你為主開門，主為你洗腳 You Open the Door to the Lord. The Lord Washes Your Feet

你為主開門，主為你洗腳（路12:35-38）

很多堂區會在聖周星期四晚的禮儀中，安排神父為12位教友洗腳，重溫耶穌為門徒洗腳的教導。參加過的教友，一般都有很大的感觸，信仰態度也作出了不少的改變。雖然神父代表著耶穌基督，但始終不是基督本人，總有點美中不足的味道。請問大家有沒有夢想過，主耶穌基督親自為你洗腳呢？其實，這夢想是絕對可以成真的！

耶穌的教訓，經常與世俗的教訓，背道而馳。例如不久之前，當門徒在爭論他們當中誰最大的時候，耶穌教訓說：「在你們眾人中最小的，這人纔是最大的。」（路9:48）後來，在最後晚餐時，更絕不含糊地說：「你們中最大的，要成最小的；為首領的，要成為服事人的。是誰大呢？是坐席的，還是服事人的？不是坐席的嗎？可是我在你們中間卻像是服事人的。」（22:26-27）雖然耶穌基督在最後晚餐為門徒洗腳，是若望福音的獨家報導，但這記載在路加福音中的「最後晚餐」教訓，強烈地暗示著耶穌為門徒洗腳的事實。有兩部福音作見證，耶穌基督為門徒洗腳，絕對不是虛構的故事；而且與今天福音的教訓，同出一轍。婚筵回來的主人，要伺候為他開門的醒寤僕人們！（12:37）

今天的經文位於福音的中間，講述有關個人末日的教訓，而不是世界末日的情景。主旨十分簡單：就是我們應該醒寤，隨時隨地作好準備；因為死亡是突如其來的，沒有人能夠預先知道天主在何時何地，傳召我們到祂面前算帳。「他二更來也罷，三更來也罷」（12:38）對於準備好了的僕人，耶穌基督會再次好像在最後晚餐一樣，束上腰，為他們洗腳後，與祂一起享用天國的婚宴。我們不知道這個天上的婚宴如何運作，惟有靠耶穌基督來伺候我們了。
主，我當不起祢來伺候我。倘若有幸我能為祢開門，且讓我繼續為祢服務罷。亞孟。
圖片鳴謝：deaconrudysnotes.org
生命恩泉

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You Open the Door to the Lord. The Lord Washes Your Feet. (Luke 12:35-38)

On Holy Thursdays, many parishes would arrange 12 parishioners for the parish priests to wash their feet in order to commemorate Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples during the Last Supper. Many who have participated are deeply moved and their religious attitude takes on a big turn for the good. Although priests represent Jesus Christ, they are not Christ Himself after all. Something seems to be missing. So, have you ever dreamt of Jesus Christ washing your feet Himself? In fact, this dream may actually come true!

Jesus’ teachings usually go against the current. For example, not long ago when the disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest, Jesus teaches, “The one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48) Later during the Last Supper, He declared unambiguously, “Let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves.” (22:26-27) Although only the gospel of John tells us the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, the Last Supper teachings in St. Luke strongly suggest that it truly took place. With the witnesses of two gospels, the narrative is obviously not a legend. Moreover, it agrees with the teaching of the passage today. The master who returns from a wedding will proceed to wait on the vigilant servants who open the door for him (12:37)!

The passage today is located in the middle of the gospel. It teaches about personal ends, not the end of the whole world. The message is very simple: We should always be alert and prepared because death comes at the most unexpected moment. Nobody knows when and where God shall recall them before Him to account for his deeds during life time, “Should he come in the second or third watch” (12:38) For those who are prepared, Jesus Christ shall, like what He did during the Last Supper, gird Himself and wash their feet. Then proceed to the wedding banquet of the Kingdom. Since we don’t know how the banquet operates in heaven, we can only rely on Jesus Christ to serve us.
Lord, I’m not worthy to be served by You. If I’m fortunately enough to open the door for You, let me continue to serve You. Amen.