了結魔鬼 To Settle With The Devil

了結魔鬼（路12:54-59）

可能因為年代久遠，或者文化上的差異，聖經裡的一些用語，難免與我們日用的意義有所不同。例如：「正義」。今天，我們會把「正義」理解為公平，半斤八兩；或者不偏袒任何一方，合理地處理他們之間的糾紛。這個理解，與聖經裡的「正義」大不相同！

且讓我們集中檢視【路加福音】運用「正義」一詞的意義。「正義」在【路加福音】一共出現了6次，第一和第二次指完全遵守梅瑟的法律（路1:75, 2:25），其餘四次，包括今天的經文，是指「獲得天主的救贖」（7:29, 7:35, 12:57, 18:14）。這兩種意義之間，沒有矛盾。因為在猶太人的思想裡，完全遵守梅瑟的法律，是獲得救贖的不二法門。但作為新盟約成員的基督徒，梅瑟的法律顯得缺乏約束力和有效性。

在今天的經文中，耶穌基督提醒我們「由自己來辨別正義（即得救）的事」（12:57）。的確，廚師可以推薦最美味的餸菜，但選擇的仍然是你；會計師可以解釋各個投資方案的利弊，但決定權仍在客戶手上；耶穌基督已經把得救的道理顯示了給我們：例如「山中聖訓」（瑪5-7），但最後仍然是我們負責實踐。

我們的「對頭」（路12:58）是誰呢？是「世俗」嗎？對不起，恐怕我們沒有能力了結世俗，祇能提防它。是自己的「私欲偏情」嗎？對不起，恐怕我們一息尚存，總有生理心理上的各種需要。私欲偏情是不能了結的。是「魔鬼」嗎？牠是天使級的受造物，我們有能力了結牠嗎？有！從前，我們是罪惡的奴隸，屈服在魔鬼的權下。今天，我們領了洗，加入了基督的奧體，基督以自己的受難復活，還清了我們的罪債，我們不再是魔鬼的奴隸了。可是，魔鬼仍想盡辦法，欺騙我們；並以各種誘惑，包括安定繁榮，威權武力，科技成就等誘惑我們扮演天主，妄想取代天主的地位，藉此企意再次束縛我們…我們沒有能力消滅魔鬼，祇能以與牠斷絕關係的方式，了結魔鬼。
主基督，請賜下聖神，幫助我們實踐真福八端的精神，了結與魔鬼的關係。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：independent.co.uk

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To Settle With The Devil (Luke 12:54-59)

Probably because of a huge gap in time or irreconcilable differences in cultures, some biblical jargons mean totally different things from our daily uses. For example: justice. Today, we understand justice in terms of equity, fairness; or not taking sides in resolving conflicts impartially. This understanding of justice is totally different from justice in the biblical sense!

Let’s focus on how the gospel of Luke uses the term “just” which appears 6 times in the KJV version. The first two refer to observing Moses’ laws (Luke 1:75, 2:25) The remaining four, including the one in today’s passage, mean “having attained God’s redemption” (7:29, 7:35, 12:57, 18:14). For the Jews, there’s no contradiction between these 2 meanings. In the Jewish mind, observing all the Moses’ laws is the sure way to attain redemption. But for Christians who are members of the New Covenant, Moses’ laws seem to be less binding on them and less effective.

In the passage today, Jesus Christ reminds us that we are capable of judging what is right ourselves (12:57). Indeed, chefs may recommend the most tasty dishes but it is up to the customers to choose. Certified accountants are able to explain the merits and demerits of different investment plans but it is up to the clients to decide. Jesus Christ has shown us the Way to attain salvation, e.g. the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). But in the end, we are responsible for putting it into practice.

Who is our “opponent” (Luke 12:58)? The secular world? Sorry, I’m afraid we don’t have the ability to settle the secular world. We can only be vigilant. Our own concupiscence? Sorry, while we are still alive, there will always be physiological and psychological needs to gratify. We can’t settle our concupiscence. The Devil? It is an angelic creature. Are we able to settle it? Affirmative. Previously, we were enslaved by sins and were subject to the authority of the Devil. Today, we have been baptized and are members of the Mystical Body of Christ who has repaid all our debts with His passion and resurrection. We are no longer slaves of the Devil which still tries to cheat us with all sorts of temptations, including stability, prosperity, power, violence and technological achievements etc. The Devil persuades us to play God, to replace God so that it is able to enslave us once more … We don’t have the power to annihilate the Devil but we are able to settle with it by cutting off our relationships with it.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the Holy Spirit to assist us in living up the spirit of the Beatitudes to severe all our relationships with the Devil. Amen.