（若16:20-23a）
人得意會忘形；而另一方面，突如其來的困難痛苦亦會令人失去方寸。基督徒也是人，所以不能在困難痛苦前，強顏歡笑！面對痛苦，哭泣哀號可以幫助舒緩情緒，卻無助解決困難。若能參透苦難的奧秘，人纔能得到解放，化憂愁為喜樂。正如前面所說，客觀事實沒有改變，改變的是眼光。當我們掌握了有關苦難的真理，我們便不再憂愁，我們的心裡必要喜樂。（若16:22）
改變眼光使自己從憂愁變成喜樂，豈不是「亞Q精神」嗎？不是！因為亞Q並沒有掌握了真理，他祗是自我安慰。所以他的喜樂，是虛假的、短暫的喜樂。當殘酷的現實揮之不去的時候，亞Q的喜樂，將會打回原形，變回痛苦。
基督徒與所有的人，同樣要面對困難痛苦。當基督徒陷於誘惑，未能以信德的眼光看到困難所帶來的生機，他們與其他的人一樣感到憂愁悲哀。但當他們以信德的眼光，看見天主的旨意，找到了真理的時候；即是說，當我們改變眼光而看見到真理的時候，看到耶穌所說：「因為一個人已生在世上了。」（16:21）的時候，我們的眼光不再停留在苦楚上，而是放在「生命轉化」所帶來的超越上，我們那有不喜樂呢？正如一位運動員，經過艱苦的訓練，在比賽時打破以往的紀錄，那有不喜樂之理？而這份喜樂，決不是自我安慰，而是真實的、持久的喜樂，是「誰也不能從你們奪去」的喜樂（16:22）。
父啊！請賜下真理之神，讓我們可以多看見真理─我們的主耶穌基督，我們便心滿意足，不再憂愁了。亞孟。
True Joy is not a Self-Delusion
(John 16:20-23a)
Men can easily be carried away by successes. On the other hand, when disasters strike suddenly, people can easily lose directions. Christians are human. Thus, they cannot wear a smile in face of sufferings and pains. Weeping and wailing can relieve painful emotions but do not solve problems. If we can see through the mystery of suffering, we will be liberated, be able to turn sorrow into joy. Just as what I said on the previous day, the objective reality has not changed. Our perspective has. When we appreciate the truth of sufferings, we will no longer be sorrowful. Our hearts will be joyful. (John 16:22)
Would it be an Ah-Q self-delusion to change our perspective so as to turn sorrow into joy? No! It is because Ah-Q did not grasp the truth. He was deceiving himself. His joy was delusionary and temporary. Finally when he could not sweep away the cruel reality, the joy of Ah-Q would become sorrow again.
Like all other people, Christians are not exempted from difficulties and pains. When temptation comes and when they fail to perceive the opportunity of growth in these difficulties, Christians will suffer the same sorrow like all the others. But when we see with faith, see the will of God and find truth, that is to say, when we change our perspective to see the truth and see what Jesus says, "that a child is born into the world," (16:21) we do not set our sight on the pains, but on the transcendence brought about by the transformation of life, how can we not be joyful? Like an athlete who has gone through painful coaching and smashed all previous records, how can he not be joyful? This joy is not a self-delusion. It is a genuine and persistent joy, a joy which "no one will take ... from you." (16:22)
Father! Grant us the Spirit of truth. Let us see the truth --- our Lord Jesus Christ more. We will be satisfied and be sorrowful no more. Amen.
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