復活主日

空墳

讀經一：(宗10:34,37-43)：伯多祿為基督的復活作見證
讀經二：(哥3:1-4)：該求天上的事
福　音：(若20:1-9)：墳墓已空
中國文化： 但教心似金鈿堅，天上人間會相見。去年今日此門中，人面桃花相映紅；人面不知何處去，桃花依舊笑春風。近鄉情更怯，不敢問來人。

「他俯身向裡面望，看見殮布已放在地上。」（若20:5）因為耶穌已不在了。福音書為這段經文寫下的小標題是：「墳墓已空」。

故事是這樣的：一週的第一天清晨，天還沒有亮，瑪利亞瑪達肋納來到墳墓那裡，看見墓門的石頭已經移開，就跑去告訴西滿伯多祿和耶穌所愛的那個門徒，對他們說：「有人從墓中把主搬走了，不知道把他放在哪裡。」(若20:1-2)

面對著至愛者的空墳，瑪利亞瑪達肋納有什麼感想呢？伯多祿和若望又有什麼感想呢？

我對「情」頗有一些特別的體會，所以我或許能略懂他們見到空墳時的心情。

這種心情就是「空」，是一種心中空蕩蕩的、沒有著落的、不踏實的感覺；是整個心「懸空」起來，不知道應該放在哪裡的一種無明的感受。學生在等候放榜時，丈夫在等候妻子生產時，大概也有類似的感覺。

我曾多次到不同的地方講學、講避靜、開佈道會等，每到一處，一定有一個規律性的結局：就是臨走前，我一定會感到心中若有所失，一種空空洞洞的感覺。尤其每次到中國大陸，都有一種未必再能回到香港的心理準備，因為我要每月乘搭飛機和長程汽車，而飛機和汽車這兩樣東西，你是無法知道它們什麼時候會出事的。

等到安全、快樂、圓滿地完成了任務，又到要離開的時候了。今日見到的人，下次還能見到嗎？今日來和你訴心的人，將來能成功做神父或修女嗎？這麼幼嫩的一個教會，能經得起社會上的各種狂風巨浪的衝擊嗎？這些都是未知之數，這就會使你的心懸空起來。

在這種情況中，我的心頭很快地便會湧起《長恨歌》的一句話：「但教心似金鈿堅，天上人間會相見」。這個世界畢竟是沒有「長存的城」，何時相見，只好留待「天上人間」了！這也是一種心裡「空」的感覺。

我在羅馬念書時，有一位將要回印度的同學告訴我，他突然有了很濃的「思鄉」情。我笑他，我以為他在開玩笑。對一個已經「棄俗精修」的人、已經四大皆空的人來說，還思什麼鄉呢？但曾幾何時，在羅馬四年都沒有思鄉的我，臨回香港前卻思起鄉來了。而且越近香港，心情越是濃烈。真是名副其實的「近鄉情更怯，不敢問來人」了。(宋之問：渡漢江)

門徒及耶穌的朋友已經和耶穌一起生活了三年，彼此的感情自是不同凡響。當大家同在一起的時候，好像沒有什麼；當耶穌受難的時候，也因為已被另一種悲情所籠罩，所以也不會感到有離情。

耶穌死了、埋葬了，一切都消失了、完了，徹底的完了。這是死別，也不是離情，只會帶來悲傷，而不會產生那種心中不踏實的感覺。

空墳是什麼的一回事呢？他們懷著萬一的希望，記起耶穌所說復活的預言，在還未弄清楚那是什麼一回事的時候，這個耶穌卻不見了。

耶穌不見了，墳墓空了。生人不在，屍體也無存。

他，不是三天前仍在的嗎？不是四天前仍在和自己同餐共桌嗎？不是一週前曾風風光光地榮進耶路撒冷嗎？他不是三年來曾經和自己一起攀過山、越過湖、上過船、講過道、顯過奇蹟嗎？他不是在群眾的熱鬧中，和我們一起享受過五餅二魚的豐盛，在朋友的促膝談心裡，表現出情懇意切的嗎？自己的思想已經被他改變了，自己的生命在他內也恍似重生。但他現在在哪裡呢？

「去年今日此門中，人面桃花相映紅；人面不知何處去，桃花依舊笑春風」，音容宛在，伊人何處？這能不令人深感惆悵、若有所失嗎？

即使他後來顯現過，也只是若隱若現、來去無蹤的；他已不再是舊日的他了。

往後，他們只能在回憶中，像砌圖一樣，把這個耶穌一點一滴地重新捕捉、塑造。他們只有在領聖事時，去和他接觸，在服務他人時，去和他相遇，在作深沉的祈禱時，再聽到他在世時的話語，廻蕩在他們心靈的深處。

我想在他們心中，一定也會有這句話在迴響：「但教心似金鈿堅，天上人間會相見。」亦是靠著這種心思和意念，他們為這個耶穌，為他的福音而奮鬥了一生。

复活主日

空坟

读经一：(宗10:34,37-43)：伯多禄为基督的复活作见证
读经二：(哥3:1-4)：該求天上的事
福　音：(若20:1-9)：坟墓已空
中国文化： 但教心似金钿坚，天上人间会相见。去年今日此门中，人面桃花相映红；人面不知何处去，桃花依旧笑春风。近乡情更怯，不敢問来人。

「他俯身向里面望，看见殓布已放在地上。」（若20:5）因为耶稣已不在了。福音书为这段经文写下的小标题是：「坟墓已空」。

故事是这样的：一周的第一天清晨，天还没有亮，玛利亚玛达肋纳来到坟墓那里，看见墓门的石头已经移開，就跑去告诉西满伯多禄和耶稣所爱的那個门徒，对他们说：「有人从墓中把主搬走了，不知道把他放在哪里。」(若20:1-2)

面对著至爱者的空坟，玛利亚玛达肋纳有什么感想呢？伯多禄和若望又有什么感想呢？

我对「情」颇有一些特别的体会，所以我或许能略懂他们见到空坟時的心情。

这种心情就是「空」，是一种心中空荡荡的、没有著落的、不踏实的感觉；是整個心「悬空」起来，不知道应該放在哪里的一种无明的感受。学生在等候放榜時，丈夫在等候妻子生產時，大概也有类似的感觉。

我曾多次到不同的地方讲学、讲避静、開布道会等，每到一处，一定有一個规律性的结局：就是临走前，我一定会感到心中若有所失，一种空空洞洞的感觉。尤其每次到中国大陆，都有一种未必再能回到香港的心理准备，因为我要每月乘搭飞机和长程汽车，而飞机和汽车这两样东西，你是无法知道它们什么時候会出事的。

等到安全、快乐、圆满地完成了任务，又到要離開的時候了。今日见到的人，下次还能见到吗？今日来和你诉心的人，将来能成功做神父或修女吗？这么幼嫩的一個教会，能经得起社会上的各种狂风巨浪的冲击吗？这些都是未知之数，这就会使你的心悬空起来。

在这种情况中，我的心头很快地便会涌起《长恨歌》 的一句话：「但教心似金钿坚，天上人间会相见」。这個世界毕竟是没有「长存的城」，何時相见，只好留待「天上人间」了！这也是一种心里「空」的感觉。

我在罗马念书時，有一位将要回印度的同学告诉我，他突然有了很浓的「思乡」情。我笑他，我以为他在開玩笑。对一個已经「弃俗精修」的人、已经四大皆空的人来说，还思什么乡呢？但曾幾何時，在罗马四年都没有思乡的我，临回香港前却思起乡来了。而且越近香港，心情越是浓烈。真是名副其实的「近乡情更怯，不敢問来人」了。(宋之問：渡汉江)

门徒及耶稣的朋友已经和耶稣一起生活了三年，彼此的感情自是不同凡响。当大家同在一起的時候，好像没有什么；当耶稣受难的時候，也因为已被另一种悲情所笼罩，所以也不会感到有離情。

耶稣死了、埋葬了，一切都消失了、完了，彻底的完了。这是死别，也不是離情，只会带来悲伤，而不会產生那种心中不踏实的感觉。

空坟是什么的一回事呢？他们怀著万一的希望，记起耶稣所说复活的预言，在还未弄清楚那是什么一回事的時候，这個耶稣却不见了。

耶稣不见了，坟墓空了。生人不在，尸体也无存。

他，不是三天前仍在的吗？不是四天前仍在和自己同餐共桌吗？不是一周前曾风风光光地荣进耶路撒冷吗？他不是三年来曾经和自己一起攀過山、越過湖、上過船、讲過道、显過奇迹吗？他不是在群众的热闹中，和我们一起享受過五饼二魚的丰盛，在朋友的促膝谈心里，表现出情恳意切的吗？自己的思想已经被他改变了，自己的生命在他内也恍似重生。但他现在在哪里呢？

「去年今日此门中，人面桃花相映红；人面不知何处去，桃花依旧笑春风」，音容宛在，伊人何处？这能不令人深感惆怅、若有所失吗？

即使他后来显现過，也只是若隐若现、来去无踪的；他已不再是旧日的他了。

往后，他们只能在回憶中，像砌图一样，把这個耶稣一点一滴地重新捕捉、塑造。他们只有在领圣事時，去和他接触，在服务他人時，去和他相遇，在作深沉的祈祷時，再听到他在世時的话语，廻荡在他们心灵的深处。

我想在他们心中，一定也会有这句话在回响：「但教心似金钿坚，天上人间会相见。」亦是靠著这种心思和意念，他们为这個耶稣，为他的福音而奋斗了一生。

EASTER SUNDAY

The Empty Tomb

First Reading ( Acts 10: 34,37-43): Peter's witness to Jesus' resurrection
Second Reading (Col 3:1-4 ) : Seek the things that are above
Gospel ( Jn 20:1-9 ): : The tomb was empty
Chinese Classics:
- “Tell him if his will be firm like the gold and the set-gem, In heaven or on earth we will be reunited again.”(1)
-“Last year today at this door the girl's face and the peach flowers reflect each other's glow. I know not where the girl has gone, but the peach flowers remain smiling in the spring breeze.”(2)
-“The closer to my hometown, the more nervous I am, I dare not ask about it from whoever comes this way.” (3)

“He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there” (Jn 20:5 ) Because Jesus was no longer there, the sub-title given to this passage in the Gospel is “The tomb was empty.”

This is what the Gospel relates: “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” ( Jn 20:1-2 )

What were Mary Magdalene's feelings as she stood before the empty tomb of her Beloved? What were Simon Peter and John's feelings?

I have a rather special feeling towards the emotion of love, so perhaps I may understand their feelings when they saw the empty tomb. It was a feeling of “emptiness,” emptiness of the heart, nothing to attach oneself to, a feeling of insecurity, the whole heart seems suspended in space, an inexplicable feeling of not knowing where one's heart belongs. Students awaiting exam results, husbands awaiting their wives to give birth, perhaps might have similar feelings.

I have been to various places to give lectures, direct retreats, speak at conferences etc. In each instance, there is the same ritualistic conclusion: before leaving Hong Kong I always feel as if there is something missing, a feeling of emptiness. Especially each time, when I visit Mainland China I am psychologically prepared that I might not be able to return. Because each month when I board a plane or train, sometimes for long hours, one never knows when an accident might or might not occur.

When I have fulfilled my task completely, safely and happily, it is time to depart. Then I ask myself, the next time when I come, will I see the same people I saw this time? Will those who spoke to me confidentially this time, become priests or sisters in the future? Will the young church I visit today be able to face and overcome the challenges of the society in the future? All of this is so uncertain at this time that one feels one's heart is suspended, left hanging.

In such situations, there quickly comes to my mind these lines, “Tell him if his will be firm like the gold and the set-gem, in heaven or on earth we will be reunited like them”(1) from the poem, “The Song of Eternal Sorrow” by Bai Ju Yi. In this world 'there is no lasting city.' If someone asks, 'When can we meet again?' the answer can only be 'heaven knows it.' And so this leads to the feeling of 'emptiness' in one's heart.

When I was studying in Rome, a fellow classmate who was returning to India told me he suddenly felt a strong sense of 'homesickness.' I laughed at him, thinking he was joking. How could someone who had 'left earthly desires behind and followed a life which belongs to the world above', who had nothing in this world, be homesick? However, when it came time for myself, who had never felt any homesickness in the four years I was in Rome, I began to feel homesick as I prepared to return to Hong Kong. The closer I got to Hong Kong, the more intense my feeling. Two lines from Song's poem, 'Crossing the River Han' summed up my feelings exactly: “The closer I come to my hometown, the more nervous I am; I dare not ask about it from whoever comes this way.”(3)

The apostles and Jesus' friends already had spent three years living with Jesus and naturally they all had deep feelings of friendship with each other. When they were together with each other, nothing seemed very special. During Jesus' passion and death, they were overcome with such sorrow that they did not feel the separation. But then Jesus died and was buried, and everything disappeared, was finished, totally ended. This was the farewell of death, not separation but an enormous sadness, not the same as the feeling of a void and emptiness.

So what is it about the empty tomb? They all had had a dim hope and they remembered Jesus' prophecy that he would rise again. But while they were still very unclear about what this meant, Jesus had disappeared.

Jesus had disappeared, the tomb was empty. There was no living person there, neither was there the body. Was he not there three days ago? Did he not dine at the same table with them four days ago? Only a week before had he not triumphantly entered Jerusalem? For the past three years had they not climbed the mountains together, crossed the lake, boarded their boats, saw him preach to the people and work miracles? In the midst of an admiring crowd, had he not shared five loaves and two fish, and showed care and concern for his close friends? Their minds had been changed because of him, their lives had been rejuvenated by him. But where was he now?

“Last year today at this door, the girl's face and the peach flowers had reflected each other's glow. I know not where the girl has gone, but the peach flowers remain smiling in the spring breeze.”(2) The place is the same, but where has the person gone? Is this not enough to make one feel deeply desolate and lost?

Later he did appear, sometimes mysteriously, appearing and disappearing suddenly. But he was not the same as before. What followed was that they could only 'see' him in memory, put together piece by piece the words and actions of the Jesus they had known in life. They could have contact with him only through the Sacraments, meet him as they served others, listen to his words when they reflected and prayed in the depths of their hearts.

I think these lines must have reverberated in the disciples' hearts: “Tell him if his will be firm like the gold and the set-gem, in heaven or on earth we will be reunited again.”(1)

Spurred on by these thoughts and purpose, they devoted their entire lives to Jesus and the spreading of his Gospel.

(1)但教心似金鈿堅，天上人間會相見。
(2)去年今日此門中，人面桃花相映紅；人面不知何處去，桃花依舊笑春風。
(3)近鄉情更怯，不敢問來人。