主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (13/11/2011)

本主日讀經︰
箴言　31:10-13,19-20,30-31
聖詠　128[127]:1-2,3,4-5
得撒洛尼前書　5:1-6
瑪竇福音　25:14-30

默想︰

常年期到了最後一個主日，下主日將以君王節結束本禮儀年。今天的新約選經都帶點上主要來跟每一個人「算帳」的意味，像要提醒每人應如何準備上主的來臨。

曾看過一尊黏土擺設，標題是「數算你的祝福」，與箴言的「賢婦讚」，為我們帶來積極的鼓勵。經文中的女士並不因姿色或才華過人，或家當豐厚而備受頌揚，卻因她能以一顆敬畏上主的心，周詳妥善地好好運用上主所賜的，且抱著喜悅的心，照顧夫君、家庭，並兼顧周遭有需要的人。

事實上，福音中主人要求的，又豈是計較僕人賺取收益的多寡，而是僕人對祂的賞賜是否毫不重視，沒加利用而白白糟蹋。每次我們怨歎別人所得的比自己多而埋怨上天厚此薄彼之時，是否也應先檢討自己是否已充分利用上主對己的獨特恩賜？在「一天的苦足夠一天受的了」（瑪6:34）之上，添加一句：「此刻所得的恩賜，已足夠一生受用了」！

主，請恩賜先尋求祢國度的義德和平安的熱誠，並深信祢對世人不離不棄不息的照顧，而不妄自菲薄，忽視祢早已加諸我們身上的恩賜，好好加以利用，以彰顯祢的慈愛美善。

【摘自和平十一月號】


Readings (Year A) page 71:
Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Psalm 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5
Thessalonians 5: 1-6
Matthew 25: 14-30

The reading from Proverbs is a selection of verses from the closing section of the Book. These verses deal with the ideal wife. Though nowadays many people will not resonate with this picture of an ideal wife, our Catholic faith will reaffirm that "the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised", where "fear" is not servile fear but a deep reverence towards God, towards all of God's gifts, including the gift of one's very own self.

This doctrine is reaffirmed in more general terms in the response to the Psalm: "Happy are those who fear the Lord." This happiness is not a mere emotion but a whole way of life. Happiness is the most wholesome way of life and is intimately related with the vocation to holiness which we all receive from God. Thus, echoing the Book of Proverbs, the Psalm insists on the interconnection between fidelity to God and marital bliss.

No doubt married people who are totally faithful to God will suffer as anyone else does, but there will be a special peace and joy, a special bliss, available to them in the midst of whatever suffering does come. All of us, in whatever state of life we live, ought to pray unceasingly for these gifts of God.

Lord, bless us. May we enjoy Your gifts all the days of our lives.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer