主題：跳出安樂窩
首先，讓我們澄清一些背景資料，因為這段事蹟是發生在上星期「耶穌顯聖容」之前的，次序對調了。「群眾吃飽以後」指出這段事蹟是發生在「五餅二魚」的神蹟之後。按若望福音的記載，當時群眾想擁耶穌為王，因為跟隨祂便不愁饑餓了（若6:15）。所以，耶穌吩咐門徒往對岸等祂，自己負責遣散群眾，然後獨自一人上山祈禱到深夜。「四更時分」（瑪14:25）是凌晨三點，是黎明前最黑暗的時間。
四部福音都有記載五餅二魚和耶穌步行海面的神蹟，但祗有【瑪竇福音】記載了伯多祿在水面上跑向耶穌的事蹟。學者的意見認為這是真實可信的。因為馬爾谷是伯多祿的徒弟，如果伯多祿為了某些原故，不告訴他這段事蹟，馬爾谷當然不得而知。路加是保祿的徒弟，而保祿不在場，當然無從確定。瑪竇和若望當時在場，瑪竇已記載了，若望就沒有必要重覆，始終這事蹟的主角是耶穌，是天主子，而不是伯多祿，這段事蹟並不配合若望寫福音的主題。【瑪竇福音】的重點卻不同，它著重教會的生活。縱使伯多祿可能出於謙遜，可以出於羞慚，不願提及這事蹟，但耶穌將會立他為教會的磐石，所以瑪竇認為這事蹟是值得記載下來，顯示出伯多祿的獨特地位。
究竟這段伯多祿「失敗」的事蹟，有甚麼價值呢？
按對觀福音的記載，耶穌召選門徒時，無論是四個漁夫或者稅吏瑪竇，他們總是出奇地慷慨回應，立刻捨棄一切跟隨了耶穌。但事情一定不會是這樣簡單，過往的事業，可以這樣輕易放棄的嗎？過往的生活，可以一夜之間改變的嗎？且看耶穌復活顯現過給門徒之後，有一天，是伯多祿提出建議，與其他六位門徒重操故業去捕魚（若21:3）。因此，跟隨了耶穌之後，我們經常會受到誘惑，重投以前的安樂窩，因為從前的生活方式是熟識的，是安全的。執事說是「誘惑」，是否嚴重了呢？絕對不是。且看梅瑟解放以色列人離開埃及的時候，群眾因飲食的問題，在路上三番四次要求返回做奴隸的埃及。可見，重投以前的安樂窩，的確是一個「誘惑」。
在一眾門徒之中，惟有伯多祿在這個事蹟之中有勇氣跳出安全的船外。時正凌晨，四周十分黑暗；又逆風而行，船在波浪中顛簸（瑪14:24）；在湖面上相對地安全的，就祗有他們的船。是甚麼吸引伯多祿離開他的安樂窩呢？是耶穌基督！各位兄弟姊妹，從伯多祿的經歷，我們學習到甚麼呢？
首先，我們要警惕自己，不可因循地生活。每個主日參加彌撒，辦告解，領聖體是好事，但不要變成例行公事。沒有平日的讀經和祈禱的習慣配合，這些聖事便不能發揮它們應有的效力。每天吃同一樣的早餐，乘坐同樣的交通工具返工返學，又是舒適的例行公事。我們有沒有嘗試把這些經歷，變成我們祈禱的材料呢？可否在所接觸到的人地事件上，發現天主所賜予的恩賜呢？
其次，我們在甚麼情況下應該離開我們的安樂窩呢？其實，當我們領洗皈依耶穌基督，我們已離開了第一個安樂窩，好像耶穌召選宗徒們一樣。洗禮後不久，我們可能建築了第二個安樂窩，因循地過教友的生活，祗著重領聖事、唸玫瑰經、甚至加入善會…等等，而忘記了向身邊的人傳福音！向世人傳福音不單是神職人員的責任，而是整個教會的責任。我們都是教會的一份子，傳福音是責無旁貸的，我們是有責任走出我們的安樂窩的！在甚麼情況下？就在暗處見到耶穌的時候。
最後，雖然離開安樂窩，外面可能是黑暗的，是危險的，但祗要有耶穌在，一切都會化險為夷。伯多祿起初還可以行在水面上，但一見風勢強便害怕起來而下沉（14:30）。當時他與耶穌應該還有一段距離，但他一呼救，耶穌瞬時來到他身旁拉著他。可以想像，耶穌不像救生員一樣在水裡拖著伯多祿，而是站在水面上拉著半身還浸在水裡的伯多祿！請大家默想這個情景。倘若伯多祿留在船上，留在安樂窩中，他是永遠也不會獲得這種獨特的經驗！同樣，倘若我們留在自己的安樂窩，因偱地過天主教徒的生活，不去傳福音，恐怕我們也會像船上的其他門徒一樣，錯過了與耶穌近距離相遇，獲得耶穌救援和扶持的經驗了。
各位兄弟姊妹，倘若你們覺得自己未準備好傳福音的時候，最有效的方法，就是運用福音來祈禱。教會有很好的「聖言誦讀」的祈禱傳統，可以學習。與耶穌相遇之後，祈求天主聖神賜予我們聖寵，跳出自己的安樂窩，去領受更豐富的恩寵。
天主保祐！
Picture Credit: http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/cms/BST/31479-jesus-pulls-peter-from-water11.jpg
Nineteenth Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: To Jump out of Our Comfort Zone First of all, let us clarify some background information because this incident happened before the Transfiguration which we read last Sunday. It is out of sequence. "He dismissed the crowd" means this incident took place after the Five Loaves and Two Fish miracle. According to the gospel of John, the crowd wanted to force Jesus to become their king because they would not hunger anymore if they followed Jesus (John 6:15). Therefore, Jesus sent his disciples to go before him to the other side while He dismissed the crowd. Then He went up on the mountain alone to pray. "In the fourth watch" (Matthew 14:25) means three o'clock in the morning, the darkest hour before dawn.
All four canonical gospels mention the miracles of Five Loaves and Two Fish as well as Jesus' walking on the Sea. Only Matthew mentions Peter walking on the sea towards Jesus. Scholars conclude that this incident was credible. Mark was the disciple of Peter. If for some reason Peter did not tell this story, Mark had no way to know. Luke was the disciple of Paul who was not there. There was no way to verify. Both Matthew and John were on the spot. Matthew had written. It was not necessary for John to repeat. After all, the main character of this incident was Jesus, the Son of God, not Peter. Moreover, this incident does not fit into the theme of John's gospel. On the other hand, the focus of Matthew is different. It is more about the life of the Church. Even if Peter, perhaps out of humility or of shame, was reluctant to mention it, Jesus would soon make him the rock on which to build His Church. It is logical for Matthew to think that this incident was worth written down to show the unique role Peter.
So, what value was there in this failure of Peter?
According to the Synoptic gospels, when Jesus called his first disciples, whether the four fishermen or Matthew the tax-collector, they were surprisingly generous to abandon everything to follow Jesus. But things could not be so simple. How can you abandon your career so easily? How can you change your life style overnight? Take a look at what happened after Jesus' apparition after resurrection. One day, it was Peter who proposed to six other disciples to go fishing, their previous career (John 21:3). Therefore, after following Jesus, we will always be tempted to return to our previous life style which we are familiar and feel safe. Was it hyperbole for me to say "be tempted"? Categorically not! Take a look at the Israelites whom Moses liberated from Egypt. For several times, because of hunger and thirst, they demanded returning to the house of slavery, Egypt! Thus, returning to our comfort zone is truly a temptation.
Among the disciples, only Peter had the courage to jump out of the boat. It was the small hours and dark. The boat was beaten by the waves (Matthew 14:24). Only their boat was a relatively safe place. What attracted Peter to leave his comfort zone? It was Jesus Christ! Brethren, what can we learn from Peter's experience?
First of all, we need to remind ourselves not to lead a complacent life. Joining Sunday masses, going to confession and receiving the Holy Communion are good but don't turn them into a routine. If we don't support these with a habit of Bible study and prayers, the effect of these sacraments will not be fully utilized. Every day we eat the same breakfast, take the same vehicles to go to work or school. These are comfortable routines. Have you tried to turn them into materials of your prayers? Have you discovered the gifts God grants you in the people and things you encounter?
Secondly, under what conditions should we leave our comfort zone? In fact, we left our first comfort zone when we were baptized and converted to Jesus Christ like the disciples whom Jesus called. Soon after baptism, we might start building our second comfort zone to lead a complacent Catholic life. We care more about receiving sacraments, about reciting prayers and even joining lay associations etc. and forget all about evangelizing the people around us! Evangelization is the mission of not only the clergy, but also the entire Church. We are one of the members of the Church. Evangelization is an indelible duty. We have the responsibility to jump out of our comfort zone! Under what conditions? When we see Jesus in the dark!
Lastly, although we may jump out of our comfort zone into darkness and danger, with Jesus, everything shall be fine. At first, Peter was able to walk a few steps on the waters. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink (14:30). At that time, he must have been at a distance from Jesus. But when he cried for help, Jesus instantaneously stood by him, reached out his hand to catch him. Unlike a life guard, Jesus was not pulling Peter in the water but standing next to him on the water surface to catch a half-submerged Peter. Please meditate. Had Peter stayed in the boat, in his comfort zone, he would never have had this unique experience! Similarly, if we stay in our comfort zone to lead a complacent life and not to evangelize, I am afraid we shall, like the rest of the disciples on the boat, miss the opportunity to encounter Jesus at close range, to enjoy His rescue and support. Brethren, if you feel that you are not ready to preach the gospel, the most effective way is to pray with the gospel. The Church has a wonderful tradition of Lectio Divina. We can learn this particular way of prayer. After encountering Jesus, beg the Holy Spirit to grant us grace to jump out of our comfort zone to receive more abundant graces.
God bless!
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