#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’

#AdventWord # Sprout #發芽 這是一個期待的時節，就像我們經歷過的那些好奇及奇妙的時刻；好比我們期待秧苗開始發芽，希望他們能生根。我們被呼召要忠實的撒下種籽，這些種籽在必來的那日子會生根並發芽。去探究去觀看那些希望的嫩枝並留神那些今日發生的奇妙事。願發生在你身上的奇妙事能激勵你持續撒種。 This is a time of expectancy, much like the moments of curiosity and wonder we experience while we anticipate the sprouting of seedlings, hoping that they will take root. We are called to faithfully sow seeds that will take root and sprout in the promised days that are surely coming. So be curious and watch for those sprouts of hope and be alert to the wonders that abound today. May your marvelment inspire you to keep on sowing. One of Holy Island’s many dry stone walls.  The picture says it all. Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 6, ‘Sprout 發芽’

#AdventWord #Light #亮光 耶穌，上帝給人類的禮物，是基督再來的真光。祂是「世上的光」，戰勝靈性的黑暗，讓每個相信祂的人都成為光之子，透過體貼的話及善良的行為，在黑暗的世上如星星一般閃耀。 Jesus, God’s gift to humanity, is the true light of Advent. He is the “light of the world” and conquers spiritual darkness so that those who believe in him may be children of light, shining as stars in the dark world through loving words and kind acts. St. Mary’s Church on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, built sometime before 1145, is believed to be built on the site of St. Aidan’s first wooden church. With many changes through the ages, and after major renovation in 1860, it is still in use as the parish church. Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 5 ‘Light 亮光’

#AdventWord #Night #夜晚 在黑暗時，靈魂難以尋覓一個安穩之處。看起來似乎淒涼，但並不一定孤單。早在你遭遇少數(或許多)困頓的夜晚前，詩篇就預見我們現今的經歷:「我每夜流淚，濕透床榻。」不要背離在夜晚遭遇的困頓，而要讓基督的光照耀，再次驅走黑暗。 Nighttime of the soul is not an easy place to find oneself. It can seem desolate, but it need not be lonely. Long ago, before you encountered your few (or many) difficult nights, the Psalmist predicted this modern experience: “every night I drench my bed with tears.” So, do not turn away from the truth encountered at night. But make space for the light of Christ to dispel the darkness once again. In 651, on the night that Aidan died, Cuthbert heard God’s call as he tended sheep in the hills.  He became a monk at … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 4 ‘Night 夜晚’

#AdventWord #Focus #專注 專注是需要學習的，在我們高度數位化的時代中，專注變得更難。讓我們一起進入基督再來的這個季節，專注於耶穌的話語，形象以及承諾。當祂再顯現時，這一切會告訴我們:「那日子必將再來。」當我們專注定睛於耶穌時，「生活中的憂慮」必將被神的國度所代替。 Focus is a learned practice, made more difficult in our hyper-connected digital age. Let us enter this season of Advent with a commitment to focus on the words, images, and promises of Jesus. They will tell us “the days are surely coming” when He will appear. With our focus on Jesus, the “worries of this life” will be replaced by the Kingdom of God. In AD 634, at the request of King Oswald, the monks of Iona sent Aidan to bring the knowledge of Christ to Northumbria. Aidan asked to settle on the island of Lindisfarne, … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 3 ‘Focus 專注’