天主樂意俯就卑微 God is Happy to Condescend

天主樂意俯就卑微（瑪4:12-17, 23-25）

原祖犯罪後，人並不是無可藥救；即使天主以洪水滅世，還留下諾厄一家（創7:1），讓人類仍有從新開始的機會。即使受到了私慾偏情的影響，憑著有缺陷的本性，人類仍能漸漸地體會到天父的憐憫，認識到祂樂意俯就卑微！於是天主子降生成人，以人的身份，代表人類，爭取履行天父聖意的機會。

雅各伯的十二個兒子中，納斐塔里（解作「相爭」，是指辣黑耳與姐姐肋阿爭寵的意思。）是辣黑耳的婢女彼耳哈所生（30:7-8）。因此他的地位低微，他的後裔在進入福地後，祇能分到與外族接壤的北方，在加里肋亞湖的西岸，正是耶穌基督長大成人之處，亦是祂開始傳福音的基地！則步隆（解作「同居」）是肋阿為雅各伯所生第六個，也是她最後所生的一個兒子。他的後裔，祇分到納斐塔里西南的土地，其地位低微，可想而知。

在救恩史中，以色列人代表了人類，既有人類本性的缺陷，又硬頸執拗。雖然他們會瞧不起上述的同胞，但天主絕對沒有放棄他們。祂藉先知的口，預告這些被歧視的人、這些在家庭和社會中沒有地位的人，會率先聽到福音（依8:23-9:1），獲得治癒（瑪4:23-24）。這就是天主子降生成人所帶來的喜樂和平安，是為了所有心懷善意的人（路2:14）。可惜很多人的心被權勢財富硬化了，完全感受不了天父的慈悲，不思悔改。主耶穌基督曾忿慨地說，稅吏與娼妓，要在那些有地位，有權勢的人（司祭長和長老）以先進入天國（瑪21:31-32）。恐怕真的祇有困頓的人，地位卑微的人，被社會邊緣化了與及走投無路的人，總能領受到天主的救恩了。
上主，願仁愛和忠信彼此相迎，正義與和平彼此相親（詠85:11）亞孟！
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生命恩泉

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God is Happy to condescend (Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25)

After the Fall of our First Parents, humanity is not irredeemable. Even though God had once wiped out the world with the Great Deluge, Noah’s family was retained (Genesis 7:1) so that humanity might have an opportunity to start all over again. Despite the influences of concupiscence, the flawed human nature is still able to gradually understand the Father’s mercy and that He is happy to condescend! The Son of God became flesh, identified Himself as a man to represent humanity to fight for the opportunity to fulfil the Father’s will.

Among the twelve sons of Jacob, Naphtali (meaning “wrestling”, Rachel was fighting against her elder sister Leah for Jacob’s favour) was born of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah (30:7-8). Thus, his position was low and after entering the Promised Land, his offspring inherited the northern part, in the neighbourhood of the Gentiles. It was on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus Christ was raised. This region was also the homebase of the early public ministry of Jesus! Zebulun (meaning “dwell with me”) was the sixth and last son born by Leah for Jacob. His offspring inherited land on the south-western side of Naphtali. His lowly standing is understandable.

In the Salvation history, Israel represents humanity whose nature is flawed and whose character is stiff-necked. Although the Israelites despited their own brothers, God would never forsake them. Through the lips of prophets, God declares that those who are despised, those who are marginalized in families and societies will be the first to hear the good new (Isaiah 8:23-9:1) and will be healed (Matthew 4:23-24). This is the joy and peace the incarnated Son of God brings for people of good will (Luke 2:14). Regrettably, the hearts of many people are hardened by power and wealth. They are unable to feel the Father’s mercy and have no intention to repent. Lord Jesus Christ once warned that tax collectors and prostitutes entered the kingdom of God before those high ranking and powerful people, i.e. chief priests and elders, in the society (Matthew 21:31-32). I’m afraid only those who are frustrated, lowly, socially marginalized and even desperate people are able to attain God’s salvation.
Lord, May love and truth meet, justice and peace kiss (Psalms 85:11). Amen!