Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên

 Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên

Trong bài Tin Mừng hôm Chúa Giêsu nhắc nhở các môn đệ về cái giá mà các môn đệ phải trả khi họ chấp nhận theo Chúa: Là họ sẽ bị ghét bỏ, bị bắt bớ, bị giam cần, bị bức hại và thậm chí còn phải chết vì tin theo Chúa Jêsus. Nhưng Chúa Jêsus bảo đảm với họ là Thiên Chúa Cha se sai Chúa Thánh Thần nâng đỡ và giúp sức cho họ để họ can đảm làm nhân chứng cho Chúa Kitô và sứ điệp của Ngài

    Thật vậy ngay từ đầu các Tông đồ và những người Kitô hữu đã bị ghét bỏ, bị bắt bớ giam cầm và bị ngược đãi và họ đã bị giết, tử đạo chỉ vì họ là những người tin theo Chúa Giêsu..

    Theo sách Tông Đồ Công Vụ (Công-vụ 6: 8- 15, 7: 1-60) chúng ta thấy Thánh Têphanô, đã bị ném đá cho đến chết và ngài là vị tử đạo đầu tiên của Chúa Kitô, vì ông đã chết vì làm chứng cho đức tin của ông nơi Chúa Jêsus. Từ tiếng Hy Lạp chữ (martyr) tử đạo có nghĩa là nhân chứng ngày hôm nay chúng ta gọi những vị tử đạo là những người bị bắt bớ, bị đau khổ hay những là người đã bị giết vì những gì họ đã tin và can đảm đứng lên để làm chứng và bênh vực sự thật.

    Tất cả chúng ta đều được mời gọi để làm những nhân chứng cho Chúa Jêsus và để làm "Người tử vì đạo". Là nhân chứng của Chúa, chúng ta nên biết sẵn sàng để lãnh chịu những sự chế nhạo, phỉ báng vì Danh Chúa Kitô, và vì Sự Thật. Chúng ta sẽ bị ghét bỏ, bị bách hại và có khi còn bị giết hại: với ơn Chúa và sự trợ giúp của Chúa Thánh Thần, chúng ta có thể luôn biện kiên gian và trung thành với ơn gọi là làm chứng nhân cho Chúa Kitô.

REFLECTION

In the Gospel reading Jesus forewarn his disciples about the cost of discipleship: As followers of Jesus and witnesses to Christ and his message, they would be hated, arrested, brought to trial, persecuted and even put to death because they were followers of and believers in Jesus. Jesus assured them of God's help. indeed from the beginning the Apostles and the Christians were hated, arrested and persecuted and even put to death because they were Christians.

    The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6: 8- 15; 7: 1 -60) tells us about St. Stephen, the first martyr for Christ, who died in witness of his faith in the Lord Jesus. The Greek word martyr originally meant witness: today we call martyrs those who suffered or died for what they believed or stood for. All of us are called to be "martyrs," witnesses to Jesus. As witnesses we should be ready to be ridiculed and hated, persecuted and even put to death: with God's grace and the assistance of the Holy Spirit, may we remain faithful witnesses, "martyrs."

Friday 14th Ordinary

Opening Prayer: Lord, you promise that your Spirit will speak through me at the moments when I testify on your behalf. Help me to grow in faith and to hear your promptings so that I might be a better witness to your healing love. Help me to grow in the courage of faith, knowing that whatever is endured for your sake has eternal value. Amen.

Encountering Christ:

    1. Sheep Among Wolves: Jesus was very clear in speaking with his disciples: the work ahead of them would not be easy, nor would everyone welcome them with open arms. In fact, there were those who would use the legal system and other legitimate authorities in a twisted or unjust way, so as to punish those who witnessed to the faith. As Christians, we should expect some level of persecution when we’re trying to extend the Kingdom of God. There are several contemporary examples of legal protests against Christians standing up for the Gospel in the public square. We know, however, that by prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be given the grace to become “as shrewd as serpents” to continue the work of evangelization.

    2. Do Not Worry: Again and again, in the Gospels, Jesus tells us not to be afraid, to trust, not to worry. Yet, for many, doubts persist. So often we turn to what the world offers to calm our anxieties. A sure cure for worldly anxieties is to remember that the Lord does not abandon his faithful ones. The Holy Spirit gives us the right words in times of trial. “Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?” (St. Gerard Majella).

    3. Enduring to the End: Jesus does not want our efforts at evangelization, however narrow we think they may be, to be a one-off. He calls us to make our entire life a positive witness to the Gospel. We are invited to look for opportunities, however small, in our daily lives to bear witness to the Good News. “What toil we must endure, what fatigue, while we are attempting to climb hills and the summits of mountains! What, that we may ascend to Heaven! If you consider the promised reward, what you endure is less. Immortality is given to the one who perseveres; everlasting life is offered; the Lord promises his Kingdom” (St. Cyprian of Carthage).

    Conversing with Christ: Lord, I know I sometimes allow even the smallest discomfort to deter me from being a witness to your love. Help me to overcome my timidity and fear of rejection to proclaim your word through whatever trials you choose for me. Instill in me the courage to listen to your truth and the courage to speak it, even to those who do not want to hear your words. May I always persevere, for your glory.

    Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I resolve to bear witness to your truth wherever I go. Knowing that the best way to show your love is first to receive it, I resolve to take every opportunity to receive you in the Blessed Sacrament and to spend time in prayer, bathed in your light and love.

REFLECTION

The first reading depicts the reconciliation of sinful Israel with God. After God punished Israel for her unfaithfulness, He restores her and gives her His grace to follow Him again. It is God who destroys and who builds up Israel. We, too, after a period of disobeying and offending God, should turn back to Him for healing. Whomever God chastises, He can also heal. There is no sin that God cannot erase if we only ask for His mercy with sincerity.

    The Gospel depicts the persecution of the missionaries and disciples of Jesus. It tells us that if we are true followers of Jesus, we may one day also be persecuted for our faith. But we should not be afraid because God will give us the courage and wisdom to speak the right words in the name of Jesus. Let us lead Christian lives so that, when confronted with challenges, we will, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, have the courage to proclaim our faith in Jesus.