主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (30/10/2011)

本主日讀經︰
瑪拉基亞先知書　1:14-2:1-2,8-10
聖詠　131[130]:1,2,3
得撒洛尼前書　2:7-9,13
瑪竇福音　23:1-12

默想︰

今天的福音勸勉人要樂於聆聽真道，並在生活中實踐。即使宣講的人沒有按自己所講的去做，聆聽的人還是要按照真理生活。在生活中，別人的壞榜樣不應該讓我放棄自己的善行。自己教會團體中，其他成員的缺點，不應該成爲我放棄信仰以及團體的原因，卻要努力加深信仰，並努力促進團體的成長。各成員應時時顧及教會團體的益處。

教會團體從起初一直到現在，都領受了傳揚耶穌真道的使命。教會是一個為使命服務的團體。每一位跟隨耶穌的人不僅要為自己的信仰感謝天主，還要在生活中常常想念天主的仁慈，及祂對每一個人深深的愛。意識到天主對自己的愛，基督徒便會更加羞愧於自己的自私、貪婪和冷漠。在天主的愛内，基督徒看到自己生命的意義，從而願意成爲天主在世間的工具，為愛、和平、正義和公道而努力！

今天跟隨基督的人，要記得保祿宗徒如何辛勤地傳播了耶穌的教訓，從而更加勉勵地在今日的世界中，活出耶穌對人的教訓。


【摘自和平十月號】


Readings (Year A) page 49:
Malachi 1: 14b – 2: 2b, 8-10
Psalm 131: 1, 2, 3,
Thessalonians 2: 7b-9, 13
Matthew 23: 1-12

The reading is from the beginning of a passage in which Jesus strongly criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. We need to remember, on the one hand, that not all Pharisees were like this. But we also need to be aware that the Gospel was written for us Christians and that the warning is for the 'Pharisees' in our own communities, not to mention any traces of pharisaism that may be in each one of us. Few of us will be totally free from these weaknesses.

Among the criticisms is that they do not practice what they preach. In this, Jesus says we should follow their teaching but not their example. "Do as they say but not as they do." It is something that few of us could claim never to have done. Another weakness is their pursuit of status in the community and to have people look up to them and bow to them.

Have we ever insisted on being given the respect we think is our due? But Jesus says we should avoid all titles and have as our only concern looking after the wellbeing of others. That is what He means by 'service'. For a Christian the quality and level of our service is the only test of our greatness.
To serve You, Lord, as You deserve, to give and not to count the cost.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer