今天是常年期第十八周星期三。教會在今天羅馬聖母大殿奉獻日的自由紀念敬禮日。最近出版的羅馬彌撒經書是這樣介紹這個自由紀念敬禮日的: 西元431年，厄弗所大公會議宣佈童貞榮福瑪利亞為天主之母（Theotokos）；不久之後，教宗西斯篤三世將重建後的羅馬聖母大殿奉獻，以示對她的敬禮。根據傳統，該大殿的所在地最初是由一場發生於羅馬盛夏八月五日的奇跡性降雪所指示的，因而獲得了“雪地聖母”（Our Lady of the Snows）的名號。這座大殿被認為是獻給童貞榮福瑪利亞最重要的教堂，其奉獻日更新了我們與羅馬的聯繫。
今天是常年期第十八周星期三。教会在今天庆祝罗马圣母大殿奉献日的自由纪念敬礼日。最近出版的罗马弥撒经书是这样介绍这个自由纪念敬礼日的: 公元431年，厄弗所大公会议宣布童贞荣福玛利亚为天主之母（Theotokos）；不久之后，教宗西斯笃三世将重建后的罗马圣母大殿奉献，以示对她的敬礼。根据传统，该大殿的所在地最初是由一场发生于罗马盛夏八月五日的奇迹性降雪所指示的，因而获得了“雪地圣母”（Our Lady of the Snows）的名号。这座大殿被认为是献给童贞荣福玛利亚最重要的教堂，其奉献日更新了我们与罗马的联系。
August 5, 2026 Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome Gospel: Matthew 15:21–28
Today is Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church observes today as the Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. The recently published Roman Missal introduces this Optional Memorial as follows: In 431, the Council of Ephesus declared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the Mother of God (Theotokos). Shortly afterwards, Pope Sixtus III dedicated the rebuilt Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome in her honour. According to tradition, the site of the basilica was originally indicated by a miraculous snowfall on 5 August, in the midst of the Roman summer, thus earning it the title “Our Lady of the Snows.” This basilica is regarded as the foremost church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and its dedication day renews our bond with Rome.
Today’s passage from the Gospel of Matthew presents to us a dialogue between Jesus and the Canaanite woman as He passes through the region of Tyre and Sidon. Let us offer some reflections.
First, Matthew tells us that Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon (cf. Mt 15:21). Biblical scholar Graham H. Twelvetrees holds that Jesus did not actually enter Tyre and Sidon but went to the area across the sea. This accords well with the location of the events described today, for we know that Tyre was a Mediterranean city situated twenty-three miles north of Acre in Israel.
Next, Matthew tells us that a Canaanite woman came to Jesus, crying out on behalf of her daughter, begging Him to free her child from the torment of a demon (cf. Mt 15:22). This mirrors situations we encounter in our own lives. For we often turn to others for help amid the various needs of daily life. When we seek assistance from them, we commonly meet with two kinds of responses: when we encounter those who are generous and open-hearted, we receive, through their selfless giving, part or all of the aid we long for; but when we meet those who are indifferent in all things, they are like the disciples in today’s Gospel (cf. Mt 15:22–24)—no matter how earnestly we plead, they are unwilling to help, for in their eyes, so long as they themselves have enough to eat and wear, that suffices.
Finally, Matthew recounts the dialogue between Jesus and this Canaanite woman (cf. Mt 15:23–28). In this woman we can see a prefigurement of Holy Mother Church. When her children are held fast by the devil and the powers of the netherworld, she, like a tender mother, intercedes with Jesus for those sons and daughters ensnared in sin, so that the Lord Christ, who is rich in mercy, might—through the supplications offered by the Church—gather once more those “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (cf. Mt 15:24) and unite them together in the communion of the Most Holy Trinity. We who once lived in sin and death were by right undeserving of God’s mercy; yet God, who is rich in mercy, “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (cf. 2 Cor 5:21). Thus, for all who in faith trust in Christ, who follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rely upon the Holy Spirit, and mortify the deeds of the flesh, they become children of God. Their faith, like that of this Canaanite woman, will remain steadfastly confident in God. They shall surely possess a humility like hers (cf. Mt 15:25–27), receive every grace bestowed by God, and be delivered from sin and death (cf. Mt 15:28). And so, when they come to the end of this earthly life, they shall attain eternal life.
We who once lived in sin and death were by right undeserving of God’s mercy; yet God, who is rich in mercy, “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (cf. 2 Cor 5:21). Thus, for all who in faith trust in Christ, who follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rely upon the Holy Spirit, and mortify the deeds of the flesh, they become children of God. Their faith, like that of this Canaanite woman, will remain steadfastly confident in God. They shall surely possess a humility like hers (cf. Mt 15:25–27), receive every grace bestowed by God, and be delivered from sin and death (cf. Mt 15:28). And so, when they come to the end of this earthly life, they shall attain eternal life.
On this feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, let us join with the shepherds of the Church in Rome and raise our prayers to God:
Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may restore what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. 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
August 4, 2026 Memorial of Saint John Vianney Gospel: Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
Today is Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint John Vianney. The recently published Roman Missal introduces this saint as follows:
Saint Jean-Marie (John-Baptiste-Marie) Vianney (1786-1859) was born at Lyons (France) and, despite finding his seminary studies difficult, he was ordained a priest and spent forty-two years as Curé (parish priest) of Ars. Despite encountering much opposition, he reformed the parish, spending up to sixteen hours a day in the confessional and centring his life on the Holy Eucharist. Pius XII named him patron of parish clergy. Today, the passage from the Gospel of Matthew tells us about a dispute between Jesus and the Pharisees. On this memorial, I would like to offer some reflections.
The Evangelist Matthew tells us that today, a dispute arose between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of not washing their hands before eating (cf. Mt 15:1-2). In their view, handwashing was a purification ritual. Because people inevitably came into contact with Gentiles, failing to purify oneself meant being unclean. However, in Jesus’ eyes, these are merely external. He is more concerned with the defilement that comes from the heart. He said, “It is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles” (cf. Mt 15:11). This is the focal point of the dispute between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding cleanliness and uncleanness.
Perhaps we may be puzzled: what exactly constitutes the defilement that comes out of the mouth? We can see Jesus’ teaching in a similar account by the Evangelist Mark: “From within the human heart come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within, and they defile a person” (cf. Mk 7:21-23). From Jesus’ words, we see the many evil thoughts and wicked intentions of the human heart that He lists. These evil thoughts constantly tear at our relationship with God. For in the beginning, all that God created was very good. Each of us is made in the image and likeness of God. Yet, because of the disobedience of our first parents, each of us has been stained with original sin since the moment we left our mother’s womb. Sin makes us unfree, and it even makes us ugly.
Today, among many of the faithful, there exists a certain attitude: they believe that once they have received the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses original sin and the defilement of actual sins once and for all, they will remain clean forever. To those among the faithful who hold such a view, I wish to say: Living in this passing world, we still coexist with this fading world. This fading world continues to tempt us to sin, causing all kinds of evil thoughts to arise in our hearts. The food we eat does not produce evil thoughts in our hearts. Rather, the various things we encounter and the environments we are in cause us to make decisions. Once we make decisions, we run the risk of doing evil. Thus we continue to wound the world that God has created.
On this Memorial of Saint John Vianney, let us together offer our prayer to God:
Almighty and merciful God, who made the Priest Saint John Vianney wonderful in his pastoral zeal, grant, we pray, that through his intercession and example we may in charity win brothers and sisters for Christ and attain with them eternal glory. 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.
August 3, 2026 Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Gospel: Mt 14:22-36
Today is Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew presents us with the narrative of Jesus walking on the waters during the night.
In this narrative, we see a community of disciples sailing alone on the sea, battered by the waves. (Cf. Mt 14:24-27) This bears resemblance to the current situation of our Church. Today, our Church frequently encounters storms. Some assaults come from outside the Church—such as secularism, consumerism, hedonism, and extravagance—all of which batter the Church. Other assaults come from within the Church. For within our present-day Church, there are both good and evil people; there are those who are abandoned and helpless, as well as the sick; there are also people engaged in various professions, speaking different languages, of different skin colors, living environments, and educational backgrounds—who, by being in communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter, form the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Within this Church, there are often schismatics. Recently, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declared schismatics such as the movement initiated by Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre—the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X and its members (cf. Decree of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Prot. N.99/2009). The main reason they chose not to obey the Successor of the Apostle Peter and were unwilling to be in communion with him, I think, is that they are unwilling to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, preferring to be self-centered, and are even more reluctant to accept the Ecumenical Councils convened by the Catholic Church under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, together with their resolutions and all decrees. As a result, those Christians who live according to their teachings are, because of all they have done, led into a state of eternal perdition. Likewise, it cannot be denied that within the Church of God there are many who remain faithful to the Word of God. By their concrete actions, they obey the Successor of the Apostle Peter, follow the instructions of the Savior, and are in communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter according to the will of the Holy Spirit, and likewise in communion with those bishops who are in communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter, thus setting an example for all the People of God.
What impresses me deeply is the dialogue between Peter and Jesus. At that time, Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Cf. Mt 14:28) Acting on his own ideas, he attempted to verify whether the figure amidst the raging waves was indeed the Jesus he knew. Jesus’ answer—”Come” (Cf. Mt 14:29)—reveals His certainty; He is always ready to sustain us. Only when we truly welcome Him and choose to walk with Him can we find peace and joy.
Another aspect that strikes me is when Peter, due to his hesitation, encountered a strong headwind and immediately began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Cf. Mt 14:30) This also reflects our own reaction when we encounter setbacks or uncertainties. For in such moments, we too shrink back and even complain about God’s injustice toward us. Here, I wish to say to those brothers and sisters in the Lord who complain about God’s unfairness: God wills that we endure these trials in order to strengthen our faith, foster in us a longing for Him, and thereby give rise to charity. As the Apostle Saint Paul teaches: suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Cf. Rom 5:2-5) Only in this way can we truly experience His presence.
Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may restore what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. 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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