成為你們在天之父的子女 Be Children Of Your Heavenly Father

常年期第七主日，甲年
主題：成為你們在天之父的子女

1958年，勞倫斯‧柯爾伯格發表他研究人類道德發展的博士論文。他基於公義原則的倫理模式，提出當人類作出道德抉擇時，他們運用甚麼公義理據解釋自己的決定，可歸納出六個發展階段。最低層次的，是出於害怕懲罰，其次是出於利己，第三是從眾，第四是守法，第五是社會契約，最後而且是最高的是按照放諸四海皆準的倫理原則。這些發展階段與人類的認知發展階段吻合，是有堅實學術基礎的。柯爾伯格的理論廣為學術界及教育界所接受。

所以，當我們勸人行善避惡，因為這是作為一個人所應該做的。不是所有人都會接受這種觀點，因為他們可能尚未發展到這個階段。但當我們勸人不要作惡，不要犯法，要緊記人生的最後兩年時，我們在嘗試觸及最低的層次。理論上是最有效的，但在現實生活中，倘若沒有疏而不漏的執法者與及強而有力的懲罰，成效存疑。即使有效，亦不能培育他的道德發展。今天大部份的國家社會，已廢除了死刑，而且監獄制度的取向，已由注重懲罰改為注重更新。可見倚賴懲罰，強調死後下地獄，不足以令人成為有道德的人。

耶穌基督來不是為廢除法律，而是為成全它（瑪5:17）。祂很少提及懲罰，祇有在五個比喻中提過「那裡有哀號和切齒。」（13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30）倘若人對這些說話毫無感覺，可能他是個活聖人，或者他現在還沒有開發他的道德發展！耶穌基督用的方式，是擺放一個高尚的目標在我們眼前，策動我們朝更高尚的方向邁進。這些目標與世俗的不同，所以別具吸引力；而且很有挑戰性，甚至超過我們本性的能力，讓我們不得不承認自己的不足，需要投靠上主，尋求祂的助佑。

讓我們想一想，在起初，人人都是按天主的肖像所造（創1:26），並且天主認為人單獨不好，祂為我們造一個相稱的助手（2:18）。所以我們應該彼此守望相助。天主子耶穌基督願意降生成人，成為我們的兄弟，提昇了我們的地位，成為天父的子女（瑪5:45），最後在天上一同分享天主的永恆生命。所以在這世上匆匆幾十年的人生，是彼此建立兄弟情誼的時間，是彼此守護的時間，而不是互相積怨的時間。

「現世生命是彼此建立兄弟情誼的時間」是甚麼意思呢？誠然，最後誰可以在天上享受天主的永生，無人知曉，因為祇有天主操生殺之權（撒上2:6）。你和我能否在天上相聚，仍是未知之數。即使將來我能在天享受榮福直觀，我喜愛的人也未必能與我一同享受，因為天主作出裁決時，是不會考慮我的個人喜惡。同理，我的「仇人」能否與我一起在天上享福，我沒有否決權，亦沒有資格對天主的判決，提出異議。既然我不能選擇誰能與我一起在天上，現在我與眾人和好，不是最好的準備嗎？試想想你要與一個你不喜歡的人永遠生活在一起，那不是很可怕嗎？
你掌擊我的右頰羞辱我，沒關係，我把另一面也轉給你（5:39）。將來在天上相遇，你並沒有欠我。不是我的道德情操比你高，而是因為「那侮辱你者的辱罵落於我身。」（詠69:10；羅15:3）原來天主子降生成人，不單為我們釘十字架，並且保護我們，為我們承受所有的傷害！

所以，我們應該守望相助。你和我爭我的內衣，可能你比我更需要它，拿去用吧！足夠嗎？這裡是我的外衣，隨便拿去用（5:40）。陪你走一千步？沒有問題，感謝天主，祂一定給我行二千步的能力，使我可以陪你（5:41）。你需要金錢周轉嗎？我這裡有，我還有能力借給你應急。將來還不了也沒關係，天主自會在適當時候替你還給我（5:42）。愛兄弟，為兄弟祈禱是本份（5:43），因為我們都是天父的子女（5:45），所以應該守望相助（創4:9）。保祿在總結愛人如己的法律（肋19:18）時，從反面警告我們不守這法律的後果：「如果你們彼此相咬相吞，你們要小心，兔得同歸於盡。」（迦5:15）可見，為了避免同歸於盡，將來永遠在地獄裡，繼續彼此相咬相吞，現在就是守望相助，愛仇人，為仇人祈禱的時間了！

各位，這些不是幻想，而是我們所信奉的信條。因為「我期待死人的復活，及來世的生命。」倘若我們不愛仇人，不為他們祈禱，便違反了這份對永生的信仰了。
天主保祐！
2017年講道
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Seventh Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: Be Children Of Your Heavenly Father

In 1958, Lawrence Kohlberg wrote his doctoral thesis on moral development. Based on a justice-oriented model of morality, he opines that the reasons a man uses to justify his moral decisions can be categorized into six stages of development. The lowest is fear of punishment, the next is personal benefit. The third is conformity. The fourth is law-abiding. The fifth is social contract and the last and highest is universal ethical principles. These development stages match those of cognitive development. Therefore the theory is academically solid. Kohlberg's theory is widely accepted among academics and educators.

Therefore, when we tell people to do good and avoid evil because this is what a human should do, not everybody will accept this position because they may not have attained this stage of development. But when we advise people not to do evil, not to commit crime, and beware of the last two years of their life, we are trying to touch on the bottom level. Theoretically it is the most effective tactic. But in reality, if there is no long arm of justice or deterring enough punishments, the effectiveness of such an approach is put in doubt. Even if it were effective, it would not help their moral development. Nowadays, many countries and societies have abolished capital punishment and the orientation of prison institutions have turned from retribution to rehabilitation. Thus, reliance on punishment and emphasis on condemnation to hell after death do not make an ethical person.

Jesus Christ does not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17). He seldom mentions about punishment. Only in five parables does he say, "there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30). If people were not touched by these words, he probably would be a living saint or perhaps he had yet to start his moral development! Jesus teaches us by putting noble targets before us, encouraging us to scale greater heights. These targets are different from secular ones. Therefore they are more attractive. Furthermore, they are very demanding, and even go beyond our natural capacity. We have to acknowledge our inadequacies before them. We need to turn to God and seek His help.

Let us take a moment to meditate. In the beginning, God created human beings in His image (Genesis 1:26), and said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him." (2:18) Thus, we should be helpers of each other. Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnates to be a member of humanity, to be our brother in order to raise our status to be　children of our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:45). On the Last Day, we would partake in God's eternal life together. Therefore, this short span of several decades of life on earth is high time we built fraternity and stewardship instead of aggregating grudges.

What does "high time we built fraternity" mean? Frankly speaking, nobody knows who would partake in God's eternal life in the end because only "the Lord puts to death and gives life." (1 Samuel 2:6) It is an unknown whether we shall meet in heaven. Even if I would enjoy beatific vision in the future, my loved ones might not enjoy it with me because when God decides, He doesn't need to consider my personal likes and dislikes. In the same way, I cannot veto God's decision to permit my enemy to share the same roof with me in heaven and I am not qualified to challenge His decision. If I cannot choose with whom I shall go to heaven, isn't it the best strategy to maintain good terms with everybody? Imagine how horrible it would be to live with someone you dislike forever and ever! So, if you strike me on my right cheek to insult me, no problem, I will turn the other one to you as well (5:39). When we meet again in heaven, you owe me nothing. It is not that my morality is higher but because "I am insulted by those who insult you." (Psalm 69:10, Romans 15:3). The Son of God became man, not only to be crucified for us, but to protect us from evil and take up all harms for us!

Therefore, we should be keepers of each other. If you want to go to law with me over my tunic, probably you are in greater need of it than me. Take it! Not enough? Here is my cloak. Feel free to take it as well (5:40). Press me into service for one mile? No problem. Thank God, He must have given me capacity to walk an extra mile with you (5:41). You ask me for money to take care of your business? I have. I am still financial secure to bail you out. There is no problem even if you would not repay me. God shall repay me for you at appropriate times (5:42). Let us love our brothers. It is our duty to pray for them (5:43) because we are all children of our heavenly Father (5:45). We should be our brothers' keepers (Genesis 4:9). When St. Paul draws conclusion on the law of loving neighbour (Leviticus 19:18), he warns us of the consequences of not observing this law, "If you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another." (Galatians 5:15) Thus, in order not to continue biting and devouring each other forever in hell, it is high time we were keepers of each other, loved enemies and prayed for them!

Brethren, this is not fantasy but the articles of our faith. It is because "I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." If we do not love our enemies, and pray for them, we go against our faith in eternal life.
God bless!

一次搶購減五個福 One Hoarding Kills Five Beatitudes

常年期第六主日，甲年
主題：一次搶購減五個福

在香港，連日來確診武漢肺炎的個案持續上升。二百日來的社會動盪，令市民對政府缺乏信任，政府官員說甚麼「急民之所急」，聽來祇不過是口號。加上社交媒體上充斥著各式各樣的偽資訊，不少市民為了自保，搶購疑似可以防疫的物品，包括口罩、消毒火酒 、潔手液、廁紙和廚房紙等等，幾達瘋狂程度。可憐很多有需要的長者及弱勢人士，例如外判清潔工人，反而買不到，以至多日來祇能用同一個口罩！更有甚者，當政府計劃尋找地方，把與確診者曾接觸過的人士隔離及觀察，住在被選中地區附近的居民，即時群起反對。這是可以理解的，檢疫中心設在近民居的地方，的確帶來散播疫症的憂慮。加上市民對政府管治已缺乏信心，令政府舉步維艱。作為基督徒，連日來困在家中，看了這一切，默存在心裡，反覆思想（路2:19）。正如一位日本詩人有感而發，寫了發人深省的一句話：「沒有不停的雨，天一定會晴。爭奪惹來不足，分享纔有剩餘。」，貼有超市的窗上。的確，目前的瘋狂祇是暫時的，總有一天，囤積的人會明白「獨善其身」是不理想的。

所有法律的制定，祇是人人彼此交往的最低要求。時日久遠，守法的態度難免變質，遵守「十誡」也不例外。耶穌說祂來是為了成全法律（瑪5:17），然後，以天主子的權威，還原並提昇梅瑟法律的原始精神。十誡命令我們不可殺人，耶穌基督提醒我們，不但不可殺人，更要管理好自己的忿怒情緒，因為殺人始於忿怒。加音也是在不能約束自己忿怒的情況下，謀殺了自己的弟弟亞伯爾（創4:5-8）。加音為甚麼忿怒呢？因為天主沒有悅納他的祭品，而悅納了弟弟亞伯爾的祭品！在外人眼中，這忿怒是沒有理據的！可是情緒可以是沒有理據的，而且亦不能以理性令情緒折服。但情緒對己對人的破壞力很大，無論如何，我們必需把自己的情緒管理好，否則成事不足，敗事有餘；天主也是這樣忠告加音（4:7）。可惜加音沒有理會天主的忠告，結果殺了自己的弟弟，鑄成大錯。從此，人類肆意放縱自己的情緒，殺人放火，姦淫擄掠，無所不為。即使天主藉梅瑟頒下十誡，定下互相交往的最低要求，但人出於自私，仍可以聰明地繞過法律，甚至利用法律，滿足一己的私慾。所以耶穌來成全法律時，一再提醒我們要管理好自己的情緒，不要受制於忿怒、嫉妒、淫慾、貪婪和驕傲等等之下。

忿怒的原因有很多：例如在別人面前掉面、或者期望某些待遇而得不到，覺得受到不公平的對待、或者別人妨礙了你達到某些目的等等。歸根究底，很多情況都是求而不得，卻不能埋怨令您失望的對方，於是遷怒他人：可能是競爭的對手，可能祇是路過的無辜者。加音便是這樣的一個典型例子！耶穌基督提醒我們，在天主眼中我們都是兄弟，應該彼此守望相助（4:9）。倘若你希望得蒙天主的悅納，你必須先與自己的兄弟和解，解除了心中的鬱結和怨氣。因為你的怨氣會污染了你和你的禮品，天主又怎會悅納呢？所以先放下祭品，與兄弟和解，回頭再來奉獻（瑪5:24）；保祿宗徒更具體地說：「不可讓太陽在你們含怒時西落」（弗4:26）。

大家很自然要問，錯不在我，為甚麼我要主動提出和解？是受感染者的錯，他們缺乏自律，不自我隔離，反而四出散播病毒；是政府的錯，她未能果斷地採取有效的政策，杜絕病毒的入侵和散播，引起恐慌；是中央政府透明，公開疫情，並且…
各位兄弟姊妹，每一個指責，祇會煽動自己的忿怒情緒，不但無補於事，更進一步傷害自己。能主動提出和解，表示你已經戰勝了自己，你康復了！提出和解是希望對方也得到治療，倘若對方接受，這個世界便少一個「病人」了！倘若對方拒絕，你已完成了作為兄弟守望相助的義務，其餘的就交給天主吧！

退一步想，我們真的沒有錯嗎？幾時我們不去愛，愛得不足夠；不去為對方設想，不去為弱勢社群的需要設想…簡而言之，我們自私了。作為沒有信仰的人，無可厚非。但作為基督徒，這些態度與耶穌基督跟隨者的身份不相稱。囤積用品，違反了「神貧」和「憐憫」的態度；信賴自己多於信賴天主的照顧，違反了「饑渴慕義」渴望天主救贖的態度；搶購爭奪，違反了「溫良」與「締造和平」的態度…
各位兄弟姊妹，一個搶購行為，竟然令人喪失了五個「真福」，可怕嗎？讓我們懷著希望，求天父堅定我們的信德，增強我們的愛德，好能安渡這個難關。
天主保祐！

2017年講道

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Sixth Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: One Hoarding Kills Five Beatitudes

In Hong Kong, more and more confirmed cases of Wuhan pneumonia surfaced. After going through more than two hundred days of social unrest, citizens have lost their confidence in the local government. Utterances of government officials such as "Citizens' worries are our worries" sound more like propaganda. Compounding with all sorts of misinformation on social media, many citizens, for the sake of survival, went on a hoarding frenzy, buying whatever appears to help fight against the plague, including surgical masks, sterilizing alcohol, sanitizing liquid, toilet paper and even kitchen towel etc. It is pitiful to see those who are most in need, the elderly and the disadvantaged such as outsourced janitors, fail to secure one to the extent that the same mask is used for many days! Worse still, when the government plans to set up quarantine centres to take care of people who have made contact with those diagnosed positive, people in the neighbourhood immediately take to the streets to protest. This is understandable. Setting up quarantine centres in the neighbourhood of residential areas raises a fear of spreading the plague. On top of a lack of confidence on the part of the citizens, the government is having a difficult time to govern. As Christians self-quarantining at home, we "keep all these things, reflecting on them in our hearts" (Luke 2:19). A Japanese poet wrote an inspirational stanza and posted it on a supermarket window. It reads, "No rain can fall non-stop. The sun will emerge. Hoarding brings insufficiency, while sharing leftovers." Truly, the present hoarding frenzy can only be temporary. One day, hoarders will understand that they cannot survive alone.

All legislations set out the minimum requirements for interpersonal interactions. As time goes by, the attitude towards keeping the law deteriorates. Observing the Ten Commandment is no exception. Jesus says He comes to fulfil the Law (Matthew 5:17). With the authority of the Son of God, He then restores and elevates the original spirit of the Mosaic Law. The Ten Commandments forbid murder. Jesus Christ reminds us that not only shall we not murder, but we need to manage our anger because murder starts from anger. When Cain failed to control his anger, he murdered his brother Abel (Genesis 4:5-8). Why was Cain angry? It was because God looked with favour on Abel's offering and not on Cain's. In the eyes of outsiders, Cain's anger was unreasonable! But emotions are irrational and no reasoning is able to convince emotions. However, emotions can be very detrimental to oneself and to the others. Whatever, we have to manage our emotions well. Otherwise, we shall be overwhelmed. God advised Cain as such (4:7). Regrettably, Cain did not listen to God's advice and consequently murdered Abel. Subsequently, mankind let loose their emotions to murder, burn, rape and rob etc. Even though God had given us the Ten Commandments through Moses to set down the minimum requirements for human engagement, out of selfishness men cut corners and even made use of the law to satisfy one's desires. So when Jesus came to fulfil the Law, He reminds us of the importance of managing our emotions, not to be controlled by our wrath, jealousy, lust, greed and pride etc.

There are many reasons for us to be angry. For example, we lose face in front of people, or we expect something failing which we feel unfairly treated, or somebody frustrates your purpose etc. In all, we fail to obtain what we anticipate but we cannot blame the one who frustrates us. Thus we project our anger to others: probably our rivals, or an innocent passer-by. Cain's is such a typical case! Jesus Christ reminds us that in God's eyes, we are brothers. We should be keepers of each other (4:9). If we wish God to look with favour on our offering, we must reconcile with our brothers first to remove our grudges and frustration which contaminate us and our offerings. How shall God look with favour on such contaminated offerings? Put down your offerings and reconcile with your brothers first. Only after that shall you return to offer (Matthew 5:24). St. Paul makes it more concrete, "Do not let the sun set on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26).

Naturally you will ask. It is not my fault. Why should I take the initiative to apologize? It is the fault of those infected who lack self-disciple, do not self-quarantine and spread virus around. It is the fault of the government not to be decisive in stopping the invasion and spread of virus, thus making people panic. It is the transparency of the Central Government to open up the plague and …
Brethren, every accusation will fan our anger. Not only is it unhelpful, but it further harms ourselves. When you are able to take the initiative to reconcile, it is a sign which shows that you have overcome yourselves. You are healed! To reconcile, you want the other party to be healed as well. If he accepts, the world shall have one victim less! If he rejects, you have fulfilled your duty as your brother's keeper. Leave the rest to God!

Take one step back. Are we really faultless? Whenever we refuse to love or don't love adequately, whenever we refuse to be considerate, to care about the needs of the disadvantaged etc., in a word, we are selfish! If you're a non-believer, it is forgivable. But as Christians, this attitude is incompatible with our identity as followers of Jesus Christ. Hoarding goods goes against spiritual poverty and mercy. Trusting in ourselves more than on the providence of God goes against hunger and thirst of justice which is a desire for God's deliverance. Fighting for goods goes against meekness and acting as peace makers etc.
Brethren, one act of hoarding kills five beatitudes. Isn't it terrible? Let us pray with hope and beg our heavenly Father to strengthen our faith and charity so that we may weather through the present crisis in peace.
God bless!

地上的鹽，世界的光 Salt of the Earth, Light of the World

常年期第五主日，甲年
主題：地上的鹽，世界的光

相信大家都聽過耶穌的勸諭：「你們是地上的鹽…你們是世界的光。」（瑪5:13-14）當然，我們不是鹽，也不是光。它們肯定是一些比喻，一些象徵。倘若要明白當中的含意，我們必須認識它們的文化背景。例如：甚麼是最狡猾的動物呢？是狐狸？還是蛇呢？為中國人，是兔子！中國成語中就有「狡兔三窟」。聖經卻說：「在上主天主所造的一切野獸中，蛇是最狡猾的。」（創3:1）所以，倘若我們不認識當中的文化背景，我們會誤解，會錯過了其中的真正意義。

瑪竇寫福音給有猶太教背景的基督徒。因此，要更清楚明白耶穌的教訓，我們需要知道鹽在舊約中的重要性。在探討鹽在聖經中的文化背景之前，讓我們問自己，在我們日常生活中，鹽有甚麼用途。我們用鹽來調味，在未發明雪櫃之前，可以用鹽殺菌防腐，保存食物將來享用。正確！聖經也有提及這兩個用途。例如，約伯曾訴苦說：「淡而無鹽的食物，豈能下咽？蛋白能有甚麼滋味？」（約6:6）在另一個故事，城中的人向厄里叟先知訴苦說當地的水不好，以致土產不熟即落。於是先知拿一口新碗，裡面放些鹽，去到水泉旁，將鹽倒在水裡，奉上主之名把水潔淨了（列下2:21）。可見，鹽的調味和殺菌功能，是古今中外所公認的。但鹽在猶太文化中，有另一個獨特的功能。當以色列人向天主獻祭時，必須有鹽在其中。「在你的一切祭品上，都應加上鹽奉獻。」（肋2:13）因此，當耶穌基督說祂的門徒是地上的鹽的時候，不單指出他們有「調味」和「殺菌」的角色，更包含了奉獻的意義。就是說，倘若這個社區、社會、國家和世界沒有基督徒，天主是不會悅納的。有基督徒的地方，纔可以成為天主悅納的禮物！

讓我們逐一看看鹽的三個功用。
基督徒可以給世界調出甚麼味道？他們如何為這世界調味？是人情味，是對鄰人的關顧，是愛德！讓我舉當前的時局為例：
當今新型冠狀病毒肆虐，很多市民陷入盲目搶購屯積的瘋狂之中：口罩、酒精紙、潔手液甚至廁紙，說得出的都搶購！這是赤裸裸的自私，很多長者及弱勢社群，例如外判清潔工人，他們更需要保護，可是他們買不到！基督徒，倘若你們真是地上的鹽，可否從你們的不足中，送他們一些口罩？可否拒絕在社交媒體中，轉發來歷不明的訊息，拒絕煽動搶購的情緒？
這些日子，不單新型病毒肆虐，更有甚者，謠言與假新聞的散播，有如病毒般可怕！基督徒，現在就是大家殺菌和對抗社會上的不公義，為天主的真理作見証的時候了！請不要再轉發來歷不明的訊息，留心獨居長者的情況，確保在社區中服務的清潔工人有充足的裝備！這樣用，我們便為世界調味，令它成為悅樂天主的祭獻。
正如聖保祿宗徒的呼籲所說：「所以弟兄們！我以天主的仁慈請求你們，獻上你們的身體，當作生活、聖潔和悅樂天主的祭品：這纔是你們合理的敬禮。」（羅12:1）原來祇唸經祈禱，不足以悅樂天主，我們必須以愛德行動，活出有人情味的生活，不與世俗同流合污，纔能中悅天主，成為天主悅納的祭品！

讓我們默想耶穌教訓的第二部份，看我們怎樣成為世界的光。我們傾向以理智的方式，把「光」解釋為真理。這解釋有其不足之處，它把缺乏知識或者沒有學問的人，拒諸門外。這解釋是精英主義，但耶穌基督卻擁抱全人類。
瑪竇說得好。為基督，光就是善行，就是愛德，就是愛（瑪5:16）。生命從愛而來，這是放諸四海皆準的真理：天主是愛（若一4:8）！祇有從這個角度看，「光」總是真理。

耶穌基督是世界的光（若8:12），在祂內有生命（1:4）祂是光，並且在顯聖容時，在門徒前發放光芒！我們都是凡人，我們能發光嗎？雖然我們不能發光，但作為基督徒，我們最少也能反射基督的光。即使我們沒有發光的本領，但有如月亮反射太陽的光一樣，基督徒也可以反映耶穌基督的光（這靈感來自敝堂主任司鐸李志源神父）！讓我們成為忠實的鏡子，不要扭曲基督的光。除去我們的貪婪、嫉妒、迷色、驕傲、懶惰和忿怒，這些罪宗毀爛了基督對窮人的愛！我們像月亮一樣，即使不完美，也可以反映出基督的光榮！這樣，我們也可以成為世界的光。耶穌基督說：「我是世界的光；跟隨我的，決不在黑暗中行走，有生命的光。」（若8:12）

各位兄弟姊妹，我們真有福！我們將領受聖體聖事。願我們所領受的耶穌基督在我們內透光，把我們變成地上的鹽，世界的光。
天主保祐！

圖片來源：today.line.me
2017年講道

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Fifth Ordinary Sunday, Year A
Theme: Salt of the Earth, Light of the World

All of you are familiar with this popular exhortation of Jesus', that "You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-14) Of course, we cannot literally be salt and light. They must be some kind of analogy, some sort of images. Exactly! However, in order to understand the underlying meaning of these images correctly, we need to know the cultural background of the symbols used. For example, which animal is the most cunning? Fox? Or Snake? For Chinese, it is the rabbit! We have an idiom which reads, "A cunning rabbit lives in three rabbit holes." In the bible it is the snake (Genesis 3:1). So, if we don't know the cultural background, we shall miss and misunderstand the actual meanings.

Matthew wrote the gospel for Christians with a Jewish background. Therefore, in order to understand more fully what Jesus wants to tell us, we need to know the significance of salt in the Old Testament. Before we explore the cultural background of salt in the bible, let us ask ourselves what uses salt are for in our daily life. Salt gives taste and before the invention of refrigerators, salt kills germs so that people might use it to preserve food for future consumption. Bravo! These two purposes are also found in the bible as well. Job once laments, "Can anything insipid be eaten without salt? Is there flavour in the white of an egg?" (Job 6:6) In another story, people complained to Prophet Elisha that the water was bad and made the land sterile. So, the prophet took a new bowl, put some salt into it, went to the spring, threw the salt into the water and in the name of the Lord, purified the water. (2 King 2:21) Therefore, giving tastes and killing germs are the functions of salt universally acknowledged in all cultures. But salt is something more in the Jewish culture. When the Israelites offered sacrifices to God, their offerings must be seasoned with salt, "On every offering you shall offer salt." (Leviticus 2:13) Therefore, when Christ says that Christians are salt of the earth, not only does He point out their roles to give taste and to kill germs, but includes also the meaning of offering. In other words, if there is no Christian in a neighbourhood, a society, a country or in the world, God shall not be pleased. Because of Christians in a location, it shall become an offering pleasing to God!

Let's go through the three functions of salt one by one.
What taste do Christians give the earth? How do they season the earth? It is hospitality. It is love and care of the neighbours. It is charity! Here is an illustration:
These days as a result of novel coronavirus outbreak, many people fall prey to panic hoarding: masks, alcohol swabs, sanitizers and toilet paper etc. You name it. This is blatant selfishness. Many senior citizens and underprivileged minorities such as outsource janitors who are more in need of protection are unable to acquire what they need. Christians, if you are truly "salt of the earth", can you spare them some masks out of your poverty? Can you refuse to fan panic-buying by not forwarding questionable messages on the social media?
These days, not only is the novel coronavirus rampant, but rumours and fake news too are as ferocious and deadly as viruses! Christians, now is the time for you to kill "germs" , to fight against the injustice in the society and bear witness to God's truth. Stop passing on messages of questionable origins. Pay more attention to the elderly who live alone. Ensure that the janitors who clean your neighbourhood are adequately equipped!
Just as what St. Paul appeals, "I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1) Thus, saying prayers and going to Church only cannot be a sacrifice and worship pleasing to God. In our living as Christians, there must be charitable work and a refusal to go with the current in order to be acceptable to God and pleasing to God.

Let us turn to the second part of Jesus' saying that we are the light of the world. We tend to interpret light in an intellectual manner, thinking that it has to do with the "truth". This interpretation is inadequate. It excludes people who lack knowledge or those who are not learned. Such an interpretation is elitism. But Jesus Christ embraces all humanity. Matthew clarifies it well. For Christ, light means good deeds. Light means charity, love (Matthew 5:16). Love creates life and this is a universal truth: that God is love (1 John 4:8)! Only in this perspective can light also mean truth.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12) and through him was life (1:4). He is the light and in the occasion of Transfiguration, Jesus shone before His disciples! But we are mere mortals. How can be radiate? Though we are not able to shine forth, as Christians at least we are able to reflect Christ' light (The idea is inspired by Fr. Simon Li, my parish priest). Let us be faithful mirrors and distort not Christ's light. Rid ourselves of greed, jealousy, lust, pride, sloth and wrath which disfigure Christ's love for the poor and needy! Then, we can be moons reflecting, however imperfectly the radiance of Christ's glory! In this way, we can also be light of the world. Jesus Christ says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Brethren, how lucky we are! We shall be receiving the Holy Communion. May Jesus Christ whom we shall receive shine through us, making us salt of the earth and light of the world.
God bless!

Difficulties Are Tools of Purification 困難就是磨練

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Year A
Theme: Difficulties Are Tools of Purification

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. We celebrate His sudden arrival at the Temple (Malachi 3:1) to meet His people. Who are His people? Simeon is a representative of His people. The gospel says, "This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him." (Luke 2:25) He is righteous, meaning he keeps all God's commandments. This is a sign of faith and charity. He is devout, totally committed to God. This is a sign of faith and hope. He awaits the consolation of Israel. It means, like all the Jews at that time, they were waiting for the Messiah to liberate them from the Roman colonial rule. Their life had never been easy ever since they were conquered by the Babylonians. Then sovereignty changed hands continually, Persians, Greeks and finally the Romans. Now, salvation arrived, but in the form of a new born baby. Is God joking?

Everybody knows that life is never easy. When we look at the others, in particular our successful friends and our employers, we usually see the fortunes they have. We admire their health, their wealth, their social skills, their knowledge and achievements etc. but we seldom see the blessings we have. Well, life is never simple. The fortunes and achievements we see are almost always superficial. Underneath are layers and layers of struggles which we do not see, either because they don't want us to see or because those are truly God's blessings to equip them for greater responsibilities and challenges. Our God is invisible. We need faith to guide us where to find Him. Moreover, it takes a clean heart to see God and His blessings (Matthew 5:8). The good news is that difficulties and hardship are tools to refine us, to purify us so that we may be able to see God, to offer sacrifices pleasing to God (Malachi 3:4).

Where can we find God and see Him? In the Temple? In the Church?
A recurring theme in the gospels is that God shall appear in the most unexpected manners. Like today, Simeon discovered salvation in infant Jesus! Our God is a God of surprises! When clouds of darkness gather, we know that behind the clouds, there is the bright shining sun. This is faith.
It seems that our God loves to play hide and seek with us. I'm sure all of you are familiar with what Jesus teaches us about the Last Judgment. He encourages us not to turn to the rich and the powerful to find Him, but to find Him among the poor and the needy. He says, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40) Here, Jesus talks about the rewards waiting for those who do works of mercy: to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to give shelter to the homeless, to care for the sick and to visit the imprisoned (25:35-36). As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe in His words and His promises of our rewards in the future. At the moment, what we need to do is to serve the needy with joy because we are deemed worthy to serve and to suffer for the Lord (Acts 5:41).

At this moment, who are the needy? When most citizens are in fear of infection of the novel coronavirus, we can see many needy people around us. There are the exhausted frontline doctors and nurses. There are senior citizens queuing up for hours in vain to buy surgical masks, to highlight just a few. Everybody is under threat. We too are under threat. But are we able to offer a helping hand? Yes, we are. We have advantages over the others!
First of all, most of us do not read Chinese. I suppose you do not indulge yourselves in reading social media in Chinese. Therefore, you shall not be affected by at least half of the misinformation, rumours and fake news floating around the world! You shall less easily become panicking. You shall be in a better position to calm your friends and employers down because you are able to cross check the information from overseas!

Secondly, we are Christians. We have faith and we believe in God. We have hope and we put our hope in God. We have love and we are ready to share God's love with others. In short, we are less self-centred. We are always ready to reach out to lend a helping hand, thus serving our Lord Jesus Christ among the needy! With the support of the Holy Spirit, we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). Let our charity and prayers be good seasonings, making our sacrifices pleasing to God. Stay home and do not go out unless it is necessary. In this way, we lessen the burden on the front line medical staff. If we are able to manage, visit the elderly and spare them a surgical mask. When we stay indoors, remember to pray for the front line medical staff who are working overtime and in constant dangers of being infected. We are the light of this world (5:14). Let our good work show off our faith and hope in God, "to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow." (Luke 1:79)

Before we finish, it would be unfair not to say a few words about Anna, the widow and prophetess. Though the gospel does not record any words spoken by Anna, we should pay attention to her age which was 84. Let us suppose she was 84 when she met infant Jesus in the Temple. Let us further assume that Anna was an ordinary Jewish girl who was usually given to marriage at 14. She became a widow seven years later at 21, which was 63 B.C., the year Judah became a Roman colony. Therefore, her widowhood was a symbol of all the Jews suffering under Roman colonial rule! How did she spend her days of suffering? "She never left the Temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer." (2:37) Furthermore, "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem." (2:38)

Brethren! Anna and Simeon are our examples. Even in time of difficulties and sufferings like today, we persevere in our faith in God. We embrace those difficulties and sufferings with joy because they purify us, to enable us to see God. We continue to worship Good with fasting and prayer. Let us bear witness to God's love for us with our charitable works in our daily life.
God bless!

Picture Credit: wordonfire.org

2007 Reflection

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獻主節，甲年
主題：困難就是磨練

今天教會慶祝「獻主節」，紀念主「忽然進入祂的殿內」（拉3:1），與祂的子民相遇。誰是祂的子民呢？西默盎就是其中的一個代表。福音說：「這人正義虔誠，期待以色列的安慰，而且聖神也在他身上。」（路2:25）西默盎是正義的，指他遵守了所有天主的誡命，是信德和愛德的表現。他是虔誠的，完全地委身天主。這是信德和望德的表現。他期待以色列的安慰，是指西默盎與其他猶太人一樣，等候默西亞來把他們從羅馬殖民地統治解放出來。自從亡國給巴比倫之後，猶太人未曾有過好日子。政權不斷易手：波斯、希臘到最後是羅馬帝國。現在，救恩出現了，卻是一個初生嬰兒。天主在開玩笑嗎？

人人都知道生活是艱難的。當我們看別人時，尤其是身邊成功的朋友和僱主，我們經常看見他們的「幸運」。我們羨慕他們擁有健康、財富、交際手腕、知識和事業，我們很少看到自己的蒙福。其實，生活並不簡單，我們所看見的所謂「幸運」，通常是表面的，背後有層層的掙扎，不為外人道。可能是他們不願意我們知道，又或者那些真是天主的祝福，裝備他們負擔更大的責任，接受更多的挑戰。我們的天主是看不見的。我們靠信德引導我們尋找祂。而且，我們要有一顆潔淨的心，纔能看見祂和祂的祝福（瑪5:8）。幸好，艱難痛苦可以磨練我們，煉淨我們，讓我們可以看見天主，並獻上悅樂天主的祭品（拉3:4）

哪裡可以找到天主，看見祂呢？在聖殿，在聖堂嗎？
福音經常出現的一個主題，就是天主會在出奇不意的景況出現。像今天的福音，西默盎在耶穌聖嬰身上看出救恩！我們的天主的確是一個令人驚喜的天主！當烏雲密佈的時候，我們相信烏雲背後有陽光。這就是信德！
天主好像喜歡和我們玩捉迷藏一樣。我相信大家都非常熟悉耶穌基督有關最後審判的教訓。祂鼓勵我們不要在權貴那裡找祂，卻在貧窮和有需要的人那裡找。祂說：「我實在告訴你們：凡你們對我這些最小兄弟中的一個所做的，就是對我做的。」（瑪25:40）在這裡，耶穌基督論述行哀矜的人將來會受到的賞報：飢者食之，渴者飲之，裸者衣之，收留旅人，照顧病人和探望囚者（25:35-36）。作為耶穌基督的門徒，我們相信祂的教訓和應許。目前，我們祇要以喜樂的心服事有需要的人。喜樂，因為我們配服事主和為祂受苦（宗5:41）。

目前，誰是有需要的人呢？當市民大眾陷入受新型冠狀病毒感染的恐慌時，我們發現身邊有很多有需要的人。有疲憊的前線醫護人員，有排了幾小時也買不到一個口罩的長者…目前人人自危，我們還可以伸出援手嗎？可以！我們有優勢！
首先，大家不懂中文（對英文團體講道）。相信大家沒有時間瀏覽中文的社交媒體，因此，大家受偽訊息，謠言和假消息的影響減半！大家沒有那麼容易產生恐慌，你們更能安撫你們的朋友和僱主，因為你們可以運用海外資訊校對！

再者，我們都是基督徒。有信德，我們相信天主。有望德，我們寄望於上主。有愛德，樂意與人分享天主的愛。簡而言之，我們沒有那麼自我中心。我們隨時隨地伸出援手，服事臨現在貧困者之中的主耶穌基督。藉聖神的助祐，我們是地上的鹽（瑪5:13）。讓我們的愛德工作和祈禱，成為好的調味料，獻上悅樂天主的祭品。留在家中，沒有必要就避免外出。這樣，我們減輕前線醫護人員的負擔。如果應付得來，探訪長者，送給他們一個口罩。留在室內時，記得為超時工作，冒受感染風險的前線醫護人員祈禱。我們是世界的光（5:14）。讓我們的善行，彰顯我們對天主的信德和望德：「光照那坐在黑暗和死影中的人。」（路1:79）

在結束前不提及這位寡婦先知亞納，對她有點不公平。雖然福音沒有記載她的隻言片語，我們應注意她84歲的事實。假設她見到耶穌聖嬰時就是84歲，再假設她與其他猶太少女一樣，14歲出閣。七年後21歲守寡，那正是公元前63年。在這一年，猶大成了羅馬帝國的殖民地。因此，她的守寡象徵了猶太人在羅馬殖民統治下的痛苦！她如何度過這些難苦的日子？「她齋戒祈禱，晝夜事奉天主，總不離開聖殿。」（2:37）而且，「她前來稱謝天主，並向一切希望耶路撒冷得救贖的人，講論這孩子。」（2:38）

各位兄弟姊妹！亞納和西默盎是我們的榜樣。在艱難痛苦的今天，請堅持對天主的信德。我們以喜樂擁抱這些艱難痛苦，因為它們淨化我們，幫助我們看見天主。我們繼續以守齋祈禱事奉天主。讓我們以日常生活中所行的愛德服務，見證天主對我們的愛。
天主保祐！