主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (25/09/2011)

本主日讀經︰
厄則克耳先知書　18:25-28
聖詠　25[24]:4-5,6-7,8-9
斐理伯書　2:1-11
瑪竇福音　21:28-32

默想︰

保祿宗徒提醒我們，該懷有基督耶穌所懷有的心情。記得有位神父在講道中提到，昔日，胡振中樞機病重，在醫院留醫時，請求陳日君主教給他訓勉。身為一位樞機主教，是香港教區的領導者，他在當時需要甚麼？他需要的是一份在基督內的鼓勵和勸勉。胡樞機那份謙虛使我們體驗到保祿所講的：在基督內獲得鼓勵和愛的勸勉，只謙卑自下。我常將保祿這段講道，記在心中，常問自己：作為基督的信徒，是否履行天主給我們的恩寵，聆聽了天主的聖言，是否活出信仰的意義，謙卑自下，關心別人？
福音中兩個兒子的比喻，第一個兒子聽而不行；第二個雖然未答應，但後悔後立即實行。我們已接受了洗禮，認識耶穌，相信祂，也跟隨了祂。雖然我們也會犯罪，但只要我們悔改皈依，改變我們的態度及行為，以寬恕和彼此擔待的愛對待我們身邊的人，便能繼續彰顯基督的愛。

主！求祢賞賜我們有堅定的意志，以相稱的愛德，有始有終地追隨祢。

【摘自和平九月號】


Readings (Year A) page 102:
Ezekiel 18: 25-28
Psalm 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Philippians 2: 1-11
Matthew 21: 28-32

There is only one real sin in the world - self. The other things that we call sins are the result of exalting the self over others. People place themselves at the centre of their own little universe. Look around at your workplace, family, city, and religious community - there should be plenty of evidence that this is so. But Paul proposes the example of Jesus as a cure for selfishness. Jesus gave everything away - his divine status, his power, dignity, and honour - and took on not only human form but that of a slave. He remained faithful to his mission even to death on the cross. He did all of this for the sake of love, which is treating the happiness and well-being of others as of equal importance as your own. He did it to save others, and because of this God exalted him and gave him supreme power and honour. We are selfish out of fear, but in loving and giving we lose nothing and gain everything.

Things are not always as they seem. Some people are quite skilled at pious and beautiful 'God-talk' but beneath the surface they are nowhere near God. This is what we call 'lip service' - it costs us nothing and impresses others. On the other hand, there are those whose lives are a mess, who seem to have made every mistake in the book, and who might be very rebellious in their attitude towards God. But often this is to mask a wounded soul or a broken heart. Many are desperately seeking forgiveness, love, and acceptance. That is the reason that so many 'sinners' in the gospels responded to Jesus eagerly and joyfully.

Lord, may You be glorified in me always!

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer