2023(甲)将临期第一主日:使人得救的判断

使人得救的判断
福音:玛24:37-44

Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

今天福音所用的语言能导致对世界末日和天主进行的审判(事件)的过度解读。它也能简化为:(天主)邀请人常常预备妥当,因为死亡可能会突然来临,使我们措手不及。这些解读都源于缺乏对耶稣时期广泛运用默示性文体的理解,从我们的理解和文化来看,这完全是陌生的。

我们应常牢记一点:就其本质而言,福音是好的讯息,喜乐和希望的讯息。谁若把这福音用作灌输恐惧和焦虑,就是不正确的,疏远了福音文本的真意。让我们回顾一下,(教会)今天给出的福音的内容。

让我们一段一段来读。一天,门徒们邀请师傅观看圣殿宏伟的建筑。耶稣没有同享他们正当的骄傲,反用一句预言,使他们感到惊讶:“你们看见这一切了吗?我向你们保证:在这里,没有一块石头会留在另一块石头上的。这一切都要被推翻。”(玛24:2)拒绝悔改的耶路撒冷,正在宣告自己的衰落。

令人感到震惊的是:门徒问了祂两个问题:“这事会在何时发生?”“警示性的标记是什么呢?”为了满足他们的好奇心,耶稣藉着导入为一切时代的人有益的教导,回答他们:保持醒寤,十分必要。为了更好澄清,祂引用了三个例子:

第一个例子取自圣经的故事 (创6-9)在诺厄时代,有两类人:有些人只想着吃,想着喝,享受欢乐。他们毫无准备,因而灭亡。另有一些人:他们保持醒寤,留心将要发生的事。他们意识到,洪水正在逼近;他们得救了,开始一项新的人生。(同上37-39)

正如洪水突然来到,耶稣说,耶路撒冷的毁灭,也要突然来到。正如在诺厄时代,许多人死了,同样,在耶稣时代,谁不承认祂是天主的使者,不听从祂的劝言,必在今世的灾祸中灭亡。凡开启自己的眼目,敞开心扉,承认并接受祂的讯息的,必要受生,成为新人。

第二个例子,灵感来源于效法妇人们日常所做的事,她们田间工作,预备面团,制作面包。她们投身工作,赚得生计,也吃也喝也嫁娶。选择对两个所做相同的事作出评判断的标准,是一项很好的默思主题,耶稣曾经提过:两人做的事相同,一人藉着天主成义,另一人却没有。税吏成了义人,因为他觉察到:自己不堪受天主的祝福。许多人在圣殿的银库内奉献,可是,寡妇的奉献被收纳了,因为她所奉献的,是她的全部。耶稣也曾讲过行善的人。一人做事,左手不知道右手正做的事,这人所做的事,就被天主所悦纳。因此,天主悦纳的评判标准,纯粹系于一人做事背后的态度和意图,远胜于行为本身。对今世的挂虑,应接不暇之人,被(天主)撇下,意思是:他们没有被囊括在天主国的实体中。

要作出的决定是紧急的,并带有戏剧性的;这个决定,是生与死之间的选择,耶稣强调:“你们要醒午,因为你们不知道天主的日子,何时来到。”(同上,第42节)。值得一提的是:我们生命行将终结的时候,耶稣不是来同我们一较高下的。今天,祂带着使人得救的判决而来。

最后的结论抓住了今天福音段落的主题,各个时期的门徒都适用:“因此,你们要醒寤,因为,在你们不曾料想的时刻,人子就要来到。”我们知道失去得蒙宠爱的含义。因此,在很多时候,我们都有这样的经验。这些事越是令人惊讶,越是出乎意料,越是超出我们的评判标准,我们越会把他们略过。在我们的生活中,天主时常会眷顾我们,他们很难把握这个时机,因为这个时机与属人的智识,格格不入,无法调和。它们同当下的意识形态,截然相反。

只有时时醒寤的人,才能认出这些时机,才能在当下得到救赎。

借用 Fr. Fernando Armellini 的文本作分析

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

Homily for First Sunday of Advent Year A

A Judgment that Saves
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44


Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries


The language used in the Gospel passage today can lead to extravagant interpretations (or even rants) on the end of the world and the punishment of God. It can also be reduced to the invitation to be always ready because death can come suddenly and take us unprepared. These interpretations stem from a lack of understanding of the apocalyptic literary genre that was widely used at the time of Jesus, but that is quite alien to our mentality and culture.

One principle we should always keep in mind: the gospel by its nature is good news, the message of joy and hope. Whoever uses it to instill fear and anxieties is using it incorrectly and is distanced from the true meaning of the text. Let us recall the context in which today’s passage is given.

Let us go to the context of the text. One day, the disciples invite the Master to admire the magnificent building of the temple. Instead of sharing their justifiable pride, Jesus surprises them with a prophecy: “You see all these things? I assure you, not a stone will be left upon another here. All will be torn down” (Mt 24:2). Jerusalem who refuses to be converted is decreeing its downfall.

Amazed, the disciples ask him two questions: “When will this happen?” and “What are the warning signs?” Instead of satisfying their curiosity, Jesus responds by introducing a teaching that is valid for people of all times: it is necessary to remain vigilant. To better clarify, he cites three examples:

The first is taken from a story in the Bible (Gen 6−9). In the days of Noah, there were two categories of people: some thought of only eating, drinking and being merry. They were unprepared and perished. Others were vigilant, attentive to what might happen. They realized that the flood was approaching; they were saved and they began a new humanity (vv. 37-39).

As the flood came suddenly, Jesus says, the ruin of Jerusalem will also suddenly come. As in the days of Noah many died, so also the Jews who will not recognize him as God’s messenger and not listen to his word will perish in the catastrophe of the city. Those who have their eyes and hearts open to recognize and accept his message will be saved and will give birth to a new people.

The second is inspired by the activities that men and women do every day, working in the fields and preparing the dough to make bread. They engage in work, earn a living, eat, drink, and marry. The criteria to pick one of the two who do the same deed is a good subject for meditation. Jesus has mentioned about people doing the same deed, and one of them gets justified by God while the other does not. The Pharisee and the tax collector went to pray. The tax collector was justified because he realized that he was unworthy of the blessings of the Lord. Many people made offerings in the temple treasury, but the offering of the widow was accepted because she had offered all she had. Jesus speaks also about people who do charity. The ones who do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing is accepted by the Lord. So the criteria of being accepted by God purely depend on the attitude and intention behind what one is doing, more than the action itself. The Lord invites us to set the intentions of our every deed right. Those who are overwhelmed by the cares of this world are left, meaning that they are not involved in the new reality of God’s kingdom.

The decision to be taken is urgent and dramatic; it comes to choosing between life and death, which is why Jesus insists: “Keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (v. 42). It’s worth repeating: Jesus is not coming to the showdown at the end of our lives. He comes today with his saving judgment.

The final conclusion takes up the theme of the passage and applies it to the disciples of every age: “So be alert, for the Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect.” We know what it means to miss favorable opportunities. So many times, we have had the experience. The more surprising and unexpected they are, the more they come out of our criteria of judgment, then the easier we let them pass by. The visits of God in our lives are always difficult to grasp because they do not conform to human wisdom, with which they are incompatible. They are in contrast with the current mentality.

And only the one who is vigilant knows how to recognize them and is saved here and now.

Indebted to Fr. Fernando Armellini for textual analysis

© Claretian Missionaries
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙)常年期第卅四主日:十字架寶座

福音:路23:35-43

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

以色列人所期待的,是一位偉大,富有,強壯,永生,能打敗以色列全部仇敵的君王。今天的福音選段中,天主對這些期望的回應,表露了出來。我們在加爾瓦略山上。耶穌被釘在十字架上,在祂的兩旁,有兩個強盜,與祂同釘,在祂頭上有一段銘文:這是猶太人的王。沒有寶座,只有十字架,沒有僕人,只有受人侮辱,沒有王袍,只有赤身露體。耶穌的王權,多麼奇怪!這王權,與人們慣常想像的王權,截然相反。不幸的是,許多基督徒所懷的希望,與猶太人相似。他們認定:基督的王國,必要得勝,必會凱旋。一個戰敗,被釘在十字架上的君王,破壞了我們的全部計畫。

兩個強盜中的一個,什麼也不懂。他只期望能默西亞那裡得到希望,使他從所受的酷刑中得到解脫。耶穌並沒有幫助他;祂顯露出自己,不能滿足他的請求。

第二個強盜,是唯一在耶穌身上認出,祂是(眾人)期待的君王:“耶穌,當禰進到禰王國的時候,請記得我。”他直呼耶穌的名號。他把耶穌看作朋友,是某位能救人性命的朋友。他不把耶穌看作是位“紳士”,而是把祂看作是旅途中的同伴,是某位同意,共同接受命運的人,祂雖是義人,卻遭到厄運。祂不期望經由耶穌,奇跡般的獲救。他只請求,自己犯了一系列錯誤,犯了一系列罪過之後,在自己生命的最後階段,能與祂一起完成。耶穌向他許諾:“今天,你要和我一起在樂園裡。”

在瑪竇福音第25章的審判景象中,有一個施行審判的君王。祂把它們,按綿羊和山羊分開。那在左面的,天主從他們身邊經過的時候,他們沒能認出祂來。那在右邊的,天主從他們身邊經過的時候,他們認出祂來,並善待了祂。耶穌對那釘在右邊的許下,他在自己的王國內,將有一席。這些罪犯的歷史,就是每人的歷史:誰的行為,不與他們相似?誰在生活中,不惱恨,誹謗,不公道地對待自己的兄弟?誰不在自己的團體,自己的家庭,在基督徒團體中激起大大小小的災禍。相信這位仁慈的君王,十分重要!

在許多人的內心深處,他們仍然認為:在十字架上,耶穌的王權,沒有得到很好的祝慶。那只是個不幸的時刻。真正的顯揚,是在世界的窮盡。光榮的基督,必要彰明顯耀:祂要同祂天使的軍隊,一起來到,顯現給眾人,特別向那些把祂釘在十字架上的人,顯示祂的權能。

耶穌在祂死之前,宣告執行將祂釘在十字架上的人無罪。這項宣告,在世界終結時仍然有效,而不是一項臨時性宣告,有些人相信,在加爾瓦略山上,耶穌的狀況不佳,以致不能客觀評價那些釘在十字架上之人的責任,更不用說,以此彰顯祂的光榮了。

如果我們仍然培植這樣的思想,我們就沒有領略到耶穌給我們彰顯的天主的面容。對殺害耶穌之人的審斷 —— 十分明確 —— 必不會重新開庭。祂赦免給自己行刑的人,在祂一生的最光榮時刻,拯救了他們,當祂在十字架上,祂最大限度顯示了祂的愛。對我們而言,國王凱旋,得勝,使人蒙羞。我我們嘗試,以多種方式,使基督的形象,與今世的君王相符。我們不願相信,祂失敗的時候,正是祂得勝的時刻,祂在那時刻交出自己的性命。從十字架而來的宰製者,使我們煩亂,因為祂要求我們無條件寬恕那些傷害我們的人。

從這個角度來看,最後的審判,不會使我們感到害怕,卻會使我們喜樂。它會除掉給我們的心靈帶來負擔的痛苦,粗野,吝嗇,醫治阻礙我們理解聖經的靈性上的失明,我們要學著無條件地寬恕他人,這樣才能看到祂的真相。

借用Fernando Armellini SCJ神父的文段進行分析

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

2022(丙)常年期第卅四主日:十字架宝座

福音:路23:35-43

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

以色列人所期待的,是一位伟大,富有,强壮,永生,能打败以色列全部仇敌的君王。今天的福音选段中,天主对这些期望的回应,表露了出来。我们在加尔瓦略山上。耶稣被钉在十字架上,在祂的两旁,有两个强盗,与祂同钉,在祂头上有一段铭文:这是犹太人的王。没有宝座,只有十字架,没有仆人,只有受人侮辱,没有王袍,只有赤身露体。耶稣的王权,多么奇怪!这王权,与人们惯常想象的王权,截然相反。不幸的是,许多基督徒所怀的希望,与犹太人相似。他们认定:基督的王国,必要得胜,必会凯旋。一个战败,被钉在十字架上的君王,破坏了我们的全部计划。

两个强盗中的一个,什么也不懂。他只期望能默西亚那里得到希望,使他从所受的酷刑中得到解脱。耶稣并没有帮助他;祂显露出自己,不能满足他的请求。

第二个强盗,是唯一在耶稣身上认出,祂是(众人)期待的君王:“耶稣,当祢进到祢王国的时候,请记得我。”他直呼耶稣的名号。他把耶稣看作朋友,是某位能救人性命的朋友。他不把耶稣看作是位“绅士”,而是把祂看作是旅途中的同伴,是某位同意,共同接受命运的人,祂虽是义人,却遭到厄运。祂不期望经由耶稣,奇迹般的获救。他只请求,自己犯了一系列错误,犯了一系列罪过之后,在自己生命的最后阶段,能与祂一起完成。耶稣向他许诺:“今天,你要和我一起在乐园里。”

在玛窦福音第25章的审判景象中,有一个施行审判的君王。祂把它们,按绵羊和山羊分开。那在左面的,天主从他们身边经过的时候,他们没能认出祂来。那在右边的,天主从他们身边经过的时候,他们认出祂来,并善待了祂。耶稣对那钉在右边的许下,他在自己的王国内,将有一席。这些罪犯的历史,就是每人的历史:谁的行为,不与他们相似?谁在生活中,不恼恨,诽谤,不公道地对待自己的兄弟?谁不在自己的团体,自己的家庭,在基督徒团体中激起大大小小的灾祸。相信这位仁慈的君王,十分重要!

在许多人的内心深处,他们仍然认为:在十字架上,耶稣的王权,没有得到很好的祝庆。那只是个不幸的时刻。真正的显扬,是在世界的穷尽。光荣的基督,必要彰明显耀:祂要同祂天使的军队,一起来到,显现给众人,特别向那些把祂钉在十字架上的人,显示祂的权能。

耶稣在祂死之前,宣告执行将祂钉在十字架上的人无罪。这项宣告,在世界终结时仍然有效,而不是一项临时性宣告,有些人相信,在加尔瓦略山上,耶稣的状况不佳,以致不能客观评价那些钉在十字架上之人的责任,更不用说,以此彰显祂的光荣了。

如果我们仍然培植这样的思想,我们就没有领略到耶稣给我们彰显的天主的面容。对杀害耶稣之人的审断 —— 十分明确 —— 必不会重新开庭。祂赦免给自己行刑的人,在祂一生的最光荣时刻,拯救了他们,当祂在十字架上,祂最大限度显示了祂的爱。对我们而言,国王凯旋,得胜,使人蒙羞。我我们尝试,以多种方式,使基督的形象,与今世的君王相符。我们不愿相信,祂失败的时候,正是祂得胜的时刻,祂在那时刻交出自己的性命。从十字架而来的宰制者,使我们烦乱,因为祂要求我们无条件宽恕那些伤害我们的人。

从这个角度来看,最后的审判,不会使我们感到害怕,却会使我们喜乐。它会除掉给我们的心灵带来负担的痛苦,粗野,吝啬,医治阻碍我们理解圣经的灵性上的失明,我们要学着无条件地宽恕他人,这样才能看到祂的真相。

借用Fernando Armellini SCJ神父的文段进行分析

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

Homily for The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe in Year C

A Cross for a Throne
Gospel: Luke 23:35-43


Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

The Israelites were expecting a great, rich, strong and eternal king who would defeat all the enemies of Israel. In the gospel passage today, God’s response to these expectations is presented. We are on Calvary. Jesus is crucified with two bandits at his side, and above him has an inscription: this is the king of the Jews. No throne but a cross, no servants but insults, no royal garments, just naked. What a strange kingship Jesus has! It is the opposite of what people are accustomed to imagine about kings. Unfortunately, many Christians harbor hopes like the Jews. They identified the kingdom of Christ with victories and triumphs. A defeated king on the cross destroys all our projects.

One of the two thieves does not understand anything. The only thing he expected from the Messiah is freedom from torture he was subjected to. Jesus does not help him; he shows himself unable to meet his request.

The second thief is the only one who recognizes in Jesus the expected king: “Jesus, remember me when you enter into your kingdom.” He calls him by name. He considers him as a friend, the friend of someone who has had a devastated life. He does not consider him a “gentleman” but a traveling companion, someone who agreed to undergo, despite being right, the fate of the wicked. He does not expect a miraculous deliverance from Jesus. He asks only to accomplish with him the last steps of his life that has been a succession of mistakes and crimes. Jesus promises him: Today you will be with me in paradise.

That was a judgement of the king as in the judgement scene of Mathew 25. He divides them into sheep and goats. The ones one the left could not recognize when God passed their way. The ones on the right recognize when the Lord passed their way and treats him well. To the one on the right of his cross, he promises a place in his Kingdom. The history of these criminals is that of every person: who has not acted like them? Who has not panned sometimes the life of a brother with hatred, slander, and injustice? Who has not provoked small or big disasters in society, in families, in the Christian community? It is important to trust in the mercy of this King!

At heart, many continue to think that, on the cross, the kingship of Jesus is not well celebrated. That was just only an unfortunate moment. The real manifestation will take place at the end of the world. Then the glory of Christ will shine: he will come with his army of angels and will show to all, especially to those who crucified him, his power.

Before he died, Jesus gave a judgment of acquittal to his executioners. Will it also be valid at the end or is it a provisional statement, susceptible to revision? Are there some who believe that Jesus on Calvary was not in the ideal condition to objectively assess the responsibilities of those who were crucifying Him, still less, to manifest all his glory.

Well, if we still cultivate such thoughts, we have not captured the face of God that Jesus has revealed to us. The trial against those who killed Jesus—let it be clear—will not be reopened. He absolved his executioners, saved them in the most glorious moment of his life when, on the cross, he showed the utmost of his love. For us, a king triumphs, defeats, humiliates. We try in every which way to conform Christ to this image of kings of this world. We do not want to believe that he wins in the moment in which he loses, in the moment he gives his life. This ruler who reigns from a cross disturbs us because he requires that we offer an unconditional forgiveness to all those who do us harm.

In this perspective, the final judgment too should not be feared, but expected with joy. Stripped of miseries, meanness and pettiness with which we had burdened our minds and hearts, cured of spiritual blindness that prevented us to understand the Scriptures we will learn to forgive everyone without conditions and be able to see him as he truly is.

Indebted to Fernando Armellini SCJ for textual analysis

© Claretian Missionaries
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙)常年期第卅三主日:鼓起勇氣,抬起頭來

鼓起勇氣,抬起頭來
福音:路21:5-19

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

這個世界,終會窮盡;太陽會窮盡,太陽系也會窮盡;整個宇宙和多重宇宙都會窮盡。這一切都會終結,但不是在你和我都活著的時候。然而,政局的動盪,戰爭,饑荒,瘟疫,迫使我們感到痛苦和沮喪。俄羅斯入侵烏克蘭,國家與國家之間的緊張關係的報導,帶給我們的,迫在眉睫的危險。關於世界終局的謠言,迅速傳播。

原教旨主義者引用一些聖經文本,以此證明這些令人沮喪和迫在眉睫的危險。最常被引用的,是這段經文:“在末日,將是困難的時期。人們將變得自私,喜愛錢財,自誇,自負,傳播緋聞,悖逆他們的父母,忘恩負義,不虔敬。不慈愛,難和解;他們將是誹謗人的,無節制的,殘酷的,良善人的仇敵,背叛者,無恥,滿是驕傲的,酷愛喜樂,勝過愛天主。”(弟後3:1-4)每個世代,我們都會遇到這些令人感到不適的狀況,因此,為那些預測世界終窮的人而言,選定一個日期,並不困難。這就耶和華見證會(Jehovah’s Witnesses)做的。他們不知不覺的,利用我們脆弱的,恐懼的緊張的心理,加給我們天主是殘酷和暴力的信仰觀。讓我們再仔細一些,聆聽天主,看看祂運用末世性語言的真實用意。

路加撰寫他的福音,大約是在西元85年。離耶穌死而復活過後的五十年,發生了巨大的事件。發生了戰爭,政變,災難,耶路撒冷的聖殿被摧毀了。基督徒成了不公義和迫害的受害者。對這些戲劇性的事件,要怎麼解釋呢?

有些人被聖言之主(words of the Master)的話所吸引:“將有巨大的地震,饑荒,災害;從天上可以看到令人害怕的標記 ……”這正解釋了,耶穌已經預見一切。不幸的事(特別是耶路撒冷聖殿被毀)是世界窮盡將要來到,主要乘著天上的雲彩再度來臨的標記。今天的福音,試圖回答這些錯誤的期望,糾正有人加給聖言之主的錯誤理解。

這則教訓,發生在有些人來到耶穌跟前,邀請祂進到聖殿,欣賞聖殿的美景的時候。拉比經常說:那從未見過耶路撒冷聖殿的,就不會想到,這個是世界上最美的奇跡。耶穌的回答是令人驚訝的:“你們所欣賞的,沒有一塊石頭會留在另一塊石頭上。”他們感到驚訝,問祂說:“這一切,將在何時發生,關於這事的發生,會有什麼徵兆呢?”耶穌不能具體說明這個日期:祂不知道,因為祂不知道,世界的終局的時日(參看:瑪24:36)祂不是位魔術師,不是位占卜師,所以,祂不知道。

路加為什麼要介紹這一章節呢?在他的團體內,有假先知經常給基督徒團體帶來嚴重的危險。路加記述了,耶穌也很煩惱,祂也警告自己的門徒,要駁斥那些預言世界末日,已經臨近的人。祂強烈建議他們:“不要追隨他們。”

救主來臨的時刻和世界的終局之間,會發生什麼?耶穌用一種,自己所處世代百姓所熟悉的末世性語言,進行了回答。祂談到,人民起義,攻打人民,地震,饑荒,瘟疫,可怕的事件,在天上的巨大標記 …… 耶穌習慣給自己的門徒講:兩個歷史之間過渡的時日,已近在咫尺了。新的世代,以宣告喜樂和希望為開端。凡在痛苦中期待天主國的,應當知道:新天的曙光,神妙的日子,將要出現。為了這個緣由,祂督促門徒:不要害怕:不要驚惶。(參看:路21:9)

耶穌邀請他們把祂要再來的時刻看作為信眾所預備的分娩時刻,耶穌宣告:祂的門徒將要面對的困難時刻:坐監,被人誹謗,被家庭成員和最好的朋友出賣。有人懷疑:為什麼要受這麼多痛苦,做這麼多的犧牲?這一切都無濟於事:惡人必要常常興旺,犯罪作惡,戰勝義人。

耶穌說:這一切決不會發生。天主引導人度生,引導惡人成為自己良善的兒女,建立一個國度。在這個世界上,他們的犧牲,不會得到承認。他們要被人遺忘,也許會受人詛咒,但是天主 —— 審斷萬世的天主—— 義人復活的時候,必要報答他們。

借用Fernando Armellini SCJ神父的文段進行分析

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

2022(丙)常年期第卅三主日:鼓起勇气,抬起头来

鼓起勇气,抬起头来
福音:路21:5-19

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

这个世界,终会穷尽;太阳会穷尽,太阳系也会穷尽;整个宇宙和多重宇宙都会穷尽。这一切都会终结,但不是在你和我都活着的时候。然而,政局的动荡,战争,饥荒,瘟疫,迫使我们感到痛苦和沮丧。俄罗斯入侵乌克兰,国家与国家之间的紧张关系的报导,带给我们的,迫在眉睫的危险。关于世界终局的谣言,迅速传播。

原教旨主义者引用一些圣经文本,以此证明这些令人沮丧和迫在眉睫的危险。最常被引用的,是这段经文:“在末日,将是困难的时期。人们将变得自私,喜爱钱财,自夸,自负,传播绯闻,悖逆他们的父母,忘恩负义,不虔敬。不慈爱,难和解;他们将是诽谤人的,无节制的,残酷的,良善人的仇敌,背叛者,无耻,满是骄傲的,酷爱喜乐,胜过爱天主。”(弟后3:1-4)每个世代,我们都会遇到这些令人感到不适的状况,因此,为那些预测世界终穷的人而言,选定一个日期,并不困难。这就耶和华见证会(Jehovah’s Witnesses)做的。他们不知不觉的,利用我们脆弱的,恐惧的紧张的心理,加给我们天主是残酷和暴力的信仰观。让我们再仔细一些,聆听天主,看看祂运用末世性语言的真实用意。

路加撰写他的福音,大约是在公元85年。离耶稣死而复活过后的五十年,发生了巨大的事件。发生了战争,政变,灾难,耶路撒冷的圣殿被摧毁了。基督徒成了不公义和迫害的受害者。对这些戏剧性的事件,要怎么解释呢?

有些人被圣言之主(words of the Master)的话所吸引:“将有巨大的地震,饥荒,灾害;从天上可以看到令人害怕的标记 ……”这正解释了,耶稣已经预见一切。不幸的事(特别是耶路撒冷圣殿被毁)是世界穷尽将要来到,主要乘着天上的云彩再度来临的标记。今天的福音,试图回答这些错误的期望,纠正有人加给圣言之主的错误理解。

这则教训,发生在有些人来到耶稣跟前,邀请祂进到圣殿,欣赏圣殿的美景的时候。拉比经常说:那从未见过耶路撒冷圣殿的,就不会想到,这个是世界上最美的奇迹。耶稣的回答是令人惊讶的:“你们所欣赏的,没有一块石头会留在另一块石头上。”他们感到惊讶,问祂说:“这一切,将在何时发生,关于这事的发生,会有什么征兆呢?”耶稣不能具体说明这个日期:祂不知道,因为祂不知道,世界的终局的时日(参看:玛24:36)祂不是位魔术师,不是位占卜师,所以,祂不知道。

路加为什么要介绍这一章节呢?在他的团体内,有假先知经常给基督徒团体带来严重的危险。路加记述了,耶稣也很烦恼,祂也警告自己的门徒,要驳斥那些预言世界末日,已经临近的人。祂强烈建议他们:“不要追随他们。”

救主来临的时刻和世界的终局之间,会发生什么?耶稣用一种,自己所处世代百姓所熟悉的末世性语言,进行了回答。祂谈到,人民起义,攻打人民,地震,饥荒,瘟疫,可怕的事件,在天上的巨大标记 …… 耶稣习惯给自己的门徒讲:两个历史之间过渡的时日,已近在咫尺了。新的世代,以宣告喜乐和希望为开端。凡在痛苦中期待天主国的,应当知道:新天的曙光,神妙的日子,将要出现。为了这个缘由,祂督促门徒:不要害怕:不要惊惶。(参看:路21:9)

耶稣邀请他们把祂要再来的时刻看作为信众所预备的分娩时刻,耶稣宣告:祂的门徒将要面对的困难时刻:坐监,被人诽谤,被家庭成员和最好的朋友出卖。有人怀疑:为什么要受这么多痛苦,做这么多的牺牲?这一切都无济于事:恶人必要常常兴旺,犯罪作恶,战胜义人。

耶稣说:这一切决不会发生。天主引导人度生,引导恶人成为自己良善的儿女,建立一个国度。在这个世界上,他们的牺牲,不会得到承认。他们要被人遗忘,也许会受人诅咒,但是天主 —— 审断万世的天主—— 义人复活的时候,必要报答他们。

借用Fernando Armellini SCJ神父的文段进行分析

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

Homily for Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year C

Courage, Lift up Your Head!
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19


Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries


The earth is consumable, the Sun is, the solar system is; the universe and multiverses are all consumables. There will be an end to all these, but not when you and I are living.  However, when political upheavals, wars, famine and pestilence push us into a sense of misery and despondence. With the invasion of Ukraine by the Russians or the impending sense of peril with the news of other strained relationships among countries bring us to the same despondence. Rumors spread quickly about the end of the world. Fundamentalist sects refer to some biblical texts validating these despair and impending peril. The most cited is this: “There will be difficult times in the last days. People will become selfish, lovers of money, boastful, conceited, gossips, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy. They will be unable to love and to forgive; they will be slanderers, without self-control, cruel, enemies of good, traitors, shameless, full of pride, more in love with pleasures than with God” (2 Tim 3:1-4). We encounter these uncomfortable situations at every age, so those who want to make predictions about the end of the world do not have difficulty establishing the dates. And this is what the Jehovah’s Witnesses do. They are unknowingly making use of our psychic vulnerability to fear and anxiety to bring in a version of faith that feeds on a cruel and violent God. Let us listen to the Lord a little more carefully to see what he actually intends by using the apocalyptic language.

Luke wrote his Gospel around the year 85 A.D. In the fifty years that passed since the death and resurrection of Jesus, tremendous events occurred. There were wars, political revolutions, catastrophes and the temple of Jerusalem was destroyed. Christians became victims of injustices and persecutions. How to explain these dramatic events?

Someone appeals to the words of the Master: “There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues; terrifying signs from heaven will be seen… Here is the explanation—Jesus had foreseen everything. The misfortunes (especially the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem) are signs of the end of the world that is coming and that the Lord is returning on the clouds of heaven. Today’s Gospel tries to answer these false expectations and corrects the wrong interpretation that some gave to the words of the Master.

The teaching takes place when some people approach Jesus who is in the temple and invite him to admire its beauty. The rabbis used to say, whoever has not seen the temple of Jerusalem has not contemplated the most beautiful among the marvels of the world. The answer of Jesus is amazing: “There shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire. Amazed, they ask him: When will this be and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” Jesus cannot specify the date: He does not know it, as he does not know the day and hour of the world’s end (Mt 24:36). He is not a magician, a soothsayer, so he does not answer.

Why does Luke introduce this episode? There were false prophets in his communities who have always presented a serious danger to the Christian communities. Luke records that Jesus is also bothered and warns his disciples against those who foretell that the end of the world is near. He strongly recommends: “Do not follow them”.

What will happen in the time between the Lord’s coming and the end of the world? Jesus answers this by using an apocalyptic language familiar to people of his time. He talks about the uprisings of peoples against peoples, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences, terrifying events and great signs in heaven etc…  Jesus uses it to say to the disciples that the passage between two eras of history is imminent. The new era is inaugurated with a proclamation of joy and hope. Anyone in pain and waiting for the kingdom of God should know that the dawn of a new, wonderful day is about to appear. That is the reason that he urges the disciples not to be afraid: not to be frightened. (v. 9)

After having invited them to consider the time of waiting for his return as a gestation that prepares for the delivery, Jesus announces the difficulties that his disciples will have to confront: prison, slanders, betrayal by the family members and best friends. There were those who doubted, why endure so much suffering and make many sacrifices? It’s all to no avail: the wicked will always continue to prosper, to commit violence, to get the better of the righteous.

Jesus says that it will not happen. God guides people’s lives and directs the plans of the wicked to the good of his children and the establishment of the kingdom. In this world, the value of their sacrifice will not be recognized. They will be forgotten, perhaps cursed, but God—and it is his judgment that matters—will give them the reward in the resurrection of the righteous.

Indebted to Fernando Armellini SCJ for textual analysis

© Claretian Missionaries
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2022

2022(丙)常年期第卅二主日:恐懼和細想中間,只有希望

恐懼和細想中間,只有希望
福音:路20:27-38

Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

復活是撒杜塞人和法利塞人之間的熱門話題,儘管兩方都是虔敬的人。在我們的時日,這個辯題,發生在那些相信天主的人和其他人之間。撒杜塞人是由富人階層所組成,他們與羅馬政府合作。全部大司祭(對耶穌的死負首要責任)就是屬於這個派別。

雖然,法利塞人相信復活,撒杜塞人宣稱自己是懷疑主義者,因為梅瑟五書(Torah)並沒有講過復活。此外,有了這此錢,他們能在這個世界上, 享受天國,他們感覺自己無需對死後的生活,抱有夢想。

撒杜塞人聽了耶穌的話,明白耶穌相信復活。為說服祂改變自己的想法,他們引用梅瑟五書中,許可一位寡婦同她丈夫的弟弟再婚的一段文字。他們沒有準備好接受耶穌的答案,耶穌的回答,並沒有落入他們預先設置好的範圍。

儘管法利塞人相信復活,堅信永生就是今世的圓滿。因此,他們低垂下眼睛,嘟囔幾句抱怨的話,在這些譏哨評論的人群中,迅速離開了。

耶穌所理解的復活,與法利塞人理解的復活,截然不同。祂發言,並講明自己的答覆。第一句是:“今世的兒女,也嫁也娶,但是 另一世界的 …… 他們好似天使 —— 他們是天主的兒/女“(參看:路20:34-36)

人死以後,再度回到同一軀體,毫無意義。與天主同生,是一種新的狀態:一人被引入其中時,仍保留他原有的特徵,成為不同的人,不朽,且與天主的天使同等。

與天主同生,會是怎樣的呢?回答這個問題時,我們必須謹慎,因為這反映了,日益迫近的,來世的危險 —— 正如法利塞人和撒杜塞人做的一樣。我們當下經驗到的積極的事物,無限增加:喜樂,滿足,—— 正如辣彼提倡的那樣 —— 回歸婚姻生活。

今天,許多基督徒的某些特定聲明,特定祈禱,特定問題背後,他們仍然懷有花招,不幸的是:“從死人復活”的景象,與法利塞人的相似。耶穌提到的復活 —— 是使人與天主的天使有共通之處 —— 完成不同。為耶穌而言,人在世上生活,有如妊娠。他預備一個新生,在此以後,再無其它,因為他要進入的世界,將是最終的世界。在那個世界,再無任何形式上的死亡。

正如在母親胎中的胎兒,不能想像等待他的世界一樣,同樣,人也不能想像與天主同生的生活。這是未啟示的奧秘,不是因為天主願意增加懸念和驚喜,而只是因為我們的明悟,不能理解。“一個可朽壞的身體,是為埋葬靈魂,用陶土構型的,我們的會幕,壓垮了我們活潑的頭腦。我們只能理解世上的事物,誰希望能理解天上的事呢?”(智9:15-16)

只有經由信德,我們才能接近崇高和不可言喻的實體,相信那些眼所未見,耳所未聞,頭腦不能理解,天主為那些愛祂的人所預備的事物。(格前2:9)與其探究那些我們不能理解的事物,不如住在復活的基督提供的確定的實體內:特別是生活的兩種形式 —— 當下和未來的生命 —— 在這兩種不同的形式下,只有一種生命延續存在。

借用Fernando Armellini SCJ神父的文段進行分析

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

2022(丙)常年期第卅二主日:恐惧和细想中间,只有希望

恐惧和细想中间,只有希望
福音:路20:27-38

Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Missionaries

复活是撒杜塞人和法利塞人之间的热门话题,尽管两方都是虔敬的人。在我们的时日,这个辩题,发生在那些相信天主的人和其他人之间。撒杜塞人是由富人阶层所组成,他们与罗马政府合作。全部大司祭(对耶稣的死负首要责任)就是属于这个派别。

虽然,法利塞人相信复活,撒杜塞人宣称自己是怀疑主义者,因为梅瑟五书(Torah)并没有讲过复活。此外,有了这此钱,他们能在这个世界上, 享受天国,他们感觉自己无需对死后的生活,抱有梦想。

撒杜塞人听了耶稣的话,明白耶稣相信复活。为说服祂改变自己的想法,他们引用梅瑟五书中,许可一位寡妇同她丈夫的弟弟再婚的一段文字。他们没有准备好接受耶稣的答案,耶稣的回答,并没有落入他们预先设置好的范围。

尽管法利塞人相信复活,坚信永生就是今世的圆满。因此,他们低垂下眼睛,嘟囔几句抱怨的话,在这些讥哨评论的人群中,迅速离开了。

耶稣所理解的复活,与法利塞人理解的复活,截然不同。祂发言,并讲明自己的答复。第一句是:“今世的儿女,也嫁也娶,但是 另一世界的 …… 他们好似天使 —— 他们是天主的儿/女“(参看:路20:34-36)

人死以后,再度回到同一躯体,毫无意义。与天主同生,是一种新的状态:一人被引入其中时,仍保留他原有的特征,成为不同的人,不朽,且与天主的天使同等。

与天主同生,会是怎样的呢?回答这个问题时,我们必须谨慎,因为这反映了,日益迫近的,来世的危险 —— 正如法利塞人和撒杜塞人做的一样。我们当下经验到的积极的事物,无限增加:喜乐,满足,—— 正如辣彼提倡的那样 —— 回归婚姻生活。

今天,许多基督徒的某些特定声明,特定祈祷,特定问题背后,他们仍然怀有花招,不幸的是:“从死人复活”的景象,与法利塞人的相似。耶稣提到的复活 —— 是使人与天主的天使有共通之处 —— 完成不同。为耶稣而言,人在世上生活,有如妊娠。他预备一个新生,在此以后,再无其它,因为他要进入的世界,将是最终的世界。在那个世界,再无任何形式上的死亡。

正如在母亲胎中的胎儿,不能想象等待他的世界一样,同样,人也不能想象与天主同生的生活。这是未启示的奥秘,不是因为天主愿意增加悬念和惊喜,而只是因为我们的明悟,不能理解。“一个可朽坏的身体,是为埋葬灵魂,用陶土构型的,我们的会幕,压垮了我们活泼的头脑。我们只能理解世上的事物,谁希望能理解天上的事呢?”(智9:15-16)

只有经由信德,我们才能接近崇高和不可言喻的实体,相信那些眼所未见,耳所未闻,头脑不能理解,天主为那些爱祂的人所预备的事物。(格前2:9)与其探究那些我们不能理解的事物,不如住在复活的基督提供的确定的实体内:特别是生活的两种形式 —— 当下和未来的生命 —— 在这两种不同的形式下,只有一种生命延续存在。

借用Fernando Armellini SCJ神父的文段进行分析

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