天父系列之三 The Father's Series (III)

天父系列之三（瑪6:1-6，16-18）

有些福音教訓，看似矛盾。但在聖神的光照下默想，我們便可以體會到教訓的真諦。例如，耶穌基督在地鹽世光的教訓中，曾鼓勵我們說：「你們的光也要在人前照耀，好使他們看見你的善行，光榮你們在天之父。」（瑪5:16）可是這裡卻說：「不要在人前行你們的仁義。」（6:1）我們該怎樣調和這矛盾呢？

其實，在別人眼中，我們的「善行」，不一定是他們心目中的「善行」。我們不但接濟缺乏物資，被社會邊緣化了的人，更為被剝削的他們爭取合乎人性的尊嚴。雖然這是教會的社會訓導，但是在有些人的眼中，我們是滋事份子，我們的行為不是善行。那麼，我們會放棄嗎？不會。我們會期望別人另眼相看，認同我們的理念，光榮我們在天之父嗎？也不會！我們祇會尋求天父的旨意，努力承行。其餘的，天主自會照顧。倘若天父願意我們的善行白費，我們心中沒有不忿，因為「我們是無用的僕人，我們不過做了應做的事。」（路17:10）倘若天父願意藉著我們的善行，感動那怕祇是一小撮人，讓他們認識並光榮祂，這是我們的榮幸！重點是，我們行善，不會懷有任何目的！

今天的福音，其實在告誡我們，倘若我們行善，是為了做給別人看，是懷有目的地行仁義，這樣便枉費心機了，即使目的是為了得到「天父前的賞報」！除非，你感覺到有能力行仁義，已經是賞報！你會心滿意足！不是嗎？有能力行仁義，你既可盡展天賦的潛質，又不用接受別人的扶助，是多麼幸福的一回事！不用做給別人看，不需要把自己的快樂，押在別人的認同上，是多麼自由的一回事！
父啊！倘若我們有任何目的，就讓承行祢的旨意，成為惟一的目的。亞孟。

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：Thesaurus.plus

---

The Father's Series (III) (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)

Some teachings in the gospel seem contradictory. But when you meditate them in the light of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to understand the truth of these teachings.

For example, when Jesus teaches us to be salt of the earth and light of the world, He encourages us, saying "Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16) But in the passage today, He says instead, "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them. (6:1) How do we harmonize such contradiction?

Indeed, our "righteous deeds may not be "righteous in the eyes of the others. Not only do we give alms to the needy and the marginalized, but we also fight for the human dignity of these exploited. Although we are following the social teachings of the Church, in the eyes on some people, we are trouble-makers. Our actions are not righteous. Then, shall we give up? No! Do we expect others to see us in different lights, to agree with our beliefs and glorify our Heavenly Father? No! We only seek the Father's will and do it. God will take care of the rest. If the Father wills that our righteous deeds are futile, our hearts are at peace because, "We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do. (Luke 17:10) If the Father wills that our deeds might touch the hearts of a handful of people, allow them to know and glorify Him, it is our honour! The key point is: we have no ulterior motive in our deeds!

In fact, the gospel passage today warns us not to act for people to see. Such a motive defeats the righteous deeds even if getting "recompense from your heavenly Father is your motive! Unless you feel satisfied and being able to perform righteous deeds itself is your recompense! The ability to perform righteous deeds enables you to fully actualize your potentials and how happy it is that you don't need other's help! How free it is that your happiness does not rely on the recognition and approval of the others!
Father! If we have any motive, let doing Your will be our only motive. Amen.