執事面對的誘惑 Temptations On Deacons

復活期第五主日，甲年
主題：執事面對的誘惑 Temptations On Deacons

天主應受讚美，祂的安排美妙絕倫。上一個主日是『善牧/聖召主日』，我與大家分享了小弟的『執事聖召之旅』。今天在『執事周年退省』中，神師們協助我們反省，作為執事所要面對的種種誘惑，的確最適合不過。三十位執事〔部份執事因事未能出席〕在聖神的氛圍中，留心聆聽神師們的帶領，以《聖言誦禱 Lectio Divina》的方法，讓聖神觸動我們的心靈，探求天父的旨意。因為妻子在執事聖職中舉足輕重，所以第一個反省的焦點放在夫妻關係上。惟一美中不足之處，在於我們中有幾位執事已喪偶，這個環節忽略了他們的需要，跟著的程序就沒有這個問題了。第二個環節探討作為執事經常遇見的誘惑，最後一個環節找回作為『上主僕人』的意義。且讓我先講第三個環節，為甚麼先講最後一個呢？是為了符合福音的教訓：「最後的，將成為最先的」（瑪20:16）嗎？其實，三日兩夜的退省實在太短。執事也是普通人，從俗世生活進入靈性操練不可能轉眼間做到，須要時間使自己進入狀態！說實話，第三天才剛好進入狀態，可惜下午就要出靜了！無論如何，開始的兩天是不會浪費的，我們或多或少也有點兒得著。『執事』一詞本來就是『僕人』的意思，所以安排『僕人的意義』在最後一個環節，也是恰如其分的。

聽完神師30分鐘的指導後，我們到聖堂進行《聖言誦禱》，默想《依撒意亞》先知有關『上主僕人』的選段，反省以執事聖職來彰顯『基督僕人』標記的意義。經文的第一句已經沖擊到我們的神經：「吾主上主賜給我一個受教的口舌…」(依50:4a)。這句經文不是第一次讀，但現在才發覺這句經文讀來非常矛盾，為甚麼呢？用現代術語，『口舌』是『輸出』；而『受教』是『輸入』，怎能混為一談呢？原來我太急躁了，缺乏了耐性，後半句是這樣寫的：「祂每天清晨喚醒我，喚醒我的耳朵，叫我如同學子一樣靜聽」(50:4b)。倘若沒有天主的『輸入』，沒有內涵，空有如簧之舌，執事我也只不過是保祿宗徒描寫的一「個發聲的鑼，或發響的鈸」(格前13:1)而已。那麼『內涵』是甚麼呢？就是先知所說的「…叫我會用言語援助疲倦的人…」(依50:4)。人類很喜歡說話，很希望別人聽自己『發表偉論』。而且，有些人甚至為了私利，搬弄是非，挑撥離間…等等。且看在網上的欺凌，足以迫使受害人自殺，可見『口舌』的殺傷力有多大！所以先知轉達天主的意思，就是要求我們善用『口舌』，說造就人的話，安慰憂傷的人，鼓勵受挫折的人…；這不就是保祿宗徒所說的「…愛…」(格前13:1)嗎？這種造就人的『內涵』，建樹公益的『內涵』，是怎樣栽培出來的呢？

今天的第一篇讀經剛好記載了『執事』聖職的起源。在五旬節聖神降臨後，耶路撒冷教會迅速發展，人數急速倍增。這樣就帶來了分裂的危機。宗徒們決定新增『執事』職務，減輕宗徒們的重擔（宗6:3）。宗徒們說：「所以，弟兄們！當從你們中檢定七位有好聲望，且充滿聖神和智慧的人，派他們管這要務〔即前面所說的，照每人所需要的分配物資（4:35）〕」。照顧孤兒寡婦的需要，在教會的立場，是重要的事務，僅次於宣講耶穌基督的復活！教會憑甚麼檢定「好聲望、充滿聖神和智慧」呢？這使我聯想到【荀子】的教訓。他說：「君子之學也，入乎耳，著乎心，布乎四體，形乎動靜。端而言，蝡而動，一可以為法則。小人之學也，入乎耳，出乎口；口耳之間，則四寸矣，曷足以美七尺之軀哉！」（荀子‧勸學）我認為執事最少也應該像『君子』一樣，虛心聆聽天主聖言，默存心中，反覆思想，付諸實踐，顯示在一言一行之中，足以為教友起指導的作用！至於那些只會說，卻不去做的人，荀子一針見血指出，『入乎耳，出乎口；口耳之間的距離只有四寸，未有讓天主聖言散布全身，怎樣美化七尺之軀，令人景仰呢？』現代社會分工多樣化，沒有人能夠成為『通才』，通曉所有專業知識。況且香港天主教徒的知識水平高，又好學，在工餘修讀各式各樣的課程，包括『聖神修院』提供的神哲學及聖經課程！因此，現代的執事也要有最低程度的聖經神哲學修養，否則如何替教友『解惑』呢？即使在知識上執事們『技不如人』，但執事也是修道人，最低限度也應該可以指導教友團體的靈修吧！可見執事的使命，確是任重道遠，充滿挑戰！虛心聆聽是第一步，不但聆聽天主聖言，也要聆聽教友們的心聲，切忌把個人意見，強加到教友身上。這就是第二個環節所指的執事誘惑的其中一種！

在現行天主教的制度之下，申請終身執事的最後限期是55歲。所以執事領職之前，通常在他們的事業範疇，已有一定成就，享有某程度的權威。這些『往績』和『權威』卻成為了他們將來做執事的『包袱』。執事在領職之初，在一個完全不同的『次文化』圈子，對內裡的『潛規則』一無所知。以往是理所當然的事物，如今卻變成了他們的『絆腳石』，當然不是今天第二篇讀經所說的「絆腳石」，那裡是指著耶穌基督說的（伯前2:8）。請讓我舉一個很簡單的例子，耶穌說：「我患病，你們看顧了我」（瑪25:36）。現代醫療已分工細緻，即使是我們的醫生執事，也不是可以主診某些疾病的專科醫生。那麼，以執事身份探望病人，總算是『理算當然』罷！大錯特錯！執事應先取得病人的同意，才可以探望。否則，執事沒有尊重病人的尊嚴！很多病人不能接受疾病本身和療程所產生的副作用：消瘦、發臭、脫髮、失禁、牙齒剝落、截肢、皮膚變色…，他們可能已經陷入抑鬱，極需要別人的陪伴和支持是真實的，但他們不一定願意，在他們心目中『尊貴』的聖職人員面前，揭開自己的瘡疤，尤如赤身露體一樣。所以，執事應該尊重病人的尊嚴和私隱，為病人的靈魂祈禱，耐心等候時機成熟才去探望他們！

執事的『往續』往往使他們不曉得量力而為，與長上商量職務的任命：各式各樣的委員會成員、校董/校監、各類社福的專職教士、工程顧問、…等等，都很需要執事的專業經驗。執事們不是要「絕對服從長上的命令」嗎？他們不都是任勞任怨，『替門徒洗腳的基督』的標記嗎？結果執事們很快便身心疲累，油盡燈枯。更嚴重的是，他們的聖職，令他們冷落了妻子和家人，影響了他們的婚配聖事！直到今天，我們還未有一位前輩，能在教區主保瞻禮，慶祝領職銀禧。求主垂憐！

礙於時間所限，負責這個環節的神師只能和我們默想先教宗方濟各的《愛的喜樂》宗座勸諭中幾個段落。他的焦點非常簡單清楚：我們夫婦倆將會是相依為命，過著『以老護老』的歲月！他用了《愛的喜樂》第27和28兩段所論述的副題：『擁抱的溫柔』，提醒我們『溫柔』是『真福八端』之一，而我倆的『擁抱』，其實是天主藉著我們的配偶，在擁抱我們。到了生命的秋天，更加不是當家作主，叱吒風雲的日子了。放下執著、返老還童，讓天主擁抱你，有如嬰兒一樣罷！在《聖言頌禱》，各組員不約而同地聽到聖神的觸動：妻子是我們的一面忠實鏡子。當教友對你說：「執事，你的講道非常精彩、非常實用…」時，你的妻子可能會說：「講道內容好是好，但態度差！」你能不謙卑嗎？

各位親愛的弟兄姊妹，執事是你們的僕人，是有血有肉的凡人，是教會內「無用的僕人，只不過做了應做的事而已」（路17:10）。請為你們的執事祈禱吧。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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2023年反省
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

建立千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』 Building An Eternal “Fold of One Shepherd”

【一牧一棧系列（VI）】
建立千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』（若14:7-14）

綜觀有文字紀錄的5000年人類歷史，雖然已跨越了『千秋』的關口，但距離『萬世』還有很遙遠的路要走！不竟，帝國此起彼落，改朝換代只不過是『大江東去浪淘盡』的常態。當今世上，最有機會達到『千秋萬世』的國度，恐怕只有由信仰耶穌基督而獲得救恩的『天主子民』所組成的『教會』了。理由很簡單，耶穌基督是天主子，與聖父同性同體，是永生的、永遠長存的！所以祂所建立和領導的教會，是一個千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』（若10:16）。今天的福音選段，進一步肯定了我們所擔當的角色。

「我實實在在告訴你們：凡信我的，我所做的事業，他也要做，並且還要作比這些更大的事業，因為我往父那裡去」（14:12）。前半段容易理解，我們既信仰耶穌基督，奉祂為我們的主，主人所做的事業，我們當然會按照主人的吩咐，以謙卑和感激的心去做。在過程中與及完成之後，還要說：「我們是無用的僕人，我們不過做了我們應做的事」（路17:10）。感激，因為我們很榮幸有份參與建設這個萬世的基業。謙卑，因為我們的聰明才智、健康和時間都是天主恩賜的『塔冷通』。4月30日〔星期四〕的讀經不是說：「沒有僕人大過主人的，也沒有奉使的大過派遣他的」（若13:16）嗎？為甚麼我們可以「作比這些〔耶穌基督所做的〕更大的事業」（14:12）呢？

耶穌的理由很簡單直接：「因為我往父那裡去」（14:12b）。聽來有點莫名其妙，祂的升天與我們做更大的事業有甚麼因果關係呢？有！倘若耶穌仍然留在世上，有誰在天父的右邊代我們和我們奉派所做的事業轉求（羅8:34; 希7:25）呢？而且從人性角度說〔不竟我們現在不能不用人性的角度說話〕，耶穌基督只在巴肋斯坦做了三年的福傳工作，至於我們現在，已在世界各地做了大概二千年的福傳工作。可以說，我們在時空上的努力，的確比耶穌基督所做的更大更多！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，建立千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』，的確是我們可以引以為傲的事業，因為這是最清楚不過的天主旨意。從天主的永恆角度看，我們這些事業，只不過是『滄海一粟』。只要能博得天父拈花微笑，我們已於願足矣。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- VI]
Building An Eternal “Fold of One Shepherd” (John 14:7-14)

With a 5000-year span of recorded human history, there is still tens of thousands of years ahead to scale while eternity is still beyond reach. After all, empires rise and fall. Dynasties taking turns is a norm. In the present age, the most promising institution to attain eternity is the Church, the People of God, an assembly of the redeemed coming together through a belief in Jesus Christ. The reason is simple. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father, is eternal and exists forever! The Church which He establishes and leads is an eternal “Fold of One Shepherd” (John 10:16). The gospel passage today affirms the role we play in this salvation project.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (14:12). The first half is easy to understand. Since we believe in Jesus Christ and make Him our Master. As servants, we will do with humility and gratitude what the Master tells us to do. In and after the accomplishing the tasks, we should say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do” (Luke 17:10). With gratitude because we are honoured to take part in this eternal project. With humility because our talents, health and time are God’s gifts. In the gospel reading on April 30, Thursday, it reads, “No slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16). Why are we able to “do greater ones than these” (14:12)?

Jesus’ reason is simple and direct, “Because I am going to the Father” (14:12b). It sounds mind-boggling. What has His Ascension to do with our doing greater things? It is indeed highly related. Had Jesus remained on earth, who would have interceded for us and our projects on the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25)? Moreover, from the human perspective, after all, we cannot but speak from the human perspective, Jesus Christ had only preached for three years in Palestinian region. As for us now, we have evangelized for about two millennia. We can say, the work we have done in space and time are really greater and more than the works of Jesus Christ!

Beloved brethren! Building up the eternal “Fold of One Shepherd” is a project we can be proud of because without doubt, this is the will of God. From the eternal perspective of God, our project is only a grain of sand in the ocean. Have we been able to make the heavenly Father gaze and smile, we would be contented. Amen.
God bless!

『修和聖事』可以寬恕踐踏耶穌的罪嗎？ Can Confession Absolve Stomping on Jesus?

【一牧一棧系列（V）】
『修和聖事』可以寬恕踐踏耶穌的罪嗎？（若14:1-6）

昨天默想過選擇性地聽從耶穌的訓誨，有如『舉腳踢耶穌』（若13:18b）。今天讓我們默想耶穌的著名『金句』：「我是道路、真理、生命，除非經過我，誰也不能到父那裡去」（14:6），反省信耶穌的其他形式。

昨天我們已經默想過『信耶穌』不僅包括了實行祂的訓誨（13:17），並且不可以選擇性地實行（13:18b）。今天選讀的經文更指出，『除非經過耶穌，〔否則〕誰也不能到〔天〕父那裡去』。語氣聽〔看〕來非常絕對，世上沒有捷徑、其他途徑或方法，可以與天父修好，獲得永生。只有實行耶穌教導的一條路，是『不二法門』…等等！那麼，對於從沒有聽聞過耶穌的人，例如孔子、老子和釋迦牟尼…等等，天父一定會安排耶穌以外，別的途徑與他們修好，使他們也可以認識耶穌，獲得永生。先知說：「因為我〔上主〕不喜歡任何人喪亡」（則18:32）；「因為祂〔天主〕願意所有的人都得救，並得以認識真理〔耶穌基督〕」（弟前2:4）。至於那些聽過耶穌，卻選擇拒絕耶穌的，便要為自己的選擇負上倫理責任了。至於那些取巧的、言行不一的信徒，同樣也要為自己的所作所為，負上責任。

由遠藤周作同名小說改編的電影『沉默』（1971; 2016），引發我們反省信仰耶穌的其他形式。當天主看著信徒受酷刑迫害仍默不作聲，仍沒有伸出援手的時候，有些勇敢的信徒捨命殉道，有些卻為了保命而踐踏十字架苦像。他們可算是舉腳踢耶穌，踐踏耶穌的叛徒了。
為了自衛或保衛無辜者而被迫殺人，倫理和法律會減免這些人的責任。同理，在教難時基督徒被迫選擇保命，要負上倫理責任嗎？伯多祿也是為了保命而三次否認自己的師傅，與電影『沉默』中部份日本基督徒『踏繪』，有甚麼分別呢？伯多祿流芳百世，『踏繪』的基督徒在有生之年被唾棄，受良心的責備，是應得的嗎？還是另類的殉道呢？

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，對那些有意或無意踐踏了耶穌而內咎的人，我會這樣安慰他們：『耶穌是道路…要經過祂才可以到達天父那裡。倘若不踐踏祂，難道你在祂上面爬行到天父那裡嗎？』希望可以博得他們一笑，亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：copilot.microsoft.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- V]
Can Confession Absolve Stomping on Jesus? (John 14:1-6)

Yesterday when we meditated on selectively observing Jesus’ teachings, we came to the conclusion that it is equivalent to raising one’s heel against Jesus (John 13:18b). Today, let us meditate on the famous proof-text, viz. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) so as to reflect on other ways to believe in Jesus.

Yesterday we meditated that “believing in Jesus” involves not only practising His teachings (13:17), but also refraining from selectively putting His teachings into practice (13:18b). More than that, the passage today points out explicitly that “Unless through Jesus, nobody can come to the Father”. The text sounds absolute. There is no other way, no other shortcut to reconcile with the Father and attain eternal life. There is only one way and no alternative … etc. Then for those who had not heard of Jesus, such as Confucius, Lao Tsu, Siddhartha Gautama … etc., the Father must have arranged other ways, other than Jesus, to reconcile them with Him, so that they might know Jesus and attain eternal life. The prophet says, “For I find no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies” (Ezekiel 18:32). God “wills everyone to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth [i.e. Jesus Christ]” (1 Timothy 2:4). As for those who have heard of Jesus but choose to reject Him, they need to bear the moral responsibilities of their choices. As for those who do not practise what they preach, they too would be held accountable for their actions.

The movie “Silence” (1971; 2016) which was based on a Japanese novel by Shusaku Endo, sheds light on other ways to believe in Jesus. When God remained silent and did nothing in view of the tortures and persecutions suffered by Christians, some courageously embraced martyrdom while some stomped on crucifixes in order to save their skins. In most people’s eyes, those who stomped on crucifixes are traitors.

When people are forced to kill out of self-defence or defence of the innocent, their moral and legal responsibilities are diminished. Similarly, when Christians are forced to choose survival during religious persecutions, are they exempted from moral responsibilities? Peter denied his own Master three times to survive. Was there any differences between Peter and those Japanese Christians who stomped on crucifixes, the Fumi-e? Peter was canonized. Do those Christians who had stomped on crucifixes deserve other people’s despise and condemnation from their own consciences for the rest of their lives? Or is it another form of martyrdom?

Beloved brethren! To those who regret stomping on Jesus deliberately or what not, I would console them, lighten their hearts in this way, “Jesus is the way … only through Him can we come to the Father. If you do not stomp on Jesus, would you rather crawl on Him to the Father?” Amen.
God bless!

可以說一套、做一套嗎？ Do We Not Practise What We Preach?

【一牧一棧系列（IV）】
可以說一套、做一套嗎？（若13:16-20）

默想今天的讀經前，讓我們先了解上文。場景是耶穌與門徒吃『逾越節晚餐』，也就是著名的『最後晚餐』。耶穌將要離開門徒，前往擔起拯救世界的苦難。離別在即，祂為門徒洗腳〔當然包括將要出賣祂的猶達斯〕，教導他們人生最重要的一課：「若我為主子，為師傅的，給你們洗腳，你們也該彼此洗腳」（若13:14）。今天的福音選段承接上文，耶穌繼續引導門徒歸向天父。

耶穌知道自己是天父所派遣，來到世上做世人的嚮導、導師，帶領他們回歸父家（14:6）。在這個奉派的意義下，我們就會明白耶穌從前說的「我與父原是一體」（10:30）與後來說的「父比我大」（14:28b），並沒有矛盾！門徒〔當然包括我們〕有幸成為耶穌的合作者，與祂一起使「地上萬民都要因祢獲得祝福」（創12:3），但耶穌與我們始終是主僕的關係；雖然我們有幸領受『聖體聖事』，與祂合為一體，但祂始終比我們大！

耶穌應許，知道了祂的話並跟從「實行，便是有福的」（若13:17）。所以聽從耶穌的訓誨為我們極為重要，即使聽起來好像不可能做到，也不可以選擇性地聽從！祂派遣我們「彼此洗腳」（13:14），服務貧困弱小的人（瑪25:40）；派遣我們「使萬民成為門徒」（28:19），獲得祝福…等等，又有何難呢？但因著『原罪』的餘毒，我們始終都是『帶罪之身』，心有餘而力不足！原本愛德服務、傳福音…等等都是我們『戴罪立功』的好機會，但揮之不去的『私慾偏情』牽著我們的後腿，使我們愛說漂亮堂皇的話，喜歡站在道德高位指手劃腳，「自己卻不肯用一個指頭動一下」（23:4），做一些粗活！難怪主耶穌說：「如果實行，便是有福的。我不是說你們全體」（若13:17b-18a）！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，原來做耶穌的門徒，知道了祂的訓誨，卻不去實行；說一套，做一套，就是「吃過我飯的人，也舉腳踢我」（13:18b; 詠41:10）的人！舉腳踢耶穌？罪過、罪過。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：copilot.microsoft.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- IV]
Do We Not Practise What We Preach? (John 13:16-20)

Before we meditate the gospel passage today, let us know the context first. Jesus was eating the Paschal Meal with His disciples, the famous “Last Supper”. Jesus was leaving them to shoulder the Passion of the salvation of the world. The departure was imminent. He washed the feet of the disciples, of course including Judas who was going to betray Him. He taught them the most important lesson in life, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The gospel passage today picks up where it left off and Jesus continued to lead the disciples towards the Father.

Jesus knows that He is the guide and teacher sent by the Father to the world to bring humanity home (14:6). From this perspective, we understand that there is no contradiction between the two statements Jesus made, namely “The Father and I are one” (10:30) and later “The Father is greater than I” (14:28b). The disciples, of course including us, are honoured to work with Jesus in whom “All the families of the earth will find blessing” (Genesis 12:3). But after all, our relationship with Jesus is one of master and servants. Although we are blessed to receive the Holy Communion and become one in Him, He is greater than us!

Jesus promises that if we understand His word and do it, we are blessed (John 13:17). Therefore listening and observing Jesus’ teachings are extremely important for us. Even if His teachings sound impossible to do, we should not practise them selectively! He sends us “to wash one another’s feet” (13:14); to serve the poor and needy (Matthew 25:40); to make disciples of all nations (28:19) and be blessed … etc. What’s the difficulty? But due to the damages the Original Sin inflicted on us, our bodies carry the stints. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Charitable services, evangelization … etc. are in fact good opportunities to obtain our spoils and rewards, but our concupiscence keeps pulling our hind legs. We loves to speak high-sounding words, to stand on high moral grounds to point our fingers at others, but “will not lift a finger to move them [heavy burdens]” (23:4)! No wonder Lord Jesus says, “Blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you” (John 13:17b-18a)!

Beloved brethren! Being Jesus’ disciples, knowing His teachings but failing to observe them; i.e. do not practise what we preach, we are “The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me” (13:18b, Psalms 41:10). Raising our heels against Jesus? Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!
God bless!

人有自由放棄『永生』 Men are Free to Decline “Eternal Life”

【一牧一棧系列（III）】
人有自由放棄『永生』（若12:44-50）

『永生』一詞，在《若望福音》出現過17次。第一次在耶穌與尼苛德摩對話結束時，耶穌說：「正如梅瑟曾在曠野裡高舉了蛇，人子也應照樣被舉起來，使凡信的人，在祂內得永生」（若3:14-15）。這是耶穌第一次預言自己要如何受難而說的，相信比在斐理伯的凱撒勒雅向門徒預言受難復活還要早（瑪16:21）。雖然沒有提及『復活』，但訊息非常清楚，就是『永生』。接著，若望寫下後世基督新教經常引述的金句：「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不致滅亡，反得永生」（若3:16）。

在《新約》27本書裡，『永生』一詞在其中13本出現過50次。《若望福音》以外的12本書，『永生』一詞出現最多不超過5次，惟獨《若望福音》17次，可見『永生』是若望宗徒經過千錘百鍊得來的福音精髓！究竟『永生』是甚麼意思呢？是『不死』嗎？不是，在耶穌復活拉匝祿的神跡中，祂已經否定了這樣理解『永生』（11:37）。事實上，復活後的拉匝祿仍要再死，否則今天我們便有一個差不多2000歲的，耶穌所愛的朋友（11:3），正在為耶穌作見證，有誰還可以拒絕信耶穌呢？

倘若『永生』不是『不死』，那又是甚麼呢？後來在最後晚餐，耶穌以『新約大司祭』的身份向天父祈禱時說：「永生就是：認識祢，惟一的真天主，和祢所派遣來的耶穌基督」（17:3）！這樣，耶穌清楚明白地指出，認識耶穌基督，並藉著祂而認識天父（14:6），便得以享受/分享上主天主永恆的生命！所以耶穌在今天的福音選段裡說：「無論誰，若聽了我的話而不遵行，我不審判他，因為我不是為審判世界而來，乃是為拯救世界」（12:47; 3:17）。

親愛的兄弟姊妹，耶穌無意審判世人，分別送他們往天堂或者地獄。天主是自由的，因此天主按自己肖像所造的人類（創1:26）也享有自主自由。天主不會做自相矛盾的事，所以祂尊重人類的『選擇自由』，這是人類負有倫理責任的基礎。耶穌向世人宣講『永生』，宣講祂自己就是『永生』（若5:26; 6:35; 11:25; 14:6; 17:3），接受的人便得享『永生』；拒絕的人，自己選擇與『永生』絕緣，與人無尤。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- III]
Men are Free to Decline “Eternal Life” (John 12:44-50)

“Eternal Life” appears 17 times in the Gospel of John. It first appears at the end of the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus. Jesus says, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). This was the first time Jesus spoke of His Passion, earlier than His prediction of the Passion in Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:21). Although “resurrection” was not mention, the message of “eternal life” is explicit. Then John wrote the proof-text which Protestants often quote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Among the 27 books in the New Testament, “eternal life” appears 50 times in 13 books. It appears no more than 5 times in the other 12 books. John alone wrote 17 times, indicating that “eternal life” is the essence of the gospel message. Then, what does “eternal life” actually mean? Does it mean “immortality”? No. Jesus rejected this understanding in the miracle of raising Lazarus (11:37). In fact, Lazarus finally died. Otherwise, we would now have a 2000-year-old Jesus’ friend whom Jesus loved (11:3), bearing witness for Jesus. Who could refuse to believe in Jesus?

If “eternal life” is NOT immortality, then what is it? Later in the Last Supper, Jesus prayed to the Father in the capacity of the “High Priest of the New Testament”, saying “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ” (17:3)! Thus, Jesus has explicitly pointed out that whoever knows Him and through Him knows the Father (14:6), is able to enjoy/partake in the eternal life of the Lord God! Hence, in the gospel passage today, Jesus says, “And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world” (12:47; 3:17).

Beloved brethren! Jesus has no intention to judge humanity and sends them to heaven or hell accordingly. God is free. Therefore, humanity whom God created in His image (Genesis 1:26) is entitled to autonomy. God does not contradict Himself. Thus, He respects the autonomy of humanity. This is the foundation of the accountability and moral responsibility of our decisions and actions. Jesus proclaims “eternal life” to humanity, declaring that He himself is “eternal life” (John 5:26; 6:35; 11:25; 14:6; 17:3). Whoever accepts Jesus enjoys eternal life. Whoever rejects chooses to cut himself off “eternal life”. They only have themselves to blame. Amen.
God bless!

如何變成『不是主的羊』？ How To Become “Not His Sheep”

【一牧一棧系列（II）】
如何變成『不是主的羊』？（若10:22-30）

相信很多讀者一定喜歡唱《我是主的羊》（頌恩275首），它除了旋律輕快外，唱起來感覺良好！但大家可有想過，自己會變成『不是主的羊』嗎？我不是指教難當前，大家在迫害和酷刑下背教。領洗時所領受的聖油，已為我們打上了不滅的印記（格後1:22）。雖然紋身可以用鐳射磨滅，但聖神的印記，不是宗教迫害或者政治迫害可以磨滅的。既然如此，我們怎可能會變成『不是主的羊』呢？

今天的福音選段，給了我們一點端倪。時間是『重建節』（若10:22），猶太人慶祝當年在瑪加伯兄弟領導下，推翻了褻瀆聖殿，禁制猶太教的希臘統治者，光復聖殿，重新祝聖祭壇（加上4）。福音中的猶太人，在『重建節』期間於聖殿追問耶穌是否他們所期待的默西亞，很明顯他們渴望耶穌好像當年的瑪加伯一樣，領導他們擺脫羅馬帝國的統治！不過，推翻羅馬帝國的殖民統治，並不符合天父的旨意。所以耶穌說：「你們不是屬於我的羊」（若10:26b），因為他們不聽耶穌的聲音，也不跟隨祂（10:27）。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，天父是慈悲的，祂「願意所有的人都得救，並得以認識真理〔即耶穌基督〕」（弟前2:4）。即使當時這些猶太人不是屬於主耶穌的羊，他日他們會屬於基督君王，也未可知。事實上，主耶穌的第一代門徒，全部都是猶太人。但前車可鑒，即使在血統上是亞巴郎的後裔，宗教上是虔誠，甚至狂熱的猶太教徒，即使是羊，也未必是屬於主的羊！關鍵在於是否聽耶穌基督的聲音，步武祂的芳表！在那裡可以聽到耶穌的聲音呢？聖葉理諾〔聖熱羅尼莫〕曾留下名句：『不認識聖經，就不認識基督。』所以，勤讀聖經吧，我們可以認識祂，繼而跟隨祂了，以免變成了『不是主的羊』。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- II]
How To Become “Not His Sheep” (John 10:22-30)

I trust many of you must enjoy the hymn “His Sheep Am I” written by Orient Johnson. The melody is sweet and feels good! But have you ever thought of your becoming “not His sheep”? I am not talking about religious persecutions in which we are forced and tortured to renounce Jesus. The chrism we received in Baptism banded an inerasable seal upon us (2 Corinthians 1:22). Tattoos on our flesh can be erased with laser but religious and political persecutions are unable to erase the seal of the Holy Spirit. Then, how can we become “not His sheep”?

The gospel passage today may give us some clues. The time was the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22) when the Jews commemorated the rededication of the Second Temple and her altar in Jerusalem after the Maccabees brothers had led the people to shake off the sacrilegious Seleucid oppression (1 Maccabees 4). In the gospel, the Jews pressed Jesus at this same Feast of Dedication to clarify whether He was their long anticipated Messiah. Obviously, they wanted Jesus to lead them shaking off the colonial rule of the Roman Empire, like what the Maccabees had done before! But overthrowing the colonial rule of the Roman Empire was not the Father’s will. So Jesus said, “You are not among my sheep” (John 10:26b) because those Jews did not hear His voice and did not follow Him (10:27).

Beloved brethren! The Father is merciful. He “wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth [i.e. Jesus Christ]” (1 Timothy 2:4). Even though at that time those Jews did not belong to Lord Jesus, it is possible that some day they shall belong to Christ the King. In fact, Jesus’ first generation disciples were all Jews. We should learn from their history. Even though they were Abraham’s offspring by blood; pious to the point of being zealous, they might not necessarily belong to the flock of the Lord! The key is whether they hear Christ’s voice and follow His exemplar! Where can we hear Jesus’ voice? St. Jerome said well, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ”. Thus, study the Scriptures diligently so that we may know Him and follow Him. Otherwise, we will become “Not His Sheep”. Amen.
God bless!

『一牧一棧』可以實現嗎？ Is “One Shepherd One Fold” Possible?

【一牧一棧系列（I）】
『一牧一棧』可以實現嗎？（若10:11-18）

「人單獨不好」（創2:18），有群居的需要。且看今天發達國家所面對的，不是物質缺乏的問題，而是人口老化，獨居長者沒有人陪伴和照顧的問題！群居的團體自然會產生領導階層，他們便是百姓/下屬的牧者了。今天的福音指出兩種領導人的心態：『牧人心態』和『傭工心態』。有多少公務員，世俗的和教會內的，抱著『牧人』的心態服務，或者『傭工』的心態，出糧糊口呢？

我們沒有資格批評世俗的公務員，但在今天的福音選段中，耶穌基督很清楚地向教會的公務員提出了一個願景：「我還有別的羊，不屬於這一棧，我也該把他們引來，他們要聽我的聲音，這樣，將只有一個羊群，一個牧人」（若10:16）。天主子已經為羊捨掉自己的性命（10:15），餘下未完成的任務，由教會的公務員領導天主子民去完成，這是理所常然的，還有更合適的人選嗎？

很明顯這個使命是宏大而長遠，所以有必要把它化整為零，按緩急先後處理。今天的默想只能局限在辨別『別的羊』是指甚麼？是指天主子沒有為他們捨掉性命的人嗎？不是！因為天主子是為古今中外全人類捨掉性命的，祂所建立的教會是『至公』的。

『別的羊』是指『不聽我的聲音』，即沒有任何宗教信仰的『無神論者』嗎？不只是『無神論者』，因為『無神論者』的定義太含糊了。在羅馬帝國時代，基督徒不向帝國供奉的神明獻祭，也被稱為『無神論者』！所以與『無神論者』合作謀求世人的福祉時，要以開放的懷襟聆聽。

『別的羊』是指信仰其他宗教的信徒嗎？他們信奉自己宗教的教條，遵守自己的規矩，算是『不聽我的聲音』嗎？也不一定，因為其他宗教信仰的教條，有不少與主耶穌的教訓是不謀而合，合符真理的。所以與他們分享交流的時候，要保持一份對他們的文化和貢獻的尊重。

那麼，『別的羊』是指分裂了的基督宗派嗎？我們不能排除這個可能性，因為目前的分裂是歷史遺留下來的包袱，有待我們以兄弟情誼謀求合一！
各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，實現『一牧一棧』並不是我們獨力擔當的，我們的善牧，必定會在有需要時，派遣祂的聖神，出手相助。放心大膽地祈求吧。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- I]
Is “One Shepherd One Fold” Possible? (John 10:11-18)

“It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Human beings have social needs to meet. Take a look at the problems which developed countries are facing today. Those are not problems of scarcity of resources, but ageing problems which senior citizens living alone have nobody to accompany and to care for! A leading class will evolve in communities. This class becomes the shepherds of the commoners and subordinates. In the gospel reading today, we find two different mentalities of leaders: “shepherds” vs. “hired men”. How many civil servants, secular and ecclesiastical, serve as “shepherds” or as “hired men” to get paid?

We are not qualified to criticize secular civil servants but the gospel reading today leaves no ambiguity what Jesus’s vision is, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). The Son of God has laid down His life for the sheep (10:15), it is most appropriate for the ecclesiastical civil servants to lead the People of God to finish the remaining tasks. Who else if not they?

Obviously, the mission is broad in scope and takes a long time to accomplish. We need to divide and conquer into priorities. In today’s meditation, let us narrow down to discerning who the “other sheep” are. Are they people for whom the Son of God has not laid down His life? No! The Son of God has laid down His life for all humanity in the past, present and the future. The Church He built is Catholic.

Do “other sheep” mean those “who do not hear my voice”, namely “atheists”? Not only “atheists” because the label is ambiguous. In the Roman Empire, Christians refused to offer sacrifices to idols the Empire worshipped and they were regarded “atheists”! Thus, when we work with “atheists” to promote human welfare, we should listen with an open heart.

Do “other sheep” mean “believers of other religions”? They have their articles of faith and observe their own precepts and traditions. Can we count them as people “who do not hear my voice”? Not necessarily because the teachings embedded in many of their articles of faith coincide with Lord Jesus’ teachings and are consistent with the Truth. So, when we share and exchange, we need to maintain a respect towards their cultures and contributions.

Then are they our separated brothers? We cannot eliminate this possibility because the present separation is an inherited historical burden which we need to work in fraternity towards communion!
Beloved brethren! To actualize the vision of “One Shepherd One Fold” cannot be accomplished alone. Our Good Shepherd will send His Holy Spirit to help us in time of needs. Let us pray boldly for it.
God bless!