八月三十一日（路4:38-44）
「我也必須向別的城傳報天主國的喜訊。」（路4:43）
天主之所以是天主，是因為祂言出必行。祗要祂說了，事情就必然發生。當然，天主是生活在永恆之中，而不是在時間之中。所以，祂所說的話，不一定即時實現，但一定會實現。耶穌的說話之中，「必須」出現過很多次（在路加福音共十三次）。例如：「你們不知道我必須在我父親那裡嗎？」（2:49）「人子必須受許多苦，被長老、司祭長和經師們棄絕，並且要被殺；但第三天必要復活。」（9:22）「匝凱，你快下來！因為我今天必須住在你家中。」（19:5）等等。天父為了兌現承諾，有些事情耶穌必須要做。耶穌是天主，自有神力，無往而不利。不難。
我們是凡人，喜歡為自己建立安樂窩，駕輕就熟，省時省力不好嗎？行之有效的程序，犯不著改動它。經營多年的事業，捨不得放手交給接班人。倘若你在葛法翁傳福音很成功，並不表示你到別的城也一樣成功。你要費一番氣力，從頭開始建立你的基地，結識新的朋友，從新建立人際網絡。你願意嗎？耶穌是天主，從頭開始有何難？但我們祗是凡夫俗子，何德何能呢？
可能我們忘記了耶穌也是有血有肉的人，他會感到口渴、感到疲倦、感到挫折和痛苦。福音中不是記載了他在自己的家鄉納匝肋被驅逐（4:29），在經過撒瑪黎雅地方不受歡迎（9:52-53）嗎？此外，在他內的神性與人性之間的張力，是我們很難想像得到的。耶穌比我們任何一個傳福音的人所負擔的，更重。
朋友，你是耶穌的門徒嗎？你還埋怨嗎？
聖父啊！願祢的旨意，奉行在人間，如同在天上。亞孟。
生命恩泉
"I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also." (Luke 4:43)
God is God because his words shall not return to him empty. Whatever he says shall be done. Of course, God lives in eternity and is beyond time. Therefore, what he says may not happen immediately but will definitely come to pass. Among what Jesus says, "must" appears many times (13 times in the gospel of Luke). For example, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (2:49) "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." (9:22) "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." (19:5) etc. The Heavenly Father has promised and thus there are things Jesus must do. Jesus is God and is almighty. It is not difficult for him.
We are mere mortals. We like to build up our comfort zones and our habits. Is not saving energy and time good? Why bother making changes to procedures that work in the past? It is not easy to let go your enterprise to successors. If you had been successful preaching the gospel in Capernaum, it does not follow that you would be as successful in another town. You needed to work very hard to start from scratch to build a new base, to make new friends and to build up a new network. Would you? Jesus is God. It is not difficult for him to create from scratch. But we are mere mortals. What guarantee do we have?
Perhaps we have forgotten that Jesus was also a man of flesh and blood. He would feel thirsty, exhausted, frustrated and painful like us. Doesn't the gospel mention that he was chased away in Nazareth (4:29), was not welcomed in Samaria (9:52-53)? Moreover, the tension between the divinity and humanity inside is difficult for us to understand. The burden Jesus bore is heavier than the burden any evangelist bears.
Friends, are you Jesus' disciples? Do you still complain?
Heavenly Father, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Love Heals
This solitary retreat started on a wrong foot. I was supposed to meet my Fr. Francis Tam, my spiritual director last Friday and he would instruct me what to do in this solitary retreat in which there would be no spiritual director. Solitary Retreat is not supposed to be like this. There should be a spiritual director to help the retreatant review his encounter with Christ during the day. So, my so called solitary retreat is a bit handicapped. Later, another event took place. Fr. Tam had a dental appointment and could not meet me as schedule. Therefore, I am all on my own. I believe it was God's will.
As reported in previous the previous post, I arrived at the Salesian Retreat House 3 hours later due to the prison incident. I had slept during the ferry trip in order to clean up my mood. But obviously it was not quite successful. After lunch, I took a shower and tried to sit quietly in the chapel to bring myself into the mood. Nay, it usually takes at least one full day to settle down. What was worse, there was nobody to surrender the mobile phone. So, I still WhatsApp and updated the posts of the Permanent Deacon Facebook as well as mine. To save my skin, I read two chapters of "Francis: The Journey and the Dream."
This morning, I said the Lauds in my room, joined the morning mass in the chapel and after breakfast, tried seriously to sit quietly in the chapel and in the privacy of my room. After lunch, I sat again quietly for about an hour, read "The Crucifix Speaks" in "The Journey and the Dream." Inspired by what I had read, I immediately knelt before the crucifix in my room. Christ began to speak to me. "Love heals."
One of the burdens I uncovered in the pre-ordination retreat was SEX. With my wife's help, I have resolved some of the problems in our marriage. My sexual urge is diminishing gradually as I advance in age. But it does not solve all the problem. One or twice,I still download AV to watch. So, the problem lies elsewhere. It dawns to me that I have not loved Erminia enough. We have sex. We have love in sex. We have love without sex. We have children. But it is not complete. My care and compassion for her have not been adequate until the two illnesses that happened to her recently within June. I told myself that we are one flesh. Her illnesses should be mine, not hers. Love heals and will continue to heal into the future.
Heavenly Father, I have not loved enough. Help me love you and my brethren more. Amen
As reported in previous the previous post, I arrived at the Salesian Retreat House 3 hours later due to the prison incident. I had slept during the ferry trip in order to clean up my mood. But obviously it was not quite successful. After lunch, I took a shower and tried to sit quietly in the chapel to bring myself into the mood. Nay, it usually takes at least one full day to settle down. What was worse, there was nobody to surrender the mobile phone. So, I still WhatsApp and updated the posts of the Permanent Deacon Facebook as well as mine. To save my skin, I read two chapters of "Francis: The Journey and the Dream."
This morning, I said the Lauds in my room, joined the morning mass in the chapel and after breakfast, tried seriously to sit quietly in the chapel and in the privacy of my room. After lunch, I sat again quietly for about an hour, read "The Crucifix Speaks" in "The Journey and the Dream." Inspired by what I had read, I immediately knelt before the crucifix in my room. Christ began to speak to me. "Love heals."
One of the burdens I uncovered in the pre-ordination retreat was SEX. With my wife's help, I have resolved some of the problems in our marriage. My sexual urge is diminishing gradually as I advance in age. But it does not solve all the problem. One or twice,I still download AV to watch. So, the problem lies elsewhere. It dawns to me that I have not loved Erminia enough. We have sex. We have love in sex. We have love without sex. We have children. But it is not complete. My care and compassion for her have not been adequate until the two illnesses that happened to her recently within June. I told myself that we are one flesh. Her illnesses should be mine, not hers. Love heals and will continue to heal into the future.
Heavenly Father, I have not loved enough. Help me love you and my brethren more. Amen
Evils of doing good-intention-things
I am half way through my solitary retreat which you see is not very successful because I have broken the most basic requirement. Here I am, using Internet! However, it may not be a complete failure because at least, I have learnt a very important lesson even at the beginning of this retreat which started later than expected and God did not waste any time to teach me a lesson.
Last Saturday, August 27, I visited the Tai Lam Centre for Women and seven inmates would like me to write them clemency letters. Writing letter was easy but the most challenging part was that one inmate would go to court on Monday August 29. I intended to stay behind to write it on the spot and gave it to the Rehabilitation Officer. However, I could not make it in time before the office left. I had to post it.
Perhaps out of pride for my writings, I decided to deliver them by hand. Instead of walking into the Prison after getting off from K51, I saved time by taking a taxi from Tuen Mun Town Centre and arrived at 9:10 a.m., fearing that the Rehabilitation Officer would be too early around. To my dismay, the officer at the gate told me that when inmates went to court, they usually started going at seven something to a gathering place and together with inmates from other prisons, would be bused to different courts. I was too late. I remembered that there was still another who would go on Tuesday, August 30. So, I requested seeing the Rehabilitation Officer, hoping that at least I could help the Tuesday Lady. The officer at the gate called and the reply I received was disappointing. The Rehabilitation Officer would not receive letters by hand. I had to mail them! Bureaucratic!
While walking out of the prison, God consoled me and gave me a peace of heart. I should not blame the Rehabilitation Officer. This is regulation. I always challenge regulations but the RO cannot. I should learn to tame my wildness. On reaching the K51 terminus, I could have walked to the Tuen Mun Interchange to take a cross harbour bus. But I did not. I decided to try one last time. I decided to go to the Tuen Mun Central Post Office to deliver the letter by Speed Post, hoping that it would reach the RO by the afternoon so that the Tuesday Lady might ... I refused to admit defeat. My pride was sizzling. By the time I reached the Post Office, it was 10:40 am. 40 minutes ago, I should have arrived at the Salesian Retreat House as scheduled. Now, I was queuing up to the post office counter. The outcome? You bet. The Speed Post in Tuen Mun could not deliver by the afternoon as I wanted to. Perhaps the Central Post Office could. Finally, I admitted defeat and posted the letter at Tuen Mun. I am sorry, Tuesday Lady. I have tried my best.
I spoke about "the path to hell is littered with good intentions", about the evil of doing good-intention-things if they are not God's will in my previous post: "I Never Know You". Now, I learn it the hard way.
Help me God.
Last Saturday, August 27, I visited the Tai Lam Centre for Women and seven inmates would like me to write them clemency letters. Writing letter was easy but the most challenging part was that one inmate would go to court on Monday August 29. I intended to stay behind to write it on the spot and gave it to the Rehabilitation Officer. However, I could not make it in time before the office left. I had to post it.
Perhaps out of pride for my writings, I decided to deliver them by hand. Instead of walking into the Prison after getting off from K51, I saved time by taking a taxi from Tuen Mun Town Centre and arrived at 9:10 a.m., fearing that the Rehabilitation Officer would be too early around. To my dismay, the officer at the gate told me that when inmates went to court, they usually started going at seven something to a gathering place and together with inmates from other prisons, would be bused to different courts. I was too late. I remembered that there was still another who would go on Tuesday, August 30. So, I requested seeing the Rehabilitation Officer, hoping that at least I could help the Tuesday Lady. The officer at the gate called and the reply I received was disappointing. The Rehabilitation Officer would not receive letters by hand. I had to mail them! Bureaucratic!
While walking out of the prison, God consoled me and gave me a peace of heart. I should not blame the Rehabilitation Officer. This is regulation. I always challenge regulations but the RO cannot. I should learn to tame my wildness. On reaching the K51 terminus, I could have walked to the Tuen Mun Interchange to take a cross harbour bus. But I did not. I decided to try one last time. I decided to go to the Tuen Mun Central Post Office to deliver the letter by Speed Post, hoping that it would reach the RO by the afternoon so that the Tuesday Lady might ... I refused to admit defeat. My pride was sizzling. By the time I reached the Post Office, it was 10:40 am. 40 minutes ago, I should have arrived at the Salesian Retreat House as scheduled. Now, I was queuing up to the post office counter. The outcome? You bet. The Speed Post in Tuen Mun could not deliver by the afternoon as I wanted to. Perhaps the Central Post Office could. Finally, I admitted defeat and posted the letter at Tuen Mun. I am sorry, Tuesday Lady. I have tried my best.
I spoke about "the path to hell is littered with good intentions", about the evil of doing good-intention-things if they are not God's will in my previous post: "I Never Know You". Now, I learn it the hard way.
Help me God.
習非為是 Getting Used to Accepting Wrongs Right
八月三十日（路4:31-37）
「這是甚麼事？他用權柄和能力命令邪魔，而他們竟出去了！」（路4:36）
其實，邪魔服從天主，是最自然不過的事，有甚麼值得驚奇呢？是小見多怪罷了！
從前做小販，交保護費，是理所當然的。因為要生存，要繼續謀生，沒有其他辦法。習慣了，就不會覺得被剝削。從前做警察，每天拉開抽屜，就見到一個厚厚塞滿紙幣的信封。要和其他同袍出生入死，沒有其他辦法。習慣了，就不會覺得不公義。
常言道，「謊言說了一千遍，就變成真理！」明知是人云亦云，沒有根據。但既然人人都是這樣說，不會是沒有道理的。人變得「習非為是」。犯了罪，做錯了事，第一次總覺得非常內疚。幾次之後，連良心都埋沒了。習慣了，並不覺得不道德；並不覺得違反了天主的誡命，有甚麼大不了。
在耶穌的時代，守安息日是常態，耶穌在安息日治病，反而是錯的。痲瘋病人和附魔人都是罪人，罪有應得，患病附魔是常態。耶穌竟然治好他們，解放他們，的確有點不正常。人死不能復生是常態，耶穌竟復活死人，是謠言而已。領兵進佔耶路撒冷，驅逐羅馬人，是復國的正常手段。耶穌竟然去耶路撒冷釘十字架，真的後悔跟隨了他。在聖殿交易買賣，欺詐朝聖者是常態。耶穌竟然衝擊聖殿，搗亂社會秩序，煽動暴亂，想必是要推翻政權了…
原來當人習非為是，泥足深陷，而遇上真理時，竟然可以否認真理，甚至想消滅真理。真是可怕。
天父啊！不要讓我們陷於誘惑，但救我們免於凶惡。亞孟。
生命恩泉
"What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." (Luke 4:36) Just think about it, why was it amazing for demons to obey the commands of God? It was the most logical of all. You have not seen enough.
In previous generations, it was taken for granted that hawkers should hand over protection fees. It was not an option if you wanted to survive, to continue earning a living. After a while, you would not feel being exploited. In previous generations, cops expected to find a thick bundle of banknotes inside an envelope every morning when they opened their drawers. It was not an option if you wanted to work with other colleagues in action. After a while, you would not feel being unjust.
It is said that a lie will become a truth when it is told a thousand times. Knowing that it is only a groundless urban legend, but when everybody is talking about it, there must be some truth in it. Men get used to accepting wrongs as right. The first time you commit a sin, make a mistake, you feel extremely guilty about it. After a few times, your conscience is buried. After getting used to it, you do not feel that it is immoral. Instead, it is not a big deal to go against God's commandments.
In Jesus' time, it was a norm to observe Sabbath whereas it was wrong for Jesus to cure diseases on Sabbath. Lepers and the possessed were sinners. They deserved God's punishment. Sickness and possession were norms whereas it was abnormal for Jesus to cure them, to liberate them. Death was a norm whereas it had to be a rumour that Jesus raised the dead. Leading an army into Jerusalem to drive out the Romans was the most logical step to restore Israel whereas it was regretful to follow Jesus into Jerusalem only to be crucified. Trading in the Temple, cheating the pilgrims were norms whereas it was subversive for Jesus to cleanse the Temple, to disrupt social stability and to instigate rebellion. He must be conspiring to overthrow the state ...
When men get deeply entangled in falsehood, they will deny truth when they encounter it and even want to eliminate it. How terrible!
Heavenly Father, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
「這是甚麼事？他用權柄和能力命令邪魔，而他們竟出去了！」（路4:36）
其實，邪魔服從天主，是最自然不過的事，有甚麼值得驚奇呢？是小見多怪罷了！
從前做小販，交保護費，是理所當然的。因為要生存，要繼續謀生，沒有其他辦法。習慣了，就不會覺得被剝削。從前做警察，每天拉開抽屜，就見到一個厚厚塞滿紙幣的信封。要和其他同袍出生入死，沒有其他辦法。習慣了，就不會覺得不公義。
常言道，「謊言說了一千遍，就變成真理！」明知是人云亦云，沒有根據。但既然人人都是這樣說，不會是沒有道理的。人變得「習非為是」。犯了罪，做錯了事，第一次總覺得非常內疚。幾次之後，連良心都埋沒了。習慣了，並不覺得不道德；並不覺得違反了天主的誡命，有甚麼大不了。
在耶穌的時代，守安息日是常態，耶穌在安息日治病，反而是錯的。痲瘋病人和附魔人都是罪人，罪有應得，患病附魔是常態。耶穌竟然治好他們，解放他們，的確有點不正常。人死不能復生是常態，耶穌竟復活死人，是謠言而已。領兵進佔耶路撒冷，驅逐羅馬人，是復國的正常手段。耶穌竟然去耶路撒冷釘十字架，真的後悔跟隨了他。在聖殿交易買賣，欺詐朝聖者是常態。耶穌竟然衝擊聖殿，搗亂社會秩序，煽動暴亂，想必是要推翻政權了…
原來當人習非為是，泥足深陷，而遇上真理時，竟然可以否認真理，甚至想消滅真理。真是可怕。
天父啊！不要讓我們陷於誘惑，但救我們免於凶惡。亞孟。
生命恩泉
"What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." (Luke 4:36) Just think about it, why was it amazing for demons to obey the commands of God? It was the most logical of all. You have not seen enough.
In previous generations, it was taken for granted that hawkers should hand over protection fees. It was not an option if you wanted to survive, to continue earning a living. After a while, you would not feel being exploited. In previous generations, cops expected to find a thick bundle of banknotes inside an envelope every morning when they opened their drawers. It was not an option if you wanted to work with other colleagues in action. After a while, you would not feel being unjust.
It is said that a lie will become a truth when it is told a thousand times. Knowing that it is only a groundless urban legend, but when everybody is talking about it, there must be some truth in it. Men get used to accepting wrongs as right. The first time you commit a sin, make a mistake, you feel extremely guilty about it. After a few times, your conscience is buried. After getting used to it, you do not feel that it is immoral. Instead, it is not a big deal to go against God's commandments.
In Jesus' time, it was a norm to observe Sabbath whereas it was wrong for Jesus to cure diseases on Sabbath. Lepers and the possessed were sinners. They deserved God's punishment. Sickness and possession were norms whereas it was abnormal for Jesus to cure them, to liberate them. Death was a norm whereas it had to be a rumour that Jesus raised the dead. Leading an army into Jerusalem to drive out the Romans was the most logical step to restore Israel whereas it was regretful to follow Jesus into Jerusalem only to be crucified. Trading in the Temple, cheating the pilgrims were norms whereas it was subversive for Jesus to cleanse the Temple, to disrupt social stability and to instigate rebellion. He must be conspiring to overthrow the state ...
When men get deeply entangled in falsehood, they will deny truth when they encounter it and even want to eliminate it. How terrible!
Heavenly Father, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Monday, 29 August 2016
人的智慧 The Wisdom of Men
八月廿九日 若翰洗者受難 （谷6:17-29）
「為使你們的信德不是憑人的智慧，而是憑天主的德能。」（格前2:5）
"That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:5)
「為使你們的信德不是憑人的智慧，而是憑天主的德能。」（格前2:5）
憑人的智慧，還可以稱得上是信德嗎？
好了，即使好像約納先知一樣，天主一定要你做。天主要你向東，縱使你逃向西，天主強要你在路上迎面碰上黑落德。那麼，你也可以圓滑點，婉轉點，好像納堂先知勸諫達味王一樣（撒下12:1-6），犯不著這樣直接，招來殺身之禍…
若翰洗者的死，對世人有甚麼好處呢？他的死有激發當代的人，起義推翻黑落德嗎？若翰洗者的門徒，結果不是改信基督宗教（宗19:1-7），就是在歷史中消失了。若翰的殉道，怎樣顯示了天主的德能呢？他的死，值得嗎？
天父說：「我可愛的若翰，你見到我的不肖子黑落德嗎？他被黑落狄雅所迷惑，但他仍未喪盡天良，我想給他多一個回頭的機會，我不忍心見他泥足深陷，不能自拔。女人始終要依戀男人，若黑落德回頭，連黑落狄雅也可得救。我有信心你是可以喚醒他的。我可愛的若翰，你不用害怕失敗。縱使你失敗了，我仍會與你一同享受永生。不過，你要寬恕黑落德，因為我要寬恕他。倘若你的心容不下他，在永生的境界中，你會很不舒服。緊記我的話，一會兒見。」
讓我們來分析若翰洗者身處的形勢吧。黑落德不好惹，他狡猾好色，又有點小聰明，以為自己有能力駕馭黑落狄雅。不要忘記，生殺大權操在他手上，可惜他沒有足夠的智慧，來運用這大殺傷力的權力。黑落狄雅更不好惹，她野心勃勃，蛇蠍心腸。倘若你是她的障礙，她一定會借黑落德的刀殺了你。縱使天主願意救你，所謂遠水不能救近火，還是「明哲保身」好。況且，我不做，天主可以派其他先知做。大有人在，不必是我，對不對？
天父啊！可以不做殉道者嗎？不要照我所願意的， 而要照你所願意的。亞孟。
"That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Can human wisdom be called faith?
Let's face it. Even if God really forced you to do, like Jonah the prophet, despite the fact that you ran to the opposite direction, God arranged a direct encounter between you and Antipas. Well then, you could have been more diplomatic, could have spoken more tactfully like what Nathan said to King David (2 Samuel 12:1-6). It was not necessary for you to be so blunt, so direct and got killed ...
What good did the death of John the Baptist do to the world? Did his death instigate any rebellion to overthrow Antipas? At the end of the day, the disciples of John the Baptist were either converted to Christianity (Acts 19:1-7) or vanished in history. How did the martyrdom of the Baptist manifest God's power? Was his death worthy?
The Father says, "My dear John, have you seen my naughty boy Antipas? He has been intoxicated by Herodias, but he is not beyond redemption. I want to give him a second chance. I do not want to see him perish. A woman's desire is for her husband. If Antipas repented, Herodias would be redeemed too. I trust you are able to wake him up. My dear John. Don't be afraid of failure. Even if you were to fail, I would still share my eternal life with you. But you have to forgive Antipas because I forgive him. If your heart could not tolerate him, in eternity, you would be uncomfortable. Mark my words. See you later."
Let us analyze the situation of John the Baptist. Herod Antipas should not be provoked. He was cunning and lustful. With a little wit, he thought he could handle Herodias. Don't forget, he had the authority to put anybody to death. Unfortunately, he did not have a wisdom compatible with his authority to kill. Herodias was even worse. She was ambitious with a maleficent heart. If you were an obstacle on her path to power, she would make Antipas have you beheaded. Even though God was willing to save you, it would be wiser not to put fire on your own head. Furthermore, why you? There were many other prophets God would send even if you didn't want to, right?
Heavenly Father, can I not be a martyr? Yet not what I will, but what thou wilt. Amen.
Sunday, 28 August 2016
謙遜的意義 The meaning of Humility
常年期第廿二主日（丙年）
主題：謙遜的意義
Twenty Second Ordinary Sunday (Year C)
Theme: The meaning of Humility
主題：謙遜的意義
常年期的福音，正好幫助我們體會耶穌的心境。在今天福音中的場景，耶穌看見客人爭坐首席，他的心有甚麼感想呢？他心痛，正因為人的驕傲自大，他纔要死在十字架上。
人之所以自大，其中一個原因是「孤陋寡聞，井底之蛙」，不承認「一山還有一山高」的道理。稍有成就便稱王稱霸。天主不需要用更強大的對手，把你打得遍體鱗傷，祗用一個微不足道的感冒病毒，便足以在泳池中挫敗你。人啊，你憑甚麼可以驕傲，可以趾高氣揚呢？路加福音中的耶穌，以諷刺的口吻，教訓那些驕傲自大的人。不要忘記「一山還有一山高」的道理，否則會自取其辱。所以謙虛是最安全的做法。
我祗當過教師，所以祗能從學校舉一些例子與大家分享。從學校的經驗所得，我發覺到人之所以自大的另一個原因，是「地位」問題。作為一個教師，最容易犯的，也就是這個毛病。為人師表，在學科上，人們期望「阿Sir永遠是對的」。在道德上，家長把子女交託到你手上，培養他們作為社會的未來棟樑，「阿Sir永遠是對的」。不知不覺，老師變成自大的人，因為他永遠是對的。有朝一日，老師變成了自大的校長。讓我介紹我所認識的其中兩位校長。香港的學校，按學生的學習能力，分為三個級別。第一級學校的學生，學習能力最高。
設宴並不單單為了果腹，或者慶祝一些人生大事。設宴還是炫耀自己財富和地位的大好機會。上次擺酒你有「老鼠斑」招待我，今次我擺酒用「龍蠆」回敬你，而且天九翅面還灑上金箔等等。為了打擊這種炫耀自我的風氣，耶穌教訓設宴的人，與其浪費金錢於虛榮之中，倒不如善用手上的財富，幫助貧困傷殘的人，積財於天。把金錢投資在不能回報你的窮人身上，在末日，天主會替他們報答你。這就是基督徒的理財哲學。「要用不義之財結交朋友，為在你們匱乏的時候，好叫他們收留你們到永遠的帳幕裡。」（路16:9）這是耶穌的許諾，還不照他的方法投資？
幫助窮人的時候，也應謹慎，不可心浮氣燥。成語「嗟來之食」的故事告訴我們，要尊重接受幫助的人，因為他們都是按天主的肖像所創造出來的。我們要感激他們，讓我們有機會運用天主的恩賜。不要忘記，我們的能力和成就，都是來自天主的祝福。倘若我們忘記了天主，這就是驕傲。倘若我們懂得感謝天主的恩賜，懂得把光榮歸於天主，這就是謙遜。因為我們認清楚自己原是一無所有，原是塵土。這就是歷代的聖人，例如聖本篤，聖方濟各和聖依納爵等所教導的「謙遜階梯」了。
慈悲禧年祗餘下四份之一的時間。大家有沒有趁禧年而實行神哀矜、形哀矜、朝聖、辦告解和領聖體等等的行動呢？加把勁積財於天吧！
天主與人之間的最大隔膜，莫過於人的自大。按【創世紀】的記載，人不服從天主的命令，吃了天主所禁止吃的「知善惡樹」上的果子。這是人類的第一宗罪，是出於人心底的渴望，想自己變成天主。針對這個毛病，天主聖子謙遜地降生成為一個有血有肉，受時間和空間所限制，比天使還要低等的人類。在世時顛沛流離，嘗盡人世間各種的苦難，並且作出最大的謙遜，不堅持自己的意願，反而絕對服從天父的旨意，在十字架上受難。耶穌為我們指示了，「謙遜」就是通往天國的「窄門」，「窄」是因為謙遜要求我們棄絕自己，並且要背負十字架，跟隨耶穌，學習耶穌的謙遜。
A君是由一所第三級的學校空降到第一級的學校當校長。在籌備學校金禧慶祝的時候，她召來幾位副校長，把幾年前她前任學校慶祝銀禧的程序，交給他們，祗說了一句「照著辦」。
B君是教育署退休高官，也是空降到一所第一級的學校當校長。有關資訊科技方面，她會對電腦科主位說：「電腦這樣新的科技，我不太懂。拜託你了。」有關編製學校時間表方面，她會對數學科主位說：「這些邏輯如些複雜，不是我的強項。拜託你了。」等等。大家以為哪一位校長會是成功的呢？A君祗做了三年便另謀高就，B君做了六年纔榮休。「滿招損，謙受益」不是古有名訓的嗎？因此，除了見識膚淺之外，地位也可以令人驕傲自大。
天主保祐！
Twenty Second Ordinary Sunday (Year C)
Theme: The meaning of Humility
The gospel readings of Ordinary Sundays reveal the feelings in Jesus' heart. In the situation of the gospel reading today, what would come across Jesus' mind when he saw that the guests were fighting for places of honour? His heart ached because he died on the cross because of human pride.
One of the reasons why men are proud is that they have a tunnel vision. They do not accept the fact that there is no final frontier. With a little achievement, they declare themselves kings. God does not need to pitch him against a stronger rival to crush him. To save his face, God made use of a negligible flu virus to beat him in the swimming pool. Man, with what can you be proud? In the gospel story today, Jesus made use of sarcasm to mock the proud. If you forget the reality that nobody can be the champion forever, you only put yourself to shame. Humility is always the best policy.
I have only been a teacher and can only share with you examples from schools. From these experiences, I discover another factor which causes people to become proud. It is "status". Teachers easily fall prey into this trap. As a teacher, people expect you to be always right in your subject matters. As an exemplar, parents entrust their children into your hands to build up their character. Teachers are always right. Imperceptibly, teachers become arrogant because they are always right. One day, they become abrasive principals. Let me give you two real life examples. Schools in Hong Kong are ranked into three bandings according to the learning abilities of the students. Students in Band One schools have the highest learning ability. Mr. A, who came from a Band 3 school, became the principal of a Band 1 school. In preparation for the Golden Jubilee of the school, he called upon the vice principals, gave them a program of the Silver Jubilee of his previous school and told them to follow. Mr. B, who retired from the Education Bureau, also became the principal of a Band 1 school. In the area of Information Technology, he told the Computer Panel head, "Computer is so novel. I don't understand. I trust you." In making the time table of the school, he told the Mathematics Panel head, "The logic is so complex. It is not my cup of tea. I trust you." etc. Which of them is a successful principal? After three years, Mr. A left to look for another job. Mr. B happily retired six years later. Isn't "Pride invokes damages and humility benefits" a maxim since antiquity? Thus, besides a lack of knowledge, status can make people proud.
We don't simply feed our belly or celebrate a big event when we throw a banquet. It is also an opportunity for people to show off their wealth or status. Last time, you treated me with humpback grouper. This time, I repay you with a giant grouper. Even more, golden foils are sparkled on shark fin soup etc. To dampen this craze for pride, Jesus exhorted them that instead of wasting money on vanity, why not make good use of your wealth to help the poor and handicapped in order to transfer your wealth to heaven? Invest your money on the poor who cannot repay you. On Judgment Day, God will repay you for them. This is the Christian philosophy of finance management. "Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations." (Luke 16:9) This is Jesus' promise. Should you not follow his advice to invest?
When we help the poor, we should be careful and watch our temper. There is a Chinese idiom "Yell at the hungry" which reminds us of respecting those who receive help because they were also created in the image of God. We should be grateful because they give us an opportunity to exercise talents which God has bestowed on us. Don't forget. Our abilities and achievements came from God. If we forget God, it is pride. If we thank God for the bestowal and give glory to God, it is humility. It shows that we understand that we are nothing. We are just dust of the earth. This is the "degrees of humility" taught by the saints throughout the ages, such as St. Benedict, St. Francis and St. Ignatius.
Three quarters of the Jubilee of Mercy have passed. Have you taken the opportunity to accomplish spiritual and corporal works of mercy, to go pilgrimage, to do confession and receive Holy Communion? Work harder to transfer your wealth to heaven.
The biggest barrier separating God and men is nothing but pride. According to the story of Genesis, men disobeyed God and ate the fruit on the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the first sin resulted from the desire to become God. Targeting this fault, the Son of God humbly incarnated and took flesh, constrained by time and space, a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5). He led a life of refugees on earth, going through all kinds of difficulties and with great humility, he did not insist on his own will but to obey the Father's will totally to die on the cross. Jesus showed us humility is the narrow gate through which we reach the kingdom of heaven. It is narrow because humility demands us to abandon ourselves, carry our crosses and follow Jesus, to learn humility from him.
God bless.
Saturday, 27 August 2016
因為我害怕 I was afraid
八月廿七日 聖莫尼加（瑪25:14-30）
「因為我害怕，所以我去把你的『塔冷通』藏在地下；」（瑪25:25）
"I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground." (Matthew 25:25)
「因為我害怕，所以我去把你的『塔冷通』藏在地下；」（瑪25:25）
天主按自己的肖像創造了人（創1:26），並把世界託付給人類管理和開發（創2:15）。作為一個合理的主人，天主當然分配給工作的人，足夠的裝備，去完成祂委派的任務。所以，當主人給第三個僕人一個『塔冷通』，僕人就應該好好運用手上的一個『塔冷通』，做好主人所委派的工作。故事中的僕人錯在哪裡？錯就錯在沒有運用天賦的才幹，埋沒了天主的恩賜。所謂「天生我才必有用」。多有多用，少有少用。總不應把它埋沒不用。這樣做，豈不是枉費主人對你的信託嗎？
再進一步考慮，僕人因為害怕失敗，害怕不能達標，所以索性把才幹埋沒了。這做法合理嗎？首先，他為甚麼害怕呢？原來他的主人「在沒有下種的地方收割，在沒有散布的地方聚斂」，是一個「刻薄」的人（瑪25:24）。姑勿論這個「刻薄」的評價是否正確，「開荒、下種、散布、收割和聚斂」都是僕人應做的工作，主人當然不會親身開荒下種的。倘若憑經驗的鑑定，有必要增加裝備資源，去開發新的領域，就應該向主人報告，要求增加裝備，或者想辦法令手上的裝備，發揮更大的效率，絕對不應把這些裝備埋藏地下。所以，即使「害怕」是事實，埋沒才幹仍是不合理的，是對主人缺乏認識、缺乏信心的表現。這是大忌。難怪主人要嚴懲他了。
聖父啊！當我力有不逮時，請給我支援，成就祢的意旨。亞孟。
"I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground." (Matthew 25:25)
God created men in His image (Genesis 1:26) and made men stewards to manage and develop the world (2:15). As a reasonable master, God must have provided His workers adequate equipment to accomplish the tasks assigned them.
Thus, when the master gave the third servant one talent, the servant should have made the most out of the one talent in hand to finish the tasks assigned him. What wrong has the servant done? His mistake was his failure to use his talent. He buried it. As the idiom goes, "Every dog has its day." The more you have, the more you can do. If you have less, then you do less. How can you simply throw your hands in the air? If you do, you fail your master's trust in you.
Let's go one step further. The servant buried his talent because he was afraid of not meeting the target. Was this action reasonable? First of all, why was he afraid? It was because his master was "a hard man, reaping where he did not sow, and gathering where he did not winnow." (Matthew 25:24) Never mind whether this assessment was accurate or not, "ploughing, sowing, reaping, winnowing and gathering" were supposed to be tasks of the servants. Nobody expected a master to do these menial tasks. From experience, if you needed more equipment and energy to develop a new frontier, you should have reported to the master to ask for more investment, or if that failed, to work more efficiently with whatever you had in hand. You could not simply bury your talent. Therefore, even if the fear is real, burying one's talent is unforgivable. It only shows that you do not understand your boss and you lack faith in him. This is the biggest mistake an employee can ever make. No wonder the master had to punish this servant severely.
Heavenly Father, when I am not capable, support me to accomplish Your will. Amen.
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