主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(03/07/2011)

本主日讀經︰
匝加利亞先知書　9:9-10
聖詠　145[144]:1-2,8-11,13-14
羅馬書　8:9,11-13
瑪竇福音　11:25-30

默想︰

筆者是個徹頭徹尾的城市人，從未親眼目睹牛耕田的狀況。所以，當今天福音裏耶穌呼召我們負重擔的人到祂跟前，不是卸下負累，而是邀請我們背起祂的軛，就更摸不著頭腦。我默想那個像枷鎖的鐵框，架在頸脖上，又怎會輕鬆自在？終於在網上找到中東地區牛耕田的圖片，才曉得牛軛是木製的  在耶穌時代，農夫會牽引自家的耕牛，到木匠處量度尺寸，為牛隻訂造輕巧的木軛。待差不多製成時，還要再把牛牽去試戴，調校到不會磨傷頸項，完全適合為止。原來巴勒斯坦地區是兩牛共用一根橫木為軛，老牛有耕作經驗，明白農夫的指令；嫩牛橫衝直撞，唯有與老牛共用一軛，並緊貼老牛步伐，並肩同行，慢慢學習，才能領略耕作的要訣，完成工作。

主耶穌，祢就是那位溫柔的納匝肋木匠，細心地為我們準備輕巧合適的軛，並不斷為我們調校，教導我們愛主愛人的誡命，學習溫和謙遜，以獲得圓滿的救恩。當我們疲憊不堪，其實祢正在我們身旁，和我們一起共負一軛，陪伴我們過渡一切艱難日子。

主耶穌，感謝祢！但願我們都能獲得祢許諾的靈魂的安息。

【摘自和平七月號】


Readings (Year A) page 83:
Zechariah 9: 9-10
Psalm 145: 1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
Romans 8: 9, 11-13
Matthew 11: 25-30

It is easy to loathe our limitations and imperfections. Who wants weak points? Is it possible, however, that our weaknesses can also lead us to Christ?

Christ is the Son of God and powerful. Yet, today we see another image. Our king will come, “humble and riding on a donkey”. This verse from Zechariah is quoted in all four Gospels to describe Jesus’ non-violent entry into Jerusalem.

In the Gospel today, Jesus asks us to share his yoke and learn from him, for he is “gentle and humble in heart”.

Humility involves accepting the reality of our human condition. Having weaknesses is an unavoidable part of being human. In moments of weakness, we may be tempted to choose what is unhealthy and to live according to the flesh. Yet, each day we are also offered grace to live in the Spirit. Each day we are given a choice.

In this situation of vulnerability, we are not left to struggle alone. Christ beckons us to come to him. He invites us to drop our pretensions and masks. He invites us to admit we need help and to trust in him – to share his yoke. He invites us to discover that in our weakness, we can rely on his strength.


Lord, I need You. In my time of weakness, give me strength.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer