Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuàn thứ Nhất Mùa Vọng

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuàn thứ Nhất Mùa Vọng

Trong các bài trong tuần này, Tiên tri Isaiah loan báo vào một thời điểm khi "những người điếc được nghe, người mù được thấy." Thời gian đó đã xảy ra trong bối cảnh mà chúng ta được thấy trong các bài Tin Mừng trong tuần này.. Chúa Giêsu đã bộn rộn với sứ vụ, làm phép lạ, chữa lành, và rao giảng Tin Mừng qua các thị trấn và làng mạc của Israel, nơi mà nhiều người mù được Chúa cho thấy, và điếc được chúa cho nghe, và kết quả là họ ca ngợi và tạ ơnThiên Chúa .

Chúng ta có thể nghĩ đó chỉ là những việc Chúa làm trong thời gian quá khứ, và câu chuyện của Chúa Giêsu được coi như đã hoàn thành lời tiên tri của tiên tri Isaiah. Chúa Giêsu không còn hiện diện với chúng ta trên trái đất này nữa và như thế làm con người chúng ta có thể khó tin. Điều này có thể rất đúng vì Chúa Giêsu đã không ở đây như hơn 2.000 năm trước, Nhưng với Đức Tin, chúng ta đã nhận được rằng Chúa Giêsu vẫn luôn luôn còn ở với chúng ta. Ngài hiện diện ngay trong tâm hồn và trong thân xác của chúng ta qua Bí Tích Thánh Thể. Ngài đang ở đây giữa chúng ta và lắng nghe lời chúng ta khấn nguyện và Ngài cũng đã đáp lại lời cầu nguyện của chúng ta, và Ngài cũng vẫn đang ở đây, vẫn đang tích cực làm việc với chúng ta và qua chúng ta Ngài đã chữa lành cho những người đau bệnh, cho phép người mù được nhìn thấy và những kẻ điếc nghe được như Chúa Giêsu đã cùng với các Tông Đồ trong nhiệm vụ của họ 2000 năm trước. Ngày này, Ngài cũng đã và đang hiện diện với chúng ta trong Giáo Hội, nơi mà mọi người Kitô hữu đến với nhau như một cộng đồng để công bố Lời của Ngài và làm tròn bổn phận của chúng ta là môn đệ của Người.

Điếu mà tất cả chúng ta phải làm là hãy tin tưởng và xây dựng đức tin của chúng ta, và hãy nhớ rằng Chúa Kitô rất muốn được ở ngay bên cạnh chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy gạt bỏ đi tất cả những mối nghi ngờ, sự cứng lòng tin và phải biết rộng mở tâm hồn chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy cùng nhau cầu nguyện với gia đình và với cộng đoàn giáo hội của chúng ta vì Chúa Kitô ở Ngay giữa chúng ta. Vi Chúa nói :"Vì ở đâu có hai ba người họp lại nhân danh Thầy, thì ta ở giữa họ." (Mt 18:20)”

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con biết đến gần Chúa với lòng tự tin và sự tin tưởng vào sức mạnh trong ơn Cứu chuộc và lòng thương xót của Chúa. Xin Chúa giải thoát chúng con khỏi mọi sự nghi ngờ và sự bất tín của chúng con, để chúng con có thể đến gần với Chúa một cách tự tin và một cách dạn dĩ hơn với những lời cầu xin rất chân thành. Xin cho Nước Chúa trị đến và Ý Chúa được thực hiện nơi chúng con.

REFLECTION Saturday after 1st Sunday Of Advent

Isaiah proclaims a time when "the deaf shall hear [and] the eyes of the blind shall see." That time came amid Jesus' busy ministry through the towns and villages of Israel, where many blind and deaf people were healed and, as a result, they praised God in thanksgiving. We may think that that time is now in the past. The story of Jesus, after all, has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus is no longer physically present here on earth and it would be unwise to count on miracles.

As it may be true that Jesus is not here in the same presence as He did more than 2,000 years ago, Jesus is very much still with us. He is with us spiritually in our hearts and physically with us through the Holy Eucharist. He is here listening to us and answering our prayers and he is here still actively working with us and through us to heal the sick, to enable the blind to see and the deaf to hear. He was with the Apostles during their very first missions and he is very much present as we in the Church come together as a community to proclaim His Word and do our duty as His followers.

All it takes is for us to believe and to build our faith, and to remember that he is very much alongside us. Let us cast away the doubts and open our hearts. Let us pray together with our families and with our church community. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mt 18:20).

"Lord, help me to draw near to you with confidence and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in me."

Saturday after 1st Sunday Of Advent For 

Opening Prayer: Jesus, thank you for shepherding me yourself. Help me to hear your voice in your word and follow it always.

Encountering Christ:

The Lost Sheep: Let’s take a moment to imagine Jesus looking over the crowd with pity. He looked at his people and saw despair, confusion, sinfulness, and want. He saw no one leading them in the right direction. They were spiritually wandering aimlessly: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Sheep that stray away from the fold can get lost or hurt, or die easily: “They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered, they became food for all the wild beasts” (Ezekiel 34:5). Jesus fulfilled Ezekiel’s prophecy of the Good Shepherd: “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezekiel 24:11-12). Jesus himself seeks out the lost, hurt, and blind. He binds them up and heals them himself.

God with Us: The false religion of Deism teaches that there is a creator, but that he does not care for the earth or its people. He simply created the universe, set creation in motion, and now leaves us to fend for ourselves. No, God will not abandon or forsake us. God has been here for us for all time. He leads us in all circumstances: “It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). He is our Good Shepherd. He leads, feeds, protects, guides, and teaches us himself: “The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: ‘This is the way; walk in it,’ when you would turn to the right or to the left” (Isaiah 30:20-21). He is with us in the Eucharist, spiritually and physically present for us at every sacrifice of the Mass and in every Catholic tabernacle. His name is Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14).

He Still Shepherds Us: Jesus also ensured that his sheep would be cared for after his time on earth was over. First, he gave his authority to the Apostles, empowering them to drive out demons, heal, and even raise the dead (Matthew 10:1). Later he gave them authority to forgive sins, an even larger share in his plan for salvation (John 20:22). This authority of the Apostles was transmitted down through the centuries to our bishops today. There is a clear line of apostolic succession from St. Peter to Pope Francis. The authority of Christ is passed down through these ordained men from age to age, ensuring that we will not be left comfortless (John 14:18). We have the guidance of the Church to shepherd us. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who pours forth from Christ and God the Father to comfort and teach us in all things (John 14:26). Christ himself continues to shepherd us through the Holy Spirit and the teachings of the Church. We are not aimless sheep in danger; we are beloved sheep.

Conversing with Christ: Jesus, it is so amazing to me that you shepherd me yourself. I am sorry for the times when I have strayed away from your gentle guidance and protection. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and your one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church to guide me. Jesus, help me to stay safe and cared for by staying close to the fold of your Church. Jesus, I trust in you to shepherd me through all things. 

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will consider if I have not been docile to your voice, my Good Shepherd. I will repent and make a plan to confess any rebellion to your will in my heart.

Saturday after 1st Sunday Of Advent

Encountering Christ:

1. We Are the Downtrodden: What is there to harvest when the sheep themselves look so downtrodden? Where is the Church to find vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and holy matrimony when even the small group of the faithful who actually follow Christ are “troubled and abandoned”? We all sometimes feel needy, ragtag, and unprepared for our mission. Even little daily tasks can overwhelm us. Never fear! When Jesus looked out at his followers, it wasn’t that his chest swelled with pride at such a glorious band of apostles. Rather, “his heart was moved with pity for them.” We ourselves are silly sheep, not regal lions, and Our Lord knows this. The task given to us–to the Church–will always seem too great, but Christ asks us to remain humble and trust in him because he is the master of the harvest.

2. Just Twelve?: We know from other Gospel accounts that Jesus sent out more than twelve disciples, but here Matthew mentions only these dozen. What are so few workers for so great a harvest? This passage gives us another illustration of God’s logic of election. He chose Abraham and decreed that through him the nations should find blessing. He set apart his people Israel to be holy, in order to become a light to the nations. He chose the prophet Jonah to preach to the massive city of Nineveh. God elects his chosen ones because he loves them and so that through them many may be saved. The Church may always be small, but she is called to be holy for the sake of the many outside her gates.

3. Our Mission: So let the adventure begin! Let’s preach the word, cure the sick, serve our neighbors. The stakes are high indeed, but if we begin generously with the few (“the lost sheep of the house of Israel”), we will, by God’s grace, help save the many (“the harvest is abundant”). We have received the gift of Christ’s love and mercy without cost; now we are to give that gift to others without counting the cos.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, please give me courage so that I do not despair at the size of the task before the Church. I want to be your close disciple; I long for intimacy with you. When you send me out, please remain with me, O Master of the harvest!

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will look for ways to preach your word boldly.