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二○二○年二月二十二日/二月二十三日                                                                                  Click here for English version

疫情中彼此關顧、彼此牧養

羅惠芬牧師

緊張的疫情不斷升溫,迫使市民作出囤積物資的搶購行動,以致多種生活必需品同時出現缺貨的情況,其中包括生活中不可或缺的廁紙。上兩週碰到一位北宣姊妹,當時大家都口罩蒙面,加上當天是下著雨的寒冷早上,所以彼此本該是擦身而過而不為意的,但因為我和她十分相熟,所以四目相望之後就認出對方來。而我就即時生了疑問,她居住沙田,怎麼大清早在港島出現?她指著身旁的手推車說,她是把廁紙帶過來送給一位北宣長者,這長者家裡的廁紙已經用光,她盡了一切辦法也再買不到。姊妹知道後,不惜路途遙遠,身體力行的作出關愛行動。

疫情當然也影響了北宣家的日常運作,所有聚會和活動都因支持全城抗疫而暫停。但今次的疫症卻同樣激發了弟兄姊妹的愛心,大家都很努力地以不同方式,維持團契相交生活,繼續彼此關顧、彼此牧養。大家一起學習運用手機或電腦會議軟件,以進行視像小組、團契、查經聚會等。與此同時,也有執事、牧顧長、導師及團友透過電話去關心那些不擅於操作電子媒介的長者,同樣把他們在這期間連結起來。

保羅在羅馬書八 35、37 說:「誰能使我們與基督的愛隔絕呢?難道是患難嗎?是困苦嗎?是逼迫嗎?是飢餓嗎?是赤身露體嗎?是危險嗎?是刀劍嗎?……然而,靠著愛我們的主,在這一切的事上已經得勝有餘了。」保羅指出,在基督的愛裡,我們可以克勝各樣的攔阻。疫情確實攔阻了我們走在一起,但卻不能攔阻我們在基督愛裡的結連。誠然,通訊科技能夠幫助人克服距離的障礙,但令人產生彼此關懷意願的,卻不是現今的發達科技。今次網上崇拜、團契、會議等聚會所運用的通訊科技,雖然展現了其效能作用,但這些科技更重要的價值,卻是呈現了存在於我們當中的寶貴力量——弟兄姊妹在背後對北宣家的同心支持和愛護。

我曾聽到有人說:「沒有團契返,就當放假啦!」但在愛裡的關係是沒有假期的。感謝神保守北宣家的弟兄姊妹結連在基督的愛裡,在這期間透過空氣電波繼續一起同心敬拜神,在靈裡彼此團契關懷。相信弟兄姊妹在互相關愛中,在愛的溫暖和力量裡,必能夠帶著喜樂和盼望克服今次的疫戰。




Pastor's Sharing
Shepherding and Loving One Another during the Epidemic
Rev Law Wai Fun

As people stock up amid the increasing severity of the epidemic, there is shortage in some daily necessities, including toilet paper. Two weeks ago in a cold, wet morning, I came across a sister from NPAC. We were both masked, but we know each other so well that we immediately recognized each other. "What brings you here all the way from Shatin to Hong Kong Island so early in the morning?" I asked. She pointed to the toilet rolls in her shopping trolley and said she came to deliver them to an elderly member of our church. The toilet paper stock of the elderly had run out and the item was nowhere to be found. That brought our sister all the way from Shatin in an act of love.

The epidemic has affected the usual church operation. All meetings and activities are suspended in support of the city-wide anti-epidemic efforts. But the same epidemic has also brought out the love among brothers and sisters who use various means to stay connected, shepherding and loving one another. Many began to learn to make group video calls using their phones or computers together so as to have fellowship meetings, Bible studies, small group and other activities online. Meanwhile, deacons, lay pastors, counselors and fellowship members convey by phone their care for some elderly who are not familiar with the electronic media, thus connecting them in this period.

The Apostle Paul said: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:35, 37). Paul was saying that we can conquer all obstacles through the love of Christ. The epidemic poses an obstacle for us to meet physically, but it cannot block our ties in the love of Christ. Communication technology helps us overcome the problem of physical distance but technology does not generate our love and care for each other. It is helpful in taking worship services, fellowship and other meetings online but its higher value is in exhibiting the precious power behind – the united love and support of brothers and sisters for the NPAC Family.

I have heard it said: "No fellowship meetings – then take a break." There is no break in our ties of love. Thanks be to God for keeping brothers and sisters of the NPAC Family in the love of Christ as we worship God together and maintain our fellowship and care for one another spiritually online during this time. With mutual care and love and the warmth and strength it brings, I believe brothers and sisters will have the joy and hope with which to win over the coronavirus epidemic.