主題：生活在平行宇宙中
持續了接近一年的社會動盪，突顯了一個無可否定的社會現實：抱不同政治立場的人，好像生活在平行宇宙中。為了肯定自己的立場，為了肯定自己真的存在，肯定自己是正確的，甚至是正義的，便圍爐取暖，互相肯定；對家的所作所為，祇會肯定己方是正確的。真令人懷疑真理，是否客觀地存在著！
為信仰耶穌基督的人，這社會動盪眾多難忘的場景中，莫過於執法者大聲向神職人員喝道：「叫你個耶穌落嚟見我」與及伸腳踢開跪求不要動粗的疑似傳道人的震憾！我相信神職人員與及那位傳道人，絕對不會感到氣憤；相反，他們會感到歡喜，堪配為耶穌基督受侮辱（宗5:41）；我相信作為神職人員及傳道人，一定會跟隨救主在十字架上的榜樣，為那些執法人員祈禱，求天父的寬恕（路23:34）。的確，他們像歸化之前的掃祿一樣，不知道在傷害基督徒的時候，就是在迫害耶穌基督，生命的主宰（宗9:5）！幸好，耶穌基督有海量的胸襟，不會與世人秋後算帳。倘若出言干犯聖神，恐怕後果堪虞（瑪12:31-32）！這是基督徒在宇宙這一邊的見解，在宇宙另一邊的執法者和選擇使用暴力者，又會看見甚麼呢？可以幫助他們看見他們想看見的耶穌基督呢？其實耶穌基督有指示看見祂的方法！
主耶穌基督在最後晚餐時，對門徒說：「接受我的命令而遵守的，便是愛我的人；誰愛我，我父也必愛他，我也要愛他，並將我自己顯示給他。」（若14:21）原來，想看見生命之主的人，先要愛護生命，熱愛耶穌，便可以見耶穌！不論你站在宇宙的那一邊，雖然祂樂意好像僕人一樣，表達對世人的慈悲；但祂始終不是任由世人操控，呼之則來，揮之則去的僕人，因為耶穌基督是天主。倘若你真心想看見尊貴的耶穌基督，首先要遵守祂的命令（13:34）；祂就會按自己的意願，把自己顯示給你。即使你現在遵守祂的誡命，這並不表示祂會立刻顯示給你，因為「事事有時節」（訓3:1），天主有祂自己的時間表。且看偉大如聖德蘭修女，也有半世紀的時間，處於靈性的一片漆黑之中，完全感受不到主耶穌基督的臨在，何況是我們這些凡夫俗子哩！那我們可怎麼辦呢？我們怎樣說服宇宙另一邊的人，遵守主耶穌基督的命令，怎樣把天主的慈悲展示給他們看呢？
我為宇宙另一邊的人心痛。雖然我不會否定他們的真理，但我知道耶穌基督是真理（若14:6），是真理的化身。祂把天主是愛（若一4:8）的真理，展現無遺。祂具體地被世人釘死在十字架上，並且真實地復活了，展露出生命的威力！生命來自愛，亦祇有愛纔能維持生命。我們這些基督徒，和所有懷有善意的人，懂得愛，聚在宇宙的這一邊，生氣蓬勃。那在宇宙另一邊的，那選擇暴力而不能愛的，祇會日益趨向衰亡。看著生命被如斯糟蹋，怎不教人心痛！但我知道現在不是末日，宇宙的兩邊尚未形成不可跨越的鴻溝，目前應該還有溝通的可能！莫非要耶穌基督像召喚掃祿一樣，不停在宇宙的另一邊顯現嗎？即使祂真的願意這樣做，都應該是由我們這奧體的肢體來做纔對。憑我們，行嗎？
我們為甚麼如此怯懦呢？保祿的說話非常管用：「天主所賜給我們的，並非怯懦之神，而是大能、愛德和慎重之神。」（弟後1:7）倘若我們怯懦，表示我們並不認識那在我們內的聖神了！的確，我們對聖神比較陌生。我們的靈修實在膚淺，還未能進入內心的深處，認清自我，認清天主！
在宗教知識的層面上，我們不用愁，因為聖神，那真理之神與我們同在，並在我們內（若14:17）！祂必要教訓我們一切，也要使我們想起，耶穌基督對我們所說的一切（14:26）。這一切都是主耶穌在最後晚餐的許諾，並在五旬節兌現了，所以知識不是我們的弱點。
是對主耶穌基督死而復活的信心嗎？這一點是我們基督信仰的根基，懷疑它就不配稱為基督徒了。反而是在面對罪惡和暴力時，我們容易被個人的政見所蒙蔽，指揮天主作出附合我們心意的行動，在不知不覺中試探了天主！在這方面，我們的確因信心不足，不以天主為我們生活的中心而陷於誘惑！願聖神使我們想起，耶穌基督三退魔誘的教訓！
是我們的愛心不足嗎？所謂知易行難，而且德行絕不是一蹴即至，而是經過長年累月磨練而成的。保祿宗徒的一席名言，給我們很大的鼓舞。他說：「因為我們知道：磨難生忍耐，忍耐生老練，老練生望德，望德不叫人蒙羞，因為天主的愛，藉著所賜與我們的聖神，已傾注在我們心中了。」（羅5:3-5）原來聖神更是愛德之神，愛心不足，其實是聖神不足而已。
各位兄弟姊妹，讓我們打開自己的心，祈求聖神的降臨，更新整個大地（詠104:30），也更新我們的心。亞孟。
天主保祐！
圖片鳴謝：medium.com
2017講道
Sixth Easter Sunday, Year A
Theme: Living In Parallel Universes
The social unrest, which has lasted for nearly one year, shows an undeniable social reality: people with different political convictions seem like living in parallel universes. In order to affirm one's conviction, one's existence, one's correctness and even righteousness, they huddle together affirming each other. Whatever the opposition says or does affirms only that they are on the right. One really doubts whether truth exists objectively!
For Christians, among the unforgettable scenes in this unrest, none are more shocking than law enforcers yelling to the face of clergy, "Tell your Jesus to come down and see me" and kicking somebody to the ground, who looked like a kneeling catechist trying to beg officers not to use violence! I believe the clergy and the catechist were not angry. On the contrary, they should rejoice that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of Jesus (Acts 5:41). I believe the clergy and the catechist would follow the example of the Lord on the cross to pray for the law enforcers for the Father's forgiveness (Luke 23:34). Indeed, they looked like Saul before his conversion, not knowing that hurting Christians is persecuting Jesus Christ, the Author of Life (Acts 9:5)! Lucky for them because Jesus Christ is always tolerant and would not chase after them until the last penny is repaid. However, if they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit, their ending would be lamentable (Matthew 12:31-32)! This is the understanding of Christians on this side of the universe. What would the law enforcers and those who chose violence on the other side of the universe see? Can we help them see the Jesus Christ they want to see? In fact, Jesus Christ has instructed us the way to see Him!
During the Last Supper, Jesus Christ told His disciples, "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." (John 14:21) So, whoever wants to see the Author of Life must love life and Jesus first before he can see Jesus! Whichever side of the universe you are in, although He is willing to show His mercy to mankind like a slave, He can after all not be manipulated whimsically by us like a slave because Jesus Christ is God. If you genuinely want to see His Holiness, Jesus Christ, you should first of all observe His commandment (13:34). He would reveal Himself at His pleasure. Even though now you observe His commandment, it doesn't mean He would necessarily reveal Himself immediately to you because "There is an appointed time for everything." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) God has His own schedule. Take a look at St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, for half a century she remained in spiritual darkness and did not feel the presence of Lord Jesus Christ at all. So who are we mere mortals! Then what can we do? How can we convince people on the other side of the universe to observe Jesus' commandment? How do we show them God's mercy?
My heart aches for people on the other side of the universe. Although I do not deny their version of truth, I know that Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6). He is the embodiment of "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and manifests it fully. He was concretely crucified and genuinely raised from the dead, showing off the power of life! Life comes from love and only love can sustain life. We Christians and people of good will know love and come together on this side of the universe vibrant with life. Those who are on the other side of the universe, those who prefer violence to love are decaying daily. It hurts to see life being wasted in this way! But I know it is not the end yet. The abyss between the two sides of the universe is still surmountable. We can still communicate! Is it necessary for Jesus Christ to appear continually on the other side of the universe like the calling of Saul? Even if it is, it should be us, members of the Mystical Body to do the job. But are we capable?
Why are we so cowardly? The word of St. Paul is appropriate here, "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7) If we hesitate, it shows that we do not know the Holy Spirit within us. Indeed, we are not familiar with the Holy Spirit. Our spirituality is shallow. We have not fathomed into the depth of our soul to know ourselves and to know God!
On the level of religious knowledge, we don't have to worry because the Holy Spirit who dwells within us is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17)! He will teach us everything and remind us of all that Jesus told us (14:26). Jesus pledged this promise during the Last Supper and honoured it on the Pentecost. Thus knowledge is not our weakness.
Do we lack faith in the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ? Resurrection is the foundation of our faith. If we doubt it, we are not Christians. On the contrary, confronted with evil and violence, we are easily blinded by our political views and command God to take actions after our hearts. Imperceptibly we put God to the test! In this manner, we lack faith, do not make God the centre of our life and fall into temptation! May the Holy Spirit reminds us of the teachings of Jesus Christ when He underwent temptation!
Are we short of love? It is more easily talked than done. Virtue cannot be attained overnight. It is an achievement of long time struggle. Once again, St. Paul's words are very encouraging. He says, "Knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5) The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Love. If we are short of love, we are in fact short of the Spirit.
Brethren! Open up our hearts and pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit to renew the earth (Psalm 104:30) and renew our hearts. Amen.
God bless!
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