Archive for May, 2008

Published by admin on 31 May 2008

指示燈

為什麼天主頒佈十誡,以作為我們人生旅途的明確指標?
因為祂要引領祂的子女們達到生命的圓滿。

指示燈

1959年二月三日二十三點十二分,在大西洋一萬米高的上空,有一架波音707型班機,機長瓦爾多.林奇正在檢驗飛機的控制儀器表,而副機長薩姆.彼得斯則在研究小地圖,機長想要活動一下腿腳,因為現在應當已經克服了惡劣的情況。

剛從巴黎起飛時,飛機遇到了暴風雨和時速一百二十公里的逆風,現在已升高到十萬米,位於暴風雨的上方。機長開啟自動駕駛,拿掉耳機,站了起來。他有47歲,身體強壯,精力充沛,他拍拍薩姆的肩,告訴他,他要離開兩三分鐘。

林奇穿過旅客的行列,他們還繫著安全帶以防壞天氣所引起的強烈震動會傷到自己。一個嬰孩在母親的懷中啼哭,機長安慰那母親說:「現在一切正常,不久您就會看到您的寶貝沉睡了。」

但突然發生了難以描述,尤其難以想像的某些事。機長突然感到飛機的右翼在跳動,他被摔倒並撞上右邊的座椅,同時燈光全都熄滅了,機長又被拋到空中,而後摔在地上;至少他以為如此,可是後來他發現他跌落在飛機的天花板上了:也就是說飛機顛倒了。現在飛機像一塊石頭似的往下直墜。116位繫在座椅上的旅客的叫聲蓋過了馬達的響聲。

林奇機長擁有一萬五千小時的飛行經驗,因而他能立刻回到他的指揮角色,他必須放棄旅客,回到駕駛艙內。一定是副機長發生了什麼事,既然地心引力把他推向天花板,他怎麼做才能達到薩姆那裡呢?

林奇身體強壯,他作出巨大的努力抓住了一個座椅,想要把自己推向機艙,他還聽得見馬達的響聲,所以馬達在運轉:那麼飛機還有幾分得救的希望。但這是一個分秒必爭的問題:飛機應該已經降至六千或五千米,因為又進入暴風雨中了。

突然,林奇感覺到一個新的動作:飛機在螺旋式的自轉!這下可完了,波音707像是風中的一片葉子。旅客們不再叫了:他們或是失去知 覺,或是在等死。

但是林奇絕不輕言放棄,他已經來到頭幾排座位,使盡最後力氣從一排座椅向前爬向另一排。突然,整個機身開始震動。「現在飛機的結構要支持不住,折斷了!」這是機長撞到機艙門前的最後想法。現在飛機像一枚火箭似的阻擋不住直往海裡衝,馬達的隆隆聲變得愈發難以忍受,它使整個飛機的震動更加接近音速,可是飛機不再受暴風雨的襲擊,這項事實給了機長一線新希望。還有幾秒鐘?現在,他終於在技術人員和駕駛員的協助下,鑽進了機艙。林奇握住操縱杆:雖然是黑夜,他看得見下面怒吼的大海。飛機可能在兩千米的高度,正當他測量時,飛機又墜下了三百米。當林奇試圖遏止飛機的下跌時,發現副機長已失去知覺,他大聲喊叫其他的人:「請幫我搬動操縱杆!」,儘管大家用力搬,操縱杆依然紋風不動,海越來越近了。

突然,副機長恢復了知覺,在他的協助下,飛機回到水平位置。

只差幾秒鐘,飛機就要爆炸在大西洋中了。沒有人受傷,整個事件僅歷時四分鐘。到底發生了什麼事呢?副機長正在研究地圖,他沒有發現控制儀器表上的燈在閃閃發亮,在警告自動駕駛儀壞了。

天主,好比一個好父親,也給了我們信號燈:那就是寫在我們每人心中的十誡。我們不要置之不理,因為十誡可以使我們避免許多大災難。

作者不詳

Published by admin on 30 May 2008

為什麼天主允許這一切?

聖經對天主的奧秘作了什麼啟示?
天主是愛:聖父、聖子、和聖神是唯一的愛。

為什麼天主允許這一切?

一個美國工人馬克斯.埃勒布什敘述說:

那是1958年聖誕節前的一個熱鬧的星期五。我在我的工作室裡,想把向我訂做的全部工作做完,好能同我的家人寧靜地過幾天聖誕節日。突然電話鈴響了,有人通報我們的兒子,五歲的克萊吉被汽車撞了。
克萊吉的周圍有一小群人,他們給我讓開通路。我兒子躺臥在路中央,連他那頭金黃色秀髮似乎也一絲不亂。他被送往醫院,當天下午就去世了。
車禍發生在學校門前的十字路口。汽車突然駛了過來,沒有人發覺。我兒子舉步踏入人行道時他的一個同學曾大聲發出警告;開車者並沒有剎車。
我太太葛萊斯和我從醫院出來,穿過點綴著聖誕裝飾的明亮街道向著回家的路走去。我們無法理會所發生了的事,直到晚上我來到克萊吉空著的床前,才猛然意識到那可怕的事實,開始在那空床前,面對生命的空虛與無用哭了起來。

我們有四個兒女,克萊吉是最能協助我們克服生活難題的一個。他還是嬰兒時,就開懷地笑迎整個世界,常令人們在嬰兒推車前駐足欣賞他。我們去拜訪朋友時,總是年僅三歲的克萊吉讚美房主人,高聲說:「好漂亮的家!」收到禮物時則頻頻道謝,而且馬上準備好把它送給讚美他的人。
「如果一個這樣的孩子可以死去,“我在被單下轉輾反側並自言自語”如果這樣的生命可以一瞬間消逝,那麼生存就毫無意義,信仰天主只是一個幻覺罷了」。到了早晨我的絕望和無力感找到了投射的目標:盲目地恨起把我們推進絕望深淵的那個人!警察已在田納西州把他抓住了:他叫喬治.威廉斯,只有十五歲。
警察發現他是出自一個有問題的家庭:母親值夜班,白天睡覺。星期五那天那男孩逃學,乘他母親睡覺時,拿了汽車的鑰匙,以高速度在市內道路上奔馳。我對冷酷無情命運的憤怒,如今似乎完全傾注在喬治.威廉斯這個名字上。我打電話給我們的律師,要他務使那孩子受到最嚴厲的懲罰:「您要使他被視作成年人,少年法庭不夠嚴格。」
這是我發生徹底改變我生活的事件時的心理狀態,我難以解釋,只能描述。
星期六午夜,我緊抱著頭在臥房門口走來走去,突然我感到極度疲憊,我哀禱說:「我的天主,請教我明白為什麼必須發生這一切!」
突然間我的生命接受到決定性的改變。在那瞬間的光照下,我確確實實地感受到我們的存在只有一個目的,如同在學校一樣,要學習的只有一件事:愛。
「噢,克萊吉」,我大聲說「我的小克萊吉,你在你短短五年的生命中學到了好多東西,你進步得多大多麼迅速!」
我打開房門,看見我太太葛雷斯坐在床上,她沒在看書,沒做任何事:只是發呆,她從星期五起就是那樣。
我握住她的手,要使她明白那對我已然是顯明的事:世界不是由盲目的事情所控制,因為生命有其意義,此世的痛苦並非結局,而是為達到幸福的工具,那是將勝過一切期待與希望的幸福。
「今天晚上」,我對她說「克萊吉不再需要我們了,但有另一個人,喬治.威廉斯,需要我們。聖誕節到了,他在少年監獄裡或許一個禮物也沒有收到,假如我們不為他著想的話。」
葛雷斯沉默地聽我說話,突然她的眼淚奪眶而出,「是的」,她說「應該如此。自從克萊吉死後,正確的事這是第一件。」
事實確實如此。喬治顯然是一個聰明、迷失的孩子,他只是需要一個父親,如同我需要一個兒子一樣。我們給他準備了一個聖誕禮物,葛雷斯給他母親送去了自己烘製的一盒餅干。我們竭盡全力促使喬治.威廉斯出獄,幾天後他獲得釋放,從那時起我們的家成了他的第二個家。
放學後他跟我在工作室裡做工,吃飯時我們也在一起,他成了黛安娜、米凱娜和魯斯卡羅的一個好哥哥。

Published by admin on 30 May 2008

燈火

Published by admin on 30 May 2008

神父講道 (聖母訪親 慶日) 週六 2008年5月31日

恭讀聖路加福音 2:41-52

衪的父母每年逾越節往耶路撒冷去。 衪到了十二歲時,他們又照節日的慣例上去了。 過完了節日,他們回去的時候,孩童耶穌卻留在耶路撒冷,衪的父母並未發覺。 他們只以為衪在同行的人中間,遂走了一天的路程;以後就在親戚和相識的人中尋找衪。 既找不著,便折回耶路撒冷找衪。 過了三天,才在聖殿裏找到了衪。衪正坐在經師中,聆聽他們,也詢問他們。 凡聽見衪的人,對衪的智慧和對答,都驚奇不止。他們一看見衪,便大為驚異,衪的母親就向衪說:「孩子,為什麼你這樣對待我們? 看,你的父親和我,一直痛苦的找你。」 耶穌對他們說:「你們為什麼找我? 你們不知道我必須在我父親那裡嗎?」但是,他們不明白衪對他們所說的話。衪就同他們下去,來到納匝肋,屬他們管轄。衪的母親把一切默存在心中。 耶穌在智慧和身量上,並在天主和人前的恩愛上,漸漸地增長。

    —這是基督的福音。

    (Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

    A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 2:41-52

    Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.nHe went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced (in) wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

    —The Gospel of the Lord.

    往神父講道目錄

     
    icon for podpress  Homily [16:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (713)

    Published by Fr. Peter on 30 May 2008

    VATICAN – May 30: World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – This year, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on May 30, which has been declared the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. In the Letter sent on this occasion to all priests, from the Prefect and Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza respectively, the priority of prayer over action is made explicit, “since it is on prayer that the effectiveness of action depends. The Church’s mission largely depends on each person’s personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and must therefore be nourished by prayer.” Below we offer several excerpts from the Letter.
    “In the second place, with an unquenchable thirst and longing for Christ, the most authentic dimension of our Priesthood is mendicancy, simple and continuous prayer that is learned in silent orison. It has always characterized the life of Saints and should be asked for insistently. This awareness of our relationship with him is subjected to the purification of daily testing. Every day we realize again and again that not even we Ministers who act “in Persona Christi Capitis” are spared this drama.”
    “The one adequate measure, with regard to our Holy Vocation, is radicalism. This total dedication with awareness of our infidelity can only be brought into being as a renewed and prayerful decision which Christ subsequently implements, day after day. The actual gift of priestly celibacy must be accepted and lived in this dimension of radicalism and full configuration to Christ. Any other approach to the reality of the relationship with him risks becoming ideological. Even the great mass of work that the contemporary conditions of the ministry sometimes impose on us, far from discouraging us must spur us to care with even greater attention for our priestly identity which has an incontrovertibly divine root.”
    “Let us be faithful, dear confreres, to the daily Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist, not solely in order to fulfill a pastoral commitment or a requirement of the community entrusted to us but because of the absolute personal need we have of it, as of breathing, as of light for our life, as the one satisfactory reason for a complete priestly existence.”
    “Since the missionary spirit is intrinsic in the very nature of the Church, our mission is likewise innate in the priestly identity, which is why missionary urgency is a matter of self-awareness. Our priestly identity is edified and renewed day after day in “conversation” with Our Lord. An immediate consequence of our relationship with him, ever nourished in constant prayer, is the need to share it with all those around us. The holiness we ask for daily, in fact, cannot be conceived according to a sterile and abstract individual acceptance but is necessarily Christ’s holiness, which is contagious for everyone: ‘Being in communion with Jesus Christ draws us into his ‘being for all’; it makes it our own way of being’ (Benedict XVI, “Spe Salvi,” No. 28). Christ’s ‘being for all’ is realized for us in the Tria Munera by which we are clothed in the very nature of the Priesthood. These Munera which constitute the entirety of our Ministry, are not the place for alienation or, even worse, a mere functionalist reductionism of ourselves but rather are the truest expression of our belonging to Christ.”
    “Lastly, the Holy Mother of God remains an indispensable foundation of the whole of priestly life. The relationship with her cannot be resolved in pious devotional practice but is nourished by ceaseless entrustment to the arms of the ever Virgin of the whole of our life, of our ministry in its entirety.”
    “Dear confreres, the urgent need for a movement of prayer, placing 24-hour continuous Eucharistic adoration at the center so that a prayer of adoration, thanksgiving, praise, petition and reparation will be raised to God, incessantly and from every corner of the earth, with the primary intention of awakening a sufficient number of holy vocations to the priestly state and, at the same time, spiritually uniting with a certain spiritual maternity — at the level of the Mystical Body — all those who have already been called to the ministerial priesthood and are ontologically conformed to the one High and Eternal Priest.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/5/2008)

    Published by Fr. Peter on 29 May 2008

    神父片語 (20080529)

    梵蒂岡最近出版的「天主教零零年至零六年年刊」有以下的數據:

    天出教徒人數佔全人類人口17.3%

    主教人數:4,541 (2000) – 4,898 (2006)

    司鐸人數*405,178 (2000) – 407,262 (2006) [教區司鐸人數: 265,781 (2000) – 271,091 (2006)]

    修女人數: 800,000 (2000) – 750,000 (2006)

    教友增長率:歐洲 1%; 美洲8.4%; 大洋洲7.6%; 非洲17.9%;亞洲0% (人口增長率與教友人數增長率相若)

    司鐸人數增長率:2%

    修女人數增長率:-6.3%

    香港教區天主教手冊的數據:

    天主教徒人數:159,723 (2000) - 246,877 (2006)

    司鐸人數* 321 (2000) - 290 (2006)[教區司鐸人數: 70 (2000) – 66 (2006)]

    修會修士人數:67**(2000) – 72***(2006)

    修女人數: 529****(2000 ) – 508*****(2006)

    香港教友增長率:54.6%

    香港司鐸人數增長率:-2%

    修女人數增長率:-4%

    從數據可看出香港教友人數增加比率成為亞洲之冠,但司鐸人數與教友人數增長率卻成反比。

    同時修女人數增長率這六年內亦相對減少。

    今天,香港共有十三位修生(seminarians),其中六位屬於教區,七位屬於三間修會;

    八位男初學生(novices)、五位女初學生。

    我們要努力為修道聖召而祈求。

    * 教區司鐸及修會司鐸 **分屬9個不同修會 ***分屬12個不同修會  ****分屬25個不同修會 *****分屬27個不同修會

    梁達材神父

    往神父片語目錄

    Published by admin on 29 May 2008

    神父講道 (耶穌至聖聖心節) 週五 2008年5月30日

    耶穌至聖聖心節

    恭讀聖瑪竇福音 11:25-30
    那時候,耶穌發言說:「父啊!天地的主宰!我稱謝你,因為你將這些事瞞住了智慧和明達的人,而啟示給小孩子。是的,父啊!你原來喜歡這樣。我父將一切交給 了我;除了父外,沒有人認識子;除了子和子所願意啟示的人外,也沒有人認識父。凡勞苦和負重擔的,你們都到我跟前來,我要使你們安息。你們背起我的軛,跟 我學罷!因為我是良善心謙的:這樣你們必要找得你們靈魂的安息,因為我的軛是柔和的,我的擔子是輕鬆的。」

    —這是基督的福音。

    (Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus)

    A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 11:25-30

    At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

    —The Gospel of the Lord.

    往神父講道目錄

     
    icon for podpress  Homily [14:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (993)

    Published by admin on 29 May 2008

    逆境是一種祝福

    你怎麼看自己
    有一位牧師的女兒,她天生就是一位腦性痲痺患者,全身不能正常的活動,且無法言語。但….她卻靠著無比的毅力與信仰的扶持,在美國拿到了藝術博士,並到處現身說法,幫助他人。
    有一次,她應邀到一個場合演 “寫”(不能講話的她必需以筆代口),會後發問時,一個學生當眾小聲的問:
    「妳從小就長成這個樣子,請問你怎麼看你自己?妳都沒有怨恨嗎?」
    這個無心但尖端的問題讓在場人士無不捏一把冷汗,深怕會深深刺傷了她的心。
    只見她回過頭,用粉筆在黑板上吃力地寫下了「我怎麼看自己?」這幾個大字。
    她笑著再回頭看了看大家後,又轉過身去繼續寫著:
    一、 我好可愛!
    二、 我的腿很長很美!
    三、 爸爸媽媽這麼愛我!
    四、 上帝這麼愛我!
    五、 我會畫畫!我會寫稿!
    六、 我有隻可愛的貓!
    七、 還有……
    忽然,教室內一片鴉雀無聲 ,沒有人敢講話。她又回過頭來靜靜地看著大家,再回過頭去,在黑板上寫下了她結論:「 我只看我所有的,不看我所沒有的。」
    眾人安靜了幾秒後,一下子,全場響起了如雷的掌聲與無數感動的淚水。那天,許多人因著她的樂觀與見證而得到激勵。
    這個樂觀的腦性痲痺患者是誰?她,就是美國南加洲大學藝術博士,在台灣開過多次畫展的黃美廉女士。
    「我只看我所有的,不看我所沒有的。」我喜歡這樣的人生觀,很健康也很愜意!
    這讓我想到,《聖經》曾形容一些聰明人:『似乎貧窮,卻是富足的;似乎一無所有,卻是樣樣都有的。』可不是嗎?
    幸福,不在於您擁有多少事物,乃在於您用怎樣的態度去看待。
    享受自己現下所擁有的一切若是能這樣,即便您看似一無所有,也能比那些大富豪或身體健壯….但整天愁眉苦臉的人們更快樂、更富有。

    逆境是一種祝福

    什麼時候您才會關心自己的健康?
    可能就是當醫生對您說您的身體機能已經壞透了的時候;
    什麼時候您才會認真考慮顧客的需要?
    可能是您的生意一落千丈的時候;
    什麼時候您才會分配很多時間給那剛踏入青少年期的子女?
    可能就是在知道他們犯了事要受懲罰的時候;
    什麼時候您才會真正記掛您所愛的人,學會珍惜?
    可能是..不能再見到她, 或者她要離你而去的時候;
    什麼時候您才會思考生命的可貴?
    可能是一個親友去世,您參加他葬禮的時候。
    您可能常常向上帝悲嘆的埋怨:「為什麼要給我這種打擊?」也許,您應該用另一個角度來看,在逆景中,冷酷無情的不幸確實是帶來了無可彌補的損失,但悲劇的背後卻潛藏了偉大的治療力量,帶引出改變。
    逆境是什麼 ?
    嘗試改善你的想法時,逆境都可以是一種祝福:
    1. 每一件事背後均隱藏著了正面的意義,當我們有這個信念,許多行為都變得善良了,而不會認為一個犯錯的行為就代表身處絕境。
    2. 不要只計算已失去的東西,數數還剩下的東西;
    如果不幸身上的一半金錢掉到深海中,別企圖跳下水中把它全數尋回,這會弄跨您的性命。數數您還剩下的另一半,想想如何更好保護剩下的,認真檢視當中學會了什麼,再深思如何運用這些已有的來做得更好。
    3. 每一次經歷都是學習的機會
    西洋諺語說:「不幸的事情總會不斷重演,直至有所領悟為止(A lesson is repeated until learned)」。
    很多人總事慨嘆:「為什麼受害的總是我?」
    答案可能就是因為您仍未能從中領悟學習得到,上帝就會再鋪排更多「機會」,直到您真正學懂為止。

    作者不詳 

    Published by admin on 29 May 2008

    每日聖言靜思 常年期第八週 (週五) 5月30日

    信仰生活互動坊、塔冷通心靈書舍

    5月30日 (週五)  谷11:11-26 (其他經文──德44:1, 9-13  詠103 )
    耶穌進了耶路撒冷,到聖殿裡,周圍察看了一切,時辰已晚,遂同十二門徒出來,往伯達尼去了。第二天,他們從伯達尼出來,耶穌餓了。他從遠處望見了一棵茂盛的無花果樹,就上前去,看是否在樹上可以找到什麼;及至走到那裡,除了葉子外,什麼也沒有找著,因為還不是無花果的時節。耶穌就開口對它說:「永遠再沒有人吃你的果子了!」他的門徒也都聽見了。他們來到耶路撒冷。耶穌一進殿院,就開始把在殿院裡的買賣人趕出去,把錢莊的桌子和賣鴿子的凳子推翻,也不許人帶著器皿由殿院裡經過,教訓他們說:「經上不是記載:『我的殿宇將稱為萬民的祈禱之所』麼?你們竟把它作成了賊窩!」司祭長和經師聽了,就設法要怎樣除掉他,卻又害怕他,因為全群眾對他的教訓都驚奇不已。到了晚上,他們就出了城。早晨,他們從那裡經過時,看見那棵無花果樹連根都枯乾了。伯多祿想起來,就對耶穌說:「師傅!看,你所咒罵的無花果樹已枯乾了。」耶穌回答他們說:「你們對天主當有信德!我實在告訴你們:無論誰對這座山說:起來,投到海裡去!他心裡若不懷疑,反相信他說的必成就,就必給他成就。因此,我告訴你們:你們祈禱,不論求什麼,祇要你們相信必得,必給你們成就。當你們立著祈禱時,若你們有什麼怨人的事,就寬恕罷!好叫你們在天之父,也寬恕你們的過犯。」

    默 想──Ø 耶穌說,只要信,就是叫山投到海裡也可以。我想,我們沒有幾多人會信。(若你真的相信,我恭喜你!也對你說對不起,低估了你)
    Ø 但事實上,若你這樣相信,那一種信的感覺,的確是一種絕對相信任何事也可能的感覺。
    Ø 這就是信!

    Published by Fr. Peter on 28 May 2008

    Cardinal Dias Notes Hope for Church in China

    ROME, MAY 28, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The situation of the Church in China is marked by signs of hope, according to the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.Cardinal Ivan Dias noted these signs when he celebrated Mass on Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major to mark the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.“In the past, there has been suffering for our brothers and sisters in China,” the cardinal said, according to L’Osservatore Romano. But now the moment has arrived to “forgive, look to the future and pray for a Church again existing in fraternity and peace. Today there are signs of hope for the future of the Church in China.”The Mass, celebrated in Italian and Chinese, was attended by some 500 people. A dozen Chinese priests concelebrated.

    Cardinal Dias assured that in Paradise, “there will not be official and clandestine Catholics, because all of us will be children of God. The Pope desires that this unity is also seen on earth.”

    After Mass, the faithful prayed the prayer Benedict XVI wrote for May 24, the day on which the Chinese celebrate the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians. A shrine to this image of the Virgin is in Sheshan, close to Shanghai.

    Published by admin on 28 May 2008

    神父講道 (常年期第八週) 週四 2008年5月29日

    聖何開枝殉道

    恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 10:46-52
    耶穌和他的門徒及一大群人,從耶里哥出來的時候,有一個瞎眼的乞丐,即提買的兒子巴爾提買坐在路旁。他一聽說是納匝肋人耶穌,就喊叫說:「耶穌,達味之 子,可憐我吧!」許多人斥責他,叫他不要作聲。但他越發喊叫說:「達味之子,可憐我吧!」耶穌就站住說:「叫他過來!」人就叫那瞎子,給他說:「放心!起 來!他叫你呢!」瞎子就扔下自己的外衣,跳起來,走到耶穌跟前。耶穌對他說:「你願意我給你做什麼?」瞎子說:「師傅!叫我看見!」耶穌對他說:「去吧! 你的信德救了你。」瞎子立刻看見了,就在路上跟著耶穌去了。

    —這是基督的福音。

    (8th week of Ordinary Time - Thurs.)

    A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 10:46-52 And they came to Jericho; and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimae’us, a blind beggar, the son of Timae’us, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; rise, he is calling you.” And throwing off his mantle he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Master, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

    —The Gospel of the Lord.

    往神父講道目錄

     
    icon for podpress  Homily [8:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2383)

    Published by admin on 28 May 2008

    耶穌的死亡

    耶穌在33歲時被判死刑
    那是最可怕的死刑,只有最壞的罪犯才會像耶穌一樣的死亡。因為不是所有的死刑犯都能承受雙手雙腳被釘之苦。

    當然,釘子…大釘子
    每個15-20公分長,一端6公分
    另一端是尖銳的。
    釘子不是像我們以前聽到的插在手掌心,而是插入脈搏。在脈搏有延伸到肩膀的肌腱。在錘釘子時,肌腱斷裂,迫使耶穌要靠背部的肌肉才能讓肺部的空氣流出,來呼吸。
    因此,他必須以釘在腳上的釘子支撐身體,這釘子因必須釘兩隻腳,所以比釘在脈搏上的大。為避免經久致使雙腳撕裂,耶穌在整個過程必須交替,才能呼吸。
    耶穌忍受了超過三小時的時間,好長的時間,不是嗎?在死亡前幾分鐘即不再流血,只是從傷口流出水。
    當我們想像祂受傷,只有想到
    受傷的圖像是不夠的。
    祂的傷是身上真的洞。
    祂無血可流了,只是流水。
    成人的身體有3.5公升左右的血。
    耶穌傾流所有3.5公升的血,有三根釘子釘入身體,頭上有刺冠,還有羅馬士兵刺透祂的胸膛。
    這還沒有提到祂所受的羞辱。祂背將近30公斤重的十字架走了近兩公里,一路上有人對祂吐口水,丟石頭。
    耶穌必須經歷這一切,你才能接近上帝。
    你的罪被洗淨。不要忘了,祂為每一個人而死,沒有一個例外。為你,為正在讀這個電子郵件的你而死。不要認為祂只是為別人(上教堂的人、牧師、主教)而死。

    祂為你而死。平常我們很容易轉寄笑話或照片,但一提到上帝,有時候因擔心他人的想法而不敢轉寄給別人。
    接受耶穌是世界唯的一救贖這個事實!上帝對你有特別的計畫,告訴你的朋友祂救贖你的經驗。願上帝祝福你的生活!
    給上帝60秒,跟祂在一起。
    停下你手邊的工作,抓住這個機會!看看撒旦是否能阻撓!
    你可以做……
    為寄信給你的人祈禱:
    上帝啊,你比我更認識 _______
    求你在各方面祝福他/她,使他/她順利成功,照顧他/她的家庭、健康、工作以及今年所有的計畫。不要讓他/她陷於誘惑,但救他/她免於凶惡,以上所求是奉耶穌基督之名,阿們!
    然後把這個郵件寄給十個人。
    如此,這十個人會為你祈禱,
    可以使很多人為別人向上帝祈禱。
    花一點時間想一想,為上帝所賞賜的能力以及你使祂歡欣的事而感謝祂。
    如果你不想做此事,請想一想耶穌所說的:
    凡在人面前不認我的,我在我天上的父面前也必不認他。(馬太10:33)
    若你相信祂,你會傳送…是的,我愛天父。祂是我的生命根源與救主。祂日夜保守我。
    我靠著那加給我力量的、凡事都能作。(腓4:13)

    作者不詳

    Published by admin on 28 May 2008

    每日聖言靜思 常年期第八週 (週四) 5月29日

    信仰生活互動坊、塔冷通心靈書舍

    5月29日 (週四)  路1:39-56   (其他經文──索3:14-18)
    瑪利亞就在那幾日動身,急速往山區去,到了猶大的一座城。她進了匝加利亞的家,就給依撒伯爾請安。依撒伯爾一聽到瑪利亞請安,胎兒就在她的腹中歡躍。依撒伯爾遂充滿了聖神,大聲呼喊說:「在女人中你是蒙祝福的,你的胎兒也是蒙祝福的。我主的母親駕臨我這裡,這是我那裡得來的呢?看,你請安的聲音一入我耳,胎兒就在我腹中歡喜踴躍。那信了由上主傳於她的話必要完成的,是有福的。」瑪利亞遂說:「我的靈魂頌揚上主,我的心神歡躍於天主、我的救主。因為他垂顧了他婢女的卑微,今後萬世萬代都要稱我有福;因全能者在我身上行了大事,他的名字是聖的。他的仁慈世世代代於無窮世,賜與敬畏他的人。他伸出了手臂施展大能,驅散那些心高氣傲的人。他從高座上推下權勢者,卻舉揚了卑微貧困的人。他會使饑餓者飽饗美物,反使那富有者空手而去。他曾回億起自己的仁慈:扶助了他的僕人以色列,正如他向我們的祖先所說過的恩許,施恩於亞巴郎和他的子孫,直到永遠。」瑪利亞同依撒伯爾住了三個月左右,就回本家去了。

    默 想──Ø 聖母經就是取材自這段聖經的,真是偉大的詩句。
    Ø 這詩句的偉大之處是聖母在詩中展現了她默存心中的思想:她沒有自己,只是頌揚上主。她的心中,完全理解上主是與貧苦者同行的上主,祂就是弱者的上主。
    Ø 只有完全進入上主內心的人,才能如此理解上主,和上主心心相印。

    Published by Fr. Peter on 28 May 2008

    New Church Yearbook Gives ‘00-’06 Statistics

    VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Catholics still make up almost a fifth of the world’s population, a ratio that has stayed steady with the start of the new millennium.This is one of the many statistics found in the Vatican Publishing House’s new edition of the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, comprising information on the main aspects of Catholic Church in various countries for the period 2000-2006.

    Over these seven years, Catholic presence in the world has remained stable at around 17.3% of the total population.

    In Europe, despite the fact that 25% of all Catholics live there, the growth in the number of faithful was less than 1%. In the Americas and in Oceania, numbers grew, respectively, by 8.4% and 7.6%. In Asia the number remained more or less stable with respect to population growth, whereas in Africa the number of Catholics increased from 130 million in 2000 to 158.3 million in 2006.

    The number of bishops in the world went up from 4,541 in 2000 to 4,898 in 2006.

    The number of priests also increased slightly over this seven-year period, passing from 405,178 in 2000 to 407,262 in 2006, an overall rise of around 0.51%. In Africa and Asia their numbers increased by 23.24% and 17.71%, respectively. In the Americas the number remained stable, while it fell by 5.75% in Europe and 4.37% in Oceania.

    The number of diocesan priests increased by 2%, going from 265,781 in 2000 to 271,091 in 2006. By contrast, the number of religious priests showed a constant decline, down by 2.31% to 136,000 in 2006.

    Only in Europe was there a clear reduction in priests: In 2000 they represented 51% of the world total, in 2006 just 48%. On the other hand, Asia and Africa together represented 17.5% of the world total in 2000 and 21% in 2006. The Americas remained steady at around 30%, and Oceania a little more than 1%.

    Female religious are almost double the number of priests, and 14 times that of non-ordained male religious, but their numbers are falling, from 800,000 in 2000 to 750,000 in 2006. As for their geographical distribution, 42% reside in Europe, 28.03% in America and 20% in Asia. The number of female religious has increased in Africa (up by 15.45%) and Asia (up by 12.78%).

    Published by Fr. Peter on 28 May 2008

    「天主教在台灣傳福音一百五十年(一八五九~二零零九)」開幕大典

     【善導週刊】「天主教在台灣傳福音一百五十年(一八五九~二零零九)」開幕大典於五月十七日上午九時在高雄市光榮碼頭隆重舉行,由單國璽樞機主禮。陪祭主教有:梵蒂岡教廷駐華代辦安博思總主教(Msgr. Ambrose Madtha)、台北教區洪山川總主教,新竹教區李克勉主教、台中教區蘇耀文主教、嘉義教區鍾安住主教、台南教區林吉男主教、花蓮教區黃兆明主教、曾建次主教、成世光主教、王愈榮主教以及數百位神父共祭,上萬教友參與。

      貴賓有:高雄市長陳菊、高雄縣長楊秋興、立法委員李復興、市議會議長莊啟旺、市議員吳益政、佛教佛光山(慧寬法師、慧一法師) 、一貫道林明源理事長、基督教台灣聖公會賴榮信主教、文藻外語學院李文瑞校長、明誠中學佘祥磊校長、輔仁大學汪文麟校長、聖功醫院楊儀華院長、全國傳協會主席鄭萊頤、前任主席洪團璋、吳武雄。齊聚光榮碼頭,隆重慶祝「天主教在台灣一百五十年」。   

      開幕大典在祈禱聲中揭開序幕,首先大會主席劉振忠主教在致詞中指出︰一四九年前的五月十八日,西班牙傳教士郭德剛與洪保祿二位神父,與教友李步壘先生一家五口,向台灣踏出福傳的第一步,首先踏入高雄的土地,從此福音的種子由南到北,撒遍整個台灣,無論城市、鄉鎮、山上到海邊,到處開滿了福音的花朵。這是很值得我們紀念與珍惜的一天。  

      近一百五十年來,在眾多傳教士與教友犧牲奉獻、盡心盡力的努力下,創造了現今全台共七二四座天主教堂,十七位主教、六八二位神父、一千零五十二位修女以及三十萬教友的天主教大家庭。  

      目前天主教徒在台灣雖然是少數族群,也是弱勢者,但是天主教會所建立的事業與所擁有的資源是豐厚的,例如擁有:五所大專院校、廿九所中學、十一所小學、一六六所幼稚園;社會服務的機構更多,共有十七種類,將近一百五十處服務據點:為兒童四所、為青少年八所、為老人廿七所、為婦女七所、為原住民二所、為勞工三所、為身心障礙卅一所、為家庭一所、為肢障二所、為視障一所、為聽障一所、為遊民二所;成立監獄服務社,為受刑人服務遍及全國各監獄;醫院及診所十五所、文教院四所、心理輔導四所、綜合服務九所;以及為病患服務,在北部有病患之友會,在南部有溫馨病人之友社,分別在南北各大醫院成立祈禱室,探訪病人,也有二百多位長期志工。總的來說,天主教為台灣的社會及弱勢族群,貢獻良多。 

      天主教在台灣種子落地、萌芽。有很多使命,按福音的精神,與地方首長合作,一起共同努力。並展開為期一年半的系列慶祝活動,逐漸推向高潮,屆時將邀請教宗蒞臨台灣,為一萬五千位新教友施行洗禮,讓慶祝活動達到巔峰。  

      八十六歲高齡的單樞機主教雖然罹患了肺腺癌仍然精神奕奕表示︰天主教在台灣開教的歷史,給我們很大的啟示,傳教士不是單獨來台灣的,他們帶來一個教友家庭,在這裡落戶紮根,也做了很多的犧牲,所以聖職人員和平信徒一定要共同努力。另一方面十六日晚上青年之夜,看到我們的青年朋友,那麼活潑,那麼熱心,看到了教會將來的希望,一定要注意青年朋友,青年朋友有活力,帶動青年教會,才能把福音傳出來。  

      台灣地區主教團主席洪山川總主教在致詞中表示︰在台灣海岸線的海防部隊,有一個習慣,有人登陸都會問通關語,因為登陸有時候是大陸客,長得一樣,最典型的,就是問會不會唱「當我們同在一起」或者會問台灣總統是誰……等等。  

      一百五十年前我們傳教士登陸的時候,沒有這些通關語,為什麼?因為他們膚色生活習慣都跟我們不一樣。是一百五十年前,二位登陸的傳教士影響了我們台灣的生態。這一百五十年以後啊!台灣有了近千座的教堂,七百多位的神父,一千多位的修女,三十萬的教友,五十所大中小學,還有慈善機構等,我們在台灣的教育工作也作育英才無數。
      傳教士本著耶穌基督的精神來到了這個地方,所以耶穌所做的,他們也願意模仿的,不自由的得到釋放,窮人得到福音,他們有組織,有訓練,勇往直前,犧牲生命,在所不惜,今天有更多的宗教,應該可以讓這個社會更祥和。
      今天知道了大陸的災難,再次為大陸死難的同胞來祈禱,也特別求天主祝福這塊土地的人們、傳教士、各宗教的朋友。
      

      將於七月二十七日在印度象牙海岸晉升總主教的駐華代辦安博思總主教在致詞中表示,為四川大地震祈禱。代表教廷出席,很高興看到這麼多的人來此相聚,傳教士從廈門來到台灣傳播福音一百四十九年的歲月,辛勤耕耘的成果。
      那是第一批來到這裡的西班牙的傳教士,如今還有許許多多來自世界各地的傳教士。
      高雄市長陳菊在致詞中表示︰卅年前認識很多天主教瑪利諾修會的神父,當時瑪利諾修會有二位神父在台灣民主化過程中對我的保護,感觸良多,天主教在台灣一百五十週年見證台灣的發展。  

      陳市長並指出天主教對台灣的貢獻很多,天主教永遠跟窮人站在一起、永遠關心社會被遺棄的人,在社會裡面最弱勢的人,很多的神父、修女在任何的地方、地點,給予擁抱。  

      楊縣長在致詞中表示︰懷著感恩,飲水思源的心,來參加慶祝大會,一百五十年前台灣非常荒涼,荒涼之地,教育不普遍,生活水準也非常差,醫療設備也相當匱乏,天主教帶來了醫療、教育、社會福利。對台灣整個經濟幫助非常大,天主教也跟很多弱勢團體合作,社會福利的合作。  

      天主教在高雄縣的杉林鄉,開設一個真福山社福園區,未來山上有育幼院,對小朋友的照顧,也更加完善。也非常感恩。

    Published by Fr. Peter on 28 May 2008

    ASIA/CHINA - After inspecting the earthquake disaster area, Bishop Li Liangui of the Diocese of Xianxian affirms the Church’s efforts and the importance of religion in psychological support

    Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - Bishop Joseph Li Liangui of Xianxian, Vice-President of Jinde Charities (the Chinese Catholic charitable organization) recently visited the earthquake area, where he made an inspection, verifying damages and making a visit of solidarity to the priests, religious, and Catholic volunteers of Jinde Charities that, along with Mr. Wolfgang Gerstner and Ms. Christina Grawe of Caritas Germany, who have been working since the moment of the tragedy. They continue working together as they form part of the Catholic Coordination Office of relief support in the area. Though still suffering from effects of influenza, the Bishop gave up his rest for an interview with Faith, the Catholic bulletin of He Bei, in order to describe some of the Church’s labor among the earthquake victims in collaboration with the international Catholic community (e.g Caritas Germany) and the gratitude of the people. The Bishop also mentioned the special importance at this time of religion in the disaster-struck area, especially as a means of providing moral and psychological support. “Our sisters are most appreciated,” Bishop Li commented with great pride. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 27/05/2008)

    Published by admin on 27 May 2008

    神父講道 (常年期第八週) 週三 2008年5月28日

    恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 10:32-45
    那時,耶穌和門徒在路上,要上耶路撒冷去。耶穌走在門徒前頭走,他們都驚奇,跟隨的人也都害怕。耶穌又把那十二人帶到一邊,開始告訴他們那將要臨到他身上 的事:「看,我們上耶路撒冷去,人子要被交於司祭長和經師;他們要定他的死罪,要把他交給外邦人;這些人要戲弄他,唾污他,鞭打他,殺害他;但三天以後, 他必要復活。」
    載伯德的兒子雅各伯和若望來到耶穌跟前,對他說:「師傅!我們願你允許我們的請求!」耶穌對他們說:「你們願意我給你們做什麼?」他們回答說:「賜我們在 你的光榮中,一個坐在你右邊,一個坐在你左邊。」耶穌對他們說:「你們不知道你們所求的是什麼;你們能飲我飲的爵嗎?或者,你們能受我受的洗嗎?」他們對 他說:「我們能。」耶穌就對他們說:「我飲的爵,你們必要飲;我受的洗,你們必要受;但坐在我右邊或左邊,不是我可以給的,而是給誰預備了,就給誰。」那 十個聽了,就開始惱怒雅各伯和若望。耶穌叫門徒過來,對他們說:「你們知道,在外邦人中,有尊為首領的,主宰他們,有大臣管轄他們;但你們中間,卻不可這 樣:誰若願意在你們中間成為大的,就當作你們的僕役;誰若願意在你們中間為首,就當作眾人的奴僕,因為人子,不是來受服侍,而是來服侍人,並交出自己的性 命,為大眾作贖價。」

    —這是基督的福音。

    (8th week of Ordinary Time - Wed.)

    A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 10:32-45And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise.” And James and John, the sons of Zeb’edee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

    —The Gospel of the Lord.

    往神父講道目錄

     
    icon for podpress  Homily [8:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2738)

    Published by admin on 27 May 2008

    就在身邊

    有一個樵夫,每天上山砍材,日復一日,過著平凡的日子。 有一天,樵夫跟平常一樣上山砍材,在路上撿到一隻受傷的銀鳥,銀鳥全身包裹著閃閃發光的銀色羽毛,樵夫欣喜說︰「啊!我一輩子從來沒有看過這麼漂亮的鳥!」於是把銀鳥帶回家,專心替銀鳥療傷。在療傷的日子裡,銀鳥每天唱歌給樵夫聽,使樵夫過著快樂的日子。
    有一天,鄰人看到樵夫的銀鳥,告訴樵夫他看過金鳥,金鳥比銀鳥漂亮上千倍,而且,歌也唱得比銀鳥更好聽。樵夫想著,原來還有金鳥啊!從此樵夫每天只想著金鳥,也不再仔細聆聽銀鳥清脆的歌聲,日子過得越來越不快樂。
    有一天,樵夫坐在門外,望著金黃的夕陽,想著金鳥到底有多美?此時,銀鳥的傷康復,準備離去。銀鳥飛到樵夫的身旁,最後一次唱歌給樵夫聽。樵夫聽完,只是很感慨地說︰「你的歌聲雖然好聽,但是比不上金鳥;你的羽毛雖然很漂亮,但是比不上金鳥的美麗。」銀鳥唱完歌,在樵夫身旁繞了三圈告別後,就向金黃的夕陽飛去。
    樵夫望著銀鳥,突然發現銀鳥在夕陽的照射下,變成了美麗的金鳥;他夢寐以求的金鳥,就在那裡;只是,金鳥已經飛走了,飛得遠遠的,再也不會回來。

    分享:
    當我們用心去體驗生命中的每一天, 其實幸福已經在我們身邊.
    數數看…當下的我們其實有的比沒有的更多.

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