Faithfulness and Love

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Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent

Posted on Saturday, January 6, 2018 by gubahan Posted in 4th, Lent, Lent 4, Saturday, Weekday Leave a comment

It is easy for some of us to seek revenge towards those who have cause us harm or grief. We feel that we have been wronged greatly, and we want the person or persons who wronged us to suffer. But if we consider for a moment, what is the motivation behind wanting revenge? Isn’t it because our pride and ego has been hurt, and we want to supposingly heal our pride and ego by causing hurt to the other? But the reality is that, revenge is never justified, no matter how grievous the original harm may have been. In fact, seeking revenge is only for one’s personal gratification and to puff up one’s ego. So what’s a Christian to do when one has been wronged?

Perhaps a solution could be seen on how Jeremiah in today’s reading dealt with people who have wronged him. The reading tells us: “But you, the Lord of Hosts, who pronounce a just sentence, who probe the loins and heart, let me see the vengeance you will take on them, for I have committed my cause to you.” Instead of giving in to revenge, Jeremiah chose to leave it to God to do the judging. Instead of trying to salvage his pride and ego, Jeremiah chose to remain humble and let God be in control, knowing and trusting that God would not abandon him. It is wise for us to do the same.

Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent

Posted on Thursday, January 4, 2018 by gubahan Posted in 3rd, Lent, Lent 3, Saturday, Weekday Leave a comment

It is easy for us to take God for granted, especially when we have received so much from Him in different ways. Some of us forget to say grace before meals or even grace after meals, and we do not thank God enough for the good things we have and the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. Some of us may have even become presumptuous about God’s mercy and forgiveness, that we take it for granted and not feel real contrition, remorse, and sorrow for our sins. We think that God would forgive us anyhow, and we neglect going for confession, which is required for our sins to be forgiven.

When we take things for granted and become presumptuous towards God, we begin to take God’s mercy and forgiveness too lightly. Such attitude of taking things for granted and being presumptuous can be found in today’s reading, where the people said: “Come let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wound; on the third day he will raise us and we shall live in his presence.” The Lord responded: “What am I to do with you? This love of yours is like a morning cloud, like the dew that quickly disappears.” It seems like the people were only giving lip service, instead of practising true love and knowledge of God.

What about us? Have we become like the people in today’s reading, where we end up saying and doing things only to puff our ego and swell our pride? Have we become presumptuous, taking God for granted, instead of walking humbly before Him? May we come to realise such attitude, and change our ways while we have the opportunity to do so.

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent

Posted on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 by gubahan Posted in 2nd, Lent, Lent 2, Saturday, Weekday Leave a comment

In certain ethnic groups, traditions and customs, the deity is seen as a being to be feared. Persons belonging to such ethnic groups or adhere to such traditions and customs would do all they can to appease the deity, by offering the best of their produce, or offer money, hoping that the deity could be “bribed” into leaving them in peace and harmony. Some such ethnic groups, traditions and customs may even have a practice of sacrificing an animal, or even to the extent of offering human sacrifices, hoping that the deity would be appeased.

However, today’s reading paints us quite a different picture of God. In the reading, we are told: “What god can compare with you: taking fault away, pardoning crime, not cherishing anger for ever but delighting in showing mercy?” Unlike a deity that is fierce, vengeful and prone to meting out punishment, we have a God who takes fault away, pardons crime, does not cherish anger, and even delights in showing mercy. Thus, let us not be afraid of God, rather let us go to Him with humility and docility for forgiveness, comfort and guidance, knowing that He will not abandon us. Let us also delight in showing mercy towards others, just as God is continuously showing mercy to us.

圣灰礼仪后星期五

Posted on Friday, February 12, 2016 by gubahan Posted in 后, 圣, 星期五, 灰礼仪 Leave a comment

我觉得很有趣的是观察守斋如何成为了一个商业机会,或所谓一些虔诚者的一场表演。 你可能会说:这是什么意思?举个例子,在斋戒日里,我们开始看到电视或收音机有大量的广告,邀请和吸引人们到餐馆或酒店开斋,细细品味一个巨大的自助餐与精致的菜式 。我也看见有些人在美食店或饭馆,准备好了全部的食物,如饥似渴地的等待着开斋, 一到开斋时间, 好像很久没进食似的狮子,凶猛地攻击食物。守斋是人们在开斋时大肆吃的借口吗?我们是否该感谢主给我们特权和机会守斋,抑或一些人觉得守斋是酷刑或麻烦的事,等不及要快点开斋?那为什么这些人要守斋呢? 在今天的读经中,我们看到有一些人把守斋当作是做戏

今天的读经告诉我们:“为什么我们守斋而你看不见,我们刻苦而你不理会呢?”看哪!你们在守斋日仍然苦心经营,勒索你们所有的工人; 看哪!你们一面守斋,一面争吵,打架,以恶拳打人;你们不必再如今天一样守斋了,免得你们的嘈杂在高处可听到。难道这就是我所中意的斋戒吗?难道这就是人们克己的日子吗?难道低头如芦苇,以苦衣和灰尘铺床,你就称为斋戒,称为上主悦纳的日子吗?”当我们守斋只是为了做一场戏,对别人刻薄或讨厌时,我们是否在真正的守斋?我们的守斋是否帮助我们成长,更接近天主,爱天主和邻居,还是通过我们的行动和行为,把守斋当成玩笑或嘲弄?愿我们在守斋时,不掉入虚伪的陷阱,不自我或满足自己,而是将荣耀归于天主。

圣灰礼仪后星期四

Posted on Thursday, February 11, 2016 by gubahan Posted in 后, 圣, 星期四, 灰礼仪 Leave a comment

每过一段时间,我们都会面临许多的选择。有时我们被给予的选择是直截了当和明确的,很容易就能作出选择。有时候,被给予的选择可能是相当困难的,选择一个,可能会导致我们失去另一个,反之亦然。例如:有些人可能面临困难的情况,那就是可以选择聆听或服从父母,但这样做,我们可能会违背天主的诫命;但如果我们听从天主的诫命,我们可能会冒着失去我们的父母风险(可能选择的结果会让您的父母六亲不认 )如果我们都面临着这样的选择,没有中间地带或第三个选项,你会怎样选择呢?

在今天的读经中,以色列人分别被给予选择:“选择生命,你就会生活就会备受祝福;选择死亡,你肯定会灭亡。”没有中间地带或替代;仅一个或另一个。在福音中,耶稣为我们提供了一个选择:“谁若愿意救自己的性命,必要丧失性命;但谁若为我的缘故丧失自己的性命,这人必能得救性命。人纵然赚了全世界,却丧失了自己,或赔上自己,为他有什么益处呢?”如果我们现在就要选择,我们会选择什么?我们会选择读经上的:生命命,还是选择福音中里的:为耶稣的缘故而丧失性命?又或者,我们会选择其他方式?请记住,没有中间地带,那是一个或另一个。愿我们能做出明智的选择,因为那是没有回头或替代。

常年期第五周星期二次年

Posted on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 by gubahan Posted in 常年期, 星期二, 次年, 第五周 Leave a comment

为什么我们称自己是基督徒?我们是虚有其名的基督徒吗?还是真的跟随基督的方法和教导?有时,我们会遇到自称是基督徒的人,但他们遵循自己的版本或对自身基督教的理解。这样的人有自己的一套法规,以满足自身的目的和便利。我们成为了这样的人吗? 在今天的福音中,经师们和法利赛人的本质是善良的,试图按照天主的律法。他们的问题是:他们按照自己认为是正确的,而不是根据天主一开始就给予他们的真正教诲与法规。天主的律法可归纳为爱天主和爱邻居,以及在耶稣的教导内,在许多方面显现出,自己的邻居不仅限于一个朋友或熟人,而且也包括其他人,既自己的敌人。

在今天的福音中,法利赛人在维护和遵守其众多的传统和惯例,而完全抛开了天主的诫命。这就是为什么耶稣告训诫他们说:“这民族用嘴唇尊敬我,他们的心却远离我。”

我们也可能掉入同样的陷阱,如果我们开始把自己的规则和条规比天主的诫命更重要。当我们开始挑选与选择那些适合我或是有利于我们,还是方便我们的条规,我们可能已经变成经师们和法利赛人那样。我们是否顽固地坚持用自己的方式,还是愿意改变,并按照耶稣的方法走下去?

常年期第四周星期五次年

Posted on Friday, February 5, 2016 by gubahan Posted in 常年期, 星期五, 次年, 第四周 Leave a comment

在我的神职生涯里我主持过不少葬礼仪式。在一些葬礼中,有时亡者的家属甚至是一些亲朋戚友会在葬礼弥撒结束后说几句话。通常他们会正面陈述亡者在生前已经完成了某些事情,或是过得很精彩等等的话。虽然这些都是友善的肺腑之言,但有时想知道当那个时刻到来时,什么样的词语是我希望被别人记住的?别人又怎样看待我?

在今天的福音中,我们看见了许多赞美与爱戴达味的好词。这样赞美的话仿佛是歌颂对于达味崇高的敬意与悼念达味的荣誉。尽管达味曾犯了通奸和谋杀乌黎亚并试图掩饰的罪行,但达味最后还是寻求天主的帮助与宽恕,以谦卑的心懊悔以及悔改,让他更为崇高。另一方面,我们看到了黑落帝王在福音中被描绘为一个软弱、自私与骄傲的国王。他还被骗将洗者若翰砍首只为“赏赐”黑落狄雅的女儿为他献舞。

达味王死后遗留下许多人们对他的赞美而黑落帝王因骄傲与不去反省让他留下世人对他的轻蔑和嘲笑。我们会不会像达味一样被人们怀念以及赞美?还是我们会像黑落帝王最终的那样?

常年期第四周星期四次年

Posted on Thursday, February 4, 2016 by gubahan Posted in 常年期, 星期四, 次年, 第四周 Leave a comment

我们中的大多数人会在生活中的一段时间内,从一个点飞行到另一个点。我们中有些人可能会搭飞机去度假、工作、读书或拜访亲友。无论我们因什么原因飞行,都会有一定的局限性,好让飞行安全,免于延迟或危险的状况 。例如:我们众所周知的液体不能带入机舱, 在行李寄舱时,必须存储在合适的瓶子或容器中,不只如此,还有一个限制:可检入的液体容量(通常约100ml)。甚至行李寄舱也有重量限制。例如:经济舱通常是20公斤。我们中有些人可能会认为20公斤好像可存放很多,但当我们收完行李时,就会发现很容易超重。

在今天的福音中,耶稣也限制了门徒们在实行使命中所能带的“重量”。为什么耶稣设置这样的限制?有人会说:耶稣这样做,好让祂的门徒们不会有太多的事物阻碍。更深的含义:耶稣其实在教导他的门徒们,当然也包括我们,身为门徒,有天主的恩典就足够了。其他我们想要或需要的都不重要,在时机成熟时,必会赐予我们。我们是否愿意摆脱我们常依赖的事物,知道祂会给予我们,进而仰赖天主的恩典?

常年期第四周星期三次年

Posted on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 by gubahan Posted in 常年期, 星期三, 次年, 第四周 Leave a comment

我们时常会因为做了一些了不起或困难的事认为一切都是靠自己的努力或才能。当中不少人自我膨胀接着就骄傲了起来。事实上我们经常都会让名利或才能左右我们,但是这样的成功与才能真的只是通过自己的努力吗?而我们又是否能在每一次的情况下仅通过自己的努力,成功的让所有事情迎刃而解?

在今天的福音中,达味在天主的帮助下把周围所有的敌人都制服了成了以色列君王当时最大的势力帝国。这一切的名利让达味冲昏了头,认为一切都是自己的功劳,以色列人民的努力。达味并没有意识到一切都是天主所赐,自大的他下令要统计人口,显然他想知道他的军队的力量以彰显他的大能以及他的王国有多辉煌。最后,他骄傲的行为得罪了天主让他及以色列人遭到了天主的惩罚。

每一天结束后要谨记我们一切所得的成就与成功都是在上主的帮助下完成的。我们一切的能力或天赋都是靠天主的恩宠,所以我们必须时刻赞美天主而不是仅仅为自我满足或自我感觉良好。让我们在天主下保持谦卑,并要感谢主,一切荣耀永归于天主。

献主节

Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 by gubahan Posted in 献主节 Leave a comment

我们许多人花了很多时间等待。我们等待宝宝出生,等待我们的孩子长大,甚至独立,我们等待我们的退休,我们还必须等待迟到的人,我们等待公车或火车等等。很多时候,无论我们正在等待什么,迟早会显示出来 。

在今天的福音中,我们看到西默盎和亚纳在等待,他们已经等了很久,最后他们的愿望被实践。当玛丽亚和若瑟献耶稣于圣殿,应验了天主将带来救世主的承诺。天主的救恩已来到,祂的子民带着祝福的蜡烛和灯光游行,象征着救赎的光已经在教会和世界闪耀。救赎之光已经照耀着我们,但我们仍然等待。我们正等待我们能与主永远同在的那一天。

直到我们最终能再与主同在,让我们像玛丽亚和若瑟,西默盎和亚纳,在祈祷中继续等待天主,并做好准备,回应祂的旨意。

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