主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (31/7/2011)

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　55:1-3
聖詠　145[144]:8-9,15-16,17-18
羅馬書　8:35,37-39
瑪竇福音　14:13-2

默想︰

基督徒的生活建立在和天主聖三的關係上。沒有和天主溝通的經驗，沒有人可以肯定地說自己是基督徒。人對天主所創造的世界有多少的珍惜；對天主所賜的人生有沒有感恩；對耶穌宣講悔改、醫治病人、死而復活認識多少；在生命中有沒有等待聖神，向聖神開放，日日更新自己？聖依納爵的改變就是源於他加深了對耶穌基督的認識，又受到其他聖人們的啓發。他願意為耶穌徹底地奉獻，並在教會内、世界中為有迫切需要的地方服務。在他追尋自己生命方向的日子裏，他加深了對天主聖三的熱愛，深切地渴望為天主聖三聖化世界的使命服務。這個使命在耶穌的生、死、復活中徹底地顯示出來，又在聖神的帶領下發展起來。剛剛悔改的聖依納爵專注的更多是自己的克苦、成聖及熱愛天主。從聖地回西歐後的他更關心如何服務，幫助人也回應天主的召喚。他唯一的渴望就是奉獻自己的生命，為宣講耶穌的福音。任何的困難都沒有難倒他，因爲他相信順利、困難都不重要，重要的是如何在所作的服務中幫助人遇到耶穌，體驗到天主的愛。

全能仁慈的天主，願眾生的眼睛都仰望祢。


【摘自和平七月號】


Readings (Year A) page 14:
Isaiah 55: 1-3
Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-16, 17-18
Romans 8: 35, 37-39
Matthew 14: 13-21

The experience of wilderness is, in different ways, common to all three readings. They speak of a God whose love has the power to sustain, even in the heart of the wilderness. The Word of God spoken by Isaiah, the personal confession of Paul, the actions of Jesus all proclaim this encouraging and sustaining message.
The wilderness experience can be a salutary one. When trials come, our perspectives can radically change, our sense of values can be upturned, what once seemed so important may no longer seem so, and vice-versa.

Such an experience can shatter many of our illusions e.g. the illusion that we are completely in control of our lives, that our own resources are sufficient to enable us to cope with life. A crisis situation can bring home to us how small, in fact, our resources are.

Like the crowd in today's Gospel, we are forced to acknowledge how inadequate are our few loaves and fish, when faced with the task of the moment. The shattering of the illusion of independence can be the occasion for grasping anew the profound truth of our dependence on God, and the Good News that 'with God nothing will be impossible' (Lk. 1:37).

Lord, lead us to a deeper awareness that we need You more and more each day of our life.


Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer