Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật Thứ 17 Thường Niên Năm A.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật Thứ 17 Thường Niên Năm A

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Trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Jêsus muốn chia sẻ với chúng ta về những suy nghĩ của riêng mình về thiên đàng và một mô tả về Vương quốc Cha của Ngài. Nếu chúng ta thành thật muốn hường phúc Thiên đàng, thì chúng ta nên chiêm ngưỡng thiên đàng thường xuyên. Thiên đàng là quê hương của Ba Ngôi, của Đức Mẹ và các thánh. Thiên đàng chính là nơi đến cuối cùng của chúng ta, ngôi nhà vĩnh cửu của chúng ta. Mặc dù đó là những mầu nhiệm bí ẩn, nhưng thiên đàng là có thật như cuộc sống thực tế hàng ngày của chúng ta.

Hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu muốn chúng ta biết về thiên đàng và Ngài đã dùng nhiều từ ngữ khác nhau để giải thích cho chúng ta, Chúng ta hày thử nhìn vào sự so sánh mà Chúa đã dùng và những gì mà những ví dụ này cho chúng ta biết về Vương quốc của Thiên Chúa.

Người đàn ông trong câu chuyện ngụ ngôn hôm nay cho chúng ta thấy được "niềm vui" của anh ta, khi anh ta bán tất cả mọi thứ anh ta có. Tại sao? Bởi vì anh ta tìm thấy một kho báu đáng sở hữu hơn tất cả những gì anh ta có. Tuy nhiên, anh ta vẫn không có đủ tiền để mua kho báu đó, may mắn thay, anh ta chỉ cần có đủ tiền để mua cánh đồng đó mà thôi. Theo cách tương tự, Thiên Chúa ban Nước Trời của sự công chính, hòa bình và niềm vui Ngài cho chúng ta (Rôma 14:17) như là một kho báu vô giá với cái giá mà chúng ta có thể mua được! Chúng ta không thể trả hết cái giá cho cuộc sống mà Chúa ban cho chúng ta một cách đầy đủ; nhưng khi chúng ta biết sống cuộc sống của chúng ta theo như ý Chúa muốn chúng ta sống, chúng ta sẽ nhận được một kho báu không thể so sánh được.

Viên ngọc có giá trị vô giá cũng cho chúng ta một bài học tương tự. Ngọc trai trong thế giới cổ đại được coi như là một vật có giá trị vô cùng quý giá như chương 7 Tin Mừng thánh Matthêu có viết, Chúa Giêsu nói với chúng ta rằng: “của thánh đừng quang cho chó, châu ngọc chớ quăng trước bầy heo: kẻo chúng lấy chân đạp mất và quay lại chúng cắn xé các ngươi (Matthew 7: 6).

Tại sao một thương gia phải bán tất cả mọi thứ để mua cho được một viên ngọc vô giá? Không có gì là lạ cả, vì anh ta bị thu hút bởi những gì anh ta nghĩ đó là kho báu lớn nhất mà anh ta có thể sở hữu.

Tìm kiếm Nước của Thiên Chúa cũng giống như sự tình cờ tìm thấy kho báu ẩn giấu trong cánh đồng hay tìm thấy viên ngọc quý giá. Khi chúng ta tìm kiếm Nước của Thiên Chúa, chúng ta sẽ nhận được kho báu lớn nhất mà chúng ta có thểcó; đó chính là Chúa Jêsus.

Bán tất cả những gì chúng ta có để có được kho báu vô cùng quý giá này có nghĩa là có thể có nhiều thứ như; bạn bè, công việc, "cách sống" của chúng ta, những gì chúng ta làm với thời gian rảnh rỗi của chúng ta. Kho báu có một sự kết nối đặc biệt với trái tim, nơi chúng ta khao khát, nơi đặt ý chí và sự tập trung của chúng ta. Những thứ mà chúng ta đặt hết tâm huyết của chúng ta là kho báu quý gía nhất của chúng ta.

Qua bài dụ ngôn này, cho chúng ta học được điều gì?

Chắc chắn đã dạy cho chúng ta biết về Nước Trời, hay vương quốc của Thiên Chúa trong tất cả các khía cạnh của nó. Nhưng theo một cách đặc biệt, chính Chúa là kho báu mà chúng ta cần phải tìm kiếm.

Sách Ông Job đã viết trong chương 22: Nếu Đấng toàn năng là vàng và bạc quý giá của bạn, thì bạn sẽ tự sướng trong Đấng toàn năng (Gióp 22: 22-23). Viên ngọc có giá tuyệt vời đòi hỏi thời gian, sự chú ý và nỗ lực của chúng ta tìm kiếm; chúng ta dành những khoảnh khắc tốt nhất trong ngày của chúng ta cho công việc đó. Vì thế trong việc cầu nguyện hàng ngày của chúng ta với Chúa Kitô, là khi chúng ta tìm kiếm viên ngọc quý, chúng ta cần hoàn thành sứ mệnh và mục đích của mình:

Giáo lý Công giáo dạy chúng ta: để biết Thiên Chúa, để yêu Chúa và phục vụ Chúa trong thế giới này, chúng ta được hạnh phúc với Ngài mãi mãi trên thiên đàng.

Chúng ta hãy xin Chúa Jêsus làm cho trái tim của chúng ta biết rung động và giúp chúng ta biết những điều trên thiên đàng mà Chúa đã chuẩn bị cho mỗi chúng ta. Xin Chúa giúp chúng ta biết nghĩ đến thiên đàng như là một liều thuốc cho những linh hồn đau khổ, và là liều thuốc giải độc mạnh mẽ cho sự tẻ nhạt hàng ngày của chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy cảm tạ ơn Chúa Jêsus, vì Chúa đã chuẩn bị một nơi cho chúng ta trong Nhà Cha của Ngài trên Trời (Gioan 14: 1-3). Và giúp chúng ta biết sống xứng đáng để có thể gặp được Chúa một ngày trên thiên đàng.

 Today, Jesus wants us to know about heaven and He could have used many different words to explain it to all of us, but let’s look at the comparison he chose and what they tell us about the Kingdom. The man in the parable today reading "went in his joy" to sell everything he had.

Why? Because he found a treasure worth possessing above all else he had. He did not, however, have enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough to buy the field. In a similar fashion, God offers his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17) as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford!

We can't pay the full price for the life which God gives us; but when we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare. The pearl of great price also tells us a similar lesson. Pearls in the ancient world came to represent the supremely valuable as chapter 7 of Matthew Gospel, Jesus tells us that “do not throw your pearls before pigs lest they trample them underfoot” (Matthew 7:6). Why would a merchant sell everything for an invaluable pearl? No doubt because he was attracted to what he thought was the greatest treasure he could possess.

Discovering God's kingdom is like stumbling across hidden treasure or finding the one pearl of great price. When we discover the kingdom of God we receive the greatest possible treasure; the Lord Jesus himself. Selling all that we have to obtain this incomparable treasure could mean many things; our friends, job, our "style of life", what we do with our free time. Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure.

In this parable what does the treasure of the kingdom refer to? It certainly refers to the kingdom of God in all its aspects. But in a special way, the Lord himself is the treasure we seek for. 

chapter 22from the book of job wrote: If the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty (Job 22:22- 23).

The pearl of great price requires our time, attention, and effort; we dedicate the best moments of our day to the task. During our daily conversation with Christ, as we seek the pearl of great price, we fulfill our mission and purpose: The Baltimore Catechism tells us: “to know God, to love him, and to serve him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven”.  

Let’s ask our Lord Jesus moves our hearts and help us to know something of the heaven God have prepared for each of us. Help us thought of heaven can be a balm to suffering souls, and a strong antidote to the tedium of the everyday. Let’s give thanks to the Lord Jesus, for preparing a place for us in His Father’s Home (John 14:1-3).  And help us to be worthy one day of joining Him there in heaven.

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” Matthew 13:47–50

This parable is the third of three parables Jesus tells in a row. The first compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a “treasure buried in a field.” When a person finds it, they sell everything they have so as to buy that field. The second parable likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a merchant who is in search of fine pearls. “When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” In both of these parables, the discovery of the Kingdom of Heaven is a great joy. The person discovering the treasure or the pearl is so elated that he is willing to trade all that he has so as to obtain it.

The third of these three parables, however, is much different. In this case, the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a net that gathers all people at the end of the age and separates them, the good from the bad. The parable then concludes with a frightening image. The wicked will be thrown “into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

In the end, for those who enter the glories of Heaven, there will be unending joy. And this fact must be understood so as to draw us into those riches of grace. Anticipation of such a gift should motivate us to diligently seek out the many graces our Lord wishes to bestow upon us. But sometimes we need a bit more of a nudge. We can easily become complacent in our life of faith and our search for God’s will. For that reason, Jesus includes the third parable, outlining the consequences some will endure at the end of time. Though it might not be a happy thought, it is a holy thought because it reveals God’s definitive justice and judgment at the end of time.

Do you believe in the Justice of God? Do you believe that He will exact definitive judgment upon those who reject His holy will in this life? Do you believe that Hell is real and is a possibility for us all? If this thought is difficult to accept, then it might be worth further prayerfully pondering this third parable. Justice and judgment are real. If we are not fully motivated in life to diligently seek out the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven, then we should at least honestly face the reality of the consequences that await.

Reflect, today, upon the glory, beauty and splendor of God. Try to put your eyes of faith upon the Treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven. Allow this prayerful meditation to inspire you to make obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven your sole mission in life. But if you struggle with this joyous discovery, then do not hesitate to reflect upon the potential consequences. The Lord speaks of these consequences of God’s justice and judgment for our good so as to keep them from becoming our reality.

My just Judge, You see all things and know all things. You know my heart through and through. Please cleanse me of every sin and all complacency in life. Fill me with a holy zeal for Your Kingdom. May the joy of the discovery of You fully motivate me to remain diligent in my journey to Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer: Lord, as you talk of heaven, help me to listen attentively and learn something of the truth you are trying to teach me about the ultimate destiny of every faithful Christian.

Encountering Christ:

1. The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…: In these lines of Scripture, Our Lord shared with us a description of his Father’s Kingdom—his own thoughts about heaven. If we’re honest, we should all contemplate heaven often. Heaven is the home of the Trinity, of the Blessed Mother, and of the saints known and unknown. Heaven is our ultimate destiny, our eternal home. Although shrouded in mystery, heaven is as real as the everyday reality of our lives. Heaven can be known here and now, and experienced, not in its totality while we live, but in periodic moments of spiritual consolation. Jesus wants us to know about heaven and could have used many different words to explain it to all of us, but let’s look at the similes he chose and what they tell us about the Kingdom. 

2. Heaven Is like a Treasure Buried in a Field…: Experiences of heaven on earth are like treasures buried in a field of ordinary day-to-day events. When we have a soul-expanding experience of God, we don’t forget it. It might necessarily recede from the foreground of our thoughts as we go about living, but recalling it brings the “treasure” back into focus, spiritually and sometimes also emotionally or physically. These little glimmers of the divine compel us to seek God ever more deeply—to “sell all we have and buy the field.” St. Teresa of Avila explains: “[Divine favors] appear to dilate and enlarge us internally and benefit us in an inexplicable manner, nor does even the soul itself understand what it receives. It is conscious of what may be described as a certain fragrance, as if within its inmost depths were a brazier sprinkled with sweet perfumes. Although the spirit neither sees the flame nor knows where it is, yet it is penetrated by the warmth, and scented fumes, which are even sometimes perceived by the body (The Interior Castle, Chapter II, St. Teresa of Avila).

3. Heaven Is like a Merchant Searching…: Seeking the pearl of great price requires our time, attention, and effort—we dedicate the best moments of our day to the task. During our daily conversation with Christ, as we seek the pearl of great price, we fulfill our mission and purpose: “to know [God], to love him, and to serve him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven” (Baltimore Catechism). We avail ourselves of heaven on earth—an experience of Jesus. “We can touch Christ's heart and feel him touching ours. Only in this personal relationship with Christ, only in this encounter with the Risen One do we truly become Christians. And in this way our reason opens, all Christ's wisdom opens as do all the riches of truth” (Benedict XVI, General Audience, September 3, 2008).

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I am moved that you wanted me to know something of the heaven you have prepared for each of us. Thoughts of heaven can be a balm to suffering souls, and a strong antidote to the tedium of the everyday. Thank you for preparing a place for me (John 14:1-3). Help me to be worthy one day of joining you there.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will write my own short description of heaven as a prayer of gratitude.

Sunday 17^th Ordinary time A, Mt 13:44-52

In today gospel reading, Our Lord Jesus wants to share with us his own thoughts about heaven and a description of his Father’s Kingdom. If we’re honest, we should all contemplate heaven often. Heaven is the home of the Trinity, of the Blessed Mother, and of the saints known and unknown. Heaven is our ultimate destiny, our eternal home. Although it is surrounded in mystery, heaven is as real as the everyday reality of our lives.

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Lễ kính Thánh nữ Maria Mađalêna, Mary and Lazarus

Hôm nay chúng ta mừng lễ Thánh nữ Maria Mađalêna, một người phụ nữ không những chỉ là một đệ tử trung thành và thân tín Chúa Kitô mà còn là một người thật sự yêu kính Chúa Giêsu. Đáng tiếc thay là trong thời chúng ta đang sống hôm nay, nhiều người trong chúng ta có lẽ lo ngại hay có sự nghi ngờ về ba Maria Mađalêna. Nhiều người trong chúng ta cảm thấy khó chịu trong sự thân mật mà cô đã dành cho Chúa Giêsu. Trong bài đọc Tin Mừng hôm nay, Thánh Gioan mô tả những cuộc gặp gỡ của bà với Chúa Giêsu có vẻ như thân thiện hơn nhiều so với sự thân mật bình thường. Vì thế nó không giúp ích cho Maria Mađalên khi bà đã bị người khác nhầm lẫn và miêu tả bà ở trong phim trường Hollywood như là một người tình bất hợp pháp của Chúa Giêsu hay là một cô gái đã từng làm nghề mại dâm (mà cô thực sự là không phải thế..vì có rất nhiều Maria trong những bài Tin Mừng.)
Trong suốt các bài Tin Mừng, Bà Maria Mađalêna đã phải tranh đấu với những khó khăn và sự sỉ nhục, đau thương. Bà cũng bị quỷ ám và cũng bị mọi người thân cận bỏ rơi trước khi Chúa Giêsu trừ quỷ và chữa khỏi bà. Và bà cũng chính mắt chứng kiến cái cái Chết cực hình của người bạn thân thương nhất của bà là Chúa Giêsu đã chết trên thập tự giá. Tóm lại, trong thời gian của bà và cho đến ngày nay, chúng ta đã không chịu để cho Maria Mađalêna có được nhiều thời gian nghỉ ngơi. Ngoại trừ Đức Giêsu, Đấng đã làm.
Chúa Giêsu là người bạn thật chân tình của bà trong tất cả các bạn. Ngài không những chỉ chữa cho bà được khỏi bệnh, nhưng cũng giảng dạy riêng cho bà về Nước Trời nữa mặc dù những người khác phàn nàn và khiếu nại, Để đáp lại, bà Maria Mađalên đã hiến dâng cho Chúa tất cả, Bà đã đầu hàng tầt cả những gì mà bà có và hàng ao ước để lắng nghe và sống trưởng thành với đức tin của mình trong Chúa Giê-su. Vì thế tứ đó đến nay, không ai có thể ngạc nhiên là bà đã trở thành một trong những môn đệ trung thành nhất c, tốt nhất của Chúa.
Bà Maria Mađalên là một mô hình của đức tin và tình bạn hữu của Chúa cho chúng ta. Đối mặt với những sự phản kháng và tâm lý tiêu cực mà chúng ta thường gặp mỗi ngày trong cuộc sống hôm nay, chúng ta thực sự có thể sử dụng những ví dụ và cuộc sống của bà Maria Mađalêna và áp dụng trong mối quan hệ cá nhân của chúng ta với Chúa.
  
REFLECTION
Today we remember St. Mary Magdalene, a woman who not only was a loyal and faithful disciple of Christ but also a person who truly loved Jesus.It is unfortunate that in our present day, many of us are apprehensive or suspicious of Mary Magdalene. Many of us find discomfort in the intimacy she had with Jesus. In today's gospel reading, St. John's description of the meeting of Mary and Jesus may seem more than friendly than it is joyful. It doesn't help that Mary Magdalene has been mistakenly portrayed in Hollywood as an illegitimate lover of Jesus or as an ex-prostitute (which she really wasn't).Mary Magdalene throughout the Gospels contended with difficulties and traumas. She was possessed of demons and likely an outcast before Jesus cured her. And she watched her friend Jesus die on the cross. In short, during her time and up to the present, we haven't been giving Mary Magdalene much of a break. Except Jesus who did.Jesus was her one true friend throughout it all. He not only cured her, but also taught to her, and stuck with her despite the complaints of others. In response, Mary gave her all to listen to and grow her faith with Jesus hence it comes as no surprise she became one of His most faithful disciples and best of friend.Mary Magdalene is a model of faith and friendship. In the face of antagonism and negative sentiment, which we often experience today, we could really use her example in our own personal relationship with the Lord "Lord, may I never fail to recognize your voice nor lose sight of your presence in your saving word."
 
Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, July 29
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” John 11:19–22
    Today’s memorial is relatively new within our Church. In the year 2021, Pope Francis replaced the Memorial of Saint Martha with this memorial in honor of all three siblings: Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In commenting on the reason for this new memorial, the Congregation for Divine Worship stated: “Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words, and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death.” Furthermore, these three siblings gave an evangelical witness to us all. They model for us how to be Christians within our imperfections. They did this by welcoming Jesus into their home, by listening to Him attentively, and by believing that He is the Resurrection and the Life.
    These three siblings each had their own unique personality and loved Jesus in their own way. Though not much is said about Lazarus’ personal interactions with Jesus, we do have some helpful insights into both Martha and Mary. In one Gospel story, Martha complained to Jesus that her sister left her to do all the cooking. Jesus gently corrected her. Mary, on the other hand, gave a witness of deep prayer and love of Jesus by sitting at His feet listening to Him. However, in the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, there is a reversal of roles. Martha is the one who runs out to meet Jesus and expresses her deep faith in Him. Mary, on the other hand, heard that Jesus was coming and appeared to stay at home because she was upset.
    Perhaps the most helpful way to ponder these siblings is to acknowledge two things. First, they are now saints in Heaven enjoying eternal beatitude and glory. Second, on earth they were people of faith and love, but they were also very clearly imperfect. Therefore, the witness they give to us should be twofold. We hope to share in the glory in which they now share, and we trust this will happen if we also befriend our Lord and welcome Him into our homes, imperfect though we may be.
    Reflect, today, upon this holy but imperfect family. The imperfections and manifest weaknesses of these three siblings should encourage us to press on in our practice of the faith when things are not perfect in our lives either. There are many reasons why we might get discouraged or feel like doubting or giving up at times. Perhaps things are not perfect within the Church—or at the particular church you attend. Perhaps you are struggling with loving someone in your family. Perhaps you are struggling with an emotional issue. Perhaps there is some sin you seem to be incapable of overcoming. Perhaps you struggle with a physical ailment and wonder why God permitted it to happen. If you are able to relate to any of these, or any other forms of imperfection, then take inspiration from this family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Invite Jesus into the home of your heart, your family home and everywhere you go. He will come, gently correct you when needed, and give you the gift of new life, raising you up from your sins and weaknesses.
    Lord, You befriended this ordinary family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. You visited their home, received their hospitality, gently corrected them when needed and eventually raised them to the new life of eternal glory. May I also welcome You into the home of my soul, within my family and into every aspect of my life. Please come to me and raise me to the newness of the life of grace. Jesus, I trust in You
 
 Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Introductory Prayer: Heavenly Father, once again I renew my faith in your plan for my life. I trust in your loving providence, and I know that no one can snatch me from your hands. You know well that I love you. I wish to be more open and docile to your plan and action in my life. Take this time that I now set aside for prayer. Take my mind, will, and heart; take my gifts and talents. I lay them at your feet through this prayer. Do with me today according to your holy and loving plan. Amen.
Petition: Lord Jesus, deepen my faith in your resurrection.
1. Do You Believe This? This is the fundamental question in our life of faith: do we, in fact, believe it all? Do we really believe that the human race was mysteriously subjected to the catastrophic consequences of our first parents’ disobedience to the divine will? Do we really believe what we say in the Creed every Sunday? Do we believe that Jesus of Nazareth died and rose from the dead to conquer sin, and now lives to draw all people to himself as their savior? The great challenge for the Christian in our thoroughly post-modern, post-Christian, technical age is to unabashedly say “Yes!”
2. Keeping Faith Simple: One of the greatest challenges in the Christian life is to keep our faith simple. Our tendency is toward sophistication and complication. While certainly the ability to think and reason well is a gift and has its place in the Christian life, we must be equally aware that the in-born tendency to rationalism can be a non-starter for a genuine life of faith. We cannot afford to fall into today’s error of trying to size God down according to our meager perceptions and self-centered attitudes. Christ is much more; God ways are far more sublime than what our limited vision can create. Simple faith is so pleasing to God because then he has leeway for his supernatural action. Then he can do something within us and through us.
3. Keeping Faith Robust: This simple faith can and must launch us upward and outward in the task of bringing Christ’s love to every soul. Our simple faith can rapidly ignite and convert us into relentless apostles of the Kingdom, like St. Paul. We need to make his words our own: “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? (…) No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, give me the strength to bear the burden of drawing others closer to you. Let me feel, with St. Paul, the sting of “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” And when I do set out to give others reasons for my faith, accompany me with your Holy Spirit to give success to my poor efforts.
Resolution: For the love of Jesus, I will renew, refresh, and invigorate the act of faith with which I begin every day in my morning offering. 
 
St. Mary Magdalene 2022
Opening Prayer: Jesus, I believe you are with me now as I turn to you in prayer. I want to focus on you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I trust in your love for me and your desire to give me everything I need to follow you. Help me hear you call my name in this time together. I want to know what you ask of me so that I can live as your light in the world. Thank you for your love and for the gift of faith. Jesus, I trust in you.
 
Encountering Christ:
1. It Was Still Dark: Mary loved Jesus. He had delivered her from seven demons, and she was one of the women who accompanied Jesus and his disciples, providing for Jesus and the Twelve out of their resources (Luke 8:1-3). She was one of the women with St. John and the Blessed Mother at the foot of the cross, accompanying Jesus in his agony (John 19:24-25). When Jesus died and was taken down from the cross, “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid” (Mark 15:47). The next morning, when the Sabbath ended (Mark 16:1), Mary went to the tomb so early that it was still dark. She couldn’t wait to care for her Lord’s body, to anoint it with spices (Mark 16:1). She sought him in the darkness, knowing that light was coming. The Lord had transformed Mary’s life, and she continued to seek and serve him even after his death. Mary’s love for Jesus was steadfast, persevering through the most difficult circumstances because her heart was full of gratitude.
2. Mary!: Jesus taught that he is the Good Shepherd, that he calls his sheep by name, and that they recognize his voice and follow him (John 10:3,14). Here Mary recognized Jesus when he called her by name. She was frantic in her angst at not finding the Lord’s body in the tomb. She ran to Peter and John and told them that Jesus was missing. The angels at the tomb did not console her. And she didn’t recognize Jesus himself, thinking he was a gardener. She was caught up in her sorrow. But when Jesus called her name, she recognized him instantly. Like Mary, we can easily get caught up in difficult circumstances and fail to recognize the Lord. In these situations, it is important to keep our focus on looking for Jesus. When we persevere, we will be happy to hear him call our name.
3. Apostle to the Apostles: Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Lord, and she “went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and then reported what he told her.” Describing Mary Magdalene’s role, St. Thomas Aquinas called her the “Apostle to the Apostles,” and in 2016, the Congregation for Divine Worship, “by the express wish of Pope Francis,” elevated her memorial celebration to the level of a feast, of the same significance as the other Apostles. In the General Audience on May 17, 2017, Pope Francis directed our attention to Mary: “Mary would like to embrace her Lord, but he is already oriented towards the heavenly Father, whereas she is sent to carry the news to the brethren. And so that woman, who, before encountering Jesus, had been at the mercy of evil (Luke 8:2), now becomes the Apostle of the new and greatest hope. May her intercession help us in times of woe and abandonment to listen to the Risen Jesus who calls us by name and, with a heart full of joy, to go forth and proclaim: “I have seen the Lord!” (v. 18).
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me by name. As I spend this time with you, help me see your presence in those dark and difficult challenges of my life. Open my heart and mind to being sent by you to those who need to encounter you. St. Paul wrote, “The love of Christ impels us…” (1Corinthians 5:14), and St. Mary Magdalene models that desire and urgency to share her experience. Help me continue to seek you as Mary Magdalene did so I can share your love with enthusiasm and joy.
Resolution: Lord, today, by your grace, I will look for an opportunity to share a story of God’s action in my life with at least one person.
 
July 22, 2021-Saint Mary Magdalene
Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me a heart that seeks to encounter you, and in finding you, desires to share you with others.
 
Encountering Christ:
1. The Long Wait: How eager Mary Magdalene must have been early Sunday morning to go in search of her rabboni, if only to see him one last time and finish the preparations of his burial. Imagine her long wait. How does your own heart long to encounter the Lord? At the first possible moment, when Sabbath finally was officially over, she set out in search of him. To her dismay, her hope was not immediately satisfied. He was nowhere to be found. But Jesus did not disappoint. He saw her longing heart and answered the prayer expressed in her desires. Do we trust that Jesus also answers the deepest longings of our hearts, when they are centered on what is essential—to encounter our living God?
2. Stop Clinging to Me: Unsurprisingly, Mary clung to Jesus as soon as she realized who stood before her. Yet Jesus had other plans. Perhaps her faith was to be further purified, making her already-converted heart even more beautiful. Jesus helped her to realize how she would relate to her God now: “I am going to my Father and to your Father.” She would no longer cling to Jesus in the human way she desired before. She would discover her identity as a daughter, called by the Son, to be a beloved child of a heavenly Father. While she might not understand this immediately, her love for Jesus was bolstered in trust as she came to a deeper awareness of his plan. In our life, are we willing to wait patiently for understanding, and to trust that Jesus has a greater plan for us, beyond what we immediately grasp and cling to?
3. “I Have Seen the Lord”: With Mary’s new identity came a new mission: “Go to my brothers and tell them…” With what promptness she took on this mission! She was sent and did not hold back. She went to the leaders of the pack. Without doubt, she was the Apostle to the Apostles, as tradition states. Neither the Apostles’ status, nor their opinions, deterred her from sharing the good news. And me? Does my heart leap to share the good news wherever and whenever the Spirit prompts me?
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to know more fully my identity as a beloved child of a heavenly Father. From this identity, grant me the courage to witness your victory over sin and death.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will reflect on how I can be an apostle to those around me, as Mary Magdalene was.
 
Reflection
Today, we celebrate with joy Saint Mary Magdalene. With joy and benefit for our faith!, because her trail could very well be ours. Magdalene came from afar (cf. Luke 7: 36-50) and she did go very far... Indeed, at the dawn of That morning, Jesus Christ discovered her the most important fact of our faith: that she was also God’s daughter.
In Mary of Magdala’s itinerary, we discover some important aspects of our faith. In the first place, we admire her courage. Though a gift from God, faith requires courage from the believer. Generally, we tend towards what we can see, what can be seized with our hand. God being essentially invisible, faith “represents the risky enterprise of accepting what plainly cannot be seen as the truly real and fundamental. It involves a leap out of the tangible world” (Benedict XVI). Mary, by seeing the risen Christ can also "see" the Father, the Lord. On the other hand, the "leap to faith" «is reached through what the Bible calls conversion or repentance: only he who changes receives it "(Benedict XVI). Was not this Mary’s first step? Should not this also be a reiterated step in our lives?
In the conversion of Magdalene, there was much love: she did not spare any perfumes for her Love. Love!: here is another "vehicle" of faith, because we neither hear, nor see or believe whom we do not love. In John’s Gospel it clearly appears «believing is to listen and, at the same time, to see (...)». In that dawn, María Magdalena takes risks for her Love, she listens to her Love (to hear Him saying "Mary" is enough for her to recognize Him) and she meets the Father. «On the morning of Easter (...), María Magdalena, is asked to contemplate Him as He ascends to the Father, and finally to her full confession "I have seen the Lord" (Jn 20:18)» (Pope Francis).

Suy Niện Tin Mừng thứ Bẩy 16 Thường Niên

Suy Niện Tin Mừng thứ Bẩy 16 Thường Niên

    Sự kiên nhẫn của Thiên Chúa là lời mời gọi dịu dàng mà Ngài lặp đi lặp lại trong lòng mọi người, lời mời gọi đó là sự biến đổi tâm hồn và cách sống của mình Ngài uốn chúng hãy biến đổi cho Ngài và cho người khác. Đó là sự kiên nhẫn của người bạn đang ở bên cạnh chúng ta, không phải chỉ là sự chờ đợi mà còn nhẹ nhàng mời gọi chúng ta biến đổi và hoán cải. Thiên Chúa có thời gian cho con người. Ngài không vội vàng và Chúa biết rằng mọi người rất cần nhiều thời giờ để vượt qua những niềm tự hào riêng của mình hay vượt qua cái tự cao của họ, bởi vì con ngưòi chúng ta không hạ mình, khiêm tốn trước người khác và dễ tha thứ, và  rất khó cho chúng ta để có thể bỏ qua cáo lỗi của người khác.
            Thiên Chúa luôn sẵn sàng chờ đợi và ban cho chúng ta những dấu hiệu kín đáo là Ngài đang ở đó. Lời chia sẻ của một người bạn, một sự đau buồn đột ngột, sự hiếu khách của một gia đình có thể đó là dấu hiệu cho thấy Thiên Chúa đang chờ đợi chúng ta. Để cho cơ hội để ăn năn, trở lại với Ngài, Đó là biểu hiện to lớn nhất của quyền năng Thiên Chúa.
            Nhiều người trong chúng ta thiếu sự kiên nhẫn này. Chúng ta bị kích thích hay cám dỗ bởi sự ích kỷ và lòng tham lam của nhiều người. Với nhiều hình thức ngoại tình, bất công và tham nhũng là nguồn gốc liên tục của những vụ xì căng đan và đau đớn cho những người biết rằng ý định của Đức Chúa Trời đối với mọi người khác nhau và đẹp hơn. Và Chúa Giêsu nói trong dụ ngôn: "Hãy để cho cả hai cho đến mùa màng, còn quá sớm để phán xét, hãy tin tưởng, phán đoán sẽ đến, nhưng hãy để tôi làm điều đó, tôi kiên nhẫn với bạn và với mọi người."
 
REFLECTION
God's patience is that gentle invitation which he repeats again and again in the hearts of people, the invitation to be converted to him and to other people. It is the patience of the friend by your side, not merely passively waiting but gently inviting to conversion. God has time for people. He is not in a hurry. God knows that people
need much time to get over their pride or self-sufficiency that it is not simple for them to forgive, that it is hard for them to overlook the faults of others.
            God waits and gives them discreet signs that he is there. The word of a friend, a sudden grief, hospitality offered by a family can be signs that God is waiting for us. To give the opportunity to repent, to return to him, is the greatest expression of God's power.
            Many of us lack this patience. We are irritated by the selfishness and the greed of many. The many forms of infidelity, injustice and corruption are a continuous source of scandal and anguish for those who know that God's intentions regarding people are different and more beautiful. And yet Jesus says in the parable: "Let both grow until the harvest. It is too early to judge. Keep trusting. The judgment will come. But leave it to me. I am patient with you and with everyone."
 
Vigilance with the Gospel
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time 2023
Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.” Matthew 13:24–25
This parable begins in a very good way. It states that good seed was sown. In other words, the pure Gospel was preached into good soil. This should be understood as any situation where the preacher is truly effective and where the Gospel reaches many ears and is planted in many hearts. This is worth rejoicing over. But this parable quickly points out that those responsible for guarding the good soil in which the Word of God was planted, failed in their duty to protect it. As a result, the “enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat.” In other words, the evil one also had sown his lies into the hearts of those who heard the Word of God, and those lies took root and began to grow.
This is a clear description of the world we live in today. First, it’s a description of the hearts of many Christians who have heard the Word of God and have responded, only to also struggle with doubts, confusions and lies sown by the evil one. But it is also a clear description of the world as a whole and even of the Church on earth. There are many divisions within societies and even within the Church. There are many competing voices. And among those whose hearts are good soil, it can be hard to distinguish between that which is from God and that which is a subtle deception from the evil one.
The weed referred to in this parable is called cockle. Cockle was a weed that, as it grew, looked much like wheat. It was very difficult to distinguish from wheat until the grain began to appear. But when the grain did begin to appear, it was clearly distinguishable. And if the cockle were to accidentally be ground in with the wheat, it would cause nausea when eaten.
The parable is quite clear. The lies that the evil one sows in the hearts of the faithful, those with fertile hearts, are very subtle, especially at first. It is easy for those subtle lies to confuse us. The evil one rarely succeeds in misleading the faithful through grave and obvious errors. Therefore, he deceives with small errors. As a result, the error is often not understood until much later as the fruit is born. The result is division, confusion, conflict and the like—conflict within our own souls, within our world and even within our Church.
What is the solution? Vigilance. We, as followers of Christ, must be exceptionally vigilant in regard to that which we allow our hearts to receive. Just because something sounds good at first doesn’t make it good. This is why we have the Scripture, the Magisterium of the Church and the teachings of the saints. We must constantly examine all that we allow into our hearts, our families, our world and our churches in the light of the pure and consistent teachings of our faith. And when we see divisions, this is a clear sign of some subtle error that has crept in. In the end, at the harvest time, when we all face Christ our Lord at our judgments, He will separate the good from the bad. But for our part, vigilance is essential so that only the pure seed of God’s Word is received by us and sown by us.
Reflect, today, on your own soul as fertile ground. What “seed” is sown there? What do you allow to penetrate your heart and take root? Are you vigilant, remaining attentive to the ways that the evil one tries to mislead you through subtle lies and errors? Ponder these questions honestly, and if you find conflict and confusion in your life, look more deeply at the source of these troubles. If there are lies that you have allowed into your own life, then turn them over to our Lord so that He can remove them at the proper time.
Most holy Word of God, You are the living Word who sows seed upon the fertile ground of our Hearts. You plant Yourself in the hearts of those who believe so that Your life can bear good fruit in the faithful. Please sow the seed of Your Word in my own heart, dear Lord, and protect me from the deceptions of the evil one. As You do, I pray that You bring forth an abundance of good fruit through me. Jesus, I trust in You.
 

Suy niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 16 Thường Niên

Suy niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 16 Thường Niên

Bài Tin Mừng hôm nay cho chúng ta thấy Thiên Chúa giống như một người nông dân tốt và đại lượng, người mà đã quá cao thượng và hiểu biết nhiều trong lĩnh vực gieo trồng trên đất ruộng của mình, Ngài đã không tiếc bất cứ điều gì để cứu chuộc con người; Ngài đã trao phó tất cả mọi thứ trong tay Chúa Giêsu,  Người đã được ví như hạt giống được gieo vào đất tốt (cái chết và sự chôn lấp), với sự phục sinh lành thánh của Ngài, đã trở thành cuộc sống và sự sống lại của chúng ta.
            Thiên Chúa là một người nông dân biết cách chờ đợi, Thời gian thuộc về Thiên Chúa Cha, vì Ngài là người duy nhất biết được về ngày giờ (Mc 13:32) của những vụ thu hoạch, gặt hái mùa màng. Thiên Chúa cũng đang chờ đợi, và chúng ta cũng phải chờ đợi khi những hy vọng của chúng ta đã được thiết kế trong ơn cứu độ của Thiên Chúa., như thánh Giacôbê đã nói: “ Kìa xem nhà nông, họ kiên nhẫn chờ đợi cho đất trổ hoa sinh trái với hoa màu quý giá: họ phải đợi cả mưa đầu mùa lẫn mưa cuối mùa” (Giacôbê 5: 7). Thiên Chúa chờ đợi mùa gặt hái trong sự phát triển của những cây Ngài đã trồng trong ân sủng của Người. Và chúng ta cũng phải gắn liền với cuộc sống tâm linh của chúng ta; Bằng những ân sủng của Thiên Chúa chúng ta cũng phải cộng tác với Ngài bằng cách cho Ngài hợp tác với chúng ta và không nên chống lại tất cả tác động biến đổi này của Thiên Chúa.
            Một khi chúng ta mở lòng với Lời Chúa, chúng ta sẽ phát triển kiến thức và sự hiểu biết như những hạt giống phát triển đất vùng đất tốt mầu mỡ. Nếu chúng ta cứng lòng với những gì Thiên Chúa đã hy vọng cho chúng ta, Thì chúng ta cũng giống như hạt giống rơi trên mảnh đất khô cằn mà hạt giống sẽ không phát triển được. Chẳng có gì xảy ra, khi lòng trí và tâm hồn của chúng ta khép kín và từ chối chấp nhận lời Chúa, chúng ta cũng gống người lười biếng không chịu rời khỏi phòng của mình để xem xét hay quan sát những điều gì khác mới mẻ. Khi chúng ta biết mở rộng tầm nhìn của chúng ta, chúng ta chắc chắn sẽ được mở mang và trở thành một phần của cái gì đó lớn hơn chính bản thân của mình.
            Lạy Chúa, Chúa rất nhân từ và rộng rãi với chúng con, Chúa muốn chia sẻ cuộc sống của Ngài và tình yêu của Ngài trong mọi việc chúng con làm. Xin Chúa tiếp tục ban xuống những ơn phúc của Ngài cho chúng con.
 
REFLECTION 16^th Ordinary Time
Once we open ourselves to the Word of God, we will grow in knowledge and understanding like the seed growing infertile soil. If we harden our hearts to what God hopes for us, then like seed in parched land that seed will not grow. Nothing happens. When we close our minds and refuse to accept His word, we do not leave room to consider anything else. When we widen our vision, we become part of something bigger than ourselves.
Our Lord is so generous to us. He continually showers His blessings upon us. He wants to share His life and His love in everything that we do. It is a continuous experience of birth and rebirth. We are made whole and new all over again.
 
Friday 16^th Ordinary Time 2023
“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Matthew 13:22–23
Today, Jesus clarifies for His disciples the meaning of His parable told to the crowds. He explains the meaning of the seed sown on the path, on the rocky ground, among the thorns and on the rich soil. Quoted above are the last two of those explanations. When we look carefully at the meaning of the seed sown into the rich soil, we see that these are those who hear, understand and bear fruit. And the fruit that is born is in varying degrees. One thing that this parable tells us is that hearing and even understanding the Word of God is not enough. There are many temptations we will face that will hinder God’s Word in our lives. Let’s briefly consider each.
First, there are many people who have been blessed to hear the Word of God. There are many who have been to religious education classes, have been taught by parents and others, have attended Church services but have failed to allow what they have heard to penetrate deeply to the point that they understand. To hear the Word of God is very different from understanding the Word of God. One reason for this is that the pure Word of God, when heard and understood, challenges us to the core of our being. If one truly understands God’s Word, then that person cannot remain indifferent. They must change. And they must change in a complete way. Failure to do so means that it is impossible for good fruit to be born in their life to the degree God wants.
But understanding and changing is not even enough. This is because the enemies of our soul, traditionally spoken of as the world, the flesh, and the devil, will powerfully attack any person who receives the Word of God and decides to abide by that Word. For example, if you were to fully accept the teachings of Jesus regarding forgiveness of others, as soon as you make the choice to forgive, there would most likely be numerous temptations to abandon that practice. Pride, anger, hurt, the lies of the evil one and the world will all try to deter you from an act of complete forgiveness of others. Or take, for example, the call to live completely detached from “riches.” Jesus’ teachings on true spiritual poverty versus true spiritual riches require a depth of conversion that is difficult to obtain. Thus, the “lure of riches” is very hard to overcome.
In the end, if your soul is truly fertile ground and if you allow the most pure and complete teaching of the Gospel to penetrate your soul so as to change you in every way God wants to change you, then this means that you have overcome each and every temptation thrown at you. You have rejected the temptations that come from greed, pride, anger and the like. You have embraced humility, rejected worldly esteem, dismissed anxiety and worry and are directed only by the powerful, gentle, holy, and clear Voice of God in your life. This requires much prayer, much interior purification, total dedication and unwavering obedience to the Word of God spoken to you both through the Gospels and in the depths of your conscience. And even among those who achieve this level of holiness, the fruit born in their lives is dependent upon how fully and habitually they live by the guiding Word of God.
Reflect, today, upon this high calling from our Lord. Achieving the goal of having exceptionally rich soil in your heart for the Word of God requires unyielding commitment and determination. There are numerous temptations that will fight against the creation of a fertile heart. Try to look at your own heart today. Be honest. How fertile is it? Does the Word of God grow there? And if so, does it grow to superabundance? Commit yourself to the goal of becoming that rich soil in which the Word of God is sown that not only bears good fruit but bears good fruit that is a hundredfold.
My demanding Lord, You desire that every soul of every person You have created become the most pure and most fertile ground in which the seed of Your Word can grow and produce fruit in superabundance. Please help me to commit myself to this radical depth of holiness, dear Lord. My life is Yours. Please purify me, change me, mold me and produce in me an abundance of good fruit. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Friday 16^th Ordinary Time 2023
Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, open my heart so that I might receive your Word and hear it in a new way today. Come Holy Spirit, help me learn what you want to teach me through this parable.
Encountering Christ:
1. Learn Something New: We may have heard this parable many times, but God is speaking to us anew each time we hear it. We can ask God what he is trying to reveal to us today, at this very moment. Praying with Scripture changes our hearts: “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). How is the Holy Spirit calling me to deeper conversion by hearing Jesus explain this Gospel? How can I increase my love of God and my neighbor by praying with this parable today?
2. Our Faith Journey: After reading this parable, we might be tempted to think, “I’m so glad that I have good soil. Mission accomplished!” Not so fast, though. Most of us have been through all the stages of the path in the parable. Our hearts were once on the path of ignorance and did not understand what God was teaching us through his Word. Our hearts have had rocky soil when we have questioned our faith or fallen away during a time of trial. We have dealt with the weeds and thorns of our own distractions and anxieties, which can choke out the fruits of our good works. Our Lord asks us to reflect once again on the state of our soil and, by the light of the Holy Spirit, to repent and be converted.
3. Bear One Another’s Burdens: Remembering our own faith journey helps us to be more compassionate when we notice others struggling with rocks, weeds, and thorns. It’s our Christian duty to help one another: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When we encounter someone who questions his or her faith–be it because of a persecution, a trial, or worldly distractions, or anxieties–simply sharing our Christ-filled presence and compassion may be enough to help that person remove the obstacle that is keeping him or her from bearing fruit.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, till the soil in my heart and help me to bear good fruit for you, fruit that will last (John 15:16). Help me to recall my own faith journey and give me the grace to draw from my experiences when it can help others grow and flourish in their lives of faith.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace, I will look for an opportunity to bear the burdens of someone close to me. I will listen with compassion, praying silently as he or she speaks.
 
Saturday Jul 29, 2023
Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, July 29
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” John 11:19–22
Today’s memorial is relatively new within our Church. In the year 2021, Pope Francis replaced the Memorial of Saint Martha with this memorial in honor of all three siblings: Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In commenting on the reason for this new memorial, the Congregation for Divine Worship stated: “Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words, and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death.” Furthermore, these three siblings gave an evangelical witness to us all. They model for us how to be Christians within our imperfections. They did this by welcoming Jesus into their home, by listening to Him attentively, and by believing that He is the Resurrection and the Life.
These three siblings each had their own unique personality and loved Jesus in their own way. Though not much is said about Lazarus’ personal interactions with Jesus, we do have some helpful insights into both Martha and Mary. In one Gospel story, Martha complained to Jesus that her sister left her to do all the cooking. Jesus gently corrected her. Mary, on the other hand, gave a witness of deep prayer and love of Jesus by sitting at His feet listening to Him. However, in the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, there is a reversal of roles. Martha is the one who runs out to meet Jesus and expresses her deep faith in Him. Mary, on the other hand, heard that Jesus was coming and appeared to stay at home because she was upset.
Perhaps the most helpful way to ponder these siblings is to acknowledge two things. First, they are now saints in Heaven enjoying eternal beatitude and glory. Second, on earth they were people of faith and love, but they were also very clearly imperfect. Therefore, the witness they give to us should be twofold. We hope to share in the glory in which they now share, and we trust this will happen if we also befriend our Lord and welcome Him into our homes, imperfect though we may be.
Reflect, today, upon this holy but imperfect family. The imperfections and manifest weaknesses of these three siblings should encourage us to press on in our practice of the faith when things are not perfect in our lives either. There are many reasons why we might get discouraged or feel like doubting or giving up at times. Perhaps things are not perfect within the Church—or at the particular church you attend. Perhaps you are struggling with loving someone in your family. Perhaps you are struggling with an emotional issue. Perhaps there is some sin you seem to be incapable of overcoming. Perhaps you struggle with a physical ailment and wonder why God permitted it to happen. If you are able to relate to any of these, or any other forms of imperfection, then take inspiration from this family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Invite Jesus into the home of your heart, your family home and everywhere you go. He will come, gently correct you when needed, and give you the gift of new life, raising you up from your sins and weaknesses.
Lord, You befriended this ordinary family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. You visited their home, received their hospitality, gently corrected them when needed and eventually raised them to the new life of eternal glory. May I also welcome You into the home of my soul, within my family and into every aspect of my life. Please come to me and raise me to the newness of the life of grace. Jesus, I trust in You