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

---

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

---

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

---

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!

我們成為生命之糧 We Become Bread of Life

Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Year A
Theme: We Become Bread of Life

Brethren, how are you? How did you spend the days during this pandemic? Has this pandemic affected your livelihood such that you earn less money? Have you lost your job, or any relatives, friends or even family members? But the most important of all, have you lost contact with God?
Against my will, I was labelled "high-risk" because among the early deaths of this pandemic in Hong Kong, two were diabetics. For the sake of my family, I had to undergo a self-imposed quarantine. This means, I went outdoors twice a week only to handle necessary business and meet people. I don't know whether I am an invisible virus carrier or not. For the sake of Christian charity, I had to suspend my prison visits and limited myself to delivering the Sunday Examiner to inmates at the main gate of the prisons only. I discover that "out of sight, out of mind" is not true. The more I cannot meet the people, the more I miss them. The case of prison inmates is more meaningful because during the self-imposed quarantine, I understood better what it feels to lose one's freedom! Like many of them, I have more solitary time to bring to mind my Lord and my God.
One day I met a friend of mine who is very intuitive and she told me that I was as excited as an inmate discharged from hospitals or prisons. Suddenly, I realized that Jesus Christ was "imprisoned" in the Tabernacle as well. How happy and excited it would be for Him to be received by us and carried by us to the world outside!

Compared with the teachings of Jesus, Moses' are milder and more easily acceptable. For example, in the first reading today, instead of telling people to eat him like Jesus did, Moses says, "He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to you and your ancestors, so you might know that it is not by bread alone that people live, but by all that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3) In itself, this teaching is excellent because Jesus made use of it to fight back the first temptation of Satan in the wilderness. Times and again we too fall into the temptation of doubting the love of God and complain like the Israelites in the wilderness! "God, you drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden because You were afraid that they would eat from the tree of life and live forever (Genesis 3:22). You don't love us!" or "God, You are love (1 John 4:8). How can You allow us be afflicted with hunger, sickness, pandemic and sufferings?" etc. Moses reminds us that for our good, for a better goodness of many people, God allows us to suffer so that we who have gone astray might repent and return to God. Not only do we live by bread to nourish our bodies, but we also live by the Word of God to nourish our souls. Very often, we are too busy earning our bread and have forgotten the needs of our souls. Moses's teachings are easier to understand and follow. What about Jesus' teachings?

Don't blame the Jews. Even for us modern people, cannibalism is an offensive idea! In fact, Jesus' teachings, as always have been, are very revolutionary and more difficult to accept. Just think about the Beatitudes: blessed are the poor, the mournful, the meek, when you are persecuted, turn your other cheek to the evil people and love your enemies etc. Perhaps you may think that Jesus does not mean them to be accepted literally. They are just hyperboles, just to make an impression! Come on. What is Jesus? Jesus is our God. Of course He means what He says! How can we accept His teachings selectively, taking those we accept and rejecting those we find hard to swallow?

But Jesus is very considerate and He understands our weaknesses and inadequacy. Therefore, during the Last Supper, He consecrated bread and wine into His Body and Blood to make it easier for us to eat His Body and drink His blood in order to have eternal life (John 6:54). Therefore, out of love, God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden to prevent them from eating from the tree of life and live forever because God did not want them to lead a miserable life of darkness, of the ignorance of God's love forever. Now that all of us have free access to the Sacrament of Eucharist and eternal life, therefore, it is wrong to doubt God's love for us.

What else did Jesus say? He says, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (6:56) In short, after receiving the Holy Communion, we carry Jesus within us. We carry Him around wherever we go. We become, in short, walking Tabernacles in the community. Not just Tabernacles, but we become Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Christ always prays. We too should always find time to pray to the Father. Jesus Christ teaches the ignorant. We too should teach the ignorant and help them know that the Father loves them. Jesus Christ forgives those who crucified Him. We too should forgive those who make us suffer to help them reconcile with God. Jesus heals the sick and tells us to take care of the sick (Matthew 25:36). Jesus drives out demons which take away our freedom. Shall we not fight against all sorts of human bondages such as pornography, gambling, drug abuses and domestic violence etc.? In doing so, we are obeying the new commandment Jesus gave us during the Last Supper, "I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34)

Brethren, on this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, let us celebrate how merciful the Father is and how much Jesus Christ loves us. Let us receive Him with a humble heart and carry Him around in the community to bring blessings to the people we encounter.
God bless!

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：http://en.abouna.org

---

聖體聖血節，甲年
主題：我們成為生命之糧

各位兄弟姊妹，大家好嗎？各位怎樣度過疫情下的日子呢？疫情有沒有影響到你們的生計？你們有失業，或者失去親朋或至家人嗎？但最重要的，大家有沒有失去了天主的聯絡呢？
在香港，疫症爆發初期，死於新型肺炎的其中兩名患者是糖尿病人。結果我被列入「高危」一族！為了減少家人的擔憂，我惟有進行自我隔離，每星期祇出門兩天，處理必要的事務和接觸人。我不知道自己是不是「隱形」的帶病毒者，出於基督徒的愛德，惟有停止探監的工作，每星期祇能在監獄大閘遞送《公教報》給囚友。我漸漸明白「一日不見，如隔三秋」的道理，並不誇張。愈見不了面，心裡愈掛念他們。在這自我隔離的情況下，心中更明瞭失去自由的滋味！和他們相似，我有更多獨處的時間，與我的主天主相聚。
有一天，一位很直覺的朋友告訴我，我的興奮有如放監一樣。忽然，我意識到耶穌基督其實是「被囚禁」在聖體櫃內。我們領受聖體，並帶著祂走出外面的世界時，耶穌基督是何等興奮和喜樂！

與耶穌的教訓相比，梅瑟的教訓溫柔得多，容易接受得多。例如，在今天的第一篇讀經中，梅瑟並不像耶穌那樣生硬，告訴人吃他的肉。梅瑟說：「祂磨難了你，使你感到饑餓，卻以你和你祖先所不認識的『瑪納』養育了你，叫你知道人生活不但靠食物，而且也靠上主口中所發的一切言語生活。」（申8:3）這教訓是超卓的，因為連耶穌也引用它來對抗魔鬼在曠野中的第一個試探！我們好像以色列人在曠野裡一樣，經常懷疑天主對我們的愛，並經常投訴！「天主，祢把原祖父母趕出樂園，因為祢怕他們吃了生命樹上的果子，活到永遠。祢不愛我們！」或者，「天主，祢既然是愛（若一4:8），祢怎可以磨難我們，讓我們感到饑餓，染病和受痛苦呢？」等等… 梅瑟提醒我們，為了我們的益處，或者為了很多人更大的好處，天主容許我們受苦，使誤入歧途的人類，可以回頭悔改。我們不但依賴食物滋養我們的身體，也要倚靠天主的說話，滋潤我們的靈魂。很多時候，我們忙於賺錢，忘記了我們靈魂上的需要。梅瑟教訓比較容易明白，容易跟從。耶穌的教訓呢？

不要怪責猶太人，即使現代人對「食人肉」同樣嘔心！事實上，耶穌的教訓，很多都是很革命性，很難接受的。試想想「山中聖訓」的教導：貧窮的人是有福的、哀慟的、溫良的、受迫害的等是有福的；把你另一面也轉給惡人打，愛你們的仇人等。或者你以為耶穌的心意，不須要你按字面的意思做；耶穌祇是語出驚人，留下深刻印象而已！拜託！耶穌是誰？耶穌是我們的天主，祂的說話當然是認真的！我們豈可選擇性地實行祂的教訓，按我們能接受的去做，難接受的就掉在一邊呢？

可幸耶穌是非常體諒，祂明白我們的軟弱不足。因此，祂在最後晚餐時，祝聖了麵餅和葡萄酒，使它們成為了祂的體血，讓我們容易地吃祂的肉，喝祂的血，獲得永生（若6:54）。因此，天主出於愛，把原祖父母趕出伊甸園，因為天主不願意他們永遠生活在悲慘的黑暗世界中，對天主的愛一無所知！現在我們可以自由地領受聖體聖事，獲得永生。因此，懷疑天主對我們的愛，真是大錯特錯。

除了這些永生言論之外，耶穌還說了些甚麼？祂說：「誰吃我的肉，並喝我的血，便住在我內，我也住在他內。」（6:56）一言以蔽之，領聖體後，我們負載著耶穌，無論在何處，我們總帶著祂。我們變成了流動聖體櫃。不單是聖體櫃，我們更成為了耶穌基督自己。耶穌基督經常祈禱，我們也應該經常向天父禱告；耶穌基督教導無知的人，我們也應教訓愚蒙，幫助他們認識天父是愛他們的；耶穌基督寬恕釘死祂的人，我們也應寬恕傷害我們的人，幫助他們與天主修和；耶穌治好病人，並吩咐我們照顧病人（瑪25:36）；耶穌驅逐那些奪去我們自由的邪魔，我們豈不應該打擊色情、賭博、濫藥和家暴等人性的束縛嗎？我們這樣做，是履行耶穌在最後晚餐給予我們的新誡命：「我給你們一條新命令：你們該彼此相愛，如同我愛了你們。」（若13:34）

各位兄弟姊妹，在這聖體聖血節，讓我們慶祝天父對我們是何等慈悲，耶穌基督是怎樣愛了我們。讓我們以謙卑的心領受祂，把祂帶進社區，帶給我們所接觸的人祝福。
天主保祐！

天主是愛 God is Love

聖三主日，甲年
主題：天主是愛

當我們接觸到新的事物時，我們會產生好奇心，不禁會問這是從那裡來的。即使是熟悉的事物，當我們得不到滿意的說明時，我們會尋根究底，直到心安理得為止。「人從那裡來」就是其中一個這樣既熟悉，又得不到滿意說明的問題。歷史上有一段很長的時間，人民接受權威的解釋：是女媧用泥塑造的；或者是天主用塵土造的。後來，自然科學從不同角度解釋：是從父母的精子和卵子結合而來的，是從大猩猩進化來的…人們暫時接受自然科學的解釋，拋棄了神話和宗教的解釋。但問題並未得到滿意的解決！
科學講求證據，即使是廣為接受的「進化論」，仍然祇是一種理論，還未能達到定律的地位，因為當中有很多關鍵性的，連貫性的證據，還未找到。所以訓練有素的科學家，不會輕率地用這理論來否定天主創造的宗教觀點。另一方面，在人權和自由抬頭的現代社會，講求人性尊嚴。倘若人是由變形蟲進化到大猩猩，到智人，到今天的人類，試問我們憑甚麼來追求人權和自由呢？倘若我們認為宗教是人民的鴉片，貶低了人性的尊嚴，看來科學所做到的，比宗教更差，殺傷力更大。注意，執事也是讀理科出身的，絕不反對科學；但執事並不迷信科學，明白信仰與科學，各司其職，相輔相承。在歷史上，把宗教與科學對立是近代的政治手段，絕不是真理。

天主教的信仰是很理性的，絕不迷信。
「天主是愛」（若一4:8）是我們信仰的起點。我們有證據嗎？有！
出於愛，天主創造了一個適合人生存的宇宙，這一點連科學家也要同意。科學家發現宇宙間存在的一切物理常數，例如萬有引力常數、基本電荷、普朗克常數等，它們是如此精密地調校在極度狹窄的數值間，若非如此，就不會有今天我們所見到的，有智慧的生物出現在地球上。即使你不信天主，也要承認宇宙是一個充滿智慧的傑作！

出於愛，天主按祂的肖像創造了人類，並讓人類代表祂管理整個受造界（創1:26）。這一點非常重要的，因為其他的受造物（天使除外）不是天主的肖像。雖然它們能彰顯天主的美善，卻沒有天主的特質，祇有人類纔有。天主是大智慧，人類繼承了天主的特質，所以人也有智慧，有理性，有判別對錯的能力，有創造力等等；天主是自由的，所以人有自由，有人權。配合著理智的運用，人便可以把天賦的潛質，天主的肖像，發揮得淋漓盡致；天主是愛，所以人有愛的能力，有同理心，惻隱之心，甚至捨己為人之心。上述的天主特質，天主的真善美之處，是人性尊嚴，自由人權的立足點。科學祇能帶給人類物質上的方便和舒適，卻帶不到我們人性尊嚴，自由和人權。有些時候，甚至假科學之名，做出泯滅人性的事！

天主對人的愛，更在天主子降生成人一事上，顯示出來！天主子並沒有降生成為比人類高級的天使，而是降生成人。為的是提昇人性，使這肖像不是停滯在肖像的階段，而是提昇成為天主的子女，分享天主永恆的生命與光榮！若望宗徒追隨天主子三年，與祂一起生活。在耶穌基督升天後，他把這三年的經驗，反省了超過半個世紀，寫下了今天的不朽名句：「天主竟這樣愛了世界，甚至賜下了自己的獨生子，使凡信祂的人不至喪亡，反而獲得永生。」（若3:16）

天主是絕對自由的。祂創造了人類之後，可以置諸不理。但祂沒有這樣做，因為祂愛人類，人類是祂的傑作之一。天主是愛，而愛是為對方有益的，是忍耐的（格前13:4-5）。所以天主不會強加自己的意願，到我們身上，不會強迫我們接受祂的愛。我們和天主一樣明白，勉強是沒有幸福的！所以人類有自由相信耶穌是天主子，也有自由拒絕祂。

耶穌基督的任務，是把天父啟示給我們。但祂為甚麼在復活後，離開我們，升天回到天父的右邊呢？其實祂是天主，是無處不在的，所以即使祂回到天父的身邊，卻並沒有離開我們。在福音中，祂曾許下：「那裡有兩個或三個人，因我的名字聚在一起，我就在他們中間。」（瑪18:20）耶穌基督就是藉著教會，繼續臨現在這個世界上。但人類是十分軟弱的，由人組成的教會，怎能擔此重任呢？且看二千年來，教會有光輝的歲月，也有醜聞纏身的日子！
上星期我們慶祝聖神降臨節，這一天也是教會的生日。因此，有聖神瀰漫在這個團體內，經常賜下七樣神恩，幫助我們認識天父的心意，並熾熱我們冷卻了的，愛主愛人的心，我們不愁天主掉下我們，不顧而去了。

各位兄弟姊妹，天父創造了我們，聖子救贖了我們，聖神助祐我們成聖。讓我們以我們的生命，歌頌天主聖三的慈恩。
天主保祐！

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/40572682840/in/photostream/

---

The Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity, Year A
Theme: God is Love

When we encounter new things, we will be curious and ask where they come from. Even familiar things, we will search for their origins and will not rest until we come up with a satisfactory answer. "Where did men come from" is one such familiar question which we have not yet come up with a satisfying answer. For a long time in history, people accepted authoritative explanations: Nüwa moulded men out of yellow earth, or God created men from dust of the ground etc. Later, natural sciences explain from different angles: men came from the parents' sperms and eggs, or men evolved from chimpanzees etc. For the time being, most people accept the explanations from natural sciences and reject legends or religious myths. However, the question has not been satisfactorily settled!

Sciences demand evidence. Even the mostly accepted theory of evolution is still a theory and has not reached the status of a scientific law. It is because there are still many missing links. Thus well trained scientists do not brush aside the religious view of God's creation so lightly. On the other hand, nowadays we talk a lot about human dignity, freedom and human rights. If men evolved from amoeba to chimpanzees to Homo Sapiens and modern men, on what ground can we fight for human rights and freedom? If we accept that religion is the opium for people and debases human dignity, sciences are doing worse and more devastating. I studied science and do not oppose sciences. But I do not idolize sciences and understand that science and religion are serving humanity in different ways and should be complementary. Historically speaking, pitching science against religion are political tricks. It is absolutely not the truth.

Catholic faith is very rational and not superstitious.
Our starting point is "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Do we have evidence? Yes we do!
Out of love, God created a universe suitable for human existence. Even scientists agree with this. They discover that all the physical constants in the universe, e.g. the constant of gravitation, elementary charge and Planck constant etc. They are so fine-tuned within such an extraordinarily narrow range that if they were not, the origin and evolution of conscious life in the universe would not be permitted. Even if you don't believe in God, you have to admit that the universe is an intelligent master piece!

Out of love, God created men in His image and delegated them the responsibility to manage the whole Creation (Genesis 1:26). This point is extremely important because all creatures (except for angels) are not images of God. Although they are able to manifest God's beauty and goodness, they do not possess God's attributes. Only human beings do. God's wisdom is great. Men inherited this attribute and we possess wisdom, intelligence, discernment of right and wrong and creativity etc. God is free and so are men. We have freedom and human rights. Making use of our rationality, we are able to actualize our potentials and manifest God's image. God is love so we are capable of loving. We have empathy, mercy and even altruism. These attributes of God, this truth, goodness and beauty of God are the foundation of human dignity, freedom and human rights. Science can only bring us material convenience and comfort. It cannot give us human dignity, freedom and human rights. Sometimes, crimes against humanity are committed in the name of science!

God's love for men was further shown in the incarnation of the Son of God who did not incarnate as a member of higher level angels but of men. He did so in order that humanity might be elevated. God's images do not remain images but God's children partaking in the eternal life and glory of God! John the Apostle followed and lived with the Son of God for three years. After the Ascension of Jesus Christ, John meditated this experience for more than half a century and wrote down this immortalized verse, "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 32:16)

God is free absolutely. After the creation of men, He would have left them unattended. But He didn't because He loves humanity, one of His master pieces. God is love which wants nothing but the benefits of the loved ones and love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Thus God does not impose His own will upon us. He would not force us to accept His love. God and we understand the same truth: coercion never brings happiness! Men have the freedom to believe in Jesus who is the Son of God. They also have the freedom to reject Him.

The mission of Jesus Christ is to reveal the Father to us. Then why did He leave us and ascend back to the right side of the Father? In fact, Jesus Christ is God and is omnipresent. Thus, even though He has returned to the Father, He is still staying with us. He promised in the gospel, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) Jesus Christ continues to be present in the world through His Church. But human beings are fragile. How is a community of men capable of discharging this grave responsibility? Take a look at the Catholic Church throughout these two millennia. There were glorious days as well as scandalous ones!
Last Sunday we celebrated the Solemnity of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. It was the birthday of the Church. Thus, the Holy Spirit infuses this community, granting us the seven gifts to help us know the Father's will and inflaming our lukewarm hearts to love God and men. We don't have to worry about God abandoning us like orphans.

Brethren, God the Father created us. The Son redeemed us and the Holy Spirit sanctifies us. Let us sing praises to the mercy of the Blessed Trinity with our whole life. God bless!

新的生活方式 A New Style of Life

五旬節，甲年
主題：新的生活方式

耶穌基督死而復活，顯示了祂真是我們的天主。祂不但創造了我們，賜給我們生命；祂更從水深火熱的罪惡中，拯救了我們，使我們不再受罪惡的奴役。祂並且提昇了我們的地位，成為天父的子女，分享天父永恆的生命。

門徒們正處於失望疑慮之中，有如驚弓之鳥，憂慮自己的人身安全。從清晨與及之後陸續打聽到的訊息，並沒有釋除他們的疑慮：耶穌的遺體不見了，這是伯多祿和若望驗證了的。瑪利亞瑪達肋納說見到主，這是不能驗證的。後來，兩個離開了耶路撒冷，後來卻折返的門徒也說見了主，兩個人的見證是可信的。但這樣重要的事件，如果不是自己親眼見證，門徒們絕對有懷疑的權利…

「正是那一周的第一天晚上，門徒所在的地方，因為怕猶太人，門戶都關著，耶穌來了，站在中間。」（若20:19）復活了的主顯現給自己親手揀選的人，站在他們當中，表示祂不離不棄，永遠與他們同在；無論環境順逆，陪伴他們。而且祂是站在中間的，令每一個人都有相同的機會親近祂，沒有人享有特權，亦沒有人被遺棄！祂首先祝願他們平安，這正是他們當前最需要的。這平安讓他們可以釋放埋藏了的力量和勇氣，幫助他們以後的工作。不再以刀劍拒捕，卻以平安感化所接觸到的人。

接著，祂把自己的傷痕展示給他們看（20:20）。主耶穌基督絕對有能力消除這些傷痕，不留任何痕跡。相信在末日，祂纔會抹去這五傷，並且「天主也要從他們的眼上拭去一切淚痕。」（默7:17）這些傷痕，見證了罪惡與痛苦的真實，基督在十字架上的死，決不是幻象。另一方面，復活的基督帶著這些傷痕，有如戰利品，標緻著真正徹底的勝利。雖然罪惡「傷害祂的腳跟」（創3:15），但沒有任何罪惡可以擊敗祂，可以隔絕祂對我們的愛。保祿說：「無論是死亡，是生活…或其他任何受造之物，都不能使我們…與我們的主基督耶穌之內的愛相隔絕。」（羅8:38-39）這勝利的標記帶給門徒莫大的喜歡（若20:20）。

耶穌表示要派遣他們，有如父派遣祂一樣（20:21）；並向他們噓了一口氣，說：「你們領受聖神罷！」（20:22）。這動作讓我們想起「上主天主用地上的灰土形成了人，在他鼻孔吹了一口生氣，人就成了一個有靈的生物。」（創2:7）。這動作又一次肯定了耶穌基督是天主，是生命主宰的身份。領受了聖神之後，門徒們獲得了新的生命。不但是一個有靈的生命，更不再是以往有靈但怯懦的生命。因為聖神「是大能、愛德和慎重之神。」（弟後1:7）從此以後，門徒憑藉大能、愛德和慎重之神，可以放心大膽地履行使命，向世人宣佈天主對人的愛。

怎樣宣佈呢？以愛，以修和的態度，作基督的修和大使（格後5:19-20）。
從前的我們在世俗打混，為了保護自己，不願意遭受傷害，於是我們斤斤計較，我們強加自己的意願在別人身上，我們拒絕寬恕…如今，大能的聖神，愛德的聖神，慎重的聖神，會給我們足夠的恩寵和力量，讓我們明瞭修和的長遠好處，並且鼓舞我們樂意寬恕，讓其他人獲得釋放，重新做人。復活了的主耶穌對我們說：「你們赦免誰的罪，就給誰赦免。」（若20:23）為的是要造就軟弱的人，減輕罪惡加給他們的重擔，使他們可以輕鬆地事奉天主。耶穌基督從來沒有保留誰的罪，作為祂的門徒，我們也應該多寬恕，少保留。憑人力做不了的，藉聖神的大能和愛，我們一定可以做到，使這個世界與天主修和。

各位兄弟姊妹，從今以後，我們的生活方式不一樣了！與天父一起生活，「凡我所有的，都是你的。」（路15:31）即使別人如何剝削我們，我們仍一無所缺，用不著把持不捨（斐2:6），讓剝削我們的人知道，我們是富有的！即使別人的決定如何不合乎我們的意願，我們仍是平安的，用不著強迫別人接受我們的意願（瑪5:5），讓他們知道天主的旨意，最終承受土地的是我們這些溫良的人！且翻開歷史看一看，有那一個憑暴力鞏固的政權，能千秋萬世呢？倘若我們有幸殉道，就讓世人認識生活在基督內的我們，享受著基督的生命，這生命比死亡還要強，因為「死亡不再統治祂了！」（羅6:9）
天主保祐！

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：abstract.desktopnexus.com

---

Pentecost, Year A
Theme: A New Style of Life

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. It shows that He is truly our God. Not only did He create us and gave us life, but He also delivers us from the fire pit of sin, the bondage of sin. He further elevates our status to be children of the Father, to partake His eternal life.

The disciples were desperate and worried about their personal safety like caged birds scared by shooting sounds. All messages received since dawn did not alleviate their fear: Jesus' body was missing. It was verified by Peter and John. Mary Magdalene claimed that she had seen the Lord. This could not be verified. Later, two disciples who had earlier left Jerusalem but turned back also claimed to have seen the Lord. The testimony of two people was credible enough but important events such as this required seeing with their own eyes. Disciples had the full right to doubt …

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst." (John 20:19) The risen Lord appeared to those He had handpicked and stood in their midst to show that He would never abandon them and would always stay with them. In times of hardships or celebrations, He would stand by them. Moreover, He stood in their midst, giving everybody the same opportunity to be intimate with Him. Nobody enjoys special privileges and nobody is abandoned! First of all, He wished them peace which they desperately needed at that moment. This peace would unleash the power and courage hidden within, helping them in their subsequent mission. No longer would they fight with swords, but to touch people with peace.

Then, He showed them His wounds (20:20). Lord Jesus Christ surely has the power to erase these wounds without a trace. I believe He would do so at the end of the world, "and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17) These wounds witness the reality of sins and sufferings. His death on the cross was not an illusion. On the other hand, the Risen Christ carries these wound like spoils showing off His victory. Although sins "strike at their feet" (Genesis 3:15), no sins could defeat Him and could separate us from His love. St. Paul says, "Neither death, nor life … nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 38-39). This signs of victory brought the disciples no greater joy (John 20:20).

Jesus said that He would send them, like His Father had sent Him (20:21). He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (20:22) This action reminds us of "The Lord God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7) This action confirms once more that Jesus Christ is God. He is the Author of Life. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples shall lead a new life. Not only do they become living beings, but they also no longer lead a timid life as before. It is because the Holy Spirit is "a spirit of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7) From then on, the disciples would boldly discharge their mission to proclaim God's love to mankind with the spirit of power, charity and self-control.

How are they going to do it? By becoming an ambassador of Christ with love and reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
Previously when we were living in the secular world, we wanted to protect ourselves. We didn't want to be hurt. Thus, we calculated, we imposed our wishes upon others and we refused to forgive etc. Now, the Spirit of power, love and self-control will grant us sufficient grace and power to know the long-term benefits of reconciliation. The Spirit encourages us to enjoy forgiving, to let go of the others. They deserve a second chance. The risen Lord Jesus says, "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them." (John 20:23) The whole point is to raise the fragile ones, relieve them of their burden of sins so that they may serve God with a cheerful heart. Jesus Christ has never retained anybody's sins. Being His disciples, we should forgive more and retain less. There is not much we are able to do. With the power and love of the Holy Spirit, we can surely accomplish it, to help God and the world reconcile.

Brethren! From now one, our life style shall no longer be the same! We are always living with the Father, "Everything I have is yours." (Luke 15:31) No matter how others exploit us, there is nothing I lack. There is nothing to be grasped (Philippians 2:6). Let the exploiters know that we are rich! No matter how disappointing the others' decisions may be, we are still in peace. There is no need to impose our wishes on them (Matthew 5:5). Let them know God wills that the meek should inherit the land! Study history. Can any regime which makes use of violence to retain her sovereignty last? If we are worthy enough to die martyrdom, let the world know that we who lead our life in Christ is enjoying Christ's life which is stronger than death because "death no longer has power over Him." (Romans 6:9)
God bless!

行使權柄 Exercising One's Power

耶穌升天節，甲年
主題：行使權柄

中國的歷史故事中，有不少令人津津樂道的英雄豪傑。他們表現出不同的非凡能力，令我們這些平民百姓嚮往。他們有不同的領導才幹：有些人能力拔山河；有些運籌帷幄，決勝千里；有些精通兵法，萬夫莫敵；有些一無是處，卻能善用各下屬的長處，把整隊軍隊的戰鬥力，發揮得淋漓盡致，達成改朝換代的目的！
領導是一種風格，既科學，又藝術。對於每個處境，因應天時、地利、人和的條件約束，沒有最好的領導方式，祇有更好的領導方式！一般來說，尤其是在資訊科技發達的年代，集體的智慧，總比個人獨大好！且看被神化了的諸葛亮，雖然早期的他以用人精明見稱；但三分天下入蜀之後，凡事親力親為；結果「食少事繁」，保不住蜀國，有負先帝所託，誠為可惜！古代社會如是，現代社會何嘗不是！現代成功的企業，大多把股權分配給員工，信任員工們不願看見自己公司倒閉；做主管的，願意接納持與他不同意見的下屬，大家攜手合作，使企業健康地增長…；雖然治理企業與治理國家屬於不同層次，但總有參考價值。

讓我們默想超性一點，作為造物主，天主是怎樣治理這個宇宙呢？
首先，祂很滿意自己的創造，看了認為好（創1:4, 8, 10… ），「樣樣都很好」（1:31）。然後，祂把自己的創造，交給祂的傑作，人類管理（1:26，2:15）！天主懂得下放權力，並且信任按祂自己肖像所做的傑作，人類！說也奇怪，為甚麼不下放權力，交給更有本領的天使，而是交給人類呢？即使人類犯錯，並且不斷犯錯，天主仍沒有收回這個管治大地的權力。這裡，我們看到，擁有絕對權力的天主，並不是暴君，隨意行使自己的權力。祂可以行使權力，但祂並沒有運用祂的權力，約束受造物的活動和發展空間。為甚麼呢？我相信天主希望看到人類能圓滿地生活得像一個人，而不是奴隸，不是玩物！人類既是天主的肖像，就應該好像天主一樣，是自由的，有尊嚴的！即使怎樣不濟，仍可以從失敗中站起來，再接再礪，屢敗屢戰！

的確，天主是自由的，按天主的肖像所造的人類便應享有自由。一般的動物離開母體時，已經完全發展，可以獨立生存。人類與其他動物不同之處，就是他們離開母胎時，並未完全發展。這是可貴的，因為這樣，人類可以更有彈性，更能適應環境。看，不論你出生是甚麼種族，你說的母語是你出生最初幾年所處的言語環境。可見人是擁有很多有待發展的潛質。沒有自由，人類的潛質，就得不到應有的充份發揮。這就是自由的可貴之處，就是天主也尊重人類自由的原因！

你一定會問，既然天主尊重我們的自由，為甚麼祂還要頒下誡命，來限制我們，使我們不能隨心所欲地生活呢？這是容易理解的，限制是為了集中我們的精力，朝向成聖的方向。誡命是為了指導我們如何生活，如何成聖。當我們因種種原因沒有遵從誡命的時候，祂並沒有即時懲罰我們，消滅我們。祂仍給予我們改過自新的機會，寬恕我們，不祇七十個七次，而是每一次！祂甚至寬恕那些把祂的獨生子釘死在十字架上的士兵（路23:34）！天主祇會邀請我們與祂合作，除了很特殊的個別例子，祂不會強迫我們！祂邀請亞巴郎做救世主的祖先、邀請法郎釋放以色列奴隸、邀請達味替祂消滅哥肋雅、邀請先知替祂教訓拜偶像的君王、邀請瑪加伯家族為祂悍衛宗教自由、邀請童貞瑪利亞做聖子的母親、邀請稅吏成為宗徒…邀請我們信從祂的聖子耶穌基督，但並不強迫世人領洗入教。看來祂並不希罕出於被迫的愛，而是想與我們自由地談戀愛！

為甚麼世上竟然有如此愚蠢的人，以為強迫的愛會帶來幸福呢？一個不受愛戴的皇帝，不思勵精圖治，反而靠各式各樣的暴力，強迫人民愛他，而愛他的表現就是服從他。這樣做，成功的機會，微乎其微！我們不要怪責天主沒有為我們的好處，消滅那些暴君。天主降雨給義人，也給不義的人（瑪5:45）。天主尊重我們的自由，不斷給予我們改過遷善的機會，為甚麼不可以給暴君改過遷善的機會呢？即使你不高興，也要接受這個享受自由的代價，就是接受其他人濫用自由的代價！誠然，人不能與天主相比，我們怎能期望暴君能好像天主一樣，下放權力呢？暴君祇會把自己的錯，「下放」到代罪羔羊身上。正如紅十字會的呼籲捐血海報所說：「石中能取血，何需向君求！」要求鐵石心腸的暴君，變成惠化萬民的仁君，是沒可能的（則36:26）！真的是不可能的嗎？天使加俾額爾說：「在天主前是沒有不可能的事！」（路1:37）

各位兄弟姊妹，天父把天上地下的一切權柄，交給了經過受難考驗的耶穌基督（瑪28:18），我們可以放心了！「因為我們所有的，不是一位不能同情我們弱點的大司祭，而是一位在各方面與我們相似，受過試探的，祇是沒有罪過。」（希4:15）祂不會濫權，反而不行使權力，陪伴我們，出死入生。所以我們可以放心大膽地傳福音，使萬民成為門徒了（瑪28:19）。
天主保祐！

2017年講道
圖片鳴謝：香港紅十字會

---

The Ascension of the Lord, Year A
Theme: Exercising One's Power

In historical stories of China, there are many legendary heroes. They possessed extraordinary powers enchanting us commoners. They showed different styles of leadership: some were powerful like Hercules; some were able to calculate each and every single step of rivals and won; some knew the art of wars so well that they were invincible; some others had no specific skills but were able to glue their subordinates together so that the whole army was able to build a new dynasty under their leadership!
Leadership is a style, a science as well as an art. In every situation, because of constrains of time, space and people, no leadership style is the best. There can only be better style of leadership! In general, especially in the age of Information Technology, democratic is almost always better than autocratic. Take a look at the deified Zhuge Liang. Although early in his career, he was well known in allocating duties to the best of the subordinates, after tri-partitioning China and entering Shu (Sichuan today) he took upon his shoulders all the administration. Consequently, "eating little and doing a lot", he was unable to defend Shu and failed to discharge the duty assigned him by the deceased Lord. It is such a pity! Ancient society was as such. Modern societies are the same! Many successful enterprises give out company shares to employees, trusting that they don't want to see the company close. Supervisors are willing to accept subordinates who hold different views and are willing to work with them to develop the enterprise … Although governing an enterprise is not on a par with governing a country, there are similarities that deserve consideration.

Let us meditate more supernaturally. As the Creator, how does God govern this universe?
First of all, He was happy with His own creation, saw them good (Genesis 1:4, 8, 10 …) "God looked at everything He had made, and found it very good." (1:31) Then, He gave all His creation to His masterpiece, human beings to manage (1:26, 2:15)! God knows how to delegate authority and He trusts humanity who was created in His image! Don't you find it strange why God did not delegate His authority to more capable angels but to fragile mankind? Even though we are prone to making mistakes and continue to do so, God does not take back this sovereignty. Here, we see God who holds absolute power does not exercise it like a tyrant. He could but He doesn't rein back our activities or space of growth. Why? I believe that God wants to see us lead our life fully like a human being, not a slave or an object! Men were created in the image of God. Like God, men are free and dignified. No matter how incompetent we are, we are able to stand up again right where we have fallen and keep trying hard without giving up!

Truly, God is free. We who were created in God's image should also be free. Most animals are fully developed and are able to live independently once they leave their mothers' womb. But men are different from animals. We are born pre-maturely. This is an asset. Human beings can be more flexible, more capable of adapting to the environment. Whatever races you are, the mother tongue you speak came from the language environment of the first few years of your life. Thus, men have a lot of potentials to be developed. Without freedom, these potentials will never be fully realized. That's why freedom is precious and God also respects our freedom!

You will definitely ask why God, who respects our freedom, gave us commandments, restricting us so that we cannot do what we want! This is easy to understand because restrictions help us focus our energy towards sanctification. Commandments are meant to guide our lives, guide our steps towards becoming saints. When for various reasons we do not follow the commandments, God does not punish us immediately and annihilate us. He still gives us chances to repent and to forgive us not just seventy times seven but every time! He even forgave soldiers who crucified His only begotten Son (Luke 23:34)! God only invites us to work with Him, except for some special cases, He never coerces! He invited Abraham to become the ancestor of the Saviour, Pharaoh to release the Israelite slaves, David to help Him wipe out Goliath, prophets to chasten idolatrous kings, the Maccabees to defend religious freedom, the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the mother of the Son, tax collectors to become apostles … He invites us to believe in His Son Jesus Christ but does not force us to be baptized. It looks as if He does not bother with coerced love. He wants us to fall in love freely with Him!

Why are there people on earth so stupid as to think that coerced love can bring happiness? A king whom his subjects hate, instead of working hard to galvanize his governance, conjures up all sorts of violence to force his subjects to love him, and to love him is to obey him. In this way, the chance of his success is next to zero! We should not blame God for not removing those tyrants for our sake. God "causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust." (Matthew 5:45) God respects our freedom and continuously gives us opportunities to repent. Why can't He give tyrants opportunities to repent? Whether you like it or not, you have to pay this price of enjoying freedom, the price of others' abuse of freedom. Frankly speaking, man can't be compared with God. How can we expect a tyrant to be able to delegate his power, like God does? Tyrants would only "delegate" their faults to scapegoats. Just as a Red Cross poster says, "Need we to beg you if rock is able to yield blood!" It is impossible to expect a tyrant with a heart of stone to transform into a merciful king with a heart of flesh! Is it really impossible? Angel Gabriel says, "For nothing will be impossible for God." (Luke 1:37)

Brethren! Our hearts may rest assured because the Father has given all power in heaven and on earth to Jesus Christ who has gone through passion! "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) Surely He shall not abuse His power. Instead, restraining His power, He accompanies us, going through death into life. We may boldly preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
God bless!