放手給聖神主持 Allow Holy Spirit To Take the Wheel

傳教節，甲年
主題：放手給聖神主持 Allow Holy Spirit To Take the Wheel

我相信全人類都渴望和平，渴望安居樂業。為甚麼大家都有這些相同的渴望呢？很明顯，全人類的現況就是沒有和平，人人不能安居樂業。從前的地區性戰爭和衝突，只影響當地民生。但今時今日，地區性的戰爭卻影響著全球的物資供應鏈。「俄烏戰爭」，「依美戰爭」就是清楚的實例。這些地區性的戰爭，不再只是兩個國家之間的衝突。背後有兩大陣營和很多政府在參與，包括提供情報及武器！不但油價、金價飆升；股市動盪，而且影響著全球各地的民生。倘若這些影響達到民不聊生的程度，各地將會發生動亂，百姓對當權者表示不滿，革命政變，改朝換代此起彼落。世人是多麼渴望看見先知的預言，早日實現，那時：「祂〔上主〕將統治萬邦，治理眾民；致使眾人都把自己的刀劍鑄成鋤頭，將自己的槍矛製成鐮刀；民族與民族不再持刀相向，人也不再學習戰鬥」（依2:4）。這真是一個多麼美麗的新世界！但為甚麼這個美好新世界，一直不能出現呢？有甚麼未能克服的困難呢？很明顯，不是所有人願意讓上主統治萬邦，治理萬民！

無疑，『自主』是人類的基本尊嚴。即使明知自己的聰明才智，好像先知所宣講的一樣，不及上主天主：「就如天離地有多高，我的行徑離你們的行徑，我的思念離你們的思念也有多高」（55:9），人總喜歡自作主張，證明自己是有實力的。即使你有如希則克雅王一樣是少有的一代明君（列下18:3），但當亞述大軍壓境的時候，他不向上主求救，反而與埃及結盟（依36:6），才覺得實在得多！可惜，當人類犯了即使極微細錯誤的時候，也會好像滾雪球一樣，產生『蝴蝶效應』，一發不可收拾，最後只能倚靠上主出手來收拾殘局！於是雅威出手，一夜之間，殺死了十八萬五千亞述士兵。眼見亞述營地遍地屍骸的時候，亞述王惟有拔營，退兵回國（列下19:35-36）！由此可以推論，和平一直沒有降臨到這個世上，是因為人類總想證明自己有本領解決當前的困局。例如：面對『人工智能』以一日千里的速度進步時，假設世界各國元首，一起簽署多邊協議，聲明不研發及使用『致命的自主武器系統 Lethal Autonomous Weapon System, LAWS』。即使真的達成這種協議，它也是脆弱的，不會有約束力的。所謂『防人之心不可無』。作為一國之君，你沒法保證其他國家，尤其是表面上弱小的國家，不會秘密研發，並且在發生衝突的時候使用。試問那個當權者有勇氣承擔戰敗的風險？沒有！先知看透世情，惟有勸導百姓和君王，信靠上主是走出困局的惟一出路。

這種『信靠自己能力多於信靠天主』的心態，相信在中國務實文化中尤為明顯。例如，在今天的第二篇讀經選段，保祿宗徒寫給羅馬教會的書信中，聽起來不能給我們中個信徒一點踏實的感覺。他說：「如果你口裡承認耶穌為主，心裡相信天主使祂從死者中復活起來了，你便可獲得救恩。因為心裡相信，可使人成義；口裡承認，可使人獲得救恩」（羅10:9-10）。或許是民族性的不同罷，在猶太文化中，心裡相信便滿足了『獲得救恩』的條件：「看，我〔上主〕要在熙雍安放一塊石頭，一塊精選的石頭，一塊寶貴的角石作基礎，信賴的人必不動搖」（依28:16）。但是聽在中國人的耳裡，難免會產生一種『兒戲』的感覺！所謂「聽其言，觀其行。」沒有行動，沒有真憑實據，誰信你？當然，這樣批評聖保祿的立場對他實在不公平。畢竟今天的經文只是選段，聖保祿在其他的書信中，也有提及行動的重要，例如：「因為在基督耶穌內，割損或不割損都算不得甚麼，惟有以愛德行事的信德，總算甚麼」（迦5:6）。『以愛德行事的信德才算數』，不就是『聽其言，觀其行』嗎？聽在中國人耳裡，踏實得多！所以『惟獨信德』只不過是馬丁路德神父提出的教導，如果硬說是聖保祿宗徒的教訓，只反映出少讀保祿的書信，把聖人的教導斷章取義，借助聖人的權威來強辯而已，不足為信！

今天福音選段有一句經文，確是蠻有意思：「十一個門徒就往加利肋亞，到耶穌給他們所指定的山上去了。他們一看見祂，就朝拜了祂，雖然有人還心中疑惑」（瑪28:16-17）。瑪竇十分厚道，沒有說出誰人『還心中疑惑』，即使我們知道了他們是誰，於事無補，對我們的得救沒有幫助，不值得寫下（若20:31）。雖然耶穌基督復活後，不再與十一宗徒一起生活，而是忙碌地四處顯現給分散了的門徒，重新召集他們；但十一宗徒畢竟是教會未來的基石，豈可以對耶穌基督的復活，有絲毫疑惑呢？可幸在往後的日子，除了若望之外，他們全部都以身殉道，為主的復活作證！是甚麼使他們改變過來，消除了他們心中的疑惑呢？這一定是天主聖神的貢獻了，因為祂是主耶穌在最後晚餐所應許的『護慰者』，「…就是父因我的名所要派遣來的聖神，祂必要教訓你們一切，也要使你們想起，我對你們所說的一切」（14:26）。在五旬節他們領受了聖神之後，有疑惑的也不再有了。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，這為我們眾人是蠻有意思的。大家都領受了『堅振聖事』，領受了天主聖神的七樣超性恩寵，包括『上智、聰敏、超見、明達、剛毅、孝愛和敬畏上主』（依11:2）。藉著『聖神七恩』，我們便能戰勝『信靠自己能力多於信靠天主』的心態。這不可能是一朝一夕可以做到的事，但有『剛毅』之恩的支持，我們便不會輕易半途而廢。即使遇上挫折仍滿懷希望，耐性地戰鬥下去。這七個神恩更要幫助我們在生活中，結出聖神的九個果實，那就是「仁愛、喜樂、平安、忍耐、良善、溫和、忠信、柔和、節制」（迦5:22b-23a）。聖神幫助我們在生活中活出福音的精神和『山中聖訓』的教訓。我們怎忍心看到身邊的人，他們的靈性生命枯萎，成了撒殫的人質呢？因此，耶穌基督對教會的派遣：「所以你們要去使萬民成門徒，因父及子及聖神之名給他們授洗，教訓他們遵守我所吩咐你們的一切」（瑪28:19-20a），是義不容辭的！藉著聖神的護祐，我們有沒有聖保祿宗徒那「我若不傳福音，我就有禍了」（格前9:16）的胸襟呢？一定有，亞孟。
天主保祐！

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2023年反省
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與永生擦身而過 Brushing Past Eternal Life

與永生擦身而過（路12:8-12）

倘若我們有機會在大庭廣眾，承認自己是耶穌基督的門徒，我們的心情會是怎麼樣呢？在不同的處境，我們的心情理應不一樣。在友善的處境，例如教會的節日；在中性的處境，例如到酒樓參加婚宴；在不友善的處境，例如『教難』的時期…等等，我們的脈搏、血壓…等生理反應，肯定不一樣。

在友善的處境承認耶穌是主，不費吹灰之力；在中性的處境承認耶穌是主，沒有人會注意；看來只有在不友善處境承認耶穌是主，才有價值，對嗎？錯！因為我們無論在甚麼處境，我們一切的思、言、行為，天主都看在眼裡。【聖經】說：「人看外貎，上主卻看人心」（撒上16:7），就是這個意思。在任何處境，沒有人能分辨到我們是敷衍了事，還是認真應對，只有天主才能審判我們的良心。上主天主是公義的，我們知道祂會賞善罰惡。

另一個可以影響我們心情的元素，當然是我們『愛耶穌有多深』；而『愛耶穌有多深』才是決定性的因素。無論環境順逆，疾病健康，惟有愛得深刻，愛得敬畏，才不會與主耶穌分離。主在那裡，我們的心也寄託在那裡。正如經上所載：「因為你們的寶藏在那裡，你們的心也必在那裡」（路12:34），那不是永生是甚麼？假如我們只是敷衍了事，虛度了一生，與主耶穌的關係可有可無。離開耶穌， 易如反掌；錯過在人前承認耶穌基督是主的機會，成了家常便飯；與永生擦身而過，還懵然不知！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，『學如逆水行舟，不進則退』。靈性生命的成長，同樣是『不進則退』。讓我們呼求天主聖神，重燃已賜給了我們的『剛毅』之恩，努力不懈地向永生邁進。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
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Brushing Past Eternal Life (Luke 12:8-12)

If we have the opportunity to profess our identity as Christians in public, what do we feel? Our feelings will differ in different situations. In friendly situations like Church festivals; in neutral situations like attending a wedding banquet in a restaurant; in hostile situations like religious persecutions … etc., our vital statistics such as pulses and blood pressure etc. would surely vary.

Confessing Jesus as Lord in a friendly situation is a piece of cake. Confessing Jesus in a neutral situation attracts no attention. It seems that only when we confess Jesus as Lord in hostile situations would it be valuable, wouldn’t it? Wrong! It is because whatever the situation, God knows our thoughts, our words and deeds. The Bible says, “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). In all circumstances, nobody is able to tell whether we put up a farce or we are serious. Only God is able to judge our conscience. The Lord God is righteous. We know that He will reward the righteous and punish the wicked.

Another factor that affects our feelings is indeed, how-deeply-we-love-Jesus which is the most decisive factor. In good times or bad, in sickness and in health, only if we love deeply and in fear shall we not part with Lord Jesus. Where the Lord is, there will our hearts be. The Gospel says, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Luke 12:34). If this is not eternal life, what is? If we lead our life in a fluke manner and listlessly such that our relationship with Jesus is optional. Parting with Jesus is as easy is snapping our fingers. Missing the opportunities to confess Jesus Christ as our Lord would be a routine. Unknowingly, we brush past eternal life!

Beloved brethren! Rest is rust. Similarly, if our spiritual life is not growing, it is dying. Let us invoke the Holy Spirit to re-ignite in us the gift of Fortitude so that we scale the heights of eternal life without fatigue. Amen.
God bless!

做耶穌的朋友 To Befriend Jesus

做耶穌的朋友（路12:1-7）

在各種誘惑面前，連有學問的人也紛紛失足跌倒！作為耶穌基督的追隨者，我們可以如何自處呢？我們既然沒有能力改造別人，惟有改善自己罷。

首先，主耶穌把我們當作朋友看待（路12:4a）。我們既然相信祂是生命的主宰、天地的君王，我們還害怕何人呢？（詠27:1）因此，我們可以放心大膽地跟隨祂，做祂的朋友，體會承行祂的心意。誠然，耶穌基督做我們的朋友，並沒有責任保證我們一帆風順，保證我們升官發財，保證我們不會有任何損失，任何傷害。祂只保證祂不會遺忘我們的一切，連瑣碎的頭髮也一一數清楚（路12:7a），難道這樣還不足夠，還有顧慮嗎？

即使我們可以放心大膽地做天主的事，也應該謹慎地按真理行事，堅毅不屈卻有節制地做，避免節外生枝。這種『智義勇節』心態，教會稱為『四樞德』，是所有人都應該修煉的德行。主耶穌教訓我們「謹防法利塞人的酵母，即他們的虛偽」（12:1b），是要求我們謹慎。『虛偽』濃縮了這幾天反省得來法利塞人的通病，就是『急功近利』、『本末倒置』、『短視』和『貪婪』。正因為這些看來不及殺人放火一樣嚴重，我們便容易掉以輕心，不慎自投地獄了！所以我們不用害怕那些殺害肉身的，因為他們正在製造殉道者，送殉道者上天堂（12:4）！我們反而應該害怕自己不慎墮入法利塞式『虛偽』，成了一座流動的『墳墓』（11:44），在人前樹立惡臭的壞榜樣，迫使天主把我們投入地獄（12:5）！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，你們的『朋友』近況如何？有何新動態？對使用人工智能，祂有何意見？
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
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To Befriend Jesus (Luke 12:1-7)

How the learned fall before temptations miserably! As followers of Jesus Christ, what can we do? Since we are unable to change others, we can only improve ourselves.

Firstly, Lord Jesus treats us as friends (Luke 12:4a). Since we believe that He is the author of life, the king of the universe, “whom should I fear?” (Psalms 27:1). Thus, we can boldly follow Him, befriend Him and do His will. Indeed, when Jesus treats us as friends, He does not guarantee us a bed of roses, earns wealth and power, no losses, no harms. He only guarantees that He remembers everything of ours, even our hairs of our heads are counted (Luke 12:7a). Doesn’t it suffice? What else shall we worry?

Even if we can boldly do the works of God, we should proceed in prudence, in fortitude and temperament so as not to create complications. These attitudes which are universally applicable, are the Four Cardinal Virtues the Church teaches. All should practise. When Lord Jesus teaches his disciples to “beware of the leaven --- that is the hypocrisy --- of the Pharisees” (12:1b), He requires us to be prudent. “Hypocrisy” summarizes the common mistakes we meditated on these few days: viz. taking short-cuts, putting priorities upside down, myopia and greed. Since those are not as lethal as murders and arsons, we might easily overlook them and throw ourselves into hell! Therefore, fear not those who kill the body but after that can do no more because they are making martyrs, sending martyrs to heaven above (12:4)! Instead, we should fear our careless fall into the trap of Pharisees’ hypocrisy and become a mobile “grave” (11:44), setting up repugnantly bad examples, forcing God to cast us into Gehenna (12:5)!

Beloved brethren! How is your “friend” recently? Any news about Him? What does He think of Artificial Intelligence?
God bless!

一丘之貉 Birds of the Same Feather

一丘之貉（路11:47-54）

眾所周知，亞伯爾是亞當的兒子，天主惠顧了他祭獻的肥美首生羊（創4:4），所以傳統上人們稱亞伯爾為「義人」（希11:4）。他的哥哥加音出於嫉妒和不受控的忿怒，殺死了他。在一定程度上，亞伯爾是一個為天主的慈愛作見證的殉道者。

認識則加黎雅的人相信不多，他是大司祭約雅達的兒子。約雅達曾扶助幼主約阿士為猶大王，並與君王一起重修聖殿。不幸大司祭約雅達死後，君王被身邊的讒臣蠱惑，改為崇拜邪神和偶像。約雅達的兒子則加黎雅充滿天主聖神，向群眾數說拜偶像的錯，激怒了群眾。約阿士王竟然下令群眾：「在上主的庭院裡，用石頭將他砸死了」（編下24:20-21）。則加黎雅不必是司祭，他為上主天主的真理作見證，壯烈犧牲，也是一個頂天立地的殉道者。耶穌基督把他和亞伯爾加入先知的行列，雖不中亦不遠矣。

這些殉道者安眠在墓中，靜待末日的復活，在最後審判獲得昭雪，是最恰當的安排。可惜在每個時代總有些當權者，發覺這些殉道者對自己的統治有幫助時，便吩咐『代理人』大興土木，修建這些『先知』的墳墓。真是一丘之貉，虛偽至極。這樣做一來令這批『先知』死後得不到安息；二來這些門面功夫只是一條『無花果樹葉裙子』（創3:7），掩蓋自己默認祖先殺戮先知的惡行而已！倘若真心不贊成殺死這些先知殉道者，最少這些『代理人』也應該倡議真道、廢除剝削窮人的制度、消滅貧富懸殊、尊重人性尊嚴…而不是修建墳墓！

作為『代理人』，這些有權有勢的法學士，已失去了認識真理的興趣；和傳授獲得永生智識的能力；早已把『傳道、授業、解惑』的使命，拋諸腦後！當百姓想聽耶穌傳道的時候，他們甚至與法利塞人聯手，追逼耶穌，阻止百姓認識真理！與法利塞人相比，法學士的『杯盤』裡面，已經失去太多，沒有甚麼可以施捨了。真是可憐！
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
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Birds of the Same Feather (Luke 11:47-54)

Everybody knows that Abel is the son of Adam. “The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering [the fatty portion of the firstlings of his flock]” (Genesis 4:4). Thus, people traditionally regard Abel to be righteous (Hebrews 11:4). Out of jealousy and unrestrained wrath, his brother Cain murders him. To a certain extent, Abel is a martyr of God’s mercy.

Not many people know about Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the High Priest who had helped enthroned the young king Joash with whom together, they rebuilt the Temple. Unfortunately after the death of Jehoiada, the king listened to the wicked princes and apostatized. The king and the people began to serve Asherahs and idols. Then the Holy Spirit clothed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada. He spoke to the people openly the wrongs of idol worships. “They conspired against him and at the king’s command, they stoned him in the court of the Temple” (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). Zechariah is not a priest by trade, but dies a heroic martyrdom for the truth of God. Jesus Christ putting both of them into the class of prophets is appropriate.

These martyrs rest in peace in their graves, waiting for the Resurrection on the Judgment Day. This is the most appropriate arrangement. Regrettably, when people in power of any ages discover that those martyrs are able to enhance their sovereignty, those rulers would assign their agents to build memorials of prophets whom their ancestors had killed. The scribes and the rulers are truly hypocritical birds of the same feather. Such building projects would make the dead turn in their graves. Moreover, such white-washing projects are nothing but “loincloths of fig leaves” (Genesis 3:7) to cover their consent to their ancestors’ murders of prophets! Had they truly disagreed to the murder of those prophets/martyrs, they would have advocated, in the capacity of regal agency, truth, abolishment of exploitation of the poor, elimination of wealth polarization and human dignity … and not white-washing tombs!

As agents, those powerful scribes had lost their interest in know the truth and in passing on the wisdom to obtain eternal life. They had totally forgotten their mission to teach, to explain and to demystify the Torah to the people! But when the people wanted to hear Jesus’ preaching, the scribes teamed up with the Pharisees to persecute Jesus, preventing the people to learn the truth! Compared with the Pharisees, the scribes had lost too much in their cups and there was not much left to give alms. How pitiful!
God bless!

愛之深，責之切 The Deeper the Love, the Harsher the Reproach

愛之深，責之切（路11:42-46）

耶穌基督是「良善心謙的」（瑪11:29），對於傷害祂的人，基督會求天父寬恕他們（路23:34），所以祂用嚴厲的言辭『禍哉』來痛責法利塞人和法學士，是出於憐惜多於發洩咒罵。理由很簡單，天主子對這些法律專家，這些「以色列的師傅」（若3:10），寄予厚望。所以愛之深，責之切。那麼，法利塞人的毛病在哪？

第一個『禍哉』，他們『本末倒置』。『十一捐獻』固然應該做，一般只須把十分一收入的等價金額奉獻到聖殿，用來供養司祭和肋未人便可以，用不著連『薄荷、茴香及各種菜蔬』也捐獻十分一那麼細緻，甚至做到「我每周兩次禁食」（路18:12）！為甚麼有些 法利塞人會這樣做呢？很明顯他們想炫耀自己比一般人更認真、更虔誠、更高人一等！法律的原意是幫助人親近天主，關懷近人。他們卻用來抬舉自己，甚至利用法律來迫害耶穌…他們這樣本末倒置，何來教導百姓向善的能力呢？

第二個『禍哉』，他們追求人世間過眼雲煙的虛榮，而不是天上的事。猶太人在各地的城鎮設有會堂，在安息日供猶太人祈禱、學習法律、聚會之用。座位的安排當然是『論資排輩』，由上座/首席到末席。能坐上座/首席當然是一個榮耀，但『愛坐上座』是有機會當眾出醜的，因為即使你經常坐上座，你不能保證當日沒有比你更尊貴的人物出席（14:9）。『愛坐上座』不是高瞻遠矚的表現，何來教導百姓追求天上的事物呢？

最後一個『禍哉』，耶穌直指他們心中充滿貪婪、虛榮甚至殺戮，有如墳墓，內裡只有腐爛惡臭的屍骸。即使人看不見，也會嗅到罷！惟一的解決辦法，就是洗心革面，「把杯盤裡面的施捨了，那麼，一切〔連墳墓在內〕也都潔淨了」（11:41）。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

The Deeper the Love, the Harsher the Reproach (Luke 11:42-46)

Jesus Christ is “meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29), He begs the Father to forgive those who hurt Him (Luke 23:34). Thus the harsh renunciation “woe to you” towards the Pharisees and scribes comes more out of mercy than curse. Simply put, the Son of God harbours great expectations on those legal experts, those “teachers of Israel” (John 3:10). The harsher the reproach follows the deeper the love. Then, what’s wrong with the Pharisees?

The first “woe” comes from their turning the priorities upside down. Tithe is an obligation. Typically Jews offer the equivalence of one-tenth of their income to the Temple to provide for priests and Levites. It is not necessary to go into such details as to “pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb” (Luke 11:42); and even fasting twice a week (18:12)! Why do the Pharisees do it? Obviously they want to show off their perfectionism and piety. In short, they are high above the rest! The intention of Torah is to help people come close to God and the care for the neighbour. But they use the Law to elevate themselves and even to persecute Jesus … They have turned their priorities upside down. Where comes their ability to teach people to do good?

The second “woe” comes from their pursuit of vanity, which is temporary, instead of things above. Jews build synagogues for themselves to pray on Sabbath, to study the Torah and to meet. Seats are arranged in seniority and honour. Of course, occupying the honour seat is a glory, but “love the seat of honour in synagogues” risks humiliation before all because even if you usually occupy the honour seat, you cannot guarantee that no people of higher status are invited on a particular day (14:9). “Love the seat of honour in synagogues” is a sign of myopia. How can they teach the people to seek things above?

In the last “woe”, Jesus reproaches them point-blank that their hearts are filled with greed, vanity and even murder, like unseen graves which are filled with rotten corpses. Even if people do not see them, they could smell them! The only antidote is to cleanse their consciences, “Give alms, and behold, everything [including graves] will be clean for you” (11:41). Amen.
God bless!

要全盤地思考 Thinking In a Strategic Manner

十月十三日
要全盤地思考（路11:37-41）

現代人的通病，就是急功近利，在有限的時間和空間，賺取最大的利益。結果缺乏了『全盤考慮』的思維習慣，只喜歡把資源投放在高風險，高回報的項目中。僥倖成功便得意忘形，完全沒有考慮高風險帶來的後遺症：破壞健康、家庭關係、團隊關係、與天主的關係！令我訝異的，原來這種思維習慣，自古已有，不是現代人的專利！在今天的福音選段，耶穌慨嘆法利塞人糊塗（路11:40），不就是因為這些「以色列的師傅」（若3:10）也是缺乏『全盤思考』的思維習慣嗎？試問他們怎樣去教導其他以色列百姓，如何改善與天主、與近人的關係呢？

耶穌基督是『萬世師表』，實至名歸！且看當宴客的主人「怪異耶穌飯前不先洗手」時（路11:38），祂信手拈來與主人談論洗手和洗杯盤的問題，一語道破主人缺乏『全盤考慮』的毛病：「糊塗人哪！那造外面的，不是也造了裡面嗎？」（11:40）可是，怎樣洗手和腳的裡面呢？我會回答你說：「為甚麼不可以？你未曾聽過『洗心革面』嗎？『洗心』當然是洗『內心』，難道是洗『外心』嗎？既然『心』也可以洗，洗四肢五官的裡面，又有何難？」原來法利塞人有如現代人一樣急功近利，於是「心中充滿劫奪與邪惡」（11:39b）。耶穌憐憫他們糊塗，便教導他們如何洗心革面。

古人有『座右銘』，有人曾在洗面盆裡寫了『苟日新、又日新、日日新』的句子，提醒自己每天更新，改過遷善。耶穌亦不遑多讓，祂除了道破法利塞人的毛病之外，更推薦了一個對症下藥的改善方法：「只要把你們杯盤裡面的施捨了，那麼，一切對你們便都潔淨了」（11:41）。『你們杯盤裡面』有甚麼可以拿來『施捨』？很明顯，耶穌是為了維護法利塞人的面子，才用比喻。耶穌剛才不是說「你們心中」（11:39b），然後說「你們杯盤裡面」（11:41a）嗎？即是說，把已劫奪得來的財富施捨給窮人，法利塞人便能成功地『洗心革面』，改善與天主、與近人的關係。思維習慣改善了，出於愛，以後再也不會貪婪劫奪了，可以更稱職地教導以色列百姓了。
各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，你們有需要洗杯、洗盤嗎？
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

Thinking In a Strategic Manner (Luke 11:37-41)

The common mistake modern people make is to take short-cuts. They want to maximize profits within limited time and space. Consequently, they fail to develop a “Strategic Thinking Mode”. They tend to distribute all their resources into diverse high-risks-high-returns projects. Had they considered the complications brought about by those high risks which would take toll on their health, familial relations, team-spirit and relation with God, they would not been so elated for coincidental successes! What surprises me is that this is not the monopoly of modern men. Men have been thinking in this manner since ancient times. In the gospel passage today, does not Jesus call the Pharisees fools (Luke 11:40) because those “teachers of Israel” (John 3:10), also lack this strategic mode of thinking? How are they able to teach the people to improve their relationships with God and with neighbour when they themselves lack the abilities?

Jesus Christ is truly an exemplar of teachers of all ages! See how when the Pharisee host “was amazed to see that He did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal” (Luke 11:38), Jesus simply follows the lead and talks about the washing of cups and dishes, and pinpoints the mistake of not thinking strategically, “You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?” (11:40). But how do you wash the inside of your limbs? I would say, “Why not? Have you not heard of the Chinese idiom --- To cleanse one’s heart and change one’s face? To cleanse one’s heart is to make one’s conscience clean. If conscience can be cleansed, why is it hard to cleanse our limbs and senses?” Most Pharisees are like modern people who are too eager to maximize their profits. “Inside you are filled with plunder and evil” (11:39b). Jesus has pity on their follies and teaches them how to cleanse their hearts and change their faces.

Ancient peoples use mottoes to remind themselves to improve. A king engraves on his bathing tub “If you can one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day. Yea, let there be daily renovation” to remind himself of the importance of daily renovation. Jesus did the same. Besides pin-pointing the flaw of the Pharisee host, Jesus recommends an antidote, “But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you” (11:41). What alms can you give from “within”? Obviously, Jesus tries to use parables to protect the dignity of the Pharisee host. Earlier on, He uses “inside” to refer to their hearts (11:39b). Later, He uses “within” to refer to cups and dishes (11:41a). In other words, give away what the Pharisee has plundered to the poor, then he will be able to improve his relations with God and with neighbour. After improving his mode of thinking, out of love, he will never plunder again and is more proficient in teaching the Israelites.
Beloved brethren, do you need to wash your cups and dishes?
God bless!

撒羅滿與約納有多偉大？ How Great are Solomon and Jonah?

撒羅滿與約納有多偉大？（路11:29-32）

約納有甚麼偉大？他只是一個『充滿偏見歧視』的先知，一個『被迫』的先知！上主派約納前往亞述帝國首都，宣講有限期的悔改。若四十天內不悔改，尼尼微城就要毀滅（納3:4）。國仇家恨，約納當然渴望天主毀滅尼尼微城，所以他往相反方向逃跑，便上演了在大魚腹中三日三夜的神跡，成為耶穌引用的「徵兆」（路11:29）。最後，尼尼微城上下人畜都『齋戒，披苦衣，呼求上主，轉離邪路，放下手中的暴行』。言下之意，他們都皈依了上主，天主當然不降災給尼尼微城（納3:7-10）！約納真箇是『無心插柳柳成陰』了！注意，在末日審判時，不是約納定『這個邪惡世代』的罪，而是尼尼微人（路11:32）！耶穌比約納大，因為約納沒有死；而天主子「就是復活，就是生命」（若11:25）。

撒羅滿有甚麼偉大？他當然偉大！他的財富與智慧，名聞天下，吸引了『南方的女王』（路11:31），即『舍巴女王』（列上10:1, 編下9:1），帶了很多財寶到耶路撒冷探明虛實。結果她不但滿載而歸，還表示了對上天天主的信仰。她對撒羅滿說：「上主，你的天主應受讚美！祂喜愛你，使你坐在祂的王位，代上主你的天主為王；因為你的天主愛慕以色列，要永遠保持他們，所以使你作他們的王，來秉行義」（9:8）！回國後，女王可能會把『雅威崇拜』推行全國，並且透過貿易，把信仰的種子，滲透到非洲。一千年後，斐理伯執事便為一個厄提約丕雅太監施洗（宗8:37-38）。所以在末日審判時，不是撒羅滿定『這個邪惡世代』的罪，而是舍巴女王，「她從地極來聽撒羅滿的智慧」（路11:31），因而相信了上主天主！耶穌比撒羅滿大，因為撒羅滿的智慧來自天主子，祂「就是道路、真理和生命」（若14:6）。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，耶穌的確比撒羅滿和約納大，但又有何用呢？撒羅滿和約納令很多人，很有財富權勢的人皈依上主天主。但耶穌呢？祂的成績單如何呢？只有大約120個卑微弱小的人（宗1:15）！所以當耶穌說：「看，這裡有一位大於撒羅滿的…看，這裡有一位大於約納的」（路11:31-32）的時候，祂無意貶低撒羅滿和約納的貢獻，而是表示祂願意成為「在你們眾人中最小的」（9:48），從卑微入手，做得更徹底。祂願意接受凌辱、死在十字架上替眾人贖罪、以復活戰勝死亡。大家想比約納大嗎？比撒羅滿大嗎？
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

How Great are Solomon and Jonah? (Luke 11:29-32)

How great is Jonah? He is only a biased prophet and a reluctant one! The Lord sends him to the capital of the Assyrian Empire to proclaim a time-bound repentance. If people do not repent within 40 days, Nineveh should be overthrown (Jonah 3:4). Jonah has good reasons to desire the destruction of Nineveh because the Assyrians have conquered Israel. So, he flees from the presence of the Lord to the opposite direction and brings about the miracle of surviving in the belly of a great fish for three days and three nights, which becomes the sign Jesus quotes today (Luke 11:29). In the end, all people and beasts “fast, be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; turn from their evil way and from the violence of their hands”. In other words, they convert to the Lord. Because of that, God does not carry out the destruction (Jonah 3:7-10). Jonah is truly an accidental prophet! Notice that, “At the judgment, the men of Nineveh [not Jonah] will arise with this generation and condemn it” (Luke 11:32)! Jesus is greater than Jonah because Jonah survives, and the Son of God is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

How great is Solomon? Of course he is great! His wealth and wisdom is so widely known that “the queen of the south” (Luke 11:31), i.e. “the Queen of Sheba” (1 Kings 10:1, 2 Chronicles 9:1) brings along a large amount of treasures to Jerusalem to test him. In the end, she returns with a greater treasure trove and expresses her faith in the Lord. She tells Solomon, “Blessed be the Lord, your God, who was pleased to set you on His throne as king for the Lord, your God. In the love your God has for Israel, to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out judgment and justice” (9:8). Returning to Sheba, the Queen would promote “Yahweh worship” in her sovereignty and through trade, plant the seed of faith in Africa so that one millennium later, Deacon Philip baptized an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:37-38). Thus, at the judgment, the queen of the south, [not Solomon] will rise with this generation and condemn them, because “she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon” (Luke 11:31) and believes in the Lord God! Jesus is greater than Solomon because the wisdom of Solomon comes from the Son of God who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6).

Beloved brethren! Jesus is truly greater than Solomon and Jonah, but what is the use? Solomon and Jonah make many people, including the wealthy and the powerful, convert to the Lord God. What of Jesus? His report card is miserable! Only about 120 insignificant people remain (Acts 1:15). When Jesus says, “Behold, there is something greater than Solomon here … there is something greater than Jonah here” (Luke 11:31-32), He has no intention to slight the contributions of Solomon and Jonah. Instead, He expresses His intention to become “the one who is the least among all of you” (9:48) so as to work more thoroughly in humility. He intends to receive humiliation and death on the cross to redeem all, to conquer death with resurrection. Do you want to be greater than Jonah, or greater than Solomon?
God bless!