07'從南神畢業。至今，念念不忘當年主理者的分享。
轉載當年牧者的勉勵，原文/Dr. Bob Edgar，General Secretary National Council of Churches，台文翻譯/梁哲懋牧師。
June 2007
Dr. Bob Edgar
General Secretary
National Council of Churches
“Spirit of a living God, fall a fresh on me.
Spirit of a living God, fall a fresh on me.
Melt me – Mold me – Fill me – Use me
Spirit of a living God, fall a fresh on me.”
永活上帝的靈，賜我清新
融化我、塑造我、充滿我、使用我
Commencement Address Outline:
Listen to the words of the great United States African American leader, Howard Thurman. In his lifetime he helped to bring the message of non-violence to the social and political movements that swept the United States in the second half of the 20th century. His words speak to our current global crisis:
要和大家分享一段Howard Thurman的話，他是一位美國黑人的偉大領導者。在他的一生中，他為20世紀後半期美國的社會政治運動帶來非暴力的信息。這是一段他對全球危機所說的話：
“The concern, which I lay bare before God today, is
My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.
I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.
There is food for all – many are hungry.
There are clothes enough for all – many are in rags.
There is room enough for all – many are crowded.
There are none who want war – preparations for conflict abound.
在上帝面前我很少擺列的是：
我對這個充滿麻煩的世代的關心
我告白：這是我看見這個世界的時，內心的困擾
雖然有夠額的食物通互所有的人 — 但是多多人在挨餓
雖然有夠額的衣服通互所有的人 — 但是多多人穿著破爛
雖然有夠額的空間通互所有的人 — 但是多多人活在擁擠中
雖然無人想要戰爭 — 但是為衝突所做的準備卻從來不缺
I confess my own share in the ills of the times.
I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.
I have not been wise in casting my ballot.
I have left to others a real interest in making
A public opinion worthy of democracy.
我承認我有份在時代禍害
我逃避身為公民的責任
我無用智慧投落我的選票
我將民主制度中最有價值的公眾意見表達留給別人
I have been concerned about my own little job,
My own little security,
My own shelter,
My own bread.
我只有關心自己的小小的頭路、自己小小的安全感、自己的居所、自己的食物
I have not really cared about jobs for others,
Security for others,
Shelter for others,
Bread for others.
卻無真正關心別人的頭路、他們的安全感、居所、食物
I have not worked for peace; I want peace,
But I have voted and worked for war.
我意愛和平，卻不曾為和平努力，反而支持戰爭
I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard
On the side of any cause, however right,
If it meant running risks
Or damaging my own little reputation.
若是有什麼風險或是可能損壞我的名聲
我寧可tiam-tiam，讓人聽不到我為公義、對的原因來發聲
Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire.”
-- Howard Thurman, 1900-1981, Meditations of the Heart
求你的光點toh在我內面，對此時開始
互我內面有能力，通活出光的款式，勇敢為我所深深渴慕的世界付出代價
Point #1: We are the LEADERS we have been waiting for…
You look ready! It is time now to go out and explore how well what you have been taught is relevant for the real world out THERE, beyond these walls, beyond the comfort of this institution, beyond the safety of college, beyond the reach of professors and parents and significant others.
你們看起來已經準備好了！就在這個時候，恁要從這裡出去，在這圍牆之外、不再有學校熟悉的舒適與安全感、不再有老師、雙親、親密的人陪伴；去！去探究外面真實的世界，試看看自己是不是已經得到好的教育、裝備。
Listen to some advice from my a few of my heroes, the people who have impacted on my life:
要和大家分享一些影響我生命的英雄，他們的建言
- Dr. Martin Luther King once said:
“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.”
在這個世代，我們必須悔改，不是僅僅為那些惡人充滿怨恨的言詞和行動，也必須為好人們那令人寒心的沈默。
- Margaret Mead once said:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that has.”
要確信：一小群有想法、肯獻身的人能改變世界。確實，改變世界是這群人唯一能做的。
- Bobby Kennedy once said:
“Let no one be discouraged by the belief that there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills -- against misery and ignorance, injustice and violence… Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation…
「單獨一個人無法對抗這世界巨大的兇惡 — 悲慘、忽略、不義、暴力‧‧‧」盼望這樣的想法不會任何一人餒志。只有很少數的人能以他們的偉大改變歷史，我們每一個人只能改變事件中的一小部分，然而這些行動的集合卻會寫下這個世代的歷史。
It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man (or a woman) stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he (or she) sends a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
人類歷史的形成就是從這些不同形式、充滿勇氣與信心的行動而來，每一次，一個人為了某種理想站出來、為了增進他人的福祉採取行動、奮力對抗不義，他就如同將石頭丟入水中般地傳出細小的波痕；但是千千萬萬的這種勇敢、滿有能力的波痕彼此交織，卻能形成大浪，傾倒壓制、反動的巨大圍牆。
(Robert F. Kennedy, address on the Day of Affirmation, University of Capetown, South Africa, June 6, 1966)
- Pope John Paul II once said:
“I dream of a world where none will be so poor that they have nothing to give and none will be so rich that they have nothing to receive.”
我所夢想的世界：沒有人窮得無法給予，沒有人富有到不需收受。
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said:
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
在不義的情境中保持中立，就是站在壓迫者的一邊。
- President John F. Kennedy once said:
“…If by a liberal they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people – their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties… If that is what they mean by a ‘liberal’ then I am proud to e a liberal.”
如果所謂的「自由派」指的是：一個向前看而不是向後看的人；是一個歡喜新的觀念而不以僵硬的回應的人；是一個關心人民福祉（健康、居所、教育、工作、公民權、公民的自由）‧‧‧，若這就是他們所謂的自由派，我為成為一名自由派為榮。
All of these famous people where no smarter than any of you. Each had prepared to go through life in one direction and ALL ended up going beyond their own expectations. I hope you are prepared for the UNINTENDED lives that await you.
以上的這些出名得人物都不會比你們聰明，他們每一個人都為自己準備一個人生的方向，並且最後的結局也都超過了自己的期待。我盼望你們也都準備好了，迎接一個超出自己期待的人生。
God always calls average, ordinary people to do the extraordinary, to make the big difference. You are the prophets, the disciples and the leaders we have been waiting for.
上帝總是呼召平常、普通的人來完成不平常的事、來成就大的改變。你們都是先知，是門徒、是領袖，是我們所等待的。
Point #2: You are graduating into a world of DARKNESS, so please be LIGHT BEARERS…
你們畢業正要進入一個黑暗的世界，當成為光的器具
- A New York City cab driver reflecting on what really matters said:
“One cannot survive 5 minutes under water without air.
But even more important, one cannot survive one second without HOPE!”
一位紐約的計程車司機談到真正重要的事時說：「一個人或許可以在水底，沒有空氣，生存五分鐘；但是更重要的是，沒有希望，一個人無法生存超過一分鐘。」
In a dark time, the eye begins to see.
在黑暗的時候，眼睛才開始看見
We are the hope givers of this fragile planet.
在這個脆弱的星球，我們帶來希望
Point #3: Now that you have finished your “schooling,” do not stop your learning!
你們已經完成學校的課業，但切莫停止學習
Let’s take a moment to look at the state of the world you are graduating into:
我們一起來看你們畢業後所要進入的是一個什麼樣的世界：
- To speak of the civilization of coexistence we must first understand that we live in a world that is very different that the world we were born into. If I had time, I would outline many examples of how much the world has changed over just the past few decades, but since time is limited, let me just share this illustration.
談到共存的文明，我們首先必須瞭解：我們今天活在一個和我們出生時有很大不同的世界。若是有足夠的時間，我願意更詳細地列舉出這幾十年來這個的變化，但由於時間的關係，我只用下面的例子和大家分享。
The population of the planet helps us to understand the rapid change that is putting enormous pressure on our current civilization. Scientist remind us that the world is approximately 5 billion years old, give or take one billion. After millions of years of human existence, we reached the first billionth population on or about January 1830. One hundred years later, in January 1930, we reached two billion brothers and sisters on planet earth. In January 1960, we reached three billion. By January 1975, when I was elected at age 31 to the United States Congress, our world’s population had reached four billion. In January 1987, it had reached five billion. The United Nations calculated that on or about October 15, 1999, the population of the world reached six billion. As of today, April 30, 2006, we have 6.5 billion persons wanting access to clean air and clean water.
光是地球上的人口這一項就能幫助我們明白這個急速的變化帶給我們現代的文明有多大的壓力，科學家提醒我們：我們的地球大約已經50億年（誤差10億年），在人類出現數百萬年後，人口在1830年首先達到10億；一百年後，1930年1月我們有20億的兄弟姊妹在這個星球上；1960年達到30億；到了1975年1月，那時我31歲，受選成為美國國會議員，世界的人口達到40億；1987年1月更達到50億。聯合國估計在1999年5月世界的人口會達到60億，2006年5月30日，總共有65億的人，這些人都需要乾淨的水和空氣。
These statistics remind us that MORE THAN ONE HALF OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO EVER LIVED ON PLANET EARTH ARE ALIVE TODAY.
這些統計數字提醒我們：在地球生存過的人類，今日仍有一半存活著
They also help us to understand, as Alvin Toffler pointed out in his book “Future Shock,” that 95% OF EVERYTHING CREATED BY HUMAN HANDS HAS BEEN CREATED IN THE LAST 100 YEARS.
這些數字也幫助我們瞭解：就如同Alvin Toffler在他《未來的衝擊》書中所言，人所創造的東西裡面，95％是在最近100年中間造出來的。
To work for peace and justice in a world of change, we must first understand that change and how it effects our existence.
在一個一直在改變的世界裡從事和平與公義的工作，我們首先必須瞭解改變本身以及改變如何影響我們的生存。
Point #4: The WORLD needs you urgently. It needs you NOW!
這個世界非常需要你，現在就需要！
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., understood the art of living together in peace better than most religious leaders of our time. Dr. King was right to remind us of the “urgency of now.” In his book, “Where Do We Go From Here, Chaos or Community,” (1967) Dr. King said this:
金恩博士比我們這時代的任何一位宗教領袖更瞭解：和平地共同居住的藝術，他正確地提醒我們「現在的緊迫性」，在他的書《咱對此欲去叨位？混亂或共同居起？》，他說：
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The ‘tide in the affairs of humanity’ does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: 'Too late.' There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. ‘The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on...’ We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. This may be humankinds last chance to choose between chaos and community.”
我們所面對的事實是：明日就是今天，我們所無法逃避的是：現今強烈的急迫性。在這個逐漸揭露的生命與歷史難題中，「來不及」一直是存在的問題，「延遲」仍舊是時間的賊，生命總是因為一個失去的機會讓我們好像赤身露體、讓我們餒志。關懷人性事務的浪潮不再高漲，卻已經消退。我們拼命呼喊，要時間暫停他的腳步，時間卻聽不見任何請求，一味地加緊腳步。無數的文明在白骨與殘瓦上面刻上這個悲哀的字「來不及」。有一本看不見的生命的書，忠實紀錄著我們儆醒與疏忽。「振動的手指寫著，也繼續寫著…」。我們今天仍舊能夠選擇，非暴力共存還是以暴力彼此毀滅。這可能是人類可以在混亂與共同居起之間作選擇的最後機會。
Point #5: Here are a few guideposts for what I call DEEP-WATER CITIZENSHIP.
以下是幾項我稱為「深水公民意識」的路標：
There is a parable in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 5:11ff, in which Jesus comes upon a group of fishermen who have been casting their nets in a lake but catching nothing. One of the Bible’s fascinating mysteries is that we do not know what Jesus says to the gathered crowd when he steps into the boats. We only know what he advises the fishermen to do. “Put out into the deep,” Jesus tells them, “and let down your nets for a catch.” Soon, their nets are filled to bursting. The lesson is clear: We need the courage to venture into the deep waters, where the currents are rougher and success is less certain.
路加福音書5:1ff，當耶穌就近一群整夜著磨卻討不到於的漁夫時用了這麼一個比喻，這是聖經中蠻神秘的一段經文，因為我們不知道當時在船上的耶穌，到底對聚集的群眾說了些什麼，我們只知道他如何指導這些漁夫。「將船開到水深的所在」，耶穌這樣告訴他們，「拋網捉魚」。很快，他們的網子滿到快裂開。功課是：我們需要有勇氣，冒險到水深的地方，是一個水流較強、成功的把握較小的地方。
As you graduate today, you are being sent out into the deep water, the fast currents, and the rough waters. Are you really ready?
因為你們今天畢業，你們也受差遣進入水深的的所在，有急的水流、險惡的水湧。你是不是真的準備好了。
Here are a few guideposts for you to test out what I call DEEP-WATER CITIZENSHIP. Just a few new “Be-Attitudes” to help you get adjusted to your future adventure of faithful citizenship.
以下是幾項指標來測試你是不是具備「水深的公民意識」。是一些新的「福氣」（態度），可以幫助你適應你將來的旅向忠實公民身份。
- Blessed are the Faithful Risk-Takers願意冒險、忠實的人有福氣
- Blessed is the Courageous Remnant有勇氣的少數人有福氣
- Blessed are Those Who Love the Stranger愛出外人的人有福氣
- Blessed Are Those Who Read the Whole Bible將整本聖經一起讀的人
- Blessed Are the Faithful Voters忠實投票的人
- Blessed Are Those Who Challenge Us to Work for Justice挑戰我們為公義奮鬥的人
- Blessed Are Those with a Sense of Humor -- and a Sense of Hope有幽默感、心存盼望的人
Again, remember the advice of the New York City cab driver reflecting on what really matters said:
再一次，要記得那位紐約的計程車司機所說關於「真正重要的事」的一番話
“One cannot survive 5 minutes under water without air.
But one cannot survive one second without HOPE!”
「一個人或許可以在水底，沒有空氣，生存五分鐘；但是更重要的是，沒有希望，一個人無法生存超過一分鐘。」
Are you foolish enough to believe, and faithful enough to hope?
你是不是有夠愚來相信？有夠忠實來盼望？
I pray for the strength and faith of each persons graduating today and hope that each of you will help all of us reclaim the soul of our nation. You will quickly learn that there is no prayer more powerful than our own works, and so I leave you with exactly such a blessing -- a Franciscan benediction in whose words there is enough power for authentic and passionate faith to prevail. For the answer to this prayer, like all others, must come not from God, but from ourselves. Please stand and place your hand on the shoulder of the person beside you and listen to these words of challenge:
為每一位今日的畢業生，我祈求上帝賜你們氣力與信心，希望你們幫助我們全體重新得著我們國家的靈魂。你很快就會學到：沒有祈禱會比咱自己所做的更有氣力，所以我就用這個祝福咱大家：「法蘭西斯的祝禱文」，它的字句充滿真實、熱情的信心，因為對這個祈禱的應答，不是從上帝來，是從咱自己來。請咱大家站起來，將手搭在隔壁的人的肩膀，來聽這段充滿挑戰的話。
May God bless you with DISCOMFORT …
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
願上帝用「不爽快」賜福你，讓你對簡單的答案、對一半的真理、對膚淺的關係感覺不爽快，所以你通活在心靈的最深處。
May God bless you with ANGER …
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
願上帝用「生氣」賜福你，讓你對不義、壓迫、濫墾生氣，所以你會為公義、自由、和平來打拼。
May God bless you with TEARS …
To shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war.
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And to turn their pain into joy.
願上帝用「眼淚」賜福你，讓你為那些活在痛疼、受人拒絕、飢餓與戰爭中的人流落眼淚，所以你會伸出手來安慰，將痛苦變成喜樂。
And may God bless you with enough FOOLISHNESS …
To believe that you can make a difference in this world,
So that you can DO what others claim cannot be done. Amen.
願上帝賞賜你有夠額的愚憨，來相信你會通讓這個世界不一樣，所以你會通做別人說他們無法做的事。
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