蒙恩得救的正途（瑪9:9-13）
聖保祿宗祿說：「因為所有的人都犯了罪，都失掉了天主的光榮。」（羅3:23）因此，所有的人都是罪人，是耶穌要來召叫的對象！即是說，耶穌要來召叫所有的人。可惜，不是所有的人都認為自己是罪人，需要回應耶穌的召叫。
有些人覺得自己沒有罪，沒有犯法，或者沒有缺陷，所以沒有信神的需要。結果錯失成為天主子女的機會。有些人從利益出發，因為信天主的利益比不信天主的高，或者因信天主而付出的代價，例如參加主日彌撒，捐助教會經費和守齋祈禱等，低於信天主的利益，例如在宏偉的教堂結婚，子女有名校學位，可以享受教會醫院，安老院的優質服務甚至墓地等，所以他們善盡虔誠和祭獻的本份。一如浪子回頭時，以為做一個傭工，憑個人的努力，可以爭取到父親的接納（路15:19）。可惜他們如入寶山空手回，祗拿到恩寵的表面，不能領取到天父慈悲的全部。
惟有那些以敬畏之心回應耶穌基督召叫的人，他們清楚認識到自己的過錯，自己的軟弱無能：「因為我認清了我的過犯，我的罪惡常在我的眼前。」（詠51:5）他們深刻明白，靠一己之力不能自救，所以他們全心信靠倚賴慈悲的天主，並且願意以實際具體的行動，報答天主的慈悲。他們決心捨棄過去的生活方式，離開自己的「安樂窩」，不再以自我為中心，對外以仁愛慈悲對待遇到困難近人。這正是得救蒙恩的正路！
父啊！請賜下聖神，加強我們捨棄自己，背起十字架跟隨耶穌的決心。亞孟。
Feastday of Matthew the Evangelist (September 21)
The True Path to Salvation (Matthew 9:9-13)
St Paul says, "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:32) Thus, all of us are sinners whom Jesus comes to call! That is to say, Jesus comes to call all. Regrettably, not all people think they are sinners and need to respond to Jesus' call.
Some think that they have no sins, have committed no crimes or acquired no deficiency. Therefore there is no need to believe in God. Consequently, they miss the opportunity to become God's children. Some start off from utility. Since the benefits of believing in God are higher than non-believing, or the price paid for believing in God, such as going to Sunday mass, supporting the finance of the Church, fasting and praying etc. are lower than the benefits of believing in God, such as getting married in magnificent churches, allotting a place for their children in elite Catholic schools, enjoying services in Catholic hospitals, homes for the aged and even cemeteries etc. Therefore, they will discharge pious duties and sacrifices completely. Like the Prodigal Son who thinks that by becoming a slave, by putting up enough personal efforts, they would be accepted by the Father. (Luke 15:19) Unfortunately, they could only scratch the surface of God's grace and fail to attain fully the Father's mercy.
Only those who respond the call of Jesus Christ with a fearful heart can see clearly their faults, their weaknesses and impotence. "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight." (Psalm 51:4) They deeply realize that they cannot save themselves with their own efforts. Thus they totally rely on the mercy of God and are willing to repay God's mercy with concrete actions. They are determined to renounce their previous life-style and leave their comfort zone. No long are they self-centred and treat the needy neighbour with charity and mercy. This is the right path of salvation!
Father, grant us the Holy Spirit to strengthen our resolve to abandon ourselves, carry our crosses to follow Jesus. Amen.
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