可能很多人會羨慕與耶穌基督一起被釘的右盜，因為他可能一生做盡壞事，卻能掌握「時機」，在臨終一刻信主（路23:42），而且完全沒有機會做過甚麼愛德服務，也能與耶穌基督一起，共赴天堂！後世很多人，甚至是定性基督信仰不再是邪教，並且召開尼西亞大公會議，捍衛「三位一體」是當信道理的君士坦丁大帝，亦是到臨終時纔領受聖洗聖事。這些事例，難免令人產生疑問，甚麼時候信耶穌是最有效益呢？
在慕道班，一般會鼓勵學員儘快領洗，加入教會。因為世途凶險，容易動搖我們對天主的信仰。早日加入教會，有一班志同道合的人互相支持；有歷代聖人的榜樣作為鼓勵；有教會訓導的指引，不至再次誤入歧途；又可藉著領受各種聖事，獲得天主聖寵的助佑等等…這樣走信仰的道路，回歸父家，就容易得多了。這就是今天福音中的比喻所說的：「待我在它周圍掘土，加上糞」的意義（路13:8）。聖奧思定曾這樣寫：「我愛祢已經太晚了，祢是萬古常新的美善，我愛祢已經太晚了！」（《懺悔錄》十‧27）可見儘早相信耶穌是對的。
另一方面，今天的福音告訴我們一個事實：不是所有的人，可以幸福地壽終正寢，可以好像君士坦丁大帝一樣，臨終受洗的。沒有人知道天主在哪個時刻，會收回我們的靈魂，我們隨時隨地可以死於非命，沒有悔改的機會（路13:1，4）。這一點，耶穌基督在之前的比喻中，也有提及（12:20，38，46）。
結論：不要羨慕與耶穌基督一起被釘的右盜了，儘快悔改，信從福音吧！
父啊！求祢把天國賜給我們（12:32）。亞孟。
When Is the Most Efficient Moment To Believe In Jesus Christ? (Luke 13:1-9)
Perhaps many people would envy the repentant thief crucified with Jesus Christ because probably he had done a lot of evil things during his life time and he seized the last moment to believe in the Lord (Luke 23:42). Moreover, he did not have the opportunity to do any works of mercy but was able to enter heaven with Jesus Christ! Many people in subsequent generations, even Constantine, who declared Christianity not a cult, convoked the First Council of Nicaea to defend the dogma of Trinity, received baptism at his deathbed. These cases inevitably raise questions in people's mind. What is the most efficient moment to believe in Jesus?
In catechumen classes, catechists almost always encourage the catechumens to receive baptism and become a member of the Church as soon as possible. It is because the secular world is full of dangers which shake up our faith easily. Within the Church, people in similar minds support each other. There are saintly exemplars throughout the ages to encourage us. There are Church teachings to guide us. We receive God's graces from the sacraments etc. With such supports to practise our faith, we would return to the Father more easily. This is the meaning the parable conveys in today's gospel, "I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it." (Luke 13:8) St. Augustine also says, "Too late did I love You, O Fairness, so ancient, and yet so new! Too late did I love You!" (Confessions X:27) Obviously, it is right to believe in Jesus as soon as possible
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On the other hand, the gospel tells us one fact: Not all men are so blessed as to die a natural death. Few people can get baptized at their deathbed like Constantine Caesar. Nobody knows at which moment God shall take away his soul. We may die an untimely death at any moment without an opportunity to repent (Luke 13:1, 4). Jesus Christ mentions this point in previous parables (12:20, 38, 46).
Conclusion: Do not envy the penitent thief who was crucified with Jesus Christ. Repent as soon as possible and believe in the good new!
Father! Grant us the Kingdom of Heaven (12:32). Amen.
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