主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (08/01/2012)

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　60:1-6
聖詠　72[71]:2,7-8,10-11,12-13
厄弗所書　3:2-3,5-6
瑪竇福音　2:1-12

默想︰

今日福音的內容乍看起來，似乎是一個有關賢士們傳奇旅程的故事，因為福音用大量篇幅，著墨賢士的行踪和尋覓的經過；至於見到耶穌的部分，則似乎簡單地以一兩句帶過。

可是，若細讀福音，就會明白作者的妙筆所指。賢士們原來只是鋪墊，雖佔用筆墨，但他們為「星」而出發，且歷盡挫折，一路追「星」，直至白冷。然後才是最重要的事件：「俯伏朝拜」馬槽中的嬰兒，奉上最能代表各自文化與傳統的禮物。至此，我們看到整篇福音的核心：嬰兒耶穌雖然出生在荒涼的郊外，雖然脆弱而不起眼，卻是歷史高峰、人類故事的中心、偉人賢士朝拜的對象。賢士們隨後安靜地離去，甚至沒有留下名字。他們把光榮留給了耶穌。耶穌的名因他們的來訪傳於四方並永載史冊。這就是主顯節的意義：耶穌在這一天顯示給普世萬民！

賢士們明白他們一路辛苦的意義，也清楚他們所尋找的。他們的奔波非為自己名垂青史，而是與耶穌相遇並彰顯祂的光榮。

主，請祢扶助我們，願我們的工作、事奉、祈禱及各項宗教活動，都只因祢，只為祢，只在彰顯祢。

【摘自和平一月號】

Readings page 78:
Isaiah 60: 1-6
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6
Matthew 2: 1-12

It is certainly true that night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples. We need only to look around at the violence, injustice, suffering, and greed in our world for evidence. And yet Isaiah is filled with hope, for into this darkness a brilliant light begins to shine and grows ever brighter. This is the light of God, and this light never rests from its task of illuminating hearts and minds. God reaches out to all people, for He desires the happiness and salvation of all. The wonderful mystery that Paul writes of is that all forms of separation between peoples have been abolished. All are now included; never again can a human being be hated, mistreated, or excluded.

The beautiful story of the Magi also has a powerful spiritual lesson to teach us. The Magi did not belong to the nation of Israel - they were priests of a foreign religion, possibly Zoroastrians. But they recognized the hand of God and followed where they were led because they were seekers. Not merely content with the status quo or conventional wisdom, their minds and hearts were open and restless, always seeking God in new ways. They were filled with hope and were able to see the light of God as it began to shine into the darkness. The message is clear: God is for all, and all truth is from God wherever it may be found. In our world, the light is also shining - the light that teaches, inspires and heals.

Lord, may I always seek Your light.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer