常年期第十二主日

不要害怕

讀經一：(耶20:10-13)：天定勝人
讀經二：(羅5:12-15)：因亞當的過犯，眾人都死了；因基督的恩寵，眾人都活著。
福　音：(瑪10:26-33)：不要害怕在人前承認主
中國文化： 眾人皆濁我獨清，眾人皆醉我獨醒。
非不說子之道，力不足也。力不足者，中道而廢；今汝畫。

「你們在人面前不要害怕！」耶穌說：「兩隻麻雀不是只賣一個銅錢嗎？但是若沒有你們天父的許可，連一隻也不會掉在地上。就是你們的頭髮，他都一一數過了。所以，你們不要害怕，你們比許多麻雀還要貴重得多呢！」(參考瑪10:26-33)

麻雀很便宜，兩隻麻雀只值一個銅錢而已，但是天父愛牠們、保存牠們，沒有天父的許可，連一隻麻雀都不會掉在地上。我們比許多麻雀貴重得多，所以天主一定更加愛我們、保護我們。耶穌甚至告訴我們，天父連我們的頭髮都數過了。我們要信賴天主、不要害怕。

在一項調查中，問青年人最怕甚麼，他們說最怕是不能進入朋友的小圈子，或是被朋友和同輩所拒絕。從這個角度看，我相信不少青年人，為了取悅自己的同輩，他們會講他們講的粗口，做他們大家贊成的事，甚至是壞事。

作為基督徒，我們應是中流砥柱，要懂得說「不」；我們要懂得拒絕，要做地上鹽、世界光；我們要能夠做到屈原所說的「眾人皆濁我獨清，眾人皆醉我獨醒」：大家混濁，我們不妨是清潔的﹔大家醉倒，我們不妨是清醒的。我們必須用我們的言語、行為、生活，為基督、為信仰、為美滿的人生、為生命的真理作見證。

耶穌說：「你們在人面前不要害怕，因為沒有一件隱瞞的事將來不被揭露的，亦沒有一件隱密的事將來不被人知道的。你們不要害怕那些殺害肉身而不能殺害靈魂的，但是要害怕能夠將靈魂和肉身一同投入地獄中的那一位。」

我們不要害怕我們的同輩、朋友，我們不要害怕被同輩、朋友拒絕。我們應該害怕的，是天主的拒絕。

有些人在工作的時候與人同流合污，因為他們說，這是「人在江湖，身不由己」。其實我們是可以拒絕的。

有一位台灣教友商人，他經常在胸前掛一個十字架。據說不少台灣人談生意的時候，習慣在類似色情場所的髮廊中進行。但這位教友商人很清楚向其他商人說：「我是教友，我不會去那些地方；如果你跟我做生意，我們就只談生意。」

起初有些人不接受他這種古板的談生意方式，甚至不跟他做生意。但漸漸有些人發現這個人才是正直的，他有他自己做生意的方式，不需要賄賂、不需要做其他多餘的事。最後證明他的方法是成功的，有更多正直的人跟他打交道。

孔子的弟子冉求向孔子說：「非不說（悅）子之道，力不足也。」意思是：「老師，我不是不喜歡你的道理，可惜我沒有力量去做！」孔子提醒他說：「力不足者，中道而廢﹔今汝畫。」意思是說：「你說你力不足嗎？好！那麼你就要證明你的力是足或是不足。如果你真是力不足，你會做到一半才放棄，即所謂『中道而廢』。但你現在一開始便說自己力不足了，這樣，你就等於是畫地為牢，為自己畫一個圈，把自己囚禁起來。你在還沒有嘗試以前，就已經說自己踏不出這個圈了。你不要忘記，這個圈是你自己畫的！所以你是在「畫」，在畫地自限；你只是不願意跨出這個圈罷了！

有時候我們的子女也是這樣去「畫」。當我們問他懂不懂時，他立刻便說「不懂」﹔問他可以不可以時，他立刻說「不可以」﹔問他願不願意時，他的第一句也總是「不願意」。總之，甚麼也要加一個「不」字。

我們作父母的，要幫助我們的子女養成正確而良好的習慣，所以每當我們的子女說「不」的時候，我們要指正他，要他先想想懂不懂、能不能，才去回答，不要太快說「不」。

我們都傾向於「畫」，因為我們害怕，害怕被別人拒絕、害怕失敗。其實我們也是在害怕自己。

耶穌對我們說：「你們不要害怕，要努力為真理、為信仰作見證。凡是在人面前承認我的，我在天父面前也要承認他；誰在人面前不認我，我在天父面前也要否認他。」

當我們所有的同學、所有的同伴、所有的同事都認為生命沒有意義的時候，我們要嘗試說給人知、活給人看，生命可以有高貴的含義；生命絕可以活得光輝和燦爛。這就是為基督作見證、為生命作見證。

「你們不要害怕，你們比許多麻雀還要貴重呢！」

常年期第十二主日

不要害怕

读经一：(耶20:10-13)：天定胜人
读经二：(罗5:12-15)：因亚当的過犯，众人都死了；因基督的恩宠，众人都活著。
福　音：(玛10:26-33)：不要害怕在人前承认主
中国文化： 众人皆浊我独清，众人皆醉我独醒。
非不说子之道，力不足也。力不足者，中道而废；今汝画。

「你们在人面前不要害怕！」耶稣说：「两只麻雀不是只卖一個铜钱吗？但是若没有你们天父的许可，连一只也不会掉在地上。就是你们的头发，他都一一数過了。所以，你们不要害怕，你们比许多麻雀还要贵重得多呢！」(参考玛10:26-33)

麻雀很便宜，两只麻雀只值一個铜钱而已，但是天父爱它们、保存它们，没有天父的许可，连一只麻雀都不会掉在地上。我们比许多麻雀贵重得多，所以天主一定更加爱我们、保护我们。耶稣甚至告诉我们，天父连我们的头发都数過了。我们要信赖天主、不要害怕。

在一项调查中，問青年人最怕甚么，他们说最怕是不能进入朋友的小圈子，或是被朋友和同辈所拒绝。从这個角度看，我相信不少青年人，为了取悦自己的同辈，他们会讲他们讲的粗口，做他们大家赞成的事，甚至是坏事。

作为基督徒，我们应是中流砥柱，要懂得说「不」；我们要懂得拒绝，要做地上盐、世界光；我们要能够做到屈原所说的「众人皆浊我独清，众人皆醉我独醒」：大家混浊，我们不妨是清洁的；大家醉倒，我们不妨是清醒的。我们必须用我们的言语、行为、生活，为基督、为信仰、为美满的人生、为生命的真理作见证。

耶稣说：「你们在人面前不要害怕，因为没有一件隐瞒的事将来不被揭露的，亦没有一件隐密的事将来不被人知道的。你们不要害怕那些杀害肉身而不能杀害灵魂的，但是要害怕能够将灵魂和肉身一同投入地狱中的那一位。」

我们不要害怕我们的同辈、朋友，我们不要害怕被同辈、朋友拒绝。我们应該害怕的，是天主的拒绝。

有些人在工作的時候与人同流合污，因为他们说，这是「人在江湖，身不由己」。其实我们是可以拒绝的。

有一位台湾教友商人，他经常在胸前掛一個十字架。据说不少台湾人谈生意的時候，习惯在类似色情场所的发廊中进行。但这位教友商人很清楚向其他商人说：「我是教友，我不会去那些地方；如果你跟我做生意，我们就只谈生意。」

起初有些人不接受他这种古板的谈生意方式，甚至不跟他做生意。但渐渐有些人发现这個人才是正直的，他有他自己做生意的方式，不需要贿赂、不需要做其他多余的事。最后证明他的方法是成功的，有更多正直的人跟他打交道。

孔子的弟子冉求向孔子说：「非不说（悦）子之道，力不足也。」意思是：「老师，我不是不喜欢你的道理，可惜我没有力量去做！」孔子提醒他说：「力不足者，中道而废；今汝画。」意思是说：「你说你力不足吗？好！那么你就要证明你的力是足或是不足。如果你真是力不足，你会做到一半才放弃，即所谓『中道而废』。但你现在一開始便说自己力不足了，这样，你就等於是画地为牢，为自己画一個圈，把自己囚禁起来。你在还没有尝试以前，就已经说自己踏不出这個圈了。你不要忘记，这個圈是你自己画的！所以你是在「画」，在画地自限；你只是不願意跨出这個圈罢了！

有時候我们的子女也是这样去「画」。当我们問他懂不懂時，他立刻便说「不懂」；問他可以不可以時，他立刻说「不可以」；問他願不願意時，他的第一句也总是「不願意」。总之，甚么也要加一個「不」字。

我们作父母的，要帮助我们的子女养成正确而良好的习惯，所以每当我们的子女说「不」的時候，我们要指正他，要他先想想懂不懂、能不能，才去回答，不要太快说「不」。

我们都倾向於「画」，因为我们害怕，害怕被别人拒绝、害怕失败。其实我们也是在害怕自己。

耶稣对我们说：「你们不要害怕，要努力为真理、为信仰作见证。凡是在人面前承认我的，我在天父面前也要承认他；谁在人面前不认我，我在天父面前也要否认他。」

当我们所有的同学、所有的同伴、所有的同事都认为生命没有意义的時候，我们要尝试说给人知、活给人看，生命可以有高贵的含义；生命绝可以活得光辉和灿烂。这就是为基督作见证、为生命作见证。

「你们不要害怕，你们比许多麻雀还要贵重呢！」

TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

No Need To Be Afraid

First Reading (Jer 20:10-13): The Lord has overpowered humankind
Second Reading (Rom 5:12-15): All died because of Adam's sin; but through Christ's grace all now live.
Gospel (Mt 10:26-33): Do not fear to acknowledge our Lord before human beings
Chinese Classics:
“When all the world in mud has sunk, Alone I am clean; When all the people are drunk, Sober I am seen.” (1)
Ran Qiu said, “It is not that I do not delight in your doctrine, but my strength is insufficient.” The master said, “Those whose strength is insufficient give up in the middle of the way, but now you limit yourself.” (2)

‘Have no fear of them!’ Jesus said, ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. Even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows!’ (Mt 10:26-33)

Sparrows are cheap. A small copper coin can buy two of them. However, our Father in heaven loves and protects them. Without the Father's knowledge, not even one of them falls to the ground. We are of more value than sparrows so God is bound to love us more and take better care of us. Jesus tells us that even the hairs of our head are counted. So we should put our trust in God and not be afraid.

In a survey, teenagers were asked what they feared most. They responded that they were most afraid of being excluded from their friends' circles or not being accepted by their friends or peer groups. In light of this, I believe that in order to please their peer groups not a few young people will choose to speak foul language and do whatever the group wants even to the point of doing evil.

As Christians, we should be pillars of strength and know how to say “no”. We should know how to refuse and serve as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We should be able to do what Qu Yuan said, “When all the world in mud has sunk, Alone I'm clean; When all the people are drunk, Sober I'm seen.”(1) When everyone is dirty, we should be clean. When everyone is drunk, we should be sober. We should bear witness to Christ, to our faith and to a full and truthful life with our words, actions and way of life.

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid before others. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, no secret that will not be made known. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of those who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

We should not be afraid of our peers or friends, nor fear being rejected by them. What we should be afraid of is to be rejected by God.

Some people are willing to be course and impolite when with their co-workers because they say, “when one is in the lake together, one is not one's own master.” But actually we can reject their suggestions.

There was once a Taiwanese merchant who often wore a cross on his chest. It is said it is not uncommon for Taiwanese businessmen to do business with their customers in the salons where sexual services are provided. However, this Catholic businessman clearly said to the others, “I am a Christian, I will not visit places like that. If you do business with me, business is all that we will discuss.”

At first some people could not accept such a strict style of doing business. Some of them even stopped doing business with him. However, people gradually found out that he was indeed an upright and just person. He had his own way of doing things, which did not need to involve bribery or any other unnecessary actions. In the end it was proved that his way was successful and more and more upright people were happy to deal with him.

Confucius' pupil, Ran Qiu, said to Confucius, “It is not that I do not delight in your doctrine, but my strength is insufficient.”(2) What he meant was, “Teacher, it is not that I do not like your teaching, I just do not have the strength to carry it out.” Confucius reminded him that “Those whose strength is insufficient give up in the middle of the way, but now you limit yourself.”(2) To paraphrase, Confucius was saying, “Did you say you did not have sufficient strength? Good! Then prove whether your strength is sufficient or insufficient. If your strength were really insufficient, you would give up halfway or “in the middle of the way”. But you said that you had insufficient strength right at the start. That is like drawing a circle on the ground and imprisoning yourself in it. You said that you could not step out of the circle without giving it a try. Do not forget! It was you who drew this circle. Therefore, it is you who “limit yourself.” It is you who do not want to step out of this circle.”

Sometimes, our children also “draw” this way. When we ask them if they understand, they immediately say “No”. When we ask whether or not they can do something, they will say “No” at once. When we ask them if they are willing to do something again their first reaction is “No”. In short, they only give negative responses.

As parents, we must help our children to establish the right kind of habits. So when they say “No”, we should correct them. We must convince them to first think whether or not they understand or can do something, before they a response and say “No” too quickly.

We all have this tendency to “draw”, because we are afraid. We are afraid to be rejected, we are afraid of failing. In fact, we are also afraid of ourselves.

Jesus says to us, “Do not be afraid, for you must testify to the truth and your faith. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

When none of our classmates, companions or co-workers think that life is meaningful we should try to tell them or show them by our lives that life can have dignity and meaning. Life can be lived in a bright and shining way. This is the way to witness to Christ and to life.

‘Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows!’

(1)眾人皆濁我獨清，眾人皆醉我獨醒。
(2)非不說子之道，力不足也。力不足者，中道而廢；今汝畫。