天父系列之四 The Father's Series (IV)

天父系列之四（瑪6:7-15）

父母和子女之間的溝通，應該是怎樣的呢？
首先，兩代之間的經歷不同，能力不同，溝通上必定有所距離。人世間父母子女之間的代溝，祇要彼此願意，是可以拉近距離的。父母的思想已經僵化了，不容易適應新的事物。作為子女的比較靈活開放，很容易便可以掌握父母的思路；祇要他們願意，很快便可以趕上，甚至超前父母。

可是，當我們向天父祈禱，敬禮我們的造物主時，我們沒有做俗世兒子的優勢了。因為我們的認知，與天主的認知距離無限，我們根本不可能趕上超前。正如耶穌基督所說：「在你們求祂以前，已知道你們需要甚麼！」（瑪6:8）這「讀心術」是何等的智慧，何等的全知！我們不禁問，既然天父已經知道我們的需要，我們為何還要祈禱呢？

我要反問，祈禱祇是為了求天父滿足我們的需要，再沒有其他原因嗎？子女和父母溝通，祇有一個索取所需的目的嗎？做子女的，不可以向父母請安嗎？請安，除了表達應有的尊敬之外，還可以加強自己的身份！與此類比，向天父祈禱，除了是一種欽崇之外，還可以加強我們是天父子女的身份。我們不是低等的動物，祗求生存溫飽。我們是享有永恆生命的天主肖像，是天主的子女！一旦我們忘記了自己的真正身份，我們很容易與世俗同流合污，對罪惡麻木，認賊作父！這是何等可怕的事！
父啊！言有盡，意無窮！讓我們懂得不用言語，向祢請安。亞孟！

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝: America Magazine

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The Father's Series (IV) (Matthew 6:7-15)

How should parents and children communicate?
First of all, gaps exist in the communication between the two generations on earth because they have gone through different experiences and have different abilities. If both sides are willing, they can bridge the generation gaps and come closer. The minds of the parents are becoming petrified and they find it difficult to adjust to new things. Children are more flexible and open and can easily grasp the mind-set of their parents. If they are willing, children can easily follow and even outrun their parents.

When we pray to the Father and adore our Creator, we don't have the advantages of children of the world. The distance between our intellect and God's mind is infinite. There is no hope to follow, not to mention outrunning Him. Jesus says, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:8) What wisdom and omniscience is this mind-reading! Naturally, we'll ask why we still have to pray if the Father already knows our needs.

I would retort. Is asking the Father to satisfy our needs the only reason to pray? Do the communications between parents and children have the sole purpose of asking for money only? Can't children ask after the health of their parents? Don't forget, greeting not only conveys respects but it also reinforces our identity! Similarly, praying to the Father is not only adoration but it also reinforces our identity as children of our Heavenly Father. We are not animals that seek survival and gratification of wants. We are images of God and children of God who partake in eternal life! Once we forget our true identity, we will follow the current, become numb to evil and recognize Satan as our father! How terrible it shall be!
Father! Words can't convey all! Let us ask after You not in words. Amen!

天父系列之三 The Father's Series (III)

天父系列之三（瑪6:1-6，16-18）

有些福音教訓，看似矛盾。但在聖神的光照下默想，我們便可以體會到教訓的真諦。例如，耶穌基督在地鹽世光的教訓中，曾鼓勵我們說：「你們的光也要在人前照耀，好使他們看見你的善行，光榮你們在天之父。」（瑪5:16）可是這裡卻說：「不要在人前行你們的仁義。」（6:1）我們該怎樣調和這矛盾呢？

其實，在別人眼中，我們的「善行」，不一定是他們心目中的「善行」。我們不但接濟缺乏物資，被社會邊緣化了的人，更為被剝削的他們爭取合乎人性的尊嚴。雖然這是教會的社會訓導，但是在有些人的眼中，我們是滋事份子，我們的行為不是善行。那麼，我們會放棄嗎？不會。我們會期望別人另眼相看，認同我們的理念，光榮我們在天之父嗎？也不會！我們祇會尋求天父的旨意，努力承行。其餘的，天主自會照顧。倘若天父願意我們的善行白費，我們心中沒有不忿，因為「我們是無用的僕人，我們不過做了應做的事。」（路17:10）倘若天父願意藉著我們的善行，感動那怕祇是一小撮人，讓他們認識並光榮祂，這是我們的榮幸！重點是，我們行善，不會懷有任何目的！

今天的福音，其實在告誡我們，倘若我們行善，是為了做給別人看，是懷有目的地行仁義，這樣便枉費心機了，即使目的是為了得到「天父前的賞報」！除非，你感覺到有能力行仁義，已經是賞報！你會心滿意足！不是嗎？有能力行仁義，你既可盡展天賦的潛質，又不用接受別人的扶助，是多麼幸福的一回事！不用做給別人看，不需要把自己的快樂，押在別人的認同上，是多麼自由的一回事！
父啊！倘若我們有任何目的，就讓承行祢的旨意，成為惟一的目的。亞孟。

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：Thesaurus.plus

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The Father's Series (III) (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)

Some teachings in the gospel seem contradictory. But when you meditate them in the light of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to understand the truth of these teachings.

For example, when Jesus teaches us to be salt of the earth and light of the world, He encourages us, saying "Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16) But in the passage today, He says instead, "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them. (6:1) How do we harmonize such contradiction?

Indeed, our "righteous deeds may not be "righteous in the eyes of the others. Not only do we give alms to the needy and the marginalized, but we also fight for the human dignity of these exploited. Although we are following the social teachings of the Church, in the eyes on some people, we are trouble-makers. Our actions are not righteous. Then, shall we give up? No! Do we expect others to see us in different lights, to agree with our beliefs and glorify our Heavenly Father? No! We only seek the Father's will and do it. God will take care of the rest. If the Father wills that our righteous deeds are futile, our hearts are at peace because, "We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do. (Luke 17:10) If the Father wills that our deeds might touch the hearts of a handful of people, allow them to know and glorify Him, it is our honour! The key point is: we have no ulterior motive in our deeds!

In fact, the gospel passage today warns us not to act for people to see. Such a motive defeats the righteous deeds even if getting "recompense from your heavenly Father is your motive! Unless you feel satisfied and being able to perform righteous deeds itself is your recompense! The ability to perform righteous deeds enables you to fully actualize your potentials and how happy it is that you don't need other's help! How free it is that your happiness does not rely on the recognition and approval of the others!
Father! If we have any motive, let doing Your will be our only motive. Amen.

天父系列之二 The Father's Series (II)

天父系列之二（瑪5:43-48）

懷疑天主對人類的愛，有很多種形式。亞當厄娃吃了天主禁止他們吃的知善惡樹上的果子，是一個例子；抱怨天主讓義人無辜受苦，不出手相救，是一個例子；當看見惡人受苦，便額手稱慶，大快人心時，又是一個例子！這些都不是貼身的事件，要保持客觀和理性，對待惡人，不太困難。倘若是那些搶奪我們財產的人或者傷害我們親人，要置我們死地的人，要愛他們，談何容易！但你可否知道，不愛他們，其實表現出你正在懷疑天主對你的愛，這真是一個極大的試探！

你的心可能會想：「天父啊！我的對頭正在傷害我，祢為甚麼不制止他呢？難道祢看不見我在受苦嗎？莫非祢樂意看見我受苦嗎…」看！我們很容易忘記感謝自己沒有祈求，卻白白得來的恩寵；反而抱怨一切不如意，不順利的遭遇！怪祇怪我們不熟識歷史，忘記了天主出於愛，可以假借亞述人和巴比倫人的手，鞭策以色列人離開偶像崇拜，重投祂的懷抱。個人的挫折，與亡國之痛相比，簡直是小巫見大巫！亡國並沒有令以色列人懷疑天主的愛和懷疑天主對達味的承諾，反而在他們心內，激發起對默西亞的期待。那麼，不如意的挫折，有激發你對天主救贖的渴望嗎？

誠然，猶太人對默西亞的期待仍然是有破綻的，因為他們沒有擺脫憎恨仇人的情緒，忘記了猶太人與羅馬人之間的關係，是天主肖像與天主肖像之間的關係，有彼此守護的責任（創4:9）！即使我的兄弟沒有履行他的守護責任，傷害了我，難道我要跟他一樣，不履行我的守護責任，不去為他的神益祈求天父嗎？的確，拯溺救人的大前提，是自身的安全！倘若我們祈求天父手出懲罰那些迫害我們的人，我們又一次懷疑天父對我們的愛了。這樣，你安全嗎?
父啊！請賜下聖神，幫助我們記起基督的教訓，溫暖我們的愛心，不怕因愛而痛。亞孟！

生命恩泉

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The Father's Series (II) (Matthew 5:43-48)

Doubting God's love for humanity appears in many forms. Adam and Eve's eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil is one example; complaining God for allowing the righteous to suffer unnecessarily and not extending a helping hand is another; We are jubilant when we see the wicked suffer is yet another! But all those things are not close to us. It is not difficult for us to maintain our objectivity and rationality in dealing with the wicked in these cases. However, it is not so easy to love those who plunder our property, or hurt our family members or even attempt to take our lives! But don't you know that not loving them reveals your doubt of God's love for you? What a great temptation!

You may complain, "Heavenly Father! My enemies are doing me harm. Why don't You stop them? Do You want to see me suffer? Do You enjoy seeing me suffer …" Look! We easily forget to be grateful for things we haven't asked for. On the contrary, we grumble whatever we find unpleasant! Our problem lies in our not knowing history, forgetting that out of love, God made use of the Assyrians and Babylonians to chasten the Israelites from idolatry and return to His embrace. Surely the pains of being conquered dwarf our frustration! Being conquered did not make the Israelites doubt God's love or question God's promise to David. On the contrary, deep in their hearts, they anticipated the coming of the Messiah. Then, do frustrations trigger your desire for God's redemption?

Frankly, the Messianic anticipation of the Jews was flawed because they were unable to shake off their anger against their oppressors. They forgot that their relation with the Romans was a relation between God's images. They are supposed to be keepers of each other (Genesis 4:9)! Even if my brother refuses to be my keeper and does me harm, should I do the same, refusing my responsibility as a keeper to pray for his spiritual good? Indeed, the prerequisite to be a life-guard is to ensure his own safety! If you pray to the Father to punish those who persecute you, once again you doubt the Father's love for you. Then are you in safety?
Heavenly Father! Grant us the Holy Spirit. Help us remember the teachings of Christ. Inflame our heart to love until it hurts. Amen!

天父系列之一 The Father's Series (I)

天父系列（一）（瑪5:38-42）

基督徒相信耶穌基督死而復活，救贖了全人類。不過，他們的所謂「相信」，究竟有多深刻呢？他們的信德，經得起考驗嗎？

惡人當道，可以說是今天的「時代徵兆」。君不見世界各地出現了不少暴力事件，包括私人恩怨的暴力、家庭的暴力以至制度上的暴力嗎？君不見暴力引起暴力的反抗，以暴易暴，結果形成惡性循環，直至兩敗俱傷，甚至殃及池魚，令四周無辜的人也被波及嗎？君不見無信的人，取笑耶穌基督的教訓，譏諷基督徒不能按師傅的教訓，把另一面轉給他們進一步羞辱嗎？

的確，主耶穌基督的榜樣，實在高不可攀！在革責瑪尼園，祂沒有為了自保而拒捕，甚至即場治癒有份拘捕祂的人；在公議會及比拉多面前，祂沒有為自己辯護，欣然接受不公平的判決；人們釘祂在十字架上時，祂還求天父寬恕釘祂的人；在受刑時，仍寬待臨急抱佛腳的右盜，不計較他從前做了多少惡事…主耶穌何止把另一面轉給惡人侮辱呢！祂完全忘我地，履行天父的旨意，為的是尋找並擁抱迷失的羊，帶領他們回歸父家，光復蒙污了的天主肖像！

基督徒呀！我們是否被自己的所謂公義蒙蔽了，是否被過份膨脹的自我遮蓋了眼睛，看不見天父是一視同仁的。祂保護義人，更憐愛惡人！倘若天父不保證祂一手創造的義人的質素；和恢復變了質的惡人的質素，天父就是一位不合格的工程師了。這是不可能的！
父啊！請賜下聖神，讓我們親眼看見祢的慈愛。亞孟！

圖片鳴謝：https://www.carlylestewart.com/turning-the-other-cheek-and-nonviolence-king-gandhi-and-jesus-third-way/
生命恩泉

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The Father's Series (I) (Matthew 5:38-42)

Christians believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity. But how seriously do they believe? Can their faith undergo tests?

The Tyranny of Violence can be said to be the Sign of the Time. Many violent incidents erupt all over the world, including personal violence, domestic violence and institutional violence. We are not able to turn a blind eye to violence triggering more violence, creating a vicious cycle until both parties neutralize each other. Worse still, innocent bystanders become victims of collateral damage. Infidels tease Christian teachings, bullying Christians for failing to follow their Master to turn the other cheek for further insults.

Indeed, the examples set up by Lord Jesus Christ are too lofty. In Gethsemane, not only did he refuse to resist arrest, but He also cured on the spot one of those who came to arrest him. Before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, He did not defend Himself, happily accepted an unjust verdict. On the cross, He begged the Father to forgive those who crucified Him. He didn't care how much evil the thief had done, promising paradise even to a last-minute repentance! Lord Jesus had done more than turning the other cheek! He totally and selflessly carries out the Father's will in order to seek and embrace lost sheep, bring them home to the Father and restore the tarnished images of God!

Christians! Have you been blinded by your own version of justice? How your eyes been covered by over-inflation of your ego and couldn't see God's justice? He protects the righteous and shows mercy to the evil more! If the Father could not guarantee the qualities of the righteous and restore the distorted ones of the wicked, the Father would not be a qualified engineer. But that's impossible!
Heavenly Father! Send us the Holy Spirit so that we may see Your mercy with our own eyes. Amen!