主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(22/05/2011)

本主日讀經︰
宗徒大事錄　6:1-7
聖詠　33[32]:1-2,4-5,18-19
伯多祿前書　2:4-9
若望福音　14:1-12

默想︰

新約讓我們看到初期教會的自我認識如何日益加深。聖保祿指教會是「特選的種族，王家的司祭，聖潔的國民，屬於主的民族」。這話原是天主透過梅瑟向在曠野中的以民說的。這是天主訓示以民的說話，亦是天主要賜給他們的恩寵，只要他們聽從祂的話，遵守祂的盟約（出19:5-6）。

伯多祿將天主這話，用在教會身上，就是在教導我們：天主與我們立約，天主在耶穌內與我們訂立新的盟約。耶穌是天主精選的，是祂的愛子，是我們的大司祭，我們尊祂為王。我們既然是「特選的種族，王家的司祭，聖潔的國民，屬於主的民族」，就是在參與耶穌在世的使命。所以，正如天主要求曠野中的以民所做的，我們亦一樣要做：聽從天主的話，遵守祂的盟約。這一切耶穌都實行了：祂常作天父所喜悅的事（若8:29），甚至聽命至死，且死在十字架上（斐2:8）。

天父，我們希望常能以祢的愛子耶穌為榜樣，俾堪當作「特選的種族，王家的司祭，聖潔的國民，屬於祢的民族」。

【摘自和平五月號】


Readings (Year A):
Acts 6:1-7
Ps. 32(33): 1-2,4-5,18-19
1 Pt. 2:4-9; Jn. 14:1-12
Meditation:

The writings of the New Testament show us how the early Church progressed in self-understanding. St. Peter refers to the Church as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart.” Originally God spoke these words through Moses to Israel in the desert. They are a promise of graces which Israel would obtain by obeying God’s word and living according to the Covenant (Exodus 19:5-6). By applying these words to the Church, Peter teaches us that we are the people with whom God has made a Covenant, the New Covenant in Jesus. Jesus was the chosen or beloved son of God, he is our great High-priest; we honour him as king. As “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart,” we participate in the mission of Jesus on earth for every gift is a mission we must accomplish. We must therefore obey God’s word and live according to the Covenant as God demanded of Israel in the desert. Jesus fulfilled these obligations by always doing what is pleasing to the Father (John 8:29) and being obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer

Father in heaven may we always live like Your Son Jesus and so be “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart.”