August 14, 2026 Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr Gospel: Mt 18:21–19:1
Today is Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates today the Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr.
The recently published Missal reminds us: Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941), a Conventual Franciscan priest and martyr, was born near Łódź, Poland. Marked by an ardent devotion to the Immaculate Virgin, who had appeared to him in a vision as a child, he founded the Militia of the Immaculata to promote Marian consecration and established monasteries in Niepokalanów (Poland) and Nagasaki (Japan). Eventually imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz, he voluntarily offered himself in exchange for a condemned father sentenced to death. Saint John Paul II canonized him in 1982 and proclaimed him the patron of the “suffering” twentieth century.
The Gospel passage for today’s Mass is taken from the Gospel according to Matthew. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.
In our daily lives, we often quarrel with others over trivial matters and frequently feel that we have been wronged by others. At times, like Peter, we too want to ask Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?” (cf. Mt 18:21). In our eyes, there seems to be a limit to our tolerance toward others. Yet Jesus tells us: “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (cf. Mt 18:22). That is: unconditional forgiveness, boundless mercy.
To illustrate this lesson on forgiveness more clearly, Jesus tells a parable (cf. Mt 18:23–35), teaching us that our heavenly Father, rich in mercy, willed to give us His beloved Son, so that through His sufferings and death on the Cross, we might atone for our sins. Our lives are therefore of immense worth, for God has redeemed us at the cost of His own life. He redeemed us not that we might repay Him with our lives—for we are His creation, and our very life is His gift.
Today, as the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr, she invites us to imitate his virtuous example: to proclaim the word of God to the world with the fervor of a martyr, and to bear witness to the truth through concrete action. On this Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr, let us pray together:
O God, who filled the Priest and Martyr Saint Maximilian Kolbe with a burning love for the Immaculate Virgin Mary and with zeal for souls and love of neighbor, graciously grant, through his intercession, that, striving for your glory by eagerly serving others, we may be conformed, even until death, to your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
August 13, 2026 Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time or Optional Memorial of Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs Gospel: Matthew 18:21–19:1
Today is Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs. According to the recently published Roman Missal, SS. Pontian and Hippolytus (+ c. 236) suffered martyrdom after being exiled to Sardinia by Emperor Maximinus Thrax. St. Pontian succeeded St. Urban I as Pope in 230, while St. Hippolytus was a priest of Rome. He is likely the noted theologian of that name who was elected antipope during a dispute over the forgiveness of those who had sinned grievously. He was reconciled with the Church before his death.
In daily life, we often quarrel with others over trivial matters and frequently feel wronged by them. At times, like Peter, we may want to ask Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?” (cf. Matt 18:21). From our perspective, our tolerance for others seems to have limits. Yet Jesus tells us: “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (cf. Matt 18:22). This means forgiving unconditionally—without reservation.
To illustrate this truth more clearly, Jesus offers a parable (cf. Matt 18:23–35). In it, we encounter an image of God who calls us before Him to settle accounts. He does not come to reckon our sins, but to examine whether we have acted according to His will and teaching—whether we have loved those He has given us, especially those who hurt us. What hinders us from loving others, particularly those who harm us? Often, it is our own families. They may try to prevent us from loving, guided instead by the logic of this world, which seeks personal gain rather than the good of others. If our mindset aligns with this worldly logic, we become like the wicked servant in the parable: having received pardon from the Master, we revert to our old ways, oppressing our brothers and sisters and pursuing self-interest above all. Such conduct will surely bring God’s stern judgment; He will not acquit us lightly.
On this Optional Memorial of Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus, Priest, let us offer our prayer to God:
May the precious long-suffering of the just, O Lord, we pray, bring us a great increase of love for you and always prompt in our hearts constancy in the holy faith. 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.
今天是常年期第十九周星期三。教會在今天慶祝聖若翰納·方濟加·尚達爾的自由紀念日。最近出版的羅馬彌撒經書告訴我們：聖婦方濟加·尚達爾（1572–1641）生於法國第戎。婚後生活美滿，育有四子。其夫因狩獵意外身亡後，她在神師聖方濟各·沙雷氏的引導下辨識聖召。居孀九載，二人共同創立了聖母訪親女修會（The Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary，簡稱 V.H.M.），專務服務病患與貧苦大眾之愛德事業。
今天是常年期第十九周星期三。教会在今天庆祝圣若翰纳·方济加·尚达尔的自由纪念日。最近出版的罗马弥撒经书告诉我们：圣妇方济加·尚达尔（1572–1641）生于法国第戎。婚后生活美满，育有四子。其夫因狩猎意外身亡后，她在神师圣方济各·沙雷氏的引导下辨识圣召。居孀九载，二人共同创立了圣母访亲女修会（The Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary，简称 V.H.M.），专务服务病患与贫苦大众之爱德事业。
August 12, 2026 Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time or Optional Memorial of Saint Joan Frances de Chantal Gospel: Matthew 18:15–20
Today is Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Saint Joan Frances de Chantal. According to the recently published Roman Missal, Saint Joan Frances de Chantal (1572–1641) was born in Dijon, France. Happily married, she bore four children. After her husband was killed in a hunting accident, she discerned her vocation under the guidance of her spiritual director, Saint Francis de Sales. Nine years after her widowhood, they co-founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (V.H.M.), dedicated to works of charity among the sick and the poor.
The Gospel passage from Saint Matthew presents Jesus’ teaching on fraternal correction. I would like to offer some reflections on this text.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves at odds with others over various matters, sometimes even breaking fellowship over trivial disputes. This is because we follow the logic of this world logic centered on self-interest, prioritizing personal gain, and seeking to triumph over others by any means. Hatred and unrest are the permanent logic of this world. The root cause of such hatred and anxiety is sin. Sin enslaves us and leaves the heart feeling empty; consequently, we seek to possess everything to secure a sense of safety by dominating others.
Today, Jesus instructs us: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him about his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. And if he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (cf. Mt 18:15–18).
In these words, we perceive the logic of God’s kingdom. The world Jesus proposes is one filled with mercy and love. It is the world of a God who loves not only the faithful but also those who sin against Him. In his homily for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly, Pope Leo XIV stated: “God loves us just as He loves Himself. The Father’s love for us is no less than His love for His Only Begotten Son. In other words, God’s love is infinite. It knows no discount, for He loved us first and loved us from the very beginning!” This perfectly aligns with Jesus’ teaching today. He calls us to propagate a love that is voluntary, spontaneous, and non-coercive. He urges us to take the initiative in reconciling with those with whom we disagree.
We might be tempted to interpret Jesus’ words— “If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector”—to mean that once all means of reconciliation have been exhausted, and even the Church, following the Savior’s teaching and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, has striven to restore communion with those who cause division or opposition, she must then sever ties with them. However, this is not Christ’s intent. Rather than demanding a clean break, Jesus commands the Church to spend more time in prayer for those wayward children. Through the Church’s penitential prayer, they may come to see God’s mercy and love and thus be moved to initiate reconciliation with the Church and the world.
On this Optional Memorial of Saint Joan Frances de Chantal, let us pray:
O God, who made Saint Jane Frances de Chantel radiant with outstanding merits in different walks of life, grant us, through her intercession, that, walking faithfully in our vocation, we may constantly be examples of shining light. 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.
今天是常年期第十九周星期二。教會在今天慶祝聖加辣貞女的紀念日。最近出版的羅馬彌撒經書告訴我們：聖加辣（約1193–1253年）生於義大利亞西西，追隨聖方濟各，創立貧窮修女會（the Order of Poor Clares）。她于聖達米盎修道院度徹底的神貧生活，以智慧領導團體四十年，常為諸多高階教長提供睿智指引。因其聖德卓著，於逝世兩年後榮列聖品。
今天是常年期第十九周星期二。教会在今天庆祝圣加辣贞女的纪念日。最近出版的罗马弥撒经书告诉我们：圣加辣（约1193–1253年）生于意大利亚西西，追随圣方济各，创立贫穷修女会（the Order of Poor Clares）。她于圣达米盎修道院度彻底的神贫生活，以智慧领导团体四十年，常为诸多高阶教长提供睿智指引。因其圣德卓著，于逝世两年后荣列圣品。
August 11, 2026 Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Today is Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates today the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin. The recently published Roman Missal tells us that Saint Clare (c. 1193–1253) was born in Assisi, Italy. Following Saint Francis of Assisi, she founded the Order of Poor Clares. She lived a life of complete poverty at the Monastery of San Damiano, and for forty years she wisely guided her community, often offering prudent and insightful counsel to many prelates of the Church. Because of the excellence of her holiness, she was canonized two years after her death.
The passage from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew proclaimed today continues to present the discussion between Jesus and His disciples concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. I would like to take this opportunity to continue offering some reflections.
When I reflect upon today’s Gospel, I often recall an event I witnessed several years ago when I was serving in a parish. At that time, Mass had just begun. A brother who regularly served at the altar had just arrived. The other altar servers had already prepared themselves and were about to leave the sacristy. That brother who regularly served at the altar came directly into the middle of the procession and demanded that they wait until he had put on his vestments before the priest could celebrate Mass. The priest who was presiding gently advised him to serve at the altar another time and asked him to return to the church to participate in the Mass. The late-arriving altar server became angry with the priest and left the parish. After that, he never returned.
I mention this not to criticize that altar server who arrived late, nor to criticize the priest who advised him to serve another time and asked him to return to the church to participate in the Mass. Rather, I mention it because I am reminded of the question raised by the disciples at the beginning of today’s Gospel: “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” (cf. Mt 18:1)
The Kingdom of Heaven imagined by the disciples was a kingdom that continued the social structures of the present world, rather than the Kingdom of Heaven proclaimed by Jesus. The Kingdom of Heaven proclaimed by Jesus is the Kingdom formed by the God who loves, and by those who are loved by God.
Today, Jesus says to His disciples: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (cf. Mt 18:3) He further teaches His disciples: “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.” (cf. Mt 18:4-5)
He asks us to let go of the attachments and stubborn thoughts within our hearts, to cling firmly to the Holy Spirit, so that the Holy Spirit may, according to His divine will, dispel the pride within us, guide us to free ourselves from the bonds of the world, and transform us to become as simple and pure as children, prepared for the Kingdom of Heaven proclaimed by Jesus.
In today’s Gospel passage, we also encounter a parable. The Chinese Studium Biblicum Bible gives this parable the title “The Parable of the Lost Sheep” (cf. Mt 18:12-14). Through this parable, Jesus wishes to use the image of the gentle sheep to tell us that the Kingdom of God which He proclaims belongs to those who are meek and humble: those who sincerely seek Him, submit themselves to His will, and live according to His teachings.
All of us are called to become the People of God. Through receiving Baptism into Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we have become children of God. Yet among us there are some brothers and sisters in the Lord who, in their faith and in every aspect of their lives, remain in communion with the Successor of Saint Peter. They receive the sacraments from pastors who are in communion with the Successor of Saint Peter. There are also some brothers and sisters in the Lord who once lived in communion with the Successor of Saint Peter, but later, for various reasons, departed from the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, which is in communion with the Successor of Saint Peter.
Perhaps we may think that God no longer loves them and has abandoned them. But God has not abandoned them. He continues to call them and loves them without counting the cost.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer a word of encouragement to that altar server who left the parish and has not returned to the Church: God is love, and He always loves us. Through receiving Baptism into Christ, we belong to Christ; and through receiving the anointing with the oil of joy bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit, we have received the mark of the People of God.
Therefore, our thoughts, words, and actions should become like those of Christ. We are called to become gentle and humble, and even more, to follow Christ the Good Shepherd. With a generous heart, we should welcome everyone, especially those who suffer in life and those who are marginalized by society, receiving them in the name of Christ, so that through our service they may experience and behold the mercy that God reveals to them. In this way, we will become like the shepherd in the parable spoken by Jesus at the conclusion of today’s Gospel. We will do all that we can to fulfill the mission entrusted to us by our Savior. He calls us to love, and through love, to draw all those who are lost back to Him.
On this Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin, let us now offer our prayer to God:
O God, who in your mercy led Saint Clare to a love of poverty, grant, through her intercession, that, following Christ in poverty of spirit, we may merit to contemplate you one day in the heavenly Kingdom. 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.
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