The Lamentation by Emmanuel Lambardos
17th century
Athens, Byzantine Museum
Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly.
Let it cut more deep.
Let it ferment and season you as few human
Or even divine ingredients can.
Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice so tender,
My need of God
Absolutely clear. ~ Hafiz
基督教的受難節 (Good Friday) 與復活節 (Easter),是大家所熟悉的節日。但是介於十架與復活之間,卻夾著一個鮮為人知的日子,那就是聖週六 (Holy Saturday)。這個從星期五傍晚直到星期六日落之前的時段,是一個全然黑暗、無日無光、大家都不願意停留太久的閾限。殊不知,人間的境況本就是在這黯淡模糊、不解、問號比答案還多的界限上。
學習在這閾限中停留、不急於越過、是認識救贖的一個好開端。因為在聖週六,黑暗擄走了人所有的尊嚴、身份、保障,甚至性命。這一日,神從最高處、降卑至比人更低下,進入黑暗,面對罪的終極。這黑暗裡頭,藏躲著你、也藏躲著我。
在東正教的聖週五晚禱中,有一首極為著名的聖詠《祢以光明為衣裳》se ton anabalomenon anavalomenon 其中有一段這麼說到 :
但,而今我看到,你願意為我的緣故受死。我該怎麼為你安葬,我的上帝?我該怎麼以細麻布來包裹你?我該用怎樣的手來觸摸你聖潔無瑕的身體?我該為你的葬禮吟誦那些挽歌,慈悲的主?
But lo, I now see, that you willingly underwent death for my sake. How then shall I array You for burial, My God? Or how shall I wrap You in a shroud? And with what hands can I touch Your sacred Body? Or what dirges shall I chant for Your funeral, O Merciful One?
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