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主日講道 - 聖家節 (2008年12月28日)
諸聖嬰孩殉道
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，就如上主法律上所記載的：「凡開胎首生的男性，應 祝聖於上主。」並該照上主法律上所吩咐的，獻上祭品：一對斑鳩或兩隻鶵鴿。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，進了聖殿；那時，抱著嬰孩耶穌的父母正進來，要按照法 律的慣例為他行禮。西默盎就雙臂接過他來，讚美天主說：「主啊！現在可照祢的話，放祢的僕人平安去了！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些話。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。至於你，要有一把利劍刺透你的心靈，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。她出閣後，與丈夫同居了七年，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，便返回了加里肋亞，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。
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.
十二月二十八日諸聖嬰孩（慶日）
東方賢士朝拜耶穌聖嬰後，黑落德王為了除去新生的「猶太人的國王」，曾屠殺當地兩歲以下的嬰兒。教會常把這些嬰兒視作殉道者，因為他們是為了耶穌的緣故而遭殺害的。
Israel Strikes Hamas, at Least 225 dead
By Keith A. Fournier12/27/2008
The Middle East is once again the center of violence on this Second Day in the Octave of Christmas when so much of the world is commemorating the Nativity of the One who is the path to peace.
GAZA CITY (Catholic Online) – The sounds of exploding bombs and screaming people were heard Saturday morning in the Gaza strip. Israel has executed simultaneous strikes against Hamas strongholds. Reuters reports that an aide to Defense Minister Ehud Barak had indicated that Israel is poised to escalate its assault on the Gaza Strip saying, "The operation will be pursued and widened as required and subject to (commanders') assessments… We are facing a period that will not be simple or easy." Reports from Ghaza Health Ministry official Moawiya Hassanain from the ground indicated at least 225 were dead after 100 tons of bombs strike at Hamas, a number expected to escalate as rescue workers are able to reach some of the more devastated sites. There are close to 400 wounded. The air is heavy and toxic with black smoke. The sounds of wailing family members searching for their loved ones is being heard everywhere in this land which is hailed as holy by so many. Among the bodies recovered was the Gaza Police Chief along with several other uniformed officers. Israel claims to have specifically targeted these security compounds in a defensive response to the continual rocket fire which Hamas has been raining down upon Israeli citizens from Gaza. The Hamas sympathizers and victims of this strike who were interviewed by the Press promised to fight back until “the last drop of blood”. In the meantime, fathers and mothers search for missing children, husbands for wives, wives for husbands ...and the pained expressions on the faces of all engaged in the rescue mission speak loudly of the anguish in a land besieged with fear. Prayers are being uttered in loud wails from both sides. The Middle East is once again the center of violence on this Second Day in the Octave of Christmas when so much of the world is commemorating the Nativity of the One who is the path to peace. The One whose sacred feet once walked on these very lands.
2008年12月27日 星期六
聖若望宗徒慶日 (2008年12月27日)聖若望使徒聖史 (慶日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 20:2-8 Octave of Christmas – Feast of St. John the Evangelist
神父講道 - 聖若望宗徒慶日 (2008年12月27日)
聖若望使徒聖史 (慶日)
恭讀聖若望福音 20:2-8一週的第一天，瑪利亞瑪達肋納跑去見西滿伯多祿和耶穌所愛的那另一個門徒，對他們說：「有人從墳墓中把主搬走了，我們不知道他們把他放在那裏了。」伯多祿便和那另一個門徒出來，往墳墓那裏去了。兩人一起跑，但那另一個門徒比伯多祿跑得快，先來到了墳墓那裏。他俯身看見了放著的殮布，卻沒有進去。隨著他的西滿伯多祿也來到了，進了墳墓，看見了放著的殮布，也看見耶穌頭上的那塊汗巾，不同殮布放在一起，而另在一處捲著。那時，先來到墳墓的那個門徒，也進去了，一看見就相信了。—上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 20:2-8On
The first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖若望 (St. John) 十二月二十七日 （宗徒、聖史）（慶日）
聖若望是耶穌所鍾愛的那位宗徒，最後晚餐時，最靠近耶穌。第四部福音乃按他的傳承， 強調耶穌的天主性。基督被懸在十字架上時，把自己的母親託付了給他。他是初期教會「柱石」之一，約於公元一百年時逝世。
Octave of Christmas – Feast of St. John the Evangelist
12/27/2008
St. John sometimes described himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. To this “son of thunder” as he and his brother James were named, relationship was everything.
St. John left behind three attributed pastoral letters, The Revelation and a glorious Gospel. Tradition has it that the Apostle continued to encourage the faithful by constantly repeating “Little children, love one another” until he died in A.D. 100 at a very old age.
WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) – James and John, the sons of Zebedee, left their father and the fishing trade first to follow John the Baptist. Later, they were called to follow Jesus, who named them “the sons of Thunder.” The younger brother, St. John would become the one who writings revealed Christ’s divinity as none other. John was included in the inner circle of Christ’s followers. He was present for the miracles, healings, the transfiguration and the teaching ministry of Jesus from the beginning. Even at the cross he remained while others fled, standing next to the Mother of God, whose care was entrusted to him by the Jesus who hung above the two. He, along with Peter, discovered the resurrection of Christ. Following the Ascension of the Lord, St. John continued his ministry in Jerusalem and then traveled into Asia Minor as the persecution intensified under Herod Agrippa I. He returned later for the Council at Jerusalem, where St. Paul presented his case for the Gentiles. Later he lived in Ephesus where he wrote his gospel account. St. John was later banished to the Island of Patmos under the Emperor Domitian where he recorded his “Revelation.” He returned to Ephesus after the Emperor died. St. John left behind three attributed pastoral letters, The Revelation and a glorious Gospel. Tradition has it that the Apostle continued to encourage the faithful by constantly repeating “Little children, love one another” until he died in A.D. 100 at a very old age. St. Augustine shares some thoughts about St. John’s first letter, which reveals Life and Love incarnate. A treatise by St Augustine on the epistle of John: The flesh revealed Life itself “We announce what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we have touched with our own hands. Who could touch the Word with his hands unless the Word was made flesh and lived among us?” Now this Word, whose flesh was so real that he could be touched by human hands, began to be flesh in the Virgin Mary’s womb; but he did not begin to exist at that moment. We know this from what John says: “What existed from the beginning.” Notice how John’s letter bears witness to his Gospel, which you just heard a moment ago: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” Someone might interpret the phrase the Word of life to mean a word about Christ, rather than Christ’s body itself which was touched by human hands. But consider what comes next: “and life itself was revealed.” Christ therefore is himself the Word of life. And how was this life revealed? It existed from the beginning, but was not revealed to men, only to angels, who looked upon it and feasted upon it as their own spiritual bread. But what does Scripture say? “Mankind ate the bread of angels.” Life itself was therefore revealed in the flesh. In this way what was visible to the heart alone could become visible also to the eye, and so heal men’s hearts. For the Word is visible to the heart alone, while flesh is visible to bodily eyes as well. We already possessed the means to see the flesh, but we had no means of seeing the Word. The Word was made flesh so that we could see it, to heal the part of us by which we could see the Word. John continues: “And we are witnesses and we proclaim to you that eternal life which was with the Father and has been revealed among us – one might say more simply “revealed to us.” “We proclaim to you what we have heard and seen.” Make sure that you grasp the meaning of these words. The disciples saw our Lord in the flesh, face to face; they heard the words he spoke, and in turn they proclaimed the message to us. So we also have heard, although we have not seen. Are we then less favored than those who both saw and heard? If that were so, why should John add: “so that you too may have fellowship with us?” They saw, and we have not seen; yet we have fellowship with them, because we and they share the same faith. “And our fellowship is with God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son. And we write this to you to make your joy complete” – complete in that fellowship, in that love and in that unity."
聖若望使徒聖史 (慶日)
恭讀聖若望福音 20:2-8一週的第一天，瑪利亞瑪達肋納跑去見西滿伯多祿和耶穌所愛的那另一個門徒，對他們說：「有人從墳墓中把主搬走了，我們不知道他們把他放在那裏了。」伯多祿便和那另一個門徒出來，往墳墓那裏去了。兩人一起跑，但那另一個門徒比伯多祿跑得快，先來到了墳墓那裏。他俯身看見了放著的殮布，卻沒有進去。隨著他的西滿伯多祿也來到了，進了墳墓，看見了放著的殮布，也看見耶穌頭上的那塊汗巾，不同殮布放在一起，而另在一處捲著。那時，先來到墳墓的那個門徒，也進去了，一看見就相信了。—上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 20:2-8On
The first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖若望 (St. John) 十二月二十七日 （宗徒、聖史）（慶日）
聖若望是耶穌所鍾愛的那位宗徒，最後晚餐時，最靠近耶穌。第四部福音乃按他的傳承， 強調耶穌的天主性。基督被懸在十字架上時，把自己的母親託付了給他。他是初期教會「柱石」之一，約於公元一百年時逝世。
Octave of Christmas – Feast of St. John the Evangelist
12/27/2008
St. John sometimes described himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. To this “son of thunder” as he and his brother James were named, relationship was everything.
St. John left behind three attributed pastoral letters, The Revelation and a glorious Gospel. Tradition has it that the Apostle continued to encourage the faithful by constantly repeating “Little children, love one another” until he died in A.D. 100 at a very old age.
WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) – James and John, the sons of Zebedee, left their father and the fishing trade first to follow John the Baptist. Later, they were called to follow Jesus, who named them “the sons of Thunder.” The younger brother, St. John would become the one who writings revealed Christ’s divinity as none other. John was included in the inner circle of Christ’s followers. He was present for the miracles, healings, the transfiguration and the teaching ministry of Jesus from the beginning. Even at the cross he remained while others fled, standing next to the Mother of God, whose care was entrusted to him by the Jesus who hung above the two. He, along with Peter, discovered the resurrection of Christ. Following the Ascension of the Lord, St. John continued his ministry in Jerusalem and then traveled into Asia Minor as the persecution intensified under Herod Agrippa I. He returned later for the Council at Jerusalem, where St. Paul presented his case for the Gentiles. Later he lived in Ephesus where he wrote his gospel account. St. John was later banished to the Island of Patmos under the Emperor Domitian where he recorded his “Revelation.” He returned to Ephesus after the Emperor died. St. John left behind three attributed pastoral letters, The Revelation and a glorious Gospel. Tradition has it that the Apostle continued to encourage the faithful by constantly repeating “Little children, love one another” until he died in A.D. 100 at a very old age. St. Augustine shares some thoughts about St. John’s first letter, which reveals Life and Love incarnate. A treatise by St Augustine on the epistle of John: The flesh revealed Life itself “We announce what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we have touched with our own hands. Who could touch the Word with his hands unless the Word was made flesh and lived among us?” Now this Word, whose flesh was so real that he could be touched by human hands, began to be flesh in the Virgin Mary’s womb; but he did not begin to exist at that moment. We know this from what John says: “What existed from the beginning.” Notice how John’s letter bears witness to his Gospel, which you just heard a moment ago: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” Someone might interpret the phrase the Word of life to mean a word about Christ, rather than Christ’s body itself which was touched by human hands. But consider what comes next: “and life itself was revealed.” Christ therefore is himself the Word of life. And how was this life revealed? It existed from the beginning, but was not revealed to men, only to angels, who looked upon it and feasted upon it as their own spiritual bread. But what does Scripture say? “Mankind ate the bread of angels.” Life itself was therefore revealed in the flesh. In this way what was visible to the heart alone could become visible also to the eye, and so heal men’s hearts. For the Word is visible to the heart alone, while flesh is visible to bodily eyes as well. We already possessed the means to see the flesh, but we had no means of seeing the Word. The Word was made flesh so that we could see it, to heal the part of us by which we could see the Word. John continues: “And we are witnesses and we proclaim to you that eternal life which was with the Father and has been revealed among us – one might say more simply “revealed to us.” “We proclaim to you what we have heard and seen.” Make sure that you grasp the meaning of these words. The disciples saw our Lord in the flesh, face to face; they heard the words he spoke, and in turn they proclaimed the message to us. So we also have heard, although we have not seen. Are we then less favored than those who both saw and heard? If that were so, why should John add: “so that you too may have fellowship with us?” They saw, and we have not seen; yet we have fellowship with them, because we and they share the same faith. “And our fellowship is with God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son. And we write this to you to make your joy complete” – complete in that fellowship, in that love and in that unity."
2008年12月26日 星期五
(麥景鴻神父)- 2008年12月26日 聖若望宗徒堂（葵涌石蔭）堂區主保慶日 A Reading from the Gospel of John 20:2-8
神父講道 (麥景鴻神父)- 2008年12月26日
聖若望宗徒堂（葵涌石蔭）堂區主保慶日
恭讀聖若望福音 20:2-8一週的第一天，瑪利亞瑪達肋納跑去見西滿伯多祿和耶穌所愛的那另一個門徒，對他們說：「有人從墳墓中把主搬走了，我們不知道他們把他放在那裏了。」伯多祿 便和那另一個門徒出來，往墳墓那裏去了。兩人一起跑，但那另一個門徒比伯多祿跑得快，先來到了墳墓那裏。他俯身看見了放著的殮布，卻沒有進去。隨著他的西 滿伯多祿也來到了，進了墳墓，看見了放著的殮布，也看見耶穌頭上的那塊汗巾，不同殮布放在一起，而另在一處捲著。那時，先來到墳墓的那個門徒，也進去了， 一看見就相信了。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Gospel of John 20:2-8
2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖若望宗徒堂（葵涌石蔭）堂區主保慶日
恭讀聖若望福音 20:2-8一週的第一天，瑪利亞瑪達肋納跑去見西滿伯多祿和耶穌所愛的那另一個門徒，對他們說：「有人從墳墓中把主搬走了，我們不知道他們把他放在那裏了。」伯多祿 便和那另一個門徒出來，往墳墓那裏去了。兩人一起跑，但那另一個門徒比伯多祿跑得快，先來到了墳墓那裏。他俯身看見了放著的殮布，卻沒有進去。隨著他的西 滿伯多祿也來到了，進了墳墓，看見了放著的殮布，也看見耶穌頭上的那塊汗巾，不同殮布放在一起，而另在一處捲著。那時，先來到墳墓的那個門徒，也進去了， 一看見就相信了。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Gospel of John 20:2-8
2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖誕節 (2008年12月25日) A Reading from the Gospel of John 1:1-18
神父講道 - 聖誕節 (2008年12月25日)
恭讀聖若望福音 1:1-18
在起初已有聖言，聖言與天主同在，聖言就是天主。聖言在起初，就與天主同在。萬物是藉著他而造成的；凡受造的，沒有一樣不是由他而造成的。在他內有生命，這生命是人的光。光在黑暗中照耀，黑暗決勝不過他。
曾有一人，是由天主派遣來的，名叫若翰。這人來，是為作證，為給光作證，為使眾人藉他而信。他不是那光，只是為給那光作證。
那照亮每人的真光，正在進入這世界；他已在世界上，世界原是藉他造成的；但世界卻不認識他。他來到了自己的地方，自己的人卻沒有接受他。但是，凡接受他的，他給他們，即給那些信他名字的人權能，好成為天主的子女。他們不是由精血，也不是由肉慾，也不是由男慾，而是由天主生的。
於是，聖言成了血肉，寄居在我們中間；我們見了他的光榮，正如父獨生者的光榮，滿溢恩寵和真理。若翰為他作證，呼喊說：「這就是我所說的：那在我以後來的，成了在我以前的，因他原先我而有。」從他的滿盈中，我們都領受了恩寵，而且恩寵上加恩寵。因為法律是藉梅瑟傳授的，恩寵和真理卻是由耶穌基督而來的。從來沒有人見過天主，只有那在父懷裡的獨生者，身為天主的，他給我們詳述了。
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Gospel of John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖若望福音 1:1-18
在起初已有聖言，聖言與天主同在，聖言就是天主。聖言在起初，就與天主同在。萬物是藉著他而造成的；凡受造的，沒有一樣不是由他而造成的。在他內有生命，這生命是人的光。光在黑暗中照耀，黑暗決勝不過他。
曾有一人，是由天主派遣來的，名叫若翰。這人來，是為作證，為給光作證，為使眾人藉他而信。他不是那光，只是為給那光作證。
那照亮每人的真光，正在進入這世界；他已在世界上，世界原是藉他造成的；但世界卻不認識他。他來到了自己的地方，自己的人卻沒有接受他。但是，凡接受他的，他給他們，即給那些信他名字的人權能，好成為天主的子女。他們不是由精血，也不是由肉慾，也不是由男慾，而是由天主生的。
於是，聖言成了血肉，寄居在我們中間；我們見了他的光榮，正如父獨生者的光榮，滿溢恩寵和真理。若翰為他作證，呼喊說：「這就是我所說的：那在我以後來的，成了在我以前的，因他原先我而有。」從他的滿盈中，我們都領受了恩寵，而且恩寵上加恩寵。因為法律是藉梅瑟傳授的，恩寵和真理卻是由耶穌基督而來的。從來沒有人見過天主，只有那在父懷裡的獨生者，身為天主的，他給我們詳述了。
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Gospel of John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖誕節 - 子夜彌撒 (2008年12月25日) A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-14
神父講道 - 聖誕節 - 子夜彌撒 (2008年12月25日)
恭讀聖路加福音2:1-14
那時凱撒奧古斯都，出了一道上諭，叫天下的人都要登記：這是在季黎諾作敘利亞總督時，初次行的登記。於是，眾人各去本城登記。若瑟因為是達味家族的人，也從加里肋亞納匝肋城，上猶大名叫白冷的達味城去，好同自己已懷孕的聘妻瑪利亞去登記。他們在那裡的時候，她分娩的日期滿了，便生了她的頭胎男兒，用襁褓裹起，放在馬槽裡，因為在客棧中，為他們沒有地方。在那地區，有些牧羊人露宿，守夜看守羊群。有上主的一位天使，站在他們身邊，上主的榮光，照射著他們，他們便非常害怕。天使向他們說：「不要害怕！看！我給你們報告一個為全民族的大喜訊：今天在達味城中，為你們誕生了一位救世者，他是主默西亞。這是給你們的記號：你們將要看見一個嬰兒，裹著襁褓，躺在馬槽裡。」忽然有一大隊天軍，同那天使一起，讚頌天主說：「天主受享光榮於高天，主愛的人在世享平安！」
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖路加福音2:1-14
那時凱撒奧古斯都，出了一道上諭，叫天下的人都要登記：這是在季黎諾作敘利亞總督時，初次行的登記。於是，眾人各去本城登記。若瑟因為是達味家族的人，也從加里肋亞納匝肋城，上猶大名叫白冷的達味城去，好同自己已懷孕的聘妻瑪利亞去登記。他們在那裡的時候，她分娩的日期滿了，便生了她的頭胎男兒，用襁褓裹起，放在馬槽裡，因為在客棧中，為他們沒有地方。在那地區，有些牧羊人露宿，守夜看守羊群。有上主的一位天使，站在他們身邊，上主的榮光，照射著他們，他們便非常害怕。天使向他們說：「不要害怕！看！我給你們報告一個為全民族的大喜訊：今天在達味城中，為你們誕生了一位救世者，他是主默西亞。這是給你們的記號：你們將要看見一個嬰兒，裹著襁褓，躺在馬槽裡。」忽然有一大隊天軍，同那天使一起，讚頌天主說：「天主受享光榮於高天，主愛的人在世享平安！」
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
將臨期第四週 (週三) (2008年12月24日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:67-79
神父講道 - 將臨期第四週 (週三) (2008年12月24日)
恭讀聖路加福音 1:67-79若翰的父親匝加利亞充滿了聖神，遂預言說：「上主，以色列的天主應受讚美，因他眷顧救贖了自己的民族，並在自己的僕人達味家中，為我們興起了大能的救主。 正如他藉歷代諸聖先知的口所說過的，拯救我們脫離敵人和仇恨我們者的手。他向我們的祖先施行仁慈，記憶起他自己的神聖盟約，就是他向我們的祖先亞巴郎所宣 述的誓詞，恩賜我們從敵人手中被救出以後，無怨無懼，一生一世在他的面前，以聖善和正義事奉他。至於你，小孩，你要稱為至高者的先知，因你要走在上主前 面，為他預備道路，為使他的百姓認識救恩，以獲得他們罪惡的寬宥：這是出於我們天主的慈懷，使旭日由高天向我們照耀，為光照那坐在黑暗和死影中的人，並引 我們的腳步，走向和平的道路。」
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:67-79
67 And his father Zechari’ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, 74 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖路加福音 1:67-79若翰的父親匝加利亞充滿了聖神，遂預言說：「上主，以色列的天主應受讚美，因他眷顧救贖了自己的民族，並在自己的僕人達味家中，為我們興起了大能的救主。 正如他藉歷代諸聖先知的口所說過的，拯救我們脫離敵人和仇恨我們者的手。他向我們的祖先施行仁慈，記憶起他自己的神聖盟約，就是他向我們的祖先亞巴郎所宣 述的誓詞，恩賜我們從敵人手中被救出以後，無怨無懼，一生一世在他的面前，以聖善和正義事奉他。至於你，小孩，你要稱為至高者的先知，因你要走在上主前 面，為他預備道路，為使他的百姓認識救恩，以獲得他們罪惡的寬宥：這是出於我們天主的慈懷，使旭日由高天向我們照耀，為光照那坐在黑暗和死影中的人，並引 我們的腳步，走向和平的道路。」
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:67-79
67 And his father Zechari’ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, 74 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
2008年12月23日 星期二
將臨期第四週 (週二) (2008年12月23日) 甘廸．聖若望(若望根地)司鐸 St. John of Kanty A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:57-66
神父講道 - 將臨期第四週 (週二) (2008年12月23日)
甘廸．聖若望(若望根地)司鐸
恭讀聖路加福音 1:57-66依撒伯爾滿了產期，就生了一個兒子。她的鄰居和親戚聽說上主向她大施仁慈，都和她一同歡樂。到了第八天，人們來給這孩子行割損禮，並願意照他父親的名字叫 他匝加利亞。他的母親說：「不，要叫他若翰。」他們就向她說：「在你親族中沒有叫這個名字的。」他們便向他的父親打手勢，看他願叫他什麼。他要了一塊小 板，寫道：「若翰是他的名字。」眾人都驚訝起來。匝加利亞的口和舌頭立時開了，遂開口讚美天主。於是，所有的鄰居都滿懷怕情；這一切事就傳遍了全猶大山 區，凡聽見的人都將這事存在心中，說：「這孩子將成為什麼人物啊？」因為上主的手與他同在。
—這是基督的福音。
St. John of Kanty
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:57-66
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechari’ah after his father, 60 but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your kindred is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all marveled. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月二十三日 St. John of Kanty聖若望．甘迪（司鐸）
聖人於公元一三九○年，在波蘭克拉閣教區甘迪城出生；晉鐸後，曾在克拉閣大學執教多年；後任伊耳古本堂，竭力傳揚正道，修德立功，尤以慈愛待人為最，成為同道及弟子的表率，一四七三年逝世。
St. John of Kanty
Feastday: December 23
The people of Olkusz in Bohemia in 1431 had every reason to be suspicious of their new pastor. They knew what a Cracow professor would think of their small rural town. But even more insulting, their town was once again being used as a dumping ground for a priest who was "in disgrace."
John had indeed been kicked out of his university position -- unjustly. Rivals who resented John's popularity with the students had cooked up a false charge against him. John was not even allowed to appear at his own hearing or testify in his own defense. So at age 41, he was shipped off to be an apprentice pastor.
Certainly no one would have blamed John if he was furious at such injustice. However, he was determined that his new parishioners would not suffer because of what he happened to him.
But there was no overnight miracle waiting of him in Olkusz. He was nervous and afraid of his new responsibilities. And, despite the energy he put into his new job, the parishioners remained hostile. But John's plan was very simple, and came not from the mind but from the heart. He let his genuine interest and concern for these people show in everything he did. Despite working for years without any sign of success, he was very careful not to demonstrate impatience or anger. He knew that people could never be bullied into love, so he gave them what he hoped they would find in themselves.
After eight years, he was exonerated and transferred back to Cracow. He had been so successful that these once-hostile people followed him several miles down the road, begging him to stay.
For the rest of his life, he was professor of sacred Scripture at the university. He was so well-liked that he was often invited to dinner with nobility. Once, he was turned away at the door by a servant who thought John's cassock was too frayed. John didn't argue but went home, changed into a new cassock, and returned. During the meal, a servant spilled a dish on John's new clothes. "No matter," he joked. "My clothes deserve some dinner, too. If it hadn't been for them I wouldn't be here at all."
Once John was sitting down to dinner when he saw a beggar walk by outside. He jumped up immediately, ran out, and gave the beggar the food in his bowl. He asked no questions, made no demands. He just saw someone in need and helped with what he had.
John taught his students this philosophy again and again, "Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause." In His Footsteps:
John put all his effort into a new and frightening job, that others might have considered beneath him. Today do something you have never done before or do something in a new way, perhaps something that has frightened you or you felt was beneath you. This can be something as simple as trying a different type of prayer or as complex as serving others in a new way. Prayer:
Saint John of Kanty, you were unjustly fired from your work. Please pray for those who are jobless or in danger of losing their jobs that they may find work that is fulfilling in every way. Guide us to ways to help those looking for work. Amen
甘廸．聖若望(若望根地)司鐸
恭讀聖路加福音 1:57-66依撒伯爾滿了產期，就生了一個兒子。她的鄰居和親戚聽說上主向她大施仁慈，都和她一同歡樂。到了第八天，人們來給這孩子行割損禮，並願意照他父親的名字叫 他匝加利亞。他的母親說：「不，要叫他若翰。」他們就向她說：「在你親族中沒有叫這個名字的。」他們便向他的父親打手勢，看他願叫他什麼。他要了一塊小 板，寫道：「若翰是他的名字。」眾人都驚訝起來。匝加利亞的口和舌頭立時開了，遂開口讚美天主。於是，所有的鄰居都滿懷怕情；這一切事就傳遍了全猶大山 區，凡聽見的人都將這事存在心中，說：「這孩子將成為什麼人物啊？」因為上主的手與他同在。
—這是基督的福音。
St. John of Kanty
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:57-66
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechari’ah after his father, 60 but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your kindred is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all marveled. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月二十三日 St. John of Kanty聖若望．甘迪（司鐸）
聖人於公元一三九○年，在波蘭克拉閣教區甘迪城出生；晉鐸後，曾在克拉閣大學執教多年；後任伊耳古本堂，竭力傳揚正道，修德立功，尤以慈愛待人為最，成為同道及弟子的表率，一四七三年逝世。
St. John of Kanty
Feastday: December 23
The people of Olkusz in Bohemia in 1431 had every reason to be suspicious of their new pastor. They knew what a Cracow professor would think of their small rural town. But even more insulting, their town was once again being used as a dumping ground for a priest who was "in disgrace."
John had indeed been kicked out of his university position -- unjustly. Rivals who resented John's popularity with the students had cooked up a false charge against him. John was not even allowed to appear at his own hearing or testify in his own defense. So at age 41, he was shipped off to be an apprentice pastor.
Certainly no one would have blamed John if he was furious at such injustice. However, he was determined that his new parishioners would not suffer because of what he happened to him.
But there was no overnight miracle waiting of him in Olkusz. He was nervous and afraid of his new responsibilities. And, despite the energy he put into his new job, the parishioners remained hostile. But John's plan was very simple, and came not from the mind but from the heart. He let his genuine interest and concern for these people show in everything he did. Despite working for years without any sign of success, he was very careful not to demonstrate impatience or anger. He knew that people could never be bullied into love, so he gave them what he hoped they would find in themselves.
After eight years, he was exonerated and transferred back to Cracow. He had been so successful that these once-hostile people followed him several miles down the road, begging him to stay.
For the rest of his life, he was professor of sacred Scripture at the university. He was so well-liked that he was often invited to dinner with nobility. Once, he was turned away at the door by a servant who thought John's cassock was too frayed. John didn't argue but went home, changed into a new cassock, and returned. During the meal, a servant spilled a dish on John's new clothes. "No matter," he joked. "My clothes deserve some dinner, too. If it hadn't been for them I wouldn't be here at all."
Once John was sitting down to dinner when he saw a beggar walk by outside. He jumped up immediately, ran out, and gave the beggar the food in his bowl. He asked no questions, made no demands. He just saw someone in need and helped with what he had.
John taught his students this philosophy again and again, "Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause." In His Footsteps:
John put all his effort into a new and frightening job, that others might have considered beneath him. Today do something you have never done before or do something in a new way, perhaps something that has frightened you or you felt was beneath you. This can be something as simple as trying a different type of prayer or as complex as serving others in a new way. Prayer:
Saint John of Kanty, you were unjustly fired from your work. Please pray for those who are jobless or in danger of losing their jobs that they may find work that is fulfilling in every way. Guide us to ways to help those looking for work. Amen
將臨期第四週 (週一) (2008年12月22日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:46-56
神父講道 - 將臨期第四週 (週一) (2008年12月22日)
恭讀聖路加福音 1:46-56瑪利亞遂說：「我的靈魂頌揚上主，我的心神歡躍於天主，我的救主，因為他垂顧了他婢女的卑微；今後萬世萬代都要稱我有福；因為全能在我身上行了大事，他的 名字是聖的，他的仁慈世世代代於無窮世，賜與敬畏他的人。他伸出了手臂施展大能，驅散那些心高氣傲的人。他從高座上推下權勢者，卻舉揚了卑微貧困的人。他 曾使饑餓者飽饗美物，反使那富有者空手而去。他曾回憶起自己的仁慈，扶助了他的僕人以色列；正如他向我們的祖先所說過的恩許，施恩於亞巴郎和他的子孫，直 到永遠。」瑪利亞同依撒伯爾住了三個月左右，就回本家去了。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:46-56
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖路加福音 1:46-56瑪利亞遂說：「我的靈魂頌揚上主，我的心神歡躍於天主，我的救主，因為他垂顧了他婢女的卑微；今後萬世萬代都要稱我有福；因為全能在我身上行了大事，他的 名字是聖的，他的仁慈世世代代於無窮世，賜與敬畏他的人。他伸出了手臂施展大能，驅散那些心高氣傲的人。他從高座上推下權勢者，卻舉揚了卑微貧困的人。他 曾使饑餓者飽饗美物，反使那富有者空手而去。他曾回憶起自己的仁慈，扶助了他的僕人以色列；正如他向我們的祖先所說過的恩許，施恩於亞巴郎和他的子孫，直 到永遠。」瑪利亞同依撒伯爾住了三個月左右，就回本家去了。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:46-56
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
將臨期第四主日 (2008年12月20日) 聖伯鐸．賈宜修(伯多祿加尼削)司鐸聖師 Homily - 4th Sunday in Advent (Dec 21, 2008)St. Peter Canisius
將臨期第四主日 (2008年12月20日)
聖伯鐸．賈宜修(伯多祿加尼削)司鐸聖師
恭讀聖路加福音 1:26-38那時候，天使加俾額爾奉天主差遣，往加里肋亞一座名叫納匝肋的城去，到一位童貞女那裡，她已與達味家族中，一個名叫若瑟的男子訂了婚，童貞女的名字叫瑪利 亞。天使進去向她說：「萬福！充滿恩寵者，上主與你同在！」 【在女人中你是蒙祝福的。】 她卻因這話驚惶不安，便思慮這樣的請安，有什麼意思。天使對她說：「瑪利亞，不要害怕，因為你在天主前，獲得了寵幸。看，妳將懷孕生子，並要給祂起名叫耶 穌。祂將是偉大的，並被稱為至高者的兒子；上主天主要把祂祖先達味的御座賜給祂。祂要為王，統治雅各伯家，直到永遠；祂的王權沒有終結。」 瑪利亞便向天使說：「這事怎能成就？因為我不認識男人。」天使答覆她說：「聖神要臨於你，至高者的能力要庇廕你，因此，那要誕生的聖者，將稱為天主的兒 子。且看，你的親戚依撒伯爾，她雖在老年，卻懷了男胎，本月已六個月了，她原是素稱不生育的，因為在天主前，沒有不能的事。」瑪利亞說：「看！上主的婢 女，願照祢的話，成就於我罷！」天使便離開她去了。
─上主的話。
(St. Peter Canisius)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月二十一日 St. Peter Canisius聖加尼修（司鐸、聖師）
聖人於公元一五二一年，在今荷蘭奈美根城出生。後往科隆讀書，並進入耶穌會修道；一五四六年晉陞鐸品。被派至德國傳教多年，口講筆述，竭力宣揚福音，保衛並鞏固教友信仰。一生著作甚多，最負盛名者為其所寫「要理問答」。一五九七年於瑞士富里堡逝世。
St. Peter Canisius
Feastday: December 21b: 1521 d: 1597
In 1565, the Vatican was looking for a secret agent. It was shortly after the Council of Trent and the pope wanted to get the decrees of the Council to all the European bishops. What would be a simple errand in our day, was a dangerous assignment in the sixteenth century. The first envoy who tried to carry the decrees through territory of hostile Protestants and vicious thieves was robbed of the precious documents. Rome needed someone courageous but also someone above suspicion. They chose Peter Canisius. At 43 he was a well-known Jesuit who had founded colleges that even Protestants respected. They gave him a cover as official "visitor" of Jesuit foundations. But Peter couldn't hide the decrees like our modern fictional spies with their microfilmed messages in collar buttons or cans of shaving cream. Peter traveled from Rome and crisscrossed Germany successfully loaded down with the Tridentine tomes -- 250 pages each -- not to mention the three sacks of books he took along for his own university!
Why did the Vatican choose Peter Canisius for this delicate task?
Born in Holland in 1521, Peter had edited and written several volumes on Church history and theology, been a delegate to the Council of Trent, and reformed the German universities from heresy. Called to Vienna to reform their university, he couldn't win the people with preaching or fancy words spoken in his German accent. He won their hearts by ministering to the sick and dying during a plague. The people, the king, and the pope all wanted to make Peter bishop of Vienna, but Peter declined vigorously and administered the diocese for a year.
For many years during the Reformation, Peter saw the students in his universities swayed by the flashy speeches and the well-written arguments of the Protestants. Peter was not alone in wishing for a Catholic catechism that would present true Catholic beliefs undistorted by fanatics. Finally King Ferdinand himself ordered Peter and his companions to write a catechism. This hot potato got tossed from person to person until Peter and his friend Lejay were assigned to write it. Lejay was obviously the logical choice, being a better writer than Peter. So Peter relaxed and sat back to offer any help he could. When Father Lejay died, King Ferdinand would wait no longer. Peter said of writing: "I have never learned to be elegant as a writer, but I cannot remain dumb on that account." The first issue of the Catechism appeared in 1555 and was an immediate success. Peter approached Christian doctrine in two parts: wisdom -- including faith, hope, and charity -- and justice -- avoiding evil and doing good, linked by a section on sacraments.
Because of the success and the need, Peter quickly produced two more versions: a Shorter Catechism for middle school students which concentrated on helping this age group choose good over evil by concentrating on a different virtue each day of the week; and a Shortest Catechism for young children which included prayers for morning and evening, for mealtimes, and so forth to get them used to praying.
As intent as Peter was on keeping people true to the Catholic faith, he followed the Jesuit policy that harsh words should not be used, that those listening would see an example of charity in the way Catholics acted and preached. However, his companions were not always as willing. He showed great patience and insight with one man, Father Couvillon. Couvillon was so sharp and hostile that he was alienating his companions and students. Anyone who confronted him became the subject of abuse. It became obvious that Couvillon suffered from emotional illness. But Peter did not let that knowledge blind him to the fact that Couvillon was still a brilliant and talented man. Instead of asking Couvillon to resign he begged him to stay on as a teacher and then appointed him as his secretary. Peter thought that Couvillon needed to worry less about himself and pray more and work harder. He didn't coddle him but gave Couvillon blunt advice about his pride. Coming from Peter this seemed to help Couvillon. Peter consulted Couvillon often on business of the Province and asked him to translate Jesuit letters from India. Thanks to Peter , even though Couvillon continued to suffer depression for years, he also accomplished much good.
Peter died in December 21, 1597. He is known as the Second Apostle of Germany and was named a Doctor of the Church. In His Footsteps
Peter believed in the importance in learning and understanding the Catholic faith. If it is available to you, resolve to read a portion of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. Don't try to read too much but consider reading a page a day. Before we can spread our faith we must have a solid foundation in ourselves. Prayer:
Saint Peter Canisius, you saw the good in even the most troublesome of people. You found their talents and used them. Help me to see beyond the behavior of others that may bother me to the gifts God has given them. Amen
Copyright 1996-2000 by Terry Matz. All Rights Reserved.
聖伯鐸．賈宜修(伯多祿加尼削)司鐸聖師
恭讀聖路加福音 1:26-38那時候，天使加俾額爾奉天主差遣，往加里肋亞一座名叫納匝肋的城去，到一位童貞女那裡，她已與達味家族中，一個名叫若瑟的男子訂了婚，童貞女的名字叫瑪利 亞。天使進去向她說：「萬福！充滿恩寵者，上主與你同在！」 【在女人中你是蒙祝福的。】 她卻因這話驚惶不安，便思慮這樣的請安，有什麼意思。天使對她說：「瑪利亞，不要害怕，因為你在天主前，獲得了寵幸。看，妳將懷孕生子，並要給祂起名叫耶 穌。祂將是偉大的，並被稱為至高者的兒子；上主天主要把祂祖先達味的御座賜給祂。祂要為王，統治雅各伯家，直到永遠；祂的王權沒有終結。」 瑪利亞便向天使說：「這事怎能成就？因為我不認識男人。」天使答覆她說：「聖神要臨於你，至高者的能力要庇廕你，因此，那要誕生的聖者，將稱為天主的兒 子。且看，你的親戚依撒伯爾，她雖在老年，卻懷了男胎，本月已六個月了，她原是素稱不生育的，因為在天主前，沒有不能的事。」瑪利亞說：「看！上主的婢 女，願照祢的話，成就於我罷！」天使便離開她去了。
─上主的話。
(St. Peter Canisius)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月二十一日 St. Peter Canisius聖加尼修（司鐸、聖師）
聖人於公元一五二一年，在今荷蘭奈美根城出生。後往科隆讀書，並進入耶穌會修道；一五四六年晉陞鐸品。被派至德國傳教多年，口講筆述，竭力宣揚福音，保衛並鞏固教友信仰。一生著作甚多，最負盛名者為其所寫「要理問答」。一五九七年於瑞士富里堡逝世。
St. Peter Canisius
Feastday: December 21b: 1521 d: 1597
In 1565, the Vatican was looking for a secret agent. It was shortly after the Council of Trent and the pope wanted to get the decrees of the Council to all the European bishops. What would be a simple errand in our day, was a dangerous assignment in the sixteenth century. The first envoy who tried to carry the decrees through territory of hostile Protestants and vicious thieves was robbed of the precious documents. Rome needed someone courageous but also someone above suspicion. They chose Peter Canisius. At 43 he was a well-known Jesuit who had founded colleges that even Protestants respected. They gave him a cover as official "visitor" of Jesuit foundations. But Peter couldn't hide the decrees like our modern fictional spies with their microfilmed messages in collar buttons or cans of shaving cream. Peter traveled from Rome and crisscrossed Germany successfully loaded down with the Tridentine tomes -- 250 pages each -- not to mention the three sacks of books he took along for his own university!
Why did the Vatican choose Peter Canisius for this delicate task?
Born in Holland in 1521, Peter had edited and written several volumes on Church history and theology, been a delegate to the Council of Trent, and reformed the German universities from heresy. Called to Vienna to reform their university, he couldn't win the people with preaching or fancy words spoken in his German accent. He won their hearts by ministering to the sick and dying during a plague. The people, the king, and the pope all wanted to make Peter bishop of Vienna, but Peter declined vigorously and administered the diocese for a year.
For many years during the Reformation, Peter saw the students in his universities swayed by the flashy speeches and the well-written arguments of the Protestants. Peter was not alone in wishing for a Catholic catechism that would present true Catholic beliefs undistorted by fanatics. Finally King Ferdinand himself ordered Peter and his companions to write a catechism. This hot potato got tossed from person to person until Peter and his friend Lejay were assigned to write it. Lejay was obviously the logical choice, being a better writer than Peter. So Peter relaxed and sat back to offer any help he could. When Father Lejay died, King Ferdinand would wait no longer. Peter said of writing: "I have never learned to be elegant as a writer, but I cannot remain dumb on that account." The first issue of the Catechism appeared in 1555 and was an immediate success. Peter approached Christian doctrine in two parts: wisdom -- including faith, hope, and charity -- and justice -- avoiding evil and doing good, linked by a section on sacraments.
Because of the success and the need, Peter quickly produced two more versions: a Shorter Catechism for middle school students which concentrated on helping this age group choose good over evil by concentrating on a different virtue each day of the week; and a Shortest Catechism for young children which included prayers for morning and evening, for mealtimes, and so forth to get them used to praying.
As intent as Peter was on keeping people true to the Catholic faith, he followed the Jesuit policy that harsh words should not be used, that those listening would see an example of charity in the way Catholics acted and preached. However, his companions were not always as willing. He showed great patience and insight with one man, Father Couvillon. Couvillon was so sharp and hostile that he was alienating his companions and students. Anyone who confronted him became the subject of abuse. It became obvious that Couvillon suffered from emotional illness. But Peter did not let that knowledge blind him to the fact that Couvillon was still a brilliant and talented man. Instead of asking Couvillon to resign he begged him to stay on as a teacher and then appointed him as his secretary. Peter thought that Couvillon needed to worry less about himself and pray more and work harder. He didn't coddle him but gave Couvillon blunt advice about his pride. Coming from Peter this seemed to help Couvillon. Peter consulted Couvillon often on business of the Province and asked him to translate Jesuit letters from India. Thanks to Peter , even though Couvillon continued to suffer depression for years, he also accomplished much good.
Peter died in December 21, 1597. He is known as the Second Apostle of Germany and was named a Doctor of the Church. In His Footsteps
Peter believed in the importance in learning and understanding the Catholic faith. If it is available to you, resolve to read a portion of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. Don't try to read too much but consider reading a page a day. Before we can spread our faith we must have a solid foundation in ourselves. Prayer:
Saint Peter Canisius, you saw the good in even the most troublesome of people. You found their talents and used them. Help me to see beyond the behavior of others that may bother me to the gifts God has given them. Amen
Copyright 1996-2000 by Terry Matz. All Rights Reserved.
將臨期第三週 (週六) (2008年12月20日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
神父講道 - 將臨期第三週 (週六) (2008年12月20日)
恭讀聖路加福音 1:26-38到了第六個月，天使加俾額爾奉天主差遣，往加里肋亞一座名叫納匝肋的城去，到一位童貞女那裡。她已與達味家族中的一個名叫若瑟的男子訂了婚，童貞女的名子 叫瑪利亞。天使進去向她說：「萬福！充滿恩寵者，上主與你同在！」【在女人中你是蒙祝福的】她卻因這話驚惶不安，便思慮這樣的請安有什麼意思。天使對她 說：「瑪利亞，不要害怕，因為你在天主前獲得了寵幸。看，你將懷孕生子，並要給他起名叫耶穌。他將是偉大的，並被稱為至高者的兒子，上主天主要把他祖先達 味的御座賜給他。他要為王統治雅各伯家，直到永遠；他的王權沒有終結。」瑪利亞便向天使說：「這事怎能成就？因我不認識男人。」天使答覆她說：「聖神要臨 於你，至高者的能力要蔭庇你。因此，那要誕生的聖者，將稱為天主的兒子。且看，你的親戚依撒伯爾，她雖在老年，卻懷了男胎，本月已六個月了，她原是素稱不 生育的，因為在天主前沒有不能的事。」瑪利亞說：「看！上主的婢女，願照你的話成就於我吧！」天使便離開她去了。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖路加福音 1:26-38到了第六個月，天使加俾額爾奉天主差遣，往加里肋亞一座名叫納匝肋的城去，到一位童貞女那裡。她已與達味家族中的一個名叫若瑟的男子訂了婚，童貞女的名子 叫瑪利亞。天使進去向她說：「萬福！充滿恩寵者，上主與你同在！」【在女人中你是蒙祝福的】她卻因這話驚惶不安，便思慮這樣的請安有什麼意思。天使對她 說：「瑪利亞，不要害怕，因為你在天主前獲得了寵幸。看，你將懷孕生子，並要給他起名叫耶穌。他將是偉大的，並被稱為至高者的兒子，上主天主要把他祖先達 味的御座賜給他。他要為王統治雅各伯家，直到永遠；他的王權沒有終結。」瑪利亞便向天使說：「這事怎能成就？因我不認識男人。」天使答覆她說：「聖神要臨 於你，至高者的能力要蔭庇你。因此，那要誕生的聖者，將稱為天主的兒子。且看，你的親戚依撒伯爾，她雖在老年，卻懷了男胎，本月已六個月了，她原是素稱不 生育的，因為在天主前沒有不能的事。」瑪利亞說：「看！上主的婢女，願照你的話成就於我吧！」天使便離開她去了。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
將臨期第三週 (週五) (2008年12月19日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:5-25
神父講道 - 將臨期第三週 (週五) (2008年12月19日)
恭讀聖路加福音 1:5-25黑落德為猶太王的時候，阿彼雅班次中有一位司祭名叫匝加利亞，他的妻子名叫依撒伯爾，是亞郎的後代。二人在天主前都是義人，遵守上主的一切誡命和禮規，無瑕可指。但是，他們沒有孩子，因為依撒伯爾素不生育，兩人又都上了年紀。有一天，正逢匝加利亞輪著他的班次，在天主前盡司祭的職務時，按著司祭的常例，他抽中了籤，得進上主的聖所獻香。獻香的時候，所有的百姓都在外面祈禱。有 一位上主的天使站在香壇右邊顯現給他。匝加利亞一見，驚惶害怕起來；但天使對她說：「匝加利亞，不要害怕！因為你的祈禱已蒙應允，你的妻子依撒伯爾要給你 生一個兒子，你要給他起名叫若翰。你必要歡喜踴躍，許多人也要因他的誕生而喜樂，因為他在上主面前將是偉大的，淡酒和濃酒他都不喝，而且，他還在母胎中就 要充滿聖神；他要使許多以色列子民轉向上主，他們的天主；他要以厄里亞的精神和能力，在他前面先行，使為父的的心轉向兒子，使悖逆者轉向義人的心意，為上 主準備一個善良的百姓。」匝加利亞遂向天使說：「我憑什麼能知這事可行呢？因為我已經老了，我的妻子也上了年紀。」天使回答說：「我是站在天主面前的加俾 額爾，奉命來向你說話，報告你這個喜訊。看，你必成為啞巴，不能說話，直到這事成就的那一天，因為你沒有相信我的話；但我的話屆時必要應驗。」百姓等候匝 加利亞，都驚訝他滯留在聖所內那末久。及至他出來，竟不能對他們講話。他們這才知道，他在聖所中見了異象；他成了啞巴，只好給他們打手勢。匝加利亞供職的日期一滿，就回了家。幾天以後，他的妻子依撒伯爾受了孕，她躲藏了五個月，說：「上主在這些時日內這樣眷顧了我，除去了我在人間的恥辱。」
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:5-25
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechari’ah, of the division of Abi’jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechari’ah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechari’ah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; 15 for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli’jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechari’ah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechari’ah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖路加福音 1:5-25黑落德為猶太王的時候，阿彼雅班次中有一位司祭名叫匝加利亞，他的妻子名叫依撒伯爾，是亞郎的後代。二人在天主前都是義人，遵守上主的一切誡命和禮規，無瑕可指。但是，他們沒有孩子，因為依撒伯爾素不生育，兩人又都上了年紀。有一天，正逢匝加利亞輪著他的班次，在天主前盡司祭的職務時，按著司祭的常例，他抽中了籤，得進上主的聖所獻香。獻香的時候，所有的百姓都在外面祈禱。有 一位上主的天使站在香壇右邊顯現給他。匝加利亞一見，驚惶害怕起來；但天使對她說：「匝加利亞，不要害怕！因為你的祈禱已蒙應允，你的妻子依撒伯爾要給你 生一個兒子，你要給他起名叫若翰。你必要歡喜踴躍，許多人也要因他的誕生而喜樂，因為他在上主面前將是偉大的，淡酒和濃酒他都不喝，而且，他還在母胎中就 要充滿聖神；他要使許多以色列子民轉向上主，他們的天主；他要以厄里亞的精神和能力，在他前面先行，使為父的的心轉向兒子，使悖逆者轉向義人的心意，為上 主準備一個善良的百姓。」匝加利亞遂向天使說：「我憑什麼能知這事可行呢？因為我已經老了，我的妻子也上了年紀。」天使回答說：「我是站在天主面前的加俾 額爾，奉命來向你說話，報告你這個喜訊。看，你必成為啞巴，不能說話，直到這事成就的那一天，因為你沒有相信我的話；但我的話屆時必要應驗。」百姓等候匝 加利亞，都驚訝他滯留在聖所內那末久。及至他出來，竟不能對他們講話。他們這才知道，他在聖所中見了異象；他成了啞巴，只好給他們打手勢。匝加利亞供職的日期一滿，就回了家。幾天以後，他的妻子依撒伯爾受了孕，她躲藏了五個月，說：「上主在這些時日內這樣眷顧了我，除去了我在人間的恥辱。」
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:5-25
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechari’ah, of the division of Abi’jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechari’ah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechari’ah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; 15 for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli’jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechari’ah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechari’ah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
2008年12月18日 星期四
將臨期第三週 (週四) (2008年12月18日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:18-24
神父講道 - 將臨期第三週 (週四) (2008年12月18日)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 1:18-24耶穌基督的誕生是這樣的：他的母親瑪利亞許配於若瑟後，在同居前，她因聖神有孕的事已顯示出來。她的丈夫若瑟，因是義人，不願公開羞辱她，有意暗暗地休退 她。當他在思量這事時，看，在夢中上主的天使顯現給他說：「達味之子若瑟，不要怕娶你的妻子瑪利亞，因為那在她內受生的，是出於聖神。她要生一個兒子，你 要給他起名叫耶穌：因為他要把自己的民族，由他們的罪惡中拯救出來。」這一切事的發生，是為應驗上主藉先知所說的話：「看，一位貞女，將懷孕生子，人將稱 他的名字為厄瑪努耳，意思是：天主與我們同在。若瑟從睡夢中醒來，就照上主的天使所囑咐的辦了，娶了他的妻子。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:18-24
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 1:18-24耶穌基督的誕生是這樣的：他的母親瑪利亞許配於若瑟後，在同居前，她因聖神有孕的事已顯示出來。她的丈夫若瑟，因是義人，不願公開羞辱她，有意暗暗地休退 她。當他在思量這事時，看，在夢中上主的天使顯現給他說：「達味之子若瑟，不要怕娶你的妻子瑪利亞，因為那在她內受生的，是出於聖神。她要生一個兒子，你 要給他起名叫耶穌：因為他要把自己的民族，由他們的罪惡中拯救出來。」這一切事的發生，是為應驗上主藉先知所說的話：「看，一位貞女，將懷孕生子，人將稱 他的名字為厄瑪努耳，意思是：天主與我們同在。若瑟從睡夢中醒來，就照上主的天使所囑咐的辦了，娶了他的妻子。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:18-24
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife
—The Gospel of the Lord.
將臨期第三週 (週三) (2008年12月17日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:1-17
神父講道 - 將臨期第三週 (週三) (2008年12月17日)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 1:1-17亞巴郎之子，達味之子耶穌基督的族譜：亞巴郎生依撒格，依撒格生雅各伯，雅各伯生猶大和他的弟兄們；猶大由塔瑪爾生培勒茲和則辣黑，培勒茲生赫茲龍，赫茲 龍生阿蘭，阿蘭生阿米納達布，阿米納達布生納赫雄，納赫雄生撒耳孟，撒耳孟由辣哈布生波阿次，波阿次由盧德生敖貝得，敖貝得生葉瑟，葉瑟生達味王。達味由 烏黎雅的妻子生撒羅滿，撒羅滿生勒哈貝罕，勒哈貝罕生阿彼雅，阿彼雅生阿撒，阿撒生約沙法特，約沙法特生約蘭，約蘭生烏齊雅，烏齊雅生約堂，約堂生阿哈 次，阿哈次生希則克雅，希則克雅生默納舍，默納舍生阿孟，阿孟生約史雅，約史雅在巴比倫流徙期間生耶苛尼雅和他的弟兄們，流徙巴比倫以後，耶苛尼雅生沙耳 提耳，沙耳提耳生則魯巴貝耳，則魯巴貝耳生阿彼烏得，阿彼烏得生厄里雅金，厄利雅金生阿左爾，阿左爾生匝多克，匝多克生阿歆，阿歆生厄里烏得，厄里烏得生 厄肋阿匝爾，厄肋阿匝爾生瑪堂，瑪堂生雅各伯，雅各伯生若瑟，瑪利亞的丈夫；瑪利亞生耶穌，他稱為基督。所以從亞巴郎到達味共十四代，從達味到流徒巴比倫 共十四代，從流徒巴比倫到基督共十四代。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Ammin’adab, and Ammin’adab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Bo’az by Rahab, and Bo’az the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri’ah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehobo’am, and Rehobo’am the father of Abi’jah, and Abi’jah the father of Asa, 8 and Asa the father of Jehosh’aphat, and Jehosh’aphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzzi’ah, 9 and Uzzi’ah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezeki’ah, 10 and Hezeki’ah the father of Manas’seh, and Manas’seh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josi’ah, 11 and Josi’ah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoni’ah was the father of She-al’ti-el, and She-al’ti-el the father of Zerub’babel, 13 and Zerub’babel the father of Abi’ud, and Abi’ud the father of Eli’akim, and Eli’akim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eli’ud, 15 and Eli’ud the father of Elea’zar, and Elea’zar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 1:1-17亞巴郎之子，達味之子耶穌基督的族譜：亞巴郎生依撒格，依撒格生雅各伯，雅各伯生猶大和他的弟兄們；猶大由塔瑪爾生培勒茲和則辣黑，培勒茲生赫茲龍，赫茲 龍生阿蘭，阿蘭生阿米納達布，阿米納達布生納赫雄，納赫雄生撒耳孟，撒耳孟由辣哈布生波阿次，波阿次由盧德生敖貝得，敖貝得生葉瑟，葉瑟生達味王。達味由 烏黎雅的妻子生撒羅滿，撒羅滿生勒哈貝罕，勒哈貝罕生阿彼雅，阿彼雅生阿撒，阿撒生約沙法特，約沙法特生約蘭，約蘭生烏齊雅，烏齊雅生約堂，約堂生阿哈 次，阿哈次生希則克雅，希則克雅生默納舍，默納舍生阿孟，阿孟生約史雅，約史雅在巴比倫流徙期間生耶苛尼雅和他的弟兄們，流徙巴比倫以後，耶苛尼雅生沙耳 提耳，沙耳提耳生則魯巴貝耳，則魯巴貝耳生阿彼烏得，阿彼烏得生厄里雅金，厄利雅金生阿左爾，阿左爾生匝多克，匝多克生阿歆，阿歆生厄里烏得，厄里烏得生 厄肋阿匝爾，厄肋阿匝爾生瑪堂，瑪堂生雅各伯，雅各伯生若瑟，瑪利亞的丈夫；瑪利亞生耶穌，他稱為基督。所以從亞巴郎到達味共十四代，從達味到流徒巴比倫 共十四代，從流徒巴比倫到基督共十四代。
—這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Ammin’adab, and Ammin’adab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Bo’az by Rahab, and Bo’az the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri’ah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehobo’am, and Rehobo’am the father of Abi’jah, and Abi’jah the father of Asa, 8 and Asa the father of Jehosh’aphat, and Jehosh’aphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzzi’ah, 9 and Uzzi’ah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezeki’ah, 10 and Hezeki’ah the father of Manas’seh, and Manas’seh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josi’ah, 11 and Josi’ah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoni’ah was the father of She-al’ti-el, and She-al’ti-el the father of Zerub’babel, 13 and Zerub’babel the father of Abi’ud, and Abi’ud the father of Eli’akim, and Eli’akim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eli’ud, 15 and Eli’ud the father of Elea’zar, and Elea’zar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
將臨期第三週 (週二) (2008年12月16日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:28-32
神父講道 - 將臨期第三週 (週二) (2008年12月16日)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 21:28-32「你們以為怎樣？一個人有兩個兒子，他走到第一個兒子跟前，說：『孩子，你今天到葡萄園中去工作吧！』他回答說：『我不願意。』但後來懊悔了，去了。這人 又走到第二個跟前，說了同樣的話。他回答說：『主，一定去！』但他未去。兩人中，哪一個遵行了父親的旨意呢？」他們說：「前一個。」耶穌說：「我切實告訴 你們，稅吏和娼妓都要比你們先進天國。因為若翰遵循正義的道路，來到你們中間，你們不信他；稅吏和娼妓倒相信他；你們見了後，仍不悔悟去相信他。」
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:28-32
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, `Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, `I will not’; but afterward he repented and went. 30 And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, `I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 21:28-32「你們以為怎樣？一個人有兩個兒子，他走到第一個兒子跟前，說：『孩子，你今天到葡萄園中去工作吧！』他回答說：『我不願意。』但後來懊悔了，去了。這人 又走到第二個跟前，說了同樣的話。他回答說：『主，一定去！』但他未去。兩人中，哪一個遵行了父親的旨意呢？」他們說：「前一個。」耶穌說：「我切實告訴 你們，稅吏和娼妓都要比你們先進天國。因為若翰遵循正義的道路，來到你們中間，你們不信他；稅吏和娼妓倒相信他；你們見了後，仍不悔悟去相信他。」
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:28-32
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, `Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, `I will not’; but afterward he repented and went. 30 And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, `I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
2008年12月15日 星期一
將臨期第三週 (週一) (2008年12月15日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:23-27
神父講道 - 將臨期第三週 (週一) (2008年12月15日)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 21:23-27
耶穌進入聖殿，正在教訓人時，司祭長和民間的長老前來對他說：「你憑什麼權柄做這些事？誰給了你這樣的權柄？」耶穌回答他們說：「我也向你們提一個問題， 如果你們答覆我，我就告訴你們我憑什麼權柄做這些事。」若翰的洗禮是從哪里來的？從天上？還是從人來的？」他們心中思量說：「如果我們說：『從天上來 的』，他會說：『那麼你們為何不相信他呢？』但如果我們說：『從人來的』，我們又害怕群眾，因為眾人都認若翰是一位先知。」於是他們回答耶穌說：「我們不 知道。」耶穌說：「我也不告訴你們，我憑什麼權柄做這些事。」
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:23-27
23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, `From heaven,’ he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, `From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 21:23-27
耶穌進入聖殿，正在教訓人時，司祭長和民間的長老前來對他說：「你憑什麼權柄做這些事？誰給了你這樣的權柄？」耶穌回答他們說：「我也向你們提一個問題， 如果你們答覆我，我就告訴你們我憑什麼權柄做這些事。」若翰的洗禮是從哪里來的？從天上？還是從人來的？」他們心中思量說：「如果我們說：『從天上來 的』，他會說：『那麼你們為何不相信他呢？』但如果我們說：『從人來的』，我們又害怕群眾，因為眾人都認若翰是一位先知。」於是他們回答耶穌說：「我們不 知道。」耶穌說：「我也不告訴你們，我憑什麼權柄做這些事。」
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:23-27
23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, `From heaven,’ he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, `From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
將臨期第三主日 (2008年12月14日)十字．聖若望司鐸聖師 A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 1:6-8, 19-28 St. John of the Cross
主日講道 - 將臨期第三主日 (2008年12月14日)
十字．聖若望司鐸聖師
恭讀聖若望福音 1:6-8,19-28曾有一人，是由天主派遣來的，名叫若翰。這人來，是為作證，為給光作證，為使眾人藉他而信。他不是那光，只是為給那光作證。這是若翰所作的見證：當時，猶 太人從耶路撒冷派遣了司祭和肋未人，到他那裡問他說：「你是誰？」，他明明承認，並沒有否認；他明認說：「我不是默西亞。」 他們又問他說：「那麼你是誰？你是厄里亞嗎？」 他說：「我不是。」 他們又問：「你是那位先知嗎？」 他回答說：「不是。」 於是他們問他說：「你究竟是誰？好叫我們給那派遣我們來的人一個答覆。你自己說你是誰？」他說：「我是在曠野裡呼喊者的聲音：修直上主的道路！正如依撒意 亞先知所說的。」 被派遣來的有些是法利塞人；他們又問他說：「你既不是默西亞，又不是厄里亞，也不是那位先知，那麼，你為什麼施洗呢？」 若翰答覆他們說：「我以水施洗，你們中間站著一位，是你們所不認識的；祂在我以後來，我卻當不起解祂的鞋帶。」 這些事發生於約但河對岸的伯達尼，若翰施洗的地方。
─上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 1:6-8, 19-28
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月十四日 聖十字若望(St. John of the Cross) (司鐸、聖師）（紀念）
聖人於一五四二年左右在西班牙芳地拜洛出生。及長入聖衣會修道。晉鐸後, 由於聖女大德蘭的勸告和協助，一五六八年開始修會的革新工作，備嘗艱辛。一五九一年於西班牙烏伯達逝世。聖人德學兼優，其靈修遺著可為佐證。
St. John of the Cross
Feastday: December 14
Born in Spain in 1542, John learned the importance of self-sacrificing love from his parents. His father gave up wealth, status, and comfort when he married a weaver's daughter and was disowned by his noble family. After his father died, his mother kept the destitute family together as they wandered homeless in search of work. These were the examples of sacrifice that John followed with his own great love -- God.
When the family finally found work, John still went hungry in the middle of the wealthiest city in Spain. At fourteen, John took a job caring for hospital patients who suffered from incurable diseases and madness. It was out of this poverty and suffering, that John learned to search for beauty and happiness not in the world, but in God.
After John joined the Carmelite order, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her reform movement. John supported her belief that the order should return to its life of prayer. But many Carmelites felt threatened by this reform, and some members of John's own order kidnapped him. He was locked in a cell six feet by ten feet and beaten three times a week by the monks. There was only one tiny window high up near the ceiling. Yet in that unbearable dark, cold, and desolation, his love and faith were like fire and light. He had nothing left but God -- and God brought John his greatest joys in that tiny cell.
After nine months, John escaped by unscrewing the lock on his door and creeping past the guard. Taking only the mystical poetry he had written in his cell, he climbed out a window using a rope made of stirps of blankets. With no idea where he was, he followed a dog to civilization. He hid from pursuers in a convent infirmary where he read his poetry to the nuns. From then on his life was devoted to sharing and explaining his experience of God's love.
His life of poverty and persecution could have produced a bitter cynic. Instead it gave birth to a compassionate mystic, who lived by the beliefs that "Who has ever seen people persuaded to love God by harshness?" and "Where there is no love, put love -- and you will find love."
John left us many books of practical advice on spiritual growth and prayer that are just as relevant today as they were then. These books include:
Ascent of Mount Carmel
Dark Night of the Soul
and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ
Since joy comes only from God, John believed that someone who seeks happiness in the world is like "a famished person who opens his mouth to satisfy himself with air." He taught that only by breaking the rope of our desires could we fly up to God. Above all, he was concerned for those who suffered dryness or depression in their spiritual life and offered encouragement that God loved them and was leading them deeper into faith.
"What more do you want, o soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction and kingdom -- your beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire him there, adore him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and you won't find him, or enjoy him more than by seeking him within you." -- Saint John of the Cross In His Footsteps:
John of the Cross believed it was just as dangerous to get attached to spiritual delights as worldly pleasures. Do you expect to get something -- a good feeling, a sense of God -- from prayer or worship? Do you continue to pray and worship when you feel alone or dry? Prayer:
Saint John of the Cross, in the darkness of your worst moments, when you were alone and persecuted, you found God. Help me to have faith that God is there especially in the times when God seems absent and far away. Amen
十字．聖若望司鐸聖師
恭讀聖若望福音 1:6-8,19-28曾有一人，是由天主派遣來的，名叫若翰。這人來，是為作證，為給光作證，為使眾人藉他而信。他不是那光，只是為給那光作證。這是若翰所作的見證：當時，猶 太人從耶路撒冷派遣了司祭和肋未人，到他那裡問他說：「你是誰？」，他明明承認，並沒有否認；他明認說：「我不是默西亞。」 他們又問他說：「那麼你是誰？你是厄里亞嗎？」 他說：「我不是。」 他們又問：「你是那位先知嗎？」 他回答說：「不是。」 於是他們問他說：「你究竟是誰？好叫我們給那派遣我們來的人一個答覆。你自己說你是誰？」他說：「我是在曠野裡呼喊者的聲音：修直上主的道路！正如依撒意 亞先知所說的。」 被派遣來的有些是法利塞人；他們又問他說：「你既不是默西亞，又不是厄里亞，也不是那位先知，那麼，你為什麼施洗呢？」 若翰答覆他們說：「我以水施洗，你們中間站著一位，是你們所不認識的；祂在我以後來，我卻當不起解祂的鞋帶。」 這些事發生於約但河對岸的伯達尼，若翰施洗的地方。
─上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 1:6-8, 19-28
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月十四日 聖十字若望(St. John of the Cross) (司鐸、聖師）（紀念）
聖人於一五四二年左右在西班牙芳地拜洛出生。及長入聖衣會修道。晉鐸後, 由於聖女大德蘭的勸告和協助，一五六八年開始修會的革新工作，備嘗艱辛。一五九一年於西班牙烏伯達逝世。聖人德學兼優，其靈修遺著可為佐證。
St. John of the Cross
Feastday: December 14
Born in Spain in 1542, John learned the importance of self-sacrificing love from his parents. His father gave up wealth, status, and comfort when he married a weaver's daughter and was disowned by his noble family. After his father died, his mother kept the destitute family together as they wandered homeless in search of work. These were the examples of sacrifice that John followed with his own great love -- God.
When the family finally found work, John still went hungry in the middle of the wealthiest city in Spain. At fourteen, John took a job caring for hospital patients who suffered from incurable diseases and madness. It was out of this poverty and suffering, that John learned to search for beauty and happiness not in the world, but in God.
After John joined the Carmelite order, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her reform movement. John supported her belief that the order should return to its life of prayer. But many Carmelites felt threatened by this reform, and some members of John's own order kidnapped him. He was locked in a cell six feet by ten feet and beaten three times a week by the monks. There was only one tiny window high up near the ceiling. Yet in that unbearable dark, cold, and desolation, his love and faith were like fire and light. He had nothing left but God -- and God brought John his greatest joys in that tiny cell.
After nine months, John escaped by unscrewing the lock on his door and creeping past the guard. Taking only the mystical poetry he had written in his cell, he climbed out a window using a rope made of stirps of blankets. With no idea where he was, he followed a dog to civilization. He hid from pursuers in a convent infirmary where he read his poetry to the nuns. From then on his life was devoted to sharing and explaining his experience of God's love.
His life of poverty and persecution could have produced a bitter cynic. Instead it gave birth to a compassionate mystic, who lived by the beliefs that "Who has ever seen people persuaded to love God by harshness?" and "Where there is no love, put love -- and you will find love."
John left us many books of practical advice on spiritual growth and prayer that are just as relevant today as they were then. These books include:
Ascent of Mount Carmel
Dark Night of the Soul
and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ
Since joy comes only from God, John believed that someone who seeks happiness in the world is like "a famished person who opens his mouth to satisfy himself with air." He taught that only by breaking the rope of our desires could we fly up to God. Above all, he was concerned for those who suffered dryness or depression in their spiritual life and offered encouragement that God loved them and was leading them deeper into faith.
"What more do you want, o soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction and kingdom -- your beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire him there, adore him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and you won't find him, or enjoy him more than by seeking him within you." -- Saint John of the Cross In His Footsteps:
John of the Cross believed it was just as dangerous to get attached to spiritual delights as worldly pleasures. Do you expect to get something -- a good feeling, a sense of God -- from prayer or worship? Do you continue to pray and worship when you feel alone or dry? Prayer:
Saint John of the Cross, in the darkness of your worst moments, when you were alone and persecuted, you found God. Help me to have faith that God is there especially in the times when God seems absent and far away. Amen
2008年12月13日 星期六
將臨期第二週 (週六) (2008年12月13日)喜樂主日 聖璐琪(路濟亞)貞女殉道 (紀念) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 17:10-13
神父講道 - 將臨期第二週 (週六) (2008年12月13日)喜樂主日
聖璐琪(路濟亞)貞女殉道 (紀念)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 17: 10-13
眾門徒從山上下來時，便問耶穌說：「那麼，爲什麽經師說厄里亞應該先來呢？」耶穌回答說：「厄里亞的確要來，且要重整一切。但我告訴你們：厄里亞已經來了，人們卻不認識他，反而任意對待了他；照樣，人子也要受他們磨難。」門徒這才明白耶穌給他們所說的，是指的洗者若翰。
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 17:10-13
10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Eli’jah must come?” 11 He replied, “Eli’jah does come, and he is to restore all things; 12 but I tell you that Eli’jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月十三日 聖璐琪(路濟亞)貞女殉道 (St. Lucy) (貞女、殉道）（紀念）
聖女葬在西西里島的斯拉古撒， 可能在戴克里先迫害教會時蒙難，她的紀念日最早記載在熱羅尼莫的殉道錄中，六世紀羅馬教會已有她的敬禮。被譽為保護眼睛的主保。
St. Lucy
Feastday: December 13Patron of Blindness
St. Lucy
Lucy's name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear, radiant, understandable." Unfortunately for us, Lucy's history does not match her name. Shrouded in the darkness of time, all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith.
Because people wanted to shed light on Lucy's bravery, legends grew up. The one that is passed down to us tells the story of a young Christian woman who had vowed her life to the service of Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucy apparently knew that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. Through prayers at the tomb of Saint Agatha, her mother's long illness was cured miraculously. The grateful mother was now ready to listen to Lucy's desire to give her money to the poor and commit her life to God.
Unfortunately, legend has it, the rejected bridegroom did not see the same light and he betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. This governor tried to send her into prostitution but the guards who came to take her way found her stiff and heavy as a mountain. Finally she was killed. As much as the facts of Lucy's specific case are unknown, we know that many Christians suffered incredible torture and a painful death for their faith during Diocletian's reign. Lucy may not have been burned or had a sword thrust through her throat but many Christians did and we can be sure her faith withstood tests we can barely imagine.
Lucy's name is probably also connected to statues of Lucy holding a dish with two eyes on it. This refers to another legend in which Lucy's eyes were put out by Diocletian as part of his torture. The legend concludes with God restoring Lucy's eyes.
Lucy's name also played a large part in naming Lucy as a patron saint of the blind and those with eye-trouble.
Whatever the fact to the legends surrounding Lucy, the truth is that her courage to stand up and be counted a Christian in spite of torture and death is the light that should lead us on our own journeys through life.
聖璐琪(路濟亞)貞女殉道 (紀念)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 17: 10-13
眾門徒從山上下來時，便問耶穌說：「那麼，爲什麽經師說厄里亞應該先來呢？」耶穌回答說：「厄里亞的確要來，且要重整一切。但我告訴你們：厄里亞已經來了，人們卻不認識他，反而任意對待了他；照樣，人子也要受他們磨難。」門徒這才明白耶穌給他們所說的，是指的洗者若翰。
—上主的話。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 17:10-13
10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Eli’jah must come?” 11 He replied, “Eli’jah does come, and he is to restore all things; 12 but I tell you that Eli’jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月十三日 聖璐琪(路濟亞)貞女殉道 (St. Lucy) (貞女、殉道）（紀念）
聖女葬在西西里島的斯拉古撒， 可能在戴克里先迫害教會時蒙難，她的紀念日最早記載在熱羅尼莫的殉道錄中，六世紀羅馬教會已有她的敬禮。被譽為保護眼睛的主保。
St. Lucy
Feastday: December 13Patron of Blindness
St. Lucy
Lucy's name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear, radiant, understandable." Unfortunately for us, Lucy's history does not match her name. Shrouded in the darkness of time, all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith.
Because people wanted to shed light on Lucy's bravery, legends grew up. The one that is passed down to us tells the story of a young Christian woman who had vowed her life to the service of Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucy apparently knew that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. Through prayers at the tomb of Saint Agatha, her mother's long illness was cured miraculously. The grateful mother was now ready to listen to Lucy's desire to give her money to the poor and commit her life to God.
Unfortunately, legend has it, the rejected bridegroom did not see the same light and he betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. This governor tried to send her into prostitution but the guards who came to take her way found her stiff and heavy as a mountain. Finally she was killed. As much as the facts of Lucy's specific case are unknown, we know that many Christians suffered incredible torture and a painful death for their faith during Diocletian's reign. Lucy may not have been burned or had a sword thrust through her throat but many Christians did and we can be sure her faith withstood tests we can barely imagine.
Lucy's name is probably also connected to statues of Lucy holding a dish with two eyes on it. This refers to another legend in which Lucy's eyes were put out by Diocletian as part of his torture. The legend concludes with God restoring Lucy's eyes.
Lucy's name also played a large part in naming Lucy as a patron saint of the blind and those with eye-trouble.
Whatever the fact to the legends surrounding Lucy, the truth is that her courage to stand up and be counted a Christian in spite of torture and death is the light that should lead us on our own journeys through life.
將臨期第二週 (週四) (2008年12月11日)聖達甦一世(達瑪穌)教宗 A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 11:11-15
神父講道 - 將臨期第二週 (週四) (2008年12月11日)
聖達甦一世(達瑪穌)教宗
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 11:11-15我切實告訴你們：「在婦女所生者中，沒有出過一個比授洗的若翰更大的；但在天國中最小的也比他大。從授洗的若翰的日子起直至今日，天國是以猛力去爭奪的， 用強力的人就奪取了它。因為所有的先知和法律所作的預言都到若翰為止。如果你們願意接受的話，他就是那位要來的厄里亞。有耳聽的，聽吧！」
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 11:11-15
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli’jah who is to come.15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
聖達甦一世(達瑪穌)教宗
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 11:11-15我切實告訴你們：「在婦女所生者中，沒有出過一個比授洗的若翰更大的；但在天國中最小的也比他大。從授洗的若翰的日子起直至今日，天國是以猛力去爭奪的， 用強力的人就奪取了它。因為所有的先知和法律所作的預言都到若翰為止。如果你們願意接受的話，他就是那位要來的厄里亞。有耳聽的，聽吧！」
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 11:11-15
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli’jah who is to come.15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
2008年12月12日 星期五
始胎無原罪聖母 (節日)Homily - 2nd Week of Advent (Mon. Dec 8, 2008)(The Immaculate Conception of the Blesses Virgin Mary)
始胎無原罪聖母 (節日)
恭讀聖路加福音 1:26-38
到了第六個月，天使加俾額爾奉天主差遣，往加里肋亞一座名叫納匝肋的城去，到一位童貞女那裏，她已與達味家族中的一個名叫若瑟的男子訂了婚，童貞女的名字 叫瑪利亞。天使進去向她說：「萬福！充滿恩寵者，上主與你同在！」【在女人中你是蒙祝福的。】她卻因這話驚惶不安，便思慮這樣的請安有什麼意思。天使對她 說：「瑪利亞，不要害怕；因為你在天主前獲得了寵幸。看，你將懷孕生子，並要給他起名叫耶穌，他將是偉大的，並被稱為至高者的兒子，上主天主要把他祖先達 味的御座賜給他，他要為王統治雅各伯家，直到永遠；他的王權沒有終結。」瑪利亞便向天使說：「這事怎能成就？因為我不認識男人。」天使答覆她說：「聖神要 臨於你，至高者的能力要庇廕你，因此，那要誕生的聖者，將稱為天主的兒子。且看，你的親戚依撒伯爾，她雖在老年，卻懷了男胎：本月已六個月了，她原是素稱 不生育的，因為在天主前沒有不能的事。」瑪利亞說：「看！上主的婢女，願照你的話成就於我吧！」天使便離開她去了。
—這是基督的福音。
Homily - 2nd Week of Advent (Mon. Dec 8, 2008)
(The Immaculate Conception of the Blesses Virgin Mary)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖路加福音 1:26-38
到了第六個月，天使加俾額爾奉天主差遣，往加里肋亞一座名叫納匝肋的城去，到一位童貞女那裏，她已與達味家族中的一個名叫若瑟的男子訂了婚，童貞女的名字 叫瑪利亞。天使進去向她說：「萬福！充滿恩寵者，上主與你同在！」【在女人中你是蒙祝福的。】她卻因這話驚惶不安，便思慮這樣的請安有什麼意思。天使對她 說：「瑪利亞，不要害怕；因為你在天主前獲得了寵幸。看，你將懷孕生子，並要給他起名叫耶穌，他將是偉大的，並被稱為至高者的兒子，上主天主要把他祖先達 味的御座賜給他，他要為王統治雅各伯家，直到永遠；他的王權沒有終結。」瑪利亞便向天使說：「這事怎能成就？因為我不認識男人。」天使答覆她說：「聖神要 臨於你，至高者的能力要庇廕你，因此，那要誕生的聖者，將稱為天主的兒子。且看，你的親戚依撒伯爾，她雖在老年，卻懷了男胎：本月已六個月了，她原是素稱 不生育的，因為在天主前沒有不能的事。」瑪利亞說：「看！上主的婢女，願照你的話成就於我吧！」天使便離開她去了。
—這是基督的福音。
Homily - 2nd Week of Advent (Mon. Dec 8, 2008)
(The Immaculate Conception of the Blesses Virgin Mary)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
將臨期第二主日 (2008年12月7日)聖安博(盎博羅削)主教聖師 A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 1:1-8
主日講道 - 將臨期第二主日 (2008年12月7日)
聖安博(盎博羅削)主教聖師
恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 1:1-8天主子耶穌基督福音的開始，正如依撒意亞先知書上記載的：「看，我派遣我的使者在祢面前，預備祢的道路。曠野中有呼號者的聲音：你們當預備上主的道路，修 直祂的途徑。」此時，若翰出現在曠野裡施洗，並宣講悔改的洗禮，以赦免罪過。猶太全地和耶路撒冷的群眾都出來，到他那裡，承認自己的罪過，在約但河受他的 洗。若翰穿的是駱駝毛的衣服，腰間束的是皮帶，吃的是蝗蟲與野蜜。他宣告說：「那比我更有力量的，要在我以後來，我連俯身解祂的鞋帶也不配。我以水洗你們，祂卻要以聖神洗你們。」
─上主的話。
Homily - 2nd Week of Advent (Mon. Dec 8, 2008)
(The Immaculate Conception of the Blesses Virgin Mary)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 1:1-8
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight — ” 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月七日聖安博（主教）
聖人於公元340年左右，出生於特里爾城（今德國）一個羅馬人家庭。在羅馬讀書，並在西耳彌從事公職。公元三七四年，在米蘭城，出乎意料而被選為本城主教，十二月七日晉陞主教。在任時克盡牧職，尤以愛德為著，成為信眾真實的司牧與導師。著作等身，道理純正，竭力維護教會權利，攻斥邪說。公元397年4月4日，聖週六逝世。
St. Ambrose of Milan
397
St. AmbroseAt 33 Ambrose had it all - a successful career as a lawyer, an important position as governor of Milan, the approval and friendship of the emperor, and a large estate.
Then the bishop of Milan died. At this time, about 374, heresies threatened to destroy the Church. The bishop had supported the Arian heresy that argued against the divinity of Christ. Who would take his place - an Arian or a Catholic? Both sides met in the cathedral and a riot broke out.
Public order was Ambrose's responsibility as governor so he hurried to the church and made a passionate speech not in favor of either side, but in favor of peace. He begged the people to make their choice without fighting, using restraint and moderation.
Suddenly, while he was speaking, a voice called out, "Ambrose for bishop!" Soon everyone was shouting, "Ambrose for bishop!"
The other bishops of the province were only too glad to have this controversial decision taken out of their hands. But Ambrose was not about to give up a successful career for the dangerous position of bishop - a life- threatening occupation in these heretical times. So Ambrose ran away. When he appealed to the emperor to overturn the decision on the basis that he hadn't even been baptized yet, the emperor answered that he was happy that he chose governors fit for the episcopal office. Ambrose hid in a senator's house but the senator surrendered Ambrose when he heard about the emperor's decision.
With nowhere else to run, Ambrose gave in. Since he'd been forced to take the position, no one would have been surprised if he'd decided to keep on living the way that he had before ordination. Instead, Ambrose immediately gave his property to the poor and put himself under the instruction of Saint Simplician to learn Scripture and theology.
The Arians thought Ambrose would be "their" bishop because Ambrose had been a member of court and many in government were Arians. But Ambrose used his skills as a lawyer and orator to fight the Arians in church, court, senate, and even the emperor's own family. The same stubbornness that had made him refuse the position in the first place was now his weapon in fighting heresy and pursuing sanctity.
Ambrose's Treasure
When the Goths invaded the empire and took captives, Ambrose paid out all the money he had in ransom. He said the best and most effective charity was ransoming captives and hostages. He even took all gold vessels belonging to the Church and had them melted down. He said, "It is a better thing to save souls for the Lord than to save treasures. He who sent forth his apostles without gold had not need of gold to form his Church. The Church possesses gold, not to hoard, but to scatter abroad and come to the aid of the unfortunate.
"Would not the Lord say to us: 'Why have you let so many needy perish of hunger? Since you had gold, you should provide for their needs'...Could we say: 'I feared to leave the temple of God without ornament.' But that which can't be bought with gold does not take its value from gold. The best way to use the gold of the Redeemer is for the redemption of those in peril."
Ambrose always was more concerned for the poor than for power. He often reproached the wealthy for ignoring the poor: "God created the universe in such a manner that all in common might derive their food from it, and that the earth should also be a property common to all. Why do you reject one who has the same rights over nature as you? It is not from your own goods that you give to the beggar; it is a portion of his own that you are restoring to him. The earth belongs to all. So you are paying back a debt and think you are making a gift to which you are not bound."
Sentenced to Death
When the emperor died, the Empress Justina, an Arian, became regent for her four year old son. Maximus, a former Roman soldier, realized the emperor's death might weaken the empire enough for his army to conquer it. Justina begged Ambrose to negotiate with him. In spite of the fact that she was his enemy, Ambrose went on a diplomatic mission that convinced Maximus not to invade.
Justina's idea of showing gratitude to Ambrose was to demand that Ambrose's basilica be handed over to the Arians. Ambrose answered that he would never give up the temple of God.
The people were on Ambrose's side. It is possible he could have even started a coup to overthrow Justina. But Ambrose was careful never to say or do anything to start violence. When Catholics seized an Arian priest and were going to put him to death, Ambrose intervened in the name of peace and prayed God suffer no blood to be shed. He sent out priests and deacons to rescue his Arian enemy.
Ambrose said, "When I was told the church was surrounded with soldiers I said I cannot give it up but I must not fight." The soldiers came in to the basilica - but they came in to pray.
Justina then persuaded her son to make a law legalizing Arians and forbidding Catholics to oppose Arians under pain of death. No one could even present a petition against a church being yielded up.
On Palm Sunday, Ambrose preached a sermon about not giving up churches. The congregation, afraid for their lives, barricaded themselves in the basilica with their pastor Ambrose. The imperial troops surrounded the basilica in an attempt to starve them out, but on Easter Sunday all the people were still inside.
In the face of arms and soldiers, Ambrose said, "My only arms are my tears. I will never depart willingly but I won't resist by force."
In order to calm the frightened people Ambrose taught them to sing hymns he had composed. He split the congregation in two in order to alternate verses of the hymns. This is our first record of communal singing in church.
The music of praise and prayer seeped out through the walls of the basilica and into the hearts of the soldiers. Soon the soldiers outside joined in the singing. The siege ended.
The Other Cheek
With the military concentrated on fighting Catholics, Maximus decided Rome was ready for an invasion. Justina and her son were panic-stricken. What could they do?
They turned to one person they knew could handle the mission - the person they had just attacked and threatened. They asked Ambrose to go to Maximus again and stop his invasion.
Who would have blamed Ambrose for refusing?
In a miraculous act of forgiveness, Ambrose went on this mission for his enemies. When Maximus refused to compromise, Ambrose hurried home to warn them. Justina and her son fled to Greece, while Ambrose stayed behind. Fortunately, the eastern Emperor Theodosius intervened and defeated Maximus. However, Theodosius then took over control of the whole empire. Theodosius was Catholic and became a lifelong friend of Ambrose.
Ambrose died in 397, at about the age of 57. His memorial is celebrated on December 7, the date of his ordination.
聖安博(盎博羅削)主教聖師
恭讀聖馬爾谷福音 1:1-8天主子耶穌基督福音的開始，正如依撒意亞先知書上記載的：「看，我派遣我的使者在祢面前，預備祢的道路。曠野中有呼號者的聲音：你們當預備上主的道路，修 直祂的途徑。」此時，若翰出現在曠野裡施洗，並宣講悔改的洗禮，以赦免罪過。猶太全地和耶路撒冷的群眾都出來，到他那裡，承認自己的罪過，在約但河受他的 洗。若翰穿的是駱駝毛的衣服，腰間束的是皮帶，吃的是蝗蟲與野蜜。他宣告說：「那比我更有力量的，要在我以後來，我連俯身解祂的鞋帶也不配。我以水洗你們，祂卻要以聖神洗你們。」
─上主的話。
Homily - 2nd Week of Advent (Mon. Dec 8, 2008)
(The Immaculate Conception of the Blesses Virgin Mary)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 1:1-8
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight — ” 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
十二月七日聖安博（主教）
聖人於公元340年左右，出生於特里爾城（今德國）一個羅馬人家庭。在羅馬讀書，並在西耳彌從事公職。公元三七四年，在米蘭城，出乎意料而被選為本城主教，十二月七日晉陞主教。在任時克盡牧職，尤以愛德為著，成為信眾真實的司牧與導師。著作等身，道理純正，竭力維護教會權利，攻斥邪說。公元397年4月4日，聖週六逝世。
St. Ambrose of Milan
397
St. AmbroseAt 33 Ambrose had it all - a successful career as a lawyer, an important position as governor of Milan, the approval and friendship of the emperor, and a large estate.
Then the bishop of Milan died. At this time, about 374, heresies threatened to destroy the Church. The bishop had supported the Arian heresy that argued against the divinity of Christ. Who would take his place - an Arian or a Catholic? Both sides met in the cathedral and a riot broke out.
Public order was Ambrose's responsibility as governor so he hurried to the church and made a passionate speech not in favor of either side, but in favor of peace. He begged the people to make their choice without fighting, using restraint and moderation.
Suddenly, while he was speaking, a voice called out, "Ambrose for bishop!" Soon everyone was shouting, "Ambrose for bishop!"
The other bishops of the province were only too glad to have this controversial decision taken out of their hands. But Ambrose was not about to give up a successful career for the dangerous position of bishop - a life- threatening occupation in these heretical times. So Ambrose ran away. When he appealed to the emperor to overturn the decision on the basis that he hadn't even been baptized yet, the emperor answered that he was happy that he chose governors fit for the episcopal office. Ambrose hid in a senator's house but the senator surrendered Ambrose when he heard about the emperor's decision.
With nowhere else to run, Ambrose gave in. Since he'd been forced to take the position, no one would have been surprised if he'd decided to keep on living the way that he had before ordination. Instead, Ambrose immediately gave his property to the poor and put himself under the instruction of Saint Simplician to learn Scripture and theology.
The Arians thought Ambrose would be "their" bishop because Ambrose had been a member of court and many in government were Arians. But Ambrose used his skills as a lawyer and orator to fight the Arians in church, court, senate, and even the emperor's own family. The same stubbornness that had made him refuse the position in the first place was now his weapon in fighting heresy and pursuing sanctity.
Ambrose's Treasure
When the Goths invaded the empire and took captives, Ambrose paid out all the money he had in ransom. He said the best and most effective charity was ransoming captives and hostages. He even took all gold vessels belonging to the Church and had them melted down. He said, "It is a better thing to save souls for the Lord than to save treasures. He who sent forth his apostles without gold had not need of gold to form his Church. The Church possesses gold, not to hoard, but to scatter abroad and come to the aid of the unfortunate.
"Would not the Lord say to us: 'Why have you let so many needy perish of hunger? Since you had gold, you should provide for their needs'...Could we say: 'I feared to leave the temple of God without ornament.' But that which can't be bought with gold does not take its value from gold. The best way to use the gold of the Redeemer is for the redemption of those in peril."
Ambrose always was more concerned for the poor than for power. He often reproached the wealthy for ignoring the poor: "God created the universe in such a manner that all in common might derive their food from it, and that the earth should also be a property common to all. Why do you reject one who has the same rights over nature as you? It is not from your own goods that you give to the beggar; it is a portion of his own that you are restoring to him. The earth belongs to all. So you are paying back a debt and think you are making a gift to which you are not bound."
Sentenced to Death
When the emperor died, the Empress Justina, an Arian, became regent for her four year old son. Maximus, a former Roman soldier, realized the emperor's death might weaken the empire enough for his army to conquer it. Justina begged Ambrose to negotiate with him. In spite of the fact that she was his enemy, Ambrose went on a diplomatic mission that convinced Maximus not to invade.
Justina's idea of showing gratitude to Ambrose was to demand that Ambrose's basilica be handed over to the Arians. Ambrose answered that he would never give up the temple of God.
The people were on Ambrose's side. It is possible he could have even started a coup to overthrow Justina. But Ambrose was careful never to say or do anything to start violence. When Catholics seized an Arian priest and were going to put him to death, Ambrose intervened in the name of peace and prayed God suffer no blood to be shed. He sent out priests and deacons to rescue his Arian enemy.
Ambrose said, "When I was told the church was surrounded with soldiers I said I cannot give it up but I must not fight." The soldiers came in to the basilica - but they came in to pray.
Justina then persuaded her son to make a law legalizing Arians and forbidding Catholics to oppose Arians under pain of death. No one could even present a petition against a church being yielded up.
On Palm Sunday, Ambrose preached a sermon about not giving up churches. The congregation, afraid for their lives, barricaded themselves in the basilica with their pastor Ambrose. The imperial troops surrounded the basilica in an attempt to starve them out, but on Easter Sunday all the people were still inside.
In the face of arms and soldiers, Ambrose said, "My only arms are my tears. I will never depart willingly but I won't resist by force."
In order to calm the frightened people Ambrose taught them to sing hymns he had composed. He split the congregation in two in order to alternate verses of the hymns. This is our first record of communal singing in church.
The music of praise and prayer seeped out through the walls of the basilica and into the hearts of the soldiers. Soon the soldiers outside joined in the singing. The siege ended.
The Other Cheek
With the military concentrated on fighting Catholics, Maximus decided Rome was ready for an invasion. Justina and her son were panic-stricken. What could they do?
They turned to one person they knew could handle the mission - the person they had just attacked and threatened. They asked Ambrose to go to Maximus again and stop his invasion.
Who would have blamed Ambrose for refusing?
In a miraculous act of forgiveness, Ambrose went on this mission for his enemies. When Maximus refused to compromise, Ambrose hurried home to warn them. Justina and her son fled to Greece, while Ambrose stayed behind. Fortunately, the eastern Emperor Theodosius intervened and defeated Maximus. However, Theodosius then took over control of the whole empire. Theodosius was Catholic and became a lifelong friend of Ambrose.
Ambrose died in 397, at about the age of 57. His memorial is celebrated on December 7, the date of his ordination.
2008年12月7日 星期日
將臨期第一週 (週五) (2008年12月5日) A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:27-31
神父講道 - 將臨期第一週 (週五) (2008年12月5日)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 9: 27-31耶穌從那裏往前走，有兩個瞎子跟著他，喊說：「達味之子，可憐我們吧！」耶穌進了屋子，兩瞎子就走到他跟前，耶穌對他們說：「你們相信我能作這事嗎？」他 們對他說：「主，我們信！」耶穌就摸他們的眼睛，說：「按照你們的信德，給你們成就吧！」他們的眼便開了。耶穌嚴厲囑咐他們說：「小心，不可讓他人知 道！」但他們出去後，就把他的名聲傳遍全境。
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:27-31
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 9: 27-31耶穌從那裏往前走，有兩個瞎子跟著他，喊說：「達味之子，可憐我們吧！」耶穌進了屋子，兩瞎子就走到他跟前，耶穌對他們說：「你們相信我能作這事嗎？」他 們對他說：「主，我們信！」耶穌就摸他們的眼睛，說：「按照你們的信德，給你們成就吧！」他們的眼便開了。耶穌嚴厲囑咐他們說：「小心，不可讓他人知 道！」但他們出去後，就把他的名聲傳遍全境。
─這是基督的福音。
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:27-31
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
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