主題：容人之量
若望是耶穌基督最愛的門徒。自然地，我們相信若望，比其他門徒更維護耶穌。當他看見其他人以耶穌的名義驅魔的時候，若望恐怕這人的行為，可能會為耶穌帶來醜聞。所以聯同其餘的師兄弟，出面禁止這人運用耶穌的名字驅魔，然後報告給耶穌（谷9:38）。若望這樣做，雖然犯了「邀功」之嫌，但可能是出於愛主之情。不過，更大的可能性，是出於自我保護。
這事件發生在「耶穌顯聖容」之後。當時耶穌帶著三個入室弟子，上了大博爾山，把自己真身的光榮顯示給他們，免除他們對「人子必須受死」的恐懼。下山時，發現其餘的九個師兄弟，不能驅逐一個「啞吧魔鬼」（9:17），結果要耶穌親自出手，纔治好附魔的兒童。相信這事件給門徒很大的挫折，令他們失去了自信心。
這種「專利」的思想，在現代社會，比比皆是！很多門的專業，例如醫生、律師、工程師甚至神職人員，都是經過長時間的訓練和考核，纔可以執業。這些專業人士，曾付出不少的代價，纔換取到被承認的權威和當事人的信任。他們說一套祇有他們纔懂的術語，履行職務時穿一套特定的服式；他們紛紛成立專業學會，保證執業者的水準及道德操守，以保障當事人的權益。他們這樣做，無可厚非。可是，倘若我們把這種「專利」思想絕對化，壟斷了「救恩」─例如：祇有我們擁有絕對的真理，其他人說的都是歪理；祇有加入我們的團體纔可以上天堂，我們的團體之外沒有救贖等等─便會產生毛病。若望已呈現了這種絕對化的思想，所以耶穌基督糾正若望說：「因為誰不反對我們，就是傾向我們。」（9:40）所謂「條條大路通羅馬，殊途同歸」。雖然我們已掌握了得救的真理，但並不表示其他人的方法無效。雖然教會是「天主之城」，比世上任何政制更完美，但是，我們不竟祇是「天主的子民」，在世途上，與世人一起甘苦與共；「我們這時代的人們，尤其貧困者和遭受折磨者，所有喜樂與期望、愁苦與焦慮，亦是基督信徒的喜樂與期望、愁苦和焦慮。」（【《論教會在現代世界》牧職憲章】#1）祇要他們的道理，與耶穌基督的道理，沒有矛盾，他們的道理，總有得救真理的成份。所以，讓他們發展，犯不著禁止他們。終有一天，他們會接近真理！倘若他們的言行，懷有野心，剝削弱小，我們纔作出回應。請注意，耶穌基督沒有授權我們去禁止別人的自私和野心！
耶穌這輕描淡寫的一句，傳到門徒的耳朵裡，令他們不知所措。因為依照耶穌的教訓去做，是相當冒險的！試想想，身負責任的人，帶領手下去完成任務的人，豈容有失！他們總希望對外能口徑一致，對內就自然會加強對上級的效忠！在現代強調個人自由和權利的今天，要求對上司完全的效忠，談何容易！耶穌基督當然明白我們的心魔，所以祂強調「我的軛是柔和的，我的擔子是輕鬆的。」（瑪11:30）「誰不反對我們，就是傾向我們。」（谷9:40）耶穌基督何曾要求我們履行任務時，祇許成功，不許失敗呢？若以世人的標準量度，祂自己也不見得是個成功人士。「不容有失」是我們自已額外加在自己肩上的軛而已！耶穌基督何曾要求我們剷除異端邪說呢？祂自己的教訓，在當代猶太經師眼中，何嘗不是顛覆當代建制的言論嗎？「宗教裁判」是一些人用來剷除異者的工具，結果帶給教會沉重的內咎！的確，都是我們額外附加的擔子，何其沉重！
我們沒有熱衷於耶穌基督「彼此相愛」的誡命（若13:34），反而熱衷於捍衛自己的「專利」。我們沒有彼此告罪，彼此祈禱（雅5:16），反而彼此內訌指摘，試圖壟斷得救的途徑。我們都把焦點放錯了！
從前，耶穌派遣他們兩個兩個外出傳福音時，曾賜給他們驅魔的權柄（6:7）。現在，竟然有人─相信他是沒有得到耶穌授權的，「因為他不跟從我們」（9:38b）─在沒有耶穌的授權之下，以耶穌的名字驅魔。倘若縱容他，不用跟從耶穌，也可以用祂的名字驅魔，那麼，我們放棄一切來跟隨耶穌基督，還有甚麼價值？所以，你不是我們少林派的人，就不許用我們的少林功夫！
請不要灰心喪志，我們祇不過犯了若望的毛病！讓我們一起祈求耶穌基督，賜我們聖神，好能體會祂那寬宏的心意，擁抱罪人的大愛。亞孟！
天主保祐！
Twenty Sixth Ordinary Sunday, Year B
Theme: Tolerance
John is the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ. Naturally, we believe that he is more anxious to defend Jesus than the others. When he saw somebody exorcize in the name of Jesus, John worried that the behaviour of that person might scandalize Jesus. Thus, he joined hand with the other disciples to forbid that person from exorcizing in the name of Jesus. Then he reported to Jesus (Mark 9:38). Although John had made a mistake of taking credit for this action, he probably did it out of loving Christ. However, it was more likely that he did it out of self-protection.
This incident took place after the Transfiguration. Jesus brought the core of the apostles up Mount Tabot to reveal the glory of his divinity so as to dispel their fear of the inevitable death of the Son of Man. When they went down the mountain, they found that the remaining apostles were unable to drive out a deaf and mute spirit (9:17). Eventually, Jesus had to take the exorcism into his hand to heal the young boy. This incident must have inflicted great frustrations upon the disciples. They had lost their self-confidence.
This kind of "patent" mind-set is pervasive in modern society. Many professionals, such as physicians, lawyers, engineers and even clergy, have to undergo long period of trainings and assessments before they may practise. These professionals have paid tremendous price in exchange for recognized authority and trust from clients. They speak jargons which they alone can understand. They put on special vestments when they discharge their service. They set up guilds to guarantee the proficiency and moral standard of their practitioners. What they do is unobjectionable. However, problems arise when they absolutize this "patent" idea to monopolize "salvation", for example, we alone possess the absolute truth, whatever the others say is bullshit; only by joining our group can you go to heaven, outside our group there is no salvation etc. John was showing such a symptom. Thus, Jesus correcting John, says, "For whoever is not against us is for us." (9:40) "All roads lead to Rome". Although we have mastered the salvific truth, it doesn't invalidate other people's ways. Although the Church is the "City of God", better than any other political institutions in the world, after all, we are only "the People of God". We share the same destiny with humanity. "The joys and hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ." (GS #1) As long as there is no contradiction between their ways and the teachings of Jesus Christ, there must be some truth in their ways. Thus, allow them to develop and do not forbid them. One day, they will be able to approximate the truth. If their words and deeds are ambitious and exploit the underprivileged, we should respond. Pay attention. Jesus does not authorize us to forbid others from being selfish and ambitious!
A simple statement by Jesus makes life difficult for his disciples! It is too risky to follow Jesus' teaching! Just think about it, how can people in responsibility, people leading subordinates to accomplish a task afford to fail? They always want a united front and thus demand loyal! Total loyal is more easily demanded than done in modern society when personal freedom and rights are the norms. Of course Jesus understands our obsession. Thus he emphasizes, "My yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11:30) "For whoever is not against us is for us." (Mark 9:40) When did Jesus Christ demand that we were not allowed to fail in our missions? According to secular standards, Jesus himself is not quite successful. "No Failure Is Permitted" is only an extra burden we put on our shoulders! And when did Jesus tell us to root out heresies? In the eyes of contemporary Jewish scribes, weren't Jesus' teachings subversive to the establishment? For some, the Holy Inquisition was an instrument to root out dissidents. Subsequently, it puts a difficult yoke of guilt on the Church! Indeed, all these are extra burdens. How heavy they are!
We are not enthusiastic with Jesus' commandment to love one another (John 13:34). Instead we are enthusiastic to defend our "patent". We do not "confess your sins to one another and pray for one anther" (James 5:16). Instead, we accuse each other and try to monopoly salvation. We have put our focus in the wrong places!
At first, when Jesus sent them out two by two to proclaim the gospel, he gave them authority over the demons (6:7). Now, somebody could --- I believe Jesus had not authorized this "somebody" to perform exorcism in his name, "because he does not follow us" (9:38b) --- exorcize in Jesus' name without his authorization. If the apostles turned a blind eye to such behaviour, then what's the point of giving up everything to follow Jesus Christ? Thus, since you are not a Shaolin monk, you should not use Shaolin kungfu!
Don't be discouraged, we are only making John's mistake! Let us pray to Jesus Christ to grant us the Holy Spirit so that our hearts may beat as His tolerant heart and embrace sinners with love. Amen!
God bless!
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