基督普世君王節

君王釘十字，臣子復何如？

讀經一：(撒下5:1-3)：達味被立為以色列王
讀經二：(哥1:12-20)：基督是萬有之元首
福　音：(路23:35-43)：耶穌被釘在十字架上
中國文化：不遭人忌是庸才。煮酒論英雄：今天下英雄，唯使君與操耳。

耶穌被釘在十字架上時，民眾的領袖嘲笑他說：「他救了別人，如果他是天主揀選的默西亞，就救他自己吧！」兵士也戲弄他，上前把醋遞給他說：「如果你是猶太人的君王，救救你自己罷！」（路23:35-37）

今天是基督君王節，但禮儀讀經所描寫的，卻是一位受苦、受死，被釘在十字架上的「囚犯」、「罪人」。就連一位和他一同被釘的罪犯，在他左邊的那位，也毫不客氣地侮辱他說：「你不是默西亞嗎？救救你自己和我們吧！」(路23:39)

也許這位左盜對耶穌也曾經有過一絲的希望，他想：既然三人是一起被釘，總算是風雨同舟了；如果同舟，就可以共濟，一起到達那自由、幸福的彼岸。他也許亦曾經聽過許多有關耶穌這個奇人的事跡，他不單講道吸引人，他顯的奇蹟更讓人眼界大開。例如：他用五餅二魚就餵飽了五千人，他使盲的看見、啞的說話，他潔淨癩病人，甚至驅逐魔鬼，使死人復活；他曾步行在波濤洶湧的水面上，並使狂風巨浪止息；群眾擁護他，有權勢的人害怕他……，他是多麼了不起的一個人物！這左盜想到出神處，不禁燃起了無限的希望：這個人如果真的是默西亞，自己不是有救了嗎？

所以他在期待，期待自己從十字架上下來、被解放的那一刻。但時間一分一秒的過去了，在群眾的喧鬧和恥笑聲中，這位似乎曾被視為是默西亞的人，卻愈來愈了無生氣，而且已經快要油盡燈枯了，他救不了自己，當然更救不了別人；自己到頭來不過是空歡喜一場！

從希望到絕望，從絕望到憤怒，他終於忍無可忍。他想：「這個自稱為默西亞的人，竟然是個騙子，一個大騙子！他的傳道訓人，不過是胡說八道；他行的奇蹟異事，原來只是故弄玄虛，是任何魔術師都懂得的掩眼法、障眼法！他不是默西亞！他不是他們祖先千百年來期待的救世主！他救不了自己，也救不了任何人，這一切不過是個大騙局！」

不過，這個左盜的譏諷，卻引出了右盜的仗義執言：「我們是罪有應得，因為我們所受的，正是我們該得的報應；但是，這個人從沒有做過任何錯事。」(路23:41)基督雖然就快死了，但他確是君王，是天地的主宰；而君王自有王者的風範，儘管在衰敗中仍掩蓋不了他的靈氣，在死亡中仍能透露出無限的天機。右盜看出了這一切，他已隱約知道了耶穌的身分，他被耶穌的人格、氣質深深的吸引著。所以他誠懇地向耶穌說：「耶穌，當你進入你的王國時，求你紀念我！」(路23:42)

向一個衰敗的、垂死的、瀕臨解體的、完全沒有希望的人，寄以自己全部的希望，這是右盜的信德，這是名副其實的「我看不見、仍然相信」的極深的信德。右盜可以說是把自己的全部和所有的一切，都完全投注在耶穌身上了。所以耶穌亦毫不猶豫地答應他，並以永生的天堂報答他：「我實在告訴你，今天你就要和我一起在樂園裡。」(路23:43)

民眾領袖、左盜、右盜，他們所「看到」的和「接觸到」的耶穌，都有不同的面貌，所以他們對那位真實的耶穌，都產生了不同的、甚至互相予盾的評價，這就應驗了西默盎的預言：「這孩子已被立定，為使以色列中許多人跌倒和復起，並成為反對的記號。」（路2:34）

有人說：「不遭人忌是庸才」，反過來說，亦正因為一個人有才幹，他對某些人已經構成了潛在的威脅，所以他才會招來猜忌。

在《三國演義》的「煮酒論英雄」故事中，當曹操向劉備說：「今天下英雄，唯使君與操耳」的時候，劉備竟然嚇到面無人色，連筷子也拿不穩、掉在地上。因為他深知大奸雄曹操絕不會容下另一位英雄，這是人間的慣例。如果真的是這樣，那我們這位天上的君王，又怎能見容於世間的權勢呢？

古來先知就要流血，達味王也不能在撒烏耳王面前立足，何況是這位先知中的先知，君王中的君王呢？

如果基督君王的命運是這樣，那我們這些作基督君王臣民的，命運又當如何呢？「沒有僕人大過主人的，如果人們迫害了我，也要迫害你們。」（若15:20）這是我們今天擁戴基督君王者必要有的心理準備。

我們這些願意喜樂地過基督君王瞻禮的信徒們，就要勇敢地準備學走基督君王的路 －－苦路！

 

基督普世君王节

君王钉十字，臣子复何如？

读经一：(撒下5:1-3)：达味被立为以色列王
读经二：(哥1:12-20)：基督是万有之元首
福　音：(路23:35-43)：耶稣被钉在十字架上
中国文化：不遭人忌是庸才。煮酒论英雄：今天下英雄，唯使君与操耳。

耶稣被钉在十字架上時，民众的领袖嘲笑他说：「他救了别人，如果他是天主拣选的默西亚，就救他自己吧！」兵士也戏弄他，上前把醋递给他说：「如果你是犹太人的君王，救救你自己罢！」（路23:35-37）

今天是基督君王节，但礼仪读经所描写的，却是一位受苦、受死，被钉在十字架上的「囚犯」、「罪人」。就连一位和他一同被钉的罪犯，在他左边的那位，也毫不客气地侮辱他说：「你不是默西亚吗？救救你自己和我们吧！」(路23:39)

也许这位左盗对耶稣也曾经有過一丝的希望，他想：既然三人是一起被钉，总算是风雨同舟了；如果同舟，就可以共济，一起到达那自由、幸福的彼岸。他也许亦曾经听過许多有关耶稣这個奇人的事迹，他不单讲道吸引人，他显的奇迹更让人眼界大開。例如：他用五饼二魚就喂饱了五千人，他使盲的看见、哑的说话，他洁净癞病人，甚至驱逐魔鬼，使死人复活；他曾步行在波涛汹涌的水面上，并使狂风巨浪止息；群众拥护他，有权势的人害怕他……，他是多么了不起的一個人物！这左盗想到出神处，不禁燃起了无限的希望：这個人如果真的是默西亚，自己不是有救了吗？

所以他在期待，期待自己从十字架上下来、被解放的那一刻。但時间一分一秒的過去了，在群众的喧闹和耻笑声中，这位似乎曾被视为是默西亚的人，却愈来愈了无生气，而且已经快要油尽灯枯了，他救不了自己，当然更救不了别人；自己到头来不過是空欢喜一场！

从希望到绝望，从绝望到愤怒，他终於忍无可忍。他想：「这個自称为默西亚的人，竟然是個骗子，一個大骗子！他的传道训人，不過是胡说八道；他行的奇迹异事，原来只是故弄玄虚，是任何魔术师都懂得的掩眼法、障眼法！他不是默西亚！他不是他们祖先千百年来期待的救世主！他救不了自己，也救不了任何人，这一切不過是個大骗局！」

不過，这個左盗的讥讽，却引出了右盗的仗义执言：「我们是罪有应得，因为我们所受的，正是我们該得的报应；但是，这個人从没有做過任何错事。」(路23:41)基督虽然就快死了，但他确是君王，是天地的主宰；而君王自有王者的风范，尽管在衰败中仍掩盖不了他的灵气，在死亡中仍能透露出无限的天机。右盗看出了这一切，他已隐约知道了耶稣的身分，他被耶稣的人格、气质深深的吸引著。所以他诚恳地向耶稣说：「耶稣，当你进入你的王国時，求你纪念我！」(路23:42)

向一個衰败的、垂死的、濒临解体的、完全没有希望的人，寄以自己全部的希望，这是右盗的信德，这是名副其实的「我看不见、仍然相信」的极深的信德。右盗可以说是把自己的全部和所有的一切，都完全投注在耶稣身上了。所以耶稣亦毫不犹豫地答应他，并以永生的天堂报答他：「我实在告诉你，今天你就要和我一起在乐园里。」(路23:43)

民众领袖、左盗、右盗，他们所「看到」的和「接触到」的耶稣，都有不同的面貌，所以他们对那位真实的耶稣，都產生了不同的、甚至互相予盾的评价，这就应验了西默盎的预言：「这孩子已被立定，为使以色列中许多人跌倒和复起，并成为反对的记号。」（路2:34）

有人说：「不遭人忌是庸才」，反過来说，亦正因为一個人有才干，他对某些人已经构成了潜在的威胁，所以他才会招来猜忌。

在《三国演义》 的「煮酒论英雄」故事中，当曹操向刘备说：「今天下英雄，唯使君与操耳」的時候，刘备竟然吓到面无人色，连筷子也拿不稳、掉在地上。因为他深知大奸雄曹操绝不会容下另一位英雄，这是人间的惯例。如果真的是这样，那我们这位天上的君王，又怎能见容於世间的权势呢？

古来先知就要流血，达味王也不能在撒乌耳王面前立足，何况是这位先知中的先知，君王中的君王呢？

如果基督君王的命运是这样，那我们这些作基督君王臣民的，命运又当如何呢？「没有仆人大過主人的，如果人们迫害了我，也要迫害你们。」（若15:20）这是我们今天拥戴基督君王者必要有的心理准备。

我们这些願意喜乐地過基督君王瞻礼的信徒们，就要勇敢地准备学走基督君王的路 －－苦路！

 

FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

THE KING WAS CRUCIFIED- HOW SHOULD WE SUBJECTS RESPOND?

First Reading (2 Sam 5: 1-3): David was anointed King of Israel
Second Reading (Col 1: 12-20):Christ is Head of all humanity
Gospel (Lk 23: 35-43): Jesus was nailed to the cross
Chinese classics:
“ If you are not the envy of another person, you are only a mediocre man”(1)
“Drinking wine and talking about what a hero is: ‘the heroes of the present day number but two, you, Sir, and myself.’(2)

“And the people stood by, watching: but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying.’If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” (Lk 23: 35-37)

Today is the feast of Christ the King. However, all the words used in the Readings of today describe a person who suffered and died, a ‘criminal’ who was nailed to the cross, a ‘sinner.’ Even the criminal who was nailed to the left of Jesus insulted him disrespectfully saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” (Lk 23:29)”

Perhaps the criminal on the left still had a glimmer of hope. He thought, since we three were crucified together, we are in the ‘same boat;’ and if we are in the same boat we can help each other to together reach the opposite shore of freedom and happiness. He may have heard many things about this mysterious man, not only that his preaching attracted people, but that he had performed deeds that astonished the people. For example, he had fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, he had caused the blind to see and the dumb to speak, cleansed lepers and expelled demons, raised the dead to life. He had walked on the billowing waves and calmed the storm at sea. The crowds admired him, people in power feared him. He was indeed an extraordinary person! The criminal on the left thought he could dare to hope. If this man really is the Messiah, could he not save himself and them too?

So he waited and waited. He waited to be taken down from the cross and to be freed. But the moments went by and the crowds continued to ridicule and shout at him. Meanwhile the one who called himself the Messiah seemed to grow weaker and weaker. It seemed he would die soon, like a lamp running out of oil. He could not save himself, and of course he could not save others either. He had been fooled, it was all a big joke.

From hope to despair, from despair to anger, he could endure it no longer. He thought, the one who called himself the Messiah is a big liar. His preaching was nonsense, his miracles were all an illusion, tricks that all magicians knew how to do. He certainly is not the Messiah nor the Savior our ancestors have waited for these thousands of years. He cannot save himself nor anyone else. It has all been one massive deceit.

But the mocking words of the criminal on the left led the criminal on the right to speak more fairly, “We indeed have been condemned justly for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” (Lk 23:41). Though Christ would die soon, he truly was a king, Lord of the universe. He was a king who had the bearing of a king, his spirit could not be overshadowed by the present suffering and failure. Heavenly strength and spirit would be revealed in the disintegration of his body or even in his death. The criminal on the right intuitively recognized Jesus' identity. He was drawn to Jesus by Jesus' disposition and personality. So with great fervor he said to Jesus .”Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Lk 23: 42)

The faith of the criminal on the right was indeed great. He was expressing faith in a person who was about to die, who had failed, who had no hope for the future other than hope itself. It was truly a deep faith expressed in the words, “though I do not see, yet I believe.” We can really say that the criminal on the right put himself and all that he possessed entirely into the hands of Jesus. Jesus immediately answered him and rewarded him with eternal life, “Truly I tell you, this day you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 23: 43)

Leaders of the masses, the criminal on the left, the one on the right, no matter who they are, all ‘perceived’ or ‘got in touch’ with Jesus from a different perspective. Each assessed Jesus in a different way, even contradicting each other. This fulfilled the prophecy of Simeon made many years before, “This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed.” (Lk 2: 34).

Some say, “If you are not the envy of another person, you are only a mediocre man.” (1) On the other hand, persons who have many talents may become a potential threat to others and arouse peoples’ jealousy.

In the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” there is a story about “drinking wine and talking about heroes”. When Cao Cao said to Liu Bei, “The heroes of the present day number but two – you, sir, and myself,”(2) Liu Bei was so frightened he turned pale. In his panic his chopsticks slipped from his fingers and dropped to the floor. He knew that Cao Cao, a master of political intrigue, was a ruthless person. He certainly would not allow another hero to coexist with him. If that were true, how could our ‘King of Heaven’ be tolerated by the temporal powers?

The prophets of old had to shed their blood. King David could not have a place before King Saul. How then could he who was the Prophet of prophets, the King of kings, have a different fate?

If the destiny of Christ the King was like that, should not we who are servants of Christ the King fare the same? “Servants are not greater than their master. If they persecute me, they will persecute you.” (Jn 15: 20). This then is the kind of disposition we who serve Christ the King today must have.

We faithful who want to joyfully celebrate the feast of Christ the King today must be prepared to walk courageously the path of Christ the King, which is a path of the Cross.

(1)不遭人忌是庸才。
(2)煮酒論英雄：今天下英雄，唯使君與操耳。