October 3, 2026 Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time Gospel: Luke 10:17–24
Today is Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke presents to us a dialogue between Jesus and the seventy-two disciples who returned to Him with joy. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.
We see that in this dialogue, Jesus praises the Father, saying: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (cf. Luke 10:21–22)
We often see those who are wise and learned. Among them, some are proficient in astronomy, some in hydrology, some in language and writing, and others have a deep understanding of the principles and rules governing all things in the world. They often try to understand the world of God using the same way they view this world.
Today, the wise and learned people Jesus speaks of refer to the Pharisees who were familiar with the word of God. Like the wise and learned people we see in our lives, they viewed God according to their own ideas. In their eyes, God is a God who delights in sacrifice, who loves only those who offer sacrifice to Him, and who treats harshly those who do not. But this is not the true God, for we know that the true God loves all people—not only those who worship Him, but also those who sin and turn away from Him. He does not harshly punish sinners but saves all through His Son.
To whom, then, does God will reveal His holy will? Jesus tells us: God wills to reveal His will to little children. Why? Because little children are often simple; like angels before God, they long for His mercy and for Him to bestow His love upon them. They are pure of heart, and they often empty themselves before God so that His grace may fill them, enabling them to be without fear in all things. As Jesus said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (cf. Matt 5:8)
Today, we live in a rapidly changing world, and this rapidly changing world presents many factors that hinder us from drawing near to God. For example: money, power, and social status. Sometimes, like the Pharisees, we constantly seek honors within the Church, and we often proclaim the word of God according to our own understanding of His will. Such preaching does not lead us to God, nor does it help those who hear us to know God and come to Christ. Instead, it makes them become like us—pursuing money, power, and social status, rather than seeking the Kingdom of God.
Today, let us become as pure as little children, beholding God with the eyes of faith, listening to the word of God with the ears of faith, and proclaiming the word of God with the mouths of infants. With hearts set solely on pursuing God, longing for our heavenly home, and thirsting for the will of God, the word of God will then reveal to us more of the profound truths of the Kingdom of Heaven, drawing us closer to the Kingdom, and even allowing us to dwell in it, being with God at every moment.
O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven. 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
October 2, 2026 The Holy Guardian Angels Gospel: Matthew 18:1–5, 10
Today is Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. The recently published Missal tells us: Three days ago, the Church’s liturgy celebrated the Archangels SS. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael; today is the Memorial of those angels who, according to Scripture and tradition, guard and assist us at every moment. Each person has such a Guardian Angel, and we rightly rejoice in their company.
Today, the passage from the Gospel of Matthew presents to us Jesus’ discourse on the Kingdom of Heaven, as He spoke of it. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.
Last year, when I was writing the Daily Word for the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, I shared an example: Once, I went on a pilgrimage with some parishioners. Along the way, they practiced singing hymns. This was originally a beautiful thing, for we know that singing is a double prayer. However, halfway through, they said, “We have a boss, and our boss is the parish priest—he is the greatest.” That parishioner spoke in this way because he viewed God and His Church, built upon St. Peter, according to the logic of this world. Those who follow the logic of this world understand the order of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus spoke of according to the hierarchical structure of the Church. In their eyes, within the Kingdom of Heaven, everyone’s rank is determined by their place in the Church’s hierarchy. The greatest must surely be the Pope, followed by Cardinals, then Bishops, then priests, then deacons, and finally the lay faithful.
This year, I would like to say to that parishioner that the Kingdom of Heaven spoken of by Jesus is composed not only of a God who loves and is loved by Him, but also of those who hear God’s word and are humble like the Blessed Virgin Mary. If we truly belong to the children of God, if we truly belong to the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus spoke of, we shall become angels to others. For the angels of God are faithful servants who accomplish the holy will of God, and they constantly care for the people of God entrusted to their charge.
O God, who in your unfathomable providence are pleased to send your holy Angels to guard us, hear our supplication as we cry to you, that we may always be defended by their protection and rejoice eternally in their company. 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
您必须登录才能发表评论。