Suy Niệm bài Tin Mừng thứ Bẩy Tuần 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 21st Ordinary Time 2025
Opening
Prayer: Lord God,
what an awesome task you have entrusted me with! I am called to bring your Word
to my family, friends, coworkers, and community. I know my limitations, and yet
I trust in you and your grace. Empowered by your Spirit, I will be fearless as
I proclaim your Word.
Encountering
the Word of God
1.
Human Dignity: In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes how we are loved and cared for by God the
Father. All the hairs of our head are counted, all the cells in our body are
known and sustained in existence by God. Jesus declares, “So do not be afraid;
you are worth more than many sparrows.” What is the value of a human being? Can
a price be put upon a human life? What Jesus teaches in the Gospel and the
Church teaches down through the ages is that a human being is priceless. As
spiritual creatures, made in the image and likeness of God, we possess an
infinite dignity. What does this mean? Briefly, it means that we are absolute
goods that cannot be used as means for another end. A steer, for example, does
not have infinite dignity. It is a good, but only a relative good. It can be
bought and sold, and slaughtered for food. A steer can be used as a means to
sustain human life. Human life is sacred, priceless, and an absolute good.
2.
How Do I Respect the Dignity of Other Human Beings? If we see the value of
a human being as infinite and absolute, it raises the question of how I am
treating others. For example, if I own a business, how am I treating my
customers? Do I treat them as means to another end, as people who have money that
I want for myself? Or do I see myself as providing a service for them and
helping them flourish as human beings and children of God? We should reflect
not just on how we are able to do good for others and promote the dignity of
others, but also on how our sins are offenses against human dignity. For
example, when a person views pornography, they are attempting to use the other
person as an object. They are violating their dignity, their absolute worth, as
a human being. Sin is not only an abuse of our freedom and a wounding of our
human nature, but almost always wounds and offends the dignity, the absolute
good, of our brothers and sisters.
3.
Joseph and His Brothers: The theme of human dignity can also be discerned in
the First Reading about Joseph and his brothers. When Joseph’s brothers were
envious of him and sold him into slavery, this was a serious violation against
human dignity. They treated Joseph, their brother, as a commodity. Then they
lied to their father, Jacob, about what happened, violating the truth and
devastating their father through deception. Even after Jacob died, Joseph’s
brothers continued to try to deceive Joseph to protect themselves. They lied
about Jacob’s last words, not realizing their brother had already forgiven
them. Joseph saw how God brought good out of evil: “Have no fear… Even though
you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the
survival of many people.” Even though we sin grievously, God is able to conquer
the evil in our lives and bring about a greater good.
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, you can do all things. I hear your voice and the
gentleness of your call. Grant me your grace and pour out your Spirit so that I
may respond to you with generosity. Help me as I discern your will today.
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."
Suy Niêm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu tuần 21 TN - Matthew 25:1-13
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 21st
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 21st Ordinary Time 2024
Opening
Prayer: Lord God, may your Spirit
always speak through me! Teach me truly to be shrewd as a serpent and as simple
as a dove when I proclaim your Gospel in word and deed.
Encountering
the Word of God
1.
Jesus Sends Out His Apostles: The
Twelve Apostles are simultaneously shepherds and sheep. Jesus saw that the
people needed new shepherds and chose the twelve for this task. And yet, he
warns them that they are like sheep sent out among wolves. Because of this,
they need to be prudent – shrewd as serpents – and anticipate threats. At the
same time, they need to be as simple as doves and as innocent as sheep. “The
word for simple means ‘unmixed,’ suggesting that the apostles’ shrewd tactics
should be animated by pure motives and single-mindedness for their ministry.
Shrewdness should never lead them to seek survival or advantage in a way that
compromises their integrity” (Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew,
145). They will experience opposition from the people of God, from Gentile
rulers, and even from family members.
2. God
Sends Israel to Egypt: In the First
Reading, we encounter Jacob, now called Israel, as an old man. When his sons
returned from Egypt and told him that his beloved son, Joseph, was still alive
and was reigning at Pharaoh’s right hand, Israel set out for Egypt. In a
vision, God confirmed his decision and told him, “Do not be afraid to go down
to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.” This was the promise the
Lord God made to Abraham, to Isaac, and once again to Jacob. Throughout the
story of Joseph, the Bible makes clear that God is in charge of the course of
history. God knew that slavery awaited the people of Israel in Egypt. But he
also knew that he would save his people, make a covenant with them, and bring
them through the wilderness to the Promised Land. This would be a foreshadowing
of the great act of salvation that his Son will accomplish in the fullness of
time. The slavery in Egypt will be a symbol of the slavery we experience due to
sin. The crossing of the sea will be a symbol of the waters of baptism that
bring us into the New Covenant and make us sharers of divine life and the
freedom of the children of God.
3. The
Coming of the Son of Man: At the
end of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus prophesies that his apostles will be
persecuted and will not finish visiting the towns of Israel before “the Son of
Man comes.” This is a reference to the Book of Daniel, which envisions: “One
like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven,” to receive an everlasting
and universal kingdom (Daniel 7:13). This coming of the Son of Man can be
interpreted in three ways. First, Jesus’ death and resurrection are his coming,
and, in this context, it means that the apostles will not visit all the towns
of Israel before the end of the specifically Jewish mission. They will not have
visited all of the towns before they are sent out to bring in the Gentiles into
the Kingdom Jesus establishes through his passion, death, and resurrection.
Second, this coming could refer to the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70.
This means that the apostles will not have visited all the towns of Israel
during the 40 years that pass from Jesus’ death to the judgment upon Jerusalem.
Lastly, it could refer to the mission of the Apostles down through the
centuries until the end of time. This means that the mission to Israel, who has
been scattered among the nations, will continue from Jesus’ resurrection until his
second coming at the end of time.
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have
restored the kingdom of David and inaugurated the Kingdom of Heaven. Allow me
to see how the Kingdom has transformed the world around me so that I may be
encouraged and filled with hope as I work on your behalf.
Friday 21st 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 Lễ thánh Gian Tẩy Giả chịu Tử Đạo 29/8 Mark 6:17-29
Hôm
nay chúng ta mừng ngày lễ tử đạo của người anh họ của Chúa Giêsu. Đó là thánh
Gioan Tẩy Giả. Gioan là người được Thiên Chúa trao cho nhiệm vụ là đi trước
Chúa Giêsu để mở đường. chuẩn bị cho con đường cứu chuộc nhân loại của Chúa
Kitô. Tin Mừng hôm nay cho chúng ta thấy ông là một người chính trực và thánh
thiện. Bởi vì ông đã phát biểu lời chống lại những điều xấu xa, tội lỗi, khuyên
bảo con người mau biết ăn năn thống hối vì Thiê n Chúa sẽ đến để cứu rỗi nhân
loại. Chính ông đã đưa lời phản đối việc hôn nhân loạn luân của Vua Herođê và
người chị dâu của ông, Vì thế ông bị bắt giam, chịu đau khổ, và cuối cùng bị
chém đầu. Ông đã chết một cái chết dã man, khủng khiếp theo lệnh của nhà vua
trong lức say sưai trác tác và lời hứa với một bé gái..
Như Thánh Gioan Tẩy Giả, chúng ta hãy chuẩn bị con
đường cho Chúa. Chúng ta hãy làm sạch, hãy quét dọn, rửa sạch, từ bỏ con đường
tội lỗi, những điều ác đang thấm nhập ngay bên trong tâm hồn của chúng ta.
Chúng ta hãy đâng cho Chúa tất cả những gì chúng ta có để chúng ta chỉ biết làm
công việc của Thiên Chúa muốn chúng ta làm mà không sợ hãi, lo âu vì Thiên Chúa
hiện diện nơi chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy trông nhỉn vào Chúa trong bất cứ lúc nào
hoàn cảnh nào với lòng trông cậy để chúng ta có can đảm và sức mạnh. Chúa rất
gần cận với chúng ta. Ngài ở trong chúng ta. Chúng ta hãy hành động dũng cảm,
không sơ suất, cũng không do dự, giống như một tôi tớ trung thành, như một
người lính trong quân đội của Thiên Chúa chúng ta, mà không biết lừa đảo, tự
nguyện, không lý luận, không biện minh, với sự vâng lời yêu thương, biết giúp
đỡ tận tâm, bắng tâm hồn và trái tim của chúng ta cho Thiên Chúa của chúng ta .
Chúng ta hãy làm những gì mà Thiên Chúa muốn nơi chúng ta và hãy để những phần
còn lại trong bàn tay thương yêu của Ngài lo.
Lạy Chúa, thân xác của chúng
con, tâm trí của chúng con, ý riêng của chúng con, tự do của chúng con, tất cả
những gì chúng con đang có và tất cả sở hữu của chúng con là của Chúa. Tất cả
thuộc về Chúa. Xin hãy để chúng con được biết sử dụng chúng để chuẩn bị và
trang bị cho con đường đẫn chúng con tới với Chúa.úng ta . Chúng ta hãy làm những
gì mà Thiên Chúa muốn nơi chúng ta và hãy để những phần còn lại trong bàn tay
thương yêu của Ngài lo.
Lạy Chúa, thân xác của chúng con, tâm trí của chúng
con, ý riêng của chúng con, tự do của chúng con, tất cả những gì chúng con đang
có và tất cả sở hữu của chúng con là của Chúa. Tất cả thuộc về Chúa. Xin hãy để
chúng con được biết sử dụng chúng để chuẩn bị và trang bị cho con đường đẫn
chúng con tới với Chúa.
REFLECTION the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Today let us celebrate with tender, loving devotion the feast of the martyrdom
of the cousin of Our Lord – John the Baptist. John was the forerunner of Jesus.
He was the one tasked by God to prepare the way of the Lord. The gospel says
that he was a just and holy man. Because he had to speak against evil in high
places, against the King, he was imprisoned, suffered, and finally beheaded. He
died a horrible death on orders from the king
Like St. John the Baptist, let us prepare the way of the Lord. Let us clear,
sweep, wash, denounce, evil starting from our hearts. Let us give all to do
God's work without fear for God is with us. At all times, let us look at Our
Lord for courage and strength. He is very near us. He is in us. Let us act
courageously, without negligence, nor hesitation; like a faithful servant, like
a soldier in the army of our God, without guile, willingly, not reasoning, not
justifying; with loving obedience, giving hands, heart, head to our God. Let us
do what God requires of us and leave the rest in His Hands.
Take and receive, O Lord, my body, my mind, my will,
my liberty. All things I have and own are yours. They belong to you. Let me use
them to prepare a way for you.
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist, August 29
Herod
was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of
Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to
Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias
harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do
so. Mark 6:17–19
The suffering and death of Saint John the Baptist
greatly parallels the suffering and death of Jesus. They were cousins. John was
one of the first to acknowledge the divine presence of our Lord when he leaped
for joy in the womb of his mother during the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.
John lived a holy and simple life, embracing His mission to prepare the way for
the Lord. He was the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Of him,
Jesus said that there was no one born of woman who was greater than John. For
these reasons, we should not be the least bit surprised that John’s suffering
and death parallelled and prefigured the death of the Savior of the World.
Herod was fearful of John, believing him to be a holy
man of God. He imprisoned him with a certain regret, knowing that he was
innocent. Similarly, before Pilate condemned Jesus to death, he found Him not
guilty of any crime. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent but allowed fear to direct
his choice to condemn our Lord.
John
was ultimately killed because of the hatred and plotting of Herodias, the
unlawful wife of Herod. It was Herodias’ anger that became a weapon, forcing
Herod to put John to death. Similarly, it was the jealousy and anger of the
religious leaders at that time that instigated and drove the death of Jesus.
Pilate, like Herod, was at first unwilling to condemn our Lord. But the
relentless hatred of the scribes and Pharisees compelled Pilate to condemn
Jesus, just as it was Herodias’ hatred that compelled Herod to kill John.
After John’s death, some of his disciples came to
carry his body away for burial. This was permitted by Herod, perhaps because of
his feelings of guilt. So also with our Lord, Pilate permitted some disciples
and the holy women to carry Jesus’ dead body to the tomb for burial.
In the end, the good fruit of Jesus’ death infinitely
overshadowed the crime that was committed against Him. So also with John. We
can be certain that, as a martyr, the blood he shed as a witness to Christ bore
spiritual fruit that surpassed all he had done in his public ministry.
Each of us is called to imitate our Lord and,
therefore, should also take inspiration from Saint John the Baptist. They both
were innocent but suffered greatly. They both spoke the truth, despite the
hatred of some. They both gave their lives, in accord with the Father’s plan.
Jesus was John’s Savior; John was but a precursor and servant of our Lord.
Reflect, today, upon the invitation God has given to
you to imitate the life of John the Baptist by uniting yourself to his Lord.
The first form of imitation will take place when you commit yourself to the
proclamation of the truth in accord with your mission. What mission has God
given to you? How is He calling you to proclaim the Gospel with courage,
strength, determination and fidelity to the end? Reflect, also, upon the
injustice inflicted first upon John and then upon our Lord. As you do, try to
look at any injustice you have received in life in the light of John’s and
Jesus’ lives. They did not run away from injustice. They embraced it as a
sacrifice and offered it to the Father in Heaven. Jesus’ Sacrifice brought
forth the Salvation of the World; John’s was but a sharing in that glorious
offering. Make your offering with them, and do not hesitate to do so with deep
love and trust in the Father’s plan.
Most glorious Lord, You invited Saint John the Baptist
to prepare the way for Your coming and Your death. He gave his life as a
martyr, and this sacrifice bore an abundance of good fruit. Please give me the
grace to walk in his footsteps by faithfully fulfilling my mission in life with
courage and strength. May I never waver in the face of injustice so that I can
embrace it and make it my spiritual offering to You. Jesus, I trust in You.
The
Passion of Saint John the Baptist, August 29 2025
Opening
Prayer: Lord God, I will strive to proclaim
the inbreaking of your heavenly Kingdom upon the earth in my words and actions.
I pray each day, “Thy Name be hallowed! Thy Kingdom Come! Thy will be done!”
Indicate what I need to give up, where I need to go, and what I need to preach.
Encountering
the Word of God
1.
Missionary Personalities: Jesus’ twelve
apostles display a variety of personalities and backgrounds and were likely
able to use this in their mission. At one end of the spectrum, we find Simon
the Cananean, who, with his zeal for the Torah, likely had nationalistic and
revolutionary leanings. At the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Matthew,
who worked with the foreign oppressors to collect taxes from his fellow Jews
(see Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 142). Nestled between
them, we have four illiterate fishermen. Simon the Cananean would be able to
politically sympathize with other zealots and teach them how Jesus had
corrected his understanding of the nation of Israel and its relation to the
Gentiles. Likewise, Matthew could do the same with tax collectors and other
public sinners who were shunned by the religious authorities. Both could say:
“This is what I thought, or this is what I was doing, and this is how Jesus
changed me!” Likewise, the four fishermen could reach the common laborer or even
the small business owner. Their testimony was powerful because they left their
nets and their father in the boat to follow Jesus. They were able to teach
others how to be detached from the things of this passing world and trust in
the way of Jesus. What we see is that the encounter with Jesus is
transformative and that each of us can use our experiences to evangelize.
2.
The Missionary Message: Every
missionary sent by Jesus has the same message to preach: “The Kingdom of Heaven
is at hand!” This is a proclamation that God is the Lord of all things. The old
creation is passing away, and the new creation has been unleashed upon the
earth. The announcement of the Kingdom demands a human response, beginning with
repentance, followed by humility, forgiveness, and seeking the surpassing
righteousness that is set before us in the Beatitudes. The power and presence
of the Kingdom are mediated through the Church’s apostolic leaders and members.
Finally, while it is true that the Kingdom is breaking into the world, it
awaits its consummation and full splendor at the end of time (see Mitch and
Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 80). When we announce the Kingdom, we
are inviting people to welcome God into their lives, welcome the Church into
their lives, and look forward to the definitive establishment of the Kingdom
when Jesus returns in glory.
3.
I Am Your Brother: In the First Reading, we
learn how Joseph’s brothers have finally repented of the evil they committed
against him. When Joseph demanded that Benjamin remain as a slave in Egypt for
stealing a goblet, Judah, the one who originally proposed selling Joseph into
slavery, offered himself as a slave in Benjamin’s place. Judah was willing to
make an offering of himself to save his brother. “Joseph discerns the change in
heart; his brothers are different men now. He breaks down crying and reveals,
‘I am your brother!’ After Joseph’s brothers overcome their shock, there is
great rejoicing. They ask forgiveness for their great fault” (Gray and
Cavins, Walking with God, 60). Joseph is wise and discerns God’s
providential hand in all this. He was not resentful or angry with God for his
sufferings and trials. Throughout his tribulations, Joseph was a model of
filial trust and abandonment to God’s providential care.
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, here I am,
send me! I am your servant and know that your Father watches over me and sends
the Spirit to guide me. Help me to know my strengths and weaknesses, my virtues
and vices, so that I may be an effective apostle for your heavenly Kingdom.
The
Passion of Saint John the Baptist, August 29 2024
Opening
Prayer: Lord God, why do you permit the
innocent to suffer? It is a deep mystery, too great for me to fathom. I do know
that suffering and sacrifice can test and purify love. I humbly ask that you do
not let me falter as you purify my love for you.
Encountering
the Word of God
1.
The Mission of the Forerunner: In
many ways, John the Baptist is a forerunner of the Messiah. The angel Gabriel
announced his birth six months before announcing Jesus’ birth. John, as the
voice crying in the wilderness, prepared the people for the public ministry of
Jesus. John’s message was about the coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus took up
that same message at the beginning of his ministry. John called out the
hypocrisy and evil of the Pharisees. Jesus will do the same. John gathered
disciples and was eager to send them to Jesus when he appeared. John knew the
Scriptures and preached about the coming Messiah and Mighty One of God. When
Jesus appeared, John announced him as the Lamb of God. Finally, John gave the
ultimate witness as the forerunner: he preceded the Messiah in his death. Just
as John was innocent and yet condemned to death by Herod, Jesus was the
innocent one put to death at the request of the religious authorities.
2.
The Passion and Death of the Forerunner: “John’s
execution foreshadows both the death of Jesus (Mark 9:12; 10:32-34) and the
martyrdom of other believers in the early Church (Revelation 20:4; CCC,
523)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, 75). Herod Antipas
was one of the sons of Herod Great. After his father’s death sometime between 4
and 1 B.C., the Roman Emperor Augustus divided the kingdom in Palestine among
three of Herod’s sons. Herod Antipas governed the regions of Galilee and Perea
until A.D. 39. “His brothers Archelaus and Philip were apportioned the
remainder of their late father’s territory” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible:
New Testament, 75). John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas and
executed because he publicly repudiated the illicit union of Herod Antipas and
Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Philip. “According to Leviticus 18:16
and 20:21, the Mosaic Law forbids the union of a man with his brother’s wife
when the brother is still living. Since Philip was alive and well, the marriage
between Antipas and Herodias was no marriage at all – it was adultery” (Ignatius
Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, 76). At the birthday banquet, Herod
uttered a careless oath. He knew that John was innocent and that executing him
would be a grave injustice. Giving in to the request of Heriodias’ daughter
showed that he was weak-willed and cowardly, just as Pilate reluctantly gave in
to the demands of the religious authorities who asked that the innocent Jesus
be executed.
3.
First Corinthians: Today we begin to read
from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians. The letter will be our First
Reading for the next three weeks. In summary, “First Corinthians addresses
several problems plaguing the Corinthian church. They competed with each other,
engaged in sexual immorality, and at times treated the church like any other
Greco-Roman social club. Paul calls them to recognize the unity of Christ’s
church, to serve others in self-giving love, and to cultivate holiness through
the Holy Spirit they received in baptism” (Prothro, The Apostle Paul
and His Letters: An Introduction, 97). The community was divided and this
division started to manifest itself in the celebration of the Eucharist. Some
members continued their pagan practice of sacrificial meals. Some were taking
their fellow Christians to be tried in pagan lawcourts. They were getting drunk
at meals and leaving the poor to go hungry. Paul responds to these problems by
speaking about the importance of the Cross and the Resurrection. He considers
the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the mystery of Christ, in sanctifying
the faithful, and in endowing them with charisms. He teaches about Baptism and
the Eucharist and ponders the mystery of the Church as the Body of Christ and
the Temple of the Holy Spirit (see Montague, First Corinthians,
23).
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, I am a
child of your Father. I am a member of your Mystical Body. I am a temple of
your Spirit. You are everything to me. I long to enjoy eternal life with you
and be purified of all my imperfections. May I be holy and merciful as your heavenly
Father is holy and merciful.
Agust
29- The passion of John the Baptist
Opening
Prayer: My Lord, let your Spirit widen my heart
through your words and with your wisdom. Help me to become more like you and
teach me to love my neighbor as you love me. Amen.
Encountering
Christ:
1.
Silencing the Truth: John the Baptist gives us a clear example of leadership.
Facing the moral and legal misconduct of King Herod, he could not remain
silent. This, of course, triggered hostile reactions by those who stood
accused. On the one hand, there was Herodias. Filled with hatred, she wanted to
silence the bothering voice of the prophet. The starkness of that anger
suggests that she sensed danger in the Baptist’s righteous words. Whether she
worried that public opinion would turn against her, or that she might lose
Herod’s favor, Herodias feared the truth and sought to silence it. She wanted
to defeat the truth, kill it, thinking that it was a threat to her happiness.
2. Imprisoning the Truth: On the other hand, there was Herod. He feared the
truth too. But instead of triggering violence in him, the Baptist’s words
intrigued him. He could see the beauty of virtue, could admire the heroism of
the prophet, could probably even have harbored the desire to be different
himself. But, ultimately, he could not change. He heard the accusation; he
sensed the compelling power of truth, and yet he could not invite that truth
in. Herod tried to incarcerate the truth, store it away, possess it without
having to obey it. If we feel attracted to the truth but don’t have the courage
to succumb to it, we also sometimes try to tame it and bend it so that we can
control it.
3.
The Truth Is No Threat to Our Happiness: These two reactions are patterns for
both the cultural battle in our world and the spiritual battle in our personal
lives. When taking on the role of the prophet in our world, denouncing what is
wrong and giving a voice to the truth, we may encounter both types of
reactions. And when the truth knocks on the door of our own heart, suggesting
that we change our conduct, we also may be tempted with both kinds of
reactions. The truth can be neither defeated nor incarcerated. Most
importantly, the truth is no threat to our happiness.
Conversing
with Christ: My Lord Jesus Christ, I trust in you. Daily life tempts me to
think that I am the only one responsible for my happiness. Instead, I know that
you are continuously guiding me toward greater joy and fulfillment. Nobody–not
even I myself–can make me as happy as you can. Increase, therefore, my
readiness to embrace your truth always and everywhere. Take away my fear of
change, let me overcome the constant temptation of thinking I know better than
you do, and send prophets of truth into my life who can redirect me when I'm
mistaken. Lastly, Lord, send me to be a voice of truth myself. Not a grating
voice with a lack of charity that can extinguish a smoldering wick, but the
voice of a collaborator of the truth who seeks the true happiness of his fellow
men.
Reflection the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Jeremiah was a very reluctant prophet. From the beginning of his call he
protested that God had the wrong man and that he was not up to the task. But
God continually ordered him to obey, assuring him that since he was called by
God he would have the strength and grace that he needed. Jeremiah complained
bitterly throughout his long and unhappy prophetic ministry but God always had
the upper hand. Here God gives him a ‘pep talk’, telling him that he was being
given the strength of a fortress. He should not be afraid of opposition or run
away for God was with him. It’s a message we all need to hear, especially when
we experience opposition for doing what is right.
John the Baptist took that word to heart — he did not shrink back or hesitate
to confront and speak to power for the sake of the nation and God’s word. He
paid with his life, as did Jesus. The story of Salome’s dance and Herod’s
foolish promise we all know well — it is the topic of opera and art. The
saddest part is that Herod felt the pull of John’s words and did not want to
kill him. The worst things are often done not by evil people, but by basically
good people who lack the courage and strength to stand up for what is right. A
life is not too much to give for the sake of justice and truth. Most of us will
not be called to give up our physical life but we can experience rejection,
pressure, and ridicule. Lord, give me the courage to stand up for truth and
justice.
the Passion of
Saint John the Baptist
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your wondrous shining glory, although
this is hidden from my eyes. I hope in the peace and everlasting joy of the
world to come, for this world is a valley of tears. I love you, even though I
am not always able to discern the love in your intentions when you permit me to
suffer. You are my God and my all.
Petition: Lord,
let me never fear the consequences of speaking the truth.
1. Speaking Truth to Power: Although Herod was a cruel tyrant, John the Baptist did
not hesitate to condemn his adulterous conduct and denounce his sin publicly.
The Holy Spirit moved John to give witness and teach the people that no one can
legitimately violate God’s commandments, not even a king. John did not fear the
consequences of his actions because he knew that if he were faithful, God would
be at his side and never let him down, even if he had to suffer because of the
truth. We, too, must give courageous witness to our family, friends, and
society. When we do, God will be with us, and we will have nothing to fear.
2. It Was Something That You Said: Mark tells us that Herod, although he resented what John
said in accusing him of adultery, nonetheless “like[d] to listen to him,” and
he was “much perplexed.” In his moral weakness, he persisted in his sin, yet
the prophet's cries to repent did reach his conscience. Herod was confused.
Something was stirring in his conscience; the Holy Spirit was moving inside him
to bring him to repent his sin. God never abandons the sinner but gives him the
grace to turn back to him. We should never lose hope for one who seems lost and
wandering in sin. We should always continue to speak the truth with love and
pray for a full conversion. God can change the hearts of even the worst of
sinners. He has forgiven us so much, and he can forgive others as well.
3. A Conversion Cut Short: The Gospel tells how Herod, in an imprudent promise to
Herodias’ daughter, found himself compromised and, for fear of losing face, had
to order the beheading of John the Baptist. Here, his moral weakness overcame
the first stirrings of the grace of conversion. He closed his heart to God’s
action due to his lust and vanity and committed the terrible crime of murdering
an innocent man. Oh, how sin can darken the conscience and extinguish God’s
grace in the heart of a person given over only to satisfy their passions.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I want to be faithful to your teachings and frank
with those I love who need to hear your word. I know that it takes prudence,
courage, and steadfastness. Help me to be true to you. Give me the grace of a
good conscience always to speak the truth with rectitude and love for your law.
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 21st 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 21st 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.
