主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(24/4/2011)

本主日讀經︰
宗徒大事錄　10:34,37-43
聖詠　118[117]:1-2,16-17,22-23
哥羅森書　3:1-4或
格林多前書　5:6-8
若望福音　20:1-9或
瑪竇福音　28:1-10

默想︰

人們往往因為門徒不能夠認出復活了的耶穌而感到奇怪。其實門徒不能認出耶穌，是復活喜訊的重要一環；因為它指出我們的信德的一大奧祕。很簡單地說，能夠看到、認得出、並接受復活的主，不單單只是肉眼的事，而是復活的耶穌恩賜的禮物。

四部福音都沒有敍述耶穌是怎樣復活的，卻給我們寫下耶穌以復活基督的身分向人顯現。因此，耶穌復活之後，給人顯現的重要訊息是：耶穌的顯現並不是為祂的復活添加資料。耶穌向人顯現，讓有信德的人接受祂；所以，祂沒有向無信德的人顯現。耶穌主動臨在有信德的人當中，即使他們的信德仍然軟弱，會疑惑，會抗拒；因為只要有信德，最終是會接受的。

這端道理清楚地由耶穌在空墳中顯現給瑪達肋納的敍述中看到。不是瑪達肋納首先認出耶穌，而是耶穌接納了她，以她的名字呼喚了她，這使她認出復活的主。

主耶穌，請祢堅定我們的信德。祢是復活的主、我們的救主！

【摘自和平四月號】


Readings (Year A) page 120:
Acts 10: 34a, 37-43
Psalm 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Colossians 3: 1-4
John 20: 1-9

People are often puzzled that Jesus’ disciples failed to recognize him when he rose from the dead. This failure, however, is an important part of the good news the Jesus rose from the dead, for it teaches us to realize that we are dealing with a great mystery of faith. To put it very simply, the Risen Jesus, was not a matter of mere eyesight, but a grace from the Risen Jesus Himself.

The Gospels do not describe the actual resurrection. They rather teach us that Jesus appeared to people as the already risen Christ. Hence the importance of the stories of the appearances of Jesus: they are not simply additions to the Resurrection. Jesus appears to people so that they may accept him in faith and so he does not appear to those who have no faith. Jesus offers his presence to faith, even though it is hesitant, resisting, fragile. For faith finally accepts.

This doctrine is presented to us very clearly in the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb. It is not she who recognized Jesus first, but Jesus who accepted her by calling her by her name thus bring her to recognize him as the Risen Lord.

Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith in You as our Risen Lord and Saviour.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer