神様に仕える人になる-BECOME A FIGURE WHO SERVES GOD IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

 神様に仕える人になる

マタイ23.1-12

皆さん、今日の福音でイエス様は謙遜の霊性について教えておられます。イエス様は「あなたがたのうちでいちばん偉い人は、かえって皆に仕えることになるであろう」と仰いました。「仕える」という謙虚な態度を具体的に示されたのはイエス様です。

今日の箇所では次の2点に要約できます。「言うだけで実行しない」ことと「行いは人に見せるため」ということです。この助言の主な対象は最も傲慢で独善的であったファリサイ派の人々と律法学者に向けられたものでした。ファリサイ派の人々と律法学者達は教えるだけで、その教えのように生きていないことが問題でした。それはあくまでも「人に見せるため」のものだったのです。

彼らが神様とその愛の本当の意味を理解できなかったのだと思います。神様の愛の中に生かされるということは人の評価に執着するという生き方から、神様の栄光を求め、人に仕える歩みへと導かれていくという生き方に変わっていくことです。

「仕える者」「へりくだる者」となられたイエス様の受難の姿が私達の心に迫ってくるとき、私達も、父である神の前での兄弟姉妹として共に生きること、教師であるイエス様の前での弟子としての平等であることを心から喜ぶことができるようになりましょう。

さて、日本は秋真っ盛りで寒くなってきていますが、メルボルンはどんどん暖かく暑くなってきました。私は毎日英語を学んで、人類学の勉強の準備も始めています。時々大変だと思いますが神様の恵みを感じつつ、皆様の祈りのおかげで一歩一歩前に進んでいます。私は司祭として、そして学生として、「神様に仕える者」として、日々過ごしています。皆さんも毎日お忙しいとおもいますが、今週も皆様お元気でお過ごしください。

主の平和

BECOME A FIGURE WHO SERVES GOD IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

 

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ. In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the spirituality of humility. In my opinion, the spirituality of humility is one aspect of the virtue of being a disciple of Jesus. At that time, Jesus said to the crowd, "The greatest among you will serve everyone." Jesus specifically demonstrated this humble attitude in the context of service.

If we reflect deeper, Jesus in today's Gospel criticized the attitude and actions of the crowd because they did the following two things. Firstly, they merely said but did not do what they said. In addition, "Even if they do, whatever they do is just an occasion to show others what they are doing.

The main targets of this exhortation were the Pharisees and scribes, who were the most arrogant and self-righteous. The problem was that the Pharisees and scribes taught but did not live up to their teachings. Perhaps they were unable to truly understand God and His love in their lives. In fact, living in God's love means changing from a way of life based on the judgement of others to a life that seeks God's will and is directed towards a path of service to others.

With the guidance of the light of today's gospel, let us learn to be a humble person. We should learn to be a humble person from the context of Jesus' life "who became a servant and a humble figure", who was willing to serve and redeem us from sin.

Remember that being a humble person will never hurt our dignity. In fact, experience has proven that humble people are highly respected and honoured. This does not mean that we should act falsely as if we are humble in order to be praised by others. Humility is an attitude of genuine faith.

By the way, it is mid-autumn in Japan and the weather is getting colder, but Melbourne is getting warmer and hotter. I am also in the process of studying in Melbourne. I know it's hard sometimes, but I feel God's grace. Moreover, through your prayers and support I am moving forward step by step. I spend my days as a priest, a student, and a person who serves God and others. I know everyone is busy every day, but I hope you all stay well this week too.

PEACE BE WITH YOU