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Friday, 29 March 2019

謙卑之五 Humility V

謙卑之五(谷12:28b-34

在這一篇經師與耶穌基督的對話中,又一次顯示出謙遜,對得救成義的重要性。沒有謙遜,根本進不了天國!

經師在哪一方面表現出他缺乏了謙遜呢?他提出問題,挑戰耶穌基督,是學者之間的切磋討論,並非出於驕傲。問題出在,耶穌基督回覆了一個令他口服心服的答案後,這位經師祇說一句「不錯,師傅說得實在對」,不是已經足夠了嗎?他並沒有必要改述一次(谷12:32-33)。耶穌基督在山中聖訓曾說過:「你們的話當是:是就說是,非就說非;其他多餘的便是出於邪惡。」(瑪5:37)可惜,原文已經是最好的,任何改述都祇能是「次貨」。這位經師為了面子,勉強改述經文,暴露出一副不服氣的嘴臉。他還說:守誡命「遠超過一切全燔祭和犧牲。」(谷12:33

是的,在舊約的經典中,天主曾多次表示祂喜歡聽命勝於祭獻(撒上15:22,詠40:7-9);祂喜歡仁慈和認識天主勝過全燔祭(歐6:6)雖然這位經師想肯定自己的價值,但他沒有必要用「遠超過」來踐踏司祭,抬舉自己。

當知識是用來炫耀的時候,內心便會缺乏對天主的敬畏。而敬畏上主是「智慧的肇基」(詠111:10;箴1:79:10)是真正知識的根源。這份敬畏從何而來呢?「謙卑的賞報,是敬畏上主。」(22:4)原來一切皆從謙卑開始。謙卑生敬畏,敬畏生智慧,智慧生對天主真正的認識,這纔是天主所喜歡的。耶穌基督是慈悲的,祂並不審判,亦不會勉強不服氣的人接受福音。一句「離天國不遠」(谷12:34),鼓勵這位缺乏謙遜的經師,朝正確的方面前進。
天父啊!讓我們的眼目,不知高視逞能(詠131:1)。亞孟。

生命恩泉


Humility V (Mark 12:28b-34)

The dialogue between Jesus Christ and the Scribe shows once more the importance of humility for justification. Without humility, one cannot enter the Kingdom of God!

How did the Scribe show a lack of humility? His posing Jesus Christ a question to challenge him was a common way of discussion among scholars. It was not pride. The problem arose when Jesus Christ gave him a perfect answer. Was it not enough for the Scribe simply said, "Well said, teacher. You are right"? It was superfluous for him to paraphrase (Mark 12:32-33) once more. Jesus Christ once said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes' and your 'No' mean 'No'. Anything more is from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37) Unfortunately, the original scripture is already the best rendition. Any paraphrasing shall be inferior. In order to save face, this Scribe attempted to paraphrase the scripture, exposing his reluctance to acknowledge defeat. Moreover, he says, "[Love] is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:33)

Indeed, God has shown many times in the Old Testament that He delights in obedience more than sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22, Psalm 401:7-9). He desires mercy and knowledge of God more than holocausts. (Hosea 6:6) Although this Scribe wanted to affirm his importance, it was not necessary for him to trample on the priests with "is worth more than" to elevate himself.

When knowledge serves only to show off, the heart shall lack a fear of the Lord. And fear of the Lord is "the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7, 9:10), the source of authentic knowledge. Where does this fear come from? "The result of humility and fear of the Lord is riches, honour and life." (22:4) Therefore, all things start off from humility which breeds fear. Fear of the Lord breeds wisdom and wisdom breeds genuine knowledge of the Lord. This is what God desires. Jesus Christ is merciful. He does not pass judgment and shall not impose the gospel on people who are reluctant. "You are not far from the Kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34) encourages this Scribe who lacks humility to move ahead in the right direction.
Heavenly Father! Let my heart not be proud; nor my eyes haughty (Psalm 131:1). Amen.

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