（若16:12-15）
雖然有些喜歡懷舊，追求甚麼「集體回憶」，不竟歷史的巨輪永遠是向前滾動，朝著末世的新天新地前進。雖然我們未能「聽見過，親眼看見過，瞻仰過，以及親手摸過」耶穌基督（若一1:1），但是我們有幸生活在「聖神時代」，獲得了很多連十二宗徒也沒有掌握到的真理。正如主耶穌基督所說：「我本來還有許多事要告訴你們，然而你們現在不能擔負。」（若16:12）當時，聖神尚未降臨，宗徒們還是冥頑不靈，甚至在耶穌基督升天的一刻，仍把祂所宣講的天國看作是以色列國的復興。（宗1:6）
例如：在信理方面，天主是「三位一體」和耶穌基督的「兩性一位」的真理，都不是宗徒們拍板定奪，而是後世的主教們，在聖神的引領之下，經過一番爭論纔獲得的成果。在靈修方面，宗徒們祗懂「天主經」；但在「聖神時代」的今天，我們有多姿多彩，適合不同人氣質的各種靈修傳統。在倫理方面，真是很難想像耶穌基督給十二宗徒分析，使用幹細胞治病、變性人或者全球一體化的倫理爭議！而這一切都是邁向新天新地的路上所必經的挑戰，「懷舊」恐怕祗是逃避現實而已。
誠然，聖神如風，我們很難捉摸。祂正好提醒我們天主纔是真正的主宰，我們是不能操控祂，指揮祂的。所以，我們不能預測祂下一步會做甚麼。我們祗可以放下自己的能力和意志，完全交託，任憑差遣。
父啊！我把我的靈魂，交託在祢手中。亞孟。
The Era of the Holy Spirit
(John 16:12-15)
Even though some people are nostalgic, craving for "collective memory", history keeps moving ahead towards the eschatological new heaven and new earth. Even though we are not able to "have heard, have seen with our eyes, have looked upon and touched with our hands" Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1), we are lucky to be living in the "Era of the Holy Spirit", knowing the truth which even the Twelve were not able to handle. Just as what Jesus says, "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." (John 16:12) At that time, the Holy Spirit had not yet descended. The apostles were still so stubborn that even at the moment of Jesus' ascension they still thought that the Kingdom of Heaven which they proclaimed was the restoration of Israel. (Acts 1:6)
For example, in the realm of dogmas, the Blessed Trinity and the "Two natures in One Person" of Jesus Christ were not decided by the Apostles. These were the conclusions of heated debates of bishops led by the Holy Spirit in subsequent ages. In the realm of spirituality, the Apostles only knew the Lord's Prayer. But today in this Era of the Holy Spirit, we have a variety of spiritual traditions which suit people of different temperaments. In the realm of ethics, it is difficult to imagine Jesus analyzing the controversies over therapeutic uses of stem cells, transgender people and globalization! All these are inevitable challenges we have to confront on our way to the new heaven and the earth. Being nostalgic may just be running away from the reality.
Frankly speaking, the Holy Spirit is like wind. It is difficult for us to get hold of Him. The Holy Spirit properly reminds us that our God is truly our Lord. We cannot control Him, command Him. Therefore, we cannot predict His next move. We can only let go of our strength and our will. Submit to Him completely.
Father! Into thy hand I surrender my spirit. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment