主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation（14/11/2010）

本主日讀經︰
瑪拉基亞先知書　3:19-20
聖詠　98[97]:5-6,7-8,9
得撒洛尼後書　3:7-12
路加福音　21:5-19

默想︰

瑪拉基亞先知所提及的日子，亦是公審判的日子，就是：「善有善報，惡有惡報」的日子。那時，義人將會得到他們不朽的報酬。今天的福音講論末世的先兆，表示將會出現假默西亞、戰爭、叛亂、天災、異象……，那時，門徒將遭遇拘捕和迫害。其實，這也是很容易理解的，因為，既然真的、唯一的默西亞已經出現了，若再有默西亞，當然是假的。真默西亞的目的是天國，那麼，假的就志在地國的利益了。地國就是現世，要建立現世的帝國，那有不爭奪王位、土地，各種利益？那麼，發動戰爭，導致出賣、叛變、災難等等，這是必然的。耶穌還補充說，在末日之先，門徒早已被迫害，受苦受難，身先殉道。因為，門徒的諫責，為惡人來說，是忠言逆耳。因此首當其衝，先被剷除，也是可想像的。所以，基督徒早就被迫害，也是順理成章，不足為奇。但耶穌也警醒門徒，必須忠誠到底，愛到底，勇敢到底，隨時準備犧牲、殉道。耶穌說這是一個見證立功的機會，相信也是一個補贖的機會，補贖自己的罪過、世人的罪過吧！

永生的君王，願我們都能永在祢面前歡欣。

【摘自和平十一月號】


Readings (Year C) page 76:
Malachi 3: 19-20a
Psalm 98: 5-6, 7-8, 9 The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
2 Thessalonians 3: 7-12
Luke 21: 5-19

Meditation

How should we react to the warnings in today’s readings? On the one hand, we must listen carefully to what Jesus is saying. There will be an end to all things; nothing created will last forever. On the other hand, we are not to be surprised or panic when there is wide-spread hostility to our Christian faith (a growing phenomenon in our day). As long as Christianity remains steadfast to its faith in God, to seeking the truth, to human compassion and justice, it cannot disappear. And it is to these things that we are to bear witness. It requires a great inner strength, courage and conviction to put truth, love, justice and solidarity with all above one’s own immediate world. The end of the world that is our universe may be from all the evidence still far away. Yet, there is another end we all have to face and which is totally outside our control: the end of our bodily life here. Are we ready for that? There is only one effective way to prepare: to live each day fully in the company of Jesus. We do not prepare for the end by guaranteeing our future (we can’t) but by living fully with God and for God at every moment of every day. Then, no matter when Jesus comes to take us to himself, we will be more than ready. We will meet not as strangers but as dear and intimate friends who know each other well.

Come, you blessed of my Father; to the home prepared for you!

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer