主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (25/03/2012)

本主日乙年讀經︰
耶肋米亞先知書　31:31-34
聖詠　51[50]:3,12-13,14-15
希伯來書　5:7-9
若望福音　12:20-33

默想︰

生老病死本是人生千年不變的現象，但基督打破了這個宿命論，在生老病死之後加上了復活。復活更新了人的病苦與死亡，那裏不再只是負面的恐慌與絶望。當耶穌看到祂聖死的來臨時，對於那時辰，正面地強調是永遠生命的開始，視為造生千萬麥粒的良機，更邀請所有人在病苦與死亡中追隨祂，分沾祂的光榮與新生命。祂利用了那一生一次的時刻來造福身邊的其他人。當耶穌被高舉時，祂會吸引眾人，因為祂對天主順命致死，使自己的死亡升格到天主的光榮，那也是我基督，祢的革新並不限於人在世的最後時刻，四旬期也是我們的心神的病死時刻。求基督祢引導我們順命於天主的慈愛，助我們善用天父透過基督祢給予我們的聖事，在四旬期死於罪過，並在將臨的復活期，從基督祢獲得一顆再造的新心。求基督祢給我們的肺腑注入新的精神，助我們活出一個心神合乎天主法律的新生命。求基督祢幫助我們明悟祢的聖死與復活，支持我們在世的心神悔改復活，使我們以這個現世的復活而與祢的教會一同造福世人。

【摘自和平三月號】


Readings (Year B) page 75:
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15
Hebrews 5: 7-9
John 12: 20-33

In the first reading, we hear the famous prophecy of the prophet Jeremiah. It is a prophecy that provides the foundation and the very core of the central teaching of the New Testament. What is 'new' about the new covenant that Jeremiah speaks about? In contrast to the Old Covenant made at Mount Sinai which failed because the people of Israel did not respond to God's love, the new covenant will be successful. Why is this so?

The new covenant will be successful because it will be God and God alone who put into the hearts of the people the power to love and to respond with love. This power is called 'grace'. Grace is a gift freely given to us by God through Jesus Christ, who as high priest lovingly sacrificed himself for humanity.

Today, Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that he has given us new life through his death. He had buried himself like a seed on the cross, so that we may enjoy the fruits of his sacrifice in our own lives. But sometimes, we can forget this. In the face of challenges and problems, we can fail to realise that we are blessed with God's amazing grace each day because of the self-sacrificing love of Jesus.

So, let us live today as grace-filled people. After all as someone once said, "We are too blessed to be stressed."

Lord, thank You for the gift of grace.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer