#AdventWord #Prune #修剪 先知瑪拉基談到上帝的信差是一位「淨化」人的使者，就像是「煉金之人的火」或是「漂布之人的鹼」使他們成為「使上帝愉悅的」人。這位先知的目的在說明，上帝會用力擦淨並精煉人性，因為上帝的統治要造就他的再來。威廉．坦普談到上帝看起來似乎很嚴酷地希望要修剪那些不令人愉悅的，這一切都是因為「愛的緣故。」這份愛「不是濫情地給我們一切想要的；它是一種熱情的渴望要讓我們長成祂的樣子。」 The prophet Malachi speaks of God’s messenger as one who will “purify” the people, like “a refiner’s fire” or “fuller’s soap,” to make them “pleasing to the Lord.” The prophet’s point is that God has a lot of scrubbing and refining of human nature to do as God’s reign makes its advent. William Temple speaks of God’s seemingly harsh desire to prune away that which is not pleasing as done purely for “very love’s sake.” This love is “not a sentimental readiness to give us what we want; it is a passionate yearning to raise us … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 13 ‘Prune 修剪’

#AdventWord #Smooth #平坦 我們想像施洗約翰有一天能夠讓所有創造物享有平等。使道路平坦能讓所有人有機會接觸上帝所賜予的解放生活，這需要移除阻礙我們通往恩典路上的所有障礙物。我們在面對世界的凱薩時是需要堅持的，因為我們的希望存在於已經把道路鋪平的那位，耶穌基督。 We envision with John the Baptist a great day of leveling for all creation. Making the way smooth for all to have access to the liberating life of God requires removing every obstacle we have constructed that blocks the path of grace. We persevere as we face the Caesars of the world for our hope is in the One who has already made the way smooth, Jesus the Christ. Fire escape on the side of Marygate House, Holy Island, Lindisfarne.  Many visitors and pilgrims come to Holy Island today to escape from their everyday lives, even … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 12 ‘Smooth 平坦’

#AdventWord #Rough #粗糙 施洗約翰摘錄以賽亞先知的話，路加福音的作者宣告:「高高低低的道路要改為平坦」為預備神的到來。這個訊息已傳承了許多世代，現在臨到我們，我們被呼召要完成道路平坦的任務。嚴厲的話語，尖銳的碰撞，以及憤恨的習性都是建立和諧關係的挑戰，無論是與人或與神的關係。精練是使道路平坦的必經過程，而我們被呼召做這事，是因著那位以慈愛來精煉我們的神。傳遞下去。 Luke the Gospel writer, quoting John the Baptizer quoting Isaiah the Prophet, proclaims that the “rough ways will be made smooth” in preparation for the coming of God. This message, passed down through the ages, now comes to us and we are called to the task of making smooth. Harsh words, sharp elbows, and uneven temperaments are challenges to harmonious relationships, human and divine. Refinement is the process of making smooth and we are called to this work by the One who lovingly refines us. Pass it on. The local herring industry was at its peak … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 11 ‘Rough 粗糙’

#AdventWord #Go #成長 在復臨節，我們祈禱恩典實行並且「預備救恩的道路…我們以喜悅迎接耶穌基督的來臨。」當我們迎接他時該穿戴什麼呢?巴魯克說:我們應當「穿戴來自上帝正義的袍子。」所以，穿戴上那神奇的外袍，開始去實行吧!預備道路!以喜悅迎接上帝!去實行吧! In Advent, we pray for the grace to go and “prepare the way for our salvation . . . that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ.” What shall we wear when we to to greet him? Why, says Baruch, we should “put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God.” So, put on that wonderful garment and go! Prepare the way! Go! Greet Jesus with joy! Go! With the dissolution of the monasteries and the closure of Lindisfarne Priory in 1537, so the last of the monks left Holy Island.  … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 10 ‘Go 成長’

#AdventWord #Cry #哭泣 復臨節是一個把我們的哭泣轉換成喜悅的時節。年輕的瑪麗亞害怕身為人母的未知。然而，如同瑪麗亞一般，我們有上帝的恩寵，在生命的每個時節，我們的上帝與我們同在並傾聽我們的哭泣。基督再來的日子近了…喜悅的眼淚如同瑪麗亞第一次撫摸新生兒的柔軟髮絮，並當他輕吮著她的乳房時，她因喜悅而哭泣。復臨節是把恐懼轉為喜悅的眼淚。 Advent is a season to turn our cry of fear to joy. A young Mary’s fear for the unknowns of motherhood.  Yet, we, like Mary, have favor with God and in all seasons of life, our Lord is with us to hear our cry.  The coming of the Christ child is soon… joyful tears as Mary first touches wisps of soft newborn hair and cries with love as he tenderly claims her breast.  Advent is the cry of fear turned to joy. The Holy Island of Lindisfarne must have shed many tears over the centuries, cries of fear … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 9 ‘Cry 哭泣’

#AdventWord #Wild #野地 跨越無人居住與荒涼之地，愛的聲音吶喊著。寬恕的宣言橫掃過那些被忽略的人的未耕耘之地，創造出豐盛生命。在被遺棄之地，上帝存在著。在荒野之地，上帝運行祂的工作。我們等待的不是別人，而是這世界的救主，祂滿有力量和真理。我們滿心喜悅地期待著，狂野地拋開一切，狂野地期望著。 Across uninhabited and inhospitable spaces, the voice of love cries out. The proclamation of forgiveness sweeps across the uncultivated terrain of neglected hearts, making way for abundant life. In the abandoned places, God is. In the wilderness, God works. We await no one less than the savior of the world, full of strength and truth. We wait with joy: wild abandon; wild hope. Teasel growing on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, with St. Cuthbert’s Isle in the background Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 8 ‘Wild 野地’

#AdventWord #Alert #儆醒 在復臨節，我們都懷有身孕。如同瑪麗亞一樣，我們都是上帝的新婦。因著她勇敢的例子，我們也要說:「情願照祢的話成就在我身上！」說了這話，我們會看到在我們身上所孕育的事物，我們活著並期待生產的陣痛。我們應當耐心，愉悅並儆醒，因為按照上帝的時間這些就會發生。我們都被稱為上帝的信使，而且在這季節我們要預備好生產生命，光以及上帝的愛。 In Advent, we are all pregnant. Like Mary, we, too, have been wooed by God. And, moved by her courageous example, we also say, “be it unto me according to your word.” And having spoken those words, we observe with wonder the gestation happening within us, we live in expectation of the birth pangs. We must be patient, resilient, and stay alert, for it will happen in God’s time. We are all called to be God bearers and in this season we are being readied to give birth to the life, light, and love of God. … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 7 ‘Alert 儆醒’