神父的話                

十字架的勝利 愛德征服一切

我們也許說過以下的話：我會為我的兒女，或我的父母，或我的團體，我的教會，我的城市，我的國家等等，做一些事。 當我們相信所作所為是值得的，尤其是為我們所愛的人做的事，我們會不畏困難，埋頭苦幹去完成這份工作。 為此，我們往往會放棄自己的計劃，擺脫自己的夢想，甚至自己最珍愛的事物。 這些行動充分表現出我們為所愛的人作的犧牲。

以上的例子正如今天的福音章節所說：「天主愛了世界，甚至將他的獨生子，賜給他們」。愛德可以使人作出犧牲。愛德亦可以使人放棄心愛的人或事物，顯示出他更喜愛的是什麽。

教會今天慶祝十字架的勝利。十字架象徵天主的愛。它已不是象徵要背負的重擔，也不再象徵痛苦。十字架現在是勝利的標幟，象徵戰勝死亡和罪惡。十字架明確地顯示「愛德征服一切」。

聖言會 Gil Alejandria神父
聖言會   阮德賢  神父   校訂

Triumph of the Cross

Love conquers all

All of us at one time or another have probably said something like: I will do such and such for my children, or for my parents, or my family, or my community, my church, my city, my country, and etc. When we believe that we are doing something worthwhile and especially for the ones we love, we will put our head down and despites all challenges and difficulties we will plough through to accomplish the result. Often times, it also means that we have to leave behind our personal plans, give up our dream and even things we dearly cherish. These actions can be easily seen as sacrifices being done on behalf of the ones we love.

It's not far from what today's readings say: "God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son." Love can move a person to make sacrifices. Love can make a person give up people and things that he also loves, showing in a way what he loves more.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The cross is the symbol of God's love. It has ceased being a sign of heavy burdens that must be carried. It is no longer seen as a symbol of suffering and pain. It is now a sign of triumph, of victory over death and evil. It is a clear illustration that "love conquers all."

Rev. Rev. Gil Alejandria, SVD

(edited by Rev. Nick Hien Nguyen, SVD)