【双语灵修】摇下车窗Roll The Window Down
当我们开始关怀受苦的人时,我们便有机会服侍基督了。
“‘什么时候见你作客旅,留你住,或是赤身露体,给你穿?’” - 太 25:38
每当我在繁忙的早上,驾车前往RCM时,总会见到源源不绝的人来到RCM门前,他们需要获得食物和日用品、吃一顿饱饭、买一张公交车票、支付一张帐单、拥有一个朋友、或者为一个违法的青年给法官写一封求情信。这些事时常会令我感到气馁。
在等待交通指示灯转绿时,有人站在我的汽车窗外乞讨,我双眼直视前方,假装在讲电话。不过也有时我会摇下车窗,与站在外面的人目光接触并轻松交谈。当我没能这样做时,我就心里受责备,我是多么软弱,我也为身处这个愿意接纳每一个人的社区感恩。
在耶稣的比喻中,山羊是那些漠视邻舍坐牢、饥饿、和受苦的人。而绵羊则是那些为邻舍提供一杯凉水、一处栖身之所、和怜悯其创伤的人。比喻所表达的要点,就是基督与“这弟兄中一个最小的”同在,而我们也蒙召奉耶稣的名去服事那些遭受痛苦和欺凌的人。
当我们开始关怀受苦的人时,我们便有机会服侍基督了。假若我们误以为我们舒适和安逸的生活才是快乐的,基督正邀请我们除去我们的错觉,从而去与社区的人交往。这才是基督身体的实践;我们需要其他人,而其他人也同样需要我们。为了耶稣的缘故,让我们摇下车窗、与社区的人开始交往吧。
祷告
神啊,求你赐给我们力量去爱他人,并且愿意进入社区中,也欢迎其他人参与其中。惟愿我们这样行时,也能够感受到基督的同在。奉耶稣名祈求,阿们。
马太福音 25:31-46
31“当人子在他荣耀里同着众天使降临的时候,要坐在他荣耀的宝座上。
32万民都要聚集在他面前,他要把他们分别出来,好像牧羊的分别绵羊山羊一般:
33把绵羊安置在右边,山羊在左边。
34于是,王要向那右边的说:‘你们这蒙我父赐福的,可来承受那创世以来为你们所预备的国。
35因为我饿了,你们给我吃;渴了,你们给我喝;我做客旅,你们留我住;
36我赤身露体,你们给我穿;我病了,你们看顾我;我在监里,你们来看我。’
37义人就回答说:‘主啊,我们什么时候见你饿了给你吃,渴了给你喝?
38什么时候见你做客旅留你住,或是赤身露体给你穿?
39又什么时候见你病了或是在监里,来看你呢?’
40王要回答说:‘我实在告诉你们:这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上,就是做在我身上了。’
41王又要向那左边的说:‘你们这被咒诅的人,离开我,进入那为魔鬼和他的使者所预备的永火里去!
42因为我饿了,你们不给我吃;渴了,你们不给我喝;
43我做客旅,你们不留我住;我赤身露体,你们不给我穿;我病了,我在监里,你们不来看顾我。’
44他们也要回答说:‘主啊,我们什么时候见你饿了,或渴了,或做客旅,或赤身露体,或病了,或在监里,不伺候你呢?’
45王要回答说:‘我实在告诉你们:这些事你们既不做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上,就是不做在我身上了。’
46这些人要往永刑里去,那些义人要往永生里去。”
Roll The Window Down
"When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?" - Matthew 25:38-39
Driving to Roseland Christian Ministries on a busy morning, I sometimes feel discouraged with the never-ending line of people at the doors needing groceries, a meal, a bus pass, a utility bill paid, a friend, or a letter to a judge on behalf of a young person in legal trouble.
As I wait for the traffic light to turn green, I stare ahead, pretending to be on my phone while a man stands outside my car window asking for money. Sometimes I roll the car window down, make eye contact, and talk with the person outside. When I do, I'm reminded of my weaknesses, and I'm grateful for this community that embraces all people.
In Jesus' parable the goats are people who ignore neighbors that are imprisoned, hungry, and suffering. The sheep are people who offer a cup of cold water, shelter, and compassion to neighbors that are hurting. The big reveal of the parable is that Christ is present with "the least of these," and we are called to serve hurting and humiliated people in Jesus' name.
We have the opportunity to serve Christ when we care for people who are hurting. If we think we are happy in our comfortable, safe lives, we are invited to let go of our illusions and enter community with others. This is the body of Christ. We need others, and others need us. We roll the window down and enter community, for Jesus' sake.
Prayer
God, give us the strength to love and the will to enter community and let others in. Doing so, may we sense the very presence of Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
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