Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ Ba Mùa Chay (Mk:
12-28-34)
Nhiều người trong chúng ta đang rơi vào trong cùng một cái bẫy của ma quỷ trong xã hội này. Nhiều khi chúng ta đã đồng ý về những khái niệm chính của Kitô giáo nhưng chúng ta lại đưa ra một cái nhìn khác về Giáo Hội hay chống đối lại những tín lý của Giáo hội để chúng ta có thể tự do thoả mãn những ước muốn, những tham vọng cá nhân riêng của chính mình, hay chúng ta chỉ muốn sống xu thời với cái xã hội thực tại ngày hôm nay, tự do ly dị, rồi kết hôn với người khác, kết hôn với người đồng tính, tự do ngừa thai và phá thai để khỏi phải bận lòng… còn một số khác trong chúng ta không đến nỗi tệ lắm, nhưng cũng có lúc chúng ta tự quay mình theo chiều gió mỗi khi chúng ta phải đương đầu với các vấn nạn thực tại của thế giới. Ví dụ phổ biến nhất là hành vi của chúng ta trong Thánh Lễ Chúa Nhật. Chúng ta có thể tìm thấy chính mình gật đầu đồng ý với các bài đọc và các bài giảng trong Thánh Lễ Chúa Nhật nhưng chúng ta lại có những hành động ngược lại những điếu ấy trong phần còn lại của mỗi tuần.
Những điều răn mà Chúa Giêsu dạy cho chúng ta trong Tin Mừng hôm nay thực sự có cơ sở căn bản cho đức tin của chúng ta. Yêu mến Thiên Chúa với tất cả tấm lòng và tâm hồn của chúng ta bằng cách lắng nghe Thiên Chúa bằng tất cả tấm lòng, trái tim và linh hồn của chúng ta. Yêu thương những người chung quanh ta là bắt đầu việc tạo dựng cá tính người Kitô hữu của chính mình để chúng ta có thể trở thành người tốt hơn, để chúng ta có thể giúp đỡ cho những người khác nhiều hơn và có hiệu quả hơn.
REFLECTION
Many of us fall into that same trap. We would agree on the major concept of Christianity but we would show a different side of ourselves when real world issues confront us. Perhaps the most common example is our behavior during Sunday Mass and the rest of the week. We may find ourselves nodding in agreement to the readings and the Sunday homily but find ourselves acting the opposite during the rest of the week.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. John 7:1–2; 10
The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was one of three great feasts during which the people made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem to commemorate God’s saving action in their lives. This particular feast was to commemorate the 40 years that the Israelites traveled through the desert and dwelt in tents, or booths, as they wandered and were led by Moses. Therefore, the feast is also referred to as the “Feast of Booths.” During the seven days of this feast, people would set up tents (booths) around the Temple area and live in them to commemorate the journey of their ancestors.
In the Gospel passage quoted above, we read that Jesus went up to the feast secretly. Saint Augustine explains that this means that though Jesus was present, the full revelation of His divine identity was hidden from many. He was physically there, but many did not know Who He was.
That particular year, when the feast was half over, Jesus appeared in the Temple area and began to teach. Many were amazed at His words, and others thought He was possessed. After teaching the people, there was much disagreement among them about our Lord’s identity. Jesus said to them, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” In that statement, Jesus essentially was saying that among those listening to Him, some had come to faith in Him and discovered His true identity as the Messiah, while others lacked the gift of faith and remained blind to Him. To them, His divine essence remained a secret.
In a symbolic way, Jesus’ presence at the Feast of Tabernacles reveals Him as the new Moses. It was Moses who led the people through the desert for 40 years toward the promised land while they dwelt in tents. Our Lord now took on that role of leading the people who were commemorating this 40-year journey by appearing in the Temple and pointing the people to Heaven, the true Promised Land.
Today, our Lord continues to lead His people through the journey of life by coming to each of us to teach us and to reveal His divine presence. Some listen and believe and continue on the journey. To them, the secrets of our Lord are revealed. Others do not believe and, as a result of their lack of faith, fail to discover the hidden presence of our Lord all around them.
Reflect, today, upon the image of Jesus coming to you during your long journey through the desert of this life. He initially comes to you in secret, veiled in His true essence. As He teaches you, He desires to lift that veil and reveal to You His true glory. He desires that you dwell with Him through prayer and remain attentive to His Word. As you gaze upon our Lord, reflect upon the question of how clearly you hear Him speak each day. He is here, with you always. But are you with Him? Do you hear Him, believe in Him, follow Him and serve Him? Do you allow Him to lead you every day toward His promises of new life? Allow our Lord to pitch His tent next to yours so that You will daily be attentive to His teaching and be led by Him to the glories of Heaven.
My hidden Lord, You came to reveal to all people Your burning love and invitation to eternal life. Please come and dwell with me during my journey through life, and open my mind and heart to all that You wish to reveal. May I know You fully and follow You to the Promised Land of Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.
Friday of the Third Week of Lent- 2023
Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, you desire mercy and not sacrifice. Teach me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself.
2. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: We tend to be very self-aware, knowing what delights us, how we like to spend our free time, and what consoles us. Do we know these things about our neighbor (understood as family members, friends, and those who live nearby)? Fewer than half of American adults know most or all of their neighbors (Pew Research Center). As Christians, we are called to love our neighbor, and the first step is to get to know their names. May we be builders of strong Christian communities for the glory of God.
3. You Are Not Far from the Kingdom of God: Imagine hearing these words from the mouth of Jesus. Could there be a greater consolation on this side of heaven? The scribe in this Gospel knew the commandments and came to Jesus with a sincere question. He also showed by his spontaneous proclamation that he had been imbued with wisdom from the Holy Spirit, as Jesus acknowledged when he “saw that he answered with understanding.” We follow the scribe’s example when we strive to know our faith and, in prayer, listen attentively to Jesus as he inspires us with word, sacrament, and life circumstances to understand heavenly truths. Then we, too, can be assured of wisdom and understanding as we are drawn more deeply into the kingdom of God.
Conversing with Christ: Dearest Jesus, grant me the virtues of fortitude and perseverance to strengthen my heart, mind, and soul. With this strength, I will be able to concern myself with the needs and interests of my neighbor so that I may sincerely love others.
Nhiều người trong chúng ta đang rơi vào trong cùng một cái bẫy của ma quỷ trong xã hội này. Nhiều khi chúng ta đã đồng ý về những khái niệm chính của Kitô giáo nhưng chúng ta lại đưa ra một cái nhìn khác về Giáo Hội hay chống đối lại những tín lý của Giáo hội để chúng ta có thể tự do thoả mãn những ước muốn, những tham vọng cá nhân riêng của chính mình, hay chúng ta chỉ muốn sống xu thời với cái xã hội thực tại ngày hôm nay, tự do ly dị, rồi kết hôn với người khác, kết hôn với người đồng tính, tự do ngừa thai và phá thai để khỏi phải bận lòng… còn một số khác trong chúng ta không đến nỗi tệ lắm, nhưng cũng có lúc chúng ta tự quay mình theo chiều gió mỗi khi chúng ta phải đương đầu với các vấn nạn thực tại của thế giới. Ví dụ phổ biến nhất là hành vi của chúng ta trong Thánh Lễ Chúa Nhật. Chúng ta có thể tìm thấy chính mình gật đầu đồng ý với các bài đọc và các bài giảng trong Thánh Lễ Chúa Nhật nhưng chúng ta lại có những hành động ngược lại những điếu ấy trong phần còn lại của mỗi tuần.
Những điều răn mà Chúa Giêsu dạy cho chúng ta trong Tin Mừng hôm nay thực sự có cơ sở căn bản cho đức tin của chúng ta. Yêu mến Thiên Chúa với tất cả tấm lòng và tâm hồn của chúng ta bằng cách lắng nghe Thiên Chúa bằng tất cả tấm lòng, trái tim và linh hồn của chúng ta. Yêu thương những người chung quanh ta là bắt đầu việc tạo dựng cá tính người Kitô hữu của chính mình để chúng ta có thể trở thành người tốt hơn, để chúng ta có thể giúp đỡ cho những người khác nhiều hơn và có hiệu quả hơn.
Many of us fall into that same trap. We would agree on the major concept of Christianity but we would show a different side of ourselves when real world issues confront us. Perhaps the most common example is our behavior during Sunday Mass and the rest of the week. We may find ourselves nodding in agreement to the readings and the Sunday homily but find ourselves acting the opposite during the rest of the week.
Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. John 7:1–2; 10
The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was one of three great feasts during which the people made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem to commemorate God’s saving action in their lives. This particular feast was to commemorate the 40 years that the Israelites traveled through the desert and dwelt in tents, or booths, as they wandered and were led by Moses. Therefore, the feast is also referred to as the “Feast of Booths.” During the seven days of this feast, people would set up tents (booths) around the Temple area and live in them to commemorate the journey of their ancestors.
In the Gospel passage quoted above, we read that Jesus went up to the feast secretly. Saint Augustine explains that this means that though Jesus was present, the full revelation of His divine identity was hidden from many. He was physically there, but many did not know Who He was.
That particular year, when the feast was half over, Jesus appeared in the Temple area and began to teach. Many were amazed at His words, and others thought He was possessed. After teaching the people, there was much disagreement among them about our Lord’s identity. Jesus said to them, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” In that statement, Jesus essentially was saying that among those listening to Him, some had come to faith in Him and discovered His true identity as the Messiah, while others lacked the gift of faith and remained blind to Him. To them, His divine essence remained a secret.
In a symbolic way, Jesus’ presence at the Feast of Tabernacles reveals Him as the new Moses. It was Moses who led the people through the desert for 40 years toward the promised land while they dwelt in tents. Our Lord now took on that role of leading the people who were commemorating this 40-year journey by appearing in the Temple and pointing the people to Heaven, the true Promised Land.
Today, our Lord continues to lead His people through the journey of life by coming to each of us to teach us and to reveal His divine presence. Some listen and believe and continue on the journey. To them, the secrets of our Lord are revealed. Others do not believe and, as a result of their lack of faith, fail to discover the hidden presence of our Lord all around them.
Reflect, today, upon the image of Jesus coming to you during your long journey through the desert of this life. He initially comes to you in secret, veiled in His true essence. As He teaches you, He desires to lift that veil and reveal to You His true glory. He desires that you dwell with Him through prayer and remain attentive to His Word. As you gaze upon our Lord, reflect upon the question of how clearly you hear Him speak each day. He is here, with you always. But are you with Him? Do you hear Him, believe in Him, follow Him and serve Him? Do you allow Him to lead you every day toward His promises of new life? Allow our Lord to pitch His tent next to yours so that You will daily be attentive to His teaching and be led by Him to the glories of Heaven.
My hidden Lord, You came to reveal to all people Your burning love and invitation to eternal life. Please come and dwell with me during my journey through life, and open my mind and heart to all that You wish to reveal. May I know You fully and follow You to the Promised Land of Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, you desire mercy and not sacrifice. Teach me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself.
2. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: We tend to be very self-aware, knowing what delights us, how we like to spend our free time, and what consoles us. Do we know these things about our neighbor (understood as family members, friends, and those who live nearby)? Fewer than half of American adults know most or all of their neighbors (Pew Research Center). As Christians, we are called to love our neighbor, and the first step is to get to know their names. May we be builders of strong Christian communities for the glory of God.
3. You Are Not Far from the Kingdom of God: Imagine hearing these words from the mouth of Jesus. Could there be a greater consolation on this side of heaven? The scribe in this Gospel knew the commandments and came to Jesus with a sincere question. He also showed by his spontaneous proclamation that he had been imbued with wisdom from the Holy Spirit, as Jesus acknowledged when he “saw that he answered with understanding.” We follow the scribe’s example when we strive to know our faith and, in prayer, listen attentively to Jesus as he inspires us with word, sacrament, and life circumstances to understand heavenly truths. Then we, too, can be assured of wisdom and understanding as we are drawn more deeply into the kingdom of God.
Conversing with Christ: Dearest Jesus, grant me the virtues of fortitude and perseverance to strengthen my heart, mind, and soul. With this strength, I will be able to concern myself with the needs and interests of my neighbor so that I may sincerely love others.
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