Coffee with God:July 23, 2025

Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time/ Optional Memorial of Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious
Matthew 13:1-9
The courage to scatter the seeds of the Gospel

Jesus “went out to sow.” This is how the Gospel begins today—a simple action, but one filled with hope. The Sower is the Lord Himself, and the seed is the Word of God, which is not simply a teaching, but a living Person: Christ, the Word made flesh. When we welcome His Word, we welcome Him.

But how do we receive this seed? Jesus tells us it falls on different types of soil—rocky ground, thorny patches, and even the hardened path. How often does the noise of our world, the distractions of screens and opinions and endless chatter, keep us from truly listening? So many times we walk through life with hearts closed, unable to let the Word take root. Yet the Sower keeps sowing—patiently, generously, with trust.

You and I, dear friends, are also called to sow. Yes, we are called to be sowers of hope, of joy, of love. Each of us has the capacity to plant something beautiful in another person’s life—a word of encouragement, a gesture of compassion, a small act of mercy. Let us not hold back.

Do not fear if some seeds are lost. Jesus Himself experienced rejection. But he never stopped loving, never stopped sowing. If just one seed falls into good soil, it bears fruit—thirty, sixty, a hundredfold.

So let us ask ourselves: what are we sowing? Are we planting peace or resentment? Encouragement, or criticism? Today, ask the Lord for a generous heart. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Go out, as Jesus did. Sow.

And trust—because in God’s hands, even the smallest seed becomes something great.

May the Virgin Mary, who welcomed the Word in her womb, help us to be fertile soil for the Gospel.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

與主嘆啡:2025年7月22日

瑪利亞·瑪達肋納,宗徒的宗徒
福音:若20:1-2,11-18
從黑暗到使命

“天還是黑的”福音經文就是這樣開始的,那時候,瑪利亞·瑪達肋納正走向墳墓。在我們的生活中,這樣的情況經常發生 —— 心碎的時候,道路不明,好似失去希望的時候。我們如同瑪利亞一樣,我們蒙召行走在黑暗中。即使一切似乎都被隱藏,或被粉碎,我們依然要找尋耶穌。

瑪利亞的旅途,並不是在黑暗中終結。她跑回去,充滿新火。她的憂愁變成了她的使命。她的眼淚成了她的證言。她成了首先宣告:“我看到了復活的主。”的人,這就是愛的作為,它奔跑,宣告,無法保持沉默。

復活的主呼喚她的名字:“瑪利亞”的時候,她認出了復活的主。她與復活的主相遇之時,黑暗隨即被驅散。復活的主並不是以奇觀顯現,祂溫柔地顯現,用溫柔的聲音呼喚人心。她回答說:“辣布尼”(Rabbouni)意思是:主。瑪利亞從罪人成為證人,從哭泣的人到宣講的人,她成了復活的主的首個前驅,教會因此稱她為宗徒中的宗徒。

為我們而言,這是強力的提醒:沒有太深的傷口,沒有太過破碎的過去,耶穌不予轉變的。讓我們不要執著於過去,而是向當下敞開心扉 —— 向天主聖神,向我們的使命,向喜樂敞開心扉。讓我們像瑪利亞一樣,去到全世界,告訴全世界說:基督還活著!祂按照名字叫了我們。

耶穌也在我們心中的花園提出同樣的問題:“你在找什麼?”願這成為我們的答案:“主,我在尋找禰!”

©全属于祢 & 樂仁出版社(中國香港)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

与主叹啡:2025年7月22日

玛利亚·玛达肋纳,宗徒的宗徒
福音:若20:1-2,11-18
从黑暗到使命

“天还是黑的”福音经文就是这样开始的,那时候,玛利亚·玛达肋纳正走向坟墓。在我们的生活中,这样的情况经常发生 —— 心碎的时候,道路不明,好似失去希望的时候。我们如同玛利亚一样,我们蒙召行走在黑暗中。即使一切似乎都被隐藏,或被粉碎,我们依然要找寻耶稣。

玛利亚的旅途,并不是在黑暗中终结。她跑回去,充满新火。她的忧愁变成了她的使命。她的眼泪成了她的证言。她成了首先宣告:“我看到了复活的主。”的人,这就是爱的作为,它奔跑,宣告,无法保持沉默。

复活的主呼唤她的名字:“玛利亚”的时候,她认出了复活的主。她与复活的主相遇之时,黑暗随即被驱散。复活的主并不是以奇观显现,祂温柔地显现,用温柔的声音呼唤人心。她回答说:“辣布尼”(Rabbouni)意思是:主。玛利亚从罪人成为证人,从哭泣的人到宣讲的人,她成了复活的主的首个前驱,教会因此称她为宗徒中的宗徒。

为我们而言,这是强力的提醒:没有太深的伤口,没有太过破碎的过去,耶稣不予转变的。让我们不要执着于过去,而是向当下敞开心扉 —— 向天主圣神,向我们的使命,向喜乐敞开心扉。让我们像玛利亚一样,去到全世界,告诉全世界说:基督还活着!祂按照名字叫了我们。

耶稣也在我们心中的花园提出同样的问题:“你在找什么?”愿这成为我们的答案:“主,我在寻找祢!”

©全属于祢 & 乐仁出版社(中国香港)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

Coffee with God:July 22, 2025

Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles
John 20:1-2; 11-18
From darkness to mission

“It was still dark.” That is how the Gospel begins when Mary Magdalene walks to the tomb. How often this is true in our lives—when the heart is broken, the road unclear, and hope seems lost. But like Mary, we are called to walk even in the dark. To keep seeking Jesus, even when everything seems hidden or shattered.

Mary’s journey does not end in darkness. She runs back, filled with a new fire. Her sorrow turns into mission. Her tears become testimony. She becomes the first to proclaim: “I have seen the Lord!” This is what love does—it runs, it announces, it cannot be kept silent.

She recognizes the risen Jesus when He calls her by name: “Mary.” It is in this personal encounter that the darkness lifts. The Risen Lord does not appear with spectacle, but in tenderness, with a voice that calls gently to the heart. And she answers, “Rabbouni”—Master. From sinner to witness, from weeping to proclaiming, Mary becomes the first herald of the Resurrection, the one whom the Church rightly calls Apostle of the Apostles.

This is a powerful reminder for us: no wound is too deep, no past too broken, for Jesus not to transform. Let us not cling to what was, but open ourselves to what is now—to the Spirit, to mission, to joy. Like Mary, let us go forth and tell the world: Christ is alive! He calls us by name!

And in the garden of our own hearts, may we hear that same question: “What are you looking for?” May our answer be this: “I am looking for You, Lord.”

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

與主嘆啡:2025年7月21日

常年期第十六周星期一 / 聖老楞佐·布林希 (自由紀念)
福音:路12:38-42
閱讀天主的徵兆

在今天的福音,耶穌談到要求徵兆,但沒能認出站在他們面前的天主的世代。這多少次反映出我們的心聲!我們尋求答案,尋找證據,卻忘記了那在我們生活中,工作中,靜靜地,慈愛地臨在的天主。

想要明智地生活,我們就必須學會分辨 —— 做出好的選擇,認識什麼才是出自天主的,什麼不出自天主。分辨是一條途徑。他要求我們祈禱,徵兆,對話。我們祈禱,不是為了逃避這個世,而是要藉著祈禱,透過天主的眼睛,看清這個世界。我們觀看徵兆,徵兆不是魔幻的解決方案,而是天主恩典的溫柔指引。我們尋求建議,因為這趟旅途,我們不是單獨一人。兩顆心共同分辨,就能更清楚地聽到天主的聲音。

耶穌警告說:“邪惡的一代”祂不是要給他們定罪,而是要我們警醒。每當我們只為自己生活,常常抱怨,常常掌控,永不滿足,我們就把自己封閉在天主想要賜給我們的生活。我們對美視而不見,對智慧充耳不聞,時常陷入恐懼。但是今天,耶穌邀請我們用新的眼光去觀看,接受使我們更充實,更自由的生活的恩典。

天主繼續派遣先知。有時候,他們看起來像陌生人,有時候像是朋友。他們可能會說出殘酷的事實,或給我們溫和的鼓勵。他們是天主的使者,邀請我們成長,改變,重新開始。我們被稱作先知 —— 給他人帶去溫柔的真光,慈悲的徵兆,醫治的手,安慰的聲音。

讓我們擁抱和陪伴。讓我們無所畏懼地去愛,去撫摸傷口,去扶起墮落的人。就像聖方濟各時常擁抱癩病人一樣,讓我們也成為徵兆,而不是評判的徵兆,而是天主溫柔的徵兆。這就是我們的世界所需要的。這就是耶穌向我們展示的。

©全属于祢 & 樂仁出版社(中國香港)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

与主叹啡:2025年7月21日

常年期第十六周星期一 / 聖老楞佐·布林希 (自由纪念)
福音:路12:38-42
阅读天主的征兆

在今天的福音,耶稣谈到要求征兆,但没能认出站在他们面前的天主的世代。这多少次反映出我们的心声!我们寻求答案,寻找证据,却忘记了那在我们生活中,工作中,静静地,慈爱地临在的天主。

想要明智地生活,我们就必须学会分辨 —— 做出好的选择,认识什么才是出自天主的,什么不出自天主。分辨是一条途径。他要求我们祈祷,征兆,对话。我们祈祷,不是为了逃避这个世,而是要藉着祈祷,透过天主的眼睛,看清这个世界。我们观看征兆,征兆不是魔幻的解决方案,而是天主恩典的温柔指引。我们寻求建议,因为这趟旅途,我们不是单独一人。两颗心共同分辨,就能更清楚地听到天主的声音。

耶稣警告说:“邪恶的一代”祂不是要给他们定罪,而是要我们警醒。每当我们只为自己生活,常常抱怨,常常掌控,永不满足,我们就把自己封闭在天主想要赐给我们的生活。我们对美视而不见,对智慧充耳不闻,时常陷入恐惧。但是今天,耶稣邀请我们用新的眼光去观看,接受使我们更充实,更自由的生活的恩典。

天主继续派遣先知。有时候,他们看起来像陌生人,有时候像是朋友。他们可能会说出残酷的事实,或给我们温和的鼓励。他们是天主的使者,邀请我们成长,改变,重新开始。我们被称作先知 —— 给他人带去温柔的真光,慈悲的征兆,医治的手,安慰的声音。

让我们拥抱和陪伴。让我们无所畏惧地去爱,去抚摸伤口,去扶起堕落的人。就像圣方济各时常拥抱癞病人一样,让我们也成为征兆,而不是评判的征兆,而是天主温柔的征兆。这就是我们的世界所需要的。这就是耶稣向我们展示的。

©全属于祢 & 乐仁出版社(中国香港)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

Coffee with God:July 21, 2025

Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Matthew 12: 38-42
Reading the Signs of God

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of a generation that asks for signs, yet fails to recognise the One who stands before them. How often this reflects our own hearts! We seek answers, we search for proof, but overlook the quiet, loving presence of God already at work in our lives.

To live wisely, we must learn to discern—to choose well, to recognise what comes from God and what does not. Discernment is a path. It requires prayer, signs, and dialogue. We pray not to escape the world, but to see it clearly through God’s eyes. We watch for signs—not magical solutions, but gentle nudges of grace. And we seek counsel, because the journey is not meant to be walked alone. Two hearts discerning together can hear God’s voice more clearly.

Jesus warns of an “evil generation” not to condemn, but to awaken. When we live only for ourselves—complaining, controlling, never satisfied—we close ourselves to the life God wants to give. We become blind to beauty, deaf to wisdom, and trapped in fear. But today, we are invited to see with new eyes, to receive the gift of a fuller, freer life.

God continues to send prophets. Sometimes they look like strangers, sometimes like friends. They may speak hard truths or offer gentle encouragement. They are God’s messengers, inviting us to grow, to change, to begin again. And we, too, are called to be prophets—gentle lights for others, signs of mercy, hands that heal, voices that comfort.

Let us embrace and accompany. Let us be unafraid to love, to touch wounds, to lift the fallen. Like St. Francis who embraced the leper, let us be signs—not of judgment, but of God’s tenderness. This is what our world needs. And this is what Jesus shows us.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

與主嘆啡:2025年7月20日

常年期第十六主日
福音:路10:38-42
更好的一份:以一個開放的心聽從上主

在今天的福音經文,耶穌進到了兩姐妹的家:瑪爾大和瑪利亞的。這是路加福音中一個小而安靜的時刻,可是,這對我們的生活充滿深刻的意義。這座在伯大尼的房間成了一個神聖的空間 —— 天主自來的地方,祂不是為了主宰,而是為了能被接納,被愛接納。

我們時常把天主想成一個遙遠的,威嚴的,不可觸摸的。但是,耶穌,祂是與我們同在的天主,祂敲擊日常生活中的門,祂渴望被接納,祂不渴望盛大的儀式,而是渴望愛。正如聖若望默示錄所說的那樣:“我站在門口敲門。”(參看:默3:20)我們的天主是謙遜的天主。祂想要進到我們的內心,想要與我們同在,想要與我們交談。祂來成為我們的朋友。

瑪爾大慷慨歡迎耶穌。她努力工作,服務,準備,她做這一切事,都是出於愛。但是,她心煩意亂。她變得焦慮,沮喪,甚至憤憤不平。她說:“主,禰難道不介意嗎?”我們從這話中聽到了我們自己。因此,我們在繁忙的服務中,甚至在為教會工作的時候,我們常常忘記我們是為誰工作。

“瑪爾大,瑪爾大”為什麼要重複這個名字呢?這是在聖經中突顯一個聖召的常見方式:“撒慕爾,撒慕爾”“梅瑟,梅瑟”“掃祿,掃祿”。瑪爾大蒙召成為門徒,她是個好人,她奉獻了自己,但是,她不是門徒。想要成為一個門徒,她就必須明白:她必須聆聽救主的話,對自己的工作進行優先順序排序,她的一切活動都必須受天主聖言的引導。忽略這一點的後果就是:“瑪爾大,妳很焦慮,很擔心。”

與此同時,瑪利亞坐在耶穌腳邊傾聽。她選擇了“更好的部分”不是因為她服務得不好,而是因為她把聆聽放在首位。採取行動以前,說話以前,必須保持沉默。必須使自己有足夠的空間去聆聽天主的聖言。

今天,耶穌邀請我們慢下來。祂邀請我們和祂坐在一起,不只是帶著耳朵,而是以我們的心。世界瞬息萬變。我們總想做更多的事,讓我們的日子滿檔,甚至是好事。但是,如果我們不聽天主聖言,我們有可能會變得如同瑪爾大一樣,焦慮,不安,分心。

讓我們不要忘記:福音不只是要被宣講,祂也需要被人聆聽。我們靜默的心要接受祂。讓我們選擇更好的部分,讓我們成為救主腳邊的門徒。願我們的家,我們的堂區,我們的生活,成為耶穌不僅受到服事,而且被愛,被人聽到,被人接納的地方。願祂的聖言成為指引我們一切的光。

聖母瑪利亞把一切事情放在心中思考,願她教導我們在靜默中聆聽的美。願上主賜給我們平安,源自在祂面前度過時光的平安。

©全属于祢 & 樂仁出版社(中國香港)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

与主叹啡:2025年7月20日

常年期第十六主日
福音:路10:38-42
更好的一份:以一个开放的心听从上主

在今天的福音经文,耶稣进到了两姐妹的家:玛尔大和玛利亚的。这是路加福音中一个小而安静的时刻,可是,这对我们的生活充满深刻的意义。这座在伯大尼的房间成了一个神圣的空间 —— 天主自来的地方,祂不是为了主宰,而是为了能被接纳,被爱接纳。

我们时常把天主想成一个遥远的,威严的,不可触摸的。但是,耶稣,祂是与我们同在的天主,祂敲击日常生活中的门,祂渴望被接纳,祂不渴望盛大的仪式,而是渴望爱。正如圣若望默示录所说的那样:“我站在门口敲门。”(参看:默3:20)我们的天主是谦逊的天主。祂想要进到我们的内心,想要与我们同在,想要与我们交谈。祂来成为我们的朋友。

玛尔大慷慨欢迎耶稣。她努力工作,服务,准备,她做这一切事,都是出于爱。但是,她心烦意乱。她变得焦虑,沮丧,甚至愤愤不平。她说:“主,祢难道不介意吗?”我们从这话中听到了我们自己。因此,我们在繁忙的服务中,甚至在为教会工作的时候,我们常常忘记我们是为谁工作。

“玛尔大,玛尔大”为什么要重复这个名字呢?这是在圣经中突显一个圣召的常见方式:“撒慕尔,撒慕尔”“梅瑟,梅瑟”“扫禄,扫禄”。玛尔大蒙召成为门徒,她是个好人,她奉献了自己,但是,她不是门徒。想要成为一个门徒,她就必须明白:她必须聆听救主的话,对自己的工作进行优先级排序,她的一切活动都必须受天主圣言的引导。忽略这一点的后果就是:“玛尔大,妳很焦虑,很担心。”

与此同时,玛利亚坐在耶稣脚边倾听。她选择了“更好的部分”不是因为她服务得不好,而是因为她把聆听放在首位。采取行动以前,说话以前,必须保持沉默。必须使自己有足够的空间去聆听天主的圣言。

今天,耶稣邀请我们慢下来。祂邀请我们和祂坐在一起,不只是带着耳朵,而是以我们的心。世界瞬息万变。我们总想做更多的事,让我们的日子满档,甚至是好事。但是,如果我们不听天主圣言,我们有可能会变得如同玛尔大一样,焦虑,不安,分心。

让我们不要忘记:福音不只是要被宣讲,祂也需要被人聆听。我们静默的心要接受祂。让我们选择更好的部分,让我们成为救主脚边的门徒。愿我们的家,我们的堂区,我们的生活,成为耶稣不仅受到服事,而且被爱,被人听到,被人接纳的地方。愿祂的圣言成为指引我们一切的光。

圣母玛利亚把一切事情放在心中思考,愿她教导我们在静默中聆听的美。愿上主赐给我们平安,源自在祂面前度过时光的平安。

©全属于祢 & 乐仁出版社(中国香港)
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025

Coffee with God:July 20, 2025

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 10:38-42
The better part: listening to the Lord with an open heart

In today’s Gospel, Jesus enters the home of two sisters: Martha and Mary. It is a small, quiet moment in the Gospel of Luke, but one filled with deep meaning for our lives. This house in Bethany becomes a sacred space—a place where God Himself comes not to rule, but to be welcomed, to be received with love.

We often imagine God as distant, as majestic and untouchable. But Jesus, God-with-us, knocks at the door of ordinary lives and longs to be received—not with pomp, but with love. As the Book of Revelation says: “I stand at the door and knock”(Rev 3:20). Our God is humble. He wants to enter our hearts, to be with us, to speak with us. He comes to be our friend.

Martha welcomes Jesus with generosity. She works hard, serves, prepares—she does everything out of love. But she is distracted. She becomes anxious, frustrated, even resentful. “Lord, do you not care?” she says. And in those words, we hear ourselves. So often, in our busy service, even in our work for the Church, we forget the One for whom we are working.

“Martha, Martha.” Why is the name repeated? It is a common biblical way to highlight a person’s vocation: ‘Samuel, Samuel,’ ‘Moses, Moses,’ ‘Saul, Saul.’ Martha is called to become a disciple. She is a good person; she gives herself, but she is not yet a disciple. To become a disciple, she must understand that she needs to prioritise her work by listening to the Word of the Master, which should guide all her activities. The consequence of neglecting this: “Martha, you are anxious and worried.”

Mary, meanwhile, sits at the feet of Jesus and listens. She chooses “the better part.” Not because serving is bad—no! But because listening must come first. Before action, before words, there must be silence. There must be space to hear the voice of the Lord.

Today, Jesus invites us to slow down. He invites us to sit with Him, to listen. Not with our ears only, but with our hearts. The world moves fast. We are tempted to do more, to fill our days with tasks, even good tasks. But without listening to the Word, we risk becoming like Martha—anxious, restless, scattered.

Let us not forget: the Gospel is not only to be preached; it must be heard. It must be received in the silence of our hearts. Let us choose the better part. Let us be disciples who first sit at the Master’s feet. May our homes, our parishes, our lives be places where Jesus is not only served but loved, heard, and welcomed. And may His Word be the light that guides all we do.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who pondered all things in her heart, teach us the beauty of listening in silence. And may the Lord give us peace—the peace that flows from time spent in His presence.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025