福音助人活出「真我」 The Gospel Helps Us Live Up To Our Authentic Self

真我系列之一：
福音助人活出「真我」（瑪13:31-35）

疫期期間，很多婦女被迫留在家中，減少外出進食。惟有親自下廚，自製點心，烤焗糕點…這段時間，對「酵母的比喻」，有了另一番體會。

1. 原來把酵母均勻地搓揉進麵團裡，是頗為費力的。因此，雖然天國是天主白白的恩賜，但人們仍需努力，與天主合作，纔能享受到天國的福樂。
2. 麵粉的品種有很多，倘若祇把麵粉開水煮熟來吃，雖然可以攝取到營養，卻是淡然乏味！加入了酵母，便可以把各種麵粉的不同特色，彰顯出來。再配合其他不同的材料，便可以烘焙出不同的精美糕點了。

原來天國的福音，在人心內發酵，使人能活出「真我」。這「真我」是天主按自己的肖像所造的，天主「認為樣樣都很好」（創1：31）。可惜，生活迫人，很多人即使努力掙扎，仍改變不了被罪惡污染了的環境，惟有無奈地向現實低頭。為了自保，為了生存，祇有戴上面罩，以一副虛假的嘴臉與人來往，不敢以真我示人！久而久之，這個真我甚至被那面罩所囚禁，所取代！

天主的福音，就是那神奇的酵母，重新激活那個蒙污的真我，使天主的肖像重生。耶穌基督宣講的福音，邀請我們悔改。因為天父是慈悲的，不再計較我們的過錯。這是天主白白的恩賜，倘若我們願意接受，願意出力與天主配合，我們便得到解放，得享天主的永恆生命。
天父啊！願我們能成為祢的美點，給世界獻上些微的飽足。亞孟！

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：eatthis.com

---

Authentic Self Series (I)
The Gospel Helps Us Live Up To Our Authentic Self (Matthew 13:31-35)

During this pandemic, many ladies are forced to stay home, reducing the number of dining-outs. They return to the kitchen to bake. A new understanding of the Parable of the Yeast emerges.

1. It is rather exhausting to knead the yeast thoroughly into the dough. Thus, although God gives the kingdom of heaven freely to us, we need to work hard and cooperate with God in order to partake in the bliss of the kingdom
2. There are different types of flour. If we simply boil it with water and consume, though we are able to absorb the nutrients, it would be bland! Add a little yeast and the flavour of different types of flour is revealed. Together with various dressings and icings, delicious pastry is baked.

The gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven turns out to be the yeast that ignites the "Authentic Self" in us. This Authentic Self was made in the image of God and "God looked at everything He had made, and found it very good." (Genesis 1:31) Unfortunately, life is crashing people down. No matter how hard they struggle, they are unable to change the sins infested environment. Reluctantly they surrender. In order to protect themselves and to continue fighting for their survival, they put on masks to interact, fearing to reveal their Authentic Selves! In times, their Authentic Selves are imprisoned and replaced by their masks.

God's gospel, this marvellous yeast revitalizes our tarnished Authentic Self and revives the image of God. Jesus Christ proclaims this good news and invites us to repent. The Father is merciful. He does not count our trespasses against us. This grace God freely gives. If we accept this invitation and are willing to cooperate with God, we shall be liberated and partake in God's eternal life.
Heavenly Father! May we become Your delicacy to deliver a crumb of satisfaction to the world. Amen!