將臨期第三主日
Fr. Fernando Cortz
當光線充足且沒有障礙物時，行路會更好。 我們不想絆倒，或從斜坡的邊緣跌倒。我們想清楚地看到我們想去的地方。
這些都是外在考慮因素，對於我們的安全和舒適來說非常實用。我們有困難去尋找或聆聽教導。這個教導能夠明清潔我們的內心同清除上主正道上的神修旅程的阻礙。
有時候，事情並不像水那麼清晰。如果没有阻止，水就會清晰透明地流動。就像洗者聖若翰一樣，它可以提供簡單的潔淨，並為天主提供見證罪人悔改的機會。
若翰來用水施洗。主耶穌用火來藉著寬恕罪過來潔淨。若翰本人並不重要，他接受與群眾的工作，但等待群眾中所不認識的的那一位－－主耶穌。主耶穌的威嚴和力量是有需要的人所看不見和未經考驗的。即使若翰也無法衡量這種偉大，也無法向人們解釋。
當有一天，主耶穌向人宣讀時，依撒意亞先知的預言將成為主耶穌的說話。禧年、自由、喜樂和豐盛祝福的日子即將到來。洗者若翰生時不會看到這一切發生，但主耶穌出現去傳教並醫治好群眾，若翰就向它他們展示主耶穌是「天主的羔羊」。
在將臨期，我們懷著喜樂的希望慶祝我們的信仰。我們已經有主耶穌和祂應許在天堂與天主一齊的永生。因此，我們的地方、我們的工作就是祈禱、喜樂、並向他人展示同樣的幸福與和平的生活方式。這種歡樂和希望的精神存在於每一天、每時每刻，而不單止是將臨期、聖誕節或復活節。
聖保祿要求我們深入研究聖神的恩賜。不要害怕，聖神的恩寵能讓我們的精神、靈魂和身體變得多麼豐盛。我們完全是由天主創造的。 我們完全是為天主而受造，也是為彼此而造成。
正如一位多明會神父告訴我：「行善，避惡。」 一個簡單的公式，但世人很難遵循。如果我們要求成為好人，天主就會幫助我們。 好人會做好事，我們的人生不會有時間做壞事。全能者已經並且將會為我們做偉大的事情！
III SUNDAY OF ADVENT – CYCLE B
Fr. Fernando Cortz
Paths are better when well-lighted and free of obstacles. We don’t want to trip, or fall over steep edges. We want to see clearly where we want to go.
These are external considerations and very practical for our safety and comfort. It’s harder to find or listen to teachings that make clear our inner path, our spiritual journey on the straight way of the Lord.
Sometimes things are not as clear as water. Water flows clear and clean when not prevented. Like Saint John the Baptist it can serve to give a simple cleansing, and for God, a chance to witness the sinner’s repentance.
John came to baptize with water. Jesus will come with fire to cleanse through forgiveness of sins. John is not important himself; he accept his work with the people, but awaits the One who not recognized among the people, Jesus. Jesus has dignity and power unseen and untested by people in need. Even John cannot measure that greatness or explain it to people.
Isaiah’s prophesy will become Jesus’ words when he reads them to people someday. A day of jubilee and freedom, joy and abundant blessings is coming soon. John the Baptist will not live to see it happen, but John will present Jesus to others as the “Lamb of God”, once Jesus appears to preach and to heal people.
The Church is in Advent. We celebrate our faith with joyful hope. We already have Jesus and his promise of eternal life with God in heaven. So, our place, our work is to pray, rejoice and show others the same happiness and peaceful way of life. This spirit of joy and hope is for every day, all the time, not just for Advent, Christmas or Easter.
Saint Paul asks us to dig deep into the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Not to be afraid or how rich they can make our spirit, soul and body. We are completely made by God. We are completely made for God, and for each other.
As one Dominican priest told me, “Do good, avoid evil.” A simple formula, but hard for people to follow. If we ask to be good people, God will help us. Good people will do good things, and there will be no time for evil things in our lives. The Almighty does and will do great things for us!
