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

本主日讀經︰
智慧篇　18:6-9
聖詠　33[32]:1,12,18-20,22
希伯來書　11:1-2,8-19
路加福音　12:32-48

默想︰

我們實在應該多謝聖伯多祿時常向耶穌提問，雖然他的問題有時看似瑣碎、無關重要，甚至乎顯得有點厚臉皮，但都能引發耶穌富趣味性富啟發性的答話。今天的福音也不例外，但耶穌這回並沒有直接回答伯多祿的問題，而是續說僕人當保持警醒，作好準備去迎接不知幾更天回來的主人。耶穌示意委派伯多祿管理天主的大家庭，叫他當「忠信及精明的管家」。可以肯定，這比喻包含的訊息，是為天下間所有的聖言之僕，尤其那些被委以重任者。

人們傾向誤解耶穌所講的許多比喻和教訓，以為對象是為「聖人」、神父、修士、修女等，而非普通平信徒。這亦是伯多祿所指的。其實，任何一位基督徒都被召做「忠信及精明的管家」備妥去迎接隨時回來的主人。

這又將我們帶回基督徒的生活基調：事事感恩衷心承認一切都是天主的恩賜，不比較，不奢望，學習在平凡的生活中，欣賞和珍惜源於天主之愛的每一份禮物；因而喜樂，因而謝恩！也許，在當今愛消費，一味追求滿足物慾的年代，要做到這點，並不容易。

主，教我時刻將祢的恩寵，記在心頭。

【摘自和平八月號】


Readings (Year C) page 31:
Wisdom 18: 6-9
Psalm 33: 1, 12, 18-19, 20-22 Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19
Luke 12: 32-48

Meditation

We should always be grateful to St. Peter for the questions he asked the Lord. Sometimes his questions might seem trivial or irrelevant, or even a bit cheeky, but they always provoked an interesting or revealing response from Jesus. The example is today’s gospel is no exception. But this time, instead of answering Peter directly, Jesus continues what He’s been saying about servants needing to be alert, expectant, ready for their master’s return. And he indicates that He’s expecting Peter to be that “good steward” whom He can put in charge of the whole household of God. Very definitely, the “parable is meant for us”, as well as everyone. The message of being ready is meant for everyone who is His servant, and especially those who have been given much.

People are sometimes tempted to think that Jesus’ parables and teachings are meant not so much for ordinary people as for the ‘holy’ ones, sisters or brothers or priests, etc. That’s also the implication of Peter’s question to Jesus. But in reality we’re all called to be the good and trustworthy servants that the master will find at their work, whenever He may unexpectedly return.

So once again, living a Christian life comes back to gratefulness – recognizing and sincerely thanking God for the gifts we’ve each of us received. Not making comparisons with other people, or wishing for things we haven’t got, but even in the most ordinary things of life learning to appreciate and value God’s love-gifts to us.


Lord make me mindful of what I have received.