春节谈蛇-2025-新版(繁体)
各位兄弟姐妹, 新年蒙恩!龍蛇交輝迎禧年, 主恩滿溢喜朝聖,歲去年來新換舊,龍潛蛇舞景成春。
1.前言:圣经中的蛇:
今年是蛇年,聖經上關於蛇的經文紛紛被提出來探討。萬物都是天主所創造的,从天主的角度来看,祂的所造之物都是美好的。蛇也是天主所創造,是它敏銳聰明,能隨機應變,因此在惡劣的環境中仍能生存下來。有些蛇帶有尖銳的毒牙,可以使人致命,因而令人厭惡。對基督徒而言,人類本來生活在樂園中,因著蛇誘惑了始祖亚当及厄娃,後來被逐出樂園,遭受咒詛,過著汗流滿面才得餬口的生活,所以人類認為蛇是誘惑者,是魔鬼的化身,是邪惡、暴力與死亡的代名詞,這些都是對蛇的負面描述,
在我們華人的世界,蛇被稱為「小龍」,又是被認為是龍的化身,龍蛇交輝接受基督之光,讓人感到前程似錦。從蛇年想到銅蛇。梅瑟曾在曠野中高舉銅蛇的事件,對我們的信仰生活有深刻的象徵意義,尤其是在基督的救恩奧祕當中,得到了完全的啟示。
2.另一方面,但也有經文正面描述銅蛇的意義,預表醫治拯救之意。因為有醫治能力、給人生命的不是銅蛇,而是以色列人民所仰望,相信那及吩咐梅瑟製作銅蛇的天主。銅蛇僅是象徵,醫治乃是出於天主。銅蛇讓以色列人民看到天主的公義,同時體會到天主的慈愛憐憫。仰望銅蛇,象徵人民順服天主的話、仰望天主的拯救,這也是天主曉諭後代的真理-願意順服天主命令及接受祂十字架的恩宠者,必得著永恆的生命。医学界也用‘铜蛇’标志作为他们的医治的标志。
在这里,我从一以下三点与诸位分享
3.我们要機警像蛇:在我們的日常生活中,受到世俗的誘惑或罪惡的攻擊時,我們要學習以色列子民認罪悔改,我們的歸依、仰望基督,必能得到救恩。主耶穌教導:「你們要機警如同蛇,純樸如同鴿子。」(瑪10:16)不只是對當時門徒們的提醒,也是對我們現在每一個基督徒的生活態度的指引。「鴿子」象徵和平、純潔與信任。
耶穌邀請我們懷有一顆純樸的心,對天主全然信賴,對人們懷有真誠、不虛偽。純樸並非天真無知,而是要能坦然面對生命中的善與惡,對善保有希望,對惡懷有警醒。我們在處事當中,應遠離狡詐和虛偽,讓言行反映出內心的真誠,如鴿子一般帶來溫暖與和諧。
「蛇」在《聖經》中常是智慧的象徵,耶穌要求我們「機警如蛇」,並非教導我們要狡猾,而是要具備敏銳的洞察力和靈活的應對能力。身處充滿挑戰的世界中,基督徒需要懂得分辨是非,審慎行事,不輕易受誘惑或欺騙。我們在面對各種風險時,應善用智慧,以正義為原則,勇敢應對困難,保護自己和他人免受傷害。純樸如鴿使我們不失善良,機警如蛇則使我們不至於盲目。若只有純樸,可能會被人利用;若只有機警,容易陷入冷酷與狡詐。我們要能以純潔的心擁抱世界,又能以智慧的眼看清現實,從而在愛與真理中生活。
4. 銅蛇預表耶穌:在《戶籍紀》中,以色列子民曾在曠野中,因缺乏水及食物,埋怨天主,因而受到毒蛇的攻擊,有些人因此喪命。他們向梅瑟悔改認罪,梅瑟代表群眾懇求上主的原諒,按照天主指示,製作了一條銅蛇,並把它高舉在竹竿上,凡仰望銅蛇的人,都能免於死亡。(參閱戶21:1-9)然而,銅蛇本身無法救人,它是一個標誌,指向天主的救恩。子民得救的原因,是因為他們的信德與悔改,以及對天主指示的順從,這預示了信仰的本質——憑藉信德,我們能與天主和好並得到救恩。
在《若望福音》第3章14節提到「正如梅瑟在曠野中高舉了蛇,人子也應照樣被高舉,使凡信的人,在祂內得永生。」銅蛇被高舉,象徵督在十字架上被高舉。凡信靠被釘十字架上基督的人都能從罪惡和死亡中得到救恩。
5. 圣母的后裔踏踏碎蛇的头颅:创3:14—15节,天主对蛇说:“我要把仇恨放在你和女人,你的后裔和她的后裔之间,她的后裔要踏碎你的头颅,你要伤害他的脚跟。”这段圣经中的女人就是圣母玛利亚。因此,圣母是我们的母亲,踏碎蛇头是指得胜魔鬼的象征。“ 而圣经中女人的后裔,在此特别指拯救人类的新元首基督。
6.结论:基督徒要会舍得与别人分享,有舍(蛇)有得。但願我們機警像蛇,在善與惡,及與基督信仰有衝突時,能以警覺、機敏的心去面對,在這邪惡衝擊的時代,我们依靠主耶稣才能·,站立得住。我们是基督的兄弟。在这新的一年的开始,让我们祈求圣母玛利亚的转祷,在她的保护之下,带领我们仰望她的圣子,我们的主耶稣基督。 阿门!铎末:蔡钊发
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春节谈蛇-2025-新版 (简体)
各位兄弟姐妹,新年蒙恩!龙蛇交辉迎禧年,主恩满溢喜朝圣,岁去年来新换旧,龙潜蛇舞景成春。
1. 前言:圣经中的蛇
今年是蛇年,圣经中关于蛇的经文被广泛探讨。万物皆为天主所创造,从天主的角度来看,祂创造的事物都是美好的。蛇也是天主的创造,其敏锐聪明、随机应变的能力使它能够在恶劣环境中生存。有些蛇因带有尖锐毒牙而令人厌恶,甚至致命。
对于基督徒来说,人类本生活在乐园中,但因蛇诱惑始祖亚当与厄娃,导致人类被逐出乐园,受到咒诅,过着汗流满面才能糊口的生活。因此,蛇被视为诱惑者、魔鬼的化身,象征邪恶、暴力与死亡。这些是对蛇的负面描述。
在华人世界中,蛇被称为“小龙”,并被认为是龙的化身。龙蛇交辉,接受基督之光,让人感到前程似锦。蛇年让人联想到铜蛇的故事。梅瑟曾在旷野中高举铜蛇,这一事件对信仰生活有深刻的象征意义,尤其在基督救恩奥秘中得到了完全启示。
2. 铜蛇的象征意义
另一方面,圣经中也正面提到铜蛇的意义,象征医治与拯救。治愈人们的并非铜蛇本身,而是以色列民仰望、相信那吩咐梅瑟制作铜蛇的天主。铜蛇只是象征,医治出于天主。通过铜蛇,以色列民感受到天主的公义与慈爱。
仰望铜蛇象征着人民顺服天主的话语,期待天主的拯救。这也是天主向后代昭示的真理——凡顺服天主命令、接受祂十字架恩宠的人,将得永恒的生命。医学界亦以“铜蛇”作为医治的象征。
在此,我将从以下三方面与大家分享:
3. 我们要机警如蛇
在日常生活中,当我们受到世俗诱惑或罪恶攻击时,应学习以色列子民认罪悔改,归依并仰望基督,必能获得救恩。主耶稣教导:“你们要机警如同蛇,纯朴如同鸽子。”(玛10:16)这不仅是对当时门徒的提醒,也是对现今每位基督徒生活态度的指导。
鸽子象征和平、纯洁与信任。耶稣邀请我们怀有纯朴的心,全然信赖天主,对人真诚无伪。纯朴并非天真无知,而是坦然面对生命中的善与恶,对善保有希望,对恶怀有警觉。在处事中,远离狡诈与虚伪,以真诚的言行带来温暖与和谐。
蛇在圣经中常象征智慧。耶稣要求我们“机警如蛇”,并非教导狡猾,而是具备敏锐洞察力与灵活应对能力。身处充满挑战的世界,基督徒需懂得分辨是非,审慎行事,不轻易受骗或诱惑。机警如蛇使我们不至盲目,纯朴如鸽使我们不失善良。两者结合,能使我们以智慧的眼看清现实,以纯洁的心拥抱世界,在爱与真理中生活。
4. 铜蛇预表耶稣
《户籍纪》中记载,以色列子民在旷野中因缺乏水与食物而埋怨天主,结果遭毒蛇攻击,许多人因此丧命。他们向梅瑟认罪悔改,梅瑟代众人向上主祈求宽恕。天主指示梅瑟制作铜蛇并高举于竿上,凡仰望铜蛇的人都免于死亡。(参阅户21:1-9)
然而,铜蛇本身不能救人,它是一个标志,指向天主的救恩。子民得救的原因是他们的信德与悔改,以及对天主指示的顺从。这预示了信仰的本质——通过信德,我们得以与天主和好并获得救恩。
《若望福音》第3章14节提到:“正如梅瑟在旷野中高举了蛇,人子也应照样被高举,使凡信的人,在祂内得永生。”铜蛇被高举,象征主耶稣在十字架上被高举。凡信靠基督的人都能从罪恶与死亡中得救。
5. 圣母的后裔踏碎蛇的头颅
《创世纪》3:14-15节中,天主对蛇说:“我要把仇恨放在你和女人,你的后裔和她的后裔之间;她的后裔要踏碎你的头颅,你要伤害他的脚跟。”这段经文中的女人指圣母玛利亚。圣母是我们的母亲,踏碎蛇头象征战胜魔鬼。“女人的后裔”特别指拯救人类的新元首基督。
6. 结论
基督徒要学会与他人分享,“有舍(蛇)有得”。愿我们机警如蛇,在善与恶、与基督信仰发生冲突时,以警觉与智慧面对。在这邪恶冲击的时代,唯有依靠主耶稣,我们才能站立得住。
我们是基督的兄弟。在新年开始之际,祈求圣母玛利亚的转祷,在她的保护下,带领我们仰望她的圣子——我们的主耶稣基督。阿门!
铎末:蔡钊发
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Chinese New Year 2025 Homily
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Happy New Year!
1. Introduction: The Snake in the Bible
In this Year of the Snake, several biblical references about snakes are being explored. All things are created by God, and from God’s perspective, all His creations are good. The snake, too, is created by God; it is sharp, intelligent, and adaptable, able to survive in harsh environments.
In our Chinese culture, snakes are referred to as "little dragons" and are considered the incarnation of dragons. The intersection of dragon and snake in accepting the light of Christ symbolises hope for a bright future. Let us reflect on the bronze serpent. The incident where Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness has profound symbolic significance for our faith, especially in the mystery of salvation through Christ, which has been fully revealed.
2. The Bronze Serpent Symbolising Healing and Salvation
On the other hand, there are scriptures that positively describe the bronze serpent, symbolising healing and salvation. The bronze serpent itself did not have the power to heal; it symbolised the God whom the Israelites looked to for healing. It was God who commanded Moses to make the bronze serpent. The bronze serpent represented God's justice but also revealed His love and mercy. By looking upon the bronze serpent, the Israelites demonstrated their obedience to God’s word and trust in His salvation.
This teaches future generations that those who obey God's commands and accept His grace through the cross of Christ will receive eternal life. Even in the medical profession, the ‘bronze serpent’ is used as a symbol of healing.
Here, I would like to share three key points:
3. We Should Be Wise and Alert Like the Snake
We must be as alert as snakes. When attacked by worldly temptations or sins in our daily lives, we must learn from the Israelites: confess our sins, repent, turn to Christ, and look to Him for salvation. The Lord Jesus taught, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). This is not just a reminder to His disciples at that time but also a guide for the attitude of every Christian today.
The "dove" symbolises peace, purity, and trust. Jesus invites us to have a simple heart—one that completely trusts in God, treats others with sincerity, and remains free from hypocrisy. Simplicity does not mean being naïve or ignorant but rather being able to face the good and evil in life calmly. It means maintaining hope in goodness while remaining alert to evil.
"Snake," in the Bible, often symbolises wisdom. When Jesus asked us to "be wise as serpents," He was not encouraging cunning but teaching us to develop keen insight and flexibility. In a world filled with challenges, Christians need to distinguish right from wrong, act prudently, and avoid falling prey to temptation or deceit.
Being as innocent as a dove keeps us kind, while being as wise as a snake helps us avoid being blind. If we are only innocent, we may be taken advantage of; if we are only wise, we may become cold and calculating. We must embrace the world with a pure heart, see reality with discerning eyes, and live in love and truth.
4. The Bronze Serpent Foreshadowing Jesus
In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites, while in the wilderness, complained about the lack of food and water and were subsequently attacked by venomous snakes. Many died, and the people confessed their sins to Moses. Moses, in turn, prayed to the Lord for forgiveness. God instructed Moses to create a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole, so that anyone who looked at it would be saved from death (Numbers 21:1-9).
The bronze serpent itself had no power to save; it was merely a symbol pointing to God’s salvation. The Israelites were saved because of their faith, repentance, and obedience to God's instructions. This foreshadowed the essence of faith: through faith, we are reconciled with God and receive salvation.
In the Gospel of John 3:14, it is stated: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” The lifting of the bronze serpent symbolises Christ being exalted on the cross. Those who trust in Christ crucified are saved from sin and death.
5. The Woman’s Offspring Crushing the Serpent’s Head
In Genesis 3:14-15, the Lord says to the serpent:
“Because you have done this, cursed are you among all the animals, tame or wild; on your belly, you shall crawl, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; they will strike at your head while you strike at their heel.”
The "woman" in this passage is often understood as the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thus, Mary is our spiritual mother, and the crushing of the serpent's head symbolises victory over the devil. The offspring of the woman, in this context, refers to Christ, the new head of humanity, who came to save us.
6. Conclusion
Christians must be willing to share with others. Where there is sharing, there is blessing. May we possess the wisdom of serpents, remaining vigilant and discerning when confronted with evil and challenges to our faith. In these turbulent and contradictory times, let us stand firm by placing our trust in the Lord Jesus.
We are brothers and sisters in Christ. As the new year begins, let us pray for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under her protection, may she lead us to look upon her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Rev. Fr. Philip Chua