神父的話                

創造機會 

什麼讓成功的運動員能在指定的運動項目中取得突破性的紀錄 ? 除了天生的能力和不斷的訓練外， 很多時是因為這些運動員都有擅長創造機會的能力， 讓他們在競賽中取得一個更有利的位置。 在網球賽中， 是那位成功上網的球手； 在籃球賽中， 是那位能搶攻成功的運動員； 在棒球賽中， 是那位能偷壘成功的選手； 而在足球賽中， 就是那位能成功攔截的球員； 成功的運動員在賽事中不會只是防守， 而是會按比賽時的實際需要和透過預測下一局的情況， 主動地製造得分的機會。  

今日的福音中， 十個癩病人在耶穌經過撒瑪黎雅及加里肋亞往耶路撒冷的路上， 提高聲音說 : 『 師傅， 耶穌， 可憐我們罷 ! 』 (路 17:13) 癩病人所受的痛苦，不只是由於生理上的病患， 而是因為病患使他們在社交上被家人和鄉鎮的隣人隔離， 迫使他們要跟相識的人保持距離， 叫他們好像不存在一樣。  這些癩病人， 無疑是拒絕保持緘默和被看作不存在， 在耶穌路過的時候， 把握天主給予的機會。  他們的勇氣， 透過耶穌的慈愛， 帶給他們身體上的痊癒。 在十個人之中， 只有一個撒瑪黎雅人， 回頭向耶穌感謝天主， 也因如此， 他的信德使他額外得到靈性上的醫治。  

我們或許都像一個聰明的運動員， 能在人生的各個範疇上去創造機會。 不幸地， 在信德的層面上， 我們在製造機會， 或是當我們有機會跟天主相遇； 在把握天主為我們創造的機會上， 在悔罪上、 在尋求醫治和救贖上， 我們都顯得有點笨拙。 很多時我們都滿足於做防守的角色， 因為只要做好基本的工夫便夠了。 然而天主的聖言卻挑戰我們那安於現狀， 不求進步的心態， 祂要我們更勇敢、更聰明地透過耶穌基督活出我們的信德， 從而活出信德的真諦 – 我們的救

。

聖言會蘇峙高神父

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES 

What is it about successful athletes that make them excel at their particular sport? In addition to natural ability and regular practice, it is frequently the ability to create opportunities which put the player in a more advantageous position. In tennis, it’s the one who charges the net; in basketball, it’s the fast break; in baseball, it’s the one who steals a base; in football, it’s the one who makes the interception. The successful athlete is the one who does not simply play a defensive game, but one who is active in creating opportunities by recognizing the situation on the field and anticipating the next play to score the point, the basket, the run or the touchdown. 

In today’s Gospel reading, ten lepers call out to Jesus as he passed through Samaria and Galilee on his way to Jerusalem: “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” (Luke 17:13) The lepers suffer not only from the pain of their physical illness but also from the pain of their social isolation from family and village neighbors, forced to keep their distance and remain invisible. These lepers, however, refuse to remain silent and invisible, seizing the opportunity created when Jesus passed by. Their boldness brings about physical healing through Jesus’ mercy. Only one of the ten, a Samaritan, returns to Jesus to thank God, and so is also healed spiritually through faith. 
 

We may be like a clever athlete in creating opportunities for ourselves in so many areas of our lives. Unfortunately, in matters of faith we are frequently less than clever in creating opportunities or seizing opportunities God creates for us when we may encounter Him, repent of our sin and so find healing and salvation. Too often, we are satisfied with playing a defensive game, with fulfilling only what is technically required and nothing more. The Word of God challenges our complacency, to be bolder and more clever in the way we live out our faith in Jesus Christ, and so achieve faith’s goal, our salvation. 

Rev. John A. Szukalski, SVD