Suy niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu Tuần 11 Thường Niên

 Suy niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu Tuần 11 Thường Niên

Con người chúng ta ở trên đời thích làm giàu và thích đặt những thế lực, của cải vật chất làm ưu tiên hàng đầu trong cuộc sống của chúng ta thay vì những của cải thiêng liêng. Chúng ta chết cho niềm vui, cho sự hài lòng trong sự vị kỷ và sự hạnh phúc giả tạo.

Khi chúng ta cống hiến tất cả thời giờ và năng lực để theo đuổi sự ích kỷ, thì cái chết mới tiết lộ cho chúng ta biết đó những cơ hội mà chúng ta đã lãng phí vì sự nghèo đói trong những việc lành phúc đức. Nếu chúng ta muốn thực sự được sống mãi mãi trong Chúa, thì bây giờ là thời gian để chúng ta dùng những tài nguyên Chúa ban cho một cách khôn ngoan chứ không phải là sự để dành, tồn trữ một cách thật là ngu ngốc. Bây giờ là thời gian để chúng ta thực hiện sự quản lý chặt chẽ những ân sũng và hồng ân mà Thiên Chúa đã ban cho chúng ta.

Chúng ta không những chỉ phải biết tàng trữ những ân sũng này như những món quà quý trọng. mà chúng ta cần phải làm tồn giữ cho an toàn, hay để lại cho con cháu, hay là quỹ hưu trí của chúng ta. Nhưng điều mà Chúa Giêsu đề cập đến hôm nay là việc làm giàu quá mức sẽ phản ánh đến sự thiếu lòng tin tưởng vào Thiên Chúa. Sự tham lam cơ bản trong thái độ của chúng ta đối với sự giàu có và một tâm hồn, một trái tim không biết quan tâm đến sự nghèo khổ của nggười khác.

Trong Bí Tích Thánh Thể chúng ta chứng kiến được một ví dụ cụ thể cho việc bố thí và việc chia sẻ. Chúa Kitô đã không thành lập bí tích Thánh Thể để lưu trữ và để dành mãi “Mình Thánh Chúa” trong nhà tạm của chúng ta. Nhưng Ngài đã ban cho chúng ta Thánh Thể như là của ăn được phân phối và chia sẻ với mọi người như một cộng đồng Kitô Giáo từ lúc ban đầu. Chúa Giêsu thách thức chúng ta phải kiểm tra và xét lại những ưu tiên của chúng ta và cách mà chúng ta sử dụng tài sản, những ân sủng mà Chúa ban cho chúng ta. Thay vì phát triển làm giàu cho chính mình, Chúa Giêsu muốn mời gọi chúng ta trở nên giàu có trước mặt Thiên Chúa.

Reflection Friday 11th week of Ordinary 2016

What do you value most at present? It could become an obstacle to follow Christ. Affection binds us to people and not to God.

Many vocations to religious life are put aside because of familial ties. Fornication becomes part of the relationship of unmarried couples because there is fear of losing the partner if either one opts for chastity. Peer pressure obliges one to accede even if it is against his or her conscience. Absolute pursuit of wealth and security can make us relentless and indifferent to the needs of others.

What does it mean to "store up treasure for yourself with God?" You can make a money transfer not only to your local bank, but to the bank in heaven through serious donations to help the poor and the afflicted.

Offer your barkada time to be with the family and bond with siblings and parents. Chaste relationships are a good investment for a better marriage, because they entail sacrifice.

These are treasures that do not get destroyed or eaten up by moths and woodworms. Why do so many people live as if there is no afterlife and so they live only to enjoy the things of this world? Heaven exists, brothers and sister. It is a place full of light, happiness and unending joy. So look for the things of heaven. They are what can truly satisfy and give lasting peace and joy.

Reflection Friday 11th week of Ordinary 2016

Opening Prayer: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust you. Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior (excerpts from Psalm 25).

Encountering Christ:

Earthly Treasure: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.” God created man for greatness, so it is true to our nature to seek greatness. In the world, greatness often means financial prosperity and its usual accompaniment of earthly possessions. It is not immoral to be wealthy, as long as it is accrued ethically and its use includes the good of others. But if earthly possessions become the ultimate goal of our happiness, then we miss out on the treasure God desires for us. This treasure is God himself. We are called to trust, not in our wealth or comforts, but in God’s providence. St. Paul explains, “I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (Philippians 4:12-13).

Heavenly Treasure: “But store up treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.” The heavenly treasure Jesus spoke of is a reward for those who have lived their lives virtuously as a preparation for eternity. And we can experience a taste of these treasures here and now, as we grow in our relationship with God. The Catechism explains, “The human virtues (Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance) are rooted in the theological virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity), which adapt man’s faculties for participation in the divine nature: for the theological virtues relate directly to God. They dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. They have the One and Triune God for their origin, motive, and object (CCC 1812).” Simply put, “The goal of the virtuous life is to become like God” (St. Gregory of Nyssa).

Where Is Your Heart?: “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Consider that our hearts are like bank vaults where we keep our treasure. To adequately discern how much value we put on our treasure, both earthly and heavenly, we ponder what it is we love and what we would do if we lost it. If wealth was taken away, would we keep our faith in God’s providence? If we lost our health or the health of a loved one, would we continue to hope in God’s goodness? If any of our less tangible earthly treasures (reputation, relationships, social standing) were compromised, would we walk in justice, prudence, fortitude, and temperance as God’s trusting child, forgiving and giving to those who oppose us? Our Lord is presenting very sobering teaching to help us discern if we are on the narrow road that leads to life (see Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus, the light of the world, leads the way to all treasures, both earthly and heavenly. Are we following him?

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I love many things, but I want to love you above them all. I know I am to love the Giver more than the many temporal and spiritual gifts you have given me. Come Holy Spirit and show me what I am to do to remain in your light.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will spend at least fifteen minutes pondering what I love most in light of this Gospel message. If I find that I am too attached to something, I will ask you through the Holy Spirit to place me back on the right path toward the Father, my heavenly treasure. Blessed Mother, take my hand.

Friday 11th Ordinary Time: Scripture: Matthew 6:19-23

Opening Prayer: Lord you are my treasure. As I reflect on your words today, enlighten my mind to contemplate my eternal destiny. May this reflection deepen my desire to spend eternity with you.

Encountering Christ:

· Where Is Your Treasure?: Human beings were made to worship. Everyone worships either the true God or a “god.” As Our Lord pointed out, wherever our treasure is, wherever our heart is, that is our God—or our false god. Some people worship fame, honor, or wealth. They may go to church on Sunday, but their thoughts dwell on other things and, in their free time, they rush to do what they really love above all else. The concept of false gods is as old as human nature. False gods don't just fail to save their followers; they destroy them. The Old Testament, especially the book of Judges, tells of the stories of many people who left God for some other idol and found themselves enslaved rather than saved. The idols of old required human sacrifice to be satisfied, but modern idols (addictions, materialism, etc.) just drain the idol-worshippers' life slowly. So when God commanded, "You will have no other gods before me," he wasn’t motivated by petty jealousy. He was proposing a life-saving intervention. By adoring God, we adore him who said, "I am the Life," and he gives us life everlasting.

· Heavenly Treasures: Both thieves and stock markets can take our money. Both moths and ever-changing fashions can make our clothing obsolete and worthless. The more we invest in these kinds of things, the poorer we will ultimately become. When we turn our minds to heaven and strive to see our lives with an eternal perspective, we reap eternal dividends—a place one day in heaven with God. Sister Faustina offers us this encouragement about heaven: “Today I was in heaven, in spirit, and I saw its inconceivable beauties and the happiness that awaits us after death. I saw how all creatures give ceaseless praise and glory to God. I saw how great is happiness in God, which spreads to all creatures, making them happy; and then all the glory and praise which springs from this happiness returns to its source; and they enter into the depths of God, contemplating the inner life of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, whom they will never comprehend or fathom. This source of happiness is unchanging in its essence, but it is always new, gushing forth happiness for all creatures.”

· Smallest of Idols: We love Jesus and strive to do his will at all times, but we still fall prey to smaller idols periodically. These seemingly insignificant idols can grow in our hearts unchecked, like dust bunnies growing under a bed. Maybe we treasure watching too much TV; or we treasure some idealistic “perfect family” and want our family to conform to that ideal; or maybe we spend too much time at work, on our hobbies, or on sports. These “goods” can corrupt us if we’re not diligent. Jesus and his saints recommend briefly examining our conscience before we go to bed. St. Ignatius suggests following these simple steps: 1. Become aware of God’s presence. 2. Review the day with gratitude. 3. Pay attention to your emotions. 4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. 5. Look toward tomorrow.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, my heart is full of gratitude for the spiritual and temporal gifts that you give me each day. By your grace, may I never make an idol of your gifts. Help me to remember that the Giver is so much more than the sum of all the gifts I have received!

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will institute the practice of a brief nightly reflection to root out idols that try to creep into my heart.

Friday 11th in Ordinary Time 

In the Gospel reading we hear Jesus saying to us that we need to make good choices in life: between God and material possessions. The contrast between “treasures in heaven” and “treasures on earth.” (6:19-21); between God and the ungodly (6:24) and between the cares and anxieties about material possessions and seeking the Kingdom of God (6: 25-34).

Jesus’ teachings focussed on true riches and we, as followers of Christ have to decide on our priority between earthly treasures and heavenly ones with God. In the materialistic and consumeristic society, we live in now, we are called to be alert and discerning in making our daily choices.

In the first reading we see how different groups of people made their choices especially those made by Athaliah. She wanted to secure the throne of Judah for herself, chose to destroy the whole of the royal family. She attempted to destroy completely the house of David i.e. God’s redemptive plan, in order to achieve her aim, but she didn’t succeed! She went against God’s will!

Today we are constantly reminded to live discernment as a way of life. So, the basic questions we ask ourselves in this process would be: “What am I and God are for each other, that is, our relationship? “How and what does God want me to respond to a situation?” Let us learn the art of discernment in order to help ourselves and others to find God’s will. Lord grant me the grace to know Your will for us every day of our lives.”

REFLECTION 22nd June 2018

Today's Gospel reading is among the collection of teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus tells us not to store up treasures on earth, treasures which may not last because "moth and rust [may] destroy it" or "thieves can steal it." Instead store up treasure in heaven, with and before God. Jesus spoke a lot about having trust in the care and providence of God our Father: ""Do not worry and say: What are we going to eat? What are we going to drink? Or what shall we wear? .. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your hearts first on the kingdom of God and justice of God and all these things will also be given to you." (Mt 6: 31 - 33) In another occasion Jesus spoke against greed and building up great possessions on earth, like the rich man who planned to build bigger barns for his great harvests: "But God said to him: 'You fool! This very night your life will be taken from you; tell me who shall get all you have put aside?' This is the lot of the one who stores up riches instead of amassing for God." (Lk 12: 20- 21)

When Jesus speaks of our "eye," he was speaking about our conscience which directs our choices and actions. If our consciences are sound, so will our actions be. But if our consciences are erroneous, we will be led astray into wrongdoing. With God's grace and due guidance, may we have correct consciences to lead us in our lives.