耶穌要揭露你的私隱嗎？ Does Jesus Want to Expose Your Privacy?

常年期第十二主日（甲年）
主題：耶穌要揭露你的私隱嗎？

經過差不多六十天的復活期慶典，我們又歸於平淡，回到綠色的常年期，可以深入領會主耶穌的內心世界了！今年選讀的是瑪竇福音，它有很清晰的結構，而且也有雄心壯志，把這部耶穌傳打造成一本「梅瑟五書」。在瑪竇福音裡，我們找到五大段「演說」，包括大家很熟悉，瑪5-7章又稱為「天國大憲章」的「山中聖訓」；瑪10章的「傳教法令」；瑪13章的「天國的比喻」；瑪18章的「教會生活」與及瑪24-25章的「末世言論」。今天我們選讀的福音，是「傳教法令」的一部份。明白了它的上文下理，就不會誤解經文的意義和耶穌的心意，當明天我們投入「街頭福傳」的時候，便更有信心了。

「沒有遮掩的事，將來不被揭露的；也沒有隱藏的事，將來不被知道的。」（瑪10:26）驟耳聽來，這句說話好像警告我們不可做違背良心的事，不可隱瞞一些不可告人的秘密！因為「若要人不知，除非己莫為」，連耶穌也警告我們不可做壞事云云，有些教派，甚至引用這段經文，命令教徒不可有任何私隱，把所有私人積蓄，全部奉獻給教會云云！可見解經時「斷章取義」的害處。
若我們從上下文來看，就知道耶穌不是要求門徒奉獻所有的金錢，而是告訴門徒不要害怕傳福音。其實，傳福音有甚麼可怕呢？

在太平盛世，人人過著安居樂業的生活，沒有人覺得需要天主的慈悲，天主的拯救。這個時候，向人宣講天主是愛，天主樂意與罪人和好，恐怕沒有人會領情。傳福音的第一個「怕」，是怕被拒絕。
倘若生活在無神論的極權國家，動輒便拿基督徒做代罪羔羊，對教會的產業虎視眈眈，並進行宗教迫害來充公教會產業。這是一個教難的時代，傳福音祗會招來殺身之禍，成為殉道者。這是傳福音的第二個「怕」，怕喪失生命。
如今既非太平盛世，又不是宗教迫害的時代，很多教友會覺得自己對道理的認識不足，怕教錯別人。這是傳福音的第三個「怕」，怕誤人子弟。

在天水圍社區，我們既不是生活在太平盛世，又不是生活在宗教迫害之中。所以，我們少了兩個害怕！即是說，當我們向街坊傳福音的時候，我們不會成為殉道者，我們亦不會被拒絕，祗怕教錯人。
事實上，我們低估了天水圍居民對福音的渴望。他們受著生活的壓迫，在外人眼中生活在所謂「悲情城市」，他們是渴望得到一份關懷、一線希望。讓我與大家分享兩個接觸居民的經驗。第一個是「天使的禮物」活動。堂區關社組的義工，帶著收集回來的禮物，包括口罩、手襪、蚊膏及潤手膏，探訪區內的外判清潔工人，表達聖葉理諾堂認同他們的貢獻及對他們的關懷。我們抱著戰戰兢兢的心情出發，一方面天氣並不理想，既悶熱，又好像快要下雨。另一方面未知清潔工人的反應，他們會否埋怨我們阻礙他們的工作，或者拒絕聽教徒說教呢？出發前果然下雨，祈禱出發時，雲端露出陽光，並吹來一襲清風。我們即時信心倍增，原來天主正陪伴著我們出發，把祂的慈悲帶給清潔工人。初接觸時，他們抱有戒心，保持距離是可以理解的，但並不如我們想像中的困難。應該是天主聖神的化工，當我們道明來意之後，他們亦放下抗拒，樂意傾訴他們在工作上遇到的困難和不禮貎的遭遇。第一次接觸亦沒有機會說教，祗是交過朋友，以後尚有很多機會介紹耶穌基督的福音。
第一個活動是有目標的，刻意的。第二個經驗是無心插柳的。話說聖雲先會，就是那個每月在第一個主日募捐的善會，去年聖誕節前往長者中心報佳音，與「老友記」們玩過遊戲後，回程時仍興高采烈，津津樂道剛才長者們的積極投入，一路上有一位好像是中心職員的男士同行，後來纔知道是一位「路人甲」，他因生活的關係很困擾，卻被我們的喜樂吸引了。當然我們沒有能力為他立刻解決問題，我們祗有送上一個聖牌和我們的祝福。這位「路人甲」深受感動，感染了我們的喜樂回去了。以後，就交給天主了。

其實，耶穌已經保證了所有被遮掩的事，被隱藏的事，即使是教錯了的道理，天主聖神也會令聽眾明白天主的真理（10:26-27），我們還需要「害怕教錯別人」嗎？倘若時局變差，「一國兩制」失敗了，天主教香港教區要聽從「愛國教會」指揮的時候，我們也不用害怕殉道，因為肉身可以被殺害，但靈魂不會因殉道而受損。怕祗怕出賣了靈魂之後，仍然落得一個死無葬身之地的下場（10:28），那纔是值得害怕。倘若時局好轉，勞資雙方合作，建制派與泛民大和解，中央放手香港高度自治，達到太平盛世，人人安居樂業，人人再沒有半點憂愁，不再需要天主的憐憫。不要忘記，我們正享受著天主給我們數頭髮（10:30），別人拒絕我們的宣講，我們還需要顧慮我們的傳教業績嗎？

各位兄弟姊妹，我們祗是「徒弟」，我們沒有本事勝過師父的（10:24）。耶穌傳福音的時候，固然吸引了不少人，但亦有拒絕祂的經師，有殺死祂的比拉多。所以，明天，讓我們放下顧慮，不要斤斤計較成果地福傳去吧！
天主保祐！

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Twelfth Ordinary Sunday (Year A)
Theme: Does Jesus Want to Expose Your Privacy?

We have spent about sixty days celebrating the Easter Season. Now we return to the green Ordinary to explore the inner thoughts of our Lord Jesus! This year we read the gospel according to St. Matthew. Its structure is very clear and ambitious. This biography of Jesus wants to become another Pentateuch. We find five discourses in this gospel, including the all familiar Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Discourse on Missionary (10), Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven (13), on Life in the Church (18) and Eschatology (24-25). The passage today is taken from the Discourse on Missionary. Understanding the context, we will not miss the meanings and intention of Jesus. Tomorrow (June 25) when we go out to evangelize on the streets, we will be more confident.

In the naked ear, "For nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known." (10:26) sounds like a warning against doing wrong things with a guilty conscience or harbour some unspeakable secrets! If you don't want others to know, don't do it, and even Jesus warns us not to do bad things etc. Some cults even quote this passage to command members not to have privacy. Hand over all savings to the cults etc. How terrible it is to interpret texts out of context!
If we read the text in context, we know that Jesus does not want the disciples to offer up all their money. He tells them not fear in mission. Well, what is so fearful about in evangelization?

During good times, people have secure jobs and lead a comfortable life. God's mercy and salvation would be the last thing on their minds. When you tell them God's love, that God is happy to reconcile with sinners, I am afraid nobody would buy you. Thus, the first fear of evangelization is the fear of being rejected.
If we live in an atheist totalitarian state which frequently victimizes Christians, makes them scapegoats, eyes their property, persecutes and confiscates their estates. This would be an era of persecutions. You might end up being killed for evangelization and become martyrs. Thus, the second fear of evangelization is the fear of martyrdom.
Now it is neither good times nor tribulation times. Many faithful think that their knowledge of the Bible or the Church is deficient. They are afraid of telling the wrong things to others. Thus the third fear of evangelization is the fear of misrepresentation.

In our Tin Shui Wai community, we are living neither in good times nor times of tribulations. Thus, we have two fears less. That is to say, when we evangelize, we will not become martyrs, nor be rejected. We only fear misrepresentation.
In fact, we have underestimated the people's desire to know the gospel. They suffer under the burden of life. They live in a "pathetic city" in the eyes of outsiders. They desire compassion and a ray of hope. Let me share with you two occasions of meeting people here. The first one was the "Angel's Gifts". The Social Concern Group of the parish brought the gifts they collected, including masks, gloves, mosquito repellent and hand cream etc. to visit outsourced janitors in the community. We wanted to express our appreciation of their hard work and show our care. At first, we were hesitant because the weather was stuffy and about to rain. On the other hand, we did not know the reactions of the janitors. Would they find us obstructing their works or refuse to hear our preaching? Before we started, it rained. After prayer, the sun came out behind the clouds. We were greeted by a refreshing breeze. Our faith rekindled. God was accompanying us to bring His compassion to the janitors. During our first encounters, they were defensive naturally. It was understandable that they kept a distance. But it was not as difficult as we imagined. The Holy Spirit must have been working. After telling them our purposes, they put down their defence and were eager to tell us the difficulties and impoliteness they met in their works. We did not preach and just befriended them in this first meeting. We would have many opportunities to talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ in the future.
This first occasion was deliberate and had a target. But the second occasion was unintentional. Last Christmas, members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society went carolling in an elderly centre. Afterwards on our way home, we were still very eager talking about how enthusiastic the elderly were enjoying themselves. A gentleman who seemed to be a staff member of the centre was walking along with us. Later we knew that he was just a passer-by. He was depressed by the difficulties in work and at home but was attracted by our joy and cheers. Of course we were not capable of solving his difficulties. We could only give him a Marian medal and our blessing. This gentleman was deeply touched and returned home, cheered by our joy. We leave the rest to God.

Indeed, Jesus has guaranteed that the truth of all covered or hidden things, even articles of faith wrongly taught, would be made known by the Holy Spirit (10:26-27). Do we still fear of teaching people the wrong things? If times turned bad, "One Country Two Systems" failed and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong had to take orders from the "Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association", we would not be afraid of martyrdom because our bodies can be killed but our souls will not be harmed by martyrdom. Rather, we should only fear that after betraying our souls, we end up dying without a proper burial. (10:28) If times turn peaceful, employers and employees work together, the pro-establishment camp reconciles with the pan-democrats, the Central Government gives Hong Kong people a free hand to run the local government, everybody is secure and without a trace of worry and no longer in need of God's mercy. Don't forget, we are enjoying God's counting our hair (10:30). If people reject our proclamation, do we need to worry the achievements of our evangelization?

Brethren, we are only disciples. We are not above our Teacher (10:24). When Jesus evangelized, of course he had attracted a large number of followers. But scribes rejected him and Pilate killed him. Thus, tomorrow, we should put away our worries. Evangelize without counting the achievements!
God bless!

訃聞 Obituary

先父郭焯林，痛於二零一七年六月七日清晨，壽終正寢，回歸天上家鄉，積潤八十八歲。請各位為他祈禱，望天主仁慈眷祐，息止安所。
謹擇於七月五日晚上八時於世界殯儀館三樓明德堂，舉行守靈祈禱，承蒙邵偉亮執事主禮。並於翌日七月六日下午二時出殯，發靷鑽石山火葬場火化。
懇辭奠儀、花圈、輓聯
此訃
孝男
郭志強敬告

With a grateful heart, I would like to request your prayer for my father, KWOK Cheuk-lam,
who passed away peacefully during his sleep at home in the small hours on June 7 (Wednesday).
He was 88 and is survived by his wife, two sons and four grandchildren. I pray that the merciful Lord shall not abandon him.
Vigil Prayer will be presided by Deacon Paul Siu at 8 pm on July 5 in Ming Tak Hall, 3/F, Universal Funeral Parlour. Funeral service will be held the next day at 2 pm at the same venue. Cremation follows at Diamond Hill Crematorium. Your prayer is deeply appreciated. 
Yours in the Merciful Lord,
Deacon Kwok Chi Keung

細水長流的愛 Trickling Love

聖體聖血節（甲年）
主題：細水長流的愛

大約在四十多年前（1976），有一位演化生物學家Richard Dawkins出版了一本書，名為『自私的基因』，解決了「先有雞還是先有雞蛋」的謎題。基因是建構地球上一切生命的基本元素，是由四種蛋白質組合而成的藍圖。它有能力自我複製，與其他組件結合成為更複雜的生命體。基因祗是一些蛋白質，是沒有自我意識的，為甚麼說基因是自私呢？其實這是一個比喻，因為基因好像不惜一切地複製自己，想盡辦法使自己延續下去，看來不是很自私嗎？
有關「先有雞還是先有蛋」的爭論，這位生物學家的結論十分簡單，爭論「先有雞還是先有蛋」是問錯了問題。答案不是先有雞或者先有蛋，而是先有基因，雞或雞蛋祗不過是基因的其中一種表達形式，目的祗有一個，就是讓基因不斷延續下去。聰明的聽眾自然會追問，基因是從那裡來的呢？天真的基督徒會不假思索地說基因是天主創造出來的。可惜寫【創世紀】的時候還沒有「基因」的概念，所以聖經祗能說是天主創造了海裡的魚、空中的飛鳥和陸上的走獸，最後是人類。這位演化生物學家是個無神論者，在沒有造物主的前設下，他怎樣解釋基因的出現呢？他的結論亦是十分簡單：地球有45億年的歷史，在這漫長的歲月裡，祗要適當的條件出現時，甚麼可能性都會發生，總有一些條件有利進化出蛋白質和基因，這些蛋白質和基因，有些失敗了，不能自我複製、或者不適宜生存在四周的環境中而解體了。有些成功了，能自我複製，並發展出新的組合，應付新的環境。就這樣進化出海裡的魚、各種水陸兩棲的爬蟲、恐龍、昆蟲、飛鳥和地上的走獸。是漫長的時間，是細水長流的進化，令基因和它的傑作出現。

其實，Dawkins與我們的信仰並沒有矛盾。在他看來是漫長的進化，在我們的眼中，這一切都是比45億年還更漫長的，永恆的天主，愛的創造。天主聖三的愛不但轟轟烈烈地啟動了138億年前的大爆炸，使它進化成適合人類生存的宇宙，還以祂無盡的、細水長流的愛，孕育著大地，使生物不斷進化發展。基督徒的故事不止於此：當大地被罪惡所污染之後，慈悲的天主並沒有放棄祂愛的創造，遂遣發聖子降生成人，拯救這被污染的世界。出於對聖父的敬愛和對世人的憐愛，耶穌基督曾轟轟烈烈地死在十字架上，清洗了古往今來一切的罪債。而且，祂還留下聖體聖事，細水長流地滋養信徒的生命。我們的觀點與Dawkins不同之處，在於我們相信天主，我們相信愛，因為天主是愛。在Dawkins的論點中，生命出於偶然；但在我們的眼中，生命的出現絕非偶然，生命是出於愛，生命是出於天主。沒有天主的容許，生命不會出現，生命不會終結。

愛可以是轟轟烈烈的，例如殉道者、為國捐軀的士兵和勇敢地在災難現場搶救死傷者的人等等。另一方面，愛可以是細水長流的，例如聖德蘭修女以40多年的生命，回應了耶穌基督對她的第二次聖召，讓不少垂死的人能有尊嚴地去世，讓世人關注身邊被忽視了的不幸的人。
我們的家庭生活，是一個細水長流的愛的生活，絕不會是轟轟烈烈的，否則便家無寧日了。因為家庭是栽培下一代的訓練場，是下一代學習與人相處合作，建立關係的學校。這一切都需要時間，需要很長的時間。今天適逢父親節，讓我們向各位偉大的父親致敬之餘，亦反省父親的角色。我覺得父親是一件活生生的聖體聖事，一件愛的聖事！他是有形可見的，卻把無形可見的生命送給妻兒。

做父親的，辛勤工作，養妻活兒。可能因為工作的關係，工餘已沒有精力說話了，故一般比較寡言。這樣，不是好像處身在聖體櫃內的耶穌基督一樣嗎？祂每天沉默地坐在聖體櫃內，等待著教友們去朝拜祂，領受祂，賜予他們恩寵。耶穌基督在聖體櫃之內，是何等忍耐啊！父親何嘗不是忍耐呢？固然，有些所謂「怪獸家長」望子成龍，強加自己的意願在兒女身上。但有更多的父親，明白子女有自己的天賦，自己的命運。他們明白揠苗助長之為害，故此以有如聖體聖事的耐性，等待子女的成長。例如路加福音中蕩子的父親，不是很有耐性地等候蕩子的回頭嗎？耶穌基督的聖體聖事是慈祥的，是為了我們的神益的。父親何嘗不是慈祥的呢？他們無論做甚麼，出發點全是為兒女的益處。耶穌基督對我們凡事包容，接受我們的罪過。做父親的明白子女的不足，不斷地包容子女的過錯，失敗和冒犯。耶穌基督信任罪人，相信他們總有一天會回頭。作為父親的，怎會不相信反叛期的子女，總會有成熟長進的一天呢？耶穌基督對我們充滿盼望，父親對子女同樣充滿盼望，希望他們能成為頂天立地，負責任的市民…父親，真是一件活生生的聖體聖事！

因為大多數的父親都是寡言的，因此，他們的身教尤其重要。當今世代，知識方面有師長、朋輩和互聯網，已不需要父親傳授了。故此，父親應身教的，是一份虔誠和忠心的態度。倘若父親表現出他是個虔誠的人，子女在耳濡目染之下，亦會對真主虔誠。虔誠可以一朝一夕表現出來的嗎？不可能。虔誠是經得起歲月的考驗的，而且，要在困難的生活環境中鍛練出來的。對妻子忠心、對上司忠心，會訓練子女們對天主忠心。各位父親，願彼此互勉。
天主保祐！

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Solemnity of Corpus Christi (Year A)
Theme: Trickling Love

Some four decades ago, Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist published a book called "The Selfish Genes" that solved the "Chicken-Egg Causality Dilemma". Genes are the building blocks of all life forms on earth. They are blueprints made up of four types of proteins. They are able to replicate themselves and combine with other components to form more complex life forms. Genes are simply proteins and do not possess self-consciousness. Why did the author call them selfish? It is only a metaphor because genes do whatever it takes to replicate and extend their existence at all costs. Doesn't that look selfish?
As for the controversy of "Which came first, chicken or egg?" the biologist's solution is very simple. Arguing which came first is asking the question in a wrong way. The answer is neither chicken nor egg, but genes. Chickens or eggs are simply an expression of genes. There is only one purpose, viz. to allow genes to continue their existence. The smart audience would keep asking where came the genes. Naive Christians would immediately answer without thinking that God created genes. Unfortunately, the concept of "genes" did not exist at the time of the writing of Genesis. So, the Bible could only say that God created the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, every living thing that moved upon the earth and lastly human beings. This evolutionary biologist is an atheist. How did he explain the emergence of genes without assuming the existence of a Creator? He has a simple answer: In the long history of 4.5 billion years of the earth, when the right conditions appeared, anything could happen. Some favourable conditions for the evolution of genes and proteins must have appeared. Some proteins and genes might fail, might not replicate themselves or disintegrated because they could not adapt to the surrounding conditions. Some succeeded, were able to replicate and develop new combinations to adapt to the environment. In this way, fishes were evolved in the seas, amphibians, dinosaurs, insects, birds and beasts. It was the length of time and the trickling evolution that allow the emergence of genes and their masterpieces.

In fact, Dawkins' theory does not contradict our faith. The long history of evolution in his view is, in our eyes love's creation of our God in an eternity longer than the 4.5 billion years. Not only did the love of the Blessed Trinity start vigorously the grand Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago to give birth to a universe habitable for humanity, but His infinite trickling love also nurtures the earth and makes all life forms evolve continuously. The Christian story does not stop here. When the earth was contaminated by sins, the merciful God did not abandon His love's creation. He sent the Son to take up flesh to redeem this contaminated world. Out of love of the Father and compassion for sinners, Jesus Christ showed His love in a spectacular manner by dying on the cross to wipe out all the sins in the past and those to come. More than that, He left behind for us the Holy Eucharist to nourish our spiritual life in a persistent manner. Our views are different from those of Dawkins'. We believe in God. We believe in love because God is love. In Dawkins' view, the emergence of life was random. But in our eyes, it was not. Life came from love, came from God. Without God's permission, life cannot emerge nor can life be destroyed.

Love can be spectacular. For example, martyrs, soldiers who defend their countries or rescue workers in ground zero etc. On the other hand, love can be small, slow and persistent. For example, St. Mother Teresa spent more than four decades of her life in response to the second vocation of Jesus Christ. She had helped many dying people pass away in dignity and made the world aware of those unfortunate and neglected people.
Our family life should be a trickling life of love. It cannot be spectacular otherwise there will be no peace at home. Family is the training ground for our next generation, a school for them to learn working with others and building up relationships. It takes time, a lot of time. It is Father's Day today. Let us pay tribute to fathers and reflect on their roles. I opine that fathers are a walking Holy Eucharist, a sacrament of love. They are visible and give life which is invisible to wives and children.

Fathers work hard to earn a living for wives and children. Perhaps out of exhaustion, they lack energy to speak after works. They seldom speak. In this way, don't they look like Jesus Christ inside the Tabernacle? Sitting quietly inside the Tabernacle every day, Jesus waits for the faithful to worship him, receive him and give them grace. How patient Jesus is inside the Tabernacle! Are fathers not patient too? To be fair, some "monster parents" expect too much from their children, even impose their own ambitions on their children. But more fathers understand that children have their own potentials and their own destinies. They understand the harm of excessive pressure on children. So, like the Holy Eucharist, fathers wait patiently for their children to develop. For example, wasn't the father of the Prodigal Son in Luke patient to wait for his son to repent? The Holy Eucharist of Jesus Christ is kind. It is for our spiritual benefits. Are fathers not kind? Whatever they do, they do it for the benefits of their children. Jesus Christ bears all our faults and accepts our sins. Fathers understand the inadequacy of their children. They bear nonstop the faults, failures and offences of their children. Jesus Christ trusts sinners, believing that they would repent one day. As fathers, how can they not believe that one day, their rebellious children shall mature and grow up? Jesus is full of hope for us. In the same way, fathers are always hopeful for their children, hoping that one day, they will be responsible citizens with integrity. Fathers are truly a walking Holy Eucharist!

Since most fathers are reticent. The model they set up is all the more important. Nowadays, there are teachers, peers and the Internet to impart knowledge. Fathers are no longer in demand in this area. So, setting an exemplar of piety and loyalty for their children is paramount. If fathers are pious, under their influence, children will be pious to God. Can piety come overnight? Of course not! Piety must undergo the test of time and is trained up in difficult times. Be loyal to wives and to bosses. Then your children shall be loyal to God. Fathers, let us cheer each other up.
God bless!

天主聖三的愛 The Love of the Blessed Trinity

聖三主日（甲年）
主題：天主聖三的愛

何謂「迷信」？「迷信」就是以為做一些毫無關聯的儀式，便會獲得一些利益，或者避免一些損失。例如向某石像燒香叩頭七七四十九次，便會發財；摸摸某神像的腳趾，便會有孕等。不要以為古代的人科學知識水平低，所以迷信。殊不知在科學昌明，互聨網發達的今天，仍然有人收到一些連鎖信，說甚麼在十二分鐘內轉發給十二個朋友，十二分鐘後便會獲得意想不到的好運，否則會遇到不幸云云，便轉發給其他人。這種轉發行為，除了不負責任之外，或多或少反映了當事人抱著「縱使不合情理，亦寧可信其有，不可信其無」的迷信心態，相信連鎖信內詛咒的法力。
那麼，信天主算是迷信嗎？有人說這個世界沒有天主。「天主」祗不過是人創造出來的概念，為了安慰受苦的人，或者為了導人向善，或者為統治者服務，痲醉人民。

我們信的天主是這樣的一個天主嗎？聖經說：「上主天主是忌邪的天主」（出20:5），祂不喜歡以色列人拜偶像。看來有點像統治者的技倆！試想一想，難道天主也承認有其他的神明存在嗎？天主會把這些木頭石頭放在眼內嗎？天主豈不抬舉了這些木頭石頭嗎？當然不會。這祗不過反映出舊約時代的統治者，借天主之名，要求人民忠心不二的一種表述。舊約中的天主，被塑造成大開殺戒、唯我獨尊的唯一真神。可憐的天主被抹黑了！
所以，時期一滿，不可見的天主聖父，派遣天主聖子降生成人，生於女人，（迦4:4）成為可見的耶穌基督，把聖父的慈悲大愛顯示給人類。我們把這份大愛，稱為天主聖神。基督徒所相信的唯一真神很特別，與之前的猶太教或者之後出現的伊斯蘭教所相信的唯一真神不同。基督徒的唯一真神是三位一體的。注意，「三位一體」是一個按聖經啟示衍生出來的神學術語，是一個說不清，十分複雜的神學論述的一個簡寫。

基督徒不是相信三個天主，而是唯一的天主（申6:4）。經過了幾十年的反省，聖若望宗徒得到一個「一語道破」的結論：「天主是愛。」（若一4:8）因為愛是充滿生命力和創造力的，所以我們說，出於祂滿溢的愛，天主創造了天地萬物，並且按自己的肖像創造了人類。（創1:26）天主創造的方法很特別。祂祗要說一句話，發出一道命令，「事就這樣成了。」（1:6, 9, 11 ...）聖若望宗徒發現，天主所說的話，即天主聖言，就是為了把不可見的天主聖父啟示給我們，而降生成人的天主子耶穌基督。天主聖父是出於愛，纔說出這創造世界的話，這救贖世人的話。這「話」，就是天主聖子。這「愛」，就是天主聖神。所以天主聖神除了是「真理之神」之外，更是「愛德之神」。

今天的福音說：「天主竟這樣愛了世界，甚至賜下了自己的獨生子，使凡信祂的人不至喪亡，反而獲得永生。」（若3:16），把「天主聖三」的奧秘，圓滿而簡潔地表述了。
首先，天主父愛自己的獨生子嗎？當然。聖父怎樣愛天主聖子呢？試問有誰不享受，不愛自己所說的話呢？尤其是那開天闢地的話。縱然是衝口而出，令自己後悔的話，我們也會硬著頭皮，使它兌現，何況是天主呢？所以天主父必定愛祂的聖子，並引以為榮。既然這世界是天父出於愛，藉天主子所創造的，是聖父聖子合作的成果。所以縱使它被罪惡污染了，天父仍是愛著它。聖父對被罪惡所污染了的世界仍然不離不棄，是因為祂愛護聖子！

其次，由天主子是怎樣愛聖父呢？祂為了完成聖父拯救世界的旨意，便以絕對的服從，「聽命至死，且死在十字架上。」（斐2:8）天主聖子是絕對自由的，但祂選擇放棄了這自由，「不要照我所願意的，而要照祢所願意的。」（谷14:36），表達出對聖父的愛和信任。那麼，聖父眼看自己的獨生子受苦而死，而不出手救他，是愛祂嗎？天主子取了人類的本性，降生成耶穌基督，為的是要治療被原罪所傷害了的人類本性，並提升它，使它能分享和參予超越的天主性。天主聖父沒有立刻出手，是因為沒有死亡，何來復活？沒有復活，又怎樣將可朽壞的人類本性，提升到不可朽壞的超性層次呢？天主對人類的慈愛，是何等令天使們所妒忌的啊！

天主聖父與聖子之間的愛情，就是聖神。耶穌升天，聖神降臨，世界進入了「聖神的時代、教會的時代」。聖神透過教會，即基督的奧體，在人類歷史中，藉不同的人物：傳教士、殉道者、神職人員、修道的修士修女；和不同的恩典：以愛德的服務、以聖事的聖化、以真福八端的大聲疾呼，為天主對世人的慈悲作見証。從這一切的事業之中，我們看到天主聖神的德能和天主聖父及聖子的慈愛。這就是天主聖三的奧意，使可朽壞的人性有能力分享超越的天主性的奧秘。

作為基督徒，我們在生活中，如何彰顯天主聖三的大愛，是每日的修練。愛必須有對像，愛永遠以對方的益處為起點，永遠尊重對方的自由，一如天主聖三一樣。因為是愛，是有對像，有關聯的。所以相信天主是合情合理，而不是迷信的。讓我們從家庭做起，把自己的家庭，建設成為有如天主聖三一樣的小團體。
天主保祐！

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Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity (Year A)
Theme: The Love of the Blessed Trinity

What is "superstition"? Superstition is doing some unrelated rituals in order to obtain benefits or avoid losses. For example, burning incense or worshipping a statue 49 times in order to get rich; or rubbing the toe of another statue in order to get pregnant etc. Don't ever think that ancient people were illiterate in sciences and therefore superstitious. Even on these days of scientific progresses and easy accessibility to the Internet, there are still people who forward chain-letters which promise good luck after 12 minutes if you forward the letters to 12 friends within 12 minutes. Otherwise, bad luck would befall etc. Not only is this kind of behaviour irresponsible, but such a thinking is also a kind of Pascal's Wager. It encourages superstition and questionable belief in the existence of curses within these chain letters. Then, does believing in God superstitious? Some people claim that there is no God on earth. "God" is only a concept created by men to console those who suffer, to encourage people to do good or to help leaders make the people numb and unable to rebel.

Is the God in whom we believe such a god? The Bible says, "For I the Lord your God am a jealous God." (Exodus 20:5) He hated idolatry among the Israelites. This smells Machiavellianism. Just think about it. Does God acknowledge the existence of other deities? Would God bother with pieces of wood or rock? If so, wouldn't God have elevated these pieces of debris? Of course not! This only shows that in Old Testament time, rulers demanded absolute loyalty in the name of God. The God of the Old Testament was portrayed to be an atrocious, aloft and supreme God. Poor God! He has been bad-mouthed!
So, when the time had fully come, the invisible Father sent forth his Son, born of woman (Galatians 4:4) to become the visible Jesus Christ in order to show humanity the great love and mercy of the Father. We call this great love the Holy Spirit. So, the one true God whom Christians believe in is peculiar, unlike that of the preceding Judaism or that of the latter Islam. The one true God Christians believe in is three in one. Pay attention that "the Blessed Trinity" is a theological jargon derived from Biblical revelation. It is difficult to erudite and is the shorthand of a complex theological treatise.

Christians do not believe in three gods but one Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4) After decades of reflection, St. John the Evangelist came up with an insightful conclusion: "God is love" (1 John 4:8) Since love is lively and creative. Thus, we say out of His love, God created heaven and earth. And in his image, God created men (Genesis 1:26). God created in a particular way. He spoke, gave a command "and it was so." (1:7, 9, 11 ...) St. John the Evangelist concluded that the word of God, that is the Logos, is Jesus Christ the Son of God who for the sake of revealing the invisible Father to us, incarnated. Out of love, the Father spoke the Word of creation and the Word of redemption. This "Word" is the Son. This "Love" is the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Holy Spirit is not only the "Spirit of truth", but is also the "Spirit of Love".

The gospel passage today summarizes the mystery of the Blessed Trinity well, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) It is a complete and yet simple expression.
First of all, does the Father love the only Son? Of course! How does the Father love the Son? Think about it, who does not enjoy speaking, does not love the things he says, in particular, words that are epoch making? Even if we have spoken impulsively something we regret we will do whatever is needed to honour our words. How much more will God do the same? Thus, the Father will absolutely love the Son and be proud of the Son. The world was created out of the overflowing love of the Father through the Son. It was the fruit of cooperation of the Father and the Son. Even though it was contaminated by sins, the Father still loves it. Despite the contamination of sins, the Father does not abandon the world because He loves and honours the Son!

Then, how does the Son love the Father? The Son loves the Father through absolute obedience to do the Father's will. He "became obedient unto death, even death on a cross" to save the world. (Philippians 2:8) The Son of God was absolutely free. Yet he chose to forsake this freedom, "yet not what I will, but what thou wilt" to show his love and trust of the Father. (Mark 14:36) Then, the Father saw the Son crucified right under his nose and yet did not save him. Could this inaction be love? I would say, the Son took up humanity, incarnated in Jesus Christ to heal the wounds which Original Sin inflicted on humanity. He further elevated it so that it will be able to partake in the transcendental divinity of God. The Father did not save the Son immediately because without death, there would be no resurrection. Without resurrection, there would be no way to elevate the wounded humanity to the incorruptible transcendental level. How the angels would envy God's mercy towards men!

The love between the Father and the Son is the Holy Spirit. After Jesus' ascension and the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the world has entered the Era of the Holy Spirit and the Era of the Church. Through the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, in human history, the Holy Spirit empowers different people: missionaries, martyrs, clergy and religious etc. with different graces: charitable services, consecration with sacraments and advocacy of the Beatitudes, to bear witness to God's mercy towards men. From this enterprise, we can see the power of the Holy Spirit and the mercy of the Father and the Son. This is the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, the mystery of corruptible humanity partaking in the transcendental divinity of God.

As Christians, it is a daily exercise to manifest the great love of the Blessed Trinity in our daily life. Love must have an object. Love always starts with the good of the other party. Love always respects the freedom of the others, like the Blessed Trinity. Since it is love, there is an object and is thus related. Therefore, believing in God is reasonable and is not superstitious. Let us begin with family, our family. Build it up like a small community of the Blessed Trinity.
God bless!

充滿聖神的力量 Empowered by the Holy Spirit

聖神降臨節（甲年）
主題：充滿聖神的力量

耶穌基督受難後三日復活，花了四十天的時間，顯現給一百二十位特選的門徒，派遣他們到世上去，為祂的言行事蹟作見證，宣揚天主與罪人和好的福音。耶穌基督升天後，門徒依從祂的吩咐，留在耶路撒冷，等候天父的恩許（宗1:4）。十日後，即逾越節後五十日，稱為五旬節的日子，當一百二十位門徒聚集在一起的時候，聖神降臨在每個信徒的頭上。原本是膽怯的門徒，變得勇敢大膽；原本是不善辭令，必須發言便你推我讓的門徒，變得雄辯滔滔，並且說起不同的語言。他們在聖神的催促之下，跑到街上，向來自世界各地，說不同語言的朝聖者 ，宣揚耶穌基督的復活，天主與罪人和好的福音。一日之間，有三千人加入這個一百二十人的團體。這個三千一百二十人的團體，就是教會。聖伯多祿宗徒說，我們都是活石，建成一座屬神的殿宇（伯前2:5）。聖保祿宗徒教導我們，說教會是耶穌基督的奧體，每個信徒都是這個奧體的細胞（格前12:27）。天主聖子藉聖神降孕，生於童貞聖母瑪利亞，聖誕節就是紀念耶穌基督的生日；今天我們慶祝聖神降臨節，其實也是慶祝耶穌基督的奧體，即教會的生日；教會正式出生了，聖神的時代亦開始了。

今天選讀的福音，有一句說話重覆了。對！就是「願你們平安」（若20:19，21）。但耶穌基督所賜予的平安，不是消極的「沒有憂慮，高枕無憂」的平安，或者「完成責任，心安理得」的平安。即是說，耶穌基督不會賜給我們用之不盡的金錢、或者永遠沒有病痛的健康、或者沒有敵人、人見人愛的性格、或者在政治上有所成就，獲得領導人頒發的「免死金牌」等。對不起，都不是這些，因為這一切都祗能滿足人性物質上的需要和心理上部份的需要！請不要忘記，人是按天主的肖像所造。（創1:26）他的需要，不是有限的物質和心理所能充分滿足的；祗有無限的天主，纔能滿足到無限的靈性需要。所以，祗有天主纔能使我們得到真正的平安，天主的平安！

怎樣可以領受這份平安呢？
今天的福音說，我們要領受耶穌基督的派遣，就有這份平安。（若20:21）耶穌基督派遣我們去做甚麼呢？去完成祂開始了，但仍未完成的救世工程！這是一份重大的使命，所以耶穌基督賜予我們聖神，幫助我們完成這艱巨的任務。（20:22）我們怎樣完成耶穌基督的救世工程呢？祂的任務是促進世界與天父和好，所以我們要幫助所接觸到的人，與天父和好。首先，我們要寬恕別人，天主就會藉著我們的寬恕，去寬恕世人，與世人和好（20:23）。你們可記得耶穌基督被釘在十字架上時，不也是請求天父寬恕那些傷害祂的人嗎（路23:34）？對於那些冥頑不靈，不肯承認自己有錯的人，我們無從寬恕他們，天父也不能藉著我們的寬恕與世人和好，天父要另外想辦法了。

今天，站在我們面前的六位，耶穌基督所揀選的少年人，他們將會領受「堅振聖事」，完成入門聖事。領受「堅振聖事」就是領受天主聖神，接受耶穌基督的派遣，使世界得救。讓我們重溫對天主聖神的認識。

聖神是天主聖三的第三位，是聖父聖子共發的真理之神、愛德之神。在天主聖三之中，聖神好像風一樣，是最難捉摸的一位。這樣，祂表現出天主不是一個人類發明的概念，一個人類可以操控、可以賄賂的神明。聖神好像風一樣，我們祗能看到祂經過所留下的痕跡，而看不到祂。祂留下的痕跡是甚麼？按聖保祿宗徒的教訓，就是「聖神的果子」，共有九個，包括：仁愛、喜樂、平安、忍耐、良善、溫和、忠信、柔和、節制（迦5:22-23）當我們行為上事事表現出對人關心慈悲（仁愛）、時常充滿喜樂、對成敗處於泰然（平安）、待人接物並不急功近利，而是審時度勢而行（忍耐）、凡事從積極的角度想（良善）、有一顆正直的心（溫和）、信守諾言（忠信）、行事小心翼翼（柔和）、恰到好處（節制）。這一切，都是信徒在聖神的推動下，纔在本事做到的成績。這樣做，便能幫助世人與天主修和，我們便履行基督徒的使命了。

大家可記得「聖神七恩」嗎（依11:2-3）？聖神就是藉著這七種能力，幫助我們履行使命，造出上述的九個果效。「上智」幫助我們愛慕天上的事多於世俗的事。「聰敏」幫助我們明白做耶穌的門徒應該做甚麼。「超見」幫助我們明辨是非，有能力作出正確的選擇，避免罪惡。「剛毅」給我們勇氣，戰勝恐懼，耐心行事。「明達」有能力認識基督的真理和教會訓導的價值。「孝愛」謙遜地信靠天主和教會。「敬畏天主」對天主的大能肅然起敬。
讓我們開放自己，擁抱聖神，讓聖神的能力充滿我們。
天主保祐！

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Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Year A)
Theme: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

On the third day of His Passion, Jesus Christ has risen from his death. He spent forty days to appear to the chosen 120 disciples, sent them to the world to bear witness of His words and deeds and to proclaim the gospel of God's reconciliation with sinners. After His ascension, the disciples followed the Lord's instruction to remain in Jerusalem to wait for the promise of the Father. (Acts 1:4) Ten days later, that is 50 days after the Feast of Passover, when the 120 disciples were gathered in one place, the Holy Spirit descended on them. The disciples who had been timid turned bold. They had been weak in speech and been reluctant to speak out became apologetic and started speaking in different tongues. On the urge of the Holy Spirit, they went out and started proclaiming to pilgrims from all over the world the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gospel of reconciliation. In one day, 3000 were added to the 120 community. This 3120 community was the beginning of the Church. St. Peter said, "Like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house." (1 Peter 2:5) St. Paul taught that the Church, "Now you are the (Mystical) Body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27) The Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Today, we celebrate the Descent of the Holy Spirit. We also celebrate of the birth of the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church. The Church exists officially. It is the beginning of the Era of the Holy Spirit.

In the gospel reading today, one sentence is repeated. Yes! It is "Peace be with you." (John 20:19, 21) But the peace which Jesus gives is not the negative kind of "no worry", nor the feeling of relief due to the fulfilment of one's duty. That is to say, Jesus does not give us an inexhaustible amount of wealth, or health without illnesses, or a pleasant personality which attracts all friends but no enemy; or political achievements so that the emperor grants you immunity to death. Sorry! None of these because all these can only satisfy material needs or some of the psychological needs of humanity. Don't forget. Men were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Men's needs cannot be adequately satisfied by finite material or psychological stuff. Only the infinite God can satisfy our infinite spiritual needs. Therefore, only God can give us genuine peace, God's peace!

How do we receive this peace?
The gospel today says, we receive Jesus' commission and have this peace (John 20:21). What did Jesus send us to do? To accomplish the salvation project He had started and yet to be completed. This is a demanding mission. So Jesus Christ gives us the Holy Spirit to help us complete this challenging undertaking. How do we accomplish this redemptive project of Jesus Christ? His mission is to reconcile the world to God. Therefore, we have to help the people we meet reconcile with the Father. First of all, we must forgive. With our forgiveness, God can forgive and reconcile with men (20:23). Do you remember when Jesus was nailed to the cross, He prayed to God to forgive those who killed him (Luke 23:34)? For those who are stubborn and refuse to acknowledge their faults, we have no way to forgive them. Without our forgiveness, the Father cannot reconcile with men. He has to look for some other ways.

Today, standing before us are six youngsters chosen by Jesus Christ. They will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation to complete the Rite of Christian Initiation. Receiving Confirmation is to receive the Holy Spirit and the commission of Jesus Christ to save the world. Let us revise what we know about God the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Blessed Trinity. He is the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Love proceeds from the Father and the Son. Within the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit is like the wind, the most difficult to grasp. In this way, He shows that God is not a concept invented by men. God is not a deity which can be manipulated or bribed by men. The Holy Spirit is like the wind. We cannot see Him but can only see the traces He has left behind. What are the traces He has left behind? St. Paul teaches that it is the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. There are nine, namely love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) When in all our doing, we show care and mercy (love), are always full of joy, indifferent to success or failure (peace). When we deal with people and things, we do not look for quick fix but work according to time and tides (patience), look at things in a positive manner (kindness), with an uprightness of heart (goodness), honour our promises (faithfulness), proceed cautiously (meekness) and take the middle way (self-control). All these are the achievements of Christians empowered by the Holy Spirit. In this way, we can help humanity to reconcile with God. We are fulfilling our Christian mission.

Do you remember the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3)? With these seven powers, the Holy Spirit helps us accomplish our mission, producing the Nine Fruits. Wisdom helps us love heavenly things more than secular things. Understanding helps us understand what a follower of Jesus should do. Counsel helps us discern right from wrong, to make the right choices and avoid evil. Fortitude gives us courage to overcome fear and work patiently. Knowledge helps us know the truth of Christ and the teachings of the Church and all the underlying values. With piety, we humbly trust God and the Church. Before the glory and wonder of God, we stand with awe, with the Fear of God.
Let us open up ourselves to embrace the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit empower us.
God bless!