天國到底好不好？

常年期第十七主日

列王紀上　3:5, 7-12

羅馬人書　8:28-30

瑪竇福音　13:44-46

那時候，耶穌對群眾說：「天國好像藏在地裡的寶貝；人找到了，就把它藏起來，高興地去賣掉他所有的一切，買了那塊地。「天國好像一個尋找完美珍珠的商人；他一找到一顆寶貴的珍珠，就去賣掉他所有的一切，買了那顆珍珠。」

++++++++++++

天國到底好不好？

（文/王安當）

若天國真的很好，那麼你會在那裡找到天國呢？天國到底在哪裡？天國又是怎樣的呢？

當我們要講解天國的時候，不妨先講一講地獄的狀況。

一般上，我們受到聖經在字面上影響，認為地獄是一個火坑，火坑裡燃燒著許多的靈魂，而這些被火焚燒的靈魂，他們生前拒絕相信天主是真、善、美、聖的真神。這些靈魂挑戰著天主的真實存在，他們很多時候假裝沒看見天主，甚至故意拒絕天主的真、善、美、聖。他們把自己看得比天主還有其他人還要重要。所以，為了追求自己的慾望，他們抹殺了他人的尊嚴、傷害了他人的生命和財產，甚至他們嚴重違反了天主十誡，故意與天主對立。這些靈魂最後的結局是放棄了天國，選擇了永久不配享有天主的祝福。所以，地獄就是永遠無法見到天主的境遇；地獄裡都是永遠的絕望和痛苦哀嚎的狀態，沒有安慰、沒有喜悅、沒有平安，沒有安全。

了解了地獄後，現在我們來說一說天國。

天國與地獄的關係是完全相反的。我們首先從耶穌的身上了解到天國是一個有安慰、有平安、有真正自由的狀態。耶穌的到來就是為了安慰被他人捨棄的人，例如耶穌復活死人、安慰受苦的人、治愈瞎子、治愈聾子、驅魔等等。天國就是一種安慰與平安的境遇。人一旦與耶穌完全在一起的時候，他們就真正明白自己並不孤獨，也知道他們一直以來都有天主的祝福。因此，進入天國的意思，也就是與天主建立一個親密的關係，並在生活中信靠天主，也按著福音的教導去活出如同耶穌那樣的生活。

兄弟姐妹們，進入天國不是一個概念，而是信仰的行動。若我們聽到了福音，但我們的心依然掛念世俗的追求，那麼我們就會失去進入天國的機會。耶穌曾說『手扶著犁往後看的人不適合天主的國』。所以，不是所有的基督徒領洗以後必能進入天國，而是那些聽了天主的話，而且從心里相信天主的人，並在生活中努力見證信仰的人，他們將來會在天國里與天主永遠在一起。

那麼，只要我們按著福音的教導去生活，天國就在我們的中間了。若不按福音的教導去生活，那麼我們距離地獄的大門就不會很遠了。

那麼，你想去天國還是地獄呢？選擇權就在你的手裡。

---

"Heaven: Is it truly good or not? If Heaven is indeed a place of goodness, then where can it be found? What is its location, and what is it like? Before we delve into the concept of Heaven, let's begin by discussing the state of Hell.

Commonly influenced by a literal interpretation of the Bible, we believe that Hell is depicted as a fiery pit where numerous souls suffer. These souls, during their earthly lives, chose not to believe in God, who embodies truth, goodness, beauty, and holiness. They questioned the existence of God, often pretending not to acknowledge Him or intentionally rejecting His truth, goodness, beauty, and holiness. They elevated themselves above God and others, pursuing their desires at the expense of others' dignity and even causing harm to lives and property. Their actions gravely violated God's commandments and intentionally opposed Him. Consequently, the ultimate fate of these souls is to reject Heaven and willingly remain separated from God's blessings. Thus, Hell becomes a state where one can never experience God's presence, leading to eternal despair, pain, and lamentation, devoid of comfort, joy, peace, or safety.

Now that we've explored Hell, let's turn our attention to Heaven. The relationship between Heaven and Hell stands in complete contrast. Firstly, we can understand that Heaven is a state of comfort, peace, and true freedom through Jesus. His coming was to console those abandoned by others, performing miracles such as raising the dead, comforting the suffering, healing the blind and deaf, and casting out demons. In essence, Heaven is a place of profound comfort and peace. When a person becomes wholly united with Jesus, they come to truly realize that they are never alone and have always been blessed by God. Thus, entering Heaven implies establishing an intimate relationship with God, placing trust in Him in our daily lives, and living in accordance with the teachings of the Gospel, following the example of Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, entering Heaven is not merely a concept; it requires actions based on faith. If we hear the Gospel but still hold on to worldly pursuits in our hearts, we may jeopardize the opportunity to enter Heaven. Jesus once said, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.' Therefore, not all baptized Christians will necessarily enter Heaven, but those who earnestly listen to God's word, wholeheartedly believe in Him, and strive to witness their faith in their lives will be with God in Heaven for eternity.

Hence, as long as we live in accordance with the teachings of the Gospel, Heaven is among us. Conversely, if we choose not to live according to the Gospel, the gates of Hell will not be far from us.

So, do you aspire to go to Heaven or Hell? The choice is in your hands."

（Written by Fr. Anthony Heng,CDD）