Blog of Fr. Peter Leung

恭讀聖路加福音11:1-4

有一次，耶穌在一個地方祈禱，祈禱完畢，他的一個門徒對他說：「主，請教我們祈禱，如同約翰教了他的門徒一樣。」耶穌對他們說：「你們祈禱時要說：父啊！願你的名被尊為聖！願你的國來臨！我們的日用糧，求你天天賜給我們！寬免我們的罪過，因為我們自己也寬免所有虧負我們的人；不要讓我們陷入誘惑。」

—上主的話。

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 11:1-4

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily - 27th in Ordinary Time (Wed. Oct 10, 2007) [5:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (831)

By Jessica Wong 

I arrived here in Lima last last Thursday Sept. 27. They have prepared for me a schedule of things to do each day of the week by Friday, and the schedule is pretty packed… that’s why I have been writing to you until now.

A portion of my day would be spent in prayers to develop and to grow in my spiritual life.  And during the day, I would normally be doing some service at which the servants (that’s how the sisters of this community call themselves) serve.  During the week would be helping at a school for physically disabled children, and on weekends, there’s a program on Saturdays called Amigos de Jesus (Friends of Jesus) for children who has too work on the streets because of their poor family economic situations.   On Sundays, the servants who are nurses and doctors would lead a group of volunteers (high school students, candidates with the servants like me, etc) to visit the children who are in hospital.  This hospital is like Sick Kids in a way that it’s

dedicated for children who are sick; however, these children may be traveling from more remote part of Peru and that their parents cannot afford to stay in Lima to be with their children while they are receiving treatments.

The school is having a week of vacation this week because last term just finished and they have one week off before a new school term starts. (Not really sure still how the calendar works for schools in the Southern hemisphere).   So I have some time to stay home now and work on other projects.  I am helping the servants now also to put together two websites.  Guess my computer skills is put into good use here too! haha~  And I think this is also one of the beauties that I see in this community.  The sisters all have different skills, some are doctors, dentists, psychologists… while some might joined the community just after finishing high school but they some are talented musician and some are amazing with languages.  (Hna. Carolina, she’s in one of the photos in the album I will tell you about, is only 21 years old and she has joined the community for 4 years.  She only finished high school but she is my translator and she is very good at it!)

I am very glad to be able to know this community.  Very joyful, though young but always striving to grow and be better followers of Christ in all circumstances of their lives.

I wish that you all may meet them also some day!

Here are some of the photos that I took during these two weeks:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jwywong/LimaWithSiervasDelPlanDeDios

Learning how to take the “bus” here! They call it cambi (smaller ones) or migros (a bit bigger van, or sometimes it could be a school bus too…).  There’s always another person tagging along besides the driver.  The person tagging along would be the one going around to collect money from the passengers and also to find out where they’re getting off.  You’d have to yell “baja” (going down) when it’s at the place where you want to get off.  The bus goes very slow, and it takes about an hour to go from one district to the next that is 27km apart. It is very special to live a life as a local instead of a tourist.  =)

Hope everything are going well with you all!

In my prayers,

Jessica

我聽到一個從不認識上班族的故事，但我知道是上主要我聽到這個故事的。
他是一個邀請在911被毀雙子星大廈倖存者共用辦公室的保全公司人員。
他用充滿敬畏的聲音告訴我們為什麼這些人得以倖存，而其他的人死亡的故事。
這些故事都是源於一些小事…
這公司的老板那天早上遲到乃因他的兒子第一天上幼稚園。
另一個人則因輪到他去買甜甜圈。
還有一個讓我訝異的是那天因穿新鞋上班而倖存者。
他轉很多道車上班，就在他到辦公室前，發現腳起了水泡，他轉到藥房買OK绷。這就是他倖存的原因。
所以，現在當我碰到塞車、錯過電梯、轉身回去接電話。處理這些所有打擾我的小事時。我總對自己說，這就是上主在那時要我做的。願上主繼續用這種小小的麻煩事保佑我。
內心微小的聲音
你曾否只坐在那兒靜靜的聆聽，卻突然覺得為關心的人做了件好事的經驗。 那是上主的臨在 祂透過你心中的聖神對你們說話…
你是否曾想念一久未見面的朋友，而過不久就遇見或接到他們的電話。
那是上主的臨在祂使我們心意相通…
你曾否收過一個很棒但你從未要求的事物，譬如信箱擺錢，或欠債神秘的被清償，或獲得極想要買東西但買不起商家的折價券。
那是上主的臨在 祂知道你內心最深的渴求
你是否曾陷在很糟，又不知如何做才會更好的境況，現在你回頭看…現在困境是否還在?
那是上主的臨在 他帶領我們通過苦難的考驗重見光明…
你覺得這封信只是偶然寄給你嗎？其實是你有好朋友希望你蒙受上主照顧充滿平安…
請把這封信傳下去 讓大家感受造物主慈愛的力量…
我們所要做的就是為今天獻感謝給上主這樣整個社會及我們所蒙受的祝福會倍增
讓這美好的消息傳遞下去
那上主現在就居住在我們中間了 並與你同在

歡笑喜樂吧…
好好善用你珍貴的身體過好你的生活吧!
因為這是上主所祝福的一天

You may have never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way; even though you say it again and again.

The Lord is my Shepherd. That’s Relationship!

I shall not want. That’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters. That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul. That’s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. That’s Guidance!

For His name sake. That’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,….That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil,… That’s Protection!

For Thou art with me. That’s Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. That’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. That’s Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil. That’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over. That’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. That’s Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. That’s Security!
Forever. That’s Eternity!

Face it, the Lord and I think you are special. Send this to the people you think are special. I thought this was pretty special, just like YOU!!! What is most valuable, is not what we have in our lives; but WHO we have in ourlives.

God Bless you.

恭讀聖路加福音10:25-37

那時，有一個法學士起來，試探耶穌說：「師傅！我應當做什麼，才能獲得永生呢？」耶穌對他說：「法律上記載了什麼？你是怎樣讀的呢？」他答說：「你應當全心、全靈、全力、全意愛上主，你的天主；並愛近人如你自己。」耶穌向他說：「你答得對。你這樣做，必得生活。」但是，那人想顯示自己有理，又對耶穌說：「畢竟誰是我的近人呢？」耶穌答說：「有一個人從耶路撒冷下來，到耶里哥去，遭遇了強盜，他們剝去他的衣服，並加以擊傷，將他半死半活的丟下走了。恰巧有一個司祭在那條路上下來，看了看他，便從旁邊走過去。又有一個肋未人，也是一樣；他到了那裏，看了看，也從旁邊走過去。但有一個撒瑪黎雅人，路過他那裏，一看見就動了憐憫的心，遂上前，在他的傷處注上油與酒，包紮好了，又扶他騎上自己的牲口，把他帶到客店裏，小心照料他。第二天，取出兩個銀錢交給店主說：請你小心看護他！不論額外花費多少，等我回來時，必要還給你。你以為這三個人中，誰是那遭遇強盜者的近人呢？」那人答說：「是憐憫他的那人。」耶穌遂對他說：「你也照樣去做吧！」

—上主的話。

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road,but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily - 27th in Ordinary Time (Mon. Oct 8, 2007) [7:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (840)

恭讀聖路加福音 17:5-10

那時候，宗徒對主說：「請加強我們的信德!」主說：「如果你們的信德像芥菜子那樣大，即使你們對這棵桑樹說：連根拔起，移植到海裡去! 它也會服從你們。

你們中誰會對耕田或放羊回來的僕人說：你快過來坐下吃飯罷! 而不對他說：給我預備晚飯，束上腰來伺候我，等我吃完了，你纔吃？那個僕人做了主人所吩咐的事，主人需向他道謝嗎？你們也該這樣，做完了吩咐你們的一切，仍然要說：我們是無用的僕人，只是做了份內的事。」

- 上主的話。

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily - 27th in Ordinary Time (Oct 7, 2007) [10:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (792)

Click HERE for English version.

「我們是無用的僕人，只是做了份內的事。」(路17﹕10)

這句話是耶穌親自教導門徒說的。耶穌預見門徒們將行許多神蹟，例如治病、驅逐魔鬼、復活死人等。耶穌希望門徒不要心生驕傲。

聖保祿也提醒自己﹕「我若有全備的信心，甚至能移山，但我若沒有愛，我什麼也不算。」(格前13 ﹕2)

我們所有的一切，都是來自天主。天主願意我們善用祂給我們所有的一切，包括時間、才華及機會。

在聖母領報堂服務的原修女，她自小便患有小兒痲痺症，行動不良，她仍然在下課後(她是一位小學老師)，主辦免費補習班，造福家貧及無人照顧的學生，十數年如一日。除此之外，在堂區秘書處担任義工，且陪伴我每天晚上探訪家庭。她常說﹕「我們是無用的僕人，只是做了份內的事。」

梁達材神父

Click HERE for English version.

聖母領報堂的牧職團，除劉玉亭神父及吳書成神父外，還有容偉松終身執事及原潔玲修女。

這裡我要特別提及的是劉玉亭神父。

劉神父於一九七一年晉鐸。尚未加入香港教區前，是聖母昆仲會會士，並曾擔任該會會長之職。他由一九七二年至一九九二年，擔任荃灣葛達二聖堂主任司鐸之職，並於一九九二年至二零零一年成為下葵涌聖斯德望堂的主任司鐸。在這三十多年來，他同時擔任了十七間教區學校校監之職。

劉神父除對教育貢獻外，對建立聖斯德望堂區(葵芳-1980) 、聖若望宗徒堂區(石籬-1988) 、聖母領報堂區(柴灣角-1992) 及聖多默宗徒堂區(青衣-1993)不遺餘力。

今年八十一歲的劉神父，每天早上六時四十五分給教友主持彌撒，並擔任不少善會的神師，為年青一輩的神父，起了身教的作用。他曾寫了一本小冊子，名叫「塵俗瑣事」。字裡行間，表達了他對已故徐誠斌主教的欽佩，因為前者對他非常尊重及信任。

梁達材神父

十月是玫瑰月，讓我們一起為和平、合一祈禱。  

October is the month of the Rosary.  Let us pray together for peace and unity.

請按此開始: 

歡喜五端
痛苦五端
光明五端
榮福五端

有一天，農夫的一頭驢子，不小心掉進一口枯井裡，農夫絞盡腦汁想辦法要救出驢子，但幾個小時過去了，驢子還在井裡痛苦地哀嚎着。

最後，這位農夫決定放棄，他想這頭驢子年紀大了，不值得大費周折去把它救出來，不過無論如何，這口井還是得填起來。 於是農夫便請來左鄰右舍幫忙一起將井中的驢子埋了，以免除牠的痛苦。農夫的鄰居們人手一把鏟子，開始將泥土鏟進枯井中……

當這頭驢子了解到自己的處境時，剛開始哭得很凄慘。但出人意料的是，一会兒之後這頭驢子就安静下來了。農夫好奇地探頭往井底一看，出現在眼前的景象令他大吃一驚：

當鏟進井裡的泥土落在驢子的背部時，驢子的反應令人稱奇──它將泥土抖落在一旁，然後站到鏟進的泥土堆上面，就這樣，驢子將大家鏟在它身上的泥土全數抖落在井底，然後再站上去。很快地，這隻驢子便得意地上升到井口，然後在眾人驚訝的表情中快步地跑開了！

就如驢子的情况，在生命的旅程中，有時候我們難免會陷入「枯井」裡，會被各式各樣的「泥沙」傾倒在我們身上，而想要從這些「枯井」脱困的秘訣就是：
將「泥沙」抖落掉，然後站到上去！

如果我們以肯定、沉着穩重的態度面對困境，助力往往就潛藏在困境中,一切都決定於我們自己。學習放下一切得失，勇往直前邁向理想。我們應該不斷地建立信心、希望和無條件的愛，這些都是幫助我們從生命中的枯井脱困並找到自己的工具。

事實上，我們在生活中所遭遇的種種困難挫折就是加諸在我們身上的「泥沙」；然而，換個角度看，它們也是一塊塊的墊脚石，只要我們喫而不捨地將它們抖落掉，然後站上去，那麼即使是掉落到最深的井，我們也能安然地脱困。

請牢記以下五個快樂的小秘訣:
不要存有憎恨的念頭
不要讓憂慮沾染你的心
簡單地生活
多關愛
少欲求

請按以下圖片:

一朵曇花只開三個小時
卻用盡了它的一生
生命的意義在於生命的質量
而不在於生命的時間

恭讀聖路加福音 10:13-16

耶穌說：「苛辣匝因啊！你是有禍的！貝特賽達啊！你是有禍的！因為在你們那裏所行的異能，如果行在提洛及漆冬，他們早已披上苦衣，坐在灰塵中，改過自新。但是在審判時，提洛和漆冬所受的懲罰，要比你們容易忍受。還有你，葛法翁！莫非你要被高舉到天上嗎？將來你必被推下陰府。聽你們的，就是聽我；拒絕你們的，就是拒絕我；拒絕我的，就是拒絕那派遣我的。」

—上主的話。

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 10:13-16

Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily - 26th in Ordinary Time (Fri. Oct 5, 2007) [5:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (803)

(From the Catholic Society of Evangelists  Newsletter, August, 1999)

The following TRUE STORY was related to Sr. M.  Veronica Murphy by an elderly nun who heard it from the lips of the late Reverend Father Stanislaus SS.CC

One day many years ago, in a little town in  Luxembourg , a Captain of the  Forest Guards was in deep conversation with the butcher when  an elderly woman entered the shop. The butcher  broke off the  conversation to ask the old  woman what she wanted. She had come to  beg for a little meat but had no money.

The Captain was amused at the woman and the butcher. “Only a little meat,but how much are you going to give her?”, he wondered.

“I am sorry I have no money but I’ll hear Mass for you, ” the woman told  the butcher. Both the butcher and the Captain were indifferent about religion, so they at once began to scoff at the old woman’s idea.

“All right then,” said the butcher. “You go and hear Mass for me and when  you come back I’ll give you as much as the Mass is worth”.

The woman left the shop and returned later. She approached the counter and  the butcher said. “All right then we’ll see.”

He took a slip of paper and wrote on it “I heard a Mass for you.” He placed the paper on the scales and a tiny bone on the other side,  but nothing happened. Next he placed a piece of meat instead of  the bone, but still the paper proved heavier. Both men were  beginning to feel ashamed of their mockery but continued their game.  A  large piece of meat was placed on the balance, but still the paper  held its own. The butcher, exasperated, examined the scales but  found  they were alright.

“What do you want my good woman? Must I give you a whole leg of mutton?”

At this he placed the leg of mutton on the balance, but the paper outweighed the meat. A larger piece of meat was put on, but again  the weight remained on the side of the paper. This so impressed the  butcher that he was converted and promised to give the woman her  daily ration of meat.

As for the Captain, he left the shop a changed man and became an ardent lover of daily Mass. Two of his sons became priests, one  a Jesuit & the other a Father of the Sacred Heart.

Father Stanislaus finished the story by saying, “I am from the Religious  of the Sacred Heart & the Captain was my father. “From  the incident the Captain became a daily Mass attendant & his children were trained to follow his example.

Later, when his sons became priests, he advised them to say Mass well every day and never miss the Sacrifice of the Mass through  any fault of their own.

If you like the story, share it with someone. Remember too that “a Holy Mass a day keeps the Devil away”.

New Photo album added:  

St. Mary’s Church Feast Day
(Sept 8, 2007)

恭讀聖路加福音 9:57-62

他們正走的時侯，在路上有一個人對耶穌說：「你不論往那裏去，我要跟隨你。」 耶穌給他說：「狐狸有穴，天上的飛鳥有巢；但是人子卻沒有枕頭的地方。」 又對另一人說：「你跟隨我吧!」那人卻說：「主，請許我先去埋葬我的父親。」 耶穌給他說：「任憑死人去埋葬自己的死人吧! 至於你，你要去宣揚天主的國。」 又有一個人說：「主，我要跟隨你，但是請許我先告別我的家人。」 耶穌對他說：「手扶著犁而往後看的，不適於天主的國。」

- 上主的話。

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily - 26th in Ordinary Time (Wed. Oct 3, 2007.) [8:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (621)

Click the image below for details:

Thank you for this sharing. Very meaningful.
Fr.Leung

==================================

在今天，
我們的房子越來越大，但是家庭越來越小。
生活越來越方便，但是時間卻越來越少。
我們的學位越來越高，常識卻越來越少。
知識越來越多，判斷力卻越來越差。
我們有更多的專家，但是也有更多的問題。
醫葯越來越好，但健康越來越少。
我們花費太多，
歡笑太少。
車開得太快，
火氣上來也更快。
睡得太晚，
閱讀太少，
電視看得太多，
而且禱告太少。
我們所擁有的資產倍增，但是價值卻遞減。
我們說得太多，但是愛心太少，且謊話連篇。
我們學習如何經營生活，但沒有建造生命。
我們在生命中加增歲月，卻沒有在歲月中增長生命。

我們有越來越高的建築，但是有越來越低的EQ。
有更寬廣的高速公路，但有更狹窄的視野。
我們花費得更多，但擁有的更少。
我們買得更多，但享受得更少。
我們可以登陸月球回來。
但是卻無法拜訪對街的鄰居。
我們可以征服外太空。
但是卻無法掌控內心世界。
我們可以分裂原子核，
但是卻無法挪去心中的偏見。
我們更多書寫，卻更少學習。
更多計畫，卻更少成就。
我們學會忙碌，但學不會等候。
我們的收入更高了，但道德更低了。
我們生產更多電腦，掌握更多資訊，複製更多拷貝，
但我們的溝通卻更貧乏。
我們的數量提高了，品質卻降低了。
這是快速食品充斥卻消化不良的時代。
高大的身軀與低劣的性格並存的時代。
更多休閒卻更少歡樂。
更多食物卻更少營養。
更多雙收入家庭，但更高的離婚率。
更多千萬豪宅，但卻更多破碎的家庭。
我建議，在今天這樣的世代，你不要保留任何事情到特殊的場合才做，因為你活著的每一天都是特殊場合。
勤加閱讀，追求知識，坐在你家的前廊上欣賞自然美景，無需汲汲營營於生活需要。
多花時間與家人及好友在一起，享受喜歡的食物，到你喜愛的地方去遊覽。
生命不只是為了存活，而是一連串愉快事件組成的的鏈條。
將你的水晶高腳杯拿出來，不要將妳最好的香水存起來，
任何時候你想要用的時候就用它吧。
把「有一天」「將來的某一天」從你的字典中刪除。
現在就去寫那一封你曾經想過要等到「有一天」才來寫的信。
讓我們現在就告訴我們的家人我們多愛他們。
不要將會帶給你歡笑及喜樂的任何事情拖延到未來。
每一天，每一小時，每一分鐘都是特別的，
而且你不知道那是否是你的最後一刻 。

如果你太忙以致於無法將這封信傳給你所愛的人，你告訴自己說，「等到有一天」我再傳。
“ 等到有一天“

你或許沒有機會傳了!

閱讀中文版，請按以下圖片:

Proclaim the Word

By Chiara Lubich

“Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching” (2 Tim 4:2).

Yes, we ought to speak, to everyone, and always!Many times the Word of Life invites us to live and to be an expression of love. But we also need to share the words of scripture with others, to proclaim them, communicate them, so that they join together with us in a life of giving, of brotherhood. These were the final words of Jesus: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel…” (see Mk 16:15; Mt 28:19).

This was the passion that drove Paul to travel through the whole known world and to address people of different cultures and faiths: “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” (1 Cor 9:16).

Drawing upon the words of Jesus and the strength of his own experience in putting them into practice, Paul urges his faithful disciple Timothy and each of us to: “Proclaim the word…”

In order for our speaking to be effective, it must, whenever possible, be built first on a relationship with the people we are addressing. Even when it is not possible to speak with the mouth, it is always possible with the heart. At times, a word can be expressed only through a respectful silence, through a smile, or by showing interest in other people’s lives, in their concerns, their problems, by addressing them by name, so that each one feels that he or she is important to us. And they truly are: we can never be indifferent to anyone. These silent words, if well-chosen, cannot fail to open up a way into a person’s heart. Oftentimes, the person becomes interested in me and asks me questions. This then is the moment to proclaim. We should not hesitate but go ahead and speak clearly, even if we say just a few words; but we ought to speak and tell that person why we live as Christians.

“Proclaim the word…”

How should we live this Word of Life and proclaim the gospel even during brief encounters? How can we share it with everyone? We can do this by loving each person, without exception. If we are real Christians, living what the Gospel teaches, our words will not be empty rhetoric.Our proclamation will be even more clear if we know how to bear witness to the heart of the Gospel—unity among us—knowing that “this is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:33).

This is the uniform that ordinary Christians, men and women, married and single, adults and children, the sick and the healthy, can wear always and wherever they are, in order to give witness with their lives to the One they believe in, to the One they want to love.