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。
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.
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