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各位教友 : 今年的澳洲國慶日剛好亦是中國農曆年初一，可謂雙喜臨門，那天看見你們中有不少人都來參與早上的感恩祭，我很是開心。 閱報看到有不少報道談論著該如何渡過澳洲的國慶，我雖對澳洲認識不深，但仍覺得她確是一個致力提倡平等機會，以及努力不懈地維護多元民族、多元文化的國家，在我以往的傳教生活中，曾接觸及推介不同的傳統文化活動，在澳洲短暫的日子裡，我深切領悟到箇中的真諦。 曾聽人說過：移民生活很易令人失去其本身獨特的文化傳統，這話倒令我珍惜起我的墨西哥背景以及其他不同民族的傳統文化來了，尤其是看見你們在慶祝中國農曆新年時，我真切地體驗到你們內心的那份喜悅！ 這兒與你分享梵二大公會議中的《教會傳教工作法令》第11所述：「為使基督信徒能夠有效地提供基督的見證，他們應該以謙敬仁愛和別人聯合在一起，應該承認自己是共同相處的人群的一份子，應該藉著人類生活的各種事業與關係，參加文化與社會活動；應該熟悉地方的風俗及宗教傳統，應該以欣然起敬的態度，去發掘蘊藏在這些事物中的聖道的種子；同時要密切注意各民族的深刻變化，努力使我們這一代的人，不要過份注意現代的科學與技術，而遠離天主的事務，反而要喚起人們渴望天主所啟示的真理。基督曾經洞察人心，並曾以真正人性的交談引人走入天主的光輝；同樣地，基督的弟子們，充盈基督的聖神，也要認識與他們共同相處的人們，要和這些人互相往來，好能藉著坦誠耐心的交談，使這些人知道寬宏的天主分施給萬民何等的財富；同時，信友們又要在福音的光照下努力闡揚這些財富，排除障礙，而歸納於天主救世的領域內。」 這段文字精確地告訴了我們「道成人身」的奧跡，基督既是道路、真理、生命，我們透過祂而認識了天主，固此節日的慶祝已非單純的風俗文化的慶祝活動，而是進階到慶祝那「聖道的種子」，它由賦與我們生命的天主，在起初就播種及植根於具不同傳統文化的人世間。願我們都能無分彊界、無分種族、無分文化背景，真正活出耶穌交託給我們的福傳使命！ 祝澳洲國慶及中國農曆新年快樂！ 莫靖龍神父 (此乃莫神父致教友書信之意譯，書信內容以英文為準。) |
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Hello Everybody: Last week was an interesting one; we had Australia Day and the first day of the Chinese New Year falling on the same day. It was good to see many of you coming for Mass in the morning! Reading in the Newspapers, I noticed that there are lots of opinions regarding the celebration of Australia Day, I recognize my ignorance on many parts of the history of this country, so for me, I celebrate Australia for what it is today, a Country who tries really hard to create a multicultural society and also trying to live together as equals and within a just and safe environment. In my missionary life, I have come to understand that I should embrace the culture and find ways to promote what is good in every culture and, in my short staying in this land, and what I mentioned before, is the main thing Australia has brought into my life. Someone once defined to me in simple terms that culture is “that thing” that you realize is missing once you live in another country. This definition even when it is so simple has helped me in my life to value my own Mexican culture but also to appreciate other cultures. As we celebrate also the beginning of Chinese New Year, I totally understand the happiness that other ethnic groups, like the Chinese in this case, experience when they celebrate this important festival according to their own culture. A basic document for every missionary is the decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church (Ad Gentes) in the documents of the Second Vatican Council. I want to quote completely what number eleven of that document teaches about this theme: In order that they may be able to bear more fruitful witness to Christ, let them be joined to those men by esteem and love; let them acknowledge themselves to be members of the group of men among whom they live; let them share in cultural and social life by the various undertakings and enterprises of human living; let them be familiar with their national and religious traditions; let them gladly and reverently lay bare the seeds of the Word which lie hidden among their fellows. At the same time, however, let them look to the profound changes which are taking place among nations, and let them exert themselves to keep modern man, intent as he is on the science and technology of today's world from becoming a stranger to things divine; rather, let them awaken in him a yearning for that truth and charity which God has revealed. Even as Christ Himself searched the hearts of men, and led them to divine light, so also His disciples, profoundly penetrated by the Spirit of Christ, should show the people among whom they live, and should converse with them, that they themselves may learn by sincere and patient dialogue what treasures a generous God has distributed among the nations of the earth. But at the same time, let them try to furbish these treasures, set them free, and bring them under the dominion of God their Saviour. I find in this little passage the secret of the Incarnation. Jesus became one of us so he could show us the way to the Father in Heaven. He is the way, the life and the truth. So it is not only a matter of celebration just for the sake of it, but a celebration of the “seeds of the verb” that God has placed in every culture and that in a way show his presence in every culture of the world. May our celebrations be filled with the missionary spirit of Christ, who invites us always to find better ways to bring us to the knowledge of the “one great God of truth who gives us life.” Happy Australia Day and Happy Chinese New Year to all! Peace in Jesus Fernando Montano MG |