平安是源源不絕的 Peace Is Inexhaustible

【福傳系列（三）】
平安是源源不絕的（瑪10:7-14）

相信大家對今天的福音不會感到陌生，讓我們一起默想今天觸動了我的一句：「倘若這一家是堪當的，你們的平安就必降臨到這一家；倘若是不堪當的，你們的平安仍歸於你們」（瑪10:13）。

首先，不要理會「堪當」是甚麼意思，因為這是天主的標準，不是人的標準。我們認為「不堪當」的，可能天主審視他們的良心時，判斷他們是「堪當」的，也未可知。基督不曾告誡過我們說：「你們不要判斷人，免得你們受判斷」（7:1）嗎？

「平安」則不同，因為它是天主賞賜給信徒的，所以我們應該清楚理解基督所說的「平安」是甚麼意思。在《瑪竇福音》，「平安」出現在3節之中，是指世上的「和平」（10:34）或者是指心中的「平安」（10:13; 28:9）。有趣的是，祇有《路加福音》和《若望福音》記載復活的主顯現給宗徒 時，祝福他們平安。瑪竇和馬爾谷沒有記載這份祝福，反而記載耶穌怪責他們無信和心硬！

那麼，這份心中的「平安」是甚麼意思呢？若望宗徒保存了這個啟示，主在最後晚餐時說：「我把平安留給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們：我所賜的給你們的，不像世界所賜的一樣。你們心裡不要煩亂，也不要膽怯」（若14:27）。世界所賜的平安、國際間所能維持的和平，是依賴大殺傷力的武器來達到的，所以是矛盾和不穩定的。真正的平安來自耶穌基督，有了它，我們的心不會煩亂，面對失敗、迫害和死亡時也不會膽怯。不但問心無愧，更能從容就義，以微笑迎接死亡！ 能夠獲得這種「平安」，表示這個人、這個家庭是天父認為「堪當」的，可以或者已經與天父和好如初，做了祂的子民、祂的義子（羅8:15; 迦4:5; 弗1:5）。

親愛的讀者，不要以為「平安」是有限的，即使「我們的平安降臨到這一家」，我們的平安不但沒有減少了，反而增多了。因為當我們看見有人接受福音，信主而獲得永生的時候，我們必定心滿意足，感謝讚頌天父。當人拒絕福音的時候，我們心安理得，沒有半點損失。我們要為他們的靈性生命祈禱，願天父對他們慈悲。這樣，我們的心裡，仍然擁有平安。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：creator.nightcafe.studio

[Evangelization Series III]
Peace Is Inexhaustible (Matthew 10:7-14)

I trust all of us are familiar with the gospel passage today. So let us meditate on a particular verse that touches me, “If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you” (Matthew 10:13).

Firstly, let us put aside the meaning of “worthy” because it is God’s standard, not ours. What is “not worthy” for us may probably be “worthy” in God’s eye when He judges their consciences. Hasn’t Jesus taught us, “Stop judging, that you may not be judged” (7:1)?

“Peace” is different because God gives it to the disciples. Thus we should understand clearly what Jesus means by “peace”. In the gospel of Matthew, “peace” appears in 3 verses, meaning “peace” on earth (10:34) or in our hearts (10:13, 28:9). It is interesting to observe that only the gospels of Luke and John mention how the Lord greeted the Apostles peace when He appeared to them after resurrection. But Matthew and Mark do not mention this blessing. Rather they mention how Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart!

Then, what does this “peace” in our hearts mean? John the Evangelist leaves us this revelation. In the Last Supper, the Lord says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). The peace the world gives and keeps internationally relies on weapons of mass destruction. Thus it is contradictory and unstable. True peace comes from Jesus Christ and with it, our hearts will not be troubled. Confronted with failures, persecutions and death etc., we will not be afraid. Not only are our conscience clean, but we are also calm to lay down our lives to bear witness to the Truth and smile to the face of death! Receiving this “peace” shows that the Father deems this person, this house worthy; has reconciled with them and they have become His people and His adopted children (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5).

Beloved brethren. Do not think that “peace” is in limited supply. Even if “our peace comes upon this house”, not only is our peace not diminished, but is instead increased. It is because when we see people accept the gospel, believe in the Lord and attain eternal life, our hearts will be satisfied. We shall thank and praise the Father. When people reject the gospel, our hearts remain in peace and we lose nothing. Let us pray for their spiritual lives. May the Father have mercy on them. Then, our hearts still possess a full share of peace. Amen.
God bless!