追福系列（二）
傳教？「小兒科」啦！（路13:18-21）
老師決不會在考試時，出微積分題目來考核小學生；在日常的小學習作中，不外乎做一些簡單容易的兩位乘數或求梯形面積而已。同樣，天主決不會要求我們做超過我們能力的事。正如聖保祿寫信給格林多教會時說：「你們所受的試探/考驗，無非是普通人所能受的考驗；天主是忠信的，祂決不許你們受那超過你們能力的考驗，天主如加給人考驗，也必開一條出路，叫你們能夠承擔」（格前10:13）。要知道，日常的操練和考驗，是促進我們新陳代謝和加強我們能力的不二法門。
今天的比喻，清楚明白地告訴我們，拓展天國並不難，有如播下種子，又有如把酵母放進麵團裡一樣；種子會自己生長，酵母會自然令麵團發大。同理，我們祗是向身邊的親人、同事和朋友宣講天主的慈悲，然後抽手旁觀，看天主聖神如何感動人心而已。這樣，何難之有？
親愛的兄弟姊妹，相信你不會連「小學雞」的功課，也舉手投降吧！
天主保祐！
生命恩泉
Gospel Chase (II)
Evangelization? A Piece of Cake! (Luke 13:18-21)
Primary school teachers would never set calculus questions in examinations for their pupils. In their daily assignments, pupils would only do 2-digit multiplications or would find the areas of trapezia. Similarly, God would never demand us to do things beyond our capabilities. Just as what Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church, “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial He will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). We have to understand that daily exercises and trials are sure ways to enhance our metabolism and strength.
It is true that in order to make Israel into a Chosen People within a few decades, God had to work ground shaking miracles. “The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders and brought us to this place, and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Deuteronomy 26:8-9). Of course Mathematics professors are able to solve systems of differential equations but for us “primary school chickens”, how would God trample on our confidence with those difficult tasks? If one day we were to do research as a PhD candidate, He would still give us guidance. Perhaps a day would come when we become a Mathematics professor ourselves, we might be working with Him side by side to tackle unresolved century old mathematical hypotheses.
The parables we read today tell us clearly that expanding the Kingdom of God is not difficult at all. It is just like sowing seeds or putting yeast in a batch of dough. The seeds would grow by themselves and the yeast would expand the dough. Similarly, our task is to proclaim God’s mercy to our relatives, friends and colleagues. Then we may fold our hands and see how God the Holy Spirit touch their hearts. How difficult can this be?
Beloved brethren! Before these “primary school chicken” assignments, I trust you will not throw your hands in the air!
God bless!
Picture Credit: creator.nightcafe.studio
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