天父要尋找的果實 Fruits that God Seeks in Us

復活期第五主日，乙年
主題：天父要尋找的果實

先此聲明，執事並沒有實際種植葡萄的經驗，對葡萄的接枝技術，祇是一知半解而已。
一株葡萄樹，約有三十年夀命。為了保存，散播甚至把好的葡萄樹配種，園丁會挑選好的嫩枝，用接枝的方法，嫁接到另一棵葡萄樹上去。接枝的方法節省了撒種和栽培幼苗的階段，符合經濟效益。

在今天的福音，耶穌選擇了葡萄樹的象徵，表述了祂與信徒的關係。讓我們默想其中的意義。
首先，天主按照自己的肖像創造了人（創1:26），並召叫所有的人，成為聖潔的天主肖像（肋19:2）。雖然天主已把成聖的種子，即創世紀所說的「天主的肖像」，放在每個人的心中。可惜，不是所有的人都回應這個聖潔的召叫。有些人拒絕了天主的召叫，並投靠了撒殫的陣營，做了許多傷天害理的事。有些人雖然良心未泯，不做壞事，但他們對天主的真理，沒有多大興趣；又迫於環境，沒有決心和勇氣按良心生活，去做個頂天立地的人。有些人排除萬難，按良心生活。他們滿足了做天主肖像的基本要求，就是做一個表達出上主天主聖潔一面的人！

除了召叫人聖潔地生活，彰顯上主聖潔的一面之外，天父更進一步，召叫我們成為天主教徒，成為天主聖子，真葡萄樹上的枝條，好能分享耶穌基督所通傳的永恆生命。請注意，全人類在本質上，是與取了人性的天主子，耶穌基督，是同「品種」的。耶穌基督沒有選擇降生成為天使，而是降生成人。所以祂與我們是相同品種，而不是與天使有相同品種。
園丁會嘗試把所有的枝條，即全人類，嫁接到耶穌基督身上，領受生命。有些枝條成功嫁接了，有些卻失敗了。即是說，縱然天主願意所有的人得救，獲得生命。可惜不是所有蒙召的人，都能成功地領洗成為天主教徒，好能在教會內，領受聖事，預先享受到天父的永恆生命；並吸取養份，抗拒世俗的污染。

其實，即使嫁接到真葡萄樹上，也並不保證能成功地結出果實。即是說，即使領洗入教，並不保證你會成為一個名副其實的天主教徒。所以耶穌基督說：「凡在我身上不結實的枝條，我父便剪掉。」（若15:2）是的，所謂「樹大有枯枝」，那些嫁接在耶穌基督身上的枝條，總有些未能成功地連結在一起的。他們領了洗，名義上是天主教徒，拿到了入學的額外5分，結婚時可以在美麗的教堂行禮，死後可以埋葬在天主教的墳場裡。這些都是他們應得的，沒有甚麼不妥當。問題是，他們有沒有和耶穌基督連結起來，結出天父想尋求的果實呢？倘若我們未能結出天父要求的果實，天父便會剪掉我們，「丟在外面而枯乾了，人便把它拾起來，投入火中焚燒。」（15:6）

那麼，天父尋求怎麼樣的果實呢？

依撒意亞先知，曾唱了一首「葡萄園的愛歌」，描述了天主悉心栽培的以色列民族，不斷地做出各種令天主失望的事。「原希望它結好葡萄，它反倒結了野葡萄。」（依5:2）因此，消極地，我們不要重蹈以色列人的覆轍，不要再犯他們的過錯。例如，以色列民族被周圍的外族同化，一起崇拜偶像，捨棄天主；所以，我們不可崇拜金錢權力，以金錢權力來衡量一切，而不是按天主的意旨來生活（路4:1-12）。積極地，我們應以「真福八端」的精神去生活。耶穌時代的法利塞人，注重教條，並利用法律條文貪污，把十誡的精神，拋諸腦後；所以，我們不可像法利塞人一樣偽善，而要明瞭福音的精神，在弱小者的身上，服事耶穌基督（瑪25:40）。在四月九日，教宗方濟各頒佈了【你們歡喜踴躍吧！】宗座勸諭，指導我們如何在現實生活中，實踐「真福八端」，歡喜踴躍地成聖。

實踐真福八端，談何容易！倘若沒有聖神的幫助，人類是沒有能力實踐「真福八端」的要求。最新的宗座勸諭，意味著天主教徒，要度一個充滿聖神的生活。天父希望在我們身上找到的果實，不是每年參加了多少次彌撒，領了多少次聖體，辦了多少次告解或者參加了多少次退省等。這些都是重要的。天父希望在我們身上找到的果實，也不是引領了多少人領洗入教。不要誤會，傳福音令更多人領洗入教，分享天父的永恆生活，固然是重要的。但更重要的，就是我們的信仰生活，能否結出美善的果實，聖神的果實。聖保祿宗徒在書信中，提及了聖神的九個果效，就是：仁愛、喜樂、平安、忍耐、良善、溫和、忠信、柔和、節制（迦5:22-23）。這就是天父希望在我們身上找到的氣質，聖神的氣質；希望我們用這些態度，服務弱小者身上的耶穌基督，成為一個名副其實的天主教徒。
天主保祐！
2015年反省

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Fifth Easter Sunday, Year B
Theme: Fruits that God Seeks in Us

Disclaimer: I have no practical experience growing vine. I know very little about the techniques of vine grafting.
A vine lives for about thirty years. In order to preserve, to propagate and to cross breed a good vine, farmers will choose some healthy scions and graft them onto another rootstock. Grafting saves the time of sowing and growing seedlings and serves economic purposes.

In the gospel reading today, Jesus chooses the image of a vine to articulate His relationship with the disciples. Let us meditate its meanings.
First of all, God created men in His image (Genesis 1:26) and called them to become holy images of God (Leviticus 19:2). Although God has implanted the seed of sanctification, the "image of God" mentioned in Genesis, in the heart of each one of us, not everybody responds to this call to holiness. Some refuse to respond and even join Satan's camp to do evil. Though some refuse to do evil, they are not interested in God's truth. Some do not have the determination and courage to live by their conscience. Some are able to overcome tons of obstacles to lead a conscientious life. They meet the basic requirements to be an image of God, i.e. they are able to manifest the holiness of the Lord God with their lives!

The Father even goes further. Besides calling us to lead a holy life to manifest the holiness of the Lord, He invites us to become Catholics and to be branches on the Son of God, the True Vine so that we may share the eternal life transmitted by Jesus Christ. Notice that we have the same human nature as the Son of God who incarnates as a man. Jesus Christ and us belong to the same "species". Jesus Christ did not choose to incarnate as an angel but as a man. Thus we belong to the same species whereas angels do not. The vinedresser tries to graft all the branches, i.e. all humanity, onto Jesus Christ in order to receive life. Some are successful but some are not. That is to say, even though God wants all men to be saved and to attain life, not all of the called ones can successfully become Catholics to receive Sacraments within the Church, to enjoy a foretaste of the Father's eternal life. With the nourishment, the successful ones can fight against secular contamination.

In fact, even though branches are grafted onto the True Vine, there is no guarantee that they shall bear fruits successfully. That is to say, even though one was baptized Catholic, there is no guarantee that he shall be a genuine Catholic. Thus, Jesus said, "Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, He takes away." (John 15:2) Indeed, there bound to be withered branches on a huge tree. Some of those branches that are grafted onto Jesus Christ might not be successfully linked. They were baptized Catholic. They got 5 extra marks for enrolment in Catholic schools. They may get married in beautiful Catholic churches. They shall be buried in Catholic cemeteries etc. They deserve all these benefits. There is nothing wrong about it. Rather, the problem is whether that person has been linked with Jesus Christ to bear the fruits that the Father seeks. If he is not able to bear fruit, the Father shall take him away. "He is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned." (15:6)

Then, what kind of fruits does the Father seek?
Isaiah the Prophet has sung "a love song concerning His vineyard" to describe how God attended to the Israelites who repeatedly did disappointing things to God. "He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes." (Isaiah 5:2) Thus, negatively we should avoiding making the same mistakes as the Israelites. For example, the Israelites mingled with their neighbouring tribes and worshipped idols together, forsaking Yahweh. Thus we should not worship money and power, using them to be the measures of everything and do not lead our lives according to God's will (Luke 4:1-12). Positively, we should lead our lives in the spirit of the Beatitudes. In Jesus' time, the Pharisees insisted on the letters of the Law and fed their greed with legal technicalities. They swept the spirit of the Ten Commandments under the carpet. Thus, we should not follow the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Instead, we should understand the spirit of the gospel and serve the Jesus Christ in the least of the needy (Matthew 25:40). On April 9, Pope Francis issued yet another apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate to guide us how to put the Beatitudes into practice in our daily life and to be sanctified joyfully and exultantly.

It is more easily said than done to lead a life according to the Beatitudes. Without the help from the Holy Spirit, nobody is able to live up to the demands of the Beatitudes. Thus, the latest apostolic exhortation suggests that Catholics should lead a Spirit empowered life. What the Father wants to find in us is not how many times we attend masses annually, receive Holy Communion, go to confessions and join retreats etc. These are essential. What the Father wants to find in us is not the number of people got baptized. Don't take me wrong. Evangelization to bring people into the Church to share the eternal life of the Father is surely important. But more important is whether our spiritual life bears fruit, the fruits of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul writes of these nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) These temperaments are what the Father seeks, the temperaments of the Holy Spirit. He wishes to see us serve Jesus Christ in the least of the needy with these attitudes and become a genuine Catholic.
God bless!

耶穌造就祂的羊群 Jesus Edifies His Flock

耶穌造就祂的羊群
（若14:7-14）

耶穌基督不愧是善牧（若10:11，14）。祂並不追求自己的成就，而是造就那些信仰祂的人，祂的羊群，做更偉大的事業（14:12）。試問做父母的，做師傅的，哪有不願意看到門徒子女的成就，青出於藍呢？看來，耶穌基督亦不外如是，並不像傳說中那麼革命性。

耶穌基督的確是革命性的，祂的教訓，可以顛覆政權。當年的大司祭蓋法，正確地判斷到耶穌對建制派的威脅，於是先發制人，提出「叫一個人替百姓死，以免全民族滅亡；這為你們多麼有利。」（11:50），於是公議會便聽從他的意見，把耶穌交給比拉多處決。

耶穌基督把祂的革命性思想，即天國，植入了這個世界，有待時光的流逝，讓種子生長，開花和結果。所以，天國的開始是微不足道的。耶穌基督開始了的工作，祂的門徒仍要繼續做，而且隨著時日的推移，會做得更大規模，更專業。從社會進化的角度看，統治者所鼓吹的意識型態，越來越廣闊和深刻：政治上從封建主義到自由主義到帝國主義到極權主義；經濟上從農業化到工業化到自動化到全球化。統治者對人民的奴役和控制，越來越全面，對人性的踐踏，越來越肆無忌憚！耶穌基督教訓的革命性，在於不斷地挑戰統治者用來奴役人民的各種意識型態，維護天主肖像的尊嚴。

在不同的世代，代表耶穌基督的牧者們所面對的哥肋雅化身，越來越凶殘。牧者們按耶穌基督的教訓，無畏更凶狠的霸權，做出更偉大的事業。
天父啊！主教、神父或者執事不竟是人，跳出個人榮辱是相當困難的。倘若他們做了自私的決定，忘記了造就託付給他們的羊群時，請幫助他們悔改補贖。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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Jesus Edifies His Flock
(John 14:7-14)

Jesus Christ is truly the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14). He does not seek His own achievements but edifies those who believe in Him, His flock to do greater works (14:12). Which parents and teachers do not want to see their children and their disciples achieve more? Then, Jesus Christ is yet another teacher, not as revolutionary as legends go.

But Jesus Christ is truly revolutionary. His teachings can be seditious. At His times, Caiaphas was the High Priest who correctly evaluated the threats Jesus posed the religious establishment. So, he took the initiative and persuaded the people, "It is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish." (11:50) Thus, the Sanhedrin listened to his advice and handed Jesus over to be condemned by Pilate.

Jesus Christ planted his revolutionary idea, the Kingdom of Heaven, in this world and allowed it to grow, to bloom and to bear fruits. Thus, the beginning of the Kingdom of Heaven was trivial. The work Jesus Christ has begun has to be continued by His disciples. With the passage of time, it shall become bigger and more professional. From the perspective of social evolution, the ideologies of rulers become more pervasive and incisive: politically, it evolved from feudalism to liberalism to imperialism and totalitarianism; economically from agricultralism to industrialization to automation to globalization. Rulers impose more comprehensive slavery and control over the people, trample on their dignity with less restrains. Jesus’ teachings are revolutionary in that they continuously challenge the ideologies rulers deploy to enslave the people and to protect the dignity of the images of God.

Throughout different ages, the shepherds that represent Jesus Christ confront more and more ferocious incarnations of Goliath. These shepherds follow the teaching of Jesus Christ to do greater works, not fearing those more brutal regimes.
Heavenly Father! After all, bishops, priests and deacons are human. It is difficult for them to jump out of the box of personal honours. If they make selfish decisions, forgetting the flock You have entrusted them, help them repent and do penance. Amen.

耶穌基督知所進退 Jesus Christ is the Master of Positioning

耶穌基督知所進退
（若14:1-6）

耶穌基督升了天，坐在天父的右邊，快二千年了。這二千年來，祂忙甚麼呢？
祂的確很忙，因為撒殫日夜不斷在天父面前提出控訴（默12:10），不是這個教友沒有盡本份，就是那個主教包庇孌童神父。而正義的耶穌基督，就在天父前，作我們的護慰者（若一2:1）。另一方面，耶穌基督為我們預備地方，以後，祂必再來接我們到祂那裡去（若14:3）。那地方會是怎樣的呢？

我相信耶穌基督為我們每個人預備的地方，不是劃一的藍圖，否則，祂用不著費這麼長的時間為我們預備地方。因為是度身訂造的，所以在某程度上，我們的一生，是有份參予建造這未來的居處。那麼，你夢想的居處會是怎麼樣的呢？是否在世時做愈多愛德工作，將來就會得到愈美好的居所呢？我以為不一定！

1. 相信大家一定聽過「好心做壞事」。倘若不是天父的旨意，善事也是會變成惡事的！
2. 好事不一定要由我們做的。世上的失敗者，很多時候是那些不知定位，不知進退的人。結果功高蓋主（撒上18:7），招來殺身之禍，這不單是職場大忌，亦是做人的大忌！更嚴重的，祇知進，不知退，連累了很多與自己有關係的人，是悲劇啊！
3. 最美好的居所，非耶穌基督的聖心莫屬！怎樣纔可以在耶穌基督的心裡留一席位呢？我相信除了默觀祈禱，和謙遜地實行愛德外，沒有其他途徑了。耶穌基督是通往天父，通往永生的道路（若14:6）。 所以，跟隨祂的榜樣，是獲得生命的不二法門。祂知所定位，謙遜地尋求並服從天父的旨意（斐2:6）。祂知所進退，在群眾想擁祂為王時拒絕了（若6:15）；但在比拉多前，卻直認不諱（18:37）。耶穌基督真是道路！

天父啊，感謝祢賜下祢的獨生子，作為我們的導師，帶領我們回到祢的身邊。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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Jesus Christ is the Master of Positioning
(John 14:1-6)

It is almost two millennia since Jesus Christ has ascended into heavens and sat at the right hand of the Father. In these two thousand years, what is Jesus Christ busy about?
He is really very busy because the accuser of our brethren accuses us day and night before our God (Revelation 12:10), that this Catholic has not done his duty and that bishop covers up pædophilic priests etc. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). On the other hand, Jesus Christ goes and prepares a place for us and shall come again and take us to Himself (John 14:3). What shall the place look like?

I believe that Jesus Christ taking the trouble to prepare places for us suggests that there is no standard blueprint. Otherwise, why does He bother? If it is tailor-made, to a certain extent, we help build this future place with our lifespan. Then, what does your dream house look like? Is it true that the more charitable works we do on earth, the better our place in the future? Not necessarily!

1. I trust you have heard of the aphorism that "the path to Hell is littered with good intentions". If it is not the will of the Father, charity can become evil!
2. It is not necessary for us to do all the good works. Losers in the world make one fatal mistake: they do not know how to position themselves. They advance but do not withdraw. Consequently, they court death because "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." (1 Samuel 18:7). This is not only a taboo in office politics, but also in life! More seriously, they bring disasters to many others who are related to them. What a tragedy!
3. The best place is none other than the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ! How do we occupy a place in His heart? I believe that there is no other way but contemplative prayers and humble charity. Jesus Christ is the Way to the Father and the Way to eternal life (John 14:6) Thus, following His exemplar is the sure way to attain life. Jesus knows His position, humbly seeks and obeys the Father's will. (Philippians 2:6) He knows the right moments. When the crowd wanted to make him king, He withdrew (John 6:15). Before Pilate, He admitted without reservation (18:37). Jesus Christ is truly the Way!

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Your only begotten Son to teach us and lead us back to You. Amen.

向人福傳為了造就他人 To Evangelize Is To Edify

向人福傳為了造就他人
（若13:16-20）

人在俗世追求權力，可以是為了自私地滿足自己的「操縱慾」，也可以運用手上已有的權力，建設一個烏托邦。可惜，兩者都沒有好收場。前者永遠得不到滿足，因為當你行使權力時，表示別人放棄了部份自由。沒有人會願意完全喪失自由，任由其他人完全操控自己的。過了他的底線，他會拒絕合作。所以想滿足操縱慾，完全操縱別人的人，是不會得到百份百的控制。所得到的，虛假的成份居多。

為甚麼那些追求權力，用來救國救民的人，也會失敗呢？因為當你追求理想的時候，一定會遇上阻力。當你目前的權力不足以克服障礙，而克服不了障礙，就不能達到理想。惟一的辦法，就是追求更大的權力，掃除障礙，排除異己！到時，權力由手段變成了目的，救國救民的初心也忘掉了。最後，阻礙自己追求權力的，就是自己的良心。於是，連「真我」也要消滅…，太可怕了！

權力真是這樣可怕的嗎？
耶穌基督在最後晚餐時，為門徒洗腳，並吩咐他們要「彼此洗腳」（若13:14），這就是今天福音的上文。在那裡，耶穌基督教訓門徒，行使權力的真正意義：權力並不是為了剝削別人的自由，反而是為了服務弟兄姊妹，造就他們，令他們享受到更大的幸福。耶穌基督為我們立下了為主子、為師傅的為比自己低下的門徒洗腳的榜樣。我們能照樣做，便是有福的（13:17）。耶穌基督派遣祂的神職人員：主教、神父、執事為天主子民服務。凡接待他們，服從他們，就是接待耶穌基督，這樣做可以得到永生，因此是有福的（13:20）。同樣，耶穌基督派遣祂的門徒往俗世裡去傳揚福音，凡接受福音教訓的，便成了有福的人。基督徒啊！你怎能自私地獨享幸福呢？
天父啊！請幫助我們去除自我滿足的私心，把耶穌基督的福音，與人分享，造就他人。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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To Evangelize Is To Edify
(John 13:16-20)

People pursue power in the secular world to selfishly satisfy their own desire for control. They may also exercise their power in hand to build up a utopia. Unfortunately, both groups of people do not end happily. The former will never obtain satisfaction because when they exercise their authority, others will lose some of their freedom. Nobody is willing to lose his freedom completely and to allow others to take total control over him. When things go beyond their baseline, they shall refuse to cooperate. Therefore, for those who want to control others completely to satisfy their desire for control, they will never achieve 100% control. What they get shall mostly be fake!

Why are those who exercise power to save their country and their countrymen doomed to fail? It is because when they pursue their ideal, they will surely meet oppositions. When their authority at the moment is not enough to overcome obstacles, they will not be able to attain their ideal. The only option is to seek greater authority to remove obstacles and dissidents. By then, authority is changed from a means to the end. The original intention is buried. The last obstacle which hinders the amassing of authority is their conscience. The last enemy to destroy is one's true self ... How terrible!

Is authority that horrible?
During the Last Supper, Jesus Christ washed the feet of the disciples and told them to "wash one another's feet" (John 13:14). This is the context of the gospel reading today. There, Jesus Christ teaches the disciples the true meaning of authority: Authority is not used to exploit others' freedom but to serve them, to edify them and help them enjoy greater happiness. Jesus Christ sets us an exemplar of a master washing the feet of disciples. We are blessed when we do the same (13:17). Jesus Christ sends his clergy: bishops, priests and deacons to serve the People of God. When we receive and obey the clergy, we receive Jesus Christ. In doing so, we obtain eternal life. Thus we are blessed (13:20). Similarly, Jesus Christ sends His disciples to evangelize the secular world. Whoever receives the teachings of the gospel, he becomes blessed. Christians, how can you be so selfish as to enjoy this blessedness alone?
Heavenly Father, help us remove the selfishness to satisfy our desires. Help us share the gospel of Jesus Christ to edify others. Amen.

栽培接班人 To Groom Successors

栽培接班人
（谷16:15-20）

馬爾谷是伯多祿的門徒。師傅為了造就弟子，伯多祿便把撰寫「耶穌傳」的任務交給了馬爾谷。他幸不辱命，寫成了【馬爾谷福音】，成為了其他福音的範本。
這個馬爾谷是誰呢？我們相信，他就是那個拿著水罐，引領兩個門徒找到吃最後晚餐地方的那個人（谷14:13），又是耶穌在革責瑪尼園被捕時，赤著身子逃走了的少年人（14:51-52）。這個好奇的膽小鬼，將來亦在前景不明朗的情況下，退下陣來，後來更令保祿和巴爾納伯分道揚轆（宗15:37-39）。從往績看，馬爾谷是個成事不足，敗事有餘的人。幸得巴爾納伯和伯多祿的包容，我們有一位筆觸生動的聖史，把天主子耶穌基督強而有力的一面，描繪在讀者眼前！

的確，天主喜歡鋤強扶弱，「祂伸出了手臂施展大能，驅散那些心高氣傲的人。衪從高座上推下權勢者，卻舉揚了卑微貧困的人。」（路1:51-52）祂喜歡造就謙卑的人。所以，在開始的時候，祂會助門徒一臂之力，為他們治病、驅魔和幫助他們說新語言（谷16:17-18）；今天，我們已經有能力學習外語、照顧無知的人和醫治病人，不用天主干預了。在開始的時候，人們憑神蹟相信門徒的作證；今天，我們的知識水平高了，可以憑邏輯推理，相信傳教士的作證，接受福音的合理性和革命性。我們要感激天主的造就和牧者們的造就，我們長大成熟了！
天父啊！求祢以福音的真理，指引前路，讓我們健康長進，並勇敢地為復活的主耶穌基督作見証。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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To Groom Successors
(Mark 16:15-20)

St. Mark was a disciple of Peter. In order to edify his disciple, Peter assigned the writing of Jesus' biography to Mark who accomplished it with "The Gospel According to Mark", a template for other gospels.
Who was this Mark? We believe that he was the man carrying a jar of water who showed Jesus' disciples the guest room to eat the Passover meal (Mark 14:13). He was also the young man who ran away naked when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (14:51-52). This curiosity stricken chicken backed off midway when the future was unclear. Subsequently, Paul and Barnabas separated because of him (Acts 15:37-39). From these previous records, Mark was not a very promising disciple. Luckily, Barnabas and Peter were so tolerant that we now have a dynamic Evangelist who depicts the powerful face of Jesus Christ, Son of God before us!

Indeed, God loves to help the underdogs and overthrow the powerful. "He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree." (Luke 1:51-52) God loves to build up the humble. Therefore, at the beginning, God helped the disciples with healings, exorcisms and speaking in new languages (Mark 16:17-18). Today, we already have the power to learn foreign languages, taking care of the ignorant and healing the sick. We don't need God's intervention. At the beginning, people believed in the witness of the disciples because of miracles. Today, our education level has been raised. With logical deduction, we believe in the witness of missionaries and accept the gospel which is both rational and revolutionary. We thank God and all the pastors for their edification. We have grown up!
Heavenly Father! Guide us on our path with the Truth of Your gospel. Let us grow healthily and bravely bear witness to the risen Jesus Christ. Amen.

遵守程序是重要的 It Is Essential to Follow Procedures

遵守程序是重要的
（若10:22-30）

無論我們如何不喜歡程序，而且一有機會，便想辦法繞過既定程序，達到目的，始終程序是必要的。因為既定程序保障了大部份人的利益和安全。例如：聖堂天面漏水了，要進行維修。堂區主任神父與承建商達成協議，主日不能施工，影響彌撒的進行。可惜，因天氣關係，維修工程落後了。某主日，來了一個工人，請求助理本堂准他到天台加班補漏，並保証不會產生任何噪音。倘若你是助理本堂，你會准許嗎？

不要驚訝耶穌說：「你們不是屬於我的羊。」（若10:26）無論我們如何渴望所有人都能獲得永生，始終，有些人的行為未能達標，有些人因種種原因，拒絕相信耶穌基督的死而復活，與他們有任何關係，不接受耶穌基督是他們的救主。即使耶穌是真葡萄樹，我們是枝條（15:5）。難道你們不知道「樹大有枯枝」的道理嗎？

當代的猶太人，期望一個驅逐羅馬人的默西亞，從殖民統治下解放他們。耶穌基督的言行，一方面帶來令人雀躍的期望（包括他的神蹟，他權威性的演說等）；但另一方面，帶給他們不安（耶穌基督與罪人、與羅馬百夫長來往等）。那些猶太人不去反省耶穌基督言行的救贖意義，好能找出問題所在；反而要求耶穌基督，給他們一個肯定的答案（10:24）。他們的問題在於對默西亞，懷有錯誤的期望（從殖民統治解放出來），勉強把祂塞進一個預設的錯誤程序（驅逐羅馬人）之中。耶穌基督所說的（從罪惡的奴役中得到解放），他們不相信，耶穌基督所作的工作（治病、赦罪、驅魔等）他們還是不信（10:25-26）。每日讀經祈禱，反省耶穌基督的言行，纔是正確的程序嘛！

不要埋怨教宗絕罰一些主教；不要埋怨神父因你的婚姻狀況有問題而拒絕給你付洗；不要抱僥倖之心，未妥當告解便領聖體，因為你是可以「神領聖體」的。請記住，既定程序是為保障大眾的利益和安全，沒有重大的信德或倫理原因，程序是必須遵守的。
父啊！請派遣聖神，在我們心中灌注謙遜的愛火，服從祢的聖意。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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It Is Essential to Follow Procedures
(John 10:22-30)

No matter how much we dislike procedures and how much we want to bypass procedures to get things done whenever an opportunity arises, we must follow procedures. It is because procedures protect the benefits and safety of the majority. For example, the roof of the Church is leaking and is undergoing maintenance. The parish priest and the construction company reach an agreement not to work on Sundays to prevent disruption of masses. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, the maintenance work is behind schedule. One Sunday, a worker came along requesting the assistant parish priest to allow him to work overtime on the roof to catch up and guarantee not to make any noise. If you were the assistant parish priest, would you give the permission?

Do not be surprised when Jesus says, "You do not belong to my sheep." (John 10:26) No matter how much we wish everybody attained eternal life, there shall be some whose acts do not reach the target; some who, for various reasons, refuse to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to have any relation with Him or to confess Jesus Christ to be their Saviour. Even though Jesus is the True Vine and we are the branches (15:5), have you not heard of the aphorism that "there are withered branches on a big tree"?

The contemporary Jews expected a Messiah who would drive away the Romans and liberate them from colonial rule. The words and deeds of Jesus Christ, on one hand brought them exciting expectations (e.g. his miracles and authoritative teachings etc.), but on the other worried them (e.g. Jesus Christ mixed with sinners and Roman centurions etc.) These Jews did not reflect on the salvific significance of the words and deeds of Jesus Christ in order to unearth the problems. Instead, they demanded Jesus Christ to give them a definitive answer (10:24). They had harboured a wrong expectation on the Messiah (to liberate them from colonial rule), and boxed Jesus Christ inside a wrong procedure (to drive out the Romans). They did not believe in what Jesus had said (liberation from the slavery of sins). Nor did they believe in the works Jesus had done (healings, forgiving sins and exorcisms etc. 10:25-26) Pray and study the Bible daily to meditate the words and deeds of Jesus Christ is the proper procedure!

Do not blame the Pope for excommunicating some bishops, nor to blame a priest for refusing you baptism because of your irregular marital status. Do not take the shortcut to receive the Holy Communion without proper confession because you may receive the Holy Communion spiritually. Remember, procedures protect the benefits and safety of the majority. Without grave reasons of faith and morality pointing otherwise, you must follow procedures!
Father! Send us the Holy Spirit. Infuse us in our heart burning charity of humility to obey Your will. Amen.

伯多祿和他的繼承人是掌門人 Peter and his Successors are Gate-Keepers

伯多祿和他的繼承人是掌門人
（若10:1-10）

很多人善意地期望梵蒂崗與中國進行交談，希望能改善彼此的關係，使福音能自由地在大陸傳揚，使更多炎黃子孫，得享天主的救恩。可惜在一些基本原則上，存在著不能跨越的洪溝（路16:26）：梵蒂崗緊守「主教必須與教宗共融」的原則，中國政府卻堅持「三自」的原則，誰也沒有讓步的台階。今天的福音說得非常清楚，我們不要心存幻想了。

耶穌基督是羊的門（若10:7），「由門進去的，才是羊的牧人」（10:2）。因為耶穌基督給了伯多祿天國的鑰匙（瑪16:19），所以，伯多祿和他的承繼人就是看門的人，就是看守羊棧之門和天國之門的人。因此，拒絕與教宗共融的人，教宗又怎能「給他開門」呢（若10:3）？「由別處爬進去的牧者」，就是得不到教宗認可的主教，耶穌基督是怎樣稱呼他們呢？因此，梵蒂崗與中國政府商討的，不是建交問題，而是如何把「由別處爬進去的牧者」，帶出羊棧之外，由羊的門從新進入的問題。即是說，把以往不與教宗共融的主教，經一定程序與教宗恢復共融，成為合法的主教，並使將來的主教，能以正常程序按立。

主教的重要性，不在於他的權力，而在於他帶給羊群的影響。他的任務是帶領羊群，進羊棧休息，出羊棧到草場覓食（10:9），使羊群獲得生命，獲得更豐富的生命（10:10）。主教的使命，就是幫助教友，與耶穌基督建立密切的關係，得到永生。倘若主教為世俗的政權服務，與耶穌基督的真理背道而馳，試問這些主教，帶給教友們怎樣豐富的生命呢？
阿爸！父啊！一切為祢都可能。求祢啟示我們應走的道路，並賜下聖神，賦予我們承行祢旨意的力量。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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Peter and his Successors are Gate-Keepers
(John 10:1-10)

With good intentions, many people wish Vatican and Communist China engaged in dialogue to improve their relationship so that gospel might be freely spread in the mainland, allowing more descendants of Huángdi to enjoy God’s salvation. However, on some fundamental principles, there exists an unsurpassable chasm (Luke 16:26) . Vatican abides by the principle of "full episcopal communion with the Pope" whereas the Chinese government insists on the "Three-Self" principle. Neither side is able to concede. The gospel today is crystal clear. We should not entertain any fantasy.

Jesus is the Door of the Sheep (John 10:7) and "he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep." (10:2) Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter (Matthew 16:19). Thus, Peter and his successors are gate-keepers of the sheepfold and the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus, how can the Pope open the door to those who refuse to be in full communion with him (10:3)? Those "who do not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way" do not receive the mandate from the Pope. What does Jesus call them? Thus at the moment, the discussion between the Vatican and the Chinese government is NOT about establishing diplomatic relation, but how to bring those "who do not enter the sheepfold by the door" out of the fold and re-enter the fold through the Door. That is to say, through certain procedures, make those bishops who are not in communion with the Pope become legitimate bishops and normalize the proper consecration of bishops in the future.

The importance of bishops is not their authority but their influence on the flock. His mission is to lead the flock into the fold to rest and out of the fold to find pasture (10:9) so that the flock "may have life, and have it abundantly" (10:10). The mission of bishops is to help the congregation to build up intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and attain eternal life. If bishops serve secular powers and stray from the truth of Jesus Christ, what kind of abundant life can these bishops give the congregation?
Aba, Father! All things are possible for you. Show us the way we should tread and give us the Holy Spirit to empower us to do Your will. Amen.

認識自己的聖召 Know Your Own Vocation

善牧主日，乙年
主題：認識自己的聖召

所有天主教徒，上至教宗主教，下至已領洗多年或剛領洗的新教友，無論男女老幼，都有一個傳福音，為復活了的耶穌基督作見証的使命。可是，向一切講求證據的現代人傳福音，所有基督徒無可避免地會遇上同一個挑戰。就是如何證明天主的存在。他們甚至要求說：「如果你所信的天主，現在就出現在我面前，我就會相信！」如何回答是好？連我們自己也沒有親眼看見過耶穌基督本人，難道我們引用聖經金句，甚麼「那些沒有看見而相信的，才是有福的！」（若20:29）便可以說服他們嗎？那些不信的，可能會說：「有福？我纔不希罕哩！」怎麼辦呢？

不用擔心，中古時代的神學家，為了說服有學問的無信者 ，曾提出了五個有說服力的論點，證明天主的存在。所以，這個挑戰基本上已經解決了，不再是挑戰了。另一方面，我會打消他們想天主顯現給他們的念頭。「假如天主顯現給你，我恭喜你，你將會成為萬人景仰的聖人，頭上有光環。不過，你從此會多災多難，甚至不得好死！」執事雖然說話誇張，但句句屬實，聖保祿宗徒就是一個典型的例子！請試想想，如果獻上祭品就可以賄賂到的，又豈是真天主呢？如果我們吩咐祂顯現，祂就顯現給我們，我們豈不變成了天主的主人嗎？這樣的神，不信也罷！因此，規定天主按我們的方法做事，我們實在太局限了自己，而且太看低天主的能力了！請記住，天主不是我們所能操控的！那麼，我們怎樣知道，天主有召叫我們呢？

首先，當天主按祂的肖像，創造我們每一個人的時候，祂的目的就是想我們成為神聖的人。舊約聖經是這樣寫的：「你們應該是聖的，因為我，上主，你們的天主是聖的。」（肋19:2）成為神聖的人，不單是天主教徒，而是每個人的人生目標，就是天主委派給每個人的使命。用我們的慣用語，這是天主對每個人的「聖召」。固然，不是人人都回應天主的聖召，有些人的一生，可說是漫無目的。他們會問，天主在甚麼時候召叫過我呢？祂沒有顯現在我面前，又如何召叫我呢？

聖經記載了很多天主與人相遇的經驗，一部份人在天主的救世計劃中，充當著重要角色的，天主會親自接見他們。其餘的，天主會派遣一些使者，向他們傳遞自己的旨意。例如，天使甚至是會說話的驢。「會說話的驢」？是伊索寓言嗎？不是，是聖經的故事！話說摩阿布王聘請巴郎，為他詛咒以色列人，於是他騎驢出發，前往以色列人的營地。天主派一個手持利劍的天使，阻住巴郎的去路。天使是隱形的，巴郎看不見，驢卻看見天使；並且三次避開他，救了巴郎，但巴郎全不知情，三次鞭打驢。於是驢開口投訴，天使纔顯現給巴郎。後來，巴郎沒有詛咒以色列，反而祝福他們。（戶22-23）
請注意，我們不必爭辯「會說話的驢」的真實性，正如我們不會理會龜真的和兔子賽跑一樣。我們學習故事的教訓，而不去考究故事內容的真實性。巴郎的故事告訴我們，天主是一個意想不到的天主，祂是一個令人充滿驚喜的天主。因此，我們應該留意天主在我們的生命中，不經意地向我們顯現了，召叫了。天主藉著我們所遇到的人、地和事物，觸動我們，召叫我們成為一個真實的人，一個頂天立地，無愧於心的人。

在座各位，天主更進一步召叫你們成為基督徒。我們是經過洗禮入教，成為基督徒的。心裡相信不夠嗎？要洗禮入教才有效嗎？對，洗禮清洗了我們的罪惡（宗2:38，22:16），使我們成為聖潔的，成為名副其實的「聖徒」。所以基督徒是蒙召成為聖徒的（羅1:7，格前1:2），藉著對天主恩寵的開放，我們有更大機會成聖。大家記得洗禮當晚的其中一個環節，新領洗的教友穿上白衣嗎？保祿宗徒告訴我們說：「你們凡是領了洗歸於基督的，就是穿上了基督。」（迦3:27）「穿上基督」有甚麼作用呢？不要以為厄里亞的外衣有甚麼法力，加到他的接班人厄里叟身上，就會令他充滿力量，有如師父一樣！請注意，超人不是穿上超人衣服纔變成超人的；根本他素來擁有超人的力量。同樣，基督徒不是領洗穿上基督就變成了基督。根本基督徒素來擁有成為基督的力量！領洗消除了我們的罪過，恢復了我們原本擁有的恩寵，恢復我們天主子女的身份。所以，穿上基督，引發我們潛在的恩寵，使我們變成另一個基督。這就是基督徒的人生目標，不但要成為聖潔，更要成為「基督」！耶穌基督祈禱，我們祈禱；耶穌基督醫治，我們醫治；耶穌基督釋放，我們寬恕釋放；耶穌基督傳福音，我們傳福音等等。

基督徒團體，需要神職人員，就好像一個城市，需要公務員一樣。公務員為市民服務，令他們能安居樂業，整個社會得以繁榮進步。同樣，整個教會亦需要一些公務員，一些神職人員，為全體天主子民服務，使天主的國得以拓展，達致「一個羊群，一個牧人」的願景（若10:16）。當然，不是每個人都蒙召做神父，做修女的，因為天主自有祂的計劃。勉強做神父修女，祇會帶給教會醜聞，好像近日的新聞一樣！因此，聖召是需要辨明的，要祈禱，要找有經驗的人指導。不要氣餒，無論是甚麼樣的聖召，當我們尋求和回應時，天主必與我們同在，在我們的生活崗位上，協助我們發揮天主賜予的恩寵，成為神聖的，並成為另一個基督。今天是聖召主日，讓我們為自己做基督徒的聖召，並且為司鐸的聖召，用心祈禱。
天主保祐！
2015年反省

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Good Shepherd Sunday, Year B
Theme: Know Your Own Vocation

All Catholics, from the Pope and bishops, down to jaded parishioners or the newly baptized, men and women, old and young, have a mission to preach the gospel and to bear witness to the risen Jesus Christ. However, preaching the gospel to those modern people who ask for evidence for everything shall inevitably pose the same challenge to all Christians: how to prove the existence of God. They might even demand, "If your God shows up in front of me right now, I will believe!" How do we answer? Even we ourselves have not seen Jesus Christ with our own eyes. Don't tell me you are going to quote a piece of proof-text such as, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed" (John 20:29) to convince them! For those who refuse to believe, they might say, "Being blessed? Who cares?"

Don't worry. Medieval theologians had already put forth five persuasive arguments to prove the existence of God to convince educated non-believers. Thus, the challenge is challenge no more. On the other hand, I would try to dissuade them from demanding God's apparition. "If God appears to you, congratulations! You shall be a saint venerated by the millions and shall have a halo on your head. However, from then on, your life shall be full of hardships and you might not die a good death!" Though I exaggerate a bit, I speak the truth. The life of St. Paul is a typical example! Just think about it. A deity which you may bribe is no God at all. If I command a deity to appear and he obeys, then have I become the master of this deity? Is such a deity worth believing in anymore? Thus, in forcing God to follow our ways of doing things, we are actually restricting ourselves and have underestimated the power of God! Remember, we cannot control over God! Then, how do we know that God has called us?

Firstly, when God created us according to His image, He wanted us to become a holy people. The Old Testament says, "You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:2) To become holy is the goal for everybody, not just for Catholics. This goal is the mission God gives everybody. In our jargon, this is God's vocation. Of course, not all people respond to God's call. Some people are listless throughout their lives. They might ask, "When did God call me? He has never appeared before me. How did He call me?"

We can find many encounter experiences between God and men in the Bible. Some men occupy important roles in the salvation plan of God who spoke to them in person. For the rest of us, God would send some messengers to hand down His will, for example, angels and a talking donkey. A talking donkey, are you talking about Æsop's fables? Of course not, it is a biblical story! The king of Moab paid Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam rode his donkey towards the camps of Israelites. God sent an angel with a drawn sword in his hand to block Balaam. The angel was invisible. Balaam could not see him but the donkey could! For three times, the donkey dodged the angel and saved Balaam who, not knowing the truth, struck the donkey three times. So, the donkey started complaining and the angel appeared to Balaam. Later, instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blessed them. (Numbers 22-23)

Note that it is not necessary to argue the truthfulness of "a talking donkey", just as we don't bother to verify whether the tortoise actually had raced against the hare. We learn the moral and ignore the details of the contents. The story of Balaam tells us that God is a God who always surprises us. Thus, we need to pay attention to the accidental appearances of God when He calls us. God shall make use of people, places and events to touch us, to call us to lead an upright life, standing tall between heavens and earth.

My dear audience, God further calls you to be Christians. We were baptized into the Catholic Church to become a Catholic. Is faith alone not enough? Do we need baptism in order to be effective? Right! Baptism cleanses us of our sins (Acts 2:28, 22:16) making us clean and becomes genuine saints. Thus Christians are called to be saints (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2). When we are open to the graces of God, we have a greater opportunity to become saints. Do you remember one of the rites during baptism on Easter Vigil? The newly baptized put on a white cloth. Paul the Apostle told us, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) What's the use of putting on Christ? Don't ever think that the cloak of Elijah was magical. Putting on this cloak would make Elisha his successor full of power, like his master! Pay attention. Clark Kent does not become Superman after changing into his suit. The power has always been within him. Similarly, Christians do not put on Christ to become a christ. The power to become Christ has always been within them! Baptism cleanses us of our sins, restoring in us the original graces and the status of being children of God. Thus, putting on Christ activates the hidden graces within us to become another christ. This is the purpose of life for all Christians. Not only should they be holy, but they should also become christs. Jesus prays, we pray; Jesus heals, we heal; Jesus liberates, we forgive and liberate; Jesus evangelizes, we evangelizes etc.

The Christian community needs clergy just as a city needs civil servants. Civil servants serve the citizens to help them lead a safe and stable life and to make the city prosperous and progress. Similarly, the Church needs some civil servants, the clergy to serve the People of God and to expand the Kingdom of God and achieve the vision of "One Flock, One Shepherd" (John 10:16). Of course, not everybody is called to become priests or nuns because God has His plan. If we force ourselves to become priests and nuns, we would scandalize the Church, just like recent news! Thus, vocation needs discernment, needs prayers and needs guidance from experienced mentors. Don't be discouraged. Whatever the vocation, when we seek and respond, God shall definitely be with us. He will help us in our stations of life to manifest His bestowed graces, to be sanctified and become other christs. Today is Vocation Sunday. Let us pray for the vocation of being Christians and pray fervently for priestly vocation.
God bless!

耶穌基督是我們的護慰者 Jesus Christ is Our Advocate

復活期第三主日，乙年
主題：耶穌基督是我們的護慰者

天主的創造，樣樣都很好。（創1:4，8，10，12，18，22，25，31）那麼， 人自然會問：「魔鬼是從那裡來的呢？」
為甚麼天主的創造是好的呢？因為祂的創造是有秩序，有等級的。例如，人比動物高級，動物比植物高級，植物比死物高級等等。傳統的解釋，是天主聖父吩咐天主聖子降生成人，而不是降生成為天使，並且吩咐天使朝拜降生成人的天主子。天使與天主一樣是靈體，比人類高級。因此，部份天使不願意朝拜人類，是合理的。結果，他們出於驕傲嫉妒而變成了魔鬼，被懲罰往地獄去，真是可惜！但魔鬼並不甘心，它要人類陪葬，所以引誘原祖及其後裔犯罪，並且時時刻刻在天父面前，控訴我們。

若望寫信給他的團體，勸勉他們不要犯罪。但他明白人的軟弱，所以若望鼓勵他們即使犯了罪，決不可灰心絕望，好像猶達斯一樣。猶達斯絕望了，沒有給自己一個悔改的機會，沒有給天主一個寬赦他的機會。於是人類損失了一個「聖猶達斯」，一個「線人的主保」。相反，伯多祿痛哭悔改，捱過40個最黑暗的小時，等到耶穌基督的復活，獲得罪赦。於是教會可以由罪人所組成，並且是建築在一塊軟弱的磐石之上。我們應讚頌天主，因為祂的計劃，真是神妙莫測。

我們憑甚麼可以不灰心絕望呢？若望說：「我們在父那裡，有正義的耶穌基督作護慰者。他自己就是贖罪祭，贖我們的罪過。不但贖我們的，而且也贖全世界的罪過。」（若一2:1b-2）這裡需要一些解釋。
天主是公義的，所以人類社會也應該是公義的，但可惜人類有能力做出他賠償不起的破壞。欠債還錢加利息固然可以補償債主的損失，但血債可以血償嗎？殺人又如何填命呢？殺死一個凶手，真的能賠償死者家屬和整個社會的損失嗎？一命可以賠一命嗎？那麼，殺死成千上萬人民的暴君，要賠上萬世纔會符合公義了！雖然「殺人者死」不是最公義的做法，但為了彰顯公義，死刑始終是比較符合公義的做法。既然人沒有能力補償自己所犯的罪過，於是，天主子耶穌基督降生成人，成為贖罪祭，贖我們的罪過。

作為一個基督徒，向別人傳福音時，經常會遇到同一個困難，就是如何解釋二千年前死在十字架上的耶穌，與今天的我們有甚麼關係？的確，要現代人接受自己是罪人，是非常困難的。即使他們認識到自己是軟弱的，有不足之處的，有犯錯而傷害過別人的，我們還要費一番唇舌，解釋耶穌基督的死，如何贖全人類的罪。這些好像是超出一般教友的能力水準，是不可能做到的。請大家緊記，不要像猶達斯一樣絕望，請不要輕言放棄，請給對方一個機會，與耶穌基督建立關係，請給天主聖神工作的機會，開啟他們的明悟，明白耶穌基督的死亡和復活，如何贖全人類的罪，並且給予信徒永生！

的確，福音所記載的復活情節，處處表現出耶穌基督是如何慈悲，如何有耐性地遷就門徒的程度。對傷心的瑪利亞瑪達肋納，耶穌顯現安慰她，並派遣她作宗徒們的宗徒，向宗徒傳達耶穌基督復活的消息（若20：17）。在厄瑪烏路上的兩個門徒失望了，耶穌基督與他們同行，耐心地解釋法律和先知，有關默西亞必須受苦的預言（路24：27）；事事講究真憑實據的多默，要求親自驗證耶穌的傷痕，耶穌基督便當眾顯現，並且邀請多默伸手驗傷（若20：27）；今天的福音，記載了耶督證明往厄瑪烏的兩個門徒的證言，並且在他們面前吃烤魚，安慰那些信德不足的門徒（路24：42-43）。可見天主子耶穌基督，是何等慈悲，如何為了我們的益處而遷就我們哩。為了遷就我們，祂降生成人而不是成為天使，因為天使是不死的。可是，物質世界和人類社會，始終要求以死亡賠償罪過。而且，祂是以天主子的身份死，祂一個人的死，足以賠償古今中外，古往今來全人類的罪過！所以，兩千年前死在十字架上的耶穌基督，已經為未來千千萬萬年的人類，包括我們，還清一切罪債。惟一的要求，就是我們向祂「登記」，信靠祂，在人前承認祂是救主天主！

人啊！試問我們何德何能，天主竟然如此遷就我們，賞識我們呢？的確，雖然我們是按天主的肖像所造，但我們沒有天使的德能，沒有甚麼值得炫耀的地方。無論我們如何墮落，天父仍然珍惜自己的傑作。祇要我們回頭悔改，轉向祂，信靠祂，祂必定能使我們發揮祂賜給我們的潛能，成為祂光榮的子女。「悔改」是天主非常樂意看見的態度。正如耶穌說：「對於一個罪人悔改，在天上所有的歡樂，甚於對九十九個無須悔改的義人。」（15：7）
天主保祐！
2015年講道

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Third Easter Sunday, Year B
Theme: Jesus Christ is Our Advocate

Everything God created is good. (Genesis 1:4, 8, 10, 12, 18, 22, 25, 31) Then naturally people will ask, "Where did the Devil come from?"
Why is God's creation good? It is because God's creation is ordered. There is a hierarchy. For example, men are higher than animals. Animals are higher than plants and plants are higher than dead things etc. Traditionally, we explain the existence of the Devil in this way. The Father told the Son to incarnate, not as an angel but as a man. Furthermore, He told the angels to worship this incarnate Son of God. Angels and God are spiritual being, higher than men. Thus, it is reasonable for some angels to reject bowing to a man. Consequently, they became devils and were sent to Hell for their pride and jealousy. What a pity! Of course the Devil felt undeserved and decided to grasp hold of as many mortuary trophies as possible. Thus, the Devil tricked our first parents and their descendants to commit sins. Furthermore, the Devil accuses us all the time before the Father.

John wrote letters to his community to exhort them not to commit sins. But he understood the weaknesses of men. Thus, he encouraged them not to despair like Judas even if they fell. Judas despaired and did not give himself a chance to repent and did not give God the opportunity to forgive him. Thus, humanity loses a "St. Judas", a patron saint for informants. On the contrary, Peter wept and repented. He survived the darkest 40 plus hours and was able to persevere until the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was forgiven. Thus a Church was built upon a fragile rock which is able to embrace sinners. We should praise God for His plan is ineffable!

What enables us not to despair? John says, "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1b-2) We need some explanation.
God is righteous. Thus there must be justice in the human society. But unfortunately, men are able to destroy more than they can compensate. We can repay debts with interests to debtees. But can blood be repaid with blood? How do people repay murders? Does killing a murderer enough to repay the losses of the victim's family and the society as a whole? Is "a life for a life" fair enough? Then a tyrant who kills thousands of his subjects has to repay with thousands of his generations in order to be fair! Though death penalty is not the fairest way, in order to manifest justice, it is the second best way. Since men are unable to compensate their crimes and sins, the Son of God became a man to offer Himself as our expiation, to repay our sins.

As a Christian, we always encounter the same difficulty when we try to preach the gospel, viz., how the death of Jesus two millennia ago is related to us today. Indeed, it is extremely difficult for modern people to accept that they are sinners. Even if they realize their weaknesses, inadequacies and harms they inflict upon others, we need to spend a lot of persuasion in order to explain how the death of Jesus Christ redeems all the sins of humanity. It seems to surpass the capability of ordinary laity, to be impossible. Please bear in mind not to give up easily like Judas. Give people an opportunity to build up a relationship with Jesus Christ. Give the Holy Spirit a chance to open up their understanding how the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ redeem all the sins of humanity and give the believers eternal life!

From the Resurrection Narratives in the gospels, we see how merciful Jesus Christ was and how he patiently catered for the states of the disciples. For the sorrowful Mary Magdalene, Jesus appeared and consoled her. Then he made her the Apostle of the Apostles by sending her to announce to the Apostles his resurrection. (John 20:17) On the way to Emmaus, the two disciples were disillusioned. Jesus Christ walked with them, patiently explaining to them what the Law and Prophets had prophesized about the suffering of the Messiah. (Luke 24:27) For Thomas who wanted hard evidence, Jesus appeared to him and invited him to examine His holy wounds with his hands. (John 20:27) In the gospel passage today, Jesus appeared in order to support the testimony of the two disciples returning from Emmaus and He ate a piece of broiled fish in front of them to strengthen the disciples who lacked faith. (Luke 24:42-43) We see how merciful the Son of God Jesus Christ is, how he caters for our lowly states of life for our benefits. For our good, he incarnated not as an angel but as a man because angels are immortal. But the material world and human society demand death as a redemption. Moreover, he died in the capacity of the Son of God. His death is sufficient to redeem the sins of all humanity throughout all ages! Thus, his death on the cross two millennia ago has already wiped out all the debts of thousands of generations of humanity, including us. The only requirement is that we need to "register". We need to have faith in him, to acknowledge him to be our Saviour and our God in front of men!

Men! What good are we that God caters for our lowliness and sees our potentials? Indeed, though we were created in the image of God, we are not as capable as angels. There is nothing we can be proud of. But no matter how hard we have fallen, the Father cherishes his masterpieces. We only need to repent, to turn around and to trust in Him, He will help us manifest the potentials He has given us to become His glorious children. God loves to see this attitude of repentance in us. Just as what Jesus says, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (15:7)
God bless!

為甚麼應該每日讀經？ Why Should We Daily Study the Bible?

復活期第二主日，乙年
主題：為甚麼應該每日讀經？

耶穌基督的復活，是我們信仰的核心。
猶太教，伊斯蘭教和基督宗教，是世界性的一神宗教，大家都相信宇宙間祇有一個神明。不過，基督宗教所相信的真神是比較複雜的，是三合一的！我們怎樣得知唯一真神是「三位一體」的呢？就是憑耶穌基督的啟示。耶穌基督是何許人也？所有基督徒都相信耶穌基督是天主子降生成人，祂既是天主，又是有血有肉的人。是祂啟示給我們，天主是三位一體的。以上所說的兩點，即天主是三位一體的；耶穌基督是真人真天主，是所有稱為基督徒的人所信奉的。否則，縱使你能滾瓜爛熟地背誦聖經，你若不信奉上述兩點，你也沒有資格做基督徒。我們憑甚麼相信耶穌基督的啟示呢？就是憑祂的復活，所以我說「耶穌基督的復活是我們信仰的核心。」

在現代社會，大部份人都接受過科學的訓練，他們會要求科學鑑証。那麼，耶穌基督的復活有甚麼科學的証據留下呢？很可惜，年代久遠，當年保留下來的証據，未必符合現代人的要求。而現存的，就祇有聖經和代代相傳的見証人。讓我們先檢查聖經以外的証人，我是指教會歷代的聖人。

早期的教會歷史可以說是一部「教難史」。一方面，猶太人認為基督徒相信一個木匠是天主，所以是邪教，便要消滅基督徒。掃祿的故事，相信大家很熟悉了（宗8:1-3）。另一方面，羅馬帝國信奉多神，連凱撒也是「天神之子」。在他們眼中，不肯敬拜眾神的基督徒是無神論者，危害國家安全。在戰敗或天災人禍出現時，基督徒便成了應手的代罪羔羊！「殉道者」一辭，是「作見證」的意思。殉道者成為教會的聖人，因為他們以自己的血，為耶穌基督的復活作見證。因此，他們的証言是可信的！

二千年來，耶穌基督不離不棄地與教會同在：在聖體聖事中，在聖言之中，在祈禱和敬禮之中；並且在關鍵的時刻，顯現給特選的聖人聖女，派遣他們扶持面對挑戰的教會。例如在教父時期，出現了聖奧思定，聖亞大納削等聖人，駁斥異端，捍衛真理，清楚地解釋三位一體的道理。在中古時代，出現了聖本篤、聖方濟等聖人，生活出福音的真精神。在宗教改革時代，出現了聖女大德蘭，聖依納爵等聖人，在靈修及傳教事業上作出貢獻。到了現代，出現了加爾各答的聖德蘭修女和聖教宗若望保祿二世，向日益世俗化的世界作出強而有力的福音見証。在不同的時代，他們回應復活的主的召叫，以生命顯赫地見証耶穌基督的復活，如何幫助世人，活出更豐盛的生命。

上述的聖人，都有一個共同的特點：他們熱愛聖經，尤其是福音。作為平信徒的我們，縱使我們不是蒙召過轟轟烈烈的聖人生活，我們也可以透過讀經，與耶穌基督契合，這是多麼幸福的一回事啊！
讀經需要運用腦袋和心靈。例如，今天的宗徒大事錄，記載了耶路撒冷教會初期的生活。信徒們變買了所有的財產，把所得全部交到宗徒手裡，按各人的需要分配（宗2:45），過著最原始的共產主義生活。為甚麼今天領洗入教，沒有這個要求呢？運用腦袋，我們知道早期的信徒，相信耶穌基督升天後不久，很快會重臨。既然如此，現世的財富又有何用呢？最好的用途，就是按耶穌基督在最後晚餐時，頒布的彼此相愛的新誡命（若13:34），把財物分施給有需要的兄弟姊妹。所以，這種原始的共產主義生活便出現了。但這祇局限在耶路撒冷教會在未遭受迫害之前，後來迫害出現了，門徒向世界各地散開了。他們領會到耶穌基督，不祇是為了復興以色列國（宗1:6），而是為了拯救全人類的心意。拓展天國是一個漫長的事業，原始的共產主義生活便結束了，但拯救全人類的心靈卻開展了。
若望宗徒說得好：「凡是天主所生的，必得勝世界；得勝世界的勝利武器，就是我們的信德。」（若一5:4）我們既已領洗入教，就是天主所生的，我們便有能力拓展天國，使天國在世界出現，這就是若望所指的「得勝世界」。我們憑甚麼得勝世界，拓展天國呢？就是我們的信德，就是相信耶穌基督是三位一體的天主子。我們的信德從哪裡來呢？今天的福音說得很清楚明白：「這些所記錄的，是為叫你們信耶穌是默西亞，天主子；並使你們信的人，賴祂的名獲得生命。」（若20:31）我們的信德，是來自聖經，來自福音。

各位主內的兄弟姊妹，倘若我們的信德，祇停留在慕道班的階段，甚至嬰兒領洗的階段，我們的信德足夠得勝世界嗎？所謂「學如逆水行舟，不進則退。」讀經祈禱，就是保存信德，增進信德的不二法門。大家有理由掛著教友的名份而不讀經，不祈禱嗎？
2012年反省
天主保祐！

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Second Easter Sunday, Year B
Theme: Why Should We Daily Study the Bible?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the core of our faith.
Judaism, Islam and Christianity are global monotheistic religions. All three believe that there is only one deity in the universe. However, the deity that Christians believe in is more complicated. It is three in one! How do they know that this unique God is a Trinity? Jesus Christ reveals it to them. Who is this Jesus Christ? All Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of God. He is God clothed in flesh and blood. He reveals to us that God is triune. All who claim to be Christians believe in these two article of faith: that God is triune and Jesus Christ is both human and divine. Otherwise, even though you are able to recite the biblical passages, you are not qualified to be a Christian. Why should be believe in the revelation of Jesus Christ? It is because he came back to life after death. That is why I said earlier that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the core of our faith.

Most people have received science education in the society today. They will demand scientific evidence. Then what scientific evidence has the resurrection of Jesus Christ left behind? Unfortunately, it was a long time ago. The evidence might not meet the criteria of modern people. What we have today are the Bible and the generations of witnesses. Let us examine the extra-biblical witnesses first, I mean the saints of the Church throughout the ages.

The history of the early Church is a book of persecutions. On one hand, Jews considered Christians heretics because they believed that a carpenter was God. It was blasphemous and Christians had to be wiped out. I am sure all of you are familiar with the story of Saul (Acts 8:1-3). On the other hand, the Roman Empire worshipped many deities. Even Caesar was honoured as God's Son. In their eyes, Christians who refused to worship gods were atheists. They were treacherous to the security of the Empire. Whenever they lost battles or disasters struck, Christians became handy scapegoats! The word "martyrs" means "to bear witness". The Church honoured martyrs as saints because they bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ with their blood. Thus, their testimony is credible!

For two millennia, Jesus Christ has never abandoned the Church. He is present in the Holy Eucharist, in the Word, in our liturgy and adorations. Furthermore, during critical times, he appeared to chosen individuals and sent them to support the Church in crises. For example, during the Age of the Church Fathers, we have St. Augustine and St. Athanasius etc. rebuking heresies, defending orthodoxy and explaining the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity. During the Middle Ages, we have St. Benedict and St. Francis of Assisi etc. to live out the true spirit of the gospels. During Reformation, we have St. Teresa of Avila and St. Ignatius etc. to raise our spirituality and evangelization. In modern days, we have St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. Pope John Paul II to bear forceful witnesses to the gospel in this increasing secular world. Throughout the ages, these saints responded to the call of the risen Lord, bearing witnesses brilliantly to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and helping humanity to lead a more abundantly fruitful life.

These saints have one thing in common: they loved studying the Bible, in particular, the gospels. As laity, even if we are not called to lead a radiantly saintly life, we can still abide in Christ through studying the Bible. How blessed we are!
We need our brain and our heart to study the Bible. For example, in the first reading today, we learn the life of the Jerusalem Church in her early stage. Believers sold all they had, put the proceeds before the apostles to distribute according to each one's needs (Acts 2:45). They were practising a primitive communism. Then, why don't we need to do that when we were baptized into the Church? Using our brain, we know that early Christians believed that Jesus Christ would return soon after his Ascension. What was the best way to spend their money? The best way was to follow the new commandment of loving each other, which Jesus gave during the Last Supper (John 13:34), and gave it to the needy brethren. Thus, a primitive communistic way of life started. But that was confined to the Church of Jerusalem before persecutions began. During subsequent persecutions, believers spread throughout the world. They began to understand that Jesus did not come to restore Israel (Acts 1:6), but to save all humanity. Expanding the Kingdom of Heaven is a long endeavour. The end of primitive communism had come and the heart to redeem all humanity began.
St. John the Apostle says well, "For whoever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith." (1 John 5:4) We were baptized and thus born of God. We have the power to expand the Kingdom of Heaven, to actualize it in this world. This is what John meant by "overcomes the world". With what do we overcome the world and expand the Kingdom of Heaven? It is our faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Triune God. Where does this faith come from? The gospel today spells it out clearly, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31) Our faith comes from the Bible, from the Gospels.

Brethren, if our faith remains in the stage of catechumen or even infancy baptism, is our faith strong enough to overcome the world? It is well said, "Learning is like rowing against the current, if we make no progress, we recede." There is no better way to maintain and increase our faith than studying the Bible and praying. Do you have any reason to call yourself a Catholic but study no Bible and say no prayer?
God bless!