HOMILY 14TH SUNDAY OT A

Franklin Fong, OFM

July 9, 2023

A lifelong challenge for all of us understanding of and the use of power in our lives. Today’s readings each deal with various aspects about power in our lives.

In the first reading from Zechariah we hear about a king who is a meek person to his people. He is intent on freeing the world of war and is not anxious to control others.

In the second reading from Romans the powerful spirit of God is said to dwell in persons of human weakness.

In the Gospel of Matthew we hear about the most powerful person who ever lives speaks of himself as one is :gentle and humble of heart”. He looks to his Father as the source of his power. And he assures the powerless that they too can share in the experience and closeness of God.

The whole matter of power is paradoxical. There is strength in weakness. There is life in death. There is self-fulfillment in self-emptying.

How can we empower one another? It has been suggested that we must admit our mutual powerlessness. But too many of us hide our weaknesses in a society where have to look as if “we had to all together”. In one sense we should develop a sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency. However, we should at the same time admit in all honesty our limitations.

If all of us would acknowledge

• our common brokenness and

• our need of God and one another,

we would come to empty ourselves of our desire to control. We would then make room for God and each other.

God empowers is with:

• the power of faith,

• the power of love,

• the power of compassion,

• the power of care.

That is empowering.

Take some time to reflect on your faith journey and try to recall what are the examples in your life

• of how the power of faith been evident to you?

• Of how the power of love been evident to you?

• Of how the power of compassion been evident to you?

• And of how the power of care been evident to you?

Brothers and sisters of the Chinese Catholic Community

of St Leander Parish

that is the Good News for this

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Alleluia Alleluia.

(中文翻譯.原文以英文為準.)

常年期(甲年)第十四主日 (07/09/2023)
鄺神父主日證道中譯本

讀經一: 匝加利亞先知書 9:9-10
讀經二: 保祿宗徒致羅馬人書 8:9, 11-13
瑪竇福音 11:25-302

對於我們所有人在生活中理解和使用權力來說,這是一個終生的挑戰。今天的讀經都涉及我們生活中權力的各個方面。

在《匝加利亞先知書》讀經一中,我們聽到一位對他的人民是一個溫柔的國王,他一心想讓世界擺脫戰爭,並不急於控制他人。

在《羅馬書》讀經二中,說到天主強大的神靈居住在人類軟弱的人身上。

在《瑪竇福音》中,我們聽到有史以來最有權能的人這樣評價自己:“心地溫柔謙卑”。他將天父視為他力量的源泉。他向無能為力的人保證,他們也可以分享天主的經驗和親近。
 

整個權力問題似乎是自相矛盾的。弱中有強。死亡中還有生命。自我空虛中就有自我實現。
 

我們如何才能互相賦予能力呢?有人建議我們必須承認我們彼此的無能為力。但我們中有太多人在一個看起來“我們必須團結起來”的社會中隱藏自己的弱點。從某種意義上說,我們應該培養一種自主和自給自足的意識。然而,我們同時也應該誠實地承認我們的局限性。

如果我們所有人都承認:
· 我們共同的破碎和
· 我們需要天主和彼此,
我們會逐漸清空自己的控制慾望。然後我們就會為天主和彼此騰出空間。

天主賜予的力量是:
· 信仰的力量,
· 愛的力量,
· 慈悲的力量,
· 關懷的力量。
這就是賦予權力。

花一些時間反思你的信仰之旅,並嘗試回憶你生活中的例子:
· 你如何感受到信仰的力量?
· 你如何感受到愛的力量?
· 你如何感受到慈悲的力量?
· 您如何感受到關懷的力量?

聖利安德堂區的華人天主教團體的兄弟姐妹們, 這是常年期第十四主日的喜訊。

阿肋路亞,阿肋路亞。