July 26, 2026 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52
Today is the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew presents us with three parables spoken by Jesus. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.
First, Jesus says: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field” (cf. Matthew 13:44). Clearly, Jesus wants to reveal to us a set of values different from those followed by the people of today. The values of the world are a culture of instant gratification, where people crave to accumulate more possessions in this passing world, because in their eyes, these accumulated possessions can bring them a greater sense of security. However, Jesus asks us not to store up more treasures in this perishable world. Instead, guided by the inspiration and light of the Holy Spirit, we are to recognize the hidden Kingdom of Heaven—a Kingdom composed of a God who loves humanity and humans who are loved by God.
Next, Jesus says: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls” (cf. Matthew 13:45). This reminds me of the world we live in today. People living in this changing world often seek various kinds of wisdom from perishable human beings. Human wisdom can make people good, but it can also lead them to evil. Jesus uses pearls as a metaphor for the wisdom of the Kingdom. The wisdom of the Kingdom always leads people to every good, restoring the beauty of those who have become disfigured by sin to the original beauty of humanity created by God in His own image.
Finally, Jesus says: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind” (cf. Matthew 13:47). This brings to mind the Catholicity (universality) of the Church. We know that a net can hold everything; it gathers fish as well as all kinds of weeds and mud. Similarly, in the beginning, our Church was composed only of Jews. But with the impetus of the Holy Spirit, Gentiles began to appear in our midst. Furthermore, as the Holy Spirit continued to guide, the Church gradually expanded throughout the world. It embraces people of all professions, languages, skin colors, living environments, and educational backgrounds. Yet, they remain in communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter, as well as with the Successors of the Apostles who are in communion with him. When we come to church, we can witness this Catholicity.
O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. 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
今天是常年期第十六周星期六。教會在今天慶祝聖伯多祿宗徒的慶日。最近出版的羅馬彌撒經書告訴我們：聖雅各伯（+44），載伯德的兒子，與胞弟聖若望同蒙主召。他是伯多祿、若望之外的另一位宗徒，曾目睹耶穌顯聖容（瑪17:1）及山園祈禱（瑪26:37）。黑落德·阿格裡帕下令處死他，他於西元44年殉道，成為十二宗徒中首位流血致命者。他在西班牙聖地牙哥-德孔波斯特拉（Santiago de Compostela）的朝聖地，該地至今仍是著名的朝聖地。
今天是常年期第十六周星期六。教会在今天庆祝圣伯多禄宗徒的庆日。最近出版的罗马弥撒经书告诉我们：圣雅各伯（+44），载伯德的儿子，与胞弟圣若望同蒙主召。他是伯多禄、若望之外的另一位宗徒，曾目睹耶稣显圣容（玛17:1）及山园祈祷（玛26:37）。黑落德·阿格里帕下令处死他，他于公元44年殉道，成为十二宗徒中首位流血致命者。他在西班牙圣地亚哥-德孔波斯特拉（Santiago de Compostela）的朝圣地，该地至今仍是著名的朝圣地。
July 25, 2026 Feast of Saint James, Apostle Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28
Today is Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Feast of Saint James the Apostle. The recently published Roman Missal tells us: St James (+44), the son of Zebedee, was called by the Lord together with his brother St John. He was one of the three Apostles—along with St Peter and St John—who witnessed the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1) and the Agony in the Garden (Mt 26:37). He was condemned to death by Herod Agrippa and was beheaded in the year 44, becoming the first of the Twelve to be martyred. His venerated shrine at Santiago de Compostela, Spain, remains a renowned centre of pilgrimage to this day.
Today’s passage from the Gospel of Matthew recounts the dialogue between the mother of the sons of Zebedee and Jesus. I would like to offer some reflections on this encounter.
The Evangelist tells us that the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons, did him homage, and asked him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She replied, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom” (cf. Mt 20:20–21). This reveals a misunderstanding she shared with many of her contemporaries regarding the nature of the Kingdom Jesus proclaimed. Like others of her time, she expected Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom in opposition to Rome; she imagined he would reign as a political messiah, and she sought positions of worldly power and status for her sons, James and John.
When we come before the Lord in his holy temple today, we too, like the mother of the sons of Zebedee, present our petitions. Often, our prayers seek worldly success, professional advancement, or social prestige. Such requests reveal that we have not yet fully grasped the true nature of God’s Kingdom.
Another moment in today’s Gospel calls for deeper reflection. Jesus answered her, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right or left is not mine to grant. It is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (cf. Mt 20:22–23). Clearly, Jesus calls us to move beyond our own limited expectations and to embrace the path he sets before us: a life shaped by his teachings, marked by faithful responsibility, and expressed in self-giving love. The way of Christ is the way of love—loving our brothers and sisters as he has loved us, serving the Church with humility, and being willing to lay down our lives for others.
Almighty ever-living God, who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles by the blood of Saint James, grant, we pray, that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith and constantly sustained by his protection. 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.
July 24, 2026 Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Saint Sharbel Makhluf, Priest Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23
Today is Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Saint Sharbel Makhluf of Lebanon. The recently published Roman Missal tells us: Saint Sharbel Makhluf (or Charbel, 1828–1898) was born in Bekaa-Kafra, Lebanon. He joined the Catholic Maronite Order and professed his vows at the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya. From 1875 onward, he lived the eremitical life, holding the Most Holy Eucharist as the source and summit of his life; his reputation for holiness spread far and wide. On December 24, 1898, he suffered a stroke while celebrating Mass and died.
Today’s passage from the Gospel of Matthew gives us Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower. I wish to offer some further reflections.
First, Jesus explains the meaning of the seed sown on the path (cf. Matt 13:18–19). This signifies those who hear the word of God but do not grasp its meaning. Though God grants them the hearing of the word, it bears no fruit in their lives; the devil comes and snatches the word away from them.
Next, Jesus explains the seed sown on rocky ground (cf. Matt 13:20–21). Clearly, He refers to those who are interested in the Kingdom of Heaven He proclaims yet find it difficult to make a decisive commitment to it, and even harder to truly embrace it. Thus, the word of God cannot take root in their hearts so as to fill them with its grace.
Then, Jesus explains the seed sown among thorns (cf. Matt 13:22). Evidently, He speaks of those who view the world according to its own logic. They interpret the word of God by their own lights and proclaim it according to their own designs, seeking to maintain their standing within the Church. When the brothers and sisters who listen to them cease to pay heed, anxiety sets in; this anxiety estranges them from the word of God, suffocating the seed sown in their hearts so that it cannot be nourished by grace and withers away.
Finally, Jesus explains the seed sown on rich soil (cf. Matt 13:23). Clearly, He refers to those who hear the word of God, follow the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, understand its true meaning, and live out its spirit faithfully. Having received the word, their hearts remain ever attuned to the Heart of Jesus. The seed takes root and grows within them. Those who witness their transformation through the word may, in turn, be moved to change their own minds and hearts; thus, the word begins to take root in them as well. In this way, the fruit of the word in the world slowly ripens and yields an ever-greater harvest.
On this Optional Memorial of Saint Sharbel Makhluf, Priest, let us join together in praying:
O God, who called the Priest Saint Sharbel Makhluf to the solitary combat of the desert and imbued him with all manner of devotion, grant us, we pray, that, being made imitators of the Lord’s Passion, we may merit to be co-heirs of his Kingdom. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
July 23, 2026 Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memoria of Saint Birgitta of Sweden Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17
Today is Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Saint Birgitta of Sweden. According to the recently published Roman Missal, St Bridget (Birgitta) (1303-1373) was born in Sweden and married Ulf Gudmarsson in 1316. It was a happy marriage and the devout couple brought up eight children, including St Catherine of Sweden. After Ulf’s death in 1344, she founded a religious community (Bridgettines) and received a number of mystical revelations. She corresponded with European monarchs, promoting peace and the return of the papacy from Avignon to Rome. She made pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Rome, where she spent her final years.
Today’s Gospel passage from Saint Matthew presents a dialogue between Jesus and His disciples following the parable of the Sower. I wish to offer some reflections on this text.
As I write these lines, I often think of those brothers and sisters who regularly attend Mass in our churches, as well as those who serve faithfully in online communities. Their knowledge and understanding of God can sometimes remain at the level of words. Some exegetes, perhaps drawing solely from their own seminary formation and experience, explain Scripture only on its surface—placing themselves, like the disciples who questioned Jesus, in a position of interpreting the divine word merely according to its literal sense. Perhaps, like the Apostles in Jesus’ time, they too struggle to grasp the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
To truly understand the word of God today, we must rely on the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Only by following the Spirit’s prompting can we hear, in the Liturgy of the Word, what Jesus Himself speaks to us. At times, our own intellect fails to comprehend His words; yet if we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allow His guidance to shape our understanding, we will come to perceive the Kingdom that Jesus proclaims—and more deeply grasp our relationship with this world and the mission entrusted to us in this passing age.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (cf. Matt 13:16–17) May we manifest this blessedness, which God has bestowed upon us, through our lives and concrete actions, so that the seed of God’s word may take root and bear fruit in the hearts of all.
O God, who guided Saint Bridget of Sweden along different paths of life and wondrously taught her the wisdom of the Cross as she contemplated the Passion of your Son, grant us, we pray, that, walking worthily in our vocation, we may seek you in all things.
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