Coffee with God:August 25, 2026

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

與主嘆啡:2026年8月24日

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

与主叹啡:2026年8月24日

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

Coffee with God:August 24, 2026

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

與主嘆啡:2026年8月23日

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

与主叹啡:2026年8月23日

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

Coffee with God:August 23, 2026

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

2025-2026(甲)常年期第廿一主日講道:我該說我是誰

我該說我是誰
福音:瑪竇16:13-20


Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF
Claretian Missionaries


受人矚目,往往是一種難以承受的重壓。我們從他人的眼中感受到那份期待、那份預設,以及那種無聲地要求我們成為他們想要我們成為的人。世人在認識我們以前,我們早已有了名字。我們被塞進那些從來不是自己選擇的角色裡。慢慢的,我們開始不自覺地扮演起這些角色,我們成了別人眼中的那個我們,披著他們的投射,就如同穿著不合身的衣服一般。過了一段時間,我們甚至忘記衣服究竟在哪裡結束,而我們又是從哪裡開始的。


這就是今天福音經文中所隱含的戲劇張力。耶穌問自己的門徒說:「人們說人子是誰?」他們的答案,是一連串名字:洗者若翰、厄裡亞、耶肋米亞,或是先知中的一位。這並不是他們的隨意猜測,而是他們的投射。這暴露了人們內心深處的渴求。這告訴我們,他們期待的是怎樣的一種文化。他們期待的,不是來自納匝肋那位木匠的文化,而是另一種文化,一種熟悉的、且適合劇本的文化。


洗者若翰,是火熱的宣講者,曠野裡的呼聲,以不容質疑的急迫呼籲人們悔改。可是,若翰不只是宣講者,更是犧牲者。黑落德把他斬首,人們都記得。處於悲痛和憤怒中的他們,把復仇的希望投射到耶穌身上。他們希望若翰回來,他們希望那被噤聲的先知復活起來,討回公道。可是,耶穌不是來報仇的,祂是來寬恕的。祂和罪人同席就坐,也撫摸癩病人;祂講論仁慈,並且拒絕成為他們復仇的工具。


厄裡亞,是偉大的行奇跡者。他曾叫火從天降下,打敗巴耳的先知,在克雄小河一舉殺了大概四百五十位巴耳的先知。那些看見耶穌、並說祂是厄裡亞的人,他們渴求的,不只是奇跡,更渴望的,是披著正義外衣的暴力。他們想要的,是一個毀滅天主仇敵的戰士;他們想要的,是一個以血淨化大地的先知;他們想要的,是天主審判的利劍。可是,耶穌拒絕叫火從天降下。那時候,雅各伯和若望問耶穌,是否要叫火從天降下,燒滅那拒絕他們的撒瑪黎雅人的村子,卻被耶穌斥責了。祂不是厄裡亞。祂不殺人,反被人殺;祂不毀滅,反遭毀滅。祂正是要藉著那樣的摧毀,啟示一種截然不同的力量。


耶肋米亞,是流淚的先知。他為耶路撒冷的毀滅哀哭,也曾談論流徙和荒涼。那些看見耶穌、並說祂是耶肋米亞的人,是在尋找一位宣告厄運的先知。恐懼和焦慮壓得他們沉重,他們以為世界正在終結。他們想要有人來印證他們的絕望,他們想要某個聲音來確認他們那糟糕的恐懼。耶穌卻在講論一個正在破曉的天國,祂談到種子和收穫,談到芥子和酵母。祂拒絕成為他們憂愁的先知。


說出這些名字的每一個人,談論的都更多的是他們自己,而非耶穌。人們把自己的需要、恐懼和希望都寄託在祂身上。他們想要復仇,祂卻獻上寬恕;他們想要暴力,祂卻賜下平安;他們想要自己的絕望得到印證,祂卻給他們帶來希望。他們想要耶穌成為自己希望成為的那種人,乖乖按照劇本表演。然而,耶穌藉著這個提問,溫柔地戳穿了這一切。祂彷彿在說:「他們給我取了名字,可是,這些名字並不是我的。」


接著,祂問自己的門徒:「可是,你們說我是誰?」


這是每個人都必須反思的時刻。眾人的期望被擱置一旁,文化的聲音被壓制,他人的投射不再成為尺度。此刻重要的,是伯多祿看見了什麼,是伯多祿宣認了什麼。不是因為伯多祿更聰明或更聖善,而是因為他停止透過別人的眼睛去看耶穌,而開始用自己的眼睛去看,用自己的心去認識。


「祢是基督,永生天主之子。」


這不是一場表演,不是為討好而給出的答案。這個答案來自更深的源頭。耶穌指出其來源:「不是血肉之軀把這啟示給了你。」不是人的意見,不是文化的期待,不是人群所帶來的壓力,而是天父的啟示。這個啟示自天而來,來自我們得以真正認識的地方;這個啟示遠超一切面具、角色和投射。


對認可的渴求,是人類生命中最強大的力量之一。我們渴望被看見,渴望被認識。但我們同樣渴望在自己選擇的角色中被認可。我們希望別人確認我們自以為是的形象,希望他們為我們的表演背書。若得不到,便深感不安,覺得未被看見,感到被拒絕。這是人類普遍的創傷。我們生在一個充滿期待的世界裡,在認識自己之前,就已經被賦予了名字。我們一生,要麼竭力活出被賦予的名字,要麼拼命掙脫它們。


想想你自己的生命吧。那些被賦予你的名字,那些指派給你的角色:乖孩子、負責任的人、失敗者、「叛逆者」、「總是幫忙的人」、「永遠不夠好的人」。這些名字如此沉重,既塑造我們,也束縛我們。我們依此行動,依此言說。久而久之,分不清角色在哪裡結束,真正的自己又在哪裡開始。我們變成了表演本身,甚至忘了,在角色之下,有一個從未打算被任何框架限定的自我。


耶穌拒絕了每一個投射給祂的角色。祂不是為復仇而歸來的洗者若翰,不是誅殺先知的厄裡亞,不是宣告絕望的耶肋米亞。祂就是祂自己,全然、徹底、毫無歉意。正是在做祂自己時,祂啟示了何謂真正的自由:就是活著,不為贏得他人的認可,只為回應天父的愛。


我想到自己渴求認可的軟弱。多少次我為他人的目光而表演,多少次我調整自己以符合他們的期待,多少次因害怕被拒絕而不敢做真實的自己。然後,我聽見耶穌的聲音:「你們說我是誰?」而這個問題,也成了:「那我該說我是誰?」不是別人說的,不是我表演出來的,而是當無人注視時,在父面前,我究竟是誰。


答案不是一個角色。答案是一個恩典:成為天主子女。答案是天主呼喊我時用的名字。這不是眾人給我的名字,這不是靠表演賺得的名字,這是白白賜下的名字。那名字,才是我真實的自我,那個隱藏在基督內的自我,是任何期待都無法限定的自我。那個最終、全然、無畏地宣認「祢是默西亞」的自我。而在認識祢的那一刻,我才開始認識真實的自己。

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

2025-2026(甲)常年期第廿一主日讲道:我该说我是谁

我该说我是谁
福音:玛窦16:13-20

Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF
Claretian Missionaries

受人瞩目,往往是一种难以承受的重压。我们从他人的眼中感受到那份期待、那份预设,以及那种无声地要求我们成为他们想要我们成为的人。世人在认识我们以前,我们早已有了名字。我们被塞进那些从来不是自己选择的角色里。慢慢的,我们开始不自觉地扮演起这些角色,我们成了别人眼中的那个我们,披着他们的投射,就如同穿着不合身的衣服一般。过了一段时间,我们甚至忘记衣服究竟在哪里结束,而我们又是从哪里开始的。

这就是今天福音经文中所隐含的戏剧张力。耶稣问自己的门徒说:「人们说人子是谁?」他们的答案,是一连串名字:洗者若翰、厄里亚、耶肋米亚,或是先知中的一位。这并不是他们的随意猜测,而是他们的投射。这暴露了人们内心深处的渴求。这告诉我们,他们期待的是怎样的一种文化。他们期待的,不是来自纳匝肋那位木匠的文化,而是另一种文化,一种熟悉的、且适合剧本的文化。

洗者若翰,是火热的宣讲者,旷野里的呼声,以不容质疑的急迫呼吁人们悔改。可是,若翰不只是宣讲者,更是牺牲者。黑落德把他斩首,人们都记得。处于悲痛和愤怒中的他们,把复仇的希望投射到耶稣身上。他们希望若翰回来,他们希望那被噤声的先知复活起来,讨回公道。可是,耶稣不是来报仇的,祂是来宽恕的。祂和罪人同席就坐,也抚摸癞病人;祂讲论仁慈,并且拒绝成为他们复仇的工具。

厄里亚,是伟大的行奇迹者。他曾叫火从天降下,打败巴耳的先知,在克雄小河一举杀了大概四百五十位巴耳的先知。那些看见耶稣、并说祂是厄里亚的人,他们渴求的,不只是奇迹,更渴望的,是披着正义外衣的暴力。他们想要的,是一个毁灭天主仇敌的战士;他们想要的,是一个以血净化大地的先知;他们想要的,是天主审判的利剑。可是,耶稣拒绝叫火从天降下。那时候,雅各布伯和若望问耶稣,是否要叫火从天降下,烧灭那拒绝他们的撒玛黎雅人的村子,却被耶稣斥责了。祂不是厄里亚。祂不杀人,反被人杀;祂不毁灭,反遭毁灭。祂正是要借着那样的摧毁,启示一种截然不同的力量。

耶肋米亚,是流泪的先知。他为耶路撒冷的毁灭哀哭,也曾谈论流徙和荒凉。那些看见耶稣、并说祂是耶肋米亚的人,是在寻找一位宣告厄运的先知。恐惧和焦虑压得他们沉重,他们以为世界正在终结。他们想要有人来印证他们的绝望,他们想要某个声音来确认他们那糟糕的恐惧。耶稣却在讲论一个正在破晓的天国,祂谈到种子和收获,谈到芥子和酵母。祂拒绝成为他们忧愁的先知。

说出这些名字的每一个人,谈论的都更多的是他们自己,而非耶稣。人们把自己的需要、恐惧和希望都寄托在祂身上。他们想要复仇,祂却献上宽恕;他们想要暴力,祂却赐下平安;他们想要自己的绝望得到印证,祂却给他们带来希望。他们想要耶稣成为自己希望成为的那种人,乖乖按照剧本表演。然而,耶稣借着这个提问,温柔地戳穿了这一切。祂彷佛在说:「他们给我取了名字,可是,这些名字并不是我的。」

接着,祂问自己的门徒:「可是,你们说我是谁?」

这是每个人都必须反思的时刻。众人的期望被搁置一旁,文化的声音被压制,他人的投射不再成为尺度。此刻重要的,是伯多禄看见了什么,是伯多禄宣认了什么。不是因为伯多禄更聪明或更圣善,而是因为他停止透过别人的眼睛去看耶稣,而开始用自己的眼睛去看,用自己的心去认识。

「祢是基督,永生天主之子。」

这不是一场表演,不是为讨好而给出的答案。这个答案来自更深的源头。耶稣指出其来源:「不是血肉之躯把这启示给了你。」不是人的意见,不是文化的期待,不是人群所带来的压力,而是天父的启示。这个启示自天而来,来自我们得以真正认识的地方;这个启示远超一切面具、角色和投射。

对认可的渴求,是人类生命中最强大的力量之一。我们渴望被看见,渴望被认识。但我们同样渴望在自己选择的角色中被认可。我们希望别人确认我们自以为是的形象,希望他们为我们的表演背书。若得不到,便深感不安,觉得未被看见,感到被拒绝。这是人类普遍的创伤。我们生在一个充满期待的世界里,在认识自己之前,就已经被赋予了名字。我们一生,要么竭力活出被赋予的名字,要么拼命挣脱它们。

想想你自己的生命吧。那些被赋予你的名字,那些指派给你的角色:乖孩子、负责任的人、失败者、「叛逆者」、「总是帮忙的人」、「永远不够好的人」。这些名字如此沉重,既塑造我们,也束缚我们。我们依此行动,依此言说。久而久之,分不清角色在哪里结束,真正的自己又在哪里开始。我们变成了表演本身,甚至忘了,在角色之下,有一个从未打算被任何框架限定的自我。

耶稣拒绝了每一个投射给祂的角色。祂不是为复仇而归来的洗者若翰,不是诛杀先知的厄里亚,不是宣告绝望的耶肋米亚。祂就是祂自己,全然、彻底、毫无歉意。正是在做祂自己时,祂启示了何谓真正的自由:就是活着,不为赢得他人的认可,只为回应天父的爱。

我想到自己渴求认可的软弱。多少次我为他人的目光而表演,多少次我调整自己以符合他们的期待,多少次因害怕被拒绝而不敢做真实的自己。然后,我听见耶稣的声音:「你们说我是谁?」而这个问题,也成了:「那我该说我是谁?」不是别人说的,不是我表演出来的,而是当无人注视时,在父面前,我究竟是谁。

答案不是一个角色。答案是一个恩典:成为天主子女。答案是天主呼喊我时用的名字。这不是众人给我的名字,这不是靠表演赚得的名字,这是白白赐下的名字。那名字,才是我真实的自我,那个隐藏在基督内的自我,是任何期待都无法限定的自我。那个最终、全然、无畏地宣认「祢是默西亚」的自我。而在认识祢的那一刻,我才开始认识真实的自己。

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

Homily for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time :WHO DO I SAY, I AM

WHO DO I SAY, I AM
Matthew 16:13-20

Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF
Claretian Missionaries

There is an unbearable weight in being watched. We feel it in the eyes of others. The expectation. The assumption. The quiet demand to be what they need us to be. We are named before we are known. We are fitted into roles we never chose. And slowly, imperceptibly, we begin to perform. We become who others think we are. We wear their projections like ill-fitting garments. And after a while, we forget where the garment ends and we begin.

This is the hidden drama of today’s Gospel. Jesus asks his disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? They answer with a list of names. John the Baptist. Elijah. Jeremiah. One of the prophets. These are not random guesses. They are projections. They reveal what the people were looking for. They tell us what the culture expected. And what the culture expected was not a carpenter from Nazareth. It was someone else. Someone familiar. Someone who fit the script.

John the Baptist. The fiery preacher. The voice in the wilderness. The one who called for repentance with unyielding urgency. But John was more than a preacher. He was a victim. Herod had beheaded him. And the people remembered. They remembered the violence. They remembered the injustice. And in their grief and rage, they projected onto Jesus the hope of vengeance. They wanted John to return. They wanted the prophet who had been silenced to rise and settle the score. But Jesus did not come to avenge. He came to forgive. He ate with sinners. He touched lepers. He spoke of mercy. He refused to be the instrument of their vengeance.

Elijah. The great wonder-worker. The one who called down fire from heaven. The one who defeated the prophets of Baal and slaughtered them at the river Kishon. Four hundred and fifty prophets. Slaughtered. The people who saw Jesus and said “Elijah” were not just looking for miracles. They were looking for violence dressed as righteousness. They wanted a God who would destroy enemies. They wanted a prophet who would purify the land with blood. They wanted the sword of divine judgment. But Jesus refused to call down fire. When James and John asked if they should command fire to come down on a Samaritan village that rejected him, Jesus rebuked them. He was not Elijah. He would not kill. He would be killed. He would not destroy. He would be destroyed. And in that destruction, he would reveal a different kind of power.

Jeremiah. The weeping prophet. The one who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem. The one who spoke of exile and desolation. The people who saw Jesus and said “Jeremiah” were looking for a prophet of doom. They were carrying their own fears and anxieties, their own sense that the world was ending. They wanted someone who would validate their despair. They wanted a voice that would confirm their worst fears. But Jesus spoke of a kingdom that was breaking in. He spoke of seeds and harvests. He spoke of mustard trees and leaven. He refused to be the prophet of their sorrow.

Each of these names tells us more about the one who spoke it than about Jesus. The people projected their needs, their fears, their hopes onto him. They wanted vengeance and he offered forgiveness. They wanted violence and he offered peace. They wanted despair confirmed and he offered hope. They wanted him to be who they needed him to be. They wanted him to perform a role. And Jesus, in asking the question, is gently exposing this. He is saying, They have named me. But their names are not me.

And then he turns to the disciples. But who do you say that I am?

This is the moment of personal reckoning. The crowd’s expectations are set aside. The voices of the culture are silenced. The projections of others are no longer the measure. What matters now is what Peter sees. What matters now is what Peter confesses. Not because Peter is smarter or holier. But because Peter has stopped looking at Jesus through the eyes of others. He has begun to see with his own eyes. He has begun to know with his own heart.

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

This is not a performance. It is not an answer given to please. It is an answer that comes from somewhere deeper. Jesus names the source. Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you. Not human opinion. Not cultural expectation. Not the pressure of the crowd. But my Father. The revelation comes from above. It comes from the place where we are truly known, beyond all the masks and roles and projections.

The need for validation is one of the most powerful forces in human life. We crave to be seen. We crave to be known. But we also crave to be validated in the roles we have chosen. We want others to confirm who we think we are. We want them to endorse our performance. And when they do not, we feel a deep unease. We feel unseen. We feel rejected. This is the universal human wound. We are born into a world of expectations. We are named before we know ourselves. And we spend our lives trying to live up to the names we have been given or trying to escape them.

Think of your own life. The names you have been given. The roles you have been assigned. The good child. The responsible one. The failure. The rebel. The one who always helps. The one who never quite measures up. These names are heavy. They shape us. They confine us. We act out of them. We speak out of them. And after a while, we cannot tell where the role ends and we begin. We become the performance. We forget that beneath the role there is a self that was never meant to be contained.

Jesus refused every role that was projected onto him. He was not John the Baptist returned for vengeance. He was not Elijah the slaughterer of prophets. He was not Jeremiah the voice of despair. He was himself. Fully. Completely. Without apology. And in being himself, he revealed what it means to be truly free. To live not for the validation of others but for the love of the Father.

I think of my own need for validation. How often I perform for the eyes of others. How often I shape myself to meet their expectations. How often I am afraid to be who I truly am because I fear their rejection. And then I hear the voice of Jesus. Who do you say that I am? And the question becomes: Who do I say that I am? Not who they say. Not who I perform. But who I am when no one is watching. Who I am in the presence of the Father.

The answer is not a role. The answer is a gift of being a child of God. The answer is the name that God speaks over me. A name that is not given by the crowd. A name that is not earned by performance. A name that is given freely. And that name is my true self. The self that is hidden in Christ. The self that no expectation can contain. The self that is finally, fully, unafraid to say, You are the Christ. And in knowing you, I am beginning to know who I truly am.

© Claretian Publications, Macau 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica