恭讀聖路加福音 15:1-10
那時候,稅吏及罪人們都來接近耶穌,為聽他講道。法利塞人及經師們竊竊私議說:「這個人接待罪人,又同他們一起吃飯!」耶穌遂對他們設了這個比喻說:「你們中間那個人有一百隻羊,遺失了其中的一隻,而不把這九十九隻丟在荒野,去尋覓那遺失的一隻,直到找著呢?待找著了,就歡天喜地把牠放在自己的肩膀上,回到家中,請他的友好及鄰人來,對他們說:你們與我一同歡樂吧!因為我那隻遺失了的羊,又找到了。我告訴你們:同樣,因為一個罪人悔改,在天上也要這樣歡樂,而且比對那九十九個無須悔改的義人的歡樂更大。
「或者一個婦女,有十個銀幣,若遺失了一個,那有不點上燈,打掃房屋,細心尋找,直到找到呢?待找到了,她就請朋友及鄰人來說:你們與我一同歡樂吧!因為我失去的那個銀幣又找到了。我告訴你們:對於一個罪人悔改,在天主的使者前,也是這樣歡樂。」
—基督的福音。
(Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 15:1-10
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
最近家裡大裝修,整間屋又亂又穢;最頭痛的是傢俬如何擺設才省地方,牆壁塗什麼顏色才能合意。當然的,家中各人有著不同的意見,不同的品味;經過一輪爭辯之後,決定每個人負責自己的房間,而公用的地方則以常用者負責;不用說,廚房就是我的天下了!
心想,以前孩子還小,外子是個無所謂的人,所以甚麼都是依我的意思去行;現在就不同了,孩子長大了,要尊重他們的意見,同時也要讓他們為自己的家出一分力!雖然他們的睡房塗上自己最不喜歡的顏色,也要接納。
記得梁神父曾說:「寧彎莫折」。人與人之間的關係,不要破壞至沒有轉彎的地步,正所謂:今日留一線,日後好相見,且山水有相逢。然而與自己的親骨肉的關係,不是更加要「寧彎莫折」嗎﹖
是的﹗我們就是要為「愛」而生,為「愛」而死;然而,天主就是愛!