主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (22/01/2012)

本主日乙年讀經︰
約納先知書　3:1-5,10
聖詠　25[24]:4-5,6-7,8-9
格林多前書　7:29-31
馬爾谷福音　1:14-20

默想︰

天主不斷以愛去尋找罪人，感召並帶領人回家。對於尼尼微人，就是離棄乖謬，重拾真理之路（詠25:5），是四十天的易轉時限。對於若翰，就是深化靈命，滿全使命的高峰期。他從璀璨走向陰霾，從簇擁下到孤寂的囚犯，徹底與默西亞的宣道途徑  苦難，相契合，成了基督苦路上的先驅。

我們活在保祿所謂的「短促的時限」，勉力邁向基督再來的救恩紀元。天主的國度在歲月中凝聚，日漸迫近。這充滿契機，容許不同層面的歸依回頭日子，絕不會永遠延續下去。

行星在燃燒淨盡之後，尚且隨從萬有引力，踏上歸途；何況按天主肖像而受造的人！
生命的每一刻，都在敦促人歸心、歸根，不斷捨棄屬世的虛妄束縛、自持的成就戀棧，以一顆赤子之心接受自己的貧乏局限，仰賴天主的力量去修補與主與人的分裂疏離。在交付自己當中，駐留在主內，追隨祂所昭示的新方向（谷1:17）。

主，請啟迪我們把握時機，從內在、團體及派別的分裂中，歸向以祢為主的合一大道！

【摘自和平一月號】


Readings page 26:
Jonah 3: 1-5, 10
Psalm 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Corinthians 7: 29-31
Mark 1: 14-20

Jonah might have been the only successful prophet in Israel's history in that his warnings were heeded and more so, with unprecedented haste. The people of Nineveh actually paid heed to him warning them of God's impending punishment if they persisted in their wicked ways. Immediately, they repented and renounced their evil behaviour. Thus they were saved.

The four Galilean fishermen were just as obedient when Jesus called them to follow Him. They immediately dropped everything they were doing, left families and friends behind to follow Him, not knowing what the consequences of doing so would be. There was no need for them to take time off to think about the invitation - their response was generous and swift.

Can we, Jesus' present day disciples, do the same? Are we willing to leave our comfort zones to tread into the unknown to follow Him? How quick and willing is our response to His call? Yes, there is a need for discernment but sometimes we use that as a delaying tactic! Following Jesus means to love, obey and trust Him and not to be overly bothered about what our commitment to Him might cost us.

St Paul in writing to the Corinthians writes with a sense of urgency: our time on earth is certainly short. There is simply no time to be wasted as the mission needs willing workers urgently. Let us be on our way!

Lord, grant us the grace and the courage to obey You faithfully and to trust You totally. .

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer