Sept 29, Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Lễ Kính Các Tổng Lãnh Thiên Thần Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
Hôm nay, chúng ta mừng kính lễ các Tổng lãnh thiên thần Michael, Gabriel và Raphael.
Tất cả chúng ta chắc ai cũng biết và quen thuộc với Tổng lãnh thiên thần Michael, người chiến binh, vệ sĩ của Thiên Chúa, và với Tổng lãnh thiên thần Gabriel, người sứ giả của Thiên Chúa xuống. truyền tin và đem tin mừng tới Đức Maria và Zechariah và cho nhân loại vì sự ra đời của Chúa Giêsu và Goan Tẩy giả. Tổng lãnh thiên thần Raphael, Người "Y sĩ của Thiên Chúa," mà chúng ta thấy xuất hiện trong sách Tobit để chữa lành mắt cho Tobit khỏi chứng mù lòa và bảo vệ Tobias trong cuộc hôn nhân với cô Sara, người đã bị nhiều quỷ dữ dày vò.
Trong bài đọc thứ Nhất trích sách Khải Huyền, chúng ta thấy Michael, chiến binh của Thiên Chúa, đánh bại Sa-tan và những kẻ ác của hắn. Những cuộc tranh đấu để chống lại lực lượng gian ác tiếp tục đến ngày hôm nay. Giáo Hội dạy chúng ta phải biết chống lại điều gian ác và dối trá. Tổng lãnh thiên thần Michael đang tiếp tục giúp bảo vệ Giáo Hội và tất cả những người sống mà có lòng tốt và trọng sự thật.
Trong bài Tin Mừng, chúng ta thấy Chúa Giêsu kêu gọi các môn đệ đầu tiên của Ngài, chúng ta nghe Chúa Giê-su bảo đảm với chúng ta rằng các thiên thần đang ở trong sự sẵn sằng chờ lệnh của Thiên Chúa, " các thiên thần của Thiên Chúa lên xuống trên Con Người." Các thiên thần và các tổng lãnh Thiên Thần giúp chúng ta trong cuộc hành trình của cuộc sống của chúng ta đến với thiên đàng và nước Thiên Cha, Chúng tôi được kêu gọi để ưến với các Thiên Thần để cầu bầu và giúp chúng ta trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta và nhất là trong những khi cần thiết.
Sept 29, the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. We are familiar with Michael, the fighter and warrior of God, and with Gabriel, God's messenger to Mary and Zechariah for the birth of their sons.
The Archangel Raphael, "the Medicine of God," appears in the book of Tobit to heal Tobit from his blindness and to protect Tobias in her marriage to Sara who had been tormented by many devils.
In the first reading from Revelation, we see Michael, God's warrior, defeating Satan and his evil hosts. These struggles against evil forces continue today. The Church teaches against evil and lies. Michael helps protect the Church and all those who live for goodness and truth.
In the Gospel reading, at Jesus' call of his first disciples, we hear Jesus assuring us that angels are at God's bidding, "ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." The angels and archangels help us in our life journey to heaven and the kingdom of God. We are urged to call upon them in our daily lives and in time of need.
Friday 25th Ordinary Time 9-29- 2023
Reflection Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
When we look at what a mess the world is in, it is natural to wish for
Opening Prayer: Lord, thank you for this precious time pondering your word. Bless me as I seek inspiration for my day.
Encountering Christ:
A True Child of Israel: Our Lord told Nathanael that he was a true child of Israel, that there was “ no duplicity in him.” Jesus was drawing attention to the nobility of Nathanael’s soul. Nathanael was not about impressing others. He wasn’t concerned about appearances. He was authentic, real, honest, and trustworthy. This disposition pleased Jesus. Can we say the same for ourselves? Let us pray for the grace to be true to our Christian convictions, no matter what pressures we undergo.
I See You: “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Wouldn’t we like to know what went on under that fig tree? Any guess would be mere speculation, but the important thing to know is that the occurrence Jesus referred to was probably quite significant to Nathanael. He seemed overcome with amazement that Jesus knew him more deeply than anyone had ever known him before. Jesus also knows each of us intimately. He knows our deepest intentions when others only see words and actions. He knows our distorted intentions—ones that can corrupt even the most heroic of gestures. And he knows our heart's deepest desires, sometimes before we do. The more we allow God into the most intimate sanctuary of our soul, the greater will be our experience of the wonders he can do in us. It is remarkable that God knows us as he does, even more remarkable that he loves us as he does, and still more remarkable that he calls us into union with him. Our experience of giving God permission to plumb the depths of our hearts opens us to the truth of being deeply, overwhelmingly loved by him and finally to the experience of allowing him to transform us and lead us to union with him.
Angels Accompany Us: We celebrate angels in today’s liturgy. The word “angel” means messenger. In spiritual reality, angels are everywhere. Personal guardian angels are with us throughout our life. Angels are present at each Mass adoring Jesus along with us. Angels are invoked at funerals as we ask them to lead us to paradise (CCC 335). “The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels (CCC 334). How blessed are we by these mysterious creatures God has given us! How often do we think of them? Welcome their presence in our life? Ask them for favors?
Conversing with Christ: Lord, I can never fully comprehend how well you know and love me. You even gave the church the gift of archangels. I am grateful for all of your spiritual gifts and want only to know you more and more with each passing day.
Resolution: Lord, today, by your grace, I will be more conscious of your gift of angels and seek their guidance and favor.
September 29, 2022- Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be like your disciple Nathanael, having no duplicity in me. Instill in me a love for the truth, so that, in large ways and small, I may always be truthful with those around me. Amen.
Encountering Christ:
1. Where Do We Rest?: Scripture tells us that Nathanael had been spotted by Christ under a fig tree. What was he doing there? Praying? Enjoying nature? Having some alone time? In our electronic age, “rest” never seems to happen. There is always one more post, email, tweet, text, video, or comment. When was the last time we took a moment to find a quiet spot, “under a fig tree,” where perhaps the Lord can touch our heart in a new way?
2. A Heart That Is Pure: This encounter with Nathanael is but one example of how Jesus treats his followers as individuals. He knows each of us by name and what is in our hearts. As Psalm 139 says, “Lord, you have probed me, you know me: you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar…Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all. Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me.” Since Our Lord knows all of our thoughts, including those that may be keeping our heart from being pure like Nathanael’s, let us thoroughly examine conscience, looking for attachments that may be drawing us away from our all-knowing, all-loving God. Jesus is ready and waiting to purify us through the sacrament of Reconciliation.
3. Why Do We Believe?: Nathanael’s spontaneous burst of faith must have delighted Jesus. Jesus promised that Nathanael would “see greater things than this.” Nathanael’s faith would need strengthening as he grew from a new convert to an Apostle martyred for his belief in Jesus. Each of us has had moments of spontaneity when faith seemed easy as we followed the Way. But, in difficult times, our faith can be tested. Why do we continue to follow Christ—out of love, fear, and habit?
Conversing with Christ: Jesus, strengthen my faith! I want to be a diligent worker, full of faith, and ready for any trial. I know my heart is not pure, but I trust your grace to transform me continually.
Resolution: Lord, today, by your grace, I will seek rest for my heart. I will remove all distractions and focus on your word, if only for a few minutes.
September 29, 2021- Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Opening Prayer: Lord, thank you for this precious time to spend pondering your word. Bless me as I seek inspiration for my day.
Encountering Christ:
· A True Child of Israel: Our Lord told Nathanael that he was a true child of Israel, that there was “ no duplicity in him.” Jesus was drawing attention to the nobility of Nathanael’s soul. Nathanael was not about impressing others. He wasn’t concerned about appearances. He was authentic, real, honest, and trustworthy. This disposition pleased Jesus. Can we say the same for ourselves? Let us pray for the grace to be true to our Christian convictions, no matter what pressures we undergo as a result.
· I See You: “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Wouldn’t we like to know what went on under that fig tree? Any guess would be mere speculation, but the important thing to know is that the occurrence Jesus referred to was probably quite significant to Nathanael. He seemed overcome with amazement that Jesus knew him more deeply than anyone had ever known him before. Jesus also knows each of us intimately. He knows our deepest intentions when others only see words and actions. He knows our distorted intentions—ones that can corrupt even the most heroic of gestures. And he knows the deepest desires of our heart, sometimes before we do. The more we allow God into the most intimate sanctuary of our soul, the greater will be our experience of the wonders he can do in us. It is remarkable that God knows us as he does, even more remarkable that he loves us as he does, and still more remarkable that he calls us into union with him. Our experience of giving God permission to plumb the depths of our hearts opens us to the truth of being deeply, overwhelmingly loved by him, and finally to the experience of allowing him to transform us and lead us to union with him.
· Angels Accompany Us: We celebrate angels in today’s liturgy. The word “angel” means messenger. In spiritual reality, angels are everywhere. Personal guardian angels are with us throughout our life. Angels are present at each Mass adoring Jesus along with us. Angels are invoked at funerals as we ask them to lead us to paradise (CCC 335). “The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels (CCC 334). How blessed are we by these mysterious creatures God has given us! How often do we think of them? Welcome their presence in our life? Ask them for favors?
Conversing with Christ: Lord, I can never fully comprehend how well you know me and how much you love me. You even gave the church the gift of archangels. I am grateful for all of your spiritual gifts and want only to know you more and more with each passing day.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will be more conscious of your gift of angels and seek their guidance and favor.
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Lễ Kính Các Tổng Lãnh Thiên Thần Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
Qua bài Tin Mừng, Chúa Giêsu đã làm cho Nathanael rất đỗi ngạc nhiên, vì Ngài đã biết tất cả mọi thứ về Nathanael. Và ông Nathanael đã kinh ngạc và xưng tụng Ngài chính là Con Thiên Chúa, là Vua của Israel, nhưng Chúa Giêsu trả lời rằng những lời xưng tụng của Nathanael cũng chẳng có gì để so với những gì mà Nathanael sẽ sớm được thấy: Nghĩa là thiên thần đã xuất hiện và biến đi trước mặt Con Người. Cánh cửa ngõ giữa thiên đường và trái đất sẽ sớm được mở ra, không phải chỉ đối với Con Người nhưng còn mở ra cho toàn thể nhân loại. Chúng ta không nên ngạc nhiên khi thấy sứ giả của Thiên Chúa là Thiên thần cùng đồng hành với chúng ta và làm việc với và giữa chúng ta. Thường thì các Thiên Thần không được công nhận vì các Thiên Thần không đến với chúng ta dưới hình thức thực chất mà chúng ta thấy ở trong who các bức tranh nghệ thuật và đạo đức nhưng cũng không kém phần thực tế. Một lần nữa, chúng ta không bao giờ phải đơn côi, một mình và chúng ta có thể thực thi việc tìm kiếm sự thinh lặng và con đường ẩn dấu mà các thiên sứ đã hoàn thành nhiệm vụ của họ.
Lạy Chúa Xin giúo cho chúng con được thấy được sự hiện diện ẩn dấu của Chúa trong cuộc sống của chúng con.
Reflection Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
When we look at what a mess the world is in, it is natural to wish for a ‘superhero’ to come and make everything right. The Jews who suffered great persecution longed for the tyrannical and unjust rulers and regimes of the earth to be swept away and for the wicked to be judged and punished. The early Christians expressed the same hopes in the Book of Revelation. By now we should know that God does not do the job for us or clean up our mess. God will give us the inspiration, grace, courage, and spirit to do these things but in the end the effort will be ours. The archangels are those messengers from God who walk with us to aid and encourage us along the way. We are never alone and we are never without inner resources.
Jesus surprised Nathanael because he already knew everything about him. Nathanael proclaimed him the Son of God and King of Israel, but Jesus replied that these titles were nothing compared to what Nathanael would soon see: angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. The gateway between heaven and earth would soon be open, not only for the Son of Man but for all humanity. We should not be surprised that messengers from God walk and work among us. Often they are not recognized because they do not come in the dramatic form that we see in art and piety but they are no less real. Again, we are never alone and we can practice looking for the quiet and hidden ways that the angels accomplish their mission. Lord, help me to see Your hidden presence in my life.
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng
Chúa Nhật 26 Thường Niên Năm B
Hôm nay
trong các bài đọc thứ
Nhất và bài Tin
Mừng chúng ta đã thấy có
nhiều điểm tương tự giống nhau. Cả hai bài đọc này đều là biểu hiện của sự thật chứng
minh rằng Thiên Chúa không có sự thiên vị,
thích người này ghét bỏ người kia (CVTĐ: 10, 34).
Thiên Chúa chọn và dùng những người biết làm hài lòng Chúa và trao cho những người đó việc làm, nhiệm vụ của mình. Đây
cũng là hình thức chứng
tỏ rằng Chúa Thánh
Thần của Thiên Chúa là Đấng trao quyền cho con người
để làm những điều tốt.
Trong cả hai bài đọc, chúng ta thấy những người ở bên ngoài trại thời ông Môisen
và những người
không thuộc nhóm môn đệ của Chúa đã rao giảng và nói tiên tri trong quyền năng của
Chúa Thánh Thần; những người nhân danh Chúa Giêsu mà trừ quỷ.
Chúng ta cũng thấy các môn đệ của Chúa
Giêsu đang sốt sắng đố kỵ, nghen tương với
những người nay và họ đã sợ
hãi và lo lắng. Vì ho cứ sợ
hãi là vị trí của mình
và quyền hạn của Thầy mình nôn họ
đã cố gắng ngăn cản những người lạ kia không được tham gia vào chức vụ và sứ mệnh của Thiên Chúa.
Trong
cả hai trường hợp, ông Môisen và Chúa Giêsu đã không chịu khuất phục trước nỗi sợ
hãi và từ chối yêu lời cầu
của các môn đệ.
Bởi vì những công việc mà những người này đã làm rất phù hợp với ý muốn của Thiên Chúa vì tất cả những người này đã được nhận được ơn Chúa Thánh Thần của Thiên Chúa và được thúc đẩy để làm những việc tốt lành.
Công
việc tốt lành này bao gồm, việc nói tiên tri và rao giảng tin mừng về Nước của Thiên Chúa trên Trời. Đây là lý do tại sao ông Môisen đã trả lời: “Ngươi phân bì giùm ta
làm chi? Chớ gì toàn dân được nói tiên tri và Chúa ban Thần Trí của Người cho họ”. Và Chúa Giê-su nói với các môn đệ: “Ðừng ngăn cấm y, vì chẳng ai có
thể nhân danh Thầy mà làm phép lạ, rồi liền đó lại nói xấu ... ”
Vì vậy, đối với ông Môisne
và Chúa Giêsu, thì đó
là một sự tiến
triển tốt. Những phản ứng của ông Môisen và Chúa Giêsu đối với các môn đệ của hai Người rất
đơn thuần
là cho họ thấy rằng Thiên Chúa chống lại tinh thần ghen tị với những
người khác vì họ có được những ơn đặc biệt. Và hình ảnh trong
hai bài đọc này cũng
cho chúng ta thấy tâm hồn
của ông Môisen cũng như Chúa Giêsu đã khiêm tốn và nhu mì như thế nào. Thánh Giacôbê
cũng cảnh báo chúng ta chống lại sự áp bức, đàn áp và mọi hình thức bất
công đối với những người yếu thế, người nghèo đói và những người không thuộc
nhóm, thành phần hay giai cấp với mình. Thay vì áp bức và đàn áp họ, chúng
ta nên tìm các nâng đỡ và giúp họ nẩy mầm và phát triển về thể chất
cũng như tinh thần. Chúng ta không nên bóp nghẹt ơn Chúa Thánh Thần thật sự
của Thiên Chúa nơi người khác do lòng đố kỵ hay do sự thái quá của chúng ta.
Làm những điều đố kỵ
hay ghen tức này có nghĩa là đã bất công như những người giàu có áp bức mà
Thánh Giacôbê đã lên án trong bài đọc thứ hai hôm nay. Đúng hơn, chúng ta nên phải
là những sứ giả của công lý, hòa bình, tiến bộ, bác ái, lòng thương xót và có lòng
trắc ẩn. Đây là điều mà Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô đang kêu gọi tất cả các Kitô hữu
và người Công giáo ở mọi cấp độ nên thực hiện.
Thay vì đàn áp những người khác và bức chế những năng khiếu riêng của
họ, chúng ta nên tìm cách làm mọi thứ có thể để nâng cao phẩm giá con người của
họ. Để làm được điều này, chúng ta phải cởi mở và ngoan ngoãn với ơn Chúa thánh
Thần giúp đỡ..
Giống như các môn đệ của ông
Môi-sen và Chúa Giêsu trong các bài đọc hôm nay, trong khi sốt sắng trong công
việc của Thiên Chúa, chúng ta nên khiên tốn, không nên sợ việc bị mất chức vụ
hoặc quyền hạn của mình. Chúng ta cũng phải nên tránh sự đố kỵ khiến chúng ta cố
gắng ngăn chặn tài năng và khả năng mà Thiên Chúa đã ban dành cho người
khác. Thay vào đó, chúng ta nên đọc các dấu chỉ của thời đại và để cho Thiên Chúa
làm việc của Chúa trong dân của Ngài.
Cuối
cùng, một bài học quan trọng khác mà chúng ta cũng phải nên học hôm nay là Thiên
Chúa làm việc theo những cách bí ẩn của Ngài và Ngài không sự suy luận như
con người chúng ta. Do đó, Chúa đã nói với chúng ta qua tiên tri Ê-sai là: “Quả thế, ý nghĩ của Ta không phải là ý nghĩ của các
ngươi, và đường lối của Ta không phải là
đường lối của các ngươi, Vì trời cao hơn đất, cũng
vậy, đường lối của Ta vượt hơn đường lối của các ngươi, và
ý nghĩ của Ta vượt hơn ý nghĩ của các ngươi.”(Ish 55, 8-9).
Điều
này không chỉ đơn giản để nói rằng bằng cách cho phép Thần khí hay Thánh
Thân của Ngài hoạt động trong những người bên ngoài trại của ông Môi-sen và các
môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu, Thiên Chúa thấy rõ hơn con người chúng ta rất nhiều. Ngài
chọn bất cứ những ai Ngài muốn và trao quyền cho những người đó để làm
việc cho Ngài. Ngoài ra, Ngài mong muốn tất cả chúng ta là con cái của Ngài
được tràn đầy ơn Chúa Thánh Thần của Ngài để làm việc cho Ngài trong việc
xây dựng Nước Trời trong mọi tấm lòng.
Nhiều
khi, chúng ta không nhìn thấy ánh sáng của Chúa chiếu rọi trong cuộc đời mình,
bởi vì chúng ta không bận tâm đến việc mở cửa tấm màn che trong trái tim của mình. Cho dù bên ngoài
trời có thể là một ngày tươi sáng, rực rỡ, nhưng nếu chúng ta nhốt mình trong căn
phòng sau tấm màn che nắng có khóa và rèm kéo, chúng ta sẽ không được hưởng và
thấy được ánh sáng.
Hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu mời gọi tất
cả chúng ta đến với Ngài. Thiên Chúa muốn chúng ta sống đời đời với Ngài; và
Ngài sẽ làm mọi thứ để có thể đưa chúng ta đến đó. Điều duy nhất Ngài sẽ
không làm là lấy đi sự tự do của chúng ta. Bởi vì điều đó sẽ phá hủy cái bản
chất con người của chúng ta. Chắc chắn là Thiên Chúa không muốn lấp đầy
thiên đường của Ngài với những người máy. Nhưng Ngài khao khát linh hồn của
chúng ta.
Thiên Chúa rất nhân từ
và rộng lượng; Bản chất của Ngài là truyền bá sự tốt lành, điều mà Ngài sẽ chứng
minh cho chúng ta là trong thánh lễ này là Ngài ban chính mình Ngài cho
chúng ta trong Bí tích Thánh Thể. Chúng ta hãy cảm tạ ơn Chúa từ tận đáy lòng
mình, và cầu xin Chúa ban ơn lành và lòng can đảm cho chúng ta để chúng ta
dám mở tất cả các tấm màn che trong trong tâm hồn chúng ta, hoặc ít nhất là
một tắm màn đang nắng mà chúng ta vẫn sợ từ trước đến nay không dám mở.
Không có gì có thể làm hài lòng Thiên Chúa hơn. Chúng ta hãy dâng lên Chúa lời
cầu nguyện này: "Lạy Chúa Giê-su, con tin cậy nơi Chúa, con yêu thương
Ngài. Chúng con mong rằng không điều gì có thể tách rời con ra khỏi Chúa."
Amen.
Homily For 26th Sunday Ordinary Time,
Year B Mk 9,
38-43. 45. 47-48
Today, the first reading and gospel have a lot in common.
Both of them are manifestations of the fact that God has no favorite (Act 10,
34). He chooses and uses those that please him for his mission. It also proves
that the Spirit of God is the one that empowers to do good.
In both
readings, we see men outside the “camp and the group of
disciples” prophesying and preaching in the power of the Holy
Spirit; and also casting out devils in the name of Jesus respectively.
We also
see the zealous and envious disciples getting afraid and worried. Being afraid
for their own positions and the authority of their masters, they made efforts
to stop them from participating in the ministry and mission of God. In
both cases, Moses and Jesus refused to yield to the fears and refused to the request
of their disciples. This is because, it is in line with the will of God that
all men should receive the spirit of God and be motivated to do good works.
This
good work includes, prophesying and preaching the good news of the kingdom of
God. This was why Moses responded: “…If only the whole people of
the Lord were prophets and, the Lord gave his Spirit to them all.” And
Jesus told his disciples: “You must not stop him; No
one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me…” So, for
both Moses and Jesus, it was a good development. Their responses to their
disciples simply show that they were opposed to the spirit of envy over the
gifts of others. It also shows how modest and meek their hearts are.
Saint
James warns us against oppression, suppressions and injustices of all kinds
against the weak, the poor and those who do not belong to our group, fold or
class. Rather than oppress and suppress them, we should build and, help them to
grow up physically and spiritually. We should not strangle the true spirit of
God at work in others due to envy or by being overzealous.
Doing
this means being unjust like the oppressive rich that Saint James condemned in
today’s second reading. Rather, we should be messengers of justice, peace,
progress, charity, mercy and compassion. This is what the Holy Father Pope
Francis is calling all Christians and Catholics at all levels of faith to do.
Rather
than oppress and suppress others and their gifts, we should do everything
possible to uplift their human dignity. To do this we must be open and docile
to the spirit of God.
Like the
disciples of both Moses and Jesus in our readings today, while being zealous in
God’s work, we must avoid the fear of losing our positions or authority. We
must also avoid envy which moves us to try to suppress God’s gift to others.
Instead, we should read the signs of the times and allow God to be God in his
people.
Finally,
another important lesson we must learn today is that God works in mysterious
ways and does not reason like us humans. Hence, he tells us through the prophet
Isaiah: “My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your
thoughts. Just as the heavens are higher than the sky so are my thoughts and my
ways higher than yours” (Ish 55, 8-9).
This is
simply to say that by allowing his spirit to operate in those outside the camp
of Moses and the disciples of Jesus, God sees much better than us humans. He
chooses whoever he wants and empowers him or her for his mission. Also, it is
his desire that all of us his children be filled with his spirit in order to
work for the establishment of His Kingdom in all hearts.
Today, Jesus invites all of us to come to him. God
wants us to spend eternity with him; and He will do everything possible to get us
there. The only one thing he will not do is to take away our freedom. Because that
would destroy our essence. God does not want to fill heaven with robots. He
desires our souls.
In coming weeks
and then especially during Advent and Lent; we will hear to what lengths God
goes in order to save us. Again,
Today Jesus wants
to warn us about the terrible alternative. If it causes a certain fear,
consider the words of the Psalm: "The fear of the Lord is pure." It
is not a cringing fear, but a salutary fear; the fear of eternal separation. Let us say this prayer: "Jesus, I trust
in you, I love you. May nothing separate me from you." Amen.
Reflection 26TH Sunday in Oerdinary Time B.
“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it
off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go
into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin,
cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet
to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it
out…” Mark
9:43–47
Sometimes we need
to wake up to the horror of sin. Sin and sin alone is capable of sending you to
hell. Hell is real, and going there for eternity is a real possibility.
Therefore, we must do whatever it takes to avoid that frightful possibility.
This teaching from Jesus might not, at first, be thought of as one of His most
inspiring teachings, but it should be. It’s not inspiring in the sense that it
is quite graphic. But it is very inspiring in the sense that it has the
potential to motivate us to action.
Are you motivated
to do all that you can to avoid sin? Would you even go so far as to cut off
your hand or foot, and to pluck out your eye so as to avoid sin? First of all,
this should not be seen as a literal command in which Jesus is telling us to
mutilate ourselves. But He is the one Who chose such graphic language.
Therefore, we should not shy away from pondering these images in a prayerful
way so as to more clearly see those things that lead us into sin. When we see
them, we must take the radical step of completely eliminating them from our
lives. Many of the Church Fathers say that the hand, foot and eye in this
teaching refer to our friends. Just as a hand, foot and eye are good in and of
themselves, so also are friends. We are made for friendship with God and with
others. However, not every friendship helps us grow closer to God. Therefore,
when an earthly friend becomes a source of sin, we must eliminate that
friendship.
Friendship is
different from charity. We owe charity to all people, even those who are the
most sinful. But acting with charity toward others is different from being
friends with them. To be a friend implies mutual giving and receiving. And
though we must always give of ourselves to others, we ought not always receive
from them when what they have to offer is an invitation to sin. This is how we
“cut it off” and “pluck it out.” When another person tries to relate to us in
such a way that they lead us into sin, we must take that temptation very
seriously and reject it with much vigor.
The hand, foot and
eye in this teaching also represent every situation in life that tempts us to
sin. For example, consider material possessions. If buying a very expensive
car, house, or electronic gadget tempts you to become more materialistic, then
you must avoid buying it. People are drawn to nice things. But does possessing
nice things help your soul to become holy? One could argue that they can have
nice things, while at the same time remain spiritually detached from them. But
this is difficult to live. The more luxurious our material possessions, the
more tempted we will be to rely upon them for our happiness. Therefore,
choosing to live simply is almost always better for your soul than choosing to
live in luxury. This teaching also applies to anything else that could become a
source of temptation.
Reflect, today,
upon those things or persons in your life that have become an occasion of sin
for you. Do not fool yourself into believing that you can handle the
temptation. If you have some source of ongoing temptation in your life, you
need to eliminate it. Ponder this very graphic teaching from Jesus and try to
apply it to your life. Identify those things that lead you into sin and
eliminate them with much determination.
My radical Lord,
You call all of Your children to a life of holiness and perfection. Please help
me to take Your teachings seriously so as to eliminate all occasions of sin
from my life. May I have the eyes to see these temptations and the courage to
reject them with all my might. Jesus, I trust in You.
Reflection on 26TH
Sunday in Oerdinary Time B. 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I
reject all sin and entrust myself entirely to you. I never want to be separated
from you. Help me to do what is right and just, united to your Son and
empowered by your Spirit.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Do Not Prevent Him: John the
Apostle was scandalized by someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name and not
belonging to the Twelve Apostles or Jesus’ followers. Jesus’ name is powerful
and exorcists to this day use it to cast out demons from those who are
possessed. In the Gospel today, John has to learn to be open to the good done
by those outside the Christian community. Those who do good are not enemies or
foes. There are elements of truth and holiness outside the visible confines of
the Church and these need to be appreciated and valued. Jesus emphasizes how
his Father is generous toward all people and that no good humble act of service
will be overlooked by God. At the same time, Jesus puts his disciples on guard
against sin: “If God graciously rewards little acts of kindness, he also
severely punishes acts of evil, especially those that lead little ones astray”
(Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 189).
2. Joshua’s Objection to Eldad and Medad: The Gospel
in many ways echoes the First Reading. John’s protest in the Gospel “echoes the
objection of Joshua, who grumbled to Moses that Eldad and Medad were not in the
gathering of those to whom Moses imparted his spirit, yet they too received the
gift of prophecy (Numbers 11:24-29)” (Healy, The Gospel of Mark,
187). The First Reading concerns the appointment of seventy elders to help
Moses govern the people. It was a response to Moses’ complaint about how
difficult it was to govern alone. Eldad and Medad were not among the original
seventy and yet the Spirit of the Lord fell upon them and they began to
prophesy. When Joshua objected to their prophesying, Moses responded that he
wished for all of God’s people to receive God’s Spirit and be prophets. This
request and request of Moses is fulfilled in the New Covenant. When we receive
God’s Spirit in the Sacraments of the New Covenant, in Baptism and
Confirmation, we are constituted as prophets!
Earthly Treasure vs. Heavenly Treasure: In the
Second Reading, James warns the readers and listeners of his letter to avoid
three kinds of behavior. First, we should not speak evil of our brothers and
sisters (James 4:11-12). Second, we should not go about our business as if God
did not exist (James 4:13-17). Third, and this is the Second Reading, we should
not enjoy wealth gained through injustice. The third admonition is the most
severe and carries a condemnation with it. James excoriates the rich on four
counts: “hoarding wealth (vv. 2-3), withholding wages (v. 4), living in luxury
and pleasure (v. 5), and condemning and murdering the righteous (v. 6)”
(Anderson and Keating, James, First, Second, and Third John, 96).
If those who hoard wealth do not repent, their wealth will rot away, their
clothes will become moth-eaten, and their gold and silver will corrode. Since
Gold and silver do not really rust, we need to understand this as a symbol,
that earthly treasure will fail. Like Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, James
encourages us to store up heavenly treasure – the treasure obtained through
works of charity empowered by divine grace.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus,
I belong to you. I am on your side and will work to establish your Kingdom here
on earth. Guide my actions today, inspire my words, and instill your peace in
my heart.
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuần
25 Thường Niên Luke
9:43-45
Trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta sẽ biết rằng Chúa
đang có một mối lo lắng và một
gánh nặng rất to lớn, nếu như chúng ta chứng kiến được những lời cầu nguyện của Ngài trong khu vườn cây dầu vào đêm trước khi Ngài
phải chịu nạn chúng ta có thể biết được Ngài
đã phải mang cái gánh nặng này đã bao lâu rồi. Chúng ta có hai cách để đọc và suy nghĩ về bàiTin Mừng hôm nay.
1 - Chúng ta có thể đọc đó như là bài
chia sẽ mà Chúa Giêsu muốn tâm sự. Ngài muốn
chia sẻ gánh nặng này với những các
môn đệ của Ngài và những ai muốn gần gũi
với Ngài. Nhưng có lẽ
họ không có đủ sức mạnh để hiểu và chịu đựng cái nỗi đau thương của Ngài.
2 - Chúng ta có thể đọc bài
Tin Mừng hôm nay như là một lời cảnh cáo của Chúa Giêsu cho các môn đệ của Ngài biết rằng;
Ngài muốn họ chuẩn bị tinh thần về sự
đau khổ và cho cái chết của Ngài.
Trong những
tháng năm cùng rao giảng tin mừng với
các môn đệ, Chúa Giêsu có nói với các môn đệ nhiều lần rằng Ngài sẽ phải chịu đau khổ và sẽ bị giết. Nhưng có thể là họ không
hiểu được những lời Chúa tiên báo này, họ chỉ mới nhớ lại những lời này sau khi Ngài đã chết đi và sống lại từ cõi chết và ghi nhớ lại những dữ kiện sau cái sự thực đau thương phũ phàng, với Thập Giá trong quá khứ, họ đã được biến đổi, và từ gánh nặng Thập
giá đó họ sẽ có được sự mặc khải như bây giờ.
Chúa Giêsu biết những
gì đang đến, sẽ đến và Ngài can đảm, cam kết sẽ thực thi theo ý muốn của Chúa Cha. Cho dù Ngài đã biết về sự đau khổ và phải chết trên Thập Giá nhục nhã trước khi Ngài đã tập đọc được những chữ cái đầu tiên hay Ngài chỉ biết được cái số phận của mình sau này, Ngài luôn luôn biết rằng
Ngài sẽ làm theo ý Chúa
Cha, mà không làm theo ý riêng mình. Lạy Chúa xin Giúp cúng con có
can đảm để làm theo ý Chúa.
Reflection
Saturday 25th Ordinary Time
I
wonder when Jesus learned that he would die on the Cross, or if he always knew
it. I mean to say, did he know it as a five-year-old boy or did he learn it at
some point later in life? He was not taken by surprise: he teaches his
disciples about the sufferings to come and he discusses the Cross with Elijah
and Moses during the Transfiguration. We know that it was a great burden for
him, as is clear from his prayers in the garden on the night before he died,
but how long did he carry this burden?
It
seems to me that there are two distinct ways to read the Gospel today. We could
read it as Jesus trying to share this burden with those closest to him, but
they are not strong enough to help bear it, or we could read it as Jesus,
knowing that his disciples would not be able to bear the burden that he carried
but also wanting to prepare his disciples for his death, tells them about the
suffering and death to come, but prevents them from understanding.
In the year
leading up to the Cross, Jesus told his disciples many times that he would
suffer and die. They did not understand then, but after he died and rose from
the dead they remembered these teachings. Remembering them after the fact, with
the Cross in the past, they are transformed, from the burden they would have
been, to the revelation they are now.
These
words are a revelation because they teach us so much about Jesus Christ.
Because of these words we know that he was fully aware of the death he would
suffer, yet he does not say these words as a merely prescient person would. If you knew right now the death that
awaits you, your first instinct would be to consider ways to avoid it, but
Jesus does not begin planning ways to avoid his fate. He knows what is coming,
and he is committed to doing the will of the Father. Whether he knew about the
Cross before he learned his first words or if he did not know until the year
before, he always knew that he would do the will of his Father, no matter what.
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time 2023
“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The
Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this
saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. Luke
9:44–45
This is the second time that Jesus predicts
His coming passion to His Apostles. After telling them that He will be handed
over, the Gospel relates that “they did not understand this saying.” It also
states that “they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Why did they not
understand, and why were they afraid to ask Jesus about His coming passion?
The Apostles were deeply attached to our Lord,
both on a spiritual level and also through their affections. And this is good.
But sometimes our affections can cloud our thinking and make it difficult to
understand the deeper spiritual realities in life. Though our affections are
natural, they must always be directed by the will of God. For example, if we
were to try to understand Jesus’ affections, we’d have to conclude that He both
spiritually and affectionately desired to lay down His life for the salvation
of souls in accord with the will of the Father. He not only chose this with His
will, but He also desired it in His affections, because His affections were
perfectly ordered.
The Apostles, however, were unable to
understand that Jesus had to lay down His life, be rejected, suffer and die, in
part because they were very attached to Jesus in an emotional and affectionate
way. So in this instance, their human love and attachment to Jesus hindered
their ability to understand the greater spiritual good of Jesus laying down His
life.
Consider, also, our Blessed Mother. How would
she have reacted to Jesus saying that He had to be handed over, be rejected,
suffer and die? Though this would have grieved her with a holy sorrow, the
perfection of her human nature would have led her to not only understand and
accept this deep spiritual truth, but she would have also desired this to
happen within her affections because she perfectly desired the fulfillment of
the will of the Father. There would have been no conflict within her between
the will of the Father and what she desired.
In our own lives, we will often tend to
struggle in the same way that the Apostles struggled. When faced with some
challenging cross in life, a cross that the Father calls us to embrace freely,
we will often find that our affections resist. When this happens, we become
confused and even fearful of the future. Thus, the only way to conquer fear is
to work to surrender every emotion, every affection and every human attachment
over to the will of the Father so that His will is all we desire with every
power of our soul.
Reflect, today, upon the interior struggle of
these Apostles as they came face-to-face with this the second time Jesus began
to prepare them to accept, understand, choose and desire His passion. Consider
the interior struggle they went through at that time and even as they saw this
unfold. Eventually they understood. Eventually all fear vanished. And
eventually they affectionately rejoiced in Jesus’ sacrifice. But it took much
time and much surrender. Reflect upon those ways our Lord is inviting you to
choose His Cross in your life. Where you see your affections resisting, try to
surrender, pray for understanding and seek the courage you need to desire His
Cross with all your soul.
My revealing Lord, You opened Your divine
heart to Your Apostles and invited them to understand and choose Your suffering
and death. And though they hesitated and struggled, You continued to invite
them to embrace the Father’s will. Give me the grace I need, dear Lord, to
embrace every spiritual truth first and foremost and to allow that Truth to
free me from fear and fill me with the gift of understanding. Jesus, I trust in
You.
Saturday 25th Week in Ordinary 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you
are the Lord of life and guide all things to their fulfillment. By sending your
Son, you have overcome the sting of death and offer eternal life to your
children. Teach me to die to myself so that I may live.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Vanity of Life and the Certainty of
Death: The First Reading, from Ecclesiastes, is a meditation on the vanity
of life and the certainty of death. The outlook of Quoheleth, the Preacher, is
very grim and dark. Earlier he wrote: “For if a man lives many years, let him
rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be
many. All that comes is vanity” (11:8). The Preacher doesn’t try to look beyond
the grave. He encourages young people to enjoy the days of their youth but to
know also that God will judge them for their actions. “Because God is also
Judge and will hold man accountable for his actions (3:17; 11:9; 12:14),
Qoheleth urges readers to fear [God] (5:7; 12:13), to keep his commandments
(12:13), and to avoid thoughtless expressions of prayer and worship (5:2-3). He
is convinced that ‘it will be well with those who fear God’ (8:12)” (Ignatius
Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, 66).
Qoheleth also uses several images to talk about old age and the end of life. He
thinks of the grave as man’s eternal home. Man’s body is dust and the dust
returns to the earth. Yet in all this, there is a glimmer of hope, for man’s
spirit, breathed into man and given by God, returns not to the earth but to
God. This is only a glimmer, since Qoheleth has no vision of ongoing life or
happiness after death (9:5, 10) (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, 66).
2. Jesus’ Redemptive Death: When
Qoheleth calls all things vanity, he means that they are fleeting and that they
quickly pass away. Vain are worldly pleasures, wealth, worldly wisdom, and the
vigor of youth. They all pass away and death is inevitable. In the Gospel of
Luke, Jesus also speaks about death. This is the second time he foretells his
death. The first time was after Peter’s confession of faith; this second time
took place after the Transfiguration. This is how Jesus introduces his
disciples into the mystery of redemption. This mystery of redemption and Jesus’
passion were foreshadowed in part by the ceremonial sacrifice of one goat and
the sending-away of another goat. We deserved death due to our sin. But Jesus
transferred to himself what was our due and laid down his life on the Cross so
that we might be sent away from death and destruction (see Cyril of
Alexandria, Commentary on Luke, Homily 53).
3. Jesus’ Response to Qoheleth: Jesus
tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). He does this so that human beings can
be transformed. Since this transformation had to be carried out through
suffering, sinful humankind was always rebelling against it. So, Jesus, the
pioneer of our salvation, had to submit himself to this suffering, although
personally he had no need to do so. Jesus took on a human nature and in the
flesh accepted the painful transforming action of God so as to be able to
communicate it to us, his brothers and sisters (see Vanhoye, A
Different Priest, 111). Through his death, Jesus destroyed death. After
Jesus’ resurrection, we can respond to Qoheleth that not everything ends with
the grave – that with Christ, there are things that are not vanity. Yes, human
beings still die. But this is not the end, since death is only a passage from
this life to the next. Yes, human beings will be judged. However, our Judge is
not only just, but is also merciful. Yes, worldly treasure is fleeting. But
there is heavenly treasure that lasts. Yes, the joys of youth pass away. But
there is a heavenly joy that will not pass away. Yes, our bodies return to the
earth. But on the last day, they will gloriously be raised with Jesus.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you
died on the Cross for me, broke the ancient curse, and established the New
Covenant. As you died, you begged the Father to forgive me and gave your mother
to care for me. Help me to imitate your loving and obedient sacrifice.
Saturday 25th Week in Ordinary 2023
Opening Prayer: Lord
Jesus, open my ears to hear your words, open my eyes to see as you see, and
open my heart to love as you love. I ask for the grace of understanding.
Encountering Christ:
1. “The Son of Man Is to Be Handed Over”: The disciples of Jesus were amazed at his multiplication
of loaves and fishes and the many healings he performed, but at this moment,
Jesus intentionally diverted their attention away from his successes. Instead,
for the second time, Jesus told them he would suffer and die. Still, it didn’t
sink in. Human understanding is not always capable of grasping the ways of God.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the
Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:5-6). Jesus wanted
the apostles to know that suffering fit into God’s plan, so he would tell them
as often as they needed to hear it. When we are confused or seek discernment
about the way God is working in our life, we need to persevere in prayer until
we understand the message.
2. They Did Not Understand: The disciples did not understand but would
eventually understand. Faith believes that what one does not currently see, one
will see. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do
not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your
paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Jesus told his disciples he would suffer so that when
it came about, they would remember what he told them. When the guards took him
in the garden of Gethsemane, the apostles would recall Jesus’s words and be
assured that, despite all appearances, God’s will was being done.
3. Afraid to Ask: What
would have happened had the apostles asked for more details? On other
occasions, when they asked Jesus to explain something they did not understand,
he spoke more plainly. When we’re confused by life’s circumstances, do we seek
clarity from God? What keeps us from asking him to explain? God always wants to
hear from us. We can trust him with our confused feelings, anger, and sorrow.
He is pleased when we come to him as dependent children, asking for clarity
about what we don’t understand.
Conversing with Christ: Dear Lord, when life gets confusing, help me trust in you
even though my understanding is limited. Increase my faith! Help me to confront
my fears, to place them before you.
Resolution: Lord,
today, by your grace, I will spend some time in prayer, sincerely pouring out
my heart, trusting that my loving Father hears my plea.
