分类： 与主叹啡

August 28, 2026
Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Gospel: Matthew 25:1–13

Today is Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.The recently published Missal tells us: Saint Augustine (354–430) was born in Thagaste (in present-day Algeria). Moved by the good example of his mother, he embraced the Manichaean heresy in his early years and fathered an illegitimate child. At the age of thirty-three, he was converted by grace and received Baptism from Saint Ambrose in Milan. He later became Bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba, Algeria). Devoting his life to writing and preaching, he vigorously defended Faith, becoming one of the most influential Doctors of the Church. The rule of religious life he established continues to inspire Augustinian Canons Regular, Friars, and Nuns to this day.

Today’s Gospel passage from Saint Matthew continues to present to us Jesus’ parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. In this parable, we see a five-fold set of elements: the virgins, the bridegroom, the wedding feast, the lamps, and the oil. Though the relationship among these five elements may appear complex, it is quite clear to us, the people of the New Covenant.

In fact, the virgins (cf. Mt 25:1–5) refer to all brothers and sisters who, through the grace of Baptism in Christ, have been incorporated into Christ. They have crucified their mortal old self with Christ on the Cross, so that the body of sin might be destroyed (cf. Rom 6:6), and they are no longer slaves to sin. Led by the Holy Spirit, they have become children of God. Among these virgins, some are wise and some are foolish. They hold their lamps and await the bridegroom, who delays his coming (cf. Mt 25:5), so much so that they all become drowsy and fall asleep. The bridegroom they await is Christ. The lamps they hold are the virtue of hope, and the oil in the lamps is the penance they have done and all their good work. The wise virgins, while waiting for the bridegroom, have made ample preparation, so as to welcome Christ at any moment and enter the heavenly wedding banquet with Him. The foolish virgins are those who, though they long for the abode of eternal blessedness, fail to make ready. When the bridegroom arrives, they turn to the wise and prepared virgins seeking a remedy, and as a result, they forfeit the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of Heaven together with the wise (cf. Mt 25:6–10). For them, there is but one end: to be shut out of the Kingdom and cast into the outer darkness.

In the life of Saint Augustine, we see a living manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven spoken of by Jesus. He too once lived in the darkness of the world; the prince of this world hindered him from turning to God. His mother, Saint Monica, never ceased to pray for his conversion. The merciful Lord kindled in Augustine’s heart the bright lamp of faith. Following the light of the Holy Spirit, he came to understand the word of God with the eyes of faith. Through Baptism into Christ, his life was perfectly united with the life of Christ, and his heart was made one with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He tirelessly proclaimed the Kingdom of Heaven to this passing world, and his work The Confessions lays bare the spiritual journey of his conversion.

Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the spirit with which you endowed your Bishop Saint Augustine that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for you, the sole fount of true wisdom, and seek you, the author of heavenly love. 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

2026年8月27日
聖莫尼加（紀念）
福音：瑪23:27-32

今天是常年期第二十一周星期四。教會在今天慶祝聖莫尼加的紀念日。最近出版的羅馬彌撒經書告訴我們：聖莫尼加（約331-387年）生於塔加斯特（今阿爾及利亞，當時屬羅馬阿非利加行省）。她嫁給了派特利西烏斯，是聖奧思定的母親。她為兒子的皈依祈禱並受苦，並在387年為他領洗而滿心歡喜。不久後她在奧斯蒂亞去世，於十五世紀她的聖髑被遷往羅馬。取自聖瑪竇福音的經文給我們展現了耶穌有關末世的教導。讓我們來試著理解。

耶穌對門徒說：“醒寤！因為你們不知道，你們的主會在哪一天來到。要知道：如果屋主知道小偷會在夜晚的哪個時刻來到，他就會醒寤，不會讓他闖進自己的家中。你們也要這樣準備，因為在你們意想不到的時刻，人子就會來到。”（參看：瑪24:42-44）

耶穌所說的醒寤，是要讓我們的心神保持警覺。那麼，我們如何才能做到呢？就是要藉著祈禱與祂來往。一個人，當祂向天主獻上祈禱的時候，祂的心神就會與天主同在。我們知道，天主的生活的，在祂內充滿生命，祂不是一個死氣沉沉的天主，而是一個充滿活力的天主。富於仁慈的天主，決不會使那與祂自由來往的人變得死氣沉沉。

耶穌所說的小偷，在新約中極其普遍。保祿在他寫給得撒洛尼人的書信中，也用了這個圖像，他說：“你們深知，主的日子，會如同夜間的盜賊一樣來到。”我們也在聖伯多祿後書中找到：“主的日子，會如同盜賊一樣來到。”我們也在默示錄中，復活的主寫給那些在撒爾德教會中那些不警醒的人的信中看到：我會如同盜賊一樣，在你們不知不覺中，隨時來到你們這裡。

今天，聖莫尼加的紀念日。讓我們效法聖莫尼加的德表，恒常不斷，醒寤祈禱：

天主，祢是憂苦者的安慰。祢仁慈收納聖莫尼加為她兒子奧斯定的皈依所流的慈母之淚。求祢藉由他們的轉禱，恩賜我們深切痛悔我們所犯的罪過，以此得到祢的寬恕。藉著祢的子，我們的主耶穌基督，祢和祂及聖神，是天主，永生永王。亞孟。

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

2026年8月27日
圣莫尼加（纪念）
福音：玛23:27-32

今天是常年期第二十一周星期四。教会在今天庆祝圣莫尼加的纪念日。最近出版的罗马弥撒经书告诉我们：圣莫尼加（约331-387年）生于塔加斯特（今阿尔及利亚，当时属罗马阿非利加行省）。她嫁给了帕特利西乌斯，是圣奥思定的母亲。她为儿子的皈依祈祷并受苦，并在387年为他领洗而满心欢喜。不久后她在奥斯蒂亚去世，于十五世纪她的圣髑被迁往罗马。取自圣玛窦福音的经文给我们展现了耶稣有关末世的教导。让我们来试着理解。

耶稣对门徒说：“醒寤！因为你们不知道，你们的主会在哪一天来到。要知道：如果屋主知道小偷会在夜晚的哪个时刻来到，他就会醒寤，不会让他闯进自己的家中。你们也要这样准备，因为在你们意想不到的时刻，人子就会来到。”（参看：玛24:42-44）

耶稣所说的醒寤，是要让我们的心神保持警觉。那么，我们如何才能做到呢？就是要藉着祈祷与祂来往。一个人，当祂向天主献上祈祷的时候，祂的心神就会与天主同在。我们知道，天主的生活的，在祂内充满生命，祂不是一个死气沉沉的天主，而是一个充满活力的天主。富于仁慈的天主，决不会使那与祂自由来往的人变得死气沉沉。

耶稣所说的小偷，在新约中极其普遍。保禄在他写给得撒洛尼人的书信中，也用了这个图像，他说：“你们深知，主的日子，会如同夜间的盗贼一样来到。”我们也在圣伯多禄后书中找到：“主的日子，会如同盗贼一样来到。”我们也在默示录中，复活的主写给那些在撒尔德教会中那些不警醒的人的信中看到：我会如同盗贼一样，在你们不知不觉中，随时来到你们这里。

今天，圣莫尼加的纪念日。让我们效法圣莫尼加的德表，恒常不断，醒寤祈祷：

天主，祢是忧苦者的安慰。祢仁慈收纳圣莫尼加为她儿子奥斯定的皈依所流的慈母之泪。求祢藉由他们的转祷，恩赐我们深切痛悔我们所犯的罪过，以此得到祢的宽恕。藉着祢的子，我们的主耶稣基督，祢和祂及圣神，是天主，永生永王。亚孟。

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica

August 27, 2026
Memorial of Saint Monica
Gospel: Gospel: Mt 23:27-32

Today is Thursday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time. Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Monica. The recently published Roman Missal tells us: Saint Monica (c. 331–387) was born in Tagaste (in present-day Algeria, then part of the Roman province of Africa). She married Patricius and was the mother of Saint Augustine. She prayed and suffered for the conversion of her son, and rejoiced wholeheartedly when she baptized him in 387. She died shortly afterward at Ostia, and her relics were transferred to Rome in the 15th century. The passage taken from the Gospel of Saint Matthew presents us with Jesus’ eschatological teaching. Let us try to understand it.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the owner of the house knew in which hour the thief was coming, he would stay awake and not let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” (cf. Mt 24:42-44)

The “staying awake” that Jesus speaks of is meant to keep our spirit vigilant. How, then, can we do this? It is by associating with Him through prayer. When a person offers prayer to God, his spirit is with God. We know that God is living; in Him there is fullness of life. He is not a lifeless God, but a God full of vitality. The God who is rich in mercy will never allow one who freely communes with Him to become lifeless.

The image of the thief spoken of by Jesus is very common in the New Testament. Paul also uses this image in his letter to the Thessalonians, saying: “For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.” We also find it in 2 Peter: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief.” And in the Book of Revelation, in the letter that the Risen Lord writes to those who are not vigilant in the Church of Sardis: “I will come to you like a thief, at an hour you do not expect.”

Today, on the Memorial of Saint Monica, let us imitate her virtuous example, persevering always in vigilant prayer:

O God, who console the sorrowful
and who mercifully accepted
the motherly tears of Saint Monica
for the conversion of her son Augustine,
grant us, through the intercession of them both,
that we may bitterly regret our sins
and find the grace of your pardon.
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

2026年8月26日
常年期第廿一周星期三
福音：瑪23:27-32

今天是常年期第二十一周星期三。今天，取自聖瑪竇福音經文繼續給我們展現耶穌對經師和法利賽人的譴責。我願意借此機會，提供一些反思。

耶穌說：經師和法利賽人，假善人，你們有禍了。你們好似被粉飾過的墳墓，外表美麗，裡面卻滿是死人的骨頭和各種污穢。即使如此，你們外表看起來是義人，內心卻充滿虛偽和邪惡。（參看：瑪23:27-28）

有些人，未死以前，就已給自己購買好了墳墓，花大價錢裝飾墳墓，為的是能在自己死後能風光落葬。在他們看來，墳墓是他們永恆的所在。今天，那些受到耶穌指責的經師和法利賽人，假善人，他們心中所持的，也是這樣的想法，他們總想著能使自己的外表，光鮮亮麗，內心卻充滿各種污穢。

今天，在我們的堂區，在我們所在的基督徒團體內，也有這樣的弟兄姐妹。從表面上來看，他們是虔誠的基督徒，他們熱衷於教會的福傳事業，他們熱心敬禮天主。可是，他們的心沒有改變，因為他們追逐的，依然是這個世界的名與利，而非天主的國和天主兒女的義德。因此，他們不屬於基督，因為屬於基督的人，時常追隨天主聖神的引導，他們信賴天主聖神，仰賴天主聖神的助佑。那溫柔的天主聖神，如同微風吹拂，吹盡我們心中的各種各樣污穢，使我們的五內，充滿天主的恩典。如果我們和那屬於基督的人一樣，真心接納天主聖神，天主聖神就會除盡我們內心充滿的各種虛偽和邪惡之情，使我們充滿祂的精神。如果我們充滿祂的精神，我們就不會貪圖虛榮。

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

2026年8月26日
常年期第廿一周星期三
福音：玛23:27-32

今天是常年期第二十一周星期三。今天，取自圣玛窦福音经文继续给我们展现耶稣对经师和法利赛人的谴责。我愿意借此机会，提供一些反思。

耶稣说：经师和法利赛人，假善人，你们有祸了。你们好似被粉饰过的坟墓，外表美丽，里面却满是死人的骨头和各种污秽。即使如此，你们外表看起来是义人，内心却充满虚伪和邪恶。（参看：玛23:27-28）

有些人，未死以前，就已给自己购买好了坟墓，花大价钱装饰坟墓，为的是能在自己死后能风光落葬。在他们看来，坟墓是他们永恒的所在。今天，那些受到耶稣指责的经师和法利赛人，假善人，他们心中所持的，也是这样的想法，他们总想着能使自己的外表，光鲜亮丽，内心却充满各种污秽。

今天，在我们的堂区，在我们所在的基督徒团体内，也有这样的弟兄姐妹。从表面上来看，他们是虔诚的基督徒，他们热衷于教会的福传事业，他们热心敬礼天主。可是，他们的心没有改变，因为他们追逐的，依然是这个世界的名与利，而非天主的国和天主儿女的义德。因此，他们不属于基督，因为属于基督的人，时常追随天主圣神的引导，他们信赖天主圣神，仰赖天主圣神的助佑。那温柔的天主圣神，如同微风吹拂，吹尽我们心中的各种各样污秽，使我们的五内，充满天主的恩典。如果我们和那属于基督的人一样，真心接纳天主圣神，天主圣神就会除尽我们内心充满的各种虚伪和邪恶之情，使我们充满祂的精神。如果我们充满祂的精神，我们就不会贪图虚荣。

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

August 26, 2026
Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Today is Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time. 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.

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and evildoing.” (Cf. Matthew 23:27-28)

Some people, even before they die, have already purchased their tombs and spent a great deal of money decorating them, so that they may be buried in splendor after death. In their eyes, the tomb is their eternal dwelling place. Today, the scribes and Pharisees, those hypocrites rebuked by Jesus, hold the same mindset. They are always concerned with making their outward appearance fresh and splendid, while their hearts are full of every kind of filth.

Today, in our parishes and within our Christian communities, there are also such brothers and sisters. On the surface, they appear to be devout Christians. They are enthusiastic about the Church’s mission of evangelization and fervent in their worship of God. However, their hearts have not been transformed, because what they pursue is still the fame and profit of this world, rather than the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of the children of God. Therefore, they do not belong to Christ. For those who belong to Christ constantly follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit; they trust in the Holy Spirit and rely on His assistance. The gentle Holy Spirit, like a soft breeze, blows away all kinds of filth from our hearts and fills our innermost being with God’s grace. If we, like those who belong to Christ, sincerely welcome the Holy Spirit, He will thoroughly remove all hypocrisy and evildoing from our hearts and fill us with His Spirit. If we are filled with His Spirit, we will no longer seek empty vainglory.

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

2026年8月25日
常年期第廿一周星期二
法國的聖路易（自由紀念），聖若瑟·加拉桑司鐸（自由紀念）
福音：若1:45-51

今天是常年期第二十一周星期二。教會在今天慶祝兩位聖人的自由紀念敬禮日，一位是法國的聖路易，另一位是聖若瑟·加拉桑司鐸。最近出版的彌撒經書是這樣介紹這兩位聖人的。

法國的聖路易（1214-1270）在十二歲時成為法國國王。他娶了普羅旺斯的瑪格麗特，育有十一個孩子。他在統治期間表現出極大的正直，始終促進和平與正義，並對窮人表現出極大的虔誠與關愛。1270年，在他為解放聖地而進行的第二次十字軍東征期間，死於突尼斯附近，病因是痢疾。他于1297年被封聖。

聖若瑟·加拉桑司鐸（1557-1648）出生於阿拉貢（西班牙）佩拉爾塔-德拉-薩爾附近，1583年晉鐸。他前往羅馬，在那裡與聖嘉彌祿一起照顧1595年瘟疫的受害者。他在該城創辦了第一所免費學校，他聚集的教師團體後來發展成為了司鐸會。晚年他遭受了虛假指控，但耐心地忍受了這種屈辱。他是基督教學校的主保。

今天，取自聖瑪竇福音經文繼續給我們展現耶穌對經師和法利賽人的譴責。我願意借此機會，提供一些反思。

我們知道，法利賽人和經師，以及那些遵從法利賽人和經師教導的人，他們嚴格遵守梅瑟給他們制定的禮儀規範，他們向天主獻上各種香料，以為天主定會悅納他們的祭品。他們甚至認為：馨香之祭可以取代一切，以致他們忘記了梅瑟法律的核心：公正，憐憫和忠信。

今天，在我們的堂區，我們經常看到法利賽人和經師，以及那些遵從法利賽人和經師教導的人，他們是一群熱心的教友，侍立在天主台前，協助本堂神父完成禮儀。他們時常與本堂神父起爭執，因為他們認為本堂神父在禮儀中並沒有遵守聖教會制定的禮儀規範，並以自己的想法，去影響別的堂區，甚至來到堂區參與彌撒的主內兄弟姐妹。他們就是耶穌所說的“瞎眼的嚮導”，因為他們沒有理解禮儀的核心：禮儀有助於我們更好地恭敬天主，有助於我們與天主發展更親密的關係，從中獲取天主按照祂的聖意賜給我們的各樣恩典。

今天，讓我們效法法國的聖路易和聖若瑟·加拉桑司鐸的德表，不再按照這個世界的規則來生活，而是按照天主聖神指示我們的那樣生活，因為只有隨從天主聖神的指引，才能活出耶穌所說的的愛。耶穌所說的愛，是一種無私之愛，更是一種赤誠之愛，祂要求我們不再貪圖自己的利益，不再彼此挑拔，不再互相嫉妒，以祂對我們的赤誠，主動關愛那些生活在黑暗中的弟兄姐妹，把他們帶回基督的唯一羊棧，使他們的行為舉止，始終與吾主耶穌基督的行為舉止一致。天主看到我們遵照祂的聖意，完成了祂賜給我們的使命以後，就會地賜我們更多恩典，使我們的內心變得純正，好能看到天主的國，和祂對世人的深愛。

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

2026年8月25日
常年期第廿一周星期二
法国的圣路易（自由纪念），圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎（自由纪念）
福音：玛22:23-26

今天是常年期第二十一周星期二。教会在今天庆祝两位圣人的自由纪念敬礼日，一位是法国的圣路易，另一位是圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎。最近出版的弥撒经书是这样介绍这两位圣人的。

法国的圣路易（1214-1270）在十二岁时成为法国国王。他娶了普罗旺斯的玛格丽特，育有十一个孩子。他在统治期间表现出极大的正直，始终促进和平与正义，并对穷人表现出极大的虔诚与关爱。1270年，在他为解放圣地而进行的第二次十字军东征期间，死于突尼斯附近，病因是痢疾。他于1297年被封圣。

圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎（1557-1648）出生于阿拉贡（西班牙）佩拉尔塔-德拉-萨尔附近，1583年晋铎。他前往罗马，在那里与圣嘉弥禄一起照顾1595年瘟疫的受害者。他在该城创办了第一所免费学校，他聚集的教师团体后来发展成为了司铎会。晚年他遭受了虚假指控，但耐心地忍受了这种屈辱。他是基督教学校的主保。

今天，取自圣玛窦福音经文继续给我们展现耶稣对经师和法利赛人的谴责。我愿意借此机会，提供一些反思。

我们知道，法利赛人和经师，以及那些遵从法利赛人和经师教导的人，他们严格遵守梅瑟给他们制定的礼仪规范，他们向天主献上各种香料，以为天主定会悦纳他们的祭品。他们甚至认为：馨香之祭可以取代一切，以致他们忘记了梅瑟法律的核心：公正，怜悯和忠信。

今天，在我们的堂区，我们经常看到法利赛人和经师，以及那些遵从法利赛人和经师教导的人，他们是一群热心的教友，侍立在天主台前，协助本堂神父完成礼仪。他们时常与本堂神父起争执，因为他们认为本堂神父在礼仪中并没有遵守圣教会制定的礼仪规范，并以自己的想法，去影响别的堂区，甚至来到堂区参与弥撒的主内兄弟姐妹。他们就是耶稣所说的“瞎眼的向导”，因为他们没有理解礼仪的核心：礼仪有助于我们更好地恭敬天主，有助于我们与天主发展更亲密的关系，从中获取天主按照祂的圣意赐给我们的各样恩典。

今天，让我们效法法国的圣路易和圣若瑟·加拉桑司铎的德表，不再按照这个世界的规则来生活，而是按照天主圣神指示我们的那样生活，因为只有随从天主圣神的指引，才能活出耶稣所说的的爱。耶稣所说的爱，是一种无私之爱，更是一种赤诚之爱，祂要求我们不再贪图自己的利益，不再彼此挑拔，不再互相嫉妒，以祂对我们的赤诚，主动关爱那些生活在黑暗中的弟兄姐妹，把他们带回基督的唯一羊栈，使他们的行为举止，始终与吾主耶稣基督的行为举止一致。天主看到我们遵照祂的圣意，完成了祂赐给我们的使命以后，就会地赐我们更多恩典，使我们的内心变得纯正，好能看到天主的国，和祂对世人的深爱。

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

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