Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba Tuần thứ 17 Thường Niên

 Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba Tuần thứ 17 Thường Niên

Trong thế giới của chúng ta, có những người tốt và xấu, tất cả khác nhau, nhưng cùng sống với nhau. Qua những lời của Thánh YNhã thành Loyola viết trong những bài tập Linh Thao của ông, "những người sống trên mặt đất, với sự đa dạng tuyệt vời trong những trang phục và theo cách diễn xuất. Một số trắng, một số đen, một số được an lạc và một số sống trong chiến tranh. Một số thì đau khổ, khóc lóc, một số vui cười, hạnh phúc. Một số thì khoẻ mạnh, một số thì bệnh tật; một số được sinh ra với thế giới và một số phải chết, v. v. ". Và Thiên Chúa Ba Ngôi nhìn thấy thế giới này, "Ngài nhìn xuống toàn bộ bề mặt của trái đất, và nầy, tất cả các quốc gia đang sống trong sự mù lòa, tội lỗi, đang đi xuống và đang hướng tới hoả địa ngục."

Và Thánh Ynhã đã viết: “Bởi vì sự đa dạng của thế giới đang đi vào sự bối rối này mà Thiên Chúa Ba Ngôi trong cõi đời đời đã quyết định sai Con một của Ngài là Ngôi Hai xuống trần gian để làm người như chúng ta và để cứu rỗi con người chúng ta. Vì vậy, khi thời gian viên mãn đã đến, Thiên Chúa đã sai sứ thần Gabriel đến Đức Maria của chúng ta. "

Ngôi Hai nhập thể của Thiên Chúa Ba Ngôi đến và đem Tin Mừng về Nước Thiên Chúa, Ngài tuyển lựa và mời gọi những người theo Chúa, Ngài đã hiến dâng sự sống của mình trên thập tự giá và Ngài sống lại từ cõi chết, Ngài đã để lại Giáo Hội của Ngài để tiếp tục công trình cứu độ của Ngài, "Hãy đi khắp cả thiên hạ rao giảng tin mừng cho mọi loài thụ tạo. Ai tin cùng chịu thanh tẩy thì sẽ được cứu, còn ai không tin thì sẽ bị luận tội "(Mc 16: 15- 16)

Reflection:

Jesus speaks of the ungraspable Kingdom of God in parables. In the context of his audience, the parable of the weeds is readily understandable. In the fields where good seed is sown, weeds from whatever source grow with the plants from the good seed. Before the harvest or at the harvest, the bad weeds are separated and eventually disposed of or burned; the fruit of the good seed is harvested.

In our world, good and bad people, all different, live together. In the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises, "those on the face of the earth, in such great diversity in dress and manner of acting. Some are white, some black' some at peace and some at war; some weeping, some laughing; some well, some sick; some coming into the world and some dying, etc." And the Holy Trinity sees this world, "They look down upon the whole surface of the earth, and behold all nations in great blindness, going down and descending into hell."

And St. Ignatius writes that it is into this varied and confused world that the Trinity decrees to send the Second Person to save it: "They decree in Their eternity that the Second Person should become man to save the human race. So when the fullness of time had come, They send the Angel Gabriel to our Lady."

The incarnate Second Person of the Blessed Trinity comes to bring the Good News about the Kingdom of God, chooses and invites followers, gives his life on the cross and rises from the dead, leaving his Church to continue his saving work, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one ho refuses to believe will be condemned." (Mk 16: 16)

Opening Prayer:

 Lord Jesus, grant that I may recognize the good seed sown and cultivate it with prayer, sacrifice, and charity.

Encountering Christ:

1. Keeping the End in Mind: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus explained the parable that we saw earlier in the month. There is a great contrast between the good seed and the weeds. At the end time, God appears wrathful, collecting and burning the weeds. But this is his justice, by which he is glorified. We can also imagine the heart of God rejoicing over those righteous ones that shine like the sun in the kingdom of the Father. This is his greatest desire, that not one be lost. Until the end harvest, there is time to labor—and the labor is urgent. Are we aware of the battle taking place between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the evil one? This parable helps us to see what is at stake. How can keeping the end in mind influence our daily choices to grow in friendship and discipleship in the Lord?

2. Whoever Has Ears Ought to Hear: Jesus warns of the need to listen. The Latin word “ob-audire” means “to listen.” It is also the translation of the word “obedience.” We listen, not to follow a strict God who seeks to impose wrath upon us, but to hear the voice of a loving Father who prompts us and encourages us to walk a righteous path. All have ears to hear, but it is a matter of exercising the capacity. There are those who seek to close their ears intentionally. There are others whose ears are dulled due to circumstances and life choices; they lack attentiveness to the voice of God. Then there are those who are positioned to truly hear, if they will listen. How are we positioned? Are we ready and willing to hear and obey?

3. Whose Child Will I Be?: Jesus speaks of two kinds of children in this passage. He likens the good seed to the children of the kingdom. He likens the weeds to the children of the evil one. A child is simple and moldable by the influence of those around him or her. Is the child within us simple, aware of the influences that seek to motivate us? St. Ignatius teaches us how to be aware of the good spirit and the enemy’s voice at work in our lives. For one who seeks to live the faith, the voice of the enemy is usually discouraging, unkind, and leading us away from any movement of faith, hope, and charity. He strives to create self-centered children that seek their own selfish pursuits. The voice of the Good Spirit, on the other hand, enlightens, encourages, and is gentle and kind. Even in his chastisement of souls, he seeks to correct in order to increase faith, hope, and charity. He encourages self-giving and selflessness out of genuine and authentic love. At the end of time, the Father will rejoice in these souls, because he will see the imprint of his Son in their hearts.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I desire to be a child in your kingdom. Help me to distinguish between the voice of the enemy and your voice. Give me the grace to obey your word so as to follow you.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will strive to be aware of the influences of the Good Spirit and the enemy of my soul.

Reflection:

Today, through the parable of the weeds and the wheat, the Church urges us to ponder over the coexistence of good and evil. Good and evil within our heart; good and evil we may spot on others, good and evil we can see in the world, all around us. “Explain to us the parable” (Mt 13:36), his disciples ask Jesus. And, today, we can mean to be more careful with our personal prayer, our everyday dealings with God. —Lord, we can ask him, explain to me why I do not progress enough in my interior life. Explain to me how can I be more faithful to you, how can I look for you in my work, or through these circumstances I do not understand or I do not want. How can I be a qualified apostle? A prayer is just this, to ask God for “explanations”. How is my prayer? Is it sincere?, is it constant?, is it trusting?

Jesus Christ invites us to keep our eyes fixed on Heaven, our eternal home. Quite often, haste can drive us crazy, but we seldom stop to think that there will come a day —, «the man who strives to live must die; whereas the man who does not strive to avoid sin has to live eternally» (St. Julian of Toledo).

We shall reap what we have sown. We have to fight to give today the 100%. So when we are called into God's presence we might be able to go with our hands full: of acts of faith, hope and love. Which result in minor things and events that, when lived on an everyday basis, make us better Christians, saints and human.