常年期第廿九主日

誠切祈禱，感動天地

讀經一：(出17:8-13)：阿瑪肋克人被擊敗
讀經二：(弟後3:14-4:2)：聖言指導生活
福　音：(路18:1-8)：不義判官和寡婦的比喻
中國文化：樹欲靜而風不息，子欲養而親不在。

某城有一個法官，不敬畏天主，也不尊重人。有一個寡婦常去求他說：「請你為我主持正義，對付欺凌我的人。」法官總不理會，後來想道：「我雖然不敬畏天主，也不尊重人，但是這個寡婦常來麻煩我，我還是給她伸冤吧，免得她不斷糾纏我。」於是主說：「你們看，這個不義的法官說了什麼！那麼，天主聽到他所召選的人日夜呼求，豈能不更給他們伸冤嗎？他會延遲援助他們嗎？」（路18:2-7）

以上是耶穌所講的一個「關於人應當時常祈禱，不要灰心」的比喻的結論：如果我們時常祈禱、不斷祈禱，天主一定會俯聽我們；誠切的祈禱，一定會蒙天主垂聽。

比喻說有一個法官，他不敬畏神明，亦不把任何人放在眼內。他有的是權勢和地位，他可以絕對的以自我為中心，而不必向任何人交代。在那個封建的時代裡，這種人會以為自己就是法律、就是公義、就是一切。他恃勢凌人、以權謀私。「權力腐朽；絕對的權力則絕對腐朽」，這句政治學上的名言，可以完全兌現在他身上。

在這個背景下，有一個寡婦去求這位法官替她伸冤。這個法官當然不會受理，也不屑理會，因為這個寡婦沒有討好他的條件，也沒有能力給他物質的報酬，也不可能給他帶來任何其他的利益或好處。

這個寡婦雖然被拒絕，遭遇到冷淡的對待，但她卻一點都不灰心。她天天來，天天求，鍥而不捨，絕不灰心，比電影《秋菊打官司》中那位女主角秋菊，還要堅持和執著。她不斷求這個法官為她主持公道，請他查明真相、辨明是非曲直，使她免受欺凌。這個不敬神的、不看重人的、無法無天的法官，德操儘管欠奉，心腸雖然冰冷、麻木不仁，但在這個女人不斷的死纏爛打之下，覺得不勝其煩，終於還是答應了她，幫她查明真相，替她伸了冤。

耶穌對這個故事的結論十分清楚：一個這樣不仁、不義，毫無愛德、妄顧一切的法官，最終還是答應了那位寡婦誠切的懇求，何況是我們那位慈悲為懷的上主？那位最愛我們的慈父？他又怎麼會連一個不義的法官都比不上，不去給人伸冤、不去援助依靠和祈求他的人呢？

我們今天要問的問題是：為什麼天主許多時候，卻總像是要延遲答應我們的祈禱？為什麼我們的祈求總是沒有「即時的」效應？為什麼我們在懇切的祈禱以後，還老是要等呀等呀的，等到我們好心焦，等到我們好心痛，等到我們快要灰心失望？天主究竟在幹什麼？他究竟還要等什麼？

天主延遲答應我們的其中一個最重要原因是：他要藉此而增加我們信仰生命的濃度和深度，使我們對他更加依賴和信靠，更加珍惜他要賜給我們的恩寵。

任何得來容易的東西，我們有時都會不知道珍惜。我們有時甚至不懂得珍惜我們的家庭、父母、朋友、社會和國家。不少人都會把大自然的恩賜、朋友的善意、工作或求學的機會，都視為是必然的，或當作是理所當然的。許多人得不到的東西，我們擁有了卻居然會視之如敝屣！

我們不太懂得「惜福」，不懂得珍惜我們所擁有的一切，不把它們當作「福分」。我們甚至不懂得珍惜我們現在所擁有的健康，所以我們才有這種說法：「當一個人失去健康時，才會明白健康的可貴。」或者，直到我們的父母逝去時，我們才突然驚覺：「樹欲靜而風不息，子欲養而親不在。」

不斷的祈禱、不斷的懇求，會逐漸提昇我們對天主的盼望和依靠；如果最後獲得了所祈求的一切，我們自然也會倍加珍惜。也許祈求愈久，我們愈會珍惜上主的恩賜。

我們對一件事的珍惜程度，往往是和我們所投入的時間和心血成正比例的；我們投入愈多，就會愈加珍惜。許多人都認為一般父母對子女的愛，其深度和濃度，都遠遠大於子女對父母的愛，無他，因為通常都是父母愛子女較多、付出較多。不少父母對子女都曾經投下了大量的心血，有些父母為子女幾乎耗盡了一切。

天主對我們愛的廣、遠、高、深，是絕對無可置疑的。但我們對天主愛的濃或淡，為天主付出的多或少，和天主關係的深或淺，卻有待我們用行動去表明和驗證。我們對天主的祈禱，正是反映我們和天主關係的一個指標。

讓我們也誠切地祈禱，投入更多的心血和時間去祈禱，和天主建立起最深的關係，其他的一切，天主自會賜給我們。

常年期第廿九主日

诚切祈祷，感动天地

读经一：(出17:8-13)：阿玛肋克人被击败
读经二：(弟后3:14-4:2)：圣言指导生活
福　音：(路18:1-8)：不义判官和寡妇的比喻
中国文化：树欲静而风不息，子欲养而亲不在。

某城有一個法官，不敬畏天主，也不尊重人。有一個寡妇常去求他说：「请你为我主持正义，对付欺凌我的人。」法官总不理会，后来想道：「我虽然不敬畏天主，也不尊重人，但是这個寡妇常来麻烦我，我还是给她伸冤吧，免得她不断纠缠我。」於是主说：「你们看，这個不义的法官说了什么！那么，天主听到他所召选的人日夜呼求，岂能不更给他们伸冤吗？他会延迟援助他们吗？」（路18:2-7）

以上是耶稣所讲的一個「关於人应当時常祈祷，不要灰心」的比喻的结论：如果我们時常祈祷、不断祈祷，天主一定会俯听我们；诚切的祈祷，一定会蒙天主垂听。

比喻说有一個法官，他不敬畏神明，亦不把任何人放在眼内。他有的是权势和地位，他可以绝对的以自我为中心，而不必向任何人交代。在那個封建的時代里，这种人会以为自己就是法律、就是公义、就是一切。他恃势凌人、以权谋私。「权力腐朽；绝对的权力则绝对腐朽」，这句政治学上的名言，可以完全兑现在他身上。

在这個背景下，有一個寡妇去求这位法官替她伸冤。这個法官当然不会受理，也不屑理会，因为这個寡妇没有讨好他的条件，也没有能力给他物质的报酬，也不可能给他带来任何其他的利益或好处。

这個寡妇虽然被拒绝，遭遇到冷淡的对待，但她却一点都不灰心。她天天来，天天求，锲而不舍，绝不灰心，比电影《秋菊打官司》 中那位女主角秋菊，还要坚持和执著。她不断求这個法官为她主持公道，请他查明真相、辨明是非曲直，使她免受欺凌。这個不敬神的、不看重人的、无法无天的法官，德操尽管欠奉，心肠虽然冰冷、麻木不仁，但在这個女人不断的死缠烂打之下，觉得不胜其烦，终於还是答应了她，帮她查明真相，替她伸了冤。

耶稣对这個故事的结论十分清楚：一個这样不仁、不义，毫无爱德、妄顾一切的法官，最终还是答应了那位寡妇诚切的恳求，何况是我们那位慈悲为怀的上主？那位最爱我们的慈父？他又怎么会连一個不义的法官都比不上，不去给人伸冤、不去援助依靠和祈求他的人呢？

我们今天要問的問题是：为什么天主许多時候，却总像是要延迟答应我们的祈祷？为什么我们的祈求总是没有「即時的」效应？为什么我们在恳切的祈祷以后，还老是要等呀等呀的，等到我们好心焦，等到我们好心痛，等到我们快要灰心失望？天主究竟在干什么？他究竟还要等什么？

天主延迟答应我们的其中一個最重要原因是：他要藉此而增加我们信仰生命的浓度和深度，使我们对他更加依赖和信靠，更加珍惜他要赐给我们的恩宠。

任何得来容易的东西，我们有時都会不知道珍惜。我们有時甚至不懂得珍惜我们的家庭、父母、朋友、社会和国家。不少人都会把大自然的恩赐、朋友的善意、工作或求学的机会，都视为是必然的，或当作是理所当然的。许多人得不到的东西，我们拥有了却居然会视之如敝屣！

我们不太懂得「惜福」，不懂得珍惜我们所拥有的一切，不把它们当作「福分」。我们甚至不懂得珍惜我们现在所拥有的健康，所以我们才有这种说法：「当一個人失去健康時，才会明白健康的可贵。」或者，直到我们的父母逝去時，我们才突然惊觉：「树欲静而风不息，子欲养而亲不在。」

不断的祈祷、不断的恳求，会逐渐提升我们对天主的盼望和依靠；如果最后获得了所祈求的一切，我们自然也会倍加珍惜。也许祈求愈久，我们愈会珍惜上主的恩赐。

我们对一件事的珍惜程度，往往是和我们所投入的時间和心血成正比例的；我们投入愈多，就会愈加珍惜。许多人都认为一般父母对子女的爱，其深度和浓度，都遠遠大於子女对父母的爱，无他，因为通常都是父母爱子女较多、付出较多。不少父母对子女都曾经投下了大量的心血，有些父母为子女幾乎耗尽了一切。

天主对我们爱的广、遠、高、深，是绝对无可置疑的。但我们对天主爱的浓或淡，为天主付出的多或少，和天主关系的深或浅，却有待我们用行动去表明和验证。我们对天主的祈祷，正是反映我们和天主关系的一個指标。

让我们也诚切地祈祷，投入更多的心血和時间去祈祷，和天主建立起最深的关系，其他的一切，天主自会赐给我们。

TWENTY- NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Pray Earnestly, Move Heaven and Earth

First Reading: ((Ex 17: 8-13): The Amalekites were defeated
Second Reading: (2 Tim 3: 14- 4:2): The Word is a guide to our lives
Gospel: (Lk 18: 1-8): The parable of the Unjust Judge and the Widow
Chinese Classics:
-“The tree wants to be still but the wind will not stop; the son wishes to take care of his parents but they are no longer there.” (1)

“In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.' And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?’ ”(Lk 18: 2- 7)

The above Scripture passage is the conclusion of a parable Jesus spoke about perseverance in prayer and not becoming disheartened. If we pray always and continuously, God will surely listen to us. If we pray with sincerity, God will come to our assistance.

The parable says that there was once a judge who did not worship any god or have regard for anyone. He had power and prestige, was totally self-centred and was beholden to no one. In those feudal times this kind of person would consider himself as the Law, the Justice itself. He relied on his own power and sought only what was advantageous to himself. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This famous adage from political science was realized fully in this man.

In this kind of milieu a widow went to the judge to redress a grievance. Naturally the judge paid no attention to her and would not accept her complaint. She was in no position to curry favor, she could not afford material gifts and could not offer the judge any benefits.

Although the widow was rejected and treated with such coldness, she was not in the least discouraged. She appeared every day and pleaded every day. She continued her efforts steadily and never became disheartened. She was even more persistent than the heroine Qui Ju in the movie “Qui Ju resorts to Litigation.” With no letup she begged the judge to investigate the real situation and accord her justice. The judge who neither feared gods nor respected human beings, had little regard for the law or moral principles and had no sympathy for her. But he finally was so bothered by her persistence that he agreed to do what she demanded of him.

Jesus was very clear about the conclusion of this story. If the judge, so lacking in mercy, kindness or justice and absolutely had no regard for anything, eventually agreed to help her win her case, how much more so our merciful Lord, our kind Father who loves us so much! How could our heavenly Father do any less for His children who go to Him
with complete trust and plead for help?

At times we may want to ask: Why does God so often seem to take so long to answer our prayers? Why do our prayers seem to produce no immediate effect? After we have prayed with great earnestness, why must we continue to wait and wait until we are worn out, become anxious and worried and are on the verge of despondency and despair? What is God doing? What is God waiting for?

One of the most important reasons God waits to answer us is because he wishes to increase the strength and depth of our faith-life. God wants us to have even greater trust and dependence on Him, and appreciation of all the gifts God gives us, and help us increase our appreciation of the gifts God wants to bestow on us.

We often do not know how to appreciate gifts we receive without any effort on our part. Sometimes we do not know how to value our families, parents, friends, society, our country. There are many people who take for granted the gifts of Nature, the good intentions of friends, opportunities for work, education. We take these precious gifts as a matter of course. Even benefits that others cannot obtain, we sometimes treat as worthless.

We do not fully understand how to appreciate our blessings and all the valuable treasures we possess. We do not regard them as God's blessings. We do not even value the good health we enjoy today. That is why we may hear this observation: “Health is only appreciated when it is lost.” Or, only when our parents have passed away do we suddenly realize we have lost them forever. “The tree wants to be still but the wind will not stop; the son wishes to take care of his parents but they are no longer there,” (1)

Continuous prayer and entreaty gradually increases our sense of hope and reliance on God. If in the end we obtain all that we had asked for we naturally appreciate it all the more. Perhaps the longer we pray the greater is our appreciation of God's gifts. .

The measure of our appreciation of anything usually depends on the amount of time and effort we have invested in it; the greater the effort the greater the appreciation. Many people think that the strength and depth of parent's love for their children is much greater than children's love for parents if for no other reason than because parents invest so much love and effort for their children. Many parents sacrifice nearly everything, giving all that they have and are, for their children.

God's love for us is so great and deep, without comparison. It is indescribable. But our love for God is so shallow and weak. Whether we repay God much or little, whether our relationship with God is close or distant, it awaits us to prove our love by our deeds. The prayer that we offer to God is an indication of how we reflect a relationship with God.

Let us continue to pray with great earnestness, investing greater energy and time into our efforts at prayer and the closest possible relationship with God. As to the rest, God will grant it to us.

(1)樹欲靜而風不息，子欲養而親不在。