A Failed Finesse 企圖反客為主

企圖反客為主

假設你是來質問耶穌的司祭長和民間長老的一員。是你先提出問題，為甚麼你會「禮讓」耶穌，先回答他的反問呢？看，你掉進了耶穌設下的兩難局面，給了祂一個脫身的機會！你是原告，為甚麼反而變成了被告，你給耶穌催眠了嗎？

這是不是經師之間的辯論規則呢？提問的經師先回答被問者的問題，表示尊敬對方；並且表示自己有資格提出問題，並且無意浪費被問者寶貴的時間！不是，你們祇是司祭和長老，並不是法學士或「辣彼」，所以這並不是一場學術辯論。正因為有長老在場，這更加是一場法律程序！「催眠」一詞雖然是誇張的筆觸，卻能表達耶穌基督在群眾心目中的權威和震懾力（瑪7:29）！

也難怪司祭們這樣「禮讓」，因為他們理虧！
耶穌基督是天主子，建築聖殿的目的，原本就是為了欽崇祂，讚美祂。而且祂願意認可這人手建造的殿宇，就是祂神聖的身體（若2:21），這是猶太人何等的榮耀！如今天主子清理聖殿，清理自己的地方，好更堪當成為祂奧妙的身體，有何不可？是誰把聖殿不堪當成為天主子的奧體，變成賊窩呢（瑪21:13）？就是這群沒有忠誠地履行職責的司祭長！他們原本是「被告」，竟妄想成為「原告」；自投羅網，結果再敗一仗，活該！

孔子曾說：「不憤不啟，不俳不發，舉一隅不以三隅反，則不復也。」（論語‧述而）即是說，對不發憤苦思的學生，沒有必要去啟發；對苦於找不到適當表達方法的學生，總要引導；對於未能舉一反三的學生，不必浪費時間再教了！這來自「萬世師表」的教學方法，很有參考價值。可以天主子比孔子更慈悲，對於這些被財富權勢，迷惑了心竅的人，耶穌基督還是給他們一個反省認錯的機會！
主啊！請賜下聖神，以上天的智慧，明辨是非的聰敏和勇於實踐真理的剛毅，充滿我們的心，保護我們免於心硬，錯失悔改的機會。亞孟。
論盡神學
圖片鳴謝: wikipedia

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A Failed Finesse

Imagine you were one of the chief priests and elders who came to interrogate Jesus. It was you who started the interrogation. How could you ‘politely’ reply Jesus’ question? See, you fell into a dilemma, thus giving Jesus an easy exit! You’re the plaintiff. Why had you become a defendant? Were you hypnotized by Jesus?

Was it some kind of engagement rule in scholarly debate among teachers of the law? The interrogator had to answer some counter-questions to show respect, that he was qualified to interrogate and that he had no intention to waste the defendant’s time! No, it was not! You’re priests and elders, not scribes or Rabbis. Therefore, it was not a scholastic debate. Since elders were present, it must have been a legal proceeding! Although the wording, viz. ‘hypnotized’ was meant to be dramatic, it tried to convey the authority Jesus Christ had among the people (Matthew 7:29)!

We shouldn’t blame the priests for their ‘politeness’ because they were on the wrong side!
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Temple was built to worship and praise Him. He is willing to grant recognition to this man-made temple to be His mystical body (John 2:21). It should be a great Jewish honour! Now the Son of God cleansed His own house to make it worthy to be His mystical body. What could be wrong? Who turned the Temple into a den of thieves not worthy to be the mystical body of the Son of God? They were the chief priests who did not do their job properly! They were defendants who fantasized to become plaintiff! Now that they put their necks into the noose, whom shall they blame but themselves!

Confucius once said, “For those who do not think hard, don’t inspire them. For those who are unable to articulate themselves, guide them. For those who are unable to apply what is learnt to three other areas, don’t waste your time anymore.” (Shu er, Analects). This piece of pedagogical advice is sound. But the Son of God is more merciful than Confucius. Jesus Christ still gives opportunities of repentance to those whose hearts have been suffocated by power and wealth.
Lord! Grant us the Holy Spirit. Infuse our hearts with heavenly wisdom, discerning understanding and fortitude to practise the truth. Protect us from heart-hardening so that we won’t miss the opportunity to repent. Amen.