主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(06/03/2011)

本主日讀經︰
申命紀　11:18,26-28,32
聖詠　31[30]:2-4,17,25
羅馬書　3:21-25,28
瑪竇福音　7:21-27

默想︰

今天的讀經邀請我們去想想信德和善行的關係。我們因信成義，全賴天主的恩寵，非靠我們守法律或行善而賺取的。在愛內天主寬恕了我們的罪，使我們重獲新生，但我們須回應天主，天主的恩寵才能生效。我們需要行動並向前邁進，否則不進則退。沒有善行的信德是死的或奄奄一息的。我們通過守誡命，承行主旨，聽從和實行祂的教導，來跟天主聖化我們的恩寵合作，以走近祂。

俗語有云：以色列要出埃及真不容易，十個瘟疫，過紅海，入沙漠；以民的肉身就這樣離開了埃及，但困難仍在後頭就是要埃及離開以色列！以民必須擺脫對埃及安逸生活的依戀，以自由的心靈和意志，才可繼續前行，進入福地。

我們沒能力擺脫罪惡的羈絆。我們的軟弱本性使我們傾向選擇那些快、容易、有即時回報的事去做，雖然我們知道那不盡是好事來的。但耶穌基督為我們捨命，給我們顯示可怎樣自由地生活，以切合天主子女的身分。仰賴天主的恩寵，我們慢慢地將信仰實踐，成義成聖，一步一步走近天主，讓天主的肖像在我們身上日益彰顯。

願天主永受讚美。

【摘自和平三月號】


Readings (Year A) page 27:
Deuteronomy 11: 18, 26-28, 32
Psalm 31: 2-3, 3-4, 17, 25 Lord, be my rock of safety.
Romans 3: 21-25, 28
Matthew 7: 21-27

The scriptures today invite us to ponder the right relationship between faith and works. We are justified by faith alone. We are made right with God by God’s gracious gift. We cannot earn it or deserve it by any works of the Law or any good deed. In love God forgives us our sin and shows us the way but we also need to respond. We need to act and move forward lest we fall backward. Faith without works is dead or dying. By keeping the commandments, by doing God’s will, by listening and acting on His words we cooperate with God’s sanctifying grace and draw closer to God.
There is a saying it was not easy to get the Israelites out of Egypt. Ten plagues and crossing a sea got their bodies out of Egypt and into the desert. But then the more difficult part was really getting Egypt out of the Israelites. They had to free their hearts and minds from their attraction to the pleasures and comforts of Egypt so they could move forward and enter into the Promised Land.
We cannot free ourselves from the bonds of sin. Some weakness within us inclines us to choose what is quick and easy and gratifying even when we know it is wrong. But Jesus Christ died for us and has shown us the way to live in freedom as sons and daughters of God. With God’s grace may we live our faith and be justified and sanctified and slowly, step by step draw closer to God so God’s image may be more clearly seen in us.

May God be blessed.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer