显现节一

从东方来

——马太福音二章一节

基督乃是人类的救主，是照亮万民的大光。但最早被召来敬拜圣婴的，竟是东方的智者。是否由于东方古老的文化使他们领受了较多上帝的启示，以至为接待基督作了较多的准备？抑或东方人因其历史上无尽的泪之长河，而对基督更为渴求？我不得而知，只能留待引领智者的那星星自己回答。

但我知道近代历史，东方人确曾被放在苦难的铁砧上经受过一个多世纪的百炼千锤。正因为如此，东方人在朝拜基督时，岂不可能献上更为纯净的精金？出自煎熬与剧痛，东方人岂不早已准备好更为芳香的乳香与没药？

当年的智者早已归回故里，东方人对自己的家园总有一种无限依恋的深情。但，他们并未真地远离马槽；君不见他们仍然俯伏在圣婴之前？

注：显现节，自1月6日起至大斋节前第三主日。

Epiphany 1

Matthew 2:1

From the East

 Christ, the savior of humankind, is the great light which shines upon all peoples. But the very first to be called to worship the holy infant were the wise men from the East. Why them, in particular? Was it that the ancient cultures of the East had received more of God’s revelation and were thus better prepared to accept Christ? Or was it that the East stood in greater need of Christ because of the endless river of tears which is its history? I do not know. Perhaps the answer lies in the star that lit their path.

What I do know is that the East, in its recent history, has been hammered on the anvil of extreme adversity, there forged and tempered for over a hundred years. Precisely because of this, should not the East be able to offer up an even more refined gold when it worships Christ? Out of this pain and agony, should not the East be ready to bring forth even more fragrant frankincense and myrrh?

The wise men have already returned home, because people from East have a deep sense of attachment to their native places. And yet, they haven’t really gone far from the manger. Don’t you see them still, kneeling over the infant?