We were at the Nilai Memorial Park this morning at about 6:30 am to pay respect to my departed parents and 2nd brother. Their ashes were interred at the columbarium there.
Usually my second sister in law ( a Taoist) would prepare food offerings and paper money of silver and gold. This year I noticed a bag of soft drinks were added - Coke, Miranda, Milo, 100 Plus, Chinese tea ....
How do I reconcile the fact that my parents and brothers are non-Christian ....I am a Catholic, are we apart and cut off after death? Any use of us paying respect and praying for them?
I believed my non-baptised parents and siblings are creation of God too and as precious as any one else to God. All will be going back to God when the lives on earth ended. As Catholics, we would be judged according to Matthew 25:40:"..."In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." And non-Christians would be judged by their faith and conscience.
Jesus said:" When I am lifted up, I shall draw all people to me.." (John 12:32)
the late Fr. Leo Chang used to share with me:" mankind enter Kingdom of God in many ways... through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever..."
Non-baptised would enter the Kingdom through Christ,
baptised Christian would enter the Kingdom with Christ,
we have eaten the body and drunk the blood of Christ would enter the Kingdom in Christ!
We are constantly in communion through thoughts and prayers and will meet again in the Kingdom of God.
So, drink to the Kingdom of God...Coke? Milo?
(Above view does not represent the view of the Church)
今早六时半，我们就到达汝来孝恩园骨灰塔，为我的父母及二哥灵位扫墓。
通常都是我到教徒的二嫂负责拜祭的食物及金银纸钱。今年我发现多了一袋饮料 - 可口可乐，美禄，橙汁，100Plus, 茶叶等。
我的父母，兄弟都不是教徒，而我作为一位天主教徒，如何能够调整这个信仰上的差异及不同观点呢？是不是我的父母，兄弟离开这个世界后，我们就分开，关系断绝？你走你的阳关道，我走我的独木桥？思念，祷告都变得徒劳无功？
我相信我的父母，兄弟都是天主的受造物，如同其他的人一般的珍贵。我们全部在离开这个世界后，都会归向天主，只是我们作为基督徒，将会依据福音 玛25：40 所说的受到审判：“我实在告诉你们：凡对我这些小兄弟中的一个所作的，就是对我做的。。。”，而他们则依据他们的信仰及良心，接受审判。
耶稣说：“当我从地上被举起来时，便要吸引众人来归向我。”（若12：31）
已故张学礼神父常和我分享，世人都是天主的子女，终都会归回天主，殊途同归。。。弥撒中的全能的天主圣父，一切崇敬和荣耀，藉着基督，偕同基督，在基督内，并联合圣神，都归于你，直到永远，道出了这个道理。。。”
非基督徒，藉着基督，进入天国，
基督徒，偕同基督，进入天国，
我们吃了基督的圣体，喝了基督的圣血，在基督内，进入天国。
我相信诸圣相通。我们常常在想念，祷告中，相通联系，最终一天，在天国里相聚。
为天国而饮！要可乐？美禄？
（以上不代表教会观点或教导）
2 comments:
「非基督徒，藉着基督，进入天国，
基督徒，偕同基督，进入天国，
我们吃了基督的圣体，喝了基督的圣血，在基督内，进入天国。」
非常同意你这个人（不是教会）的观点。我一直认为只要做个堂堂正正的人，即使不是教友，死后也能进入天国，就如耶稣出生前的先贤们，但这好像和我们的教义有点冲突。
是的，我们都要回到创造者那里去。。。。世界上还有亿万的人不认识耶稣，他们不会都去地狱或白活人生罢。。？！
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