(路4:24-30)
先知在本鄉不受悅納(路4:24),並不表示先知在外國會被悅納。且看本地人如何歧視外國人,尤其是小數族裔;外國人何嘗接納移民呢?所以問題不是本鄉抑或是外國,而是這個人本身!假如這個人腰纏萬貫,相信他無論有本鄉或是在外地,到處都會受人歡迎。為甚麼?因為親近他的人,以為可以分沾一點利益!
如果這人是先知的話,他不會帶給我任何利益。為甚麼?因為這兒沒有大飢荒,我又沒有染上癩病;而且他的說話不合我心意!『即使我真是做錯了,先知先生,你用不著在眾人前這樣坦白,你可否婉轉些,用一些客氣的語氣對我說話呢?我真的接受不了!何況我根本沒有錯!』世俗社會就是這樣,請問先知如何立足,如何替天主傳達訊息呢?
基督徒領洗時,已分擔了耶穌基督的君王、先知和司祭職務;而且在履行職務時,我們應該盡忠,不可敷衍了事。縱使世俗社會不容,履行先知職務是義不容辭的。因此,我們惟有抱著「祇問耕耘,不問收穫」的態度,宣揚天主慈悲的福音。有多少成績都是天主的旨意,我們祇是播種而已,不應與天主計較付出的努力與成果,是否相稱。努力過而沒有成績,便好像耶穌基督和宗徒們一樣,往其他地方去。努力過而有成績,便感謝讚美天父吧!
聖父,願祢的國早日降臨。亞孟。
The Proper Outlook of Prophets
(Luke 4:24-30)
"No prophet is acceptable in his own country" (Luke 4:24) doesn't imply that prophets are acceptable overseas. See how local people prejudice against foreigners, in particular ethnic minorities. Do Westerners accept immigrants as well? Thus, the problem is not whether it is local or overseas. Rather it is the individuals themselves! If this person is a billionaire, I am sure he shall be welcomed everywhere, whether locally or abroad. Why? It is because people who desire to get in contact with them believe that they can gain advantages!
If this man is a prophet, he shall not bring me any benefit. Why? It is because we do not have a famine here and I am not a leper. Moreover, his wording is difficult to swallow. "Even if I am wrong, Mr. Prophet, you don't have to be so candid in front of people. Can you speak in a more pleasing tone? I really cannot accept it! After all, I am not wrong!" This is the way a secular society is. How can a prophet survive to pass on God's message?
When Christians were baptized, they partake in the three-fold ministry of Jesus Christ: king, prophet and priest. It is their duty to discharge their ministry whole-heartedly. Thus, we can only plough and do not expect harvest when we proclaim the gospel of God's mercy. The harvest is the will of God. We only sow and plough. We should not argue with God whether the efforts and the harvests are compatible. When our efforts come to nothing, we continue elsewhere like Jesus Christ and his disciples. When our efforts pay, praise and magnify the Father!
Heavenly Father, thy Kingdom come. Amen.
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