Trong mùa Chay này, chúng ta được nhắc nhở về trách nhiệm Kitô giáo của chúng ta. Chúng ta phải nhận thức được mối liên hệ và giao ước giữa Thiên Chúa và chúng ta.
Bài đọc thứ nhất trong sách Đệ Nhị Luật nêu rõ những lời hứa của Thiên Chúa với con người trong bản một giao ước ngắn gọn, nhưng với niềm hy vọng là chúng ta sống theo mệnh lệnh của Thiên Chúa. Những yếu tố liên tục gắn kết chúng ta với Thiên Chúa là nhận thức qua kinh nghiệm những sự tốt lành của Thiên Chúa cũng như tình yêu vô điều kiện mà Ngài dành cho chúng ta một cách cụ thể (TV 118), Đây là một trong những ơn gọi của mỗi người Kitô hữu. Nếu chúng ta sống với khía cạnh này, chúng ta sẽ tìm thấy những sự ngạc nhiên của những biến đổi đã diễn ra trong cuộc sống của chúng ta và qua những sự ngạc nhiên trong cuộc sống đó, chúng ta sẽ thấy mình trở nên giống Chúa Kitô hơn trong những suy nghĩ và trong những hành động của chúng ta.
Do đó mầu nhiệm Nhập Thể chắc chắn phải có nghĩa gì trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Đấy là những gì mà Thiên Chúa đã mời gọi và đòi hỏi nơi chúng ta "anh em hãy nên hoàn thiện, như Cha anh em trên trời là Ðấng hoàn thiện." .
Lạy Chúa, xin ban cho chúng con có những ân sũng của Chúa Thánh Thần trong Mùa Chay thánh này để chúng con được trở nên giống như Chúa Kitô trong những suy nghĩ và hành động của chúng con, nhờ đó chúng con sẽ mạnh dạn làm chứng cho tình yêu vô biên, vô điều kiện của Chúa đã ban cho chúng con, là những người thật là tội lỗi.
Saturday (February 15):
During the season of Lent, we are reminded of our Christian responsibility. Firstly, in our relationship with God. Are we aware of the covenantal relationship between God and us? The first reading in Deuteronomy states clearly the declaration of this covenant; a compact treaty that expects us to follow God’s commands. The constant factor that binds us with God in this covenantal relationship is the awareness and concrete experience of God’s goodness and unconditional love for us. (Ps. 118). This moves us to witness to this love by our love for others. This is the other dimension of our Christian vocation. If we live these two dimensions, we will gradually find, to our amazement that transformation takes place in our lives. Then to our surprise, we begin to see ourselves becoming more Christ-like in our thoughts and actions.
Thus making sure what Incarnation means in our lives. This is what the call ‘to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect’ entails. “Lord, grant us the Lenten grace to be more like You in our thoughts and action, thus witnessing to your unconditional love for us, sinners.”
Opening Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this moment I have to reflect on your written word. I am grateful for this “time out” from my busy day. Please help me to absorb the lessons you have for me and act accordingly.
Encountering Christ:
1. The Challenge: Few passages of Scripture are as unpalatable as today’s Gospel. Over two thousand years after our Lord spoke these words, they can be just as hard to hear. Generally, we don’t want to love people who do not love us nor do not want to pray for them. We prefer to greet and spend time with those whose company we enjoy. And as for people who persecute us, isn’t it enough to try to stay out of their way? Jesus was speaking to a people who knew all too well what it was to have enemies. The Jews of his time lived under military occupation. Furthermore, Jesus certainly knew of the persecution that was to come against the early Christians. Still, he insisted that his followers set aside hatred and radiate his love to all, even their bitter enemies. What a challenge!
2. Perfect Abundance: Jesus wants to set us free from evil, hatred, and jealousy. He knows that when we fume and stew over injustices, real or perceived, we are turning away from the abundant life he offers us. He wants to give us the joy and freedom that comes from forgiving others. He promises deep peace when we pray for a person who has wronged us. Jesus asks of us something that is possible only with his grace. Perhaps today the closest we can get to perfect is to ask Jesus to give us the will to forgive, or the words to pray for someone who has wronged us. In Jeremiah 29:11, we are promised, “I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When Jesus breaks the bonds of hatred, revenge, and bitterness in our hearts, we are truly set free to live as children of God.
3. It’s A Battle: The world tells us to stand up for our needs and seek out what gives us pleasure. The Word tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all else will be given to you” (Matthew 6:33). As a soldier remains constantly alert and on guard, we must be vigilant and constantly beg the Holy Spirit for the grace to love our enemies, to pray for those who do us wrong. Our Father, in his wisdom, knows that this is our only path to peace.
Conversing with Christ: Lord, fill my heart with trust in your promises. When the enemy of my soul whispers and I feel hatred towards others, grant me the grace to turn to you for strength. Teach me to see others through your eyes and fill my heart with your love. Thank you for enlightening me and guiding me to seek out the abundant life you promise.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pray an intentional rosary, naming any individual I need to forgive and asking for the grace to do so.
REFLECTION
It is so easy for us to love those who are lovable and who love us in return.
In the Gospel reading Jesus extends the commandment "to love your neighbor" to "your enemies" and to "those who persecute you." Speaking with the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, he recalls to them the rule to "love your neighbor and not do good to your enemy." He clearly states this is not enough: for even tax-collectors and pagans do the same.
Jesus teaches us to love all, even the unlovable, even those who have betrayed us, those who have hurt us and taken advantage of us. Love of neighbor is much related to forgiveness of those who have offended us, those who have transgressed against us. This comes from our Lord who at the cross prayed, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do." (Lk 23: 34)
We can ask who our friends are: no problem about loving them and being friendly and good to them. How about those we do not particularly like? How can we show them love and friendship? How about those who have wronged us? Can we forgive them and show them love and friendship? Hopefully we can do much better than the tax collectors and pagans mentioned by our Lord!
And let us heed the Lord's words, "As for you, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Encountering Christ:
1. The Challenge: Few passages of Scripture are as unpalatable as today’s Gospel. Over two thousand years after our Lord spoke these words, they can be just as hard to hear. Generally, we don’t want to love people who do not love us nor do not want to pray for them. We prefer to greet and spend time with those whose company we enjoy. And as for people who persecute us, isn’t it enough to try to stay out of their way? Jesus was speaking to a people who knew all too well what it was to have enemies. The Jews of his time lived under military occupation. Furthermore, Jesus certainly knew of the persecution that was to come against the early Christians. Still, he insisted that his followers set aside hatred and radiate his love to all, even their bitter enemies. What a challenge!
2. Perfect Abundance: Jesus wants to set us free from evil, hatred, and jealousy. He knows that when we fume and stew over injustices, real or perceived, we are turning away from the abundant life he offers us. He wants to give us the joy and freedom that comes from forgiving others. He promises deep peace when we pray for a person who has wronged us. Jesus asks of us something that is possible only with his grace. Perhaps today the closest we can get to perfect is to ask Jesus to give us the will to forgive, or the words to pray for someone who has wronged us. In Jeremiah 29:11, we are promised, “I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When Jesus breaks the bonds of hatred, revenge, and bitterness in our hearts, we are truly set free to live as children of God.
3. It’s A Battle: The world tells us to stand up for our needs and seek out what gives us pleasure. The Word tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all else will be given to you” (Matthew 6:33). As a soldier remains constantly alert and on guard, we must be vigilant and constantly beg the Holy Spirit for the grace to love our enemies, to pray for those who do us wrong. Our Father, in his wisdom, knows that this is our only path to peace.
Conversing with Christ: Lord, fill my heart with trust in your promises. When the enemy of my soul whispers and I feel hatred towards others, grant me the grace to turn to you for strength. Teach me to see others through your eyes and fill my heart with your love. Thank you for enlightening me and guiding me to seek out the abundant life you promise.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pray an intentional rosary, naming any individual I need to forgive and asking for the grace to do so.
REFLECTION
It is so easy for us to love those who are lovable and who love us in return.
In the Gospel reading Jesus extends the commandment "to love your neighbor" to "your enemies" and to "those who persecute you." Speaking with the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, he recalls to them the rule to "love your neighbor and not do good to your enemy." He clearly states this is not enough: for even tax-collectors and pagans do the same.
Jesus teaches us to love all, even the unlovable, even those who have betrayed us, those who have hurt us and taken advantage of us. Love of neighbor is much related to forgiveness of those who have offended us, those who have transgressed against us. This comes from our Lord who at the cross prayed, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do." (Lk 23: 34)
We can ask who our friends are: no problem about loving them and being friendly and good to them. How about those we do not particularly like? How can we show them love and friendship? How about those who have wronged us? Can we forgive them and show them love and friendship? Hopefully we can do much better than the tax collectors and pagans mentioned by our Lord!
And let us heed the Lord's words, "As for you, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."
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