甚麼時候再不用祈禱？ When shall it be Unnecessary to Pray

《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？

耶穌基督體諒我們須要鼓勵和安慰，所以祂設這個比喻勉勵我們祈禱不要灰心（18:1）。但到了末日人子再度來臨時，一切都已成定局。到時，全人類不得不相信這位曾戰勝死亡，光榮復活，現今君臨宇宙的普世君王。到時還須要信德成義嗎？在公審判進行時，還須要祈禱求情嗎？難怪主耶穌說：「人子來臨時，能在世上找到信德嗎？」（18:8）。

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！

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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!

時空孰重 Space or Time, Which is More Important?

《原罪系列 V》
主題：時空孰重（路17:26-37）

我們的信仰，包括了「在起初」天主創造天地萬物，並且「在世界末日」，天主子要重臨，審判生者死者。所以基督信仰與相信有輪回的東方宗教有所不同，是有始有終的，而不是沒完沒了的循環！雖然身為天主子的耶穌基督已經否定了揭示末日的可能性（谷13:32），但很多人仍鍥而不捨地搜集資料，進行運算，想破解「世界末日」的密碼！

承接昨天的福音，今天的「他們」（路17:37）是指耶穌的門徒（17:22）。他們相對地聰明得多了。不要奇怪為甚麼耶穌正在舉諾厄和羅特的例子，來說明末日會出現在不為人所期望的日子，「消滅所有的人」（17:27; 29）的時候，門徒竟然聰明地問「主，在那裡呢？」（17:37a）！在時間和空間的兩個維度之間，既然師傅已經否定了在時間維度可以找到答案，門徒便聰明地另闢蹊徑，嘗試從空間維度找線索！耶穌的答案：「在那裡有屍體，老鷹就聚集在那裡」（17:37b），卻是另一個啞謎！不要灰心，因為只要方向正確，還有破解的希望！

親愛的兄弟姊妹！雖然不可以知道世界末日在甚麼時刻出現，但有一件事情是可以肯定的。末日的出現有一定的起承轉合過程，會有開始、有起點：例如諾厄建造方舟的地點，羅特居住的索多瑪城等、有發展、最後完成。至於維持多久則尚未可知。但找到起點對我們是有利的！起點在哪？「有屍體，有老鷹」的地方就是！讓我們多讀【聖經】，努力破解吧！
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com

[Original Sin Series (V)]
Theme: Space or Time, Which is More Important? (Luke 17:26-37)

“In the beginning”, God created heaven and earth and “At the end of the world”, the Son of God shall return to judge the living and the dead are among the articles of faith we believe in. Different from eastern faiths which believe in re-incarnation, Christianity believes in a beginning and an end instead of endless cycles/spirals! Although the Son of God Jesus Christ has declared the impossibility of revealing the end of the world (Mark 13:32), many people still invest their whole life collecting information and computing to crack the “End-Time” code!

Following the gospel passage of yesterday, “They” (Luke 17:37) refers to Jesus’ disciples (17:22). They were smarter. Do not wonder why they were so smart as to ask “Where, Lord” (17:37a) when Jesus was quoting the stories of Noah and Lot to illustrate that the end-time would come at the unexpected day “to destroy them all” (17:27; 29). Between the dimensions of time and space, since the Master has denied the possibility to find the answer in the time dimension, it was smart of the disciples to try another path in the space dimension! Jesus’ answer: “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather” (17:37b) is yet another enigma to crack! Don’t be discouraged because when the direction is right, there is hope for cracking this code!

Beloved brethren! Although when the world ends is an unknowable mystery, there is one thing for sure. The end will be a process in time, with a beginning, a starting point such as the location of the Ark which Noah built, or Sodom where Lot lived; an unfolding and a finale. As for how long this process takes is yet another unknown. But finding the starting point is advantageous for us! Where is it? It is “The body, the vultures”! Let us study the Bible harder to crack it!
God bless!

天國建基於愛德 The Kingdom of Heaven is Built on Charity

《原罪系列 IV》
主題：天國建基於愛德（路17:20-25）

耶穌時代的猶太人，以「天主選民」的身份，屈就在羅馬帝國的殖民統治之下，心有不甘，是可以理解的。他們期待應許的「默西亞」出現，建立「天主的國」（撒下7:14），再一次在異民之間，吐氣揚眉！固然猶太公議會之中，也有支持維持現狀的黨派，無意推翻羅馬帝國的統治。作為「以色列的師傅」（若3:10），法利塞人屬於前者，卻不敢採用武力，好像「熱誠者」一樣。他們相信遵守自己一手編纂的梅瑟法律，足以獲得天主的拯救。結果只流於空談，並給人「偽善」的印象。至於「熱誠者」，他們滿以為暴力可以救國，結果給人民帶來十多個世紀的顛沛流離！

耶穌基督很清楚羅馬帝國的鐵腕統治，只是撒殫千變萬化的手段之一。天主子知道自己的使命，是剷除罪惡的根源，幫助人類與天主修和；而不是推翻區區的一個羅馬帝國！二千年來的歷史證明了，無論是十字軍東征還是二十世紀的兩次世界大戰，都只是生靈塗炭，從來沒有建立到一個仁愛、公義、和平的世界秩序。所以主耶穌心目中的「天主國」，與猶太人心目中的「默西亞王國」，或是「太平天國」，有著天淵之別。

試問有那一個當權者，不想出人頭地，騎著高頭駿馬，凱旋進京？反而願意為他的臣僕洗腳？在飢荒時以自己的血肉做人民的食糧？在心靈極度痛苦，須要陪伴支持的時候，仍要孤身搏鬥，被眾人擯棄？以十字架為王座？以荊棘為冠冕呢？甚至寄居在他人的墓穴，默默地等待天父來復活祂呢？（路17:25）天主國完全不是我們所期望的，難怪天主國是難以觸摸！

親愛的兄弟姊妹！有如法利塞人一樣，理性不足以救國，有如熱誠者一樣，充滿熱血的意志敗事有餘。惟有基於愛德的謙遜服從，纔是真正的苦口良藥，根治原罪所帶來的傷害。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com

[Original Sin Series (IV)]
Theme: The Kingdom of Heaven is Built on Charity (Luke 17:20-25)

It is understandable that the contemporary Jews in Jesus’ time, bearing the identity of “God’s Chosen People”, were unhappy living under the colonial rule of the Roman Empire. They were anticipating the appearance of the promised Messiah to establish the “Kingdom of God” (2 Samuel 7:14), to walk tall once more among the pagans! Of course, there were factions in the Jewish Sanhedrin that wanted to maintain the status quo and had no intention to overthrow the Roman rule. As “teachers of Israel” (John 3:10), the Pharisees belonged to the former faction but were reluctant to resort to violence like the Zealots. They believed that by observing the Mosaic laws they had compiled, God would deliver them. Consequently, they became armchair philosophers and gave people the impression of being hypocrites. The Zealots thought that violence would restore their dream kingdom. On the contrary, Jews became fugitives for more than 1800 years.

Jesus Christ understands that the blood and iron policy of the Roman Empire is only one of a thousand cards on Satan’s sleeve. The mission of the Son of God is to uproot evil and help humanity reconcile with God, not simply to overthrow a negligible Roman Empire! As the subsequent history of two millennia unfolds, whether it be Crusades or two World Wars in the 20th century, humanity has not been able to establish a world order of charity, justice and peace. The “Kingdom of God” in Jesus’ heart is diametrically different from the Jewish anticipation of the “Messianic Kingdom” or the “Taiping Heavenly Kingdom”.

Among the people in power, who don’t want to be admired, to enter the capital in triumph on stallions? On the contrary, who want to wash the feet of their servants, to feed their people during famines with their own flesh and blood? In agony when companions are badly need, who want to fight alone as the last badass deserted by all? Who want to be enthroned on a cross? Who wants to be buried in other’s sepulchre and to wait silently for the Heavenly Father to raise him up (Luke 17:25)? The Kingdom of God is completely different from our expectations. No wonder the Kingdom of God is hard to grasp!

Beloved brethren! Like the Pharisees, rationality does not save. Like the Zealots, a will of hot-blood is only a bull in a china shop. Only with a humble obedience based on charity can the injuries of the Original Sin be fully healed. Amen.
God bless!

如何失去信德 How to Lose Faith

《原罪系列 III》
主題：如何失去信德（路17:11-19）

神學上有一句格言，姑且翻譯為：「祈禱律即信德律即生活律Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi」。意思是我們用祈禱來表達我們的信仰，並以生活實踐信仰。很明顯，基督徒不會，亦不應該向黃大仙、關帝或觀音祈求；同樣也不會參考他們生平言行，作我們生活的楷模。因此，那十個癩病人對耶穌的信德是肯定的（路17:13）。主耶穌也沒有令他們失望，立刻俯允了他們的祈禱，治癒了他們（17:14）。請注意，他們的信德是伴隨著行動的，他們服從主耶穌的吩咐，去找司祭檢驗。但有行動的信德未必足以保持信德！

所謂「好戲在後頭」，這個治療神跡的重點在後面，在回來光榮天主和感謝耶穌的撒瑪黎雅癩病人身上。請注意，我們不能因為那9個沒有立刻回來感謝耶穌的癩病人，便判斷他們全部都是忘恩負義的人！因為我們只可以肯定，他們在司祭檢驗之後，必須按梅瑟法律所規定的，向天主祭獻（谷1:44）。所以他們不會是忘恩負義的人！不過這份感恩之心，因時間流逝而沖淡的可能性會越來越高！即是說，他們後來的祭獻，可能是按規定做，而未必出自真心的感恩！

親愛的兄弟姊妹！綜合上述的考慮，主耶穌藉著這個立刻回來光榮和感謝的癩病人，教導我們經常懷有感恩之心是非常重要的，因為它可以滋潤和保存我們的信德（17:19）。沒有感恩之心，恐怕我們遲早會失去信德！
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com, copilot.microsoft.com

[Original Sin Series (III)]
Theme: How to Lose Faith (Luke 17:11-19)

In theology, there is an aphorism which reads, “Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi” which can roughly be rendered as “The law of prayer is the law of faith, the law of living”. It means our prayers express our faith which guides our lives. Obviously, Christians do not pray to Wong Tai Sin, Lord Guan or Avalokiteśvara. Similarly, we do not look up to their words and deeds as exemplars. Thus, the faith of the ten lepers was beyond doubt (Luke 17:13). Lord Jesus did not disappoint, immediately answered their prayers and cleansed them all (17:14). Notice that their faith was accompanied by actions. They obeyed Jesus’ instruction to go and show themselves to the priests. But actions do not necessarily keep faith safe!

As usual, the best is yet to come. The gist of this healing miracle is on the Samaritan leper who came back to give glory to God and to give thanks to Jesus. Beware! We cannot judge the nine, who did not return immediately to thank Jesus, for being ungrateful! We can only be certain that after showing to priests they had to offer sacrifice prescribed by Moses (Mark 1:44). They could not be ungrateful! However, this gratitude might, with the passage of time, diminish! That is to say, their latter offerings might become routine and would not be genuine!

Beloved brethren! From the deliberation above, we see that Lord Jesus wants to teach us with this leper, who came back immediately to praise and thank God, the importance of maintaining a grateful heart. It moistens and maintains our faith (17:19). Without a grateful heart, sooner of later we will lose our faith!
God bless!

審判天主 Judging God

《原罪系列 II》
主題：審判天主（路17:7-10）

《創世紀》說人類是按天主的肖像所造（創1:26），所以人類有能力與天主溝通、做天主所做的事和享受天主的光榮等等…例如我們會創作、與其他人溝通、分工合作做更偉大的事、管治不同的環境等等。可惜自從罪惡進入了世界之後，世人遭受「原罪」的傷害，除了幾個天主所特選的人之外，無一倖免！「原罪」的破壞力有多大？

亞當吃了「禁果」之後，失去了原始的恩寵，便因為恐懼遭受死亡的懲罰（2:17）而逃避天主。固然他逃不了，所以在面對自己的罪過時，為了自保而把責任推卸到天主和女人身上（3:12）！真是天大的膽，竟然連天主也審判！我這樣說並不誇張，且聽我的解釋。

保祿宗徒的教訓是正確的，他曾說：「所有的人都犯了罪，都失掉了天主的光榮」（羅3:23）。既然大家都是「囚友」，一起生活在同一艘作為「太空監獄」行星上，同是「天涯淪落人」，同是失掉了不同程度的天主光榮。那麼，我們憑甚麼寬恕自己的弟兄呢？正確！ 我們不但沒有資格，而且沒有能力。所以今天耶穌指出─即使我們極不願意接受─我們都是「無用的僕人」（路17:10）！作為主人，天主有責任為作為僕人的我們提供「工具」，就是福音裡所說的「塔冷通」（瑪25:15）。看！連我們的才幹都是天主的恩賜（編上29:14），我們真是名副其實的「無用的僕人」了！

親愛的兄弟姊妹！主人的吩咐，就是我們應做的事（路17:10）！昨天，主耶穌吩咐我們「修煉寬恕」，每天寬恕弟兄七次。今天你做了沒有？倘若我們輕視這修煉，有朝一日，恐怕我們也會好像亞當一樣，斗膽到連天主也審判！到時…
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com, ideogram.ai

[Original Sin Series (II)]
Theme: Judging God (Luke 17:7-10)

Men were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Thus, human beings are able to communicate with Him; do what God does and enjoy His glory … etc. For example, we create, communicate, divide labour to do huge projects and to manage different environments etc. Regrettably, since the break-in of sins in the world, the entire humanity has sustained injuries from the Original Sin except for a few specially chosen ones by God! How destructive is the Original Sin?

After Adam had eaten the “Forbidden Fruit”, he lost the Original Graces. Out of fear of the punishment of death (2:17), he tried to hide from God. Of course he failed, and had to confront his own fault. To defend himself, Adam passed the buck to God and the woman (3:12)! How dared you Adam to pass judgment on God! I have not exaggerated. Let me explain.

Paul’s teaching is right. He says, “All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Since all of us are “inmates” living in the same “Space Prison” planet, are deprived of God’s glory in different degrees. With what do we forgive our brethren? You are right! We are not in position and are not capable. Thus, Jesus points out today, whether we like it or not, that “We are unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10)! As a master, God has the obligation to provide “tools” for us servants. This is the “Talents” mention in the gospels (Matthew 25:15). Look! Even our talents come from God (2 Chronicles 29:14). We are truly “Unprofitable Servants”!

Beloved brethren! When we are obliged to do what the Master tells us to do (Luke 17:10)! Yesterday Jesus told us to practise forgiveness, to forgive our brethren seven times a day. Have you done it today? If we ignore this practice, sooner or later, we would be bold enough to pass judgment of God like Adam! Then …
God bless!

修煉寬恕 Practise Forgiveness

《原罪系列 I》
主題：修煉寬恕（路17:1-6）

唸《天主經》的時候，我們求天父「寬恕我們的罪過，如同我們寬恕別人一樣」（瑪6:12）。對那些無關痛癢的人、將來很少機會相處的人、或者凶神惡煞的人，寬恕他們又有何難！但對家人、親朋戚友、上司同事…要寬恕他們，談何容易！於是我們會找藉口拒絕原諒他們。例如：他們沒有悔意、他們沒有私下或者公開向我道歉等等。即是說，他們沒有按主耶穌的規定做，即「他如果後悔了，你就得寬恕他」（路17:3）。因為他們沒有道歉，所以我們可以安心拒絕寬恕那些人了！

對於那些慣性道歉的人，一天七次得罪了你，而又七次向你道歉的人（17:4），我們可以怎麼辦，可以用甚麼理由拒絕寬恕他們呢？有！我們有理由懷疑他們的悔意不是真心的！既然不是真心後悔，不寬恕他沒有違反主耶穌的教導…

大家可有認真想過，被「原罪」傷害過的我們，一日犯七次罪、或者得罪人七次，是如何容易的事！平日我們營營役役，沒有做省察，便覺得自己沒有罪，有的也是等閒的小罪。另一方面，我們的弟兄可能靈修深厚，清楚察覺到自己的罪過，甚至覺得不堪當獲得你的寬恕！但是為了兄弟情誼，不希望你心中留有一根刺，於是向你求寬恕…但你反而判定他沒有悔意而拒絕寬恕，妥當嗎？誰立你做兄弟的判官（出2:14）？

親愛的兄弟姊妹！修煉寬恕吧！這是認清自己的缺陷和不足、自己的罪過的第一步。到時，我們的悔意是真誠的，天父一定樂意寬恕我們。倘若我們心硬，即使上到天堂，遇到那些我們拒絕寬恕的人物，天堂的福樂會變得難受！
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com

[Original Sin Series (I)]
Theme: Practise Forgiveness (Luke 17:1-6)

When we recite the Lord’s Prayer, we beseech our Heavenly Father “to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). It is not difficult to forgive those who are insignificant in our lives; whom we would seldom meet or those who are ferocious! But how difficult it is to forgive family members, relatives, friends, bosses and colleagues etc.! Thus, we look for excuses not to forgive them. For example, they show no remorse or they have not apologized in person or in public etc. That is to say, they have not followed the requirement stipulated by Jesus, viz. “If he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3). Since they have not apologized, we may deny them forgiveness comfortably!

As for those who apologize habitually, who wrong us seven times a day and return to say sorry, what can we do; what reasons can we use not to forgive them? There is! We doubt the sincerity of their apologies! Since their remorse is not sincere, not forgiving them is not contrary to Jesus’ teaching …

Have you ever sincerely gone through your mind how easy it is for us who have been injured by the “Original Sin” to commit sins or to offend others seven times a day? We are leading a hectic life and spend very little time to examine our conscience. Consequently, we feel that we are blameless. Even if we have sinned, those must be venial. On the other hand, our brethren are probably very much advanced in spirituality. They are aware of their faults clearly and perhaps feel undeserved to receive your forgiveness! For the sake of fraternity and obligation not to leave a sting in your heart, they beg your forgiveness … But you turn around to accuse them of insincere remorse and refuse to forgive them. Isn’t it problematic? Who has appointed you ruler and judge over them (Exodus 2:14)?

Beloved brethren! Practise forgiveness! This is the first step to recognize our deficiencies and sins. Then our remorse will be sincere and our Heavenly Father shall forgive us. If we harden our hearts and in heaven meet people whom we denied forgiveness, our bliss shall turn sour!
God bless!