耶穌基督在講述最後審判的比喻時，向那些「承受自創世以來，給你們預備了的國度」（瑪25:34）的義人說：「凡你們對我這些最小兄弟中的一個所做的，就是對我做的。」（25:40）雖然這句話是對義人說的，但那些「到那給魔鬼和牠的使者預備的永火裡去」的「可咒罵」的人（25:41），難道聽不到嗎？
他們可曾想過，當他們剝削工人的時候、欺騙長者的「棺材本」的時候、拐帶婦孺到海外賣淫的時候、性侵她們的時候、無差別地用棍棒，利刀，催淚彈，實彈襲擊那些沒有反抗能力的市民或者防暴警察的時候，這一切的傷害，都是落在釘在十字架上的耶穌基督身上呢？
在今天的福音裡，耶穌基督警告我們：「非等你還清最後的一分錢，斷不能從那裡出來。」（路12:59）簡單地說，所有的行為都伴隨著後果。除非一個人沒有明悟，或者是沒有自由，否則，他必須要為自己的行為負責。而天主上智的安排，我們一定會自食其果（則18:20）！天主是正義的，祂一定會給我們足夠的時間，在我們去世之前，賠償我們所犯的罪債。天主的「正義」，未免太恐佈了！
不要害怕，耶穌基督對法學士的批評：「怎麼不能觀察這個時機呢？你們為甚麼不能由自己來辨別正義的事呢？」（路12:56b-57），原來另有玄機！因為天主是慈悲的，所以「天主的正義」，就是祂的拯救，就是祂願意「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）因此，倘若我們掌握「時機」，信靠主耶穌基督，即使我們沒有能力償還（例如殺了很多人的一個連環殺手，他的性命不足以抵償多人失去的性命！），他是非常樂意替我們償還全部的罪債！
耶穌，當你來為王時，請你紀念我（路23:42）。亞孟。
How Should We Understand God's Righteousness? (Luke 12:54-59)
When Jesus Christ tells the parable about the Last Judgment, he speaks to the righteous who shall "inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34), "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (25:40) Although these words are spoken to the righteous, should not those "accursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (25:41) have heard them as well?
Has it ever crossed their minds that when they exploit the workers, cheat the elderly of their savings, traffic women and children overseas for prostitution, abuse them sexually, indiscriminately club, knife, tear gas, shoot citizens and anti-riot police who could not resist etc., all these injuries are inflicted upon Jesus Christ who was crucified on the cross?
In the gospel passage today, Jesus Christ warns us, "You will not be released until you have paid the last penny." (Luke 12:59) Simply put, there are consequences in each action taken. Unless a person has no understanding or freedom, he is accountable for all his actions. In God's grand plan, "Justice belongs to the just, and wickedness to the wicked." (Ezekiel 18:20) God is righteous. He shall give us sufficient time to pay the last penny before we leave this world. God's righteousness can be terrifying!
Don't be scared. There is an enigma when Jesus Christ criticizes the scribes, "Why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?" (Luke 12:56b-57) Since God is merciful, God's righteousness is His salvation. That is, "God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them." (2 Corinthians 5:19) Thus, if we are able to seize the moment, believe in Lord Jesus Christ, even though we are unable to repay our debts (e.g. a serial killer who has murdered many people and his life is not enough to repay all the lives lost.), Jesus is very happy to repay all the debts for us!
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42). Amen.
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