主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(15/5/2011)


本主日讀經︰
宗徒大事錄　2:14,36-41
聖詠　23[22]:1-3,3-4
伯多祿前書　2:20-25
若望福音　10:1-10

默想︰

耶穌說：正人君子，由門進出，不會由別處爬進去或走出來。所以耶穌毅然奔向耶路撒冷，死在那裏並在那裏升天，完成救贖工程。耶穌又說，祂就是門，在祂之前、之後來的，都是賊，是假默西亞，我們不要聽從。實際上，在耶穌前後的二千多年裏，不少民間領袖和宗教，曾表示要建立王國，又表示世界末日的到來，結果都經不起時間的洗禮。耶穌說：祂走在羊的前面，祂的羊要跟隨祂，這樣，小羊必會找著牧場，必會安全。綜觀耶穌一生，為祂的羊立了表樣，並囑咐祂的羊信賴祂，跟隨祂。凡跟隨祂的，必會踏上正途，到達目的地。教會曾表示：教會以外無救恩，正正就是本主日的這端道理（若10:1,9），因為無論甚麼宗教，甚麼信念，若得救，都是藉著耶穌基督，因為祂就是道路、真理、生命。在五旬節那天，伯多祿籲聽眾脫離這邪惡的世代（宗2:40）；又在書信中說：「你們如果因行善而受苦，才是中悅天主的事」，因為，耶穌受難時，「只將自己交給那照正義行審判的天主」。

主耶穌，願我們都能照樣去做，並因祢而獲得生命，且獲得更豐富的生命。


【摘自和平五月號】


Readings (Year A) page 29:
Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
1 Peter 2: 20b-25
John 10: 1-10

We all make mistakes and sometimes these mistakes can seem overwhelming. Can we be forgiven or give hope to those who were afraid that they had missed their chance to receive God’s mercy. God’s gift is intended for everyone, both near and far, and it is never too late for anyone to be embraced by God.
Since God is so patient, merciful, and forgiving, we must be too. Peter exhorts his fellow believers to leave all judgment to God and not to return evil for evil. After all, Jesus suffered unjustly on our behalf and did not lash out at his tormentors. Much of the violence and negativity in the world today is due to people, groups, or nations trying to ‘get even’. We can contribute to a better world by being loving and forgiving as the Lord was.

How do we recognize the voice of Jesus in the chaos of voices of our world? Religious rhetoric or ‘God-talk’ can be meaningless for it costs nothing. The voice of Jesus is sometimes wordless but always challenging. Those who know him will recognize the voice – it is the voice of compassion, sharing, forgiveness, non-violence, justice, and equality. Wherever we find these qualities proclaimed and lived out we find the voice of the Lord.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer

Lord, may I always hear Your voice.