主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(12/06/2011)

本主日讀經︰
宗徒大事錄　2:1-11
聖詠　104[103]:24,29-31,34
格林多前書　12:3-7,12-13
若望福音　20:19-23

默想︰

耶穌開始傳教時在加里肋亞湖邊向伯多祿及安德肋兩兄弟說「來跟隨我！」（谷1:17）。耶穌復活後在加里肋亞湖邊再向伯多祿說：「跟隨我罷！」（若21:19）。處境雖不同，耶穌給伯多祿（教會）說的也是給我們被召叫成為天主子女的人說的：「你們從前不是天主的人民，如今卻是天主的人民；從前沒有蒙受愛憐，如今卻蒙受了愛憐」（伯前2:10）。這愛憐是因為我們「被召選，是照天主的預定；受聖神祝聖，是為服事耶穌基督，和分沾他寶血洗淨之恩」（伯前1:2）。

教會是由耶穌基督所建立，祂是教會的頭，是教會的基石（宗4:11）：「除他以外，無論憑誰，決無救援，因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名字，使我們賴以得救的」（宗4:12）。

我們今天慶祝教會生日的同時也該重新宣信：「我信唯一、至聖、至公，從宗徒傳下來的教會」。昔日五旬節，聖神降臨在宗徒們、聖母瑪利亞及眾信友身上。這充滿神恩的團體教會開始了新一頁的天主救恩工作。這神聖的工作今天傳遞到我們身上，我們該好好地繼往開來。

天主聖神，請祢降臨，充滿祢信徒的心！

【摘自和平六月號】



Readings (Year A) page 92:
Acts 2: 1-11;
Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
Corinthians 12: 3b, 12-13
John 20:19-23

The gift of the Spirit in Acts is a rather noisy and flashy event. The tongues of fire fill the assembled followers of Jesus with the divine Spirit enabling them to prophesy and speak in tongues. For Luke, this was the fulfillment of God's promise to undo human separation and confusion so that the world could be reconciled to God. This Spirit also gives them courage and boldness to live and proclaim the new life in Christ without fear. We should pray always for this gift of the Spirit, both for ourselves and the Church.

John's account of the giving of the Spirit is quiet and rather private. Jesus breathes the Spirit onto his followers, reminding us of the divine breath at the moment of creation in Genesis. It creates us anew and gives us the power to continue the work of Jesus. This mission is to reveal the true nature of God - absolute love and light - to a world struggling in darkness. And as Paul reminds us, the Spirit connects us to one another and inspires us to work for the common good - no egoism allowed! The gift of the Spirit is not about 'getting saved' nor is it about exciting spiritual experiences. The Spirit is given for one reason only: love and service, and if we practice that, we will know God.

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer