（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。
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.
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