Coffee with God:February 3, 2026

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Ansgar, Bishop
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
Theme: Salvation through Faith

Today is Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, on which the Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Blaise (Bishop and Martyr) and St. Ansgar (Bishop).

St. Blaise, Bishop, was an Armenian of the 4th century who first worked as a physician before becoming Bishop of Sebaste. Renowned for his medical skill, he often treated the poor free of charge, especially excelling in healing throat ailments—hence he is known as the Patron Saint of Throat Ailments. During the Roman persecution of Christians, he was arrested for his unwavering faith, endured flogging and being scraped with iron combs without yielding, and was ultimately beheaded as a martyr. To this day, the faithful pray to him for relief from throat troubles, and his feast day is February 3.

St. Ansgar, Bishop, was a French missionary of the 9th century, known as the “Apostle of the North.” Setting out from his monastery, he journeyed to Denmark and Sweden to preach. At a time when the local people practiced paganism, he integrated gently into their communities, built churches and established schools, mediated disputes, and gradually won their trust. Later appointed Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, he dedicated himself to Christianizing Northern Europe and is regarded as one of the founders of the Church in that region. He lived a humble and steadfast life.

Today, Mark presents us with two miracles performed by Jesus. The woman with a hemorrhage was convinced that if she could just touch Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed. By her faith in Jesus, she was indeed cured. Another model of faith for us is Jairus, the synagogue leader. When he learned Jesus had crossed to the other side of the sea, he pleaded with Jesus to heal his sick daughter, trusting in who Jesus was. Upon hearing his daughter had died, he did not blame the woman with the hemorrhage who had touched Jesus, accusing her of causing his daughter’s death; instead, he remained confident in Jesus, trusting that He would raise his daughter back to life. This is an excellent example.

Today, we are called to be Christians. At the beginning, like the woman with the hemorrhage and Jairus, we too held strong faith in Jesus. Yet the prince of this world often lulls us with material comfort, leading us to choose to trust in accumulating wealth and seeking worldly fame rather than trusting in God. Therefore, today, let us imitate the virtues of St. Blaise and St. Ansgar, follow Christ with full faith, and walk the path to holiness together.

St. Blaise, Bishop, St. Ansgar, Bishop, pray for us. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

2025-2026(甲)常年期第四主日:令人震撼的真福:真福八端反思

令人震撼的真福:真福八端反思
福音:瑪5:1-12A

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF
Claretian Missionaries


本主日,我們被召到山坡上。我們被帶離了傳統智慧的繁華平原,離開俗世成功的市場,我們受邀坐在耶穌跟前。在這裡,他以一句簡潔而全面的宣言,顛覆了我們對幸福、恩典和美好生活的理解的根基。真福八端不是溫柔的建議:它們是天國的革命宣言。它們沒有被描述成八個不同的群體,而是被描繪成一幅令人驚歎的基督徒心靈的肖像:一顆基督親自向我們呈現出來的祂的聖心。
對世人來說,這些話聽起來似乎充滿矛盾。神貧的人是有福的?世人卻說:“自給自足的人是有福的。”耶穌說:“哀慟的人是有福的。”世人卻說:“永不停止祝慶的人是有福的。”耶穌說:“溫良的人是有福的。”世人卻說:“堅定主張自身權利的人是有福的。”耶穌向我們展示了一個神聖的悖論,一個神聖的顛覆。祂宣稱:天主的恩典不是基於成就或財產,而是基於對祂的恩典持開放的態度。

讓我們停下腳步,勇敢問問自己:我在這些肖像中是否看到自己?這不是一種自責的行為,而是一種謙卑的誠實 —— “心神的貧乏”給我們打開了那能使我們得到祝福的大門。

想一想“神貧的是有福的。”這不僅僅是物質上的貧窮,而是一種深刻,令自己得到自由的意識,這意識使我意識到:我不是天主。這就是自我救贖計畫的終結。這樣的人,當他耗盡自己的力量,論據或資源以後,他只能說:“上主,我需要祢。” 在這個崇尚刻意營造完美、不斷自我推銷的文化中,這種神貧是一種心靈的解放。它讓人得以自由地做一位蒙愛的依賴者,在天主——那位無限慷慨的天父面前,如孩童般全然信靠。

“哀慟的人是有福的” 這祝福刺透了我們這個回避痛苦的文化。我們總被教導要麻木傷痛、保持忙碌、學會「向前看」。但耶穌所祝福的,是因愛而生的神聖哀傷:為個人的罪過哀悼,為世界的破碎哀悼,為與天主的距離哀悼。這哀慟並非絕望,而是清醒認識到“一切並非安好”的目光,是內心感受那隱痛的能力。它是必要的創傷,使我們渴慕“護慰者”的到來。從心理層面說,這是壓抑的對立面;是對失落的健康、神聖的梳理,為天主的安慰騰出空間。

“溫良的人是有福的。” 在一個憤怒、叫囂觀點、踐踏意志的時代,溫柔被視為軟弱。但耶穌所祝福的溫柔並非被動——它是完美掌控下的力量,是野馬的力量卻順服於騎手的手,是從自我的暴政、從自己必須正確、必須爭先、必須被證明有理的需求中解脫的自由。溫柔的人以耐心持守自己的靈魂。從心理學層面說,這是一種韌性——忍受侮辱卻不崩潰自我價值的能力,因為我們的身份不是錨定在他人的看法上,而是在天父的愛裡。“他們要承受土地”,不是靠征服,而是作為恩典領受。
最後,“心地潔淨的人是有福的。”我們的心時常被分割,時常被瓜分。我們只在主日的時候給天主留出一片心地,其餘部分則被獻給野心,隱密的邪惡,焦慮和形象。心地潔淨的人的心地是完整的,總是一心一意。他們的內在生命不是一個被分裂的家。他們“是”就是是,他們的“非”就是非。這種純淨就是心理上的清明,是對天主不可分割的忠誠,它簡化了我們內心混亂的世界,讓我們看到“天主”,在日常生活中體驗到祂的臨在和行動,因為我們心靈的鏡頭是乾淨的。
讓我們不要把真福八端看作遙不可及的理想,而是要把這真福寶訓看作一份溫柔和迫切,邀請我們自我反省的邀請。在這些祝福中,哪一端真福,讓我感到奇妙的共鳴、一絲認出的悸動?那悸動或許正是聖神在為你指明成聖之路。我在何處感到最強烈的抗拒、最深的不信?那處或許正是基督願拆毀的牆,好讓天國進入。
本周,選擇一端真福,把這端真福放在心上。向天主祈求恩典,好能活出這端真福。因為這樣做,你只是在遵守一條規則,而在宣佈你天國子民的身份。你正在步入蒙受祝福之人的行列,宣告你的真正歸屬。

© 全屬於祢 & 樂仁出版社(中國澳門)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2026

2025-2026(甲)常年期第四主日:令人震撼的真福:真福八端反思

令人震撼的真福:真福八端反思

福音:玛5:1-12A

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF

Claretian Missionaries

本主日,我们被召到山坡上。我们被带离了传统智慧的繁华平原,离开俗世成功的市场,我们受邀坐在耶稣跟前。在这里,他以一句简洁而全面的宣言,颠覆了我们对幸福、恩典和美好生活的理解的根基。真福八端不是温柔的建议:它们是天国的革命宣言。它们没有被描述成八个不同的群体,而是被描绘成一幅令人惊叹的基督徒心灵的肖像:一颗基督亲自向我们呈现出来的祂的圣心。

对世人来说,这些话听起来似乎充满矛盾。神贫的人是有福的?世人却说:“自给自足的人是有福的。”耶稣说:“哀恸的人是有福的。”世人却说:“永不停止祝庆的人是有福的。”耶稣说:“温良的人是有福的。”世人却说:“坚定主张自身权利的人是有福的。”耶稣向我们展示了一个神圣的悖论,一个神圣的颠覆。祂宣称:天主的恩典不是基于成就或财产,而是基于对祂的恩典持开放的态度。

让我们停下脚步,勇敢问问自己:我在这些肖像中是否看到自己?这不是一种自责的行为,而是一种谦卑的诚实 —— “心神的贫乏”给我们打开了那能使我们得到祝福的大门。

想一想“神贫的是有福的。”这不仅仅是物质上的贫穷,而是一种深刻,令自己得到自由的意识,这意识使我意识到:我不是天主。这就是自我救赎计划的终结。这样的人,当他耗尽自己的力量,论据或资源以后,他只能说:“上主,我需要祢。” 在这个崇尚刻意营造完美、不断自我推销的文化中,这种神贫是一种心灵的解放。它让人得以自由地做一位蒙爱的依赖者,在天主——那位无限慷慨的天父面前,如孩童般全然信靠。

“哀恸的人是有福的” 这祝福刺透了我们这个回避痛苦的文化。我们总被教导要麻木伤痛、保持忙碌、学会「向前看」。但耶稣所祝福的,是因爱而生的神圣哀伤:为个人的罪过哀悼,为世界的破碎哀悼,为与天主的距离哀悼。这哀恸并非绝望,而是清醒认识到“一切并非安好”的目光,是内心感受那隐痛的能力。它是必要的创伤,使我们渴慕“护慰者”的到来。从心理层面说,这是压抑的对立面;是对失落的健康、神圣的梳理,为天主的安慰腾出空间。

“温良的人是有福的。” 在一个愤怒、叫嚣观点、践踏意志的时代,温柔被视为软弱。但耶稣所祝福的温柔并非被动——它是完美掌控下的力量,是野马的力量却顺服于骑手的手,是从自我的暴政、从自己必须正确、必须争先、必须被证明有理的需求中解脱的自由。温柔的人以耐心持守自己的灵魂。从心理学层面说,这是一种韧性——忍受侮辱却不崩溃自我价值的能力,因为我们的身份不是锚定在他人的看法上,而是在天父的爱里。“他们要承受土地”,不是靠征服,而是作为恩典领受。

最后,“心地洁净的人是有福的。”我们的心时常被分割,时常被瓜分。我们只在主日的时候给天主留出一片心地,其余部分则被献给野心,隐密的邪恶,焦虑和形象。心地洁净的人的心地是完整的,总是一心一意。他们的内在生命不是一个被分裂的家。他们“是”就是是,他们的“非”就是非。这种纯净就是心理上的清明,是对天主不可分割的忠诚,它简化了我们内心混乱的世界,让我们看到“天主”,在日常生活中体验到祂的临在和行动,因为我们心灵的镜头是干净的。

让我们不要把真福八端看作遥不可及的理想,而是要把这真福宝训看作一份温柔和迫切,邀请我们自我反省的邀请。在这些祝福中,哪一端真福,让我感到奇妙的共鸣、一丝认出的悸动?那悸动或许正是圣神在为你指明成圣之路。我在何处感到最强烈的抗拒、最深的不信?那处或许正是基督愿拆毁的墙,好让天国进入。

本周,选择一端真福,把这端真福放在心上。向天主祈求恩典,好能活出这端真福。因为这样做,你只是在遵守一条规则,而在宣布你天国子民的身份。你正在步入蒙受祝福之人的行列,宣告你的真正归属。

© 全属于祢 & 乐仁出版社(中国澳门)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2026

Homily for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A in 2026


The Blessed Shock: A Reflection on the Beatitudes
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a


Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF
Claretian Missionaries


This Sunday, we are summoned to the mountainside. We are taken away from the bustling plains of conventional wisdom, from the marketplace of worldly success, and invited to sit at the feet of Jesus. Here, with a single, sweeping proclamation, He overturns the very foundations of our understanding of happiness, of blessing, of a life well-lived. The Beatitudes are not gentle suggestions; they are a revolutionary manifesto of the Kingdom of Heaven. They do not describe eight different groups of people, but rather paint a single, stunning portrait of the Christian heart—the heart of Christ Himself, offered to us.


To the world’s ears, these words sound like a list of contradictions. Blessed are the poor in spirit? The world says, “Blessed are the self-sufficient.” Blessed are those who mourn? The world says, “Blessed are those who never stop celebrating.” Blessed are the meek? The world says, “Blessed are the assertive who claim their rights.” Jesus presents us with a divine paradox, a sacred reversal. He declares God’s favor not on the basis of accomplishment or possession, but on the basis of a fundamental openness to His grace.


Let us pause and courageously ask ourselves: Do I recognize myself in any of these portraits? This is not an exercise in guilt, but in humble honesty—the very “poverty of spirit” that opens the door to blessing.


Consider “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” This is not mere material poverty, but the profound, liberating awareness that I am not God. It is the end of the project of self-salvation. It is the person who, at the end of their strength, their arguments, or their resources, can only say, “Lord, I need you.” In a culture of curated perfection and relentless self-promotion, this poverty is a psychological liberation. It is the freedom to be a beloved dependent, a child before an infinitely generous Father.


Or “Blessed are those who mourn.” This blessing pierces our culture of avoidance. We are told to numb our pain, to stay busy, to “move on.” But Jesus blesses the sacred sorrow that arises from love: mourning over personal sin, over the brokenness of the world, over the distance from God. This mourning is not despair; it is the clear-eyed recognition that all is not right, and it is the heart’s capacity to feel that ache. It is the necessary wound that makes us long for the Comforter. Psychologically, it is the antithesis of repression; it is the healthy, holy processing of loss that makes room for divine consolation.


“Blessed are the meek”? In an age of outrage, of shouted opinions and trampling wills, meekness is seen as weakness. But the meekness Jesus blesses is not passivity. It is strength under perfect control. It is the power of the wild horse, submitted to the rider’s hand. It is the freedom from the tyranny of my own ego, my own need to be right, to be first, to be vindicated. The meek person possesses their soul in patience. Psychologically, this is resilience—the ability to endure insult without a collapse of self-worth, because our identity is anchored not in others’ opinions, but in the Father’s love. “They shall inherit the earth,” not by conquest, but by receiving it as a gift.


Finally, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Our hearts are so often divided, compartmentalized. We give God a slice on Sunday, while other slices are dedicated to ambition, to secret vice, to anxiety, to image. The pure in heart are the integrated, the single-minded. Their inner life is not a house divided. Their “yes” is yes, and their “no” is no. This purity is a psychological clarity, an undivided loyalty to God that simplifies our chaotic interior world and allows us to “see God”—to perceive His presence and action in the ordinary moments of life, because the lens of our heart is clean.
Let us not hear the Beatitudes as a distant ideal, but as a gentle, urgent invitation to self-examination. In which of these blessings do I feel a strange resonance, a pang of recognition? That very pang may be the Holy Spirit pointing to your path to holiness. Where do I feel the most resistance, the most disbelief? That may be the very wall Christ wishes to tear down to let in the Kingdom.


This week, choose one Beatitude. Carry it with you. Ask for the grace to live it. For in doing so, you are not just following a rule. You are claiming your citizenship. You are stepping into the line of those who are blessed, and you are declaring where you truly belong.

© Claretian Publications, Macau
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica