信徒本身就是一個神跡Disciples Themselves Are Miracles

信徒本身就是一個神跡Disciples Themselves Are Miracles（谷16:15-20）

新冠疫情對傳統的堂區運作模式，帶來了很大的衝擊。有些堂區開設新一年的慕道班時，無人問津；另一些堂區卻要招募慕道班導師，因為求道的人多，固有的慕道班名額少，供不應求！這些「成功」的堂區，固然可喜可賀。但「慕道團」的成員，要提防一個信仰上的誤區：就是以為自己在疫情中做得對，管理得好，所以吸引了這麼多人來信主！這樣想，便完全忘記了聖保祿宗徒的教訓：「其實，阿頗羅算甚麼？保祿算甚麼？不過祇是僕役，使你們獲得信仰，每人照主所指派的而工作：我栽種，阿頗羅澆灌，然而使之生長的，卻是天主」（格前3:5-6）。

試想想，街上行人多的是，是誰在個別的行人心中，喚醒他們注意這堂區的慕道班海報呢？即使注意了，是誰促使他們決定抽時間參加呢？即使聽了十八個月，又是誰感動他們決志領洗，加入教會，成為基督的肢體呢？難道是慕道班導師們的「金口」嗎？倘若他們不知道是天主聖神在慕道者的心中催促他們的話，這些導師應該重頭再接受慕道班導師訓練！

今天的福音不是說「信的人有奇跡隨著他們」（谷16:17-18）嗎？不錯，今天教會仍然因耶穌基督之名驅魔，外國傳教士仍能操流利的本地語言講道，修士修女們仍開辦醫院，安老院等照顧病弱人士…但在我們眼中，這些算不上是甚麼神跡，祇是因應人類的基本需要，提供愛德服務而已。殊不知真正的神跡，就是這一群獻身服務的基督徒本身。

我們經常說，要寬待每一個人，不要計較他們的背景和現況，因為「聖人有他們的過去，罪人有他們的將來。」同樣，每個基督徒都有他們獨特的得救蒙恩故事，每一個人的皈依歷程都是一篇可歌可泣的樂章。恐怕大家又忘記了聖保祿宗徒的教訓，每一個信徒本身，就是天主聖神的宮殿（格前3:16），是天主慈悲臨在的標記。

主內的兄弟姊妹，你本人就是一個神跡！讓我們一起讚美天主，歌頌祂的神妙莫測吧！
聖馬爾谷，為我等祈！
天主保祐！
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：cardinalsblog.adw.org

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The Covid pandemic has brought about havoc to the traditional modus operandi of many a parish. For some parishes, nobody enrols in new catechism classes while others need to recruit more catechists because the demand outpaces the supply! Congratulations to these parishes. However, the incumbent catechists should beware of a pitfall in faith: to think that the increase in the number of catechumens is the result of their good managements and efforts! In this way, they have totally forgotten St. Paul’s teaching, “What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:5-6).

Try to think about it. So many people pass by the church and who awakes them to pay attention to the catechism poster of the parish? Even if they have noticed, who urges them to take time to join? Even if they have attended 18 months of instruction, who moves them to decide to get baptized, enter the Church and become members of the Mystical Body? Could it be the “Chrysostom” of the incumbent catechists? If they are ignorant of the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the catechumens, these catechists should return to the catechetical formation programs and start all over again!

Doesn’t the gospel passage today say “Signs will accompany those who believe” (Mark 16:17-18)? Correct! Today, the Church still exorcize in the name of Jesus Christ; foreign missionaries still preach eloquently in local dialects; friars and nuns still operate hospitals and homes for the aged to take care of the sick and the weak … But these are not miracles in our eyes. They are only charitable services to those in need. These dedicated Christians themselves are genuine miracles indeed.

We often say that we should be merciful to everybody, not counting his background and present stations because “Saints have their past and sinners their future”. Similarly, every Christian has his unique story of redemption. Every conversion is an inspiring epic. In case you have forgotten St. Paul’s teaching, allow me to reiterate, every believer is a temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in him (1 Corinthians 3:16). You are a sign of the merciful presence of God.

Brethren in the Lord! You yourself is a miracle! Let us praise the Lord, sing hymns to His ineffability!
St. Mark the Evangelist, pray for us!
God bless!