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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Reflection

Dear friends, in which of the crowds do we see ourselves?

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Philippines 2:6-11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mark 14:1-15:47

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
were to take place in two days’ time.
So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way
to arrest him by treachery and put him to death.
They said, “Not during the festival,
for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”

When he was in Bethany reclining at table
in the house of Simon the leper,
a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil,
costly genuine spikenard.
She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head.
There were some who were indignant.
“Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?
It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages
and the money given to the poor.”
They were infuriated with her.
Jesus said, “Let her alone.
Why do you make trouble for her?
She has done a good thing for me.
The poor you will always have with you,
and whenever you wish you can do good to them,
but you will not always have me.
She has done what she could.
She has anticipated anointing my body for burial.
Amen, I say to you,
wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world,
what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve,
went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them.
When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money.
Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
his disciples said to him,
“Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
“Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there.”
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he came with the Twelve.
And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said,
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me,
one who is eating with me.”
They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one,
“Surely it is not I?”
He said to them,
“One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish.
For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”

While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said,
“Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
“This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them,
“All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written:
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be dispersed.

But after I have been raised up,
I shall go before you to Galilee.”
Peter said to him,
“Even though all should have their faith shaken,
mine will not be.”
Then Jesus said to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
this very night before the cock crows twice
you will deny me three times.”
But he vehemently replied,
“Even though I should have to die with you,
I will not deny you.”
And they all spoke similarly.
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane,
and he said to his disciples,
“Sit here while I pray.”
He took with him Peter, James, and John,
and began to be troubled and distressed.
Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.
Remain here and keep watch.”
He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed
that if it were possible the hour might pass by him;
he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.
Take this cup away from me,
but not what I will but what you will.”
When he returned he found them asleep.
He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep?
Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing.
Then he returned once more and found them asleep,
for they could not keep their eyes open
and did not know what to answer him.
He returned a third time and said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?
It is enough. The hour has come.
Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Get up, let us go.
See, my betrayer is at hand.”

Then, while he was still speaking,
Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived,
accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs
who had come from the chief priests,
the scribes, and the elders.
His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying,
“The man I shall kiss is the one;
arrest him and lead him away securely.”
He came and immediately went over to him and said,
“Rabbi.” And he kissed him.
At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
One of the bystanders drew his sword,
struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you come out as against a robber,
with swords and clubs, to seize me?
Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area,
yet you did not arrest me;
but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.”
And they all left him and fled.
Now a young man followed him
wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body.
They seized him,
but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.

They led Jesus away to the high priest,
and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard
and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin
kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus
in order to put him to death, but they found none.
Many gave false witness against him,
but their testimony did not agree.
Some took the stand and testified falsely against him,
alleging, “We heard him say,
‘I will destroy this temple made with hands
and within three days I will build another
not made with hands.’”
Even so their testimony did not agree.
The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus,
saying, “Have you no answer?
What are these men testifying against you?”
But he was silent and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked him and said to him,
“Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?”
Then Jesus answered, “I am;
and ‘you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power
and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
At that the high priest tore his garments and said,
“What further need have we of witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?”
They all condemned him as deserving to die.
Some began to spit on him.
They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!”
And the guards greeted him with blows.

While Peter was below in the courtyard,
one of the high priest’s maids came along.
Seeing Peter warming himself,
she looked intently at him and said,
“You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”
But he denied it saying,
“I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.”
So he went out into the outer court.
Then the cock crowed.
The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders,
“This man is one of them.”
Once again he denied it.
A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more,
“Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.”
He began to curse and to swear,
“I do not know this man about whom you are talking.”
And immediately a cock crowed a second time.
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him,
“Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.”
He broke down and wept.

As soon as morning came,
the chief priests with the elders and the scribes,
that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council.
They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
Pilate questioned him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
The chief priests accused him of many things.
Again Pilate questioned him,
“Have you no answer?
See how many things they accuse you of.”
Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them
one prisoner whom they requested.
A man called Barabbas was then in prison
along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion.
The crowd came forward and began to ask him
to do for them as he was accustomed.
Pilate answered,
“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”
For he knew that it was out of envy
that the chief priests had handed him over.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd
to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pilate again said to them in reply,
“Then what do you want me to do
with the man you call the king of the Jews?”
They shouted again, “Crucify him.”
Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?”
They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.”
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd,
released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged,
handed him over to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away inside the palace,
that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
They clothed him in purple and,
weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him.
They knelt before him in homage.
And when they had mocked him,
they stripped him of the purple cloak,
dressed him in his own clothes,
and led him out to crucify him.

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon,
a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus,
to carry his cross.

They brought him to the place of Golgotha
— which is translated Place of the Skull —
They gave him wine drugged with myrrh,
but he did not take it.
Then they crucified him and divided his garments
by casting lots for them to see what each should take.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read,
“The King of the Jews.”
With him they crucified two revolutionaries,
one on his right and one on his left.
Those passing by reviled him,
shaking their heads and saying,
“Aha! You who would destroy the temple
and rebuild it in three days,
save yourself by coming down from the cross.”
Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes,
mocked him among themselves and said,
“He saved others; he cannot save himself.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel,
come down now from the cross
that we may see and believe.”
Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.

At noon darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
which is translated,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
“Look, he is calling Elijah.”
One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed
and gave it to him to drink saying,
“Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
When the centurion who stood facing him
saw how he breathed his last he said,
“Truly this man was the Son of God!”
There were also women looking on from a distance.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome.
These women had followed him when he was in Galilee
and ministered to him.
There were also many other women
who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When it was already evening,
since it was the day of preparation,
the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea,
a distinguished member of the council,
who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God,
came and courageously went to Pilate
and asked for the body of Jesus.
Pilate was amazed that he was already dead.
He summoned the centurion
and asked him if Jesus had already died.
And when he learned of it from the centurion,
he gave the body to Joseph.
Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down,
wrapped him in the linen cloth,
and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock.
Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses
watched where he was laid.

May Tam

As this Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week,let us reflect on the different crowds that our Lord met during these last days of His earthly life. Following today’s readings, let us start from His triumphal entrance into Jerusalem.

The first crowd that met Jesus was those that came to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual feast of Passover*. They must have heard about Jesus of Nazareth, the teacher and the miracle worker.Caught up with the disciples’ fervor in their messianic expectation of Jesus, but being spiritually volatile, they were easily affected by the mood of the moment. Though they may not be directly involved in Jesus’ crucifixion*, their disappointment in Him was reflected in their indifference to His trial and death.

The next crowd that Jesus met was those who brought with them swords and clubs. They came to arrest Him. We do not clearly know who they were except they were “from the chief priests, the scribes and the elders” (in John’s gospel, they were soldiers and temple police), but we can be certain that they were on the side of Jesus’ opponents. We can associate this crowd with those who shouted before Pilate for the release of Barabbas and demanded the crucifixion of Jesus. Like the first crowd, they were easily swayed (rf Mk 15:11; Mt 27:20) by outside forces. But unlike them, instead of being apathetic, they rejected Him.

The third crowd that Jesus encountered was those in the streets of Jerusalem when He carried His cross to Calvary. Besides Jesus’ rivals, most of them were onlookers who did not know Jesus or what was happening. They were too occupied with their own affairs like preparing for the Passover. But among this crowd, we can find Simon of Cyrene who took Jesus’ load, Veronica who wiped His face (from tradition) and women who, following Jesus, “mourned and lamented Him”(Lk 23:27). They took pity of Him out of their kind sentiments.

The last crowd was those that were present at Jesus’ cross. Apart from those bystanders, soldiers and Jesus’ adversaries, there were also Mary (Jesus’ mother), Mary Magdalene, Apostle John, Joseph of Arimathea, the centurion and those women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for Him.

Dear friends, in which of the crowds do we see ourselves?

Are we like the people in the first crowd who lost interest in God when in their view He did not live up to their expectations? Is our faith a mere emotion, an enthusiasm that only excites us temporarily? Worse still, can it be that due to ignorance, misunderstanding or self interest, we reject God as those in the second crowd? How about in the third crowd? Are we too preoccupied with our own affairs? Except for Simon and Veronica, who at least gave some help and comfort to the Lord, are we among those onlookers who did not care about the Truth? Or are we like those weeping women? Does our love for God only come from our sympathy but not the conversion of the heart? Are we in the last crowd? Are we courageous enough like the centurion who professed Jesus as the Son of God? Or like Joseph of Arimathea, bold enough to ask Pilate for the body of Jesus? Or do we dare to follow Jesus all the way like those women and stood there as His witnesses? Can we follow the examples of Mary Magdalene and Apostle John who remained close to Jesus to the end? And lastly, can we imitate Mary who silently embraced all the pain, humiliation and hatred yet completely trusted God?

Dear friends, in which of the crowds do we see ourselves? Today, Jesus is still making His way to Calvary and is ready to die again for us. Let’s choose wisely which crowd we want to belong and leave our own footprints on the world stage of history, the way the people in the above crowds left theirs.

*rf Pope Benedict XVI Jesus of Nazareth Holy Week P.8

May Tam

May Tam, Bachelor of Social Science (University of Hong Kong), Master of Theological Studies (University of Toronto)

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聖枝主日 / 基督苦難主日

主日聖言及反省

朋友,我們在那一群人中看見自己?

乙年 聖枝主日 / 基督苦難主日

依撒意亞先知書 50:4-7
我主上主賜給了我受教的口舌,叫我會用言語,來援助疲倦的人。他每天清晨喚醒我,喚醒我的耳朵,叫我如同學生一樣靜聽。我主上主開啟了我的耳朵。 我並沒有違抗,也沒有退避。我將我背,轉給打擊我的人;把我的腮,轉給扯我鬍鬚的人;對於侮辱和唾污,我沒有遮掩我的面。 因為,我主上主協助我,因此,我不怕蒙羞;所以,我板著臉,像一塊燧石,因為我知道:我決不會受辱。
聖保祿宗徒致斐理伯人書 2:6-11
弟兄姊妹們: 耶穌雖具有天主的形體,並沒有以自己與天主同等,為應當把持不捨的,卻使自己空虛,取了奴僕的形體,與人相似,形狀也一見如人;他貶抑自己,聽命至死,且死在十字架上。為此,天主極其舉揚他,賜給了他一個名字,超越其他所有名字,致使上天、地上和地下的一切,一聽到耶穌的名字,無不屈膝叩拜;一切唇舌,無不明認耶穌基督是主,以光榮天主聖父。
若望所載主耶穌基督的受難始末 18:1-19:42
敘述:那時候,耶穌和門徒出去,到了克德龍溪的對岸。在那裡,有一個園子,耶穌和門徒便進去了。出賣耶穌的猶達斯也知道那地方,因為耶穌同門徒,曾多次在那裡聚集。

猶達斯便領了一隊兵,和由司祭長及法利塞人派來的差役,帶著火把、燈籠與武器,來到那裡。耶穌既知道要臨於他身上的一切,便上前去問他們說:

耶穌:「你們找誰?」

敘述:他們回答說:

群眾:「納匝肋人耶穌。」

敘述:耶穌向他們說:

耶穌:「我就是。」

敘述:出賣耶穌的猶達斯,也同他們站在一起。耶穌一對他們說:「我就是」,他們便倒退,跌在地上。於是,耶穌又問他們說:

耶穌:「你們找誰?」

敘述:他們說:

群眾:「納匝肋人耶穌。」

敘述:耶穌回答說:

耶穌:「我已給你們說了『我就是』;你們既然找我,就讓這些人走吧!」

敘述:這是為應驗耶穌先前所說過的話:「你賜給我的人,我連一個也沒有喪失。」

西滿伯多祿有一把劍,就拔出來,向大司祭的一個僕人砍去,削下了他的右耳;那僕人名叫瑪耳曷。耶穌就對伯多祿說:

耶穌:「把劍收入鞘內!父賜給我的杯,我怎能不喝呢?」

(先解送耶穌到亞納斯那裡)

敘述:於是,兵隊、千夫長和猶太人的差役,拘捕了耶穌,把他捆綁起來,先解送到亞納斯那裡;亞納斯是當年的大司祭蓋法的岳父。就是這個蓋法,曾給猶太人出過主意:叫一個人替百姓死,是有利的。

那時,西滿伯多祿同另一個門徒,跟著耶穌。

那門徒是大司祭所認識的,便同耶穌一起,進入了大司祭的庭院;伯多祿卻站在門外。大司祭認識的那個門徒出來,對看門的侍女說了一聲,就領伯多祿進去。

那看門的侍女對伯多祿說:

侍女:「你不也是這人的其中一個門徒嗎?」

敘述:伯多祿說:

伯多祿:「我不是。」

敘述:那時,僕人和差役,因為天冷,就生了炭火,站著烤火取暖;伯多祿也同他們站在一起,烤火取暖。

大司祭審問耶穌,關於他收徒和施教的事。

耶穌回答他說:

耶穌:「我向來公開對世人講話;我常常在會堂和聖殿內,即眾猶太人所聚集的地方施教;在暗地裡,我並沒有講過什麼。你為什麼問我?你問那些聽過我的人:我給他們講了什麼;他們知道我所說的。」

敘述:耶穌剛說完這話,侍立在旁的一個差役,就打了耶穌一個耳光,說:

差役:「你就這樣答覆大司祭嗎?」

敘述:耶穌回答他說:

耶穌:「我如果說得不對,你指證那裡不對;如果我說得對,你為什麼打我?」

敘述:亞納斯於是把耶穌捆綁,解送到大司祭蓋法那裡。

(你不也是他門徒中的一個嗎?我不是。)

敘述:西滿伯多祿仍站著烤火取暖。於是,有人向他說:

群眾:「你不也是他門徒中的一個嗎?」

敘述:伯多祿否認說:

伯多祿:「我不是。」

敘述:有大司祭的一個僕役,是被伯多祿削下耳朵那人的親戚,對伯多祿說:

僕役:「我不是在山園中,看見你同他在一起嗎?」

敘述:伯多祿又否認了,立刻雞就叫了。

(我的國不屬於這世界)

敘述:然後,他們從蓋法那裡,把耶穌解往總督府。那時是清晨;他們自己卻沒有進入總督府,怕受了沾污,而不能吃逾越節羔羊。

因此,比拉多出來,到外面,向他們說:

比拉多:「你們對這人提出什麼控告?」

敘述:他們回答說:

群眾:「如果這人不是作惡的,我們便不會把他交給你。」

敘述:比拉多便對他們說:

比拉多:「你們自己把他帶去,按照你們的法律審判他吧!」

敘述:猶太人回答說:

群眾:「我們沒有權力處死任何人!」

敘述:這是為應驗耶穌論及自己將怎樣死去,而說過的話。於是,比拉多又進了總督府,叫耶穌過來,對他說:

比拉多:「你是猶太人的君王嗎?」

敘述:耶穌回答說:

耶穌:「這話是你自己說的,或是別人論及我,而對你說的?」

敘述:比拉多回答說:

比拉多:「莫非我是猶太人?你的民族和司祭長,把你交給我,你做了什麼?」

敘述:耶穌回答說:

耶穌:「我的國不屬於這世界;如果我的國屬於這世界,我的臣民早已反抗了,使我不至於被交給猶太人;但是,我的國不是這世界的。」

敘述:於是,比拉多對耶穌說:

比拉多:「那麼,你就是君王了?」

敘述:耶穌回答說:

耶穌:「你說的是,我是君王。我為此而生,我也為此而來到世界上,為給真理作證;凡屬於真理的,必聽從我的聲音。」

敘述:比拉多於是說:

比拉多:「什麼是真理?」

敘述:說了這話,比拉多再出去,到猶太人那裡,向他們說:

比拉多:「我在這人身上,查不出什麼罪狀。你們有個慣例:在逾越節,我該給你們釋放一人;那麼,你們願意我給你們釋放猶太人的君王嗎?」

敘述:他們就大聲喊說:

群眾:「不要這人,而要巴辣巴!」

敘述:巴辣巴原是個強盜。

(猶太人的君王,萬歲!)

敘述:那時,比拉多命人把耶穌帶去鞭打。然後,兵士們用荊棘,編了個茨冠,放在耶穌頭上,給他披上一件紫紅袍,來到他面前,說:

眾士兵:「猶太人的君王,萬歲!」

敘述:兵士並打了耶穌耳光。

比拉多又出去,到外面,向他們說:

比拉多:「看,我帶他出來,為叫你們知道:我在他身上,查不出什麼罪狀。」

敘述:於是,耶穌戴著茨冠,披著紫紅袍出來。

比拉多就對他們說:

比拉多:「看,這個人!」

敘述:司祭長和差役,一看見耶穌,就喊說:

群眾:「釘在十字架上!釘他在十字架上!」

敘述:比拉多對他們說:

比拉多:「你們把他帶去,釘在十字架上吧!我在他身上,查不出什麼罪狀。」

敘述:猶太人回答他說:

群眾:「我們有法律;按法律,他應該死,因為他自命為天主子。」

敘述:比拉多聽了這話,越發害怕,於是又進了總督府,對耶穌說:

比拉多:「你到底是那裡的?」

敘述:耶穌卻沒有回答比拉多。

於是,比拉多對耶穌說:

比拉多:「你對我也不說話嗎?你不知道我有權釋放你,也有權釘你在十字架上嗎?」

敘述:耶穌回答說:

耶穌:「如果不是上天賜給你,你對我什麼權柄也沒有;為此,把我交給你的人,罪過更大。」

(除掉他,除掉他,釘他在十字架上!)

敘述:從此,比拉多設法要釋放耶穌;猶太人卻喊說:

群眾:「你如果釋放這人,你就不是凱撒的朋友,因為凡自命為王的,就是背叛凱撒。」

敘述:比拉多一聽這話,就把耶穌領出來,到了一個名叫「石舖地」──希伯來話叫「加巴達」的地方,坐在審判座上。時值逾越節的預備日,約莫第六時辰,比拉多對猶太人說:

比拉多:「看,你們的君王!」

敘述:他們喊叫說:

群眾:「除掉他,除掉他,釘他在十字架上!」

敘述:比拉多對他們說:

比拉多:「要我把你們的君王,釘在十字架上嗎?」

敘述:眾司祭長回答說:

眾司祭長:「除了凱撒,我們沒有君王。」

敘述:於是,比拉多把耶穌交給他們去釘死。

(同耶穌一起被釘的,還有兩個人。)

敘述:他們就把耶穌帶走。耶穌自己背著十字架出來,到了一個名叫「髑髏」的地方,希伯來話叫「哥耳哥達」。他們就在那裡,把耶穌釘在十字架上。同耶穌一起被釘的,還有兩個人:一個在這邊,一個在那邊,耶穌在中間。

比拉多寫了一個牌子,放在十字架上端,寫的是:「納匝肋人耶穌,猶太人的君王。」

這牌子有許多猶太人看了,因為耶穌被釘十字架的地方,離城很近;字是用希伯來、拉丁和希臘文寫的。

於是,猶太人的司祭長,就對比拉多說:

眾司祭長:「不要寫『猶太人的君王』,該寫他自己說:我是猶太人的君王。」

敘述:比拉多回答說:

比拉多:「我寫了,就寫了。」

(他們瓜分了我的衣服)

敘述:兵士將耶穌釘在十字架上後,拿了他的衣服,分成四分,每人一分;又拿了他的長衣;因那長衣是無縫的,由上到下渾然織成,所以他們彼此說:

眾兵士:「我們不要把它撕開;我們擲骰,看是誰的。」

敘述:這就應驗了經上的話:『他們瓜分了我的衣服;為我的長衣,他們拈鬮。』士兵果然這樣做了。

(看,你的兒子!看,你的母親!)

敘述:在耶穌的十字架旁,站著他的母親,和他母親的姊妹,還有克羅帕的妻子瑪利亞,和瑪利亞瑪達肋納。

耶穌看見母親,又看見他所愛的門徒,站在旁邊,就對母親說:

耶穌:「女人,看,你的兒子!」

敘述:然後,又對那門徒說:

耶穌:「看,你的母親!」

敘述:就從那時起,那門徒把她接到自己家裡。

(完成了)

敘述:此後,耶穌因知道一切都完成了,為應驗經上的話,於是說:

耶穌:「我渴。」

敘述:有一個盛滿了醋的器皿,放在那裡;有人便將海綿浸滿了醋,綁在長槍上,送到耶穌口邊。

耶穌一嘗了那醋,便說:

耶穌:「完成了。」

敘述:耶穌就低下頭,交付了靈魂。

跪下默禱片刻

(立刻就流出血和水)

敘述:猶太人因那日子是預備日,免得安息日內──那安息日原是個大節日──屍首留在十字架上,就來請求比拉多,打斷他們的腿,把他們拿去。兵士於是前來,把第一個人的,並與耶穌同釘在十字架上的,第二個人的腿,打斷了。可是,及至來到耶穌面前,看見耶穌已經死了,就沒有打斷他的腿;但是,有一個士兵,用槍刺透了他的肋膀,立刻就流出了血和水。

那看見的,就作證,而他的見證,是真實的;並且「那位」知道他所說的,是真實的,為叫你們也相信。這些事發生,正應驗了經上的話:「不可將他的骨頭打斷。」經上另一處,又說:「他們要瞻望他們所刺透的。」

(他們取下了耶穌的遺體,用殮布和香料,把他裹好。)

敘述:這些事以後,阿黎瑪特雅人若瑟──他因怕猶太人,暗中作了耶穌的門徒──來求比拉多,為領取耶穌的遺體;比拉多允許了。

於是,他來把耶穌的遺體領去了。

那以前夜間來見耶穌的尼苛德摩,也來了,帶著沒藥及沉香調和的香料,約有一百斤。他們取下了耶穌的遺體,照猶太人埋葬的習俗,用殮布和香料把他裹好。

在耶穌被釘十字架的地方,有一個園子,在那園子裡,有一座新墳墓,裡面還沒有安葬過人。只因是猶太人的預備日,墳墓又近,就在那裡安葬了耶穌。

——上主的話。

May Tam


這個主日標誌著聖週的開始,讓我們反思上主在世上最後的日子中遇到的不同人群。按今天的讀經,讓我們從衪凱旋進入耶路撒冷開始。

耶穌遇見的第一群人,是來耶路撒冷慶祝一年一度逾越節的人。他們一定聽說過納匝肋人耶穌, 這位師傅和顯奇跡者。他們看到門徒們的熱忱,期望耶穌為默西亞。這群人心思不定,容易受當時的情緒影響。儘管他們可能不是直接參與耶穌被釘死在十字架上*,但他們對耶穌的失望,正反映在他們對耶穌接受審判和死亡時的冷漠和無動於衷。

耶穌接著遇見的是那些帶著刀劍棍棒的群眾。他們來逮捕祂。我們不清楚知道這些人究竟是誰,除了他們是「從司祭長、經師和長老那裡派來的」(在若望福音,他們是士兵和聖殿差役),但我們可以肯定,他們是反對耶穌的那一方。我們可以將這群人,聯想到那些在比拉多跟前,大聲喊叫釋放巴辣巴,並要求耶穌釘在十字架上的人。像第一群人,他們容易被外在勢力動搖 (參考谷 15:11;瑪27:20)。但與第一群人不同,他們不是冷漠,而是拒絕了祂。

耶穌遇到的第三群人,是當他背十字架到加爾瓦略山,那些在耶路撒冷街上的人。除了耶穌的對頭人,他們大多數是圍觀的人,他們不認識耶穌,不知道發生了什麼事。他們太忙於自己的事情,為逾越節作凖備)。但在這群人中,我們發現基勒乃人西滿接過耶穌的重担,韋羅尼加(根據傳統)抹了衪的臉,和那些跟隨耶穌的婦女在「搥胸痛哭祂」(路23:27)。善良的他們同情耶穌。

最後的是站在耶穌十字架旁的那群人。除了那些旁觀者、士兵和耶穌的對頭人,也有瑪利亞(耶穌的母親)、瑪利亞瑪達肋納、宗徒若望、阿黎瑪特雅人若瑟、百夫長及從加里肋亞就跟隨和服事耶穌的婦女。

朋友,我們在那一群人中看見自己?

我們是否像第一群人,當他們認為天主不符合他們的期望,他們就對祂失去興趣?我們的信德是否單單是情感,只是一時衝動的熱誠?更糟的是,我們是否像第二群人,由於無知,誤會或自身利益,而拒絕天主呢 第三群人又如何?我們會不會太闗注自己的事情,以致不能像西滿和韋羅尼加給上主一些帮助和安慰,我們是否像看熱鬧而不關心真理的人?我們是否像在「搥胸痛哭祂」的婦女? 我們對上主的愛是否岀於同情,而不是真心皈依?我們是否在最後的人群中?我們有足夠的勇氣像百夫長那樣明認耶穌為天主子嗎?或像阿黎瑪特雅人若瑟,大膽地向比拉多要求耶穌的遺體嗎?或像那些婦女,一路跟隨耶穌並站在那裡為衪作證?我們能效法瑪利亞瑪達肋納和宗徒若望,跟隨耶穌直到最後一刻嗎?最後,我們能效法聖母瑪利亞,默默地承受所有的痛苦、屈辱和仇恨,仍完全信靠天主嗎?

朋友,我們看見自己在那一群人中? 今天,耶穌仍在往加爾瓦略山途中,準備為我們再次犧牲。讓我們明智地選擇我們要屬於那一群人,在世界的歷史舞台上,流下自己的足印,就像上述的人群,留下他們的足印一樣。

*參考教宗本篤十六世著《納匝肋人耶穌》第八頁聖週

May Tam

May Tam, Bachelor of Social Science (University of Hong Kong), Master of Theological Studies (University of Toronto)
[:cn]

圣枝主日 / 基督苦难主日

主日圣言及反省

朋友,我们在那一群人中看见自己?

乙年 圣枝主日 / 基督苦难主日

依撒意亚先知书 50:4-7

我主上主赐给了我受教的口舌,叫我会用言语,来援助疲倦的人。他每天清晨唤醒我,唤醒我的耳朵,叫我如同学生一样静听。我主上主开启了我的耳朵。我并没有违抗,也没有退避。我将我背,转给打击我的人;把我的腮,转给扯我胡须的人;对于侮辱和唾污,我没有遮掩我的面。因为,我主上主协助我,因此,我不怕蒙羞;所以,我板着脸,像一块燧石,因为我知道:我决不会受辱。

圣保禄宗徒致斐理伯人书 2:6-11

弟兄姊妹们: 耶稣虽具有天主的形体,并没有以自己与天主同等,为应当把持不舍的,却使自己空虚,取了奴仆的形体,与人相似,形状也一见如人;他贬抑自己,听命至死,且死在十字架上。为此,天主极其举扬他,赐给了他一个名字,超越其他所有名字,致使上天、地上和地下的一切,一听到耶稣的名字,无不屈膝叩拜;一切唇舌,无不明认耶稣基督是主,以光荣天主圣父。

若望所载主耶稣基督的受难始末 18:1-19:42

叙述:那时候,耶稣和门徒出去,到了克德龙溪的对岸。在那里,有一个园子,耶稣和门徒便进去了。出卖耶稣的犹达斯也知道那地方,因为耶稣同门徒,曾多次在那里聚集。

犹达斯便领了一队兵,和由司祭长及法利塞人派来的差役,带着火把、灯笼与武器,来到那里。耶稣既知道要临于他身上的一切,便上前去问他们说:

耶稣:「你们找谁?」

叙述:他们回答说:

群众:「纳匝肋人耶稣。」

叙述:耶稣向他们说:

耶稣:「我就是。」

叙述:出卖耶稣的犹达斯,也同他们站在一起。耶稣一对他们说:「我就是」,他们便倒退,跌在地上。于是,耶稣又问他们说:

耶稣:「你们找谁?」

叙述:他们说:

群众:「纳匝肋人耶稣。」

叙述:耶稣回答说:

耶稣:「我已给你们说了『我就是』;你们既然找我,就让这些人走吧!」

叙述:这是为应验耶稣先前所说过的话:「你赐给我的人,我连一个也没有丧失。」

西满伯多禄有一把剑,就拔出来,向大司祭的一个仆人砍去,削下了他的右耳;那仆人名叫玛耳曷。耶稣就对伯多禄说:

耶稣:「把剑收入鞘内!父赐给我的杯,我怎能不喝呢?」

(先解送耶稣到亚纳斯那里)

叙述:于是,兵队、千夫长和犹太人的差役,拘捕了耶稣,把他捆绑起来,先解送到亚纳斯那里;亚纳斯是当年的大司祭盖法的岳父。就是这个盖法,曾给犹太人出过主意:叫一个人替百姓死,是有利的。

那时,西满伯多禄同另一个门徒,跟着耶稣。

那门徒是大司祭所认识的,便同耶稣一起,进入了大司祭的庭院;伯多禄却站在门外。大司祭认识的那个门徒出来,对看门的侍女说了一声,就领伯多禄进去。

那看门的侍女对伯多禄说:

侍女:「你不也是这人的其中一个门徒吗?」

叙述:伯多禄说:

伯多禄:「我不是。」

叙述:那时,仆人和差役,因为天冷,就生了炭火,站着烤火取暖;伯多禄也同他们站在一起,烤火取暖。

大司祭审问耶稣,关于他收徒和施教的事。

耶稣回答他说:

耶稣:「我向来公开对世人讲话;我常常在会堂和圣殿内,即众犹太人所聚集的地方施教;在暗地里,我并没有讲过什么。你为什么问我?你问那些听过我的人:我给他们讲了什么;他们知道我所说的。」

叙述:耶稣刚说完这话,侍立在旁的一个差役,就打了耶稣一个耳光,说:

差役:「你就这样答覆大司祭吗?」

叙述:耶稣回答他说:

耶稣:「我如果说得不对,你指证那里不对;如果我说得对,你为什么打我?」

叙述:亚纳斯于是把耶稣捆绑,解送到大司祭盖法那里。

(你不也是他门徒中的一个吗?我不是。)

叙述:西满伯多禄仍站着烤火取暖。于是,有人向他说:

群众:「你不也是他门徒中的一个吗?」

叙述:伯多禄否认说:

伯多禄:「我不是。」

叙述:有大司祭的一个仆役,是被伯多禄削下耳朵那人的亲戚,对伯多禄说:

仆役:「我不是在山园中,看见你同他在一起吗?」

叙述:伯多禄又否认了,立刻鸡就叫了。

(我的国不属于这世界)

叙述:然后,他们从盖法那里,把耶稣解往总督府。那时是清晨;他们自己却没有进入总督府,怕受了沾污,而不能吃逾越节羔羊。

因此,比拉多出来,到外面,向他们说:

比拉多:「你们对这人提出什么控告?」

叙述:他们回答说:

群众:「如果这人不是作恶的,我们便不会把他交给你。」

叙述:比拉多便对他们说:

比拉多:「你们自己把他带去,按照你们的法律审判他吧!」

叙述:犹太人回答说:

群众:「我们没有权力处死任何人!」

叙述:这是为应验耶稣论及自己将怎样死去,而说过的话。于是,比拉多又进了总督府,叫耶稣过来,对他说:

比拉多:「你是犹太人的君王吗?」

叙述:耶稣回答说:

耶稣:「这话是你自己说的,或是别人论及我,而对你说的?」

叙述:比拉多回答说:

比拉多:「莫非我是犹太人?你的民族和司祭长,把你交给我,你做了什么?」

叙述:耶稣回答说:

耶稣:「我的国不属于这世界;如果我的国属于这世界,我的臣民早已反抗了,使我不至于被交给犹太人;但是,我的国不是这世界的。」

叙述:于是,比拉多对耶稣说:

比拉多:「那么,你就是君王了?」

叙述:耶稣回答说:

耶稣:「你说的是,我是君王。我为此而生,我也为此而来到世界上,为给真理作证;凡属于真理的,必听从我的声音。」

叙述:比拉多于是说:

比拉多:「什么是真理?」

叙述:说了这话,比拉多再出去,到犹太人那里,向他们说:

比拉多:「我在这人身上,查不出什么罪状。你们有个惯例:在逾越节,我该给你们释放一人;那么,你们愿意我给你们释放犹太人的君王吗?」

叙述:他们就大声喊说:

群众:「不要这人,而要巴辣巴!」

叙述:巴辣巴原是个强盗。

(犹太人的君王,万岁!)

叙述:那时,比拉多命人把耶稣带去鞭打。然后,兵士们用荆棘,编了个茨冠,放在耶稣头上,给他披上一件紫红袍,来到他面前,说:

众士兵:「犹太人的君王,万岁!」

叙述:兵士并打了耶稣耳光。

比拉多又出去,到外面,向他们说:

比拉多:「看,我带他出来,为叫你们知道:我在他身上,查不出什么罪状。」

叙述:于是,耶稣戴着茨冠,披着紫红袍出来。

比拉多就对他们说:

比拉多:「看,这个人!」

叙述:司祭长和差役,一看见耶稣,就喊说:

群众:「钉在十字架上!钉他在十字架上!」

叙述:比拉多对他们说:

比拉多:「你们把他带去,钉在十字架上吧!我在他身上,查不出什么罪状。」

叙述:犹太人回答他说:

群众:「我们有法律;按法律,他应该死,因为他自命为天主子。」

叙述:比拉多听了这话,越发害怕,于是又进了总督府,对耶稣说:

比拉多:「你到底是那里的?」

叙述:耶稣却没有回答比拉多。

于是,比拉多对耶稣说:

比拉多:「你对我也不说话吗?你不知道我有权释放你,也有权钉你在十字架上吗?」

叙述:耶稣回答说:

耶稣:「如果不是上天赐给你,你对我什么权柄也没有;为此,把我交给你的人,罪过更大。」

(除掉他,除掉他,钉他在十字架上!)

叙述:从此,比拉多设法要释放耶稣;犹太人却喊说:

群众:「你如果释放这人,你就不是凯撒的朋友,因为凡自命为王的,就是背叛凯撒。」

叙述:比拉多一听这话,就把耶稣领出来,到了一个名叫「石​​铺地」──希伯来话叫「加巴达」的地方,坐在审判座上。时值逾越节的预备日,约莫第六时辰,比拉多对犹太人说:

比拉多:「看,你们的君王!」

叙述:他们喊叫说:

群众:「除掉他,除掉他,钉他在十字架上!」

叙述:比拉多对他们说:

比拉多:「要我把你们的君王,钉在十字架上吗?」

叙述:众司祭长回答说:

众司祭长:「除了凯撒,我们没有君王。」

叙述:于是,比拉多把耶稣交给他们去钉死。

(同耶稣一起被钉的,还有两个人。)

叙述:他们就把耶稣带走。耶稣自己背着十字架出来,到了一个名叫「髑髅」的地方,希伯来话叫「哥耳哥达」。他们就在那里,把耶稣钉在十字架上。同耶稣一起被钉的,还有两个人:一个在这边,一个在那边,耶稣在中间。

比拉多写了一个牌子,放在十字架上端,写的是:「纳匝肋人耶稣,犹太人的君王。」

这牌子有许多犹太人看了,因为耶稣被钉十字架的地方,离城很近;字是用希伯来、拉丁和希腊文写的。

于是,犹太人的司祭长,就对比拉多说:

众司祭长:「不要写『犹太人的君王』,该写他自己说:我是犹太人的君王。」

叙述:比拉多回答说:

比拉多:「我写了,就写了。」

(他们瓜分了我的衣服)

叙述:兵士将耶稣钉在十字架上后,拿了他的衣服,分成四分,每人一分;又拿了他的长衣;因那长衣是无缝的,由上到下浑然织成,所以他们彼此说:

众兵士:「我们不要把它撕开;我们掷骰,看是谁的。」

叙述:这就应验了经上的话:『他们瓜分了我的衣服;为我的长衣,他们拈阄。 』士兵果然这样做了。

(看,你的儿子!看,你的母亲!)

叙述:在耶稣的十字架旁,站着他的母亲,和他母亲的姊妹,还有克罗帕的妻子玛利亚,和玛利亚玛达肋纳。

耶稣看见母亲,又看见他所爱的门徒,站在旁边,就对母亲说:

耶稣:「女人,看,你的儿子!」

叙述:然后,又对那门徒说:

耶稣:「看,你的母亲!」

叙述:就从那时起,那门徒把她接到自己家里。

(完成了)

叙述:此后,耶稣因知道一切都完成了,为应验经上的话,于是说:

耶稣:「我渴。」

叙述:有一个盛满了醋的器皿,放在那里;有人便将海绵浸满了醋,绑在长枪上,送到耶稣口边。

耶稣一尝了那醋,便说:

耶稣:「完成了。」

叙述:耶稣就低下头,交付了灵魂。

跪下默祷片刻

(立刻就流出血和水)

叙述:犹太人因那日子是预备日,免得安息日内──那安息日原是个大节日──尸首留在十字架上,就来请求比拉多,打断他们的腿​​,把他们拿去。兵士于是前来,把第一个人的,并与耶稣同钉在十字架上的,第二个人的腿,打断了。可是,及至来到耶稣面前,看见耶稣已经死了,就没有打断他的腿;但是,有一个士兵,用枪刺透了他的肋膀,立刻就流出了血和水。

那看见的,就作证,而他的见证,是真实的;并且「那位」知道他所说的,是真实的,为叫你们也相信。这些事发生,正应验了经上的话:「不可将他的骨头打断。」经上另一处,又说:「他们要瞻望他们所刺透的。」

(他们取下了耶稣的遗体,用殓布和香料,把他裹好。)

叙述:这些事以后,阿黎玛特雅人若瑟──他因怕犹太人,暗中作了耶稣的门徒──来求比拉多,为领取耶稣的遗体;比拉多允许了。

于是,他来把耶稣的遗体领去了。

那以前夜间来见耶稣的尼苛德摩,也来了,带着没药及沉香调和的香料,约有一百斤。他们取下了耶稣的遗体,照犹太人埋葬的习俗,用殓布和香料把他裹好。

在耶稣被钉十字架的地方,有一个园子,在那园子里,有一座新坟墓,里面还没有安葬过人。只因是犹太人的预备日,坟墓又近,就在那里安葬了耶稣。

——上主的话。

May Tam

这个主日标志着圣周的开始,让我们反思上主在世上最后的日子中遇到的不同人群。按今天的读经,让我们从衪凯旋进入耶路撒冷开始。

耶稣遇见的第一群人,是来耶路撒冷庆祝一年一度逾越节的人。他们一定听说过纳匝肋人耶稣, 这位师傅和显奇迹者。他们看到门徒们的热忱,期望耶稣为默西亚。这群人心思不定,容易受当时的情绪影响。尽管他们可能不是直接参与耶稣被钉死在十字架上*,但他们对耶稣的失望,正反映在他们对耶稣接受审判和死亡时的冷漠和无动于衷。

耶稣接着遇见的是那些带着刀剑棍棒的群众。他们来逮捕祂。我们不清楚知道这些人究竟是谁,除了他们是「从司祭长、经师和长老那里派来的」(在若望福音,他们是士兵和圣殿差役),但我们可以肯定,他们是反对耶稣的那一方。我们可以将这群人,联想到那些在比拉多跟前,大声喊叫释放巴辣巴,并要求耶稣钉在十字架上的人。像第一群人,他们容易被外在势力动摇 (参考谷 15:11;玛27:20)。但与第一群人不同,他们不是冷漠,而是拒绝了祂。

耶稣遇到的第三群人,是当他背十字架到加尔瓦略山,那些在耶路撒冷街上的人。除了耶稣的对头人,他们大多数是围观的人,他们不认识耶稣,不知道发生了什么事。他们太忙于自己的事情,为逾越节作凖备)。但在这群人中,我们发现基勒乃人西满接过耶稣的重担,韦罗尼加(根据传统)抹了衪的脸,和那些跟随耶稣的妇女在「捶胸痛哭祂」(路23:27)。善良的他们同情耶稣。

最后的是站在耶稣十字架旁的那群人。除了那些旁观者、士兵和耶稣的对头人,也有玛利亚(耶稣的母亲)、玛利亚玛达肋纳、宗徒若望、阿黎玛特雅人若瑟、百夫长及从加里肋亚就跟随和服事耶稣的妇女。

朋友,我们在那一群人中看见自己?

我们是否像第一群人,当他们认为天主不符合他们的期望,他们就对祂失去兴趣?我们的信德是否单单是情感,只是一时冲动的热诚?更糟的是,我们是否像第二群人,由于无知,误会或自身利益,而拒绝天主呢 第三群人又如何?我们会不会太闗注自己的事情,以致不能像西满和韦罗尼加给上主一些帮助和安慰,我们是否像看热闹而不关心真理的人?我们是否像在「捶胸痛哭祂」的妇女? 我们对上主的爱是否岀于同情,而不是真心皈依?我们是否在最后的人群中?我们有足够的勇气像百夫长那样明认耶稣为天主子吗?或像阿黎玛特雅人若瑟,大胆地向比拉多要求耶稣的遗体吗?或像那些妇女,一路跟随耶稣并站在那里为衪作证?我们能效法玛利亚玛达肋纳和宗徒若望,跟随耶稣直到最后一刻吗?最后,我们能效法圣母玛利亚,默默地承受所有的痛苦、屈辱和仇恨,仍完全信靠天主吗?

朋友,我们看见自己在那一群人中? 今天,耶稣仍在往加尔瓦略山途中,准备为我们再次牺牲。让我们明智地选择我们要属于那一群人,在世界的历史舞台上,流下自己的足印,就像上述的人群,留下他们的足印一样。

*参考教宗本笃十六世着《纳匝肋人耶稣》第八页圣周

May Tam

May Tam, Bachelor of Social Science (University of Hong Kong), Master of Theological Studies (University of Toronto)

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