2023(甲)常年期第六主日:遵守誡命;不能進入天國

遵守誡命;不能進入天國
福音:瑪5:17-37

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

在今天的福音中,耶穌澄清說:“不要認為,我來,是為廢除法律和先知。我來,不是為把它們廢除,而是為成全。”如果祂感覺有必要澄清自己的立場,這意味著:已經有人認為,祂的行為,祂的言語,正在摧毀建基在聖經文本之上的信仰,所懷有的期待,所懷有的渴望。耶穌尊重自己子民的法律和制度。然而,祂用一種獨特的方式,解釋了法律和制度。祂所參考的,不是規範人的文本,而是有益於人的觀點。祂為愛人,不惜打破安息日。耶穌的言論,必須用這個角度進行理解。今天,福音舉出了四個例子。它們都用死板的句式進行表達:“你們曾聽天主對古人說 …… 現在,我給你們說 ……”

不可殺人(瑪5:21-26)

耶穌教導我們的,不可殺人的誡命,有如此眾多的含義,遠遠超過擊殺肉體的幅度。人有冒犯性的言語,動怒,懷有復仇的情緒,就已經殺害了自己的兄弟/姐妹(瑪5:22)如果X光可以探測到我們內心的墳墓,我們便會大吃一驚。在死人中,我們可以找到那些我們發誓不再與之交談的人,我們拒絕饒恕的人,持續不斷指摘的物件,被我們用流言蜚語和誹謗之言毀掉的良善之人,被我們奪走了愛情和生活樂趣之人。
謀殺的意圖總是從心中產生。它必須被解除武裝,不然,人定會把它妖魔化。為猶太人而言,進入聖殿之前,必須進行嚴苛的取潔禮。耶穌斷言:並非身體需要潔淨,而是內心需要潔淨。與兄弟/姐妹的修好,取代了取潔禮。

耶穌在講完不可殺人的誡命之後,耶穌講論通姦的問題。梅瑟五書(Torah)似乎只是在字面上禁止通姦的行為。耶穌進到人的內心,把握了這條誡命的最內在要求。友誼,情感,關係,人有這些念想,就已經犯了姦淫。身體的兩個部位必須要被砍斷:右眼和右手。在這種情形下,他們是喚起情欲(眼睛)和接近危險事物(手)的象徵。耶穌不是要人使自己的肢體變得殘缺,而是保祿曾講論過的令人飽受痛苦的自控,保祿曾說:“我懲罰我的身體,抑制我的身體,免得教導別人以後,自己反而被拒絕了。”(格前9:27)

第三個事件與離婚有關(瑪5:31-32)天主想要的婚姻是一夫一妻,牢不可破。聖經從第一章就明確指出:“兩人成為一體。”(創2:24)因為人的心硬,離婚也被導入以色列。耶穌繼續打破習俗,傳統,拉比的解釋,把婚姻關係帶回最初的純潔,排除拆散天主決意的,使兩人保持一體的一切可能。“除非婚姻是不忠的”的法律條款,似乎是給離婚敞開了一種可能性,事實上,這條款已與不合法的婚姻,不正常的婚姻有關。

我們對基督徒隱瞞道德上的要求,以便幫助某些在困境中的基督徒,我們對上主就沒有保有忠信。人應常記得:克己,犧牲,勇敢守貞,是通往“天國”的大門(瑪19:12)然而,耶穌的話很清楚,祂沒有批判自己的門徒,不容許自己的門徒受到譴責,喪失尊嚴,不容許自己的門徒因婚姻中被邊緣化而經受失敗。

第四個事件與誓言有關(瑪5:33-37)


流徙巴比倫期間,以色列人除了吸收惡習,還吸收不恰當的髒話。他們為規避講出天主的名號,他們採用一種較低要求的句式:他們指著天,指著聖殿,指著地,指著自己的父母,指著自己的頭起誓。一位西元二世紀的聖人建議說:“不要慣於起誓,口中不要習慣稱呼聖人的名號。”(德23:9)

耶穌反對這種粗魯的習慣,祂運用自己慣常的激進主義表達自己的反對:“總不要起誓 …… 你們講話,是就是是,非就是非。剩下的,都是出於邪惡。”(參看:瑪7:33-37)對祂而言,上主的名號被人褻瀆,令祂擔憂。祂決不接受人指著其它元素起誓。外邦人把祂空想成天主,認為祂要雷霆報復說謊之人和作偽證之人。再後,祂被空想為:一個充滿各種不信,各種不忠,相互猜忌的社會現象的預表。在耶穌的門徒中間,這樣的起誓,難以相信。

感謝Fernando Armellini神父提供文段用作分析

©全屬於禰(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(聖母聖心愛子會)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

2023(甲)常年期第六主日:遵守诫命;不能进入天国

遵守诫命;不能进入天国
福音:玛5:17-37

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

在今天的福音中,耶稣澄清说:“不要认为,我来,是为废除法律和先知。我来,不是为把它们废除,而是为成全。”如果祂感觉有必要澄清自己的立场,这意味着:已经有人认为,祂的行为,祂的言语,正在摧毁建基在圣经文本之上的信仰,所怀有的期待,所怀有的渴望。耶稣尊重自己子民的法律和制度。然而,祂用一种独特的方式,解释了法律和制度。祂所参考的,不是规范人的文本,而是有益于人的观点。祂为爱人,不惜打破安息日。耶稣的言论,必须用这个角度进行理解。今天,福音举出了四个例子。它们都用死板的句式进行表达:“你们曾听天主对古人说 …… 现在,我给你们说 ……”

不可杀人(玛5:21-26)

耶稣教导我们的,不可杀人的诫命,有如此众多的含义,远远超过击杀肉体的幅度。人有冒犯性的言语,动怒,怀有复仇的情绪,就已经杀害了自己的兄弟/姐妹(玛5:22)如果X光可以探测到我们内心的坟墓,我们便会大吃一惊。在死人中,我们可以找到那些我们发誓不再与之交谈的人,我们拒绝饶恕的人,持续不断指摘的对象,被我们用流言蜚语和诽谤之言毁掉的良善之人,被我们夺走了爱情和生活乐趣之人。
谋杀的意图总是从心中产生。它必须被解除武装,不然,人定会把它妖魔化。为犹太人而言,进入圣殿之前,必须进行严苛的取洁礼。耶稣断言:并非身体需要洁净,而是内心需要洁净。与兄弟/姐妹的修好,取代了取洁礼。

耶稣在讲完不可杀人的诫命之后,耶稣讲论通奸的问题。梅瑟五书(Torah)似乎只是在字面上禁止通奸的行为。耶稣进到人的内心,把握了这条诫命的最内在要求。友谊,情感,关系,人有这些念想,就已经犯了奸淫。身体的两个部位必须要被砍断:右眼和右手。在这种情形下,他们是唤起情欲(眼睛)和接近危险事物(手)的象征。耶稣不是要人使自己的肢体变得残缺,而是保禄曾讲论过的令人饱受痛苦的自控,保禄曾说:“我惩罚我的身体,抑制我的身体,免得教导别人以后,自己反而被拒绝了。”(格前9:27)

第三个事件与离婚有关(玛5:31-32)天主想要的婚姻是一夫一妻,牢不可破。圣经从第一章就明确指出:“两人成为一体。”(创2:24)因为人的心硬,离婚也被导入以色列。耶稣继续打破习俗,传统,拉比的解释,把婚姻关系带回最初的纯洁,排除拆散天主决意的,使两人保持一体的一切可能。“除非婚姻是不忠的”的法律条款,似乎是给离婚敞开了一种可能性,事实上,这条款已与不合法的婚姻,不正常的婚姻有关。

我们对基督徒隐瞒道德上的要求,以便帮助某些在困境中的基督徒,我们对上主就没有保有忠信。人应常记得:克己,牺牲,勇敢守贞,是通往“天国”的大门(玛19:12)然而,耶稣的话很清楚,祂没有批判自己的门徒,不容许自己的门徒受到谴责,丧失尊严,不容许自己的门徒因婚姻中被边缘化而经受失败。

第四个事件与誓言有关(玛5:33-37)


流徙巴比伦期间,以色列人除了吸收恶习,还吸收不恰当的脏话。他们为规避讲出天主的名号,他们采用一种较低要求的句式:他们指着天,指着圣殿,指着地,指着自己的父母,指着自己的头起誓。一位公元二世纪的圣人建议说:“不要惯于起誓,口中不要习惯称呼圣人的名号。”(德23:9)

耶稣反对这种粗鲁的习惯,祂运用自己惯常的激进主义表达自己的反对:“总不要起誓 …… 你们讲话,是就是是,非就是非。剩下的,都是出于邪恶。”(参看:玛7:33-37)对祂而言,上主的名号被人亵渎,令祂担忧。祂决不接受人指着其它元素起誓。外邦人把祂空想成天主,认为祂要雷霆报复说谎之人和作伪证之人。再后,祂被空想为:一个充满各种不信,各种不忠,相互猜忌的社会现象的预表。在耶稣的门徒中间,这样的起誓,难以相信。

感谢Fernando Armellini神父提供文段用作分析

©全属于祢(Totus Tuus) & Claretian Missionaries(圣母圣心爱子会)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

Homily for 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year A

Keeping the Commandments and Unable to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37


Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

In today’s Gospel, Jesus clarifies: “Do not think that I have come to annul the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to annul them but to fulfil them.” If he feels the need to clarify his position, it means that someone has had the impression that his behavior and words are demolishing the beliefs, expectations, and hopes of Israel based on sacred texts. Jesus was respectful of the laws and institutions of his people. However, he interpreted it in an original way. His point of reference was not the letter of the precept but the good of the person. For the love of persons, he did not hesitate to break even the Sabbath. The sayings of Jesus must be understood in this light. The Gospel puts forward four examples today. They are all introduced with the same stereotyped formula: “You have heard that God has said to the ancestors … now I tell you …”

Do not kill! (vv. 21-26)


Jesus teaches that the commandment that orders not to kill has so many implications that go well beyond the physical assault. One who uses offensive words, gets angry, harbors sentiments of hatred has already killed one’s brother/sister (v. 22). If there were X-rays capable of detecting the cemetery hidden in our hearts, we would be startled. Among the dead, we would find those whom we have sworn not to speak to, those to whom we have denied forgiveness, those we have continued to accuse of mistakes done, those whose good name we have destroyed by gossips or slanders, those whom we have deprived of love and the joy of living.


Murder always starts from the heart. It must be disarmed, or else it demonizes a human being. Before entering the temple, it was necessary for Jews to undergo painstaking purifications. Jesus declares that it is not the body that needs to be pure but the heart. Reconciliation with the brother/sister replaces all rites of purification.


After speaking of the commandment not to kill, Jesus goes to the issue of adultery The letter of the Torah seemed to prohibit only adulterous actions. Jesus instead goes to the heart and captures the deepest requirements of this commandment. There are friendships, feelings, relationships that are already adulterous. There are two members of the body that need to be amputated: the right eye and the right hand. In this context, they are the symbols of that which awakens lust (eyes) and dangerous contacts (hand). This is not an instruction for bodily mutilation but gruelling self-control which Paul speaks about: “I punish my body and control it, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be rejected” (1 Cor 9:27).


The third case concerns divorce (vv. 31-32). God wanted monogamous and indissoluble marriage. The Bible clearly states from the first pages: “The two form one flesh” (Gen 2:24). Because of the hardness of the human heart, divorce is introduced also in Israel. Going against the custom, traditions, and interpretations of the rabbis, Jesus brings marriage to its original purity and excludes the possibility of separating what God has determined to remain united. The clause “except for marital unfaithfulness,” which seems to leave open a possibility of divorce, actually concerns the illegitimate and irregular unions.


We do not remain faithful to the Lord when we conceal the demands of Christian morality in order to help someone in trouble. One should always remember that renunciation, sacrifice, and the heroism of virginity are doors to the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:12). The clear words of Jesus, however, did not give any disciple license to judge, to condemn, to humiliate, to marginalize those who have failed in their married life.


The fourth case is that of the oath (vv. 33-37).


During the exile in Babylon, the Israelites had assimilated among other bad habits that of swearing inappropriately. To avoid pronouncing the name of God they resorted to the less demanding formula: they swore by heaven, by the temple, by the earth, by their parents, by their heads. A sage of the second century B.C. recommended: “Do not get used to swearing, taking the name of the Holy One” (Sir 23:9).


Jesus takes a stand against this reckless habit and he does it with his usual radicalism. “Do not swear at all … But let your speech be ‘Yes’ when it is ‘yes,’ ‘No’ when it is ‘no,’ the rest comes from the evil one” (vv. 33-37). It was not so much the desecration of the name of the Lord that worried him. There are other elements that make an oath unacceptable. First of all, it assumes a pagan concept of God who is imagined as an avenger, ready to hurl his thunderbolts against liars and perjurers. Then, it is a symptom of a society that is dominated by mistrust, disloyalty, and mutual suspicion. In the community of the disciples of Jesus, the oath is inconceivable.


Indebted to Fr. Fernando Armellini for textual analysis

©Claretian Missionaries

Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

每日圣言默思:常年期第四周星期六

读经一(愿天主藉着耶稣基督,转化我们,使们成为祂所喜爱的子民。)
恭读致希伯来人书 13:15-17,20-21
弟兄姐妹们:藉着耶稣,让我们不断向天主献上赞颂之祭,就是献上我们嘴唇的果实,颂扬祂的圣名。你们不要忽视行善,与人分享你所拥有的;这样的牺牲才能悦乐天主。你们应服从自己的领袖,并听从他们,因为他们看护你们,必要给你们交账,应使他们欢喜地完成自己的使命,不致忧伤,因为如果他们感到悲伤,对你们决无好处。
愿赐平安,藉永恒盟约的血,由死者中领出的,作群羊伟大司牧的天主,供应你们一切善念,好使你们能承行祂的旨意。愿祂藉着耶稣基督,在你们身上做祂所喜悦的事,愿光荣归于祂,直到永远。亚孟。——天主的圣言。

答唱咏 咏23(22):1-3A.3B-4.5-6
【答】上主是我的牧者,我实在一无所缺。(咏23(22):1)
领:上主是我的牧者,我实在一无所缺。祂使我在青绿的草场上休息,祂领我走近幽静的溪水旁;祂使我的灵魂得到舒畅。【答】
领:为了祂名号的缘由,祂领我走上了正途。即使我走过阴森的幽谷,我也不怕凶险,因为祢与我同在。有了祢的牧杖和短棒,我就有了力量。【答】
领:祢在我的敌人面前,为我摆设了筵席;祢用油在我头上傅油;使我的杯爵满溢。【答】
领:在我一生的时日里,只有幸福与慈爱与我常随不离;我要住在上主的殿里,直到悠远的岁月。【答】

福音(他们好似没有牧者的羊。)
恭读圣马尔谷福音 6:30-34
宗徒们聚集到耶稣那里,报告他们所做所教一切。耶稣对他们说:“你们私下到荒野地方休息一会儿。”有一大群人来到祂那里,以致他们没有机会去吃饭。于是,他们上了船,私下往荒野地方去了。人们见他们走了,许多人也知道他们要去的地方。他们赶忙从各城徒步,在他们之前来到那地方。耶稣一下船,看见一大伙群众,就对他们动了怜悯的心,因为他们好像没有牧人的羊;祂就开始教给他们许多事。——基督的福音。

省思

「你们来,私下到荒野的地方去休息一会儿!」耶稣邀请完成使命归来的宗徒们,在忙碌之后,静下来休息。这是很重要的生命智慧和生活练习。在实际生活中,也许我们会发现,让自己忙碌起来很容易,停下来休息却很难;有些人甚至根本停不下来,更被冠以「工作狂」的「美名」。许多时候,不但外在的环境、形势逼得我们忙碌不已,我们自身也认为休息是浪费时间, 因此不断挤压自己合理且必须的自我照顾时间。

人们可以因忙碌的节奏,因分不清生活的优先次序而迷失自己;以「忙碌」体现自我价值, 让不紧急不重要的事,占据有限的时间和精力, 却认为是在活出了自由自主的生命。

静下来,为体验生命,为找到天主、找到自己,都是必要的。圣咏作者告诉我们:「静下来, 就知道我是上主」(参咏 46:11)。

主耶稣,请赐给我静下来的能力,体验祢爱的临在;赐给我智慧,以认清事物的优先次序, 好善用时间;请祢更不要让我在忙碌中迷失自己。

© 全属于祢 & 台湾天主教祈祷福传会 2023
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

2023(甲)常年期第五主日:人要怎樣才能成為鹽和光?

人要怎樣才能成為鹽和光?
福音:瑪 5:13-16

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

在今天的福音中,耶穌運用鹽和光的形象來界定門徒和他們的使命。以色列拉比經常說:“以色列民族的梅瑟五書(Torah) —— 天主賜給自己百姓的神聖法律 —— 就如同鹽一樣,世界離了鹽,就不能生活。”耶穌把這樣的形象,用在自己門徒身上。

鹽的第一個,也是最直接的用途就是:用來給食物調味。自古以來,鹽成了的“智慧”的象徵。這一形象表明:門徒必須給世界帶來能給生活帶來滋味的意義的智慧。

鹽不僅被用來給食物調味;它也用來給食物保鮮,避免食物腐壞。基督徒是世上的鹽:有了他/她的存在,他/她就能呼籲預防腐敗,決不允許社會受惡人的引導,以致腐爛敗壞。在生疑的世界中,人的生命,自世界受造以來,神聖不可侵犯,基督徒是鹽,使人想起自己的神聖性。在有性行為,同居行為,人因通姦,受到輕看的地方,他們不再按照他們的名字稱呼他們,而是稱他們是基督徒,在那裡,基督徒想起了男女和諧的聖潔,天主對婚姻之愛所懷有的計畫。在人尋求益處的地方,門徒是給食物保鮮的鹽,時常自甘奉獻,勇敢給每人提供建議。

真福八端以後,耶穌立即講了鹽的比喻。如果基督徒不帶添加,不帶改變,不做選擇,完全接受救主的訓示,不以不確定和藉口,不試圖軟化對自己的要求,使“鹽”更能發揮作用。

舉例:耶穌說:人需要與人分享他們的資產,轉過臉去,七十次寬恕。這就是福音中鹽的特有滋味。然而,對我們而言,增加一點“常識”的誘惑總是隱約可見。爭論的地方在於:人做事,不能過分,必須考慮自己,如果人對他人過於寬恕,使他人得益,除非必要,人不應訴諸暴力,以致妥協。這樣做,就會使福音失去自己的滋味。

耶穌把自己的門徒稱作“世界的光”,宣告天主託付給以色列人的使命,就是成為世界的光,註定要藉著他們,繼續完成。燈檯的形象,令人愉悅:我們受人介紹,來到一戶上加里肋亞農戶的簡陋房舍,在這簡陋的房舍裡,有一點亮的油燈。它被放在一個鐵架上,被放在架子的頂端,好能照亮屋子最隱藏的角落。沒有一人會想著把它放在碗裡。

這樣的邀請,並非是要掩蓋,要遮掩福音中,最具挑戰的部分。門徒不必擔心給耶穌的動議提供辯護或作出辯解。他們只是毫不畏懼地宣告,並不害怕被人嘲笑或受人迫害。為人而言,他們是“在暗中照耀的燈,直到天明,星晨在你們心中升起的時候。”(伯後1:19)

感謝 Armellini 神父提供文段用作分析

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

Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

2023(甲)常年期第五主日:人要怎样才能成为盐和光?

人要怎样才能成为盐和光?
福音:玛 5:13-16

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

在今天的福音中,耶稣运用盐和光的形象来界定门徒和他们的使命。以色列拉比经常说:“以色列民族的梅瑟五书(Torah) —— 天主赐给自己百姓的神圣法律 —— 就如同盐一样,世界离了盐,就不能生活。”耶稣把这样的形象,用在自己门徒身上。

盐的第一个,也是最直接的用途就是:用来给食物调味。自古以来,盐成了的“智慧”的象征。这一形象表明:门徒必须给世界带来能给生活带来滋味的意义的智慧。

盐不仅被用来给食物调味;它也用来给食物保鲜,避免食物腐坏。基督徒是世上的盐:有了他/她的存在,他/她就能呼吁预防腐败,决不允许社会受恶人的引导,以致腐烂败坏。在生疑的世界中,人的生命,自世界受造以来,神圣不可侵犯,基督徒是盐,使人想起自己的神圣性。在有性行为,同居行为,人因通奸,受到轻看的地方,他们不再按照他们的名字称呼他们,而是称他们是基督徒,在那里,基督徒想起了男女和谐的圣洁,天主对婚姻之爱所怀有的计划。在人寻求益处的地方,门徒是给食物保鲜的盐,时常自甘奉献,勇敢给每人提供建议。

真福八端以后,耶稣立即讲了盐的比喻。如果基督徒不带添加,不带改变,不做选择,完全接受救主的训示,不以不确定和借口,不试图软化对自己的要求,使“盐”更能发挥作用。

举例:耶稣说:人需要与人分享他们的资产,转过脸去,七十次宽恕。这就是福音中盐的特有滋味。然而,对我们而言,增加一点“常识”的诱惑总是隐约可见。争论的地方在于:人做事,不能过分,必须考虑自己,如果人对他人过于宽恕,使他人得益,除非必要,人不应诉诸暴力,以致妥协。这样做,就会使福音失去自己的滋味。

耶稣把自己的门徒称作“世界的光”,宣告天主托付给以色列人的使命,就是成为世界的光,注定要藉着他们,继续完成。灯台的形象,令人愉悦:我们受人介绍,来到一户上加里肋亚农户的简陋房舍,在这简陋的房舍里,有一点亮的油灯。它被放在一个铁架上,被放在架子的顶端,好能照亮屋子最隐藏的角落。没有一人会想着把它放在碗里。

这样的邀请,并非是要掩盖,要遮掩福音中,最具挑战的部分。门徒不必担心给耶稣的动议提供辩护或作出辩解。他们只是毫不畏惧地宣告,并不害怕被人嘲笑或受人迫害。为人而言,他们是“在暗中照耀的灯,直到天明,星晨在你们心中升起的时候。”(伯后1:19)

感谢 Armellini 神父提供文段用作分析

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

Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

Homily for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year A

How could one become salt and light?
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries


In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the images of salt and light to define the disciples and their mission. The rabbis of Israel used to say: “The Torah—the holy Law given by God to his people—is like salt and the world cannot live without salt.” Jesus applies this image to the disciples.

The first and most immediate use of salt is that of giving flavor to foods. Since ancient times, salt has become the symbol of “wisdom.” The image indicates that the disciples must bring to the world a wisdom capable of giving flavor and meaning to life.

Salt is used not only to give flavor to foods; it is also used to preserve food, to prevent them from becoming stale. The Christian is salt of the earth: with her/his presence s/he is called upon to prevent corruption, not to allow society guided by wicked principles to rot and go into decay. In a world where inviolability of human life from its beginning to its natural end is doubted, the Christian believer is salt that reminds of its sacredness. Where sexuality, cohabitation, and adultery are trivialized, and are no longer called by their names, there the Christian reminds of the holiness of the man-woman rapport and God’s plan for marital love. Where one seeks one’s own advantage, the disciple is salt that preserves, always reminding everyone of the heroic proposal, the gift of self.

The parable of the salt is told immediately after the beatitudes. The Christian is salt if s/he accepts in full the proposals of the Master without additions, without changes, without the “howevers,” “ifs” and “buts” with which one tries to soften them to make them less demanding and seemingly more workable.

For example, Jesus says that there is a need to share one’s assets, to turn the other cheek, to forgive seventy times seven. This is the characteristic taste of the salt of the Gospel. However, the temptation for us to add a bit of “common sense” looms always. The arguments that one must not overdo but must also think of oneself, if one forgives others too much, they take advantage, or one should not resort to violence unless it is necessary are ways the gospel message gets compromised and loses its flavor.

Calling his disciples “light of the world,” Jesus declares that the mission entrusted by God to Israel to be the light of the world was destined to continue through them. The image of the lamp is delightful: we are introduced to the humble home of an upper Galilee peasant where a lamp of oil in clay is lighted. It is put on an iron stand and placed on top so that it can illuminate even the most hidden corners of the house. No one would think of hiding it under a bowl.

The invitation is not to conceal, to veil the most challenging parts of the Gospel message. The disciples do not have to worry to defend or justify the proposals of Jesus. They just announce it without fear, without fear of being ridiculed or persecuted. It will be for people as a lamp “shining in a dark place until the break of day when the morning star shines in your hearts” (2 Pt 1:19).

Indebted to Fr. Armellini SCJ for textual analys

©Claretian Missionaries

Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

2023(甲)常年期第四主日:成為真正神貧的人

成為真正神貧的人
福音:瑪5:1-12

Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

今天的福音由真福八端構成。試圖在這狹小的空間對真福八端的全部進行反思是徒勞的。相反,我們聚焦在第一端:“貧窮的人是福的。”很難說,有多少種對真福八端的解讀。

有些人把乞丐解作被剝削之人,是某種為天主所中悅的人,可以確定的是:所有人都要像他們一樣!當然,這是一種荒謬,離經叛道的解釋。天主所夢想的人類,不是祂貧窮的兒女,祂所夢想的人類,“沒有一人是貧窮的。”(參看:宗4:34)

另有一些人相信“神貧的人:是那些保有他們所擁有的產業,卻與他們割捨,慷慨提供給那些不幸的人。但是,即使在某些(鮮有的)聖經文本所推介的施捨,也沒有把世界推入“新的公義”之中;它沒有從根本上解決因存有在世界上有窮人和富人的觀點,由此所造成的財產分配不均的問題。

“各自為政”的原則,鞏固了我們的正義觀,看似是有賢明的,是明智的。然而,這似乎是一個錯誤的前提,事實上:“世界和世上的一切屬於上主,天地萬物和其中的居民,歸於上主。”(詠24(23):1)人類只是財產的管理人,他必要被召對他(她)所管理的財產進行說明。

我們所運用的全部形容所有的詞彙,是我們對一種現實觀念的錯誤表述:如果一切都是天主的,討論你所擁有的,我所擁有的,甚至是我們所擁有的,都毫無意義,因為一切都是造物主的。

在財物方面,耶穌從來沒有表現出對憤世嫉俗的哲學家所特有的輕看態度。為祂而言:當“不義的錢財”被拿來,施捨給窮人(參看:路16:19)時,這也是良善的。儘管祂從未譴責這事,然而,祂把這事看作威脅:“這成了許多人進入天國時,無可逾越的障礙。”(參看:瑪19:23)人得到的寵愛越多,得到的財富越多,就越使自己的心與這些財富系在一起,把這一切佔有己有,任性運用這一切。

那些想要追隨祂的人 —— 就是那些想要成聖的人 —— 耶穌對他們的要求是:完全的超脫。“如果你們不捨棄你們擁有的一切,你們中間,沒有一個能成為我的門徒。”(路14:23)

對真福八端的理解,應被解讀為:是一項“我們從天主那裡得到的,都應分享”的基本原則。

耶穌沒有如此稱譽過貧窮。祂藉著加上“精神”的限定詞,清楚表明:並不是所有的窮人都是有福的。唯有一人,自甘除去自己所擁有的一切,按照天主的計畫,管理財富的人,才是有福的。

神貧的人,是指那些決定:使自己不佔有任何財物,使自己所領受的,為他人都是可及的。請注意:按照福音,窮人並不是一無所有的,而是那些不願為自己保留一切的人。

憐憫人的人,無須成為“神貧的人”。他/她不是在詛咒他/她自己和人。如果他/她想要通過暴力和誆騙,提升他/她自己的狀況,如果他/她被人作為,他對他人失去興趣,或者,如果他/她想有朝一日,能獲得富人一般的崇高地位。那麼,他/她就不是憐憫人的人。

自甘貧窮,是為所有人的:宣告放棄自己任性運用自己擁有的一切,並不是某個可選項,並不是給那些想要成為他人的英雄,或比別人更成全之人保留的建議。這就是聖人與每位基督徒的不同之處。

與真福八端相隨的應許,並非指向於一個遙遠的未來。 真福八端,並不能保證,所有人死後,一定能進入天堂,而是立即的宣告“因為天國是他們的。”自人選擇成為窮人,使自己仍是窮人的那一刻,人就進入“天國”,屬於諸聖的家人。

這真福八端,不是一則任性而為的訊息,而是一則帶有希望的訊息:眾人都成了“神貧”的人,那時,沒有一人會處於急難中,當他們把從天主那裡領受的一切,都用作服務他人時,正如天主所做的一樣,“聖者”雖然擁有的一切,卻是貧窮的:祂毫不保留,凡事賞賜,甚至賜下自己的聖子。

感謝 Armellini 神父提供文段用作分析

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

Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

2023(甲)常年期第四主日:成为真正神贫的人

成为真正神贫的人
福音:玛5:1-12

Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

今天的福音由真福八端构成。试图在这狭小的空间对真福八端的全部进行反思是徒劳的。相反,我们聚焦在第一端:“贫穷的人是福的。”很难说,有多少种对真福八端的解读。

有些人把乞丐解作被剥削之人,是某种为天主所中悦的人,可以确定的是:所有人都要像他们一样!当然,这是一种荒谬,离经叛道的解释。天主所梦想的人类,不是祂贫穷的儿女,祂所梦想的人类,“没有一人是贫穷的。”(参看:宗4:34)

另有一些人相信“神贫的人:是那些保有他们所拥有的产业,却与他们割舍,慷慨提供给那些不幸的人。但是,即使在某些(鲜有的)圣经文本所推介的施舍,也没有把世界推入“新的公义”之中;它没有从根本上解决因存有在世界上有穷人和富人的观点,由此所造成的财产分配不均的问题。

“各自为政”的原则,巩固了我们的正义观,看似是有贤明的,是明智的。然而,这似乎是一个错误的前提,事实上:“世界和世上的一切属于上主,天地万物和其中的居民,归于上主。”(咏24(23):1)人类只是财产的管理人,他必要被召对他(她)所管理的财产进行说明。

我们所运用的全部形容所有的词汇,是我们对一种现实观念的错误表述:如果一切都是天主的,讨论你所拥有的,我所拥有的,甚至是我们所拥有的,都毫无意义,因为一切都是造物主的。

在财物方面,耶稣从来没有表现出对愤世嫉俗的哲学家所特有的轻看态度。为祂而言:当“不义的钱财”被拿来,施舍给穷人(参看:路16:19)时,这也是良善的。尽管祂从未谴责这事,然而,祂把这事看作威胁:“这成了许多人进入天国时,无可逾越的障碍。”(参看:玛19:23)人得到的宠爱越多,得到的财富越多,就越使自己的心与这些财富系在一起,把这一切占有己有,任性运用这一切。

那些想要追随祂的人 —— 就是那些想要成圣的人 —— 耶稣对他们的要求是:完全的超脱。“如果你们不舍弃你们拥有的一切,你们中间,没有一个能成为我的门徒。”(路14:23)

对真福八端的理解,应被解读为:是一项“我们从天主那里得到的,都应分享”的基本原则。

耶稣没有如此称誉过贫穷。祂藉着加上“精神”的限定词,清楚表明:并不是所有的穷人都是有福的。唯有一人,自甘除去自己所拥有的一切,按照天主的计划,管理财富的人,才是有福的。

神贫的人,是指那些决定:使自己不占有任何财物,使自己所领受的,为他人都是可及的。请注意:按照福音,穷人并不是一无所有的,而是那些不愿为自己保留一切的人。

怜悯人的人,无须成为“神贫的人”。他/她不是在诅咒他/她自己和人。如果他/她想要通过暴力和诓骗,提升他/她自己的状况,如果他/她被人作为,他对他人失去兴趣,或者,如果他/她想有朝一日,能获得富人一般的崇高地位。那么,他/她就不是怜悯人的人。

自甘贫穷,是为所有人的:宣告放弃自己任性运用自己拥有的一切,并不是某个可选项,并不是给那些想要成为他人的英雄,或比别人更成全之人保留的建议。这就是圣人与每位基督徒的不同之处。

与真福八端相随的应许,并非指向于一个遥远的未来。 真福八端,并不能保证,所有人死后,一定能进入天堂,而是立即的宣告“因为天国是他们的。”自人选择成为穷人,使自己仍是穷人的那一刻,人就进入“天国”,属于诸圣的家人。

这真福八端,不是一则任性而为的讯息,而是一则带有希望的讯息:众人都成了“神贫”的人,那时,没有一人会处于急难中,当他们把从天主那里领受的一切,都用作服务他人时,正如天主所做的一样,“圣者”虽然拥有的一切,却是贫穷的:祂毫不保留,凡事赏赐,甚至赐下自己的圣子。

感谢 Armellini 神父提供文段用作分析

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

Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023

Homily for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year A

Being Truly Poor in Spirit
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12


Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

The gospel today consists of the beatitudes. It is futile to attempt to make a reflection on the whole of the beatitudes in this small space. Instead, we concentrate on the first one, “Blessed are the poor.” It is hard to say in how many ways this beatitude has been interpreted.

Some interpret that the beggars, the exploited were the kind of people God is pleased with and it should be ensured that all become like them! It is, of course, an absurd, deviant interpretation. The humanity dreamed by God is not the one in which his children are poor but one in which “no one is poor” (Acts 4:34).

Others believe that the “poor in spirit” are those who, while maintaining the possession of their property, are detached from them and generous in bestowing offerings to the less fortunate. But alms—even recommended in some (rare) biblical texts—do not introduce into the world the “new justice”; it does not solve the root problem of the inequitable division of assets because the concept believes in the existence of the rich and poor on earth.

The principle of “to each his own” that underpins our justice seems wise and sensible. But it stems from a false premise that something belongs to someone, while, in fact, everything is of God: “The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the universe and its inhabitants” (Ps 24:1). That someone is only an administrator of goods, and s/he will be called to render an account of this administration.

All possessive adjectives that we use express an erroneous conception of reality: if all is of God, it makes no sense to talk about mine, yours, and not even of ours because everything is of the Creator.

In respect to goods, Jesus never assumed the attitude of contempt that characterized the cynical philosophers. For him, the “dishonest wealth” also becomes good when it is distributed to the poor (Lk 16:19). However, although he never condemned it, he regarded it as a threat, “an obstacle—insurmountable for many—to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:23). The more a person is favored, the more goods one has, the more one is tempted to tie one’s heart with them to keep them for oneself and employ them selfishly.

From those who want to follow him—those who want to be holy—Jesus asks for total detachment. “None of you may become my disciple if you don’t give up everything you have” (Lk 14:33).

It is in the context of this essential requirement to share all that is available to us from God that the beatitude should be read.

Jesus does not exalt poverty as such. By adding the specification in spirit, he makes it clear that not all the poor are blessed. Only the ones who by free choice strip themselves of all and manage the assets according to God’s plan are blessed.

The poor in spirit are those who decide not to possess anything for themselves and make available to others all that they receive. Mind you: the poor according to the gospel is not the one who has nothing but s/he who does not keep anything for herself/himself.

Someone who is miserable need not be “poor in spirit.” S/he is not if s/he curses herself/himself and others, if s/he attempts to improve her/his own condition with violence and deceit, if s/he thinks of oneself by losing interest in others, or if s/he cultivates the dream of winning the prestigious position of the rich one day.

Voluntary poverty is for all; the renunciation of the selfish use of all property that one owns is not something optional, not a counsel reserved for some who want to be heroes or more perfect than others. This is what distinguishes a saint, every Christian.

The promise that accompanies the beatitude does not refer to a distant future. It does not guarantee entry into heaven after death but announces an immediate joy: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” From the moment one makes the choice to become and to remain poor, one enters the “kingdom of heaven,” and belongs to the family of saints.

This beatitude is not a message of resignation but of hope: no one will be in need when all become “poor in spirit,” when they put the gifts they have received from God in the service of others, as does God, “the Holy One” who, while possessing everything, is infinitely poor: he holds nothing back, gives everything, even his Son.


Indebted to Fr. Armellini SCJ for textual analysis

©Claretian Missionaries

Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2023