主日讀經反思  Sunday Scripture Meditation (06/05/2012)

本主日乙年讀經︰
宗徒大事錄　9:26-31
聖詠　22[21]:26-27,28-30,31-32
若望一書　3:18-24
若望福音　15:1-8

默想︰
「枝條若不留在葡萄樹上，憑自己不能結實」，指的是哪一棵
葡萄樹呢？因為不是每一棵葡萄樹都是一樣的，不是每一棵都能給予生命力，不是每一棵都把我們與耶穌連在一起的。如果我們追求快捷與容易，而不是耐心去尋求穩健妥當的永恆價值，我們往往就是犯上錯誤。揠苗助長，又不願下苦工，都會出錯。有時我們不願意留在耶穌這棵葡萄樹上，而選擇走捷徑，因為與耶穌連結就是要背負十字架。我們被其他看似是回
報高的葡萄樹所吸引，譬如是股票市場、優薪高位等。但這些
葡萄樹不會令我們心滿意足，只會令我們感到窒息；但它們也
的確吸引，比起要苦幹、忍耐、鍛鍊、翻土、除草、施肥……舒服多了！況且我們亦不願意被修剪，雖然我們身上有許多枯枝，又或許有許多奇型怪狀的枝條。我們想選擇自己喜歡的葡萄樹，甚至想自己做園丁！然而，當我們脫離那棵真葡萄樹，而接枝到只能讓我們痛快一時，卻沒有將來沒有前途的其他葡萄樹上時，我們的心中是有感覺的是知道的。

Readings (Year B) page 31:
Acts 9: 26-31
Psalm -27, 28, 30, 31-32
1 John 3: 18-24
John 15: 1-8

We can only bear fruit if we are branches on the vine, but which vine? Not all vines are the same. Not all are life-giving; not all connect us with Jesus. We make a mistake when we try for something quick and easy rather than slow and steady. We err when we want that fast growth and little effort. Sometimes we want easy alternatives to God’s way, to being a branch of Jesus’ Vine because that Vine requires carrying our cross. We get distracted by other vines that look easier and more promising – the stock market, some love object, a promising career – whatever vine, pyramid, fad, or gimmick that looks quick and easy. And then we act surprised when the vine either overwhelms us, or suffocates us, when it cannot provide what we really need. That other vine seems so much more attractive and enticing compared to hard work and patience and practice and drills and weeding and hoeing and fertilizing. And we don’t want to be pruned either; not of our dead branches nor of our excess growth. We want to choose the vine and the vinedressers! We know in our hearts when we are detaching ourselves from the real Vine and grafting our future onto something that might bring some quick thrills but not lasting pleasure or fulfillment. In our heart of hearts where God speaks to us, we know when we sin, when we turn away from God and latch onto something other than the Vine.

Lord, help us to bear much fruit and glorify the Father..

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer