常年期第四週 (週六) (2009年2月7日) 真福碧岳九世教宗 4th week in Ordinary Time - Sat

神父講道 - 常年期第四週 (週六) (2009年2月7日)
真福碧岳九世教宗
恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 6:30-34那時，宗徒們聚集到耶穌跟前，將他們所作所教的一切，都報告給耶穌。耶穌向他們說：「你們來，私下到荒野的地方去休息一會兒！」這是因為來往的人很多，以 致他們連吃飯的功夫也沒有。他們便乘船私下往荒野的地方去了。人看見他們走了。許多人也知道他們要去的地方，便從各城徒步，一起往那裏奔走，且在他們以先 到了。耶穌一下船，看見一大夥群眾，就對他們動了憐憫的心，因為他們好像沒有牧人的羊，遂開口教訓他們許多事。
—這是基督的福音。
(4th week in Ordinary Time - Sat.)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 6:30-34
30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
—The Gospel of the Lord.

• 真福碧岳九世 BLESSED PIUS IX慈幼會的「第二創辦人」
  (1792-1878)
  早年生活
  這位教宗在1792年5月13日生於意大利塞尼加利亞(Senigallia)的貴族家庭，父母為馬斯達‧費雷迪(Mastai Ferretti)伯爵家族的杰羅莫(Gerolamo)與佳琳‧索拉茲(Caterina Solazzi)。孩子在出生當日領洗，取名為若望‧瑪利亞(Giovanni Maria)。他的身體虛弱，但才智過人，童年時代主動作一些小克己，善度虔誠的信仰生活。1809年，年青的若望‧馬斯達往羅馬升學，但癲癎症發作，必須暫停學業。聖文生‧伯樂天(Vincent Pallotti)預言，洛雷托聖母(Virgin of Loreto)將治癒他，他將成為教宗。
  晉鐸
  在羅馬塔塔若望教育學院(Tata Giovanni Educational Institute)服務一段短時間後，他決定作聖職人員，在1819年4月10日晉鐸。若望神父避免受僱於任何行業，以全心服務教會。他出任塔塔若望教育學院院長至1823年，然後被委派到智利的教廷大使館工作。他返回意大利後，不願再擔任外交工作，管理極需改革的羅馬聖彌額爾收容所。若望神父熱心投入工作，但沒有忘記司鐸的本分。
  出任樞機主教
  兩年後，在1827年，35歲的若望神父獲祝聖為斯波萊托(Spoleto)總主教。他在那裡須對抗革命運動，但不希望流血衝突，並盡力補救暴力的禍害。回復平靜後，他為所有人獲得特赦，包括那些不配被赦免的人。
  1832年，馬斯達總主教給調往動蕩的伊莫拉(Imola)教區。他是個能言善道的宣講者，積極對任何人行善，熱心於教區的超性和物質需要，投身領導他的聖職人員和修生。他亦推廣青年教育，細察默觀生活的需要，恭敬耶穌聖心和聖母，慈愛對待所有人，但堅守原則。1840年，48歲的若望晉陞樞機。
  獲選教宗
  雖然馬斯達樞機一向避免獲取榮譽，但依然在1846年6月16日獲選為教宗，取名為碧岳九世，以紀念青年時代曾協助他的碧岳七世。碧岳九世在位時面對許多困難，而正是為此，造就他成為偉大的教宗，是歷史上最偉大的教宗之一。他深知自己是「基督的代表」，須為天主和教會的權益負責，處事明確、真誠、表裡一致，結合堅定與體諒、忠信與開放。上任之初，他以基督徒精神作出寬大的行動，就政治罪行給予特赦。1847年，他頒布法令，授予傳媒極大自由度，並設立公民警衛隊、市議會和公社、國務院及內閣委員會。所有開明的歐洲國家也稱揚這位教宗。幾個月後，教宗的威望達至顛峰，尤其因為羅馬與土耳其帝國達成協議，並與俄國簽署有利的協定。當時，到處也有人高叫「碧岳九世萬歲！」
  
  流亡歸來
  然而，稍後有些人感到失望。儘管碧岳九世對政治沒有興趣，但他絕不同意積極介入意大利向奧地利爭取獨立的戰爭；他曾在1848年4月29日的訓諭表示，如果介入這戰爭，將有違他作為所有信友之父的角色。教宗政府的首長佩里諾‧羅西(Pellegrino Rossi)被刺殺後，教宗須在1848年11月24日，逃亡至那不勒斯(Naples)的加埃塔(Gaeta)暫避。然而，在歐洲外交使節和法國軍隊支持下，教宗在1850年4月12日重返羅馬。他再度頒布特赦，重建英國和荷蘭的天主教聖統制。1853年，他譴責加利剛主義，成立虔敬神學院(Seminario Pio)。碧岳九世設立基督考古學委員會，在1854年12月8日欽定聖母始胎無染原罪的信理，並祝聖在1823年遭焚毀後重建的聖保祿大殿。
  1856年，他批准在教宗領土興建鐵路，並在1859年4月24日啟用羅馬至奇維塔韋基亞(Civitavecchia)首段。1857年，他巡視教宗領土多個地區，在各地獲群眾熱烈歡迎。這位充滿魄力的教宗亦派遣傳教士到北極、印度、緬甸、中國和日本。
  
  教會世俗統治權的結束
  教宗領土的政府實施一些管理改革，但十九世紀的歷史學家並不喜歡提及這些措施。當時並非所有知識分子滿意教宗的政權。加富爾(Cavour)趁此良機，加快意大利的統一。1860年3月，羅馬涅(Romagna)被吞併；1860年9月的卡斯特費達多(Castelfidardo)之戰結束後，大軍企圖進入羅馬，但遭法國軍隊阻止，教宗得以再保留羅馬及其周邊地區十年。教宗雖然受盡苦難，但仍無畏前進，繼續實踐愛德，關心眾人。1862年，他成立專責部門處理東方禮天主教徒的事宜；1864年，他出版《謬誤提要》(Syllabus)，遣責當時的謬誤；1867年，他慶祝聖伯多祿與聖保祿殉道1800週年紀念；1869年是他的晉鐸金禧紀念，獲世界各地致送的道賀；同年稍後時間，他召開梵蒂岡第一屆大公會議，那是他教宗職務的全盛期，會議在1870年7月18日結束。意大利軍隊趁著法普戰爭的時機，於1870年9月20日佔領羅馬，結束教宗的世俗統治權。羅馬失陷後，憂傷的教宗認為自己是梵蒂岡的囚犯，拒絕接受意大利提出的擔保法。教宗把整個教會奉獻給耶穌聖心，頒令「不參政」(Non expedit)，限制天主教徒參與政治生活，並恢復蘇格蘭的聖統制。
  積極推行各種活動
  他的教宗職務較重要的層面，就是指導教會。他與俄羅斯（1847年）、西班牙（1851年）、奧地利（1855年）和多個拉丁美洲國家訂立有關宗教事務的條約。此外，文化爭戰(Kulturkamp)削弱德國的天主教會後，是他促成當地天主教會的復興。他分別在1850年及1853年，重建英國和荷蘭的聖統制，並建立206個新教區和宗座代牧區，特別在美國和英國殖民地。在梵蒂岡推動下，傳教士工作在世界各地蓬勃發展。
  碧岳九世享負盛名，比前任者過之而無不及。其中一個原因，就是教宗的個人魅力，他藉著大量接見個人和團體，增加個人接觸的機會；此外，許多人同情他屢遭不幸，例如流亡至加埃塔、領土遭比哀蒙軍侵佔及羅馬被佔領等，因此視他為真正的殉道者。在大部分天主教地區，尤其是法國，有許多人恭敬這位教宗。
  
  天主為首
  在碧岳九世獲宣告為真福的感恩祭中，教宗若望保祿二世說：「身處動蕩的時代，他（碧岳九世）毫無保留地忠於不可改變的啟示真理寶庫，堪稱典範。他在任何環境下盡忠履行職務，總是把天主和精神價值放在首位。他漫長的任期並不輕鬆，為履行服務福音的使命，他受了許多苦。許多人敬愛他，但也有人中傷和仇視他。然而，正是在這些衝突中，他的德行才得以輝煌顯耀。漫長的苦難鍛煉他對天主的信賴，他從不懷疑天主對人類事件的主權，因此碧岳九世在面對誤解和許多敵意人士的攻擊時，依然深感平安。他喜歡對身邊的人說：『在處理人間事務時，我們須盡力而為，然後把一切交給天主，祂必會醫治人類的過失和缺點。』」
  在2000年9月3日宣告五位天主忠僕為真福的教宗若望保祿二世續說：「他們五人性格各異，各有特點和使命，但他們的共通點就是渴望成聖。我們今天正是要表揚他們的聖德。這是富有內涵的聖德，轉化與天主的關係，透過每天奉行天主的旨意而加以培養和實踐。聖德存在於歷史中，而所有聖人也不能避免人性的限制。教會宣告她的孩子為真福時，並非表揚他作出的具體歷史決定，而是指出因著他的品德，他是值得效法和尊敬的人，並讚揚他所顯耀的天主恩寵。」（《羅馬觀察報》英文版，2000年9月6日）。
  碧岳九世發表許多通諭和勸諭，構成完整和有系統的文集。除了宣講信理外，他同樣致力深化聖職人員的神修生活，並激發信友的虔敬。他在任期間，教會有許多大轉變，其中之一就是普通信友的神修生活有所提升。許多因素導致這種發展，而教宗的個人角色非常重要，因為他在眾人面前表現虔敬；再者，他作出極大努力，以促成革命危機後的發展，有時甚至加快這發展。碧岳九世的真誠使人感動，而且仁慈待人，平安勇敢地面對災禍，才智過人，充滿熱誠，所有看見他祈禱的人也欽佩他。更值得注意的，就是他推行牧民工作時的德行。他努力在任何時刻活出司鐸的身分，甚至在經歷「羅馬問題」時亦然，他不要作捍衛寶座的統治者，而是作屬於教會的人，覺察自己在天主前負有的責任，在不敬神、政權還俗主義(Laicism)及理性主義的威脅下，捍衛基督信仰的價值。
  與世長辭，光榮列品
  碧岳九世健康衰退，於1878年2月2日向羅馬的本堂神父發表最後的演講。2月7日，史上最長的教宗任期（1846年至1878年）隨著他的逝世而結束。
  他逝世不久，他的敬仰者推動展開他的真福列品調查，由碧岳十二世審理，最後順利結束。2000年9月3日，教宗若望保祿二世宣告他榮列真福品。
  
  碧岳九世與鮑思高神父
  1) 教宗欽佩鮑思高神父
  1858年，鮑思高神父首次到訪羅馬，並謁見教宗，總監介紹他為「鮑瑟爾」(Bosser)。然而，在交談期間，教宗發現這個與他說話的人就是鮑思高神父，於是對他更加友善。鮑聖對教宗說，他的寄宿學校有200個青年，在學習不同行業的技能。他向教宗呈上《公教讀物》(Letture Cattoliiche)的合訂本，指出這是他的青年裝訂的。教宗立即說：「好啊，我希望給他們每人一個聖牌。」他走到鄰房拿來十五個始胎無原罪聖母小聖牌，對鮑思高神父說：「這些送給你的裝訂工人吧。」(BM V, 560)
  「在會面結束時，碧岳九世問鮑思高神父有沒有參觀聖伯多祿大殿。教宗特別批准他參觀聖伯多祿大殿的每一角落，以及聖城羅馬的所有名勝，並指示總監為他開啟所有門戶。他對鮑思高神父說：『盡量參觀所有地方吧。』」(BM V, 562)鮑思高神父離開前，教宗對他說：「只要我有權賜予你的，我也會給你。」說畢，便降福鮑思高神父。數日後，教宗在辦公室的小保險箱拿出一些金幣，交給鮑聖說：「給孩子好好吃一頓吧。」
  1867年，碧岳九世問鮑思高神父說：「你的青年愛我嗎？」「聖父，他們的心全向著你和天主。」(BM VIII, 313)。一次，有一對富有的夫婦把四歲的聾啞殘障兒子帶給教宗降福，碧岳九世降福孩子後，建議父母帶孩子去見鮑思高神父，因為他不久前在羅馬治癒了許多病人。
  教宗非常敬佩鮑思高神父及他的事業，以致他常對來自杜林的訪客說：「杜林有鮑思高神父，真是幸運！」(BM IX, 169)教宗曾說，他有三個無私的朋友，包括奧雷里蒙席(Mgr. Oreglia)及馬格蒂神父(Father Margotti)，「第三個就朋友就是鮑思高神父」。教宗亦曾跪下來向鮑思高神父辦告解。教宗很敬佩他，稱鮑聖為「意大利的珍寶」。1872年，鮑聖患病，教宗請安東尼利樞機(Cardinal Antonelli)代為發電報問候他。
  1867年，聖伯多祿殉道1900週年紀念。鮑思高神父出版《聖伯多祿百年紀念》小冊子。羅馬審查當局發現內容有誤，指責作者，還揚言要把小冊子列入禁書目錄。然而，碧岳九世說：「這樣不行。鮑思高神父真可憐！更正完成後，重新印製吧。」(BM VIII, 329)
  教宗病重期間，鮑思高神父到羅馬，希望探訪教宗，但他的請求多次遭梵蒂岡的蒙席拒絕。「他到聖伯多祿大殿多次，走遍梵蒂岡，希望有機會達成心願，碧岳九世也在等待他。鮑思高神父後來得知，教宗多次悲歎說：「我知道鮑思高神父在羅馬，但他竟然沒有打算見我。我有重要的事要對他說。我不曾如此對待他，我一向善待他啊！」……結果，鮑思高神父無緣見碧岳九世的最後一面。(BM XIII, 347-68)
  鮑思高神父從羅馬回來後，親述以下事件，《回憶錄》(Memorie Biografiche)亦有記述：「謁見教宗當日，碧岳九世對宗座府人員說：『鮑思高神父沒有馬車，用我的馬車接他吧。』他們便到我暫住的地方接我。我登上教宗的馬車。馬車大得足以容納十多人，全部用絲綢和織綿鋪蓋。試想想，我竟然獨自坐在這輛馬車中。我乘馬車到梵蒂岡，教宗吩咐馬車等我，其後馬車送我到韋樂奇主教(Vitelleschi)的住處。」(BM IX, 243)
  
  2) 碧岳九世參與創立慈幼會
  鮑聖在1858年首次與教宗會面時，向教宗述說他在杜林推行的所有工作。教宗細心聆聽後，問道：「神父，你推行許多事業，但如果你不幸逝世，這些事業將會如何呢？」「我來是懇請教宗陛下指教，應如何成立一個切合我們時代的修會呢？」「成立你的修會吧，但不要讓政府有機會插手……應根據這些原則擬定會憲……你在數日後回來，我會告訴你我的意見。」(BM V, 561)稍後，教宗對鮑聖說：「想辦法使各成員成為教會眼中的修道者，但也要作世俗眼中的自由公民。」(BM V, 576)
  1869年2月19日，主教與修會部(Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars)核准慈幼會成立，碧岳九世歡欣地認可聖部的決定。當晚，鮑思高神父謁見教宗。教宗對他說：「神父，你現在必須盡快讓會憲獲得通過。我瞭解一切，也認識你的目標，會盡我所能支持你，但我老了，隨時會死。繼任人不知是誰，或許事情會受阻。」(BM IX, 248)
  五年後，樞機團在1874年4月舉行大會，討論是否最後核准慈幼會成立。總主教韋樂奇向教宗呈報討論結果，指還欠一票才能全票通過。碧岳九世高呼：「好的，我就投下欠缺的一票吧。」(BM X, 368)
  3) 鮑思高神父承擔重要工作
  教宗請鮑思高神父列出一份可領導比哀蒙教區的神父名單。「雅敬‧貝托神父(Fr. Joachim Berto)看見那份名單，由鮑思高神父親手寫成，名列首位的是主教座堂議員羅倫斯•嘉斯塔迪(Canon Lawrence Gastaldi)，獲提名管理薩盧佐(Saluzzo)的牧座。」(BM VIII, 279)。教宗碧岳九世亦希望鮑思高神父合併始胎會(Conceptionists)與慈幼會。在1877年的私人會面中，教宗對鮑聖說：「我希望你照顧始胎會。他們有崇高的使命，幫助病人獲得善終。你的工作並非改革或修正他們，而是合併他們和慈幼會的會憲。」鮑思高神父依然服從基督的代表，請教宗用書面記錄這請求，讓他思量和實行。(BM XII, 360)
  1869年，鮑聖謁見教宗，教宗再次詢問鮑聖：「鮑思高神父，請你幫我一個忙。你是否願意在羅馬這裡開辦學院和青年中心，就像杜林的一樣呢？」(BM IX, 243)
  1870年，碧岳九世問鮑思高神父說：「你可否離開杜林，到羅馬陪伴我？這會有損你的修會嗎？」「聖父，那樣修會將滅亡啊！」教宗沒有堅持，但他顯然希望鮑聖到羅馬出任樞機，作他的左右手。(BM IX, 396-67)
  1858年，鮑思高神父探訪羅馬後，教宗侍從梅洛德蒙席(Monsignor Merode)探訪他，請求他說：「教宗邀請你到天神之后聖母堂(Santa Maria degli Angeli)附近的監獄，為婦女主持退省。」(BM V, 571)
  4) 鮑思高神父教導別人敬愛教宗
  「4月11日（1860年），鮑思高神父致函教宗，表示他和青年中心的青年將忠於他。信件有710個署名，並附上143里拉40先特西摩1捐款，作為『聖座獻金』。」(BM VI, 287-288)。1860年，鮑聖在新堡(Castelnuovo)與以前的老師賈烈勞神父交談期間，賈烈勞神父勇敢為教宗辯護，並說：「我體諒你。鮑思高，為教宗努力吧，你們所有人也要毫不猶疑地為他殉道啊。」(BM VI, 435)
  1譯註：centesimi，意大利貨幣單位。
  將近十二年之久，鮑思高神父一直希望在杜林興建一座奉獻給聖若望的聖堂，以紀念這位偉大的教宗。他的動機很清晰：「碧岳九世領洗的聖名就是耶穌所愛的門徒若望。他興建這朝拜之所，是為了紀念碧岳九世，表達對教宗的衷心感激。」雖然教宗在生時，他不曾公告這計劃，但很明顯他在教宗逝世前已有此意，因為在1877年，他找到捐助人資助建造教堂大門的經費後，請包爾米達(Castellazzo Bormida)的若瑟‧博伊迪教授(Joseph Boidi)設計大門，在大門鑲板用徽章展示碧岳九世的功績。」(BM XIII, 443)
  重要日期
  真福碧岳九世 1792年 生於意大利塞尼加利亞 1819年 晉鐸 1827年 晉陞主教 1846年 獲選教宗 1848年 被迫逃離羅馬 1850年 重返羅馬 1878年 與世長辭（2月7日） 2000年 榮列真福品

聖佳德(亞加大)貞女 紀念 (週四) (2009年2月5日) St. Agatha

神父講道 - 聖佳德(亞加大)貞女 紀念 (週四) (2009年2月5日)
聖佳德(亞加大)貞女 (紀念)
恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 6:7-13那時候，耶穌叫來十二門徒，開始派遣他們兩個兩個地出去，賜給他們制伏邪魔的權柄，囑咐他們在路上除了一根棍杖外，什麼也不要帶：不要帶食物，不要帶口袋，也不要在腰帶裏帶銅錢；卻要穿鞋，不要穿兩件內衣。又對他們說：「你們無論在那裏，進了一家，就住在那裏，直到從那裏離去；無論何處不接待你們，或不聽從你們，你們就從那裏出去。拂去你們腳下的塵土，作為反對他們的證據。他們就出去宣講，使人悔改，並驅逐了許多魔鬼，且給許多病人傅油，治好了他們。
—這是基督的福音。
(St. Agatha)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 6:7-13
7 And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖亞加大(St. Agatha)（殉道）（紀念）二月五日
聖女大約在羅馬德西烏斯皇教難時，在西西里島加大尼亞殉道；其敬禮於第六世紀就列入羅馬禮中。
St. Agatha February 5
(d. 251?)
As in the case of Agnes, another virgin-martyr of the early Church, almost nothing is historically certain about this saint except that she was martyred in Sicily during the persecution of Emperor Decius in 251.
Legend has it that Agatha, like Agnes, was arrested as a Christian, tortured and sent to a house of prostitution to be mistreated. She was preserved from being violated, and was later put to death.
She is claimed as the patroness of both Palermo and Catania. The year after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mt. Etna was attributed to her intercession. As a result, apparently, people continued to ask her prayers for protection against fire. Comment:
The scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl. Still less welcome, probably, is the notion of that saint being the patroness of such varied professions as those of foundry workers, nurses, miners and Alpine guides. Yet, in our historical precision, have we lost an essential human quality of wonder and poetry, and even our belief that we come to God by helping each other, both in action and prayer?Quote:
When Agatha was arrested, the legend says, she prayed: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.” And in prison: “Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”

常年期第四週 (週二) (2009年2月3日) 聖樂修 - 聖安嘉 4th week in Ordinary Time - Tues St. Blaise St. Ansgar

神父講道 - 常年期第四週 (週二) (2009年2月3日)
聖樂修 - 聖安嘉
恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 5:21-43耶穌乘船渡回對岸，有大夥群眾聚集在他周圍；他遂留在海濱。那時，來了一個會堂長，名叫雅依洛，一見耶穌，就跪伏在他腳前，懇切求他說：「我的小女兒快要 死了，請你來，給她覆手，叫她得救回生。」耶穌就同他去了。有一大群人跟隨著他，擁擠著他。那時，有一個婦人，患血漏已有十二年。她在許多醫生手裏，受了 許多痛苦，化盡了自己所有的一切，不但沒有見效，反而病勢更加重了。她聽了有關耶穌的傳說，便來到人群中，從後邊摸了耶穌的衣裳，因為她心裏想：「我只要 一摸他的衣裳，必然會好的。」她的血源立刻涸竭了，並且覺得身上的疾病也好了。耶穌立時覺得有一種能力從自己身上出去，就在人群中回過頭來說：「誰摸了我 的衣裳？」他的門徒向他說：「你看！群眾四面擁擠著你，你還問：誰摸了我？」耶穌四周觀望，要看作這事的婦人。那婦人明知在自己身上所成的事，就戰戰兢兢 地前來，跪伏在耶穌前，把實情完全告訴了他。耶穌便向他說：「女兒，你的信德救了你，平安去吧！你的疾病必得痊愈。」他還說話的時候，有人從會堂長家裏 來，說：「你的女兒死了，你還來煩勞師傅做什麼？」耶穌聽見所說的話，就給會堂長說：「不要怕，只管信。」除伯多祿、雅各伯和雅各伯的弟弟若望外，他沒有 讓任何人跟他去。他們到了會堂長的家裏，耶穌看見群眾非常喧噪：有的哭泣，有的哀號，便進去，給他們說：「你們為什麼喧噪哭泣呢？小女孩並沒有死，只是睡 著了！」他們都譏笑他。他卻把眾人趕出去，帶著小女孩的父親和母親，以及同他在一起的人，進了小女孩所在的地方。他拿起小女孩的手，對她說：「塔里塔，古 木！」意思是：「女孩子，我命你起來！」那女孩子就立刻起來行走，原來她已十二歲了；他們都驚訝得目瞪口呆。耶穌卻嚴厲命令他們，不要叫任何人知道這事； 又吩咐給女孩子吃的。
—這是基督的福音。
(4th week in Ordinary Time - Tues.)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 5:21-43
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja’irus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and besought him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.”29 And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, `Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Tal’itha cu’mi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”42 And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖巴拉斯(St. Blase)（主教、殉道）二月三日
聖人在第四世紀時為亞美尼亞 之撒巴斯城主教。 中世紀時，他的敬禮便傳遍整個教會。
聖安斯卡 (St. Ansgar)（主教）
聖人於第九世紀初在法國出生， 在高爾比隱修院受教育。 公元八二六年往丹麥宣揚福音，旋往瑞典工作， 後被選為德國漢堡主教，並為教宗額我略四世所核准， 委任為丹麥及瑞典兩地的宗座代表。 聖人為了宣揚福音，歷盡艱辛，卻能百折不撓， 克勝一切。八六五年逝世。
St. Blaise
Feastday: February 3
Patron of Throat Illnesses
Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. Saint Blaise's protection of those with throat troubles apparently comes from a legend that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him.
Very few facts are known about Saint Blaise. We believe he was a bishop of Sebastea in Armenia who was martyred under the reign of Licinius in the early fourth century.
The legend of his life that sprang up in the eighth century tell us that he was born in to a rich and noble family who raised him as a Christian. After becoming a bishop, a new persecution of Christians began. He received a message from God to go into the hills to escape persecution. Men hunting in the mountains discovered a cave surrounded by wild animals who were sick. Among them Blaise walked unafraid, curing them of their illnesses. Recognizing Blaise as a bishop, they captured him to take him back for trial. On the way back, he talked a wolf into releasing a pig that belonged to a poor woman. When Blaise was sentenced to be starved to death, the woman, in gratitude, sneaked into the prison with food and candles. Finally Blaise was killed by the governor.
Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals because of his care for them and of those with throat maladies. In His Footsteps:
Take time as Saint Blaise did to find out how you can help wild animals. Find out what is being done to support and protect the wildlife in your area. There is wildlife everywhere, even in cities. Even a birdfeeder can help God's creatures survive. Prayer:
Saint Blaise, pray for us that we may not suffer from illnesses of the throat and pray that all who are suffering be healed by God's love. Amen
St. Ansgar
Feastday: February 3
Patron of Scandinavia
Ansgar was born of a noble family near Amiens. He became a monk at Old Corbie monastery in Picardy and later at New Corbie in Westphalia. He accompanied King Harold to Denmark when the exiled King returned to his native land and engaged in missionary work there. Ansgar's success caused King Bjorn of Sweden to invite him to that country, and he built the first Christian Church in Sweden. He became Abbot of New Corbie and first Archbishop of Hamburg about 831, and Pope Gregory IV appointed him Legate to the Scandinavian countries. He labored at his missionary works for the next fourteen years but saw all he had accomplished destroyed when invading pagan Northmen in 845 destroyed Hamburg and overran the Scandinavian countries, which lapsed into paganism. He was appointed first Archbishop of Bremen about 848, and the See was united with that of Hamburg by Pope Nicholas I. Ansgar again returned to Denmark and Sweden in 854 and resumed his missionary activities, converting Erik, King of Jutland. Ansgar's success was due to his great preaching ability, the austerity and holiness of his life, and the miracles he is reputed to have performed. Though called "the Apostle of the North" and the first Christian missionary in Scandinavia, the whole area lapsed into paganism again after his death at Bremen on February 3rd. His name is also spelled Anskar.

獻主節 慶日 (週一) (2009年2月2日) Presentation of the Lord

神父講道 - 獻主節 慶日 (週一) (2009年2月2日)
獻主節 (慶日)
恭讀聖路加福音　2:22-40按梅瑟的法律，一滿了他們取潔的日期，耶穌的父母──若瑟和瑪利亞，便帶著孩子上耶路撒冷，去獻給上主，就如上主法律所吩咐的：「凡開胎首生的男性，應祝聖於上主。」並該照上主法律所吩咐的，獻上祭品：一對斑鳩或兩隻雛鴿。那時，在耶路撒冷有一個人，名叫西默盎。這人正義虔誠，期待著以色列的安慰，而且聖神也在他身上。他曾蒙聖神啟示：自己在未看見上主的受傅者以前，決見不 到死亡。他因聖神的感動，進入聖殿；那時，抱著嬰孩耶穌的父母正進來，要按照法律的慣例為耶穌行禮。西默盎就雙臂接過耶穌來，讚美天主說：「主啊！現在可 照祢的話，放祢的僕人平安去罷！因為我親眼看見了，祢在萬民前準備好的救援：為作啟示異邦的光明，祢百姓以色列的榮耀。」嬰孩耶穌的父親和母親，就驚異他 關於耶穌所說的這番話。西默盎祝福了他們，又向耶穌的母親瑪利亞說：「看，這孩子已被立定，為使以色列中許多人跌倒和復興，並成為反對的記號。至於妳，要 有一把利劍刺透妳的心靈，為叫許多人心中的思念顯露出來。」又有一位女先知亞納，是阿協爾支派法奴耳的女兒，已上了年紀。她出嫁後，同丈夫住了七年，以後就守寡，直到八十四歲。她齋戒祈禱，晝夜事奉天主，總不離開 聖殿。正在那時候，她也前來稱謝天主，並向所有希望耶路撒冷得到救贖的人，講論這孩子。耶穌的父母按照上主的法律，辦完了一切，便返回加里肋亞，他們的本 城納匝肋。孩子漸漸長大而強壯，充滿智慧，天主的恩寵常在他身上。
─上主的話。
(Presentation of the Lord)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan’u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
—The Gospel of the Lord.

農曆新年後第一星期 (常年期第四週主日) (2009年2月1日) 1st Sunday After Chinese New Year - (4th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

主日講道 - 農曆新年後第一星期 (常年期第四週主日) -(2009年2月1日)
恭讀瑪竇福音5: 1-12那時候，耶穌一見群眾，就上了山，坐下；他的門徒上他跟前來，他遂開口教訓他們說：「神貧的人是有福的，因為天國是他們的。哀慟的人是有福的，因為他們要受安慰。溫良的人是有福的，因為他們要承受土地。飢渴慕義的人是有福的，因為他們要得飽飫。憐憫人的人是有福的，因為他們要受憐憫。心裏潔淨的人是有福的，因為他們要看見天主。締造和平的人是有福的，因為他們要稱為天主的子女。為義而受迫害的人是有福的，因為天國是他們的。幾時人為了我而辱罵迫害你們，捏造一切壞話毀謗你們，你們是有福的。你們歡喜踴躍罷！因為你們在天上的賞報是豐富的， 因為在你們以前的先知，人也曾這樣迫害過他們。」
—這是基督的福音。
1st Sunday After Chinese New Year - (4th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 5: 1-12
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.He began to teach them, saying:”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
—The Gospel of the Lord.

常年期第四主日 (週六) (2009年1月31日) (農曆新年後 - 第一星期) 1st Sunday after Chinese New Year - Saturday Evening Mass - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

神父講道 - 常年期第四主日 (週六) (2009年1月31日)
(農曆新年後 - 第一星期)
恭讀瑪竇福音5: 1-12那時候，耶穌一見群眾，就上了山，坐下；他的門徒上他跟前來，他遂開口教訓他們說：「神貧的人是有福的，因為天國是他們的。哀慟的人是有福的，因為他們要受安慰。溫良的人是有福的，因為他們要承受土地。飢渴慕義的人是有福的，因為他們要得飽飫。憐憫人的人是有福的，因為他們要受憐憫。心裏潔淨的人是有福的，因為他們要看見天主。締造和平的人是有福的，因為他們要稱為天主的子女。為義而受迫害的人是有福的，因為天國是他們的。幾時人為了我而辱罵迫害你們，捏造一切壞話毀謗你們，你們是有福的。你們歡喜踴躍罷！因為你們在天上的賞報是豐富的， 因為在你們以前的先知，人也曾這樣迫害過他們。」
—這是基督的福音。
1st Sunday after Chinese New Year - Saturday Evening Mass - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 5: 1-12
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.He began to teach them, saying:”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
—The Gospel of the Lord.

聖若望鮑思高司鐸 節日 (週六) (2009年1月31日) 聖若望鮑思高司鐸 (節日) St. John Bosco

神父講道 - 聖若望鮑思高司鐸 節日 (週六) (2009年1月31日)
聖若望鮑思高司鐸 (節日)
恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 4:35-41一天晚上，耶穌對門徒說：「我們渡海到對岸去吧！」他們遂離開群眾，就照耶穌在船上的原狀，帶他走了；與他一起的還有別的小船。忽然，狂風大作，波浪打進 船內，以致小船已滿了水。耶穌卻在船尾依枕而睡。門徒叫醒他，給他說：「師傅！我們要喪亡了，你不管嗎？」耶穌醒來，叱責了風，並向海說：「不要作聲，平 定了吧！」風就停止了，遂大為平靜。耶穌對門徒說：「為什麼你們這樣膽怯？你們怎麼還沒有信德呢？」他們非常驚懼。彼此說：「這人到底是誰？連風和海也聽 從他！」——這是基督的福音。
(St. John Bosco)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” 41 And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖若望鮑思高(St. John Boscos)（司鐸）（紀念）一月三十一日
聖人於公元一八一五年在意大利的都靈出生；童年生活非常清苦；晉鐸後，致力於教育青年工作，並創立修會（鮑思高慈幼會），以教育青年技藝，善度信友生活為宗旨。聖人曾寫過一些護教的小冊子。安逝於一八八八年。
St. John Bosco
b. 1815 d: 1888
What do dreams have to with prayer? Aren't they just random images of our mind?
In 1867 Pope Pius IX was upset with John Bosco because he wouldn't take his dreams seriously enough. Nine years earlier when Pope Pius IX met with the future saint who worked with neglected boys, he learned of the dreams that John had been having since the age of nine, dreams that had revealed God's will for John's life. So Pius IX had made a request, "Write down these dreams and everything else you have told me, minutely and in their natural sense." Pius IX saw John's dreams as a legacy for those John worked with and as an inspiration for those he ministered to.
Despite Scripture evidence and Church tradition respecting dreams, John had encountered skepticism when he had his first dream at the age of nine. The young Bosco dreamed that he was in a field with a crowd of children. The children started cursing and misbehaving. John jumped into the crowd to try to stop them -- by fighting and shouting. Suddenly a man with a face filled with light appeared dressed in a white flowing mantle. The man called John over and made him leader of the boys. John was stunned at being put in charge of these unruly gang. The man said, "You will have to win these friends of yours not with blows but with gentleness and kindness." As adults, most of us would be reluctant to take on such a mission -- and nine year old John was even less pleased. "I'm just a boy," he argued, "how can you order me to do something that looks impossible." The man answered, "What seems so impossible you must achieve by being obedient and acquiring knowledge." Thenthe boys turned into the wild animals they had been acting like. The man told John that this is the field of John's life work. Once John changed and grew in humility, faithfulness, and strength, he would see a change in the children -- a change that the man now demonstrated. The wild animals suddenly turned into gentle lambs.
When John told his family about his dream, his brothers just laughed at him. Everyone had a different interpretation of what it meant: he would become a shepherd, a priest, a gang leader. His own grandmother echoed the sage advice we have heard through the years, "You mustn't pay any attention to dreams." John said, "I felt the same way about it, yet I could never get that dream out of my head."
Eventually that first dream led him to minister to poor and neglected boys, to use the love and guidance that seemed so impossible at age nine to lead them to faithful and fulfilled lives. He started out by learning how to juggle and do tricks to catch the attention of the children. Once he had their attention he would teach them and take them to Mass. It wasn't always easy -- few people wanted a crowd of loud, bedraggled boys hanging around. And he had so little money and help that people thought he was crazy. Priests who promised to help would get frustrated and leave.
Two "friends" even tried to commit him to an institution for the mentally ill. They brought a carriage and were planning to trick him into coming with him. But instead of getting in, John said, "After you" and politely let them go ahead. When his friends were in the carriage he slammed the door and told the drive to take off as fast as he could go!
Through it all he found encouragement and support through his dreams. In one dream, Mary led him into a beautiful garden. There were roses everywhere, crowding the ground with their blooms and the air with their scent. He was told to take off his shoes and walk along a path through a rose arbor. Before he had walked more than a few steps, his naked feet were cut and bleeding from the thorns. When he said he would have to wear shoes or turn back, Mary told him to put on sturdy shoes. As he stepped forward a second time, he was followed by helpers. But the walls of the arbor closed on him, the roof sank lower and the roses crept onto the path. Thorns caught at him from all around. When he pushed them aside he only got more cuts, until he was tangled in thorns. Yet those who watched said, "How lucky Don John is! His path is forever strewn with roses! He hasn't a worry in the world. No troubles at all!" Many of the helpers, who had been expecting an easy journey, turned back, but some stayed with him. Finally he climbed through the roses and thorns to find another incredible garden. A cool breeze soothed his torn skin and healed his wounds.
In his interpretation, the path was his mission, the roses were his charity to the boys, and the thorns were the distractions, the obstacles, and frustrations that would stand in his way. The message of the dream was clear to John: he must keep going, not lose faith in God or his mission, and he would come through to the place he belonged.
Often John acted on his dreams simply by sharing them, sometimes repeating them to several different individuals or groups he thought would be affected by the dream. "Let me tell you about a dream that has absorbed my mind," he would say.
The groups he most often shared with were the boys he helped -- because so many of the dreams involved them. For example, he used several dreams to remind the boys to keep to a good and moral life. In one dream he saw the boys eating bread of four kinds -- tasty rolls, ordinary bread, coarse bread, and moldy bread, which represented the state of the boys' souls. He said he would be glad to talk to any boys who wanted to know which bread they were eating and then proceeded to use the occasion to give them moral guidance.
He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-two. His work lives on in the Salesian order he founded.
In His Footsteps:
John Bosco found God's message in his dreams. If you have some question or problem in your life, ask God to send you an answer or help in a dream. Then write down your dreams. Ask God to help you remember and interpret the dreams that come from God.
Prayer:
Saint John Bosco, you reached out to children whom no one cared for despite ridicule and insults. Help us to care less about the laughter of the world and care more about the joy of the Lord. Amen