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
“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 2025
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 Second Passion Prediction: After the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36),
Jesus foretells his upcoming death in Jerusalem a second time. The first
foretelling (Luke 9:22) said that “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and
be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on
the third day be raised.” This was followed by Jesus inviting his disciples to
take up their own cross and follow him. The second passion prediction was
followed by the disciples arguing over who was the greatest. Jesus responds by
teaching them about humility. True greatness does not consist in earthly money,
earthly power, or the attainment of pleasure. True greatness, the greatness
that leads to divine and eternal life, consists in loving and humble service.
It consists in sacrificing for others and welcoming the humble and child-like,
who often struggle to care for themselves.
2. The Book of Zechariah: There are twelve prophetic books in the
Old Testament that form what was once called “The Book of the Twelve.” The Book
of Zechariah is one of these twelve books and is the second-to-last. It comes
after the Book of Haggai, which we have read during the past two days at Mass,
and before the last prophetic book, the Book of Malachi. The first half of
Zechariah (chaps. 1-8) offers a series of eight prophetic visions with precise
dates, some corresponding to 520 B.C. and to 518 B.C. Like Haggai and Malachi,
the book takes place after the Babylonian exile, with the first part of the
book dealing with the rebuilding of the Temple, which was completed in 515 B.C.
In the first vision (Zechariah 1:7-18), the prophet saw a man riding on a red
horse. This meant that the Lord had returned to Jerusalem and was ready to
bring about its rebuilding. In the second vision (Zechariah 1:18-21), Zechariah
saw a set of four horns destroyed. This meant that the enemies of Judah would
one day be destroyed. The First Reading follows Zechariah’s third vision
(Zechariah 2:1-5), in which he saw a man measuring Jerusalem. The city was so
large that no walls could contain it (Zechariah 2:4). Because of this, the Lord
God will act as a protective wall around the city (Zechariah 2:5). Who
is it that protects the New Jerusalem, the Church founded by Jesus Christ?
3. Zechariah’s Third Vision: In our First Reading, we hear Zechariah
address the people of Judah who are still living in Babylon. He tells them to
flee the wicked city (Zechariah 2:6) and return home to Jerusalem (Zechariah
2:7), where the Lord will dwell again (Zechariah 2:10). “The regathering of the
exiles to Zion [Jerusalem] will also be a time of conversion when Gentiles
embrace the God of Israel and become full members of the covenant community
(Zechariah 2:11)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1609). The Lord
promises to dwell in Jerusalem, in the midst of his people: “Sing and rejoice,
daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many nations
shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people and
he will dwell among you. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me
to you” (Zechariah 2:14-15). What wicked city do I need to flee? How
can I return home?
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 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.
Saturday 25th Week in
Ordinary 2022
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I am grateful to have this time of
prayer with you. Help me to grow in faith, hope, and love. Let me learn the
lessons you wish to impart to me. I need your grace to renew, strengthen, and
guide me in my discipleship. I also bring the souls entrusted to my
intercession to you in this prayer.
Encountering Christ:
They Were Amazed: It
was easy to be amazed at the words and deeds of Jesus. He “taught them as one
having authority” (Mark 1:22), and his miracles left people even more
astounded, saying, “We have seen incredible things today” (Luke 5:26).
Consequently, enlightened by grace, Peter proclaimed Jesus to be the “Messiah
of God” (Luke 9:20). When Our Lord’s words inspired and his miracles cured
countless people, it was easy to follow him. He was popular and admired, and
some of his admiration would reflect upon his closest collaborators. They could
feed off the excitement; they could bask in his glory. It is easy to follow
Jesus when things are going well, when prayer brings us consolation, and when
our ministry meets with success.
The Son of Man Is to Be Handed Over: However, Our Lord warned his apostles on various
occasions that his life would suffer an ignominious ending (Luke 9:22 and Luke
17:25). The willingness to suffer with and for Christ is an essential aspect of
discipleship. “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take
up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). To “daily” take up one’s cross
implies that denying oneself is a constant disposition, and not merely reserved
for the end of life. There will be many sacrifices required of us when we
choose to live like Christ. Self-denial goes hand in hand with living his
precept of charity since it seeks to place the needs of others before our own
comfort and preferences.
They Did Not Understand: Christ’s teaching of self-denial is hard to understand
and even harder to live. It goes contrary to our sinfulness, which seeks to
affirm oneself at the expense of others. The Catechism states that sin is a
“failure in genuine love for God and neighbor [which]… injures human
solidarity” (CCC 1849). Therefore, to renew charity in our lives, grace will
pull us against the current of our selfishness: “Unless a grain of wheat falls
to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat” (John 12:24).
However, it is in dying to self that we can produce “much fruit” (John 12:24).
We can only understand this principle with grace and experience.
Conversing with Christ: Dear Jesus, throughout my life I have received countless
graces from you, which have brought me great joy: consolation in prayer,
answered prayers, protection from harm and assistance with many needs,
blessings at work and in my family. Help me also to appreciate the blessings
that are costly, that challenge my comfort and way of thinking. Let me realize
in practice that “all things work for good for those who love God” (Romans
8:28).
Saturday-25th Week in Ordinary
In today's
Gospel reading, Jesus tries to convey to his disciples a correct view of his
mission, but they simply do not understand. The notion of a suffering Messiah
is just too much for them to grasp. They even hesitate to inquire more deeply
about it. They could understand Jesus' miracles. They could understand the
traditional Jewish concept of a conquering Messiah. But the idea of a Messiah
who would be killed was totally foreign to them. It seemed like complete
defeat.
After
Pentecost, however, their eyes would be opened. With the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, they would come "to understand fully the mystery, the plan God was
pleased to decree in Christ to reconcile everything in his person both on earth
and in the heavens, making peace through the blood of his cross." With the
Spirit they could see beyond the externals of life and religion, and see into
the very heart of God. This heart is a heart of love. It is also a heart of
mystery. It lives by dying for those it loves. It is glorified in being humbled
for those it loves. It is given abundant wealth by becoming poor so that those
it loves might share in its wealth. These things are all paradoxes. They are
all mystery. Yet they all boldly and clearly proclaim the truth of God's love.
This love was most dearly revealed in the death of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
Do we
understand this mystery, or do we still seek a Messiah who will come in worldly
victory? Do we really seek the action of the Spirit in our life so we might
understand this mystery? Do we really allow ourselves to be daily born again in
his love by coming to share in a daily death to selfishness and sin? As a
Church we must not allow ourselves to remain in ignorance. We must be born
again in the true sense of the word.
Suy
Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 25 Thường Niên
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta thử hỏi,
nếu Chúa Giêsu cũng hỏi chúng cùng một câu hỏi “còn
các con, các bảo Thầy là ai?”, có lẽ chúng ta sẽ trả lời: “Thầy
là Đức Chúa Trời, là Đức Chúa Con, là Ngôi Lời nhập
thể làm người,
là Đấng Tạo Hóa và Đấng Cứu Thế của chúng con, là Con một
của Chúa Cha, là Chúa Đức Kitô, và là
Thiên Chúa thật cũng là người thật ”. Không giống như các tông đồ trong thời của Chúa, bổn
phận chính của chúng ta bây giờ là phải rao truyền tất cả
những điều ấy tới tất cả mọi người để họ cùng nhận biết Chúa. Các tông đồ đã không chắc chắn Chúa Giêsu là ai. Họ biết được Ngài
là ai, là Đấng nào sau khi chứng kiến cái chết và sự
phục sinh của Người. Tất cả các tông đồ, trừ Thánh Gioan đã chết một cái chết vì đạo như Chúa Giêsu.
Bây giờ chúng ta thực sự đã biết Chúa Giêsu là ai. Cuộc sống, cái chết và sự sống lại của Ngài đã chứng minh cho chúng ta. Chúng ta được chúc phúc vì Thiên Chúa đã ban cho chúng ta những ân sủng để chúng
ta biết điều này. Chúng ta cẩn phải nhận ra tầm quan trọng về những kiến thức này cho chúng ta; sự sống đời đời của chúng ta đều phụ thuộc vào những
kiến thức đấy.
Chúng ta phải biết rằng "từ nguyên
thuỷ (khởi đầu) đã có Ngôi Lời, Ngôi Lời
ở trong Thiên Chúa, và Ngôi Lời là Thiên Chúa;. Ngài đã ở cùng Thiên Chúa. Và
qua Ngài mà tất cả mọi sự đã được thực hiện và Mọi sự đã nhờ Ngài mà thành sự
và không Ngài thì không gì đã thành sự." (Ga 1: 1-3)
Dự định ban đầu của Thiên Chúa là ban sự
sống đời đời cho con người chúng ta ,
nhưng vì sự bất tuân và niềm tự hào của con người, của tổ phụ con người
cúng ta là Adong và Eva mà cúng ta đã đánh mất cái quyền lợi đấy. Vì vậy, để cứu
rỗi cho chúng ta, Ngôi Lời đã trở nên Con Người phàm tục như chúng ta và Ngài
đã sống giữa chúng ta, để chuộc lại cho chúng ta sự sống đời đời mà đã bị mất.
Chúng ta biết rằng Chúa Kitô đã chịu đau
khổ và chịu chết trên thập giá cho chúng ta để chúng ta đạt được ơn cứu chuộc
này. Chúng ta phải rao truyền tất cả những gì mà chúng ta đã biết được cho tất
cả mọi người để họ sẽ không bị từ chối cuộc sống vĩnh cửu mà Đức Chúa Giêsu
Kitô đã cứu chuộc cho chúng ta.
Reflection:
Today's Catholics, if asked the
same question by Jesus, would probably answer: "God, God the Son,
Our Creator, Our Lord and Savior, Our Redeemer, the Word Made Flesh, the Only
Begotten Son of the Father, the son of Mary, the Christ, true God and true
Man" - for all these, he truly is. Unlike the apostles of his time,
our strict instruction now is to tell this to everyone.
The apostles were not sure who Jesus was. They learned who he was only much
later, after witnessing his death and resurrection, and they proclaimed who
Jesus was to all the nations so that they would be saved, even at the cost of
their own lives. All the apostles, except St. John, died a martyr's death. Now
we know who Jesus really is. His life, death and resurrection proved this
to us. We are blessed because God gave us the grace to know this. We must
realize how important this knowledge is to us; our eternal life depends on it.
We know that " in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God; he was in the beginning with God. All things were made
through him and without him nothing came to be." (Jn 1:1-3) God
originally intended eternal life to our first parents, but because of
disobedience and pride, they lost it. So for our salvation, the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, in order to redeem for us the eternal life which was
lost. We know that he suffered and died on the cross for us in order to
achieve this redemption. We must tell what we know to everyone so that they
would not reject this eternal life redeemed for us by Jesus Christ.
The Deepest Human
Satisfaction
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and
the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I
am?” Luke 9:18
It’s interesting that Jesus was both “praying
in solitude” and that “the disciples were with him.” Saint Bede explains this
apparent contradiction by stating that “the Son alone is able to penetrate the
incomprehensible secrets of the Father’s will.” Therefore, our Lord was always
alone with the Father in the sense that only Jesus knew the Father fully and
intimately. This is because He is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity,
the Eternal Son of the Father.
With that fact clearly understood, it’s also
important to understand that as Jesus prayed to the Father within His human
nature, something new took place. Though Jesus was eternally with the Father,
His human nature was not eternally with the Father. Therefore, as the Eternal
Son of God communed with the Eternal Father while living in human flesh, human
nature was suddenly elevated to a height that it had never been before. Not
only was the Eternal Son living in perfect union with the Father, but now the
Eternal Son, fully human, brought His human nature into this oneness.
Though this may seem a bit philosophical to
some, it points to a very important reality that affects us all. Through our
Lord’s human prayer to the Father, we are all invited to join with Jesus and
share in this divine oneness. The Son of God, as a human being, made it
possible for us as humans to share in the elevation of our very lives to
oneness with God the Father. And though the Son of God will always retain a
unique union with the Father, we are, nonetheless, by participation, invited to
share in their life.
So why is this important? One reason is that
there is no greater human fulfillment we could ever achieve than to share in
the prayer of the Son to the Father. Throughout our lives, we are constantly
looking for fulfillment in one form or another. We want to be happy. We want
enjoyment in life. We have a natural desire for happiness that we are
constantly seeking to fulfill. What’s important to understand is that the
greatest happiness comes by sharing in the deep human prayer of the Son to the
Father. Prayer, true prayer, is the answer to our deepest desire.
Reflect, today, upon whether or not you
regularly engage in deep prayer. Can you point to times when you, like our
Lord, were alone with God, communing with Him in the depths of your human soul,
being drawn to Him through prayer? There are many levels of prayer, as is
attested to by many saints. Make the choice to deepen your prayer. Go before
our Lord today and pour out your heart to Him, asking Him to draw you into the
holy solitude of His prayer to the Father. Doing so will bring forth in you the
deepest human satisfaction possible in life.
My praying Lord, as You spent time alone with
the Father, You united Your human nature with Him, thus elevating our nature to
a glorious degree. Please draw me to You, dear Lord, so that I may know You and
the Father through true, deep and sustaining prayer. May this oneness with You
be the cause of my deepest fulfillment in life. Jesus, I trust in You.
Friday
25th
Ordinary Time 2025
Opening
Prayer: Lord God, Creator of all things, grant
me a deep knowledge of your works and your plan of salvation. Help me to know
my part and enlighten my mind to know how I can help my family, my friends, and
the members of my community to know you better and love you more deeply.
Encountering
the Word of God
1. The
Christ of God: The Gospel of Luke introduces the story of
Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ of God, by telling us
that Jesus was praying in solitude. In this context of prayer, Jesus turns to
his disciples and asks them a question about his identity: “Who do the crowds
say that I am?” The disciples say that some in the crowds think that Jesus
might be John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet brought back to life
(Luke 9:7-8). This response refers back to a prophecy from Malachi, which
states that Elijah the prophet would return before the day of the Lord (Malachi
3:23). Jesus then directs the question about his identity to his disciples.
When Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah, it comes after the multiplication of
the loaves and fishes (Luke 9:10-17). This miracle contributed to the
disciples’ coming to understand aspects of Jesus’ messianic identity. “Jesus as
Messiah is like a new Moses who brings back the treasury of manna […]. He is a
prophetic Messiah who works miracles like Elisha, who was an anointed prophet
(1 Kings 19:16). He is, of course, also a kingly Messiah in the line of David
(see Luke 1:32-33; 2:11). In this regard, Jesus’ preaching on the kingdom of
God (4:43; 8:1, 10), mentioned again in the immediate context (9:11), is also
part of his mission as a kingly Messiah” (Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke,
180).
2. The
Son of Man: In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus refers to
himself as the “Son of Man” over twenty times. These references fall into three
categories. First, some refer to his public ministry and his authority to
forgive sins. Second, some refer to his upcoming passion and suffering in
Jerusalem. Third, some refer to his glorification after his crucifixion and his
future coming. While the title “Messiah” could be misunderstood in purely
political terms, the phrase “Son of Man” was less politically charged and
somewhat ambiguous, and Jesus could safely use it to speak about himself. While
the phrase “son of man” could simply mean a mortal human being as a descendant
of Adam, it also could refer to Daniel’s prophecy of a divine-like being
receiving royal authority (Daniel 7:13-14). That is why Jesus “rebukes” his
disciples about using the title “Messiah.” Jesus did not reprimand them for
using the title, but did order them forcefully not to tell anyone that he was
the Messiah. It was a truth that could not yet be proclaimed openly. As the
disciples walked with Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, he revealed more about
himself as the Messiah and Son of Man. Every time we read and contemplate the
travel narrative in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 9:51-19:44), we are invited to
walk with Jesus and learn with the disciples who he is and what he has come to
do.
3.
Haggai’s Second Oracle: The prophet
Haggai received a total of four prophetic oracles. Yesterday, we read the first
oracle that admonished the people for putting their own comfort and luxury
ahead of the things of God. Today, we read the second oracle, which encourages
the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, and Joshua the High Priest, to persevere in
their efforts to rebuild the Temple. They shouldn’t be sad that the Second
Temple would not be as glorious as the Temple of Solomon. Something greater is
on the horizon: “Haggai prophesies a world-shaking event that will draw all
nations to the Lord’s Temple with gifts of silver and gold. When this day
comes, the Second Temple, small and unimpressive, will give way to one that is
far more glorious and worthy of the divine presence. These future events are
patterned on the events of the Exodus, e.g., the Israelites who escaped bondage
assembled at Mt. Sinai, which the Lord shook with a mighty earthquake (Ex
19:18; Ps 68:8); they built a Tabernacle for the Lord (Ex 25-30) with the
silver and gold they had gotten from the Egyptians (Ex 12:35-36); its
architects were endowed with skills of craftsmanship by the same Spirit (Ex
31:1-11) who abides in postexilic Judah (Haggai 2:5)” (Ignatius Catholic
Study Bible, 1600). In the Church, we form part of the glorious New Temple
of God, and the Spirit of God fills us.
Friday
25th
Ordinary Time 2024
Opening
Prayer: Lord God, Creator of all things, grant me a
deep knowledge of your works and your plan of salvation. Help me to know my
part and enlighten my mind to know how I can help my family, my friends, and
the members of my community to know you better and love you more deeply.
Encountering
the Word of God
1. Who
Has Authority over Life and Death? The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes,
known as Qoheleth or the Preacher, contemplates the question of the meaning of
life. He ponders why human beings toil endlessly on earth for minimal gain.
When a person dies the fruits of their labor merely pass to another. The
Preacher teaches that the pleasures of the world do not truly fulfill us and
that wealth does not bring us ultimate satisfaction. The Preacher also notes
that we have no control over the timing of the end of our earthly life. “Unlike
God, who appoints times of prosperity and adversity (7:14), man has no
‘authority over the day of death’ (8:8). The best he can do, says Qoheleth, is
to enjoy the good things in life as much as his circumstances allow (2:24;
3:12, 22; 8:15)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and
Song of Solomon, 66).
2. God’s
Plan for Creation: Qoheleth sees God as the Creator who determines all
times and seasons of life (3:1-8). God's creation is beautiful and good, and,
in this creation, man has a special place, for man desires something that goes
beyond this life. God has placed this desire for eternity in man’s heart. No
creature can satisfy us; only God can: The Lord has made us for himself and our
hearts are restless until they rest in him. The gift of the desire for eternity
does not include with it the gift of fully understanding God’s plan for each
one of us. The latter is something that we discern little by little through the
virtue of faith and the gifts of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. In this
life, we really only catch a glimpse of God’s plan for creation; in the next
life, we will see everything in God himself. We will see his goodness, justice,
love, and mercy. We will see how he has acted in history and our lives.
3. Faith
in Jesus as the Christ: In the Gospel, Simon Peter does not come to the
knowledge of Jesus as the Christ on his own. It was revealed to him by God.
Peter’s confession of faith is an important step in understanding God’s plan
for humankind. Peter is confessing that God the Father has sent his only
begotten Son as the Redeemer of man. At the same time, Peter will struggle to
understand that Jesus redeems us through the Cross, through suffering, through
death. After the Resurrection, Peter will confess not only his faith in Jesus
but also his love for Jesus. One day, he will testify to Christ through his
martyrdom in Rome. He will tell the entire world through his death that Jesus
is the Christ, the one who saves us and raises us up.
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world. You were slain, yet rose victorious and have been
enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Help me to live my baptismal
vocation as a priest, prophet, and king today.
Friday
25th
Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Dear
Lord Jesus, I am grateful for this opportunity to come before you in prayer.
You know that I believe in you; that is why I am coming to you. However, you
also know how much my faith needs to grow. I ask you for that grace to grow in
my knowledge of you, to think more like you, and to trust you each day more. I
also ask you to bless those souls entrusted to my prayer.
Encountering Christ:
“Who Do the Crowds Say That I Am?”: Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say
that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still
others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Jesus’s first question was
safe; it is a question about the beliefs of others. “Well, they believe this
and that…” said the disciples, possibly even slightly scoffing at some of the
theories out there. Similarly, today’s society is completely at ease conversing
about religion at this level. “Well, the Buddhists believe this… and the
Muslims believe that.” University professors who teach courses on religion or
philosophy often take a similar approach—they survey the landscape of the
various religions or philosophies, make a few interesting comments, and then
leave it to the student to choose which they like best. The underlying message
conveyed is that we cannot know the truth about God and man. That aversion is
likely rooted not only in a belief that man cannot know the truth but also in a
fear of commitment. A religion reduced to a theory can make no demands.
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”: Our Lord cuts to the chase by eliminating the
casual theorizing: “But who do you say that I am?” Even adult cradle Catholics
who believed as little children at some point must face the question directly,
“Who is Jesus for me?” Otherwise, he or she runs the risk of reducing Jesus to
a theory, a religion, or a tradition—ultimately void of meaning. However, if
someone is willing to open up to Jesus with sincere and persistent prayer and
study, he or she, like Peter, will recognize in Jesus “the Messiah of God.”
Essential to such a search is the realization that it is not principally
finding the truth as much as it is encountering a person. Mature faith is born
from meeting Jesus Christ.
“The Messiah of God”: Once we recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the very
Son of God, neutrality is no longer an option. We must either bend the knee or
reject him. To bend the knee means to adore and to obey him. Our worship of
Jesus brings us grace and gradually forms our hearts and minds to be more like
his (Galatians 4:19). His words and his example become the criteria by which we
act. “What would Jesus do?” should not be a cliché. It is also in living with
Jesus and like Jesus that others will discover him through us. St. Paul writes,
“yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for the foundational
gift of faith, which has led me to recognize you as the Messiah and the Son of
God. Help me to continue to conform my heart and mind to yours through prayer
and the sacraments. May my words and actions be a reflection of you, so that
through me, others may come to know your goodness. Aware of my weakness, I
place my confidence in your grace and fidelity.
Suy
Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần Tuần 25 Thường Niên
Bình thường,
cuộc sống của chúng ta cũng giống như vua Hêrôđê nghĩa là chúng ta có
"một cuộc sống rất bình thường" của người Công giáo. Có nghĩa là
chúng ta tự để mình rơi vào trong một cái thói quen. Chúng ta đi nhà thờ, làm
công việc hay nghĩa vụ của mình theo như “một cái máy” vì luật buộc như việc
xưng tội một năm một lần, đi “xem lễ”, rước lễ, và rồi về nhà, thế là
xong, cuộc sống xay vòng ngày qua ngày giống như thế. Bằng cách nào đó,
đôi khi người Kitô giáo chúng ta có vẻ hầu như cảm nhận thấy rằng, cuộc sống
đạo của chúng ta đạo chẳng có gì lấy làm hào hứng và vui thích cho lắm.
Tất nhiên, chúng ta ai cũng muốn thấy Chúa Giêsu, nhưng chúng ta chẳng nỡ bỏ
công sức ra để tìm kiếm Chúa. Chúng ta không nhìn thấy và không nhận ra sự cần
thiết của sự từ bỏ hay thoát khỏi cái vỏ không trống rỗng để tìm kiếm những
sung túc, sự sung sướng và sự thoải mái của chúng ta, để đáp ứng lại cái sự mời
gọi của Chúa Giêsu, đặc biệt là những nơi Ngài hiện diện trong những vùng ngoại
ô, làng quê héo lánh, hay ở nơi những người đang sống bên lề xã hội, những người
nghèo khổ và bị ruồng bỏ. Nhưng chúng ta cũng đã nhận được sự cảnh báo là trong
ngày Phán Xét, khi chúng ta được đưa ra trước quan toà Chúa Giêsu, chúng
ta cũng đừng ngạc nhiên, nếu Chúa nói với chúng ta là: "Ta không biết
ngươi là ai".
Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con biết dùng thời gian của Chúa ban cho chúng con
một cách khôn ngoan, để chúng con luôn thực sự và thành tâm đi tìm kiếm
Chúa giữa lòng người và dòng đời mà chúng con đang sống, biết nhận ra Chúa
trong người anh em nghèo khó, tật nguyền đang sốnh ngay nên cạnh chúng con.
Reflection
The Gospel reading yesterday described how
Jesus sends his closest disciples on mission. This expansion of Jesus’ mission
draws the attention of Herod Antiphas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Herod is
curious about Jesus because he had heard about Jesus and the miracles Jesus was
performing. As a result, Herod desires to see Jesus. Not because he really
believed in Jesus' message but because he merely wanted to satisfy his
curiosity. So, Herod remains in his palace waiting for the day when he can see
Jesus. It never occurs to him to go out and look for Jesus. In the meantime,
life goes on as usual. Often, we can
become “life as usual” Catholics. We fall into a routine. We go to church,
fulfill our religious obligations, receive Communion, and go home. Nothing
changes, just as expressed by the writer in the first reading. Nothing
really exciting happens to our faith and in our relationship with God. Somehow
it seems as though there’s nothing joyful about being a Christian.
Of course, we would like to see Jesus but
we do not look for him. We do not see the need to go forth from our comfort
zone, outside our homes or parish, to meet Jesus, especially where he is
present in the peripheries, in the marginalised, the poor and outcasts. But be
warned. In the end when we do meet Jesus, do not be surprised if he says, “I do
not know you”. Lord, help me to seek You always.
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was
happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has
been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still
others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Luke
9:7–8
Herod the tetrarch, also known as Herod
Antipas, ruled the Jews of Galilee for some forty-two years. He began his reign
in 2 BC and continued to reign until he was exiled by the Roman Emperor in 37
AD. During his reign, he spent much time in Tiberias, one of the main cities on
the western edge of the Sea of Galilee. Most of Jesus’ ministry took place
within the region of Herod’s domain, all of Galilee, so Herod was very aware of
the many stories about Jesus.
Today’s Gospel concludes by saying that Herod
kept trying to see Jesus. Of course, Herod, just like anyone living in that
region, could have traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to Him
at any time. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he continued to receive reports
about Jesus and remained curious about Him, trying to find a way to figure out
Who Jesus was.
Try to imagine what would have happened if
Herod would have traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to Him
with an open heart. If he would have done that, and truly listened, Herod would
have received one of the greatest gifts imaginable. He would have received the
gift of faith and conversion and would have begun down the road toward eternal
salvation. But Herod was living an immoral life. He was known to be a cruel
leader and also an unrepentant adulterer. He loved his power and was quite jealous
of it. Herod most likely knew, at least in the back of his mind, that if he
were to listen to Jesus, he would have to change. And he most likely didn’t
want to change.
This presents us all with a powerful lesson.
Each one of us can easily dismiss various communications and invitations from
our Lord, because, deep down, we do not want to change. God is speaking to us
all day long, every day of our lives. He is constantly offering us His message
of the full Gospel. And though you may be open to much of what God says, there
are most likely parts of His divine message that you either knowingly or
unknowingly do not listen to. The key to being able to hear everything that God
wants to speak to you is to be disposed to completely change in any and every
way that God wants you to change.
Reflect, today, upon Herod. First, reflect
upon his curiosity about Jesus. This is a good quality, in that it’s much
better than being indifferent. From there, think also about the fact that Herod
never went to Jesus to listen to Him. His first meeting with Jesus was on the
night of His arrest, when he interrogated our Lord and made fun of Him. As you
consider Herod’s obstinacy, use it as an examination of your own life. Where
you see any small reflection of obstinacy, fear of change or a closed heart, seek
to remedy that by turning to our Lord telling Him you are open to all He wishes
to say and that you are ready and willing to change in any way He calls you to
do so. Do not fear the change our Lord wants of you. Embracing that change will
land you on the quick and narrow road toward true holiness of life.
My ever-present Lord, You call to me day and
night, inviting me to change as I listen to Your holy Word. I thank You for
these constant promptings of grace and commit myself to remain open to all that
You ask of me. I choose You, my Lord. And as I turn to You, I pray that I will
have the courage I need to respond wholeheartedly to Your call. Jesus, I trust
in You.
Thursday 25th in Ordinary 202
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I surrender my life into your
hands. I commend my spirit to your care. Guide my steps today and help me
understand the meaning of my life. Help me to know the path I have trodden and
the steps I need to take.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Herod’s Question and Peter’s
Answer: Herod Antipas was made
tetrarch by Rome after the death of his father, Herod the Great. Herod Antipas
ruled over Galilee and Perea until he died in A.D. 39. He was introduced by
Luke earlier, when he narrated the preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1).
Herod was perplexed by what he heard from the people about Jesus. Some
speculated that Jesus was somehow John the Baptist, having been raised from the
dead. Herod discards the possibility that John came back to life and remarks
that he had beheaded John. Some people also referred to the prophecies
concerning the prophet-like-Moses arising (Deuteronomy 18:15) and the prophet
Elijah returning (Malachi 3:23). Herod doesn’t seem to be interested in
biblical prophecy and asks, “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
Herod’s question will be answered by Peter after the feeding of the five
thousand. Jesus is the Christ of God. Jesus is the anointed priest, prophet,
and king. He is the Son of Man and Son of God who forgives sins and comes in
power on the clouds of heaven. Although he wanted to see Jesus, Herod Antipas
would only meet him at his trial (Luke 23:6-12). When Jesus refused to speak to
him or perform a sign for him, Herod mocked him and sent him to Pilate wearing
“gorgeous apparel.” On that day, Herod mocked the idea that Jesus was a king
and was completely unaware of Jesus’ royal dignity (Luke 1:32-33).
2. The Book of the Prophet Haggai: The Book of Haggai is the first of the
three post-exilic prophets. The other two prophetic books that come after the
Babylonian exile are Zechariah and Malachi. Haggai gives us a look at the newly
restored community and its struggles as they seek to reestablish themselves in
the Promised Land. “In this way, it provides an important bridge, moving from
the end of the Old Testament to the cusp of the New” (A Catholic Guide to
the Old Testament). The Book contains four prophetic oracles that came to
Haggai in the second year of King Darius of Persia, who ruled from 522-486.
Haggai is very precise and even gave us the day and the month of each of his
four prophecies. Today we read from the first oracle, and tomorrow we will read
the second oracle (Haggai 2:1-9). In his messages, Haggai both corrects the
people for neglecting to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and encourages them to
persevere in their efforts once they restart the rebuilding. The Letter to the
Hebrews will quote the Book of Haggai in one of its reflections on the Old
Covenant. The Old Covenant, according to Haggai and Hebrews, was characterized
by the earthquake on Mt. Sinai. But God promises a future shaking of not only
the earth, but also the heavens, the sea, and the dry land. The shaking of the
earth removed temporary things. The future shaking of the heavens, through the
New Covenant, will leave only the eternal kingdom of Christ standing (see Ignatius
Catholic Study Bible, 1600).
3. Haggai’s First Oracle: In Haggai’s first oracle, he reprimanded the
people for building their houses and living in material comfort. They postponed
the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple and paneled their homes instead of the
floor and walls of the ruined Temple (1 Kings 6:15). Haggai invites the people
to reflect on their situation and how they have fared since their return from
Babylon. Haggai suggests that the “meager harvests, limited food and clothing,
and economic strain” were “the result of neglecting the Temple’s
reconstruction. In this case, the adversity suffered by the community stems
from their spiritual indifference. They fail to see that the Lord’s Temple is a
source of blessing for his people (see 1 Kings 8:27-53). How did the people
respond to Haggai’s oracle? Simply put, they obeyed: “And so the Lord stirred
up the spirit of the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and the
spirit of the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the
remnant of the people, so that they came to do the work in the house of the
Lord of hosts, their God (see Haggai 1:12-15).
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I pray that I may know you
better each day. You are my redeemer and savior. You are my anointed king and
Lord. Pour out your Spirit and renew me to be a witness to your saving work.
Thursday 25th in Ordinary 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I surrender my life into your hands. I commend my spirit
to your care. Guide my steps today and help me understand the meaning of my
life. Help me to know the path I have trod and the steps I need to take.
Encountering the Word of God
1. What if Life is Meaningless? The author of Ecclesiastes, known as Qoheleth or the Preacher, “looks at
the world almost exclusively from the standpoint of human reason, experience,
and observation” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
Song of Solomon, 66). The Preacher recognizes that God is Lord over the
world, but does not examine our relationship with God in great detail. “From
this limited perspective, in which faith is often left out of the picture, the
author can only conclude that everything is ‘vanity’ (1:2; 12:8). One could say
that Ecclesiastes reveals the problem to which of the Bible offers the
solution, namely, that life is meaningless if death is our ultimate destiny and
if man has no hope for happiness that reaches beyond the grave” (Ignatius
Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 66). Saint
Bonaventure takes a different point of view, and says that the three books
attributed to Solomon represent three stages of spiritual growth: Proverbs
teaches us how to live wisely in the world, Ecclesiastes teaches contempt for
worldly things, and the Song of Songs teaches us love for heavenly things.
(see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Solomon, 67).
2. A Pessimistic View of the Endless Cycle of Life and Nature: The
First Reading is taken from the prologue to Qoheleth’s book, which announces
that man’s work and labors are in vain. The Preacher is meditating on the cycle
of life and the cycle of nature. Generations of men come and go, the sun rises
and sets, the wind comes and goes, and the rivers rush to the sea yet are
continuously filled only to rush back again. Everything seems only to return to
where it started. The Preacher also contemplates human history and sees it
repeating itself: what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new
under the sun (1:9). Finally, the Preacher wonders who will remember what was
done in the past and concludes that not even things to come will be remembered.
3. The Culmination of History in Jesus Christ: The answer to this
pessimistic view of life, of the world, and of history is found in Jesus Christ
and his revelation. Nature is indeed cyclical, but human history is not. It is
linear and culminates in Jesus Christ. Everything leads up to the Incarnation,
Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. And, after this event, everything
is different. The Kingdom of God is inaugurated and awaits its definitive
establishment at the end of time. Jesus Christ gives us reason to hope. He has
opened up for us the way to salvation. We can follow his path and enter into
communion with him. We do not seek Christ like Herod. Herod was perplexed by
Jesus’ mighty deeds and was curious. He sought to see him only to see a
miraculous sign. The people also begin to wonder: Who is Jesus? Is he another
prophet like Elijah or John? Who is he?
2. A Pessimistic View of the Endless Cycle of Life and Nature: The
First Reading is taken from the prologue to Qoheleth’s book, which announces
that man’s work and labors are in vain. The Preacher is meditating on the cycle
of life and the cycle of nature. Generations of men come and go, the sun rises
and sets, the wind comes and goes, and the rivers rush to the sea yet are
continuously filled only to rush back again. Everything seems only to return to
where it started. The Preacher also contemplates human history and sees it
repeating itself: what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new
under the sun (1:9). Finally, the Preacher wonders who will remember what was
done in the past and concludes that not even things to come will be remembered.
3. The Culmination of History in Jesus Christ: The answer to this
pessimistic view of life, of the world, and of history is found in Jesus Christ
and his revelation. Nature is indeed cyclical, but human history is not. It is
linear and culminates in Jesus Christ. Everything leads up to the Incarnation,
Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. And, after this event, everything
is different. The Kingdom of God is inaugurated and awaits its definitive
establishment at the end of time. Jesus Christ gives us reason to hope. He has
opened up for us the way to salvation. We can follow his path and enter into
communion with him. We do not seek Christ like Herod. Herod was perplexed by
Jesus’ mighty deeds and was curious. He sought to see him only to see a
miraculous sign. The people also begin to wonder: Who is Jesus? Is he another
prophet like Elijah or John? Who is he?
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the culmination of all human history. You are
the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Guide me as I walk toward
my eternal destiny. You know where I will stumble and where I will be faithful.
Help me especially when I am weak and beset by temptation.
Thursday 25th in Ordinary 2023
Opening Prayer: Lord
Jesus, I believe in you, I hope in you, and I love you. Grant me a sacred
reverence for supernatural phenomena and a holy fear of the Lord. Lord, I
humbly ask for the presence of mind to be in awe before you and approach the
tabernacle with great reverence.
Encountering Christ:
1. Worldly Power: Wordly
power seduces the powerful into believing that he or she can control all
outcomes. Hearing about Jesus agitated Herod, most likely because he had a
guilty conscience for having beheaded John. Perhaps he also worried about the
possibility of another prophet more popular than John. And he certainly felt
that all the commotion was getting out of hand. Herod sought out Jesus to
assuage his concerns, but might he also have had a glimmer of authentic
curiosity? When we seek Jesus in prayer, does anxiety prompt us, or do we look
for him with hearts motivated by healthy, loving curiosity?
2. Quiet Power of the Supernatural: Herod’s power was characterized by rashness and
self-aggrandizement. His killing of St. John the Baptist could not thwart the
higher power of God. God’s power is infinitely beyond that of man’s. The power
of the Creator is beauty, truth, and goodness. Our omnipotent God knew when
John would die and allowed John to prepare the way for Jesus to begin his
active ministry. We can always trust in the power and perfect timing of the
Almighty, God, our Father. “To everything there is a season and a time for
every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Let us place all our concerns
in God’s hands, knowing that he will “work all things to the good for those who
love him” (Romans 8:28).
3. Pure Intentions: Herod kept trying to see Jesus, but to no avail.
For a powerful king, one would think he should have seen Jesus whenever he
pleased. Perhaps Jesus eluded Herod because he knew Herod’s intentions were
selfish. Our Lord wants to be present to us, to fill us with his grace, and to
give us every blessing, but being the perfect gentleman, he enters only hearts
that welcome him with pure intention. “Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry”
(1 Corinthians 10:14).
Conversing with Christ: Lord, I believe in your almighty power. You have
the course of events in your hands. Grant me optimism, docility, and peace in
knowing that you guide history. And help me to keep from my heart any sinful
attraction to power, honor, or wealth. I want my heart to be a refuge for you,
Lord.
Thursday 25th in Ordinary
Opening Prayer: Dear
Lord Jesus, I come before you in prayer. Increase my faith so I can grasp your
word. Strengthen my love to live your word, and fortify my hope to hold onto
your word. May our encounter in this time of prayer bear fruit in my
soul.
Encountering Christ:
Herod Was Greatly Perplexed: Upon hearing about Jesus, Herod “was greatly perplexed.”
In the Gospel of Mark, Herod even said that Jesus “is John whom I beheaded. He
has been raised up” (Mark 6:16). Herod, as worldly as he was, could not fully
disavow his attraction to the sacred. Before beheading John, “Herod feared
John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man… when he heard him speak he
was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him” (Mark 6:20). Now his
fascination with the saintly John and his guilty conscience (for having
beheaded John) made Herod uneasy when hearing about Jesus. While people may try
to ignore their religious and moral sense and live a hedonistic lifestyle, the
voice of conscience calling man back to goodness and truth is very resilient.
This is so because God made us in his image and likeness.
Understanding Jesus: Speaking of Jesus, some were saying, “John has been
raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others,
“One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Jesus will always remain a mystery to
those who try to understand him without faith. Rationalism, superstition, and
popular opinion will always fall short. While the Church has always defended
the harmony between faith and reason, we can never forget that to speak of God,
to speak of Jesus, is to approach a mystery—something that transcends us.
Similar to Herod’s friends, numerous authors have often tried to describe Jesus
according to their own criteria, saying Jesus is merely a moral teacher, an
activist, or a rebel. However, in the forward to his book, Jesus of Nazareth,
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote that such an approach reveals more about the
worldview of the author than about Jesus. To begin to understand Jesus, we must
humbly approach him in all of his mystery, as the Incarnate Son of God.
A Desire to See Jesus: In another passage, Jesus told his disciples, “But
blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you
see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” We are
ultimately created and called to the beatific vision in heaven, that is, to see
God face to face (CCC 163). The Incarnation is the visible face of God,
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Therefore, the longing
to see Jesus goes well beyond mere curiosity in a miracle-maker. When sharing
the faith with people who may seem indifferent to it, remember that
encountering Jesus speaks to their most profound desire, even if for the moment
they do not know it.
Conversing with Christ: “Jesu joy of man’s desiring; Holy wisdom, love most
bright; Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring; Soar to uncreated light” (from
Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”). May my contemplation of your face, O
Lord, increase my desire to live ever closer to you in this life, and one day
attain eternal union with you in heaven. May I offer you all my joys and
sorrows in this life to serve as gratitude for your friendship.
