《原罪系列 VI》
主題：甚麼時候再不用祈禱？（路18:1-8）
我們天主教的「對頭」（路18:3）是誰呢？是其他正統/非正統的基督教派、伊斯蘭教、佛教、或是其他宗教嗎？是不同形式的意識形態如社會主義、資本主義、種族主義嗎？是東方文化嗎？是現代科技嗎…。其實只要隨便找一個概念，便可以製造一個敵人，這些只不過是撒殫的分化技倆，雕蟲小技而已！我個人認為魔鬼最大殺傷力的武器，是令人類覺得天主可有可無，因為是人類「創造」天主這個觀念的！
「天主」這個觀念對統治者非常管用，可以帶來人心的服從和社會的穩定。我統治你們，你們要服氣，因為是「天主」授命給我的。「天主」賞善罰惡，即使你現在覺得受冤屈，你死後祂會補償給你…。另一方面，科技的進步，從前未能解釋的，不能做到的事物，現在都一一解決了，人的平均壽命也長了，生活更方便了，用不著「浪費」資源去討好一個不存在的觀念！在這些夾縫中間，即使你相信一個愛你的天主；你服從教會的訓導，並努力進修；對天主非常虔誠，勤領聖事；還服務窮人，在被囚人士身上尋找基督的身影…「嘆人生，不如意事十常八九」，當你祈禱時得不到天主的回應，試問你能堅持多久呢？
親愛的兄弟姊妹！先知的忠告是對的：「趁上主可找到的時候，你們應尋找祂；趁祂在近處的時候，你們應呼求祂」（依55:6）。趁還能祈禱的時候祈禱吧！到了確診「認知障礙」時，便來不及祈禱了！
天主保祐！
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com, copilot.microsoft.com
[Original Sin Series (VI)]
Theme: When shall it be Unnecessary to Pray (Luke 18:1-8)
Who is the “adversary” (Luke 18:3) of Catholicism? Orthodox/unorthodox Protestantism, Islam, Buddhism or other faiths? Ideologies such as Socialism, Capitalism or Racism? Eastern cultures? Modern technologies …? In fact, you are able to create an adversary by simply picking up any concept. This is only a trivial tactic of divide and conquer deployed by Satan! I opine that the most destructive weapon of Satan is to induce humanity to believe that God is optional. Men create the idea of God!
The concept of God is very useful for rulers, bringing obedience of subjects and social stability. I rule over you and you must obey because God crowns me. God awards the good and punishes the wicked. If for now you are a victim of injustice, God will repay you after you die … On the other hand, with the advancements in sciences and technologies, many previous unknowns and impossibilities are solved. Men live longer. Life becomes more convenient. We don’t need to waste resources to please a concept which does not exist! Caught in the middle, even if you believe in a God who loves you; you obey the teachings of the Church and study them hard; you are very pious and diligently receive sacraments; you serve the poor and try to detect the presence of Christ among inmates … “Alas, life is full of disappointments”. When you pray and God does not reply. For how long can you persist?
Jesus Christ understands that we need encouragement and consolation. He tells us this parable to encourage us “to pray always without becoming weary” (18:1). But at the end of the world when the Son of Man comes again, everything shall be finalized. Then, the whole humanity cannot deny the Universal King who had died, glorious resurrected and now come in glory. Then, do we need faith to justify? When Final Judgment starts, do we need to pray for mercy? No wonder Jesus says, “But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (18:8).
Beloved brethren! The advice of the prophet is right, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). Pray while you still are able to! It would be too late when dementia strikes!
God bless!
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