Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần I Thường Niên

 Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần I Thường Niên. Mark 1:29-39

Trong cuộc sống trên đời này, con người không ai có thể tránh được tất cả những bệnh tật, đau khổ và những khó khăn trong cuộc đời. Vì thế chúng ta cần đến với Chúa, nhưng ma quỷ luôn ở bên cạnh và luôn muốn có sự ảnh hưởng trong cuộc sống tâm linh của chúng ta, nên chúng ta cũng cần phải biết khiêm tốn đến Chúa xin Chúa ban ơn giải thoát cho chúng ta tránh khỏi được những sự dữ. Tuy nhiên, trước khi chúng ta biết những gì chúng ta muốn, Chúa đã biết và sẵn sàng giúp ban cho chúng ta những gì chúng ta cần. Ngài chắc chắn sẽ nắm chắc lấy bàn tay run rẩy của chúng ta để cho những cơn sốt, những đau bệnh và sự dữ có thể trục xuất ra khỏi con người của chúng ta. Chúa vẫn vẫn còn đang tiếp tục sứ mệnh cứu chuộc của Ngài. Nhưng điều này chỉ có thể xảy ra nếu chúng ta sẵn lòng để Thiên Chúa chiếm ngự cuộc sống của chúng ta. Và điều này chỉ có thể ảnh hưởng đến chúng ta nếu chúng ta bằng lòng cho phép Ngài ôm giữ chúng ta, và để Ngài quan tâm đến cuộc sống tâm linh của chúng ta.

Khi con người cảm thấy tuyệt vọng tột cùng, họ đã ngã mình xuống dưới chân Chúa để cầu xin sự giúp đỡ vì họ biết rằng Chúa luôn sẵn sàng ban cho họ những ơn mà họ xin. Tuy nhiên, nếu chúng ta cảm nhận được những “phép lạ” mà Thiên Chúa đã ban riêng cho mỗi người chúng ta. Nhưng sự cứu chữa khỏi bệnh tật và chinh phục được những sự cám dỗ của ma quỷ ở nơi chúng ta chỉ có thể thành công tốt đẹp nếu chúng ta biết thành tâm đặt niềm tin cậy vào nơi Chúa như một người bạn thân qua những lời nguyện xin trong sự khiêm tốn, Tin vào sự hiện diện liên tục của Đức Kitô ở nơi giữa chúng ta.

Chúng ta hãy cầu xin Chúa cho chúng ta được ơn biết nhận thức ra tình yêu của Chúa trong những nơi và những khi thật bất ngờ và trong những khoảnh khắc đáng ngạc nhiên mà Chúa đã tạo ra.

REFLECTION

As daunting illness enters into our reality, we imploringly pray for healing. When there are evil forces out there that seem to be affecting our balance, we humbly ask for deliverance. However, even before we know what we want, Jesus is already willing to give us what we need. He firmly grasps our trembling hands so that the fever may leave us. He places his gentle palms over us, and the tormenting voices are silenced. The mission continues even up to this very day. But this can happen only once we let him into our lives. This can affect us only if we allow him to hold us, to deeply care for us.

In the Gospels, we read about how he helped so many people in distress. When they felt that they were on their last legs, they threw themselves at his feet begging for help which he willingly offered. However, if we just let these miracles remain as words on pages, we can never truly experience his love being etched in our hearts. But salvation from sickness and conquest of demons in our midst becomes possible only with his touch of love and compassion. And this can unfold in the most subtle of ways – through the gentle and reassuring embrace of a trusted friend, from the inspiring conversation with an acquaintance, through the prayers sent over the internet — these are all humble manifestations of the continuing presence of Christ in our midst. Let us beg for the grace of awareness so that we may recognize his love in the most unexpected of places and in the many surprising moments he creates.

Wednesday 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer: Lord, your power to heal and overcome darkness is as strong today as it was when you walked upon the earth. Strengthen my faith in your power, your goodness, and your plans for me and those I love. I believe; help my unbelief!

Encountering Christ:

Compassionate Healer: Jesus left the synagogue where he had just astounded the congregation with his divine knowledge of Scripture and his power over a demon. When he entered the house of Simon and Andrew, he probably did so as a man who would have liked a hot meal and a rest! However, when he heard that Simon’s mother-in-law was ill, he immediately healed her of her illness. No matter how weary he was, Jesus always drew strength from his Father to minister to the people. His innate compassion and love for everyone he encountered shone throughout the Gospel of Mark. Simon’s mother-in-law was changed fundamentally by her healing experience of Christ. Not only was her illness gone, she felt a compelling desire to wait upon Jesus. She exemplifies the response we should all have when we personally encounter Christ in prayer, in the sacraments, and in others.

Ultimate Power: As the day of miracles seemed to draw to a close, the word was out in Capernaum that a healer was in their midst. Every family in town with a loved one suffering from physical illness or afflicted with demons rushed to Simon’s house, hoping against hope that their loved ones might be healed. Jesus did not disappoint. It is hard to imagine how great the rejoicing must have been as seriously ill people were made well and people who were tormented and afflicted by demons were set free. Nothing like it had ever been recorded in human history! We gather as a community every Sunday at Mass. What is our expectation? Do we anticipate an increased sense of Christian friendship? Are we seeking a healing? A spiritual boost? We encounter Jesus, Son of the living God, who has the ultimate power to heal and strengthen us. He encourages us to hope in him.

Fueled by Prayer: Despite a long and eventful day, Jesus rose early the next morning to seek solitude. Physically fueled as he was by the hospitality of Simon’s mother-in-law, he needed something more than a few extra hours of sleep. He needed the connection with his Father that prayer alone can provide. When the Apostles found Jesus and told him that everyone was looking for him, he responded with renewed purpose, and they left to preach in the neighboring villages throughout Galilee. If we want to be servants of God, we can imitate Jesus by making prayer our first priority.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, teach me to seek you in prayer at the beginning of each and every day. Open my eyes to those who you are calling me to serve, and give me the grace to serve with love. Give me a grateful heart. May I bless your name in good times and bad, knowing that you will always work for my good in all circumstances.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will commit to rising a few minutes early each day to spend more time in prayer, both talking to you and quietly listening.

Wed - 1st Week in Ordinary Time/ 10th Jan 2018 1 Sam. 3:1-10,19-20/ Mk. 1:29-39.

Jesus is busy. Already, in the first chapter of Mark, people seek out Jesus for his healing, wisdom and peace. Amidst this busyness, however, there is something special: “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” (Mk. 1:35)

Although Jesus is God, he makes time to be silent and listen to the Father’s voice. This intimate time with the Father influences his decisions. After praying, Jesus decides to move on to the next town.

Listening for God, however, is not easy. Samuel will one day become a great prophet, yet today, even he has difficulty identifying God’s subtle voice.

So how can we hear God’s subtle voice in our lives? How do we know what the Lord would like us to do? Like Jesus, we need to make time for quiet. In silence, we can bring an important question to the Lord and ask for guidance. Then notice: what arises in my heart?

Often, the path God wants us to choose will bring peace to our hearts or a sense that Jesus is close to us. God sometimes speaks with words. Sometimes, God speaks through his presence and deep peace.

    Lord, I long to hear You. Help me to recognize Your voice more clearly.