換心 Heart Transplant

換心 Heart Transplant（若5:1-16）

科學家相信宇宙是有秩序的，否則科學的定律，便失去了立足點。科學家對「神蹟」抱懷疑的態度，因為很多時候，「神蹟」好像違反了科學定律，這是可以理解的。可悲的是，有些基督徒為了討好群眾，努力淡化福音中的神蹟，希望容易被不信天主的人接受，恐怕這是好心做壞事了。例如，他們把著名的「五餅二魚」解說成為在現場的五千群眾，被一個兒童（若6:9）的無私所感動，人人拿出自己的食物來分享云云。他們即使成功地淡化「五餅二魚」神蹟，不知道他們如何淡化天主在曠野降下瑪納，養活六十萬人四十年之久的神蹟了！

其實科學家與天主有不謀而合之處，那就是「秩序」。天主的創造，不是無中生有，而是在混沌中建立秩序（創1:2-2:3）。神蹟不一定否定「秩序」，即是說，天主絕對有能力按愛恩斯坦的E=mc²方程式，施行「五餅二魚」神蹟；或者從另一個時空，把麵餅調配到貝特賽達（路9:10）現場，而沒有違反科學定律！科學家需要的，不但是實證，還要擁有一個開放的胸襟！

另一方面，人類社會中還有其他心胸狹窄地追求「秩序」的人。他們就是福音中的法利塞人和他們在現代的「法治」代理人！法利塞人崇尚法律所帶來的秩序、社會的穩定繁榮和帶給他們的地位利益。他們著重法律的條文，卻忘記了法律的精神。他們在條文上鑽空子，凌駕在人民利益之上，把法律變成食人的禮教。他們依法而治，卻運用法律來犯罪，殘民以自肥（谷12:40）！且看，天主立安息日法律的原意，是讓以色列人慶祝不再是奴隸的自由，紀念天主的創造（出20:11）和解放（申5:15）的恩典。法利塞人卻反過來控告天主子違反安息日不許做不必要勞動的規矩，這是多麼的諷刺！

這些偽善人所需要的，不是更細密的條文，而是換一顆血肉的心（則11:19）！

主啊！求祢給我再造一顆純潔的心，求祢使我心重獲堅固的精神（詠51:12）。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：behold.oc.org

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Heart Transplant (John 5:1-16)

Scientists believe that the universe is ordered. Otherwise sciences would lose their foothold to build up scientific laws. It is understandable for scientists to be skeptical towards miracles because miracles seem to defy scientific laws. Deplorably, some Christians try to deny miracles in order to make gospel messages more acceptable to non-believers. Their good intentions lead only to hell! For example, they explain away the five loaves and 2 fish miracle as a moral story in which the 5000 plus crowd was touched by the altruism of a child (John 6:9). So they took out their food to share among all etc. Even if they were able to explain away the miracle of five loaves and 2 fish, I wonder how they would explain the miracle of manna in which God fed 600,000 Israelites for forty years in the wilderness!

In fact, both scientists and God agree in “order”. In a sense, God did not create something out of nothing. Rather, He established order out of chaos (Genesis 1:2-2:3). Miracles do not negate order. In other words, God is definitely capable of applying Einstein’s E=mc² equation to work the five loaves and two fish miracle; or allots the food to Bethsaida (Luke 9:10) from another time-space without violating any physical laws! Not only do scientists need positive evidence, but they also need an open heart!

On the other hand, there are narrow-minded people pursuing their version of “order” in the society. They are the Pharisees in the gospels and their “rule by law” counterparts in modern society. Pharisees advocated laws because laws brought about order, social stability and prosperity which showered them with status and benefits. They stressed the letters of the law and deliberately ignored the spirit. For their own interests, they manipulate the law above the benefits of the commoners they served. Law has become a devouring monster. They ruled by law but made use of the law to commit sins, fattening themselves at the expense of the welfare of the people (Mark 12:40)!

God blessed the Sabbath to allow the Israelites to celebrate their freedom from slavery. They could afford to take rests and make good use of the time to remember the graces of God’s creation (Exodus 20:11) and liberation (Deuteronomy 5:15). How satirizing it was for the Pharisees to accuse the Son of God of not observing the rule of refraining from unnecessary labour on Sabbath! What these hypocrites need are not more detailed laws but a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19)!

A clean heart create for me, Lord;renew within me a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:12). Amen.