恭讀聖若望福音 15:1-8
那時,耶穌對門徒說:「我是真葡萄樹,我父是園丁。凡在我身上不結實的枝條,他便剪掉;凡結實的,他就清理;使它結更多的果實;你們因我對你們所講的話,已是清潔的了。你們住在我內,我也住在你們內。正如枝條若不留在葡萄樹上,憑自己不能結實;你們若不住在我內,也一無所能。我是葡萄樹,你們是枝條;那住在我內,我也住在他內的,他就結許多的果實,因為離了我,你們什麼也不能作。誰若不住在我內,便彷彿枝條,丟在外面而乾枯了,人便把它拾起來,投入火中焚燒。你們如果住在我內,而我的話也存在你們內,如此,你們願意什麼,求吧!必給你們成就。我父受光榮,即在於你們多結果實,如此你們就成為我的門徒。」
—基督的福音。
(Wednesday of the 5th week of Easter)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 15:1-8
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
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小時候,媽帶著家組、弟弟們和我走到離家不遠的大廈裡的一家有錢人家當鐘點女傭。家姐揹著最小的弟弟與我們一起在樓下大堂等媽放工。但到時到候,媽便會放下工夫走下來餵幼小的弟弟吃人奶。(為了多賺點錢,媽竟會想出如此辦法﹗)那時我們如何打發時間已忘記了,但那裡幾間傢俬舖的木材味,仍舊深刻,現在當嗅到木材味,那情景就會在眼前浮現﹗
艱難的日子,似乎沒有難倒媽,因為媽肯拼、肯捱。媽時常告訴我們:「什麼都不怕,最怕屋頂漏。」她除了要我們有膽色,更要我們知道家的重要。
是的﹗天主藉著生活上的艱難、痛苦給我們修葺、磨練,為的是要我們懂得不再為自己而生活。在母親的愛中,正正反影出這份無私的愛。但願我們在謙遜中,在愛中,在天主內結出百倍的果實﹗