傳福音帶來分裂（路12:49-53）
昨天的福音提到，無論我們有多強或者多弱，我們總要履行或多或少的福傳任務（路12:48）。無論履行的是甚麼任務，我們總要好好裝備自己，纔能達標。領受了「堅振聖事」的天主教徒，獲得聖神所賜下的七恩，或多或少可算是一個「強者」，一個裝備好了的福音大使（格後5:20）。昨天提及到，作為強者，第一級的目標就是「和而不流」。即是說，天主教徒應該溫良和善地傳福音，但不可以為了增加入教人數而放棄耶穌基督的教訓，在是非善惡的原則上妥協，遷就聽眾而同流合污！結果？總會做成分裂：家庭中的分裂，辦公室內的分裂，同儕之間甚至教會內部的分裂！
作為福音大使，天主教徒要「和而不流」，要勇敢地面對問題，揭發問題。我們的能力有限，未必有本領解決問題，惟有交託及天主。可是，能夠提出問題所在，總比視問題而不見好。或許我們可以團結一些志同道合的人，一起想辦法解決問題。結果，我們給那些藏身安樂窩裡的人帶來了麻煩，成為了他們的眼中釘，並造成團體成員之間的分裂。
各位兄弟姊妹，安定繁榮是一個很大的誘惑，是耶穌基督在曠野裡接受的第一個試探，祂證明了人性能克勝這些試探。在今天的福音中，祂說得非常好：「你們以為我來是給地上送上和平嗎？不，我告訴你們：而是來送分裂。」（路12:51）所以，各位基督徒，不要被安定繁榮所誘惑，亦不要害怕分裂，因為分裂是耶穌基督送給我們的！
主基督，請幫助我們重新審視，怎麼樣的分裂是合符祢的聖意。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：wikimedia.org
Evangelization Creates Division (Luke 12:49-53)
In the gospel passage yesterday, we learnt that whether we are weak or strong, we shall participate in the evangelization mission (Luke 12:48). Whatever mission we’re commissioned, we need to equip ourselves in order to get things done. Fortunately we Catholics have received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit when we received the Sacrament of Confirmation. To a certain extent, we are an Iron Man, a well-equipped ambassador of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20). Yesterday we also learnt that the first level of being an Iron Man is “to be friendly without pleasing others”. That is to say, Catholics should evangelize in a meek and mild manner. But we should not abandon the teachings of Jesus Christ or compromise moral principles or to please and follow the crowd in order to increase enrollment! In the end, there will inevitably be divisions: in the family, in the working place, among colleagues and even within the Church!Satan likes to pitch us against each other so that it’s able to gain benefits. Humanity knows it all too well. Thus, we desire peace and hate conflicts. We wish that peace would bring us prosperity. Some ruling parties want total control so much so that they even ignore human dignity and sacrifice the basic human rights of the commoners. On one hand, they blatantly legislate laws to systematically silence opposition parties and dissidents. On the other, they paint a rosy picture of restored harmony in the society. Living in this ever transient, turbulent and contradictions-infested society, every family undergoes different degrees of impact: political controversies, mental health issues, unemployment and migrations etc. Some families cover up the problems with patriarchal authorities. Others sweep the issues under the carpet in order to avoid conflicts instead of improving communication among family members … Is this genuine peace?
As ambassadors of the gospel, Catholics should be friendly without pleasing others. We should uncover problems and confront them courageously. Our capabilities are limited. We may not have to power to solve the problems. God is our hope. But bringing the problems to light is better than turning a blind eye to the problems. Perhaps we may be able to unite people of similar minds to work together towards a solution. Consequently, we make troubles for people who hide away in their comfort zones. We become large beams in their eyes and create divisions among party members.
Brethren! Stability and prosperity is a big temptation, the first temptation which Jesus Christ confronted in the wilderness. He shows us that humanity is able to overcome such temptations. In the gospel passage, the Lord says well, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51) Thus Christians, don’t be fooled by the temptations of stability and prosperity. Furthermore, don’t fear divisions because Jesus Christ gives them to us.
Lord Jesus, help us evaluate what kind of divisions is Your will. Amen.
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