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2024年復活節文告

復活的主，請教給我們祈禱

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹：

阿肋路亞！

基督的復活，令我們的信仰成為真實的（參閱格前15:14）。每當我們重新宣認這份信仰時，透過領受各種聖事，我們參與祂的死亡與復活（參閱羅6:5-8；若6:54）。但只是相信和宣認這份信德並不足夠，還需要透過祈禱，與天主建立關係。

為準備2025年的禧年，教宗方濟各欽定本年為「祈禱年」，並透過宗座福音傳播部出版《祈禱年輔助材料》，鼓勵信友們虔誠地活出祈禱生活。祈禱年是一份邀請，去與天主進一步建立關係，更是一個機遇去讓我們反思我們的信仰的質素。

在我們每天的生活中，在面對不同的處境，無論順逆，即使多繁忙，都要騰出祈禱的時間。「祈禱是讓天主在我們內心工作的方式，即使在最困難的情況下，也能明白天主想向我們傳遞甚麼訊息，祈禱是為了獲得繼續前進的力量。」（教宗方濟各，2022年1月9日《三鐘經》）

「主，請教給我們祈禱。」（路11:1）門徒們這個請求，反映出他們自己的不足，甚至渴求祈禱時所需的實際方法。祈禱不只是一個虔敬的習慣，而是「靈魂的呼吸」，而「呼吸」更是人類最基本的需求。（參閱教宗方濟各，2021年6月9日公開接見活動）每次的祈禱，都是與天主深入交融的機會，也是一個機會去聆聽天主對我們說話。

祈禱是唯一能觸及我們內在真理的途徑。當我們進入我們的內心，我們便找到天主的光；而這道光，將延伸到我們的生活中，從而活出天主的臨在。祈禱有如指南針般，指引我們（參閱《祈禱年輔助材料》）；又如船錨般，避免我們被狂風巨浪吹走。

當我們恆常地祈禱，就是滋養着我們的生命，也能時刻活出天主的臨在。祈禱需要鍥而不捨，因為只有持之以恆的祈禱、只有熱愛祈禱的靈魂，才能轉化一個人的內心，繼而轉化團體、社會，以至整個世界。

響應教宗方濟各的呼籲，為迎接禧年，我邀請教區內各成員，促進個人祈禱和團體祈禱的中心地位。首先重溫教宗方濟各過去數年公開接見活動以「祈禱」為題的教導，透過默想走進祈禱的學堂。

堂區團體的祈禱。在堂區團體的層面，特別著重每次彌撒聖祭的每個細節，因為「教友們參與聖體祭……整個基督徒生活的泉源與高峰」（《教會》教義憲章，11）；又或在堂區內組織「時辰頌禱」、朝拜聖體、團體修和禮等祈禱聚會，讓堂區內每一位成員，明暸並參與教會公共的祈禱生活。

家庭中的祈禱。家庭是祈禱的學校，亦是孕育子女祈禱的首個地方；亦只有透過家庭的牧靈工作，使家庭成為家庭教會，並在社會中作福音的酵母。（參閱《愛的喜樂》宗座勸諭，290）「一家人生活的空間可成為『家庭教會』，作為舉行感恩祭的場地，讓基督臨在，同坐一席……到這個家瀰漫著天主的臨在，家人一同祈禱，恩澤滿盈。」（《愛的喜樂》宗座勸諭，15）

青年人的祈禱。至於青年人在生活上，總會感到迷惘，以及遇到不少波折；我們更需要與青年同行，與他們一同發掘祈禱中所獲得的安慰。「青年在這裡經驗友誼和墜入愛河，也在這裡認識自我，一起分享音樂，參加娛樂活動和體育運動，甚至反省和祈禱。」（《生活的基督》宗座勸諭，218）

退省的祈禱。「耶穌就起身出去，到荒野的地方，在那裡祈禱。」（谷1:35）聖史的記載讓我們看到兩個必要的幅度：一）以一種非恆常的方式，與天主聖父進行個人對話的必要性；二）以一顆寧靜的心，細聽天主的聲音及發現天主的旨意。在祈禱年的機遇上，神修退省能給予一個機會，以一顆更新的內心去皈依。（參閱《祈禱年輔助材料》）

祈禱的教理。作為福傳過程中的一個關鍵步驟，教理能有助信仰的成長與成熟，並有着教育祈禱和祈禱中教育的任務，發展基督徒經驗的默觀層面。透過推廣教理的培育，讓信友理解祈禱的深意，從而活出祈禱的精神。

讓我們在「祈禱年」中，重新發現祈禱的中心地位，並培養成為祈禱的生命、祈禱的靈魂，從而擴展至日後的生活，均能透過祈禱，與天主更接近。願我們又仰賴天上慈母的助佑，像她一樣保持一顆誠懇及謙卑的心祈禱，成為希望的朝聖者，邁向禧年。

＋李斌生主教

天主教澳門教區

2024 Easter Message

Risen Lord, teach us to pray

Dear brethren,

Alleluia!

Christ’s resurrection makes our faith real (cf 1 Cor 15:14). Whenever we profess this faith anew, we participate in His death and resurrection, through the reception of the Sacraments (cf Rom 6:5-8; Jn 6:54). But it is never enough just to believe and profess this faith; it is necessary to establish a relationship with God, through the means of prayers.

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has designated this year as the “Year of Prayer”, and through the Discastery for Evangelization, has published a guidebook to encourage the faithful to live out their lives of prayer faithfully. The Year of Prayer is an invitation to grow in our relationship with God, and an opportunity to reflect on the UN quality of our faith.

In our every day’s life, we may face different situations, either good or bad, or even in our busiest schedule, we must make time for prayer. “To pray is the way to let God act within us, to understand what he wants to communicate to us even in the most difficult situations, to pray to have the strength to go forward.” (Pope Francis, Angelus, 9 January 2023)

“Lord, teach us to pray!” (Luke 11:1) This request and pledge of the disciples certainly reflects an awareness of their inadequacy, and of the need for even practical guidance on how to pray. Prayer is not just a devotional habit, but a spiritual “breath of life”, where “breathing” is the most basic human need (cf Pope Francis, Wednesday Audience, 9 June 2021). Every time we pray, it is an opportunity for a deeper communion with God, as well as an opportunity to listen to God’s words towards us.

Prayer is the way to get in touch with our deepest truth, where God’s own light is present; and this light will extend into our lives, so that we can live out the Presence of God. Prayer is like a compass that guides (cf Handbook for the Year of Prayer, “Teach us to pray”), and an anchor that prevents us from being strayed by the winds and waves.

Regular and constant prayer nourishes our daily lives, and helps us to live out the Presence of God at all times. Prayer requires perseverance, since when a soul loves and is persistent in prayer, the heart can be transformed and converted, and hence transforming others: our community, our society, and even the whole world.

In response to Pope Francis, I invite all members in the Diocese to promote the centrality of individual and community prayer, in order to prepare for the Jubilee Year. The first step is to revisit the teaching of Pope Francis on the theme of “Prayer” from his Wednesday Audiences in the past few years, and to enter the school of prayer through meditation.

PRAYER IN THE PARISH COMMUNITY. At the level of the parish community, we should be mindful of every detail of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, because “taking part in the Eucharistic sacrifice..is the fount and apex of the whole Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, 11); we may organize different prayer meetings such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation etc, allowing every member within the parish to understand and participate in the public prayer life of the Church.

PRAYER IN THE FAMILY. The family is a school of prayer, and is the first place to nurture children’s life of prayer; only through the pastoral care for families can we enable them to be both domestic churches and a leaven of evangelization in society (cf Amoris Laetitia, 290). A family’s living space could turn into a domestic church, a setting for the Eucharist, the presence of Christ seated at its table…Here we see a home filled with the presence of God, common prayer and every blessing.” (AL 15)

YOUNG PEOPLE’S PRAYER. Young people are often confused and may encounter numerous ups and downs in their lives, it is more important to accompany them and discover with them that comfort originates from prayer. “Young men and women can meet one another, where they can share music, games, sports, but also reflection and prayer.” (Christus Vivit, 218)

RETREATS ON PRAYER. “[Jesus] went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” (Mk 1:35) The Evangelist gives us an image of Jesus that points to two essential dimensions of Christian prayer: 1) removing oneself from the daily routine – necessary for seeking personal dialogue with the Father – and 2) a silent heart – indispensable for listening for God’s voice and hearing what He wants. In this perspective and in the context of the Year of Prayer, a spiritual retreat can provide an unparalleled opportunity for spiritual conversion and a renewal of heart (cf Handbook for the Year of Prayer, “Teach us to pray”).

CATECHESIS ON PRAYER. As a key step in the process of evangelization, of promoting growth and maturation in the faith, Catechesis has the task of educating for prayer and in prayer, developing the contemplative dimension of Christians. Through catechetical formation , the faithful can understand the deeper meaning of prayer and thus live out the spirit of prayer.

In this Year of Prayer, let us rediscover the centrality of prayer and cultivate a life of prayer and a soul of prayer, which will extend to our future lives and bring us closer to God. May we also rely on our heavenly Mother, and imitate her to maintain a sincere and humble heart to pray, in order to become Pilgrims of Hope towards the Jubilee Year.

＋Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang

Catholic Diocese of Macau

圖片：天主教香港教區

周守仁樞機2024年復活節文告

傳遞希望的陌生人

「他們就彼此說：『當他在路上與我們談話，給我們講解《聖經》的時候，我們的心不是火熱的嗎？』他們遂即動身，返回耶路撒冷」。（路加福音24:32-33）

逃離

原始復活事件的實際情況，跟今天我們看到色彩繽紛、明亮和充滿希望的復活節裝飾截然不同，它沒有那麼亮麗和有著希望。相反，在原始耶穌復活事件的敘述中，我們可以看到困惑、極度失望甚至是絕望。

例如，有兩位門徒離開耶路撒冷，前往家鄉厄瑪烏，他們對耶穌未能拯救以色列、反過來更被羅馬人殺害而非常失望（路加福音24:21）。既然再不能對耶穌寄以希望，兩人便決定離開他的團體。為甚麼要為一個失敗者、以及一個與他緊密相連的團體，而給自己的福祉和生命冒上風險呢？

燃著熱情的心

對那些不了解或不相信基督信仰的人來說，這兩位門徒決定離開是合情合理的。但對於我們基督徒來說，卻知道這不是故事的結局。復活的主在兩位門徒回家的路上向他們顯現，兩人當刻卻不認得他。主與他們同行、說明他們所愛的師傅就是他們期待的默西亞，並使他們記起與主耶穌的最後晚餐，他們便感到內心再次因對主的熱情而變得火熱。

兩位門徒決定動身返回那令人困擾和失望的耶路撒冷，與耶穌的信仰團體重新建立聯繫，對主復活的消息團體仍感到繚亂、難以置信、困惑而又喜樂。這消息好得令人難以置信。誰會相信這個完全不合邏輯、超乎預期的結局？！但這正是他們對主復活的經歷，原始的復活事件！

相信善的力量

因此，當我們慶祝耶穌復活時，我們不是去慶祝一個平凡的春日慶節。因為如果那是一個可以預期的驚喜，那它就再不是驚喜了。就如二千多年前上主在耶路撒冷外所做的一樣，祂現在也要告訴我們，邪惡的力量不能阻礙上主使生命從死亡中復活過來，也阻不了希望從絕望中冒起，或是正義戰勝不公。我們要相信，依循天主全知的計劃，在合適的時間，善終能勝惡。

返回去的勇氣

除了相信，願意懷著那份扎根於內心的希望回到備受困擾的地方，也是同樣重要。任何俗世的圖謀，都不能打垮那份對上主所懷有的希望，因上主是生命與愛的主。上主已經叫耶穌從死者中復活，亞肋路亞！當我們心懷這份希望，來面對那些在生命及感知世界中感到哀傷或對良善存疑的人時，便有力量去陪伴他們。兩位門徒雖然明知會面臨種種威脅，仍決定回到耶路撒冷，陪伴他們那深受困擾的團體。

以分享微薄資源來互相支持的力量

我們或許都聽過「相濡以沫」這成語，它描述兩條魚在乾了的水池中掙扎，互相用口沫來潤濕對方身體以維持生命。有一說提出接著上天似乎給感動了，雨開始下來，拯救了這兩條在危難中的魚兒。

現今世界被自以為是的意識形態和像漣漪般擴散出去的戰事深深地傷害著，疲弱的地方經濟奮力掙扎以求復元，還有一些似是毫無能力創造希望的主流社會政治論述，面對以上情況，我們仍可在互相陪伴時去分享自己微薄的資源，好使所有人都能夠在等待雨水和拯救到來前保存生命。絕不要低估心存善念和希望去分享微薄資源的力量。

畢竟，在這風高浪急的大海中，我們都同坐一條船，除了生命與愛的上主之外，我們還可以互相依靠。我們的信仰讓我們知道，上主一直與我們同在，祂透過不同的人和方法來祝福我們、尤其是那些我們最意想不到的人。或許，當我們能夠對驚喜保持開放，就能夠保持希望。反過來，如果我們只容許自己所預期的可能性出現，生活和未來便會變得乏味和沉悶。

成為傳遞希望的陌生人

當門徒看到他們的老師死去，他們最初的反應是極度失望，可能還感到憤怒和被欺騙。然而，當他們打開心扉，聆聽那位與他們同行的陌生人時（路加福音24:15），希望和力量溫暖了他們的內心，更開始取代了困擾著他們的失望和怨懟。

我們是否能夠成為別人身邊的那位「陌生人」，讓他們知道我們為何仍然抱有希望，並與他們分享我們微薄的資源嗎？面對遭逢經濟不景、經歷各種不公義、又或被邊緣化的人，我們如何通過陪伴、共同努力以及相信協同善意的力量，為他們帶來希望？我相信天主必會倍增出於善意的微薄付出，令更多人得以飽餐，就如五餅二魚增餅的奇蹟，最後能讓眾多的人吃飽。（瑪竇福音14:13-21）。

願我們在這個艱難時刻體驗到希望，透過相互陪伴、分享實質和靈性資源，以及一同給予和平與無條件對話的堅持，好能為最終的治癒和復元做好準備！祝大家有一個快樂而又充滿希望的復活節！

＋周守仁樞機

Easter Message 2024

The Stranger Who Brings Hope

“Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?’ So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem” (Luke 24:32-33)

Running away

Unlike the colourful, bright, and hope-filled Easter decors we see today the actual happenings surrounding the first Easter were likely not so bright and hopeful. Instead, confusion, profound disappointment and hopelessness were readily identifiable in the original Easter narratives.

For example, the two disciples left Jerusalem for their hometown, Emmaus, with great disappointment in Jesus for failing to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21). Instead, he let himself be killed by the Romans. Since he proved to be a lost cause, they decided to leave his community. Why risk their welfare and lives for someone who had lost, and for a community so much identified with him?

Hearts ignited with a passion

The two disciples’ decision of leaving probably sounds sensible to those who do not know or embrace the Christian faith. But for us Christians, we know that it was not the end of their story. The risen Lord appeared to them on their way to their hometown without being recognised. Having walked with them, explained why their dear teacher was their expected Messiah, and reminded them of the last supper with him, they could feel their hearts were once again ignited with a passion for their Lord.

What they decided to do was to return to the troubling and disappointing Jerusalem, and re-connect with the faith community of Jesus, still dazzled with disbelief, joy, and confusion over the news of their risen Lord. That was too good to be true. Who would believe this outcome, which was totally illogical and beyond expectation?! But this was exactly the experience of the resurrection of their Lord, the first Easter!

Believing in the power of goodness

So, when we celebrate Easter, we do not celebrate a mundane Spring festival. For if the surprise was something that could be anticipated, it would not be a surprise at all. And God is telling us, as God did over 2000 years ago outside Jerusalem, that no evil power could stop God from raising life from death, hope from despair, and justice over injustice. What is needed is our faith in the triumph of good over evil in due course, following God’s omniscient plan.

Courage to return

Besides believing, our willingness to return to the troubling spots with the implanted hope in our hearts is equally significant. The same hope in the God of life and love who cannot be defeated by any worldly plots. God has raised Jesus from the dead, Alleluia! When we have this hope operating from our hearts, we may have the power to accompany those who are dejected or doubtful of goodness in their lives and their perceived world. The two disciples decided to return to Jerusalem to accompany their troubled community, knowing that they were facing definite threats at the same time.

The power of supporting each other with meagre resources

We probably are aware of the Chinese idiom “相濡以沫,” which is about two fish struggling in a drying-up puddle, while trying to keep each other alive and moistened by spitting on each other’s bodies. According to one source, it seemed that the heaven was moved, and rain started pouring down once again, saving the two fish from peril.

When we are faced with a world deeply hurt by self-righteous ideologies and wars with widened ripple effects, or a weakened local economy that is struggling to recover, or some dominant socio-political narratives that do not seem at all hope-yielding, we can still accompany each other with our meagre resources, so that all of us can stay alive while waiting for the rain and salvation to arrive. Never underestimate the power of sharing meagre resources with goodwill and hope.

After all, for those of us, seated in the same boat sailing over a challenging sea, we can have each other to count on, besides the God of life and love. And our faith tells us that God is always with us, blessing us through different people and means, particularly those we least expect. Maybe if we remain open to surprises, then we can stay hopeful. Otherwise, life and the future will be dull and boring if we only allow our envisaged possibilities to come into the picture.

Be the stranger who brings hope

When the disciples looked at the death of their teacher, their initial reactions were great disappointment and possibly anger while feeling cheated. However, when they opened their minds and listened to that seemingly stranger walking with them (Luke 24:15), their hearts warmed up with energy and hope, starting to replace disappointment and resentment that were disturbing them.

Can we be that ‘stranger’ to others, sharing our reasons to remain in hope and our meagre resources with them? How can we provide hope to those suffering under a weak economy or different forms of injustice and marginalisation through our accompaniment, collective efforts, and trust in the power of collaborative goodwill? I believe God will multiply whatever meagre provisions are provided out of goodwill so that more can be fed, like the miracle of feeding the multitude with only two fish and five loaves (Matthew 14:13-21).

May we experience the power of hope at this difficult time through mutual accompaniment, sharing of physical and spiritual resources, and a collective conviction for peace and unconditional dialogue paving the way for eventual healing and recovery! A happy and hope-filled Easter to you all!

+ Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J.

來源：天主教香港教區

2024年李斌生主教復活節文告：復活的主，請教給我們祈禱