主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (01/04/2012)

本主日乙年讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　50:4-7
聖詠　22[21]:8-9,17-18,19-20,23-24
斐理伯書　2:6-11
馬爾谷福音　14:1-15:47

默想︰

瑪竇和路加福音給我們記載了極富戲劇性的耶穌在曠野受試探的故事。當然，我們相信耶穌是天主子，但千萬不要忘記祂同樣是人，有人性的一面。任何一個人在曠野四十天四十夜禁食祈禱，都會收深遠的效果，更何況是聖潔的，並對天主的敏感度極高的耶穌！毋庸置疑，耶穌在曠野裏，一定對靈魂歷盡了一番探索。

瑪竇和路加的戲劇性記載，不應該使我們忽略了耶穌同我們一樣，都要面對日常生活中的種種誘惑：耶穌「在各方面與我們相似，受過試探，只是沒有罪過」（希4:15）。人生充滿考驗試煉：磨難我們的愛情，打擊我們的喜樂，動搖我們的平安，毁壞其他諸如保祿給我們指出的聖神在我們的生活中結出的美果（迦5:22）。

也許對觀福音視耶穌「榮進」耶路撒冷，聖若望則視之為「誘惑」。凡事都有兩面，不同的情況召叫我們從不同的角度揣摩。

主耶穌，在陪伴祢進入耶路撒冷之際，我們祈求，免陷於誘惑。

【摘自和平四月號】


Readings (Year B) page 8:
Isaiah 50: 4-7
Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-19, 19-20, 23-24
Philippians 2: 6-11
Mark 14: 1 – 15: 47, or 15: 1-39

This feast marks the beginning of the Church’s greatest event – the celebration of our redemption. The triumphant ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey foreshadows for Jesus and for us the whole paradox of His life, death and resurrection. The cries of the welcoming crowd echoes the song of the angels at His birth, “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heavens.”

But this joy is fleeting, as the liturgy unfolds the drama of the Passion, Isaiah sings the Song of the Suffering Servant of Yahweh, while Paul recalls an ancient hymn praising the God who chose to become Man. From a distance, we are safe in our cocoon of rituals and guilt-ridden devotions. Could we pause a while, reflect and enter into the Passion with Him, Who chose to be like us that we might become more like Him?

Could we, like Him, stand before our accusers with the same spirit of truth, dignity and conviction in our mission? Could we, like Him, watch in silence as one of our closest and dearest friends betrayed us turning his back on us? Could we accept all this and more? We can only answer “Yes” because Christ has made it possible.

Lord Jesus, strengthen us with Your Spirit that we may hold on to faith in the darkness of our pain and difficulties.
Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer