天父系列之四 The Father's Series (IV)

天父系列之四（瑪6:7-15）

父母和子女之間的溝通，應該是怎樣的呢？
首先，兩代之間的經歷不同，能力不同，溝通上必定有所距離。人世間父母子女之間的代溝，祇要彼此願意，是可以拉近距離的。父母的思想已經僵化了，不容易適應新的事物。作為子女的比較靈活開放，很容易便可以掌握父母的思路；祇要他們願意，很快便可以趕上，甚至超前父母。

可是，當我們向天父祈禱，敬禮我們的造物主時，我們沒有做俗世兒子的優勢了。因為我們的認知，與天主的認知距離無限，我們根本不可能趕上超前。正如耶穌基督所說：「在你們求祂以前，已知道你們需要甚麼！」（瑪6:8）這「讀心術」是何等的智慧，何等的全知！我們不禁問，既然天父已經知道我們的需要，我們為何還要祈禱呢？

我要反問，祈禱祇是為了求天父滿足我們的需要，再沒有其他原因嗎？子女和父母溝通，祇有一個索取所需的目的嗎？做子女的，不可以向父母請安嗎？請安，除了表達應有的尊敬之外，還可以加強自己的身份！與此類比，向天父祈禱，除了是一種欽崇之外，還可以加強我們是天父子女的身份。我們不是低等的動物，祗求生存溫飽。我們是享有永恆生命的天主肖像，是天主的子女！一旦我們忘記了自己的真正身份，我們很容易與世俗同流合污，對罪惡麻木，認賊作父！這是何等可怕的事！
父啊！言有盡，意無窮！讓我們懂得不用言語，向祢請安。亞孟！

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝: America Magazine

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The Father's Series (IV) (Matthew 6:7-15)

How should parents and children communicate?
First of all, gaps exist in the communication between the two generations on earth because they have gone through different experiences and have different abilities. If both sides are willing, they can bridge the generation gaps and come closer. The minds of the parents are becoming petrified and they find it difficult to adjust to new things. Children are more flexible and open and can easily grasp the mind-set of their parents. If they are willing, children can easily follow and even outrun their parents.

When we pray to the Father and adore our Creator, we don't have the advantages of children of the world. The distance between our intellect and God's mind is infinite. There is no hope to follow, not to mention outrunning Him. Jesus says, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:8) What wisdom and omniscience is this mind-reading! Naturally, we'll ask why we still have to pray if the Father already knows our needs.

I would retort. Is asking the Father to satisfy our needs the only reason to pray? Do the communications between parents and children have the sole purpose of asking for money only? Can't children ask after the health of their parents? Don't forget, greeting not only conveys respects but it also reinforces our identity! Similarly, praying to the Father is not only adoration but it also reinforces our identity as children of our Heavenly Father. We are not animals that seek survival and gratification of wants. We are images of God and children of God who partake in eternal life! Once we forget our true identity, we will follow the current, become numb to evil and recognize Satan as our father! How terrible it shall be!
Father! Words can't convey all! Let us ask after You not in words. Amen!