主四出尋找我們 The Lord Goes Out To Seek Us

復活期第三主日，甲年
主題：主四出尋找我們

天主是一個大奧秘，人類的智慧是無法完全掌握到天主的。有朝一日，當有人宣稱對「天主」已能瞭如指掌，那個他能瞭如指掌的「天主」，肯定不是天主，頂多祇是個次貨！即使天父願意遷就我們，派遣聖子降生成人，成為人類的一份子，「一位在各方面與我們相似，受過試探的，祇是沒有罪過。」（希4:15）來救贖我們，我們對這位耶穌基督的本質，仍喋喋不休！這是好的，因為理性的討論，可以防止我們的信仰變成迷信，變成狂熱！但我們不得不承認，人類的理性始終是有限的，它沒有能力減少天主的神秘性，天主永遠是一個帶來驚喜的天主！

天主的某些特質，是無從置疑的。例如：天主是慈悲的，祂有如善牧，四出找尋亡羊。即使已進入羊棧裡的羊，也會外出覓食，便有迷途的可能性！世上的羊棧始終是短暫的，不完美的。所以，一日未到達天上的耶路撒冷，一日還有迷途的機會，這是不爭的現實。耶穌基督完成在世任務之後離開我們，返回天上去為我們預備地方（若14:3）。在升天前，他曾許諾天天與我們在一起（瑪28:20）。所以，我們可以放心大膽地在世上履行我們的傳福音使命。今天的福音勉勵我們，即使是在山窮水盡的日子，主總在我們身邊，開啟我們的眼目，得見柳暗花明！倘若主沒有顯現給那兩個門徒，他們不會折返耶路撒冷，便失去五十日後領受聖神的恩寵了！

這兩位離開耶路撒冷，返回厄瑪烏的門徒，正是每一個信徒的寫照。當初跟隨耶穌基督，固然是回應天主的感召，不過，總不免帶有其他的目的：「我們原指望祂就是要拯救以色列的。」（路24:21）當代的猶太人期望一個解放以色列的默西亞，而「納匝肋人耶穌是天主用德能、奇蹟和徵兆…」給群眾證明了的人（宗2:22）。此外，還有些捨棄了一切去跟隨耶穌基督的人，他們心中是多麼渴望耶穌基督能兌現祂的許諾，百倍賞報他們（谷10:29-30）。我們不也是一樣嗎？當初加入教會，可能是因為麵粉奶粉、因為學位、因為求偶、因為想當校長…，但耶穌基督沒有因為我們動機不純而拒絕我們，祂有教無類，接納那些稅吏、激進份子，甚至未來要出賣祂的人！雖然耶穌基督以無比耐性教化祂的門徒，但並不保證在困難的時刻，門徒不會離開羊棧。

前往厄瑪烏的兩個門徒，不相信婦女的作證，更不會相信出自她們口中，天使的見證了。（路24:23）這也難怪他們，在猶太人的社會中，女性的證言普遍地是不被接納的。雖然也有幾個前往墳墓驗證的，回來報告證實婦女的說話，但他們聽了以後，仍決定離開，因為這幾個驗證的，「沒有看見祂。」（24:24）這樣看來，多默宗徒的要求，其實也是信徒們普遍的要求了。耶穌基督是天主，不是我們可以隨傳隨到的，真的苦了那些當祂復活的見證人了！兩個厄瑪烏門徒祇看到被釘死的耶穌，而看不見那位曾為了祂而捨棄一切的基督，看不見未來！對於看不見的事物，每個人的信心不同。對於未來，有些人需要多一點切實可見的保證，有些人卻不需要任何保證。厄瑪烏的兩個門徒是前者，他們惟有返回老家，返回熟悉的，有安全感的安樂窩，他們承擔不起那經常出人意表的天主！

在路上，出人意表的事發生了！雖然伯多祿否認祂，猶達斯出賣祂，兩個厄瑪烏門徒離開祂，但慈悲的主沒有放棄，仍四出奔走，引領他們返回羊棧！復活的主不但顯現給伯多祿，更給他補償三次否認主的機會（若21：15-17）；復活的主並沒有強迫兩個門徒返回耶路撒冷，祂與那兩個門徒同行，耐性地解釋聖經給他們聽，並在分餅時開啟了他們的眼睛，看見了他們渴望見到的主（路24:31）。猶達斯呢？我們不會懷疑天主的慈悲，並努力地把慈悲與公義調和。不過，我們應知所定位，應該知道適可而止，「我如果要他存留直到我來，與你何干？你祇管跟隨我。」（若21:22）我們姑且拭目以待，說不定猶達斯會是天主預備的另一個驚喜。現在是跟隨耶穌基督，在世上奮力傳福音的時候，其他的事就不必費神了。

各位兄弟姊妹，復活的主已戰勝死亡，恢復了我們永生的希望。求主賜下聖神，光照我們的明悟，對天父保持一個開放的心，迎接祂每天帶給我們的驚喜。求聖神循循善誘，聖化我們，在近人身上認出主耶穌基督，服事祂，以愛德服務為祂的復活作見證，把這福份分施給近人。
天主保祐！
2017講道
圖片鳴謝：Wikipedia

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Third Easter Sunday, Year A
Theme: The Lord Goes Out To Seek Us

God is a great mystery which human intelligence is unable to fathom. If one day somebody claims to understand God thoroughly, that "God" which he claims to grasp completely is definitely not our God. At most, it is a watered down version of God. Even though the Father condescended for our sake, sent the Son to incarnate as one of us, "one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15) to redeem us, we are still debating the essence of this Jesus Christ! This is good because rational discussions prevent our faith from becoming superstitious and fanatic! But we have to admit that human rationality is finite. It is unable to reduce the mystery of God who is forever a God of surprises!

We are certain of some attributes of God. For example: God is merciful. Like a good shepherd, He always goes out to seek the lost sheep. Even those sheep which are already in the fold have to go out grazing. There is still a possibility of getting lost! After all, sheepfold on earth is only temporary and defective. It is a truism that as long as we have not reached the heavenly Jerusalem, the possibility of getting lost is always there awaiting us. After Jesus Christ has accomplished His mission on earth, He returns to the Father to prepare a place for us (John 14:3). Before He ascended into heavens, He promised to be with us always until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Thus, we may boldly discharge our evangelization mission. The Gospel passage today encourages us that even though all hopes are shattered, the Lord stays with us always and opens our eyes to see new possibilities! Had the Lord not appeared to the two disciples, they would not have rushed back to Jerusalem where fifty days later they received the powers of the Holy Spirit!

The two disciples who left Jerusalem for Emmaus were a genuine portrayal of each and every one of us. When people follow Jesus Christ, they certainly are responding to God's call. But there must be ulterior motives: "We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). The contemporary Jews were anticipating a liberating Messiah and "Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs" (Acts 2:22). Moreover, some had forsaken everything to follow Jesus Christ. How much they wished Jesus Christ would honour His promise to reward them a hundredfold (Mark 10:29-30)! Are we not the same? When we first joined the Church, did we not want flour/milk powder, an enrolment in a Catholic school, a mate or becoming a school principal etc.? But Jesus Christ does not reject us for these ulterior motives. He embraces all, taking tax-collectors, zealots and even a future traitor! Although Jesus Christ teaches His disciples with inexhaustible patience, it would not guarantee that His disciples would not exit the fold in times of troubles.

The two disciples did not believe in the testimony of the women and of the vision of angels mentioned by the women (Luke 24:23). It is understandable because women's witness was not acceptable in Jewish society. Although some other disciples went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, the two disciples still decided to leave Jerusalem because "him they did not see" (24:24). We can safely conclude that Thomas' request was indeed the request of the faithful in general. Jesus Christ is God whom we cannot summon at our whim. Poor witnesses to Jesus' resurrection! The two disciples only saw a crucified Jesus but failed to see Christ for whom they had abandoned everything. They failed to see a future! People' faith in unseen things varies. As for the future, some people need more concrete visible guarantees. Some need no guarantee at all. The two disciples returning to Emmaus belonged to the former. They could not stand a God of surprises. They could only return to their comfort zone which they were familiar.

On their way, surprises awaited them! Although Peter had denied Him, Judas had betrayed Him and the two disciples had deserted Him, the merciful Lord did not give up. He still ran around to gather His flock and brought them back to the fold! Not only did the risen Lord appear to Peter, but He also gave Peter three chances to compensate for his three denials (John 21:15-17); The risen Lord did not force the two disciples back to Jerusalem but walked patiently with them on their way to Emmaus, explaining the Scriptures and opened their eyes when He broke the bread so that they were able to see what they had most desired to see (Luke 24:31). What about Judas? We definitely shall not doubt God's mercy and try hard to harmonize it with His righteousness. However, we should know our position and where to stop. "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." (John 21:22) Let's wait and see. Perhaps Judas would yet be another surprise awaiting us. As for now, we just follow Jesus Christ to work hard evangelizing the world. Leave the rest to God.

Brethren! The risen Lord has defeated death and restored our hope in eternal life. Let us beseech the Lord to grant us the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding and keep a mind open to the Father to accept surprises He has in store for us every day. May the Holy Spirit teach and sanctify us so that we may be able to recognize Jesus Christ present in our neighbour, serve Him and bear witness to His resurrection with our charity works. May we be a fountain of blessings to our neighbours.
God bless!

怎樣對惡人慈悲？ How To Be Merciful To Evil People?

救主慈悲主日，甲年
主題：怎樣對惡人慈悲？

天主是愛（若一4:8）。祂以慈悲來表達祂對人類的愛，這慈悲具體地以聖子的降生、受難、復活來表達（伯前1:3），使凡信靠天主子主耶穌基督的人，「不至喪亡，反而獲得永生」（若3:16）。
慈悲不是感性的愛，而以對別人欠缺上的關顧，以舒緩他人的苦況。慈悲包括了治療、安慰、寬恕和減輕別人的痛苦。作為天主教徒，我們既白白地成為天主的子女，獲得了天主對我們的慈悲，總不可以把天主的慈悲，據為己有，拒絕與人分享。因此，為了報答天主的施恩，我們應對身邊的人慈悲，治療、安慰、寬恕和減輕他們的痛苦。

雖然耶穌曾吩咐說：「你們若祇愛那愛你們的人，你們還有甚麼賞報呢？稅吏不是也這樣做嗎？」（瑪5:46）但從來，愛那些可愛的人容易，不可愛的難！對那些可憐的人慈悲容易，對邪惡的人慈悲，豈不是對與自己同一陣線的人殘忍嗎？很容易，我們會拿出公義來判斷誰值得我們對他慈悲，誰不值得！經過十個月的社會運動和疫情，讓我們看清楚很多人的真面目。即使主說：「你們不要判斷人，免得你們受判斷。」（7:1）可是，想不作出任何判斷，何其困難！今天正值救主慈悲主日，讓我們默想天主怎樣對十惡不赦的人慈悲！

第一個惡人當數殺弟的加音。話說加音與弟弟亞伯爾一同祭獻天主，天主惠顧了亞伯爾和他的祭品，卻沒有惠顧加音和他的祭品，結果加音大怒，垂頭喪氣（創4:4-5）。加音的大怒和垂頭喪氣是不合理的，因為以後還有很多祭獻的機會。祇要他持之以恆，總有一天，天主會惠顧他和他的祭品。天主曾勸勉加音，管理好自己的情緒。很明顯，加音沒有聽，結果殺死了弟弟。天主問加音的時候，加音竟推卸責任說：「難道我是看守我弟弟的人？」（4:9）真可笑，不是你，是誰？這個殺弟的人所受的懲罰，是多麼輕鬆，不是一命填一命，祇是成為一個流離失所的人。而且當加音提出他恐怕被遇見的人殺害時，天主竟給他一個記號，以免遇見的人擊殺他（4:15），天主竟然保護這個不聽教的敗類！另一方面，猶大的次子敖難「把精液遺洩於地，免得給自己的哥哥立後」，遭上主所厭惡，上主叫他死了（38:9-10）。莫非殺人的罪行不及體外排精或者同性戀（19:5）嚴重嗎？屠殺無辜嬰兒的法魯王，高夀而終（出2:23），福音中的大黑落德也活到七十歲。難道君王享有更大的殺人配額嗎？當然，我們不是天主，沒有資格對天主的判斷說三道四。天主能復活死人，即使善人死在惡人手裡，天主也能復活他們。另一方面，人類的性行為是上主在現世創造生命的實現（創4:1），且看，即使是石女，如撒辣、或者撒慕爾的母親亞納，天主也有能力讓她們懷孕，展示出祂是生命主宰的地位。所以不對生命開放的性行為，是上主所厭惡的。上主所厭惡的，就死有餘辜嗎？

從【出谷紀】，我們知道「天主是忌邪的天主」（出20:5），祂憎恨那些見過祂的大能，仍沒有戒除拜偶像陋習的以色列人。當他們拜金牛的時候，天主不惜消滅一個祂以大能解放的人民，要使梅瑟成為一個大民族（32:10）。當然祂絕對有能力，有理由這樣做！是以色列人自取其咎，死不足惜！最後，梅瑟並沒有為一己私利而支持天主的建議，他為以色列人轉求，引發起天主的慈悲，並沒有立即消滅他們，而讓他們在曠野流浪四十年，老死在曠野裡，不能進入福地。即使是這樣為以色列人的好處周章，梅瑟卻落得一個不能進入福地的下場，天主的慈悲去了哪？

另一方面，即使是那個惡名遠播，「受他妻子依則貝耳的引誘，出賣自己，行上主視為惡事」（列上21:25）的阿哈布，因為聽了厄里亞所預言的懲罰而做了「自卑自賤」的事，天主竟在他有生之日，不降懲罰！（21:27-29）連祂最憎恨的拜偶像行為，天主也寬恕！亞哈布不是個別例子，其他的君王，並不因為作了天主認為惡的事而減夀，反而統治期長，並死於自然。例如北國的雅洛貝罕第二為王四十一年（列下14:23-24），南國的默納舍為王五十五年（21:1-2）。難道天主不明白，「不仁者而在高位，是播其惡於眾也」（孟子‧離婁上）嗎？也不一定，在天主的計劃中，即使是強如羅馬的奧古斯都凱撒，也在不知不覺之中，履行了天主的救世計劃！縱使他是為了抽稅而進行人口調查，結果使默西亞在白冷誕生的預言，得以實現（路2:1）！天主讓那些行祂視為惡事的人，繼續生存下去，並讓他們高夀，想必有我們未及理解的道理。

各位兄弟姊妹，面對天主的慈悲，我祇能「收回所說過的話，坐在灰塵中懺悔。」（約42:6）並求上主指教我（42:4）！讓我們信靠主耶穌基督的慈悲，求祂賜下聖神到我們心中，引發喜樂、平安和慈悲，讓我們以慈悲，接待那些不可愛，甚至邪惡的近人。
天主保祐！

又及：救主慈悲，今天是小弟從已故徐誠斌主教手中，領受堅振聖事的金禧。感謝讚美主，在祂的護翼下，我仍保持著這份信仰，仍在最小兄弟中尋找祂，服事祂。但願餘生仍能跟在主的後面，榮主救靈。亞孟。
2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：catholic-daily-reflections.com

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Sunday of Divine Mercy, Year A
Theme: How To Be Merciful To Evil People?

God is love (1 John 4:8). He expresses His love of humanity with mercy. This mercy is concretely shown in the incarnation, passion and resurrection of the Son of God (1 Peter 1:3) so that whoever believe in the Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, "Might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Mercy is not affective love but a loving care for the deprivation and suffering of the others, to relieve them of their plights. To be merciful is to heal, console, forgive and soothe the sufferings of the others. As Catholics, we become God’s children and obtain His mercy for free. We can’t keep God's mercy for ourselves and refuse to share with the others. Thus, in order to repay God's mercy, we should be merciful to people around us. We should heal, console, forgive and soothe their sufferings.

Although Jesus says, "For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?" (Matthew 5:46), all along it is easy to love the lovable and difficult to love the unlovable! It is easy to be merciful to pitiful people. If we are merciful to the evil ones, would we be cruel to our comrades? Naturally, we apply justice criteria to judge who deserve our mercy and who don't. After ten months of social unrest and plague, we are able to see clearly the true faces of many people. Even though the Lord says, "Stop judging, that you may not be judged" (7:1), how difficult it is to suspend our judgment! Today is the Sunday of Divine Mercy. Let us meditate how God shows His mercy to evil people!

Cain who murdered his brother should be number one chronologically and morally. It so happened that Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to God. God looked with favour on Abel and his offering but on Cain and his offering, He did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry and dejected (Genesis 4:4-5). Cain's anger and dejection was unreasonable because there would be many more occasions of offerings. When he persevered, one day God would look with favour on him and his offering. Then God reminded Cain to manage his anger well. Obviously, Cain did not listen and subsequently killed his brother. When God asked Cain the whereabouts of his brother, Cain retorted, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (4:9) Of course you are. Otherwise, who else is? Look at how lightly God punishes him, not a life for a life but only a constant wanderer on the earth! When Cain complained that anybody would kill him at sight, God put a mark on Cain so that no one would kill him at sight (4:15). How God protect such disobedient wicked people! On the other hand, Onan the second son of Judah wasted his seed on the ground to avoid giving offspring to his brother. God was offended and took his life (38:9-10). Is murder less serious a sin than coitus interruptus or homosexuality (19:5)? Pharaoh who killed innocent male babies died an old age (Exodus 2:23) while Herod the Great in the gospel lived until seventy. Were kings allowed a larger quota of killings? Of course, we are not God. It is not right for us to grumble about God's judgment. God is able to raise the dead. Even if the righteous die at the hands of the wicked, God is able to raise them back to life. On the other hand, human sexual acts actualize God's creation of life on earth (Genesis 4:1). Behold, God is able to empower infertile women such as Sarah and Hannah, the mother of Samuel to bear children, thus demonstrating His status as the giver of life. Therefore, sexual acts that are not open to life are abominable to God. Is death an adequate restitution for abominations to God?

From Exodus, we know that God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). He hates those who have seen His might and yet continue to worship idols. When the Israelites worshipped a golden calf, God did not hesitate to consume them and made of Moses a great nation (32:10). Of course God is absolutely capable and reasonable to do that! The Israelites were heaping coals on their own heads! In the end, Moses did not support God's proposal out of selfishness. Instead, he interceded for the Israelites and triggered God's mercy. God did not destroy them immediately but let them off wandering for forty years in the wilderness where they naturally died and did not enter the Promised Land. Moses who had diligently working for the good of Israelites was sealed the same fate, barred from the Promised Land. Where has God's mercy gone?

On the other hand, the notorious Ahab who "Gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the Lord, urged on by his wife Jezebel" (1 Kings 21:24) was spared punishments all the days of his life after he had heard the pronouncement of punishment by Elijah and humbled himself before the Lord (21:27-29). Even the sin of idolatry which God hates so much could be forgiven! Ahab is not a special case. There were other kings who did not have their lives reduced for committing abominations to the Lord. They even reigned long and died a natural death. For example, Jeroboam II ruled for forty-one years as king of Israel (2 Kings 14:23-24) while Manasseh king of Judah for fifty-five years (21:1-2). Doesn't God know that "When a man destitute of benevolence is in a high station, he thereby disseminates his wickedness among the multitudes" (Mencius, Le Low I)? Perhaps God knows. Even the powerful Augustus Caesar inadvertently helped fulfil God's grand plan! Even if it was out of greed that Augustus ordered a census, he made the prophecy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem come true (Luke 2:1)! There must be reasons which are beyond our understanding why God allows those who do abominations to continue living to old ages.

Brethren! Before God's mercy, I can only "disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6) and plead God to tell me the answers (42:4)! Let us fully trust in the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, beg Him to grant us the Holy Spirit in our heart to trigger joy, peace and mercy. Let us be merciful to those unlovable and even evil neighbour.
God bless!

p.s. Today is the golden jubilee of my Confirmation at the hands of the late Bishop Francis Hsu. The Lord be praised. Under the shadow of His wings, I have preserved my faith and been able to seek and serve Him among the least of His brothers continually. May on my remaining days, I be able to follow behind Him, glorifying Him and saving souls. Amen.

所有基督徒都是巴辣巴！ All Christians Are Barabbas!

復活主日，甲年
主題：所有基督徒都是巴辣巴！

主真的復活了，亞肋路亞！
趨吉避凶，是生物的本性。人也不例外，在一般的情況下，也會投放精力於爭取自身的利益。但作為群體動物，祇要能保護到群體的大部份成員，可以保留到群體的一點基因，自我犧牲的行為是會出現的！所以，在經濟向上，人人都能賺錢的時候，大部份人都顯得自私，為自己屯積財富。另一方面，在大敵當前，人人自危的時候，部份人會挺身而出，犧牲小我，成全大我！
在順境的時候，死亡看來是那麼遙遠，「復活」的概念有點無關痛癢！今年的復活節很特別，因為過去十個月，我們處身「死亡」的陰影之下。自去年六月以來，反修例運動開始引起的身心、經濟、社會和政治衝擊，接著來的疫情延續並加劇了這衝擊！那麼，復活可以給予我們甚麼呢？今天讓我們默想主耶穌基督的復活，帶給我們甚麼啟示。

當我們默想耶穌基督的復活時，又怎能與祂的受難抽離呢？因為祂的復活，是由祂的受難賺取得來的！一眾在「受難曲」出現的角色之中，有一位是值得我們更多注意的，他就是巴辣巴（瑪26:16-17）。與耶穌基督一同被釘的右盜，即使死了，肯定是前往樂園（路23:43）。猶達斯出於內咎，自殺死了（瑪27:5），他是否在地獄，無人知曉。這位巴辣巴又如何呢？以他的罪行，必死無疑！可是在最後關頭，殺出了一個納匝肋人耶穌，讓他能逃出鬼門關。這份險死還生的經歷所帶來的滋味，恐怕祇有那些等候器官移植以續命的病人，纔能有所共鳴！他們能死裡逃生，這不就是「復活」的滋味嗎？

保祿宗徒說得好：「為義人死，是罕有的事：為善人或許有敢死的；但是，基督在們還是罪人的時候，就為我們死了，這證明了天主怎樣愛我們。」（羅5:7-8）巴辣巴的際遇，正是「證明了天主怎樣愛我們」這句說話的寫照！倘若耶穌基督代替罪人死在十字架上，仍然未能說服不信天主的人，相信天主對我們的愛，恐怕再沒有其他事物能夠說服了（路16:31）。
巴辣巴的下場如何呢？有說他前往刑場，看到了耶穌基督被釘的情況；有說他在一次動亂之中死了，聖經沒有交代，這是好的！一如「蕩子比喻」的開放結局，由信徒自己決定。同樣，我們每個人都是巴辣巴！天父慈悲，派遣聖子降生，代替我們受死。倘若我們無動於衷，在天父給予機會之後，依然故我，繼續走叛逆之道，最後死於劍下！尤有甚者，更進一步否定復活的事實；自己不信之餘，還設法阻止別人相信。（瑪28:11-15）又或者痛定思痛，悔改皈依，跟隨耶穌基督走修和之路（格後5:19-21），最後成為聖巴辣巴，也未可知！請緊記，天堂與地獄，是我們自己選擇的，與人無尤！

各位兄弟姊妹，所有福音都記載了耶穌復活後的顯現，「不是給所有百姓，而是給天主所預揀的見證人。」（宗10:41）祂顯現給婦女，吩咐她們向宗徒宣講復活（瑪28:10）；祂顯現給宗徒，吩咐他們把復活的好消息，向世人宣講（28:19-20）。因此，你和我也有這份傳福音的使命。
今天在世界各地肆虐的疫情告訴我們一件事：在這地球村，沒有人能獨善其身！人與人，國家與國家必須攜手同心抗疫。同理，基督徒也不能獨善其身，不同教派的基督徒必須攜手同心，向世人宣講福音。雖然天堂與地獄，是個人的選擇；可是，為了建設一個更美好的新天新地，我們必須從復活的主所得來的平安，在我們的生活中，散發給所接觸到的兄弟姊妹。
天主保祐！
2017講道

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Easter Sunday, Year A
Theme: All Christians Are Barabbas!

Surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia!
It is natural for living things to seek gratifications and to avoid pains. Human beings are no exception. Under normal conditions, they would invest most of their energy in competing for their self-interests. But as a social animal, as long as it is possible to protect most members of their group, to retain some DNA of their community, some brave altruistic behaviour may emerge! Thus when the economy is good and everybody is able to make money, most people appear to be selfish in accumulating wealth. On the other hand, when an enemy looms large threatening everybody, some brave souls may come forward to sacrifice themselves for the sake of all!
In easy times, death seems remote and the idea of resurrection irrelevant! But this Easter is very special because for the past ten months, we have been overshadowed by "death". Since last June, social unrest has inflicted great physical, psychological, economic, social and political damages on us. This pandemic follows the heels! Then what can resurrection give us? Today, let us meditate what the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ reveals us.

When we meditate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, how can we tear it away from His Passion? His Resurrection is "earned" with His Passion! Among the cast of the Passion, one role deserves more attention. He is Barabbas (Matthew 26:16-17). The repentant thief crucified with Jesus Christ had surely died and definitely been in Paradise (Luke 23:43). Judas committed suicide out of remorse (Matthew 27:5). Nobody knows whether he is in Hell. What about Barabbas? According to what he had done, there is no doubt of his damnation! But Jesus of Nazareth appeared at the last minute sparing him of a sure death. I'm afraid only those patients who are dying waiting for organ donations to sustain their lives would understand this experience of a narrow escape. Isn't this narrow escape a taste of resurrection?

St. Paul the Apostle speaks well, "Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7-8) What befell on Barabbas is a proof of this statement! If the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for the stead of sinners is not able to convince unbelievers of God's love for us, I'm afraid nothing else could (Luke 16:31).
How did Barabbas' life come to the end? Some say that he went to see Jesus Christ die on Mount Calvary. Others say that he was killed in a revolt. It is good of the Bible to leave this blank! Like the open ending of the parable of the Prodigal Son, it should be filled in by believers themselves. In the same way, all of us are Barabbas! Out of mercy, the Father sent His Son to take up human flesh to die for us. If we are untouched and continue to move along the same path of rebellion after the Father has given us yet another chance, we perish! Worse still, some people even go further as to deny resurrection. Not only do they not believe, but they also prevent others from believing (Matthew 28:11-15). Or we regret, repent and follow Jesus Christ along the path of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-21). Who knows, perhaps in the end, we would become St. Barabbas! Bear in mind, heaven or hell is our own choice, not others'!

Brethren! All the gospels mention the post-resurrection apparitions of Jesus, "Not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance." (Acts 10:41) He appeared to the women, telling them to report the resurrection to the disciples. (Matthew 28:10). He appeared to the disciples, telling them to proclaim the gospel of resurrection to all nations (28:19-20). Therefore, you and I have an evangelization mission to accomplish.
Today, the pandemic teaches us one thing: in this global village, no man is an island! All men and all nations must work hand in hand together to fight against this pandemic. Similarly, Christians cannot selfishly look at their own benefits. All denominations must work together to proclaim the gospel of resurrection to all tongues. Even though heaven and hell is a matter of personal choice, in order to build a new heaven and new earth, we must radiate in our daily life the peace we obtain from the risen Lord to the brothers and sisters we encounter.
God bless!

人性舞台 Life Is A Stage

基督受難主日，甲年
主題：人性舞台

「聖周」是禮儀年的高峰，既標誌著天主救贖人類的完滿，更再次提醒我們人性的不堪。固然，耶穌基督按天父上智的安排受難，但每次朗讀耶穌基督的受難始末時，我們還可以繼續驕傲嗎？司祭長、長老和法利塞人的利祿薰心，殘害忠良，就不用多說了。今天，且讓我們默想我們的代表，耶穌基督親手揀選的門徒，如何不堪。但願默想之餘，得蒙天父恩賜，不致重蹈覆轍。

現代人喜歡挑戰傳統，所以不少有識之士，想為猶達斯討回「公道」。福音說猶達斯生性貪財，所以出賣耶穌（若12:6）。很多現代電影或者音樂劇，嘗試為猶達斯找個另類理由，例如不滿耶穌的言行、或者想迫耶穌在宗教領袖前行神蹟，表露默西亞的身份、或者他不是其餘十一門徒的同鄉，受到排斥等等。其實這樣做，反而逃避了一個更尖銳的問題：就是天主利用猶達斯，達到祂的目的；並且「用完即棄」，猶達斯自殺收場，不能進入天堂！耶穌自己也承認這個矛盾：「人子固然要按照指著祂所記載的而去，但是出賣人子的那人卻是有禍的，那人若果沒有生，為他更好。」（瑪26:24）可是，在天主的救贖工程裡，總要有人擔任天主之母的角色；同理，也總要有人擔任這個千古罪人的角色！倘若猶達斯尚有半點猶豫的話，耶穌對他說的一句話，足以令他義無反顧地幹下去：「朋友，你來做的事，就做吧！」（26:50）難道這就是猶達斯的宿命嗎？倘若我們相信天主，在末日，祂自會還猶達斯一個公道！在這裡，我們不用說三道四了。

值得一提的，是惟有瑪竇福音，記載了猶達斯的下場。
首先，猶達斯為甚麼會把報酬退回司祭長和長老呢（27:3）？當然他不會那麼天真，以為可以憑那三十磈銀錢，便可以「贖回」耶穌！他當然知道司祭長在利用他，而他亦甘心被利用，可能真是貪錢罷。我們不知道當時猶達斯如何盤算，祇知他「後悔了」（27:3），他知道自己犯了罪（27:4），結果選擇了自殺！有聖經學者指出，新約的每本書，都是在回應他們的團體所面對的挑戰。「教會」是瑪竇福音的重要主題之一，有很多章節論述教會應如何運作，教友之間應如何相處。特別記載了猶達斯的下場，有甚麼目的呢？我個人認為，與其說是「殺一警百」，告誡團體內潛伏的「逆徒」，會有報應，不得善終；不如說瑪竇想提醒大家，不要因犯錯內咎而放棄自己。要相信天主的慈悲，和祂委託給教會的赦罪權柄（16:18-19）！猶達斯的角色真是不易擔當，可是，一個人倘若不是心甘情願，世上是沒有甚麼事物可以迫使他做出違背自己良心的事！猶達斯始終要為出賣主耶穌的行為負責！進入生命的門始終是狹窄的（7:13-14）！

作為未來教會的磐石（16:18），伯多祿的表現，的確令人失望。姑且不談他自視過高，他貶抑別人來抬舉自己的毛病（26:33），真令人懷疑他的領導能力。作為領袖，怎可以如此目中無人。引而伸之，可以預料他會拿了下屬的成就來邀功！天父竟然選擇一個如此有問題的人物（16:17），作為未來教會的領袖，祂的上智，的確神妙莫測，令人驚訝！伯多祿的確是一個真漢子！當雞啼令他想起主的預言的時候，他要等到走出了外面，感覺到安全了，纔傷心痛哭（26:75）！曾幾何時，我們要強忍眼淚，板起面孔，硬著心腸，面對世界的種種指控和威脅，直到「安全」了，纔靜悄悄地痛哭悔改！這是危險的，因為軟化僵硬了的心腸並不容易，恐怕有朝一日，我們會忘記怎樣回頭悔改了！耶穌基督曾許諾：「一切罪過和褻瀆，人都可得赦免；但是褻瀆聖神的罪，必不得赦免。」（12:31）這許諾還不足夠讓我們安心嗎？不足以令我們放下一切防禦機制，不再板著臉，硬起心腸嗎？這些防禦機制，可以依恃嗎？個人的成就，可以依恃嗎？「上主說：你們的罪雖似朱紅，將變成雪一樣的潔白；雖紅得發紫，仍能變成羊毛一樣的皎潔。」（依1:18）祂以自己愛子的血，洗淨了聖徒的衣裳（默7:14），兌現了藉先知所許下的諾言！天父的慈悲，的確神妙莫測，令人驚訝！天主如此善待不堪的人類，人啊！你對天主的信心，掉了在哪？

各位兄弟姊妹！天主的慈悲是無可置疑的，可是我們的信心竟然是如此脆弱！但願在此聖周默想耶穌基督的受難始末，有助我們認清自我的不堪，誠心地信靠天父的慈悲。
天主保祐！
2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：Wikipedia

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Passion Sunday, Year A
Theme: Life Is A Stage

The Holy Week is the apex of the Liturgical Year. It marks the fulfilment of God's redemption of humanity. Once more, it reminds us of how unworthy humanity is. Of course, Jesus Christ suffers according to the wisdom of the Father. But every time when we read the Passion of Christ, is there anything of which we can be proud? We don't bother to mention how the chief priests, elders and Pharisees determined to murder a good man out of greed. Today, let us meditate how unworthy our representatives, the disciples handpicked by Jesus Christ Himself have been. We pray that with the grace of the Father, we don't repeat their mistakes.

Modern people enjoy challenging traditions. Many learned people want to restore Judas' honour. The gospels say that he betrayed Jesus out of greed (John 12:6). Modern movies and musicals try to suggest otherwise. For example, Judas was disillusioned by the words and deeds of Jesus, or he wanted to force the hand of God, to force Jesus to declare himself the Messiah before the Jewish leaders, or he was discriminated by the other eleven disciples because he came from another province etc. However, doing this would miss a disturbing problem: that God made use of Judas, a dispensable pawn, to achieve His purpose. Eventually, Judas committed suicide and was denied entry into heavens! Jesus himself admits this contradiction, "The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." (Matthew 26:24) However, somehow in God's redemptive project, somebody has to play the role of the Mother of God. In the same way, somebody has to play the Traitor role! Had Judas been in doubt, Jesus's words would definitely set him off without regret, "Friend, do what you have come for." (26:50) This is the destiny of Judas! If we believe in God, on Judgment Day, He would pay Judas his due. As for now, we had better shut up.

There is one last point worth mentioning. Only Matthew mentions how Judas died . First of all, why did Judas return the money to the chief priests and elders (27:3)? Of course he would not be so naïve as to think that the thirty pieces of silver would be able to ‘redeem' Jesus! Of course Judas knew that the chief priests were making use of him and he was willing to be made use of, probably he really was greedy. But we would never know what was in his mind at that time. We only know that he "deeply regretted what he had done" (27:3) and that he had sinned (27:4). Consequently, he chose suicide! Some biblical scholars opine that every New Testament book is an attempt to answer the challenges confronting the authors' communities. The "Church" is one of the major themes of Matthew. One may find many passages talking about how the Church should be run, how the faithful should be dealing with each other. So, what's the purpose of describing the death of Judas? Personally, I think that instead of claiming it as a warning to hidden "traitors" in the community of God's retribution, I would rather opine that Matthew wants to encourage members not to abandon themselves because of sins and regrets. Believe in God's mercy and the Church which has received God's delegated authority to forgive sins (16:18-19)! Judas' role is difficult to play. But if one is reluctant, nothing in the world would be able to force him to do something against his conscience. At the end of the day, Judas is personally responsible for his betrayal of the Master! "How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life" (7:13-14)!

As the Rock of the future Church (16:18), Peter's performance is truly disappointing. Not to mention that he overestimated himself, his trampling on others under his feet to elevate himself (26:33) cast his leadership in doubt. As a leader, how could he ignore the others? As an extrapolation, we would expect him to steal his subordinates' credits! How could the Father choose (16:17) such an unworthy person to be the lead of the future Church? The Father's ineffable wisdom is stunning! Meanwhile, Peter was truly a man of steel! When the cock's crow reminded him of the Master's prediction, he managed to control his emotion, wept bitterly only after he had gone out (26:75). Time and again, we have to hold back our tears, put up a poker face and a hardened heart to face all sorts of accusations and threats in the world until it is "safe" to weep quietly and repent! But this is risky because it is extremely difficult to soften a hardened heart. I'm afraid one day, we would forget how to repent and the way to return home! Jesus once promised, "Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." (12:31) Is this promise not sufficient to put our hearts at rest, not adequate to neutralize our defence mechanism, stop putting up a poker face and hardening our hearts? Are those defence mechanism reliable? Are our achievements dependable? "Says the Lord: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they may become white as wool." (Isaiah 1:18) He washes the robes of the saints white in the blood of His Son (Revelation 7:14) to honour the promise He made through the prophets! The ineffable mercy of the Father is stunning! God so loves us unworthy mankind! Man! Where have you dropped your faith in God?

Brethren! God's mercy is beyond doubt. However, our faith is so fragile! We pray that the meditation on the Passion of Christ in this Holy Week may help us see clearly our unworthiness and sincerely trust in the Father's mercy.
God bless!