Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 6 Phục Sinh

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 6 Phục Sinh

Trong xã hội hôm nay, nhiều người trong chúng ta thừa nhận rằng cuộc sống hiện tại đầy dẫy những khó khăn. Cho dù bất cứ trên các lĩnh vực nào, chính trị, kinh tế, tôn giáo, xã hội, ở đâu dường như cũng có quá nhiều bóng tối đang chực chờ hay đang bao trùm trên cả đất nước và thế giới của chúng ta. Vào những lúc như thế này, một số người trong chúng ta có thể rất dễ đâm ra chán nản, lo lắng, hoặc mất di niềm hy vọng. Chúng ta cũng có thể đặt câu hỏi là liệu chúng ta có nên tin tưởng vào Thiên Chúa khi những lời cầu nguyện của chúng ta không được Ngài đáp trả vả ban cho như ý muốn của chúng ta..?

Một lần nữa, hôm nay, chúng ta được nhắc nhở là đức tin thực sự có nghĩa gì?. Đức tin là sự tin cậy nơi Thiên Chúa trong bất cứ hoàn cảnh, hay tình huống nào. Trong bài Tin Mừng, Chúa Giêsu đã nói với các môn đệ rằng sẽ có lúc họ se phải chịu những sự khổ cực và than khóc. Tuy nhiên, nỗi buồn sẽ không bao giờ sẽ tồn tại mãi mãi, Thay vào đó, sự đau buồn đó sẽ được biến thành niềm vui, giống như một người mẹ vui mừng sau khi đã sinh đứa con ra khỏi cung lòng, sau cơn đau đón là hạnh phúc. Các môn đệ của Chúa đã tin tưởng rằng Chúa Giêsu sẽ giữ lời hứa của Ngài và Ngài sẽ vượt qua cái chết và sống lại.

Đó chính là niềm tin đã thúc đẩy Thánh Phaolô và các bạn đồng hành của ngài tiếp tục rao giảng Tin Mừng của Chúa Giêsu. Mặc dù có những nguy hiểm và đau khổ mà các ngài đã phải trải qua. Dưới sự khuyến khích và thúc đẩy của Chúa Thánh Thần, thánh Phaolô đã chứng minh được những gì có nghĩa cho cuộc sống. đó là sự tin tưởng và niềm hy vọng vào Chúa Giêsu, chứ không phải là phụ thuộc vào hoàn cảnh bên ngoài. Cái chết và sự phục Sinh của Chúa Giêsu đã khắc phục được bóng tối, và bóng tối đã phải nhường chỗ cho ánh sáng. Với niềm hy vọng mà chúng ta cần phải tiếp tục trong sự tin tưởng vào Thiên Chúa vì Ngài là nơi nương náu của chúng ta, và là đấng nâng đở và bảo vệ của chúng ta. Vâng Chúa là người lôn tuân giữ những lời hứa của Ngài; Lạy Chúa, xin cũng cố lòng tin của chúng con, giúp con có lòng tin tưởng vào Chúa mà không phụ thuộc vào bất cứ những gì trong thế gian….

Reflection:

These days, many people would admit, life is difficult. Whether it is on the political, economic, religious or social sphere, there seems to be so much darkness enveloping the nation and the world. At times like this, it is easy for some of us to give in to discouragement, anxiety, or to lose hope. We may even question whether we should trust God when our prayers do not seem to be answered by Him.

Today, we are reminded again what faith actually means. Faith is about trusting God regardless the circumstances. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that there will come a time of weeping and wailing. However, sorrow will not have the last word. Instead, it will be turned into joy — just like a mother who rejoices once her child is born. The disciples are to trust that Jesus will keep his promise, that he will overcome death. It is this conviction that drives Paul to continue proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus inspire of the dangers and the suffering he undergoes. Under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, he demonstrates what it means to believe and place his hope in the Lord Jesus, regardless of the circumstances. This is why we celebrate the Season of Easter. It is a reminder that death has been overcome, and that darkness has given way to light. It is with this hope that we must keep believing and trusting that God is our refuge, our provider and protector. He has, and he will, fulfill his promises. Lord, I trust You regardless of the circumstances.

Opening Prayer: 

I enter your presence today, Lord, with gratitude for your friendship. You take part in my joys and sorrows. You never tire of listening to me and doing good for me. You are patient with my faults and are always willing to receive me when I return to you. May I grow in true friendship with you.

Encountering Christ:

· Friends Forever: Friendship with Jesus cannot be broken by him. He never leaves us, even though at times it appears that he keeps silent. He remains at our side wherever we go. He simply asks that we not abandon him: “Abide in me” (John 15:4). And even if we stray from him, “he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13) (Christus Vivit). We want to be there for Jesus. We want to turn away from our weaknesses and abide in the Lord. We, therefore, stay close to the sacrament of reconciliation, which cleanses and strengthens us to abide in Christ.

· Love One Another: As modern disciples, we are blessed to be called to work generously to bring the message of Jesus, his light, and above all his love, to others (cf. John 15:16) (Christus Vivit). We have been given this call, but we need divine help to accomplish it. May we always allow Jesus to teach us and help us mature in our acts of charity toward others to the point that we don’t count the cost. The work is ours; the glory belongs to him.

· You Are Chosen: The Apostles had lived with Christ and shared in his Resurrection; when Judas was replaced, they wanted someone trustworthy and faithful to carry on the mission. They were not simply looking for a follower, but a friend of Jesus. They chose St. Matthias. Jesus chooses us to be his friends, too. “I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father,” Jesus said. May we imitate St. Matthias, so that we may truly walk with Christ as his faithful friend.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my dearest friend. I have a deep desire to be with you constantly, but I am weak. My flaws still hold me back. Help me to purify my friendship with you and to let go of those things that do not glorify you. Teach me how to love the unlovable in my life and to grow in maturity in my friendship with others as well.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will seek out a friend with whom I can share something about Jesus.

Reflection: Acts 18: 9-18 / Ps 47: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7/ Jn 16: 20-23

What is this about wailing and weeping? Aren't we supposed to celebrate the joy of Easter today? When Jesus talks about wailing and weeping, he is actually missing us. He could not wait to be with us again. But he reassures us that when he comes back, we will experience joy that no one can take away from us. Shouldn't our hearts be full of joy? There is a promise of Jesus coming and so we can joyfully anticipate this reunion.

In the meantime, while we live in a world marked by conflict and pain, Jesus prepares us to hold fast to our faith in him. Jesus compares our life experience to a woman about to give birth. During the time of delivery she suffers greatly but is so happy once her child is born. The joy of seeing her newborn child face to face is worth any pain. In the same way, when we feel the grief of loneliness, or are overwhelmed by suffering in life, the pain is obvious to us. But even in the midst of this pain, we can remember Jesus' promise that our sorrow will turn to joy.

Our walk with God will not always be a bed of roses. There will be trials, and sometimes persecution because of what we do for God. However, Jesus reminds us that we can draw joy and consolation in prayers said together. When we gather as a worshipping community, we will experience his presence. Whatever we ask in his name the Father will grant. The darkness in the world may grieve, but our hope will remain strong because of the promise of Jesus love.

In spite of all the trials and pain, let us continue to follow Jesus, for at the end there will be great rejoicing in store for those who are faithful to him.

Reflection:

These days, many people would admit, life is difficult. Whether it is on the political, economic, religious or social sphere, there seems to be so much darkness enveloping the nation and the world. At times like this, it is easy for some of us to give in to discouragement, anxiety, or to lose hope. We may even question whether we should trust God when our prayers do not seem to be answered by Him.

Today, we are reminded again what faith actually means. Faith is about trusting God regardless the circumstances. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that there will come a time of weeping and wailing. However, sorrow will not have the last word. Instead, it will be turned into joy — just like a mother who rejoices once her child is born. The disciples are to trust that Jesus will keep his promise, that he will overcome death. It is this conviction that drives Paul to continue proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus inspite of the dangers and the suffering he undergoes. Under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, he demonstrates what it means to believe and place his hope in the Lord Jesus, regardless of the circumstances. This is why we celebrate the Season of Easter. It is a reminder that death has been overcome, and that darkness has given way to light. It is with this hope that we must keep believing and trusting that God is our refuge, our provider and protector. He has, and he will, fulfill his promises. Lord, I trust You regardless of the circumstances.