每日归档： 2026年8月21日

2026年8月25日
常年期第廿一周星期二
法国的圣路易（自由纪念），圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎（自由纪念）
福音：玛22:23-26

今天是常年期第二十一周星期二。教会在今天庆祝两位圣人的自由纪念敬礼日，一位是法国的圣路易，另一位是圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎。最近出版的弥撒经书是这样介绍这两位圣人的。

法国的圣路易（1214-1270）在十二岁时成为法国国王。他娶了普罗旺斯的玛格丽特，育有十一个孩子。他在统治期间表现出极大的正直，始终促进和平与正义，并对穷人表现出极大的虔诚与关爱。1270年，在他为解放圣地而进行的第二次十字军东征期间，死于突尼斯附近，病因是痢疾。他于1297年被封圣。

圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎（1557-1648）出生于阿拉贡（西班牙）佩拉尔塔-德拉-萨尔附近，1583年晋铎。他前往罗马，在那里与圣嘉弥禄一起照顾1595年瘟疫的受害者。他在该城创办了第一所免费学校，他聚集的教师团体后来发展成为了司铎会。晚年他遭受了虚假指控，但耐心地忍受了这种屈辱。他是基督教学校的主保。

今天，取自圣玛窦福音经文继续给我们展现耶稣对经师和法利赛人的谴责。我愿意借此机会，提供一些反思。

我们知道，法利赛人和经师，以及那些遵从法利赛人和经师教导的人，他们严格遵守梅瑟给他们制定的礼仪规范，他们向天主献上各种香料，以为天主定会悦纳他们的祭品。他们甚至认为：馨香之祭可以取代一切，以致他们忘记了梅瑟法律的核心：公正，怜悯和忠信。

今天，在我们的堂区，我们经常看到法利赛人和经师，以及那些遵从法利赛人和经师教导的人，他们是一群热心的教友，侍立在天主台前，协助本堂神父完成礼仪。他们时常与本堂神父起争执，因为他们认为本堂神父在礼仪中并没有遵守圣教会制定的礼仪规范，并以自己的想法，去影响别的堂区，甚至来到堂区参与弥撒的主内兄弟姐妹。他们就是耶稣所说的“瞎眼的向导”，因为他们没有理解礼仪的核心：礼仪有助于我们更好地恭敬天主，有助于我们与天主发展更亲密的关系，从中获取天主按照祂的圣意赐给我们的各样恩典。

今天，让我们效法法国的圣路易和圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎的德表，不再按照这个世界的规则来生活，而是按照天主圣神指示我们的那样生活，因为只有随从天主圣神的指引，才能活出耶稣所说的的爱。耶稣所说的爱，是一种无私之爱，更是一种赤诚之爱，祂要求我们不再贪图自己的利益，不再彼此挑拔，不再互相嫉妒，以祂对我们的赤诚，主动关爱那些生活在黑暗中的弟兄姐妹，把他们带回基督的唯一羊栈，使他们的行为举止，始终与吾主耶稣基督的行为举止一致。天主看到我们遵照祂的圣意，完成了祂赐给我们的使命以后，就会地赐我们更多恩典，使我们的内心变得纯正，好能看到天主的国，和祂对世人的深爱。

天主，祢使信徒的心意合而为一。求祢恩赐祢的子民，爱祢所命令的，渴望祢所应许的，使我们的心在这变幻的尘世中，能固定于真正喜乐的所在。藉着我们的主耶稣基督，祢的子，祂和祢及圣神，是唯一天主，永生永王。亚孟。

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

August 25, 2026
Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Louis of France
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest
Gospel: Matthew 22:23-26

Today is Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorials of two saints today: Saint Louis of France and Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest. The recently published Roman Missal introduces these two saints as follows:

Saint Louis of France (1214-1270) became King of France at the age of twelve. He married Margaret of Provence, and they had eleven children. During his reign, he displayed great integrity, constantly promoting peace and justice, and showing great piety and care for the poor. In 1270, during his second crusade to liberate the Holy Land, he died near Tunis of dysentery. He was canonized in 1297.

Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest (1557-1648), was born near Peralta de la Sal in Aragon, Spain, and was ordained a priest in 1583. He went to Rome, where he cared for the victims of the 1595 plague alongside Saint Camillus de Lellis. He founded the first free school in the city, and the community of teachers he gathered later developed into the Clerics Regular (the Piarists). In his later years, he suffered from false accusations, but he endured this humiliation with patience. He is the patron saint of Christian schools.

Today, the passage from the Gospel of Matthew continues to present to us Jesus’ condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.

We know that the Pharisees and scribes, as well as those who followed their teachings, strictly observed the ritual regulations established by Moses. They offered various spices to God, thinking that the Lord would surely accept their sacrifices. They even believed that the fragrant offering could replace everything, to the extent that they forgot the core of the Mosaic Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Today, in our parishes, we often see “Pharisees and scribes,” and those who follow their teachings—a group of zealous parishioners who stand before the altar, assisting the pastor in the liturgy. They frequently quarrel with the pastor because they believe he does not strictly observe the liturgical norms established by the Holy Church. They use their own opinions to influence other parishes, and even the brothers and sisters who come to the parish for Mass. They are the “blind guides” Jesus spoke of, because they do not understand the core of the liturgy: the liturgy helps us to worship God more perfectly, to develop a more intimate relationship with Him, and to receive from Him the various graces He bestows upon us according to His holy will.

Today, let us imitate the virtues of Saint Louis of France and Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest, and no longer live according to the standards of this world, but according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For only by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit can we live out the love that Jesus spoke of. The love Jesus spoke of is a selfless love, and even more so, a sincere love. It requires us no longer to seek our own interests, no longer to provoke one another, no longer to envy each other, but with the sincerity He showed us, to actively care for our brothers and sisters living in darkness, to bring them back to Christ’s one fold, and to make their words and deeds always conform to those of our Lord Jesus Christ. When God sees that we have accomplished the mission He has given us according to His holy will, He will bestow upon us more graces, making our hearts pure, so that we may see the Kingdom of God and His profound love for the world.

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose, grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

2026年8月24日
聖巴爾多祿茂(宗徒)慶日
福音：若1:45-51

今天是常年期第二十一周星期一。教會在今天慶祝聖巴爾多祿茂宗徒的慶辰。最近出版的彌撒經書告訴我們：聖巴爾多祿茂（西元一世紀）原籍加利利的迦納，通常被認為就是那位由聖斐理伯引見給主的納塔乃爾。根據傳統，五旬節後，他在阿拉伯、印度和亞美尼亞宣講福音，並在那裡被活活剝皮殉道。因此，他是制革者的主保。

今天，取自聖若望福音的經文給我們講述了耶穌和巴爾多祿茂宗徒相遇的敘事。我願意借此機會，提供一些反思。

日常生活中，我們時常如同納塔乃耳（即今日慶祝的聖巴爾多祿茂）一樣，按照我們對世間規律的認識，隨心所欲的施行判斷。（參看：若1:45-46）因為在我們看來，那些出自貧困地區的人，或者家境貧寒的人，他們在各方面都不如我們，當我們周圍的人提起他們的時候，我們的心中便會產生抗拒與他們接觸，拒絕與他們往來。因為在那時，我們隨從的，是出自肉性的妄動，我們的切望的，是屬於這個世界的一切，而非天主按祂的聖意賞賜給我們的一切美善。

事實上，納塔乃耳受到斐理伯對他的邀請之前，當時他處於一棵無花果樹之下。（參看：若1:47-48）此一無花果樹，曾在創世紀中，我們的原祖父母違命吃了那棵樹上的果子之後的記載中出現，在那時，他們也用無花果樹的樹葉，給自己編了一個裙子圍身，為的是遮蓋自己的罪惡。（參看：創3:1-7）因此，當他一聽到耶穌揭露出他從前生活中的過往之後，立即宣認耶穌是天主子，是以色列的君王。（參看：若1:49）如此，他便在斐理伯的幫助下，辨明瞭自己的聖召，並在耶穌面前宣認了自己的聖召。同樣，在生活中，我們也要如同納塔乃耳一樣，離棄過去固有的思想。我們更不應將我們對信仰的認識，建基於人之上，而是要透過默觀我們在每日的生活中經驗到的那些同為天主按照祂的肖像造成的人，他們在我們身上所做的一切，進一步分辨自己的聖召，並如同納塔乃耳一樣，慷慨地完成自己的聖召。

上主，聖巴爾多祿茂宗徒曾全心全意追隨祢的聖子，求祢藉他的轉禱，增強我們的信德，使祢的教會成為萬民得救的聖事。藉著我們的主耶穌基督，祢的子，祂和祢及聖神，是天主，永生永王。亞孟。

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

2026年8月24日
圣巴尔多禄茂(宗徒)庆日
福音：若1:45-51

今天是常年期第二十一周星期一。教会在今天庆祝圣巴尔多禄茂宗徒的庆辰。最近出版的弥撒经书告诉我们：圣巴尔多禄茂（公元一世纪）原籍加利利的加纳，通常被认为就是那位由圣斐理伯引见给主的纳塔乃尔。根据传统，五旬节后，他在阿拉伯、印度和亚美尼亚宣讲福音，并在那里被活活剥皮殉道。因此，他是制革者的主保。

今天，取自圣若望福音的经文给我们讲述了耶稣和巴尔多禄茂宗徒相遇的叙事。我愿意借此机会，提供一些反思。

日常生活中，我们时常如同纳塔乃耳（即今日庆祝的圣巴尔多禄茂）一样，按照我们对世间规律的认识，随心所欲的施行判断。（参看：若1:45-46）因为在我们看来，那些出自贫困地区的人，或者家境贫寒的人，他们在各方面都不如我们，当我们周围的人提起他们的时候，我们的心中便会产生抗拒与他们接触，拒绝与他们往来。因为在那时，我们随从的，是出自肉性的妄动，我们的切望的，是属于这个世界的一切，而非天主按祂的圣意赏赐给我们的一切美善。

事实上，纳塔乃耳受到斐理伯对他的邀请之前，当时他处于一棵无花果树之下。（参看：若1:47-48）此一无花果树，曾在创世纪中，我们的原祖父母违命吃了那棵树上的果子之后的记载中出现，在那时，他们也用无花果树的树叶，给自己编了一个裙子围身，为的是遮盖自己的罪恶。（参看：创3:1-7）因此，当他一听到耶稣揭露出他从前生活中的过往之后，立即宣认耶稣是天主子，是以色列的君王。（参看：若1:49）如此，他便在斐理伯的帮助下，辨明了自己的圣召，并在耶稣面前宣认了自己的圣召。同样，在生活中，我们也要如同纳塔乃耳一样，离弃过去固有的思想。我们更不应将我们对信仰的认识，建基于人之上，而是要透过默观我们在每日的生活中经验到的那些同为天主按照祂的肖像造成的人，他们在我们身上所做的一切，进一步分辨自己的圣召，并如同纳塔乃耳一样，慷慨地完成自己的圣召。

上主，圣巴尔多禄茂宗徒曾全心全意追随祢的圣子，求祢藉他的转祷，增强我们的信德，使祢的教会成为万民得救的圣事。藉着我们的主耶稣基督，祢的子，祂和祢及圣神，是天主，永生永王。亚孟。

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

August 24, 2026
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Gospel: John 1:45-51

Today is Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time. Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle. The recently published Missal tells us: Saint Bartholomew (1st century) was originally from Cana in Galilee, and is generally identified as Nathanael, the one brought to the Lord by Saint Philip. According to tradition, after Pentecost he preached the Gospel in Arabia, India, and Armenia, and there suffered martyrdom by being flayed alive. Therefore, he is the patron saint of tanners.

Today, the passage from the Gospel of Saint John tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with the Apostle Bartholomew. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.

In our daily lives, we often act like Nathanael (that is, Saint Bartholomew, whom we celebrate today), making judgments according to our own understanding of how the world works. (cf. Jn 1:45-46) Because in our eyes, those who come from impoverished areas or poor families are inferior to us in every way. When people around us mention them, we instinctively resist associating with them and refuse to have any dealings with them. For at that time, what we follow are the reckless impulses of the flesh; what we set our hearts on is everything that belongs to this world, rather than all the good things God bestows upon us according to His holy will.

In fact, before Nathanael received Philip’s invitation, he was sitting under a fig tree. (cf. Jn 1:47-48) This fig tree appeared in the account of Genesis after our first parents disobeyed God’s command and ate the fruit of that tree; at that time, they also made loincloths for themselves from fig leaves to cover their sin. (cf. Gn 3:1-7) Therefore, as soon as he heard Jesus reveal what had happened in his past life, he immediately professed that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. (cf. Jn 1:49) In this way, with Philip’s help, he discerned his vocation and professed it before Jesus. Likewise, in our lives, we too must, like Nathanael, abandon our former, ingrained ways of thinking. We should not base our understanding of faith on human beings, but rather, by contemplating those who, like us, are made in the image and likeness of God, and by reflecting on all that they have done in us in our daily lives, we can further discern our own vocation and, like Nathanael, generously fulfill it.

Strengthen in us, O Lord, the faith,
by which the blessed Apostle Bartholomew
clung wholeheartedly to your Son,
and grant that through the help of his prayers
your Church may become for all the nations
the sacrament of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

2026年8月23日
常年期第廿一周主日
福音：瑪16:13-20

今天是常年期第二十一主日。取自聖瑪竇福音的福音經文給我們展現了耶穌和祂的門徒來到凱撒勒雅斐理伯的時候，在他們中間的一番對話。讓我們來試著進行一些反思。

首先，耶穌問自己的門徒：“人們說人子是誰？”他們回答說：“有人說是洗者若翰；還有的說是厄裡亞，另有的說是耶肋米亞，或是先知中一位。”（參看：瑪16:13-14）

人們之所以認為耶穌是洗者若翰，是因為耶穌也和洗者若翰一樣，也向世人宣講天國，不同的地方就是：洗者若翰所宣講的悔罪的洗禮，耶穌所宣講的洗禮，能真正帶來救恩，我們要從祂的聖肋之血中洗淨我們的罪汙，並能醫治原罪給我們的靈魂和肉身帶來的創傷。人們之所以說耶穌是厄裡亞，是因為耶穌的言辭，如同厄裡亞一樣熾熱，祂曾說：我來把火投到地上，我多麼願意這火燃燒起來！（參看：路12:49）他們之所以說耶穌像耶肋米亞，是因為祂好似耶肋米亞一樣，給祂那個時代的猶太人，也給我們帶來安慰和喜樂，祂給我們帶來的安慰和喜樂，就是我們要因著領受祂的聖神賜給我們的喜樂之油，成為天主的兒女，並使我們領受祂的聖體聖血，與祂結合，分享祂的生命。

接著，耶穌問他們說：“那麼，你們說我是誰？”西滿伯多祿回答說：“祢是基督，生活天主之子。”（參看：瑪16:15-16）

伯多祿的回答，既源自他生活中的體驗，他在革乃撒勒湖與耶穌相遇，耶穌上了他的船，他在耶穌身邊聽到耶穌所說的天國，他捨棄自己的一切，選擇跟隨耶穌，體驗耶穌所說的天國，他親眼看到耶穌復活死人，驅逐魔鬼，醫治各種病症，於是，他不再按照世人那樣看待耶穌，而是逐漸按照天主聖神的引導，按照天主聖神的指引看待耶穌。於是，耶穌問他們說：“那麼，你們說我是誰？”西滿伯多祿回答說：“祢是基督，生活天主之子。” （參看：瑪16:15-16）他代表十二宗徒，勇敢作出了回應。

最後，耶穌對伯多祿說：“約納的兒子西滿，你是有福的。因為不是血肉將這啟示給了你，而是我在天之父。我再對你說，你是伯多祿，在這磐石上，我要建立我的教會，陰間的門不能攻破戰勝它。我要把天國的鑰匙賜給你。凡你在地上所束縛的，在天上也要被束縛；凡你在地上所釋放的，在天上也要被釋放。” （參看：瑪16:17-19）

這實在是一份邀請，更是一份重托。耶穌邀請伯多祿協助祂管理祂的教會，並給他“束縛”和“釋放”兩個權柄。今天，我們因著與聖伯多祿宗徒和他的繼承人 ——我們的教宗，與聖伯多祿宗徒共融的宗徒的繼承人 —— 我們的主教，並與協助他們牧養我們的司鐸共融，因著和他們所懷相同的信德，領受同一個吾主耶穌基督的洗禮，同一個天主聖神的傅油，在同一個感恩祭中，領受同一個吾主耶穌基督的聖體聖血，共融於耶穌基督內。如此，我們既要遵守天主在西奈山上頒給梅瑟的全部誡命，更要遵守耶穌透過祂建立在聖伯多祿之上的至一、至聖、至公、從宗徒傳下來的教會教導我們遵守的各項規命，因為這一切，都有助於我們在結束此世生活以後，能安然進入耶穌所說的天國，這天國就由那愛人的天主和那被天主所愛的人組成的天國，凡在這天國的，都要偕同天朝諸聖，在榮福童貞聖母瑪利亞的陪伴下，瞻仰天主聖三光輝的面容，偕同無數的天軍，不停地稱揚和歌頌上主，直到永遠。

天主，祢使信徒的心意合而為一。求祢恩賜祢的子民，愛祢所命令的，渴望祢所應許的，使我們的心在這變幻的塵世中，能固定于真正喜樂的所在。藉著我們的主耶穌基督，祢的子，祂和祢及聖神，是唯一天主，永生永王。亞孟。

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

2026年8月23日
常年期第廿一周主日
福音：玛16:13-20

今天是常年期第二十一主日。取自圣玛窦福音的福音经文给我们展现了耶稣和祂的门徒来到凯撒勒雅斐理伯的时候，在他们中间的一番对话。让我们来试着进行一些反思。

首先，耶稣问自己的门徒：“人们说人子是谁？”他们回答说：“有人说是洗者若翰；还有的说是厄里亚，另有的说是耶肋米亚，或是先知中一位。”（参看：玛16:13-14）

人们之所以认为耶稣是洗者若翰，是因为耶稣也和洗者若翰一样，也向世人宣讲天国，不同的地方就是：洗者若翰所宣讲的悔罪的洗礼，耶稣所宣讲的洗礼，能真正带来救恩，我们要从祂的圣肋之血中洗净我们的罪污，并能医治原罪给我们的灵魂和肉身带来的创伤。人们之所以说耶稣是厄里亚，是因为耶稣的言辞，如同厄里亚一样炽热，祂曾说：我来把火投到地上，我多么愿意这火燃烧起来！（参看：路12:49）他们之所以说耶稣像耶肋米亚，是因为祂好似耶肋米亚一样，给祂那个时代的犹太人，也给我们带来安慰和喜乐，祂给我们带来的安慰和喜乐，就是我们要因着领受祂的圣神赐给我们的喜乐之油，成为天主的儿女，并使我们领受祂的圣体圣血，与祂结合，分享祂的生命。

接着，耶稣问他们说：“那么，你们说我是谁？”西满伯多禄回答说：“祢是基督，生活天主之子。”（参看：玛16:15-16）

伯多禄的回答，既源自他生活中的体验，他在革乃撒勒湖与耶稣相遇，耶稣上了他的船，他在耶稣身边听到耶稣所说的天国，他舍弃自己的一切，选择跟随耶稣，体验耶稣所说的天国，他亲眼看到耶稣复活死人，驱逐魔鬼，医治各种病症，于是，他不再按照世人那样看待耶稣，而是逐渐按照天主圣神的引导，按照天主圣神的指引看待耶稣。于是，耶稣问他们说：“那么，你们说我是谁？”西满伯多禄回答说：“祢是基督，生活天主之子。” （参看：玛16:15-16）他代表十二宗徒，勇敢作出了回应。

最后，耶稣对伯多禄说：“约纳的儿子西满，你是有福的。因为不是血肉将这启示给了你，而是我在天之父。我再对你说，你是伯多禄，在这磐石上，我要建立我的教会，阴间的门不能攻破战胜它。我要把天国的钥匙赐给你。凡你在地上所束缚的，在天上也要被束缚；凡你在地上所释放的，在天上也要被释放。” （参看：玛16:17-19）

这实在是一份邀请，更是一份重托。耶稣邀请伯多禄协助祂管理祂的教会，并给他“束缚”和“释放”两个权柄。今天，我们因着与圣伯多禄宗徒和他的继承人 ——我们的教宗，与圣伯多禄宗徒共融的宗徒的继承人 —— 我们的主教，并与协助他们牧养我们的司铎共融，因着和他们所怀相同的信德，领受同一个吾主耶稣基督的洗礼，同一个天主圣神的傅油，在同一个感恩祭中，领受同一个吾主耶稣基督的圣体圣血，共融于耶稣基督内。如此，我们既要遵守天主在西奈山上颁给梅瑟的全部诫命，更要遵守耶稣透过祂建立在圣伯多禄之上的至一、至圣、至公、从宗徒传下来的教会教导我们遵守的各项规命，因为这一切，都有助于我们在结束此世生活以后，能安然进入耶稣所说的天国，这天国就由那爱人的天主和那被天主所爱的人组成的天国，凡在这天国的，都要偕同天朝诸圣，在荣福童贞圣母玛利亚的陪伴下，瞻仰天主圣三光辉的面容，偕同无数的天军，不停地称扬和歌颂上主，直到永远。

天主，祢使信徒的心意合而为一。求祢恩赐祢的子民，爱祢所命令的，渴望祢所应许的，使我们的心在这变幻的尘世中，能固定于真正喜乐的所在。藉着我们的主耶稣基督，祢的子，祂和祢及圣神，是唯一天主，永生永王。亚孟。

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

August 23, 2026
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

Today is the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel passage taken from the Gospel of Matthew presents us with a conversation between Jesus and His disciples as they arrived at Caesarea Philippi. Let us attempt to reflect on this dialogue.

First, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (cf. Mt 16:13-14)

People identified Jesus as John the Baptist because, like John, He proclaimed the Kingdom of God to the world. The difference, however, lies in this: while John preached a baptism of repentance, the baptism Jesus proclaims truly brings salvation. Through the blood from His sacred side, we are cleansed of our sins and our souls and bodies are healed of the wounds inflicted by original sin. Others said Jesus was Elijah because His words burned as fervently as Elijah’s. Jesus Himself said, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (cf. Lk 12:49). They compared Him to Jeremiah because, like the prophet of old, He brings comfort and joy to the Jews of His time and to us today. The comfort and joy He brings is this: anointed by His Holy Spirit, we receive the oil of gladness and become children of God. Furthermore, by receiving His Body and Blood, we are united with Him and share in His very life.

Next, Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (cf. Mt 16:15-16)

Peter’s response stemmed from his lived experience. When he met Jesus at Lake Gennesaret and Jesus boarded his boat, Peter listened to the Lord speak of the Kingdom. He left everything behind to follow Jesus and experienced the reality of that Kingdom. He witnessed Jesus raise the dead, cast out demons, and heal every disease. Consequently, he no longer viewed Jesus through merely human eyes, but rather through the guidance and illumination of the Holy Spirit. Thus, when Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He spoke on behalf of the Twelve Apostles, offering a bold and definitive response.

Finally, Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (cf. Mt 16:17-19)

This is truly an invitation, and even more so, a great commission. Jesus invited Peter to assist Him in shepherding His Church and bestowed upon him the twofold authority to “bind” and to “loose.” Today, we are in communion with Saint Peter’s successor—our Pope—and with the successors of the Apostles who share this communion with Peter—our Bishops—as well as with the priests who assist them in pastoral care. United with them in the same faith, we share one Baptism in the Lord Jesus Christ, one anointing of the Holy Spirit, and in the one Eucharist, we receive the one Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, thus living in communion with Jesus Christ. In this way, we must not only observe all the commandments God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, but even more so, we must adhere to the precepts taught by the Church—one, holy, catholic, and apostolic—which Christ established upon Saint Peter. All of this helps us, at the end of our earthly lives, to enter safely into the Kingdom of Heaven of which Jesus spoke. This Kingdom is composed of God who loves and those who are loved by God. All who dwell in this Kingdom, together with the heavenly hosts and under the guidance of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, shall behold the radiant face of the Most Holy Trinity, and unceasingly praise and glorify the Lord with countless angels, for ever and ever.

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose, grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica