二月二日（獻耶穌於主殿）
《希望的傳承者系列 I》
主題：懷著希望遵守規矩（路2:22-40）
在大部份人的心目中，時代不斷地進步；生活富裕了、舒適了、方便了…不知不覺地，人們便覺得傳統的規矩落後，追不上時代進步的需要。時代的快速進步，正不斷地挑戰傳統所倡議和守護的價值。可惜經濟進步只是片面的，很多新興的工種和生活方式，並沒有提升人性的尊嚴。
當天主子進入這個世界開始祂贖世工程時，這是一個新世代的開始。但祂並沒有立刻改變當時的制度和規矩。當祂降生成為一個猶太人的時候，祂仍然履行那些沿用了千年的「梅瑟法律」：出生八日行「割損禮」，並起命耶穌（路2:21; 肋12:3）；滿了「取潔」的日期：即男嬰40日（12:2-4），女嬰80日（12:5），按法律到〔會幕〕聖殿獻上祭物（12:6-8; 路2:24）。猶太人深信，他們由「天主選民」淪為亡國奴，是因為他們沒有遵守天主藉梅瑟所頒布的法律，於是天主假借外族的手，懲誡他們。所以，無論環境順逆，猶太人必定堅守梅瑟法律，盼望天主的拯救，獲得「以色列的安慰」（2:25）。
親愛的兄弟姊妹，讓我們效法西默盎和亞納的榜樣，即使教會或政權的人事、制度和規矩如何不濟、即使面對信仰上的敵意、即使要冒生命的危險，仍然懷著希望，遵守法律，堅定不移地尋求和履行天主的旨意，因為祂絕不會令仰賴祂的人失望。亞孟。
天主保祐！
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com
[Messengers of Hope Series I]
Theme: Observing Rules with Hope (Luke 2:22-40)
In most people’s mind, our age is making progress continually. Life becomes affluent, comfortable and convenient etc. Imperceptibly, people feel that traditional rules are backward and unable to meet the needs of progress. The pace of progress is quick and unceasingly challenges values that tradition advocates and upholds. Regrettably, economic progress is partial. Many newly created jobs and life styles do not elevate human dignity.
When the Son of God entered the world to begin His redemptive project, a new age broke in. But He did not revoke immediately the existing institutions and rules. When He incarnated as a Jew, He still observed the Mosaic Law that had been practised for a millennium: eight days after birth, He was circumcised and given the name Jesus (Luke 2:21; Leviticus 12:3); when the days of purification were fulfilled: 40 days for male babies (12:2-4) and 80 days for female babies (12:5), the mother should perform a purification offerings at the [Tent of Meeting] Temple (12:6-8; Luke 2:24). Jews firmly believed that they were God’s Chosen People. However, they and their ancestors had not obeyed the laws God gave them through Moses. So God made use of pagans to punish them. Therefore, for better or for worse, they should strictly observe the Mosaic Law, hoping to see God’s salvation, to wait for “the consolation of Israel” (2:25).
Simeon was indisputably a prophet. He was able “to see God’s salvation” (2:30) in Infant Jesus. We don’t know for how long Simeon had waited but from the age of Anna a prophetess, we estimate that she had waited for at least 63 years in the Temple (2:36-37)! These two prophets are truly exemplars of the virtue of Hope. They bore witness for Infant Jesus. They were genuine “Messengers of Hope”!
Beloved brethren! Let us follow the example set up by Simeon and Anna. Even when ministers, institutions and rules in the Church or the State are rotten; even when our faith confronts hostilities; even when we must risk our lives to defend our faith, observe rules with hope. Steadfastly seek and do God’s will because He shall not disappoint those who rely on Him. Amen.
God bless!
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