祈禱有用嗎？ Does Prayer Work?

常年期第十七主日，丙年
主題：祈禱有用嗎？
世間萬事萬物，皆可從不同角度看，尋找真理的一部份。一朵玫瑰花，可以悲觀地看，為甚麼它這麼短命；可以浪漫地看，例如，羅密歐對朱麗葉說：「即使人們用別的名字呼喚它，玫瑰依然甜美」；也可以運用信德的眼光看，讚歎天主創造的偉大和奇妙！打從六月九日開始至今，發生了很多前所未有的新事物。一如看花，我們可以悲觀地看，也可以運用信德的眼光看。
有人慨嘆香港被嚴重撕裂了。沒有捱過艱難歲月的青年人，竟然向維持治安的警察掟磚，宣洩對政府的不滿；暴力事件不斷升級，以至社團勢力拿著藤條鐵通到西鐵站「教仔」！各式小規模的衝突，有如水銀瀉地，無孔不入，正在影響民生，帶來不便等等。另一方面，五十年不變的承諾過了差不多一半，眼見河水正不斷地侵犯井水，本來對香港的未來，不敢再抱樂觀的期望。忽然新的希望，躍現眼前：本來忙於改善物質生活的上一代，被《逃犯修例》修訂所引起的恐懼喚醒了，社會意識提高了。他們開始認識到，無論如何勤力工作，在向大財團傾斜的政策和制度下，是沒有辦法安居樂業的；無論如何努力賺錢，也不能為下一代成家立室；在修例的陰影下，他們的性命財產，可以一夜之間消失！太可怕了！
另一方面，年青一代接受了普及教育，除了考試入大學，追求高薪厚職之外，明白到世界上有更遠大的價值，有更崇高的理念。現有的制度正握剎著他們的發展，未能一展抱負；於是他們爭取更大的自由，不願輕易投降放棄。可惜因為代溝問題，得不到上一代的諒解，祇能與同輩共同進退，受上一代唾罵不守本份，製造麻煩。但這個多月來，多次不同階層人士的遊行，警察與示威者衝突，黑勢力肆無忌憚地傷害市民等，一方面揭露了政府管治上的毛病；另一方面，提高了市民的公民意識，使互不相識的市民，老一輩和年青一輩的人，綻放出久違了的守望相助精神，令沉默的大多數團結起來，兩代人之間的代溝被漸漸填平了！
無論你是悲觀的，還是樂觀的，祇要你是天主教徒，你必需承認一端重要的道理：天主纔是主宰。即是說，倘若沒有天主容許，任何事情都不會發生的！有讀過舊約出谷紀嗎？沒有天主令法郎心硬，便沒有十個災難，沒有逾越節，沒有過紅海和西乃山的盟約，使一盤散沙的雅各伯子孫，團結成為以色列民族。有讀過約伯傳嗎？約伯是一個敬畏上主，富甲一方的超級富豪。他家庭生活美滿，有十個兒女。惟恐他們得罪天主，約伯每天清早為每個子女獻上全燔祭品（約1:5）。約伯樹大招風，惹來撒殫的嫉妒。可是，假如沒有天主的准許，撒殫是不能令約伯家破人亡的（1:12，2:6）。當然，經過歷練之後，上主賞賜約伯雙倍從前的財產，「以後的福分，遠勝過以前所有的」（42:12）。的確，為信靠、敬畏天主的人，苦難背後是一份等著我們的福分。
大家已經領洗入教，領受了聖神，成為天父的義子（羅8:15），我們的身份，比梅瑟和約伯高，我們不是更幸福的嗎？正如福音所說，在俗世的父親，尚且知道把好東西給自己的兒女，何況在天之父（路11:13）。不過，我們應時常檢討，自己和天父的關係中，有沒有「代溝」！放心，天主一定樂意與祂的子女溝通。問題是我們這些反叛的「蕩子」，有沒有嘗試與在天之父溝通呢？有沒有培養祈禱的習慣呢？正如今天福音中的比喻一樣，「縱然不為了他是朋友的緣故，而起來給他，也要因他恬不知恥地切求而起來給他所需要的一切。」（11:8）
很奇怪，我們為甚麼需要祈禱呢？天父是全知的，祂知道我們的需要，而且耶穌基督在山中聖訓中，曾確切地說：「因為你們的父，在你們求祂以前，已知道你們需要甚麼。」（瑪6:8）那麼在路加福音，為甚麼耶穌卻教訓我們要「恬不知恥」地求呢？無他！是我們有需要與天主保持這份聯系，而不是天主。而且，在求天主的過程中，從求而得或者求而不得的過程中，我們認識自己更深，並且漸漸體會到天父的旨意是甚麼。最後發現到，原來連我們沒有求的，天父也賜給了我們。這種體會天父旨意的能力，豈能一夜之間掌握到呢？所以我們為了自己的成長，應該鍥而不捨地祈求。

可是，面對目前香港社會的混亂，祈禱有用嗎？我們的祈禱，能改變青年或者官員們的心嗎？祈禱能抵擋籐條、木棍、催淚彈或者海綿彈嗎？大家不要忘記聖母瑪利亞是踏碎蛇頭的女人（創3:15），不要忘記出谷紀天主使法朗心硬的故事（出4:21）！當今的局面，不單是一場政治角力，更是一場靈性的戰爭。讓我們努力祈禱，唸玫瑰經，領修和聖事，朝拜聖體，有如亞巴郎為索多瑪求情一樣（創18:23-32），有如梅瑟為以色列子民求情一樣（出32:7-14），信靠真正的主宰，以祈禱向撒殫迎頭痛擊。
各位兄弟姊妹，難道天主不能在我們中，找到十個義人嗎？相信天主一定不會毀滅香港，而且，為了我們的好處，祂定會賜下聖神（路11:13），讓我們能以信德的眼光，認清真相；聖神七恩中的勇毅，必能幫助我們渡過難關。這位愛德之神，必會幫助我們，經此一役之後，更為團結！
天主保祐！

2016講道
相片鳴謝：https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hongkong-propaganda-06132019153341.html

  Seventeenth Ordinary Sunday, Year C
Theme: Does Prayer Work?
We are able to see things in different perspectives and seek part of the whole truth. Take a rose for example, we may lament it pessimistically that its life-span is short. We may also view it romantically, like what Romeo says to Juliet, "That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet". We may also look at it with an eye of faith, amazed by the wonder of God's creation! Since June 9, we have seen things never happened before. Like looking at a rose, we may see those things in a pessimistic way or with an eye of faith.
Some lament that Hong Kong is seriously torn apart. Young people, who have never struggled in difficult times, vent their anger against the government by throwing bricks at policemen whose duty is the maintenance of social order. Violence escalates so much so that triad members entered West Rail station to beat up passengers indiscriminately, claiming to teach the young people a lesson! Many smaller scales conflicts flare up, creating a lot of inconveniences for the local citizens. On the other hand, the promise of "No Change for Half a Century" has passed nearly half of its course. River water has been eroding spring water continually. People dare not to expect optimistically much for the future of Hong Kong. Suddenly, a new hope bursts into view: the materialistic older generation is suddenly wakened up by this "Fugitive Bill". Their social awareness is raised. They begin to realize that however diligent they work, under an institution which favours cartels, they will never be able to enjoy the fruits of their hard work. No matter how hard they try to make money, they will never be able to help their children raise a family. In the shadow of this Bill, their lives and property would vanish overnight! How horrifying!
On the other hand, having been educated under the compulsory education system, young people understand that there are nobler values than sitting for examinations, graduating from the university and securing a steady job. The present system is smothering their development and dreams. Thus, they fight doggedly for a greater freedom. Unfortunately, because of generation gaps, the older generation do not understand them. Young people can only fight hand in hand with their peers, bracing accusations of being rowdy trouble makers. But in the past few weeks, demonstrations by people from all ages and all walks of life, clashes between riot police and demonstrators as well as triad members beating up citizens indiscriminately etc. have uncovered the incompetence of the government on one hand, and on the other, have raised the civilian awareness of the citizens. People who don't know each other, older and younger generations support each other. We have not seen such a solidarity for a long time. These conflicts have united the silent majority and levelled the gaps between the two generations!
Whether you are pessimistic or optimistic, as long as you are a Catholic, you have to acknowledge an important dogma: Our God is Lord. That is to say, without His permission, nothing can happen! Have you read the book of Exodus? Had God not hardened the heart of Pharoah, the Ten Plagues would never have happened, no Passover, no crossing of the Read Sea nor Sinai Covenant. The disarrayed children of Jacob would never have become a people, Israel. Have you read the story of Job? Job was a super rich man who feared the Lord. He had a happy family with 10 children. Rising early, Job offered sacrifices for every one of them, lest they might have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. (Job 1:5) Job's virtue invited Satan's jealousy. However, had God not granted permission, Satan would not have struck down Job's family and riches (1:12, 2:6) Of course, after those trials, God doubly restored Job's riches and "blessed the later days of Job more than his earlier ones." (42:12) Indeed, for those who trust in and fear the Lord, there is a blessing awaiting them behind every suffering.
We are baptized into the Catholic Church, have received the Holy Spirit and have become the adopted children of the Father (Romans 8:15). Isn't our identity nobler than Moses' and Job's? Are we not more blessed? Just as what the gospel says today, if fathers in the secular world know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will the Father in heaven give. (Luke 11:13). But we need to evaluate our relationship with our heavenly Father to see if there is any generation gap! Don't worry, God is willing to communicate with His children. The ball is in our court, we rebellious prodigal sons. Have we ever tried to communicate with our Heavenly Father? Have we built up a habit of prayers? Like what the parable in the gospel today, "If he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence." (11:8)
Isn't it rather strange that we need to pray? Our Father is omniscience. He knows our needs and Jesus Christ teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, saying "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8) Why then in Luke does Jesus teach us to pray persistently? None other than that it is we who need to keep in touch with God who does not need to! In the process of asking God, from getting what we pray for and failing to get what we pray for, we know ourselves deeper and the will of God more. In the end, we may be able to even see that the Father has given us what we have not prayed for. How can this ability to understand the will of the Father be acquired overnight? Thus, for our growth, we need to pray persistently.
But does prayer work, in view of the chaos in the Hong Kong society today? Can our prayers change the hearts of the young people and the government officials? Can prayer fight off ratten canes, wooden rods, tear gas and even sponge grenades? Don't forget that the BVM is the woman who strikes at the head of the Serpent (Genesis 3:15) and the story of God hardening the heart of Pharoah (Exodus 4:21)! The present situation in Hong Kong is not simply a political struggle. It is more a spiritual battle. Let us pray hard, say the rosary, go to confession and adore the Holy Eucharist. Like Abraham bargaining for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-32) and Moses interceding for the Israelites (Exodus 32:7-14), let us trust in the true Lord and strikes at the head of Satan with our prayers.
Brethren, can God not find 10 righteous people among us? Trust that God will not weep out Hong Kong and for our sake, He will give us the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13) to help us see the truth with an eye of faith. The fortitude from the Holy Spirit will help us through the present turmoils. At the end of this battle, the Spirit of Charity will make us more united!
God bless!

In Love, No Jealousy 在愛內沒有嫉妒

Sixteenth Ordinary Sunday, Year C
Theme: In Love, No Jealousy
There are several Mary's in the gospel. The most famous one, of course, is the Mother of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mary of Nazareth. (Luke 1:26-27) She is the only Mary who accompanied Jesus Christ from cradle to grave! Mary of Nazareth is the perfect disciple of the Lord, an exemplar for all Christians. Another Mary, Mary of Magdalene (8:2) is also an important Mary because she was the first person to see the risen Lord who sent her to inform the apostles of his resurrection (Mark 16:10, John 20:17). Therefore, the Church calls Mary Magdalene, the Apostle of the apostles. In between, during the public ministry of Jesus Christ, there were some other Mary's. For example, there was Mary, the mother of James who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 15:40). There are Martha and her sister Mary who lived in Bethany (John 11:1). In the gospel of John, these two sisters had a brother called Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. Most likely this Mary of Bethany might be the anonymous woman who anointed Jesus at the house of Simon, a leper and perhaps a Pharisee. (Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37-38) Now, let us meditate on the story of these two sisters.
The Bible is not only a holy book of a religion. This holy book is also authentic. Unlike most propaganda media, the Bible does not paint a rosy picture of the human situations. It tells us heroic and edifying things as well as cowardly and depressing things about our human nature. For example, the family is supposed to be a place of love where life may flourish. But it is also a breeding ground of sibling rivalry and cheatings! In the book of Genesis, we read of the stories of Cain and Abel, the three sons of Noah, the fight over the birth-right between Esau and Jacob, the sons of Isaac; and how Joseph was sold by his brothers to the land of Egypt! Were they not supposed to be keepers of their brothers (Genesis 4:9)? Sibling rivalry arises because brothers/sisters feel that they have been unfairly treated by their parents and/or, through extension, by God! They are jealous towards their siblings and angry towards their parents and God. Of course they cannot vent their frustrations towards their parents and God. So, they turn to their siblings.

The whole problem arises from a false sense of righteousness. Yes, we know that we were created in the image of God but we forget that all of us are unique. Each one of us is different. God created us in this way so that we may join together, work together and support each other. Otherwise, each of us becomes self-sufficient and there can be no solidarity and communion. Then we are not able to work together to do bigger things, such as building the kingdom of heaven on earth!
Yes, we are unique and different. Our talents are not identical. Some of you cook well. Others sing. Yet others dance. Some are logical and others are eloquent. Some are born-leaders while others are faithful followers. We also have different needs. Some need money. Others need recognition. Some need privacy while others need connections. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to calculate the "fair" amount, the right amount of rewards for the efforts we pay. The most proper attitude is trying to understand, to see from the perspectives of the others and to look at the bigger picture.
In the story of Martha and Mary today, we see that the two sisters show their love, their hospitality to the Lord in different manners because they are different! Most likely, Martha was the elder sister. "Martha was burdened with much serving" (Luke 10:40). In our mind's eyes, we see a busy Martha cleaning the house and preparing the food etc. Perhaps these were Martha's talents and she might enjoy doing these. On the other hand, Mary shows her hospitality in a totally different way, sitting "beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak." (10:39,7:38) If I were Martha, I would also be unhappy. It was not fair! In particular, when you hear Jesus defend Mary and appreciate not your efforts!
The teachings of Jesus are sometimes hard to swallow! For example, love your enemies, turn the other cheek to people who persecute you etc. Today's teaching is easier.
Truly, many of us are like Martha, "anxious and worried about many things" (10:41) and miss the one thing which we need to be anxious and worried about, namely the salvation of our souls and the glorification of God. Truly, we should love our neighbours as ourselves. We follow the teachings of the Church to serve the needy with our Corporal Works of Mercy, viz. to feed the hungry, to take care of the sick and to visit the imprisoned. How can we not be as busy as Martha? But once we focus on our own advantages, our charity turns sour because we are selfish and we are no longer "keeper of our brothers"! What about Mary? St. Augustine points out that Mary was blessed because she was "hungry and thirsty for the justice and would be satisfied." (Sermons 179.5) This is one of the Beatitudes Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount. Justice of God refers to His salvation. We were created by God and at this moment, we are enslaved by sins. If God created us, but fails to deliver us from slavery, God is not righteous. Therefore, we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for God's salvation, viz. the liberation from the bondage of sins, so that our souls are saved and our hidden potentials may be fully actualized to glorify God.
However, many people are in the danger of refusing God's salvation. Many people are busy gathering their riches. For example, the story of an official who asked Jesus what to do to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:18). Many are not willing to give up their authority and power, like the priests and the Pharisees. Nowadays, many believe in themselves rather than in God. Jesus says, "Mary has chosen the better part." She chose to open herself up, to listen to the Way and the Truth so that her life might be fulfilled and she may inherit eternal life. "It will not be taken from her." (10:42)
Brethren, we should make good use of the unique talents given us by God to help the poor and to serve the needy. Beware, don't burn ourselves out. Give Jesus time to heal our wounds and to soothe our sorrows. Don't be selfish because genuine love knows no jealousy. Give Jesus time to refresh our exhausted flesh and to strengthen our faith and hope in the Father. Act like Martha and pray like Mary of Bethany.
God bless!

2016講道
Picture Acknowledgment: Epoch Times 大紀元 http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/19/7/22/n11402433.htm

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常年期第十六主日
主題：在愛內沒有嫉妒
福音中有幾個瑪利亞。最著名的當然是主的母親，榮福童貞聖母瑪利亞，納匝肋的瑪利亞（路1:26-27）她是惟一能陪伴耶穌基督的瑪利亞！納匝肋的瑪利亞是主的完美門徒，所有基督徒的典範。瑪利亞瑪達肋納（8:2）是另一個重要的瑪利亞，因為她是第一個看見復活主的人。主吩咐她告知祂的門徒祂復活了（谷16:10；若20:17）。因此，教會稱她為「宗徒的宗徒」。在耶穌基督活在世上的時候，還有其他的瑪利亞。例如：雅各伯的母親瑪利亞，她見證了耶穌被釘十字架（谷15:40），還有居住在伯達尼的瑪爾大和瑪利亞姊妹（若11:1）。按若望福音的記載，耶穌曾復活了她們的弟弟拉匝祿。這個伯達尼的瑪利亞可能就是那個在法利塞人／癩病人西滿家中為耶穌傅油的無名婦人。（瑪26:7，谷14:3，路7:37-38）。現在，讓我們默想這兩姊妹的故事。
聖經不單是一個宗教的聖書，這部聖書非常真實。不像其他的宣傳媒體，聖經並不「報喜不報憂」，美化人的處境。它既描述人性英雄及造就的一面，也沒有抹去懦弱抑鬱的一面。例如，家庭本是一個充滿愛和滋養生命的地方，但同時也是一個兄弟鬩牆，爾虞我詐的溫床！在創世紀我們讀了加音和亞伯爾的故事，諾厄的三個兒子，依撒格的兩個兒子，厄撒烏如何與雅各伯爭奪長子祝福，若瑟的兄弟如何把他賣到埃及！他們不是「兄弟的守護者」（創4:9）嗎？兄弟鬩牆，因為他們感到父母，並引申到天主，對他們不公平！他們嫉妒自己的兄弟，但對父母或天主，敢怒而不敢言，於是向自己的兄弟下手。
整個問題出於一種錯誤的正義感。對，我們知道天主按自己的肖像創造了我們，但忘記了我們每一個都是獨特的，不一樣的。天主這樣創造了我們，為了使我們能聯手，一起工作，互相支持。否則，我們每人能自給自足，便不會共融團結，做不了更偉大的事業，例如在地上建設天國！
對，我們是獨特和有別的。我們的才能不一樣：有些人烹飪好，另一些人能歌善舞；有些人很理性，另一些很善辯；有些是天生的領袖，另一些是忠的的跟隨者。我們各自也有不同的需要：有些需要金錢，有些需要別人的認同；有些渴望私隱，另一些需要伴侶。因此，要制訂公平數量的報酬是極度困難的。最恰當的態度，就是嘗試理解，並從別人的角度看，從大處着眼。
在今天的故事裡，瑪爾大和瑪利亞以不同的方式，接待了主，表達對主的愛情。大概瑪爾大是姐姐，她「為伺候耶穌，忙碌不已。」（路10:40）我們可以想像到一個忙得不可開交的瑪爾大，正在打掃房舍，準備餸菜等。這可能是她的才幹，她可能樂於做這些。那邊厢，瑪利亞以一種完全不同的方式接待耶穌，她「坐在主的腳前聽祂講話。」（10:39，7:38）倘若我是瑪爾大，我一定不滿。太不公平了！並且，妳聽到耶穌袒護瑪利亞，而不理會妳的努力！
有時，耶穌的教訓是很難接受的！例如，愛你的仇人，把另一面也轉給掌摑你的人等等。今天的教訓比較容易領受。
誠然，我們非常相似瑪爾大，「為了許多事操心忙碌。」（10:41）而錯過了應該操心忙碌的事，就是「救自己的靈魂和光榮天主」。真的，我們應該愛近人如愛自己。我們跟隨教會的訓導，以「形哀矜」服務有困難的人，就是饑者食之，病者醫之，探望囚者等。我們怎會不像瑪爾大一樣忙碌呢？但祇要我們關心自己的好處，我們的愛德立刻變壞，因為我們成了自私的，不再是我「兄弟的守護者 」！瑪利亞又如何呢？聖奧思定指出，瑪利亞是有福的，她飢渴慕義，得到了滿足。（講道179.5）這是山中聖訓的真福八端之一。「義」是指天主的拯救。天主創造了我們，現在我們陷入罪惡的奴役中，倘若天主不拯救我們脫離奴役，天主便不公義。因此，渴慕天主的拯救是有福的，我們的靈魂從罪惡中被解放，我們的潛能得以完全發揮，歸光榮於天主。
可是，很多人陷入拒絕天主救贖的危險。很多人積聚財富，例如那個請教耶穌如何承受永生的領袖（路18:18）。很多人不原放下權勢，例如那些司祭和法利塞人。今天，很多人信自己，卻不信天主。耶穌說：「瑪利亞選擇了更好的一份，」她選擇開放自己，聆聽道路和真理，讓她的生命得到滿全，並承受永生。「是不能從她奪去的。」（10:42）
各位兄弟姊妹，我們應善用天賜的才幹，幫助貧窮弱小。小心，不要做到油盡燈枯。給耶穌時間治療我們的創傷，撫慰我們的憂愁。不要自私，因為在真愛中，沒有嫉妒。讓耶穌為我們疲憊的軀殼加油，加強我們對天父的信德和望德。像伯達尼的瑪爾大一樣工作，像瑪利亞一樣祈禱。
天主保祐！

兄弟的守護者 My Brother's Keeper

常年期第十五主日，丙年
主題：兄弟的守護者

法學士試探耶穌的問題，即他應當做甚麼，纔能獲得永生？（路10:25）在耶穌時代是沒有答案的，因為超出了舊約時代的思想！在舊約是找不到「永生」的概念，祇有「高壽/長壽」，例如遵守「孝敬父母」的誡命，便可「在上主你的天主賜給你的地方，延年益壽/高壽。」（出20:12，申5:16）向天主奉獻馨香祭，可以為君王的長壽祈禱（厄上6:10）等。耶穌基督把超出「考試範圍」的題目帶回「考試範圍」之內，即法學士的專業範圍之內，以免出現上面指出的莫名其妙局面。今天連我們也不敢說完全明白，以當年法學士的認知程度，即使說出答案，他也不會明白！於是耶穌修訂了法學士提問的範圍，讓他可以很高興地炫耀自己對法律的知識。但法學士又不忿耶穌基督這樣輕而易舉地脫身，便繼續窮追猛打耶穌（路10:29），給了耶穌基督說出「慈善撒瑪黎雅人比喻」的機會！也給我們認識到，「獲得永生」並不像若望福音說的「信耶穌得永生」那麼抽象，那麼虛無縹緲，而卻是實實在在，非常具體的「愛主愛人」！

古代很多聖人和教父，對這個比喻作出了深刻的解釋。例如：聖安博說，這個撒瑪黎雅人就是耶穌基督自己，兩個銀錢象徵了新舊約，店主就是奧跡的管理人。聖安博的學生聖奧思定說，客店象徵了教會，酒和油象徵了教會的聖事，和現實的歷史一樣，猶太人瞧不起撒瑪黎雅人，同時也瞧不起這個來自北方，來自加里肋亞的木匠，但耶穌基督願意成為了我們的鄰人。
我倒喜歡聖葉理諾的教訓，在他的一篇講道中，他指出舊約把「近人」解釋為兄弟、家人、親戚或同鄉，是太狹窄了。主耶穌基督教導我們，因為我們有同一個天父，因此，所有的人都是我們的兄弟，都是我們的近人！雖然「愛人如己」（肋19:18）是出於舊約梅瑟的法律，但降生成人的天主子耶穌基督，把它還原到真理的層次。因為眾人都是按天主的肖像所造，你我原本是兄弟，祇因私慾偏情的侵害，纔彼此敵我分明，有藍絲黃絲之分。天主子降生成人，願意我們彼此相愛，化解仇恨。祂以十字架上的犧牲，恢復了眾生的真正身份。

歷代以來，教會遵循耶穌基督的教訓，救濟遇上困難的兄弟姊妹。首先，【宗徒大事錄】已記載了新興教會照顧寡婦（宗6:1）。在以後的日子裡，無論在和平的時期，或是在天災人禍，戰爭瘟疫漫延的時代，教會救濟了不少窮人，收留了無數孤兒寡婦，照顧了不計其數的病弱者，和探望囚犯！
不過，教會漸漸認識到，舊約的倫理，不足以應付現代的問題。例如，窮人之所以是窮人，並不再是因為他們懶惰，或者是遭遇不幸；而是因為社會上出現了結構性的邪惡，例如奴隸制度！以色列人曾經在埃及為奴四百年，深明在一個被捧為神的法老王的統治之下的國家，公義是不存在的。他們向天主呼求，天主便派遣梅瑟，解放了他們。這是一個預像。因為天主子將會降生，把全人類從罪惡的奴役中，解放出來。在人類的歷史上，曾出現過不少解放奴隸的運動。最有名的，包括大家所熟悉的美國總統林肯解放黑奴。即使世俗的人，也續漸醒覺到社會上存在著不少結構性的剝削制度，讓一小撮人，騎在大多數人頭上，奴役他們。

1891年，教宗良十三世，看見工業革命所帶來的經濟繁榮，原來是建築在剝削工廠裡的工人而來。他痛心資本主義踐踏工人的人性尊嚴，而社會主義所倡議的革命，祇是為了奪權，而不是在於保障天主肖像的尊貴。因此，他發表了天主教的第一份社會訓導文件：【新事物通諭】，敦促教友在自己的崗位上，以具體的行動，關心工人的苦況，並改善他們的處境，好能更實在地履行「愛人如己」的誡命。這樣挑戰不公義的社命制度，無可避免地與政治角力，打破了「政教分離」的謬論。在理想的，公義的世界裡，宗教與政治，各司其職，相輔相成。可是，在現實的俗世中，宗教信仰決不能好像比喻中的司祭和肋未人一樣，祇顧祈禱祭獻，不理近人的死活。基督徒必須守護自己身邊的兄弟，守護我們被剝削的近人。所以，宗教信仰必定與政治交手。
愛主愛人，永遠是基督徒的標記。若望宗徒說得好：「那不愛自己所看見的弟兄的，就不能愛自己所看不見的天主。」（若一4:20）耶穌基督的教訓，比社會主義更革命性。祂要求我們不但愛近人，還要「愛你們的仇人，善待惱恨你們的人；應祝福詛咒你們的人，為毀謗你們的人祈禱…」（路6:27-28）

我們既不及天主子的富足，又怎能去憐憫別人呢？我們有如被劫的猶太人，自顧不睱，又如何治療幫助身邊有需要的人呢？所謂仗義每多屠狗輩，窮人反而能守望相助。即使我們是受傷的，其實我們也有能力幫助別人的，祇不過我們不願放下成見和偏見罷了。能放下，便可以群策群力，共渡難關。近日發生的事，正需要我們放下偏見，放下黃絲藍絲之分，抱著慈悲和造就他人的態度，履行真福八端的指導，獲得真福八端的應許！沒有可能嗎？油塘連儂場所發生的事件，很清楚地告訴全香港的市民，耶穌基督「不要抵抗惡人…若有人掌擊你的右頰，你把另一面也轉給他。」（瑪5:39）的教訓並不是開玩笑，並不是癡人說夢。「在人所不能的，在天主是可能的！」（路18:27）
天主保祐！

2016年講道

我們真的平安嗎？ Do We Have Genuine Peace?

常年期第十四主日，丙年
主題：我們真的平安嗎？
今天的福音提及到「主另外選定了七十二人，派遣他們兩個兩個，在祂前面」去傳揚福音（路10:1），可見傳福音不單是宗徒們，或宗徒們的繼承人，即當今教宗，樞機，教區主教等等的任務，而是所有被主耶穌召選者的任務。既然我們已經受洗成為天主教徒，我們也有這個使命；不是單打獨鬥，而是兩個兩個去宣揚福音。福音是甚麼呢？就是保祿宗徒所說：「天主在基督內使世界與自己和好，不再追究他們的過犯。」（格後5:19）天主與世人和好，與我們有甚麼關係呢？有，聖保祿繼續說：「我們是代基督作大使了，好像是天主藉著我們來勸勉世人。」（5:20）所以你和我，都成了基督的大使，宣講天主與人修和的福音，就是天主不再追究他們的過犯。既然成了基督的修和大使，我們自己也不再追究他人的過犯了。
做這個「修和大使」危險嗎？為甚麼我會這樣問呢？因為耶穌基督說：「看！我派遣你們猶如羔羊往狼群中。」（路10:3）這句說話聽來頗為血腥恐怖，與「送羊入虎口」相似，但其實並不一樣！「送羊入虎口」的確是「九死一生」，但耶穌所說的「羔羊往狼群中」，是指著舊約依撒意亞先知的默西亞王國圖像而說的。先知首先道出天父要賜給默西亞聖神七恩，默西亞就憑著這聖神七恩，以正義和真理，治理祂的王國。到時「豺狼將與羔羊共處，虎豹將與小山羊同宿…大地充滿了對上主的認識，有如海洋滿溢海水。」（依11:6-9）所以，我們做修和大使的時候，就是建立天國的時候。當我們宣佈並實踐修和，建立天主的國時，「豺狼與羔羊共處，虎豹與小山羊同宿」的局面便會展開。當我們看見紋身大漢讓座給老太婆的時候，當我們看見撐警大叔，掩護著青年人離開立法會陷阱的時候，我們看見到默西亞王國，看見天主的拯救，天主的公義，出現在我們中間了！請注意，豺狼的本性仍是豺狼，虎豹仍是虎豹，牠們仍然擁有鋒利的爪牙，否則牠們祇是貓狗寵物，不是虎豹豺狼。因此，默西亞王國不是一個天下太平，沒有衝突的世界；而是一個有衝突，但不是一個你死我亡的局面；而是一個有矛盾，但仍可以求同存異，解決紛爭，最後達至和平共存的局面。
今天的福音說：「那裡如有和平之子，你們的和平就要停留在他身上；否則仍歸你們。」（路10:6）無論這「和平」指的是甚麼，倘若我們自己沒有「和平」，又怎能把我們的和平，傳送給別人呢？那麼，這「和平」是指甚麼呢？剛纔我們提及過依撒意亞先知所說的聖神七恩之外，還有保祿宗徒所說聖神的九個效果。包括了「仁愛、喜樂、平安、忍耐、良善、溫和、忠信、柔和、節制。」（迦5:22-23）。即是說，我們既然領受了堅振聖事，擁有了聖神七恩，我們的言行，應該表現出上述的九個聖神效果。亦即是說，我們這些修和大使，在傳福音的時候，遇上堪當領受聖神的平安的人，他們便被我們平安的氣質所感染，接受天主的修和，得到天主所賜予的平安！
在剛過去的六月份，大家平安嗎？不平安，眼見四個生命犧牲了！社會被分裂了！很多從前的朋友，因為彼此意見不同，竟然互不相讓，互相割席！家庭中的代溝問題，更趨惡化了！怎能保存平安呢？
其實，問題出在天主按祂自己的肖像，創造了我們！（創1:26）因此，人類與生俱來，便渴望成為天主。可惜魔鬼利用人類沒有耐性的缺點，乘虛而入，以變成天主來引誘人類。結果，厄娃信以為真，吃了天主禁止人類吃的「知善惡樹的果子」，結果人類喪失了原始的恩寵所保護，被私慾偏情所操控。

今天的時局，加上社交媒體偏頗煽情的報導，沒有人能掌握事情的全部真相。大家祇能「瞎子摸象」，但各人都認為自己是天主，是全知全能的。所以，不願聆聽對方的理據，意見不合便割席！殊不知你見到警察拿著磚頭的照片，但拒絕看警察與示威者對峙的短片，有人向警察防線掟磚，這位警察拿起落在他腳前的磚頭時，被記者攝在鏡頭裡！你見到外國記者看見警察向示威者開鎗時說：「這裡不是中國」的片段，卻沒看到他之前說：「射我！不要射市民！」。更有人為了散播謠言及恐慌，甚至刪改新聞片中的字幕，煽動雙方的仇恨，抹黑對家，從中取利！
人類受魔鬼勞役，實在太長久了，以至我們害怕真理，害怕面對現實。我們不斷尋找所謂的證據，加強自己的偏見，令自己感到舒服，感到平安！有人說：外國的防暴警察所用的武力，比香港警察所用的武力不知大多少倍。這論點對嗎？這論點是錯的，但可以令他們舒適地支持警察使用過份的暴力。試想想，其他人做錯了，又怎能讓自己的錯成為正確呢？又有人說：通識科教育出了問題，令青年人如此激進！把責任推到別人身上，找過代罪羔羊，自己可以脫身，是多麼舒服，多麼平安啊！試想想，從2012年開始考DSE，每年有七萬多考生，七年來約有五十萬青少年接受過通識科教育！試問可有五十萬激進的青少年衝擊立法會嗎？這些以偏蓋全的論點，祇是在逃避問題，尋求虛假的平安，而不能解決問題，獲得真正的平安。還有那些所謂「外國勢力」等等的謊言，既簡單，又容易明白，令人心安理得。試問全球化的今天，連古巴和北韓也要向外國開放，衣食住行，看的電影和電視節目，和教會所辦的名校，那有一樣絕對沒有外國勢力的干預呢？但今天相信「外國勢力」的，仍然大有人在。試想想，為甚麼信奉無神論的中國大陸，在改革開放初期，重開聖堂，供外商祈禱崇拜？是向錢看！但對國內的天主教會，仍可以隨時隨地，指控她鈎結梵蒂岡，鈎結外國勢力，顛覆國家安全！
讓我們祈求天主聖神，祂是真理之神。求聖神再次賞賜我們智慧，選擇天主的旨意，而不是俗世的利益；擦亮我們的聰敏，在紛亂的世事中，看到天主的手在不斷地工作；冷靜我們的超見，明辨是非，選擇合乎天父旨意的行動；堅強我們的剛毅，不怕勞苦與迫害；光照我們的明達，認識教會的社會訓導，抗衡俗世的荒謬；暖化我們孝愛天父的心，做天父喜歡我們做的事；更讓我們看見天父大能的手，對天父起敬起畏，不敢冒犯天父的神聖。
各位兄弟姊妹，讓聖神七恩幫助我們，渡過今天困惑的生活，結出真正喜樂平安的效果，把這平安分施給我們所接觸到的廣大市民！
天主保祐！





2016年講道



圖片來源鳴謝：
https://kknews.cc/news/39ll84a.html

Fourteenth Ordinary Sunday, Year C
Theme: Do We Have Genuine Peace?
Today, the gospel passage says, "The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs" to proclaim the good news (Luke 10:1). Thus we see that evangelization is not the mission exclusively of the apostles, or nowadays successors of the apostles, i.e. the Pope, Cardinals and bishops. Rather it is the mission of all of us whom Lord Jesus has called. Since we were baptized Catholics, we too share this mission, not working alone, but in pairs to proclaim the good news. What is the good news? St. Paul says, "God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them." (2 Corinthians 5:19) What has God reconciling the world to Himself to do with me? St. Paul continues, "So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us" (5:20). Thus you and I are ambassadors for Christ to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation, telling people that God does not count their trespasses against them. Since we are reconciliation ambassadors of Christ, we too shall not count trespasses against others.
Is it dangerous to be reconciliation ambassadors? Why do I ask such a question? It is because Jesus says, "Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves." (Luke 10:3) This verse sounds rather bloody and horrible, similar to "Feeding tigers with lambs". But the two idioms are not identical. The chance of survival is indeed slim when lambs are fed to tigers but what Jesus says points to the image of the Messianic Kingdom portrayed in Isaiah. The prophet says that God gives the Messiah seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. With these gifts, the Messiah shall rule his kingdom with justice and truth. By then, "The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid ... the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord as water covers the sea." (Isaiah 11:6-9) Thus, when we serve as reconciliation ambassadors, we are building up the Kingdom of Heaven. When we proclaim and practise reconciliation, when we build up the Kingdom of Heaven, "the wolf and the lamb become guests. The leopard and the kid lie down together" shall be seen. When we see a tattooed guy gives up his seat to an elderly lady, when we see the supporters of policemen escort the young people out of the Legco chamber trap into safety, we shall see the Messianic kingdom appear, we see the salvation of God as well as the righteousness of God present in our midst! Pay attention! Wolves are still wolves and leopards are still leopards. Their teeth and claws are still sharp. Otherwise, they are only pet cats and dogs, not wolves and leopards. Thus, the Messianic kingdom is not a world without conflicts. Rather, there shall still be conflicts, but not mortal conflicts. There shall be contradictions but still we are still able to seek common ground to resolve conflicts and attain a peaceful co-existence.
The gospel today says, "If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him, but if not, it will return to you." (Luke 10:6) Whatever the word "peace" means, if we don't have peace ourselves, how can our peace be conveyed to others? Then, what is this "peace"? Besides the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit we have just mentioned in Isaiah, we have the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit St. Paul talks about. They are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). That is to say, since we have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, we possess the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Our words and deeds should display these nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. That is to say, when we proclaim the good news as ambassadors of reconciliation, and when we meet people who are worthy to receive the peace of the Holy Spirit, they should be influenced by our fragrance of peace to reconcile with God and receive the peace of God!
But brethren! Were you in peace last June? Categorically no! We see four lives sacrificed and our society divided! Many of our friends unfriended because we disagree and do not agree to disagree! The generation gap within our families worsens! How can we be in peace?
In fact, the root of the problem lies in God's creating us in His image (Genesis 1:26)! Thus, mankind is born with the desire to become God. Unfortunately, Satan makes use of our impatience and our desire to become God to tempt us. Consequently, Eve was tricked into eating the forbidden fruit on the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then, mankind lost the protection with the Original Grace and were enslaved by concupiscence.
Nobody is able to grasp the whole truth of the current situation which is marred by sensational coverage of the social media. Everybody is like the blind touching an elephant. But all of us think that we are omniscient God. Thus, we refuse to listen to the evidence of our rivals. We disagree and cut our ties! Unbeknown to ourselves, we are wrong when we see the photo of a policeman holding a brick in his hand but we refuse to view the video of confrontation between policemen and demonstrators where somebody threw bricks to the line of policemen. When the policeman picked up the brick, the scene was captured in a camera! When you see a foreign correspondent yelling at policemen shooting demonstrators, "This is not China" but does not see what he previously yelled, "Shoot me! Don't shoot citizens!" Worse still, there are people spreading rumours and fear mongers who edit news clip subtitles to fan hatred and smearing the rivals, thus gaining advantages!
We have been under the bondage of Satan for too long that we fear to confront the truth. We continuously seek so called evidence to reinforce our prejudice, to make ourselves feel comfortable and peaceful! Some people say that foreign riot police resort to more severe violence than our police force. Is this a valid argument? Of course not but it makes people feel comfortable to support excessive brute of our policemen. Just think about it! How can the wrong of the others make our wrongs right? Again, some people claim that our Liberal Studies syllabus has produced a generation of radical young! How comfortable and peaceful it is to push responsibility upon others, to find scapegoats! Just think about it, since DSE in 2012, each year there are about 70,000 candidates. All in all, more than 500,000 young people have received teachings in Liberal Studies. But were there 500,000 radical young people storming the Legco Chamber? This is a fallacy of cherry picking! It evades the issue and seeks fake peace. It does not solve the problem to attain genuine peace! There is the so called "foreign intervention" fallacy. It is simple, easy to understand and soothing! Just think about globalization today, even Cuba and North Korea have to open to foreign countries. Just think of all the daily necessities, mass media entertainments and elite schools run by the Church etc., which one of them can be absolutely immune from foreign interferences? But today, many people prefer believing in this. Behold! Why did an atheist mainland China reopen churches during the early period of reform for foreigners to pray and worship? All because of money! As for the Catholic Church in mainland China, the central government may accuse her at any time guilty of joining force with external influences, viz. Vatican, to overturn national security!
Let us pray to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. Grant us Wisdom to choose God's will, not secular advantages; to illuminate our Understanding to see God's hands working continuously; to cool our Counsel to discern the right from the wrong and to choose actions according to the Father's will; to strengthen our Fortitude to endure hardship and persecutions; to enlighten our Knowledge to know the social teachings of the Church to overcome the fallacies of the secular world; to warm up our Piety to the Father, to do what pleases our Father and lastly to let us see the wonders of the Father's hands and prompt our Fear of the Lord, afraid to offend the divinity of the Father.
Brethren, let the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit help us weather through the difficult situation today and bear the genuine fruits of joy and peace. Let us share this peace with the citizens we meet!
God bless!