《今日靈修默想》:門徒問耶穌說:「拉比,這人生下來是瞎眼的,是誰犯了罪?是這人呢?是他父母呢?」耶穌回答說:「也不是這人犯了罪,也不是他父母犯了罪,是要在他身上顯出神的作為來。趁著白日我們必須做那差我來者的工,黑夜將到,就沒有人能做工了。我在世上的時候,是世上的光。」(約9:2-5)

默想一:這世上的苦難究竟是怎麼一回事?有太多的「為什麼?」許多人用犯罪與受苦來解釋因果關係,但耶穌不認為這些不幸總是罪所導致的結果。其實,人類自犯罪墮落後,這苦難就無法解釋清楚。只有信靠這位「世界之光」的耶穌,我們才能在黑暗的世界找到苦難的意義。

默想二:神為什麼允許苦難發生?就是為要彰顯神的榮耀。人的受苦、憂傷、失望經常是顯明神恩典的機會。耶穌讓我們經歷苦難不僅是更認識祂,還要幫助苦難中的人,而不是討論苦難是什麼。

禱告:天父上帝,感謝祢所賜的盼望。在苦難的世界裡有很多事我不明白。但祢應許「在世上你們有苦難,但你們可以放心,我已經勝了世界。」(約16:33)求祢加增我信心,讓我在苦難中見證祢的榮耀。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告,阿們。

《Today’s spiritual meditation》: “His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” (John 9: 2-5)

Meditation one: What is the suffering in this world? There are too many “whys?” Many people use corruptions  and suffering to explain causal relationships, but Jesus does not think that these misfortunes are always the consequence of sin. In fact, since the falling of human beings due to sin, it has not been possible to explain the reason of suffering. Only by trusting in Jesus, who is the “light of the world”, can we then find the meaning of suffering in this dark world.

Meditation two: Why does God allow suffering to exist? It is to manifest the glory of God. Human suffering, grief and frustration are often the chance to reveal the grace of God. Jesus let us suffer not only to make us know Him more, but also to help those who are suffering, not to debate what is suffering.

Prayer: God our heavenly Father, thank You for the hope You give to me. There are many things I do not understand in this suffering world. But you promise that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Please increase my faith. Through my suffering, let me witness Your glory. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

English