你能飲我的爵嗎?

by FLL Editorial Team
2013-07-25

bread-and-wine瑪竇福音 20:20-28

在俗世社會中,人總希望往上爬,爭取更高的地位、更大的權力,也渴望享受隨之而來的名利、榮耀,成為被人服侍的一位;作為基督徒,也難免受到這種誘惑。

當雅各伯和若望的母親來向耶穌請求時,他們明顯並不明白耶穌之前所預告的,祂將要接受苦難的事實,滿腦子想著如何在這個猶太人的君王身邊得到較高的位置。另外十個門徒聽見後感到惱怒,大概因為他們也有同樣的想法。

我們也要問自己,為天主、為教會服務,動機是甚麼?真的是出於愛主愛人的奉獻,還是別有目的?

耶穌教導我們,跟隨祂,必須放棄這些屬於俗世的渴望,空虛自己,作近人的僕役,以愛彼此服侍,而不是期待別人為自己服務,也不要為得到甚麼;我們的賞報,天父自有決定。

另外,作為祂的門徒,必須要有心理準備在現世面對種種困難、批評,甚至會受到迫害,因為耶穌說過:沒有僕人大過主人的。雅各伯和若望說他們能飲耶穌的爵,其實並未明白耶穌的意思,所以當耶穌被捕後,他們都四散而逃。

因此,我們不要著眼於得失,但要好好裝備自己,免得受考驗時跌倒。如宗徒鼓勵我們:「親愛的,你們不要因為在你們中,有試探你們的烈火而驚異,好像遭遇了一件新奇的事;反而要喜歡,因為分受了基督的苦難,這樣好使你們在他光榮顯現的時候,也能歡喜踴躍。如果你們為了基督的名字,受人辱罵,便是有福的,因為光榮的神,即天主的神,就安息在你們身上。」-- 伯多祿前書 4:12-14

「今世唯有以信德而生活,在考驗之夜,去侍奉天主;是多麼甘美之事!」— 聖女小德蘭

Matthew 20:20-28

It seems desirable for a lot of people to aim for higher social status, to a position where one has more power, fame and money, and to be a person that is being served rather than the one that is serving.

When the mother of James and John came to Jesus and made the request (note that in another gospel it is the two disciples who were requesting), they obviously did not understand Jesus' prediction of His suffering, and were only thinking about what they can get from following this Jewish King. The other ten disciples were angry when they heard this, probably because they were thinking about the same thing too. Therefore Jesus has to teach them the real meaning of being a ‘greater' one among them.

We too, have to ask ourselves, when we serve the Lord and the Church, what is our motivation? Is it really for the love of God and our neighbor, or are we having other hidden intentions?

Jesus taught us if we were to follow Him, we must abandon our earthly desires, and empty ourselves to serve one another with love, rather than expecting others to serve us or getting something in return. Our Heavenly Father will decide what rewards we'll get.

Also, as His disciples, we must be prepare ourselves to endure difficulties, criticism, and even persecution in this life, because as Jesus said, no servant is greater than His master. When James and John replied yes to Jesus' question, “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They probably did not understand what Jesus meant, nor were they prepared for what is going to happen, so after Jesus was arrested, they both fled.

Our eyes should be fixed on Jesus, while preparing ourselves with His teaching; so when the time of trial comes, we will stand. As St. Peter encouraged us: "Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."- 1 Peter 4:12-14

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