Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Bảy thuần 14 Thường niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Bảy thuần 14 Thường niên

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!

Opening Prayer:

 Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to be your disciple so others may come to know, love, and follow you.

Encountering Christ:

1. Remember Who You Are: In today’s Gospel Jesus continues to encourage his disciples to take courage against the inevitable persecution. He reminds us that we are students of the great Master. In other words, we don’t have to have all the answers or be the savior of the world. We walk as disciples, learning with each step how to be the disciple God calls us to be. This should be consoling to us when we are faced with animosity, questions, and even personal doubt about our own beliefs and doctrines of the faith. Disciples are also on a journey of discovering the beauty of all that Jesus has revealed and continues to unpack through the years. We are faced with new practical realities in which we must read the signs of the times through a Gospel lens. But as we walk, we mustn't forget who we are: disciples of Christ, not disciples of this world.

2. The Desire to Be Acknowledged by the Father: As we remember who we are, it helps to meditate on our most fundamental identity. We are children of a heavenly Father. What child does not long to be acknowledged by the Father? In prayer, we can discover this desire in the depth of our hearts. It is a primordial longing for the one who created us out of love. The desire to be received by the outstretched arm of a loving Father is itself a prayer that nourishes our essential identity as Christians. It keeps us firmly under the Father’s loving gaze as we discern our daily choices as disciples of Christ.

3. Listen, Child: As we recall who we are for God, we discover the great dignity and calling we possess. God does not keep us as ignorant children but invites us to mature into his collaborators. Jesus uses splendid imagery for our days. He encourages us to listen despite the darkness and the noise that encompasses us. He motivates us to not fear, for he knows exactly the trials we face as his children and disciples. The enemy is not only “the world” outside us, but the temptations within; hence the need to listen to the competing voices within and without. Where the Lord is, despite darkness, there is light. If we remain firm in our identity as his children and disciples, his light gives us direction, as well as shining through us.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for the marvelous ways in which you remind me who I am for you, a beloved child of a good and provident Father. Open my spiritual ears and eyes to hear and see you. Grant me a spirit of courage in the midst of chaos and darkness, be it within my own spirit or in my environment.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will make an act of faith and courage as I remember who I am for you and who you are for me.

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."