新年賀咭…年年有餘
每日聖言靜思 (常年期第四週 – 週五) 2月8日
2月8日 (週五) 瑪9：14-15 (其他經文──依58：1-9 詠51)
若翰的門徒來到耶穌跟前說：「為什麼我們和法利塞人多次禁食，而你的門徒卻不禁食呢？」耶穌對他們說：「伴郎豈能當新郎與他們在一起的時候悲哀？但日子將要來到：當新郎從他們中被劫去時，那時他們就要禁食了。」
默 想──Ø 如果我們的守齋甚至禁食，未能讓我們體會守齋或禁食最根本的精神，單單作出這些行為，會容易陷進法利塞人所犯上的錯誤──單憑表面判斷，只滿足於表面的行動。
Ø 上主曾說：「我喜歡仁愛勝過祭獻。」通過守齋、克己，加上祈禱和默想，體現基督的大愛和犧牲，逐漸地，我們得以從守齋、克己中，信仰與生活之間的關係可獲進一步提升。守齋、克己變成不單是表面上的「做了、做到了」的例行公事。
Ø 幽默地想一想，如果我們在守齋中只看什麼可吃、什麼不可吃，或許我們還會吃得很好。不是嗎？因為不可吃紅肉，即是可吃海鮮類如刺身、龍蝦……。若這樣看待守齋，可謂完全違反守齋精神，不是應有的態度。
神父講道 – 四旬期內農曆新春聖祭 – 星期四 (2008年2月7日)
恭讀聖若望福音 1:1-12
太初已有聖言，聖言與天主同在，聖言就是天主。聖言在太初就與天主同在。萬物是藉著他而造成的：凡受造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他而造成的。在他內有生命，這生命是人的光。光在黑暗中照耀，黑暗決不能勝過他。
曾有一個名叫若翰，是天主派遣來的。他來是為作證，是給光作證，為使眾人藉著他而信。他不是那光，只是為給那光作證。
那普照世人的真光，正在進入這世界。他原來已經在這世界上，因為世界本是藉著他而造成的，但是世人竟不認識他。他來到自己的地方，自己的人卻沒有接受他。但是凡接受他的，即那些信他名字的人，他就賜他們權力，成為天主的兒女。
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 1:1-12
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, 6 to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people 7 did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name
—The Gospel of the Lord.
Chinese Songs, Homily by Fr. Ng & Fr. Leung [23:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4549) English songs 1 [1:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4918) English songs 2 [1:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7412) English songs 3 [0:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (8053) English songs 4 [0:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7093) English songs 5 [10:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5752) English songs 6 [2:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7711)每日聖言靜思 週四 2月7日
2月7日 (週四) 若1：1-12 (四旬期內新春聖祭) (其他經文──申18：15-20 詠95 格前7：32-35)
太初已有聖言，聖言與天主同在，聖言就是天主。聖言在太初就與天主同在。萬物是藉著他
而造成的：凡受造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他而造成的。在他內有生命，這生命是人的光。光在黑暗中照耀，黑暗決不能勝過他。
曾有一個名叫若翰，是天主派遣來的。他來是為作證，是給光作證，為使眾人藉著他而信。他不是那光，只是為給那光作證。
那普照世人的真光，正在進入這世界。他原來已經在這世界上，因為世界本是藉著他而造成的，但是世人竟不認識他。他來到自己的地方，自己的人卻沒有接受他。但是凡接受他的，即那些信他名字的人，他就賜他們權力，成為天主的兒女。
默 想──Ø 剛踏入四旬期，又適逢年初一，聖史若望這段大家熟悉的經文，堪為我們默想反思。
Ø 一年之始，萬象更新；聖言正是基督，祂也是真光。祂的臨到，即照亮我們的生命，讓我們的生命更新，重拾朝氣。
Ø 不過，事實卻不如理想。在我們身邊，還有很多已認識基督的人，生命尚未轉化，祂的真光尚未照到生命的陰暗面。
Ø 為何會如此？可能因為人「不願」給真光照耀。上主早已給人無限的自由，若人不願將自己的陰暗面向上主呈露，由祂重建、醫治、照亮，上主也沒有辦法。
Ø 耶穌曾明言：「我就是道路、真理、生命，若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。」以基督為主為王，放手讓祂帶引往後的道路。
神父講道 – 星期三 (農曆除夕彌撒) (2008年2月6日)
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恭讀聖路加福音 12:22-32 耶穌對他的門徒說：「我告訴你們：不要為生命思慮吃什麼，也不要為身體思慮穿什麼，因為生命貴於食物，身體貴於衣服。你們看看烏鴉，牠們不播種，也不收割；牠們沒有庫房，也沒有倉廩，天主尚且養活牠們，你們比起飛鳥更要尊貴多少呢？你們中誰能運用思慮，使自己的壽數延長一刻呢？如果你們連極小的事還做不來，為什麼要思慮別的事呢？你們看看百合花，是怎樣生長的：它們不勞作，也不紡織；可是，我告訴你們：連撒羅滿在他極盛的榮華時所披戴的，也不如這些花中的一朵。田野間的野草，今天還在，明天就投入爐中，天主尚且這樣裝飾，何況你們呢！小信德的人啊！你們不要謀求吃什麼，喝什麼，也不要憂愁掛心，因為這一切都是世上的外邦人所尋求的，至於你們，你們的父知道你們需要這些。你們只要尋求他的國，這些自會加給你們。你們小小的羊群，不要害怕！因為你們的父喜歡把天國賜給你們。」 —上主的話。 |
(Chinese New Year Vigil)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 12:22-32
He said to (his) disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
神父講道 – 聖灰禮儀 星期三 (2008年2月6日)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音6:1-6,16-18
那時候，耶穌對門徒說，「你們應當心，不要在人前行你們的仁義，為他們看見；若是這樣，你們在天父之前，就沒有賞報了。所以，當你施捨時，不可在你前面吹號，如同假善人在會堂及街市上所行的一樣，為受人們的稱讚；我實在告訴你們，他們已獲得到了他們的賞報。當你施捨時，不要叫你左手知道你右手所行的，好使你的施捨隱而不露，你父在暗中看見，必要報答你。當你祈禱時，不要如同假善人一樣，愛在會堂及十字街頭立著祈禱，為顯示給人；我實在告訴你們，他們已獲得到了他們的賞報。至於你，當你祈禱時，要進入你的內室，關上門，向你在暗中之父祈禱；你的父在暗中看見，必要報答你。幾時你們禁食，不要如同假善人一樣，面帶愁容；因為他們苦喪著臉，是為叫人看出他們禁食來。我實在告訴你們，他們已獲得到了他們的賞報。至於你，當你禁食時，要用油抹你的頭，洗你的臉，不要叫人看出你禁食來，但叫你那在暗中之父看見；你的父在暗中看見，必要報答你。」
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
The 2007 International Youth Festival in Medjugorje
The 18th International Youth Festival was taken place in Medjugorje from August 1st to August 6th, 2007.
Theme: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34)
Medjugorje – Commentary on Our Lady’s January 25, 2008 Message
PRAY AND FAST
“Dear children! With the time of Lent, you are approaching a time of grace. Your heart is like ploughed soil and it is ready to receive the fruit which will grow into what is good. You, little dhildren, are free to choose good or evil. Therefore, I call you to pray and fast. Plant joy and the fruit of joy will grow in your hearts for your good, and others will see it and receive it through your life. Renounce sin and choose eternal life. I am with you and intercede for you before my Son. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Message of January 25, 2008
In her last message, Our Lady entices us to prepare our hearts in the incoming time of lent, which is a time of mercy. She invites us to fast, pray, and make acts of penance, which were always the main features of the lent. In the Old Testament, the penance was reduced mostly to external signs. Today it is mostly so, because during the Lent the faithful renounce food, drinks, sweets and cigarettes, and much less swearing, gossiping and other sins. Christian fast and prayer are the foundation of the collectiveness, because the whole Church is invited to fast, penance and prayer, especially in the time of Christmastide and Lent. Renouncing the material things is only one way of penance for the personal sins. It is the proof that we are ready to renounce something and share with the people living in poverty and Squalor.
In our preparation, we must not stop at the external signs. The prophets of the Old Testament saw it clearly and warned the people that the only true change is the change which happens in the heart of men. If we change the heart, we change the whole man. Only such change can lead us to the friendship with God and people. Only in such way, our heart will receive the fruit which will grow into goodness. God created us as free beings and everyday we make decisions. We can choose between the good and the evil. The Queen of Peace invites us to renounce the sin and to choose eternal life. This is the only right choice. Every time we choose the good side, we chose the side of God’s sons and daughters and our life is filled with joy. We live a full life. Life is sin is only survival and suffering, while the life in God brings joy and peace. Here on Earth we can already taste the true joy if we live according to God’s commands, and we will experience the full joy in eternity, when God will wipe the tears from every face. Then, “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev 21, 4). Jesus is our first role model, example, and teacher of spiritual life. Before his first public appearance, Jesus retired into the desert for 40 days, where he fasted, prayed and prepared for his first public appearance. Moses has spent the same number of days on Sinai, and also Eliah on Horeb. In the quiet and solitude, a man can better hear God, because he is not burdened by any disturbances. To go into the desert, to retire, even for longer period of time if needed, should not be justification for escaping people, obligations or job. It should be a privileged time in which we will be renewed in the vicinity of God, so we can live among the people and witness the Joyful news to them. Jesus is the lord of our life and our hearts. He can do what we cannot, for what we do not have the strength.
Mary, “Mother of Church” and our mother, advocates us before her Son. Her advocating and mediating role she started during her life on Earth – at the wedding in Galilee Cana – and she continues with this role today, celebrated in the heaven. By coming here to Medjugorje, Our Lady wants to help us to unite more forcefully with our Savior and Redeemer. If we answer the call of the Queen of Peace and if we prepare with the fast and prayer for the meeting with Jesus, we will be able to participate in the celebration of Easter with clear heart and joyful soul.
Fr. Danko Perutina
Medugorje January 26th 2008
每日聖言靜思 (常年期第四週 – 週三) 2月6日
2月6日 (週三) 瑪6：1-6, 16-18 (其他經文──岳2：12-18 格後5：20－6：2 詠51)
耶穌對門徒說，「你們應當心，不要在人前行你們的仁義，為他們看見；若是這樣，你們在天
父之前，就沒有賞報了。所以，當你施捨時，不可在你前面吹號，如同假善人在會堂及街市上所行的一樣，為受人們的稱讚；我實在告訴你們，他們已獲得到了他們的賞報。當你施捨時，不要叫你左手知道你右手所行的，好使你的施捨隱而不露，你父在暗中看見，必要報答你。當你祈禱時，不要如同假善人一樣，愛在會堂及十字街頭立著祈禱，為顯示給人；我實在告訴你們，他們已獲得到了他們的賞報。至於你，當你祈禱時，要進入你的內室，關上門，向你在暗中之父祈禱；你的父在暗中看見，必要報答你。幾時你們禁食，不要如同假善人一樣，面帶愁容；因為他們苦喪著臉，是為叫人看出他們禁食來。我實在告訴你們，他們已獲得到了他們的賞報。至於你，當你禁食時，要用油抹你的頭，洗你的臉，不要叫人看出你禁食來，但叫你那在暗中之父看見；你的父在暗中看見，必要報答你。」
默 想──Ø 十分吊詭 (paradox)，每當我們做到謙卑時，自覺謙卑時，即容易跌進驕傲的處境。耶穌的提醒實在難做，但相信都是我們人人有能力達到的，視乎我們有多願意做到。一字記之曰「心」，是「決心」、「恒心」、「耐心」。
Ø 論到「心」，捫心自問，我們大部分時間都做著哪種人？假善人還是真正謙虛的人？
Ø 當我們是假善人時，唯有在天主面前真心承諾自己是假善人，才得以進入謙卑之門。
Ø 今天是四旬期的開始，有些兄弟姊妹習慣於整個四旬期守齋，度克己的生活。縱然我們未必人人守齋，但我們應鍛煉守齋的精神，尤其於四旬期中透過克己、寬恕、慷慨精神、愛德行動，默想默念基督的聖死和復活。
神父講道 – 常年期第四週 星期二 (聖亞加大紀念) (2008年2月5日)
恭讀聖馬爾谷福音5:21-43
耶穌乘船渡回對岸，有大夥群眾聚集在他周圍；他遂留在海濱。那時，來了一個會堂長，名叫雅依洛，一見耶穌，就跪伏在他腳前，懇切求他說：「我的小女兒快要死了，請你來，給她覆手，叫她得救回生。」耶穌就同他去了。有一大群人跟隨著他，擁擠著他。那時，有一個婦人，患血漏已有十二年。她在許多醫生手裏，受了許多痛苦，化盡了自己所有的一切，不但沒有見效，反而病勢更加重了。她聽了有關耶穌的傳說，便來到人群中，從後邊摸了耶穌的衣裳，因為她心裏想：「我只要一摸他的衣裳，必然會好的。」她的血源立刻涸竭了，並且覺得身上的疾病也好了。耶穌立時覺得有一種能力從自己身上出去，就在人群中回過頭來說：「誰摸了我的衣裳？」他的門徒向他說：「你看！群眾四面擁擠著你，你還問：誰摸了我？」耶穌四周觀望，要看作這事的婦人。那婦人明知在自己身上所成的事，就戰戰兢兢地前來，跪伏在耶穌前，把實情完全告訴了他。耶穌便向他說：「女兒，你的信德救了你，平安去吧！你的疾病必得痊愈。」他還說話的時候，有人從會堂長家裏來，說：「你的女兒死了，你還來煩勞師傅做什麼？」耶穌聽見所說的話，就給會堂長說：「不要怕，只管信。」除伯多祿、雅各伯和雅各伯的弟弟若望外，他沒有讓任何人跟他去。他們到了會堂長的家裏，耶穌看見群眾非常喧噪：有的哭泣，有的哀號，便進去，給他們說：「你們為什麼喧噪哭泣呢？小女孩並沒有死，只是睡著了！」他們都譏笑他。他卻把眾人趕出去，帶著小女孩的父親和母親，以及同他在一起的人，進了小女孩所在的地方。他拿起小女孩的手，對她說：「塔里塔，古木！」意思是：「女孩子，我命你起來！」那女孩子就立刻起來行走，原來她已十二歲了；他們都驚訝得目瞪口呆。耶穌卻嚴厲命令他們，不要叫任何人知道這事；又吩咐給女孩子吃的。
—上主的話。
(Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.—The Gospel of the Lord.
生活聖言 (2008年 二月份)
「誰若實行這些誡命，也這樣教訓人，這人在天國裡將稱為大的。」（瑪5：19）
耶穌上了山，向聚集在四周的群眾宣佈祂那著名的山中聖訓。祂一開始便對他們說：「神貧的人是有福的……温良的人是有福的……。」這幾句話指出了祂帶到世上來的喜訊是多麼新穎。
耶穌交給門徒們的是生命、光明和希望之言，讓他們從中得到啟發，並使他們的生命增添色彩和意義。
耶穌的偉大喜訊改造了他們，邀請他們把所領受的訓誨傳給他人，並且在自己的生活中實踐出來。
「誰若實行這些誡命，也這樣教訓人，這人在天國裡將稱為大的。」
今天，我們的社會比過去更需要認識福音，並讓它來改造。耶穌還要再一次重複這些話：不要向你們的弟兄發怒；要寬恕別人，這樣你們也會獲得寬恕；要說真話，但無須發虛誓；應愛你們的仇人；要明認你們只有一個天父，而你們眾人都是兄弟姊妹；凡你們願意別人給你們做的，你們也要照樣給別人做。這些都是山中聖訓裡眾多訓誨中的含意，如果能夠實踐出來的話，便足以改變世界。
耶穌邀請我們傳佈祂的福音。但是，在我們去『教訓人』天主的聖言之前，祂要求我們先去『實行』祂的話。為了使人信服，我們首先要成為福音的『專家』，成為一部活生生的福音。唯有如此，我們才能夠以生活為福音作證，以言語來宣講它。
「誰若實行這些誡命，也這樣教訓人，這人在天國裡將稱為大的。」
我們該怎樣實踐本月的生活聖言？最好的方法就是透過我們的互愛來吸引耶穌親臨到我們内和在我們中間，讓祂親自來教導我們。祂會提示我們該用哪些適當的言詞去接觸別人；祂會讓我們知道怎樣才能敞開別人的心扉。這樣，我們無論身在何處，即使在最困難的環境和最複雜的情況下，都能隨時隨地為祂作證。我們將會看見世界在改變，我們居住的區域雖然只是海角一隅，但它將會變成一個充滿和諧、彼此諒解及和平相處的地方。
最重要的就是透過我們彼此間的互愛，讓耶穌持久地親臨在我們中間。我們要順從和聆聽祂的聲音。假如我們使心裡的其他雜音都沉靜下來，便能夠常常聽到祂在我們良心上發出的呼聲。
耶穌教導我們即使是『最小』的一條誡命，也應當以喜悅的心情和無限的創意一一『遵守』，好能夠刷新我們之間的合一生活，使它變得更完美。期望有一天，人們會用描述早期基督徒的那句話來形容我們：「看啊！他們多麼相親相愛，他們隨時願意為對方犧牲自己的性命。」（戴都良的《護教篇》39：7）當我們彼此的關係在愛內得到更新時，人們便會看見福音具有創造新社會的能力。
我們不能把這份白白得來的恩賜據為己有。我們要跟隨聖保祿宗徒重複這句話：「我若不傳福音，我就有禍了。」（格前9：16）如果我們讓那個內心的聲音來引導我們，我們便能常常找到新的方法與他人溝通、交往、筆談和對話。願福音耀目的光輝透過我們每個人，在我們的家庭、城市和國家中再次閃耀起來！這樣，在我們內將會綻放新的生命，喜樂將會充滿我們的心，復活之主的光輝將會更加璀璨明亮……，而祂將會『在天國裡稱我們為大的』。
珍妮達（Ginetta Calliari）的一生在這方面是佼佼者。當她在一九五九年與第一批普世博愛運動核心成員來到巴西，看見這個國家因嚴重的社會不平等所造成的後果時，感到十分震驚。她決心在一切之上，先生活互愛和耶穌的訓誨。她說：「祂會為我們敞開一條路。」經過一段時間，圍繞在她身邊的一個團體誕生了。這個團體不斷壯大，至今已有數十萬人，他們來自不同的社會階層和年齡段，有出身寒微的，也有大富大貴的，但他們都投身為最有需要的人服務。透過他們所實行的多項社會工作，把不少城市的貧民窟的面貌都改變過來。這個小小的合一民族不斷地見證福音的訊息是真實的。這就是珍妮達離世時帶回天國的嫁妝。
盧嘉勒
Word of Life (February 2008)
Jesus, surrounded by crowds of people, went up the mountain to give his famous sermon. His first words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit … Blessed are the meek,” already signaled the novelty of the message he had come to bring.
They are words of life, words of light and hope that Jesus entrusted to his disciples to enlighten them and give their lives zest and meaning.
Transformed by this great message, they were invited to transmit to others the teachings they received and to put them into life.
“Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Today our society, more than ever before, needs to know the words of the Gospel and let itself to be transformed by them. Jesus must be able to repeat once again: do not become angry with your neighbors; forgive, and you will be forgiven; tell the truth, to the point of having no need to take an oath; love your enemies; recognize that we have only one Father and are all brothers and sisters; do to others as you would have them do to you. This is the sense of some of the many words from the Sermon on the Mount. If they were lived out, it would be enough to change the world.
Jesus invites us to proclaim his Gospel. But before we “teach” his words, he asks us to “obey” them. In order to be credible, we should become experts in the Gospel, a living Gospel. Only then will we be able to witness to it with our lives and teach it with our words.
“Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
How can we live these words? The best way is to allow Jesus himself to teach us, drawing him to us and among us through our reciprocal love. He will suggest the right words to use when approaching people; he will show us how to open passageways into our neighbor’s heart, so that we can witness to him wherever we are, even in the most difficult environments and in the most complicated situations. We will see the world change: that small part of the world where we live will be so transformed that we will find harmony, understanding and peace.
What is important is to maintain his presence among us through our mutual love, to be docile in listening to his voice—the voice of our conscience that always speaks to us if we know how to silence other voices.
He will teach us to obey even the smallest laws with joy and creativity, so as to polish our life of unity to perfection. May it be said of us one day as it was of the first Christians: “Look how they love one another and how they are ready to die for one another.” As our relationships are renewed by love, the Gospel will be seen as capable of generating a new society.
We cannot keep the gift we received for ourselves. We are called to repeat with Paul: “Woe to me if I do not preach [the Gospel]!” (1 Cor 9:16). If we let ourselves be guided by our inner voice, we will discover ever-new possibilities to communicate, speak, write and dialogue. May the Gospel shine forth again, through us personally, in our homes, cities and nations. New life will flourish in us; joy will expand in our hearts; the risen Lord will shine forth with greater beauty; and he will consider us among the “greatest in the kingdom.”
The life of Ginetta Calliari demonstrates this in an outstanding way. When she arrived in Brazil in 1959 with the first group of focolarini, she was shocked at seeing the results of the country’s deep inequalities. She was determined to put reciprocal love before all else and the words of Jesus into practice. She said, “He will open the way for us.” As time passed, a community came to life and grew, a community that now numbers hundreds of thousands of people of every social class and age, inhabitants of the shanty towns and members of the well-to-do classes, people who put themselves at the service of those most in need. This has led to social projects that have changed the face of shanty towns in a number of cities. They have become a small and united people who continue to show that the Gospel message is true. This is the dowry that Ginetta brought with her when she left for heaven.
Chiara Lubich
Weekly Meditation Reading – Feb 3, 2008
READINGSFebruary 3, 2008 From Laurence Freeman, OSB, “Depth,” LIGHT WITHIN (New York: Crossroad, 1986) pp. 105-107.
Whether we like it or not, there is no place to settle down and hang on to what has been gained. Everything has to be renounced so that more can be received. This explains the poverty and the simplicity of the mantra as it does the joy and freedom of the Christian life. But it is demanding. It seems relatively easier to remain with the limitations we know so well. . . .but we are called on to something so demanding that it must be pure love. Only such love would demand the whole person and summon everything hidden out of hiding. True selfhood hides behind the ego, behind limitations, fears and insecurities. The self is called out from behind all false structures of personality and to stand simple, free, whole, and utterly itself before God. [. . . .] Because it is so demanding, it can almost seem that peace is more frightening that the violence we do to ourselves in the egotistical state (or the violence done unto others). Peace at depth turns our world upside down. We have to enter into a very fine balance of life, the fine frequency of the Spirit, to find the simplicity and subtlety to respond to Christ’s dynamism. To enter into that depth, to open up to that depth means becoming vulnerable and remaining vulnerable, not only in prayer but in every part of life. Love creates vulnerability, the vulnerability of compassion or unconditional commitment. Maturely, we also have to learn to be resilient because being vulnerable will mean that we are wounded and we mustn’t allow being wounded to close us up again. That particular balance between vulnerability and resilience is part of the unique intellectual, psychological, spiritual amalgam that a human being is. Each one starts from a different kind of imbalance but all are called to the same balance and centrality, the same rootedness in Christ who was wounded but who was resilient in the transcendence of forgiveness.
After Meditation, Mary Oliver, “The Fish,” NEW AND SELECTED POEMS (Boston: Beacon Press, 1992), p. 165.
THE FISH
The first fish
I ever caught
would not lie down
quiet in the pail
but flailed and sucked
at the burning
amazement of the air
and died
in the slow pouring off
of rainbows. Later
I opened his body and separated
the flesh from the bones
and ate him. Now the sea
is in me: I am the fish, the fish
glitters in me; we are
risen, tangled together, certain to fall
back to the sea. Out of pain,
and pain, and more pain
we feed this feverish plot, we are nourished
by the mystery
每日聖言靜思 (常年期第四週 – 週二) 2月5日
2月5日 (週二) 谷5：21-43 (其他經文──撒下18：9-10, 14, 24-25, 30；19：3 詠86)
耶穌乘船渡回對岸，有大夥群眾聚集在他周圍；他遂留在海濱。那時，來了一個會堂長，名
叫雅依洛，一見耶穌，就跪伏在他腳前，懇切求他說：「我的小女兒快要死了，請你來，給她覆手，叫她得救回生。」耶穌就同他去了。有一大群人跟隨著他，擁擠著他。那時，有一個婦人，患血漏已有十二年。她在許多醫生手裡，受了許多痛苦，花盡了自己所有的一切，不但沒有見效，反而病勢更加重了。她聽了有關耶穌的傳說，便來到人群中，從後邊摸了耶穌的衣裳，因為她心裡裡想：「我只要一摸他的衣裳，必然會好的。」她的血源立刻涸竭了，並且覺得身上的疾病也好了。耶穌立時覺得有一種能力從自己身上出去，就在人群中回過頭來說：「誰摸了我的衣裳？」他的門徒向他說：「你看！群眾四面擁擠著你，你還問：誰摸了我？」耶穌四周觀望，要看作這事的婦人。那婦人明知在自己身上所成的事，就戰戰兢兢地前來，跪伏在耶穌前，把實情完全告訴了他。耶穌便向他說：「女兒，你的信德救了你，平安去吧！你的疾病必得痊愈。」他還說話的時候，有人從會堂長家裡來，說：「你的女兒死了，你還來煩勞師傅做什麼？」耶穌聽見所說的話，就給會堂長說：「不要怕，只管信。」除伯多祿、雅各伯和雅各伯的弟弟若望外，他沒有讓任何人跟他去。他們到了會堂長的家裡，耶穌看見群眾非常喧噪：有的哭泣，有的哀號，便進去，給他們說：「你們為什麼喧噪哭泣呢？小女孩並沒有死，只是睡著了！」他們都譏笑他。他卻把眾人趕出去，帶著小女孩的父親和母親，以及同他在一起的人，進了小女孩所在的地方。他拿起小女孩的手，對她說：「塔里塔，古木！」意思是：「女孩子，我命你起來！」那女孩子就立刻起來行走，原來她已十二歲了；他們都驚訝得目瞪口呆。耶穌卻嚴厲命令他們，不要叫任何人知道這事；又吩咐給女孩子吃的。
默 想──Ø 耶穌繼續馬不停蹄，剛剛驅趕邪魔後，又要趕著醫治會堂長的小女兒；另一邊廂，也「不自覺地」醫好患了血漏十二年的婦人。一時間，耶穌成為眾人之間茶餘飯後談論的紅人。
Ø 每一次當耶穌趕鬼、醫病時，都帶著一副憐憫的心腸，他不要做什麼紅人，或有更多的跟隨者吹捧自己成為新偶像等等。
Ø 除了出於憐憫的心，耶穌希望藉此彰顯天父的大愛，他要醫好的不單是眾人的病，還有他們心靈上的殘疾。
Ø 我們心靈有「殘疾」嗎？來到耶穌跟前來吧，相信他願意把我們「醫好」，重拾與重建與上主的關係，做一個真正的完全人。
