主題：對己對人的偏見
上一個主日，我們聽到有關耶穌基督在祂的家鄉納匝肋，宣佈祂的政綱：就是以聖神的力量，賜予貧窮人豐盈的生命，解放遭受著各種壓迫的俘虜（路4:18）。這個豐盈的生命，不是虛無縹緲的來世生命，而是在當下的現實世界裡，活出充滿聖神活力和喜樂的生命；這個解放，不是任意妄為地放縱自己的私慾偏情，而是按福音的精神，活出天主子女的自由（羅8:21）。這政綱不是由一般人，而是由天主子親口宣佈，的確是天大的喜訊。但耶穌基督的鄉親父老接受不來。他們的反應是「這不是若瑟的兒子嗎？」（路4:22）這一份狹隘的偏見，令納匝肋人錯過了福音所帶來的豐盛恩寵，誠然可惜！
受到過去的經歷所影響，我們對別人、對自己都會產生偏見。而且，偏見是很難糾正的。因為偏見所持有的理據，非常簡單，容易明白。相反，要証明偏見的錯謬，就困難得多了。例如西方社會歧視黑人，認為他們的人種是愚蠢和衝動的。在兩次大戰之間，美國已有研究指出，黑人的智商，比白人低15至20！其實，問題出在黑人生活在貧窮中、政府又施行種族隔離政策，與及黑人學校的資助不足，導致那些智商測試工具，因文化及社會上的偏差，對於大部份沒有機會接受同等教育的黑人不利。即使我們中國人做那些測試，相信亦拿不到高分。難道中國人的智商比美國的白人低嗎？証明黑人和中國人的智商低很容易，因為智商測試結果就是這樣！但要証明社會制度和智商測試工具出了毛病，就困難得多了。要表達和捍衛真理，真不容易！
對別人懷有偏見，把對方放在一個既定的框架內，除了對別人不公平外，對自己也是一份損失。猶太人對耶穌基督的偏見，令他們喪失了得到天主治療和解放的喜樂。美國白人對黑人的歧視，令罪案上升，令黑人沒有機會貢獻美國社會。可見歧視偏見，對個人和社會的禍害很大。不過，大家有沒有想過，原來自己對自己，也會有偏見！相信大家會有以下的經驗：你的朋友勸告你改變一些，客觀上不理想的壞習慣、或者做事方式甚至態度時，你的反應是甚麼？「我生來就是這樣，改不了！」。這一個很容易明白，連自己也欺騙了的藉口，它節省了九牛二虎之力，去改善自己！這樣做，合理嗎？有益嗎？讓我和大家分享這三年來當執事的一點經歷，希望能幫助大家，提防對自己懷有偏見。
領了執事職的初期，很多認識我的人，改不了從前的稱謂，仍然會稱呼我「郭生」，「郭Sir」，我亦不以為然。後來纔發覺到，是自己缺乏了一份應有的執事氣質。原來四十年來的教學生涯，在我身上累積了深厚的，做教師的處事和思考風格。即使做了執事，說話仍然像個教師，講道仍然像個教師，做事仍然像個教師（格前13:11）。真的是「我生來就是這樣，改不了」嗎？
首先，老師每天批閱同學的習作，久而久之，祇注意到學生的錯處，並毫不猶疑地加以更正，惟恐誤人子弟。在教育的環境還可以，但在大社會又可以這樣嗎？做家訪時，客氣地詢問戶主為甚麼家中有這麼多無用的雜物？為甚麼不執拾地方，讓一家人可以住得更舒適？為甚麼家中沒有聖經，沒有祈禱的角落？在聚會分享祈禱心得時，糾正其他人分享祈禱經驗中的不合理性！可以「我生來就是這樣，改不了」嗎？
感謝天主，今天有機會再次「初出茅廬」，踏上執事的聖召之路。憑著堅振聖事和聖秩聖事所領受的傅油，憑著聖神所賦予的七恩，一切都成了可能的。問題在於自己有沒有渴望天主的解放，天主的牧養；有沒有敬畏孝愛天主，獲享智慧、聰敏、超見、明達的恩寵，並以剛毅，完成蒙召成聖的目標。
其次，老師的責任，是「傳道、授業、解惑」。尤其是現代的老師，他們幫助同學應付公開考試，當然掌握了所有標準答案！順理成章，做了執事，自然掌握了所有天主的真理！殊不知四十年的教學生涯，累積了的都是狹窄的經驗，產生了很多盲點！在研習聖經，講授要理，指導靈修的時候，忘記了自己祇是一位同行者，是陪伴眾人與耶穌基督，建立個人的親密關係，而不是一部錄音機，依書直說，並無虛言。結果，當別人指出自己的錯誤時，心裡十分納悶，接受不了！是虛榮心使自己不願意放下以往的成就，而這份虛榮心，又源自更深層的自悲感，感覺到自己的不足，自己的罪過；但缺乏勇氣面對和改過，便努力以成就來逃避它、掩飾它。回想當年初出茅廬，經驗不足，但有如海棉一樣，努力吸取知識和教訓。難道年紀大了，腦袋硬化了，喪失了年輕時的吸收能力嗎？原來過去的成就，成了今天的包袱。當年所見的若瑟之子，今天，納匝肋的鄉親父老，仍然以「若瑟之子」的框架，看待天主子耶穌基督！
各位兄弟姊妹，讓我們空虛自己，渴求天主的平安；擺脫既定框架，開放自己，與聖神合作，踏上成聖之路。不要躲懶，再說「我生來就是這樣，改不了！」
天主保祐！
Fourth Ordinary Sunday, Year C
Theme: Prejudice Against Oneself and Others
Last Sunday, we heard of Jesus' proclamation of His agenda at Nazareth, His home town: With the power of the Holy Spirit, He shall bestow abundant life to the poor and liberate prisoners of all sorts (Luke 4:18). This abundant life is not some elusive life in the next world, but leading a spirit-filled and joyful life in this concrete world. This liberation is not an unrestrained gratification of the concupiscence but living up, in the spirit of the gospel, a life of freedom as children of God (Romans 8:21). This agenda was proclaimed, not by ordinary men, but the Son of God. It is truly a good news. However, Jesus' kinfolk could not accept it. Their reaction was "Isn't this the son of Joseph?" (Luke 4:22) Such narrow-minded prejudice cost the people of Nazareth the abundant grace the gospel brought. It is truly regrettable!
Affected by past experiences, we bias against others and ourselves. Moreover, it is very difficult to rectify prejudices. It is because prejudices are usually based on simple and easily understood "evidence". On the contrary, it is extremely difficult to prove the falsity of prejudices. For example, Western societies bias against the Black, thinking that this race is stupid and emotional. Between the two World Wars, there were studies showing that the IQ of the Black was 15 to 20 lower than that of the White. In fact, the problem came from the poverty in which the Black were living, the segragation policy of the government and the inadequate subsidies to black schools. Because of these cultural and social disparities, the Black who did not have equal opportunity to receive education were disadvantaged in those IQ tests. Even we Chinese could not obtain high scores in those tests. Is the IQ of Chinese lower than that of the White in USA? Proving the IQ's of the Black and Chinese are lower is easy because the test results show it! However, to prove that the social system and the IQ tests are flawed is more difficult. It is not easy to articulate and defend the Truth!
It is unfair to be biased and to pigeonhole others into a rigid framework. It also causes us losses. The Jews biased against Jesus Christ, costing them the joy of receiving God's cure and liberation. The American White prejudice against the Black, causing the crime rate to climb and denying the Black from contributing to the American society. Thus, prejudice is harmful both to the individuals and to the society as a whole. However, do you know that we can bias against ourselves? I trust you might have this following experience: your friend advises you to change some objectively bad habits, or working style or attitude. What is your response? "I was born this way. There is no way to change!" This is an easily understood excuse which we use to cheat even ourselves because it saves us ardent efforts to improve ourselves! But is it rational? Is it beneficial? Let me share with you some experiences of my 3-year diaconate. I hope they will help you avoid prejudices against yourselves.
During the early stage after ordination, many people who have known me were not able to change their addresses to me, kept calling me "Mr. Kwok" or "Kwok Sir". I was not surprised but later, I discovered that it was caused by my lack of a diaconate temperament which I should possess. My forty-year teaching career has accumulated in me a thicket of "Teacher Modus Operanti". Being a deacon, I still speak like a teacher, deliver homily like a teacher and operate like a teacher (1 Corinthians 13:11). Can I say, "I was born this way. There is not way to change"?
First of all, teachers mark student assignments everyday. After a long time, they focus more on the students' mistakes and will not hesitate to correct them lest they fail the students entrusted onto their hands. It works well in the education sector but does it work in the society at large? Visiting homes, can you courteously ask the host why there are so many useless things around, why they don't clean up the house so that members can live more comfortably, why there is no bibles, no prayer corners at home. During gatherings to share prayer experiences, correct the irrationality of the prayer experiences of the participants! Can you say, "I was born this way. There is no way to change"?
I thank God. Today, I have the opportunity to emerge again and take to the path of sanctification. With the anointments from the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Orders, with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible. The question is whether I desire the liberation, the shepherding of God, whether I am pious to and fearful of God and enjoy the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel and knowledge. With fortitude, we can achieve the target of sanctification.
Secondly, the duty of a teacher is "to proclaim the truth, to hand down the establishment and to resolve confusions". In particular, teachers of modern time help students sit for public examinations. Teachers have all the model answers! Logically, after diaconate ordination, I have all the truth of God! Unbeknown to myself, the experiences I have accumulated in this forty-year teaching career are narrow and full of blind spots! When we study the bible, conduct catechumen classes or do spiritual directions, I forget that I am only a facilitator, accompanying them to establish an intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Instead, I speak like a tape-recorder, giving all the model answers without leaving out anything. Consequently, when somebody points out my mistake, I feel hurt! It is vainglory that prevents me from laying down my past achievements. In turn, this vainglory originates from a deeper inferiority complex which makes me feel inadequate and sinful. However, a lack of courage to change and repent drives me to spend my energy to achieve in order to evade and cover up this inferiority complex. Looking back when I first worked as a teacher, I was not experienced but I worked hard to absorb all available knowledge and lessons like a sponge. Now that I have grown old, have I lost my ability to absorb new understanding? The past achievements have become a burden instead today. The kindreds in Nazareth still pigeonholed the Son of God, Jesus Christ into the framework of "son of Joseph"!
Brethren, let us empty ourselves and desire the peace of God. Shake off frameworks and open ourselves up. Cooperate with the Holy Spirit to trod on the path of sanctification. Don't be lazy and claim that "I was born that way. There is no way to change."
God bless!
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