復活期第三主日

抓緊時機

讀經一：(宗2:14,22-33)：天主使基督復活了
讀經二：(伯前1:17-21)：基督以自己的寶血把我們贖回
福　音：(路24:13-35)：耶穌顯現給二位厄瑪烏門徒
中國文化： 橫看成嶺側成峰，遠近高低各不同；
不識廬山真面目，只緣身在此山中。
樹欲靜而風不息，子欲養而親不在。

路加福音第24章記載：在耶穌復活後，有兩位門徒前往一處叫厄瑪烏的村莊，在途中他們碰到耶穌。但聖經說，他們的心眼有所蒙蔽，沒有認出耶穌來。(參考路24:13-35)

一個人認不出耶穌，或看不到一些東西，可能有兩個原因。第一是「人在山中」，第二是「心有暗角」。

蘇軾有一首詩：「橫看成嶺側成峰，遠近高低各不同；不識廬山真面目，只緣身在此山中。」廬山氣象萬千，所以遠、近、高、低看來都不一樣。我們看不清楚廬山的真面目，因為我們是在廬山之中。

有時我們不認識真理，不認識基督，是因為我們「在裡面」。我們有時感受不到爸爸、媽媽對我們的愛，感覺不到活在香港，或活在一個安定繁榮的社會裡是一分多大的恩賜，因為我們身在福中不知福。直至有一日，當「樹欲靜而風不息，子欲養而親不在」的時候，我們才會驀然醒覺到父母多麼好。又或者當我們突然遇到戰亂時，我們才會感受到太平盛世是多大的祝福。

當然，我們還有另一種蒙蔽，就是我們在生命裡都有一些「暗角」，一些我們無法明白的，甚至是不想明白的東西。我們不想明白，因為當我們明白後，我們需要改過，而我們卻不想去改，所以我們不願意明白，甚至拒絕去明白。難道一個學生不明白讀書的重要嗎？他明白，但他拒絕去明白，所以他繼續沉迷電視，繼續每晚用數個小時「煲電話粥」，繼續在不適當的時候談戀愛。因為他不願意明白。

聖經說那兩個門徒有所蒙蔽，所以他們沒有認出耶穌來。我們不知道當時的情況，也不知道這兩個門徒的心境。但上面說的兩個情況都有可能。於是，耶穌要親自開啟他們的眼睛。

耶穌用的其中一個方法是：把全部經書論及默西亞的話，從梅瑟和眾先知開始，都對他們解釋清楚。

要認識耶穌，便要認識聖經，而且不是一段聖經，而是「全部」聖經。聖經不可以斷章取義，甚至不可以「斷書」取義。我們必須認識新經，又認識古經；認識一本經書，又認識全部七十三卷經書，我們才可以在各經書中，找到真理和生命。

當這兩個門徒與耶穌一路交談的時候，他們不覺到了一個村莊。耶穌好像還要繼續前行，這兩個門徒就竭力挽留耶穌。他們說：「太陽已下山了，天快要黑了，請與我們一起住下吧！」

挽留耶穌，是認識耶穌的重要步驟。耶穌的臨在，稍縱即逝；我們要挽留、要主動、要掌握時機。

有人說：「愚蠢的人放棄機會，聰明的人掌握機會，有智慧的人創造機會。」今日這兩個門徒至少掌握了一個機會，掌握了和耶穌一起的機會。

其實，我們不單要掌握機會，還要創造機會，在生命中創造機會去認識耶穌。例如：我們每天要為自己保留一些靜默的時間去沉思生命；要進入良心深處去接觸天主。當我們仰觀天空時，我們要花時間去注視，花時間去多看幾眼；當我們俯視大地時，我們要懷著興奮、感恩的心情，去擁抱上主賜給我們的這分大禮物。多注視、多聆聽、多沉思，我們要為自己創造機會，去接觸天主、接觸基督、接觸生命。

當他們挽留耶穌後，耶穌就和他們一起共進晚餐。在晚餐中，耶穌拿起餅來，祝謝了，將餅分開，遞給他們。那時，他們的心和眼睛都開了，他們認出那就是耶穌。

要認識耶穌、要接觸生命，領聖事是十分重要的方法。分餅就是彌撒，門徒在分餅時認出耶穌，我們都要在彌撒中、在領聖體時認出耶穌。不過，他們一認出耶穌，耶穌就隱沒了，他們立刻回想起與耶穌在一起時的經驗。他們說：「當耶穌在路上與我們一起傾談時，尤其當他為我們講解經書的時候，我們的心不是火一般熾熱嗎？」

經驗十分重要，但經驗的反省更加重要。當我們有一個好經驗時，我們就要跟人分享。當我們重新分享、回顧、講述我們的經驗時，我們是再一次重複我們的經驗，重新經驗我們的經驗。門徒就是在他們反省時，才感覺到他們「曾經」心熱如火。
許多人只會記得一些壞經驗，而忘記一些好經驗。其實我們每人只要真正回顧一下自己的過去，我們便也會有厄瑪烏門徒一樣的經驗。

 

复活期第三主日

抓紧時机

读经一：(宗2:14,22-33)：天主使基督复活了
读经二：(伯前1:17-21)：基督以自己的宝血把我们赎回
福　音：(路24:13-35)：耶稣显现给二位厄玛乌门徒
中国文化： 横看成岭侧成峰，遠近高低各不同；
不识庐山真面目，只缘身在此山中。
树欲静而风不息，子欲养而亲不在。

路加福音第24章记载：在耶稣复活后，有两位门徒前往一处叫厄玛乌的村庄，在途中他们碰到耶稣。但圣经说，他们的心眼有所蒙蔽，没有认出耶稣来。(参考路24:13-35)

一個人认不出耶稣，或看不到一些东西，可能有两個原因。第一是「人在山中」，第二是「心有暗角」。

苏轼有一首诗：「横看成岭侧成峰，遠近高低各不同；不识庐山真面目，只缘身在此山中。」庐山气象万千，所以遠、近、高、低看来都不一样。我们看不清楚庐山的真面目，因为我们是在庐山之中。

有時我们不认识真理，不认识基督，是因为我们「在里面」。我们有時感受不到爸爸、妈妈对我们的爱，感觉不到活在香港，或活在一個安定繁荣的社会里是一分多大的恩赐，因为我们身在福中不知福。直至有一日，当「树欲静而风不息，子欲养而亲不在」的時候，我们才会驀然醒觉到父母多么好。又或者当我们突然遇到战亂時，我们才会感受到太平盛世是多大的祝福。

当然，我们还有另一种蒙蔽，就是我们在生命里都有一些「暗角」，一些我们无法明白的，甚至是不想明白的东西。我们不想明白，因为当我们明白后，我们需要改過，而我们却不想去改，所以我们不願意明白，甚至拒绝去明白。难道一個学生不明白读书的重要吗？他明白，但他拒绝去明白，所以他继续沉迷电视，继续每晚用数個小時「煲电话粥」，继续在不適当的時候谈恋爱。因为他不願意明白。

圣经说那两個门徒有所蒙蔽，所以他们没有认出耶稣来。我们不知道当時的情况，也不知道这两個门徒的心境。但上面说的两個情况都有可能。於是，耶稣要亲自開启他们的眼睛。

耶稣用的其中一個方法是：把全部经书论及默西亚的话，从梅瑟和众先知開始，都对他们解释清楚。

要认识耶稣，便要认识圣经，而且不是一段圣经，而是「全部」圣经。圣经不可以断章取义，甚至不可以「断书」取义。我们必须认识新经，又认识古经；认识一本经书，又认识全部七十三卷经书，我们才可以在各经书中，找到真理和生命。

当这两個门徒与耶稣一路交谈的時候，他们不觉到了一個村庄。耶稣好像还要继续前行，这两個门徒就竭力挽留耶稣。他们说：「太阳已下山了，天快要黑了，请与我们一起住下吧！」

挽留耶稣，是认识耶稣的重要步骤。耶稣的临在，稍纵即逝；我们要挽留、要主动、要掌握時机。

有人说：「愚蠢的人放弃机会，聪明的人掌握机会，有智慧的人创造机会。」今日这两個门徒至少掌握了一個机会，掌握了和耶稣一起的机会。

其实，我们不单要掌握机会，还要创造机会，在生命中创造机会去认识耶稣。例如：我们每天要为自己保留一些静默的時间去沉思生命；要进入良心深处去接触天主。当我们仰观天空時，我们要花時间去注视，花時间去多看幾眼；当我们俯视大地時，我们要怀著兴奋、感恩的心情，去拥抱上主赐给我们的这分大礼物。多注视、多聆听、多沉思，我们要为自己创造机会，去接触天主、接触基督、接触生命。

当他们挽留耶稣后，耶稣就和他们一起共进晚餐。在晚餐中，耶稣拿起饼来，祝谢了，将饼分開，递给他们。那時，他们的心和眼睛都開了，他们认出那就是耶稣。

要认识耶稣、要接触生命，领圣事是十分重要的方法。分饼就是弥撒，门徒在分饼時认出耶稣，我们都要在弥撒中、在领圣体時认出耶稣。不過，他们一认出耶稣，耶稣就隐没了，他们立刻回想起与耶稣在一起時的经验。他们说：「当耶稣在路上与我们一起倾谈時，尤其当他为我们讲解经书的時候，我们的心不是火一般炽热吗？」

经验十分重要，但经验的反省更加重要。当我们有一個好经验時，我们就要跟人分享。当我们重新分享、回顾、讲述我们的经验時，我们是再一次重复我们的经验，重新经验我们的经验。门徒就是在他们反省時，才感觉到他们「曾经」心热如火。
许多人只会记得一些坏经验，而忘记一些好经验。其实我们每人只要真正回顾一下自己的過去，我们便也会有厄玛乌门徒一样的经验。

 

Third Sunday of Easter

The Defense Lawyer who Defends the Prosecuted

First Reading : ( Acts 3:13-19 ) : All took part in the persecution of Jesus
Second Reading : ( 1 Jn 2:1-5 ) : Jesus becomes the advocate for all people
Gospel : ( Lk 24:35-48 ) : Jesus appears to the Apostles
Chinese Classics:
- “The heavens and humans are at war.”(1)
-“Victory over thieves in the mountains is easy. Victory over the thief in one's heart is hard.”(2)

“I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 Jn 2:1-2).

The Catholic Church has the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), a gift that is an indication of God's mercy, the sacrament of forgiveness. When we have sinned, are sinners, we can obtain forgiveness and in and through the church are reconciled with God and with each other once more. This is the meaning of the article in the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.”

That is why this sacrament is called the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or “the Sacrament of Peace.” It is the sacrament whereby, after our relationship with others and with God has been broken by sin, we can be united once again with God and with other human beings. The Chinese saying, “All people under heaven are one” is not just a dream of our ancestors, it can become a reality.

Unfortunately we sometimes hear that some people misuse the sacrament, thinking we can sin carelessly because God will always forgive us! On the contrary, the Scripture message is clear: we should never sin and certainly not sin out of carelessness! We must become more aware of how easy it is to fall into sinful ways and not develop a careless attitude towards sin just because God forgives us.

Scripture also says that “whoever has sinned”... that is, when we have become aware that we are a sinful people, we should acknowledge that we easily can fall into a life of sin, that we are weak creatures and inclined to sin. We are not totally free, not always conscious of what we are doing. Unfortunately, we may sometimes stumble and fall, and sin again.

Because St. Paul the Apostle had the experience of having persecuted the church without reason, he had a clear awareness of the reality and characteristics of sin. He said, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Rom 7:15). Afraid he had not been clear enough in his letter, he added in verse 19, “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.”

This is probably what the Chinese saying means: “the heavens and humans are at war.”(1)In this great war, Huang Ming Yang's experience was “Victory over thieves in the mountains is easy. Victory over the thief in one’s heart is hard.”(2) That is to say, to win a battle against others, or against adverse circumstances is not too difficult, but to win a battle over oneself truly is not easy.

There is a story about one of the great Doctors of the church, St. Augustine, author of “The Confessions of St. Augustine”. He once said, “ When I heard that 'the just person falls seven times a day' I was very consoled, because only the person who is just will fall seven times a day and still struggle to stand up and fall again. The unjust (or sinful) person falls only once. Because he is unwilling to stand up again, he never falls a second time!” Those who are just acknowledge they are sinners, but do not excuse themselves. They continue to make a great effort, re-commit themselves and continue the struggle with themselves. No matter how often they fall, how many times they fail, they stand up and try again. This is because they believe that “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” He prays for us and protects us and intercedes with the Father for us. What he presents to the Father are our rights!

Moreover, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,” that is, it is for this that he gave up his life for us: he stands by our side to the end. He is like all the loving parents in the world about whom so many songs and stories tell: with their own bodies they protect their children against the enemy, and sacrifice their lives for the sake of those they love.

When I was growing up in Hong Kong I lived in a very small village, Tai O. Once I saw an old hawk catching small chickens. What was curious to watch was that whenever the hawk appeared, the mother hen would call out loudly for her chickens to come back, then open her wings widely for the little chicks to hide under them. In this way the mother hen protected her chicks. At the time I wondered why the hen was not afraid of the hawk. Was this an example of the nature of mother love, to sacrifice her own life to save the lives of her offspring?

In the Scripture quoted above, it is as if Jesus is saying to His Father, 'If you must punish them, then punish me first.' He is like a defense lawyer in court, standing together in defense of the criminal, - our savior who gives his own life in exchange for ours! Terrorists hold hostages and others dare do nothing. Jesus Christ willingly stands in the midst of us who are the 'terrorists' so that God will not lift a hand against us!

If we still continue to be so ungrateful in response to our savior's devotion, driving him away from us, are we not digging our own graves?

(1)天人交戰。
(2)勝山中賊易，勝心中賊難。