今天是常年期第十五周星期四。教會在今天慶祝加爾默耳山聖母的自由紀念日。最近出版的彌撒經書告訴我們：此自由紀念日旨在尊崇榮福童貞聖母為加爾默羅會主保。其後，這個瞻禮漸與相傳聖西滿思鐸（S. Simon Stock）於1251年7月16日所見的神視相連。佩帶象徵加爾默羅會會衣的“棕色聖衣”，即為信靠聖母慈助之標記，尤指托賴其於臨終時刻之庇佑。
今天是常年期第十五周星期四。教会在今天庆祝加尔默耳山圣母的自由纪念日。最近出版的弥撒经书告诉我们：此自由纪念日旨在尊崇荣福童贞圣母为加尔默罗会主保。其后，这个瞻礼渐与相传圣西满思铎（S. Simon Stock）于1251年7月16日所见的神视相连。佩带象征加尔默罗会会衣的“棕色圣衣”，即为信靠圣母慈助之标记，尤指托赖其于临终时刻之庇佑。
July 21, 2026 Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church Gospel: Mt 12:46–50
Today is Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates today the Optional Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church. The Roman Martyrology tells us: Saint Lawrence (1559–1619) was born at Brindisi, Italy, and joined the Capuchin Order in Verona. A gifted theologian and accomplished linguist, he traveled widely throughout Europe and became especially renowned for his missions to the Protestants. In 1601, bearing only a crucifix, he led the Imperial Army during the recapture of Szekesfehervar (Hungary) from the Turks. Having served as Minister General of the Capuchins, he died in Lisbon on July 22, 1619, his sixtieth birthday. He was later declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Saint John XXIII.
Today, the passage from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew presents to us the discourse by which Jesus reveals who His true kindred are. I wish to take this opportunity to continue offering some reflections.
Jesus’ mother and His brothers stood outside and did not enter the house where Jesus was. This reflects their inability to accept the Kingdom of God as proclaimed by Jesus, for in their view, the Kingdom of God preached by Jesus differed essentially from the kingdom taught by the Pharisees, the vision of God depicted by the Sadducees, and the Messiah proclaimed by the Herodians. Therefore, they did not enter the house where Jesus was, hoping instead that He would come out and, like them, return to Nazareth. Jesus did not comply with their wishes by leaving those who were willing to accept His Kingdom. Rather, He further revealed to us: “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (cf. Mt 12:50) This reflects the very nature of the Kingdom He proclaimed: in this Kingdom, there is only the God who loves mankind and those beloved by God; all are brothers and sisters.
When Jesus said to the one who told Him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” (Mt 12:48), it might seem as though He were saying: “I do not recognize my mother, nor do I recognize my brothers.” The reality is quite the opposite. The Lord Christ, rich in mercy, thus implicitly extols His beloved Mother. The Blessed and Most Holy Virgin, when she heard from the angel that she was to become the Mother of God, humbly replied: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word!” (cf. Lk 1:26–38). After Jesus’ birth, through her prayer, He performed His first miracle in the Gospel according to John, at Cana in Galilee (cf. Jn 2:1–12). Today, while Jesus was speaking to the crowds, His Mother and His brothers arrived outside, wishing to speak with Him (cf. Mt 12:46). This very proof unequivocally demonstrates that the Blessed Mother fully fulfilled the divine will, entrusting herself wholly to God, thereby assisting Christ in carrying out the work of redemption on earth.
O God, who for the glory of your name and the salvation of souls bestowed on the Priest Saint Lawrence of Brindisi a spirit of counsel and fortitude, grant, we pray, that in the same spirit, we may know what must be done and, through his intercession, bring it to completion. 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 20, 2026 Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Or Optional Memorial of Memorial of Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna Gospel: Mt 12:38-42
Today is Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates today the Optional Memorial of Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna (Bishop and Martyr). The Roman Martyrology tells us: Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna (1st–2nd century) is believed to have been a native of Antioch. He eventually became the first Bishop of Ravenna, Italy. He endured grievous torments for Faith and suffered martyrdom; thus, his veneration spread widely throughout the Church.
Today, the passage from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew presents to us the dialogue between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees. In today’s Gospel, we encounter a frequently recurring term: sign. We also hear Jesus mention four figures from the Old Testament: the Prophet Jonah, the Queen of the South, Solomon, and the men of Nineveh. Therefore, let us endeavor to understand.
First, the sign. In English, the word is sign, meaning a mark or token. When we speak of signs, we often recall the tokens God grants to each of us. God frequently gives us signs unexpectedly, prompting us to remember His presence and, consequently, to respond to His call addressed to each one of us.
To the men of Nineveh, the Prophet Jonah was their sign, for they repented at his preaching (cf. Jon 3:1–10). God saw their repentance and refrained from bringing upon them the threatened destruction. To the Jews of Jesus’ time, Jonah was a prefigurement of Jesus, for Jonah, having resisted the divine will, spent three days and three nights in the belly of the whale. There, he prayed to the Lord, his God (cf. Jon 2:1–10). Likewise, Jesus, to redeem the world, died upon the Cross and rested in the tomb for three days and three nights.
To the Queen of the South, Solomon was the object of her quest. She longed to receive Solomon’s wisdom. Who was this Queen of the South? She is the Queen of Sheba (cf. 1 Kgs 10). Bearing abundant gifts, she journeyed from her pagan land to Solomon to seek wisdom. Today, this Queen of Sheba becomes a model for us all. Though she possessed high rank and great power, she came before a foreign king in humility to seek instruction. She did not seek further riches of this world but solely sought wisdom.
Direct your faithful, Lord, in the way of eternal salvation, which the Bishop Saint Apollinaris showed by his teaching and martyrdom, and grant, through his intercession, that we may so persevere in keeping your commandments as to merit being crowned with him. 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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