敬畏天主 Fear of God

敬畏天主（路12:1-7）

古時的人，遇到颱風、水災、地震、海潚、火山爆發等天然災難，還懂得恐懼，懂得求神拜佛。現代人因著科技的發達，控制大自然，運用大自然的力量，替自己創造更舒適，更方便的生活，已漸漸失去了「恐懼」的感覺。

「恐懼」是人類與生俱來的基本情緒，它幫助我們生存下去。我們之所以能生存到今天，因為我們生活有森林裡的祖先，見到毒蛇猛獸，產生恐懼的情緒，逃跑了，保存了性命。他們的基因可以流傳給下一代，幫助他們繼續繁殖。那些沒有恐懼，沒有危機意識的，都給猛獸吃掉了，他們的基因被淘汰了！在科技發達的今天，我們變得天不怕，地不怕，失去了健康的「害怕」。恐怕人類會不知不覺地步入絕種的陷阱，最後被毫無偏袒的大自然所淘汰！且看，我們為了自己的舒適方便，不停地污染環境。我們開始自食其果，遭受超級颱風的破壞，和吃滿是納米塑膠的海產！

今天，耶穌告訴我們不要害怕那些殺害肉身，然後不能有所作為的人（路12:4）。祂是指那些因為各種理由，迫害屠殺基督信徒的政權或個別有權勢的人。這些人正在製造殉道者，在送基督徒上天堂。因此，基督徒不需要害怕他們，反而要多謝那些迫害屠殺他們的人！

反而，耶穌告訴我們要害怕那有權，把死後的人投入地獄的那一位。（12:5）這一位是誰？是魔鬼嗎？還是天主呢？是天主！魔鬼祇可以引誘人，運用自由的意志，選擇犯罪，招致天主的懲罰。倘若魔鬼出手太強，控制了人的意志，人便不需要為自己所犯的罪，負上任何道德上的責任。至於是否應該受罰，甚至落地獄，仍是未知之數！因為最後的決定權，保留在天主手裡。所以直到今天，教會祇宣佈那些人是聖人，但不會宣佈誰在地獄裡，連出賣耶穌的猶達斯，教會也不敢宣稱他在地獄。因為這是天主的權力，教會不敢，亦不想僭越天主的權力！

各位兄弟姊妹，「敬畏天主」是聖神七恩之一，是有理由的。耶穌基督讓我們認識了天主的慈愛，我們可能忘記了，天主令人敬畏之處！今天的福音，告訴我們天主固然愛我們，連我們的頭髮也數過（12:7）。但同時，「敬畏天主」是重要的。「敬畏天主」讓我們認識到自己的渺小，承認祇有天主纔是生命的主宰。「敬畏天主」約束我們不作犯法犯罪的事，做人處世要謙遜。所以，舊約聖經重複地說：「敬畏天主是智慧的肇基。」（詠111:10；箴1:7，10:9）。
讓我們開放心靈，接受聖神的恩寵，活出「敬畏上主」的謙卑態度。
天主保祐！

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Fear of God (Luke 12:1-7)

In ancient times, natural disasters such as typhoons, deluges, earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic eruptions etc. would evoke fear among humans. They would turn to deities. Thanks to technologies that control and harness energies from the nature, modern people are able to create comfortable and convenient lives so much so that they have gradually lost fear.

Fear is an inborn emotion which helps us survive. We are alive today because fear aroused when our jungle-living ancestors saw poisonous snakes or predators. They took flight and lived to pass on their genes. Those without fear or a sense of crisis were eaten by wild animals and their genes were eliminated! Living in technologically advanced societies today, human beings have become fearless. They have lost a healthy dose of fear. I am afraid they have unknowingly trapped themselves into extinction and would be eliminated by the indifferent Mother Nature. Look at how we are eating the fruits of our contamination of the environment for our own comfort and convenience. We are battered by super typhoons and are eating sea foods saturated with nano-plastics.

Today, Jesus tells us "not to be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more." (Luke 12:4) They are governments or powerful people who persecute and butcher Christians for various reasons. These people are making martyrs and sending them to heaven. Thus, Christians do not need to fear them. Instead, Christians should thank them for persecutions and killings!

Instead, Jesus tells us to "be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna." (12:5) Who is this? Satan? Or God? Of course it is God! Satan is able to seduce men to make use of their free will to choose sin and invoke God's wrath. If Satan is too eager and take control over the will of a person, that person shall have no moral responsibility of the sins he commits. Whether this person should be punished or sent to hell is unknown! God has the final decision. That is why up till today, the Church only canonizes and has never declared who goes to hell, not even Judas the traitor. Since it is God's authority. The Church dares not and will not usurp God's authority!

Brethren, it is meaningful that "Fear of God" is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ has shown us the mercy of God so much so that we probably have forgotten the awe and fear due God! The gospel passage today tells us how God loves us so much so that "even the hairs of your head have all been counted." (12:7) But at the same time, fear of God is also important. Fear of God allows us to know how negligible we are and to acknowledge that God alone is the Author of Life. Fear of God restrains us from committing sins and crimes, makes us humble. Thus, the Old Testament repeats many times that "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7, 10:9)
Let us open up our hearts and receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. Let us live up the humble attitude of fear of God.
God bless!

我輸了給時間 I Lost My Race Against Time

我輸了給時間（路10:1-9）

相信大家有看過颱風後的新聞，看到很多樹木倒塌了，道路鐵路交通癱瘓了，還有很多水浸的報告。大家又有沒有留意到，新界農民的損失如何呢？他們的農作物還未完全成熟，未到收割時期。結果幾個月來的功夫，全部淹沒在水下，化為烏有！可以想像，倘若不去收割已成熟的莊稼，任由它們停留在田野間，會有甚麼後果？它們會招來趕之不盡的飛鳥和蝗蟲，把農民的心血吃光，即使避過蝗禍餘下的，亦會掉在地上，很快便會腐爛。因此，不及時收割，實在浪費！所以，耶穌對那七十二個門徒說：「莊稼多而工人少，所以你們應當求莊稼的主人，派遣工人來，收割祂的莊稼。」（路10:2）

可惜現代人生活在工業社會，與大自然和農業脫節，完全感受不到收割的迫切性。原來收割，是去搶救那些莊稼，免得它們被飛鳥害蟲所食，或者腐爛在地。同樣道理，傳福音，使其他人得到天主的解放，得到天主的救贖，也是一項與時間，與魔鬼競賽的任務！天主教徒素來依賴神職人員的牧養，變得很被動。傳福音，尋找亡羊，加入教會，變成了神職人員的責任。教友普遍認為祇要為聖召祈禱，為福傳祈禱便足夠了！這是一個很嚴重的問題。我們願意將來，與自己心愛的人，天堂地獄相隔嗎（16:26）？祇為我們心愛的人祈禱，便可以使他們信耶穌嗎？倘若我們說愛他們，但對他們未來永恆的生命，沒有付出半點努力，我們的愛是真的嗎？

我們用不著成為聖經學者，神學家或者傳教士。就像今天所慶祝的聖人路加，他信主前是一個醫生，信主後仍然是一個醫生。相信他曾在聖母的晚年，照顧聖母的健康，所以他能得到很多一手資料，編寫【路加福音】。聖路加並不是甚麼學者或者神學家，他依然以他的專業，服務病人。祇不過他從新定位，以福音的精神行事。他所編寫的福音，處處流露出「山中聖訓、真福八端」的精神。福音中，貧窮的人、溫良的人可以發言，慈善的撒瑪黎雅人和浪子的故事，道出慈悲的真義。路加更編寫了【宗徒大事錄】，說出渴慕天主救贖的人，尋求人類的和平合一，不畏強權的迫害，如何喜樂地活出恩寵生活的喜樂。聖路加以他的醫術，以他的言行，與人分享得救的喜樂。在他的時代，路加醫生算是個有學識的人。他所寫的福音，不但文筆優美，更是一本充滿祈禱的福音：聖母經、匝加利亞讚歌、聖母讚主曲、光榮頌等等，藉路加之筆，留傳後世。可見聖路加是一個祈禱的人，在祈禱中，尋求天主的旨意。

各位兄弟姊妹，路加醫生做得到的，你和我也可以做得到。
讓我們向聖路加學習，多閱讀他所寫的，充滿慈悲和祈禱的福音，並以福音的教訓，作為生活的指導，熱愛耶穌，樂意事奉耶穌，勸人信耶穌。
天主保祐！

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I Lost My Race Against Time (Luke 10:1-9)

We have all watched post-typhoon news and have seen many fallen trees and how all the land bound traffic have come to a halt. There were also reports of floodings. But do you know how much loss farmers in the New Territories have suffered? It was not yet harvest time but all the produces were submerged and destroyed under water! Let us imagine what would happen if we allow the harvest to stay in the field? Swarms of birds and locusts would come to eat up all the produces and efforts of farmers. Those dropped to the ground would rot. What a waste if we don't reap the harvest in time! Thus, Jesus told the seventy two disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers for his harvest." (Luke 10:2)

Unfortunately, modern people live in industrial societies and have lost touch with nature and agriculture. They do not feel the urgency of reaping the harvest. Reaping is to save the harvest from birds, locusts and rotting. In a similar manner, evangelization which helps people attain God's liberation and redemption is also a race against time, a competition against Satan! Catholics used to relying on the pastoring of the clergy. They have become passive. Evangelization has become the responsibility of the clergy. The laity think that it is enough to pray for vocation and pray for evangelization! It is a serious issue. Do we want to see our beloved ones separated on the other side of the abyss (16:26) Can we make our beloved ones believe in Jesus simply by prayers? If we really love them but do not work for their eternal life, is our love genuine?

We don't have to become a biblical scholar, a theologian or a missionary. Just like St. Luke whose feast we celebrate today, he had been a physician before he was converted and was still a physician after his conversion. We believe that he took care of the health of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her advanced age. Thus, St. Luke was able to write his gospel with a lot of first-hand information. St. Luke was no scholar nor theologian. He was still a physician taking care of his patients. But he repositioned himself, serving his patients with the spirit of the gospel. In his gospel, we find beatitudes everywhere. There, the poor and the meek were given voice. The Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son spell out the true meaning of mercy. St. Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, depicting how those who hungered and thirsted for God's salvation sought peace and unity among people, how they were not deterred by persecutions and led a life of grace in joy. St. Luke shared the joy of salvation with his medical skills, his words and deeds. During his times, Luke the physician was a learned man. Not only is his writing style elegant, but his gospel is also prayerful: Ave Maria, Benedictus, Magnificat and Gloria etc. are preserved and handed down to future generations. St. Luke is truly a prayerful man. In his prayers, he sought God's will.

Brethren, if Luke the physician could do it, you and me can.
Let us learn from St. Luke. Read his corpus which is full of mercy and prayers. Let his teachings guide our life to love Jesus, to be happy to serve Jesus and to persuade others to believe in Jesus.
God bless!

天主的公義 The Righteousness of God

天主的公義（路11:42-46）

昨天我們粗略看過法利塞人的歷史，和他們因為著重法律條文而走火入魔，結果與耶穌基督為敵。法利塞人是一個本土派的政黨，旨在保存猶太人是天主選民的身份。他們愛自己的民族，反對當時羅馬帝國的殖民統治。
「禍哉」一詞，不是詛咒，而是嚴厲的譴責。意思是「倘若仍然冥頑不靈，後果自負。」路加福音記載了耶穌基督，對法利塞人的三個譴責。雖然是譴責，但當中卻是耶穌基督對他們悔改的期望。所謂「愛之深，責之切」。法利塞人始終都是猶太人中的精英嘛！

1. 他們遵守「十一奉獻」的法律，卻忽略了公義及愛天主的義務（路11:42）。
   注意，耶穌提及法利塞人在「十一奉獻」中，最細微的部份，是最能表現虔誠的奉獻。『看，連細微到菜蔬、茴香和薄荷的十分一，我們都記得拿來奉獻。我們的虔誠是多麼徹底！』當你把眼光注意在「芝蔴綠豆」的瑣碎事的時候，就容易忽略了重要的事，即耶穌所說的公義及愛天主的義務。
   天主的「公義」與人的「公義」不同。人的「公義」通常是指公平，半斤八兩，多勞多得和以牙還牙等等。但天主的「公義」是指每個人，每個天主的肖像，都能夠完滿地發揮到天主創造他們時的願望。倘若他們受到欺詐剝削，未能發展所長，天主會拯救他們，造就他們。所以，天主的「公義」與天主的「拯救」經常等同起來。法利塞人忽略了公義，是指他們沒有造就其他人，幫助其他人發展，發揮潛質，祇顧滿足自己的虛榮。
   大家可否記得亞當的兩個兒子：加音和亞伯爾嗎？天主沒有悅納加音的奉獻，加音可能是第一個法利塞人，奉獻了薄荷、茴香及各種菜蔬的十分之一！結果加音忘記了護守弟弟的責任，反而老羞成怒，殺死了自己的弟弟亞伯爾。後世的法利塞人，何嘗不是因為忘記了天主的公義，忘記了愛天主的責任，老羞成怒，參與謀害耶穌的行動嗎？
2. 他們貪慕虛榮，愛受人稱讚和尊敬。（11:43）
   其實，渴望別人的肯定、尊敬，真是一個缺乏自信心的可憐蟲。可憐，是因為他們倚賴別人的肯定和尊敬，來填滿內心的空虛，一直受著別人的控制，不能作為自我的主宰！他們忘記了自身擁有天主肖像的尊貴，而不斷追求別人的讚賞，來填滿內心的缺陷，的確可憐！應當把一切榮譽歸於天主，作為天主肖像的我們，也不會蒙羞吧！
3. 他們內裡腐爛，有如不顯露的墳墓。（11:44）
   福音的其他地方，記載了法利塞人不但貪慕虛榮，更因貪婪而選擇侵吞寡婦的財產。孤兒寡婦在古代社會，是最不受保障的人物。亡者的家人，常把寡婦當作外人，謀奪她應得的遺產。那些貪心的法利塞人，濫用法律知識，並沒有替寡婦主持公道，卻助紂為虐，爭奪遺產，分一杯羹！所以耶穌這樣嚴厲地譴責他們。

福音提及的法學士，是一個專業，和今天的律師、法律系講師等相似。他們可以加入法利塞黨，成為黨員，建立人際網絡，多做生意。今天福音中提及的法學士，說不定已加入了法利塞黨，且看他在耶穌譴責法利塞人，便提出抗議，恐怕他與法利塞人，是狼狽為奸之流。因而引發了耶穌的第四個譴責。他們祇說不做！

各位兄弟姊妹，請緊記耶穌基督的譴責，不要犯法利塞人的毛病，最後泥足深陷，參與了謀害耶穌基督的行列。
天主保祐！

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The Righteousness of God (Luke 11:42-46)

Yesterday, we briefly looked at the history of the Pharisees and how they fell from grace and became enemies of Jesus because they focused too much on the letters of the law. They were a party of localists to preserve the identity of the Chosen People of God. They loved their people and opposed the colonial rule of the Roman Empire.
"Woe to thee" is not a curse but a harsh warning. It means "If you refuse to repent, the consequences are grave." Today, we read of three such warnings. Although they were warnings, they showed how much Jesus expected the Pharisees to repent. The warnings were harsh because Jesus loved them much. After all, the Pharisees were Jewish elites!

1. The Pharisees tithed but ignored judgment and love for God. (Luke 11:42) Notice that Jesus mentioned the tithe which the Pharisees paid: mint, rue and every garden herb. The Pharisees showed off their piety because they paid attention to details. Nothing trivial could escape their eyes. However, when you pay attention to trivial details, it will be easy for you to miss important things, that is the judgment and love for God Jesus mentioned.
   God's righteousness is not the same as human justice. Human justice usually means equality, fairness, reward according to efforts and a tooth for a tooth etc. But God's righteousness means God wants to see every person, who was created in God's image, have the opportunity to develop fully all the potentials God intented during his creation. If a person is cheated and exploited so that his potentials cannot be actualized, God shall deliver and edify. Therefore, God's righteousness is usally equated with God's salvation. When the Pharisees ignored judgment, it means they did not edify and help others develop their talents. They only cared about their own vanity.
   Do you still remember the two sons of Adam, Cain and Abel? God did not look with favour Cain's offering. Perhaps Cain was the first Pharisee that tithed mint, rue and garden herbs! Consequently, Cain ignored his duty towards his brother. On the contrary, he killed Abel out of fury. What about the Pharisees in the future? Didn't they ignore judgment and love for God, and consequently participated in the plot to kill Jesus out of jealousy?
2. Out of vanity, they loved being praised and respected. (11:43)
   In fact, how pitiful and diffident it is for someone to desire recognition and respect from others. Pitiful because they rely on others' recognition and respect to fill up an inner void. They are controlled by others and there is no self-sovereignty! It is pitiful that they forget the dignity they have as images of God but instead seek others' praises to satisfy an inner deficiency! Rather, they should give all honour and praises to God. As images of God, we shall not be in shame!
3. They rot from within like unseen graves. (11:44)
   The gospels also mention elsewhere that not only did the Pharisees loved vanity, but they also devoured houses of widows out of greed. Orphans and widows were the least protected people in ancient societies. The relatives of a deceased usually treated the widow as an outsider and tried to take away the inheritance due her. Those greedy Pharisees abused their expertise in law, instead of defending the interests of the widow, joined the relatives to rob the widow and shared the spoils! That is why Jesus reprimanded them that harshly.

The gospel mentions "a scholar of the law" which was a profession like lawyers or law professors today. They might join the Pharisees party to build up networks to do more business. The legal scholar might have joined the Pharisees. He protested when Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees. Probably they ganged together to do evil. This protest made Jesus deliver the fourth warning: They did not practise what they preached!

Brethren, let us keep in mind Jesus' warnings. Do not make the mistakes of Pharisees and consequently join the company that kill Jesus.
God bless!

法利塞人是怎樣煉成的 The Genesis of the Pharisees

法利塞人是怎樣煉成的（路11:37-41）

因為福音所記載的事蹟，後世的人更把「法利塞人」用作「偽善」的代名詞。
讓我們回顧法利塞人的來歷，看他們如何變得「偽善」，作為前車之鑒，不要重蹈覆轍。

達味是以色列國的第二任君王，到他手上，以色列的十二支派纔算統一成為一個王國。傳位到第三代國君，撒羅滿，是以色列國的全盛時期。可惜撒羅滿死後，以色列國分裂為兩個國家。在北部的十個支派所組成的王國，沿用以色列的名稱。南部由餘下的兩個支派──猶大和本雅明──所組成，順理成章，以強大的猶大支派命名。公元前721年，北方的以色列國，被亞述帝國所滅，人民流徙充軍到亞述，與當地人通婚。從此，純種的以色列十個支派，便在人類歷史中消失了。公元前586年，南方的猶大國被巴比倫帝國所滅，聖殿被焚，人民流徙充軍到巴比倫。前車可鑒，他們不但拒絕與外族通婚，部份有識之士，更搜集民間及宮廷文獻，編纂出自己的民族歷史、法律和習俗，希望保持自己是「天主選民」的身份和命運。因為沒有了聖殿，沒有了祭獻，他們便建築了「會堂」，作為聚會之用。在那裡，他們讀經、祈禱、守安息日和教導下一代遵守梅瑟的法律。就在那時，他們組織起來，成立了「法利塞黨」，意思是「與外族隔絕」。所以，法利塞人的起源，是為了保存民族身份，保存「天主選民」的希望，是一個非常高尚遠大的目標。

五十年後，波斯帝國滅了巴比倫帝國，波斯王居魯士解放猶大國民回國，重建聖殿。從那時起，有系統的猶太教正式成立。猶大國不再存在，祇成為各個帝國，包括波斯帝國、希臘帝國和羅馬帝國的一個省。因為信奉猶太教，從此被稱為猶太人。
那些法利塞人，在長期的殖民統治之下，他們更覺得自己的任務重大，更加注重遵守法律的細節和條文，正如第一篇讀經所說：「他們靠法律尋求成義。」（迦5:4）以為遵守梅瑟的法律，在天主面前便無可指摘。漸漸地，他們忘記了梅瑟法律的精神所在。並且，以「道德警察」自居，以自己的行為，作為道德的標準，在人前眩耀自己的虔誠，來指責其他人不及他們道德上的高尚！

當耶穌基督在會堂施教時，以赦罪、驅魔和治病，解放受罪惡所奴役的人民時，大受群眾的歡迎。而且，耶穌基督以天主子的權威來教訓，指出梅瑟法律的精神。因此，法利塞人的偽善被揭露了。他們老羞成怒，反對耶穌。最後與其他宗教權貴聯手，謀害耶穌，借羅馬總督比拉多的手，殺死耶穌基督。

各位兄弟姊妹，法利塞人的偽善，提醒我們不可祇注重外表，不應該以自己的虔誠作為尺度，輕視其他人；更重要的是內在的檢視，捨棄世俗的手段，例如搬弄明非，恃強凌弱；捨棄追求世俗上的成功，例如財富、健康、青春美麗和權勢等。作為天主的子民，我們應該追求改善與天主的關係。有關法利塞人的毛病，明天繼續說。
天主保祐！

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The Genesis of the Pharisees (Luke 11:37-41)

Because of the stories in the gospels, "Pharisees" has become a synonym of "hypocrites". Let us take a look at the evolution of Pharisees and understand how they had become hypocritical so that we won't make the same mistakes again.

David, the second king of the Israel kingdom, was able to unite the twelve tribes to form a kingdom. During King Solomon's reign, the kingdom ascended to her zenith. Regrettably, after the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided into two. The northern kingdom, comprising ten tribes, retained the name Israel while the southern one took the name of the stronger tribe and was called Judah. In 721 B.C., Israel was conquered by the Assyrian Empire. The Israelites were exiled and intermarriages wiped them out of human history. In 586 B.C., Judah was conquered by the Babylonian Empire. The Temple was burnt down and the people were exiled. Learning from the fate of the north, the people said no to intermarriages. Some learned people began to collect documents from the court and the commoners to compile their own history, laws and customs. They wanted to preserve their identity and fate as the "Chosen People of God". Since the Temple was no more, there were no holocausts. So, they built synagogues instead. There they studied the Scriptures, prayed, kept the Sabbath and taught the younger generation the Mosaic laws. At that time, they came together as a religious party and called themselves "Pharisees", meaning "Separated". Thus, the origin of the Pharisees was a noble cause to preserve the national identity and the hope of God's Chosen People.

Five decades later, the Persians conquered the Babylonians. King Cyrus sent the people of Judah home to rebuild their Temple. From then, a systematic Judaism was officially established. The Judah kingdom was no more but a province of different empires, including the Persian, Greek and Roman. Since they believed in Judaism, they were called Jews. Under alien sovereignty for a long period of time, the Pharisees felt that their mission was even more crucial. They focussed more on the details and letters of the law. Just as what the first reading says, "They are trying to be justified by law." (Galatians 5:4) They thought that by observing the Mosaic laws, they would become blameless before God. Gradually, they forgot the spirit of the law. Moreover, they became "morality police". They measured the morality of other people by their own behaviours. They showed off their piety and despised others not as pious as they were!

When Jesus began teaching in the synagogues, he liberated people from the bondage of sin with forgiveness, exorcism and healings. Jesus was popular. Moreover, he taught with the authority of the Son of God and showed people the spirit of Mosaic law. Thus, Jesus Christ revealed the hypocricy of the Pharisees who became furious and opposed Jesus. Consequently, they joined hand with other religious authority to plot against Jesus. They manipulated Pilate to kill Jesus.

Brethren, the hypocricy of the Pharisees reminds us not to focus only on the outward signs. We should not measure and despise other by our own piety. More significantly, we should examine our interiority and abandon worldly tricks, such as gossipping and bullying. We shoud abandon worldly successes, such as weath, health, youthfulness, beauty and authority etc. As the People of God, we should focus on improving our relationship with God. More on the problems of Pharisees tomorrow.
God bless!

我們是天主慈愛的標記 We are Signs of God's Mercy

我們是天主慈愛的標記（路11:29-32）

大家知道約納是甚麼人嗎？他是一位先知，一位天主的代言人，天主派遣他到尼尼微城宣講悔改。尼尼微城是亞述帝國的首都。亞述帝國征服了以色列國，把十個支派流徙充軍，從人類的歷史裡抹掉了。國仇家恨，使約納對尼尼微人沒有好感。天主也認為亞述帝國做得過份了，後來亦讓巴比倫帝國，征服了他們。不過，在這事發生之前，天主給尼尼微人一個悔改的機會，所以派約納先知去宣告悔改的機會。約納先知心有不甘，不願意接受差遣。結果，天主要派一條大魚（可能是一艘潛艇），吞下約納。約納在魚腹內三日三夜後，大魚吐他出來時，已到達了尼尼微城！尼尼微人聽從約納的宣講，竟然守齋悔改，免除了天主暫時的懲罰。

在今天的福音裡，耶穌基督稱約納為「尼尼微人的徵兆」，而耶穌基督自己是「這一世代的微兆」（路11:30）。「徵兆」是一個記號。例如「紅燈」代表停，「綠燈」代表通行。樹立了國旗的地方，代表行使這個國家的法律。「彎月」代表伊斯蘭宗教，「十字架」代表對耶穌基督的信仰，代表天主的臨在。
我們領洗入教做天主教徒，我們便成為了天主對蝴蝶邨慈愛的徵兆。天主對善良的人是慈愛的，同時對邪惡的人，也是慈愛的。因為人是按天主的肖像所造，本來是好的。可惜人生活在一個被罪惡所污染了的世界裡，有些人變壞了。但天主並沒有放棄作惡的人，反而想辦法醫治他們，拯救他們。於是，天主聖父決定派遣聖子降生成為耶穌基督，為所有聖人的罪過和罪人的罪過，釘死在十字架上。所以，我們領受了耶穌基督的聖體聖事，與基督一起生活，我們便成了天主慈愛的徵兆，慈愛的標記，在蝴蝶邨，在我們的生活和工作中，在所接觸到的所有人面前，顯示天主的慈愛。

不要害怕困難，天主不須要鋒利的兵器，或者地動山搖的神蹟，來完成祂的計劃。天主要求我們謙卑，與祂合作就足夠了。今天教會紀念的聖女大德蘭，雖然她體弱多病，但並不妨礙她成為了教會的聖師，靈修的表表者！謙卑正是靈修的不二法門。讓我們向聖女大德蘭祈禱，請她協助我們，為傳福音而扎根的靈修功夫，向天父轉禱，使我們在靈修上得以長進。
天主保祐！

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We are Signs of God's Mercy (Luke 11:29-32)

Do you know who Jonah was? He was a prophet, a spokesman of God who sent him to Nineveh to proclaim repentance. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire which had conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, exiled her ten tribes and wiped them off from human history. Jonah did not have any good feelings towards Nineveh because of this national animosity. God also thought that the Assyrians had overdone and later allowed the Babylonian Empire to conquer them. But before that, God gave the Ninevites an opportunity to repent. So, God sent Jonah to proclaim this opportunity of repentance. Jonah was upset about it and reluctant to accept this mission. Consequently, God sent a big fish (probably a submarine) to swallow Jonah. After spending three days and three nights inside the belly of the big fish, Jonah was spat out by the fish, landing him in Nineveh! The Ninevites believed in Jonah, fast and repented, thus averting temporarily God's wrath.

In the gospel reading today, Jesus called Jonah "a sign to the Ninevites" (Luke 11:30). A sign represents something. For example, red lights signal "stop" and green "go". Where a national flag is hoisted, the laws of that nation apply there. A crescent moon represents Islam while a cross Christianity and the presence of God.
We were baptized Catholics. We are signs of God's mercy in the Butterfly Estate. God is merciful to the righteous as well as to the evil. It is because men were created in the image of God. They were good but some of them become bad because they have been living in a world contaminated by sins. But God does not abandon those who do evil. He wants to heal them and deliver them. Thus the Father sent the Son to incarnate and became Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of saints and sinners alike. Thus, we receive the Holy Communion and live with Christ. We have become signs of God's mercy in the Butterfly Estate, in our life and in our work. We should manifest God's mercy before the people we meet.

Don't be afraid of difficulties. God does not need powerful weapons or ground shaking miracles to accomplish His plan. God wants us to be humble and to cooperate with Him. That is enough. Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus. Although she was physically fragile, that did not prevent her from becoming a Doctor of the Church, an outstanding leading light on spirituality. Humility is the only way to spirituality. Let us pray to St. Teresa, ask her to intercede for our growth in spirituality, laying the foundation for evangelization before the Father.
God bless!

How to Love God? 怎樣愛天主？

Twenty Eighth Ordinary Sunday, Year B
Theme: How to Love God?

The gospel message today is extremely important for all of us. What the rich man asked Jesus is also what all of us want to know. Deep down at the bottom of all of our hearts, there is some emptiness. There are needs which we cannot meet in this life. Yes, all of us desire eternal life. Do not dismiss the question the rich man asked and say that he was unrealistic. No! His question is totally legitimate and far-sighted. Without a future, what's the point of working hard in this life?

I am sure all of you are familiar with the Ten Commandments. Now, let us take a look at what commandments Jesus asked the rich man to keep in order to inherit eternal life: do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud and honour our parents etc. (Mark 10:19) Something is missing, right? What is missing? Yes, the first three commandments which spell out our duties towards God: that we shall have no other gods but Yahweh, that we shall not invoke the name of Yahweh in vain and keep the Sabbath day holy. (Exodus 20:3-11) How can we inherit eternal life without observing these three commandments towards God, without a good relationship with God? It is impossible! Did Jesus forget anything?

Of course Jesus did not forget. The commandments he mentioned are the minimum requirements each human being must fulfil, whether you believe in God or not. In order to live like a human being and not like an animal, all of us should honour our parents, should respect human life, should safeguard families, protect private property and be honest in all our dealings with each other. Doing all these makes us a human being, a noble man. Men are mortal. Sooner or later, we all die. However, God promises us eternal life. Therefore, we should build up a good relationship with God in order to receive eternal life from Him. That is why there are three commandments to help us establish this good relationship with God. It was Moses who told the Israelites to keep these Ten Commandments. Never was it mentioned in the gospel that Jesus told us to keep those three commandments. Rather, many times, Jesus himself breached the third Commandment. He always performed healing miracles on Sabbath! So, are Christians exempted from keeping the first three Commandments? Shall we follow Jesus' example not to keep the Sabbath and the other 2 commandments?

Of course not! Jesus teaches us to obey the first three commandments in a different, but perfectly legitimate way. It may even be better than the original way! What did Jesus tell the rich man to do? "Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21) How does this replace the first three Commandments?

First of all, God is invisible. You cannot see God, touch God or smell His presence. But love needs a recipient. How can we love an invisible person, an invisible other? God understands our limitations. So, God sent His beloved Son to incarnate in a human form to teach us. In a human form, God becomes visible. That was Jesus Christ. So, loving Jesus Christ is equivalent to loving God. But Jesus Christ has already returned to the Father! What can we do? To make Himself more accessible, Jesus Christ teaches us how to find him in two different ways. One, in prayer meetings and liturgy like the mass we are celebrating now. Jesus says, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) At this moment, Jesus is in our midst but he is still invisible. Later in our celebration, he becomes visible in the form of the Holy Communion. Yes, it is a mystery of faith and it requires strong faith to be able to see Jesus Christ in the Holy Communion. Don't worry! There is a second more accessible way. Jesus says, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (25:40) To help us get close to him more easily, Jesus lives among the poor and the needy. When we serve the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the homeless, the sick and the imprisoned, we get in touch with Jesus Christ.

Now, let us take a look at what Jesus asked the rich man to do.

1. The first Commandment tells us to worship one God only. In other words, we worship God without reservation. We do not leave room for other idols. Now, Jesus asks the rich man and us to sell all we have and give to the poor in whom we can get in touch with Jesus. Yes, Jesus is demanding a total commitment to love Him. There shall be no room for money or power to become our idols to lord over us. In giving all to the poor, we are obeying the first Commandment.
2. The second Commandment forbids us to invoke the name of God in vain. What did Jesus ask the rich man after giving to the poor? Yes, follow Jesus. If you follow Jesus, will you blaspheme Jesus or make fun of his name? Of course not! When we follow Jesus, we invest and commit our whole life to Him. We cannot become enemies of ourselves, can we? Therefore, by following Jesus, we obey the second Commandment.
3. The third Commandment instructs us to keep the Sabbath holy. As followers of Jesus, we keep the Lord's Day holy. Therefore, by going to Church to attend Sunday masses, we obey the third Commandment. Through the fulfilment of these three Commandments, we build up good relationships with Jesus Christ. We shall inherit eternal life.

When we do what Jesus tells us to do, not only do we fulfil those three Commandments, but we also do better and do more. None of those three Commandments, not even the remaining seven, tells us to preach the good news of salvation. The Israelites believe that keeping the Ten Commandments would guarantee them a place in heaven. But the Ten Commandments do not tell the Israelites to help other people attain salvation, in particular the non-Jews. To a certain extent, the Jews prejudice against Gentiles. They don't like non-Jews because they have suffered much in the hands of the Gentiles, the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and even the Samaritans. The Jews believe that they are the Chosen People of God. Other nations should serve them. Thus, they have no intention to preach repentance and salvation to other peoples. As Christians, we understand that all of us were created in the image of God. All of us are God's children and thus we are brothers and sisters because Jesus Christ is our big brother. We have a duty towards the well-being of our brothers and sisters. Therefore, following Jesus means not only that we go to mass on Sundays, but it also means that we should go and share our experience of redemption and liberation with all the people we meet. We follow Jesus and Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God. Thus we should also proclaim the Kingdom of God in our daily life.

Brethren, the Pope tells us that the Church is under attack from Satan. He summons all of us to say the Rosary daily and ask Archangel Michael to protect us. Thus, in this month of the Rosary, let us follow the Pope's instruction to pray for the protection of the Church.
God bless!

2015講道

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常年期第廿八主日，乙年
主題：怎樣愛天主？

今天福音的訊息，對所有人都很重要。所有人都想知道，那富少年問耶穌的問題的答案。因為在我們眾人心底裡，都有一份空虛，有一些現世生命不能滿足的需要。對，人人都渴望得到永生。不要以為富少年的問題太理想化而漠視它。這問題絕對問得好。倘若沒有將來，今世的勞苦還有意義嗎？

相信各位很熟悉「十誡」。現在，讓我們看看耶穌要求富少年守甚麼誡命，纔可以得到永生：「不可殺人，不可姦淫，不可偷盜，不可做假見証，不可欺詐，應孝敬你的父母。」（谷10:19）好像遺漏了甚麼？對！十誡中敬拜天主開頭的三條誡命：除雅威以外，不可有別的神；不可妄呼上主的名；守安息日為聖日。（出20:3-11）倘若我們不遵守與天主建立良好關係的誡命，我們怎可能承受永生呢？耶穌是否忘記了甚麼？

耶穌當然沒有忘記任何事物。不論你信天主與否，上述的誡命是做人的最低要求。要活得像個人而不像禽獸，我們應孝敬父母，尊重生命，保障家庭，保護私有財產，誠實地與別人交往。這樣做纔算是人，一個高尚的人。人皆有死，但天主許諾我們可以獲得永生。所以我們有三條誡命，幫助我們與天主建立良好的關係。是梅瑟教導以色列人遵守十誡，在福音中，耶穌卻從來沒有吩咐我們遵守開頭的三條誡命。而且，耶穌經常違反第三誡，他時常在安息日治病！那麼，基督徒不用遵守這三條誡命嗎？我們可否跟隨耶穌的榜樣，不用守安息日及其他兩條誡命呢？

當然不可！耶穌教我們用另一個方式，一個更好的方式守這三條誡命！耶穌對富少年說：「你去，變賣你所有的一切，施捨給窮人…然後來…跟隨我！」（谷10:21）這命令如何取代那三條誡命呢？

首先，天主是不可見的。你看不見天主，摸不到天主，嗅不到祂的臨在。但愛必需有一個「接受者」。我們怎能愛一個看不見的人，一個看不見的祂呢？天主明白我們的局限，於是派遣祂心愛的兒子，降生成人來教導我們。以人的形態出現，天主成為可見的。祂就是耶穌基督。因此，愛耶穌就等同愛天主了。但耶穌基督已經返回天父的身邊，我們可以怎樣做呢？耶穌基督教導了我們兩個不同的方法，讓我們能夠親近祂。第一，在祈禱聚會中，又或者在參加感恩祭中。耶穌說：「那裡有兩個或三個人，因我的名字聚在一起，我就在他們中間。」（瑪18:20）現在耶穌就在我們中間，但我們仍看不見祂。稍後，祂臨現在聖體內。對，這是一個「信德的奧蹟」，要求強大的信德纔可以體會到耶穌基督臨現在聖體中。不用擔心，還有第二個更容易的方法。耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：凡你們對我這些最小兄弟中的一個所做的，就是對我做的。」（25:40）為了幫助我們更容易找到祂，耶穌居住在窮困的人之中。當我們服事饑餓的，口渴的，無衣的，無家可歸的，患病的和在囚的，我們可以接觸到耶穌基督。

現在，讓我們看看耶穌要求富少年做甚麼。

1. 第一誡要求我們祇欽崇一個天主。即是說，我們要毫無保留地崇敬天主，我們不可留半點空間給偶像。耶穌要求富少年和我們把所有的一切都施捨給窮困者，在他們的身上便可以找到耶穌。對，耶穌要求一份完全的委身相愛，完全不留半點空間給金錢權勢，讓它們操控我們。把所有的都送給窮困者，我們遵守了第一誡。
2. 第二誡禁止我們妄呼天主聖名。耶穌吩咐富少年施捨給窮人之後做甚麼？對，跟隨耶穌。倘若我們跟隨耶穌，我們會褻瀆祂或拿祂的名字開玩笑嗎？當然不會。當我們跟隨耶穌，我們把我們整個生命投放到祂身上，我們總不會與自己為敵嘛！因此，跟隨耶穌，我們遵守了第二誡。
3. 第三誡要求我們守安息日為聖日。作為耶穌的門徒，我們守主日為聖日。所以，星期日返聖堂參加主日感恩祭，我們遵守了第三誡。滿全了這三條誡命，我們與耶穌基督建立了良好的關係，我們可以承受永生。

當我們按耶穌吩咐去做的時候，我們不但遵守了三條誡命，而且還做得更多和更好。十誡並沒有命令我們傳揚救恩的喜訊。以色列人相信守十誡可以升天堂，但十誡並沒有命令以色列人幫助別人獲得救恩，尤其是外邦人。在某程度上，猶太人歧視外邦人，不喜歡外邦人，因為猶太人曾在外邦人的手上，包括巴比倫人、波斯人、希臘人、羅馬人甚至撒瑪黎雅人，吃過不少苦頭。猶太人相信自己是天主的選民，外邦人應臣服他們。所以，他們沒有向外邦人宣講悔改得救的意圖。作為基督徒，我們相信所有人都是按天主的肖像所造，我們都是天主的子女。我們都是兄弟姊妹，耶穌基督是我們的兄長。我們對兄弟姊妹的生死存亡，有一份責任。因此，跟隨耶穌不單要在主日參加彌撒，更要與所接觸到的人，分享得救解放的經驗。我們跟隨耶穌，而耶穌宣講天主的國，所以我們也要在日常生活中，宣講天主的國。

各位兄弟姊妹，教宗告訴我們，教會正遭受撒殫的攻擊。他號召我們每天唸玫瑰經，並請求聖彌額爾總領天使保護我們。在此玫瑰月，讓我們依從教宗的指示，祈禱教會獲得保護。
天主保祐！

為甚麼要離開父母？ Why Shall We Leave Our Parents?

常年期第廿七主日，乙年
主題：為甚麼要離開父母？

向中國人傳福音，邀請他們加入天主教，就必須克服重重來自中西文化差異的障礙。中國文化強調孝道，慎終追遠，飲水思源。本來，中國人的「孝道」與「十誡」「孝敬父母」的誡命不謀而合，在勸中國人信教的時候，相當合拍。可惜，當慕道者自己閱讀【創世紀】的時候，或者慕道班導師講述天主教婚姻倫理，有關耶穌基督禁止離婚的課題時，更或者參加主日彌撒，聽到耶穌基督引述【創世紀】的論述時，當他們聽到「人要離開他的父母，依附自己的妻子，二人成為一體…」（谷10:7-8；創2:24） 這是不能接受的，因為有違孝道，令婆媳不和，家無寧日等等。所以，我們有必要好好處理這個課題，幫助慕道者，甚至已領洗的教友，明白天主頒布這項「離開父母」命令的愛意。

首先，我們不得不承認，中國人是很現實的，他們比世上任何民族更勤力工作。但中國人卻有點自私，例如在與鄰里相處時，便「各家自掃門前雪」；對付入侵的外敵時，便一盤散沙，甚至互相出賣，盡顯現實和自私的民族性。有關「孝道」所強調的「飲水思源」，亦不過是掩飾「養兒防老，積穀防飢」的自私。請注意，這是農業社會，大宅門的思維，在後工業社會，小家庭制度的今天，並不適用。「養兒防老」或者適用於「人生七十古來稀」的時代，今天，六十五歲的長者又如何照顧九十歲的父母呢？目下政府的公共房屋政策，要求已婚子女遷出；地產發展商所興建的樓宅，根本容納不下兩代同堂。因此，在今天的香港，「離開父母」已經成了定局，已不再是一種選擇了！安老的責任，應落在政府身上。安貧小姊妹會的服務，根本是杯水車薪！

讓我們回來看看這段勸人「離開父母」的上文下理吧。
按【創世紀】的記載，上主天主創造了亞當之後，覺得「人單獨不好，我要給他造個與他相稱的助手。」（創2:18）起初，天主帶領不同的動物到亞當面前，但沒有一種動物與亞當相稱。天主惟有麻醉了亞當，抽了他的一根肋骨，給亞當做了個女人。亞當見了這個出自自己身上女人，驚為天人，說了句十分肉麻的說話：「這纔真是我的骨中之骨，肉中之肉。」（2:23）各位已婚男士，你們有沒有對你們的太太說過這句話呢？倘若有，恭喜你，你真夠男人！
當時世上祇有一男一女，亞當和厄娃祇有夫妻的身份，尚未有父母的身份。但經文卻立即說：「為此，人應離開自己的父母，依附自己的妻子，二人成為一體。」（2:24）注意，「應離開」，是命令，而不是忠告！亞當厄娃沒有父母，這部份的命令並不適用於他們身上，但他們仍遵守「二人成為一體」的部份。所以「離開父母」的命令，是為以後的人類的。
那麼，「父母子女」的關係和「夫妻」的關係，那一個更重要呢？是先有「父母子女」的關係，後有「夫妻」的關係；抑或是先有「夫妻」的關係，後有「父母子女」的關係呢？表面上，兩種關係，互為因果，不分伯仲。但亞當厄娃的故事，判定了那一種關係更為重要。沒有「夫妻」的關係，又怎能生兒育女，成為父母呢？而「父母子女」的關係是不可能產生「夫妻」關係的，否則便是「亂倫」了！

讓我們再看天主的原意，祂希望給人造一個相稱的助手（1:18）。請問「父母」是否「兒女」相稱的助手呢？絕對不是！父母是子女的第一位營養師，供給他們均衡的飲食，令他們身體健康，快高長大；父母是子女的第一位教師，講故事給他們聽，教他們說話，刺激他們的智力發展；父母是子女的第一位心理輔導師，聆聽他們的心事，開導他們的情緒；父母是子女的第一位法官，教導他們倫理道德，辨別善惡！最後，父母是子女的第一位主日學導師，教他們認識耶穌基督和他們的最終命運。所以，父母絕對不是子女的相稱助手。不是嗎？父母不是希望有兒女送終嗎？父母又怎能陪伴兒女終老呢？陪伴終老是他們配偶的責任，不是父母的責任。因此，能在幸福家庭中長大的兒女，有必要離開父母，到外面去開枝散葉，把父母的愛，延續下去。

話要說回來，很多夫妻在沒有成熟的預備之下，做了父母。結果，很多小朋友在成長的路上，遇上不少挫折。他們不但得不到應得的營養，有些甚至因父母的疏忽照顧，獨留家中而受到傷害；更有甚者，有些父母更把宣洩不了的情緒，帶回家裡，用暴力宣洩到沒有反抗能力的子女身上。試想想，這些兒童長大起來，是多麼渴望儘快脫離自己的家庭，尋求心目中的真愛，建立自己的溫暖家庭。就這樣，在沒有良好的榜樣，沒有溫暖的家庭中長大的青少年，他們有足夠成熟的心理質素，建立美好的家庭嗎？很多時候，悲劇又再次在新的家庭中出現，成為代代相傳的詛咒宿命。這些在不幸家庭中長大的青年人，可以怎樣做呢？繼續留在父母身邊，遭受虐待，坐以待斃嗎？還是離開父母，到外面尋覓一線生機呢？執事沒有任何肯定的答案，要視乎個別的情況而定。

所謂「家家有本難唸的經」，每個家庭要面對的困難不盡相同。無疑，香港的工作環境，剝削了家庭團聚的時間；香港的經濟環境，尤其是樓價，壓迫得很多家庭透不過氣。整個的文化氛圍，不斷鼓吹消費和個人主義，使很多夫妻的關係，遭受第三者的破壞；不正當的性愛關係，受到吹捧。凡此種種不利因素，對天主所祝福的婚姻及家庭制度，飽受沖擊破壞。

各位兄弟姊妹，讓我們為下一代著想，懷著謙卑的心，接受天主的教訓；夫妻以「貞潔」的精神，以愛相待；攜手同心，以溫良慈悲的態度，建立溫暖的家庭，養育天主所賞賜的兒女。即使舊的是失敗了，祇要有新的家庭，人類的未來還有希望。
天主保祐！

2015年講道

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Twenty Seventh Ordinary Sunday, Year B
Theme: Why Shall We Leave Our Parents?

In order to evangelize the Chinese and invite them to join the Catholic Church, we have to overcome many obstacles of cultural differences. Chinese culture stresses filial piety, ancestral worship and remembrance of our origin. At first glance, the "Honour Your Parents" commandment resembles the Chinese filial piety. Thus it is a handy inroad to convert Chinese. Unfortunately, when the catechumens start reading Genesis, or the catechists start explaining Catholic ethics on marriage, about how Jesus Christ forbids divorce, or even when you attend Sunday mass, hearing Jesus Christ quote Genesis in his divorce discourse, "A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (Mark 10:7-8, Genesis 2:24) This is unacceptable for Chinese. It goes against filial piety, stirs up clashes between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law and there is no peace at home anymore etc. Thus, we need to handle this topic in depth to help the catechumens and even baptized laity understand God's love behind this "leave parents" precept.

First of all, we have to admit that the Chinese are very pragmatic. They work harder than all other peoples on this planet. But the Chinese are a little bit selfish. For example, when they interact with their neighbour, they take the "mind your own business" approach. When they are invaded by foreign countries, they do not unite and even betray each other in order to survive. All these examples show how pragmatic and selfish the Chinese can be. Filial piety emphasizes "remembering your origin". It is but a cover-up of a selfishness blatantly enshrined in the aphorism: "To prepare for old age, raise children. To prepare for famine, hoard grains". This aphorism is applicable only to agricultural societies built upon extended families. Nowadays, in post-industrial societies which favour nuclear families, this aphorism no longer works. "Raise children to prepare for old age" was probably appropriate in generations where "It is rare to reach seventies". Today, are people over sixty five able to take care of their parents in their nineties? At the moment, the government public housing policy forces married children to move out while developers build flats which cannot accommodate two generations. Thus, nowadays in Hong Kong, "leaving parents" is not an option, but a necessity! The burden of taking care of senior citizens rests squarely on the shoulder of the government. The service of the Little Sisters of the Poor is only a drop in the ocean!

Let us look at the context of the "leaving parents" precept.
According to Genesis, after the Lord God had created Adam, He felt that "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him." (Genesis 2:18) At first, God led different animals before Adam who couldn't find a suitable partner. Thus, God put Adam to sleep, pull out a rib to make for Adam a woman. When Adam saw this beautiful woman, he exclaimed, "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." (2:23) All you married gentlemen, have you ever uttered this sentence to your wives? If you have, congratulations! You are truly man!
At that time, there were only one man and one woman on earth. Adam and Eve were husband and wife only. They were not yet parents. But the scripture reads immediately, "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." (2:24) Notice that "A man leaves ..." is not an advice but a command! Adam and Eve did not have parents. This part of the command did not apply to them. But they still obeyed the part of "the two of them become one body". Thus, "A man leaves his parents" command applies only to the rest of humanity.
Then, which relation is more important, parental or spousal? Which one comes first, parental first then spousal, or spousal first then parental? Superficially, the two relations are very much entangled. But the story of Adam of Eve has decided which one is more important. Without spousal relation, how can people beget children and become parents? On the other hand, parental relation cannot generate spousal relation. Otherwise, it is incest!

Let us look at God's intention. He wants to give man a helper suited to him (1:18). Are parents helpers suited to their children? Categorically no! Parents are the first nutritionists for their children. They provide children balanced diets to make them grow healthily. Parents are the first tutors for their children. They tell them stories, teach them speaking to stimulate their intellectual development. Parents are the first counsellors for the children. They listen attentively to their stories and channel their emotions. Parents are the first magistrates for their children. They teach them morality and right from wrong! Lastly, parents are the first catechists for their children. They help them know Jesus Christ and show them their final destiny. Thus, parents cannot be helpers suited for their children. Don't parents want their children to surround them at their deathbed? How can they age together with their children? It is the responsibility of spouses, not parents to age together. Thus, children grow up in such happy families should leave their parents and build up new families to spread out the love of their parents.

However, many couples become parents unprepared. Consequently, many small children meet many frustrations on the path of growth. Not only are they not fed properly, some are even injured due to negligence on the part of parents. Even worse, some parents bring home bottled emotion from works and dissipate it with violence on vulnerable children. Just think about it, how much do these children want to run away from home to look for "true love" and to build their happy families? As such, do youngsters raised in families without good exemplar and without warmth have sufficiently mature psychological qualities to build up happy families? In many cases, tragedies arise again in the new families, becoming a curse that passes on throughout generations. What can youngsters raised in unhappy families do? Should they continue to stay with their abusive parents to suffer? Or should they leave their parents and start a new life? I don't have any definite answers. All cases are different.

"Each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." The challenges each family confronts are different. No doubt, the working environment of Hong Kong has taken away quality time from all families. The economy of Hong Kong, in particular the prices of flats are smothering the life of many families. The cultural milieu advocates consumerism and individualism, thus inflicting damages to many spousal relationships with extra-marital affairs. Many disordered sexual behaviours are popularized. All these adverse factors are battering the marriage and family institutions which God blesses.

Brethren, for the sake of our next generation, let us receive God's teaching with humility. Husbands and wives love each other in the spirit of chastity. Work hand in hand, with meekness and mercy to build up a loving family to raise the children given by God. Even if there have been failures, as long as there are new families, there is still hope for all humanity.
God bless!

教會在眾多醜聞面前，到底如何自處？

香港電台第五台：天降甘霖
題目：「教會在眾多醜聞面前，到底如何自處？」

二零一八年十月七日

各位聽眾，大家好，我是郭志強執事。最近傳出很多關於教會的性侵醜聞，大眾都在議論紛紛。今天，我想用【路加福音】的續集，【宗徒大事錄】──基督新教稱為【使徒行傳】──來回應教會傳出醜聞的問題。【宗徒大事錄】敘述了教會最初幾十年的故事，從前發生過的，今天一樣會發生。

談到故事，記得小時候，思想簡單而且理想化，祇能夠消化童話故事，與及寓言故事。所以，龜兔賽跑，兔子是應該輸的，因為它驕傲、它懶惰。王子英雄救美，在女巫手上救出公主，又消滅了女巫，就應該娶公主為妻，「從此二人快快樂樂地生活落去」！黃飛鴻、超人同蝙蝠俠是英雄，他們不但心中充滿正義，而且功夫了得，或者刀槍不入打不死，將壞人打得落花流水，大快人心！

人長大了，便覺得那些故事非常幼稚！龜和兔，根本不同級數。它們的腳的構造不一樣，跑同樣的比賽項目，根本就是不公平。烏龜要同兔子比賽，起步，就已經輸在起跑線。至於「英雄救美」的橋段，更令人反感！為甚麼一定是王子救公主，不可以調轉，由公主救王子呢？太性別歧視了！為甚麼王子救了公主，公主就要以身相許，來報答王子呢？「感激」不等於「愛」，沒有愛情的婚姻又怎可能快樂呢？即使公主出於真愛與王子結婚，亦不能保証「從此二人」會「快快樂樂地生活下去」的！王子可能不喜歡異性，又或者王子另有情人，那麼王子與公主又如何「快快樂樂地活下去」呢？至於那些超級英雄科幻片，倘若還使用「打不死」的橋段，恐怕不會再有人看了。觀眾已經進化了，進步了，知道世界是現實的。做英雄，一定要被擊倒過，輸過，那裡跌倒就從那裡爬起身，再戰江湖，纔算得上是英雄。若非如此，倘若他們從沒有失敗過，又有甚麼值得看哩！人長大了，現實了，成熟了，對於故事，我們的要求也提高了！可是，對於人與人的關係，人與神的關係，對於信仰問題等等，我們有沒有進步呢？近來喺教會傳出的「性侵未成年人」醜聞，可以說，是成熟信徒的試金石！

首先，「性侵未成年人」，絕對是嚴重的罪惡！兒童和青少年是社會國家，教會世界的未來主人翁，他們是應該受到栽培和保護，而不是用作發洩慾望的工具。有人會說，不只天主教，其他基督教派也有；不祇神職人員做，法官道士，運動員教練，童軍隊長，補習老師，所有有權有勢的人，都會濫用權力，性侵無力反抗的人。驟耳聽來，分析很好，但錯就是錯，即使其他人犯錯，是不會令到自己的錯，變成對的。正確的態度，不是逃避或者推卸責任，而是認錯，作出補償！正因為不肯認錯，不敢面對和處理問題，結果，「姑息養奸」，又多一條「主教包庇犯罪神父」的罪名！

的確，在教會內外的人心目中，神職人員是耶穌基督的代表，是備受尊重的正人君子，是正義的化身，是英雄等等，這是世人對神職人員的期望。但如果我們將期望絕對化、理想化，是我們還不成熟，還沒長大。我們對「著袍的人」，不應該懷有不合理的期望！「著袍的人」始終都是凡人，不是「不食人間煙火」的最高法院的大法官。很多人覺得責罵他們的神父修女很凶，而神父修女應該是慈祥的，是不應該凶惡的，所以決定以後不再返教會。很多人覺得神父主教們，不懂處理金錢與人事問題，喜歡阿諛諂媚的人，賞罰不明，利益輸送等等，對神父主教非常失望。他們愛耶穌基督，但是他們愛不了教會，所以決定離開教會。的確可惜，相信在他們有生之年，都沒有機會找到一個完美的教會，值得他們愛的教會！

教會不是甚麼「惟一、至聖、至公，從宗徒傳下來」的嗎？既然號稱「至聖」，那麼，她的成員不也是應該神聖的嗎？作為一個天主教徒，我的答案是肯定的。我們相信教會確實是神聖的，我們相信教會的成員，確實是神聖的。不過我們知道，現在還沒有達到百份之一百神聖。何解？讓我說一個初期教會的故事，大家就會明白，教會是聖人的教會，亦是罪人的教會。

故事出自【宗教大事錄】的第五章。當時，在耶路撒冷剛成立的教會，非常吸引人，並且獲得群眾的讚賞。因為信徒相親相愛，將自己的家產變賣，全數交給十二宗徒，然後按各人的需要來分配。他們這樣做，一方面是履行耶穌基督，命令門徒彼此相愛的誡命；同時大家以為，耶穌基督升天之後，不久便會回來，拿著金錢也沒有用處，所以實行原始的共產主義。路加醫生並不是教會的宣傳機器，報喜不報憂。講述完美麗的天國願境之後，他接著報導有人想沽名釣譽，混水摸魚，加入教會。
有夫妻倆，表面上將變賣家產所得的錢，全數交給宗徒，其實暗地裡收藏了部份的錢，以為神不知，鬼不覺。天主又怎可能不知道呢！當時，伯多祿是教會的首領，天主聖神啟示給他知道。在這一刻，伯多祿做了「丑人」。他問那位丈夫，是不是全數，那丈夫口硬說是。伯多祿心痛地說：「為甚麼你打算這樣做呢？你不是欺騙人，而是欺騙天主！」那個男人一聽完伯多祿的說話，當場暴斃！過了大約六個小時，那人的妻子來尋找丈夫，伯多祿問那個女人最後一次，賣田地的價錢就是這麼多嗎？那個女人說是，就是這麼多！伯多祿很痛心地說：「你們為甚麼共謀，試探主的神呢？看，埋葬妳丈夫者的腳，已踏入門口，他們也要把妳抬去。」那個女人也落得當場暴斃。這件事使全教會和聽到的人，都十分害怕！

聽完這個故事，你會有甚麼感想，甚麼結論呢？我有。

1. 在教會內有天主，而天主是神聖的。天主是神聖的，是甚麼意思呢？意思是天主不但是全知全能，和擁有龐大的威力，令人震撼。祂還是一個不能完全明白的「奧秘」。如果我們有能力，完全明白解釋天主在想甚麼，天主就不是天主了！既然天主是神聖的，又因為教會內有天主，所以教會當然也是神聖的！
2. 【宗徒大事錄】第五章的故事，肯定是冰山一角。二千年來，一定有不少漏網之魚，潛伏在教會內，混水摸魚，甚至製造分裂，肆意破壞。教會既然是神聖的，自然有能力，容納罪人與壞人在教會內。天主在教會內，自然會照顧他們、轉化他們。
3. 為甚麼天主不按第五章故事的做法，消滅教會內的壞人呢？這樣，就可以保證教會是百份百神聖了！但試想想，運用同樣的邏輯，為甚麼天主不消滅世上所有的壞人，這樣，天下便太平了，耶穌基督也不用釘十字架了！可惜，在現實的世界裡，人際關是如此千絲萬縷。成年人是不會用這種邏輯去解決問題的！何況是天主呢？
   【宗徒大事錄】第八章，記載了一個貪污瀆職的故事。故事的主角是一個擁有很大法力的術士，名叫西滿（Simon）。他看見伯多祿在信徒頭上覆手，賜聖神給他們之後，信徒便開始說不同的語言。於是術士西滿便想賄賂伯多祿，買賜聖神的能力。伯多祿斷然拒絕，而術士西滿並沒有當場暴斃。傳說他後來，還帶給教會很多麻煩。天主為甚麼會放過他呢？沒有人知，沒有人明白。但從此，販賣教會職位，英文叫做Simony，正是拜他所賜！
4. 十二宗徒之中，有一個因為貪財，出賣耶穌；更有一個在生死關頭，為了保命，三次否認耶穌。這人就是伯多祿。可見，教會的領袖可以是罪人，但罪人也可以回頭悔改，天主會給他機會，栽培他成為聖人！可惜出賣耶穌的猶達斯畏罪自殺，沒有給天主機會，沒有給自己機會。那麼，我們應否給那些犯罪的神職人員機會呢？
5. 【宗徒大事錄】第九章還有一個故事，講述掃祿如何迫害基督徒。他取得手令去大馬士革，準備大開殺戒。在路上耶穌顯現給他，問他說：「掃祿！掃祿！你為甚麼迫害我！」掃祿答說：「主，你是誰？」耶穌說：「我就是你所迫害的耶穌！」掃祿跌倒在地，盲了。結果，凶神惡煞的掃祿，靠人扶他入城。盲了三日三夜，終於大徹大悟。後來便成為了著名的聖保祿宗徒。
   他明白了甚麼？就是教會有強壯的成員，也有軟弱的成員。他自己就是其中最軟弱的一個，他曾迫害教會。即是說，無論是強壯的，抑或是軟弱的，都組成同一個耶穌的身體。這話何解？因為掃祿從來沒有見過耶穌，他所接觸過，迫害過的，祇是耶穌的信徒，而耶穌卻說，「你為甚麼迫害我？」可見耶穌非常重視教會，認定教會就是他的身體。所以傷害教會，等同傷害天主子，耶穌基督。
6. 最後，為甚麼耶穌基督復活之後，身上仍然保存著，釘十字架時所留下的傷口呢？當中有很豐富的靈修材料，現在沒有時間講述。不過，我相信耶穌想告訴我們，教會，即是祂的身體，雖然是神聖的，可以保証她的成員可以成為神聖，但是，她還有五個傷口，還有很多軟弱的成員。他們會犯錯，會跌倒。但是他們都是耶穌基督身體的一部份。我們同氣連枝，是不可以為了自保，而與他們劃清界線的。他們的痛，也是我們的痛！
   所以，我們要拿出勇氣，跟隨前任及現任教宗的榜樣，承認錯誤，認真處理，採取適當的措施，治療教會內的傷口。

我們祈求耶穌基督，賜我們聖神。聖神是「愛德之神」，願祂賜我們愛心和勇氣，彼此扶持，日進於德，邁向神聖。亞孟。
天主保祐！

一場穩操勝券的仗 A Sure-Win Battle

一場穩操勝券的仗（路10:17-24）

我們經常犯的心理毛病，就是把不確定的壞因素放到最大，把好的後果低估到最小。最好的策略就是按兵不動，不要改變現況。倘若逼不得已要改變，我們便會忐忑不安。即使事情是沒有機會失敗的，我們不會說「穩操勝券」，祇會說「對前景審慎樂觀」，來掩飾心中對可能失敗的不安。我們美其名為「謙遜」，為「謹慎」，為「作最好的準備，作最壞的打算」。

誠然，耶穌基督曾告誡我們，要「先坐下籌算費用，是否有力完成呢？免得他奠基以後，竟不能完工，所有看見的人都要譏誚他。」（路14:28-29）的確，經過「籌算費用」之後，不是每一個人都會回應天主的召叫。但對那些願意接受邀請的你和我，天主一定寵愛有加，「成全你們各種樂意向善的心，和信德的行為。」（得後1:11）

但世上真的有「穩操勝券」的可能嗎？祇有傻瓜纔會相信有！倘若有，世上還有窮人嗎？
相信天主罷！是有的。難道你沒有聽過「邪不能勝正」嗎？耶穌基督看到自己在十字架上，為我們擊敗了魔鬼，所以祂說：「我看見撒殫如同閃電一般自天跌下。」（路10:18）這場戰爭已勝利了。餘下的工作，是去接收解放了的土地。即是說，往普天下去傳揚福音，建立教會。可能在這接收過程中，會遭遇上零星的反撲。不竟，我們已得到耶穌基督的保証，這是一件穩操勝券的任務，「沒有甚麼能傷害你們。」（10:19）我們還需要畏首畏尾嗎？我們有幸能參予這任務，我們「的名字，已經登記在天上了。」（10:20）我們還需要猶豫不決嗎？
主基督啊！我願意與祢一起並肩作戰，收復失落的樂園。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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A Sure-Win Battle (Luke 10:17-24)

We often make the following psychological error: overestimating unfavourable outcomes and underestimating good ones. The best strategy is to take no action and to maintain the status quo. If we are forced to make changes, we suffer anxiety. Even if there is no way to lose, we will never say "sure-win". We only say "cautiously optimistic" to cover up our fear of failure. We whitewash this error as "humility", as "prudence" and "to hope for the best but prepare for the worst".

Truly, Jesus has cautioned us to "first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion. Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him." (Luke 14:28-29) Indeed, after "calculating the cost", not everybody would answer God's call. But for those who are willing to accept the invitation, God will provide sufficient grace to "make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfilment every good purpose and every effort of faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

Is it possible for "sure-win" to exist on earth? Only idiots would believe! If there were, would poverty exist on earth?
Believe in God! There is! Have you not heard that "the good will always prevail"? Jesus Christ saw how he himself defeat Satan on the cross. Thus he said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky." (Luke 10:18) The battle has already won. The remaining task is to reclaim the liberated land. That is to say, go and make disciples of all nations, to build up the Church. Probably, in the process of reclamation, we may meet sporadic resistance. After all, we have the guarantee from Jesus Christ. It is a sure-win mission, "Nothing will harm you." (10:19) Shall we be hesitant? We are privileged to partake in the mission, our "names are written in heaven." (10:20) Shall we be undecided?
Lord Jesus Christ! I am willing to fight alongside with you to reclaim the lost paradise. Amen.

福傳不論「業績」 Evangelization Does not Count Performance

福傳不論「業績」（路10:13-16）

我們寧願躲在安樂窩中，是因為我們怕失敗，怕不受歡迎。
其實，我們在傳福音的任務中，祇不過擔任一個推銷員的角色。如果推銷失敗，不一定是我們無能，可能是產品本身缺乏吸引力。所以錯不在我們！如果不受歡迎，可能是這產品主人的形象不好。所以錯也不在我們！耶穌不是說過：「聽你們的，就是聽我；拒絕你們的，就是拒絕我」（路10:16）嗎？所以，耶穌基督已為傳福音，負起了全部的責任，我們還有甚麼顧慮，不願意傳福音呢？

其實，耶穌基督的「業績」亦好不了多少。按對觀福音的記載，祂在北部加里肋亞省傳教兩年有多，直到最後纔南下耶路撒冷受難。今天，祂抱怨苛辣匝因、貝特賽達和葛法翁的無信，這些城鎮全部位於加里肋亞省。尤其是葛法翁，它可以說是耶穌基督的傳教中心，福音記載祂經常回到那裡去。「沒有徒弟勝過師傅的。」（6:40）既然耶穌基督的業績那麼差，我們比祂更失敗，是理所當然的。那麼，還有甚麼失敗可以唬嚇我們呢？

其實，加里肋亞各城鎮的居民，不也是生活在安樂窩中，不願意跳出來，接受更豐富的福音生活嗎？要改變舊我，回頭悔改，從此以福音的價值生活，以天主聖神為生活的中心，談何容易。沒有人會輕易放棄舊有的思維，放棄爭權奪利，放棄安全感！在他們的心目中，溫柔、慈悲、和平等等祇會招致損失，怎教人作出這樣愚蠢的抉擇哩！我同情、理解加里肋亞居民對福音的不安。他們沒有「平安之子」，承受不了福音所帶來的喜樂，耶穌基督亦沒有勉強他們（10:6）。
主啊！讓我們以一顆平常心，不斤斤計較成果，與祢一起福傳。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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Evangelization Does not Count Performance (Luke 10:13-16)

We prefer hiding in the comfort zone because we are afraid of failures and of being unpopular.
In fact, during evangelization, we only play the role of a salesman. If the sale fails, it probably is not due to our incompetence. Perhaps the goods itself lacks attraction. Thus, it is not our fault! If the commodity is not popular, perhaps the image of the producer is not good enough. Again, it is not our fault! Doesn't Jesus say, "Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me." (Luke 10:16) Thus, Jesus has taken up the full accountability of evangelization. What else should we worry such that we are reluctant to evangelize?

As a matter of fact, Jesus' performance was not that good. According to the Synoptic gospels, Jesus spent more than 2 years preaching in Galilee in the north before he finally turned south to be killed in Jerusalem. Today, Jesus lamented the lack of faith in Chorazin and Bethsaida which were cities in Galilee. In particular, Capernaum was Jesus' missionary centre where he always returned during his public ministry. "No disciple is superior to the teacher." (6:40) Since the performance of Jesus Christ is that bad, it is logical that ours is worse. Thus, what else can deter us?

Were people of Galilee not living in comfort zone, not willing to jump out to embrace more abundant life according to the Gospel? It is more easily said than done to change the old self, to repent and lead our life according to the values advocated in the Gospel and to make the Holy Spirit the centre of our life. Nobody would forsake easily their established mind set, to give up entering into disputes for personal gains and to abandon a sense of security. In their minds' eyes, being meek, merciful and peaceful etc. would invite losses. How can you tell people to make such stupid choices! I sympathize and understand the Galileans' anxiety towards the Gospel. Few peaceful persons lived there to accept the joy of the Gospel. Jesus Christ did not force them to accept. (10:6)
Lord! Grant us a peaceful heart, not to worry about our performance and evangelize together with you. Amen.

天主的羔羊 The Lambs of God

天主的羔羊（路10:1-12）

在開始閱讀之前，請閉上眼睛一會兒，想像兩隻羔羊在狼群中，會發生甚麼事？
我相信大部份人的腦海中，會浮現一連串血腥的畫面：羔羊被狼群咬著咽喉，爭相撕裂、傳教士被土人祭殺、手無寸鐵的示威者被凶狠的警察毆打、老弱婦孺被入侵的敵兵虐殺蹂躪等等。這是多麼慘無人道的恐怖世界！但這卻是我們慣常的思維，是傳媒甚至教科書所灌輸給我們的思想方法：「弱肉強食」再加「煽情」烹調，很多人會樂在其中。

請大家再細心體味依撒意亞先知所見到的是甚麼：「豺狼將與羔羊共處，虎豹將與小山羊同宿；牛犢和幼獅一同飼養，一個幼童即可帶領牠們。」（依11:6）還有，「豺狼和羔羊將要一齊牧放，獅子要和牛犢一般吃草，塵土將是大蛇的食物；在我的整個聖山上，再沒有誰作惡，也沒有誰害人：上主說。」（65:25）原來耶穌基督派遣我們「猶如羔羊往狼群中」（路10:3），是為了履行祂藉依撒意亞先知所許下的諾言。我們的任務，就是拓展天國，建築天主的聖山，宣佈天主的主權。當天主作主的時候，再沒有誰作惡害人。

傳福音不一定成功，不一定受歡迎。我們害怕失敗，害怕迎接我們的，是那慘無人道的可能性。所以我們躲在安樂窩中，不敢回應天主的派遣，去收割天主的莊稼。我們不想成為被撕裂的羔羊，但被撕裂了的羔羊，不就是被撕裂了的耶穌基督的化身嗎？傳教士不就是土人所需要的祭獻犧牲嗎？打在頭破血流的示威者身上的每一棍，不都落在耶穌基督的身上嗎？耶穌基督不也在被蹂躪的百姓中嗎？
天主說：「那侮辱你者的辱罵落於我身」（詠69:10b，羅15:3）。天主所需要的是羔羊，藉牠們馴化豺狼；是傳教士，帶給土人文明；是和平的示威者，繼續倡議社會公義；是無辜的平民百姓，讓侵略者珍惜和平。
天主啊！能與祢一起背負十字架，是我們的榮幸。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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The Lambs of God (Luke 10:1-12)

Before you start reading, close your eyes for a while. Imagine two lambs in the midst of a pack of wolves. What would happen?
I believe many of you will conjure up a series of bloody images: wolves biting the throat of the lambs, tearing them apart; natives sacrificing missionaries; ferocious policemen beating unarmed protesters; invading soldiers butchering old men and babies, raping women and girls etc. How terrifying such an inhuman world! But this is our mind set, a way of thinking fed by the media and even textbooks: the Law of the Jungle seasoned with sensationalism. Many of us enjoy it.

Let us now hear and feel what Isaiah saw, "Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them." (Isaiah 11:6). More than that, "The wolf and the lamb shall pasture together, and the lion shall eat hay like the ox --- but the serpent's food shall be dust. None shall harm or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord." (65:25) Indeed, Jesus sent us "like lambs among wolves" (Luke 10:3) in order to honour the promise made through Isaiah. Our task is to extend the Kingdom of Heaven, to build up the holy mountain of God, whose sovereignty we proclaim. When God becomes the Lord of all, nobody shall harm or destroy.

Evangelization may fail and evangelists be rejected. We are afraid of failures, of the terrifying possibilities that welcome us. Thus, we hide in our comfort zones and refuse to answer God's commission to reap God's field. We don't want to be torn lambs, but isn't the broken lamb the incarnation of Jesus Christ? Are missionaries not the sacrificial lambs the natives offer? Does each beating on bleeding protesters not land on Jesus Christ? Is Jesus Christ not among the abused people?
God says, "The insults of those who insult you fall upon me." (Psalm 69:10b, Romans 15:3) God needs lambs to tame the wolves; missionaries to civilize the natives; peaceful protesters to advocate social justice and innocent people to make invaders hold dear peace.
God, it is our honour to carry crosses with You. Amen.

孝順父母的定位 The Positioning of Filial Piety

孝順父母的定位（路9:57-62）

跟隨基督，在今世是不可能安逸的。這一點倒是意料中事。不是嗎？做大事當然要付出代價。可是，除了沒有一個安居樂業的生活環境之外，跟隨耶穌基督的人，還會被世人認為是壞份子，輕則說你「不食人間煙火」，嚴厲的會覺得你「不近人情」甚至「不孝」！不是嗎？連埋葬父親或與家人告別也不可以！

仔細看看第二個人，是主耶穌揀選他，邀請他加入福傳的行列，去宣揚天主的國（路9:59a）。可見他有過人之處，可能他是一個和靄可親的人，又或者是他個人的魅力、口才，能吸引人，並且能清楚地宣講天國的道理。不傳福音，實在浪費了他獨特的天賦。可惜，他以「埋葬父親」為藉口，拒絕了耶穌基督的邀請。請注意，他的父親可能仍然健在；說到底，親情的優次比傳福音高，很多人，無論是青年人或者成年人，都過不了這一關！做不孝子，尤其是中國人，是很困難的。於是，很少五十過後的成年人，能接受自己已沒有能力照顧七八十歲的年邁父母，有需要送他們入住安老院；很多人咬緊牙關，也不願簽「不供養父母証明書」（俗稱「衰仔紙」），申請「綜合社會保障援助計劃」，以改善父母的生活質素等等，為的就是不願背上「不孝」的罪名。可見中國人對「孝順父母」的重視程度。

不過，用「孝順父母」作擋箭牌，躲在孝順父母的「安樂窩」內，逃避更崇高的召叫，是陷父母於不義。即使中國式的倫理，也把保衛國家放到孝順父母之上，所謂「臨陣無勇，非孝也！」傳福音，是把天主的生命分施給世人，說不定因著天主的慈悲，你的父母亦獲得永生。而你卻選擇先去「埋葬父母」，是聰明還是愚昧，直是高下立見！難怪耶穌說：「任憑死人去埋葬自己的死人罷！」（9:60a）
主耶穌基督，請賜下聖神，光照我們，明辨是非；增強我們對祢的熱愛，好能跳出我們的安樂窩，慷慨回應祢的聖召。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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The Positioning of Filial Piety (Luke 9:57-62)
In this world, we shall never lead a comfortable life following Christ. It is to be expected, isn't it? We must pay a price for a noble cause. Furthermore, besides not having a stable and comfortable living environment, followers of Christ would be perceived as trouble makers, from being labelled dreamers, insensible or even callous. Is it not? Even burying father or bidding farewell with family members is discouraged!

Take a closer look at the second person whom Jesus invited to join the band of evangelists to proclaim the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:59a). This indicates that this person must have some extraordinary aptitudes. Perhaps he was amiable, or charismatic, or eloquent and able to articulate the truths of the Kingdom to the audience. It would be a great waste of his talents if he did not evangelize. Unfortunately, he rejected Jesus' invitation with an excuse of "buying his father first". Be aware that his father might still be well and kicking. At the end of the day, familial relationship occupies a higher priority over evangelization. Many people, whether youngsters or adults are not able to clear this hurdle! To be filially impious is difficult especially for Chinese! Thus, many people in their fifties cannot accept the hard fact that they are no longer physically capable to take care of their parents of eighties. They need to send them to homes for the aged! Many people grit their teeth to endure hardship and refuse to sign a "Declaration of Not Providing Support to Parents" to apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance to improve the living quality of their parents all because they won't want to be branded filially impious children. From this we see how seriously Chinese take filial piety.

However, using "filial piety" as a shield and hiding in the comfort zone that is built upon in order to evade the nobler call is doing injustice to parents. Even in Chinese ethics, defending the country occupies a higher priority than honouring parents. Thus "it is filially impious if no soldier goes to the front!" Evangelization brings God's life to humanity. Perhaps because of God's mercy, your parents may attain eternal life. How obviously stupid for you to choose to bury your parents instead! No wonder Jesus says, "Let the dead bury their dead" (9:60a)
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the Holy Spirit to illuminate us to discern right from wrong. Increase our love for you so that we are able to jump out of our comfort zone to answer generously your call. Amen.

謙遜之德 The Virtue of Humility

謙遜之德（瑪18:1-5, 10）

資源短缺是經濟學的基礎。倘若有用之不盡的所需品，又或者每個人能自給自足，變成一無所需，相信這個世界便會少很多爭奪了。在各種資源變得越來越罕有的今天，權力更加成了眾人嚮往擁有的東西。因為成為了最大，便可以控制到最多的資源；擁有越多的資源，我們越有安全感。試問誰不想成為最大的呢？

在天國裡，我們在身、心、靈的各方面，不再有任何匱乏。到時，天主「要從他們的眼上拭去一切淚痕。」（默7:17，21:4）即是說，在天國裡，再沒有任何需求，因為天主會滿足我們的一切需要。但生活在現世，是充滿著各式各樣的需求，跟天國完全不一樣。我們怎樣過渡，怎樣適應呢？所以，現在就要開始學習天國的生活，以免日後在天國適應不了。

今天，耶穌基督教導我們「自謙自卑如同一個小孩」（瑪18:4），便可以適應到天國的生活。倘若我們能自謙自卑，我們便能「空虛」自己，便有空間接受到我們的護守天使，從天父那裡帶來的一點兒天國的喜樂，讓我們預先品嘗。正如我們不能再注水進入一隻滿滿的杯子裡，同樣，倘若我們是「肚滿腸肥」、或者自以為是、或者喜歡操制別人、目中無人等等，試問我們又如何「款待到天使」（希13:2），而天主又怎能藉著我們的護守天使，在我們的心靈中，灌注恩寵呢？這恩寵就是靈修家所指的「神慰」。既然「謙卑」是一種有層次的德行，是可以修煉得來的，讓我們努力謙卑吧！
父啊！不要照我的意願，但照祢的意願，成就於我吧。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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The Virtue of Humility (Matthew 18:1-5, 10)

Scarcity of resources is the foundation of Economics. If we had inexhaustible supply of daily necessities, or if everybody became self-sufficient or never in want, less conflicts would arise. In today's world where more and more resources are becoming scarce, power has become the most coveted item in the world. It is because whoever is the greatest shall control the access to most resources. Gaining access to more resources, we feel more secure. Then, who doesn't want to be the greatest?

In the Kingdom of Heaven, we shall lack nothing in any aspects of our lives, our heart and our spirits. By then, "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17, 21:4) That is to say, in the Kingdom of Heaven, nobody shall be in want because God will satisfy all our needs. But living in this world, there are many needs for us to meet. It is totally different from the Kingdom of Heaven. How do we migrate, how do we adapt? Thus, starting from now, we need to learn to lead the living style in the Kingdom. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to adapt.

Today, Jesus Christ teaches us to "humble himself like this child" (Matthew 18:4) in order to adapt to life in the Kingdom of Heaven. If we humble ourselves and empty ourselves, then we shall have room to receive and fore-taste the heavenly joy which our guardian angels bring us from the Father. Just as we can no longer pour water into a full glass, in a similar way, if our hearts are fattened with egoism, with control obsession and with haughty eyes, how can we "entertain angels" (Hebrews 13:2) and how can God fill our hearts and souls with grace through our guardian angels? Spirituality experts call this grace "consolation". Since humility is a graded virtue which can be cultivated, let us labour to become humble.
Father! May it be done to me not according to what I will but what you will. Amen.

跳出安樂窩 Jump Out of Our Comfort Zone

跳出安樂窩
（路10:25-37）

「愛德」之所以稱為「德」，是因為它不是與生俱來的潛能，而是經過長時間栽培出來的好習慣。各人的潛能不同，而且是不能勉強培養出來，祇可以發掘出來的。無論你如何羨慕他人與生俱來的美貎與智慧，始終祇能「可望而不可即」。

德行則不同，它是把良好的習慣，操練成不費吹灰之力的心理傾向。所有人都是有能力成功操練到的。例如：平時的你，做事可能粗心大意，但受過幾次挫折之後，你會變得小心謹慎。把「謹慎」培養成良好的習慣，以至凡事小心謹慎。這樣，謹慎便成了你的德行。所以，當大部份人因醜聞而離開教會的時候，有「信德」的人仍對天主保持信心，對耶穌基督保持信心，相信聖神一定會管理、護守教會；當有人需要援助的時候，有「愛德」的人不會思前想後，計算一番之後纔出手幫助；當面對龐大的政治機器，令你和與你志同道合的人，受到不公義的迫害，而且在你有生之年，是沒有希望可以平反的時候，有「望德」的人仍寄望天主的諾言，有朝一日得到實現。

問題在於這些德行，是如何修煉得來的呢？
在慈善的撒瑪黎雅人的比喻中，耶穌基督教導經師從受傷者的角度思考，便輕易成為有愛德的人。倘若我們不願跳出自己的安樂窩，仍以自我為中心，「愛德」是煉不到的。司祭和肋未人躲在「聖潔」的安樂窩內，不願受到玷污，不能離開自我的中心，向受傷的同胞伸出援手。反觀那個撒瑪黎雅人，本來他可以停留在「種族歧視」的安樂窩之中，不顧而去。但他動了憐憫之心，跳出了安樂窩，不假思索，向歧視他的猶太人伸出援手。
主啊！我們沉睡在自己的安樂窩，有如拉匝祿睡在墳墓一樣。請喚醒我們，走出自我，生活出祢對世人的慈悲。亞孟。

生命恩泉

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Jump Out of Our Comfort Zone
(Luke 10:25-37)

Charity is a virtue because it is not inborn but a good habit built up in time. Each one of us was born with different potentials which cannot be implanted but unleashed. No matter how much we desire the beauty and wisdom that the others possessed by birth, we can only admire and not acquire.

Virtues are different. They are good habits and psychological inclinations which have become our second nature after long periods of practices. Everybody is able to achieve through practice. For example, you used to be absent-minded but after a few frustrations, you would become more prudent. Make prudence a good habit and you become prudent in everything you do. Then prudence becomes your virtue. Thus, when most people leave the Church because of scandals, those with faith continue to trust in the Lord, trust in Jesus Christ and believe that the Holy Spirit will continue to govern and guard the Church. When there are people in need of relief, people with charity will not extend a helping hand after calculation. When a gigantic political machination persecutes you and your comrades unfairly, and furthermore, there is no hope of rectification in your life time; people with hope continue to rely on God's promises which shall surely come to fruition.

How do we cultivate such virtues?
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught the Teacher of the Law to think along the perspective of the victim in order to be a person of charity. If we are not willing to jump out of our comfort zone and continue to be egocentric, it will be impossible for us to become charitable. The priest and the Levi hid behind the comfort zone of cleanliness. They did not want to be defiled. They were not able to quit their self-centre to extend a helping hand to their injured kinsman. On the contrary, the Samaritan could have stayed in his comfort zone of racial discrimination and just walked away as well. Yet, he was moved by compassion, jumped out of his comfort zone to help without giving a second thought to a Jew who discriminated him.
Lord! We are sleeping in our comfort zone like Lazarus in his tomb. Wake us up to walk out of our ego to live up to your mercy to mankind. Amen.