主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(4/7/2010)

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　66:10-14
聖詠　66[65]:1-3,4-5,6-7,16,20
迦拉達書　6:14-18
路加福音　10:1-12,17-20

默想︰

一直十分欣賞傳教士的工作，尤其對那些為傳揚福音而離鄉別井，漂洋過海，遠赴他方的外國人，肅然起敬。他們冒著生命危險，到風俗和生活習慣完全不同的異國，目的是回應主耶穌的召叫：「你們往普天下去，向一切受造物宣傳福音」（谷16:15）。

今天的福音詳述耶穌如何培訓門徒中的七十二位走向群眾宣講：「天主的國已經臨近你們」（路10:9）。這些門徒和十二位宗徒成為耶穌親自訓練的首批傳教士。自此以後，傳教士絡繹於途，宣揚耶穌基督的福音，建樹篤信耶穌的教會。我們有幸成為基督徒，傳教士們居功至偉。基督信仰得到薪火相傳，我們對傳教士的感激之情實非筆墨可以形容。

作為基督徒的中國人，我們一定要感謝利瑪竇（1552-1610）。這位義大利耶穌會神父於1583年（明神宗萬歷十一年）來華，以半生（二十七年）精力，宣揚福音，溝通中西文化。今年是利瑪竇在中國逝世四百年，謹讓我們在懷念這位偉大傳教士的同時，不要忘記請他為中國教會的興盛轉禱。


【摘自和平七月號】


Readings (Year C) page 87:
Isaiah 66: 10-14c
Psalm 66: 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Galatians 6: 14-18
Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20

Meditation

A mother’s loving comfort can heal so much emotional or physical pain. Most people can remember being comforted by their own mothers when they were young. Isaiah is not afraid to use feminine and maternal images when speaking of God. The conquered people of Israel have suffered at the hands of their oppressors and they have endured the shame of exile. God will comfort them as a mother and will give them cause for joy. But the words are also spoken to us – regardless of what we endure, God is there for us – not to judge or condemn, but to bless, comfort, and heal.

God heals and makes all things new in Jesus Christ and that is why Paul insists that all of the things we quarrel and fret about pale in comparison to what Jesus gives to us. This is the only thing that should concern us – and the only reason for so-called boasting. Jesus is everything.

Keep moving and travel light – that is what Jesus tells the seventy. But even more than that, he insists that they must depend completely on God. There is a sense of urgency in everything that he tells them. The same urgency is still with us – it is so important to communicate to others this love of God for us here and now. Calling for more labourers is not about mere numbers – God can do far more with a few people who are committed, selfless and on fire with love.

Lord, may I be a source of hope and comfort to others.