奉派的不同態度 Different Attitudes of the Sent

【見證系列（四）】
奉派的不同態度（若1:19-28）

在資訊科技發達的今天，我們更清楚看見資訊的重要性，而且我們自己本身，更是舉足輕重的資訊傳遞者。從一些轟動的內幕交易案件中，我們可以領略到資訊含有高度經濟價值。不少鮮為人知的間諜活動，都是環繞著情報的傳遞，可見資訊與性命攸關！幾年前在WhatsApp散播謠言，足以釀成群眾濫用私刑，酷殺無辜者的悲劇，今天再加上人工智能技術的發展，令資訊真偽難辨。我們對資訊，絕不能掉以輕心。

在今天的福音，我們看到兩種不同的奉派態度。若翰洗者奉天主派遣，為默西亞預備群眾的心靈接受救恩；從耶路撒冷來的司祭和肋未人，他們奉猶太權貴的派遣，核實若翰洗者的身份。在羅馬帝國的殖民統治下，猶太權貴要及早採取適當的行動，保障自己既得的利益。所以他們的查問，離不開末世的預言：「默西亞」、「厄里亞」、「那位先知」（若1:21）！可是，這些使者的態度，祇是為了交差而已：「你究竟是誰？好叫我們給那派遣我們來的人一個答覆」（1:22）。「你既不是默西亞，又不是厄里亞，也不是那位先知，那麼你為甚麼施洗呢？」（1:25）誠然，他們的確盡忠職守，查問得滴水不漏；可是，他們有沒有關心到若翰的訊息：即「修直上主的道路」（1:23）、「一位更偉大的已在你們中間」（1:26），與他們的生死有何關係呢？我不能否定他們中，有人會因洗者若翰的見證而信從了耶穌基督的可能，但機會微乎其微。洗者若翰的態度呢？他知道自己的身份和角色，「祂應該興盛，我卻應該衰微」（3:30）。若翰洗者最後成為殉道者，為他的使命劃上圓滿的句號。

親愛的讀者，身為福音的傳遞者，我們更有責任做一個有誠信的「先知」。先知是天主的代言人，倘若我們缺乏誠信，我們豈不是在抹黑天主嗎？我相信天主是不會選錯人的！
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
Picture Credit: creator.nightcafe.studio

[Mission Series IV]
Different Attitudes of the Sent (John 1:19-28)

Nowadays we enjoy advanced Information Technology. We are more aware of the significance of information and we ourselves are weighty information bearers. From some sensational court cases of insider trading, we know that information has high economic values. From the fact that clandestine espionage also involves information gathering, we know that information can be a matter of life and death! Several years ago, rumours spread through WhatsApp led to tragedies of lynching the innocent. Today when the use of artificial intelligence becomes widespread, it is difficult to tell fake from truth. Indeed, we cannot take information for granted.

In the gospel reading today, we see two different attitudes towards being sent. God sent John the Baptist to prepare the hearts of the crowd to accept the coming Messiah and to receive salvation. The Jewish religious authority in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to investigate the identity of John the Baptist. Under the colonial rule of the Roman Empire, the Jewish religious authority needed to nip anti-Roman rebellions in the bud in order to maintain their status quo. Their interrogation surrounded eschatological prophecies: Messiah, Elijah and the Prophet etc. (John 1:21)! However, the attitude of the priests and Levites was that of getting a job done: “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent me …” (1:22). “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet” (1:25). They were dutiful and meticulous indeed. However, had they cared about how the Baptist’s messages, namely “Make straight the way of the LORD” (1:23) and “There is a greater one among you” (1:26) were related to their life and death? I cannot rule out the possibility of some of them believing in Jesus Christ due to the Baptist’s testimony, but the chances were slim. What about the attitude of the Baptist? He knew his position. “He must increase; I must decrease” (3:30). At last, the Baptist became a martyr, giving his ministry a perfect ending.

Beloved brethren! As bearers of the gospel, we have a great responsibility to be prophets with integrity. Prophets are spokespersons of God. If we lack integrity, we are smearing God! I believe God does not elect a wrong person.
God bless!