神父的話                              

            上主的懲戒

任何父母都知道，孩子需要愛心和鼓勵才能發展成健全的自我；然而，當他們舉止不當的時候，也需要接受糾正和戒律。父母都是為了孩子的安全和合宜教育的緣故，才以關愛的心去懲戒他們。事實上，這樣的戒律對激勵孩子成長並使他們發育成一個身心成熟的人，都是必要的。

這星期天選自希伯來書的第二篇讀經，對想要活出虔敬的信仰生活，而常面對各樣問題和挫折的基督徒來說，是一段很精要的規勸。有時候，我們的信仰生活會變得懶散﹔而當天主沒有立即俯允我們的祈禱，或當我們努力去克服一些罪卻還一再跌倒時，我們會變得灰心喪氣。這樣的失敗和挫折不該使我們一蹶不振， 反倒是我們邁向靈性成熟的機會。我們當信賴天父那出自愛的糾正：『我兒，不要輕視上主的懲戒，也不要厭惡衪的譴責，因為上主懲戒衪所愛的，鞭打衪所接管的每個兒子。』 (希 12 : 5-6/箴 3: 11-12)

聖言會蘇峙高神父

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD 

Any parent knows that children need affection and encouragement in order to develop a healthy sense of self. From time to time, however, children also need correction and discipline when they misbehave. A mother or father disciplines their child out of loving concern for their safety and proper education. Indeed, such discipline is necessary to challenge children to grow and mature into healthy adulthood.  
 
This Sunday's second reading from Hebrews is a wonderful exhortation to Christians facing various problems and frustrations in attempting to live a life of faithful discipleship. At times, we can grow lazy in practicing our faith, or become frustrated when we feel God does not immediately answer our prayers, or else we strive to overcome some particular sin only to fall again. Such failures and frustrations should not crush us, but rather, become occasions for growth in spiritual maturity, trusting in the Father's loving correction: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges" (Hebrews 12: 5-6 / Proverbs 3: 11-12).

Through Baptism, we have become adopted sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us as much as He loves his own Son. From time to time, we misbehave and need our Father's correction, at times even painful correction, with which He lovingly calls us back to goodness of life and challenges us to spiritual maturity. Such faith helps us humbly accept correction without become overly discouraged or doubtful of the Father's eternal love.

Rev. John A. Szukalski, SVD