2006-05-04 21:22:28Jacky
鵜鶘的傳奇
讀 經：使徒行傳20：17-27
金 句：「我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程」（使徒行傳20：24）
全年讀經：詩篇70-72篇
當我第一次得知在宗教藝術裡，鵜鶘一直是自我犧牲的一個像征，這曾使我感到驚訝。多年來，我沿著佛羅裡達州西海岸一帶釣魚，親眼觀察這種奇怪的鳥兒，我感覺到它們比較像懶惰的遊客，而不像自相矛盾的聖者。在那奇怪的眼神之下隱藏著貪婪的心，在那裡垂涎我所釣上的每一條魚。有時，它們甚至在我還沒收釣線以前，試圖攔截一條我所釣到的魚。
事實上，它們並不是以它的行為而變成了自我犧牲的像征。把它和自我犧牲聯繫在一起是因為它那紅色的尖嘴。根據傳說，當母鵜鶘找不到食物喂養它的小鵜鶘時，它便用紅尖嘴刺入自己的胸，用自己血來喂養小鳥。早期的教會視此為基督為我們犧牲的像征，也期許我們能這樣做。保羅在向以弗所教會的信徒告別時，即表現出這種自我犧牲的態度。
由於我們的原罪，我們的性格特徵是貪婪，而不是自我犧牲；但那是可以改變的。透過對耶穌的信，我們被饒恕了，而且我們的心也轉變了。因此當我們依靠居住在我們內心的聖靈，我們便可以實踐自我犧牲的愛。MRD II
即使自然界的一切全屬於我
那實在也僅是極小的一件禮物
奇妙、聖潔的愛
值得我的靈、我的生命、全部的我。Watts
沒有什麼比獻上自己更能討神喜悅
金 句：「我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程」（使徒行傳20：24）
全年讀經：詩篇70-72篇
當我第一次得知在宗教藝術裡，鵜鶘一直是自我犧牲的一個像征，這曾使我感到驚訝。多年來，我沿著佛羅裡達州西海岸一帶釣魚，親眼觀察這種奇怪的鳥兒，我感覺到它們比較像懶惰的遊客，而不像自相矛盾的聖者。在那奇怪的眼神之下隱藏著貪婪的心，在那裡垂涎我所釣上的每一條魚。有時，它們甚至在我還沒收釣線以前，試圖攔截一條我所釣到的魚。
事實上，它們並不是以它的行為而變成了自我犧牲的像征。把它和自我犧牲聯繫在一起是因為它那紅色的尖嘴。根據傳說，當母鵜鶘找不到食物喂養它的小鵜鶘時，它便用紅尖嘴刺入自己的胸，用自己血來喂養小鳥。早期的教會視此為基督為我們犧牲的像征，也期許我們能這樣做。保羅在向以弗所教會的信徒告別時，即表現出這種自我犧牲的態度。
由於我們的原罪，我們的性格特徵是貪婪，而不是自我犧牲；但那是可以改變的。透過對耶穌的信，我們被饒恕了，而且我們的心也轉變了。因此當我們依靠居住在我們內心的聖靈，我們便可以實踐自我犧牲的愛。MRD II
即使自然界的一切全屬於我
那實在也僅是極小的一件禮物
奇妙、聖潔的愛
值得我的靈、我的生命、全部的我。Watts
沒有什麼比獻上自己更能討神喜悅
The Legend Of The Pelican
Read: Acts 20:17-27
None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy. --Acts 20:24
I was surprised to learn that in religious art the pelican has long been a symbol of self-sacrifice. Having observed these strange birds firsthand while fishing along the west coast of Florida, I felt that they were more like lazy freeloaders than self-denying saints. With pitiful stares that masked hearts full of envy, they would sit and lust after every fish I caught. Once in a while they would even try to intercept one before I could reel it in.
Their behavior, however, is not why they symbolize self-sacrifice. The association is made because of their red-tipped beak. According to legend, when a mother pelican cannot find food for her young, she thrusts her beak into her breast and nourishes her little ones with her own blood. The early church saw in this story a beautiful picture of what Christ did for us and what we in turn should do for one another. The apostle Paul reflected this self-giving attitude as he made his farewell speech to the Ephesian believers (Acts 20:24).
Because of our sinful nature, we are characterized more by greed than by self-sacrifice. But that can change. Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven and our hearts are transformed. Then, as we depend on God's Spirit who lives within us, we will practice the art of self-sacrificing love. --MRDII
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. --Watts
Nothing is more pleasing to God than self-sacrifice.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
What Does It Take To Follow Christ?
What Is Real Love?
Read: Acts 20:17-27
None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy. --Acts 20:24
I was surprised to learn that in religious art the pelican has long been a symbol of self-sacrifice. Having observed these strange birds firsthand while fishing along the west coast of Florida, I felt that they were more like lazy freeloaders than self-denying saints. With pitiful stares that masked hearts full of envy, they would sit and lust after every fish I caught. Once in a while they would even try to intercept one before I could reel it in.
Their behavior, however, is not why they symbolize self-sacrifice. The association is made because of their red-tipped beak. According to legend, when a mother pelican cannot find food for her young, she thrusts her beak into her breast and nourishes her little ones with her own blood. The early church saw in this story a beautiful picture of what Christ did for us and what we in turn should do for one another. The apostle Paul reflected this self-giving attitude as he made his farewell speech to the Ephesian believers (Acts 20:24).
Because of our sinful nature, we are characterized more by greed than by self-sacrifice. But that can change. Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven and our hearts are transformed. Then, as we depend on God's Spirit who lives within us, we will practice the art of self-sacrificing love. --MRDII
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. --Watts
Nothing is more pleasing to God than self-sacrifice.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
What Does It Take To Follow Christ?
What Is Real Love?