主題：給誰的多，向誰要的也多
人性本善，無論在甚麼時代，無論甚麼宗教或文化背景，人的本性都是相同的。所以，教宗在結束世界青年節，接受訪問時就這樣說：「把伊斯蘭信仰等同暴力是不對的，和不公平的」。既然這樣，為何世上還有這麼多的暴力，凶殺呢？這正好鮮明地說明「原罪」的後果。善良的人性，在原罪的影響之下，無論怎樣崇高的宗教和文化，仍未能完全制止人類自相殘殺。有誰能否認從人內心浮現出來，種種醜惡的思想呢？
除了「功利主義」之外，讓我們再看一些障礙我們追求天上寶藏的壞傾向罷！耶穌曾在瑪竇福音說過一個「塔冷通」的比喻，故事中主人給三個僕人不同數目的塔冷通。結果三個人的表現都不相同，甚至因為怕失敗，而埋沒了主人的交託的才幹。「怕失敗」就是其中一個壞傾向的例子。與這個有關的壞傾向包括「因循」和「懶惰」。當一個方法可行的時候，犯不著傷腦筋去尋找更有效的方法。對於那些「行之有效」的法例，看不見有特別需要，檢討和修訂。對於這類「不做不錯」的態度，「因循」的官腔，相信大家一定不會感到陌生。作為特區政府的官員可以這樣做，但作為耶穌基督的門徒，一定不可以這樣。因為這是原罪的圈套，而耶穌就是針對著這些圈套，來教導我們的。
有些人的人生哲學是「今朝有酒今朝醉」，或者「做一日和尚敲一日鐘」。祗著眼現在的快樂，而不為自己的未來，作出任何準備。相反，做耶穌基督的門徒，就要遵守今天福音的教訓，要時常保持警醒，不可因循躲懶。倘若我們因循懶惰，就會埋沒天主交託給我們的才幹。在末日，天主會向我們算賬。如果我們保持警醒，我們就會想盡辦法，使盡渾身解數，解決面前的困難和誘惑。在末日，天主會讚賞我們。
在今天的福音中，伯多祿問耶穌這些比喻和教訓，是對宗徒們說的，還是對群眾說的呢？（路12:41）比喻中的惡管家，虐待其他的僕人，是指誰嗎？傳統的解釋，那惡管家比喻為宗徒和他們的繼承人，即主教和主教所領導的神職班。這個解釋沒有錯，但稍嫌狹隘。我個人認為這是指從受天主手中接過「塔冷通」比較多的人，而不單是指神職人員。可以是神職人員，他們的確從天主手中接過了很多的恩寵和權力，亦可以是身負重任的政府官員，或者任何沒有職務，但或多或少有「塔冷通」，有才幹的人。所以，耶穌的教訓十分清楚，給你五個「塔冷通」，而你能好好運用，賺取多五個「塔冷通」，你就是善良忠信的僕人。你拿兩個，好好運用，賺了兩個，你也是善良忠信。你拿一個，卻怕失敗，因循行事，做一日和尚敲一日鐘，把天主交託的才幹埋沒了，甚至濫用才幹權力，胡作非為，你給我滾！「交托誰的多，向誰索取的也格外多。」（路12:48）就是這個意思了。電影「蜘蛛俠」中，也有類似的對白：「你擁有大的能力，你要肩責大的責任。」
在上一個主日的講道之中，我提及到一個單身人仕，不用供養父母，在中環工作，每月的開支大概一萬元。倘若他除卻必需的開支之後，還有剩餘的錢財，就應該把它投資保值。當時我介紹了一種有升無跌的投資，就是耶穌所教導的投資方法，把現世的金錢轉賬到天上的銀行。這種說法有一個嚴重的破綻，好像是說有剩餘的錢財時，纔去行善，沒有錢就不用幫助那些貧困的人了。當時我沒有時間處理。今天的福音正好作了圓滿的補充。簡單地說，多有多做，少有少做，但不可不做。你沒有多餘的金錢捐助窮人，也可以抽時間去探訪他們。連探訪的時間也沒有，最少也可以為他們祈禱。耶穌不是說過，你的寶藏在那裡，你的心也在那裡嗎？執事的主保，聖老楞佐曾說過，「窮人就是教會的寶藏。」所以，你們的心想念著窮人的苦況時，你們在天上的戶口就有進帳了。
在原罪的影響之下，人性出現了一些壞的傾向。有些意志堅強，信德堅固的人，不為所動。但有些意志和信德薄弱的人，便因原罪的影響而作了錯誤的選擇。人變得很現實，著眼功利，成本和效益。不是長遠的效益，而是眼前的效益。「永恆」太遙遠了。所以，耶穌提醒我們，「天父是渴望把天國賜給我們的。」（路12:32）我們都是按天主的肖像所創造，天國理所當然就是我們的歸宿了。耶穌又提醒我們要追求永恆的寶藏，而不是俗世帶不走的寶藏。我們內心所應該選擇的，是天國，是天上的寶藏。耶穌應承我們，「你們的寶藏在那裡，你們的心也必在那裡。」（路12:34）即是說，如果我們選擇俗世的寶藏，我們的心便停留在世上，我們獲得天國的機會便變得渺茫。如果我們選擇永恆的寶藏，我們的心自然落在天父的國內了。能夠抗衡原罪的影響，原罪的壞傾向，堅持信望愛三德，纔有希望成功。
天主保祐！
Nineteenth Ordinary Sunday (Year C)
Theme: To whom much is given, of him will much be required
Human nature is good. Whatever the generations, whatever the religious or cultural backgrounds, human nature is basically the same. Thus, at the end of the World Youth Day, the Pope said in an interview, "I think it is not right to identify Islam with violence. This is not right and this is not true." If human nature is good, why then are there so many killings and violence? These speak volumes the consequences of the Original Sin. Under the influence of the Original Sin, no matter how noble the religions or cultures are, they cannot stop men from killing each other. Who can deny all sorts of evil thoughts which surface in our hearts?
Other than utilitarianism, let us explore other undesirable tendencies which are stumbling blocks to the pursuit of treasure in heavens. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus told the people a "Parable of Talents". In the story, the Master gave three servants different amount of Talents. Consequently, the servants performed differently. Fearing of failures, one of them even buried the Talent which the Master entrusted to him! Fear of failures is one of the undesirable tendencies. It is also related with complacency and sloth. When a procedure works, why bother think of a better way? For those laws that have been working well, we don't see any special needs to evaluate and revise them. I am sure all of you must find these kinds of "not-rocking-the-boat" attitude, of complacent bureaucratic tones familiar. As mandarins of the HKSAR, they can do it. But as followers of Christ, we cannot. These are ploys of the Original Sin. Jesus teaches us to avoid them.
Some people buy a hedonistic version of "seize the moment", or "do just enough to get by". They focus on the pleasure of the moment and do nothing for their future. On the contrary, as followers of Christ, we should follow the teaching of the gospel today: keep alert, don't be complacent or lazy. If we don't, we "bury" the talents God entrusted us. On the Judgment Day, God will hold us accountable. If we keep alert, we will exercise all our faculties and talents to handle and solve the difficulties and temptations at hand. On the Judgment Day, God will praise us.
In the gospel today, Peter asked Jesus whether the parables were meant for them or for all. (Luke 12:41) Whom does the evil steward represent? Traditionally, the parable of Evil Steward was told to the apostles, thus bishops and the clergy they led. This explanation is not wrong but too narrow. I personally think that stewards are all those who have received more talents from God, not just the clergy. They can be clergy because clergy have really received more grace and authority from God. They can also be government officials or even people not in power but have more or less some talents. The teaching of Jesus is very clear. God gives you five "talents" and you make use of them to earn five extra "talents", you are a good and faithful servant. If you take two and make good use of them to earn two more, you are also good and faithful. You get one and are afraid of failures, complacent and do just enough to get by. You bury God's given talent, and even abuse your authority to do evils. Go to Hell! This is the meaning of "to whom much is given, of him will much be required". (Luke 12:48) In Spiderman the movie, there is a similar line, "With great power comes great responsibility."
Last Sunday, in my homily, I mentioned about the case of a single man who does not have to support his parents, works in Central and is estimated to spend about $10,000 a month. I said if after spending on all the necessities, he still could spare some money, he should invest. I suggested an investment plan which would never fail, a method recommended by Jesus to transfer secular money to an account in heaven. There is a serious flaw in the presentation. It seems to say that you do charity only when you can spare the money. If you do not have spare money, you don't need to help the needy. I did not have enough time to clarify the point last week. The gospel today answers it. Simply put, if you have more, do more. If you have less, do less. But you cannot afford NOT TO DO. If you don't have spare money to help the poor, you can still spare time to visit them. If you cannot even spare time to visit them, at least you can pray for them. Doesn't Jesus say, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"? The patron saint of deacons, St. Lawrence also said, "The poor are the treasures of the Church." So, when you think of the plights of the poor, your account in heaven will be credited.
Under the influence of the Original Sin, some undesirable tendencies appear in human nature. For those whose will-power and faith in God are strong, they are less affected. For those more fragile ones, the undesirable tendencies would sway them to make wrong choices. Men become utilitarian. They look at the balance of costs and benefits, but only the short-term benefits. Eternity is too far off. Thus, Jesus reminds us, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32). We were created in the image of God. Of course, the kingdom of heaven should be the best final resting place for us. Jesus also reminds us to seek eternal treasures, not those secular ones which we cannot carry beyond our grave. Our hearts should desire the kingdom of heaven, the treasure in heavens. Jesus promises us, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34) That is to say, if we choose worldly treasures, our hearts will be weighed down on earth. Our chances of entering the kingdom of heaven will be slim. If we choose eternal treasures, our hearts will land in the kingdom of the Father. To counteract the bad influences of the Original Sin and those undesirable tendencies, we need to insist on the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Only then can we hope to succeed.
God bless!
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