Hôm nay chúng ta đã đến ngày cuối cùng cùa Mùa Thường niên, và cùng như sắp đến những ngày cuối cuộc đời rao giảng công khai của Chúa Giêsu, Thánh Luca trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay để lại cho chúng ta một lời cảnh báo khá nghiêm khắc là chúng ta phải biết sống tốt và cầu nguyện trong mọi lúc. Như thánh Luca đã bảo chúng ta là chúng ta phải sống trong sự sẵn sàng cho cái chết, phải chuẩn bị cho cái chết của chúng ta bất cứ lúc nào, và sự chết sẽ đến với chúng ta bất cứ khi nào. Những lời này có vẻ không phải là một ý nghĩ để an ủi chúng ta trong ngày cuối của năm phụng vụ, vào ngày cuối cùng trước khi chúng ta bước vào Chúa Nhật đầu của Mùa Vọng.
Tất cả phụng vụ, qua những mùa Vọng, đại lễ giáng Sinh, Mùa Chay và Phục Sinh, cũng như mùa Thường Niên trong năm, Giáo Hội có ý muốn dạy chúng ta sống cuộc sống tốt đẹp, phải chuẩn bị cho cuội sống mai sau với cuộc sống của chúng ta trên trái đất này trong hòa khí, an vui. Trong bài Thánh Vịnh đáp ca hôm nay Giáo Hội muốn dùng để đưa chúng ta trở lại với sự sáng thế hay khởi đầu của tất cả mọi thứ: Thiên Chúa Đấng là Tạo Hóa, người mà đà tạo dựng nên chúng ta và chúng ta thuộc về Người và chúng ta phải cúi xuống và quỳ lạy và thờ phượng trước mặt Người, vì Thiên Chúa đã tạo dựng nên chúng ta, chúng ta thuộc về Người trong cuộc đời của chúng ta trong thế gian này, chúng ta hy vọng một cuộc sống mãi mãi và đời đời.
Lạy Chúa là Cha trên Trời, Chúa đã tạo dựng nên chúng con và phục hồi chúng con trong tình yêu của Chúa trong Đức Giêsu Kitô, để hướng dẫn chúng con cách sống trong sự thánh thiện và vẹn toàn để chúng con có thể sống với Chúa mãi mãi đến muôn đời.
Almost at the end of his account of the public life of Jesus, Saint Luke leaves us with a rather stern warning to lead good lives and to pray at all times. It is as if he were telling us to live our lives in readiness for death, to be prepared for death at any moment, whenever it comes. It may not seem a very consoling thought with which to end out the liturgical year, on the last day before the first Sunday of Advent.
The whole liturgy, through the great season as well as through the Ordinary time of the year, is intent on teaching us to live good lives, to be prepared to face the end of our lives on earth in peace and joy.
The responsorial psalm brings us back to the beginning of all things: to God the Creator, to whom we belong and before whom we should bow down and kneel in worship, for God made us, we are his during our life in this world, and we hope, for ever in eternal life.
Father in Heaven, You created us and restored us to your love in Christ, so guide us in the way of holiness that we may live with You forever.
1. Andrew, the First-Called: The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee and called two brothers, Peter and Andrew, to become fishers of men. We know from the Gospel of John that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and encountered Jesus near the Jordan River before this call to become a fisher of men (John 1:40). That is why Andrew gets the title “protoclete,” which means “the first-called.” The fact that Andrew was already spending time away from fishing with his brother in the Sea of Galilee and the fact that he was with John the Baptist in the wilderness indicates that his heart was detached from the things of this passing world and open to the things of the age to come. His heart was open to the seed of the word of God, whether it came through the ancient prophets, through John the Baptist, or through the definitive Word of God, Jesus Christ.
The image from Revelation portrayed a future state in which a life-giving divine river would run through the heavenly Jerusalem, bringing life and fruitfulness. God will be present in a way that we cannot imagine; God will be our light. But we need not wait; we can begin to approach that river of life now as we walk the path of love, humility, holiness, and service.
In today's Gospel, Jesus is telling us to be awaken to the true facts of life and of death. Jesus does not ask us to ignore or despise this earth or this life, but he does ask us to estimate it for what it is, a period of transit, which properly used, will earn for us our eternal home. If we take a sincere look at our actions daily, we need not be afraid for the day of judgment. The challenge for every Christian is to continue to live, believe and hope in God's unbounded love for us. It is not easy to do so these days since the challenges of everyday life, temptations and the appeal for being "bad" are powerful.
The world seeks to fill us up with false gods in place of the loving God. Every day is the day of the Lord’s return. Give God thanks for the gift of this day.
Let us pray that the grace of the Advent Season, which begins tomorrow, will help us to endure and persevere even when we are faced with challenges, until we see God as he is.\
Opening Prayer: Lord God, accompany me in my prayer on this final day of the liturgical year. Stay close to my heart so that I can learn what it means to stay awake and please you in all things.
· Beware: Christ the King issued three commands in this final Gospel of the season of Ordinary Time: Beware, be vigilant, and pray. The first commands us to beware of carousing, drunkenness, and anxiety, which can result in drowsy hearts. We have the Catechism to elaborate on what happens if we fall into grave sins: “Mortal sin...results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ's Kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back.” (CCC 1861). Jesus’ admonition to “beware” is the most loving message he can give us, for his heart’s desire is that we spend eternity with the Father in Heaven.
Water is a powerful symbol throughout the Bible. It is absolutely essential for life and those who dwelt in the desert like the Israelites — were keenly aware of how vital it was. It was also a metaphor for the life-giving Spirit of God. When living things draw on springs and hidden rivers, they thrive and grow; without it, they wither and die. So it is with God’s Spirit. Human beings are dying of thirst and many don’t even know it.
The image from Revelation portrayed a future state in which a life-giving divine river would run through the heavenly Jerusalem, bringing life and fruitfulness. God will be present in a way that we cannot imagine; God will be our light. But we need not wait — we can begin to approach that river of life now as we walk the path of love, humility, holiness, and service. The early Christians thought that Jesus would return in their own lifetimes and judge humanity. So much time has passed; most people do not expect this to happen anytime soon. But we never know when disaster or death will overtake us. Our lives can end in an instant by accident or by illness. The Lord urges us to be spiritually awake and alert. Do not become distracted or bogged down in things that do not matter.
Use each day as a precious gift — spend it in love and service. Be ready to meet the Lord at all times and it will not matter when he returns. Every day is the day of the Lord’s return. Give God thanks for the gift of this day. Lord, help me to use each day wisely.
Is there anything holding you back from the joy and freedom of the Lord? God wants our hearts for him and for his kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans 14:17). But our hearts can be weighed down by many different things, such as greed, gluttony, drunkenness, and so many other harmful addictions and sinful habits. Jesus, our Lord and Master, offers us true freedom - freedom from the power of sin and wasted life, and freedom from our unruly desires and disordered passions - such as making food, drink or anything else our master rather than our servant. Jesus wants our hearts to be ruled by one thing only - his love and truth which enables us to choose whatever is good and to reject whatever is evil and harmful for us.
Jesus also warns us of the temptation to slacken off - to become spiritually idle, lazy, indifferent, or inattentive to God's word and guidance for our lives. We can fall asleep spiritually if we allow other things to distract us from the reality of God and his kingdom. It is very easy to get caught up in the things of the present moment or to be weighed down with anxious cares and concerns.
The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And he assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without his help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on him and to ask for his guidance and help. Do you pray for God's strength and wisdom?
Until the Lord comes again we can expect troubles, trials, and temptations. Our adversary the devil does not rest in his attempt to lure us away from God's will for our lives. If he cannot succeed in getting us to renounce our faith in Christ, he will try, little by little, to distract us from pursuing God, especially in prayer and listening to his word. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle the fire of his love in you so that you will be ready and eager to meet him when he comes again.
"Lord Jesus, rouse my spirit to the truth that this world is passing away. Give me a lively faith, a joyful hope, and a fervent love to see you face to face when you return in glory."
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