主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation（14/08/2011）

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　56:1,6-7
聖詠　67[66]:2-3,5,6,8
羅馬書　11:13-15,29-32
瑪竇福音　15:21-28

默想︰

古今中外，幾時以「狗」來呼喚另一個人，總不能算是客氣與尊重的語氣，而是帶有強烈的侮辱含義。但最令人難明的，是這話竟出自救主耶穌的口！顯然這並非這一幕的重點所在，這話的用意在於所產生的效果：向在一個以天主選民自居的猶太人社會中的狹隘觀念，彰顯出達味之子降世所帶來救恩的普世性正是這一句話，激發出的外邦婦人敏達精湛而略帶幽默的回應，不惜將自己空虛貶抑得一文不值，為求全然迎向她口中這位絕非普通人的「達味之子」要賜予的滿溢恩賜女兒獲救的大恩。這正是今天先知書與聖詠所預見的救恩景象：外邦人的皈依，將為萬民之主的上主所悅納。不但如此，作為外邦人宗徒的聖保祿，似乎要再添一筆：外邦人對上主召叫的回應，必產生刺激原有選民發憤的作用，使所有人都體會到上主的憐憫，回歸上主的慈愛懷抱。若自問已蒙天主召叫皈依，但與主的關係卻若即若離的話，但願新信徒的加入能產生激勵作用，重燃自己當初皈依的熾熱心火。

主，失去祢，我們一無是處。祢是我們的一切！


【摘自和平八月號】


Readings (Year A) page 38:
Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7
Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8
Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15: 21-28

Isaiah in today's reading speaks of salvation being close at hand and therefore for the need to be righteous. He calls to the entrenched Israelites for a genuine conversion and an acceptance of "foreigners" whom he considers equal to the Israelites, provided they observed certain conditions. Such foreigners can and will share in the liturgical life: "my house will be a house of prayer for all the peoples." (v. 56:7).

St Paul too says something on the same lines of acceptance of the "pagans". Salvation, he says, is freely given to ALL according to the divine plan. Here too we see Jews and Gentiles being reminded of their mutual dependence and their oneness in God's eyes.
Both these readings help us to understand the Gospel account of the Canaanite woman pleading for her daughter's healing. As a Jew, Jesus could not help His ethnic bias when approached by this foreign woman (the word "dog" was a derogatory term commonly used by the Jews for the Gentiles). However, the woman persists in her pleas, displaying an understanding of His position as a Jew, by accepting humbly and yet with a sense of humour that "even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from the master's table." (Mt.15:27). Her determination wins the day, and Jesus commends her great faith, which is all the more remarkable in a person considered an outsider.

Lord, help us to be kind towards those who have been marginalized. Amen.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer