常年期第四主日

風雨晦明身外事，心中只有艷陽天

讀經一：(耶1:4-5,17-19)：天主選定耶肋米亞作萬民的先知
讀經二：(格前12:31-13:13)：沒有愛的宣講是假的
福　音：(路4:21-30)：耶穌在本鄉不被接納
中國文化：老天爺你年紀大，耳又聾來眼又花；老天爺，你不會做天，你塌了吧！三日不舉火，十年不製衣。聲滿天地，若出金石。天子不得臣，諸侯不得友。

你們什麼也不要掛慮，只在一切事上，以懇求和祈禱，懷著感謝之心，向天主呈上你們的請求；這樣，天主那超乎各種意想的平安，必要在基督耶穌內固守你們的心思念慮。
（斐4:6-7）

其實在這段經文之前，保祿還說：「你們在主內應當常常喜樂，我再說：你們應當喜樂！」（斐4:4）他在得撒洛尼人前書更強調：「你們要常常喜樂，不斷祈禱，事事感謝。」(得前5:16-18)

常常、不斷、事事：這就是聖經給我們的啟示，是我們信仰的重點，是我們生命的基本調子，是我們人生的主旋律。所以，無論我們的實際遭遇如何，如果我們把聖經當作我們生命的「指導」的話，我們就會毫不猶疑地以喜樂的心境，去面對生命中的一切。

「常常」喜樂：就是沒有任何時間不喜樂；「不斷」祈禱：就是沒有任何情況可以令我們不祈禱；「事事」感謝：就是沒有任何一件事情可以讓我們不懷感謝之心！

但是我們怎能真的喜樂呢？人生真的是那麼的美滿嗎？一切真的是如同中國人在新年中的祝願，時時風調雨順，到處國泰民安嗎？

我們怎能真的感謝呢？我們真的沒有什麼可以抱怨的嗎？在苦澀的生命中，在顛沛流離、坎坷滿途的生活裡，硬說感謝的話，不太諷刺嗎？

我們又怎能祈禱呢？我們的天主真的是那麼值得我們信賴嗎？在這個充滿苦痛和悲哀的世界裡，天主能看到嗎？能聽到嗎？如果天主是「全能的」，他為什麼不除去世界的苦難？如果他是「全善的」，他為什麼不願意除去世界的苦難？他能夠嗎？他願意嗎？他真的愛我們嗎？

明朝有一位無名氏曾寫過這樣的一首打油詩：「老天爺你年紀大，耳又聾來眼又花。你看不見人，聽不見話。殺人放火的，享盡榮華；吃素唸經的，活活餓殺。老天爺，你不會做天，你塌了吧！你不會做天，你塌了吧！」

上面的打油詩難道就沒有一點點的真理嗎？天主真的是那麼「神目如電」、公正嚴明嗎？但聖經的話也決非信口開河的。因此，在世界的混亂中，在生命的風雨晦明中，我們還是應該喜樂、感謝、祈禱的！但這有可能嗎？

今天福音的「真福八端」，其實也很令人納悶和費解。貧窮、哀慟、受迫害等等人間的災難，我們避之唯恐不及，怎麼在基督口中，卻會搖身變為「真有福」呢？

其實我們願意也好，不願意也好，世界古往今來原本就是這個樣子的，這就是所謂「人生不如意事，十常八九」。但即使在這種狀況下，確實是有人哭喪著臉度日，同時也確實是有人活得快樂而精彩。

換句話說，同樣的生命，可以有痛苦和快樂的不同結果，這全在於我們如何看這個世界，如何選擇我們的生活態度。

耶穌教我們的，是一種使我們在任何環境中都快樂的人生態度。對基督徒來說，常常喜樂、事事感謝、不斷祈禱，是可能的、可行的。條件只有一個，就是心中有天主。

神貧的人有福，因為天國是他們的，天主是他們的。而這位天主正是一切快樂和幸福的根源。當一個人心中再沒有被其他東西霸佔而充滿了天主之後，這種喜樂又有誰可以奪去呢？

風雨如晦、生命飄搖，身外事而已；只要心中充滿陽光，便足夠可以抵擋這些身外的一切。

中國的一位先賢曾子，生活十分貧窮，衣、食、住都成問題。莊子說他「三日不舉火，十年不製衣」。但他卻活得十分快樂，常常唱歌，「聲滿天地」，他的歌聲「若出金石」。

他是活得那樣逍遙，那樣精彩，他可以連天子、諸侯、王公、大臣等等，全都不放在眼內，這就是他的所謂「天子不得臣，諸侯不得友」，意思是，連天子都不能隨便召他作臣子，即使是諸侯也夠不上做他的朋友。

為什麼他可以達到這種快樂的化境？無他，因為心中充滿生機、充滿快樂的緣故！

在我們的信仰中，願我們都有保祿忘憂的精神，有曾子快樂的懷抱，去面對生命中的一切挑戰。

常年期第四主日

风雨晦明身外事，心中只有艳阳天

读经一：(耶1:4-5,17-19)：天主选定耶肋米亚作万民的先知
读经二：(格前12:31-13:13)：没有爱的宣讲是假的
福　音：(路4:21-30)：耶稣在本乡不被接纳
中国文化：老天爷你年纪大，耳又聋来眼又花；老天爷，你不会做天，你塌了吧！三日不举火，十年不制衣。声满天地，若出金石。天子不得臣，诸侯不得友。

你们什么也不要掛虑，只在一切事上，以恳求和祈祷，怀著感谢之心，向天主呈上你们的请求；这样，天主那超乎各种意想的平安，必要在基督耶稣内固守你们的心思念虑。
（斐4:6-7）

其实在这段经文之前，保禄还说：「你们在主内应当常常喜乐，我再说：你们应当喜乐！」（斐4:4）他在得撒洛尼人前书更强调：「你们要常常喜乐，不断祈祷，事事感谢。」(得前5:16-18)

常常、不断、事事：这就是圣经给我们的启示，是我们信仰的重点，是我们生命的基本调子，是我们人生的主旋律。所以，无论我们的实际遭遇如何，如果我们把圣经当作我们生命的「指导」的话，我们就会毫不犹疑地以喜乐的心境，去面对生命中的一切。

「常常」喜乐：就是没有任何時间不喜乐；「不断」祈祷：就是没有任何情况可以令我们不祈祷；「事事」感谢：就是没有任何一件事情可以让我们不怀感谢之心！

但是我们怎能真的喜乐呢？人生真的是那么的美满吗？一切真的是如同中国人在新年中的祝願，時時风调雨顺，到处国泰民安吗？

我们怎能真的感谢呢？我们真的没有什么可以抱怨的吗？在苦涩的生命中，在颠沛流離、坎坷满途的生活里，硬说感谢的话，不太讽刺吗？

我们又怎能祈祷呢？我们的天主真的是那么值得我们信赖吗？在这個充满苦痛和悲哀的世界里，天主能看到吗？能听到吗？如果天主是「全能的」，他为什么不除去世界的苦难？如果他是「全善的」，他为什么不願意除去世界的苦难？他能够吗？他願意吗？他真的爱我们吗？

明朝有一位无名氏曾写過这样的一首打油诗：「老天爷你年纪大，耳又聋来眼又花。你看不见人，听不见话。杀人放火的，享尽荣华；吃素念经的，活活饿杀。老天爷，你不会做天，你塌了吧！你不会做天，你塌了吧！」

上面的打油诗难道就没有一点点的真理吗？天主真的是那么「神目如电」、公正严明吗？但圣经的话也决非信口開河的。因此，在世界的混亂中，在生命的风雨晦明中，我们还是应該喜乐、感谢、祈祷的！但这有可能吗？

今天福音的「真福八端」，其实也很令人纳闷和费解。贫穷、哀慟、受迫害等等人间的灾难，我们避之唯恐不及，怎么在基督口中，却会摇身变为「真有福」呢？

其实我们願意也好，不願意也好，世界古往今来原本就是这個样子的，这就是所谓「人生不如意事，十常八九」。但即使在这种状况下，确实是有人哭丧著脸度日，同時也确实是有人活得快乐而精彩。

换句话说，同样的生命，可以有痛苦和快乐的不同结果，这全在於我们如何看这個世界，如何选择我们的生活态度。

耶稣教我们的，是一种使我们在任何环境中都快乐的人生态度。对基督徒来说，常常喜乐、事事感谢、不断祈祷，是可能的、可行的。条件只有一個，就是心中有天主。

神贫的人有福，因为天国是他们的，天主是他们的。而这位天主正是一切快乐和幸福的根源。当一個人心中再没有被其他东西霸占而充满了天主之后，这种喜乐又有谁可以夺去呢？

风雨如晦、生命飘摇，身外事而已；只要心中充满阳光，便足够可以抵挡这些身外的一切。

中国的一位先贤曾子，生活十分贫穷，衣、食、住都成問题。庄子说他「三日不举火，十年不制衣」。但他却活得十分快乐，常常唱歌，「声满天地」，他的歌声「若出金石」。

他是活得那样逍遥，那样精彩，他可以连天子、诸侯、王公、大臣等等，全都不放在眼内，这就是他的所谓「天子不得臣，诸侯不得友」，意思是，连天子都不能随便召他作臣子，即使是诸侯也够不上做他的朋友。

为什么他可以达到这种快乐的化境？无他，因为心中充满生机、充满快乐的缘故！

在我们的信仰中，願我们都有保禄忘忧的精神，有曾子快乐的怀抱，去面对生命中的一切挑战。

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Wind or Rain, Bright or Overcast: these are External Factors
Within my Heart there is Beautiful Bright Sun

First Reading (Jer I:4-5, 17-19): God appointed Jeremiah prophet to the nations Second Reading (1Cor 12:31-13:13:Preaching without love is false
Gospel (LK4:21-30): Jesus was rejected by his own townspeople
Chinese culture:
“Ye old Heavens you are getting old, you are deaf, you are blind; Old Heaven, you do not know how to be the Heaven, you are ready to collapse! (1)
“For three days there was no cooking, for ten years no new clothe were made.”(2)
“His voice filled heaven and earth as if coming from gold and jade (precious stones). The emperor could not make him a minister, the lords could not have him as friend.” (3)

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,”(Phil 4:6-7)

In the verse just before the above passage Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4) And in the first Epistle to the Thessalonians he emphasizes the same even more, writing, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”(1Thess 5:16-18)

Always, continuously, at all times: Scripture has revealed it to us. It is a point of emphasis in our faith, a fundamental note, a primary melody throughout life. Therefore, no matter what circumstances we meet in life, if we take the Bible as our lifelong ‘guide,’ we will without a doubt have a joyful spirit in facing all of life's challenges.

‘Always be joyful’: truly not to lose this joy for one second; ‘continuously pray:’ let no situation whatever prevent us from continuing to pray; ‘give thanks at all times’: no matter what befalls us it will not stop us from giving thanks.

But how can we really be joyful? Is life truly so perfect? Is everything really as if it is always as joyful as the Chinese (Lunar) New Year's greetings, peaceful and harmonious with people and nature throughout the land?

How can we really be thankful? Do we really have no complaints? Bitterness, restlessness, disappointments that fill our lives, is it not too ironic to express thanks?

Then how can we pray? Is God really worthy of that much trust? Can God see or hear all the sadness and affliction that fills our world? If God is 'almighty', why does He not spare the world so much grief? If God is 'all good', why is God not willing to remove the grief? Does God really love us?

In the Ming dynasty, an unknown poet wrote this poem: “Ye Old Heaven, you are getting old. You are deaf, you are blind. You cannot see a thing. You cannot hear a word. Those who kill and set fire are enjoying wealth and prosperity. Vegetarians and pious people are starving to death. Ye Old Heaven, you do not know how to be a heaven. You are getting ready to collapse!”(1)

Is there not some truth in this doggerel? Is God really fair and just? Yet Scripture does not offer promises that will be broken. Therefore amidst the world's turbulence and life's uncertainties, we still should be joyful, full of gratitude and always prayerful. Is that possible?

Today's Scripture on the Eight Beatitudes in fact can make us wonder and find it difficult to understand. Poverty, sadness, persecution are disasters in life, we fear them and want to avoid them. How can it be that Christ transforms them and says “Blessed are they…”?

Actually whether we want it or not, from the beginning the world has been like that, as the saying goes, ‘Calamities in life come in bunches.’ Yet under such circumstances, it is true there are people who face life sorrowfully and at the same time there really are people who face it happily and with courage. That is to say, the same kind of life can have different results, some happy, some sorrowful. It depends entirely on how we view the world and how we choose our attitude toward life.

Jesus teaches us an attitude toward life whereby we can be happy under any circumstances. For a Christian it is possible to be always joyful, thankful for everything and continually praying. There is only one pre-requisite and that is that God reigns in our hearts.

Blessed are the poor for the kingdom of heaven is theirs, God is within them. And that God is the source of all happiness and joy. When one's heart is no longer filled with anything else but God alone, then who can take away such joy?

The winds and storms of life come and go, life is full of uncertainties; but if our hearts are filled with brightness, that is sufficient to enable us to overcome all that comes to us.

There was an ancient sage called Zeng Zi who was very poor. Clothing, food, housing were problems for him. Zhuang Zi wrote about him: “For three days there was no cooking, for ten years no new clothes were made.”(2) But he lived happily and often sang. “His voice filled heaven and earth and his songs sounded as if they were coming from gold and jade. The emperor could not have him for a minister nor the lords for a friend.”(3)

His life was carefree and very satisfactory. He paid no attention to emperors, feudal lords, princes, dukes or ministers. Zhuang Zi wrote that not even the emperor could summon him at will, nor could princes and dukes make his acquaintance. “The emperor could not have him for a minister, nor the lords for friend.”

Why was he able to reach a state of such happiness? No other reason than that his life was filled with vitality as a result of his happiness.

In our own faith, may we meet all the challenges of life with Paul's spirit of total forgetfulness of cares and worries and the joyous heart of Zeng Zi.

(1)老天爺你年紀大，耳又聾來眼又花；老天爺，你不會做天，你塌了吧！
(2)三日不舉火，十年不製衣。
(3)聲滿天地，若出金石。天子不得臣，諸侯不得友。