聖週六

復活勝死亡，大愛衍新生

讀經一：(則36-16-28)：天主要給人們新的心、新的精神
讀經二：(羅6:3-11)：信徒藉洗禮與基督同死同生
福　音：(谷16:1-8)：耶穌復活了
中國文化：臣無祖母，毋以至今日；祖母無臣，毋以終餘年。左光斗死，史可法生：吾上恐負朝廷，下恐愧吾師也。

不要怕！你們在找被釘十字架的納匝人耶穌，他已經復活，不在這裡了；看，這是安放過他的地方。（谷16:6）

各位朋友，基督已經從死者中復活了，亞肋路亞！我們的救主已經戰勝了死亡，我們今天確實應該大事慶祝！

我們已經不必再害怕，不必再恐懼，生命已經獲得重新的定位，已經找到新的方向。我們正在向著現世生命的終點邁進；越過死亡的界線，就是我們清泉湧溢的家鄉。

但在走向這永恆生命的時候，我們還有一些事情要注意：

我們藉著洗禮已歸於死亡與他同葬了，為的是基督怎樣藉著父的光榮，從死者中復活了，我們也怎樣在新生活中度生。（羅6:4）

死亡、埋葬、復活、新生活，這是我們要牢牢記住的公式。要獲得復活，就要先經過死亡和被埋葬；復活了已後，就該脫去舊人，和過去的我徹底的道別，踏上征途，度復活的生命，在新生活中度生。

但復活的生命，不是單單在身後，而是在今天，從今天開始，現在就立刻開始！沒有人可以再在今生荒唐地度日，然後等待來生的僥幸。

生命是一個整體，一個過程，它包含生命中的每一個部分，甚至每一個細節，沒有任何一個細節可以遺漏。由死亡到生命，由痛苦到快樂，由奮鬥到成功，由經過漫長的旅程到終點的抵達。這些都是屬於一個整體；要獲得幸福的結果，就要勇敢承擔過程的苦痛。

在這個角度下，死亡其實是生命的一部分，痛苦是快樂的一部分，奮鬥也是成功的一部分。如果我們真的明白這一點，就連這個過程本身也是滿有意義，甚至是可以令我們快樂的。

我們今天過的節日叫「逾越節」，本來就有過程的含義。逾越節是以色列人的出谷，是他們安渡紅海而成功地避過了埃及人的追殺，是這群奴隸經過沙漠的洗禮，而到達天主預許的福地。

對耶穌來說，逾越就是戰勝死亡，重獲生命，戰勝魔鬼，建立了天主的神國，讓天主在萬有中為王。

如果我們要逾越，我們也要勇敢地擁抱生命中的一切，包括其中的悲傷和苦難、奮鬥和挫折、迫害和死亡。

如果我們今天就在主內復活了，我們就要在主內度新的生命。今天的其中一篇讀經厄則克耳先知書就這樣說：「我要向你們灑清水，潔淨你們，滌除你們的種種不潔和清除各種偶像。我還要給你們新的心，在你們五內注入新的精神；要從你們體內除去那鐵石的心，換上血肉的心。……你們要做我的子民，我做你們的天主。」(則36:25-28)

這已不單是一種新生活，而是獲得一個新的心，和擁有一種新的身分了。這就是作天主子女的身分。就好像一個乞丐，忽然做了國王的義子一樣。新的身分，當然要配上一種新的生活。在這新生活中，我們要記著我們領洗時的誓言：永遠棄絕魔鬼和牠的詭計，並在基督內，度愛主愛人的新生活。

這個天主子女的身分，是基督用他的死為我們賺來的，他用自己寶貴的血贖回了我們，讓我們分享他永恆的生命。

李密在《陳情表》上這樣說：「臣無祖母，無以至今日；祖母無臣，無以終餘年。」生命原來可以互相影響，有時一個生命，竟要靠另一個生命所引發和支撐。

在方苞的《左忠毅公軼事》裡，更有「左光斗死，史可法生」的動人故事。

左忠毅公即左光斗，是明朝的名臣，敢言直諫，不畏權勢，因而被宦官魏忠賢陷害，死在獄中。當他在獄中受炮烙之刑的時候，「面額焦爛不可辨，左膝以下，筋骨盡脫」，令人慘不忍睹。史可法設法去探望他，被他趕了出去。他大罵史可法說：「庸奴！此何地
，而汝來前！國家之事，糜爛至此。老夫已矣，汝復輕身而昧大義，天下事誰可支拄者！不速去，無俟姦人構陷，吾今即撲殺汝。」意思是：國家大事正等待你去支撐，你如果再以私情為念，呆在這裡不走，不等姦人來害你，我也要親手殺你！

左光斗為了使史可法不被誅連，寧可不要他來探望，也要他留下性命，努力報國。所以後來史可法在帶兵保家衛國時，總是十分勤奮，理由是：「吾上恐負朝廷，下恐愧吾師也。」

耶穌給了我們新生命，我們在新的生活中，至少也要如李密一樣的感恩，如史可法一樣的勤奮，以報答浩蕩的天恩吧？
 

圣周六

复活胜死亡，大爱衍新生

读经一：(则36-16-28)：天主要给人们新的心、新的精神
读经二：(罗6:3-11)：信徒藉洗礼与基督同死同生
福　音：(谷16:1-8)：耶稣复活了
中国文化：臣无祖母，毋以至今日；祖母无臣，毋以终余年。左光斗死，史可法生：吾上恐负朝廷，下恐愧吾师也。

不要怕！你们在找被钉十字架的纳匝人耶稣，他已经复活，不在这里了；看，这是安放過他的地方。（谷16:6）

各位朋友，基督已经从死者中复活了，亚肋路亚！我们的救主已经战胜了死亡，我们今天确实应該大事庆祝！

我们已经不必再害怕，不必再恐惧，生命已经获得重新的定位，已经找到新的方向。我们正在向著现世生命的终点迈进；越過死亡的界线，就是我们清泉涌溢的家乡。

但在走向这永恒生命的時候，我们还有一些事情要注意：

我们藉著洗礼已归於死亡与他同葬了，为的是基督怎样藉著父的光荣，从死者中复活了，我们也怎样在新生活中度生。（罗6:4）

死亡、埋葬、复活、新生活，这是我们要牢牢记住的公式。要获得复活，就要先经過死亡和被埋葬；复活了已后，就該脱去旧人，和過去的我彻底的道别，踏上征途，度复活的生命，在新生活中度生。

但复活的生命，不是单单在身后，而是在今天，从今天開始，现在就立刻開始！没有人可以再在今生荒唐地度日，然后等待来生的侥幸。

生命是一個整体，一個過程，它包含生命中的每一個部分，甚至每一個细节，没有任何一個细节可以遗漏。由死亡到生命，由痛苦到快乐，由奋斗到成功，由经過漫长的旅程到终点的抵达。这些都是属於一個整体；要获得幸福的结果，就要勇敢承担過程的苦痛。

在这個角度下，死亡其实是生命的一部分，痛苦是快乐的一部分，奋斗也是成功的一部分。如果我们真的明白这一点，就连这個過程本身也是满有意义，甚至是可以令我们快乐的。

我们今天過的节日叫「逾越节」，本来就有過程的含义。逾越节是以色列人的出谷，是他们安渡红海而成功地避過了埃及人的追杀，是这群奴隶经過沙漠的洗礼，而到达天主预许的福地。

对耶稣来说，逾越就是战胜死亡，重获生命，战胜魔鬼，建立了天主的神国，让天主在万有中为王。

如果我们要逾越，我们也要勇敢地拥抱生命中的一切，包括其中的悲伤和苦难、奋斗和挫折、迫害和死亡。

如果我们今天就在主内复活了，我们就要在主内度新的生命。今天的其中一篇读经厄则克耳先知书就这样说：「我要向你们洒清水，洁净你们，滌除你们的种种不洁和清除各种偶像。我还要给你们新的心，在你们五内注入新的精神；要从你们体内除去那铁石的心，换上血肉的心。……你们要做我的子民，我做你们的天主。」(则36:25-28)

这已不单是一种新生活，而是获得一個新的心，和拥有一种新的身分了。这就是作天主子女的身分。就好像一個乞丐，忽然做了国王的义子一样。新的身分，当然要配上一种新的生活。在这新生活中，我们要记著我们领洗時的誓言：永遠弃绝魔鬼和它的诡计，并在基督内，度爱主爱人的新生活。

这個天主子女的身分，是基督用他的死为我们赚来的，他用自己宝贵的血赎回了我们，让我们分享他永恒的生命。

李密在《陈情表》 上这样说：「臣无祖母，无以至今日；祖母无臣，无以终余年。」生命原来可以互相影响，有時一個生命，竟要靠另一個生命所引发和支撑。

在方苞的《左忠毅公轶事》 里，更有「左光斗死，史可法生」的动人故事。

左忠毅公即左光斗，是明朝的名臣，敢言直谏，不畏权势，因而被宦官魏忠贤陷害，死在狱中。当他在狱中受炮烙之刑的時候，「面额焦烂不可辨，左膝以下，筋骨尽脱」，令人惨不忍睹。史可法设法去探望他，被他赶了出去。他大骂史可法说：「庸奴！此何地
，而汝来前！国家之事，糜烂至此。老夫已矣，汝复轻身而昧大义，天下事谁可支拄者！不速去，无俟奸人构陷，吾今即扑杀汝。」意思是：国家大事正等待你去支撑，你如果再以私情为念，呆在这里不走，不等奸人来害你，我也要亲手杀你！

左光斗为了使史可法不被诛连，宁可不要他来探望，也要他留下性命，努力报国。所以后来史可法在带兵保家卫国時，总是十分勤奋，理由是：「吾上恐负朝廷，下恐愧吾师也。」

耶稣给了我们新生命，我们在新的生活中，至少也要如李密一样的感恩，如史可法一样的勤奋，以报答浩荡的天恩吧？
 

EASTER VIGIL

Resurrection Overcomes Death
Great Love Brings New Life

First Reading ( Ezek 36 :16-28) : God wants to give us a new heart and a new spirit
Second Reading ( Rom 6:3-11 ) : Through Baptism we die and live with Christ
Gospel : ( Mk 16:1-8 ) : The Resurrection of Jesus
Chinese Classics:
“-If this minister did not have his grandmother, he would not have this day. If his grandmother did not have him, she would not have anyone to depend on in her old age.”(1)
-“Zuo Guang Dou died. Shi Ke Fat lives. Looking up, I am afraid of being deficient in my duties towards my country. Looking down, I am afraid of shaming my teacher.”(2)

Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. (Mk 16: 6 )

Dear friends, Christ has already risen from the dead, alleluia! Our Saviour has already conquered death; today we should really celebrate! We should no longer be afraid or fearful. Life has already taken a new position and found a new direction. We are approaching the ultimate destination of life; once we pass through the boundary of death, we will be in our homeland flowing with fresh spring water.

Nevertheless as we approach this eternal life, we still must take note of several matters:
“We have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ( Rom 6:4 )

Death, burial, resurrection, new life - we must bear this formula in mind. In order to have new life, one must go through death and burial first; after resurrection, we must give up our former life, bid farewell to all that went before, progress as a traveller, and live a resurrected life, a totally new life.

However, a resurrected life is not only what goes behind our present life, it starts from today, it starts immediately! No one can still live a life of absurdity, waiting for some future life's good fortune.

Life is a unified whole, it is a process. The whole of life contains each and every part of it, each and every detail, no detail omitted. From death to life, from sorrow to happiness, from struggle to success, from passing through a long journey to arriving at the final destination, all belong to the one entity. To achieve final happiness, we must bear the pain of the journey courageously. From this point of view, death is in fact part of life, sorrow is part of happiness, struggle is part of success. If we really understand this, then the process itself is meaningful and can even make us happy.

Today's celebration is called the Passover or Paschal Feast. In fact, it means a passing over, a process. It was in memory of the Israelites' flight from Egypt, their safe “passing over” the Red Sea and escape from the Egyptians' pursuit. It reminded them of their passing from slavery, through the 'baptism' in the desert, and arrival at the Promised Land, promised them earlier by God.

For Jesus, Passover meant his overcoming death, his attainment of new life, his conquest of the devil and establishment of the kingdom of God, so that God could become King of all creation. We too must have our Passover. We also must embrace all that is in life, including sorrow and pain, struggles and defeat, even persecution and death.

If today we are resurrected in the Lord into new life, then we must live a new life in the Lord. One of today's Readings is from the prophet Ezekiel. “I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh... you shall be my people, and I will be your God. ” ( Ezek 36:25-28 )

This is not only a new life, but it also gives us a new heart, a new identity. It is the identity of being the children of God. It is like a beggar who suddenly becomes the king's adopted son. This new identity naturally calls for a new life. In this new life, we must remember the promises we made at Baptism, when we promised to renounce forever the devil and his evil tricks, live a new life in Christ, loving God and neighbor. As children of God, we have been rescued through the death of Christ. He redeemed us by his blood, so that we can enjoy eternal life in him.

In Presentation of a Tablet Li Mi wrote, “If this minister did not have his grandmother, he would not have this day. If his grandmother did not have him, she would not have anyone to depend on in her old age.”(1) In truth, our lives are interlocked. Sometimes one life depends on another life for development and support.

Fang Bao in The Anecdotes of Master Zuo Zhong Yi told a very touching story of how “Zuo Guang Dou died and Shi Ke Fa lives.” Zuo Zhong Yi was Zuo Guang Dou, a well-known official in the Ming Dynasty. He was bold and straightforward in his advice to the emperor and would not bow to those in power. The eunuch, Ye Zhong Xian drew up a plan to kill him and let him die in prison. In prison, his punishment was to embrace hot copper pillars. “His face and forehead were so badly burnt that they were not discernible. From his left knee down, all the bones and sinews were gone.” It was a horrible sight to behold. Shi Ke Fa tried to visit him in prison but was driven away by Zuo Guang Dou. He scolded Shi Ke Fa severely, “Stupid slave! Don't you know this place? You shouldn't have come here! The matters of state are in a state of utter confusion. The old ruler is finished. If you do not care for your life and are ignorant of your responsibilities, who will there be to support our country and attend to its affairs? If you don't go away this instant, there is no need for villains to plan to kill you, I'll kill you right now.” What Zuo Guang Dou meant was that the country needed Shi Ke Fa to see to its affairs. If all Shi did was indulge in personal feelings, just stay there and not go away, there was no need for villains to come to kill him, he would kill him with his own hands!

To avoid implicating Shi Ke Fa, Zuo Guang Dou preferred that Shi not visit him in prison. He wanted Shi to live and devote all his efforts to repay the country. Later, when Shi Ke Fa led the army in battle to protect the country, he fought earnestly and with resolve. It was because “looking up, I am afraid of being deficient in my duties towards my country. Looking down, I am afraid of shaming my teacher.”(2)

Jesus has given us new life. In this new life, the least we should do is show our gratitude as Li Mi did and work as earnestly and rigorously as Shi Ke Fa did in order to repay the many graces God has bestowed on us.

(1)臣無祖母，毋以至今日；祖母無臣，毋以終餘年。
(2)左光斗死，史可法生：吾上恐負朝廷，下恐愧吾師也。