主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(01/08/2010)

本主日讀經︰
訓道篇　1:2; 2:21-23
聖詠　90[89]:3-6,12-14,17
哥羅森書　3:1-5,9-11
路加福音　12:13-21

默想︰

讀經一的節錄，也許會給我們一個錯覺，以為訓道篇很悲觀。其實，這非訓道篇作者要述說的全部訊息。在今天的片段裏，作者旨在忠告人不要貪戀世物，不要只顧囤積世上財富，因為人死後，甚麼也不能帶走，只能留給別人。

今天的福音，同樣勸人戒貪世物，但耶穌的話，更具深義。由天父而來，歸向天父的耶穌，不希望我們因世物累贅，而舉步艱難，因為我們同樣是由天父而來，同樣走在回歸天父的路上。要注意，耶穌自己並沒有戒絕世物，祂為自己為別人的靈魂得救，而善用世物。祂只是看穿貪得無厭的惡果。所以，直接了當地警告那些為自己厚積財產而不在天主前致富的「糊塗人」！

如果耶穌凌厲的語氣把我們嚇怕，那大可重温讀經二，聖保祿的溫柔保證：凡與基督同行，因基督而放棄的，都要在基督內重新獲得。

天父，請幫助我們善用世物，願我們在世上享用的一切，都能助我們儲蓄天上不朽的財寶。

【摘自和平八月號】


Readings (Year C) page 20:
Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 2: 21-23
Psalm 90: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11
Luke 12: 13-21

Meditation

The extract from the Book of Ecclesiastes could give a false impression of the general tone of the book. It is not at all as gloomy as today’s reading might suggest. The Preacher advises us to be moderate in what we work for so that we can enjoy the good things that God has made available to us. He says that there isn’t much point in amassing a great store of possessions that we can’t take with us. We will have to leave them to somebody else. This is sound advice. It is realistic, even religious. It is not, however, the full story.

When we come to the Gospel we find a similar warning about striving to build up a huge store of possessions. The words of Jesus, however, spring from a deeper concern. Jesus, who comes from the Father and is going to the Father, wants us to be free and unencumbered on our journey to that same Father. Jesus did enjoy the good things of life in moderation and in a desire to be available and of service to others. He was, however, keenly aware of the corrosive and blinding effect of greed. Hence his stark warning to the “fool”.


Heavenly Father, help us to so use the gifts of this passing world for Your glory that we may also enjoy the gifts of the world to come.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer