#13 疫中情 // Love in Pandemic

2020 04 14 

作者 Article by: Grace Liu 

三月中，女兒突然告知March break 後學校要停課。問我可否在我家做daycare？如此一問，我真有点心又喜卻心又慌！喜者，可以一連三星期和兩個小鬼每日相處。慌者，當然係考濾我和Daniel 兩副老骨頭是否可以應付？ 三月16 号活動營正式開始了。 感謝神，我本以為要babysit兩個孫兒一定不簡單。三星期在忙錄中過去，回顧每天下午小孫午睡時我和大孫一齊讀聖經故事，無意間已完成了十多卷。两婆孫搶答問題，樂在其中！ 此外，每日有grandma kitchen 時段。我們一起做簡單甜品，三文治，cup cake, mini pizza, 手卷，飯團和炒飯。孩子們自已做吃得特别高興。我也開始教孩子們謝飯祈禱。 午睡後集體遊戲，老少玩作一團。年幼孫兒特别頑皮，愛倒蛋破壞，但天真無邪。每每出錯便含淚說 sorry。我想天父對我們也一樣，只要認罪悔改，祂會永遠愛我們的。 

在這段日子，我每天和孫兒一起，是疫情帶給我們的意外驚喜。還記得一天女兒怕我們累壞，把孩子留在家中。大孫問女兒: 「是婆婆病了嗎？為甚麼不可以去？I miss por por and dor dor(婆婆和公公。」多温馨的問侯，是天父賜的祝福！ 

如果我們可以值這段自我隔離機會，多與家人朋友聯絡，多一句問侯，给他們多一份祝福。我學習到的是: 愛你的人，給你温暖與鼓勵，你愛的人，讓你學會如何去愛和分享。相比每天坐家中，聽到很多疫情急昇，全球搶購防疫用品，死亡數字節節上昇，酒楼食店倒閉，股市大跌……等等負面消息，我們的選擇又該是甚麽呢？ 

現在，我們正經歷神的帶領，讓我們齊心禱告，我深信這一切總會過去，因為神仍在掌管。 

願這次疫情呼喚我們悔改，從罪和自私中醒悟過來，並把信仰投放在一個真實而永恆的上帝 

耶和華必在你前面行；祂必與你同在，必不撒下你，也不丢棄你。不要懼怕，也不要驚惶。申命記31:8 

#12 疫中情 // Love in Pandemic

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 

#11 疫中情 // Love in Pandemic

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. 

#10 疫中情 // Love in Pandemic

2020 04 08 

作者 Article by: Yvonne Zheng 

Father Jim 在三月八日的講道提到猶太教的安息日，又提到多倫多西乃山醫院的安息日昇降機。傳統猶太人在安息日要遵守的禮教極多。現代的猶太人用現代的方式去守傳統的禮教。我曾經在西乃山醫院做事，知道在西乃山醫院有一座特為安息日設計的昇降機，不用按鈕會自動開啓的。它又會每一樓層都停一停，開門讓探病的家屬自由出入。西乃山醫院有十八層樓。如果要由地下上十八樓需要一段頗長的時間。為免費時失事，非猶太眷的醫護人員都不願意使用特定的安息日昇降機。昇降機不用按鈕的原因是因為按鈕的動作被視為一種工作，而傳統猶太人在安息日是不許工作的。猶太同事亦曾經說過有些家庭在安息日請外人在天黑時幫他們點燈。因為按電燈的開關也被視為工作。 

如今安我們身處的安省因防止新冠疫情擴散，立令非必要行業暫時關門或請員工在家工作。經濟和生計上有損失是自然的事。那麽時間上呢？禁足在家對現代人來説是不是一件費時失事的舉動呢？有人比喻我們現今身處的情況為傳統安息日加長版-這又不能做，那又不能做。不如大家一起研究一下安息日是甚麽？ 

創世記2:3 「到第七日，神造物的工已經完畢，就在第七日歇了衪一切的工，安息了。神賜福給第七日，定為聖日。 

出埃及記31:12-13 神向以色列人重訂了有關這一日的誡命，説：「當記念安息日，守為聖日」 

遵守安息日是以色列人和神立約的一種記號，也是神賜予的禮物。大多數的猶太人每周都期望安息日的來臨，為守聖日作出各種準備，讓他們可以專心地與神交通。 

讓我們善用在家禁足的加長板安息日做平時沒有時間做的靈俢功課。與神建立更親密的關係。也讓我們善用這時間和親友透過電話，視象或電郵一 聯絡聯絡。在不明朗的疫情下送出一些温暖。 

Father Jim mentioned the Sabbath elevator at Toronto Mount Sinai Hospital during his sermon on Mar 8th. I remembered avoiding that elevator on Friday nights when I was still working there. The elevator is designed to stop on every floor and the door will open and close for visitors to go in and out without touching the buttons. To non-Jewish workers, the Sabbath elevator is a nuisance, a waste of time. To Orthodox Jews, they are just following God’s law. According to my Jewish coworker, some people even hire outsiders to turn their lights on and off at home during Sabbath. Is Sabbath really a waste of time? Let’s take a look at what the Bible says: 

Genesis 2:3 New International Reader's Version (NIRV) 

3 God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. He blessed it because on that day he rested from all the work he had done. 

Exodus 31:12-13 New International Reader's Version (NIRV) 

12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses. 13 He said, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘You must always keep my Sabbath days. That will be the sign of the covenant I have made between me and you for all time to come. Then you will know that I am the LORD. I am the one who makes you holy. 

Sabbath day is holy. It is a sign of the covenant with God and it is a gift from God. Orthodox Jews take Sabbath seriously. No working means no working. All cleaning and food preparation are done before sundown on Fridays. Sabbath is a day people spent time with family and together they worship the Lord. 

To combat the spreading of COVID-19 virus, we are all asked to stay at home and practice social distancing. Some of us are working from home, some of us are temporarily laid off. Work comes to a stand-still for many of us. Some people compare our situation of being forced to stay home from work as a prolonged Sabbath. What are we going to do to pass time? Besides watching Netflix or playing computer games, have you thought about adding devotional time to your daily schedule? Or contacting your friends and family by phone or via video chat to see if they are ok? Spending time with God and family is the purpose of having Sabbath. It is not a waste of time. 

#09 疫中情 // Love in Pandemic

2020 04 06 

作者 Article by: Tammy Pang 

當中國和香港冠狀肺炎病毒大爆發時，我在加拿大四出搜集口罩寄回香港家人，我跟另一半說：很感恩我們可以來到加拿大生活，避過兩次肺炎疫情，十七年前的沙士和這次冠狀肺炎。，當年沙士在加拿大也有病發，幸好疫情很快過去。當買到口罩時，朋友曾叫我多買一盒留給自己，我還滿有信心的說：不買，待疫情過去再買，平宜一點，因為當時口罩已漲價了。之後疫情散播全球，三月中政府宣佈全國抗炎，盡量留在家中。口罩早已買不到了，我家只有十幾個，還是十七年前沙士時留下的，幸好有個乖巧的摯友給我們一盒，感恩。留在家中其實有很多事情可以做，但沒有心情，只是坐着，整天看着手機和上面書，查看有關冠狀病毒的消息，全是負面的，令人心情煩躁。由其是那些在手機中轉發又轉發未被證實的謠言，令我感到透不過氣。我坐在窗前，突然間十多年前意外後留在家中康覆期間的情景，出現在我腦海中。再向街上觀看，各家門前的車道都有車停着，有些是留在家中工作，有些已被暫時解僱，街上無人，看到這情景我眼淚直流。當我在士庫行跑步機時，突然聽到一些聲音，心裏感到惶恐，我已察覺到自己有些問題出現了。就跟另一半說：我怕要再食藥啦！他說如果你覺得需要就食啦！這是我不希望發生的。我心想：神在我最辛苦艱難的日子都助我渡過，今次也不會放下我，我禱告，將整個思維盡量放鬆，感恩晚上能安然入睡。在這段日子跟香港親友通話次數多了，大家問候和鼓勵。讓我們一同祈禱，希望疫情快快過去。 

留在家中期間上youtube 看到沈祖堯教授真情見證分享系列之----身處疫境，有種態度。分享開始是講他人生的經歷，之後提到他在2003 年沙士爆期間，面對一個令他完全束手無策的處境，對著每日不斷增加的病人人數，在這個絕望的環境裏，他最後只能用的方法，就是在他辦工室內，召集所有基督徒同事，開第一次臨床祈禱會。他祈禱說：賜生命的上帝，求你不要讓我們的無知，不要讓我們的無知，令我們的朋友，同事，他們的家和我們的病人喪失生命，不要因我們的無知而讓人喪掉生命。之後大家感到完全無助而哭泣，已經用盡了人可以用的辦法，只能將生命交托給那位掌管生命的上帝。那天開始，他們就慢慢看到有人開始康覆。他還引用了馬太福音５：３－４節虛心的人有福了！因為天國是他們的。哀慟的人有福了！因為他們必得安慰。You are blessed when you are at the end of the rope . where you are less , there ismore from God.當我們覺得自己無助，覺得自己用盡所有辦法都幫不上的時候，就是上帝的時候。

當我們覺得自己無助，覺得自己用盡所有辦法 都幫不上的時候，就是上帝的時候。