夜間復活慶典: 死亡與復活 2023年04月08日


聖週六

逾越與新生

讀經一:(創1:1-2:2):天主創造天地萬物
讀經二:(出14:15-15:1):天主的選民過紅海
讀經三:(羅6:3-11):我們受洗歸於基督
福 音:(瑪28:1-10):耶穌復活了
中國文化: 風簷展書讀,古道照顏色。 旱時一滴如甘露。
水能載舟,亦能覆舟。


不用怕,我知道你們是來找被釘的耶穌,他不在這裡,他已經照他所說的復活了。」(瑪28:5-6)

今日是復活節前夕禮儀,我們紀念基督從死者中復活。復活節正式的名字應該叫「逾越節」,有「經過」的意思,所以復活節只是二分之一的逾越節。

逾越是一個過程,一個行動。我們由大齋到大餐,由黑暗到光明,由現世到永恆,由死亡到生命。這是逾越。

舊約的逾越,是天主引導以色列民離開奴隸的境況,奔向自由,經過紅海到達福地。新約的逾越,是基督自己由死亡到達生命,戰勝魔鬼,打開天門,帶領全人類走向天主。他藉死亡解除了我們的罪,藉復活使我們成義,賜給我們永生。基督的逾越帶給我們的是救贖。

作為一個基督徒,我們應該死於罪惡,與基督一起復活,然後懷著喜樂,充滿希望,繼續走我們人生的旅程。

逾越節不是純粹紀念二千年前發生的事。因為我們透過逾越的慶典,正在返回到二千年前的境況中,經驗到二千年前發生的事。文天祥在《正氣歌》中說:「風簷展書讀,古道照顏色。」意思是讀古人書,回想古人的高風亮節,會使我們悠然神往,使我們進入古人的心中,亦讓古人進入我們的生命裡。又或者當我們看一些動人的電影時,我們有時會感動到流淚,而和電影中的主角起共鳴。

人原來是可以「超越」自己的,禮儀更是天主把人的這種能力提昇至最大的極限,讓我們真實的回到過去,參與他的奧蹟。

基督的死亡及復活的「故事」,雖然十分感人,但這個逾越的奧蹟,不是書,不是電影,也不是故事;它超越了歷史和戲劇,並使他的救恩,在我們的慶典中呈現出來。

基督的救恩在我們的慶典中已經變成一個「現在」的事實,我們每一個人生命中的事實。

就在今晚,藉著聖洗聖事,我們看見一些罪人變成義人,魔鬼的奴隸變成了天主的子女,他們差不多可以說是由人變成了神,變成了神的子女。對於那些領了洗的人又怎樣呢?如果我們在四旬期內或聖週內辦了妥當告解,我們也可以說是由死亡進入了生命,由罪的境況進入了成義的境況,我們也與基督一起在今晚復活了。

在今晚的禮儀中,我們看到有火、有光。基督是照世的光,他焚燒一切的罪,驅逐了世界的黑暗,指示給我們奔向永生的路。新教友領受蠟燭,代表基督的光;領了洗的教友手持臘燭,也提醒我們,我們是世界的光,我們要用自己的善行,在人前為基督作見証,使人見到我們的行為,光榮在天之父。

今日在洗禮中我們看到水,神父也祝聖水,幫助我們記得我們曾經受過洗禮。水是生命的泉源,中國人說:「旱時一滴如甘露」,這是生命之水。不過,水也是死亡的象徵,洪水時,就是水淹沒和毀滅了世界。唐太宗認為:「水能載舟,亦能覆舟」,它代表生命也代表死亡。保祿宗徒在羅馬人書第6章也向我們說:「我們受洗歸於基督耶穌的人,就是受洗參與他的死亡。若果我們經歷了他的死亡,同他結合,也要經歷他的復活,同他結合。

洗禮無論是今晚的洗禮,或者是我們從前接受了的洗禮,都代表我們決心與基督同死、同生,與基督一起死於我們的過去,死於我們的罪,然後度一個真實、正義而充滿希望的生命:「為的是要我們也能度新生活」。

今晚領洗者也會領受傅油。傅油一方面有祝聖的意義,一方面亦有分離的意義。受傅油、被祝聖的人,獲得了特殊的使命,成為君王、先知及司祭。

我們要成為君王,因為我們要讓上主在我們生命中為王,在我們的家中為王,在我們社會和萬物中為王。我們要成為先知,為基督作見証,宣講天國的喜訊,做天主的代言人,講出天主的聖意和計劃。我們要做司祭,因為我們可以藉著祈禱及參與聖事,直接同上主交往、與上主結合。

今晚新教友亦穿上白衣,代表他們獲得了一個純潔的新生命,要好好的保存它。

最後,我們也不要忘記我們在領洗時的誓詞。我們曾經誓許要棄絕魔鬼,棄絕罪惡,追隨基督。所以要更加積極地效法基督,成為基督的門徒,做基督的人,有基督的精神。

從今以後,我們要思想象基督,生活象基督,並以福音的精神,作我們生活的準則。

圣周六

逾越与新生

读经一:(创1:1-2:2):天主创造天地万物
读经二:(出14:15-15:1):天主的选民過红海
读经三:(罗6:3-11):我们受洗归於基督
福 音:(玛28:1-10):耶稣复活了
中国文化: 风檐展书读,古道照颜色。旱時一滴如甘露。
水能载舟,亦能覆舟。


不用怕,我知道你们是来找被钉的耶稣,他不在这里,他已经照他所说的复活了。」(玛28:5-6)

今日是复活节前夕礼仪,我们纪念基督从死者中复活。复活节正式的名字应該叫「逾越节」,有「经過」的意思,所以复活节只是二分之一的逾越节。

逾越是一個過程,一個行动。我们由大斋到大餐,由黑暗到光明,由现世到永恒,由死亡到生命。这是逾越。

旧约的逾越,是天主引导以色列民離開奴隶的境况,奔向自由,经過红海到达福地。新约的逾越,是基督自己由死亡到达生命,战胜魔鬼,打開天门,带领全人类走向天主。他藉死亡解除了我们的罪,藉复活使我们成义,赐给我们永生。基督的逾越带给我们的是救赎。

作为一個基督徒,我们应該死於罪恶,与基督一起复活,然后怀著喜乐,充满希望,继续走我们人生的旅程。

逾越节不是纯粹纪念二千年前发生的事。因为我们透過逾越的庆典,正在返回到二千年前的境况中,经验到二千年前发生的事。文天祥在《正气歌》 中说:「风檐展书读,古道照颜色。」意思是读古人书,回想古人的高风亮节,会使我们悠然神往,使我们进入古人的心中,亦让古人进入我们的生命里。又或者当我们看一些动人的电影時,我们有時会感动到流淚,而和电影中的主角起共鸣。

人原来是可以「超越」自己的,礼仪更是天主把人的这种能力提升至最大的极限,让我们真实的回到過去,参与他的奥迹。

基督的死亡及复活的「故事」,虽然十分感人,但这個逾越的奥迹,不是书,不是电影,也不是故事;它超越了历史和戏剧,并使他的救恩,在我们的庆典中呈现出来。

基督的救恩在我们的庆典中已经变成一個「现在」的事实,我们每一個人生命中的事实。

就在今晚,藉著圣洗圣事,我们看见一些罪人变成义人,魔鬼的奴隶变成了天主的子女,他们差不多可以说是由人变成了神,变成了神的子女。对於那些领了洗的人又怎样呢?如果我们在四旬期内或圣周内办了妥当告解,我们也可以说是由死亡进入了生命,由罪的境况进入了成义的境况,我们也与基督一起在今晚复活了。

在今晚的礼仪中,我们看到有火、有光。基督是照世的光,他焚烧一切的罪,驱逐了世界的黑暗,指示给我们奔向永生的路。新教友领受蜡烛,代表基督的光;领了洗的教友手持腊烛,也提醒我们,我们是世界的光,我们要用自己的善行,在人前为基督作见证,使人见到我们的行为,光荣在天之父。

今日在洗礼中我们看到水,神父也祝圣水,帮助我们记得我们曾经受過洗礼。水是生命的泉源,中国人说:「旱時一滴如甘露」,这是生命之水。不過,水也是死亡的象徵,洪水時,就是水淹没和毁灭了世界。唐太宗认为:「水能载舟,亦能覆舟」,它代表生命也代表死亡。保禄宗徒在罗马人书第6章也向我们说:「我们受洗归於基督耶稣的人,就是受洗参与他的死亡。若果我们经历了他的死亡,同他结合,也要经历他的复活,同他结合。

洗礼无论是今晚的洗礼,或者是我们从前接受了的洗礼,都代表我们决心与基督同死、同生,与基督一起死於我们的過去,死於我们的罪,然后度一個真实、正义而充满希望的生命:「为的是要我们也能度新生活」。

今晚领洗者也会领受傅油。傅油一方面有祝圣的意义,一方面亦有分離的意义。受傅油、被祝圣的人,获得了特殊的使命,成为君王、先知及司祭。

我们要成为君王,因为我们要让上主在我们生命中为王,在我们的家中为王,在我们社会和万物中为王。我们要成为先知,为基督作见证,宣讲天国的喜讯,做天主的代言人,讲出天主的圣意和计劃。我们要做司祭,因为我们可以藉著祈祷及参与圣事,直接同上主交往、与上主结合。

今晚新教友亦穿上白衣,代表他们获得了一個纯洁的新生命,要好好的保存它。

最后,我们也不要忘记我们在领洗時的誓词。我们曾经誓许要弃绝魔鬼,弃绝罪恶,追随基督。所以要更加积极地效法基督,成为基督的门徒,做基督的人,有基督的精神。

从今以后,我们要思想象基督,生活象基督,并以福音的精神,作我们生活的准则。

The Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday)

Passover and New Life

First Reading : ( Gen 1:1-2:2 ) : God created the universe
Second Reading : ( Ex 14:15-15:1 ) : God's chosen people crossed the Red Sea
Third Reading : (Rom 6:3-11) : We are baptized into Christ
Gospel : ( Mt 28:1-10 ) : Jesus has been raised to life
Chinese Classics
“And, while the wind whistles under the roofs, I open my books and read; and lo! In their presence my heart is enlightened by the Way of the ancient sages.” (1)
“In drought, a droplet of water is like sweet dew.” (2)
“Water can carry a boat, it can also overturn a boat.” (3)

Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised’ (Mt 28:5-6)

Today in the liturgy of the Easter Vigil, we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The formal name for Easter should be “Passover”, which means passing over. Therefore the Easter feast is only half of the Passover or ‘Pasch’.

Passover is a process, an action. We pass from fast to feast, from darkness to light, from the present to eternity, from death to life. That is Passover.

The Passover mentioned in the Old Testament is God leading the Israelites away from slavery towards freedom, through the Red Sea to the Promised Land. The Passover in the New Testament is Christ going from death to life, overcoming the devil, opening the door to heaven and leading us to God. Through death he released us from our sins, gave us righteousness and guides us to eternal life. In the Passover Christ brings us salvation.

To be a Christian, we should die to sin, be resurrected with Christ, then with great joy be filled with hope and continue our life's journey.

The Passover does not only commemorate what happened two thousand years ago. In celebrating the Passover, we return to two thousand years ago and experience the events of that time. In his poem “Real Force's Canto”, Wen Tian Xiang wrote: “And, while the wind whistles under the roofs, I open my books and read; and lo! In their presence my heart is enlightened by the Way of the ancient sages.”(1) Thinking about the exemplary conduct of the ancients, we cannot help but admire them. We enter into their hearts and let them enter ours. Similarly, when we are seeing a touching movie, we sometimes are moved to tears and feel sympathy for the characters in the movie.

Human beings can surpass themselves. The liturgy can bring us to such heights: we really do go back to the past and take part in the mystery.

The account of Christ' death and resurrection touches us deeply. But the mystery of the Passover is not a book, a movie or a story. It goes beyond history and drama. It reveals God's salvific grace in our celebration.

Christ's grace of salvation becomes a present reality in the liturgy and in the lives of each one of us.

In tonight's liturgy of Baptism we see former sinners becoming a people of righteousness, the slaves of the devil becoming God's children. We almost can say they are changed from human beings to sons and daughters of God. How about those of us already baptised? If we have gone to confession during Lent or Holy Week, we can be said to have gone from death to life, from the state of sin to one of righteousness. Tonight we have risen together with Christ.

In tonight's ceremony, we see fire and light. Christ is the light that lights up the world, he burns away all sin and drives away the darkness of the world. He points us to the road of eternal life. The neophytes receive the candle that represents the light of Christ; for those baptized already, holding candle reminds us that we are the light of the world. We must be witnesses of Christ in word and deed so that people may see our behaviour and give honour to God.

Today, in baptism we also see water. The priest blesses the water to help us remember that we have been baptized. Water is the source of life. There is a Chinese saying: “In drought, a droplet of water is like sweet dew.” (2) This is the water of life. However, water is also a symbol of death. When the flood came the water drowned and destroyed the whole world. According to the Emperor Tang Tai Zhong, “Water can carry a boat, it can also overturn a boat.”(3) Water can represent life. It also represents death. In Chapter six of the Epistle to the Romans the Apostle Paul said, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, so we too might live a new life.” (Rom 6:3-11)

Whether we have been baptized earlier or this evening, it indicates our determination to live and die with Christ, to die with Christ to our past, die to our sins and live a truly righteous life of hope,: ‘so we too might walk in newness of life.

Tonight, the new church members will be anointed with oil. Oil has the meaning of blessing and separation. Those who are anointed with oil receive a special mission to be King, Prophet and Priest.

We should become Kings because we have allowed God to be King of our lives, King of our home, King of our society and of the universe. We must become Prophets, witnesses of Christ, preaching the joyful news of the Kingdom of Heaven, be the Voice of God announcing God's plan and holy will. We must be Priests so that through prayer and the sacraments we can be directly in contact with God and be united to the Lord.

Tonight the newly baptized wear white clothing signifying that they received pure and precious new life.

Lastly, we should not forget the vows we made at baptism. We have vowed to abandon sin and follow Christ. Therefore we must resemble Christ, be his disciples, be people filled with the spirit of Christ.

From now on, we must think like Jesus, live like Jesus and let the spirit of the Gospel be the criterion of our lives.

(1)風簷展書讀,古道照顏色。
(2)旱時一滴如甘露。
(3)水能載舟,亦能覆舟。

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徐錦堯@fr.luketsui.idv.hk 2024