Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy
Tuàn thứ Nhất Mùa Vọng
Trong các bài trong tuần này, Tiên tri-Isaiah loan báo vào một thời điểm khi "những người điếc được nghe, người mù được thấy." Thời gian đó đã xảy ra trong bối cảnh mà chúng ta được thấy trong các bài Tin Mừng trong tuần này.. Chúa Giêsu đã bộn rộn với sứ vụ, làm phép lạ, chữa lành, và rao giảng Tin Mừng qua các thị trấn và làng mạc của Israel, nơi mà nhiều người mù được Chúa cho thấy, và điếc được chúa cho nghe, và kết quả là họ ca ngợi và tạ ơnThiên Chúa .
Điếu mà tất cả chúng ta phải làm là hãy tin tưởng và xây dựng đức tin của chúng ta, và hãy nhớ rằng Chúa Kitô rất muốn được ở ngay bên cạnh chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy gạt bỏ đi tất cả những mối nghi ngờ, sự cứng lòng tin và phải biết rộng mở tâm hồn chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy cùng nhau cầu nguyện với gia đình và với cộng đoàn giáo hội của chúng ta vì Chúa Kitô ở Ngay giữa chúng ta. Vi Chúa nói :"Vì ở đâu có hai ba người họp lại nhân danh Thầy, thì ta ở giữa họ." (Mt 18:20)”
Saturday after 1st Sunday Of Advent
Isaiah proclaims a time when "the deaf shall hear [and] the eyes of the blind shall see." That time came amid Jesus' busy ministry through the towns and villages of Israel, where many blind and deaf people were healed and, as a result, they praised God in thanksgiving. We may think that that time is now in the past. The story of Jesus, after all, has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus is no longer physically present here on earth and it would be unwise to count on miracles.
As it may be true that Jesus is not here in the same presence as He did more than 2,000 years ago, Jesus is very much still with us. He is with us spiritually in our hearts and physically with us through the Holy Eucharist. He is here listening to us and answering our prayers and he is here still actively working with us and through us to heal the sick, to enable the blind to see and the deaf to hear. He was with the Apostles during their very first missions and he is very much present as we in the Church come together as a community to proclaim His Word and do our duty as His followers.
All it takes is for us to believe and to build our faith, and to remember that he is very much alongside us. Let us cast away the doubts and open our hearts. Let us pray together with our families and with our church community. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mt 18:20). "Lord, help me to draw near to you with confidence and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in me."
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Matthew 9:37–38
What does God want of you? What is your mission? Some fervent Christians may dream of becoming a popular evangelist. Some may dream of doing heroic acts of charity that are praised by all. And others may wish to live a very quiet and hidden life of faith, close to family and friends. But what does God want of YOU?
In the passage above, Jesus exhorts His disciples to pray for “laborers for his harvest.” You can be certain that you are among the “laborers” of which our Lord speaks. It’s easy to think that this mission is for others, such as priests, religious and full-time lay evangelists. It’s easy for many to conclude that they do not have much to offer. But nothing could be further from the truth.
God wants to use you in exceptionally glorious ways. Yes, “exceptionally glorious!” Of course, that does not mean that you will be the next most popular YouTube evangelist or enter the spotlight like Saint Mother Teresa did. But the work God wants of you is just as real and just as important as any of the greatest saints of old or who are alive today.
Holiness of life is discovered in prayer but also in action. As you pray each and every day and grow closer to Christ, He will exhort you to “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons” (Matthew 10:8) as today’s Gospel goes on to state. But He will call you to do this in the unique way within your own vocation. Your daily duty is not to be ignored. So who in your daily encounters are those who are the sick, the dead, the lepers and the possessed? Most likely they are all around you, to one extent or another. Take, for example, those who are “lepers.” These are those who are the “rejects” of society. Our world can be harsh and cruel, and some may find themselves feeling lost and alone. Who do you know who may fall into this category? Who needs a bit of encouragement, understanding and compassion? God has given you a daily duty that He has not given to another, and, for that reason, there are some who need your love. Look for them, reach out to them, share Christ with them, be there for them.
Reflect, today, upon this exceptionally glorious calling you have been given to be Christ to another. Embrace this duty of love. See yourself as one called to be a laborer for Christ and commit yourself to the full and glorious fulfillment of this mission, no matter how it is to be lived out in your life.
My dear Lord, I commit myself to Your divine mission. I choose You and Your holy will for my life. Send me, dear Lord, to those who are most in need of your love and mercy. Help me to know how I can bring that love and mercy to those entrusted to me so that they will experience in their lives Your glorious and saving grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saturday after 1st Sunday Of Advent 2023
Encountering Christ:
1. We Are the Downtrodden: What is there to harvest when the sheep themselves look so downtrodden? Where is the Church to find vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and holy matrimony when even the small group of the faithful who actually follow Christ are “troubled and abandoned”? We all sometimes feel needy, ragtag, and unprepared for our mission. Even little daily tasks can overwhelm us. Never fear! When Jesus looked out at his followers, it wasn’t that his chest swelled with pride at such a glorious band of apostles. Rather, “his heart was moved with pity for them.” We ourselves are silly sheep, not regal lions, and Our Lord knows this. The task given to us–to the Church–will always seem too great, but Christ asks us to remain humble and trust in him because he is the master of the harvest.
Saturday after 1st Sunday Of Advent 2020
Opening Prayer: Lord God, open the Scriptures to me! The kingdom of heaven is at hand, but sometimes I feel like a sheep without a shepherd. Instruct me as you instructed the Twelve so that I can understand your word, and help me to accept the gift of following you.
1. We Are the Downtrodden: What is there to harvest when the sheep themselves look so downtrodden? Where is the Church to find vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and holy matrimony when even the small group of the faithful who actually follow Christ are “troubled and abandoned”? We all sometimes feel needy, ragtag, and unprepared for our mission. Even little daily tasks can overwhelm us. Never fear! When Jesus looked out at his followers, it wasn’t that his chest swelled with pride at such a glorious band of apostles. Rather, “his heart was moved with pity for them.” We ourselves are silly sheep, not regal lions, and Our Lord knows this. The task given to us–to the Church–will always seem too great, but Christ asks us to remain humble and trust in him because he is the master of the harvest.
Trong các bài trong tuần này, Tiên tri-Isaiah loan báo vào một thời điểm khi "những người điếc được nghe, người mù được thấy." Thời gian đó đã xảy ra trong bối cảnh mà chúng ta được thấy trong các bài Tin Mừng trong tuần này.. Chúa Giêsu đã bộn rộn với sứ vụ, làm phép lạ, chữa lành, và rao giảng Tin Mừng qua các thị trấn và làng mạc của Israel, nơi mà nhiều người mù được Chúa cho thấy, và điếc được chúa cho nghe, và kết quả là họ ca ngợi và tạ ơnThiên Chúa .
Điếu mà tất cả chúng ta phải làm là hãy tin tưởng và xây dựng đức tin của chúng ta, và hãy nhớ rằng Chúa Kitô rất muốn được ở ngay bên cạnh chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy gạt bỏ đi tất cả những mối nghi ngờ, sự cứng lòng tin và phải biết rộng mở tâm hồn chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy cùng nhau cầu nguyện với gia đình và với cộng đoàn giáo hội của chúng ta vì Chúa Kitô ở Ngay giữa chúng ta. Vi Chúa nói :"Vì ở đâu có hai ba người họp lại nhân danh Thầy, thì ta ở giữa họ." (Mt 18:20)”
Isaiah proclaims a time when "the deaf shall hear [and] the eyes of the blind shall see." That time came amid Jesus' busy ministry through the towns and villages of Israel, where many blind and deaf people were healed and, as a result, they praised God in thanksgiving. We may think that that time is now in the past. The story of Jesus, after all, has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus is no longer physically present here on earth and it would be unwise to count on miracles.
As it may be true that Jesus is not here in the same presence as He did more than 2,000 years ago, Jesus is very much still with us. He is with us spiritually in our hearts and physically with us through the Holy Eucharist. He is here listening to us and answering our prayers and he is here still actively working with us and through us to heal the sick, to enable the blind to see and the deaf to hear. He was with the Apostles during their very first missions and he is very much present as we in the Church come together as a community to proclaim His Word and do our duty as His followers.
All it takes is for us to believe and to build our faith, and to remember that he is very much alongside us. Let us cast away the doubts and open our hearts. Let us pray together with our families and with our church community. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mt 18:20). "Lord, help me to draw near to you with confidence and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in me."
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Matthew 9:37–38
What does God want of you? What is your mission? Some fervent Christians may dream of becoming a popular evangelist. Some may dream of doing heroic acts of charity that are praised by all. And others may wish to live a very quiet and hidden life of faith, close to family and friends. But what does God want of YOU?
In the passage above, Jesus exhorts His disciples to pray for “laborers for his harvest.” You can be certain that you are among the “laborers” of which our Lord speaks. It’s easy to think that this mission is for others, such as priests, religious and full-time lay evangelists. It’s easy for many to conclude that they do not have much to offer. But nothing could be further from the truth.
God wants to use you in exceptionally glorious ways. Yes, “exceptionally glorious!” Of course, that does not mean that you will be the next most popular YouTube evangelist or enter the spotlight like Saint Mother Teresa did. But the work God wants of you is just as real and just as important as any of the greatest saints of old or who are alive today.
Holiness of life is discovered in prayer but also in action. As you pray each and every day and grow closer to Christ, He will exhort you to “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons” (Matthew 10:8) as today’s Gospel goes on to state. But He will call you to do this in the unique way within your own vocation. Your daily duty is not to be ignored. So who in your daily encounters are those who are the sick, the dead, the lepers and the possessed? Most likely they are all around you, to one extent or another. Take, for example, those who are “lepers.” These are those who are the “rejects” of society. Our world can be harsh and cruel, and some may find themselves feeling lost and alone. Who do you know who may fall into this category? Who needs a bit of encouragement, understanding and compassion? God has given you a daily duty that He has not given to another, and, for that reason, there are some who need your love. Look for them, reach out to them, share Christ with them, be there for them.
Reflect, today, upon this exceptionally glorious calling you have been given to be Christ to another. Embrace this duty of love. See yourself as one called to be a laborer for Christ and commit yourself to the full and glorious fulfillment of this mission, no matter how it is to be lived out in your life.
My dear Lord, I commit myself to Your divine mission. I choose You and Your holy will for my life. Send me, dear Lord, to those who are most in need of your love and mercy. Help me to know how I can bring that love and mercy to those entrusted to me so that they will experience in their lives Your glorious and saving grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
Encountering Christ:
1. We Are the Downtrodden: What is there to harvest when the sheep themselves look so downtrodden? Where is the Church to find vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and holy matrimony when even the small group of the faithful who actually follow Christ are “troubled and abandoned”? We all sometimes feel needy, ragtag, and unprepared for our mission. Even little daily tasks can overwhelm us. Never fear! When Jesus looked out at his followers, it wasn’t that his chest swelled with pride at such a glorious band of apostles. Rather, “his heart was moved with pity for them.” We ourselves are silly sheep, not regal lions, and Our Lord knows this. The task given to us–to the Church–will always seem too great, but Christ asks us to remain humble and trust in him because he is the master of the harvest.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, open the Scriptures to me! The kingdom of heaven is at hand, but sometimes I feel like a sheep without a shepherd. Instruct me as you instructed the Twelve so that I can understand your word, and help me to accept the gift of following you.
1. We Are the Downtrodden: What is there to harvest when the sheep themselves look so downtrodden? Where is the Church to find vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and holy matrimony when even the small group of the faithful who actually follow Christ are “troubled and abandoned”? We all sometimes feel needy, ragtag, and unprepared for our mission. Even little daily tasks can overwhelm us. Never fear! When Jesus looked out at his followers, it wasn’t that his chest swelled with pride at such a glorious band of apostles. Rather, “his heart was moved with pity for them.” We ourselves are silly sheep, not regal lions, and Our Lord knows this. The task given to us–to the Church–will always seem too great, but Christ asks us to remain humble and trust in him because he is the master of the harvest.
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