天國臨近了之教友使命
- Sally.ofs
(於2017年5月1日牧民通訊刋登)
二零一七年四旬期的退省主題為「天國臨近了之先知、司祭、君王」。 退省日當天黄昌雄執事給我們重温教友使命。 每一位受過洗的教友，與基督及教會結成一體，分享基督的普通司祭職、先知職、及君王職。 「你們也就成了活石，建成一座屬神的殿宇，成為一班聖潔的司祭，以奉獻因耶穌基督而中悅天主的屬神的祭品。」（伯多祿前書二：5） 在彌撒中，信友們奉獻個人的工作、祈禱、及日常的勞苦作祭品，恒心祈禱，讚美天主; 全心投入，服務堂區。 耶穌將基督徒比喻為地上的鹽，世界的光（瑪竇五：13-16），並該以言以行為天主作見證，以愛德服務，傳達天主的慈愛，活出正義、仁愛、與和平的精神。
我對當天其中一首歌特別深刻，歌名為《讓愛留痕》，歌詞裡的其中两句： 慈悲留痕，與主同行。 提醒了我有關救主慈悲的信息。 「我（耶穌）現在教三個慈悲地對待近人的方法：第一是行為，第二是言語，第三是祈禱。這三種方法充份地表達了慈悲，而且無容置疑地證明你對我的愛。」（聖女傅天娜日記742節）[1]
想一想： 既分擔基督司祭、先知和君王的職務，我會怎樣做？ 怎樣實踐愛德善行？
退省日下午，我們以拜苦路及泰澤祈禱作結束。 黄昌雄執事建議我們默想主的苦難及代入不同的角色。 例如耶穌、比拉多、門徒等等。 每一位參與者都有不同的反思，不能盡述。 耶穌曾對門徒們說：「誰若願意跟隨我，該棄絕自己，背著自己的十字架來跟隨我。」（瑪竇十六24） 因此，我們要學習耶穌的謙卑、聽命、信任的精神來跟隨衪。 聖人亞西西聖方濟最能效法十字架的精神，在此分享一首六六詩[2]名《返樸皈依》，指出聖方濟怎樣跟隨主基督而活。
《返樸皈依》
愛慕唯一天主
信賴天主支配
順從聖神推動
捨棄情慾私意
克服世俗常規
樸實而不貪婪
讓我們牢記以下三點信仰生活基礎，在普世中實踐建設天國的使命。
分擔三項職務 : 先知、司祭、君王
聖化三個善行 : 祈禱、言語、行為
見證三種精神 : 謙卑、聽命、信任
平安美善！
註[1]: 梁達材神父譯
註[2]: 六六詩與碌碌諧音也，每首六句，每句六字，由隠名士所創。
Kingdom of God – Mission of the Laity
- Sally.ofs
The topic for the 2017 Lenten retreat was “Kingdom of Heaven - Prophets, Priests, Kings”. On the day of the retreat, Deacon Danny Wong reviewed with us the Mission of the Laity. Every one of us who were baptized became one Christ and the Church, sharing the prophetic, priestly, and kingly duties of Christ. "Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 2:5). In Worship, the faithful offer their personal work, prayer, and daily labor as sacrifices to God. Pray ceaselessly and praise God. Dedicate to build the communities of Christ and churches. A Christian’s mission is to be the salt of the earth and light of the world as it says on Matthew 5:13-16. We say what we mean and work what we say. We express and share God's love by charity. We show the spirit of justice, compassion, and peace through our actions.
One song that was played during the retreat stuck in my mind. The song is called "Let Love Remains". Its lyric "God's mercy is visible. Walk with mercy“ reminds me of the Divine Mercy message, "I (Jesus) am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first – by deed, the second – by word, the third – by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love of me" (Diary 742). [1]
Think what will we do to share the duties of prophetic, priestly and kingly in Christ? How to practice work of mercy?
In the afternoon of the retreat, we concluded with The Stations of the Cross and Taizé prayer. Deacon Danny suggested that we meditated on the suffering of the Lord and in addition contemplated different characters of the Passion. Everyone shared their reflections and feelings. Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) Therefore, by following Jesus, we shall learn the way of humility, obedience, and trust in God. Saint Francis of Assisi was one of the most truly remarkable examples who showed us the way to follow the spirit of the Cross. I would like to share with you a poem about St. Francis in submission to God's will.
"Simple and Submission"
Love the Only God and One God
Trust in God’s Providence
Obey the Holy Spirit
Give up Selfishness
Overcome the Worldly Rules
Live a Simple Life of Poverty
Let us keep and observe below three foundations in our life of faith，strive for the Kingdom of God.
- Sharing the three roles of Christ: Prophetic, Priestly, Kingly
- Sanctifying the three acts of mercy: Pray, Word, Deed
- Witnessing the three spirits of supernatural grace: Humility, Obedience, Trust
Peace and all good.
Ref [1]: Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
