Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba Tuần thứ 2 Thường Niên
"Vì Chúa không thấy những gì mà như là con đã người nhìn thấy." Cả hai bài đọc hôm nay nói cho chúng ta biết về những khía cạnh khác nhau về góc độ nhìn của Chúa. Quan điểm của chúng ta là rất hạn chế và thường bị ô nhiễm độc bởi tất cả các loại tội lỗi. Kết quả là chúng ta không thể nhìn thấy xa hơn những gì mà chúng ta có thể thấy. Do đó chúng ta đã bỏ lỡ cuộc sống hy sinh và khía cạnh cuộc sống sáng tạo của Thiên Chúa. Nhiều lúc chúng ta không nhìn kỹ những gì trong tâm hồn hay thấy rõ lòng tốt của người khác mà đáng giá hay kết tội họ theo cái dáng bên ngoài mà quên đi rằng những cái vỏ đẹp ở bên ngoài có thể dễ đánh lừa chúng ta.Trong bài Tin Mừng, Chúa Giêsu thực sự muốn mời gọi chúng ta nên trở về với nội tâm thực tại thiêng liêng đang ẩn núp phía sau tất cả những việc làm tâm linh của chúng ta mà không bị những phiề toái thực tiễn bên ngoài. Điều răn lớn nhất mà Chúa Giêsu đã ban cho chúng ta là yêu thương. "Ta ban cho các ngươi một điều răn mới: là hãy yêu mến nhau. Như Ta đã yêu mến các ngươi, các ngươi cũng hãy yêu mến nhau. "(Ga-13: 34). Chúng ta nên luôn luôn làm theo tinh thần thương yêu chứ không phải chỉ biết chữ yêu thương mà thôi..
Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xin ban cho chúng con được trở nên giống như Chúa, và cuộc sống của chúng con chỉ có thể bị chi phối bởi tình yêu mà thôi..
Reflection SG (2016)
“For the Lord does not see as mortals see.” Today's readings both speak of looking at each other from the Lord’s perspective. Our perspective is very limited and often tainted by all kinds of sin. As a consequence we do not see beyond what we see.
Therefore we miss the life-giving and life-creating perspective of God. Most of the time without looking into the hearts of the others, we judge them by their outward appearances, forgetting that these outward appearances can be deceptive.
After having created the world in six days the Lord rested on the seventh day and consecrated it as the Sabbath. The true spirit behind the Sabbath was to continue to do unceasingly what is good for others. In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to return to the true inner spirit behind all of our spiritual practices and not get stuck with outward practices. The greatest commandment that Jesus has given us is of love. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John-13:34). He teaches us a very simple law, namely “the law of love.” We should always follow the spirit rather than the letter of the law.
Lord Jesus, grant that, like Yours, our lives may be governed by love.
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you give me gifts that I need before I know that I need them. Thank you for the gift of the Sabbath. Open my heart that I may savor this gift and use it wisely.
Encountering Christ:
1. The Letter of the Law: In their attempts to follow the will of the Lord, the Jewish people added many rules to the Ten Commandments. This was evident in their requirements for the Sabbath. The Third Commandment reads: “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” In the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2184, we are reminded that “Just as God rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done, human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.” The observance of the Sabbath was a gift to us, a chance to replenish and rest. The Pharisees turned it into a holy contest, an outward observation so stringent that clearing a path during a restful walk was considered “work” and violated the commandment. They followed the letter of the law and completely missed God’s intentions.
2. Explaining the Gift: How Jesus, the man, must have wearied at the obtuseness of the Pharisees. How he must weary of our hard hearts as well! In this Gospel, Jesus gave a scriptural example of David’s behavior and reminded the Pharisees and all of us that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Throughout history, the Sabbath has been a gift from the Lord to his people and a sign that we are his. The Hebrews enslaved in Egypt displayed a quiet strength and inner freedom by observing the Sabbath.
3. Embracing the Sabbath: Instead of looking at our Sunday obligation as something to check off on our list, let us truly embrace the spirit of this law. In our busy world, the Lord invites us to take a day off, to spend some time with him in the liturgy, to enjoy a good meal with family, to watch a game or take a walk. We need this “time out,” and should consider what kinds of things we can do on Saturday so that Sunday is a true day of rest. When we prepare the day before, we are giving ourselves permission to delight in the Lord’s gift of the Sabbath.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, in all ways your love is displayed in your commandments. Teach me to embrace your gift of the Sabbath. Enlighten me so that all through this week I can prepare to take the Sabbath day to rest, refresh, and reconnect with you.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will plan my week well, especially Saturday, so that I can make the Sabbath a day of rest and worship.
Meditation:
What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment.
The Lord of the Sabbath feeds and nourishes us
Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom.
When David and his men were fleeing for their lives, they sought food from Ahimelech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The only bread he had was the holy bread offered in the Temple. None but the priests were allowed to eat it. In their hunger, David and his men ate of this bread. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God's intention that we rest from unnecessary labor. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day?
Seek the Lord's rest and refreshment
Why didn't the Pharisees recognize the claims of mercy over rules and regulations? Their zeal for ritual observance blinded them from the demands of charity. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God’s intention that we rest from unnecessary labor.
Jesus' reference to the bread of the Presence (Mark 2:24) alludes to the true bread from heaven which he offers to all who believe in him. Jesus, the Son of David, and the Son of Man, a title for the Messiah, declares that he is "Lord of the Sabbath." Jesus healed on the Sabbath and he showed mercy to those in need. All who are burdened and weary can find true rest and refreshment in him. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day? Lord Jesus, may I give you fitting honor in the way I live my life and in the way I treat my neighbor. May I honor the Lord's Day as a day holy to you. And may I always treat others with the same mercy and kindness which you have shown to me. Free me from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor.
Reflection SG (2018)
Jesus is a non-conformist. He places persons in need above religious observances.
The religious leaders of his time were more pre-occupied with any actions that led to a threat to established religion, of their day and of their “making!”
It is true we ought to worship God! But it can never be a substitute for service to the needy. Any religion that gives priority to rules practices and traditions over the basic needs of human beings, is an aberration.
“Pure unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God the Father, is this: coming to the help of the orphans and widows in their hardships and keeping oneself uncontaminated from the world.” (James 1:27) To be concerned only with what one must avoid on Sunday amounts to Pharisaic religion which Jesus opposes. How we can celebrate Sunday as a call to engage ourselves in life-saving, life-promoting activities on behalf of those who suffer, should be our fundamental concern.
Lord, may Your Kingdom come within our hearts to reach out to my neighbor in need
Encountering Christ:
1. The Letter of the Law: In their attempts to follow the will of the Lord, the Jewish people added many rules to the Ten Commandments. This was evident in their requirements for the Sabbath. The Third Commandment reads: “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” In the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2184, we are reminded that “Just as God rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done, human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.” The observance of the Sabbath was a gift to us, a chance to replenish and rest. The Pharisees turned it into a holy contest, an outward observation so stringent that clearing a path during a restful walk was considered “work” and violated the commandment. They followed the letter of the law and completely missed God’s intentions.
2. Explaining the Gift: How Jesus, the man, must have wearied at the obtuseness of the Pharisees. How he must weary of our hard hearts as well! In this Gospel, Jesus gave a scriptural example of David’s behavior and reminded the Pharisees and all of us that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Throughout history, the Sabbath has been a gift from the Lord to his people and a sign that we are his. The Hebrews enslaved in Egypt displayed a quiet strength and inner freedom by observing the Sabbath.
3. Embracing the Sabbath: Instead of looking at our Sunday obligation as something to check off on our list, let us truly embrace the spirit of this law. In our busy world, the Lord invites us to take a day off, to spend some time with him in the liturgy, to enjoy a good meal with family, to watch a game or take a walk. We need this “time out,” and should consider what kinds of things we can do on Saturday so that Sunday is a true day of rest. When we prepare the day before, we are giving ourselves permission to delight in the Lord’s gift of the Sabbath.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, in all ways your love is displayed in your commandments. Teach me to embrace your gift of the Sabbath. Enlighten me so that all through this week I can prepare to take the Sabbath day to rest, refresh, and reconnect with you.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will plan my week well, especially Saturday, so that I can make the Sabbath a day of rest and worship.
Meditation:
What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment.
The Lord of the Sabbath feeds and nourishes us
Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom.
When David and his men were fleeing for their lives, they sought food from Ahimelech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The only bread he had was the holy bread offered in the Temple. None but the priests were allowed to eat it. In their hunger, David and his men ate of this bread. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God's intention that we rest from unnecessary labor. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day?
Seek the Lord's rest and refreshment
Why didn't the Pharisees recognize the claims of mercy over rules and regulations? Their zeal for ritual observance blinded them from the demands of charity. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God’s intention that we rest from unnecessary labor.
Jesus' reference to the bread of the Presence (Mark 2:24) alludes to the true bread from heaven which he offers to all who believe in him. Jesus, the Son of David, and the Son of Man, a title for the Messiah, declares that he is "Lord of the Sabbath." Jesus healed on the Sabbath and he showed mercy to those in need. All who are burdened and weary can find true rest and refreshment in him. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day? Lord Jesus, may I give you fitting honor in the way I live my life and in the way I treat my neighbor. May I honor the Lord's Day as a day holy to you. And may I always treat others with the same mercy and kindness which you have shown to me. Free me from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor.
Reflection SG (2018)
Jesus is a non-conformist. He places persons in need above religious observances.
The religious leaders of his time were more pre-occupied with any actions that led to a threat to established religion, of their day and of their “making!”
It is true we ought to worship God! But it can never be a substitute for service to the needy. Any religion that gives priority to rules practices and traditions over the basic needs of human beings, is an aberration.
“Pure unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God the Father, is this: coming to the help of the orphans and widows in their hardships and keeping oneself uncontaminated from the world.” (James 1:27) To be concerned only with what one must avoid on Sunday amounts to Pharisaic religion which Jesus opposes. How we can celebrate Sunday as a call to engage ourselves in life-saving, life-promoting activities on behalf of those who suffer, should be our fundamental concern.
Lord, may Your Kingdom come within our hearts to reach out to my neighbor in need
No comments:
Post a Comment