不能永遠逃避作生死的抉擇 Inevitable Life & Death Option

不能永遠逃避作生死的抉擇 Inevitable Life & Death Option（若6:53, 60-69）

耶穌基督講論「生命之糧」的道理，與以往的宣講不同。
「生命之糧」不是有關利益上的抉擇，因為「塞翁失馬、焉知非福」；應徵甲公司失敗，反而獲得乙公司取錄，未嘗不是一件好事。例如：「人縱然賺得了全世界，卻賠上了自己的靈魂，為他有甚麼益處？」（瑪16:26）
「生命之糧」又不是倫理上的抉擇，沒有「犧牲小我，完成大我」的高尚成份。例如：「締造和平的人是有福的，因為他們要稱為天主的子女」（5:9）
「生命之糧」是關乎個人得享永生與永遠脫離造物主的抉擇，沒有迴旋的空間，所以聽來生硬（若6:60）。聽眾也祇有兩個選擇：
一、不能接受，從此離開耶穌（6:66）；或者 二、相信這位來自加里肋亞的先知的言論，繼續跟隨他。

伯多祿代表十二宗徒表態，選擇繼續跟隨耶穌基督，因為他們知道，祂是「天主的聖者」（6:69）。他們怎樣知道呢？應該是他們有份參與分餅，和增餅神跡後目睹耶穌步行水面的經驗，加強了他們對耶穌基督的信德。我們的信仰是從宗徒們傳授下來的，我們可以安心相信！

一生之中，我們不知做過多少次抉擇；有些抉擇無關痛癢，另一些抉擇卻影響深遠。為那些嚴重的事情作抉擇，是一件沉重的事。如果可能的話，我們總想押後作出決定，把精神投放在較少壓力的事情上。有些人擺出一副模稜兩可，無可無不可，與世無爭的態度，貎似清高，卻原來是一種逃避現實的策略！另一些人道貎岸然，但言行上一點聖神的氣息也沒有；仁愛、喜樂、平安、忍耐、良善、溫和、忠信、柔和、節制（迦5:22-23）等等欠奉，他們終日以爭論虔誠來逃避生死的抉擇…

兄弟姊妹們，天主可以寬仁地容許我們拖延一時，但始終不容我們拖延一世。到了審判之日，我們不在君王的右邊，便在左邊（瑪25:33），因為坐席審判的，決不是我們（7:1）！亞孟！
天主保祐！
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：wikipedia.org

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When Jesus Christ proclaims the truth of the “Bread of Life”, it is different from previous discourses. “Bread of Life” is not an option of utility because losing something may be a blessing in disguise. Failing to secure a job in Company A but recruited in Company B might be a good thing. For example, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Matthew 16:26)
“Bread of life” is not an ethical option, lacking the noble altruistic element. For example, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (5:9).
“Bread of life” is an option of either having eternal life or eternal separation from the Creator. There is no room for compromise and thus it sounds hard (John 6:60). The audience have only two options:

1. It is unacceptable and leave Jesus (6:66); or
2. Believe this prophet from Galilee and continue to follow him.

Representing the Twelve, Peter chose to continue following Jesus Christ because they knew that He is “The Holy One of God” (6:9). How did they know? It should be their participation in the distribution of loaves and their subsequent witnessing Jesus’ walking on the waters. Such experiences strengthened their faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith is handed down by the Apostles. It is safe to believe!

We make innumerable choices throughout our lives, some are negligible while others are consequential. It is burdensome to make decisions for serious matters. If possible, we procrastinate and spend energy on less stressful things. Some people put up an indifferent face. They would embrace whatever falls on them. They don’t fight with others for advantages and maintain a lofty look. But in reality, they are running away from reality! Others look moral but there is no trace of Holy Spirit in their words and deeds: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control are missing (Galatians 5:22-23). They spend their days debating what piety is in order to evade opting for life and death …

Brethren! God can be merciful in tolerating our procrastinating for a while but we cannot put the decision off for our whole life. On Judgment Day, we are either on the right or on the left of the King (Matthew 25:33) because we’re definitely not seated on the Large White Throne (7:1)! Amen!
God bless!