Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba tuần 29 Thường Niên

 Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba tuần 29 Thường Niên

Hôm nay Chúa Giêsu dậy cho chúng ta biết sống cảnh giác, và sự cänh giác như Cha Giêsu đã chỉ dậy đòi hỏi sự từ bỏ niềm vui trần thế và của cải, vì những thứ ấy đánh lạc hướng chúng ta đến với Chúa.. Để duy trì sự thận trọng này, chúng ta cần phải vác cho mình tấm áo giáp tâm linh. Điều này sẽ giúp cho chúng ta chiến đấu mỗi ngày với thế gian mỗi ngày, Tháng Phêrô viết "kẻ thù của con người chúng ta chính là ma quỉ, như sư tử rống, đi về tìm kiếm ai đó để ăn tươi nuốt sống." - 1 Peter 5,8 . Chúng tôi cần phải luôn luôn cảnh giác hàng ngày, qua lời cầu nguyện liên tục và từ bỏ chính mình trong những cuộc đấu tranh chống lại sự dữ.

Chúng ta phải tách biệt tất cả những thứ vui trần thế, và của cải trong thế gới này, sự từ chối, xa lánh những thứ quá đáng liên quan đến "bóng tối” vì chúng làm chúng ta lạc hướng và không thể đến với Chúa.

Chúng ta hãy xin Chúa giúp cho chúng ta luôn luôn phải cảnh giác hàng ngày, qua việc cầu nguyện liên tục và từ bỏ chính mình trong cuộc chiến đấu chống lại những cám dỗ , ham muốn hang ngày và mọi sự dữ.

REFLECTION

Watchfulness is a characteristic of the Christian. To watch is to avoid being taken unawares by an enemy. A person who watches is on the alert so that he can live in darkness without being part of the darkness. We are vigilant because there is a great expectation of the glorious manifestation of Christ. But this hour cannot be foreseen.

Therefore it demands from us a detachment from earthly pleasure and goods, a renouncement of excesses associated with "the night" because they distract us from the Lord's coming. To maintain this vigilance we need to shoulder a spiritual armor. This will keep us from losing fervor and direction because there is a daily combat, "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion goes about looking for someone to devour." – 1 Peter 5,8 .May we always be on guard daily, through constant prayer and self-denial in the struggle against the evil one.

Reflection on Tuesday 29th Ordinary Time (2015)

In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us a lesson in faithfulness. Just as the Lord is committed to us in a bond of unbreakable love, we too should always remain true and committed to Him. If we are to be like the servants who are ready and waiting, we need to always be in a state of grace, borne out of faithfulness to Him. It is difficult to remain faithful or prepared for the Lord's coming, because we live in a society that extols freedom and self-centeredness. We live in a world where personal happiness and satisfaction is a priority. If our current preoccupation – whether it be our career, wealth, a relationship, habit or the like – is not holy and pleasing to Him, then we are being unfaithful and are not ready for the Master's return. We are distracted from focusing on God's will for us.

    We are asked to wait and that can really take a toll especially for some of us who find themselves somewhat impatient. With fast food readily available, with what we desire conveniently delivered at the click of a mouse, we cannot sit still and be ready for the Lord to arrive. We are asked to pray and prepare ourselves. Oh, how much grace we will need to keep watch and stay at our post!

It is quite challenging to be faithful on our own. We need the strength of the Holy Spirit to help keep us faithful and ready. We need the guidance of our community who are one-minded in this mission for the Lord. What part of our life is keeping us from being faithful to him? Lift it up to the Lord and ask Him for the grace to repent and remain steadfast. He promises a great reward to those servants who are ready.

REFLECTION Wednesday: Scripture: Luke 12:39-48

In the first reading Paul exhorts us to free ourselves from sin and live in God's grace. In the Gospel reading Jesus tells us to be faithful stewards of God, making good use of the gifts and talents given to us. God, like the master in the parable, will demand an accounting from each one of us at the end of our lives: "Fortunate is this servant if his master on coming home finds him doing his work" and "the servant who knows his master's will, but did not prepare to do what his master wanted, will be punished with sound blows"; "he will discharge his servant and number him among the unreliable."

We who have been blessed by God with so much must show the best use of these gifts for ourselves and our neighbor, "Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one entrusted with more."