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！
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!
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