Trong bài đọc Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta nghe Chúa Giêsu đưa ra hai lời nhắn nhủ cho các môn đệ của Ngài. Đức Giêsu báo trước cho họ biết rằng, họ cũng sẽ bị bắt bớ, đánh đập, hành hạ và bị giết. Bởi vì họ là những môn đệ của Chúa, Họ sẽ không thể tránh khỏi cái số phận giống như Thầy Giêsu của họ. Những kẻ thù của Chúa Giêsu cáo buộc , vu khống Ngài là tướng quỷ và tất cả những việc làm tốt của Ngài đã rõ ràng được tạo rèn Quỹ dữ để lừa dối con người. Và chính vì thế mà họ đã bắt Chúa Giêsu phải chịu chết khổ hình trên thập giá.
Trong sách Công Vụ Tông Đồ Thánh Luca đã ghi lại những câu chuyện có tính cách lịch sử nhất là câu chuyện về sự bắt bớ, áp bức và khủng bố của Hội thánh lúc ban đầu của người Do Thái. Những vị Tông đồ và những người tiếp quyền trong việc truyền giáo đã bị bức hại ngay từ lúc ấy, thậm chí cho đến ngày hôm nay, trong thế giới cộng sản đã có bao nhiêu linh mục hay giáo hữu đã bị bắt, tra tấn, hành hạ cho đến chết ở trong tù? Ngay cả trong các nước tiến, có bao nhiêu nhóm vô thần hay chống giáo hội đã quậy phá làm cho một số tín hữu bị khủng hoảng tinh thần,, cũng chỉ tại vì Thế Giới hôm nay đã ghét bỏ Thiên Chúa và họ cũng ghét bỏ cả chúng ta nữa. Tuy nhiên, Chúa Giêsu cũng nói với các tông dồ của Ngài với lời an ủi: "Đừng sợ" tới ba lần trong đoạn Tin Mừng ngắn hôm nay. Bài Tin Mừng chúng ta được nghe hôm nay (câu 26, 28 và 31). Không nên sợ hãi, nhút nhát để sửa đổi thế giới của chúng ta đang sống với Lời của Thiên Chúa; không nên phải sợ hãi những sức mạnh mà không có thể phá hủy đươc cái linh hồn đời đời của chúng ta; cũng không nên phải sợ hãi vì chúng ta là những loài vật quý báu nhất trong con mắt của Thiên Chúa. Và chúng giờ đây cần phải làm những gì? Nên chọn Chúa Giêsu. Chúng ta hãy vinh danh và chúc tụng Thiên Chúa.
Reflection SG
In today’s gospel reading, we hear Jesus giving two messages to his disciples. Jesus predicts that his disciples will suffer persecution because, as disciples, they will not escape their master's fate. Jesus’ enemies accuse him of being possessed, and that his apparent good deeds are wrought by the Evil One in order to deceive. Jesus was put to death on the Cross.
The Acts of the Apostles records stories of persecution of the early church by the Jews. Missionaries have been persecuted ever since, even unto today, by those who hate the Word. Yet Jesus is also speaking words of comfort to his disciples. He says “Do not be afraid “three times in today's gospel reading (verses 26, 28 and 31). Not to be afraid to convert the world with the Word of God; not to be afraid of the power that cannot destroy our everlasting soul; not to be afraid because we are precious in the eyes of God. What are we to do then? Choose Jesus.
May God be blessed!
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Lucy Honner -Matthew 13:1-23
Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, may my heart be always open to receive your word and to find in the Scriptures food for my soul so that in knowing you I can be an instrument of your grace for the world.
Encountering Christ:
1. Always Sowing and Growing: Jesus came to establish his Kingdom. He desires that the seed of his truth, love, and mercy take root and grow in every heart, family, and community. With absolute confidence, he is always sowing, knowing that his Kingdom will endure and withstand any obstacle. As to where the seed falls and what type of soil it takes root in, this is up to us. Jesus wants the soil of our hearts to be fertile. Since the Kingdom of Christ is alive and is always taking root and growing, how in my heart is this soil rocky, thorny, or rich to receive it?
2. What Do We Hear and See: Jesus’s presence and the words he spoke were appealing, enthralling, and mesmerizing to so many. He spoke of the mysteries of heaven using parables, not to convince minds but to open and change hearts. He invites us to recognize him in his Lordship not as a wielding or forceful commander, but as a gentle, hidden, and quiet presence within the recesses of our hearts. We understand, “To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Mt 13:12) as the seed of his Word dwelling within us.
3. The Fruit and the Yield: From the seed, the word that is heard and understood bears in our hearts fruit that is out of proportion to its humble beginnings and our efforts. This truth reminds us that our faithfulness to the movements of grace in our souls has eternal consequences. Souls that are filled with Christ’s love are spreading God’s goodness far and wide, and the full effects will only be known in heaven. In our daily endeavors, let us always labor with the hope of future fruits for the Kingdom of Christ.
Conversing with Christ:
Open my ears and my heart, Lord, to see and think of things not according to my earthy perspective but according to your grace. Let not the scandal of seeing the weeds surprise or discourage me, but rather strengthen my resolve to accept your will and seek to do good in whatever way I can today. Help me to be patient, to not worry, and trust you are in control through your Word taking root and bearing fruit in my life.
Resolution:
Lord, today by your grace, I will spend an extra moment reflecting and noting in my journal the ways your grace is growing in my soul, within my family, and in my community.
REFLECTION
Nowadays Christians are accused of keeping silent. They hardly ever speak the name of God in public. They hide their Christian life within their hearts and restrict religion to the private sphere. Will not this generation incur the reproach of Jesus in today's gospel: "The one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven."
The word of God, like every living word, cannot exist in a germ-free environment. The word exists only if it is spoken and thereby subjected to risk. The word of God must take its chances in the words and conduct of human beings. We thought we could preserve the word by locking it up, and now we are told that we must sow it freely or else we will deny it. We thought we could remain satisfied with formulas which the centuries had drained of vitality. But instead we must come up with new words that express God, and we must go out and bear witness to our fellowmen under penalty of rendering barren our profession of faith. Because human lifestyles change, we must find fresh words with which to speak of God. Are you in the ranks of those who dare to give witness to Christ and his words? Give Jesus your answer when you receive him in Holy Communion.
Reflection:
"Do not be afraid." This is mentioned four times in today's readings. Once in the first reading as Joseph reassures his brothers that no harm will come to them; and then three times in the Gospel reading.
Jesus wants to allay our fears and to strengthen us not be afraid of the things of the world. That is if we acknowledge him before the Father in heaven.
We continue to have so many fears. What are these fears? We fear pain, serious illnesses, losing material things, getting hurt, separation from our loved ones, failures, embarrassment even the unknown. Being mindful of the presence of our Lord Jesus in our life helps us to conquer these fears because we are reminded that his love conquers our fears.
If there is any fear that we should really come upon us, it should be the fear of being separated from God. As we know sin separates us from God. Thus if we avoid sin, and be reconciled with God through the Sacraments our fears will be banished. Receiving the Sacraments of reconciliation and holy communion makes us come closer to the Lord and really feel his presence. So let us go and receive the Sacraments. "Do not be afraid."
REFLECTION
Nowadays Christians are accused of keeping silent. They hardly ever speak the name of God in public. They hide their Christian life within their hearts and restrict religion to the private sphere. Will not this generation incur the reproach of Jesus in today's gospel: "The one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven."
The word of God, like every living word, cannot exist in a germ-free environment. The word exists only if it is spoken and thereby subjected to risk. The word of God must take its chances in the words and conduct of human beings. We thought we could preserve the word by locking it up, and now we are told that we must sow it freely or else we will deny it. We thought we could remain satisfied with formulas which the centuries had drained of vitality. But instead we must come up with new words that express God, and we must go out and bear witness to our fellowmen under penalty of rendering barren our profession of faith. Because human lifestyles change, we must find fresh words with which to speak of God. Are you in the ranks of those who dare to give witness to Christ and his words? Give Jesus your answer when you receive him in Holy Communion.
Reflection:
"Do not be afraid." This is mentioned four times in today's readings. Once in the first reading as Joseph reassures his brothers that no harm will come to them; and then three times in the Gospel reading.
Jesus wants to allay our fears and to strengthen us not be afraid of the things of the world. That is if we acknowledge him before the Father in heaven.
We continue to have so many fears. What are these fears? We fear pain, serious illnesses, losing material things, getting hurt, separation from our loved ones, failures, embarrassment even the unknown. Being mindful of the presence of our Lord Jesus in our life helps us to conquer these fears because we are reminded that his love conquers our fears.
If there is any fear that we should really come upon us, it should be the fear of being separated from God. As we know sin separates us from God. Thus if we avoid sin, and be reconciled with God through the Sacraments our fears will be banished. Receiving the Sacraments of reconciliation and holy communion makes us come closer to the Lord and really feel his presence. So let us go and receive the Sacraments. "Do not be afraid."
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