Blog of Fr. Peter Leung

信仰生活互動坊、塔冷通心靈書舍

若21：20-25　 (其他經文──宗28：16-20, 30-31　詠11)
伯多祿轉過身來，看見耶穌所愛的那個門徒跟著，即是在晚餐時靠耶穌胸膛前問「主！是誰出賣你？」的那個門徒。伯多祿一看見他，就對耶穌說：「主！他怎樣？」耶穌向他說：「我如果要他存留直到我來，與你何干？你只管跟隨我。」於是這話傳在兄弟之間，說那個門徒不會死的。可是耶穌並沒有說：「他不死」；而說：「我若要他留著，直到我來，和你有什麼關係？」
為這些事作證，並且記了這些事的，就是這個門徒。我們知道他的作證是真實的。但耶穌還行了別的許多事跡，若要一一寫出，那末要寫的書，我想世界也容納不下。

默　想

• 伯多祿是很八卦的，他要和若望比較。所以耶穌刻意激激他，說留下若望直到主再來。耶穌更說，和你有什麼關係？
• 很明顯，耶穌就是叫我們不要和別人比較。你伯多祿就是要殉你的道，若望就是要在帕特摩島受苦。至於你和我呢？你有你的故事，我有我的人生。
• 我們若能不下判斷之心，就能看出，伯多祿沒有比我更神聖，我的災困及福氣也不比他少。天父就是叫我們不要比較嘛，還要計較多少幹嗎？

「父啊！願他們在我們內合而為一。」(若20:21)

「我是葡萄樹，你們是葡萄枝‥‥」
「誰不吃我的肉，喝我的血，在他內便沒有生命‥‥」

在基督內的合一，是如此有生命力！

「來！跟隨我！」是一份肯定的邀請，讓我們的生命轉化成基督的生命。

藉著『聖言』，我們的思維成了基督的思維；藉著『聖體』，我們的肉軀，在回歸大地後，成了大地的『聖體』。默示錄的『新天新地』，不言而喻。

『合一的生活』便是天主聖三的生活，是『互愛』『共融』的生活。

人與人間共融的基礎，不單靠感情用事，因為一切世事，都如款道篇所言：『虛而又虛，萬事皆虛』！而是靠信賴『天主的慈愛』。

「不是你們揀選了我，而是我揀選（愛）了你們！」

「在主內合而為一」是一個嶄新的生活方式，是無時或息地生活在天主的聖意中，特別是履行愛的誡命：「你們要彼此相愛，如同我愛了你們一樣。」
梁達材神父

往福音訊息目錄

「他們不屬於世界，就如我不屬於世界一樣。」(若17:14)

他們不屬於世界，是因為「他們原屬於你‥ 他們也遵守了你的話。」(若17:6)

聖保祿於公元六三年寫信給哥羅森的信友說：「你們原已脫去了舊人和他的作為，且穿上了新人，這新人即是照創造他者的肖像而更新。」(哥3:9-10)

聖保祿稱基督為「天主的肖像」，就是說，從永遠就恒存的天主是人所不可見，所不能認識的；可是這唯一獨存的天主，從永遠就認識自己，由認識自己而發生出來的表現即是聖言，並且是降生成人的聖言。

在基督降生後，人因看見了，並認識了降生的聖子，因而認識了也看見了天主聖父。所以基督對天主而言是他的肖像，是他的獨生子。「誰看見了我，就是看見父！」(若14:9)〔參閱思高聖經辭典〕

藉著洗禮，我們成為基督的奧體。這樣，我們不難明白耶穌所說：「凡你們對我最小的一個兄弟去做，便是對我而做」或：「掃祿，掃祿，你為什麼迫害我。」

我們更不難明白聖保祿所說的：「今天我生活，並不是我生活，而是基督在我內生活。」

在天主眼中，我們便是那麼可愛！

梁達材神父

往福音訊息目錄

First time in Hong Kong, the meeting of six new ecclesial communities: Focolare Movement (普世博愛運動) St Edgido Community (聖艾智德團體) Neocatechumenal Way (新慕道團) Faith and Light (信和光) The Beatitudes (真幅團） HK Federation of Basic Christian Communities (香港天主教基基團聯會)

請按此看照片簿

往活動相簿目錄

 

 Homily [19:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (691)

 

 Song [3:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (718)

聖何開枝殉道

恭讀聖若望福音 21:15-19
耶穌顯現給門徒，同他們吃完了早飯，就對西滿伯多祿說：「若望的兒子西滿，你比他們更愛我嗎？」伯多祿回答說：「主，是的，你知道我愛你。」耶穌就對他說：「你餵養我的羔羊。」耶穌第二次又問他說：「若望的兒子西滿，你愛我嗎？」伯多祿回答說：「主，是的，你知道我愛你。」耶穌就對他說：「你牧放我的羊群。」耶穌第三次問他說：「若望的兒子西滿，你愛我嗎？」伯多祿因耶穌第三次問他說：「你愛我嗎？」便憂愁起來，遂向他說：「主啊！一切你都知道，你曉得我愛你。」耶穌對他說：「你餵養我的羊群。」
耶穌又說：「我實實在在告訴你：你年少時，自己束上腰，任意往來；但到了老年，你要伸出手來，別人要給你束上腰，帶你往你不願意去的地方。」耶穌說這話，是指他將以怎樣的死去光榮天主。說完這話，又對他說：「跟隨我吧！」
—基督的福音。

(7th Week of Easter – Friday)

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 21:15-19

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily [6:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (915)

聖蒙福 三十三天祈禱奉獻 －第三十二天

師主篇 卷二 第7章

愛慕耶穌在萬有之上
如果一個人知道什麼是愛耶穌，又為愛耶穌而輕視自己，他是有福的。你該為可愛的耶穌拋棄你所愛的人，因為耶穌願意你愛祂在萬有之上，願意人只愛祂一個。

世上的愛，很是虛假，不能長久。耶穌的愛，極其忠信，恒久不變。愛世物的，必和世物一同腐朽。愛耶穌的人，永遠生活。

所以你該只愛耶穌，拿耶穌當密友；因為一總的人都拋棄了你，但耶穌總不拋棄你，也不忍得叫你永遠死亡。你生時死時，總該與耶穌聯繫，把你交給祂掌管；那麼，雖然一總的人離開你，祂也能幫助你。

可是你可愛的耶穌，有這樣的性情，就是祂願意你不愛別的事物，願意獨自佔有你的心，又願意獨自坐在你心中，如同皇帝一樣。若在你心裏把世物打掃的乾淨，耶穌自然情願和你同居。

敬禮聖母的真諦  Nos. 257-260

除上述的外在敬禮實踐外，亦有一些能使人聖化的內修實踐，透過天主聖神的引導，使靈魂達至全德的高超境地。以四句話概括來說，即我們一切的思想、言 語及行動全「經由瑪利亞」、「階同瑪利亞」、「在瑪利亞內」及「為瑪利亞」，目的是使這些工作出自耶穌、偕同耶穌、在耶穌內、為耶穌，成為更完美的。

一切經由瑪利亞：在一切事情中，服從至聖童貞的指揮，依照她的精神而作，因為她的心願即天主聖神的心願。那些受 天主聖神引導的，就是天主的子女，那些受瑪利亞的精神引導的，就是瑪利亞的子女。在至聖童貞眾多的子女中，獨有那些遵從她的精神才是她真正的忠僕。瑪利亞 的精神，便是耶穌的精神。一個全由瑪利亞的精神統治指揮的靈魂是多麼有福啊！因為瑪利亞的精神是柔而剛、熱烈而賢明、謙而勇、純潔而富饒的！

一切偕同瑪利亞：在我們每一個行為中，應看瑪利亞處在我們的這種地位時，曾怎樣作事或該怎樣作。為此，我們當仔細審量、觀察聖母在世時的偉大德業，特別是：
(1) 她活潑的信德：她相信天神所說的結局，站在加爾瓦略山十字架下，她亦是堅毅地忠信到底。
(2) 她深厚的謙遜：她隱晦、緘默著，事事服從，作人中最後、最小的份子。

第三階段：第二週

——————————————————–

Total Consecration by St. Louis Marie de Montfort – DAY 32

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 2, Chapter 7
Of the Love of Jesus above All Things

Blessed is he that understandeth (Psalm 119:1,2) what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus’ sake. Thou oughtest to leave thy beloved, for thy beloved (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37; Cant. 2:16); for that Jesus will be loved alone above all things.

The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant; the love of Jesus is faithful and persevering. He that cleaveth unto a creature, shall fall with that which is subject to fall; he that embraceth Jesus shall be made strong for ever.

2. Love Him, and keep Him for thy friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake thee, nor suffer thee to perish in the end. Some time or other thou must be separated from all, whether thou wilt or no. Keep close to Jesus both in life and in death, and commit thyself unto His faithfulness, who, when all fail, can alone help thee.

Thy Beloved is of that nature, that He will admit of no rival; but will have thy heart alone, and sit on His throne as King. If thou couldest empty thyself perfectly from all creatures, Jesus would willingly dwell with thee.

From True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nos. 257-260

There are some very sanctifying interior practices for those souls who feel called by the Holy Spirit to a high degree of perfection. They may be expressed in four words, doing everything through Mary, with Mary, in Mary, and for Mary, in order to do it more perfectly through Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus, and for Jesus.

Through Mary

258. We must do everything through Mary, that is, we must obey her always and be led in all things by her spirit, which is the Holy Spirit of God. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,” says St. Paul. Those who are led by the spirit of Mary are children of Mary, and, consequently children of God, as we have already shown. Among the many servants of Mary only those who are truly and faithfully devoted to her are led by her spirit. I have said that the spirit of Mary is the spirit of God because she was never led by her own spirit, but always by the spirit of God, who made himself master of her to such an extent that he became her very spirit. That is why St. Ambrose says, “May the soul of Mary be in each one of us to glorify the Lord. May the spirit of Mary be in each one of us to rejoice in God.” Happy is the man who follows the example of the good Jesuit Brother Rodriguez, who died a holy death, because he will be completely possessed and governed by the spirit of Mary, a spirit which is gentle yet strong, zealous yet prudent, humble yet courageous, pure yet fruitful.

With Mary

260. We must do everything with Mary, that is to say, in all our actions we must look upon Mary, although a simple human being, as the perfect model of every virtue and perfection, fashioned by the Holy Spirit for us to imitate, as far as our limited capacity allows. In every action then we should consider how Mary performed it or how she would perform it if she were in our place. For this reason, we must examine and meditate on the great virtues she practised during her life, especially: 1) Her lively faith, by which she believed the angel’s word without the least hesitation, and believed faithfully and constantly even to the foot of the Cross on Calvary. 2) Her deep humility, which made her prefer seclusion, maintain silence, submit to every eventuality and put herself in the last place.

Prayers for the Second Week Preparatory Period

信仰生活互動坊、塔冷通心靈書舍

若21：15-19　 (其他經文──宗25：13-21 詠103)
耶穌顯現給門徒，同他們吃完了早飯，就對西滿伯多祿說：「若望的兒子西滿，你比他們更愛我嗎？」伯多祿回答說：「主，是的，你知道我愛你。」耶穌就對他說：「你餵養我的羔羊。」耶穌第二次又問他說：「若望的兒子西滿，你愛我嗎？」伯多祿回答說：「主，是的，你知道我愛你。」耶穌就對他說：「你牧放我的羊群。」耶穌第三次問他說：「若望的兒子西滿，你愛我嗎？」伯多祿因耶穌第三次問他說：「你愛我嗎？」便憂愁起來，遂向他說：「主啊！一切你都知道，你曉得我愛你。」耶穌對他說：「你餵養我的羊群。」
耶穌又說：「我實實在在告訴你：你年少時，自己束上腰，任意往來；但到了老年，你要伸出手來，別人要給你束上腰，帶你往你不願意去的地方。」耶穌說這話，是指他將以怎樣的死去光榮天主。說完這話，又對他說：「跟隨我吧！」

默　想

• 若耶穌這樣三次問我，我必定也會像伯多祿一樣，憂愁起來。因為我清楚知道自己做過什麼，當然不想別人再提起。
• 但是，耶穌就是這樣不識趣，硬要提人家的臭史，揭人家的瘡疤。為何耶穌要我們難堪？
• 因為，耶穌深知，我們若不正視自己的錯，便不會輕易原諒自己。而這瘡疤，雖然沒有人去挖，卻是永遠埋在最深的角落，只有在夜深人靜時，自己暗自哭泣。所以，耶穌是為醫治我們而要我們面對自己的錯。
• 以現代的語言來說，就是在哪裡跌倒，就要在那裡重新站起來。
• 自己失敗的地方，就是自己重生的開始點。

恭讀聖若望福音 17:20-26
那時候，耶穌舉目向天祈禱說：「我不但為他們祈求，而且也為那些因他們的話而信從我的人祈求。願眾人都合而為一。父啊！願他們在我們內合而為一，就如你在我內，我在你內，為叫世界相信是你派遣了我。我將你賜給我的光榮賜給了他們，為叫他們合而為一，就如我們原為一體一樣。我在他們內，你在我內，使他們完全合而為一，為叫世界知道是你派遣了我，並且你愛了他們，如愛了我一樣。父啊！你所賜給我的人，我願我在那裏，他們也同我在一起，使他們享見你所賜給我的光榮，因為你在創世之前，就愛了我。公義的父啊！世界沒有認識你，我卻認識了你，這些人也知道是你派遣了我。我已經將你的名宣示給他們了，我還要宣示，好使你愛我的愛在他們內，我也在他們內。」
—基督的福音。

(7th Week of Easter – Thursday)

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 17:20-26

20 “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which you have given me in your love for me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily [12:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1022)

聖蒙福 三十三天祈禱奉獻 －第三十一天

師主篇 卷四 第2章

聖體聖事大顯天主的仁善慈愛
吾主！依賴祢的良善仁慈，我到祢跟前，如同病人到救他的醫生跟前，飢渴的人到生命的井泉跟前，窮人到天上的君王跟前，奴僕到主人跟前，受造者到自己的創造者跟前，憂苦的到安慰自己的跟前一樣。

但是我有什麼好處，至於叫祢到我心內來呢？我是誰，祢竟把祢的親身送給我？我重罪人，怎麼敢站在祢臺前，祢怎麼屈尊就卑降到我罪人心內呢？祢認得祢的僕役，知道他沒有一點長處值得祢這樣待他。所以我承認我的卑賤，承認祢的良善，讚美祢的仁慈，感謝祢極大的愛情。

敬禮聖母的真諦  Nos.243-254

實踐這高尚的奴役應特別地慶祝天主聖言降生為人的偉大奧跡。三月二十五日聖母領報慶日就是敬禮這奧跡的最好時節。這是天主聖神啟示的：（1）叫我們 崇敬、效法天主聖子為光榮聖父，為救贖世人甘願服從聖母瑪利亞。這種超絕的服從使耶穌基督作聖母胎中的囚徒與奴隸，使祂完全聽從瑪利亞。所以在降生奧跡 中，耶穌對聖母的服從特別昭著；（2）為叫人類感激天主給予聖母瑪利亞無可比擬的恩寵，而特別是感激天主在這奧跡中揀選瑪利亞為祂的生母。在瑪利亞內作耶 穌基督的奴隸的兩大主要目標即在於此。

因我們處在這傲氣充斥的時代裡，在熱心事工上，一再強調最確實、穩固的事的驕傲、好議的學者太多了。為避免他們不必要的評擊非議，與其說：「瑪利亞 的奴隸」，不如說：「在瑪利亞內作耶穌的奴隸」，自稱是基督的奴隸。在這敬禮的名稱上，尤其在注重的是敬禮的最終目標即耶穌基督，而到達目標的途徑：瑪利 亞。實際上，兩種稱謂，均可使行。因在這敬禮中，恭敬、推崇的主要奧跡是降生成人的奧跡，所想到、見到的耶穌基督是在瑪利亞內、孕育於瑪利亞懷中的耶穌基 督。所以說在瑪利亞內作耶穌的奴僕，作在瑪利亞內居住為王的耶穌基督的奴隸是較為合適。正如多少大人物反覆誦唸的這段經文：「啊！生活在瑪利亞內的耶穌基 督，請降來生活在我們的內心吧！」

實踐這高尚的奴役應熱心誦唸〈聖母經〉。教友中雖是有知識的，很少透視它的價值、益處、超卓和必要性。童貞聖母許多次顯現給大聖人們指出這經文的價值。

第三階段：第二週

——————————————————–

Total Consecration by St. Louis Marie de Montfort – DAY 31

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 4, Chapter 2
That the Great Goodness and Love of God
Is Exhibited to Man in This Sacrament

In confidence of Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near, sick to the Healer, hungry and thirsty to the Fountain of life, needy to the King of Heaven, a servant to his Lord, a creature to the Creator, desolate to my own tender Comforter. “But whence is this to me,” that Thou comest unto me (Luke 1:43)? What am I, that Thou shouldest grant me Thine own self? how dare a sinner appear before Thee?

And how is it that Thou dost vouchsafe to come unto a sinner? Thou knowest Thy servant, and art well aware that he hath in him no good thing, for which Thou shouldest grant him this. I confess therefore mine own vileness, I acknowledge Thy goodness, I praise Thy tender mercy, and give Thee thanks for Thy transcendent love.

From True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nos. 243-254 243.

Loving slaves of Jesus in Mary should hold in high esteem devotion to Jesus, the Word of God, in the great mystery of the Incarnation, March 25th, which is the mystery proper to this devotion, because it was inspired by the Holy Spirit for the following reasons: a) That we might honour and imitate the wondrous dependence which God the Son chose to have on Mary, for the glory of his Father and for the redemption of man. This dependence is revealed especially in this mystery where Jesus becomes a captive and slave in the womb of his Blessed Mother, depending on her for everything. b) That we might thank God for the incomparable graces he has conferred upon Mary and especially that of choosing her to be his most worthy Mother. This choice was made in the mystery of the incarnation. These are the two principal ends of the slavery of Jesus in Mary.

245. a) Since we live in an age of pride when a great number of haughty scholars, with proud and critical minds, find fault even with long-established and sound devotions, it is better to speak of “slavery of Jesus in Mary” and to call oneself “slave of Jesus” rather than “slave of Mary”. We then avoid giving any pretext for criticism. In this way, we name this devotion after its ultimate end which is Jesus, rather than after the way and the means to arrive there, which is Mary. However, we can very well use either term without any scruple, as I myself do.

246. b) Since the principal mystery celebrated and honoured in this devotion is the mystery of the Incarnation where we find Jesus only in Mary, having become incarnate in her womb, it is appropriate for us to say, “slavery of Jesus in Mary”, of Jesus dwelling enthroned in Mary, according to the beautiful prayer, recited by so many great souls, “O Jesus living in Mary”.

249. Those who accept this devotion should have a great love for the Hail Mary, or, as it is called, the Angelic Salutation. Few Christians, however enlightened, understand the value, merit, excellence and necessity of the Hail Mary. Our Blessed Lady herself had to appear on several occasions to men of great holiness and insight, such as St. Dominic, St. John Capistran and Blessed Alan de Rupe, to convince them of the richness of this prayer.

Prayers for the Second Week Preparatory Period

信仰生活互動坊、塔冷通心靈書舍

若17：20-26　 (其他經文──宗22：30；23：6-11 詠16)
耶穌舉目向天祈禱說：「我不但為他們祈求，而且也為那些因他們的話而信從我的人祈求。願眾人都合而為一。父啊！願他們在我們內合而為一，就如你在我內，我在你內，為叫世界相信是你派遣了我。我將你賜給我的光榮賜給了他們，為叫他們合而為一，就如我們願為一體一樣。我在他們內，你在我內，使他們完全合而為一，為叫世界知道是你派遣了我，並且你愛了他們，如愛了我一樣。父啊！你所賜給我的人，我願我在那裡，他們也同我在一起，使他們享見你所賜給我的光榮，因為你在創世之前，就愛了我。公義的父啊！世界沒有認識你，我卻認識了你，這些人也知道是你派遣了我。我已經將你的名宣示給他們了，我還要宣示，好使你愛我的愛在他們內，我也在他們內。」

默　想

• 「願眾人都合而為一」。合一，卻不是完全一樣，所以我們每人的答案都可以有差異。就如地球有80億人，卻沒有任何一個是完全一樣，每個人都是獨一無二的。
• 那麼，怎樣合一呢？合一，就是我們都知道我們的源頭都是從父而來，我們都是兄弟姊妹，不會以惡相向。
• 所以，很明顯的是，耶穌的救世大業還未完成，因為我們還有很多人及國家是以惡相向的。
• 我們，還未合一。

Vatican Joins in Year of Astronomy Conference

By Carmen Elena Villa

FLORENCE, Italy, MAY 26, 2009 (Zenit.org).- There is a fundamental dialogue between faith and reason, and an international conference on Galileo can serve to prove it, according to the archbishop of Florence.

Archbishop Giuseppe Betori affirmed this in speaking of the conference under way in his archdiocese on “The Galileo Affair: A Historical, Philosophical and Theological Re-examination.”

The event was inaugurated today at the Basilica of the Holy Cross, where Galileo is buried. It is an initiative of the Jesuits’ Niels Stensen Foundation, and is part of the celebrations for the International Year of Astronomy sponsored by UNESCO.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano was at the inauguration. The conference will feature 33 speakers and has brought together 18 institutions, including the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Academy of Science, and the Vatican Observatory.

Archbishop Betori spoke about Galileo and the Church. He asserted that the case has been read for centuries as a “tragic and reciprocal lack of understanding,” reported L’Osservatore Romano.

The prelate said he wants the Year of Astronomy to “re-establish and present again in a creative way the fundamental dialogue that exists between faith and reason, from the perspective of a permanent collaboration between the Church and institutions of scientific investigation, economic development and social promotion.”

“Faith does not grow with the rejection of rationality but rather integrates itself in a more ample horizon of rationality,” Archbishop Betori added.

When reason is separated from faith, he continued, the risk arises “of being reduced to a calculation and an exclusive evaluation of conflicting interests.” In this way, it “often is unaware of or remains blind to the vital questions, fundamental values and dramatic human situations.”

According to the archbishop, the Galileo conference has “not only a high cultural and symbolic value, but also shows that there are conditions for a constructive sharing of responsibilities, in the awareness of respective roles and tasks.”

The event ends May 30 in Florence, in the last home where Galileo lived.

LONDON, MAY 26, 2009 (Zenit.org).- England and Wales are preparing for this autumn’s arrival of the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

A press release from the bishops’ conference announced today that “excitement is growing” faced to the upcoming tour of the relics through the country, which will take place from Sep. 16 to Oct. 16.

Several activities will surround the tour, including films about St. Thérèse’s life, talks about her mission and activities for children.

The Catholic Agency to Support Evangelization has produced videos to “promote the evangelistic potential of the tour.”

The event organizer, Monsignor Keith Barltrop, said: “The heart of St. Thérèse’s message is, in her own words, that God ‘burns with the desire to come into your heart.’

“The aim of all the preparation that is going on up and down the country is that the visit of her relics, which one Irish bishop described graphically as ‘the remains of a burnt-out love for God,’ will help open our hearts to that love.”

San Francisco, Calif., May 26, 2009 / 01:54 pm (CNA).- The California Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Proposition 8, the successful California ballot measure which defined marriage to be between a man and a woman, is constitutional. It also decided that the some 18,000 homosexual “marriages” contracted in the state should remain valid in law.

By a vote of 6-1, the state Supreme Court justices ruled Proposition 8 was constitutional. The court unanimously ruled that existing “marriages” would stand. Proposition 8 was put forward as a response to the California Supreme Court’s May 2008 decision which by a vote of 4-3 overturned a state ban on such unions.

Chief Justice Ronald M. George authored the majority opinion in today’s court decision.

The court rejected Prop. 8 opponents’ “principal argument,” which was that the proposition was not a constitutional amendment but rather a constitutional revision. A revision may only be proposed in a state constitutional convention.

The justices said that Prop. 8 “does not entirely repeal or abrogate” same-sex couples’ state constitutional right of privacy and due process. Rather, it “carves out a narrow and limited exception to these state constitutional rights” by reserving the designation of the term “marriage” for “opposite-sex couples.”

Proposition 8 left “undisturbed” what the court called the “extremely significant substantive aspects” of a same-sex couple’s constitutional right to establish an “officially recognized and protected family relationship.”

Concerning the validity of homosexual “marriages” contracted after the court’s May 2008 decision but before the passage of Proposition 8, the court said the law cannot be “properly interpreted” to apply retroactively.

“Accordingly, the marriages of same-sex couples performed prior to the effective date of Proposition 8 remain valid and must continue to be recognized in this state,” the court’s decision read.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the only dissenting vote on the constitutionality of the measure was cast by Justice Carlos R. Moreno, the only Democrat on the court. Justice Moreno sided with the argument that Prop. 8 was a revision rather than an amendment.

Andrew Pugno, the General Counsel of Prop. 8 backer ProtectMarriage.com, said in a Tuesday statement that the group was “very gratified” that the ballot measure was upheld.

“This is the culmination of years of hard work to preserve marriage in California. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers worked diligently to uphold the institution of marriage. Twice, voters have decided that marriage in California should be only between a man and a woman.

“We are extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has acknowledged the right of voters to define marriage in the California Constitution. The voters have decided this issue and their views should be respected.”

26/05/2009
（梵蒂岡電臺訊）下主日上午9點30分，教宗本篤十六世將在聖伯多祿大殿主持聖神降臨大占禮彌撒祭典，羅馬教區的信友和在羅馬城的朝聖信友都被邀請參加。教宗本篤十六世就職後，每年都在慶祝這個占禮的機會中講解有關聖神和五旬節的道理。

聖神藉著五旬節那一天發生的事件，使人克服因巴貝耳塔而開始的分裂和心中的混亂，而打開將人分隔的界綫，引導人彼此接近。本篤十六世在他的訓導中强調，五旬節是共融和愛比分裂更强大的標記。他于2005年5月15日，在聖伯多祿大殿慶祝他當選後第一個五旬節的機會中告誡人們：沒有聖神，教會便淪爲“純粹人的組織，被她本身的結構壓得更加沉重。”爲此，教會應當永遠注視著她的誕生，注視著風和火突然闖入晚餐廳的景象。教宗指出：

“教會應該恢復它原來的情况，就是，打開民族間的界綫，粉碎階級間和種族間的樊籬。在教會中，不可有人被遺忘也不可有人遭蔑視。聖神的風和火要不停地打開我們人類不斷在彼此間建立的界綫；我們必須不斷超越巴貝耳、超越自我封閉，而走向五旬節。”

一年後，教宗解釋火舌的意義說，舌頭形狀的火焰降臨在聚在一起祈禱的聖母瑪利亞和宗徒們頭上，這個事件肯定了昔日天主和以色列所定的古老盟約業已擴展到地上所有的民族。教宗指出：

“聖神以語言的神恩顯示他的臨在使人類結爲一體，把混亂變爲共融。人類的驕傲和自私自利總是製造分裂，他們竪起冷漠、仇恨和暴力的圍墻。聖神正好相反，他使人的心有能力瞭解每個人的語言，因爲聖神重建地上和天上之間的真正橋梁。聖神是愛！”

“你們將充滿聖神的德能，爲我作證人。”：教宗選擇“宗徒大事錄”中的這段話作爲悉尼世界青年日的主題。教宗在2008年3月13日臨近聖枝主日與青年們的聚會中，談了向天主的慈悲和他的神開放心靈而來的喜樂說：

“這個喜樂來自接納天主聖神的恩典，你們要成爲帶給這個喜樂的人，在你們的生活中爲聖神的效果作證，這個效果就是：仁愛、喜樂、平安、忍耐、良善、溫和、忠信、柔和、以及節制（迦5,22）。要永遠記住，你們是‘聖神的宮殿’；請讓聖神居住在你們內，而你們要順從聖神的引導，好爲教會的建設作出貢獻幷且分辨哪個是天主召教你們的聖召。”

兩個月後的5月11日，教宗又强調，五旬節聖神降臨的時候“清楚顯示，許多語言和不同的文化都歸屬教會。”教宗說，天主教不是諸多教會的聯合會，而是一個唯一的事實。

“五旬節聖神降臨的時候，教會不是因著人的意願，而是賴著天主聖神的力量而建立起來的。聖神立即賦予一個團體生命，這個團體既是一個，也是普世性的，于是戰勝了巴貝耳塔的灾禍（見創11，7-9）。天主聖神在愛和彼此接納對方的差异中建立合一，只有聖神能够使人類脫離追求現世權力的欲望，不企圖統治，不受使一切一律化的引誘。”

聖奧思定坎特伯雷 – 聖白多祿

恭讀聖若望福音 17:11-19
那時候，耶穌舉目向天說：「聖父啊！求你因你的名，保全那些你所賜給我的人，使他們合而為一，正如我們一樣。當我和他們同在時，我因你的名，保全了你所賜給我的人，護慰了他們，其中除了那喪亡之子，沒有一個喪亡，這是為應驗經上的話。但如今我到你那裏去，我在世上講這話，是為叫他們的心充滿我的喜樂。我已將你的話授給了他們，世界卻憎恨他們　因為他們不屬於世界，就如我不屬於世界一樣。我不求你將他們從世界上撤去，只求你保護他們脫免邪惡。他們不屬於世界，就如我不屬於世界一樣。求你以真理祝聖他們；你的話就是真理。就如你派遣我到世界上來，照樣我也派遣他們到世界上去。我為他們祝聖我自己，為叫他們也因真理而被祝聖。」
—基督的福音。

(7th Week of Easter – Wednesday)

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 17:11-19

11 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you did send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.

—The Gospel of the Lord.

往神父講道目錄

 

 Homily [6:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (937)

聖蒙福 三十三天祈禱奉獻 －第三十天

聖瑪竇福音 27:36-44

上山受釘
…然後坐在那裏看守他。
在他的頭上安放了他的罪狀牌，寫著說：「這是耶穌，猶太人的君王。」當時與他一起被釘在十字架上的，還有兩個強盜：一個在右邊，一個在左邊。

架上的基督受嘲弄
路過的人都搖頭辱罵他們說：「你這拆毀聖殿而三日內重建起來的，救你自己罷！如果你是天主子，從十字架上下來罷！」司祭長和經師與長老們也同樣戲弄說：「他救了別人，卻救不了自己；他既是以色列君王：如今從十字架上下來罷！我們就信他。他信賴天主，天主如喜歡他，如今就該救他，因為他說過：我是天主子。」同他一起被釘在十字架上的強盜，也這樣譏誚他。

師主篇 卷二 第12章

十字架的康莊大道
你該棄絕自己，背起十字架來，跟隨耶穌走。這句話，有許多人聽不入耳。豈知到了公審判的日子，還有更難聽的話哩！就是耶穌對惡人們說：「可咒罵的人們，快 快離開我往永火裏去！」（瑪廿五41）凡是現今甘願聽從耶穌而背十字架的人，將來不怕聽這樣的斷案。到了耶穌來審判的那一天，十字聖架要高懸在天空，耶穌 的忠僕，既然背過十字聖架，必有恃無恐地去聽耶穌的審判。

十字架既是上天之梯，為什麼你不願意背它呢？從十字架上，能得救贖的恩典，能得超性的性命，能以戰勝邪魔，能嘗到天上的神味，能獲得靈魂的神力，能得良心的快樂，能得德行的成全，能得完美的聖德。

你快背起字十架來，跟隨耶穌走：跟隨祂走，自然可到天堂。

第三階段：第二週

——————————————————–

Total Consecration by St. Louis Marie de Montfort – DAY 30

Matthew 27:36-44

And they sat and watched him. And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left. And they that passed by, blasphemed him, wagging their heads, And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God. And the selfsame thing the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached him with.

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 2, Chapter 12
Of the King’s High Way of the Holy Cross

Unto many this seemeth an hard saying, “Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow Jesus” (Matt. 16:24). But much harder will it be to hear that last word, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire” (Matt. 25:41). For they who now willingly hear and follow the word of the Cross, shall not then fear (Psalm 112:7) to hear the sentence of everlasting damnation. This sign of the Cross shall be in the heaven, when the Lord shall come to judgment (Matt. 24:30). Then all the servants of the Cross, who in their life-time conformed themselves unto Christ crucified, shall draw near unto Christ the Judge with great confidence.

Why therefore fearest thou to take up the Cross which leadeth thee to a kingdom? In the Cross is salvation, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is protection against our enemies, in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the Cross is strength of mind, in the Cross joy of spirit, in the Cross the height of virtue, in the Cross the perfection of holiness.

Take up therefore thy Cross and follow Jesus (Luke 14:27), and thou shalt go into life everlasting.

Prayers for the Second Week Preparatory Period