主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (18/12/2011)

本主日讀經︰
撒慕爾紀下　7:1-5,8-12,14,16
聖詠　89[88]:2-5,27,29
羅馬書　16:25-27
路加福音　1:26-38

默想︰

我們喜歡計劃，所以達味亦計劃為天主建築一座聖殿，但天主透過納堂先知，拒絕了他的好意。取而代之，天主按祂的行事方式，接納達味之子撒羅滿，為祂建築一座殿宇。

同樣，耶穌在山上顯聖容時，伯多祿提議搭三個帳棚，一個為耶穌，一個為梅瑟，一個為厄里亞。再一次，天主拒絕，並囑咐伯多祿把注意力放在耶穌身上：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的」。

塔爾索的掃祿迫害早期的基督徒，天主再一次干預，拒絕了掃祿錯置的人性熱忱，並以另一個計劃召叫他  在納匝肋人耶穌內拯救世人。掃祿不能接受一位被釘死的默西亞；保祿宗徒明白到，正如他在羅馬書結尾所說的：這合乎經書的曉諭，是永生的天主行事方式的一部分。

當然，我們需要計劃，但讓我們謹記：一切都該歸於「惟一全智的天主」，雙目不離祂喜悅的愛子、我們的主耶穌。

天父，願光榮歸於祢，我們仰賴祢堅固我們的恩寵，而有能力度合乎福音的生活，並給世界宣講耶穌。

【摘自和平十二月號】

Readings (Year B) page 37:
2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
Psalm 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Romans 16: 25-27
Luke 1: 26-38

We are fond of making plans. Thus, David wanted to build a Temple for the Lord, but through the prophet Nathan God refused. Instead, in God's way of doing things, David's son Solomon would build the Temple.

Similarly, on the mountain of the Transfiguration, Peter suggested building three booths, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Again God refused, calling Peter to pay attention to Jesus: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
Saul of Tarsus persecuted the early Christians. Once again God intervened and refused this misguided human zeal and called Saul according to a different plan: the plan to save humanity in Jesus of Nazareth. Saul had rejected the idea of a crucified Messiah, but, as Paul the Apostle, he came to realize, as he says towards the end of the Letter to the Romans: This is only what the Scriptures had predicted and it is all part of the way the eternal God wants things to be.

While we must make plans, let us remember that "God alone is wisdom" and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the beloved Son of God.
Glory be to You, Father in Heaven, for giving us the grace and strength to live according to the Gospel and so proclaim Christ to the world.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer