Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần thứ 4 Thường Niên

            Tin mừng hôm nay Chúa Giêsu đã truyền cho các môn đệ của Ngài để ra truyền giáo nhưng không được mang gì theo người ngoại trừ cây gậy để bảo vệ “sói” dọc đường, Chúa Giêsu muốn tập cho họ biết đặt niềm tin vào sự Quan Phòng của Thiên Chúa và sự hiện diện của Chúa Thánh Thần. Chúa Giêsu muốn họ ra đi làm việc trong một cách nhẹ nhàng, không bị lệ thuộc, bị gò bó về vật chất, lệ thuộc về cái ăn, cái mặc. Mục đích của họ là rao giảng Tin Mừng của Chúa và Nược Trời.
Chúa muốn tất cả chúng ta cũng nên phụ thuộc vào Thiên Chúa một cách hoàn toàn, Chúa muốn chúng ta tín thác mọi sự nơi Thiên Chúa, Có lẽ quan niệm này đã quá cực đoan với chúng ta trong thời buổi hôm nay, nhưng có lẽ chúng ta nhất định cần phải đạt niềm tin tuởng vào sự Quan Phòng của Thiên Chúa nhiều hơn như các môn đệ. Chúng ta không thể kiểm soát tất cả mọi thứ hoặc có thể chuẩn bị cho tất cả mọi biến cố có thể xảy ra, cho chúng ta và chúng ta không cần phải bận tâm về những thứ vật chất ấy.
            Chúng ta có thể đặt mình trong tay Chúa và bước đi trong niềm tự tin và hướng về một tương lai trước mặt để làm theo như Thánh Ý của Ngài.  Chúng ta hãy lên đường theo các thánh Tông Đồ rao giảng lời Chúa mỗi ngày với hành trang duy nhất và quý giá nhất trong tất cả đó là niềm tin trong tâm hồn của chúng ta.
            Lạy Chúa, Chúng con Tin  Tưởng nơi Chúa, và xin hãy giúp và ban sức mạnh cho Lòng Tin yếu kém của chúng con..
 
Thurs 4th Week in Ordinary Time ; Scripture:  Mark 6:7-13
When Jesus sent out his disciple to begin the preaching of the Gospel, it was indeed a great sign of his trust in them. At the same time, it presented them with a number of challenges: they had to realize how much Jesus trusted them and to appreciate how great the power which he had given them was.  These challenges were implicit in the very act of sending them. But then Jesus added the challenge of poverty and the trust they needed that, in the name of Jesus, they could accomplish everything that he was sending them to do. What they were sent to do could not be accomplished by human resources. So in poverty they had to set all human resources aside and, in faith, accept a mind-set which later St Paul would formulate with the words: “For when I am weak then I am strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:10).
     Pope Francis hopes that the Church will truly become a Church of the poor. Then it will be truly a Church filled with the strength, the power and the vision of God and so be a source of “many cures” for the world.
     Father in Heaven, make us strong in faith, hope and love and grant us the courage to be sincere witnesses of the Gospel.
 
Reflection:
            When we go on a trip, we take everything that we think we will need. Often we take too much! Can you imagine going on a long trip with absolutely nothing? That is what Jesus commanded his disciples to do in that first mission. But they did have something — the Providence of God and the presence of the Spirit within them. Jesus wanted them to travel lightly and keep on the move, but most of all, to depend on God completely. This is probably too radical for most of us, but perhaps we can practice trusting in God’s Providence a bit more. We can’t control everything or prepare for all possible events, and we don’t need to do so.
            We can place ourselves in God’s hands and step confidently forward to do His will. Let us journey each day with the most precious baggage of all - the faith in our hearts. Lord, help me to trust.
 
REFLECTION
Being sent to look after God's flock is quite challenging. It would be ideal to be sent out in twos, but more often than not, the missionary has to go at it all by himself or herself. The resources for the mission will present themselves as necessary. Talk about complete faith in Divine Providence! Our Christian world was born out of this zealous missionary spirit. If brave men and women didn't heed the call to be sent out, there probably couldn’t be as many religious educational institutions, congregations and organizations in existence. Maybe, there would be fewer people who would realize for themselves that Jesus really loves them.
            Sharing about God's love is the heart of our faith. In whatever we do, hopefully we are relaying the reality of God actively participating in human under takings. This same fervor inspired our missionary brothers and sisters to cross oceans, climb mountains, and conquer jungles so that the Word of God may be preached in all corners of the earth. Every human being needs to hear that there is a God who looks after them and never abandons them.
            May we always ask for the grace to be missionaries in our own little circles of influence? Hopefully, whoever we encounter in this life, may they see the love of Jesus made real by our example. The Scriptures come alive in our actions and how we treat one another. Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love!
 
 
Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
In sending out his Apostles to preach the Gospel, Jesus did not give them a detailed picture of what to expect or detailed instructions how to deal with every possible situation that might arise. He gave them some fundamental instructions, especially the instruction to travel as poorly as possible. Along with this vocation to poverty, however, he also gave them a great power: authority over unclean spirits. Healing, including liberation from unclean spirits was a major part of Jesus own ministry.  This gift of power over unclean spirits, then, was a sign that everything they were to do was to be seen as part of his own mission. Involvement in that mission inevitably entailed an experience of poverty, for Jesus’ first work was to empty himself and come amongst us as a human being, born in poverty.
            Though Mark does not say it specifically, they were to proclaim the Kingdom of God. They were not, however to try to force anyone to believe, they were to move on though somehow disassociating themselves from those who would not receive them.
            Lord Jesus, in Your Church, the communion of saints, You have given us many gifts: faith, hope, love, prayer, wisdom and courage. Grant that we will always use Your gifts for the work of Your Kingdom and the good of Your people.
 
Meditation:
What kind of authority and power does the Lord want you to exercise on his behalf? Jesus gave his apostles both the power and the authority to speak and to act in his name. He commanded them to do the works which he did – to heal the sick. to cast out evil spirits, and to speak the word of God – the good news of the gospel which they received from Jesus. When Jesus spoke of power and authority he did something unheard of. He wedded power and authority with self-sacrificing love and humility. The "world" and the "flesh" seek power for selfish gain. Jesus teaches us to use it for the good of our neighbor.
Why does Jesus tell the apostles to "travel light" with little or no provision? "Poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with our possessions and makes ample room for God's provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves. He wills to work in and through each of us for his glory. Are you ready to use the spiritual authority and power which God wishes you to exercise on his behalf? The Lord entrusts us with his gifts and talents. Are you eager to place yourself at his service, to do whatever he bids you, and to witness his truth and saving power to whomever he sends you?
"Lord Jesus, make me a channel of your healing power and merciful love that others may find abundant life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the treasure of your heavenly kingdom. May I witness the joy of the gospel both in word and deed."