主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (04/12/2011)

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　40:1-5,9-11
聖詠　85[84]:9-10,11-12,13-14
伯多祿後書　3:8-14
馬爾谷福音　1:1-8

默想︰

從進入將臨期開始，教會的禮儀帶領信眾渴求基督的來臨。這不但是指祂第一次降生在歷史中的來臨，更是指人類圓滿救贖得以實現的第二次來臨。因此，選讀的聖經都在引導信眾產生對圓滿救贖的渴求。本主日，教會的禮儀再進一步使信眾體會到，對基督承諾來臨的肯定，因而邀請大家為準備祂的到來，修直自己的道路。第一和第二篇讀經，分別點出了基督兩次來臨的景象：「一切深谷要填滿……崎嶇的要闢成坦途！」（依40:4）；「我們卻按照他的應許，等候正義常住在其中的新天新地」（伯後3:13）。這應許在洗者若翰的宣講中得到進一步的肯定：「那比我更有力量的，要在我以後來」（谷1:7）。洗者若翰可以說是本主日的核心人物，因為他帶出了「預備上主的道路，修直他的途徑」是怎樣具體地實行：就是人要認罪悔過，重新皈依天主。這是教會規劃將臨期禮儀的心意，信眾要從中得到圓滿的救贖，便需要具體的實行。這就是伯多祿所說的：「你們既然等候這一切，就應該勉力」。

主，求祢加深我們對祢來臨的渴求，使我們在生活中不斷皈依，達致祢所許諾的圓滿救贖。

【摘自和平十二月號】


Readings (Year B) page 17:
Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11
Psalm 85: 9-10, 13-14
2 Peter 3: 8-14
Mark 1: 1-8

In 586 B.C., the Babylonians, under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar, attacked and conquered the city of Jerusalem. The city and its temple were destroyed and many of its people were taken to Babylon in captivity. For more than 50 years, the Jews lived in exile in a foreign land. Then, in 539 B.C., a Persian king, Cyrus conquered Babylon. A year later, he issued a decree saying that the Jews could “go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel”.

Many Jews attributed the end of the exile to Cyrus. But in the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds the people that there is a more fundamental cause for the end of the exile. Isaiah announces the Good News that Israel is freed from exile not because of human doing, but because of God’s decree. For God, the people of Israel had atoned for their sins and were now ready to return home.

Many centuries later, another Good News is announced when John the Baptist proclaims the coming of the Messiah. Unlike many people, he sees the coming of Jesus as more than just another human event. He attributes a more fundamental cause for the coming of Jesus, that is, the Son of God has come to save his people. John’s mission is to prepare the people to receive Jesus.

What about us? Do we view the coming of Jesus as a human event or another activity in the Church’s calendar? Are we seriously preparing ourselves to welcome the Lord or have we lost the sense of urgency in waiting for him.


Lord, prepare my heart to receive you this Christmas.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer