主題：如入寶山空手回
不得不承認，財富是走遍世界的通行證。瑪竇的聖誕故事也呈獻上這樣的一個意象。君不見東方賢士可以覲見大黑落德─歡迎與否，另當別論─但聖家卻要星夜走難到埃及嗎？誠然，不同的朝代，對於外國人的態度不同。歸根究底，除了財富之外，也有不少的政治因素。而政治總離不開利益與權勢的分配，到頭來，利益祇不過是短期或長線的財富而已！所謂「無財不行」，沒有金錢的潤滑，世事不能暢順地運轉！文化交流，促進世界大同─最少在現代而言─倘若不會帶來任何經濟或者政治上的利益，恐怕祇是夢想而已。
對於外國人，因為對他們認識不多，免不了保持著一份戒心，提防他們對自己的國家做成傷害：如果你與敵國作戰，這些外人可能是來刺探軍情的間諜；即使不在戰爭時期，從外國來投資的商人，雖然為本地人製造就業機會，但他們也可以乘機刺探工商業上的秘密…除非你好像唐朝的君主，對自己的文化及各方面的制度，充滿信心，認為自己是泱泱大國，樂意向周邊國家送禮，展示國力，並且歡迎外國派人來學習。否則，你一定會懷疑來者的意圖，最後甚至採取閉關的政策！
這些來歷不明的外人，帶來了一個轟動的訊息！為群眾，這「纔誕生的猶太人君王」（2:2）真是悲喜交集的訊息！這「新生王」有可能是預許的「默西亞」，終於，獨立自主的時期快到了，再忍耐多十八年…不過，大黑落德的妻妾，近期並沒有為他誕下王子。大黑落德聽到這個「新生王」消息，會有甚麼反應呢？群眾不敢再想像下去，但想下去與否，也不能挽回即將發生的噩耗，全耶路撒冷祇有驚慌地等候宣判（2:3），看哪個村鎮的嬰兒，會不幸成為死囚！果然，真是白冷，達味的家鄉，這個新生王真是「默西亞」！
執事是否太有想像力呢？可能是。但無論如何，做夢的人仍可以繼續做他的夢，但老謀深算的人，祇有一個結果：人算不如天算！大黑落德坐在寶藏上，卻拱手把它讓與別人！實在太諷刺了。
本來這是上主天主施恩的日子，祂賜給世人一份大禮，把自己的獨生子賜給世人，帶給他們自由，讓他們自由自在地發展。可惜，上主施恩的日子，竟成了世上的君王與上主的一場角力！他們不但錯失了蒙恩得救的機會，還帶給其他無辜者不幸。一如孟子所說：「是以惟仁者宜在高位。不仁者而在高位，是播其惡於眾也！」（孟子‧離婁上）上主大智大仁，即使不仁者如何播惡，亦未能阻擋和改變上主對罪人的慈悲。
各位兄弟姊妹，大聖若瑟在這事件上，樹立了至順和至忠的榜樣。在大聖若瑟年，讓我們以大聖的榜樣，至順、至忠地履行天父的旨意。
作為羅馬帝國的一個僕婢，大黑落德沒有那份泱泱大國的信心。所以在接見東方賢士之前，一定會從老遠監視著他們：他們是否一支來自絲綢之路的商旅呢？是否羅馬帝國的附庸國派來，沿途搜集情報，向凱撒匯報，誰有叛國嫌疑的探子呢？賢士帶著的財寶，可能是一種掩飾。他們不一定真是做買賣的商人，但這財寶不失為一個管用的通行證。其中的三份禮物：黃金、乳香和末藥（瑪2:11），可能成為了聖家將來避難時的通行證！
大黑落德不是一個昏君。後世把他形容是個暴君，除了他的殘暴手段外，還有他的老謀深算！當前，羅馬帝國是他的主子，為了消除凱撒對他的疑心，有甚麼比鏟除「默西亞」更有效呢？即使東方賢士不是羅馬派來的探子，他們帶來的訊息，真是一份大禮！於是大黑落德便導演一齣好戲給凱撒和猶太人看！
猶大有很多有名的地方，出過不少英雄豪傑，例如基德紅的家鄉，敖弗辣（民8:32），三松的家鄉，祚辣（13:2），撒慕爾的家鄉，辣瑪（撒上1:1）…但有那個地方比默西亞的祖先，達味的家鄉白冷更適合呢？大黑落德還說了一個太明顯的謊言：「好讓我也去朝拜」（瑪2:8），說一個沒有希望欺騙到賢士的「謊言」，目的祇有一個：如果賢士是探子，就把這個口訊：「好讓我去除掉他」，帶回凱撒。如果他們是天真的賢士，就留給他們一個好印象吧！一切已成定局，以後的，就成了歷史！
也難怪，大黑落德對上主天主是否「孝愛、敬畏」，就不用說了。沒有敬畏，何來智慧？缺乏智慧，老謀深算也祇會變成愚昧（箴1:7）。大黑落德沒有聖神恩賜的「智慧」，他所渴求的，是保障著眼前的權勢和財富，而不是天上的賞報。他沒有聖神的「超見」，糾正他扭曲了的價值觀。因此，對是非黑白，作出了錯誤的判斷。斬草除根，防範未然，於是屠殺無辜的嬰孩，做出一件極可怕的惡事。如果把他屠殺無辜嬰孩的手段，祇說是缺乏愛德，真是犯下為當權者塗脂抹粉的罪過。作為君王，他有責任保障人民的生命財產，但他竟然謀殺社會未來的主人翁！他不但不尊重生命，更是對未來造成傷害，成為名副其實的「千古罪人」！
天主保祐。
2018年講道
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Year B
Theme: Leaving the Treasure Trove Empty-Handed It is undeniable that wealth is the passport for you to travel all over the world. Matthew's Nativity narrative paints us just such a picture. Don't you see how the Magi from the east were granted an audience with Herod the Great, whether they were welcomed would be another story, while the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt? Of course, some dynasties were xenophobic while others were not. But at the end of the day, other than wealth, there are many political considerations. And politics have to do with the distribution of power and resources. It all comes back to wealth in the short term or in the long term! Money is the lubricant without which, things cannot move smoothly! If cultural exchanges in the view of global solidarity don't carry economic or political advantages, they could only be dreams, at least for the present age.
People naturally are cautious in dealing with aliens because we don't know much about them and worry about their doing harm to our countries. If you are engaging in a war, these aliens can be spies stealing military information. Even in peace time when foreigners invest and create employment opportunities for local people, they may take chances to engage in industrial espionages … Unless you are as confident as Tang emperors in the culture and social institutions of your kingdom and think of your kingdom as the Empire, it's difficult to imagine showering neighbouring countries with magnificent gifts to show off the power of your empire, and embracing foreigners who come to study. In most cases, you would doubt the intentions of aliens and even lock up your own country!
As a "handmaid" of the Roman Empire, Herod the Great lacked the confidence of a great empire. Thus, before granting an audience with the Magi, he must have them under surveillance from afar: Were they merchants coming from the Silk Road? Were they spies of Roman vassals, collecting information and reporting to Caesar who would be guilty of treason? The treasures brought by the Magi would probably be a camouflage. They might not be merchants. But treasures were handy passports. The three gift among the treasures: gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11) probably provided "passport" for the Holy Family's exile to Egypt!
These aliens from nowhere brought an unsettling message! For the commoners, this "Where is the new born king of the Jews" message was both bitter and sweet! This "New Born King" could possibly be the anticipated "Messiah". At last, independence and autonomy would be within sight after waiting for yet another 18 years … But the wives or concubines of Herod the Great had recently not given birth to any prince. What would Herod the Great do after hearing the news? Commoners dared not to think further. But whether thinking or not would not change the course of imminent tragedy. All Jerusalem was troubled (2:3) and waiting anxiously to see which town whose children would be so unfortunate as to be condemned! It turned out to be Bethlehem, the native town of David. This New Born King was truly the Messiah!
Herod the Great was not stupid. He was labelled a tyrant not only because of the atrocities he commanded, but also because of his calculations! At that time, the Roman Empire was his master. What would be more effective in removing all of Caesar's doubts than eliminating the Messiah? Even if the Magi were not spies from Rome, their message was a big gift fallen out of the sky! Thus, Herod the Great choreographed a drama for Caesar and all the Jews to enjoy!
There were many famous places where heroes were born. For example, from Ophrah came Gideon (Judges 8:32), from Zorah Samson (13:2) from Ramathaim Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1) … But where else could be more appropriate in producing the Messiah than the home town of David? Yes, it must be Bethlehem. Furthermore, Herod the Great told a lie too obvious not to be detected, "That I too may go and do him homage" (Matthew 2:8). Telling a lie without the slimmest chance to cheat the Magi had only one purpose: if the Magi were spies, they would pass this message to Caesar, "That I may go and do him harm." If the Magi were naïve enough, this lie would simply leave them a good impression! The stage was set. The rest is history!
Am I over-imaginative? Probably! But whatever, day dreamers may continue to dream while there is only one outcome for the calculating people: They shall never outwit God! Herod the Great calculator was sitting on a treasure trove. Yet he allowed it to slip through his fingers! How sarcastic!
This is to be expected. Not to mention that Herod the Great had no piety or fear of the Lord, he lacked wisdom. Why? Without the fear of the Lord, where comes wisdom? Without wisdom, calculations would only turn to foolishness (Proverbs 1:7). Herod the Great lacked the wisdom given by the Holy Spirit. His only desire was to keep the power and wealth at the moment and not rewards above. He lacked the counsel of the Holy Spirit which would right his wrongs of twisted priorities. Thus, he made wrong judgments. In order to nip the Messiah in the bud, he ordered the massacre of the Holy Innocents, a truly evil act. If we say killing the innocent infants was only a lack of charity, we commit the crime of whitewashing the evil of people in power. As a king, Herod the Great had the duty to protect the lives and property of the people. But he decided to murder the masters of the future! Not only did he show no respect for life, but he was doing the future generation great harm. Herod the Great deserved to be named "The Sinner of A Thousand Ages"!
It was supposed to be a day for God to show mercy. He gave humanity a big fat gift, His only begotten Son, to liberate us, allowing us to grow and develop in freedom. Regrettably, this day of mercy had turned into a mortal combat of kings and princes against God! Not only did they miss the opportunity to receive grace and salvation, but they also spelt misfortune on the innocent. Mencius rightly comments, "Only the Benevolent should occupy high positions. When the Maleficent occupy high places, they spread evils to many!" (Mencius, Li Lou I) The Lord is wise and benevolent. Even when the maleficent are spreading evils, they are unable to block or change God's determination to be merciful to sinners.
Brethren! St. Joseph had shown perfect obedience and loyalty in this incident. During the Year of St. Joseph, let us follow his exemplar to do the Father's will in obedience and loyalty.
God bless!
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