四旬期第二主日

兩情若是久長時

讀經一：(創12:1-4)：亞巴郎蒙召
讀經二：(弟後1:8-10)：天主召叫並光照我們
福　音：(瑪17:1-9)：耶穌顯聖容
中國文化： 纖雲弄巧，飛星傳恨，銀漢迢迢暗渡。金風玉露一相逢，便勝卻人間無數。

上主對亞巴郎說：「你要離開你的故鄉，親族和你的父家，到我給你指定的地方去。」（創12:1）

「離開你的故鄉，到我指定的地方去」，這便是信仰。信仰就是我們選擇了天主，走天主要我們走的路，度天主要我們度的生活。更具體來說，我們今天是選擇了基督。

「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的，你們要聽從他！」這就是耶穌在山上顯聖容時，天主所說的話。信耶穌，便要聽從他。

耶穌在世上度過了三十三個寒暑，最後的三年是他的公開生活。在公開生活時，耶穌講道理、顯奇蹟，漸漸很多人相信他，甚至有人承認他是天主子。但耶穌知道自己的路並不是一帆風順、一直向上的路。不久，他會從高峰走下來，被人出賣，被人釘在十字架上，像一個可憐的罪犯、可憐的奴隸一樣。那時，那些曾經相信他的人會否再繼續相信他呢？哪有人願意跟隨一位被釘在十字架上的囚犯？

為了幫助人去相信這位「十字架的囚犯」，耶穌選了三位門徒，讓他們先看清楚他是誰。瑪竇福音第17章說：耶穌帶了伯多祿、雅各伯及若望上了一座高山，在他們面前變了容貌。他的面容發光好似太陽，他的衣服潔白如雪。忽然梅瑟和厄里亞也顯現出來與耶穌談話……。

當伯多祿還在說話時，忽然有一片雲彩籠罩著他們，有聲音從雲中傳出來說：「這是我的愛子，你們要聽從他。」他們聽了這些話，都俯伏在地，非常害怕。耶穌撫摸他們，對他們說：「起來，不要害怕。」他們抬頭一看，只見耶穌，其他的人都不見了。

在下山時，耶穌吩咐他們說：「在我還未從死者中復活之前，你們不要把這事告訴任何人。」（參考瑪17:1-9）

耶穌走的路，是十字架的路、痛苦的路，甚至是失敗的路。但這條路剛巧就是通往成功之路。在耶穌的失敗中就有成功，在耶穌的死亡中就有復活與生命。

不過，這是很難相信、很難明白的。除非人親身經驗過耶穌的天主性，親自與耶穌有過親密的結合，否則，人很難接受耶穌所講的話，走耶穌所走的路。

對耶穌有真實的經驗，才能走耶穌的這條漫長之路。

宋朝秦觀寫了一首詞名《鵲橋仙》，是講牛郎織女的故事。中國人所講的牛郎和織女，每年只能見一次面，情況似乎很淒涼。但秦觀的看法卻不一樣，他說：「纖雲弄巧，飛星傳恨，銀漢迢迢暗渡。金風玉露一相逢，便勝卻人間無數。柔情似水，佳期如夢，忍顧鵲橋歸路；兩情若是久長時，又豈在朝朝暮暮！」

我們經驗到的真實生命是支離破碎的生命，是充滿缺憾的生命；我們見到的真實生命是走向死亡的生命。但對牛郎織女來說：「金風玉露一相逢，便勝卻人間無數」。他們一年一相逢，卻勝過人間裡人們每日的見面。而「兩情若是久長時，又豈在朝朝暮暮。」若真的是有情及互相信任，又何需朝夕相對呢？

如果我們真實相信天主，又曾經有過與天主相遇的經驗，我們就不需要每日讓天主用雙手托著我們、抱著我們。

雖然天主事實上是抱著我們、愛著我們、牽著我們，但這並不是我們親身的感受。在這世界上，我們仍要接受試探，仍未能面對面地親眼見到天主。但只要我們在信仰旅程中曾經有一次在領聖體時，有一次在辦告解時，有一次做退省時，又或是有一次在生命深刻的體驗中，曾經經驗到生命的活力及天主的存在，那麼，這一刻的經驗就已經足夠支持我們一生去奮鬥。

伯多祿、雅各伯及若望三位門徒就是因為這一次經驗到上主的臨在，看到基督的顯容，就支持了他們一生為基督而奮鬥。

相傳伯多祿在他生命的終點，要被釘在十字架上時，曾向釘他的人說：「我不配和基督一樣被釘在十字架上，請你們把我倒轉來釘吧！」甚麼使門徒甘心為耶穌受死？就是因為他們曾經有過與耶穌親密的經驗。

各位朋友，讓我們在生命中找尋這種與基督親密的經驗，與基督相聚的經驗，並一些在生命中深刻的經驗吧！因為這些經驗能幫助和支持我們整個的生命。在我們顛沛流離時，這些經驗就會成為我們力量的泉源。

四旬期第二主日

两情若是久长時

读经一：(创12:1-4)：亚巴郎蒙召
读经二：(弟后1:8-10)：天主召叫并光照我们
福　音：(玛17:1-9)：耶稣显圣容
中国文化： 纤云弄巧，飞星传恨，银汉迢迢暗渡。金风玉露一相逢，便胜却人间无数。

上主对亚巴郎说：「你要離開你的故乡，亲族和你的父家，到我给你指定的地方去。」（创12:1）

「離開你的故乡，到我指定的地方去」，这便是信仰。信仰就是我们选择了天主，走天主要我们走的路，度天主要我们度的生活。更具体来说，我们今天是选择了基督。

「这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的，你们要听从他！」这就是耶稣在山上显圣容時，天主所说的话。信耶稣，便要听从他。

耶稣在世上度過了三十三個寒暑，最后的三年是他的公開生活。在公開生活時，耶稣讲道理、显奇迹，渐渐很多人相信他，甚至有人承认他是天主子。但耶稣知道自己的路并不是一帆风顺、一直向上的路。不久，他会从高峰走下来，被人出卖，被人钉在十字架上，像一個可怜的罪犯、可怜的奴隶一样。那時，那些曾经相信他的人会否再继续相信他呢？哪有人願意跟随一位被钉在十字架上的囚犯？

为了帮助人去相信这位「十字架的囚犯」，耶稣选了三位门徒，让他们先看清楚他是谁。玛窦福音第17章说：耶稣带了伯多禄、雅各伯及若望上了一座高山，在他们面前变了容貌。他的面容发光好似太阳，他的衣服洁白如雪。忽然梅瑟和厄里亚也显现出来与耶稣谈话……。

当伯多禄还在说话時，忽然有一片云彩笼罩著他们，有声音从云中传出来说：「这是我的爱子，你们要听从他。」他们听了这些话，都俯伏在地，非常害怕。耶稣抚摸他们，对他们说：「起来，不要害怕。」他们抬头一看，只见耶稣，其他的人都不见了。

在下山時，耶稣吩咐他们说：「在我还未从死者中复活之前，你们不要把这事告诉任何人。」（参考玛17:1-9）

耶稣走的路，是十字架的路、痛苦的路，甚至是失败的路。但这条路刚巧就是通往成功之路。在耶稣的失败中就有成功，在耶稣的死亡中就有复活与生命。

不過，这是很难相信、很难明白的。除非人亲身经验過耶稣的天主性，亲自与耶稣有過亲密的结合，否则，人很难接受耶稣所讲的话，走耶稣所走的路。

对耶稣有真实的经验，才能走耶稣的这条漫长之路。

宋朝秦观写了一首词名《鹊橋仙》 ，是讲牛郎织女的故事。中国人所讲的牛郎和织女，每年只能见一次面，情况似乎很凄凉。但秦观的看法却不一样，他说：「纤云弄巧，飞星传恨，银汉迢迢暗渡。金风玉露一相逢，便胜却人间无数。柔情似水，佳期如梦，忍顾鹊橋归路；两情若是久长時，又岂在朝朝暮暮！」

我们经验到的真实生命是支離破碎的生命，是充满缺憾的生命；我们见到的真实生命是走向死亡的生命。但对牛郎织女来说：「金风玉露一相逢，便胜却人间无数」。他们一年一相逢，却胜過人间里人们每日的见面。而「两情若是久长時，又岂在朝朝暮暮。」若真的是有情及互相信任，又何需朝夕相对呢？

如果我们真实相信天主，又曾经有過与天主相遇的经验，我们就不需要每日让天主用双手托著我们、抱著我们。

虽然天主事实上是抱著我们、爱著我们、牵著我们，但这并不是我们亲身的感受。在这世界上，我们仍要接受试探，仍未能面对面地亲眼见到天主。但只要我们在信仰旅程中曾经有一次在领圣体時，有一次在办告解時，有一次做退省時，又或是有一次在生命深刻的体验中，曾经经验到生命的活力及天主的存在，那么，这一刻的经验就已经足够支持我们一生去奋斗。

伯多禄、雅各伯及若望三位门徒就是因为这一次经验到上主的临在，看到基督的显容，就支持了他们一生为基督而奋斗。

相传伯多禄在他生命的终点，要被钉在十字架上時，曾向钉他的人说：「我不配和基督一样被钉在十字架上，请你们把我倒转来钉吧！」甚么使门徒甘心为耶稣受死？就是因为他们曾经有過与耶稣亲密的经验。

各位朋友，让我们在生命中找寻这种与基督亲密的经验，与基督相聚的经验，并一些在生命中深刻的经验吧！因为这些经验能帮助和支持我们整個的生命。在我们颠沛流離時，这些经验就会成为我们力量的泉源。

Second Sunday of Lent

If Love Between Both Sides Can Last Forever

First Reading :( Gen 12:1-4 ) : Abraham was called
Second Reading : (2 Tim:1:8-10 ) : God's call will enlighten us
Gospel : ( Mt 17:1-9) ) : Jesus' Transfiguration
Chinese Classics
“Clouds sail like works of art, Stars shoot with grief at heart, Across the Milky Way the Cowherd meets the Maid. When Autumn's Golden Wind embraces Dew of Jade, All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade.” (1)

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. (Gen 12:1 )

“Leave your ancestral home and go to the place I have pointed out to you.” This is faith. To have faith means that we have chosen God, chosen to take the path God wills for us and live according to God’s will. In more concrete terms, today we have chosen Christ.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” This is what God said when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain. To believe in Jesus we must obey him.

Jesus lived on earth for thirty-three years, the last three years of which were his ‘Public Life’. During his public life Jesus preached and performed miracles. Gradually a great multitude of people believed in him; some even acknowledged that he was the Son of God. But Jesus knew that his own journey would not be a smooth one, proceeding straight ahead. After a while he would come down from the mountain, be betrayed and crucified on the cross like a poor prisoner, a pitiable slave. At that time, would those who had believed in him maintain their faith in him? Who would want to follow a criminal who had been nailed to a cross?

To help people have faith in this “crucified criminal,” Jesus chose three of his disciples to first show them clearly who he really was. Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him...(Mt Chap 17)....

“While Peter was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.”

“As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (ref. Mt 17:1-9)

The path that Jesus took was the path of the cross. a path of pain, even of failure. It was a path that led to success. There was success in Jesus' failure, and resurrection and life in his death.

But it is hard to believe and understand this. Until we have actually experienced the divinity of Jesus and have actually been united with Jesus, it is hard to accept Jesus' words and follow his path.

Only if we have a true experience of Jesus can we walk Jesus' long arduous journey.

Qin Guan of the Sung Dynasty wrote a poem entitled “Immortals at the Magpie Bridge”, which was about the Cowboy and the Spinning Maid. In this Chinese legend, the Cowboy and the Spinning Maid could only meet once a year. Most of us would consider their plight a sad one. However, Qin Guan did not see it as such. He wrote: “Clouds sail like works of art; Stars shoot with grief at heart. Across the Milky Way the Cowherd meets the Maid. When Autumn's Golden Wind embraces Dew of Jade, All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade. Their tender love flows like a stream; This happy date seems but a dream. How can they bear a separate homeward way? But If love between both sides can last for ever, Why need they stay together night and day?” (1)

In our experience, real life is full of brokenness and regret. The life we see only moves towards death. But for the Cowherd and the Spinning Maid, “When Autumn's Golden Wind (the young man embraces Dew of Jade (the young lady), All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade.” They met only once a year but their reunion far surpassed the daily meetings of earthly lovers. “If love between both sides can last for ever, Why need they stay together night and day?” If there is true love and mutual trust, why must lovers need to see each other morning, noon and night?

If we place our trust in God and have the experience of meeting God, it is not necessary for God to support and hold us in His arms all the time.

Although in fact God is holding us in the palm of his hands, loving and leading us, this is not our usual feeling. In this world, we are still subject to temptation and cannot yet see God face to face. But if once, through our faith, we experience the vitality of God's life and presence, perhaps when we receive Holy Communion or go to confession, or during a retreat, or have a sudden internal experience of God, such an experience is sufficient to carry us through life's struggles.

For the three disciples Peter, James and John, this single experience of God's presence and witnessing of the Transfiguration of Christ, supported them in their struggle for Christ throughout their entire lives.

Tradition says that when, at the end of his life Peter was crucified on the cross he asked that his cross be turned upside-down. He said to his executioners, ‘I am not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ.’ What inspired the disciples to so willingly die for Jesus? It was because they had had the experience of such intimacy with Jesus.

Friends, let us throughout our lives look for these experiences of intimacy with Christ, the deep experience of meeting Christ. Such experiences will help and support us during our entire lives. Throughout this life of misery, such experiences will become the source of our strength.

(1)纖雲弄巧，飛星傳恨，銀漢迢迢暗渡。金風玉露一相逢，便勝卻人間無數。