主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (16/10/2011)

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　45:1,4-6
聖詠　96[95]:1,3,4-5,7-8,9-10
得撒洛尼前書 1:1-5
瑪竇福音　22:15-21

默想︰

耶路撒冷的法利塞人和黑落德黨人，設圈套來置耶穌於死地。法利塞人主張以暴力推翻羅馬政權，更不想納稅。黑落德黨人則支持羅馬統治，視不納稅者為叛亂分子。現在，兩幫聯手，借刀殺人，迫耶穌跌入陷阱：若耶穌贊成納稅，法利塞人就煽動群眾用石頭將祂砸死；如果耶穌反對納稅，黑落德黨人便控告祂公開反對羅馬統治，把祂拉去處死。耶穌利用兩幫都認識的事實，答：「凱撒的，就應歸還凱撒」；然後用他們都信的：天主照自己的肖像和模樣造了人（創1:26-28），答：「天主的，就應歸還天主」。

人納稅代表他/她是屬於某個社團，人既帶著天主的肖像，也須定期做些表現自己屬性的行為，否則就屬於瞞稅了。身為基督徒，我們應自動自覺反省，有沒有善盡國家公民及天國公民的責任？當好市民就得交稅、參與選舉及表達意見等。當好的天國子民，就應常聽天主的話，實踐正義仁愛，傳播福音。

主，請教我們善盡地上公民及天國公民的責任。


【摘自和平十月號】


Readings (Year A) page 28:
Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6
Psalm 96: 1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
Thessalonians 1: 1-5b
Matthew 22: 15-21

In the Gospel of today Jesus reaffirms the duty of all of us to obey civil authority. The Pharisees and the Herodians had attempted to lay a trap with their question: "Was it licit to pay tribute to Caesar?" There were those among the Jews who asserted that such payment simply reinforced the tyranny of foreign domination over the people. Now, if Jesus were to agree to this payment, the Pharisees would be able to accuse Him of collaborating with the Romans. He would thus be discredited before the good people. But if He were to oppose the tax, the Herodians, in league with the occupying civil power, would then denounce Him to the Romans.
But Jesus gives his enemies a profound response: "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." We, Christians are obliged to render to the State whatever material and personal services are required for the common good. But for their part, civil authority is obligated to act with equity and justice in the distribution of their goods and services. They have to serve the common good without looking for any personal gain. They have to legislate and govern with the greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of the people.

We Christians are obliged to pray for those who exercise civil authority.

Lord, give us the grace to know that we and the government have a social responsibility in fostering the common good of society.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer