基督徒

靜修之道 二之一 認識軟弱

節錄 靜修之道 第二章 認識軟弱

聖教父異口同聲地說：「第一要事，謹記在心，不要妄想，倚靠自己。」           

你將經歷的征戰異常艱難，即使集中所有人性力量也無以為繼。

倚靠自己，你會立刻仆倒在地，無意再戰。

惟有神能賜予你渴望的勝利。

決定不再倚靠自己，對眾人來說，起初都是巨大阻礙。

但你必須克服，否則寸步難行。

人若相信自己無所不知無所不能，如何接受忠告、指引和援助？

光線無法穿透自滿之牆。

先知以賽亞呼喊：「禍哉！那些自以為有智慧，自看為通達的人。」(賽5：21)；

使徒保羅發出警告：「不要自以為聰明」(羅12：16)；

天國「向嬰孩就顯出來」，「向聰明通達人」，就藏起來 (太11：25)。

Chapter Two: ON THE INSUFFICIENCY OF HUMAN STRENGTH

THE holy Fathers say with one voice: The first thing to keep in mind is never in any respect to rely on yourself. The warfare that now lies before you is extraordinarily hard, and your own human powers are altogether insufficient to carry it on. If you rely on them you will immediately be felled to the ground and have no desire to continue the battle. Only God can give you the victory you wish.

This decision not to rely on self is for most people a severe obstacle at the very outset. It must be overcome, otherwise we have no prospect of going further. For how can a human being receive advice, instruction and help if he believes that he knows and can do everything and needs no directions? Through such a wall of self-satisfaction no gleam of light can penetrate. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight, cries the prophet Isaiah (5:21), and the apostle St. Paul utters the warning: Be not wise in your own conceits (Romans 12:16). The kingdom of heaven has been revealed unto babes, but remains hidden from the wise and prudent (Matthew 11:25).