新禮儀年願望 New Liturgical Year Resolutions

將臨期第一主日（甲年）
主題：新禮儀年願望

將臨期的第一個主日，是禮儀年度的開始。三年一個循環，今天是甲年的開始。甲年主要讀瑪竇福音，它是寫給對猶太背景有所認識的信徒。所以閱讀的時候，要求我們對舊約有相當的認識。例如，瑪竇福音的第一句是這樣寫的：「亞巴郎之子，達味之子耶穌基督的族譜：」（瑪1:1）瑪竇假設讀者已經認識亞巴郎和達味是誰，知道他們在基督徒的信仰之中，佔了甚麼地位，並且知道族譜有甚麼作用。所以，執事所推薦的讀對觀福音次序，不是按新約目錄的順序，而是先讀馬爾谷，其次是路加；第三纔是瑪竇。無論如何，讓我們立定志向，今年之內，好好地默想瑪竇福音。

將臨期是聖誕節前的四個星期，目的是為救主耶穌的來臨，做好準備。不過，救主耶穌的來臨有兩個意義。第一是祂二千年前的降生，第二是祂在末日從天而降，審判生者死者。很奇怪，瑪竇福音的最後一句是這樣寫的：「看！我同你們天天在一起，直到今世的終結。」（28:20）既然耶穌天天與我們同在一起，而「天天」當然包括世界末日的那一天。那麼，祂在末日重臨，審判世人又有甚麼特別的意義呢？

首先，我們要對「審判」有一個正確的理解。在人類的世界裡，「審判」是按「公義」原則，賞善罰惡的意思。如果天主的「正義」好像人類的「正義」一樣，那麼，天主當然好像人類的法官一樣，按法律賞善罰惡。例如你殺了人，判你死刑或者終身監禁；你貪污舞弊，於是充公家產，坐牢三十年。咦，為甚麼法律好像沒有賞善，祗有罰惡呢？對！因為人世間的「公義」是消極的公平，為了維持社會的穩定運作，並不能保護弱勢社群，或者帶給市民真正的幸福。而且，還造就了一群專業利用法律漏洞發財的人。

我們所信的天主不是法官。因為在天主的字典裡，祂的「正義」在於拯救和解放信仰祂的人。在聖詠集和依撒意亞先知書中，有很多章節把天主的「正義」，等同祂的「救恩」，當作同義詞互換。這是合理的。因為人類是按天主的肖像所造，人類背逆天主後，天主並沒有放棄祂的傑作，並許下救贖人類的諾言（創3:15）。所以，當天主拯救人類的時候，天主在履行祂的諾言。倘若天主不拯救人類，反而是祂「不義」。即是說，天主以祂的救恩來表示祂的正義，而天主的所謂「審判」，實際上是祂的拯救行動。福音和保祿的書信，多處強調「因信德而生活」（羅1:17; 迦3:11），信耶穌得永生（若3:15-16, 36），「信而受洗的必要得救，但不信的必被判罪。」（谷16:16）等。不相信耶穌基督，就是不相信天主在履行祂的諾言，來拯救我們。試問，這樣的態度，又怎能獲得天主的救贖呢？

今天的福音，可以從兩個層面看人子的再來。 第一個是普世的層面：是指世界的末日。到時，耶穌要重臨， 拯救信靠祂的人，至於那些不接受祂的，耶穌祗有把他們遺棄在地獄之內了（瑪24:40-41）。世界末日，比較遙不可及，所以今天我想和大家反省第二個層面，就是個人的層面：
我們每個人死後，靈魂會被引領到天主台前，交待一生的所作所為。但是沒有人知道自己的死期，所以，惟一最明智的做法是時時刻刻保持醒寤，做好準備，隨時可以回到天父面前交待。
教會有很優良的傳統，幫助我們預備自己的末日。教會提醒我們要定期辦告解，最少每年一次，檢討與天主的關係，與天主修好。所以告解又稱為「修和聖事」。剛結束的慈悲禧年，再三強調天主在赦罪之中，在修和聖事之中，不斷展示祂的慈悲。雖然禧年已經結束，但天主的慈悲永遠長存。所以，我們應繼續領受修和聖事，領受天父的慈悲。
其次，教會鼓勵我們每晚在睡前做「夜禱」，好好省察每日的過失，向天父懺悔，保持靈魂的潔淨，縱使天主即晚收回我們的靈魂，我們亦無憂無懼。
第三，我們要恆常讀經祈禱。為甚麼呢？請問大家，您們能否認出耶穌呢？耶穌在復活後顯示給門徒時，門徒未能認出復活的主，直至耶穌做一些他們熟識的行為，例如擘餅，門徒纔認出祂來。所以，我們需要讀經，認識耶穌的言行；我們要默想祈禱，體會耶穌的心意。否則，當我們的靈魂前往天主台前，在路上遇見耶穌的時候，有如陌路人，我們又怎能認出主耶穌基督呢？大家在丙年，有沒有讀完路加福音呢？倘若沒有，兩年後再讀吧！趁禮儀年開始，讓我們立志完成瑪竇福音吧！
第四，耶穌在瑪竇福音第廿五章，一再強調在服務最弱小的兄弟時，就是服事祂。在慈悲禧年，教會一再鼓勵並提供機會，讓大家履行神形哀矜。大家應爭取機會，慰問病人，探訪外判清潔工人等，服事臨現在他們身上的耶穌基督，將來與祂重逢的時候，再不會感到陌生。
最後，我們每個領了洗的人，是蒙召成聖的。我們每一個人，都生活在家庭之中，或者身為子女，或者身為父母、丈夫或者妻子。我們都是蒙召在家庭或婚姻生活中成聖。我們的樞機在將臨期期牧函中，提出未來一年的牧民重點在於婚姻、家庭及關愛生命。請大家在彌撒後買一份【公教報】，知道教區的未來動向。
上述五點，希望可以幫助大家訂立新禮儀年的願望。
天主保祐！

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First Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Theme: New Liturgical Year Resolutions

This Sunday is the beginning of the Liturgical Year. It is Year A of a 3-year cycle. In Year A, we mainly read the gospel of Matthew which was written for Jewish Christians. Therefore, you need to know something about the Old Testament in order to read it fruitfully. For example, the gospel begins with "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1) Matthew assumed that the readers know who Abraham and David were and their position in Christianity. Furthermore, they should be familiar with the use of genealogy. Therefore, I always recommend reading the Synoptic gospels, not according to the Table of Contents of the New Testament, but according to the sequence Mark, Luke and then Matthew. Whatever, let us make this our New Year resolution to read and meditate the gospel of Matthew within this year.

The Advent Season is the four weeks before Christmas. The purpose is to prepare for the coming of Lord Jesus. His coming consists of two meanings. The first one is his birth two thousand years ago. The second is his coming at the end of the world to judge the living and the dead. The last sentence of Matthew reads, "Lo, I am with you always, to the close of this age" (28:20). Since he is with us always, which includes the Last Day, then what special meaning does the second coming at the end have?

First of all, we need to have a correct understanding of the word "judge". In our secular world, "to judge" is to reward good and punish wrongs according to some "justice" principles. If God's justice were like human justice, then God would pass judgment like human judges according to the law. For example, you are guilty of murder. God would sentence you to death or life imprisonment. You are guilty of corruption. God would confiscate your assets and put you behind bars for thirty years. Wait. Why does the law only punish evil but does not reward good? You are right! It is because human justice is a rather passive justice. It maintains the smooth running of a society but cannot protect the minority or bring true happiness to the citizens. Furthermore, it breeds a bunch of professionals who abuse the loopholes to make money.

The God we believe in is not a judge. It is because in His dictionary, justice means the deliverance and liberation of those who believe in Him. In the Psalms and Isaiah, there are many passages in which God's righteousness and His salvation are synonymous. This is reasonable because men were created in the image of God. After the Fall of humanity, God did not abandon His creation and promised to redeem humanity (Genesis 3:15). Therefore, when God carries out His salvation, He is honouring His promise. Had God failed to redeem humanity, He would have been "unjust". That is to say, God expresses His justice with His salvation. The so-called "judgment" of God is actually His saving act. Among the gospels and Pauline epistles, we find many passages, such as "He who through faith is righteous shall live" (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11) "Whosoever believes in him may have eternal life" (John 3:15-16, 36) "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) Not believing in Jesus Christ means not believing that God is honouring His promise to save us. How can one obtain God's redemption with such an attitude?

There are two different levels to read the second coming of the Son of Man in the gospel today. The first level is a universal level. It means the end of the world. By then, Jesus shall come again to deliver those who believe. For those who refuse to believe, the Son of Man will naturally leave them behind in hell (Matthew 24:40-41). The end of the world is a bit far off. So, I would like to reflect with you the second level, i.e. the personal level.
After we die, our souls will be taken before God to review what we have done in life. But nobody knows when he dies. Therefore the best strategy is to be ready all the time to return to the Father.
The Church has good practices to help us prepare for our last days. She reminds us to do confession regularly, at least once a year to evaluate our relationship with God and reconcile with God. Thus, confession is also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During the Jubilee of Mercy which has just come to an end, the Church kept reiterating that God shows His mercy all the times through the forgiveness of sins and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Although the Jubilee of Mercy has come to an end, God's mercy lasts forever. Therefore, we should continue to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the mercy of the Father.
Secondly, the Church encourages us to pray the Completorium before going to bed. We reflect on what we have done or what we have failed to do during the day. We repent to keep our souls clean. Then, even if God takes back our souls tonight, we have nothing to worry or fear.
Thirdly, we should keep studying the scriptures and praying. Why? Let me ask you. Can you recognize Jesus? After resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples who could not recognize him until Jesus did something they were familiar, e.g. breaking of bread. Therefore, we need to study the scriptures to know the words and deeds of Jesus. We need to meditate to feel His will. Otherwise, when on their way to God, our souls meet Jesus. How could we recognize him if we are not familiar with him? In Year C, have you finished reading the gospel of Luke? If you haven't, read it again two years later. Let us make a resolution to finish reading the gospel of Matthew in this liturgical year!
Fourthly, in Matthew 25, Jesus tells us that in serving the least of our brethren, we are serving him. During the Jubilee of Mercy, the Church repeatedly encouraged and provided opportunities for us to perform Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. So, let us take the opportunity to visit the sick and the out-sourcing janitors etc. Serve the Jesus present in them. When we meet in the future, we will not be unfamiliar with him.
Lastly, we were baptized and were called to become saints. Each one of us leads a family life as children, or parents or husbands or wives. We are called to sanctification through family or married life. In the Advent Pastoral Letter, our Cardinal informs us that the pastoral focus of the Diocese next year will be about marriage, family and life. Buy a copy of Sunday Examiner after mass to know where the Diocese is heading.
I hope the five points above may help you formulate your New Liturgical Year Resolutions.
God bless.

重溫「平信徒」的王者職務 The kingship of the Laity

耶穌基督普世君王節（丙年）
主題：重溫「平信徒」的王者職務

在今天強調民主、人權的世界， 我們慶祝耶穌基督普世君王節，是否太封建，太不合時宜呢？其實，人不能單獨生存。無論是原始的世界或者先進的社會，人必須團結纔能生存。無論用甚麼稱號，例如酋長、皇帝、總統或者總裁，任何團體或組織必須有領袖。這個領袖之所以是領袖，可以源於他個人的能力或者魅力；可以是傳統習俗；可以來自團體所建立的合約或憲法。

耶穌基督是怎樣成為君王呢？是靠魅力、抑或是傳統世襲、抑或是憲法呢？ 保祿宗徒在第二篇讀經告訴我們，耶穌基督是天主子，宇宙萬物是靠祂所創造，靠祂所維持。若望福音的第一章亦有相同的見解。人類雖然背叛了天父，但天父並沒有放棄祂的創造，更派遣聖子降生成人，引領世人回歸父家。在起初，耶穌的確是憑個人的魅力吸引追隨者。他行神蹟，以革命性的言論宣講天主的慈悲，並再三擊敗宗教權貴的挑戰。不過，他自己說：「當我從地上被高舉時，我要吸引眾人歸向我。」（若12:32）所以，耶穌基督不是憑世襲或者憲法成為君王，而是以受難復活來羅致他的追隨者。耶穌基督為甚麼不打一場漂亮的仗，擊倒撒殫為王，而要釘十字架呢？這是出於天主子對人類自由的尊重，並不強迫人類接受祂的大愛。倘若人類能像被釘的右盜，在苦難和失敗之中，仍能承認耶穌是主，這樣的信德纔是真實的。所謂「以力服人者霸，以德服人者王」。耶穌以十字架作為他的寶座，古往今來，恐怕祗有耶穌基督一個是用這種方式宣示主權的。耶穌就是以他偉大的愛，征服全世界。

在我們藉著洗禮，與基督合成一體，成了天主的子民，按自己的生活處境，分享基督的司祭、先知和王者的職務(CCC#897)。分享耶穌基督的三重職務，就是在我們的生活中，有創意地「把基督的教義和基督徒生活的要求滲入社會、政治和經濟領域」(CCC#899)。今天是基督普世君王節，是默想如何「分享基督的王者職務」的好機會。

我們是藉耶穌的寶血所贖回來，歸祂名下的天主子民。我們享有他的王者職務，即享有君王的權利與義務。甚麼權利呢？古今中外，與開國皇帝打江山的，都有份分封土地。我們可以默想路加福音記載的「米納比喻」（路19:12-27），得到相關的啟示。話說主人遠行，把財物交與管家發展，待主人回來，論功行賞。結果，那個賺了十倍的，主人賜他掌管十個城，那個賺了五倍的，主人賜他掌管五個城。這個比喻告訴我們，祗要我們在世時善用天主所賜予的才幹，履行君王、先知和司祭的職務，拓展天國；在末日，當耶穌基督以整個宇宙的君王身份第二次來臨，審判生者死者的時候，祂會賞賜我們掌管宇宙的一部份。即是說，在履行君王職務的時候，拓展天國是義務；掌管宇宙是權利。讓我們進一步反省如何善用天賦的才幹，具體地履行君王的職務吧！

我們中國人有所謂「格物、致知、誠意、正心、修身、齊家、治國、平天下」的政治理想，一切是從自己做起，在認知上做到「格物、致知」，在靈修上做到「誠意、正心」，在待人接物上做到「修身」。這樣做，建立天國就有基礎了。所以，履行君王職務的第一階段在於「修身」，戰勝「原罪」在我們身上所做成的傷害。「以克己和聖德的生活，在自己身上戰勝罪惡的王國。」(CCC#908)
接下來的第二個階段，就是在家庭中，在工作崗位上，發揮酵母的作用，把福音的教訓，生活出來。在家庭中，建立與家人一起祈禱讀經的習慣，奉耶穌基督為家庭之主；在工作崗位中，勇敢地表露自己是天主教徒的身份，對有困難的人關懷愛護，與受到不公義對待的兄弟姊妹同行。履行君王職務的第二階段是在於「齊家治國」，在自己的崗位中，灌注基督福音的精神。「把道德價值灌注在人類的文化和活動中。」(CCC#909)
最後，一個人的力量始終有限，而且將來要管理的宇宙，單憑一人的力量是不可能掌管的。所以，我們需要練習與人合作。那裡是學習合作的好地方呢？當然就是堂區及教區大家庭了。所以，我們應該與牧者合作，服務教會團體，例如參加教友總會、教區議會、堂區的善會及各種愛德服務。(CCC#910)

這個星期禮儀年的結束，我們慶祝耶穌基督在末日要君臨天下，作為整個宇宙的君王。在這個禮儀年，教宗方濟各頒布了慈悲特殊禧年，舉辦了各項活動，鼓勵普世教會默觀、見証和宣講天父的慈悲。大家有朝聖、辦告解、參加慈悲善功嗎？隨著今天梵蒂崗聖伯多祿大殿聖門的關閉，禧年是結束了，但天父的慈悲仍會繼續。讓我們繼續透過履行耶穌基督的君王職務，讓世人體會天父的慈悲，回頭悔改，領受天父的救恩。
天主保祐！

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Feast of Christ the King (Year C)
Theme: The kingship of the Laity

Is it feudalistic and outdated to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King in a world which emphasizes democracy and human rights? The fact is men cannot survive alone. Whether we live in a primitive world or an advanced society, men need to stand together to survive. Whatever name you call, such as chief, king, president or CEO, leaders are indispensable in all communities or organizations without exception. One can be a leader through his charisma or capability; or through tradition and customs; or through contracts and constitutions.

How did Jesus Christ become a king? Was it through charisma, or traditional inheritance or through constitution? In the second reading today, St. Paul tells us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The universe was created and is sustained through Him. John 1 shares the same opinion. Even though men rebelled against the Father, He did not abandon His creation. He even sent His Son to incarnate and became man to lead the humanity back to Himself. At the beginning, Jesus did make use of his charisma to attract followers. He worked miracles and proclaimed a revolutionary view on God's mercy and refuted challenges from the religious authorities. However, he says, "When I am lifted from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32) Therefore, Jesus Christ did not become king through inheritance or constitution but through his Passion and Resurrection to draw followers. Why didn't Jesus fight a spectacular battle to defeat Satan to become king, but instead chose to be crucified? It was because the Son of God respected our freedom. He does not want to impose His great love on us. If we can acknowledge Jesus as our Lord while we are in adversity and defeat, like the repentant thief, then our faith is genuine. As the Chinese idiom goes, "A warlord bends people with might. A king wins people over with virtue." Jesus took the cross as his throne. Nobody has ever claimed sovereignty in this way, not even in the future. In short, Jesus "conquers" the world with his great love.

Through baptism, we are incorporated with Christ and integrated into the People of God. We are made sharers of the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ. (CCC#897) Sharing the threefold office of Christ means that we should discover or invent means for permeating social, political and economic realities with the demands of Christian doctrine and life. (CCC#899) Today, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. It is high time we meditated how we share the kingly office.

We were redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. We make up the People of God and belong to him. We share his kingly office, i.e. we enjoy the privileges and obligations of kings. What are the privileges? Throughout history, those who fought with kings to build up an empire would be given a piece of land. Meditating on the parable of pounds (Luke 19:12-27) will shed light on the privileges. A nobleman was going to a far away place. He called his servants and gave them pounds to make money. He would reward them accordingly when he returned. Consequently, the one who gained tenfold was given authority over ten cities. The one who gained fivefold was given authority over five cities. This parable tells us that if we make good use of the talents given by God to discharge our kingly, prophetic and priestly office, to extend the kingdom of heaven, on Judgment Day when Jesus Christ returns as the King of the Universe to judge the living and the dead, he would give us authority over a portion of the universe. That is to say, in discharging the kingly office, our obligation is to expand the kingdom of heaven and our privilege is to have authority over a portion of the universe. Let us reflect further more concretely how we make use of talents given by God to discharge the kingly office.

Confucian political philosophy teaches eight steps to achieve the political ideal. They are: observe things, construct knowledge, have a sincere will, form a clear conscience, build a disciplined character, manage a family, govern a country and maintain peace on earth. Everything begins with the self. Observe things and construct knowledge are the achievements on the intellectual level. Have a sincere will and form a clear conscience are the targets on the spiritual level. Build a disciplined character is the aim of interpersonal level. Thus done, we have laid the foundation of building up the kingdom of heaven. Thus, the first stage of discharging the kingly office is to build a disciplined character, to overcome the damages done by the Original Sin on us. "By the self-abnegation of a holy life, we might overcome the reign of sin in ourselves." (CCC#908)
The next stage is to leaven our family and our work with the teaching of the gospel, to live up the spirit of the gospel in our life stations. Let us build up the habit of prayers and scripture studies in the family. Make Jesus the Lord of our home. In our office, be courageous in showing our Catholic identity, care about colleagues in difficulties and accompany those who are unfairly treated. To discharge the kingly office in Stage 2 is to manage our family and govern our office with the spirit of the gospel. "We will impregnate culture and human works with a moral value." (CCC#909)
Lastly, the capability of a single person is limited. When we manage the universe in the future, the capability of one single person is insufficient. Thus, we need to practise collaboration. Which is a good place to practise collaboration? Of course, the big family of the parish and the diocese are the best choices. Thus, we should cooperate with our pastors in the service of the ecclesial community. For example, to participate in the Central Council of the Laity, Diocesan Commissions, service groups in the parish and all sorts of charitable works. (CCC#910)

This Sunday marks the end of the liturgical year. We celebrate Jesus Christ coming majestically on the Judgment Day to be the king of the whole universe. In this liturgical year, Pope Francis proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, organized a variety of activities to encourage the Church to contemplate, to witness and to proclaim the mercy of the Father. Did you go pilgrimage, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or take part in deeds of mercy? With the closing of the Gate of Mercy at St. Peter's Basilica today in Vatican, the Jubilee comes to a close. But the mercy of the Father lasts forever. Let us, by discharging the kingly office of Jesus Christ, show the mercy of the Father to all men and help them repent to receive the salvation of the Father.
God bless.

How to Benefit from Discrimination

Thirty Third Ordinary Sunday (Year C)
Theme: How to Benefit from Discrimination

The Second World War ended more than 70 years ago. Very few of us here are older than seventy. This means that very few of us have actual experiences of wars. We know of wars only through documentaries. We have never heard sirens of air-strikes, nor have we smelt of gun powder or burning flesh. Horrors of war and war crimes exist only in our imagination. Let's face it. There are more immediate things to worry about than wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues (Luke 21:12). It is persecution. Nowadays, many societies are civilized. There are less blatant persecutions, but implicit ones. We call these implicit persecutions discriminations. Whatever name you call them, they are cruel and unfair treatments.

Most people are narrow-minded, especially when they are the majority. The Cantonese-speaking Chinese in Hong Kong is an example. Nowadays, many Putonghua speaking mainlanders come shopping in Hong Kong. The local Cantonese-speaking Chinese do not welcome them. They see the mainlanders as a threat to their benefits. They come to take away our resources, e.g. maternity beds, milk powder and even our houses and our jobs. Everything becomes more expensive because of them. Life becomes more competitive because of them. Most of these accusations are only exaggerations.
Like their counterparts in other countries, the local politicians want to divert the dissatisfaction of the citizens of Hong Kong away from them. They make the mainlanders scapegoats so that the citizens of Hong Kong pour their anger on those mainlanders and not on these incompetent and greedy politicians. When you are the minorities, you become handy scapegoats. Of course this is unfair. But what can we do or say when we are the minority?

Followers of Christ have always been a minority. In the early history of the Church, there were many martyrs. They suffered and even died because they persevered in keeping their faith. What did Jesus command us to do in face of discrimination? First of all, he told us that we should be happy. Happy? Impossible! How can we be happy in face of discrimination? We should be happy because this is going to be a good opportunity to bear witness to Jesus and his love of sinners (21:13). Jesus promised to give us the Holy Spirit, the wisdom in speaking so that our persecutors are unable to refute. In the end, Jesus will award us a place in the kingdom of heaven.

On the other hand, discrimination helps the minority to be more united. The early Christians were more united because there were persecutions. In order to survive in a hostile environment, they needed to put away their differences and be united. After the Roman Caesar had given them freedom of worship, they began arguing over whether Jesus Christ was a man or a god, whether Mary should be the Mother of Christ or Mother of God etc. Nowadays, the homosexuals are more united because of discrimination. Rational people are sympathetic to them because they think discrimination is irrational. If we had respected the homosexuals as persons created in the image of God, they would not have developed into a political movement fighting for equal rights. When we were more tolerant towards the homosexuals, less people would be sympathetic to them, thinking them to be greedy because they want the benefits of marriage but they do not want to take up the responsibility to beget children. Paradoxically, as a minority group, we benefit from discrimination.

Thirdly, we should not be timid even though the whole world hates us (21:17). Why are we so confident? It is because we believe in God who is the Creator of the whole universe. Jesus promised us that not a hair on our head would be destroyed (21:18). Jesus promised to protect us and deliver us from evil. So, remember to say the Lord's Prayer every day to remind God to keep His promise.

Of course, the society has developed into a more civilized community. Basic human rights will be protected. Therefore, when we receive unfair treatments, we may choose to suffer patiently. This is a Spiritual Work of Mercy. We may also choose to complain to the rightful authority. If justice is not done, let us follow Jesus' command to pray for the souls of the discriminators (6:28).

Brethren, remember to say 5 mysteries a day for the souls in the Purgatory. Some of them might have discriminated against good Christians. We pray for them so that they may enter Heaven earlier. There will be a great Reconciliation in Heaven. What a joyful event it will be!
God bless.

Life after Death 死後的生命

Thirty Second Ordinary Sunday (Year C)
Theme: Life after Death

There are two types of people on earth. The first type of people looks forwards to the future and plans ahead. They believe in some kind of life after death. If there is injustice in this life, justice will be done in the next. Therefore, they try to lead a life of morality and are willing to suffer patiently, believing that there will be a final Judgment Day when God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked. People of the second type are usually either ignorant or rich and powerful. They enjoy the moment and couldn't care less what takes place after death. The rich and powerful encourage people to believe in God and claim that God blesses them with the power and wealth they are enjoying. In reality, they make use of God to justify their power and riches. However, they dislike the idea of a final Judgment Day because their riches usually came from an unfair manner. Therefore, the prospect of resurrection is unpleasant to them.

The Sadducees in the gospel reading today were a political party formed by the priests of the Jerusalem Temple. They were rich and powerful and did not believe in resurrection. It was because deep in their hearts, they were afraid of God's judgment after death. The money they had in their purses was usually dirty money. For example, they collected money from traders to do maintenance works of the Temple. In return, they allowed them to sell sacrificial animals in the Temple area. The most lucrative business was money exchange which would be given to people who offered the priests the most money. That explains why Jesus was furious and cleansed the Temple of traders after he had entered Jerusalem triumphantly.

The Sadducees were intelligent people. They challenged Jesus with a hypothetical case to prove that there is no resurrection and therefore no Judgment Day. They made use of a Mosaic law to prove that resurrection would create a contradiction. Since God cannot contradict Himself, therefore, there is no resurrection. How did they prove it?
They made use of a Mosaic law which required the brother of a deceased man to take his wife to give birth to an heir for the dead man. When the seven brothers and the woman were alive, the woman had only one husband at a time. Now, if there were resurrection, seven men would be her husbands at the same time. But the Ten Commandments which came from God forbid adultery. If there were resurrection, the woman would be committing adultery because she would have seven husbands at the same time. It would be contradictory for God to allow adultery and at the same time allows resurrection. Since, the idea of resurrection contradicts the Ten Commandments. Therefore, there is no resurrection.

Of course the Sadducees were wrong because God is not a God of the dead (Luke 20:38). If God were a God of the dead, what's the point of believing in such an impotent God? You believe in Him but He cannot give you life. He cannot guarantee you life. Since our God is a God of the living, He deserves our belief and adoration.

Since there is resurrection and there is life after death, we must lead this present life on earth carefully. There are consequences of whatever action we take. The consequences will bring judgment back on us. Most of us are ordinary people. It is extremely rare for us to commit mortal sins. Therefore, we should pay attention to our words and deeds and be careful not to damage our relationship with people. After resurrection, there will be no more death. There is no need of a husband-wife relationship to give birth to children. We are all brothers and sisters. We will be leading an eternal life, a life forever. There will be no time limit. Today, I do not know you well. In heaven, we will have endless life to know each other. Just imagine, there are many interesting people out there for you to befriend. Therefore, do good in order to gain a place in heaven. Otherwise, you may not be able to live with those people you want to meet. Be kind to each other. You don't want to live forever with someone you dislike but out of God's mercy, she also gains a place in heaven like you. You cannot argue with God who can go to heaven with you, can you? Be merciful to people in need, the poor, the sick, the refugees and the ignorant. They may not be able to repay you in this life. In heaven, you will have many people grateful to you.

Brethren, this month of November is a good opportunity to practise mercy, especially to those who cannot help themselves. I am talking about all the souls in the Purgatory. Promise me. Say five mysteries of rosary for these miserable souls in purgatory every day.
God bless.

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  常年期第三十二主日（丙年）
主題：死後的生命

世上有兩類人，第一類人富前瞻性，他們相信人死後以某種生命繼續存在。倘若於今世沉冤受屈，來世正義必得伸張。因此，他們持守道德生活，願意耐心地忍受磨難，相信末日審判時，天主會賞善罰惡。第二類人多是無知者或者坐擁權貴者，他們享受目前的快活，無視身後之事。有權有錢的人通常鼓吹別人信神，並說權勢財帛是神的賞賜，其實是借助神明，為他們的權勢財富辯護。可是，他們並不喜歡末日審判的觀念，因為他們的財富多是來於不義。所以他們不歡迎復活。

今天福音中讀到的撒杜塞人是耶路撒冷聖殿的司祭所組成的政治黨派。他們有錢有權，而且不相信有復活。在他們心底深處，害怕死後天主的審判。他們的財富，多是不義之財。例如，為了籌募聖殿的維修費用，司祭向商人索取金錢，容許他們在聖殿範圍擺賣祭祀的牛羊。而最賺錢的貨幣找換，當然是獻金高者得之。這說明了為甚麼耶穌榮進耶路撒冷後，憤怒地驅趕商人，清理聖殿。

撒杜塞人是高智商的人，他們用一個假設的案例，挑戰耶穌，推翻復活審判的概念。他們運用梅瑟的「為兄立嗣」法律，證明復活會產生矛盾。天主是不能自相矛盾的，所以沒有復活。他們是怎樣證明的呢？
梅瑟的「為兄立嗣」法律，要求無後的亡者的兄弟，娶亡者的妻子，為兄弟生子，繼後香燈。當七個兄弟和那婦人在生之時，婦人在任何時刻，祗有一個丈夫。但復活後，婦人將同時是七個男人的妻子。但從天主而來的十誡禁止通姦，有復活的話，婦便犯了通姦之罪。倘若天主容許復活，便出現通姦的情況，天主豈能自相矛盾呢？所以沒有復活。

當然撒杜塞人是錯的，因為天主不是死人的天主（路20:38）。倘若天主祗是死人的天主，你相信祂，但祂不能給你生命，不能保證你的生命，這樣無能的天主，不信也罷！但我們的天主卻是活人的天主，祂值得我們相信和敬拜。

既然死後有復活，有永生，今世我們必須謹慎生活了。所有的行為都有後果，這些後果將來會審判我們。我們祗不過是普通人，很少犯下大罪。因此我們反而要謹慎自己的言行，不要傷害我們與人的關係。復活後再沒有死亡，因此不再需要生兒育女的夫妻關係了，到時大家都是兄弟姊妹。我們會享受永生，再沒有時間的限制了。今天我並不熟識大家，在天堂上，我們有用不盡的時間深入了解對方。試想想，那裡有很多我們希望結交的有趣的人。因此，多行善事去爭取天堂的一席位吧，否則，你未必能夠與你渴望相聚的人一起了！對人和善吧，你總不想與一個你不喜歡，但天主卻出於慈悲收留她的人，在天堂上永遠與你一起嘛！你能否定天主的決定嗎？對有需要的人慈悲吧，對那些貧窮、患病、流離失所及無知的人慈悲吧。他們在今世未必能報答你，在天上，有很多人會感激你。

各位兄弟姊妹，十一月是實踐慈悲的好機會，特別是為那些不能幫助自己的人，我是指煉獄裡的靈魂。答應我，每天為煉獄中可憐的靈魂唸一串玫瑰經吧。
天主保祐。