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。
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.
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