2020 04 12 基督復活⽇
作者 Article by: Joel Chiu
今天是救主復活日，哈利路亞！主果然復活了。 不覺間已經是第五個主日沒有在頌主堂舉行崇拜了，這都是凶險的疫情所致。雖則如此，我感到欣慰的是還可以網上參與其它幾處不同的崇拜，有機會用不同的方式領略聖徒相通。 前幾日，有位不諳英文的朋友找我幫忙他申請聯邦政府推出的緊急應變金（ＣＥＲＢ），幫完他後，發覺原來手續都不算繁複，過程可以上網或用電話完成，希望他可以不用等待太久罷。政府也就是這樣解了不少人的困窘。我感覺能幫到別人時，自己亦開心的，正如新約使徒行傳有說「施比受更為有福」。 看見直到昨天（星期六）為止，與疫症有關最新的死亡人數中，安省有２５３人，全加國有整整六百人。我對有不少人失去了至親感到悲傷；我們基督徒心中有盼望、有信和愛，深信死亡不是人生命的終結，更重要的緊接在後，那就是復活，是奠基於耶穌死而復活的事實。有一天，我們都會再見到那些「在基督裏睡了的人」。有興趣看看聖經中有關復活的一、兩個段落的話，我介紹新約哥林多前書十五章１２節至５７節。 我們的救主耶穌復活了；願他復活的大能在我們基督徒的生命中，讓我們的言行，可以向未信主的人顯出他的大能。 舊約內的詩篇有很多可以堅定讀者的信心，能轉讀者的憂愁為對上帝的敬仰。好像大衛的一首求助禱告的詩—第六十九篇。當中你可以讀到「…上帝啊，求你按你豐盛的恩慈，憑你拯救的信實應允我…因為你的慈愛本為美好（１３節下，１６上）」。 祝各位主內弟兄姊妹在此疫情裏蒙上主施恩，同穫主基督勝過死亡的凱旋。
Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Time goes fast; it has been five Sundays that we has stopped worshiping at St. E's. It is all because of this COVID-19. Yet, I have got the opportunity to join various on-line worship services celebrated at different places which I consider as a way of experiencing the Communion of Saints. A couple days ago, a friend of mine who is not conversant in English asked me to assist in his application for the CERB program our federal government put forward. Having finished going through the necessary procedures, I found that it is quite straight forward provided the applicant has got the necessary supporting information like ROE. One can finish this through a phone call or a web-site visit. Hope he gets what he is provided for in good time. Our government has done her effort to give a fast help to alleviate the negative impact done by this pandemic. I feel good myself when I am able to help others just as one can read from The Acts Of The Apostles: It is more blessed to give than to receive. (NIrV 20:35) I notice that up until yesterday (Saturday), the number of COVID-19 related deaths in Ontario was 253 while in our country was exactly 600. I am saddened knowing someone loses his/her love one(s). We as Christians have hope, as well as faith and love, deeply believe that bodily death is not the end of our lives, a more important fact comes after, that is the resurrection which Jesus's resurrection is a proof. One day, we will see again those who have died before or after we do. If you are interested in reading one or two paragraphs about resurrection from The Bible, I would recommend 1 Corinthians 15:12-57. Jesus our saviour is resurrected. May his power of resurrection dwell also in our lives that what we say and do show forth his great power. Many Psalms in The Old Testament fortify readers' faith, turning their worries into worship like Psalm 69, one of David's prayer for deliverance from persecution includes Lord, I pray to you. May this be the time you help me. God, answer me because you love me so much. Save me, as you always do. Lord, answer me because your love is so good. (13 & 16a) May God bless you, with our Lord Jesus Christ's triumph over death, my brothers and sisters, in this time of uncertainty. Amen