神父的話                

「在水面上步行」

有一位在倫敦的神父在數年前製作了一個以「在水面上步行」為名的錄像節目，標題是根據對祈禱的描述所選擇的。

我們大概覺得「在水面上步行」是一個荒謬的主意。正是！但亦有很多人認為祈禱   (不論是私人的，團體的，或是在參與彌撒當中)是沒用和浪費時間。那在祈禱的人亦可能會緊張地問：有沒有人在「那裡」伸手拉住我？

以祈禱跟「在水面上步行」作比較令我們聯想到今天的福音：耶穌在海面步行，伯多祿應耶穌的邀請在水面上步行到祂那裡去。在水上發生的遭遇是伯多祿跟主耶穌之間的事。祈禱就是向耶穌走去，與耶穌同在。但我們向耶穌走去仿如「在水面上步行」：耶穌不是像一個人那樣站在我面前能夠觸摸到或看得見，我只能以無形的信仰步伐靠近祂。

在祈禱中我超越平常對金錢，權力，智慧及計劃的邏輯，我接觸到實在的天主及祂的道路。我或許會跟伯多祿一樣懷疑天主，但我會以我對祂的誠信克服恐懼，有時甚至像伯多祿般用盡氣力大叫：「主，救我啊！」。我可能會拋開雙手使耶穌能握著它們。如果我這樣做，應該體驗到祈禱的大能。這不代表我做事能得心應手，但代表我把自己交托給主耶穌。這樣，就算在疑惑和困難中亦會變得堅固和強壯。

聖言會 Herbert Scholz神父
 

"Walking on Water."

Several years ago in London, a priest produced a video entitled "Walking on water." The title was chosen as a description on prayer.

We would probably consider "walking on water" a crazy idea. Rightly so! But there are many who also consider praying – whether in private, or in a group, or by attending mass – useless and a waste of time. And the person trying to pray might anxiously ask: Is anyone "out there" to hold my hand?

Comparing prayer to "walking on water" we are immediately reminded of today's gospel: Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee, Peter following Jesus' invitation to come to him over the waters. What happens "on the water" is an encounter between Peter and the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer is coming to Jesus, being with Jesus. But we come to Jesus as if "walking on water," for Jesus Christ is not there before me like another person whom I can touch and see. I can reach him only by a leap of faith, as if "walking on water."

In prayer I go beyond the usual logic (the logic of "the world") of money, power, intelligence, and planning. I get in touch with the reality of god and the ways of God. I may doubt as Peter did. I can overcome my doubt through trust, if necessary through crying with all my strength like Peter, "Lord, save me." I may have to throw up my hands so that Jesus can take hold of them. If I do this, I shall experience "the power of prayer." This does not mean that "I get what I want" (the things I ask for), but rather that I am held by Jesus. Thus I become firm and strong, even in the midst of confusion and difficulty.

Rev. Herbert Scholz, SVD