常年期第十九主日（甲年）
主題：神蹟的象徵意義
聖堂附近的輕鐵站以杯渡命名。據【高僧傳】所載，杯渡禪師是南北朝時期的一個不知名，行為怪異如濟顛和尚的一個神僧。稱得為神僧是因為他行過不少神蹟，最為人津津樂道的就是他經常踏在一隻木杯上，就可以渡過江河，飄洋過海了，故人稱「杯渡禪師」。據說他最後的落腳點就是今天的「青山禪院」。
除了杯渡禪師的故事之外，相信大家都聽過不少武俠小說中的所謂「登萍渡水」的絕頂輕功。雖然明知是小說，但是我們都很樂意接受這些幻想所帶來的樂趣。因此，在這種文化背景之下，對於今天福音所記載有關耶穌步水面的故事，我們就不會感到神奇，反而覺得不外如是。
的確，福音中耶穌所行的神蹟，例如變水為酒、治病驅魔、平息風浪，又或者是上星期的五餅二魚增餅神蹟，與中國文化之中的封神榜、西遊記或者其他的神仙故事比較，的確是小巫見大巫。其實，整部聖經所記載的神蹟，與世界各地的神話故事比較，一樣不及它們驚天動地。所以，今天想同大家分享有關「神蹟」的問題。
為甚麽耶穌行的神蹟並不驚天動地，鬼哭神號呢？這是因為文化上的差異。
第一，耶穌生為猶太人，故所行的神蹟就帶有以色列人的文化色彩。舊約中的先知，例如厄里亞、厄里叟，都被稱為「天主的人」。耶穌所行的治好痲瘋病人、復活死人和上星期讀到的增餅事蹟，都是厄里亞和厄里叟曾經行過的神蹟。故此，這些神蹟告訴當代的猶太人知道，耶穌是來自天主的人。
第二，【創世紀】告訴我們，創造天地萬物的天主使混沌變成有秩序。所以，耶穌平息風浪和今次步行水面的神蹟，是表示出耶穌是天主的身份。其他例如顯聖容，驅魔等都表示耶穌是天主。
最後，你們以為在那裡可以找到天主呢？在無堅不摧的龍捲風之中？在山崩地裂的地震中？在好像地獄一樣的一片火海之中？完全不是。根據今天第一篇讀經，【列王紀上】19章的記載，天主在高山上，在微風細語之中，在厄里亞先知面前經過。天主對祂所創造的宇宙，十分滿意，認為很好。如果天主的動作太大，恐怕會造成破壞。所以，如果你想看到驚天動地，鬼哭神號的神蹟，對不起令你失望，我們的天主是不會使用「過份的暴力」去行神蹟的。
其實我們應該關心的不是神蹟的轟動程度，而是神蹟對我們的得救更深層的意義。例如，在【出谷紀】天主行神蹟分開紅海，使以色列人獲得徹底的自由，今天過紅海的神蹟為我們的得救又有甚麽意義呢？一如經過了紅海的水，以色列人擺脫埃及人的奴役，進入福地。同樣，經過洗禮的水，基督徒擺脫了罪惡的奴役，加入教會，邁向永生的天國。所以過紅海是洗禮的象徵，亦表達出洗禮的必要性。又例如上星期的五餅二魚神蹟，就告訴我們天主對我們的慈愛，祂有決心、有能力照顧我們肉身和靈魂的飢渴；祂要以聖體聖事，滋養我們靈性及肉身的生命。
今天福音所載的步行水面事蹟，除了是一個神蹟之外，又有甚麽深層的意義呢?
首先，從挪亞方舟開始，「船」便象徵了教會。在上次平息風浪的神蹟中，耶穌由始至終都留在船上。有耶穌在，教會無論遇到怎樣大的風浪，仍是安全的。今次，耶穌不在船上，而是步行水面到船上，時間是四更時份。又是甚麽意義呢？
第四世紀教會的一位聖師聖希拉利認為第四更是黑夜的結束，是指末日。他解釋第一更象徵了梅瑟的法律時代，第二更象徵先知時代，第三更是耶穌在世傳福音的時代，第四更就是耶穌升天後開展的教會時代，直到末日。教父聖奧思定與另一位教會聖師金口若望亦同意這個觀點。耶穌雖然已升天到天父的右邊，留在天上，但他仍在聖言及聖體內時常與我們同在。不過他始終要放手，在驚濤駭浪之中，訓練考驗我們。到末日，他會再來，到時一切將會風平浪靜。
聖伯多祿的行為表現出他一貫愛主的熱誠。今次伯多祿跳入水中走向耶穌，日後他在最後晚餐誇下海口，不怕與耶穌一起受難一樣；耶穌被捕後，伯多祿勇敢地跟到大司祭府。今次伯多祿在大浪中下沉；日後他在大司祭府的後院被圍攻時，軟弱地三次否認耶穌來脫身一樣。今次伯多祿在千鈞一髮之際，向耶穌喊出「主！救我。」；在大司祭府的伯多祿就沒有這個機會了，因為眼前所見的耶穌，自身難保。所以，耶穌所指伯多祿的「小信德」，不單是今次步行水面所發生的事，更加是日後在大司祭府將會發生的事。在大司祭府，耶穌雖然沒有伸出手拉著伯多祿救他，其實，耶穌救了伯多祿。兩個出賣耶穌的門徒，一個猶達斯，一個伯多祿。猶達斯沒有向耶穌呼救，他自殺死了。但伯多祿最後沒有死，究竟當時他如何向耶穌呼救，又或者耶穌怎樣救了他呢？答案在路22:16.
近來發生了那麽多的疫症、戰亂、天災與人禍，我們除了為受到傷害的群眾祈禱之外，這些事件正好提醒我們，不要心硬，要有勇氣承認自己的不足，接受天主的國度，祈求天主的拯救。天主保佑。
19th Ordinary Sunday (Year A)
Theme: Symbolic Meanings of Miracles
The LRT station next to our Church is called “Pui To (cup ferry)”. According to “Biography of High Monks”, Pui To was an anonymous, eccentric monk in the 6th Century. He worked miracles and one of his most remembered fits was to cross rivers and lakes on a wooden cup. That is why he was remembered as Pui To, i.e. ferrying on a cup. His last known address was the Castle Peak Monastery in our neighbourhood.
Besides the story of Monk Pui To, I am sure you must have heard of the levitation skill “treading water on duckweed” in martial art novels. Though we know these are fantasies, we enjoy the fun they deliver. Therefore, with this cultural background, we might find Jesus’ walking on the water not impressive enough.
Truly, the miracles of Jesus in the gospels, such as turning water into wine, healings, exorcisms, calming the storm or even the multiplication of loaves we read last Sunday would be dwarfed by the spectacular scenes in Chinese classic novels such as “Creation of the gods”, “Journey to the West” or other fairy tales and legends. Indeed, compared with myths and legends in other parts of the world, the miracles recorded in the Bible are less powerful in shaking the foundation of the world. Therefore, I would like to share with you the topic of “miracles”.
Why were Jesus’ miracles not ground shaking and spirits wailing? It is because of cultural differences.
Firstly, Jesus was born a Jew. Therefore, his miracles bear Israelite cultural hues. Prophets of the Old Testament such as Elijah and Elisha were called “man of God”. Jesus’ miracles, such as healing lepers, raising the dead and the multiplication of loaves, had been miracles worked by Elijah and Elisha before. Therefore, Jesus’ miracles told his contemporaries that he was a “man of God”.
Secondly, Genesis tells us that during Creation, God brought about order out of chaos. Therefore, when Jesus calmed the storm and this time walked on the water, these miracles show the divinity of Jesus. Jesus is our God. Other miracles such as Transfiguration and exorcisms also convey the same message.
Lastly, where do you expect to find God? In the unstoppable, destructive whirlwinds? In mountain renting earthquakes? Or in a hellish sea of fire? Negative. According to 1Kings 19 we read today, God was in a still small voice (1Kings 19:12). God was happy with His Creation. He saw that it was good. If God’s action is too forceful, it might bring destruction to his good Creation. Therefore, if you want to see earth shaking, spirits wailing miracles, sorry to disappoint you. Our God shall not use “excessive violence” to work miracles.
Indeed, we should not pay attention to how impressive miracles are but rather to their deeper meanings for our salvation. For example, in Exodus, God split the Red Sea to assure the Israelites of irrevocable freedom. Today, what is the relevance of this miracle for our salvation? Just as the Israelites were able to shake off Egyptian slavery and entered the Promised Land after passing through the Red Sea, similarly, Christians today are able to shake off the bondage of sins and join the Church and proceed to the eternal Kingdom of God through baptism. Again, the 5 loaves and 2 fish miracle we read of last week, tells us of God’s compassion for us. He is determined and capable of taking care of the hunger and thirst of our physical as well as spiritual needs. He will make use of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to nourish our bodily and spiritual lives.
So, besides being a miracle, what are the deeper meanings of the story we read today?
First of all, since Noah’s Ark, a ship/boat is a symbol of the Church. Last time in the calming of the storm, Jesus stayed in the boat all the time. As long as Jesus is with the Church, she is able to weather through all tribulations no matter how hazardous they are. She is safe. This time, Jesus was not on the boat, but walking towards the boat at the fourth watch. What did it mean?
St. Hilary of Poitiers (300-368) taught that the 4th watch is the end of night, the last day. He explained that the 1st watch is the age of Torah, the 2nd watch the Prophets, the 3rd the earthly ministry of the Lord and the 4th is the age of the Church inaugurated by the ascension of Jesus until the end of the world. St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom agreed. Though Jesus has ascended to the right hand of the Father, staying in heaven, he is still present in the Word and the Holy Eucharist to stay with us. After all, for our sake, he needs to let go of us, throw us into turmoil to train and test us. On the last day, he shall come and all shall be peaceful.
The action of St. Peter shows his typical intense love of the Lord. This time, Peter jumped into the sea to walk towards Jesus. Later, he boasted in the Last Supper to die with Jesus. After Jesus was arrested, Peter was rash enough to follow Jesus into the house of the High Priest. This time, Peter sank in view of the strong winds and waves. Later, when Peter was surrounded and interrogated in the courtyard of the High Priest, he cowardly denied Jesus three times. This time, at the most critical moment, Peter cried out “Lord, save me.” In the house of the High Priest, Peter did not have such a chance. The Jesus he saw could not even save himself! So, when Jesus said that Peter had little faith, not only did Jesus mean this sinking in waves, but also what would happen later in the courtyard of the house of the High Priest where, though Jesus did not reach out his hand to catch Peter, he had indeed saved Peter. Between the two disciples who had betrayed Jesus, Judas and Peter, Judas did not seek help but committed suicide. Peter survived. How and when did he cry to Jesus, or how did Jesus save him? The answer can be found in Luke 22:61.
Recently, there are plagues, wars, natural and human disaster etc. Besides praying for the victims, we should stay alert because of these incidents. Don’t harden our hearts. Have the courage to admit our inadequacy. Accept the Kingdom of God. Pray for God’s salvation. God bless.
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