主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(19/9/2010)

本主日讀經︰
亞毛斯先知書　8:4-7
聖詠　113[112]:1-3,4-6,7-8
弟茂德前書　2:1-7
路加福音　16:1-13

默想︰

天主「願意所有的人都得救，並得以認識真理」。這教導有許多深邃含義，因為天主所願意的，是永恆的善；祂所願意的，亦必然會實現。關於得救和認識真理，我們可以反省一下哪一樣先行？這問題教我們更深入反省耶穌為我們所做的；反省耶穌這一個人；祂為我們來說，到底是誰？

「耶穌」這名字，意謂「上主施救」，正如天使向若瑟所宣佈的（瑪1:21）。為了施救，耶穌為我們成為：世界的光，善牧，生命之糧，真葡萄樹，羊的門，復活與生命，道路、真理、生命。

救恩有雙重意義：耶穌從罪惡中拯救我們，幫助我們獲得天主的救恩，使我們可以滿全天主創造我們的原意：就是與天主子耶穌結合，成為天父的子女。

救恩和真理，密不可分。耶穌許下我們要認識真理，而真理必會使我們獲得自由。救恩把人從罪惡中釋放，使人獲得真正的自由，是永遠而完全地屬於天主的自由。

主耶穌，求祢以祢的真理光照我們，使我們能夠在祢施予的救恩當中，享受祢的安慰。

【摘自和平九月號】


Readings (Year C) page 96:
Amos 8: 4-7
Psalm 113: 1-2, 4-6, 7-8 Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
1 Timothy 2: 1-8
Luke 16: 1-13 (or 16: 10-13)

Meditation

God "wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth." This doctrine has many profound implications, for what God desires is eternally good and will certainly come about. We may reflect: which comes first - salvation or the full knowledge of the truth? The question leads us to greater reflection on what Jesus has done for us and then on the person of Jesus himself and who he is for us.

The name "Jesus" means "God saves", as the angel announced to Joseph (Mt 1:21). Jesus saves us by being many other things for us: the light of the world, the Good Shepherd, the bread of life, the true vine, the gate of the sheepfold, the resurrection and life, the way, the truth and the life.

Salvation is twofold: Jesus saves us from our sins and sinfulness, and so saves us for God, that we might be what God created us to be: children of the Father in union with Jesus, Son of God.

Salvation and truth are very closely bound together. Jesus promised that we will know the truth and the truth will make us free.

Salvation is true freedom from sin and freedom to belong truly and entirely to God.

Lord Jesus, enlighten us with your truth that we may enjoy the consolation of salvation.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer