Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Tư Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Tư Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên

Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu cho thấy ý định của Ngài là sẽ thành lập Giáo Hội bằng cách là Ngài đã chọn mười hai vị tông đồ đầu tiên. Ngài đã khởi đầu sự hướng dẫn họ để họ học được cách là bắt chước Ngàì để làm tròn sứ mệnh của họ. Ngài cũng cho phép họ có quyền trên các thần ô uế và khả năng chữa lành cho những người đau bệnh.

Hôm nay Chúa Giêsu cũng đang kêu và mời gọi tất cả chúng ta để trở thành những sứ giả của Ngài là đem Tin Mừng Cứu Rỗi của Ngài cho tất cả... Chúng ta có thể thực hiện được cái sứ mệnh này trước hết là phải biết cách làm chứng sống cho tình yêu và sự tốt lành của Thiên Chúa qua cuộc sống cá nhân riêng của người chúng ta, nay mỗi người chúng ta có thể được gọi để làm một giáo lý viên hay là một nhà truyền giáo như các tông đồ.

Dù Thiên Chúa mời gọi chúng ta làm gì đi nữa, chúng ta cần hãy nhớ rằng Chúa Giêsu đã hứa là Ngài sẽ ở với chúng ta cho đến tận thế. Vì vậy, đừng sợ hãi nữa, và cũng đừng nghĩ rằng chúng ta không xứng đáng với ơn gọi riêng của mình. Chúng ta cũng hãy nhớ rằng trong số các tông đồ, một người trong họ đã những chối Chúa ba lần. Một người trong họ đã không tin sự sống lại của Ngài và một phần ba trong số 12 đã phản bội Ngài. Chúa biết mỗi người chúng ta; Ngài biết thiếu xít, và nhưnf khuyết điểm của chúng ta. Vì vậy, chúng ta hãy tin tưởng. đạt niềm tin chân thực vào Ngài và Xin ơn Chúa Thánh Thần phụ giúp, ban cho chúng ta có thêm ân sủng và sức mạnh để hoàn thành sứ mệnh mà Ngài đã trao ban cho chúng ta trong cuộc sống hôm nay..

REFLECTION (7/9/13)

In the gospel, Jesus shows his intention of founding the Church by choosing the first twelve apostles. He starts to instruct them on how to do their mission. He also gives them authority over unclean spirits and the ability to cure people with ailments. Today Jesus is also sounding off this same call to us; to be his messengers of the good news. We can do this mission first by making our personal lives a living testimony to the love and goodness of God. Or maybe you are being called to be a catechist or a missionary like the apostles. Whatever God is calling you to do, remember that Jesus has promised to be with us till the end of time. So do not be afraid. And do not think you are unworthy of the call. Remember that among the apostles, one denied Jesus three time. Another doubted his resurrection and a third betrayed him. The Lord knows each one of us; he knows our weaknesses. So let us trust in him and ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace and strength to fulfill our mission.

Opening Prayer:

Lord Jesus, grant that I may hear your voice as you call me to collaborate in building your kingdom. Give me light and courage to follow you.

Encountering Christ:

1. The Mystery of the Chosen: Jesus chose the Twelve Apostles and gave them authority. But he did not determine their path. He accompanied and prayed for them. He helped them when help was welcome. Of the Twelve, one was labeled, afterward, as the traitor. Why, then, did Christ choose him? In our attempts to answer this question, we stare into the mystery of human freedom. But we are also faced with the truth of Christ’s ultimate victory through and despite poor, and even immoral, human choices. When we are faced with disappointment over any spiritual leader’s direction or life choices, let us pray with hopeful and merciful hearts for them and remember who is ultimately victorious.

2. Do Not Go...Go...: Jesus seemed to have a very specific plan for the Apostles’ mission. He told them where to go and not to go. If Jesus strategized in order to bring about the most efficacious plan for establishing his kingdom, should we not also be wise and prudent disciples? As baptized members of Christ’s mystical body, we all have a realm in which we evangelize. We must each discern through prayer where “to go and not to go,” to fulfill our particular vocation as missionary disciples in the world.

3. “Make This Proclamation”: Jesus knew that the people to whom he sent the Apostles would understand the proclamation, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Those who readied their hearts would be fruitful recipients of the proclamation. In the twenty-first century, we must also find the “proclamation” that instigates a turning to the Lord. The Word of God is alive and active, never out of date. But it requires proclamation through our testimony. Sometimes, those who sit in the pew next to us are the first ones who need to hear and see the Gospel proclaimed. They need our friendly smile and our openness to be another Christ for them.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of my faith. Help me to grow as a missionary disciple, ready to proclaim your word however you ask.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will be attentive to how I can proclaim your word through my conversations or testimony.

REFLECTION 2018

In the first reading, in the midst of evil and turning away from God, the prophet Hosea calls for conversion and a return to God.

The Twelve whom Jesus named apostles were ordinary people with neither high education nor extraordinary talents and possessions. They were ordinary people with their faults and shortcomings: proud, stubborn and hard-headed. Two would betray Jesus: one three times before simple house-maids and one for thirty pieces of silver.

However, they were basically faithful followers of Jesus. Strengthened by the coming of the Holy Spirit, they preached the Good News of Jesus to the world. Except for the apostle John, all of them gave witness to the Jesus they followed and the Gospel they preached with their lives.

God makes use of the ordinary to accomplish truly extraordinary things. God has decided to make use of and to need people for the spread of his kingdom through the Church.

St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictines, was an outstanding follower of Christ in the sixth century, prescribing prayer, study and work for his monks for the support and spread of the Church and the Kingdom of God. The Benedictines have had great contributions to the Church and the world in monastic life and liturgical worship, in education, art and literature.

REFLECTION

Jesus started his apostleship by choosing 12 men from among common people. He taught them through parables, through various teaching, by example and through miracles. He taught them that the kingdom of heaven is not what they imagined it to be.Until today, the power of Jesus' message transforms us into doing our share in his mission. It opens our eyes to what he has done; it opens our ears to his teachings. But even more so, his message restores us to a better way of life, a life reborn of the Holy Spirit - a new life. This transformation comes from believing. For every house that welcomes this peace, the peace remains. For every house that rejects his message of peace, the peace departs.

Jesus instructed his disciples to start with the lost sheep of Israel instead of going into pagan and Samaritan territory because he knew that these people were not yet ready to accept the Good News. On the contrary, the Jews possessed the laws of the covenant since the time of their ancestors. It was their tradition and way of life. Jesus knew that this was the key to their beliefs and entrusted this knowledge to Peter and the other apostles. As witnesses to his teachings, they were empowered to bring the Good News to the Jews and later, when they were ready, to the Gentiles. Have we considered our own calling lately? Have we reviewed our lives? Let's take a few minutes to reflect on Jesus' plans for our salvation.