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Compiled by: Michael Lewis & Friends (Angel Investors) with the Smart Singaporeans

 

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Important note: Please print this if you need it for future reference, as what listed here will be archived (from 18 April 2026) to make room for Summaries of the Latest Saints’ Commentaries.

Although we have done our best to summarise the Saints’ Commentaries (including comparison with AI), please refer to the original Saints’ commentaries listed after reading these. Thanks for following us.

 

24 October 2026 (29th Week, Saturday) Mass Readings

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102426.cfm (English)

Chinese Mass Readings below.

Saints’ Commentaries:  Summaries below.    

Ephesians 4:7-16 (wallpaper) by Saint John Chrysostom.

https://www.ecatholic2000.com/fathers/untitled-726.shtml#_Toc390304077

Epistle to the Ephesians [audiobook with text English [>3:16:19], Chinese, movie]

What the Saints and Church Fathers say about the Love God has for each of us.  8-)

聖保祿宗徒致厄弗所人書 4:7-16

7但我們各人所領受的恩寵,卻是按照基督賜恩的尺度。

8為此經上說:「祂帶領俘虜,升上高天,且把恩惠賜與人。」

9說祂上升了,豈不是說祂曾下降到地下嗎?

10那下降的,正是上升超乎諸天之上,以充滿萬有的那一位,

11就是祂賜與這些人作宗徒,那些人作先知,有的作傳福音者,有的作司牧和教師,

12為成全聖徒,使之各盡其職;為建樹基督的身體,

13直到我們眾人都達到對於天主子,有一致的信仰和認識,成為成年人,達到基督圓滿年齡的程度;

14使我們不再做小孩子,為各種教義之風所飄盪,所捲去,而中了人的陰謀,陷於引入荒謬的詭計;

15反而在愛德中持守真理,在各方面長進,而歸於那為元首的基督,

16本着祂,全身都結構緊湊,藉着各關節的互相補助,按照各肢體的功用,各盡其職,使身體不斷增長,在愛德中將它建立起來。

 

Summary of Saint John Chrysostom’s commentary on Ephesians 4:7–16

Main message: Christ gives different gifts to His people, not for personal glory, but so that the whole Church may grow in unity, love, and spiritual maturity.

1. Every gift comes from Christ (vv. 7–10)

God gives each person grace according to Christ’s measure and wisdom. Some receive greater gifts, others fewer, but this is not a reason for pride, jealousy, or discouragement. Our gifts are not rewards for personal merit; they are freely given by God for the benefit of others.

Christ descended into death and ascended above the heavens, triumphing over the devil, death, sin, and the curse. His victory demonstrates His power and saving love.

Key lesson: We should not compare our gifts with those of others. We should faithfully use whatever God has given us to serve His Church.

2. Different ministries serve one purpose (vv. 11–12)

Christ appoints apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Although their responsibilities differ, they share one purpose: to equip the saints for ministry and build up the Body of Christ.

No gift exists merely to honour the person who possesses it. Greater responsibility also brings greater accountability.

Key lesson: Our gifts are given for service, not status. Every member has a part to play in strengthening the Church.

3. The goal is spiritual maturity and unity (v. 13)

The Church is called to grow towards unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature in Christ rather than remaining spiritually immature.

Chrysostom compares spiritual immaturity to children who are easily unsettled. Mature Christians grow in understanding, steadfastness, and discernment.

Key lesson: We must continually grow in our knowledge of Christ, becoming firm in faith rather than remaining vulnerable to confusion and error.

4. We must not be deceived by false teaching (v. 14)

Immature believers can be tossed about by every new teaching, especially when people use cunning, manipulation, or deception to mislead them.

Christ gives ministers and teachers to help the Church become firmly established in the truth.

Key lesson: We must be grounded in sound teaching and exercise discernment, rather than following every new idea or persuasive personality.

5. Speak the truth in love (vv. 15–16)

Christ is the Head, and the Church is His Body. Every member receives life and nourishment from Him and contributes to the growth of the whole Body.

The Church grows when its members are properly united, each fulfilling their particular role and working together in love. Truth without love can wound, while love helps bind the members together in unity.

Chrysostom stresses that we must not compete with one another, exceed our proper responsibilities out of ambition, or despise the gifts of others. Each member matters, and the whole Body suffers when its members become divided.

Key lesson: We grow in Christ by speaking truth lovingly, serving faithfully, and remaining united with one another under Christ our Head.

6. Saint John Chrysostom’s solemn warning against division

In the lengthy concluding section, Chrysostom applies Paul's teaching directly to divisions within the Church.

He warns that pride, jealousy, love of power, and personal resentment can destroy Christian unity. He considers schism a grave sin because it tears apart the very Body for which Christ gave His life.

He urges Christians not to abandon the Church merely because of personal grievances against its leaders. At the same time, he insists that Church leaders must not seek domination but should serve as teachers and counsellors, guiding people towards salvation.

He also emphasises personal responsibility: believers must examine their own actions, seek peace, and work to restore those who have become divided.

His concern is not simply to preserve outward unity at any cost, but to protect the Church's faith, legitimate ministry, and spiritual integrity.

Key lesson: We must never allow personal pride or disputes to become an excuse for tearing apart Christ's Body. Unity must be pursued with truth, humility, and love.

The central spiritual lessons

Humility: All gifts come from God; therefore, there is no room for boasting or envy.

Service: Our gifts are entrusted to us to build up others, not to elevate ourselves.

Maturity: We must grow in faith and discernment so that we are not easily misled.

Love: Truth must be spoken and practised in love.

Unity: Every member belongs to Christ's Body, and each person's contribution matters.

Responsibility: We must guard against pride, ambition, resentment, and anything that damages the Church's unity.

Conclusion

For Saint John Chrysostom, Ephesians 4:7–16 teaches that the Church grows when every member humbly uses God's gifts in faithful service, remains rooted in the truth, and is united to Christ and to one another through love.

We should not ask, “Why has another person received more than I have?” Instead, we should ask, “How can I use what God has given me to strengthen my brothers and sisters in Christ?”

The ultimate goal is not individual greatness, but the growth of the whole Body into the fullness of Christ. Every gift, every ministry, and every act of service must contribute to that end.

In one sentence: Christ gives different gifts to His people so that, through humility, truth, service, and love, His Church may grow into one mature and united Body.

 

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5  (wallpaper) by Saint Augustine.

https://www.ecatholic2000.com/fathers/untitled-686.shtml#_Toc390303647

Psalms [audiobook with text English, Chinese Psalms 1-50, 51-100, 101-150]

答唱詠     聖詠122篇    1-2,3-4,4-5

【答】:我歡喜,因為有人向我說:我們要進入上主的聖殿!

1登聖殿歌,達味作。我喜歡,因為有人向我說:我們要進入上主的聖殿!

2耶路撒冷!我們的雙足,已經站立在你的門口。

3耶路撒冷建築的好似京城,確是內部劃一整齊的京城。

4各支派,上主的各支派都齊集在那裏,按照以色列的法律稱頌上主的名字。

5那裏設立了執政的座席,那裏有達味王室的寶位。

 

Summary of St Augustine’s Commentary on Psalm 122:1–5

Saint Augustine teaches that holy love draws us towards God and our eternal home in heaven. Psalm 122 describes the Christian journey from earthly life towards the heavenly Jerusalem, where God’s people will enjoy everlasting joy, unity and peace.

1. Holy love leads us to God (v. 1)

All love moves the soul in a particular direction. Worldly love draws us towards temporary things that eventually perish, while holy love lifts our hearts towards eternal things and brings us closer to God.

Augustine encourages us to examine where our love is leading us. Our desire for God should inspire us to journey towards our true heavenly home.

2. Rejoicing in the journey towards God (v. 1–2)

The Psalm is called a Song of Degrees, meaning a song of ascent. It describes the soul rising towards heaven, not descending towards earthly things.

The heavenly Jerusalem is our true home, where the angels and saints dwell with God. While we are pilgrims on earth, we should rejoice in the company of fellow believers who encourage us to persevere in faith.

Although we have not yet reached our destination, we can already look forward with hope to the everlasting joy of being in God's presence.

3. The heavenly Jerusalem is our true home (v. 2)

Augustine distinguishes the earthly Jerusalem from the heavenly Jerusalem. The earthly city was temporary and could be destroyed, but the heavenly Jerusalem is eternal.

Our goal is not merely to reach a physical place of worship, but to dwell eternally with God. We should keep our eyes fixed on this heavenly home and live in anticipation of the joy that awaits us there.

4. We are living stones in God's spiritual city (v. 3)

The heavenly Jerusalem is described as a city that is still being built. Augustine explains that this refers to God's spiritual people, who are being gathered and formed into His holy temple.

Every believer is like a living stone, shaped through faith and brought into unity with others. Christ is the foundation of this spiritual building.

Unlike an earthly building, which rests on a foundation below it, our spiritual foundation is Christ in heaven. Therefore, our lives should be directed towards Him and the eternal life He promises.

5. God is eternal and unchanging (v. 3–4)

Augustine reflects on the phrase “the same”, understanding it as a reference to God's unchanging and everlasting nature.

Everything in this world changes and passes away, but God remains eternally the same. Our lasting stability and security can only be found in Him.

Although we cannot fully comprehend God's greatness, Christ came to us in human flesh to heal and restore us. Through Him, we are invited to return to God and share in His eternal life.

6. God's people journey together in faith (v. 4)

The tribes that ascend to Jerusalem are described as “the tribes of the Lord.” Augustine explains that these are those who truly belong to God and seek to live faithfully before Him.

True believers are not marked merely by outward appearances or religious identity, but by sincerity of heart. Like Saint Nathanael (videos), they should be people without deceit.

Their purpose in ascending to Jerusalem is to give thanks and praise to God's name. True worship involves humility: rather than boasting about ourselves, we acknowledge our need for God and give Him the glory.

7. The righteous become seats of wisdom and judgment (v. 5)

Augustine interprets the “seats for judgment” as a reference to the righteous, especially the apostles, who become like thrones upon which God's wisdom rests.

Just as a throne is a seat for a ruler, the soul of a righteous person becomes a dwelling place for divine wisdom. God forms His people so that they may reflect His truth and exercise righteous judgment.

Augustine connects this with Christ's promise that the apostles will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The passage points towards God's final judgment, when all people will be judged according to His righteousness.

Main message

Augustine's central message is that the Christian life is a pilgrimage towards the heavenly Jerusalem, guided by holy love, built upon Christ, and sustained by faith and humility.

We should not allow our hearts to become attached only to the temporary things of this world. Instead, we should love what is eternal, grow together as members of God's spiritual temple, and live in readiness for the day when we will dwell with Him forever.

Practical lessons for us:

Examine our love: Are our desires drawing us closer to God or towards things that do not last?

Persevere in the journey: We are pilgrims on earth, called to encourage one another in faith.

Build our lives on Christ: He is the foundation of our spiritual life and our hope of eternal salvation.

Live with humility and sincerity: True worship acknowledges God's greatness rather than our own achievements.

Seek God's wisdom: Allow His truth to shape our hearts, decisions and judgments.

Keep our heavenly hope alive: Our ultimate destination is not earthly security, but everlasting communion with God.

In one sentence: Psalm 122:1–5 reminds us to rejoice in the journey towards God, to become living stones in His eternal city, and to let our love, faith and conduct prepare us for life in His heavenly presence.

 

Luke 13:1-9 (wallpaper) from Catena Aurea (Saints’ Commentaries)

https://www.ecatholic2000.com/catena/untitled-74.shtml

The Gospel of Luke [audiobook with text English, Chinese, movie]

The Bible verses saying about Fig Trees or Fig Leaves.

聖路加福音 13:1-9

1正在那時,來了幾個人把有關加里肋亞人的事,即比拉多把他們的血,與他們的祭品攙和在一起的事報告給耶穌。

2祂回答說:「你們以為這些加里肋亞人,比其他所有的加里肋亞人更有罪,纔遭此禍害嗎?

3不是的。我告訴你們:如果你們不悔改,你們都要同樣喪亡。

4或如史羅亞塔倒下,而壓死的那十八個人,你們以為他們比耶路撒冷的其他一切居民罪債更大嗎?

5不是的。我告訴你們:如果你們不悔改,你們都要同樣喪亡。」

6祂講了這個比喻說:「有一個人曾將一棵無花果樹,栽在自己的葡萄園內。他來在樹上找果子,但沒有找到,

7便對園丁說:你看,我三年來在這棵無花果樹上找果子,但沒有找到,你砍掉它罷,為什麼讓它荒廢土地?

8園丁回答說:主人,再容它這一年罷!待我在它周圍掘土,加上糞;

9將來若結果子便算了;不然的話,你就把它砍了。」

 

Summary the Church Fathers’ commentary on Luke 13:1–5

The central message is that we must not judge others by their misfortunes, but examine our own lives and repent of our sins.

Jesus refers to two tragic events:

The Galileans killed by Pilate: Some people told Jesus about Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices. Jesus asked whether they had suffered because they were greater sinners than others. He answered, “Nay.”

The eighteen killed by the falling tower of Siloam: Jesus also asked whether these people were more sinful than everyone else in Jerusalem. Again, He answered, “Nay.”

Jesus then repeated the same warning in both cases: “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Key lessons from the passage

1. Misfortune does not necessarily mean greater sinfulness. We should not assume that people who suffer tragedy are more sinful than those who do not.

2. We must examine our own hearts. Instead of judging others, we should reflect on our own sins and our need for God's mercy.

3. Repentance is urgent. Jesus calls everyone to turn away from sin and return to God. We must not take the opportunity to repent for granted.

4. God's judgment is real. These tragedies remind us that life is uncertain and that we should be spiritually prepared rather than complacent.

5. We should learn from the misfortunes of others. Their suffering should lead us to humility, self-examination and repentance, not condemnation.

What the Church Fathers teach

The Church Fathers explain that God may allow certain events to serve as warnings to others, giving them an opportunity to repent. They also connect the passage with the eventual destruction of Jerusalem, which they understood as a consequence of the people's continued refusal to repent.

Saint Bede the Venerable and Saint Ambrose of Milan offer additional spiritual interpretations of the events, seeing them as symbols of sin, spiritual danger and the need for purity in our good works.

In one sentence

Jesus teaches us not to presume that those who suffer are greater sinners, but to recognise our own need for repentance, turn sincerely to God, and live in readiness for His judgment.

Reflection: Am I more concerned with judging the sins and misfortunes of others than with examining my own heart and seeking God's forgiveness?1

 

 

Summary of the Church Fathers’ commentaries on Luke 13:6–9 — The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Jesus tells the story of a man who planted a fig tree in his vineyard. For three years, he came looking for fruit but found none. He therefore ordered the tree to be cut down because it was taking up valuable ground without fulfilling its purpose.

However, the gardener pleaded for one more year. He would dig around the tree and fertilise the soil, giving it another opportunity to bear fruit. If it remained fruitless, it could then be cut down.

Main spiritual lessons

1. God expects us to bear good fruit. The fig tree represents Israel, humanity, and each individual believer. God looks for the fruits of faith, repentance, obedience, love, and good works in our lives.

2. God is patient and merciful. The three years represent a period of waiting and seeking fruit. Although God desires righteousness, He does not rush to punish us. He gives us opportunities to repent and change.

3. We must not mistake outward religion for inward transformation. As the fig tree may have leaves but no fruit, we may appear religious through our words and outward practices while lacking genuine faith and good works.

4. God provides help for us to change. The gardener's work of digging and fertilising represents the means God uses to bring us to repentance. These include His Word, Christ's teaching, correction, grace, prayer, humility, and the loving ministry of others.

5. God's patience must not be taken for granted. The extra year is an opportunity, not a guarantee of endless postponement. Persistent refusal to repent eventually leads to judgment.

The meaning of the key figures

The owner of the vineyard: God, who rightly expects good spiritual fruit from His people.

The fig tree: Israel in the original context, and by application, each of us.

The gardener: Understood by different Church Fathers as Christ, the apostles, holy intercessors, or the shepherds of the Church.

The extra year: God's continued patience and the opportunity He gives us to repent.

Digging and fertilising: The spiritual instruction, correction, humility, grace, and repentance that help us become fruitful.

Cutting down the tree: God's judgment if we persistently refuse to repent and bear good fruit.

The overall message

The Church Fathers explain the parable from several perspectives. Some apply it particularly to Israel's failure to receive Christ, while others apply it to all humanity and to each Christian personally. They agree on the importance of repentance, God's mercy, and the need to bear good fruit.

In essence, this parable teaches us that God is patient, but He expects a response to His grace. He gives us time and help to change, not so that we may remain as we are, but so that we may become fruitful in faith and good works.

The question we should ask ourselves is: Am I bearing the good spiritual fruit that God desires in my life, or am I merely taking up ground without fulfilling His purpose for me?

Sending Peace, Love & Joy to you from Singapore!

 

24 October 2026 Saints Feast Day

Feast of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Spanish Catholic prelate and missionary, Archbishop (videos, quotes). One of his quote: Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket. If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if the person takes the same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the word of God. If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity- the fire of love of God and neighbor- it will work wonders.

Saint Luigi Guanella, Priest (videos, quotes),

Saint Rafael Guízar y Valencia, Bishop (videos, quotes)

& other Saints.

Please pray for us & help us; especially the Sick & Needy. Many Thanks.

See how God will turn the Good Things into Bad for the Wicked and vice versa!

Does God treat an evil intention to harm/kill the SAME as MURDER? 

The Judgements for those who harm/kill Human Beings (including these in Singapore) especially the Righteous (without repentance and making reparation) as pronounced by Jesus Christ: 2 Esdras 7:1-35 [>51:40-1:02:14], 2 Esdras 7:36-105,  Apocalypse of Peter & Book of Revelation (Saints’ commentaries with summaries). Thank You Lord Jesus.

 

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