天主與人類之間的代溝 The Generation Gap Between God and Men

天主與人類之間的代溝（路12:49-53）

在這互聯網發達的年代，兩代人之間的「代溝」問題，非常嚴重！上一代的人，不但不懂年青一代的「潮語」，例如：洗版，KOL，CLS（粵語粗口）等，更完全掌握不到他們的思想模式和價值，不能接受為甚麼青年人會不惜一切，追求一些不切實際的理念！在這個變幻莫測的時代，我們應該怎樣相信天主的真理，是永恆不變，萬古常新呢？難道真的是「變幻原是永恆」嗎？

1. 天主的教訓，永遠是為了人的益處，因為天主愛護我們（若一4:8）。這是肯定不變的。
2. 人有惰性，得過且過，以為把「好」的東西制度化之後，例如訂立法律，建構禮教習俗等，就可以安享萬年基業。殊不知時代不斷以越來越快的速度進化，從前超過一百年的習俗，也沒有改良的必要；今天，超過十年的東西，已經落後，再沒有價值了！
3. 在因循的氛圍之中，天主的教訓，就顯得非常革命性，挑戰我們墨守成規的思想模式！例如，遠在未有綜合援助的社會福利制度之前，天主已定立法律，要求以色列人照顧孤兒寡婦（申24:19-21）！今天，當社會鼓吹「多勞多得」的時候，耶穌基督卻講述一個比喻，當中的工人做了一小時，與做了十二小時的工人，竟然收到相同的工資（瑪20:1-16）！耶穌基督的教訓，的確超越時空，富有挑戰性！

我們因循，思想變成了化石。天主歷久常新，永遠是年青的。結果，我們與天主的「代溝」，越來越嚴重。除非我們悔改，好像孩童一樣接受天主的教訓，否則天國，我們將會不得其門而入。耶穌基督說：「誰若不像小孩子一樣接受天主的國，決不能進去。」（路18:17）誰不擺脫因循的誘惑，決不能進入天國！
天父啊！請賜下聖神，更新我們的心靈，謙遜地接受耶穌基督的教訓。亞孟。

生命恩泉

圖片鳴謝：shutterstock.com

---

The Generation Gap Between God and Men (Luke 12:49-53)

In this Internet Age, the problem of generation gap is grave! Not only do people of the older generation know not the jargons of the younger generation, such as Flooding, KOL and CLS (a Cantonese obscenity) etc., but they are also unable to follow their modes of thinking and values. It is impossible for the older generation to understand why young people would chase after unrealistic ideas at all costs! In this ever changing age, how should we believe that God's truth is unchangeable and eternal? Should we accept changes to be perpetual?

1. God's teachings are always for our sake because God loves us (1 John 4:8). For sure this shall never change.
2. Men are inert and complacent. Thinking that by the institutionalization of the good, such as setting up laws and customs, men can enjoy millennia of stability. Unbeknown to us, social changes evolve in an accelerating speed. Previously, customs do not need any enhancements for centuries. Today, anything older than a decade is falling behind and is of no value at all.
3. In an environment where rocking the boat is a taboo, God's teachings appear to be very revolutionary and challenge our rigid mode of thinking. For example, long before there was Comprehensive Social Security Allowances, God already set up laws, demanding the Israelites to take care of the fatherless and widows (Deuteronomy 24:19-21). Today, when the society advocates “efforts pay”, Jesus' parable in which vineyard workers who had worked for only one hour received the same wage as those who had worked 12 hours (Matthew 20:1-16)! Jesus Christ's teachings really transcend time and space, full of challenges!

We don't want to rock the boat. Our thoughts have become fossils. God is young forever. Consequently, a generation gap develops between God and us and is getting worse. Unless we repent and accept God's teachings like a child, we shall be denied entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ says, "Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." (Luke 18:17) Similarly, whoever refuses to reject the temptation of complacency will not enter the kingdom of God!
Heavenly Father, grant us the Holy Spirit, renew our hearts to accept the Jesus Christ's teaching humbly. Amen.