Suy Niệm Chúa Nhật thứ 22nd Thường Niên - Năm B

 Suy Niệm Chúa Nhật thứ 22nd Thường Niên - Năm B

Chủ nhật tuần trước, chúng ta đã hoàn tất chương 6 trong Tin Mừng của Thánh Gioan nói về Bí tích Thánh Thể. Và hôm nay, chúng ta lại trở về bài Tin Mừng của Thánh Máccô.
Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã dùng một câu Cựu ước trong sách Isaiah nói về những người chỉ biết tôn kính Thiên Chúa bằng môi miệng, nhưng trong lòng họ thì vẫn xa rời Thiên Chúa. Chắc đôi lúc nhiều người trong chúng ta cũng có cảm gác như vậy mỗi khi ngồi xuống cầu nguyện, nhất là trong Thánh Lễ. Ngay sau khi chúng ta làm Dấu Thánh Giá, sự xao lãng đã bắt đầu tràn ngập tâm trí của chúng ta.
    Chúng ta có thể làm gì mỗi khi tâm hồn bị sao nhãng? Có lẽ chúng ta không có một giải pháp nào để giúp chúng ta tránh được điều này, nhưng chúng ta có thể chia sẻ một số kinh nghiệm của riêng mình.
Có ba loại chia trí hay sao lãng khác nhau trong việc cầu nguyện. Chúng ta hãy bắt đầu với sự chia trí tốt. Một số phiền nhiễu làm chúng ta chia trí có thể được gọi là tích cực. Thông thường, khi chúng ta cầu nguyện, một số nhu cầu hoặc bổn phận tự nhiên hiện đến trong tâm trí của chúng ta. Có lẽ đó là một người mà chúng ta nên gọi điện thoại hỏi thăm. Ví dụ, Khi chúng ta nghĩ về cha mẹ, con cái hay một người thân ruột thịt nào đó của mình trong nhiều ngày, nhưng khi bắt đầu cầu nguyện, chúng ta nhớ rằng chúng ta đã hứa sẽ gọi họ. Lúc này lòng trí của chúng ta như đang cố gắng chống lại sự thôi thúc ngừng cầu nguyện và gọi điện thoại. Thay vào đó, chúng ta có thể ghi lại một ghi chú, sau đó tiếp tục việc cầu nguyện. Điều tốt nhất mà chúng ta có thể làm cho cha mẹ hoặc người thân của mình là cầu nguyện. Khi một người nào đó đến với tâm trí của chúng ta, điều đó có nghĩa là chúng ta nên cầu nguyện cho họ. Điều này đặc biệt xảy ra khi chúng ta nhớ về một người đã làm tổn thương chúng ta. Nếu điều đó xảy ra trong Thánh lễ, chúng ta cố gắng đưa sự tổn thương này hiệp nhất với những gì đang xảy ra trên bàn thờ. Chúa Giêsu đã hiến mạng sống của Ngài cho chúng ta, để tha thứ tội lỗi cho chúng ta. Thì tại sao chúng ta không nên cầu xin Ngài giúp chúng ta tha thứ cho người đã làm tổn thương chúng ta sao? Vì vậy, những sự phân tâm hay chia trí này nhắc nhở chúng ta về một số nhiệm vụ có thể là tích cực. Chúng ta có thể lồng ghép chúng vào lời cầu nguyện ngay cả trong Thánh lễ.
Loại phiền nhiễu hay làm chia trí thứ hai là: những thứ đến từ xác thịt; sự lôi kéo cám dỗ của bản chất con người. Đôi khi chúng ta đang tham dự Thánh Lễ, nhưng lòng trí của chúng ta đã nghĩ về những gì chúng ta sẽ ăn trong bữa tối này? Có thể là những miếng sườn nướng hay là những miếng Beefteak Filet Mignon, mà chúng ta đã ướp theo như các công thức và gia vị đặc biệt và sẵn sàng bỏ vào lò nướng. Chúng ta mường tượng khi chúng ta bỏ những miếng thịt này vào lò nướng và chúng sẽ trông hấp dẫn như thế nào khi chúng ta kéo những miếng thịt này ra khỏi lò. Chúng ta có lẽ không đến nỗi là đói lắm, nhưng đột nhiên, những miếng sườn hay miếng beefteak đó lại trở thành tâm điểm cho sự chú ý của chúng ta hơn là viậc cầu nguyện hay tham dự thánh lễ. Những gì chúng ta cần làm là phải nói, "Lạy Chúa xin giúp con". Chúng ta hãy thừa nhận rằng chúng ta không biết cầu nguyện và nên nhận biết là Chúa Thánh Thần là Đấng đang cầu nguyện bên trong lòng của chúng ta. Như Chúa Giêsu đã nói, “tinh thần thì sẵn sàng, nhưng xác thịt thì yếu đuối”. Thiên Chúa đã cho phép sự yếu đuối của xác thịt để chúng ta có thể thừa nhận rằng chúng ta cần sự phụ thuộc của mình vào Thiên Chúa. Điều đó không có nghĩa là chúng ta chịu thua với xác thịt.
Chúng ta đang ở trong một trận chiến tâm linh; và thường thường trận chiến đó trở nên khốc liệt nhất khi chúng ta cố gắng cầu nguyện. Đây là ví dụ về chứng háu ăn. Nó có ý nghĩa không chỉ là ăn quá nhiều, mà là biến thức ăn trở thành trọng tâm trong sự suy nghĩ của chúng ta. Ngoài thói háu ăn, còn có sáu tội chết người khác: đó là sự đố kỵ, tham lam, thèm khát; tất cả các thứ tội này đều có thể đến với lòng trí của chúng ta trong khi cầu nguyện. Đừng nhượng bộ và đừng bỏ cuộc. Trước khi trở thành Giám mục phụ tá của tổng giáo phận Los Angeles, Cha Robert Barron đã thuyết trình trong một video rất xuất sắc nói về Bảy Đại Tội. (Bây giờ nó đã có trong YouTube và Bảy đức hạnh sống động tương ứng. Chúng tôi muốn giới thiệu Video này cho quý vị. Quý vị có thể tìm kiếm tiêu đề “Seven deadly sins” trên YouTube.)
Chúng tôi hy vọng đoạn Video này sẽ giúp ích cho chúng ta không chỉ trong cuộc sống hàng ngày, mà còn trong việc cầu nguyện của chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy tiếp tục chiến đấu với những sự chia trí hay phiền nhiễu đến từ xác thịt và tiếp tục cầu xin Thiên Chúa giúp chúng ta.
Một kiểu chia trí thứ ba đòi hỏi sự tế nhị: những thứ xuất phát từ cách ăn mặc thiếu lịch sự. Trong ngày Lễ Mình và Máu Thánh Chúa vào ngày 18 tháng 6 năm 2006, Đức Giám mục John Yanta của Giáo Phận Amarillo, Texas đã viết một bức thư mục vụ cho giáo dân của ngài nói về Sự khiêm tốn trong Thánh lễ. (chúng ta có thể tìm bản sao bức thư mục vụ này trên internet hoặc trang web của giáo phận Amarillo). Việc ăn mặc không nghiem trang trong Thánh lễ là một phần của một vấn đề rất lớn; nền văn hóa của chúng ta thiếu sự khiêm tốn. Xã hội của chúng ta thể hiện sự thiếu trang trọng như là việc giải phóng, nhưng trên thực tế, nó lại nô dịch hóa con người. Hơn bao giờ hết, việc ăn mặc thiếu lịch sự bao quanh chúng ta, thậm chí nhấn chìm chúng ta trong vực thẩm tội lỗi. Để hiểu những gì chúng ta đang chống lại, chúng ta có thể dùng hình ảnh trong cuốn phim “the Lord of the Rings”. Chúng ta còn nhớ con nhện khổng lồ, Shelob, đã tấn công anh chàng Frodo. Con nhiện này bao quanh anh ta bằng một màng nhện dầy dầy để rồi có thể ăn tươi nuốt sống anh ta. Chính vì vậy, nền văn hóa của chúng ta; vốn là một nền văn hóa của sự chết; như con nhện đang dùng sự thiếu trang nhã cuốn chặt chúng ta. Chống lại cái mành nhện thiếu trang nhã, hở hang này, chúng ta dường như bất lực. Tuy nhiên, chúng ta có một số vũ khí trang bị cho mình. Chúng ta có thể nhớ rằng khi màng nhện của Shelob bao trùm Frodo, người bạn của anh ta là Samwise đã chống trả. Anh ta chỉ có hai vũ khí; một thanh kiếm Hobbit nhỏ có vẻ vô lý khi chống lại con nhện khổng lồ. Nhưng anh ta cũng có Phial of Galadriel. Nó phát ra ánh sáng khiến Shelob lùi lại. Và nhờ đó Samwise có thể tiêu diệt con nhện khổng lồ ghê gớm này.
Nếu chúng ta kêu cầu Chúa Giêsu Kitô, Đấng Cứu Thế, Ngài sẽ sai thiên sứ của Ngài đến để bảo vệ chúng ta. Đặc biệt hữu ích là mỗi khi cầu xin sự cầu bầu của Đức Mẹ Maria. Trận chiến này sẽ không kết thúc cho đến khi chúng ta chết, nhưng chúng ta có thể tìm kiếm sự giúp đỡ để thoát chúng ta thoát khỏi cái màng lưới dính chặt đang nhấn chìm chúng ta ngày nay. Việc cầu nguyện không phải là vô vọng; và nhất là khi tham dự thánh lễ, chúng ta có thể kêu cứu nơi Thiên Chúa.
Ngày nay chúng ta có thể thấy tại sao Thiên Chúa cho phép con người chúng ta hay chia trí lo ra và sao nhãng, là vì Thiên Chúa muốn chúng ta nhận ra sự phụ thuộc của mình vào Ngài. Chúng ta đang sống trong một nền văn hóa chết chóc có nguy cơ nhấn chìm chúng ta trong tội lỗi. Kẻ thù sử dụng nền văn hóa đó để tấn công chúng ta từ mọi phía. Tuy nhiên, khi chúng ta kêu cầu Thiên Chúa, Chúa Thánh Thần sẽ giúp chúng ta. Như thánh Giacôbê đã nói: “Mọi ơn tốt lành, lộc trọn hảo hết thảy đều do trên cao xuống từ Cha các tinh tú sáng láng... Vì thế hãy khử trừ mọi thứ uế nhơ, và gian ác ứa đầy, mà khiêm nhu chịu lấy Lời vốn đã gieo sẵn trong lòng, Lời có thể cứu được linh hồn anh em,. (James 1. 17,21) Amen.

(Homily for Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)
Dealing with Distractions
Bottom line: Today we see why God allows distractions: So that we recognize our dependence on Him.
Last Sunday we completed a five-week series on the Eucharist - John, chapter 6, Jesus the Bread of Life. Today's Gospel brings up a concern related to the Mass: the problem of distractions during prayer.
Jesus quotes Isaiah about people who honor God with their lips, while their hearts remain far from Him. Many feel that way when we sit down to pray, especially at Mass. As soon as we make the Sign of the Cross, distractions begin flooding the mind.
What can a person do about distractions? I don't have a sure-fire solution, but I can share some of my own experience. I'd like to address three different types of distractions.
Let's begin with the good news. Some distractions can be positive. Often when I pray, some need or duty will come into my mind. Maybe there's a person I should call. I haven't thought about him all day, but when I start praying, I remember that I promised to call him. I try to resist the urge to stop praying and make a phone call. Instead, I might jot a note, then get back to prayer. The very best thing I can do for my friend is pray.
When some person comes to my mind, it means I should pray for him. This is especially the case when I remember someone who has hurt me. If that happens at Mass, I try to bring it into what is happening at the altar. Jesus gave his life for me, for the forgiveness of my sins. Should I not ask him to help me forgive the person who hurt me? So, distractions that remind us of some person or duty can be positive. We can integrate them into prayer even at Mass.
I'd like to now address a second class of distractions: those that come from the flesh - the downward pull of human nature. Sometimes when I am saying Mass, I will think about what I have in the refrigerator. Maybe someone has given me tamales. I imagine myself putting them into the microwave and how they will look when I pull the husks off them. I'm not even that hungry, but all of a sudden, those tamales have become the focus of my attention. What I need to do is say, "help." Admit that I do not know how to pray and to recognize the Holy Spirit is the one who prays within me. As Jesus said, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Lord, give me your powerful Spirit. Jesus allows the weakness of the flesh so that we acknowledge our dependence on him. That doesn't mean we give into the flesh. We are in a spiritual battle - and very often that battle become most fierce when we try to pray.
I gave the example of gluttony. It means more than over-eating, but making food the center of one's thoughts. Besides gluttony, there are six other deadly sins - for example, envy, greed, lust - anyone can come to the fore during prayer. Don't give in and don't give up. Fr. Bob Barron has an excellent DVD on The Seven Deadly Sins and the corresponding Seven Lively Virtues. I recommend it to you. (And I will be showing it this year in our parish.) It will help you not only in your daily life, but also in your prayer. Keep fighting those distractions that come from the flesh - and keep asking for God's help.
A third type of distraction calls for some delicacy: those that come from immodesty in dress. Bishop John Yanta has written a helpful letter on Modesty at Mass. I have made copies available at the entrances. Immodesty at Mass is part of a bigger problem - our culture's lack of modesty. Our society presents immodesty as liberating, but in reality, it enslaves people. More than ever immodesty surrounds us, even engulfs us. To understand what we are up against, I would like to use image from the Lord of the Rings. You might remember the giant spider, Shelob, that attacks Frodo. She surrounds him with a sticky web so that she can devour him.
Just so, our culture - which is a culture of death - spins a web of immodesty. Against that web, we seem powerless. We do, however, have some armaments on our side. You might remember that when Shelob's web enveloped Frodo, his friend Samwise fights back. He has only two weapons - a small hobbit sword which seems ridiculous against the giant spider. But he also has the Phial of Galadriel. It emits a light that causes Shelob to recede. It enables Samwise to destroy the hideous creature.
If we call on Christ, he will send an angel to defend us. It especially helps to ask the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary. This battle will not end until we are lowered into the grave, but we can seek help to break out of the sticky web that engulfs us today. It's not hopeless - and especially when we come to Mass we can cry out for help. For us and for our young people. I will say more about the battle for purity next Sunday.
Today we see why God allows distractions: So that we recognize our dependence on Him. We live in a culture of death that threatens to engulf us. The enemy uses that culture to attack us from all sides. Still, when we call out, the Holy Spirit gives us help. As st. James says: "Every perfect gift comes from above...Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your soul." Amen.


Homily for Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B
Last Sunday we completed a series on the Eucharist from John’s Gospel chapter 6, and today we are coming back to Gospel of saint Mark. All of the readings today remind us that the source if good and evil is the heart, not external things. The heart is our inner sanctum where we can be pure or defiled, and both conditions try to go beyond their confines to influence the lives of others.
In today’s First Reading we’re reminded that the purpose of the Law is to enable us to grow closer to God and to show our intelligence and wisdom. In Jesus’ time, the Pharisees had derived over six hundred rules and regulations from the Law, all derived from the Law spelled out in the Old Testament books (Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, etc.) However, they had lost sight of the fundamentals: love for God and neighbor, not just ritual cleanliness. Moses reminds them today that the Law is to be followed so that they not only have intelligence and wisdom but show it. Intelligence is something that shines from within. It’s not just the information we receive those counts, but how we process it and use it. Wisdom influences how we perceive the world. It makes us see causes, connections, and consequences, and our actions show or disprove that we are wise.
In today’s Second Reading St. James reminds us that to please God we should strive “to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” The “world” today believes that if something feels good, you should do it, but the world is also witnessing how much destructive behavior comes from following that principle. We are wounded by original sin and our own sins; not everything as a result feels good that is good addicts destroy themselves by trying to feel good. Lots of behavior turns into compulsive behavior that we can’t control: this is a stained heart that Our Lord wants to make clean again through love and mercy.
The Pharisees in Jesus time were focused on externals and had lost sight of the bigger picture. Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel that defilement comes from hearts and endangers other hearts, and we should strive to maintain a purity of heart, not just ritual cleanliness. In today’s Gospel, using the example of dietary laws, Jesus is teaching us that the “Devil made me do it” as an argument has no merit. The problem of evil has plagued man and philosophy almost since Creation, and a trend has always tried to blame God or other things as the cause of sin when all man needed to do was look in the mirror. The Lord our God created everything good and for the good, but his creatures freely chose to do evil instead: the fallen angels, starting with the Devil, and humanity, starting with Adam and Eve. If the world is a mess, it is because we, sinners, made it so.
The dietary laws in Jesus’ time believed certain foods brought ritual contamination and, therefore, defiled a man; We can see here Saint Mark makes a point of saying in his account that Jesus is teaching that there are no ritually impure foods. It’s a teaching that even the first disciples would struggle with as they realized that Christianity was meant to go beyond the Jewish world and culture. The Original Sin of Adam and Eve robbed us of something we couldn’t do without, and it is only thanks to the Redemption that their sin didn’t condemn us all to spiritual death. However, Adam and Eve aren’t to blame for all of it: we too have sinned and continue to sin.
This sobering reality is not meant to discourage us; instead, it makes us realize that not only do we need Savior, but have one: Our Lord. During the celebration of the Eucharist, we begin with a Penitential Rite, and after the main celebrant prepares the gifts, he washes his hands with water, saying, “Lord, wash away my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” We begin Mass with the Penitential Rite because we want to participate with clean hearts, just like we wash up for a meal. However, there is washing up, and there is cleaning up. We probably all had a moment in our lives when our mom told us to wash our hands, and she sent us back to do a better job because just touching a bar of soap and a little water did not clean our hands.
Similarly, if you’d fallen into a pit of filthy dirty trash, it’s unlikely that washing your hands before coming to dinner would be enough. We purify ourselves ritually at Mass and sacramentally in Confession because we know we need deep cleaning: of our hearts. There’s cleaning to wash away the daily grime, and there’s more radical cleaning when we need help to crawl out of the cesspool of sin. Today, Jesus gives a long list of things that come from defiled hearts and endanger other innocent hearts, and they can all be traced back to sinful proud person and dragging others into their behavior, even though their bad example.
We live in a culture of death that threatens to engulf us. The enemy uses that culture to attack us from all sides. In the Second Reading, St. James says: "Every perfect gift comes from above... Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your soul."
In His teaching to the crowd, Jesus added that: There is nothing from outside of a person can defile that person. But the things that come out from within are what defile. All human actions have their origin in the heart.
That is where evil intentions are planned and executed, be they: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, or folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. We have a choice, sometimes it seems easy, sometimes it's very hard.

Do we live our lives understanding and knowing that we are loved by God and trying always to please Him, to make Him proud? Or do we give into to the corrupted side of our nature, the selfishness we all have, the sin of the apple we have carried since Adam and Eve.

Today, all of us are called to be doers of the Word of God; we are not called to be doers of the worldly pleasures that rob the grace of God from our souls. We are called to be holy children as members of the holy Body of Christ, we are called to be doers of holy actions, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit" [Gal. 5:22-5] so we may truly be doers of the Word. Let’s ask our Lord to help us practice charity with all our heart, not only caring for others but treating them with purity of heart and encouraging them to do the same. In that way, we’ll please God and remain close to him.

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. Mark 7:1–2

What a foolish thing for these Pharisees and scribes to be concerned about! They were in the presence of the Son of God, the Savior of the World, a man of perfect virtue and pure goodness, and all they could do was to observe that some of Jesus’ disciples failed to follow the scrupulous teaching on how they should wash their hands before a meal. The reason for this was their pride. These teachers of Israel had devised a large body of detailed, unwritten, human laws that they treated with the same binding force as the Law of Moses that they received from God. But the scribes’ and Pharisees’ human traditions were not from God; they were a body of regulations flowing from their own self-righteous need to act as interpreters of the Law. Therefore, whenever someone failed to follow the traditions the Pharisees and scribes taught as binding, they took it personally and reacted with judgment.

One lesson we can learn from these religious leaders is that we should never take things personally. Allowing ourselves to become personally offended at anything at all is, in fact, an act of our own pride. We do need to have sorrow for the sin we see, but that is different than allowing ourselves to become personally offended. For example, even if we were to teach the very Law of God and someone rejects that teaching, our response must be sorrow for them as we reject their error.

Jesus went on to respond to the Pharisees and scribes by quoting to them the Prophet Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts” (See Isaiah 29:13). What’s interesting is that Jesus didn’t really engage them in conversation about this, defending Himself or His disciples in their eyes. Instead, He rebuked the Pharisees and scribes in a general way so as to dismiss their criticism as false, and then turned away from them and addressed the crowds.

We will all experience unjust condemnation at times. If we are in the wrong, then we must receive the condemnation as if it were from God and repent. But if the condemnation flows from someone’s wounded pride or error, then Jesus set the example on how we ought to respond. The best response is to reject their error and then refuse to become engaged in the conversation further. Too often when we are criticized unjustly, we also take it personally. We tend to fight back and justify ourselves, trying to prove that the other person is wrong. But when we do that, we are most likely acting out of our own wounded pride. This will result in angry sulking feelings and the experience of oppression that the evil one inflicts upon us. Jesus’ model is to reject the lie and then refuse to engage it further. The reason for this is that the unjust condemnation is actually the seed of the evil one. The person delivering it is only the instrument. So we rebuke the lie of the evil one and refuse to get into a personal battle with the person delivering the lie. Doing so brings freedom from oppression and allows our hearts to remain at peace, no matter what we endure.

Reflect, today, upon any ways that you have taken some conversation personally, allowing it to oppress you with anger, becoming defensive or argumentative. Know that whenever that happens, this is an attack from the evil one as he seeks to oppress you. Do not accept that abuse. The guide for each of us is the peace and joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. Even the greatest martyrs remained at peace and felt joy in the midst of their persecution. Reflect upon any ways that you have allowed the evil one to agitate you and leave you upset with your wounded pride. Do not fall into his trap. Hold on to the truth and remain at peace, and that will be all the defense you need to make.

My persecuted Lord, You endured much criticism in life, but You never allowed it to steal Your peace. You remained perfectly strong, rejecting the lies and turning from them. Please give me the grace I need to always turn away from the lies of the evil one and to listen only to Your clear and gentle voice. Jesus, I trust in You.

Sunday 22nd Ordinary Time Year B

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I want to cling to you above all things. Eternal union with you is what I truly desire. Help me to be detached from the things of this passing world. Purify my heart from all evil.

Encountering the Word of God

1. True Defilement: For the last five Sundays we read from John 6 and heard Jesus proclaim that he was the Bread of Life and that he will give us his flesh and blood for food and drink. This Sunday, we return to the Gospel of Mark and begin with chapter 7. The passage is part of the “Bread Section” in Mark’s Gospel (6:33-8:26), where bread is mentioned 17 times. Throughout the section, bread serves as a keyword to refer to the understanding of Jesus and his mission, which the disciples often lack (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 124). The Bread Section begins with Jesus multiplying the loaves and fish in Israel and ends with him doing the same miracle in Gentile territory. Sandwiched between these two miracles is a conversation with a Canaanite woman who, as a Gentile, welcomes the scraps of bread that fall from the table of the children of Israel. In today’s Gospel, the discussion with the Pharisees about their human traditions happens in that context. The Pharisees who confronted Jesus were part of “a renewal movement that sought to restore God’s favor to Israel by advocating strict observance of the law and total separation from all Gentile defilement” (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 135). The Gospel shows that the ritual and cultural walls of separation between Israel and the Gentiles, defended burdensomely and zealously by the Pharisees, were torn down by Jesus, who taught that “defilement is not ceremonial but moral; likewise, purity is a matter of the heart” (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 143). What habitually defiles me from within?

2. The “Second Law” of Moses: The First Reading is taken from the Book of Deuteronomy. The name “Deuteronomy” means “Second Law.” Moses gave this law to Israel after forty years of wandering in the desert. The people of Israel repeatedly broke the “First Law” given at Mt. Sinai. After forty years of rebellion, Moses gave the people a second law that was much harsher than the first law and full of concessions. One of the objectives of the second law that Moses gave was to separate and protect the people of Israel from the influence of the Gentiles. Many of the laws that Moses gave in Deuteronomy were good and sought to apply the Ten Commandments to daily life in the Promised Land. But other laws that Moses gave were not good – such as the laws about divorce or eradicating enemies in warfare. These laws awaited their correction and fulfillment by Jesus, the New Moses. Jesus not only had to bring the Old Law of Moses to fulfillment, but he also had to correct the interpretation of that same law by the scribes and Pharisees who were unnecessarily burdening the people with their human traditions. Jesus will bring us back to the heart of the Law – loving God above all things and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Do I act like a Pharisee and concentrate on lesser matters or like a disciple of Jesus who focuses on the heart of the New Law?

3. Humbly Welcome the Word: This Sunday we begin to read the Letter of James as the Second Reading. It is a very practical letter that teaches that our Christian faith needs to flourish in works of charity. Faith does not consist in simply believing that God exists but must be completed in works of love and mercy (James 2:22). Faith without works of love is dead and useless. The Second Reading begins by reminding us that God does not tempt us to sin but is the giver of every good gift. God offers us the crown of eternal life, wisdom, truth, and being a new creation. “Ultimately, all these perfect gifts pertain to eternal life and salvation; God wills our salvation and life, not damnation and death. To think otherwise is to be deceived” (Anderson and Keating, James, First, Second, and Third John, 31). God is the eternal, unchanging source of all that is good. Those who receive God’s word do so humbly and know that the hope of salvation lies in God’s gracious gift and not in their own strength. The path to life comes through accepting God’s word of truth and persevering in it. Death comes from being ensnared by one’s own desires and the influence of the world (Anderson and Keating, James, First, Second, and Third John, 39). The Pharisees relied on their own strength to fulfill God’s Law and failed; do I rely on God’s grace to fulfill the New Law?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I humbly welcome you into my life and heart. You have transformed my life with your grace. Empower me to do good and avoid evil so that I may merit eternal life with you, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Suy Niệm bài Tin Mừng thứ Bẩy Tuần 21 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm bài Tin Mừng thứ Bẩy Tuần 21 Thường Niên
Thứ Bảy, Chúa Nhật 21 Thường Niên
“Loài người không có gì để khoe khoang với Thiên Chúa.” Thật đúng, với thời đại maf chúng ta sống hiện nay và lịch sử gần đây của thế giới. Chiến tranh, hận thù, thảm sát, áp bức, bất công, đói nghèo mà chúng ta có thể giải quyết nhưng không làm được… một danh sách dài vô tận. Tất nhiên, đây không phải là điều Thánh Phaolô nói đến trong lá thư gửi cho các Kitô hữu ở Côrintô. Nhưng có lẽ đây là lời nhắc nhở kịp thời về con người thật của chúng ta, những người dễ dàng tự hào về bản thân và những thành tựu của mình, dù là thành tựu cá nhân hay thành tựu y học, khoa học, công nghệ, v.v. Trong thời đại “khai sáng” của chúng ta, một số người thậm chí còn khoe khoang rằng họ không “cần” đến Thiên Chúa nữa,.
Khoe khoang là cho rằng chúng ta có một số đức tính, lòng tốt hoặc khả năng của riêng mình, khiến chúng ta có quyền coi thường người khác, so sánh họ với chính mình một cách không thuận lợi. Nhưng sự thật là chúng ta không có bất cứ thứ gì là của riêng mình. Sự thật này về chúng ta chính là sự khiêm nhường của người Kitô hữu, sự thừa nhận thực tại của chính mình.
Những gì chúng ta có hay sử hữu và gọi là “của tôi” thật ra luôn là những món quà của Chúa ban cho. Và điều đó đặc biệt đúng với đức tin của chúng ta, với việc chúng ta là một Ki tô hữu. Chỉ có sự lựa chọn của Chúa mới khiến chúng ta trở nên như vậy, không phải bất kỳ đức tính, tài năng hay khả năng nào mà chúng ta có thể nói là “của tôi”.
Tuy nhiên, trong Chúa Kitô và thông qua Ngài, chúng ta có thể tự hào và khoe khoang về những gì Chúa đã làm trong chúng ta và cho chúng ta. Không phải lòng kiêu hãnh hay sự khoe khoang tạo ra sự so sánh hay phán đoán, mà là lòng kiêu hãnh, chân thật và khiêm nhường biết ơn.
Lạy Chúa, Chúa là sự khôn ngoan, sức mạnh, lòng tốt và sự thánh khiết của chúng ta. Chỉ một mình Chúa được vinh quang.
 
Saturday  21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The human race has nothing to boast about to God.” How true that is of our present age and the world's recent history. Wars, hatreds, massacres, oppressions, injustices, hunger and poverty that we could relieve but don’t … an endless list. This is not, of course, what St Paul was talking about in his letter to the Christians of Corinth. But maybe it's a timely reminder of who we really are, we who so easily become proud of ourselves and our achievements, be they personal or the achievements of medicine, science, technology and so on. Some people even boast about not “needing” God any, more, in our “enlightened” age.
To boast at all is to presume we have some virtue or goodness or ability of our own that gives us a right to look down on others, compare them unfavourably with ourselves. But the truth is that we don’t have anything of our own. This truth about me is Christian humility, a recognition of my reality.
What we call “mine” is always a gift of God. And that’s especially true of my faith, of my being a Christian. It’s purely God’s choice that’s made me so, not any virtue,  talent or ability I could say is “mine”.
Yet, in Christ and through Him I can be proud and boast of what God has done in me, and for me. It’s not pride or boastfulness that makes comparisons or judgements, but one that is graceful, truthful, and humbly grateful. Lord God, You are my wisdom, my power, my goodness, my holiness. To You alone be glory.
 
 
Saturday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
“The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.’” Matthew 25:20–21
Oftentimes, when we are presented with a story of success versus tragedy, our attention goes to the tragedy first. The parable we are given today, the Parable of the Talents, presents us with three persons. Two of the people display stories of great success. One, however, offers a story that is more tragic. The tragic story ends by the master telling the servant who buried his money that he is a “wicked, lazy servant!” But both of the success stories end with the master saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.” Let’s focus upon these success stories.
Both of the servants who were successful doubled the master’s money. Even from a secular point of view, that is very impressive. If you were investing money with a financial advisor and shortly after investing you were told that your money had doubled, you’d be quite pleased. Such a rate of return is rare. This is the first message we should take from this parable. Doubling the gifts and graces God gives us is very doable. The reason for this is not primarily because of us; rather, it’s because of God. By their very nature, God’s gifts to us are meant to grow. By its very nature, grace flows in superabundance; and, when we cooperate with God’s grace, then it grows in an exponential way.
When you consider your own life, what gifts has God given to you that He wants you to use for His glory? Are there gifts buried away that remain stagnant or, even worse, are used for purposes that are contrary to the divine plan for your life? Some of the more obvious gifts you were given within your very nature are your intellect and will. Additionally, you may be extra-talented in one way or another. These are all gifts given on a natural level. In addition to these, God often bestows supernatural gifts in abundance when we begin to use what we have for His glory and for the salvation of others. For example, if you work to share the truths of our faith with others, God will begin to deepen your supernatural gifts of Counsel, Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding so that you will be able to speak about God and His will. All seven of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are among the clearest examples of supernatural gifts given by God as follows: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord. The prayer that concludes this reflection comes from a traditional novena to the Holy Spirit and not only asks for these gifts but also gives a short description of them for a better understanding. 
Reflect, today, upon the fact that what God has given to you, both on a natural and supernatural level, must be devoted to the service of God and others. Do you do this? Do you try to use every talent, every gift, every part of who you are for God’s glory and the eternal good of others? If you don’t, then those gifts dwindle away. If you do, you will see those gifts of God’s grace grow in manifold ways. Strive to understand the gifts you have received and firmly resolve to use them for God’s glory and the salvation of souls. If you do, you will also hear our Lord say to you one day, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Oh, Lord Jesus Christ, grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear of the Lord, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Saturday 21^st Ordinary Time 2024
 
Saturday  21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come to you again in prayer. Even though I cannot see you, I know through faith that you are present in my life. I hope in your promise to be with me. I love you, and I know you love me. Accept this prayer as a token of my love.
Petition: Teach me, Lord, to take all that you have given me and make it produce fruit for your kingdom.
1. God’s Gifts: The Gospel tells us clearly that God distributes his gifts among us as he wills and entrusts each of us with a mission. He gives us what we need to produce fruits for his kingdom and expects us to use those gifts responsibly and diligently. No two people are exactly alike, and God treats each one individually as a unique person made in his image. We need to live before God and respond to him sincerely by using the talents he has given us to the maximum. Are we making the best use of all God has given us, or have we neglected some things and taken others for granted? Might we be committing a sin of omission with regard to some of our talents?
2. Life as a Mission: The servants who invest their talents and make a return on them have understood the purpose of their lives and the time they have at their disposal. These servants were generous with everything their master had given them, making it bear fruit, and they received from him the reward of greater intimacy and more responsibility. Each of us is also given a limited amount of time to use our various gifts to give glory to God and help save other souls. We, too, should work every day to hear those words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
3. The Useless Servant: How often we are paralyzed by fear or false prudence into doing nothing, into trying to preserve ourselves! Sometimes, we don’t take God’s gifts seriously or think we have been given very little, and we use that as a rationalization for making no effort or producing little for God. We blame circumstances or others, but the fact is we are neglecting to produce the fruits God wants. The master didn’t expect a return of five talents from the servant to whom he gave only one. He would have been happy with a return of one more, but the lazy servant closed in on his egoism, self-love, and laziness. We must resolve to use our God-given talents wisely to net him a significant return.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, give me the grace and love to work for your kingdom with all the talents that you have given me. Let me return them all to you with real fruits for your kingdom.
Resolution: I will make a plan for evangelizing other souls and look for fruits of holiness in others.
 
Suy Niệm bài Tin Mừng thứ Bẩy Tuần 21 Thường Niên.
Câu chuyện ngụ ngôn hôm nay nói về sự liên quan đến việc sử dụng những tài năng mà Thiên Chúa bạn cho chúng ta để chúng ta dùng hầu đem lợi ích đến với tất cả mọi người.
Câu chuyện dụ ngôn cũng có thể được áp dụng để nâng cao khả năng tình yêu thương của chúng ta. Thiên Chúa đã cho chúng ta có khả năng bẩm sinh để yêu thương những người khác như: cha mẹ yêu thương con cái, tình bạn được tạo ra một cách tự phát, tình yêu lãng mạn có thể nở dễ dàng. Trong bài đọc thứ Nhất hôm nay, Thánh Phao-lô cũng như Chúa Giêsu qua câu chuyen dụ ngôn đã đều khuyên chúng ta là hãy yêu thương nhau nhiều hơn! Điều này có thể có nghĩa là yêu thương cả những người không dễ thương, không thể thưởng và tìm cách vươn tới những người đang đau khổ, đang cần sự giúp đỡ. Chúng ta có sẵn sàng liều lĩnh hơn để tha thứ và yêu thương đến những kẻ thù của chúng ta, và cần phải biết đầu tư nhiều hơn để gặt hải được nhiều hơn trong tình yêu thương?
 
REFLECTION
    The parable of the talents is usually associated with using our God-given talents for the good of all. The parable can also be applied to improving our capacity to love. God has given us an innate capacity to love others: parents love their children, friendships are made spontaneously, and romantic love can bloom effortlessly. Both Paul and the parable urge us to love more! This more can mean loving the unlovable and reaching out to those who are in need. Are we ready to risk more, invest more and reap more love?
 
Meditation:
What can economics and productivity teach us about the kingdom of heaven? Jesus' story about a businessman who leaves town and entrusts his money with his workers made perfect sense to his audience. Wealthy merchants and businessmen often had to travel abroad and leave the business to others to handle while they were gone. Why did Jesus tell this story and what can it teach us? Most importantly it tells us something about how God deals with us, his disciples and servants. The parable speaks first of the Master's trust in his servants. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master's workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money. The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants' conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master's money was faithful up to a certain point. The servant who buried the master's money was irresponsible. One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to become productive because they obey natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws. They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money.
What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient the means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have. There is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces he has given to you?
"Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and thoughts, be the king of my home and relationships, and be the master of my work and service. Help me to make good use of the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom."
 
 
August 27- Memorial of Saint Monica
Opening Prayer: Prayer of St. Augustine, the son of St. Monica.
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, so that I love only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
Encountering Christ:
·         When God Isn’t Answering Our Prayers: St. Monica spent years and years praying for the conversion of her husband and son while they continued to live a pagan life of licentiousness and debauchery, far from grace. Like the foolish virgins in this parable, St. Monica may have been tempted to become drowsy and fall asleep. Yet, she persevered. She stayed awake and kept vigil, never losing her confidence that God would answer her prayer. 
·         Stay Awake: As Christ tells us in this parable, “you never know neither the day nor the hour” when a moment of grace will enter a stone-cold heart. St. Monica’s local bishop would often console her, saying, “God’s time will come. Go now, it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.” Her prayers, authentic Christian witness, and love for her husband and son ultimately won out. She was at her husband’s bedside when he converted before dying, and she saw her son’s conversion before her own death. Because of her unwavering trust in God, her lit lamp never faltered. 
·         Some Things Are Reserved Only for the Lord: St. Monica did not allow the chiding and antagonism of her husband and son to take away her oil of faithful prayer. If they had succeeded, they would have ultimately robbed themselves of the graces they needed from that prayer. She loved them wholeheartedly, and she also loved her Lord. And the Lord blessed her vigilance and patience by welcoming her into the banquet of saints in heaven. 
Conversing with Christ: Lord, it is hard for me at times to continue praying when I don’t think you are answering. Give me the fortitude and courage of St. Monica to continue praying and witnessing to you in my life so that my loved ones may one day light their own lamps with oil to see and love you. I believe that my prayer will not be left unanswered and that all will happen in your timing. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take some extra time to pray fervently for the soul I have grown weary praying for. 2023
 
Opening Prayer: Prayer from St. Augustine  8/28
Lord my God, I believe in you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Insofar as I can, insofar as you have given me the power, I have sought you. I became weary and I labored. O Lord my God, my sole hope, help me to believe and never to cease seeking you. Grant that I may always and ardently seek out your countenance. Give me the strength to seek you, for you help me to find you and you have more and more given me the hope of finding you. Here I am before you with my firmness and my infirmity. Preserve the first and heal the second. Here I am before you with my strength and my ignorance. Where you have opened the door to me, welcome me at the entrance; where you have closed the door to me, open to my cry; enable me to remember you, to understand you, and to love you. Amen.
Encountering Christ:
1.      Each According to His Ability: It can be tempting to compare our talents to those of others. Doing this can rob us of energy, and can even deter us from using our talents. This parable mentions how the master gave these talents “each according to his ability.” Our Lord knows what he is doing. We can be confident that he expects us to use what he has given us for his glory. It is not so much about how many or the types of talents we are given, but what we choose to do with them that matters to our Master. 
2.      Paralyzed by Fear: Many times we can allow fear to hold us back from using our talents. We over-calculate what could happen if we start a project, give our time to others, or begin to develop the talents we have. This fear can paralyze us, like it did the third servant. The Master doesn’t want our perceived limitations to cripple us or hold us back. He has fully equipped us with all we need to bear fruit in our own lives and in the lives of others. “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13).
3.      Good and Faithful Servant: Everything that we receive in our lives, the blessings, and the difficulties, can be turned into good fruit. St. Augustine’s own life is a testament to this. How many people have been rescued from their own sinful lifestyle by his example? His immortality was transformed into talent at the service of the Lord. Nothing, if offered to the Lord, can deter us from receiving the Master’s joy and bringing that joy to others. 
Conversing with Christ: Lord, so often I fail to recognize and be grateful for my gifts and talents. Thank you for them. Please help me to not be afraid to put them at the service of others, trusting that my efforts can be multiplied by your grace. Show me where you would like me to invest my time and talents, and allow me to experience your joy as I do so. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will reflect on one of my talents and how I can offer it to someone concretely. 
 

Suy Niêm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu tuần 21 TN - Matthew 25:1-13

Suy Niêm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu tuần 21 TN -

Bài Tin Mừng hôm nay mời gọi chúng ta phải có lòng trung thành Thiên Chúa và phải biết chú tâm trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta. Năm cô trinh nữ khôn ngoan trước khi ra đi, họ đã  chuẩn bị và sẵn sàng những thứ cần thiết cho những sự bất ngờ và họ đã nhận được phần thưởng của mình. Ngược lại, Năm trinh nữ khờ dại đã không biết chuẩn bị trước tất cả những cơ hội sẽ đến với họ, họ ỷ y với hy vọng rằng người khác sẽ giúp mình và họ đã thất vọng bỏ lỡ cơ hội đã đến với họ.
     Thiên Chúa đã có những kế hoạch riêng cho mỗi người chúng ta trong cuộc sống. Chúng ta được mời gọi để sử dụng những hồng ân mà Thiên Chúa đã ban cho chúng ta để hoàn thành những nghĩa vụ đặc biệt của chúng ta trong cuộc sống của riêng. Mỗi ân sũng là một món quà là vô cùng quý giá, và mỗi khoản khắc trong cuộc sống của chúng ta cũng rất là quý giá. Chúng ta không thể nào biết được khi nào chàng rể sẽ đến và sẽ gọi cho chúng ta.
            Có lẽ hôm nay chúng ta hãy tự đặt một vài câu hỏi cho chính mình. Nếu Thiên Chúa gọi tôi tại thời điểm này, tôi đã sẵn sàng chưa? Những gì trong cuộc sống mà tôi muốn làm, nếu tôi chỉ còn có một thời gian ngắn để sống? Ai là những người trong cuộc đời của tôi, mà tôi muốn gặp?  Trong khi chúng ta suy nghĩ và tìm những câu trả lời cho những câu hỏi này, chúng ta có thể cảm thấy sự cần thiết phải thực hiện những ước muốn của chúng ta đang phát sinh ngay trong trái tim của chúng ta hôm nay..
            Các trinh nữ khờ dại thiếu "dầu" cho những công trình tốt. Họ thất bại trong việc thực hiện kế hoạch của Thiên Chúa ngay trong cuộc sống hiện tại. Họ đã bỏ lỡ cơ hội và dịp may hiếm có của họ. Nếu chúng ta sống mỗi ngày như các trinh nữ khôn ngoan, luôn biết chuẩn bị tâm hồn và sẵ sàng thực hiện những gì mà Thiên Chúa đang mời gọi chúng ta làm, chúng ta sẽ không bao giờ phải hối tiếc. Chúng ta hãy cầu nguyện và xin Chúa ban cho cho chúng ta những ân sủng của Ngài để chúng ta biết sống mỗi ngày theo ý mà Thiên Chúa muốn chúng ta sống.
 
Comment Friday 21^st Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel reading calls us to faithfulness and attentiveness in our daily lives. The five wise virgins set out on their journey well prepared and ready for the unexpected. They received their reward. In contrast, the foolish left it all to chance in the hope that someone else would provide when the need arose. They were disappointed and missed the opportunity of seeing the Bridegroom when He arrived. God has a plan for each of us in life. We are called to use he gifts God has given to us to fulfill our particular mission in life. Each gift is precious and each moment of life is precious. We don’t know when the Bridegroom will call us.
            Perhaps today is a good day to put a few questions to ourselves. If God called me at this moment am I ready? What are the things in life I would like to do if I only had a short time left? Who are the people in my life I would like to see? What is most important in my life right now? As we reflect on these questions we may feel the need to carry out the desires that arise in our hearts today.
            The foolish virgins lacked the “oil” of good works. They failed to carry out God’s plan for them in life. They missed their opportunity. If we live each day like the wise virgins, doing what we feel God is calling us to do we will have no regret.  Let us pray for the grace to live each day in the way God would want us to live it.
 
Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.” Matthew 25:1–2
The “ten virgins” in this parable refer to the bridesmaids who were following Jewish tradition by going to the home of the bride to await the coming of the groom for a wedding. This parable is one of a few parables Jesus told that emphasizes the importance of being vigilant in our Christian walk. As the parable goes on, we are told that the groom was delayed and that the bridesmaids fell asleep. Upon waking, the foolish ones had no more oil for their lamps and had to leave to get some more. When they returned, they discovered that the groom had already arrived and that the door was locked. They then knocked and said, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” But the reply came to them, “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.” And they missed out on the wedding celebration.
Traditionally, the “oil” has been understood as a reference to charity. The message is simple. As we prepare to meet our Lord in Heaven, it is not enough to make the claim that we are Christians. We must also produce the good fruit of charity by our actions. Faith must result in charity, otherwise it is not true faith at all.
This parable should be taken seriously. We should use it as a regular source of examination of our lives in regard to the charity we have…or do not have. When you look at your life, can you point to regular acts of charity that flow from your love of God and are bestowed upon others? Charity is not based on your preferences in life. It’s not based on what you feel like doing. Charity is always selfless and sacrificial. It always looks toward the good of the other. How much charity is alive in your life? Jesus clearly told this parable because He was aware of many who professed a faith in God but did not live the love of God. It’s very easy to live our lives day in and day out, doing what we do because of our personal likes or dislikes. However, it is very difficult to foster true charity within our souls and to regularly choose to love others because it is good for them.
We must work to foster charity, first, in our thoughts. Critical and condemning thoughts must be eliminated, and we must strive to see others as God sees them. Charity must also direct our words. Our words must be encouraging of others, kind, supportive and merciful. Our actions become charitable when we become generous with our time, go out of our way to serve and are diligent in the ways we express our love of others.
Reflect, today, upon the high calling you have been given to live an active and manifest life of charity. Spend time reflecting upon what charity truly is. Have you allowed yourself to become guided by a more secular and selfish form of “love?” Do you act more out of selfish preferences than out of self-giving and sacrifice? Do you truly build people up and witness the love of God to them? Try to answer these questions seriously. This parable spoken from our Lord is much more than a story. It is truth. And the truth is that some will arrive at the day of judgment without the necessary “oil” for their lamps. Take our Lord seriously and examine your life of charity. Where you are lacking, become fervent in your mission to change. In the end, you will be eternally grateful you did.
My loving Lord, You showed us all that true love is selfless and sacrificial. You came to this world to serve and to give Your sacred life for us all. May I open my life more fully to Your love so that Your love may also affect and direct every relationship I have. Fill me with the gift of charity, dear Lord, so that I will be fully prepared for the day of my particular judgment. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Friday 21^st Ordinary Time 2024
 
 
Friday 21^st Ordinary Time 2023
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come to you again in prayer. Even though I cannot see you, I know through faith that you are present in my life. I hope in your promise to be with me. I love you, and I know you love me. Accept this prayer as a token of my love.
Petition: Lord, make me long for and strive to enter the kingdom of heaven.
1. A Severe Oil Shortage: The Gospel invites us to have oil for our lamps, that is, to be always ready for the coming of the Lord. He appears in moments and ways we do not expect and at all times throughout our day. The foolish virgins failed to anticipate when and how the Lord would come to them, and they were unprepared. So often, we get caught up in a thousand affairs and worries, and we can miss what is essential. We miss the presence of Christ in the people around us in the circumstances in which we live. Sometimes, Christ comes to us through some sacrifice or suffering, but we do not recognize him in it and reject it. We need to strengthen our faith and see how the Lord may appear in our lives.
2. The Door Closes: Over and over in the New Testament, Jesus makes evident that there is a real possibility some people, due to their own choices, may not be saved. The most terrible thing that could happen to anyone would be hearing those words from the Lord who created us and died to save us: “I do not know you.” The Lord takes our freedom to choose very seriously. He never forces our will. He never imposes himself on us. Rather he invites us to make a free response of love and obedience to him and the way of life he taught us. We must choose to remain steadfast in the way of Christian life. God cannot save us without our cooperation.
3. Stay Awake: Saint Augustine said, “Beware of the grace of God that passes and does not return.” We need to perceive God’s presence in the little things of each day and never let the opportunity to love and serve him pass by. Our faith must be ready and watching for him. If we take him for granted or presume that we are already saved, we can miss our chance to be with him.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, thank you for teaching us so clearly about the seriousness of our choices. It would be terrible to opt for death instead of eternal life with you! I want to choose you and your ways, but I am weak. Make me watch and always wait, ready to see you in all things and do your will.
Resolution: I will actively look for signs of Christ in others today.
 
Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
It is very difficult for us to understand this parable. Why are ten virgins waiting outside for the bridegroom? Why do they need lamps? Even scholars are not sure. What is definite is that these virgins are not the brides. Our best guess is that they are more like bridesmaid; they are waiting to process the bridegroom into his feast.
            Let us forget about the foolish virgins and consider two details about the wise virgins. First, they have flasks of oil with them. What do these flasks signify? We do not know. They are something extra, something beyond, but what they are is uncertain. After all the virgins fell asleep, they need what is in the flask. Perhaps it is prayer or study. The wise virgins had a stronger foundation of prayer and studying the Scriptures and the Catechism, so they were able to be ready when the time came.
            The oil in the flask could also be a symbol of the Holy Spirit; oil often is used to symbolize the Holy Spirit. Then we would say that the light of faith burned out in those who were relying only on themselves for faith. The Holy Spirit is the only fuel for our faith that is sure to be there when we need it.
            The second detail could be called holy selfishness. The wise virgins do not let the foolish virgins share what is in the flasks. There are many people in this world who would like to keep you from doing what you need to do to be ready for Christ, people who will complain that you are praying or studying or going to Mass when they need you for their own purposes. Do not let them prevent you from being prepared. Be selfish!
            We do have human relationships which demand our time and effort. Failing to live up to them is not a holy thing. A mother who did not care for her children but spent all her time in prayer as if she were a nun would not be practicing true devotion. Nevertheless, our relationship with God comes first. We must not allow the world or anyone in the world to demand that we stop praying and studying, to demand that we give up whatever is in the flask that allows us to keep the fire burning. We must be selfish because we will not be able to do any good if we do not first seek God.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Năm Tuần 21 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Năm Tuần 21 Thường Niên 
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu muốn nhắc nhở chúng ta là hãy luôn "Tỉnh thức! Vì anh em không biết ngày nào chúng ta sẽ phải ra trình diện trước mặt Chúa”. Điều này giúp cho chúng ta biết tập trung hơn vào cuộc sống hiện tại của chúng ta hơn là là việc chuẩn bị cho sự chết. Chúng ta nên cảnh giác đề phòng vì chúng ta không thể biết được khi nào chúng ta có thể gặp Chúa trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta, và phải chuẩn mọi lúc để chúng ta được gọi là “Người đầy tớ trung tín và cán thận trọng". Hãy chuyển hướng và sự chú ý của chúng ta đến cách mà chúng ta đối xử với những người khác.
            Nếu chúng ta tỉnh táo, đề cao cảnh giác chúng ta có thể nhận thấy Chúa, chúng ta sẽ nhận ra Chúa Giêsu trong những người đau khổ, những người đang thiếu thốn và sẽ hành động khác hơn nếu chúng ta không nhạy cảm với họ và nhu cầu cần thiết của họ. Nếu chúng ta không biết được khi nào chúng ta sẽ gặp Chúa, thì chúng ta nên đối xử với tất cả mọi người mà chúng ta gặp như là chúng ta đang gặp Chúa. Nếu chúng ta là những người quản lý trung thành và khôn ngoan, thì chúng ta sẽ đón nhận được những ân sủng của Thiên Chúa đã ban cho chúng ta một cách quảng đại và chúng ta cũng “sẽ phân phối chia sẻ những ân sủng ấy vào thời điểm thích hợp" để các thành viên khác trong gia đình của chúng ta nhận ra rằng gia đình của chúng ta là gia đình rộng lớn hơn vì bao gồm tất cả những người khác chứ không phải chỉ có sự hạn chế trong gia đình ruột thịt của chúng ta.
            Chúng ta không biết ngày nào, giờ nào chúng ta sẽ phải ra đi và đến trước mặt Chúa (có thể là hôm nay hay, trong đêm nay….). Vì thế chúng ta cần phải tỉnh thức, và khôn ngoan trong việc giúp đỡ những người nghèo khổ, những người thiếu thốn đang cần sự giúp đỡ.
Lạy Chúa là Thiên  Chúa của chúng con, Xin cho Chúa Giêsu  làm cho con đường của chúng con đi tới Chúa là một con đường thẳng tắp, không gồ nghề quanh co.!
 
Thursday 21st Week in Ordinary Time
“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day you will encounter the Lord.” This helps us concentrate more on living than on being prepared to die. Being alert to when we might encounter the Lord in our daily life, and being prepared to be “faithful and prudent servants” turns our attention to the way we interact with and treat others. 
If we are awake to all the possible ways we can see the Lord, we will recognize Jesus in those who suffer, and will act differently than if we are insensitive to them and their needs. If we do not know when we will encounter the Lord, then we should react to everyone we meet as if we were meeting the Lord. If we are faithful and prudent stewards, then we will be generous with the gifts God has given us and will distribute them “at the proper time” to the other members of our household realizing that our household is the broader family of other people and not our limited biological family. 
We do not know when we see the Lord. Let us be prepared for the many ways we can encounter God and stay awake in helping the poor and needy. God our Father may our Lord Jesus make our path to You a straight one!
 
Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 24:42–44
Our Lord contrasts the call to stay awake with those who are asleep. Clearly, by stating “Stay awake!” so emphatically, Jesus is also telling us that it is easy to fall asleep, spiritually speaking. So are you more often awake and attentive to His presence? Or are you most often asleep and therefore unaware of His presence?
First of all, this exhortation must be understood as a reference to our passing from this life. And though most who are younger do not expect to pass suddenly and unprepared, we know that this does happen. It could happen to any one of us at any time, unexpectedly and without warning. Therefore, we must see this passionate exhortation from Jesus to be a clear warning to always be ready to meet Him in our particular judgment upon our passing from this life.
With that said, this passage is also an invitation to become increasingly aware of the countless ways in which Jesus speaks to us each and every day. The goal of the Christian life must be to be continually at prayer. This does not mean that we are necessarily “saying” prayers all day every day. Rather, it means that we form a spiritual habit of becoming continually attentive to the promptings of grace given to us throughout our lives. God wants to lead us always. He wants to inspire us with His grace every day all day. He wants us to have one eye on the things that occupy our day and the other eye upon Him, allowing Him to gently lead us through everything.
Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that God is only concerned about the big decisions of life. But the truth is that God is most clearly found in the details of life, even the smallest ones: a short exchange of words with a family member, a smile at a co-worker, a kind gesture to a stranger, and a random prayer offered for an anonymous person in need of that prayer. All of these are but a few examples of the many ways that God wants to commune with us every day throughout the day. And this can only happen if we are continually awake and attentive to His gentle promptings of grace.
How is this accomplished? How do we become attentive to God as He speaks to us and guides us every moment of every day? It is done by forming a spiritual habit of ongoing prayer. We begin by setting aside time for prayer every day, time in which all we do is pray. We set aside all distractions and begin by offering prayers, meditating upon scripture, attending the Mass, speaking from our hearts, etc. But from there, this special time of prayer, set aside exclusively for God, must begin to have an effect upon us throughout the day. And when we get distracted by the things of the world, we stop again, focus exclusively on God, and invite Him to be with us yet again. And then this is done again, and again, and again. Prayer must become a consuming habit by which God becomes present to everything we do. When this happens, we become spiritually “awake” to Him always.
Reflect, today, upon this clear and concise exhortation from our Lord. “Stay awake!” Let those words resonate within you. Hear them as a call to form this holy habit of prayer throughout the day. If you do so, God will slowly take over your life and lead you each and every day into His holy will. And through you, God will be able to extend His love and mercy to many who are in your life and beyond.
My demanding Lord, You desire me to live my day, every day, in such a way that I am continually attentive to You. Please help me to form a holy habit of listening to You and responding to all that You say to me always. My life is Yours, dear Lord. Lead me continually by Your gentle Hand of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Thursday 21^st Ordinary Time 2024
 
 
Thursday 21^st Ordinary Time: 2023
Opening Prayer: My Lord, I stand before you as someone with many needs. You remind me today that you are happy to help me with my struggles. Strengthen my trust so that I can allow you to lighten my burden. 
Encountering Christ:
1. The Big Picture: This is certainly one of those Gospels that keeps me on my toes. Even though I wish I wouldn't need constant reminders, real experience shows that spiritual and moral life needs renewal daily, even sometimes hourly. Today, Jesus urges us to consider the big picture as a way of motivation and renewal: “Remember where all this is going, live with one eye focused on the eternal things, stay attuned to the Holy Spirit who will grant you a supernatural lookout on things.”
2. The Orientation of the Heart: When Jesus steps into our lives and shakes us, gently but decisively, it's as if to say, “Remember your dreams, remember your heart's deepest desires, remember what I have done for you.” He never grows tired of reorienting us, as we frequently get sidetracked. Simple distractions can hinder our spiritual journey more subtly than can the “direct” sins, which is why the orientation of our heart can be a good point to examine in our conscience frequently.
3. Jesus Will Come: Jesus will come, and before long, we will stand before him. May it be a moment of passionate joy! He will speak, and all our doubts will be whisked away. The one encounter that surpasses all the others, for which we prepare during this life, will come! 
Conversing with Christ: My Lord, Thy Kingdom Come! I really can't wait to be with you. You have given us so many ways in the Church to encounter you while awaiting the ultimate encounter. Renew my faith in the Sacraments, and renew my faith that you are present in Scripture and in my neighbors. Above all, Lord, grant me the grace of being a “faithful and prudent servant.”
Resolution: Lord, today, by your grace, I will remember and renew my desire to live in you, with you, and for you.
 
Thursday 21^st Ordinary Time: 2021
Opening Prayer: Lord, I come with a tired heart. Revive my spirits during this time of prayer. Give me a renewed energy and desire to encounter you through your word and voice. How I long for you! Holy Spirit, grant me the grace to be renewed in heart, mind, and spirit. Speak to me; your servant is listening. 
Encountering Christ:
·         Overcoming Tiredness: It’s not easy to stay awake when we are tired or bored or have been waiting for a long time. This can happen in our spiritual lives too. Our initial commitment to live a life with Christ can begin to dim when other things take the place of the time we would give to him in prayer. But Jesus tells us not to get complacent. He is continually trying to speak to us, so he invites us to be vigilant so that our hearts stay open to encounter him. 
·         Faithful and Prudent Servants: What does it mean to be faithful and prudent servants? In this parable, they are the ones who treated their fellow servants with respect, stayed awake to defend the home from attack, and fed others at the right time and place. In our own lives, authentic Christian living means respecting, loving, and treating others as the Master treats us. It means giving to others generously. It entails protecting our own mind, heart, and body from the attacks of the enemy of our soul. It requires welcoming the Lord whenever he chooses to reveal himself in the circumstances of our life. 
·         Blessed Is the Servant: When the Master returned, he found the faithful servant where he was supposed to be, doing what he had been tasked to do. When we are living in accord with our vocation, we will also be found doing what we should be doing. We live as authentic Christians when we obey God’s will. When we strive to know the heart and mind of the Master, God can enter into our lives and find his home within.
Conversing with Christ: Lord, you know how hard it is for me to stay awake. You know the distractions of my heart and how easily I let other interests and interruptions into your home, my heart. Today I choose to seek your desires, your will so that you may find me there. I know you are constantly reaching out to me in love. Give me an open heart to see you and hear you. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take time to reassess my commitments to ensure I am being faithful to the duties of my vocation. 
 
REFLECTION 2017
     "Stay awake, then, for you do not know on what day the Lord will come." "Be alert." We hear these admonitions in the Gospel reading. What does it mean to be spiritually awake and alert? How are we to prepare for the Lord's coming?
      In the first example of how to be awake and alert, we are told about the house owner ready to prevent his house being broken into, if he knew when the thief would come. How do we keep our spiritual house and life safe from harm? By arming ourselves with God's grace and protection, through prayer, the sacraments and a life of faithfulness to God's commands.
      In the second example, we are told about the servant who is tasked to prepare food and whatever for the house owner when he comes. Will he be like the one who is always well prepared for the master's return or like the one who parties and enjoys life, thinking and presuming the master is not yet to come? To be ready for the coming of the Lord, we should be ready with our good works, our prayers and participation in the life of the Church.
      Let us strive to be spiritually awake and alert all the time, taking advantage of God's help and guidance in his Church.