復活期第二主日

教會與基基團

讀經一：(宗2:42-47)：理想的教會團體
讀經二：(伯1:3-9)：分沾救恩的福分
福　音：(若20:19-31)：耶穌基督顯現給門徒
中國文化： 形似、神似；神形兼備；意存筆先。

那時，信友們都專心聽取宗徒的教訓，時常聚會、擘餅及祈禱。他們變賣了財產，按照每人的需要加以分配。他們懷著喜樂和真誠的心一起進食，並時常頌讚天主。(參考宗2:42-47)

這是教會初期的一個團體，一個最原始的教會。當時的教會是一個很小的教會，不過這個細小的教會，卻具備了教會的所有元素。換句話說，他們是一個普世的教會、一個教區、一個堂區、一個基督徒基層團體，一個「基基團」。

當時他們人數很少，他們聚會時一同做幾件事：聽取宗徒的教訓、擘餅、祈禱；但他們首先是「聚會」。聚會是基督徒十分重要的特色，正如耶穌說：「你們兩三個人因我的名字聚在一起，我就在你們中間。」(瑪18:20)

在我們的神學術語裡，有所謂「哪裡有基督，那裡就有教會」。所以當兩三個人因基督的名字一起聚會時，那裡便有教會，因為基督在那裡。

初期教會就是這樣的教會，一個時常團聚的教會；正是這種聚會使教會成為教會。「教會」原是一個動態名詞，而不是一個靜態名詞。教會不是一個俱樂部、同鄉會，也不是一個興趣小組。教友不只是一個登記了名字的會員。因此，如果我們要屬於教會，就要聚會，要與其他兄弟姊妹因基督的名字時常聚會。亦因此，到教堂參與彌撒，參與堂區的生活，便成了做教友的重要活動和本份之一。因為在參與聚會的時候，我們成為教會。

家庭的性質與教會相似。英文說A house is not a home, 即一間屋不等於一個家。因為一個由四面牆圍起來的地方，也可以是一個破碎的家庭，甚至是一所監獄。只有當父母、兄弟、姊妹聚在一起的時候，特別是當他們一起吃團年飯，大家喜氣洋洋的時候，他們就成為家庭、溫暖的家庭。家庭不再是一個睡房、廚房及客廳的混合物。家庭是一群人，一群相親相愛的人的生命共同體。

但初期教友在聚會中做些甚麼呢？聖經說他們聽取宗徒的訓誨。而宗徒講的話不是他們自己的話，而是基督的話、基督的教訓、基督的生平和事蹟。這些話後來寫成文字，就變成聖經。所以說初期教友在聚會時聽取宗徒的訓誨，即是說他們在聚會時是首先讀聖經。在讀經中，他們聽到基督的教訓和事蹟，感受到基督為我們所作的一切。

初期基督徒首先是聚會，然後是讀聖經。有了這信仰的準備後，他們便舉行擘餅禮，即是舉行彌撒。彌撒是基督徒信仰生活的高峰和泉源，在那裡基督真實地臨在。其實基督在聖經裡已經臨在，在聚會中也臨在。不過基督建立了聖體聖事，用一個更特別的方式，即聖事的方式去和我們相處。他真實的身體和真實的寶血，臨在於麵餅及葡萄酒之中，作為我們的食糧。

初期基督徒聚會時除了誦讀聖經、參與彌撒外，還有祈禱。祈禱是我們直接與主交往的一種形式。我們在聖經中聆聽了上主的話，也透過祈禱回應天主的話。我們回應上主在我們生命中的召叫，和他在我們良心裡所發出的聲音。

在這裡，我們看到初期教會最基本的要素，就是聚會、讀經、參與彌撒及祈禱。這是一個小群的團體，大家非常相熟，他們甚至變賣所有的財物，一切所有，皆歸公用。他們不再需要任何物質去為他們帶來安全感。他們能變賣一切，因為基督就是他們的一切，教會就是他們生命的支柱。

這個團體還時常一起進食。一起進食、聚餐，是友愛的標記。我們不會請仇人到我們家裡吃飯；能夠一起吃飯，正代表我們大家都是朋友。在中國人的地方，包括海峽的兩岸，我們都會覺得請人吃飯是一個很重要的標記，表示大家是朋友。初期的教會時常一起進食，而且十分喜樂，並時常讚頌天主。這種團體生活是快樂的，這不是一種拉長面孔，十分苦惱的生活。

這就是初期的教會。初期的教會也是一個充滿聖神恩典的教會。耶穌復活後，他見到門徒的第一句話就是：「願你們平安，父怎樣派遣了我，我也怎樣派遣你們；你們領受聖神吧！」(參考若20:21-23)

領受聖神，也是教會的特質。名畫家齊白石指出作中國畫不單要「形似」，更要「神似」，畫畫時要「意存筆先」，才能栩栩如生。教會如要栩栩如生，也當形神兼備，在聖神裡獲得更新、得到滋潤，然後大家一起在基督內建設教會，並與教會一起去建設世界。
今日我們也需要建設一個這樣的教會，一個時常團聚、互相支持的基層教會，一個充滿聖神之恩的教會。

复活期第二主日

教会与基基团

读经一：(宗2:42-47)：理想的教会团体
读经二：(伯1:3-9)：分沾救恩的福分
福　音：(若20:19-31)：耶稣基督显现给门徒
中国文化： 形似、神似；神形兼备；意存笔先。

那時，信友们都专心听取宗徒的教训，時常聚会、擘饼及祈祷。他们变卖了财產，按照每人的需要加以分配。他们怀著喜乐和真诚的心一起进食，并時常颂赞天主。(参考宗2:42-47)

这是教会初期的一個团体，一個最原始的教会。当時的教会是一個很小的教会，不過这個细小的教会，却具备了教会的所有元素。换句话说，他们是一個普世的教会、一個教区、一個堂区、一個基督徒基层团体，一個「基基团」。

当時他们人数很少，他们聚会時一同做幾件事：听取宗徒的教训、擘饼、祈祷；但他们首先是「聚会」。聚会是基督徒十分重要的特色，正如耶稣说：「你们两三個人因我的名字聚在一起，我就在你们中间。」(玛18:20)

在我们的神学术语里，有所谓「哪里有基督，那里就有教会」。所以当两三個人因基督的名字一起聚会時，那里便有教会，因为基督在那里。

初期教会就是这样的教会，一個時常团聚的教会；正是这种聚会使教会成为教会。「教会」原是一個动态名词，而不是一個静态名词。教会不是一個俱乐部、同乡会，也不是一個兴趣小组。教友不只是一個登记了名字的会员。因此，如果我们要属於教会，就要聚会，要与其他兄弟姊妹因基督的名字時常聚会。亦因此，到教堂参与弥撒，参与堂区的生活，便成了做教友的重要活动和本份之一。因为在参与聚会的時候，我们成为教会。

家庭的性质与教会相似。英文说A house is not a home, 即一间屋不等於一個家。因为一個由四面墙围起来的地方，也可以是一個破碎的家庭，甚至是一所监狱。只有当父母、兄弟、姊妹聚在一起的時候，特别是当他们一起吃团年饭，大家喜气洋洋的時候，他们就成为家庭、温暖的家庭。家庭不再是一個睡房、厨房及客厅的混合物。家庭是一群人，一群相亲相爱的人的生命共同体。

但初期教友在聚会中做些甚么呢？圣经说他们听取宗徒的训诲。而宗徒讲的话不是他们自己的话，而是基督的话、基督的教训、基督的生平和事迹。这些话后来写成文字，就变成圣经。所以说初期教友在聚会時听取宗徒的训诲，即是说他们在聚会時是首先读圣经。在读经中，他们听到基督的教训和事迹，感受到基督为我们所作的一切。

初期基督徒首先是聚会，然后是读圣经。有了这信仰的准备后，他们便举行擘饼礼，即是举行弥撒。弥撒是基督徒信仰生活的高峰和泉源，在那里基督真实地临在。其实基督在圣经里已经临在，在聚会中也临在。不過基督建立了圣体圣事，用一個更特别的方式，即圣事的方式去和我们相处。他真实的身体和真实的宝血，临在於麵饼及葡萄酒之中，作为我们的食粮。

初期基督徒聚会時除了诵读圣经、参与弥撒外，还有祈祷。祈祷是我们直接与主交往的一种形式。我们在圣经中聆听了上主的话，也透過祈祷回应天主的话。我们回应上主在我们生命中的召叫，和他在我们良心里所发出的声音。

在这里，我们看到初期教会最基本的要素，就是聚会、读经、参与弥撒及祈祷。这是一個小群的团体，大家非常相熟，他们甚至变卖所有的财物，一切所有，皆归公用。他们不再需要任何物质去为他们带来安全感。他们能变卖一切，因为基督就是他们的一切，教会就是他们生命的支柱。

这個团体还時常一起进食。一起进食、聚餐，是友爱的标记。我们不会请仇人到我们家里吃饭；能够一起吃饭，正代表我们大家都是朋友。在中国人的地方，包括海峡的两岸，我们都会觉得请人吃饭是一個很重要的标记，表示大家是朋友。初期的教会時常一起进食，而且十分喜乐，并時常赞颂天主。这种团体生活是快乐的，这不是一种拉长面孔，十分苦恼的生活。

这就是初期的教会。初期的教会也是一個充满圣神恩典的教会。耶稣复活后，他见到门徒的第一句话就是：「願你们平安，父怎样派遣了我，我也怎样派遣你们；你们领受圣神吧！」(参考若20:21-23)

领受圣神，也是教会的特质。名画家齐白石指出作中国画不单要「形似」，更要「神似」，画画時要「意存笔先」，才能栩栩如生。教会如要栩栩如生，也当形神兼备，在圣神里获得更新、得到滋润，然后大家一起在基督内建设教会，并与教会一起去建设世界。
今日我们也需要建设一個这样的教会，一個時常团聚、互相支持的基层教会，一個充满圣神之恩的教会。

Second Sunday of Easter

Beyond Proof

First Reading : ( Acts 4:32-35 ): The believers held everything in common.
Second Reading : ( 1 Jn 5:1-6 ) : Our faith in God brings victory over the world.
Gospel : ( Jn 20:19-31 ) : Jesus appeared to the Apostles and Thomas
Chinese classics:
“If Heaven had wished to let this cause of truth perish, then I, a future mortal, should not have had such an involvement with that cause. While Heaven does not let the cause of truth perish, what can the people of Kuang do to me?”(1)
- Why study the books of the sages?”(2)

“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe!” (Jn 20:29)

What is referred to here as 'believing without seeing' does not mean to follow blindly, nor does it refer to superstitious belief. It really refers to a faith which far exceeds proof, visions or the senses. 'Seeing' does not necessarily result in faith. During the time of Jesus, those who 'saw' Jesus were quite numerous, but not everyone believed in him. Many people even opposed him. That was why Jesus, with deep emotion, said, “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.”(Jn 13:18)

Even those who had seen Jesus perform miracles did not necessarily have deep and lasting faith in him. Look at the crowd who welcomed Jesus enter Jerusalem and the crowd who called out “let him die on the cross,” were not many of them the same people? On the one hand, they had just welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, on the other hand they loudly shouted for his crucifixion. There is a well-known Western song called Fickle Lady. Actually, most human beings are fickle, perhaps including you and me!

Jesus rose from the dead. Those who had not believed in him remained the same. They did not change their mind even after Jesus had risen. On the contrary, they bribed the soldiers and told them to spread rumours, saying that it was Jesus' disciples who stole his body (see Mt 28:13). Who would have imagined that those whose hearts were already hardened would harden their hearts even more when they had concrete 'proof'! Therefore belief does not necessarily require proof. Our everyday lives are filled with beliefs that go beyond the evidence of our senses.

For instance, in the marriage covenant, people promise that 'in good times or bad, in sickness or health', they would care for each other until death. Don't they also have a certain amount of heroism and chivalry, willingly agreeing to 'enter the dragon's lake and the tiger's den' i.e., take the risk of great danger? As for parents who invest large amounts of resources, time, energy and love, in their children's future, what assurance do they have that their children will repay them? Why are those who have intimate friends not afraid that one day one might be betrayed? All these situations go beyond proof; they are examples of 'believing without seeing.' There is no need for proof in order to believe.

If we really require proof about Jesus or God, there is such proof in the church itself and in our own hearts. The majority of the early Christians found their faith in the Christian community, “The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common... there was not a needy person among them.” (Acts 4:32-34) They also frequently gathered together with great joy 'for the breaking of bread,' and for praying and eating together. They were a happy, lively, enthusiastic group of people, united by their faith. They were a resurrected community, and though they 'did not see him,' they experienced Christ's real presence, the presence of the risen Christ in their midst.

Another kind of proof lies in our hearts. Actually, those who have faith already have a certain tendency to believe. They appreciate life, they marvel at nature, they affirm their own identity as the noblest of all creatures. They have a sense of the non-material, the world of the spirit. What faith requires is that we should affirm and nurture our faith and make every effort to cultivate it further.

If we spend a little more time looking at the sky closely with admiration, or when with deep emotion we find ourselves in the depths of nature, do we not feel the presence of God? When we serve others with love, do we not think of Christ? When, urged on by our ideals and faith, we are committed to a meaningful task, do we not feel that God is with us and we are working for Him? Before the Blessed Sacrament, or after receiving Holy Communion, or when reading Scripture, if we are willing to spend a little more time to activate our faith to a greater awareness of God’s presence, would we not become more and more alerted to God's presence in us?

Once, the people of Kuang misunderstood Confucius and made things very difficult for him. Confucius calmly said, “If Heaven had wished to let this cause of truth perish, then I, a future mortal, should not have had such an involvement with that cause. While Heaven does not let the cause of truth perish, what can the people of Kuang do to me?”(1) What he meant was if heaven wants to destroy the Chinese culture, I, a 'future mortal' would not be able to touch, understand or accept that culture. But since I have understood, accepted, and been touched by this culture, it is clear 'proof' that heaven does not want to destroy it. This being the case, what can the people of Kuang do to me?

Confucius did not need any proof before working hard for his country and his people. His moral character and intellectual capacity were proof enough from heaven. “Why should we study the books of the sages?”(2) What he had learned came from teachers who had taught him and from following the way of heaven above. He felt he should continue to spread the cultural heritage that heaven had handed down to him.

Our heart has strength beyond our imagination! Let us deliberately develop it!

(1)天之將喪斯文也，後死者不得與於斯文也；天之未喪斯文也，匡人其如予何？
(2)讀聖賢書，所學何事？