常年期第十八主日

 

死生本無常、錢財如糞土

 

讀經一：(訓1:2;2:21-23)：萬事皆虛

讀經二：(哥3:1-5,9-11)：應追求天上的事

福　音：(路12:13-21)：戒貪世物

中國文化：千里捎書只為牆，讓他三尺又何妨？長城萬里今猶在，不見當年秦始皇。

世人都曉神仙好，只有功名忘不了；古今將相今何在，荒塚一堆草沒了。世人都曉神仙好，只有金錢忘不了；終朝只恨聚無多，及到多時眼閉了。 

天也空、地也空，人生渺渺在其中。金也空、銀也空，死後何曾在手中。權也空、名也空，轉眼荒郊土一封。

 

你們要謹慎，遠離一切貪婪；因為人的生命並不在於他擁有豐厚的財產。……天主對富翁說：「糊塗的人啊！今天晚上，我就要索回你的靈魂，你所儲備的一切，將會留給誰呢？」那些只為自己積蓄財產，而不在天主面前致富的人，也是這樣。（路12:15-21）

 

今天聖經的故事很奇突：忽然有一個人來到耶穌跟前，要求耶穌為他分家產！

 

我們可以說很多話、作很多事、傳遞很多我們自以為是很清楚的訊息，但其他人所聽到的，可能都不一樣。他們所明白和吸收到的，與我們所願意傳達的，有時會大不一樣。人尤其會從最實際的角度，從對自己最有利的角度去聆聽、去領會。

 

有一個人在聽耶穌講道時，感到耶穌的話十分吸引，耶穌的人品和氣質，也很令他折服和感動。他在想，這真是一個可以信靠的、有智慧的人，公正、無私、明察秋毫。這個人已經忘了耶穌講的是什麼，他只是在想：耶穌也許可以幫助他解決他的一個私人問題－－幫忙他分家產。所以他大聲向耶穌說：「師傅，請吩咐我的兄弟和我分家吧！」(路12:13)

 

很可能，這個人受到兄弟的欺負，有寃無路訴，所以要求耶穌為他主持公道。

 

耶穌沒有捲入他的家庭糾紛，卻給他指出了解決家庭糾紛的辦法；正如耶穌也沒有捲入政治的旋渦，卻指出了應該用什麼精神去面對政治的挑戰。

 

他教導這個人，在處理家產時要記住一個原則：「遠離一切貪婪」，並要知道，「人的生命並不在於擁有豐厚的財產」。

 

提到爭家產，我想起中國某地方有個爭土地的故事。原來有兩個相鄰的家庭，為建屋而互相爭奪一牆之寬約三尺的地方。其中一家有人在朝上做到吏部尚書的大官，他們就寫信給這個大官，請他向鄰居施加壓力。怎知這個吏部尚書卻給家人回了一信：「千里捎書只為牆，讓他三尺又何妨？長城萬里今猶在，不見當年秦始皇。」意思是希望家人不要為區區三尺之地，而與鄰人鬧至不和，因為即使是爭勝了，也是沒用的；當年威風八面的秦始皇，今天又怎樣呢？家人果然照他的吩咐做了，讓了三尺之地給鄰人；鄰人受到感動，也讓出了三尺。這六尺之寬的地方，就建成了一條巷，後人稱為「仁義巷」。

其實，在「不爭」的背後，還有更深刻的哲理，就是即使爭到了，也沒有用。

 

今天福音上的那位富翁，以為擁有大量的財產，就可以高枕無憂了。他很高興、很陶醉地對自己說：「我的靈魂啊！你擁有大量財物，足夠多年享用了，你吃喝玩樂，享受人生吧！」(路12:19)天主卻向他說：「糊塗人啊！今天晚上，我就要收回你的靈魂，你所儲備的一切，將會留給誰呢？」靈魂喪失了，生命毀滅了，精神頹廢了，理想幻滅了，年華老去了，我們即使能得到了全世界，又有什麼用處呢？

 

所有人都是生不帶來，死不帶走的，絕對沒有人可以例外。我們兩手空空的來到這個世上，繞了一個圈，又要兩手空空的離開這個世界。

 

曹雪芹在《紅樓夢》中有一首「好了歌」說：「世人都曉神仙好，只有功名忘不了；古今將相今何在，荒塚一堆草沒了。世人都曉神仙好，只有金錢忘不了；終朝只恨聚無多，及到多時眼閉了。」

 

明朝有一首「萬空歌」也同樣說：「天也空、地也空，人生渺渺在其中。金也空、銀也空，死後何曾在手中。權也空、名也空，轉眼荒郊土一封。」

 

耶穌的結論是：「那些只為自己積蓄財產，而不在天主面前致富的人，也是這樣。」最後只得一場空。

 

所以最聰明的辦法，是「在天主前積蓄永恆的財產」：為社會留下一些功業，為別人留下一些愛德，為家庭留下一些福蔭，為子孫多積一些陰德，為自己留下一些值得回味的記憶，在世上留下一些值得自豪的事。其他都不必太過執著。

常年期第十八主日

 

死生本无常、钱财如粪土

 

读经一：(训1:2;2:21-23)：万事皆虚

读经二：(哥3:1-5,9-11)：应追求天上的事

福　音：(路12:13-21)：戒贪世物

中国文化：千里捎书只为墙，让他三尺又何妨？长城万里今犹在，不见当年秦始皇。

世人都晓神仙好，只有功名忘不了；古今将相今何在，荒冢一堆草没了。世人都晓神仙好，只有金钱忘不了；终朝只恨聚无多，及到多時眼闭了。 

天也空、地也空，人生渺渺在其中。金也空、银也空，死后何曾在手中。权也空、名也空，转眼荒郊土一封。

 

你们要谨慎，遠離一切贪婪；因为人的生命并不在於他拥有丰厚的财產。……天主对富翁说：「糊涂的人啊！今天晚上，我就要索回你的灵魂，你所儲备的一切，将会留给谁呢？」那些只为自己积蓄财產，而不在天主面前致富的人，也是这样。（路12:15-21）

 

今天圣经的故事很奇突：忽然有一個人来到耶稣跟前，要求耶稣为他分家產！

 

我们可以说很多话、作很多事、传递很多我们自以为是很清楚的讯息，但其他人所听到的，可能都不一样。他们所明白和吸收到的，与我们所願意传达的，有時会大不一样。人尤其会从最实际的角度，从对自己最有利的角度去聆听、去领会。

 

有一個人在听耶稣讲道時，感到耶稣的话十分吸引，耶稣的人品和气质，也很令他折服和感动。他在想，这真是一個可以信靠的、有智慧的人，公正、无私、明察秋毫。这個人已经忘了耶稣讲的是什么，他只是在想：耶稣也许可以帮助他解决他的一個私人問题－－帮忙他分家產。所以他大声向耶稣说：「师傅，请吩咐我的兄弟和我分家吧！」(路12:13)

 

很可能，这個人受到兄弟的欺负，有寃无路诉，所以要求耶稣为他主持公道。

 

耶稣没有卷入他的家庭纠纷，却给他指出了解决家庭纠纷的办法；正如耶稣也没有卷入政治的旋涡，却指出了应該用什么精神去面对政治的挑战。

 

他教导这個人，在处理家產時要记住一個原则：「遠離一切贪婪」，并要知道，「人的生命并不在於拥有丰厚的财產」。

 

提到争家產，我想起中国某地方有個争土地的故事。原来有两個相邻的家庭，为建屋而互相争夺一墙之宽约三尺的地方。其中一家有人在朝上做到吏部尚书的大官，他们就写信给这個大官，请他向邻居施加压力。怎知这個吏部尚书却给家人回了一信：「千里捎书只为墙，让他三尺又何妨？长城万里今犹在，不见当年秦始皇。」意思是希望家人不要为区区三尺之地，而与邻人闹至不和，因为即使是争胜了，也是没用的；当年威风八面的秦始皇，今天又怎样呢？家人果然照他的吩咐做了，让了三尺之地给邻人；邻人受到感动，也让出了三尺。这六尺之宽的地方，就建成了一条巷，后人称为「仁义巷」。

其实，在「不争」的背后，还有更深刻的哲理，就是即使争到了，也没有用。

 

今天福音上的那位富翁，以为拥有大量的财產，就可以高枕无忧了。他很高兴、很陶醉地对自己说：「我的灵魂啊！你拥有大量财物，足够多年享用了，你吃喝玩乐，享受人生吧！」(路12:19)天主却向他说：「糊涂人啊！今天晚上，我就要收回你的灵魂，你所儲备的一切，将会留给谁呢？」灵魂丧失了，生命毁灭了，精神颓废了，理想幻灭了，年华老去了，我们即使能得到了全世界，又有什么用处呢？

 

所有人都是生不带来，死不带走的，绝对没有人可以例外。我们两手空空的来到这個世上，绕了一個圈，又要两手空空的離開这個世界。

 

曹雪芹在《红楼梦》 中有一首「好了歌」说：「世人都晓神仙好，只有功名忘不了；古今将相今何在，荒冢一堆草没了。世人都晓神仙好，只有金钱忘不了；终朝只恨聚无多，及到多時眼闭了。」

 

明朝有一首「万空歌」也同样说：「天也空、地也空，人生渺渺在其中。金也空、银也空，死后何曾在手中。权也空、名也空，转眼荒郊土一封。」

 

耶稣的结论是：「那些只为自己积蓄财產，而不在天主面前致富的人，也是这样。」最后只得一场空。

 

所以最聪明的办法，是「在天主前积蓄永恒的财產」：为社会留下一些功业，为别人留下一些爱德，为家庭留下一些福荫，为子孫多积一些阴德，为自己留下一些值得回味的记憶，在世上留下一些值得自豪的事。其他都不必太過执著。

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

 

Impermanence of Life and Death. Wealth and Riches are like Dung

 

First Reading (Eccles 1: 1-2; 2: 21-23): All is vanity

Second Reading ( Col 3: 1-5, 9-11): Seek the things that are above

Gospel (Lk 12: 31- 21): Parable of the Rich Fool

Chinese Classics:

-“Cover a thousand miles for a letter about a wall, let them have three feet more, does it matter? The Great Wall of China is still there, but Emperor Qin of yesteryear is not seen.” (1)

-“Though the virtues of the gods all mankind may fully know, earthly longings and ambitions they unwillingly forego.

Yet pause and think! The wise and brave of old, where are they now? Their graves are overgrown with weeds, themselves a heap of clay.

Though the virtues of the gods all mankind may fully know; the heaping up of riches they reluctantly forego. 

Daily they lament their failure with their first and last breath. When satiety arrives then their eyes are closed in death.”(2)

-“Heaven is nothing, the earth is nothing Life is hardly discernible in their midst. Power is nothing, fame is nothing. A blink of the eye to find one’s grave in the wilderness. (3)

 

“Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions... God said to the rich man, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.” (Lk 12: 15 21)

 

Today's Scripture is unusual. Suddenly a man comes to Jesus and asks him to help him divide up his wealth!

 

We can say and do many things, convey many messages we ourselves think are quite clear, but what others understand is not the same at all. Sometimes there is a great discrepancy between what people understand and retain and what we intend to pass on. Moreover, what people hear and what they absorb often stems from what is most applicable and advantageous to themselves. 

 

There was a man who, on hearing Jesus' preaching, thought it was very attractive and that Jesus' personality and spirit were very winning. He was touched by Jesus and thought Jesus was far superior to other people. He thought: this is truly a reliable person, fair and objective, meticulously discerning. For the moment he forgot what Jesus had said in his talks, he only thought Jesus would be able to help him with his personal problem, which was to help him apportion out the wealth of his family. So he called out to Jesus in a loud voice, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” (Lk 12:13).

 

It is very possible that the man had been unfairly treated by his brothers and had no other recourse, so he asked Jesus to help him obtain justice.

 

Jesus did not get involved in the man's family dispute, but he pointed out a way to solve his family problem. It was similar to Jesus not wanting to get involved in political issues but rather pointing out the spirit with which we should face political challenges.

 

He taught the man that in dealing with distribution of wealth he should remember a principle: “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed” and remember that “One's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”.

Talking about disputes over family fortunes reminds me of a Chinese story. Two neighboring families were arguing about including a wall about three feet wide in their building plans. One of the families had a relative who was a high official in the Ministry of the Interior. The family decided to write this relative to ask him to exert pressure on the other family to give way. Who would have known, the official wrote this letter in return: “Cover a thousand miles for a letter about a wall. Let them have three more feet, does it matter? The Great Wall of China is still here, but Emperor Qin of yesteryear is not seen.”(1)

 

What he hoped was that his family would not quarrel with their neighbour about a mere three feet. Even if they won it would be of little matter. The Emperor Qin was a good example. He had once been a magnificent figure, but where was he today? The man's family followed his advice and gave the three feet to their neighbour. Their neighbour was so touched he moved back three feet also. The six foot-wide strip of land became a lane which people later called the 'Lane of Love and Justice.'

 

Actually there is profound philosophy behind this refusal to quarrel. It is that even if one wins the argument, it may be of no use.

 

The wealthy man in today's gospel thought that with all his wealth and treasures he would have no further worries. With great delight and contentment he said to himself, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” (Lk 12: 19) “But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, where will they be?” What is the use of gaining the whole world if we lose our soul, ruin our lives, drain away all our energy and become disillusioned and decrepit with old age?

 

All human beings without exception come into the world with nothing, and leave with nothing. We come into the world empty-handed, go around for a while, then leave the world empty-handed.

 

In Cao Xue Qin's novel, “Dream of the Red Chamber” there is a song, “All Good Things must End.” The song says, 

“Though the virtues of the gods all mankind may fully know, earthly longings and ambitions they unwillingly forego. 

Yet pause and think! The wise and brave of old, where are they now? Their graves are overgrown with weeds, themselves a heap of clay. 

Though the virtues of the gods all mankind may fully know, the heaping up of riches they reluctantly forego. 

Daily they lament their failure with their first and last breath. When satiety arrives, then their eyes are closed in death.”(2)

 

In the Ming Dynasty there was a song of similar meaning called “Song of Nothingness. 

“Heaven is nothing, earth is nothing. Life is hardly discernible in their midst.

Gold is nothing, silver is nothing. They will not be in our hands after death. 

Power is nothing, fame is nothing. A blink of the eye to find one’s grave in the wilderness.”(3)

 

Jesus' conclusion was, “So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.” In the end all is emptiness.

 

Therefore the wisest way is to “store up eternal riches before God:” leave behind some worthwhile achievements for society, acts of good will done for others, protection for one's family, good deeds for one’s descendants, actions worthy of remembering and for the world, some acts of courage to emulate. Do not hold on too tightly to any thing else.

 

 

(1)千里捎書只為牆，讓他三尺又何妨？長城萬里今猶在，不見當年秦始皇。

(2)世人都曉神仙好，只有功名忘不了；古今將相今何在，荒塚一堆草沒了。世人都曉神仙好，只有金錢忘不了；終朝只恨聚無多，及到多時眼閉了。 

(3)天也空、地也空，人生渺渺在其中。金也空、銀也空，死後何曾在手中。權也空、名也空，轉眼荒郊土一封。