2021 01 01
作者 Article by: Rev. Maria Ling
Translated by Wilson Loo 盧永信譯
多倫多教區宣佈:從十二月廿六日起, 全教區再次實施防疫的紅色警誡階段。教堂內聚集人數, 崇拜也好, 預備崇拜也好, 祇限於十個人以下。這次, 我們有經驗了,我們曾經經歷過這些日子。
這些經歷可能與歷世歷代基督徒所遭遇到的逼迫, 放逐, 苦難, 有點相似, 我指的當然不是電子傳訊新科技, 使用 Zoom 舉行視頻會議, 而是兩者同樣的懷著盼望, 靜候家中, 學習怎樣倚靠上主, 和兄弟姐妹彼此互相關懷而求存的心情.
其實我們都知道應該怎樣做。我們需要彼此幫助。 我們中間有些人的生活工作, 可以全部改在線上如常運作, 亦有很多人冒著被病毒感染的危險, 而繼續為我們的需要服務。我們要記念他們, 並為他們祈禱, 更應以行動去支持他們, (例如多付一點小帳啦?)及向他們表達衷心的感謝。
我做得如何呢? 有時不錯, 有時卻不太理想。我有緊張不安的時刻, 更有覺得很大壓力的日子; 但當我停下來, 靜聽著自己的呼吸, 便醒悟到神仍在掌管, 我生命的每時每刻, 神都在保守帶領。麻雀雖小, 祂尚且照顧, 何況我是祂的兒女呢?我雖要的是提醒自己, 神會照祂的計劃, 祂的時間去照顧我, 並非照我的計劃. 在這一方面, 我真的要多下一些功夫, 虛心學習: 是的, 天父會依照祂自己的時間計劃去看顧我, 而不是照我的議程和期望。
兄弟姊妹,當我們再進入另一次因疫情而封關,請你向你的心說,『我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華』 (詩 103:1), 『願凡有氣息的都稱頌耶和華』.(詩 150:6)
願主的平安,常與你們同在
林寶珠+
Rev. Maria Ling 林寶珠牧師
So the announcement has been made. The Diocese of Toronto returns to our red stage guidelines with effect from Dec 26. We are limited to 10 persons in the church for running or recording the worship services. We have practice. We’ve already been doing this.
This must be like what Christians through the ages have experienced during times of persecution, exile and pandemic...no, not the new technology of Zoom and livestreaming but of having to hunker down and learn to survive by depending on God and on one another.
We already know what to do. We help each other. Some of us do everything online as it is but we also know that there are many who put themselves at risk of getting infected with the virus to serve our needs. We need to be mindful of them, to pray for them, to support them (give a bigger tip, maybe?), tell them we appreciate what they do for us.
How have I managed? Sometimes well and sometimes not so well. I’ve had moments of anxiety and of course stress, too, but when I stop and breathe...I have to remember that my life is in God’s hands. The times of my life is in His care. If He cares for the sparrow, why wouldn’t He care for me? I just need to remind myself that God will care for me in God’s way...not in my way. This is the part I have to humbly learn every time. God will care for me in God’s way, not according to my agenda or expectations.
So as we enter another lockdown, speak to your spirit and say, “Bless the Lord O my soul, let everything that has breath, bless the Lord!”
Peace!
Maria+