【愛是不保留】是一首膾炙人口的崇拜詩歌，可惜歌詞有一點瑕疵，令動人的旋律失色！問題出現在最後一句：「我已決定今生再沒所求，惟望得主稱讚已足夠！」雖然歌詞與旋律配合得很好，但明顯地與今天的福音教訓，「僕人做了吩咐的事，主人豈要向他道謝？」（路17:9）大相逕庭！
「奉上生命全歸主所有，要將一切盡獻於我主的手。」是基督徒絕對正確的意願和態度！希望不要淪為口號而已。我們的生命源於天主，無論是肉身的生命還是靈性的生命，我們祇不過是這生命的管家。無論我們願意與否，天主擁有我們的生命。我們既然是管家，就應該履行管家的任務，運用所管有的資產，按主人的旨意，賺取最大的利潤！但不要忘記，資產和運用資產的機會，全是主人所賜予的！所以，我們「既做吩咐你們的一切，仍然要說：我們是無用的僕人，我們不過做了我們應做的事。」（17:10）
可惜，很多天主教徒連應做的事也沒有做好！你們說，甚麼是天主教徒應做的事？參加主日彌撒，領聖體、每年最少辦告解一次、守大小齋、守十誡、盡力幫助教會經費。不是嗎？是！這是「聖教四規」，是做天主教徒的最低要求。可是，你會滿足老闆支付「最低工資」給你嗎？你不想改善你的收入，讓你他日在天堂，有更豐厚的寶藏嗎？
天主教徒，雖然我們都是無用的僕人，但始終這是我們應做的事！豈能期望獲得主的稱讚呢？
天主教徒應做的事，還有讀經祈禱、行愛德，幫助貧困弱小、以真福八端的態度生活、追求社會公義、不怕為義而受迫害。每個天主教徒按他們的生活處境，秉承福音的教訓生活，展示天父慈愛的面貎，這就是傳福音的實際行動。
How Can Christians Expect to be Praised by the Lord? (Luke 17:7-10)
"The Unreserved Love" is a popular worship hymn. Unfortunately, a flaw in the last line of the Chinese lyrics casts a shadow over the touching melody. The Chinese version reads, "I have decided not to pray for anything else but am satisfied with the Lord's praise!" Although it fits the melody perfectly well, obviously it is contrary to the gospel teaching today, "Is the Master grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?" (Luke 17:9)
"Make my life a fragrant offering I pray, Help me Lord to serve you truly every day" is an absolutely correct wish and attitude of Christians. Hope that it is not just a slogan. Our life came from God. We are only stewards of our physical and spiritual life. Whether we like it or not, God possesses our life. We are stewards and in order to discharge the duties of stewards, we should manage and earn the greatest rewards according to the will of the Master! Don't forget, the property and even the opportunities to make use of the property are given by the Master. Therefore, "When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'" (17:10)
Unfortunately, many Catholics are not even able to do what they are obliged to do. What things are Catholics obliged to do? Joining Sunday mass; receiving the sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation at least once a year; fasting; observing the Ten Commandments and providing for the expenditures of the Church etc. Aren't they? They are the Precepts of the Church, the minimum requirements of Catholics. But are you happy if your boss pays you the minimum wages only? Don't you want to increase your incomes so that when you go to heaven, you will find an abundant treasure?
Catholics, although we are unprofitable servants, those are our obligations. How can we expect the Lord to praise us?
Catholics should also study the Bible; pray; do works of charity; help the needy; live up to the teachings of the Beatitudes; seek social justice and are not afraid of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Every Catholic should, each in his own way, lead a life according to the teachings of the Beatitudes in order to show the merciful countenance of the Father. This is evangelization.
No comments:
Post a Comment