Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba tuần 29 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba tuần 29 Thường Niên
Hôm nay Chúa Giêsu dậy cho chúng ta biết sống cảnh giác, và sự cänh giác như Cha Giêsu đã chỉ dậy đòi hỏi sự từ bỏ niềm vui trần thế và của cải, vì những thứ ấy đánh lạc hướng chúng ta đến với Chúa.. Để duy trì sự thận trọng này, chúng ta cần phải vác cho mình tấm áo giáp tâm linh. Điều này sẽ giúp cho chúng ta chiến đấu mỗi ngày với thế gian mỗi ngày,  Tháng Phêrô viết "kẻ thù của con người chúng ta chính là ma quỉ, như sư tử rống, đi về tìm kiếm ai đó để ăn tươi nuốt sống." - 1 Peter 5,8 . Chúng tôi cần phải luôn luôn cảnh giác hàng ngày, qua lời cầu nguyện liên tục và từ bỏ chính mình trong những cuộc đấu tranh chống lại sự dữ.
Chúng ta phải tách biệt tất cả những thứ vui trần thế, và của cải trong thế gới này, sự từ chối, xa lánh những thứ quá đáng liên quan đến "bóng tối”  vì chúng làm chúng ta lạc hướng và không thể đến với Chúa.
Chúng ta hãy xin Chúa giúp cho chúng ta luôn luôn phải cảnh giác hàng ngày, qua việc cầu nguyện liên tục và từ bỏ chính mình trong cuộc chiến đấu chống lại những cám dỗ , ham muốn hang ngày và mọi sự dữ.
 
REFLECTION
Watchfulness is a characteristic of the Christian. To watch is to avoid being taken unawares by an enemy. A person who watches is on the alert so that he can live in darkness without being part of the darkness. We are vigilant because there is a great expectation of the glorious manifestation of Christ. But this hour cannot be foreseen.
            Therefore it demands from us a detachment from earthly pleasure and goods, a renouncement of excesses associated with "the night" because they distract us from the Lord's coming. To maintain this vigilance we need to shoulder a spiritual armor. This will keep us from losing fervor and direction because there is a daily combat, "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion goes about looking for someone to devour." – 1 Peter 5,8 .May we always be on guard daily, through constant prayer and self-denial in the struggle against the evil one.
 
Reflection on Tuesday 29^th Ordinary Time
Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.”  Luke 12:35–36
What does it mean to “Gird your loins?” This phrase, which is not commonly used today, literally means “tighten your belt.” It traditionally refers to one who is wearing a long robe that makes it difficult to move quickly and easily. Thus, to gird your loins means that you tuck in the long robe and tighten your belt so that you are prepared for some physical activity. It was also commonly used to exhort those preparing for battle to get ready. Symbolically, then, this phrase simply means to be ready for something difficult or challenging. It means to be vigilant and prepared. Spiritually speaking, Jesus is telling His disciples to be ready for the spiritual battle that awaits them.
Jesus then tells His disciples to light their lamps. That phrase could have a variety of meanings, such as “Do not remain in the darkness of sin or ignorance” or “Let the light of charity shine forth as you navigate through life” or “Allow the light of truth to shine within your mind.” Hence, by the light of faith, they are to be prepared and vigilant, ready to do all that the Lord sends them to do.
Today’s Gospel ends by Jesus saying that the disciples will be truly blessed if they remain vigilant even until the second or third watch of the night. Some Church Fathers see this as a reference to three periods in one’s life: childhood being the first watch, middle age being the second, and old age being the third watch.
With these meanings understood, one message we can take from this Gospel is that Jesus is calling us to be vigilant in our faith at every moment of our lives. For those who have lived many years, it may be useful to look back at how faithful you have been throughout every period of your life. God wants to use you in many ways during childhood, through your middle age, and even in old age. The journey of faith must never end. Instead, it must continually deepen as you age. But this will only be possible if you “gird your loins” and “light your lamps.” You must continually be vigilant, continually attentive to the light of faith, and continually be ready to act every time God inspires you to act.
Reflect, today, upon the lifelong journey of faith and service of God to which you are called. Being a Christian is not simply something you are born into. If you were born into the faith, then ponder especially what you have done throughout your life to daily deepen and strengthen that faith. Ponder whether or not you have diligently responded to the countless inspirations of the Holy Spirit to spread the light of faith to others. If you have been truly faithful throughout your life, then give thanks to God and recommit yourself to this fidelity for the rest of your life. If you have lacked faith and vigilant attentiveness to the will of God, then place that in the hands of God’s mercy and resolve from this day forward to do all you can to respond to the will of God the moment God calls. 
My most merciful Lord, I thank You for the countless ways throughout my life that You have spoken to me, calling me to fulfill my mission of faith and love in this world. I commit to You, this day, to always remain vigilant and attentive to You every time You call. Use me, dear Lord, so that I may bring the light of Your saving Gospel to a world in
need. Jesus, I trust in You.
 

Reflection on Tuesday 29^th Ordinary Time 2023
 Opening Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, come! Be with me as I ponder these words of Scripture seeking wisdom for my day. 
Encountering Christ:
1. The Last Things: Maybe you are wondering about–or even growing tired of–the recurring theme of these days’ Gospels: the end of life, the end of time, the end of the world. The reason for this emphasis is that the yearly liturgical cycle is approaching its end, and this final stretch is dedicated precisely to the “last things.” In a few weeks, the liturgical year will culminate in the feast of Christ the King before commencing the new year with Advent. Let’s take these last days of the church year to dive deeply into the themes of death, judgment, heaven, and hell with the assurance that our contemplation of these realities will help us to grow in holiness.
2. Ready and Waiting: How ready are we to meet the Master? As the days grow shorter and the light becomes dimmer, we observe that nature has reached the wise and fragile age of an old man. Is one not reminded that all the intense vigor of existence, all the fresh beauty of youth, all the accomplishments of life are fleeting? We can appreciate that this time of year helps to put us in the proper frame of mind to anticipate eternity. We are asked in this Gospel to be ready to meet Jesus face-to-face at any moment. If we’re vigilant, we can expect the Master’s blessing! What will that look like?
3. The Master Waits on Us: Our Lord became man—Jesus lived among us, suffered, died and was buried, and rose from the dead, all for our benefit. That’s how much he loves us. But it seems more than incredible to imagine that Jesus would want to wait on us one day at the heavenly banquet. Yet he tells us so in this parable. What love! What humility! Truly, “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Contemplating a love so incomprehensible should inspire us to drop the sparkly baubles we sometimes cling to in this life and run to his waiting arms. 
Conversing with Christ: Jesus, my heart is yours, and I will prepare for your visit: be it during my next holy Communion, be it at the end of my days, be it by means of your continuous visits throughout each day when you simply look out for my well-being. You are always welcome and expected here!
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take a moment to meditate on the fact that earthly life is but the prelude before the reality of eternal life.

Reflection on Tuesday 29^th Ordinary Time (2015)

     In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us a lesson in faithfulness. Just as the Lord is committed to us in a bond of unbreakable love, we too should always remain true and committed to Him. If we are to be like the servants who are ready and waiting, we need to always be in a state of grace, borne out of faithfulness to Him.  
     It is difficult to remain faithful or prepared for the Lord's coming, because we live in a society that extols freedom and self-centeredness.  We live in a world where personal happiness and satisfaction is a priority. If our current preoccupation – whether it be our career, wealth, a relationship, habit or the like – is not holy and pleasing to Him, then we are being unfaithful and are not ready for the Master's return. We are distracted from focusing on God's will for us.
     We are asked to wait and that can really take a toll especially for some of us who find themselves somewhat impatient.  With fast food readily available, with what we desire conveniently delivered at the click of a mouse, we cannot sit still and be ready for the Lord to arrive. We are asked to pray and prepare ourselves. Oh, how much grace we will need to keep watch and stay at our post!
     It is quite challenging to be faithful on our own. We need the strength of the Holy Spirit to help keep us faithful and ready. We need the guidance of our community who are one-minded in this mission for the Lord.
     What part of our life is keeping us from being faithful to him? Lift it up to the Lord and ask Him for the grace to repent and remain steadfast.  He promises a great reward to those servants who are ready.