常年期第廿八主日

天國路難，逍遙可達

讀經一：(智7:7-11)：財富比起智慧來，分文不值
讀經二：(希4:12-13)：上主的話鑑別人的內心
福　音：(谷10:17-30)：富貴少年
中國文化： 我有明珠一顆，久被塵牢關鎖；一朝塵盡光生，照破山河萬朵。 行也布袋，坐也布袋；放下布袋，多少自在！ 知止而後有定，定而後能靜，靜而後能安，安而後能慮，慮而後能得。 上下而求索。

「老師，這些誡命我從小都遵守了。」耶穌定睛看他，就喜愛他，對他說：「你還有一件事沒有做：去，變賣你所有的財產，捐給窮人，你必有財寶存在天上，然後背著十字架來跟隨我！」那人聽了這話就面帶愁容，悶悶不樂地走了，因為他有很多財產。(谷10:20-22)

這個富少年的故事，也是你和我，甚至是我們每一個人的故事。

這個少年「跑」到耶穌面前，確是充滿著對人生「上下而求索」的衝勁；這是一個青春活潑、朝氣蓬勃、而富有活力的年輕人。他「跪」在耶穌面前，也顯出他是多麼熱切而虔誠地要探索人生，而且有決心向耶穌討教。

「我可作什麼？」他不是來聽道理，不是單單想作一個信徒；他是想改變自己、發展自己、完成自己，想扎扎實實地去生活和實踐：他要「作」一點什麼的！

因為他不滿足於他自己目前的生活，還未找到人生的真正安頓處。《大學》說：「知止而後有定，定而後能靜，靜而後能安，安而後能慮，慮而後能得。」這種境界他似乎仍未達到，也找不到門路。所以他來找耶穌。

對於真誠求道的人，耶穌從不使他失望。所以耶穌告訴他：追求美好的生活有一些基本的要求，就是「不可殺人，不可奸淫，不可偷盜，不可做假見證，要孝敬父母。」(谷10:19)

即是說，在追求更高超的生活之前，先要盡好最平凡的本分；在做基督的追隨者之前，先要做一個真真實實的人，要學會「一步一腳印」地走人生路。

少年人一聽耶穌的話，就充滿信心的回答說：「師傅，這一切我從小就都遵守了。」

他不是一個好奇的、膚淺的求道者；他是一個有心人，他有一個很積極而充實的過去，來證明他現在的誠意，他有一個豐盛的人生展現在他的眼前。所以聖經說：「耶穌定睛看他，就喜愛他。」

這是一個不可多得的青年人，這是社會的希望，也是教會的希望。用我們今天的話來說，他可算是現代庸俗世界中的「稀有動物」。

耶穌是從不讓慕道的人失望的，於是立刻給他一個邀請，邀請他去進一步發展自己的生命，在生活中奮發前進、更上一層樓，並邀請他做自己的門徒、做自己的入室弟子，和自己一起生活。

於是耶穌對他說：「你還缺少一樣」，這「一樣」是畫龍點睛中的「睛」；有了這個「睛」，這條龍就可以騰飛了。耶穌就是要給他點睛、讓他騰飛，使他能逍遙地生活和遨遊在天地之間。

我們都是龍，我們都擁有天主所創造和所賦與的、最好的天賦和條件。我想起了一首小詩：

我有明珠一顆，久被塵牢關鎖；

一朝塵盡光生，照破山河萬朵。

是的，我們都是龍，只是缺少了眼睛；我們都是明珠，不過是蒙了塵而已。耶穌可以幫助我們、聖化我們，使我們騰飛、讓我們發光。條件是要我們活在他內、和他在一起、追隨他。

盧德對她婆母的話，也應是我們對耶穌的話：「你到哪裡去，我也到那裡去；你住在哪裡，我也住在那裡；你的民族，就是我的民族；你的天主，就是我的天主；你死在哪裡，我也死在那裡、埋在那裡。」(盧1:16-17)

追隨耶穌是絕對的，它要求我們拋棄一切、死生相隨，和他形影不離。這是耶穌對富少年和對我們每一個人的邀請。

我們有時會以為拋棄是一種消極的行為，是一種損失；富少年大摡也是這樣想。所以他不願拋棄，他有很多財產，他終於「悶悶不樂地走了」。

他不知道，拋棄是為了全心的追隨；拋棄是為了在耶穌內完全的發展自己；拋棄是為了獲得；拋棄是為了放下包袱，輕輕鬆鬆的走人生路。布袋和尚有一首詩，道盡了拋棄的逍遙：「行也布袋，坐也布袋；放下布袋，多少自在！」

我們在耶穌內絕不吃虧，也絕無損失。相反地，我們在耶穌內獲得了一切：我們更逍遙地生活，我們更肯定地可以在他內，獲得他給我們預備了的天國。

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常年期第廿八主日

天国路难，逍遥可达

读经一：(智7:7-11)：财富比起智慧来，分文不值
读经二：(希4:12-13)：上主的话鉴别人的内心
福　音：(谷10:17-30)：富贵少年
中国文化： 我有明珠一颗，久被尘牢关锁；一朝尘尽光生，照破山河万朵。行也布袋，坐也布袋；放下布袋，多少自在！ 知止而后有定，定而后能静，静而后能安，安而后能虑，虑而后能得。 上下而求索。

「老师，这些诫命我从小都遵守了。」耶稣定睛看他，就喜爱他，对他说：「你还有一件事没有做：去，变卖你所有的财產，捐给穷人，你必有财宝存在天上，然后背著十字架来跟随我！」那人听了这话就面带愁容，闷闷不乐地走了，因为他有很多财產。(谷10:20-22)

这個富少年的故事，也是你和我，甚至是我们每一個人的故事。

这個少年「跑」到耶稣面前，确是充满著对人生「上下而求索」的冲勁；这是一個青春活泼、朝气蓬勃、而富有活力的年轻人。他「跪」在耶稣面前，也显出他是多么热切而虔诚地要探索人生，而且有决心向耶稣讨教。

「我可作什么？」他不是来听道理，不是单单想作一個信徒；他是想改变自己、发展自己、完成自己，想扎扎实实地去生活和实踐：他要「作」一点什么的！

因为他不满足於他自己目前的生活，还未找到人生的真正安顿处。《大学》 说：「知止而后有定，定而后能静，静而后能安，安而后能虑，虑而后能得。」这种境界他似乎仍未达到，也找不到门路。所以他来找耶稣。

对於真诚求道的人，耶稣从不使他失望。所以耶稣告诉他：追求美好的生活有一些基本的要求，就是「不可杀人，不可奸淫，不可偷盗，不可做假见证，要孝敬父母。」(谷10:19)

即是说，在追求更高超的生活之前，先要尽好最平凡的本分；在做基督的追随者之前，先要做一個真真实实的人，要学会「一步一脚印」地走人生路。

少年人一听耶稣的话，就充满信心的回答说：「师傅，这一切我从小就都遵守了。」

他不是一個好奇的、肤浅的求道者；他是一個有心人，他有一個很积极而充实的過去，来证明他现在的诚意，他有一個丰盛的人生展现在他的眼前。所以圣经说：「耶稣定睛看他，就喜爱他。」

这是一個不可多得的青年人，这是社会的希望，也是教会的希望。用我们今天的话来说，他可算是现代庸俗世界中的「稀有动物」。

耶稣是从不让慕道的人失望的，於是立刻给他一個邀请，邀请他去进一步发展自己的生命，在生活中奋发前进、更上一层楼，并邀请他做自己的门徒、做自己的入室弟子，和自己一起生活。

於是耶稣对他说：「你还缺少一样」，这「一样」是画龙点睛中的「睛」；有了这個「睛」，这条龙就可以腾飞了。耶稣就是要给他点睛、让他腾飞，使他能逍遥地生活和遨游在天地之间。

我们都是龙，我们都拥有天主所创造和所赋与的、最好的天赋和条件。我想起了一首小诗：

我有明珠一颗，久被尘牢关锁；

一朝尘尽光生，照破山河万朵。

是的，我们都是龙，只是缺少了眼睛；我们都是明珠，不過是蒙了尘而已。耶稣可以帮助我们、圣化我们，使我们腾飞、让我们发光。条件是要我们活在他内、和他在一起、追随他。

卢德对她婆母的话，也应是我们对耶稣的话：「你到哪里去，我也到那里去；你住在哪里，我也住在那里；你的民族，就是我的民族；你的天主，就是我的天主；你死在哪里，我也死在那里、埋在那里。」(卢1:16-17)

追随耶稣是绝对的，它要求我们抛弃一切、死生相随，和他形影不離。这是耶稣对富少年和对我们每一個人的邀请。

我们有時会以为抛弃是一种消极的行为，是一种损失；富少年大摡也是这样想。所以他不願抛弃，他有很多财產，他终於「闷闷不乐地走了」。

他不知道，抛弃是为了全心的追随；抛弃是为了在耶稣内完全的发展自己；抛弃是为了获得；抛弃是为了放下包袱，轻轻松松的走人生路。布袋和尚有一首诗，道尽了抛弃的逍遥：「行也布袋，坐也布袋；放下布袋，多少自在！」

我们在耶稣内绝不吃亏，也绝无损失。相反地，我们在耶稣内获得了一切：我们更逍遥地生活，我们更肯定地可以在他内，获得他给我们预备了的天国。

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Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Road to Heaven is Difficult, but Though Remote, We Can Reach It

First Reading (Wis 7:7-11): Riches are nothing compared to wisdom
Second Reading (Heb 4:12-13): The Word of God judges the thoughts of our hearts
Gospel (Mk 10:17-30): The rich young man
Chinese classics:
-“I have a pearl, long lock up in dust, one day the dust was gone and it sparkled ,illuminating the whole universe.” (1)
-“Walk with a sack, sit with a sack, put down the sack. How carefree I feel!”(2)
-“The point where to rest being known, the object of pursuit is then determined, and that being determined a calm unperturbedness may be attained. To that calmness there will succeed tranquil repose. In that repose there may be careful deliberation and that deliberation will be followed by the attainment of the desired end.”(3)
-“Searching high and low for truth.” (4)

'Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” (Mk 10:20-22)

The story of the rich young man might well be the story of you and me, of each one of us. This young man ‘ran up’ to Jesus. He was full of an impulse to “search high and low for truth.”(4) He was a young person, full of life and energy. He ‘knelt’ before Jesus, eager and sincere in his quest for the meaning of life, determined to learn more from Jesus.

”What must I do?” He didn't come just to hear Jesus' preaching, nor to be merely a believer. He wanted to change himself, develop and fulfill himself, commit his life and practice his beliefs. He wanted to ‘do’ something! It was because he was not satisfied with his present state that he had not yet found peace in life. Confucius says in “The Great Learning,” The point where to rest being known, the object of pursuit is then determined, and that being determined, a calm unperturbedness may be attained. To that calmness there will succeed a tranquil repose. In that repose there may be careful deliberation, and that deliberation will be followed by the attainment of the desired end. (3) It seems that the young man had not yet reached that state, nor could he find a doorway to achievement. That was why he came to Jesus.

Jesus never disappointed those who seek the Way sincerely. So Jesus told him the basic prerequisites for pursuing a better life: “You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness, you shall not defraud. Honor your father and mother.” (Mk 10:19) That is to say, before one can pursue a higher life, one must first fulfill one's basic responsibilities. Before one can become a follower of Christ, one must be a person of integrity, learning to take ‘one step at a time’ on life's journey. The young man listened to what Jesus had said and replied confidently, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”

He was not just a curious, superficial seeker. He was a keen enthusiast who had lived a virtuous life in the past. That was a proof of his sincerity. He also had a full, abundant life before him. Therefore the Bible says that “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.”

This was an extraordinary young man, the hope of society and the church. In the language of today we might say he was truly a very rare person.

Jesus never disappoints those who desire to search for the truth, so he immediately invited the rich young man to develop his life further, to step forward and progress further in life. He also invited him to be his disciple, his follower, even to live together with him.

Therefore, Jesus said to him, “You are lacking in one thing.” That “one thing” would be the ‘eyes’ of the dragon, as in the common Chinese saying, “put in the eyes of the dragon”.(in the Chinese dragon dance it is believed that with a critical brush of the eyes, the dragon is able to fly). Jesus wanted to give the rich young man the ability to fly high, so that he could live freely, roaming freely between heaven and earth.

We ourselves are spiritual dragons. We all possess the choicest gifts and talents from God, our Creator. I remember this little poem –
“I have a bright pearl, long locked up in dust, one day the dust was gone and it sparkled, illuminating the whole universe.”(1) Yes, we are all spiritual dragons, but we miss the eyes; we are all pearls, but we are covered with dirt. Jesus can help us, sanctify us, enable us to fly high and shine. The only condition is that we live in him, be with him, and follow him.

What Ruth said to her mother-in-law is what we should say to Jesus: “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! Where you go I will go; where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, there will I be buried.”(Ruth 1: 16-17)

To follow Jesus is an absolute. It demands that we abandon everything to follow him until death, as a shadow never leaves a body. This was what Jesus invited the rich young man to do, and us also. Sometimes we may think that abandoning everything is a negative action, a loss. The rich young man must have thought that. He had many possessions and did not want to abandon them “and he went away grieving.”, .

What the rich young man did not know was that we abandon something in order to follow another wholeheartedly; we abandon so that we can develop ourselves fully in Jesus; we abandon in order to gain all. We abandon so that we can let go of our burdens and freely and in a relaxed manner continue our life journey. The poem, “Monk with a Sack,” describes vividly the joy of being carefree: “Walk with a sack, Sit with a sack; Put down the sack, How carefree I feel!(2)

If we remain in and with Jesus we will never suffer or lose out. On the contrary, in Jesus we acquire everything. We live more freely. We are certain that we have acquired everything, and that we will acquire the Kingdom of Heaven which Jesus has prepared for us.

(1)我有明珠一顆，久被塵牢關鎖；一朝塵盡光生，照破山河萬朵。
(2)行也布袋，坐也布袋；放下布袋，多少自在！ 知止而後有定，定而後能靜，靜而後能安，安而後能慮，慮而後能得。
(3)上下而求索。