can't be a friend of Communists, though she doesn't exclude the inevitability to work with Communist regimes. The Psalmist teaches us to know our places in the universe "Ex ore infantium et lactantium perfecisti laudem" (Psalm 8:3). We are no more than infants and suckling before God. Jesus further teaches us, not long ago, to accept the kingdom of heaven like small children, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) Children do not calculate! Following the exhortation of her Master, the Church does not condone the cold calculation of Capitalism.

In his "Ode of Love", Paul writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) God is patient, so we must be long-suffering as well. God is kind, so we must rule out violence. God is true, so we rejoice in truth which makes us free from bondage as well as free to grow. (John 8:32) We bear, believe, hope and endure because we want to see our neighbour become better day by day. They were created in the image of God which surely will shine forth in the end.

Then what did the Master mean by "just" when he told the late comers "You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just" (Matthew 20:4)? Once more, we think of human justice instead of God's justice. We think of fairness in the personal sphere in terms of tit for tat and you scratch my back and I scratch yours. In the societal sphere, we uphold the equal opportunities of education, of voting and of equal work equal pay etc. Human societies have achieved much, but the situation is less than desirable. For example, this pandemic has revealed very clearly before our eyes the inequalities existing in our society. When students are confined at home to study online, the digital gap between the rich and the poor starkly shows up! Education is supposed to empower the poor and help them move up the social ladder. Nowadays, it fails to do so. No, such equality concept is not appropriate to talk about God's justice because God has no equals! God's justice is generosity, mercy and salvation. He is happy to see all of us grow to the fullness He intends for each one of us. If we take the daily wage (20:2) to mean salvation which we don't "earn", then our work and services won't count, viz. how long we have been baptized, the pious prayers we have said, the enthusiasm in parish works, the money we drop into the treasury etc. Therefore, our jealousy shall have no basis (20:15). The first workers were jealous because they thought in terms of equal work equal pay. If equality were adequate to describe God, they were entitled to "earn" themselves salvation through cold calculation. It "looks" true in economic sphere but in fact it is a myth. In economics, price is determined by supply and demand. Therefore, your reward is never directly proportional to the amount of effort you put in. But there are many people who want to perpetuate this myth for various reasons. Some want to console themselves and to relieve themselves of daily hardship while some want to exploit others. No, this is not what God wants. In Paul's words, "Until we all attain to … mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13)

Brethren! We need to examine our mode of thinking in order to attain the full stature of Christ, to become mature Christians. Yes, we should make good use of our rationality to seek the Truth which should not be dry and cold because the Truth is liberating. There must be love lest it fails to enrich life. On the other hand, love without truth is blind and will do harm to life. Let's pray to the Spirit of Love and Truth to infuse us with God's life. Amen.
God bless!

一萬「塔冷通」值多少？ How Much Is Ten Thousand Talentum?

常年期廿四主日，甲年
主題：一萬「塔冷通」值多少？

耶穌說的比喻，素來包含誇張的成份，使聽眾驚喜，達到印象深刻的效果，例如「撒種比喻」。一般的麥種子可產生23顆麥粒，但比喻中的種子，竟然可以結出百倍的收成，堪稱「神奇種子」！今天的比喻，同樣驚人，大家可知道一萬「塔冷通」（瑪18:24）的市價值多少嗎？對於「塔冷通」的定義，學者眾說紛紜。既然我們用《思高聖經》，姑且按它的定義去理解。《附錄五》有各種度量衡，在那裡可以找到一個塔冷通即是20.5千克的銀。（注意：撒羅滿王的塔冷通是金塔冷通（列上10:14）！）今天的銀價是每千克860.52美元，即6,669.03港元。一個塔冷通折合136,715.12港元，一萬塔冷通，就是十三億港元了（$1,367,151,150）！作為一個人民公僕，竟敢虧空君王十三億元，膽子真大！耶穌誇張嗎？不，今天大有人在！

公道自在人心，所以這篇默想，不必批判貪腐。祇想反躬自問，是甚麼使我們落得如斯田地？
弱肉強食，是野獸的本能。天主按自己的肖像造了人，讓人成為萬物之靈，代表祂管治大地（創1:26）。因此，我們倚重理性，多於倚重力氣和爪牙。天主是自由的，所以祂所創造的人類，也享有高度的自由！因為缺乏自由，人類便無從把天賦的潛質，發揮得淋漓盡致，不能讓天主的肖像，在宇宙間彰顯祂的榮耀。所以，剝削別人，限制別人的自由，「憑權位，張爪牙，殘民以自肥」，就是令天主蒙羞！這也是林肯總統解放黑奴的道德高地！
天主的自由當然是絕對的，但人始終是受造物，不能享有絕對的自由。人的行為應遵守倫理規範：例如「己所不欲，勿施於人」，即「不傷害原則」；即是說，我不想被侮辱，所以我不侮辱別人！更進一步，即道德的金科玉律：「己所欲，施於人」（瑪7:12）；即是說，我希望受到尊重，所以我要尊重別人。這是多麼合情合理，不證自明的規範！從公共利益作為出發點，長遠來說，尊重人權和自由是利多於弊，既保障了個人的生命財產，亦促進社會整體的繁榮和進步。即使是非常現實，不談理想的「功利主義」也支持。可惜，「秀才遇著兵，有理說不清」。在沒有槍桿子的支撐下，連務實的「功利主義」也得不到統治者的垂青。這是近代社會的現實。在中國春秋時代的孟子，曾提出「王何必曰利？亦有仁義而已矣…上下交征利，則國危矣！」（孟子．梁惠王上）的儒家仁政思想，是多麼美麗的治國理想！孟子懂得從長治久安的政治理念出發，游說君王；可惜統治者更懂得選擇儒家思想中的「大一統」概念，鞏固自己的中央集權；對人民的仁政卻欠奉！即使在中國實踐了二千年，到頭來也是一場空。現代的政治思想，並不比古代的政治思想，更有效地鉗制騎在人民頭上的獨裁者。難道一定要流血革命，纔可爭取到少許應得的權利嗎？難道人類運用理性所建立的倫理道德，不足以駕馭人類「喪失了的原始恩寵」所做成的後遺症嗎？

根據一些學者的意見，魔鬼妒忌人，因為天父有意提升人的地位，決定聖子降生成人，而不是降生成天使，並且要求天使朝拜那既是人又是天主的祂！部份不願意服從的天使便墮落成為了魔鬼！魔鬼明白自己不是天主的對手，轉而攻擊人類。牠找到人的死穴，就是人不會滿足於祇是天主的肖像，人類渴望成為天主！所以牠誘惑人類的方法，就是令人懷疑天主的愛，挑動人相信自己，多於相信天主（創3:5）！就這樣，罪惡便進入了世界，以後便是歷史了。在失落了原始恩寵之後，人的意志猶如脫韁野馬，不顧後果，想做就去做；人的情慾，不再為了共融，而是四出發洩；人的理智，不是為了追求真相，卻用來建構虛榮，宣佈「上帝已死」…先知說得真對：「牛認識自己的主人，驢也認識自己主人的槽，以色列卻毫不知情，我的百姓卻一點不懂。」（依1:3）大敵當前，人類卻拒絕了天主，反而認賊作父，太失敗了！

虧空君王十三億元，絕對不是出於疏忽，絕對不是出於偶然。有點理智的人，怎可以想盡辦法去做這樣的事呢？有甚麼理由可以說服世人，這樣做是正確的呢？除了他的妻兒外，還可以找到其他受益人嗎？這不是自私的情慾是甚麼？作為一個年薪五百萬元的公務員，他要不消費，不停工作二百六十多年纔賺到這筆錢！不是處心積慮的意志，可以虧空這麼多嗎？誠然，這是誇張的手法，旨在展示出，人單憑一己的力，絕不可能做出正當的事，絕不可能自我完善，改善自己的處境！個人的舒適方便，總會連累別人受苦，要別人為你付出代價！我們應該寬恕這樣大奸大惡的人嗎？

朱熹解釋孔子的「忠恕之道」說得好：「盡己之謂忠，推己之謂恕」（論語集注）。其實「忠」是不足夠的，沒有良心的規範，盡己祇落得虧空十三億的下場，不是嗎？對於「忠」，「恕」可以起制約作用。「恕」，在於推己及人，設身處地，站在對方的立場體會事物，也就是今天流行的所謂「同理心」。這樣做，消極地不會做出損人利己的事。積極地，這就是寬恕的核心意義：體諒別人的困難，不再計較對方的不足。即使是沒有宗教信仰的倫理學，也可以達到這樣的境界！作為自稱天主教徒的我們，這樣做，可以幫助另一個天主肖像站起來，給他一個機會，從新擦亮天主的光榮，何樂而不為呢？相反，拒絕寬恕，祇會在彼此心中，累積怨氣，產生分裂；寬恕卻帶來喜樂，而喜樂是聖神的果子（迦5:22），是符合天父的旨意，何樂而不為呢？

依恃自己的能力，懷疑天主對人類的愛，是「原罪」的後果，是人人的通病。基督徒應該已經清醒過來，看出這是魔鬼的技倆。因此，讓我們服從主耶穌的指導，寬恕得罪我們的兄弟，讓彼此得以鬆綁，讓每一個天主的肖像，可以自由自在地發展，光榮在天之父。
天主保祐！

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：journals.plos.org, demo.inwordbible.com

Twenty Fourth Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: How Much Is Ten Thousand Talentum?

There are hyperbolic elements in Jesus' parables, with the aim of surprising the audience, leaving them with deep impressions, for example, the "Parable of Sower". Ordinary wheat grains usually yield 23 folds. However, the seeds in the parable yield a hundredfold. They are truly "miracle seeds"! Today's parable is stunning. Do you know how much is ten thousand talentum (Matthew 18:24)? Scholars disagree how talentum was defined but since we use the Studium Biblicum Version, let's follow its definition. In Appendix V we can find measurement systems. There we see that a talentum was 20.5 kg of silver. [In case of King Solomon, his talentum was gold (1 Kings 10:14)!] Today, the silver price is USD860.52 per kg, i.e. HKD 6,669.03 per kg. Thus, 1 talentum is equivalent to HKD136,715.12 and ten thousand talentum would be HKD1.3 billion ($1,367,151,150)! As a civil servant, how he dared to embezzle so much money from the king! Was Jesus exaggerating? No! There are many such people nowadays!

There is no need for me to criticize corruption in this meditation. All conscientious people know it is wrong. Rather, I would ask myself how a person could be so fallen from grace!
Beasts follow the rule of the jungles. But men were created in the image of God who delegates us the stewardship of governing the earth (Genesis 1:26). Thus, we rely more on rationality then physical strength, sharp teeth and claws. God is free. Thus men enjoy a high degree of autonomy! It is because without freedom, men would be unable to actualize God sent potentials. The images of God would be unable to render God His due glory on earth. Thus, exploitation and restriction on others' freedom, abusing authority to fatten oneself at the expense of citizens is shaming God! That was the moral high ground on which President Lincoln stood to abolish slavery!
Of course God's freedom is absolute. But we are mere creatures. We don't enjoy absolute freedom. Our behaviours should follow moral norms. For example, the Harm Principle: "What I dislike, don't do unto others". That is to say, I don't want to be humiliated. So, I won't humiliate others! Advance one step further, we come to the Golden Rule: "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12) That is to say, I expect respect. So, I respect others. How reasonable these self-evident moral norms are! From the perspective of common good, in the long run, there are more advantages when we honour human rights and liberty. Not only shall life and property be protected, but the society will also prosper and progress. Even realistic utilitarianism supporters who don't talk about abstract ideals advocate such norms. Unfortunately, without the backing of the military, people in power simply ignore them. This is the situation of modern society. In ancient China before the period of Warring States, Mencius advocated Confucianism, saying "King, why talk about utility? Beneficence and justice will do … When people of all levels seek utility, their country would be in real danger!" (Mencius, 1 King Hui of Liang) How beautiful an ideal of beneficence and justice rule it was! Mencius knew how to persuade the Marquis with long stability. Unfortunately, people in power knew how to make use of the Confucian concept of "Grand Unity" to secure the centralization of powers while beneficence and justice were in short supply! After two millennia of implementation in China, it came to null. Modern political ideas, compared with ancient counterparts, are no better in restraining tyrants from trampling upon their subjects. Do we really need bloody revolutions to secure a little bit of rights which we deserve? Isn't the rational morality we have built unable to rein in the complications caused by the loss of Original Grace?

According to some scholars, the Devil envies human beings because the Father wanted to elevate the status of men and decided that the Son should incarnate to be a man and not an angel. Moreover, God wanted all angels to adore the Son who is both human and divine! Some angels refused and became devils. The Devil knows well that it is not on a par with God. So it turned to men instead. It spotted their Achill's heel: men would never be satisfied to be simply an image of God. They desire to be God! Therefore, the Devil entices men to doubt God's love and to believe in themselves more than in God (Genesis 3:5)! In this way, sin entered the world and the rest is history. After losing the Original Grace, human will becomes a wild horse with no rein. He wills to do whatever fancies him without regard to consequences. His desires are not for communion but gratification. His intellect seeks not the truth but vainglory, declaring "God is dead" … How right is the prophet when he says, "An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master's manger, but Israel does not know, my people has not understood." (Isaiah 1:3) When the enemy is at the front door, men reject God and yield. How disappointing!

Embezzlement of 1.3 billion is absolutely no negligence or a coincidence. How can a rational person rack his brain to do such a thing? What cause can you bring up to persuade people that it is right? Other than his wife and children, who can benefit? If this is not selfish greed, what is? As a civil servant who earns five million per annum, he needs to work for more than 260 years, not spending a single cent, to earn this sum of money! Without a persistent will, can he embezzle that much? Of course, this is an exaggeration in order to show that on our own, we are absolutely unable to do things right, absolutely unable to perfect ourselves and to improve our situation! Somebody else has to pay for our personal comfort and convenience! Should we forgive such an evil man?

Zhu Xi did well when he expounded the Confucian concept of "fidelity" and "forgiveness". He says, "Putting up our utmost for the other is fidelity. Putting ourselves in other's shoes is forgiveness" (Concordance on Analect). In fact, it is not enough to uphold fidelity. Without the constraint of the conscience, putting up our utmost would only end up embezzling 1.3 billion, wouldn't it? Forgiveness is able to rein in fidelity. Putting ourselves in other's shoes, feeling the heat from other's perspective is similar to what we call empathy today. In this way, negatively we won't harm others for our benefits. Positively, and this is the core of forgiveness, we are able to feel other's difficulties. We don't count against their inadequacies. How lofty this morality is even without faith! As Catholics, we forgive so that another image of God may stand up, is given another chance to polish God's tarnished glory. Why not forgive? On the contrary, refusing to forgive will build up more animosity and schism. Forgiveness brings joy and joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is definitely the Father's will. Why not forgive?

Reliance on oneself and doubting God's love for us are the consequences of the "Original Sin". Nobody is exempted. Christians should have known this Devil's modus operandi well. Thus, let us obey Lord Jesus' instruction. Forgive our brethren so that both of us are relieved of the bondage. Let every image of God develop in freedom to glorify our heavenly Father.
God bless!

看作外教人或稅吏 Treat Him As A Gentile or Tax Collector

常年期第廿三主日，甲年
主題：看作外教人或稅吏

某市領導人，是一位天主教徒。市民真的要感謝讚美天主了，因為祂安排了一位對上司忠心的天主教徒，作為這座城市的領導人，以福音的精神指導行政，以行政作為主導，為人民服務。那城市的居民，是多麼令人羨慕（天主教要理#2442）！市長更在人前說，天主在天堂已為他留一席位。這句話在一段時期內，為大眾所津津樂道。這種能在人前作見證的勇氣，真的足以為他賺取天堂的一席位（瑪10:32）。
可惜現實是殘酷的，蜜月期過後，城市的深層矛盾逐漸浮現，加上可見的上司施壓，市長顯得有點疲於奔命，以致他的表現，好像忘記了天主教徒的身份，結果與市民的期望，出現很大落差，引發了一些為期不短的社會動盪。他效忠的上司，也有上司；層層可見的上司最後有一位最高的上司。雖然祂是不可見的，但祂巨細無遺地，把一切盡收眼底。倘若祂要追究，那些層層可見的上司，將會無一倖免！不過，這位不可見的至高上司是慈悲的，祂不斷釋出善意，希望那些作為上司的，可以回頭改過。另一方面，部份失望的天主教徒市民，計劃發起聯署，要求當今教宗絕罰市長。這樣做，符合福音的教訓嗎？

今天的第一篇讀經，很清楚指出，作為天主教徒，我們有彼此規勸的責任。我們彼此規勸，當然不是厄則克耳所說，擔任警衛角色。我們彼此規勸，也不是出於害怕天主追究我們（則33:8b）。出於害怕而做正確的事，是最低的道德層次。因為在耶穌基督內，大家都是兄弟姊妹。我們怎能忍心，看著天主懲罰自己的兄弟姊妹，而無動於衷呢？這種愛人如己的情操，是梅瑟的教訓（肋19:18），是法律的完滿（羅13:8-9），基督徒不是應該要超越這些最低要求嗎？所以，當我們對市長失望的時候，我們有規勸他嗎？或者，我們有沒有好像一眾先知，跑到君王面前，指出他的不是呢（則33:8a，瑪14:4）？不過，在跑到君王面前指摘他，首先應該得到天主的派遣，代表天主而不是代表自己說話（則33:7）。雖然天主教徒在領洗時，已分享了耶穌基督的先知職務，但也要確定是天主的差遣，方可行事！要知道祇有全知的天主，纔有能力判斷人的良心。我們不是全知的，所以祈禱明辨，非常重要。確定了是天主差遣之後，怎樣行事呢？今天的福音，提出了很清晰的步驟。但看來是有關個人恩怨，與公共利益無關。不過，即使是個人恩怨的處理手法，也有指導的作用，示範了規勸過程當守的原則。

第一步是私下獨處時規勸他（瑪18:15）。
除非領導人很親民，否則接近他的人不多，規勸他的責任，就落在他身邊的「諫官」身上了！諫官這樣做，便尊重了領導人的尊嚴和面子。要知道為了面子，很多人會否認自己犯錯，這是人之常情。在這種情況下，私下規勸好像起不了作用。錯！這樣做是「先禮後兵」，你曾表示過尊重，往後就不能怪你不留情面了！
第二步加入第三者在場（18:16），目的是希望有人能客觀持平，排難解紛。要知道人犯錯時，很多時候是無愧於心的！大家都是成年人，明白後果，做事不會一時衝動。所以我認為你做錯事，可能是大家意見不合而已。所謂旁觀者清，在沒有利益衝突的第三者面前，他可以作出客觀分析，說不定會發現錯不在領導人，而是我們。
最後一步纔由教會仲裁。既然福音說：「如果他連教會也不聽從，你就將他看作外邦人或稅吏」（18:17），聯署給教宗絕罰市長，把他當作稅吏或外邦人，不是按照福音的指示做嗎？

這種手法，犯了兩個毛病：一、市長未有答辯的機會。無論在教會的法律或世俗的法律下，都是不公義的。二、不認識福音。把不接受教會排解的兄弟當作稅吏，是曾當過稅吏的瑪竇所推薦的做法，有甚麼意思？天主出於慈悲，召選當稅吏的瑪竇成為門徒，從此瑪竇不再遭受歧視，他的塔冷通得以發展，為世人留下《瑪竇福音》。所以瑪竇深切地體會到，白白蒙受寬恕的喜樂。現今有兄弟不受規勸，便應該歧視他，排擠他嗎？錯！不是排擠他，而是對他展示天主的慈悲（9:10-13）！不是當外邦人一樣不相往來，而是把天主的救恩，重新帶給他（宗10:28）！即是說，重新啟動規勸程序，但要保持創意，吸收從前規勸失敗的教訓，另尋出路！
總括而言，公開的譴責，違反了第一個原則。聘請外國專家排解，是可行的第二步，可惜市民沒有資源，資源在政府手上。從市長的公開講話中，我們感覺得他認為自己沒有犯錯。即發生社會動盪，責任完全不在政府一方，是…云云，可見沒有專家能說服我們的市長了。最後一步，市民通知教會。現今在資訊流通的社會上，教會一定已經知道了。但教會的權威，今非昔比，現代人極不願意接受教會的裁決。該怎麼辦？

世上最難醫治的病人，不是病入膏肓的病人，而是那些不認為自己有病的病人。即使是神醫，恐怕也束手無策。同樣，對著自以為是的法利塞人，耶穌基督亦祇能「醫治」了三、四個，包括雅依洛、尼苛德摩、阿黎瑪特雅人若瑟和掃祿。真的是沒有辦法嗎？但掃祿的例子，卻證明了「在天主前沒有不能的事」（路1:37）。所以，即使是極度頑劣的人，慈悲的天主一定會憐憫。
各位兄弟姊妹，讓我們為市長祈禱，望全能的天主，不再令他心硬（出4:21），早日回頭悔改，做福百姓，讓「祂的百姓認識救恩，以獲得他們罪惡的寬宥。」（路1:77）
天主保祐！

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：focusmagazine.org

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Twenty Third Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: Treat Him As A Gentile or Tax Collector

The leader of a city is a Catholic. The citizens should praise and thank God for arranging a Catholic who is loyal to his superiors to lead. Making use of evangelical values to guide the implementation of laws, the mayor serves the citizens with "elective dictatorship". How much we envied the citizens (CCC #2442)! Once the mayor claimed, even in front of the media, that God had reserved a place for him in heaven. For a while, this statement had been a top talk of the town. Indeed, such a courage to bear witness boldly should earn him a place in heaven (Matthew 10:32)
Regrettably, reality is unpleasant. After the honeymoon period, deep seated social contradictions began to emerge. The mayor showed signs of exhaustion under the demands of his boss. He seemed to have forgotten his Catholic identity. The gap of expectation was widened and there were not so short periods of social unrests. The immediate boss the mayor reports to also has bosses. Above all these visible bosses, there is the highest and invisible boss. He is omniscient. All details, be they huge or minute, are within His sight. Nobody can be exempted from accountability. But this invisible boss is merciful. He releases good will continually, hoping that those bosses might repent. On the other hand, some frustrated Catholic citizens intended to a petition and appeal to the current Pope to excommunicate the mayor. Is such an action evangelical?

The first reading today makes it clear that as Catholics, we have the responsibility to exhort each other. We exhort, not in the role of a sentinel as described in Ezekiel. We exhort, not out of fear that God would hold us responsible for their blood (Ezekiel 33:8b). Doing the right thing out of fear of punishment is the lowest level of morality. In Christ, we are brothers and sisters. Can we be indifferent seeing our brethren punished by God? Loving our neighbour as ourselves was taught by Moses (Leviticus 19:18). It is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:8-9). Aren't Christians supposed to have surpassed this minimum requirement? Thus, when we are frustrated by the mayor, have we exhorted him? Or, have we followed the examples of prophets, gone before the mayor to point out his faults (Ezekiel 33:8a, Matthew 14:4)? But before we go to point out his mistakes, make sure that we are sent by God, representing God and not ourselves (Ezekiel 33:7). Although Catholics partake in the prophetic ministry of Jesus Christ through baptism, we have to make sure that God has commissioned us before we act! Only God is omniscient. Only God is able to pass judgment on people's conscience. We are not. Thus discernment and prayer are extremely important. How shall we proceed after affirmation? The gospel passage today shows the way. But it looks personal and has nothing to do with the common good. However, we may still learn the principles of exhortation in this procedure of settling individual disputes.

First of all, "tell him his fault between you and him alone" (Matthew 18:15)
Unless the city leader is popular, not many people may gain access to him. The responsibility of exhortation falls on the devil's advocates close to him! Telling him his fault alone, the devil's advocates pay respect to the mayor's dignity and face. People tend to be defensive and deny making mistakes. This is human. Then exhorting him alone doesn't seem effective. Negative! This is courtesy before attack. I've shown you respect. Don't blame me for subsequent harshness!
Secondly, invite a third-party (18:16), hoping that an impartial party may help settle the dispute. We should note that most of the time, people make mistakes with a clean conscience. We are adults. We know the consequences of our actions. Rarely are mistakes made impulsively. Therefore, if you think I'm wrong, it may only be a matter of opinions. Without conflict of interests, the impartial third-party is able to analyse the dispute objectively. May be after all, it is our faults, not the mayor's.
Telling the Church is the last resort. The gospel says, "If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector." (18:17) Doesn't signing a petition to the Pope to excommunicate the mayor, treating him like a Gentile or tax collector follow the gospel teaching?

There are two problems with this action. Firstly, the mayor is not given a chance to defend. It is unfair whether under the Canon Law or under the local laws. Secondly, not knowing the gospel! What does it mean when Matthew, who had been a tax collector before, recommended treating the stubborn brother as a tax collector? Out of mercy, God called Matthew, the tax collector, to be an apostle. From then, nobody discriminated him. He was able to actualize his "talentum" and left us a gospel. Thus, Matthew fully understands the joy of being forgiven. Now let us despise and reject a stubborn brother! Negative! Not to reject him but to show him God's mercy (9:10-13)! Not rejecting interactions as Gentiles but to bring him once more God's salvation (Acts 10:28). That is to say, restart the procedure of exhortation but be creative. Learn from previous failures and seek other venues!
In short, public condemnation goes against the first principle. Deploying overseas experts is a plausible second step. Unfortunately, citizens don't have the resources. Only the government has. From public statements made by the mayor, we sense that he doesn't admit making any mistakes. Even for social unrests, the government can wash her hands. It is the fault of … etc. Thus, no experts would be able to convince the mayor. As for the last resort, in a society where information flows freely, the Church already knows. But unlike previous ages, nobody honours the authority of the Church anymore. Modern people won't accept the judgment of the Church. What should we do?

The most difficult patients to treat are not those who are seriously ill, but those who don't think they are sick. I'm afraid even miracle healers would fail. In a similar manner, as for the self-righteous Pharisees, even Jesus Christ could only "cure" a handful, namely Jairus, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea and Saul. Is it really that bad? But the case of Saul proves that "For nothing will be impossible for God." (Luke 1:37) God is merciful toward even the worst.
Brethren! Let us pray for the mayor so that the almighty God will not harden his heart (Exodus 4:21), help him repent as soon as possible and serve the citizens well, "to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins." (Luke 1:77)
God bless!

在末日前復活 Resurrection Before Judgment Day

常年期第廿二主日，甲年
主題：在末日前復活

耶穌基督受洗後，在曠野四十日四十夜，經歷魔鬼的試探；耶穌基督祇透露了其中三個。這些試探，可以理解為魔鬼想盡辦法，窺探天主派遣來到眼前的聖者，用甚麼方法救贖普世。牠向耶穌基督獻計，用經濟、政治和宗教手段，解決世上的罪惡問題。但耶穌基督守口如瓶，祇引用【申命紀】回覆，令魔鬼一點線索也找不到。今天，魔鬼又出動了！

承接上一個主日的福音，耶穌基督已找到了天父所挑選的教會磐石（瑪16:17-18），於是向門徒透露一點，拯救世界的方法。耶穌基督有點高估了祂的門徒，他們仍以「選民」自居，忘記了「選民」對普世人類的神聖責任。事實上，他們並未有足夠的心理準備，因為他們心目中所期望的默世亞，即「受傅者」，好像梅瑟或者波斯王居魯士（依45:1）一樣，是天主派遣來解放以色列人的。他們沒有想過，耶穌基督是消除世罪的天主羔羊（若1:29），是為全人類的！耶穌基督的方法，就是死而復活，把人類從罪惡的奴役出，解放出來（瑪16:21）。

現代人不相信復活，大多數因為他們否定靈魂的存在。沒有靈魂，復活還有甚麼意義呢？耶穌時代的人，即使相信有靈魂，但對復活的觀念並不一致。希臘人不希望有復活，因為他們認為肉體是靈魂的囚室，人死後，靈魂得到解放，重回宇宙的「大靈魂」去，所以保祿在雅典講道踫壁（宗17:32）。即使在猶太人中，也有分歧。由司祭組成的撒杜塞黨，就不相信有復活並經常與相信復活的法利塞人爭論（23:7-8）。而相信復活的，是相信死人在末日復活，例如瑪爾大（若11:24）。所以，門徒們沒有心理準備，接受「第三天要復活」（瑪16:21）！即使親眼看見過耶穌復活雅依洛女兒的伯多祿（谷5:37），也有困難。不錯，耶穌的確有復活死人的大能。但祂死了，有可能令自己復活嗎？而且，他們的「事業」，正日上中天，有很多跟隨者。倘若他們所追隨的耶穌死了，一切捨棄/投資，將化為烏有；難怪伯多祿要諫責耶穌（瑪16:22）！

即使是天父挑選的磐石，仍有很多地方須要雕琢！他犯的一切錯誤，都成了後世信徒的借鏡。耶穌轉身對伯多祿說：「撒殫，退到我後面去！」（16:23）表面上是當眾責備他，教育他。但從語氣上，和祂素來對宗徒們的疼惜來看（17:14-21），更有可能是替伯多祿驅魔！要知道撒殫慣用的技倆，就是在我們不知不覺之中，替牠做出反對天主的事！眷戀眼前的成就，憧憬未來更偉大的成就，乃人之常情。擁有雄心壯志，不輕言放棄，屢敗屢戰，是堅毅不屈的美德；但當它不是天父的旨意時，成就反過來便成了我們，甚至其他人，親近天主的絆腳石！謹慎理智是美德，但當它不符合天父的旨意時，就變成了不願作見證的藉口了！撒殫的手段，真的是層出不窮。但憑人性上的「四樞德」，很難與祂抗衡。靈魂上的戰鬥，有賴超性的德行，和天主的助祐！

讓我們回頭默想復活的課題。在末日時，所有人都要復活，是猶太人，尤其是法利塞人素來的觀念。保祿怎樣處理耶穌基督可以在末日前復活呢？他引入了「復活次第」的觀念，試圖突破末日纔復活的局限。「就如在亞當內，眾人都死了，照樣在基督內，眾人都要復活；不過各人要依照自己的次第：首先是為初果的基督，然後…」（格前15:22-23）。保祿借助為人熟悉的「初果」觀念，來像徵耶穌基督。既然是初果，就表示以後世世代代，還有很多人會像耶穌一樣復活，就是那些「屬於基督的人」。所以在末日前復活，祇是一個次序上的問題。因此，耶穌基督可以在末日前復活！但福音的革命性之處，在於耶穌的復活，不但是在末日前，而更是在「第三天」，在眼前！在復活拉匝祿的故事中，耶穌基督的言論，值得深究。祂說：「我就是復活，就是生命。」（若11:25）簡單地說，祂宣稱自己就是生命的主宰。祇要好像拉匝祿一樣，與祂建立了關係，（用保祿的術語，就是「屬於基督的人」），即使在末日前，也可以復活！拉匝祿就是一個例子。他們一家三口，是耶穌基督的好朋友。拉匝祿死了，耶穌基督為他落淚（11:35）！無疑，拉匝祿後來再一次死了。但他曾復活過，所以在末日的復活，不是空談！

在保祿的神學裡，耶穌基督的復活，彰顯了天主聖三的共融。聖子取了人性，成了會死的人！天主也可以死，真是絕妙的道理！按保祿的觀點，聖子死後，是聖神，即保祿所說的「父的光榮」復活祂（羅6:4；8:11）！所以，擁有聖神，即使在末日前，在今時今日，就已經可以復活重生了！不一定是象徵式的重新做人，而是真實在從死裡復活。「你相信嗎？」（若11:25-26）事出突然，連相當接近耶穌的瑪爾大，亦祇能回應她所能明白的（11:27）。天主的奧秘，真是神妙莫測，不易為世人承受！

各位兄弟姊妹，伯多祿的例子，教我們不必氣餒！雖然受到「原罪」的影響，伯多祿一時糊塗，思念「人的事」，但並沒有動搖了他跟隨主耶穌的抉擇。雖然伯多祿很不堪當，有千瘡百孔的性格，但他不斷回頭悔改，最後能走上十字架上殉道，爭取到光榮的冠冕。回頭悔改，不就是復活的滋味嗎？世上不斷的磨練和復活，不就是耶穌基督所教導的「窄門」（瑪7:13）嗎？讓我們努力，向永生邁進！
天主保祐！
2017講道
圖片鳴謝： sundayschool.works

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Twenty Second Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: Resurrection Before Judgment Day

After His baptism, Jesus Christ spent 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness to experience the Devil's temptations. He only revealed three of the temptations which could be understood as the Devil's attempt to decipher what this Holy One sent from God before its eyes would do to save the entire world. It suggested economic, political and religious ways to solve the global problem of sin. But Jesus Christ was reticent. He only quoted from the book of Deuteronomy, leaving the Devil clueless. Today, the Devil strikes once more!

Subsequent to the gospel passage last Sunday when Jesus Christ had identified the "petra" upon which the Father has chosen to build His Church (Matthew 16:17-18), He revealed to the disciples how He was going to save the world. Jesus Christ has overestimated the disciples who still cherished their identity as God's Chosen People. They had forgotten the sacred duty of the Chosen People to all peoples. Indeed, they were not psychologically prepared. They were anticipating a Messiah, the Anointed One, like Moses or the Persian King Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1), to deliver them. They had never thought of Jesus Christ as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), as someone for all humanity! By dying and coming back to life, Jesus Christ would deliver humanity from the bondage of sin (Matthew 16:21).

Modern men do not believe in resurrection because most of them deny the existence of souls. Without souls, is it meaningful to talk about resurrection? Jesus' contemporaries, even if they believed in souls, didn't arrive at a consensus about resurrection. Greeks did not want resurrection because they believed that our souls were imprisoned inside our body. At our death, the soul would be liberated and return to the Universal Soul. Thus, Paul's preaching in Athene was a failure (Acts 17:32). There were also controversies among the Jews. The Sadducees, who were made up of priests, always denied resurrection and argued with the Pharisees (23:7-8). For those who believed in resurrection, they believed that it would take place on the Judgment Day, for example, Martha (John 11:24). Therefore, the disciples were not psychologically prepared to hear "on the third day be raised" (Matthew 16:21). It was difficult even for Peter who had witnessed Jesus' resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37). Yes, Jesus has the powerful to raise the dead. But after His death, was He able to raise Himself? Moreover, their campaign was at its zenith. There were many followers. If Jesus died, all their sacrifices/investments would come to null. No wonder Peter took Jesus aside to rebuke Him (Matthew 16:22)!

Even though Peter was elected by the Father to be the rock, he still needed a lot of polishing. The mistakes he made serve as guideposts for Christians in the future generations. Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!" (16:23) Superficially, Jesus rebuked Peter in public to chastise him. But the tone and the love Jesus had shown the apostles (17:14-21) suggests that probably Jesus was performing exorcism on Peter! Be known that Satan's modus operandi is to lead us into doing things against God unknowingly! To cherish one's achievement and to dream of more glorious prospect is human. To harbour ambitions, to never give up easily, fight doggedly is the virtue of perseverance. But when it is not the Father's will, this can be a stumbling block for us as well as others in coming close to God! Prudence is a virtue. But when it is not the Father's will, it can become an excuse not to bear witness! Satan is extremely tricky. It is difficult to fend it off with the four cardinal virtues only. In order to fight this spiritual battle, we need supernatural graces and the support of God!

Let us turn back to meditate resurrection. All men shall come back to life on Judgment Day. This is the traditional concept of the Jews, in particular the Pharisees. How did Paul explain the resurrection of Jesus Christ before the Last Day? He introduces the concept of "proper order" in order to break through the restriction. "For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then …" (1 Corinthians 15:22-23). Paul makes use of the familiar concept of "first fruits" to designate Jesus Christ. Since there is the first fruit, more shall come after in the future ages, "those who belong to Christ". Therefore, resurrection before the Judgment Day is only a matter of proper order. Therefore, Jesus Christ was able to come back to life before the Last Day. But what is revolutionary in the gospel is that not only did Jesus' resurrection come before the Last Day, but it was "on the third day", here and now! The narrative of the resurrection of Lazarus is a good example. The family of three was good friends of Jesus. When Lazarus died, Jesus wept (11:35)! No doubt, Lazarus would subsequently die. But he had come back to life. Thus, his resurrection on Judgment Day is not empty talk!

In the theology of Paul, the resurrection of Jesus Christ manifests the communion of the Blessed Trinity. The Son took flesh and became mortal! God can be mortal! What amazing doctrine! According to Paul's view, after the death of the Son, it was the Holy Spirit, in Paul's words "the glory of the Father", who raised Christ from the dead (Romans 6:4; 8:11)! Thus, the possession of the Holy Spirit is a guarantee for resurrection before Judgment Day, here and now! It is not necessarily a symbolic turning of a new leaf but a real resuscitation from the dead. "Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26) Even a person so close to Jesus as Martha was caught unprepared when confronted by the question. She could only utter whatever she could understand (11:27). God's mystery is so ineffable that it is difficult for us mere mortals to bear!

Brethren! The example of Peter teaches us not to give up! Although damaged by the Original Sin Peter made the mistake of thinking as human beings do, his decision to follow Lord Jesus Christ was not shaken. Although Peter was unworthy and his personality was flawed, he repented continually and finally suffered martyrdom on the cross and attained his glorious crown. Isn't repentance a foretaste of resurrection? Aren't those continual struggles and resurrections on earth the "narrow gate" (Matthew 7:13) taught by Jesus Christ? Let's work diligently and march towards eternal life!
God bless!

我信從宗徒傳下來的教會 I Believe in the Apostolic Church

常年期第廿一主日，甲年
主題：我信從宗徒傳下來的教會

曾讀過一篇，相信是基督新教的學者寫的，有關伯多祿是「磐石」的作品。作者懂得從希臘文入手，讀來頗有說明力。他說原文的πέτρα，不一定是磐石，也可以是石頭、石塊stone！我們天主教為了保障自己的地位，過份抬舉了伯多祿。建基在伯多祿這樣不堪的「石頭」上，真是岌岌可危！

其實，基督信仰的基礎，是耶穌基督，絕對不是伯多祿。是基督替我們釘十字架，伯多祿釘十字架殉道，並不是為了救贖我們，而是為了見證信仰。基督復活升天了，伯多祿的復活和升天與否，已超出新約作者所能記載的範疇了。耶穌基督自己曾引用聖詠，指出自己就是「匠人棄而不用的廢石，反而成了屋角的基石」（詠118:21，瑪21:42）。初期教會的宣講，也喜歡引用這段聖詠（宗4:11，伯前2:7）。這「廢石」的希臘文原文是λίθος，有異於「磐石」πέτρα。（可惜「屋角的基石」的原文，無論是希伯來文或是希臘文，是「頭」和「屋角」，並沒有運用「石」字。）

不過，用「磐石」翻釋πέτρα，是否抬舉了伯多祿呢？讓我們看看πέτρα這個字，在瑪竇福音其他部份，是怎樣用的。當中包括了「建屋在磐石上」（7:24）；耶穌斷氣時，「巖石崩裂」（27:51）和耶穌死後，遺體安放在「巖石間所鑿成」的新墓穴（27:60）。值得一提的是，在同一句，瑪竇用了λίθος來描述「把一塊大石頭滾到墓口」，所以λίθος不一定是廢石啊！從瑪竇這一句看來，巖石明顯比大石頭龐大堅實了。另一方面，伯多祿前書也是用λίθος來描述教友是建築屬神殿宇的活石（伯前2:5），並沒有基礎的意思。所以，既然是「匠人棄而不用的廢石」，應該大不了多少！這段聖詠的神奇之處，是不完美的「廢石」，落在天主手上，竟然可以化腐朽為神奇，變成屋角的「基石」！因此，耶穌基督引用這段聖詠，重點是天主的偉大：「那是上主的所行所為，在我們眼中，神妙莫測。」（詠118:23，瑪21:42）一點題外話，「基礎」的希臘文是θεμέλιος，由θέμα「埋下」和λίθος「石頭」所組成。例如默示錄記載那從天降下的新聖城耶路撒冷，它的城牆是建基在十二座「基石」之上，基石上刻有十二宗徒的名字。（默21:14）祇要埋下了，便可以借助大地的承托，成了建築物的基礎！真正的基礎不是這塊石頭，而是比這塊基石更大的地球！

在原罪的氛圍下生活，人人都有缺點。要從伯多祿，從十二宗徒或者特朗普、普京和特區一眾的高官身上找缺點，一點也不難。令人詫異的，是天父竟然召選了這些「廢石」，這些不堪當的人，來成就祂的旨意！今天互聯網發達，大家很容易接收到資訊，不再像從前一樣無知。大家有獨立的思考能力，不會被文宣所蒙蔽，有能力作出客觀判斷。掌權者既然擁有這麼大的公權力，理應負責任地為人民服務。可惜我們所見的掌權者，竟然做出這麼多反智的決定，真令人莫名其妙，慨歎不已！注意，不是掌權者的決策不符合我的心意，所以我覺得他們反智。而是人民的眼睛是雪亮的！不是一少撮「反對派」的政見，而是越來越不沉默的大多數人的共識！他們默默地承擔著掌權者「殘民以自肥」的苛政，有誰替他們申冤呢（瑪25:40）？

從更宏觀的信仰角度看，其實也是教宗方濟各不斷提出的呼籲。例如，他說：「基督信仰生活是一場永續的搏鬥…這也是一場與魔鬼、邪惡之王的長期搏鬥。」（【你們要歡喜踴躍】#158-159）魔鬼並非神話，它非常願意我們相信它並不存在！但是，相信天主，相信天主創造了有形和無形的天地萬物，我們又怎能否定靈界的存在呢？這樣的否定，豈不是自相矛盾嗎？所以大家所見到的反智政策，除了是自私的貪婪之外，除了是掌權者為了維護自私利益所建立的剝削制度外，背後還有更深層的因素！我們的對手，不單是可見的掌權者，更是不可見的魔鬼。

今天耶穌對伯多祿說：「你是伯多祿，在這磐石上，我要建立我的教會，陰間的門決不能戰勝她。」（瑪16:18）〔很有趣，為甚麼是「門」？，「陰間的門」是指魔鬼嗎？今天沒有時間深入默想，祇說一句：耶穌基督是「羊的門」（若10:7）〕所以，教會除了倡議和參予社會公義之外，還要在另一戰線與魔鬼搏鬥。教會有能力嗎？她自己當然沒有，但天主有！

這教會是「惟一」的。但不可不知，惟一的天主是三位一體的。所以教會的惟一，是包容多元的合一，而不是統一！在世界各地不同的本地教會，各有自己的文化特色；各基督教派有不同的傳統，卻是信奉同一的主、行同一的洗禮。
這教會是「神聖」的，並不是因為她是由神聖的成員所組成。這樣的話，祇有精英纔可得救！按伯多祿的教導，她是由接近了耶穌基督而成為「活石」的信徒所建構而成的，一座屬於天主的教會（伯前2:4-5）！
這神聖的教會也是「至公」的，即普世的。她不分種族、語言和習俗，收容了各式各樣的「廢石」，讓天主把他們改變成為，裝飾新耶路撒冷城牆基石的寶石（默21:19）。因此，倘若將來在天上遇見特朗普等人，發現天主真的為他們在天上留了一席位，不要奇怪！
最後，這教會是「由宗徒傳下來」的。天主教強調伯多祿是第一任教宗、今天的教宗方濟各是第二百六十六們掌門人、所有主教的按立，可以追溯到十二宗徒…這是多麼令人安心！不過，這是歷史的偶然，更重要的，是天主教代代相傳的「聖傳」!甚麼是聖傳？因為聖經不能盡錄耶穌基督所有的行實（若20:30-31），我們的信仰，有賴門徒的口耳相傳。所以能保存這些從宗徒傳下來的傳統，再經後世教會的訓導，保證其正確性，就是「從宗徒傳下來」的意義！

各位兄弟姊妹，我們有幸蒙召成為宗徒傳下來的教會中的一員，不要妄自菲薄，覺得自己很不堪當。這不是謙遜的表現，反而是否定天主的慈愛與全能！我們可能對教會領袖很失望，對政府高官很失望。請不要停留在失望中，因為對人失望，就是對按自己肖像創造卻令你失望的天主失望！對天主失望、懷疑，是魔鬼常用的技倆！小心！讓我們為所有不堪當的人祈禱，願天父的旨意，能順利地在她們身上開展。
天主保祐！

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：wikipedia.com

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Twenty First Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: I Believe in the Apostolic Church

Once I read an article written by, I believe, a Protestant author questioning the firmness of Peter as the Rock of the Church. The author was rather persuasive because he began with the Greek original. He said, the Greek word "πέτρα" does not necessarily mean rock. It could simply be a stone! We Catholics want to elevate Peter in order to defend our status. Building upon such a weakling as Peter is definitely shaky!

In fact, Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christianity, not Peter. It was Christ crucified for us. Peter's martyrdom on the cross is martyrdom, bearing witness. Christ resurrected and ascended into heaven. Whether St. Peter had come back to life and ascended is beyond the narrative scope of New Testament authors. Once Jesus Christ described Himself as "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." (Psalm 118:21, Matthew 21:42) The early Church also liked quoting this psalm (Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:7). This "rejected stone" is "λίθος" in Greek, different from "πέτρα", the rock. (Unfortunately, the original word for "cornerstone", whether in Hebrew or in Greek, is "head" and "corner". No "stone" can be found anywhere.)

But have we over-elevated Peter by translating "πέτρα" into "rock"? Let's find out how Matthew used the word "πέτρα" in the other parts of the gospel. They include, "built his house on rock" (7:24); the moment Jesus died, "rocks were split" (27:51) and lastly, Jesus' corpse was laid in a new tomb that was "hewn in the rock" (27:60). In the same breath, Matthew continued to use "λίθος" to describe "rolling a huge stone across the entrance of the tomb". Therefore, "λίθος" is not necessarily a rejected stone! From this verse in Matthew, it is obvious that rock is more massive and solid than a huge stone. On the other hand, the First Letter of Peter also uses "λίθος" to describe believers as living stones to be built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). It does not suggest any sense of foundation. Since it is a stone rejected by builders, it cannot be huge! The wonderful part of this verse is, when this unworthy, rejected stone falls into God's hand, it is turned into the cornerstone of a house! Therefore, when Jesus quoted this psalm, the focus was God's wonder, "By the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23, Matthew 21:42). Here is a digression. The Greek word of "foundation stone θεμέλιος" is made up of "to bury θέμα" and "stone λίθος". For example, the Book of Revelation mentions the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. "The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles" (Revelation 21:14). Once a stone is laid on the ground, the earth would support it to become the foundation of buildings! The real foundation is not the foundation stone, but the Earth!

Living in the milieu of Original Sin, everybody is flawed. It is not a bit difficult to find faults with Peter, with the Twelve Apostles, with Trump, with Putin and with the upper echelon of the SAR etc. The heavenly Father surprises us by calling these unworthy "rejected stones" to do His will! With the popularizing of the Internet, all of us are no longer ignorant because we are able to gain access to information. We have the ability to make independent judgment and without being persuaded by propagandas. People in power are delegated authority to serve the people in responsible manners. Regrettably, we only see them making mind-boggling stupid policies one after another. Be noted. I judge that their policies defy common sense, not because I do not buy their ideas. People's vision is twenty-twenty! It is not the political view of the minority opposition party, but the consensus of a not so silent majority today! They quietly shoulder the harsh administration of power brokers whose aim is to fatten themselves at the expense of the people. Who will render the people justice (Matthew 25:40)?

From a more macro-religious perspective, which Pope Francis has been always been advocating, e.g. he says, "The Christian life is a constant battle … It is a constant struggle against the devil, the prince of evil" (Gaudete et Exsultate #158-159), the Devil is not a myth. It definitely wants us to believe its non-existence! But since we believe in the Father, Maker of all things visible and the invisible, how can we deny the existence of the spiritual realm? It is contradictory to deny it. Therefore, all these stupid policies are more than selfish greed, or exploiting institutions established by people in power to perpetuate their interests. There is a deeper being behind! Our struggle is not simply against power brokers, but the invisible Devil.

Today, Jesus speaks to Peter, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18). [Very interesting! Why "gate"? Does "gates of the netherworld" mean the devils? Today there is no time for further meditation. I only say, Jesus is "the gate of the sheep" (John 10:7)] Therefore, not only does the Church advocate and promote social justice, but she also engages in a struggle against the Devil. Is she capable? She's not, but God is!

She is One. Let it be known that the One God is a Trinity. Therefore, there is plurality in the oneness of the Church. She is a communion of plurality, not uniformity! There are local churches with different cultural characteristics all over the world. The different Christian denominations have different traditions. But they all believe in one Lord and confess one baptism.
This Church is Holy not because she is made up of holy members. If she were, only elites would be saved! According to Peter's teaching, she is made up of living stones by coming close to Jesus Christ to be built into a spiritual house belonging to God (1 Peter 2:4-5)!
This Holy Church must also be Catholic, i.e. universal. She embraces all sorts of "rejected stones" regardless of their races, languages and customs. Let God transform them into precious stone to decorate the walls of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19). Therefore, don't be surprised to meet Trump et. al. and discover that God really has reserved a room for each of them in heaven!
Lastly, this Church is Apostolic. Catholicism emphasizes that Peter was the first pope and Francis is the 266^th, and that all the consecration of bishops can be traced all the way back to the twelve Apostles etc. How reassuring! But this is only a historical coincidence. The more important element is the Tradition handed down through ages within the Catholic Church! What is Tradition? Since the Bible is unable to contain all the words and deeds of Jesus Christ (John 20:30-31), our faith relies on the oral tradition of the disciples. The ability to preserve the tradition handed down from the Apostles, and guaranteed its truthfulness by the Magisterium of the Church through the ages is the meaning of the Apostolicity of the Church!

Brethren! We are blessed to be called to become members of the Apostolic Church. Don't look down upon yourselves because of your unworthiness. This is not humility. On the contrary, it is a denial of the mercy and omnipotence of God! We may be disappointed with Church leaders, disappointed with the State leaders. But don't stay in despair because disappointment with humanity is disappointment with God who created humanity in His own image! Disappointment with and doubt of God is the usual tricks of the Devil! Beware! Let us pray for those unworthy people. May God's will be done with them.
God bless!

耶穌的沉默 The Silence of Jesus

常年期第二十主日，甲年
主題：耶穌的沉默

提洛和漆冬，正是位於當今世界注目的黎巴嫩境內。黎巴嫩在聯合國成立後，便脫離了法國的托管，成為一個獨立的國家。阿以衝突，黎巴嫩收容了大批巴勒斯坦難民，埋下後來的內戰危機，之後便是歷史了！
耶穌基督有很豐富的難民經驗，出生後不久，為了逃避大黑落德的追殺，聖家星夜「退避到埃及去了」（瑪2:14）。今天福音的故事，不是發生在以色列境內，而是耶穌與法利塞人和經師衝突之後，「離開那裡，就迅往提洛和漆冬一帶去了」（15:21）。走得那麼快，好像逃難一樣。所以說，耶穌基督有很豐富的難民經驗！當然，耶穌基督並不害怕法利塞人的勢力，祂是出於慈父的憐憫，不想他們心腸硬化，灰心喪志（哥3:21），纔不與他們繼續衝突！

耶穌基督驅魔的能力，毋庸置疑。祂施行神蹟，與信德息息相關。一方面，神蹟可以激發群眾的信德。正如今天的神蹟，使「許多群眾帶著瘸子…頌揚以色列的天主」（瑪15:30-31）。另一方面，當事人的信德，亦是引發神蹟的關鍵（9:22）。但值得一提的，是今天的驅魔故事，當事人並不在場，而是她母親的信德激發了神蹟。這個神蹟確定了為他人的需要代禱，展示出「諸聖想通」的道理；而且，祈禱的力量很大，因為我們所祈求的天主，力量很大（路1:51a）。耶穌基督「隔空」驅魔，天主的威力，可見一斑！

在基督徒眼中，天主子降生成人，拯救世人，無分種族，包括以色列人和外邦人，是毫無疑問的。雖然耶穌親口說：「我被派遣，祇是為了以色列家失迷的羊」（瑪15:24），但這都是為了猶太人信徒的需要而記載下來的。且看這個驅魔故事，是以「頌揚以色列的天主」（15:31）作結，便知道是瑪竇為了猶太信徒而這樣寫的。在以色列人的靈魂裡，深深刻上「選民」觀念的烙印。他們是天主「從萬民中特殊的產業，是司祭的國家，聖潔的國民」（出19:5-6）。另一方面，即使亡國充軍，在異地流離失所，卻是為了讓外邦人認識天主（依45:4-5；耶16:13；則20:41，達3:45）。這種衝破種族疆界的普世性思想，出自以天主眼光看待世界的先知之口，是合理的。他們沒有受制於司祭眼光的約束，這種「進步」的選民觀念，使猶太人即使亡國，仍可以引以為傲。保祿宗徒深明猶太人的一神觀念，成了猶太人信仰耶穌基督的絆腳石，所以在今天的書信中，表達了他對鄉親的情懷。他指望在外邦人中間傳福音的成就，可以刺激到他的同胞，皈依基督（羅11:14）。同樣，瑪竇所記載的耶穌基督雖然受聖父派遣，先向以色列家宣傳福音，但並沒有排斥外邦人的意思。同時，耶穌基督以猶太人身份，在外邦人的地域大顯神威，反而為猶太信徒，爭回不少光彩。和聖保祿一樣，瑪竇也希望願耶穌基督在提洛和漆冬的成功，能刺激更多的同胞皈依！

瑪竇對宗徒們（當然包括自己）的缺點，毫不掩飾。他們擁有「選民」的身份，自尊心強。但提洛和漆冬，始終不是以色列的地方，總不應目中無人。在外邦人的地方，卻容忍不了外邦婦人的糾纏，「就上前求祂說：『打發她走走罷！因為她在我們後面不停地喊叫。』」（瑪15:23）雖然說是「求」，但這個「求」是為了自己，抑或是為了那婦人的需要呢？我對後者有保留。且看今天第一篇讀經的教訓。皈依之後是事奉，事奉之後是愛慕，愛慕之後，纔做守盟約的僕人（依56:6）！門徒跟隨耶穌，為耶穌代勞都做到了（瑪10:5-42）。但他們愛耶穌有多少呢？相信很有限，他們尚未掌握到耶穌基督的心意。倘若他們真心愛耶穌，就應該愛耶穌所愛的人。耶穌基督愛護所有的人，包括門徒們不屑交往的外邦人。他們尚未能做到，他們的「選民自我」仍然很大。耶穌基督的回覆（15:24），直刺那「選民」的自尊心，令他們感覺到這自尊心，怎樣帶來兩難！若要維護「選民的尊榮」，就要忍受糾纏的不便；若要擺脫糾纏，就要放下「選民」的身段！原來做「選民」，竟然帶來這麼多的不便，值得把持不捨嗎？

其實，這個客納罕婦人很大體，她祇在耶穌基督的後面求祂，並沒有在祂面前攔截祂，勉強祂！耶穌基督的反應是有趣的，祂「卻一句話也不回答她」（瑪15:23），好像不理會她，繼續前行考驗她，看她有多少能耐，讓她知難而退。這樣做，好像是為了維護門徒「選民」的脆弱心靈，但這樣做便放棄了救贖普世的宏旨。耶穌究竟在做甚麼呢？耶穌基督是天主，在客納罕婦人未提出要求以前，祂已經知道她需要甚麼（6:8）。所以真心的祈禱，不在多言，能在寧靜中，共主相處，四目交投，就足夠了！就在這個時刻，婦人趁耶穌把門徒陷於兩難時，來到耶穌跟前叩拜求助；不再是為了女兒，而是為自己了：「主，援助我罷」（15:25）! 相信這位客納罕母親，為照顧附魔的女兒，也受了不少苦，照顧者的苦，服務者之苦。但人總不願在人前示弱，喜歡用其他人的困難，做自己的擋箭牌！但來到天主面前，還需要掩飾嗎？耶穌與婦人的對話，好像是耶穌在為難她，歧視她。但那婦人並不示弱，從前已分析過，不再贅述。這裡想補充的，是婦人在祈禱中，雖然救女心切，但仍能細心聆聽到天主對她的講話，找到切入點「反擊」，既維護了自己的尊嚴，亦承認了以色列天主的偉大（15:27）！今天發覺到，原來與天主交談，真的有機會與天主搏鬥（創32:23-33）！

各位兄弟姊妹，雖然在祈禱以前，天主已經知道我們需要甚麼；但天主仍然與我們交談，針對我們的需要，因材施教，操練我們，有如祂今天操練門徒與客納罕婦人一樣。今天且讓我們為黎巴嫩的苦難，向人類救主，呈上我們的祈禱，扭轉當地人民的命運（詠126:4）！
天主保祐！

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：https://www.orucc.org/on-being-heard-tammy-martens-3-4-18/

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Twentieth Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: The Silence of Jesus

Tyre and Sidon are located at the focus of the world today, namely Lebanon which attained independence as the French Mandate terminated after the establishment of the United Nations. During the Arab-Israeli Conflicts, Lebanon received many Palestinian refugees which contributed to subsequent civil wars. The rest is history!
Jesus Christ is an experienced refugee. Soon after His birth, the Holy Family "by night and departed for Egypt" in order to hide from the assassination of Herod the Great. (Matthew 2:14) The story today did not take place in Israel. It was after the conflict with the Pharisees and scribes, "Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon" (15:21) like a refugee. That's why I said earlier that Jesus had been an experienced refugee! Of course, Jesus Christ was not afraid of the Pharisees' power. Instead, He showed them fatherly love, not wanting them to harden their heart and discourage them (Colossians 3:21). Thus He did not continue to provoke them!

Jesus' exorcist power is indisputable and working miracles is closely related to faith. On one hand, miracles can enhance people's faith. Like the miracle today, it resulted in "great crowds came to him, having with them the lame … and glorified the God of Israel." (Matthew 15:30-31). On the other hand, the faith of the person concerned was always the key which triggered off miracles (9:22). But there is one thing worth paying attention to. In the exorcism story today, the person concerned was not at the spot. It was her mother who triggered the miracle. Therefore, this miracle affirmed the teachings of intercession prayer and communion of saints. Furthermore, the power of prayer is tremendous because the God we pray to is extremely mighty (Luke 1:51a). Jesus' "remote exorcism" shows just how powerful God can be!

In the eyes of Christians, that the Son of God took flesh and became man to redeem humanity irrespective of races, including both Israelites and Gentiles, is common knowledge. Although Jesus Christ says in His own words, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24), it was for the sake of the Jewish disciples. Look at this exorcism story. It ended with "glorified the God of Israel" (15:31) which shows that Matthew wrote this for the Jewish Christians. Craved deeply in the souls of all Israelites is the concept of the "Chosen People". They were God's "treasured possession among all peoples, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:5-6) On the other hand, they were able to see their captivity as an opportunity to allow the Gentiles to know Yahweh (Isaiah 45:4-5, Jeremiah 16:13, Ezekiel 20:41, Daniel 3:45). It is reasonable for this global mentality, which goes beyond races and regions, to come from prophets who saw with the eyes of God. They were not constrained by the priestly perspective. Such a "progressive" conception of Chosen People empowered the Jews to sustain in exile. Paul the apostle knew too well that the Jewish monotheism would be a stumbling block for Jews to accept Christianity. He showed his passion for his country folks in the epistle we read today. He wished that his successful evangelization among Gentiles might make his race jealous and convert to Christ (Romans 11:14). In the same way, the Jesus in Matthew made it clear that He was sent to the House of Israel. But that does not exclude the Gentiles. At the same time, as a Jew, Jesus Christ manifested His might among the Gentiles, winning back the dignity of the Chosen People. Like St. Paul, Matthew might also want Jesus' success in Tyre and Sidon to provoke more Jews to conversion!

Matthew does not cover up the inadequacy of the Apostles (of course, including he himself). They were proud of their identity as the Chosen People. But after all, Tyre and Sidon were alien lands. They shouldn't be arrogant. In a foreign land, they could not tolerate a foreign woman dogging them, "came and asked Jesus, ‘Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us'" (Matthew 15:23). Did they come and ask for their own sake or for the sake of the woman? I doubt very much about the latter. Let's take a look at the first reading today. After joining comes ministering, after ministering comes loving and only after loving would they become servants holding fast God's covenant (Isaiah 56:6)! The disciples had joined and ministered to Jesus (Matthew 10:5-42). But how much did they love Jesus? I believe that their love is limited. They were still unable to know Jesus' mind. Had they loved Jesus genuinely, they would have loved whomever Jesus loved. Jesus loves us all, including the Gentiles whom the disciples despised. They couldn't. Their Chosen People ego still loomed large. Jesus' response (15:24) pierce through their self-image which put them in a dilemma! To maintain the dignity and glory of being a Chosen People, they had to tolerate the inconvenience of being dogged. To rid themselves of the dogging, they had to let go of their pride as the Chosen People. How inconvenient it is to be God's Chosen People! Is such an identity worth keeping?

In fact, this Canaanite woman knew her position well. She only begging Jesus Christ from behind and did not intercept Him and ram her request down Jesus' throat! Jesus' response was interesting. He "did not say a word in answer to her" (Matthew 15:23). It seems that Jesus ignored her, continued ahead to test her, to see how long she would persist and leave. In doing so, He seemed to have protected the fragile souls of the disciples as the Chosen People. But such an interpretation goes against Jesus' will of universal redemption. What was Jesus doing? Jesus Christ is God. Before the Canaanite woman asked, Jesus had already known what she needed (6:8). Therefore authentic prayers need not to babble. Stay with the Lord in silence. Maintain a blessed gaze. That's enough! The woman seized the moment when Jesus put his disciples in a dilemma, came and did homage to Him begging, not for her daughter but for herself, "Lord, help me" (15:25)! I believe that this Canaanite mother must have suffered a lot attending to her possessed daughter. She suffered as many a care-giver. But people don't want to reveal their weaknesses before others. They like to hide behind other people's vulnerabilities, their fig-leaf! But before God, need we to hide? In the dialogue between Jesus and the woman, it looks as if Jesus was putting obstacles before her, discriminating against her. But the woman was in fact fighting back. I have previously analysed this point and shall not repeat here. But I want to mention one more point. In her fervent intercession for her daughter, the Canaanite woman was able to listen to God's word attentively. She was able to spot a stance to fight back, defending her dignity as well as acknowledging the wonder of the God of Israel (15:27)! Indeed, when you engage with God in prayers, be prepared for a fight (Genesis 32:23-33)!

Brethren! Although the Father already knows what we need even before we ask Him, He is pleased to talk with us, teach us and train us according to our abilities, just like what Jesus did today with the disciples and the Canaanite woman. So, let us pray for the sufferings of Lebanon. Offer our prayers to the Redeemer of humanity to "Restore our captives" (Psalms 126:4)!
God bless!