主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (11/03/2012)

本主日乙年讀經︰
出谷紀　20:1-17
聖詠　19[18]:8,9,10,11
格林多前書　1:22-25
若望福音　2:13-25

默想︰

經歷了多場金融災難，又有去年底蔓延全球的「佔領……」行動，讀今天的福音難免會令人聯想，耶穌會否就是「反霸權」的先驅典範。不過，耶穌在福音中說：「你們拆毀這座聖殿，三天之內，我要把它重建起來」。既然預見這座聖殿將要被毀，又何必在乎「佔領」，而且「佔領」不外也是另一種「霸權」的表現。經濟活動本來是良善的，傳統經濟交易的精神是互助互補，但也容易使人著眼於成就。猶太人便只想著那座聖殿用了四十六年建造，而沒有領略耶穌的深意：「你們」拆毀的，是祂這座「聖殿」。四旬期是自我反省、皈依的時期，福音中的「你們」，也可以是今日的「我們」：這些年來，傳統的經濟交易漸漸變成相互競爭、壓榨的博弈對抗，各式各樣的「霸權」就在這過程中產生，而「我們」又在這轉變中扮演了甚麼角色呢？競爭的基礎在於建立優勢，所以，要扭轉「霸權」自然便會想到「佔領」的手段。然而，保祿宗徒給格林多信眾所寫的，或許更能表達耶穌的心意：十字架的愚妄，反映天主的德能；而十誡也提醒「我們」：除天主之外，不可有別的神。

主基督，祢以十字架向我們展示了生命的真智慧，求祢幫助我們在四旬期內，通過反省和皈依，更能與祢一起重建生命的聖殿。

【摘自和平三月號】


Readings (Year B) page 38:
Exodus 20: 1-17
Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 11
1 Corinthians 1: 22-25
John 2: 13-25

"Zeal for your house devours me." (Ps. 69:9) In remembering these words ( in retrospect, of course) the disciples came to realise that Jesus had come to 'fulfill the law and the prophets'; the Pharisees and scribes... religious authorities, of the time had made the Temple of God equal to a "market place"; "a den of robbers" ( Mk 11:17; Lk 19:46).

The presence of God was violated with all the cheating of the savings of poor, unsuspecting pilgrims, coming to celebrate the Passover, with their offerings, which had to be surrendered as being unfit for sacrifice. In return they had to purchase offerings, from the Temple authorities, using Temple money.
We cannot recall any other incident where Jesus acted with such passionate anger! We, who have been made into the image and likeness of God are violated as well by the evil we do to ourselves and others. This 'buying and selling' takes many forms in our lifestyle: our dishonesty in speech and action to ourselves and to others.

The Passover was a time of purification for the Jews (Jn.11:55). This first Passover incident of the Cleansing of the temple (Jn. 2) is but a prelude to the final Passover, when the Temple of his Body will be destroyed, so as to open for us the Presence of God, to be worshipped in spirit and truth.

Spirit of God, breathe into us a passion to rid ourselves of all evil.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer