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Sunday, 30 March 2025

修和是希望的曙光 Reconciliation Is A Sign of Hope

四旬期第四主日,喜樂主日,丙年
主題:修和是希望的曙光 Reconciliation Is A Sign of Hope

在默想今天福音的教訓之前,讓我們溫習一點背景資料。
今天的第一篇讀經告訴我們,大約在公元前1400年,若蘇厄繼承了梅瑟未完成的任務,帶領以色列十二支派,成功渡過約旦河,佔領客納罕,即上主天主應許給他們的祖先亞巴郎的土地,在那裡安居樂業。大約在公元前1000年,達味成功地團結了十二支派,成為一個「以色列國」。並且得到天主的嘉許,達味家族將永遠統治以色列。在達味的兒子撒羅滿以智慧統治之下,以色列的國力蒸蒸日上,推至巔峰。但好境不常,成功帶來驕傲自大,忘記了是天主在照料他們。結果撒羅滿死後,以色列國分裂為南北兩國,北國仍稱為「以色列」,南國稱為「猶大」。後來,兩個王國先後給亞述帝國及巴比倫帝國征服,無論貴族或是平民,祇要是壯丁,都被充軍到異地。他們再沒有聖殿可以朝拜祭獻天主!充軍巴比倫發生在公元前586年。就在這個國難時期,百姓中興起了一批知識份子。他們為了保存以色列是「天主選民」的身份,便搜集經典,甚至憑記憶,重新編纂自己的歷史。在異域惡劣的條件下,負擔起「國魂工程師」的使命。這批知識份子,就是後來的「法利塞人」,意即「不與外族人來往」。

後來波斯帝國取代了巴比倫帝國,一統天下。雖然在政治上,猶大地區仍是波斯帝國的殖民地,但猶太人獲准返回耶路撒冷重建聖殿,享有宗教上的自由,這大約是公元前515年的事了。後來希臘帝國滅了波斯,而她又被羅馬帝國所取代。到了公元前6年,天主子耶穌基督降生在白冷。由波斯帝國到羅馬帝國時代,猶太教除了按法律規定的祭祀外,也增添了對經典的研究,法利塞人便順理成章,成為了「以色列的師傅」,耶穌基督就是這樣稱呼在夜間來探訪祂的尼苛德摩(若3:10)!可見法利塞人在百姓心目中的地位,足以媲美司祭,而且是天主所肯定的。
所謂「人之患,在好為人師」(孟子‧離婁上)。這班「以色列的師傅」犯了他們的祖先撒羅滿王同樣的錯,誤用了天主賞賜的智慧,在吹毛求疵之上,更漸漸變成自以為是。甚至自私自利,運用自己的專業知識,「吞沒寡婦的家產,而以長久的祈禱作掩飾」(谷12:10),成為了「偽善」的代名詞。

天主子耶穌基督很少口誅筆伐這群「以色列的師傅」,反而諄諄善誘,對他們憐愛有加。因為在每個人的心裡,或多或少都有一個自以為是的法利塞人。「錯不在我們,我們保留追究的權利」是耳熟能詳的外交口吻,祇不過是心理上常用的自衛機制之一。當這些自衛機制成了條件反射的時候,便毫無理性邏輯可言了。首先是「否認」,跟著是轉移視線,推卸責任。有時會貶低別人來抬舉自己,挑撥離間而從中取利等等,無所不用其技。這一切技倆,無非為了保護脆弱的自我。人類的自我為甚麼是這樣脆弱呢?歸根究底,就是人類離棄了天主,崇拜其他偶像:例如財富和權勢,失去了天主所賜予的恩寵;我們簡稱這種失落恩寵的狀態為「罪」。上主天主創造原祖父母時,賜給他們「原始恩寵」,在樂園中與天主所有的受造物一同生活,管理牠們。可惜原祖父母違背了天主的指示,失落了原始恩寵,我們簡稱之為「原罪」。所以今天耶穌基督所說的「浪子回頭」比喻,不但對法利塞人說,也是對我們說的。

其實「浪子回頭」這個名稱是錯的,因為故事的主角不是小兒子,而是長子。路加開宗明義說,這個比喻是耶穌講述給法利塞人和經師聽的(路15:2-3);不是為「公開的罪人」,而是為那些自以為義的「隱藏罪人」,即是我們!請留意一個細節:「那小的向父親說:父親,請把我應得的一分家產給我罷!父親遂把產業給他們分開了」(15:12)。長子沒有提出,卻分到了自己應得的一分!作為長子,他理應規勸弟弟,不要在父親尚未病危,便提出分家產那樣不孝。他沒有這樣做,甚至有慫恿弟弟提出分家產,自己坐享其成之嫌!當然,福音沒有記載,並不表示沒有發生,長子曾規勸小兒子是可能的。

親愛的讀者,你也有關懷身邊的人,你的配偶、親友恩人、同學同事,靈魂上的生死嗎?你有沒有不厭其煩地鼓勵還沒有皈依耶穌的,加入教會呢?你有沒有不離不棄地陪伴著上了癮,例如吸毒、酗酒、賭博或電玩的,苦口婆心地規勸他們戒除惡習呢?這不是容易做到的,但要知道天主是慈悲的,一定會給予罪人回頭悔改的機會;即是說,天主一定會幫助勸勉別人修和悔改的我們。保祿宗徒在今天的第二篇讀經中,請求我們「代基督作大使,好像是天主藉著我們來勸勉世人」(格後5:20)。每個人是獨特的,罪人也是人,所以每個罪人,包括是公開的和隱藏的,也是獨特的。即使我們是公開的罪人,也不應放棄做某個罪人的「修和大使」的機會,讓多些人獲得天主的救恩。因為拒絕修和,表示堅持站在天主的對立面,便會喪失獲得永生的希望了!

人固然必須與天主和好,與別人和好;但也不要忘記與自己修和。與自己修和,就是留意自己有沒有做一些傷害自己靈魂的事,即隱藏的「自殘」的事。雖然「十誡」和「七罪宗」有點古老,卻是一個很有參考價值的自省工具。曾子說得好:「吾日三省吾身:為人謀而不忠乎 ?與朋友交而不信乎?傳不習乎?」(論語‧學而)「忠」和「信」是基本的倫理道德,是每個人都應該做的事。但實踐()天主聖言(),卻是每個天主教徒應該履行的本份啊!請注意,這個「浪子回頭」比喻的結局是開放的,長子最後有沒有聽從父親的規勸,進入屋內一起慶祝成為「一個新受造物」(格後5:17),是由聽眾/讀者,你和我自己決定如何「習傳」,如何完成。亞孟。
天主保祐!


2022年反省
圖片鳴謝:ideogram.ai

Saturday, 29 March 2025

基督徒的希望 The Hope of Christians

【失望/希望系列(六)】
基督徒的希望(路18:9-14)

我們所信仰的天主,是一個鋤強扶弱的天主,祂喜歡為受苦和被欺負的人出頭。法律書《申命紀》和先知書記載了天主憐愛猶太人的原因。法律書這樣寫:「上主喜愛你們,揀選你們,並不是因為你們比其餘的民族人數眾多;其實你們在所有的民族中,是最少的一個;而是由於上主對你們的愛,並為履行祂向你們祖先所起的誓…」(申7:7-8a)。厄則克耳先知用一個比喻說出以色列是上主的淨配:「當你出生時…沒有一個人憐視你…我從你身旁經過時,見你輾轉在血污中…我又經過你身旁時,看見了你…我就向你展開了我的衣襟,遮蓋了你的裸體,也向你發了誓,立了約─吾主上主的斷語─你遂成了我的…你的名聲傳遍了萬國;因我用我的飾物點綴了你,你纔如此美麗無瑕」(則16:3-14)。我們在星期三的默想中,已經認識到法律和先知是【舊約】的根基。可以看到,即使是猶太教,也認識到是上主天主先憐愛了我們,我們纔享受到今日的富貴與平安。

到了【新約】時代,保祿宗徒曾以諷刺的口吻,勸勉門徒避免「自以為是」的傾向。「弟兄們!你們看看你們是怎樣蒙召的:按肉眼來看,你們中有智慧的人並不多,有權勢的人也不多,顯貴的人也不多;天主偏召選了世上愚妄的,為羞辱那有智慧的;召選了世上懦弱的,為羞辱那堅強的;甚而天主召選了世上卑賤的和受人輕視的,以及那些一無所有的,為消滅那些有的」(格前1:26-28)。言下之意,宗徒警告那些聰明和有財有勢的人,自以為是便會站在天主的對立面,最後祇會一敗塗地!路加是保祿的門徒,今天他以一個比喻,做出一個強烈的對比。當中的教訓,不言而喻。耶穌基督在〔真福八端〕也指出神貧、哀慟、溫良、飢渴、對天主專一的人和被迫害的人是蒙受祝福的(瑪5:3-10)。

親愛的讀者,生活在【新約】的我們,信仰條件比【舊約】更優勝。倘若猶太人也有得救的希望,我們的蒙福的希望不是更高、更肯定的嗎?所以我們應該喜樂。明天是「喜樂主日」,四旬期已過了一半。讓我們收拾心情,向更崇高的「望德」邁進。亞孟。
天主保祐!


生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝:ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (VI)
The Hope of Christians (Luke 18:9-14)

The God whom we believe in is a God who helps the weak to defeat the strong. He likes to advocate for those who suffer and are abused. The Torah, in particular the book of Deuteronomy, and the Prophets tell us the reason why God has mercy on the Jews. The Torah says, “It was not because you are more numerous than all the peoples that the LORD set His heart on you and chose you; for you are really the smallest of all peoples. It was because the LORD loved you and because of His fidelity to the oath He had sworn to your ancestors …” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8a). Ezekiel the prophet uses a parable to tell us that Israel is the spouse of the LORD, “On the day you were born … No eye looked on you with pity or compassion … Then I passed by and saw you struggling in your blood … I passed by you again and saw that … So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness; I swore an oath to you and entered into covenant with you --- oracle of the LORD --- and you became mine … You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfected by the splendour I showered on you” (Ezekiel 16:4-14). In our meditation on Wednesday, we know that Torah and Prophets are the foundation of the Old Testament. Thus, even Judaism knows that the LORD God has mercy on us so that we are able to enjoy prosperity and peace today.

In New Testament times, Paul the apostle writes in a sarcastic tone to Christians, encouraging them to avoid the tendency of self-righteousness. “Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28). In other words, the apostle warns those who are wise, rich and powerful of the world that being self-righteous shall put themselves opposite God and shall be defeated! Luke is a disciple of Paul. Today, Luke puts the same teaching vividly in a parable contrasting between self-righteousness and humility. Similarly in the Beatitudes, Jesus Christ points out that blessed are the poor, the mournful, the meek, the hungered, the one-minded and the persecuted (Matthew 6:3-10).

Beloved readers! Living in the age of the New Testament, we are at an advantage over the Old Testament in terms of religious milieu. If Jews have hope of salvation, should our hope of blessedness not be higher and more certain? Tomorrow is Laetare Sunday and we are half-way through the Lenten Season. Let us focus and scale greater height of HOPE. Amen.
God bless!

Friday, 28 March 2025

猶太人的希望 The Hope of the Jews

【失望/希望系列(五)】
猶太人的希望(谷12:28b-34)

亞巴郎是天主的朋友(達3:35),天主曾應許亞巴郎,他的子孫有如天上的繁星,多得不可勝數(創15:5);而且天主為他的子孫,預留了安居樂業的土地,客納罕(15:18-21; 17:8);最重要的,是天下萬民要因他和他的後裔,蒙受祝福(12:3b)。天主是全能的,言出必行,祂必會兌現所有的承諾。但人類存在於時間和空間之中,所以天主的承諾,不會即時兌現。例如,亞巴郎的曾孫若瑟,先被賣到埃及當奴隸,後來當了埃及宰相,幫助埃及和四周的民族,渡過七年的大旱,並安排了父親雅各伯(以色列)一家七十口,遷居埃及,免受大旱之苦(46:27)。定居四百三十年後(出12:40-41),成了一個60萬人的族群(12:37),在埃及當奴隸。以色列人是一個聰明務實的百姓,有食有住,並不以奴役為苦!但奴役始終不是祝福埃及國,所以天主召選了梅瑟解放他們。離開埃及,過了紅海,擺脫了法朗的追捕後,下一步要面對的,就是如何前往客納罕的問題了。60萬人一齊前行,包括婦孺老弱在內,可能要用幾個月的時間。姑且不考慮軍事上如何與沿途的民族交戰,也要思考如何應付60萬人飲食上的需要!的確,在起初,擺脫埃及人的奴役是相當吸引和理想的,不用周詳的計劃,祇憑一鼓作氣,足以成事;但面對一望無際的曠野,何來食物和飲用水呢?難怪群眾抱怨梅瑟,要求返回埃及,甚至死在埃及(14:11-12; 16:1-3)!

雖然猶太人是一個「執拗的百姓」(出32:9; 申9:6),經常背叛天主、試探天主,但不要忘記,第一代基督徒,全部都是猶太人!所以天主對猶太人,仍然懷有希望,不斷給他們回頭悔改的機會。因為猶太人務實,與天主的關係中,「愛」的元素不足,我們可以從經文中找到一些線索。在《梅瑟五書》,「愛」字祇出現過58次,一半集中在《申命紀》; 而在《四福音》,「愛」字出現過109次,幾乎是《梅瑟五書》的兩倍!可見猶太人不是不知道「愛」的重要,但在教義上,猶太教認為全燔祭和犧牲,是與天主來往最重要的事務。所以在今天福音中,耶穌讚賞這位挑戰祂的經師,回答得明智(谷12:34a),明白到遵守「愛」的誡命,遠超過一切教義上最重要的事務(12:33)。

親愛的讀者,這位被耶穌基督讚賞的經師和所有猶太人是有希望的,因為他們離天主的國不遠。至於他們能否進入天國,在於他們能否知行合一!朋友,你和他們一樣是知道愛主愛人的重要,你進入了天主的國沒有? 天主保祐!


生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝: ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (V)
The Hope of the Jews (Mark 12:28B-34)

Abraham was God’s friend (Daniel 3:35). God had promised him that his off-springs would be innumerable like the stars in heavens (Genesis 15:5). Furthermore, God had prepared a piece of land, Canaan, for his descendants (15:18-21; 17:8). Most important of all, peoples on earth shall be blessed through him and his descendants (12:3b). God is almighty. He has spoken and it shall be done. He shall honour all His pledges. But humanity exist in space and time. Thus God’s pledges would not be realized instantly. For example, Joseph, the grandson of Abraham was firstly sold into Egypt as a slave and later became the Vizier of Egypt, helping Egypt and surround peoples to survive a seven-year drought and helped arrange the household of his father, Jacob/Israel, a total of 70 people migrate to Egypt to weather through the drought (46:27). After settling in Egypt for 430 years (Exodus 12:40-41), they became a huge ethnic group of 600,000 slaves. The Israelites were a smart and pragmatic people. Where there was food and lodging, it did not bother them to be slaves! But slavery was not a blessing to Egypt either. So God called Moses to liberate them. After crossing the Red Sea and freed from Pharaoh’s chase, moving towards Canaan was the next issue to handle. 600,000 people, including women, children and the aged, might take several months to reach Canaan. Even if they did not have to consider military conflicts with peoples along the way, they still needed to meet the hunger and thirst of 600,000 people! Indeed, in the beginning, freedom from slavery was very attractive and idealistic. There was no need of detailed planning. Guts and hot blood sufficed their success. But looking across the vase wilderness without ends, where came water and food? We should not blame the crowd for demanding a return to Egypt and even died there (14:11-12; 16:1-3)!

Although the Jews are a stiff-necked people (Exodus 32:9; Deuteronomy 9:6), always rebellious and put the LORD God to the test, don’t forget, the first generation Christians were all Jews! Therefore, God still hopes on the Jews and always gives them opportunities to repent and to return. Since they are pragmatic, there is insufficient amount of love in their relationship with God. We are able to find clues in their Scriptures. In the Pentateuch, the word “love” appears 58 times only. Half of them are found in Deuteronomy. Whereas in the canonical gospels, the word “love” appears 109 times, nearly double that in the Pentateuch! Thus, the Jews know the importance of “love” but in their doctrines, offering holocausts and sacrifices are the most important things to do in dealing with God. In today’s gospel passage, Jesus praised the scribe who challenged him for answering with understanding (Mark 12:34a), knowing that observing the commandments of love “is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (12:33).

Beloved readers, this scribe whom Jesus Christ praises and all the Jews are still hopeful because they are not far from the Kingdom of God. Whether they are able to enter depends on whether they can put their knowledge into practice. Friends, both you and they know the importance of loving God and loving neighbour. Have you entered the Kingdom of God?
God bless!

Thursday, 27 March 2025

猶太人的失望 The Disappointment of the Jews

【失望/希望系列(四)】
猶太人的失望(路11:14-23)

在猶太人心目中,梅瑟的法令和規律是絕對重要的,因為是天主藉著梅瑟與他們立約,並頒布一些指導性的原則,在日常生活中實踐;而且,這是猶太民族的尊嚴。《梅瑟五書》有這樣的記載:「你們要謹守遵行,因為這樣,在萬民眼中,纔能顯出你們的智慧和見識;他們一聽到這一切法令說:這實在是一個有智慧,有見識的大民族!有那個大民族的神這樣接近他們,如同上主我們的天主,在我們每次呼求祂時,這樣親近我們呢?」(申4:6-7)擁有這些法律,是他們引以為榮的事,顯示出他們有智慧、有見識,和有一位全能的天主為他們作戰,作他們的後盾!因此遵守梅瑟法律,是民族的尊嚴和榮耀。

最近,一個來自加里肋亞省,納匝肋小鎮的木匠,竟然也成了一位師傅。他四出宣教,連法利塞人也請他吃飯(路7:36);他還行了不少治病、驅魔,甚至復活死人的神蹟,博得群眾的驚訝和信服(11:14)!可惜這位師傅的行為離經背道:他不遵守梅瑟法律,與罪人同席、在安息日治病、與外邦人來往等等,簡直是猶太人的恥辱,令人失望,他沒有資格做師傅!

雖然治病、驅魔,甚至復活死人,都不是耶穌基督的主要使命,但足以顯示天主的國已經進入了這個世界(11:20),正在與魔鬼進行一場屬靈的戰爭。所以耶穌基督用了戰爭的術語,諸如「佩帶武器」、「瓜分贓物」等等,來駁斥那些毀謗祂的人。

親愛的讀者,這些猶太人是應該失望的,因為他們站在救主的對立面,而且他們的勝算是零。這是一場曠日持久的正邪對決,沒有中間路線可以選擇,沒有三國鼎立的可能。所以,不隨同耶穌基督拯救罪人靈魂的、不傳福音的,即那些「不同我收集」的人,就是從天主手中,搶走罪人的靈魂,送往魔鬼陣營去,即那些瓦解基督的努力「就是分散」的人!朋友,已經是四旬期第三周了,你在哪個陣營呢?
天主保祐!


生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝: ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (IV)
The Disappointment of the Jews (Luke 11:14-23)

In the Jewish mind, the Mosaic regulations and precepts are of utmost importance because God established a holy covenant with them through Moses and told them to observe these guiding instructions in their daily life. Moreover, these laws are the pride of the Jewish people. The Pentateuch has these words, “Observe them carefully, for this is your wisdom and discernment in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and discerning people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:6-7) Possession of these statues is their pride, showing their wisdom and knowledge. Moreover, there is an almighty God to fight battles for them, to be their shield! Therefore, observing Mosaic Law is a national pride and glory.

Lately, a carpenter who grew up in a small town of Nazareth in the province of Galilee, came as a Rabbi like a whirlwind. He went around to preach. Even Pharisees invited him to dinner (Luke 7:36). He was able to perform many healing miracles and exorcisms. He even resuscitated the dead and had won awe and conversion from the crowd (11:14). Regrettably, this Rabbi’s behaviours were heretic: He did not observe Mosaic Law, dined with sinners, healed diseases on Sabbaths and interacted with the Gentiles etc. His actions brought shame on us Jews and were disappointing. He should not be a Rabbi!

Although healings, exorcisms and even raising the dead are not the major missions of Jesus Christ, they suffice to show that the Kingdom of Heaven has entered this world (11:20) and is engaged in a spiritual warfare with Satan. Thus, Jesus Christ made use of military jargons, such as “armour” and “distributes the spoils” etc. to refute those who try to defame Him.

Beloved readers! Those Jews should be disappointed because they stood against the Savour and their chance of winning was zero! This warfare is an extended confrontation between the justified and the wicked. There is no middle ground, no possible tripartite equilibrium. Thus, those who do not follow Jesus Christ to save souls and who do not evangelize, are “those who do not gather”, namely those who kidnap sinners’ souls and send them to Satan’s camp. They neutralize the efforts of Christ. They scatter! Friends, we are already in the third week of Lent. Which side are you?
God bless!

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

基督徒的失望 The Disappointment of Christians

【失望/希望系列(三)】
基督徒的失望(瑪5:17-19)

保祿宗徒教訓我們說:「今後為那些在基督耶穌內的人,已無罪可定,因為在基督耶穌內賜與生命之神的法律,已使我獲得自由,脫離了罪惡與死亡的法律」(羅8:1-2)。如果我們沒有理解錯,基督徒,即保祿在《羅馬書》所說的「在基督耶穌內的人」,不用再遵守「罪惡與死亡的法律」,祇要奉行耶穌基督所賜予的彼此相愛的新誡命(若13:34)—這彼此相愛的新誡命,就是「基督耶穌內賜與生命之神的法律」。這法律使我們獲得自由,脫離了罪惡與死亡的法律;即梅瑟的法律,舊約的法律。簡而言之,基督徒祇要履行彼此相愛的誡命,就不用再死守舊約的法律了,就「無罪可定」了!但耶穌基督卻在今天的福音,告訴祂的門徒,天主並沒有廢除梅瑟的法律和先知的教訓,(瑪5:17a),真令基督徒大失所望!我們滿以為祗要遵守耶穌基督所教導的最大誡命(22:37-40),再不用死守其餘的611條舊約的規條,諸如守安息日、十一奉獻和繁瑣的取潔規矩等。我們是否理解錯了保祿的教訓呢?還是理解錯了耶穌基督的教訓,以至出現了守法律又不守法律的矛盾呢?

其實,耶穌基督來不是為廢除法律和先知,而是來肯定它、應驗它。即是說,人按《法律Torah》和《先知書》的指導來生活,已經足以獲得救恩。天主在西乃山頒布「十誡」,十句指導性的說話;梅瑟再按現實生活演繹成《梅瑟五書》;後世的法利塞人和法學士,更進一步梳理出613條法律規條,供以色列人遵守,從而獲得救贖。天主子耶穌基督肯定了梅瑟、眾先知和法利塞人的貢獻,正如祂自己說:「我來不是為廢除,而是為成全」(5:17b),祂來是為履行祂在這些文獻中所應許的諾言。所以祂指出613條法律中最大的誡命,並且在最後晚餐,再三叮囑祂的門徒要彼此相愛,以愛德的精神,履行令人獲得自由的法律,而不是令人死亡的法律!因為按愛德的精神履行法律,令人自由,令人無罪。缺乏了愛德的精神死守規條,祇會步向死亡!

親愛的讀者,在彼此相愛之中,沒有矛盾,反而充滿希望,朝著天主的許諾邁進。亞孟。
天主保祐!


生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝: ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (III)
The Disappointment of Christians (Matthew 5:17-19)

St. Paul teaches us that, “Hence, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). If we understand correctly, Christians, whom Paul refers to as “those who are in Christ Jesus”, do not need to observe “the law of sin and death”. We only need to practise the “love one another” commandment given by Jesus Christ (John 13:34). This “love one another” commandment is the “law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus”. The law of sin and death is the Mosaic Law, the Torah of the Old Testament. Christ’s commandment frees us from the law of sin and death. Simply put, Christians only need to practise the love one another commandment and do not need to observe the laws of the Old Testament. Thus, there is no condemnation! However, Jesus Christ tells us in today’s gospel that God has not abolished the Mosaic Law and the teachings of the prophets (Matthew 5:17a). How disappointing it is for Christians! We think that we only need to observe the greatest commandment taught by Jesus Christ (22:37-40), then we don’t need to practise the remaining 611 Old Testament regulations and precepts such as Sabbath observance, tithe offering and meticulous cleansing rituals etc. Have we misunderstood Paul’ teachings? Or Jesus’ so that a contradiction arises as to observe or not to observe?

In fact, Jesus Christ does not come to abolish the Torah and the teachings of the prophets but to affirm them and fulfil them. That is to say, leading our lives according to the guidance of the Torah and the Prophets suffice our salvation. The Ten Commandments God gave on Mount Sinai were ten guiding instructions for us to lead our lives. Moses concretized them into the Torah. Pharisees and scribes in latter ages distilled 613 regulations and precepts for the ease of observance for the Jews in order to attain redemption. The Son of God Jesus Christ affirms the contributions of Moses and Pharisees. Just as what He Himself says, “I do not come to abolish but to fulfill” (5:17b). He came to honour the pledges God made in the Scriptures. Thus, He points out which among the 613 regulations is the greatest commandment. Moreover, during the Last Super, He commands His disciples to love one another, to observe the law in the spirit of charity, not to practise the law of death. It is because practising the law with charity frees us from condemnation. Observe the law to the letters without love will only lead to death!

Beloved readers! There is no contradiction in loving one another. On the contrary, we are moving towards God’s pledges in full-fledged hope. Amen.
God bless!

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

瑪利亞‧納匝肋的希望 The Hope of Mary Nazareth

【失望/希望系列(二)】
瑪利亞‧納匝肋的希望(路1:26-38)

路加福音記載了兩個「領報」的故事,總領天使加俾額爾奉派,分別向匝加利亞和瑪利亞宣報若翰洗者的誕生和耶穌基督的誕生。兩位當事人也曾提出疑問,即匝加利亞:「我憑著甚麼能知道這事呢?因為我已經老了,我的妻子也上了年紀」(路1:18)和瑪利亞:「這事怎能成就,因為我不認識男人」(1:34);但兩人的結果徹然不同,匝加利亞成了啞巴九個月,直至若翰洗者誕生為止;而瑪利亞卻沒有遭受任可懲罰,九個月後順利誕下耶穌。看來天主有點偏心,對匝加利亞嚴苛,卻寬待瑪利亞。我們暫且放下天主是否公平的問題,先處理瑪利亞提問的深層意義。

對瑪利亞提問的一般解釋,都把焦點放在維護她是童貞女的身份上。因為希伯來文的「認識」,可以用來含蓄地表達夫妻行房的意思,例如:「亞當認識了自己的妻子厄娃,厄娃懷了孕…」(創4:1)。所以瑪利亞的提問,表示她是一個潔身自愛的童貞女,沒有與男人發生過關係。這個解釋是有問題的,因為瑪利亞是若瑟未過門的妻子,若瑟「認識」她是遲早的事;而且,不能為丈夫懷孕生子的女人,會遭受歧視。天使告訴她將來會懷孕生子,真是求之不得,何必提問呢?所以瑪利亞的提問,不是為了證明她是玉潔冰清那麼簡單。

我個人認為,始胎無染原罪的瑪利亞,以一顆無玷聖心,渴望以童貞女的狀態,終身事奉天主。父母卻把她許配給若瑟,真是晴天霹靂,不知如何是好。即使向父母表白,他們未必會體諒。為了這件事,她可能不停地求天主「免她喝這結婚的苦杯」。如今天使報喜,這是她向天主「投訴」事與願違的好機會。瑪利亞以一句「我不認識男人」來表達她守貞的立場,而不是描述她是童貞女的狀態!既然是表態,天主又怎會懲罰她呢?瑪利亞表態,是想確定天主的旨意。或許,天主的旨意是要她做母親,而不是做貞女。

親愛的讀者,守貞與懷孕生子是矛盾的,但天使說得好:「因為在天主前沒有不能的事」(路1:37),這句話正是瑪利亞的希望所在,她可以安心地奉行天主的旨意,做一個賢妻良母;一切任由天主安排。結果,瑪利亞既保持著卒世童貞的狀態,又成了天主之母,地位在所有天使聖人及殉道者之上。亞孟。 天主保祐!


生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝: ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (II)
The Hope of Mary Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38)

There are two Annunciation stories in the gospel of Luke. Archangel Gabriel was sent to Zechariah and Mary to announce the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ respectively. Both recipients raised questions, namely Zechariah asked, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18) and Mary asked, “How can this be, since I know not a man?” (1:34) However, they received different treatments. Zechariah became mute for nine months until the birth of John the Baptist while Mary did not receive any punishment. After nine months, Jesus was born without complications. It looks as if God had been partial. He was harsh towards Zechariah but lenient towards Mary. Let us put away the problem of God’s fairness for the time being and focus on the deeper meaning of the question Mary raised.

Most common explanations of Mary’s question focus on upholding her virginity. In Hebrew, the word “know” can mean intercourse between husband and wife. For example, “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived …” (Genesis 4:1). Therefore, Mary raised the question to show that she was a chaste virgin and had never had intercourse with any man. This explanation is flawed because Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Soon or later, Joseph would “know” her. Moreover it was a shame for a wife to fail to conceive and give birth to a son for her husband. When the angel told Mary that she would conceive and give birth to a son, she should be delighted. Why raised the question? Thus, Mary’s question was not simply a declaration of her purity.

I personally opine that immaculately conceived Mary, with an immaculate heart, had desired to serve God all the days of her life in the capacity of a virgin. Now that her parents had betrothed her to Joseph, she was in a dilemma! Even if she told her parents her vocation, her parents were unlikely to understand. For this situation, she must have prayed unceasingly to God to take this bitter chalice of marriage from her. Now with the appearance of an angel, it is a good opportunity to “file a complaint” to God. Her “I know not a man” was a declaration of her intention to remain a virgin, not a statement of her virginal condition. So how would God punish her for declaring her good intention? Mary made a declaration to ascertain God’s will. Perhaps God wills her to be a mother, not a virgin.

Beloved readers, virginity and giving birth are contradictory but Gabriel says well, “For nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37). Here lies the foundation of Mary’s hope. From now on, she could do God’s will with her whole heart, to be a good wife and a good mother. Let go and let God steer her life. In the end, Mary keeps her virginity permanently and becomes the Mother of God. Her status is high above all angels, saints and martyrs. Amen.
God bless!

Monday, 24 March 2025

納匝肋人的失望 The Disappointment of the Nazarenes

【失望/希望系列(一)】
納匝肋人的失望(路4:24-30)

倘若沒有讀過上文,我們是不會明白為甚麼耶穌的同鄉,會有如此強烈的反應和不理性的行動。
事緣耶穌受魔鬼試探後,開始在加里肋亞一帶宣講福音,並且行了不少治病和驅魔的神蹟,聲名大噪。於是祂返回自己成長的小鎮納匝肋,打算向自己的鄉親傳播天國的喜訊,在安息日到會堂裡宣讀《依61》,並告訴大家這些「默西亞預言」應驗了(路4:21)!起初,會堂中的人都稱讚祂,驚訝祂所說的話(4:22a)。後來,有人開始質疑祂的言論,說「這不是若瑟的兒子嗎?」(4:22b)言下之意,我們看著他成長,他祇不過是一個木匠,有甚麼了不起?耶穌當然知道他們在想甚麼,於是說:「你們必定要對我說這句俗語:醫生,醫治你自己吧!我們聽說你在葛法翁所行的一切,也在你的家鄉這裡行吧」(4:23)。

所謂「一人得道,雞犬升仙」。耶穌以「默西亞」的姿態出現在自己的家鄉,大家對祂有一定程度的期望。即使是人人熟悉的木匠,總算是「近水樓台」,必定可以得到若干利益,這是很自然的反應。但耶穌卻用了不是一個,而是兩個家傳戶曉的先知事蹟,斷然否定了他們的期望,完全沒有轉彎的餘地,因為是兩個,而不是一個事蹟。結果激起公憤,會堂裡的人,打算濫用私刑,把耶穌推落山崖(4:28-29)!

天主向人類示愛,滿以為「令貧窮的人富足、釋放奴隸、讓愚昧的人看見真理、使人不受惡勢力壓迫、把過去的罪債,一筆勾銷等等」(依61:1-2),是人類所渴望的。殊不知大部份人花費畢生精力所追逐的,是其他的事物…但天主不會放棄我們,祂對我們仍然滿懷希望,信任我們有回頭悔改的一天。

親愛的朋友,既然天主對我們滿懷希望,我們又怎能令祂失望呢?讓我們在四旬期加倍努力,修煉自己,做一個希望的朝聖者,把希望傳遞給其他人。亞孟。
天主保祐!


生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝: ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (I)
The Disappointment of the Nazarenes (Luke 4:24-30)

Let us recount what had happened earlier before. Otherwise, we will not understand why Jesus’ fellow countrymen would react so strongly and violently.
After Jesus had undergone Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, He began preaching the gospel in Galilee and became famous after working many healing miracles and exorcisms. Then He returned to Nazareth, a small town in which He had grown up since childhood, intending to spread the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven among His kinsmen. On the Sabbath, He read Isaiah 61 in the synagogue and told the audience that the Messianic prophecy was fulfilled in their hearing (Luke 4:21). At first, people in the synagogue were amazed by His words and praised Him for His eloquence (4:22a). Then some people started questioning His claims, saying “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” (4:22), meaning we have seen you grow up among us. You are no more than a carpenter. What’s so big deal? Of course Jesus was able to read their mind. Then He replied, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum” (4:23).

As the aphorism goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats”. When Jesus told His kinsmen that the Messianic prophecy was fulfilled in Him, everybody would expect something from Him! Even if He had only been a carpenter, His neighbour would expect certain benefits from the Messiah because of proximity. This is a natural reaction. But Jesus negated their expectations without ambiguity, not with one, but two well-down incidents. This action sent the crowd into a fury and people in the synagogue intended to throw Jesus down headlong from the brow of the hill where Nazareth was built (4:28-29)!

The merciful God extends His love to humanity, thinking that “Making the poor sufficient, releasing slaves, allowing the ignorant to see the truth, releasing people from the abuses of the powerful and writing off debts etc.” are what humanity desire. However, most people spend their whole lives pursuing something else … But God will not abandon us. He is full of hope in us, trusting that one day we will repent and return to Him.

My beloved friends! Since God puts His hope on us, how can we disappoint Him? Let us work out diligently in this Lenten Season to be a Pilgrim of Hope, enkindling hope in other people. Amen. God bless!