即将来临的新年,我们要展望未来,问问自己:“接下来一年,我们盼望些什么?我们的梦想和愿望是什么?我们将如何渡过这一年?我们能改变世界吗?我们会成功吗?”
有些人在期待毕业。有些人在盼望升职。还有的人在祈盼疾病痊愈。有很多人都在盼望着生活有一个新的开始。所有人都在盼望着来年顺利。
无论我们的新年愿望是什么,让我们花点时间扪心自问:“我们能为孤苦无助的人做点什么?”我们当怎样效法主去帮助那些被抛弃的,需要帮助的、需要鼓励和新起点的人?主说,凡是为这些人所作的,都是为祂而作,我们会认真对待祂的话吗?
我认识的一些人,会给长期住在破旧汽车旅馆的人带去一顿温暖的饭菜。有些人积极参与监狱事工。还有些人每天为那些孤独无助的人祷告,或者慷慨地分享他们的物资。
我夹在圣经里的书签上写道:“成功与你在生活中获得什么或为自己成就什么无关。重要的是你为别人做了什么!”这正是耶稣的教导。
主耶稣,求你使我们充满怜悯,怜悯那些在世人眼中被看为卑微的人。打开我们的眼睛,看见周围人群的需要。阿们。
马太福音 25:31-46
31“当人子在他荣耀里同着众天使降临的时候,要坐在他荣耀的宝座上。
32万民都要聚集在他面前,他要把他们分别出来,好像牧羊的分别绵羊山羊一般:
33把绵羊安置在右边,山羊在左边。
34于是,王要向那右边的说:‘你们这蒙我父赐福的,可来承受那创世以来为你们所预备的国。
35因为我饿了,你们给我吃;渴了,你们给我喝;我做客旅,你们留我住;
36我赤身露体,你们给我穿;我病了,你们看顾我;我在监里,你们来看我。’
37义人就回答说:‘主啊,我们什么时候见你饿了给你吃,渴了给你喝?
38什么时候见你做客旅留你住,或是赤身露体给你穿?
39又什么时候见你病了或是在监里,来看你呢?’
40王要回答说:‘我实在告诉你们:这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上,就是做在我身上了。’
41王又要向那左边的说:‘你们这被咒诅的人,离开我,进入那为魔鬼和他的使者所预备的永火里去!
42因为我饿了,你们不给我吃;渴了,你们不给我喝;
43我做客旅,你们不留我住;我赤身露体,你们不给我穿;我病了,我在监里,你们不来看顾我。’
44他们也要回答说:‘主啊,我们什么时候见你饿了,或渴了,或做客旅,或赤身露体,或病了,或在监里,不伺候你呢?’
45王要回答说:‘我实在告诉你们:这些事你们既不做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上,就是不做在我身上了。’
46这些人要往永刑里去,那些义人要往永生里去。”
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" - Matthew 25:40
The coming of a new year is a time to look ahead and ask ourselves, “What are we hoping for in the coming year? What are our dreams and aspirations? What will we do with our lives? Will we make a difference in this world? Will we be successful?”
Some are hoping to graduate this year. Others are looking for a promotion. Still others are hoping for healing. Many are hoping to make a new start in life. And all of us are hoping for a good year ahead.
Whatever our hopes or resolutions may be for the new year, let’s take a few moments to ask ourselves, “What will we do for people who are down and out?” How do we plan to imitate our Lord in reaching out to people who are outcasts, who need help, encouragement, and a new start? Will we take the words of our Savior seriously as he tells us that anything we do for people such as these, we are doing for him?
Some people I know bring a warm meal to long-term residents in a rundown motel. Others are active in prison ministry. Others pray daily for people who are alone and in need, and still others generously share their resources.
A bookmark in my Bible says, “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others!” And that is what Jesus teaches.
Lord Jesus, fill us with compassion for people who are least in the eyes of this world. Open our eyes to the needs of the people around us. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳