2020 04 10 基督受難⽇
作者 Article by: Wilson Loo
記憶中所經歷之數⼗個受難節當中, 每次都似乎只是 世上少數⼈在受苦受難 所以 各地都 有不同的 宗教 儀式 去提醒信徒 耶穌基督 的受難之苦. 不 幸 今年的受難⽇, 全世界⼤部分的⼈ 都在親⾝經歷著 苦難.
在全球疫症蔓延為患之際, ⽣靈塗炭, 特別是那些窮困者, 和那些因戰亂的難⺠, 更是苦不堪⾔, 然則 那些官商巨賈,也難獨善其⾝. 或者在此情此際, 我們 更易切⾝了解 到 苦難的問題, 更體會到 耶穌基督 在客西⾺利園, 在苦 路, 在⼗架上, 所經歷的 痛苦, 叫我們 去學 習 他怎樣 去⾯對苦難, 怎樣 藉著信⼼在苦難當中,去順從神的旨意.
我們不知道為什麼疫症會發⽣, 但我們是否可以問問, 疫 症 ⼀發不可收拾, 是否與⼈之⾃⼤無知,⾃以為是, 令到⽣靈塗炭呢? 是不是有些⼈自私自利, 以為⾃⼰百病不侵, ⽽對預防措施置若罔聞 ,不顧他⼈之 ⽣死呢?
感謝主, 天 ⽗ 仍然 為世⼈預備了不少『智慧人』 無論在管理階 層或⼀般平⺠⼤眾, 他們⾏耶和華看為善看為美的事. 天⽗上帝也 為世⼈預備了 像摩西, 阿倫 的有⼼⼈⼠, 在 疫症 猖狂之際, 為市⺠⼤眾奔⾛拯命, 救病扶危.
苦難是不好受的, 但作為基督徒, 我們知道 神在掌管, 我們有從基督耶穌而來的盼望, 知道受苦節之後, 復活節就會隨之⽽來. 讓我們好好的把握苦難的機會，使我們的靈命有所增長，去迎接復活節及復活的主耶穌基督的來臨.
黑夜將盡，黎明的曙光快臨。讓我們懷著信心與盼望，祈望著我們可以很快就可以一齊再聚首崇拜，去感謝讚美主。
Love in pandemic #11 Good Friday April 10, 2020
Wilson Loo
For the Good Fridays that I had, as far as I can remember, only a minority of people in the world were really suffering. Therefore in many places, people perform special rituals to remind themselves of the suffering of Christ Jesus. Unfortunately, it is very different in the present Good Friday. Most people on earth are experiencing sufferings themselves.
In the present COVID-19 pandemic, people all over the world are experiencing hardship, especially those who are poor, and those who are forced away from home due to war or persecution. At the same time, those who are rich and powerful are not immune either. May be at such a time, it would be easier for us to realize the true taste and real issue of suffering. And it would be easier for us as Christians to appreciate the suffering of our Lord Jesus at Gethsemane, on Via Dolorosa, or on the cross in Golgotha. May be it would be easier for us to learn how to face suffering, and how, through our faith, to be obedient to the will of God during such a difficult period.
We don’t know why the pandemic occurs. But can we ask why the pandemic is spreading so fast in some places. Is it not related to men’s arrogance and vanity, or their erroneous belief that they know everything, despite their ignorance, with catastrophic consequence. Can we ask why so many people are so selfish that they only care for their own momentous enjoyment and neglect the health of others.
Thanks be to God. Our Lord has prepared for us many men and women with wisdom, whether as governing leaders or among the general public. They do things which are right in the eyes of the Lord and through them, many are relieved of suffering and saved. The Lord has also prepared many men and women who are like Moses and Aaron; and like them, they work bravely and tirelessly to save people during the plague.
Facing suffering is not a pleasant experience. But as Christians, we know God is in control. We have hope through our Lord Jesus. We know after Good Friday, Easter will follow. Let us grasp this opportunity of suffering, so that our spiritual lives may be nourished and grow. Let us prepare ourselves through our suffering so that we know how better to welcome Easter and the risen Lord.
The darkness of the night will soon be fading. The dawn will soon be here. Let us be filled with faith hope, and love. Let us pray that we may once again be worshipping together very soon, to thank Him and praise Him.