Coffee with God:June 13, 2025

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Matthew 5:27-32
Human dignity restored by Christ

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks with a truth that pierces our modern hearts: “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt 5:28) These are not merely words about personal morality. They are a call to dignity and justice, especially for women who, even today, are so often reduced to objects and cast aside when no longer “useful.”

From the beginning, God created man and woman together in His image. Not one above the other, but side by side. A man without a woman at his side—whether as mother, sister, wife, or friend—is incomplete in reflecting God’s image. This is the truth Jesus reveals in His radical treatment of women. He speaks to them, defends them, heals them, and restores their dignity.

Yet today, so often women are reduced to objects—used in advertising, exploited on the streets, treated as disposable. This exploitation is not far away; it happens in our own cities, in our neighbourhood. Women, especially the poor and migrant women, are trafficked and humiliated. Many have never known the joy of being a mother, the warmth of a home, or the dignity of being seen as a person.

This is a sin against the Creator. When we treat women as less than human, we reject the image of God. We must reflect: How do we speak about women? How do we see them?

The Gospel calls us to look at the other with eyes of love and respect. Let us ask the Lord to purify our hearts and minds, to help us see every individual as someone sacred. And may Mary, Mother of the Living, teach us to build a world where every woman is honoured and loved.
Amen.

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

與主嘆啡:2025年6月12日

常年期第十周星期四
福音:瑪5:20-26
留意你的口舌 —— 通往大改變的窄門

今天的福音經文告訴我們:凡在自己的心中窩藏惱恨的人,就是殺害人心的兇手。福音經文常從那裡開始:不在外表,而在內心。這就是爆發戰爭的所在。這就是滋生分歧的地方。是的,這就是我們的言語具像化的地方。

耶穌說的很清楚:不要侮辱,不要輕看,不要講你兄弟姐妹的壞話。祂不只談到肢體上的暴力,還談到言語上的暴力 —— 我們很容易拔出那鋒利,迅猛的武器。語言暴力往往被偽造成笑話,諷刺,一個經過巧妙設計的猛擊。但在內心深處,這是想要打倒某人的欲望,因為我們時常認為自己高人一等。

我們為什麼要這樣做呢?因為我們是軟弱的,並不是邪惡的,我們是脆弱的,並非無所畏懼。我們好似加音,每當我們感到不安,或受到傷害的時候,就會忍不住用言語攻擊,而非滿懷善意,敞開心扉。聊八卦比用語言祝福人容易得多。拆毀比重建容易得多。

可是,耶穌給了我們另一條路。一條要求我們皈依,使我們的內心發生改變的路。祂呼籲我們遵循“愛的法則,順從的法則,和平的法則。”簡言之,始於口舌。正如聖雅各伯所說的那樣:“如果我們不能節制我們驕傲的舌頭,就會迷失方向。”

讓我們向上主祈求,求祂以恩典修剪我們的語言 —— 減少其中的苦澀,軟化我們的語氣。讓我們選擇沉默,而非出言誹謗,選擇祝福他人,而非出言侮辱。小小的悔改會帶來和平的收穫。

願我們的話能給人生命,而非給人傷害。願它們能提攜他人,而非打壓他人。願我們永遠不要忘記:我們同走一條路 —— 需要憐憫,耐心和愛的道路。
亞孟。

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

与主叹啡:2025年6月12日

常年期第十周星期四
福音:玛5:20-26
留意你的口舌 —— 通往大改变的窄门

今天的福音经文告诉我们:凡在自己的心中窝藏恼恨的人,就是杀害人心的凶手。福音经文常从那里开始:不在外表,而在内心。这就是爆发战争的所在。这就是滋生分歧的地方。是的,这就是我们的言语具像化的地方。

耶稣说的很清楚:不要侮辱,不要轻看,不要讲你兄弟姐妹的坏话。祂不只谈到肢体上的暴力,还谈到言语上的暴力 —— 我们很容易拔出那锋利,迅猛的武器。语言暴力往往被伪造成笑话,讽刺,一个经过巧妙设计的猛击。但在内心深处,这是想要打倒某人的欲望,因为我们时常认为自己高人一等。

我们为什么要这样做呢?因为我们是软弱的,并不是邪恶的,我们是脆弱的,并非无所畏惧。我们好似加音,每当我们感到不安,或受到伤害的时候,就会忍不住用言语攻击,而非满怀善意,敞开心扉。聊八卦比用语言祝福人容易得多。拆毁比重建容易得多。

可是,耶稣给了我们另一条路。一条要求我们皈依,使我们的内心发生改变的路。祂呼吁我们遵循“爱的法则,顺从的法则,和平的法则。”简言之,始于口舌。正如圣雅各伯所说的那样:“如果我们不能节制我们骄傲的舌头,就会迷失方向。”

让我们向上主祈求,求祂以恩典修剪我们的语言 —— 减少其中的苦涩,软化我们的语气。让我们选择沉默,而非出言诽谤,选择祝福他人,而非出言侮辱。小小的悔改会带来和平的收获。

愿我们的话能给人生命,而非给人伤害。愿它们能提携他人,而非打压他人。愿我们永远不要忘记:我们同走一条路 —— 需要怜悯,耐心和爱的道路。
亚孟。

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

Coffee with God:June 12, 2025

Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 5:20-26
Watch your tongue – the small gate to a big conversion

The Gospel today tells us that anyone who harbours hatred in their heart is a murderer in the heart. And that’s where the Gospel always starts: not on the outside, but in the heart. That’s where wars begin. That’s where divisions fester. And yes, that’s where our words take shape.

Jesus, too, is very clear: Do not insult, do not belittle, do not speak badly of your brother or sister. He is not only talking about physical violence, but also about the violence of the tongue — that sharp, quick weapon we too easily draw. Verbal abuse is often disguised as a joke, a bit of sarcasm, a clever jab. But underneath, it’s a desire to take someone down so we feel a little taller.

Why do we do this? Because we are weak, not wicked — fragile, not fearless. Like Cain, when we are insecure or wounded, we may feel tempted to strike with words rather than open our hearts with kindness. It’s much easier to gossip than to bless. Much easier to tear down than to build up.

But Jesus offers us another way. A way that demands conversion — a change of heart. He calls us to the “law of love, the law of docility, the law of peace.” That begins, simply, with the tongue. As St. James says, “If we cannot bridle our tongue, we are lost.”

Let us ask the Lord for the grace to prune our language — to cut back on the bitterness, to soften the tone, to choose silence instead of slander, blessing instead of insult. It’s a small penance, yes, but it yields a harvest of peace.

May our words give life, not wounds. May they lift up, not weigh down. And may we never forget: we are all walking the same road — in need of mercy, of patience, and of love.
Amen.

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

與主嘆啡:2025年6月11日

聖巴爾納伯
福音:瑪10:7-13
遵行,事奉,白白施捨 —— 成為真門徒的道路

主的真門徒,世界受苦的時候,決不會安於現狀,也不會坐以待斃。主的真門徒,決不是悠閒地漫步,而是一項使命。耶穌派門徒出去,今天,祂也派遣我們。祂說:“去!”宣講福音,醫治病人,扶起心靈破碎的人,給黑暗中的人帶去光明。這不是選項。凡不遵行,不出去分享福音的門徒,就是誤解耶穌心意的門徒。

但是,這個旅途有兩條道路:向內,向外。我們出去服務,也必須深入內心。每天在靜默,祈禱和聖言中尋找救主的門徒,他會提供給別人淺顯的福音。我們去服務的力量,必須源自一顆紮根於天主的心。沒有這樣的心志,我們只會成為純粹的活動家,而不是證人。

這個使命的精神是什麼?服務。福音經文提醒我們:我們遵行,只是為了醫治,扶助,潔淨,使人獲得自由。基督徒,如果不服事窮人,病人,被囚禁的人,被遺忘的人,就沒有活出福音的精神。讓我們誠心誠意地問問自己:我在為誰服務?在我的生活中,耶穌在誰的身上?祂在饑餓的人,受傷的人,被人囚禁的人身上。

最後,我們決不可忘記耶穌加上的這句話:“你們白白領受的,也要白白分享。”(參看:瑪10:8)這不是一段尋求利益的旅途。救恩是純粹的恩典,決不是我們賺得的。因此,我們要付出,並要不圖回報:沒有錢袋,沒有第二件外衣,只有天主聖神的喜樂。

三個詞:遵行,事奉,自甘。這就是耶穌的道路。讓我們滿懷喜樂地追隨祂。
亞孟。

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

与主叹啡:2025年6月11日

圣巴尔纳伯
福音:玛10:7-13
遵行,事奉,白白施舍 —— 成为真门徒的道路

主的真门徒,世界受苦的时候,决不会安于现状,也不会坐以待毙。主的真门徒,决不是悠闲地漫步,而是一项使命。耶稣派门徒出去,今天,祂也派遣我们。祂说:“去!”宣讲福音,医治病人,扶起心灵破碎的人,给黑暗中的人带去光明。这不是选项。凡不遵行,不出去分享福音的门徒,就是误解耶稣心意的门徒。

但是,这个旅途有两条道路:向内,向外。我们出去服务,也必须深入内心。每天在静默,祈祷和圣言中寻找救主的门徒,他会提供给别人浅显的福音。我们去服务的力量,必须源自一颗扎根于天主的心。没有这样的心志,我们只会成为纯粹的活动家,而不是证人。

这个使命的精神是什么?服务。福音经文提醒我们:我们遵行,只是为了医治,扶助,洁净,使人获得自由。基督徒,如果不服事穷人,病人,被囚禁的人,被遗忘的人,就没有活出福音的精神。让我们诚心诚意地问问自己:我在为谁服务?在我的生活中,耶稣在谁的身上?祂在饥饿的人,受伤的人,被人囚禁的人身上。

最后,我们决不可忘记耶稣加上的这句话:“你们白白领受的,也要白白分享。”(参看:玛10:8)这不是一段寻求利益的旅途。救恩是纯粹的恩典,决不是我们赚得的。因此,我们要付出,并要不图回报:没有钱袋,没有第二件外衣,只有天主圣神的喜乐。

三个词:遵行,事奉,自甘。这就是耶稣的道路。让我们满怀喜乐地追随祂。
亚孟。

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

Coffee with God:June 11, 2025

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Matthew 10:7-13
Walk, serve, and give freely – paths of the true disciple

A true disciple of the Lord does not settle into comfort or sit still while the world suffers. Discipleship is not a leisurely stroll — it is a mission. Jesus sends His disciples out, and today He sends us too. He says, “Go!” Proclaim the Gospel, heal the sick, lift the broken, bring light to those in darkness. This is not optional. A disciple who does not walk, who does not go out to share the Good News, has misunderstood the very heart of Jesus.

But this journey has two paths: outward and inward. While we go out to serve, we must also go deep within. A disciple who doesn’t seek the Lord each day in silence, in prayer, in the Word, will offer others a watered-down Gospel. Our strength to serve must come from a heart anchored in God. Without this, we run the risk of becoming mere activists, not witnesses.

And what is the soul of this mission? Service. The Gospel reminds us that our walking is to heal, lift, cleanse, liberate. A Christian who does not serve the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the forgotten, is not living the Gospel. Let’s ask ourselves honestly: whom am I serving? Where is Jesus in the flesh — hungry, wounded, imprisoned — in my life?

Finally, Jesus adds a word we must never forget: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:8). This journey of faith is not for profit. Salvation is a pure gift — we did not earn it. And so we must give without expecting return: with no bags of gold, no second tunic, only the joy of the Spirit.

Three words: Walk. Serve. Freely. This is the path of Jesus. Let’s follow him with joy.
Amen.

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

與主嘆啡:2025年6月10日

常年期第十周星期二
福音:瑪5:13-16
成為鹽,成為光 —— 根植於愛的使命

在今天的福音經文中,耶穌給了我們一個新的身份:“你們是地上的鹽。你們是世上的光。”祂沒有說:“你們要試著成為”或“也許你們會成為”,祂說的是:你們就是地上的鹽,世上的光。祂正與我們每個人交談。這就是我們的使命。

鹽能用來調味,也能保存,還能防止腐爛。我們也要抵制世界的腐敗,不是以傲慢,而是以謙遜和真理。成為鹽,意味著要在充滿不誠實,驕傲和自私的世界裡中,使我們的心保持純潔。我們蒙召,與眾不同,這不是要我們變得陌生,使我們疏遠別人,而是要在愛和憐憫方面,與眾不同。鹽在食物中消失,可是,如果沒有鹽,一切都索然無味。基督徒不可只專注自己,而是要給生活添味,提攜他人,保存世上美好的事物。

接著,耶穌說:“你們是世界的光。”光憑其本身,不能存在。光的存在,只是為使他人能看見。我們不是光源,基督才是光源,可是,我們蒙召,是要去反映出祂的真光。尤其是在黑暗濃重的地方。在流言蜚語中,在偏見中,在絕望中,我們蒙召帶來清新,平安和真理。不只是在言語上,更是在行動上。藉著善行,反映出天主的愛的工作,我們的光才能閃耀。

耶穌沒有要求我們逃避世界,相反,祂派遣我們到世上。基督徒不是逃避世上各種問題的人,而是受聖神引導,給世界帶去醫治,公道和平安的人。瑪利亞孕育著世界的真光,願我們如同瑪利亞一樣,謙恭把基督的光帶到黑暗的地方,隨時準備好服務,寬恕和愛。

成為鹽,成為光。這就是福音的真道。
亞孟。

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

与主叹啡:2025年6月10日

常年期第十周星期二
福音:玛5:13-16
成为盐,成为光 —— 根植于爱的使命

在今天的福音经文中,耶稣给了我们一个新的身份:“你们是地上的盐。你们是世上的光。”祂没有说:“你们要试着成为”或“也许你们会成为”,祂说的是:你们就是地上的盐,世上的光。祂正与我们每个人交谈。这就是我们的使命。

盐能用来调味,也能保存,还能防止腐烂。我们也要抵制世界的腐败,不是以傲慢,而是以谦逊和真理。成为盐,意味着要在充满不诚实,骄傲和自私的世界里中,使我们的心保持纯洁。我们蒙召,与众不同,这不是要我们变得陌生,使我们疏远别人,而是要在爱和怜悯方面,与众不同。盐在食物中消失,可是,如果没有盐,一切都索然无味。基督徒不可只专注自己,而是要给生活添味,提携他人,保存世上美好的事物。

接着,耶稣说:“你们是世界的光。”光凭其本身,不能存在。光的存在,只是为使他人能看见。我们不是光源,基督才是光源,可是,我们蒙召,是要去反映出祂的真光。尤其是在黑暗浓重的地方。在流言蜚语中,在偏见中,在绝望中,我们蒙召带来清新,平安和真理。不只是在言语上,更是在行动上。藉着善行,反映出天主的爱的工作,我们的光才能闪耀。

耶稣没有要求我们逃避世界,相反,祂派遣我们到世上。基督徒不是逃避世上各种问题的人,而是受圣神引导,给世界带去医治,公道和平安的人。玛利亚孕育着世界的真光,愿我们如同玛利亚一样,谦恭把基督的光带到黑暗的地方,随时准备好服务,宽恕和爱。

成为盐,成为光。这就是福音的真道。
亚孟。

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

Coffee with God:June 10, 2025

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 5: 13-16
Be Salt, Be Light – a mission rooted in love

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a new identity: “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” He doesn’t say, “Try to be,” or “Maybe you will become,” but you are. He is speaking to each one of us. This is our mission.

Salt gives flavour, it preserves, and it prevents decay. And so do we, when we resist the corruption of the world—not with arrogance, but with humility and truth. Being salt means keeping our hearts pure in a world that often celebrates dishonesty, pride, and selfishness. We are called to be different—not strange, not distant—but different in love, in mercy, in hope. Salt disappears in food, but without it, everything is tasteless. A Christian doesn’t draw attention to themselves but gives flavour to life, lifts others up, and preserves what is good in the world.

Then Jesus says: “You are the light of the world.” Light doesn’t exist for itself. It exists so others can see. We are not the source — Christ is the light — but we are called to reflect His light, especially where darkness is thick. In gossip, in prejudice, in despair — we are called to bring clarity, peace, and truth. Not with just words, but with actions. Our light shines through good works, works that reflect the love of God.

Jesus does not ask us to hide from the world. Instead, he sends us into it. The Christian is not someone who escapes the world’s problems, but one who, guided by the Spirit, brings healing, justice, and peace. Like Mary, the humble handmaid who bore the Light of the world, may we too carry Christ’s light into the darkest places, always ready to serve, to forgive, to love.

Be salt. Be light. This is the path of the Gospel.
Amen.

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