主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation （2010年12月05日）

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　11:1-10
聖詠　72[71]:2,7-8,12-13,17
羅馬書　15:4-9
瑪竇福音　3:1-12

默想︰

作好準備迎接救主降生的第二主日，經訓提示，最好的準備莫如改惡遷善（福音）；彼此忍耐、安慰、接納（讀經二）；建設人間天國（讀經一，聖詠）。

若翰洗者用了很嚴厲的言詞斥責法利塞人和撒杜塞人的偽善，指他們是「毒蛇的種類」！若翰呼籲真正預備上主道路的人，結與悔改相稱的果實。悔改受洗只是一個開始，若隨之而來沒有相稱的行為，使別人因我們的表現而認識天主的國度，使天主的國臨現於世，我們的悔改不是真正的悔改。相稱的生活行為，要見證基督「以聖神及火」洗了我們；分受祂的使命：拯救哀號的貧民，扶持無援的窮人，憐恤不幸和貧乏的群眾，救護窮苦貧病者的生命（詠72:12-13）。當日保祿勸猶太人和外邦人和好的說話，為我們也合用。換言之，相稱的生活行為，包括放下一己的成見，彼此忍耐、安慰和接納。為迎接基督的誕生，最好的準備莫如在天主的大家庭中，「彼此同心合意，好一心一口光榮我們的主耶穌基督的天主和父」。

主，請幫助我們在彼此身上，迎接祢的誕生。


【摘自和平十二月號】


Readings (Year A) page 14:
Isaiah 11: 1-10
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
Romans 15: 4-9
Matthew 3: 1-12

Meditation

John the Baptist, whom we have not heard of since his birth to Zechariah and Elizabeth, now appears in the desert near the Jordan River. A summary of his message is given. It will be repeated by Jesus Himself at the beginning of His public life. It is a call for people to make a radical change in their lives for the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Jesus will add that the coming of that Kingdom into our lives consists in our committing ourselves totally to the message that Jesus will bring.

In the meantime, John is the voice that announces the coming of Jesus as our Saviour and King. He leads a life of great austerity which gives him the right to tell people how they are to prepare. He gives a warning especially to those whose lives are far from the spirit of the One whose coming he foretells. He speaks with equal force to the religious leaders, Pharisees and Sadducees, as he does to ordinary people. He calls on all to leave behind their sinful ways, their pride, their arrogance, their greed. It is time for each one to bear fruit, the fruit of truth and love and good works. Then they will be ready to receive the One, who is so great that John is not worthy even to untie his sandals. This Advent period is also a time for us to look into our lives and to see how ready we are to welcome Jesus into our hearts.

Lord, open our hearts in welcome and remove those things which hinder us from welcoming You with joy.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer