主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(29/05/2011)

本主日讀經︰
宗徒大事錄　8:5-8; 14-17
聖詠　66[65]:1-3,4-5,6-7,16,20
伯多祿前書　3:15-18
若望福音　14:15-21

默想︰

領洗加入教會的早期基督徒，很快便成了備受迫害的對象。為了鼓勵這些新生教友在信德上站穩，伯多祿寫了這封書信。正在歡度復活期的我們，某程度上，都可算是「新生的教友」。我們在剛過去的四旬期及復活節，洗心革面，聖神在我們內重燃信仰的愛火，更新我們的希望，喚醒我們的觸覺。身為基督徒，隨時隨地都有可能因此而受辱。伯多祿挑戰我們時刻要準備妥當，以溫和、以敬畏的心去答覆信仰的質詢，勇敢地表白「心中所懷希望的理由」。假如我們發現自己緩於、畏於、羞於道明所信、所望、所愛的理由，就當歸心自問，細看因由。事實上，我們沒有能力作答，我們須倚靠在我們內的聖神。仰仗聖神的智慧和德能，我們才能影響別人的心。我們讓聖神透過我們去啟示，並以正直的生活加以印證。「因行善而受苦」是耶穌的生活表樣。耶穌為了我們的緣故而受苦，卻沒有留下我們為孤兒，祂給我們派遣聖神護衛，永遠與我們同在。

主，願我們都能從伯多祿的教導中，吸取信心和力量，喜樂地以實際的生活去見證祢是我們唯一的仰仗，是復活的主。

【摘自和平五月號】


Readings (Year A):
Acts8:5-8,14-17
Ps. 65(66): 1-3,4-5,6-7,16,20
1 Pt. 3:15-18;
Jn. 14:15-21

Meditation:

This Easter season we are all of us, in a certain sense, “new Christians”. Refreshed, renewed by celebrating Lent and Easter, we rejoice together with those who have just joined the Body of Christ in their recent baptism. In the spring time of the year, our enthusiasm, our hope and sensitivities are enlivened by the action of the Holy Spirit in us. But our faith and the practice of it are not always acceptable to people around us. In many places Christians encounter opposition, suspicion or even hatred from their own families, from neighbours, from society.

Peter’s letter is a challenge for us to be always ready, humbly and gently to explain “the reason for our hope:” for anyone who asks. Why are we sometimes so slow and reluctant to “explain” our faith, our reasons for believing, hoping and loving? Are we afraid, ashamed, so unsure? But it’s not the wisdom or expertise of our own words that will influence people or win their respect of admiration. It’s the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the evidence of blameless living, loving and caring for others. To be criticized or blamed or persecuted for doing good is what happened to Jesus Himself, for our sakes. He has not left us orphans, but sent His Spirit to be the life of our lives. Let’s take confidence and strength from Peter’s words today, and live joyfully, trusting only in the Risen Lord.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer

Lord, You are our hope.