Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Hai tuần 19 TN Matthew 17:22-27

 Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Hai tuần 19 TN Matthew 17:22-27

Trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta biết rằng đối với Chúa là Thiên Chúa thì việc đóng thuế đền thờ không cần thiết, nhưng không phải vì thế mà Ngài sẽ làm gương xấu cho người khác, nên Chúa đã bảo Phêrô đóng thuế đàng hoàng hoàng (bằng đồng tiền lấy được từ trong miệng một con cá mới được câu lên.)

Trong thực tế, chúng ta cần phải thưc hành những nhiệm vụ của chúng ta một cách chu đáo, để chúng ta có thể làm gương cho những người khác bắt chước những gì mà họ nên phải làm, Có bao giờ chúng ta đã cảm thấy khó chịu khi trốn tránh trách nhiệm hoặc nghĩa vụ của chúng ta? Trong tin Mừng hôm nay, Các môn đệ cũng đã được Chúa Giêsu cho biết rằng, "Con Người" sẽ bị phản bội, bị chối bỏ và bị Xét xử v phải chết mọt cách đau đớn và nhục nhã trên Thập Giá. Tuy nhiên, Chúa Giêsu đã sẵn sàng chấp nhận cái chết với sự phản bội của các môn đệ, cũng như, chấp nhận những vấn nạn to lớn mà họ có thể phải nhận được trong một số phận tương tự trong cuộc sống trần thế khổ đau của chúng ta, chúng ta phải luôn tìm kiếm và Xin Chúa giúp chúng ta có thêm can đảm và sức mạnh để chịu đựng những thử thách trong đời này.

Giá cứu chuộc của Chúa Giêsu đã phải trả như là của lễ chuộc tội cho tất cả những tội lỗi chúng ta và để giải thoát chúng ta, Qua cái chết và sự phục sinh của Người, Chúa Giêsu đã cho chúng ta sự tự do vô biên, để chúng ta được sống như con cái của Thiên Chúa. Để giúp chúng ta luôn luôn có thể được sống trong tự do và được hướng dẫn bằng gương sáng của tình yêu và chân lý.

REFLECTION

Throughout the Old Testament we see God's love for those who obey him and his punishment for those who disobey his commands. He has loved and fulfilled his promises to his chosen people, Israel, beginning with Abraham and Isaac. Led by Moses, God freed Israel from slavery in Egypt and brought them to their promised land. In the Gospel reading Jesus predicts his passion, death and resurrection. He also shows his respect for civil authorities by paying tax for himself and Peter, "The sons, then, are tax-free. But so as not to offend these people... take the coin [in the fish you catch] and let it pay for you and for me." Christians have to be law-abiding citizens of their countries: they are citizens of this world and of God's kingdom.

Opening Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, you invite me to spend this time of prayer, heart to heart with you. Draw me close to you and let me enter your heart, know you better, and be strengthened to live my Christian life alongside you.

Encountering Christ:

· Jesus Watches Over All: Christ knew what his impending arrest and crucifixion would mean for his apostles. His heart, from which nothing is hidden, was not indifferent to the shock, extreme trial of faith, and disorienting confusion it would bring them. So little by little, he began to prepare them for it. This passage gives us an insight into the heart of Christ who deeply cared for his apostles, the first of his close friends that he invited to follow him, and in whose footsteps we today strive to follow him. We can linger here in prayer and ask for the grace to enter Christ’s heart and experience that compassion and patience of the Lord. The apostles didn’t understand all that he was trying to say, but Jesus’s patience did not tire. Step by step, he carried them along, even as he does to us in our own lives. We needn’t lose heart when we can’t seem to grasp it all. He never gets so far ahead of us that we cannot follow him anymore. What he asks is that we keep walking.

· Jesus Watches Over Each One: Jesus was watching out for all of his apostles, and for each apostle. He wants us to know that nothing is hidden from him, that he knows even our deepest heartaches. Perhaps Peter returned from that encounter with the tax collectors a bit unsure of how to act, where to find the money to pay the tax, or how to bring the conversation up with his Master. But Christ knew his heart and resolved everything even before Peter could express his concerns. Sometimes God acts in our lives in a similar way, making himself present even before we have time to ask him where he is. Other times, he waits and seems hidden (as he no doubt did for his apostles the three days he was buried in the tomb). But perhaps the Holy Spirit inspired this episode to be recorded in the Gospels so that it might speak his truth and grace into our own experiences today and remind us of his tender, all-knowing concern for us. Let’s linger here, asking the Holy Spirit to let this truth take root in our hearts in the places we need it most.

· Jesus Models Life for a Christian in the World: Not even Jesus exempted himself from the responsibilities and commitments of life in the world. Consider that the Son of God, coeternal with the Father who existed before the world began and who brought it all into being, lowered himself to pay the temple tax. The very one who could have said he was simply above all that, who was outside those human laws and systems, humbly paid the tax. If we ever doubt that he truly wished to make himself one like us in all things but sin, this passage reminds us of the truth and shows us in detail that he also takes care of his own. Surely, Simon Peter never forgot this gesture of the Lord. And how might he have imitated it later on, in his own life?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you reveal yourself as God All-Powerful and also humble, attentive, caring, and good. None of your children’s needs are too great or too small for you. Reveal to me a little more of your presence in my life—the way you know, care about and help me through the big things and the little ones. And help me to imitate you in showing the same concern, attentiveness, and patience toward others.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will strive to spend my day remembering that you already know and care about all the little and great concerns in my life.

Monday, August 9, 2021

Miracles of Hope

Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” Matthew 17:25–27

Prior to this minor miracle, Jesus had just told His disciples for the second time about His coming passion. Again, this was difficult for them to hear. Recall that after the first prediction of Jesus’ coming passion and death, Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain and was Transfigured before them. The Transfiguration was meant, in part, to dispel the fear of the disciples and to give them hope for that which was to come. And now, after Jesus’ second prediction of His passion, another miracle was performed for Peter, personally, to help encourage him and give him hope.

Imagine if you were Peter. Imagine following through with Jesus’ instructions by going to the sea, dropping in a hook, pulling out a fish and then opening its mouth. Peter must have been filled with hope and excitement as he pulled this fish in, wondering if Jesus’ words would come true. And as soon as Peter saw the coin, just as Jesus said, he must have been in awe. Slowly, the fear and anxiety he was experiencing at this second prediction of Jesus’ passion and death would have begun to subside as Peter witnessed yet another incredible sign from his Lord.

God performs miracles in our lives every day. The problem is that we often fail to discern them. Any time His glorious power works within us to strengthen us or fills us with courage, hope, charity and every other virtue, this is a miracle of transforming grace. God always knows what we need in life. He knows our struggles and doubts. At times, He is silent so as to draw us deeper through intentional prayer and acts of faith. And at times, we suddenly find that we receive a new clarity in life that is the result of His grace at work.

Jesus knew that Peter needed this extra grace of this personal miracle so that he could move beyond his fears and struggles and place all of his trust in Jesus. Jesus was trustworthy. This is the conclusion Peter would have arrived at. He was trustworthy. Therefore, everything He said should be believed. What a wonderful conclusion for us all to arrive at.

Reflect, today, upon the ways that God has assured you of His divine presence and action in your life. Though the assuring miracles God has performed in your life may not be physical in their manifestation, God’s workings can be just as convincing if we clearly perceive them. What does God want to assure you of in your life? What struggle or doubt do you struggle with? If you struggle, turn your mind to the ways that God has been present and active in your life. Ponder His intervention and the ways He has cared for you and led you. Be grateful and allow the memory of what God has done to be your strength today and the source of hope when you need it the most.

My miraculous Lord, Your action in my life is truly glorious and amazing. You never fail to provide for me when I am in need. Help me to turn to You whenever I struggle so as to be filled with new hope in You. You are always faithful, dear Lord. I do place all my hope in You. Jesus, I trust in You.