Home昔日真理報2020年 真理報文章2020 年 11 月【何事得個貧?】誰關心我城

【何事得個貧?】誰關心我城

 

誰關心我城
Kari Bergrud (Manager of Church Relation / Union Gospel Missions)

作為聯合福音教會 (Union Gospel Missions) 轄下部門的一員,我們的異象是盼望看見大溫社區及菲沙河谷一帶的教會及社群能交織如一:一同追求共同裨益 (common good) ,積極回應基督召命,以達致教會及社群的健康成長。透過分享資源讓社群互助、生命共享,切實地推行並成就這異象。當你在閱讀此文時,其實你已成為這個正在展開故事的一頁。


共同禆益 (common good), 此詞是否似曾相識?

對它的認識,我們應看為「達致所有人共同的利益」。就是當我們在與造物主、受造物、及彼此關係中建立生命,當經濟及種族中能產生公義,當貧窮、無家、癖癮不再侵害我們弱勢的鄰舍,當我們「為那城求平安」(耶29:7),「共同禆益」就在我們中間。

最佳之途讓我們能經歷這一切,第一步便是 - 留意關心,讓我們先以城市作為一內圍地圓開始關注。除非我們願意去探索,否則我們是難以理解要關心城市之糾結性。由營運發牌所關注的公共安全、到公園局修剪護理提供的休憇空間、及至為人安排得以定時定點見面的系統,實在有太多方法我們可以去關心我們的城市及當中的人。

但同時,我們卻又會因為太忙、太繁、或其實是不以為然,把許多需要視而不見,把眾多方法投閒置散。當我們走在英泥地上,我們可能已忘記腳觸土地之感及創造之美;當我們駕著車輛,點與點之間人們所創建的商鋪、擺設、社群或許在眼簾下轉瞬即逝;多少時間我們的耳朵是在「耳莢」(ear pod) 的音樂中使我們與週遭的聲音與呼喊隔絕;多少次我們的視覺被五花百門、五光十色的璀燦幻影弄致眼蒙,忽視了那些就在眼前的人?

 

我們怎樣才能關心?

如何能一同關心我城?

有太多方法關心我城,但首要的是 -

我們是否關注?

當你放眼看看此城你看見什麼?

你如何關注、或其實 ...

你是否關心?

 

關心城中吾之角

Karen Giesbrecht (Registered Dietitian, Community Food Coordinator / Union Gospel Missions)

「我們只會關心我們所愛,我們只愛我們所知,我們只會真知我們所歷。」

~ Steven Bouma-Prediger ~

我成長於菲沙河谷一角之鄰近社區,印象中我家後園有一模糊不清的「疆界」概念,這模糊概念讓我能在鄰居後園的樹上攀爬、甚至在他園中摘取樹上果作小吃。我所上的學校就在步行距離內,因此我大部分的朋友都是在這方圓內。我的教會及購置大部份日常所需的商鋪,都是在這一地圓上的一角。

及至我移居溫哥華,這「一角之根」便去而不再。我曾居於五所不同的共住房屋(還未包括 UBC 宿舍),都是租住的,所以多少亦會受屋主不同條件的約制。但因當中與共住人仕在同一空間朝夕相處所建立的友誼,家的感覺還是有的。經過一天的辛勞,能有一安樂窩,與一群人共膳、結交、暢談,對我來說總是窩心的。在這些地方,有家人、有友誼、有大小事情的里程碑與烙印。

然而,在芸芸這些我所愛的人、事、地之中,我失落的卻是一份「落地歸根」的持久性。正因如此,與鄰舍建立關係總不是我的首要,我亦不會於我所處之地有絲毫的歸屬感。

數年一移的「拔根」(uprooting),驅使我及我的朋輩成為「無根人」,亦令我對一些能定居於一處的人既羡且慕。羡慕那些能參與並讓社區發展的人;羨慕那些把自己的後園及社區花園弄得生氣勃勃的人;羨慕那些在家門前放上長椅讓人歇息的人。誠然,這些「極度平凡」("Incredibly ordinary") 卻是正「開始編出一片關懷的織布而展現其可能性」("the starting place for weaving together a fabric of care and for illuminating what's possible", by Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens, and Dwight Friesen, New Parish, 137頁)。

「溫哥華認領集水池計劃」(Vancouver's Adopt a Catch Basin Program) 便是其中一項的「極度平凡」。集水池,根據市府網站形容 -「是常被忽視的街道建設 ... 卻是扮演著清除過多雨水積聚及防止社區出現水浸情況的重要角色」。留意池中物亦能保持食水安全及防止樹葉或沙石直接流進我們的河流溪澗。

雖然作為「無根一族」,但我和我的室友們學習邁出一步,認領了居所街道上的三個集水池,相對於溫哥華市內的 45,000 個集水池,此舉實在是微不足道,但這卻讓我們對身處的環境及世界更敏感而更多關注。我們先能提名辨出我們自己所認領的集水池,繼而認出室友所認領的集水池。當他們搬走後,縱然我們不能再每日相見,我仍能為他們的集水池打理,付出多一點的關心 。

聯合福音教會社區關係組也認領了我們在東喜士定街 601 號大樓附近的四個集水池,定期的作檢測及巡查,特別是在秋季落葉之時。身處溫哥華的讀者們,盼望你們都能參與此計劃,又或許你不是溫哥華居民,亦可到你們身處城市的政府找到這些「極度平凡」的計劃。如想瞭解更多有關市內水利等資料,亦可接觸環保機構 A Rocha Canada。

這些「一件小事」或許未能大大及即時的加強我們對社會的「植根」,但卻能進一步把我們連結於社區,提供及培養空間,讓上帝所渴望的「共同裨益」(common good) 在我們身處之地得以成就。

 

      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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