求、找、敲，必要給你們

Contemplari
© Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.

當耶穌教人不要把聖物給狗，或把珠寶投在豬前時，聽見的人可能會疑惑，自己有甚麼稱得上是聖物呢？於是耶穌補充說：「求的，就必得到。」我們該當求，為得到那份能耐去做被主吩咐的事；該當找，為尋獲真理；該當敲，好讓天主給我們開那通往祂、通往真理的道路。

有時當我們求，並不會立即得到；天主可能會延遲他的恩賜，讓我們等待，一方面能鍛煉我們的堅忍，也能透過等待，令所獲得的更覺甘甜，以免我們認為得到一切是理所當然。可是當我們只是為生活的需要而向祂祈求時，得到應允的可能只是部份的要求，因醫生比病人更清楚病人實際的需要，所以天主基於祂的慈愛，不一定給予我們所求的，而是給那些我們該學習喜歡的，也為令我們學會期盼更偉大的事物。因此，我們該常常祈禱，不只為眼前所需，也是為更親近祂、更明白祂想我們知道的事。

（本文以英文為準）

When Jesus commanded not to give the holy thing to dogs, and not to cast pearls before swine, the hearer conscious of his own ignorance might say, "What do I have that is holy?" He therefore adds, "Ask, and you shall receive." Asking, that we may get health of soul to fulfill the things commanded us; seeking, pertains to the discovery of the truth. But when any has found the true way, he will then come into actual possession, which however is only opened to him that knocks. Therefore God hears sinners; for if He does not, the Publican said in vain, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner" (Lk. 18:13); and by that confession was reconciled to God.

He who in faith offers supplication to God for the necessities of this life is only heard sometimes. For the physician knows better than the sick man what is good for his sickness. But if he asks that which God both promises and commands, his prayer shall be granted, for love shall receive what truth provides. But the Lord is good, who often does not give us what we wish, that He may give us what we should learn to prefer.

There is also perseverance, that we may receive what we ask for. In that God sometimes delays His gifts, He but recommends, and does not deny them. For that which is long looked for is sweeter when obtained; but that which comes at once is taken for granted. Ask then and seek righteous things. For by asking and seeking the eagerness in taking grows. God reserves for you those things which He is not willing to give you at once, that you may learn to desire great things. Therefore we ought to always pray and not to fail.

參考 References:

Catena Aurea (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Sermon on the Mount, Bk.ii, ch.21 (St. Augustine)
Tractate 44 on the Gospel of John, 44, 13 (St. Augustine)
Letter 31 (St. Augustine)
Sermon 11 (St. Augustine)