Home昔日真理報2017年 真理報文章2017 年 11 月【特稿】死亡陰影與生命光芒

【特稿】死亡陰影與生命光芒

 

曾與妻子玩笑,設想最佳死法。結果,選擇有二﹕一是被街上的汽車從背後撞死,而靈魂卻在未知所以然時便從撞飛的軀體裡逝去﹔二是在睡夢中被砸死,死神一定要在意識尚未從夢鄉里逃出就將其一下子扼殺在永恆的黑暗之中。這是不必面對死亡的死亡。這假想中的選擇無非顯示了面對死亡比死亡本身更可怕。

可我卻目睹過長長的面對。我的朋友賓克海姆先生在遠未臨到最後一刻時便開始了死亡的歷程,死神在最後打開黑暗王國之門以前就一點一點地奪去他的生命。七十多歲時,賓先生不幸中風。中風之後,他的語言能力竟然隨風而逝。過去幾十年牧師生涯裡刺人心靈的詞鋒滯鈍了,照人靈魂的言光暗淡了。語言竟然率先死去。幾年之後,賓先生的幾塊脊椎骨因壞死而黏連。老傳教士行過中國東部踏遍大半個歐洲的腳不再能夠移動了。輪椅和行走器成了他體外之腳,行走的能力也離他的肉體而去。賓先生有一次在駕車時莫名其妙地休克了。醫生費了一番腦筋,才發現休克是因食用麥類食品所致。由此,他的口舌肚腹只好與任何麥子製成的東西絶緣。(麥類食品在美國人日常飲食中的地位大致相當於大米在中國南方人飯桌上的份量。)加上醫生早已開出的一長列食品禁忌,禁食麥類食品差不多把賓先生全部的品嚐能力都送進了墳墓。語言的能力死去了,行走的能力死去了,品嚐的能力也死去了。死亡滲透進這個無力設防的軀體,在其中佔地築壘,蹂躪了大半壁江山。最後淪陷的日子還能有多遠呢﹖死亡就在眼前,死神的臉就貼在老人的臉上,直視著老人的眼睛。死亡的黑暗像落日時分山背後的陰影,迅速拉長,搜刮著藍天下的最後一點光明之地。

但實際上,老人的生命中卻無絲毫死亡的陰影。賓先生愛笑,笑聲爽朗,極富感染力。那笑聲自然地發自明淨的心底,將周圍的生活陰霾洗淨。那笑聲是豐盛生命的湧躍,生命的活力強勁地推著跳動的生活波濤向遠方漾去。老人對生活裡的每一件事都興趣盎然。如果你見到他那麼專注和認真地欣賞一塊在別人眼中全無滋味的米花餅,你便會知道他從這塊米花餅中領略到的生命美好和生活樂趣,遠比我們從雞鴨魚肉中得到的還多。老人富有活力的生命竟從死神手中奪回了部分語言能力,而他那不可抑制的生命意志又驅使他以這遠非完全的語言能力在八十二歲時學習西方人視為最難語言的中文。

初春,在新英格蘭漫長多雪的冬季之後,賓先生和我在仍鋪滿積雪的院子裡作那年第一次 "散"步。長有六個花瓣的黃色花朵在夾著寒意的春風裡搖曳。在白雪的襯托下,反射著陽光的黃色花朵更透射著暖意和生氣;那是早春在新英格蘭最先開放的花朵。賓先生像是一久別的老友那樣向那些花朵問候,真誠地對它們訴說困鎖了對冬的思念。這是生命面對生命的會面。這早發的花朵未嘗不是感知了老人的憧憬和期盼,才急忙衝破堆積的殘雪來與另一個生命匯合。這是極美的生命對話,在這對話中,一個頑強的生命在向另一個頑強的生命致以崇高的敬意。

相約的 "散"步 從早春持續到盛夏,強烈的陽光從夏雨洗過的天空上直射下來,路邊青草上掛著的雨珠放射著五色的光彩。賓先生忽然以急切的語氣請求我幫一個忙。原來是一條遷居的蚯蚓因路途的艱難而被困在發燙了的水泥馬路上,正與企圖抓住它的死神做最後的掙扎。直到這小小的生命在樹葉的包裹裡被送到充滿生意的青草地,賓先生才嘆道﹕「我們今天總算做了一件事。」惟有真正的生命才會對生命充滿愛意和尊敬。愛只出自生命而走向生命,愛是生命與生命相會的唯一橋樑。

因為回大陸奔喪,我未能和賓先生共度他在這個世界上最後的時光。從生父的葬禮回來,才知賓先生已於前一日離世。一定是因為確信我們相約的散步在另一世界依然有效,老人也就沒有強求此世的最後一面。據賓太太說,老人在最後一刻非常平靜和安詳。在追思禮拜上,賓先生的另一位朋友告訴我,老人在去世前幾個星期曾經打電話給這位朋友,說他快要到天父那裡去了。那位朋友問他何以得知,賓先生回答說,他感到如同孩童在聖誕除夕時的欣喜與期待。

如果死亡是生命無法踰越的屏障,生命就不可避免地被死亡的陰影籠罩。而若生命與永恆相連,從而讓永恆的光亮灑遍生活的每一寸疆域,死亡又怎麼可能在這生命裡投下自己的陰影呢﹖

(作者劉同蘇牧師為今年大多市國語培靈會講員)

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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