Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Năm Tuần 10 Thường Niên
Tin Mừng hôm nay cho chúng ta biết là nếu chúng ta là những người theo Chúa Giêsu, thì chúng ta cũng chưa chắc đã thực hành theo đúng như các điều luật viết trong sách luật của ông Môisen. Chúa Giêsu đã cảnh báo các môn đệ là những sự độc ác có thể gây ra do lòng tức giận Ngài khuyến khích họ nên tìm kiếm sự hòa giải với tất cả những ai mà chúng ta đã làm điều gì sai trái với họ hoặc những ai mà đã làm điều sai trái với chúng ta. Sự tức giận có thể gây ra tổn hại về sức khỏe và tinh thần của chúng ta. Chúng ta không nên cầm giữ, dồn nén bất cứ một sự oán giận nào trong lòng của chúng ta và tất cả những chuyện cũ đầy cay đắng không khoan dung trong tâm hồn của chúng ta. Chúa Giêsu đã dạy rõ ràng là chúng ta không nên sử dụng những từ ngữ, (kiểu chơi chữ) để gây hại, làm tổn thất tinh thần cho những người khác.
Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta biết là điều kiện cần thiết để đến với Ngài là chúng ta cần phải biết hòa thuận và kính trọng với mọi người chung quanh cho dù họ là bất cứ hạng nười nào. Nếu chúng ta nuôi dưỡng sự oán giận với người khác trong lòng thì chúng ta không xứng đáng để tiến tới gần bàn thờ của Thiên Chúa.
Bổn phận đầu tiên của chúng ta là phải cố gắng hết sức để hòa giải với những người mà chúng ta đã làm họ mất lòng hay những người đã làm mất lòng chúng ta trước khi chúng ta bước đến trước bàn thờ để dâng lễ hay cầu nguyện. Và chỉ có được thế, thì chúng ta mới sẵn sàng được tâm hồn và xứng đáng dâng vật lễ của chúng ta lên Thiên Chúa một cách đẹp lòng Ngài. Và đấy là những gì có thể giúp chúng ta tìm thấy sự an bình trong ân sủng của Thiên Chúa.
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay Chúa muồn chúng ta hãy nhìn vào chính cuộc sống của chúng ta và thử xem coi chúng ta đã sống và giữ những điều mà Chúa Giêsu Kitô đã dạy. Chúng ta có ý thức và cư xử với mọi người trong tình thần hoà giải, thân thiện trong hoà bình? Hãy tự xét coi: chúng ta có cần phải xin lỗi ai đó trong cuộc sống của chúng ta? chúng ta đã có sự tha thứ cho người có lỗi với chính mình? Chúng ta có tìm kiếm hòa giải, cho dù chúng ta chỉ là một trong những nạn nhận bị người khác xúc phạm?
Xin cho lời của Chúa trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, trở thành một cái nhiệt kế tình yêu hàng ngày của chúng ta đối với Thiên Chúa và đối với anh chị chung quanh chúng ta.
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary
Time 2023
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” Matthew 5:21–22
The passage quoted above gives us three deepening levels of sin that we commit against another. These sins were new teachings not contained in the Old Testament. By this teaching, Jesus’ call to radical holiness and love of neighbor is made very clear.
The first level of sin is simply to be “angry” interiorly. The sin of anger is an interior attitude of disgust toward another. Jesus says that the consequence of having anger toward another is that you will be “liable to judgment.” The second level of sin is when you say to another “Raqa.” This Aramaic word is difficult to translate but would include some form of expression of one’s anger toward another. It would be a derogatory way of saying to another that they are unintelligent or inferior. The third level of sin Jesus identifies is when you call another “fool.” This word is an even stronger expression of Raqa and would be a verbal criticism of them, indicating that the person is a lost soul in a moral sense. It’s a strong moral condemnation of another that is expressed.
So, do you struggle with anger? Jesus’ calling to freedom from all levels of this sin is a high one. There are many times in life when our passion of anger is stirred up for one reason or another, and that passion leads to one of these levels of sin. It’s a common temptation to want to condemn another with whom you are angry in the strongest way possible.
It’s important to understand that this new teaching of Jesus is truly not a burden when understood and embraced. At first, it can seem that these laws of our Lord against anger are negative. That’s because lashing out at another gives a false sense of satisfaction, and these commands of our Lord, in a sense, “rob” us of that satisfaction. It can be a depressing thought to think about the moral obligation to forgive to the point that disordered anger disappears. But is it depressing? Is this law of our Lord a burden?
The deep truth is that what Jesus teaches us in this passage is, in many ways, more for our own good than that of others. Our anger toward another, be it interior, verbally critical or all-out condemning, can be hurtful toward the person with whom we are angry, but the damage these forms of anger do is far worse for us than them. Being angry, even interiorly, even if we put on a happy face, does great damage to our soul and our ability to be united to God. For that reason, it is not this new law of our Lord regarding anger that is the burden, it is the anger itself that is a heavy burden and a burden from which Jesus wants you free.
Reflect, today, upon the sin of anger. As you do, try to see your disordered anger as the real enemy rather than the person with whom you are angry. Pray to our Lord to free you from this enemy of the soul and seek the freedom that He wants to bestow.
My merciful Lord, You call us to perfect freedom from all that burdens us. Anger burdens us. Help me to see the burden that my anger imposes upon me and help me to seek true freedom through the act of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please forgive me, dear Lord, as I forgive all who have hurt me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary
Time 2023
Introductory Prayer: Father of love, the source of all blessings, you have led me throughout my life, and you lead me still. Thank you for your paternal care. Jesus, Son of God, you died for me on the cross to pay for my sins and manifest your unconditional love for me. Thank you for showing me the way home to the Father. Holy Spirit, sweet guest of the soul, you heal me and strengthen me and set me on fire from the most intimate depths of my soul. Thank you for your loving presence within me.
REFLECTION
In today's Gospel we hear about anger. We also hear that if we are to be followers of Jesus, it is not enough to follow the letter of the law. The disciples are warned against the evil that anger can bring and they are encouraged to seek reconciliation with anyone who has wronged them or whom they have wronged. Anger places our spiritual health in danger. There should be no holding on to old resentments that fill us with uncharitable bitterness. Jesus is clear about not using the power of words to inflict harm on those around us.
Jesus set down an essential condition to come to him. We need to be at peace with our neighbor. Many of us have suffered because we have stopped speaking to each other, unwilling to reach out because of stubbornness or pride. If we harbor resentment towards another, we are told not approach the altar of God. Our first duty is to try to reconcile and then come to the altar. Only then are we ready to offer the gift of ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God. This is what can help us to find peace that comes to us by God's grace.
As we reflect on today's Gospel, let us look at our own lives and see if we are following Jesus' teaching. Are we consciously acting as peacemakers? Is there somebody in our lives to whom we need to give an apology? Is there somebody we still have not forgiven? Do we seek reconciliation, even when we are the one who was offended? May Jesus' teaching, in today's Gospel, become the thermometer of our daily love for God and for each other.
REFLECTION
We have always been told to put God first in our lives. But sometimes it seems that even in scripture, God homes second. Notice the order of things? Jesus said that before you make your offering to God, first be reconciled with someone who has something against you. That seems a bit odd. We have always been taught that God come first in a Christian's life. We do not give God the leftovers and scraps of our crops or flocks or money or time.
When it comes to worship, our heart, mind, and soul should be focused only on God and on giving God honor and glory. God comes first, especially in worship. But Jesus is saying that there is at least one circumstance, even during worship, when God comes second. The circumstance is simple. When anger drives a wedge between you and someone else, it is more important for you to be reconciled with that person than for you to present your offering to God. Jesus says that reconciliation is more important than any offering.
But what if we are the injured party? It works the same way. Either way, reconciliation between two people who are at odds with each other is more important to God than any amount of offering because reconciliation cuts off the path that leads to bitter anger and violence. This should not really surprise us. God is all about reconciliation and so is Jesus.
So, when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. This is when God comes second.\\
Tin Mừng hôm nay cho chúng ta biết là nếu chúng ta là những người theo Chúa Giêsu, thì chúng ta cũng chưa chắc đã thực hành theo đúng như các điều luật viết trong sách luật của ông Môisen. Chúa Giêsu đã cảnh báo các môn đệ là những sự độc ác có thể gây ra do lòng tức giận Ngài khuyến khích họ nên tìm kiếm sự hòa giải với tất cả những ai mà chúng ta đã làm điều gì sai trái với họ hoặc những ai mà đã làm điều sai trái với chúng ta. Sự tức giận có thể gây ra tổn hại về sức khỏe và tinh thần của chúng ta. Chúng ta không nên cầm giữ, dồn nén bất cứ một sự oán giận nào trong lòng của chúng ta và tất cả những chuyện cũ đầy cay đắng không khoan dung trong tâm hồn của chúng ta. Chúa Giêsu đã dạy rõ ràng là chúng ta không nên sử dụng những từ ngữ, (kiểu chơi chữ) để gây hại, làm tổn thất tinh thần cho những người khác.
Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta biết là điều kiện cần thiết để đến với Ngài là chúng ta cần phải biết hòa thuận và kính trọng với mọi người chung quanh cho dù họ là bất cứ hạng nười nào. Nếu chúng ta nuôi dưỡng sự oán giận với người khác trong lòng thì chúng ta không xứng đáng để tiến tới gần bàn thờ của Thiên Chúa.
Bổn phận đầu tiên của chúng ta là phải cố gắng hết sức để hòa giải với những người mà chúng ta đã làm họ mất lòng hay những người đã làm mất lòng chúng ta trước khi chúng ta bước đến trước bàn thờ để dâng lễ hay cầu nguyện. Và chỉ có được thế, thì chúng ta mới sẵn sàng được tâm hồn và xứng đáng dâng vật lễ của chúng ta lên Thiên Chúa một cách đẹp lòng Ngài. Và đấy là những gì có thể giúp chúng ta tìm thấy sự an bình trong ân sủng của Thiên Chúa.
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay Chúa muồn chúng ta hãy nhìn vào chính cuộc sống của chúng ta và thử xem coi chúng ta đã sống và giữ những điều mà Chúa Giêsu Kitô đã dạy. Chúng ta có ý thức và cư xử với mọi người trong tình thần hoà giải, thân thiện trong hoà bình? Hãy tự xét coi: chúng ta có cần phải xin lỗi ai đó trong cuộc sống của chúng ta? chúng ta đã có sự tha thứ cho người có lỗi với chính mình? Chúng ta có tìm kiếm hòa giải, cho dù chúng ta chỉ là một trong những nạn nhận bị người khác xúc phạm?
Xin cho lời của Chúa trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, trở thành một cái nhiệt kế tình yêu hàng ngày của chúng ta đối với Thiên Chúa và đối với anh chị chung quanh chúng ta.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” Matthew 5:21–22
The passage quoted above gives us three deepening levels of sin that we commit against another. These sins were new teachings not contained in the Old Testament. By this teaching, Jesus’ call to radical holiness and love of neighbor is made very clear.
The first level of sin is simply to be “angry” interiorly. The sin of anger is an interior attitude of disgust toward another. Jesus says that the consequence of having anger toward another is that you will be “liable to judgment.” The second level of sin is when you say to another “Raqa.” This Aramaic word is difficult to translate but would include some form of expression of one’s anger toward another. It would be a derogatory way of saying to another that they are unintelligent or inferior. The third level of sin Jesus identifies is when you call another “fool.” This word is an even stronger expression of Raqa and would be a verbal criticism of them, indicating that the person is a lost soul in a moral sense. It’s a strong moral condemnation of another that is expressed.
So, do you struggle with anger? Jesus’ calling to freedom from all levels of this sin is a high one. There are many times in life when our passion of anger is stirred up for one reason or another, and that passion leads to one of these levels of sin. It’s a common temptation to want to condemn another with whom you are angry in the strongest way possible.
It’s important to understand that this new teaching of Jesus is truly not a burden when understood and embraced. At first, it can seem that these laws of our Lord against anger are negative. That’s because lashing out at another gives a false sense of satisfaction, and these commands of our Lord, in a sense, “rob” us of that satisfaction. It can be a depressing thought to think about the moral obligation to forgive to the point that disordered anger disappears. But is it depressing? Is this law of our Lord a burden?
The deep truth is that what Jesus teaches us in this passage is, in many ways, more for our own good than that of others. Our anger toward another, be it interior, verbally critical or all-out condemning, can be hurtful toward the person with whom we are angry, but the damage these forms of anger do is far worse for us than them. Being angry, even interiorly, even if we put on a happy face, does great damage to our soul and our ability to be united to God. For that reason, it is not this new law of our Lord regarding anger that is the burden, it is the anger itself that is a heavy burden and a burden from which Jesus wants you free.
Reflect, today, upon the sin of anger. As you do, try to see your disordered anger as the real enemy rather than the person with whom you are angry. Pray to our Lord to free you from this enemy of the soul and seek the freedom that He wants to bestow.
My merciful Lord, You call us to perfect freedom from all that burdens us. Anger burdens us. Help me to see the burden that my anger imposes upon me and help me to seek true freedom through the act of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please forgive me, dear Lord, as I forgive all who have hurt me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Introductory Prayer: Father of love, the source of all blessings, you have led me throughout my life, and you lead me still. Thank you for your paternal care. Jesus, Son of God, you died for me on the cross to pay for my sins and manifest your unconditional love for me. Thank you for showing me the way home to the Father. Holy Spirit, sweet guest of the soul, you heal me and strengthen me and set me on fire from the most intimate depths of my soul. Thank you for your loving presence within me.
In today's Gospel we hear about anger. We also hear that if we are to be followers of Jesus, it is not enough to follow the letter of the law. The disciples are warned against the evil that anger can bring and they are encouraged to seek reconciliation with anyone who has wronged them or whom they have wronged. Anger places our spiritual health in danger. There should be no holding on to old resentments that fill us with uncharitable bitterness. Jesus is clear about not using the power of words to inflict harm on those around us.
Jesus set down an essential condition to come to him. We need to be at peace with our neighbor. Many of us have suffered because we have stopped speaking to each other, unwilling to reach out because of stubbornness or pride. If we harbor resentment towards another, we are told not approach the altar of God. Our first duty is to try to reconcile and then come to the altar. Only then are we ready to offer the gift of ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God. This is what can help us to find peace that comes to us by God's grace.
As we reflect on today's Gospel, let us look at our own lives and see if we are following Jesus' teaching. Are we consciously acting as peacemakers? Is there somebody in our lives to whom we need to give an apology? Is there somebody we still have not forgiven? Do we seek reconciliation, even when we are the one who was offended? May Jesus' teaching, in today's Gospel, become the thermometer of our daily love for God and for each other.
We have always been told to put God first in our lives. But sometimes it seems that even in scripture, God homes second. Notice the order of things? Jesus said that before you make your offering to God, first be reconciled with someone who has something against you. That seems a bit odd. We have always been taught that God come first in a Christian's life. We do not give God the leftovers and scraps of our crops or flocks or money or time.
When it comes to worship, our heart, mind, and soul should be focused only on God and on giving God honor and glory. God comes first, especially in worship. But Jesus is saying that there is at least one circumstance, even during worship, when God comes second. The circumstance is simple. When anger drives a wedge between you and someone else, it is more important for you to be reconciled with that person than for you to present your offering to God. Jesus says that reconciliation is more important than any offering.
But what if we are the injured party? It works the same way. Either way, reconciliation between two people who are at odds with each other is more important to God than any amount of offering because reconciliation cuts off the path that leads to bitter anger and violence. This should not really surprise us. God is all about reconciliation and so is Jesus.
So, when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. This is when God comes second.\\
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