常年期第廿一主日，乙年
主題：天主聖言的生命力
在曠野接受魔鬼第一個試探的時候，耶穌基督祇回應了一句「經上記載：『人生活不祇靠餅，而也靠天主口中所發的一切言語。」（瑪4:4，申8:3）因此，倘若天主教徒希望自己的信仰生命有活力的話，就必須領聖體與讀聖經並重，否則祇會事倍功半。無論怎樣勤領聖體但不讀經；又或者勤讀聖經而不領聖事，到頭來祇會徒勞無功！天主教的彌撒，聖言與聖體並重。首先是「聖道禮」，先聆聽主的訓誨，預備妥當自己的心神，隨後在「聖祭禮」中，領受聖體聖事，與主結合。所以天主教徒非常重視參加主日彌撒，在他們的信仰中，彌撒是生活的最高峰。且看在福音中，耶穌經常是先講道，之後纔行神蹟，照顧求助者的需要。所以彌撒的安排，非常符合天主子的行動模式。
連續幾個主日的彌撒，我們都在反省耶穌基督在若望福音中有關「生命之糧」的教訓，可見它的重要性。耶穌基督為了我們靈魂的益處，並且為了兌現祂在瑪竇福音中所作的承諾（瑪28:20），留下「聖體聖事」給我們。為天主教徒來說，「聖體聖事」就是這「生命之糧」。一片麵餅可以供應身體所需的能量，這一點我們容易理解；但天主的言語，怎樣提供力量給我們生活呢？今天耶穌說：「我給你們所講論的話，就是神，就是生命。」（若6:63）很清楚表示出祂的說話，即是天主的說話，是使人的生命有活力的言語！讓我們來默想這句話的意義。
人類創造了各式各樣的語言，用來與機器、動物和其他人溝通。例如操控機器用的電腦語言，指揮動物表演的手語，保留人類文化的數學、音樂和藝術語言和文字，當然還有人與人之間溝通的日用語言。上述的語言，大致可分為兩類。第一類是與機器和動物溝通的語言，為了達到功利的目的，獲行最大的利益就是成功，並不需要顧及對方的位格和尊嚴，因為機器和動物根本沒有位格。但第二類與人溝的的語言，涉及與另一個有位格的個體建立關係，情況變得複雜得多了。溝通不但傳遞資訊，因為訊息中包含了情緒的成份。所以人類的語言，除了傳達指令訊息之外，還可以傳情寄意，宣洩情緒，鼓舞人心。說話可以用來教授真理，可以用來欺騙世人；可以安慰傷心的人，可以侮辱踐踏仇人；可以游說對手妥協，可以鼓勵士兵戰死沙場…可見即使是人類的語言，已經擁有十分強大的威力！那麼，天主的說話又怎樣呢？
觀察這個可見的宇宙，我們得到一個肯定的結論，就是它有一個開始。宇宙開始的時候，尚未有人類。因此，所有文明有關宇宙起源的敘述，祇能以故事形式流傳。但不要鄙視這些神話傳說，因為它們嘗試解答一個人類與生俱來必會提出的疑問：我們從那裡來，往那裡去；我們身處的宇宙怎樣出現。今天我們鄙視古代的創世故事，將來的人類同樣會鄙視我們今天所信奉的「大爆炸理論」。各個文化的開天闢地和創造人類的傳說，總帶有幾分政治色彩，為統治者服務。猶太人的【創世紀】有點不同，因為是亡國充軍到巴比倫時寫的，因此少了一份維護統治者的元素，相對地客觀些！它的描述，少了一份對武力的歌頌；天主祇是用說話，便可以創造出一切。而且，這個創造的描述，循序漸進，可以容納「進化論」的演繹；它把創造描述成從混沌（創1:2）變成有秩序，避開了怎樣從「無中生有」的爭論。這個描述，祇涉及可見的宇宙，「有光」（1:3）；對可見宇宙的前身留白，對於天使魔鬼的來源，不置可否，是一個有分寸和負責任的做法。創造可見宇宙的最高峰是創造人類，因為他們是按天主的肖像所造（1:26）。這樣敘述，倡議人人平等，人人有尊嚴。因此，在眾多文明的創造敘述中，我個人認為猶太人的【創世紀】是最可取的。
首先，第二章的故事，把天主描繪成為一個陶匠，而人類是祂的精心傑作！因此，這樣的描述並沒有抹煞人類的尊嚴，與第一章並沒有矛盾。而且這描述非常科學，因為人死後的所有物質，無論土葬火葬或其他方式，最後都返回大地，完全合符「物質不滅定律」。在聖經的立場，人類是在這顆行星上土生土長的，不要妄想他們是外星人殖民留下的種子！
但創造人類的第二個故事，最精彩之處是後半句：「上主天主…在他鼻孔內吹了一口生氣，人就成了一個有靈的生物。」（2:7b）。換句話說，沒有上主的一口生氣，人祇不過是一個人形的泥雕塑。憑上主的一口生氣，人變成了生物，而且是有靈性的生物。
「有靈性」是甚麼意思？是能夠超越本性的意思。例如，以動物的神經系統，應該不能了解人類的思維或感情，這是牠們本性上的局限。但很多寵物，甚至動物，好像有能力與主人溝通，並且明白主人的心意。例如，有記載一隻待宰的牛，竟然跪下流淚，好像在乞求主人免牠一死！我們便形容這樣的動物「有靈性」，因為牠的表現，超越了牠的本性。
人有靈性是甚麼意思呢？即是人有能力超越人類的本性，人終非池中物，他日必有超凡的成就！另一方面，缺乏了上主的這一口生氣，人即使成為了生物，也祇能滯留在動物的層次，與禽獸無異。當上主吹一口生氣給這人型泥雕塑的時候，不但賜給它生命，更催促他超越這塵土的本質，昇華到更高層次！這是做人的宿命！
很自然，我們要問，這「一口生氣」是甚麼？
讓我們快速去片到第一個復活主日，若望宗徒告訴我們，復活了的耶穌基督顯現給門徒，「向他們噓了一口氣，說：『你們領受聖神罷！』」（若20:22）這句子與創世紀的記載，首尾呼應。第一，耶穌基督就是創世紀中的上主天主。第二，祂是靈性生命的來源。第三，祂所吹的氣，就是天主聖神。這一口氣，這位天主聖神使我們充滿生命，這一點我們容易明白。但這口氣與耶穌基督所講論的話，有甚麼關係呢？
其實關係十分簡單，因為說話必須倚靠呼吸。難道你能一直閉著氣來說話嗎？耶穌基督向門徒噓氣的行動，是宣示祂自己就是造物主的身份。在祂的公開生活時，天主子通常以征服大自然的神蹟，來宣示自己是天主的身份。但天主的行動模式，即耶穌基督的行動模式，總是以最少的武力來完成祂的旨意。所以，祂祇輕描淡寫地向群眾說：「我給你們所講論的話，就是神，就是生命」（6:63），而沒有運用神蹟作進一步的佐證！
各位兄弟姊妹！向天主聖神祈求吧！願聖神助祐我們，好像伯多祿一樣，領悟到惟有耶穌基督纔有永生的話，我們沒有其他可以投靠了（6:68）；並且在我們的心內，燃起對天主聖言的熱忱，熱愛讀經，與人分享，藉著這樣的方法修煉，超越本性，獲得永生。
天主保祐！
2015年講道
圖片鳴謝：tedwitham.com
Twenty First Ordinary Sunday, Year B
Theme: The Vitality of God’s Word
Confronting the first temptation from the Tempter in the wilderness, Jesus Christ simply replied, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3) Thus, if Catholics want to lead a vigorous religious life, they must put equal emphasis on receiving the Holy Eucharist as well as bible studies. Otherwise, they need to double up their efforts and yet reap less. No matter how diligent they receive the Holy Communion, but no bible studies, or on the contrary, they study the bible intensely but do not receive the sacraments, it would be fruitless in the end! Catholic masses emphasize both the Word of God and the Holy Communion. They start with the Liturgy of the Word in which they listen to the teaching of the Lord attentively to prepare their hearts and souls. Then in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, they receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion to unite with the Lord. Therefore, Catholics emphasize Sunday masses which they see as the zenith of their life. Take a look at the gospels. Jesus usually preached before He met the needs of the crowd and worked miracles. Thus, the organization of the masses agrees with the modus operandi of the Son of God.
In masses on the last few consecutive Sundays, we reflect on Jesus’s teachings of the “bread of life” in the gospel of John. Obviously, these teachings are extremely important. For the benefits of our souls and for honouring His pledges in the last verse of the gospel of Matthew (Matthew 28:20), Jesus Christ left behind the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. For us Catholics, the Holy Communion is the bread of life. It is easy for us to understand how a piece of bread supplies the energy our bodies need. But how does the Word of God supply us energy for our life? Today, Jesus says, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63) clearly shows that His words, i.e. the words of God, are words that vitalize the life of men! Let us meditate on the meaning of this verse.
Men have in turn created all sorts of languages to communicate with machines, animals and other men. For example, computer languages to control machines, sign languages to instruct animals in shows, mathematical languages, musical languages and art languages to preserve our cultural heritages. Of course, there are also natural languages for human communications on daily basis. The languages mentioned above can broadly be divided into two groups. The first group deals with machines and animals for utilitarian purposes. They are successful when they are able to achieve the greatest benefits. They don’t need to care about the personhood and dignity of the objects because machines and animals are not persons. But the second group communicates with human beings. They involve building up relationships with another person. Things become more complicated. Not only does the communication pass on information, but it also contains emotional elements. Thus, on top of passing on instructions and information, human languages convey feelings, rant emotions and motivate people. Words teach the truth and cheat. They console and humiliate. They persuade rivals to compromise and also are war cries to sacrifice all … Therefore even human languages can be extremely powerful! Then, what about God’s words?
Through the observations of the visible universe, we are able to draw a conclusion with certainty: it has a beginning. In the beginning, there were no human beings. Therefore, all narrations of the genesis of the universe in all civilizations can only be handed down as legends. Don’t despise these legends and myths because they attempt to answer questions all human beings are born to ask: from where we came from, where we shall go and how this universe came about. Today, we slight those ancient genesis stories. In a similar manner, humanity in the future would tease the Big Bang Theory we hold dear today. All genesis narratives in all civilizations carry political agendas to serve the ruling class. The Jewish book of Genesis is a little bit different because it was written during the Babylonian captivity when the Israelites were conquered and exiled. Thus, there are less elements to support the ruling class and is therefore relatively more objective! Its narratives sing less praises to violence. God only used words to create all. Moreover, the Genesis narratives are progressive, thus allowing room for evolutionary interpretation. They describe creation as building up order from something “without form or shape” (Genesis 1:2) leaving aside any controversy over creatio ex nihilo. This narrative confines itself to the visible universe only, “Let there be light” (1:3), leaving blank what came before. It is silent on the matter of the genesis of angels and devils. This is a measured and responsible narrative. The zenith of the creation of the visible universe was the creation of men because they were created in the image of God (1:26). This narrative advocates the equality of men who are endorsed with dignity. Thus, among the genesis narratives of all civilizations, I personality think that the Genesis narrative of the Jewish Scripture is superior.
There are two narratives of the creation of man in Genesis. The second one is livelier and more dramatic. First of all, “The Lord God formed the man out of the dust of the ground,” (Genesis 2:7a) Why did God use “the dust of the ground”? It didn’t look scientific and man looked worthless which contradicts the narration of chapter one!
Firstly, in chapter two the author portrays God as a potter and man was His masterpiece! Thus, this narration does not debase the dignity of man and does not contradict chapter one. It is scientific because after his death, all the materials of a man, whether it is burial or cremation or what not, return to earth, obeying the law of conservation of matter! From the Biblical standpoint, man is a local product of this planet. Don’t ever fancy that we were seeded by colonists from outer space!
But the most crucial point comes from the second half of the verse, “The Lord God … blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul.” (2:7b) In other words, without this breath of life, man was only a clay statue. With God’s breath, man came alive. Moreover, he became a living soul.
What does “a living soul” mean? It means it is able to transcend its nature. For example, the nervous structure of animals does not enable an animal to understand human thoughts and feelings. It is their limitation. However, many pets and even animals seem to be able to communicate with their masters and understand their masters’ thoughts. For example, in record there were cows to be butchered which knelt and shed tears. It seemed that they were begging their masters not to slaughter them! We describe such animals as “spirited” because their performance transcends their nature.
What does “a living soul” mean when it is applied to men? It means men are able to transcend human nature. One day, they would be supernatural! On the other hand, lacking God’s breath of life, even when men came alive, they were mere animals. When God breathed the breath of life into the clay statue, not only did the breath give life, but it also urged the man to transcend its clay nature and sublimate to higher levels. This is human destiny!
Naturally, we are eager to know what this “breath of life” is!
Let us fast-forward to the first Easter Sunday. John the apostle tells us that the risen Christ appeared to the disciples, “He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’”(John 20:22) This verse and the Genesis verse together form an inclusio. Firstly, Jesus Christ is the Lord God mentioned in Genesis. Secondly, He is the source of spiritual life. Thirdly, the breath of life is the Holy Spirit. This breath, this Holy Spirit animates our life. This is easy to understand. But how does it relate to the words Jesus Christ has spoken to us?
In fact, the relationship is simple because speaking relies on breathing. Are you able to speak without breath? When Jesus Christ breathed on the disciples, He was proclaiming His identity as the Creator. During His public ministry, the Son of God usually performed miracles which conquered the elements to assert His divinity. But the modus operandi of God, i.e. Jesus’ modus operandi is always to do His will with minimum force. Therefore, He simply says, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (6:63) without further performing a miracle to support it!
Brethren! Invoke the Holy Spirit! May the Holy Spirit support us, like Peter, to understand that only Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life. We have nowhere to go (6:68). May the Holy Spirit enkindle in us a passion for the Word of God, study the bible attentively and share it with others. In this way, may we transcend our nature to attain eternal life.
God bless!
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