生活聖言 (2012年3月)

「主!惟袮有永生的話,我們去投奔誰呢?」 (若6:68)

耶穌對那些跟隨祂的群眾講論天主的國。祂的言談顯淺易明,並喜歡用日常生活的例子做比喻,但祂所說的話卻有一股特別的吸引力。群眾都驚奇祂的教訓,因為祂教訓他們,正像有權威的人,不像他們的經師。同樣地,當司祭長和法利塞人質問那些被派去捉拿耶穌的差役,為甚麼沒有把耶穌帶來時,差役回答說:「從來沒有一個人如此講話,像這人講話一樣。」(若7:46)
若望福音也記述耶穌跟個別人士展開富啟發性的交談,例如尼苛德摩和撒瑪黎雅婦人。但耶穌與門徒的談話更為深入。祂清楚地講論天父和天上的事物,而不再用甚麼比喻。祂的言談說服了他們,即使他們並不完全了解祂所講的話,或當祂對門徒的要求很高時,他們也不會退縮。
但是當門徒中有些人,聽說祂要把自己的肉賜給他們吃,把祂的血給他們喝時,便說:「這話生硬,有誰能聽得下去呢?」 (若6:60)
耶穌看見祂的門徒中有許多人退下去,不再同祂往來,於是向十二宗徒說:「難道你們也願走嗎?」 (若6:67)
自從伯多祿遇見耶穌的那天,便已經深深被祂的話所吸引,如今已決意永遠追隨耶穌,他於是代表每個人回答說:

「主!惟袮有永生的話,我們去投奔誰呢?」

伯多祿知道他的師傅所說的話,與其他的師傅不同。來自世俗的言論屬於此世,而目標也只會指向世俗的事。耶穌的言論卻是屬神的,並富有生命,因為它們來自天上:它們就像一道從天而降的光,且包含來自天上的力量。祂的言論既豐富又具有深度,這是其他人的講話,包括哲學思想、政治言論或詩詞等所沒有的。耶穌的言談就是「永生的話」(若6:68),因為它們包含、流露並傳遞那份永恆圓滿的生命。為甚麼?因為那就是天主本身的生命。
復活了並仍然活著的耶穌,祂的聖言雖然是在過去說的,卻不祇是一份回憶。這些聖言也是針對今天的我們,以及對每個世代及不同文化背景的人而說的。它們是普世性及永恆的聖言。
耶穌的話何其偉大!它們可以說是祂最高的藝術。聖言用了人類的語言表達出來。啊!這是何等的內容,何等的強度,何等的語調,何等的聲音!
例如聖大巴西略(註一)憶述說:「有一天,我彷彿從長久的睡夢中醒來,看見那包含在福音中奇妙的真理之光,並發覺世俗準則裡的智慧虛幻不實。」 (Ep. CCXXIII, 2)
在1897年五月九日的一封信中,聖女小德蘭寫道:「有時,當我研讀某些神修的論文時……,我那貧乏而微弱的心神很容易便感到疲累。於是我闔上使我頭昏腦脹、心靈枯乾的智者們的著作,然後翻開聖經,於是一切都為我變得光亮起來,只要其中的一個字就足以在我的靈魂展示無窮的視野,令我感到達致全德的境界是非常容易的。」(註二)
是的,聖言令心神感到滿足,因為靈魂要奔向無限;聖言不但照亮人的心思,還包括整個人,因為聖經的話就是光明、愛和生命。聖言把平安帶給人,那就是耶穌所說的:「我的平安」;就算在困惑及苦悶的時刻,就算當靈魂受困苦折磨時,聖言也能把圓滿的喜樂賜給人,尤其在沮喪和氣餒的時刻,聖言給心靈賜下力量。它能使人自由,因為聖言打開真理的道路。

「主!惟袮有永生的話,我們去投奔誰呢?」

這個月的生活聖言提醒我們唯一要跟隨的師傅是耶穌,即使祂所說的話可能有點嚴格並要求甚高。它意味著我們在工作中要誠實、要懂得寬恕、為他人服務而不是自私地只顧及自己、要忠於自己的家庭、協助病危的人,而不屈服於安樂死的想法……。
許多導師會指引我們去尋找容易的解決方法和謀求妥協。但我們卻要聽從我們唯一的師傅,並且跟隨祂,因為唯有祂能說出真理並擁有『永生的話』。這樣我們也能重複伯多祿講的這句話。
在這四旬期內,我們正為隆重慶祝耶穌的復活而作準備,我們必須聆聽唯一師傅的教誨並成為祂的真正門徒。在我們心中必須對天主聖言孕育一份熱愛。讓我們以專注的心神去歡迎在教堂內宣讀出來的聖言,細心地去誦讀它,研究它,默想它……。
但是最重要的是我們被召喚,按照聖經的教導去將它生活出來:「你們應按這聖言來實行,不要只聽,自己欺騙自己。」(雅1:22)為此,每個月我們都特別專注一句聖言,讓它深入我們內心,陶冶我們,讓它在我們內『生活』。透過實踐耶穌的一句話,我們就能把全部福音生活出來,因為在祂的每句聖言中,祂把自己全部給予我們,祂還親自來居住在我們的心中。這樣,復活的主耶穌的神聖智慧,便一點一滴地慢慢滲入我們的心靈深處,並取代我們在每個生活境況中的思考、渴求和行動的方式。

盧嘉勒

註一:公元330-379年,教會偉大教父之一,曾任凱撒利亞的主教

註二:“Scritti, Postulazione generale dei Carmelitani Scalzi”第22封信,第734頁,1967年羅馬出版

Word of Life – Mar 2012

“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”
(Jn 6:68)

Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God to the crowds that followed him (see Lk 9:11). He used simple words, parables taken from everyday life, and yet his words held a special fascination. The crowds were spellbound by his teaching, “for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Mt 7:29). Likewise, when the temple guards sent to arrest him were asked by the chief priest and Pharisees why they did not bring him in, they replied: “Never before has anyone spoken like this one” (Jn 7:46).

The Gospel of John also speaks about the conversations filled with light that Jesus had with individuals like Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. He explained matters in depth to his apostles. He spoke openly of the Father and of the things of Heaven, and with them he no longer used figures of speech (see Jn 16:25–29). His words were convincing, and the apostles did not retreat even when they did not fully understand his words or when those words seemed too demanding.

Some of his disciples remarked, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” (Jn 6:60) when they heard him say that he would give them his body to eat and his blood to drink. Seeing that “many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him,” Jesus said to the Twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” (Jn 6:66-67)

Peter, now bound to him forever — having been fascinated by the words he had heard spoken from the day he first met Jesus — answered on behalf of everyone: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Peter had understood that the words of his teacher were different from those of other teachers. Their words were coming from an earthly source, belonging to and having their destiny on earth. The words of Jesus are spirit and life because they come from Heaven: they are a light that descends from above, and their power comes from above. His words have a wealth and depth that other words do not have, no matter how philosophical, political or poetic they are. His are “words of eternal life” because they contain, express and communicate the fullness of that life that never ends, since it is the very life of God.

Jesus is risen and lives, and his words, although spoken in the past, are not mere memories. They are words addressed to all of us today and to every person of every time and culture. They are universal, eternal words.

The words of Jesus! They must have been his greatest “art.” The Word who spoke in human words — what content, what intensity, what expression, what a voice!

Basil, one of the great Fathers of the Church, recounted how “one day, almost as if waking up from a long sleep, I beheld the marvelous light of the truth contained in the Gospel and discovered the vanity of the wisdom of this world.”‘

In a letter of May 9, 1897, Therese of Lisieux wrote: “At times, when I read certain spiritual treatises … my poor little spirit tires easily. I close the scholarly book that breaks my head to pieces and dries up my heart and take in my hands the sacred Scriptures. Then everything lights up: just one word opens my soul to infinite horizons, and reaching perfection seems easy.”‘

Yes, divine words fully satisfy a spirit that is made for the infinite; they illuminate the mind and one’s whole being as well because they are light, love and life. They impart peace — that peace that Jesus calls his own: “my peace” — even in moments of bewilderment and anguish. They give full joy even in the midst of suffering that at times can torment the soul. They give strength, especially in the face of dismay and discouragement. They give a sense of freedom because they open the path to the truth.

“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

The Word of Life this month reminds us that the only teacher we want to follow is Jesus, even when his words might seem to be hard or too demanding. This means, among other things, to be honest at work, forgive, put ourselves at the service of the others rather than to think only of ourselves, remain faithful to our families, assist terminally ill persons without giving in to thoughts of euthanasia.

There are many “teachers” around, inviting us to adopt easy solutions, to make compromises. We want to listen to our only Teacher and to follow him, the only one who speaks the truth and who has “words of eternal life.” In this way we too can repeat Peter’s words.

During this Lenten season, as we prepare for the great celebration of the Resurrection, we should really enroll in the school of the one Teacher and become his disciples. What should come to life in us is a passionate love for the word of God. Let us be ready to welcome the word when we hear it proclaimed; let us read it, study it, meditate on it.

But above all we are called to put it into practice as Scripture itself teaches: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves” (Jas 1:22). That is why each month we focus on one word in particular, letting it enter us, form us, act in us. By living out one word of Jesus we live out the whole Gospel, because in each of his words he gives all of himself, he himself comes to live in us.

It is like a drop of divine wisdom from the Risen one that slowly sinks in and replaces our ways of thinking, choosing and acting in all the circumstances of our lives.

Chiara Lubich

神父講道 – 四旬期第二週 (週三) (2012年3月 7日)

恭讀聖瑪竇福音 20:17-28

耶穌上耶路撒冷去的時候,暗暗把十二個門徒帶到一邊,在路上對他們說:「看,我們上耶路撒冷去,人子要被交於司祭和經師,他們要定他的死罪;並且要把他交給外邦人戲弄、鞭打、釘死;但第三天,他要復活。」
那時,載伯德兒子的母親,同自己的兒子前來,叩拜耶穌,請求他一件事。耶穌對她說:「你要什麼?」她回答說:「你叫我的這兩個兒子,在你王國內,一個坐在你的右邊,一個坐在你的左邊。」耶穌回答說:「你們不知道你們所求的是什麼,你們能飲我將要飲的爵嗎?」他們說:「我們能。」耶穌對他們說:「我的爵你們固然要飲;但坐在右邊或左邊,不是我可以給的,而是我父給誰預備了,就給誰。」那十個聽了,就惱怒他們兩兄弟。
耶穌叫過他們來說:「你們知道:外邦人有首長主宰他們,有大臣管轄他們。但在你們中卻不可這樣;誰若願意在你們中成為大的,就當作你們的僕役;誰若願意在你們中為首,就當作你們的奴僕。就如人子來不是受服侍,而是服侍人,並交出自己的生命,為大眾作贖價。」

—基督的福音。

(2nd Week of Lent – Wednesday)

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 20:17-28

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zeb’edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

神父講道 – 四旬期第二週 (週二) (2012年3月6日)

恭讀聖瑪竇福音 23:1-12

那時,耶穌對民眾和他的門徒講論說:「經師和法利塞人坐在梅瑟的講座上:凡他們對你們所說的,你們要行要守;但不要照他們的行為去做,因為他們只說不做。他們把沉重而難以負荷的擔子捆好,放在人的肩上,自己卻不肯用一個指頭動一下。他們所做的一切工作都是為叫人看;為此,他們把經匣放寬,衣繸加長;他們又喜愛筵席上的首位,會堂中的上座;喜愛人在街市上向他們致敬,尊稱他們為『辣彼』。至於你們,卻不要被稱為『辣彼』,因為你們的師傅只有一位,你們眾人都是兄弟;也不要在地上稱人為你們的父,因為你們的父只有一位﹐就是天上的父。你們也不要被稱為導師,因為你們的導師只有一位,就是默西亞。你們中那最大的,該作你們的僕役。凡高舉自己的,必被貶抑;凡貶抑自己的,必被高舉。」

—基督的福音。

(2nd Week of Lent – Tuesday)

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 23:1-12

1 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

神父講道 – 四旬期第二週 (週一) (2012年3月5日)

恭讀聖路加福音 6:36-38

那時候,耶穌向門徒說:「你們應當慈悲,如像你們的父那樣慈悲。你們不要判斷,你們也就不受判斷;不要定罪,也就不被定罪;你們要赦免,也就蒙赦免。你們給,也就給你們;並且還要用好的,連按帶搖,以致外溢的升斗,倒在你們的懷裏,因為你們用什麼升斗量,也用什麼升斗量給你們。」

—基督的福音。

(2nd Week of Lent – Monday)

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 6:36-38

36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄