耶穌升天節
傳一個生活的信仰
讀經一：(宗1:1-11)：耶穌升天
讀經二：(弗1:17-23)：基督坐在父的右邊
福 音：(瑪28:16-20)：顯現給門徒派他們往訓萬民
中國文化： 涸轍之鮒。
那時候，十一位門徒就往加里肋亞，到耶穌給他們所指定的山上去。他們看見耶穌就朝拜他，耶穌對他們說：「天上地下一切權柄都交給了我，所以你們要去使萬民成為門徒，因父、及子、及聖神之名給他們授洗，教訓他們遵守我所吩咐你們的一切。看，我和你們天天在一起，直到今世的終結。」（參考瑪28:16-20）
使萬民成為門徒，教訓他們遵守耶穌所吩咐的一切。這是耶穌對他的教會、對他的門徒的最後命令。換句話說：這是耶穌對我們每一個人的遺囑。
作為一個基督徒，傳教是我們召叫和信仰的一部分。一個不傳教的基督徒，不可以說是一個真正的基督徒。
其實，當我們真正經驗一件好事的時候，我們不可能不傳出去；如果我們不傳出去，極可能因為我們未經驗到這件事是好事。
試想一想，一位學生如果在中學會考得到十個「優」，他能忍得住不與他的好朋友分享嗎？這是不可能的，他肯定第一時間會致電給自己最好的朋友，讓他知道，使他和自己一同高興。當一個人找到工作時，尤其是找到薪酬高而又有意義的工作時，他一定第一時間致電給他的家人、他的朋友。假如一個人去旅行，看到很美麗的風景，有一個很好的經歷，他回來後一定第一時間與朋友分享。
我們為甚麼不與我們自己的家人或朋友分享我們的信仰呢？為甚麼不傳教呢？極可能因為我們還沒有經驗到信仰是多麼的好。我曾經聽到一些父母們不願意給自己的子女領洗，理由很簡單，也很冠冕堂皇。他們說：「我們希望子女成長後，自己去選擇他們自己的信仰。」
但是，我感覺到這許多時只是藉口。如果我曾經就讀過一間名校，這間學校是使我獲得學問、職業及地位的學校，我不需要問我的子女，我便會決定送他到這間學校讀書。我們自小教導我們的子女說中文，我們不會等待他長大後才讓他決定學習甚麼語言。如果我認為某個牌子的奶粉好，我就選擇給孩子吃，因為我知道這些奶粉會使他健康地成長。
這絕不等於要我們的子女迷信，而是說，假如信仰是我們生命的動力，是我們希望與力量的泉源，我們經驗到聖神的臨在，我們真實感到信仰是這麼好，我們經驗到做天主子女是多麼幸福，我們便會與我們的子女分享這些信仰，讓他們也在信仰裡得到力量。
我們身為中國人，我們的兒女便是中國藉；我們是基督徒，為甚麼我們不使自己的子女也有一個「天國籍」呢？很可能是我未經驗到這個信仰，很可能我感覺到上教堂是件苦事，我感覺到禮儀是一種束縛，我感覺到教規是一副枷鎖。
我不願意愛人如己，又怎可以教導子女去寬恕別人呢？我不願意度一個簡樸的生活，按照山中聖訓的教導去生活，我又怎樣可以教導我的子女去相信真福八端？
「你們去使萬民成為門徒」，但首先我們自己要成為門徒。「你們要教訓別人遵守我所吩咐的一切」，但我們首先便要實踐基督吩咐我們所有的一切。
但是，也有些人不願意傳教，是因為不懂得如何去傳。這時我們便要記著耶穌所說的「我要與你們天天在一起，直到今世的終結」的話。
耶穌將在我們心裡教我們怎樣說話，聖神也會在我們心中幫助我們。
我們要勇敢地去傳教，因為傳教也是一個很迫切的任務。我們的家人、親友、鄰人都需要我們給他們帶來福音。
莊子說過一個叫「涸轍之鮒」的故事。他說：有一條魚掉在乾地上，牠好口渴，便向路人要一點水。這人說：「你等一會，讓我到南方去找吳王，請他引西江的水來給你解渴。」這條魚氣憤地說：「我現在只需一斗半升的水便可以活命了，待你到南方去找水來時，我早已經渴死，變成一條乾魚了。那時，你不如到乾貨市場去找我吧！」
我們都有很多朋友可能會有信仰的問題、生活的問題、精神的問題。他們想了解、想知道天主教信仰在這方面的答案。他們想問我們。但許多時由於我們自己對耶穌沒有經驗，對信仰認識不深，我們只得對他們說：「等我有空時帶你去找神父吧！」
其實，你的朋友是想「你」回答他的問題，因為你是他的朋友，他信任你。同時他是「現在」問你，他現在口渴，你明天、隔一個星期或隔一個月才帶他去見神父，他已經不再口渴，或者已經渴死了。
作為一個基督徒，如果我們真的是要去傳教的話，掌握時機，掌握對方的心理和適當的詞彙，都是缺一不可的。
耶稣升天节
传一個生活的信仰
读经一：(宗1:1-11)：耶稣升天
读经二：(弗1:17-23)：基督坐在父的右边
福 音：(玛28:16-20)：显现给门徒派他们往训万民
中国文化： 涸辙之鮒。
那時候，十一位门徒就往加里肋亚，到耶稣给他们所指定的山上去。他们看见耶稣就朝拜他，耶稣对他们说：「天上地下一切权柄都交给了我，所以你们要去使万民成为门徒，因父、及子、及圣神之名给他们授洗，教训他们遵守我所吩咐你们的一切。看，我和你们天天在一起，直到今世的终结。」（参考玛28:16-20）
使万民成为门徒，教训他们遵守耶稣所吩咐的一切。这是耶稣对他的教会、对他的门徒的最后命令。换句话说：这是耶稣对我们每一個人的遗嘱。
作为一個基督徒，传教是我们召叫和信仰的一部分。一個不传教的基督徒，不可以说是一個真正的基督徒。
其实，当我们真正经验一件好事的時候，我们不可能不传出去；如果我们不传出去，极可能因为我们未经验到这件事是好事。
试想一想，一位学生如果在中学会考得到十個「优」，他能忍得住不与他的好朋友分享吗？这是不可能的，他肯定第一時间会致电给自己最好的朋友，让他知道，使他和自己一同高兴。当一個人找到工作時，尤其是找到薪酬高而又有意义的工作時，他一定第一時间致电给他的家人、他的朋友。假如一個人去旅行，看到很美麗的风景，有一個很好的经历，他回来后一定第一時间与朋友分享。
我们为甚么不与我们自己的家人或朋友分享我们的信仰呢？为甚么不传教呢？极可能因为我们还没有经验到信仰是多么的好。我曾经听到一些父母们不願意给自己的子女领洗，理由很简单，也很冠冕堂皇。他们说：「我们希望子女成长后，自己去选择他们自己的信仰。」
但是，我感觉到这许多時只是藉口。如果我曾经就读過一间名校，这间学校是使我获得学問、职业及地位的学校，我不需要問我的子女，我便会决定送他到这间学校读书。我们自小教导我们的子女说中文，我们不会等待他长大后才让他决定学习甚么语言。如果我认为某個牌子的奶粉好，我就选择给孩子吃，因为我知道这些奶粉会使他健康地成长。
这绝不等於要我们的子女迷信，而是说，假如信仰是我们生命的动力，是我们希望与力量的泉源，我们经验到圣神的临在，我们真实感到信仰是这么好，我们经验到做天主子女是多么幸福，我们便会与我们的子女分享这些信仰，让他们也在信仰里得到力量。
我们身为中国人，我们的儿女便是中国藉；我们是基督徒，为甚么我们不使自己的子女也有一個「天国籍」呢？很可能是我未经验到这個信仰，很可能我感觉到上教堂是件苦事，我感觉到礼仪是一种束缚，我感觉到教规是一副枷锁。
我不願意爱人如己，又怎可以教导子女去宽恕别人呢？我不願意度一個简朴的生活，按照山中圣训的教导去生活，我又怎样可以教导我的子女去相信真福八端？
「你们去使万民成为门徒」，但首先我们自己要成为门徒。「你们要教训别人遵守我所吩咐的一切」，但我们首先便要实踐基督吩咐我们所有的一切。
但是，也有些人不願意传教，是因为不懂得如何去传。这時我们便要记著耶稣所说的「我要与你们天天在一起，直到今世的终结」的话。
耶稣将在我们心里教我们怎样说话，圣神也会在我们心中帮助我们。
我们要勇敢地去传教，因为传教也是一個很迫切的任务。我们的家人、亲友、邻人都需要我们给他们带来福音。
庄子说過一個叫「涸辙之鮒」的故事。他说：有一条魚掉在干地上，它好口渴，便向路人要一点水。这人说：「你等一会，让我到南方去找吴王，请他引西江的水来给你解渴。」这条魚气愤地说：「我现在只需一斗半升的水便可以活命了，待你到南方去找水来時，我早已经渴死，变成一条干魚了。那時，你不如到干货市场去找我吧！」
我们都有很多朋友可能会有信仰的問题、生活的問题、精神的問题。他们想了解、想知道天主教信仰在这方面的答案。他们想問我们。但许多時由於我们自己对耶稣没有经验，对信仰认识不深，我们只得对他们说：「等我有空時带你去找神父吧！」
其实，你的朋友是想「你」回答他的問题，因为你是他的朋友，他信任你。同時他是「现在」問你，他现在口渴，你明天、隔一個星期或隔一個月才带他去见神父，他已经不再口渴，或者已经渴死了。
作为一個基督徒，如果我们真的是要去传教的话，掌握時机，掌握对方的心理和適当的词汇，都是缺一不可的。
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION
Playing Music to the Ox
First Reading : ( Acts 1:1-11 ): The Ascension of the Lord
Second Reading : ( Eph 4:1-13 ) : We should maintain the Church's unity
Gospel : ( Mk 16:15-20 ) : Jesus sent the apostles to preach to all peoples
Chinese Classics:
- “My studies lie low and my penetration rises high.”(1)
“Gong Ming Yi played a piece of beautiful music on the horn for the ox. The ox paid no attention to him and just kept eating. It was not that the ox couldn't hear it, it was just that the music did not attract it. Gong Ming Yi changed the tune and made it sound like mosquitoes and insects and the moos of young calves. The ox immediately wagged its tail and twirled its ears, and listened attentively to the sound.”(2)
Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned... So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it. (Mk 16:15-20 )
The Scriptures seldom mention ‘preaching’, it more often talks about ‘proclaiming the gospel’. There is a difference between preaching and proclaiming the gospel. ‘Preaching’ or ‘teaching’ refers to religion; it emphasizes an external, visible organization. The best result of preaching of course is to lead people to ‘enter a religion’. The ‘Gospel’ refers to the good news of Jesus Christ. This emphasizes an interior, motivational spirit which is Christ’s spirit. The result leads people to live according to the spirit of Christ on different levels. It means that starting with an appreciation of the thinking of Christ, one proceeds to becoming a full-fledged follower of Christ.
We easily confuse preaching and proclamation of the gospel, most often equating preaching with proclaiming or evangelizing, thinking that to lead people to enter the Christian religion is the same as proclaiming the Gospel or evangelizing.
When we proclaim the Gospel, it is even more important that we witness to the Gospel. If we want to proclaim the gospel to those who are not Christian, they must be able to see it, to see in our lives the possibility and practicality, the beauty and loftiness, the greatness of the spirit of the Gospel.
We need, too, to discover seeds of the gospel in the lives of those who are not Christian, so that they can see in their own lives the spirit of Christ. All that God has put into their lives is the beginning of accepting Christ's gospel.
In the 1989 document issued by the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, “The Religious Dimension of Catholic Schools,” there is a very good analysis of the difference between preaching/teaching or catechesis, and proclaiming the Gospel or evangelization. The document states that everything in a Catholic school should relate to the Gospel and be imbued with the spirit of the Gospel. That includes the school atmosphere, life, work, study, homework, examinations, extra-curricular activities, student-teacher relations, peer relationships, and so on. In the words of the document, “Proclaiming the Gospel aims at an internal commitment and renewal of the person.” Therefore, evangelization means changing one's life.
The document continues by pointing out that the religious studies programme in a Catholic school does not mean that one must teach all of the church's doctrine because “religious studies is quite different from catechesis.” (#66-70). 95% of those being taught in the Religious Studies programme (in Hong Kong) are non-Catholic students, and it is not the main purpose that they become Catholics. For Catholic students, or for those who really want it, full catechesis is needed. From this point of view, the content for proclaiming the gospel is much broader than preaching/teaching. Proclaiming the gospel is the first and also the last step of preaching.
The purpose of proclaiming the gospel, i.e. evangelization, is so that everything will be permeated with the spirit of Christ, so that all that is part of humanity and human life will be in accordance with the will of God. We first must extend the meaning and depth of what life is and should be, so that people can have life in its fullness; if it is God’s will, they may become Christian one day. But the purpose of becoming Christian, then, is to continue this fullness of life!
Obviously, when we preach we can use formal religious language, because we are preaching to those preparing to be Christians. But when we ‘proclaim’ or ‘evangelize’, we must use language non-believers can understand and with which they can identify, that responds to the needs of their lives and at the same time raises the caliber of their lives. That is what Confucius meant by “my studies lie low and my penetration rises high” (1) –reaching the climax of life.
Once a newly-ordained priest rather emotionally said, ‘What we have learned are not the questions people ever ask; what people now ask, we are not able to answer!’ When we proclaim the gospel we not only teach what we wish to say, but what people ask and what they can understand, and what is of use to them.
There is a story in Mou Tze's Book of Reason and Perplexity, which is worthwhile for all preachers to heed. “Gong Ming Yi played a piece of beautiful music on the horn for the ox. The ox paid no attention to him and just kept eating. Not that the ox couldn't hear, it was just that the music did not appeal to it. Gong Ming Yi changed the tune and made it sound like mosquitoes and insects and the moos of young calves. The ox immediately wagged its tail and twirled its ears, and listened attentively to the sound.”(2)
This story is known as “Playing Music to the Ox.” When you play music for an animal, no matter how beautifully you play, it does not know how to appreciate it. On the other hand, if you can produce the moos of the ox or the calls of its young, you immediately will attract its attention. When proclaiming the gospel, the starting point also must be what people can understand and what they can accept at that moment!
There are not that many people who want to be or really are Christian; in the last 2000 years Christians have never been a majority of the world's population. Perhaps it is not God's will, that all humanity should be Christian. But we are certain that God wants the whole world to be filled with the spirit of Christ, full of the vitality of the gospel, and no matter what each one's belief, together to create a world of justice, compassion and peace.
This is evangelization which we must carry on even to the ‘four corners’ of the earth.
(1)下學而上達。
(2)公明儀為彈清角之操，牛伏食如故。非牛不聞，不合其耳矣。轉為蚊虻之聲，孤犢之鳴，即掉尾奮耳，蝶躞而聽。
