主題：我的時刻尚未來到
天主教的社會訓導，強調教會的君王角色，替天行道，「以貧為先」，服侍社會上貧窮的人。社會訓導亦強調教會的先知角色，向世人宣講天主的公義，並且為受壓迫者發聲。不過，有些對天主教社會訓導稍有認識的人，會反過來批評香港教區，過份攀附權貴，在一些他們認為不公義的情況下，教區不敢為受壓迫者出頭等等。慈母聖教會對這些批評，雖然不會反感，但亦不會置之不理。希望「青年年」是一個好的場合，聆聽並交換意見，促進彼此間的諒解。
事實上，關顧窮人和與權貴來往，彼此互不排斥，除非我們在關顧窮人的同時，歧視富貴和有權勢的人！耶穌基督有歧視富有的人嗎？沒有！且看今天的福音，耶穌基督和他的門徒應邀出席加納的婚宴。家中有僕人在婚宴上工作，不足為奇；但有六口取潔禮用的石缸（若2:6），恐怕這家是一個大宅門吧。而且有司席試酒（2:8），滿意後纔拿出去奉客，怎可能是一般平民百姓，窮等人家呢？除此之外，耶穌基督主動提出到稅吏長匝凱的家中成為座上客（路19:5）；不介意幫助羅馬百夫長，治好他僕人的病（7:9）。最後，是一個顯貴的議員，阿黎瑪特雅人若瑟埋葬耶穌基督的（谷15:43）。可見，耶穌基督一視同仁，絕不歧視權貴或者嫌棄窮人和外人。在祂慈悲的眼中，有需要幫助的人，是沒有貧窮和富貴，受壓迫和有權勢的分別！
但是，為甚麼當聖母瑪利亞向耶穌基督，提出主人家的困窘時，耶穌基督的反應，「女人，這於我和妳有甚麼關係？ 我的時刻尚未來到。」（若2:4），是如此冷漠呢？耶穌基督不是樂意幫助有困難的人嗎？為甚麼祂覺得主人家缺酒，與祂沒有關係呢？兩母子一起生活了三十年，雖然未到心有靈犀的境界，但聖母熱心助人，關顧別人的需要，是基督徒的好榜樣，耶穌基督是欣賞的。那麼，二話不說，直接行個神蹟，解決了當前的困難，不是很好嗎？最後，祂不是行了第一個神蹟，把水變成了酒，解決了主人家的困難嗎？耶穌基督對聖母的答覆，豈不是多此一舉嗎？所以，耶穌基督的答覆，必定別具意義，值得我們默想！
耶穌基督在若望福音中，很喜歡運用「時刻」或者 「時辰」一辭，共10節；另外，若望也說了兩次，猶太人想捉拿耶穌基督，但沒有成功，「因為他的時辰還沒有到。」（7:30；8:20）可見，在若望福音所說「耶穌基督的時刻」，是指祂公開傳福音直到在十字架上受難和往後的復活。當時，耶穌基督祇是應邀出席婚宴，尚未公開傳道，所以祂的時刻尚未來到。這種解釋，未免太迂腐了！婚宴不也是一個傳福音很好的場合嗎？耶穌基督曾運用「婚宴」來比喻「天國」，那麼，在婚宴上宣講天國的道理，不是最貼切嗎？所以，耶穌基督這樣「冷漠」地回覆聖母瑪利亞，好像嫌棄她麻煩，必定有所教訓。
是的。一切都在天主的掌握之中。在聖母指出主人家缺酒之前，難道耶穌基督不知道嗎？需要聖母提示嗎？祂一定知道，並且心裡有數，在適當的時候，祂將會出手做一些事，例如把剩下的酒，好像五餅二魚一樣增多。聖母瑪利亞以母親的身份，向耶穌基督指出主人家缺酒，是愛德的表現；作為兒子的耶穌基督，是非常明白的。不過，在這裡，耶穌基督卻以天主子的身份回應聖母瑪利亞，提醒聖母，「事事有時節」，而祂的時刻尚未來到！作為一個人，聖母焦急，是可以理解的。作為天主，耶穌基督心裡有數，要對祂的安排有信心！聖母並沒有令耶穌基督失望，她滿懷信心地吩咐僕人，依照耶穌基督的指示做事（2:5）！
的確，「事事有時節…生有時，死有時。」（訓3:1-2）
請大家不要依賴神蹟來解決困難，這是一個動搖信德的誘惑！魔鬼不是曾誘惑耶穌基督從聖殿頂跳下嗎？群眾不是嘲弄耶穌基督，要祂從十字架上下來便相信祂嗎？即使在神蹟面前，有些人仍然是不明就裡，神蹟對他們根本起不了甚麼作用。司席和新郎就是一個例子了。請大家記住，神蹟是用來表達天主對人的愛護，藉神蹟讓人得到更豐盛的生命。其實，耶穌基督絕對有自由，可以拒絕為新郎新娘錦上添花，送給他們最好的美酒。但耶穌基督願意人類領受福音，使貧乏如水的生命，變得好像美酒一樣，更喜樂更豐盛。所以，即使祂的時刻尚未來到，即使祂尚未公開傳道，祂仍樂意使我們的生命更喜樂更豐盛。
神蹟後，司席和新郎仍然不明就裡，但僕人們卻是知道的。這些卑微的人，會有甚麼反應呢？他們後來跟隨了耶穌基督，亦未可知！聖母瑪利亞把一切看在眼裡，必定默存心裡，反覆思量。三年後在十字架下，聽到耶穌基督再稱呼她一次「女人」（若19:26），她終於明白一切了！門徒們，包括寫福音的若望，看見了天主聖子的光榮，就信從了祂（2:11），日後獲得信仰上的榮冠。
在楊主教病危時，雖然教區在上午發出訊息，請大家為楊主教的康復祈禱，但不出三小時，楊主教便息勞歸主，令教區措手不及。祈禱沒有用嗎？不是所有的人都像聖母瑪利亞一樣有福，聖母向耶穌基督求甚麼，都得蒙應允。我們呢？是我們的信德不夠嗎？對，我們的信德很脆弱！因為我們堅持要求我們所渴望的事物，沒有讓天主在適當的時候，做適當的事！在梵蒂岡與中國簽署任命主教的臨時協議前，我們不肯相信教會與無神論政權打交道；簽署後，很多人感到失望，因為結果並不符合他們的意願，他們懷疑教廷出賣中國教會。楊主教去世，很多人希望夏主教執掌教務，結果湯樞機被委任處理過渡期的教務，又令很多教友不滿，覺得教廷向無神主義政權屈服等等。請問，倘若耶穌基督拒絕了聖母瑪利亞的請求，拒絕在加納婚宴上行水變酒的神蹟，大家會失望嗎？
各位兄弟姊妹，我們在祈禱的時候，是強加自己的意願到天主身上呢？還是尋求天父的旨意，讓天父按祂的時辰，開展祂的計劃呢？我們真的要看到神蹟，纔相信天主嗎？
天主保祐！
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Theme: My Hour Has Not Yet Come
The Catholic Social Teachings stress the kingship role of the Church to work on behalf of God to opt for the poor and to serve the poor in the society. CST also stress the prophetic role of the Church to proclaim the righteousness of God and speak up for the oppressed. However, some who know a bit about CST turn around to criticize the Hong Kong Diocese for their amiable relationship with the rich and powerful. In some unfair situations in their eyes, the Diocese have not stood up for the oppressed etc. Although the motherly Church is not offended, she will not ignore such criticisms. We hope that this Year of the Youth can be a good occasion to exchange opinions and to promote mutual understanding.
Indeed, option for the poor and maintaining an amiable relationship with the rich and powerful is not mutually exclusive, unless you prejudice against the rich and powerful while you serve the poor! Did Jesus prejudice against the rich? No! Take a look at the gospel today. Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. Servants serving in a wedding were no surprise, but the six stone water jars for ceremonial washings (John 2:6) show that the house must be a big one. There was even a headwaiter to taste the wine before serving (2:8). How could it be a house of commoners? Besides, Jesus Christ took the initiative to stay at the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5); did not mind healing the servant of a Roman centurion (7:9). Lastly, it was Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who buried Jesus Christ (Mark 15:43). Thus, Jesus Christ does not prejudice against the rich, the powerful, the poor and the aliens. In His merciful gaze, there is no difference between people in need, be they poor or rich, oppressed or powerful!
But why was Jesus' answer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, when she mentioned the embarrassment of the host, so indifferent? "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." (John 2:4) Isn't Jesus Christ happy to help the needy? Why isn't he bothered when the host has no more wine? Mother and son have been living together for thirty years. Though their minds have not yet become one, Jesus Christ should appreciate the BVM's eagerness to help the needy which is a good Christian exemplar. Then wouldn't it be good to work a miracle immediately without much ado to solve the host's problem? Wasn't Jesus Christ's answer to the BVM a bit superfluous? Thus, there must be deeper meanings in the Jesus Christ's answer which is worth meditating!
In the gospel of John, Jesus Christ uses the word "hour" in more than 10 verses. Besides, John also says twice "His hour has not yet come" (7:30, 8:20) when the Jews tried to arrest Jesus and failed. Thus, in the gospel of John, "the hour of Jesus Christ" means his public ministry up to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. At that time, Jesus Christ was only a guest at a wedding. He had not begun his public evangelization. Thus his hour has not yet come. This explanation is a bit too narrow-minded. Isn't a wedding banquet not a good evangelization occasion? Jesus Christ makes use of wedding banquets to symbolize the Kingdom of Heaven. Then isn't it the more appropriate to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven at a wedding banquet? Thus, the "indifferent" manner with which Jesus Christ answered the BVM, seemingly rejecting her intervention must have some special teachings.
Indeed, God has everything under His control. Didn't Jesus Christ know before the BVM told him that the host had no wine? Did he need the BVM's reminder? He must have known and planned to act when the time comes, such as multiplying the remaining wine, like five loaves and two fish. The BVM spoke to her son that the host had no wine. It was charity which as a son must be familiar. But here, Jesus Christ answered the BVM as the Son of God, reminding her that "There is an appointed time for everything." His hour has not come yet. The eagerness of BVM as a human being is understandable. As God, Jesus Christ knows it all. We have to put our trust fully in Him! The BVM did not disappoint Jesus Christ. Full of faith, she told the servants to do whatever he told them. (2:5)
Indeed, "There is an appointed time for everything ... a time to give birth, and a time to die." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)
Please, do not rely on miracles to solve problems. It is a temptation that weakens our faith! Didn't the Devil ask Jesus Christ to jump down from the top of the Temple? Didn't the people tease Jesus, asking him to jump down from the cross so that they might believe in him? Some people remain ignorant even seeing a miracle face to face. Miracles just don't work. The headwaiter and the bridegroom are examples. Bear this in mind. Miracles show God's love for men. God makes our lives more abundant with miracles. In fact, Jesus Christ has absolute freedom to refuse icing the cake with the best wine. But Jesus Christ wants us to receive the gospel, to turn a life of poverty like plain water into a joyful and fulfilled life like good wine. Thus, even though his hour has not yet come, he has not yet begun his public ministry, Jesus Christ is happy to make our life more joyful and more fulfilled.
After the miracle, the headwaiter and bridegroom remained ignorant, but the servants knew. How would these humble servants respond? Perhaps they might follow Jesus! The BVM saw everything and reflecting on them in her heart. Three years later under the cross, when Jesus Christ called her "Woman" once more (John 19:26), at last, she understood all! The disciples, including John who wrote the gospel, saw his glory and began to believe in him (2:11) and were crowned with laurel wreaths of faith in the days to come.
When the late Bishop Michael Yeung was on his deathbed, although the Diocese appealed the faithful to pray for the recovery of the Bishop, less than three hours later, the Bishop passed away. The Diocese was taken by surprise. Is prayer useless? Not everybody is as blessed as the BVM. Whatever she requests from Jesus Christ, it is granted her. What about us? Is our faith too weak? Yes, our faith is too fragile! It is because we insist on what we desire and have not allowed God time to act! Before the Vatican signs a temporary agreement on the appointment of bishops with People's Republic of China, we refused to believe that the Church had any dealing with an atheist regime. After signing the agreement, many people are disappointed because the outcome doesn't follow their wishes. They suspect that the Church in China has been betrayed by the Roman Curia. After the death of Bishop Michael Yeung, many people want Bishop Ha to take over. It turns out that the Roman Curia appointed Cardinal John Tong to be the Apostolic Administrator to handle the transition. Again, this disappoints many faithful who feel that the Curia bent her knees to the atheist regime etc. Let's think about it. Had Jesus Christ refused the request of the BVM, refused to turn water into wine in Cana, would you be disappointed?
Brethren, do we impose our will on God when we pray? Or do we seek the Father's will, allowing Him time to unfold His plan? Do we really need to see miracles to believe in God?
God bless!
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