與永生擦身而過 Brushing Past Eternal Life

與永生擦身而過（路12:8-12）

倘若我們有機會在大庭廣眾，承認自己是耶穌基督的門徒，我們的心情會是怎麼樣呢？在不同的處境，我們的心情理應不一樣。在友善的處境，例如教會的節日；在中性的處境，例如到酒樓參加婚宴；在不友善的處境，例如『教難』的時期…等等，我們的脈搏、血壓…等生理反應，肯定不一樣。

在友善的處境承認耶穌是主，不費吹灰之力；在中性的處境承認耶穌是主，沒有人會注意；看來只有在不友善處境承認耶穌是主，才有價值，對嗎？錯！因為我們無論在甚麼處境，我們一切的思、言、行為，天主都看在眼裡。【聖經】說：「人看外貎，上主卻看人心」（撒上16:7），就是這個意思。在任何處境，沒有人能分辨到我們是敷衍了事，還是認真應對，只有天主才能審判我們的良心。上主天主是公義的，我們知道祂會賞善罰惡。

另一個可以影響我們心情的元素，當然是我們『愛耶穌有多深』；而『愛耶穌有多深』才是決定性的因素。無論環境順逆，疾病健康，惟有愛得深刻，愛得敬畏，才不會與主耶穌分離。主在那裡，我們的心也寄託在那裡。正如經上所載：「因為你們的寶藏在那裡，你們的心也必在那裡」（路12:34），那不是永生是甚麼？假如我們只是敷衍了事，虛度了一生，與主耶穌的關係可有可無。離開耶穌， 易如反掌；錯過在人前承認耶穌基督是主的機會，成了家常便飯；與永生擦身而過，還懵然不知！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，『學如逆水行舟，不進則退』。靈性生命的成長，同樣是『不進則退』。讓我們呼求天主聖神，重燃已賜給了我們的『剛毅』之恩，努力不懈地向永生邁進。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

Brushing Past Eternal Life (Luke 12:8-12)

If we have the opportunity to profess our identity as Christians in public, what do we feel? Our feelings will differ in different situations. In friendly situations like Church festivals; in neutral situations like attending a wedding banquet in a restaurant; in hostile situations like religious persecutions … etc., our vital statistics such as pulses and blood pressure etc. would surely vary.

Confessing Jesus as Lord in a friendly situation is a piece of cake. Confessing Jesus in a neutral situation attracts no attention. It seems that only when we confess Jesus as Lord in hostile situations would it be valuable, wouldn’t it? Wrong! It is because whatever the situation, God knows our thoughts, our words and deeds. The Bible says, “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). In all circumstances, nobody is able to tell whether we put up a farce or we are serious. Only God is able to judge our conscience. The Lord God is righteous. We know that He will reward the righteous and punish the wicked.

Another factor that affects our feelings is indeed, how-deeply-we-love-Jesus which is the most decisive factor. In good times or bad, in sickness and in health, only if we love deeply and in fear shall we not part with Lord Jesus. Where the Lord is, there will our hearts be. The Gospel says, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Luke 12:34). If this is not eternal life, what is? If we lead our life in a fluke manner and listlessly such that our relationship with Jesus is optional. Parting with Jesus is as easy is snapping our fingers. Missing the opportunities to confess Jesus Christ as our Lord would be a routine. Unknowingly, we brush past eternal life!

Beloved brethren! Rest is rust. Similarly, if our spiritual life is not growing, it is dying. Let us invoke the Holy Spirit to re-ignite in us the gift of Fortitude so that we scale the heights of eternal life without fatigue. Amen.
God bless!

做耶穌的朋友 To Befriend Jesus

做耶穌的朋友（路12:1-7）

在各種誘惑面前，連有學問的人也紛紛失足跌倒！作為耶穌基督的追隨者，我們可以如何自處呢？我們既然沒有能力改造別人，惟有改善自己罷。

首先，主耶穌把我們當作朋友看待（路12:4a）。我們既然相信祂是生命的主宰、天地的君王，我們還害怕何人呢？（詠27:1）因此，我們可以放心大膽地跟隨祂，做祂的朋友，體會承行祂的心意。誠然，耶穌基督做我們的朋友，並沒有責任保證我們一帆風順，保證我們升官發財，保證我們不會有任何損失，任何傷害。祂只保證祂不會遺忘我們的一切，連瑣碎的頭髮也一一數清楚（路12:7a），難道這樣還不足夠，還有顧慮嗎？

即使我們可以放心大膽地做天主的事，也應該謹慎地按真理行事，堅毅不屈卻有節制地做，避免節外生枝。這種『智義勇節』心態，教會稱為『四樞德』，是所有人都應該修煉的德行。主耶穌教訓我們「謹防法利塞人的酵母，即他們的虛偽」（12:1b），是要求我們謹慎。『虛偽』濃縮了這幾天反省得來法利塞人的通病，就是『急功近利』、『本末倒置』、『短視』和『貪婪』。正因為這些看來不及殺人放火一樣嚴重，我們便容易掉以輕心，不慎自投地獄了！所以我們不用害怕那些殺害肉身的，因為他們正在製造殉道者，送殉道者上天堂（12:4）！我們反而應該害怕自己不慎墮入法利塞式『虛偽』，成了一座流動的『墳墓』（11:44），在人前樹立惡臭的壞榜樣，迫使天主把我們投入地獄（12:5）！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，你們的『朋友』近況如何？有何新動態？對使用人工智能，祂有何意見？
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

To Befriend Jesus (Luke 12:1-7)

How the learned fall before temptations miserably! As followers of Jesus Christ, what can we do? Since we are unable to change others, we can only improve ourselves.

Firstly, Lord Jesus treats us as friends (Luke 12:4a). Since we believe that He is the author of life, the king of the universe, “whom should I fear?” (Psalms 27:1). Thus, we can boldly follow Him, befriend Him and do His will. Indeed, when Jesus treats us as friends, He does not guarantee us a bed of roses, earns wealth and power, no losses, no harms. He only guarantees that He remembers everything of ours, even our hairs of our heads are counted (Luke 12:7a). Doesn’t it suffice? What else shall we worry?

Even if we can boldly do the works of God, we should proceed in prudence, in fortitude and temperament so as not to create complications. These attitudes which are universally applicable, are the Four Cardinal Virtues the Church teaches. All should practise. When Lord Jesus teaches his disciples to “beware of the leaven --- that is the hypocrisy --- of the Pharisees” (12:1b), He requires us to be prudent. “Hypocrisy” summarizes the common mistakes we meditated on these few days: viz. taking short-cuts, putting priorities upside down, myopia and greed. Since those are not as lethal as murders and arsons, we might easily overlook them and throw ourselves into hell! Therefore, fear not those who kill the body but after that can do no more because they are making martyrs, sending martyrs to heaven above (12:4)! Instead, we should fear our careless fall into the trap of Pharisees’ hypocrisy and become a mobile “grave” (11:44), setting up repugnantly bad examples, forcing God to cast us into Gehenna (12:5)!

Beloved brethren! How is your “friend” recently? Any news about Him? What does He think of Artificial Intelligence?
God bless!

一丘之貉 Birds of the Same Feather

一丘之貉（路11:47-54）

眾所周知，亞伯爾是亞當的兒子，天主惠顧了他祭獻的肥美首生羊（創4:4），所以傳統上人們稱亞伯爾為「義人」（希11:4）。他的哥哥加音出於嫉妒和不受控的忿怒，殺死了他。在一定程度上，亞伯爾是一個為天主的慈愛作見證的殉道者。

認識則加黎雅的人相信不多，他是大司祭約雅達的兒子。約雅達曾扶助幼主約阿士為猶大王，並與君王一起重修聖殿。不幸大司祭約雅達死後，君王被身邊的讒臣蠱惑，改為崇拜邪神和偶像。約雅達的兒子則加黎雅充滿天主聖神，向群眾數說拜偶像的錯，激怒了群眾。約阿士王竟然下令群眾：「在上主的庭院裡，用石頭將他砸死了」（編下24:20-21）。則加黎雅不必是司祭，他為上主天主的真理作見證，壯烈犧牲，也是一個頂天立地的殉道者。耶穌基督把他和亞伯爾加入先知的行列，雖不中亦不遠矣。

這些殉道者安眠在墓中，靜待末日的復活，在最後審判獲得昭雪，是最恰當的安排。可惜在每個時代總有些當權者，發覺這些殉道者對自己的統治有幫助時，便吩咐『代理人』大興土木，修建這些『先知』的墳墓。真是一丘之貉，虛偽至極。這樣做一來令這批『先知』死後得不到安息；二來這些門面功夫只是一條『無花果樹葉裙子』（創3:7），掩蓋自己默認祖先殺戮先知的惡行而已！倘若真心不贊成殺死這些先知殉道者，最少這些『代理人』也應該倡議真道、廢除剝削窮人的制度、消滅貧富懸殊、尊重人性尊嚴…而不是修建墳墓！

作為『代理人』，這些有權有勢的法學士，已失去了認識真理的興趣；和傳授獲得永生智識的能力；早已把『傳道、授業、解惑』的使命，拋諸腦後！當百姓想聽耶穌傳道的時候，他們甚至與法利塞人聯手，追逼耶穌，阻止百姓認識真理！與法利塞人相比，法學士的『杯盤』裡面，已經失去太多，沒有甚麼可以施捨了。真是可憐！
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

Birds of the Same Feather (Luke 11:47-54)

Everybody knows that Abel is the son of Adam. “The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering [the fatty portion of the firstlings of his flock]” (Genesis 4:4). Thus, people traditionally regard Abel to be righteous (Hebrews 11:4). Out of jealousy and unrestrained wrath, his brother Cain murders him. To a certain extent, Abel is a martyr of God’s mercy.

Not many people know about Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the High Priest who had helped enthroned the young king Joash with whom together, they rebuilt the Temple. Unfortunately after the death of Jehoiada, the king listened to the wicked princes and apostatized. The king and the people began to serve Asherahs and idols. Then the Holy Spirit clothed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada. He spoke to the people openly the wrongs of idol worships. “They conspired against him and at the king’s command, they stoned him in the court of the Temple” (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). Zechariah is not a priest by trade, but dies a heroic martyrdom for the truth of God. Jesus Christ putting both of them into the class of prophets is appropriate.

These martyrs rest in peace in their graves, waiting for the Resurrection on the Judgment Day. This is the most appropriate arrangement. Regrettably, when people in power of any ages discover that those martyrs are able to enhance their sovereignty, those rulers would assign their agents to build memorials of prophets whom their ancestors had killed. The scribes and the rulers are truly hypocritical birds of the same feather. Such building projects would make the dead turn in their graves. Moreover, such white-washing projects are nothing but “loincloths of fig leaves” (Genesis 3:7) to cover their consent to their ancestors’ murders of prophets! Had they truly disagreed to the murder of those prophets/martyrs, they would have advocated, in the capacity of regal agency, truth, abolishment of exploitation of the poor, elimination of wealth polarization and human dignity … and not white-washing tombs!

As agents, those powerful scribes had lost their interest in know the truth and in passing on the wisdom to obtain eternal life. They had totally forgotten their mission to teach, to explain and to demystify the Torah to the people! But when the people wanted to hear Jesus’ preaching, the scribes teamed up with the Pharisees to persecute Jesus, preventing the people to learn the truth! Compared with the Pharisees, the scribes had lost too much in their cups and there was not much left to give alms. How pitiful!
God bless!

愛之深，責之切 The Deeper the Love, the Harsher the Reproach

愛之深，責之切（路11:42-46）

耶穌基督是「良善心謙的」（瑪11:29），對於傷害祂的人，基督會求天父寬恕他們（路23:34），所以祂用嚴厲的言辭『禍哉』來痛責法利塞人和法學士，是出於憐惜多於發洩咒罵。理由很簡單，天主子對這些法律專家，這些「以色列的師傅」（若3:10），寄予厚望。所以愛之深，責之切。那麼，法利塞人的毛病在哪？

第一個『禍哉』，他們『本末倒置』。『十一捐獻』固然應該做，一般只須把十分一收入的等價金額奉獻到聖殿，用來供養司祭和肋未人便可以，用不著連『薄荷、茴香及各種菜蔬』也捐獻十分一那麼細緻，甚至做到「我每周兩次禁食」（路18:12）！為甚麼有些 法利塞人會這樣做呢？很明顯他們想炫耀自己比一般人更認真、更虔誠、更高人一等！法律的原意是幫助人親近天主，關懷近人。他們卻用來抬舉自己，甚至利用法律來迫害耶穌…他們這樣本末倒置，何來教導百姓向善的能力呢？

第二個『禍哉』，他們追求人世間過眼雲煙的虛榮，而不是天上的事。猶太人在各地的城鎮設有會堂，在安息日供猶太人祈禱、學習法律、聚會之用。座位的安排當然是『論資排輩』，由上座/首席到末席。能坐上座/首席當然是一個榮耀，但『愛坐上座』是有機會當眾出醜的，因為即使你經常坐上座，你不能保證當日沒有比你更尊貴的人物出席（14:9）。『愛坐上座』不是高瞻遠矚的表現，何來教導百姓追求天上的事物呢？

最後一個『禍哉』，耶穌直指他們心中充滿貪婪、虛榮甚至殺戮，有如墳墓，內裡只有腐爛惡臭的屍骸。即使人看不見，也會嗅到罷！惟一的解決辦法，就是洗心革面，「把杯盤裡面的施捨了，那麼，一切〔連墳墓在內〕也都潔淨了」（11:41）。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

The Deeper the Love, the Harsher the Reproach (Luke 11:42-46)

Jesus Christ is “meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29), He begs the Father to forgive those who hurt Him (Luke 23:34). Thus the harsh renunciation “woe to you” towards the Pharisees and scribes comes more out of mercy than curse. Simply put, the Son of God harbours great expectations on those legal experts, those “teachers of Israel” (John 3:10). The harsher the reproach follows the deeper the love. Then, what’s wrong with the Pharisees?

The first “woe” comes from their turning the priorities upside down. Tithe is an obligation. Typically Jews offer the equivalence of one-tenth of their income to the Temple to provide for priests and Levites. It is not necessary to go into such details as to “pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb” (Luke 11:42); and even fasting twice a week (18:12)! Why do the Pharisees do it? Obviously they want to show off their perfectionism and piety. In short, they are high above the rest! The intention of Torah is to help people come close to God and the care for the neighbour. But they use the Law to elevate themselves and even to persecute Jesus … They have turned their priorities upside down. Where comes their ability to teach people to do good?

The second “woe” comes from their pursuit of vanity, which is temporary, instead of things above. Jews build synagogues for themselves to pray on Sabbath, to study the Torah and to meet. Seats are arranged in seniority and honour. Of course, occupying the honour seat is a glory, but “love the seat of honour in synagogues” risks humiliation before all because even if you usually occupy the honour seat, you cannot guarantee that no people of higher status are invited on a particular day (14:9). “Love the seat of honour in synagogues” is a sign of myopia. How can they teach the people to seek things above?

In the last “woe”, Jesus reproaches them point-blank that their hearts are filled with greed, vanity and even murder, like unseen graves which are filled with rotten corpses. Even if people do not see them, they could smell them! The only antidote is to cleanse their consciences, “Give alms, and behold, everything [including graves] will be clean for you” (11:41). Amen.
God bless!

要全盤地思考 Thinking In a Strategic Manner

十月十三日
要全盤地思考（路11:37-41）

現代人的通病，就是急功近利，在有限的時間和空間，賺取最大的利益。結果缺乏了『全盤考慮』的思維習慣，只喜歡把資源投放在高風險，高回報的項目中。僥倖成功便得意忘形，完全沒有考慮高風險帶來的後遺症：破壞健康、家庭關係、團隊關係、與天主的關係！令我訝異的，原來這種思維習慣，自古已有，不是現代人的專利！在今天的福音選段，耶穌慨嘆法利塞人糊塗（路11:40），不就是因為這些「以色列的師傅」（若3:10）也是缺乏『全盤思考』的思維習慣嗎？試問他們怎樣去教導其他以色列百姓，如何改善與天主、與近人的關係呢？

耶穌基督是『萬世師表』，實至名歸！且看當宴客的主人「怪異耶穌飯前不先洗手」時（路11:38），祂信手拈來與主人談論洗手和洗杯盤的問題，一語道破主人缺乏『全盤考慮』的毛病：「糊塗人哪！那造外面的，不是也造了裡面嗎？」（11:40）可是，怎樣洗手和腳的裡面呢？我會回答你說：「為甚麼不可以？你未曾聽過『洗心革面』嗎？『洗心』當然是洗『內心』，難道是洗『外心』嗎？既然『心』也可以洗，洗四肢五官的裡面，又有何難？」原來法利塞人有如現代人一樣急功近利，於是「心中充滿劫奪與邪惡」（11:39b）。耶穌憐憫他們糊塗，便教導他們如何洗心革面。

古人有『座右銘』，有人曾在洗面盆裡寫了『苟日新、又日新、日日新』的句子，提醒自己每天更新，改過遷善。耶穌亦不遑多讓，祂除了道破法利塞人的毛病之外，更推薦了一個對症下藥的改善方法：「只要把你們杯盤裡面的施捨了，那麼，一切對你們便都潔淨了」（11:41）。『你們杯盤裡面』有甚麼可以拿來『施捨』？很明顯，耶穌是為了維護法利塞人的面子，才用比喻。耶穌剛才不是說「你們心中」（11:39b），然後說「你們杯盤裡面」（11:41a）嗎？即是說，把已劫奪得來的財富施捨給窮人，法利塞人便能成功地『洗心革面』，改善與天主、與近人的關係。思維習慣改善了，出於愛，以後再也不會貪婪劫奪了，可以更稱職地教導以色列百姓了。
各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，你們有需要洗杯、洗盤嗎？
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

Thinking In a Strategic Manner (Luke 11:37-41)

The common mistake modern people make is to take short-cuts. They want to maximize profits within limited time and space. Consequently, they fail to develop a “Strategic Thinking Mode”. They tend to distribute all their resources into diverse high-risks-high-returns projects. Had they considered the complications brought about by those high risks which would take toll on their health, familial relations, team-spirit and relation with God, they would not been so elated for coincidental successes! What surprises me is that this is not the monopoly of modern men. Men have been thinking in this manner since ancient times. In the gospel passage today, does not Jesus call the Pharisees fools (Luke 11:40) because those “teachers of Israel” (John 3:10), also lack this strategic mode of thinking? How are they able to teach the people to improve their relationships with God and with neighbour when they themselves lack the abilities?

Jesus Christ is truly an exemplar of teachers of all ages! See how when the Pharisee host “was amazed to see that He did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal” (Luke 11:38), Jesus simply follows the lead and talks about the washing of cups and dishes, and pinpoints the mistake of not thinking strategically, “You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?” (11:40). But how do you wash the inside of your limbs? I would say, “Why not? Have you not heard of the Chinese idiom --- To cleanse one’s heart and change one’s face? To cleanse one’s heart is to make one’s conscience clean. If conscience can be cleansed, why is it hard to cleanse our limbs and senses?” Most Pharisees are like modern people who are too eager to maximize their profits. “Inside you are filled with plunder and evil” (11:39b). Jesus has pity on their follies and teaches them how to cleanse their hearts and change their faces.

Ancient peoples use mottoes to remind themselves to improve. A king engraves on his bathing tub “If you can one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day. Yea, let there be daily renovation” to remind himself of the importance of daily renovation. Jesus did the same. Besides pin-pointing the flaw of the Pharisee host, Jesus recommends an antidote, “But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you” (11:41). What alms can you give from “within”? Obviously, Jesus tries to use parables to protect the dignity of the Pharisee host. Earlier on, He uses “inside” to refer to their hearts (11:39b). Later, He uses “within” to refer to cups and dishes (11:41a). In other words, give away what the Pharisee has plundered to the poor, then he will be able to improve his relations with God and with neighbour. After improving his mode of thinking, out of love, he will never plunder again and is more proficient in teaching the Israelites.
Beloved brethren, do you need to wash your cups and dishes?
God bless!

撒羅滿與約納有多偉大？ How Great are Solomon and Jonah?

撒羅滿與約納有多偉大？（路11:29-32）

約納有甚麼偉大？他只是一個『充滿偏見歧視』的先知，一個『被迫』的先知！上主派約納前往亞述帝國首都，宣講有限期的悔改。若四十天內不悔改，尼尼微城就要毀滅（納3:4）。國仇家恨，約納當然渴望天主毀滅尼尼微城，所以他往相反方向逃跑，便上演了在大魚腹中三日三夜的神跡，成為耶穌引用的「徵兆」（路11:29）。最後，尼尼微城上下人畜都『齋戒，披苦衣，呼求上主，轉離邪路，放下手中的暴行』。言下之意，他們都皈依了上主，天主當然不降災給尼尼微城（納3:7-10）！約納真箇是『無心插柳柳成陰』了！注意，在末日審判時，不是約納定『這個邪惡世代』的罪，而是尼尼微人（路11:32）！耶穌比約納大，因為約納沒有死；而天主子「就是復活，就是生命」（若11:25）。

撒羅滿有甚麼偉大？他當然偉大！他的財富與智慧，名聞天下，吸引了『南方的女王』（路11:31），即『舍巴女王』（列上10:1, 編下9:1），帶了很多財寶到耶路撒冷探明虛實。結果她不但滿載而歸，還表示了對上天天主的信仰。她對撒羅滿說：「上主，你的天主應受讚美！祂喜愛你，使你坐在祂的王位，代上主你的天主為王；因為你的天主愛慕以色列，要永遠保持他們，所以使你作他們的王，來秉行義」（9:8）！回國後，女王可能會把『雅威崇拜』推行全國，並且透過貿易，把信仰的種子，滲透到非洲。一千年後，斐理伯執事便為一個厄提約丕雅太監施洗（宗8:37-38）。所以在末日審判時，不是撒羅滿定『這個邪惡世代』的罪，而是舍巴女王，「她從地極來聽撒羅滿的智慧」（路11:31），因而相信了上主天主！耶穌比撒羅滿大，因為撒羅滿的智慧來自天主子，祂「就是道路、真理和生命」（若14:6）。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，耶穌的確比撒羅滿和約納大，但又有何用呢？撒羅滿和約納令很多人，很有財富權勢的人皈依上主天主。但耶穌呢？祂的成績單如何呢？只有大約120個卑微弱小的人（宗1:15）！所以當耶穌說：「看，這裡有一位大於撒羅滿的…看，這裡有一位大於約納的」（路11:31-32）的時候，祂無意貶低撒羅滿和約納的貢獻，而是表示祂願意成為「在你們眾人中最小的」（9:48），從卑微入手，做得更徹底。祂願意接受凌辱、死在十字架上替眾人贖罪、以復活戰勝死亡。大家想比約納大嗎？比撒羅滿大嗎？
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

How Great are Solomon and Jonah? (Luke 11:29-32)

How great is Jonah? He is only a biased prophet and a reluctant one! The Lord sends him to the capital of the Assyrian Empire to proclaim a time-bound repentance. If people do not repent within 40 days, Nineveh should be overthrown (Jonah 3:4). Jonah has good reasons to desire the destruction of Nineveh because the Assyrians have conquered Israel. So, he flees from the presence of the Lord to the opposite direction and brings about the miracle of surviving in the belly of a great fish for three days and three nights, which becomes the sign Jesus quotes today (Luke 11:29). In the end, all people and beasts “fast, be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; turn from their evil way and from the violence of their hands”. In other words, they convert to the Lord. Because of that, God does not carry out the destruction (Jonah 3:7-10). Jonah is truly an accidental prophet! Notice that, “At the judgment, the men of Nineveh [not Jonah] will arise with this generation and condemn it” (Luke 11:32)! Jesus is greater than Jonah because Jonah survives, and the Son of God is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

How great is Solomon? Of course he is great! His wealth and wisdom is so widely known that “the queen of the south” (Luke 11:31), i.e. “the Queen of Sheba” (1 Kings 10:1, 2 Chronicles 9:1) brings along a large amount of treasures to Jerusalem to test him. In the end, she returns with a greater treasure trove and expresses her faith in the Lord. She tells Solomon, “Blessed be the Lord, your God, who was pleased to set you on His throne as king for the Lord, your God. In the love your God has for Israel, to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out judgment and justice” (9:8). Returning to Sheba, the Queen would promote “Yahweh worship” in her sovereignty and through trade, plant the seed of faith in Africa so that one millennium later, Deacon Philip baptized an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:37-38). Thus, at the judgment, the queen of the south, [not Solomon] will rise with this generation and condemn them, because “she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon” (Luke 11:31) and believes in the Lord God! Jesus is greater than Solomon because the wisdom of Solomon comes from the Son of God who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6).

Beloved brethren! Jesus is truly greater than Solomon and Jonah, but what is the use? Solomon and Jonah make many people, including the wealthy and the powerful, convert to the Lord God. What of Jesus? His report card is miserable! Only about 120 insignificant people remain (Acts 1:15). When Jesus says, “Behold, there is something greater than Solomon here … there is something greater than Jonah here” (Luke 11:31-32), He has no intention to slight the contributions of Solomon and Jonah. Instead, He expresses His intention to become “the one who is the least among all of you” (9:48) so as to work more thoroughly in humility. He intends to receive humiliation and death on the cross to redeem all, to conquer death with resurrection. Do you want to be greater than Jonah, or greater than Solomon?
God bless!

不要小覷自己 Don’t Belittle Yourself

不要小覷自己（瑪20:20-28）

十二宗徒之中，伯多祿，雅各伯和他的弟弟若望，可算是耶穌基督的『入室弟子』。因為在三個重要場合中，只有他們三人與基督同在：復活雅依洛的女兒（谷5:37）；耶穌在高山上顯聖容（瑪17:1）；在革匝瑪尼園深處祈禱（26:37）。這是非常合理的，伯多祿是教會的磐石（16:18）；若望是惟一的宗徒在十字架下陪伴耶穌；最後，按《宗徒大事錄》的記載，雅各伯是第一位殉道的宗徒（宗11:1-2），被黑落德〔阿格黎帕一世〕所殺。雅各伯與若望脾氣火爆，綽號『雷霆之子』（谷3:17）。當他們向耶路撒冷進發，經過一座撒瑪黎雅村莊時，村民拒絕接待他們。這對『雷霆之子』問耶穌，可否叫火自天降下，焚毀這座村莊（路9:54）。可見這對『雷霆之子』，的確名不虛傳！相傳雅各伯曾前往西班牙傳福音，回到耶路撒冷後，在公元44年死在黑落德手上，應驗了耶穌基督的預言：「我的爵你們固然要飲」（瑪20:23a）。以後，他的遺體又奇蹟地移到西班牙安葬，聖雅各伯便成了西班牙的主保！

耶穌基督在『真福八端』，不是教訓我們要「溫良」（5:5）嗎？雅各伯卻是個脾氣火爆的人，絕不溫良。而且聖經學者普遍認為，他的脾氣是他殉道的導火線。其次，按今天的福音選段記載，他們兩兄弟的母親，〔藉裙帶關係〕求耶穌給他倆在天國享有崇高的權勢（20:21b），試問公義何在？可見耶穌基督並沒有挑選精英來結合成一隊『夢幻組合』 ，建樹一個完美的教會。教會的成員各有創傷和缺陷、遺憾與挫折。耶穌基督用甚麼來幫助他們共融合一呢？是『護慰者聖神』，祂是聖父聖子之間交流的愛，祂又是『真理之神』（若14:17）。

親愛的兄弟姊妹，把目光注視著自己的傷口和缺陷是無補於事的，它只會繼續發炎腐爛。呼求聖神降臨吧！祂會更新我們的心靈、聽眾們的心靈；祂使大地更新復興（詠104:30）。聖雅各伯，為我等祈。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

Don’t Belittle Yourself (Matthew 20:20-28)

Among the Twelve, Peter, James and his brother John formed the “inner circle” among the disciples of Jesus Christ. It is because in three significant occasions, the three of them stayed with Christ: raising the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37); the Transfiguration of Jesus on a high mountain (Matthew 17:1); the Agony in Gethsemane (26:37). This is reasonable because Peter is the Rock of the Church (16:18); John was the only apostle staying with Jesus during His crucifixion; and lastly, according to the book of Acts, James was the first apostle to die in the hand of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 11:1-2). James and John were hot-tempered and nicknamed “Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). When they heading towards Jerusalem through a village in Samaria, the villagers refused them hospitality. The Boanerges asked Jesus for permission to call down fire from heaven to consume the village (Luke 9:54). They were true to their nickname! Tradition has James evangelizing in Spain. After returning to Jerusalem in 44 A.D., he was beheaded by Herod, thus fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy, “My cup you will indeed drink” (Matthew 20:23a). Tradition has James’ corpse miraculously transported to Spain by angels and was buried there. St. James the Great becomes the patron saint of Spain!

Has Jesus Christ not taught us to be meek in the Beatitudes (5:5)? James was definitely not a meek person. Some biblical scholars even speculate that his hot-temper led to his martyrdom. Moreover, according to the gospel text today, their mother asked Jesus to make James and John command high authority in the Kingdom of Heaven (20:21b). This is blatant despotism. Where is justice? Thus, we see that Jesus did not choose elites to form a “Dream Team” to build up a perfect Church. Without exception, all Church members carry wounds, defects, regrets and frustrations. How does Jesus Christ form them into a communion? It is the “Advocate”, the Holy Spirit who is the interflow of divine love between the Father and the Son. He is also the “Spirit of Truth” (John 14:17).

Beloved brethren. Gazing our wounds and defects does not help. They will continue to infest and rot. Invoke the Holy Spirit! He will renew our hearts and souls; as well as those of our audience. “You renew the face of the earth” (Psalms 104:30). St. James the Great, pray for us. Amen.
God bless!

天國的話 The Word of the Kingdom

天國的話（瑪13:18-23）

聖經學者告訴我們，耶穌所說的比喻，尤其是那些短句，有時只是借用當代人熟悉的『常言道』。例如：「人點燈，並不是放在斗底下…」（瑪5:15）；「舊皮囊裝新酒」（9:17）等等，都是百姓耳熟能詳，大眾公認的道理。但其他比喻的藝術成份更高，聽來更深入民心，例如『撒種比喻』（13:3-8），『亡羊比喻』（19:12-14）等等。它們不但藝術成份高，內容更有意外的驚喜，吸引了聽眾的注意力，令他們念念不忘。

例如『撒種比喻』中的種子實在太神奇了！從羅馬帝國的官方紀錄可知，種植小麥的回報率大約是1:6到1:10之間。所以耶穌所說的『一百倍結實』，以當代的耕種技術水平而言，是沒有可能的神跡。如果有這樣的『超級種子』，請給我一顆，好讓我也去耕種！一顆能生百顆，百顆能生萬顆…發達喇！即使是30倍也蠻不錯：一生三十，三十生九百，九百生八十一萬…倘若世上真的有這樣的種子，人類便不愁饑荒，就不須要為爭奪罕有的資源而發動戰爭了。世界和平，指日可待！朋友，供過於求的事物，當然沒有人會爭奪。但世上還有其他罕有的資源或情報，足以發動那怕是地區性的戰爭！全球已經一體化，地區性戰爭足以影響全世界！不要太天真了！

『了解』一詞在耶穌解釋這個比喻時，一共運用了兩次。第一次是指一般的了解明白。那就是說，當世人不了解、不願意接受福音的時候，就有如撒殫拿走我們所聽到，與主與人修好的福音一樣（13:19）。但第二次使用『了解』一詞時，肯定不是頭腦上的了解明白那麼簡單，必定包括了行為上的實踐和服從。試問只有撒種，而沒有隨後在日曬雨淋的境況下耕種、除草、施肥及收割，何來百倍、六十倍、三十倍的結實呢？況且，耶穌曾說：「凡聽了我這些話而實行的，就好像一個聰明人…」（7:24）。可見『知』必須與『行』合一，否則就白費了一生的歲月，空悲切！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，有沒有人告訴過你『天國的話』呢？你了解嗎？你實行了嗎？你宣講過嗎？
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

The Word of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:18-23)

Biblical scholars tell us that many parables of Jesus’, especially those short ones, are contemporary aphorisms. For example, “Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket …” (Matthew 5:15); “People do not put new wine into old wineskins” (9:17) etc. Those were common wisdom among Jesus’ contemporary. However, the artistic elements of other parables are higher, making them more receptive to the audience. For example, the “Parable of the Sower” (13:3-8) and the parable of the “Lost sheep” (19:12-14) etc. Not only are they highly artistic, but they also contain surprises to attract the attention of the audience and leave behind deep impressions.

For example, the seeds in the “Parable of Sower” are truly miraculous! From the Roman official tax records, we know that the yield of wheat was roughly between 1:6 and 1:10. Thus, with the agricultural technology of that age, a hundredfold yield was next to impossible. If there were such “miraculous seeds”, gave me one so that I would become a farmer too! One grain yielded 100; 100 yielded ten thousand … Bingo! Even a thirtyfold were not bad: One grain yielded 30; 30 yielded 900; 900 yielded eight hundred and ten thousand … Had the world such miraculous seeds, mankind would not have had to worry about famines. Countries would not have started wars to fight for scarce resources. World peace were in sight! Friends, of course people do not fight for oversupplied goods. But there are still scarce resources and information which suffice to start regional warfare! Globalization amplifies even regional conflicts to shake the whole world! Don’t be naïve!

When Jesus explains this parable, He uses the term “understand” twice. The first use is ordinary understanding. That is to say, when we do not understand and are not willing to accept the gospel, it is like Satan taking away what we hear, the good news of reconciliation with the Lord and our neighbour (13:19). The second use is definitely not simply cerebral understanding but also includes practising and obeying. How can sowing seeds without the subsequent sweaty labour under the sun of weed-removal, of fertilizing and of harvesting … etc., yield hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold of wheat? After all, Jesus says, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man …” (7:24). Thus, understanding must go hand-in-hand with practising. Otherwise, all things are vanity!

Beloved brethren! Has anybody told you “the word of the Kingdom”? Do you understand? Do you practise? Have you proclaimed?
God bless!

我們比先知和義人更有福 We Are More Blessed Than Prophets and the Righteous

我們比先知和義人更有福（瑪13:10-17）

讀經切忌『斷章取義』，應該儘量全盤地研讀，以經解經，避免解錯。
耶穌基督來應驗舊約的預言（瑪5:17），但時代不同，古人沒有現代人的詞彙，很難準確地應驗百分百的細節。例如，今天《瑪竇》所引述的《依撒意亞》預言（13:14-15; 依6:9-10），給讀者的印象，是天主不願意以色列人獲得醫治，獲得罪赦！這樣理解是錯的，不但違反天主的本性，也與其他經文所啟示的真理，產生矛盾。例如「天主是愛」（若一4:8）；「因為我〔吾主上主〕不喜歡任何人喪亡」（則18:32）。

群眾來自不同背景，生活著不同程度的『心盲』，各人懷著不同的意圖和渴望…因此耶穌基督對他們只講比喻，給群眾自由選擇。有些人因為聽不懂而離去；有些人聽不到符合他們期望的道理，也會失望地離開；部份群眾聽了比喻，覺得天國原來是那麼實在，而且並不深奧，便興高采烈地走了；有些想認識更多『天國奧秘』的人，便留下跟隨耶穌，請教耶穌…這就是耶穌所說的：「因為凡有的，還要給他，使他富足；但是，凡沒有的，連他所有的，也要由他奪去」（瑪

13:12; 25:29）！其實耶穌在後來講述的『塔冷通比喻』中再次指出，每個人的天賦固然不同，但決定性的因素在於個人的抉擇（25:24-25）！所以，不是天父不願意罪人獲得赦免，而是罪人是否願意回心轉意，尋求與主與人修和！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，在《瑪竇福音》，『義人』一詞出現過18次，是指『無罪、守法或天主悅納的人〔例如：亞伯爾〕』。他們的賞報是光榮的：「那時，義人要在他們父的國裡，發光如同太陽」（13:43）。不過，我們作為耶穌的門徒，比先知和義人更有福。因為耶穌解釋了『天國奧秘』給我們知道，是先知和義人沒有機會看到和聽到的。並且祂要派遣『護慰者聖神』親自教訓我們，使我們想起祂所說的一切（若14:26）。請注意，即使我們擁有比先知和義人更大的優勢，將來我們未必「發光如同太陽」。相信大家已經心領神會。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

We Are More Blessed Than Prophets and the Righteous (Matthew 13:10-17)

Quoting a piece of biblical text out of context is the worst thing we are able to do against believers. We should study the Bible as a whole, explaining scripture with scriptures so as to avoid misinterpreting the Bible.
Jesus Christ came to fulfil prophecies in the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17). But our ages are different. Ancient people did not have modern vocabulary. It is next to impossible to fulfil up to 100% of the details. For example, Matthew quotes a prophecy by Isaiah (13:14-15; Isaiah 6:9-10) which gives the readers an impression that God is reluctant to heal and to forgive the Israelites! This interpretation is categorically wrong. Not only does it go against the nature of God, but it also contradicts the truth revealed in other passages. For example, “God is love” (1 John 4:8); “For I [the Lord God] find no pleasure in the death of anyone …” (Ezekiel 18:32).

The crowd came from different backgrounds, living in different degrees of “spiritual blindness”. Each one of them harboured different intentions and desires … Therefore Jesus Christ told them parables, giving the crowd the freedom to choose. Some did not understand and left. Some did not hear the messages they anticipated and left in disappointment. Some felt that the Kingdom of Heaven was not difficult to understand and left joyfully. Some wanted to know more about the “mysteries of the Kingdom” and decided to stay and follow Jesus. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (13:12; 25:29)! In fact, Jesus spoke again later in the Parable of Talents. He points out that our talents are of course different but the definitive factor is the personal choices (25:24-25). Thus, it is not that the Father does not want to forgive. Instead, the ball is in the court of sinners. It is up to them to decide whether they are willing to repent and to seek reconciliation with the Lord and with their neighbour!

Beloved brethren, in the gospel of Matthew, “the righteous” appears 18 times to mean “the innocent, the law-abiding or those whom God looks with favour [e.g. Abel]”. Their reward is glorious, “Then, the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (13:43). However, being disciples of Jesus, we are more blessed than prophets and the righteous. It is because Jesus explains the “mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven” to us. Prophets and the righteous did not have the opportunity to see or to hear. Furthermore, Jesus will send us the “Advocate” to teach us everything and to remind us of all that He has told us (John 14:26). Pay attention! Even if we have advantages over prophets and the righteous, we may not be able to shine like the sun in the future. I am sure you understand what I mean.
God bless!

耶穌請派遣我 Jesus, Send Me

耶穌請派遣我（若20:1-2;11-18）

先教宗方濟各在2016年7月22日，把聖瑪利亞瑪達肋納的『紀念日』〔聖多瑪斯稱許她為『諸宗徒之宗徒』〕，升格為『慶日』，不覺已有十年！聖女是一位忠貞的門徒，在十字架下與聖母瑪利亞和若望宗徒，不離不棄，直到耶穌基督的遺體埋葬到墓穴。不但如此，她在第一個復活節黎明時，來到埋葬耶穌的墳墓，相信是為了給耶穌的遺體『補粉』罷！她對耶穌基督的愛慕，的確無微不至！於是天主子賞報她成為看到復活主的第一人，並差遣她向宗徒們宣告祂的升天計劃：「妳到我的弟兄那裡去，告訴他們：我升到我的父和你們的父那裡去，升到我的天主和你們的天主那裡去」（若20:17）。

雖然若望只記載瑪利亞瑪達肋納一個人在第一個復活節黎明的事蹟，但並沒有否定其他婦女的同行（20:30-31）。可是，為甚麼主耶穌派遣瑪利亞瑪達肋納，不是去宣告祂的復活，而是祂的升天計劃呢？理由非常簡單，在當時的猶太文化，即使是幾個婦女的作證，都不會被接納為真。所以當她們回報宗徒們主耶穌的遺體不知所終的時候，伯多祿與若望兩個成年男人，便須要前往墓穴查證作實（20:3-10）！預報救主升天就沒有這個作證上的困難了，因為尚未發生。事實上，在《瑪竇福音》記載的最後一刻，「…有人還心中疑惑」（瑪28:17）。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，宣講『天國奧秘』真是那麼困難嗎？我們既然沒有神職人員或傳教士的包袱，理應是十分輕鬆的。為甚麼我們要介意沒有人相信我們的宣講呢？耶穌基督派遣的標準〔倘若有的話〕，應該是對祂愛慕有多深。倘若耶穌不派遣我們，我們反而要擔心，擔心我們在天國留位了沒有，對嗎？ 聖瑪利亞瑪達肋納，為我等祈。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：copilot.microsoft.com

Jesus, Send Me (John 20:1-2; 11-18)

On July 22, 2016 the then Pope Francis elevated the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to festivity. It has already been a decade! Saint Magdalene is a faithful disciple. She stood by the cross with the BVM and the apostle John until the corpse of Jesus Christ was buried. Not only that, she was the first person to visit the tomb of Jesus before daybreak, probably to further embalm the body of Jesus! Her love of Jesus Christ goes truly down to the tiniest details. Thus the Son of God rewards her to be the first person to witness the risen Lord and to commission her to announce His Ascension plan, “Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’” (John 20:17)

Though John only mentions Mary Magdalene in the first Easter dawn, he does not deny the existence of other accompanying women (20:30-31). But why did Lord Jesus send Mary Magdalene, not to proclaim His Resurrection, but His Ascension plan? The reason is simple. The Jewish custom during that age did not accept the witness of women, however many they might be. Thus when she reported to the apostles that Jesus’ corpse was missing, Peter and John, two Jewish adults, proceeded to the tomb to verify (20:3-10)! Announcing the Ascension of the Saviour has no such difficulty because it had not yet happened! In fact, as reported in the Gospel of Matthew, at the last moment, “…, they [the eleven disciples] worshipped, but they doubted” (Matthew 28:17).

Beloved brethren! Is proclaiming the Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven really that difficult? We don’t have the burdens of clergy and missionaries. Our hearts are light. But why does nobody listening to our proclamation bother us? The criterion of Jesus Christ’s commission, if there be any, should be how much we love him. Had Jesus not sent us, we would have been worried! We should worry whether there is room reserved for us in heaven, shouldn’t we? St. Mary Magdalene. Pray for us. Amen.
God bless!

不是耶穌基督親屬的人又如何？ What Of Those Non-Family-Members of Jesus Christ?

不是耶穌基督親屬的人又如何？（瑪12:46-50）

相信各位對今天的福音選段，一定非常熟悉。耶穌基督希望恢復人類最原始，亦是最完美的人際關係。在原罪的影響下，人的視野狹窄了，只關心自身的益處。今天所見，缺乏『公德心』的行為，比比皆是！君王把天下變成了自己的私人財產，私家花園，很自然帝位只傳給長子嫡孫。上行下效，百姓亦把自己的產業，按親疏秩序遺留給有自己血統的人。耶穌基督要建立的天國，並不是這樣的，因為再沒有死亡，不用再愁如何分配遺產了！所以主耶穌要打破『血緣』關係制度，毫不含糊地說：「不拘誰遵行我在天之父的意旨，他就是我的兄弟、姊妹和母親」（瑪12:50）。在天國裡做祂的親屬，不在於任何形式的『血緣』關係〔例如『上契』、『包養』等等的誼親關係！〕，而在於有沒有遵行天父的意旨！

主耶穌後來說：「被召的人多，被選的人少」（22:14）。那麼，那些沒有成為耶穌基督親屬的人，他們的命運又如何呢？答案就在今天福音選段的三節上文（12:43-45），可惜沒有收錄在主日或平日讀經之中，今天且讓我們趁機進行默想。這三節經文上接法利塞人的自大，拒絕悔改，甚至挑戰耶穌。他們即使附了魔，憑他們自己的儀式亦足以驅逐（12:27）。結果助長了他們的自我膨脹，有恃無恐！耶穌除了表示自己比厄里亞和撒羅滿還大之餘，坦白地警告他們將會泥足深陷，不能自拔！要知道無論古今中外，附魔的個案大部份是自己招惹來的。在正常的環境下，人類有充足的所謂『正氣』保護，邪魔不能輕易入侵。驅魔成功後，理應培養出『居安思危』的態度，尋找附魔的根源，加以防範。倘若抱著有恃無恐的心態，結果只會招來「七個比牠〔之前的邪魔〕更惡的魔鬼來，進去，住在那裡；那人末後的處境就比以前的更壞了。對這邪惡的世代也必是這樣」（12:45）。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，即使邪魔的存在不容易察覺，也不用愁。因為尋求和履行天父的意旨，一點也不難。且讓我們彼此代禱，呼求『護慰者聖神』降臨輔導，幫助我們成為耶穌的真親屬。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝： copilot.microsoft.com

What Of Those Non-Family-Members of Jesus Christ? (Matthew 12:46-50)

I’m sure you’re familiar with the Gospel passage today. Jesus Christ wants to restore the original and the most nearly perfect interpersonal relationships. Under the influence of the Original Sin, our sight becomes narrow and we care only about our personal advantages. Wherever we set our sight, most people neglect the common good. Empires became possessions and private gardens of kings. The firstborns became crown princes by default. The commoners below followed suits and offspring inherited wealth in peck order. The Kingdom of Heaven which Jesus Christ wills to establish is unlike this because there is no more death. Nobody needs to worry about the distribution of inheritance! Thus Lord Jesus wants to abolish the “blood-line” institution. Without ambiguity, He says, “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50). In the Kingdom of Heaven, people relate to the Lord not through consanguinity but through doing the will of God the Father!

Later, Lord Jesus says, “Many are invited, but few are chosen” (22:14). Then, what’s the fate of those non-family-members of the Lord? The answer lies in the previous 3 verses just before text we read today. Regrettably, they do not appear in any lectionary. So, let us take the opportunity to meditate on them now. These 3 verses follow the story of the Pharisees’ refusal to repent and their challenges to Jesus. Even when they were possessed by demons, they were able to exorcise with their own rituals (12:27). Consequently, their successes fueled their inflated egos! Besides telling them that He is greater than Jonah and Solomon, Jesus warned them of their inability to save themselves! Let’s be true to ourselves. Whenever and wherever possessions happen, the victims usually invite them! Under normal circumstances, people possess sufficient integrity to shield themselves from demonic intrusions. After successful exorcisms, we should not be complacent. Instead, we should dig up the sources and find ways to contain them. If instead, when people are arrogant, self-content and over-confident, “it [the exorcised unclean spirit] goes and brings back with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they move in and dwell there; and the last condition of that person is worse than the first. Thus it will be with this evil generation” (12:45).

Beloved brethren, even if the existence of evil spirits is not easy to detect, don’t worry. It is because it is not difficult to do the will of the Father. Let us pray for each other, invoke the “Advocate” to come down to counsel us and to help us become the true family members of Jesus. Amen.
God bless!

視而不見 Look and Yet Not See

視而不見（瑪12:38-42）

法利塞人不是沒有見過耶穌行的治病驅魔神跡，例如一個附魔的啞巴，耶穌驅逐啞巴身上的魔鬼後，啞巴就說出話來（瑪9:33）。可惜法利塞人心硬，心盲了；以至他們視而不見，強說耶穌仗賴魔王驅魔（9:34, 12:24），所以不算是神跡！在今天的福音選段中，他們要求耶穌行一個『徵兆』。這不是一個普通的神跡，而是一個符合他們規定的，『來自天上』的神跡，例如天降瑪納，足以供應60萬以色列人食用40年！他們以為這樣便可以難倒耶穌，揭穿祂的偽裝！因此，耶穌批評他們是「邪惡淫亂」的世代（12:39）。之所以是『淫亂』，是因為他們失去了對天主的『忠貞』。他們自我膨脹，信賴自己的權勢和地位，多於信靠天主。其實，我們何嘗不是好像法利塞人一樣，或多或少也習染了他們的思維，信賴自己辛苦經營得來的現世成就，多於信靠天主嗎？

尼尼微是亞述帝國的首都，天主曾借助亞述帝國懲戒北國以色列，讓他們亡國悔改。法利塞人當然知道這段沉痛的歷史，因為南國猶大重蹈覆轍，亡國給巴比倫帝國。法利塞人亦在這個亡國時期，應運而生，成為猶太人的精神領袖！到了耶穌時代，他們被名利充昏了頭腦，抗拒耶穌基督的教導，並挑戰祂的權威！耶穌便借約納先知的故事和舍巴女王的事蹟，提醒法利塞人「這裡有一位大於約納/撒羅滿的」（12:41-42）。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，天主子降生成人，以默西亞身份來滿全法律與先知（5:17）。我們接受嗎？抑或我們要求天父滿足我們特定的要求，我們才去信從耶穌基督呢？求天主聖神助祐我們吧，溶化我們的驕傲自大，學習耶穌的良善心謙，背起自己的十字架跟隨基督吧！亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝： gemini.google.com

Look and Yet Not See (Matthew 12:38-42)

The Pharisees had seen Jesus’ healing miracles and exorcisms, for example the healing of a mute person. When the demon was driven out, the mute person spoke (Matthew 9:33). Regrettably, the Pharisees were so stiff-necked and blind in heart that they looked and yet did not see. They said that Jesus drove out demons by the prince of demons (9:34, 12:24). Thus, it was not a miracle! In the gospel text today, they demanded a “sign” from Jesus. This “sign” was no ordinary miracle but one that met their criteria. It should be a miracle from heaven above, e.g. dropping manna from heaven to feed 600,000 Jews for 40 years! They thought that Jesus could not make it and they would debunk His claims! Thus, Jesus criticized them as an “evil and unfaithful generation” (12:39). They were “unfaithful/promiscuous” because they had lost their “chastity” towards God. Their ego was inflated. They worshipped power and status more than reliance on God. In fact, sometimes we also act like Pharisees, buy their mentality and trust in our own achievements on earth more than reliance in God!

Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. God had made use of the Assyrian Empire to conquer in order to chasten the northern kingdom of Israel to repent. Of course the Pharisees knew this painful lesson well because the southern kingdom of Judah followed the same track and was conquered by the Babylonian Kingdom. The Pharisees arose during this Babylonian Captivity and became the spiritual leaders of the Jews! In Jesus’ time, their minds were flooded with fames and benefits. They rejected Jesus’ teachings and challenged His authority! Jesus made use of the stories of Jonah and Queen Sheba to remind the Pharisees that “there is something greater than Jonah/Solomon here” (12:41-42).

Beloved brethren! The Son of God incarnates to fulfil the Law and the Prophets in the role of the Messiah (5:17). Do we accept? Or do we believe in Jesus Christ only after the Father fulfils our demands? Pray to the Holy Spirit to melt our pride and our ego so that we are able to learn from the humility of Jesus and to carry our crosses to follow Christ. Amen.
God bless!

建立千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』 Building An Eternal “Fold of One Shepherd”

【一牧一棧系列（VI）】
建立千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』（若14:7-14）

綜觀有文字紀錄的5000年人類歷史，雖然已跨越了『千秋』的關口，但距離『萬世』還有很遙遠的路要走！畢竟，帝國此起彼落，改朝換代只不過是『大江東去浪淘盡』的常態。當今世上，最有機會達到『千秋萬世』的國度，恐怕只有由信仰耶穌基督而獲得救恩的『天主子民』所組成的『教會』了。理由很簡單，耶穌基督是天主子，與聖父同性同體，是永生的、永遠長存的！所以祂所建立和領導的教會，是一個千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』（若10:16）。今天的福音選段，進一步肯定了我們所擔當的角色。

「我實實在在告訴你們：凡信我的，我所做的事業，他也要做，並且還要作比這些更大的事業，因為我往父那裡去」（14:12）。前半段容易理解，我們既信仰耶穌基督，奉祂為我們的主，主人所做的事業，我們當然會按照主人的吩咐，以謙卑和感激的心去做。在過程中與及完成之後，還要說：「我們是無用的僕人，我們不過做了我們應做的事」（路17:10）。感激，因為我們很榮幸有份參與建設這個萬世的基業。謙卑，因為我們的聰明才智、健康和時間都是天主恩賜的『塔冷通』。4月30日〔星期四〕的讀經不是說：「沒有僕人大過主人的，也沒有奉使的大過派遣他的」（若13:16）嗎？為甚麼我們可以「作比這些〔耶穌基督所做的〕更大的事業」（14:12）呢？

耶穌的理由很簡單直接：「因為我往父那裡去」（14:12b）。聽來有點莫名其妙，祂的升天與我們做更大的事業有甚麼因果關係呢？有！倘若耶穌仍然留在世上，有誰在天父的右邊代我們和我們奉派所做的事業轉求（羅8:34; 希7:25）呢？而且從人性角度說〔畢竟我們現在不能不用人性的角度說話〕，耶穌基督只在巴肋斯坦做了三年的福傳工作，至於我們現在，已在世界各地做了大概二千年的福傳工作。可以說，我們在時空上的努力，的確比耶穌基督所做的更大更多！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，建立千秋萬世的『一牧一棧』，的確是我們可以引以為傲的事業，因為這是最清楚不過的天主旨意。從天主的永恆角度看，我們這些事業，只不過是『滄海一粟』。只要能博得天父拈花微笑，我們已於願足矣。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- VI]
Building An Eternal “Fold of One Shepherd” (John 14:7-14)

With a 5000-year span of recorded human history, there is still tens of thousands of years ahead to scale while eternity is still beyond reach. After all, empires rise and fall. Dynasties taking turns is a norm. In the present age, the most promising institution to attain eternity is the Church, the People of God, an assembly of the redeemed coming together through a belief in Jesus Christ. The reason is simple. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father, is eternal and exists forever! The Church which He establishes and leads is an eternal “Fold of One Shepherd” (John 10:16). The gospel passage today affirms the role we play in this salvation project.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (14:12). The first half is easy to understand. Since we believe in Jesus Christ and make Him our Master. As servants, we will do with humility and gratitude what the Master tells us to do. In and after the accomplishing the tasks, we should say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do” (Luke 17:10). With gratitude because we are honoured to take part in this eternal project. With humility because our talents, health and time are God’s gifts. In the gospel reading on April 30, Thursday, it reads, “No slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16). Why are we able to “do greater ones than these” (14:12)?

Jesus’ reason is simple and direct, “Because I am going to the Father” (14:12b). It sounds mind-boggling. What has His Ascension to do with our doing greater things? It is indeed highly related. Had Jesus remained on earth, who would have interceded for us and our projects on the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25)? Moreover, from the human perspective, after all, we cannot but speak from the human perspective, Jesus Christ had only preached for three years in Palestinian region. As for us now, we have evangelized for about two millennia. We can say, the work we have done in space and time are really greater and more than the works of Jesus Christ!

Beloved brethren! Building up the eternal “Fold of One Shepherd” is a project we can be proud of because without doubt, this is the will of God. From the eternal perspective of God, our project is only a grain of sand in the ocean. Have we been able to make the heavenly Father gaze and smile, we would be contented. Amen.
God bless!

『修和聖事』可以寬恕踐踏耶穌的罪嗎？ Can Confession Absolve Stomping on Jesus?

【一牧一棧系列（V）】
『修和聖事』可以寬恕踐踏耶穌的罪嗎？（若14:1-6）

昨天默想過選擇性地聽從耶穌的訓誨，有如『舉腳踢耶穌』（若13:18b）。今天讓我們默想耶穌的著名『金句』：「我是道路、真理、生命，除非經過我，誰也不能到父那裡去」（14:6），反省信耶穌的其他形式。

昨天我們已經默想過『信耶穌』不僅包括了實行祂的訓誨（13:17），並且不可以選擇性地實行（13:18b）。今天選讀的經文更指出，『除非經過耶穌，〔否則〕誰也不能到〔天〕父那裡去』。語氣聽〔看〕來非常絕對，世上沒有捷徑、其他途徑或方法，可以與天父修好，獲得永生。只有實行耶穌教導的一條路，是『不二法門』…等等！那麼，對於從沒有聽聞過耶穌的人，例如孔子、老子和釋迦牟尼…等等，天父一定會安排耶穌以外，別的途徑與他們修好，使他們也可以認識耶穌，獲得永生。先知說：「因為我〔上主〕不喜歡任何人喪亡」（則18:32）；「因為祂〔天主〕願意所有的人都得救，並得以認識真理〔耶穌基督〕」（弟前2:4）。至於那些聽過耶穌，卻選擇拒絕耶穌的，便要為自己的選擇負上倫理責任了。至於那些取巧的、言行不一的信徒，同樣也要為自己的所作所為，負上責任。

由遠藤周作同名小說改編的電影『沉默』（1971; 2016），引發我們反省信仰耶穌的其他形式。當天主看著信徒受酷刑迫害仍默不作聲，仍沒有伸出援手的時候，有些勇敢的信徒捨命殉道，有些卻為了保命而踐踏十字架苦像。他們可算是舉腳踢耶穌，踐踏耶穌的叛徒了。
為了自衛或保衛無辜者而被迫殺人，倫理和法律會減免這些人的責任。同理，在教難時基督徒被迫選擇保命，要負上倫理責任嗎？伯多祿也是為了保命而三次否認自己的師傅，與電影『沉默』中部份日本基督徒『踏繪』，有甚麼分別呢？伯多祿流芳百世，『踏繪』的基督徒在有生之年被唾棄，受良心的責備，是應得的嗎？還是另類的殉道呢？

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，對那些有意或無意踐踏了耶穌而內咎的人，我會這樣安慰他們：『耶穌是道路…要經過祂才可以到達天父那裡。倘若不踐踏祂，難道你在祂上面爬行到天父那裡嗎？』希望可以博得他們一笑，亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：copilot.microsoft.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- V]
Can Confession Absolve Stomping on Jesus? (John 14:1-6)

Yesterday when we meditated on selectively observing Jesus’ teachings, we came to the conclusion that it is equivalent to raising one’s heel against Jesus (John 13:18b). Today, let us meditate on the famous proof-text, viz. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) so as to reflect on other ways to believe in Jesus.

Yesterday we meditated that “believing in Jesus” involves not only practising His teachings (13:17), but also refraining from selectively putting His teachings into practice (13:18b). More than that, the passage today points out explicitly that “Unless through Jesus, nobody can come to the Father”. The text sounds absolute. There is no other way, no other shortcut to reconcile with the Father and attain eternal life. There is only one way and no alternative … etc. Then for those who had not heard of Jesus, such as Confucius, Lao Tsu, Siddhartha Gautama … etc., the Father must have arranged other ways, other than Jesus, to reconcile them with Him, so that they might know Jesus and attain eternal life. The prophet says, “For I find no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies” (Ezekiel 18:32). God “wills everyone to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth [i.e. Jesus Christ]” (1 Timothy 2:4). As for those who have heard of Jesus but choose to reject Him, they need to bear the moral responsibilities of their choices. As for those who do not practise what they preach, they too would be held accountable for their actions.

The movie “Silence” (1971; 2016) which was based on a Japanese novel by Shusaku Endo, sheds light on other ways to believe in Jesus. When God remained silent and did nothing in view of the tortures and persecutions suffered by Christians, some courageously embraced martyrdom while some stomped on crucifixes in order to save their skins. In most people’s eyes, those who stomped on crucifixes are traitors.

When people are forced to kill out of self-defence or defence of the innocent, their moral and legal responsibilities are diminished. Similarly, when Christians are forced to choose survival during religious persecutions, are they exempted from moral responsibilities? Peter denied his own Master three times to survive. Was there any differences between Peter and those Japanese Christians who stomped on crucifixes, the Fumi-e? Peter was canonized. Do those Christians who had stomped on crucifixes deserve other people’s despise and condemnation from their own consciences for the rest of their lives? Or is it another form of martyrdom?

Beloved brethren! To those who regret stomping on Jesus deliberately or what not, I would console them, lighten their hearts in this way, “Jesus is the way … only through Him can we come to the Father. If you do not stomp on Jesus, would you rather crawl on Him to the Father?” Amen.
God bless!

可以說一套、做一套嗎？ Do We Not Practise What We Preach?

【一牧一棧系列（IV）】
可以說一套、做一套嗎？（若13:16-20）

默想今天的讀經前，讓我們先了解上文。場景是耶穌與門徒吃『逾越節晚餐』，也就是著名的『最後晚餐』。耶穌將要離開門徒，前往擔起拯救世界的苦難。離別在即，祂為門徒洗腳〔當然包括將要出賣祂的猶達斯〕，教導他們人生最重要的一課：「若我為主子，為師傅的，給你們洗腳，你們也該彼此洗腳」（若13:14）。今天的福音選段承接上文，耶穌繼續引導門徒歸向天父。

耶穌知道自己是天父所派遣，來到世上做世人的嚮導、導師，帶領他們回歸父家（14:6）。在這個奉派的意義下，我們就會明白耶穌從前說的「我與父原是一體」（10:30）與後來說的「父比我大」（14:28b），並沒有矛盾！門徒〔當然包括我們〕有幸成為耶穌的合作者，與祂一起使「地上萬民都要因祢獲得祝福」（創12:3），但耶穌與我們始終是主僕的關係；雖然我們有幸領受『聖體聖事』，與祂合為一體，但祂始終比我們大！

耶穌應許，知道了祂的話並跟從「實行，便是有福的」（若13:17）。所以聽從耶穌的訓誨為我們極為重要，即使聽起來好像不可能做到，也不可以選擇性地聽從！祂派遣我們「彼此洗腳」（13:14），服務貧困弱小的人（瑪25:40）；派遣我們「使萬民成為門徒」（28:19），獲得祝福…等等，又有何難呢？但因著『原罪』的餘毒，我們始終都是『帶罪之身』，心有餘而力不足！原本愛德服務、傳福音…等等都是我們『戴罪立功』的好機會，但揮之不去的『私慾偏情』牽著我們的後腿，使我們愛說漂亮堂皇的話，喜歡站在道德高位指手劃腳，「自己卻不肯用一個指頭動一下」（23:4），做一些粗活！難怪主耶穌說：「如果實行，便是有福的。我不是說你們全體」（若13:17b-18a）！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，原來做耶穌的門徒，知道了祂的訓誨，卻不去實行；說一套，做一套，就是「吃過我飯的人，也舉腳踢我」（13:18b; 詠41:10）的人！舉腳踢耶穌？罪過、罪過。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：copilot.microsoft.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- IV]
Do We Not Practise What We Preach? (John 13:16-20)

Before we meditate the gospel passage today, let us know the context first. Jesus was eating the Paschal Meal with His disciples, the famous “Last Supper”. Jesus was leaving them to shoulder the Passion of the salvation of the world. The departure was imminent. He washed the feet of the disciples, of course including Judas who was going to betray Him. He taught them the most important lesson in life, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The gospel passage today picks up where it left off and Jesus continued to lead the disciples towards the Father.

Jesus knows that He is the guide and teacher sent by the Father to the world to bring humanity home (14:6). From this perspective, we understand that there is no contradiction between the two statements Jesus made, namely “The Father and I are one” (10:30) and later “The Father is greater than I” (14:28b). The disciples, of course including us, are honoured to work with Jesus in whom “All the families of the earth will find blessing” (Genesis 12:3). But after all, our relationship with Jesus is one of master and servants. Although we are blessed to receive the Holy Communion and become one in Him, He is greater than us!

Jesus promises that if we understand His word and do it, we are blessed (John 13:17). Therefore listening and observing Jesus’ teachings are extremely important for us. Even if His teachings sound impossible to do, we should not practise them selectively! He sends us “to wash one another’s feet” (13:14); to serve the poor and needy (Matthew 25:40); to make disciples of all nations (28:19) and be blessed … etc. What’s the difficulty? But due to the damages the Original Sin inflicted on us, our bodies carry the stints. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Charitable services, evangelization … etc. are in fact good opportunities to obtain our spoils and rewards, but our concupiscence keeps pulling our hind legs. We loves to speak high-sounding words, to stand on high moral grounds to point our fingers at others, but “will not lift a finger to move them [heavy burdens]” (23:4)! No wonder Lord Jesus says, “Blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you” (John 13:17b-18a)!

Beloved brethren! Being Jesus’ disciples, knowing His teachings but failing to observe them; i.e. do not practise what we preach, we are “The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me” (13:18b, Psalms 41:10). Raising our heels against Jesus? Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!
God bless!

人有自由放棄『永生』 Men are Free to Decline “Eternal Life”

【一牧一棧系列（III）】
人有自由放棄『永生』（若12:44-50）

『永生』一詞，在《若望福音》出現過17次。第一次在耶穌與尼苛德摩對話結束時，耶穌說：「正如梅瑟曾在曠野裡高舉了蛇，人子也應照樣被舉起來，使凡信的人，在祂內得永生」（若3:14-15）。這是耶穌第一次預言自己要如何受難而說的，相信比在斐理伯的凱撒勒雅向門徒預言受難復活還要早（瑪16:21）。雖然沒有提及『復活』，但訊息非常清楚，就是『永生』。接著，若望寫下後世基督新教經常引述的金句：「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不致滅亡，反得永生」（若3:16）。

在《新約》27本書裡，『永生』一詞在其中13本出現過50次。《若望福音》以外的12本書，『永生』一詞出現最多不超過5次，惟獨《若望福音》17次，可見『永生』是若望宗徒經過千錘百鍊得來的福音精髓！究竟『永生』是甚麼意思呢？是『不死』嗎？不是，在耶穌復活拉匝祿的神跡中，祂已經否定了這樣理解『永生』（11:37）。事實上，復活後的拉匝祿仍要再死，否則今天我們便有一個差不多2000歲的，耶穌所愛的朋友（11:3），正在為耶穌作見證，有誰還可以拒絕信耶穌呢？

倘若『永生』不是『不死』，那又是甚麼呢？後來在最後晚餐，耶穌以『新約大司祭』的身份向天父祈禱時說：「永生就是：認識祢，惟一的真天主，和祢所派遣來的耶穌基督」（17:3）！這樣，耶穌清楚明白地指出，認識耶穌基督，並藉著祂而認識天父（14:6），便得以享受/分享上主天主永恆的生命！所以耶穌在今天的福音選段裡說：「無論誰，若聽了我的話而不遵行，我不審判他，因為我不是為審判世界而來，乃是為拯救世界」（12:47; 3:17）。

親愛的兄弟姊妹，耶穌無意審判世人，分別送他們往天堂或者地獄。天主是自由的，因此天主按自己肖像所造的人類（創1:26）也享有自主自由。天主不會做自相矛盾的事，所以祂尊重人類的『選擇自由』，這是人類負有倫理責任的基礎。耶穌向世人宣講『永生』，宣講祂自己就是『永生』（若5:26; 6:35; 11:25; 14:6; 17:3），接受的人便得享『永生』；拒絕的人，自己選擇與『永生』絕緣，與人無尤。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- III]
Men are Free to Decline “Eternal Life” (John 12:44-50)

“Eternal Life” appears 17 times in the Gospel of John. It first appears at the end of the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus. Jesus says, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). This was the first time Jesus spoke of His Passion, earlier than His prediction of the Passion in Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:21). Although “resurrection” was not mention, the message of “eternal life” is explicit. Then John wrote the proof-text which Protestants often quote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Among the 27 books in the New Testament, “eternal life” appears 50 times in 13 books. It appears no more than 5 times in the other 12 books. John alone wrote 17 times, indicating that “eternal life” is the essence of the gospel message. Then, what does “eternal life” actually mean? Does it mean “immortality”? No. Jesus rejected this understanding in the miracle of raising Lazarus (11:37). In fact, Lazarus finally died. Otherwise, we would now have a 2000-year-old Jesus’ friend whom Jesus loved (11:3), bearing witness for Jesus. Who could refuse to believe in Jesus?

If “eternal life” is NOT immortality, then what is it? Later in the Last Supper, Jesus prayed to the Father in the capacity of the “High Priest of the New Testament”, saying “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ” (17:3)! Thus, Jesus has explicitly pointed out that whoever knows Him and through Him knows the Father (14:6), is able to enjoy/partake in the eternal life of the Lord God! Hence, in the gospel passage today, Jesus says, “And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world” (12:47; 3:17).

Beloved brethren! Jesus has no intention to judge humanity and sends them to heaven or hell accordingly. God is free. Therefore, humanity whom God created in His image (Genesis 1:26) is entitled to autonomy. God does not contradict Himself. Thus, He respects the autonomy of humanity. This is the foundation of the accountability and moral responsibility of our decisions and actions. Jesus proclaims “eternal life” to humanity, declaring that He himself is “eternal life” (John 5:26; 6:35; 11:25; 14:6; 17:3). Whoever accepts Jesus enjoys eternal life. Whoever rejects chooses to cut himself off “eternal life”. They only have themselves to blame. Amen.
God bless!

如何變成『不是主的羊』？ How To Become “Not His Sheep”

【一牧一棧系列（II）】
如何變成『不是主的羊』？（若10:22-30）

相信很多讀者一定喜歡唱《我是主的羊》（頌恩275首），它除了旋律輕快外，唱起來感覺良好！但大家可有想過，自己會變成『不是主的羊』嗎？我不是指教難當前，大家在迫害和酷刑下背教。領洗時所領受的聖油，已為我們打上了不滅的印記（格後1:22）。雖然紋身可以用鐳射磨滅，但聖神的印記，不是宗教迫害或者政治迫害可以磨滅的。既然如此，我們怎可能會變成『不是主的羊』呢？

今天的福音選段，給了我們一點端倪。時間是『重建節』（若10:22），猶太人慶祝當年在瑪加伯兄弟領導下，推翻了褻瀆聖殿，禁制猶太教的希臘統治者，光復聖殿，重新祝聖祭壇（加上4）。福音中的猶太人，在『重建節』期間於聖殿追問耶穌是否他們所期待的默西亞，很明顯他們渴望耶穌好像當年的瑪加伯一樣，領導他們擺脫羅馬帝國的統治！不過，推翻羅馬帝國的殖民統治，並不符合天父的旨意。所以耶穌說：「你們不是屬於我的羊」（若10:26b），因為他們不聽耶穌的聲音，也不跟隨祂（10:27）。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，天父是慈悲的，祂「願意所有的人都得救，並得以認識真理〔即耶穌基督〕」（弟前2:4）。即使當時這些猶太人不是屬於主耶穌的羊，他日他們會屬於基督君王，也未可知。事實上，主耶穌的第一代門徒，全部都是猶太人。但前車可鑒，即使在血統上是亞巴郎的後裔，宗教上是虔誠，甚至狂熱的猶太教徒，即使是羊，也未必是屬於主的羊！關鍵在於是否聽耶穌基督的聲音，步武祂的芳表！在那裡可以聽到耶穌的聲音呢？聖葉理諾〔聖熱羅尼莫〕曾留下名句：『不認識聖經，就不認識基督。』所以，勤讀聖經吧，我們可以認識祂，繼而跟隨祂了，以免變成了『不是主的羊』。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- II]
How To Become “Not His Sheep” (John 10:22-30)

I trust many of you must enjoy the hymn “His Sheep Am I” written by Orient Johnson. The melody is sweet and feels good! But have you ever thought of your becoming “not His sheep”? I am not talking about religious persecutions in which we are forced and tortured to renounce Jesus. The chrism we received in Baptism banded an inerasable seal upon us (2 Corinthians 1:22). Tattoos on our flesh can be erased with laser but religious and political persecutions are unable to erase the seal of the Holy Spirit. Then, how can we become “not His sheep”?

The gospel passage today may give us some clues. The time was the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22) when the Jews commemorated the rededication of the Second Temple and her altar in Jerusalem after the Maccabees brothers had led the people to shake off the sacrilegious Seleucid oppression (1 Maccabees 4). In the gospel, the Jews pressed Jesus at this same Feast of Dedication to clarify whether He was their long anticipated Messiah. Obviously, they wanted Jesus to lead them shaking off the colonial rule of the Roman Empire, like what the Maccabees had done before! But overthrowing the colonial rule of the Roman Empire was not the Father’s will. So Jesus said, “You are not among my sheep” (John 10:26b) because those Jews did not hear His voice and did not follow Him (10:27).

Beloved brethren! The Father is merciful. He “wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth [i.e. Jesus Christ]” (1 Timothy 2:4). Even though at that time those Jews did not belong to Lord Jesus, it is possible that some day they shall belong to Christ the King. In fact, Jesus’ first generation disciples were all Jews. We should learn from their history. Even though they were Abraham’s offspring by blood; pious to the point of being zealous, they might not necessarily belong to the flock of the Lord! The key is whether they hear Christ’s voice and follow His exemplar! Where can we hear Jesus’ voice? St. Jerome said well, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ”. Thus, study the Scriptures diligently so that we may know Him and follow Him. Otherwise, we will become “Not His Sheep”. Amen.
God bless!

『一牧一棧』可以實現嗎？ Is “One Shepherd One Fold” Possible?

【一牧一棧系列（I）】
『一牧一棧』可以實現嗎？（若10:11-18）

「人單獨不好」（創2:18），有群居的需要。且看今天發達國家所面對的，不是物質缺乏的問題，而是人口老化，獨居長者沒有人陪伴和照顧的問題！群居的團體自然會產生領導階層，他們便是百姓/下屬的牧者了。今天的福音指出兩種領導人的心態：『牧人心態』和『傭工心態』。有多少公務員，世俗的和教會內的，抱著『牧人』的心態服務，或者『傭工』的心態，出糧糊口呢？

我們沒有資格批評世俗的公務員，但在今天的福音選段中，耶穌基督很清楚地向教會的公務員提出了一個願景：「我還有別的羊，不屬於這一棧，我也該把他們引來，他們要聽我的聲音，這樣，將只有一個羊群，一個牧人」（若10:16）。天主子已經為羊捨掉自己的性命（10:15），餘下未完成的任務，由教會的公務員領導天主子民去完成，這是理所常然的，還有更合適的人選嗎？

很明顯這個使命是宏大而長遠，所以有必要把它化整為零，按緩急先後處理。今天的默想只能局限在辨別『別的羊』是指甚麼？是指天主子沒有為他們捨掉性命的人嗎？不是！因為天主子是為古今中外全人類捨掉性命的，祂所建立的教會是『至公』的。

『別的羊』是指『不聽我的聲音』，即沒有任何宗教信仰的『無神論者』嗎？不只是『無神論者』，因為『無神論者』的定義太含糊了。在羅馬帝國時代，基督徒不向帝國供奉的神明獻祭，也被稱為『無神論者』！所以與『無神論者』合作謀求世人的福祉時，要以開放的懷襟聆聽。

『別的羊』是指信仰其他宗教的信徒嗎？他們信奉自己宗教的教條，遵守自己的規矩，算是『不聽我的聲音』嗎？也不一定，因為其他宗教信仰的教條，有不少與主耶穌的教訓是不謀而合，合符真理的。所以與他們分享交流的時候，要保持一份對他們的文化和貢獻的尊重。

那麼，『別的羊』是指分裂了的基督宗派嗎？我們不能排除這個可能性，因為目前的分裂是歷史遺留下來的包袱，有待我們以兄弟情誼謀求合一！
各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，實現『一牧一棧』並不是我們獨力擔當的，我們的善牧，必定會在有需要時，派遣祂的聖神，出手相助。放心大膽地祈求吧。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

[One Shepherd One Fold Series --- I]
Is “One Shepherd One Fold” Possible? (John 10:11-18)

“It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Human beings have social needs to meet. Take a look at the problems which developed countries are facing today. Those are not problems of scarcity of resources, but ageing problems which senior citizens living alone have nobody to accompany and to care for! A leading class will evolve in communities. This class becomes the shepherds of the commoners and subordinates. In the gospel reading today, we find two different mentalities of leaders: “shepherds” vs. “hired men”. How many civil servants, secular and ecclesiastical, serve as “shepherds” or as “hired men” to get paid?

We are not qualified to criticize secular civil servants but the gospel reading today leaves no ambiguity what Jesus’s vision is, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). The Son of God has laid down His life for the sheep (10:15), it is most appropriate for the ecclesiastical civil servants to lead the People of God to finish the remaining tasks. Who else if not they?

Obviously, the mission is broad in scope and takes a long time to accomplish. We need to divide and conquer into priorities. In today’s meditation, let us narrow down to discerning who the “other sheep” are. Are they people for whom the Son of God has not laid down His life? No! The Son of God has laid down His life for all humanity in the past, present and the future. The Church He built is Catholic.

Do “other sheep” mean those “who do not hear my voice”, namely “atheists”? Not only “atheists” because the label is ambiguous. In the Roman Empire, Christians refused to offer sacrifices to idols the Empire worshipped and they were regarded “atheists”! Thus, when we work with “atheists” to promote human welfare, we should listen with an open heart.

Do “other sheep” mean “believers of other religions”? They have their articles of faith and observe their own precepts and traditions. Can we count them as people “who do not hear my voice”? Not necessarily because the teachings embedded in many of their articles of faith coincide with Lord Jesus’ teachings and are consistent with the Truth. So, when we share and exchange, we need to maintain a respect towards their cultures and contributions.

Then are they our separated brothers? We cannot eliminate this possibility because the present separation is an inherited historical burden which we need to work in fraternity towards communion!
Beloved brethren! To actualize the vision of “One Shepherd One Fold” cannot be accomplished alone. Our Good Shepherd will send His Holy Spirit to help us in time of needs. Let us pray boldly for it.
God bless!

作息有時 A Time To Labour, A Time To Rest

二月七日
《希望的傳承者系列 VI》
主題：作息有時（谷6:30-34）

任何工程，必須在人力、物流及管理上，有條理地規劃。否則半途而廢，貽笑大方（路14:28-30）。作為「希望的傳承者」，我們又豈能例外呢？否則我們便會後勁不繼，功虧一簣。

上文提到，耶穌派遣十二宗徒，兩人一組在加里肋亞地區傳福音（谷6:7），重燃猶太人對天主救援的希望。他們完成任務後，回來向耶穌作出彙報。宗徒們是我們的榜樣，他們示範了作為「希望的傳承者」應有的行動模式。我們應當建立一個良好的習慣，每天省察，包括「良心省察」和「意識省察」。簡單地說，我們應該每天祈禱，「將所作所教的一切，都報告給耶穌」（6:30）！在這裡，我只能假設大家每天的祈禱，是私人的祈禱，而不是好像宗徒一樣，是團體的祈禱。我們不必強求每天參加團體祈禱，因為大家的生活處境不同。只要我們能保持著每天祈禱，那就好了！

主耶穌豈會不知道我們所作所教的一切呢？其實祂希望我們停下來，稍作休息（6:31; 瑪11:28），跟祂學習（11:29），讓祂調校我們的步伐。所謂「欲速則不達」，雄心勃勃是我們的通病。長此下去，我們便會油盡燈枯；沒有從主耶穌身上吸取靈感和教訓，我們不久便會江郎才盡。

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，作為「希望的傳承者」，不祈禱休息，不與主密談，便會一事無成，我們怎能不嚴肅對待，作息有時呢？
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：grok.com

[Messengers of Hope Series VI]
Theme: A Time To Labour, A Time To Rest (Mark 6:30-34)

All projects rely on systematic planning to allocate labour, logistics and accountabilities. Otherwise, they will halt half-way and become a laughingstock (Luke 14:28-30). As “Messengers of Hope”, how can we be exempted? Otherwise, we will burnout quickly and leave the project half-done.

Previously, Jesus sent the Twelve, two-by-two to preach the gospel in the region of Galilee (Mark 6:7) to rekindle the Jews’ hope in the salvation of God. After the completion of their mission, the Twelve returned and reported to Jesus. The Twelve are our exemplars. They demonstrate the modus operandi of “Messengers of Hope”. We should build up a good habit of daily examination, including both “examination of conscience” and “examination of consciousness”. Simply put, like the Apostles, we should pray daily, “report all they had done and taught” (6:30) to Jesus. Here I assume your daily prayers are private prayers, unlike the Apostles’ which were community prayers. It is not necessary to force community prayers onto ourselves because our stations of life are different. It is good enough to keep praying every day!

How can Jesus not know what we have done and taught? In fact, He wants us to go to Him and rest a while (6:31; Matthew 11:28), learn from Him (11:29), let Him adjust our paces. As the aphorism goes, “more haste more waste”. Most of us are too ambitious. Such an MO is unsustainable. We will soon burnout. If we do not draw inspirations and teachings from Lord Jesus, we will dry up soon.

Beloved brethren! As “Messengers of Hope”, we will achieve nothing if we do not pray, rest and talk to the Lord. We cannot afford to be complacent. There is a time to labour and a time to rest.
God bless!

沉默的大多數 The Silent Majority

二月六日
《希望的傳承者系列 V》
主題：沉默的大多數（谷6:14-29）

今天教會紀念在日本發生教難時的殉道者，他們的事跡並不驚天地、泣鬼神，而是見證了信徒如何面對天主的沉默。他們的見證，的確可歌可泣。二十世紀有作家把這些事跡編寫成小說，後來更拍成電影，進入觀眾心靈的深處。電影拍得頗為沉重，令人不期然問：「天主，祢還在嗎？為甚麼祢看見我們受苦，仍然袖手旁觀呢？」的確，面對有系統的迫害時，信徒沒有選擇的餘地，只好效法耶穌的沉默，堅忍地靜待天主的拯救。

可能自知劫數難逃吧，自始至終，若翰洗者並沒有選擇沉默。他被捕後仍然不停大聲疾呼，希望能喚醒黑落德安提帕的良心（谷6:20），好能迎接天主的受傅者，通過祂回歸天父的家鄉。這是若翰洗者的「望德」，一點也不是為自己的利益，是近乎「愛德」的「望德」！人類是有理性的個體，為了理想，連性命也可以捨棄，真是名副其實的「天主的肖像」（創1:26）！

但人類歷史畢竟是現實的，大奸大惡，滿手無辜者鮮血的人，遺臭萬年；藉著「立德、立功、立言」的人，成為萬世師表，名垂青史，在世人心目中成為楷模！至於那些「沉默的大多數」，他們的名字不會在史書上出現，當權者亦不加理會，直到他們發聲為止… 但願本文付梓之日，天主已妥善處理好伊朗的示威了！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，每個「天主的肖像」都是獨特的，所以不能強求劃一的殉道方式。作為「沉默的大多數」，讓我們依恃聖神，忍耐地為上主天主的美善作見證。「不呼喊，不喧嚷，在街市上也聽不到他的聲音」（依42:2），謙遜地做「上主僕人」，做「希望的傳承者」。我們的名字已寫在「生命冊」上了（斐4:3）。亞孟。
天主保祐！

---

生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：1971年電影《沉默》截圖

[Messengers of Hope Series V]
Theme: The Silent Majority (Mark 6:14-29)

Today the Church celebrates the Japanese martyrs whose stories might not be earth-shaking. Rather they bear witness to how disciples should stand during the silence of God. Their stories worth praising with psalms and songs. In the 20th century, a Japanese novelist wrote about them. The novel has been made into movies to enter into the psyche of the movie-goers. The movies are heavy. People naturally ask, “God, are you still here? Why don’t you help us when you see us suffer?” Indeed, standing before systematic persecutions, believers have no choice but to follow the example of Jesus’ silence, waiting patiently and steadfastly for God’s salvation.

Probably anticipating martyrdom, John the Baptist did not choose to remain silent. After being arrested, he continued to shout and yell, hoping to awake Herod Antipas’ conscience (Mark 6:20); to receive God’s Messiah through whom he would return to the Father. This was the Baptist’s hope which did no good to his own benefit, a hope nearly indistinguishable from charity! Human beings are rational and yet are willing to lay down their lives for some ideals and values. They are genuinely God’s image (Genesis 1:26)!

After all, human history is realistic. Historians record evil people whose hands were soaked with blood of the innocent. Historians also put into writing those exemplars whose virtues, legacies and philosophies build up our civilizations. As for the “silent majority”, their names will not appear in history books. People in power will ignore them until they start roaring … Pray that when this post goes public, God has already settled the protests in Iran.

Beloved brethren! Every “image of God” is unique. There is no standard way to suffer martyrdom. As members of the “silent majority”, let us rely on the Holy Spirit to bear witness patiently for the beauty and mercy of the Lord God. “He will not cry out, nor shout, nor make his voice heard in the street” (Isaiah 42:2). Let us be “Servants of the Lord”, be “Messengers of Hope” so that our “names are in the book of Life” (Philippians 4:3). Amen.
God bless!