2022(丙):常年期第廿六主日:與窮人分享是必要的,而非一個選項

福音:路 16:19-31

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

從上主日的福音開始,我們看到耶穌開始了某種基於天主經濟學的一些財務顧問服務。祂建議我們如何有效運用財富。上周,祂建議我們,要用不誠信的財富去建立關係,結束反思時,我們說:“我們應當事奉天主,並要掌管金錢。”今天,祂給我們天主經濟學的另一原則,為天國而言,獨享財富,就是負債。本主日我們討論的富翁和拉匝祿的比喻,就是在討論有關天主在世界性財富分配上的審斷。

在別的比喻中,耶穌並沒有給人物取名。但是,這個比喻中,窮人有了一個名號:拉匝祿。在這個世界上,誰還有名字呢?報紙的首頁是留給誰的呢?是留給富有的人,留給那些成功人士!為耶穌而言,這顯然是相反的。為祂而言,富有的人,可以是任何人,窮人,卻有一個極富有表現力的名字。他的名字是拉匝祿,意思是:天主的助佑。

那位富人,不知何故,當受譴責。他沒有做過任何惡事:沒有人控告他搶劫,也沒有人控告他不支付稅金,虐待自己的僕人,或褻瀆了天主。也許是:他對處於急需的人,漠不關心,對窮人,沒有提供幫助,所以,他所犯下的是一項嚴重不作為的罪。但是,這看上去,未必是真的:拉匝祿坐在他的門口,並沒有到別的地方去。這意味著,他曾得到過一些碎屑。這意味著,他所處的狀況是非人道的。他不得不以食客用自己的手指清潔盤子的碎屑充饑。

那個富人,怎樣呢?他過著狂歡的生活,穿著時髦,儘管他時常花費自己的錢財。因此,按照當下的思考和判斷,他的行為,在道德上,無可指摘。我們也沒有證據表明:拉匝祿是個好人。在這則故事中,沒有其它證據證明的,拉匝祿是位義人,如同約伯一樣受苦。

從這些細小的細節,我們明白: 這則比喻,不是對富人和窮人行為的道德,進行選擇。這並不意味著:誰的表現得體,就能升到天堂,誰作惡,就要下到地獄 —— 顯然 —— 富人沒有犯罪,拉匝祿,也沒有做過善事。

為許多人來說,從富人中間分辨善惡,似乎符合邏輯和本性的。維繫這個觀點的,是世界的不平等,將持續存在,那些超級富豪,只要他們不偷盜,不用施捨,就能與可憐人同住。

耶穌認為:這樣的想法是危險的。祂想要推翻這種想法。在祂所講的比喻中:富人當受譴責,並不是因為他是壞人,而只是因為他原是富有的,他把自己鎖在自己的世界中, 不接受分享美物的邏輯。

關於這則比喻,聖盎博羅削評論說:“你給窮人施捨某物時,你並不是把你所擁有的施捨給他,你是把他所擁有的還給他,因為世界和世上的一切,屬於全體百姓,而非富人所擁有。”

比喻的最後部分(參看:27-31節)把關注的焦點移到了繼續在此世上生活的,那富人的五個兄弟。他們因錯用他們擁有的資財,正經受著自我毀滅的風險。他們代表的,是基督徒團體中那些受到誘惑,傾心于財富的門徒。他們怎樣才能使自己擺脫那不可抗拒的誘惑呢?這位富人,有自己的建議。他兩度堅持,因為他認為:實現目標的方法,只有一個:就是促使他的五個兄弟皈依,使他們悔改。他懇求慈父亞巴郎,透過一個神視,或從陰間,透過夢境傳遞一條資訊,神妙地向他們傳遞這則訊息。

亞巴郎對神跡的說服能力的回應是堅定的,明確的:唯有天主的話,才能迫使富人擺脫自己財富對其心的束縛。在耶穌時代,“梅瑟和先知”是顯明全部聖經的格式。唯有天主聖言,才能顯一奇跡,使富人進入天堂本境。是的,因為這稱得上是一奇跡,好似駱駝穿過針眼一樣,困難重重的奇跡。(路18:25)。誰若使自己不受天主的話所觸動,定會堅持抵抗,使自己不受任何爭端的影響。

借用Fr. Fernando Armellini SCJ的文段進行分析

©全屬於禰(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(聖母聖心愛子會)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙)常年期第廿六主日:与穷人分享是必要的,而非一个选项

福音:路 16:19-31

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

从上主日的福音开始,我们看到耶稣开始了某种基于天主经济学的一些财务顾问服务。祂建议我们如何有效运用财富。上周,祂建议我们,要用不诚信的财富去建立关系,结束反思时,我们说:“我们应当事奉天主,并要掌管金钱。”今天,祂给我们天主经济学的另一原则,为天国而言,独享财富,就是负债。本主日我们讨论的富翁和拉匝禄的比喻,就是在讨论有关天主在世界性财富分配上的审断。

在别的比喻中,耶稣并没有给人物取名。但是,这个比喻中,穷人有了一个名号:拉匝禄。在这个世界上,谁还有名字呢?报纸的首页是留给谁的呢?是留给富有的人,留给那些成功人士!为耶稣而言,这显然是相反的。为祂而言,富有的人,可以是任何人,穷人,却有一个极富有表现力的名字。他的名字是拉匝禄,意思是:天主的助佑。

那位富人,不知何故,当受谴责。他没有做过任何恶事:没有人控告他抢劫,也没有人控告他不支付税金,虐待自己的仆人,或亵渎了天主。也许是:他对处于急需的人,漠不关心,对穷人,没有提供帮助,所以,他所犯下的是一项严重不作为的罪。但是,这看上去,未必是真的:拉匝禄坐在他的门口,并没有到别的地方去。这意味着,他曾得到过一些碎屑。这意味着,他所处的状况是非人道的。他不得不以食客用自己的手指清洁盘子的碎屑充饥。

那个富人,怎样呢?他过着狂欢的生活,穿着时髦,尽管他时常花费自己的钱财。因此,按照当下的思考和判断,他的行为,在道德上,无可指摘。我们也没有证据表明:拉匝禄是个好人。在这则故事中,没有其它证据证明的,拉匝禄是位义人,如同约伯一样受苦。

从这些细小的细节,我们明白: 这则比喻,不是对富人和穷人行为的道德,进行选择。这并不意味着:谁的表现得体,就能升到天堂,谁作恶,就要下到地狱 —— 显然 —— 富人没有犯罪,拉匝禄,也没有做过善事。

为许多人来说,从富人中间分辨善恶,似乎符合逻辑和本性的。维系这个观点的,是世界的不平等,将持续存在,那些超级富豪,只要他们不偷盗,不用施舍,就能与可怜人同住。

耶稣认为:这样的想法是危险的。祂想要推翻这种想法。在祂所讲的比喻中:富人当受谴责,并不是因为他是坏人,而只是因为他原是富有的,他把自己锁在自己的世界中, 不接受分享美物的逻辑。

关于这则比喻,圣盎博罗削评论说:“你给穷人施舍某物时,你并不是把你所拥有的施舍给他,你是把他所拥有的还给他,因为世界和世上的一切,属于全体百姓,而非富人所拥有。”

比喻的最后部分(参看:27-31节)把关注的焦点移到了继续在此世上生活的,那富人的五个兄弟。他们因错用他们拥有的资财,正经受着自我毁灭的风险。他们代表的,是基督徒团体中那些受到诱惑,倾心于财富的门徒。他们怎样才能使自己摆脱那不可抗拒的诱惑呢?这位富人,有自己的建议。他两度坚持,因为他认为:实现目标的方法,只有一个:就是促使他的五个兄弟皈依,使他们悔改。他恳求慈父亚巴郎,透过一个神视,或从阴间,透过梦境传递一条信息,神妙地向他们传递这则讯息。

亚巴郎对神迹的说服能力的回应是坚定的,明确的:唯有天主的话,才能迫使富人摆脱自己财富对其心的束缚。在耶稣时代,“梅瑟和先知”是显明全部圣经的格式。唯有天主圣言,才能显一奇迹,使富人进入天堂本境。是的,因为这称得上是一奇迹,好似骆驼穿过针眼一样,困难重重的奇迹。(路18:25)。谁若使自己不受天主的话所触动,定会坚持抵抗,使自己不受任何争端的影响。

借用Fr. Fernando Armellini SCJ的文段进行分析

©全属于祢(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(圣母圣心爱子会)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

Homily for 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C in 2022

SHARING WITH THE POOR IS A NECESSITY, NOT AN OPTION
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31


Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries


From last Sunday’s gospel onwards, we are seeing Jesus kind of begins a financial consultancy based on divine economics. He advises us how to make use of wealth. Last week, he advised to use dishonest wealth to build relationships and we concluded our reflection saying, “We should serve God and master money.” Today, he gives another principle of divine economics, unshared wealth is a liability for the Kingdom of God. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus that we discuss this Sunday is about the judgment of God on the distribution of wealth in the world.


In no other parable did Jesus assign names to characters. But here, the poor has a name: Lazarus. In this world, who has a name? To whom are the first pages of the newspapers dedicated to? To the rich, to those who have success! For Jesus, the contrary is true. For him, the rich is anyone while the poor has a very expressive name; he is called Lazarus, which means the Lord helps.


The rich man, though condemned, does not know the reason why. He has not done anything evil: it does not say that he robbed, didn’t pay taxes, ill-treated his servants, or blasphemed. Perhaps he is insensible to the needs of others, not helping the poor, and so he committed a grave sin of omission. But this does not seem true: Lazarus was at his door and did not go somewhere else. It means that he was getting a few crumbs. The condition in which he was left was inhuman. He had to content himself with the crumbs with which the diners cleaned their fingers.


And the rich man? He lived his life revelling, dressing in the latest fashion, although always spending of his own. So according to the current thinking and judging, he had an impeccable moral behavior. We also have no proof to say that Lazarus was a good man. There is nothing in the story to prove that Lazarus was a just man suffering like Job.


From these little details we understand that the parable is not giving an opinion on the moral behavior of the rich and the poor. It does not mean that whoever behaves well goes to heaven and who does evil goes to hell, because—it is clear—the rich did not commit sins and Lazarus didn’t do good works.


For many, it seems logical and natural to distinguish between good rich people and evil rich ones. The conviction thus maintained is that inequalities will continue to exist in this world and that the super rich can live next to the miserable, provided they do not steal and they give alms.


Jesus considers this way of thinking dangerous. And this is the conviction that he wants to demolish. In the parable he speaks of a rich man who was condemned not because he was bad, but simply because he was rich, that is, he locked himself in his world and did not accept the logic of the sharing of goods. Commenting on this parable, St. Ambrose said: “When you give something to the poor, you don’t offer him what is yours, you give back what is his, because the earth and the goods of this world are of all people, not of the rich.”


The last part of the parable (vv. 27-31) shifts the focus on the five brothers of the rich who continue to live in this world. They run the risk of ruining themselves by misusing the assets they have. They represent the disciples of the Christian communities who are tempted to attach their heart to wealth. How can they be diverted from the seduction it irresistibly exerts? The rich man has his own proposal. He repeats it insistently twice because he thinks it’s the only way to achieve the goal: to cause the conversion of his five brothers, to bring them to repentance. He pleads father Abraham to convey miraculously through a vision or a dream a message from beyond the grave.


Abraham’s response to this trust in the persuasive ability of miracles is firm and clear: the only force capable of detaching the heart of the rich from his goods is God’s word. “Moses and the prophets” was the formula with which, in Jesus’ time, showed all the Sacred Scripture. Only this Word can do the miracle to let the rich in the realms of heaven. Yes, because it really calls for a miracle, a difficult miracle like letting a camel pass through the eye of a needle (Lk 18:25). Whoever does not let oneself be struck by the word of God is certainly resistant and not suggestible to any other argument.


The textual analysis borrowed from Fr. Fernando Armellini SCJ

© Claretian Missionaries
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙) 常年期第廿五主日:只是管理,而非擁有

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Publications Macau

福音講述的:是一不忠信管家的故事。一個管家,在大地主面前被控告有瀆職行為。主人召他,給他講他聽到的事。事實如此清晰。因此,他並沒有試著替自己辯解,或輕聲解釋。他立即被解職了。他開始反思。他只知如何管理,他既不能鋤地,也不能自謙去乞求施捨。在他離職之前,他必須整理帳目;許多債務人仍然需要交付產品。我知道我必須去做。他呼喊說。

他叫全體債務人來,減少了他們的債務。未來,那些受益的債務人必定不會忘記這份慷慨,他們定會覺得自己有義務在自己的家中招待他。

故事的結尾,主人和耶穌都讚揚了那位管家。他的行為是狡猾的。他是可以被效仿的!我們所期待的,是一個不同的結局。耶穌應當對祂的門徒說:“不要如同這個惡棍一樣行事;要誠實。”相反,祂認同他所做的。困難的地方在於:一個不忠信的人,如何才能成為一個典範?

如果用另一種方法解讀這則比喻,困難就不存在。我們想像:貨主再一次受到欺騙(2250公升的油和110公斤穀物不是一筆小數目)。他有可能會被激怒。假如他表揚此前的管理人員,就意味著,在整個過程中,他一點損失都沒有。我們不得不假定,管理人員必須交付一個特定數量的貨物給貨主;不論他們能獲得多少額外,進到他們口袋的收入,這數目定是高額的。這是出版商收取稅金時,他們使自己致富的技術手段。

這則比喻中的管理人員做了什麼?他不像那些放高利貸的人那樣對待他的債務人,他留給他們自己期望他們獲得的收益。管理人員原是精明的 ——主說 —— 因為他知道自己應該賭什麼:不是在賭貨物,或有權取得的,不能被蟲蛀,或被偷盜的的產品,而是在賭友情。他知道如何退而求其次。這才是重點。

“用骯髒的錢,為自己結交朋友,好使當你失意的時候,那些人能接納你進入永久的家園”(參看:路16:9)這是今天福音段落中最重要的一句話。這句話整合了全部比喻的教導。我們注意到,不同尋常的是,耶穌有關骯髒錢財物的講論。如此看來,錢財好似是骯髒的。在主張人人平等的經濟學中,如果一人的錢財超過一人公允的份額,這錢財就是骯髒的。請記住:在天主的經濟學中,做工一小時所賺得的酬報,同做工八小時賺得的酬報是相同的。

耶穌想要我們理解的,只是要我們敏于利用世上的商品,把它們用作幫助他人,與他們交朋友。那些人就會是接納我們進入生命的人。

在人類經濟學中,金錢所能購買的事物,其事物本身的價值,是成比例的。在天主的經濟學中,金錢所能購買的友情,遠超友情本身的價值,儘管這好似把金錢浪費在無利可圖的事上。當祂講論金錢的時候,耶穌宣導運用金錢的兩種方法:一種精明的方法和賢明的方法。精明的方法,就如同比喻中的管理人員,即祂期待我們不斷成長的基層基督信徒。但是,完美的用法就是:施捨給他人,不求他人還報。耶穌曾敘述過一個富有的愚人把金錢用在他個人的消遣上。向那不能還報我們的人施捨,就是按照天主的方法,運用世上的資源。要記住:耶穌教導我們,要為那些不能還報我們的人舉行聚會。我們要逐漸成長,成為我們世上資源的賢明投客。

耶穌以申明:“一個僕人,不能事奉兩個主人 …… 天主或錢財。”結束了祂的教導。我們想要取悅雙方:但是,只有一人可以事奉。藉支配你所擁有的財富,事奉天主。事奉天主,管理他人。

感謝 Fernando Armellini SCJ 神父 為本文進行的分析

©全屬於禰(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(聖母聖心愛子會)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙) 常年期第廿五主日:只是管理,而非拥有

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Publications Macau

福音讲述的:是一不忠信管家的故事。一个管家,在大地主面前被控告有渎职行为。主人召他,给他讲他听到的事。事实如此清晰。因此,他并没有试着替自己辩解,或轻声解释。他立即被解职了。他开始反思。他只知如何管理,他既不能锄地,也不能自谦去乞求施舍。在他离职之前,他必须整理账目;许多债务人仍然需要交付产品。我知道我必须去做。他呼喊说。

他叫全体债务人来,减少了他们的债务。未来,那些受益的债务人必定不会忘记这份慷慨,他们定会觉得自己有义务在自己的家中招待他。

故事的结尾,主人和耶稣都讚扬了那位管家。他的行为是狡猾的。他是可以被效仿的!我们所期待的,是一个不同的结局。耶稣应当对祂的门徒说:“不要如同这个恶棍一样行事;要诚实。”相反,祂认同他所做的。困难的地方在于:一个不忠信的人,如何才能成为一个典范?

如果用另一种方法解读这则比喻,困难就不存在。我们想象:货主再一次受到欺骗(2250公升的油和110公斤谷物不是一笔小数目)。他有可能会被激怒。假如他表扬此前的管理人员,就意味着,在整个过程中,他一点损失都没有。我们不得不假定,管理人员必须交付一个特定数量的货物给货主;不论他们能获得多少额外,进到他们口袋的收入,这数目定是高额的。这是出版商收取税金时,他们使自己致富的技术手段。

这则比喻中的管理人员做了什么?他不像那些放高利贷的人那样对待他的债务人,他留给他们自己期望他们获得的收益。管理人员原是精明的 ——主说 —— 因为他知道自己应该赌什么:不是在赌货物,或有权取得的,不能被虫蛀,或被偷盗的的产品,而是在赌友情。他知道如何退而求其次。这才是重点。

“用肮脏的钱,为自己结交朋友,好使当你失意的时候,那些人能接纳你进入永久的家园”(参看:路16:9)这是今天福音段落中最重要的一句话。这句话整合了全部比喻的教导。我们注意到,不同寻常的是,耶稣有关肮脏钱财物的讲论。如此看来,钱财好似是肮脏的。在主张人人平等的经济学中,如果一人的钱财超过一人公允的份额,这钱财就是肮脏的。请记住:在天主的经济学中,做工一小时所赚得的酬报,同做工八小时赚得的酬报是相同的。

耶稣想要我们理解的,只是要我们敏于利用世上的商品,把它们用作帮助他人,与他们交朋友。那些人就会是接纳我们进入生命的人。

在人类经济学中,金钱所能购买的事物,其事物本身的价值,是成比例的。在天主的经济学中,金钱所能购买的友情,远超友情本身的价值,尽管这好似把金钱浪费在无利可图的事上。当祂讲论金钱的时候,耶稣倡导运用金钱的两种方法:一种精明的方法和贤明的方法。精明的方法,就如同比喻中的管理人员,即祂期待我们不断成长的基层基督信徒。但是,完美的用法就是:施舍给他人,不求他人还报。耶稣曾叙述过一个富有的愚人把金钱用在他个人的消遣上。向那不能还报我们的人施舍,就是按照天主的方法,运用世上的资源。要记住:耶稣教导我们,要为那些不能还报我们的人举行聚会。我们要逐渐成长,成为我们世上资源的贤明投客。

耶稣以申明:“一个仆人,不能事奉两个主人 …… 天主或钱财。”结束了祂的教导。我们想要取悦双方:但是,只有一人可以事奉。藉支配你所拥有的财富,事奉天主。事奉天主,管理他人。

感谢 Fernando Armellini SCJ 神父 为本文进行的分析

©全属于祢(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(圣母圣心爱子会)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

Homily for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Administrators Only, Not Owners
Gospel: Luke 16:1-13


Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Publications Macau


The gospel presents the story of a dishonest steward. A steward is accused of malpractices before the big landowner. The master has him called and tells him what he heard about him. The facts are so clear. So he does not try to justify himself or mutter an explanation. He was immediately fired. He starts to reflect. He knows only how to supervise; he is neither able to hoe nor to humble himself to beg for alms. Before leaving the job he must put the accounts in order; many debtors have still to deliver the products. I know what I must do, he exclaims.
He calls all the debtors and reduces their debts. In the future, these benefitted debtors will certainly not forget such generosity and they will feel obliged to offer him hospitality in their houses.
The story concludes with the master, as well as Jesus, praising the administrator. He acted with cunning. He’ll be imitated! We are expecting a different conclusion. Jesus should have said to his disciples: “Do not act like this villain; be honest!” Instead, he approves of what he did. The difficulty lies here: how could a dishonest person be offered as a model?
This difficulty does not exist if the parable is interpreted in a different way. We imagine that the owner was cheated again (2,250 liters of oil and 110 quintals of grain are not small stuff). He would have been outraged. If he praises his former administrator it means, in this process, he has not lost anything. We have to presume that the administrators must deliver a certain amount to their owner; whatever extra they could get goes into their pockets and the figures could be higher. It was the technique used by the publicans to enrich themselves when they collected taxes.

What did the administrator of the parable do? Instead of behaving like a loan shark with the debtors, he left them the profit he expected to have. The administrator was shrewd—says the Lord—because he understood on which to bet on: not on goods, products that he was entitled to, that could rot or be stolen, but on friends. He knew how to renounce the first in order to conquer for himself the second. This is the point.
“Use filthy money to make friends for yourselves so that when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes” (v. 9). This is the most important saying of today’s passage. It synthesizes the whole teaching of the parable. It is curious to note the remark of Jesus on filthy money. There seems to have something filthy with money. In an economy where everyone is supposed to be equal, if one person has more money than one’s fair share, it is filthy; it has been cheated out of someone! Remember in divine economics, the one who works one hour and eight hours earn the same reward.
What Jesus would like us to understand is that the only a shrewd way of using the goods of this world is to use them to help others, to make them friends. They will be the ones to welcome us in life.
In human economics, money buys things exactly proportionate to its value. In divine economics money buys relationship that more than its value though often it appears wasting money on unprofitable pursuits. While he speaks about money, Jesus advocates two ways of using the money, the shrewd way and the wise way. Shrewd way is that of the administrator in this parable which is the minimum Christian growth expected of us. But, the perfect use of it is to give to others without expecting anything in return. Jesus narrates the story of the rich fool who used all his money for his personal pleasures. Giving to people who cannot return us anything is the divine way of using worldly resources. Remember, Jesus teaches us to throw parties to poor people who cannot give us anything in return. We need to grow into wise invesors of our worldly resources.
Jesus concludes his teaching by affirming that no servant can serve two masters… God or money. We would like to please both: But it’s just one you can serve. Serve God by mastering how to use your riches. Serve God and master the other!

Indebted to Fr. Fernando Armellini SCJ for textual analysis

© Claretian Missionaries
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙)常年期第廿四主日:物超所值(繁体版)

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

耶穌討論三個比喻:1)失去金錢的比喻 2) 亡羊的比喻 以及 3)喪亡之子與天主的慈悲之心建立關係的比喻。講這三個比喻的原因,始於法利塞人(Pharisees)和撒杜塞人(Sadducees)在罪人和稅吏坐席時的嘲笑,以及他們反對同他們一起吃飯的師傅。他們把罪人和稅吏判定為不相稱於天主的人。耶穌將要講論的這三個比喻,有不同的階層。錢是死的,羊是活的,兒子比金銀,比女人更接近父親,或者說:羊更親近牧者。我們如果理解了這個進程,就能更好窺看這三個比喻,但要把這三個比喻放在一起窺看。

一枚硬幣,如果是辛苦掙來的,就比購買的物品,更有價值。十美元的利息,比體力勞動掙來的收入更為便宜。金錢的價值,並非按照所能購買的價值來計算,而是按照花費之後餘下的存款而計算的。在這裡,有一個婦人正在找一枚硬幣,因為她掙錢比男人困難得多。她比男人對自己所掙的一切,更有感情。

在第二種情形,一位牧者正尋找自己的羊,他與這羊建立了感情。他的理由是:擱置和其它九十九隻羊丟失的風險。在這裡,數字根本算不上什麼。統計官員每年統計死者的數目,決不會感受到失去自己兒女的家庭的痛苦。無形資產,無法基於財經或數值來衡量。

第三個,關於蕩子回頭的比喻,表明:失去尊嚴,重新得到時的喜樂程度。一個丟失一百隻中其中一隻羊的牧人,與一個丟失兩個兒子中的一個的父親的競爭!這競爭的強度是雙倍的。耶穌解釋了:天主是與祂兒女,或聖人,或罪人的情感連接。

這是法利塞人所認為的:以超然的情感,如同事務的數量一樣,觀看父親和他子女之間的關係。只有一個超然的精神分裂者,才能區分兒女的好與壞,並把壞孩子拋下。當然,判斷別人的兒子很容易,當要來評斷自己的孩子時,客觀性就不合適了。法利塞人腦中想像的是:天主是屬於義人的,罪人並不屬於天主。當把天主被描繪成慈父時,就徹底崩壞法利塞人宗教觀中最基本的前提。

人們時常基於自己本身的喜好來評斷別人。關於這個原則的一個最近例子,是我從一部電影中聽到的,我忘記了片名。一個丈夫,他的妻子正決定同他離婚,他指控自己的妻子與別的男人發生關係。這個婦人很長一段時間,受這個偏執狂一樣丈夫的苦。於是,有些人安慰這個丈夫:“你掛慮她對你的忠誠,是因為你對她不忠。”這話正對。這男人不善長忠誠,卻全神貫注她的忠信。

法利塞人和撒杜塞人與稅吏有“不友好的”的關係,認為他們是壞人,不配得到尊重。那麼,他們的考慮是什麼?他們掛慮兩件事:1)受歡迎。2)無罪。他們所擔心的是:追隨耶穌之人的數量,他們試圖去評斷耶穌 —— 他正從罪人和叛徒廉價收穫美名。耶穌給法利塞人和撒扗塞人的判官取名偽善的人。法利塞人並不認為自己有罪,不是因為他們是聖的,而是因為他們足夠精明,犯了決不會被發現的錯誤。

我們判斷他人的標準是什麼?首先,我們總不可判斷。我們可以延伸的是:用一種神性的視角來觀看在我們四周的人。天主審判,是按照愛德的法律來進行,因為天主是愛。因此,罪人和犯錯誤的人,更需要留意 ,比義人更需要照顧。耶穌在找無罪的人,並非取消無罪的人與罪人之間建立關係的資格。祂知道:祂的聖父把聖人和罪人,都看作自己的兒子。

我們一直在評判別人。我們評判的衡量標準,就是我們因人而異的價值觀體系。一個經歷過貧窮的人,可能會評估一切事和在他/她周圍人在某樣事物上的負擔能力。一位司鐸,可能會基於教堂的來堂率,不斷評估自己的團體,以致那些不去教堂的人都成了壞人。有潔癖的人可能會衛生怪癖的人交朋友,餘下的都是壞人。

我記得教宗方濟各對在義大利境內的一所監獄的訪問,當他與一名囚犯交談時,那名囚犯說,他聽說過他,但不知道他為什麼是教宗,而不是在監獄。我們自己,沒有一點優點。我們所在的地方,是天主預先設計好的。我們只能對自己的現狀,心存感激,而非對他人所處的困境,作出評判。

©全屬於禰(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(聖母聖心愛子會)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙)常年期第廿四主日:物超所值

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

耶稣讨论三个比喻:1)失去金钱的比喻 2) 亡羊的比喻 以及 3)丧亡之子与天主的慈悲之心建立关系的比喻。讲这三个比喻的原因,始于法利塞人(Pharisees)和撒杜塞人(Sadducees)在罪人和税吏坐席时的嘲笑,以及他们反对同他们一起吃饭的师傅。他们把罪人和税吏判定为不相称于天主的人。耶稣将要讲论的这三个比喻,有不同的阶层。钱是死的,羊是活的,儿子比金银,比女人更接近父亲,或者说:羊更亲近牧者。我们如果理解了这个进程,就能更好窥看这三个比喻,但要把这三个比喻放在一起窥看。

一枚硬币,如果是辛苦挣来的,就比购买的物品,更有价值。十美元的利息,比体力劳动挣来的收入更为便宜。金钱的价值,并非按照所能购买的价值来计算,而是按照花费之后余下的存款而计算的。在这里,有一个妇人正在找一枚硬币,因为她挣钱比男人困难得多。她比男人对自己所挣的一切,更有感情。

在第二种情形,一位牧者正寻找自己的羊,他与这羊建立了感情。他的理由是:搁置和其它九十九只羊丢失的风险。在这里,数字根本算不上什么。统计官员每年统计死者的数目,决不会感受到失去自己儿女的家庭的痛苦。无形资产,无法基于财经或数值来衡量。

第三个,关于荡子回头的比喻,表明:失去尊严,重新得到时的喜乐程度。一个丢失一百只中其中一只羊的牧人,与一个丢失两个儿子中的一个的父亲的竞争!这竞争的强度是双倍的。耶稣解释了:天主是与祂儿女,或圣人,或罪人的情感连接。

这是法利塞人所认为的:以超然的情感,如同事务的数量一样,观看父亲和他子女之间的关系。只有一个超然的精神分裂者,才能区分儿女的好与坏,并把坏孩子抛下。当然,判断别人的儿子很容易,当要来评断自己的孩子时,客观性就不合适了。法利塞人脑中想象的是:天主是属于义人的,罪人并不属于天主。当把天主被描绘成慈父时,就彻底崩坏法利塞人宗教观中最基本的前提。

人们时常基于自己本身的喜好来评断别人。关于这个原则的一个最近例子,是我从一部电影中听到的,我忘记了片名。一个丈夫,他的妻子正决定同他离婚,他指控自己的妻子与别的男人发生关系。这个妇人很长一段时间,受这个偏执狂一样丈夫的苦。于是,有些人安慰这个丈夫:“你挂虑她对你的忠诚,是因为你对她不忠。”这话正对。这男人不善长忠诚,却全神贯注她的忠信。

法利塞人和撒杜塞人与税吏有“不友好的”的关系,认为他们是坏人,不配得到尊重。那么,他们的考量是什么?他们挂虑两件事:1)受欢迎。2)无罪。他们所担心的是:追随耶稣之人的数量,他们试图去评断耶稣 —— 他正从罪人和叛徒廉价收获美名。耶稣给法利塞人和撒扗塞人的判官取名伪善的人。法利塞人并不认为自己有罪,不是因为他们是圣的,而是因为他们足够精明,犯了决不会被发现的错误。

我们判断他人的标准是什么?首先,我们总不可判断。我们可以延伸的是:用一种神性的视角来观看在我们四周的人。天主审判,是按照爱德的法律来进行,因为天主是爱。因此,罪人和犯错误的人,更需要留意 ,比义人更需要照顾。耶稣在找无罪的人,并非取消无罪的人与罪人之间建立关系的资格。祂知道:祂的圣父把圣人和罪人,都看作自己的儿子。

我们一直在评判别人。我们评判的衡量标准,就是我们因人而异的价值观体系。一个经历过贫穷的人,可能会评估一切事和在他/她周围人在某样事物上的负担能力。一位司铎,可能会基于教堂的来堂率,不断评估自己的团体,以致那些不去教堂的人都成了坏人。有洁癖的人可能会卫生怪癖的人交朋友,余下的都是坏人。

我记得教宗方济各对在意大利境内的一所监狱的访问,当他与一名囚犯交谈时,那名囚犯说,他听说过他,但不知道他为什么是教宗,而不是在监狱。我们自己,没有一点优点。我们所在的地方,是天主预先设计好的。我们只能对自己的现状,心存感激,而非对他人所处的困境,作出评判。

©全属于祢(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(圣母圣心爱子会)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

Homily for 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

When Value Outweighs the Price Tag
(Lk 15:1-32)


Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

Jesus discusses three parables: 1) the parable of the lost coin, 2) the lost sheep, and 3) the lost son to establish the compassionate heart of God. The reason for saying these parables begins with the derisive look of the Pharisees and Sadducees at the sinners and tax collectors, and their disapproval of a teacher eating with them. They had judged the sinners and tax collectors as unworthy of God. The three parables that Jesus discusses come in different degrees. A coin is inanimate, a sheep living, and a son is closer to the father than a coin to the woman, or the sheep to the shepherd. If the progression is understood, we can better peek into the deeper import of the three parables put together.

A coin has more value than what it can buy if it is a hard-earned. Ten dollars earned as interest is cheaper than a ten-dollar bill earned by physical labor. Often the value of the money is not calculated by what it can buy but by how much is left in the savings after you spend. Here, it is a woman who is in search of the coin because she earns her money with much more difficulty than a man. She has stronger emotional bond to what she earns than a man.

In the second instance, a shepherd who has an emotional connection is in search of his lost sheep. His reason is suspended and risks the loss of the other ninety-nine because of the emotional connection to what is lost. The numbers do not count here at all. The statistics officer who takes the number of annual deaths will never feel the pains of the families who lost one of their loved ones. There are intangibles that cannot be judged based on financial or numerical valuation.

The third parable of the prodigal son shows the progressing intensity of the loss and the joy in regaining what was lost. What match is a shepherd who lost one sheep from a hundred to a father who lost one out of two sons! The intensity is multifold. Jesus explains how God is emotionally connected to his children, saint or sinner.

It is a Pharisaic mind, that looks at the relationship between the father and his children with detached emotions as a matter of numbers. Only a schizoid detachment can separate the children as good or the bad, and abandon the bad ones. It is, of course, easy to judge the children of others, but when it comes to one’s own children, objectivity becomes out of place. The Pharisaic mind imagines that God belongs to the righteous, and the sinful ones do not belong to God. When God is pictured as the father, it undermines the strength of that basic premise of the Pharisaic religion.

People often judge one another based on one’s own preoccupations. The most recent example of this principle I heard is from a film, of which I forgot the title. A husband whose wife had just chosen to divorce him accused her of a relationship with another man. The woman had been suffering from this paranoid husband for a long time. Someone then confronts the husband, “You are worried about her fidelity because you have not been faithful.” This was the truth. This man was not good at being faithful, but he was preoccupied with her fidelity.

The Pharisees and Sadducees had “unfriended” the tax collectors as bad ones and unworthy of their respect. What was then their preoccupation? They were worried about two things: 1) popularity, and 2) sinfulness. They were worried about the number of followers that Jesus was gathering, and they tried to judge Jesus— that he was gathering cheap popularity from sinners and traitors. Jesus names the judgment of the Pharisees and the Sadducees as hypocritical. The Pharisees are not caught in their sinfulness not because they are holy but because they are shrewd enough to make mistakes that will not be discovered.

What should be our parameters in judging another person? First of all, we should not judge at all. What we can develop is to have a divine perspective to look at the people around us. God judges based on the law of love for God is love. Accordingly, the sinners and mistaken ones need more attention and care than the righteous ones. Jesus finds sinfulness not as a disqualification to establish a relationship with sinners. He knows that his Father considers saints and sinners alike as his children.

We keep judging others. The metrics of our judgment is our own value systems which vary from person to person. A person who has gone through poverty might develop the tendency to evaluate everything and everyone around him/her based on how affordable something is. A priest might keep judging his community based on church attendance, so those who do not go to church become bad people. Someone who has a preoccupation with cleanliness makes friends with hygienic freaks, and the rest become bad people!

I am reminded of the visit of Pope Francis to a prison in Italy, and talking to a prisoner he was heard saying that he did not know why he was the Pope and not in the prison. We really do not have any merit of our own for where we are. We are where we are because God has designed it so. We can only be thankful for what we are, and not judges over the plight of others.

© Claretian Missionaries
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙) 常年期第廿三主日:勸阻人的領袖

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

在今天的福音中,耶穌給追隨祂的人施加了三個勸阻條件:(1)惱恨你的父親和母親(2)捨棄你擁有的一切 (3)背著自己的十字架來追隨我。為任何領導人而言,這些條件,為那些追隨的人而言,都是致命的。只有在耶穌走向耶路撒冷的最後旅途的聖經文本中,才能理解耶穌所要求的這些勸阻人的要求。

正如我時常提到的那樣,耶穌往耶路撒冷的朝聖之旅,始於耶穌面朝耶路撒冷的那一刻(路9:51)旅途從加里肋亞開始,穿過各城各村,聚集起來的人數,越來越多,令耶穌感到憂慮,那些追隨祂的人,可能錯誤地理解祂的意圖。祂藉著說明這個旅途的目的和艱辛,以勸阻他們。祂感到憂慮,擔心他們在不知道自己選擇與祂相隨造成的後果的情況下,倉促地做出決定。將去作戰或建築一座塔的比喻,表明追隨耶穌,尋求天主的國的嚴肅性。

追隨耶穌的人,好像是在想像與黑落德和比拉多對抗,接管耶路撒冷,重建達味後裔王國。當然,耶穌知道這是一場不同的競賽。祂從顯聖容的那一刻就確信:在耶路撒冷,祂要被殺。正是在這個背景下,耶穌作出三個勸阻性的聲明。

“惱恨父親和母親”這次旅行相當危險。 耶穌知道,祂決不會倖存,但是,誰會失了性命呢?關於這事,祂知道嗎?祂不確定。但是,祂確實很擔心。他們可能有去無回。祂被捕的時候,在革責瑪尼山園,耶穌確信,沒有一人會被捕,祂給他們說:“如果他們是來找祂,就讓祂的同伴離開。”祂所擔心的,是他們的安全。

耶穌用了一個詞彙“十字架”這個詞彙對聽到這話的人而言,可能造成了非常不祥的印象。這個詞只有一個含義。十字架,原是那些被判去釘在十字架上的人所肩負的。正如之前提到的那樣,耶穌所擔心的,是可能會有許多人與祂同去被釘在十字架上。祂給他們講述的,不是帶有比喻性的十字架。祂所講論的,是真實的十字架,祂必須首先背起十字架。他們要追隨祂。把十字架比作我我們身上移走的,生活的重擔,給那些追隨耶穌的人造成了一種觀念:耶穌已經預表,祂已移走了阻礙他們的危險。在若望所記述的福音中,許多追隨耶穌的人,他們在與耶穌同行的道路上,離開了耶穌。祂提及這事,是因為這個教訓,非常困難。實在,這些教導包括了這些追隨祂往耶路撒冷去的人,提供了被釘在十字架上的可能性。

耶穌也要求他們在啟程前聲明放棄一切產業。這裡,沒有比喻的意涵。祂是在說,要求他們真的放棄他們的產業,而非要求他們放棄那些被人看作非常珍貴的產業,而是真實的土地,真實的產業,因為他們正在踏上一段他們不確定是否能回來的旅途。後來,如果百姓在路上,對貧乏和資源的匱乏感到後悔,那麼,開始這段旅程,就沒有意義了。我們很容易記起以色列穿過西奈曠野的旅途。他們後悔離開埃及,耶穌提醒他們,要聲明放棄產業,近似合法的把他們的產業留給那些留下來的人。

在其他文本,特別是在路加福音中,很少提及到棄絕,卻常提到分享。在這裡,棄絕而非分享,把產業的產業拋諸腦後,因為他們可能無法再把它們取回來。這不是因為,他們愛護或憐憫窮人。只有那些被認為,堪當莊重追求天國的人,才有可能申明放棄自己的財富。

要明白,這段旅途是一段真正意義上的旅途,而比喻意義上的旅途。這段旅途,可以比作我們個人或我們團體已經開啟的信仰之旅。今時,我們團體的生活方式,已經改變。越來越少的孩子與長輩同住,特別是在半球之間發生的大規模遷移的背景下。老年人,當他們的生命行將結束時,時常有其他人照顧他們,而非他們的兒女。孝愛父母,有如在此世上最珍貴的關係,在許多情況下,已不復存在。現在,我必須說要惱恨父母。這件事,真實地發生在我們身上。愛自己的兒女,超過愛惜一切的數量,正日益減少。父母如果真愛自己的兒女,他們的家庭生活,就會發生調整。我不是在說:要維繫家暴的婚姻關係。我是在說:提出離婚的那些愚蠢理由。

十字架也有一些比喻性的含義。我們發現,越來越多的百姓受到壓力,對我們的時代感到擔憂。社會上患抑鬱症和精神疾病的比例,正日益攀升,這是因為,人們無力背負起他們必須背負的十字架。忍受痛苦的恢復能力 —— 疼痛閾值 —— 正日漸低下。我們有必要學會,為有目的的生活,作出必要的犧牲。

耶穌所邀請的,是為了更崇高的目的而生活。只有我們明確了自己的目標,我們就會願意去作犧牲,犧牲我們珍貴的關係,我們珍貴的產業,擁抱我們的十字架,不堅定于崇高目的,生活沒有目標,決不能為了長遠的將來,舍掉當下任何便利。這給我提出了一個核心的問題:“我願意捨棄我所擁有的一切的目的是什麼?”

©全屬於禰(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(聖母聖心愛子會)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022