Suy Niệm Thứ Ba Tuần 14 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Thứ Ba Tuần 14 Thường Niên

Đã bao nhiêu lần chúng ta đã phấn đấu, chống lại một ý chí mạnh hơn ý muốn riêng của chúng ta?. Những đớn đau và sầu khổ mà chúng ta không muốn và nghĩ rằng chúng ta không thể chịu được nổi, hay những sự ác và tội lỗi đang vây quang chúng ta, và những sự tốt lành mà chúng ta muốn, nhưng chúng ta lại quá bận rộn để thực hiện và tìm kiến những sự tốt lành ấy..? Chúng ta có thể tưởng tượng đuợc là Chúa Giêsu đã phải phấn đấu để tìm cách làm sao để tiến hành việc rút lui khỏi vùng Ephraim trên các bờ vực đá trong sa mạc, khi Ngài bị những người Do thái săn đuổi sau khi đã làm phép lạ cho ông Ladarô sống lại (Jn.11). Thật ra đó là ý của Chúa Cha mà Ngài phải chịu đau khổ và phải chịu chết ở Jerusalem cũng vì lợi ích cho con người tội lỗi của chúng ta ở thế gian.            Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu dạy chúng ta, các môn đệ của ngài là không nên bỏ lỡ bất cứ cơ hội để làm vinh danh nước Trời, bởi vì đó là ý muốn của Thiên Chúa là tất cả mọi người trên thế gian này đều phải được tập hợp trong sự an bình trong vòng tay thương yêu của Chúa.. Lạy Chúa, Xin Chúa ban cho ơn phúc lành của Chúa xuống trên tất cả chúng con.

 Reflection SG

How many times have we wrestled with a force stronger than us? A will stronger than our own, the pains and suffering we don't want and think we cannot bear, the evil and sins that besiege us, the good we want but are too busy to practice …?  In today’s first reading, Jacob wrestled with God after he and his pursuer had made peace, and was on the way with his family preparing for his meeting with his brother, Esau, whom he had cheated.

We can imagine Jesus wrestling with how to proceed when he retreated to Ephraim on the edge of desert, being hunted by the authorities after raising Lazarus (Jn.11).  Is it really the will of the Father that he should suffer and die in Jerusalem for the sake of the world? Wouldn’t it be better to lie low now and wait for a comeback to continue to help people? In the end, Jesus discerned that the only way in which he can fully reveal his salvific mission and identity is to go to Jerusalem.

In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us, his disciples, not to miss any opportunity to labour for the Kingdom, for it is God’s will that all are to be safely gathered in.

Lord, may You be blessed, for all is well!

 

Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time , Br. Brian Flanagan, LC

Opening Prayer: Jesus, I know that the work of evangelization is a great task, and that there are few who go out into the field as you did to work. I commit myself once more to your service, Lord Jesus, and I pray for all of those who you are calling to this task. Lord, send laborers to your harvest!

Encountering Christ:

1. The Doubters: Even as Christ goes about doing good works and casting out demons, there remain the Pharisees, who claim that his power derives from a lower source. These are the ones who spread doubt about Christ’s power, for they are blinded by their sanctimony and learning. Christ looks instead to the crowd, who are humble and open to his teaching and healing. 

2. The Shepherd and the Flock: Christ has the heart of a shepherd, who sees the flock abandoned and alone. He is supremely empathetic, taking the sorrows of Israel upon himself, and he wants to be their comforter, so he teaches in their synagogues, and he heals their sicknesses. Christ calls every Christian to imitate this love—to look out on the world with the eyes of shepherds, to see how we can console and guide the flock, each in our own way. 

3. Help Wanted: Christ calls some of us to a deeper commitment to shepherding and consoling the flock as souls consecrated to his service in religious life or in the clerical state. The ending of this Gospel is like a “help wanted” sign posted at the front of a store. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” What have I done to promote vocations in the past? Is Christ moving me now to work with young men or women discerning vocations?

Conversing with Christ: Lord, do not allow my learning or prejudice to block my ability to see you at work in my life. Help me to discern properly your call at every moment. Put me to work as your humble servant. 

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will prayerfully discern how I might promote vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and/or married life. 

For Further Reflection: Read The Priests We Need to Save the Church by Kevin Wells.

 

 

REFLECTION 2018

In the first reading Hosea faults the kings who do not come from God and who do not worship the true God.  In the Gospel reading we see Jesus curing a man unable to speak because he was possessed by an evil spirit. We see Jesus preaching the Good News; we see Jesus moved with pity for the crowds for they were "harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd."

            Like Jesus who healed the sick and possessed, we are called to help cure the world of its sicknesses. We are called to help those in need. As in the time of Jesus, sickness and pain, hunger and war and exploitation of the human person are signs of sickness in our hearts, signs of our sinfulness. We need good will and the help of God's grace to restore humans to their dignity as children of God.

 We hear Jesus telling his disciples to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to gather his harvest. We make the same prayer today. Lord, grant us the grace to be your instruments for the healing of your people. Send forth your Spirit to send and empower more workers to gather the harvest for your kingdom.

. Give me the grace to grow into the way you see me.”